2 minutes ago, Iggles_Phan said:

Nick Foles, Brad Johnson, new backup QB Joe Flacco.

First two are journeymen, Joe Flacco yeah I agree.

4 hours ago, eagle45 said:

I'll be happy with whatever it takes to make accurate throws from the pocket.  

Hopefully having a WR like smith who can separate quickly will help. But if he can’t make those throws, having a WR like Smith is useless

18 minutes ago, bpac55 said:

Until the Eagles figure out what the heck they actually want and stop changing their draft philosophy I think we're going to be stuck in this purgatory.

I really hope this draft is the turning point and a foundation of the next decade of Eagles football.  But what happens if toughness and grit doesn't work?  Next year we change draft philosophy again and try to figure out another draft strategy. 

Which was 100% was why I wanted to start over from scratch and can Howie and bring in a real football guy.  A football guy, with a clearly defined philosophy.  Instead we always get this morph of consensus and who is in the ear of the owner/GM steering things.   One coherent vision.

So now it all comes down to:

a) Can Sirianni coach?

b) Is Hurts the guy?

 

I think DeVonta is going to be so good we’re going to get a little bit of a false read on Hurts’ improvement as a passer. 😀

13 minutes ago, Iggles_Phan said:

Which was 100% was why I wanted to start over from scratch and can Howie and bring in a real football guy.  A football guy, with a clearly defined philosophy.  Instead we always get this morph of consensus and who is in the ear of the owner/GM steering things.   One coherent vision.

Sure.  But will the new GM define a philosophy much different from what Lurie has already defined?

I am really trying not to go all Afan here, but the '18 - '20 drafts were anomalous for a few reasons.  By trying to keep the window open and build around Wentz, they did drift away from the Reid/Banner approach.  Less linemen and more weapons is probably outside of Howie's comfort zone.  Despite his recent failings, I am pretty comfortable with Howie when comes to a rebuild. 

 

2 minutes ago, Connecticut Eagle said:

Sure.  But will the new GM define a philosophy much different from what Lurie has already defined?

I am really trying no to go all Afan here, but the '18 - '20 drafts were anomalous for a few reasons.  By trying to keep the window open and build around Wentz, they did drift away from the Reid/Banner approach.  Less linemen and more weapons is probably outside of Howie's comfort zone.  Despite his recent failings, I am pretty comfortable with Howie when comes to a rebuild. 

It will likely be aligned with Lurie's philosophy (at least the one at the moment of the interview), but my hope is that that new hire will remain committed to that singular philosophy, not the flavor the month.

 

I'm so sick of the 'keep the window open' excuse.  They didn't build through the draft, they built the pieces that pushed them over the top with low risk moves... and then they went away from that entirely.  That's foolish.  They didn't win because of splashes, so why try to maintain with that?   Silly.

Low risk moves? Brandon Brooks? Jenkins? Trading up for Wentz?

The 2012-2013 drafts built the foundation, same way 1998-2000 drafts did so for AR.

The philosophy has always been to build through the lines. That's been consistent for 20 years, expect maybe a year or two under Chip.

After that, it depends on the HC and the DC. But generally they've gone 4-3 on defense.

The difference is how the whole organization works together on draft day, I thought before the draft there was more coherence this year, and the draft seemed to bear that out, Donohue not withstanding (Gannon certainly like the Williams pick).

Howie's at his best when there's consensus on the draft board (doesn't mean there weren't heated arguments putting it together, just that once that's done, everyone is on board), and he can wheel and deal off his board. And when they go BPA instead of need. Address need in free agency, draft talent.

Eagles have generally had an emphasis on intangibles until the last days of AR and then Chip. So they're just getting back to organizational roots.

I suspect one reason they passed on a lot of guys this year is they're taking certain types (low motor, late for meetings, doesn't love the game) off or down the board.

2 hours ago, BigEFly said:

The draft suggests some interesting possibilities with Gannon’s D.   Suspect we see some 3/3/5, some Joker and some 4/2/5 where the four includes a DE that can cover in zone and a LB that can rush. I can see some real mind game formations as opposed to DBs dropping and giving the scheme away at the hint of motion like we saw the last two years.  

Dennard Wilson has work cut out for him.  Note in the McPhearson interview that he talked about interviewing with Wilson and DK.  Good to see the assistant position coach involved.  So our CBs are Slay, McPhearson as starters and Maddox as the nickel with James as the depth?  Maybe Seymour or Jacquet?  Ouch.  Howie needs to get to skinning that cat.  

The draft makes me suspect we're running a 7-0-4 scheme honestly.

1 minute ago, Wentz_Era said:

The draft makes me suspect we're running a 7-0-4 scheme honestly.

Direction of the NFL is moving towards 1 LB and 3 safeties(big) package with a big safety in the box. There you have Stevens. There are a lot more LBs in that 210-220 small range then most think. 

Id be more confused on if we are changing to a 3-4 with some of these picks we made? Johnson from Tulane is a 3-4 OLB. Jackson is a fit as a 3-4 pass rushing OLB as well. Maybe we run a 4-3 under in packages with them? Both DTs can play either scheme. Just a few of the players we have fit a 3-4 better which is why im a bit confused in the direction. 

Just now, austinfan said:

Low risk moves? Brandon Brooks? Jenkins? Trading up for Wentz?

The 2012-2013 drafts built the foundation, same way 1998-2000 drafts did so for AR.

We've been over this, so I won't go into it again with you.   But, disagree with you.

1 hour ago, Iggles_Phan said:

Wait.. it was the same knee twice.   Ugh.  That's worse than I thought.   So, for all of those who said, "ACLs are no big deal" and that "after surgery the knee is stronger"... well, there goes that notion.   This is a HUGE red flag to me now.  I thought it was different knees, which is bad (especially when you add the ankle injuries in), but this is worse.   

I really like the kid, but this just has Metcalf fingerprints all over it, just like overdrafting Hurts last year had Wilson fingerprints on it.   They overcorrected not getting Wilson, by drafting Hurts a round too early.  And now, they over correct not selecting Metcalf (which I was fine with, because of his neck injury), by grabbing Dickerson.   Seems not much has really changed inside the mind of Howie.  He's still trying to right the mistakes of the past, just as he brought Desean back, even when that was never going to be a great idea, and overpaid to do so.  They even looked into bringing Lesean McCoy back.  That wouldn't have been very helpful either.

There's no denying his football talent.  I just wonder how much of it we'll be able to see.

 I’ve seen both, his right and left knee, and this report, his right knee twice. Add in arthritis by the time he’s 26 -27 because he’s 330lbs. Hopefully he’s not a candidate for microfracture surgery within the next 2 years cause it’s almost impossible to tear your ACL twice and not damage cartilage as well. 
 

https://steelersdepot.com/2021/04/report-medical-history-of-alabama-c-landon-dickerson-still-serious-concern-for-several-nfl-teams/

7 minutes ago, DeathByEagle said:

Direction of the NFL is moving towards 1 LB and 3 safeties(big) package with a big safety in the box. There you have Stevens. There are a lot more LBs in that 210-220 small range then most think. 

Oh I agree, which is why I found the lack of DB's taken pretty alarming.  The problem with those quasi-LB's is they almost never pan out...that hybrid LB position is becoming the hardest position to scout.  I need to look a good bit more into Stevens, seems like a good kid and not a huge name on the LSU D (which is often good when it comes to that team).

On the surface of things the health of Dickerson would seem to be the factor that will ultimately determine if this is a great draft or a good draft or, dare I say, a mediocre draft.  Right now it looks great on paper IF you assume Dickerson stays healthy.

I have to suspect I'll finally be getting my call to come play this year...guess I really need to start working out.  Hell I might even be able to transition to LB now...I'm up over 180!

17 minutes ago, DeathByEagle said:

Id be more confused on if we are changing to a 3-4 with some of these picks we made? Johnson from Tulane is a 3-4 OLB. Jackson is a fit as a 3-4 pass rushing OLB as well. Maybe we run a 4-3 under in packages with them? Both DTs can play either scheme. Just a few of the players we have fit a 3-4 better which is why im a bit confused in the direction. 

At the very least you can tell they are going to be flexible in whatever they do.  JaCoby Stevens said it really well in his interview.  Almost like the NBA where everyone is positionless.  The defense is just going to be this fluid unit where no one fits a certain scheme, they just let them morph in to what they want to do for every game.

This is just my assumption I could be totally wrong but I've said it numerous times like you alluded to.  The guys they took feel very 3-4ish.

Like this guy already

 

14 minutes ago, Wentz_Era said:

Oh I agree, which is why I found the lack of DB's taken pretty alarming.  The problem with those quasi-LB's is they almost never pan out...that hybrid LB position is becoming the hardest position to scout.  I need to look a good bit more into Stevens, seems like a good kid and not a huge name on the LSU D (which is often good when it comes to that team).

Stevens is interesting for sure.  Versatile, which seems to be the biggest singular trait the Eagles valued in this draft.  Mostly a box safety I would say, but he's got decent ball skills and played a bit of free safety as well -- was also a WR in high school.  He's a very late pick at #224, but he's going into a secondary without a lot of talent.

I would have preferred Nasirildeen, who was drafted by the Jets at #186 -- but they are similar players.

7 minutes ago, Wentz_Era said:

I have to suspect I'll finally be getting my call to come play this year...guess I really need to start working out.  Hell I might even be able to transition to LB now...I'm up over 180!

5 pounds to go and you're the Eagles prototypical LB size.  

Maybe this is all some grand scheme from Jeff Lurie....the movie producer.  He saw how Vince Papale went from local tryout to cinema magic.  So here's the plan.  Continually put trash on the field at corner and linebacker.  Host local tryouts so some guy who played at Widener can make the team as a ST ace LB/CB.  Then in 20 years he can finally make a movie people give a damn about.

Invincible Part II coming to theaters in 2041.

4 minutes ago, devpool said:

Like this guy already

 

If that means he stole JJAWs number then I'm with you.  Let's go Kenny!

9 minutes ago, DrPhilly said:

On the surface of things the health of Dickerson would seem to be the factor that will ultimately determine if this is a great draft or a good draft or, dare I say, a mediocre draft.  Right now it looks great on paper IF you assume Dickerson stays healthy.

Smith - home run.  I'm curious to see how they ranked Smith, Horn and Surtain.  Their moves tell me they targeted Smith from day 1.

Dickerson is a huge ? mark.  If he stays healthy, he's one of the best picks in the draft from a player, leader and character standpoint.  That kid is impossible not to like as a human and on the football field.  After that is where I question a lot.  

Williams - lottery ticket at 3 tech DT.  At DE wtf are you thinking unless we run a 3-4.

Zech - ya his TTU tape is pretty good, but he's a spindly guy who needs a lot of polish.  I'll give him half a pass for not being able to crack a weak PSU DB room because that staff out there sucks once they're done the recruiting process.

Gainwell - great value pick and will contribute day 1.

Tui - almost like an insurance pick for an earlier pick.  He's long term what you want as a #4 with #2 upside at DT.  We have a glut of DT's on the roster still though.

Jackson - lottery ticket...poor man's BG I can hope.

Stevens - welcome to the long list of hybrid LB/S's that have had their go in the NFL.  Great kid and leader though.

Johnson - wouldn't have been even an UDFA in a normal draft class.

6 minutes ago, devpool said:

Like this guy already

 

Meek Mill - hero/role model to the children, poet, warrior, icon....

8 minutes ago, Alphagrand said:

Stevens is interesting for sure.  Versatile, which seems to be the biggest singular trait the Eagles valued in this draft.  Mostly a box safety I would say, but he's got decent ball skills and played a bit of free safety as well -- was also a WR in high school.  He's a very late pick at #224, but he's going into a secondary without a lot of talent.

I would have preferred Nasirildeen, who was drafted by the Jets at #186 -- but they are similar players.

He can move a good bit, where we took him I love the shot at the player and person.