Experts weigh in on Cox
Philly.com, Inquirer, and Daily News coverage of the Eagles
Experts weigh in on Cox
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
Here's what some analysts had to say about the Eagles' trade and selection of Mississippi State defensive tackle Fletcher Cox.
Mike Mayock, NFL Network: "This is another rare cat right here. People talk about a 300-pounder, he ran 4.76 at 300 pounds at the combine. And here's the deal with him. He'll be a 21 year old rookie. You can play him inside, you can play him outside. Remember Jim Washburn... with that wide nine, here's what the wide nine means, Jason Babin lines up in Avalon, New Jersey. On the other side, they line up in Los Angeles, California. And somebody in the middle's gotta handle all that space. And that's what this cat's gonna do for them. And it's a great call and a nice move-up by the Eagles."
Mel Kiper, ESPN: "He's a penetrator, he gets into the backfield, not a stay-at-home type, this kid can complement what they're doing at defensive end and get after the quarterback."
Jon Gruden, ESPN: "I think he's really going to complement this defensive line in Philadelphia. ... They need an inside pass rush presence like Cox so quarterbacks can't step up. They also need a defensive lineman that can go chase Robert Griffin III of the Washington Redskins. This kid plays gap to gap at Mississippi State. He's moving all the time, he's slantin', he rarely comes off square. I think that's what he's going to do at Philadelphia. ...Come off the ball and get after opposing quarterbacks. I like this pick by Philadelphia."
Greg Cosell, NFL Films (Note: This is what he said about Cox during a Yahoo Sports podcast last week): "He's incredibly athletic. He's got terrific body flexibility. He's got great quickness off the ball. He's quick and light on his feet. There are times he does not look like a 298-pound man. I think he has natural strength. He showed the ability to go from speed to power as a pass rusher. The thing that really stood out to me as well was how he was used at Mississippi State. There were times they lined him up at defensive end, and if you didn't know who he was and just watched him rush the quarterback from D-End, you would have said this guy can play D-End in the NFL and rush the quarterback. So, I think Fletcher Cox, to me, is the best defensive tackle prospect in this draft, and I'm not sure it's even close."
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- They got Kendricks and the idiots are crying...he's too short! Another short light speedster. Kendricks and Cox will work well together.
— DelValLifer - @PhileaglyersFan:
Yeah, I know they traded that pick. I'm saying if they want Wilson, they will need to find a way back into the fourth. I wouldn't take him before that. That's only if they want QB. I don't think they need one in this draft. Who knows?— Penfold18 - A rare universally accepted 1st rd pick.— bobbyd24
- Great comments from the experts... Looks like a "can't miss" guy.
Good points by Dennis, too... I'm sure his value was not lost on the Eagles.— Mr. Magee - Good job Andy! Let's get it done tomorrow night!— eaglesanch
- Good job Andy! Let's get it done tomorrow night!— eaglesanch
- Some posters here are patting Andy on the back, but for once I believe the Eagles powers that be took some input from a 3rd party, namely Jim Washburn, a defensive specialist, in decidng who to pick.— watsonmr
- No doubt Washburn had input, but it didn't take a genius to see the deficiencies of the interior of this defense. DeMeco Ryans was part of the answer, Fletcher Cox is another. It wouldn't surprise me to see another DL, or maybe DB, taken with one of the 2d rounders, which the team was smart enough not to deal away.
BTW, something's wrong with my monitor. It looks as though everybody's agreeing with Andy Reid! That can't POSSIBLY be right...— JBirks - Solid pick....it's up to Cox to succeed. Leave the head scratcher picks to the other teams...and there were a few last night.— road515
- Awesome A+. Plus Courtney Upshaw is still available.Go get Upshaw he is a football player!— dta
- FYI -- Upshaw is pushing 280 lbs, he's a 3-4 OLB who will play on the end standing up or with his hand in the ground. He'd fit at Pittsburgh, but not a 4-3, and especially not a wide-9 set.
Lavonte David is the best pure football player at the LB spot in this draft, he's been coached by 4-3 coordinators, and he's perfect for the WILL. Fans won't like his size -- he's under 230 lbs, but he's much stronger than his weight suggests, and one of his key strengths is shedding blocks in traffic.
If they took Upshaw, it would be to complement the D-line. I think leave the 3-4 guys for the teams with 3-4 schemes, esp. when there's a 4-3 weak-side backer who's a natural still available.
The Birds had no good luck with Sapp and Graham, both 3-4 LB's they tried to convert into a 4-3 scheme.— montgomeryhopkins - Good pick up Eagles! Now, go get a stud safety and the NFC title is ours! GO EAGLES!— Panthro2011
- When Keuchly and Gilmore went off the board, I got real nervous. Cox never would have made it to 15.— ej610
- WMR, Mudd got the top prize last year, only fair his buddy gets it this year, no? Thought from day 1 it would be a DT.— tpizza
- I dont think I give you enough credit Sheil. You are definately a hard working reporter. I dont always agree with you and the stances you take but you are on it.— Zeru
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