Howard Mudd, Plaxico Burress, and More on Chad Hall

Posted: May 23rd, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | Tags: , , , , | 17 Comments »

For SB Nation I took an updated look at the O-line.  I am excited about having Mudd as the OL coach because he’s been so good over the years, but also because I wasn’t enamored with some of the guys we added over the years.  We’re now going for grinders.  They won’t physically dominate you, but that wasn’t going to happen in our pass-happy system anyway.  If we’re going to be a passing team, go get athletic pass blockers and guys that play with a chip on their shoulder.

* * * * *

NY Daily News writer Gary Myers opened a can of worms over the weekend with some comments about the Eagles and WR Plaxico Burress.  “I’ve heard that the Eagles will eventually be first in line, but there’s also speculation the Steelers, Chargers, Falcons and Ravens could also be interested.

Gary is a solid NFL writer, but I’m not so sure about his connections to the Eagles.  I’m betting this “info” came from Burress or someone in NY.  I don’t know if that person believes the info or is just trying to drum up interest in Plaxico.  Regardless, I’m not buying it.

Burress would come here to be the #3 or #4 WR.  If we use him as #3, then is he working the slot or are we moving Jeremy Maclin in there?  Mac didn’t come across as the most physical guy last year.  I’m not thinking he’d aggressively embrace regularly working the slot.  Would Burress?

Our backup WRs play on STs.  Jason Avant had 4 solo tackles last year.  Riley Cooper had 3.  Would we bring in a guy like Burress to be a role player, knowing he wouldn’t contribute on STs?  Doesn’t make sense.

It would be nice to have Plaxico as a Red Zone target, but Reid has never fully embraced the fade pass.  He said Donovan wasn’t real good at it, but I don’t recall our other 37 QBs throwing it much either.  Reid would rather run the sprint right so the QB can have no one open and throw the ball into the 8th row.  Seriously, isn’t that the worst RZ play in the NFL, at least as run by us?

I seriously doubt Plax is a target for the Eagles.  Now, if this turns out to be true, it will be a sign that Reid is going all-in on the Eagles being a Super Bowl team in 2011.  You don’t add Plax unless you expect to compete for a title or if you need a WR.  We no longer need WRs.

Final note…back in 2005 when Plax left the Steelers and was a free agent, there were consistent rumors that the Eagles were interested.  I have never confirmed from any of my sources if that was true or not.  It makes you wonder if this is all Plax’s agent just stirring up the market, just like he might have been doing back then.

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How does Chad Hall compare to Danny Amendola or Danny Woodhead?  I’ve gotten a few questions about comparing the situations.  This ties in to what I was trying to get at the other day.  Amendola was on the Dallas Practice Squad for all of 2008.  He came to the Eagles in 2009 and was snatched away by the evil Rams.  He had a year to adjust to the league before he got on the field.  And he wasn’t great in ’09.  Danny averaged 7.6 yards per reception, with a long play of 25 yards.  He ran 3 times for -2 yards.  He only got into the endzone once all year.  He did post okay PR numbers and good KOR numbers.  Last year Amendola played better on offense and scored 4 TDs.

Danny Woodhead is a RB that can play the slot and catch the ball.  He spent 2008 on IR.  He then played for the Jets in 2009 and put up modest numbers.  He had a breakout season in 2010, but most of that was on the ground.

Hall spent time with teams in the summers of 2008 and 2009, but that’s hardly the same thing as being part of a team for an entire season.  Even being on IR gives you a chance to understand the game as you sit in on film sessions and listen to coaches.  Hall had to learn on the fly in 2010.

When you compare “first season” numbers among the three, Hall is fine.  That doesn’t mean he’ll turn out to be as good as them.  It does give you some hope that he could become a good role player.  Of course, it might help if he changed his first name to Danny.  Or Betty (anyone get that reference?).

Amendola 09:  3-(-2) rushing, 43-326-1 receiving, long of 25 yards, 12 yds PR, 25 yd KOR

Woodhead 09:  15-64 rushing, 8-87 receiving, long play of 24 yards, only 1 KOR

Hall   2010:     9-29 rushing, 11-115-1 receiving, long of 48, 10 yds per PR, 16 per KOR


17 Comments on “Howard Mudd, Plaxico Burress, and More on Chad Hall”

  1. 1 bubqr said at 12:59 PM on May 23rd, 2011:

    “How does Chad Hall compare to Danny Amendola or Danny Woodhead?”

    He’s short and white.

  2. 2 Tommy Lawlor said at 1:36 PM on May 23rd, 2011:

    Well done. I admire a man of brevity.

  3. 3 RJBoyle said at 1:55 PM on May 23rd, 2011:

    I don’t think Austin Howard is going to be very impressed with the updated look at the O-line article!

  4. 4 Tommy Lawlor said at 2:12 PM on May 23rd, 2011:

    I’m assuming you mean because I didn’t mention him by name?

    I said Mudd is likely okay with the backup OTs. I expect Dunlap to challenge Justice at RT. Howard might be in that mix, but he could still be another year in developing. Remember, he only played OL 2 years in college. He was a TE before that. I think Howard has a good NFL future, but I’m not sure he’s ready to start or push for a starting job quite yet.

  5. 5 mcud said at 2:34 PM on May 23rd, 2011:

    Re: Austin Howard

    Perhaps we should coax Jim McNally out of retirement as well.

  6. 6 Netherman said at 2:39 PM on May 23rd, 2011:

    And what does “eventually be first in line” even mean? Nobody will be in line, but finally we will?

  7. 7 Fran35 said at 2:41 PM on May 23rd, 2011:

    Hey Tommy,
    Didn’t the Eagles supposedly have alot of pre draft interest in Burress and scheduled and interview but he jilted them and went to an Pacers playoff game instead?

  8. 8 Tommy Lawlor said at 2:52 PM on May 23rd, 2011:

    @ Fran…

    I seem to recall a story about Plax skipping a visit to NovaCare. Info wasn’t as readily available back then, but it seems like that is something I heard a few years down the line.

    Going into the 2000 draft I wanted either Corey Simon or Plax. I loved both of them, especially since they fit areas of drastic need.

  9. 9 tball said at 3:01 PM on May 23rd, 2011:

    Seriously, isn’t that the worst RZ play in the NFL.

    No doubt!

  10. 10 Stephen said at 4:52 PM on May 23rd, 2011:

    Sprint right in the red zone makes me question whether or not Big Red actually does those “self scouting” things you talk about Tommy…

  11. 11 ppk said at 5:00 PM on May 23rd, 2011:

    A guy with Plaxico’s size would be great in the rz. It seemed like the Eagles were hoping to use Cooper in that role, as in the pass against the Packers in the playoffs (hate to bring it up). I’m not sure how Riley compares in size and weight. I can’t imagine them signing Burress, though, talk about a guy with character issues.

    As much as I like Chad Hall, being a small white guy myself, he’s got to produce during the pre-season or he’s a waste of a roster spot.

  12. 12 EdinburghEagle said at 5:17 PM on May 23rd, 2011:

    Not convinced that Plax is a great idea, but for a while now I’ve been hoping for a good quality WR (or an improved Cooper) to replace DeSean for RZ plays. Aside from the odd designed play, he barely make a catch down there (unsurprisingly, as his speed is pretty much negated). I know he still a threat on end arounds and the like, but still. DeSean is a long-play specialist, doesn’t it make sense to twin him with a short range specialist?

  13. 13 mcud said at 8:24 PM on May 23rd, 2011:

    If adding an aging vet who cant play special teams for the purposes of the red zone actually makes sense, then isnt Moss a better idea? He can still run, something that we dont know about Plex.

    A guy i’d like to know the price of is JerMichael Finley. The Pack won a SB without him, so you never know. He’d solve a lot of RZ issues if he is healthy.

  14. 14 eaglizeit said at 1:11 AM on May 24th, 2011:

    I think Plax for the Eagles(passing team) is like the Bus was for the Steelers(running team then). I don’t think the Bus played ST his last year when they won the SB; when someone can get TD’s and convert on third or fourth downs it doesn’t matter what the avg yard per carry is, if he plays ST or anything like that because he’s a deadly weapon. We could probably sign Plax to a three year contract for only a half million or so per yr; he’s defininetly worth a whole lot more but won’t be ready ’til Nov. or Dec. If we got him and played him mostly in the RZ were going to the SB…

  15. 15 Alex said at 4:14 AM on May 24th, 2011:

    Kung Pow reference?!

  16. 16 Tommy Lawlor said at 10:33 AM on May 24th, 2011:

    Reference was to Caddyshack.

    Ty Webb: “I like you Betty.”

    Danny: “That’s Danny sir.”

  17. 17 Alex said at 3:35 AM on May 25th, 2011:

    This feels worse than that one time I tried to sit at the cool table in high school.