Graham stays positive ahead of ACL surgery

A late-season ACL tear can mean bad things for the next season, but Eagles first-round rookie defensive end Brandon Graham said yesterday that he plans to be at full strength 6 months after his surgery, which he said is scheduled for Tuesday, to be performed by Dr. James Andrews.

Graham, maneuvering on crutches in a NovaCare corridor, said that opponents had better watch out, that he will come back stronger and better.

Graham fell during Sunday night's game in Dallas without being hit.

"I didn't know what it was right away, but I knew I wasn't coming back. I felt the whole pop through my body and I fell down. Nobody touched me," Graham said.

Graham's knee operation will be his first surgery.

"This is my first big injury," he said. "I've never had anything like this. It's crazy." *

- Les Bowen