QuoteA View From the Hall: Where's Bunkley?
by Ray Didinger
Special to ComcastSportsNet.com
Jon Dorenbos, the Eagles new long snapper, is a professional magician. You probably saw him performing his card tricks on TV. It is impressive stuff, but it is only the second best magic act to play in the Eagles locker room this season.
Andy Reid and Jim Johnson performed the most amazing trick of all: They made a 6-foot-3, 306-pound man disappear. Brodrick Bunkley, the first round draft pick. Now you see him, now you don't. No tackles in five weeks, zero sacks all season. A blue-chip prospect gone – poof – just like that.
Brodrick Bunkley is the most puzzling story of this Eagles season. Why isn't he playing? The Eagles rush defense ranks 29th in the NFL. They have given up an average of 186 yards on the ground in their last six games. Teams are shredding their defensive line week after week Yet Bunkley, the hulking tackle from Florida State, can't get on the field.
Why?
Reid has not offered an explanation, but what else is new? Early in the season, Johnson said Bunkley was behind the other tackles because he missed two weeks of training camp due to his holdout. More recently, the defensive coordinator has taken a harder line and said the rookie has not performed well enough to earn more snaps.
Here are my two questions:
(1) Isn't it possible that Bunkley might have performed better if he were given more of an opportunity? How much can he show – good or bad – playing just a handful of snaps?
(2) Even if Bunkley is a little rough around the edges, could he possibly be less effective than the veterans who are playing ahead of him now?
In the last three games, Washington, Carolina and Indianapolis have rushed the ball 104 times against the Eagles. In those games, Darwin Walker was credited with one solo tackle. Sam Rayburn was credited with three tackles. Darren Howard, who splits time between tackle and end, was shutout. So it's not like Bunkley is trying to break into the Fearsome Foursome or the Steel Curtain.
Some people feel the Eagles are punishing Bunkley for his holdout. I don't buy that. They are paying him a lot of money – a six-year contract worth $17.5 million with $9.7 million guaranteed – so they would only spite themselves by keeping him on the bench. It would make no sense, especially with the team fighting to make the playoffs.
I've heard other people say the Eagles are punishing Bunkley for missing the team charter to Indianapolis. Yes, Reid was angry enough to deactivate Bunkley for the Colts game, but the truth is, the kid was buried long before that. In the last two months, Bunkley has hardly played at all. He has one assisted tackle in his last eight games, that's it.
I wish I could explain it, but I can't.
The Eagles have a glaring need for a physical presence in the middle of their defensive line. They need a tackle who can shed a block and get to the football. At the moment, the holes are snapping open like the starting gate at Churchill Downs and guys like Ladell Betts and Joseph Addai are hitting the second level at full speed. Tiki Barber must be smiling as he watches those films preparing for Sunday's date with the Eagles at the Meadowlands.
Mike Patterson is trying (12 solo tackles, 13 assists in the last four games), but he is an undersized tackle who needs help. Putting Bunkley next to him would seem to make sense. Conversely, keeping Bunkley on the sidelines at this point makes no sense. I don't get it, I really don't.
Fans are now referring to Bunkley as a bust. They are comparing him to Jon Harris, the defensive end from Virginia who was selected in the first round of the 1997 draft by Ray Rhodes. Harris was a nice kid who tried hard, but he never should have been a first round pick. Most draft analysts (myself included) had him projected as a fourth or fifth round selection. Harris lasted only two seasons with the Eagles but, really, he was a huge mistake from Day One.
Bunkley is a different case. Unlike Harris, Bunkley was a very good college player. In his final year at Florida State, he had nine quarterback sacks and set a school record with 25 tackles behind the line of scrimmage. He was projected as a first round pick by every NFL team. He was the #1 defensive tackle on my draft board ahead of Haloti Ngata, who was drafted 12th overall by Baltimore and John McCargo, who was drafted 26th by Buffalo.
Bunkley was impressive at the NFL Scouting Combine. I sometimes think scouts put too much stock in those workouts, but when Bunkley ran the 40-yard dash in 4.9 seconds and did 44 repetitions on the weights (225 pounds) it confirmed what I felt all along: this kid is the real thing.
After watching him on film, I made the following observations:
▪ Quick, explosive player. Best suited for one-gap defense.
▪ Good motor, plays hard, chases down ball carries sideline to sideline.
▪ Good balance, fights off blocks, seldom on the ground.
▪ Collapses pass pocket, lives in opponent's backfield.
The negatives: Two knee injuries suffered early in his college career, but he only missed one game in his final three seasons at Florida State. A minor brush with the law, shoplifting a video game in 2003, but the Seminole coaches chalked it up to immaturity. Otherwise, they said, Bunkley was a good kid.
I thought the Eagles lucked out when Bunkley fell in their laps on draft day. I was surprised he slipped to the 14th pick. I felt he was a better fit for their defense than Ngata, a 6-4, 340-pounder who went two picks earlier to the Ravens. Of course, now the fans are saying Ngata is the better player and it is hard to argue since he is starting for a very good defense in Baltimore.
But I know what I saw last season when I watched Bunkley make big plays in big spots for Florida State. And I know what I saw at the Eagles training camp when Bunkley was crushing people on the practice field. I remember at one point, Ron Jaworski said: "Bunkley is a monster." Jeremiah Trotter said, "He's an absolute beast."
Now people are calling Bunkley an absolute bust and that's a concern because once that label goes on, it is hard to get off. And if a young player hears it often enough, he might start to believe it himself. Then it's all over.
I can't argue with the coaches about Bunkley's performance early in the season. He did not play well. He stood straight up when the ball was snapped and that allowed blockers to knock him back. He relied too much on one move – the bull rush – on pass plays. He didn't dazzle anyone – his best game was two tackles, one assist against Green Bay in Week 4 – but he wasn't on the field very much.
I really believe if he had played more, he would have played better and gained some confidence and we wouldn't be trying to solve this puzzle in Week 14. And who knows, the Eagles defense might look a whole lot better than it does right now.
Amen to the quotes in bold.
Also - one solo tackle from Darwin Walker. One tackle in three games = train ticket out of town. NOW.
QuoteIn the last three games, Washington, Carolina and Indianapolis have rushed the ball 104 times against the Eagles. In those games, Darwin Walker was credited with one solo tackle.
Ouch.
farg giving Walker any kind of ticket. He's an engineer. Let him build his own mode of transportation.
Get Bunkley in there. JJ said he would play more this week.
Soooo... we should count on seeing Bunkley 5 snaps this week? ;)
Well, you know, they ran the ball to the outside and cut it back in the middle a few times. So...it's not his fault.
I would love to see Bunk in there this week. He can't possibly do worse than those stats. Jesus christ. Darwin Walker needs to get the farg out of town.
And for god sakes... ACTIVATE LAJUAN RAMSEY!
Nice job. Thanks for posting the entire story. Next time try a link. It may be smaller, but the size of your post doesn't show how smart you are.
Which I guess goes without saying in your case. Now go kill yourself, I'll be able to get by on my own finding Eagles stories.
Quote from: ttllabtoof on December 15, 2006, 12:18:30 AM
Nice job. Thanks for posting the entire story. Next time try a link. It may be smaller, but the size of your post doesn't show how smart you are.
Which I guess goes without saying in your case. Now go kill yourself, I'll be able to get by on my own finding Eagles stories.
Dude, we already have way too many bitter white men around here. And most of those guys are at least funny sometimes. Why don't you take it down a notch?
Quote from: ttllabtoof on December 15, 2006, 12:18:30 AM
Nice job. Thanks for posting the entire story. Next time try a link. It may be smaller, but the size of your post doesn't show how smart you are.
Which I guess goes without saying in your case. Now go kill yourself, I'll be able to get by on my own finding Eagles stories.
Stick it, dickwad.
Damn. Now you know you're a farging cock faced ass master when Philly Crew starts talking shtein.
Seriously dude, you're a farging idiot and I wish you nothing more than a slow painful death.
pretty depressing this morning on espn they had a big story on how great this years rookie class is and how it will go down as maybe the all time best...somehow the eagles managed to come out of it with the worst draft in the nfl (so far)
Meh - I think they knew Justice was a project and an athlete. That was never intended to be a pick for now. He still figures to man the LT spot for years. Gaither was a nice find so late in the draft, and I wouldn't close the door on LaJuan Ramsey or Bunkley just yet. Jean-Gilles could also be a big part of the OL (literally and figuratively).
Obviously, I have no idea what to expect from Gocong or Bloom, but I'm not expecting much. I am, however, disappointed that Avant hasn't been able to get more time this year. I think he's better suited to the slot and to the move-the-chains routes, but Baskett's consistently on the field more, despite no production.
Let's just say the Eagles 2006 draft has not yet paid any big dividends and could end up being a massive bust, but the jury's most certainly still out.
It's hard to say if he's the worst pick because he hasn't been on the field. Then again, it's not like the players in front of him have been playing at a pro bowl level either. So is it because he's actually being out played by the likes of Darwin Walker or has he just been getting a raw deal and not gotten a legitmate chance?
Or, is it [es]Coach Reid is just waiting until the playoffs to unleash the beast because no one will know how to game plan for him.[/es]
Let's just say the Eagles 2006 draft has not yet paid any big dividends
other than gaither the last two games its paid NO dividends
before gaither the entire rookie class combined was in for maybe 100 plays the whole year
anyway i said 'so far'...my point is many many other teams have had no problem getting multiple rookies on the field...and not just on the field but an inordinate amount are studs and tons are big contributers...in relation to that is what im talking about...how come in possibly the best all around draft ever the eagles cant get any players on the field and have the single worst pick in the draft thus far in bunkley
in two years who knows the eagles draft could turn out to be ok but so far yuck
Reid and JJ not giving Bunkley much of a chance to play is for two reasons, IMO:
1. He hasn't shown anything in practice or in games to impress them at all, partially because he reported late to training camp and out of shape.
2. They're punishing him for reporting late. Still. Because they're like it.
I think it's more #1 than #2. I don't know which one I'd prefer, though.
if its #1 then just add it to the long list of horrible picks...the late to camp thing is a copout
if its #2 then add that to the list of reasons reid should be fired....i think it will be #108
Please list #'s 1 thru 107 for reference.
I think it def has to do with training camp. I mean the guy prob just got into shape mid season, but is still prob lost when it comes to the year book. Give the guy a break, he's going to be fine once he gets a year under his belt and a full training camp in. I mean how many McDougle's does it take to get a star?
Quote from: ice grillin you on December 15, 2006, 08:19:49 AM
pretty depressing this morning on ESPN they had a big story on how great this years rookie class is and how it will go down as maybe the all time best...somehow the eagles managed to come out of it with the worst draft in the nfl (so far)
There is nothing more frustrating than watching games every weekend and seeing all these top picks for all these teams not only playing but contributing while the birds top picks are continuously deactivated or on the bench. Someone please remind the FO that there are no red or gray shirt years in the NFL.
Bunk must have cracked a bad Mormon joke during training camp or something as his absence on the field is baffling.
There is no such thing as a bad Mormon joke.
For what it's worth apparently Bunkley's getting more snaps this week.
A great big fat "meh" from me there. I can't believe they're still punishing the guy for not reporting to camp, though. Not even Reid could be that vindictive.
Also - per Spew... he mentioned that the reason Bunkley (and Ramsey to a lesser extent) hasn't played more is because the coaches "don't trust them on the field" whatever the farg that means. They haven't played so how the blue hell can you trust them or not? We know they're not getting dick from Walker. In fact, he's become a chronic liability so I can't see where Bunkley could possibly be any worse at this point.
Eh - we'll see.
PS: :-D at psychoboy ttllabtoof.
Damn, son... get yourself a hobby or something. Being my personal ass licker ain't what it's... ummm... cracked up to be.
QuoteAlso - per Spew... he mentioned that the reason Bunkley (and Ramsey to a lesser extent) hasn't played more is because the coaches "don't trust them on the field"
If that's even a half truth then I'm going to call for Reid's head immediately instead of the end of the season. How the hell can you not trust a 1st round pick on the field? How the hell can you trust Darwin farging Walker more than anyone?
He trusts Sean Considine enough to bench Mike Lewis, who at least was good at one point in time, but he doesn't trust Bunkley enough to replace Walker, who has always sucked.
He's a 1st round draft pick getting paid a shteinload of money. It's not like he's a QB who needs to digest a fat playbook and develop timing with recievers and learn to read defenses. He's a DT for christ's sake. What's there to trust? QB says "Hike!" and you go after his ass. And if he hands the ball off to a RB, then chase him down instead. It ain't that complicated. Put him on the farging field, Andy. Ya fat bastich.
amen sarge
he also trusted a dhani jones/greg richmond training camp winner to fill the sam this year
and matt mccoy at the will
yet he cant trust the #13 overall pick to play on the leagues worst run defense....is this a sick joke?
Quote from: Sgt PSN on December 15, 2006, 08:33:11 PM
If that's even a half truth then I'm going to call for Reid's head immediately instead of the end of the season.
I shtein you not, Sassy. (http://boards.philadelphiaeagles.com/index.php?showtopic=403415&view=findpost&p=7666374)
Incidentally, look at who posed the question in the first place. Our very own Phreak. :-D
I seriously think I'm suicidal right now.
the one guy makes the point when he asks 'so the eagles trust darwin walker?'
i dont get the whole trust thing and i dont buy it...what does it even mean to not trust a DT...it has to be language that translates into one of two things
1. they hate him cause he held out
2. he really truly sucks as a player more than any of us can imagine
Which brings us back to the beginning... is Andy Reid really that vindictive? Would be purposely farg with a #1 pick's career because he held out of camp for two weeks? I can't believe that. No way.
The second - is Bunkley really that awful. No way again. He was a very good player at Florida State, especially during the 2005 season. He was a one-man wrecking crew at times and although the competition is much weaker than the NFL, I can't see any way he could be a total bust in terms of talent.
Something isn't right, though. I just don't see how it could be either of those two things. At least I hope it isn't, especially scenario #1, because if so. . . yikes.
i dont hide my hatred for reid never have...and even i dont believe it has to do with his hold out
i also cant believe hes so bad to not be able to get on the field in this teams DT rotation
my guess is hes been a problem child...who knows how...late for meetings?...doesnt listen to coaches?...we of course know about the missed flight...maybe if they cant 'trust' him to make a plane they wont 'trust' him to make plays on the field...
Quote from: Jerome99RIP on December 15, 2006, 09:04:49 PM
Which brings us back to the beginning... is Andy Reid really that vindictive? Would be purposely farg with a #1 pick's career because he held out of camp for two weeks? I can't believe that. No way.
This is one of those things where common sense tells me "No, Reid may be stubborn but he's not going to bench a guy for an entire season because he held out of camp."
McNabb was a hold out
Simon was a hold out
Neither one of them were benched because of it.
But at the same time, even though common sense tells me otherwise, I absolutely would not be surprised if Andy's arrogant and stubborn ass was benching him just for spite. Wouldn't be surprised one bit.
It wouldn't surprise me if Bunkley was acting a fool all season long. It would surprise me if his lack of playing time is the result of holding out.
The former is plausible the latter is nearly impossible to believe. Again, Reid's stubborn as an army mule but he's not crazy.
I'm in full agreement with you as to the real reason why he's not playing. Just saying that I wouldn't be surprised if Reid benched him simply out of spite.
Quote from: Sgt PSN on December 15, 2006, 09:48:54 PM
I'm in full agreement with you as to the real reason why he's not playing. Just saying that I wouldn't be surprised if Reid benched him simply out of spite.
Maybe I give AR too much credit... but that
would surprise the hell out of me. I gotta believe (and hope) he's smart enough not to punish the whole team over a grudge against one player.
Problem is... it only makes it more mindboggling as to why they won't put Bunkley's ass on the field. What's not to trust? Are they afraid the D will give up 300 yards a game on the ground instead of the 250 they already give up?
Quote from: Diomedes on December 15, 2006, 07:20:45 PM
There is no such thing as a bad Mormon joke.
Q.Why was the Mormon man upset about his marriage-counseling bill?
A. He didn't get a group rate.
I don't know if he was in there at all, but Bunkley finished the day with no stats.
I kept my eye out all game and don't recall him playing defense. I honestly can't remember Walker and Patterson being out all game.
He was in a lot on short yardage and on goalline. Mostly packages where it is simple "beat your guy and stay low" stuff. Jim Johnson said on PGL that he was working him in more and more and thought he played well.
He also played a lot on the Giants final two drives. Especially on the last drive. To his credit he was driving Seubert and Snee back pretty good. YOu can see him strength there.