DT Update
Posted: April 10th, 2012 | Author: Tommy Lawlor | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 89 Comments »
If greatness is contagious, Derek Landri is a one man plague.
Now that the prodigal son has returned, let’s talk about the DT situation.
UT: C Jenkins ……. ___________ ….. Ced Thornton
NT: M Patterson … Antonio Dixon ….. D Landri
I am listing Landri #3, but that’s just for cosmetic purposes. He and Dixon will be battling for playing time, if not an outright roster spot.
It is still a virtual certainty that we will draft a DT (and early). We need someone behind Cullen Jenkins as the under tackle. As a refresher, the UT is the 3-technique role. Think of Warren Sapp in Tampa. The DT lines up on the outside eye of the OG and rushes the passer. You want the UT in this spot because it is hard to double him. The C is too far away. The OT is there, but he’s focused on the DE. That leaves the OG to stop the UT by himself.
You want a quick, fast guy for UT. He also needs good agility. He’ll fire off the ball and need to get by the OG and then turn inside to get after the QB. The ability to bend as he rounds by the OG is what separates the men from the boys. Most DTs are straight line. They can fire off the ball, but just go straight. The gifted pass rushers all have good agility.
Here is a highlight video of DT Derek Wolfe. At the :38 mark, watch how he bends and turns. Look at how low he gets. That’s freaky stuff. That is DE-esque. Much as I love Derek Landri, he’d break bones and tear ligaments trying to do that. You’ll think Wolfe should go #1 overall by the end. Enjoy the video, but remember it is only highlights.
The NT lines up in the C-G gap. He has a straight path to the QB. His job is to fire off the ball and get through that gap. He’s got 2 blockers on him so the NT must have good strength. He’ll be fighting through the double team to get to the ball. Patt is a natural NT. So is Landri. Dixon should be good in this role. I listed Thornton as a UT, but I don’t know where the Eagles project him for now. He’s got excellent quickness, but I’m not sure he bends well enough for UT. I haven’t had a chance to go back and re-watch 2011 PS games to check him out. That’s a May/June project.
We have 5 “good” DTs on the roster now. We’re going to add a 6th in the draft. Only 5 are likely to make the roster. Only 4 will play. How is this gonna work?
Injuries are always a concern so having good depth is critical. I’ve mentioned this before, but there is a great scene in an early MASH episode that offers the perfect mentality. Hawkeye and Trapper go looking for an incubator. They find a sergeant who has 3. They start to try and trade with him. He says “no way”. If he trades them one and one breaks down, he’ll be down to just one incubator. Can’t do it. Gotta have all 3. That logic is ridiculous in the context of the show, but is perfect when looking at a roster. Overstock. You’re always on the edge of losing players, even in bunches.
Let’s remember that you also want 6 guys fighting for 5 jobs. Competition brings out the best in players. Dixon and Thornton are young guys. Dixon has never started 16 games. Thornton has never played in a game. You don’t want to hand those young guys jobs. Make them fight for playing time and/or roster spots. That will force them to be in top shape and to practice well. If they don’t practice to a certain level, they could be gone.
If everyone stays healthy and everyone plays pretty well, you have a tough choice to make in early September. That’s what happened last year. The Eagles cut Landri and Hargrove. Mistake. They kept Laws. Mistake. Don’t even get me started on Marlon Favorite. He led the NFL in preseason greatness with his belly rub sack celebration and the diving tackle attempt that got him within 2 yards of his target. Marlon should have been team captain and maybe even Defensive Coordinator.
This year the Eagles would seem much less likely to cut Landri, knowing he led the team in TFLs. That means that they could try to cut Thornton and get him on the Practice Squad again. They could try to trade him. They could also try to trade Antonio Dixon. I don’t think Mike Patterson is going anywhere, but this is the NFL and never say never.
The key to all of this is how the guys play this summer. Is Dixon great, so-so, or highly disappointing? Thornton? Landri will bring it. That’s just who he is.
Depending on who the rookie is and how he plays, he could see significant time or sit. The Eagles could use Landri as the backup UT. While Derek lacks the ideal skill set, he played UT at Notre Dame and does have 5 sacks over the last 2 years. He could be adequate as a backup. The exact rotation will heavily depend on who is healthy and who is playing well. Cullen Jenkins is the only guy right now guaranteed of anything.
* * * * *
Derek Landri told reporters yesterday that he was close to a long term deal, but the Eagles backed off when Jason Peters got hurt. This was interesting and confusing. First, we don’t know what kind of terms were being discussed. If there was no serious bonus money, it doesn’t matter if Derek signed for a year or for 10. He’d always be someone the team could easily cut.
If the Eagles were offering him a 2 or 3 year deal with some bonus money, that would interest me. It would show a level of seriousness from the Eagles that I felt they should have had all along. Jim Washburn loves Landri and pushed for him. This could be a case where Landri is Wash’s guy and Dixon is the FO’s guy.
Dixon is bigger. He’s more naturally gifted. At his best, he flashes major potential. The problem is that Dixon is inconsistent. Landri lacks special potential, but he is ultra-consistent. You get 1.1 million percent effort on every snap. Dixon, like most young DTs, is still figuring things out. If he can ever put it all together in the new system, Patt will be out of a job.
As to the money angle on Landri…someone asked why JP’s injury affected anything. The Eagles still have Cap room and will get more when Asante is dealt. True, but the Eagles also have rookies to sign and players like Shady and DRC to lock up long term. The Eagles are also saving some Cap room for other emergencies that could pop up.
* * * * *
The new MAQB column is up. Gimp is dead right as he talks about how NFL teams are bargain hunting right now. The Eagles could still add a RB, SS, and/or WR. There are good players left to sign. Teams are just playing the waiting game, knowing the price they are willing to pay. Players keep hoping for a miracle (injury to someone that creates a need for a team). Makes some sense, but teams will fill holes in the draft and that will take away some suitors. Might see a lot of little activity on draft week. Game of chicken. Which players will give in and sign?
* * * * *
Any unanswered questions can be re-posted here or I’ll address in a post tonight.
Hey Tommy, this is a pretty insignificant topic, but seeing as you’re a PSU fan as well and I can’t find any information any where else, I wanted to ask you to just give me your thoughts on Chaz Powell. We went to school together, hung out a few times. My best friend’s lil bro was best friends with him and also his QB in high school. Anyway, like I said, I don’t wanna put ya out by having ya do any serious investigating or anything, just want to hear your thoughts. Will he be undrafted? drafted? round? potential? that sort of thing. Thanks a lot Tommy, I’ll be sure to post ya on FB and get all of lower York County to read your response.
Chaz Powell is an interesting subject. He flashed serious athleticism at times in his PSU career. I kept waiting for him to take off and become a big time player. Never happened. I’m not sure if the problem is that he got moved around too much or if he failed to develop anywhere so they kept moving him. Sometimes that is on the coaches, sometimes the player.
Unfortunately, I get the feeling Chaz is more athlete than football player. He doesn’t have one thing he does that you can point to as a great skill. He’s the kind of guy who might have really benefited from NFL Europe. Chaz needs coaching and time.
He has good enough size/speed numbers that someone may take a chance on him. I’d consider putting him at RB or slot receiver. I always thought he was dangerous at PSU with the ball in his hands.
He could get drafted, but it would be as a late pick. He has NFL potential, but will need to really work his tail off to make it in the league. He’s got a lot of learning to do at whichever spot they decide to try him at.
The good news for him is that other PSU guys have done this. Cameron Wake was Derek Wake at PSU and never became a star. He then tore up the CFL and NFL. RB Gary Brown was better in the NFL than at PSU. Eddie Drummond had 6 return TDs in the NFL. When asked why he didn’t do it at PSU he said they never gave him the chance. Those guys are exceptions to the rule, but they do show you can be better in the NFL than college. You need athleticism. You also need the right attitude and a big time work ethic. Those guys didn’t magically get discovered in the NFL. They busted their butts and did whatever was asked of them.
Derek Wolfe looks like Teo Neishem, I don’t feel so confident about him. What about Brandon Graham? Can he play the UT role as a backup? Speaking of Gimpy’s article, who’s your mid-round draft crush?
Teo was 6-3, 265. Wolfe is 6-5, 295.
I’ve got a bunch of players I love in the mid-rounds. Wolfe would probably be #1.
Where do you think Wolfe will get drafted? I’ve seen him mocked everywhere from the 2nd round to the 4th round.
I’m guessing 3rd. I won’t be mad if the Eagles use a 2nd on him. Wolfe seems ideal for the W-9 system.
Most amazing thing to me from the Derek Wolfe video, and there are a gang of highlights of him just eating some poor offensive player up, is in the links to the other DL prospects off to the side.
Vinny Curry is black?!?!? I … I … just assumed.
I don’t think I remembered that Gimpy was an Eagles fan too. He *is* an actual person, right, not an alternate persona of Tommy’s?
I think I’ll just buy my Cadbury creme eggs though.
I’m going to send him a check for 50k and get my free Cadbury creme eggs. I love those things. I don’t have 50k in my account so the jokes on him. He’ll get an overdraft fee and by the time he realizes it, I’ll be enjoying my candy.
Wish I’d thought of that.
The Vince Young lines were pretty hilarious too. “If you have a big game that you absolutely need to lose … “
Tommy,
This was a topic I was going to email you about, but does the fact that the UT is so quick and more of a rusher anymore change the fact that RGs are now more finesse players like tackles than powerful run blockers like guards used to be? I would think especially in this offense with a left-handed QB since, I would assume, the Eagles prefer to have the strong side as the left side.
I’m pretty sure you stated awhile back that RGs are becoming more and more isolated in today’s NFL and receive less help than all the other line positions.
Obviously the change to Mudd’s scheme makes a true mauler less relevant, thus Danny Watkins, but he also fits the mold of more of a finesse blocker than a powerful run blocker.
NFL analyst (and former OL) Ross Tucker is the one who talked about the RG becoming more crucial. He faces the UT alone a lot of the time. That means the RG needs to be a good pass blocker. Can’t just be a run blocker.
It doesn’t necessarily mean that he’s got to be finesse, but massive guys like MJG and Nick Cole there are fading away. Can still be a big guy, but he needs good feet and/or pass blocking skills. Watkins has a good frame and is a physical blocker, but also has LT experience. He understands pass blocking. He struggled with the move to G, but didn’t lack ability, just experience and polished skills.
Speaking of whom the Eagles will take to fill UDT role . . .
I’d love to hear Jason Kelce give us the straight scoop on former Bearcat teammate Dereck Wolfe.
_________________
T-Law:
Would the Eagles ask Kelce about Wolfe as part of the due-diligence process? Is that something teams do?
If the Eagles have serious interest in a player, they could definitely ask a former teammate. Gotta be careful about how that is done. Don’t want Kelce then telling Wolfe, who tells his agent and the info gets out. You have to pick and choose spots to do this and it has to be done carefully, if the prospect is of special interest. If just general info, then no big deal. Ask away.
The best line from the mentioned M.A.S.H. episode was by General Mitchell who was in charge of the unit that handles all the military inventory; he was doing a press conference and he started to get some heated questions (egged on by Hawkeye and Trapper) about the incubators from the members of the media, his priceless response was, “Now wait a minute. This is a press conference! The last thing I want to do is answer a lot of questions!”
Great. Hadn’t thought about how that tied in as well.
Love MASH.
Dixon is a player I’ve never understood. I get that he may have “special talent,” but geesh, I can’t remember anything he’s actually done on the field.
He was dominant vs TEN, ATL in 2010. Got our hopes up based on those two games. Was up and down after that.
I don’t know that I’ve ever heard anyone question Dixon’s physical stats/ability.
From what I’ve heard/read the thing that had him lost in Washington was a learning disability. When everything clicks for him, he has the gifts to make things happen in a big way. When things aren’t clicking, he borders on being a liability.
Tommy,
Your attention to detail, sense of humor, and ability to increase the knowledge of your readers about football in general has to set you apart from any other NFL based blog on the internet.
You sir, are a true gem!
Note to self…do not delete this.
DT is never an insignificant topic, great article as always Tommy
Tommy
you mentioned in one of your posts that the 3 guys you really covet this year are Luck, RG3 and Claiborne.
Let’s pretend that Claiborne falls into the range of picks between 7 and 10, would you pull the trigger for an uptrade then?! And if the Eagles stun everyone by doing so, wouldn’t we have the same luxury problem at CB we’ve had last year with Nnamdi, DRC and Asante?! Or would you be willing to write off DRC in your long-term plans then?!
I think Claiborne is special. He could play the slot for us for 2 years, then take over for Nnamdi. I would move up to get him, but still would be picky about the price. I’m only doing the deal if the price is right.
Claiborne also has RS ability so that adds to his value.
Cool, the thought of uptrading for Claiborne has been growing on me lately. Maybe we’ll be able to build a LSU defense in Philly. This year Claiborne and next year The honey badger. 🙂
How much would you be willing to give up? A 2nd round pick or Asante + a 3rd?!
If Claiborne falls to #7, I’m on the phone with Jacksonville offering a #1 and a #2. You’re getting an elite player immediately and have Nnamdi’s replacement in 2-3 years. He’s also a high-motor player.
Sadly, I don’t think that happens.
Or, even sexier, but also less likely: Claiborne falls to #9, then uptrade with the Panthers offering our first, Asante + our 3rd rounder. The Panthers would still end up with an impact DLiner and a 3rd, plus McnoD would re-unite with Asante…!
I think that’s about the right price for pick 9. Another question is: would you move up to 9 for Fletcher Cox?
No, never! If we give up multiple picks + Asante it better be for Claiborne!
Tommy, talk to me like I’m an eighth grader here. Is it not true that the odd man out is known the instant a first round DT is selected? Is Cox a better DT than Luke is as a LB? Last year, the DLine was as close to elite as any portion of our team but they get the early bump? I would be more more excited about Cox (nopun) if Landri wasn’t back, but he is. Strong side LB must take precedent over Dline. Mustn’t it?
We had to upgrade MLB. That was the key spot. SAM could use an upgrade, but it isn’t critical. The defense had more than a few good games with Akeem Jordan at the SAM spot.
The reason to target Fletcher Cox isn’t because he’s a DT, but because he’s such a good player and would be such a great fit in our system. Cullen Jenkins stayed healthy all year in 2011. He normally misses time with a small injury. Had he gone out of the lineup, we’d have had no ideal replacement. Cox would be an ideal replacement.
You can win big with backup LBs, but you won’t win without good DL play. If Cox is on the board, I’m just not sure you can pass him up. Don’t just think of snaps played. Think of impact. Who had more impact for us last year, Landri or Akeem Jordan? Landri played in just 34% of the snaps, but still led the team in TFLs and he was highly disruptive.
Good news for you, Cox is probably gone by 15. Then we’ll see if Andy is willing to pull the trigger on a LB in the 1st round. I sure hope he does.
I won’t whine a bit if we get Cox. But I fully expect to have LK to be our starting Sam if Cox is off the board.
Just to play devil’s advocate, the team already has 5 DTs and will likely play only 4 in a game. So I think someone could justify concluding that the marginal value of getting a starting SAM is greater than the marginal value of upgrading the 3rd or 4th DT.
Yeah I guess I still question the need to spend a #15 pick on a rotation UT. Even if he is awesome, he’ll still be splitting time 50/50 with Jenkins (at best). For one, we want Jenkins on the field as much as possible, so drafting a guy high is going to cut into Jenkins’ playing time and perhaps be less effective overall for the team ie. 50% Jenkins + 50% 1st round UT, might be worth less than 65% Jenkins and 35% 4th round UT. I’m aware of the longer term view, in that drafted guy will start when Jenkins moves on in the not-too distant future, but that is similar for a lot of spots: Vick, Asomugha, Peters etc.
That raises the other question of which type of DT is best to draft, I would argue that if it’s a 1st rounder, look at the NT position, because I think Jenkins is a better starter than Patterson and both are of similar age.
I also wonder how valuable a DT is anyway. If you were building an expansion team how high up your list is the DT rotation? I would say you wouldn’t be spending one of your highest draft picks on it. DE is the money position on the D-line and CB is more important too.
The other point to go hand in hand with that is Washburn. Everyone rates him highly, so surely he can do well with less talent?
I dunno, I’m thinking a mid round pick at UT to fight with Thornton (or maybe Landri) for a backup spot. Wolfe would be awesome if he dropped to 3rd round. Add to that I thought the pass rush was pretty effective last year, while the running D problems were in large part due to the back 7. So there you go, I’d argue the need for DT is small. Only if there is an outstanding DT on the board at #15 should we pick that position ie. Cox or bust.
I have a feeling think draft is gonna be a weird one. Trading out of picks all over the place. Outside of the top three, no real elite talent. Eagles may be able to move up for cheap.
There was a report yesterday that 5 of the Top 10 teams were looking to move back. You could be right.
I’ve been asking myself if KC would be a good partner. They have multiple needs and could trade down 4 spots and still get one of Brockers/Poe/DeCastro that all fits big positions of need for them.
Reid/Belicheck had a tight relationship…does that extend to Roseman/Pioli? Surely they must have SOMETHING to do with it right?
Hadn’t thought of that angle. Worth watching. Maybe Pioli and Howie can become buddies, like Bill and Big Red.
It looks like the Eagles need to get to 10 to be sure of getting one of Kuechly or Cox.
Dream sequence would be if somehow Coples fell to within the eagles reach. They traded up a few picks and got him. Used a 2nd on Lavonte David and grabbed Wolfe with a 3rd. Not sure what it would take move up a few picks. Some of those teams above us seem desperate to move out. Maybe one of our seconds or our third.
That would mean — accepting the assumption that the Birds’ board arrays these players as the best remaining when their choice comes up — that the Eagles truly are staying true to their board . . . and going BPA.
A point T-LAW and I have kicked back and forth: If the Eagles select a DE, rather than a DT, then they very likely have serious concerns about Brandon Graham’s ability to be the explosive pass rusher they thought they drafted. Not that he couldn’t be a Brandon Whiting-type (who was damn solid) — but a JPP-type.
If Coples was available, Tapp could become dispensable (if B.G plays the way he should be able too) I like the idea of Coples playing DE in run situations instead of Babin and bringing Babin in for passing situations. Adding Wolfe in a later round to compete with Thorton for the final DT spot. Coples could be our JPP. DT in some situations, DE in other. Just allow him to reak havoc.
I was a little taken back by this part
“If he [Dixon] can ever put it all together in the new system, Patt will be out of a job.”
First off, this seems like hyperbole. Do you really believe this or did you get caught up in the moment? lol
I believe personally that Patterson is the most under-rated player on our defense, and I suspect that he does exactly what the coaches want from him.
Secondly, I thought maybe you were giving him credit for his “youth” but then I looked it up and Dixon is less than 2 years younger than Patterson. He isn’t that young, not young enough to look at as an “up and comer” IMO.
A few people want Dixon info. I’ll cover that in a post.
“Derek Landri is a one man plague.”
– Tommy Lawlor, April 10th 2012
He used this phrase earlier, but I agree, it’s awesome!
Derek Landri, Victor Abiamiri, and Trevor Laws. Who is the other guy from the ND’s 2007 DL that we are missing, or did they play a 3-4?
Justin Tuck?
Looked it up
Trever Laws 2004-2008
Derek Landri 2003-2007
Victor Abiamiri 2003-2007
Justin Tuck 2001-2005
I guess we overlooked the one player that was worth a damn.
Abiamiri showed potential when he was healthy, also Laws seemed tailor fit for the wide 9
T-LAW wrote: “There was a report yesterday that 5 of the Top 10 teams were looking to move back. You could be right.”
_______________
We know the Colts and ‘Skins,at Nos 1 & 2, are staying put.
That means, per the report, 5 of 8 teams want out. Pretty staggering percentage.
Those kind of jail-break numbers would seem to give the Eagles a chance jump up and get an even higher-impact player.
But . . . “For a price, Ugarte. For a price.”
I’m guessing:
Cleveland- Doesn’t value RB enough to draft one with the #4 overall pick. Blackmon and Claiborne are good prospects but Gilmore and Hill might be a better value.
Jacksonville- Tends to reach for players (Harvey, Alualu, Lewis). Might trade down to get good value
Buffalo- OT is a concern but no one good enough to draft #10 overall. After Claiborne, the best CB prospects are in the 15-20 range.
Miami- I don’t know what their deal is but I don’t see them going after Tannenhill. Might let some team like Cleveland, Kansas City, Tennessee, Philadelphia, San Francisco or Arizona trade up to get him.
Carolina- Some team might covet Cox or Ingram. Might let that team to trade up and get him
Rick Blaine comments always appreciated
Mercilus & Upshaw keep landing near the Eagles’ pick in mocks. Do you have a view on them as potential DEs for the Eagles? I know you would draft for a different position, but assume for the moment that the Eagles are considering them at 15. Would either of them be a good fit? Personally I always hated the Brandon Graham pick and Upshaw at least seems like an upgrade over Tapp and Hunt to me.
Tommy,
Howie calls you up in the second round of the draft. He’s goes “Tommy Lawlor, help us! Our draft board became demagnetized and now we can’t remember who we value more. We need a DT because we drafted the keuchwalker in the first. Do we take Wolfe or Crick?” Who ya got?
Hey Tommy, is your description of the tackle responsibilities unique to the Eagles system, or is it something that’s a standard in all or most 4-3 defenses around the league?
Here’s something that seems obvious, based on things that are being posted, but hasn’t been articulated yet (or very often):
Although teams are looking to get out of the top 10, it’s clear Eagles fans are in love with several prospects that are expected to go between 25 and 75 (Vinny Curry, Derek Wolfe, Brandon Boykin, Jayron Hosley, Lavonte David, JMJ, Wagner, Crick, Joe Adams, etc.)
Why then, would we entertain giving up one or more of those guys to go up and get somebody — anybody — that we like (or maybe covet, but don’t neeeeeed) in the first?
I’m all for pouncing if there’s an opening to go get a difference-maker. I’m one of the few guys, it seems, who would be in favor of taking Tannehill. But same time, I almost think the priority should be to come out of the first 60 or so picks with three players, no matter how we do it. We have 15, 46, 51. If we can maneuver and still pick up good players or a future first, fine. But especially given that we dropped back 12 spots in the third, I think it’s imperative to maximize the value of those two 2s.
Thoughts? Anyone, not just Tommy …
I think it’s possible to give up our 1st and 3rd and Asante (if he’s not traded prior to the draft) and move up to 9. I agree that we want to come out of the first 2 rounds with 3 good players. I would be more than happy with Luke, Crick and Boykin. I’d also be really happy with Cox, Lavonte and Boykin. There are a lot of possibilities. My hunch is that neither Cox or Luke will be there for us at 15. So are the Eagles in love with either of them enough to move up? One thing I’d love to see is: Luke (SAM), Lavonte (WILL) (don’t tell Brian Rolle’s daddy!) and Boykin. Then we really get lucky and get Wolfe in the 3rd.
You stole my trade idea, buddy. Though Claiborne would have to be there at #9 if we give up multiple picks + Asante.
I wouldn’t give up that much for Cox or even Tannehil.
I had actually already been trying to figure out trade-up values before I saw your earlier post. This values Asante as a mid-late third round pick, which together with our late 3rd pick equals what we’d need to get to 9. I’d love to get either Luke or Cox but don’t want to part with either of the 2nd’s. Giving up the 3rd would be OK. Or giving up the 4th for a shorter jump. I’d also be OK with Peter K.’s suggestion below if it meant adding another 2nd and still having a late 1st. That might be the best solution if we don’t trade up and our guy isn’t sitting there at 15.
If Kuechly is gone, I’d drop down around 10 spots and try to pick up another 2nd rounder. 15 to 25 is worth 700 points, which is the value of that team’s 2nd rounder. Then we’d have 5 picks in the 25-79 range. Then, if we only get a 4th rounder for Asante, it doesn’t kill us, because we can spend a 2-3rd round pick for a CB. This would also open us up to take a RB or QB(or both) early, without sacrificing defense.
How’s this?
#15 – Trade picks 15 and 51 to CLE for #22 and 37
#22 – TE Coby Fleener
#37 – Trade to NE for picks #48 & 93 (Patriots need a CB and a WR and this puts them in good position to target Janoris Jenkins or one of Jeffery, Randle or Sanu)
#46 – LB Lavonte David
#48 – CB Brandon Boykin
#88 – DT Derek Wolfe
#93 – WR Joe Adams
The Browns have quite a few holes, the biggest of which comes in the shape of offensive skill players. If they take Richardson at #4, then a WR is the next logical option. This gives them the opportunity to make a play at Kendall Wright without having to compromise their other needs by sacrificing later picks.
The Patriots don’t have many holes, but they need a DE, CB and probably a WR. Assuming they address the defensive line in the first round, they’ll be looking for one of the other two positions in the second. CB Janoris Jenkins and WRs Alshon Jeffery, Reuben Randle and Mohamed Sanu are all going to come off the board in the early 2nd round and I could see the Pats targeting one of them and looking to move up.
These Eagles picks seem to address pretty much all of the (admittedly minor) needs that we have; RZ threat, SAM, slot corner, backup UT and slot WR. I don’t know enough about the late round guys to mock any further, but I’d be pretty happy with a start like this.
Good one! I’m just having trouble of letting go of my Fletch and Luke fantasies…
http://i.imgur.com/x0Hxh.png
The latest in my line of mediocre tributes to Eagles Players and Classic Rock.
Could Tanard Jackson, if he can get healthy, be an Eagles target?
Every year there’s a guy that falls in the draft that I’m screaming for the Eagles to take. Tanard Jackson was one of them. Tampa cut him for lack of development and discipline. Nate Allen and JarJar are in the long term plans for the Eagles. If they bring in a FA, it would be a veteran that could start and mentor the young safetys.
Cool beans…
I’ve never been so excited for a draft. Maybe its the prospect of having the flexibility to draft so many good players in the first two rounds with no glaring need, or the depth of good talent in the first two or three rounds.
On second thought, I would have to attribute it to this site. I used to just read posts here in passing last year as they were linked from BGN in “The Linc,” Over the course of the season, and this offseason, I started to religiously check this site for new posts throughout the day. Being apart of the community here has done wonders for my ability to understand the intricate details that go into building our roster, scouting college players, and breaking down our schemes. I think the reason I’m so excited for this year’s offseason is my awareness.
So, thanks Tommy, for allowing myself, and I’m sure several others, the ability to take our Eagles fan-dom to the next level that I could have only dreamed of a year ago. Keep up the great work.
P.S. Don’t forget, theres that little yellow button on the side bar that says “Donate.” I think one of the best ways we can all thank Tommy for all the work he does here for us is to donate to his “Pudding and PBR fund.”
Cosign, I didn’t know much about football or the draft until I started reading Tommy’s stuff, and I enjoy following the eagles more now than ever thanks to what I’ve learned and continue to learn.
Agree 100%! This site help me more than I can express in my relative basic english. Thanks Tommy, hope to know how appreciative we all are.
Tommy, (inevitable question) Can Dontari Poe play UT under Washburn?*
I assume the answer is “yes” for Devon Still and Kendall Reyes. Reyes may actually be the best fit for a guy to rotate in after Jenkins at UT, but is commonly considered a reach at 15.
* My guess is that the conventional wisdom is “no”
Actually Poe may indeed fit at UT, as would Brockers, Jerel Worthy, and even Coples. I think those four are all ahead of Cox. I still think Cox grades low 1st. Brockers and Poe seem to have better potential at UT, and Worthy further down the board may be the best fit, more so than Reyes and Still, who’d be good values if they fall to 2nd.
“ahead of Cox” for UT I mean. Don’t see Cox as being a special guy you trade up for
Actually Poe may indeed fit at UT, as would Brockers, Jerel Worthy, and even Coples. I think those four are all ahead of Cox. I still think Cox grades low 1st. Brockers and Poe seem to have better potential at UT, and Worthy further down the board may be the best fit, more so than Reyes and Still, who’d be good values if they fall to 2nd.
This point was brought up on BGN, but I’ll bring it up here. If Kuechly and Cox are gone by pick 15, I would draft Kitpatrick if he’s available. Nnamdi is 31 and DRC is a FA next year. Behind them there is little depth.
+ 1. I’d take Kirkpatrick over Cox, maybe Kuechly. 1. The Eagles lost 8 games and have their 1st pick, 2. Pretty good draft for CB if Dre is there, 3. Get a shutdown across from Nmandi that Bowles can groom while you can.
And I think he’s also got the raw skills to play FS as well.
What do you go by on BGN? I tried to keep my not-clever handle the same on both sites, but I get the feeling sometimes I’m reading a familiar voice and which I had a translation/conversion chart.
As far as drafting a CB this year, he has to do one of three things: 1) Be able to supplant Hanson in the slot, 2) Be a return specialist, 3) Be someone we can see starting when Nnamdi wraps up his career.
If he can do two or three of those things, I’m on it like bluebonnet.
tst29. I don’t like using my real name on blogs because I don’t want my bosses/friends to know my opinion and how much time I spend here. Don is a cool name I made up to email my professor when I had any stupid questions to ask them.
I think a lot of iggles fans like are going to be devastated as we watch cox and Kuechly..light it up for other teams….just like JPP is playing out of his mind for the Gmen.Getting an impact rookie defensive player is invaluable…..having Kuechly at SAM would make for a pretty dominant LB core.just imaging a game where our LB are making tackles all over the field suffocating the opponents running game and neutralizing their tight ends…man one can only dream….a solid LB core can make an opponent one dimentional and predictable.then our pass rushers can pin their ears back and go demolish the quarter back..and if they try play action..yes I’m looking at you ELi…then you have 2 very intelligent LB in Ryans and Kuechly..who will sniff it out and stuff it or make a game Changing play…say a pick six…maybe….defense wins championships..a cliche..but true..
It’s not too devastating when someone ahead of you grabs a guy and you never really had a shot at getting him, or getting him without paying out the yang. The ones that burn you up are the guys you passed on.
The Graham/JPP thing is not really a fair comparison, but I can see why it bothers people.
The Graham/JPP thing definitely has to go away. For every case where a guy with potential trumps a guy with production there are probably 5 cases where he doesn’t (think no further than Te’o Nesheim or Bryan Smith). Unfortunately there’s no right/wrong in those decision without the benefit of hindsight.
Plus (as I assume you’re alluding to, D3Keith), it’s a little premature to discount Graham at this point on account of injury. I suppose had we had taken JPP and he had gotten injured while Graham put up a big year for the Giants the same exact people would be storming the gates at Novacare.
Funny thing is (that nopain23 seems to forget) is that Graham outplayed JPP in their rookie year until he was injured. Same with Allen, he was outplaying other rookie DBs that year until his injury
I also wonder how good NY’s DL coaches are. It seems like every guy they’ve had on their DL has had a lot of success. Kiwanuka had a decent rookie year, Tuck and Umenyura were mid round picks that became all pros, Jay Alford their DT/LS had 2.5 sacks in 08′ and had a sack in the Superbowl. Dave Tollefson had 5 sacks last year.
On the other hand, we’ve brought in guys with high potential and ability like Tapp and Clemons who haven’t done much in their Eagles careers.
Luckily we were able to Washburn, but part of me has a hard time letting go of all of the talent and potential wasted by our coaches.
JPP had 6.5 sacks in his best year at USF. I watched his college highlight tapes and saw a guy whose only pass rush move was to run around OTs to get to the QB. He was an athletic freak, but I felt like he was too much of a risk to take him in the first round. Brandon Graham on the other hand had similar combine results to JPP and had a decent career against better competition to back up his combine performance.
Part of me wonders how good JPP would be as a pro if his DL coach was Rory Segrest.
The best thing about Landri returning, is he get a full off season in the defense and the program. He gets training Camp with the defense. His role will be defined and it can flexible. If they get a Good DT, they will have a very good core.
Funny mock draft comment from Will Brinson at cbssports for the Bills 1st round pick:
10. Buffalo Bills
Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa: The Bills made big moves on the defensive end in free agency, and now it’s time to help protect Ryan Fitzpatrick. Reiff’s short arms are an exaggerated concern, and he would be a big addition for the Bills … until the Eagles acquire him in five years.
lol
No, we need them to acquire a highly athletic LT who is raw at the position and have them train him, start him, and let their QB to get killed during this process so that by the time he hits the FA market, the Eagles can snatch him up and establish him as their LT.