Graham eyes starting job in Chicago
Buffalo native Corey Graham impressed the Chicago Bears as a special teams standout during his rookie year in 2007 and as a starting cornerback last season. Heading into his third year, he is trying to open eyes at free safety.
After playing cornerback since arriving in the NFL, the Turner-Carroll High School product spent most of the offseason playing free safety. My story in today's Buffalo News deals with his position switch and what it could mean for him this season and beyond.
Graham started nine games at cornerback last season because of a groin injury to former Pro Bowler Nathan Vasher. Graham finished the season as the Bears' fifth-leading tackler with 93 stops. Naturally, he expected to compete for the starting job going into offseason workouts. But with Vasher healthy, the Bears decided to give Graham a shot at free safety. That position is the biggest hole on defense because the team opted not to re-sign long-time starter Mike Brown.
Graham hasn't played safety full time since his senior year at Turner-Carroll (he did it a couple of games at the University of New Hampshire). But the Bears think their 2007 fifth-round draft pick has the size (6-foot, 193 pounds), toughness, instincts, range and ball skills to be an ideal free safety in their Cover-2 scheme.
The Bears aren't going to hand Graham the job. He has to beat out Craig Steltz, who is the only returning free safety on the roster. Steltz has the experience, but Graham is more athletic and has better coverage skills. His ability to line up at corner in nickel and dime packages will only enhance his chances. The two players split time with the starting defense during offseason workouts, and their competition figures to be one of the most intense in training camp.
Word I got out of Chicago is the Bears are quietly hoping Graham wins the job because it would allow them to put their four best defensive backs on the field at the same time. If Graham plays with consistency and is able to communicate with his fellow DBs and get them lined up properly, he'll be the opening-day free safety. And even if he doesn't start, his ability to play two positions would only add to his value to the Bears.
Want to know how Graham feels about changing positions? Check out today's story to find out.
Oh and one more thing, you can see Graham in action this summer when the Bears visit the Bills in a preseason game on Aug. 15.
---Allen Wilson
