Draft is Done, but Birds Aren't
The Philadelphia Daily News - Eagletarian
Draft is Done, but Birds Aren't
Les Bowen, Daily News Staff Writer
Talking to Eagles coach Andy Reid after the conclusion of the NFL draft this evening, it was apparent that the Birds are not ready to start the 2011 season with their returning vets and the 11 players they added in the three-day draft.
So don't despair of that corner spot opposite Asante Samuel. Don't give up on a d-line difference-maker.
"It's not a finished product," Reid said after his team selected three offensive linemen (all projected as guards or centers), three linebackers, two running backs (one probably a fullback), a kicker, a safety, and a corner. Free agency lies ahead, at some point over the lockout rainbow, as does the possibility of trading quarterback Kevin Kolb.
"I think we've added some great kids here," Reid said after the fourth through seventh rounds were in the books. Reid said his rookies have a few qualities in common: "They're smart and they're tough ... I can't look through here and tell you one kid that doesn't love to play the game. At this level, that's a huge, huge intangible that you need. It's a rough sport, and these guys, they like to mix it up." This is something the Eagles have placed renewed emphasis on the past few years (Freddie Mitchell, L.J. Smith and Shawn Andrews, among many others, having served as object lessons).
Reid flat-out refused to discuss his plans for the kicking situation, after adding fourth-rounder Alex Henery from Nebraska. Henery is a kicker and punter, but he told reporters the Eagles were looking for him to placekick. The Eagles placed the transition tag on David Akers, but he didn't sign the tender. It's unclear what status that tag will have under whatever system emerges from the lockout.
"I'm not going to get too much into David Akers here," Reid said, cutting off the questioning, after declaring Henery the best kicker in college last season. Akers' agent, Jerrold Colton, said his client has always wanted to end his career as an Eagle but is prepared to move on if he has to.
Reid felt his interior o-line really needed some shaking up, and he provided it, adding first-round guard Danny Watkins, fifth round guard/center Julian Vandervelde and sixth-round center Jason Kelce.
He wanted to add to the linebacking mix and he did that, with fourth-rounder Casey Matthews, sixth-rounder Brian Rolle and and seventh-rounder Greg Lloyd II.
The Eagles feel very strongly about second-round Temple safety Jaiquawn Jarrett, so strongly that they didn't care if taking him 54th overall in the second round was a little high.
They loved the size and athleticism of third-round corner Curtis Marsh, even if he has played the position only two years and doesn't project as a rookie starter.
They added a 5-8 running back, Dion Lewis from Pitt, in the fifth round, an understudy to Shady McCoy from McCoy's Pittsburgh Panthers. In the seventh, they took a fullback who can run and catch, Stanley Havili from USC, albeit one coming off shoulder surgery.
Of course, right now the Eagles can't sign any of these players, or even bring them in for a minicamp, so the amount of help any of them can provide in 2011 is very much up for grabs.
FB off shoulder surgery is right up their alley.— P Even- I knew he was too good to be true. Can definitely run and catch.— armchairGM
- It is pretty obvious that they are going after a big name Cb and D-lineman after not adding any this draft besides the 3rd rd pick for cb's b/c he is not a starter...yet maybe 2-3 years from now.— cdjones34
- Reid is still under the illusion that he could have beaten Green Bay. It was the defense's fault, the kicker's fault anf the offensive line's fault, not his or Vicxk, his personal choice for quarterback. He still hasn't understood that when the score was GB 21 Eagles 10, the Packers went into a moidified prevent defense and only using safe offensive plays. If Aker had made the first field goal, the Packers would have scored another touchdown eaaasily. Twelve years of failing at the end of every year and he still desn't understand it is as much his fault because he is the one that chooses he plays and the quarterback that chokes every year. He is going to really miss Akersa this season which I predict will be a losing season.— marioP
- Fantasy world: Eagles had a handshake deal with the Niners that they pick DE Aldon Smith and then trade him to Eagles for Kolb when FA begins, and then the Eagles break the bank and sign Asomugha. We can dream, can't we??????— mish798798
- I think the Eagles will sign Asomugha. They have the money to make him an outrageous offer that other teams can't match. If they sign a DE, it will be a veteran they can release after Graham is healthy. It's a long shot, but I think they should pursue Haloti Ngata. Asomugha and Ngata - now that's a dream!
— ej610 - When I saw a pic of all those DOPES SITTING IN THE eagles romper room I had to laugh!! Not one guy with real GM exp.Thats why this team will never win any thing! Andy and his band of misfits took the team from the fans! A team i was in love with my whole life,I now hate!!! Because of those guys! Thank GOD for the PHILLIES!— Richfwv
- This is the most rediculous thing I have ever heard. Your a typical Eagles fan who is a DOPE. How can you say the Eagles never win and becasue of this management team, your not a fan. Where have you been in the 90's and 80's. Eagles were terrible and now they are a top 5 franchise year in and year out. They sign a top free agent every year and go to the playoffs. The winniest franchise in the 2000's. They haven't won the Bowl recently but that is not a reason to jump off the band wagon. Winning a bowl is one of the most difficult things to do in sports and a teams success has layers...unlike you — Staggerlee71
- Richfwv, Werent you the Negadelphian who used to run down Chollie Manuel as a hick and RAJ as nepotism? Thank God for the Phillies? you fraud.— CSpangler
- i thought the black guy was talking to a circus tent— your_mom_says_hi!
- Wow what a bunch of whiners, the 3rd winningest team in the NFL in the last decade. 2 consecutive seasons breaking franchise records in scoring. Results that 29 other teams and their fans would give their left nut for.— Mugwumps88
- dude. you are not serious. how many super bowls has andy won? — coloradoeagle
- Fool. Hater. Pessimist. Go support another team. Eagles make the playoffs 9 out of 12 years...set records in scoring. Win the most games in the 2000s and ur hating on andy. The guy who put it all together. The grass is always greener. BTW, it took Cowher 12 years or so to wi n a SP..I guarantee u ride his cack. — bobbyt
- You are obviously a young EAGLES fan calling a man, dude. I won't hold that against you as long as you are a true EAGLES fan. This is a proud organization that wants to win, as does Andy Reid. If you think otherwise, maybe football isn't your forte.
— Phillyflashgordon - andy is andy. i'm a fan.
i'm signed for life with this team and they have my total support. who would you rather have as coach???
solid draft and acknowledgement that there are still needs to fill. losing season?? NO WAY. $$ to be spent, and hopefully, spent well.— dagwave
