Archive for April, 2009

The Eagles will be picking 21st in a couple weeks provided they don’t trade out of the slot. What kind of player can we expect if they stay put is anyone’s guess. Fingers crossed it will be a future Pro Bowler. History tells us not to get our hopes up, though. Here’s the players selected 21st overall since 2000. 2008 – Sam Baker, OT – Started five games. Looks like a keeper. 2007 – Reggie Nelson, S – Started 28 games his first two seasons and recorded 7 interceptions. Pretty good. 2006 – Laurence Maroney, RB – Injuries, injuries, injuries. [...]

After pouring over piles of scouting reports and stacks of game tape (I have an NCAA connect), I’ve compiled my unscientific and most likely inaccurate list of players that would fit the Eagles. Everyone already knows the big names: Moreno, Pettigrew, Monroe, Brown, Hicks, etc. But most successful drafts are defined by the gentleman selected in rounds 4-7. With this in mind, here’s five guys I think the Birds might (should) consider picking on the second day of the draft: Brandon Tate – Hakeem Nicks is getting all the pub and deservedly so, but if it weren’t for Tate’s torn-up [...]

I just finished watching highlights of Cal Poly receiver Ramses Barden. The guy is definitely a matchup nightmare. At least he was against the tiny schools he played against. At 6’6”, 225, Barden has many a GM salivating over his potential. He adjusts to the ball well and has a knack for getting into the end zone. Although, like most college wideouts, his route tree was very limited. From what I could gather, he basically ran three routes. The wide receiver screen (a staple college route that is usually shut down in the NFL), a red zone fade and a [...]

I first read the Moving the Chains post about Ocho Cinco late last night. My initial thoughts were, “who cares?” I still think that, but let’s play the media game and look at Michael Smith’s exact quote: “I am hearing there is interest in Chad Johnson,” Smith said. “Now there’s been some back and forth as to whether or not he is officially on the market. I think everybody in Cincinnati has signed off on moving Chad Johnson except for owner Mike Brown. The Eagles could be in the picture. They have two first-round picks. They need a receiver.” These ESPN guys [...]

Jared Cook: TE, Junior – South Carolina Height/Weight: 6’5″, 250 lbs Career Stats: 73 receptions, 1107 yards, 7 TDs 40-Time: 4.5 Cook is a wide receiver trapped in a tight end’s body. He’s fast, has great hands and is a downfield playmaker. His athletic ability is not in question. Wasn’t asked to block in Steve Spurrier’s offense. Needs to get stronger and learn in-line techniques. His eye-popping performance at the Combine earned him a Workout Warrior rep. Cook is the ultimate tease. Is he a football player or just an incredible athlete? Probably a second round pick. Best attribute: Vertical [...]

The Eagles will draft at least one tight end. I don’t know much, but I’m pretty confident in making that assumption. I used to think Brandon Pettigrew was the answer. I still like him as a prospect; however, the more game tape I watch and the more scouting reports I read, the more I’m convinced he’s not a first round caliber player. He just doesn’t have “star” written all over him. I think he’ll be serviceable in the right system, but I can’t see him solving the Eagles’ need for another playmaking threat. In fact, I’m not a fan of [...]

You’ve probably noticed a new look here at ITI, or maybe you haven’t. Either way, we here at FanSided are undergoing a blog-wide makeover. Basically, the braintrust has been working long hours to move everyone to a dedicated server. It’s a lot of work and I’m nowhere near smart enough to tell you what it entails, but suffice it to say, it takes time and energy. The payoff benefits not just us bloggers, but the fans and readers as well. You’ll likely notice faster load times, which makes all inter-web users happy. At any rate, there will be some new [...]

If you’ve read this blog over the last few months, you know I’ve written on more than one occasion that I am a Chris “Beanie” Wells fan. I realize I’m in the minority, especially among Eagles fans, but I have no problem standing up for players I like. With this in mind, I’d like to clear up some of the common misconceptions regarding Wells’ game. Now, I’m not about to defend his abilities in the receiving department. Fifteen career catches is nothing to get excited about. However, I’m not projecting him to be an Eagle, so his hands are of [...]

Unless you’ve been dead, incapacitated or lost in a drug-induced haze, you know Jay Cutler has been dealt to the Bears. Good move by both teams, in my opinion. Chicago gets what they’ve been missing since the heyday of Jim McMahon. Denver gets a #1 pick this year and next, as well as an extra 3rd rounder this April. Oh, I almost forgot, Kyle Orton too. So, what does all this mean for the Eagles? First of all, Cutler won’t be a Redskin. I guess that’s good news. Although, the Birds have had problems beating the ‘Skins with Jason Campbell [...]

LeSean McCoy: RB, Redshirt Sophomore – Pittsburgh Height/Weight: 5’10″, 205 lbs Career Stats: 2,816 yards rushing, 4.8 ypc, 35 TDs – 65 catches, 549 yards, 1 TD 40-Time: 4.50 McCoy has been surpassed by Donald Brown on many draft boards. Illness prevented him from working out at the Combine but he did impress at his pro day, which was attended by Eagles’ RB coach Ted Williams. Only started two full seasons at Pitt, but posted impressive numbers. Has great vision and hits the hole hard. Plays bigger than his frame. Did beat-up mostly soft defenses in the Big East. Added [...]

It’s that time of year. Actually, it’s always that time of year in Philadelphia. I just kicked back and watched NFL Network’s State of the Franchise starring the Eagles. Guess what they talked about? Wide receivers. Thankfully, that guy in Arizona wasn’t mentioned, nor was the fella in Cleveland. However, they still found time to beat the “Donovan needs playmakers” drum, yet again. Listen, I’m not completely sold on the offense, but can we please stop blathering on endlessly about how awful the current pass catchers are? At least for one day. You can view the video for yourself, but [...]

It’s another slow news day in Eagles Nation. No breaking news or rumors not involving Anquan Boldin or Jason Peters. Although, now that Jay Cutler is officially on the trading block, I imagine the gossip guys will start speculating he might land in Philly. Uh… not gonna happen. I still find it hard to fathom that the Broncos are open to dealing a 25-year-old franchise quarterback. Cutler is behaving like a whiny toddler, but what would you expect? He’s a quarterback! I blame wunderkind Josh McDaniels for this whole mess. As I’ve stated before, if you’re going to trade your [...]