I think Blankenship’s play is fine enough. His durability is the big issue. Need quality depth behind him.

8 hours ago, Sack that QB said:

I think athleticism for OL is overrated. I'd rather have an athlete at the position than not all things equal, but 40 time for an OL is kinda useless. Very rarely will any OL be in full sprint on a football field. Or their leaping ability. For OL it's all about raw power, technique, and lateral fluidity, quickness. And of the measurables, arm length I guess.

I'd rather have an OL with raw power and great technique with limited athleticism(as long as they weren't some statue who can't move) than some athletic freak who lacks power and technique.

Speed for OL is overrated but athleticism is not. They are called dancing bears for a reason. Leaping ability is all about explosion. You want an OL that can explode in to the DL and move the LOS back. That's the tush push in a nutshell. Not that I want that play to be a deciding factor in choosing OL but it's just an easy example to show explosion. It's also much easier to teach an athletic OL technique than it is a limited athlete. 

Lane Johnson's initial kick step is 100% based off of his explosive traits. Mailata is an athletic freak but it's hard to see sometimes because he's just a mauler too. Kelce and Jurgens are both sub 300 lb guys who can move and my hope is Jurgens moves back to Center this year to really show that off. Or think about pulling guards. Trying to pull and seal off this hybrid safety/LB now is a serious task. 

Think back to some of the all-time greats. Larry Allen is one of the best guards I've ever seen play and while he was strong as an ox, he was a fleet footed world class athlete. Dermontti Dawson at center, super athletic. 

If it's the best OL in years, then we have to take an OL with one of our top picks.

12 minutes ago, RLC said:

The reason we can call basically any run play is because our OL is so athletic. 

Right!  The problem is the Eagles offense only had like 2 plays last year!

26 minutes ago, bpac55 said:

If Blankenship was a FA from another team, would anyone be clamoring for the Eagles to sign him to start? He's OK but he's limited. He doesn't do anything special. I know you can't have stars across the board but that doesn't mean you can't bring in competition. I think at the very least, bringing in a player who could push Blankenship only helps this team. If you say commit to Blankenship as the starter, any player brough in is going to be a less talented, backup level player. Having Blankenship as the measuring stick just seems short sighted. 

I know that money and resources are a big part of it and they just can't pay for 2 high end starting safeties but IMO, they should spend on a top safety, bring in someone to push Blankenship and then draft a safety with high end starting potential. Eventually their top FA and draft pick are starting and Blankenship is safety 3, which I think he's better suited for. 

I think they bring in one long term starter in FA opposite Blankenship and Sydney Brown is actually the competition for Blankenship once healthy. 

19 minutes ago, bpac55 said:

Speed for OL is overrated but athleticism is not. They are called dancing bears for a reason. Leaping ability is all about explosion. You want an OL that can explode in to the DL and move the LOS back. That's the tush push in a nutshell. Not that I want that play to be a deciding factor in choosing OL but it's just an easy example to show explosion. It's also much easier to teach an athletic OL technique than it is a limited athlete. 

Lane Johnson's initial kick step is 100% based off of his explosive traits. Mailata is an athletic freak but it's hard to see sometimes because he's just a mauler too. Kelce and Jurgens are both sub 300 lb guys who can move and my hope is Jurgens moves back to Center this year to really show that off. Or think about pulling guards. Trying to pull and seal off this hybrid safety/LB now is a serious task. 

Think back to some of the all-time greats. Larry Allen is one of the best guards I've ever seen play and while he was strong as an ox, he was a fleet footed world class athlete. Dermontti Dawson at center, super athletic. 

I’m not so sure speed is all that overrated either. The 10-yard split is pretty important. 

17 minutes ago, ManuManu said:

I’m not so sure speed is all that overrated either. The 10-yard split is pretty important. 

Maybe its better to look at it as acceleration rather than "speed”

i dont really care what they top out at, just how

quick they can move under control

1 hour ago, just relax said:

I do not agree. Stoutland in particular among OL coaches has his players on the move a lot. A lot. What makes Kelce such a great player is his ability to run. And as for your last sentence, you can build power and teach technique. You can't create athleticism.

Jordan Mailata is a great example of that ethos. No experience whatsoever but the athleticism and top coaching has turned him into a good starting LT.  You can't teach natural athleticism

The silliness begins with the first post-combine mock I have seen. Eagles draft Xavier Worthy at 22.

https://www.thedraftnetwork.com/2024/03/03/nfl-mock-draft-2024-post-nfl-combine

Sorry but Hurts will not reach him with deep balls. 

18 minutes ago, ManuManu said:

I’m not so sure speed is all that overrated either. The 10-yard split is pretty important. 

Of all the measurements, a true 40 yard dash is overrated for not just OL but everyone. I really liked seeing the top MPH during actual drills this year. Gives you a truer sense of playing speed rather than a 40. How many guys do you see overthink their stance at the 40 or stumble out of the gates. It's just manufactured. Sure, it's still a great indicator of who's fast and who isn't but it doesn't always relate to their speed on the field. To your point, the 10=yard split is important and part of what that shows is their explosion. Football is all about explosive power. 

It will never happen, but one thing I'd love to see as the NFL tries to commercialize the combine moving forward is to have college players in their uniforms and pads. Not only would scouts and coaches get to see how players move in full pads but it would give extra exposure to schools, smaller schools and maybe even bring in a bigger fanbase who wants to see their favorite college players in their schools colors and gear one last time. 

I love watching all of the OL and DL drills and doing those in boxers and a tank top is much different than full pads. Never going to happen but I think it would be a cool concept for the combine.

Kelce retiring. Press conference this afternoon 

4 minutes ago, uncphillyfan said:

Kelce retiring. Press conference this afternoon 

I dont think thats correct.

1 week till legal tampering.

Eagles posted this. Doesnt say what the decision is.

11 minutes ago, HazletonEagle said:

The silliness begins with the first post-combine mock I have seen. Eagles draft Xavier Worthy at 22.

https://www.thedraftnetwork.com/2024/03/03/nfl-mock-draft-2024-post-nfl-combine

Sorry but Hurts will not reach him with deep balls. 

The Bears all-in on Fields scenario… oh no, where’s my parachute.

Travis flying in for the presser. I think it’s over

8 minutes ago, HazletonEagle said:

Eagles posted this. Doesnt say what the decision is.

They skipped the podcast last week and Travis was spotted in Philly this weekend

 

Stars are aligning

1 pm presser

3 minutes ago, uncphillyfan said:

Travis flying in for the presser. I think it’s over

why do you keep bringing more bad news?

3 minutes ago, HazletonEagle said:

why do you keep bringing more bad news?

Of retirememt or that you were wrong again?

2 minutes ago, ToastJenkins said:

Of retirememt or that you were wrong again?

the retirement of course. Its very rare that I am wrong.

9 minutes ago, HazletonEagle said:

why do you keep bringing more bad news?

I know man. I will shed a tear at 1:02

I don’t think they’d hold a press conference if he was announcing a return…

1 minute ago, ManuManu said:

I don’t think they’d hold a press conference if he was announcing a return…

I was thinking it could have been PC worthy if he announced that for sure this would be his final season.