I'm passionate about following the draft, yet I simply can't invest time into watching and evaluating the players. So I can only go by what I read about here and some other places I sometimes visit. One player that I find especially interesting in regard to the Eagles is Peter Skoronski, who is apparently someone that most Eagles fans do NOT want. The consensus is that his arms are too short (32 1/4 inches) and he doesn't have enough "length" to ever be a tackle. The feeling is, he's doomed to be a guard for the bulk of his career. Okay, fine, I get that. But I'm also hearing (again, I've only seen some clips of him without devoting much energy into evaluating him) that he has the potential to be an All-Pro guard. That sounds good.

But here's the thing. Zack Martin also has short arms (a little longer than Skoronski but still less than 33 inches). And his wingspan is actually two inches less. 77 1/2 compared to 79 1/2 for Skoronski. Would anyone really be disappointed if the Eagles drafted a guard as good as Zack Martin with the tenth pick?

I guess my point is that just because a guy has shorter than average arms doesn't mean he automatically will be a failure. Martin has proven that point.

I've been clamoring for a defensive focused draft -- and I've been on that same train for about the past five drafts -- but I've come to expect that the first pick is going to be an offensive lineman. And I'm okay with that. And I think I'm okay with that lineman being a guard.

 

59 minutes ago, Cliftoma said:

 

 

Listen to the whole conversation with your eyes closed and picture Brandon Graham talking

3 hours ago, ToastJenkins said:

Every big qb contract carries that risk no?

Not every contract comes after only one year of high end production, I'd wager most don't 

1 hour ago, T-1000 said:

Hasn't he played exclusively on the left side?

Given his first year will be a red shirt year under Stout’s tutelage, I don’t see that as a problem.

5 minutes ago, FranklinFldEBUpper said:

I'm passionate about following the draft, yet I simply can't invest time into watching and evaluating the players. So I can only go by what I read about here and some other places I sometimes visit. One player that I find especially interesting in regard to the Eagles is Peter Skoronski, who is apparently someone that most Eagles fans do NOT want. The consensus is that his arms are too short (32 1/4 inches) and he doesn't have enough "length" to ever be a tackle. The feeling is, he's doomed to be a guard for the bulk of his career. Okay, fine, I get that. But I'm also hearing (again, I've only seen some clips of him without devoting much energy into evaluating him) that he has the potential to be an All-Pro guard. That sounds good.

But here's the thing. Zack Martin also has short arms (a little longer than Skoronski but still less than 33 inches). And his wingspan is actually two inches less. 77 1/2 compared to 79 1/2 for Skoronski. Would anyone really be disappointed if the Eagles drafted a guard as good as Zack Martin with the tenth pick?

I guess my point is that just because a guy has shorter than average arms doesn't mean he automatically will be a failure. Martin has proven that point.

I've been clamoring for a defensive focused draft -- and I've been on that same train for about the past five drafts -- but I've come to expect that the first pick is going to be an offensive lineman. And I'm okay with that. And I think I'm okay with that lineman being a guard.

 

My biggest issue with Skoronski is timing. I don’t think it’s good use of resources to draft a G only top 10, pay him more than Dickerson and Jurgens combined, and he might not even start week 1 at worst, at best he’s your RG of the future. I’d much rather take a more versatile/raw player that Stoutland can coach up instead of a guy who’s already polished like Skoronski. I wouldn’t be mad at the pick, it certainly wouldn’t be sexy or thrilling if it is him, but I think they could use it to do better and potentially take someone that can help more both immediately and in the future.

35 minutes ago, Aerolithe_Lion said:

Listen to the whole conversation with your eyes closed and picture Brandon Graham talking

For reals 💯 %.  So much energy/enthusiasm for the game.  I would be so pumped if he was our pick because I know he will fit in with Bird culture and give them another weapon to throw at offenses.  

Stanley cup playoff are much less stressful when you don’t have to worry about your goalie giving up a goal from an impossible angle or 60 feet away. 

3 hours ago, ManuManu said:

 

He actually excites me more than Pete. 

2 hours ago, LeanMeanGM said:

My biggest issue with Skoronski is timing. I don’t think it’s good use of resources to draft a G only top 10, pay him more than Dickerson and Jurgens combined, and he might not even start week 1 at worst, at best he’s your RG of the future. I’d much rather take a more versatile/raw player that Stoutland can coach up instead of a guy who’s already polished like Skoronski. I wouldn’t be mad at the pick, it certainly wouldn’t be sexy or thrilling if it is him, but I think they could use it to do better and potentially take someone that can help more both immediately and in the future.

The thing is if they draft Skoronski it's with the idea that he is a day one starter at RG. Obviously nothing is guaranteed and Jurgens could out play him in camp, but you don't draft a G at 10 if you think he isn't a day one starter and even day one stud. I personally like Johnson better because he could be a day one starter at RG and take over for Lane at RT in 3 years. Skoronski isn't going to be a T in the NFL. Of course, if the Eagles think Skoronski is a far superior prospect then that shouldn't matter. The most important thing with a top 10 pick is to nail it and not get too caught up in the position.

3 hours ago, mattwill said:

I agree with Toast … his comment is not hating on him at all.

Matt, respectfully, I disagree. I know how you like to be "yogi" of the board but this is a distorted take. It is a moneyball take. Hurts plays moneyball football in the correct sense. He gets on base and in football that means moving the sticks. Does it produce big arm highlight moment like Josh Allen, no. Is it spectacular I am an athletic freak and the play broke down but I pass it behind my back, Mahomes, no. What it looks like is highly efficient high school football that moves that chains and wins championships. Some folks, like TJenkins, want the home run swing but that it not the most efficient game winning strategy. Hurts with a good Oline, top RB and receivers who consistently catch the ball, is the strategy. It moves the ball down the field and eats the clock. Do you get the adrenaline rush of Josh Allen highlights? Probably not but Josh Allen types winning the whole thing is probabilistically less likely than Hurts. 

TJenkins hates on this buy because he doesn't like the style of football that can be successful with a less than excellent arm and is more dependent on discipline, work ethic and toughness. Sorry, but you are wrong in defending that his posts are not hating. They are hating and in turn, loving of a brand of football that in this day and age is less effective. 

Somehow Will Anderson was available at 10 lol. Also added a QB & LB in the 7th

5 hours ago, Cliftoma said:

Yeah, if you haven't watched it, you need to.  The guy just oozes character, teammate, friend, leader. 

Smith at 10 would be an excellent pick.  I think I would be most happy with him or Witherspoon (close 2nd).  

 

Interesting what he says about Carter.

He's very BG like, would be a great potential future captain

2 hours ago, Next_Up said:

Matt, respectfully, I disagree. I know how you like to be "yogi" of the board but this is a distorted take. It is a moneyball take. Hurts plays moneyball football in the correct sense. He gets on base and in football that means moving the sticks. Does it produce big arm highlight moment like Josh Allen, no. Is it spectacular I am an athletic freak and the play broke down but I pass it behind my back, Mahomes, no. What it looks like is highly efficient high school football that moves that chains and wins championships. Some folks, like TJenkins, want the home run swing but that it not the most efficient game winning strategy. Hurts with a good Oline, top RB and receivers who consistently catch the ball, is the strategy. It moves the ball down the field and eats the clock. Do you get the adrenaline rush of Josh Allen highlights? Probably not but Josh Allen types winning the whole thing is probabilistically less likely than Hurts. 

TJenkins hates on this buy because he doesn't like the style of football that can be successful with a less than excellent arm and is more dependent on discipline, work ethic and toughness. Sorry, but you are wrong in defending that his posts are not hating. They are hating and in turn, loving of a brand of football that in this day and age is less effective. 

I'm not entirely sure that's true. Few QBs have Jalen Hurts level of mobility. The bulk of teams in the playoffs just this past season didn't have a QB that ran for more than 400 yards over 17 games. Hurts, Jones and Allen were the only 3.

I don't think he's saying mobility in general is bad, but running 650-850 yards from the QB position is.

The game is changing, but to say that pocket passers are less effective is a little obtuse.

11 hours ago, eagle45 said:

My suspicion about the consequences of this deal....moving forward (and after the players we have already lost), we can pretty much keep everyone, but we aren't going to be able to go get anyone besides bargain basemen FA's for the next 4 years.

That's *fine*, but that's also how Howie has consistently built winners over the years...FA signings and trade and signs.  Those are going to be off the table now.  It's all draft.

More than a suspicion, I think. Howie has anticipated this. We have eight draft picks in 2024 plus four comp picks.

The Eagles just locked up their franchise QB for the next six years and backed up the brinks truck for him. They are going OL with one of their first two picks and I think it will be the 1st one unless Carter or Wilson unexpectedly falls to 10. It just makes even more sense today than it did 24 hours ago.

Fine with it 

His mock is based on what he’s hearing around the league. Has us taking Bijon and McDonald. 

1 hour ago, just relax said:

More than a suspicion, I think. Howie has anticipated this. We have eight draft picks in 2024 plus four comp picks.

Probably also more reason to expect Howie to trade out of one of the 1sts to continue to roll forward extra draft capital, versus using it all this year and resetting us to the below-average draft capital of a highly competitive team that will consistently pick late 20’s (or lower) for the next several years.

8 hours ago, FranklinFldEBUpper said:

I'm passionate about following the draft, yet I simply can't invest time into watching and evaluating the players. So I can only go by what I read about here and some other places I sometimes visit. One player that I find especially interesting in regard to the Eagles is Peter Skoronski, who is apparently someone that most Eagles fans do NOT want. The consensus is that his arms are too short (32 1/4 inches) and he doesn't have enough "length" to ever be a tackle. The feeling is, he's doomed to be a guard for the bulk of his career. Okay, fine, I get that. But I'm also hearing (again, I've only seen some clips of him without devoting much energy into evaluating him) that he has the potential to be an All-Pro guard. That sounds good.

But here's the thing. Zack Martin also has short arms (a little longer than Skoronski but still less than 33 inches). And his wingspan is actually two inches less. 77 1/2 compared to 79 1/2 for Skoronski. Would anyone really be disappointed if the Eagles drafted a guard as good as Zack Martin with the tenth pick?

I guess my point is that just because a guy has shorter than average arms doesn't mean he automatically will be a failure. Martin has proven that point.

I've been clamoring for a defensive focused draft -- and I've been on that same train for about the past five drafts -- but I've come to expect that the first pick is going to be an offensive lineman. And I'm okay with that. And I think I'm okay with that lineman being a guard.

 

I’m only OK with taking a guard if he has Shawn Andrews type upside with none of the baggage. That is, a player with no weakness.

He needs to have unique traits. Overwhelming size and power coupled with dancing bear movement skills.

I do NOT want a high floor low ceiling guard. We have the best OL coach the NFL has seen in a generation. There is no need to take safe, limited players at OL. I have every faith in the world that Stoutland can conjure a pro bowl level guard out of a mid round pick with some athleticism. So why burn the most valuable draft asset we are likely to have over the next 5 years on a guy who won’t be much better than we could get out of a 4th or 5th round pick? It doesn’t make sense to me.

If a SPECIAL guard prospect was available, sure, but Skoronski is the opposite of a special prospect. He’s an ordinary athlete who is already very refined.

8 hours ago, Waiting4Someday said:

It allows richer franchises to borrow from the future to accelerate spending, so the loser might be competitive balance if other poorer franchises can’t keep up.

The credit card bill always comes due

3 minutes ago, ToastJenkins said:

The credit card bill always comes due

And 5 years ago, the cap is going to go up bigly was the phrase going around.  And then COVID hit; you can't just presume it will go up infinitely.

As for Lamar, losing some money by paying an agent is better than trying to negotiate a deal of that magnitude by himself.  Hurts agent did a great negotiating in good faith and keeping it quiet and professional (as did the Eagles).  Lamar should take note and hire Hurts agent to get a deal done before the Ravens move on.  Hurts got paid, Lamar still hasn't been

We have more obvious needs but man the meltdown if we got Bijan Robinson would be awesome.  Our offense would be absolutely devastating but we desperately need defense.

6 minutes ago, UK Eagle said:

And 5 years ago, the cap is going to go up bigly was the phrase going around.  And then COVID hit; you can't just presume it will go up infinitely.

If they manage to win another ring Howie can retire and leave that mess for the next guy

Can play tackle or guard and dominated at right tackle for the Vols in 2022 earning first-team All-SEC honors … Concluded his career without allowing a sack in 19 consecutive games ... Played in 47 games and made 42 starts – 27 at right tackle, two at right guard and 13 at left tackle

^^^ Darnell Wright...  Just realized he ran the 40 at same time (5:01) as Paris Johnson Jr. and just a scootch slower than Broderick Jones 4.97 while being 22 pounds heavier