Misc Tuesday

Posted: August 16th, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 40 Comments »

Should the Eagles have any interest in recently cut DE Aaron Maybin?  No.  He was a very good pass rusher at Penn State.  He is a perfect match for the wide-nine.  PSU let him line up real wide and fire off the ball.  My issue is that I didn’t think he was ready for the NFL when he left Penn State and he’s done nothing in the league to change that perception.

Maybin reported to camp at 228 pounds.  The Bills wanted him to get bigger, not lighter.  Maybe Maybin is one of those freaks that just can’t hold weight (if only I had that problem).  Maybe he’s not with the right training staff.  I don’t know what the exact answer is, but I just don’t see a player I want to add to my team knowing that I like the DEs I have in place.

Maybin has played in 27 games.  No sacks.  Daniel Te’o-Nesheim played in 6 games and has 1.  Maybin has the higher upside, but I just get the feeling he’s not meant to pan out.  DTN isn’t a player that everyone agrees on, but I see him doing whatever the coaches ask of him.  I’m willing to stick with him.

I hope Maybin is able to go somewhere and carve out an NFL career.  I did like watching him at PSU.  If we didn’t have so much depth a DE, I might be willing to take a chance on him.  I like the guys we have and don’t see the point in rolling the dice on such an underachiever.

* * * * *

The Eagles added OT Jose Acuna when Dallas placed him on waivers.  Veteran Joe Toledo was cut to make room for Acuna.  Obviously this isn’t a big deal, but it is interesting the team cut a veteran to grab a rookie cast-off.

Acuna is 6’6 and about 305.  That’s a good build for the Mudd system.  He was a junior college player that transferred to Nevada.  He sat in 2009 and started at LT in 2010.  Acuna isn’t a gifted athlete or pass blocker.  He does have a chance to fit the Mudd system.  He uses his hands well.  He looks natural when allowed to fire off the ball.  Acuna was good at blocking LBs on run plays.

Worst case scenario, he struggles and gets cut.  Best case (realistically) is that he shows enough potential to merit a spot on the Practice Squad.

One odd note, Acuna admitted to a reporter that he’s “kind of a slow learner” and had a hard time in Dallas dealing with all the line calls and adjustments, especially when practicing against Rob Ryan and his shifty defensive fronts.

* * * * *

The Saints cut RT Jon Stinchcomb.  Immediately we all thought about whether the Eagles should have any interest.  Stinchcomb is a solid player, but I always thought he benefited from Drew Brees more than people knew.  Drew got the ball out so quickly that it made life much easier on Jon than what most RTs have to deal with.

Stinchcomb has been tough and durable, but injuries really hurt his performance last year.  He had 3 false starts and 4 holding penalties.  He gave up 7 sacks.  In the previous 3 years he’d only allowed a total of 8.5.  The Saints didn’t see him as getting healthier/better this summer and decided to let him go.  I can’t imagine the Eagles will think he’s the answer.  We’ve already got a pair of talented veteran RTs that aren’t healthy.

Someone on Twitter asked if Ryan Harris’ back spasms worry me.  Heck yes.  Big guys and back issues is not a good combination.  Tra Thomas had back problems for a while and he wasn’t some out of shape OT.  We need Harris or Winston Justice to get healthy and play RT.

* * * * *

Eagles are done at Lehigh.  Seems like a good Training Camp all in all.  The team plays preseason game #2 in a couple of days.  Then we’ve got just 2 weeks til final cuts.  Things are moving at a brisk pace.


40 Comments on “Misc Tuesday”

  1. 1 Kevin (RC) said at 1:25 PM on August 16th, 2011:

    This has been one of the least physical training camps I can remember. I’m concerned we’re going to pick the wrong guys. Say what you will about Reid’s physical training camps, but we always won in November/December because we had guys who could push through injuries and were tough.

    Now? How do you judge. Even guys like Nnamdi haven’t played an important game in years.

  2. 2 Cafone said at 1:32 PM on August 16th, 2011:

    @Kevin – I have no idea how it will affect the team in Nov./Dec. but perhaps the less physical start will benefit the Eagles in the early season where they have traditionally been relatively slow starters. Four of our first six games are against “lesser” teams (Rams, Bills, 49ers, Redskins) and it would be nice to win them all.

  3. 3 Eric said at 1:51 PM on August 16th, 2011:

    I don’t know, Tommy. Maybe it’s just that I follow Penn St. more closely, but I really don’t think over the last decade or so they really produce NFL talent. My dad reads everything and anything Penn St. and goes on and on about their 4 and 5 stars, but my constant response is, “I only care about whether they are 5 stars coming out… look at the NFL draft and you see what teams are producing NFL quality talent.”

    Some of the bigger draft names in recent years have all been mostly busts and I kind of felt that way from the beginning. Levi Brown was overrated and has not proven a thing in the NFL. I’ve told my dad for years I think they need to revamp their entire offensive lines’ coaching staff. And I could never quite figure out what anyone saw in Maybin as a first round pick. He has first round talent, but he’s only going to play very limited snaps in limited situations. Beyond a double wide-9 system, do you think he would suit a defensive system like Seattle’s where they favor 3 DTs with a speed rusher out wide?

    And I read an article a few years back where they said the strength and conditioning people in the NFL feel Penn St. does not do their players justice, nor prepares them for the big show. I know one of their S&C coaches, but I keep forgetting to ask him when I see him his opinion on all this.

    Sorry if I went on a tangent from the intent of your write-up.

  4. 4 mattman said at 2:33 PM on August 16th, 2011:

    Made it out of Lehigh with only one significant injury (Patterson) and that’s not too bad. Of course, there are three more preseason games between now and Week One, but all told, it’s been a good camp on that front.

    As for the physical/non-physical camps, the truth is we have no idea what kind of impact that has on the team’s play later in the year. Frankly, I’ve never been convinced that Reid’s camps were SO much tougher and more physical than every other team. Some teams, yes, but the whole rest of the league? I have doubts.

  5. 5 Morton said at 2:49 PM on August 16th, 2011:

    Eric: Two of the best defensive players in the NFL are relatively recent PSU alums – Cameron Wake and Tamba Hali. I guess they must be doing something right.

  6. 6 Eric said at 3:11 PM on August 16th, 2011:

    Morton,

    Yes.. two. In the last 10 years? Out of how many 1 to 3 round guys? Out of how many 4 and 5 star guys coming in?

    Think of the top guys in the last decade besides those two…

    Arrington… was ok but never lived up to his college successes
    Courtney Brown… bust
    Maybin… bust
    Levi Brown…bust
    Larry Johnson…could have been even greater but he only really played one year at Penn St.
    Puz… eh, been average.
    Conner… backup every year
    Derrick Williams…. backup
    Bryant Johnson… 1st round backup

    As I said previously though, I’m stating that because I follow this team more closer I’m putting them under a bigger microscope than other programs.

    But look at the NFL the last 10 years. Tell me the college teams in the 1st round. Florida, Alabama, Ohio St… those are the guys producing talent at the NFL level. If you want to know why Michigan stunk for so long, look at the NFL draft. If you want to know why Miami stunk for so long, look at the NFL draft.

  7. 7 CVD said at 3:12 PM on August 16th, 2011:

    I agree with Kevin. I liked the fact that we always had tough camps, I think it helped us later in the year. I would rather start slow and finish fast, but it is what it is.

    I believe now that we have Vick, you get Reid in a big game and he is more likely to win it. I always felt like Reid had to really outcoach the other team for us to win, now I don’t think that’s the case.

    Anyone hear whats up with Justice? I would feel much better if it was a battle with Justice and Harris to win the spot. RT could turn into RG from last year

    Since they are saying the preseason game is Nationally televised, could this mean we get decent announcers?

  8. 8 Tommy Lawlor said at 3:39 PM on August 16th, 2011:

    RE: tough camps

    Reid had no choice but to dial down the hitting this year. The lack of OTAs meant that players were very raw physically. Normally the light hitting that goes on there lays the foundation for TC.

    Also, a lot of teaching had to be done. That meant players needed to stay sharp mentally and focused. Can’t do that when guys are physically exhausted.

    Finally, rules wouldn’t let him do the 2-a-days.

    Does this hurt us? Relevant question, but hard to answer. As I recall, Reid wasn’t overly tough on 2004 bunch or 2005. Those were veteran teams that he trusted. Mixed results.

    Reid was much tougher at 2006 camp. Team was very good down the stretch. Is there a correlation? Maybe. Defense struggled all year so a bunch of hitting didn’t do them any favors.

  9. 9 Nate Ilaoa said at 3:41 PM on August 16th, 2011:

    Ryan Harris won’t be playing on Thursday. Should we be worried about King Dunlap being our only healthy option at RT?

    I’m an asshole, so I’ll say this. Shawn Merrimen has benefited more from the lockout than any other player. – No steroid testing.

  10. 10 Tommy Lawlor said at 4:07 PM on August 16th, 2011:

    RE: Penn State

    I’m open to any discussion of college football that doesn’t involve recruiting. I know nothing about that side of things and there’s too much guess work.

    Penn State players have flat out had some horrific luck in the NFL. Kijana Carter looked like a special RB and got hurt in his rookie preseason. Never was the same guy. Curtis Enis got hurt early in his career and never developed.

    Courtney Brown might be the best NFL prospect I’ve every studied. Question was simply whether he’d go into the Hall of Fame with a Super Bowl ring or not. Great, great player. Got to Cleveland, who was a black hole at the time, and Brown got hurt. Injuries crushed his career and the instability of the Browns organization didn’t help.

    LaVar Arrington was a better player than people realize.

    LA – 23.5 sacks, 3 INTs, 37 pass deflections, 10 FFs, 26 TFLs

    Carlos Emmons – 19 sacks, 5 INTs, 31 PDs, 6 FFs, 15 TFLs

    Emmons played in 62 more games. I know the guys were used differently, but wanted to find a big LB who played in multiple systems and had a solid career.

    LaVar got jerked around by the Skins. He played all over the place. His Def. Coords:

    2000 – Ray Rhodes
    2001 – Kurt Schottenheimer
    2002 – Marvin Lewis
    2003 – George Edwards
    2004 – Gregg Williams
    2005 – ditto (miracle, right?)
    after that, he played one final year for Giants…

    Players need stability and structure in order to thrive. LaVar made 3 straight Pro Bowls in that chaos. Just imagine if he’d actually been given a good environment. He could have been special. Injuries also played a major part in his decline.

    ________________

    As for other PSU players…some are overrated. Some guys are properly rated and just don’t pan out.

    Dan Connor was a terrific college player, but you could see limitations. Sean Lee I think can be a star LB. I like Poz quite a bit as well.

    I can’t speak to the S & C angle. JoePa is old fashioned to say the least and that could be an area that hurts them.

    If I had to pick on generalization it would be the lack of dynamic athletes. Tony Hunt = slow. Ditto for Royster. Ditto for Derrick Williams.

  11. 11 CVD said at 4:10 PM on August 16th, 2011:

    Ryan Harris won’t be playing on Thursday. Should we be worried about King Dunlap being our only healthy option at RT?

    ======================================

    and playing Vick for the whole first half and playing pittsburg. Dunlap doesnt show me he wants it, i get the feeling he was happy being a developmental guy that sits the bench and gets paid. I didnt realize how bad i would miss Justice

  12. 12 Tommy Lawlor said at 4:28 PM on August 16th, 2011:

    Dunlap has done whatever the Eagles have asked of him. He got bigger prior to last year because that’s what Juan wanted.

    The problem this year is that Dunlap is learning a new system and it isn’t a natural fit. He really needed a whole offseason to catch on. I don’t see a lack of effort on his part.

    It will be interesting to see what happens at RT when Dunlap leaves the game. Evan Mathis? New guy? Fenuki Tupou? Austin Howard?

  13. 13 Matt said at 4:49 PM on August 16th, 2011:

    Unrelated but best comment of training camp from Reid:

    … on how 6-9 King Dunlap is not a Howard Mudd-type player because Mudd likes small, quick guys: “He’s like two Howard Mudd-type players.”

  14. 14 Walsh said at 5:03 PM on August 16th, 2011:

    RE: PSU

    I like their program, but the local guys overrate their talent. It was so frustrating listening to people on the radio bitch about how Dan Conner was a future pro bowler and the Eagles were stupid/ignorant for not drafting him.

    I guess people from Louisiana and Michigan feel the same way about their players as well.

  15. 15 G said at 5:04 PM on August 16th, 2011:

    FYI- I voted for your blog on that CBS poll. Screw BGN!

  16. 16 Tommy Lawlor said at 5:23 PM on August 16th, 2011:

    BGN is a good site. Jason, Jimmy, and the gang do some amazing work.

    Nothing wrong in supporting both sites.

    Thanks for the vote, though.

  17. 17 Tommy Lawlor said at 6:21 PM on August 16th, 2011:

    John Clayton just reported that Oakland may look at Aaron Maybin. That actually could be a good fit. They seem to do well with players who don’t fit in with the other 31 teams.

  18. 18 izzylangfan said at 6:24 PM on August 16th, 2011:

    Tommy,

    I just checked out BGN again. I still haven’t found a worthwhile article there. Can’t figure out what you are talking about.

    Also if Tom Coughlin was interested in Steve Smith he should have gone after him 5 minutes early instead of two weeks late. Looks like Mr. Tough Guy is a bit of a crybaby.

  19. 19 William said at 6:29 PM on August 16th, 2011:

    Sometimes I feel like Oakland doesn’t get respect for a lot of the movers they make. They traded a 3rd round draft pick for Kamerion Wimbley last year and he produced 9 sacks and 59 tackles. They drafted Nnamdi Asomugha even though he was projected to go lower in the draft. They were able to get a 3rd round draft pick out of NE of all people for Derrick Burgess. They were able to get something out of Quinen Groves.

    I know they’ve made some dumb moves over the past few years i.e draft a kicker in the 1st round, but I think they have been a better franchise than WAS, BUF or STL over the past 5 years.

  20. 20 Eric said at 6:35 PM on August 16th, 2011:

    @Walsh

    I admit I don’t know diddly about scouting, but Dan Conner made practically every tackle in the PA AAAA State Title game. PA football isn’t what it used to be, but it’s still top 5.

    I was amazed watching him.

  21. 21 izzylangfan said at 7:17 PM on August 16th, 2011:

    @William

    You win. Al Davis is smarter than Dan Snyder.

  22. 22 kolb10 said at 8:50 PM on August 16th, 2011:

    You definitely deserve to win that cbs poll. Put a link on the blog so more people know about it! I almost voted for BGN (which I do like) because I didn’t realize your blog would be called “tommy lawlor” instead of “igglesblitz”. Keep up the awesome work!

  23. 23 Cliff said at 9:03 PM on August 16th, 2011:

    “He’s like two Howard Mudd-type players.”

    This is gold! Gold, Jerry! Gold!

    * * *

    Link to vote for Tommy: http://bit.ly/qbUHLl

    This was tough for me, though. Beer Leaguer is a great Phillies blog. I visit this blog (and it’s previous versions) and Beer Leaguer daily.

  24. 24 Tommy Lawlor said at 10:33 PM on August 16th, 2011:

    @ izzy…

    BGN is more about links and comments than detailed analysis.

    That said, JimmyK has written some really good things. He gets better the more he writes. BGN also has fans from time to time who put together some very good posts.

    I’ve been writing lengthy pieces since 2003. I began by posting them on the Eagles Message Board. It took a while for people to take me seriously because of that. Now I’ve got several hundred PE.com columns under my belt and people don’t question the fact I’m the spawn of the EMB.

    Anyway, not all sites are the same. The key is to judge them based on what they do. BGN keeps a tremendous amount of fresh content. That’s their niche and Jason does a fabulous job at it.

    Jason has to deal with the fact I can drink more PBR than he can and that I’ve forgotten more about Orioles 1B Eddie Murray than he’ll ever know. Bearing that burden on a daily basis is punishment enough for any human being.

  25. 25 Matt D said at 10:54 PM on August 16th, 2011:

    A lurking variable (going nerd on your ass) for why the Eagles do well late in the season may have nothing to do with physicality in training camp, but could instead be how they build their team. I’ve always felt like the birds value depth more than other organizations. Think about a team like Dallas and the drop off in talent from starters to 2nd stingers. Late in the year, if they get a handful of injuries, they’re in way more trouble than the birds.

    I heard Dan Klecko on 610 yesterday comparing The Eagles’ and Patriots’ camps, saying that the Patriots’ camp has always been cake compared to the Eagles.’ They too have a deep team. They too have done well down the stretch, and you can’t say it’s because of their physical camp. In fact, it may even be possible that the Eagles could have done BETTER if they didn’t have so much wear and tear in the offseason.

    So, depth vs. physical camp. Which variable is more important for the stretch run? This year we have more depth and an easier camp. It looks like we’ll get to test my theory a bit.

  26. 26 Cliff said at 11:03 PM on August 16th, 2011:

    BGN also has a mobile version of their site, which helps those of us constantly looking for an Eagles fix.

    Tommy, GET ON THIS!

  27. 27 Stephen said at 11:29 PM on August 16th, 2011:

    I don’t see the lack of physicality at camp as a big deal because all 32 teams have had to deal with the same wonky offseason and are in the same boat as we are, so, if its a disadvantage for us its a disadvantage for them as well.

  28. 28 Tommy Lawlor said at 11:34 PM on August 16th, 2011:

    @ Cliff…

    I didn’t know such a thing needed to be done.

    You guys have to let me know when things are needed. I’m not exactly cutting edge.

  29. 29 Flyin' said at 11:35 PM on August 16th, 2011:

    I think BGN is a great site for Eagles info. I was introduced to it when Tommy was adding content there while this site was being built. I enjoy the fact that BGN filters thru all the Eagles news and posts the links to all the good info and articles, similar to BountyBowl’s Reading from the late IgglesBlog. JimmyK was at Lehigh and put up some nice notes on the days he was at camp. Love that. Reminds me of how awesome phillyphreak54’s posts were from camp. Is 54 still around?

    Tupou is out for this game. Will Dunlap be crowned?

    Tommy, did you get my messages? I know you have been insanely busy.

    I have a real good feeling about how this camp went. I stated previously that I thought Reid did the right thing by allowing all the players build up the reps and intensity. Did it get tough enough? I don’t know. But in previous years, I felt he went too hard too fast with the guys physically.

    Correct me if I am wrong, but normally the 1’s play the 1st half in the 3rd preseason game, not the 2nd game? Tommy, do you have any thoughts on this?

  30. 30 Flyin' said at 11:41 PM on August 16th, 2011:

    @ Cliff

    I have a real basic phone with internet. I am able to see the content on this site, no problem. BGN does not work for me. Espn is good. PFT works. But at the same time, I may be clueless on what you are saying.

  31. 31 McG said at 11:53 PM on August 16th, 2011:

    I have no problem viewing igglesblitz on my phone which is a pretty basic phone from straighttalk. I just can’t post from my phone…

    I would assume that King will get plenty of help during the Pittsburgh game, and if it’s going poorly for him we will see an early appearance of VY.

  32. 32 Tommy Lawlor said at 12:34 AM on August 17th, 2011:

    RE: PhillyPhreak54

    He was kidnapped by a job and forced to move to Texas. The horror, the horror. Jay is a great guy. I’ve been lucky enough to go to games and TC with him. Almost made him spit Coke up at lunch when I dropped the phrase “crotch crickets” out in a lunch conversation.

    His TC reports were the best anyone has put out because he went so often that he knew the subtleties. I learned as much as I could from him about what goes on at Lehigh. Great guy.

  33. 33 Tommy Lawlor said at 12:36 AM on August 17th, 2011:

    @ Flyin…

    1st PS game – couple of series or 1 Qtr

    2nd game – 1st half, maybe

    3rd game – maybe 3 full Qtrs

    4th game – just backups

  34. 34 Flyin' said at 1:10 AM on August 17th, 2011:

    I’m not sure I have ever been as interested in a preseason game as the one coming up against the Steelers. TO’s debut was dynamic (’04). That team already had the foundation solidified. Dawkins was talking SB or bust in TC. This game will show this team’s new foundation (on D). And some of the added weapons on the O (R.B., Mankins), plus the maturity and growth of Vick and Cooper.

    Tommy, do you have plans on doing more live call ins/video conferencing with the Eagles this year? I like Caplan, but every time I see or hear him, I think, where’s Tommy’s thoughts and insight?

  35. 35 Name said at 5:58 AM on August 17th, 2011:

    Mankins?? Watkins??

  36. 36 Kevin (RC) said at 9:07 AM on August 17th, 2011:

    Apparently, Maybin is deciding between the Jets and the Bears. If anyone can get something out of Maybin, it’s Rex and Marinelli. I think he’s a better fit in NYJ where Rex would exclusively use him as a wide edge rusher. Why not take a flyer? He’d probably go all-out for 2 games a year (Bills).


    Does PhilPhreak post anywhere? Just because you move, doesn’t mean you have to become a Cowboys fan!

  37. 37 penn7980 said at 9:25 AM on August 17th, 2011:

    GE, enjoy reading your analyses and reviews. You don’t seem to post much directly any more at Eagles website except the fan-dem. What seems to be the reason? IN any event, keep up the good works.

  38. 38 Flyin' said at 10:31 AM on August 17th, 2011:

    @ name

    You are correct. That was a sleep deprived goof on my part.

  39. 39 Tommy Lawlor said at 12:15 PM on August 17th, 2011:

    @ penn7980…

    You mean the EMB or PE.com?

  40. 40 penn7980 said at 4:11 PM on August 17th, 2011:

    I meant EMB.