Who are the Eagles going to pick?

Written on April 5, 2012 by Kyle in Eagles

Fletcher Cox aka Mr. Popular

The NFL draft is three weeks away and Eagles fans seemingly have no idea what direction the team is going to go. Some argue for Ryan Tannehill, others for a defensive tackle and some even argue for another receiver like Michael Floyd. Luke Kuechly is definitely still on the fan’s radar because after so many years of horrible linebacker play we’ve determined that you can never have too many good linebackers. Heck, some are even arguing for the Eagles to spend another high pick on a safety.

Defensive Tackle:

The fans are all over the board. But the “experts” have seemingly pinpointed one spot they think the Eagles will try and upgrade: defensive tackle. I looked at 21 mock drafts (see the chart below) and 14 of them have the Eagles taking a defensive tackle. And another two of them have Quinton Coples who undoubtedly has the ability to play defensive tackle, especially under Jim Washburn in a scheme where tweeners like Jason Jones have thrived in the past.

Player Selected:	Mock Draft Author:
Fletcher Cox – DT – Mississippi St.	Mel Kiper (ESPN), Don Banks (SI), Charles Davis (NFL), Walt (Walter Football), Brad Wells (SB Nation), Wes Bunting (National Football Post), Sigmund Bloom (Bleacher Report), Shane Hallam (Draft Countdown)
Michael Brockers – DT – LSU	Brian Baldinger (NFL), Chad Rueter (NFL), Dane Brugler (CBS), Peter Schrager (Fox)
Cordy Glenn – OL – Georgia	Bucky Brooks (NFL)
Mark Barron – S – Alabama	Todd McShay (ESPN), Rob Rang (CBS), Charley Casserly (NFL)
Quinton Coples – DL – North Carolina	Scott Wright (Draft Countdown), Nolan Nawrocki (Pro Football Weekly)
Devon Still – DT – Penn State	Damond Talbot (SB Nation)
Dontari Poe – DT – Memphis	Russ Lande (Sporting News)

But one of the Eagles’ strong points last year was their defensive line (including defensive tackle), why do they need an upgrade? Well…

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The Eagles Sign Demetress Bell

Written on April 4, 2012 by Kyle in Eagles

The Eagles signed Demetress Bell to a five year deal today. This move was obviously made because of the injury to Jason Peters. Bell was charged with replacing Peters when he was traded to the Eagles and now he is charged with replacing him once more. Bell was the best offensive tackle left on the market according to most people and unless he gets hurt he should be the starting left tackle for the entire season for the Eagles. Bell was a talented but raw player coming out of college and he still has that reputation a few years into his NFL career. It is expected that Bell will fit in Mudd’s scheme (which calls for more agressive pass sets and more pulling) because of his athletic abilities.

Talked to a high-ranking personnel source on Demetrius Bell through text: “Decent feet, reach, bend. Inconsistent with punch…

March 30, 2012 1:28 pm via TweetDeck ReplyRetweetFavorite

@caplannfl

Adam Caplan

…needs to get first shot in. Not sure how strong he is.”

March 30, 2012 1:28 pm via TweetDeck ReplyRetweetFavorite

@caplannfl

Adam Caplan

Summary: Lots of upside, athleticism, but raw.

March 30, 2012 1:29 pm via TweetDeck ReplyRetweetFavorite

@caplannfl

Adam Caplan

Another problem with Bell is that he hasn’t been very durable. In the past three years he has missed 17 games with various injuries. In 2009 he was put on IR with a knee injury and he struggled with shoulder and knee injuries this past season.

But he performed well this past season in the seven games he played in. Bell only allowed half of a sack last season and he commit no penalties. We’ll see if he can keep it up and maybe even improve under the best offensive line coach in the NFL (Mudd).

This means that unless we get hit with another injury the tackles on the roster should be Demetress Bell, Todd Herremans and King Dunlap. That is still a really solid group that should allow Michael Vick to survive. Bell is a capable starter when healthy, Todd Herremans is a good right tackle and King Dunlap is a very solid swing tackle who can play either spot in a pinch. Considering how unprepared the Eagles were for a Jason Peters injury they have put together a nice B plan in a hurry.

Oh and Bell should be a nice addition to the Eagles’ rec basketball team, he is the son of NBA great Karl Malone. But Malone and Bell haven’t ever had a real father-son relationship because Karl Malone is kind of a jerk (google it).

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DeMeco Ryans v.s. The Baltimore Ravens

Written on April 4, 2012 by Kyle in Eagles

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=judFFw7MgnA

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Philadelphia Eagles, Trade Masters?

Written on April 3, 2012 by Kyle in Eagles

Howie Roseman and Joe Banner going strolling, reportedly looking for a "sucker".

The other day Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk said the the Eagles were “sizing up another sucker” in regards to trying to find a trade partner for Asante Samuel (link). He talked about the AJ Feeley, Donovan McNabb and Kevin Kolb trades and said that we “conned” other teams. I have a few qualms with what some things that he posted about Asante Samuel but I think most Eagles fans are smart enough to know better so I’ll avoid that. But the idea that the Philadelphia Eagles are the best team in the NFL at getting value in trades intrigued me so I decided to look at some trades the Eagles made to see if the Eagles really were the gold standard of the trading market.

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McNabb Is Complaining

Written on March 30, 2012 by Kyle in Eagles

McNabb: I'm the most unfairly criticized quarterback in NFL history http://t.co/t7keTsVU

March 30, 2012 11:53 am via webReply RetweetFavorite

@ProFootballTalk

ProFootballTalk

I get kind of scared every time McNabb opens his mouth. The guy was a heck of a QB and he did great things for the Eagles and the Philadelphia community but please Donovan, stop talking. It seems like everything that comes out of his mouth these days is passive agressive, woe is me type stuff. He complains about Mike Shannahan. He complains about the Eagles spending money and how he only got one of the best receivers in NFL history before he and TO screwed it up.

Donovan needs to focus on the good things. He keeps trying to justify not winning the big one and make excuses for his shortcomings. Its almost like he forgot that he was a really good NFL player. He needs to remember the things he did do and when he played well and stop acknowledging the people who pick him apart. He needs to remember that there are more people who support and respect him than there are people who hate him.

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Blind Side Blinders

Written on March 30, 2012 by Kyle in Eagles

With the news that Peters tore his achilles the idea of Herremans shifting to left tackle popped up. However, some people are completely blinded in regards to Herremans moving over because he plays on the “blind side”. There are a couple of reasons why these people are wrong.

1. Precedent

-If putting your best player on the blind side was really the priority, why has Jason Peters been playing left tackle for Michael Vick over the past two and a half years? When Peters and Dunlap were out, the Eagles moved Herremans to left tackle and put Winston Justice at right tackle. Surely no one here is prepared to argue that Winston Justice is better than Herremans. The Eagles play their best tackle on the left side for a number of reasons and thats the way its always been and the way it should be.

2. Pass Rushers

-Do you know how many starting left handed QBs there are in the NFL? One. Michael Vick. The only other notable lefty is Tim Tebow. That means for the other 31 teams the left side of the line is the “blind side”. Teams put their best pass rusher on the right side of their defense because of this. They do not flip their defensive ends for one week only. Some players are more comfortable on their respective side and it changes their responsibilities on the line, teams simply won’t flip their players for one game. The left tackle has always and will continue to face the opposing team’s best pass rusher a majority of the time. Obviously there are a few exceptions (Charles Johnson most notably) but 24 of the top 30 players in sacks played a majority of their snaps on the right side of the defense (going against the left tackle). Obviously you’d like to negate the opposing teams best pass rusher so you put your best lineman on them. Logic’d.

3. “The Sight Side”

-Everyone makes such a huge deal about the blind side but what about the sight side? You don’t think having to watch a 270 pound man barrel down on you might throw a wrench into things? I don’t know about you but I’d more scared of the guy I could see gunning for me. And we all know how skittish Michael Vick can be in the pocket, pressure off the frontside really gets to him.

4. The Strong Side

-More often than not the right side ends up being the side the tight end lines up on, thus it is the strong side. Because of this you can afford the right tackle pass blocking help while limiting your offense less. So this means that if your right tackle struggles, you can help them more easily which suggests that your best tackle on the left side and put your second best tackle against the second best pass rusher where you can help them more easily. More logic’d.

I’m not saying Herremans will move but ruling it out simply because he plays the “blind side” is kind of silly.

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Jason Peters ruptured his achilles.

Written on March 30, 2012 by Kyle in Eagles

This guy just got even more important.

In what is definitely the worst development of the offseason, Eagles all-pro Jason Peters ruptured his achilles. Reports on recovery time vary at this point with some being more optimistic than others but Jason Peters should not be expected to play this season. The best situation is that he rehabs well and comes back 100% in 2013. This is a huge blow to the Eagles offense as Jason Peters is arguably the best offensive tackle in the game depending on your point of view and definitely a top five offensive tackle in the game. He is really, really good. But, the Eagles move on and the question is, who fills the enormous hole that just opened up? There are a couple of options.

Todd Herremans could slide out and replace Jason Peters. Todd was an offensive tackle in college and he went through the entire draft process as an offensive tackle prospect. He started a handful of games at left tackle in his rookie season when Tra Thomas went down and performed well. He started a pre-season game against the Carolina Panthers a couple years back in the pouring rain and he did well against Julius Peppers. And when Jason Peters and King Dunlap were both hurt last season, Herremans started at left tackle against the Washington Redskins where he allowed zero hits, sacks or pressures against Brian Orakpo and Ryan Kerrigan.

The Eagles also re-signed King Dunlap today. He has filled in for Jason Peters each of the past two seasons and done well. In his last 8 games at offensive tackle (he started one at LG), he has only allowed 1 sack, 2 QB hits and 7 QB hurries according to ProFootballFocus. He has experience on both sides of the line so he could play left tackle or right tackle.

You could sign a free agent offensive tackle. There are few notable offensive tackles left on the market at this point but the two who stand out most are Marcus McNeil and DeMetrius Bell. McNeil had been a good player for years out in San Diego but he’s had troubles with his neck recently (he missed the end of the year) and there are questions about how he would fit in Mudd’s scheme. DeMetrius Bell was an underachiever in Buffalo after they called on him to replace Jason Peters but he stood out last year before a season ending knee injury. Bell’s athleticism and better health likely make him a better fit than McNiel. [Interesting side note: Bell is Karl Malone's son]

And then, there is the draft. Matt Kalil is definitely out of the Eagles reach and they would likely have to trade up to get Riley Reiff. If the Eagles opted to draft a tackle early, Jonathan Martin, Cordy Glenn and Mike Adams are all projected to be on the board when the Eagles pick. Some experts have even speculated that David DeCastro could play RT.

And remember, Evan Mathis was the emergency offensive tackle last year. Mathis started at offensive tackle for three years at Alabama before moving to LG as a senior. The Eagles were giving Mathis right tackle reps in camp before they moved Herremans so this could be an option if Herremans is moved to left tackle.

This certainly puts a dent in the Eagles hopes this year but it shouldn’t end them. The Eagles have options and I’m sure they’ll get by. Just look at the injuries the 2010 Packers and the 2011 Giants had and they ended up winning the superbowl. Keep the faith folks.

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The DeMeco Ryans Trade

Written on March 21, 2012 by Kyle in Eagles

On Tuesday evening the Eagles blindsided their fan base by trading for DeMeco Ryans. Most fans had their sights set on Curtis Lofton and Stephen Tulloch as the high end MLB options, Ryan wasn’t even on the radar. But in typical Eagles style, the Eagles made a move that nobody saw coming.

On the surface of things, we got a very good deal. The Eagles traded what essentially amounts to a fourth round pick for a 27 year old linebacker that has been quite prolific in the early part of his career. He’s been nominated to the Pro Bowl twice, he’s been an All-Pro once and he won the Defensive Rookie of the Year award in 2006. Ryans is bringing a pretty impressive resume to the table.

But now you’re probably wondering, why did the Texans let him go for such a low price? The answer is two fold.

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