Looking Ahead: Offseason Wishlist

[PhillyPhanInDC]

On the QB front, I'd like for the Eagles to take a look at Bruce Gradkowski in the 3-4 rounds. Sounds like he could be a player, and has a decent upside.

[rjs246]

Damn over 70% completions. Nice. Too bad he only has one first name.

[PhillyPhanInDC]

I saw the guy play a couple times. He's got wheels too, not Vick like speed mind you, but he can really run and make people miss in the open field. With some good coaching he could probably be a solid backup for years.

[phattymatty]

sweet, then we can all yell the bruce is loose.

[MadMarchHare]

But can he hold?

[rjs246]

How many 40s can he drink in one sitting?

[PhillyPhanInDC]

He went to school in Canada...so he'll probably be pounding Molson 30, that shtein is like moon shine.

[PhillyPhanInDC]

More on the Bruce. I really see the Eagles taking a look at this kid for a backup candidate. He's a little short, but the more I read about him, the more I like the idea of him becoming an Eagle. Sounds like he could be what the team hoped Scramblin' Mike would be.

Bruce Gradkowski (2006)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Position: QB
Number: 07
School: Toledo
Height: 6'2
Weight: 204
Status: Senior


Good athlete, definitely has what it takes for the next level, takes command of the offense, a leader, can throw on the run or from the pocket, has good accurate arm when he sets his self up properly in the pocket, he athletically reminds me of QB "Mike McMahon" of the Philadelphia Eagles , one of his strengths is his versatility, meaning he can kill you throwing or running, excellent runner in open space, makes quick, decisive decisions, has the athleticism to buy time for his receivers, and also makes you defend the entire field either spreading the field with multiple passes, stretching the field vertically, or running when there are openings, throws a tight spiral, he also enhances the level of skill and confidence of the players around him, good skill at avoiding the rush as well, for the next level, would be excellent in a West Coast offense system, see him as starting QB in NFL one day.

Link

Bruce Gradkowski | QB | Toledo Year: Senior (RS/5th Year)
Home Town: Pittsburgh, PA
High School: Seton La-Salle

Height: 6'2
Weight: 210
40 yard Dash: 4.70 (est)
Postseason Invites: none

Biography
Continuing the pipeline of signal callers coming out of the Pittsburgh area, Gradkowski was a top high school player. He redshirted his first season at Toledo, then saw almost no time his freshman season. As a sophomore, he finally stepped into the starting role and had an excellent season finishing second in the nation in completion percentage and sixth in passing efficiency. He again would finish second in completion percentage again as a junior and was named honorable metion All-American by Sports Illustrated.

Analysis

STRENGTHS: decision making, toughness, accuracy, mobility

WEAKNESSES: durability, height, deep ball

NFL COMPARISON: Jeff Garcia, Lions
Both players aren't quite the ideal size, but have good mobility, toughness and smarts which allows them to succeed. Like Garcia, it would seem that the best place for Gradkowski might be in a west coast system because he is a more effective underneath passer than downfield.

SCOUTING REPORT: As college quarterbacks go, you can't ask for much more out of one than what Gradkowski has accomplished. He has a lot of the intangible qualities needed for the position. He has excellent toughness and competitive fire. He plays with pain and is not afraid to take a hit. When in the pocket, Gradkowksi will make throws while getting hit and isn't flustered by pressure. He has enough arm strength to still make throws while getting hit, but he doesn't possess elite ability to put heat on the ball. He is a much better underneath passer than he is deep. Accuracy underneath is one of Gradkowski's biggest strengths.He places his passes well and allows his receivers to make plays after the catch. He spreads the ball around a lot and will use most of the weapons at his disposal. On the deep ball, Gradkowski has good touch and lets his receivers run under the ball, but he doesn't have the arm strength to drive the ball downfield. He is much more of an intermediate passer. Some of his longer passes tend to hang up a little. When forced to leave the pocket, Gradkowski is very mobile and can make plays with his feet. He is accurate on the run, but his passes do lose some velocity. Toledo had their share of designed runs for him and he made the most of his opportunities to run. One thing he will have to adjust to is being under center more. He ran a lot of plays out of the shotgun in college and will have to work on his dropbacks and reading things on the move. Over his last two seasons, Gradkowski has battled some injuries and his style of play may lead to him taking more hits than are necessary. 

Overall
Gradkowski has the look of a player who will at the very least, be a good backup in the NFL. Whether or not he can develop into a starter remains to be seen. He doesn't have enough physical tools to elevate a less talented team, but if surrounded by playmakers, he can be counted on to at least, not lose games. West coast offense is probably the best place for him. Look for Gradkowski to go in the middle rounds.
Projected Round: 4th Round. 

Link 2

[Don Ho]

On the QB front, I'd like for the Eagles to take a look at Bruce Gradkowski in the 3-4 rounds. Sounds like he could be a player, and has a decent upside.

Who hasn't at one time in their school days had a PE teacher named "Mr. Gradkowski"?  Yes, even in Hawaii we had a few.

Seriously though this guy is a good QB.  I saw him a few times on ESPN Thursday Night Football as Toledo seemed to always play weekday games.  Toledo was always fun to watch as they played an exciting brand of football.  Guy has an arm and is a tough SOB.  He would be a nice addition.

Gettin all worked up over our lineup for 2006:

1.  DMac
2.  The Bruce
3.  Timmy Chang

[SunMo]

Eagles | Interested in Witherspoon?
Wed, 1 Mar 2006 13:31:12 -0800

Pat Yasinskas, of the Charlotte Observer, reports the Philadelphia Eagles are expected to show early interest in Carolina Panthers LB Will Witherspoon, who will become an unrestricted free agent Friday, March 3.

[SunMo]

Eagles | Salary cap status
Wed, 1 Mar 2006 13:21:30 -0800

John Clayton, of ESPN.com, reports the Philadelphia Eagles are $14.2 million under the $92 million salary cap as of Wednesday, March 1.

[PhillyPhanInDC]

Read in the AJC yesterday that Ike Reese could be the odd-man out at LB in ATL.

Bring Ike back. And Duce too.

Looks like Duce will probably wind up statying put.....which is odd.

Steelers restructure Staley's deal
By Joe Bendel
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Friday, March 3, 2006

The Steelers have restructured the contract of running back Duce Staley, his agent Derrick Harrison said Thursday.

"We're in agreement at this point. It's just some fine-tuning now," Harrison said.

The Steelers also cut safety Russell Stuvaints, who would have counted $230,000 against the salary cap next season and are attempting to restructure deals for Pro Bowl center Jeff Hartings and backup center Chukky Okobi.

Also, restricted free-agent cornerback Ike Taylor will receive a one-year tender of $1.55 million.

Backup quarterback Tommy Maddox and cornerback Willie Williams are expected to be released.

Staley was scheduled to make $2.5 million next season, while counting $4.3 million against the salary cap. But those numbers will be reduced when the Steelers submit their player salaries to the NFL by the 10 p.m. deadline Sunday.

The team continues to try to re-work deals with Hartings, who is scheduled to make $4 million next season and would count $8.1 million against the cap, and Okobi, who is scheduled to make $2 million and would count $2.7 million against the cap.

Okobi could take a pay cut of between 20 and 50 percent, according to his agent, Joe Linta of Freedom. Or, the two sides could decide it is best to release Okobi, a five-year vet.

"We want to lean toward staying," Linta said. "The Steelers have assured us that Chukky is the center of the future. However, we just hope the future comes before he's on Medicare."

Staley, who will be entering his 10th season, accepted a restructuring of his deal because he is expected to be a backup to Willie Parker next season.

The Steelers could use depth at running back after losing Jerome Bettis to retirement. Also, third-down back Verron Haynes is an unrestricted free agent.

"Duce is a team guy, he's willing to make those concessions," Harrison said. "He understood the business aspect. Duce never has totally been motivated by money. When he was a free agent, there were teams that put more money on the table than the Steelers, but when we looked at his options, we both felt like Pittsburgh was a good fit for him. Coach (Bill) Cowher has a reputation of taking care of his veterans."

By giving Taylor a mid-level tender, the Steelers can match any offer sheet made to Taylor by another team because they have the right of first refusal. If the Steelers don't match a potential offer, they'll be compensated with a first-round draft choice.

As for Stuvaints, a McKeesport native who ended the season on injured reserve with a knee injury, Linta said Cowher had assured him that he'd bring him back next season.

[Feva]

So he leaves Philly because he wants to be "the guy" and get more carries... and then restructures to sit behind Willie freakin' Parker?  Makes sense.   

[Diomedes]

He did win a Super Bowl backing up Willie Parker.  Why not stay there?  Does he have any reason at all to prefer backing up Brian Westrbook?

[PhillyPhanInDC]

I've got money that says Pittsburgh will add another RB in the draft, and Staley will drop another spot on the depth chart. Sad, cause I always liked Staley, but he probably won't get another touch next year either. Really strange he did that, unless he really thinks they will use him to fill the Bettis void, which I think is pretty farging doubtful.