Mychal Kendricks and Fit
Posted: May 4th, 2012 | Author: Tommy Lawlor | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 96 Comments »I want to take some time and do a lengthy post on Kendricks, but there have been so many questions on him that I think I need to answer a few at this point.
Kendricks vs Bobby Wagner – I liked Wagner better. This isn’t about height. Bobby is an inch taller. I watched Bobby play and he looked faster and like a more complete LB. I think Kendricks attacks better, but Wagner is better in coverage and pursuit. Those are more important traits in today’s NFL.
So why did the Eagles want Kendricks? Juan Castillo loved him. The scouts loved him. Howie Roseman loved him. I liked him quite a bit, but wouldn’t go so far as to join their MK fan club.
Here are some interesting comments from Howie on him:
Well, Kendricks can play any of the three spots. He can play Will, he can play Sam, he can play Mike. This is a guy when we met with our scouts in December, we just kind of put him up there and said if we can get him with one of our two second-round picks that would be a phenomenal pick and fit for our defense and our team. And when he blew up the Combine we were worried that he wouldn’t be there at 46, so we’re really excited to get him and bring him to Philadelphia. I think he fits perfectly for what we do on defense. He can cover, he can blitz, he’s instinctive in the run game, and he fits something that we’re looking for for our football team.
Kendricks didn’t really stand out on the Cal/UW game video you posted in the earlier thread. We’ll just have to disagree on this. That was a good showing by Kendricks. One person commented that he was blocked way too much. Kendricks lined up as a DE a lot and rushed the passer. When an OT blocks a guy rushing off the edge, that is very, very different than blocking him in the run game.
One of the keys in me posting that video is so that you could see Kendricks playing more on the LOS and as an edge guy. The SAM in the Wide-9 is back off the ball 90% of the time (or more), but if Kendricks needs to get up on the LOS he can do it. That’s not foreign to him.
One thing I’d like to do with the videos this summer is try to better explain what to look for. You can’t focus on results. You’re looking for the traits needed to be a good NFL player. DeMarcus Ware had 27.5 sacks in his 4 years at Troy. He had 19.5 last year going against NFL competition. Think about that for a second.
Why not Kendricks at WLB? As Howie said above, Mychal can play all 3 spots for the Eagles. He has the athleticism to run with TEs. He has the toughness to take on FBs on iso run plays. He can cover RBs out in space. He can move through trash to get to the ball. He tackles well. Can take on OL if needed. He has the potential to play all 3 spots.
I think the goal for now is to get the best 3 LBs on the field. Ryans is MLB. Kendricks can be SAM. WLB will be a battle between Brian Rolle, possibly Jamar Chaney, possibly Casey Matthews, and possibly Keenan Clayton.
When does SAM cover TEs for us? Be careful when thinking back to last year. Lots of stuff happened. The SAM at the beginning was Jamar Chaney and the goal was for him to do a lot of man coverage. After lineup shifts Moise Fokou and Akeem Jordan took over. Neither guy is great in coverage so you can bet Juan Castillo changed what the SAM did.
We did use Nnamdi to cover Tony Gonzalez and Vernon Davis types in certain situations. I’m sure some of that will carry over to this year. We’re speaking of generalities when we say Kendricks will deal with TEs. The key reason the SAM covers the TE is that they line up on the same side. SAM = strongside LB. Where TE goes is strong side.
Over the years JJ, McD, and Juan have used a variety of players to cover TEs. The MLB did it some. The WLB some. The SAM a lot. The SS some. The FS some. You never want to let the offense have mismatches so you adjust your coverages to keep a solid guy on the TE.
* * * *
Misc Q&A
With Edwards on board, why draft Nick Foles? The Eagles think Foles can be the starting QB of the future. Vick should keep the job in 2012 and 2013 at a minimum. Beyond that, it depends on if he’s playing well or age is starting to creep in. Kafka isn’t out of the picture. He’s an unknown, but he hasn’t shown anything so good that the team trusts him to be the guy of the future. Right now there is a lot of competition. May the best man win.
Any concerns about Bryce Brown having almost a 2-year layoff? It sure isn’t ideal, but I’m not overly concerned. Bryce did practice with Kansas State last spring and summer. He got some hits and stayed in good shape. One key here is that Bryce never walked away from football. The guys who go play some other sport will change their bodies. Bryce kept a football body all along. Also, RB is a natural, instinctive position. I could take someone off the street and put them at RB and they’d have some idea what to do. Try that with a QB, LT, or S and you’d have a complete disaster.
* * * * *
Ryan Grigson hired away Eagles scout Ahmad Russell. He was a pro scout in 2011.
It will be interesting to see where Howie goes to find replacements. Does he hire guys off the street (to develop)? Does he bring in guys from certain teams?
Former Eagles personnel guy Jason Licht left the Patriots to go work in Arizona, where he had been previously. Licht is a good talent evaluator.
Former Eagle C Raleigh McKenzie is going to join his brother Reggie with the Raiders and work in the personnel department. Raleigh McKenzie was a good player for us for a couple of years. Ray Rhodes wanted an upgrade so he signed Steve Everitt. That didn’t work out as hoped.
* * * * *
Jimmy Bama has a good poll up on his site about the best NFC East draft.
I voted for the Skins. I like our group better, but the bottom line is that they got an elite QB prospect. That’s like having Boardwalk in Monopoly. You can have houses on St. Charles Place and Virginia Avenue, but that ain’t Boardwalk. Take away the top pick from each class and I’m going with the Eagles.
Go vote. Then share your thoughts, here or there.
I voted earlier for the Eagles, though the Giants seem to have done well too. I see your point about the franchise QB, that’s huge.
But to me, both the Redskins and Cowboys drafts are solely about one player. Unless one of the other guys turn into a surprise All-Pro, their entire 2012 draft will be defined by that first pick. That’s a big gamble.
The Eagles aren’t depending on their first pick to save them (or even start). I think most of us would have been more or less happy with the results of the draft, even without Co-… Fletcher.
(I will admit to being a bit worried about Kendricks and Foles though.)
You are right about the Skins/Boys placing their hopes on high picks. Costly moves, but great potential.
I have a hard time with the Giants pick #32. The over under on that kid finally being the one to give Coughlin a severe heart attack or stroke is currently 60%.
why do you say that?
7 fumbles in his last college football season… his response something to the effect of “it’s not my fault/I can’t change the fact that defensive guys can punch the ball out”
Oh, ok. Well, maybe he’ll fix him like he fixed Tiki’s fumbling.
Yeah it’s a safe bet that the kid will be working on anti-fumbling drills like a mother…
I think the Redskins traded too much for the chance that RG3 will be a special QB. So, two years without a 1st round pick? They better not suck the next two years. Seems like a Herschel Walker or Ricky Williams’esque type of deal. How good of a QB does RG3 have to be to make this worthwhile? Like Vick? Drew Brees? McNabb?
Just seems like they gave up WAY too much to move up from 6 to 2. It’s a team sport, if the rest of the team sucks even Brady, Eli, Peyton, Brees, Rodgers etc… will not be enough to win games.
With the Rookie salary structure in place now all the NFL needs to do it make the top 10 picks a lottery so teams like the Colts and Rams can’t suck on purpose for high draft picks! (and yes, I believe those teams, lost on purpose, over agressive coaching or lack of motivation from players with nothing to play for).
i think peyton proved that “rest of the team sucks=can’t win” theory wrong last year didn’t he?
Would you take a Scouting job at the Eagles if they came knocking Tommy?
Did you miss this:
Does he hire guys off the street (to develop)?
As soon as I read that “off the street” line, I had a mental image of Tommy hitting the Send button on his computer and his resume was off to Howie’s inbox.
Why would the GM hire someone who would become his replacement?
If so, I am going to petition the governor to pass a law preventing it. Where will we find this kind of quality of analyzing the Eagles if they capture Tommy L? It would have to be some kind of plot by Reid to suppress challenges to his genius.
You and Howie mentioned that the Eagles liked Kendricks partly because he can attack, or blitz. But is that something out SAM does? I seem to remember them doing it a bit at the end of the year but not a whole lot.
Surely what our SAM does depends on who our SAM is…Maybe we didn’t blitz him a whole lot last season because it’s not something that Chaney/Fokou/Jordan are particularly good at.
Obviously a lot of the scheme comes from what the coaches want to do, and they’ll make an effort to get guys that fit the direction that they want to take that position, but I’d expect some of it to be based on the skills of the guy that’s playing. If Kendricks is good at blitzing then you blitz more. If he’s better against the run, then maybe you have somebody else cover TEs.
Not sure you can base how he’ll be used on what we did last season.
2 very uneducated thoughts about LB fit…DeMeco Ryans played outside back in the day at Alabama didn’t he? Could he not play SAM over the TE if he’s taller than Kendricks? On that extra height idea…perhaps Keenan Clayton would have a say at SAM given he’s 6’1″ and had a 40+” vertical from memory.
But yeah, with you 100% Tommy, lets just get the 3 best on the field. Ryans, probably Kendricks, and one other. My preference is Rolle or maybe Clayton on passing downs, or Chaney on running downs for extra size. Maybe Matthews is the guy to watch this offseason…thrown in at the deep end last year, maybe this year the fruits will come from that experience. We can only hope…
I really think Matthews will take a huge step forward this season, now that he’s not in the spotlight.
He was a solid player for us in the Nickel by the end of last season, definitely expect him to really push Rolle at WLB.
I think the starting LBs will be Kendricks, Ryans, Matthews
I would be fine with that.
Physically, he’s the next most intriguing guy, wouldn’t you say?
I think the issue with your first point is that MLB is the signal caller position. Not only does it require a certain skill-set, but to be a leader, and to be observant at the line and adjust the defense based on what you see. I don’t think they’re comfortable giving that to anyone else right now, especially a rookie, considering they brought DMR in for that exact purpose.
i would imagine that the signal caller is simply a guy who is on the field for every defensive snap. doesnt have to be the MLB, does it?
Fair Point.
But I think with the position he is in, being able to see everything from what is essentially the mirror opposite of the the offensive signal caller, and being right in the middle of everyone makes the MLB the ideal position for to relay things to any part of the defense.
I’m just basing this off conjecture, no facts, so I’m probably wrong.
i would think that our weakness last season was MLB so we’re putting the best LB we have at MLB. thats enough for me!
i would imagine that demeco is going to be calling the signals no matter where he is on the field, unless we go to some package where he is off the field (not sure who the dime LBs would be… my guess is kendricks and clayton or matthews, maybe…).
odds are, we’re both wrong! : P
In a typical 4-3, the MLB is the chief of the defense. He calls the plays in the huddle. When the huddle breaks, the MLB will orchestrate any formation-based adjustments for the front seven, and the FS does the same with coverages.
Technically it’s possible to have someone else make the calls, say in the case of a rookie coming into the game and the WLB being the best player on your team or something. But the reason the MLB and FS do it is mainly because they have the best vantage points.
Tommy,
You thought Wagner looked faster? That’s weird, I thought Kendricks’ speed showed up on tape pretty well.
Also, it seems like Roseman’s trying to guide the Eagles more towards picking players from bigger programs. Pedigree plus potential. That’s more casual perception than anything else, but maybe that had something to do with it.
The Wagner vs. Kendricks debate is interesting and we will likely continue to have discussions on the 2 into future (esp since they were drafted next to ea other). Wagner supposedly ran a 4.45/4.46 at Utah St’s pro day, and had similar results to Kendricks in the BP and VJ. Wagner had an eye popping 132 in. BJ (5 in. > than kendricks). Wagner visited the Eagles so they had a 2nd chance (after the Sr Bowl, but not the Combine b/c Wagner was ill and couldn’t get cleared to travel to Indy) to take a close look at him. Obviously the Eagles (or Reid) liked Kendricks more, maybe his versatility of having played both OLB and ILB at Cal, or his smarts.
Or his attitude. Kendricks seems “fiery”. Not in the “start Garcia over McNabb” sense, more in the Dawkinsesque sense.
I voted for the Eagles because they greatly upgraded their defense. I didn’t vote for the Skins because they gave up a lot for RG3 and in typical boneheaded fashion, they drafted Cousins.
Hey Tommy i was just wondering what your thoughts on Casey Matthews. i saw a interview on PE.com with andy and he was talking about how Casey really bulked up this offseason. Could you see him coming in and surprise us all at camp and win the starting WILL job?
did his brother hook him up with his “supplements” specialist
I love that Kendricks can come in and learn from a guy like Demeco Ryans. That is going to be huge for all our young LB’s but Kendricks character strikes me as someone who will very much be taken under Ryans’ wing.
Anyone watched his interview with Spuds and his press conference? He’s crazy intense and cuts other people off mid sentence over and over, seemed like a good guy but pretty fiery!
He also seems supremely confident in his abilities, yet has a chip on his shoulder all the time. I think that’s a good combo for a linebacker of his stature.
I’m kind of worried he won’t be very coachable. His confidence can be a bit..exuberant at times. If we had a Mudd or Wash type coach that can get just about anyone’s attention, I’d be fine, but I don’t know if Caldwell is that kind of guy.
That’s one of the reasons I think Demeco will be great for him, he seems to have the sincere respect of everyone who meets him.
Great point. Really excited to see how the team gels through OTAs and minicamps.
That were my thoughts. At his initial press conference, he seemed too overly confident and assured of himself.
Maybe Kendricks can have dinner with Matthews and learn that boy a thing or two about playing with fire.
“One thing I’d like to do with the videos this summer is try to better explain what to look for. You can’t focus on results. You’re looking for the traits needed to be a good NFL player.”
I’d appreciate this, Tommy. Help bring my fq (football quotient) up a notch.
not gonna lie. that would be awesome. i dont even really care what videos he is showing us. its gonna be great stuff!
Kendricks just seems more violent than any other LB we have. And agree about his interviews. He did an interview in college after the team lost and I felt like he may wind up whooping the dudes azz. He says to the guy, can u rephrase the question. I don’t get why u would ask an interviewer in sports if he can rephrase a question, made him look lime a crazy person.
Thanks for sharing. This post actually makes me like Kendricks more. I want my LBers to be slightly unglued.
I would rather have my coach putting out fires than trying to light them.
Interesting that you say Wagner looked FASTER than Kendricks in tapes – I didn’t see that. I’ve watched three or four games on MK’s now and I am very impressed every single time. I love this kid and I am glad we took him over Bobby.
Love your argument about the RB being an instinctive position…that you could take a person off the street and they would at least have some idea what to do, unlike some other positons that you list above…so true. Had never thought of this before – but you are exactly right.
Great insight – thanks for being the best Eagles writer, as always…
I always find it amusing that when asking who had the best draft no one ever seems to consider how a team did give the picks that it had and who was already off the board when they picked. Except that years later if a guy doesn’t pan out too well they always say look we could have picked Whitten instead of LJ or Reggie Wayne instead of Mr. Thank My Hands. You almost never pick the guy who turns out in hindsight to be the best of those guys available.
Anyway having watched no tape and not knowing how to evaluate talent anyway I choose the Eagles since they picked more guys that I had actually heard of than any other NFC east team. And with some luck the Eagles may have created a defense that can just overwhelm some QB’s. We got a lot of sacks last year but we didn’t induce enough turnovers. We still miss those FFs that Dawk used to create and now we are losing the INTs that Asante used to create. Maybe this defense can get those back. The Giants, unfortunately, seem to have done well since picking at the bottom of each round they found a runner that from the reports I heard on TV looks a lot like Shady McCoy and a wide receiver who seems a lot like Plax with their first two picks.
It would seem that the Foles pick is for a guy who can potentially play in a key situation and for someone to light a fire under Vick through competition. If Andy had Russell Wilson rated higher, and was picking the future starter, he should have picked Wilson (which would have meant either a trade or taking away Vinny Curry). 3rd round as established by the Browns pick of Colt McCoy is a guy who can play but doesn’t keep you from drafting a guy higher, which I hope is the case here.
Wow Tommy.you like Wagner over Kendricks.color me surprised by that sir.I’m always going to differ to you on talent evaluation but I don’t see Wagner being nearly as fast or explosive as Kendricks.I thought Lavonte and Kendricks seemed to be the two LBs that looked liked their hair was on fire on tape..in terms of tackling and pursuit of the football.in fact the chatter is we stole Kendricks from Seattle and they settled for Wagner.It’s going to be interesting to watch all 3 guys next year..Wagner,David and Kendricks….all solid prospects.Also it’ll be fun watching how Curry plays compared to other pass rushers..Irvin,Coples,McClein…..
Go Iggles
Just curious if you factored in what they gave up to move up to get RG3 too when voting…I still think it was the right move for them, but I think when you factor that in, I think we come out ahead. Just my opinion.
Or… does it work out that the Redskins “won” this year, and automatically lose the next two years?
I voted for the Cowboys just to eff with him
I posted this comment over on Jimmy’s site with his review on the g-strings new CB. Thought some readers here might appreciate a fun twist on how history bears out the difference between marijuana and alcohol…
You missed a nice reference in your little piece about Mary Jane, and her effect on football players. It’s no secret that football players are viewed like and treated as warriors. I’m given to understand that historically speaking Marijuana is introduced in Europe during the Napoleonic era, and is lauded by military leaders as being a vast improvement when compared with soldiers getting hammered on alcohol. It has the same calming effect on the nerves without the potential of belligerent and often violent outbreaks amongst the ranks, AND produces a solider who is more battle ready the next day.
I agree whole heartedly. I’m assuming the league has no special dispensation for for licensed players of a team in one of the now 17 States (+ D.C.) w/ legal medical cannabis. Curious to see if that changes in the future. I remember a couple of years ago, where Rueben Droughns got investigated and it came out that he was a licensed MMJ Caregiver. Growing right in his apartment. Not sure if he ever used, or tested positive himself, but you have to wonder…
It is going to be interesting to see how the NFL reacts to the changes in the “law of the land”
Well, I don’t think comparing football players to soldiers is entirely apples to apples. For example, if we want to use a Napoleonic style of fighting, we’re talking about specific formations and sheer numbers as the key to victory. And because of the large numbers, soldiers can certainly be high before, during and after a battle, but their risk in the eyes of the commander is meaningless. Whereas, in football, it’s great to have players high and ready for battle, but if they are not aware of certain injuries or situations, they risk harm to themselves. And that’s not something a coach wants, speaking specifically to the idea that they don’t want to lose that player; i.e., not really replaceable.
True, football players aren’t a disposable commodity the way Napoleonic soldiers were.
I find the psychological impacts of the two drugs and difference between the lingering effects to be the most interesting pieces. Also, I’m not trying to make a claim that marijuana use is a “positive” thing as much as just wanting to push the envelope a little and see what other people think. I’ve never touched the stuff personally (I have a control issue with anything that effects how my brain functions, and therefore refuse to even try substances that may alter the way my brain works including the fact that I use alcohol solely as a bacteria killing agent, but now I am waaay off topic) and so I can’t speak as to how it may more intricately effect a player.
I appreciate your insight thinking about how it could effect players re: injuries. Very good food for thought.
This is why it’s a daily pleasure reading Iggles Blitz, there are always discussions on topics out of football like Napoleonic warfare, movie references, Walking Dead, etc.
But on Napoleon, sheer numbers was not critical to victory. Maneuvering and force/unit cohesion were probably more important. Napoleon had several decisive victories when he had the smaller force (e.g. Austerlitz and Friedland). Considering that I can see why MJ might have been viewed as a positive for soldiers.
Yeah, after I typed that I realized that’s not exactly what I meant to say. I mean numbers in terms of the formations, such as lining up and creating depth where when one soldier faltered there was another to replace. I guess I shouldn’t have said that numbers were equal with tactics.
I fully agree that players should not be using before a game. However, having legally used both MMJ and prescription pain killers, there is no comparison, as to which is more debilitating. I haven’t taken any synthetic drugs, of any sort, for at least 10 years and my health has never been better. That’s neither here nor there, but the strongest thing they should be on during a game, or practice is advil. If you’re talking about mental clarity and body awareness… Narcotics are much more harmful and have extremely toxic long term affects on the liver and kidneys. That’s to say nothing of playing while injuries are numbed with cortisone. I also, would never advocate smoking of any kind. I’d have no problem with players being allowed to use it in tincture or edible form, to aid in recovery. Every player could pee in a cup pre-game and be tested to make sure there was not an unacceptable amount in their system, to make sure they hadn’t used in acceptable determined time period.
It certainly is a curiosity as to what is considered legal (and it’s effect on the body) vs. what is illegal (and it’s effect on the body).
Tommy: I heard someone mention Ernie Sims in comparison to Kendricks… A guy that flys around the field and makes some big hits, but lacks the instincts and smarts needed at LB. I hope this is a very bad comparison..
Here’s the difference:
While Kendricks wraps up a girl like Megan fox for dinner Ernie Sims tackles sharks in the water like a gay dolphin.
Awesome, well played sir.
+1,000
LOL
GE, is it possible to write that passage in German?
Der Unterschied ist:
Während Kendricks Megan Fox von hinten bumst macht Ernie Sims nur mit Schwulen Haien rum.
Who feels more molested:
Megan Fox when Tommy get’s his hands on her, or Jason Witten when Kendricks get’s his hands on him?
tommy did you shoot your resume over to howie upon hearing about the scouting position opening?
Boardwalk in Monopoly sucks. Over priced!!
Yeah, I remember seeing somewhere that owning Boardwalk in fact does not have a high correlations with winning Monopoly games. You’re better off with monopolies in the hot corners.
Sure hope that’s how it works for the Redskins.
In most of the strategy games I’ve played the key is in resource management. Too many eggs in one basket usually results in the lack of ability to produce even one decent omelet.
Buy the railroads!
Tommy,
Love when you give us a game tape to watch, so thanks for that.
I’ll let you handle the talent evaluation, but I have a concern from that tape: with all the lining up on the LOS and blitzing, are you concerned about him playing SAM where coverage skills are much more important? As in, are we betting on athleticism and just hoping he learns coverage?
To oversimplify the OLB position through classification: it seems like he’s a “playmaker / hitter” (ie, a good Ernie Sims) and not a “coverage guy” or a “run stuffer.” Which I believe is a WILL linebacker for us, yes?
Mychal Kendricks is another case of Howie being enamored by Combine performance, a la Daniel Teo Neshiem and Jamar Chaney.
Kendricks is super fast, but he is more athlete than player.
I will bet good money that Lavonte David of Nebraska, another 4-3 LB that was available for the Eagles when they selected Kendricks, will have a far superior NFL career and *should* have been the pick instead of Kendricks.
So my predictions for this draft class (revisit them in a year or two): The Eagles will regret selecting Fletcher Cox over superior DT prospect Devon Still, and similarly, the Eagles will regret selecting Mychal Kendricks over superior LB prospect Lavonte David. (The best player availabe at #12 or #15 was Melvin Ingram, but if they wanted DT, it was Devon Still. Obviously, a smart GM would have picked Ingram regardless of DE depth on the roster if he is truly going BPA)
They should have picked Devon Still (or maybe even Kendall Reyes) if they wanted a DT, and they should have picked Lavonte David (or maybe even Miles Burris) when they wanted a LB.
Cox > Still by wide margin. You’ve got a better chance of being right on the other comparison.
SS’ed. I will bring this up at the end of the regular season, regardless of how both picks pan out. I hope to god you’re wrong.
Still is the better prospect because he failed to play well against the higher end Big Ten competition while Cox produced against all SEC competition? It’s hard to buy that argument.
I agree… most talent evaluators didn’t even have Still in their top 5 DTs for 2012.
Still produced against Big-10 tackles. Otherwise he wouldn’t have been named the Big-10 defensive player of the year.
Cox didn’t do much at all until maybe halfway into the CFB season.
Devon Still was such a great prospect that he was passed by every team in the NFL. 6 DTs went before him. Cox went at 12, Still at 53. Still was not in any way shape or form a “great” prospect.
You like David over Kendricks? Sure, no problem. They went within 12 picks of each other. However to say that Kendricks is more athlete than player is just wrong.
Great post, except you forgot to say Bazinga!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u85u2ymDl8M&feature=endscreen
The great king of the draft has spoken, if morton said it then it must be true since he was in every single pick in he’s Illustrious NFL scouting career.
the quote above says that he was rated in the 2nd round and they were hoping to get him with one of the two picks…. BEFORE the combine even happened!
of course, this might be howie just talking it up, not giving us the whole truth, but we’ll never really know so we’ll just have to take him at his word. or not.
Morton
Did your mum drop you in a half empty glass when you were born?!
As a child, Morton had a very active “imagination.”
Cmon dude Kendricks was defensive player of the year in his conference not just a work out warrior..
The same good money you were betting that Kuechly would run a slower 40 at the Combine than Dontari Poe?
And the same Devon Still you described as one of the five true impact players in this draft?
I like that morton is putting his money where his mouth is, no way to play revisionist history now.
I don’t get all the hate on Morton for this particular post. He put down a prediction and will not be able to go back and use 20/20 hindsight. I give Morton respect for that. Time will tell if his prediction is wrong.
I will predict you are wrong.
Awesome post, man. You are the best. Btw, I sent in a donation early in the week. Thanks so much.
Hey, speaking of L:Bs with height, any idea why Audie Cole dropped so far?
Wow, just watched all of Kendricks’ interviews. This guy is a certain kind of animal. He has this air of, almost, chaos. He isn’t a wierd guy, but you can see that even though he’s tired as hell, he there is a deep intenisty in him.
He has a lack of knowledge, especially about the Eagles, but he seems very willing to learn and eager to prove himself. Lots and lots of confidence.
He says that he’s a big talker, that he’s a “I don’t want to be able to walk after the game ends.” I really, really like that. We need fire in the LB corps, and putting him next to ‘Meco Ryans is like setting up two pipe bombs. I’m very excited about Kendricks.
It’s going to be interesting to see how those 2 change the dynamics of the Castillo led defense this season. I can’t wait!
Well it would certainly be interesting to see how the defense looks when they can go through blockers by using on hands instead of taking on blockers. One thing that i found most interesting was that Kendricks used his hands to get away from blockers while playing college ball. Castillo must have liked that. Between that and speed eagles have LBers that have a different skills than before or atleast as far as i know.
Kendricks doesnt make it as SAM is he a lock to beat out Rolle?
I wonder how much Mike Kafka’s arm has developed. Can he throw bombs. I doubt it but still would be fun to watch if he developed without a true offseason. If the eagles do keep 4 QBs does that mean that they want trade bait, dont know which one is the best 3, want to see if any QB develops, or just want to keep a lot of QBs just in case they fall off the planet?
I remember during the last few games. Like Lawlor stated it was “After lineup shifts Moise Fokou and Akeem Jordan took over”. But it seemed as if Kurt Coleman was hanging with TE Smith of the Jets or whoever the eagles opponent was against pretty well. If JaJar proves to be dreadful in coverage would the eagles take him out during nickel. I understand that with the 9 technique the eagles would like a S to be able to play in the box but i doubt that would be done in nickel.
T-LAW:
During Kendrick’s interview w/ Spadaro, I thought I heard Kendricks say that he’d never run a 40 as fast as he did at the Combine. And I had the impression that he’d never put up numbers on any other Combine drill like he did at Indy.
Did I miss-hear Kendricks?
If not, any take away from his comment.
It’s an interesting comment to make, but I imagine that is true for every player in the NFL these days. Before the combine, players train for months specifically for combine drills in order to maximize their performances, therefore maximizing their draft stock. After the combine though, they focus on football specific workouts once again, which in theory maximize their talent on the football field, but may hurt something like a 40 time or a broad jump (things that are only indirectly related to football).
I went back and re-watched the tape because I thought it was actually the run defense, not pass rushing that was meh. I enlarged the video to get a better look this time. There were a couple of running plays where he was blocked pretty well, but by and large he did a nice job.
Watched last year’s game against Stanford as well where he playing mainly in the middle, but did play on the outside a bit. He had a much harder time disengaging in that game, imo. He still made a handful of nice plays.