Senior Bowl Preview

Posted: January 25th, 2014 | Author: Tommy Lawlor | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 148 Comments »

The Senior Bowl is today at 4pm and will be on the NFL Network. Make sure to watch so you can get a look at a ton of good prospects. Last year the Eagles added Lane Johnson and Jordan Poyer from the Senior Bowl. Other years they’ve taken 3 or 4 guys from the game.

I won’t go through and list every name to watch. Essentially, you watch everyone. I will focus on a handful of guys that really interest me for the Eagles.

DT Ra’Shede Hageman
DT Justin Ellis
DT Shamar Stephen
DT Daniel McCullers

DE Dee Ford
DE James Gayle
DE Chris Smith

LB Marcus Smith
LB Jeremiah Attaochu
LB Kyle Van Noy

ILB Christian Jones
ILB Chris Borland
ILB Lamin Barrow
ILB Jordan Zumwalt

S Deone Bucannon
S Isaiah Lewis
S Jimmie Ward
S Kenny Ladler
S Craig Loston

CB Walt Aikens
CB Keith McGill
CB Jaylen Watkins
CB Lavelle Westbrooks
CB Pierre Desir
CB Stanley Jean-Baptiste
CB Dontae Johnson

There aren’t going to be nearly as many offensive players that I pay attention to.

OG Michael Schofield
OG Brandon Linder
OT Billy Turner

WR Kain Colter
WR Jordan Matthews
WR Shaq Evans
WR Josh Huff

Obviously I will be paying attention to skill players who get the ball and deliver big plays. You can’t help but notice that stuff.

The practices are more important than the game. That said, the game can bring out the best in some guys. Nick Foles didn’t stand out in the practices, but played well in the game. There are OL every year who struggle in the practices that play much better in the game.

The big thing I’m looking for is guys who can rush the passer (whether as OLB, DE or NT). I’m also looking for speed in the middle of the field (SS, FS or ILB). See which guys fly to the football and how well they tackle.

Here is the North roster.

Here is the South roster.

Please understand that no player is defined by this game, good or bad. It is simply a tool to be used for further evaluation. Scouts have been studying these players since last May. NFL teams already have multiple detailed reports on every player. Those players have some type of loose grade.

The most interesting player in the whole game might be DT Aaron Donald. Unfortunately, I don’t think he would fit in a 2-gap 3-4 system at all. He makes his living as a disruptive, attacking player.

I didn’t write about the QBs, but obviously the Eagles could be in the market for one. Do pay attention to those guys. A lot of people think Tajh Boyd could now be a 3rd or 4th round pick. He might be interesting at that point.

I wrote about some of these prospects for PE.com so you can check this out for some details.

You can also check this week’s posts over at ScoutsNotebook for thoughts on some of the players.

We’ll talk plenty about the game for the next few days. Some players will shine, others will struggle. I’m hoping for good defense.

148 Comments on “Senior Bowl Preview”

1 Baloophi said at 1:51 PM on January 25th, 2014:
Tony Hunt – MVP.
2 TommyLawlor said at 4:12 PM on January 25th, 2014:
BANNED!!!
3 33% God said at 8:35 PM on January 25th, 2014:
Bobby Hoying was too.
4 theycallmerob said at 1:52 PM on January 25th, 2014:
Thanks for the list, TL. I’ll have this window up while watching the game.
Question for you and the peanut gallery re: scouting the OL and DL. Obviously, with new teammates and coaches, the OL is not running complicated plays in this offense. Similarly, I imagine they struggle a bit against stunts and disguised blitzes. When watching these guys on the field, is the DL expected to perform better? What’s the best way to evaluate the OL? Can’t say I have a well-developed eye for the trenches.
5 mtn_green said at 2:17 PM on January 25th, 2014:
I think you are right. DL has a distinct advantage and their will be moments where blocks are missed. But look at the one on ones who is winning that battle.
6 Anders said at 3:47 PM on January 25th, 2014:
they are not allowed to stunt or blitz
7 theycallmerob said at 2:05 PM on January 25th, 2014:
TL, did you see anything from the following? Saw they were left off your list; I know you’re not naming everyone, but did these guys not impress?
DB- Lawson (Utah St), Huff (Wyoming), Dixon (Baylor)
TE- Fiedorowicz (Iowa)
WR- Hoffman (BYU), Saunders (Okla)
Just curious what your take is on any of those.
8 Sean said at 2:16 PM on January 25th, 2014:
I’m all aboard the Marcus Smith train. I’m not sure why he’s not getting more hype.
9 Charlie Kelly said at 2:23 PM on January 25th, 2014:
jordam mattews and josh huff… thats my focus. that and any S that stand out
10 Joe Minx said at 3:14 PM on January 25th, 2014:
Kain Colter’s not in the game. Needed surgery for something I think.
11 TommyLawlor said at 4:21 PM on January 25th, 2014:
Thanks.
12 Vick or Nick said at 3:27 PM on January 25th, 2014:
Just read both of the size articles. Interesting.
I do believe Kelly is willing to make exceptions. But only in cases where the player is very unique at a particular skill set.
D’Anthony Thomas is a prime example. He is a flat out playmaker.
Eagles will play it smart. Take the best player available. Of course if you have two similar rated players and one is bigger. Chip will take the bigger player.
I believe that will be the approach.
13 Anders said at 3:38 PM on January 25th, 2014:
Agree if two players are similar, they pick the bigger, but how much better do a smalelr player have to be for Kelly to pick him if at all?
This year Dee Ford is the clear best pure pass rusher, but do Kelly prefer the slightly longer Marcus Smith or Attaochu?
14 Insomniac said at 3:57 PM on January 25th, 2014:
The combine will separate these 3. How much better is Ford than Attaochu in your opinion?
15 Anders said at 4:00 PM on January 25th, 2014:
I say Dee Ford has that Robert Mathis/Dwight Freeney ceiling as pass rusher where Attaochu is more like Trent Cole/Justin Tuck.
16 Insomniac said at 4:14 PM on January 25th, 2014:
Interesting. I wouldn’t say the difference in ceilings is that much higher though.
17 Anders said at 4:17 PM on January 25th, 2014:
I say Attaochu is something like a 10 sack guy per year where Ford is more like 12+, that may not sound like a lot but it is huge imo
18 Insomniac said at 4:21 PM on January 25th, 2014:
I actually see it the opposite way. Attaochu might not be as refined as Ford is right now at using his hands but his size/longer arms give him more potential. The speed difference might be a factor though.
19 Vick or Nick said at 6:55 PM on January 25th, 2014:
The key is going to be how they project in the NFL. You want guys that will PEAK during their NFL careers, not in college. This is always the hardest to judge.
Prime example?
Brandon Graham vs JPP
Brandon was the better college player, JPP had more tools, and “upside”
I think it’s time for Eagles to make some calculated risks on a really talented prospect. ESP at pick 22, it will not make or break the team per say.
I guess picks 1-10 you worry about playing it safe. But with the way NFL rookie contracts are structured you are not paying huge amounts of guaranteed money. Makes it easier to take the player with more tools.
20 Media Mike said at 6:56 PM on January 25th, 2014:
Except Graham has played better over the past two seasons than JPP, who might be out of football soon.
21 Vick or Nick said at 7:06 PM on January 25th, 2014:
Still helped the Giants win 2 Super Bowl Rings.
I don’t think the Giants management is hitting their heads against the wall saying “Oh Darn we should have taken Graham.”
22 Media Mike said at 7:07 PM on January 25th, 2014:
Did JPP get in a time machine to help win a Super Bowl while he was a freshman in college?
23 Vick or Nick said at 7:08 PM on January 25th, 2014:
Okay, 1 Super bowl. Still more than what Graham has helped the Eagles win.
Regardless, the Giants do not regret that decision.
24 Media Mike said at 7:10 PM on January 25th, 2014:
That isn’t wrong either, but that “win” JPP was a part of was courtesy of a bad read by Chung on a rainbow pass and a brutal drop by Welker.
25 Vick or Nick said at 7:13 PM on January 25th, 2014:
He was a big part of that teams Pass Rush, esp from the front 4. You have to get to the big game first. And he provided pressure all year long. At 6’5 280 getting 16.5 sacks that season.
F it. I would exchange Grahams “better play over the past two seasons” for one season of JPP 2011 and a Super Bowl run.
Are you saying you’d rather have Graham right now than JPP?
26 Media Mike said at 7:17 PM on January 25th, 2014:
I’m sure about right now, JPP might never play again at a high level due to the injuries, but I wouldn’t turn down 16.5 sacks.
I just don’t give the Giants credit for anything except having fans who bleed well in the Linc parking lot or down the Jersey shore.
27 Vick or Nick said at 7:25 PM on January 25th, 2014:
You know I wonder had Chip Kelly been given a choice between JPP and Graham, who would have he picked? Seems like he would have preferred JPP.
Agreed on your second point. 100%.
28 Media Mike said at 7:31 PM on January 25th, 2014:
Too easy, Kelly would have preferred Earl Thomas.
29 Vick or Nick said at 8:18 PM on January 25th, 2014:
Can’t argue with that one.
30 Insomniac said at 7:13 PM on January 25th, 2014:
They’re both good college players though. It’s basically 1A or 1B right now. Both have questionable coverage skills. Attaochu has some experience as a 3-4 OLB. Dee Ford didn’t look bad with his hands out of the dirt today. He just said he wants to be a complete player a few minutes ago so there’s that.
31 James Adair said at 5:17 PM on January 26th, 2014:
I don’t think that Attoachu is nearly as good as the other 3. Ford’s speed off the snap combined with his quickness and speed is unique. If he is there at 22 I think it is a no brainer, size be damned. He is was able to drag a the 6’6″ Logan down by his Jersey (though Logan seems to fall down easier than say a Rothlisberger)
32 Insomniac said at 9:06 PM on January 26th, 2014:
His speed is not unique. Great first step though. He has above average speed. Honestly, I wouldn’t be impressed by something that has anything to do with Logan Thomas. Everything is overrated on that guy.
33 Insomniac said at 4:11 PM on January 25th, 2014:
*cough*
http://www.stream2watch.me/live-tv/nfl-network-live-stream
free stream for those that don’t have NFL network. No Mike Mayock what a bummer.
34 TommyLawlor said at 4:14 PM on January 25th, 2014:
Easy pick for Loston, but at least he did make the catch.
35 ToastJenkins said at 4:15 PM on January 25th, 2014:
felt like Smith showed well in the first series
36 ToastJenkins said at 4:18 PM on January 25th, 2014:
have to love Borland’s smarts/instincts. I just have doubts if he has the physical tools to be a starter or will he be limited to a backup/ST type
37 TommyLawlor said at 4:20 PM on January 25th, 2014:
Mike Mayock predicted Borland will be this year’s Kiko Alonso.
38 ToastJenkins said at 4:22 PM on January 25th, 2014:
fit will be key. put him at ILB in a 2-gap 3-4 and I think he can be a good player.
39 Insomniac said at 4:28 PM on January 25th, 2014:
Carr has a beautiful deep ball
40 OregonDucker said at 4:30 PM on January 25th, 2014:
Trent Murphy can ball.
41 ToastJenkins said at 4:32 PM on January 25th, 2014:
I think very highly of him, but have to admit i have my doubts if he is truly atheltic enough to be the OLB opposite Barwin
42 Insomniac said at 4:35 PM on January 25th, 2014:
Dee Ford baby! So explosive.
43 TommyLawlor said at 4:37 PM on January 25th, 2014:
He guessed the snap right and that should be illegal. OSU kid had no chance.
44 Insomniac said at 4:44 PM on January 25th, 2014:
Oh boy Dee Ford does it again. Telvin Smith is looking good too.
45 TommyLawlor said at 4:47 PM on January 25th, 2014:
I’d love to know if the Eagles have legit interest in him.
46 TommyLawlor said at 5:01 PM on January 25th, 2014:
Couple of good plays by Jimmie Ward. He’s growing on me.
47 OregonDucker said at 5:02 PM on January 25th, 2014:
Like to see him on the board with Buchanan..
48 ToastJenkins said at 5:04 PM on January 25th, 2014:
seems like he would be a good match with the Wolff
49 Insomniac said at 5:03 PM on January 25th, 2014:
Is there a Southern conspiracy here? Crockett Gilmore has like 95% of the teams catches.
50 OregonDucker said at 5:04 PM on January 25th, 2014:
When you get open and make plays, you get the ball a lot.
51 Insomniac said at 5:06 PM on January 25th, 2014:
True but it seems like the play calls is run run throw to Norwood or Gilmore.
52 ToastJenkins said at 5:07 PM on January 25th, 2014:
testament to the weak QB play
53 Insomniac said at 5:12 PM on January 25th, 2014:
So about Dee Ford’s draft stock..
54 TommyLawlor said at 5:14 PM on January 25th, 2014:
Marcus Smith just covered the TE down the seam. Impressive.
55 ToastJenkins said at 5:20 PM on January 25th, 2014:
frustrating that the North QB play has been so horrible. tough to evaluate their skill players
56 TommyLawlor said at 5:22 PM on January 25th, 2014:
They stink.
57 ToastJenkins said at 5:22 PM on January 25th, 2014:
the qbs or the skill players?
58 TommyLawlor said at 5:45 PM on January 25th, 2014:
The QBs.
59 Weapon Y said at 5:22 PM on January 25th, 2014:
Dee Ford might be out of reach for us now. His draft stock is about to go way up.
60 Insomniac said at 5:27 PM on January 25th, 2014:
He’s rising but he’s not going to crack the top 15. Might be a borderline first round pick now.
61 ACViking said at 5:27 PM on January 25th, 2014:
Yes.
62 ACViking said at 5:27 PM on January 25th, 2014:
Ford’s measurables about the same as former WVA DE Bruce Irvin (Seahawks – 1st Rd 15th pick in 2012). DFord’s a tad shorter/lighter.
Irvin’s been solid for Seahawks. Not worth 15th overall pick yet.
And I’m not sure Ford’s as quick off the ball as Irvin.
_____________
I leave it to T-Law to decide.
63 TommyLawlor said at 5:47 PM on January 25th, 2014:
I’ll cover that in a post.
64 ToastJenkins said at 5:30 PM on January 25th, 2014:
dont over-react
65 theycallmerob said at 5:30 PM on January 25th, 2014:
Personally, I don’t see him as being a good fit for the Eagles, scheme-wise. So the more he moves up, the more prospects for us that fall. I’m happy.
66 theycallmerob said at 5:28 PM on January 25th, 2014:
That FG reminded me…..were any of the kickers impressive during practices?
67 TommyLawlor said at 5:55 PM on January 25th, 2014:
Not really
68 ACViking said at 5:29 PM on January 25th, 2014:
From September 1, 2013 to today, I can’t think of a college player who’s fallen farther than Tajh Boyd.
69 theycallmerob said at 5:31 PM on January 25th, 2014:
Although opinion is extremely polarized, I’d say Manziel is up there too.
70 Anders said at 5:45 PM on January 25th, 2014:
How has he fallen when he has gone from 2nd round pick to top 5 for most people?
71 theycallmerob said at 5:54 PM on January 25th, 2014:
Wow, really? I didn’t realize he was top 5; I just heard some teams had taken him off their board. Holy cow.
72 Media Mike said at 5:56 PM on January 25th, 2014:
He’ll be the #1 overall pick when Cleveland moves up to take him! I certainly wouldn’t, but I’m not the franchise who fired Holmgren and Heckert for “missing” on RGKnee and then unloaded their Choad for balking at wanting to coach Johnny Football.
73 ACViking said at 5:59 PM on January 25th, 2014:
First, is Manziel a Pettine-kind-of-guy? I have no idea.
Second, in fairness to Banner, Holmgren had a meltdown when the Browns unloaded T-Richardson — but TR looked terrible. And Holmy’s the guy who selected Brandon Weeden with a 1st.
I don’t think Holmgren’s strength was talent evaluation. Like Andy Reid in that regard.
74 Media Mike said at 6:00 PM on January 25th, 2014:
I think those drafts were Heckert’s and not Holmgren’s, but I get your point in general. And the word on the street is that the Browns have target lock on Manziel.
75 shah8 said at 6:05 PM on January 25th, 2014:
Smoke up the butt.
Then again, they *are* the team that thought Colt McCoy should start a lot of games.
76 Media Mike said at 6:06 PM on January 25th, 2014:
There was a report on Walter football that Choad was 100% fired because he told the “brain trust” he wasn’t interested in coaching Manziel. The Browns obsessed with Manziel reports have been going on since Haslem / Banner came in the mix.
77 shah8 said at 6:08 PM on January 25th, 2014:
Well, if that was true…not surprising. That Brian Hoyer promotion was sketchy, and was ill-received by the team, guessing from Joe Thomas’ reaction at the time.
Producing more sadness, what they do best.
78 Joe Minx said at 6:08 PM on January 25th, 2014:
Choad lol
79 Media Mike said at 6:09 PM on January 25th, 2014:
I’m not a fan of any “coach” that has the play of Cam Newton as his #1 “accomplishment” as an OC.
80 ACViking said at 6:07 PM on January 25th, 2014:
That was Holmgren . . . (and Heckert?)
They’re gone. New sheriffs in town.
81 ACViking said at 6:06 PM on January 25th, 2014:
Have heard about Browns & Manziel.
That’d be a gamble . . . as much as I like watching Jonathan Pigskin. Shades of Tarkenton for me.
82 Anders said at 6:45 PM on January 25th, 2014:
Well some teams will not have him on because he does not fit their offense. I meant Arizona or the Steelers would be a terrible fit, but put him in spread zone scheme offense with a good OC/HC and watch him tear the NFL up.
I would love him as an Eagle.
How do you stop an offense with Maclin, Jackson, Ertz, Celek, McCoy and Manziel? Do you single high safety and leave Maclin 1v1 vs a CB, do you go only 6 or 7 near the LOS and watch McCoy destroy you?
83 Media Mike said at 6:50 PM on January 25th, 2014:
You watch Manziel not make NFL throws, get injured often due to being small and trying to extend too many plays with his legs, and regress this team many seasons over as you roll out yet another scramble bum.
No thanks.
84 shah8 said at 5:41 PM on January 25th, 2014:
I don’t think you really *can* fall when you’re under 6’1″.
And there has been plenty of people who has fallen far. For example, Jevan Snead. That arrogant Louisville QB I can’t remember. Some might say Matt Barkley! Given realities, Boyd was a third round prospect that might get to the second round if he was all world. He’ll probably be still third to fifth round, much like Tyrod Taylor (however, Taylor is more of big game player). In any event, as a practical matter, Boyd is far more likely to make noise in the NFL than Barkley, though that’s not saying much other than Boyd has the arm and Barkley doesn’t.
85 ACViking said at 5:49 PM on January 25th, 2014:
I’m just talking about this season — not past years.
And, yes, you can fall even at 6’04”.
Boyd’s opening day performance against Georgia was spectacular. He looked like he had a shot at the 1st Rd. Worst case 2nd.
Now? 5th? 6th?
86 shah8 said at 5:58 PM on January 25th, 2014:
Weeeeeellll, that’s hype, though. Nobody is going to pick a guy like that in the first round if they aren’t Mike Vick type athletes or had torn up their league like Brees, and remember, Brees was very athletic when he was young.
Same sort of hype that have people thinking that you should take Manziel or Bortles seriously as a top of the first pick seriously. Or Grappolo as someone worth spending time on developing. I mean, I doubt that teams have missed Bortles’ need for development, or that his ceiling is pretty low for a first rounder, compared to other guys that need development like Locker or Tannehill. Yet the rumor mill is going on how Bridgewater is gonna go far lower than predicted, when he’s the only true first round QB talent, much like 2011’s Cam Newton.
When it comes to *this* year, I suspect that AJ McCarron might be the biggest disappointment, in the end, from second to fourth, like Tyler Wilson.
87 ACViking said at 6:00 PM on January 25th, 2014:
Fair enough. Like that argument much more.
Boyd was hyped . . . good point.
But he really seems to be tanking now.
88 Joe Minx said at 6:02 PM on January 25th, 2014:
“That arrogant Louisville QB I can’t remember”
Brian Brohm?
89 shah8 said at 6:03 PM on January 25th, 2014:
That’s it.
90 Weapon Y said at 5:30 PM on January 25th, 2014:
I’m a Penn State guy whose hometown is just a few miles away from Pitt, so I was curious to see how DaQuan Jones and Aaron Donald would do today. Both have seemed quiet today. Would that be your opinion too?
91 Insomniac said at 5:31 PM on January 25th, 2014:
I really wanted DaQuan Jones in the 3rd as a NT. He’s been quiet this entire week.
92 TommyLawlor said at 5:46 PM on January 25th, 2014:
I’m not paying attention to Donald. He’s probably getting a lot of attention from the blockers.
93 Joe Minx said at 6:04 PM on January 25th, 2014:
Not being able to draft a guy like Donald is the thing I miss most about the 4-3. Those kind of DL are my favorite.
94 TommyLawlor said at 6:05 PM on January 25th, 2014:
Agreed.
95 ToastJenkins said at 6:31 PM on January 25th, 2014:
i’d rather run the 3-4 and draft playmaking LBs over the dreck we used to, though
96 ACViking said at 5:55 PM on January 25th, 2014:
Penn State seems to be the place where D-linemen go to die.
Seems like Matt Millen was the last great D-lineman from PSU to make a big-time impact in the NFL — and he became an MLB.
Also, Tamba Hali (if he was a DE at Happy Valley).
There’s some good players — like Odrick. But D-linemen like DT Mike Reid ’69 . . . can’t think of any who made the leap to the NFL and dominated as D-linemen.
(I’m sure I’m forgetting some.)
97 Media Mike said at 5:57 PM on January 25th, 2014:
Jimmy Kennedy played solid NFL ball for a few years.
98 ACViking said at 6:03 PM on January 25th, 2014:
True on Kennedy.
But I can’t remember any really dominant guys from the trenches.
99 Joe Minx said at 6:01 PM on January 25th, 2014:
I really enjoy the Senior Bowl, but I always try to remember that Mike Patterson, Trevor Laws, & Brandon Graham lit up this game & were “unblockable” in practice before I get too excited about anybody I see.
100 Insomniac said at 6:02 PM on January 25th, 2014:
..Dee Ford?
101 Joe Minx said at 6:05 PM on January 25th, 2014:
Honestly it’s hard not to be excited about him. Really enjoyed watching him all year too.
102 Media Mike said at 6:07 PM on January 25th, 2014:
He was on Sirius yesterday and they point blank asked him about being able to play in space as a 3-4 guy rather than a 4-3 DE. He said he’d be able to do it, but was never asked to in a game. He’d be a project to transition to 3-4.
103 GEAGLE said at 8:55 PM on January 25th, 2014:
All day I watched trying to figure out if he can play OLB and his hips seemed better then I expected, announcers were raving about his 3-4 ability…very impressive day. Sacks on back to back pass plays, Barwin style PBU, more explosion off the snap then curry..since the championship game this kid has really been putting it all together
104 HazletonEagle said at 9:19 PM on January 25th, 2014:
He did great from the wide 9 position in the senior bowl. How that translates to 3-4 OLB I dont know.
105 Media Mike said at 6:04 PM on January 25th, 2014:
Graham had a retarded bum of a DC “coaching” him as a rookie and got his knee junked as well. That didn’t help.
106 ACViking said at 6:04 PM on January 25th, 2014:
Fortunately, the Eagles don’t rely strictly on Sr Bwl performances anymore. Right?
107 ACViking said at 6:12 PM on January 25th, 2014:
Should have read: “Senior Bowl Week Performances”
108 Anders said at 8:02 PM on January 25th, 2014:
We just drafted lane Johnson after a great senior bowl and it is not like Patterson and graham wasn’t highly productive college players
109 Anders said at 6:34 PM on January 25th, 2014:
Lets not forget that Mike P and Graham also had great tape before the senior bowl.
Also we just drafted Lane Johnson 4th overall after a great senior bowl week.
110 theycallmerob said at 6:08 PM on January 25th, 2014:
KNV looked great getting lower than Seantrel Henderson on that inside move sack. Also glad Mr. Henderson is no longer on the Eagles’ board.
111 Media Mike said at 6:37 PM on January 25th, 2014:
I’d love to know what caused him to be taken off of the board. There is a weed story with him, but I wonder if it was something else.
112 Baloophi said at 6:47 PM on January 25th, 2014:
I know he threw up on the field at one point this week, but if history serves, the Eagles might actually like that.
113 Media Mike said at 6:48 PM on January 25th, 2014:
Maybe he way partying with Uncle Luke and B. McKinnie all week?
114 D3FB said at 9:10 PM on January 25th, 2014:
See above.
115 D3FB said at 9:09 PM on January 25th, 2014:
Jimmy mentioned it during his weekly chat thing that the kid bombed his interview with the team.
116 ACViking said at 6:10 PM on January 25th, 2014:
PAGING T-LAW . . .
In your evaluations and compilations over the next few months, would you please identify some High School Stars who’ve fallen off the radar — but who might be worth a shot in Kelly Green.
117 Baloophi said at 6:22 PM on January 25th, 2014:
Wow… Logan Thomas has zero feel for the pocket.
Time to enroll in tight end camp.
118 Media Mike said at 6:29 PM on January 25th, 2014:
Or slap #7 on him and tell everybody that running in more important than passing. Green and White or Scarlet Red and Gold. Your choice.
119 ACViking said at 6:33 PM on January 25th, 2014:
But can he catch the ball . . . outside of the shot-gun snap?
120 Baloophi said at 6:45 PM on January 25th, 2014:
I don’t know about you, but I’d rather not have to find out.
121 ACViking said at 6:47 PM on January 25th, 2014:
nix logan. got it.
122 Baloophi said at 6:53 PM on January 25th, 2014:
It seems like every year there’s a project guy that we try to convince ourselves with “the right coaching” he can be fixed.
It gets more difficult to convince yourself when the guy is a senior and had multiple years at a major program.
To Insomniac’s point above, you can bring him into camp and see if the light suddenly clicks or if he’s a natural TE (that’s what he was coming into Virginia Tech)… but I don’t think you give him much of a leash.
123 ACViking said at 6:55 PM on January 25th, 2014:
I’ve been arguing since I found the world of blogs that if a QB isn’t accurate, don’t waste your time. Far more important than any other quality for a QB.
But that’s just me.
124 Baloophi said at 6:57 PM on January 25th, 2014:
A nice head of hair and rich beard go a long way, too…
125 ACViking said at 6:58 PM on January 25th, 2014:
What exactly do you use for inspiration?
Some people say it’s God.
Others point to the sun.
Then others still live in Colorado.
You?
126 Baloophi said at 6:58 PM on January 25th, 2014:
Procrastination.
127 ACViking said at 6:59 PM on January 25th, 2014:
Seriously, you’ll never top the Rose Bowl ride-home story.
128 Anders said at 12:58 AM on January 26th, 2014:
Modern spread in college make that less important. Colt Mccoy is one the most accurate college qbs ever
129 Insomniac said at 6:50 PM on January 25th, 2014:
He’d be a good camp body though.
130 ToastJenkins said at 6:46 PM on January 25th, 2014:
a Matthews sighting!
131 Insomniac said at 6:47 PM on January 25th, 2014:
A Desir sighting!
132 Baloophi said at 6:48 PM on January 25th, 2014:
I like the Senior Bowl band’s “tuning schmuning!” attitude. That shows some real brass. (Couldn’t help it)
133 ToastJenkins said at 6:48 PM on January 25th, 2014:
i’m feeling like we can draft a 3rd TE this year to replace Casey
134 Insomniac said at 6:51 PM on January 25th, 2014:
Gilmore?
135 ACViking said at 6:53 PM on January 25th, 2014:
Baloophi may say, “anyone but Logan Thomas”
136 Media Mike said at 6:51 PM on January 25th, 2014:
Somebody had a comment in an article up the other day that the Eagles have something like $9 mil tied up in TEs for next season and that is too much considering none of them are really that good. Either Casey or Celek is going to be eating some money or going bye bye.
137 Anders said at 7:59 PM on January 25th, 2014:
Celek is one of the most complete tes in the game and Ertz just had a great rookie season
138 Media Mike said at 8:02 PM on January 25th, 2014:
Hence my follow-up comment above about Casey being a candidate for a salary cut and/or total cut.
139 Media Mike said at 6:53 PM on January 25th, 2014:
And cutting Casey would net you $3 mil vs. the cap. Totally plausible they draft another TE this year.
140 Insomniac said at 6:49 PM on January 25th, 2014:
Desir made a nice play.
141 ACViking said at 6:50 PM on January 25th, 2014:
Even a blind chipmunk with no olfactory senses finds an acorn once in awhile.
142 Baloophi said at 6:53 PM on January 25th, 2014:
Let’s leave Sal Pal out of this…
143 ACViking said at 6:55 PM on January 25th, 2014:
you’ve outdone yourself . . . i’m on the floor typing
144 Baloophi said at 7:03 PM on January 25th, 2014:
I’m not sure why, but I have a curious craving for a delicious peanut butter cup…
145 ACViking said at 7:06 PM on January 25th, 2014:
Liberal “prescription laws” in California, perhaps?
146 ACViking said at 7:05 PM on January 25th, 2014:
A kid like Aaron Donald puts on a show at the Sr Bowl (WEEK)
He must have had a great year because he piled up lots of hardware after the season ended.
Question: Do you draft a guy like this, despite his size, if his production is great — and projects to continue at the NFL?
That is, do you find a place for a player like this despite your system?
The Vikings had a pair of DTs in the ’80s named Keith Millard and Henry Thomas. Millard weighed 260 lbs. Thomas was 275lbs.
They were both great pass-rushing DTs — but sized to fit the DE position.
RE: Donald . . . I’d hate to see him in Dallas playing 1-gap football and kicking ass against the Eagles if the Birds had the chance to draft him in Rd 2.
147 Anders said at 7:57 PM on January 25th, 2014:
Eagles should not draft him as we are full in on 2-gap.
Donald is going first round now, most likely first or 2nd dt taken after Hageman
148 HazletonEagle said at 9:17 PM on January 25th, 2014:
Agree. Actually, I had Donald in the 1st round well before the senior bowl. I thought he would pull off some kind of Alu-alu type surprise when no one had him projected there. Now hes not much of a surprise anymore.