Analyzing The Eagles/Colts Trade
Posted: August 2nd, 2012 | Author: Tommy Lawlor | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 12 Comments »The Eagles made a move tonight, dealing LBs Greg Lloyd and Moise Fokou to the Colts for CB Kevin Thomas and a conditional 2013 7th round pick. Was this a move done to shake up the roster and get the attention of Vick, Shady, Cole, and Nnamdi? That’s one possibility. The other is that the Eagles got rid of a couple of LBs that had no chance here and added a CB they liked from when they scouted him as a draft prospect. Let’s go with that as the more likely scenario.
Moise Fokou just wasn’t made for the Wide-9. He is at his best playing up on the LOS. Fokou has violent hands and is really good at jolting the TE or OT at the snap. In the Wide-9 he was back off the ball and that neutralized his best trait. Fokou is talented enough that the Eagles kept trying to find ways to use him, but the fit wasn’t there anymore. He now will likely play ILB in the Colts 3-4. I don’t think he’s a gifted enough pass rusher to play OLB, but we’ll see.
I have hesitated in talking about Greg Lloyd for a few days. I just don’t think he can play in the 4-3. Too slow, too unathletic. He wasn’t great before his college knee injury, but that took away whatever athleticism he had. Lloyd’s best chance to make it in the NFL is at ILB in the 3-4. I have my doubts if he can do that, but he had no shot with us.
Kevin Thomas is an interesting guy. He had a tough career at USC, but played well as a Senior. He had a variety of injuries that slowed him down (shoulder, mono, ankle, etc.). He did stay healthy in 2009 and played very well. Thomas was a 3rd round pick. Unfortunately he tore his ACL and spent the 2010 season on IR. He was healthy in 2011 and started 5 games.
Thomas (5-11, 192) is a good fit for the Eagles desire to play press coverage. He can jam receivers and be very physical at the LOS. Thomas runs pretty well for a guy his size. Durability is a major question with him, obviously. I do wonder why Indy was so quick to give up on him with them not having a great set of CBs. Chuck Pagano coaches the team now and came over from the Ravens. The philosophy there was to concentrate on the front seven so the Colts need for LBs may have trumped wanting to keep a CB with some potential.
This is the third trade between Howie Roseman and Ryan Grigson, his former Personnel cohort. Neither team has landed anything significant yet, but it is good to have an active trade partner.
So what does the addition of Thomas mean to the Eagles?
Let’s remember that while he was a 3rd round pick and does have some starting experience, Thomas was dealt for expendable players. Thomas isn’t guaranteed to make the roster. He’s simply here as competition. The Eagles love DRC and Nnamdi, as you would imagine. The Eagles like Hanson and Boykin as slot guys. Depth on the outside is one area that isn’t ideal. Brandon Hughes and Curtis Marsh are young guys the team would like to have pan out, but neither has played so well that they have anything locked down.
What does this mean for the LB corps? Ryan Rau should now be the #3 MLB. Keenan Clayton will remain the #3 WLB. Monte Simmons should be the #3 SAM. I’ve not noticed him at all in practice videos. I’ve not read much about him.
Clayton should be the player that benefits the most. If one of the second string OLBs goes out, I would expect Clayton to get those reps. He’s looked pretty good so far this summer. Big issue for him is that the Eagles have some depth a LB now and he’s caught in the proverbial numbers game.
Here is Reuben Frank’s column on the deal.
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WR Ron Johnson, who tore up his ankle, went unclaimed and the Eagles can now place him on IR. This means he’ll be here for the 2013 offseason.
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The Eagles worked out DE Morkeith Brown, from Temple. The team has DL injuries, but signing Brown wouldn’t help right away. There is a ridiculous rule that players must sit for 3 days before practicing.
I’ll post some practice notes later tonight or tomorrow morning.
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Doing a very early numbers look at a projected 53 man roster is more difficult now than any previous season I can remember. I see this as the eagles having a very strong core but also some question marks with young players that could potentially hit that next gear in their potential.
One major question I see is do you see the eagles doing something they never do in keeping 6 wrs and 3 te’s while having 9 o-lineman and no FB? From what I have seen of Havili his blocking is still his weakest attribute which is obviously not good for a FB.
Also, could the Eagles carry 7 cb’s I mean I think 6 is where the eagles value players the most. Roseman said after the trade for Thomas that they are always looking for line players and dbs.
What do you think Tommy?
They dumped two LBs with zero chance at making the final roster for a CB with a 5% chance of making the final roster and a conditional (what conditions?) 7th rd pick. What’s not to like?
I do love those extra seventh round picks. I’d almost rather have gotten just the seventh for sure (depending on what the conditions are of course).
ya, those extra late picks are handy for moving around in the middle rounds of the draft.
I wonder if the condition is Thomas making the team,
RE: Speaking of a guy named Thomas
T-LAW:
Don’t know if you’re still checking this post but . . .
Any word on how RFA Safety Philip Thomas from Syracuse is doing? I read that he pulled his hamstring, so he’s apparently missed some time.
But any indication as to how he was doing before the injury?
Is he back? And if so, any word on his production?
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On the topic of Safeties, seems like J-Jar’s making some plays.
I love Coleman’s smarts. But athletically, the Eagles would be better served with someone else.
I thought Philip Thomas had a shot to make the team. Seems harder now with J-Jar playing better.
Not sure about Atagwe’s chances — except the guy’s clearly a high character guy. If he returns to his form from 2-3 years ago, he could be a starter.
Atogwe in my opinion is probably here to provide a capable backup free safety (if he is healthy).
I think the Eagles have more faith in Coleman than any of us fans (even those like me who really like the kid) and that despite his lack of wheels he can lay some wood and knows how to play the game… Given the teams past fascination with Macho Harris and current love for Jai-Jar I think it’s safe to say they know what they want in a SS. Hopefully one of the two young guys steps into the role.
What do you think this move means for Cliff Harris? I agree that Thomas is not guaranteed anything, but it would seem this move would make it harder on Harris to make the team.
[Tommy Lawlor]Was this a move done to shake up the roster and get the attention of Vick, Shady, Cole, and Nnamdi? [/Tommy Lawlor]
Could someone please explain this quote to me?
He was kidding, it was a minor trade for pieces that we would cut for someone who probably won’t make the team as well, but has a chance to fight for a spot. Nothing to do with any of them since obviously they will make the team.
Was this a move done to shake up the roster and get the attention of Vick, Shady, Cole, and Nnamdi?
Can you clarify the get their attention part….
Tommy was joking around because this was a very minor move involving marginal players. Nabbing a 7th round pick (hopefully if Fokou can make the team) is neat 🙂