I was thinking about this last night at work and then I read this response from Spads on his forum;
QuoteI think L.J. is fine. He was on the way to a Pro Bowl-caliber season before McNabb was injured. Wouldn't surprise me to see a TE drafted early, however.
Now we all know that the Eagles are sitting in a prime spot to be a major player. They could trade up to 10ish of they saw Davis fall or they could stay put and take a shot at getting Lewis. Or if they like Pope they could even trade out of that 14th spot and get him a little later, IMO.
I asked Spads some follow up questions...here is my post:
QuoteDave,
I read your comment about not being surprised to see the Eagles go after a TE early on in the draft. I am not opposed to the idea at all especially if they could somehow get a hold of Vernon Davis or Marcedes Lewis or even Leonard Pope (they could trade out of 14 to get him).
But my question(s) about this scenario are:
1. Would they look to draft that TE because they are not fully sold on L.J?
2. Is Andy and Tom thinking that they could use that 2nd TE in lieu of getting a top notch WR? If they thought that and had a WR corps of Reggie Brown, Todd Pinkston, Antwaan Randle-El, Billy McMullen and Greg Lewis I think it would be a good thing when looking for mismatches on the defense. Why? Because if they ran a lot of 2TE sets that would force LBs and S to get on L.J and the new TE and Westbrook out of the backfield would be lethal. Not to mention it would limit the amount of safety help allowed to sneak over to the wide receivers.
3. Are they looking for a more polished in-line blocker as the #2 TE? If so, would they consider (hypothetically of course) a guy like Dan Campbell who is a UFA? He is a stud at blocking and a good role player.
Obviously my preference is to get Kiwanuka at 14. Well, that's my second choice. But we all know the chances of getting Mario are slim to none.
But if they did look at one of the stud TEs how would you feel about it? I think it would be a good idea if Kiwi is off the board at 14. Like I said in my question to Dave -- I think having a lot of double-tight sets (which Reid likes) would be something that defenses would have trouble with considering the weapons the Birds would have. Who do the LBs cover? Do they let one of the TEs go to a safety so they can get Westbrook when he leaks out? Do they go for both TEs and then we watch Westbrook eat up the yards? There are a ton of possibilities here, IMO.
The WR class in UFA and the draft are not very strong. So what is the next best thing you do to upgrade the passing game? You go for a stud TE and sign a middle-tier WR.
Thoughts?
The best thing they could do to improve the passing game is to improve the running game first.
Without a legitimate threat in the backfield, teams will simply tee off on McNabb like they did last year. Just look at the four remaining teams in the playoffs. All of them place a premium on running the ball and then killing teams with the pass.
That's not an accident.
If LenDale White is there at 14 and they don't take him, they're farging idiots.
Improving the running game can be achieved simply by committing to the run more often, which I believe Reid will do. Not to mention, having a #2 TE who can block very good is a must have when running the ball.
If they take a RB in round 1 I'd be shocked. They should look to go after Kiwanuka first and foremost to help that DL. But if he's gone and there is a playmaker like Vernon Davis or Marcedes Lewis there at 14 I think it wouldn't be a bad pick. If they like Leonard Pope then they can trade down and pick up another draft pick or two and get Pope.
Commitment to the run + good blocking = improvement.
Don't forget...they have a newly signed Westbrook and a mid round pick at RB already.
They have to add a weapon or two to the passing game as well, bro. Especially since the WR class is weak this year both in the draft and UFA. If Moulds is scooped up by someone else and if Wayne is retained who else is there? Thats why I wouldn't mind them going after Randle-El and getting another playmaker at TE to go along with LJ
They have a good pass-catching TE. They need a blocking TE. If they draft a TE earlier than the 3rd or fourth round I'll kick my television in.
There is no reason to go TE in round 1. There is TE depth in the draft and they could stil find a good one later.
Quote from: rjs246 on January 22, 2006, 11:17:02 AM
They have a good pass-catching dropping TE. They need a blocking TE. If they draft a TE earlier than the 3rd or fourth round I'll kick my television in.
Yes, but why not add another good pass catching TE?
What if Moulds isn't released?
What if Wayne is tagged or re-signed?
Tha would leave Randle-El as the top free agent WR. I'd like to get him in here if Moulds isn't an option, but what if a team like the boys down on the beltway throw a wad at him?
Who's left to help out the offense?
Vernon Davis, Marcedes Lewis or Leonard Pope + Smith + Westbrook + Moats + Brown + Pinky + mid-level FA WR = as best as we can hope for offensively.
That would play well in the "spread the ball"mentality that Reid embraces.
Don't get me wrong. I want Kiwanuka at 14. But if he's gone then I would seriously consider a TE there.
The Eagles have more pressing needs than TE right now.
IF they address those needs (namely DL, LB, WR, bruising RB) in free agency and a tight end drops to them in the first round, then go right ahead and take him.
Otherwise, they should take the best player available at a position of need.
Yeah I suppose my concern was the pressing needs. IF they can handle that in FA then it is a different story, but history hasnt really shown that to be the case. The defense isnt going to win a SB without an overhaul of some personel and an attitude. If they cant fix the defensive issues it doesnt matter if they have another good TE.
Then again, maybe Reid isnt actually trying to win a SB this year. Maybe it will be a rebuilding draft campaign ala Lito,Sheldon, MLewis.
:paranoid
Sometimes drafting for need is not a good thing to do.
I agree with the best player available, but not the best player available at a position of need. If a guy is there that you have rated high then you grab him. Other than QB, that is. Then you worry about having too mnay of a good player at a position later, and it turns into a good problem to have.
If Kiwi is gone at 14, maybe they trade out of the spot.
But I am not opposed to drafting a TE in round 1 at all if they cannot get some offensive help in FA.
Quote from: MURP on January 22, 2006, 11:35:49 AM
Yeah I suppose my concern was the pressing needs. IF they can handle that in FA then it is a different story, but history hasnt really shown that to be the case. The defense isnt going to win a SB without an overhaul of some personel and an attitude. If they cant fix the defensive issues it doesnt matter if they have another good TE.
Then again, maybe Reid isnt actually trying to win a SB this year. Maybe it will be a rebuilding draft campaign ala Lito,Sheldon, MLewis.
:paranoid
I agree that they need to get other things fixed as well. That's why I said if they got a WR, DT and LB in UFA then they could go after a TE in round 1 if they so choose and not really be affected much.
The only position I want them looking at defensively in round 1 is DE. If Kiwi is gone, then you trade out of 14 or take one of the two top TEs there (Davis or Lewis). Or maybe even Marcus McNeil.
If you trade out of 14 because Kiwi and McNeil and Davis and LEwis are gone then you look at Leonard Pope later on in round 1.
Quote from: PhillyPhreak54 on January 22, 2006, 11:39:42 AM
I agree that they need to get other things fixed as well. That's why I said if they got a WR, DT and LB in UFA then they could go after a TE in round 1 if they so choose and not really be affected much.
agreed.
Phreak, you have talked alot of if Kiwi is gone at 14 or trading down, but what about trading up? Reid has a fairly consistent history of either trading up or atleast attempting to trade up in the 1st round. Dont lose hope on Mario Williams yet. :deion
Quote from: PhillyPhreak54 on January 22, 2006, 10:54:38 AMThoughts?
Meh. Sure, if Will Witherspoon, Randle El, and Rocky Bernard are already locked up, and the Eagles can gain picks by trading down and picking up a stud TE, I'd go with it.
That's assuming a lot.
Oh, believe me bro, I am holding out hope that they will somehow get their hands on Mario Williams. Much like I was pimping Derrick Johnson last year, I will be the certified pimp for Mario Williams this year. And if my numba one ho goes early then my backup is Kiwi.
But the problem with trading up from 14 to 6 or 7 is that they'd have to pay a hefty price to do so. They usually trade up from the low 20's to the teens. That is a big jump but the tag isn't as high because they are lower value picks. When you get into that top 10 teams ae looking to bone other teams for picks and/or players. It will be a long shot, but I am holding out hope. But I can't see Mario getting past GB or OAK.
1. Houston - Bush
2. New Orleans - Leinart
3. Tennessee - Young
4. New York - Ferguson
5. Green Bay -
6. Oakland - CB or LB or maybe even Mario
7. San Fran -
8. Buffalo - Ngata
9. Detroit -
10. Arizona -
11. St. Louis
12. Cleveland -
13. Baltimore -
14. Philadelphia -
If he gets by Green Bay and Oakland then I think SF would go after him. If he got past SF and BUF is on the clock then they take him. But that would also help Ngata slip because I think Ngata is a Bill in waiting.
Detroit looks like the most logical trade partner to me. So we have to hope that a bunch of Mike Mamula's help muddle the process causing Mario and Ngata to drop.
Spads answered your follow-up:
QuoteIt could be the first, second or third round ... I think you look to see the best player on your board. Backup TE is a need, in my opinion. So, that's why I think it would be a solid move ... But I don't know. So much depends on the free agency signings ... If they sign five players in free agency, they have the luxury of being very selective in the draft ... I think free agency will tell the tale of this off-season ..
I hate to read into anything he says but the fact that he's willing to even acknowledge the potential for major free agency action on their part is a great sign.
I don't think I've ever seen him answer a question quite that way before.
LJ, despite his flaws, is still one of the top 10 tight ends in football...though he may be like #10. Nevertheless, tight end should not be on the focuses of the offseason and draft. The need to add a blocking first tight end is essential, but more important things like wide reciever and offensive/defensive line, linebacker come a callin.
I would pretty irritated if the Eagles picked a tight end in the first round, that would be worse than drafting Holmes. But if Leonard Pope was availbe when they picked in the second and they took him I would be happy. Could find a bio on him but he is 6'7 250 pounds and he can block and catch.
Quote from: Jerome99RIP on January 22, 2006, 11:03:35 AM
The best thing they could do to improve the passing game is to improve the running game first.
Without a legitimate threat in the backfield, teams will simply tee off on McNabb like they did last year. Just look at the four remaining teams in the playoffs. All of them place a premium on running the ball and then killing teams with the pass.
That's not an accident.
If LenDale White is there at 14 and they don't take him, they're farging idiots.
I think LenDale White is Larry Johnson.
If they feel that a TE is the best player on the board, especially if it's a kid that is extremely blocking-proficient, then so be it. A versatile, athletic, blocking TE can function as a lineman, a fullback, or a receiver, depending on the situation.
I thought the same thing in regards to his response, Rome. That is the second time I have heard him say that they will be or could be active in the FA market.
I'm getting a good feeling.
Quote from: FFatPatt on January 22, 2006, 02:35:14 PMA versatile, athletic, blocking TE can function as a lineman, a fullback, or a receiver, depending on the situation.
Thanks for the Football 101 refresher,
Mrs. Heckert's Favorite.
Hey, I'm just saying... the team needs help in many areas. A TE could be one of them.
The effect that a dangerous 2 TE set can have, as enunciated by Phreak earlier, would fit perfectly for this team. But that's only strike number two against the idea. Strike number one is that the Eagles have a powerful need at DT, LB, and WR well before we can start to dream about best case offensive scenerios with 2 good TEs.
As much as I'd like to see the Eagles get Kiwi as a BC fan/student (the dude lives right downstairs from me) I'm not sure I see the team going that direction in the 1st round with the emergence of Cole. Don't get me wrong, DE is a need, but if Cole is for real I think we have bigger needs. I want White with the #14 pick if he's there and assuming we don't trade for Duckett, otherwise I want a LB (either Chad Greenway or DeMeco Ryans, or trade up to get AJ Hawk).
FWIW, I don't see Kiwi falling to #14 anyway. Aside from Kiper I haven't seen a single mock with him falling past Cleveland at #12. Now another BC guy that I'd love to get in the 2nd round is OT Jeremy Trueblood.
We do need a #2 TE but this is something I can see us addressing in the 3rd...I'd love to get Anthony Fasano there if he's available, and I say that as a committed ND hater.
They need help even though Cole has stepped up. They cannot count solely on him, bro.
Kearse
Cole
McDougle (can he rebound?)
Those are the DEs they have under contract next year. They need front 7 help and more importantly they need pass rush. Andy has said on numeroud occasions that it all starts up front on O and D.
And if Kiwi is the guy who they target, like MURP suggested earlier, they could trade up. Maybe ARZ wants White or Maroney or DeAngelo Williams and they can trade out to 14. That would put the Birds ahead of the Browns.
LB can be addressed in FA (Witherspoon) and I don't think I would want Reid picking any more LBs. Get them in FA.
As for White...I think he;s going to be good but I highly doubt they go RB in round 1 a year after giving Westbrook $25M and drafting Moats in te 3rd. They'll likely go with a late round pick or a FA (Duce?) for the 3rd RB spot.
PS
Go on downstairs and get Kiwi acquainted with the green jersey's, bro. Let him know how Philly is and tell him we'll see him in April.
Nah... no thanks on a TE in the 1st. The ONLY way I want to see that is if they've already addressed all 3 spots in the front 7 (DE, DT, OLB) in FA.
There's a few other prospects that I'd take in the 1st if they're on the board and the front 7 spots are fixed... like McNeil or even White (not Holmes).
Quote from: PhillyandBCEagles on January 22, 2006, 03:21:27 PM
FWIW, I don't see Kiwi falling to #14 anyway. Aside from Kiper I haven't seen a single mock with him falling past Cleveland at #12.
Kiwi doesnt fit the 3-4. He can fall to 14, for some reason his stock is really going down now. Dont know why, as theres no real reason for that.
http://www.draftstudio.com/mock.htm
http://www.draftshowcase.com/swmock06.htm
http://www.draftseason.com/index2.php?Page_Name=LupagusMock
All of these have Kiwi falling to/past 14. I've seen alot of others with Kiwi going later, but these are the most notable.
I wouldn't be too happy about them taking a big name, high ranked TE in the first - even if one of the higher ranked guys slides to them/or Kiwi is gone. I would rather them take a stud O-Lineman at that slot like Winston, Justice or Jason Spitz out of Louisville. When you look at the amount of solid-looking TEs that will be in this year's draft, they could definitely make a nice addition in the second or third round. A rookie TE would not be able to come in and make a big impact in Reid's system, and with LJ already coming around (would have had a huge year had McNabb not gone down), they need a stud blocking TE more than another pass catching threat. The lines are the most important needs for this draft, and unless most of the highest ranked prospects are gone by the fourteenth pick (doubtful, but if so, they should go LB), they should really use it to address the lines.
Jason Spitz would be a horrible pick at 14. You dont take G/C in the 1st round, much less top 15.
Quote from: Dillen37 on January 22, 2006, 04:46:20 PM
Jason Spitz would be a horrible pick at 14. You dont take G/C in the 1st round, much less top 15.
My bust, I'll switch and include Marcus McNeil. Besides how could pass on a guy with a mug like this:
(http://graphics.fansonly.com/photos/schools/lou/sports/m-footbl/03-04roster/HS_spitz_jason.jpg)
He really looks like he'll take a playbook seriously.
GET SPITZ!
Quote from: PhillyPhreak54 on January 22, 2006, 02:45:05 PM
I thought the same thing in regards to his response, Rome. That is the second time I have heard him say that they will be or could be active in the FA market.
I'm getting a good feeling.
FA isn't always the magic bullet.
See Steelers.
When's the last time they signed a "name" FA? Staley?
Their success could influence the FO to stay the course.
It's not like the last few FAs the Eagles have picked up have all been winners anyway.
Been a while since I have posted. Been lurking on a daily basis though. I had to weigh in on this one.
I would love the idea of a big time tight end if the Eagles had a killer pass rush, or another shut down corner, or a big time lenebacker all in the bag.
That being said I want the Eagles above all to give Donnie the tools/weapons needed to take this thing all the way. They moved in that direction with Owens but he turned out to be the Bitch of the week every week after the Superbowl.
To do this, IMHO they have to protect better, run better, and get a goto guy that can consistantly get it done in big situations.
They can't reach in this draft. This is a big time year in the ReidandCo. era because they have some big time decisions to make in the face of the adversity that comes with a 6and10 season after playing deep into the play-offs the last few years.
Damn that was long. I need to post more often so I don't try and get it all in in one post. 8)
PhillyPhreak54:
I agree with you about loving Mario Williams. I've said on here for a while that I've wanted him, but since like you said the chances are slim to none that we can trade up to get him or that he'll fall I'm not comfortable in taking Kiwanuka there. He has a bust tag written all over him. He's a big risk and could potentially be very good, but it is a risk. I'd rather just sign Abraham so we have no worries about another busted draft pick.
TE at 14 is a reach. If we take care of all the other positions through free agency then I'd either want another OLB(assuming we only sign one) or anothe DT(assuming we only sign one).
If Moulds isn't cut and Wayne is tagged then I'd want Santonio Holmes. Yes he's young but I don't care. He's going to be a stud. Two young receivers to grow with McNabb gives me football boners.
Who fargin knows.
Sure, if the birds cover DT, DE, OLB, WR(?) in FA...then we can focus in on almost whatever for our spot. If we have all those areas selected, I wouldn't mind a WR that can be a work in progress, or trade down get Wroten and a TE in the late first early second. It's a lot of if's.
I'm not against the idea of two stud TE's. But...so many things factor into it. Are our other needs meet? Is Pinkston our #2 next year? Will Pinkston even be healthy? I think we need a WR that can stretch the field and catch the ball. You take out a potential impact on WR and put him in on TE, then teams will just pack the box. Double Reggie if they have to, single up our 2 and just come. Things just don't 'open up' as much vertically if you have an impact TE as much as an impact WR. Sure we'd have to wait a few years for it to materialize, but if he's not Freddie Mitchell, could be worth the wait. I'd rather have a playmaking WR opposite Reggie if we are going to throw the ball 55-60-65% of the time. But then you throw in what 1st rd. WR's are really guaranteed to be successful given the history of 1st rd wr's? But then you throw in this zesty draft arrangement (poor WR class, some teams ahead of us with the same record who are probably targeting the same guys we are, no clear cut DT worth 14) and our inability to draft some areas of need (LB, WR more or less) and a relatively weak FA crop and you gotta take what you can get.
I see our needs as:
DT
DE/OLB
WR
TE
If we get Rocky, Kalimba/Peterson - Kiwi/Greenway (DeMeco...whatever)...I'm fine with going up in the air with WR or TE.
Two TE's would work with some blitzes. You could have them run some late releases. Your best CB/LB/S can only cover 1. I'd much rather have some stud TE than friggin Klopenstein (sp) from Col. in the 4th.
The only problem I see with getting a DE that high is...they'd just run around the OT and the qb will just step us because there's no inside pressure. Doesn't matter who you put at DE, if there's no push up the middle, it'll be the same old story. ...and if the DE does make a presence, run a RB chip or a TE, max pro at our DE and defense and we're back to having the same problems we had last year.
arrrgh. This team has so many holes I don't know where to start. I woudn't mind DE in the first though, seeing as how Jevon has been suspicously healthy the past two years and beyond that we have Cole...then trash. Who do we rotate if Jevon/Cole goes down? Split Walker out there, then our DT are even thinner.
If LJ goes down, god have mercy on our soul. Spach/Thorn would be our 2 TE sets?
Quote from: Larry on January 22, 2006, 06:12:27 PM
Quote from: PhillyPhreak54 on January 22, 2006, 02:45:05 PM
I thought the same thing in regards to his response, Rome. That is the second time I have heard him say that they will be or could be active in the FA market.
I'm getting a good feeling.
FA isn't always the magic bullet.
See Steelers.
When's the last time they signed a "name" FA? Staley?
Their success could influence the FO to stay the course.
I have a feeling that its going to be a magic bullet this year though. They know they need help and they'll go out and get it.
Quote from: Philly Forever on January 22, 2006, 06:41:51 PM
PhillyPhreak54:
I agree with you about loving Mario Williams. I've said on here for a while that I've wanted him, but since like you said the chances are slim to none that we can trade up to get him or that he'll fall I'm not comfortable in taking Kiwanuka there. He has a bust tag written all over him. He's a big risk and could potentially be very good, but it is a risk. I'd rather just sign Abraham so we have no worries about another busted draft pick.
TE at 14 is a reach. If we take care of all the other positions through free agency then I'd either want another OLB(assuming we only sign one) or anothe DT(assuming we only sign one).
If Moulds isn't cut and Wayne is tagged then I'd want Santonio Holmes. Yes he's young but I don't care. He's going to be a stud. Two young receivers to grow with McNabb gives me football boners.
I'm not real sold on Holmes yet. I don't know why but maybe I'm a little gun shy about the whole WR in the first round thing again.
pinoy,
My scenario of the TE @ 14 hinges much on the Eagles getting a WR, DE, DT and LB in FA.
pinoy I gotta say it's hard not to agree with your bleak assessment but I think the defense is one impact player away from being deadly again.
I think they need either another shut down corner so that Dawk can get wicked again or as you stated a guy that can provide a push up the middle. One impact, high energy guy on defense can make all the difference even if it's at linebacker; imagine the Eagles having a guy they can actually turn lose on a blitz off the edge rather than just sending Trott up th emiddle to get picked up everytime.
Freak, well in that case, I'm more than fine with it. Hell, I love the idea then. IMO Reid is too aggressive sometimes. Going spread O and not enough max pro. If you have a playmaker at TE and put him in to block (or LJ in to block - ha) run a delayed route or just go out instead of a WR going out to run a route, D-Mac won't get slaughtered. Kinda of ass backwards thinking, but it'll work.
I think we maybe could be two impact players away from this D being dominate again, but (imo) it has to be at DT and SLB. I like Peterson, but question his health and what he's worth vs what he thinks he's worth. I like Witherspoon, but isn't he more of a WLB? So they we'd have no real SLB and 4 WLB's? JJ has always said LB is the hardest position to play on this D, so how would a rookie LB do in this system anyway, let alone one we draft? But if somehow we can finagle a nice DT (Rocky) and SLB (?), it's on like donkey kong in '06. I'm still up in the air about Greenway and DeMeco. Afraid they get swallowed up in traffic. Haven't seen Carpenter and his broken leg play.
Quote from: Displaced on January 22, 2006, 06:55:10 PM
pinoy I gotta say it's hard not to agree with your bleak assessment but I think the defense is one impact player away from being deadly again.
I agree with that whole-heartedly. Especially if that player is one who can get to the quarterback. Everyone on here saw how ineffective JJ's defense becomes when none of the front four can get to the quarterback.
take Garrett Mills in the 7th and give him some roids.
Quote from: Displaced on January 22, 2006, 06:55:10 PM
pinoy I gotta say it's hard not to agree with your bleak assessment but I think the defense is one impact player away from being deadly again.
I think they need either another shut down corner so that Dawk can get wicked again or as you stated a guy that can provide a push up the middle. One impact, high energy guy on defense can make all the difference even if it's at linebacker; imagine the Eagles having a guy they can actually turn lose on a blitz off the edge rather than just sending Trott up th emiddle to get picked up everytime.
Really? I think they are about 5 players away. 2 DTs, 1 DE, 2 OLBs. Defense is so important. I don't want any holes on it next year. None. It always makes you feel so much better going into a game knowing it's hard to score on you.
Quote from: MURP on January 22, 2006, 11:18:09 PM
take Garrett Mills in the 7th and give him some roids.
He's a guy I've been reading up on. Sounds like a Reid type guy. Plus he'd be reunited with his boy Truckdriver.
You left holes at CB and SS.
I think Rod Hood is more than good enough to hill in if Lito starts sucking, and Lewis had one bad fluke year.
Tito will be alright when the pass rush is fixed. He's a gambler and needs to be better on not taking so many chances, but once he doesn't have to break his leg trying to cover a guy for 53 seconds he'll be aight.
Quote from: PhillyPhreak54 on January 22, 2006, 11:26:52 PM
Tito will be alright when the pass rush is fixed. He's a gambler and needs to be better on not taking so many chances, but once he doesn't have to break his leg trying to cover a guy for 53 seconds he'll be aight.
Yeah what he said. Restoring the pass rush is key to fixing all the other problems the defense has had this year. A dominant pass rush gets them off the field on third down after the run defense, that was improved this last year, puts teams in the whole. Like I said this can be accomplished in a bunch of ways whether it's with a DT that collapses the pocket or a LB with the skills to get to the QB or with a shut down corner on the outside.
Again one impact player can make the difference. It may sound simplistic but look at the difference in the run defense after Trott was inserted last year.
This team needs playmaking linebackers too. Big-time. Not just one, but two of them.
Thing is, I just can't see a Merriman in the bunch. Is there? Maybe besides AJ, who else is out there? I am getting pissed off that all these NFL D ROY are coming out a LB the past two years. Last year was a great LB corps.
The thing is, they don't really need a Merriman type guy. I'd love to have him and Andy Reid scouted him hard last year but he was too high for them. It was a shock that he made it to SD at 12.
What they need, while still being a playmaker, is a guy who is disciplined and who can eat up blockers at the point-of-attack at SAM. When we had Emmons he took on blockers and allowed pursuit to flow to the ball. Dhani is a goddamn matador.
And the WLB position needs a guy who has sideline -to-sideline speed so he can cover a guy like Tiki and flow to the weakside pursuit and is good in space.
That is why I would like to see Witherspoon here. And that is another reason why I won't give up on McCoy yet because he has speed. If he can be coached up, he might be something.
Even though I'm pimping Spoon, if they signed Peterson and moved Dhani to WIL I would be pleased.
And if they did get Peterson it would also help Mike Lewis a ton as well. Lewis is better in the box. When he has to help cover TEs or is isolated on TEs then he's out of his comfort zone.
As usual Phreak you are on point. Dhani is naturally a WILL if the Eagles could get a Bonafide SAM and move The Bow Tie back to his natural position that would be huge. Dhani has ball skills (excellent for a Lb) and few runningbacks can out run him in patterns. I still remember that beautiful over the shoulder int he had early on in the season.
Also they need a Linebacker that can come in on third downs and cover the backs and TEs. Maybe Jones could even be the guy in that role the way Ike was. But that would call for at least two Lbs to come in and acclamate to the system right away. Don't know if that's possible.
Yeah, I like 'Spoon a lot. Covers like he's insane and, for the most part, using his hands well avoiding chips and getting through trash. I don't think Greenway or DeMeco (only watched a few games of each just focusing in on them) can shed trash very well. Greenway can fly and can get by because of his athleticism, but can't blow a guy back like Merriman. I'm still up in the air about the incoming draft LB's. I think Greenway moves up at the combine bc he'll post some great measureables.
Witherspoon did blow the coverage on the first TD of the game yesterday. He cheated up too much and left Stevens wide open in the middle of the end zone. That said, there were plenty of plays I watched him playing man-to-man instead of zone, and he looked quite good.
andy reid gets the gas face if he even thinks about taking a TE at 14
I don't see anyone worth taking at #14 either, but they could go TE in the first round if they trade down.
That said, I really don't see it happening. I think they draft a big man at #14... either a beastly LB or a lineman.
Quote from: Jerome99RIP on January 22, 2006, 11:03:35 AM
The best thing they could do to improve the passing game is to improve the running game first.
Without a legitimate threat in the backfield, teams will simply tee off on McNabb like they did last year. Just look at the four remaining teams in the playoffs. All of them place a premium on running the ball and then killing teams with the pass.
That's not an accident.
If LenDale White is there at 14 and they don't take him, they're farging idiots.
If AZ passes up on White, they're farging idiots.
Take LenDale White at 14 if available, if not, (I can't believe I am saying this) draft Leonard from (gulp) Rutgers. Leonard can play the FB spot and is a big enough guy to line up in the 2 TE set. From what I am told, he is a really bright kid who plays in a WCO for the (gayest nickname in all sports) Scarlet Knights.
Leonard is staying in school.
I'd like to reiterate that if the Birds draft a TE in the first round I'm going to stab all of you. In the ear.
Quote from: stillupfront on January 23, 2006, 11:00:58 PM...he is a really bright kid who plays in a WCO for the (gayest nickname in all sports) Scarlet Knights.
And I'd like to point out that 'Cowboys' is much gayer name than 'Scarlet Knights.'
Thanks.
i played on a pee wee hockey team called the flamers