Wednesday Morning Misc
Posted: September 28th, 2011 | Author: Tommy Lawlor | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 56 Comments »I’ll be posting a couple of longer things later in the day. Here’s some oddball items for now.
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My PE.com column is up. Mixture of game review and some thoughts on the team.
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Speaking of the mothership…the other day Bo Wulf “interviewed” ESPN’s Rachel Nichols. Really, I think they were having a contest to see who was sexier. So who won? The viewers, that’s who.
If I had to choose, always take Wooderson’s advice.
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I was thinking about the draft and LBs yesterday. One thing that troubles me is I’m not sure what to target. Do we go after a MLB? Do we think Chaney will settle back into that spot and what the team really needs is an impact OLB? The next 13 games will obviously impact the situation a great deal, but it’s fun to think ahead and start imagining the possibilities.
What do you guys want…a MLB or OLB?
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There was a lot of talk yesterday about the Eagles dealing for Aaron Curry. The Seahawks have benched him. There are reports that Seattle may be shopping him. Both Reuben Frank and Adam Caplan said on Twitter the Eagles are not going after him.
Curry was a Top 5 pick for a reason. Size/speed/talent. He has disappointed in the NFL. I do think he still has potential and going to a new team would help him. That said, don’t think of him as any kind of savior. I don’t know that he’d be a great fit for the new system. I haven’t studied him as an NFL player. I’ve watched him casually, but that’s it. The Seahawks best LB the last couple of years has been David Hawthorne, a UDFA. He jumps out when you watch tape. Curry doesn’t.
If Curry were on the street, maybe you take a flier. The problem is how you value him in a trade. He’s a free agent after this year. What do you give up for a rental? Also, he’s got a high salary this year. At this point he’d cost you about $4M for the year. The final, and maybe most important thing, is that we don’t know where his head’s at. Some guys handle situations like this well and stay focused. Other guys get into a funk when they’re benched and then you’re trading for an underachiever that is currently a headcase. Clearly that’s not an option anyone wants. We’ll see what happens. Seems doubtful to me.
I beg to differ, my friend, but looking ahead to next year’s draft after only 3 games into the season is not fun to me. And usually it’s not a good sign…
I’m a draftnik. I’ve been thinking 2012 since May.
I know, Tommy. Hopefully we’ll see some changes at LB in today’s practice so we don’t have to think about next years college LBs at the moment. 😉
Rachel Nichols is pretty cute and less annoying than Susie Kolber. +
When Trotter was here (the first & second times) we had a presence in the middle of the defense. We had it in 2008 when Stewie was playing well, but we haven’t had it since. Offenses aren’t intimidated whatsoever, both in the run game and the passing game.
I flat out don’t like Vontaze Burfict (U of A fan here) because as good as he is, he is likely to murder someone on the football field, but someone like that who has a knack for disruption and puts the thought of “if I go across the middle, my head may become detached from my body” would really improve this defense from front to back.
Not a big Burfict fan either. Great highlights, but inconsistent tape.
We have 3 of the top 64 picks, and that’s BEFORE we trade Mike Kafka for a 2nd round pick!
Why can’t we spend 2 of those picks on LBs? How is more talent in the LB core a negative. If nothing else, that pushes Chaney/Matthews/Fokou next year.
Kuelchy in 2012!
I’m a big Kuechly fan as well. Just watched some of him yesterday. For anyone with DirecTV, his game is being re-shown today at 4pm on 628. Only against UMass, but Luke is still a fun guy to watch. Tackle machine.
I spent part of last week watching Zach Brown because he was getting hype and I came away pretty disappointed. He doesn’t seem to like contact. At least Burfict is physical. In this defense, we need LBs who can take on OG.
It’s why I was so disappointed we didn’t take Kevin Sheppard. Physical LB, experienced. I’m still looking for some mid-ranged tough LBs. Te’O from ND applies (not a 1st rounder IMO), but the Mormon Mission stuff scares me.
Don’t be scared of a Morman mission, Mormons are pacifists.
I want Kuechly. But I went to BC…
It doesnt’ matter how many picks you have if you can’t evaluate talent, and consequently can’t pick the right players.
The Eagles had more draft picks in 2010 than any other team – how did that work out for them?
Well, it’s an even numbered year, so don’t we have to trade up for a D-Lineman?
God forbid! D-Line is the least of our problems!!!
If they don’t want to continue Babin’s contract going further, and Graham doesn’t play this year, or at least effectively; don’t be surprised a DE is drafted again.
Tommy,
Last week I liked the idea of the LB shakeup, but I thought Matthews should go to the bench and be replaced by Akeem Jordan. I realize that Jordan is no savior, but I always thought he was a decent player and not a liability. What are your thoughts on Jordan? Wouldn’t it be a good idea to get a guy with some experience out there?
I’m with you Cafone… I never saw Jordan as an outstanding LB but I never felt that it was a liability to have him on the field.
Jordan got benched in both 2009 and 2010. There was little FA interest in him this year until the Eagles called. That should tell you that he’s a marginal player. Looked really good in 2nd half of 2008 season, but very inconsistent ever since. Didn’t seem to handle success well.
Jordan got benched in both 2009 and 2010. There was little FA interest in him this year until the Eagles called. That should tell you that he’s a marginal player. Looked really good in 2nd half of 2008 season, but very inconsistent ever since. Didn’t seem to handle success well.
Tommy, put down the direct tv remote and pick up the phone… Rachel needs a good man.
Tommy – Can we come up with a nickname for whenever you reference our LBs and Safeties? Maybe the Average Joes or I’m sure there’s something better. Also, I was thinking that I’ve seen enough of Page & Coleman to know that they are limited in potential and or football instincts (have u seen a worse play than Coleman’s tackle attempt in your life). At this point, I’d rather get Jarret on the field and see if he can show us something. I don’t care how bad he plays he can’t play much worse than the two guys we’ve had back there so far.
How about Donut Hole? It symbolizes that “something is missing” yet it has the potential to be turned into something good, yet not completely satisfying. And it works since they kind of represent the middle of our defense…
Wow, deep. Also, the way I have been snacking nervously during the games, the donut hole will add 10 lbs.
But is it donut, doughnut, or doughnaught? I think the last one, since we are all tired of reading about them.
Donuts are a holy item in my mind. No reason to taint that name with comparisons to our back seven.
Holy item… holey item…
Well done.
I have a few based on move titles:
1. The Replaceables
2. The Uncredibles
3. The Expendables
I’ll work on it.
I’ll work on it.
I’ll always take an impact MLB for a 4-3 defense over an OLB. I’m not sure if I like any of the guys this year even in the 1st round.
Prefer a MLB. I don’t think either Chaney or Matthews are the answer and they can both play outside if we want to hang on to them.
Throughout the offseason leading up to the first game, fans have wanted pretty much any available LBer there has been. No matter how you feel about our LBers, it is hard to argue they are not among the worst set of linebackers in the league. That being said, you have consistently said with every LBer that has been mentioned that he wouldn’t be a good fit. While I am not disagreeing with you about the fit of most of the guys you have mentioned, I am curious what type of LBer would be a good fit. What are the things you are looking for in a LBer for him to be a good fit? Also, could you name some LBers around the league that fit that description (I’m not asking for “available” LBers, just trying to understand the style of play)? Lastly, could you talk about the balance between fit in a scheme and just pure talent. There is no question that fit is an important aspect, but at some point a more talented player who doesn’t fit a scheme is still better than a less talented player who does, correct?
Could not have said it better….every freaking LB available was not a good fit for them…more points to the FO and the coaches being overconfident and being stupid abt the LB situation when it was clear to everyone and their mothers that it was a huge issue especially seeing the way they were playing in the pre season and having a shortened off season and not having a backup plan – no veterans to back them up and now clutching at straws…@Tommy – seeing the game live in the 4th quarter I got the feeling we stopped getting pass rush from the front 4 – did you see anything that supports that – esp with Trent Cole playing nearly 80-90% of the snaps – also on Defense is anyone there a leader who gets on the guys like Dawk used to and exhort them to make a play especially in the 4th qrtr…..
I felt the same way in the Giants game and the Atlanta game. Washburn for whatever reason has allowed himself to get away from his own philosophy of rotating guys. We need fresh legs in there in the 4th qtr to finish out the game.
Who would you like him to rotate? He has Cole, Babin and Hunt right now. Tapp and JP have been out.
Someone tweeted that Everette Brown stopped in but no signing imminent.
Wash rotated guys in the opener. As Eric pointed out, injuries hurt the rotation. Not a coaching decision. Wash was picky about how he used Phillip Hunt.
Wash rotated guys in the opener. As Eric pointed out, injuries hurt the rotation. Not a coaching decision. Wash was picky about how he used Phillip Hunt.
Tommy
as you are about to write a detailed article about Castillo can you please take his use of personnel into account. So far I have not been happy with the way Castillo was using his players, especially Nnamdi Asomugha. Everyone should know that Nnamdi’s strenghts is man-coverage, while playing in a zone D is not. Since we have the luxury of having 3 premier CBs why not use Nnamdi more effectively?!
That being said I would tell Aso to cover Vernon Davis next Sunday ALL DAY LONG, while DRC and Asante cover the outsides. Let Hanson play in the slot and we should be fine.
Thoughts?!
Not to be a creep but watch that Rachel Nichols video and she says I went to Northwestern so I’ve got to plug what exactly?
I thought she brought up NW in reference to Mike Kafka…Kafka vs VY.
Since we’re likely to keep the wide-9 (I love the impact from the DLine), we really need a run-stuffer in the middle. An impact MLB, in my opinion, would pay greater dividends than one on the outside in this system.
I HATED that first big run of Bradshaw’s (what was it, a 15 yarder), where you just watched Chaney hugging the guard and being driven back while Bradshaw ran right by his left side. If Chaney gets off that block, it’s a minimal gain, but alas…
If the team retains the same coaching staff in 2012 and they are intent on running the wide-9 scheme, the perfect fit at MLB in the 2012 class is probably Manti Te’o of Notre Dame.
Rolle starts at WILL per Eagle’s Twitter.
Also Nate Allen is starting over Coleman and Vick says he’s playing.
Need to talk about Rolle, and this seems like the only thread for now. Obviously, I like the move. Of course Rolle will make mistakes, but he will also make plays. With Casey, we only got the mistakes.
Looks like I’m going to the game, so I’ll see Tommy’s long lost love child in person. Go Eagles!
Tommy: Using the traditional FS/SS lingo, not Juan’s… Where is Nate going to start? Think they’ll switch him and Page so he’s back in his old role?
Nate at traditional SS, Page at traditional FS.
Sorry, I’m confused.com.
I’ve always thought Nate is the typcial FS, while Page is more of a SS?!
Nate at traditional SS, Page at traditional FS.
My draft hope for next year? Package our 1 and 4 and move up a little bit. Also package both our 2’s and our other four and maybe a 2013 mid rounder to get back up into the first. Select Vinny Curry and Vontaze Burfict. Burfict brings that I’m going to rip your face off and smile while I do it mentality to the defense which has been missing since 20 was kidnapped by aliens. Vinny Curry has a great burst off the edge and seems perfect for the wide 9 plus he has the height that Washburn loves. Use our third round pick take Emmanuel Acho. After that let Howie have at it and pick all the guys that will end up starting.
The Eagles might not even have to package picks to move up. Reid & co. may just earn the Eagles a top-10 pick in the 2012 draft.
Burfict is similar to Trotter and would be ideal for old system. He’s not good fit for read and react. I wonder if he’ll almost need to go to a 3-4 team that will blitz him a lot.
Burfict is similar to Trotter and would be ideal for old system. He’s not good fit for read and react. I wonder if he’ll almost need to go to a 3-4 team that will blitz him a lot.
Here’a a misc thought: Reid should step up and hassle the refs about the hits Vick is taking. He should complain during the game and mention it during his press conferences (It would give him something to talk about). Mike took a lot of heat after the game for his comments. Rightfully so, in some ways, because he may not have a real strong foundation to base his complaints and it never looks good if an athlete appears to be whining. Reid, though, as his coach, should start putting the idea out that the hits on #7 deserve more flags. Since the penalty call is often subjective, get the refs thinking about it. Phil Jackson was a master at getting into the ref’s heads and getting calls that benefitted his teams. Andy could take a lesson.
That’s how they handled it last year. I think Vick speaking up for himself was an accident, and basically words spoken out of frustration right after a win able game got flushed down the toilet.
What’s the point of looking ahead to future drafts if we can’t even be confident that they will pick the correct players?
They could have picked Sean Lee, or Akeem Ayers in the 2010 and 2011 drafts, respectively, and we wouldn’t even be *having* this discussion about MLB.
Howie Roseman screwed up two consecutive drafts; how can we have any faith in him in 2012?
The entire organization needs to be shaken up, from the top. Andy Reid has shown an inability to make the right hires at critical positions (GM and DC) and an inability to properly evaluate defensive talent. Until a new coach and new general manager are hired, this team will continue to go backward.
Look at the Titans – they axed Jeff Fisher despite his long tenure and hired relatively unknown offensive line coach Mike Munchak to the HC position, who hired Jerry Gray as his DC. The Titans have the #1 defense in the NFL right now and Munchak is probably going to take his team, completely counted out before the season started, to the playoffs this year.
There are plenty of Mike Munchak types out there just waiting to get a chance as an NFL head coach. Reid used to be one of them, and initially he had some success, but he’s past his prime. The entire organization is stagnant and cloistered. They need a replacement with fresh ideas and an outsider’s perspective. The best thing that Lurie can do before the 2012 season is to fire Roseman and Reid, and clean house completely, and then find an Munchak-like assistant coach with no head coaching experience and hand him the job.
I think I’d prefer a veteran LB if one becomes available over another rookie. Even a stop gap similar to Takeo’s 2006 (or was ’07?) season would help.
I’d like to think that the change of DL coach hasn’t had the same detriment to our personnel as Shannahan hiring Haslet without the personnel in place. I’d like to think Chaney’s blip is to do with the lack of an offseason, the loss of his mentor (Gaither) and the lack of playing and practice time at MLB.
With Jenkins only here on a 1 year deal and with Laws and Dixon entering their final years, I can see the DL being paid higher attention to in ’11 than LB.
I think I’d prefer a veteran LB if one becomes available over another rookie. Even a stop gap similar to Takeo’s 2006 (or was ’07?) season would help.
I’d like to think that the change of DL coach hasn’t had the same detriment to our personnel as Shannahan hiring Haslet without the personnel in place. I’d like to think Chaney’s blip is to do with the lack of an offseason, the loss of his mentor (Gaither) and the lack of playing and practice time at MLB.
With Jenkins only here on a 1 year deal and with Laws and Dixon entering their final years, I can see the DL being paid higher attention to in ’11 than LB.