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Corey Graham

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Corey Graham
refer to caption
Graham with the Chicago Bears in 2011
No. 20, 21, 24
Position:Free safety
Personal information
Born: (1985-07-25) July 25, 1985 (age 39)
Buffalo, New York
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:196 lb (89 kg)
Career information
High school:Turner-Carroll
(Buffalo, New York)
College:New Hampshire
NFL draft:2007 / round: 5 / pick: 168
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:707
Sacks:3.0
Forced fumbles:3
Fumble recoveries:6
Interceptions:18
Defensive touchdowns:2
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Corey Dewayne Graham (born July 25, 1985) is a former American football free safety. He was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the fifth round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at New Hampshire. He played for the Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, and Philadelphia Eagles. Graham is a one-time Pro Bowl selection and two-time Super Bowl champion.

College career

Graham attended the University of New Hampshire, where he played for the New Hampshire Wildcats football team.

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight 40-yard dash Bench press
6 ft 0 in
(1.83 m)
195 lb
(88 kg)
4.42 s 10 reps
All values from NFL Combine[1]

Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears selected Graham in the fifth round (168th overall) of the 2007 NFL Draft. He was the 17th cornerback drafted in 2007.

On May 22, 2007, the Chicago Bears signed Graham to a four-year, $1.81 million contract that included a signing bonus of $149,500.[2]

In 2008, Graham started at cornerback alongside longtime Bear Charles Tillman. Graham registered his first career interception on October 19, 2008 off of Minnesota Vikings quarterback Gus Frerotte.[3] Graham also recorded 91 tackles in the 2008 season.

Graham was selected to his first Pro Bowl in 2011 after a season in which he recorded 16 total tackles, deflected three passes, forced a fumble, and caught three interceptions.[4]

Baltimore Ravens

Graham signed with the Baltimore Ravens on March 23, 2012.[5] Graham said that upon signing with the Ravens, he looked to see more time on defense, as well as continuing his solid special teams play.[6]

Graham at Navy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in 2012.

Graham had a limited role on defense at first, but injuries to Lardarius Webb and Jimmy Smith helped earn him more playing time.

Graham was named the CBS player of the game for the Baltimore Ravens' 2012 Divisional round playoff game against the top seeded Denver Broncos. In this game, Graham intercepted two Peyton Manning passes and made 8 tackles. Graham returned his first interception of the game 39 yards for a touchdown, giving the Ravens a 14–7 lead midway through the first quarter. Graham's second interception of the game occurred in overtime and led to a Ravens game-winning field goal, advancing the team to the AFC championship game.[7] The Ravens entered the game as 9.5 point underdogs, but won the game in double overtime, 38–35, thanks in part to Graham's performance. Graham would call joining the Ravens the second best decision of his life, behind marrying his wife. Graham earned his first Super Bowl ring on February 3, 2013, when the Ravens defeated the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII.[8]

Buffalo Bills

On March 12, 2014, Graham signed a four-year, $16 million contract with the Buffalo Bills.[9] He contributed as a cornerback and on special teams during his first season on the team before being moved to the starting safety position under head coach Rex Ryan.[10]

On March 10, 2017, Graham was released by the Bills after the team signed Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer.[11]

Philadelphia Eagles

On August 3, 2017, Graham signed a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles reuniting him with former teammates Torrey Smith and Dannell Ellerbe.[12] Graham won his second Super Bowl ring when the Eagles defeated the New England Patriots 41-33 in Super Bowl LII with Graham recording five tackles.[13] Coincidentally, both that game and the other Super Bowl he was part of the winning team on, XLVII, were two of only three Super Bowls in NFL history where both teams recorded at least 30 points, the other being XIII between the Cowboys and Steelers.

On August 5, 2018, Graham re-signed with the Eagles on a one-year deal.[14]

References

  1. ^ "Pro Football Reference: 2007 NFL Combine". National Football League. Retrieved August 26, 2018.
  2. ^ "Spotrac.com: Corey Graham contract". spotrac.com. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
  3. ^ "Young cornerbacks step in and step up in Bears victory". Archived from the original on October 21, 2008. Retrieved October 20, 2008.
  4. ^ Wildcat Alum Corey Graham Earns NFC Pro Bowl Berth for Chicago Bears Archived February 2, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ Corey Graham, Ravens agree
  6. ^ Ravens CB Corey Graham says Bears never gave him chanceJason Butt, CBS Sports
  7. ^ Joining Ravens Best Decision Of Corey Graham's Life Archived January 15, 2013, at the Wayback Machine Garrett Downing, Baltimore Ravens.com Retrieved January 14, 2013.
  8. ^ "Super Bowl XLVII - San Francisco 49ers vs. Baltimore Ravens - February 3rd, 2013". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 8, 2017.
  9. ^ Corey Graham agrees to four-year deal with Bills
  10. ^ Rodak, Mike (March 10, 2017). "Bills resume defensive shuffle, discard Graham". ESPN.com. Retrieved May 22, 2020.
  11. ^ Brown, Chris (March 10, 2017). "Bills release veteran Corey Graham". BuffaloBills.com. Archived from the original on March 11, 2017. Retrieved March 11, 2017.
  12. ^ Alper, Josh (August 3, 2017). "EEagles sign Corey Graham". ProFootballTalk.NBCSports.com.
  13. ^ "Eagles dethrone Tom Brady, Patriots for first Super Bowl title in stunner". USA TODAY. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
  14. ^ McPherson, Chris (August 5, 2018). "Corey Graham Returns And Eagles Add Tight End". PhiladelphiaEagles.com.