What they're saying about the Eagles
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What they're saying about the Eagles
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
Here's a roundup of what the national media are saying about the Eagles' draft:
John Czarnecki of FoxSports.com gives the Eagles a B:
Fletcher Cox can anchor the interior of Philadelphia's wide-nine approach with its pass rushers. Cal linebacker Mychal Kendricks was the second-best middle linebacker in a 4-3 scheme. Kendricks has some injury issues, but is a rock-solid football player. Georgia cornerback Brandon Boykin can handle the slot, while defensive end Vinny Curry had 26 1/2 sacks at Marshall. Curry is a street kid from New Jersey who has turned around his life despite a learning disability. He has tremendous upside. ... Of course, Reid couldn't help himself with the pick of Arizona quarterback Nick Foles, who broke Drew Brees' records at Westlake High in Austin, Texas. Unlike Michael Vick, Foles has feet of cement, but he does have very good arm strength.
ESPN's Mel Kiper gives the Eagles an A for needs, an A- for value and an A overall:
One of the best drafts in terms of lining up needs and getting guys at spots where I didn't think they'd still be around. They moved up to get Fletcher Cox, an immediate starter. Mychal Kendricks is a perfect fit, and at No. 46, a really good value. The Eagles look a lot better up the middle after this weekend. If Vinny Curry came off the board really early in the second round, nobody would have been surprised, so to get him at No. 59 is a steal. Nick Foles has the upside of an NFL starter, and Andy Reid could turn him into something. Brandon Boykin is my No. 9-ranked corner, so I love the value as a fourth-rounder. I thought they might get a tackle earlier, but it's hard to quibble given the value they got with every pick early on.
Pete Prisco of CBSSports.com gives the Eagles a B+:
The Eagles landed three good defensive players with their first three picks, including top pick Fletcher Cox. They had to improve that side of the ball. After that, they picked up some quality players in the latter rounds. It was a good weekend for the Eagles.
Evan Silva of Rotoworld.com gives the Eagles a B+:
It's safe to say Andy Reid and Howie Roseman approached this draft with defense in mind. The best four picks (Cox, Kendricks, Curry, Boykin) play on Juan Castillo's side of the ball, and at least two of them are Week 1 starters. Boykin could make it a trifecta if he unseats slot corner Joselio Hanson and the nickel package counts. Surrendering picks 114 and 172 to slide up three first-round spots for Cox seems like a lot, but the Eagles made an offsetting move by dropping eight selections in round two and adding pick 123 in a trade with Green Bay. The late-rounders were impressive as well. McNutt has requisite size and straight-line speed, and college tackle Washington is a potential future starter at guard. While this draft group fell just shy of an "A" grade, it makes Philadelphia's roster considerably more impressive, particularly on "D."
Tony Pauline of SI.com lists 11 steals from the draft, and three are Eagles picks:
The Eagles' desire to acquire Cox was well documented before the draft. The fact they gave little away to move up three slots and choose him makes this a huge coup for the organization.
Clark Judge of CBSSports.com thinks the Eagles' draft made sense:
Then there's Philadelphia, a club intent on returning to the playoffs. It made four of its first five choices defenders -- with the Eagles jumping up to take defensive tackle Fletcher Cox with the first pick. That's the urgency you should have when you blow five fourth-period leads, something the Eagles and Dallas had in common last season.
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Hype....— stardog- Stik, don't you think McNutt is more of a threat to Cooper's roster spot than Avant's?— tpizza
- Quite possibly, although Andy still seems to love his size and likely still envisions some kind of role for him. Avant would prob give you a bit more cap relief if cut, albeit not much. I just think it's Put Up or Shut Up time for him, his "great hands" were a total myth last year and actually cost two games by my count. No idea what their plans are for McNutt, but if they do decide to try him in the slot, it'll be pretty clear pretty quick he's got twice the skill of Avant
- Thanks. I actually like Avant. Maybe not his best season last year but he usually can be counted on. Cooper hasn't done much to warrant being considered over Avant IMO. He did save Kolb from being INTed on some real hussle but other than that...eh.
— tpizza - SI gave Eagles A - and last night on the draft review on espn, 3 of 4 guys picked eagles as best draft for NFC so everyone agrees this is good draft. Poe is better player to fit the 3-4 to have the anchor in the middle, Cox better suited to 4-3 and was considered best Tackle by far in this draft. His reach and game tape show hes a fine run stopper, people pretending to know better here just sound like fools. Rock solid pick in Cox and practically a built in starter according to talking heads who study tape for months on end unlike people posting here. Great draft. Foles not that big a deal, it is smart to have someone learning at all times. You have to roll the dice on QB position, they will prob do it again next yr based on what they see this yr. Also, Polk said he has no idea where rumor about degenerative hip came from, its false. He can recover from other injuries, love the FA pickups this yr.— peteike
- Garner25: Stop reading the National Football Post. They were the only ones out there projecting Cox as a DE. Who cares what position he played in HS?— montgomeryhopkins
- cg25...just to clarify White was drafted at 300 lbs...im not comparing anyone to Reggie, he was arguably the GOAT and Cox hasnt played a snap...that being said White was 6'5" 300 with a 4.69 40 and could reportedly max 550, Cox is 6'4" 298 with a 4.79 40 and put up 30(a respectable number with someone with his long arms 34 3/4 same as Reggie). Cox would make a fine 3-4 end, prototypical even, but he is just as good as a 4-3 DT, and in the wide 9 his job is to rush gaps, the LBs are supposed to clean up the lanes and stop the run which is why they dont blitz LBs much and rely solely on the line to create pressure. so a 340 plus DT wouldnt work well in the scheme. Finally, im sorry i missed the 7th rnd pick which for the most part is a throw away pick anyways, a RB is not a necessity with Shady in the lineup, he is still very young and can take another year of 300 plus touches but with Polk as his back up we could have drafted me in the 7th rnd and still be stacked.— chrisr
- I am still not sure why they drafted Kelly in the 5th round. The guy wasn't invited to the combine, and was not going to get drafted. Why the 5th, when there were several players that could have helped the secondary, safeties like Antonio Allen and Trent Robinson, or a corner like Chase Minifield, who could provide depth at S and CB at the very least. I still think the Eagles could have come away with Lavonte David as an outside LB, as well as Kendricks, in the second round. I think David is better outside LB than Kendricks. Picking up Curry tells me that Graham may be a bust, otherwise too many undersized DE''s on roster. I do not like Foles even a little bit. He will never be a decent starting QB in the league, so why waste a third. Otherwise, this would have been an A draft. You don't get an A, with the Kelly and Foles picks.— arrowamy
- Who cares what these dweebs think? Win on the field, tear Tony Romo's head off and Dallas is no worry at all. Take out Eli's knees and there are no Giants. I won't mention RG3 because he WILL be dead before game 4.— BirdinParadise
- My Eagles' 2012 draft grade is D, as in Disappointing. They entered, needing two safeties and left without any. They needed a strong side linebacker, capable of matching up with 6'6" TEs and selected a 5'11" pass rusher with an injury background. They could have used a Tight End and didn't get one of those either. Insurance, in case, DeMeco is ineffective? No help there either: D— Smurf5
- Pretty good draft considering the Eagles have a fondness for drafting players nobody has heard of before. The concept of drafting the BPA is sure to produce competition in camp over drafting for needs. Foles isn't a bad QB to work with, I saw some of his games. He has a sling shot for an Arm and he has accuracy down field. Despite not having talented receivers he completed almost 70% of his passes. He's worth a honest look and if they can find a place, 2 to 3 years of work as an understudy.
I don't think Kendricks is big enough to defend the Tight Ends in the Division. Defending the Tight End has always been a problem for the Eagles, speedy linebackers is the norm with Andy and as of yet hasn't made a difference. I do have a concern about Ryan coming off his injury, same goes for Peters. I hope for the best, but there are possibilities and chances for set backs.
Curry, Eagles fans are going to love Curry. I still have not given up on Graham, Graham was a difference maker at Michigan I hope he regains his drive here with the Eagles.
I'm looking for a pretty exciting season given the possibilities.— Dexter - Cox was good in college because of his style of play. Slanted toward the gap with a extra quick first step. He could respond before the double teams. In the NFL he's going to learn everybody is quick to the point of attack, he's going to be hurt by Double Teams until he learns how to use his hands better at Tackle. He can also play on the edge. Feed him raw meat by allowing him to taste the quarterback from the edge, and then groom him on the interior. He's a junior and has time and room on his frame to grow out more.
A major key is Graham, if Graham is recovered from his injuries 100% and can return to form from Michigan, Graham is going to make a difference. I saw this kid in College for a few year absolutely destroy those big mobile linemen in the Big 10, he was uncontrollable at Michigan.
If we can get Graham back up to speed, Cox and Curry to produce just half of their accomplishments in College the Eagles defensive line is in great shape well out into the future.
— Dexter - Shady can't continue to touch the ball as much has he does in a season like last season. Every run or receptions shortens Shady and NFL Running Backs careers. I would rather Shady was used more in screens or dump offs isolated against linebackers rather than lining him up and sending him into the middle of the lines.
Shady is more dangerous out in the flat catching the ball then receiving hand offs 5 yards deep in the back field. There should be great competition at training camp for the back field.— Dexter
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