Will Eagles Go After Alex Smith?
Philadelphia Inquirer Sports Columnist Bob Ford writes about the Eagles, the Phillies, the Sixers and the Flyers.
Will Eagles Go After Alex Smith?
Bob Ford, Inquirer Sports Columnist
Post Patterns will take 2-of-3 on its pre-cutdown guesses, although Eldra Buckley in favor of Kyle Eckel was the NFL roster equivalent of a gimme.
Dimitri Patterson rather than Jack Ikegwunou at cornerback was a close call. Think the Eagles did the right thing there. Keeping Tracy White and letting Matt Wilhelm go shows they think the middle combo of Omar Gaither and Joe Mays will work just fine. Also shows they figure to be in nickel or dime packages 70 percent of the time.
Moving on, the question is what to do at tight end, where the Eagles have just Brent Celek and Tony Curtis. Do they need three? Do they think that Alex Smith, released by the Pats, would be an upgrade or a needed piece?
Smith cost the Pats a fifth-round draft pick when they picked him up from the Bucs. He led Tampa Bay in tight end receptions three of his four years and was considered a good, although probably not exceptional blocker. Given the unsettled state of the Eagles' offensive line, protection from the TE position will be very important. It is not Celek's strong suit, either. Look for some movement quickly at that position.
As for the rest, the Birds did allow themselves to move past a couple of their own draft picks -- DE Bryan Smith and Ikegwunou -- which shows something. It shows that Jason Babin and Dmintri Patterson were in honest competition and won the jobs.
Keeping just three defensive tackles -- Mike Patterson, Brodrick Bunkley and Trevor Laws -- isn't a big deal since the Eagles, like a lot of other teams use their DE's on the inside in obvious passing situations. Darren Howard would be among that group, along with Juqua Parker and Babin.
The undropped shoes have to do with four quarterbacks and seven wide receivers, but that news is still to come.
It's a good roster. The best in the NFL? Not without Stewart Bradley, and not until the offensive line settles down, but it's pretty good.
Comment removed.
hey bob, what about the defense? i can't believe you follow the eagles through out mini, ota, training camp and the preseason and believe they are satisfied with mays and gaither in the middle.— JACK V- Satisfied? I thought they would keep Wilhelm because he had experience in the middle, but they kept Tracy White instead. They are more satisfied with the middle than I am. That said, I stand by it. This is a pretty good team... a playoff team and maybe more.— Bob Ford
- Someone will give up a pick for Reggie, and then the Eagles can sign Alex Smith.— paolibulldog
- A positive post. I like it, Bob.— HandNik
- Comment removed.
- I like Iguana over Dmitri. Dmitri is a Russian name...is this guy from Moscow?— rockinrob
I am excited to watch Shady, Macho, Vick, and Macklin this season. I think they will be major contributors. I am still worried about the O-line and MLB situations. This team, as constructed, can compete with the other NFC East teams, but this is still a tough division.- Right, teams are lining up to give us draft picks for our 7th WR, who everybody thought was going to get cut. Maclin has done zip on special teams. I'd be surprised if he catches 35 balls this year.— dragoon6
- No one at ESPN or SI think that the Birds will even make the PO's. I hope the team makes them look silly.— KGKoons
- worst LB crew in NFL. while good -- SB winning teams -- constantly prove the importance of big impact linebackers, nickels banner and his little salary-to-position chart still don't get it. and it wasn't like bradley was the second coming of singletary either, let's be honest.— snakeplissken
- When do the Eagles sign Sean Merriman.?— sackvicknow
