Nightmare on Broad Street – Eagles Take Joe Kruger
Posted: April 27th, 2013 | Author: Tommy Lawlor | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 223 Comments »Finally a pick I’ve been dreaming of. The Eagles add DE Joe Kruger from Utah in the 7th. 6-6, 269. Just 20 years old. Can develop into a 280-290 pound 5-tech DE. Has some pass rush skills.
Another pick coming up soon. I’ll cut this short.
Excellent start to the 7th round.
_
Kruger’s got “Aaron Smith” written all over him.
Nice comparison.
Could Poyer slide right off the draft?
nnoooo Mauti just went.
Bummer!
Good for Mike.
If the technology existed at the time, the 49ers fans would have reacted the same way to Joe Montana as Eagles fans have to Barkley.
Montana like Barkley had a relatively mediocre arm — but what a leader.
(Montana — last pick in Rd 3, and Barkley 1st pick in Rd 4)
Not saying MB is the next JM.
Just that you have to trust the coaches’ evals.
Walsh said he thought Montana was a 1st Rd pick (SF didn’t have one in ’79).
Kelly says he had Matty-Boy in the Top 50.
So who knows. Barkley may be the best choice in the draft.
Not saying MB is the next JM? I’m expecting 4 Hall of Famers from this class, he needs to be one of them.
I’m in . . . Roseman’s amazing. Right?
And Eagles’ fans. Rationale as hell.
We’re all insane.
It’s a requirement.
I refuse to be insane.
I was gonna compare barkley to montana… i feel better about it since the great acvike did it first 🙂
Could be that’s the long term vision.
A lot of people are happy right now.
Awesome value there!!! Poyer!
Kruger and Poyer!
jordan poyer
Great value here. Nice work.
I mean, unless there was an unknown character or medical issue, his slippage has to be tied to his 40 time…
T-Law:
I can’t think of another team — maybe since the Tommy Prothro era — that’s gone so PAC-8 / PAC-10 / PAC-12 heavy as the Eagles this season.
Now Jordan Poyer in the 7th super value who could be a starter luv the pick
I have been wonderng if Boykin’s nickel job is in jeopardy ever since we hired Kelly and learned of his preference for taller CBs.
We signed 2 starting caliber corners, and now we just drafted one. Boykin has some serious competition.
Poyer might even compete with the free agent signees too.
Wow, Poyer in the 7th….he’s the Florida Gulf Coast of the draft.
Good praise from David Shaw (who faced Poyer this year). Basically said “don’t worry about long speed” – when the ball was in the air people didn’t get by him.
Love the Jordan Poyer pick. Great instincts. Playmaker. I value guys like that.
Why did he fall? His combine numbers? Injury?
Speed questions is what I’ve been reading. Also the 2nd lowest broad jump for corners, if I’m not mistaken.
His arrest in may last year.
I think the arrest wasn’t a big issue. Him sneaking into a bar he got banned from when was underage. Just a bonehead move, nothing violent or involving drugs.
I dont know who Jordan Poyer is, but I’m excited because you’re excited.
I personally like those two picks in round 7 more than the ones in 4 and 5!
I liked the picks in 4 and 5…I love them now that we’ve still managed to get these two guys in the 7th.
Still a bunch of good guys on the board; the last pick and then UDFAs will be interesting.
Rams had another good draft
what kind of drugs was Rogers on? Must have been some serious stuff considering his talent and the fact that hes near UDFA territory now. Must have been worse than marijuana.
He’s got Michael Irvin written all over him.
Damn we should have taken him at 4 then!
Yes I have stepped away from the ledge and am now thoroughly pleased.
Haha I would’ve mentioned you by name, but I couldn’t remember which D3 it was 😉
Haha that d3center is a real prick when in doubt blame him
Going on 97.5 in a minute. http://www.975thefanatic.com/
Chase Thomas UDFA target if not drafted. Crazy for s guy like Matt Scott who many thought was target for us could go undrafted too
Re: Jeff Lurie’s axing of Tom Modrack in 2001 / Steelers’ roots
Not to beat a dead horse, but as good a coach as AR was, he was at best a mediocre “final decision maker” on draft day.
There was 2002 with Westy, Lito, Shelly, and Lewis. That was really it.
_______________
Modrak came over from the Steelers, where he’d current Eagles consultant Tom Donohue’s right-hand man on personnel.
If Lurie had let Modrak stay (i.e., standing up to AR’s agent, Bob LaMonte), maybe the Steelers’ draft-day culture of sticking to their board and not moving up and down all day long would have yielded the kind of dividends that the 2013 draft looks to have paid — Barkley dispute included.
________________
ANDERS . . . you’re very wise — like Van Helsing.
Though IIRC Modrak was responsible for, or at least 100% in on, Freddie Mitchell, who was arguably the worst first round pick of the Reid era given his mediocrity as even a role player and the fact that they passed up a borderline HoFer who likely would have helped them win at least one Super Bowl had they selected him instead in Reggie Wayne to take him. The Modrak-era drafts had their share of stinkers too.
Totally agree on Modrak. Mitchell was the last pick of the Modrak era . . . so that may have been an AR decision all the way. Who knows.
Just to flesh out my point, it seems that after 2002, as the years passed, AR’s draft grew less and less productive.
Part of that (at least from the 2003-2006 years) was that he had a dominant team with fewer openings in which rookies could get on the field and prove themselves. But I’m not sure I agree with you that there was a consistent downward trend line. Let’s review draft-by-draft:
2003 – total washout, with L.J. Smith being the best of a bad bunch.
2004 – produced two guys who were good players before injuries/mental issues sidetracked them in Shawn Andrews and J.R. Reed. No second round pick.
2005 – good draft. Patt was a solid first round pick, Reggie Brown was an adequate receiver for a few seasons, and Herremans and Cole were both great mid-rounders. Even Sean Considine has had a respectable NFL career, not bad for a mid-rounder. Wasteland of a third round though (Matt McCoy was an undersized reach and Ryan Moats turned out not to be smart enough to handle blitz pickup responsibilities in Reid’s offense).
2006 – so-so, with only Jason Avant being a long-term producer for the Birds and a bunch of guys who have hung around in the league but not been anything special (Bunkley, Justice, Gaither, Gocong).
2007 – Aside from Celek, no long-term contributors, but I’d argue that bad luck has something to do with that as both Victor Abiamiri and Stewart Bradley showed promise before injuries sidetracked their careers. As for Kolb, while he didn’t become the QBOTF, he did recoup his initial draft price and then some when he was traded, so that has to be considered a good pick.
2008 – Bad draft. Aside from DeSean Jackson, either outright busts (Laws, Bryan Smith) or JAGs who have stuck around in the league but not distinguished themselves (Mike McGlynn, Quintin Demps, Joe Mays, etc.)
2009 – Maclin and McCoy were both good picks. So was Brandon Gibson – the mistake with him was cutting him, not drafting him in the first place. Moise Fokou was a decent 7th round pick. Other than that mostly non-entities, albeit all guys taken with low picks (5th round or later). I’d call this a decent draft.
2010 – Some contributors but no stars. Graham has been stymied by injuries but been a productive player when on the field. Te’o-Nesheim was another case of a solid enough pick who was cut too early. Cooper, Chaney, and Coleman all have to be considered good picks for where they were taken. I may be alone in this thinking, but I still think Clay Harbor has a chance to be a good player and could blossom as an H-back in Kelly’s offense.
2011 – The first three rounds are looking like a disaster at this point, with Jarrett already gone and Marsh and Watkins seemingly not long for the roster. Getting Henery and Kelce later in the draft redeems it somewhat though.
2012 – Too early to tell for sure but so far looking very good.
To me it looks like a mix, with a couple of good drafts, a couple of bad ones, and a lot that fall in the middle somewhere, with no real obvious pattern over time. The 2011 draft and his inability to find a successor to Donovan McNabb were the two things that led to AR’s downfall IMO.
Say what you want about the players themselves, but the Eagles took Barkley, Kruger, and Poyer way after they were projected to land. What if they had jumped the gun and selected Barkley with their 2nd round pick instead of waiting for him to fall? Kruger was projected to be a top 100 players too, right? They could have very well overshot and used their 3rd round pick on him, but they were patient and smart.
The way I see it, they had these guys rated high but there was always someone higher on the board which allowed them to wait. Many draftniks had Logan as a late-first/early second, so (assuming the Eagles agreed) when they’re sitting there at 67 with a ‘top-50’ grade on Barkley, they left him alone and took the guy at the top of their board.
Likewise, they supposedly had a 4th round grade on Kruger, but when they’re sat there at 101 with a top-50 guy on the board they had to take him instead.
I think they were fortunate that guys they liked fell, but I agree, they were sensible enough to trust their board and allow them to fall rather than jump on players at positions of need as soon as they became of value.
I don’t feel like any reaching happened for the Eagles. To be fair there were not many reaches at all league-wide.
So many guys Id like with our last pick.
Buchanan probably the biggest need.
Jawan Jamison
Okoye and DaRick are really interesting.
Okpalaugo has the longest arms in the draft.
Matt Scott anyone?
Kevin Reddick
Rontez Miles, Melvin White- both very physical big hitters in the secondary.
Fauria, Sudfeld, Otten good TEs.
Kwame Geathers
Keith Pough
There will be some UDFAs to go get.
Buchanan just went so cross him off. Last OLB I had on my board is Okpalaugo now.
Damn, the Pats just scooped up Buchanan.
Jamison gone now too. I cant believe how low he is ranked by everyone. I love the way he runs. Like another Jones Drew.
Special teams maniac?
Great job on 97.5, Tommy… they all seem high on Kruger!
T-Law kicked some ass . . .
Garret is trying to spin how their panic still fit their philosophy of taking the bpa. “We had a second round grade on him, and got him at the end of the first.” Ha!
Spadaro talking to Kruger on the mothership. Sounds like Kruger’s loading his dryer or something… very distracted and out of breath.
My guess . . .
Like Barkley, Kruger spent the day with his girl friend.
Prayer didn’t work. So they went in a different direction, perhaps.
Isn’t Kruger a good Mormon boy? That kind of thing would be out of line for him.
As would be coffee.
Down goes Kerwynn!
And there goes the “ask Kerwynn Williams” article. 🙁
Are there any PAC-12 guys left worth drafting?
The Eagles’ board seems have tipped heavily to the Left.
AR was much more to the Right.
You go with what you know.
If you look at the draft tracker on NFL.com you will see that both Kruger and Poyer have the highest grade of anyone who’s been drafted in the seventh round.
Until Zach Dysert came off the board
Someone pointed out on BGN, that, according to nfl.com, Kruger had the same grade as the Giants 1st round pick.
Last pick . . . how ’bout that UCLA TE Joe Fauria?
He’s from the PAC-12.
He’s big (6’7″ 259 lbs)
And his hand are enormous (10.875″)
How about Chase Thomas. One of the players that help stop oregon from going to the Nat Championship
Good call there…
Thomas has the highest “NFL.com” rating of undrafted players at this point
If he’s the pick, then I guess that’s what the Eagles are following…
Again, a very lawyerly response
I bet we get a UDFA TE if we haven’t already…
Jordan Poyer for Ziggy Ansah… strait up!
This is what I hate about the draft, now we have to wait months to see if any of these guys pan out lol.
You mean YEARS!
Who is David King?
King Dunlap’s father.
dont know
Another Okie
Perhaps they meant to draft King David?
He’s a Sooner that they drafted Later
And Lane was a Sooner they drafted Sooner.
DL David King from Oklahoma
I watched some tape on him and was very surprised at how athletic he was. King never was much of a player for OU, but he’s 6-5, 286 and has good natural ability.
Projects as the 5-tech DE for us.
Is his name Stacy or David?
Was he a starter or rotational role guy?
An interesting comment on Kruger from over on the philaphans.com boards: “not so sure he won’t be the best of the Kruger brothers (he’s got another kid brother at Utah). This will sound stupid but I liked him better than Lotulelei. Watch the Utah tape against BYU: BYU starts doubling Lotulelei and single blocking Kruger. They ended the game doubling Kruger and single blocking Lotulelei.”
David King grew up an Eagles’ fan. Apparently when he heard people boo McNabb at the draft – decided to cheer for the underdog (he grew up in Houson, between the Oilers and Texans (his phrasing)).
Close buddies with Lane…
(This is all on the mothership right now)
Tommy, with the impending flux of UDFA’s and the additions from the draft, who do you think should be sweating on the Eagles roster right now?
I gonna take a shot at this: Coleman, Demaris Johnson,Clay Harbor
The Arena legue QB that I can’t remember. Oh we’ll, no reason to commit brain cells to his name now.
Like these late round picks a lot. Aside from King, they all seem to be guys who were projected to go higher and were solid players in college. Even if they don’t pan out, they’re the kind of guys you want to take late fliers on.
Coming around a bit on the Barkley pick as well. If the weak arm I saw last season really was a result of his shoulder surgery and can improve as he regains the strength in his shoulder, he may turn out to be something.
And that’s a draft!
Good work everybody. Stay tuned for tons of misinformation about who we get for UDFA’s…
Here’s my wish list:
Onterro McCalebb (RB, Auburn)
Philip Lutzenkirchen (TE, Auburn)
Emory Blake (Jeff’s kid!) (WR, Auburn)
Kwame Geathers (NT, Georgia)
Chase Thomas (LB, Stanford)
Da’Rick Rogers (WR, Tennessee Tech)
LaAdrian Waddle (OT, Texas Tech)
Marcus Cromartie (CB, Wisconsin)
And, to blow everyone’s collective gasket…
Matt Scott (QB, Arizona)
Good list
Just got picked up by the jags
I got Khanned!
Here’s where I show my age: isn’t that Bob Hope’s old sidekick Jerry Colonna? Or his son?
AC Viking: can I get a witness?
I saw on twitter we signed Russell Shepard the WR from LSU
He really looks like a CK receiver. His highlight video is all handoffs in the backfield, screens and quick slants but he makes a ton of yards after the catch. Obviously that’s just highlights, but it’s presumably indicative of how Chip intends to use him.
Lutzenkirchen to the Rams. Sigh…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bR7x3RmJXNE
McCalebb to Bengals
Chip mentioned Khaled Holmes as a player they wish had fallen. I assume that means they would’ve taken him and not the Wolffman.
Yikes, I didn’t think of that. What happens when we play night games??
We stuff him in a uniform and go…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMyuv3wkTJs
Well played, Sir. Truly one of the pinnacles of American cinematic achievement.
Damion Square to the Eagles
UDFA pick-ups (unconfirmed) (I’ll keep this updated – bump to top)
Russell Shepard (WR, LSU – Lukekelly65)
Damian Square (DL, Alabama – D-von)
Kwame Geathers to Chargers
Jeff Tuel to Bills
Brad Wing P LSU
Kyle Quinn C Arizona
Isaac Remington DL Oregon
we got Jake Knot, Brad Wing, Kyle Quinn and Issac Remmington as well.
Thanks! Can you find some measureables for these guys?
Glad we got a center…
me too. Center and a Guard. Interior OL wasnt able to be addressed during the draft. Interesting, that Center doesnt look very athletic from the numbers posted. Tall center too.
I like the Knot and Shepard signings.
I think the punter is a little bit of a coup. Having watched a few SEC games he was always described as a “weapon.” Of course, playing for Les Miles he didn’t get used much…
I know this is the punter who left school early for the draft. I know nothing about him, but he sure thinks hes pretty good so Im excited to see him back it up!
And it’s good to have 2 punters for camp. That will be an interesting battle.
Dude can run, too! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xT_TGuoLdmk
That was a nice fake!
And Kyle Quinn was probably Foles’ center at Arizona, so he should be familiar with his caboose.
Knot said it took longer for him to sign because 9ers and Eagles were on the phone battling for him. 9ers know their ILBs. We got him. Thanks Tom Gamble!
They (Niners) signed that British discus thrower Lawrence Okoye… wonder what the plan is there?
I saw that. The site I saw it on has his position listed as Athlete. When have you ever seen a guy that size listed as athlete? I think this is a first. I dont know what the plan is. Hes probably just gonna dominate.
You just never know. I mean, does he have zero experience? Does he watch football? It could be an enormous project. I assume they’d put him on the DL and have him rush, but even then, technique matters so much at this level.
block some field goals until he learns some technique
Maybe he comes in to discus throw hail mary’s greater than 65 yards?
He played rugby football.
why the hell has no one signed Melvin White and TO yet? Im storkin out waiting to see their names on our list! But I cant find news of them signing anywhere yet.
Keep in mind that “camp bodies” may mean more to Chip Kelly’s practice regimen. I guess that’s why the plan is to go to camp with 15+ OL? Anyone know what we had last year?
Y’know whose pro day Matthew Tucker – RB, TCU 6’1″, 221 (4.44, 35.5″ vert, 9’10”, 17 reps, 7.13 3cone) reminds me of?
Bryce Brown – RB Kansas State 6’0″, 223 (4.48, 34″ vert, 9’9″, 22 reps, 7.04 3cone).
Very interesting…
Unfortunately there seems to be a dearth of video on Matthew Tucker… if you score any, let us know!
I’ve been having the same problem. From what little I’ve seen (the one you link and two other TDs filmed on someone’s phone) he seems like an awkwardly upright runner that is somehow an absolute bitch to bring down.
I am finding a few draft profiles, though. Seems like TCU mostly used him as a goalline back, which is backed up by his relatively low number of yards but high number of TDs (2602 yards, 33TDs over 4 years). An ankle sprain meant he had a pretty disappointing 2012 season, but in 2011, his first year as ‘starter’ (was more of a by-committee approach as far as I can tell) he put up 702 yards and 12 TDs.
A number of sources also mention that he’s a guy who relishes contact and would rather try to run over a linebacker than step out of bounds.
Per draftinsider.net:
Positive: Smooth, fluid ballcarrier with excellent size. Patient, waits for blocks to develop and quick on the inside with the ability to make defenders miss. Possesses terrific vision, shows a burst through the hole and slips defenders to keep runs alive. Keeps his feet moving on contact, shows outstanding field vision, and helps the quarterback sell ball fakes.
Negative: Not a true cut-back runner. Does not break a lot of tackles or pick up much yardage off initial contact for a bigger back. Minimally productive as a receiver out of the backfield.
Sounds like pretty much exactly what we’re looking for in an RB4, no?
On the other hand, it looks like Maysonet was ridiculously productive for a small school. In his senior year, he rushed for 2328 yards and 33TDs. When you’re talking small school guys you usually want them to dominate the competition and there’s no doubt Miguel did just that.
He has also been a KOR in college, which might help him make the roster.
What they’re saying about him:
ESPN.com: “Workhorse. Runs with a chip on his shoulder. Would grade out extremely high in this area if not for recent fumbling issues. Above average run instincts. Usually senses crease before it opens. Shows the instincts to locate hole while going full speed, which is critical in transition to faster NFL game. Very good lateral agility. Will make one cut and go. Can stick foot in ground and accelerate up the field.”
NFL.com: “Sees snaps from single back, I formation, and pistol. Decisive upfield cuts to continue forward momentum. Sees front side lanes even if run calls for different gap. Determined runner, little wasted movement, makes a choice and sticks to it. Refuses to go down on first contact, takes some big hits because of it. Patient on zone read and sticks with mesh point.”
Some say his biggest weakness is his lack of desire to improvise; apparently he’ll stick to the play call and try to force himself through the designed gap, even if there’s a defender in it, rather than looking to the backside for an alternative – kinda the anti-Shady in that respect. I don’t necessarily think that’s a weakness if the line are doing their job and it’s certainly preferable to a guy that dances around in the backfield and loses yards.
nfl.com makes a (somewhat generous) comparison to Alfred Morris, who I’m sure we’d all be glad for him to turn out like.
A Bryce Brown clone (w/o the fumbles hopefully)? I’m in.
Interesting comment I read-
”
I think what really is
screwing Barkley is his shoulder injury. Barkley has played well in
college. He’s the Andy Dalton of the class. He may not wow in the NFL,
but he’s got everything where he looks like he’ll be a competent
starter.
His production has been great over the years, as well. Geno Smith had
better production this year, and has better physical tools, so I can
understand why he was drafted ahead of Barkley. EJ Manuel has freakish
physical tools, and when he’s on, looks good enough to be a first
overall pick, so I can understand why he went ahead of Barkley, as well.
But Mike Glennon? Please.
Barkley hurt his shoulder this year. The injury has got to be worse
than anyone in the media knew. You don’t drop from a first round pick to
a 4th or lower round pick when you have a “down year” where you
complete 63.5 percent of your passes for 3200 yards, at 8.5 YPA, with 36
touchdowns, and 15 interceptions, without even completing the season.
Yes, that’s not as good as last season was. That’s still fucking
good. Hell, look at Jake Locker. He had a SIGNIFICANTLY worse senior
season (nor was his Junior season as good as Barkley’s) and he still
went in the top 10.
Barkley’s shoulder must be bad. Real bad. NFL teams must be concerned about his ability to play, period.”
I hope, for his sake, that that’s not the issue. But all signs point to Barkley being in a bad place physically.”
Part of it is there have been a lot of good QB’s coming out from Ryan, Flaco to Stafford, Bradford on to Luck/RGIII/Wilson. Cam Newton, Andy Dalton, Christian Ponder. Then you have guys like Kaepernick coming from left field.
Solid QB prospects are not hard to find lately, that hurt him a little.
Here are some possible UDFA targets for the Eagles (and 2 signings so far).
http://eaglesblog.net/2013/04/couple-of-udfa-thoughts/
Coleman, Anderson, Avant, Celek, Cooper, Harbor, Hunt, Hughes, Johnson, Lindley, Marsh, Matthews, Sims – Go see coach and bring your playbook.
Take Avant, Celek, Cooper, Johnson and Marsh off of that list and you might have a point.
Don’t see Avant and Celek playing ST and giving you the kind of hustle we need to get better. They have younger cheaper players on the roster to fight for spots. Cooper hasn’t done anything and doesn’t fight for the ball, plays soft. No midgets either please
I don’t necessarily see all of them making the roster, but I wouldn’t expect any of the guys I mentioned to be cut before TC; the others might be out of the door by Monday.
I think we can thank Avant, Celek and the other nobody’s for their service, but they aren’t NFL depth or are no longer needed. They had a chance to play last year and didn’t exactly light it up. Why hold on to them when you can get younger players who aren’t afraid to mix it up and play ST and fight for jobs.
Avant I understand. But Celek? Kelly wants 4 TEs on the team
Because the FO are not completely stupid?
Celek and Avant have been solid, if unspectacular, players in the pros for 5+ years; why would we kick them out for a bunch of kids we’ve never seen do anything yet?
As for Cooper, Johnson and Marsh, I think they were bad fits for Andy’s scheme but have a much better chance of contributing under Chip.
Like I said, they’ll have to prove they belong in OTAs and TCs but you’re jumping to some pretty silly conclusions right now.
Celek has the dropsies and is usually banged up. Casey and Ertz are probably 1 and 2, so you keep Celek as your 3/4? Those guys need to be playing ST, which I don’t see Celek doing.
Chip has said himself that he wants to run 3 TE sets. Ertz will likely take at least a season to get his blocking to the level that Celek’s is. If you were saying he’s no longer a lock to make the roster I could get on board, but to say he’s as good as cut is patently untrue.
I just don’t see them making the cut to 53 is all I am saying, when that happens only Chip and co know. Who would you get rid of to keep them?
Guys that are IMO more likely to be cut than Celek: GJ Kinne, Dennis Dixon, Emil Igwenagu, BJ Cunningham, Marvin McNutt, Nick Miller, Ifeanyi Momah, Greg Salas, DeMarco Sampson, Derek Carrier, Clay Harbor, Evan Moore, Allan Barbre, Matt Kopa, Nate Menkin, Matt Reynolds, Matt Tennant, Julian Vandervelde, Ed Wang, Ronnie Cameron, Antonio Dixon, Clifton Geathers, David King, Emmanuel Acho, Everette Brown, Phillip Hunt, Casey Matthews, Chris McCoy, Jason Phillips, Jamar Chaney, Nate Allen, Kurt Coleman, Colt Anderson, Trevard Lindley, David Sims.
Maybe they don’t find a use for him, but he’s not exactly a camp-body and I’d say it’s more likely that he makes the team than that he doesn’t. The others are more questionable, but I still think the guys I named have got a shot.
The beauty is we will find out soon enough. Also the guys drafted this year are “chips” guys. Not that he won’t take the best players available and I hope Celek/Coop/etc prove me wrong and become better players, but I don’t see him going through the process of the draft to cut some one. He doesn’t seem the type to waste effort. Also, For King – Kelly talked about how high they had him rated and were crossing fingers he fell. I don’t see it, plus I see him taking Coop’s spot on ST if it came to that.
Celek and Ertz will be the two battling for a starting role. Casey is playing a different position. He is taking the position that was left by the FB.
Again, one man’s opinion. I think he is traded/cut and isn’t on the opening season roster.
In a 3 tight end set you need 3 tight ends. Celek, Casey, Ertz and Harbor. I would say keep those 4. Seems like a lot but if you are going 2 or 3 TE often you are gonna need at least 1 back up. Plus Casey is a FB too so that frees a TE spot and you get 2 for 1.
No such thing as a FB in Chip Kelly O
Think of Casey as your fullback replacement and Ertz as your slot receiver replacement.
Have you been paying attention to anything Chip Kelly has been saying in his press conferences? He’s going to use a lot of two TE sets, often three. Casey is going to play H-Back and shift around the formation, sometimes lining up in the slot, sometimes as a FB in the backfield, and sometimes as a second TE. Celek is staying and is going to get a lot of playing time. Get used to it.
Oooooh says the authoritative poster on a internet blog. Don’t worry, you can still sleep in your celek jersey.
I’m not saying this because I’m a huge Celek fan. I’m saying it because you are 100% stone cold dead wrong. Chip Kelly has said himself that he likes Brent Celek as a TE and is looking forward to seeing what he and Ertz can do together in multi-TE sets, and the chance to employ such sets is one of the reasons he drafted Ertz. Barring injury Celek is going to be on the roster in September. If I owned one, I’d bet my house on it.
Says the genius who wants to keep someone on the roster who is 5-8 and isn’t even running with the 1’s for WR?
You hold on to Celek because he’s still a very good NFL TE. Avant may not be a great fit for Kelly’s offense but is still a productive receiver. Cooper I addressed below. Harbor I think could be a good fit for H-Back and is probably the odds-on favorite to be the #4 TE (Kelly is going to keep four). As for the other guys, while I do agree several of them are likely not going to be on the roster come September, they will be given a chance to compete for spots in training camp. No reason to cut them now.
Celek is a starter. Why would he play ST? Are we watching the same Cooper here?
I had to check the roster on the igg’s website to confirm he is still on the team. Last seen not fighting back for the ball against the packers like a poon in the playoffs.
He was a rookie behind Jackson, Maclin and Avant. Wasn’t really given many chances probably until that game. Besides he seems like a Kelly WR since he’s a good blocker
So who would you get rid of to keep Cooper on the roster? Maybe they keep 6?
DJAX, Mac, are probably safe. Here is my hope who earns the roster spot
Benn,Momah, Sheppard and hopefully McNutt can put it together. All should play ST besides DJAX, MAC and probably the slot. No more midgets. Chip wants long and talent, sadly cooper is not the ladder.
I see 5 spots maybe 6 if the only keep 2 Qbs or 3 RBs.
1. Jackson
2. Maclin
3. Cooper
4. Benn
5. ? Last spot between Momah and Sheppard
What exactly is lost be replacing Cooper? 46 rec and 5TD’s? Isn’t exactly earth shattering to take a chance on some new blood.
Who would you replace him with? Both Shepard and Momah were undrafted so its not like they are beyond better than Cooper and the team didn’t invest any picks into them
I said McNutt, they don’t have to be world beaters. I’m saying you can get another “cooper” for cheaper and younger, why wouldn’t you?
McNutt was cut and then put on the practice squad. He only joined the team because of Djax’s injury. Its possible he could make the team but not likely
By the same coach who was fired. I don’t exactly put a lot of faith in that choice, just my opinion.
You’d cut Cooper because you think he hasn’t done enough in the NFL to stick around and replace him with McNutt? I don’t even know how to respond to that. In his NFL career Cooper has 46 catches, 679 yards, and 5 TDs. That is 46 catches, 679 yards, and 5 TDs more than Marvin McNutt has in his NFL career. Cooper is 25. McNutt is 23. Not a huge age difference. As for cost, both guys are still on their (low-round) rookie contracts so the difference is negligible. I don’t think you have a good argument at all.
4 years > 1 year
Cooper’s been in the league 3 years, not 4. And unlike McNutt, he’s actually done something in his time in the NFL. Even in his rookie year, when he got minimal playing time, he had 7 catches for 116 yards and a TD, which again is more than McNutt did in his rookie season. It will be determined on the field but to assume that a late round pick who has done precisely zero since arriving in the NFL like McNutt is going to turn out to be good enough that you can pencil him in in place of a guy who’s been a somewhat productive if unspectacular receiver to this point is ridiculous.
Cooper is a zero, if it wasn’t for the abomination of last season with a coach on borrowed time he wouldn’t even have had his “best” year ever. You think coop makes the squad, I think there are better options, but we could go round and round all day. To tout that a rookie didn’t beat out a veteran is just as ridiculous, especially at the WR position, in a MM offense.
You say there are better options, and yet the guys you cite as said options have either done precisely nothing in the NFL and have no pedigree to suggest they will (Momah, Sheppard, McNutt), or have been no more productive than Cooper in their NFL careers despite greater opportunities (Benn – 59 catches and 5 TDs in 3 seasons, during which he’s made 24 starts, more than twice as may as Cooper over the same span). I don’t mind arguing, but you’re not even mounting an argument. You’re just throwing out assertions with zero logic or evidence to back them up. That doesn’t make any sense to me and I’m going to call it when I see it.
You call it like you see it and you’ve called cooper productive? I guess I need to change my understanding of the word productive as it applies to the NFL and the WR position. “Cooper was one of their more productive offensive players down the stretch last year” What stretch? What production? His “best” year was last year and it was anemic at best. But hey, lets use up a valuable roster spot for a player who is probably at their ceiling as an athlete and player.
Over the last 8 weeks last season, once he got healthy and started actually getting significant playing time, Cooper had 21 catches for 226 yards and 3 TDs. That’s plenty productive for a #4 WR. He’s not a world beater by any means but as a fourth receiver he’s fine and until somebody else proves they’re better I think it’s dumb to be talking about cutting him. This isn’t Madden.
Haha, this isn’t madden? I love how you assume that you’re the expert and clearly that is only how I know football? Or sports or high level athletic competition. He’s a scrub, and save all the thinly veiled shots, it’s JV. Only on igglesblitz can some one have a hissy fit over riley F*ing cooper! Nowhere else can we get 29 YDS/.38 TDS a game. Not taking into account injuries didn’t have him at the #4 spot when he exploded for all that production.
You clearly don’t understand a basic concept of team-building, namely that unless there is a guy who is clearly better around to take his place, cutting a player is counterproductive. In Madden you can create such a player if you don’t have one, which is what you seem to expect the Eagles to do. Therefore the Madden jibe.
I’m not taking shots at you because I dislike you or am mad at you. I’m taking shots at you because you are making one nonsensical statement after another, and when challenged on them, you only respond with more nonsensical statements, along with a few insults (which suggests that you’re the one getting upset, not me). But I’ve had enough at this point. There are so many commenters on this board saying smart things that I don’t know why I’m engaging with the one who’s saying dumb ones.
Wow, I didn’t realize you retired from the NFL after building countless franchises and decided to dedicate your life to posting in forums. or you’re just another internet pleeb trying to pass off as a credible resource. also what insults? You throwing a hissy fit is an appropriate description. Cooper as a productive WR in the NFL? Now THAT is rich, talk about Madden mindset! Please continue to move the goalposts to suit your needs haha. The only one grasping at straws with weak insults is you.
Sorry friend, but calling you out for making statements that are illogical, ill-reasoned, and not supported by the facts is not insulting you. It is pointing out that your statements are illogical, ill-reasoned, and not supported by the facts. Your response is not to make a better argument using better logic or actual facts but to shout “you’re just some guy on the internet who doesn’t know anything and is throwing a hissy fit because I disagree with you! Wah!” and imply that I only defended Brent Celek because you think I have some sort of man crush on him. I consider that insulting (and juvenile as well).
Now mind, it doesn’t bother me a lick that you insult me. If I had a nickel for every time somebody has insulted me on the internet, I’d have… a lot of nickels. But it does make me take you less seriously as someone worth talking Eagles football with. One of the reasons I come here to do that rather than go to TATE or the message boards on Philly.com is that there are more irrational, emotionally colored comments like yours in those places, and fewer of the level-headed, intelligent, and respectful comments that are typical of this place. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to get back to those comments, because they are actually worth my time.
What are you talking about? Cooper was one of their more productive offensive players down the stretch last year. He’s also a very good blocker for the position, something Kelly values in his receivers. He’s not a lock but I’d say it’s 90% likely he’s not only on the team but gets a good amount of PT this coming season.
23 receptions and 3TD’s is productive? I don’t get the love affair with cooper. Everyone is expected to block. so that won’t really set him apart anymore.
“Everyone is expected to block. so that won’t really set him apart anymore.”
Maclin and Jackson really don’t block
For a number four receiver on a team with both a RB and a TE who get a lot of passes thrown their way, yes, that’s productive.
And while everyone is EXPECTED to block, not everyone can do it equally well. DeSean Jackson can give all the effort in the world, but at 5’9″ and 175 lbs. soaking wet he is not going to be able to do it as well as a guy who’s 6’3″ and 220 lbs. like Cooper.
I don’t disagree, but I think that is where we trust Kelly to find other ways for them to occupy players to open up lanes etc.
Right, but a WR who can block is still an asset in an offense that utilizes as many bubble screens, outside runs, etc. as Kelly’s does.
Besides, who is going to take Cooper’s spot? The team didn’t draft a WR, nor did they sign one in free agency. They’re likely going to keep five, and since you also have them cutting Avant and Damaris Johnson, that doesn’t leave many candidates for the backup positions.
Huh? They signed a pretty productive guy from Illinois in Benn and a big body in Momah in FA. They also already signed an UDFA from LSU Sheppard.
OK, forgot about Benn (who btw has been no more productive than Cooper in free agency despite being a higher draft pick). He’ll likely make it. But Momah? He’s a developmental player and a total longshot. Sheppard? He’s an UDFA – it’s less than 50-50 he even makes it to the final round of cuts. I don’t think any of these guys are a threat to Riley other than maybe Benn.
Celek Cooper and Marsh will stay. Avant and D. Johnson might be the odd men out b/c the team might keep 4 TEs
If the Eagles keep 9 Olinemen, 4 TEs, 4, RBs, and 3 QBs that only leaves 5 spots for WRs. They eagles could possible subtract from the defense or have only 2 QBs but that doesn’t seem likely. They could get rid of the LS. Who knows.
I would prefer to keep a Chip guy over an Andy guy if it comes down to a roster spot.
Sorry, but this is dumb. By this logic when Andy came in he should have kept Barry Gardner over Jeremiah Trotter, Doug Brzezinski over Jermane Mayberry, and Darnell Autry over Duce Staley because those were “Andy guys” instead of “Ray Rhodes guys”.
You keep the best guy. It shouldn’t matter a lick which coach brought him in.
You just love spouting out your value judgements don’t you?
No, I hate bad logic, which you are spouting out left and right on this thread.
They’re all Chip guys now.
Wow…with 13 on the roster, that’s a lot of cuts. I tend to think we won’t go as heavy on D as usual, though. 6 DL, 6 OLB, 4ILB, 4 S, 6 CB would seem to be an absolute minimum and would leave 7 spots for WRs although an extra body at LB might work out a better option? Either way we’re gonna be tight for numbers.
Or DE/DT
Yeah, maybe. I kinda feel like you OLBs are gonna wear down the quickest as pass rushers, but I guess pushing the pocket all day is gonna take it out of you too.
I figure they’ll just try and stash some of the leftovers on the practice squad and hope nobody else picks them up.
If we are going to have as fast paced of an offense as expected, we may go heavier on D in fact in my opinion. We are going to need all the backups we can get to take on additional reps.
Also a valid point. So which positions would you drop on offense to make room for more guys on D? Obviously it all depends on which players win jobs, but I really can’t see them going with less than 3 QBs and 4 TEs. Maybe only 8 OL, but that could get risky in terms of depth. 3 RBs? 4 WRs? I’m not so sure it’s possible to go heavy on D.
Not to happy that the Eagles did not address pass rushers. As of right now our DE/OLBs are Barwin, Graham, Cole and Hunt with Hunt on his way out.
King, Kruger and Benny?
King and Kruger look like depth for the Dline. Who is Benny?
3rd round pick Bennie Logan
I mean stand up rushers. Not players on the Dline.
I think defensive linemen capable of playing in an odd man front were a bigger need than pass rushers and in Logan, Kruger, and King they drafted 3 of them. Among Barwin, Graham, Cole, and Curry they should at least have competent players to rush the passer. A team with this many needs can’t address them all in one draft.
I don’t understand how Curry is deemed as an dlinemen and not a stand up rusher. Thats whats so confusing
Because he has been told his going to play DE in the new scheme with his hand in the dirt
I know I thought they would have made him an stand up rusher though
We’ve got 9 unconfirmed UDFA’s… scroll down to my post for the list (I’m trying to keep everything in one place). Thanks to everyone for scouring the Internets…
Don’t now why Brad Wing came here since we have Jones. I understand the Eagles brought him in for competition but Wing has a small chance of making the roster.
The Eagles HAVE to have a Wing!
If only to pair with our Wang!
Lol
And our Cox
Donnie Jones is a former Pro Bowler but was nothing special last year. If Wing outpunts him in TC it would not shock me at all to see him win the job.
I understand that but given our luck with developmental punter these last couple seasons I don’t know how much they would trust him. Chad Henry looked pretty good in TC but we know how that ended. I do think there is chance he could be the guy though
You should add an avatar to find your posts easier. Just a suggestion. I understand if you like to test the eyes of the aging.
Actually the greyed out head is my avatar… everyone else just stole it I guess.
(I’ll put some thought into it… it’s a big decision)
It’s a copy cat league.
Ha!