The Eagles' fourth WR
Who will win the job as the Eagles' fourth receiver? And does it matter? Plus some other notes from last week's OTAs.
The Eagles' fourth WR
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
I recently received an e-mail from reader Adam about how Hank Baskett has looked during OTAs.
So I thought today would be a good time to delve into the fourth receiver issue.
And the truth is, I'm not sure it's really going to matter in the way it's currently being looked at.
What I mean is I don't think the Eagles plan on going to many four wide-receiver formations in 2010. When I charted the formations and personnel during the Week 17 game against the Cowboys and during the first-round playoff game, I found that the offense had four receivers on the field for a total of just six snaps.
Does that mean guys like Baskett and Riley Cooper are unimportant? Of course not. If DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin or Jason Avant go down, someone will have to step in.
But when you look at the current personnel, the Eagles have a lot of options with their pass-catchers. We saw LeSean McCoy line up out wide at times last season. That should continue. And I admit I'm intrigued at how the Eagles will use guys like Cornelius Ingram and Clay Harbor. We'll have to see how they do at Lehigh with the pads on, but I know they're not going to be used much to replace Brent Celek. Which means if they're going to be on the field, they could be used in non-traditional ways, perhaps lining up as receivers.
Other notes:
* Two guys I'm having trouble figuring out roles for are Ricky Sapp and Alex Hall. Need to see more to figure out how they might fit in.
* I think I'd be surprised if Moise Fokou is not the starting strong-side linebacker in Week 1 against the Packers.
* My early impression is that, of the new Eagles, Mike Bell is the most fun interview. At one point last week, when he said he's feeling great and back at his college weight, Bell actually took a second to flex his biceps and demonstrate.
* One non-Eagles note: Zach Gilford, who plays Matt Saracen on Friday Night Lights, delivered one of the most memorable TV acting performances in ages during this week's episode. It took awhile to get this season going, but I'm now convinced the show is as good as ever. If you don't watch, NetFlix Season 1. Now. You will love it.
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Hank is 4 and Riley Cooper is 5. Jordan Norwood will be on the practice squad again. Hank is extremely valuable on special teams. I've seen him play on the punt, punt return, kickoff, and kickoff return teams. He hustles down the field and can make tackles. Lastly, He's had 3 TD's over 80 yards in his career. Him and Cooper won't play much as Sheil pointed out, but they are very servicable WRs.— BammBamm- Ricky Sapp is McD's new joker in our rushing 3-3-5 sets. He was good at it in college; I expect him to be ready for it in the NFL. His cross-training with the LBs and the DEs is to prepare him for the few times he'll drop back into coverage when opposing QBs expect him to be rushing. They don't want him to be a huge liability when he's not charging the line.— DCSS215
- You think its "fun" to watch men flex their biceps??? hmmmmmmmmmmmm— Larry Byrd
- How about answering the question of how Baskett looked?— 93phils
- Great point about FNL.... terrific show— azsixerfan
- Great point about FNL.... terrific show— azsixerfan
- Just because the Eagles didn't use many four-wideout sets last season doesn't mean they won't try them this season. There a lot of potential size and speed mismatches that could exploited with this years' corps of receivers.— paolibulldog
- Riley Cooper is #4 and Chad Hall is #5. Hank Baskett was prominently shown in a DirecTV commerical dropping a "possession receiver" pass in the end zone for a reason. Cooper has the size and the ability for separation that Kendra's baby-Daddy does not. Hall has the versatility said "Baby-Daddy" does not.— Drigh13
Sheil, are you sure that you weren't e-mailed about how Kendra Baskett looks? Who cares about Hank?- BamBam;ask the Colts how they feel about his special teams play!
- H. Baskett is second to only Garo Yepremian as a Super Bowl special teams goat. I hope he secures his baby better than he secures on-sides kicks.— jtj10
- Just say no, to Hank Baskett!!! The dude is not very good. He is guilty as charged for having a super hot wife and fumbling a ridiculously important on-side kick in a SuperBowl (BammBamm... Baskett isn't even mediocre on Special Teams). R. Cooper and C. Hall need to be our #4 and #5 WR's. And for those of you who want to complain about Hall's size... he is virtually indentical to Mr. Wesley Welker, but with better college stats.— Drigh13
Is Riley Cooper the only player in history to be drafted by the MLB and NFL teams of the same city? (Phillies, 2006, and he turned it down-I didn't know that!)— kjuggs77- Loved McNabb, but I can't wait to see a QB that can throw again, and with some quality receivers. First, Jackson is just as good and faster than Steve Smith, everytime I look at Maclin I think of Jerry Rice and I don't know why (hands maybe?), and any receiver from Michigan can usually play the game. Who cares who comes in special packages. Just make sure you fix the defense and the sure up the offensive line.— Fo Fo Fo
Who cares about the 4th wide receiver. I am the No. 1 wide receiver. I'll catch everything Kolb throws my way. Yoohoo, Kevin, I'm open!!!!
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