Versatility is a Very Valuable Virtue

Posted: April 19th, 2014 | Author: | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 96 Comments »

Some football coaches love specialists. They want players who have mastered a particular skill or role. Chip Kelly is not one of those coaches. He’s pretty much the exact opposite. Kelly wants players that he can move around and be creative with. His no huddle approach has helped him to see the value of players being able to handle different jobs. Substitutions slow the game down, plus you tell the opponent what you’re doing and allow them to react.

I wrote about Kelly and his love of versatile players for PE.com.

I covered a few prospects who are versatile and could be of interest. Obviously there are plenty more guys that I left out. Just know that when trying to figure out if the Eagles are going to be interested in a player, if he’s not versatile, that hurts his chances.

One player I mentioned in the article is Dee Ford. The more I think about it, the less sense he makes based on what we know about Kelly and the Eagles. Ford lacks ideal size. He isn’t versatile. He even uses the same rush move most of the time (flying off the edge and trying to win with speed). Ford is a quality prospect, but he doesn’t seem like a player for this scheme. He’d be ideal for the Wide-9.

When it comes to the Eagles, versatility is a virtue.

* * * * *

Please let me know if you have updates to the Visits/Interest List. I added a couple from the previous comments section.

This started back in 2004 with me and a guy named MuddyWaters on the EMB. We started scouring the internet for any mentions of the Eagles and prospects. Over time that grew to being a lot of people helping to check. The more eyes and ears we have checking, the better our info will be.

* * * * *

One of the people who had names to add to the list is someone named Allen Rodriguez. He runs a blog called BirdBreakdown. He’s got a recent post up that is pretty cool. Allen made a list of the players that Kelly offered scholarships to while at Oregon.

Check this out.

There are some pretty interesting names on there. If you match that list with the Player Interest list, there are a few guys who show up on both.

LB Anthony Barr

WR Marqise Lee

DE Taylor Hart

LB Ronald Powell

TE Richard Rodgers

Here’s an additional note of interest on WR Shaq Evans from UCLA, who I like quite a bit.

Evans is interesting because he is a big  receiver (6’1”, 213) who Kelly appears to have attempted to acquire twice already. Aside from his initial offer from Oregon out of high school, after Evans decided to leave Notre Dame, he was reportedly deciding between UCLA and Oregon. Will Kelly let him get away three times?

Good stuff.

Here is Evans going up against Va Tech in the bowl game.

* * * * *

One player on that list who I’ve been asked about is Antone Exum from Va Tech. He was injured and missed part of the season. Exum is either a big CB or Safety. Prior to his knee injury, I liked him as a CB target for the Eagles. I think I wrote about him for the Eagles Almanac last summer as a prospect to watch.

I haven’t heard a word connecting him to the Eagles, but he could absolutely be a late round target if his knee checks out.

_


96 Comments on “Versatility is a Very Valuable Virtue”

  1. 1 TommyLawlor said at 8:53 PM on April 19th, 2014:

    @GEAGLE…

    In the previous comments section you asked about ILB Yamin Smallwood. Here’s the deal.

    Jerry Azzinaro, the DL coach, was at UConn to work out DL Shamar Stephen, who would be a DE or NT for us. While there, he also worked out Jesse Joseph, who played DE in college, but would move to LB for us. I’m guessing Joseph looked good since that led to another workout, this time with an actual LB coach.

    Azz would not work out ILB prospects.

    This is different that the DBs coach being at a school. He lines up as many DBs as he wants and runs them through drills. He knows the CB, NB, SS and FS all the same.

  2. 2 GEAGLE said at 8:55 AM on April 20th, 2014:

    Gotcha… Thank you sir,,,,,kind of wishful thinking on my part, was hoping we worked that kid out and it was just overlooked..

    Thanks for the Smallwood and Exum intel…much appreciated

  3. 3 Insomniac said at 9:03 PM on April 19th, 2014:

    There’s a lot of quality possession receivers with speed in this draft, Evans is one of them. I couldn’t help but notice #56 (Sua-Filo) while watching the breakdown. He’ll make a team that needs OL pretty happy.

  4. 4 Mitchell said at 10:18 PM on April 19th, 2014:

    Like us? MUAHAHAHAHAHA

  5. 5 Insomniac said at 11:03 PM on April 19th, 2014:

    I doubt we’ll pick him in the first. There’s no way that he’ll last to our 2nd pick.

  6. 6 Media Mike said at 7:34 AM on April 20th, 2014:

    I’m in the vast minority, but I wouldn’t mind a guard at #22 if we’re looking at clear best player available. I’m not overly enamored with our current RG, and neither guard is very young.

  7. 7 A Roy said at 7:51 AM on April 20th, 2014:

    Herremans is not a youngster, but let us not forget last year was his first year as RG. He’s now changed positions 3 time since he came to Phila as a LT…LG, RT, RG. And he’s done better than a good job. I’m willing to see how he does this year before expecting an upgrade.

  8. 8 Media Mike said at 7:55 AM on April 20th, 2014:

    That is a fair point, but Herremans has a contract that makes sense to cut after 2014 if we can replace talent for talent at RG. We’re heavily invested in two stud tackles, a stud guard, and an improving center already. I woldn’t mind having one starter on the O-line “only” making #22 pick money for 4 years.

  9. 9 A Roy said at 8:20 AM on April 20th, 2014:

    Good point, although we frequently see contracts reduced late in someone’s career.

  10. 10 GEAGLE said at 8:54 AM on April 20th, 2014:

    True…but going straight to cutting is a mistake. Dude is a versatile career long eagle who has played every position we asked of him. You don’t cut a guy like that without trying to restructure first

  11. 11 GEAGLE said at 8:52 AM on April 20th, 2014:

    There is no room for being rational on the internet!! 🙂
    ..
    Props, wish more fans saw things your way…people just see players in brand new roles, brand new schemes, and think it’s the best it’s ever going to get for them…it’s not like madden where you see a player is ranked a 97, you can trade him to a new team or put him in a new position and that kid will perform at a 97 level instantly for you….

    Switching Schemes and positions often require completely different techniques and it can almost be like having to re learn the game in a new way….that’s what makes what our young DL and OL accomplished last year special and extremely encouraging….I’m expecting our OL to be drastically better than last year…And I mean DRASTICALLY better

  12. 12 GEAGLE said at 8:47 AM on April 20th, 2014:

    My problem with taking a OG in the first two rounds is I believe OG drafted that high needs to start day one…..if we are going to draft and send a OG to the bench, might as well coach up a later round OG…
    ….
    Another major problem for me drafting a OG high, is My FAVORITE OG in the country plays for Oregon and won’t come out til next years draft….if we need to draft a OG high, why not just wait a year, take the kid from Oregon Grasu, and eliminate a lot of the guess work in the draft, and just start Grasu as a rookie?

    OG is SOOO undervalued, that you can pretty easily get the Top OG in the draft, if that’s who you really covet, except in a crappy year like last year when Chance and Coop went top 11

  13. 13 D3FB said at 4:02 PM on April 20th, 2014:

    Because Grasu is a center?

  14. 14 GEAGLE said at 7:46 PM on April 20th, 2014:

    Plenty project him as a G in the NFL already…..you know! how the eagles happened to workout USC 2nd round center? You don’t actually think we have interest in a round two back up for Kelce do you?

  15. 15 D3FB said at 8:12 PM on April 20th, 2014:

    Marcus Martin played a year at guard. Grasu is a four year starter at center. Grasu will probably go around the same area that the Pouncey’s went as a center. So in other words you are advocating to pass on any guards early in this draft because they wouldn’t start day one (despite the fact there are only like 5 or 6 guys in the draft that would start day one for us), and because there one player who will be a first round pick NEXT year who you want to convert to a guard? You see the issues I have with that?

  16. 16 GermanEagle said at 9:19 PM on April 19th, 2014:

    Speaking of versatility and the lack of: Unless Kelvin Benjamin can play WR and OLB I don’t want any part of him in an Eagles uniform.

  17. 17 A_T_G said at 7:49 AM on April 20th, 2014:

    I know KB’s hands are a knock against him as a WR, but he would probably have the best hands of any LB. There are so many things wrong with idea of moving him to LB, but the thought of having a guy that can catch covering TEs is fun.

  18. 18 Baloophi said at 9:20 PM on April 19th, 2014:

    Vonderful Vordplay.

  19. 19 TommyLawlor said at 9:48 PM on April 19th, 2014:

    A lot of alliteration is awesome.

  20. 20 ICDogg said at 10:51 AM on April 20th, 2014:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvLmcRZte78

  21. 21 GermanEagle said at 9:23 PM on April 19th, 2014:

    Re Tommy’s quote from PE.com:

    Casey can play tight end, fullback or H-back.

    Can he?!

  22. 22 TommyLawlor said at 9:46 PM on April 19th, 2014:

    Casey’s lack of playing time is one of the great mysteries of 2013. I think it had more to do with Kelly enjoying 3 WR looks than anything Casey did, but I don’t know that for sure.

  23. 23 Call Me Carlos the Dwarf said at 12:38 AM on April 20th, 2014:

    Yeah, I think the “issue” is how good all of our other skill players were, not that there was anything wrong with Casey.

  24. 24 Media Mike said at 7:31 AM on April 20th, 2014:

    Considering the lack of talent at WR, it wouldn’t shock me to see a lot of 3 TE this year.

  25. 25 A Roy said at 7:47 AM on April 20th, 2014:

    You think the drop off from Jaccson to Maclin is so significant that they go single WR?

  26. 26 Media Mike said at 7:57 AM on April 20th, 2014:

    I wouldn’t mind a few formations with one WR, Shady, and all three TEs on the field. The run/pass options would be significant and would be one way to help make up for the vast talent reduction at WR this year.

    And yes, I think the drop off from Jackson to Maclin is significant.

  27. 27 GEAGLE said at 10:14 AM on April 20th, 2014:

    Different players….Maclin doesn’t have the Homerun ability Desean brings, but he is probably an upgrade from Desean on 3rd and 8 or in the Red zone

  28. 28 Media Mike said at 10:20 AM on April 20th, 2014:

    I couldn’t not disagree more. Maclin is an extremely limited player.

  29. 29 GEAGLE said at 10:26 AM on April 20th, 2014:

    Sure, but you really can’t say Desean is a better possession WR than Maclin…heck last year was the first time Desean even had a pulse in the redzone…..but of course, what Desean brings to the table is harder to find. Desean is a threat on every single play, Maclin can’t hold his jock in that aspect. But let’s not pretend Maclin isn’t better in some areas. I don’t expect Chip to try and make Maclin replace Desean, I expect him to maximize what Macs good at, use his crisp route running to become a possession WR….but of course, on the field Desean is the more valuable player

  30. 30 Media Mike said at 10:30 AM on April 20th, 2014:

    I’m really not trying to bust your chops too badly, but I really don’t see anything Maclin does better than Jackson. On the three occasions Jackson sat out a game in 2009, 2010, and 2011 Maclin was called into duty as a number one for the entire game and failed to produce. The mega-clunker (1 catch for 6 yards) vs. Arizona in 2011 was quite possibly the worst effort I’ve seen from a “#1” WR in my life.

  31. 31 GEAGLE said at 10:36 AM on April 20th, 2014:

    Dude, I don’t even like Maclin. Feel free to rip him a new one as far as I’m concerned…but I also don’t forget that he was the ONLY ONE to step up and ball out for FOles as a rookie on that dysfunctional mess of sinking ship….I’d can’t even express how much I’d rather have Dessean on the field than Maclin, but I guess I don’t look at them as WRs you really compare. I view them as very different. I’m not going to compare and contrast Wes Welker and Dez Bryant. Sure they both carry the WR label, but I don’t even know how to try and compare them…basically I think it’s a mistake to look at how Maclin will fill Deseans role, because I don’t believe that to be the plan

  32. 32 A Roy said at 7:45 AM on April 20th, 2014:

    I think Casey was a victim of BPA. Had Ertz not been available when he was, they would have taken someone at a different position and Casey would probably have had a more prominent role in the offense.

  33. 33 GEAGLE said at 8:41 AM on April 20th, 2014:

    Yes and No….think Chip will always have 3TE portion of playbook…Ertz just screwed him out of 12 personel snaps

  34. 34 austinfan said at 8:27 AM on April 20th, 2014:

    Casey was hurt in training camp? and by the time he was healthy Ertz had stepped up and taken the #2 TE/H-back role. Though Casey’s PT increased in the second half as Chip found ways of using his move blocking skills.

  35. 35 GEAGLE said at 8:39 AM on April 20th, 2014:

    I think the same thing…Expecting Casey Role to increase this year….if a player isn’t that good, makes sense to NOT play him down the stretch…but when crunch time came late in the season, Casey’s role grew….we didn’t address the 4mil he is scheduled to make, so I’d bet we see a lot more of Casey next year …think it’s simple as last year not being time for the Casey portion of the playbook…

  36. 36 JEinOKC said at 12:14 AM on April 20th, 2014:

    Tommy, I’d love to know if you’d had a chance to look at S Maurice Alexander from Utah State. He’s relatively unknown, but as an alum I’m a little partial to my guys. He seems like, depending on the lens you look through, either a player Chip would love (big, versatile, athletic former LB) or take completely off the draft board (punched teammate in 2011 and was suspended for a year). He would be a project, since he’s still learning the position, but could be a real steal in the late rounds or as an UDFA if he could put it all together

  37. 37 D3FB said at 1:22 AM on April 20th, 2014:

    Based on the two games of film (USC, Wyoming) I think he is an intriguing UDFA type. Against USC he played exclusively in the box. He shows some decent instincts against the run. Against Wyoming he has a big club on his right hand (football related?) and plays a combination of deep zone and up in the box. He didn’t really do much in deep zone, but once again he did a nice job against the run. He’s an ok tackler. I think some team that is looking for more of a true box safety may overlook the issues and pick him up as a priority UDFA.
    However, I think the suspension takes him completely off the draft board for the Eagles. After reading about the incident it sounds pretty serious and he had to serve 45 days in jail, and seriously messed the other kid up.
    http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865559820/Ex-USU-football-player-Maurice-Alexander-sentenced-to-jail-for-hitting-teammate.html?pg=all

  38. 38 JEinOKC said at 2:20 AM on April 20th, 2014:

    What was Chip’s famous quote? “Big people beat up little people – especially when the little people aren’t looking and you clock ’em in the eye socket.” I may have paraphrased a bit, but he seems right up Chippah’s wheelhouse

  39. 39 planetx1971 said at 5:31 AM on April 20th, 2014:

    As something changed your thinkingI really do understand Chip’s love of versatile players all over the roster. It makes absolute sense. The DB’s, The OL, RBs & basically everyone else. I also recently we discussed that the odds of finding an ROLB with all the skills of run stopping, terrorizing QB’s AND pass coverage was very unlikely. I believe that was the chief argument against a guy like KVN. I agree with this. We need IMO opinion, a pass rushing terror at that position that can hold ip against the run. Then we could forgive sub par dropping back skills. I think that could be the ONE spot that we need a specialist rather than versatility. Has something or someone changed your stance on that? If that versatile guy truly isn’t out there, my mind is definitely still made up. We need that ROLB terror so badly!

  40. 40 planetx1971 said at 5:56 AM on April 20th, 2014:

    For the record, I seem to be in the minority, bit I really like KVN. With his versatility & and great pass coverage ability I think he’d make a nice LOLB. My ? Is, does Barwin posess the ability to make an impact at pass rusher at ROLB? I know we have Cole and who doesn’t love the old warrior? If he was to be a situational pass rusher, & we had Bar win & KVN ON the line, I’d think that’d be about as versatile as we could ever hope for. like I said, IF that’s a position & ability Conner posesses….

  41. 41 Media Mike said at 7:40 AM on April 20th, 2014:

    KVN really is more of an ILB player. I think he’d be a great learner there this year while playing on passing downs while moving into the starter there in 2015.

  42. 42 planetx1971 said at 8:54 AM on April 20th, 2014:

    See below…..for reasons I once again made myself an idgit.

  43. 43 GEAGLE said at 11:49 AM on April 20th, 2014:

    No worries… We all have “our blonde moments”…

  44. 44 GEAGLE said at 8:37 AM on April 20th, 2014:

    People talk about finding Meco’s replacement in terms of just finding a quality LB to take over, when in reality that player will need to be an extremely intelligent leader…we overlook the importance of Jenkins and Meco in this Multi front defense..Billy gives them a lot on their plates, ability to make checks and changes the calls…Meco backup will need to be a very intelligent, playmaking, SOB of a leader….that’s KVN….KVN I’m sure made an impression in the interview

  45. 45 Anders said at 8:36 AM on April 20th, 2014:

    Not Tommy has changed his view. He had said I like KVN as an ILB all the time.

  46. 46 planetx1971 said at 8:52 AM on April 20th, 2014:

    Didn’t KVN mostly play OLB at BYU? That’s what my thoughts were based on. Honestly this is the first I’ve heard of him possibly being an ILB prospect. As usual, all the crazy hours I spend in the field and in my barn has caused me to fall behind & once again make an ass outta myself……. AGAIN. Sorry guys.

  47. 47 Anders said at 10:13 AM on April 20th, 2014:

    Tommy have mentioned this a lot.

    Tommy have said all along he sees him as an 4-3 SAM or 3-4 ILB maybe a 3-4 SAM like Barwin

  48. 48 GermanEagle said at 7:19 AM on April 20th, 2014:

    So how far will Chip Kelly’s evolution of versatility take the Eagles? Back to the good old high school days of playing both and even three ways maybe? Would be nice to see a Shady McCoy cut backing through opposing Offense Lines on his way to sacking the QB. Or Mykal Kendricks running a post while Nate Allen catches a curl in the open field. At least the latter’s known for making people miss in the open field…

  49. 49 A_T_G said at 7:37 AM on April 20th, 2014:

    Wow, I thought high school memories of going both ways and threeways was just something from the movies. They know how to do it in Deutschland.

  50. 50 GermanEagle said at 7:41 AM on April 20th, 2014:

    ‘Harte Schule’ in Deutschland, my friend.

    My old bones very well remember the days of playing OLB, TE and special teams in one game…

  51. 51 A Roy said at 7:43 AM on April 20th, 2014:

    I don’t think that’s what ATG meant…

  52. 52 GermanEagle said at 7:51 AM on April 20th, 2014:

    #sarcasm is also my friend.

    Problem was though, if you only have 22 players dressed up for gamedays you will struggle to NOT play two or three ways. 😉

  53. 53 A Roy said at 7:53 AM on April 20th, 2014:

    He wasn’t discussing football.

  54. 54 GermanEagle said at 8:16 AM on April 20th, 2014:

    Duh, what was he talking about then? Must be still too early I guess…

  55. 55 A_T_G said at 9:44 AM on April 20th, 2014:

    http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=go%20both%20ways

    http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Threeway

    Enjoy the holiday!

  56. 56 GermanEagle said at 6:11 PM on April 20th, 2014:

    I can see the rainbow.

  57. 57 Scott J said at 8:22 AM on April 20th, 2014:

    Evans reminds me of Maclin.

  58. 58 austinfan said at 8:25 AM on April 20th, 2014:

    One interesting aspect of the pre-draft activities is the type of OL they’ve been checking out:

    * OG Trey Hopkins – Texas –
    6’3 307 [5.26 28 4.80 8.03 32 9’2]
    * OG Spencer Long – Nebraska – 6-5, 320
    knee injury
    * OC/OG Marcus Martin – USC –
    6’3 320 [5.28 1.81 23 4.93 ] coming off knee injury
    OT Ja’Waun James – Tennessee … worked out by Jeff Stoutland –
    6’6 311 [5.30 1.82 22 4.56 7.42 29 87′]
    OT Tiny Richardson – Tennessee … worked out by Jeff Stoutland –
    6’6 326 [5.25 1.81 36 5.06 8.10 27 9’4]
    OC James Stone – Tennessee … worked out by Jeff Stoutland
    6’4 306 [5.15 1.72 22 46.3 8.16 27 8’9]
    OG Zach Fulton – Tennessee … worked out by Jeff Stoutland
    6’5 316 [5.13 1.71 25 4.97 7.87 24 8’2]
    OG Trai Turner – LSU … met with him at the Combine
    6’3 310 [4.89 1.72 25 4.77 8.10 27 8’6]
    OT Laurent Durvernay-Tardiff – McGill
    6’5 298 [5.01 33 7.30 31 9’6]

    What stands out is that these guys are bigger and less athletic than
    player like Mudd, Kelce, Barbre and Tobin. I’m wondering if this is the
    influence of Stoutland. Now the Tennessee player I think they were
    focusing on was James, and the others may simply have been taking the
    opportunity of checking them out. The Canadian OT is the only one who
    fits the traditional zone blocking mold.

  59. 59 Anders said at 8:40 AM on April 20th, 2014:

    First of all finding athletic players like Johnson or Kelce is tough to do.

    Also that list of players is still in the more mobile end of OL (from film, not pure combine numbers).

  60. 60 GEAGLE said at 8:33 AM on April 20th, 2014:

    Thank you for the Exum intel….love that kid…can’t lose with him. Doesn’t regain his CB speed at 213lbs? Then jack him back up to a chizzled 220lbs to play safety where he played for 3 years….think he was a second round corner talent before the injury,,..would love that kid in the 4th-5th…

    Enjoy your holiday!!!

  61. 61 A_T_G said at 9:47 AM on April 20th, 2014:

    The guy has intriguing potential, but “can’t lose” and drafting a guy coming off a knee injury brings up some ghosts of Draft days past.

  62. 62 GEAGLE said at 10:17 AM on April 20th, 2014:

    Well that’s what gets you. Round two talent in say the 4th round…without that, I probably wouldn’t be talking about Exum, because I have no interest in taking a CB in round two…
    ..
    Outside of the top 10, every prospect has warts…and the healthy prospect, about a third of them will get a serious Injury at some point

  63. 63 Anders said at 8:39 AM on April 20th, 2014:

    One thing I find facinating is how Kelly has the total opposite view to defense than the Seahawks.

    The Seahawks play almost the same coverage on every snap (Cover 1 Robber, with some patter matching from the CBs).

  64. 64 GEAGLE said at 8:43 AM on April 20th, 2014:

    Swear I was just thinking the same exact thing,,,,Seahawks defense is all about the specialist….we want the versatility

  65. 65 Anders said at 10:16 AM on April 20th, 2014:

    There is no right or wrong.

    Kelly sees defense trough his offensive philosophy where he loves versatile players, so a versatile defense can counter his up tempo style.

    I defense with a ton of packages have a tougher time against Kelly, where a defense who can win with its base defense have it a lot easier.

    I would put Seattle in the first box, they win by mix and matching up front, but if you get them of guard in wrong front 7, the secondary might help em out but they can be vulnable

  66. 66 GEAGLE said at 10:20 AM on April 20th, 2014:

    No, I def agree…..also, if you are fortunate to have the talent that Seattle has, makes it a lot easier to be so simple, line up and just kick ass….Carroll could never play like that, nor would he try with what Billy had to work with last year, where he had to do so much scheming to cover our weakness…pretty damn impressive when you consider how basic we were on defense, with so little subpackage variation…Playbooks will open up on offense and defense this year and build on last years strong but basic foundation

  67. 67 GEAGLE said at 10:28 AM on April 20th, 2014:

    Bellicek is probably a combo of the two….he wants specialist, but has used some complicated schemes, ATleast defensively

  68. 68 Mitchell said at 10:35 AM on April 20th, 2014:

    I was just reading over at Bleeding Green and they brought up Bamiro and Tobin are both entering their second seasons. Not to mention Dennis Kelley. The point is that we should be able to see how the Eagles feel about line depth as the draft progresses. We didn’t sign any lineman this offseason, except Molk, so if they wanted to infuse talent into line they would obviously do it in the draft.

    It seems out of the three we should have at least a good starting right tackle. Obviously guard is still a need but if one of those guys can play inside, maybe line depth isn’t as desperate as we all thought. All in all BPA I guess.

  69. 69 GEAGLE said at 10:41 AM on April 20th, 2014:

    Yup yup….I love how fans talk about NEEDING OL, when they have NO CLUE whatsoever what we have on our bench….when the hell was the last time a fans saw Dennis Kelly? Can’t know what you NEED, without knowing what you have…..but we should surely get a few clues by how we operate in this draft…WE DONT know what we have in Bamiro! but our coaches saw him every day….for all we know Bamiro and kElly could be looking like beasts and we have no space for OTs, or they could be looking like they don’t belong in the NFL and we have a bigger need at OT than we think….can’t wait to find out

  70. 70 Media Mike said at 10:41 AM on April 20th, 2014:

    We’re going to find out in 2015 after Herremans is cut for salary reasons.

  71. 71 GEAGLE said at 10:43 AM on April 20th, 2014:

    Or renegotiated at a lower number…..wouldn’t be surprised if Herremans looks much better next year than he did last year..

  72. 72 Mitchell said at 10:44 AM on April 20th, 2014:

    We have had two good coaches on the OL in Mudd and Stoutland so it will be interesting to see what tidbits the young guys learned from them.

  73. 73 GEAGLE said at 10:46 AM on April 20th, 2014:

    Really excited for preseason games under Chip….our depth was pathetic under Andy so PS games were nightmares…but if Chip builds the deep program I think he has in mind, getting to watch our youngbucks play every summer should be interesting

    For example, will Barkley still be scared to death when we need him to open things up by keeping the ball and taking the 7 yard gain the defense is giving him?

  74. 74 Mitchell said at 10:57 AM on April 20th, 2014:

    Hey, just watched Exum against Watkins in 2012. I liked what I saw. Seems like his speed is a notch below the top tier CB’s. I would obviously like him for versatility. Do you know of any character concerns he has besides being a little arrogant (which is probably a good thing in football especially this team which I feel needs a bit more attitude besides Williams). Tore his ACL in jan 2013 in a pick up bball game? That SUCKS. Good news is, he should COMPLETELY back to health.

  75. 75 GEAGLE said at 11:30 AM on April 20th, 2014:

    They actually say he is very intelligent, articulate, cultured and can come off as arrogant. Those are the only character concerns I ever heard, but maybe I’m missing somthing….like a kid who played safety 3 years and also has film at CB…especially a kid recovering from injury…a 6’0 213lb CB who can press and likes to tackle seems right up our ally. If our sport science can’t get his pre injury speed back? No problem, Jack him back up to 220 LBs and move him back to safety where you have years of footage of him playing. Dude is a shredded beast at either weight, and I like not having to project how he will carry the added weight

  76. 76 Mark Sitko said at 10:49 AM on April 20th, 2014:

    Shazier just made his way onto my radar – is there any chance that he could play OLB for us? Is he too small to take on LTs all game?

  77. 77 Mark Sitko said at 10:51 AM on April 20th, 2014:

    Is Clay Matthews much bigger? They seem about the same size, and Shazier might even be more athletic…no?

  78. 78 GEAGLE said at 11:24 AM on April 20th, 2014:

    Clay showed up at USC at 160lbs…genetic freak, who is psychotic in the weight room lol..drafted around 240, probably playing around 255lbs when he found success in the NFL

  79. 79 Anders said at 1:18 PM on April 20th, 2014:

    Functional strength. Clay might be 240 but he has the strength to to fight with OTs, Shazier cant.

  80. 80 D3FB said at 3:36 PM on April 20th, 2014:

    Matthews is listed at 255. He looks 255 as well.

  81. 81 GEAGLE said at 10:51 AM on April 20th, 2014:

    Think he is better off trying to play safety than taking on LTs with his 240lb body(and that’s generous)…really like the kid, but he would have to replace Kendricks or just be a subpackage weapon. Don’t see how we can draft him early…I seriously don’t even think Chip would consider him as an OLB….ask yourself, what would we do with Lavonte David in our scheme?

  82. 82 Mark Sitko said at 10:57 AM on April 20th, 2014:

    How does Clay Matthews do it at 240? I am trying to figure out what we need as an OLB – I understand someone like Ware, but those guys are really rare – what about smaller guys like Clay? Is he not great at his position? Watching Shazier he does not seem any less athletic. What am I missing here?

  83. 83 GEAGLE said at 11:14 AM on April 20th, 2014:

    While I get your line of thinking…let’s talk about Clay for a minute. Dude is a FREAK BEAST! Showed up at USC as a 160lb LB and TE…dude is a dedicated maniac in the weight room, and while he came out as a 240lb OLB, he probably playing closer to 255lb these days….

    Is Shazier the genetic freak who is an Evan Mathis type madman in the weight room? I have no idea…the one thing I think I can say with confidence is Chips ideal is 6’6 260lb, long arms and EXPLOSIVE! Problem is this draft lacks those types…there is Murphy who is limited athletically, Hubbard who is a space cadet, and Will Clarke who some thinks looks more like a DE

    Another think to keep in mind is you won’t EVER hear Chip talk bout OLB without mentioning the importance of setting the edge agonist the run. For this year, we are fortunate that no matter what Cole lacks as an OLB, he is an ELITE run defender who sets the edge as well as anyone, which is extremely valuable to us, because most rookies have to start off as 3rd down pass rushers who are a year or two away from being able to play the run. Cole is perfect compliment to a rookie OLB…where things get less than ideal is Coles pricetag after this year. It’s assumed we want out of that contract after the year and if that’s the case, the OLB we draft will HAVE to be able to be ready to play the run at the beginning of his second season….that may be a problem when considering a kid like him or even Dee Ford, who I don’t believe we will want…

    Since this draft class lacks chips ideal we will have some compromising to do…what will Chip compromise? this time of year, you hear “does a prospect check all the boxes”, if not, which boxes are you willing to compromise on…..MY GUESS, is if we compromise a few inches on Heightl it’s made up for in arm length which is important at almost every position, but really important at OLB…Can’t get a 6’6 kid with long arms, then IMO we wiill think the next best thing is a Marcus Smith type..long arms, 6’4..former DE and OLB str

  84. 84 GEAGLE said at 11:17 AM on April 20th, 2014:

    Think it’s much safer to ask a kid like Marcus to set the edge at the beginning of year two, than it will be to ask that of Shazier or Dee Ford……

    On the flip side, the way the game is trending, if your LBs can’t cover, you now have to get them off the field on 3rd down….so LBs who lack size but can really run like Shazier, Telvin Smith, Kirksey are starting to have more value, and the big Bestly LBs, are starting to become strictly two down LBs…interesting to see how a kid like Telvin or Kirksey will be valued….those kids may struggle to find a role in your base the first few years, but they can be major subpackages weapons in coverage on 3rd down

  85. 85 Anders said at 1:19 PM on April 20th, 2014:

    You mean Ware who is 6’4 240 while he played OLB for the Cowboys?

    Most OLBs are around that size, but it is all about strength.

  86. 86 Media Mike said at 10:52 AM on April 20th, 2014:

    Shazier is very limited and would, at best, be a starting ILB in a 3-4.

  87. 87 TommyLawlor said at 10:57 AM on April 20th, 2014:

    Shazier is a 4-3 OLB, but in the 3-4 he would be an ILB.

    Compare him to Daryl Washington from ARZ. Smaller guy who can fly around and excel in coverage. Athletic enough to make plays when blitzing or chasing the ball.

  88. 88 Mark Sitko said at 11:08 AM on April 20th, 2014:

    Thanks Tommy. Is it simply his lack of strength that keeps him from playing outside in a 3-4? How is he different than a Clay Matthews?

  89. 89 Mark Sitko said at 11:10 AM on April 20th, 2014:

    I like that kid a lot but don’t see the need for a backup to Kendricks right now…is Shazier’ problem at playing OLB the same as Kendricks? I wanted to see him try the edge as well…the more I think it over it has to be an upper body strength thing…Clay is more of a triangle than either Shazier or Kend

  90. 90 Anders said at 1:17 PM on April 20th, 2014:

    /edit I thought you said Casey not Clay

    We only had 2 real OLBs last year (not counting Graham)

  91. 91 GEAGLE said at 11:22 AM on April 20th, 2014:

    Do you think he would be able to replace Meco in our scheme, playing next to Kendrick? Especially when it looks like our Multi front defense may use a smaller NT than most fans would like?

    Any chance we would consider him as a Meco replacement? I struggle to see it, curious if I’m missing something?

  92. 92 GEAGLE said at 11:44 AM on April 20th, 2014:

    With all the talk about Malcolm Jenkins QBing our secondary, can’t help but to wonder who the hell was making the calls back there these past few years? Lol Nate? Chung? Coleman? It’s a miracle our secondary wasn’t pointing at each other last year…wish I could get Cary to honestly answer how happy he is to see Chung and Coleman gone? 🙂 then again, knowing C-dub “BAD COP” Williams, he may actually give you an honest answer….god I love having an asshole for a CB!!! LONG LIVE SCONCES!!! Bout to redecorate my crib in his honor

  93. 93 GEAGLE said at 1:06 PM on April 20th, 2014:

    Am I the only one who celebrates Easter as the day we sent Mcnabb to ruin the redskins? Hopefully Agent Desean follows Mcnabbs footsteps…

    Any chance Eaglez have an Easter trick up their sleeve?

  94. 94 joe said at 2:52 PM on April 20th, 2014:

    I really like Ronald Powell as a prospect, that guy is as athletic as they come. Ran a 4.53 was reading up on him last night… Impressive.

  95. 95 joe said at 2:55 PM on April 20th, 2014:

    When he rushes like an animal it resembles clowney in a way with his quickness but that’s kinda where it ends… For now.

  96. 96 eagleyankfan said at 8:09 AM on April 21st, 2014:

    Just my view after 1 tape. I don’t think 6′ 1 is a big receiver. Shaq is not the greatest of blockers. I didn’t see anything in that tape that made me say ‘damn’ we have to have him. Unless they are thinking this guy is still growing, I’m hoping for a bigger WR with little more of an attitude. And also, his name was used already in basketball — can’t have that…