Inside the Iggles
FanSided

Risk Aversion Is A Thing Of The Past For The Philadelphia Eagles

By Matt Giraldi

Apr 29, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; From right to left Philadelphia Eagles head coach Doug Pederson and owner Jeffrey Lurie and quarterback Carson Wentz and vice president of football operations Howie Roseman pose for a photo as Wentz is introduced to the media at NovaCare Complex Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 29, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; From right to left Philadelphia Eagles head coach Doug Pederson and owner Jeffrey Lurie and quarterback Carson Wentz and vice president of football operations Howie Roseman pose for a photo as Wentz is introduced to the media at NovaCare Complex Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next
Oct 17, 2015; Waco, TX, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers running back Wendell Smallwood (4) during the game against the Baylor Bears at McLane Stadium. The Bears defeat the Mountaineers 62-38. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 17, 2015; Waco, TX, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers running back Wendell Smallwood (4) during the game against the Baylor Bears at McLane Stadium. The Bears defeat the Mountaineers 62-38. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

Running back Wendell Smallwood, the Eagles’ fifth-round selection, has been getting some backlash due to prior Twitter rants about the city of Philadelphia. A lack of backlash exists surrounding an incident in 2014 where Smallwood was arrested for witness-intimidation relating to a second-degree murder.

Philadelphia Eagles beat reporter Josh Paunil delved into this very topic recently. Does an incident from two years ago (more recent than his tweets) make Smallwood any less talented on the football field? Of course not. Howie Roseman, to his credit, addressed both the arrest and tweets stating the Eagles did their due diligence and made sure Smallwood was a “good kid.” Roseman was correct. Smallwood had the fifth-fastest 40-yard dash among running backs. He had the fastest 3-cone drill. He had the fastest 60-yard shuttle. He had the seventh fastest 20-yard shuttle. Smallwood is a good kid at football, and a questionable off-the-field person.

The Eagles decided to double-down on questionable characters in the draft by selecting LSU safety Jalen Mills in the seventh round. Mills had some amazing highlights in college, including his performance against Auburn two years ago. Mills also had a highlight of the criminal variety during his tenure at LSU, where he was originally charged with second-degree battery. Mills was originally projected as a second-to-third round selection. Once again, a lack of risk aversion for talented football players.

Finally, Alex McCalister, a redshirt junior from Florida was selected as well in the seventh round. McCalister was suspended on two separate occasions last season for the Gators. McCalister also has flashed remarkable talent rushing the quarterback. Once again, the Eagles nabbed a player that has unbelievable potential despite blemishes on their record.

Between the year 2000 and 2012, during Andy Reid’s tenure as head coach, the Philadelphia Eagles had a total of 11 players arrested. With the exception of Dhani Jones and Jason Peters, the majority of those Eagles were minimal contributors towards the team’s success. The Eagles have generally shied away from taking on players with unnecessary baggage.

Next: What Is The True Cost of Talent?

Home/Eagles News