Eagles Notebook

Posted: March 18th, 2013 | Author: | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 76 Comments »

Lots of little things to talk about tonight.  Because of that, I’m going to skip over some topics that people asked about.  There were some questions about Howie Roseman and why I keep referring to him as aggressive.  That’s will get covered in the coming days.  The overall state of the Eagles WRs is worth a post of its own.

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For now, quick topics.

The Eagles got a Comp pick…a 7th rounder.

* * * * *

One reader has asked me a few times about Vick being a lefty and how that would affect the read-option.  I don’t think this is a huge factor.  It may take a little extra practice with the footwork and ball-handling on Vick’s part, but this isn’t nearly as complicated as trying to throw with your off arm or something like that.  Vick helped us run the stretch play to the left and right.  That took footwork and ball-handling skills.

More than a lefty-righty issue is Vick having to work on decision-making.  You must make read and instant decisions.  Not all QBs are good at running the option.  Tim Tebow was a good runner, but didn’t always execute the option as well as expected.  His instinct was to run the ball.

* * * * *

The Jeremy Maclin trade rumors got more attention today, but this is still just speculation.  This time Jason La Canfora is on the case.

* * * * *

Would the Eagles have interest in DE Margus Hunt?  Possible.  I’m not a huge fan.  Hunt is tall and freaky athletic, but that doesn’t always show up in games.  He was basically invisible at the Senior Bowl.  Run defense is a major question.  He had 8.5 sacks this year, but only 3 TFLs.  He only had 19 solo tackles.

Kelly loves tall defenders that can get after the QB.  He may love Hunt.  I don’t think Hunt lasts to our 3rd round pick, where I’d consider him good value.  If Kelly wants Hunt, he’ll probably have to take him at pick 35.

If you could ever get Hunt to put the whole package together, he could be a very good NFL DE.

* * * * *

What’s up with Ryan Nassib?  Could he be a target?

The Eagles have shown some interest.  Nassib is another guy where value is the huge question.  I see him as a 2nd or 3rd round target.  Russ Lande, who is a draft guru, sees Nassib as the top QB and would take him in the Top 5.  Lande is famous for thinking outside the box.  He predicted Marc Bulger to be a good pro when others didn’t.  Russ also has some bad misses.  There were various people at the Senior Bowl making fun of him and some of the bad predictions/ratings.

Nassib played for Doug Marrone at Syracuse, so you love the fact he’s been around an NFL style of offense.  Nassib led several comebacks in his career so he handles pressure well.  He’s limited athletically.  The other thing is that Nassib has a limited ceiling.   Could he be as good as Andy Dalton?

I won’t object to taking Nassib at 35, but it sure wouldn’t blow me away.

* * * * *

There were a few interesting comments on today’s edition of Eagles Live.  Check them out here.

* * * * *

NFL Gimpy posted his review of the opening week of free agency around the NFL.  There are several good nuggets in the column.

* * * * *

What about Star Lotulelei as a draft target?  He’s definitely one.  His heart issues do concern some teams.  He won’t be on all 32 draft boards because of that.  Star was thought of as a NT for a while, but would come here as a 5-tech DE.  In time he could slide inside to NT to replace Isaac Sopoaga (2015 maybe).  We did get some good news.  Star will do a full workout at his Pro Day.

* * * * *

Was the interest in Jake Long real?  I think so, but don’t say that with much confidence.  Still no word on the Eagles and Vollmer or Andre Smith.

There was a rumor today on Twitter about the Eagles making an offer to Eric Winston.  Still doesn’t make a lot of sense to me.  We’ll see.

* * * * *

Somebody responded to my comments about Nnamdi being part of the Charmin Brigade with actual proof.  Why didn’t Howie see this photo???

Speaking of Nnamdi bashing…Jimmy Bama and I recorded a show where we covered the first week of Eagles signings.  This is arguably the greatest show we’ve done in the last 10 days.

_

  • Iskar36

    I didn’t get to listen to today’s Eagles Live, but this isn’t the first time I have heard Dave saying we are one player away from having a dominant offensive line. I trust your judgement about how he said it and whether it means more than an observation or random comment, but it certainly seems to be something he has repeated a few times.

    Just based on what rumors have come out, I get the feeling that Todd is going to be moving to RG and at some point we will address the RT spot.

    • SleepingDuck

      Agree on what Spuds said. I remember late in the season him telling Adam that the Birds should a take tackle at 4 when he was asked by a caller who thinks the Birds will take.

      • http://www.facebook.com/jakwaggoner Jack Waggoner

        Couldn’t fault the Eagles for taking a guy like Fisher if he’s on the board.

    • Anders

      In 2011 we had one of the best OLs in the NFL, so if Peters, Kelce and Herremans are healthy and Watkins lives up to his potential, the OL should be the best in the NFL.

      • Iskar36

        The “Watkins living up to his potential” part is the part I worry about. I just don’t know that he is going to develop into a reliable starter. I think Dave has made it clear that he doesn’t fully trust Watkins as well. The question becomes how much of that is him giving his own opinion vs. him giving part of the Eagles’ opinion.

        And just to be clear, I think it is pretty obvious that the Eagles will address the offensive line, and more specifically Watkins. The question really is do they address it with a mid round player who will compete with Watkins or will they go with a guy in the first or second round that would pretty much be penciled in as starter (I’d assume if they went after a RT instead of RG, Heremans would be penciled in as the starter over Watkins).

        • shah8

          Why wouldn’t Herremans go to LOG and Evans to ROG? Bring back that dominant stretch run…

          Man, at times like this, I do think I’d be happier with Warmack. What has been killing us is bad ROG production, and we’re going to keep a smallish C. I want a mauler in his comfortable position, and let Kelly figure his stuff out.

          • Iskar36

            Peters, Mathis, and Kelce looked very good two years ago. Seems like moving Mathis to RG would be an unnecessarily change for him as well as for Peters and Kelce who have most recently gotten used to Mathis between them and played at a high level. I don’t remember if Herremans ever played RG, so there may be some adjustments, but he would be playing next to someone different regardless and I can’t imagine the shift from RT to RG is extremely challenging when you have plenty of previous guard experience.

            I wouldn’t be upset with Warmack, but I absolutely don’t think you can draft him at #4. He was a top level talent prior to the combine, but he struggled to impress at the combine. Add the fact that he is a guard and I think you have to trade back a bit before you can consider drafting him.

          • Anders

            Mathis is a better run blocker than Herremans, also you seems to forget 2011 where Shady for daylight behind Mathis/Peters

      • http://twitter.com/danmats1 Dan Mats

        Seems like you have 4 out of 5 as ifs That’s a lot of ifs.

        • Anders

          The biggest problem is the health, remember in the end of 2011 we had a very very good OL and that was with Watkins been crap.
          The biggest key to the OL is the health of Peters imo

  • Iskar36

    In terms of the Maclin rumor, is that something that Eagles nut and your blog post started? When you wrote your post about it a few days ago, I was under the impression that it was just an idea/suggestion rather than a rumor. But now it has been picked up by a few others and I can’t figure out if the idea came from Eagles Nut and your post or if multiple people have separately come to same conclusion and it has now become a rumor.

    • Anders

      I think the Maclin is made up over at BGN and others are just running with it. There have been a few fanposts over there including one by me on why it would make sense to trade Maclin. Also the Colts owners tweets just give the rumor even more fire.

      I dont think Maclin will be traded at all. I can see the reason why a trade would make sense, but in the end I dont see it.

    • TommyLawlor

      eagles nut had the original idea. Then some guys from BGN talked about it on Twitter. I wrote the post on it and by that point people were speculating about Irsay’s tweets and trying to figure out who he was talking about. Very crazy situation.

    • http://twitter.com/JackfinBauer Jack Bauer

      I think it makes less sense when you see what the Colts have to work with. They only have 6 picks in 2013, with no 2nd or 5th RD picks. Seattle got Harvin for a 2013 1rst, 7th and conditional 3rd in 2014. The Eagles don’t need to trade Maclin as they have plenty of cap room and his $4.5M cap figure isn’t egregious, and the FO has made no assertions that he his not in their future plans. It would take at least a first to peak my interest

      • deg0ey

        Worth considering more than the short term, though. He’s a FA next year and somebody’s gonna pay the man. Given that the Eagles already have big money invested in D-Jax, I find it hard to believe that they’ll want to pay the market rate for Mac. If that’s the case, surely they’d be better off to trade him now than to keep him.

  • Flyin

    Let’s talk Versitility…

    How could you leave out the other dynamics of Sopoaga? According to Matt Maiocco, writer in San Fran, states he played FB a lot for the 49ers last season. Not only that, he came out of the back field and caught a 2yd pass and turned it into a 18yd reception.

    Conclusion A… A beast as a FB with pass catching ability and tremendous YAC. Based off one play I saw.

    Also he can throw the ball 70yds with a flick of the wrist… maybe better arm than Vick.

    Conclusion B… We may have a starting QB disguised as a NT.

    Summary… Chip Kelly is going old school with players that can play both sides of the ball. The Nick Cole dream will come to fruition in abundance.

    Link is below from the interview with Dave Spadaro… video clip of Sop’s catch is just after the 1min mark. Re-shown later in the vid for emphasis.

    http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/multimedia/videos/Maiocco-Sopoaga-A-Force-Inside/d2676fb1-cf40-42a9-9893-0eb3989dfdea

    • TommyLawlor

      I haven’t even had a chance to get into all of that stuff. He is more than just a NT. I do hope we use him at FB in some short yardage situations.

      QB? Why not.

      • Flyin

        My granddad played for RPI and one game he told me about was when they were having their senior ball the night of the game…

        So the coach basically decided to let the seniors be primed for the later festivities, giving them the day off. Therefore, my granddad being an underclassmen ended up playing 7 positions in that game. Offense, defense and special teams. He played basically the whole game. Took awhile to recover from that one.

        • Flyin

          The point to to my above reply is that I respect the ability of players to be athletically multi-dimentional and willing to do whatever is asked of them to help the team.

        • Baloophi

          Can your grandfather play safety?

          • Flyin

            AT 83…. he may be the best we got.

          • http://www.facebook.com/jakwaggoner Jack Waggoner

            I got in trouble for punching out a safety when I was in school. Not a football player. One of those kiddie crossing guards with the “safety patrol” badges.

          • Flyin

            Jack, maybe we could go cow tipping one night?

        • http://twitter.com/Balagast Matthew Donaldson

          RPI as in Rensselaer? That is my alma mater. Don’t hear that school come up often with regards to football.

          • Flyin

            @ Matthew – Yes. Fun fact… Did you know RPI’s men lacrosse team represented the US in the 1948 Summer Olympics for demonstration?

            “The organisation of the Lacrosse Demonstration was carried out by the English Lacrosse Union and this body invited a team from the United States of America to play a match at the Empire Stadium against an All-England Lacrosse side. The visiting team
            was the Rensselaer Polytechnic of Troy, New York State. The U.S.A. team had carried out a tour in Great Britain, and concluded this with the fitting finale of the match at Wembley.”

            The game ended in a 5-5 tie.

          • Flyin

            I thought it was a funny story to share with all the talk of versatile players. He didn’t play all those positions by choice. They were playing with a limited roster and had to fill in at different spots. He took a pounding.

      • shah8

        If we were going to do that, why not JaMarcus Russell?

        I kid, I kid…

        • Mac

          I’m open to the idea of having JaMarcus come in on a vet minimum deal to try out for OG.

          • shah8

            I just want him to lose the dang weight…

          • Sb2bowl

            maybe he can help out on the medical staff; I hear he has a good connection for syrup. :-)

          • Lukekelly65

            I think a JaMarcus Russell vs Danny Watkins RG battle would be the best in camp this year

      • GvilleEagleFan

        Since you bring up the topic of versatile players, I think we all might have been missing a key perspective on the Connor Barwin signing: Chip Kelly’s offense forces the defense to play a ton of snaps. We all know Cole has had issues remaining fresh as the season goes on, and he’s only getting older. I think Barwin’s ability to play both Predator and SAM is actually key to understanding the overall pass rush rotation Davis could employ.

        Suppose we grab Dion Jordan or Ziggy. Also assume that the defense is now going to be on the field for 80 snaps/game instead of a typical 60. You could easily have both the draft pick and Barwin get a typical “starter’s” amount of snaps (55 or so), with Barwin rotating to SAM when the draft pick takes a rest. Then you throw in Graham/Cole at Predator for the remainder of the snaps. You could then see an almost hockey-line concept where tandems of Barwin/Jordan, Graham/Barwin, Graham/Jordan, Cole/Barwin, Cole/Jordan, etc. where our players are always fresh. Few, if any, NFL teams have a pair of OTs athletic enough to be on the field playing at their best for 80 snaps/game. Vinny Curry fits in as the jack-of-all-trades backup in the event any of the starting four get hurt, with an eye on Cole’s snaps in a year or two.

        My main point is that after the Barwin signing, I think it’s even more likely the Eagles go after a strong SAM candidate with their first pick. I think it would be the last piece to our pass-rush puzzle, and more importantly set up the Eagles to have a group of talented pass rushers at their primes in three years or so when the team could be making a deep play off run.

        • GvilleEagleFan

          I also wouldn’t be surprised to see a lot of 4-2-5 sets this year to maximize Cole and Graham’s talents if Barwin and Jordan/Ansah are rotated out at the same time. I can’t believe I’m this excited about the Eagles defense….

          Been far too long since I’ve felt that way. Good riddance to Nnamdi.

          • Sb2bowl

            Yup. The last few years have made me bitter and disappointed. My wife (non-football family) has joined me in watching and learning about the Eagles. When we watched the playoffs last year, she looked at me and said “is that what a real defense looks like?”

            I sadly shook my head; if she had only known about the ‘birds in the mid-80′s to early 90′s, and the 2000′s to later that decade………… hopefully something turns around. I miss interceptions, fumbles, and touchdowns. The intimidation that comes with playing the Eagles at home. Soon, I hope, opponents will fear the ‘birds again.

  • http://twitter.com/Null_0 Blaise

    Draft Star and have Sop teach him the ropes…sounds like a good idea to me.

    • bridgecoach

      I’m surprised Star isn’t on more peoples wish list around here. A month ago, he was out of reach for us at four since there was no way he gets past KC, Jax and Oak. Circumstances playing out as they have at the combine is the best possible scenario for us – since now we have a chance to get him. He has the versatility and toughness we covet – and will back up Isaac at NT while providing competition for Thorton at DT. I agree that we couldnt hope to find a better mentor for Lutolelei than Sop.

      Lutolelei, Fischer and Miliner at 4 should be the scenarios we most anticipate. Dion and Geno being wild cards.

  • Baloophi

    I caught the tail end of a caller’s question on SiriusXM NFL Radio where they referenced an interview with Connor Barwin earlier in the day. Apparently Barwin said they will run a hybrid defense switching between 3-4 and 4-3. I realize this isn’t news, but interesting to hear from a new player.

    • http://www.facebook.com/jakwaggoner Jack Waggoner

      If they’re playing an odd-front Under, it doesn’t matter much whether it’s a 3-4 or 4-3 in terms of player responsibilities, though the “Predator” might be in a track stance or standing up on any given play.

  • wilbertmontgomery

    Brigham Young defensive end Ezekiel Ansah, Central Michigan tackle Eric Fisher, Florida defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd, Texas A&M tackle Luke Joeckel, Oregon linebacker Dion Jordan, Alabama cornerback Dee Milliner, and West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith. LSU’s Barkevious Mingo and Georgia’s Jarvis Jones, Jonathan Cooper and Alabama’s Chance Warmack, Utah’s Star Lotulelei.

    These are twelve players that Jeff McLane dropped on Philly.com today. Honestly, you could make a realistic argument for all of them at the four spot (as he does). As such, I think the birds should look at trading back at least once. If they could do it twice and wind-up not past the 12 spot, one of these names, likely more, will still be on the board. I know most of us don’t want Geno, but if you trade back twice and get an additional 2nd and 3rd round picks, Geno makes some sense. It will be interesting to see how this pans out.

    • Sb2bowl

      I think they’ll get more than an additional 2 and 3 for trading back twice, but I see what your saying. Problem is, I don’t think Geno will fall that far.

      • wilbertmontgomery

        And that’s fine, I don’t really want Geno but with the lack of obvious game changers at the top of the board but the balanced talent across the first round, not to mention the depth of positions of need for us in the 2nd and 3rd round, it seems like a smart move. I could see Howie and Chip getting totally bashed for it by the Philly set though

  • Mac

    Didn’t click the link, but I’m assuming La Canfora is putting out fires by reminding people that no other NFL GM wants to deal with Howie Roseman.

    • http://twitter.com/BugeHalls Buge Halls

      Why don’t you click on the link before you start trolling? You put out that b.s. from a former disgruntled employee (Banner) like it’s gospel. Banner is the only source that said other NFL GMs didn’t want to deal with him and that he couldn’t land the coach he wanted. Of course this was reported by LaCanfora whose reports I believe about as often as I believe Howard Eskins! Wasn’t that right before they signed Chip? Hmm, seems odd.

      • laeagle

        I think he was kidding.

        • Mac

          Thought it was obvious/funny. Glad uou got the joke ;)

          • laeagle

            You think that’s bad, you should check out the flak that FakeWIPCaller gets on his site for being an idiot. As if the name itself wasn’t enough to let you in on the joke.

          • Arby1

            Those responses are from Real WIP Callers!

        • Sb2bowl

          maybe he doesn’t take sarcasm well because he has Buge Halls?

      • A_T_G

        Boy, the only thing worse than not having your sarcastic hyperbole not recognized in text form is being the guy that goes off in an unjustified rant in response to it.

  • PeterAkkies

    Tommy, you mentioned that Ryan Nassib has a “limited ceiling”. How do you determine whether a player has a high or low ceiling? Athleticism? Tape?

    • BlindChow

      Nick Foles could beat him in a foot race.

      • Sb2bowl

        I think I could beat Foles at a foot race. The only 40 I ever ran was in high school (as a fat lineman). 5.71. Official. Didn’t run a second one as I needed a month to recover from sprinting that long distance.

        • http://www.insidetheiggles.com/ CalSFro

          Foles: 5.03
          Nassib: 5.06

          He’s got you, but not by much. Then again, you could always pull a Seinfeld and just start early.

          • Mac

            Can’t we just go get Foles a turbo charged hover-round?

          • damccomas

            Maybe tape a cheetah to his back?

          • shah8

            I was totally flummoxed by Mallet’s 5.17s

  • Arby1
    • A_T_G

      The outrage in the comments section is as enjoyable as the article.

      • Arby1

        Yeah, one of the commenters, obviously aware of his co-commenters lack of understanding, said “The Internet is terrible/amazing. Y’all are terrible/amazing.”

        My favorite Fake line: “Then they cut Mike Patterson, sending a clear message to every one of their players: If your brain explodes, and you work to come back, first we’ll cut your pay, and then we’ll release you.”

  • Septhinox

    Howie definitely should have seen that photo. Rumor has it there is a gif somewhere of Self Tacklin, Jeremy Maclin…

  • Lukekelly65

    quick off topic thought but awhile back i think you mentioned Rolando McClain as a possible free agent target if he got cut surprisingly he didnt. but now that we have 4 7th round picks is there a chance we see if one of those 7ths would get him out of Oakland? i know hes got a bad history but i think a late round pick like that is worth the risk he could learn from Ryans for a year or so while he matures and learns what its like to be in a real organization. your not going to find a guy in the 7th round of the draft this year that has his talent.

    • Mac

      I think this idea has some merit. Especially when you look at: http://eaglesrewind.com/2013/03/18/the-benn-trade-and-late-round-pick-philosophy-other-thoughts/

      Why not roll the dice?

      • Lukekelly65

        i completely agree i saw that a few days back when tommy posted it..also i think that at this point oakland will pretty much take what they can get for him which is good like the Benn article says its another low risk – medium to high reward kinda deal.

    • Calderone

      Speaking of risky talent, anyone else think using a 7th rd pick on Cincy DE Walter Stewart may be something to think about? An absolute lottery ticket, he has huge medical red flags but was a 1st rd talent before he got injured last season. When ya have that many 7th rounders i think using one on a guy like Stewart makes some sense. Any thoughts?

      • Lukekelly65

        i just went and looked him up i watched his game on youtube against Pitt and VT he looked really good vs pitt seems like a natural pass rusher hes really quick off the ball.. about the injury problem it sounds sorta like what jarvis jones is dealing with i bet alot of teams took him off their bored due to this but i would snag him up if hes on there when we pick in the 7th seems like a talented guy

      • Lukekelly65

        another late round prospect that seems to fit both what chip and the eagles seem to like is Ray Graham a RB from Pitt hes 5 foot 9 and in 2011 tore his ACL. he would have to clear medically but the eagles are not scared of past knee injuries ( marlin jackson, kenny phillips, weaver, etc.) also both McCoy and Lewis are Pitt RBs on the roster now. Graham could be a possible replacement for dion if he cant get it together also he seems to be the size chip likes in his backs if hes there in the 7th or is a UDFA i think he would be a nice target

        • Calderone

          Glad you checked out Stewart, I really think he would be great value in the 7th rd… natural pass rusher, high motor, team leader… the only problem [granted a big one] is the medical issue. Apparently the doctors at the combine wouldnt clear him to participate, which sucks, but he did just participate in a pro-day a few days ago, which is a good sign. I’m sure many teams have taken him off of their board, but I did read that there are some doctors saying that they think Stewart should be fine to continue playing football. Again, at that point in the draft, and with so many 7th rd picks to use, i’d use one on him.

          BTW i really like Ray Graham, Pitt is one of my favorite teams and i’ve liked Graham for awhile. I definitely think he offers more than Dion Lewis, the question is where does he getdrafted and would the birds use a draft pick on a RB when it isnt a position of need. I actually think they will. Theydont like Lewis and Bryce Brown is still unproven and has that small fumbling problem. I’m actually pretty sure that one of their 9 draft picks will be a RB… kinda thin Chip will tryto get his guy Balmer but who knows. I would be quite happy if that RB was Graham.

          • Lukekelly65

            If Lewis really has fallen out of favor with the team i wonder if Chris Polk has a chance to get the 3rd RB spot he was a great runner in college i know injuries nagged him but maybe hes healed up and ready to go

  • BC1968
    • BC1968

      actually you have to click on the first post about andy reid underneath the head coach pic that says related post about andy reid eating a car. Maybe more than it’s worth…haha

  • Mac

    Eagles Live Update Poll:

    Brian Baldinger
    1) dope
    2) a dope

    Vote now!

    • Anders

      on dope?

      • Mac

        rats… a viable third option. well played sir!

  • http://www.facebook.com/bill.muller.71 Bill Muller

    thanks tommy for the answer

  • zbone95

    If they decide BPA, they gotta choose Star or Floyd. I would prefer Star because he is so versatile and has a mean streak as well as a difference maker. His heart condition should be checked out but I don’t think its too serious.

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