Heckert concedes draft mistakes with Eagles
The Philadelphia Daily News - Eagletarian
Heckert concedes draft mistakes with Eagles
Daily News Staff
Browns general manager Tom Heckert enters this year's draft with plenty of ammunition -- 13 overall picks, including three in the top 37 and six in the top 118.
He also told reporters that he carries the lessons learned from mistakes he made with the Eagles, when he said he was influenced by pressure from within the organization and from outside with fans and media to make picks he should not have made.
The two he pointed to are trading up in the first round in 2003 to take Jerome McDougle from Miami with the 15th overall pick. Four years later, the Eagles took Victor Abiamiri in the second round after trading away their first-round pick.
"You just can't panic," Heckert said this week. "I've done it. I've made bad mistakes for that exact reason. I've traded up in the first round for both [pass rusher and defensive tackle] and they were bad moves. It was strictly for a need. It was something we never should have done.
"I am trying to avoid that. That was a long time ago when we did those, but we've learned from it. There's a lot of pressure from media, fans, people in your building, scouts, and it's my job to say, 'Wait a minute. It's not the right thing to do.
"I think that is the hardest thing to convey to the fans. It's not like we don't want those guys -- we want them just as bad as they do -- but we don't want to make a mistake doing it."
He also, though, has the benefit of two secod-round picks who have become Pro Bowlers - in DeSean Jackson and LeSean McCoy.
“I’m not tooting my own horn, but, if you can get those two guys in the second round ...”, Heckert said, not finishing the sentence.
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The Eagles' DeSean Jackson and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and former Eagle Donovan McNabb were among the NFLers scheduled to take part in second annual Double Play Celebrity Softball Game on Saturday.
The event, held in Scottsdale, Ariz., is hosted by Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald and benefits the Larry Fitzgerald First Down Fund, which supports youth organizations, and the Carol Fitzgerald Memorial Fund, named his mother, who died of breast cancer.
At least someone from the front office is admitting mistakes. Next up, men: Laws, Jarrett, D. Lewis, Maclin (no way is he worth the 19th pick), Watkins. Our poor drafting is what holds up back.— rubicon24- Maclin not worth 19? I must be watching different games than you. Watkins jury still out. — joeibt
- If ur gonna be negative at least have ur facts straight..u expect a wideout in the top 5 to be a elite wideout..not at 19 he is a solid wideout and hes still young and learning. Jarrett was a rookie and u cant judge off of one year..smh..dion lewis was a middle round pick meant to backup shady and return kickoffs and he was a rookie also..again cant judge after one year. I'll give u laws he was a bust — bigjay215
- Charliegarner25 where are u on this one?— Sean s.
- really respect Heckert. Few guys will admit when they make mistakes. It doesnt make up for it. But hopefully the eagles learn from this and dont trade up for need. Just relax and let the board play itself out.— Yes_General
- Maclin has been a great pick.. anytime you get that production from a WR, arguably the hardest adjustment after QB going from college to pro, you have to be happy with that. The rest of them are awful.
— albertpa - man, mix in a salad every now and than tommy....— snakeplissken
- Rubicon, If you are going to write off picks like Maclin (very productive) DLewis (a 5th round pick and a rookie backup), and Jarrett and Watkins (rookies last year) then you are showing pure ignorance. Wait at least through this year on last years draft picks. Every team in the league has picks they'd love to have back. Every draft you can go back and say - "They shoulda picked him instead". Every team has hits and misses. Give credit for DeSean and LeSean in the 2nd rounds, Celek and Cole in the 5th, etc. I'd rather have Hakeem Nicks, yes, but Maclin is pretty damn good...and I expect even more this year. Remember he had health issues all last off season. Why is everyone so damn negative? It's aggravating and funny at the same time how stupid / ignorant some of these posts appear.— cdedrick05
- Heckert must be on the Andy Reid diet. He was thin when he left Philly. Hid photo is looking Reid-like.— Dish
- The fans pressured the front office to trade up for McTupac? The fans convinced Heckert to trade out of the first round? Come on.— dragoon6
- That is pretty lame. I don't recall anyone clamoring for McDougle— blaqjaq
Comment removed.- I never heard of McDougle before the Eagles moved up to draft him.— Philly.Tru
- Are you really admitting a mistake if you blame someone else? Heck, all he's doing is passing the buck to others in the Eagles organization. To me, there's nothing admirable about that. He should just keep him mouth shut.— dblankj
