Eagles Draft Another Zoom-Zoom-Zoom Linebacker
Two years ago, Jamar Chaney had the distinction of running the fastest 40-yard dash among linebackers at the NFL’s pre-draft scouting combine. Zoom-zoom-zoomed down the Lucas Oil Field straightaway in an impressive 4.54 seconds.
Eagles Draft Another Zoom-Zoom-Zoom Linebacker
Paul Domowitch
Two years ago, Jamar Chaney had the distinction of running the fastest 40-yard dash among linebackers at the NFL’s pre-draft scouting combine. Zoom-zoom-zoomed down the Lucas Oil Field straightaway in an impressive 4.54 seconds.
His reward? The Eagles took him in the seventh round with the 220th overall pick.
Two years later, the Eagles again have selected the combine’s linebacker sprint champion, taking Cal’s Mychal Kendricks with the first of their two second-round picks Friday night. Why did Kendricks, who ran a 4.47 forty for scouts in February, get picked so much higher than Chaney?
Because, unlike Chaney, he had game tape that matched up with his measurables. When scouts watched tape of Chaney his final year at Mississippi State, they saw an uninstinctive linebacker who didn’t play nearly as fast as his clock time. In fact, his impressive 40 time at the combine probably was the only reason he was even drafted at all.
Kendricks, on the other hand, was the Pac-12s Defensive Player of the Year last season. Led the team in tackles (106) and tackles for losses (14 ½). Had two interceptions, three sacks and two fumble recoveries.
``Kendricks not only ran an impressive time at the combine, but he also was a highly productive player at Cal,’’ NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock said. ``The productivity lines up. The speed is phenomenal. People are worried about his size. But I think he can start in this league either inside or outside.’’
Ah, yes. The size. Kendricks is only 5-11 ¼ and 239 pounds. That’s not very tall for a guy who could be the Eagles’ season-opening starting strongside linebacker and is going to be counted on to cover much-taller pass-catching tight ends.
But Andy Reid said he isn’t concerned. ``He’s had success with that,’’ the Eagles coach said. ``In the Pac-10, they throw the ball once or twice out there. You get a little bit of a pinch there with him covering some guys. We’ll see how he does. That’s been one of his strengths. So we’ll see how that transfers over. I’m thinking it will.’’
Kendricks plays bigger than 5-11. He has been able to offset his lack of size with tremendous leaping ability. His 39-5 vertical jump was the best among linebackers at the combine. In fact, it the best among all defensive players, including corners and safeties. Kendrick’s leaping ability benefits him as a blitzer. He batted down a number of passes at Cal.
``The one thing that really interests me there is we’re getting a phenomenal pass-rusher on that (strong) side,’’ Reid said. ``We’re getting someone who can really cover the tight end, and his pass-coverage skills are a strong part of his game. When you see the way he’s built, you’ll understand. He plays a physical game. You’ve heard the term `heavy-handed.’ When he locks onto you, he’s pretty strong with that.’’
The tight end has become an important weapon in NFL passing games and defenses need linebackers and safeties who can both cover them and slow them up at the line of scrimmage.
The Eagles actually did a decent job against opposing tight ends last season. Held them to 66 catches for 765 yards and 5 touchdowns. Over the last 11 games, they gave up just two touchdown catches to tight ends.
The Eagles have been criticized for taking undersized linebackers. But they clearly value speed over heft, pass-coverage ability over run-stopping prowess. Chaney’s problem was that he negates much of his speed with slow reactions. He’s more of a downhill linebacker linebacker and often was slow in recognizing play-action.
``You want to try to, from an offensive standpoint, find a weakness in the defense,’’ Reid said. ``Then you want to exploit those weaknesses. From a coaching standpoint, I’m trying to eliminate any of those weaknesses the best I can from a defensive standpoint.
``A player like Kendricks, he doesn’t present you with a lot of weaknesses as long as it carries over. He is coming from the college level and I’m expecting it to carry over obviously, or I wouldn’t have taken him.’’
Tape looks good. PAC 12 is an offensive conference so he's playing against real talent. Im 54 and i could cover most of the players in the big 10 last year. Defense has seriously upgraded in first 2 rounds with 2 sideline to sideline football players, and a speedball de to spell a current strength.
Now got to get seem depth on oline, a tall target in the red zone cuz it aint cooper and a punt returner. Good job FO.— stopbooing- I liked Lavonte David more than Kendricks. David was rated much higher on all pre-draft reviews that I loked at.— Bobphxville
- Don't know how he will do. We hope he will turn out great and be a pro bowler for years to come. That is what every fan from every team hopes their drafted players do. Every armchair Qb thinks they know more than their teams GM, so do all the gurus at ESPN. Not worried about this kids height at all. If he is quick, has a quick first step, reacts well (especially in small areas) and doesn't gets moved easily is what matters. We will find out in about 6 months whether this is another Coach Reid mistake at linebacker or a real deal. Let's hope it ISN'T A MISTAKE. If you're a true Birds fan, like Coach Reid or not, you want all these guys to be the real deal.— golson@florida
- Great draft so far. I like all of the picks except the qb. Andy should celebrate with a bucket of extra crispy and a meatball sandwich. Time's yours.— Kornholio Kolb
- I think the Eagles did an excellent job picking these defensive players. Their defense is going to be much better than last year with a full camp under their belt. They are the team to beat in the east.— Ron
- I say give Kendricks the benefit of the doubt. He produced in college and that's what the front office said they would use as the measuring stick. They kept their word on that, so let's see what he can do.— kingsolomonsmind
- its real funny, i see alot of my fellow eagles fans complaining that Kendricks is too small however hes the same size as curtis lofton who i saw many eagles fan looking for..also same size as stephen tulloch, who i also saw eagles fans claiming for..so whats the difference...london fletcher is 5'9..pro bowl MLB jon beason is an inch taller but weighs 3 pounds less...this guy is 240 pounds has played sam and middle...switched to middle after cal went to 3-4..hes player of year in pac 10, he not casey matthews...hes not chaney hes a player..go check tape!!!— eazybleedsgreen
- And London Fletcher (maybe 5'9") was the leading tackler in the NFL last year at 35 yrs old. — retdetvet
- @Derrick the Dude- you have to admit that some of Reid's draft have been a bit odd. Like the draft (2 years ago?) when he dropped down like 4 times. But this year looks really good. SI rated the first 3 picks as "Steals." Not in love with the QB pick, but oh well.— verve
