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What they're saying about the Eagles

Here's another roundup of what the national media are saying about the Eagles. I posted one of these on Sunday, in case you missed it, but there are a lot of draft wrapup links to get to this week.

Yesterday, I posted some leftover draft notes.

Now, on to the links...

SI.com's Peter King thinks the Eagles made the best defensive pick in the draft, selecting Marshall DE Vinny Curry in the second round at No. 59:

The Eagles took a page from the Giants and improved their pass-rush with good depth in the front seven in this draft. Curry should be a 25-snap rotational rusher.

ESPN's Todd McShay thinks linebacker Mychal Kendricks will be an impact player right away for the Eagles:

He's the kind of rangy linebacker who fits perfectly in Philly. Kendricks is quick, instinctive and makes plays outside the box, and he's very good on third down with the ability to hold up in underneath zone coverage. He's also an underrated pass-rusher who will find a way to get on the field and likely end his rookie season as a productive starter.

On SportsCenter yesterday, McShay named his top five drafts and had the Eagles at No. 1.

Jason Cole of Yahoo Sports gives the Eagles an A-:

The Eagles made a wise trade to move up from No. 15 to No. 12 to nab Cox, one of the more versatile defensive linemen in the draft and a guy who automatically improves the run defense. Kendricks and Curry were taken with the same mission in mind after the Eagles defense was basically a running gag throughout the 2011 season. After dealing with those needs, the Eagles then picked up a pair of great values in Foles and Boykin. Foles has all the physical tools to be a terrific player and is going to a coach in Andy Reid who can harness those gifts. Foles should be ready to either take over for Michael Vick when Vick is done or be a good piece of trade bait in the future. Like Foles, Boykin has a lot of tools at a premium position.

Asked which team most impressed him in the draft, ESPN's Adam Schefter said the Eagles:

Philadelphia got the best defensive lineman in the draft in Fletcher Cox; a linebacker in Mychal Kendricks, who's going to really help; another good pass-rusher in Vinny Curry; a highly rated quarterback in Nick Foles; and an underrated cornerback in Brandon Boykin. How can you not be impressed with Philadelphia's take here?

Bucky Brooks of NFL.com puts the Eagles' draft in the Nailed It category:

Coach Andy Reid entered the draft intent on rebuilding his suspect defense, and his star-studded draft class will return the Eagles to their lofty perch in the NFC East. Defensive tackle Fletcher Cox, linebacker Mychal Kendricks and defensive end Vinny Curry are impressive playmakers with disruptive potential. Their collective energy and toughness will boost an underachieving, veteran-laden unit that needed more blue-chip players along the front seven. Day-3 pick Brandon Boykin is the slot corner the team desperately needed, capable of matching up with the heavyweights in the NFC.

Alex Marvez of FoxSports.com likes what the Eagles did:

After surrendering 4.4 yards a carry in 2011, the Eagles beefed up the middle of their defense by selecting Mississippi State defensive tackle Fletcher Cox in the first round. Two second-round picks — California linebacker Mychal Kendricks and Marshall defensive end Vinny Curry — should immediately compete for defensive snaps as well. Iowa wide receiver Marvin McNutt and University of Miami guard Brandon Washington could become sixth-round steals. Both were expected to get chosen earlier.

Chris Burke of SI.com gives the Eagles an A- for their draft:

I'm very unconvinced that QB Nick Foles will ever be an NFL starter, so using a third-rounder (88) on him stings. Aside from that, this was gold. Philadelphia robbed the league by trading up for DT Fletcher Cox at 12, then added solid pieces in LB Mychal Kendricks (46), DE Vinny Curry (59), CB Brandon Boykin (123), WR Marvin McNutt (194) and G/T Brandon Washington (200).

Don Banks of SI.com is ready to say the Eagles will have one of the league's most improved defenses in the NFL next season:

I'm making an early call on two of the most improved defenses in the NFL this season. Philadelphia and Green Bay both focused heavily on defense after struggling mightily on the side of the ball in 2011, and look the better for it. The Eagles really helped their front seven with defensive tackle Fletcher Cox in the first round, and inside linebacker Mychal Kendricks and defensive end Vinny Curry in the second. Philly just more athletic on defense, with players who can chase and hit the ballcarrier with authority.

Wes Bunting of the National Football Post likes the Eagles' selection of Georgia cornerback Brandon Boykin:

Georgia CB Brandon Boykin is a gifted athlete who plays more physical than his frame would indicate. He isn't the most consistent of tacklers, but he's got a great feel in zone coverage and showcases the short area quickness to hold his own in man. He's the type of slot guy the Eagles desperately needed to add in their secondary and they got a great value here.

Bunting also likes the Marvin McNutt pick in the sixth round:

It's funny how despite the production of some of the taller receivers in this year's draft, if there was any type of question about a wideout's straight-line speed they fell on draft day. And that is exactly what happened to Iowa's Marvin McNutt. McNutt is a big, smooth wideout who runs the vertical routes and can adjust to the football. He's never going to separate on sharply breaking routes, but he should find a way to make the Eagles roster and contribute inside as a big slot or even as the "Z" receiver split out.

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