FS Earl Wolff, One Howl of a Pick

Posted: April 27th, 2013 | Author: | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 118 Comments »

I hope that title is so bad that it lives up to my usual standards.

The Eagles added Earl Wolff in the 5th round. Good pick. He has the potential to be a starter in the NFL. The thing that jumps out at you when you watch Wolff is his explosion. He had a 38-inch vertical at the Combine and you see that on the field. When  he sees a target and starts upfield, Wolff flies for the first few steps. He explodes. Not all guys have that.

Wolff ran 4.44. I don’t think you see that speed on tape. He’s fast for a Safety, but 4.44 is CB speed. I don’t see it.

Safety is a position where brains and brawn can be far more important than speed. Wolff sees the field pretty well. He doesn’t seem to get consistently burned by fakes. He mostly takes good angles when pursuing the ball. There are some plays when he’s out of position. As far as tackling, Wolff’s best quality is that he’s a wrap-up tackler. He isn’t a guy who goes the for the highlight hits. Wolff wants to get in close and secure his target, then put the guy on the ground. He does miss some tackles. Sometimes due to a sloppy angle, sometimes due to sloppy form.   

I don’t see him as an impact hitter. He doesn’t like to sell out for the highlight plays. That’s okay. Wolff isn’t a finesse player that avoids contact. He can hit. He just tends to be more of a tackler than a hitter. Coaches will tell you that they prefer players who do that. Old school football.

I don’t have a good feel for Wolff’s ball skills. He finished his career with 6 INTs and 14 PBUs. I saw one pick. Showed good hands, but nothing special. I’ll go back and re-watch the Combine to get a better feel for his hands.

Wolff has FS skills, but he can play in the box. He’s not shy about contact or playing in traffic. He is 5-11 and 209. That is tweener size. Big enough for SS, but still athletic enough for FS. Wolff was highly productive in terms of tackles. He led NC State in tackles in 2012 and was second in 2011. He finished his career with 361 stops (211 solo). He did have 12 career TFLs.  The stat that jumped out at me was 7 career FFs. That shows the ability to separate the ball from the runner/receiver. He only had 1 in 2012, but 3 each in 2011 and 2010.

Chip Kelly said that DBs coach Jon Lovett did go put Wolff through an individual workout. Kelly spoke to some coaches on the NC State staff, including Dana Bible. They all spoke very highly of Wolff. He started the last 3 full seasons of his career and even 4 games as a Redshirt Freshman. He’s got a ton of experience. Wolff graduated in December and seems to be a high character guy.

Good pick. Wolff will fight for a backup Safety spot this year and could develop into a starter down the road. He should be a good STs player.

_

118 Comments on “FS Earl Wolff, One Howl of a Pick”

  1. 1 ICDogg said at 3:31 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    “I hope that title is so bad that it lives up to my usual standards.”

    It most certainly does.

  2. 2 Baloophi said at 3:33 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    “Wolf” needs an extra “F” in the headline… for “Franchise.”

  3. 3 TommyLawlor said at 3:49 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    Fixed.

  4. 4 Cheesesteak said at 9:03 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    Would’ve been much cooler if you replied “FFixed’….just sayin

  5. 5 Baloophi said at 3:34 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    Alternative:

    “Hungry Like the Wolff… for tackles!”

  6. 6 Baloophi said at 3:37 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    “The Cowboy who Cried Wolff.”

    God… I kinda hope the kid busts so we don’t have to keep coming up with these…

  7. 7 Arby1 said at 4:19 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    That’s the worst reach I’ve seen since the EJ Manuel pick.
    Hey now.

  8. 8 Baloophi said at 4:24 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    Ha! I was grasping at straws there… the Jerry Jones draft strategy.

  9. 9 ICDogg said at 3:35 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    Well, if you want to write about how he does the safety blitz, it could be:

    “Wolff: Blitzer.”

  10. 10 Baloophi said at 3:36 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    Yes! Fantastic…

  11. 11 TommyLawlor said at 3:48 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    Baloophi is so jealous he didn’t think of that.

  12. 12 ACViking said at 5:02 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    that cannot be topped.

  13. 13 deg0ey said at 3:37 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    “Big enough for SS, but still athletic enough for FS. ”

    Isn’t that what everyone’s looking for these days? Seems like a solid addition. Presumably this means the end of Colt at the very least, possibly Kurt is gone too.

  14. 14 Baloophi said at 3:38 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    No way! You don’t want a Colt and a Wolff in your secondary?!?!?

  15. 15 ICDogg said at 3:38 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    Colt is a superior STer, wouldn’t count him out

  16. 16 deg0ey said at 3:40 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    I just feel like with Chip’s emphasis on getting everyone to play ST, there’ll be too many guys on the roster that can contribute in that area whilst not being dead weight in the other phases of the game for Colt to stay on the roster.

  17. 17 TommyLawlor said at 3:50 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    Colt is a STer and backup Safety. Wolff shouldn’t affect him.

    Kurt should be very nervous.

  18. 18 deg0ey said at 3:51 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    You think they keep 5 S? Phillips, Chung, Allen, Wolff, Anderson?

    I figured that there wouldn’t be any pure ST jobs anymore and Wolff/Allen have backup safety ‘covered’.

  19. 19 Jack Waggoner said at 3:52 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    I would say let them settle that in preseason.

  20. 20 D-von said at 3:40 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    ” A Wolff in sheep’s clothing.”

  21. 21 ICDogg said at 3:42 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    “Afraid of the Big Bad Wolff”

  22. 22 Baloophi said at 3:42 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    When we go single high safety, we can call it the “Lone Wolff.”

  23. 23 TommyLawlor said at 3:48 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    Or just…McQuade.

  24. 24 damccomas said at 4:15 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    El Lobo Solo….

  25. 25 Baloophi said at 3:43 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    “Who’s Afraid of North Carolina Wolff?”

  26. 26 Baloophi said at 3:44 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    If we trade for Patrick Peterson, we can go with “Peterson and the Wolff.”

  27. 27 Baloophi said at 3:48 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    “I’ll huff and I’ll puff and I’ll blow your tight end down.”

  28. 28 D-von said at 3:50 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    “The Romo who cried Wolff”

  29. 29 GermanEagle said at 3:51 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    Didn’t he have a 39 inch vertical?! Also interesting that he was Mayock’s sleeper in this safety class and that he would go in the 3rd or 4th round.

  30. 30 Baloophi said at 3:55 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    And to be clear, your people would pronounce “Wolff” as “Voolf” correct?

  31. 31 GermanEagle said at 4:00 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    Correct! 😉

  32. 32 D-von said at 3:54 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    Now if we draft Rambo, we could have the best safety tandem name:
    “Rambo Wolff”

  33. 33 Mike Flick said at 3:56 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    I got bad flashbacks when they mentioned Dana bible.

  34. 34 TommyLawlor said at 4:08 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    Anyone from 1998 did.

  35. 35 ACViking said at 3:57 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    Re: Bill Walsh on what to look for in a young QB (reposted – apologies, T-LAW)

    About 200 words. Worth a read.

    Here’s the link:
    http://www.sportsxchange.com/DS97/walsh/walsh2qb.htm

  36. 36 David H said at 4:00 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    Do you read anything into Kelly said he talked to Foles after they drafted Barkley, but not saying anything about talking to Vick?

  37. 37 D-von said at 4:04 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    what do you think that means?

  38. 38 David H said at 4:16 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    I was 90% sure that Vick would be the starter to begin this year. You just don’t pay someone that kind of money to backup. However with the drafting of Barkely, which is relevant because of the style of QB he is, and then the information that he checked in with Foles (and probably not Vick) right after the pick makes me start to lean 60% towards Foles starting this year.

  39. 39 D-von said at 4:18 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    I agree. Looking at how Chip wants to use TEs, Vick looks less likely to be starter. But you never know

  40. 40 TommyLawlor said at 4:07 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    I wondered about that. Maybe not a big deal to Vick since he’s just here for a year, but Foles is here for 3 more years.

  41. 41 David H said at 4:10 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    Yay! Thanks for answering my first ever comment! Now that’s service

  42. 42 ACViking said at 4:09 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    DANA BIBLE . . .

    Ah, the memories.

  43. 43 ACViking said at 4:17 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    T-Law:

    Illinois OLB/DE Michael Buchanan is the first college player whom I remember you saying had been interviewed by the Eagles coaches — and that pointed to a switch from the 4-3 to the 3-4.

    He’s on the board still. Had — like Barkley — a much better junior than senior year.

    Let’s go with “Buck” Buchanan in the 7th.

  44. 44 D-von said at 4:18 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    Don’t Jinx it!

  45. 45 ACViking said at 4:30 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    I hate Buchanan . . . he’s a bum.

    Will that help?

  46. 46 HazletonEagle said at 4:21 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    Buchanan, Mauti, Poyer, DaRick…give me 3 of those 4

  47. 47 ACViking said at 4:25 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    RaRick’s a “character question” guy.

    So far Chipper’s stayed away from those types of players.

    Talent wise, great pick

    Would love to see Poyer in green.

  48. 48 Phils Goodman said at 4:32 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    Yeah, but this late in the draft, why the hell not?

  49. 49 HazletonEagle said at 4:44 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    I remember saying in another thread as we entered the 3rd round that it might be worth the flyer on him.
    Well, now its the 7th round…

  50. 50 NoDecaf said at 4:29 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    Ok Tommy, I guess we’ll see a “Best of the Rest,” closer to round 7?

  51. 51 ACViking said at 4:29 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    Re: 49ers & Seahawks

    Looking at what the 49ers and Seahawks have done this year . . . rich getting richer.

    I don’t ever remember thinking that when the Eagles would have 9+ picks.

    I just remember hearing how crafty they were moving up and down the board.

  52. 52 Baloophi said at 4:30 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    My wish for next season is for Shahid Khan to fire David Caldwell and become the new Al Davis, making crazy picks hither and yon.

    Oh, and that the Eagles win the Super Bowl.

  53. 53 ACViking said at 4:33 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    As part of that, will Khan be wearing black-green polyester warm-ups?

  54. 54 Baloophi said at 4:37 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    Oh I think that’s a requirement!

  55. 55 ACViking said at 4:38 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    And the shades, right?

  56. 56 Baloophi said at 4:39 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    I think the shades come off right before he announces his pick, then go right back on.

  57. 57 ACViking said at 4:39 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    Vitalis?

  58. 58 Baloophi said at 4:44 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    I’m thinking that – curiously – he’s in a hair net or shower cap.

  59. 59 ACViking said at 4:51 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    So it’s Al Davis BEFORE he leaves the house?

  60. 60 Baloophi said at 4:53 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    I just want to give Shahid room to create his own character…

    Also, instead of being obsessed with speed, he should be obsessed with weight.

  61. 61 ACViking said at 4:56 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    You’ve crafted a very impressive image for SK.

    And he’s rain-proof.

  62. 62 NoDecaf said at 4:43 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    KHANNNNNNNNN!!!

  63. 63 laeagle said at 6:16 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    I wish I could have upvoted that x100.

  64. 64 austinfan said at 4:33 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    The nice thing is Wolff has the size and speed to immediately contribute on special teams while he learns how to play safety.

    5’11 209 lbs is a full sized safety, I wouldn’t call him a “tweener,” that applies more to 200 lb college strong safeties who lack the speed for FS.

    He tested like a great athlete, better than most top CBs, if he merely plays like a good athlete, that’s just fine.

  65. 65 Baloophi said at 4:39 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    Great point.

    Kelly said in his “post-pick” conference that at that position it’s imperative to contribute on special teams. He was then immediately asked how Wolff looked on tape at special teams – he answered honestly that he hadn’t evaluated him specifically for special teams.

  66. 66 ACViking said at 4:50 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    Projecting T-Law’s 7th Rd possibilities:

    Utah’s DE/OLB Joe Kruger

    Illinois DE/OLB Michael “Buck” Buchanan

    Oregon St CB Jordan Pryor

    Anyone from Penn State named Mauti

    And FL St WR Rod Smith — with his 10.5 inch hands and 6’4″ 225lb frame.

  67. 67 Patrick said at 4:53 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    Kruger, Buchanan and Pryor would be amazing.

  68. 68 Baloophi said at 5:09 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    Poyer, right?

  69. 69 Patrick said at 5:11 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    You know, i was looking at it and got thinking of Terrelle Pryor noting, something is wrong. But yeah, of course Jordan Poyer the CB from Oregon St.

  70. 70 Baloophi said at 5:23 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    I started thinking Richard Pryor (RIP), but that’s only because “Stir Crazy” was on last night.

  71. 71 Patrick said at 5:33 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    Good movie.

  72. 72 DamonL86 said at 4:51 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    How about Kwame Geathers

  73. 73 ACViking said at 4:54 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    I’m in Atlanta. KG took a bit of a beating on local radio by the UGA folks. Eagles’ fans have nothing on those folks.

    But on size alone, KG seems like he’s worth a flyer — except that his brother’s here. That may be taking competition too far.

  74. 74 Baloophi said at 5:07 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    With one of our 19 7th rounders (or UDFA), we should take a tinker toy with return skills:

    Onterrio McCalebb (RB, Auburn*)
    Kerwynn Williams (RB, Utah State)

    * Passes the “school that has beaten Chip Kelly” test

  75. 75 HazletonEagle said at 5:09 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    I was thinking or Barner or D Robinson, but theyre gone. McCalebb is a guy thats been on my mind. I think UDFA for him. I would like to see a returner added.

  76. 76 Baloophi said at 5:12 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    Mrs. Baloophi is a big Auburn fan, so it helps to have one on the team… even King Dunlap.

    Philip Lutzenkirchen is another Auburn guy to keep an eye out for in UDFA. TE, so there’s no way he makes the team, but he ate up Oregon in the championship game so he’s probably on the radar.

  77. 77 HazletonEagle said at 5:14 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    some decent TE prospects still left. Fauria is intriguing at his size. Ryan Otten. Zach Sudfeld is another guy I like.

  78. 78 Baloophi said at 5:18 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    How many TEs do you think we’ll carry on the team? As it stands now:

    Celek
    Ertz
    Casey
    Harbor
    Moore
    Carrier

  79. 79 HazletonEagle said at 5:24 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    Dont forget Igenogwu.
    I have a hard time imagining more than 4. Pretty typical to have 3 and a FB. With no FB, that makes room for the 4th. If a TE takes the place of slot WR in the offense and Avant gets traded at some point, mmmayybe 5.

    We have a more traditional in line TE in Celek. A H back in Casey. And a guy who is more like a big WR in Ertz (Reminds me of Jared Cook style of play).
    Ideally youd have a backup for each one so that when one gets injured, you arent losing that skillset from the offense. But 6 seems totally unrealistic.

  80. 80 Baloophi said at 5:31 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    I did forget Igwenagu. My apologies, Emil.

    If we’re going to do a lot of 3 TE, then 5 makes sense. And to your point, if Kelly sees the H as a slot guy, you could steal a spot from the WRs…

    Not looking good for Avant (who I like a lot)…

  81. 81 Patrick said at 5:14 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    The image that of King Dunlap as Mrs. Baloophi will forever be in my mind.

  82. 82 Baloophi said at 5:22 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    Queen Dunlap?

  83. 83 ACViking said at 5:24 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    Any connection between Atlanta and Mrs. Baloophi? Many Auburn grads here.

  84. 84 Baloophi said at 5:28 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    Actually, she grew up outside Birmingham, so no official connection to the A-T-L.

  85. 85 Baloophi said at 5:12 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    13 picks to go… stay frosty!

  86. 86 TommyLawlor said at 5:25 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    I’ve not done a good job with knowing who the Eagles are looking for today, but maybe my luck will change in the 7th round. Here are some players I like. We’ll see if the Eagles agree.

    DE Joe Kruger – Utah
    LB Mike Catapano – Princeton
    ILB Kevin Reddick – UNC
    RB Kerwynn Williams – Utah State
    CB Jordan Poyer – Oregon State
    CB Marc Anthony – Cal

    Guys who have fallen due to unknown issues that might not be on the board, but have talent:

    LB Michael Buchanan – Illinois (possible character)
    WR Da’Rick Rogers – Tennessee Tech (character)
    ILB Mike Mauti – Penn State (ACL)

  87. 87 D-von said at 5:32 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    No interest in Chase Thomas?

  88. 88 HazletonEagle said at 5:32 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    Kruger, Poyer, Buchanan fill out the rest of our needs nicely. Mauti and Rogers would be some nice luxury picks.

  89. 89 D-von said at 5:32 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    And there goes Catapano

  90. 90 bridgecoach said at 5:28 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    Heading into round 7…

    Da’Rick Rogers (WR) Tenn Tech still available

    Jordan Poyer (CB) Oregon St. still available

    Joe Kruger (DE) Utah still available

    and Chase Thomas (OLB) Stanford is still available too

  91. 91 D-von said at 5:35 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    Maybe Thomas and Poyer since Kelly coached against them

  92. 92 laeagle said at 5:29 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    Please tell Chip not to pick any more players with obvious puns in their name.

  93. 93 Baloophi said at 5:36 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    Fingers crossed for Keith Pough!

  94. 94 HazletonEagle said at 5:30 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    Threw a curve ball with the Barkley pick. Is it almost time to throw a knuckler with Matt Scott in the 7th just for lols?

  95. 95 ACViking said at 5:37 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    Many heads would explode in the Delaware Valley

  96. 96 TommyLawlor said at 5:31 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    From Geoff Mosher on Twitter:

    “Two guys I think #Eagles might target in Round 7: CB Johnny Adams from Michigan State and/or OLB Mike Buchanan from Illinois.”

  97. 97 Anders said at 5:52 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    Would love Buchanan with the next pick. Great value now

  98. 98 NoDecaf said at 5:33 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    Oh man, there’s a fragel available. But can the fragel block? (clap clap) Can the fragel block? (I’ve been drinking)

  99. 99 Baloophi said at 5:35 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    Clap Clap to YOU!

  100. 100 NoDecaf said at 5:36 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    Righteous! If he is1/2 the fragel Gobo is….

  101. 101 ACViking said at 5:35 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    watch for Ohio State TE Jake Stoneburner

  102. 102 ACViking said at 5:42 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    Re: M-Buchanan

    “A big reason [he played light in 2012] was an ill-advised fight in which Buchanan was injured. Last June, his jaw was wired shut after it was broken in the brawl.”

  103. 103 Baloophi said at 5:43 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    You can still cram a smoothie-laden straw in there…

  104. 104 Anders said at 5:56 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    haha. I think he lost like 20-30 pounds because he couldnt eat right

  105. 105 HazletonEagle said at 5:44 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    nice!
    Kruger!

  106. 106 D-von said at 5:45 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    Joe kruger

  107. 107 ACViking said at 5:45 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    JOE KRUGER . . .

    Nice job, T-Law.

  108. 108 Patrick said at 5:46 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    Tommy does it again. Love Kruger, big guy with loads of potential.

  109. 109 Baloophi said at 5:45 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    Kaboom!

  110. 110 Arby1 said at 5:52 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    Is that his college jersey?

  111. 111 nickross23 said at 5:47 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    First of the final 3 Joe Kruger.. Now give me Muati or Poyer Da’Rick maybe..

  112. 112 bentheimmigrant said at 5:53 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    Vikes just grabbed muati.

  113. 113 Anders said at 6:03 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    muati is picked

  114. 114 TommyLawlor said at 5:49 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    I just started a new thread for the 7th round picks.

  115. 115 Baloophi said at 5:50 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    I like Hazelton’s call of Matt Scott (or another QB) for the next pick – just for the mayhem it would cause…

  116. 116 bridgecoach said at 6:04 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    Rockin the 7th round!

  117. 117 Jacob Shubert said at 8:14 PM on April 27th, 2013:

    Was looking more for a “one man wolffpack” hangover reference… but ill get over it

  118. 118 Hawk2011 said at 12:33 PM on April 28th, 2013:

    Does anyone know what high school Wolff played for?