Help From the Past
Posted: August 21st, 2013 | Author: Tommy Lawlor | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 100 Comments »The 2010 and 2011 drafts are part of the reason there had to be change this past offseason. The players taken in those years failed to be impact guys that could help the team win games and get where it wanted to be.
Now Chip Kelly is in charge. There is a new offense. There is a new defense. I don’t know how much can change schematically on STs, but there is a new man in charge of that group. All of this change gives new chances to players who have been disappointments so far in their young careers.
While the focus this offseason has been on the new free agents and the rookies from the draft, the Eagles road to redemption can be greatly helped by the 2010 and 2011 draft classes.
2010
* Brandon Graham – Injuries derailed Graham for all of 2011, but he bounced back with a good season in 2012. Now he’s adjusting to a new position, OLB. Even if Graham is just a backup and role player, he can be an impact guy for the Eagles. He is the team’s best pass rusher and is a disruptive player off the edge.
* Nate Allen – Nate is one of the most disliked Eagles. He had a solid rookie year and then struggled for the next 2 seasons. His failure to hit and tackle with any consistency has drawn the ire of Eagles fans. Injuries have hurt him. The scheme hurt him. But Nate shares plenty of the blame with some flat out bad performances. He struggled in the preseason opener, but responded to that with a good game against the Panthers. Nate can be a starting Safety this year.
Can he be a good player? That’s the key question. He didn’t make any mistakes vs the Panthers, but also didn’t make any plays. He could really make the coaches (and fans) believe in him with a strong showing on Saturday. Nate needs to be around the ball and make some tackles.
* Clay Harbor – He’s gone from being the #2 TE to being the #4 TE and a sometimes WR, but Harbor can still help the Eagles. Kelly will use TEs a lot. He’s already run 4-TE sets this summer. Harbor’s versatility and ability to play in space means that Kelly could try to get him the ball in some games, even as a role player.
* Riley Cooper – The injury to Jeremy Maclin meant Cooper became a starting WR. Even before that, I had him projected to be more active this year. Cooper is big and Kelly likes big WRs. Cooper is an outstanding blocker and Kelly likes his wideouts to block. Cooper isn’t going to become some star player, but this offense fits him well and should give him a chance to be a more effective player.
* Jamar Chaney – Fair or not, I’ve given up on Jamar Chaney. Part of this isn’t his fault. He was a WLB in the summer of 2010 and then got moved to MLB. He played there as a rookie and showed good promise (right Mr. Baldinger?). So naturally Juan Castillo moved him to SAM and tried to make Chaney one of the keys to his defense. The group started poorly so Chaney got moved back to MLB. He played SAM and WLB in 2012. It is hard to develop when being jerked around that much. Still, Chaney is a talented player and good athlete, but he fails to show that with any consistency. I think he could have a future on a 4-3 team.
* Kurt Coleman – The last 3 years have proven that Coleman isn’t meant to be a starter. He can be effective at times, but lacks the size and athleticism to be a good starter. Coleman can be a good STs player and he’s been solid there this summer. He needs to play well the next 2 weeks to try and win a roster spot. If he can do that, Coleman could be a good STer and backup. If he has to start a game here or there, he’ll do a solid job. You just don’t want him there every week.
2011
* Danny Watkins – We discussed Danny the other day. Some want him cut. If he plays well in the final 2 preseason games, I am open to keeping him around. If there is an injury on the OL, Watkins could be a good fill-in. He has starting experience and his skill-set fits the Kelly offense pretty well. Watkins can be a very good run blocker. The next 2 games are huge for him. He must play well. Not okay, but flat out good.
* Curtis Marsh – Marsh broke his hand recently and is probably done as an Eagle.
* Casey Matthews – Another player that Eagles fans love to hate. Matthews played pretty well in the preseason opener. He was hurt and missed the Panthers game. Matthews has had a solid summer, but isn’t a lock for the roster. He needs to play well in the final couple of preseason games to secure a spot. Matthews has been a good STs player the last 2 years and he could help there again in 2013. It is also possible he could be a starting ILB in the future. I think playing in a more conventional system will help him a lot.
* Alex Henery – Already a good player. Henery is having an inconsistent summer. We’ll see how he does the next 2 weeks before getting worried.
* Julian Vandervelde – The Eagles need a backup C. The coaches like Vandervelde. I prefer Dallas Reynolds, but Vandy did get much better in the second game. He’s younger than Reynolds and still has upside so it would be nice if he played well in the final 2 games and won the job.
* Jason Kelce – Already a good player. And a good stunt double for Chewbacca.
If some of these guys can step up and play well, it will help the Eagles on their quest to being a winning team in 2013.
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Here are a couple of good videos from PE.com
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Two wasted drafts, for the most part. Or am I unduly harsh?
They weren’t great, but at least there are a few contributors so not total losses like the old 2004 draft.
Kelce, Cooper, Henery, Graham and possibly Allen and Harbor going to have a role on this team, so it could have been worse.
If Graham hadn’t had that terrible injury (microfracture surgery can impact someone for the rest of their career) I wonder how he would have turned out, because even after the surgery he can still get after the passer.
Those were restocking drafts that we really needed to get a couple good/star players out of to continue our run in the NFC East but sadly it didn’t work out.
The Eagles are great at drafting role players..if only they could learn to draft pro-bowlers..
2011 was pretty bad. Graham looked great before injuries, so I think you’re harsh there.
2011 seems particularly bad. Jason Kelce is the lone good player. Alex Henery has yet to prove himself in a long-distance clutch situation, seems to miss in bunches. Won’t lable him as “good” yet, especially for the round he was drafted in.
2010 was sub par with lots of missed opportunities in hindsight, but wouldn’t call it a waste.
The scheme change on defense hurt the 2010 class. Nate Allen, Jamar Chaney, Curt Coleman and Keenan Clayton all were a better fit in Sean McD’s defense. The change to Castillo and the Wide-9 hurt them.
It’s not like they were studs in McDermotts defense though. I agree the Wide 9 really hurt the safeties in the LBs, but I don’t think they were all that supremetely talented to begin with.
It takes a couple years to round into form for a lot of players. Daryl Washington is supremely talented but didn’t become a stud (ie, show his talent) until his third season or so.
Depends on the position (though it’s funny most people write off FOles after 6 games at the toughest position)..But it’s still not a good sign when the 3 year guys are contending for back-up spots/roster spots. It’s not like Washington went from mayybe making the team or backup. He went from promising player to stud. I dont see that from any of the 11/12 class.
In these drafts Eagles seemed to overvalue game tape and senior bowl practices. Potential is huge in the NFL. You want players to peak in their pro careers not in college. The numbers (40 yd time, shuttles, jumps) are equally as important.
If Eagles had drafted well (particularly on Defense) during the past decade they would have been to and possible won a SB already.
The great teams draft well. I hate the Giants but the reason they’ve been able to win 2 SBs is because of good drafts and timely QB play.
I agree with all your assessments. It sucks to think that the best player in those two years is the kicker though.
and Kelce
Watched the Nate Allen PC. I like the guy, but I don’t think he has the instincts to ever be a playmaker (he started out well enough his rookie season in that regard though, so I don’t know for sure), definitely doesn’t have the physicality to be a presence in the box. As such we will always be on the look out for an upgrade.
However I do think he has the smarts and athleticism to put himself in a position to deter deep passes (since this is what is being asked of him now), make the QB look underneath, give the pass rush more time. In this way i think he complements Chung well enough to form a functional safety duo.
I can’t stand him…it’s like he is clueless. I hate hearing him talk more than I hate watching him play… And Coleman should have been cut the day he announced “I make plays”….rather watch Dabid Sims
Tommy, if you talk about the recent past, why did you leave out the 2012 draft which also influenced changes for 2013? I believe this is the draft that Howie had more control.
Fletcher Cox
Mychal Kendricks
Vinny Curry
Nick Foles
Brandon Boykin
Dennis Kelly
Marvin McNutt Jr
Brandon Washington
Bryce Brown
I think the concept he was going for was, 2010 and 2011 were viewed (accurately imo) as misfit drafts with very little impact to this point. They’ve sorta been written off.
Chip and Howie have looked to FA and the draft for help in forming this team. The question is, the classes of 2010 and 2011 are a resource, can Chip salvage any impact out of those classes to help this team?
I guess my point is that some of these players from the 2012 draft class can also help the Eagles get back on the road of redemption. Not just the 2011 and 2012 draft players, plus the the 2013 draft and 2013 FA signings.
absolutely true, but that class isn’t being overlooked or written off yet, being year 2, we are very much still in the early stages of evaluating and projecting career trajectories. All eyes are already on them.
I think Tommy is just trying to shed light on an overlooked portion of the roster.
Yeah, so many people look at the 2012 guys like finished products, when in reality they still have so much room to grow..Those guys are just scratching the surface of the type of players they can grow to be
Ark87 is right. 2012 draft is full of key players. Those guys are major parts of the Eagles winning.
I focused on the other years since they have been such underachievers.
From the 2010 draft, I’m not sure I would call these players underachievers…
Brandon Graham 1st Rd… as you said, injuries derailed him.
Riley Cooper 5th Rd… receivers were stacked above him.
Kurt Coleman 7th Rd… maybe he overachieved.
2011 draft…
Alex Henery 4th Rd… I don’t see how he is an underachiever at this point.
Jason Kelce 6 Rd… Definitely not an underachiever.
And you’re correct in looking at 2010 and 2011 because of the “3 year rule” about judging drafts. The 2010 guys are fit for final judgment right now and the 2011 guys will be so based on how they play this season.
Tommy, who do you like best in next years QB draft class?
My ratings:
1. Teddy Bridgewater
2. Marcus Mariota
3. Tajh Boyd
4. Johnny Manziel
Ted is the best.
Marcus might be the best fit. Ted is a pocket passer. Marcus is both a runner and passer.
Ted ran about 7 times a game last year. Think Aaron Rodgers. Kill you with his arm, burn you with his legs when you’re not looking. I’m a huge fan of Ted.
I’d wait another year to draft a QB…..stack this team with another draft and FA period, see who Foles can be in year 3. It would be his 3rd year of NFL development and we would really get to see what he could do playing in a system that he has been playing in for a year…If Foles Isnt the answer, midway through the season you see what Barkley can do in his second year, if neither emerge as our guy, then go QB hunting…If you wait til 2015 to draft a QB, he could be joint a pretty good team by then
If you were talking any other position than QB, I’d agree. Considering how few QBs in the NFL have the talent to win a Superbowl, you need to go get that guy when you’ve identified that guy. Look at your last 10 Superbowl winners:
Brady, Brady, Big Ben, Peyton, Eli, Big Ben, Brees, Rodgers, Eli, Flacco.
The era of clowns like Brad Johnson and Trent Dilfer being able to win titles may have closed due to the extreme limits put on what Ds can do compared to 10 years ago.
I don’t disagree, but I don’t know who Nick is yet, and I really have no idea who Barkley is at this point….Not every great QB will be great at the beginning of his second year….Heck imagine if Aaron Rodgers would have been thrown out behind last years line in his rookie year, Aaron would have looked like a disaster. I doubt Aaron Rogers would have lit the world on fire in his second offseason battle had he been in an open competition with Favre..Just because recently QBs are proving that they belong as rookie, doesn’t mean every great QB will develope so quickly. some guys need more time than others, some guys are placed in horrible situations….I actually kind of look at this as Foles rookie year. Andw Luck, RG3, Wilson, Tannahill, any of them would have looked like Bums last year if they were placed in Foles situation…I saw Foles play 4 series so far in an Offense he learned 4 months ago…Chip Kelly, might be able to see enough of him in practice to know that Foles can’t be his guy, but Im not privy to what Kelly gets to see, so me personally, I don’t see how I could say what he can or Can’t be right now….
I want to see what Foles and Barkley can do just as much as a lot of people, but I think we’re going to get another look at that this season once Vick misses time again.
Also, having seen Barkley, Foles, and Bridgewater all in action on the college level; Bridgewater projects as a the best player out of the 3.
Absolutely, teddy is a better prospect than both combined…I just can’t get excited about Teddy, because that means I have to sit through another 4 win season or, Mortgage a draft and a half which we can not afford at this point to have a chance at gong to get him….I will actually avoiding watching Louisville this year because it’s just a tease. I like that kid a lot, just don’t me what has to happen to make him an eagle..
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It’s not about my love or confidence in Nick and Matt, it’s about how much faster we can rebuild this team if our QB of the future is already on the roster
This team has 3 proven difference makers aka STUDS:
1. Shady McCoy
2. Jason Peters
3. DeSean Jackson
(Note: lack of defensive playmakers)
These are guys that impact the W/L column each week.
The rest of the team is combination of role players, busts, career back ups, and borderline NFL players.
Grossly incompetent drafting has hurt the team immensely. Especially in the first 3 rounds. This past draft class looks promising (Lane, Zack, Bennie).
In the NFL you need STUDS to win games.
When Vick is on his game, he’s a real difference maker.
If Vick can display consistency this year I will gladly add him to the list.
Mariota is no more a runner than Tannehill. Which isn’t to say that he can’t run, but he is not a dynamic runner.
Mariota might have the highest Football IQ among next years crop of QBs. I think Chipper would pull the trigger on Marcus in a heart beat if the draft position made sense. (1st overall = Jadeveon Clowney No brainer..did I mention we have no defensive playmakers??)
You’re right about those 3 guys. They are likely our only Pro Bowl candidates.
DeSean is at best a number 2 receiver on a good team, and he is hardly a stud.
No, DeSean is one of the few players in the league who command a double team on each and every snap. The failure of Andy / Marty to use a full route tree with DeSean coupled with too many fans comingling DeSean’s antics with his talent level lead people to fail to understand how much of a difference maker DeSean can be.
Agree 100%. 2013-14 should be a huge year for DJax. Anyone remember back to back comeback routes at the end of the 1st half against Carolina past week? 2 catches 28 yds in less than a minute. So simple yet effective way to counter 2 deep safety looks.
Whoever is responsible for these Target Back-To-School commercials with the toy flutes deserves to be infested with the fleas of a thousand camels.
for giggles: http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/red_zone/Jason-Peters-LeSean-McCoy-will-be-over-1000-yards-early.html
Watch on the GIF of Mccoy’s run #29 on the Panthers. Poor guy never had a prayer.
Tommy, I have a few questions for you about Brandon Graham:
1. If he was a conventional 4-3 defensive end who started for 16 games this year, would he put up great numbers? Would he become a household name like Jason Pierre-Paul?
2. Given the defensive system that already exists, which both of us disagree with. Do you think the defensive coaches are making a mistake by having Trent Cole start and letting Graham sit on the bench?
3. How much would you get in return for Graham in a trade?
My buddy is a Steeler fan, who doesn’t follow the Eagles very much. I get pissed every time I hear him tell me what a horrible pick Brandon Graham was and what a bum he is. Injured in 2010 and almost all of 2011. Benched because Washburn played favorites with Babin in 2012. Am I wrong to think that BG is a beast who might be one of the unluckiest NFL players?
Graham has undoubtedly been somewhat of a victim of circumstance, but he also hasn’t played well enough to overcome that, something he would’ve most likely done if he were really “a beast.” I believe in his talent to a certain extent, but not drafting Earl Thomas has proven to be a pretty big mistake. I was so excited when the Eagles had clearly traded up for Thomas, and then so disappointed when they took Graham. Andy is criticized for over-thinking important decisions, and the selection of Graham over Thomas lends a lot of credence to that.
I still have such a hard time believing Graham will sit on the bench for Trent…it’s just so crazy to me, that I’m borderline delusional about it. It just pisses me off. Even after all we know, I will still be shocked if Cole gets more snaps than Graham during the regular season….Everytime Graham gets in the game he makes something happen, I just don’t understand what this kid has to do to get on the field…F IT, I hope Trent Cole gets hurt!!!! YEAH I said it!!! Lol
Wonder if someone is wishing you get hurt at your job. Thats a pretty shitty thing to be wishing as a person on a person, especially as a supposed fan of a team.
Oh get that stick out of your ass…it’s a damn joke. Get real…FYI, I would Love to get hurt on my job, it’s called workmanship comp lol
Stick out of my ass? Stop making stupid comments consistently and being internet tough, and you’re an idiot if you want anyone to get hurt on the job, especially wishing it on the team you like. Its football, though from the million posts you post that people disapprove of you think its life. Also, you’re a shitty fan if you don’t want the player you like to earn their spot and only get it from another player getting hurt, especially a class act like Trent Cole.
My question to you is… and I understand “impact” players… yet what percentage of the draftees do you expect to be on the team from 2 previous draft classes from 2-3 years ago?
My count is seven.
When it comes to Brandon Graham, I always think Markice Pouncey.
A mediocre center in round 1, no thanks.
Help from the past… Tra is officially in the house!
How does Casey Matthews’ history with Chip in Oregon affect his chances?
As Chewbaca never seems to get injured or even knicked, I would suggest that he is more fit to serving as Jason Kelce’s stunt double/reserve. We have room on the roster, and other than the very strange vocals that would be used in giving the line calls, no one would know the difference. Could be fun!
As an advocate of trading up for JJ Watt in 2011, I see nothing in return of our own youth that still wouldn’t have made that a better idea.
I’d trade both the 2010 and 2011 drafts for JJ Watt, strait up.
Me too.
That is easy to say in hindsight.
Hindsight is a bitch right?
I loved Watt coming out of college. One of my favorite players. However, he simply didn’t fit into the wide 9 scheme we were playing at the time.
I do think he could have been a good UT in similar fashion to Jason Jones (just much better). Most of Watt’s sacks actually comes in nickle when he is playing DT.
And I argued against that point over and over, ask Tommy. Did you also think that Bunkley would be a perfect fit in the 1-gap attacking wide 9? I felt Watt was so good he would succeed in any system.
If I recall correctly, Bunkley had been a very good 1-gap DT in college which is why he was drafted so highly.
True, his college tape said one gap, bot by 2011 his pro tape said 2 gap. Is he still in the league? What is he doing now?
He’s the Nose for the Saints.
If there are indeed Nate Allen haters I am not amongst them, but I have been clear for a while that he should not play football for the Philadelphia Eagles. I would be pleased to see him drain the salary cap of the Cowboys, Giants, or (Native American slur).
He has been paid, in the past three years by my approximation, $4.85 million dollars, during which time he has been given front row seats to all 48 Eagles games, given $100,000 a game while getting to run around on the field and pretend he’s an NFL player, occasionally seeing the other team’s receivers only 20 feet away when they make catches replayed on ESPN, and getting to bump into opposing running backs on their way to long touchdown runs. I hope he’s saved some of that in the event NFC East rivals don’t double that to have him cover the Eagles’ tight ends. I watched all of Allen’s rookie games start to finish and I didn’t notice him playing well except for late September/ early October.
He’s making $1.3 mil if they keep him this year, even though it’s almost 200K more than Coleman, Allen would cause 600K dead money if cut while for Coleman that figure is 11K, so it’s cheaper from a cap standpoint for the Eagles to keep Allen over Coleman. They should look to acquire a safety, and if Wolff doesn’t learn the plays to the coaches’ satisfaction they should take a 216K hit on him, going with Chung, Anderson, Whitley and either Wolff or an acquisition.
While I don’t think Wolff is going anywhere, I am all up for bringing in Marshall, provided he’s willing to play safety!!!
Amen!! Preach brother! I don’t even care when “not so Nasty” Nate plays well, because no matter what, he just isn’t wired to be able to play defense for the Philadelphia Eagles. How can a safety be so soft? It’s like an oxymoron…the type of player he is just doesn’t mesh with our city and it’s fans. I can’t stand watching how he plays the game. It Genuinly bothers me seeing wear the midnight green…We live in a tough city, filled with tough blue colored, get dirty in the trenches mentality who have been spoiled by Weapon X….You can’t go from weapon X to this soft fairy of a safety. he drives me crazy! I would rather watch Vick for 3 more years than see Nate play another regular season game
I’d like to add a few bits of data to Tommy’s writing on Brandon Graham.
1) He lost a ton of reps at DE in 2010 because idiot Sean McDermott was lining him up at DT on far too many snaps. How is a rookie supposed to learn his was as an NFL DE if he’s stuck playing DT?
2) Graham’s knee problems, that ultimately cost him the season, when he was chopped blocked behind by that dirty piece of scum Tyson Clabo. Clabo directly chopped Graham’s knee from behind on a play that should have not only been flagged, but also led to Clabo being; fined, beaten in public, intentionally infected with HIV, and ultimately executed by being left tied down on a fire ant hill. Tyson Clabo is a trash human being. That chop block is what weakened Graham’s knee to the point where he blew it out and wasn’t back to until the start of last season. Here is the link to the Eagles attempt to get the league to do something about Clabo.
http://www.delcotimes.com/articles/2010/10/23/sports/doc4cc2648582e02796176886.txt
We all saw what Graham can do in a pass rush last season, even in limited reps. He’ll be flat out killing QBs this year when given the chance. As the season goes on, I fully expect Graham and Cole to be splitting reps in the predator role.
I’m still in awe of the beast Graham was at Michigan. I expected him to be similarly successful in the NFL. Hope he gets his reps and the opportunity to chase the QB…especially given the fact some of the better 3-4 defenses rushe 5 guys around a third of the time.
Given how well Graham has rushed the passer recently and how well Cole has not; I don’t think it’ll take long for the coaches to have Graham taking more snaps on passing downs than Cole.
I’d really like to see Danny Watkins get the full benefit of Stoutland’s coaching before people continue to kick dirt on his grave. Watkins, when drafted, was seen by talent evaluators as a perfectly fine pick except for his age. He was not an athlete in the Howard Mudd mold, so he was ill suited to play well with Mudd. In case you people who want to kill Watkins missed Alabama’s congo line of O-line draft picks in the NFL over the past few years, Stoudland really knows how to coach O-lineman that NFL teams seem to covet. Watkins is making a very manageable salary over the next two seasons, so why don’t we see what he can do with some coaching better matched to his skill set. Also, Todd Heremans is picking up a lot of wear and tear and not exactly coming off of his best work in the past two seasons. We might need Watkins to step in and play RG a lot sooner than a lot of your would think.
I despise Coleman and Allen, which is why I’m getting a kick out of these new hitting with your helmet rules…Everytime they try to explain the new rule on TV, they show highlights of Trent Richardson steamrolling Coleman, I can never get enough of watching his Helmet fly off and flash this constipated look on his face while he is getting hit by a Mac truck
What is funny about that hit and people getting all upset of the new rule, is that is just about the only type of play that can really be called under the new rule.
Yeah, that rule will not be enforced very often..
,.
the rule I have MAJOR Beef with is the Bostic hit…wtf is wrong with the NFL? defenders are supposed to wrap their arms around players and make the tackle…Well guess what happens when you wrap your arms around the body of another player? Sometimes your head will get in the way!!!! Wtf are these defenders supposed to do? They are told they have to hit low, so now they are shredding guys knees. Keller is lost for the year(maybe his career), yOu got Tony Gonzales coming out saying, please hit me in the head and not my knees….tHis is also disgustingly unsettling to me. it’s already an offensive game, now defenders have no idea how they are allowed to hit…it’s just ridiculous….The only hits that should be illegal are like when Dawkin would leave his feet, fly through the air with his body parallel to the ground, and spear a defender with his helmet…all these other hits for Rules are just a joke
I think a lot of the problem with head shots can be controlled with a better helmet design. If the helmets are adjusted in a manner to deliver less of a blow, we’ll have less injuries.
I think everyone should be practicing with those goofy helmet covers that look like Yammikahs that are worn over the helmet, the bengals wear them in practice, reducing Impact of blows to the head
Wallace on the Niners and Kelso on the Bills used soft shells on the outsides of their helmets to protect themselves from head injuries. That type of helmet design might be the way to go.
They wear them in games?
Those two guys did.
I gotta YouTube it, had no idea
I watched the defense again in the Carolina game, and Toms analysis is spot on. Nate was ok, he was always we’re he was supposed to be, he had some decent coverage that forced Cam to throw away from him, so while he was good, he made NO PLAYS and that’s just not acceptable to me. Safeties should be a weapon, not some passive sissy cover guy that is scared to get his hands dirty. ENOUGH!!!! ….Even if Nate has a probowl year, I still can’t watch him. He just doesn’t play the game in a way which is enjoyable to me…
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If you didn’t see me pounding the table for Glover Quinn, then how can I be expected to be happy with “Not so Nasty”Nate? The day he is no longer on this Rost I will throw some Van Wilder type of party!!
I’m with you here GE. Allen isn’t even close to being “OK”. When the “fly swatters”s make more plays than your safety — that’s an issue. Casey a future starting ILB? Not even in the Canadian League. Allen, when not getting burned, is just like Casey in they are always both right there — after the play is over. The bottom line is — these 2 are S O F T.
When you should be fighting for football life — let me ask — where has Allen or Casey stepped up? A potential starter in Allen should have already made that decision a no brainer — he hasn’t. Allen will probably be by default because there is no other talent at that position. Chip can only address so much in 1 year.
So now we’re being told they will be evaluated against that “1 notch” above college team in the Jags(mjd and who?) and the 4th pre-season game where no starters play.
Hahahahahah quote of the week!!!!
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“when the fly swatters make more plays than your safety”…CLASSIC!
And when those fly swatters turn out to be real defenders swatting down our QBs passes, I’ll not find it so funny……….again.
True, we never saw that with McNabb…
I didn’t read all the replies about Vick the starter. Are you not a fan of that decision?
I was a fan of the decision to start Vick over Foles based on how the competition went in the pre-season, but;
– I fully expect Vick to be injured sooner rather than later, still clueless on what do to when the D in front of him gets complicated, and turn the ball over with frequency.
– I wanted Vick cut long ago in favor of using the year to see what you really had in terms of Foles and Barkley before making a decision about having to draft a franchise QB or not in the 2014 draft. I was never in favor of “tanking” the season just do draft high, but the long term QB decision would take care of itself based on our record with Foles and Barkley. I think having Vick on the roster retards our talent evaluation process by at least one year. I’m not of the belief that a deep playoff run can be accomplished with Vick because a deep playoff run has never been accomplished with Vick.
I’m with you on this MM. Every time he gets hit, you have to wonder – is this it? Or each turn over will be “here we go again”. I just hope we don’t have to go through that anymore. I also have to wonder if Chip doesn’t think Foles isn’t the guy.
Can you please stop this madness? I mean unless Nate Allen turn into Brian Dawkins, you are going to complain.
Why not just appreciate that a high Eagles draft pick seems to be on the right way to turn his career over? Nate Allen had no confidence the last two years and you cant make turnovers with no confidence. You seems to forget that Nate Allen had 3 interceptions in his first three games of his career. Also NOBODY on this D have made any turnovers so far, so why not just purge the whole roster because they are clearly not good enough for you?
can you worry about yourself and get off my nuts? Thank you! Even the Rosey optimist in me is entitled to hate a damn player. I damn Sure don’t want to be chastised about the type of football, Philadelphians like to see, and are used to seeing by a fan who has never set foot in this city….I don’t tell you how who to like and who not to like…If I disagree with your oppinion, I list reasons why I feel you are wrong. I damn sure don’t tell you who you should like, and who you shouldn’t like. Nate Allen is a flat out Sissy!!! we don’t like those type of players in Philadelphia….maybe that fairy ish would slide in Finland or wherever the hell you are from, but this isn’t acceptable in Philly!! get him the hell out of here ASAP!!!!! Thank you, and have a blessed day
Do you really think my name sound Finnish?
wasnt “Nasty Nate” the RB that we drafted out of some small school in a late round in a past draft? lol
2010
* Brandon Graham – Injury was a shame, think he’ll get lots of PT in a 3 man OLB rotation, best pass rusher on the team
* Nate Allen – There’s no “there” there. Want to blame the wide 9 but he hasn’t shown up in TC.
* Clay Harbor – Hands are the issue, has the athleticism to be a 60 catch guy, but you have to catch the ball. Best move blocker among the TEs (ask Ware!).
* Riley Cooper – Cooper was a two sport project coming out of college, the injury last year set him back, but I can see him blossoming in this offense. Big, good athlete, lacks elite body control but will do the dirty work.
* Jamar Chaney – doesn’t fit this defense, lacks instincts, plays smaller than his size, best fit is as a WLB in a 4-3/
* Kurt Coleman – Look fine as a rookie, was really hurt by the wide 9, marginal starter but a solid #3. People forget he was a late 7th rd pick, he’s been fine given where he was taken. Not his fault Jarrett flopped and he had to start.
2011
* Danny Watkins – We’ll see if Stoutland can rescue him, funny pick for Mudd, but he fits Stoutland’s style better, a decent but not great athlete who should excel on inside zone blocks and be adequate on outside zone plays.
* Curtis Marsh – Always thought they should have tried him at FS.
* Casey Matthews – Didn’t like him when drafted, don’t like him now, just too small and too slow and the instincts were grossly over rrated, Acho is simply a better player.
* Julian Vandervelde – Should have been moved to C immediately, he’s too small for OG, but very athletic and a good fit as a zone blocking C if he masters the nuances of the position – which is why they’re giving him every chance to succeed.
It seems to me that your draft has to include 1 impact player, 2 additional starters and 2 backups/STers. The 2010 and 2011, whether due to incompetent selections, injuries or scheme changes, did not come close to this standard. They were not epic fails, but they were fails, nonetheless. 2012 and, apparently, 2013 have been very solid. Two more like these and we’ll have the talent level necessary to compete at a high level.
Tommy for me, the down fall for the Eagles was the drafting from 2006-2011. 2005 was the last really impact draft we had. Only 2008 and 2009 gave as a pro bowl player, but one is a RB and one is a WR (Jackson, Maclin could most likely been one this year in this offense). That means in 6 drafts we never got an impact defensive player (Tho Graham and Allen might turn that around). This lead us to have a terrible D made up of overpaid FAs and the offense essential had a few really good picks, but they was few and far between.
Potential Draft Targets for 2014 NFL Draft:
1. Jadeveon Clowney (If we have picks 1-3)
2. Marcus Mariota ( if we have top 5 pick)
3. D’Anthony Thomas (if we have top 10 pick)
would love to see any of those three in Eagles green.
THE WORST thing Eagles can do this year is go 8-8. I repeat THE WORST.
Making the playoffs is always the goal (you never know what can happen see giants) but struggling this year and rebuilding is okay cus we can get these STUDS.
There are other very good players to be had even with an 8-8 record.
Potential first round QBs next year include: Bridgewater, McCarron, Boyd, Mariota, Manziel, Miller, Carr and Falas.
Other very good players in the first round next year could be Loius Nix, Colt Lyerla, Aaron Lynch, Anthony Barr, Ifo EO, Clinton Dix, Will Sutton.
The best thing we could do is 8-8….colt Lyeria range!