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Can Reed Blankenship Be the Answer at Safety?


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Posted

With the free agent market drying up and the draft being over, the Safety position is still our biggest hole (followed closely by CB).  Even though I think our draft as a whole was very good, not coming away with a Safety was disappointing.  It's just as disappointing that we couldn't land any FA Safety of significance. 

Enter UDFA Reed Blankenship.

Now, maybe I'm looking at this like a starving fat man looks at a rice cake, but maybe...jussssttt mayyyybeee...we have something with Blankenship?  Yes he's a UDFA and there's usually reasons why players go undrafted.  But, at this point right off the bat I'm kinda liking his chances at making the roster and eventually be a regular contributor to the Defense (if not an outright starter).

Of course, building up hopes on a UDFA tells you all you need to know about the current state of the roster for this position.:meh:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Articles...

https://thedraftnetwork.com/reed-blankenship-nfl-draft-shrine-bowl-2022/

https://www.nfldraftdiamonds.com/2021/09/reed-blankenship-2/

https://www.profootballnetwork.com/reed-blankenship-intriguing-small-school-sleeper-for-nfl/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=reed-blankenship-intriguing-small-school-sleeper-for-nfl

 

 

Posted

I was a BIG fan of Blankenship during the draft process. Athletic, natural leadership, pretty good instincts, and a very nice tackler. He'll immediately make an impact on ST, and has the potential to maybe be the top reserve S this year. That alone makes him more valuable to me than Wallace. I'll be rooting hard for him.

  • Like 3
Posted

It's probably a safe assumption that the roster isn't complete yet, that Howie is still trying to add pieces where he can.  Could see a player-for-player swap (Dillard for a S, for example).  But honestly not too concerned about this upcoming season ... we knew the roster rebuild would take more than a single offseason to complete.  Hopefully next year the board falls in such a way that allows us to execute a complete secondary rebuild.  Would love a draft similar to 2002 where our first 3 picks were all dedicated to the secondary (2 CBs, 1 S).  Until then though, they can get by with serviceable players serving as band aids.  

  • Like 1
Posted
1 minute ago, time2rock said:

It's probably a safe assumption that the roster isn't complete yet, that Howie is still trying to add pieces where he can.  Could see a player-for-player swap (Dillard for a S, for example).  But honestly not too concerned about this upcoming season ... we knew the roster rebuild would take more than a single offseason to complete.  Hopefully next year the board falls in such a way that allows us to execute a complete secondary rebuild.  Would love a draft similar to 2002 where our first 3 picks were all dedicated to the secondary (2 CBs, 1 S).  Until then though, they can get by with serviceable players serving as band aids.  

We both have been waiting for that to happen for two decades now. 😂

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  • Haha 3
Posted
4 minutes ago, time2rock said:

It's probably a safe assumption that the roster isn't complete yet, that Howie is still trying to add pieces where he can.  Could see a player-for-player swap (Dillard for a S, for example).  But honestly not too concerned about this upcoming season ... we knew the roster rebuild would take more than a single offseason to complete.  Hopefully next year the board falls in such a way that allows us to execute a complete secondary rebuild.  Would love a draft similar to 2002 where our first 3 picks were all dedicated to the secondary (2 CBs, 1 S).  Until then though, they can get by with serviceable players serving as band aids.  

1. Obviously that assumes no need at QB

2. We've been saying that for a years in a row. He's going to draft a DE & RT of the future and trade lol

  • Like 2
Posted
9 minutes ago, Outlaw said:

I was a BIG fan of Blankenship during the draft process. Athletic, natural leadership, pretty good instincts, and a very nice tackler. He'll immediately make an impact on ST, and has the potential to maybe be the top reserve S this year. That alone makes him more valuable to me than Wallace. I'll be rooting hard for him.

I had liked him as a potential 5th round target (but was hoping we'd address S earlier).  I'm really happy we got him as an UDFA...looking forward to seeing what he can do.  He has a clear path to the 53-man roster if he can show something.

  • Like 1
Posted
7 minutes ago, time2rock said:

It's probably a safe assumption that the roster isn't complete yet, that Howie is still trying to add pieces where he can.  Could see a player-for-player swap (Dillard for a S, for example).  But honestly not too concerned about this upcoming season ... we knew the roster rebuild would take more than a single offseason to complete.  Hopefully next year the board falls in such a way that allows us to execute a complete secondary rebuild.  Would love a draft similar to 2002 where our first 3 picks were all dedicated to the secondary (2 CBs, 1 S).  Until then though, they can get by with serviceable players serving as band aids.  

I'll agree that a future move might be made.  But until then...let's bask in the glory of Reed Blankenship! :rock: :worthy:

  • Haha 1
Posted
3 minutes ago, pgcd3 said:

1. Obviously that assumes no need at QB

2. We've been saying that for a years in a row. He's going to draft a DE & RT of the future and trade lol

Yep.  Your #1 will determine what next year's draft is all about.  If we need a QB, everything else is out the window.

Posted

It sure would be great if they can hit on one or two of these UDFAs. Long odds of course but look I think there's a chance. And the young safeties and corners will get a chance on this roster. 

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Posted

He can be a band aid until we draft an top safety in next year's draft. 

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Posted
1 hour ago, jsdarkstar said:

He can be a band aid until we draft an top safety in next year's draft. 

That ain't gonna happen. 

2 hours ago, pgcd3 said:

1. Obviously that assumes no need at QB

2. We've been saying that for a years in a row. He's going to draft a DE & RT of the future and trade lol

 

Posted

Quinten Mikell went undrafted and eventually made a pro bowl with the eagles so I'm not going to say Blankenship won't be able to make it in the NFL.

He was a tackling machine in college, and fjr the pros his hips are a little stiff but he has good Instincts and ball skills.

I imagine if he makes the roster he'll play mainly special teams where he could be really good and then maybe work his way up to playing time.

  • Like 3
Posted
41 minutes ago, Utebird said:

Quinten Mikell went undrafted and eventually made a pro bowl with the eagles so I'm not going to say Blankenship won't be able to make it in the NFL.

Trying to think back, does anyone recall another UDFA in the last 20 years that reached that level for us?  Not an UDFA from another team (we traded for Jason Peters after he was proven) but a guy the Eagles signed as an UDFA who became a starting player like that?

Edit from replies said so far:  David Akers, Jamaal Jackson, Rod Hood, Chad Lewis, Corey Clement

 

Posted
3 minutes ago, NOTW said:

Trying to think back, does anyone recall another UDFA in the last 20 years that reached that level for us?  Not an UDFA from another team (we traded for Jason Peters after he was proven) but a guy the Eagles signed as an UDFA who became a starting player like that?

 

David Akers. Jamaal Jackson.

Posted
1 minute ago, pallidrone said:

David Akers. Jamaal Jackson.

Thanks.  Technically, Akers doesn't exactly count.  The Eagles signed him a couple years after his draft year.  He didn't get signed by anyone at first and tried out with the Falcons and Panthers, then was first signed by Washington then cut after one season. The Eagles claimed him which was 2 years after his draft year and sent him to NFL Europe for a season.

Posted
9 minutes ago, NOTW said:

Trying to think back, does anyone recall another UDFA in the last 20 years that reached that level for us?  Not an UDFA from another team (we traded for Jason Peters after he was proven) but a guy the Eagles signed as an UDFA who became a starting player like that?

 

Rod Hood, Chad Lewis, Jamaal Jackson.  Going back further, Andre Waters!

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Posted
6 minutes ago, NOTW said:

Thanks.  Technically, Akers doesn't exactly count.  The Eagles signed him a couple years after his draft year.  He didn't get signed by anyone at first and tried out with the Falcons and Panthers, then was first signed by Washington then cut after one season. The Eagles claimed him which was 2 years after his draft year and sent him to NFL Europe for a season.

Yeah I guess...

Hollis Thomas was another one, but that was back in 97.

Posted
4 minutes ago, EaglesAddict said:

Rod Hood, Chad Lewis, Jamaal Jackson.  Going back further, Andre Waters!

Ah good one.  Forgot about the Chad.

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Posted
3 minutes ago, NOTW said:

Ah good one.  Forgot about the Chad.

Wow...just realized that in 2003, we signed Rod Hood, Jamaal Jackson, Mikell, and even Reno Mahe.  That was a homerun UDFA class!  Maybe this year's can be just as good, never know.

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Posted
29 minutes ago, NOTW said:

Trying to think back, does anyone recall another UDFA in the last 20 years that reached that level for us?  Not an UDFA from another team (we traded for Jason Peters after he was proven) but a guy the Eagles signed as an UDFA who became a starting player like that?

 

Corey Clement was pretty integral to the SB win. Jamaal Jackson and Chad Lewis would also be the first two that spring to mind from this century.

  • Like 1
Posted
4 hours ago, EaglesAddict said:

Wow...just realized that in 2003, we signed Rod Hood, Jamaal Jackson, Mikell, and even Reno Mahe.  That was a homerun UDFA class!  Maybe this year's can be just as good, never know.

G lewis  Clinton hart Sam Rayburn and artist Hicks as well.

Rayburn believe it or not was second in sacks in 2004 behind kearse.

Artist Hicks was traded to the Vikings.

That UDFA class produced way more than that 2003 draft that produced the under achieving LJ Smith☹️

 

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Posted

No.

Next question...

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Posted
1 hour ago, Utebird said:

 

Rayburn believe it or not was second in sacks in 2004 behind kearse.

The truck driver.  🙂

 

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Posted

I've got a stupid idea.

Let's play one of our lightweight linebackers at Safety. Give em a try.

Which LB is the fastest and can cover?

Posted
17 minutes ago, CouchKing said:

I've got a stupid idea.

Let's play one of our lightweight linebackers at Safety. Give em a try.

Which LB is the fastest and can cover?

JJ Whiteside

Why not, they are trying him at any position to save the embarrassment of cutting him. Usually good DBs were failed WRs at some point of there football life. 

  • Haha 1

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