Dontari Poe visits Eagles
Demetress Bell wasn't the only stranger getting a welcome from the Eagles on Thursday. The Birds were also hosting Dontari Poe, considered by some draft analysts to be the top defensive tackle prospect in this year's draft.
Dontari Poe visits Eagles
Jeff McLane
Demetress Bell wasn't the only stranger getting a welcome from the Eagles on Thursday.
The Birds were also hosting Dontari Poe, considered by some draft analysts to be the top defensive tackle prospect in this year's draft.
The Memphis product was spotted walking the NovaCare Complex corridors with Jim Washburn. The defensive line coach started to turn away when he saw a group of reporters, but ended up walking by the group and introducing Poe.
"Y'all know Fletcher Cox," Washburn joked.
Cox, from Mississippi State, is also rated as one of the top defensive tackles in this year's pool of draftees.
The 6-foot-3, 346-pound Poe wowed scouts at the combine in Indianapolis when he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.85 seconds. He also impressed with his strength, squatting 700 pounds and bench-pressing 225 pounds a combine-best 44 times.
His tape, though, does not sparkle, according to some analysts. He didn't always transfer his athletic ability onto the field and sometimes took plays off. Still, many expect Poe to go in the first round. The Eagles hold the 15th overall pick.
They also reportedly hosted LSU defensive tackle Michael Brockers recently. Each NFL team is permitted 30 visits from prospects outside their area.
- What's wrong, you don't like Jack Crawford?...That's the Nit they do take in Round 5.
— bearsfriend - On one hand, taking a project like Poe could be a great idea considering that Washburn seems to do miracles with D-linemen. On the other hand, why take on a project if a proven performer like Still or Brockers are available?
I think the team could overthink this process and take Poe, guarding against him being the next Jason Pierre-Paul, another mysterious D-lineman who posted great combine numbers and actually panned out.— MrMiles1 - Quoth the raven: Nevermore! (Poe)— Rabe56
- People are putting his lack of game film squarely on his lack of talent. No one knows if it was the scheme in college, or poor coaching, that had an effect. Not saying it did, but I can tell you, there's alot of bad coaching in college. At least Washburn would have something to work with, although I truly believe Cox will be their guy.— beegal99
- Chill out, we'll all know at the same time, it doesn't matter a lick what we think! Just sayin'...— DJ
- His only sack this year was against Austin Peay....now THAT is impressive!— Witz79
- Cox please
— blueye7 - Can anybody remember the last Eagles first round choice that anybody liked?— jerseyshorefan
- We sure do need a stud DT run stopper....but this guy played soft in college and was a Mamula combine phenom......dam shame....unless they are sure he is not a mental midget, a soft unmoviated stooge, pass him by....this could be a big success or a collasal failure....and he sounds like a combine phenom and that is all...........— nuggett
- "Can anybody remember the last Eagles first round choice that anybody liked?" I think Jeremy Maclin is a really good player and I liked it when they traded up to get him. I really liked Graham as well thought he played big in big games (went nuts again OSU) and was a first round talent. I didn't like that he was severely injured and is struggling to get back to full tilt.
— Murrayman - Jim Washburn gets the best out of physical talent. Ability wise the kid reminds me of Albert Haynesworth. And Washburn turned Haynesworth into a unblockable menace for Tennessee. Poe can be a great player under the right teacher. And I think He would be a better option than just a average talent guy that plays with a high motor. Let it ride.— Zeru
- Poe fits as an Eagle because he's a workout warrior. Doesn't fit because he's a full-sized beast on the defensive line. If they take a guy this big in round one, they believe he can play lights out.— armchairGM
- Well, this defense often had to run 40 yards to stop a running play so I see the value in checking their times.— burholme
- Yeah, Bunkley was huge and impressive outta college too and we know how that turned out...no thanks, gimme Cox. Wait a sec. that didn't come out right, draft Fletcher C. at 15— cheesesteak0
- you guys can argue all you want. Gimme Poe. He's 350 pounds of clogging the middle. We need a BIG SOB that can clog the middle of the field and allow our new Linebacker to make the kill. No more 295 pound D tackles.— Hatfield_ham
