Bird Watching

Welcome to a brand new addition to Inside the Iggles. Bird Watching will be a compilation of things people all over the web are saying about the Eagles over the past week. Bird Watching will be up every Monday at 8:00 am EST to recap the week that was. For the next few weeks, the topic of this segment will be primarily about the upcoming draft, but in the future it will deal with any rumors or issues concerning the Eagles. Now lets get the first Bird Watch going.

Walter Cherepinsky of WalterFootball.com, Draft Analyst. Update: April 3

"Philadelphia Eagles: Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan There’s no question the Eagles have to upgrade their offensive line. Their tackle position is in shambles. Jason Peters tore his Achilles; Demetress Bell was released after being a bust signing; while King Dunlap, who wasn’t any good, signed with San Diego. Even if Peters comes back close to 100 percent – a tough challenge, considering his weight – an upgrade could be made at right tackle, which would allow Todd Herremans to move back to his natural guard position. Eric Fisher would then become the heir apparent to Peters on the blind side.This pick was a close call between Eric Fisher and Star Lotulelei. The latter was just cleared medically and should be considered a top-five prospect once again."

Mel Kiper Jr. of ESPN, Draft Insider and Analyst. Update: April 4

"Geno Smith, QB, West VirginiaComment: “In drafting Smith, the Eagles are in a good position to develop an athletic, talented thrower to succeed specifically in Kelly’s offense, but without the requirement that he must start from day one. I don’t like the idea of Smith as a Week 1 starter in 2013 — but for a roster that’s already in a good position to compete this season, he could be a great fit for the franchise in 2014, and most importantly, a great fit for the coach.”"

Todd McShay or ESPN, Draft Insider and Analyst. Update: March 29

"Eric Fisher, OT, Central MichiganComment: “The Eagles have addressed a lot of other needs already this offseason, especially in terms of finding good fits along the front seven in their new 3-4 scheme. Many personnel evaluators in the NFL think Fisher is just as good as — if not slightly better than — Joeckel, and Philadelphia would get one of the premier players in this class. Both Jason Peters and Todd Herremans return from injury this season, but there is no guarantee they will remain healthy, and Fisher’s movement skills make him a good fit in the up-tempo scheme new head coach Chip Kelly will install.”"

Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com, Draft Insider and Analyst. Update: March 20

"Star Lotulelei, DT, UtahComment: “The Eagles have focused on getting bigger on the defensive side of the ball. The trio of Isaac Sopoaga, Fletcher Cox and Lotulelei would be tough to run against.”"

Akbar Gbajabiamila  of NFL.com, Draft Insider and Analyst. Update: April 1

"Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&MChip Kelly’s NASCAR offense is about to hit the NFL, and the Eagles have many of the skill positions covered. But in order to get the offense going, the quarterback must be protected. Joeckel fits the need. This would give the team a stellar pair of bookend tackles in Joeckel and five-time Pro Bowler Jason Peters (expected back from injury)."

Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Eagles Insider Update: April 1

"There may be plenty of reasons the Eagles won’t draft Geno Smith with the No. 4 overall pick. But Chip Kelly’s belief that his offense can thrive without a franchise quarterback suggests that a team with many needs will pass on the West Virginia prospect.Kelly stated two weeks ago at the NFL owners meetings that his system doesn’t require a Tom Brady-like quarterback “because we didn’t have a traditional marquee quarterback at Oregon.”"

*To read the rest of this article click here.

And that wraps up the first edition of the Bird Watch. Tell me what you think about the latest news, rumors, or issues in the comments below.

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