Byrd Hunting
Posted: March 4th, 2014 | Author: Tommy Lawlor | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 197 Comments »I spent a lot of last night and this morning watching Jairus Byrd. I wanted to get as good a feel for him as possible. And I think I did.
Let’s start with the basic facts:
Jairus Byrd
5-10, 203
Age 27 … will turn 28 in October
5 years in the NFL
Didn’t miss a game from 2010-2012
Missed 5 games in 2013. Had a foot issue, but also was objecting to the use of the franchise tag.
22 career INTs
11 career FFs
33 career pass deflections
10 career TFLs
3 career sacks
260 career tackles
Played CB at Oregon from 2006-08. Left a year early for the NFL. Ran poorly (4.6 range) so he was moved to S.
Byrd is a good Safety. He has outstanding cover skills and really impacts the passing game, but he is only an average hitter, tackler and run defender.
The Bills mostly had Byrd line up as the deep Safety. That’s where he is most effective. He doesn’t have ideal speed so staying deep and being able to read plays helps him to get to the ball. Byrd sees the field well and has good instincts. He has excellent feet and a very quick burst. Byrd has great ball skills. He is able to go over or around receivers and make a play on the ball without drawing a flag.
Byrd is more of a natural centerfielder than a man-to-man cover guy. He loves to watch the QB and jump routes. Byrd gets into proper position to play the ball even before the QB releases the ball. Veteran QBs know this and will avoid throwing his way. Byrd had 4 INTs in 2013 and 3 of them came off rookie QBs. The other INT was a deep ball thrown by Ben Roethlisberger. He made a poor decision and Byrd made him pay for that.
Byrd is not a physical player. There were plays in 2 games where receivers caught a pass inside the 10-yard line, got hit by Byrd, and still scored a TD. One of the players was Jimmy Graham so that’s somewhat understandable. The other player was Falcons slot receiver Harry Douglas. Byrd tried to land a big hit on him instead of wrapping up. The hit wasn’t hard and Douglas shrugged it off and scored the TD.
There were a couple of other plays in the Falcons game that bothered me. They had TD runs of 27 and 38 yards. Byrd was playing back off the ball on both runs. He didn’t get anywhere close to making a tackle on either play. One of the benefits to keeping the FS that far back is that he generally will keep plays in front of him. Byrd’s lack of speed kept him from even getting close enough to the runners to dive at them.
Byrd isn’t a hesitant tackler. He does generally wrap-up his targets. The problem is that he’s not forceful. To put it in football terms, he runs to the target and not through the target. He will miss some occasional tackles in space. Byrd isn’t the most active run defender on inside runs. He generally stays back to see if the RB leaks out.
If you are looking for a FS to sit in the deep middle and play the ball, Jairus Byrd is your man. QBs fear him and hesitate before throwing in his direction. When they do, he’s able to make a decent number of plays. And you do wonder if playing on a winning team would help his numbers. If he’s sitting back in centerfield and the other QB has to throw due to trailing in the game, Byrd might thrive. The Bills haven’t finished better than 6-10 during his career.
Is Byrd the right man for the Eagles? That’s a tough question. Chip Kelly loves turnovers so he might strongly push for a FS that has great ball skills. At the same time, Bill Davis loves to have his DBs keep plays in front of them and then attack. Byrd can do that, but might not be as good a tackler as Davis would prefer. The Eagles were hurt time and again by sloppy tackling on 3rd and long situations in 2013.
* * * * *
Some of you objected to the fact I didn’t call Byrd “great” in a previous post. Please understand that I choose my words carefully. I think the word great is thrown around far too casually in sports (and by society in general). Jairus Byrd has some great elements to his game, but is not a great overall player. You are welcome to have a different opinion, but understand that I’m hesitant to use the word great intentionally.
* * * * *
While watching Byrd, I also took the time to check out a few other free agents in a less thorough manner. These are incomplete opinions since I didn’t see enough to make a thorough judgment, but figured you would enjoy knowing my initial thoughts.
Malcolm Jenkins – I like him quite a bit. Good man cover skills. Versatile. Physical player.
Chris Clemons – Didn’t stand out to me.
Thomas DeCoud – I was surprised by the fact he looked pretty good in coverage. Bad tackler. I know why they cut him.
Jason Worilds – Didn’t stand out as a pass rusher. Struggled with setting the edge. Surprised to see him cover TEs effectively.
I did not watch any of T.J. Ward. He will be my primary focus tonight. Looking forward to that.
great column, thomas. !
Why are you calling him Thomas? Are you his mom? Or his girlfriend? If so, my experience is that calling him Thomas isn’t a good sign. Be aware, TOMMY.
Am I reading too much into this? 😀
I too want to know more.
It’s “toe-mas”…..it’s more sexy, in a Tommy LAwlor/nacho Libre sort of way 🙂
I now have a better understanding, thanks! I want my safety physical. BOOM!
So Tommy, what you are telling me is Malcolm Jenkins is one year younger, can play man coverage and is versatile and physical. He is also listed at 6′, 204 lbs. Is he a sound tackler? If so, he sounds like the type of free agent target I would like to see the Eagles pursue.
My issue with Jenkins is that he isn’t great at anything, and we kinda already have those. Wolff is the X factor, but both Fletcher and Cary Williams are good or at least average players and even Nate Allen became a decent, serviceable starter in the league. Allen is obviously a FA, but i kinda think you reach a point where you have to get someone special back there, not just hard-nosed, football players who do the simple things.
Leading in to that is of course that Malcolm Jenkins isn’t no where near the playmaker that Jairus Byrd in the passing game, and we could really use that, our best playmakers is our slot corner and inconsistent, but young ILB.
I don think we’ll sign Jairus Byrd, nor would I pay him MEGA bucks even though i see why you would consider it. I don’t hate the idea of signing Jenkins in the slightest, especially if you can get him a little cheaper than expected since Byrd and Ward(my personal favorite) hits the market. i just hope that its not our overall plan to use a defense filled with Cary Williams type players. Maybe I’m worried because we haven’t been drafted well defensively for a while.
I dunno more recent picks seem to be working out a bit better. Kenricks, Boykin, Curry (drafted for another scheme found a niche here so far), Cox, Logan… all seem like guys that could really blossom. Even Damion Square looks like a guy that is going to develop into a good back up. Call jaded, most everyone I know does (since their not Eagles fans..)
Yeah better but still. I like Fletcher Cox and I think he is playing well, especially since he is playing in a new scheme thats letting him free, but he is a 12th overall pick, I can’t say I didn’t expect more. Im not saying he has to outshine JJ Watt, but at least show me some greatness.
Kendricks flashed in the end of the season(Both FF, 3/4 sacks and 2/3 INTs came in the last 3 games), but he still isn’t the best tackler and in my opinion still doesn’t have enough impact on the game on a regular basis. Again, he is good, but I expect him to show more.
Boykin is obviously great, especially since he was a later pick.
I feel Curry is a little overrated. He is a great interior pass rusher, but for a second round pick is that really what you look for, scheme change or not. Him and Big Ced might be a good 1-2 punch in the future, but in the first 2 rounds of the draft, I want good starters and he is not there yet.
Logan was decent, but in my opinion the jury is still out, i want to see him put on a lot of weight, because from the limited reviewing I did, he just didn’t anchor as well as a 34 NT should.
I think the general consensus I have about most of our defense is that they’re young, their pretty good and flash some real potential, but I can’t give them anymore than that. We were not anywhere near having a defense like Cincy, Carolina, New Orleans, KC, Arizona, Cleveland, Houston, San Fran and obviously the Seahawks, and its not just because Pat Chung sucked and Trent Cole didn’t rush the passer all that well.
Great points. Kendricks flashes greatness but then looks like a liability at times. Cox is not the game changer we had hoped, but maybe year two in the scheme? Boykins is awesome and I think he should be starting on the outside. My opinion of Vinny Curry? He is very out of place in this scheme, even more so than Graham. At least Graham can step out and fill in at OLB. Curry lacks the athleticism to do that. I also think he lacks the strength of Graham, which is kind of a liability setting the edge as a 3-4 DE. He does have very good burst, well suited for a 4-3 edge rusher, but that is not what we want. Even then, he lacks any consistent secondary moves when his burst doesn’t beat his man.
I disagree with everything but your last sentence. I really have no idea what I am talking about though, so take that for what you will.
If it matters,I probably have no idea what I am talking about either. However, from my point of view, I am happy with Cox’ performance-but not thrilled. He has the size, strength and athleticism to be dominant. He has yet to show that to me on any consistent basis. In fact, he was outplayed for most of the season by an undrafted free agent in Thornton. As for Kendricks, I found him mildly disappointing for most of the season, but then the light seemed to come on more consistently and he looked like a gamechager. I can only hope that the light stays on. As for Boykins, do you disagree that he is a stud? or should be a full time starter on the outside?
Just that he should be outside. Only because of what Davis and Kelly prefer their CBs outside to look like. I really think he has a chance to thrive out there though. Smaller guys have done it (Brent Grimes). Though if it aint broke……
Im actually quite happy with Boykin in the Slot. First of all, the slot corner is a starting position by now, arguably more so than the NT and the LB who can’t cover. Secondly, and this goes for Curry too, I believe very firmly that great teams are defined by their role players. Obviously, you can’t pay Boykin and Curry big bucks to be role-players, but until then, I’m fine with them not being starters. Im not bashing Curry, i just think some people makes him out to be our best lineman, which is not the case. I still believe in him, he is a super hard worker and a down to earth guy and i think he will become a better run defender this off-season when he has time to bulk and work on his technique. Obviously you have to look at his value and if someone want to give us good value for a role player, then you consider it, but I want to keep hold of him for at least one more year.
I see your points in regards to the slot corner becoming more important. However, I still fail to accept any position for Boykin that only puts him on the field for roughly 66% of the defensive plays. He is a game changer and should be out there as much as possible
Well, first of all, its not a given that Boykin plays with the same success on the outside as he does know. The positions are very different.
To the whole 66% thing, I understand your point, but the NFL is a matchup league and the offense have to show something that we can utilize Boykin with. If the 9ers line up in their twin TE I formation, with a OT as the second TE and their primary WR being Vernon Davis and Michael Crabtree/Anquan Boldin, i don’t really want Boykin on the field, even if he is our biggest playmaker. He is most likely gonna get crushed in the run game and if he has to cover VD or the WR, wouldn’t you take that matchup if you where the 9ers play caller? The situation changes hugely in Boykins favor once Manningham gets on the field.
That being said, i am looking for Boykin to get some snaps on the outside during the off-season, since I’m not the biggest fan of Cary Williams
Totally agree with your first sentence. And the rest makes a lot of sense too.
I will always root for Curry simply because he grew up an Eagles fan. If he starts to flourish here, it would make me unreasonably happy.
Really can’t say that I can disagree with you at all. The one thing I will point out is that all of those defenses you named are veteran groups. Look at how SF did up until the coaching change. Sure that has a lot to do with it but it also had to do with a maturing group of players.
Are all of those young guys going to turn into top line players? The odds say not. They do have the potential though which is what you can hope for.
I think you improved my point, because I definitely agree that one factor for our defense is that they have growing to do, and how much of that will happen determines how good our defense is, but we also have players who have plenty of time to grow, Fletcher Cox just turned 23.
Im not trying to smite Cox and Kendricks and Logan and Wolff etc and say we cut them all. Im just noting that they’re not there yet, obviously they should get the opportunity to do so in Philly.
But the thing is I don’t know that you need a stud defense. Our offense is going to put up points. Our defense still got a decent number of turnovers. I think the most important thing for this group is to play sound, fundamental, defense. Of the team you posted I think the only ones even remotely close to our offense would be New Orleans and San Fran.
I don’t know if the quote “One man’s trash is another’s treasure” would fit Jenkins. I hope Tommy writes a more detailed post explaining his initial conclusions. I’ve looked at some tape and read some Saints blogs and Sheil’s All-22 on Jenkins and I’m not impressed, particularly he appears to be poor at tackling (62d out of 67 S in tackling efficiency by PFF). I don’t see him as a real upgrade over Allen.
If he is not a good tackler, he would be a poor man’s Byrd lacking the big play ability. In that case, I do not want him playing in the Eagles secondary. I hesitate on Byrd because we saw that show already. Samuel was the playmaker in the secondary but he tackled like a feather. That is passable at CB but unacceptable at S.
I think they sign Byrd. The Oregon connection, turnovers. It all makes sense. The football gods have made this easy for Howie. I also think they will sign one of the 2nd tier safeties like Whitner or Delmas. Then the Eagles won’t need to draft a safety.
I dunno Byrd sounds like a slower Allen with better ball skills. Just not sold. I would probably rather have Allen back, and the ~3 million a year. Get possibly more reliable tackling and 1-3 less INTs a year.
Yea i see them doing the same thing they did last year. Sign a couple guys trying to prove there worth and draft a safety or two. I think they sign Allen back after he tests free agency. Then just let them plus Wolff battle it out all Summer for the two starting jobs.
Well then, Byrd doesn’t deserve the mega bucks he wants– he seems to have a DeSean Jackson ego. The goal then might be to find the best young S talent who played in a bad system, or the wrong system for his skills.
I still think getting a dynamic edge rusher would make even Nate Allen look better. I’d be interested in Dion Jordan if we can get him in a fair trade. I wonder what the latest news is on him?
I haven’t heard anything about Byrd even remotely hinting that he has a Jackson-sized ego. He’s testing free agency because he can, and of course looking out for the best money he can get. Anyone would. But he’s not badmouthing anyone, or otherwise showing any other signs of being a diva.
Byrd complained of foot injuries, and missed games until the lost time was to affect his contract–then he suddenly got well. Maybe he just wants out of Buffalo, but I’m wary of a player who does that. I mean, for the bucks he wants, he’s no Brian Dawkins.
Looking forward to your thoughts on Ward. For some reason I would feel more comfortable with Ward. Maybe its because from what I have seen he is such a solid tackler and does have some play making ability. I just really need a Dawkplex circa 2014 in my life…
I like Ward as well, especially with his age and lack of injury history (knock on wood). To me, Byrd seems more like Nnamdi, while Ward parallels to Jonathan Joseph (both were FA CB’s that year, Texans got Joseph for less than we got Nnamdi, and he turned out to be far better than Nnamdi).
I’ll take the “under the radar” guy, even though Ward is pretty well known. Sign him and Jenkins, draft a safety, and bring back either Allen, Coleman, or Anderson
That brings up a good question. Of Coleman and Anderson who do you keep? Coleman is a rock solid back up. Anderson is a stand out STer. You have to lose one keep one. Who is it?
Neither guy is probably ever going to overcome their limitations and turn in to a top level starter down the line. Do you get rid of both because of that?
I say bring back Kurt. He’s a decent special teams player, and while he never is gonna be a guy your excited about you can live with him as your 4th safety in case of a couple injuries.
While I enjoy watching Colt bust his butt getting down the field and making a tackle, I think from a versatility stand point you bring back Coleman. Colt is better at ST’s but Coleman is better at actually playing the Safety position in our defense.
As weird as it is to type this sentence, I think Coleman would be a better fit for us from a depth/emergency safety standpoint.
No, I’d love to bring back one of them…… and I think we need to bring one back, along with Nate Allen.
Here’s my thought: We have Wolff, Chung, and Keelan Johnson all under contract. I’m guessing the wouldn’t “mind” getting rid of Chung (or have him take a pay cut if he stays, say 50% less….)–but only if everything else works out. So, bring back either Coleman (better safety than Colt) or Anderson (standout ST player, liability as a safety…. he’s much better in box rather than as a “ball hawk”), and /or bring back N.Allen.
This leaves you with Wolff, Chung, Johnson, and either Allen/Coleman/Anderson. At that point, our Safety position has “numbers”, but can be upgraded if the right situation presents itself. Say we are able to bring in Jenkins (from N.O.), at that point we can wait for the draft to roll around, and if we can land a target that plays safety, competition at camp separates the camp bodies from the “thanks, but bring your iPad’s/playbook”….. I know this is a lot of rambling, but it’ll be interesting to see how this plays out over the next few weeks
But somewhere in all the names being tossed out, you need someone who is a “ballhawk” more than someone who is known solely for his tackling. I’d bring back Mel Blount if I could. He made bone-crushing tackles and often had his hands on the ball. Nowadays, the knocked down passes and Ints are considered more important than killing some poor receiver in the slot. In fact, there are a great many penalties being called on anybody who makes Dawkins-type tackles.
probably the closest you will get without a penalty. And honestly, if there wasn’t a double standard for elusive QB’s (IE if this was Tom Brady) it probably would be a penalty.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fu2W7hco7wA
Loved seeing it live & each time I hit the “repeat” button, my smile grows bigger and bigger 🙂
This is the potential that Kendricks shows us a few times in a game; as he spends more time in the league and gets another year along side of DeMeco in the 3–4. It’s so nice to have a LB who can cover, blitz, play the run, and give Billy D some flexibility in his calls– hopefully he continues to develop right before our eyes!
The PBR seal of approval has been stamped on Malcolm Jenkins. Go get him Howie!
This could very well be a convincing reason to grab Byrd more than TJ Ward, although this does not mean I wouldn’t want Ward, either. While many consider Ward a better run defender than Byrd, we already have a front-seven that did a solid (cautiously avoided using the word “great”, ha!) job of stopping the run last season.
If the Eagles can rack up points and get off to a fast start on a consistent basis, this is a good reason to pick up Byrd.
Great self control there!
While we’re on the topic of the Safety position, if the Eagles sign any of the FA safeties and retain Nate Allen back, would this in turn help Nate Allen become better than last season? In other words, would he be more than just a “serviceable” safety?
No.
The semantic debate over “greatness” aside, it’s clear Byrd is a not an all-around dominant force at the safety position the way Brian Dawkins, Ed Reed, or Troy Polamalu were in their primes, or the way Earl Thomas is now. He’s on balance a very good player with some elite skills but also some average or even below average ones. In my mind, that’s not a guy you hand a $10 million/year contract to.
The Eagles already have a very good playmaker in the secondary in Brandon Boykin, and Williams makes his share of plays as well. It’s not like they’re totally lacking in the skills Byrd brings in the secondary. Patrick Chung killed them last year because of missed tackles and blown coverages, not because he didn’t make big plays. I’d be fine with bringing in a guy who’s a solid all-around player a la Clemons or Jenkins at a much lower price tag and then drafting a safety prospect with playmaking ability and letting those two and Wolff battle it out for a starting spot.
I’m hesitant to say these next 5 words, but, in fairness to Chung (/shudder) I think part of his problem last season was the way Davis used him. He obviously wasn’t particularly good, but if you’ve got a safety that’s not good then why the hell would you use him in man coverage against Dez Bryant with no help (for example). There were a number of plays where Paddy was put in a no-win situation and I think that probably made him look a lot worse than he actually was.
That said, he’s clearly not a fit for what Davis wants him to do, so cutting him and moving on is definitely the right plan. I agree that Clemons and/or Jenkins would be absolutely fine (and maybe get Allen back too).
Wouldn’t be surprised if he was hindered by that shoulder all year and just warriored thru it
Jenkins is solid that’s rich. The kid is one of the worst tackling safeties in the nfl period. We aren’t the cowboys or steelers or saints. We have the money and won’t affect signing foles or any of the kids in 1-3 yrs. Jenkins is gonna cost at least 5.5 mil a year why not spend 3 mil more on an all pro and keep the great semantics (so only one great safety in nfl. That makes me laugh it rule changes not the play.). Clemons who I like is mediocre at best another nate Allen dolphins who suck passed twice on resigning him.
Jenkins does nothing for me. Clemons only somewhat more. Jenkins is a poor mans Byrd without the ball hawking. But Tom likes him a lot at 5.5 mil vs thinking Byrd is good but not worth 8.5 million. That 3 million is shit for the eagles …. It’s Jason avant or Chung. Hilarious. I don’t understand why people are so scared of spending 3 million more this year or 13 million over the next 4 yrs … Check the news the cap is exploding the next three yrs … Howie kills the cap. We are running no risk bc of natural attrition of older player like meco celek herramins and Williams coming off in 1-3 yrs ….. Spend the extra three mil and see if he bites if not walk. Not saying ten million but I would do 9 for him and not bat an eye based on cap. Byrd is better than gholdson and he got 40 mil in a tight yr. why not try Byrd at 9 mil or 45 mil …..nothing to lose
Byrd is very likely to cost more than 8.5 million a year on the open market. Jenkins is likely to cost less than 5.5 million. So you are understating the difference in pay grade. But even leaving that aside – looking at Byrd I see a very good player, but not a $10 million/year player. The only defenders worth paying like that are your J.J. Watts, Von Millers, and Darelle Revises – guys capable of taking over a game, guys capable of wrecking an offense’s game plans, guys opposing coaches and quarterbacks fear and must scheme to stop. Byrd is not in that class. So as good as he is, I’ll pass and take solid upgrades at multiple positions instead. Football is a team game, a very good safety is worth a lot less if the pass rush into front of him stinks or he’s always having to make tackles to clean up after his teammates.
Aside from Troy p 3 yr deal, next highest paid is berry at 8.3 a yr and that was a predetermined rookie old cab deal next is goldson at 8.25. 8.5 is not unreasonable if we pay more guaranteed money that’s all that really matter anyway. He is at least worth making an offer of 8.5 mil a year for 5 yrs 43 mil and 25 guaranteed.
Dunno why you think Jenkins will get less than 5.5 I’m looking at several comparable deals and it’s a players market now w cap bumps and a horrible safety draft class.
I never ever said offer him ten mil. So what would you offer Byrd or ward for 5 yrs or are you not even willing to extend then a reasonable offer to get very good at one position you previously sucked at. Jenkins and Clemons could be another Chung or Allen. And you are back in the same shit position next yr w no elite safety free agents.
O yeah where are we getting this improved pass rush from? A first or second rd rookie olb who plays 20 snaps a game at most?? C’mon bro
” I think the word great is thrown around far too casually in sports” — which is why I love your articles. You keep it real.
Great point!
You’re simply the greatest.
As long as Chung is not on the roster, I’ll be happy!
I would prefer Byrd over Ward but don’t really want either at the prices they will both fetch. They will both demand top dollar but neither are great or worth it.
I too would prefer Jenkins and a draft pick over both.
“I spent a lot of last night and this morning watching Jairus Byrd.”
Great! Just great! Well, I hope he didn’t see you or he will never sign with the Eagles.
More like a Peeping Tommy!
I used to play his father, Gil, in Super Techmo Bowl with the Chargers. 🙂
Some points on Byrd:
Last year in Buffalo
1st 5 games (w/o Byrd): defense gave up 23 ppg (w/o PR, Int return),
opposing QBs: 104 193 1392 53.9% 7.2 9-9 [NE, Car, NJY, Balt,
Cle]
last 10 games (w/ Byrd): defense gave up 23 (w/o int, fumble return),
opposing QBs: 180 328 1937 54.9% 5.9 16-12 [MIA, NO, KC, PIT,
NYC, ATL, TB, JAC, MIA, NE]
Cin 26 40 337 3-1 (Byrd’s first game back which I exclude)
However, it was more than Byrd.
First six games they had Leonard at SS, Searcy at FS, Aaron Williams at CB
Gilmore returned to CB, Williams moved to SS, Byrd to FS the last ten games.
So while Byrd’s return made a difference, it wasn’t a big one, Gilmore returning was probably just as big or bigger.
Byrd’s primary skill is ball hawking,.
2013:
NYJ – Geno Smith, 2 Ints (sacked 4 times)
PIT – Big Ben, 1 Int (sacked 4 times)
TB – Glennon, 1 int (sacked 1 time)
2012:
KC – Cassell, 1 int (sacked 5 times)
AZ – Kolb/Skelton, 2 int (1 each) (sacked 5 times)
MIA – Tannehill, 1 Int (sacked 3 times)
Jax – Henne, 1 int (sacked 3 times)
2011:
Wash – Beck, 1 int (sacked 10 times)
NYJ – Sanchez, 1 Int (sacked 1 time)
Den – Tebow, 1 int (sacked 4 times)
2010:
NJY – Mark Brunnel, 1 int (sacked 1 time)
Byrd is opportunistic, but he hasn’t exactly been victimizing a lot of top QBs the last few years.
27 games against above average QBs the last 4 years, 1 int (Big Ben).
Nice research.
Almost every int or sack in the nfl will come against bad teams/players. There is a reason for why Brady etc are often low on both sacks and ints
No, even good QBs throw their share of interceptions (for one thing, they throw more passes than bad QBs).
It’s just weird that he’s only garnered one interception against above average QBs (and that includes QBs like Vick) in 27 games over four years.
2010-11, Buffalo had a bad pass rush, the 10 sack Washington game was very unusual, and Byrd only had 4 Ints those two years. Then they added Mario and Dareus and Hughes, Gilmore and McKelvin at CB, Byrd becomes an interception machine against bad QBs.
He’s a good FS, but I don’t think he’s a premier FS. A guy who would be a good addition, but who won’t turn your secondary around by himself.
I guess the word almost means something else to you?
I said almost for a reason, yes great QBs throw ints and somebody has to pick em, but last year Shaun Prater was 1 of 2 CBs to pick off Foles and he is not great.
You can be great without intercepting great QBs.
I wasnt arguing for or against Byrds impact on that defense, but I just wanted to point out ACVikings flaw in his reasoning in my opinion.
In other words, Deangelo Hall of safety? Tom W’s head is going to explode.
Not quite, Byrd is a good FS even when he isnt picking on lesser QBs, Hall has never been good.
“So while Byrd’s return made a difference, it wasn’t a big one”
I’m struggling a little bit to decipher which of the numbers you posted are which, but it looks like, if anything, they got slightly worse after Byrd came back.
Well, he didn’t say what KIND of a difference…
just saw on BGN that Avant has been released.
he has been one of my favorite players for a long time and it sucks to see him go, no matter how much I knew this was coming and expected it to happen.
in the end, it is almost definitely the right move for the team, but it sucks to see a great guy let go.
nothing to do but with him the best wherever he goes from here and move on.
: /
That is certainly an appropriate use of great.
We can also hope to see him back as part of the coaching staff when he is ready to hang up the cleats.
You know this is one of those moves we will probably regret a few times this season.
Unless that place is Dallas, NYG, or Washington.
Also, I wonder if Avant will “catch” on to a place attempting to mimic Chip Kelly’s offense. I don’t think anyone will be particularly effective pirating ideas or calls by simply acquiring a player who has experience in the system but that doesn’t mean teams won’t try.
I feel he would be a perfect fit in Baltimore…. I’m so closed minded.
amen. I’d wear his green jersey to M&T next year
excellent point. if he goes to any of those teams, i don’t think i can wish him the best. certainly not the worst, of course, but not the best either. lol
As a man of faith I don’t see how he could ever sign with Dallas.
Luckily they can’t afford sign draft picks right now much less veteran ~3 million a year WRs.
If you read some of the apologists on bloggingtheboys, Dallas has all kinds of cap room, now and forever. With a ton of twisting and turning, of course.
I was expecting KC or the Jets..when you have a young QB, will try to sign Vick, and you know you have to invest in young WR, a guy like Avant could be big for the jets offensive locker room, and Marty can count on him teaching a 1st round WR the ropes and his west coast offense
RE: Avant
I don’t say this about many people but I will miss his hands. I was in the stands for this GREAT grab against the Chargers in aught-nine.
You should try going through a day saying that about everyone who leaves the room.
Male, female, child, elderly, armless, when someone walks out of the room you shake your head, forlorn, and say, “Boy, I will miss his/her hands.”
I’ll try it with my mail carrier today and report back…
Hopefully, the phrase “what can Brown do for you” takes on a whole new meaning for you…..
just earned me a weird look from a female cashier
Excellent!
If we’re going to over pay for a safety we might as well make a bid for Byrd… I’m not comfortable over paying for a run stopper or a safety in the box. We need help in the passing game.
We will and he’ll take it. He wants to play for Chip.
Ducker was Azz already at Oregon when Ward/Byrd were there?
Azz got to Oregon in 09. He came from Marshall where he coached Curry.
Thank you..yeah I a knew about Vinny C and Azz….wasn’t one of our other coaches with Vinny in college also? Maybe McGovern or Minter..pre Boston College gig
..
So Azz and Ward know each other, but not Byrd??interesting. I also think Ward would be more Eager to join us because he actually got to see what an amazing HC Chip is and probably experienced his sports science..while I’m not sure how much safety Byrd really interacted with Chip the OC
I think Byrd just missed Azz. Azz came in 2009 and Byrd left as a junior in 2009 to join the NFL. Byrd is close friends with Chung who has encouraged him to join the Eagles. My guess is that after Byrd is signed then Chung is cut – but I am a cold-hearted SOB, at least according to my wife.
Ward saw Azz for one year prior to entering the NFL.
Thanks mate…Chung can stay if he really wants, but he would have to be a 4th safety/ST leader who would need to take a pay cut that reflects the demotion. As much as we hate him, doubt too many teams have a drastically better 4th safety, and Chung can actually be a good ST player
Yes…
Or we could just not over pay for a safety.
Always have to over pay for a top guy in FA… But, I don’t want to over pay for a non-premium position also.
I guess that was kinda my point. I see safety as a position where it’s important to have guys that aren’t terrible but that the difference in impact between ‘average’ and ‘great’ is sufficiently small that it’s a waste of resources to sign the latter in FA. And given that none of the guys on the market really count as ‘great’ anyway, paying big money for a safety at this moment in time seems like a pretty silly move.
agreed with you 100%…. Wish 95% of the Eagles fan base realized this. They are convinced a safety is going to turn this defense into the 91 eagles D or the 00 Ravens D
I see the safety position as the TE position for offense. Not quite at CB/WR yet, but if you have a great one, you have a distinct advantage. A good safety can do so many things for you.
That’s because they are typically these days having more of an opportunity to make big plays based on where they are on the field in correlation to where a CB is on the field. Most plays a CB is going up against one guy, whereas a FS for example has the responsibilities of the entire secondary from sideline to sideline and more opportunity to make those big plays.
A good safety in today’s NFL is a luxury. You are correct you can do a lot with a great versatile safety but only if the front 7 can do it’s job well… SEA did 1 thing lsat off season…sign two pass rushers — Cliff Avril a nd Michael Bennett.
I’m down for Malcom Jenkins..but you have to ATleast see if either really want to be an eagle…like is said, if they will sign whoever offers them the most money, then I have no interest…but with Billy and Chip here, you have to ATleast talk to Ward
While Ward isn’t the centerfielder Byrd is, he is a pretty good man to man cover guy…so I really despise how everyone talks about Ward as if he is Bernard pollard! just because he happens to hit like a truck. The dude can cover and has given up like two TDs in 4 years or something crazy
Worth a huge contract though? We don’t have any pass rush which can expose a mediocre cover guy
anybody familiar with Byrd’s play from previous seasons?
if we are assuming he was not content with his contract situation this year, which might have caused him to sit out games he otherwise could have played in, could that also be a source of a lack of effort in tackling? it looks like he put up pretty good numbers as far as tackles go in 2010 through 2012 to go along with a good amount of FFs.
Like 22 INTs in 5 years lol. Really good QBR against rating..the kid can play..I wouldn’t make him the best offer, but if either wanted to come to philly, Im sure we could get something done
I wouldn’t call it lack of effort. He’s just not a punishing tackler, but will punish you in other ways like snatching the ball away from you if you make a mistake or throw in his direction.
Is anybody else starting to get annoyed with people talking about BPA as if there’s literally one guy who is definitively the best player at ever draft slot and if a team doesn’t pick him then they’re morons?
It’s not happening so much here, but BGN is becoming a nightmare for that. I just wish people could figure out that the ‘best’ player is always going to be a subjective decision and that so long as a team picks the guy that they feel is the right guy then it’s probably okay.
As an example, there are about 30 guys that I think you could make a compelling argument for being BPA at 22 if they’re still on the board, depending on scheme fit and whether you prefer athletic upside or ‘safer’ choices.
Really great read on the draft that brings into play some of your points:
http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2014/2/25/5430150/nfl-draft-history-worst-picks
Don’t know that I learned anything from that but it was an enjoyable read.
Yup..it’s a simple grading system. Doubt it uncommon to see equally rated prospects at the top of your board..the only time it probably drastically varies is when a guy really drops and is like 10 grade points higher then anyone else on your board..
..
BPA is always BS, especially at 22 because there will be equally graded players at multiple positions to chose from, unless Barr!Evan,Gilbert or Aaron Donald inexplicably last to us, which would be no brainers
I think you might have accidentally made my point 😉
Is Aaron Donald really a no-brainer for a 2-gap 3-4 team? I’m sure he’d be a useful player, but I think you’re negating a big part of what makes him so good if you don’t let him get after the QB on most snaps.
Don’t mind a monster Nickle interior pass rusher, which is actually why I want us to go sign Alex Carrington..a lot easier to draft Donald when you have such a quality young starting a se defense in place with Ced,Logan and Cox…I was agreeing with you dude, nothing accidental, we are just disagreeing on a player, but I totally agree on your premise of the annoying BPA talk
I think guys like Donald would not be worth 22, if he was crazy reason is there at 54, we should think about and maybe adjust scheme more towards 4-3 under.
Cox-Thornton-Donald could be devastating 3 down DL with Curry and Logan as prime backups.
I do think I prefer Hageman over Donald as he just fits 10 times better in what Kelly, Davis and Azz wants (I think Azz is big part of the scheme, but not in the Washburn way)
Love Hagemen, hate that he is 24years old.llits been killing me since I found out
I’m 24 years old. Do you hate me too?
I don’t see another scheme change on the horizon.
The problem with Hagemen is that he doesn’t really play “up” to his size….. that could be a result of him still learning the subtleties of the position, but Donald seems like he has more upside as a pro product
And thank you. You basically made my point from the other day that I was apologizing for above when I went on that rant the other day.
We’re a two gapping 3-4. Why in hell would we take a 6′ DT that specializes in getting after the QB? Makes no sense & I’d imagine that Howie & Co would see it that way as well.
People on these boards have suggested several times, with several players, that a DE should be converted to OLB. Why not Donald? Besides, the Cowboys seem to want him.
That is possible, but I read Donald was a d line player all the way not a guy who could go to OLB in a 3-4.
Well, Donald is a 4-3 DT that sometimes plays 4-3 DE. If we took him, it would be as a 3-4 DE.
We wouldn’t unless someone inexplicably falls to a crazy value
Odd. I mentioned Aaron Donald yesterday on 24/7 and good old Geagle gave me his usual putdown. Now today a different story? Very odd.
What put down? I simply asked you if you were talking about the cornerback Aaron Donald? Lol
Not really, but I get your frustration. Most reasonable people should take it as a given.
I still think it’s premature to talk about the draft before all of the pro days are done. The mock draft talk will ramp up during April and the subjectivity should be slimmer during that time. IMO, the BGN guys hardly do their research and go by hype.
I was guilty of this a few days back, but only in response to Howie answering a question that if the “BPA” was a OT, would he take them & Howie said absolutely. Got me livid and yes I was very emotional that day in response. Please forgive me all.
Definitely agree with you in principle, but I disagree with the “30 guys being BPA at 22.” That seems a bit much, especially at 22. I would argue that it is closer to 10-15 that have good arguments for BPA.
FWIW I was including guys that won’t realistically be on the board (Clowney etc) in those 30 guys. 10-15 that might actually be there is probably about right.
Another good read Tommy – curious how and who you would rank as the top 10 safeties in the NFL, and if any of them warrant a “great” player accolade from you?
Tom, if you are watching Ward tonight, prepare for a very under rated guy in coverage. He isn’t the elite playmaking centerfielder that Byrd is! but he does well in man to man coverage! and is the exact type of safety that would thrive in Billy Davis! keep everyone in front of you and then tackle him short of the first down! bend but don’t break defense.
..
Was Azzinaro at Oregon when Byrd and Ward were there? Even as an OC, I’m sure Chip spoke enough to Oregons positin coaches to know about Byrd, and as a HC who delegates to his DC, I’m sure he was well informed about Ward being the HC. If Howie is going to talk about free agency in terms of it being a risky arraigned marriage, then how many realistic chances can he expect at an elite young veteran, who happens to play the one starting position we have to fill, and it’s a position that has killed us for half a decade, and ATleast 3 of our coaches have spent time on those players coaching staffs in the past?
..
Howie talked on multiple occasion about not being afraid to spend big on free agents but that it has to be a special guy that fits..he also talked cryptically about great free agents we could have interest in, maybe getting tagged and not end up hitting the market! Well all the stars have aligned, and the cap is projected to increase almost 20mil in the next two years, which means we can basically pay for a franchise QB for free and keep operating at this years 133mil Cap.
…
I didn’t see how we could sign Orakpo or Worlids when we have so much money tied up in Cole,Bg and Barwin! but we could cut Chung whenever the hell we want! and we would only have like 500k invested in the position
..
All the stars have aligned, now get it done Howie and keep putting on a GMs clinic. I been begging too long to care whether it’s Byrd or Ward. Talk to both, and sign the one that wants to be an eagle the most and reflects it in the negotiations. If both make it clear that they will simply just sign with the most lucrative financial offer, then I’d tell both to F OFF and go sign with Oakland because they clearly don’t get what we are building in Philly, and if money is their only motivations, I could do without either, and just turn to Jenkins who is a jersey boy who gets us! can play in the cold! and is a young experienced team captain so I doubt we have to worry about adding a team captain Super Bowl winner to our locker room
NO MORE balls sailing 10 yards over our safeties head to an open WR!
No more playing 23 yards back on 3rd and 13, giving up an underneath route that we can’t successfully tackle short of the first down
..
Byrd may not be an elite Run defender, but even in that regard he is probably better then what we had in a while. Our front 7 shut down plenty run games with little safety’s support last year, so we can easily survive with Byrd, but Ward would take our run defense to that Elite Level especially with the improvements our young puppies will make this offseason, curry,cox,Ced,Mykal,Logan will all be, bigger, stronger, better acclimated to the scheme.
…
Ward is an excellent man to man cover guy who can play Nickle backup role that we wished Chung could play. he would be another option to Barwin! when it comes to shutting down top TEs
…
Byrd is the centerfielder type. No long balls sailing over his headl When Nate actually had good over the top help, it would result in a batted ball and we would all cheer with relief! with Byrd those batted balls turn into INTs!!!
..
Our coaches know about both already, but I think Ward will be more attracted to us because of Billy Davis! and because he got to see how Chip operates as a HC, his sports science…so while as an OC Chip has watched and talked to other position coaches to know Byrd well, Byrd hasn’t really gotten to see what an amazing HC Chip is. Don’t know how often a safety interacts with an offensive coordinator..so my gut says Ward will be more eager to join us
I was waiting for your 3,000 word essay on the matter. Was getting worried.
More like “3,000 WARD essay…”
God, I’m killing it, today.
You really are on Fuego today!
*en fuego… 😉
Don’t correct my Spanglish 🙂
this is fantastic. thank you.
Believe me. Your shtick is just as predictable, and certainly not original.Glad I could quench your thirst
No shtick here, just find your posts long, repetitive and boring (and occasionally creepy). They’re easy enough to ignore usually but these long reads always bum me out. Also, you’re kind of an a$$hole yourself, so figure you can handle being called out.
Sorry I can’t come back and talk shit, because I find you insignificant, so what could I possibly say? Think I have any clue what you write? But you damn sure read mine lol
GEAGLE wrote:
“Our front 7 shut down plenty run games with little safety’s support last year . . . .”
_______________
That observation goes right to the question of what type of safety Kelly and Davis want.
That’s one of T-Law’s known unknowns in this conversation.
(What T-Law didn’t discuss were his unknown unknowns.)
Hard to say, he drafted CB Antrel role and turned him into a safety, which is the Jenkins, Byrd type…but Ward is EXACTLY who Billy WISHED Chung was…Good man to man cover guy that he can stick on a TE, perfect bend but don’t break safety who will keep a WR in front of him, and torpedo his ass short of the first down, he can also be that backup Nickle CB we wish Chung was….basically Ward fixes most of what CRUSHED us all last year, safeties playing 23 yards deep on 3rd n 12, giving up a catch an missing a tackle giving up the first down….I wouldn’t be crazy shocked if we tried to get Ward and Jenkins.and you can bet the saints wouldn’t have run all over our Nickle as easy if we had Ward. He literally could have been the difference in the playoff loss, along with our drunk idiot kicker
what about the unknown unknowns? : P
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2msQwpzatQc
“No” on Azzinaro for Byrd. Yes for Ward.
JAzz at Oregon from ’09-’12.
Thank you kind sir
GEAGLE . . . how you been?
Good my main…the frustrating part of the offseason is over, I’m pumped for roster action!!!!
The Oregon DB coach is John Neal — whose held the position from 2002-present. If you wanted an opinion comparing Byrd and Ward, at least, during their college years, he’s your man.
http://www.goducks.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=22690
Is he the Oregon coach who has been there forever or is there another one who has been there longer?
Nick Aliotti was there from ’88 til about a month ago with the exception of a four year span from 95-98. He was the DC from 99 until January when he retired.
Wonder who wards agent is? Has to be easier to deal with then Byrds bulldog agent Parker
(Some annoying fun with English)
Ward is his agent’s ward. Weird.
A Bruce Wayne/Dick Grayson thing?
Holy amazing recall, AC!
B —
It’s a banner day for you today
No need for the insults!
So what exactly did you have for breakfast?
Whatever it was, it had “great” results………. I’m done (and a day late….. what was that breakfast food again?)
Avant is finished as a contributor in the NFL. You can’t have a slot possession WR who can be covered by outside LBs and definitely a safety in today’s NFL. Not being a contributor on special teams really limits his value too.
Kind of WR that would have stuck around for a few more years in the NFL say 20-25 years ago because of his blocking ability and hands.
I think it more has to do with the need for speed in the spread. In a more traditional offense where he can make someone look foolish with nice moves in traffic, or sit down in the hole, he will do well. Heck he had a pretty darn productive year last year.
The need for speed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fR2hajcuFEM&t=0m8s
B —
Obviously you’re not a coffee drinker.
I drink coffee when the pattern is full…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Il1SIr34R-c
Then you must also wear a bib. Keeps the ghosts at bay.
Avant was a contributor on ST, no? everyones talking about their favorite plays from Avant, one of which was his block on DeOssie in djax’s punt return TD
The Eagles can’t possibly pay huge money to Byrd. Not when every single commenter on this and other boards insists that the safety MUST be over 6 feet!
Auburn had their pro day today. Ford didn’t do anything to lower his stock, he actually might have improved it.
Any reports you can link to? Especially with times/distances.
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/24467729/pro-days-lighter-ford-shows-speed-power
“Scouts expected him to test well and Ford didn’t disappoint. He had a 35 1/2-inch vertical, 10-foot-4-inch long jump, 29 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press and 4.59 on his first 40-yard dash attempt and 4.54 on his second.”
Thanks.
Would love to know Ford’s 10-yard split, 3-cone time, and 20-yard shuttle time too.
Mac ran 4.53 today
K-Mack?
Yup. Khalil Mack.
6.8 on 3-cone, 35.5 vertical
Eric Galko @OptimumScouting 4h
Dee Ford’s Pro Day numbers (couldn’t run in Indy): 6021, 4.59 forty, 29 reps, 35.5 on VJ, 10’3 BJ, and 6.8 3-cone (thanks @TheDriveESPNAU)
mksp —
great stuff. thanks very much.
Oh lord. Now we have to draft him.
The numbers for Ford are excellent. If he’d done that at the combine, the only OLB who did better accross the board was Khalil Mack. (I’m considering Shazier, per T-law, an ILB.)
Compare Ford’s numbers (in I’s and mskp’s comments below) to Monday’s LB results at the Combine.
http://www.nfl.com/combine/tracker
Ford is making his case of being the 2nd best OLB in the draft right now. That is unless Barr tests a lot better at his pro day. But still, I’d give Ford the higher ranking because he’s a better plug in and play edge rusher right now.
Shazier is a freak in his own right too. He’s sort of a more athletic version of Daryl Washington. I wouldn’t mind if we took Shazier in the first. Two young (undersized) athletic ILBs that could be the core of this defense doesn’t sound that bad.
Sad to see Jason Avant go.
Class personified. A pro’s pro. Pick your cliche catch phrase for how to act as a professional, give it everything and then some.
I will def remember his highlight catches on 3rd and long. He brought fans to their feet.
Looking forward I see three potential landing spots for Avant:
1. Kansas City- reunite with Andy
2. Jets- reunite with Marty
And my sleeper pick:
3. Patriots: He will sign cheap/patriots type contract. He runs great routes and is a reliable catcher. With Brady throwing him the ball, Jason could easily go for 80-90 catches and a 1,000 yards.
Avants biggest obstacle wasn’t necessarily physical, he just didn’t get the ball thrown his way very often. Of course when he did, he almost always made the catch.
“catch phrase”
Very nice.
I really want us to take a flier on 2010 Vikings draft bust Chris Cook and hope our coaches can get his career back on track, then again I want to take a flier on any 6’2 212lb CB that ran a 4.4…..kick Marsh to the curb, and see if this project can turn into a gem. Low risk, very high reward…problem is Vikings have zimmer, who is the master at rehabbing lost corners
I like the idea of adding Cook– perhaps after signing either (of this trio) Byrd/Ward/Jenkins….. bringing in Cook to sit and learn, regroup and (hopefully) gain some confidence.
Also, LOVE Carrington from the Bills, or Houston from the Raiders– but Carrington should be cheaper and we don’t exactly “need” more DL starters
Sounds very much like Ha-Ha. While Tommy was watching Byrd, I happened to be watching a bunch of possible 1st rd targets. Ha-Ha being one of them and Tommy’s description of Byrd is what I came away with watching Ha-Ha, even the description of tackling (to not through), watches & reads QB well, plays deep to keep play in front, jumps routes, not great man to man, ballhawk, can come up and support run, can get run over on some plays, etc, etc.
So is $10M worth it if you can take a younger player with the almost same exact attributes in the draft if he falls to you? I guess that’s the kicker, “if he falls to you”.
Especially when the teams drafting before us is like safety desperation row and we could possibly not even keep the pick if Dion is available and other teams are interested
Are we,going to try to sign Haushka and just kick henrey in his head, or will we go with someone less sexy(if a kicker can be sexy) and just bring someone in to compete with henrey and hope Alex can win?
If we kick Henery to the curb he’ll go farther than if he does it himself.
Quick, go online and see if there are any open mic nights at comedy clubs near you. You are on a roll today.
He is really dishing out the “pun”ishment today.
I don’t get how people are saying Tampa will go after Byrd…what will they do with Barron and Goldston? Just because Byrds dad is on the staff, reporters actually think he may go to Tampa?mhow is that even possible, and they have Revis
big-time Bingo. great point.
maybe they release Barron and we pick him up for $400k a year 🙂
Would love if Howie is just playing possum and signs Ward and jenkins
If that cost us $11M or less, I’m ALL FOR IT. 2 for the price of 1.
Re: Dee Ford’s Pro Day
I’m looking forward to T-Law’s review on Ford’s performance.
(Ford’s numbers are detailed below in comments by Insomniac and mksp.)
I don’t think Attaochu is going to test as well as Ford.
Just saw a link on NFL.com that Bart Starr & Reggie White were named to Pack all time list.
Does that piss anyone else off like it does me? Thanks Braman, you jackass.
Tommy, given your film study and given Byrd’s skill set and ( potential ) extremely high cost to sign, I wonder if it may makes more sense to try and go after T J Ward instead ? Ward ran a 4.56 at the combine, and a 4.48 at his pro day. He is faster than Byrd, and US Eagles fans LOVE a guy that is physical, and who hits and tackles, with the effort that Ward does. Also, if he is more of a reasonable signing, maybe they can go after the Miami’s safety Chris Clemens too. Clemens is more of free safety and they would complement each other really well. We can only dream.
Pittsburgh signed Worilds for $9.75 for 1 year. Byrd will want more.
[…] Byrd Hunting – Tommy Lawlor, Iggles BlitzByrd is a good Safety. He has outstanding cover skills and really impacts the passing game, but he is only an average hitter, tackler and run defender. The Bills mostly had Byrd line up as the deep Safety. That’s where he is most effective. He doesn’t have ideal speed so staying deep and being able to read plays helps him to get to the ball. Byrd sees the field well and has good instincts. He has excellent feet and a very quick burst. Byrd has great ball skills. He is able to go over or around receivers and make a play on the ball without drawing a flag. […]