The Byrd That Got Stuck in the Nest

Posted: February 22nd, 2014 | Author: | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 96 Comments »

The Eagles would love to add a big time Safety. Unfortunately I don’t expect the Browns to let T.J. Ward hit the market. The Bills used the franchise tag on Jarius Byrd last year, which made me doubt they would do that this year. Ian Rapoport shot down that notion with this tweet.

Tim McManus wrote an article on the subject and he’s always worth reading for his ability to put the situation in perspective.

I don’t know if the Eagles were going to make a play for Byrd, but it would have been nice to have the option. The Bills putting the tag on Byrd hurts the Eagles in a couple of ways. It takes a good target off the free agent market. And it affects Nate Allen. My guess is that the Eagles would like to re-sign him to a cheap deal. Fewer guys on the market helps Allen from a negotiating standpoint. No one is going to pay much for him, but all it takes is some other team offering a few more bucks.

I think ideally the Eagles would like to keep Allen and add a high draft pick so that there are multiple options at Safety. Earl Wolff is already in place, but you want depth and competition. You can’t add one player and consider the situation solved.

* * * * *

Reuben Frank wrote a piece on the Eagles expectations for NT Bennie Logan.

Eagles general manager Howie Roseman brushed off the notion that the Eagles need to upgrade the nose tackle spot during a chat with Philly reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium.

He said Logan, a third-round pick out of LSU in 2013, can carry another 20 pounds on his frame and said Logan’s lack of height – he stands 6-foot-1 – is tempered considerably by his freakishly long reach.

“When you talk about Bennie, it’s kind of funny, because when you first see Benny, he’s 6-1, but he’s got a frame that can easily withstand 320 pounds,” Roseman said.

“He’s got 34-inch arms, he’s got really big hands, his wingspan is actually six inches longer than his height, so he has the wingspan of a guy who’s 6-3 or 6-4.”

We don’t know how much of the comments is fluff and how much is legit. Because the Eagles had such a high grade on Logan (Top 50) and because the defense played well with him in the lineup, I could see the Eagles liking him more than some realize. I don’t see NT as a need, but there are plenty of people who disagree with me.

* * * * *

Some of you are big PFF fans. I have very mixed feelings. For those who like their info, here is a list of the top free agent pass rushers according to their rankings.

Seattle DE Michael Bennett is #1 on their list. We haven’t discussed him much. I think Bennett is better suited to the 4-3, but you never know if the Eagles might see him as someone who could make the move to 3-4 OLB. We know he can definitely rush the passer. Bennett turns 29 this year so giving him a big deal is tricky.

The only player on the list who the Eagles would have definite interest in is Brian Orakpo. The Skins have already started talking to him about a new deal, but I don’t know if Orakpo wants to stay or is tired of that dysfunctional organization. If he does hit the market, there could be a bidding war. I go back and forth on whether he’s a guy you go after aggressively. Orakpo feels like a player that you will have to overpay for and I’m not sure that’s wise with Trent Cole, Connor Barwin and Brandon Graham already in place. The Eagles need pass rush help to be sure, but I wouldn’t say this is a desperate situation (see the 2003 Eagles for an example of that).

* * * * *

I’ll write about the Combine for early tomorrow.

_


96 Comments on “The Byrd That Got Stuck in the Nest”

  1. 1 Sean said at 9:32 PM on February 22nd, 2014:

    Chris Clemons all the way! Miami doesn’t seem to want him back and he won’t command a large contract.

  2. 2 Sifter said at 6:03 AM on February 23rd, 2014:

    Yep, Clemons seems like a plan. Can’t see Byrd of Ward walking. Whitner might want too much money from SF, but it sounds like he’d like to stay in SF if possible. Whereas Clemons hasn’t been valued at all by the Dolphins, and now they are carrying Reshad Jones’ large contract, so I’m guessing they don’t want to pay his safety partner Clemons anything ridiculous to stay. A good offer should nab him. Then get Nate Allen back if possible and play him behind Clemons – err, I mean compete with Clemons. Then find a strong safety to play in front of Wolff, a veteran guy like Bethea perhaps? Or even Bernard Pollard.

    I’d rather have a couple of veterans at safety than draft a guy if possible. Draft is better used in my view to find long term replacements for older players: this year you’re looking at Trent Cole, DeMeco Ryans, Jason Avant – maybe Herremans. Every other hole should be a FA signing if I’m playing GM.

  3. 3 GEAGLE said at 7:53 AM on February 23rd, 2014:

    We won’t even consider Clemons,,we didn’t consider him last year. Heck, I’m not even sure the Florida boy would sign in a cold city…seems easier to talk Jersey Boy Jenkins into coming home. Both options suck!!! I just think Jenkins is a more realistic sucky option then Clemons

  4. 4 GEAGLE said at 7:51 AM on February 23rd, 2014:

    I’m sorry but anyone who is wanting Clemons leads me to believe they simply never seen him play before. He is not good. First of all, he has all the size you can ask for so if he was worth a damn he would be in high demand…dudes like 29 and only has a few seasons starting under his belt…Miami has worst safety problems then us, they have cap space, why are they not even trying to offer him an extension? He sucks!!!

    We won’t even consider Clemons, Delmas, Harper

    Not sure what we think of whitner(age/price), mitchell(only played well during contract year, see Nate Allen), or bathea,,

    My guess is Jenkins, which also sucks…but ATleast he is young, 65 starts under his belt, former CB. A kid the saints don’t want to lose, but don’t have the money to retain…
    ..
    Think they go after Jenkins. What I don’t know is, will it just be Jenkins, or will they want Jenkins and Nate?

    I don’t care what they do about Nate! but if they want to keep him! fine! extend him now. What I don’t want is us not able to sign a safety, and then go back and settle on Nate…if you want Nate, sign him now…can’t be bidding on our own players..if Nate hits free agency, let him walk. Wanna keep him, extend him now

  5. 5 BreakinAnklez said at 11:00 AM on February 23rd, 2014:

    Nate has played well when not behind the stupid Wide-9. His rookie year and last year.

    But, I agree if they want him back, do it now.

  6. 6 Dave said at 9:57 PM on February 22nd, 2014:

    Tommy, how would you compare Nate’s play last year at safety to Cary Williams play at cornerback? What I mean, was Nate a better safety than Cary was a cornerback, or vice-versa?

  7. 7 anon said at 3:17 AM on February 23rd, 2014:

    Cary is better for sure, but Cary isn’t that good. Some think well do better at covering w a quality safety

  8. 8 ICDogg said at 11:45 PM on February 22nd, 2014:

    “Won’t let him get away for nothing” implies they would let him get away for something. Just sayin’.

  9. 9 SteveH said at 12:02 AM on February 23rd, 2014:

    Would trading our first strait up for Byrd be a good deal if he agreed to an extension first? I think I’d take it as long as the Chippah thought he’d be a good fit.

  10. 10 D3FB said at 12:37 AM on February 23rd, 2014:

    I strongly disagree. You have to ask yourself does Byrd provide more help to this team by himself than a premier rookie talent on a cost controlled contract and 7-8 millions dollars a year in cap money? (The difference between Byrd’s presumptive salary of 9 or 10million annually minus the 2 million or so annual paycheck for the 22nd overall pick).

  11. 11 SteveH said at 12:44 AM on February 23rd, 2014:

    On the other hand, Byrd is a known quantity as a pro bowl or near pro bowl starting safety, and the draft pick could end up being a complete bust. Plus Byrd is still pretty young, we’d be getting him in the prime of his career. The assumption that the rookie is going to be a “premiere talent” is a bit hasty imo.

  12. 12 D3FB said at 12:50 AM on February 23rd, 2014:

    Ok but at 22 you have a pretty good chance of at the very least getting an above average starter. So you give up the pick on top of the contract. And let’s not sit here and pretend that Byrd is some world dominating safety who is going to take us to a super bowl single handedly. He’s a good safety. You will have to pay him top dollar, and good teams are built through the draft not free agency, so even if it was justifiable to sign him to a megadeal before, if he is franchised it doesn’t make sense to give up a quality draft pick on top of the money.

  13. 13 SteveH said at 1:02 AM on February 23rd, 2014:

    Would you consider trading for him for a lesser draft pick? Or is the money too much of a deterrent?

  14. 14 D3FB said at 1:27 AM on February 23rd, 2014:

    I wasn’t a huge fan of signing Byrd to begin with, but would’ve been able to deal with it. I would give up a 6th or a 7th but for that Buffalo will just keep him for another year.

  15. 15 anon said at 3:15 AM on February 23rd, 2014:

    Gotta have high expectations for your first pick, even if it’s st 22. I would do it if we picked later, like Broncos.

  16. 16 Michael Winter Cho said at 10:05 AM on February 23rd, 2014:

    Sometimes there is a shortage of good players and not of money. When a player who can help the team becomes available, you just have to pay. The money you saved would otherwise go to marginal JAGs and you don’t get any better. This happens in the NBA consistently.

  17. 17 ICDogg said at 12:41 AM on February 23rd, 2014:

    I wouldn’t do that.

  18. 18 Flyin said at 1:39 AM on February 23rd, 2014:

    Sometimes I feel like giving Tommy the Byrd. I’m sure Bama feels the same, yet much more often.

  19. 19 TommyLawlor said at 10:43 AM on February 23rd, 2014:

    That hack Jimmy Bama loves it when I rip on his 2nd rate work.

  20. 20 A_T_G said at 10:47 AM on February 23rd, 2014:

    Of course he does. Having a respected blogger comment on his mainstream media writing probably gives Jimmy a feeling of having street cred.

  21. 21 shah8 said at 2:00 AM on February 23rd, 2014:

    I think I’m going to be pretty disappointed if there will only be a bit of tinkering around the edges of this roster. I know there’s the draft and all, but it takes time to break in rookies, particularly at the spots in the draft we’re picking. I mean, it’s not as if I can realistically expect the Vikings to not be a train wreck, so the Eagles are gunna be my main hope for exciting play!

  22. 22 SteveH said at 2:04 AM on February 23rd, 2014:

    I have a feeling we’re going to be very quiet in FA.

  23. 23 shah8 said at 2:14 AM on February 23rd, 2014:

    My problem with that is that it’s a Red Queen’s game, hence the whinging about the QB, the complaining about nonintimidating DL, the moaning in pain about Chung!

    You cannot just tread water in the NFL. Something always goes wrong. Teams get unexpectedly better. The Seattle Seahawks definitely could have tread water after their big run in 2012. They did not. They loaded up on pass rush, got themselves a star RB-WR, and used the draft to add key depth. The Atlanta Falcons, on the other hand, did tread water, and shed talent no less, with a couple of guys leaving the OL, Jon Abraham going to Ari, etc, etc. This led me to watching the end of a late season game out of curiousity, and gawping in horror as the Car DL just….ATE Matt Ryan ALIVE!!!!1!!!11

    I know this. I know they know this, and when I hear this sort of stuff about “not spending”, that is, for all intents and purposes, a signal to sell, just like if you’re a day trader and noted in published record that corporate management of the stock you hold are selling them big-time. There may be talk about “competition” among the position, but it sounds like Howie doesn’t want to compete. Just put on a show for Ma and Pa, win a few game, lose a few game, get paid, and go back home for a year.

  24. 24 ACViking said at 7:29 AM on February 23rd, 2014:

    Agree. In fact, you can’t just tread water in life. If you you’re not moving toward you’re falling back.

  25. 25 GEAGLE said at 8:20 AM on February 23rd, 2014:

    I really hope we take advantage of these next two years where we pay our QB in welfare food stamps, stack the team and try to win a Super Bowl in 2015 before we have to start paying kids…

    My fear is that Howie is more concerned with Building the right way, then he is with trying to take advantage of this small windown…but when I look at our cap and our roster, I don’t see why we can’t take a shot in 2015, without compromising our future.
    ..
    Curious to know what we think of Whitner. If he was Jenkins age, I think he would be a prime target for us. But I don’t know what they think of his age..if we are trying to win a Super Bowl in 2015, then I’m not against signing 29year olds to an3year deal that you can easily get out of after year two…really curious to see if we are going to consider 29-30yr olds, or will we just stick to signing guys coming off a rookie deal…

    Don’t know what the eagles will think of Bathea, Whitner or Mitchell(young, but like Nate Allen only played good during a contract year)

  26. 26 GEAGLE said at 8:09 AM on February 23rd, 2014:

    We are going to add free agents, they will just be rotation guys instead of starters..the cheaper Alex carringtons! Carey Graham, Malcom Jenkins types….

    I’m hoping for one SERIOUS. Free agent.. What I mean is, right now, we have no choice but to spend early draft picks on OLB, S and WR…I hate going into a draft forced to take 3 positions..
    ..
    There are no free agent WRs to sign that would keep us from spending a draft pick on a WR…

    Signing Jenkins, Clemons types aren’t going to eliminate safety as a major need in the draft…a signing like Byrd or even Whitner would allow us to not address safety til rounds 4-5

    OLB is tricky, because we would have to cut Cole,BG or barwin(not happening) if we wanted to invest in the position, but hopefully we view Micheal Johnson or Everson Griffin as long term answers at OLB. Signing our 3down OLB of the future would ATleast eliminate OLB as an early draft need…

    I hate not having draft flexibility. I hate going into a draft forced to chase 3 positions…I’m down for the low budget signings like Carrington and Jenkins! but I hope to see one quality signings that will afford us more flexibility in the draft.

    Part of me wants to see what BG can do for once playing in the same role two years in a row, but if there is a chance to sign a sure shot Starting OLB of the future like MJ, then I hope we just cut Graham and move on….we could always sign an OLB and then dump Graham for the best value on draft night, but his expiring contract makes me think he won’t be fetching us much compensation

  27. 27 Media Mike said at 7:57 AM on February 23rd, 2014:

    I’d hope we’d get one huge upgrade somewhere on this roster, but there should be some improvement in the following guys next year:
    – Nick Foles: More sacks taken / grounding calls should improve to smarter throw aways
    – DeSean Jackson: due to a full off-season working with Foles
    – Lane Johnson: showed great growth last year as the season wore on
    – Zach Ertz: It was either here, BGN, or 24/7 that showed Ertz wide open on a ton of plays. A full off-season working with Foles rather than being stuck at Standford because of their overly late academic calendar and the NFL’s stupid rookie rules will also help.
    – Bennie Logan: Although I’m still not sold on him vs. a bigger NT, Logan should be improved in terms of strength and skill going into year two.
    – Fletcher Cox: he actually gets to play 2 years in a row in the same system.
    – Earl Wolff : hopefully he gets a full season of good health to continue some promising play
    – Brandon Boykin: He’ll still be our slot guy when a player is in the slot and in need of coverage, but I bet they find a few other uses for him in the base D.

  28. 28 Insomniac said at 4:51 AM on February 23rd, 2014:

    Dri Archer put up 20 reps on the bench press. Very impressive compared to the overhyped DAT. I expect him to outrun DAT too. Bottom line? Dri has been better than DAT but probably will still get drafted lower.

  29. 29 The Linc – Is Kelvin Benjamin Perfect for the Eagles? | Sports Feedr said at 7:06 AM on February 23rd, 2014:

    […] The Byrd That Got Stuck in the Nest – Tommy Lawlor, Iggles BlitzI don’t know if the Eagles were going to make a play for Byrd, but it would have been nice to have the option. The Bills putting the tag on Byrd hurts the Eagles in a couple of ways. It takes a good target off the free agent market. And it affects Nate Allen. My guess is that the Eagles would like to re-sign him to a cheap deal. Fewer guys on the market helps Allen from a negotiating standpoint. No one is going to pay much for him, but all it takes is some other team offering a few more bucks. I think ideally the Eagles would like to keep Allen and add a high draft pick so that there are multiple options at Safety. Earl Wolff is already in place, but you want depth and competition. You can’t add one player and consider the situation solved. […]

  30. 30 GEAGLE said at 7:58 AM on February 23rd, 2014:

    Wtf is buffalo doing? Who ever gives up quality picks for a player they have to immediately hand a 40million extension to? Just like Brandon Graham, no one is giving up much value for a one year rental who either becomes a free agent at the end of the year, or you have to offer him an immediate extension..

    This isn’t the NBA where expiring contracts have value,,,is there even much precedent for a guy being franchised, getting valuable draft picks in return and the team trading for him offering him an immediate big money extension?

    I don’t get what the bills are thinking….they have had cap money these past two years, you get what you pay for in life. Want a stud safety? Then cough up stud money!! If you don’t want to pay for him let him walk…I just don’t understand Buffalos thinking.,.

    The only thing I can think of is maybe there is something to the rumor of Byrd following Pettine to the Browns and maybe they franchised Byrd because they are in talks with trading him to the browns….this doesn’t make much sense to me,,,and byrd is probably furious…

  31. 31 Media Mike said at 8:07 AM on February 23rd, 2014:

    Tampa with Reavis.

  32. 32 GEAGLE said at 8:11 AM on February 23rd, 2014:

    Good call…Was he franchised and then traded? Or was he just traded when he was on the last year of his deal?

  33. 33 Media Mike said at 8:38 AM on February 23rd, 2014:

    I believe they traded him in the last year of his deal.

  34. 34 A_T_G said at 8:56 AM on February 23rd, 2014:

    Buffalo is probably thinking they have the rights to a player that is pretty valuable and even if he doesn’t like Buffalo, they aren’t going to let him walk away for nothing.

    On the one hand, in a strategic game it is frustrating when another player makes bad decisions that impact your plans. On the other hand, if Buffalo gets something out of it, their fans will probably be as relieved as you are disappointed.

  35. 35 GEAGLE said at 8:57 AM on February 23rd, 2014:

    So you think someone is going to give buffalo a top pick for Byrd?

  36. 36 Media Mike said at 8:58 AM on February 23rd, 2014:

    A team with multiple 1st round picks might do so. The Rams could trade them #13 for Byrd, and trade down from #2 to get more picks anyway.

  37. 37 GEAGLE said at 9:06 AM on February 23rd, 2014:

    First round pick? No friggin way

  38. 38 Adam said at 9:33 AM on February 23rd, 2014:

    Not likely a first rounder.. Any team that wanted him would have to make trade contingent on a long term contract, so why not wait until he hits free agency? You might have to pay more 1st round picks are more valuable.

  39. 39 A_T_G said at 9:03 AM on February 23rd, 2014:

    I had no say in Buffalo’s decision, and that is why I said it is frustrating when other players make bad decisions that impact your plans.

    But even if they get a third rounder, or a fifth, isn’t that better than nothing?

  40. 40 GEAGLE said at 9:06 AM on February 23rd, 2014:

    How much precedent is there for that happening? Do you actually think that they didn’t try trading him this past year? They couldn’t get a pick For him last year, but now someone will pay it?

    If they end up getting a pick for him, then it was a smart move…my point is that I suspect that it will blow up in their face, not get a pick, and be stuck dealing with a hold out….if they get a pick then god less them, it would prove to be the right nove

  41. 41 A_T_G said at 9:25 AM on February 23rd, 2014:

    Historical presidents are certainly not my strength, but isn’t “tag and trade” a strategy that teams employ? Didn’t GB talk about doing that with Flynn? It just sounds familiar.

  42. 42 GEAGLE said at 9:43 AM on February 23rd, 2014:

    Expiring contracts aren’t valuable in the NFL like they are in the NBA,,,thus why we can’t get any real compensation for trading BG….I doubt teams are lining up to invest a valuable draft pick AND 40million dollars on a 27yr old safety…..if they couldn’t trade him last year, I don’t know wtf makes them think they can trade him this year…if they can pull it off, god bless them, but I suspect this blows up in their face.,,they have the damn money, offer him a Longterm deal that he will sign already or move on…..but I’ll tip my hat to them if they end up getting a pick…

    I just think FO people can solve a safety problem with a 3rd round pick, so why would they throw a 3rd round pick AND 40million dollars at a safety solution..

  43. 43 holeplug said at 10:07 AM on February 23rd, 2014:

    teams tag and trade players all the time

  44. 44 GEAGLE said at 11:28 AM on February 23rd, 2014:

    Name one…

  45. 45 A_T_G said at 5:12 PM on February 23rd, 2014:

    Matt Cassel, 2009.

  46. 46 GEAGLE said at 8:51 AM on February 23rd, 2014:

    Report: signing Clemons isn’t a priority of the dolphins because they want to upgrade safety lol…Clemons turns 29 this offseason, if we are considering 29 year olds, Whitner makes much more sense then a player who isn’t good enough to play for a team that has safety problems as big as ours..

  47. 47 Media Mike said at 8:52 AM on February 23rd, 2014:

    Whitner can’t cover and the “Hitner” persona is an endless stream of 15 year flags. I don’t want Pollard for the same reason.

  48. 48 GEAGLE said at 8:53 AM on February 23rd, 2014:

    Whitner made an effort to improve his coverage last offseason, and it materialized on the field this year…Whitner can’t cover? But Clemons, Jenkins and Mitchell can cover? None are ideal, but we need to sign someone…like I said,I’m not even sure we would consider 29yr olds…btw, the 15yard penalty talk is crap…they throw penalties for breathing on a WR these days,llwe will have to deal with penalties in the secondary whether we sign Whitner or not

  49. 49 Media Mike said at 8:56 AM on February 23rd, 2014:

    I think Clemons covers better than Whitner and possibly Jenkins does as well. I just can’t stomach Whitner, his 15 yard penalties, and any Niners D back other than Reid. Whitner is the beneficiary of the best front 7 in football.

  50. 50 GEAGLE said at 8:59 AM on February 23rd, 2014:

    Clemons sucks!!! He is horrible!!! He is friggin 6’2 215lbs, if he was worth a damn, he would be in such high demand with that body…dude is like 29 with only like two and a half seasons of starting experience…I’d be shocked if we even consider him..

    I’d love a safety who is 6’2 215lb free safety, if he was any good…

  51. 51 Media Mike said at 9:00 AM on February 23rd, 2014:

    How is Clemons vs. Chung if we’re comparing who occupies that roster spot?

  52. 52 GEAGLE said at 9:03 AM on February 23rd, 2014:

    Chung is under contract, Chung can take a backup role and lead our ST…Clemons isn’t signing on to be a backup and ST leader….both suck, neither are good enough to be on the field..rather make Chung take a pay cut and have him play ST, then cut him, have us cost more money, and then spend it on a bigger, older version of Chung…..neither are good enough, neither can be the answer….if the question is Chung vs, Clemons? We are fucking screwed lol

  53. 53 Media Mike said at 9:04 AM on February 23rd, 2014:

    Wolff, Allen, rookie, rookie, vet to be named later might be how our safety position stacks up then.

  54. 54 GEAGLE said at 9:08 AM on February 23rd, 2014:

    Yeah I don’t think there is a happy ending at the end of this safety dance…frustrating….if they can extend Nate before he becomes a free agent if be ok with it, but I would hate to see us bid on our own players on the open market

  55. 55 Media Mike said at 9:10 AM on February 23rd, 2014:

    If they add the right talent through the draft, it could work out really well. I’ve enjoyed the general level of talent acquisition over the past few drafts.

  56. 56 GEAGLE said at 9:14 AM on February 23rd, 2014:

    Yes it could work out in the long run, but I would hate starting a rookie next to Wolff in a year where we are supposed to be a playoff team…it’s also alarming that it’s not a great safety draft…Pryor probably isn’t lasting til 22 since every team picking before us has safety problems…I don’t think we can take Joyner or Ward, those IMO are safeties you add when you already have two starters(think Ward might get moved to CB)…so realistically, the best we can probably do is Baily,Buchanon or possibly Reynolds(who IMO is similar to Nate when he came out)

    I need to just stop talking about the safety situation, it always ends up putting me in a foul mood

  57. 57 GEAGLE said at 9:16 AM on February 23rd, 2014:

    If we are going with the midlevel options like Nate…wonder if we sign one, or two of those types?

  58. 58 A_T_G said at 9:33 AM on February 23rd, 2014:

    I don’t claim to know much about Clemons, but not wanting him because he has the ideal build sounds a little like Shah8’s logic that if Foles was any good he would throw more picks.

  59. 59 GEAGLE said at 9:37 AM on February 23rd, 2014:

    Dude wtf we are really talking about replacing a non playmaking safety with another non playmaking safety? Clemons isn’t good. wtf u want me to tell you? He is a name that fans know, great size, but he is at best a lateral move to Nate??I would rather have the continuity of Nate and being able to extend Nate now! instead of bidding on Clemons..just because he is a name that fans know and parrot it doesn’t mean he is good…the eagles didn’t even try to offer him a lowball contract next year….Clemons want be an eagle, you can take that to the bank…I promise!!! Not even sure he would sign in a cold market….a team with safety problems and cap space is trying to upgrade him, why the hell would we want him? Because he is a name Yous know? Stop it

  60. 60 A_T_G said at 10:07 AM on February 23rd, 2014:

    can be categorized as either completely agreeing or wrong to an absurd degree, but conversations are more enjoyable if your response is in some way relevant to what the other person said. For example, to address your questions,

    “Dude(,) wtf(?). (W)e are really talking about replacing a non playmaking safety with another non playmaking safety?” I don’t know, which is why I said I don’t know much about Clemons.

    “He is a name that fans know, great size, but he is at best a lateral move to Nate??” That doesn’t seem to be a question from your tone.

    “…why the hell would we want him?” Other than we need help at safety, I don’t know because, as I said, I don’t know much about Clemons.

    “Because he is a name Yous (sic) know?” I doubt my knowledge of players plays much of a role in the Eagles planning, but you did read my very first line where I said I don’t really know much about the guy, right?

    I know you like to go for the whole Say-it-loud-and-often-and-you-will-be-right thing, but at least save it for people who are disagreeing with you.

  61. 61 GEAGLE said at 11:32 AM on February 23rd, 2014:

    Not everything is up for debate,,lif I see no shot in hell that we even consider Clemons, am I supposed to pretend just for the sake of a politically correct debate? You are welcome to agree to disagree but don’t get made at me for seeing it that way…I literally expect him to not even be considered…you are entitled to think I’m wrong and that I’m an idiot. I can list 15 reasons why I don’t think we consider him, you can’t list a single reason why we would want him other then he is a name people have heard before, yet you are so appealed by my prediction that he won’t be considered? Lol

  62. 62 GEAGLE said at 11:41 AM on February 23rd, 2014:

    Everyone loves Clemons, yet if Howie signed him, they would be killing Howie one year later

  63. 63 A_T_G said at 11:51 AM on February 23rd, 2014:

    Never mind. There seems to be a disconnect here. Maybe it is how a conversation is supposed to work, maybe it is how the Reply button is supposed to work, maybe it is my use of sentences and periods. I’ll move on.

  64. 64 shah8 said at 1:48 PM on February 23rd, 2014:

    Nick Foles throwing in a sophisticated pass offense will almost certainly throw more picks if he’s not overly conservative. If you throw a lot of window passes, you’re going to get picked off on a few of them. If you refuse to throw difficult passes, your offense isn’t reliably moving the ball.

  65. 65 A_T_G said at 4:18 PM on February 23rd, 2014:

    Thank you for writing a response that actually pertains to the comment I made.

    Based on this logic, I am not sure if I should be rooting for more picks as a sign of growth or if I should root for stagnating at winning 90% of the time and throwing TDs to INTs 95% of the time.

  66. 66 Media Mike said at 8:57 AM on February 23rd, 2014:

    There are a few players / positions around which I have some concerns going into next season beyond the safety and NT conversation:

    ILB – I’m not a true believer in Kendricks retiring his missed tackles / overruning plays / getting toasted by 47 year old TEs with diminished skills type errors. I hope he does, but there is an equal chance he’ll never quite have it between the ears. The Phil Sheridan writing on DeMeco the other day concerned me as well. I like the leadership he provides, but the production numbers on him were depressing.

    ROLB: Barring a stunning draft move to get Clowney, Barr, and/or Mack, this position is going to continue to be underwhelming.

    RG: Herremans’ pass blocking was ulcer inducing last year. I know it improved as the year went on, but it looked worse than it did the last time he played guard full time. He seems to be a declining player and this should be his last year as an Eagle. His 2015 salary vs. his age / production present an untenable situation.

  67. 67 GEAGLE said at 9:17 AM on February 23rd, 2014:

    Lol Kendricks will be awesome…watch him play in year two of a scheme before we go worrying about what’s in between the ears…continuity matters…but we still need ILB depth…it does no one any good having Meco play so many snaps..we need sub package alternatives to meco

  68. 68 Guest said at 9:27 AM on February 23rd, 2014:

    I’m not sure Clowney, Barr and Mack are the only answers at ROLB in the draft, and I’m not a big Mack fan to begin with as I felt there were a number of games he disappeared in against inferior competition, D3FB can probably tell you more

  69. 69 Anders said at 9:46 AM on February 23rd, 2014:

    I agree, I do not think Mack is much better than Attaochu or even Marcus Smith.

  70. 70 GEAGLE said at 9:34 AM on February 23rd, 2014:

    Your boy “philly” brown lol just ran a 4.37 blazing!!,

  71. 71 Anders said at 9:48 AM on February 23rd, 2014:

    In the first couple rounds there are

    Barr
    Mack
    Attaochu
    Ealy
    Ford
    Marcus Smith
    Van Noy
    Demarcus Lawerence

  72. 72 anon said at 10:52 AM on February 23rd, 2014:

    Meco had the best year -statwise – of his career. He kept going playing a record number of snaps. I think he’s ok.

  73. 73 Anders said at 9:54 AM on February 23rd, 2014:

    btw give me Beckham Jr on the Eagles. He just ran a 4.31 on his 2nd run. That is faster than Maclin and Jackson

  74. 74 mksp said at 9:55 AM on February 23rd, 2014:

    Seriously. Total package.

  75. 75 Anders said at 9:59 AM on February 23rd, 2014:

    Favorite WR in the draft after Watkins

  76. 76 Mitchell said at 10:02 AM on February 23rd, 2014:

    Yeh, we were talking about him before. I really have never seen a WR move the way he does and with that speed? Are you kidding me? He is so fluid. I really would not be mad at all if they drafted him 22. He is the real deal.

    I read somewhere that he doesn’t make contested catches is a load of bull too. That wasn’t the tape I watched.

  77. 77 Anders said at 10:03 AM on February 23rd, 2014:

    Beckham is the maybe the best guy in the draft on contested balls. He comes down with everything.

  78. 78 Mitchell said at 10:06 AM on February 23rd, 2014:

    Exactly. I think we could get Beckham early and then go for a bigger receiver later or just draft Lyerla or something. Then again, if we keep Cooper that would be good too.

  79. 79 Anders said at 10:10 AM on February 23rd, 2014:

    Martvius(sp?) Bryant, he just ran 4.35/4.34 could be a 3rd/4th round target

  80. 80 Mitchell said at 10:14 AM on February 23rd, 2014:

    Martavius is I guy I really like as well. When I had a mock for the Eagles I had him in the late 3rd. He is a good receiver too. Especially considering he could add some weight and was stuck behind Watkins this year and Deandre Hopkins last year.

  81. 81 GEAGLE said at 11:29 AM on February 23rd, 2014:

    Best hands in the draft, caught everything this year…Mayock says Landry is tougher, I would love to add both LSU WRs, and our ST would get a major boost in the return game
    ..
    Brandin Cooks had an impressive morning

  82. 82 anon said at 11:42 AM on February 23rd, 2014:

    Yeah i’m ok taking a guy like O’Dell earlier and then just getting a bigger body rawer WR later in the draft. I hate the fact that he’s under 6’0, but he’s got skills and there’s lots of taller guys that can be had later if we decide to spend 2 picks on WR (wouldn’t surprise me).

  83. 83 GEAGLE said at 11:42 AM on February 23rd, 2014:

    Rather have obj then lee

  84. 84 D3FB said at 5:49 PM on February 23rd, 2014:

    I would imagine the questioning of contested catches comes from the A&M game where he did struggle with it.

    http://draftbreakdown.com/video/trai-turner-vs-texas-am-2013/

  85. 85 anon said at 10:41 AM on February 23rd, 2014:

    After Evans

  86. 86 Anders said at 10:24 AM on February 23rd, 2014:

    Dam McCarron is bad. Im not sure how that guy is draftable. He cant even hit a WR run straight down a line in shorts.

  87. 87 anon said at 10:58 AM on February 23rd, 2014:

    Yeah he should have waited for his pro day. He’s making all the WRs look bad.

  88. 88 Vick or Nick said at 11:47 AM on February 23rd, 2014:

    With all these receivers running ridiculously fast at the combine, I feel like Riley Coopers becoming more dispensable.

  89. 89 Tumtum said at 12:07 PM on February 23rd, 2014:

    But can they catch?!

  90. 90 anon said at 2:05 PM on February 23rd, 2014:

    I think that Nick throws a very catcheable ball — difference btw him and vick.

  91. 91 Vick or Nick said at 6:30 PM on February 25th, 2014:

    I’m hoping our scouts find at least 1-2 that can. Still GREAT odds!!

  92. 92 Anders said at 12:01 PM on February 23rd, 2014:

    Josh Norris ‏@JoshNorris 34 sek.
    Calvin Pryor rounded measurements: 5’11/207 lbs. 31 3/8″ arms and 9 1/8″ hands.

    That is 3 inches smaller than he was listed as

  93. 93 A_T_G said at 5:01 PM on February 23rd, 2014:

    I guess it is impossible to know, but, in a general sense, I wonder if doing that actually helps or hurts the prospect. Do teams fall in love and then rationalize the height when they learn the truth, or do teams focus more on the undesirable measurable because of the discrepency?

  94. 94 Tumtum said at 12:06 PM on February 23rd, 2014:

    I commented on an earlier article that DC media was saying Orakpo would be franchised if no deal can be made. Heard that again since then. I don’t know how I feel about him anyway. People always complain he has a limited set of moves. He has been asked about it and always basically responds something like ” thanks for the concern but I am a finished product and need no other moves”. Not a fan of that attitude. He is not perfect and his leveling off in progression shows his desire, imo.

  95. 95 Anders said at 12:09 PM on February 23rd, 2014:

    Orakpo has several moves, he can both go outside, bull rush and has a nice swim move as well.

  96. 96 RobNE said at 12:19 PM on February 23rd, 2014:

    Any team (bills, redskins) should leak that they will tag a player this only helps their negotiation. I don’t believe it until they do it.