Understanding Evaluation

Posted: February 8th, 2015 | Author: | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 228 Comments »

As we talk about Chip Kelly and Ed Marynowitz running the personnel side of things for the Eagles, one big topic is player evaluation. I think there is some confusion as to exactly what this means and what their roles are.

The draft process starts every spring. Most teams belong to BLESTO or National Scouting, the two primary scouting services. Those services begin looking at rising Seniors. They build lists of draft eligible players. They offer heights and weights. If available, they will provide 40 times and some other simple info from when players worked out at Junior Day. The services grade players based on their Junior tape.

I don’t know which service the Eagles belong to or if they are one of the teams that does the work on their own.

This is happening in April and May, as the current draft is coming to a close. The services then get the information to teams so that they can then have their scouts make plans for the summer and fall. BLESTO has a big meeting in Orlando where they actually present the information to their clients.

Team scouts take over in the summer and begin visiting schools to evaluate the players on their lists. There could be as many as 1500 to 2000 players to start honing down into a final list of 150 draft targets. It is pretty easy to eliminate a lot of guys. A Safety who is 5-10, 191 and runs 4.97 isn’t draft material. You can watch an OT prospect for 5 minutes and see if he has enough athleticism to be an NFL prospect.

The scouts already have preliminary grades from the spring scouting, but those are just a hint as to who to focus on. What a player does as a Senior is the focus of his final draft grade.

Scouts make their school visits. They write reports and make evaluations. Big schools get multiple visits from cross-check scouts. You never have a key prospect evaluated by one scout. Higher-ups will go to games to scout players during the fall when time permits.

Teams begin compiling the reports and putting together grades on prospects. As the list gets down to 350 to 500 players, things get tougher. Teams want to cut that list down further,  to anywhere from 100 to 200 specific draft targets. Most of these players are highly accomplished. Most have the right size. Most have the right speed.

At this point Chip Kelly hasn’t had a ton of involvement in the process. He’s been busy coaching the Eagles during the 2015 season. Kelly gets reports and might go to some local games on Saturday, but he’s not grading players like a scout would. Ed Marynowitz is doing some scouting, but is limited as well. He is working with college and pro scouts and has some administrative duties.

Kelly and Marynowitz become fully involved with the evaluation process at the Senior Bowl, unless Kelly is still busy coaching the team in the playoffs. The scouts have been the ones on the road, grinding away day after day. They have watched tape, done interviews and gathered as much info as possible.

Check out this info that former Eagles scout Daniel Jeremiah had in his report on Nick Foles. Here is one sample (but go read the whole piece).

“Everybody loves Nick here. Has the wide receivers over all the time to watch the tape and eat at his apartment. Pays for their food and buys them supplements. He’s taken Juron Criner, who was drafted by the Raiders, under his wing. Criner doesn’t trust a lot of people, but he trusts Foles. Foles is the clear leader of the team.

“Talked to two more sources with the program. Everyone says the same thing about how much they love Nick. Very well-liked and respected. His attitude’s been great through a very trying season in Tucson.”

Scouts gather as much information as humanly possible. That info can be as important as the film study. You’re drafting a person as well as a football prospect. While he doesn’t have to be a saint, he does need to be able to function on a team and succeed in pro football.

The scouts are the key to the draft process. Their information is what enables the decision-makers to make the right decisions. I think some people are under the impression that Kelly and Marynowitz would almost be out there looking for good players.

They will evaluate talent, but it will be more of a confirmation than anything else. They will have already read the scouts’ reports. They will be given cut-up tapes to watch so that they can get a feel for the prospects. This is very different from getting out in the field and finding talent. Marynowitz and Kelly will play a huge part in doing interviews and figuring out which prospects are the best fits for the Eagles.

The biggest challenge for Kelly and Marynowitz will be making tough decisions. Do you have WR Dorial Green-Beckham on your board? He has elite talent, but was kicked out of Missouri due to multiple drug arrests and an incident where he was accused of pushing a woman down some stairs.

How do you grade RB Todd Gurley? He is an elite talent, but missed time in 2013 due to an ankle injury and then missed time in 2014 due a torn ACL. Some risk, but potentially big reward.

How do you grade Nick Marshall, the Auburn QB who will move to CB in the NFL? He played CB early on at Georgia, but moved to offense at Auburn. Major projection, but a talented prospect.

What do you do with Preston Smith, the DE/OLB tweener? Jerry Azzinaro will argue for him at DE. Bill McGovern will want him at OLB. Who makes that decision?

What do you do with Jamison Crowder, the WR/RS who looked so good in Mobile? He’s only 5-8, 174, but is he too talented to pass up for someone who is less talented but 6-1, 200?

Small school prospects can be tough to grade. Scouts can go study them, but the tape is tough to use since the player is likely much better than the guys he’s going against. The Senior Bowl and Combine will help, if the player is invited, but there is still a lot of projection involved.

Kelly and Marynowitz don’t have to go out and find talent. They have to be able to make tough decisions based on the data that is given to them. They will watch tape and fall in love with some prospects. As long as they don’t ignore the scouts work and focus on their own opinions, this can work just fine.

* * * * *

Paul Domowitch wrote a good piece on Kelly and Marynowitz. Here are some blurbs.

“Ed’s one of those guys where you’d walk out of his office at Alabama and say he ought to be somewhere [better],” an NFC scout said. “He’s an extremely bright kid.

“From what I’ve heard about how Chip is going to use him, it’ll be perfect for him. He may be young, but young doesn’t mean you can’t do it. He’ll get a chance to grow in that role. I don’t think Chip will ever have to say, ‘I couldn’t get the answer or couldn’t get the information I need.’ “

Said another NFC scout: “[Marynowitz] essentially will be an organizer. He’ll get the scouts organized. He’ll relay to them what Chip wants. He’ll make sure the [scouting] reports are done right. He’ll walk through the players with Chip. Who do I need to be looking at at the combine, those kinds of things.

“I think they’re going to be OK. We’ll have a better idea after the draft, obviously. If Tom Gamble were still in the building, we probably wouldn’t even be having this discussion. But because of Ed’s age and inexperience, there are going to be some initial questions. But he’s a smart kid. And they’ve got other experienced guys there. They’ve got [senior football adviser] Tom Donahoe.”

And

“If Chip is not as good at [evaluating] personnel as he thinks he is, this could be a recipe for disaster,” an NFC personnel man said. “But Chip’s football smart. He knows talent. He knows what he’s looking for. I’m not saying he’s going to replicate Belichick. But I think he has a chance to do a pretty good job. I think it can work.”

Said an AFC personnel executive: “Chip knows how to utilize talent. He figured out how to get to 10-6 last year with [Mark] Sanchez and Bradley Fletcher and Nate Allen and an offensive line that had a lot of guys hurt for much of the season.

“Because he knows how to utilize talent, he’s really at an advantage, because whoever he picks [in the draft], he’ll know how he wants to use them and play to their strengths. That’s why I really would like to know who made the decision on Marcus Smith last year. Because Marcus didn’t have any special attributes. He was just a guy. I would really like to know the dynamics of how they settled on him [in the first round]. Was it Kelly’s decision? Was it Roseman’s?

“Belichick has won with guys you can’t even name at wide receiver and running back. It’s like he says, ‘OK, give me 53 players. And if they’re the 53 I want, I’ll figure out how to utilize them and carve a team out of them.’

“I think that’s what Chip can do. If it were Dan Quinn or Todd Bowles, I’d say no way. And I have tremendous respect for those guys as coaches. But Chip is different. He’s innovative. He’s creative. As a guy on the outside looking in, I’m not as concerned as I would be if it were some other third-year head coach and first-year young [personnel] guy.”

* * * * *

The key to all of this is for Kelly and Marynowitz to listen to the scouts and trust the people that are doing all the grunt work in this process. Kelly does a great job of letting his assistant coaches do their thing so that offers hope that he’ll listen to the scouts.

Marynowitz has been part of the scouting staff the past 3 years. He also did a good job of working as part of a staff at Alabama. I don’t see him ignoring the scouts or short-changing the process.

That said, these are human beings. You never know how they’ll handle a situation until they actually go through the experience. There is absolutely risk in going with Kelly and Marynowitz. But think about the two men you’re taking the chance with. One is a great coach and the other is a young executive with a strong background and big reputation. This isn’t the same thing as Jeff Lurie throwing blind faith behind a rookie coach and some complete unknown.  This risk has a legitimate chance to succeed.

Risk isn’t a bad thing. Dumb risk is. Lurie is far from perfect, but he’s not dumb. Nor is Kelly or Marynowitz. Lurie is trusting his coach and best young executive to make the moves that will put the Eagles over the top. Time will tell if this was the right move or not. But I do think it was a risk worth taking.

_


228 Comments on “Understanding Evaluation”

  1. 1 EaglesD3rdandwrong said at 6:07 PM on February 8th, 2015:

    This was a very well written article. You hit on all the nuances that the typical fan (myself included) just wouldn’t think of. I think this is the year we may start seeing talent trump measurables or off field instances. I think it takes a good blend of each to win the big one. Peterson at CB wouldn’t surprise me at all

  2. 2 iceberg584 said at 6:10 PM on February 8th, 2015:

    For the record, the Eagles were one of the charter members of BLESTO, and their team name is part of the group’s acronym (Bears Lions Eagles Steelers Talent Organization). However, at some point, they did switch organizations and are now a part of National.

  3. 3 mksp said at 7:02 PM on February 8th, 2015:

    Nice info

  4. 4 BlindChow said at 6:20 PM on February 8th, 2015:

    Weren’t there reports about the Eagles’ “football” guys rearranging the board set up by the “scouting” guys last draft?

    Kelly actually listening to the scouts might be a huge “if”…

  5. 5 MagatBrackendale said at 6:37 PM on February 8th, 2015:

    They also changed several scouts last year. Obviously some were not considered trustworthy or maybe just stale or blase in their jobs.

  6. 6 Ankerstjernen said at 6:52 PM on February 8th, 2015:

    I am not sure how to feel about those rumours. To the best of my knowledge we never heard any specifics about who exactly rearranged what players on what scouting board at what point in the draft proces and to what effect. For all we know some beat writer heard that from a low level scout who have since been fired for being poor at his job. With everything we know about Chips approach to football and knowledge, I just dont see how this really happened in a troublesome way..

  7. 7 BlindChow said at 8:52 PM on February 8th, 2015:

    Seems like there’s an “if it’s negative, it must be false!” attitude about the Eagles here. People will believe what they want to believe, I suppose.

  8. 8 Ankerstjernen said at 3:04 AM on February 9th, 2015:

    With all respect I think its more of a “if its a completely groundless rumour without any verifiable information or trustworthy sources, it must be false!” attitude.

  9. 9 ICDogg said at 3:09 AM on February 9th, 2015:

    Hard to know what to believe. I do think there are some things that seem to be working well on this team and some things that are not. This front office shakeup may have been what was needed, but the way that it unfolded did not make it look like there was a single cohesive plan. It looked like they were flailing around a little bit.

    I think there are some questions worth asking. Such as, why did the Eagles keep going back to the same things over and over again that were not working on the defense? Weren’t there some adjustments that would have worked better?

  10. 10 MagatBrackendale said at 6:42 PM on February 8th, 2015:

    Hard to understand why there is still a stigma against small schools, difficult to analyze or not. The number of HOFers and other very productive players from small schools is mind-boggling. North Texas State, Tennessee State, Boise State, etc. etc, have turned out so many players and coaches. Wasn’t Chip at !New Hampshire! once upon a time?

  11. 11 TommyLawlor said at 6:52 PM on February 8th, 2015:

    It isn’t a stigma against small school players. It is the legitimate problem of properly evaluating them. Good SS players dominate the competition. But how does that translate to the NFL?

  12. 12 Buge Halls said at 7:16 PM on February 8th, 2015:

    I would say the main issue is, if they were able to do so well in a small school, why weren’t they able to make that jump to a Div I school and a major program?

  13. 13 MagatBrackendale said at 7:23 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    1. Each school has only so many scholarships available.

    2. Grades would be a problem for some.

    3. Over the years, skin color has mattered.

    4. Reverse the question. What percentage of “great” full scholarship players from major schools become respected NFL players, compared to players from small schools?

    5. Walter Payton, Jackson State; Jerry Rice, Mississippi Valley State; Howie Long, Villanova; Deacon Jones, South Carolina State/Mississippi Vocational College; Kurt Warner, Northern Iowa; Michael Strahan, Texas Southern; Larry Allen, Sonoma State; Andre Reed, Kutztown University; Darrell Green,Texas A&I; Adam Vinatieri, South Dakota; Joe Greene, North Texas State; Terrell Owens, Tennessee-Chattanooga. etc.

  14. 14 EaglesD3rdandwrong said at 8:21 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    Mags,

    nice work

  15. 15 shah8 said at 8:07 PM on February 8th, 2015:

    For instance, Joe Webb would have been drafted a couple of rounds earlier than the sixth round at least, had he gone to Auburn–he was a billion times better than the QBs starting there at the time, Todd and Burns.

    But we didn’t know that at the time, and there was never the exposure that a guy like Matt Jones had. When you’re a small school guy, it’s hard to know whether you’re winning just because you’re the best athlete around (and will look like Pat White in the pros) or if you genuinely have something like Warner or Romo. Most of these guys won’t decimate the league like Roethlisberger or McNair. I mean, Joe Flacco had good, but not great numbers at Delaware. You can only see what the dude can do for himself, size, arm strength, mechanics, etc.

    It’s even worse for a lot of other positions…How do you think Eric Fisher got to be as big a bust he has turned out to be? Best athlete on the field-itis.

  16. 16 GermanEagle said at 8:22 PM on February 8th, 2015:

    For instance, Joe Webb would have been drafted[…]
    You never disappoint, dude…!

  17. 17 shah8 said at 9:09 PM on February 8th, 2015:

    Why not? He’s actually a pretty good example of someone that was overlooked because of small school status. Most QBs taken that late are people like Keith Wenning, Zach Mettenberger, Tahj Boyd, Ryan Lindley, Tyrod Taylor, Rusty Smith, Dan Lefevour, Keith Null, Tom Brandstater, Curtis Painter, you see where I’m going with this? Joe Webb is massively more productive per appearance than pretty much everyone on this list, including long term starters (less massively so) like Mettenberger and Painter–both on film and in terms of producing points.

    Lemme point it to you this way. If your life had to depend on a successful season, and you had all-22 on all of the performances–how likely is it, that you would prefer Jake Locker to Joe Webb to be your backup QB? I’m going on my limited memories of seeing Locker live, and have not seen any youtube of pro highlights, but I have never seen Locker in a game where he wasn’t horrible if he couldn’t do some quick passes or roll out and lob one. Same as Webb was a better pocket passer than Ponder, Webb would almost certainly be a better pocket passer than Locker. But Locker was picked in the first, right? However, his *college tape* shows all of his problems! Easy peasy, he was going up against tough, manly Huskers!

  18. 18 A Roy said at 11:15 PM on February 8th, 2015:

    He was also overlooked because he didn’t have what it takes to be an NFL quarterback.

  19. 19 TalentBeatsCultureAllDay said at 12:40 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    Tuesday Night Lights

  20. 20 teltschikfakeout88 said at 9:47 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    Just like Andy Reid and his pass plays……stubborn to a fault….joe Webb is not….forget it…….

  21. 21 Joe Webb said at 10:31 PM on February 8th, 2015:

    Top 5 pick, no question.

  22. 22 EAGLES said at 12:37 AM on February 9th, 2015:

    Oh geez lol

  23. 23 EaglesD3rdandwrong said at 8:22 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    Shah Webb??? lol

  24. 24 Ankerstjernen said at 6:44 PM on February 8th, 2015:

    I think this is the important thing to notice about the promotion of Chip. The key to succes for this organisation is not so much about Chip making the right player evaluations as the discussions and articles will have us believe. It really comes down to his ability to hire the right scouts and deploy the right organisational structure with the right man in charge. If Marynowitz is the right guy or not remains to be seen still, but the talent evaluation of him is by far the most important talent evaluation Chip will do in Philly with regards to the construction of the roster.

  25. 25 Buge Halls said at 7:11 PM on February 8th, 2015:

    “He figured out how to get to 10-6 last year with [Mark] Sanchez and Bradley Fletcher and Nate Allen…” A very intelligent observation that I wish more people (especially the “fans” over at Philly.com) would understand! If Chip can manage 10-6 last year, just wait until he has another year or two in the draft/free agency.

  26. 26 BlindChow said at 8:49 PM on February 8th, 2015:

    Yeah, he “figured out” that he should do absolutely nothing where Fletcher and Allen were concerned, and we ended up losing games when they were burned over and over…

  27. 27 FairOaks said at 1:12 AM on February 9th, 2015:

    I think something changed when Ryans was injured. Maybe Carroll playing more and helping the linebackers rather than the CBs, or *something*. Fletcher had been tested earlier in the season and while not great, wasn’t dreadful. That changed in the last few weeks of the season. Maybe we just played better teams, but it sure felt like something changed in the scheme once Ryans wasn’t there and Fletcher may have been the most exposed by it.

  28. 28 GEAGLE said at 8:51 AM on February 9th, 2015:

    Ryans injury was the reason we were forced to play so much single high safety down the stretch. we didnt have a second ILB we trusted dropping into coverage with Ryan getting hurt, who is so much better in coverage than people realize… with Ryan getting Hurt, Nickel was no longer an option, so we had to play Dime, and we were petrified of getting our Dime defense ran on, with Nolan(a CB functioning as the second ILB), that we were forced to put 1 safety in the box down the stretch which kept us always in single high safety….

    fools will complain that they didnt give safety help to the corners, but that was the right decision, since the morons would have complained much more if we let teams run all over our Dime defense like the saints ran on our nickel in the pklayoffs… so Billy figured not getting trampled in the run game was more important than having both safeties helping the corners.

    Meco’s injury killed our ability to play nickel. Casey replaced Meco in the run game, but we didnt have a second LB we trusted dropping back in to coverage, so we had to go dime, which meant needing to bring a safety up to help against the run, and it left our corners exposed…. believe me, we would be bitching much more if we gave the corners safety help and allowed teams to run all over our dime
    ..
    this is why the eagles wil make sure to draft a young athletic ILB, need a seconbd ILB besides Meco that can play Next to kendrick in Nickel

  29. 29 GEAGLE said at 8:58 AM on February 9th, 2015:

    big misconception in our fanbase is that meco sucks in coverage, thats not true at all! Its true that he cant be matched up playing man to man defense so much, when he is, he focuses on knocking you on your ass as soon as the ball is snapped so he doesnt have to worry about defending you…. while Meco isnt anything special in man coverage, he is probably our best LB dropping intro zone coverage… realy good understanding of his depth in knowing exactly how far to drop back so he can get in the QBs way…. exactly why he does a solid job of getting INTs.. notice all his INTs comne out of zone coverage, never INTs playing man to man
    ..
    not being able to play Nickel is the reason we played so much single safety down the stretch… like i said fans bitch at billy now, but he didnt have the horses to do much better… he could either bring a safety down to help dime against the run and leave one of the corners in one on one coverage, or he could help both corners with the safeies, play cover two and let teams run all over our dime…. billy didnt have the horses to fix both problems and stopping the run is always the #1 priority… so its pretty foolish when i se fans complain about lack of safety help down the stretch, same fools wo compalined all offseason after the saints ran on our Nickel smh

  30. 30 Buge Halls said at 9:19 AM on February 9th, 2015:

    And put in who? Another guy that got burnt when he was in there too?

  31. 31 Greg Richards said at 7:17 PM on February 8th, 2015:

    No way to prove this, but I think Bradway(asst dir of college scouting), Brad Obee(area scout), and Alan Wolking(area scout) could be on the way out. As in immediately. You can no longer access their full bio in the “front office” section of the Eagles’ website and I’m pretty sure you could previously. You can still get their full bios in the media guide section but that could just be a matter of them not updating it yet.

  32. 32 A_T_G said at 7:34 PM on February 8th, 2015:

    Wow. Browsing area scout bios on a Sunday evening. That is pretty hardcore. It must be the offseason.

  33. 33 Greg Richards said at 7:41 PM on February 8th, 2015:

    I started to make a response to below where someone said they changed several scouts last season. That’s not really true. They had to replace Andy Speyer who got a promotion in TB. Someone else left too, I can’t recall who. The new scouts were Michael Davis, who was formerly the Jets’ assistant director of college scouting, and Ryan Myers who was moved over from pro scouting. I wouldn’t call 2 several.

  34. 34 A_T_G said at 11:05 PM on February 8th, 2015:

    A reasoned, researched counterpoint to a comment which explains the movements within the scouting department over the past year made by a regular, non-credentialed reader.

    Meanwhile, elsewhere on the Internet, arguments are being waged by name-calling, insults, and posting gifs which are insulting and name-calling.

    Just in case anyone needed another expample of why this place is awesome, there it is. Thanks Greg, and thanks Tommy.

  35. 35 Bert's Bells said at 10:23 PM on February 8th, 2015:

    Interesting sleuthing, but I doubt the guy who builds the web page is getting that info in advance.

    Unless you also discovered what Howie Roseman’s new job really is.

  36. 36 Greg Richards said at 10:31 PM on February 8th, 2015:

    I figured out that Tra Thomas was no longer with the team by looking at the web page. The Eagles never actually announced him leaving but I noted on twitter that he was no longer listed as part of the Eagles’ staff before the media guys said his contract wasn’t renewed. In this case, the scouts aren’t entirely removed as was the case with Thomas but you can’t access part of their information. I noticed that was the case a few days ago with Matt Thomas and subsequently they changed his position so it seems as if they were just in the process of updating his bio. That may be the case with the scouts or they could be firing them. Or it’s nothing and it’s just a website glitch.

  37. 37 unhinged said at 7:27 PM on February 8th, 2015:

    The FO is always going to be a subject with more questions than definitive answers (unless somebody writes a tell-all book which their contracts probably prohibit). I just want whoever is involved to get some memorable 4th, 5th and 6th round picks that are unequivocal steals. That is how good teams become great.

  38. 38 Media Mike said at 7:28 PM on February 8th, 2015:

    I just like the further verification that Smith should have been taken a round later. He was a guy I wanted them to draft, but I still see him being taken in the first round as a reach.

    Hopefully he starts producing this year.

  39. 39 Dominik said at 8:01 PM on February 8th, 2015:

    “Chip knows how to utilize talent. He figured out how to get to 10-6 last
    year with [Mark] Sanchez and Bradley Fletcher and Nate Allen and an
    offensive line that had a lot of guys hurt for much of the season”

    That can give a fan confidence. On the other hand, if he doesn’t replace those guys (obviously Fletch and Nate) as starters, it becomes much less of an achievement and rather a very strange prioritisation on where to improve your team.

    I have to say though: I never doubted the Head Coach Chip Kelly. I’m just in wait and see mode, with a little bit of scepticism to be honest, about the GM Chip Kelly.

  40. 40 Media Mike said at 8:14 PM on February 8th, 2015:

    Exactly. Hence why I can’t give any real complaints until they conduct their full off-season in the manner I want or some type of inferior way.

  41. 41 GEAGLE said at 10:23 AM on February 9th, 2015:

    we can speculate but we are all in wait and see mode about Chip the GM, but if its true that we were dysfunctional, eliminating the cancer and installing a healthy infrastructure alone should be enough to improve our front office…

    people also need to understand that howie wasnt as responsible as everyone things.. what i mean is most of what howie was going off of to make evaluations and to set draft boards was info and evaluations gathered by the scouts under howie.. so howie was basically making decisions based off of collecting all the scouts work, well if you were comfortable with howie, most of the same scouts he had will be gathering info for chip to base decisions off of… even howie setting the draft board was done mainly off of info that his scouts gathered
    ..
    if howie, a recently converted “football guy” can make solid decisions off of the info our scouts gathered then I would like to think our coach with a brilliant football mind and a better understanmding of the game than Howie will ever have, can use the info howies scouts gathered to make good decision like howie did if not better.
    ..
    as long as chip is smart enough and honest enough about what he doesnt know, and delegates to qualified employees we should be fine. considering the leeway chip gives his assistant coaches, I assume Chip will be honest about what he doesnt know and in those situations defer to the experts in our scouting or finace department

  42. 42 Dominik said at 12:30 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    I’m most scared of Chips personality. It’s great to be a players coach as long as you’re a coach. It’s great to love hard working players and show them that you appreciate their work ethic.

    But Cole, Ryans, Herremans, Casey (the TE, not Matthews :D), obviously Williams – we can keep those guys, but not at their salary as it stands right now. I don’t know if Chip the GM won’t be blinded by the feelings of Chip the HC for those players.

    The NFL is a business. The players know that and guys like Howie know that. Despite all of his brilliance as a football mind, I don’t know if Chip knows that at the bottom of his heart. He never had to deal with value – neither in the draft nor the FA – while he was in College.

    I’m not saying you have to go full Banner, but you also can’t pay a 2 down ILB who’s 30 and is coming off a second horrible injury 6.9m next year.

    Like I said, nothing against keeping Ryans (as an example). But not for THIS price tag. We’ll see how Chip handles the money side, but he can’t let his emotions overcome the business decisions. And I don’t mean emotions in a negative way. I think Chip loving his players is a plus for him as a coach. But a GM can’t love his players the way a coach can.

    And no, Howie can’t help there. If Chip says: I’m not talking to Meco about a pay cut, he’s a leader for us etc., then there will be no pay cut. He can’t play good cop, bad cop anymore. Anyone knows it’s his call in the end.

  43. 43 wee2424 said at 8:44 PM on February 8th, 2015:

    In other words this isnt the equivalent of making your Oline coach your D coordinator.

  44. 44 Eagles_Fan_in_San_Fran said at 2:16 AM on February 9th, 2015:

    And what’s Juan with that???

  45. 45 wee2424 said at 11:13 AM on February 9th, 2015:

    lol..slick

  46. 46 ICDogg said at 8:51 PM on February 8th, 2015:

    Todd is a Gurley man.

    http://media.zenfs.com/en-US/video/video.snl.com/SNL_0863_07_Update_4_Hans_and_Franz.png

  47. 47 Media Mike said at 9:03 PM on February 8th, 2015:

    Can they top this off-season?

    Fanspeak simulator

    Reduced – Cole, Herremans

    Cut – Cary, DeMeco

    Resigned – Maclin 5 years / $47.5 mil

    Game assumed Thorton was staying.

    Signed – CB – Culliver (5 / $25 mil), CB – Cox (2/$6 mil) ILB Harris (3 / $ 21 mil) McCourty (4 / $32 mil)

    Drafted:

    Round 1 Pick 20: DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville (A)
    Round 2 Pick 22 (DET): Nate Orchard, OLB/DE, Utah (A)
    Round 3 Pick 20: Jake Fisher, OT, Oregon (A)
    Round 3 Pick 24 (DET): Steven Nelson, CB, Oregon State (A-)
    Round 4 Pick 14: Ramik Wilson, ILB, Georgia (A)
    Round 4 Pick 20: David Johnson, RB, Northern Iowa (A-)
    Round 5 Pick 20: Ellis McCarthy, DT, UCLA (B+)
    Round 6 Pick 20: Anthony Jefferson, SS, UCLA (B+)
    Round 7 Pick 20: Tony Washington, OLB, Oregon (B+)

  48. 48 Mitchell said at 9:35 PM on February 8th, 2015:

    Psyched about that draft dude.

  49. 49 Greg Richards said at 10:09 PM on February 8th, 2015:

    You can get Culliver for $3M a year in that simulator. You can get David Harris for around $4M. I think your estimate is much more accurate for what Culliver will actually get. I don’t think Harris would get anywhere close to $7M. 30+ run-stopping ILBs aren’t worth $7M a year.

  50. 50 Media Mike said at 5:05 AM on February 9th, 2015:

    Yeah, I need better people in the front office helping me.

  51. 51 GEAGLE said at 8:37 AM on February 9th, 2015:

    doubt culliver is a person chip would want in our locker room… ox has stayed out of trouble recently but he comes with a past as well, and his play during his contract year doesnt match his play at any other point in his career which is a concern, mike mitchell syndrome, steelers already regret

  52. 52 wee2424 said at 11:14 PM on February 8th, 2015:

    Seem as though MCcourty will get franhised, unfortunetly.

  53. 53 Media Mike said at 5:04 AM on February 9th, 2015:

    That would not be appropriate at all. They need to tag their kicker instead.

  54. 54 D3FB said at 6:39 AM on February 9th, 2015:

    I got ya beat.

    Cut Todd, Casey, Cary

    Resigned Mac 6 years/ $52.5 mil
    CMatthews 3 years/ $3.75 mil

    Signed:
    Rahim Moore 6 years/ $36 mil
    CB Tracy Porter 1 year/ $3.5mil
    OL Eben Britton 3 years/ $11.25 mil
    CB Tramon Williams 2 years/ $12 mil
    OLB OB Schofield 2 years/ $5 mil

    Wanted Rahim Moore but he was outbid on day 1.

    Draft (bahahaha, oh fanspeak player value)

    20: R1P20

    DE

    ALVIN DUPREE

    KENTUCKY

    52: R2P20

    ILB

    PAUL DAWSON

    TCU

    84: R3P20

    S

    CHRIS HACKETT

    TCU

    110: R4P14

    RB

    TEVIN COLEMAN

    INDIANA

    116: R4P20

    CB

    LADARIUS GUNTER

    MIAMI

    148: R5P20

    OT

    SEAN HICKEY

    SYRACUSE

    180: R6P20

    WR

    KENNY BELL

    NEBRASKA

    212: R7P20

    C

    GREG MANCZ

    TOLEDO

  55. 55 GEAGLE said at 8:35 AM on February 9th, 2015:

    curiosity what makes you think we would have any interest in Schofield? i asked because he was available on waivers 3 different times since chip arrived, i wanted us to sign him each of those 3 times, yet at no point id we have any interest… why now? just curious
    ..
    also what precedent is there for chip being willing to sign an old corner like Tramon?

  56. 56 D3FB said at 3:47 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    Schofield failed physicals last year.

    Tramon provides a veteran presence, but isn’t an idiot like Cary, or a character like Cromartie. He can solidify the position for a couple years, to give you time to bring in home grown talent.

  57. 57 Media Mike said at 6:20 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    Nice work, but Eben Britton is a massive stiff.

    I dig what you’ve got going other than that.

  58. 58 D3FB said at 11:34 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    They didn’t have Gabe Carimi for me to sign as a redemption project.

  59. 59 GEAGLE said at 9:07 AM on February 9th, 2015:

    2015 BAD ASS Eagles Defense
    ………………
    ……….Haloti Ngata/Curry……….Logan/Allen…………Cox/Hart…..
    Barwin/MS2………….Kendricks…………Kendricks……..McPhee/Mauldin
    ..
    Cary/House…….Searcy/wolff…………Jenkins/maragos….Carrol/Qrollins
    Nickel: Boykin
    Dime: Jaylen Watkins.
    ….
    Let Cole and BG walk: sign McPhee and draft Mauldin
    Let Brad Fletcher Walk:give his contract to Davon House/draft Q-Rollins
    Let Nate Walk: Sign Searcy to a malcolm Jenkins type contract
    Let Casey Mathews walk: Draft Erik Kendricks
    Let Thornton walk: sign Ngata

  60. 60 Anders said at 9:15 AM on February 9th, 2015:

    Why let Mathews walk? He is the best backup ILB right now (Goode needs to show he is back).

    Also no way we let Thornton go, even if we sign Ngata (Thornton > Hart)

  61. 61 GEAGLE said at 9:20 AM on February 9th, 2015:

    i actually wont at all be mad if we retain him… a backup who can QB the defense, provide quality special teams, backup ILB and OLB spots def dont grow on trees… wouldnt at all mind keeping him on our bench, especially if we dont plan on signing veteran ILBs… most assume that will be filled in the draft, and if thats the case, i wouldnt at all mind bringing Veteran Casey Mathews back on a 3yr deal.. you are absolutely right
    ..

  62. 62 GEAGLE said at 9:22 AM on February 9th, 2015:

    the only way it would make sense to not try and bring him back is if we want to upgrade him with a better player that can backup OLB and ILB like Brooks Reed, but not reasonable to expect them to pay for Brooks just so he can be a backup, plus he probably hasnt played ST in years

  63. 63 oreofestar said at 1:44 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    Well he is a RFA so you might pick up a mid round pick and then sign Ngata instead

  64. 64 GEAGLE said at 9:32 AM on February 9th, 2015:

    cant even get into the draft with how important free agency is for us this year… the future is NOW… we have to win in year 3, and year 3s team will be built in free agency… hard for me to look at the draft which is building the 2016, 2017 eagles, when we will need to win in 2015

    dratf is adding players that will help in years 2, 3,4,5… maybe you get lucky and 2-3 rookies are ready to contribute right away but thats just a bonus. cant count on drafting players that will be able to p;lay as rookies… but for the most part, next years team will be forged in free agency. next year is too important for me to care as much about draft picks that will pay off in the future

  65. 65 TalentBeatsCultureAllDay said at 12:46 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    Replace Culliver with Ron Parker and you’re on to something

  66. 66 Media Mike said at 6:16 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    I’ll need to read more about him, but you have me swapping in a safety for a CB.

  67. 67 TalentBeatsCultureAllDay said at 7:48 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    Parker played Cb for the first few years of his career, which he spent bouncing around the league. He landed in Kc 2 yrs ago on a 2yr deal.

    This yr he was asked to fill in at safety for Eric Berry and he did very well. Then, when Berry was diagnosed with Hodgekin’s, he took over full time. Grades out very high at Safety, 4.4 speed, 6’1″, eager tackler, 94tkls on the yr, 84 solo. 12 passes defended.

    He looks like an affordable option at safety, but I’m sure every team is thinking that, so who knows where the price ends up.

  68. 68 Media Mike said at 5:44 AM on February 10th, 2015:

    Good stuff. I’ll keep an eye out for him.

  69. 69 daveH said at 9:25 PM on February 8th, 2015:

    Patrick Chung has a ring and made a game winning very key td stopping super bowl winning very valuable had slap trip up tackle of the strongest rb in the league at the most critical time at the largest stage on the earth. happy for him.

  70. 70 Media Mike said at 9:28 PM on February 8th, 2015:

    That wasn’t his tackle, it was Hightower’s.

  71. 71 daveH said at 9:34 PM on February 8th, 2015:

    chung was on the turf, got blocked hard but still managed a hand slap and Hightower brought him down

  72. 72 Media Mike said at 9:44 PM on February 8th, 2015:

    Negative. Chung wasn’t the guy who tripped Lynch.

    https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2015/02/03/decisive-super-bowl-sequence-was-roller-coaster-ride/RDAXRTxWTZtNvp2sCgNQUL/story.html

    “After the timeout, the Seahawks came out in a power set from the 5-yard line: I-formation with Lynch and a fullback, plus a tight end on the left and two receivers split right. The Seahawks ran Lynch off-tackle to the left side, and he had a free path to the end zone after safety Patrick Chung was cleared out by the fullback.

    But linebackers Dont’a Hightower and Akeem Ayers combined to bring Lynch down at the 1. Hightower first shed left tackle Russell Okung and then dived at Lynch’s ankles, while Ayers came off his block and corralled Lynch from behind.

    This play got lost in the shuffle, but the effort by Hightower and Ayers to keep Lynch out of the end zone ultimately saved the day, and set up the game-deciding play.”

    Chung still is a sucky bum and will always be.

  73. 73 daveH said at 9:49 PM on February 8th, 2015:

    hA!!! THATS FANTASTIC THANK YOU!!
    ok I aint arguing w you and aint arguing w them. I thot I had seen a piece give him credit ..he definitely got whalloped. and he was there taking up space. its Ayers..cant take anything away from them.
    ..
    love your reference include. respect!! thanks again.
    did you read Bill Simmons piece on SI .”the day after the day after account ..” ..very enjoyable.
    ..im not editing my earlier comment so others can benefit from your fyg.

  74. 74 Media Mike said at 9:51 PM on February 8th, 2015:

    Ha ha, my Chung hatred will be eternal. I wouldn’t even mind if he just stunk here, but that non-coverage on Eli’s lucky throw to Manningham in the Super Bowl is even more sickening.

    I hadn’t peeped the Simmons stuff yet, but I’ll give it a shot.

  75. 75 daveH said at 10:58 PM on February 8th, 2015:

    here is another read worth a laff … it puts Brandon Graham as one of our 3 elite players and LesEAN McCoy as one of our 3 BAD PLAYERS !! HA !! hope HE sees that
    ..
    http://espn.go.com/espn/feature/story/_/id/12179331/how-many-players-away-super-bowl-team

  76. 76 ICDogg said at 2:50 AM on February 9th, 2015:

    It’s PFF’s rating system. It averages out grades for each play. I think it’s a terrible way to rate players.

  77. 77 Anders said at 3:56 AM on February 9th, 2015:

    actually it does not, its a cumulative grade system (more snaps = potential for higher/lower grade) and it does not have any weighting for opposition faced (harder to face JJ Watt than Pappa Bear)

  78. 78 ICDogg said at 7:04 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    What I mean is it does not weight an important play compared to a meaningless play. You might have Lesean McCoy handle the ball 3 times, he might go backwards on two of them and lose a couple of yards, and on the third play he breaks free and goes 40 yards for a touchdown. By PFF standards that’s 2 bad plays and 1 good play, a net negative.

  79. 79 Anders said at 3:57 AM on February 10th, 2015:

    Kind of true, they might give him -0.5 for the first two plays and then +2 for the 3rd play for a net of +1

  80. 80 unhinged said at 3:58 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    Never been a Giants fan, never will be. But I will say this: I loved the deer-in-the -headlights/who me? look from the most arrogant QB when his favored Patriots were shut down on the biggest stage. I admire Brady’s confidence, but his sense of entitlement is nauseating.

  81. 81 Media Mike said at 6:16 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    The Giants, and more importantly all NY fans, are the greater evil in that case. I totally enjoy seeing Brady get clowned, but not by that collection of NY scum.

  82. 82 EAGLES said at 12:45 AM on February 9th, 2015:

    Superbowl pregame Rodney Harrison said it perfectly: Patrick Chung struggles in the open field which is why Belichick takes him off the field on 3rd down. If only Chip did the same…

  83. 83 Anders said at 2:47 AM on February 9th, 2015:

    diffrence is, we didnt have anybody who could play on 3rd down.

  84. 84 Media Mike said at 5:03 AM on February 9th, 2015:

    Other difference is New England didn’t delude themselves into not having anybody who could go in on 3rd down for Chung.

  85. 85 Anders said at 5:38 AM on February 9th, 2015:

    We didnt have any on the roster and none was available in FA

  86. 86 Media Mike said at 5:52 AM on February 9th, 2015:

    So signing Glover Quin instead wouldn’t have been better?

  87. 87 ICDogg said at 3:12 AM on February 9th, 2015:

    Whenever I hear the name Hightower I think of the Bubba Smith character from Police Academy.

  88. 88 Eagles News: Mike Mayock doesn’t think Nick Foles is a franchise QB | nflfans247.net said at 6:26 AM on February 9th, 2015:

    […] Understanding Evaluation – Iggles BlitzThe biggest challenge for Kelly and Marynowitz will be making tough decisions. Do you have WR Dorial Green-Beckham on your board? He has elite talent, but was kicked out of Missouri due to multiple drug arrests and an incident where he was accused of pushing a woman down some stairs. How do you grade RB Todd Gurley? He is an elite talent, but missed time in 2013 due to an ankle injury and then missed time in 2014 due a torn ACL. Some risk, but potentially big reward. How do you grade Nick Marshall, the Auburn QB who will move to CB in the NFL? He played CB early on at Georgia, but moved to offense at Auburn. Major projection, but a talented prospect. […]

  89. 89 GEAGLE said at 8:18 AM on February 9th, 2015:

    Like I said, a GM is only as good as his scouting department…. the scouts funnel players to Marynowitz, Marynowitz checks their work, funnels his favorites down to kelly, who will be choosing from a pool of players that passed the scouts and Marynowitz evaluations.
    ..
    also talked about how the job of college coach prepares you more for GM duty than a HC who worked his way up the NFL assistant ladder. As a college coach, chip had to collect all the scouts info, and then go get the players he best thought could make the transition from high school to winning in college. Chip knows what football talent looks like, he has seen the game up close for two years, im confident chip knows what NFL talent looks like at this point…

    not to mention chip has been making the final call these last two years anyway, and he has shown the ability to get his moneys worth in free agency for the most part,… year 1 chip hit on like 50% of free agents signed, last year chip hit on all our free agent signings..
    ..
    role of “organizer” i assume is the perfect label for marynowitzs responsibilities. he will basically manage the scouting department, collect all their data, and every time a decision needs to be made, Marynowitz has to provide chip with all the info he needs to best make each decision

    im confident in this front office structure, tho free agency this year is infinitely more important than the draft

  90. 90 ACViking said at 9:51 AM on February 9th, 2015:

    When with the Dolphins, Nick Saban had all the power Kelly now has. Saban’s a master builder of college programs. Rehabilitated Michigan State and LSU. Made Alabama platinum.

    Not a very good GM, however, in Miami. Ran a pair of weak drafts in 2005 and 2006.

    Passed on Brees in favor of Culpepper.

    GM-coach is a damned hard job. Whatever the decision maker’s background.

  91. 91 GEAGLE said at 10:11 AM on February 9th, 2015:

    doubt he was scouting college players on saturdays after sundays gameplan was already in, doubt he appeared at the most pro days…. seemed to me work ethic is the reason many college coaches failed.. they could go back to college do less work, and win blowout games by half time, saban, spurrier good coaches, doubt they put in the work chips putting in… chip kelly friggin married the game of football, i trust him,,, im also fortunate to have two offseasons worth of intel to go by since you know chip was calling the shots and we didnt sign or draft players chip didnt want but howie decided to stick him with anyway.
    ..
    barwin.. great talent evaluation by chip, gave him a good deal and he is proving to play his best football after taking our money
    ..
    Malcolm Jemnkins, passing on two higher rated Oregon safeties, saving us a ton of money, proving it was the right move for us
    ..
    maragos, signed him and in year 1 led our ST in tackles.
    ..
    Nolan Carrol, played admirably at Dime for the first time in his life. i guarantee we havent seen the best of nolan carrol yet, that will come when he settles back into outside corner


    we rip Nate Allen, but he is a much better safety for what we are paying him (circus peanuts) then so many safeties who make significantly more money than him. alot of bad, over paid safeties. Nate sucks, but he is actually solid value for what we are paying,… you get what you pay for in life
    ..
    Lane was a raw but awesome draft pick
    ..
    pope jordan was a score
    ..
    ertz was a great pick who i never imagined would fall out of round 1
    ..
    bennie logan was my biggest draft miscalculation. so much better than i thought he was…
    ….
    its not like im jumping off blind faith, chip has a two year track record, and i think last years free agency was played flawlessly by chip… we can throw last years draft in chips face, but my bet is when those prospects are developed we will look bad and alot of people will be proven wrong by our 2015 draft… for example, i had Huff as a 4th/5th round talent like most, yet after seeing him I think he has legit 3rd round ability. explosive physical WR…

    i also view chip as a smart, honest with himself coach, who is going to improve as he gains more and more NFL experience. I expect him to be way better now, then he was in his first draft 2 years ago, even if he ended up having a pretty solid draft…

    i already have seen so much more legit NFL ability than saban and spurrier showed combined

  92. 92 ACViking said at 11:23 AM on February 9th, 2015:

    You made a blanket statement that college coaches are more prepared to be GMs than NFL assistants.

    That’s what I responded to.

    Not how Chip Kelly does things.
    ______________

    “doubt he appeared at the most pro days . . .”

    Not correct. Nick Saban did attend Pro Days when he coached the Dolphins.
    http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2006-04-08/sports/0604070907_1_nick-saban-dolphins-visit

  93. 93 GEAGLE said at 11:33 AM on February 9th, 2015:

    are they not more experienced in similar GM duties than the responsibilities of an NFL assistant position coach? how is that even debatable? i didnt make any blanket statement about being more prepared… i ASSUMED that the responsibilities of a college coach are better experience for the transition to GM duty than the responsibilities of an NFL assistant. Of course its always on a case by case basis,im sure their are plenty of NFL assistant coaches that can handle GM responsibilty better than a college coach… but i dont get how the hell you can debate that the repsonsibilities of an assistant/position coach can generally prepare you better than the responsibilities you have from college coaching experience? how is that even in question? how can you say a DB coach is getting better GM responsibility experience than a college coach who coaches, and builds the entire program himself? come on

  94. 94 eagleyankfan said at 8:20 AM on February 9th, 2015:

    So after all “that” scouting, research, visits, tapes, cross evaluations etc etc. Marcus Smith was drafted round 1 and Huff round 3. How? (this isn’t to debate weather or not MS/Huff will be good) It’s a question of, after all “that” described above, how is MS a top 30? No question that’s some great information above. All the great stuff above is probably the tip of the iceberg as to how Chip(and Co) go about evaluations. IF Chip is an innovator AND a “shot at greatness”, I’d have to imagine he doesn’t do the normal evaluations as defined above – which might explain MS and Huff. (assuming – those guys WERE his picks). Exciting story lines going into this season. Can’t wait.

  95. 95 GEAGLE said at 8:22 AM on February 9th, 2015:

    omfg enough with the marcus smith crap.the eagles had to turn down a secxond trade back because marcus would have been stolen from us by the cardinals and skins… If the Eagles liked Barr, it was obvious they would like Marcus. even if the misinformed dont understaND THIS

    jesus christ if i hear another person take Mel Kipers word for where Marcus should have been drafted uinstead of 3 NFL franchises looking at him at the beginning of round 2, early round 1 i will scream

  96. 96 GEAGLE said at 8:23 AM on February 9th, 2015:

    and it was so obvious to those with a clue that MaRCUS WOULD HAVE NEVER LASTED TIL OUR PICK IN ROUND 2, LET ALONE RPOUND 3 LIKE THAT MORON KIPER BRAINWASHED ALL THE FOOLS INTO BELIEVING
    ..
    enough,.,,, stfu about the kid and see what he can do in year two… this has to end sooner or later

  97. 97 eagleyankfan said at 8:26 AM on February 9th, 2015:

    Again — relax the fuck down and actually READ WHAT THE FUCK IS WRITTEN. I don’t complain about your endless/mindless dribble when you go on tangents….

  98. 98 GEAGLE said at 8:27 AM on February 9th, 2015:

    ENOUGH! ENOUGH! ENOUGH polluting the board with moronic mel kiper evaluations. enough!!!
    ..
    if you would have drafted justinb gilbert at 22, i dont want to hear about marcus… enough!

  99. 99 GEAGLE said at 8:29 AM on February 9th, 2015:

    mel kiper, the same jackass that tells you we will draft landon Collins a safety teams picked on in coverage in round 1… enoughj! who the year before told you we would draft dee milner #4… enough!!

    every single day the same marcus crap over and over and over… stfu and wait and see,

  100. 100 eagleyankfan said at 8:33 AM on February 9th, 2015:

    for the record, I do not, never do — ever — listen/read Kiper…..

  101. 101 GEAGLE said at 8:40 AM on February 9th, 2015:

    thats exact;y what you are doing by continuosly pretending Marcus was drafted too early, when in reality we turned down a 2nd tradse back from the vikings because marcus wasnt going to fall 6 more draft spots… anyone who thinks marcus was drafted too high, when 3 nfl teams we know of wanted him in that range, is going off of the crap Kiper brainwashed in there head…. there will be times, kiper is way wrong… marcus was one of those situations.; only reason to bitch about drafting marcus would be if we could have had him with our second round pick…and there was no shot in hell of being able to pull that off….. support the young man for a friggin year before you add to the morons crapping on the young man over a false narrative created by some media nerd
    ..
    if the eagles liked Barr, it was obvious they would view marcus as the next best talent to mold

  102. 102 GEAGLE said at 8:42 AM on February 9th, 2015:

    there has to be one single day that goes by without the marriotta fairytale or crapping on our young draft pick…1 single day

  103. 103 eagleyankfan said at 8:45 AM on February 9th, 2015:

    read above — hopefully I better explained my thoughts. My second point — IF MS turns out to be who Chip thinks he can — all the haters(like Kiper) will be proven wrong and should not question his drafts process.

  104. 104 eagleyankfan said at 8:33 AM on February 9th, 2015:

    “Said an AFC personnel executive” That’s who is quoted. NOT MEL KIPER. Let’s see — who am I going to believe? Some Eagle fan on a message or board or an AFC personnel exc that T-Law quotes? HMMMMMMMM……tough one here. I could go either way…know what, I’ll go with someone what an actual NFL job with NLF knowledge. Sorry, you were a close second though….

  105. 105 GEAGLE said at 8:30 AM on February 9th, 2015:

    im accurate… big difference pal

  106. 106 eagleyankfan said at 8:35 AM on February 9th, 2015:

    You’re accurate? Yes — you were the one who said how great that defense was going to be last year and how that defense was going to prove all the haters wrong. That defense that gave up EPIC/historically terrible numbers. Good call. :)~

  107. 107 A Roy said at 11:35 AM on February 9th, 2015:

    Actually, the word you’re looking for is drivel.

    At some point, you just need to ignore it. The endless argument gets in the way of we who are going through the blog looking for real information and opinions.
    Those of us who understand that you’re not arguing MSII’s worth or draft position, just the fact that Kelly DID choose him, that is.

  108. 108 Ben Hert said at 1:18 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    Wait, so Justin Gilbert is a bust in year one because he didn’t play, and sucked when he did, but Marcus Smith isn’t a bust, because he…didn’t play, and sucked when he did?

    #GEAGLElogic

  109. 109 eagleyankfan said at 8:25 AM on February 9th, 2015:

    relax dude. If you READ what I wrote — “THIS ISN’T TO DEBATE WEATHER OR NOT MS WILL BE GOOD”. It’s saying — regardless of what OTHER say — Chip still drafted MS. There’s a reason why MS was drafter at that spot. I’m curious what Chip(or whoever) sees in him because if he’s anything more than average, nobody should ever question this organization again about how they draft/evaluate.

  110. 110 GEAGLE said at 8:26 AM on February 9th, 2015:

    ENOUGH!!! ENOUGH!!! ENOUGH!!!
    ..
    we get it, marcus sucks, he has the body of a ballerina, the feet of a foot model…… enough

  111. 111 eagleyankfan said at 8:42 AM on February 9th, 2015:

    Ok, — let me say it this way — Chip holds practice different than any other coach. Chip moderates all his players differently than any other coach. In short — Chip is not conventional. Those are facts. IF Chip does everything else different when preparing this team, why would I think he does his draft(and all that implies) the same way everybody else does? I don’t think he does. That wouldn’t make sense for him to be that way. Which is why he did chose MS. (AGAIN, I’M NOT COMPLAINING ABOUT THE PICK. AGAIN, I’M NOT COMPLAINING ABOUT THE PICK. AGAIN, I’M NOT COMPLAINING ABOUT THE PICK)

  112. 112 anon said at 4:02 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    “marcus would have been stolen from us by the cardinals and skins” think they were better of taking who they took.

  113. 113 OldDocMcDuckle said at 4:20 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    Yeah, when I read that I was thinking:
    A. we know this how? and

    B. would it really have been so bad if they did steal him?

    Actually that’s not true at all. I was sat there thinking “OMFG GEAGLE gone went full crazy go nuts!” but then after that I thought the other stuff.

  114. 114 Media Mike said at 5:28 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    It wasn’t Mel Kiper referenced in the quotes Tommy used.

  115. 115 GEAGLE said at 9:18 AM on February 9th, 2015:

    oh man, as if we dont spend enough time on the same tired stories every day of the offseason, Micheal Sam announced participation in the veteran combine,,, its not an offseason without the daily debates over an irrelevant player all because of his sexuality..

  116. 116 Anders said at 9:19 AM on February 9th, 2015:

    So Sam is going to show that he is still super un-athletic?

  117. 117 GEAGLE said at 9:25 AM on February 9th, 2015:

    LOL…probably a better chance at getting a job if he didnt remind them how nonathletic he is.. dude proably missed his 15 minutes of fame, and wanted another 7 minutes in the limelight.

    unless he has been working with a special team guru (not named bobby april lol) for the past year, i dont see what he thinks he is going to accomplish

  118. 118 Bert's Bells said at 11:26 AM on February 9th, 2015:

    “next year he will probably announce that he has been “cured” and is no longer gay… dude will try anything for them 15 minutes”

    STFU

  119. 119 A Roy said at 11:31 AM on February 9th, 2015:

    Concur with Bert’s. If you’re gonna post here, show some maturity.

  120. 120 GEAGLE said at 11:38 AM on February 9th, 2015:

    fuck off… meant no harm. my cousin is gay, dont have a racist or discriminitve bone in my body. i dont read berts post!m sounds like i need to add your sensative bitch comments to the list
    ..
    when i tell you how to act, you have the right to tell me. so again, if im not clear, fuck off sensative bitches. pull your thong out your ass, politically correct clown… ill be damned the day a joke is going to be over reacted to. malice intent is the qestion, i made a joke, no harm intended… so again, fuck off

  121. 121 GEAGLE said at 11:41 AM on February 9th, 2015:

    yeah dont bother responding, dont realy care. thanks

  122. 122 GermanEagle said at 1:42 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    did you just upvote your own comment?! lol…

  123. 123 A Roy said at 11:42 AM on February 9th, 2015:

    Tommy,
    Action like this is why GEAGLE was kicked off 24/7. At least in those days, I only had to put up with it here and there. Here, he’s hijacked your (our) blog to the point he is chasing people away. Please respond.

  124. 124 Say No to Marc Mo From Easton said at 12:51 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    Never go full GEAGLE.

  125. 125 Kelce's Beard said at 2:30 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    I’ll 2nd the @#$!~ out of that.

  126. 126 myartz04 said at 2:46 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    I concur. It’s mind numbing most of the time.

  127. 127 levdog said at 3:33 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    Stop acting like you are in 1st grade, You don’t have to read his comments. His contributions and knowledge are appreciated by many.

  128. 128 A Roy said at 3:44 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    Sorry you feel that way. Yes, I do have to weed through GEAGLE’s dreck to get to the ones that have value. We went from an environment where GEAGLE was an infrequent visitor to one where s/he totally dominates the conversations. I’d bet 15-20% of the total comments are his/hers. Read the comments on this particular string and note you are in the distinct minority on this issue. I see you have 93 comments…a relative newcomer. Give it time and the combination of nonsense, gibberish and comment upon comment will wear on you, too.

  129. 129 GermanEagle said at 4:23 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    I beg to differ.

    Surely you don’t have to read his comments, but being disrespectful and getting personal using street language is a totally different story that the majority doesn’t want to read on here.

  130. 130 teltschikfakeout88 said at 10:08 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    We need to get an ignore button…

  131. 131 Bert's Bells said at 12:02 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    A joke is supposed to be funny or a least contain elements of humor, dickhead.

  132. 132 GermanEagle said at 1:44 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    U never seem to disappoint, dude…!

  133. 133 A_T_G said at 3:40 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    Not a discriminative bone in your body. Misogynistic, sure, but not discriminatory.

  134. 134 A Roy said at 3:45 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    Or, at least, not discriminating…

  135. 135 wee2424 said at 12:09 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    You do realize he made his announcement and then it took off from there. It was the media that talked about it every 2 seconds, it was the media that would follow him, not vice versa. The dude didnt really seak much, the media did. PFT, ESPN etc… As far as what he is trying to accomplish, maybe he is just trying hard to play the sport he loves at a profesional level. After all thats why these veteran combines are in place. I like alot of what you post because it is based on logic and solid info, this comment is just based on emotion.

  136. 136 iceberg584 said at 1:48 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    Well other than trying to cash in with a reality show on the Oprah Network.

  137. 137 wee2424 said at 2:16 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    Lol, was not aware of that. If thats the case then trash my statement.

  138. 138 anon said at 5:02 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    nah Oprah came to him — he turned them down b/c of what the media said. Now he probably wishes he has that money, b/c he’s unemployed. Can never hate on people getting their money.

  139. 139 iceberg584 said at 5:23 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    Well, IIRC, I believe the Rams actually were the ones to pull the cord on the whole thing. Sam wanted to do it (they actually filmed a documentary about the draft process that just aired a few months ago). I’m mostly ambivalent on the subject, and really can’t fault somebody for trying to make money in an ethical way, but if he was as serious about being “only a football player” as he claimed, it might have been a good idea to turn down the commercials, reality shows, etc. and focus 100% on the combine, draft, TC. Or maybe his incredulity over being an SEC Defensive Player of the Year going undrafted until the 7th round was for show, and he knew he needed to cash in as a media curiosity before his football limitations were exposed.

  140. 140 anon said at 6:26 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    Lots of good guys don’t make it. I wouldn’t doubt that he could be better than dudes sitting in practice squads around the league (or much maligned first round picks – i’m thinking Bjorn Werner).

  141. 141 GEAGLE said at 9:36 AM on February 9th, 2015:

    FYI: YOUR BOY Maxx williams is a beast!..
    ..
    im not opposed to bringing back James Casey and Celek, but id also love to upgrade them.

    for example, giving Virgil greene Caseys contract, drafting Maxx if we trade back once or twice from 20. he is as dangerous as drafting a WR..
    ..
    i could easily see us bring back the same group of TE’s, but Ertz, Virgil, Maxx and Burton would be a bad ass tandem

  142. 142 anon said at 4:59 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    Word in Denver is that actually may let JT walk and keep Virgil Green (cheaper and really helps the run game).

  143. 143 Media Mike said at 5:27 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    I mentioned that as possibility yesterday.

  144. 144 GEAGLE said at 10:35 AM on February 9th, 2015:

    what a disgrace… state will dismiss charges against scumbag greg Hardy because his girlfriend didnt show up to testify against him,.. smh
    ..
    Pewter Report: “Bucs would be ecstatic to get second round pick for Glennon, but would settle for a 3rd”…. Id Give them a 4th to become Foles backup
    ..

  145. 145 ACViking said at 11:19 AM on February 9th, 2015:

    Easy on Hardy . . .

    The state of North Carolina initiated the case against Hardy based on his accuser’s statements.

    Her absence from the trial’s instructive in a couple of ways.

    Because in domestic assault cases the accuser may be well acquainted with the defendant — and not show up at trial — the prosecution will collect photos and forensic proof that corroborate the accusation to deal with precisely the situation that happened here.

    Likewise, if the accuser’s injured, or claims an injury, a physician or other medical professional will speak to her for treatment purposes — statements that are likewise admissible (despite of the 6th Amendment’s confrontation clause).

    Here, the accuser didn’t show up for trial.

    The prosecution apparently had no independent evidence that could prove its case. No medical evidence. No forensic evidence. No statements.

    On these facts, I don’t see Hardy as a monster at all.

    He’s a guy who lost a year of his professional life (albeit w/ pay) under a terrible cloud because of an accusation — an uncorroborated one, it seems.

    Think about that . . .

    Think about how easily a prosecutor can destroy a man’s life.

    And if you’re not making $13,000,000, that’s a pretty big deal.

  146. 146 GEAGLE said at 11:28 AM on February 9th, 2015:

    he was convicted…now she recants story… wonder how much that cost?

  147. 147 wee2424 said at 12:01 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    Not saying he didnt do anything wrong, but if the prosecutions case fell apart without her being there, and they didnt have enough evidence without her, then common sense may state its possible he didnt do it.

  148. 148 OldDocMcDuckle said at 2:50 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    He was found guilty first time round and (according to reports) paid her $s not to testify at the appeal.

    Common sense says something else.

  149. 149 wee2424 said at 3:14 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    Again im not saying he is guilty or not. I was just implying with the limited info that ACViking stated that he may be innocent. Honestly i was just more trying to mess with GEAGLE. I read about the cash settlement after posting my comment.

  150. 150 OldDocMcDuckle said at 3:20 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    i was just more trying to mess with GEAGLE.

    Well as long as we can agree that MSII was a reach it’s all good.

  151. 151 wee2424 said at 3:25 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    Lol, i see what your doing.

  152. 152 anon said at 4:58 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    Not doing it and not having evidence that he did it are completely different things.

  153. 153 wee2424 said at 6:26 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    Not in the court of law where it matters. Are you suggesting people should be convicted of crimes without proper evidence? They should just be convicted based on the court of public opinion?

  154. 154 anon said at 6:29 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    I think the opposite – I agree with you. Only saying that just because they don’t have evidence doesn’t mean that Hardy is innocent.

    It’s a real issue the league has to deal with. B/c the league deals squarely in the court of public opinion when dealing with players (see Ray Rice). How do they justify suspending people (and wasting franchise’s money) if the cases are dropped.

  155. 155 wee2424 said at 10:35 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    In no way am i sayng he is innocent. Im just saying its a possibility when there isnt much evidence. Yes, i do agree this is a problem for the league. How they punish him will also be how they punish other players in the future under the same circumstance. This is about coming up with a precedant and sticking to it. A difficult one at that.

  156. 156 Media Mike said at 5:26 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    He bribed her to not got to trial. They reached a “civil settlement” prior to today.

    He’s guilty abusive trash who bought his way out of legal trouble.

    He was given a de facto suspension for the year, so he’s welcome to ply his trade in the NFL again.

    It doesn’t change his guilt and it doesn’t make him welcome on my roster.

  157. 157 ACViking said at 5:40 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    Two things.

    First, “not guilty” is not the same as “innocent.”

    Second, regardless of any civil settlement — in which Hardy admitted no wrongdoing — the prosecution had, apparently, ZERO forensic evidence.

    That matters to me because I’m not a fan of putting people in prison on the word of one person.

  158. 158 Media Mike said at 5:54 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    I hear you there, but considering the judge already ruled him guilty months ago and he’s out now due to a strange quirk in NC law; I’m sticking with guilty.

  159. 159 anon said at 6:23 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    Hardy probably considers the judge verdict the quirk — especially since it’s not binding.

  160. 160 Media Mike said at 6:26 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    Funny what some cash will do in the “justice” system.

  161. 161 Patrick said at 10:02 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    Speaking as someone who is in law school and therefore kidding myself that I know something about the subject, more people needs to know the difference between being not guilty/culpable and being innocent. It would make the world a lot easier.
    Conversely, because something isn’t illegal, doesn’t mean its right to do.

    Although in this case I do agree with a lot of the other commenters. Smells a lot like Hardy paid her off, to avoid further action because the case might very dependent on that statement.

    Also, just a question of personal interest. Does it happen a lot in the USA that people get put in jail or loose civil cases, due to the testimony of 1 person? In Denmark, I would find it HIGHLY unlikely that the court system would base its decision on a claim, when its a situation of claim against claim(Not sure that phrase translates well).

  162. 162 D3FB said at 12:57 AM on February 10th, 2015:

    Neighbors called the cops, and they reported that abusive behavior wasn’t uncommon to hear.

  163. 163 Greg Richards said at 12:32 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    Reaction from fans of whatever teams sign him – “The bitch was lying! She was just looking to get paid all along!” That actually may or may not be true. Regardless, it’s easy to rationalize things to yourself.

  164. 164 oreofestar said at 1:54 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    Well that’s an inetersting little convo down there lol

  165. 165 the DONALD said at 2:24 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    kinda stale on here so… HYPOTHETICAL… IF MM drops to 6, whats it take to move up and grab him.. do you want to grab him.. IF hes taken, whats the eagles record next year… or do you LOVE Foles and just sit pat at 20 or trade back etc..

  166. 166 Bert's Bells said at 2:25 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    McCoy and First!

    19-0!

  167. 167 the DONALD said at 2:30 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    haha maybe 17-2..

  168. 168 Bert's Bells said at 2:37 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    We’ll get to see if Chip is “resting the starters” guy by week 14.

  169. 169 anon said at 4:54 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    I think we def. win a playoff game or two – if not the first year def the second and third. Look at Kaep the first couple of years when they ran a lot of RO. Yes their D is WAY better than ours, but ours is pretty good (based on sacks and TOs) and our offensive weapons are WAY better (and we’d have a better passer as well).

    The biggest key would be that we could extend on 3rd downs and goal line a lot easier – the QB run game just gives defenders more to defend.

  170. 170 the DONALD said at 8:43 AM on February 10th, 2015:

    I like it… i like it a looot.

  171. 171 Media Mike said at 5:23 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    If MM drops to 6, why aren’t the Jets going to take him. Geno Smith is a hourly motel mattress stain of a QB.

    The “soft” spot for a trade up for Mariota is 8 with Atlanta.

  172. 172 ACViking said at 5:36 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    MM:

    bingo

  173. 173 the DONALD said at 8:42 AM on February 10th, 2015:

    the Jets could take him… it was just real stale on here so i put up a HYPOTHETICAL… good call with the 8 but i dont see him getting that far so i said 6 which is the realistic spot so they would need to get to 5.

  174. 174 philliesfan123 said at 3:05 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    “If Chip is not as good at [evaluating] personnel as he thinks he is, this could be a recipe for disaster,” an NFC personnel man said.” ( see – Philadelphia Eagles 2014 # 1 draft pick – Marcus Smith III ) AFC personnel man says , “That’s why I really would like to know who made the decision on Marcus Smith last year. Because Marcus didn’t have any special attributes. He was just a guy. I would really like to know the dynamics of how they settled on him [in the first round]. Was it Kelly’s decision? Was it Roseman’s? ” THIS was probably the most important issues discussed in this article. Is the man who pulled the trigger on Marcus Smith III, still in the building ? How much power ( in the draft room ) does he have ? Also, if he is STILL in the draft room, did he LEARN from his ( potential ) mistake, in the 2014 draft.

  175. 175 holeplug said at 3:30 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    probably howie

  176. 176 philliesfan123 said at 1:34 PM on February 10th, 2015:

    As I’ve mentioned before, I don’t believe that Howies issues were with his knowledge about the draft, and setting up the board, etc. I think that his problems stemmed from personality issues. He ( apparently ) didn’t garner much respect and confidence within his own department. I don’t believe that it was because of his football intelligence, but rather from his arrogance, and the lack of trust in his underlings. Sometimes a kick in the rear end ( promotion / demotion ) goes a long way in causing people to reassess their communication and motivation skills. Hopefully, for Howie, this will make him a better boss and person, in the long run. I believe that’s what Jeffry Lurie is banking on. Literally.

  177. 177 austinfan said at 6:40 PM on February 10th, 2015:

    When your HC hires someone who undercuts you, recruits your hires to turn against you, and your HC basically disses you to the press, yeah, you’d probably be a little paranoid.

    The irony is Fast Eddie is supposed to be “organizing things” for Chip, isn’t that Howie’s strength? Who hired the scouts that resulted in the 2012 and 2013 drafts that basically built this team?

    I think the fundamental problem was Chip liked to be around “football guys,” football is his social life, and he just wasn’t comfortable with Howie. And football guys stand up for each other, look at the way they talk about Tom Gamble, who had a poor track record in SF (eight losing seasons with him as director of pro personnel, then he gets promoted and runs a couple mediocre drafts?). You see this all the time in business, it’s not what you know, it’s who you know.

  178. 178 philliesfan123 said at 1:34 PM on February 11th, 2015:

    Well, austinfan, if those things are true, who is really to blame ? Is the answer Jeffry Lurie ? Lurie and Howie knew when they hired Kelly, that he ( requested / demanded ) that they hire a ” football guy ” to be added to their player personnel department. So given that, and Howies, ” non football guy ” reputation, how was that going to go over ? Not well, obviously, as we’ve seen. So, first Lurie and Howie looked the other way, when Chip made his first demand – hiring a football guy. Now two years later, Lurie is looking the other way again, by ( promoting / demoting ) Roseman, and giving Kelly FULL control. This is the second time that Roseman has had to swallow his pride for Lurie to get ( and Keep ) his prized, head coach. Lurie gave Roseman a $ 200,000. a year raise, and a extention until 2020. This was obviously to help that lump of ( pride ) go down easier, and also, to help it taste MUCH better. Let’s hope for the Eagles sake, that Roseman can – keep it down.

  179. 179 wee2424 said at 3:32 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    I said this in another post somewhere. Alot of people assumed it was Chip. However i think the results of what happened in the FO sort of point to Howie. To add Chip constantly stuck up for struggling players, however he was never endorsing for Smith. Is it because Chip didnt really want him?

  180. 180 philliesfan123 said at 1:22 PM on February 10th, 2015:

    I could be wrong, but from everything that I have heard and read, it appears ( as hard as this is to say ) that it was Kelly’s call to draft Marcus Smith. I know I’ve been hard on Howie, but it appears that he was really moving in the right direction, when it comes to the draft and free agency. Howie hired Marynowitz ( now Kellys # 1 guy ) he was going the ” best player available ” route in the draft, and it appeared that things were going in the right direction. I believe that the big issues were Howies lack of trust, and possible paranoia about someone in the player personnel department being ” smarter ” than him and taking his job. This must of came from his ” not a football guy ” label, his smallish appearance, and his name – ” Howie. ” These all were causing him to go overboard trying to prove his worth, and not trust anyone he worked with. Not a good combination. He brought a lot of value to the draft process, but his apparent overbearing nature, must of rubbed too many people the wrong way, and made his relationship with Kelly and the player personnel department unsustainable.

  181. 181 anon said at 3:32 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    MSII is not the biggest bust in history, not sure I’d fire someone over him. Eagles were TERRIBLE with PR last year (maybe they didn’t know how raw he was, but they should have). They should have said, he’s raw but we like intangibles, etc. PR around Djax was terrible.

  182. 182 Greg Richards said at 4:16 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    I don’t think Chip gives a rat’s behind about public relations.

  183. 183 anon said at 4:20 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    He doesn’t. And you don’t have to if you’re winning games. But as soon as you start losing games that doesn’t stand. Billy D is still liked by most b/c he’s great with reports. If he took a CK approach while the D was failing i don’t think he’d be around too long.

  184. 184 eagleyankfan said at 3:47 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    That’s some great write up on Foles too. I often wonder if Chip would have drafted Foles. Everyone says Chip needs a running QB. I’m not 100% sold on that. Reading that report on Foles, it kind of sounds like Foles IS a Chip kind of guy – or should I say character. It’s understood that character is only part of the evaluation….

  185. 185 anon said at 4:00 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    We would have taken RW in the prior round, maybe even the first round. Chip had experience with him in the Rose Bowl and RW just is that guy personality wise. He was telling GMs, pick me we will win a SB. But I also think of the people available it’d go 1) RW, 2) Foles.

    I’m sure chip can be successful with foles, but Foles has to really excel at what he does, it’s obviously not ideal, but that’s life.

  186. 186 dislikedisqus said at 5:47 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    Those AFC guy’s comments fill me with hope (mostly). The thing that concerns me is: does Chip have so many filters that he shrinks the pool too much, and you get Marcus Smith at the top of your board because you have filtered out so many guys for different reasons?

    Separately, I would have thought, long before Blesto etc generate their reports, scouts have made lists of guys to focus on, going back as far as signing day 3 years earlier. And also based on observing guys as under lassmen while scouting in prior years. and talking to contacts at schools over the years. This sounded like Blesto etc are the first cut.

  187. 187 anon said at 6:23 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    yup

  188. 188 A_T_G said at 7:23 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    I imagine you are correct, and I imagine BLESTO serves as a drag net, making sure no one was overlooked, as much as a filter.

  189. 189 D3FB said at 12:54 AM on February 10th, 2015:

    Scouts don’t have that kind of time. The whole recruiting world is a 24/7/365 cycle as well. Sure they know who some of the top guys are, but Khalil Mack was a 2 star recruit. Lane Johnson had 0 and went to JUCO as a QB. Scouts only do seniors until the deadline. They keep an eye on the underclassmen they hear are going to declare, but for both NCAA rules as well as time limitations, they aren’t doing a full workup.

    Scouts will make a note while watching film that player X keeps flashing, figure out who player X is, and then make a mental note for next year or two years down the line.

  190. 190 Media Mike said at 6:27 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    Paul Dawson vs. Eric Kendricks; discuss!

  191. 191 GENETiC-FREAK said at 6:39 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    Liked Paul Dawson until did some more read up on him n they say if you want to be the worse in run D Paul Dawson is your guy.. Undisciplined n not a film watcher

  192. 192 Media Mike said at 6:43 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    I saw some of that as well. I also saw that Kendricks isn’t as explosive as our current Kendricks.

  193. 193 GENETiC-FREAK said at 6:47 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    Mycal Kendricks is up with in explosiveness with Willis.. Eric just a solid LB.. Kinda remind me of the movie Kickboxer with Mycal being Van Damme n Eric being the one who gets paralyzed lol Both can fight but the other one is better

  194. 194 Media Mike said at 6:48 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    If that is the case, then Kendricks really isn’t a first round pick under any circumstances.

  195. 195 Mitchell said at 7:19 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    I would tend to agree. I just watched him again last night. He is definitely a solid pick but dnt expect flash plays like his brother. I think he does everything well but he may be smaller than his listed 6 feet and I think he is also in the 230’s. I was watching Taiwan Jones from MSU as well. Jones is a very good run stuffer but gets lost in coverage. The guy I think makes some sense is Stephone Anthony from Clemson. Explosive, decent in coverage. Not as instinctive as you might like but a good 3rd-4th rounder and is slowly becoming a guy I would like.

  196. 196 NinjaP said at 7:23 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    I really like Anthony for us too with one of our 4ths.

  197. 197 D3FB said at 12:48 AM on February 10th, 2015:

    Erik is James Lauranitis. Very good player. Will have a long career, but just extremely consistent and not overly dynamic.

  198. 198 Insomniac said at 6:39 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    Kendricks. Dawson apparently doesn’t fit our culture based upon his draft profile then again I think the same guy called Jordan Matthews a diva.

  199. 199 Media Mike said at 6:42 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    Thank you. Interesting talents in both cases.

  200. 200 RobNE said at 8:55 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    why not McKinney?

  201. 201 D3FB said at 12:46 AM on February 10th, 2015:

    Dawson. Higher upside, more than physical enough, tackling needs work but it’s technique not effort. I don’t buy the he’s lazy and doesn’t watch tape. I mean if he’s as instinctive as he is without watching tape, if you get him to watch tape, I’m pretty sure he would just elevate to a higher plane of consciousness and automatically win the game.

  202. 202 anon said at 6:42 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    Greg Cosell’s two cents on the primary QB prospects. http://www.phillymag.com/birds247/2015/02/09/cosell-weighs-quarterback-class/

  203. 203 Media Mike said at 6:47 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    “I think Hundley is a very raw and unrefined player. I think he needs a lot of work and a lot of coaching. He’s got some pretty good attributes. He’s a bit of a pusher. He lifts his back leg off the ground before he throws the ball which is always a problem. I think he has what I would call slow eyes. I don’t think he has great vision in the pocket and I think that’s a problem that will only get worse in the NFL.

    “I think Hundley has to be drafted after the second round. He needs there to be no expectations. He can’t play now. There’s a long learning curve for him and he may never get there. He needs to be drafted in the third round or lower, otherwise he may never make it.”

    ha ha ha ha ha ha, “slow eyes”

  204. 204 GENETiC-FREAK said at 6:48 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    Got the feeling Hundley goes 1st round just coz its Winston, Mariota 1A n 1B then Hundley then the rest.. Weak class just like 2012 year.. Or was it 2013..? One of them lol

  205. 205 Media Mike said at 6:49 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    I’ll take Cosell at his word that Hundley cannot be taken in the first two rounds.

  206. 206 anon said at 7:04 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    Like that backup in Dallas who is as old as Tony Romo even though he’s still on his rookie deal?

  207. 207 GENETiC-FREAK said at 7:44 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    Oh Weeden thats right forgot hes with them now

  208. 208 anon said at 7:52 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    Not surprising Browns picked him and cut him in 2 years. Then spent another 1st on Manziel who may suffer the same fate and they still don’t have a QB (and may get stripped of draft picks).

  209. 209 BobSmith77 said at 9:04 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    Wasn’t ‘Slow Eyes’ a b-side on the Dirty Dancing soundtrack?

    Almost begs for a ‘Mad Libs’ scouting report.

  210. 210 Insomniac said at 7:52 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    I don’t see anyone talking about Jake Ryan here. The guy has Chip Kelly man crush written all over him.

  211. 211 GENETiC-FREAK said at 8:08 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    Real bad in coverage is what i keep reading

  212. 212 GermanEagle said at 8:09 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    That’s exactly what Chip looks for in corners, mate!

  213. 213 GENETiC-FREAK said at 8:25 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    haha then he’ll fit right in

  214. 214 Insomniac said at 9:17 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    Ya looks bad but he’s versatile. Casey Matthews replacement.

  215. 215 Greg Richards said at 8:19 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    The guy who I think is a good fit for us at ILB(after the top-tier guys) is Jordan Hicks of Texas.

  216. 216 Insomniac said at 9:23 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    I like Hicks but the LB that I want the most is Max Valles. He’s so raw and athletic that you can mold him to be any LB.

  217. 217 Mitchell said at 12:12 AM on February 10th, 2015:

    Can I ask what you liked about him in particular?

  218. 218 BobSmith77 said at 9:07 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    A lot of great comments in this thread and learned a lot.

    Still think BLESTO is the new evil agency in the upcoming Bond flick.

  219. 219 HazletonEagle said at 10:56 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    When I look at prospects, I try to find guys not just that I like, but that I think would be eagles targets. There are plenty of guys I like that Ill rule out because they dont fit some known criteria that we know the eagles are looking for. Whether it is a shorter CB, or a safety who doesnt show man coverage skills, I downgrade 1st round prospects if they are not graduates, etc.
    I think, I can do a decent job with all that we know about what they are looking for. If anything, I probably throw out too many guys because none of us are in the room with them hearing things they are willing to overlook about certain players. But I think, if we pay attention, as fans, we can still get a decent idea.
    One thing Id like to ask you is, Ive read that Chip likes guys from big programs, because of the opportunity to evaluate them against greater competition. I have no idea where the line is drawn there. If Im looking at OLBs, I tend to think we are looking for 6’3” or taller. CBs should be 6’0” or taller. etc. But where is the line drawn when it comes to checking the box off for a big football program?
    Is it worth it to pay much attention to Bud Dupree? Is that a big enough program? What about Kevin Johnson from Wake Forest?
    Id like some thoughts, if you have any insight on what might qualify as a big school, or big football program.
    I assume I have no hope for taking a flyer on a guy like David Mayo from Texas State, or Zach Vigil from Utah State.

  220. 220 BreakinAnklez said at 11:10 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    Any school in a Power 5 conference plays legit competition…

  221. 221 D3FB said at 11:32 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    Evaluating players from bigger programs just simply reduces the amount of projection involved in an evaluation. Let’s take for example Ali Marpet. His tape against Dickinson is really impressive, he’s crushing DL, throwing around LB and DB’s. But these guys are my former teammates. I know our one DT is only 5’11 245lbs, and from and has good but not great or even crazy strength. Our LB’s are sophomores and weigh 210lbs soaking wet. Now project that fact that you have to be able to analyze whether or not he can block Fletcher Cox or Ceddy Thorton. BIGGGGGGGGGG difference. He showed well at the Senior Bowl, so that’s a positive sign, but his whole college career he probably blocked a handful of guys that are even NFL size, let alone NFL talent.

    It’s just a way to minimize variables in your evaluations.

    I don’t think Chip would outright avoid players from lower levels of comp, but in general guys who play at lower level of competition get drafted later.

    Louisville wasn’t Power 5 MSII’s senior year.

    We’ve acquired smaller school guys as UDFAs: Maysonet, Bamiro, Fluellen, Frank Mays, Blake Annen, and others have been from non Power 5 or FCS schools.

  222. 222 Mitchell said at 11:36 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    I think this is a great strategy for UDFAs as well. Minimize the risk with actual drafted players and go for broke with your UDFAs, high reward, low risk.

  223. 223 D3FB said at 11:54 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    I mean the guys who are the priority UDFA’s (not the camp body types) are UDFA for a reason.

    Injury history- Henry Josey
    Small School – Ced Thorton
    No defined position- Tre Burton
    Character issue- Issiah Crowell
    Devalued position – Centers, Kickers, FBs

  224. 224 Mitchell said at 11:34 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    The past 2 drafts the Eagles have drafted 15 players from the following schools:
    Louisville
    Vanderbilt
    Oregon x2
    Florida
    Stanford x2
    Wisconsin
    Oklahoma x2
    LSU
    USC
    NC St.
    Utah
    Oregon St.
    Looking at those schools there is definitely a trend of selecting players from large programs. Most notably the Pac-12 and SEC.

  225. 225 Insomniac said at 11:48 PM on February 9th, 2015:

    Kevin Johnson is a good CB prospect. He needs to gain weight badly and I question his functional strength at the next level. Other than that, he has the intangibles that makes him a very solid CB.

  226. 226 HazletonEagle said at 9:30 AM on February 10th, 2015:

    I know, I like him a lot. My question though is about Chip liking big school guys. What qualifies as a big school? Wake Forest?

  227. 227 Insomniac said at 10:08 AM on February 10th, 2015:

    Scouts will always find you if you’re good and see what the hype is about. It’s up to Chip and his staff to bring him in and see if he likes him or not. I don’t think he really cares since he knows what type of player he wants and doesn’t care where he gets them.

  228. 228 austinfan said at 6:57 PM on February 10th, 2015:

    The key to Fast Eddie’s success will be his ability to use his network and college contacts to find hidden gems late in the draft and among UDFAs. If he can’t do that, the Eagles are in trouble, because it’s unlikely that Chip & Eddie will be as skilled trading and predicting how other teams will draft as Howie proved to be. So they’ll get less value out of the draft, and probably free agency (because Howie had a good sense of financial value and cap management). To compensate, Ed will have to find value in other places.

    Howie won’t be helping with these tasks, because he has what’s left of his reputation to protect, he’s not going to use his contacts to pursue deals only to be undercut by Chip. He’ll provide advice when asked, but I doubt he’s in any hurry to volunteer in a situation where he’d expect to be slammed by leaks to the media if things go wrong but to never receive credit for good moves.

    So Chip has made his bed, now he’ll have to sleep in it.