Information Overload

Posted: March 6th, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 77 Comments »

I got a lot of questions about LBs after yesterday’s post on Luke Kuechly.  I’m going to set them aside for now and focus on something else.  I’ll get to the LBs tonight or tomorrow.

This is the time of year when we get a lot of reports, rumors, and just plain crazy predictions.  It is critical to read the specific words used by people to understand what they are really saying.

Geoff Mosher had an article up yesterday that mentioned the Eagles having interest in LB Dan Connor.  Warning – that site is going to start restricting articles.  Only read this if you are really, really interested.  They give you 5 free articles.  Choose carefully.

Mosher said he had heard from a source that the Eagles were interested in Connor.  He also mentioned that another source said Connor was more of a backup plan and nothing was likely to happen.  The second part is the key to his report.

The Eagles have interest in Dan Connor, but as part of Plan B or Plan C or Plan D.  He is not an offseason target.  He is a contingency plan.  And that’s exactly what Connor should be.  He’s not so good you say “get me that guy”.  He is a serviceable veteran who could do the job if the better options haven’t worked out.  I watched tape of Connor and that’s the way I feel about him.  He would be an upgrade on what we had in 2011, but he’s not the guy I ideally want to solve our problems at MLB.

The most interesting nugget from Mosher is that the Eagles talked to the Panthers about a trade for Connor last summer, but they refused because of concern for Jon Beason’s health.  That proved to be warranted and Connor started quite a bit for them.

Dave Spadaro becomes an important source of information at this time of year.  His most recent column is titled “Expect Minimal Bang in Free Agency“.  That certainly doesn’t sound encouraging.  But then read the column and you see where he’s coming from.

UPDATE:  The column was changed to “Expect Minimal Noise Ahead

Last year the team added multiple starters (Babin, Jenkins, Asomugha).  The team signed Ryan Harris to be a starter.  He got hurt so Todd moved out and FA Evan Mathis took his spot at LG.  You had big name backups in Vince Young, Ronnie Brown, and Steve Smith.  The trade for DRC also gets mixed into the equation.  That is a lot of activity.

Dave gets asked by fans about all kinds of FAs.  I get quite a few inquiries myself.  It can be enough to make your head spin.  You get the feeling fans want the team to go sign DT Jason Jones, CB Cortland Finnegan, G Carl Nicks, WR Vincent Jackson, MLB Curtis Lofton, and SAM Jarrett Johnson, unless Kamerion Wimbley is cut and we can add him.

That kind of stuff just isn’t going to happen.  The Eagles are basically set for starters at most spots.  With DeSean getting tagged, you have MLB wide open and SAM sort of open.  That’s it.

The Eagles will add one starting LB.  2 is possible, but unlikely because there aren’t great SAM targets for our system.

The Eagles will add backup players.  We need a veteran RB.  QB is still possible.  We could add a big WR like Plax (as a role player).  We could use a backup interior OL (assuming we let JamJax go).

One starter and a handful of backups is what  you’re looking at.  And frankly I think that is the smart way to go.  We can make moves in July and August if we have issues that pop up.  The best Eagles teams didn’t make a ton of FA moves.  They focused on quality and not quantity.

I think the FA column is just Dave’s way of calming down the fans who might be expecting a repeat of last summer and the FA frenzy the Eagles were part of.  Sometimes you have to read between the lines with Dave.  The Eagles don’t let him spill the beans on plans, but he will give us hints.  It takes a while to figure out what is BS and what is worth noting.

We’re going to read a lot of stuff in the coming weeks.  Make sure to read carefully so you aren’t mislead by just one part of a story.  And don’t to get hung up on headlines.  Those are written so you’ll click on the story and read it.  They don’t always accurately convey the point of the article or column.

* * * * *

Check out The NFL Today discussion on the Bounty Bowl.  Brent Musburger, Irv Cross, Will McDonough, and Mike Ditka.  I don’t think Mike liked Buddy or Buddy liked Jimmy Johnson.  Hilarious stuff.


77 Comments on “Information Overload”

  1. 1 JRO91 said at 12:09 PM on March 6th, 2012:

    Tommy – One thing you mentioned above, I actually thought about the other day and meant to ask you. If Mathis walks, could the eagles kick the tires on Ryan Harris again at RT? He still would be a FA correct? From what I remember at training camp last year, he was owning Jason Babin. Or do you think the Eagles see Shawn Andrews written all over him with that back. He is a perfect RT for Mudd’s system and I was excited when they signed him. Not a mauler, but rarely gives up sacks. Could this be a backup plan if they need to move Todd back to guard?

  2. 2 TommyLawlor said at 12:41 PM on March 6th, 2012:

    Ryan didn’t plan anywhere in 2011 from what I can tell. You have to wonder if he can be relied on to stay healthy. He’s likely more of a Plan X type option than someone we’d try to bring back aggressively.

  3. 3 NoDecaf said at 12:12 PM on March 6th, 2012:

    Tommy, does Rosenp#### have us by the short hairs (ha) concerning Mathis? Is there a reasonable contingency if Mathis indeed finds a team to outbid the Eagles?

  4. 4 TommyLawlor said at 12:52 PM on March 6th, 2012:

    We have options. We can shift Todd to LG and then draft an OT at #15. We might be able to use 15 on G David DeCastro (not so sure he’ll get there).

    There could be FA targets. I’ll just throw out a couple of names: Mike Brisiel, Jake Scott, Jacob Bell, Geoff Hangartner. Mudd worked his magic with Mathis. Could he do it with one of these guys? Scott played for Mudd in Indy, but is older.

    We’ll have options. None will be as good as re-signing Mathis.

  5. 5 ACViking said at 1:46 PM on March 6th, 2012:

    Speaking of magic being worked on the OL . . . Juan had a few hits.

    But in 2008, the Birds missed a great opportunity in the draft — given that the team was looking for OLs that year (not always true, despite the chatter on ESPN every year in April).

    Because AR likes (or liked w/ JC as OL coach) to select college OTs and move them to guard because OTs are more athletic in theory, the Eagles drafted Mike McGlynn in Rd 4.

    In Rd 5, the Saints drafted Carl Nicks — OG from Nebraska listed at 6’5″ 343lbs, which sounds exactly like the kind of huge body Juan loved.

    As an aside in the 2007 draft, the Saints again lucked out over the Eagles. The teams swapped 4th round picks. The Eagles took OG Max Jean-Giles from Georgia. The Saints, using the Eagles pick, selected future all pro from Bloomsburg State Jahri Evans of Philadelphia. Aargh!!!
    _______________

    T-Law:

    You’ve always spoken well of McGlynn. I know you’re incredibly busy. But I’d love to hear your 2008 draft summary on Nicks.

  6. 6 Eric Weaver said at 2:24 PM on March 6th, 2012:

    It goes back to what Tommy said awhile back that the Eagles have never drafted a defensive player from Penn St. It seems they often ignore a lot of the quality talent from the local schools and local products. McCoy is the obvious exception and if you want to say LJ Smith and Jarrett as Temple people.

    But even going deeper than that like Evans, Colston (Susquehanna High product) and a few Boston College guys that get away from PA.

  7. 7 D3Keith said at 2:52 PM on March 7th, 2012:

    Westbrook from Villanova.

    Odd you say that. I think they fall in love with guys from their own backyard (Jarrett being the other major example). Also L.J. went to Rutgers.

    Thing is, 31 other teams have scouts in the area. It’s not like the Eagles can get every draftable Pa/NJ kid.

  8. 8 TommyLawlor said at 3:04 PM on March 6th, 2012:

    Tommy’s Notes on Carl Nicks

    Former JC transfer. Took over as the LT in 2007 and had a very good year. Good run blocker. Thick, powerful build. Can move his defender off the ball. Has the potential to be a good pass blocker. Bends his knees and plays with a wide base. Does need to anchor better. Doesn’t have ideal LT feet. However, he is strong enough that if he gets even partially in front of a rusher, Carl can stonewall the guy. Extends his arms in pass pro. Has a good mean streak. Puts guys on the ground when he can. Effective pass blocker when he stays on his toes and bends his knees. Can be beaten to the inside. Really effective when he can lock on with his hands. Works to mirror the DE. Carl gets in trouble when he’s beaten with a quick burst off the snap. That gets him off balance and negates his power. Went to the Senior Bowl and definitely helped himself. Showed LT potential. Could play RT or slide inside and play G.

    SUMMARY

    Physical run blocker, but still athletic enough to possibly play LT. That puts him in the 2nd round. There is a slight problem. Carl has serious character issues. He has had multiple incidents with coaches. He got arrested the weekend before his Pro Day and Coach Bo Pellini banned him from attending the workout. It would not surprise me to hear that some teams actually don’t have Carl on their draft boards. Players who aren’t coachable scare the heck out of NFL teams.

  9. 9 Eric Weaver said at 2:21 PM on March 6th, 2012:

    I think it’d be even more of an indictment of the last couple of seasons if you have to spend back-to-back 1st round picks on guards. Actually, it’d probably be unprecedented in draft history.

  10. 10 ian_no_2 said at 5:53 PM on March 6th, 2012:

    If the two play well for years, it would be good. If they don’t, it would be bad.

  11. 11 mhrinda said at 12:21 PM on March 6th, 2012:

    Well good news on the free agent front: the article Tommy referenced from Spadaro got deleted.

  12. 12 TommyLawlor said at 12:38 PM on March 6th, 2012:

    Eagles or Spuds changed the title. Story is same. I updated my post.

  13. 13 NoDecaf said at 12:22 PM on March 6th, 2012:

    Uhoh Spuds…what did you do???

  14. 14 GermanEagle said at 12:25 PM on March 6th, 2012:

    I think the Eagles will sign one IMPACT FA, re-sign most of their quality starters, especially Desean and Evan, and then focus on the Draft.

  15. 15 Mac said at 8:28 PM on March 6th, 2012:

    I’m projecting 2 half impactful FA this year… a LB and Plax. Outside of that I think it will be a total crap shoot of lowballing a few vets and grabbing practice squaddies.

  16. 16 D3Keith said at 2:54 PM on March 7th, 2012:

    I would be pleased with this. The priorities were DeSean/WR, Mathis and LB. Not an impossible wish list for a full offseason.

  17. 17 D3FB said at 1:09 PM on March 6th, 2012:

    Tommy,

    Thoughts on Devon Wylie out of Fresno? Watched some of his youtube stuff and besides the normal OMG HES LIKE A FASTER WAY BETTER WES WELKER things you’ll hear about him, the thing that really stood out to me was his decent returning ability and the outstanding job he did as a gunner.

  18. 18 TommyLawlor said at 3:06 PM on March 6th, 2012:

    I need to study a game of his to be specific. Clearly, he’s an impressive player. Talented receiver. Gifted returner. Showed really good athleticism in the Shrine Game and at the Combine. Question now is how high he goes. Could be the kind of player someone falls in love with and takes in the 3rd round.

  19. 19 drichwine said at 1:19 PM on March 6th, 2012:

    Hightower out of Alabama would be a good SAM, but I don’t see us drafting him as he’s not so good as to warrant a 1st round pick and I can’t see him lasting to the 2nd for us…

  20. 20 Eric Weaver said at 2:25 PM on March 6th, 2012:

    Do you think he can move well from side to side? He appears more as a N-S guy.

  21. 21 TommyLawlor said at 3:06 PM on March 6th, 2012:

    I don’t think Hightower would be a good SAM at all. Downhill LB. Best suited to ILB in a 3-4.

  22. 22 ACViking said at 1:39 PM on March 6th, 2012:

    RE: the CBS clip from “NFL TODAY”

    Wow, you just don’t have coaches like that anymore in the NFL . . . Ditka, Ryan, and even Jimmy Johnson.

    But especially Ditka and Ryan. Better than Comedy Central.
    ___________

    Nobody talked more trash as a coach than Buddy Ryan.

    In that post-Bounty Bowl clip, he said a couple of interesting things: (i) Jimmy Johnson wouldn’t have a job if it weren’t for his friend, Jerry Jones, being the owner; and (ii) the veterans wouldn’t go for the “rah rah college” stuff.

    Well . . . ol’ Jimmy Johnson got rid of the veterans. He acquired a boatload of picks from the Vikings for Herschel Walker that laid the foundation for the 2 SB (which could have had 4) — all in just 5 years.

    Buddy, on the other hand, couldn’t win a playoff game.

    But in terms of talking trash, Buddy was great.

    ALL IN ALL . . . too bad Braman didn’t hire Jimmy Johnson.

  23. 23 P_P_K said at 2:18 PM on March 6th, 2012:

    Hearing Buddy dis Jimmy Johnson is music to my ears.

  24. 24 iceberg584 said at 2:53 PM on March 6th, 2012:

    It actually kind of makes me cringe, much in the same way that his son’s contemporary “trash talking”/bravado makes me cringe. Knowing the trajectories of Buddy’s and Jimmy Johnson’s careers from 1990 onward, it feels more embarrassing than anything.

  25. 25 P_P_K said at 3:10 PM on March 6th, 2012:

    Maybe it’s my twisted sense of humor or my love of hating the Cowboys. I’m probably a lost case.

  26. 26 ACViking said at 1:56 PM on March 6th, 2012:

    T-LAW:

    Question about your inference that the WLB position seems set (though I know you favor competition for B-Rolle).

    In a CSN-Philly article on Dan Connor, Corey Seidman threw out some tackle stats (without ID’ing the source – PFF maybe?) that prompted him to write:

    “Connor made 75 tackles in 15 games for the Panthers last season, forcing a fumble and
    missing just five tackles in 477 snaps, for a tackle-to-missed tackle ratio of 15-to-1. . . .

    Brian Rolle was at 4.2, one of the lowest ratios in the league. Rolle made 54 tackles but led the
    Eagles with 13 misses.”

    Any reaction? Based on the data Seidman put out, the Eagles need 3 new LBs.

    (Here’s the link: http://www.csnphilly.com/blog/eagles-talk/post/Report-Eagles-interested-in-LB-Connor?blockID=664004&feedID=692)

  27. 27 TommyLawlor said at 3:07 PM on March 6th, 2012:

    Brian Rolle had a solid rookie year. Rookie is the key word. If you think he’ll get better, you leave him alone. If you think 2011 is as good as it gets, he needs to be upgraded.

    I think he’ll get better.

  28. 28 Sjampen said at 4:46 PM on March 6th, 2012:

    I agree, the little ball of hate was probably the only one of our LBs who could actually make a damn tackle.
    I think trying to upgrade Rolle is a wrong game plan. He is the only LB we have that actually fit into our system and have a decent amount of talent. I think our money will be better spent elsewhere, and i actually kind of disagree with you Tommy. We have so few holes that paying a steep price for a MLB/SAM might actually be a valid option. Lets just bring in some talent, even though its going to be expensive or the fit might be a little off. Chaney could be upgraded talent wise and he’s not the best fit either.

    I do think our primary objective should be to bring back Mathis, Landri and Dixon. Our lines were top of the NFL this year, lets not change that.

  29. 29 James Coe said at 1:57 PM on March 6th, 2012:

    Dave makes a good point at the end of that article: We’ve got to go to the Superdome next season – here’s hoping we get scheduled for it early while the team is still messed up with Payton’s (inevitable?) suspension.

  30. 30 sonofdman said at 8:42 AM on March 7th, 2012:

    I guarantee that the Giants will get scheduled to play New Orleans early when Payton is suspended. They always seem to benefit from stuff like this. For example, getting nine home games because of hurricane katrina.

  31. 31 austinfan said at 2:02 PM on March 6th, 2012:

    I expect maybe one serious FA signing, but a lot of young FAs who are marginal.
    And there are a lot of potential candidates, especially the DL.
    The two DEs on Miami, Langford and Merling, Carriker, Harvey etc., all possible fits for the wide 9 at DT.
    Trevor Scott, Groves and some other under the radar DE possibilities.
    LBs like Grant, Goff for depth.
    A WR flier like Morgan on SF.
    Pollack or Richard from Indy.

    What I suspect is they have too many players 30 and older to feel comfortable, and would like to fill the gap between the big numbers drafted the last two years and the older starters with guys who are entering their peak years and could surprise. Like Landri and Mathis last year, you could pick up some of these guys, hopefully on two year deals or so, which means if they surprise you can sign them to extensions in the offseason.

  32. 32 austinfan said at 4:20 PM on March 6th, 2012:

    One player really intruiges me as a FA:

    Jamal Anderson 6-5 288 [4.75 1.59 22 4.22 6.88 32 9’8]

    Never put it together as a LDE, but as a UT in the wide 9?
    He’s also a reason Coples scares me as a LDE.

  33. 33 Mac said at 2:43 PM on March 6th, 2012:

    My free agent wish list…

    1 of these LB; Fletcher, Hawthorn, Connor, Lofton

    I’m probably crazy for this, but I want Plaxico

    1 veteran RB insurance policy for McCoy

    Outside of that… let’s bring on the draft!

    *I’m sure they will pick up one or two other guys that are *meh* players to fill out the 80

  34. 34 Ben Hert said at 3:15 PM on March 6th, 2012:

    When was the last time we had a successful veteran insurance policy at RB?

    I don’t mean that to come off rude, I really am just curious.

  35. 35 Anders Jensen said at 3:25 PM on March 6th, 2012:

    2008 with Buckhalter

  36. 36 Ben Hert said at 3:29 PM on March 6th, 2012:

    Bucky! Wow, long day I guess, can’t believe I forgot about him. Thanks!

  37. 37 Mac said at 4:39 PM on March 6th, 2012:

    We wouldn’t be in this situation had we drafted Blount in round 5 like I wanted… But I’m not gonna scream and cry… that’s Morton’s job.

  38. 38 sonofdman said at 8:48 AM on March 7th, 2012:

    Blount would never see the field for Philly because he can’t pass protect.

  39. 39 Ben Hert said at 3:13 PM on March 6th, 2012:

    Demorrio Williams cut by the Chiefs. Bring him in for some competition with the younger guys?

  40. 40 bdbd20 said at 4:25 PM on March 6th, 2012:

    Eagles Message Board would crash. Word would get out that we got “Mario Williams.”

  41. 41 Donald Kalinowski said at 4:26 PM on March 6th, 2012:

    Are you fond of any OLB prospects that are projected to go in rounds 2 and 3? I wonder how much stock the Eagles have in the future of Matthews, Rolle, and Chaney. I think there’s a good chance that all 3 will be our primary backups.

    One good thing I took from the Dan Conner article is that the Eagles want to address the LB issue.

    Who was our worst LB last year? Chaney?

  42. 42 Mac said at 4:38 PM on March 6th, 2012:

    Are we finally done with project Fokuo?

  43. 43 Sjampen said at 4:51 PM on March 6th, 2012:

    He doesn’t really fit our new system does he. I think T-Law mentioned that a couple of times. Fokou to begin with had limited talent, so he really needs a system to fit into, and probably one like we used to run where we didn’t really expect much from LBs.

  44. 44 Donald Kalinowski said at 4:30 PM on March 6th, 2012:

    I wonder if Chaney has lost favored with team. I don’t regard him as a starter anymore.

  45. 45 Mac said at 4:37 PM on March 6th, 2012:

    He also is recovering from a neck injury…

  46. 46 Sjampen said at 4:50 PM on March 6th, 2012:

    Post fail!

  47. 47 Septhinox said at 5:29 PM on March 6th, 2012:

    “The best Eagles teams didn’t make a ton of FA moves. They focused on quality and not quantity.”

    Too bad they don’t apply that principle to the draft…

  48. 48 austinfan said at 8:36 PM on March 6th, 2012:

    Every time they’ve traded up they’ve been burned.
    Traded up for McDougle, Shawn, Graham, Justice and MJG.

    Better off going with quantity and hope you hit the jackpot.

  49. 49 Septhinox said at 9:06 PM on March 6th, 2012:

    That’s why you stay put and take the BPA.

  50. 50 sonofdman said at 8:50 AM on March 7th, 2012:

    They also traded up for Maclin.

  51. 51 D3Keith said at 3:04 PM on March 7th, 2012:

    Also hard to say they got burned with either Andrews, who had a short but productive career here, or Justice, who was a Round 1 prospect they got with pick 39.

    Those guys were disappointing to us, but in terms of draft value, and the fact both are still in the league, they don’t belong in the same sentence with McDougle.

  52. 52 ACViking said at 7:49 PM on March 6th, 2012:

    T-LAWWWWWW!!!!!!

    Great summary on Carl Nicks . . . character issues seems to explain how a seemingly talented players nose-dived to Rd 5.
    _____________

    QUESTIONS:

    1. Do you think — “speculate” may probably a better word — that the Eagles are (i) more likely than most teams to eliminate guys from their draft board based on character issues, and conversely (ii) in the minority in elevating their view of guys based on character.

    2. Who would you DEFINITELY cut from your own draft board?

    3. If Janoris Jenkins slid to the Eagles in Rd 2, do you take him?

  53. 53 TommyLawlor said at 8:46 PM on March 6th, 2012:

    1. Eagles are about average w/ character. Not all Eagles are saints. What gets out in the press about these kids can sometimes just be the tip of the iceberg. Most teams pass on guys w/ serious issues.

    2. Tough question. With a draft board, I build it. I choose players I do want more than eliminating guys I don’t. I’m going to find 125 or so guys I want to draft.

    3. Pass on Jenkins. Kicked out of UF. That bugs me. Drugs. That bugs me. 4 kids. That bugs me. Standing next to him at Senior Bowl, just didn’t get a good vibe from him. I could be very wrong. Didn’t speak to the young man. I’m judging him based on public info. But…based on that – no thanks.

  54. 54 Liam Garrett said at 10:36 PM on March 6th, 2012:

    Burfict?

  55. 55 austinfan said at 10:59 PM on March 6th, 2012:

    Why? He’s slow and stupid, no way to go through life, son.

  56. 56 Liam Garrett said at 8:16 AM on March 8th, 2012:

    I agree. I think Burfict’s radioactive at this point. I was just curious to hear what Tommy’s take on him was.

  57. 57 Thorin McGee said at 12:16 AM on March 7th, 2012:

    Wow. Jimmy Johnson, Buddy Ryan and Mike Ditka. Now THAT’s how coaches should talk to eachother. No coach in the NFL today has the balls or the … just the strength to talk smack like these guys, not even Ryan’s kids.

    I really miss that era. It was just before showboating became Showboating. Somehow coaches and players could say and do fun things that the other players enjoyed without making it all about them, and you really can’t anymore.

  58. 58 sonofdman said at 9:02 AM on March 7th, 2012:

    That was some great trays talk. Why isn’t Ditka that funny on ESPN?

    I always remember Jesse Small going after Zendejas, but I totally forgot that the refs called a penalty on Zendejas when he dove to avoid being hit.

  59. 59 Thorin McGee said at 2:08 PM on March 7th, 2012:

    Yeah, I didn’t realize that either. It reminded me of the call on Rothlesberger in the Super Bowl.

  60. 60 sonofdman said at 10:50 PM on March 7th, 2012:

    Do you mean the call on Hasselback in the fixed Superbowl against Pittsburgh?

  61. 61 Ace said at 3:07 PM on March 7th, 2012:

    Why isn’t Ditka that funny anymore?

    Progressive brain deterioration from concussions.

  62. 62 Steve H said at 12:30 AM on March 7th, 2012:

    Ok let me get the ball rolling on this one: Sign Manning!

  63. 63 GermanEagle said at 8:38 AM on March 7th, 2012:

    No, thanks.

  64. 64 Steve H said at 1:44 PM on March 7th, 2012:

    🙁

  65. 65 Steven Dileo said at 10:17 AM on March 7th, 2012:

    Tommy,
    One suggestion for scoutsnotebook*

    Can you make a list of the prospects you talk about in a section of your website and update that section each time you write an article about them? That way I don’t have to harass you on twitter or in this site each time I want to know you opinion on a specific player.

  66. 66 metaReign said at 10:54 AM on March 7th, 2012:

    Last season the FO dropped some unexpected scenarios and it ended on the tongue of VY. When AR finally made his announcement at the end of the season, one thing that has been carrying on, he said this off season will be very aggressive. My take on this, is the FO were already digging into other teams rosters and PS, during the season. Could it be that the FO will be very thrifty and carry what’s left in the salary cap into following year, in case certain aspects of the team doesn’t maintain some adequate quality and use the cap space to acquire either upgrades and/or backups, in the following off season?

    This is what I’m looking at, since our defense and offense has been productive at the LOS, and there’s very little needs to fill, there wouldn’t be much need to spend outside of the team and re-signing key players. Just need to use late draft rounds to get some talents and honed them to give them some snap time during the season. AR would most likely do this, because of retaining most key players in the roster. The FO can then salvage at a minimum with the cap, and have an in-case-of-an-emergency to acquire a player or 2 from another team, at a later time. The FO and AR may be playing it safe and aggressively, considering the strengths in both defense and offense, with such a minimal need to replenish. And if that’s so, they’ve better be smart or things could take the back burner.

  67. 67 Eric Weaver said at 11:12 AM on March 7th, 2012:

    Tommy,

    Wes Bunting’s latest mock has the Eagles taking Kirkpatrick and moving him to safety.

  68. 68 Nick said at 11:46 AM on March 7th, 2012:

    Tommy,

    Now that Manning’s been released, people are saying he might land with the Skins. That could have a very interesting ripple effect, because then the Skins would be unlikely to go after RGIII — leaving the bidding for the Rams’ pick between Reid and the Eagles and Reids’s mentor and friend Holmgren and the Browns (I think it was Caplan or Schefter who said the Dolphins have dropped out because of hurt feelings over Fisher playing them for the Rams, sniff sniff).

    I continue to think that if the Eagles pick up a free agent LB it’s very likely they trade their first, one of their seconds and possibly A. Samuel to the Rams for RGIII. If the Browns are holding firm that they don’t want to trade both of their 1st round picks, and if Holmgren agrees with Reid not to drive up the price, that package may get the deal done.

    What do you think? I actually think it’s a great idea – after last season I’m not sold on Vick, and his prime is only going to last for 2, maybe 3 years given the way he plays. One thing Morninwheg and Reid can do is tutor QBs- give them RGIII, and even if we change coaches in a year or two we’re set at QB for the next decade.

    What do you think of a longer post analyzing the scenarios for RGIII?

  69. 69 Eric Weaver said at 12:42 PM on March 7th, 2012:

    You’re not sold on Vick but you’re sold on someone just coming out of college?

  70. 70 D3Keith said at 3:46 PM on March 7th, 2012:

    I wouldn’t classify RGIII as very likely for the Eagles in any scenario. Slight possibility.

    I don’t think the Dolphins are really going to let hurt feelings get in the way of them getting better. For both sides, it’s all about getting the best deal. Miami is very much in the bidding for a QB, but remember they just hired Flynn’s OC as HC.

    There’s Manning, Flynn, RGIII. There are at least five QB-needy teams: Washington, Miami, Cleveland, Seattle and Arizona (assuming Indy takes Luck). If a team like the Jets jumps up and snags Peyton, that’s one less QB to go around to the needy teams. You’re looking at Orton or Tannehill if you don’t go get the Rams’ pick at that point.

    Long story short, the Rams have the league by the balls, and the Eagles will be priced out of trying to get up and get RGIII.

  71. 71 Nick said at 11:47 AM on March 7th, 2012:

    That scenario, by the way, would still leave us with a 2nd round pick and two 3rd round picks to build depth on defense, which is all we would need after signing a LB imo. I’m starting to really come around to this idea, if you can’t tell …

  72. 72 nopain23 said at 11:55 AM on March 7th, 2012:

    Peyton is not coming to the NFC east to compete against and possibly embarrass baby bro twice a year….

  73. 73 brza said at 3:33 PM on March 7th, 2012:

    Peyton is not going to get involved with that trainwreck of a franchise no matter what. He’s got plenty of teams interested in him that are in much better position to compete right away. The Redskins need a lot more than a QB. The Dolphins, Cards, Seahawks and Jets all have much better supporting casts and have shown interest. The Chiefs, 49ers could also be good fits.
    Even the Raiders would have more appeal than the Skins if they didn’t have such cap problems.

  74. 74 iskar36 said at 5:36 PM on March 7th, 2012:

    I think you are completely underestimating the value we would need to bring to the table in order to move up to second pick in the draft. Asante Samuel is not going to be worth a lot in that trade scenario, regardless of the Rams need for a CB. Keep in mind Asante has a huge contract as well. On top of that, you are telling me that the 4th pick in the draft plus whatever else the Browns are willing to give up is a worse trade than the 15th pick plus the 45th (?) pick in draft? If that’s what the Eagles came to the table with, I would hang up the phone before even starting to negotiate. If the Eagles truly want to get RGIII (which I think has been completely overblown, the Eagles always look at 1 or 2 players that are at the very top of the draft that they never go up and trade for), it will take a whole lot more than that even to begin a conversation.

  75. 75 MichaelFloyd84 said at 12:44 PM on March 7th, 2012:

    I can’t help but think of Brian Rolle as the 2012 version of the Keith Adams. Seems like exactly the same thing to me. Blindly projecting their success in a much larger role (or rolling the dice, whichever you prefer) for a young undersized LB off of 6ish decent games the previous year

  76. 76 D3Keith said at 3:48 PM on March 7th, 2012:

    This is always, Tommy: “It is critical to read the specific words used by people to understand what they are really saying.”

    And it’s crucial, since we’re nerding out here. 🙂

  77. 77 Marketing 20/20 » The Toll of Information Overload on People and Society said at 2:05 PM on March 14th, 2012:

    […] Emailing Ones Listing — Staying away from Information Overload3 Tips For Managing Information Overload NKb: .qRr http://t.co/uEAKVnHaDealing with Information OverloadThe Pursuit of Humanness: Seeking a more perfect unionWhat do translators need internet forMlm Tips To Help You Develop A Successful Multi-level Marketing BusinessJust What To Think About When Choosing A Weight Loss ProgramComic Roundup: Green Arrow, Age of Apocalypse and FairestSites Not Social With Blogs, Who Just Do It, Just Blew It!Iggles Blitz […]