TRUSTS CHOOCH IN A PINCH
I talked to South Florida wide receiver Carlton Mitchell yesterday for the final installment in our Draft Diary series, which will be posted later this week.
But I made sure to ask Mitchell about his former teammate, Eagles second-round pick Nate Allen.
Mitchell (predictably) had nothing but great things to say about Allen.
"He’s a competitor, a beast," Mitchell said. "Nate was one of our biggest playmakers. Whenever we needed him to step up, he did. The Eagles are perfect for him. He's going to make things happen."
What about the knock that we heard from analysts on draft day that Allen isn't a great tackler?
"I feel he is a great tackler," Mitchell said. "He's a very smart DB - watches film, plays fast, never takes a play off."
And his game speed? Could Allen keep up with Mitchell, who's been clocked in the 4.4s?
"Sometimes I'd be in full stride and Nate’s right there," Mitchell said. "He’s faster than everyone gives him credit for."
Mitchell added that Allen's a quiet guy - someone who will lead by example more than vocally. Allen and the rest of the rookies are scheduled to report to minicamp Thursday, and the first practice is Friday morning.
Some other links:
* The Bears have contacted Shawn Andrews' camp to get an update on his rehab, according to Michael Wright of ESPNChicago.com. They are the first team I've seen linked to Andrews in any way since the Eagles released him.
* Draft grades are still coming in. Bucky Brooks of NFL.com gives the Eagles a B:
The Eagles continued to infuse the locker room with young talent by taking 13 players in the draft. Andy Reid cleverly moved up and down the board to pick up targeted players, while also adding a bevy of picks. Brandon Graham was nabbed after making an aggressive jump into the top half of the first round, and he gives the team a high-motor rusher to pair with Trent Cole. In Nate Allen, the Eagles address their pressing need at free safety by bringing in a natural ball hawk in the back end. Mike Kafka becomes the Eagles' latest quarterback project to develop into a future contributor.
* The Redskins are adding wide receivers at an alarming rate. But none of them is named Terrell Owens. The latest names are Joey Galloway and Bobby Wade. Galloway is 38 and had 20 catches for 205 yards in the last two seasons. Wade had 35 catches for 351 yards with the Chiefs last season.
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