Defensive end Brandon Graham wanted to attend the "party in the backfield" last Sunday in Miami, which was fellow defensive end Trent Cole's way of describing how the Eagles defensive line obliterated Miami's pass protection en route to a season-high nine sacks.

Graham had worked all week leading up to the game on specific techniques designed to beat Dolphins right tackle Marc Colombo. But on Sunday, Graham learned that he was being deactivated despite being fully recovered from his torn ACL that he suffered only a year ago Monday. It has not even been a year since he had the surgery to repair the injury.

"They want to protect me because they have a lot invested in me and they know what I can do," Graham said. "I'm going to go ahead and take my time. I'm not going to rush it. I'm going to let them tell me when I'm ready. I know I've got to work hard. I'm going to keep working hard."

Before the injury, the team's first-round pick was enjoying a promising rookie campaign with 18 tackles, 3.0 sacks and eight quarterback hits. Teammates were in awe of how advanced his technique was for being a rookie. However, fans have started to compare Graham, the 13th overall pick, to Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul who was selected two spots after Graham in the 2010 NFL Draft.

Pierre-Paul is enjoying an outstanding sophomore campaign with the Giants as he is fifth in the NFL with 12.5 sacks. Then again, Pierre-Paul didn't have to rehab in a lockout-shortened offseason from an ACL injury.

"I haven't been able to really prove myself just yet, but I will," Graham said. "If it's this year, these last couple games to prove myself if they put me in, I'm going to do it. If not, next year I'm going to be something to be reckoned with."

Head coach Andy Reid said that Graham has a bright future with the team. The only question is whether Graham will have a chance to join the "party in the backfield" this season or wait until 2012.

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