Eagles need to invest in tackles
Here is the fourth in a series of looks at the Eagles roster:
Eagles need to invest in tackles
Zach Berman, Inquirer Staff Writer
Here is the fourth in a series of looks at the Eagles roster:
Today: Tackles
On the roster: The tackles depend on Jason Peters’ recovery from a (twice) ruptured Achilles tendon. If Peters is not affected by the injury, he’s a dominant left tackle who improves the entire offense. If he struggles, the Eagles are in trouble.
Todd Herremans will be on the roster, but he might need to slide over to guard if the Eagles add a tackle. Herremans could also stay at right tackle, where he’s a serviceable and capable player.
King Dunlap is an unrestricted free agent, and it appeared the Eagles were ready to move on from him last season before Peters’ injury. Dennis Kelly overachieved as a rookie, but he’s more of a depth player at this point. The team doesn’t know yet what it has in Matt Kopa, Nate Menkin or Matt Reynolds, who are each developmental players. Allen Barbre has experience and was signed to a futures deal.
Not on the roster: The Eagles will be wise to invest in an offensive tackle this offseason, especially because of the ages of Peters and Herremans and the importance of the position. That could come in free agency with the Bengals’ Andre Smith or the Broncos’ Ryan Clady, if either hits the market. (That might not happen, though, because both are 26 and play at a high level.)
The best place to find a tackle is in the draft. Texas A&M’s Luke Joeckel is the top tackle in the draft and might even be the best player in the draft. He started all three seasons in college and could step into the NFL right away. Joeckel might not be available at No. 4.
Another player to watch is Central Michigan’s Eric Fisher, whose stock is rising. In fact, The Inquirer’s Jeff McLane reported that some evaluators at the Senior Bowl ranked the 6-foot-7, 304-pound Fisher ahead of Joeckel.
Later in the draft, Virginia’s Oday Aboushi and Oregon’s Kyle Long are intriguing names to watch. Long, the son of Howie Long and brother of Chris Long, played for Kelly at Oregon and is a converted defensive lineman who is still developing.
Tomorrow: Guards and center
Long will be drafted. Converted from another position? Check. Played for coach Kelly? Check. NFL bloodlines? Check? This dude hits the trifecta. Too bad he's not coming off a blown tire. Now Howie just needs to figure out a way to trade up in whatever round to get him.- Although I'd love to see the Eagles pick Joeckel, Reid will probably use the first pick on him.— p-diddy
- Offensive tackles, defensive tackles, safeties, corners, linebackers, a quarteback, offensive guards......YES, dam near every position....there are only 6 guys on offense and 5 on defense worth keeping....so any help will work.....My guess is all our fourth and 5th round picks will be able to beat out the majority of our startes....— nuggett
- If Joeckel isn't there, Fisher will be. In fact, we may even be able to trade back a few places and still get him.— JBirks
- The Eages should spend the big free agent money on two players. A tackle and a safety. I prefer Andre Smith and Jairus Byrd. That way they can trade down a few slots, aquire picks and address the cornerback spots. Dee Milliner would be a great pick around #8 or so.
Another young safety like Tony Jefferson would be great in the 2nd or 3rd round. It's imperative that the team socks up on offensive lineman and defensive backs. It wouldn't hurt to find a new SAM backer as well. Chaney needs to be pushed to the bench.— MrMiles1 - I would prefer Joeckel at our spot but we have so many holes that whether it is Miliner or Jarvis or Star we really can't go wrong. Just please don't go trade back and try to outsmart the other teams and for the love of god don't take Geno Smith.— killamagilla
- I surely want in the draft some taller DB's , over 6'2'' please to go up against the Boldins of the NFL. As to OL people, Luke or Fisher or a free agent but it must be done. I fear that the Eagles will actually pick Geno Smith and think he will run Chip's O. He will not . So go get a QB in the 5th who is a small college runner thrower ala the type K was in Nevada. No one picked him to do anything. There are many K type small college QB's who scouts hide to pick later.— Koons
- If you're drafting high -- and hopefully this won't happen again for a long time -- it's a good time to get a left tackle.
— armchairGM - i hope the eagles can sign good FAs, they have a ton of cap space. im hoping for byrd, but im scared no one will want to come because the weak defensive coaching staff
killa: why not trade back a few spots and draft either milliner, jones, or star. one will most likely be there— HDemetriou - One of Andy's whole game is most of the Eagles were too dumb to understand it. Lets hope Chipper doesn't Bell curve the next group!— quigly46
- For crying out loud another article about top tackles coming out of college and not one mention of DJ Fluker. Granted he won't be picked fourth. He was merely one of the most dominant players on perhaps the most dominant o line in the history of college football.— Murrayman
"Another player to watch is Central Michigan’s Eric Fisher, whose stock is rising. In fact, The Inquirer’s Jeff McLane reported that some evaluators at the Senior Bowl ranked the 6-foot-7, 304-pound Fisher ahead of Joeckel."
hmm, reminds me of another guy who came out of nowhere at the NFL combine: mike mamula— hannibal barca- Draft Milliner...Let Asomugha and DRC go and have Boykin and Milliner take over. Then sign a high profile Offensive lineman like Smith or Clady. This will give us Smith or Clady, Peters, Herremans, Kelse and perhaps Watkins or a Long (3rd round perhaps) to round out the line. And go for a safety in the 2nd round. Allen just hasn't gotten it done, but would be good off the bench as a injury fill in.— PZ2012
- "hmm, reminds me of another guy who came out of nowhere at the NFL combine: mike mamula" - he didn't come out of nowhere you bumbling idiot. What he did was get drafted way too high by a staff that overweighted his combine performance. His last year in college he ripped Syracuse (he and Boyd), and he went nuts against Miami. Please.— Murrayman
- Demetrus Bell is available on the free agent market.— kjuggs77
