Iggles Blog - Philadelphia Eagles Blog

And So It Goes

Pissed off by the draft?  Think I'm nuts for being so pleased with the results?

This'll make you feel better.  You'll have to scroll way down ...

... to the bottom.

Reid's Take

You can read Andy's take on the draft here.

Told ya last year was all about Kolb:

On drafting QB Kevin Kolb last year: "I thought we needed that last year. There was a player that I liked, at a position that we needed a backup at, at that particular time. I don't pick guys necessarily to be backups; I pick them to be future starters. I don't want guys who are just career backup guys. That's not what I'm shooting for. It might happen that way at times, but it's not what I'm shooting for. With that, that's a pretty important position, and we needed it, so I took it."

So, How'd We Do...

Let's start with a little housekeeping.  I posted a lot of stuff over the last two days, but if you weren't online to read it all at the time, here are a few pieces that were a little more in-depth/interesting:

• Thoughts after the first day
• DeSean Jackson punt return highlights
• Why they need depth on the defensive line
• Why they had to target special teams and defensive playmakers

And just to put those Spadaro rumors to rest, here's a look back at what I thought about last year's draft.

- - -

As for this year, I'm definitely pleased with how this draft went.  I think more Eagles fans would agree if they considered the following:

The Eagles didn't plan to trade out of the first round.  I think last year's draft was all about Kevin Kolb.  The Eagles knew they wanted him -- which was a big part of why they didn't keep Garcia, incidentally -- and their entire draft was about making that one pick.  This year's draft was different.  The Eagles definitely had some guys they were targeting in the first round.  We heard today that they tried to trade up for Branden Albert, but the teams ahead of them wanted a king's ransom for the selection.  We also heard before the draft that the Eagles were high on Chris Williams of Vanderbilt, but the Bears took him one pick before Albert went.

Once those guys were gone, there wasn't a truly game-changing player available at #19.  Absolutely there were guys who could have made an impact.  No question.  But with the possible exception of Kenny Phillips -- who would have been a reach at that point -- was there a single guy in the rest of the first round who could plausibly have started for the Eagles this year?  Take a look at the list.  I don't see a guy who would have been a starter in 2008.

This wasn't a good draft for first-round skill position talent.  It was a weak year at the top for everything but running back.  The QBs weren't stellar, the tight end position was soft and not one wide receiver was taken in the first round, for the first time in more than 15 years.  The Eagles' biggest need was for offensive home run hitters.  Other than running back, those guys weren't available in the first round.

- - -

So why all the whining about leaving the first round?  Is it really because people wanted to see the Eagles draft Jeff Otah?  Because that's what was coming if the Panthers hadn't made the Eagles an offer they couldn't refuse for that #19 pick.

I understand it's a little annoying having to wait until 2009 to spend that Carolina first-rounder, but how is that any different from drafting Otah and planting him on the bench for the next year (at least)?  Especially because the Eagles did not need another pipeline offensive tackle.

And especially especially because the Eagles got three picks out of that deal, including an '09 first-rounder that could look mighty juicy if the Panthers don't get that franchise turned around this season.

- - -

As for other avenues of possible criticism, what needs have the Eagles not addressed in free agency or the draft?  On paper, they've improved the pass rush and the secondary, dramatically enhanced the special teams, upgraded the fullback position, given McNabb another weapon at wide receiver and built depth along the offensive line.  With the trade for Lorenzo Booker, the Eagles seem to think they have added another pass-catching running back who can help in that part of the game, as well.

On the minus side, they did not acquire another red zone target, I'm not as over the moon on this linebacking corps as some folks are, and they failed to bring in / trade for any of the top-tier wide receivers they've been linked to over the past couple months. 

The good news on that front is that they still have Lito Sheppard available as a trade piece, along with two first-round choices for next year.  I've said all along that we should keep Lito and run out one hell of a secondary, but if he can be moved for Chad Johnson -- and note the Bengals drafted not one but two wide receivers in the first three rounds (and no cornerbacks) -- then I'm all for that, too.   

- - -

So now that we've wrapped up what the Eagles didn't do, let's talk about what they did.

Trevor Laws
Defensive tackle, Notre Dame

I wasn't crazy about this move at the time, because as I said above, my number one priority for this draft was one or more home run hitters for the offense and special teams.  But the Eagles proved they knew what they were doing when DeSean Jackson was still available two picks later. 

Laws is a Mike Patterson type of tackle who fits in well with the Eagles' system.  His statistics last year are almost a little hard to believe.  I read a few different places that he was a penetrating type tackle, which is also important, because neither Patterson nor Bunkley are great pass rushers right now.  If he can bring the pressure on passing situations, that's going to be a big help for a team who's "secret weapon" on passing downs last year was Darren Howard.

He also sounds like a very hard worker, which should mean he can avoid the Brodrick Bunkley rookie year "I can just show up and dominate" effect:

In two months, Trevor Laws has undergone a total-body overhaul worthy of a late-night infomercial.

Between lost body fat and increased weight, he has added about 30 pounds of lean muscle. He said he has bench-pressed 225 pounds, the NFL industry standard, 31 times. He sometimes works out three times a day, always eats five times a day...

"My body has changed immensely," Laws said. "I just changed the type of weight I had on. I put on muscle, but I also lost tons of body fat, so I got a lot more power, a lot more speed. I'm just feeling pretty good right now."

You can also see a highlight package of Laws on this page, including one play where he runs down Tony Hunt.

- - -

DeSean Jackson
Wide Receiver, Cal

Now this was a pick I loved right off the bat.  Jackson runs in the 4.3s and he was one of the nation's best collegiate punt returners.  Andy Reid made it clear he sees him as a long-term fit at the wide receiver position, but for the 2008 season his top contribution should be on special teams.

The Eagles' special teams have been mediocre to very bad the last few seasons.  Jackson won't solve all the problems, but combined with the free agent signings and a few other draft choices, this pick could take the Eagles' special teams from an area of weakness to an area of strength.

As for Jackson's negatives, yeah, he's kind of small.  Good thing they don't need to use him as an every-down player right away.  But imagine him in three years catching on-the-money crossing routes from Kevin Kolb and RACing his way down the field for big gains. 

This pick is a win-win:  immediate help on special teams, long-term answer at wide receiver.  As I said a couple days ago, if the Eagles had traded down to #25 and taken this guy then, I would have been happy.  Getting him in the second round is just gravy.

- - -

Bryan Smith
Defensive end, McNeese State

and

Andy Studebaker
Defensive End, Wheaton College

These guys are really similar.  Small school, undersized DEs with plus athletic ability.  Can either of them play football?  Yeah, evidently, since they were both dominant in college (at their level).  Will that translate to the NFL? 

Who knows.

What we do know is that these two selections -- along with the free agent signing of Chris Clemons -- have the potential to upgrade the Eagles's pass rush.  As a group, the defensive ends managed 22 sacks last year, but 12 of those came from Trent Cole.  Juqua Parker (nee Thomas) chipped in five, but only one came in the second half of the season after he was named the starter.  Reinforcements were needed and obtained.

- - -

Quintin Demps
Safety, UTEP

Four point three nine.  That's Demps' time in the 40-yard dash.  Compare that to Kenny Phillips who -- though bigger -- runs in the 4.5 range.

No, he didn't play in one of the premier conferences, but the guy just seems like the definition of a playmaker:

One of the elite pass thieves in college football, Demps' 17 interceptions were the most among active players in the NCAA in 2007 and rank second in Conference USA and school history. He is one of only seven players in college history to gain more than 400 yards (404) in returns on interceptions in a career, setting the league all-time record (331 yards in Conference USA competition).

The free safety has been a huge problem for not only opposing offensive coordinators, but also opposing special team coaches. In addition to his 17 interceptions, he ranks second in school annals with 24 pass deflections. He also ranks eighth in UTEP history with an average of 22.1 yards per kickoff return. Finding the end zone has become a fact of life for Demps, who scored on interceptions, kickoffs and fumble recoveries during his time with the Miners.

He also played cornerback his senior year, so we could see him on the field early in the dime package inside (if Lito gets traded) as well as on special teams, where he gives the Eagles another option as a returner.

The guy has his negatives, which you can read all about in that last link.  If he didn't, they wouldn't have gotten him in the fourth round.  But if he commits to his career and the coaches can refine the rough edges, there's a lot of potential here at a position where the Eagles have a looming need for help. 

- - -

Jack Ikegwuonu
Cornerback, Wisconsin

No idea on this one.  Despite some statements that he has "first-round talent," there are a lot of issues with this kid, including injuries and a legal entanglement.  Even more of a question mark than the usual draft pick, but he was a "freebie" as a compensatory pick and you can never have too many corners.  I like that he'll get a year of "book learnin'" to study the defense and maybe make a push in 2009.

- - -

Michael McGlynn
Offensive guard, Pittsburgh

and

Michael Gibson
Offensive guard, California

Two college tackles who project to guard in the NFL.  McGlynn also talked about being able to play at center.  Again, I know nothing about these players, but I do like three things about these picks:

1. They had the athletic ability to play tackle in major college programs, suggesting they'll be more than athletic enough for guard at this level.
2. Neither one came in the highest rounds at the expense of a DeSean Jackson-type playmaker.
3. The Eagles coaches have a great track record developing offensive linemen taken at this stage of the draft.

- - -

Joe Mays
Linebacker, North Dakota State

Forgot to mention this guy the first time through.  Undersized, small-school linebacker who will have to be a monster on special teams to stick around.

- - -

King Dunlap
Offensive Tackle, Auburn

The Eagles drafted an immense -- 6 feet, 8.5 inches -- big school tackle with their final pick.  Sounds like an enormous project to me.  If he flashes potential this summer, maybe he makes the practice squad.

- - -

Bottom line:
From top to bottom, and understanding that the two days also netted Lorenzo Booker and a 2009 first-rounder, that's a very solid haul.

Fun Read on Dallas

Folks in the Big D aren't too happy about that Felix Jones pick:

You don't draft a complementary player in the first round when you have an opportunity to select a franchise back.

Ever.

But that's what the Cowboys did Saturday.

It's a decision Jerry Jones, Wade Phillips and whoever else helped make it will regret.

...

Jerry doesn't care about any of that. Jerry said the Cowboys had Jones and Mendenhall rated virtually even.

"I don't want to get into which was the highest rated," Jerry said. "I don't want to do that."

Trust me, that means Mendenhall was rated higher, which is one more reason Jerry should've trusted the draft board and taken Mendenhall.

"We did not look at our decision to get a running back as a backup decision," Jerry said. "We looked at the position as though we needed two backs to do the job at running back. We don't view that as getting a backup."

It just looks that way.

Eagles Keep Drafting the Same Guy

McGlynn in the fourth and Gibson in the sixth -- both college tackles who project to guard at the NFL level.  Very similar measureables:  6'4", 311, 5.379  for McGlynn and 6'3", 305, 5.28 for Gibson.

On the other side of the ball, Smith and Studebaker are both small-school DE/OLBs whom the Eagles ostensibly see as pass rush specialists in the NFL.  Even though both seem like better fits as rush OLBs for 3-4 teams.  (Joe Mays is another small school OLB, but he sounds like more of a depth LB / STs type.)

Interesting.  No idea what it means.

And ... We're Done

Not much more one can say in real time at this point.  I'll be back at some point to do a final wrap-up, but we're done for now.

Jack Ikegwuonu's Legal "Issue"

Here's the background:

DeKALB, Ill. -- Wisconsin cornerback Jack Ikegwuonu and his twin brother, who plays for Northern Illinois, are accused of breaking into an off-campus apartment and trying to steal an Xbox game console, authorities said Thursday.

Ikegwuonu and Northern Illinois safety William Ikegwuonu face residential burglary and criminal trespass charges, authorities said. The 20-year-olds were arrested Saturday, according to DeKalb police Lt. Jim Kayes.

The felony charge of residential burglary carries a maximum penalty of four years in prison and a $25,000 fine.

"But the odds of that happening, unless they've got some bad criminal history, is probably zero," Kayes told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "What will probably happen is it will get dealt down."

The criminal trespass charge is a misdemeanor, Kayes said.

Jack Ikegwuonu was released Monday from the DeKalb County Jail on $150,000 bond. William Ikegwuonu posted a $50,000 bond Tuesday, said DeKalb County Sheriff's Lt. Joyce Klein.

The two men were represented by the DeKalb public defender's office for the bond hearing but have since obtained private attorneys, according to public defender Kenneth Johnson.

"I'm confident in their innocence," Johnson said Thursday. "When all the facts come to light, I'm sure they will be found not guilty."

Wisconsin is scheduled to appear in the Capital One Bowl on Jan. 1 in Orlando, Fla. Jack Ikegwuonu was a first-team All-Big Ten Conference pick this season. He started all 12 games and led the Badgers with 11 passes defended.

"We are currently gathering and reviewing the facts of the incident to determine our course of action, which may or may not include suspension under the terms of our student-athlete discipline policy," said a Thursday statement from the Wisconsin athletics department.

According to the Journal Sentinel, under Wisconsin's revised student-athlete discipline policy -- which states that a student-athlete will be suspended for being arrested or charged with a variety of crimes, including "felony theft or felony criminal damage to property" -- he will likely be suspended.

Northern Illinois spokeswoman Donna Turner said Thursday that Huskies head coach Joe Novak had indefinitely suspended William Ikegwuonu, who has not played in any games this season.

The Huskies are to play TCU in the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl in San Diego on Dec. 19.

William Ikegwuonu is due back in court for Dec. 8 hearing, while Jack Ikegwuonu's next hearing is set for Jan. 17.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

Andy Reid's Press Conference

Bryan Smith:

Defensive end.  Great speed.  Rushing the passer.  Great fit for what we're trying to do defensively.  "Fastballs."

Mike McGlynn:

OT at Pittsburgh but also could play G or C.  Andy interested because he could play all three.  "Same mode" as Jon Runyan.  "Nasty streak" and will fit in well here.

Quintin Demps:

Played S and CB.  More INTs than anyone in this draft.  Has a knack for making INTs and a play on the football (BALL SKILLS).  Last UTEP guy who played for the Eagles was pretty good.  (Seth Joyner)

Jack Ikegwuonu:

Would have been a #1 pick if he hadn't torn up his knee.  Won't play this year.  Did have a legal incident that I checked out and we think that will pass and we'll see how that works out.

- - -

Questions/Answers:

Reid is "counting Booker" as one of yesterday's "three picks" who all are "smart guys" and "classroom smart" and "they love to play the game."

May or may not use all draft picks.  Doesn't know yet.

Is Smith too small: "I don't worry about that."  Linemen have a tendency to gain weight, especially guys from smaller schools who are a little bit lighter.  I care about how they play, heckuva motor and great instincts.

Eagles Go With Damaged Goods in the Fourth

Eagles draft a cornerback in the fourth, even though the kid is recovering from major knee surgery and won't be able to play this year, according to PE.com's draft expert on the call right now.

"At the top of his game, he's a first-round talent.  But he didn't always play at that level... Shown flashes but never been consistent."

Jack Ikegwuonu, CB, Wisconsin.  Seems like a total project at this point, but they have a billion picks so projects are ok.  Especially if they can stash him on PUP for the year and come back next year after he's had a year-long head start on the "book learning" part of the defense.

Also not a choir boy:

Overview

The long road to the National Football League continues to get longer for Ikegwuonu. More than a year after Jack and his twin brother, William, were arrested on residential burglary and criminal trespass charges, the two are still battling through the legal system to attain a resolution to their cases. The Badger cornerback had a subpar 2007 campaign on the football field that was the result of inconsistent play, legal distractions and injuries.

He later surprised the Wisconsin football staff by making the decision to leave school and apply for the NFL Draft. Once touted as the best cornerback in the college ranks, he saw his potential first-round projection continue to slide throughout his final year in Madison.

Now, further clouding his professional future is a serious right knee injury he suffered working out while preparing for the NFL Combine. Ikegwuonu tore the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in his right knee during workouts in late January. Doctors indicate he will be forced to miss the entire 2008 season.

According to reports, Ikegwuonu also suffered damage to his kneecap. The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reported Ikegwuonu was pulling a sled in a drill designed to improve his speed when the injury occurred. He exploded out of a start and planted his leg when the knee gave way.

Ikegwuonu needed a strong performance at the NFL Combine, as well as in individual workouts, to ensure he would be selected in the first three rounds of the draft. "I blame the agent for telling him to come out, when we told him to stay in," one NFL scout said.

UPDATE:  Merrill just said his scouting report says he could eventually project to strong safety. 

Lot of issues for a fourth-round pick...

Why They Need Depth on the Defensive Line

Going back to the archives again, take a look at a couple of video rewinds I did last year where I counted the snaps each of the defensive linemen was playing. 

Here's the Redskins and here's the Lions.

What I wrote after the Redskins game:

As some point this spring, Andy Reid is going to sit down with Jeff Lurie and Joe Banner to talk about what his team needs to get over the hump next season.  There's a good chance Reid will mention the defensive line, which has shown marked improvement this year but could still use a couple of extra pieces.  Reid might even say something about "throwing fastballs at the offense." 

At which point Joe and Jeff should tell Andy that if little Jimmy isn't going to use the toys he already has, they're not buying him any new ones.

You remember how last year went, don't you?  Johnson spent all of training camp talking about how he wanted to rotate a ton of guys along the front four to keep them all fresh.  It worked great for a couple of games -- until Kearse got hurt and Johnson responded by playing all the backups less (except for Trent Cole, since someone had to start). 

Johnson made a New Year's resolution that this season would be different.  Once again the Eagles brought in a few veteran bodies to round out a young starting group and give Johnson and his staff the chance to mix and match depending upon the situations they faced. 

Sure stuck with that one...

In response to a reader request, I did a snap count for the Redskins game.  Since I did the same thing for the Lions game earlier, let's compare the two:

First of all, the defense was on the field for about the same number of snaps in the two games.  Secondly, might want to think about hedging that Trent Cole stock.

I just don't get this.  Patterson is playing out of his mind this year, so as long as he holds up, I guess we want him out there (oops), but Trent Cole played every single defensive snap in this game.  The guy's only 270 pounds, we couldn't get him a blow even for a series?

And it wasn't like Cole had much of an impact on this game.  He had three solos and three assists, but no sacks and not much in the way of pressure on Campbell.  As the same reader pointed out, if we're going to use Kearse as a $7 million situational pass rusher, maybe he could -- you know -- play some on the right side.  If it worked against Mike Vick, it would probably work against John Beck. 

The other point about Cole is -- contra Hugh Douglas -- it's not the double-blocks stopping him from getting to the quarterback (at least not this week).  He did get double-blocked occasionally, and Washington did a couple tricky things to keep him off-balance, but for the most part Chris Samuels handled him without incident.  This continues a disturbing trend for Trent.  He's a monster against the mediocre, but good tackles like Samuels and Flozell Adams don't seem to have much trouble against him.