Josh Huff
Posted: June 26th, 2014 | Author: Tommy Lawlor | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 36 Comments »Rookie Jordan Matthews is all the rage this summer. But what about Josh Huff, the Eagles 3rd round pick? He started off slow in the OTAs, but then caught up pretty quickly. He got reps with the first and second units before things were said and done. Huff didn’t stand out the way Matthews did, but he ended up impressing people that watched the practices.
Rob Rang of NFLDraftScout certainly likes Huff and thinks he’ll be a great fit with the Eagles.
Huff’s familiarity with Chip Kelly’s offense is the most obvious reason to project early production out of the third-round pick. While veterans are still getting used to Kelly’s tempo, Huff is well-versed in the breakneck speed with which the Eagles and Ducks’ respective offense flies.
Further, as a rare four-year starter with the Ducks, Huff saw time at each receiver position and as a kick returner over his career. He became the team’s go-to receiver his last two seasons and left Oregon tied with the single-season (12) and career touchdown reception records (24).
Huff’s fit isn’t limited to understanding the terminology in Kelly’s playbook, however. Huff (much more so than Matthews or re-signed veteran Riley Cooper), possesses the elusiveness, physicality and acceleration to help replace Desean Jackson’s playmaking ability on quick screens and other plays designed to get the Eagles’ playmakers in space. At 5-foot-11, 205 pounds Huff is 30 pounds heavier than Jackson. The weight is evenly distributed on Huff’s compact frame, making him appear more like a running back than a receiver. It is the kind of build likely necessary to hold up to the punishment and tempo that comes with Kelly’s offense.
Oregon moved Huff around. They lined him up outside, in the slot and even in the backfield. The Eagles did the same thing with DeSean last year. The big difference, obviously, is that DeSean could stretch the field. Huff has good speed, but isn’t close to being a special vertical threat. Huff is bigger and stronger than DeSean, which will help him on the underneath routes.
Watch the bowl game vs Texas and you can see what a physical player Huff is. He blocks LBs and DBs. He gets hit by LBs and DBs. And Huff keeps right on going. I love the fact he doesn’t go down on first contact. Huff is a tough, strong WR.
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Rang had good things to say about Marcus Smith and Jaylen Watkins as well.
- Given that I personally ranked Marcus Smith as the 48th best prospect in the 2014 draft I can’t say I think the Eagles got optimum value with their first round selection. That said, I love Smith’s fit in Philadelphia’s defense and believe he will ultimately prove worthy of the pick. He has the burst to beat tackles off the edge as well as the flexibility to turn the corner and close. Smith is a passionate, physical defender with surprising instincts and technique given that he signed with Louisville as a quarterback. Coaches at Louisville lauded Smith’s willingness to change positions and his work ethic. I was impressed with Smith’s versatility while playing OLB in a 4-3 at the Senior Bowl and listed him among my favorite players in the class. Critics suggest that Smith’s breakout senior campaign (14.5 sacks) was a fluke. I think it was a sign of things to come.
- With an underrated veteran cornerback corps slotted ahead of him, don’t necessarily expect fourth round pick Jaylen Watkins to make an immediate impact for the Eagles but I do believe he’ll ultimately prove a starting-caliber corner in the NFL. The younger brother of new Bills’ wideout Sammy Watkins and the most reliable corner last season on a Florida roster filled with talent, Jaylen has the mental strength and competitive nature that I believe is so critical to success at his position. Even better, he’s just as talented from a physical standpoint, boasting agility, acceleration, instincts and physicality. Frankly, I thought he should have been drafted in the second round.
That’s pretty high praise for Watkins.
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Today is a big day for other sports. First, we have World Cup games at noon. Then there is the NBA draft tonight.
Let’s start with soccer. The US team plays Germany. A win or tie advances the US to the next stage. I don’t think a win is likely at all, but in this World Cup, anything is possible. Ghana and Portugal play. Having them tie would be the easiest way to help the US advance. If not, goal differential becomes key. That’s where things get complicated.
It would be great to see the US team advance. This group has been fun and frustrating to watch. Someone please remind Michael Bradley that games go longer than 85 minutes.
As for the NBA draft…the Sixers have picks #3 and #10. That should make for a fun night. It sure seems like Andrew Wiggins and Jabari Parker will be off the board, but you never know. Joel Emblid has injury issues that make him scary, but he is also incredibly talented. I don’t know squat about Dante Exum.
Who do you guys want the Sixers to get?
Who do you want them to avoid?
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Theres lots of chatter this morning about the Sixers trying to hammer out a deal with Cleveland.
T-Law:
Several commenters bemoaned the dead-air between the recently completed MTAs and the start of T.C.
What to do? What to do?
Seems you’re the answer.
Your output, since the end of MTAs, has been the welcomed cool August breeze off the Atlantic at the Clermont Avenue beach (in Margate).
My thanks.
What really will make this break til camp UNBEARABLE is that Lebron James opted out of his contract….so ALL SPORTS DEBATES, TV/Radio sports programming will be dominated by talks of Lebron.. Lebron this. Lebron that…grrrrrrrr
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I assume you are happy to hear the eagles holding open training camp practices at Franklin Field? Figured a historian such as yourself will enjoy the throwback practice
That stadium’s been ruined by year’s of terrible football play at the university level. But i might make a mid-summer homecoming.
Re: Huff — an O-lineman in a WRs Body
The most striking thing, for me at least, was watching Huff’s blocking.
He attacked defenders and once he locked his hands on them, he looked like vintage John Hannah. That is, Huff looks like an O-lineman out there.
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D3FB . . .
Your evaluation on Huff’s blocking, technique and execution included, is most welcomed.
Huff is the player I’m most confident in…I feel like I don’t even have to pay attention to him because him being a good player for us in my eyes is an absolute Lock!
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If we drafted Huff last year, I wouldn’t feel this confident but how can I worry or have any doubt about the kid?
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our Coach is an offensive BEAST, he is no longer some college coach. You know a big part of this last season was Chip leaning the ropes in the NFL. We know he was taking notes on what works, what doesn’t…After last season,we can now count on Chip knowing exactly what it takes to be successful at this level, and he knows Huff game so he obviously saw that huff has the tools that Chip knows how to use to be successful…
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How can huff not pan out? There are no surprise involved with huff. It’s not like some rookies in that when he gets here and you get to know him and his game better you start to discover that maybe he is faster than you thought, not as smart as you thought, lazier than you thought, mentally weaker than you thought….no guess work Involvef with Huff
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Chip knows Huff possess the tools that Chip knows how to use to do DAMAGE!!! I worry less about Huff than I do saint Jordan…
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“Huff Huff……..Pass!!!” 🙂
He’s pretty solid from a technique standpoint. He has a solid punch and brings his lower body with him. I didn’t love the play where he completely extended his arm but otherwise he did a good job at keeping the defender tight to his body and his arms bent. He runs his feet after contact. The biggest thing is he wants to do it. So many skill players either hate it or are indifferent to doing it. I was also impressed on a crack back block. He didn’t go running head first into the defender, he started that way and then motored down. Too many guys go flying in for the kill shot, and end up whiffing. Huff understood the ball was going to come out to the sidelines and he would be between the tackler and the ball carrier, the defender would have to come to him so he just settled down and waited to make a clean, efficient block. Underrated but impressive play.
Yeah I’m no expert on technique but in terms of the eye-test it really seems impressive the way Huff finishes his blocks – DBs do not seem to like him getting on them in that vid.
I’m glad I’m not the only one who thinks our CB group is underrated
For those who think Marcus 14.5 sacks were a fluke, I will argue that if he would have just pinned his ears back and rushed the QB every single play like Dee Ford did, Marcus would have led the nation with 20 plus sacks….
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For a kid who has only been playing Defense for a couple years, who was asked to drop in coverage so much to finish second in the nation in sacks is Ridiculously impressive… It won’t be long until Marcus Smith is the best pass rusher in the NFC east. What’s funny is he is starting off as a prospect who people view as a MAJOR REACH, but in 3-4 years people will be talking about what a STEAL it was to get Marcus at #26 AND a 3rd round pick…
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I feel bad for the fans that don’t get to realize how talented our new OLB is..
And FORTUNATELY he is being drafted in a healthy and stable situation. Kid is a serious talent who our coaches got to see play in a very similar role to the one we will place him In,, he was drafted to play in THIS scheme and we won’t jerk around his development like we did with guys like BG.Cox curry Nate..
Kid was drafted into the perfect situation to grow…and I expect this kid to make the most of it and grow into the best OLB in the division….
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Look around the division:
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Giants: JPP and Damontre Moore.(they have someone else but I can’t think whp)
Skins3 Orakpo(Longterm?) and Trent Murphy
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Cowboys: ummm suck so bad I don’t even know who they have. I know Demarcus Lawrence sucks at life compeRed to Marcus darling.. Who wlse do they have? Anthony “injury” Soencwe?
When it is going to take you to admit that Graham is a bust and what exactly did the Eagles due to screw up Cox or Allen?
Huh? WTF you talking about? I was just getting bitched on this site for sAying that BRandon Graham was going to be a surprise cut and not make this roster. Yet you are bitching because allegedly I think BG is some superstar? WTF is wrong with you?
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The eagles didn’t Screw up Cox, Fletcher is awesome and all have a beastly breakout year…I’m not sure WTF you are talking about….I said looked forward to Marcus being drafted into. Healthy situation where he can really grow to realize his potential and I’m happy that we won’t jerk around his development t like we did with many of our young players including cox and Allen..
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Cox wasted one pf his developmental years being a 3technique in a wide 9… Just imagine where his game would be if he had two seasons of two gapping experience as a 4tec…
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Only an idiot would take exception with my Nate Allen comment.,. You think it’s a healthy way to develop a young safety by giving him a different defensive coordinator every year he has been here up until now?
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Really dude?
They changed coaches and changed defense philosophy and I fail to see how that was a huge slight in particular to Cox or Allen. Certainly wasn’t ideal but neither has shown what the Eagles expected out of them during their tenure either. Cox is really a ‘wait and see’ player this year while Allen is just a marginal starter/mediocre player at best. He was given plenty of time to show consistency the last 2 years & just didn’t do it so the team looked for a replacement.
Ok
Virtus Roma(Rome) owner Claudio Toti a and their former GM Antonello Riva who now scouts for Croatia had been trying to sign Exum since he was 16yrs old. They are amazed at how immaculately the USA media are depicting his game and say that Dante’s Agent is clearly taking advantage of his clients unknown status and the lazy media. he says that Dante Exum is much more of a SG than a point guard the media is reporting him to be and his agent is taking advantage of the weakness of this draft class being point guard to market his client as the best point guard in this draft class…
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He says the best comparison for Exum is a young Dwayne Wade coming out of Marquette before he really developed his jumper. Like Wades rookie year Exum will use his explosive athleticism and ball handling to breakdown defenders and drive to the basket or get out on the fast break…
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He went as far as to say he wouldn’t be surprised to see the Sixers draft Exum with wiggins still on the board. He says he is THAT special and would b a dream pairing playing him with MCW.
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I laugh when fools say he can’t play with MCW because he can’t shoot when in reality Wiggins is no better of a shooter than Exum. Neither wiggins nor Exum can shoot, but Neithers shot is broke. Both project to develop into quality shooters…Exums rotation and arch on his long balls is a thing of beauty and it won’t be long til he is stroking it consistently..
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One thing we can count on is we won’t have any interest in Jabari Parker
If Hinkie deems Embiid medically draftable, be will be number one on your board. If we aren’t comfortable with his medical, the sixers wil
Draft whichever is available between Wiggins and Exum…
The Sixers are going to be a blast next year. They’ll have two top 10 rookies and Carter-Williams, returning Rook of the Year. They might not be elite but they will be exciting and competitive.
I know squat about basketball. I’ve never really followed until a few months ago. But I’ve heard different things about Exum. I hear he’s another 1. But then I hear like you’re saying, he’s going to develop into more than that and will pair well with MCW. Beats me.
Trade 4 Koby
This team was very lucky that few of their starters missed time at all last year and no team in the NFL lost their starters upfront less than the Eagles did last year (OL/DL/LB). Kelly’s training staff may have found a way to get their older player more productive later in the season and limit the amount & severity of soft tissue injuries but I tend to doubt it.
Pro Football Football Outsiders’ Adjusted Games Lost (AGL) (2002-13) typically shows that there is less than 0.10 annual year-to-year correlation between a team’s players lost to injury. Basically it is a lot of blind luck especially when it comes to the really significant injuries (fractures, tears, etc). Eagles are projected to have 3 OL starters in their 30s next year and the chances that at least one OL doesn’t miss significant time to injury at slim-to-none. Need the actual numbers but I would bet is it is 20%. Ditto at LB where Cole and Ryans will be 30+ and the Eagles play a 3-4 now.
One thing that I was disappointed they didn’t do this offseason was be a bit more active though in FA/draft to address depth and only really signed Carroll to address depth issues at CB & drafted Smith at OLB. I’m not talking about signing upper-tier FA either except Byrd who I really wanted despite the big contract & foot issues.
Roster appears to be in better shape but I do wonder how things will play this year if the Eagles have a more typical injury rate upfront this season too especially on the OL. Eagles are heavily betting on success this next season on what their OL & McCoy did last year and I am really dubious they can duplicate it.
Smith and Carroll are the only moves made to address depth? This whole offseason was about depth. Safety, corner, ILB, OLB, DL, WR, RB all look to be significantly deeper than they were a year ago. I’ll agree the OL depth makes me a little nervous, but since that isn’t a spot where you work in the backups, we don’t really know what the staff thinks of the depth they have.
Safety and corner are deeper but how are the overall group of LBs deeper and ditto the DL/WR/RB? Eagles have less depth at WR this year than last year going into camp and likewise at RB.
how is there less depth at RB?
How is there more?
seeing as how we replaced Bryce Brown with Darren Sproles, i would say we have exactly the same depth as we had last season. thats why i’m curious to know why BobSmith would say “Eagles have less depth at WR this year than last year going into camp and likewise at RB.”
seeing as how Polk was getting more and more touches as the season went on tells you just how the coaches felt about Brown.
if we want to talk about a player improving in an extra season, i would say that Polk this year > Brown last year and Sproles this year >>> Polk last year, but its probably better to leave that sort of talk out of this.
talent-wise, i would also consider our RBs as an upgrade, but we’re not really talking about talent here.
Last year these guys made the roster, this year they are doubtful, even though most of them are presumably better and more comfortable in the system than a year ago: Goode, C. Mathews, Graham, Sopo, Square. Hart and Kruger would have been locks had they been where they are now a year ago, but that isn’t the case this year.
Last year we thought we had DJax and Mac and Avant, although Tommy shared how Avant might not fit. Benn was a cheap lottery ticket, Cooper had never done anything. This year we have Mac, Cooper, Mathews as locks. Huff looks promising, as does Smith, as does Benn, but if Benn looks as good this year as we all hoped he would last year he still might not make the roster, because of the depth.
At running back we traded in a question mark in Brown for an exclamation point in Sproles.
How is WR deeper again especially when Maclin is coming off a serious knee injury? Matthews is a rookie and ditto Huff. If both end up being contributors and helping out in ST it would be great but counting on them to be real contributors (catching 30+ balls) is a stretch. Smith/Benn are unknowns.
Avant doesn’t fit in anyone system’s (Panthers will find that out soon enough this season) and he isn’t the kind of WR that can play anymore in the NFL. 20 years ago teams employed possession WRs like him in the slot especially when they used the 3 WR set but Avant doesn’t even have the speed anymore to reliably shake OLB coverage.
As for Sproles, he is a very one dimensional player at this point and if he isn’t a real contributor on special teams people are going to be disappointed I bet in his contributions. Still is not real change of pace back to give McCoy a breather. Besides Foles, McCoy is the one guy if they lose for a stretch this team is in a heap of trouble next season.
Jeff Maehl and Damarius Johnson made the 53 man roster last year, do you think they make it this year?
as far as Sproles being a one dimensional player, i’m sure that no matter how bad you think he is as a runner, he will be able to replace Bryce Brown’s 75 attempts for 314 yards (rather skewed by a 65 yard TD run).
No team lost MORE of their OL in 2012 than the Eagles….
in that sense, last season was simply us returning to the normal average trend : )
I am excited about Huff. Like his physical brand and having a RB type size at WR and the option to line him up wherever or in the backfield. He should fit in perfectly. There’s something to be said about a receiver who is nasty and will destroy LBs on crackbacks.
Honestly, I think DJackson is more like 160 than he is 175… Huff is a guy I’m most excited about due to his size and versatility. I think he’s the kind of role player that end up being essential on a championship tema.
There’s a small part of me that has always wanted Florio to get an ass-whuppin’ and now it looks like it might happen. lol
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/06/26/finnegan-says-he-was-talking-about-tim-walton-not-the-rams/
Exum at #3 would make me happy.
Hopefully Gordon, Randle or Vonleh fall to #10.
If not, I like Zach Lavine a lot.
Want to grab Saric with a mid-round pick we get for Thad or cap space.
Sam Hinkie is a madman. Embiid won’t play until 2015 at the earliest, and Saric until 2016. He’s taking the build for the future credo to its logical extreme.
Gotta hand it to him, seems like he got the best of the Magic. Took their guy, forced them to trade them a 1st and a 2nd and got Saric who they likely were targeting all along.
NBA — holding tank for criminals. Soccer? I’ll take the seasick crocodile.
It’s still silly that someone says the Eagles didn’t get good value with there 1st pick. This is NO way he’s there in round 2. IF the Eagles targeted him for their system, he’s premium value with their pick. Down the road people can pound their chest and say I TOLD YOU SO(either good or bad about the pick) but as of today the Eagles picked exactly who they wanted. People would have a better argument about picking Huff. I’m still on a fence about it but excited to see him play.