Keep Building

Posted: January 7th, 2014 | Author: | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 92 Comments »

Howie Roseman did his radio show on Monday. One of the comments he made was that the team would not make the mistake of feeling they were just a couple of players away and then “going for it”. This is good to hear.

The Eagles have a lot of young talent. There is no reason to focus on 2014 when you can keep building the roster for the long term. It takes discipline, but this is the smart thing to do and the best way to sustain success. The front office should embrace the best player available (BPA) attitude this offseason.

While it is easy to look at the defense as the biggest area of need, you don’t want to ignore talent. Let’s say that only one of Maclin/Cooper re-sign. Would you pass up a really good WR in the 1st round? We could use a LB/S/CB more, but if the WR is the better player, take him. The offense was great in 2013, but that doesn’t mean that it can’t be better.

Even within the defense you must be disciplined. Bennie Logan showed a lot of promise this year. He could be the NT of the future. Do you pass up a stud NT prospect if he’s on the board at 22? What about DEs? Ced Thornton and Fletcher Cox could have those roles for the next 5 years. But if a really talented DE is on the board, you can’t pass him up. You can never have enough good DL.

The Eagles will focus on the areas where they are most deficient, but they won’t ignore talent. They’ve shown much better discipline in the past 2 drafts and it has helped the team a lot.

* * * * *

As we discuss the weak areas on the team, understand that there aren’t right/wrong answers. I wrote the other day that OLB is my biggest position of concern. A reader hit me up on Twitter and strongly disagreed, saying that the secondary is worse off. We can each make a case for our opinion, but there is no definitive answer. This is a chicken or the egg kinda deal. Is it more important to cover or to rush the passer?

Really the key here is what Bill Davis and Chip Kelly prefer. I’ll need to go back and do some research into their pasts to see if I can find some trends. We knew with Jim Johnson it was DE-CB-DT-S-LB. It will take time to learn about Davis and Kelly.

My guess is that they’ll focus on the LOS, but that is just a guess. If true, that would mean LB over DB. No idea how the CB/S priority would shake out.

* * * * *

The Eagles have signed some players to the roster. They added the 8 practice squad players plus a WR and LB.

OT Michael Bamiro
WR B.J. Cunningham
WR Will Murphy
TE Emil Igwenagu
QB G.J. Kinne
DE Brandon Bair
ILB Emmanuel Acho
OLB Travis Long

WR Ifeanyi Momah
OLB Josh Kaddu

Here’s the PE.com story on the PS guys.

Here’s the story on the other 2.

That’s not a bunch of HOF talent, but you never know if a couple of them can become good role players. Travis Long could be the backup to Connor Barwin next year. Long tore his ACL in November 2012 so he wasn’t fully healthy last summer. He’ll have a full offseason to get in primo shape and he will know the scheme.

Bamiro looked very good at times, but must show that he can be a functional pass blocker. He played mostly RT during the summer, but spent some time at OG during season practices so maybe the Eagles will give him a look there.

Acho will be a HOF’er if the coaches will just give him a chance. He’s half Byron Evans, half Jeremiah Trotter…but even better.

Momah is the project we all got excited about last spring. He was pretty much a total failure. I’m glad Kelly is giving him another look. The guy has rare size and runs well in the open field. He was rusty as heck last spring/summer. He won’t be as bad this time around and will have a better idea of what he’s doing. Momah is still very much a longshot, but he’s worth taking another peak at. He better show serious progress if he plans on sticking around for the whole offseason.

Kaddu was a SAM LB for the Ducks under Kelly. He’ll push Long for a backup spot behind Barwin. Kaddu has played in 5 NFL games, all for the Dolphins.

Depth and competition.

* * * * *

Why do I hate Jimmy Bama so much? Let me count the ways. Last night I wrote about the NY Times piece on Michael Vick. I saw that as a very sensitive subject and chose each word carefully. I wanted to defend Vick, but not make light of the horrible stuff he’d done in the past that got him sent to prison. I know that is still a troubling topic for many people. I was happy with the way my piece came out.

Then I saw Jimmy’s take on the NYT’s piece. He had the same reaction to their piece that I did, but wasn’t trying to be sensitive or appropriate. He went all Jimmy Bama on them. This is Jimmy at his finest.

You’ve heard the phrase “dripping with sarcasm”. This is the Niagara Falls of sarcasm.

Kudos to Mr Bama.

* * * * *

Anyone watch the national title game?

Eagles fans had to be impressed by Auburn DE Dee Ford. He was a disruptive force pretty much all game. I love watching RB Tre Mason run the ball, but can’t see the Eagles spending an early pick on a RB. He might remind you of a poor man’s Marshawn Lynch.

FSU star LaMarcus Joyner really impressed me. He will be a CB to some and S to others. I’d like him as a S for the Eagles. He made one sensational play vs the zone read. He went for the RB, then saw the QB keep the ball and tackled him. You just don’t see guys do that. Incredible awareness and body control. Our defense needs a playmaker.

_


92 Comments on “Keep Building”

  1. 1 Vick or Nick said at 4:07 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    I mentioned this prior to last off season and again during the season.

    The team as a whole needs more blue-chip prospects = playmakers.

    I mentioned during the season, how many guys do we have that can be considered best in the league at their position? I only had two at the time. Jason Peters and LeSean McCoy.

    We have good players on defense, but are any of them true difference makers? Tough call, but probably not.

    I absolutely agree with Tommy, we need to take the best available prospect and I would add one more criteria: best possible FIT.

    A guy can be great player but if the intangibles don’t match, then its not going to work out. See: Nnamdi, DRC, Watkins, etc.

    Ultimately, I really do believe the Eagles ARE only a handful more players away. One thing to keep in mind is depth. Eagles were fortunate to avoid injury which really hid the lack of depth on some key spots.

    The strategy in the offseason should be very simple.

    Look for blue chip/playmakers rounds 1-3. Add quality depth 4-7 and in FA.

  2. 2 Sean Stott said at 4:15 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    If any prospect in rounds 2-3 were locks, they wouldn’t be available in rounds 2-3. It’s not as though teams sit around and say “we don’t need playmakers this year”.

  3. 3 Vick or Nick said at 4:27 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    Guys get passed up all the time.

    Navarro Bowman was picked in the 2nd round, I’d consider him playmaker.

    This past year, Kiko Alonso was a 2nd round pick but he looks like a stud LB for the Bills. Eddie Lacy for the Packers looks like the real deal.

    There are blue chippers available, but teams pass them up for need picks. We can’t afford to do that.

  4. 4 Anders said at 4:29 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    You can get them there, but the probability is far less.

    I mean we got Cole in the 5th.

  5. 5 Insomniac said at 4:44 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    Yea that Tom Brady guy too… I’m sure he was a first round pick.

  6. 6 Sean Stott said at 4:38 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    Sorry but that’s just not the way it works. Hindsight is 20/20. No one was saying Bowman would be as good as he is before he got drafted. Kiko Alonso was universally picked to go on the second day.

  7. 7 Vick or Nick said at 4:40 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    I don’t understand your argument.

    All I’m saying is we need to go for best available prospect and fit.

  8. 8 Sean Stott said at 4:48 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    Taking the best player available is not consistent with picking Bowman or Alonso is what I’m saying. No one had them as the BPA at that position. Every year there are people who far outperform their draft position. It’s not that they were passed up even though they were the clear BPA at the time, it’s that no one knew they were the BPA.

  9. 9 GENETiC-FREAK said at 5:37 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    Sure Bowman was selected in the 3rd.. Was hoping Eagles got him when he fell through.. Character issues was what made him fall.. Talent is talent character issues can be sorted out.. Look at Burfict another beast i wanted at least could of took the chance with him as a UDFA

  10. 10 Media Mike said at 4:41 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    DeSean Jackson, contract stuff aside, is 100% a blue chip player. I agree with your overall theme to go and get the best guys who FIT what we’re doing here now!

  11. 11 Vick or Nick said at 4:42 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    I agree. Although prior to this season, I had my doubts about D-Jack. Teams were covering him too well. Chip changed that.

  12. 12 Media Mike said at 4:43 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    Agreed. Also, it helps when he’s “thrown open” by a QB anticipating Jackson’s ability to quickly go get a football when thrown.

  13. 13 Charlie Kelly said at 4:57 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    every team needs more blue CHIP prospects

  14. 14 shah8 said at 6:51 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    Nah, that defense is not anywhere near championship caliber. If you want to pair just an effective one with an overwhelming offense, then you basically need three upper end players. One on the line, one good pass rusher, and one difference maker in the secondary.

  15. 15 shah8 said at 7:21 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    Oh, man, Sheil Kapadia’s All 22 analysis of what went on with the playoff game is quite interesting. On key aspect of that is that the best cover corner is only in nickel formations, and the Saints took advantage of that. The Saints took advantage of the general lack of talent on defense to do things they don’t normally do, and knock Bill Davis to a reaction-mindset, losing the initiative.

  16. 16 laeagle said at 7:49 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    And yet Bill Davis still head the mighty saints to 26 points. Sorry, the problem in the game wasn’t the defense, it was the offense’s inability to convert. Not saying the defense was amazing, but they did hold the Saints to 6 points in the first half. In today’s NFL, they did more than enough to win.

  17. 17 suthrneagle said at 9:35 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    Fingerpointing and nitpicking will just lead to continued bickering with no end in sight.
    Unfortunately, all 3 phases of the game equally played their part in the loss.
    As well as some questionable coaching decisions,again in all three phases.

  18. 18 theycallmerob said at 10:57 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    Great as it was, the all-22 exposed nothing more than what we all knew all year: Davis was holding everything together with duct tape and pixie dust.

    I give the coaching staff the utmost respect for making the scheme switch this year, and getting many vets to play at some of their career-best levels while playing a career # of snaps. However, with that said, a great offensive mind like Payton with a HOF QB can pick apart the personnel weaknesses. As Demeco said (quoted in the article) “it’s still 11-on-11”.

    I really do hope they re-stock the pantry on that side of the ball. I have no doubts our players, all year, gave almost all they had on defense. Chung seeing extensive playing time in that game speaks for itself (as does the 1 play we lose a CB and the fanbase collectively groaned, knowing full-well Roc was about to give up that 3rd down completion).

  19. 19 mtn_green said at 4:10 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    It was sad to see the eagles lose in first round, this was the one year in quite a while that everyone was healthy at end of year. Unfortunate that luck came on the first year of switching schemes, coaches etc. it was the giants and ravens that make you think that a healthy Oline and maybe just maybe miracle run.

  20. 20 Vick or Nick said at 4:22 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    Also, I really enjoyed watching Joyner from FSU. In addition to that play, he also had awareness to pick up a fumble after his teammate intercepted a pass. The guy flat out hustles to the ball on every single play. Exceptional awareness.

    Problem?

    He’s 5’8 190 lbs.

    Maybe a later round draft pick, who knows. If he was even close to 6’0 200, he’d be a top 20 pick.

    But this sounds similar to another player we are very familiar with… Brandon Boykin anyone?

    Hopefully we can target Joyner in later rounds.

  21. 21 Anders said at 4:24 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    He will be a 2nd round pick.

    He is similar to Honey Badger and he went in the 3rd after sitting out 1 year.

    Boykin fell due to an injury at the senior bowl, so the only reason Joyner would fall is because of a similar injury.

  22. 22 Insomniac said at 4:28 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    Joyner is better than Boykin when he was drafted. He’ll go later than the 3rd round.

  23. 23 theycallmerob said at 11:01 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    we’ve been riding the Joyner train hard for a few months over at 24/7, and I know Kempski has a bit of a man-crush as well (in his BCS preview, said he was his favorite prospect).

    The height issue is not as big at the position Joyner would play- inside DB or FS. The larger corners adheres to Chip’s desire to play more press-man. That’s made very difficult without a good center-fielder over the top to clean up on double moves or 9s. Alternatively, he can come down and really hit a RB (kid lays the wood). Plus, they had him playing the slot all year (which he did well), and he announced he was coming into the draft technically classified as a CB.
    He’s the true definition of a DB, can be used all over. Always stands out on tape (Clemson game was great this year). Personally my favorite as well. I doubt he goes past mid-2nd, depending on combine or like-minded coaches maybe the back of the 1st.

  24. 24 Insomniac said at 4:34 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    Dee Ford shocked me with his play last night. I already had him as one of the later round pass rushers that we should look at. Yet, he plays the game of his life on worldwide broadcasts so now he has the attention of every damn scout.

    I had to look at the list again to make sure I read it right. Momah is back? Maybe Cooper can tell him that 2nd chances are your last now get good.

    I laughed too hard at Jimmy’s article. I’m part of the 4% that enjoy his hack articles.

  25. 25 anon said at 6:04 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    maybe he took that salary and got himself a wr coach for the offseason

  26. 26 Insomniac said at 10:57 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    He could have just hired TO for $10 a hour.

  27. 27 austinfan said at 4:35 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    Davis comes out of the Steelers, and I think he has the same approach, big physical CBs with average speed, fast athletic physical safeties, all four LBs can blitz. The DL plays two gap but is athletic enough to get penetration as one gappers. Consider say the 2004 Steelers:

    Aaron Smith (8 sacks) – Hoke/Hampton – Von Oelhoffen
    Haggans (6 sacks) – Farrior (3 sacks) – Foote (3 sacks) – Porter (7 sacks)

    Scott/ W Williams – Hope – Polamalu – Townsend (4 sacks)
    This defense finished 1st in points allowed and 1st in yards allowed
    Scott and Hampton were injured.
    Size on the front line? Smith (6’5 300), Hoke (6’3 296), Von O (6’4 300)
    Haggans (6’4 243), Farrior (6’2 242), Foote (6’1 230), Porter (6’2 250)
    Smith 4th rd, Hoke UDFA, Von O (35 years old)

    Haggans 5th rd
    Farrior 1st rd Jets, FA
    Foote 4th rd
    Porter 3rd rd
    Scott 2nd rd, replaced by Willie Williams, 6th rd
    Townsend (5’10 191) 4th rd
    Polamalu 1st rd
    Hope 3rd rd
    And the bench:
    Harrison UDFA, 1 sack
    Brett Keisel 7th rd
    Ike Taylor 4th rd

    They weren’t the biggest, they weren’t chock full of high draft picks, they were smart and disciplined, and LeBeau used them well.

  28. 28 Vick or Nick said at 4:37 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    Great point.

    Also why I feel the point of emphasis will be on LBs and DLs rather than DBs.

  29. 29 Anders said at 4:46 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    Which I why I think we will go after Byrd. Really need that play making safety in the back end to support the slight slower but bigger CBs

  30. 30 Media Mike said at 4:53 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    5 years / $50 million is the magic number on Byrd. Do they pay that considering what Howie said today?

  31. 31 Insomniac said at 4:54 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    Good god no. He isn’t worth 10 million a year.

  32. 32 Anders said at 5:52 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    Last off season he said 8 mill, so doubt another season has raised that

  33. 33 anon said at 6:03 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    another pro bowl another paycheck

  34. 34 Vick or Nick said at 4:36 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    I’ll show some appreciation for our first rounder and future blue-chip player:

    Lane Johnson.

    Where Fisher and Joekel ended their seasons on the sidelines due to injury, Lane was fresh, paving holes for shady while protecting Foles.

    Good rookie season.

  35. 35 Insomniac said at 4:38 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    Big Lane and Armstead are going to be good for awhile.

  36. 36 BobSmith77 said at 5:25 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    Judging a guy largely by the criterion that he simply stayed healthy?

  37. 37 Maggie said at 8:23 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    How many members of the Oline stayed healthy last year?

  38. 38 the midatlantic said at 8:47 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    Chip does.

  39. 39 Charlie Kelly said at 4:54 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    in that saints game, the eagles used boykin instead of a NT??? thats criminal!! why does going nickle take the NT off the field?? wow… in a 3-4 you should have your 3 DL on the filed at all times.. (i know cole is a DL in his own right, but still.. smh)

  40. 40 Media Mike said at 5:00 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    Because you lack pure pass rushers in many other spots.

  41. 41 Charlie Kelly said at 5:06 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    i mean replace chung with boykin… idk.. seems really crazy to me

  42. 42 Media Mike said at 5:07 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    Chung is brutal.

  43. 43 Mike Roman said at 5:02 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    Here’s a confession: I’m in love with a man. What? I’m in love with a man … a man named God. Does that make me gay? Am I gay for God? You betcha.

  44. 44 Charlie Kelly said at 5:04 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    ummmm…. man> u think god is… a… man?

  45. 45 Charlie Kelly said at 5:08 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    ohhh its an always sunny quote.. ahahahahaha

  46. 46 Mike Roman said at 5:00 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    “but he’s worth taking another peak at”

    *peek

  47. 47 Neil said at 5:53 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    Man, English is terrible.

  48. 48 MrSandman said at 5:25 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    My first inclination was to agree with Tommy that we need an edge rusher more than we need DB help (while acknowledging we need both). But it occurs to me that Billy Davis sent very few blitzes, rarely rushing more than four vs Brees.. Maybe he played it conservative because he couldn’t trust his DBs, especially if they were left one-on-one. Maybe upgrading the talent at CB and S allows Davis to turn Kendricks loose more often, or send Barwin and Cole at the same time. Agree that much as Cole came on, we still need that Ware/Merriman type edge rushing beast, but better talent at DB could be just as helpful to creating pressure.

  49. 49 GENETiC-FREAK said at 5:46 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    Merriman on the juice hell yeah lol

  50. 50 BobSmith77 said at 5:26 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    Good thing is that even after FA is that the Eagles shouldn’t have a problem taking the ‘best player available’ at 22 or even trading down a few spots to get another pick because they have several needs.

    Give Roseman a lot more credit than I initially thought too although his interviews on 97.5 give you almost no insight or takeaways filled management cliches galore. I understand why he is like that but it makes for a really boring interview.

  51. 51 D-von said at 5:29 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    I am hoping the eagles can pick up TJ ward and Jairus byrd, and work on the other positions in the draft. Safety is such a hard position to get right on and with these coming out we could possible solidify the position for 5 years

  52. 52 xeynon said at 11:16 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    That’s sinking a lot of money into one position, especially given that Nate Allen looked like a competent starter (if not a playmaker) this year and could probably be re-signed at a reasonable rate, and Wolff has shown promise.

    I’m a little wary of Byrd, honestly. He seems like a bit of a prima donna, and guys who aren’t fast even at their physical peak and are getting into their late 20s/early 30s are always a risk. I don’t think he’s a $10 million/year risk, particularly for this team.

  53. 53 gherbox said at 5:55 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    Howie just continue to do what you did the past two years. I can live with that.

  54. 54 Baloophi said at 6:02 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    SEND TOMMY TO THE SENIOR BOWL!
    *** UPDATE: CHALLENGE COMPLETED! ***

    Fellow Igglesblitzarians –

    Our very own Tommy Lawlor will be heading down to Mobile in two weeks for the Senior Bowl to scout draft prospects, engage in awkward exchanges with Howie Roseman, and haul 400 cases of PBR back to Carolina in a big rig as Jimmy Bama blocks smokey in his Trans Am.

    If memory serves (and it often doesn’t), this will be his third trip to the nation’s premiere all-star event, which kicks off the draft season for non-draftniks like most of us. Last year I sponsored a pledge drive to help defray Tommy’s lodging and travel costs to the Azalea City and want to do it again this year.

    CHALLENGE:
    If we can generate 22 donations of any value I will cover the cost of Tommy’s airfare to and fro the Senior Bowl (economy, non-direct, and you may have to push-start the propellers… sorry).

    Any donation, large or small, will go a long way to helping Tommy out. Think of it as buying him a beer or a case of pudding in exchange for his on-the-ground, Eagles-centric reporting. Without him, we’d have to rely on Michael Lombardi, Michael Irvin and “Primetime” for our information. That’s the media equivalent of counting on an Alex Henery kick.

    To participate in this year’s Senior Bowl Challenge, simply click on the “Donate” button along the right hand banner of the page if you’d like to contribute. No need to post how much you gave, simply that you have. Hard to believe that just last year we were in a panic about who our head coach and safeties would be! Well… at least we have the coach!

    Fly Iggles Fly!

    *****SENIOR BOWL ALL-STARS*****
    (25)

    P_P_K
    Mac
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  55. 55 laeagle said at 7:58 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    Hey, I donated!

  56. 56 Mitchell said at 6:05 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    Speaking of the game last night, I posted this on the article before but it may get better traction here:

    Ok team, just visited Jimmy’s site and was looking at his draft prospects for the Eagles. One guy that stood out was Telvin Smith so I went and watched some footage on youtube. Liked what I saw.

    He played ILB at Florida state but is listed at 6’3″ and 220 lbs. I think he would be a versatile player that Chip likes because of his tweener size.
    Solid tackler and doesn’t over pursue plays. Also showed the ability to blitz and rush the qb. Had 2 sacks and 3 ints this year. Also showed up in the BCS championship with 15 tackles!!! He can cover in the flat well but I guess the question would be whether or not he can cover the long routes. Have to see what the combine speed is.

    Idk just some food for thought. Tell me what you think. I have no idea where he would go in the draft. He doesn’t really have any analysis on him yet.

  57. 57 GENETiC-FREAK said at 6:17 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    I’d bulk him up n leave him at ILB

  58. 58 Mitchell said at 7:14 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    I think he would be a solid ILB but an above average safety.

  59. 59 theycallmerob said at 11:08 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    I like him a lot, but not as much as Joyner. Great, great in coverage (why people are even saying he could play S) As of now, mocked 2-3.
    Luckily, he’ll be at the Senior Bowl for Tommy to observe in all his glory!! Keep an eye out for us, T-Law!

  60. 60 Mitchell said at 11:36 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    I was thinking Smith would drop down into the 4th? You’re right he isn’t as good as joyner, but perhaps for some depth with upside is where I was headed. It all depends on where Smith would get drafted at I suppose. Thoughts?

  61. 61 ezgreene said at 6:18 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    Isn’t Joyner 5′ 8″?!??!??!

  62. 62 GENETiC-FREAK said at 6:25 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    With boots on.. lol Looks pretty small

  63. 63 shah8 said at 6:56 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    You know? The thought just occured to me that the Saints are going to need a serious prospect backing up Drew Brees. Brees is getting old–seen the effects of that all this year. Not going to fall off like Schaub, but that lack of height is going to be an ever greater impediment with the lowered athleticism. Got two, three more years, so this year or next, look for the Saints to pick QB in the top three rounds.

  64. 64 mksp said at 8:55 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    Hopefully not this year. Then next offseason we can trade them Matt Barkley for two 2nd rounders.

  65. 65 Mitchell said at 7:31 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    How many times can I up vote Tommy’s last sentence?

  66. 66 eagleyankfan said at 8:37 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    I’d disagree with the WR example but I understand what you’re saying. Is it possible that there is an offensive weapon that’s an upgrade to what the Eagles already have? Maybe. But whatever talent is at ANY defensive spot would be a greater jump in talent than what’s on the roster. I like the BPA within reason. I’d imagine they would way the possible jump in talent at a given position.
    My expectations on the draft is the same as what my expectations were going into the season. Get better and in Chip I trust. Doesn’t matter if it’s offensive or defensive.
    I also think they’re will be a roster surprise or two. Chip had to take a lot of the roster that he couldn’t evaluate. I’d imagine he knows more now on what he wants his roster to look like and some current players may not fit.

  67. 67 mksp said at 8:57 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    Jeff Ireland gone.

    I predicted that mid-season, with the idea that we could make a move for Dion Jordan.

    Would you trade our 1st-round pick for him? What about a 2nd + Vinny Curry?

  68. 68 Mitchell said at 9:00 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    I would say Vinny is already more productive than Jordan.

  69. 69 mksp said at 9:06 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    DJ >>> Vinny even before the scheme consideration.

    We need an OLB, Vinny makes a lot more sense as a 4-3 DE.

  70. 70 Mitchell said at 9:58 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    He does, but did you see his pressures/sacks with extremely limited time? Both athletes were essentially in their first year of their current scheme. Jordan may have more upside but Curry is better at the moment.

  71. 71 Insomniac said at 10:51 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    I get that you have a huge mancrush on Jordan but you’re letting that blind you. DJ isn’t even better than Graham.

  72. 72 mksp said at 11:02 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    DJ needs to spend an offseason in the gym, not rehabilitating a busted shoulder.

    And he needs to be an OLB in a 3-4.

    Those two things happen, and he’s a stud.

    Graham…….can bull rush well.

    There’s not a GM in the league that would take Graham over DJ, regardless of scheme.

  73. 73 Insomniac said at 11:11 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    Yea ok..that’s your opinion. I’ll just leave it at that since you’re so adamant that DJ is the next coming of Lawrence Taylor.

  74. 74 mksp said at 11:15 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    I mean, these are all just opinions. 😉

  75. 75 Neil said at 9:05 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    I would do the first, possibly the second. He has the potential to be an impact player in a 3-4 and a geat player in a 4-3. I really don’t think the new gm will want to move him even though he’s not ideally suited to a 4-3.

  76. 76 47_Ronin said at 9:13 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    No way the Fins trade a former 1st rd pick that they moved up to get after his first and unremarkable season. Jury is still out on Jordan at this point he is at best a 50-50 bust pick. I’d rather take a chance on one of the DE/OLBs in the 2014 draft in the 1st – 3rd rds, or better yet an established OLB FA who has developed and is not so much a projection.

  77. 77 BlindChow said at 10:02 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    I think the only established Free Agent OLB is Orakpo, and he was uneven this year. With a new GM, I’m not so sure Miami wouldn’t be amenable to some sort of trade. Having two 1st rounders would be pretty appealing…

  78. 78 Mitchell said at 10:03 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    Yeh, I agree with the recent firing, everything kinda goes out the window.

  79. 79 47_Ronin said at 10:44 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    Orakpo is the “flashiest” name in the OLB market but Jason Worilds is a name plus he’s younger (25) had good production after getting a chance to start in place of the injured Woodley. Worilds intrigues me b/c he plays in a similar defense.

  80. 80 BlindChow said at 10:02 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    I would absolutely trade our 1st for Jordan. He’s in the wrong system out there. I think Graham would also be a possibility as far as trade material goes.

  81. 81 Insomniac said at 10:43 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    wait wait..a 2nd round pick for someone who has done nothing in the NFL? no thanks.

  82. 82 47_Ronin said at 10:46 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    Agree I would like to see a good argument of why Jordan is a good player. For all we know he could easily be a bust pick.

  83. 83 Insomniac said at 10:48 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    Yea there’s not really a good one besides he has a “higher ceiling because he’s tall and can cover decently for a LB” right now. What exactly does that do for our biggest need in pass rush though? We can grab a more dynamic pass rusher than Jordan with a 2nd round pick this year.

  84. 84 47_Ronin said at 11:05 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    I thought Jordan was athletic coming out of college but something in my gut didn’t like his frame for his height. I think there will be a few OLB and DL (NT) options available to the Eagles in he 1st-3rd rds. I haven’t drilled deep into the draft prospects yet but so far I’m looking at Trevor Reilly, Jackson Jeffcoat and Kareem Martin, and at DT Rashede Hageman and Daniel McCullers.

  85. 85 Insomniac said at 11:21 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    Jeffcoat is really polarizing. The tools are there but when you watch him play it’s really…mediocre. Someone with his athletic abilities shouldn’t be that inconsistent. Reilley is old. Haven’t watched Martin yet.

    McCullers needs to be motivated to play the game. Big strong, raw, lazy as hell, but he has massive potential if he goes to the right organization. I would love to have Hageman, the guy is just a beast.

  86. 86 Mitchell said at 11:34 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    I do enjoy Jeffcoat, but I was watching Van Noy today and liked what I saw. The kid probably should have had like 5-6 more sacks but he is a sloppy tackler. I’m not sure about his drive to play football either, he just doesn’t seem super aggressive.

  87. 87 Insomniac said at 11:46 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    Van Noy and Roby raised a giant red flag for me when their play fell off a cliff this year. Van Noy reminds me a bit of Kendricks with his speed, flashy plays and sloppy tackling. Yea he’s not really the guy who doesn’t give up till the whistle is blown. He’s not really great at stopping the run too.

  88. 88 mksp said at 11:06 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    DJ was always going to be a project, and his development was side-tracked by the injury.

    He’s an elite athlete who fits our scheme. He needs to get into the gym and work on his technique. But in terms of upside, its not even close.

    The only OLBs I like in the draft more this year are Mack and Barr, and neither will be there by the time we pick.

    *Maybe* we can grab Bernardrick McKinney w/ the 22nd pick. I’d be down with that.

  89. 89 shah8 said at 1:52 PM on January 8th, 2014:

    Jeff Ireland was scum. Now, let’s get Speilman fired!

  90. 90 P_P_K said at 9:39 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    Now that Jimmy is more literate and informed than a NY Times writer, we have offically entered bizaroo world.

  91. 91 planetx1971 said at 11:20 PM on January 7th, 2014:

    It truly is a Chicken/Egg situation regarding the DB vs DL draft situation. Either group vastly improved makes the other look better. Great coverage gives the D line more opportunities & of course a fierce pass rush takes so much pressure off the back end. Now if we manage to somehow really advance both? DEFENSIVE NIRVANA.

  92. 92 Mostly Fungible said at 3:24 AM on January 9th, 2014:

    If the Eagles have the opportunity, they need to take the pass rusher. http://mostlyfungible.blogspot.com/2014/01/pass-rush-v-coverage.html
    Done