We Must Draft Locker!
Posted: April 14th, 2011 | Author: Tommy Lawlor | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | Tags: Jake Locker | 20 Comments »Jake Locker is working out/meeting with the Eagles today. In the past I would have said this is no big deal, but something very important occurred to me. If we draft Locker, we can start dusting off the Jake and the Fatman references. What the hell is that you ask? Only one of the greatest shows of the 1980s that involved a cop named Jake and a fat man. DVD sales would go through the roof. Lurie will secretly buy the rights to the show before the season so he can collect on all the sales. Jake and the Fatman…do it Big Red. Do it!
* * * * *
Okay, seriously, I’m not sure what to make of the Locker thing. Most likely it is a ploy to make teams think we want Jake, but I have to tell you that Jake is the kind of QB Andy loves. Jake reminds me of Donovan McNabb. Both were/are athletic guys that had strong character, but weren’t pro-ready QBs. Reid developed Donovan into a possible Hall of Fame player (we’ll see how the next few years go). Reid might see similar potential in Locker.
Donovan lit it up at the Senior Bowl back in 1999. His coach was Jon Gruden and those two hit it off really well. That helped create a buzz around McNabb (plus his 4 years of game tape) and he went up high. Locker failed to shine in Mobile. He was up and down, just like his career. That means he’ll go anywhere from pick 10 to the middle of the 2nd round.
I don’t think Locker is in serious play at pick 23, but like we’ve talked about before…Andy has earned the right to go get a QB if he feels the guy can be a good starter. If he sees Locker as a star QB that just needs some coaching and time to develop…can you pass that up?
* * * * *
We had a real good discussion yesterday about the OL and needs. mcud made a very compelling argument for not taking OL early in the draft. He actually made me question my own position. Kudos for that. Or should I say, very horrorshow.
I stick by my contention that we should come out of the draft with a starting caliber G. We’re set on the interior as of now with Herremans-JamJax-McGlynn. The problem is that Jamaal is coming off back-to-back serious injuries. We’ve got to take that into account. The backup C is McGlynn. We do have Max Jean-Gilles behind him, but Max isn’t an ideal fit for Howard Mudd’s new style of doing things and Max hasn’t shown that he can be relied on for a whole season. He’s never played in 16 games.
One of my reasons for targeting a G in the 2nd round is to get someone that can come in and challenge McGlynn for his starting spot at RG. We need competition as well as depth. I love Clint Boling because he has the size, athleticism, and experience to be able to play right away.
I do recognize that he might sit this year. That is a possibility. There is also the chance he beats out Mike for the RG spot or Max for the #3 G spot. You don’t know for sure, but he’s got the capability of doing that.
The key for me is the phrase “starting caliber G”. That player doesn’t have to come in the first couple of rounds. Howard Mudd may think there is someone in the 3rd or 4th that he could get ready to play this summer. If so, that’s fine with me. I don’t see guys that I feel that way about, but Howard knows exactly what he’s looking for and I’m still kinda guessing. The Saints did okay with 4th rounder Jahri Evans as a rookie. He was the right guy for their system.
* * * * *
What do we do if Da’Quan Bowers falls? Pass. He’s not ideal for the new system. Bowers would have been perfect in the old system. He’s not a pure speed rusher. Several of Bowers sacks came on bull rushes or inside moves. We’re looking for guys who can fly off the ball and play outside-in. Plus, we’ve had bad luck with injured players. I’m fine with using a 3rd rounder on Bruce Carter, but I get the feeling that if we take Bowers it will be one issue after another. The Eagles will finally let him go after the anvil falls on his head in 2014.
Speaking of DEs…I’ve been watching lots of draft tape in recent days. I don’t know if we’ll take a DE, but Ryan Kerrigan is hard not to want. Okay, that sounded funny. Football-wise, I mean. (My heart and soul are still committed to Eric Berry and Megan Fox.) Kerrigan would be ideal for the new system and god he is fun to watch. A 6-4 guy with a good motor. Athletic and productive. I also watched tape of J.J. Watt and Aldon Smith. Those guys each were great in their own way. I’m not sure Smith would be a great fit for the system, but man is that guy talented. He uses his hands to punish blockers. And he’s doing this as a young kid. Imagine when he gets to be a bitter man. Let’s hope he goes to the AFC. When I see a guy with Watt’s size and athletic ability I can’t help but flash back to the days of Reggie and Clyde. It would be fun to have a monster-sized DE like that (preferably not named Jon Harris). Lots of great D-linemen to choose from in the 1st round. All I ask is that Kerrigan not be a Dallas Cowboy. I’m still suffering from their selection of Sean Lee last year. And with a pick we traded them. The horror. The horror.
Can the Eagles really afford to go DE in the 1st again? I know Graham is injured, but wouldn’t that be a huge hit to his confidence?
Also, if they trade up to the 10-15 range, do you see them targeting one of the DE’s mentioned, or another position (Prince at CB maybe)?
The reason to go after a DE is for immediate help while Graham is recovering and then to be an eventual replacement for Trent Cole.
Trent will turn 29 in October. I love him to death, but at some point he will wear down. I’m hoping for 12/22/2012.
I don’t think you need a DE per se, but you can always find ways to use pass rushers. That’s especially true if we get a bigger guy like Kerrigan (6-4, 272) and could also mix them in at DT in some situations.
Will they target a DE in trade up? Doesn’t seem likely, but never say never. I think the Eagles are focused on CB. That is a spot where we absolutely need help. I don’t know if Prince is a guy you trade up for. Is he that compelling? Smith has as much or more talent. He also brings the baggage which affects his value. Tough choices for Andy and Howie this year.
Tommy, I am all for drafting a RCB early, and I am ok with any of the 3 top prospects. However, isn’t that an indication that the Lindley pick was wasted? What is lindley’s ceiling, a nickel back? I am no expert, just a normal Eagles fanatic, but I thought he played decent enough last year to get a longer look this year. Am I wrong? Looking forward to your response. Thanks, and have a great day.
T Lawl,
Do you know offhand if Washburn uses DEs at DT in passing situations as we (and many other teams) have done in the past few seasons? If so, any inkling as to what the frequency would be?
Tommy: I’m good with peters-todd-jam-mcglynn-justice rather than a 1st/2nd on an o-lineman. wonder if we might not be better with peters-mcglynn-jam-justice-todd (or todd-justice) with a lefty qb?
RE: Todd at RT
From what I’m hearing that will not happen. Todd will stay at LG and Winston at RT. Things might change after Mudd starts coaching the guys, but for now we want to limit the amount of change on the O-line.
RE: DEs on the inside
I don’t think Washburn did that with regularity, but I need to watch more TEN to know for sure. I DVR’d the TEN/DAL game recently. I want to study it, but have been super-focused on draft research.
With a guy like Jason Jones at DT (6’5, 275) you don’t need to shift a DE in to replace him. He’s got DE size to start with.
We had Patt at 330 and Bunk at 310. Slight difference.
RE: Lindley
The Eagles are still high on Trevard. He’s never been my cup of tea, but we’ll see how that goes. The team doesn’t see him as ready to start. Going for the RCB in the 1st isn’t a reflection of how the team views Lindley overall. They hope he can be Asante’s replacement down the line. We need a stud CB right now to handle the right side and that’s why we’re looking at top shelf guys for the upcoming draft.
You can’t force a certain position in each round. If the BPA or close is available, then great. But there’s only 3 guys at CB I would care to take in Round 1 and one(Smith) may not be on the Eagles board due to character.
As far as OG, you can get good guards later. If not Smith, I think Round 1 will probably be a defensive lineman simply because that’s the strength of this year’s draft. I think it’s defensive line Round 1, CB Round 2, OL Round 3 with the possibility of holding off on CB if they’re locked into getting Asomugha or another CB once there’s FA.
Just read on PFT that bucs GM thought as many as 5 QBs could get selected in the 1st. It is possible that out “interest” in Locker etc would make a team trade their 2012 1st + 2011 2nd and 4th for our 23 (like Panthers did in 08)… Then after the lockout we trade Kolb for yet another 2012 1st leaving us with 3 first round picks in 2012!!! Is that even possible? In my opinion, even though future picks are less valuable, that would be amazing!! This year we could select CB Dowling in the 2nd, LB Carter in the 3rd and Then in 2012 we could use our picks to move up for Luck or simply pick 3 first round players… How would you like that??? (I know i’m maybe dreaming, but…)
I like the way you think Jeppe, and I wish to subscribe to your newsletter.
I’ve been checking out some scouting videos lately too (youtube) and while I haven’t really been able to find any LBs that REALLY like, I did notice that your boy Deunta Williams is all over UNC’s defensive tape. He seems like he is always around the ball either coming up finishing off tackles or attacking passes in the air. I’d be very happy if the Eagles could nab him in the 3rd. I was very underwhelmed with the LB tapes that I checked out though. Bruce Carter, Quan Sturdivant, Mason Foster, Akeem Ayers, and Martez Wilson never seemed to be playing at full speed. It was clear that they could run fast when they were beat and had to chase guys down from behind but as far as coming up to attack and flying to the ball I didn’t really see it from any of them on a consistent basis. The one player who did seem like they were always around the ball and making plays in the backfield was NC Sate LB, Nate Irving.
Do you have any thoughts on what LBs you think the Eagles might be targeting?
@ SKORH
There is a link here on Igglesblitz to a blog (fan-demonium on PE.com I think) where Tommy breaks down the interesting LB prospects for the Eagles…
On the top of ny head I remember Matthews, Homan, Rolle, Irving, Sturdivant and Wilson… But look it up, it is great reading!!
As to my earlier post in this thread
…I forgot our second 2nd rounder… In my mock, we would have two 2nds, one 3rd and two 4ths etc PLUS three 1st round picks in 2012…
This year we grab:
Early second: CB Dowling
Our second: OG Ijalana
Our third: LB Carter
Early fourth: LB Homan
Our fourth: Best safety available
Them in 2012:
Trade up to number one and pick QB Luck or:
1st: Best QB (Vicks replacement) Barkley, Jones etc.
1st: Best DE (Coles replacement)
1st: Best LB (amazingly deep LB class)
This scenario is my dream
I was thinking about how Kerrigan would have the possibility of actually being in the Hall of Fame if he played in Washburn’s system. Over the past 2 years he’s averaged the most sacks of anyone in the draft; besides all the other great stats & motor he has. Then when I heard he got practically all of those sacks when he was out wide, instead of right across from the OT, it looked like a match made in heaven. We got a lot of DE’s and we could get a good FA like Babin or Edwards for a good price since everyone will be drafting DE’s, but you’ve gotta take THE REAL DE if they think that this is somewhat possible. What do you think?
The Eagles could have the most dangerous combination of Thunder and Lightning (in what they do; passing the ball) if they added Greg Little in the 3rd rd. We have the fastest receivers, but if we added the most fearless enforcer that’ll have the LB’s jumping out of the way faster than Asante when he sees a RB get near him; that would open up the offense in every way. Being 6’3″ 230 lbs. (all muscle) 4.5 in the 40 and loving to KO defenders; after a few games the defenses will be too scared to even think about tackling DJack. We have the chance to get the most fearless/strongest/skilled combination receiver in the history of the NFL. Since he was a RB his 1st yr or 2 maybe we could use him as our 3rd RB (for short yardage) after he establishes himself as a WR. Then we’d just need a lightning fast 2nd RB & we’d have an extra roster spot open since Little would be 1 of the 5 WR & 1 of the 3 Rb’s. Considering the way we’ve liked to reach more than any other team in the third rd the past 12 yrs. (for some reason) why not use the pick wisely this year?
We’ve been striking gold with WR’s ever since we drafted Avant; let’s keep it Rollin…
Thanks Jeppe, that’s good stuff there. Now that I’ve read more of Tommy’s LB breakdowns I can see where he really likes Mason Foster. The guy can cover the field sideline to sideline but never really attacks upfield and while I love those attacking LBs, as TL points out that might not be what the new Eagles D is looking for.
Eaglizeit, I’m totally with you on the Eagles targeting Greg Little. He is a stud and I think would complete our WR group. How good would DJax, Maclin, Avant, Cooper, and Little look?
Personally, I’m not scared at all about those suspended UNC kids. Their draft stock is low because of their “off-field” issues. Well those off-field issues are improper dealings with an agent, which according to the NCAA is a terrible offense. If they do that in the NFL, they just make more money. It’s not like they were being dropped down draft boards because they were suspended for illegal substance or they’re coming off injuries. This will not effect them in the NFL. They are currently just discounted talent. Go get them!
I like Greg Little, Marvin Austin, Deunta Williams, along with LBs Carter and Sturdivant and would be happy to see the Eagles target any of them.
Oh and Eaglizeit that other RB you are looking for is Taiwan Jones. I mean the secret is out of the bag now that he ran a4.3 at his pro day yesterday and he’ll probably go higher than the Eagles are looking for but he is very talented. http://scoutsnotebook.com/blog/blog/2011/04/04/taiwan-jones-draft-notes/
and
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCIN6EWoPBo
Tommy, taking this Locker visit one step further: I assume as most already have that the Locker visit is a smokescreen to deceive the QB needy teams that we may indeed draft him but ultimately the visit is to drive up the price for trading into the #23 pick, which is all well and good.
Separately, AR is signed through 2013, making some interweb folks opine that his contract essentially gives him this year and next to win the SB and if he doesn’t, he is as good as gone and Lurie will bring in a new Head coach. (I would appreciate your thoughts on the validity of the notion that AR only has 2 years to win the big one or Lurie moves on from the Big Red Era)
So, lets combine the 2 for a hot minute:
Lets say AR is infatuated with Locker and sees him as a legitimate NFL star QB in the making and the BPA @23 and desperately wants to draft him, would he actually draft a guy who may not be able to help him win the SB in the next 2 years and subsequently help ensure his own job security over a guy who can immediately step in and contribute (OL or RCB), if he thought it was best for the organization?
Thanks, and have a great day! The Reddgie