A couple of college prospects have reportedly recently visited Philadelphia so the Eagles could get a closer look as the NFL draft nears. RB Rashad Jennings from Liberty and TE Chase Coffman from Missouri have apparently caught the Bird's eye enough for them to schedule a personal workout over these past few days.
Jennings 6'1" 235lbs who runs a 4.53 40 is currently projected as a second or third round pick. In his last season at Liberty, a Division 1-AA school, he rushed for over 1500 yards and scored 17 touchdowns.
Coffman 6'6" 252lbs caught 90 passes for 987 yards and scored 10 touchdowns in his senior season. He now holds the Division IA record for total number of receptions by a tight end.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Eagle's Draft Update-April 9th
There has been a lot of talk lately about the Eagles trading up in the draft to either trade for or draft a high profile wide receiver. The various senarios have them packaging one of their first round picks, a later round pick, and possibly a player like Reggie Brown to land an existing number one receiver from another team or to draft a future number one receiver with a higher pick in the first round.
Having already talked about trading for Anquan Boldin currently with Arizona, a couple of other names being thrown around is Chad(Johnson)Ochocinco with Cincinnati and Braylon Edwards with Cleveland. Out of these three I think only Boldin would warrent a number one pick. Edwards would be a nice aquisition but not at that price and Ochocinco is another T.O. but with a better sense of humor. In reality I do not see any of these players in an Eagles' uniform next season, yet the Philly faithful will continue to hold onto the hope that the Birds trade for a big name player at wide receiver.
The other possibility is trading up in the draft to try and land a wide receiver. The two names that come to mind are Jeremy Maclin from Missouri and Michael Crabtree from Texas Tech. This move makes a bit more sense as the Eagles have two first round picks to play with as well as a slew of other picks in the later rounds. If the deal is right, the Birds may jump at the chance as either one of these players would be able to make an immediate impact this season.
Whatever the case may be we will not know anything for sure until April 25th, the first day of the draft. Andy Reid has been known to move picks around to get the player he wants. I'm just not sure how bad he wants a wide receiver for the price he would have to pay.
Having already talked about trading for Anquan Boldin currently with Arizona, a couple of other names being thrown around is Chad(Johnson)Ochocinco with Cincinnati and Braylon Edwards with Cleveland. Out of these three I think only Boldin would warrent a number one pick. Edwards would be a nice aquisition but not at that price and Ochocinco is another T.O. but with a better sense of humor. In reality I do not see any of these players in an Eagles' uniform next season, yet the Philly faithful will continue to hold onto the hope that the Birds trade for a big name player at wide receiver.
The other possibility is trading up in the draft to try and land a wide receiver. The two names that come to mind are Jeremy Maclin from Missouri and Michael Crabtree from Texas Tech. This move makes a bit more sense as the Eagles have two first round picks to play with as well as a slew of other picks in the later rounds. If the deal is right, the Birds may jump at the chance as either one of these players would be able to make an immediate impact this season.
Whatever the case may be we will not know anything for sure until April 25th, the first day of the draft. Andy Reid has been known to move picks around to get the player he wants. I'm just not sure how bad he wants a wide receiver for the price he would have to pay.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Is Quintin Demps ready to start?
As reported in the Philadelphia Daily News, Quintin Demps in a recent interview has declared he his ready to fill the starting free safety position for the Eagles vacated by Brian Dawkins, who signed with Denver earlier this off season.
Demps was quoted as saying "I knew it was coming sooner or later. I didn't think it would be this soon, I know I'm [capable of being] a starter in this league. I'm not looking at it like I'm following him. I'm looking at it like I'm starting my own thing. I'm ready to go. I'm excited." The real question is, are the Eagles convinced he is ready to fill the huge void left by Dawkins' departure.
There is no doubt that Demps is a tremendous athlete. As a forth round pick in 2008, he quickly established himself as the Birds new kick return specialist. Last season his 1,314 return yards were second most in franchise history. Averaging over 25 yards a return, he solidified a major weakness in the Eagles' special teams and played a key role in helping to give the offense good starting field position when they needed it the most.
Whether he is ready to step in as a starter at safety is another matter. I think his ability and potential played a huge role in shaping the Eagle's half hearted approach to retaining Dawkins. As past history has showed, once they believe they already have a veteran free agent's position filled with a younger player, they are willing to let the vet go.
My guess is that Demps gets the starting nod come opening day this September, but that doesn't mean he is ready to replace Brian Dawkins. That simply cannot be done.
Demps was quoted as saying "I knew it was coming sooner or later. I didn't think it would be this soon, I know I'm [capable of being] a starter in this league. I'm not looking at it like I'm following him. I'm looking at it like I'm starting my own thing. I'm ready to go. I'm excited." The real question is, are the Eagles convinced he is ready to fill the huge void left by Dawkins' departure.
There is no doubt that Demps is a tremendous athlete. As a forth round pick in 2008, he quickly established himself as the Birds new kick return specialist. Last season his 1,314 return yards were second most in franchise history. Averaging over 25 yards a return, he solidified a major weakness in the Eagles' special teams and played a key role in helping to give the offense good starting field position when they needed it the most.
Whether he is ready to step in as a starter at safety is another matter. I think his ability and potential played a huge role in shaping the Eagle's half hearted approach to retaining Dawkins. As past history has showed, once they believe they already have a veteran free agent's position filled with a younger player, they are willing to let the vet go.
My guess is that Demps gets the starting nod come opening day this September, but that doesn't mean he is ready to replace Brian Dawkins. That simply cannot be done.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Eagle's Draft Update-April 3rd
Three weeks and counting until the 2009 NFL College Draft and we know little more about the Eagle's plans then we did a week ago. As fans, we like to explore every little clue and elaborate on the hints and innuendos to try and predict what is going on in Andy Reid's mind in terms of the draft.
As far as the first round picks, we have already taken a look at some offensive lineman and running backs who may be on the Bird's radar screen. Given Reid's infatuation with linemen in general(sorry Andy, I couldn't resist)could it be possible that the Birds will take a defensive lineman with one of their two picks in the first round? I may be in the minority on this one, but I wouldn't rule it out. I recently viewed a mock draft panel of 13 football experts and not one of them have the Eagles taking a D Lineman in the first round with either pick.
So why am I going out on the ledge by myself on this one? Andy Reid. He loves lineman and if someone he really loves at defensive end or even defensive tackle is available, do not be surprised if they take him.
Some names that come to mind who may be available are Aaron Maybin DE-Penn State and Tyson Jackson DE-L.S.U. Granted these two studs are projected to go mid first round, but if something happens to lower their stock and they are still on the board at 21, Reid won't be able to help himself. There is also a chance they trade down to get one of them, but that is far less likely as there is not a glaring need at this position.
As far as the first round picks, we have already taken a look at some offensive lineman and running backs who may be on the Bird's radar screen. Given Reid's infatuation with linemen in general(sorry Andy, I couldn't resist)could it be possible that the Birds will take a defensive lineman with one of their two picks in the first round? I may be in the minority on this one, but I wouldn't rule it out. I recently viewed a mock draft panel of 13 football experts and not one of them have the Eagles taking a D Lineman in the first round with either pick.
So why am I going out on the ledge by myself on this one? Andy Reid. He loves lineman and if someone he really loves at defensive end or even defensive tackle is available, do not be surprised if they take him.
Some names that come to mind who may be available are Aaron Maybin DE-Penn State and Tyson Jackson DE-L.S.U. Granted these two studs are projected to go mid first round, but if something happens to lower their stock and they are still on the board at 21, Reid won't be able to help himself. There is also a chance they trade down to get one of them, but that is far less likely as there is not a glaring need at this position.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
From Todays Rumor Mill: Anquan Boldin
As I mentioned is a previous blog post, I think that there is little chance the Eagles will acquire Anquan Boldin, but his name has recently resurfaced in potential trade rumors, so he is back in the spotlight no matter how dim.
I want to take a moment to recap the situation with Boldin. He is under contract with the Arizona Cardinals, but unhappy with the current terms. Like many other players with Drew Rosenhaus as their agent, he feels he is underpaid. Just as a sidebar, why is Rosenhaus such a popular agent? Why doesn't he go out and get the big money for his clients from the start? Anyway, back to Boldin, with the draft a few weeks away, speculation has been raised that the Cardinals may look to deal him, rather than have him be a distraction heading into training camp. It has already been reported that he will skip the mini camps and possibly hold out when training camp opens up in late July. The Eagles are sitting with two picks in the first round and looking to add a receiver so their name has gone to the top of the list of teams who would be interested in a potential trade with Arizona to land Boldin.
Boldin is a very good receiver, and paired with DeSean Jackson would make McNabb's mouth water as well as the mouth's of every Eagles fan in the world. The problem is two little letters; T O. His memory is still too fresh in Andy Reid's mind to take another chance on a unhappy wide receiver with Rosenhaus as his agent. Reid would rather take his chances with the draft and try and find another hidden gem like Jackson, or look to bring in a less high profile veteran who can bolster the receiving corps. I agree with this thought process whole heartedly as the last thing we need is another head case wide receiver who is more concerned about his stats than the team.
I want to take a moment to recap the situation with Boldin. He is under contract with the Arizona Cardinals, but unhappy with the current terms. Like many other players with Drew Rosenhaus as their agent, he feels he is underpaid. Just as a sidebar, why is Rosenhaus such a popular agent? Why doesn't he go out and get the big money for his clients from the start? Anyway, back to Boldin, with the draft a few weeks away, speculation has been raised that the Cardinals may look to deal him, rather than have him be a distraction heading into training camp. It has already been reported that he will skip the mini camps and possibly hold out when training camp opens up in late July. The Eagles are sitting with two picks in the first round and looking to add a receiver so their name has gone to the top of the list of teams who would be interested in a potential trade with Arizona to land Boldin.
Boldin is a very good receiver, and paired with DeSean Jackson would make McNabb's mouth water as well as the mouth's of every Eagles fan in the world. The problem is two little letters; T O. His memory is still too fresh in Andy Reid's mind to take another chance on a unhappy wide receiver with Rosenhaus as his agent. Reid would rather take his chances with the draft and try and find another hidden gem like Jackson, or look to bring in a less high profile veteran who can bolster the receiving corps. I agree with this thought process whole heartedly as the last thing we need is another head case wide receiver who is more concerned about his stats than the team.
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