Posted: Thursday, March 31, 2011, 11:19 AM | 15 comments |
 

Colorado CB Jimmy Smith visits Eagles
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Colorado cornerback Jimmy Smith visited the Eagles Wednesday, according to a report. (AP Photo)

One of the players many draft pundits have the Eagles going with in the first round was in town yesterday, according to a report.

Colorado cornerback Jimmy Smith visited the Eagles on Wednesday, per Jason La Canfora of NFL Network.

I wrote about Smith at length in my earlier post yesterday. Greg Cosell of NFL Films said there are definite similarities between Smith and Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis. Mike Mayock of NFL Network has Smith ranked as his 30th player overall:

He had an inconsistent junior season at Colorado, but he's a tremendous athlete. He's long and physical, but he's too inconsistent, which is the reason he isn't higher up on the board.

Smith (6-2, 211) is probably drawing more wide-ranging opinions than any other first-round prospect in the draft, with the possible exception of Cam Newton. Because of character/personality concerns, Tony Pauline of Draft Insider/SI.com recently wrote that a number of teams have taken Smith off their draft boards completely.

Given that the Eagles are limited to 30 official visits, it would seem unlikely that they would waste one on a prospect who is off their board.

Per the report, Smith met with the Ravens also on Wednesday.

Here's a roundup of some other opinions on Smith:

ESPN's Mel Kiper has Smith ranked No. 23 on his big board:

Late riser from a bad team. Shutdown corner. Worked out very well in Indy considering his length. Faces questions about attitude and maturity.

Matt Bowen of the National Football Post has Smith ranked as his fourth overall cornerback, behind LSU's Patrick Peterson, Nebraska's Prince Amukamara and Miami's Brandon Harris:

Character concerns are something to be talked about during the draft prep of NFL teams, but the overall talent, athletic ability and size are just too much for me to pass up with Smith. I would give him a late first-round grade--and if he slips into the second you are getting some value.

Wes Bunting of the National Football Post has Smith ranked as his sixth-best corner, and 59th overall prospect.

As I wrote about yesterday, linebacker Casey Matthews is expected to visit the Eagles today.

And I'll have the chart of reported Eagles draft visits/workouts updated later today.

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Posted by Sheil Kapadia @ 11:19 AM  Permalink | 15 comments
15
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:55 AM, 03/31/2011
    A stud defenessive lineman to get a push up the middle, a stud linebacker to stop the run....another linebacker who can cover a tight end...(no safety or corner can cover a wide reciver forever and if there is no pressure the guy will get open).... an offensive lineman who can actully block, preferably a right tackle to protect Michaels blind silde.....then a corner.....actually the team needs so much anything would be helpful....
    — nuggett
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:22 PM, 03/31/2011
    Lots of needs ... do the right thing
    — shawnmac
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:26 PM, 03/31/2011
    i'll take him at 23
    — Phil MeNuggets
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:35 PM, 03/31/2011
    I'd even move up a little to get him.
    — Joe at the shore
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:44 PM, 03/31/2011
    Will they actually try to trade up this year?
    — SilliBilli
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:44 PM, 03/31/2011
    Can't risk a possible bust on this guy. Too many holes where safer picks will provide help. O lineman safer pick. If we can trade the savior for a top of the round pick maybe Prince whatshisname but still think with Eagles surplus of money Nmandi is the logical choice in FA. OL, DT and LBs should come from draft IMO.
    — tpizza
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 1:38 PM, 03/31/2011
    Nuggett-- They need so much? did they win nfc east? just wondering.... No free agency- OL,CB,LB
    if free agenecy- OL,DE-- Sign CB, sign Barrter Rudd, James Anderson for our LBs
    — fman727
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:38 PM, 03/31/2011
    727.....okay....after Michael (if he does not get hurt) Asante, who else can stop anybody....no help for our one defensive end....corners that are a joke....... and on offense who will protect Micahel's blind side, block for Celek, and McCoy and DeShawn......do you really think the cowgirls won't be better....the giants won't choke and who cares about the redskins....a very weak end of the season does not bode well for this team without an infusion of talent.....stop drinking the koolade and look at what we have....not one pro-bowler on the o-line...and after Cole, not one outstanding defensive player, not one linebacker who can cover...and two below average corners, one of which is lucky to even be on an NFL team....yes they need a lot...and it very plain to see.....
    — nuggett
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:31 PM, 03/31/2011
    O-Lineman first, Celek was rendered useless last year helping out blocking. That's killing two birds with one stone...protection and receiving weapon.
    — Gee Money
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 8:04 PM, 03/31/2011
    Birds will never draft a bad attitude guy, Fat Andy wants a team full of Mormons, except for the quarterback, who is a reclamation project
    — blaqjaq
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:13 PM, 03/31/2011
    I hope the braintrust is pushing the Cardinals for a swap of Kolb for that #5 pick. Then I wouldn't mind Smith as second pick at #23.
    — wordsword
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:06 AM, 04/01/2011
    Is he a first rounder? I think he will go in the early 2rd to mid 2rd he have problems. To mush of a change for a 1st rounder.
    — Soulman45
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:35 AM, 04/01/2011
    Silly season in full effect & I love it! Nugget is wrong again (what else is new?) Sheil - I was torn between OT and CB, but you convinced me. Corner is the biggest need this offseason.
    — dragoon6
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:36 PM, 04/01/2011
    I'm not sold on Smith. Great size and speed. But then Mike Mamula looked good at the combine too.
    — armchairGM
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:59 PM, 04/01/2011
    Corner is easily the biggest need this season, however I hope they will be able to address it in F.A. we have too many other holes that we can fill thru the draft
    — yourdaddy!


15 comments
About Sheil Kapadia
Sheil Kapadia is in his fourth season writing about the Eagles and the NFL for philly.com. His earliest memories as a sports fan include several trips to Veterans Stadium with his Dad. He's not a beat writer or an Insider, but is here to discuss the NFL 365 days a year. E-mail him at skapadia@philly.com or by clicking here

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