Doubling Down on DBs
Posted: May 2nd, 2015 | Author: Tommy Lawlor | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 243 Comments »Forget the OL for now. Chip Kelly spent both of his 6th round picks on DBs.
CB JaCorey Shepherd – Kansas
CB Randall Evans – Kansas State
I didn’t anticipate the Eagles doing this, but I like it. Think about what Seattle did in recent years. They built up the best secondary in football by pumping resources into it. You don’t go get 4 or 5 players and then sit tight. You know some guys aren’t going to pan out so you overload to make sure you can build up a talented and deep group.
Shepherd (5-11, 199) ran slow at his Pro Day, but he reportedly had an injury. His tape sure doesn’t show any issues with speed. He broke up 31 passes over the last 2 years. He can be physical at the line or play off and react to receivers.
Evans has great measurables. He is 6-0, 190 and ran 4.44 at his Pro Day. KSU had him play CB, S and in the slot. He spent a lot of time in the slot and the Eagles could look at him as the replacement for Brandon Boykin. The Eagles brought him to the NovaCare for a visit so he’s clearly a player they had interest in.
The Eagles pass defense was awful at times in 2014. The team brought in Byron Maxwell, Walter Thurmond, EJ Biggers, Eric Rowe, Shepherd and Evans to try and fix that. The secondary needed a makeover so this was a smart series of moves by Chip Kelly.
More on these picks later.
_
Well, hope for an OL now that BOOM is gone.
THERE GOES the boom…
🙁
What happened?
Gwacham got taken by Seattle
Oh I saw.. Thought our OLs got drafted
We need to work out a deal with the Cowboys for Byron Jones. We should just be honest with dallas: you guys are scumbags, and there isn’t anything wrong with it because it works for you, but you have to admit you are dirty scum and Byron Jones is too good of a kid to fit what you are all about. The kid is a sweetheart, he has no business on a defense with Rolondo McClain, Demarcus Lawrence, Greg Hardy, and Randy Gregory… He just isn’t a cowboy its like a fish out of water… So what can we do to take him off your hands?
…
Cowboys believe in the opposite of chip kelly.. Chip is all about character and intelligence, Cowboys believe in scumbag idiots. Is there any other team that hires babysitters for their players like Cowboys lol.. Byron Jones has no business being on that team.. We have to spring him from the cowboy trash
and that dude that killed his teammate drunk driving
Players of interest to me:
Greg Mancz
Sean Hickey
Laurence Gibson
Tre McBride
Dres Anderson
Ben Koyack
Eric Tomlinson
Deon Simon
Alani Fua
Zach Hodges
Xzavier Dickson
Edmond Robinson
Kurtis Drummond
Tons of decent guys left.
Any CBs, preferably short, slow and with limited playing time due to injury concerns?
Did the edge rusher from Montana go? Take him or Fua if we can
would love to add Greg Mancz, Mcbride, Hodges, Neville hewitt, in the next round or as UDFA. would love Brandon Bridge just as a project and for the fact he’s from my City
Drummond.
I would just make Anthony Harris add 15lbs of muscle
15 pounds of muscle is not in anyway an easy task, and for a DB 15lb could also affect other areas. Not saying it will, but it could.
I want Mancz.
Dave Archibald
@davearchie
Apr 27
No CB in the #NFLDraft2015 has more spectacular highlights than JaCorey Shepherd of @KU_Football. One jaw-dropping play after another
So why’s he such a late pick?
Injured on his pro day so ran a bad 40.
I’d heard Kelly say that. But are teams unaware of that?
Seems so “un-NFL”
Kansas does not yet have a rep for DBs. No cache, although Aqib Talib ain’t half bad.
OD — glad to see you on the board.
Any idea what the injury was and when he got injured?
From what I have read, it was a hamstring injury.
And CBSsports says
WEAKNESSES: Willing in run support but isn’t a physical defender, overall. Relies on his grabbing on and dragging pass-catchers to the ground rather than lowering his shoulder for the emphatic hit. More quick and fluid than fast, struggling to keep up (or recover) with receivers on drag routes across the middle – a concern given that his lack of ideal size could push him inside to nickel duties in the NFL.
Doesn’t possess ideal ball-skills given his experience at receiver, intercepting just five passes (out of 31 passes defensed) over the past two seasons.
Slow and ineffective CBs move to safety. Ask Malcolm Jenkins and Antrelle Rolle.
The kid is a legit talent.. Coaches often say they had a higher grade on a pick, but in this case it’s not BS..when you watch him player, his slow 40 time just doesbt make sense, kid can run better then the numbers say and more physical then kids like Wayne’s or KJ…. Really like that pick, but I know nothing of the Randall kid other then what’s been posted
Is Marshall CB Darryl Roberts still available? Or has has he been drafted?
Still available.
Thx, GR
Steelers take Anthony Chickillo
Rakeem Nunez rocha fell this far?
What was his early projection?
Raiders select a classic Al Davis choice:
6’7″ 303lb OT Anthony Morris from Tenn St.
Since you’re not taking OL anyway, Tre McBride or Antwan Goodley please Chip.
Well, there’s always the solace that because no one else is taking these guys, Kelly and friends have done a solid job in their evals.
Yeah, can’t believe McB hasn’t been taken yet
Ok Eagle nerds who was last 7th rd pick to make squad?
Beau Allen
Beau
This was not a real hard one…
Before that
Kurt Coleman?
The RB we traded to the bills. Forgot his name.
bryce brown
Ton of talent left, hope for a nice UDFA haul. Bunch of guys I wouldn’t mind sticking on the practice squad or redshirt/IR and see what they can do after a year with our strength program like Anthony Harris who can cover but is too light to Play safety right now
Top 3 RFAs?
Based on the type of program and atmosphere we have brewing here, I don’t see why they wouldn’t be able to attract the top UDFA’s this year and years to come. A meritocracy, that has to appeal to those “fallen through the cracks” type of players. Other than money, the Pat’s, or seattle, why not try and be a part of what is happening here?
There is something happening here.
IF I were an undrafted OL. I would definitely want to come to Philly to try to earn a job in the league.
We only have 1 pick left right?
correct. no 20 in Rd 7
Yes.
Hope we go Tre McBride with our last pick – think some of the other guys we like we can get as priority free agents – but he is too good to go undrafted.
La’el because boards are not stones…
Rams trade RB Zac Stacy to Jets for pick 224 per Adam Schefter
Ask and Ye Shall Receive
Didn’t they draft an RB anyway they traded nothing so …shows how much Rams value him and it still shocks me we got a 2016 third for Bryce
NYJ did not draft a RB. Stacey’s pretty solid. And the combo of Reid and Roseman deserve a trophy for turning Bryce Brown into a 4th Rd-worthy trade commodity
Any interest in Bryan Bennett? I assume he’s still around
I think he’s strictly an RFA. But, sure, why not.
Picks going quick now that the time limit is 4 minutes in the 7th round. Already at pick 224.
Son of Britt Hager taken by Rams
Jacob Rodgers taken by Atlanta. Possible target for us.
JM:
Who do you think’s left on the Kelly board?
I’d look for one of the small school OL like maybe Coccia from his old stomping grounds, Raciti (the DT from Fresno State they might want to convert). Could also be another DB like Cody Prewitt or Daryl Roberts if he’s really indignant about things.
Cody Prewitt is undrafted? WHAT!?!?
What happened with him?
Film study and combine happened to him.
I:
Clean, concise evisceration
Basically the pure safeties in this draft suck. You can be one of the “top” safeties and still suck.
I mentioned him because Chip worked him out personally.
I agree Joe. Chip has some Fresno friends.
Raciti went to San Jose State, not Fresno State.
Not San Diego State?
Whoops. I always mix those 2 up.
Wonder how many rookies make our roster… It doesn’t suck to be a 6th round pick by a team that hasn’t drafted anyone since round 3 and only got 3 players in the first 5 rounds. Agents should be fighting to send their UDFA clients to the Eagles
They’re all sure Hall of Famers
Isn’t the hit rate for 6th rounders like 10% or something like that? Most of the guys picked this late are real long shots to stick on the roster for more than a couple years.
Yea the hit rate really hits the flat part of the slope at the 6th round. There’s no statistical difference between the hit rates on 6th and 7th round picks as they are both just below 10% and there’s only a very small decrease in hit rate between 6th and 7th rounders and UDFAs.
But, Geagle makes a good point. If I am the agent for premium UDFA, I’m pushing him towards the Eagles. More reps than any other team will give you. Some clear openings for depth at OLine, OLB, TE, possibly RB, defensive line and even safety.
I’d be ecstatic if La’el Collins gets cleared completely and signs here as an UDFA to start at RG. That gives us a potentially nasty right side of the line for years to come. It’d be like getting a top 15 pick for free out of nowhere. How awesome would that be?
The NFL draft has become a regular dog and pony show
I’m ecstatic to hear the slow 40 time from Shepherd might have been due to an injury. I really loved his tape, but 4.65 is just way too slow. CBs that run slower than 4.55 are pretty much dead on arrival.
http://thedctimes.com/2012/03/using-40-yard-dash-to-predict-cornerback-performance-in-nfl/
So, once I saw his 4.65, I figured no matter how good he is as a football player he’d never be able to compete with that speed. If he fell a bit due to that time, but in reality runs more of 4.5-4.55 when healthy, he could be a huge steal.
Watch his tape. No lack of speed anywhere to be seen.
I do plan on watching both of these guys today or tomorrow.
Okay, but don’t let them see you, and don’t wear Eagles gear.
It would be a creepy introduction to the team to notice some fan in your hedge the day after you are drafted.
I did. I actually watched his tape before I saw the forty time and I was pumped about the pick! His tape is really impressive. Then I saw the forty time and was like ah crap…doesn’t matter…CBs can’t compete at 4.65. But hearing he ran slow due to an injury made me feel a lot better. He can easily play in the nickel and dime packages with 4.5-4.55 speed.
To be fair I’m sure the other teams knew he had an injury as well. I’m guessing he went in the 6th because he was viewed by everyone as a day 3 talent.
Yea I’m sure everyone knew, but the problem is the uncertainty. Did the injury really affect his time, or is he really slow and just using that as an excuse? If it did, how much, is he a 4.6 flat guy without the injury or a 4.5 guy without the injury. No one’s gonna risk a premium pick on a CB that might be way way too slow to ever compete in the NFL.
After watching the tape, I’m sure one of the biggest factors to him being available in the 6th round was his 40 time. If he ran a 4.4 I’d be shocked if he wasn’t taken 3-4 rounds higher.
This tweet might ease your mind.
https://twitter.com/PFF_Sam/status/594593624785977345
He is definitely a player with major talent, that’s no question. But, something like speed doesn’t really become a debilitating issue and can be hidden behind your skill until every person you’re playing against is significantly faster than you. There’s a lot of WRs that played Kansas the past few years that run 4.6-4.8 40s, theres pretty much zero of those in the pros.
Teams only completed 38% against him… Closest corner I have seen to Sheldon brown, just needs to add some biceps are
jags announcing pick from london….wow
I have no clue what this means
Mike Loyko retweeted
Evan Mathis
@EvanMathis69
2m2 minutes ago
Deez.
35 retweets
19 favorites
It means Evan Mathis was bored on a beach somewhere and his Mojito needed refreshing.
short for “Deez nuts”. maybe in response to the comment that he’s been on the trade block for 2 years
Ben Koyack gone
The last good Notre Dame TE was Dave Casper . . . in 1976
Ghost to the post baby!
Beautiful!!!
Indeed.
I love how a lot of those famous Raider plays from the 70’s and 80’s have catchy names.
The Sea of Hands
The Holy Roller
Ghost to the Post
and even though it was the other team, The Immaculate Reception.
Creativity was much higher in those days. If something cool happens these days we just call it “The Catch 2” or something else dumb.
“Miracle at the Meadowlands 3!” Because we’re too thick to think of something new, we just keep making sequels.
That’s a great observation.
Were those NFL Films-consigned names? Or the media?
There’s something to be said about the old days, for sure.
Even nicknames these days are weak sauce as hell. We just give people abbreviations and call them nicknames.
Rg3
or if they do have a nickname its usually pretty weak:
“All Day” Adrian Peterson
“Famous” Jameis Winston
“Matty Ice”
“Big Ben”
We actually had probably the best nickname in the league, even though it wasn’t really given to him as a football player, and that’s Shady Mccoy. “The Law Firm” and “Pocket Hercules” are pretty good too, but they’re all so weak sauce compared to some of the old school ones:
Dick “Night Train” Lane
Christian Okoye “The Nigerian Nightmare”
Jerome “The Bus” Bettis
“Mean” Joe Greene
“Broadway” Joe
“Concrete” Charlie
“Deacon” Jones
Elroy “Crazy Legs” Hirsch
Deion “Prime Time” Sanders
People are in such a rush to give a good player a nickname, it usually ends up forced. That’s how you end up with Dwyane “Wow” Wade or abbreviations like CP3.
Love the Night Train name.
My personal favorite is “The Nigerian Nightmare”. So fitting, he truly was a terror on the field for the few years that he was on the top of his game.
Night Train Lane is definitely top notch nicknaming too, sounds so sinister even if the story behind it is fairly mundane.
Jack Tatum’s “The Assassin” would probably cause our lord and commissioner Goodell to faint in some sort of pearl clutching moral swoon.
Snake Stabler . . . more to that than what he did on the field. Ultimate playboy.
Again, the NFL’s branding goons would have a fit about that these days. Can’t have people thinking NFL players are anything but choir boys who only care about giving back to the community and NFL play 60.
Edit: Should say Kenny the snake Stabler is a fantastic nickname that I left off the list. Good call.
Which leads to the question . . . what do these guys call each other when the camera’s off?
That thickness will bring down the empire.
Is there anyone interesting left not named La’el Collins? I say we try and flip our 7th this year for a 6th next year.
I am coming to the conclusion that #ESP is just a troll, trying to stir up chaos and trouble at this point. His endless #HotTakez are not just idiotic but consistently factually wrong.
Welcome to tbe realization that him and mark eckel rival Foe most worthless media trash in philly and both are employed by NJ.com. I pray they get switched to covering the Giants soon
He’s the TMZ/Nancy Grace of Eagles coverage
Another Rainbow Warrior! Joey Iosefa…fb/rb. Thick MF…
Edmund Robinson of Newberry gone. We had interest in him.
The new CBA gives massive fines daily when players miss TC. So Mathis can throw his hissy fit, miss the voluntary activities and maybe some mandatory mini-camps but he’s not going to be holding out long.
I understand his frustration 1-2 years ago – he was under paid. However at this point his contract is very generous considering his age. No one is going i want to give him a 2 year $12mil contract…..
I’ve had enough of his annual whining. If he weren’t so darn good he’d be gone by now.
We had a lot of interest in TEs too so this pick could be one of them. Maybe Eric Tomlinson. Has epic facial hair.
I would like to switch Peyton Manning’s chicken parm with veal just once & see how he likes it. Veal is only one syllable.
“Ten-der veal, you taste so good.”
Manning can audible.
Well played sir.
or “baby cow you taste so good”. nice and humane sounding
So what did Tre McBride do to be pushed this far down the draft?
No clue. I’m shocked.
I recall reading there were character concerns but I don’t know/remember the details.
Something about diva attitude I think.
Mark Nzeocha OLB is the last pick
by Dallas, not by us
yeah my bad
let’s go Elaine Fua!!!
Chip sure does love his measurables
damn we just drafted a 6’9 defensive end
Boston College DE Brian Mihalick
6-9 295
Eagles’ OLB coach will have familiarity with him
I’ve come across his name before but don’t know enough about him to give an honest opinion.
He’s huge. I guess that’s all you need to know about him. NFL.com says Slow-twitch player who was consistently blocked by Florida State TE Nick O’Leary, who is much smaller.
From NFL.com..sounds he’s a guy that looks like Tarzan and plays like Jane.
Azz will cure that tendency.
Scouting report
Hand Technique: Has tremendous length and flashes strong hand placement to stack and lock out to establish leverage and control. Hands are not notably violent or active after initial contact.
Feet/COD: Feet are not notably quick but not a detriment. Strides are long, struggles with quick shifts and re-directions due to inability to quickly put feet down in tight area.
Run Stopping: Does well to establish stacked blocks and is capable of stringing out blocks at the POA to keep lanes occupied and play as a 2 gap defender.
Lateral Movement: Has a fair amount of mobility to string plays out. Does not possess short area quickness to cross face and quickly shut interior lanes once committed.
Effort: Motor runs consistently. Will work all the way back across the top of the pocket trying to find crease if stonewalled on initial rush. Works well laterally.
Toughness: Will need to continue to add functional strength for the next level as a 2 gap defender at the POA. Is adequate for collegiate level but can concede chest and will get rocked back after contact.
Tackling: Has long reach to influence lanes but does not possess ability to suddenly shed and fill gaps with power to get frame behind tackles. Fairly sure wrap tackler.
First Step Quickness: Does not possess quick twitch ability to win on first step. Is regularly late to react to the snap and will not get on top of OL out of stance quickly as a result.
Flexibility: Flashes of ability to drop tall frame below shorter blockers and play with leverage. Surprisingly fluid in space. Capable of smooth weight transitions due to dropping hips.
Pass Rush Counters: Struggles to push through creases due to functional strength. Active in stunts to work and develop lanes for teammates. Hand technique and activity needs to improve.
Summary: 5 TECH Brian Mihalik has a NFL caliber frame to work with; lengthy 5 TECHs with 2 gap potential do hold some value. His lack of movement skills will limit upside and the need for added strength and hand engagement skills will limit Mihalik to a project and long term development player
Azz will turn him into Frankenstein. He will block Brady and Rogers passes, which Shepard will scoop up for TDs.
GIant frame, worth taking a flier on in the 7th. You can’t teach size, big people beat up little people etc. etc.
Whoever you take in the 7th odds are they won’t be on the team within a year or 2 so may as well take a project.
Mayock says if we put 25lbs on his frame you won’t be abLe to move him at the point of attack
Josh Norris
@JoshNorris
3m3 minutes ago
Of course Chip drafts Brian Mihalik. No. 2 SPARQ DL, per @zjwhitman. Wonder if he gets moved to OL.
6 retweets
3 favorites
Hey I’m happy. Love those king sized linemen.
Jon Harris!
Except maybe that one.
King Dunlap himself?
Maybe it was the coaching with KD.
http://3sigmaathlete.com/rankings/dl/
Wow.
Well that’s a wrap folks. Love the first 2 picks (even if I still wanted Bud Dupree in the 1st), feeling so so about the 3rd. Toss in some maybe’s in the 6th and a developmental guy in the 7th and that’s Chip’s first class.
Have a good feeling about our 1st 2 guys. Did not have a good feeling about MSII last year.
Love the jordan hicks pick. I’d keep him, Kiko, mykal, Meco, Brad and cut acho and Goode.,,and have a beastly ILB room.
..
Good thing Kendricks was such a lock to be traded with Boykin lol… Tuck your tails lol
brad jones over goode? nah
Inside/outside versatility..
Good think chip doesn’t care about defense huh?
think chip has an evolving philosophy of what it takes to be successful in the nfl. and he looked around at the wrs in the division. But let’s be honest we got one guy that’s going to be making plays on defense next year. All those other dudes are STs.
I think chip is a great football coach who doesn’t devalue anything
Bryn Swartz
@eaglescentral
35s36 seconds ago
Pennsylvania, USA
Brian Mihalik is 6’9, 300 pounds and he ran a 4.88 in 40-yard dash. Insane athlete. 97.6% in SPARQ score (8th best of any player). #Eagles
I’m guessing his production didn’t match the size/speed
In a 2-gap scheme, unless the guy is special like Cox, a guy can do his job well and not have a lot of “production”. Not stats for holding the point of attack and letting someone else make the tackle.
I understand. But with his measurables, if the scheme held him back, I assume he’d gone much higher if he flashed on the tape.
Who knows . . . maybe he’ll be a good 2-gapper.
I think if you’re 6’9″ and 300 lbs you’re expected to be able to move a tight end who is single blocking you.
He’s a major project. Could work out but not likely.
The next late round steal Tom Brady style for sure.
Best comment of the day.
Joe Green in waiting.
Coughlin on nfl…
Browns take Ifo
seattle got glowinski?
Yeah. Those F’ers double jobbed us.
Maybe AR/Linebackers = CK/OLinemen
aghalor 66th sparq score for wrs. so is this score important or not?
A:
Question for you.
What correlation has been shown between the SPARQ score and — for lack of a better term — “success” in the NFL?
The Seahawks place a very heavy emphasis on SPARQ and they have been one of the best in the league at finding guys late in the draft. They believe that if they get explosive athletes they can coach them up. They are very restrictive on height, arm length, etc. much i the same way as chip. They also take players earlier than most people feel they should due to scheme fit again much like chip.
KAJ:
Going back to Anon’s question then, how do project Agholor in light of his SPARQ score?
It’s a lot like picking guys from their spider charts.
http://www.fieldgulls.com/seahawks-analysis/2013/5/16/4338100/sparq-a-fire-measuring-the-type-of-athlete-the-seahawks-hunt-for
Anything below 100 is considered below average athlete for professional football. Score Between 100-115 – Average for many NFL Athletes, Score between 116-130 – Very Good NFL Athlete, Score Above 130 – Elite NFL Athlete.
Would have to know his overall score to get a feel for where he is. He might be 66th, but there might be 50 players with scores all within a few points of each other and he’s just below them.
Not sure how much I believe in this metric though as it tests overall athletic performance for height, weight, speed, quickness, explosion, power and strength, but there are clearly different positions where different qualities are more important, yet rated the same in this metric.
A WR that was insanely strong, but really slow, might have the same score as one that’s insanely fast, but not that strong. I’d rather have the fast WR and the strong Olineman. Plus things like strength can be improved a lot more than speed.
he’s 115, conley 140, top 40 guys over 120. but lots of top sparq guys are nobodies
115 puts him right around the very good NFL athlete category. That sounds about right. He’s not an elite, athletic marvel. But, that’s not what he relies on. I’d say he’s got more than enough athletic ability to be very successful, particularly in this offense.
I follow a bunch of Seahawks draft blogs because I love their philosophy on drafting, but I don’t know how they would view Agholor. Their belief is that you must collect explosive athletes. It is extremely rare that a player ever reaches the “elite” level without elite tools. If you are not drafting players with elite traits you will never have elite players. I was againt draft Eric Kendricks all offseason for this reason. The Seahawks took a great SPARQ prospect in Frank Clarke. He has elite potential.
The Seahawks really use SPARQ the most to uncover late round gems. They are taking the SPARQ stars late in draft. Sherman, Chancellor, Maxwell, Ricardo Lockette, Alvin Bailey, Malcolm Smith, KJ Wight, and more were all good SPARQ performers. There is a long list of misses in these rounds, but because of the athletic traits when they do hit the results are much better than the norm.
I wanted Perriman over Agholor because of the upside potential. Perriman could become Dez Bryant where Agholor can maybe become Maclin.
Chip believes in reducing the odds of failure in the draft. It is why he puts so much emphasis on character and drafts guys that he is samiliar with. Agholor has a much better chance of bejng a successful 10 year pro than Perriman. The flipside is we may look at Perriman a few years from now and say “I can’t believe we didnt draft that guy!”
Excellent stuff. (and, wow, watching Perriman after he catches the ball — EXPLOSIVE)
SEA never been good at drafting WRs
This is true very true. It is their biggest need. However look at the resources they have put into it. other than The Harvin trade only Golden Tate was drafted in the 1st 2 rounds. they also put less value on WR than fans do. its like the ILB position for AR to them
Sample size bias. Until the Seahawks have drafted about 1000 defensive players and show a statistically significant improvement over a replacement defensive player drafted in a similar position, it’s not really worth talking about correlation.
However the theory does make sense, and since the later rounds of the draft are a crap shoot, why not?
I think you’re trying (especially late in the draft) to find the proverbial “diamond in the rough”. Guys who haven’t really played that well yet, but are outstanding enough athletes that you might spend some time developing them.
Predictions . . .
RFAs to be signed?
Eric Tomlinson
R.J. Harris
Jimmie Hunt
Xzavier Dickson
Alani Fua
Tony Washington
Brian Blechen
Connor Halliday
B.J. McBryde
Travis Raciti
No idea on OL, none of guys we brought in are still on board
Top shelf list. Really nice work. Really nice.
There goes McBride to the Titans.
Mariota got some nice weapons.
Ifo off the board
Belichick took my boy Roberts
Do you think Kelly was worried that Mihalik would get drafted or sign with home-town Pats (or someone else) . . . as opposed to taking another flyer on your boy Roberts?
I think he probably figured it was enough with the DBs or that Seattle might have plucked Mihalik like they did Gwacham. I think Chip really may have wanted him.
http://www.patriots.com/video/2015/01/01/2015-draft-prospects-jacorey-shepherd-cb-kansas
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2413967-jacorey-shepherd-nfl-draft-2015-scouting-report-grade-for-eagles-rookie
Love the way Shepherd turns around and plays the ball on deep routes. What a novel concept after watching Cary and Fletcher fail at this so many times.
And, boy can Shepherd time the big hit perfectly. He might not be a stout run defender, but he definitely hits with some serious pop when he’s got a head of steam going.
Guy that slipped my mind that I’m surprised hasn’t been drafted: Lynden Trail 6-7 269 DE/OLB/TE Norfolk State
I think I remember Jon Gruden talking him up. But Gruden talks up everyone.
Great call. He was a transfer guy, right?
Tape was absolutely awful.
I can’t imagine the other sights. They are probably imploding after this draft. I’m glad I haven’t looked.
Who did the Eagles pass on w/ their 4th Rd pick that is a “Must Have”?
Or the two 5th Rders — which may have resulted in losing Rowe but getting an O-lineman like Fisher?
think most everyone thought we’d take o-line if he’d have taken a name someoen recognize then people would be happy.
wonder if they use sparq more for late round guys when taking fliers.
I like this draft but I’m sure the less than informed fans are losing their minds. I think it was a fantastic idea to finally put resource into our secondary. It would have been nice to get an OL but the pieces don’t always fall that way.
Dres Anderson as a UDFA is the guy i want most – we should be an attractive place for a WR undrafted free agent.
Geoff Mosher
@GeoffMosherCSN
1m1 minute ago
Chip said “the way Jason peters is working right now no question he’ll be the best tackle in the game this year.”
0 retweets
0 favorites
He wasn’t the best left tackle in the game last year and he’s a year older now, so that would be a neat trick if he was.
Peters is a guy who didn’t treat his body all that well for the better part of his college and pro-career.
Sports science can do only so much.
Chip Kelly should trademark some Sports Science Smoothies. He’d make a fortune.
For the non-football playing public — it’d be a big seller that probably would do what it promised.
It takes two years to fully come back from a torn achilles. It’s even worse for the big guys and particularly for Peters who re-tore the repair a month or so after the surgery, had to wait to get another surgery and undergo even more surgery and scar tissue formation.
So he’s 3 years and a major injury removed from being the best left tackle in the game, and now at 35 he’s suddenly going to regain that form?
I don’t doubt that he can still play, but the best tackle in the league now? C’mon.
Well he’s 33. Not sure if that really changes anything you’re saying, but it’s certainly possible that he could be noticeably better than what we saw last year. It’s hard to maintain her strength, conditioning and skills when you’re off your feet for months and then rehabbing all offseason and then playing with an achilles tendon that’s still not functioning correctly. Year 2 after those injuries is when those players really fully recover.
BEST left tackle in the league, might be a stretch at this point, but he was far and away the best 3 years ago and was still pretty damned good last year, just slightly off from his normal dominant self.
when do udfas get announced?
They leak out throughout the night, will be announced tomorrow or Monday likely
I suggest following @nepatriotsdraft and @NEPD_MikeLoyko
and bookmark this link: http://www.nepatriotsdraft.com/2015-nfl-undrafted-free-agents
thanks!
Chip: Chris Polk would have made team had he wanted to stay.
Pfffft. Ok.
Also, no players were discussed with TN.
In case you were wondering.
How awkward must those phone calls of been to say Bradford and Cox and Curry.
Hey so… we’re cool right? See you in minicamp.
“We’re all professionals here, right.”
So Chip says some not-so-nice stuff about Mathis, and Mathis tweets out a Deez Nuts “joke”… hmmm
If we lose Mathis, with no talented young up and comers to speak of, we’re going to struggle on the OL This year.
That’s an understatement. Please god do I not want to watch the Tobin turnstile for an entire 16 games.
Don’t you think if Kelly had an alternative, he’d have taken it already?
He didn’t really say anything that wasn’t nice. Just said his agent was given permission to shop him in a trade and the Eagles hadn’t gotten any offers. If that’s the truth, that’s not being mean.
Agreed. It’s not like he said something that 1) wasn’t factually accurate and 2) was something Mathis didn’t know.
It’s not an opinion, it’s a fact. Evan asks for a new contract. We say no. He gets angry. We tell him if he’s that butt hurt over making $5mil next year, him and his agent are free to seek a trade and see if any other team would give him more than that. He goes out and contacts every team and no one bites. He has two options: hold out and get fined the entire time and lose a year of playing football or get paid $5mil to play for the Eagles.
That’s what happened last year and he did the predictable thing. He came back and played because he has absolutely zero leverage as no one is going to give up a draft pick and then hand a 33 year old guard a bunch of guaranteed money and an average salary significantly better than $5mil per year.
He get’s injured last year and misses more than half of the season and comes back and tries the same ploy with even less leverage? And, the situation will play out the exact same way. Chip has every right to say, listen, Evans been available for trade for 2 years and no one has bitten. He’s still pissed and trying to force the issue. If he wants to play for $5mil this year awesome. If not that’s his decision.
My concern is that he and his agent will decide to milk any injury he has and not play through pain and sit out.
Eh…if he plays, he’ll play hard. He’s a FA next year and obviously still wants to play. Pretending to be hurt does him no good. No team is going to give a bunch of coin to a 35 year old guard that has spent the majority of the last two years on the bench with nagging injuries.
The best move for him financially, and that’s what this is all about, right? money, is for him to play at the highest level possible and try to get one last contract for as much as he can next offseason.
Ian R says Lael wull be UDFA
Nor elig for 2016 draft
Shame, shame, shame . . . if he’s innocent.
Still haven’t seen that word — “innocent” — in a quote from anyone associated with Collins. Just the word “alibi.”
At least no “guilty” either
Won’t hear guilty for a long time.
But I really would like to hear someone from his camp yelling “innocent” at the media.
I don’t see the difference that would make. As if guilty people don’t lie… If he was guilty, his camp would be just as likely to yell “innocent.” Protestations of innocence would be meaningless either way.
Besides, and most crucially: no one’s accused him of anything.
Silence is the best thing for him right now.
Matt Lombardo
@MattLombardo975
4m4 minutes ago
Source – #UNH OL Mike Coccia among the #Eagles undrafted free agent signings.
Obviously, that’s dependent on him not being taken in last few picks.
17 retweets
9 favorites
It is possible that GMs are getting a little punchy. The two picks before Mr. irrelevant were Rory ‘Busta’ Anderson and a guy from Mars Hill.
I think they were picking Kentucky Derby horses (about to start by the way)
THANKS!!!
Damn, Lynden Trail signed with Houston
Alex Dunlap
@AlexDunlapNFL
2m2 minutes ago
#Longhorns WR John Harris to #Eagles as UDFA per source. GREAT opportunity! #HookEm
Here’s a scouting report: http://www.burntorangenation.com/2015/4/29/8506749/john-harris-2015-nfl-draft-scouting-report-texas-longhorns
6-2 213, contributed on every phrase of STs
Ross Jones
@RossJonesFOX
UNLV OL Brett Boyko to the #Eagles, per source
Cole Manhart
@Cole_Manhart64
Proud to announce I’m going to be a Philadelphia Eagle!
(Small school OT – Nebraska-Kearney)
Amyone know anything about this guy.
Greg you are awesome at this. Thanks
From NFL.com
http://www.nfl.com/photoessays/0ap2000000363667
Old story
Cole Manhart, OT, Nebraska-Kearney
Particulars: 6-foot-6, 300 pounds
Buzz: Manhart will be a three-year starter at left tackle for the Lopers, a Division II program. Manhart is big, strong — he can squat 500 pounds — and plays with a mean streak, but he’s also nimble enough to play H-back in what Nebraska-Kearney calls its “hammer package.” Manhart was one of four Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association players named a first-team All-American by the American Football Coaches Association last season; two of the other first-team members — Pittsburg State wide receiver John Brown and Lindenwood cornerback Pierre Desir — were taken in the 2014 NFL Draft. Manhart was the only unanimous selection on last season’s All-MIAA first team.
New post, guys.