Sorting Out The Eagles’ Draft Possibilities: Candidate #1 Zach Brown
BREAKING NEWS, Eagles Draft, News, NFLDraft Sunday, February 5th, 2012
Whenever an NFL season ends in as disappointing a fashion, the needs of any particular team are usually evident, if not obvious. Such is the case for Philadelphia for whom the issues game after game appeared to be repetitive and glaring. That being said, with the College season long gone and the April draft around the corner, the first round prospects for the Eagles are numerous, but the speculation must start somewhere, and that somewhere is North Carolina.
While the Eagles historically go with linemen with their first pick in the NFL draft, seven of the last nine years to be exact, Philly might fancy a change in this policy as this year their line-backing core has caused as many headaches, if not more, as any other area on the field. Up steps Zach Brown. Known for his speed and coverage skills while playing in a 4-3 system at North Carolina, the outside linebacker is a player that could help the Eagles sure up what had been a notorious problem area during the season.
While Jamar Chaney showed some promise as the year progressed, the rest of Philadelphia’s linebackers were far from awe inspiring and the UNC senior could turn out to be a wise pick. Brown is projected to be between the top 10 and 20, a look at some of his game footage shows why. Brown’s lateral movement is one of his greatest assets and the player is one who can get to the edges with much more ease than most college linebackers.
If there is one downside to drafting Zach Brown, it’s that he can get caught out against the run. Brown can be shown as slow to react to some run plays and considering the frequency with which teams have run against Philadelphia up the middle, the outside linebacker may experience trouble in that area. However, with maturity and great coaching usually comes improvement and progression, and if there’s in thing that is not in doubt, it’s that Brown possesses the physical assets needed to become a well rounded player.
With time, Brown could very much be the type of player that allows the Eagles’ coaches to rest a little easier when coming up against teams with pass catching Tight ends, while Brown also has the type of speed that could see him develop into, should he developing a good sense for reading plays at the line, one of the better pass rushers in the league. The prospects are numerous for Philadelphia, and there are choices aplenty in this draft, but Zach Brown is one that the team should not be taking their eyes off of. Drafting him is one of the many possibilities and it also may just prove to be a good fit.
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Posted by Joseph Milord
on Feb 5 2012. Filed under BREAKING NEWS, Eagles Draft, News, NFLDraft.
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He’s an impressive WR with productive Stats over the last 2 Seasons..
and played in the ACC, so he’s gone up versus some pretty good CB’s..
I think he can definitely become a good NFL Reciver but I like WR ‘S
Brian Quick,Al Toon,Marvin McNutt and James Criner as better NFL Prospectsfor bigger type WR’s and love both WR’s Joe Adams & Jarius Wright from Arkansas for the Pure Speed Type of WR..
Joe Adams is the best Punt Returner in this Draft and can be like the next Devoin Hester.. Someone will be getting a playmaker in Joe Adams and word is that Cowboys Jerry Jones is frothing at the mouth to select him even if it means drafting him earlier than predicted..
larrwd “@trufan we need vantae burfict .. no other linebacker will do”
I would suggest you read the post at Bleeding Green Nation called “Understanding the Wide 9 Mike” in the Fanposts section
Great post guys!! All of you make good arguments. @Paulman, I see you feel me on Whitney Mercilus – exactly as I see him Aldon Smith, JPP, EXACTLY!!…..I’ve stated before, that Hightower, although a specimen, was a 2 down linebacker, with coverage issus. @ Songs- If they want an upgrade to the TALENT, in their LB corp, they have to draft Vontaze Burfict. In my mock draft I draft him in the first round, after some trading down, because you chance not getting him in the second, because you would need to move to the top ten in the second to get him. I draft him also because with his skill level, he could also play Strong Outside Linebacker, as well, but he would be my MLB of the future, but I don’t have to start him if I bring in a veteran, like London Fletcher to help keep his focus in check. I do draft Zach Brown in the 2nd round, after some trading down in the 1st round, as well as Vinny Curry, Brandon Thompson, and Kelechi Osemele, who would be a backup to Evan Mathis, and groomed for the future, next to Peters. 3rd round – Sean Spence, he would be my Strong Safety, he has excellent coverage skills, and runs a 4.46. Trrumaine Johnson, and Josh Norman, 2 CB’s 6 feet tall, very physical tacklers with cover skills, and 4.4 speed, 4th round- Mitchell Schwartz, and Bobbie Massie for OT depth, and Joe Adams, for PR. See GMCliff’s draft.
The first picks should be LB’s, almost on the level of urgency that they used when they drafted Lito, Sheldon, and Michael Lewis. They also need help at DE…I’ve stated before, that Whitney Mercilus, would be my target, as 1 of the 3-#1′s, that I would get for this team. We need more draft picks..Sign DeSean, Mathis, Mario Williams, London Fletcher, A.J Feeley and Haynesworth. Trade Asante, and #2, and #4 in 2014, to the Cleveland Browns, for their 2nd #1, and trade down to get another #2. Trade down from #15, to get another #2…Trade Brandon Graham, and our #1 in 2013 to the Bengals, for 1 of their 2 #1′s…Giving us 3- #1′s, and 4- #2′s. Then continue to trade down in second to acquire 2 more 3rd rounders………..GMCliff’s Mock Draft w/ trade results…..
1.a Courtney Upshaw – OLB- Alabama – 6-3, 245 4.57
1.b Whitney Mercilus -DE/OLB Illinois – 6-5, 270 4.71
1.c Vontaze Burfict – MLB Arizona St- 6-3 250 4.68
2.a Zach Brown – OLB – N. Carolina – 6-2 230 4.49
2.b Kelechi Osemele OG – Iowa.St – 6-5 348 5.23
2.c Brandon Thompson DE – Clemson – 6-4 318 5.18
2.d Vinny Curry OLB – Marshall – 6-4 265 4.72
3.a Sean Spence SS – Miami – 6-0 225 4.45 ( I make him a S)
3.b Trumaine Johnson CB – Montana – 6-1 205 4.48
3.c Josh Norman CB – Coastal Carolina – 6-0 200 4.45
*3d. Brian Quick WR – App.St – 6-4 215 4.56
4.a Mitchell Schwartz OT – California – 6-5 324 5.29
4.b Bobbie Massie OT – Ole Miss – 6-6 315 5.18
4.c Joe Adams PR/KR/WR – Arkansas – 5-11 190 4.37
5.a Akiem Hicks DT – Canada – 6-4 324 5.25
*5.b Kelcie McCray FS – Ark. St – 6-2 195 4.43
6.a Nicolas Jean- Baptiste DT – Baylor – 6-4 335 5.21
6.b Kellen Moore QB – Boise State
6.c Terrance Ganaway FB – Baylor – 6-0 245 4.67
7. Alex Hurst OG – LSU – 6-5 340 5.34
My objective in the draft is to draft player that can put us in a position to have the luxury, and flexibility of playing both the 4-3, and 3-4 defenses. With my draft, we would have the talent in place, as well as, depth, and an upgrade in youth of the team…At some point of time we are going to have to move on from Babin, and Cole, so give me Mercilus, and Vinny Curry, along with Mario Williams, at DE, and we really need talent at the linebacker.position, Gimme Vontaze Burfict,Z. Brown, and Upshaw. I chose to draft Sean Spence, as my SS. He reminds me of Brian Dawkins, with better coverage skills, and much more speed. …I would like the head coach next year to be able to implement a more flexible defense, playing a version of both the 4-3, and 3-4. The offensive linemen, provide, depth, youth, nastiness, physicality, and talent. The Corners infuse athleticism, speed, and physical play that can learn from the veterans. I like the idea of having DT’s that can actually rush the QB, Cullen Jenkins, is getting older, and has been injury prone in the past. I like having the insurance of talent in that position. Add the veterans, and all the rookies don’t have to produce right away, and can be gradually brought along to max their abilities.
I like many of these picks GM,
But making all these trades will be difficult and signing of some of these Free-Agents you list and if the Eagles were to acquire all of this, who goes to make room on the roster for all these players and especially along the DL…
Based on the Draft Picks they have right now,(thru the 1st 5 rounds)
Who do you like
1st) #15
2nd) #45
2nd) #47
3rd) #79
4th) #101
4th) #111
5th) #143
I like the Strategy GM,
But you can only carry 25-26 Players on Defense and don’t have the luxury to carry players who excel in different schemes.. You really have to pick the scheme first..and then Draft and groom PLayers that fit that scheme the best moving forward.. The Eagles scheme is the Wide-9 for the short-term and they need attacking DE’s and Physical LB’s who are athletic enough to cover the larger gap areas behinf the DL.. I think realistically, you have to work under this premise for the short-term.. IF Eagles fail in 2012 and Coach AR and Staff get he boot, then who knows at this point who the next HC and schemes will be and even GM Roseman can;t plan for that… Load up in players who fit this scheme at this time is probably the way the Eagles FO/Coach AR are thinking abas far as this particular draft goes..
#1) Pick the Scheme 1st4
@ Paulman – 1.Whitney Mercilus DE
2a.Vontaze Burfict MLB
2b.Brandon Thompson DT
3. Sean Spence SS
4a. Mitchell Schwartz OT
4.b Joe Adams PR/KR/WR
5. Kelcie McCray
and the rest of the draft as I have in My Mock Draft for the 6th-7th Rounds
I would cut, and or not resign players like Trevor Laws, King Dunlap, Jaqua Parker, Casey Matthews, Moises Foiku, Ronnie Brown, Vince Young, Victor Abiramiri, Trivard Lindley, and others who are just overvalued, and a waste of roster space. You can have all of what I would be looking for on the roster. It is a big enough full roster to balance what you need for a championship team. But your right, Reid wouldn’t look at it like that, but I can guarantee you Bill Belichek would. He drafted 2 players last year, the GM MOCKED FOR THE EAGLES. Ryan Mallett, and Marcus Cannon. But that is also why I know he won’t be here next year…no vision
I hear you GM about Reids lack of foresight, but this off-season more than ever, he doesn’t have the luxury or time on his side to plan for 2-3 Seasons down the road.. I think they will package tradeable players with some mid/lower round Draft picks and try to get another 2-3 Selections in the first 3 ROunds
CB Samuel plus a 4th for a Teams 2nd Round Pick (Vikings,Lions or Panthers come to mind)
DL D Tapp plus a 4th for Teams 3rd Round Pick (Bills,Patriots,Panthers)
OL W Justice plus a 5th or 6th for a Teams 4th Round Pick (Dolphins,Bears,Lions,Dolphins,Chargers)
But you understand what I’m trying to accomplish here right…this is the way a GM is suppose to think. Howie Roseman can learn a few things. You enhance your foundation through the draft, not through free agency like we did this year. I like the pick up of Jenkins, Mathis, DRC, and Nnamdi, but we have to DRAFT better quality football players. Please cut Casey Matthews. He is not his brother. I would keep Tapp. I would think more seriously about trading Babin, especially if I can get Mario Williams, and draft Mercilus. That should avail us of a late first, high 2nd as well.
Paul, we could really do some damage in this draft if we had more aggressive, and creative minds, were directing the draft, like you, and I brother.
Yes GM, I see what your doing and like the flexibility that it would provide the Eagles, Unfortunately, I don’t believe that AR/GM Roseman have the foresight to look ahead like they should and it will be real interesting to see how GM Roseman approaches this Free-Agency and Draft for I believe his neck will also be on the line, for overseeing another questionalbe Draft Year
It’s a damn shame when you look at the last 2 Drafts where Eagles were positining with lots of picks in the Top 4/5 Rounds and they pissed so picks and made some poor choices..
On Darryl Tapp, he is scheduled to earn $3.8 Million in Salary for 2012, I have a hard time seeing the Eagles paying that amount to a back-up/rotational player unless he’s willing to re-do his deal..
Yeah Paul, thats why I think about trading Babin; I’m just not impressed with him.
We could have had JPP, Justin Houston as our SOLB, I would have traded up for Eric Berry, and Haloti Ngata the year when we chose to draft Bunkley.
Andy passes on so much talent, then he doesn’t understand why it is those same players are hurting the eagles in a loss.