The Men in the Middle
Posted: April 14th, 2016 | Author: Tommy Lawlor | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 365 Comments »2011 was such a strange season. Juan Castillo was the defensive coordinator. The Eagles tried to build a scheme around the Wide 9 front. There was a lockout, meaning virtually no offseason for players and coaches to work together. And the Eagles chose to make rookie Casey Matthews the MLB.
Matthews was a good college player, but nothing special. Having him start at MLB in that scheme in an abbreviated offseason was asking for trouble. Putting Moises Fokou on one side and Jamar Chaney on the other certainly didn’t help matters.
The Eagles should be worlds better than that at LB this year.
Jordan Hicks also confirmed that the starting LB corp, as it stands now, is Mychal Kendricks (WIL), Nigel Bradham (SAM) and Hicks (MIKE).
— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) April 13, 2016
The media got to talk to Jordan Matthews, Eric Rowe and Jordan Hicks yesterday. The focus seemed to be Hicks, who will now take over as the MLB. So Hicks has a new position and is in a new scheme. Les Bowen has more on that.
Hicks said he isn’t put off moving from Bill Davis’ 3-4 to Jim Schwartz’s 4-3, from inside linebacker to MIKE.
“It’s something I’ve done quite a bit of. I played it in college,” he said.
But of course, he didn’t play it for Schwartz, behind defensive ends who will frequently pin their ears back in a Wide 9.
“A lot of it, schemewise, is just ‘Attack. Attack. Attack. D-line, just go.’ That’s his mentality, is go, and the linebackers clean it up,” Hicks said. “I think it makes you rely more on your instincts.”
Is Hicks the key to making the setup work?
“I think there’s different focuses for different positions,” he said. “Obviously, the corners are one-on-one a lot. They’ve gotta be able to hold up, and the d-line’s gotta go, and we gotta clean up, so we’ve all got our different things we’ve got to be able to do to make the puzzle fit.”
Hicks said he’s lucky that the new terminology is familiar to him…from back in his college days. It isn’t exactly the same, but is similar enough that it will help him pick it up quickly.
The Eagles know Hicks is smart. He was new to the 3-4 last year and learned that quickly, which is all the more impressive because he was a rookie and having to figure out everything. This year he can focus on the scheme, which is simpler than last year’s. The mental side of things should not be an issue.
The biggest concern with Hicks right now is durability. Injuries hurt his career at Texas and he missed several games last year after getting hurt in the win over Dallas. You might remember that game.
Jordan Hicks will be a very good player for the Eagles pic.twitter.com/4dkMtrrvMJ
— Philly Sports (@MadeForPhilly) February 16, 2016
It seemed so cruel to lose him after such an epic moment.
Hicks knows he needs to stay healthy and to stay on the field.
Hicks showed the same traits in college he showed with the Eagles last season. He lasted until the third round of the draft because of concerns about his durability. Hicks suffered significant hip (2012) and Achilles’ (2013) injuries at Texas.
Hicks said he can’t worry about what he can’t control, but if there is anything he can do to prevent ligament and tendon tears, he wants to do it. He said he was “getting blood work done” in an effort to find out more about his body.
“That’s something I’m trying to tackle, and I really do think it’s behind me. Does it give me something to prove? Absolutely . . . I’m doing everything I possibly can to learn about myself, to understand my body, to tackle that side of it, so when I am on the field, I won’t have anything to worry about,” he said.
Injuries are partly bad luck. But Hicks is smart to do research and to try to figure out if there is anything he can do to help prevent them.
*****
I think having good players around him will help Hicks. Nigel Bradham has played in this scheme and done well so he can be a voice of experience. Mychal Kendricks. has started 53 games for the Eagles in the past 4 years. He logged some time in the Wide 9 as a rookie so this scheme won’t be completely new to him.
Kendricks is probably best suited to playing WIL in the 4-3 so this should be an ideal situation for him. Some fans tell me how awful Kendricks was last year.
“He was terrible.”
“He sucked.”
Ugh. No, Kendricks was far from terrible. He was second on the team in tackles. He had 3 sacks and 6 TFLs. He broke up 3 passes and had a FF.
Kendricks did have some bad plays to be sure. He struggled in coverage at times, getting badly burned on a few memorable plays. But anyone who thought he was terrible should go back and watch LB play from 2009-2011. Go watch Jamar Chaney, Akeem Jordan, Moises Fokou, Casey Matthews, Joe Mays and Ernie Sims and then talk to me about terrible LB play.
Kendricks is frustrating because he is so talented and doesn’t always play to that level, but he is a solid starter that will make some big plays (and some big mistakes). We’ve seen guys that shouldn’t be starting who kept jobs for multiple years.
Bradham, Hicks and Kendricks should be a much better set of LBs than Fokou, Matthews and Chaney. Ugh. Just typing that brings back some less than awesome memories.
*****
The schedule comes out tonight.
NO THANKSGIVING GAMES…OR ELSE!!!!!
That is all.
_
off topic – don’t know if it’s old news…pft reported this morning: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2016/04/14/report-eagles-have-discussed-trading-up-for-first-overall-pick/
I am getting to the point where i might go into nfl media black out for the next 2 weeks and return on the Thursday before the draft. The level of over analysis of unsourced speculation and rumour, often planted by different teams and agents for their own goals, but also made up by media members for clicks is driving me nuts.
Eagles will explore trades up and down the draft board, and will have a range of contingencies in place. Reporting discussions is meaningless especially when the team has probably not decided its strategy yet. Any leaks are near certainly not ‘real’ from the Eagles – will be agents and other teams, or the Eagles trying to do the same.
We will get answers in 2 weeks, but generally what you find is things reported in February the most accurate and most of the reporting in April is almost worthless (unless it is about drug tests or injuries changing evaluations).
But it’s the internet – it must be true. Give me 8 darts and I will hit the center of the dart board. Every scenario will be reported as “the move” and someone will get to say — see – told you so.
…..
What does erk me is the “they tried last year to get a qb”. Different HC – different man in charge does not = same game plan as last year. The only song that remains the same is the Eagles future QB is still uncertain.
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If it’s true about that CB – does that drop his value?
I hear you…. It’s even more frustrating as an Eagle fan because we reached the point where THE ONLY Eagle Draft conversation we even hear about is
1) Silly trade up rumors about going to get a QB when we don’t have a second round pick
2) and if the media isn’t talking about a QB, the only other thing they talk about is Zeke.
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QB or Zeke is 99% of Eagle draft talk the next two weeks, to make matters worse, the majority Of the media that talks about Wentz every day never even watched him play a game before…
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The Entire media has latched on to this narrative that the Eagles are all in on drafting a QB, or that Zeke is the pick…. So Either the media has all of the sudden got really good at their job and totally found out our draft intentions a month away from the draft. or secretive CIA Roseman all of The sudden no longer knows how to play his cards close to the vest and let the media sniff out his true intentions… Both Scenarios I find to be Highly Unlikely
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You would THNK that the media hacked into Rosemans draft board the way drafting a QB talk has completely taken over Predraft analysis of the Eagles. First almòst the entire media mocked Zeke to us, now the entire media is acting like they know we are taking a QB. when has Roseman ever been so Transparant this time of year?
The Zeke national media thing is fascinating. My theory is that there was a strong consensus that he would go at 8 to Miami. They need a RB hugely, and need to get an offence that establish a lead so they can unleash their huge investment in the DL – and within that context drafting Zeke at 8 is probably the fastest way to achieve that for a front office in win now to save our jobs mode.
When trade happened people matched the Murray trade with that and rather than try to rethink their mocks, Zeke just ‘fit’ with the Eagles. But there really is no ‘hole’ created by Murray’s trade – he was the 3rd best RB on the roster last year.
Compared to Miami the need is nowhere near the same – we have 2 better RB’s than any of Miami’s on our books, are not in ‘win now mode’ (resigning your own players early is not some kind of all in move however much national media wants to spin it), and have a range of needs across our roster.
Now the Eagles may end up drafting Zeke if they think he is the best player, but i think it is far from this consensus that the national media makes it out to be that is for sure.
I found the Chimplosion a much less pleasant time of year.
Jordan Hicks is an example of why you can’t take scouting reports as being fully accurate. There are many failures at the top of the draft and many pleasant surprises in later rounds. This is from NFL.com about Jordan Hicks:
Weaknesses Despite intelligence and preparation, still
considered only average with instincts and anticipation. Considered by
evaluators as robotic and assignment-rigid. “Line dancer” who rarely
free-styles and takes chances. Doesn’t see it quickly, so lacks downhill
game to make plays on other side of the line. Gets late start on routes
crossing face in zone coverage. Must improve at taking on blocks and
keeping linemen off of him. Had season-ending injuries in both 2012 and
2013, missing a total of 19 games.
Think one of the ways draftnik’s get things wrong is they lack access to the college teams and coaches that nfl teams have. Texas may have been asking the player to be conservative and to just ‘do your’ job and not try to play make. That means a draftnik watches his tape and thinks he cant do that, while a team just is unsure because they understand his situation.
Well, that last sentence was certainly prescient.
Yep, unfortunately.
Kendricks wasnt really terrible, he was just terrible because we know how much more he is capable of. It’s one thing to do everything right and get burnt, but he had so many technique and fundamental breakdowns last year that you have to consider it a major dissapointment.
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A common mistake we make as fans is wanting to trash a player as soon as he has a down year. Really good players have down seasons all the time and rebound and return back to top form. Hopefully this will be the case for Kendricks, but he needs to step up this year, we will probably add LB depth and both Bradham and Hicks can also play KEndricks WIL spot, one down yeàr is bearable. Two down years back to back, and you are gonna get yourself replaced. KEndricks not only needs to rebound, but he also needs to avoid his annual hamstring injury
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I can’t get over my Jack-Attack/Hicks dreams!!!
I like Kendricks and in a different scheme he should be just fine.
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“Ugh. No, Kendricks was far from terrible. He was second on the team in tackles.” — Never understood comments like this as example of a good player. A defense as bad as they had last year – pounding your chest about second on the team in tackles doesn’t mean much. Every team has someone “second on team in tackles” but doesn’t mean they are very good players….Unless of course – it’s a rookie :)…
Yeah I don’t care much about his stats when he blatantky failed the eye test. It’s not so much that he failed, It’s how he failed with so many bonehead breakdowns in technique, for example: a Novice LB would know that if you give a guy like Jordan Reed a two way go, he is going to roast you every time. To see Mychal have so many fundamental breakdowns was extremely dissapointing. Worst of all was the fact that it was his 3rd year in the same scheme, no way he should be making so many mistakes..
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Mychal better get his shit together. najee Good is our best backüp and he plays KEndricks wil spot. Both Bradham and Hicks can play WIL. The team apparently told hicks that he is our starting MIKE, and WIL is his secondary fallback position… On top of all that Bradham has SAM and WIL experience/versatility… The Eagles are going to draft a backüp Mike or SAM, ideally a kid with SAM and Milke versatility, so if Mychal doesn’t rebound in a big way, we have a few different directions we Can go replacing him… Hopefully he rebounds nicely and this is all a moot point
This team might have a special defense this year.
Drew Rosenhause would represent a Cockaroach if it could make him a buck… In 27 years, Johnny Manziel is literally the first client he has ever dropped. First Lebrons agency dropped him, now Rosenhause smh… Apparently after that moronic video that TMZ took of him the other night, later that evening he was a passenger in a hit n run (car hit a pole and sped off)… So things are starting to spiral out of control in a scary way… Apparently Rosenhause is trying to help the kid and claims it’s a serious life threatening situation.. josh Gordon allegedly picked up Manziel from the scene of the hit n Run.
Rosenhause claims that he gave Johnny an ultimatum, if he checks into rehab within the next 5 days, he will continue to represent him.
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In other Jackass news, Shawn Oakman is sitting in a jail cell right now charged with sexual assault, police got a search warrant for his DNA and phone. NFL Executive claims he is undraftable because this legal issue won’t go away the next two years,… Just another Raw Talant, wiping his ass with a lottery ticket..
People who can’t control themselves are fascinating.
i dont feel liking hyping hicks up, id rather hype up kendricks, he is the vet and he got a new contract. ima try to pretend hicks is invisible
You need to balance selling expendable merchandise to the other teams with selling hope to the fans. All part of the “process”.
i dont have anything to do with selling merch lol
I love Thanksgiving games – gets me out of family stuff.
I can live with thanksgiving games, but I really hope They don’t put so many of our games on Prime time…. 3 less prime time games than last year would be good
Was Hicks implying that Schwartz plays more man to man than zone, or am I just reading into it? In the past, when I have been taking in a Schwartz coached defense, I recall seeing quite a bit of zone coverage.
Lotta cover 2 w/ man coverage underneath, at least from his time in buffalo
I didn’t see Buffalo much, but I do remember seeing Schwartz D’s being tough against slant-ins, and more often than not – I THOUGHT – he had a base look playing zone cover 2. Either way, I expect our CB’s to get less push to jump on play-action than they’ve been getting recently.
Whoa…titans traded 1st pick to the LA rams
Really? Guess that means no Goff for us.
Nothing like moving into a new neighborhood and immediately putting out the ugly lawn ornaments that made you unpopular in the last town.
Two 1s, two 2s, and two 3s? There is no way a player is worth that. Fans of the Rams now have nothing to be interested in following this draft or the next.
Wow. If that’s what they gave up, it’s the equivalent of an impact player and 3 starters, assuming normal scouting prowess. Hope they pick Goff.
I imagine the hate in Cleveland will be even worse. They’ll only have Goff as an option now, one would assume. Goff is a california kid, but I don’t know if that’s enough for the Rams to take him over Wentz.
Boy, I really hope the Chargers take Ramsey. Would really suck if he’s there at #4, because you know the Cowboys will run to the podium.
Thing is, Chargers need OL sooo badly I think they have to take Tunsil, if he’s available.
So, Ramsey at #2 or Ramsey to the Cowboys are probably the 2 most likely options.
Crazy thing is, there is now a chance Tunsil is there at 5 for the Jags. The Cowboys really don’t need him. As much as the Cleveland fans will hate the Rams, there’s a chance they will love them in Jacksonville.
Shefter Claims to be pretty certain that the Browns were never going to take a QB at #2. On one hand that would seem to be crazy of them, but on the other hand we probably shouldn’t be too shocked to see their outside the box thinking front Office to not do the same thing that the Browns have been doing for decades, taking a QB in round one of just about every other draft..
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Can they money ball their way into finding a franchise QB? Doubt it, but that would be pretty impressive if they can come over from baseball and pull that off… Personally I think they should have a bigger sense of urgency to find a QB than us,.. We are drafting a #3 QB, somewhere inbetween rounds 4 and 6. All he has to do is grow into a solid #2 to validate the pick we spend on him. Once we paid SAM 22mil to find out exactly who he is, he became our last hope to Not have to package a bunch of picks in a trade Like the Rams…but if he doesn’t have a monster year and earn an extension, we will then be in position where we have to consider expensive trade ups for a QB…. The Browns are already at that point, but I guess knowing they pick at the top of every draft, they probably will never have to pay an expensive price like the Rams trading up for a QB..
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If the Cowboys have been bluffing about not taking a QB, they probably feeling nervous now that 1 more trade into the top 3 kills any chance to get a QB… I’ll be sick if Ramsey becomes a Cowboy, but at least their DL is so poor that whoever they get at DB won’t get much help from their pass rush. an edge rusher for them would make a much bigger impact, but Ramsey is most likely going to be more special of an NFL safety, than The trent Cole/Barwin type DE that Bosa will become..
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It would be great if it goes:
1) Wentz (Rams)
2) Goff (Niners)
3) Ramsey (Chargers)
4) Bosa (Cowboys)
5) Tunsil (Jags)
6) Stanley (Ravens)
7) Buckner or Zeke (Browns)
8) MYLES Mofo’ing Jack-Attack (FLY Eagles Fly!!)
Sign me up for any draft that won’t give Ramsey to the Cowboys. That’s the thing I really hate about this trade. The chances of Ramsey falling to the Cowboys have increased vastly. The Chargers would love Ramsey, of course, who wouldn’t? But their OL is so weak, they have a Franchise QB – I can’t imagine they pass on Tunsil. Makes sooo much sense for them.
Thing is, Browns don’t need Tunsil, either. So the Chargers probably have a chance to get him.
I think Tunsil is the one player that really hates this trade today. He was the sure fire #1 overall pick, now he must hope to be the #3. Although I’m pretty sure he won’t fall past the Jags. But #1 and #5 make a difference money wise, in the first contract and the second contract.
They had already used their 5th round pick in the supplemental draft, and traded away their 7th. They got back the Titans 4th and 6th this year in the trade, so it looks like their entire draft will be their QB, then two 4th round picks and two 6th. And they are already out their 1st and 3rd next year. Yikes.
Wonder if this was an owner-driven trade for the first year in a new location trying to draw fans… which could mean that he could also force the choice of Goff.
Let the “Trade With Cleveland” angles begin!
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2016/04/14/titans-trade-first-overall-pick-to-rams/
That’s it: we won’t get the 1st pick, and probably not Wentz either. I REALLY BELIEVED CASE KEENUM WAS THEIR QB!
Maybe other teams were dropping the Eagles rumors to try and get the Rams to up their offer.
Rams did a reverse RG3
To affect a swap of the 15th for the 1st pick . . .
Rams give up — in present value terms — three 2nd Rd picks and a 4th.
Great deal by LA.
Hopefully QB is the only hole on their roster, because they won’t be filling many more from the draft for a couple years. I think their entire 2016 draft will be the QB, two 4ths, and two 6ths. And they are now out their 1st and 3rd in 2017.
It can be easy to say “a first next year is only worth a second this year” but not having those picks can be killer long-term. By that regard, the Redskins only gave up a “present day” value of a 2nd and 3rd round pick to move up when they traded away two future #1s…
Their D is fine. They’ll have to be creative on O though.
https://twitter.com/lannyosu/status/720608183908040704
And they still have that Coach…
“Jeff Fischer and creative offense” go together like “lamb and tuna fish”
Understand.
But if the QB you draft turns out to be great . . . with the NFL’s Flag Football style . . . lots of holes disappear.
Probably a long shot. But worth the risk, given the defense and RB the Rams have.
And you gotta sell TIX
No you see you just wait until the fifth round to draft your franchise saving QB.
Find a guy who is going to be a career backup, squint hard enough, convince yourself he’s better than the guys at the top of the draft, and is going later because NFL teams are all morons, and just keep doing it in perpetuity because it’s never going to work.
“you just wait until the fifth round to draft your franchise saving QB”
______________
How could we not see that Brandon Allen’s the next Tom Brady!
No the guy who plays in a regressive run the ball 50 times a game and has a windup like Tebow is the guy.
Yep. Maybe they’ll also take a QB with a 4th round pick and get a future starter there too 😉
When you don’t have a QB, you get desperate. If this doesn’t work out, you have lost your chance to get one next year as well. I’d have been fine with taking a QB had one dropped to #8, but not OK with a trade like this. Sam may or may not be the “guy”, but having him means you aren’t so desperate that you are willing to do a trade like this. You can start overvaluing the “best available” guys. The fact the Rams need to attract new fans this year probably added to that desperation.
Like you say, if he’s a stud, it’ll be worth it. Same would have been true for RGIII who by all reports was a better prospect than either of this year’s potential picks.
FO:
That’s what the NFL sells every April . . . the illusion of a new future.
But after the 1st Rd picks, the odds of a drafted player making a difference drops pretty quickly.
Indeed. But that is why I prefer having more shots at the roulette table. Are you more likely to get a difference maker with one first round pick or two? And while you may not get stars you can often get solid important players the next couple of rounds. It’s not just difference makers or bust. Sure some front offices will squander picks but those are often the same ones who will screw up the high pick too.
What the Rams effectively have left from the RGIII trade:
MIchael Brockers (good not great DT)
Stedman Bailey (recovering from being shot, 4/5th WR)
Greg Robinson (riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma)
Alec Ogletree (hyperathlete, short on instincts, now has to play MIKE)
It’s not exactly the Herschel Walker trade.
I’ll take the chance on a QB any day of the week.
Coach –
As you just showed . . . Rams know better than any team that packing picks is worth the risk.
Hitting on every pick is ridiculously hard, even in Rds 1 and 2.
So go for the QB. Absolutely.
What do the Redskins have left? 😉
They had their franchise QB. They ruined him.
Still taking my shot.
Really comes down to whether or not you need a QB. If you do, it’s worth giving up “too much”. If you don’t (Titans, or the Rams when they thought Bradford was the answer), then you get a haul. It was a good deal for the Rams and the Titans, that one was a good deal for the Rams, and really not as bad as has been made out for the Skins. Was worth a shot on their part.
Now Ditka trading the draft for a RB, that was crap.
“give me the kid that costs the cheapest draft pick makes up most of my
interest in him…where as i would actually like to see the Eagles take
Hogan”
Apparently we’ve got it wrong, you find a franchise QB by spending the least possible amount on any old guy.
Coach . . .
If only we were all so gifted with that kind of vision.
The Eagles are on the clock at pick 251:
Howie reaches into hat.
Congratulations Kyle Nolan, QB Georgetown, you are the future of the organization.
Schwartz looks up, “wait what? Georgetown QB? I’m not even that much of a homer.”
Now we have to root for Jeff Fisher to keep his job and continue to steal money long enough so that when the Rams play the Titans 3 years from now, the Titans can take all the players that they end up getting with the picks from the Rams, and make them all Captains for the Rams game
Well.
Shit.
But . . . the Eagles have SAm!
DOn’t bE a DOnkey!
These QbS are OvahRuted, nO wAy theY go iN Da top 3 LiKe StooPid MediDUH saY.
HEeeEE HAwwAH
Y’all are a mess lol
Thank god it wasnt us. Looks like Goff is gonna stay in california..Titans should be able to land a lot of solid players
LOL Rams acquired the #1’pick in the trade from Titans … Silly trade up QB pipe dreams just got cut by 50%…
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At this rate, the media QB narrative will be killed before the draft even starts. Philly media better start scrambling to find a new narrative to sell to fans
This trade changes everything and hopefully ends all the dumb rumors of the Eagles trading up. Had enough of it the last couple of years. QB in mid-rounds, Zeke in the first hopefully.
As far as Im concerned, Hogan and Brandon Allen were the only QBs we should have been chosing from anyway… Hopefully the Niners trade into the top 3 and put a complete end to the QB crap
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A sneaky winner could be the jets. Almost impossibke for them to trade up for 20 and get Wentz or Goff.. And with the Rams sitting at #15, unlikely the Rams would let Paxton Lynch fall to the Jets… But with the Rams out of the running for Lynch, this trade probably increases the odds of Lynch falling to the Jets…
I love Hogan as a #3 QB to develop. Would love to see the Eagles draft him in the third. I gotta do some HW on Brandon Allen though, I’ve heard mixed things.
The Jets would be smart to re-sign Fitzpatrick and address their terrible O-line instead of getting Lynch. I see Lynch falling to the bottom of the first now that the Rams made the move up.
Yeah I think Hogan is head and shoulders better than him. hogan is a guy I actually want… Allen is just a Name that won’t cost a top 100 pick and ISNT Dak, Hackenberg or Cardale… That’s my only real interest in Allen…. If I don’t LOVE any of the QBs, give me the kid that costs the cheapest draft pick makes up most of my interest in him…where as i would actually like to see the Eagles take Hogan. Even if Bradford doesnt work out for us, Id like to Have Hogan competing with a first round QB a year from now. Worst case scenario he should become a solid #2 Longterm
I agree with you on that one. Worst case, Hogan is a backup, but his upside makes him interesting. He has good experience in pro-style and is smart with his decision making. Perhaps i’m going crazy, but doesn’t he remind you of Chad Pennington a little bit? I may be exaggerating, but I really liked what I saw from him in a lot of games last season. His accuracy improved every year and it looks like he’s trending upward in his development as a passer.
Yeah I definitely see him as a solid NFL backüp who at least has a chance to surprise a team and grow into the next Kurt Cousin type of surprise starter.. Be nice to Have Bradford and Hogan, increase our odds of getting lucky with one emerging as THE GUY saving us from having to be the next team that pays a kings ransom like the Rams trying to get a QB.. It’s really our last hope until we actually have to start aggressively looking for trade up opportunities, but the media is a year premature with expensive trade up talk..
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It also helps that we have one last chance to prove that we don’t need to invest BIGTIME in a QB, because trading up for a QB in a year when we dont have a second round pick is so rough… If we get Lucky, Bradford or Hogan will surprise us. If not, hopefully we have a really good draft this year so when we get to next years draft we will have filled most of our needs already while also being in better position to trade up for a QB, having a second round pick and hopefully converting a pick in this draft to next years draft.. Putting us In a much better position to be able to handle making an expensive trade like that without totally crippling our ability to build a team for The next two years….
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I was hoping that Cook, Cardale, Hackenberg, Prescott would all end up going before Hogan, but that’s prettydamn unlikely
It’s very doubtful . If you thought he’s good enough for Rams, then he could go to SF, Chicago, Eagles, Saints.Teams are all over Lynch. Teams value QBs more than fans. Dallas, SF, Eagles, Bears, Saints, Jets.
SF could take Lynch. He’s run the read option, he’s a shotgun QB, big arm.
Unfortunately, Hogan could go in 2nd if he’s that good.
You’re probably getting a backup QB in that area of draft. It’s fine if they do that but don’t act like mid round QBs are the answer.
Mid-round QBs are hardly ever an answer, I get that, but what choice do the Eagles have at this point? They’re hoping they find someone solid in the mid-rounds as much as we all are.
All pipe dreams of one of the “2” qbs falling to 8 are now squashed.
Hello Zeke :). lMAO.
I still have two weeks to hold on to my irrational Jack-Attack pipe dream
I’m with you. I’m hoping some other offensive minded teams switches with Baltimore increasing chances of a better defender falling to 8.
The DREAM:
1) Wentz (Rams)
2) Goff (Niners)
3) Ramsey (Chargers)
4) Bosa (Dallas)
5)Tunsil (Jags
6) Stanley
7) Buckner or Zeke (Browns)
8) JACK-Attack!!!
Can’t picture the Niners taking Goff (hand size). Maybe Lynch. Probably Buckner.
Cleveland might take Goff. Dallas might take Zeke. If so Ravens probably take Bosa. That would still leave Jack for the Eagles
Mark Domenik(espn) thinks that since the Niners unusually gave Kap permission to actually visit the broncos, he thinks they only did that because they have agreed to parameters on a trade and the Niners are waiting to make sure they get a QB in the draft before they execute the trade
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Baalke could always overrule Chip… But if you had to havea QB with smaller hands, you would probably prefer to have him playing somewhere like California, Arizona, instead of Cleveland, Philly,NY, Detroit
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If a Broncos trade is being held up by them having to draft a QB, waiting Til round 2 could mean that Wentz, Goff, Lynch and Cook are all off the board. Would a QB outside of the top 4 be enough to proceed with trading Kap?
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Of course this could all be complete nonsense and it wouldnt be surprising if chip thought his scheme was so great that he can just get a QB in round 5
They could sit at 7 and take Lynch.
True, certainly not the only scenario that could get Jack to fall to #8, but I have to assume it’s highly unlikely,… Just to have a small chance at the type of elite LB we haven’t had in God knows how long is exciting….
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I would think that the biggest threats to keep him from us are Dallas, the Jags, the Niners are a Wildcard that can do anything…. Im hoping that someone else is available that would get Dallas to pass on him (edge rusher is their biggest need, safety,RB, LB)… And it would probably take someone like Tunsil or Ramsey to get The Jags to pass on Jack… Hopefully the Ravens go with Stanley or Buckner
…
Im really going to lose it if Jack falls and Fallas and then chip kelly steals him. Boy will I lose it… If he isn’t going to fall to us, he better get drafted early and not tease me falling all the way to #7
..
If stanley and Jack are both available at #6, we may be able to talk the Ravens into swapping picks since Joe Staley and Anthony Davis out of Retirment has a good chance of making the Niners pass on Stanley, so the Ravens could łet us get Jack for like our 4th round pick #100, and still get Stanley after the Niners
Browns shock everyone and take Ramsey and actually have a good draft lol.
browns will suck until they have a qb, can have all the other talented player they want, they’ll leave after 5 years
Foles to the Browns?
be surprised if foles starts another game in the league
Has it possible when all the people who tweet that are IN THE KNOW and have AMAZING sources said the trade was tied to the Eagles? I mean – how can they be wrong? I blame the fans because you people copied and pasted their tweet which made the whole deal go bad. It’s your fault!
Cowboys are going to end up with the best player in this draft. Goddammit.
Jack or Ramsey?
I’m thinking Ramsey, but either would annoy me forever.
same here
So our game plan is to trade back to #15 for our 2nd and our 4th back, right?
Titans get Ronnie Stanley (who they were rumored to like almost as much as Tunsil).
We effectively get a 2nd and 4th for moving back from 13.
Paxton Lynch
William Jackson III
Eli Apple
Jack Conklin
Corey Coleman
Darron Lee
Josh Doctson
As potential targets…..
As a bonus, we also have Bradford.
Just sayin’.
We own our own 4th. The 4th for 5th swap was last year.
We traded up to the TEN 4th, so I meant getting our original 4th back. But I’m still wrong, because it’s going to LA.
Totally forgot about Demarco.
Thanks for bringing back those terrible memories.
Jerk.
Comparing this year’s LB corps to the epically bad 2011 one is damning with some faint praise IMO.
The other comparison is will they be as good as last year’s corps of Ryans – Kendricks – Alonso- Hicks. Unknown of course now and the scheme change does have an impact, but certainly the depth this year needs major help and we better start praying for good health now.
I think less LBs on the field will be a step up for the defense. The 3-4 limited the production from the best unit on the team. I agree with you on the depth issue there at LB, they need to add a couple more bodies.
Hopefully… schwartz defense is supposed to be much less complicated than what Billy Davis was asking of our LBs, so hopefully having to think less will better unleash all their athleticism and łet them play fast. I find it promising that Schwartz named kendricks in additipn to Curry as guys he plans on unleashing that were handcuffed by last years scheme. Bradham played some nice ball two years ago under schwartz… Hopefully we can get at least 14 games out of our 3 LBs… Certainly will need to add Depth, think it’s also very Important to add immediate DL depth to strengthen the DT rotation starting week 1. Think it would be HUGE if we could add another Young DT who’s talent is closer to Logan/Cox than Harr/Beau Allen…. Thiink we really NEED 3 starting Caliber DTs in our rotation, it’s also important that The DT can bring more to our interior pass rush rotation than Hart and Beau Allen…adding a 3rd DT with interior pass rush ability, and Marcus Smith being capable to add something as a #4 DE, or Front 4 pass rush could be a terror next year,. And it doesn’t hurt that we have some nce blizing LB and Safeties for whenevr Schwartz wants to dail up some Extra Heat on the QB
..
If something crazy happens and we can have Myles Jack flying around behind Cox, our Defense could lap the other defenses in our division
One might call it a charientism, even.
I feel we are much better served to have our DL attack in a 4-3 vs. DL playing patient in a 3-4 considering our roster, LB’s: Kendricks/Hicks i feel pretty good in either scheme as being playmakers, consistency will be the question i think.
Agreed, but consistency is always a question. I’m more worried about durability with Hicks.
Hicks, Bradham and Kendricks annual Hamstring pull all come with durability concerns unfortunately.. LB depth is on its way via the draft.. Be great if we could sigń or make a modest trade To add a decent backüp LB, and draft a LB we would have two new back ups to form our 2nd unit with Najee Good.
..
Need a backup MIKE and a Backup SAM
..
If we could actually get like 14 games out of our 3 starters, it could be the best group of LB we seen in a long time
Yup, and I think Schwartz will utilize Connor Barwin’s versatility and give him some looks at LB. It would be poor use of resources if he didn’t. Injuries are unavoidable and Barwin is a good backup plan should one of the starting LBs get hurt significantly.
Think schwartz will keep Barwins LB versatility in his back pocket, and whip it out every once in a while in big games like the playoffs where Barwin shutting down a BIGTIME TE like Jimmy Graham becomes a crucial enough part of that weeks match up to be worth taking Barwin off our edge rush rotation that will need to be at least 4 Deep under schwartz
They could Joker him at times.
Another thing: several of our guys already know how to 2-gap, so he has the option of multiple fronts.
I love the idea of Barwin in the Joker role. It feels like he’s tailor made for it.
While some have been discounting Barwin’s value this offsesaon, I think he’s valuable as ever. He’ll be a good D-line player, can confuse defenses in a Joker role, and can help out at LB when some inevitably go down with injury. Hell, he might even be more valuable this year when it’s all said and done.
Yeah And it’s also similar to Schwartz talking about able to line up in a 5 man line with all pass rushers, and keep changing which of the 5 players drops back as a linebacker since so many or our pass rushers got experience dropping into coverage as 3-4 OLBs..
..
Something like: MS2, BG, Cox, Curry, Barwin… And the OL DOESNT know which of The 4 will be the linebacker who drops into coverage, so even tho we are not blitzing since we still end up only rushiñg 4, not knowing which 4 are coming after the QB could create similar confusion for the OL that blitzing creates while only rushiñg 4….. since BG, Barwin, MS2 all have experience to drop into coverage on an occasional 3rd down. The OL DOESNT know which 4 to block, and the QB doesn’t know which of the 5 is dropping in the passing Lane. easier to pull this off now that we have two badass tackling safeties that should have a big year on 3rd down making the tackle short of the first down with Schwartz DL pressure forcing the QB to get the ball out fast
Has any draft had the #1 & #2 picks traded?
Since 1967, when the common draft began (NFL-AFL):
The 1st and 2nd overall picks — alone — have never been traded in the same draft.
But . . . the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd overall picks have been traded in the same draft three times:
1968, 1975, 1997.
__________
The 2nd and 3rd overall picks have been traded six times in the same draft:
1970, 1977, 1983, 1988, 1998, 2000.
(In 1985, the 2nd through 4th overall picks were dealt.)
___________
Most entertaining Top of Rd 1 . . .
2012 — when picks 2 through 7 in 1st Rd were all traded.
Shady Classy as always on Twitter… SMH.
Immaturity at its finest.
It’s one thing to take a shot a Deangelo Russell, but wtf he is doing going at Lou Williams like that… There has never even been any rumors of sweet Lou hitting a woman.. Guess he feels more empowered then ever to be a jackass since he came out unscathed from his drama with the police
Kind of Cool that this years HardKnocks is already filming because it wants to cover not just training camp like they have always done, but this year they want to cover the Rams entire offseason move to LA. Cameras are already filming, so we should get a behind the scenes peak at how this trade unfolded
Ah . . . now I understand why the Rams made the trade.
Another wink/nod deal with the NFL that at least one of the 2nd Round guys they wanted will be off limits to the other 31 teams so the Rams can get him in Rd 4.
So the Rams created some great TV. And they get a couple of their key draft targets.
Jaylon Smith..
The Titans GM is going to have a lot of fun on draft night.
..
So Jealous, They added picks 15, 43, 45,76 in this draft, 1st and 3rd next year from a Rams team that probably won’t make the playoffs…..all they gave up was #1, 113 and 177.
..
They are going to have 4 top #50 picks and like 6 top #80 picks because their own 2nd and 3rd round picks are at The beginning of each round… WOW! And to then be stacked again in next years draft, THATS just amazing,,, this so much more valuabke than just taking Tunsil #1
And they will have another top 10 pick again next year lol
Insanity… So much better than just drafting Tunsil #1… They got all these picks and their own second and third round picks are at the beginning of each round… That’s just amazing. So jealous
They’ll probably have two top 10 picks.
Sam Bradford helped his former team land another possible franchise QB. That guy is capable of some amazing things off the field isn’t he?
Can somebody explain to me why people on twitter keep saying the Browns can now demand a monster deal for Goff?
Why the fuck would the Browns fuck around and not just pick Goff?
I expect they will.
because they’re the Browns? Since when has common sense played much of a part in their dealings.
Did the Titans bluff a trade with the Eagles to force the Rams to trade with them instead of the Browns?…with the assumption that they would take Tunsil at 1 instead of a QB, did they have to create rumors of other teams trading to #1’to force QB needy teams to pay them a kings ransom instead of feeling like they could pay the Browns and still get the top QB?
..
Might make a little more sense why there was so much Eagles trade up talk when Roseman always hides his true intentions this time of yeàr and has never been as Transparant as the media was making it seem this year
Would prefer mostly Sunday 1PM games.
Hell yeah!!
Not me. I like when I can watch my kids play soccer, get stuff done at home, send them to bed, and watch the Eagles in peace and quiet.
This, a million times, infants/toddlers and football dont mix well.
Give it a couple of years. You will be volunteering to run flags on the sideline so you can listen to the game with earbuds and not hear other parents updating each other on the score.
Not to mention that’s it’s pretty wonderful to have non Eagles football on in the background when hanging out with young kids around the house. There’s only so much attention you can pay to Candyland.
Well, today’s trade leaves us one step closer to Stanley at 8.
Not gonna happen
We’ll see.
Wentz/Goff will go 1-2
Which puts Stanley even closer to 8, unless I’m missing something… you think he gets picked by the Ravens?
No. I think he’ll be there if the Eagles want him. I think they’ll like someone more.
Titans reportedly really like Stanley. If he’s there at 8, I’d heavily consider swapping 8 for 15 and 43.
Id probably be down with that unless Jack happens to be available at #8
That’s a real possibility… it’d be great if the team can get 2-3 starter quality picks out of this class.
how is it a step closer? Stanley was going to be there at 8 before this trade
You’re all missing the obvious:Eagles are trading for Mariotta!!!!!!
Common knowledge. Urlacher, too.
975TheFanatic
@975TheFanatic
“I already hear there’s problems in the building between Chip & Baalke” – @BaldyNFL
Bwaah haah haaah
Baalke must not be a football guy
If Baalke is really on the hot seat, then he is playing with Fire hiring a coach that Gamble sided with against the last GM(Roseman)
,.
Wouldn’t be shocked if this all ends with Baalke getting Axed, Tom Gamble being elevated as Chips GM, which would be great because may be it would lead to crazy chip trades… Would it be a surprise if Chip and Gamble are already plotting on pushing Baalke out of there?
..
King Snake, Jerry Colangelo would be proud of chips backstabbing ways
Gamble is a Colangelo level snake, and plays the same way – get in, then shit all over anyone in your way with extensive media campaign of leaks and smears that reporters lap up because it produces page clicks.
Interestingly Jerry Colangelo took a parting shot at Hinkie: “not a basketball guy”
Looking at the draft where we got Jerome Brown with the #9 pink.
The #8 was Shane Conlan. Not bad. And the #10 was Rod Woodson. Better yet.
and in the meantime,.. Jimmy K. is still crying about the Bradford trade. I wish he would just let go. lol
Well it was an expensive (in $$ and assets) trade that has shown very poor returns so far. If Foles was our QB with Maclin (resigned with saved $$) then probably Chip is still our Coach and we win the NFC LEast.
It was a bad trade (so far) that has cost the Eagles in the short an long term. Do think we should move on… they guys who did the trade are long gone even if we are still paying the price.
Maclin was tampered with and agreed to a deal before he was allowed. Eagles tried to counter but Maclin didn’t want to go back on his agreement. So that wasn’t going to happen.
(Was still a lousy trade)
He might also have prefered playing under Reid than Chip.
Yes, we have overpaid for Bradford. But no need to be still crying about it. Something that Mr. Jimmy K. doesn’t stop doing today on Twitter, after the Rams trade with the Titans. What a child.
Not a huge Jimmy K fan but I am with him on this. Hammer it home so it never happens again. In my past team leadership roles I would always always always point out multiple issues even on the most seemingly perfect scenario. Some guys really didn’t get it, I wrote them off as stupid or uncaring. Others loved it, and I loved them for it.
You must have been fun to have around.
And I don’t think that “hammer it home so it never happens again” is any kind of actual cause and effect in the real world.
“Jeffrey, I’d really like to make this trade. Thoughts?”
“Don’t you dare, Howie! You remember what Jimmy Kempski drilled into us, right? It should be in our muscle memory by now after all of those reps. No trade!”
I think it’s just as likely that Rams ruin whoever they bring in this year as it is that bradford is successful next year.
Silly goose. Way to be so literal and specific. The lesson here is not to trade a known commodity for unknown commodity and give more for the unknown.
Yes, Jimmy is the worst reporter in the world. But no need to be still crying about it. Something that Mr. GE doesn’t stop doing today on Twitter, after the Rams trade with the Titans. What a child.
all meant in fun. But really, dude…
touche.
The other night Chris Davis struck out twice. Just so happens his other 2 at bats were a two run single, and two run homer. Chris Davis can strike out. Really don’t want a LBer that strikes out, especially in the wide 9. His homes runs will rarely (don’t think they have ever) put up 6. His strikes outs can easily go for 6.
I see the talent and by no means hate Kendricks. I really do like him. Just uber frustrating to see him play so out of control. In this scheme that shit has to end. Hopefully his mindset will adjust. Like Hicks said. The line attacks the LBs clean up the mess. Keep your head about you. In that 3-4 the LB had to make plays.
Yes, LBs have to do a lot of cleanup as it is playing behind four one-gap DL.
Hopefully the coaching of JS, the experience of Nigel B having played for JS, and the smarts and leadership of Hicks can corral his tendency to loose focus, overrun plays.
Absolutely freaking ludicrous…
https://twitter.com/NFL_CFB/status/720617566138445825
So Brady went in Rd 6 because . . . .
No time for more discussion.
I have an appointment on planet Earth.
Don’t make me whip out my Mike Mayock quote collection….
don’t make me……
Dude is a clown
do it. do it.
ok fine just one,
““This year to me, Rueben Randle has some questions; Alshon Jeffrey has some questions; Brian Quick from Appalachian State,” he said.” [Justin Blackmon does not have questions]
-Mike Mayock
ok one more,
“The kind of projection I want to make with Manziel is Steve Young,” Mayock says, referencing the Hall of Fame San Francisco 49ers quarterback.
-Mike Mayock
What are the chances we could drop back to 15, recoup or 2nd rounder, and still pick up Lynch, who was in for a visit just before this happened…
https://twitter.com/Edwerderespn/status/720658334920126465
8.34979861%
Give or take
I have to ask my wife. 😉
Possible but I am not sure he’s still there. SF might take him at 7. QB’s are usually “overdrafted”
0.
Keep running the rumor out there… 😉
I’m sure the Eagles at least had a “firm” offer of a 4th or 5th round pick to exchange first round picks… he wouldn’t be a liar but it doesn’t mean we were all that close either.
So given what teams are willing to give up for QB, why risk trading down IF that’s your guy? Plus we have 4 top 100 picks.
I could see them trading down for another position and taking Hogan with 2nd round pick they get if offer is made.
if there is one team that can draft a great prospect Qb number one and then have tremendous success its the rams.
good news is we can get Wentz from them in 5 years for 2nd rounder plus chase daniels
Rams are leaning to taking Carson Wentz and Jared Goff with 1st pick in draft.
With the #1 overall pick, we select Carson Goff. That means we get both of them, right?
Carson Goff it is.
CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Rams pulled off a blockbuster trade with the Titans Thursday, leapfrogging the Browns to move up to No. 1 to draft either Carson Wentz or Jared Goff.
Question is, which one will they take?
Sam Farmer of Los Angeles Times reports they are targeting North Dakota State’s Carson Wentz, but that Goff is still heavily in the mix and now they have time to decide. The draft is April 28-30.
Farmer reports that it will definitely be one of the two quarterbacks and that they will “turn over every stone.”
One league source told cleveland.com that he’s hearing the Rams prefer Goff, who’s the top choice of analytics sites such as Football Outsiders and profootballfocus.com.
If the Rams take Wentz, that would leave Goff for the Browns at No. 2, and they may have favored him anyway. As of the NFL Combine, Hue Jackson preferred Goff, a league source told cleveland.com.
Others have recently reported that the Browns like Goff over Wentz, including Jason LaCanfora or CBS Sports and former Browns senior writer Vic Carucci of the Buffalo News, who remains close to those in the Browns organization.
Carucci tweeted Thursday that if the Rams draft Wentz, “Browns get the guy they really want: Goff.”
But it might not be that simple.
If the Rams reverse field and draft Goff, will the Browns take Wentz at No. 2? Or will they trade the pick?
If Wentz is available at No. 2, at least two teams will likely be interested: the Cowboys and the Eagles. The Cowboys fell in love with Wentz when they coached him for a week at the Senior Bowl in January. The Eagles also like him a lot, sources say.
The Browns now have Robert Griffin III and are optimistic about his chances of succeeding, so they’re not desperate to take a quarterback.
Browns Executive Vice President Sashi Brown also told Sirius XMNFL radio on Wednesday that interest in the No. 2 pick is heating up and that they’ll listen to offers over the next two weeks.
Interest will ramp up now that other players will be available at No. 2, including offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil, pass-rusher Joey Bosa and cornerback Jalen Ramsey. Tunsil is believed by many to be the best overall player in the draft.
If the Browns opt to trade down they might be able to land one of the second-tier quarterbacks in the draft, such as axton Lynch of Memphis or Connor Cook of Michigan State.
One top NFL talent evaluator this week told cleveland.com that he believes Lynch is better than Goff.
Both Lynch and Cook are developmental projects, but could sit behind Griffin for a year or two.
The Browns might also surprise folks and pick a non-quarterback at No. 2, such as Tunsil, Bosa or Ramsey — but this option seems a lot less likely than a quarterback or trading down.
The Browns have spent considerable time scouting both Goff and Wentz this offseason, attending their Pro Days and spending private time with them.
“(Goff’s) a tremendous kid,” Jackson told NFL Network after his Pro Day at Cal. “Obviously him being here at Cal, we have a little insight as to what he is, but he’s a tremendous young man. Had a tremendous career, has a lot of poise, obviously accuracy, can throw the ball with anybody, make all of the throws, but I think you guys all know it’s more than that than just playing quarterback. That guy has to be the face of the franchise, so just kind of want to find out as much as we can and be able to evaluate it all as we go through this process.”
Jackson, who almost got Cal head coaching job in Goff’s freshman year, said he’d rely on his instincts to know if Goff can be the guy. At Cal, Goff went from a 1-11 freshman season to 8-5 and a bowl appearance in 2015.
“You try to spend as much time as you can and talk to as many people as you can and then at the end of the day it really comes down to your gut and what you feel inside about the person,” he said. “I’ve been in this league long enough to have an understanding of what those guys feel like, act like, look like, talk like. So you’ve got to try to kind of trust yourself as you go through this process.”
Jackson said he’s noticed all the intangibles about Goff, who threw 96 touchdowns and 30 interceptions.
“Watching him go through his process here of starting where things weren’t as good to watch the team grow over his career and get better says a lot about him,” he said. “The stick-to-itness, the leadership, the ability to have some charisma through it all is really important and I think he’s handled that all extremely well.”
Jackson was the only NFL head coach who made it out to Wentz Pro Day at North Dakota State, in part because of a snowstorm that blanketed the middle of the country. He came away impressed, and not concerned about Wentz’ FCS status.
“We drafted Joe Flacco (when he was in Baltimore) and he played at a small school,” said Jackson. “So it’s not about that. It’s ‘Can the guy play?’ There’s a lot of players from small schools that are playing well in the National Football League. It’s about creating an environment playing great and I think we can do that.”
NFL Network’s Mike Mayock, who attended and analyzed the pro day, raved about him.
“I’m more convinced than ever that he’s the top quarterback in this draft,” said Mayock. “He’s 6-5, 237 and he’s every bit as athletic as Andrew Luck and Cam Newton.”
The Titans traded the No. 1 pick to the Rams for the 15th overall pick in this year’s draft, two second-round picks (43 and 45), and a third-rounder (76) in 2016. The Titans will also receive the Rams’ first-round pick in 2017, along with their third-round pick in next year’s draft.
In addition to Tennessee’s No.1 pick this year, the Rams will also receive a fourth-round pick (113) and sixth-round pick (177) in 2016.
“Being able to acquire six players in the top 76 this year, along with next year when you factor that into it — I am assuming five in the top three rounds — that is 11 players that we can add to this football team that should not only increase our depth, but give us good quality players at all those positions,” Titans general manager Jon Robinson said.
“In the end we thought it was a decision that was best for this football team. It made sense for us to do it, and that’s why we moved on it. We talked to several teams about the pick. There was interest in the pick, and in the end we thought this was the option that made the most sense for us…We think we can really bolster this roster with the picks that we now have.”
http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2016/04/rams_leapfrog_browns_reportedl.html
Guess rams finally realized they didn’t know what to do with all the extra picks anyways, might as well trade them all
best explanation ever
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport cautions “not to rule out a trade” that would net the Eagles the No. 2 overall pick. RapSheet confirms Philly was “in discussions” to jump to No. 1 before Thursday morning’s Los Angeles-Tennessee deal. National opinion is now shifting toward the Rams selecting Cal QB Jared Goff, leaving North Dakota State’s Carson Wentz at No. 2. If the Browns would prefer to collect picks rather than select Wentz — and the Eagles are willing to give up a draft-pick ransom — we could see another blockbuster deal near the top of the draft.
According
to NFL Network’s Mike Silver, the quarterback Browns coach Hue Jackson
wants is “gone” following the Rams’ move up to No. 1 overall. Whereas many reports have L.A. targeting Carson Wentz, Silver is of the belief the Rams will take Jared Goff. Long tight with Jackson, Silver’s reporting-speculation suggests Jackson was higher on Goff than Wentz. Silver also reports the Rams-Titans deal was completed on Wednesday night, but Jeff Fisher didn’t want to announce it until Thursday because Kobe Bryant was playing his final NBA game. Reading tea leaves, it sounds like Jackson isn’t in love with one of the draft’stop quarterbacks, suggesting Cleveland may continue to try to trade
down.
impossible. never going to happen. Why? because in the last thread:
.@AllbrightNFL is reporting that the Eagles are “heavily leaning toward” drafting Ezekiel Elliott.
…
Sooner or later — somebody has to be right…
He said that with the caveat of if they stay at 8.
Its impossible and never going to happen because Allbright said that? Correct me if I am wrong but isn’t this the guy that has been wrong on numerous occasions and the same guy that Kempski keeps calling out for being wrong?
He’s hit on several items. I think Allbright comes off as a douche and sometimes tries to play both sides of the fence but I’m confident that he has legit sources. Sources give reporters true info at times so they can be used for the sources’ agenda later. The reporters are well aware of that. They’ll do the source’s bidding as long as they get the occasional scoop in return. It’s a symbiotic relationship.
That’s why I think calling out a reporter for being wrong is silly. They may be wrong but that doesn’t mean they didn’t have a source that told them the info.
I should of rephrased what I said but I wasn’t discrediting him at all Greg to be honest. I was just trying to have eagleyank elaborate on why he thinks trading up for a QB is not going to happen solely based on him saying the Eagles are really in on Elliot.
Didn’t Allbright break the Nick Foles/Sam Bradford trade? I agree with Greg that he does comes across as a thin-skinned douche, but he seems to have legit sources.
I have a list of guys I follow on Twitter for free agency and the draft and then unfollow in the offseason. Allbright is definitely one of them.
Silver 100% has better access to Jackson than anybody. I’m not sure how much that’s worth with this story, but Silver and Jackson are tight.
Very interesting. I don’t trust anybody right now, and assuming Cleveland and LA don’t swap picks at some point, I don’t see any org moving up the board until draft night.
Just a question – did Kelley interview for the Titans’ job or go after that position real hard?
It was reported that the Titans had no interest in Chip. He even had to have his agent reach out to San Fran to set up an interview. There wasn’t much market for his services.
Think he had a want-ad in the Thrifty Nickel: “Winning NFL HC with GM experience seeking NFL franchise. GM duties strictly franchise option.”
Then at the bottom in really small fine print was “Disclaimer: Completely botched my first GM job and forgot how to call offensive plays by my 3rd year”
IDK but getting turned down by the Titans has to be the ultimate ego killer.
Gotta think MM must have drov some of that. Considering how much Kelly yeasted him up, seems like feelings not shared
I believe he bent over the GM’s desk and begged for it, but they weren’t interested in soiling themselves.
There wasn’t an interview as far as I know. Just leaked “interest” from Chip.
Rams got hosed. Dumbasses should have been the first team to know you don’t dump a ton of draft picks for an unproven QB.
Jeff Fisher is on an expiring contract trying to get an extension done… Securing a QB with the #1 pick ensures that he will get an extension and allowed to continue stealing money. Oldest trick in the book
Understatement of the century.
Lol he made the Rams give up a shit ton so that they could justify extending him. brilliant! Fisher is from LA…. The best part is he only makes something like 500k less than Bellichick..
..
All the work those scouts have been doing all year down the toilet, so that fisher could get extended. Has to suck being a Ram scout. After all the work you did, the team will pick #1, and then in like round 4 and 6 and call it a day….
.
Wonder how much pressure from the owner and marketing Execs to take the California boy?
..
But the skins fans have a lot of nerve laughing at the Rams… Rams moved up from 15 and paid less than Skins paid to move up 4 spots for a bust who plays for the Browns.. Who the hell are they laughing at. At least Goff and Wentz still have a chance unlike that scab Bob Griffin they draft
This is how I’m still employed at my job, too.
It’s doubtful the Rams owner even knew about the deal.
Or the GM.
I am beginning to believe that Jeff Fisher is more of a symptom than a reason for the Rams atrocious track record. Check out this video: Stan the man, who together with his wife and sons own the Rams, the Denver Nuggets, the Colorado Avalanche…and The British Football Club, Arsenal, told the fans of St.Louis in 2010 that he’d do everything “possible” to keep the Rams in St. Louis. Les Snead, the Rams GM did the RG3 heist a mere one month after taking over, and this is is first GM gig. The generator of the hapless aura that surrounds this organization is not on the sidelines or in the GM’s box; it is sitting in his 725M ranch home. That’s right, $725,000,000.00!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15O_b-Ijy-k
yeah they have way too much $$, interestingly all the teams they own are terrible.
725M and not even a second floor?
Kroenke is an utter cunt, but he doesn’t meddle in day to day decesions.
This guy would disagree with that statement.
http://www.tampabay.com/resources/images/blogs-photo/rendered/2016/03/lovie030716_8col.jpg
They were only hosed if you don’t like the QB. As far as points go; they paid just about fair value for that pick. This isn’t the RG3 debacle.
Whereas normally a draft prospect is a proven QB?
This is the reason I don’t think the Eagles are seriously interested in a QB in round 1. If they were, we probably wouldn’t know about it beforehand.
https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/720701291689820160
I don’t think it was a secret the Rams were in the running. We talked about them using our second round puck to leap us ever since the draft order cam out.
Surprised they were able to get all the way to #1. I figured they would have to trade up to the 5-8 range first, and then trade up again on draft night
so are we to think Eagles are looking for a safety or an OL?
My best guess would be kicker or fullback.
Exactly… Typically you DONT hear anything but a calm before a Howie storm. No one hears anything in the works before he pulls a crazy trade out like Miami trade, Meco trade. SPROLES trade was the only one we knew was a possibility beforehand.
..
Its always possible that The Titans used a trade up with the Eagles rumor to put some added pressure on the Rams, or to make teams trade with them instead of the Browns even tho everyone knew the Titans were no threat to take a QB
..
It would be really strange if all of the sudden all the media is finding out Rosemans true intentions. Roseman would probably hold it against a GM if he leaked our offers and intentions
..
But who knows.. After the draft. They will claim that we got the player we wanted all along
As if the Rams didn’t know who they will be picking. Lol @ media.
What, you don’t give up that level of compensation without a firm idea?
Of course not. What idiot would?!
Yeah, agree… What a laugher. And I wouldn’t be surprised if the “leaning toward Goff” stuff is nothing but an attempt to potentially entice Cleveland into trading picks with them.
“He lasted until the third round of the draft because of concerns about his durability.”
Um, no.
Hicks did not “last” until the 3rd round, the Eagles chose to ignore his injury history and take him early. He was going to “last” until the 4th or 5th round otherwise.
http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/profiles/jordan-hicks?id=2552315
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/553131/jordan-hicks
Great promise as a rookie, but it isn’t like he fell into our lap.
Bengals reporters tweeted right after we drafted HIcks that the Bengals were planning on taking him with their pick a few spots later in the 3rd.
That was, and remains, pure BS. They took Paul Dawson in the supplemental. I think that was the Bengals misinforming people away from the fact they wanted Dawson.
maybe they got dawson b/c they didn’t get hicks?
Dawson oozes “Bengal” if you look at his profile, etc. I doubt it.
And Hicks was far better as a rookie.
Can’t believe people are still complaining that Hicks was a “reach”.
I agree he was better, but that doesn’t mean you still couldn’t have drafted both Clemmings AND Hicks if you’d had played around more with some trades.
I mean, you get your guy.
And presuming health, Hicks will be our MIKE for a long time.
I don’t agree that you fuck around when you like a guy.
Look at the Rams – it was recently reported they liked Kendricks and Wagner, they traded back 5 spots, and missed both.
So they could draft Isaiah Pead with an extra 5th? Not always worth it.
Hindsight is 20/20. How often do you see teams trying to get cute like that? They either take the guy they like, or stockpile because no one jumped out at them.
Right but I can’t believe people want to vote drumpf
Wait but but Media Mike knows that draft gurus are always right.
Sounds like semantics. Injuries almost certainly had him moved down the boards.
How cozy are the NFL GM’s with one another? Sure it will depend on personality and style, but can Howie call up Les Snead and ask who the Rams are going to take, and get an honest answer? Clearly the Rams may be reviewing their preferences at this point, but they will lock in prior to draft day, I would expect, and they would have nothing at all to lose by giving a sincere response to a strategically key question. I would think that if HR has done Les a good turn in the past, and if Snead is comfortable horse trading with Howie, that it may be possible, BUT news of such an inquiry could possibly bite HR.
News of the inquiry wouldn’t hurt, I don’t think.
Eagles and Rams should have a decent relationship after the big trade they made last year. Only issue is they are both in the same conference, but it’s not as though it’s the Broncos and Patriots. I think if Howie asks nice enough, they tell him. Keep the good will flowing.
I was thinking specifically that if it was intended to be kept confidential, and Rams blurted to another confidante, say Trent Baalke, then SF gets a real good idea of Philly’s intentions. Of course, with all of the misdirection, misinformation and outright lying that goes on at this time of year, maybe nobody believes anything until a deal is struck.
I’d be shocked if it isn’t Wentz. I don’t think you need to call.
I’m probably part of the few that are glad that we have no shot at Carson Wentz.
I don’t mind so much having a shot at a potentially good QB, I am very glad at not having a shot at trading the farm for a chance of a QB that may not even pan out.
Potential.
Wentz has potential.
Lynch has potential.
Cardale Jones and Jacoby Brisset has potential.
Even the god awful Hackenberg has potential
The thing is..those guys aren’t likely to reach that potential because they relied on their athleticism more than what’s between their ears. Could they get better? Maybe but I wouldn’t bet on it.
If only they could be as lucky as Bradford, who has potential coming out of his ears he has so much. And each year he still has that potential. Potential to do what? I’m not sure.
In general to this statement
“they relied on their athleticism more than what’s between their ears”
AMEN
It’s a great strategy when you’re in a league where you’re athletically more gifted than just about anyone else. It doesn’t work when you’re in a league with only those types of athletes. See Reggie Bush.
Sounds like ZEKE(!!!!)
As much as I want Zeke I have to admit that you’re absolutely right.
but but Zeke was calling out plays while blocking!!
I really dont want to pay a crazy price for anyone in this draft
Really have to agree. Maybe move up for Jack or Tunsil, if it doesn’t cost you a fortune, but those are the only 2 I would consider.
Yeah I’d be down to try to move up to #5 for them… Anything higher than that is probably too absurdly expensive for my taste, especially when talking about an inexact science like the draft… Prefer to go the analytic route and draft like 9 or 10 kids and hope to come away with at least 5 solid players.
..
Think we had a really solid pffseason so far, and that we are better off using all our picks because if we can hit on like 3 starters and 3 role players it would go a long way to really making this a quality offseason.. We need two solid drafts in a row, if hate to give away two drafts worth of top 100 picks.. I don’t like any prospect enough to pay that.
I like Goff more than Wentz, but I still find Wentz interesting.
I wouldn’t completely rule out LA drafting the kid from Cal. If they ARENT above letting Fisher pay a ton to get the a QB #1 so that he can get extended, then probably can’t rule out for them letting a shameless marketing ploy of taking the kid from Cal as a tie breaker between two QB’s, if they have them closely rated
.
Every reporter has reported that every team is trading up for both QBs at some point in the last two weeks.
..
“If they ARENT above letting Fisher pay a ton to get the a QB #1 so that he can get extended . . . “
____________
Who is the “they” in your statement?
The owner? The GM? Both?
Other people?
I feel like the Rams + Browns are trying to mind-game each other. Then again I don’t think the Browns will pass up a QB and risk trying their luck to grab Lynch in the second.
Imagine if PHI took Lynch at #8. There would be riots.
I’d be leading them.
I’d be happy with that pick.
bReaking:
The LA Rams have won the coin toss (against themselves) and elect to select QB […..]!! Lol @ media
Greg; don’t tease us.
https://twitter.com/igglesnut/status/720721391541215232
see a lot of Ls on that schedule.
I agree. Washington, Giants, Cowboys, and especially Steelers fans are all losers.
Good catch.
I assume you’re using Roman numerals.
Eagles L Giants VII
Eagles LV Cowbyos III
Eagles LVI Redskins (what’s the roman numeral for zero?)
Zero hadn’t been invented yet (true story).
Me too, daLLas, daLLas Lions, baLtimore, seattLe, steeLers. But I bet we win most of the games.
BAL, SEA, CIN are some tough away games. Everything else seems reasonably winnable.
Also, a week 10 bye is awesome.
W-L will ultimately take care of itself, but as always I want both Giants games to be wins. Also, the Pittsburgh game would be a great W.
LOVE to play Baltimore. Hope we welcome that scumbag Suggs back to the NFL week 1
GET FUCKING IN LIVERPOOL!!!!!!!!
ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
https://twitter.com/hbalzer721/status/720724319727259648
Nice work Howie!
Helping TEN out, making nice with Jon Robinson, hoping for a landing spot if he gets fired by Lurie?
I’m wondering if Howie is daring Jerry to make the jump to 2. That would be some Littlefinger level shit, if true. Get Jerry to take a guy you don’t want anyway, but gut his draft picks in the process.
That be awesome..today Caplan talked about how he didn’t believe Dallas wanted to draft a QB but was surprised to learn just how much work they legitimately put into Evaluating this years class of QBs.. Claims they are much more serious about QBs than he thought
..
If Dallas takes a QB, think that would be a clear sign that Jerry’s son has really taken control of the team, because everything about jerry screams him being in win now mode and not being smart enough to do something smart that can’t pay off right away
Sounds like they might be able to work out a framework for a #8 / #15 swap…..
That would also be some interesting dealing, if TEN is indeed interested in Stanley, as reports indicate. Get a first next year and a second this year. I have no idea if that’s realistic but it sounds fun.
TEN reportedly had Stanley rated pretty close to Tunsil….
I think a 2nd + 4th feels like good value….
Tennessee does have an extra 1st next year, though…
so why would we pass on Stanley if he’s there then? a second is nothing compared to a premium LT.
It’s a fair point. But the draft is an inexact science. Increase your odds with more picks.
True but filling holes just for the sake of it just doesn’t feel right if we’re not rebuilding..again.
Normally I agree with this logic, but I see the value in Stanley… so, I’d actually be happy either way.
How about a second for a premium RT, since we already spent a top 4 pick and paid a LT contract for Lane Johnson?
I’m sorry but if you think that Chip Kelly’s words about Lane being the future LT is still sticking then by all means I’m going to tell you no.
Move to 15 and get our original 2nd back or the first pick of the 2 nd round?
Nope. I want #33.
Yea, first pick of the 2nd round.
Gotcha. No “or” though. I want 15 and 33 if they want Stanley at 8.
32. I can live with that
LaConfora: “Continues to hear that Chip kelly is more ENAMORED with trying to resssurected BLAINE Gabberts career than selecting a QB in the draft.
..
You can’t believe any reports you hear right now, but as crazy as this sounds,it probably WOULDNT shock many eagle fans if this turns out to be true.. Lol I can see Kiss ass Gamble going along with Chip, talking up Gabbert
It’s not as crazy as it sounds. Gabbert has great pedigree, great measurables, great arm, etc. and has been stuck on the worst teams in the league, particularly offensively, for his entire pro career.
sounds like Bradford
Yep. But Gabbert comes from a spread style offense in college where he didn’t really play under center. I think it’s actually a better fit for CK than trying to fit in Bradford or Nick Foles. Gabbert is way more athletic than those guys. Gabbert is legitimately almost as athletic as Kaepernick. He ran a 4.6 at 6’5″, that’s impressive.
Don’t mean to nitpick your post but Bradford also played exclusively out of the spread at OU as well so its not like he was doing something that he wasn’t used to.
Broncos host Panthers in this years Thursday night season openor… Be great if it’s the Mark Sanchez led Broncos on opening day
Sanchez did whallop the panthers in 2014.
Not for Denver
wonder what it’s like tossing to ball to D. Thomas instead of miles austin.
if Demaryious rebounds from last years disaster season
If that was a disaster then I would trade for him asap.
lol I agree buddy. His down year last year was almost as good as every Eagles’ receiver put together.
D. Thomas – 1304 yards receiving, 6 TDs.
All Eagles receivers together – 2158 yards, 15 TDs.
..
I’d trade every Eagle receiver for Thomas.
only 1300yds and 6tds
He was on a milk carton for most of the Super Bowl run…. Doubt you can find many Denver fans that are hoping he plays like last year… Haven’t heard anything about playing thru a bad injury or anything like that. Maybe his mother coming out of jail screwed with his emotions or concentration. Don’t know how to explain it,,, probably wasn’t the pressure of his contract.
..
Fantasy owners may have been ok with his season. Broncos weren’t thrilled seeing him have a down year right after they gave him big money
And beat down Carolina in the process. Then crybaby Cam and sulk some more.
Schefter a/k/a “The Shameless Tool”
OMG . . . aaargh!!!
_____________
I bet the Rams would be happy to have either one and is trying to get the Browns to trade up to get their preferred guy. Recouping some of their loses and getting a QB seems like a win-win to me if I were the GM.
Slick.
If anyone could pull that off, it’s Les Snead
Would the browns really fall for what the Browns basically did to another team in the draft day Kevin Costner Movie?. Lol that’s an all time low even for them
Have the Browns been any less desperate recently?
Rams didn’t give up all that just for sloppy seconds. Fans might call it a coin flip, but teams have a clear favorite between the two, even if that favorite is different for different teams. Rams want their man.
If they have them equally rated then it would make sense to try to just move down a spot for a pick.
No such thing as equally rated. Everyone has a preference.
There’s almost no chance they have them equally rated, and qb is not likke any other position. They want the best one they can get.
Source = his boss who wants to maximize ESPN ratings on draft night.
Greg:
I linked to a wiki entry on KB’s Colorado incident.
Is that what you’re referring to? It’s what I remembered.
Yes, but there was other evidence that the accuser had purposely altered her work schedule to meet Bryant and told others that she intended to have a sexual encounter with him.
had not heard that. (pre-internet world?)
thx
Not pre-internet, pre-twitter.
I don’t want to suggest that it’s not possible that Kobe might not have done something improper. It’s possible that the accused may have initiated the sexual encounter and changed her mind at some point and Kobe didn’t adhere to her request. However, I don’t see how anyone can look at the totality of the evidence and claim that Bryant was guilty. I’m sure there was some type of confidentiality agreement in the settlement so we’ll probably never know.
Man, having an amazingly talented QB, with a head coach who has been part of a staff that put together one of the greatest defensive units in football history.
Sounds like a winning formula.
🙁
How does the media get their information at this time of year…
We can assumes that the GMs/coaches/owners are not leaking to the media that they are trying to trade up in the draft or what players/positions they are looking to pick in round 1. The only information these higher ups leak to “sources” are based on an agenda to mislead other teams. Let’s face it, Howie, Pederson or Lurie are not calling Ben Allbright and telling him they really want to move up to #1 and pick a QB.
The main group of other people employed by an NFL team that MAY be privy to the strategy of a team are coaches and scouts. I have a tough time believing their is a large circle of people on a team who actually know what a team wants to do.
I imagine it is career suicide if an assistant coach leaks draft info to the media. What possibly could a coach gain by leaking info to the media? I would assume nothing, but have everything to lose.
That leaves us with scouts as the most likely leak, right? Not so fast. Here is a breakdown done by Bleacher Report a few years ago showing where GMs come from.
67% of GMs are former scouts
18% of GMs are businessmen and/or lawyers
6% of GMS are former players
6% are former owners
and the final 3% are actual owners (Hello Jerry)
Scouts are low guys on the totem pole salary-wise in the NFL hierarchy. They would seem like the prime candidates to leak information (if they were privy to it in the first place). What would a scout have to lose since he is probably only making a mid to high 5 figure salary?
A lot! Scouts have one of the few career arcs that start in salary in the lower 5 figures and can culminate in the 7 figures if they become a GM. If a scout is good at their job and wants to move up the ladder, it again would be career suicide if the team found out they were calling Ben Allbright, or whoever, and leaking information. They have everything to lose and nothing to gain by leaking info to the media.
At the end of the day, any info the media has at this time of the year is driven by a GM/head coach/owner. So if the Eagles were looking to move to #1, that was either leaked by the Eagles head brass to throw off other teams, or was leaked by the Titans head brass, to gain leverage on other trade partners.
Lot’s of people give the old “if there’s smoke there’s fire” line, but in today’s world, there is more smoke on Twitter than a 1970’s Cheech and Chong movie. Remember last week when Andy fleeced Lurie and Doug was having an affair. Better yet, when we offered Fletcher Cox and each fan’s newborn for Mariota.
With Rams move to top, figured it was time again for a forum mock draft. I’ll make the 1st pick and then the first person to respond makes the next pick. Please list your reasoning for the selection. If a poster makes a pick, he has to wait at least 5 picks before making another selection.
#1 is obviously between Goff and Wentz. I pick Goff for 2 reasons. One, Fisher’s job security is tenuous and he likely needs a QB that is more ready to step in immediately. IMO, that’s Goff. Second, the Rams are trying to build excitement for their return and sell tickets and the local guy Goff is a selling point.
With the #1 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, the Los Angeles Rams select Jared Goff, QB, California.
Browns up, going to take Jalen Ramsey. Best talent available and they need secondary help.
Chargers. Laremy Tunsil, Tackle. protection for Rivers
Note that selections were made for DAL and JAX above. We are now at the Ravens’ selection.
For the readers benefit, respond to the previous pick when making the next one. That way the are in order.
And the Ravens, looking to mimic their success from the 2000 draft will foolishly take Elliot.
Cowgirls – Carson Wentz
Jags – Myles Jack. Playmaker at LB
I hope Jack and Smith both pass their medical re-checks.
John Clark CSN
@JClarkCSN
1m1 minute ago
Eagles 2016 schedule. Will face 6 playoff teams from last year. #Eagles
Comcast SportsNet and
NBC10 Philadelphia
In case the pic of the schedule doesn’t transfer:
Jimmy Kempski
@JimmyKempski
1m1 minute ago
Eagles schedule: CLE, @ CHI, PIT, BYE, @ DET, @ WSH, MIN, @ DAL, @ NYG, ATL, @ SEA, GB, @ CIN, WSH, @ BAL, NYG, DAL
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Week 2 against Bears is MNF
Week 8 against Dallas is SNF on NBC
Week 12 against GB is MNF
Week 16 is a Thursday Night Football game against NBC
Road game on Sunday against Baltimore and then TNF is going to be tough
Having such an early bye week sucks
New system. New people. Early bye will help that aspect. Hurts those trying to get healthy for Dec-Jan.
Wow were screwed
No, this merely makes it easier for us to score our franchise QB next year!
Depends on the health of some teams but at first glance I think 6-10 is the worst we can do.
Kempski posted the schedule, dreaded week 4 bye.
That does suck
Remember Chaneys first few games starting? Thought he would be a stud. I think Fokou wasnt terrible, he was just very average overall, but if i remember correctly slightly better then average against the run.
Greg Richards
2 hours ago
With Rams move to top, figured it was time again for a forum mock
draft. I’ll make the 1st pick and then the first person to respond makes
the next pick. Please list your reasoning for the selection. If a
poster makes a pick, he has to wait at least 5 picks before making
another selection.
#1 is obviously between Goff and Wentz. I pick
Goff for 2 reasons. One, Fisher’s job security is tenuous and he likely
needs a QB that is more ready to step in immediately. IMO, that’s Goff.
Second, the Rams are trying to build excitement for their return and
sell tickets and the local guy Goff is a selling point.
With the #1 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, the Los Angeles Rams select Jared Goff, QB, California.
*NEW* I’ve bumped this up. We’re waiting for the #7 overall pick. And no being funny and giving Chip Christian Hackenberg at #7!
I’ll keep this up-to-date with the selections
1. Jared Goff QB California L.A. Rams
2. Jalen Ramsey CB/S Florida State Cleveland
3. Laremy Tunsil OT Mississippi San Diego
4. Carson Wentz QB North Dakota State Dallas
5. Myles Jack LB UCLA Jacksonville
6. Ezekiel Elliott RB Ohio State Baltimore
49ers – Deforest Buckner
8. Eagles select OT Ronnie Stanley.
Not an immediate starter but is the future starter once Peters moves on.
Bucs VH3
With the #10 overall pick, the NY Giants select Joey Bosa, DE, NY Giants.
BPA. Pierre-Paul only signed for 1 year, plus Spags like NASCAR packages with mulitple DEs, some aligned as nickel DTs.
11. Bears select OLB Leonard Floyd.
Bears need that premier OLB in their 2nd year playing in a 3-4D.
We’ll go with this because it’s slow right now but in general I’d like people to wait at least 5 picks after making a selection to make a new one.
13. Dolphins! I just don’t think Kiko is enough. Let’s go Darron Lee, Ohio St. BPA, speed for that very average Miami linebacking corps.
12. New Orleans – Sheldon Rankins
I should’ve waited and taken Elliot lol
Some schedule thoughts. For me, the release of the schedule has little to do with the teams we play (since we have known that since the end of the season) and much more to do with the challenges and advantages the team gains from the schedule itself. So with that in mind:
Week 1 (Sunday @1 PM vs. Browns) – If I remember correctly, the last couple years we had a primetime games week 1, so it’s nice to start the season with most of the rest of the league and not have to wait the extra
time to watch the Eagles.
Week 2 (Monday @8:30 @ Bears) – Both teams get the extra day, so no significant advantage/disadvantage.
Week 3 (Sunday @4:25 vs Steelers) – We will have a day less of rest coming of the Monday night game, giving the Steelers an advantage.
Week 4 (Bye week) – This sucks. Having a bye week so early in the season
(earliest it can be) may make things more challenging later in the season. The bye week doesn’t just allow for rest, but allows teams to recover from injuries.
That early in the season, we are unlikely to accrue as many injuries and then won’t have the bye week later in the season to use.
Week 5 (Sunday @1 @ Lions) – We have the extra week off so clear scheduling advantage for us. Hopefully Andy Reid taught DP something about how to prepare during the bye week.
Week 6 (Sunday @1 @ Redskins) – Both teams are coming of 1PM games the previous week. Redskins are also playing an away game the week before while this would be the second away game in a row, although DC is an easy away game to travel to, so hopefully that doesn’t cause a noticeable disadvantage.
Week 7 (Sunday @1 vs Vikings) – Vikings are coming off a bye week, so they have the clear scheduling advantage. At least it’s a home game.
Week 8 (Sunday @8:30 @ Cowboys) – I’m not a fan of this at all. Cowboys are coming off a bye week, so two games in a row we play teams coming off a bye week. Plus, we have to travel to them. From the scheduling standpoint, we are definitely at a disadvantage in this game, a division rival.
Week 9 (Sunday @1 @ Giants) – And it only gets worse… Giants ALSO are coming off a bye week. Again a division rival off a bye week. And while it is a nearby game, we are still the away team. Three weeks in a row playing against teams coming off byes, two of them division rivals. Schedulers did a bad job here.
Week 10 (Sunday @1 vs. Falcons) – Falcons played the week before. Unfortunately, Falcons are coming off a Thursday night game, so they have three days extra rest. It’s not another team coming off a bye, but it may as well be.
Week 11 (Sunday @4:25 @ Seahawks) – Going east coast to west coast. Seahawks are coming off a Sunday night game @ NE but clearly have the advantage being the home team.
Week 12 (Monday @8:30 vs. Packers) – Packers are coming off a Sunday night away game while we are coming off a West coast trip. As the home team, we have a slight advantage.
Week 13 (Sunday @1 @ Bengals) – Bengals have the extra day of rest and are the home team, giving them the advantage.
Week 14 (Sunday @1 vs Redskins) – Both teams coming off away games. Not a long drive for the Redskins so not a major scheduling advantage one way or the other.
Week 15 (Sunday @1 @ Ravens) – Ravens are coming off an away game against NE on Monday night, so we have an extra day rest.
Week 16 (Thursday @8:25 vs. Giants) – Both teams are coming off 1PM games the week before, so no significant advantage one way or the other
in a Thursday night game.
Week 17 (Sunday @1 vs Cowboys) – It’s nice to have the extra rest going into the final game of the season, particularly against the Cowboys. We are also the home team, so the scheduling advantage is ours.
Overall, last season’s schedule was a whole lot better to the Eagles from a scheduling standpoint. Week 7 through Week 11 is going to be a rough stretch of games playing a bunch of teams coming off extra rest. On top of that we have a bye very early in the season. Can’t say I am a fan of the schedulers for the Eagles this season.
Read that twice in the season we’re the 3rd team for a team on a 3-game road trip.
Didn’t see that. That’s definitely an interesting note. I only looked a week before for all the teams we face, but that is a nice advantage to have for those two teams.
Gil Brandt
Verified account
@Gil_Brandt
Two teams have 3-game road trips:
Redskins (Weeks 12-14, DAL, ARI, PHI)
Packers (Weeks 10-12, TEN, WAS, PHI)
Good post. Thanks.
I couldn’t care less about that week 4 BYE…as long as we get a BYE week in week 18.
We had a bye week last year week 18 and everyone was disappointed. Week 18, week 19, week 20,…