Graham earning future payday one sack at a time

PHILADELPHIA » The Eagles don’t give contracts to busts. Well, contract extensions at least.

Brandon Graham, his deal up after 2018, is about to make some more money if there’s any truth to a report suggesting that the Eagles want to extend his deal. They re-did Tim Jernigan’s pact over the bye week.

“I don’t know anything about that,” Graham said after sparking a 31-3 rout of the Bears. “That was news to me when I saw the report. But hey, man, I’m always open to trying to be here.”

Graham recorded a team-high five tackles, including two for loss, one quarterback hurry and a sack of Mitch Trubisky as the Eagles held the Bears without a first down in the first half and 140 net yards.

Malcolm Jenkins and Corey Graham intercepted Trubisky as the Eagles kept their opponent out of the end zone for a second straight week (even though Jenkins lost a fumble on his pick).

Graham, 30, appreciated the win and his team-leading seventh sack, also a career-best. The 2011 first-round pick out of Michigan had 6.5 sacks in 2015.

“It means a lot to me, man,” Graham said. “And we’re not done yet. It’s nice that we’ve got five more opportunities to keep it going and keep winning. Really, the No. 1 goal is to win. But I’m happy I got 7 because I finally got over that hump of 6.5, 5.5. Now I’ve got seven and hopefully I don’t stop here.”

Opponents no longer stop their game plans at defensive tackle Fletcher Cox, second on the squad with 5.5 sacks. Graham and Jernigan are circled, as well.

“I’m happy for Brandon,” said Cox, who had the other Eagles’ sack Sunday. “I’m always happy for Brandon. When I first got here, so many people doubted him. So many people called him a bust and he just took that and look at him now. He’s having one of the best years of his career right now. He’s running around and having fun.”

*** Alshon Jeffery caught five passes for 52 yards and a touchdown, the latter setting up a celebration in which teammates lined up like bowling pins, and he faked a roll for — you’ve got it — a strike.

And yes, the players fell to the ground in a wave, no bouncing pin action, of course.

That it came against the team that drafted him made it bittersweet.

“I wish I would have rolled the ball,” Jeffery said. “It’s something I’ve been saving up for a couple of weeks now. It worked out.”

Jeffery has touchdowns in four straight games, the longest streak of his career.

Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz was part of the celebration.

“I just show up and try to figure out what the heck we’re doing,” Wentz said. “We don’t plan anything. But I think the defense plans theirs. But it’s cool to see everyone out there having fun.”

The defensive backs broke into the Electric Slide twice — once after Rasul Douglas’ apparent pick, which was reversed on review, and again on Corey Graham’s fourth-quarter interception.

*** Eagles running back Jay Ajayi busted a 30yard run but finished with five carries for 26 yards, twice losing yardage in the backfield.

Ajayi also fumbled into the end zone at the end of the long run, Nelson Agholor falling on it for a score.

Asked if he was trying to do too much with his runs, Ajayi responded “Nope.”

LeGarrette Blount led the Eagles with 15 carries for 97 yards, although he fumbled and was part of a bad exchange with Nick Foles resulting in another turnover.

“It’s the coaches’ decision,” Ajayi said. “It’s exciting to be on a team this good. It’s probably the first time being on a team this good. So, I’m happy I’m winning.”

*** The Eagles scratched tight end Trey Burton and defensive tackle Beau Allen.

Burton sat out just his third game in four seasons due to a back issue. Allen is nursing a strained knee.

Rookie defensive tackle Elijah Qualls and rookie wide receiver Shelton Gibson were activated. The Eagles deactivated quarterback Nate Sudfeld, running back Wendell Smallwood, wide receiver Marcus Johnson, linebacker Dannell Ellerbe and offensive tackle Will Beatty.