By David Weinberg
The Eagles are keeping their leaders for at least one more season.
Defensive end Brandon Graham and center Jason Kelce both agreed to terms on one-year contracts that will keep them in midnight green.
Graham likely could have landed a bigger contract with another franchise during free agency. But it was more important to him – and to the Eagles – to stay in Philadelphia.
As a result, he has agreed to terms on a one-year deal last week that will be worth up to $6 million, according to ESPN.com.
“It wasn’t even about no money,” Graham told ESPN.com. “It was more about wanting to be an Eagle as long as I could still play at a high level, and of course I still have a sour taste in my mouth on how things ended this year.”
Kelce has been contemplating retirement for a few years, but announced on Monday that he will be back for his 13th season.
“I have put much thought into whether it makes sense to play another season,” Kelce wrote on Twitter. “After talking it over with my wife and many other friends and family, I have decided to return for another year. … “I ain’t (bleeping) done yet!”
Graham, the team’s first-round draft pick in 2010, is already Philadelphia’s longest-tenured current pro athlete. He will be beginning his 14th season with the Eagles, tying Chuck Bednarik (1949-62) for the most seasons played with the team.
The 34-year-old has played 178 games with the Eagles, which puts him in position to break former place-kicker David Akers’ franchise record of 188.
Kelce is just behind Graham with 176 games.
Such longevity is indeed rare in Philadelphia. Consider that Graham and Kelce are among 10 players who have played at least 160 games in Eagle green. Among the other eight, only former tight end Brent Celek (175) and current defensive tackle Fletcher Cox (173) spent their entire careers with the Birds and there is a chance Cox will be playing elsewhere in 2023.
Loyalty typically is not rewarded, even if you’re among the best players in franchise history at your position. Safety Brian Dawkins signed with Denver after 13 seasons and 183 games. Wide receiver Harold Carmichael reluctantly joined the Cowboys after 13 seasons and 180 games. Quarterback Donovan McNabb was traded to Washington after 11 years. Defensive end Trent Cole (Indianapolis) and tackle Tra Thomas (Jacksonville) met similar fates after more than a decade with the team.
Eagles general manager Howie Roseman and owner Jeffrey Lurie also deserve credit for recognizing Graham’s importance to the team and the community.
I’ve watched enough episodes of “Dancing with the Stars” – it’s my tradeoff for watching sports – to know that it takes two to Tango.
Graham and Roseman proved to be the football equivalent of Drew Lachey and Cheryl Burke – they won Season 2 of DWTS.
Graham, who turns 35 next month, is one of those rare athletes whose value to a team cannot be measured strictly on the field.
He is still a productive pass rusher – he registered a career-high 11 sacks this season – but the veteran is also perhaps the team’s biggest defensive leader. When he talks, younger players such as Josh Sweat and Haason Reddick listen.
He also delivered arguably the biggest defensive play in franchise history in Super Bowl LII.
Nick Foles and “Philly Special” may not have mattered if not for Graham’s strip sack of Patriots quarterback Tom Brady that sealed the Eagles’ 41-33 victory.
Like six-time Mirror Ball trophy winner Derek Hough, Graham has worked well with a variety of partners while mastering a variety of moves.
There figures to be some changes to the defense this season. Cox is among nine veterans slated to become unrestricted free agent next week, including cornerback James Bradberry, safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, linebacker T.J. Edwards and defensive tackle Javon Hargrave. According to ESPN, the team has also given cornerback Darius Slay permission to seek a trade.
It helps to have someone who can serve as a steadying influence, in addition to putting pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
Graham decided to stick around in hopes of getting back to the Super Bowl after a narrow, 38-35 loss to the Chiefs last month.
I’d be willing to sit through another season of DWTS if it means I can watch the Eagles in Super Bowl LVIII.
RIP Richie Kates
The local boxing community just lost another legend.
Former Bridgeton light-heavyweight contender and trainer Richie Kates passed away Saturday, two months shy of his 70th birthday.
Kates retired after a 14-year career with a record of 44-6 with 23 knockouts. His 44 wins are the most of any boxer from Atlantic, Cape May or Cumberland Counties over the last 60 years. Former heavyweight champion Bruce Seldon (Atlantic City) is second with 40 victories. Millville middleweight Thomas LaManna (34-5-1, 13 KOs) will have a chance to take over third place tonight in a 10-round bout against Rahway’s Salim Larbi in Orlando, Florida. He is currently tied with the late Leavander Johnson (34-5-2, 26 KOs), of Atlantic City, who was a former lightweight champ.
Richie turned professional when he was 16. He lied about his age and made his debut at a show in Baltimore on Dec. 11, 1969, during his sophomore year at Bridgeton High.
Kates is widely considered the best local fighter to never win a world title. And with respect to Seldon and Johnson, the argument can be made that Kates was the best local fighter, period.
He retired from boxing in 1983 at age 30. Although he was still ranked among the top light-heavyweights at the time — he had won five straight fights — Kates chose to quit after his 50th professional bout, a split decision victory over Jerry Martin on Oct. 26, 1983, at the since-demolished Sands Hotel Casino in Atlantic City.
After his fighting days, Kates moved to Vineland and became a trainer. Ironically, he worked Seldon’s corner during the former champ’s comeback from an eight-year hiatus, guiding him to a 4-1 record in five bouts in the mid-2000’s.
Ventnor promoter Russell Peltz delivered the heart-breaking news of Richie’s passing Saturday.
Although he never won a world title, Richie’s character, dignity, grace and humility made him a champion.
MAAC Attack
Kudos to Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall officials and the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference for agreeing to bring the MAAC men’s and women’s basketball tournaments back to Atlantic City for the next three years.
Concerns about whether the town could support such a tournament were waylaid last weekend. Loud, raucous crowds showed up to Boardwalk Hall to see the Iona University men’s and women’s teams win titles and earn berths in the upcoming NCAA tournament known as March Madness.
