Chip Who?
Posted: March 12th, 2016 | Author: Tommy Lawlor | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 202 Comments »There is a narrative that Howie Roseman and the Eagles are trying to get rid of everything having to do with Chip Kelly. The team traded Byron Maxwell, Kiko Alonso, Mark Sanchez and DeMarco Murray. The Eagles cut Riley Cooper, a Kelly favorite. They cut Brandon Bair, who played for Kelly at Oregon and the NFL. DeMeco Ryans, who Kelly loved, was released.
Chip who?
The narrative says that the man behind all of this is Howie Roseman, exacting revenge for a year ago, when Kelly had him demoted and pushed out of the personnel department. I’m sure Roseman isn’t a fan of Kelly because of how things went down. But the idea that Roseman would focus his offseason plans on revenge is ridiculous. And facts don’t support it.
The Eagles hired Doug Pederson to take over for Kelly. He kept seven assistant coaches from Kelly’s staff. If you want to rid the team of Kelly, you don’t exactly keep that many coaches around. I can’t recall an outside hire keeping that many coaches from the previous staff.
Roseman signed QB Sam Bradford to a 2-year deal, paying him good money. Kelly traded for Bradford last March. If you wanted to be rid of Kelly, why would you sign his QB to a new deal?
The Eagles are planning to start MLB Jordan Hicks and CB Eric Rowe, who Kelly drafted last spring. The team hopes WR Nelson Agholor is a starter. Kelly loved Agholor and drafted him in the 1st round.
There are still 3 Oregon players on the roster. If Roseman were truly on a Chip Kelly rampage, wouldn’t he be desperate to get rid of former Ducks?
What about the Sports Science program? That isn’t going away. Shaun Huls still has his job and the Eagles will continue to be on the cutting edge with how they deal with players.
Howie Roseman hasn’t been getting rid of Chip Kelly. Rather, he’s been getting rid of Chip Kelly’s mistakes. There is a huge difference in the two. Kelly did some very good things while coach of the Eagles. Think about Sports Science. That has delivered good results for the Eagles. They have been one of the healthiest teams in the league over the past 3 seasons. Why would you get rid of that?
I think Pederson was really smart to keep the coaches he did. You aren’t going to improve on assistants like Dave Fipp, Jeff Stoutland, and Duce Staley. Firing them would have just given Pederson holes to fill on the staff. Instead he gets the benefit of having 3 good coaches and using the relationships they already have with players.
If Howie Roseman wants to show up Chip Kelly, the way to do that is by winning. Simple as that. Chip can make all the “football guy” comments he wants and they won’t mean a darn thing if Roseman and the Eagles are winning.
*****
I’ll be writing something on the second wave of free agency. The Eagles were very active this past week and made key moves. There is more to be done.
WR seems to be the one position where the team needs to make a move. It is hard to say who the team should go for since we don’t know their thinking. Do they want an old guy like Anquan Boldin, a fast guy like Mike Wallace or a young guy with promise like Andre Holmes?
You can make an argument for each of those players and types of players.
While Wallace is about to turn 30, he remains physically gifted. That said, the Eagles would be his third team in 3 years. That’s a bit of a concern. Holmes fascinates me. He will play on STs and offense. He is 6-5, something the Eagles haven’t had in many WRs. The problem is that Holmes only has 88 career catches and 9 TDs. Would he be enough of a veteran presence to help the young guys?
Boldin is one of my favorite all time non-Eagles. I’m just not sure if he and the Eagles make sense for each other. Boldin wants to compete for a title. The Eagles aren’t likely to be a Super Bowl contender this year. The team has young talented WRs. If they play well, the free agent receiver might not get as much playing time as expected. Still, it would be pretty cool to see Boldin playing for the Eagles.
Maybe we’ll hear more about WR this week.
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Rueben Randle intrigues me. Pro – only 24, has a lot of physical talent and upside, has deep speed and size.
Negative – Had consistent 1 on 1 coverage with teams shading coverage towards Beckham and didn’t fully capitalize. While he’s been a returner, I don’t know how much experience he has as a coverage player on STs. Despite still being on the market, he might have money expectations Eagles can’t reach.
nah.
he doesnt have deep speed and he cant get separation or win one on ones. think i remember hearing bad things about work ethic too.
Randle I wouldn’t hate taking a flyer on.
I agree. Randle is someone that has a lower ceiling. He’s never going to be a great starter, but he’s someone that you know can produce like a top end third option.
He’s worth a cheap look. Givens for depth, may be better than Huff
I’d be okay with either of them on a 1 year deal or two years with NO guaranteed money after 1 year. Givens was one of Sam’s WRs.
He had just 1.31 yards-per-route-run, which was sixth-worst for those with at least 500 routes.
6. Rueben Randle
2015 team: New York Giants
Most receivers on this list helped their stock in 2015, but Randle was an exception to that rule. After three straight years of increasing playing time and improved production, Randle saw plenty of playing time in 2015 with not enough production. He had just 1.31 yards-per-route-run, which was sixth-worst for those with at least 500 routes. This was due to a lack of big plays in 2015. In 2014, he forced 13 players to miss tackles on him, which was 10th-best among receivers. If he can return to his 2014 form, he would be a solid second receiver.
https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2016/02/11/pro-top-9-free-agent-wide-receivers/
Im all for boldin. Wallace.. ehh.. idk. Holmes is he is cheap sure.
But an, i want one of treadwell/coleman/doctson so bad!! now that we moved up to 8, those guys dont seem logical. That saddens me… 🙁
But id be very happy with Elliot.
Doctson could be available in the third, no?
hell no. lol
but i wish!! lol
Agree that the chief reason for all these moves isn’t just to spite Kelly. Definitely. I don’t believe for one second however, that anything Roseman does which results in the undoing of Kelly’s works, doesn’t give him immense personal satisfaction. Not that it matters, really, but I’m betting it pleases him greatly.
Oh for sure…this is schadenfreud at it’s best. I’m sure Howie is very personally happy that everything Chip wanted to do that he was against turned out to be the disaster and he has the opportunity to be the savior that fixes everything. I’m sure it’s very satisfying to be proven right, as it should be.
“Howie Roseman hasn’t been getting rid of Chip Kelly. Rather, he’s been getting rid of Chip Kelly’s mistakes.”
This. A Thousand Times. This.
All those articles about Howie getting his revenge through roster purge were just lazy click bait reporting and nothing else. I paid them no mind. Howie got his revenge the day Chip was hired and his power in the personnel department was restored. The next step is proving he’s the guy for the job, not enacting even more petty revenge.
More importantly…I’d love to hear what you have to think about draft prospects. The guys projected to be available at 8th overall all leave me somewhat unsatisfied. Is it just me or does this draft lack the top end talent that a lot of drafts have. I have a feeling that we’ll be in the same spot as 2013 when we drafted Lane. We finally get a top pick and there’s no one to get super excited about and the best move is to do the boring thing and draft a top notch tackle. I’m actually hoping we go Oline with the first pick, which ideally I’d like to spend on a playmaker while filling up on Lineman in the 3rd-5th round. But, there’s just no QBs, CBs, WRs, DEs that truly excite me.
Why can’t this draft be filled with top end talent like 2011 when the first round had:
1: Cam Newton
2: Von Miller
3: Marcel Dareus
4: AJ Green
5: Patrick Peterson
6: Julio Jones
7: Aldon Smith
8: Jake Locker
9: Tyron Smith
10: Blaine Gabbert
11: JJ Watt
12: Christian Ponder
13: Nick Fairley
14: Robert Quinn
15: Mike Pouncey
16: Ryan Kerrigan
I mean, come on…if you didn’t force an overrated QB in the top half of that round you were almost guaranteed to get a perennial pro-bowler.
2011 Draft was not considered a slam dunk one at the time. People liked the top 5-6 players and then felt there was a significant drop off in quality.
We will only know how good this draft will be in 2-3 years time honestly. It has potential and is pretty deep but it will hugely depend on how well people translate to the next level.
Well yea…obviously no draft can be judged for 3 years and they tend to be total crap shoots. And, I can’t back this up with any actual evidence, but I remember people being VERY excited for the top 6 picks. Newton, Miller, Dareus, AJ Green, Peterson, Julio Jones and even Aldon Smith…were all considered top players. Newton was thought of, if I remember 2011 correctly, as a once in a generational type talent. People were incredibly high on Peterson coming out. The top two wideouts (as evidenced by the huge trade up by Atlanta) were thought of as potentially generational type talents at WR. Tyron Smith and Watt were both highly touted as well.
After that people’s pre-draft excitement for the prospects fell off tremendously and the rest of the draft seems to have born that out. It wasn’t a great draft. But, it was awfully top heavy.
I just wish that for once, since 1999, we’ll end up with a top pick in a top heavy draft. We seem to always end up with a top pick when having one isn’t all that much better than drafting later. This year seems about the same. A draft with no super talents at the top, but decently deep. Lo and behold we have a top pick and no second rounder. Whomp Whomp…
Vince Young, Matt Leinhart, Jay Cutler, Mark Sanchez, Josh Freeman, Jake Locker, Blaine Gabbert, Ryan Tannehill, EJ Manuel, Blake Bortles.
This is the complete list of QBs taken in the top half of the first round that didn’t go #1 or #2 over the last 10 years. Not a great success rate for guys who had all the right measurables to be first round picks, but had enough questions that teams didn’t jump on them right out of the gate.
Just something to consider when thinking about taking the second or third best QB available at 8 or trading up to 4th-6th to get someone that’s falling. History is not on your side.
Yeah choose 10 years to exclude Big Ben and Rivers, and then further choose a completely random criteria to exclude Rogers and Flacco. Also chose to ‘forget’ Matt Ryan (no.3 in 2008).
Drafting a QB anywhere is hard. Drafting at no.1 has a less than 40% franchise QB rate . Drafting outside of the top 2 has a 20% ‘franchise QB rate. Drafting outside the top 32 has a 3% franchise QB rate. (These % come from a period 1989-2013 so 25 years – i excluded last 2 years because it is hard to make a evaluation at this point).
However you hit on a guy and you contend for a decade. If you do not have a guy you are stuck trying to build a once in a decade defense to win it all.
It is rare that you have this kind of draft with QB talent, 3 guys with huge natural and physical talent but significant concerns about if they can convert that to the NFL due to lack of scheme/competition. That is not either players fault nor is it a sign that they will not make it as elite QB’s. Just makes it higher risk, but if you fail to try you go no wher
I chose ten years because it was a round number. Not to exclude anyone. And, I simply missed Matt Ryan. If it makes you feel better feel free to include him. I chose the top half of the draft because we’re picking in the top half. Neither Roethlisberger or Flacco were considered reaches that were taken at the top half of the draft when elite talent at other positions were available. Taking a QB at the end of the first round/beginning of the second provides excellent value compared to the other players drafted around that area.
Certainly there are outliers. Wasn’t saying that this proves for certain that none of the QBs in this draft will become probowlers. Simply to point out that there’s a high rate of busting and missing out on truly elite talent when you reach on a QB.
If Goff or Wentz is available AND Pederson, et al are completely sold on that guy, then yes, we should absolutely draft them. But, to all the people that think the best move is just take a QB regardless because it’s the most important position and we should just draft one because, I say…beware you might fall victim to the same thinking that caused all those other teams over the past 10 years that picked a QB simply because they had a hole at the games most important position, not because that player was clearly the best player.
Not sure what all the attitude is for, however.
Ultimately…and I don’t have the stats to back this up, just anecdotal thing I’ve noticed…it seems that there’s a big difference in drafting a sure fire #1/#2 overall pick QB and finding a good player there vs the rest of the draft. After that, there doesn’t seem to be much of a difference between drafting one at 8 and say drafting one at 18. But, there is a huge difference for the other players. Why trade up to 8 for a QB if it doesn’t substantially increase your chances of finding a stud? Trade up to 8 because it substantially increases your chances of finding a stud at positions like OT, DE, CB, LB, DT, WR.
yeah, but this draft is not about Tannehill or Ryans or anyone else but the players in this draft. If Goff is worth a 8th pick, compared to the other players available at 8 (according to Roseman) then pick him 8. Has nothing to do with Tannehill. and picking Elliott at 8 has nothing to do with Ryan Mathews or Lynch.
In a sense…yes I agree with you…but looking at historical trends is an excellent way to maximize the value of your picks and helps you decide if Goff is worth the 8th pick.
I’ve said multiple times that if a QB is available and the coaches are truly sold on the guy they should take him…hands down…no questions asked.
This post was more for people that want to just draft a QB…any QB…just because QB is the most important position and we need a QB and thus we must draft one in the first round. Period.
I’m just warning against “reaching” for a QB at 8 just because he’s a QB. That’s how you end up with Jake Locker or EJ Manuel.
QB is an odd position. Getting an adequate starter is almost just as bad as getting a complete bust. You really need to hit on the player completely. You don’t want to be stuck in mediocrity for 5 years waiting for Mark Sanchez or Ryan Tannehill to become a top notch QB. The majority of the time if a QBs that end up being that guy don’t make it past pick number 2. After that, there seems to me more success taking a QB later, when the costs (the players you’re passing on) are more of a crap shoot anyways. But, it seems like teams that FORCE a QB in the 4-15 range end up regretting passing on the potential blue chip talent at other positions to take the QB with a ton of warts.
It’s looking at things like this that helps people decide the best way to maximize their picks and help them avoid the mistakes of the past.
So, yea if the guy is clearly the best player available go for the QB. If he’s not…don’t force it. That doesn’t seem to end well 95% of the time.
So Howie “Captain Moneyball” Roseman seems to be a really smart guy when you look at his current moves.
The thing I am worried about with the #8 pick is BPA. I am positive that BPA at 8 will not be a QB. The real problem at QB is you reach early (gamble) or lose. Jernst post proves you lose a lot when you reach for the QB early.
Now for the dilemma. BPA at 8 might be Elliot. BUT I hate to waste a 1st on an RB not named Peterson or Sanders.
The ultimate crap shoot. Reach for the QB or gamble on the first round RB. If we take the CB I know that Rosemans Analytics team makes the pick.
Personally I am less afraid of Roseman than “boom or bust” Kelly. At least I know Roseman will lean towards the median.
I’m warming up to Elliott at 8.
I’m only ok with Zeke at 8 if Stanley is already gone. Given the choice I’d rather have the great oline and try to find a RB that run behind them. Than have the great RB and spend the first couple years of his career trying to find the lineman to block for him.
Yay lets take a low upside, bench player in 2016 with No.8 pick. Stanley lacks elite athletic ability he is solid technically but lacks the tools to be great.
Why not take a Tackle prospect later who can develop as a back up with a less value pick and if that does not look promising you can always reach in 2017 with hopefully a less value pick.
The OL obsession with Eagles fans is daft. Yes it is important, but this line was made to look bad by a scheme made 0 adjustments and left marginal players 1v1 vs elite talent and did nothing to help them. We need a guard, and a RT prospect for 2017, and maybe a centre prospect if Kelce continues to struggle. Those things do not need to be addressed with a 1st round pick.
Wait where are you getting this Stanley isn’t athletic shit from? The combine numbers? Did you watch the man in the drills?
Don’t you realize that 40 times are the essential determining factor for offensive lineman!?!? Pederson’s new scheme routinely asks his lineman to outrun skill players over 40 yards.
All the reports on Stanley are that he’s incredibly athletic, but needs to develop more upper body strength. But, geesh that 40 time…that’s all that matters! We need sprinters at tackle!
Yea this is like the first time that I’ve heard someone say that Stanley isn’t athletic. Well maybe if you compare him to Tunsil then he might have a point but that’s stupid to discount Stanley’s athleticism.
His scouting report pretty much says the exact opposite:
Races out of the starting blocks and into pass sets as well as anyone in the country. Has long arms and knows how to use them. Plays with quick hands and a well-timed punch. Never panics when he loses hand placement, simply resets them. Specializes in quicksets getting his hands into the pass rusher first helping him to control the flow of the snap. Well-coached with great hand placement. Wins with activity over power. Is not often beaten around the edge by speed. Hard worker who plays through the whistle. Flexible and athletic with plus change of direction ability against counter moves. Has quickness off the snap to get to challenging backside blocks on linebackers. Able to pull into space and hit moving targets to spring the big run. Fell off of too many blocks in 2014, but did much better job of bringing his feet under him this year to help him sustain his blocks. In run game, able to gain late victories when it looks like stalemate is coming. Durable and dependable.
Pretty clear Fufina just wants to be a contrarian at this point while adding little of value to the conversation.
Yup. You can watch any tape on Stanley and you can tell that he moves very well all over the field. I really think Fufina is going by combine numbers (which isn’t end all or be all for OL).
It is hard to evaluate any OL without full access to all 22 film, but in the tape shows a good technician (for a college LT) who lacks special agility.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YX4hjonnRIc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYq2bgtgmsI
I wont walk through play by play here but tape shows a very good college tackle who is sound with really good length, but i do not see special NFL ability. He does not dominate the run game and does not have special agility to help handle the elite speed rushers at the NFL level. This echo’s what Daniel Jeremiah and Bucky were saying on their podcast, he is probably going to be a long term starter in the league but will probably only be an average level one.
To briefly discuss his ‘combine’ where he is in the bottom 25 percentile in both 20 yard shuttle and 3 cone drill (which have significant correlation to elite tackle performance). Watching his drills did not show special agility either.
Think some of my ‘meh’ about Stanley is my personal prefence in tackles. I like athletes, like Peters/Johnson, Trent Williams, Tyron Smith, Joe Thomas etc. Stanley is not that kind of guy on tape or on film. I don’t want to take a Tackle at no.8 who lacks those kinds of skills, especially when we do not have a 2016 need. Stanley will go top 10 because LT is a premium NFL position and he will be able to be a day 1 starter and fill a need for a team – that in my mind does not make him an elite prospect.
I hope you know that none of those drills are even considered in evaluation for OLs. Like I said before you based your poor argument on combine numbers.
No i didn’t, i felt he was not my type of OL when i saw a couple of games pre combine and felt he was a very solid player who was unchallenged most of the time by college athletes but was not a ‘special’ talent. Combine does matter – not for moving players up the board, but for moving guys down or confirming concerns seen on tape.
He is not an athletic tackle, he is a long smooth technician. That is not my taste at Tackle, and rarely do those guys become elite players – they can have long good solid careers shore but are not special, If we had nothing at Tackle i would be all in, come in day 1 and start and be solid for a decade probably, but i would be shocked if he is ever more than that. And i do not see the point of drafting a guy like that at 8, when we have no QB, need a defensive playmaker to be the focal point of our defense and do not even have a need at tackle until 2017.
I think he does look stiff in his hips and knees. Also watch his stance, he is not a waist bender. Add terrible 3 cone and 20 yard shuttle and it is clear that Stanley might have problems in the NFL against athletic speed rushers.
I want you to sit there and think for a minute. Maybe even take a few seconds to google what these drills were designed to measure and then retract your statement.
To show lower body flex ability
Both drills only measure the ability to flip hips and change directions. Two things that OL don’t do in games.
Again…with the attitude?
If you think Stanley is a low upside player then god bless you. If you think that a high first round tackle wont start immediately on this team then I don’t know what to say to you.
He easily could start at guard for a year, and let’s be honest, no one should be confident that Peters and his degenerative back are going to make it through a full season. Plus, this is clearly Peters’ last year. You draft for the future not the present.
If you think having two bookend tackles locked up for the better part of the next decade is over-rated then I’m glad you don’t call the shots for the Eagles.
Trying to field adequate tackles with low round developmental pieces when the position is going to be need number one for sure next year, and as soon as this year, is not a great way to go about building a line.
If you think Eagles fans are obsessed with offensive lineman I think you’re crazy. Oline is most likely the second most important position to QB. And certainly more important than RB. In fact, the biggest problem with taking a RB at 8th overall, is that it’s completely out of wack with positional value as RB is the easiest position to find, plug and play and you are much more likely to find a good player later than you are at OT.
Stanley won’t immediately start, JP ain’t going to the bench,
Although I like Elliot, the one other factor to consider is that a good offensive lineman is going to have a significantly longer NFL career than a good running back. I am not sure if teams consider that when drafting because finding good Online is harder than finding good backs.
Im still torn on stanley.. But if Jack is available, I certainly take him over Zeke
The rational part of me says no. Build the lines. Running backs are cheap.
There is a kid somewhere still in my mind though that thinks he would be a really fun new toy.
Same.
The Eagles success under Reid came when they valued OT and CB. They found Westbrook and McCoy in the 3rd and 2nd round. Supposedly this is a deep RB draft and I don’t think Elliot is in Howie’s top ten.
Depends who is available… Zeke ISNT the #1 prospect in this draft so it’s possible that a higher rated prospect is availale at #8…. But if Zeke is the highest rated player, we absolutely should take him. We Lack weapons and need to redo our RB group…. I would want to take a TE, Center or a RB if that is the best player available
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We need great playërs, high end talent… Don’t care what position it comes in
We have two good TEs and Burton. Don’t see that as a need. We could a center in a later round to develop if Kelce continues to struggle. I like Jàck or Zeke, but tend to favor Zeke because we have no elite players on offense.
Yeah Im well aware that TE is the last position we currently need. And im aware that TE ARENT valued as a top 10 pick… The point is, I don’t care how we are set at TE, if there was a Gronk, Jimmy, Gonzales type TE availabke at #8 who is the BPA available, we would be dumb Not to draft him, and that goes for every position.
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The only time what you percieve as an immediate need or not a need should ever matter is as a tie breaker between two prospects with the same grade… Need shpuld have no bearing on the conversation with the 8th pick, not to mention you should have learned this lesson last year ecause of our ILB… What we see as Stacked position, or the last positipn we NEED today, can easily becone a huge need tomorrow, which is why you take the highest graded player at 8, and leave the Need or position discussions out of it,,.. If there are two kids with the same grade as the BPA, than you can let need and position value factor in as a tie breaker
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But at #8, we NEED elite gamechanging Talent way way more than we NEED a certain position, and I’ll take that top talent at any position,even ones that we look “set” at today, and I hope Roseman does too
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Need is for Free Agency, draft is for the best talent at whatever position it comes in
I agree that a position of strength can quickly become a position of need, and I will be happy if we land the best player available no matter the position. But the things being equal scenario never actually happens. At some point, you do have to consider need in the equation because opposing teams ( if they don’t have Kelly as HC) go after your weakness. It is never either/or. Frankly, I am glad I don’t have to make the decision. Many argue that we should pick Wentz or Geoff because if they are available, the importance of the position dictates that you must. I don’ t think either is close to a top 10 player, but I get the argument. Personally, I rather go with someone who I have a lot more confidence that he would be elite. If I sound conflicted, it is because I am, and I think Howie is at best an average picker of talent.
If Wentz or Goff are there at 8 and Howie/Pederson believe he’s a franchise QB then the should take him. QB> everything else.
Tajaé Sharpe in the 3rd round. I wonder if Decker or Garcon would be available in a trade. Maybe the Eagles can be the 4th team after the Seahawks, Jets, and Bills to get something out of Percy Harvin?
I think another CB before the draft would be nice. Robinson would be my choice. I wouldn’t mind giving Boykin or Carrol another shot either.
I’d be very surprised if we go into the season with McKelvin pencilled in as the starter. He’s definitely a downgrade from Maxwell. But, he’s fantastic depth and can step in and start at a moments notice if someone gets injured or needs a break. I’d love to have Boykin back, but I have to think with McKelvins ability to play the slot and them being high on Shepherd that he’s not what they’re looking for. I assume they want an outside CB that can start in front of McKelvin. That’s either Robinson or Carroll. I’d be totally fine with either. I think Carroll will fit our price range a lot better than Robinson. And, it seems like Carroll’s not getting blown away with offers this FA period. Good chance he values staying put and getting a great chance to remain a starter on the outside over a slightly better contract in FA.
I think if the right deal presents itself they’ll do something but I don’t think they are in a position to have to do anything right now.
Undlin may be very high on some of the internal young guys.
Shepperd has enough size to play outside in this scheme. Undlin seemed to really like Rice last year. Watkins could be ok if he just decides to start tackling.
The team very well may like VH3 or Alexander. We also have 4 picks in the top 100.
So while we may not have as good a CB1, we have good depth, with a good chance it gets better, and there is something to be said for going with volume and letting the coaching staff coach some fo the young guys up.
For those in ACC country… Let’s go Carolina!
Double boo
I’m thinking we should trade our pick to CLE for their second and next year’s first.
I would be all in on that trade if they were that stupid… but i mean surely not?
I’m thinking Carolina should dominate the boards:)
Boo
i’m all for this if these guys aren’t on the board
Stanley
Goff
Wentz
I can live without guys like Zeke and Hargreaves. The problem with trading down is that we might miss our other target and have another MS2 situation.
Remaining needs so far:
I’d like to see us bring back Carroll or sign Robinson as decent starter at CB across from Rowe. I like McKelvin as the first guy off the bench and back-up plan if Shepherd doesn’t take control of the NB position, but like him a whole lot less pencilled in as the starter.
Offensive Line still needs some more love. I do not want to go into 2016 with Barbre pencilled in as the starter at LG again. I’d ideally want us to find someone that can push him or simply take the job from him in the 3rd round while adding T/G back-up potential. If we don’t address Oline in the first round I’d want to spend at least 2 picks on G/T prospects to develop. If we take Stanley in the first round, I’m fine if we end up only spending a single later pick on a G/T prospect.
I’d like to see us draft a developmental RB somewhere in the 3-5th round.
I’d like to see us draft a WR, preferably with either deep speed or some height and leaping ability in the later rounds as well.
I’d like to see us draft a QB later in the draft that can work himself in slowly as the number 3 QB, or sign a guy that has been overlooked so far in the NFL (Trying to find the next Tyrod Taylor).
I’d like to see us find a back-up safety, LB and DT to push for depth. But, none of these are really absolutely essential. And, I’d like to find a late round guy with tons of athleticism to take a flier on at TE if someone fitting that description is available. I think #3 TE is something that you can turnover every couple years with ex-basketball players and guys without a position and turn them into studs (Gates, Julius Thomas, ect)
I’m ok with any number of Ducks on this team……………..except Barner.
Really? I thought you loved Barner.
Gonna mail MIKE a Barner jersey
I have a list of charities to whom you’d be better off donating your money.
Dak Prescott just fell down all of the leagues draft boards after having the sentence: ” Absolute fucking moron” written at the top of his report.
If the shoe fits………………….
I dont understand it. How is this still a problem? Take a fucking Uber or cab, you’re about to make the NFL and their minimum wage of hold the fuck on how much.
Similarly, when you get busted for weed at the combine. Its not so much a weed problem, its a stupid problem, you stupid motherfucker how are you surprised about a drug test at the combine.
This! If you know when a drug test is coming you literally can smoke all you want and still not get caught as long as you can stop for a few weeks. In fact, with the minimal body fat these guys have and the high level of physical activity they do that turns that fat over, you’re probably talking more about 7 days at most.
Getting a DUI is just insane these days for anyone, but when you’re about to hit the lottery there’s no excuse for not taking a cab or getting an Uber.
The weed thing especially. I dont really care about you getting caught smoking weed, especially if you dont have any issues in college being suspended. If you’re honey badger, then its a problem.
Its the stupid thing. How do you get caught, are you that dumb, because then I dont want you on the team. You literally know when the test is. Hey 2017 NFL prospects, you’re gonna get drug tested at some point in late february.
With the DUI you even have the added despicable crime, that puts not only your life, but others at risk, while still being a freaking moron. You’re probably gonna be a millionaire, take a cab.
i liked Dak, now f him.
But what if players want to smoke weed everyday? The NFL needs to get rid of its stupid marijuana prohibition. It’s less than a traffic ticket in Philly now and legal in other NFL cities.
DUI is serious though.
Agreed on this as well.
I agree the NFL should allow weed. It’s not like its more harmful than the drugs they legally pump these guys. Until then, though, I just don’t understand why these guys don’t kick it for two weeks.
I guess the ramifications aren’t as great as we think.
Fine, change the rule. No problem. It won’t be a tough sell.
Until then, if a player-to-be wants to smoke every day so bad that they are willing to sabotage their lifelong dream, it is a problem.
And you truly believe that smoking weed doesn’t impair your driving? Do some research and learn how much driving under the influence (of marijuana) has increased dramatically since it was legalized in Colorado. And then there is this other thing that few people talk about: smoking. As weed becomes more mainstream, cigarette smoking is on the rise. There is a connection.
DUI for guys that were wondering why.
Can they add a consecutive sentence for impersonating a quarterback?
Wonder if the Eagles will keep their visit with him after this.
I hope not.
Having safeties that can play the run and quickly fill run gaps while not being tricked by playaction is absolutely essential in the wide-9 (see: Nate Allen/Kurt Coleman in Juan Castillo’s defense).
It’s so good to see Howie go out and get the exact right type of fit for our new defense.
http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/article-1/Eagle-Eye-How-The-New-Eagles-Fit-In/4a4c83f8-2300-4e1d-b6d9-8dcdcd38f613
McLeod really excels at the very things we are going to need him to do. Plus his skill back in centerfield let’s us use Jenkins more often up near the line where he truly excels. They are very complimentary pieces at safety.
His change of direction ability looks great.
My short list of OL/WR that I would like to see on the team
OL
Ronnie Stanley
Cody Whitehair
Germain Ifedi
Christian Westerman
Max Tuerk
Darrell Greene
Connor McGovern
Rees Odhiambo
WR
Tyler Boyd
Kenny Lawler
Malcolm Mitchell
Jay Lee
Josh Doctson
Sterling Shepard
Germain has my vote. Never seen him play. But as a Germain I don’t care!
Im cool with GermainEagle
What you don’t like Doctsons and Shepards?
If german engineering can fix some of his technique issues then he could have been a top 10 pick. He’s a mauler with good feet and long arms.
Pretty sure a German could fix that. We don’t have the best cars and beers for nothing!
Until you lie about his gas emissions :/
If he was Germane I’d consider it relevant.
That’s not germane to the discussion. Francly, I prefer a poodle.
Graham Glasgow and Jakeem Grant
Is Grant a guy we can get as an UDFA? I like his talent mix from what I’ve read about him, but I don’t see him rated highly on anybody’s lists.
He could go anywhere from the 5th to UDFA.
Pros: Ran a 4.34 at his pro day. Super productive. Return ability
Cons: He’s so tiny.
I have no clue where team will value him. Personally I think you make him your designated kick returner and design him a small role in the O and take a flyer with a day 3 pick. Trindon Holliday is probably the most likely comp and he went pick 197. Jakeem is a better field player though.
I just found him on draft tek; 340th overall.
“Personally I think you make him your designated kick returner and design him a small role in the O ” – bye bye Huff.
Ehhhh I think Huff is still one of your starting top 3. Kick him into the slot and give him short quick hitters and let him run.
With Jakeem it would more be kick returner and 5-10 plays a game you let him run a vert or you send him on a shallow crosser and clear things out and hope you get man.
*sigh
My god he’s even smaller than Sproles.
He can just watch some of DeMarco’s tape to see how to avoid big hits.
My list of o-linemen
http://www.drafttek.com/2016-NFL-Draft-Prospect-Rankings/Top-College-Centers-2016-Draft.asp
Huge upgrades all up and down this list.
Does anyone think there is a WR on Howie’s list of top ten players in the draft? It seems to me that he might have been ok with sitting at 13 for a WR.
I’m thinking no
Someone made the point before that if Agholor went out this year he could be the top WR picked.
Sad but maybe true.
Agholar is going to be really good
No. There is no WR worth a pick 13, let alone a top 10 imo.
Treadwell is good, but not on the level of the last many players coming out.
No chance there isn’t a WR prospect thats better than Agholar… Why would we want to spend a top 15 pick on a WR that’s not better than Nelson?
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Drafting a WR is as likely as us spending the 8th pick on a TE…
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ZEKE is by far the highest rated weapon in the draft for whatever that’s worth
I don’t think taking a WR is really the right move. We’ve all seen this team win 11 and 12 games with the likes of Torrance Small / Charles Johnson and James Trash / Todd Stinkston as our top two WRs……..and that was in an era where you more needed good WRs because DBs could cheat more.
If the player is great enough, drafting any posituon can be the right move… But in this draft, that WR prospect doesn’t really exist
Jerry Rice ain’t on this draft board, so I guess the topic is moot anyway.
Jerry rice? Jeremy Maclin isn’t even in this draft class..
..
Even if Laquan ends up becoming an Elite WR, our WR group needs some top end speed added to it, and Treadwell certainly isn’t a burner
No, poor WR class. He wasn’t going to go WR at 13 either. The top WR in this draft (brain fart when it’s coming to his name right now) would go towards the end of the first round of last years and the year before draft.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ite31k5OR_w
Nice. Thanks for posting.
There can be only one!
Love seeing the good tackling ability, we really need that on our D
True, but human skid mark Brill Barnwell gave the signing a C+. He cranium needs an appointment with the nearest curb.
. Matters more to me to hear coaches and NFL personnel people compare Him to Earl Thomas with opposing coach claiming you have to treat him like Earl Thomas when game planning for him… Caplan also claims that NFL people view him as an elite safety
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We easily have the best safeties in the division.
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We struggled so much getting off the field on 3rd and long, ROCKIN Rod should help in a big way… Kid looks like a Machine tackling opponents short of the first down . Hopefully we build up our corners next
They signed Bradford again because they had no other viable choice. If the Eagles believed so strongly in Bradford, why did they only give him what boils down to a glorified 1 year deal?
All the other moves I agree had merit outside of being related to Chip and I concur the line of thinking these off-season moves are all about Roseman’s revenge is silly. He has already gotten revenge by lobbying Lurie to move Chip out and give him primary control back. Anyone who believes Roseman stayed on the sidelines and said nothing last year is naive IMO. Now it is about re-making the team so they can win and he can solidify his power.
No thanks on Wallace, head case and mostly a one trick pony WR. Holmes I would be open to if the Eagles are confident they can develop him effectively. Boldin is too old even though I like his toughness and tenacious attitude.
I think CB is a position they need to focus on too. Just getting Carroll back is not enough and may not even happen anyway. Rowe, Sheperd, Randall are unproven. McKelvin is depth, not a starter IMO.
Anyone here read the “Johnny Anonymous” book (alleged to be written by David Molk, about the 2014 Eagles) yet? I’m a few pages in and it seems a bit of a stretch to me…
There were some folks mocking Molk over that a few weeks ago when some stuff from it first came out on the radio.
I think it likely was him, if only for the fact he unexpectedly retired this offseason.
Let us know if there’s anything interesting in it, believable or not…
Dak Prescott caught a DUI last night,, what a moron
Being addicted is one thing. Driving in a vehicle is another
I have a real problem Drafting kids that can’t keep from getting arrested during the most important few months of their lives.. It’s like a kid ripping up a lottery ticket, not comfortable spending picks on someone who can be that stupid and irresponsible
Plus he should be looking at a 2 game suspension now.
Is there a history of kids getting arrested around the draft under performing relative to their draft position? Or is that a completely subjective opinion without any actual analysis?
Rather than “pass” on his last drink he misread the entire play and decided to run to the car instead.
Ugh
Sorry, not a fan of Dak Tebow, or any other read one and run junk “QB” from Dan Mullen’s system.
Fired up a mock for the morning. First 7 guys were (Tunsil, Wentz, Bruckner, Goff, Jack, Bosa, Lee), leaving me with Ramsey at 8. Doubtful that happens in April, but I had to take him. Reached on Haeg, because f-ers keep taking him before I can get him at 4-2. Ngakoue would be playing DE here.
Round 1 Pick 8: Jalen Ramsey, FS/CB, Florida State (A+)
Round 3 Pick 14: Landon Turner, OG, North Carolina (A)
Round 3 Pick 16: Joe Haeg, OT, North Dakota State (C+)
Round 4 Pick 2: Deion Jones, OLB, LSU (A)
Round 5 Pick 14: Travis Feeney, OLB, Washington (A)
Round 5 Pick 23: Josh Ferguson, RB, Illinois (A)
Round 6 Pick 13: Brandon Doughty, QB, Western Kentucky (A)
Round 7 Pick 12: Yannick Ngakoue, OLB, Maryland (A)
Round 7 Pick 30: Deiondre’ Hall, CB, Northern Iowa (A+)
Love it… I think there is a bigger chance than people think that Ramsey falls to 8. Because reams are not sure if he is a safety slot or outside CB, and generally the latter is the premium position that goes top 5-10 some teams might go in another direction.
Ramsey and Death Rowe as our long term starting corner tandem would be epic. Especially when Ramsey spends a decade shutting down that root beer headed piece of NY crap Beckham.
I think Rowe is more likely to cover Beckham personally, think the athletic match up is better and you want to shade your safety over to help cover Beckham because he is such a special play maker.
I like how the Patriots use their corners. They stick their best CB on the 2nd best outside WR and just leave him there with no help all game and just take the No.2 out of the game. Then you can do all kinds of different coverages and schemes to try and take away (and intercept) the top WR. Think that works especially well in a Schwartz defense because you are rushing 4 only, covering 1 WR 1v1, you have got 6v4 or more in the rest of the passing game, allowing you to pretty much double everyone if you leave a TE or RB to block.
If he falls to #6, we better trade up
In regards to corners worth pick 8: I think if you want someone active at the line of scrimmage VH3 is your guy. However he isnt the tallest or fastest guy and I am terrified that he is going to give up big catches deep. I dont feel like he tracks the ball well over his shoulder. I think Ramsey has all the physical ability you want, long, tall, fast but he doestn flash and he isnt an impact run defender. My favorite of the bunch was Alexander because he has the quickest feet but the sloppiest technique. I think if he can get some technique work with Undlin or whoever, he could be solid in coverage and come up with his share of plays. Eli Apple kind of fits in with Alexander and I would be a little concerned that some of his hype js due to the defense he played in.
“I am terrified that he is going to give up big catches deep.”
Don’t be, we have two of the best 10 safeties in football to make sure that doesn’t happen. And an improved pass rush.
There are numerous times when a CB does not have safety help.
This makes me more terrified. Great he needs help like Nnamdi did.
What I like most about Alexander is his willingness to get involved in the run game. Too many corners tend to shy away from contact with a RB, but Alexander will do his best to try to make the tackle. Him or Apple would be my preferred picks if the Eagles manage a trade down.
I think that is far. Honestly though, Ill be kinda upset if the Eagles trade down. You dont get to pick as high as 8 very often.
They’d have to be blown away with an offer to trade down in order for me to be ok with that after they just traded up.
Hargreaves is not worth the 8th pick. I’d much rather trade down and take a corner later. There’s WJ3, William Jackson, Kendall Fuller.
That’s fine if you don’t like VH, but I’m on team Stanley at 8 if he’s there.
I’d be ok with Stanley but it’s just not what I want another LT/RT in top 10.
Doubt that, seems as though Howie really wanted to get into the top 8 to get the highest talent instead of accumulating a 2nd round pick.
You do if you’re Cleveland, Jacksonville, or Tennessee…
Then to continue this logic .. 8 pick laden w danger
If im not mistaken, the ONLY time Roseman has ever traded back in round 1 was for Marcus Smith…. Just saying..
..
Doubt he trades back, doubt he cares about positions, think he keeps it simple and takes the highest graded player which gives us the best chance of hitting on a star
I’m not saying he is going to trade back but in said situation if all of his prospects are gone then a trade back must be explored at all options.
Great point in regards to Alexander..I was hoping he was a target when we were picking at 13. The only other concern i’ve seen expressed is the fact that he hasn’t had a single interception in his career..now does that indicate a lack of ball skills? would’ve been nice to see what he looked like in the drills at the combine.
At pick # 8 the only thing that would get me extremely excited would be if we came away with Ramsey..which is a pipe dream, no way he gets past SD or the Girls before us. I don’t think Stanley is gonna get past the Ravens..not really excited about any of the QB’s. I’m really warming up to us taking Hargreaves at that spot. Just fired up the coffee maker and the DVR and re-watched the DB day at the combine this morning. the kid looked great, has tremendous ball skills ..didn’t drop the ball a single time all day…and prime and mayock kept raving about him. Mayock says he’s the best pure corner in the draft. Game tape that i’ve seen shows a physical and proficient corner. A secondary with Rowe, VH3, jenkins and Mcloud is very appealing.
Honestly i don’t see any way this pick can be messed up. Even if we take Zeke at 8 i’d understand.. although i think i would prefer a DB, or Olineman at that spot and then somebody like dixon or prosise later on.
Let me ask you this, how did VH3 look with drills downfield?
I don’t like VH at all as a top 10 pick.. Good prospect, but for me ramsey is the only DB worthy of a top 10 selection
I’m going to post the only timed test that matters for OL. Feel free to chime in on this one D3FB.
Ronnie Stanley
10 yard split – 1.79s
Lane Johnson
10 yard split – 1.68s
Where are you going with this?
My point is that the only time you should care about OT moving is when they’re moving to get to the second level.
Interestingly advanced analytic do not find the 10 yard split to be particularly correlatory to any part of Tackle play. 40 yard split tends to correlate best to the run game (I do not know why that is – makes little sense to me), and in pass protection, the long jump and short shuttle (especially when combined) seem to indicate pass blocking.
Since most of this is regarding my opinions, which btw were stated on this site pre combine, that Stanley to me is a distant 2nd to Tunsil. He is a solid prospect who will start for many years, He is big and long and smooth with good technique. I accept that. He does not have the tools that i look for to be an elite tackle, and anyone i pick top 10 i want to have the ability to be elite.
That is my opinion, from tape and from analytic study. I have watched 3 full games of his, so hardly exhaustive, and no all 22 which i think is vital to see tackles practical in game lateral agility. However i feel that is a lot more than much of Eagles fans (not so much the case on igglesblitz) who are group thinking that bad OL in 2015 = must draft OL in 2016.
“advanced analytic”
Didn’t what Goose Gossage say the other day about nerds ruining sports sink in?
That rant was pure gold and I enjoyed it very much.
The anti-Buster Posey stuff was awesome as well. Same with ripping the bat flippers.
hahaha think there may be some truth in that for some people. I like analytics and numercial analysis, because it is a different perspective and i actually understand the underlying principles and power it can show… but for sports it is a small, and sometimes over stated part of the process.
“but for sports it is a small, and sometimes over stated part of the process.”
Agreed. I love the context it provides, but really needs to be a minimized part of the deal.
I don’t know if I’d say it’s small in the NBA. They have so much tracked via cameras and have developed a lot of advanced analytics. They use them to critique and develop players. They develop systems based on them.
Boy, those nerds sure ruin everything…Now excuse me while Ogre and I go pump each other.
I’m sorry but what? The 10 yard split shows how OL can get to the second level. If you think that an OLs top end speed is important then god bless you.
Getting to the second level is far more about patience and positioning than 10 yard split. Cody Whitehair is the best OL at working to a LB. He’s not exactly a physical freak.
Wouldn’t initial burst matter a bit?
As long as you’re quick enough to clear a DL before he engages you (which again mainly technical footwork) you really only need to be like not Nick Cole or Max Jean Giles level slug.
For instance Landon Turner is a pretty big dude but he tracks pretty well to the second level (he’s got some other issues once he gets there but he gets there)
Gotcha. Thanks for the info as always.
I he did a split that was 10 yards, does that mean each of his legs are 5 yards?
Joe Thomas – 10 yd split 1.75
Joe Staley – 10 yd split 1.64
So a 10-yd split of 1.695 would be the average Joe?
I think Stanley can be a solid starting tackle for many many years, but he just isn’t an elite prospect, granted he will still be in play at 8 due to the importance of the position
And this is based on what? People keep saying this and provide nothing of substance.
OL combine is about movement drills and measurables. I don’t really care about the timed stuff. Tape is far more important and then double checking fluidity at combine.
Which is why all of these comments about the 3 cone and whatever timed drill for OL is baffling me.
There are tweets out there that claim the Eagles are interested in DT Nick Fairley but I’d be cautious about believing those. The first tweet I saw that said this was Incarcerated Bob who has a very dubious track record. Then it showed up at that sight I mentioned the other day, mysportsupdate, which I’ve also heard is questionable. Now Doug Moore(DMooreNFL) is reporting it but from what I’ve seen he doesn’t break any original news, just piggy backs off of others.
These sights make educated guesses(Nick Fairley obviously makes sense for Eagles) and figure if they throw enough shit against the wall they will hit on a few. Then they claim to be an “insider”.
“Incarcerated Bob”? Did law enforcement finally make it Maryland?
#whutssssupppppp
Can’t believe that clown is still around.
Anyone ever heard of JimStark? He’s another one.
is Nick Fairly a guy the Eagles should want to sign?
he’d probably want a 1-2 year deal, like he did with Rams.
Don’t think it makes sense,. The DT we have to add must Bring an interior pass rush better than what we get from Logan and Beau… Makes no sense to add another run stuffer making Cox the only DT that brings above average interior pass rush
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Lazy connecting the dots… about as meaningful I would think as rumors of interest in the KC guard
who’s the best but also the nastiest OT in the draft?
the closet thing to Runyon’s disposition?
I’m pretty nasty. Probably me.
Max Tuerk.
Very interesting point. Every move Howie has made up to this point has been for the best interest of the Eagles. The narrative of Howie plotting revenge on Chip should have died the second Sam Bradford inked his new deal. I’m happy to see the Eagles taking the strategic approach to FA this year and not overpaying for players who ended their their seasons in Hawaii due to different schemes and circumstances that differ from what’s being implemented in Philly.
The only downside to the offseason so far has been Pederson’s inexperience in press conferences, and i am okay with that haha ..
Go Birds!
At #8 I don’t want:
1)’either QB, I don’t view them as guys who would be viewed as top 7 picks EVERY YEAR, I view them as good prospects who are being over rated because there isn’t anyone better where as a guy like Ramsey is an Elite Safety prospect in every draft no matter who else is available at his position… Let the Browns and Niners reach and over rate these QBs..
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2) DONT wañt hargreaves, solid first round prospect, but Ramsey is the only DB worthy of a top 10 pick
..
3) Bosa, suped up Trent MUrphy, not interested
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Wish list at #8
1) Ramsey Probably a pipe Dream
2) Jack Attack… Would give us an elite LB corp
3) Buckner… Perfect to pair with Cox to rush passers on 3rd down
4) Zeke Elliot… Best weapon by far in the entire draft
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Still not sure of:
Ronnie Stanley… I worry that he is closer to Conklin than he is to Tunsil”..even before we got the 8th pick I wondered if Stanley would end up falling out of the top 10
“3) Bosa, suped up Trent Murphy, not interested ”
AKA, “White”
Anyone know what this is about?
https://twitter.com/centerstage67/status/709095582925725696
Probably talking about Jamal Murray from Kentucky
Hmm, context matters…
I have a funny feeling Jamaal deliberately left it up for interpretation. He wanted to get all the Eagles’ fans in a frenzy haha
Well, this feels almost petty now…
Excellent work!
Really enjoying your emergence on twitter.
Kentucky University won the SEC championship, Jamal Murray hit a big 3 in Overtime to clinch win lol 5 minutes ago
Rand Getlin
@Rand_Getlin
1m1 minute ago
I’m told CB Casey Heyward has agreed to terms with the #Chargers.
Good get for the Chargers. Should fit their scheme well.
So do we get Robinson or Carroll or no one else at CB in FA?
My guess is we sign one of Carroll, Robinson, and Boykin.
General rule for 2nd-3rd tier FAs . . .
Go back to your team.
Yes? No?
Probably. But the SDG beat writer wrote that Robinson’s departure was “imminent” and we are one of the teams that have been linked to him.
https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/709106935195443201
That’s a bargain for Hayward.
My guess at probabilities of players being available at 8. All others 98% or greater….
Tunsil – 0%
Ramsey – 0%
Goff – 2%
Bosa – 10%
Jack – 10%
Wentz – 25%
Stanley – 35%
Hargreaves – 80%
Buckner – 90%
I just remember Hargreaves being injured a lot. I really, really don’t want him at 8.
I’ll go
Tunsil – 0%
Ramsey – 2%
Goff – 15%
Bosa 10%
Jack 30%
Wentz – 15%
Stanley – 50%
Hargreaves – 72.97%
Buckner – 50%
I’m thinking if no one wants to trade up and take one of the QB’s at 8, we take either Elliott or Hargreaves whichever one is there. Both would be good picks IMO.