Posted: Wednesday, March 16, 2011, 10:53 AM | 6 comments |
 

Eagles work out Syracuse LB
options
 

Earlier this week, the Eagles took a look at a pair of Ohio State linebackers.

Today, they're one of two teams attending a private workout for Syracuse LB Doug Hogue, according to his agent, David Canter.

Hogue (6-3, 235) was a first-team All Big East selection as a senior, totaling 95 tackles, three sacks, a forced fumble and two interceptions.

He began his Syracuse career as a running back before converting to linebacker as a junior.

Wes Bunting of the National Football Post has Hogue ranked as the 13th-best outside linebacker, and NFL.com calls him "raw" and a "work in progress."

INTEREST IN ELLIS?

The Eagles are one of several teams showing interest in Hampton defensive tackle Kenrick Ellis, according to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post.

Ellis (6-5, 346) started his career at South Carolina before being dismissed.

"I had character issues," he told Wilson at the combine. "I had disciplinary problems. They did everything they could. It just didn't work out for me. I had to get out of there.

"I had to look within myself and change a lot of things within myself and around me. And after I changed those things, it was pretty much easy after that. I had to realize that I had a problem, and I confronted it and overcame it."

The Eagles return defensive tackles Antonio Dixon, Brodrick Bunkley, Mike Patterson and Trevor Laws. Dixon broke out in 2010 and was arguably the defense's third-best player behind Asante Samuel and Trent Cole.

Bunkley was injured in the middle of the season and not very effective overall. And Laws had some bright spots inside as a pass-rusher but was not on the field in running situations.

Jeremy Clark and Jeff Owens are the other defensive tackles on the roster.

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Posted by Sheil Kapadia @ 10:53 AM  Permalink | 6 comments
6
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:21 PM, 03/16/2011
    Do the right thing
    — shawnmac
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:51 PM, 03/16/2011
    Eagles LBs were terrible last year. Stu Bradley is the most overrated athlete in Philly since Shawn Bradley, and the rest were a bunch of has-beens/never were. Can we please get a decent Linebacker in Philly?
    — dragoon6
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:25 PM, 03/16/2011
    Eagles desperately need a big D tackle. I like Muhammed Wilkerson better than Ellis, he's also 300+ lbs., but quicker and more athletic. Ellis is more a nose tackle type for a 3-4 D. Are the Eagles trying to make the switch to a 3-4 defense? They would also have to upgrade at LB if they go to a 3-4. One thing is for sure, if the Birds want Cole and Graham, 2 huge investments (payroll wise) to get their share of sacks, they need to upgrade the tackle position. And a corner won't help improve their D without consistent pressure on the QB. The way Andy Reid has kept the Eagles competitive over the years has been to keep the O & D lines good. I'm glad to hear that he's at least aware that improvement, and maybe a new approach to drafting are needed. The smaller, quicker D tackles he's drafted have been flops, (Bunkley and Patterson) due to a combination of size and lack of talent or lack of drive, I'm not sure which. Maybe Dixon's play opened his eyes.

    Ellis's "character issues= tested positive for weed several times

    Ellis in high school, the only video I could find:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCrZdZFf1dI

    — cletisvandam
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:19 PM, 03/16/2011
    @ dragoon6 - I could not agree anymore. For some reason he has the best public relations for a player that is a complete liability on the field. People act like he is a beast and all I ever see is him on his back side or getting burned by a TE. We have to get some actual talent at LB, give us at least one guy that can anchor the group.
    — XanderCrews
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:11 PM, 03/16/2011
    I guess the eagles plan on this guy dropping down to the later rounds, otherwise why would they bother looking at him.even if he's there to be had they'll trade the pick to dallas for 2 or more 6th round picks.....remember their philosophy....the team that spends the least amount of money but has the most picks at the end of the draft is the winner!
    — Geno D
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:46 PM, 03/16/2011
    nice post, cletisvandam.
    — wordsword


6 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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