The NFC East is nothing less than a heavyweight bout. Think of Ali-Frazier, Yankees-Red Sox, and Bruins-Canadiens. It’s blood, history, and pure, unfiltered hate. This week, two chapters unfolded. And it just added fresh spice to the NFL’s juiciest rivalry.
Eagles legend Brandon Graham fired his latest salvo. Appearing on the "Exciting Mics" podcast, the two-time Super Bowl champ left zero doubt about his target. Cooper DeJean tossed the ball,“You got a favorite player or team that you like to talk trash to?” Graham fired fast.
Brandon’s Bulletin Board
"Oh, Dallas, man," Graham declared, recalling relentless fan trolling after a tough loss. "All I get is L under all my stuff. All these fans spamming me, spamming my Instagram saying 'L,' 'how about that,' 'how about this.' Ever since then, boy, they’ve been the top of my list." He practically giggled envisioning the Week 1 clash.
"I can already envision it. Coming out both trophies. 'Yeah. What up? We walking out together.' Then we got the banner coming down. Oh man," Graham added. But this isn't new coming from him. Remember his viral "Dallas sucks!" chant at April's draft last year? Pure, uncut Philly venom.
Graham’s gleeful trolling hits differently now. His years of needling Dallas—calling out fans, loving the hate—feel amplified. Why?
Because down in Oxnard, California, Cowboys camp buzzed with chaos. The Cowboys' foundation looks shaky. Graham embodies Philly’s unified, gritty identity. But Dallas is publicly sparring with its best defender.
Star pass rusher Micah Parsons dropped a bombshell this past week. He publicly requested a trade, citing disrespect and broken promises in negotiations. Alarm bells?
Jerry’s Poker Face
Not for owner Jerry Jones. He brushed it off like stale popcorn. "Surely you guys have been around this stuff and know how to recognize negotiation talk," Jones smirked after practice. He bizarrely referenced Emmitt Smith's 1993 holdout, then downplayed the firestorm.
"Don’t lose any sleep over it," Jones told worried fans. Jones claims he's not bothered himself. His plain dismissal? "I can’t tell you how many hundreds of times I’ve heard that negotiation." But Parsons isn’t just any player.
He’s a game-wrecker. His 52.5 sacks in four seasons prove that. Eagles fans know that disruptive defense wins championships. Seeing Dallas potentially alienate theirs? That’s Christmas in August. Meanwhile, Parsons’ frustration is palpable.
Micah claims the Cowboys refuse to negotiate with his agent. He feels slighted by "repeated shots" from the organization, even about his injury. Teammates like CeeDee Lamb shouted support, "Just pay the man!" Fans chanted, "We want Micah!" But Jones stands firm.
He bizarrely claimed an agreement was reached back in March, which Parsons apparently took off the table. "What y'all don't know is what I offered him," Jones boasted, "and it’s a hell of a lot more than you think I did." But trust is clearly in short supply. Besides, this internal Dallas drama is pure gold for Philadelphia.
The Looming Kickoff: Advantage Eagles?
The Eagles open the season at home against the Cowboys in Week 1. Imagine the scene. Graham with the Philly fans, hoisting their NFC Championship banner high in AT&T Stadium. Now, picture a distracted, potentially disgruntled Parsons—if he even plays. Or worse, a defense missing its heart.
The Eagles' path to an early division statement suddenly looks smoother. Chaos in Dallas directly benefits Philly’s quest for the East crown. Meanwhile, Jones plays a dangerous game. History shows he eventually pays his stars (Prescott, Lamb). However, his hardball tactics risk fracturing the locker room.
Parsons’ trade request isn't just "negotiation talk"; it’s a cry for respect. Dismissing it fuels resentment. Can a team truly contend when its owner and best defender are publicly at odds? The Eagles, watching from their cohesive nest, have to hope the answer is no.
For the Eagles, Graham’s fire provides the spark. His hatred for Dallas is legendary fuel. "Everybody can get it in Dallas. And I'm gonna keep saying it," he vowed. That energy is infectious. Now contrast that with Dallas, where uncertainty swirls around their defensive anchor. Focus wins football games. Right now, the Eagles seem laser-focused on the rivalry. The Cowboys? They seem focused on damage control.
