Hard to Believe - Birds Take Short LB
The Philadelphia Daily News - Eagletarian
Hard to Believe - Birds Take Short LB
Les Bowen, Daily News Staff Writer
By all accounts, Mychal Kendricks was a productive inside linebacker at Cal. But playing inside -- presumably the strongside, which is where Eagles spokesman Dave Spadaro tweeted Kendricks will compete for a job here -- is going to be a challenge for a linebacker listed at 5-11, 240.
The Birds made Kendricks the 46th overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft Friday night, their first of two selections in the second round.
"I just play big," Kendricks said, when asked how he answers people who question his height. "Shut 'em up that way. That's never been an issue for me, so I don't see why it would be an issue for anyone else."
This is the highest the Eagles have taken a linebacker since they selected Barry Gardner 35th overall, also in the second round, in 1999.
Kendricks, who has excellent speed, was Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year. The Eagles left some perhaps more celebrated prospects on the board when they took him, then they traded out of the 51st spot in the secord, down to 59, allowing Green Bay to draft Michigan State defensive tackle Jerrel Worthy, in exchange for giving the Birds a fourth-rounder, 123rd overall.
Get full Eagles coverage in our NFL Draft special section.
Yesterday, the Eagles said they drafted a player who fit right into the defense they want to run. Now they take these 2 guys who are both described in some scouting reports as ideal for "3-4" defenses. Even yesterday, there were national writers saying Cox could be a good DE in a 3-4. Are the Eagles getting ready to change their defense? If not, are these players the players that they ideally wanted?— 76erfn- You know what? The ONLY reason I feel okay about this pick is because Bill Polian said he was a great player. Polian has earned the right to evaluate talent. Andy Reid has not.— rubicon24
- what kind of article is this? "left some of the more celebrated picks on the board?" by whom? Polian called Kendricks the 2nd best attacking LB in the draft, and Kiper loved him. and he's basically the same size as Keuchly and Tulloch. you're acting like this pick left everyone scratching their heads, which is simply not the case. poor job.— jfd6812
- bowen, you get paid to write. if you're going to rip the pick, explain who would have been a better pick. would you have picked david, from nebraska? if so, why? i'll admit, i dont necessarily get why an inch or two of height on a linebacker makes a difference.— jim715
- Hey Les, you have been around long enough to remember that Sam Mills played in this town. Now, I'm not saying that this kid is Sam Mills, but your either a player or not, and most of the time it doesnt matter how tall you are, just how much heart you have. Kids basically 6' how tall you want him?? 6'4" Stew Bradley worked out real well, right. Give him a chance...— Rockfish22
- Why are you people saying that he is the same size as Keuchly? Keuchly is 6'4". He does weight the same, but if we are talking height, he does not measure up. Lets just hope he is as aggressive a tackler as he is made out to be, Plenty of short but strong linebackers have done well in the NFL, like the guy many of us wanted to sign out of Washington— blaqjaq
- Vinny Curry or Rueben Randle who went to the Giants. Guess we'll see who has a bigger impact on those games on our schedule.— Yes_General
- This kid can hit, he reminds me of a faster London Fletcher...compact, but really quick and has the FOOTBALL mentality. Hey Les, your wife claims size is not overrated, but in this case, it may be.— BirdinParadise
- productive, good enough size, great speed and played in a real conference - what's not to like?— snakeplissken
- Many of the same people complaining about 'short' linebacker wanted the Eagles to sign London Fletcher.— ricknettles
- Kuechly is 6'3"...— missurichie
- What is wrong with you guys why are speaking so negative this guy Kendricks plays with bad intentions like Dawkins and Trotter did this team added 4 good defense players Ryans,Cox,Curry and Kendricks this off season great job Eagles!!!!— PAPOOSE
- Let's see - Eagles were lousy at LB last year but fairly solid at DT...so yeah, great idea! Let's just load up on DT and ignore the LB's available. Nice suggestion, geniuses.— reb
