What they're saying about the Eagles
Philly.com, Inquirer, and Daily News coverage of the Eagles
What they're saying about the Eagles
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
Here's a roundup of what the national media are saying about the Eagles' draft:
John Czarnecki of FoxSports.com gives the Eagles a B:
Fletcher Cox can anchor the interior of Philadelphia's wide-nine approach with its pass rushers. Cal linebacker Mychal Kendricks was the second-best middle linebacker in a 4-3 scheme. Kendricks has some injury issues, but is a rock-solid football player. Georgia cornerback Brandon Boykin can handle the slot, while defensive end Vinny Curry had 26 1/2 sacks at Marshall. Curry is a street kid from New Jersey who has turned around his life despite a learning disability. He has tremendous upside. ... Of course, Reid couldn't help himself with the pick of Arizona quarterback Nick Foles, who broke Drew Brees' records at Westlake High in Austin, Texas. Unlike Michael Vick, Foles has feet of cement, but he does have very good arm strength.
ESPN's Mel Kiper gives the Eagles an A for needs, an A- for value and an A overall:
One of the best drafts in terms of lining up needs and getting guys at spots where I didn't think they'd still be around. They moved up to get Fletcher Cox, an immediate starter. Mychal Kendricks is a perfect fit, and at No. 46, a really good value. The Eagles look a lot better up the middle after this weekend. If Vinny Curry came off the board really early in the second round, nobody would have been surprised, so to get him at No. 59 is a steal. Nick Foles has the upside of an NFL starter, and Andy Reid could turn him into something. Brandon Boykin is my No. 9-ranked corner, so I love the value as a fourth-rounder. I thought they might get a tackle earlier, but it's hard to quibble given the value they got with every pick early on.
Pete Prisco of CBSSports.com gives the Eagles a B+:
The Eagles landed three good defensive players with their first three picks, including top pick Fletcher Cox. They had to improve that side of the ball. After that, they picked up some quality players in the latter rounds. It was a good weekend for the Eagles.
Evan Silva of Rotoworld.com gives the Eagles a B+:
It's safe to say Andy Reid and Howie Roseman approached this draft with defense in mind. The best four picks (Cox, Kendricks, Curry, Boykin) play on Juan Castillo's side of the ball, and at least two of them are Week 1 starters. Boykin could make it a trifecta if he unseats slot corner Joselio Hanson and the nickel package counts. Surrendering picks 114 and 172 to slide up three first-round spots for Cox seems like a lot, but the Eagles made an offsetting move by dropping eight selections in round two and adding pick 123 in a trade with Green Bay. The late-rounders were impressive as well. McNutt has requisite size and straight-line speed, and college tackle Washington is a potential future starter at guard. While this draft group fell just shy of an "A" grade, it makes Philadelphia's roster considerably more impressive, particularly on "D."
Tony Pauline of SI.com lists 11 steals from the draft, and three are Eagles picks:
The Eagles' desire to acquire Cox was well documented before the draft. The fact they gave little away to move up three slots and choose him makes this a huge coup for the organization.
Clark Judge of CBSSports.com thinks the Eagles' draft made sense:
Then there's Philadelphia, a club intent on returning to the playoffs. It made four of its first five choices defenders -- with the Eagles jumping up to take defensive tackle Fletcher Cox with the first pick. That's the urgency you should have when you blow five fourth-period leads, something the Eagles and Dallas had in common last season.
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This is the first draft in a very longgggggggggggggg time where I didnt come away asking myself.. "Who the hell is that?"— Zeru- This is the first draft in a very longgggggggggggggg time where I didnt come away asking myself.. "Who the hell is that?"— Zeru
- no, its not an "A" like 60% of the fans think apparently, but it is a B-, a decent draft on paper right now. It could have been an A if they got a run stuffing DT, but they did not, the Foles pick was a complete waste, and they did not get a true power RB when there were a few available and isntead waited til the 7th round for an injury plagued guy who will probably be cut in camp. All that lowers a possible A- to a B-. borderline C+ after the foles pick on fri. night but I liked boykin and the 0-line depth in the late rounds so I give it a B-. Cox fell because he is not really a dominant run-stuffer, hes an undersized DT that is naturally a DE, and that may or may not do anything to help the run with him in the middle surrounded by a bunch of undersized guys already. Hes no Suh (who went #1 or #2 overall) he lasted til #12 because hes smaller, and may or may not be a complete DT against the run.— CharlieGarner25
- cg25...he was the same as suh when suh was drafted, 2 pounds under 300. He isnt naturally a DE, and there were no run stuffing anything...unless you say a redshirt sophmore with 0 production was, or where you talking about Poe, cause he is a bust for sure. Secondly we didnt draft a RB, we signed him as a UDFA. I just wish people only spoke when they knew what they were talking about. Even with the Foles pick, which was the worst one IMO, this was a great draft.— chrisr
- lol...yea. uh we did in fact draft a RB. in the 7th round. plus signed a UFA. pretty much incorrect on everything here. Cox played DE in high school from what I read and was recruited to be a DEFENSIVE END in college, at some point he put on 30 pounds so before his sophmore or junior year he was moved to DT. playing DT in college is not the same as the NFL. and reggie white looks like he put on like 30 pounds late in his career so I dont think that listed wieght is accurate, either way, he would need to put on more wieght to be a truly good DT against the run. Right now hes like a trent cole with a few extra pounds playing DT. hes like a DE at DT. If you want a dominant run stuffing DT your talking 320, 330, 340...its not him. Its why he fell to #12...its a question mark.
- sorry to clarify it was an 8 pound weight difference...and by the way wasnt Reggie White the same size and build...could play both DT and DE...and if memory serves me correct he was one of the best ever.— chrisr
- One last thing about Fletcher Cox and his run stuffing ability...he managed to stuff Trent Richardson quite a bit this year, so please tell me then one more time why he wont help stop the run...— chrisr
- who's gonna pay these guys??....Joey Nickles??,.....nuff said,...time's yours— SyddBarrett
- These grades don't mean a thing now, only time will tell how these players pan out. What I'm going to be interested in down the road is results of the 2 trades. Both Seattle in the first round and Green Bay in the 2nd round picked defensive lineman, like the Eagles when they swapped picks. Who got the better players will be worth watching.— watsonmr
- Barring a host of injuries we are going to be tough.Sure we could use another Brian Dawkins but there's nothing like a strong defensive line harassing and hurrying the QB to make the secondary look good.
Andy decided to quit jelly jivin around and just do it ! !— Ernie Garman - I think people are jumping the gun a little assuming cox is gonna start week 1. MIke Patterson is a pretty solid tackle and I think they should let Cox earn the starting spot before they take it away from Patterson.— essru
- Mcnutt is a player. Would love to see him unseat Avant in the slot and add another dynamic element to the offense
- I am shocked that even the HATERS from the hate ANDY AND Howie club have given our Eagles a fair grade... guess there is hope for some of you and as much as I love me some Green Koolaid like you I look forward to seeing this talent prove themselves on the field of play. These are some exciting times for my Eagles... I can't wait for camp.— trinieagle
- Um, nice to see that old Hindsight, who, uh, by HIS OWN ADMISSION, knows nothing about college football or the players, passing judgement on the Eagles draft as a C while the Experts like Mayock, Kiper et al give them an A. Um, Hindsight is also the same guy who HOPED the Eagles would take Tannehill or a OT, not to mention the fact that the players he now wants don't fit what the Eagles do. Cox too small? Hahahaha, as I said before Cox is the same size as Suh. Wouldn't want him, now would we? Thanks for your input hindsight. You wasted yet more space on this site with your constant refusal to give credit when it is due and continue to be a joke. And I believe that 60% is much higher too. Have another glass of hater aid...dolt.— tpizza
- It's always a plus when they don't draft any guys in rounds 1-3 you never heard of from Div II Nowhere State.
Cowboys give up a 2nd to move up 8 spots, and we give up a much less value in a 4th and 6th to move up 3...we both get guys that are supposed to be the best in the draft in their position, and somehow Jerry is a genius, and we overpaid? What? All these effin idiots give the Cowboys an "A" pretty much every draft. Jerry must have embarassing pictures of them or something.— Only in Philly...
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