More QB Talk

Posted: May 5th, 2014 | Author: | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 61 Comments »

I think most Eagles fans have started to buy the fact that Chip Kelly doesn’t need a mobile QB for his offense. Outsiders don’t fully agree with that. There was a good discussion on Twitter on Sunday about whether Nick Foles would be the starting QB in 2016. A couple of guys felt that Kelly will continue looking for his ideal QB and will find him in one of the next 3 drafts. And these guys were smart football writers and analysts.

I don’t think anyone expects Nick Foles to post the same kind of numbers that he did in 2013. That doesn’t mean his success was a fluke. The numbers were crazy, but the tape doesn’t lie. Foles played well. He was smart and accurate. He found the open receiver and got him the ball. Foles played at a high level and could be even better in 2014, even if his numbers aren’t as gaudy. While Foles will never be viewed as a good runner, he was effective in 2013. I know I was shocked at some of the success he had.

We don’t know just how good Foles can be over the long haul, but there is plenty of reason for optimism. The Eagles will see how he plays this year and then decide whether he’s worth a big deal.

Until the Eagles do commit to him financially, there are going to be people that think Kelly is still looking for a different QB. I understand that it is hard to look at the Oregon attack and Foles and see how those 2 things mesh. Obviously the key point there is that Kelly has changed the offense and is more reliant on a pro passing attack.

The biggest argument for me is to study Kelly’s moves since taking over the Eagles. Kelly hired Pat Shurmur to be his OC. Shurmur is about as West Coast Offense as it gets. Kelly benched Mike Vick in favor of Nick Foles. Kelly drafted Matt Barkley and signed Mark Sanchez. None of these guys are your standard mobile QB.

If Kelly wants a mobile QB, he’s doing a lousy job of showing it.

If Kelly had a chance to get an elite talent with mobility, that might be tough to pass up. The problem there is that the Eagles don’t look like a team that will have a Top 5 pick, which is where you find those types of QBs.

I don’t anticipate the Eagles drafting a QB this year. I could end up being dead wrong, but I think the team wants to stick with Foles, while also seeing how Barkley plays this spring and summer. The Eagles will need to add depth to run the kind of practices they like. I’m sure they’ll address QB aggressively with UDFAs.

But…what if Chip Kelly does covet one of these QBs?

As much as that would frustrate me, go get the QB. I’m not talking about making a value pick. I’m talking about Kelly really falling in love with one of these prospects and thinking the guy could be a special player. Some people see that guy as being Johnny Manziel, but I don’t. Manziel became a very undisciplined player at Texas A&M. This isn’t the same guy that Kelly recruited. Kelly likes a QB who has improvisational skills, but that’s very different from a player who has an over-reliance on them. You can’ argue that Manziel does rely too much on making plays and not just executing them.

When I think of Kelly’s ideal QB, I picture Aaron Rodgers. He is an elite passer with above average mobility. He can run when the situation calls for it, but mostly carves up defenses with accurate throws and smart QB play. The QB in this class who reminds me the most of Rodgers…Derek Carr. I don’t see the Eagles going for him, but he’s a name that almost never gets mentioned. The one big problem for Carr is that he’s got small hands and Kelly likes his QBs to have big hands.

It sounds more and more like teams from the early 2nd round will be trading up to get a QB. Pick 22 could end up being prime real estate for a team looking for a QB. Right now I’m hoping to move back and add more picks. That could work out well.

* * * * *

Les Bowen wrote a good piece on mock drafts. I was able to provide him with a quote or two to help the story.

* * * * *

A few people have asked about ILB Shayne Skov. Complicated subject.

Watch this.

And then watch this from 2 weeks ago.

That doesn’t look like the same guy. On the game tape you see a violent ILB who has excellent closing speed and hustles to get to the ball. In the workout he looks slow and stiff. Game tape is 90 percent of a player’s grade…unless there is a medical issue.

Skov tore his ACL back in 2011. He missed the season opener in 2012, but then played the rest of that season and 2013. Since the season ended, Skov hasn’t been healthy. He skipped the Senior Bowl, Combine and Stanford’s Pro Day to try and get healthy. He did a workout 2 weeks ago and ran in the 5.15 range. Clearly he wasn’t healthy.

You didn’t see any major issues on the field, but he’s now battled some issue for 4 months. That’s a bit of a concern.

Skov could go as early as the 4th round or he could be a UDFA. It all depends on what teams think of him from a medical standpoint. Skov could turn out to be a terrific pro or he could be one of those guys who peaked in college. I’m curious to see how he does. I certainly wish him the best and hope he has a long, successful career.

I don’t anticipate the Eagles having interest, but that’s just a guess. They seem to be looking for speed and even when healthy, Skov seems better vs the run than vs the pass. He is fun to watch. Skov is tough and physical. I’m sure Jeremiah Trotter would definitely approve of his play.

_

61 Comments on “More QB Talk”

  1. 1 ezgreene said at 9:05 PM on May 5th, 2014:

    How is Kelly’s ideal QB not Marcus Mariota?

  2. 2 GermanEagle said at 10:04 PM on May 5th, 2014:

    I was thinking the exact same thing!!! If the Eagles are within reasonable reach of Mariota in next year’s draft I am sure Chip will get his ULTIMATE QB of the Eagles future.

  3. 3 Anders said at 6:13 AM on May 6th, 2014:

    There is a long way from 32 to 1 in terms of trade value

  4. 4 D3FB said at 10:24 PM on May 5th, 2014:

    Marcus still has some work to do as a passer. He hurt his knee during the season and his game was clearly hampered by the lack of mobility. Plus like that Shakespeare guy wrote “beware the ides of march”. Alot of players look good watching them live, and in casual film review. If it’s not the added scrutiny on film review that will come between next week and next january, then it could be a bad workout, poor interviews, throwing mechanics, 3000 other things. A presumptive top QB 12 months out doesn’t mean much unless your name is Andrew Luck.

  5. 5 Dominik said at 5:42 AM on May 6th, 2014:

    “A presumptive top QB 12 months out doesn’t mean much unless your name is Andrew Luck.”

    Ask Bridgewater about that. 😀

  6. 6 D3FB said at 1:49 PM on May 6th, 2014:

    Hell ask Tajh Boyd.

  7. 7 Anders said at 6:19 AM on May 6th, 2014:

    every QB no matter who they are is affected if they have a knee injury. Simple make it tougher to plant or push of.

    I say the top QBs for next year going in (character not included)

    Jamies Winston – closest thing to Andrew Luck since Luck in terms of QB skills.
    Marcus Mariota
    Bryce Petty
    Brett Hundley.

    Great chance only 2 of the above will be top picks next year based on history (Winston might not come out, Hundley might not develop, Mariota might get hurt etc.)

  8. 8 Insomniac said at 12:24 AM on May 6th, 2014:

    His ideal QB is Aaron Rodgers.

  9. 9 Anders said at 6:14 AM on May 6th, 2014:

    Isnt Rodgers (or Luck) the ideal for every offense?

  10. 10 Baloophi said at 9:13 PM on May 5th, 2014:

    $$$ ANNUAL IGGLES BLITZ CHALLENGE $$$
    NEED 33…

    PRO BOWL PLAYERS
    Rambler
    Anders

    **********

    Friends,
    With the NFL draft right around the corner it’s time to remind everyone of all the hard work Tommy and Sam do to bring us this special space. It takes a lot of time and effort to continually create new content, maintain the website, and respond to questions / comments /death threats after a mock draft. With that in mind, I’d like to ask everyone here to take a minute of your own time and consider making a donation in any amount to Iggles Blitz.

    Each year I’ve asked for an increasing number of donations and this year the goal is 35 – up ten from last year. If we can hit 35 before the draft, I will make a three-digit contribution to IgglesBlitz. In the past I’ve named a per donation dollar amount but being “between jobs” at the moment I’m afraid I can’t commit to a specific amount for fear of Mrs. Baloophi kicking me to the couch – and she has much better legs than Alex Henery. That sounds weird.

    Your annual contributions go a long way toward acquiring and maintaining a tape library, licensing and legal fees, Megan Fox blow-up dolls, and bribes to Swoop for inside information.

    On the right hand side of the page under the “Blog Roll” is a “DONATE” button. Please consider giving any amount you feel comfortable with to a resource I know you all enjoy as much as I do. No need to post how much you have given, and if you’re not able to at this time, please consider “voting up” this post so it’s front and center for others.

    I know many of you graciously donated to the site just a couple months ago to help get Tommy to the Senior Bowl and that he was enormously grateful. Now let’s help keep the site going for the 2014 season!

    NOTE: Tommy and Sam have not solicited this challenge in any way, shape or form and will undoubtedly shy away from it. Besides, they should be busy preparing for the inevitable fallout when the Eagles trade all their picks to move up and draft Johnny Manziel.

  11. 11 bubqr said at 11:35 PM on May 5th, 2014:

    Done!

  12. 12 Dominik said at 5:50 AM on May 6th, 2014:

    done

  13. 13 Cafone said at 9:46 PM on May 5th, 2014:

    My prediction: Mark Sanchez will take over after Foles misses a little time with injury, win the job, and lead the Eagles to the Super Bowl.

  14. 14 TommyLawlor said at 9:50 PM on May 5th, 2014:

    We’re going to need you to pee in this cup so we can get it tested.

  15. 15 Weapon Y said at 2:45 AM on May 6th, 2014:

    Correction: Matt Barkley will take over after Foles misses a little time with injury, win the job, and lead the Eagles to the Super Bowl.

  16. 16 Weapon Y said at 2:45 AM on May 6th, 2014:

    Self-correction: G.J. Kinne will take over after Foles misses a little time with injury, win the job, and lead the Eagles to the Super Bowl.

  17. 17 mtn_green said at 9:59 PM on May 5th, 2014:

    Foles is gonna crush the nfl, by the end of the season he will have a statute at the top of the art museum steps.

  18. 18 Daniel Norman Richwine said at 10:06 PM on May 5th, 2014:

    All I know is after Jackson was traded, after his best season, for football reasons, I can’t pretend to know what chip wants. He could trade Foles for Manzel and I wouldn’t be shocked.

  19. 19 Insomniac said at 10:29 PM on May 5th, 2014:

    Denial has you thinking we traded him.

  20. 20 RC5000 said at 10:29 PM on May 5th, 2014:

    Mayock’s Top 100

    http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000346744/article/2014-nfl-draft-mike-mayocks-top-100-prospects

  21. 21 SteveH said at 11:12 PM on May 5th, 2014:

    Wow, he put Khalil Mack ahead of Clowney. Mayock never afraid to step out on a limb with his opinions.

  22. 22 Insomniac said at 11:13 PM on May 5th, 2014:

    Mack is the best defensive player in the draft. Clowney just has that sky high ceiling.

  23. 23 Anders said at 6:19 AM on May 6th, 2014:

    I disagree, I would say Donald is the best defensive player.

  24. 24 eagleyankfan said at 7:50 AM on May 6th, 2014:

    Latimer 50? I’m willing to bet he goes before 50.

  25. 25 A_T_G said at 7:58 AM on May 6th, 2014:

    Attaochu is listed at 80 and Marcus Smith at 53. One would be a nice consolation prize if (when) Barr is gone in the first.

  26. 26 barneygoogle said at 10:45 PM on May 5th, 2014:

    I just read LBs Telvin Smith and Christian Jones failed drug tests. I wonder if they drop way down in the draft.

  27. 27 Insomniac said at 10:49 PM on May 5th, 2014:

    Depends on what the drug is. If it was weed then I don’t see it having too much impact but PEDs on the other hand..

  28. 28 Media Mike said at 5:43 AM on May 6th, 2014:

    I believe it was for recreational drugs. In either case FSU is slime.

  29. 29 barneygoogle said at 8:42 AM on May 6th, 2014:

    I see your point–but what does it say about their common sense? This is the big moment in their lives.

  30. 30 anon said at 11:09 PM on May 5th, 2014:

    Wonder if that takes them off our draft board

  31. 31 James Adair said at 8:12 AM on May 6th, 2014:

    I doubt it. See Randy Moss and Warren Sapp.

  32. 32 fran35 said at 12:22 PM on May 6th, 2014:

    While Moss is a HOFer, not sure Kelly would have the patience for his selfish attitude. The guy openly admitted he took the plays off that were not called for him. And him blocking in a Chip Kelly offense?!?

  33. 33 SteveH said at 11:10 PM on May 5th, 2014:

    Tommy, we should do some kind of igglesblitz king of the draft game. I was looking at Jimmy’s article today (I know, why would I read that hack anyhow?) and he has all the Betfair Casino odds on the draft. We could give each entrant 10 100$ bets to place anywhere they want, and whoever comes out on top gets bragging rights as the ultimate iggles blitz draft warrior and all must bow to their superior opinionating.

  34. 34 D3FB said at 11:11 PM on May 5th, 2014:

    You know it’s going to be like March Madness where the person who picks teams on colors and mascots and because their cousin went to East Chadron State who suddenly becomes the Cinderella story, wins it all.

  35. 35 SteveH said at 12:11 AM on May 6th, 2014:

    I mean, who else could we crown as the most clairvoyant EMBer?

  36. 36 Dominik said at 5:48 AM on May 6th, 2014:

    I found a odd I’d bet all my money on and would (probably) walk away as winner (I guess, at least ;)). So I’m with you if you’re planning on play this game.

  37. 37 Baloophi said at 12:49 AM on May 6th, 2014:

    *** L.A. DRAFT PARTY! ***
    Thursday, 4:30pm
    Public House 1739
    1745 North Vermont Avenue
    Los Angeles, CA 90027

    Attention Los Angeles area friends: laeagle and I will be gathering together Thursday at Public House 1739 to watch the draft, drink some beer, and heckle other teams’ selections. This hallowed tradition can trace its roots all the way back to last year when we did the exact same thing.

    All are welcome, and there’s even a rumor that AC Viking is making the cross-country trek to join us / host a narrated Segway tour of historic Los Angeles highlighting the city’s turbulent transition from desolate Spanish missionary to fertile orchards to fossil-enriched oilfields to silicone-enhanced sound-stages. Did I just start that rumor right now? Yes, but that tour sounds pretty sweet, right?

    Public House is a surprisingly cavernous tavern but you’ll be able to find us easily because I’ve acquired a secret weapon: an Eagles helmet phone. We have no idea how it will come into play during the draft, but we’re both confident it will somehow prove essential.

  38. 38 SuPaFrO said at 1:53 AM on May 6th, 2014:

    I missed it last year by its seemed so far away. But. Maybe n hr drive won’t be so bad this year haha. It’s that place pretty fair price wise?

  39. 39 shah8 said at 3:33 AM on May 6th, 2014:

    Heh, you *know* how I feel. Who were the guys on twitter, anyways?

  40. 40 shah8 said at 3:39 AM on May 6th, 2014:

    I mean, I still feel this way, though I never saw or was the least bit interested in Nick Foles, since he wasn’t on the radar in 2012 for Eagles or Vikings….

    http://instagram.com/p/ncaZ1GKpga/#

  41. 41 shah8 said at 4:00 AM on May 6th, 2014:

    Think I’ve found it, Steve Palazzo, Bussell, Cian Fahey, Chris Brown, Bomani Jones…this is actually a pretty involved discussion…

  42. 42 Anders said at 6:09 AM on May 6th, 2014:

    Is there anything in that report there wasnt true for Foles coming out?

    I know that report is gold for you tho 😛

  43. 43 A_T_G said at 7:28 AM on May 6th, 2014:

    Another year on par with last year and Nick can hang this report in the locker room next to the one that said Shady’s style of play wouldn’t translate to the NFL.

  44. 44 anon said at 8:07 AM on May 6th, 2014:

    It’s pretty accurate especially the part about him having to put a ton of air under his deep ball. Biggest thing about Foles is he at least says he knows what he’s got to work on.

  45. 45 Anders said at 8:39 AM on May 6th, 2014:

    yea, but credit Foles and his coaches for working on his flaws, because he did have those flaws coming out.

  46. 46 Media Mike said at 5:45 AM on May 6th, 2014:

    Kelly has 100% done the right thing with the QB position to win in the NFL. One does not have long term success at QB by being a scrambling, read one and run illiterate, run-around guy.

  47. 47 Anders said at 6:22 AM on May 6th, 2014:

    What if Kelly believes he can harness Manziel? Its not impossible, if the QB is willing to learn, just see Michael Vick in Atlanta and now in terms of pocket skills.

    If Manziel can ever learn to function in a strict offense like this, he has all the tools except size to become a great QB.

  48. 48 anon said at 8:05 AM on May 6th, 2014:

    I hear you but can you allocate a 1st to a “developmental” QB, given what Foles did AND the fact that you have two backups already (though the backups are trash). It’d be interesting though. Manziel is a “Winner” just has to learn to play in the offense and “want” to play in the offense.

  49. 49 Anders said at 6:27 AM on May 6th, 2014:

    Bill Barnwell (normally a good writer), just had the biggest joke of an ideal top 2 picks for the Eagles. According to him Calvin Pryor and Kelvin Benjamin would be the two best picks we could make.

  50. 50 GEAGLE said at 7:49 AM on May 6th, 2014:

    It’s sad that paid media can’t even figure out what a real “need is”
    …
    McShay supposed to be one of the best in he business and that fool has us taking Pryor, a safety who probably won’t even be on our draft board…and to the fools who want haha Dix, we already have him. His name is Malcolm Jenkins…
    …
    This draft needs to get here because I’m starting to get pissed of at having to read nonsense every day..

  51. 51 Anders said at 7:55 AM on May 6th, 2014:

    I would love HaHa at 22, but doubt he gets near that

  52. 52 A_T_G said at 8:01 AM on May 6th, 2014:

    You say that Dix is in the same mold as Jenkins. They liked Malcolm Jenkins. There are two safety spots on the defense, and they want the safeties to be interchangeable. Sounds like a compelling argument why they would have him pretty high. I don’t think he makes it to us, though.

  53. 53 anon said at 8:03 AM on May 6th, 2014:

    I don’t think they are the same player, either.

  54. 54 GEAGLE said at 11:40 AM on May 6th, 2014:

    I’m thrilled to have Jenkins! but I wouldn’t want to draft him with the 22nd pick would you?
    ..
    I also don’t get what this fascination is with ruling out Wolff already..I prefer finding out what this 5’11 215lb baby beast who runs a 4.44 and is touted for his character and insane work ethic can do, before I want to go spending first round picks on over rated safeties who probably shouldn’t even be first round picks,,,
    Don’t think either can hang with Vaccaro or Reid..I adore Calvin. But I don’t think we will want him, but if I’m being honest, he is probably a Swearinger type prospect…..
    …
    I would much much much rather see what Nate and Wolff can do given a little continuity..and if we aren’t completely sold at the end of this year we can prioritize it next year. We are two drrafts away anyway….we have a better than people think secondary that is a perfectly adequate stop gap. Think we are best served taking advantage of that and stacking our front 7. NOTHNG matters if you aren’t right in the trenches. Adress this secondary so it can give our secondary the best chance to succeed, let’s find out what we have in our safeties, and if we still have questions, we adress it next draft…
    …
    Front 7 high in the draft this year….get,younger in the secondary next year…only reason we can afford to get skill players on offense is cuz we are sitting pretty at OL

  55. 55 eagleyankfan said at 7:39 AM on May 6th, 2014:

    You can say Vick was benched. I say Chip realized his mistake and fixed it.

    If there’s that ELITE QB — 90% of teams would not pass on him, including Chip, no matter how well Foles is doing.

  56. 56 anon said at 8:02 AM on May 6th, 2014:

    The coach in TX did (Peyton)– and now he’s the OC in Baltimore. Competition at every position — except kicker apparently…

  57. 57 eagleyankfan said at 8:09 AM on May 6th, 2014:

    Yeah — I don’t get that … I’d imagine we’ll bring in 1 to 2 kickers to push our guy(to either be better or push him off the roster)

  58. 58 GEAGLE said at 7:41 AM on May 6th, 2014:

    Anthony Barr was asked if he was physical enough lol kid responded “I knocked 8 or 9 QBs out of games to the point they could t finish the game these past two years”….. YES!!!
    ..

  59. 59 GEAGLE said at 7:43 AM on May 6th, 2014:

    What’s everyone think about all the failed combine drug tests? Christian jones, Telvin smith, Jernigan, Anthony Johnson, Metenburg, Seantrel….
    …
    Wonder if kids can survive a failed combine drug test and still find themselves on a Chip Kelly draft board?
    …
    Can’t friggin believe I’m still seeing people shit on Nick FOles…SMH.. This piece of crap fanbase doesn’t even deserve that kid. I hope becomes the best QB EVER, refuses to sign an extension with us, and leaves in free agency…this fanbase and media doesn’t even deserve that kid,…what a fuckin joke that I still have to read this QB crap smh…fools drooling over Manziel…smh kid can’t hold the rainmakers jock strap. Got a humble hard working leader and fools want to replace him with a 178lb frat boy? Has the Vick era not taught us anything? Grrrrrrrrrrrrr

  60. 60 Anders said at 7:56 AM on May 6th, 2014:

    Really depends, consider they failed it just before the combine tells me they have had a long term drug problem and that would be a red flag.

  61. 61 Shawn Williams said at 8:34 AM on May 6th, 2014:

    Tommy do you think that bridgewater would be a fit for kellys offense