2 minutes ago, HazletonEagle said:

makes me wonder if we arent just going to be spreading the field a lot. Pass blocking OT who struggles to get out and hit targets in space in the run game.... 5 new pass catchers added this offseason....

No major focus on TE blocking except for the Mundt signing. Every other TE is more of a receiver. Goedert is pretty well rounded despite his blocking decline last year, but hes not here long term. So its really a depth chart of pass catching TEs and Mundt.

There is no clear focus on OZ linemen, and big sets with blocking TEs like everyone talked about since Mannion was hired.

Its more like we are going air raid or something.... and the eagles visited with Behren Morton from Texas Tech....so...thats another hint at pass heavy system.

Yup, I was thinking ‘run and shoot’ with 4 wideouts (where both Stowers and Lemon get to play the slot simultaneously).

12 minutes ago, TEW said:

Pretty sure this is what you’re referring to:

yeah but its been proven inaccurate by the draft board remaining going in to round 4. Guy is talking out his ass.

7 minutes ago, HazletonEagle said:

The value of our picks, and sequencing feels very messed up. We all did our own mock simulations and better addressed needs with players we liked. It feels like we could have done it better. But, we got what we got. There are questions on utilization, but the are exciting pieces so.... we will just have to see how it works out.

This is the first draft in a while that Im not completely giddy over. But I expected it as I paid attention to the 30 visits and noticed most guys werent my preference.

If this is what Mannion wanted for his offense and it works, great. And they are good players. I just wonder if this is one of those drafts where we like the guys they took, but regret they could have done better. Not with hindsight after we see them, but based on the guys the fans liked heading into the draft.

Then again, as I watched the first 3 rounds and see teams that seem to always grab players we want especially on defense, I kept reminding myself that those teams don't have any championships (at least recently) and Howie has 2 within less than 10 years with different rosters. So I'm not quite as thrilled with the selections but they're good players and will wait and see how the new offense looks.

2 minutes ago, Sack that QB said:

One thing this draft reinforced is teams will always err on the side of caution when it comes to injury. It's why I never believed the stuff about Chris Bell going top of round 2 or Jermod McCoy being a 1st rounder.

Next year there will be some really talented guy coming off an injury and leading up to the draft pundits will try to sell everyone him going higher than expected and he won't. He'll fall just like all injured guys do.

Chris Bell was a hell of a lot more raw then people like to acknowledge. That on TOP of his injury which will prevent any football development for him through his entire first NFL offseason means his development will be delayed. He has drop issues as well.

McCoy is dropping so far because his knee is actually really, really bad. He is probably getting another surgery and missing his rookie season. And the knee is degenerative.

These guys arent just your simple ACL tears, will be ready for training camp. Those wouldnt have had as much of an impact.

Even though not a draft pick but a trade that used draft capital, I guess when you consider getting Greenard to secure the Edge position is part of the draft success, the same way trading for AJ Brown or Jason Peterson was using draft pick to improve the team.

20 minutes ago, HazletonEagle said:

saw a short last night that credits some blocking TE in Seattle for the early selections of the blocking TEs. Which probably makes more sense since they were super bowl champs so teams will be trying to copy.

However, even the best well rounded guys like Klare, Delp, and Raridon are off the board before round 4 also.

That leaves you with Raridon as a top candidate and that is it. There is also Joly but hes more of the Stowes type that we didnt really expect.

This makes sense. Eventually it will catch up.

18 minutes ago, HazletonEagle said:

yep

I shared a tweet last night that said that was their plan as well.

Do you still have the tweet?

11 minutes ago, HazletonEagle said:

makes me wonder if we arent just going to be spreading the field a lot. Pass blocking OT who struggles to get out and hit targets in space in the run game.... 5 new pass catchers added this offseason....

No major focus on TE blocking except for the Mundt signing. Every other TE is more of a receiver. Goedert is pretty well rounded despite his blocking decline last year, but hes not here long term. So its really a depth chart of pass catching TEs and Mundt.

There is no clear focus on OZ linemen, and big sets with blocking TEs like everyone talked about since Mannion was hired.

Its more like we are going air raid or something.... and the eagles visited with Behren Morton from Texas Tech....so...thats another hint at pass heavy system.

I don't remember what interview or press conference it was in but Sirianni said flatly they are running outside zone and running a strong running system that marries the run to pass with play action. So they definitely are running that scheme. I think rather than telling us they may not, these picks tell us Howie thinks system fit is overrated and he just wants to accumulate talent.

10 minutes ago, Freshmilk said:

I really wanted EMW there. Thought he matched well with Makuba- EMW plays closer to the LOS and Makuba center field. Loved that idea. Then was thinking draft a blocking TE. But Eagles are completely changing the offense and I see how Stowers fits.

I would have loved that too. But it seems that safety isn't a priority for them with adding Woolen and Greenard. The entire defense is now set at other positions except safety. Howie did say they aren't complete there and have to add, but at this point it's either a developmental backup day 3 pick, or signing someone who will be about as quality as Epps maybe. So just a guy to hold a roster spot. It will be like CB2 last year but hopefully not a liability. Epps is decent enough, Mukuba won't be a star but if he can grow in year 2 to be a competent starter and shake off rookie mistakes (Fangio is a really good coach and they focus on fundamentals) then the overall defense will still be good. I think they're also weighing the contracts they have to pay to Carter, Mitchell and DeJean so not taking high draft picks for defense.

2 hours ago, eagle45 said:

I was on the anti-Greenard bandwagon all offseason. But the way they pulled it off eases the sting. I do get the sense Howie didn't like this draft. Dropping a 2026 3rd that may not have amounted to much and a 2027 3rd that likely gets replaced by comp picks next year, on top of a pretty reasonable contract, makes me feel like they'll get more help on the field without noticing the cost much.

Stowers can be exciting if he's utilized properly. That's a tricky situation, because I don't think anyone is precisely sure what the right utilization is going to be. Depending on how he's used, where he's used, who else is on the field, how he ends up playing in pads as a pro....he could either unlock parts of the offense and field or congest them. I know I may lean into workouts too much, but it's just interesting to think of what one of the most vertically explosive players in combine history can do...and he is a pretty polished receiver on top of that. The decision to make is if the poor blocking needs to be fixed (make him evolve into TE1) or accepted and avoided (WR, full time slot, more 12 personnel, H-back, etc etc).

Bell is a fun pick. Any OL purist who doesn't like leaning or standing upright is probably scoffing at the pick...and I realize Stout isn't here...but I'm still going to give them the benefit of the doubt on drafting and developing physically unique OL as they've done it so well, so many times, even pre-Stout with this franchise...

...kind of like how I'm not going to give them the benefit of the doubt when drafting physically underwhelming WRs. Devonta Smith is still physically unique and his separation-ability / route gliding was truly special. He was arguably the most dominant WR in modern NCAA history and ready-to-go NFL WR prospect. My point is that he was enough of a slam dunk solid player that his top 10 selection does nothing to convince me they've figured out how to identify, draft, develop, and integrate WRs into their offense. There are all pro 5'11" WRs without deep speed or explosiveness out there...but I'll believe that the Eagles can find one and get that (or something close to it) out of them when I see it. IMO, Lemon's downside is our typical WR pick and his upside is a good slot. I just don't see how that's a good first round investment. But the pundits all l-o-v-e the pick. So ideally I'm proven wrong on this.

My issue with Stowers and Lemon and Smith is usage. That’s a lot of players who schematically fit, but all of them require a high volume of passes to make an impact. Some receivers can make a big impact on low usage, like DeSean Jackson, because they are so good vertically that they can change games with only a few catches and really change what defenses will do against you.

If we look at the Rams offense, they threw the ball 600 times last season. Their RBs got 413 rushing attempts. Nacua was targeted 166 times, Adams 114 times, and their TE Parkinson 56 times. After that it’s their RB getting 50 and a bunch of guys getting around 15-20.

For Stowers to be a smashing success, he’s going to need close to double the number of targets that Parkinson got. Now I don’t think anyone will get 166 targets like Nacua, but I am also really skeptical that Hurts can sling the ball 600 times. His career high is 538 in 2023, and the offense didn’t exactly look great.

26 minutes ago, TEW said:

Pretty sure this is what you’re referring to:

Howie also said in his pre-draft press conference regarding the NIL and transfers, that what he does is relies on the feedback from teams that he's had long standing relationships with (benefit of a secure GM who's been here awhile). So even if players are new to that team because they transferred, if he trusts the feedback from the college coaches it helps his evaluation, vs other teams where he doesn't know or trust them as much yet.

29 minutes ago, TEW said:

Pretty sure this is what you’re referring to:

True. But this is a short-term dip in player availability. Eventually this will become steady state, where players that stay longer will eventually run out of availability.

2 hours ago, aptosbird said:

Yup...the Eagles appear to be past the point of wheeling and dealing for this year. The tradeworthy players like McKee can now happen at a much later time, most likely closer to training camp as teams sort through the rosters. Everything at this point should be about loading up assets for next year.

Right, maybe add a vet inside OL as a backup insurance policy or another guy on his last shot at Edge or something but for the most part it is about filling out the special teams now and adding projects.

11 minutes ago, NOTW said:

I would have loved that too. But it seems that safety isn't a priority for them with adding Woolen and Greenard. The entire defense is now set at other positions except safety. Howie did say they aren't complete there and have to add, but at this point it's either a developmental backup day 3 pick, or signing someone who will be about as quality as Epps maybe. So just a guy to hold a roster spot. It will be like CB2 last year but hopefully not a liability. Epps is decent enough, Mukuba won't be a star but if he can grow in year 2 to be a competent starter and shake off rookie mistakes (Fangio is a really good coach and they focus on fundamentals) then the overall defense will still be good. I think they're also weighing the contracts they have to pay to Carter, Mitchell and DeJean so not taking high draft picks for defense.

Agree. We have a lot of talent on offense and defense. But emotionally, safety is my new LB anxiety point. We finally addressed LB over the past 3 years and I love it. We all do. Now I want the same attention at safety.

1 hour ago, BigEFly said:

Last night we watched players predicted pre draft as going Day3. Why are you so anxious to trade assets for what is left?

It was just a question. Howie isn’t just going to sit on his hands all day.

26 minutes ago, eagle45 said:

That’s gonna go great

His real issue is press coverages. Lining him up outside isn’t as much of an issue to me as lining him up as a split end. You’ve got to give him that space against bigger, longer corners so they can’t get their hand on him.

In that sense, Stowers is interesting. You can line him up a few yards away from the OT on the LOS to get a legal formation which can help keep Lemon from being a split end on that side of the field but still create space for both of them.

Have Stowers go vertical to clear out the safety and let Lemon work underneath with drags and slants. He’s pretty darn good after the catch so I could see the Eagles doing this kind of thing a lot.

1 minute ago, Freshmilk said:

Agree. We have a lot of talent on offense and defense. But emotionally, safety is my new LB anxiety point. We finally addressed LB over the past 3 years and I love it. We all do. Now I want the same attention at safety.

To be fair, they did use a 2nd rounder last year. And they have a lot of money they have to pay to other defensive players. With Greenard solidifying Edge, the front 7 is tough, and all 3 corners are great. So championship defense. Last year CB2 was a liability a lot and yet low on the list of problems with the team. If the offense does what it should, this team is a contender again.

2 hours ago, pgcd3 said:

He was cut. Comp picks were never in play

Good point. Forgot that.

13 minutes ago, NOTW said:

Howie also said in his pre-draft press conference regarding the NIL and transfers, that what he does is relies on the feedback from teams that he's had long standing relationships with (benefit of a secure GM who's been here awhile). So even if players are new to that team because they transferred, if he trusts the feedback from the college coaches it helps his evaluation, vs other teams where he doesn't know or trust them as much yet.

Curious on how the new 5 for 5 rule coming into play will affect the draft and prospects. I know Arizona coaches here expect that to be approved and grandfathered in for this upcoming season. Could see kids who are slotted to be 4th to undrafted as a 4th year senior weighing the contract they’ll get from nfl (also nba) as compared to a school paying and guarantees (many particularly basketball portal overpaying) to have them for another year.

15 minutes ago, TEW said:

My issue with Stowers and Lemon and Smith is usage. That’s a lot of players who schematically fit, but all of them require a high volume of passes to make an impact. Some receivers can make a big impact on low usage, like DeSean Jackson, because they are so good vertically that they can change games with only a few catches and really change what defenses will do against you.

If we look at the Rams offense, they threw the ball 600 times last season. Their RBs got 413 rushing attempts. Nacua was targeted 166 times, Adams 114 times, and their TE Parkinson 56 times. After that it’s their RB getting 50 and a bunch of guys getting around 15-20.

For Stowers to be a smashing success, he’s going to need close to double the number of targets that Parkinson got. Now I don’t think anyone will get 166 targets like Nacua, but I am also really skeptical that Hurts can sling the ball 600 times. His career high is 538 in 2023, and the offense didn’t exactly look great.

That’s a great point. And it’s yet more reason that I don’t like Lemon. Those elite slot types that comp to Lemon….going back to Welker —> Edelman —> JSN/ Aman-ra St. Brown….they are all that sturdy, more quick than fast, VERY high utilization mold.

Theres a fine line between their elite productivity and a similarly unexplosive wr catching 50 balls per season for an underwhelming 550 yards in a spread the ball offense with a mediocre passing qb.

12 minutes ago, NOTW said:

To be fair, they did use a 2nd rounder last year. And they have a lot of money they have to pay to other defensive players. With Greenard solidifying Edge, the front 7 is tough, and all 3 corners are great. So championship defense. Last year CB2 was a liability a lot and yet low on the list of problems with the team. If the offense does what it should, this team is a contender again.

What should the offense do?

I want that roided up freak athlete from Nigeria today

12 minutes ago, NOTW said:

To be fair, they did use a 2nd rounder last year. And they have a lot of money they have to pay to other defensive players. With Greenard solidifying Edge, the front 7 is tough, and all 3 corners are great. So championship defense. Last year CB2 was a liability a lot and yet low on the list of problems with the team. If the offense does what it should, this team is a contender again.

Imo safety is really the only position on this roster i feel uncomfortable with. Even backup OL having Hinton, Pierce, Williams, Kendall work with stoutland last year, i feel at least 2 of those guys can be competent backups in year. At safety my issue with Mukuba was never could he play. It was at his size and frame could he stay healthy for 17 games and playoffs. He missed 1/3 of the season last year as a rookie. Epps is a low end starter/backup. Carter was a good slot corner a couple years, i think it’s a gamble to just assume he can be a full time starter at safety. Maybe he does, but i don’t think anyone should feel like it’s a definitive.

That said i still think Howie finds a way to add another safety with experience here. I could see Cleveland dealing delpit as they drafted a safety and delpit could leave in FA next year.

178 is a loooooong wait for Howie. I want to see if he has something cooking. Probably not but you never know.

The Patriots come to the Linc in 2027.

Just now, Sack that QB said:

178 is a loooooong wait for Howie. I want to see if he has something cooking. Probably not but you never know.

lol never. I’ve said it before and I’ll say if again - Howies a little weasel but he’s our little weasel 🥰 😂