• April 23, 2024

Roseman: “we’re trying to be less judgmental about young men in their 20’s in college”

We all know that the NFL can be a very humbling sport for the players and coaches, but yesterday we learned that it can also be just as humbling for GM’s around the league.

Eagles GM Howie Roseman emphasized the fact that the Birds are reassessing many things about their prospect evaluations.  I mentioned in the other article about how they are de-emphasizing the Combine and All-Star games, as well as not drafting for needs but trying to draft the best player on the board at the time.

I give Roseman a lot of credit for being so open about admitting to the failures of the team’s recent drafts.  It gets me a great deal more confidence in what they’re going to do in the future.  Many times you see people in the public eye deny shortcomings, but he sat with about 20 local media persons for over an hour and talked about how they were making corrections with their draft process.

In addition to the change regarding the Combine and All-Star games, along with not drafting for needs, he talked them reevaluating their analysis of players backgrounds and off the field conduct.

To put it simply, the Birds want to do a better job of differentiating what is normal college behavior.  At one point Roseman said, “we’re trying to be less judgmental about young men in their 20s in college living a college lifestyle.”

During his comments he seemed to tip us off to the probability that the Birds may have made a big mistake in evaluating a couple of recent draft picks.

Check out the following comments by Roseman in whic he all but says, the Eagles downgraded the character of a player they didn’t draft, while giving a great evaluation to another player who they did draft.

“I can’t tell you that we got a clear-cut answer on it, but we’ve tried to make up some tiers of things that are acceptable and unacceptable,” Roseman said. “This has come through trial and error on some of the guys that we’ve gone through and been right or wrong or about . . . It’s a very thin line on trying to figure that out, and being right. Some of the guys that you would have met with and looked at their background and said there’s no chance they’ll be successful in the NFL . . . they end up doing really well, and there’s guys that you think are going to be great guys and they don’t end up being as great as guys as you think”.

In my opinion I believe Roseman was thinking about Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul and Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham as he was making these points.  Graham had an advantage over Pierre-Paul when they were coming out because he played four-years at Michigan, while Pierre-Paul played only one year at South Florida before having to turn pro because of his family situation.

There were rumors that Pierre-Paul had something bad in his background partly because he jumped from one junior college to another from his freshman to sophomore year before transferring to South Florida for his junior year.  Who knows maybe he got in trouble at school for doing something stupid like a college prank.

Whatever it was hasn’t hurt his play on the field, because the year he had in 2011 was one of the greatest seasons I’ve ever seen an NFL defensive lineman have and remember I played with Reggie White.  I saw Reggie get over 20 sacks in a shortened season.

Think about the season that JPP had.  He was one of only two Associated Press All Pro defensive ends despite starting only 12 games.  The second- year star had 16.5 sacks and was just as good against the run as he was against the pass.  He was the first defensive lineman in NFL history to register a sack, force a fumble and block a kick in the same game.  JPP was the best defensive lineman on a team with Pro Bowl talents like Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck.

These are staggering facts and a hard pill for the Eagles to swallow when you realize they could have had this young man, but passed on him and let the arch rival Giants select him.  Then they had to sit and watch JPP help New York win a Super Bowl.

It’s obvious that Graham hasn’t been the player the Eagles thought he was going to be. He still wears the big smile he was wearing a couple of years ago when the Eagles drafted him and his still says all the right things, but there’s not much else to show. In fairness he has been injured, but that probably doesn’t help Roseman and the front office when they see what kind of player JPP has developed into in such a short period of time.

If the Birds draft another defensive end in the first round of this draft, it will be a sign to me that the Eagles don’t think very much of Graham’s future.

GCOBB

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jakedog
jakedog
April 20, 2012 11:27 am

this is the problem when you have pin heads chosing football players, what works in the office does not work on the gridiron, vice versa, and please, no more Howie articles, especially photos….

jbird
jbird
April 20, 2012 11:46 am

This is a sign to me that they are massaging the media in advance about character issues so they will not blast them for taking Janoris Jenkins with the #15 pick. It doesn’t matter, the Philly media will still blast them because the guy is old, short, has red flags or whatever. Not saying that the media is wrong to criticize at all. Just saying that the Eagles attempts to do preliminary damage control are pointless. The media is going to voice their opinion loudly as they always do in our town. It is pretty hillarious actually because they would rip them even harder if they didn’t draft Jenkins and he turned out to be a star on another team.
As an aside, I think that character should be a concern here because the Eagles do not govern their players very well. The coaches are laid back and permissive and not tough minded disciplinarians on or off the field. Also the players on the team are soft and strong leadership is lacking. So they create and environment where players will step out of line much more so than they would in say Pittsburgh, Baltimore or New York. Jimmy Smith had no issues in Baltimore, but I bet he would have had issues here.

paulman
paulman
April 20, 2012 11:54 am

I thought the same thing Jbrid when reading this..
CB Janoris Jenkins, or Dre Kirkpatrick (busted in Florida with Marijuana but charges were dropped in January) and OT Mike Adams (Failed Pot Screen at INdy Combines)… and maybe this even brings Vontaeze BUrfict back on the Draft Board,,, Could even be a trade with TB Bucs for troubled CB A Talb…or Sign Free-Agent CB Pac-Man Jones, Free-Agent QB Ryan Leaf, JeMarcus Russell … who knows what Fantasy League GM Roseman will do..

navyeaglefan
navyeaglefan
April 20, 2012 12:11 pm

Oh bullshit – history is filled with stories just like this – what a load of crap – Leaf verse Manning, Alex Smith verse Rodgers – JPP verse Graham, you could go on ad naseum

History is also littered with ‘character’ issues that were flat out turds (Maurice Clarret anyone)

Every draft has 2 or 3 people listed as the top people in that position in the draft – what JPP did is fully and completely independent of anything Graham has done – PERIOD – there is no coorelation –

as for the eagles deciding to factor in more or less ‘character issues’ OK – fine – so they are not going to rule anyone out for being a college kid – you really think that was the ‘deciding’ factor in that selection?

Also completely disagree with the ‘if they draft a DE’ – WHo the hell would not want a rotation of Babin and Cole with Couples and GRaham coming in in the rotation – did the NYG not show us that having an abundance of DEs to get after the QB is a really good thing? I for one would be thrilled if they got a Couples in RD1 or Curry from Marshall in RD2 –

Does Graham need to perform this year – hell yeah – but this article is waaaaay off base

jbird
jbird
April 20, 2012 12:18 pm

I am completely on board with drafting either Jenkins or Kirkpatrick. I like Kirkpatrick more because he is physical and projects as a possible safety. You could let him compete for a safety job and then move him to corner if he is not ready to start as a safety over Coleman.

larrwd
larrwd
April 20, 2012 12:21 pm

phillip hunt is another DE gained 12 pounds of muscle runs 4.6 with a 45 inch vertical.. DT is are biggest need that should be first especially since this is a good draft for the position..

jbird
jbird
April 20, 2012 12:24 pm

Navy….to give any vote of confidence to Brandon Graham is assinine on your part. He is a bust until proven otherwise. Smart money would be to expect absolutely nothing from Graham. That is true for the Eagles, the fans and the media. The media have already smartly written him off. Only the Eagles and some fans like yourself continue to hold out hope. I am fully confident in my assessment that Graham has about a ten percent chance of becoming a good player in this league. And 95% of those that know what the hell they are talking about would agree with me. I would love to know what Ray Didinger thinks the odds are that Graham will turn out to be anything. He is McDougle Mark II.

navyeaglefan
navyeaglefan
April 20, 2012 12:49 pm

Wow – Jbird – I re-read that about 15 times and how you got ‘vote of confidence’ is beyond comprehension – but I will tell you what – first off – your assessment means nothing – babin is a prime example of folks ‘written off’ so check yourself –

2 – I don;t ever need anyone else to agree with me to think I am write – nor do I ever need to say ‘others agree with me’ to try and make myself sound smarter – you sonud weak and unsure of yourself when you say 95%of people and then throw in ‘that kow what the hell they are talking about’ becuase the translation of that is ‘100% of the people that agree with me – 95% will say I am right – you just sound weak –

Now last time I checked – there will be OTAs right, Camp, right, pre-season right? So that means there will be competition – right – so let PHilip Hunt and Graham and Babin and Cole and all the others fight it out – typically the birds bring in what 8 DEs—- so I could be just a quipped as you and say – don;t count on Cole – he may get hurt, he peters out towards the end of the season and anyone that knows what the are talking about 95% of the peopl will say there is a chance he could get hurt or run out of steam by the end of the year –

by the way – the article was supposed to be about character issues, the articel became yet ANOTHER 20/20 hindsight of the JPP verse Graham selection with a minor tidbit about JPPs past… you decided to make it a deal on Graham..

My own opinion – Graham will be Babin’s Back-up and the player he rotates with this year – 8 sacks – Couples or Curry will be Cole’s back-up 5 sacks

Hunt will be on the squad as well – Lets hope I am right?

Erock
Erock
April 20, 2012 12:56 pm

No db’s till round 2 late…3.We need backers and big boys.

navyeaglefan
navyeaglefan
April 20, 2012 1:04 pm

Erock – agreed – i think the CBs to start will be DRC, Asmo with Hansen and Marsh… CBs will come in post 4rth round – first 2 rounds will get us DE/DT and LB –

sullybleedsgreen
sullybleedsgreen
April 20, 2012 1:11 pm

This means Howie really likes Janoris Jenkins! If he is there in rd 2 Eagles will grab him

jbird
jbird
April 20, 2012 1:29 pm

Navy….I don’t need anyone to agree with me to think I am right either. Brandon Graham sucks!! How’s that?? He sucks and I don’t care who agrees. I screamed at the tv when they made the pick. It was a stupid fucking pick and you will realize that soon enough. I wanted Morgan Brunett. So I was wrong myself. But Graham is a flat out turd who will not notch twenty career sacks before he is out of football. And time will tell that I am right. I will remind you in three years when he is not on any team.

Birdzflyinhigh
Birdzflyinhigh
April 20, 2012 2:17 pm

i agree with most of ya, I think what Roseman was really saying is “if Janoris Jenkins is available, we will take him with one of our 2nd round picks”

Erock
Erock
April 20, 2012 2:22 pm

Jbird…whats your thoughts on the Graham pick?

schiller
schiller
April 20, 2012 2:27 pm

Jb, what’s your thoughts on conclusions, and more specifically, jumping to them?

navyeaglefan
navyeaglefan
April 20, 2012 2:29 pm

jb – no worries – you have a strong opinion, you have stated it – you are correct, time will tell! I hope like hell you are wrong but we shall see – have great weekend!

atra1781
April 20, 2012 3:07 pm

Didn’t Graham have microfracture surgery.

They might want to grab a backup rb in case Shady holds out.

navyeaglefan
navyeaglefan
April 20, 2012 3:12 pm

I think you are correct atra – part of the reason I believe for his rather dismal 2nd season – but like Derrick Burgeess who suffered some serious injuries, then got healthy and went on to a couple pro bowls, or Jevon Kearse who had some early injury problems but then had some productive years or the aforementioned Jasin Babin, let the guy get healthy (should be this year) and let him compete – printing – I think he sucks – based on?????

I think they grab J Addai as McCoy’s back up… get a vet

sullybleedsgreen
sullybleedsgreen
April 20, 2012 3:17 pm

Erock

Jbird…whats your thoughts on the Graham pick?

TOO FUNNY!!!!!

paulman
paulman
April 20, 2012 3:30 pm

G-Man,
Any rumor that Brandon Graham has ballooned up to about 285lbs..
How does his look at the Workouts at Nova CAre after being in Michigan all off-season so far..

paulman
paulman
April 20, 2012 3:31 pm

I like Ryan Grant from the Packers as a Veteran Back-up player
He cathches the ball well, blocks better than Addai and the Eagles & Packers run a very similar system in formations and terminology so is learning curve is minimal..

navyeaglefan
navyeaglefan
April 20, 2012 3:55 pm

Grant is another solid #2 choice if interested in being Shady’s backup – blocking is huge for our RBs and several young backs have not been able to get on the field for lack of ability to pick up a blitz (where r u Ryan Moats?)

Great question on Graham – the other rumor is he is now down to 260 lbs and ripped and has been tearing it up in workouts – – – but folks are worried he may be too light?

paulman
paulman
April 20, 2012 4:15 pm

That’s why Deon Lewis won’t see the field much, he is not much of a blocker
He’s a 5-7 plays a game type of RB in my opnion and not a legitimate option to be the Back-up to McCoy in case of Injury/Holdout..

navyeaglefan
navyeaglefan
April 20, 2012 4:25 pm

Question is do you keep him as a #3 back up ST player and give him another year to learn – or draft some competition – I like his running style –

but I think we all agree we need a solid vet with the right skill set to back up McCoy

EaglesSuck
EaglesSuck
April 20, 2012 4:38 pm

No comment on this article LOL anything about NYG if it comes out of my mouth will be considered trolling to some.

Butch007
Butch007
April 20, 2012 4:53 pm

There isn’t any character issue disparity between Graham and Paul and there never was. It did sound like people question Paul’s basic intelligence, because of his poor communication skills. Neither a person’s intellect nor ability to quickly solve problems is exclusively tied to well or how poorly they are able to communicate…that statement is over most people’s heads which is why Brandon Graham is here instead of JPP or even Derrick Morgan. My guess is even Derick Morgan, after a rash of injuries, will be a better player than Graham in the long run.

The thing is fundamentally there’s problem with talent evaluation and Roseman is basically learning on the job…the GM is the one position where learning on the job just shouldn’t be an option.

I would guarantee that if you asked any GM that’s been winning over the last couple of years whether they would have taken Brandon Graham, if they NEEDED a DE, that they would say “Uh…NOT with a first round pick.” Not only did the Eagles draft him in the first round, but they moved up in the draft for a guy that basically had about a 30% chance to translate what he did on the college level to professional level, because of his size. My only hope is that the Wide-9 might save him and keep blockers off of him to begin with.

navyeaglefan
navyeaglefan
April 20, 2012 5:15 pm

Butch 85% of what you posted is pure made up in your own mind BULLSHIT – as I know of exactly ZERO people that were born with the title GM everyone had to learn on the job – everyone had to grown on the job – so that part is bullshit

your comment on Derrick morgan is just that a guess.. nothing more – nothing less – as Jbird posted – time will tell

Fundametal problem with talent evaluatuion – the dude has done two draftes – last year he drafted two players that made the all rookie team – a kicker that had one of the most accurate year of a kicker in history and found a punter that could ensure or special teams for years to come – so 4 solid players in one draft – well fuck me to tears – that happens to each and every team each and every year –

two years ago he drafted two defensive players that GOT HURT – now you join the cast of douches that sit around going – oh – I knew that… bullshit – you like evryone else with 20/20 hindsight are full of shit.

Graham – as I have researched and posted repetedly – was ranked in the top 3 (Derrick Morgan, JPP and Graham) of all DEs and wow – two of those three went out with knee injuries – Morgan was drafted 16, graham 13 JPP 15 – imagine that – the top three DEs went from 13-16 –

Having looked at about 15 different sites – it is very similar to the Stills, vs Borckers, vs Poe vs Cox argument – anyone that says – this is who will be best is full of shit – two of the four could have injuries – just like Morgan and Graham –

You last comment is bullshit – you don;t know any GMs and the reason the eagles moved up from 24 to 13 is becuase Graham was being targeted by several teams – stop trying to fucking re-write history –

dude blew hi knee out and had surgery STFU and let the guy show up and play – stop acting like you know somehting

sullybleedsgreen
sullybleedsgreen
April 20, 2012 5:30 pm

Ryan Grant is not a better blocker than Joseph Addia! Joseph Addia was one of the best 3rd down/ pass protecting backs in the league for the last 5 years. Clinton Portis may have been the only back better than him at pass protection. Ryan Grant came off the field on 3rd downs or passing downs and was replaced with Brandon Jackson (who is now with Cleveland) and James Starks who was the Packers 3rd down back last year. Only knock on Addia is his ability to stay healthy. He has had shoulder/neck injuries the last few seasons.

navyeaglefan
navyeaglefan
April 20, 2012 5:45 pm

SBG – I always thought it was a requirment that the Colt RBs be able to block – E James was very good against the blitz – no sense arguing over GRant verse Addai – either one would be a solid solution – I admit – I am partial to Addai – but several other solid vets could pitch in better then R Brown did

pheags88
pheags88
April 20, 2012 6:19 pm

Don’t get the logic of why draft Barron when the Birds have drafted safeties in the second round recently obviously including JJ just last year…it would mean they are admitting their mistake. Ok Yet noone says the same about drafting a DE this year when we spent a FIRST and MORE on BG just 2 years ago. Now wouldn’t that be admitting a much more larger mistake since you spent much more in picking him? Further the DE position is solid right now while the safety position on this team is a laughing stock. Barron should be the pick…

I do hope BG explodes this year. This dude should be hungry to play lights out and in the gym 3 times a day to get ready for the season. He is a a viewed as a bust and only he has the power to change that while JPP is probably a top 5 defensive player in the league right now.
But in reality even though i hope he does well i think he will go down as a major disappointment in my opinion. The dude to me is a linebacker in a 3-4 at the NFL level and I don’t know why the hell he was even drafted by the Birds to begin with when a stud safety was there for the taking. I would trade this guy to the Steelers for the best pick I could get in return…Their D is getting old and BG would fit much better there then here.

gmcliff
gmcliff
April 20, 2012 6:31 pm

Ryan Grant is rumored to be working out a deal with the Patriots……….

pheags88
pheags88
April 20, 2012 6:46 pm

I think this should be our draft….After trading Samuel for a 5th rounder you use that pick and our 1st to trade for the CArds pick (13) and maybe a 6th for next year.

1 (13)- Barron
2- Lavonte David
2- Brandon Thompson
3- Trumaine Johnson
4- Ladarius Green
5- T.Y. Hilton
6-OL
6- Kellen Moore
6-OL

Sign Addai and call it a day.

DCar
DCar
April 21, 2012 5:20 am

They are NOT drafting a safety with a first rounder. Barron is coming off of DOUBLE hernia surgery (OUCH!), & had hamstring issues also. They have bigger needs at DT, OLB, DE & QB otf. I also talked to a legit media source last night, at XFinity live, that it was inevitable, that Yeremiah Bell would be signed. Maybe as early as Monday. So I can’t see it!

SONGSRME2
SONGSRME2
April 21, 2012 5:27 am

This is why I like Burfict for this team………

“People think I have a bad attitude because of the personal fouls on the field, or I ran a slow 40 at the Combine,” he said. “I’m just real competitive, and I hate to lose. Because of the position I play … you have to have some emotions running through your head. When I’m on the field, I play with anger and aggression; just want to hit somebody. Certain people think, He’s probably like that off the field. I’ve never been arrested, never been pulled over for anything. I wish that all 32 teams could just chill with me for a day and see what kind of person I am off the field. I’m soft-spoken and shy. I’m a laid-back guy.”

you would never hear a soft Eagles defensive player speak like this with the confidence this guy have.

You need guys like this in the bunch to give your team an edge on defense….you just do.

He’s not the smartest, he’s not the fastest.

But every offensive player know what they’ll receive if they come into his area.

“BAD INTENTIONS”

paulman
paulman
April 21, 2012 7:39 am

Yeah that’s a good reason Songs
Talk tough and being mean and passionate during game games…but Burfict doesn’t understand that its a 365 dat/24 hour type of business that he is in (being a Professional Athlete) and if you don’t condition yourself or prepare and take Combine, Workout Days, Interviews seriosuly enough to be the best that you can , then you have no business being in that Profession..
Yes, I want a real knucklehead like that on my team.. Watch the Game Tape over the last 2 Years of Burfict’s Play and that’s about all you need to know…
This guy is Ernie Sims fatter,slower younger brother Part II

schiller
schiller
April 21, 2012 7:43 am

APheags, I dont want the eagles to draft barron, but for different reasons. I
think we have bigger needs, im concerned about his health, and his rep for not being great at anything, just serviceable.

BUT, as for the logic, and your points…

First, sorry but that’s a bad analogy to brandon graham and the DE position. You’re looking at the draft and draft picks in a vacuum. The eagles are a football team, not a drafting company or soley a scouting department. Graham has two probowlers in front of him, plus hunt and tapp. Do we have that kind of talent in front of our recent safety draft picks? No

And as far as admitting mistakes, dude if you work for an nfl team and you’re afraid of admitting mistakes, you’re a fool. And the eagles have proven that they’re not. See kolb. See ikeguanu. See reggie brown. See tony hunt. See sean mcdermott. See winston justice. If they draft a safety high, and he works out well, that makes them look good! Not bad because it didn’t work out with his backups. Remember, we have an open safety spot, so adding a guy wouldn’t kick allen or jarret off the team. So your point is kinda moot.

schiller
schiller
April 21, 2012 7:48 am

Songs, I don’t think that anyone disagrees that you risk getting hit – BADLY HIT – if you come in Burfict’s area. But it seems like DONTARI POE, if given a handoff or a TE curl to run could elude burfict…

jakedog
jakedog
April 21, 2012 8:08 am

Butch wrote an articulate, reasoned, post about Graham v. JJP, also offered insight on the lack of seasoning of this GM Roseman, what most other GM’s would have done if they needed a defensive end and Graham was available, and he is met with the usual vitriol, curse laden, you don’t know anything, I know everything from this blow hard navy, I have never heard any one so passionately and stupidly defend the front office of any organization like this clown does, makes you wonder, who is he, what’s his real agenda

navyeaglefan
navyeaglefan
April 21, 2012 10:08 am

Jake – my real agenda the day I meet you will be to put my foot sa far up your ass you will shine them when you brush your teeth –

your post went just as fuckin stupid – see Jake – I hate stupiduty – as I posted 85% of what Butch posted was bullshit – because it was – and then you come on – the little gnome you are calling it artuculate and well reasoned – really – name the GM that was born a GM – name the GM that did NOT learn on the job – should be easy Jake – becuase it was sooooooooo well reasoned –

to make comments about Graham vs JPP as I have posted, referenced and researched time and time again (that would be the definition of articulate and well reasoned) is the eqyuivalent now of the Brockers, Poe, Cox arguments and anyone making any statements to the effect they ‘knew’ are BULLSHIT

what is my real agenda – to cure the world of stupidity – and I went to the place that had the biggest gatheirng of idiots-

I mean really you little troll – WTF agenda would anyone have that blogs on here – seriously – articulate and well reasoned – it was pure bullshit and made up crap – if you are going to try and defend your little bddies 0 find someone making a better argument – that is NOT what most GMs would have done – Kipper had Graham ranked at 15 – stop MAKING SHIT UP

navyeaglefan
navyeaglefan
April 21, 2012 10:10 am

Dcar – don;t want to jinx it…. but told you on Bell – just long enough to keep eveyone guessing on the 1st pick……

jakedog
jakedog
April 21, 2012 11:29 am

I can half understand all this love for Vick, this player, this coach even, but navy’ s juice for the front office, scouts, pundits, pinheads alike all questioned the eagles moving up to select Graham as a down defensive lineman, it was a mistake, won of many made by rose man, he is not qualified to be a general manager in the NFL

schiller
schiller
April 21, 2012 11:47 am

Butch, (navy and jakedog) I agree with that first paragraph of yours. But I think if you ask every gm about graham v. Jpp, they would tell you that hindsight is 20/20 and that graham is still to be determined. How can you disagree with that?

And as far as a Roseman, please tell me how he could have possibly gotten more seasoning? Maybe worked in a scouting department for an nfl team for 10+ years? Rose up the later in that department? Worked directly under a gm?

Knowing that Roseman did all that, please enlighten me about what other “seasoning” he could have gotten?

schiller
schiller
April 21, 2012 11:51 am

Jake, there’s a difference between defending reid and co., and defending logic. Can you understand THAT?

If someone told you Reid sucks because he’s too scrawny, never worked with qbs in his career, can’t grow facial hair, and needs glasses but doesn’t wear them, would you not dispute that? And if you did dispute it, is that showing love for Reid or even defending him? Hell no, its defending SANITY and SENSE!

pheags88
pheags88
April 21, 2012 12:12 pm

Holy crap Shiller, I actually got a thorough opinion posted from you unlike just criticism with no substance of anything to back it up lol just messing

In regard to Barron, you are entitled to your opinion about him but as you know I will disagree with it. I don’t know how you don’t pick this guy if he is there for the taking…our safeties were a mess last year…they looked like they didn’t belong in the NFL when they had to play against the best QBs. Further they got run over and abused agsint teams with no QBs but powerful RBs. Hence, which is why I want Barron. 1) he was the best safety in the country, on the best defense, going up against the best opposing talent week after week. 2) he is an elite tackler which is what we need around pathetic tackling corners. 3) health concern? it was a hernia not a knee, achilles, ankle or anything like that…and he is fully healthy now which he displayed at his pro day. 4) you should know more than anybody not to take what people say as absolute true. Everyone in the draft is being criticized about something. It could easily just be from people that want him in the 20s to make him drop.

And just my opinion that if you draft Barron your absolutely kicking JJ to the curb. Don’t know how you could think otherwise. They obviously seem much higher on Allen than JJ by the fact that they didn’t even play JJ. And I don’t think they would start JJ over a 1st round pick safety.

BtW we all know that the Eagles admit mistakes (sometimes it takes longer than it should just saying)…how many times have we heard Reid say he goofed (too many)…I was just making a point to some of the comments I’ve heard on here and by Eagles writers about them not drafting a safety because they just drafted 2 in the 2nd round.

Butch007
Butch007
April 21, 2012 3:04 pm

Basically I agree with most people on navy’s responses either A.) He is Howie Roseman secretly defending himself and his poor decisions or B.) He has a backroom deal with Howie Roseman doing unspeakable things most people would never agree to do out of respect for their own dignity.

It’s clear as the sky is blue that if you make 20 some odd picks and 3-4 make the team (2 to 3 of which were coach’s picks) while the rest can’t even cut it on special teams you’re doing a piss poor job. Those are the facts. His first season he wasted something like 4 or 5 picks of DLine players that never panned out. You think it’s just coincidence that he got it wrong on ALL of them?

Everyone can talk about Brandon Graham’s “Potential” until they’re blue in the face and it won’t make one ounce of difference to me. Brandon Graham is extremely undersized to play with his hand in the dirt in a 4-3 scheme.( I believe he was about 250lbs. out of college) He’s an ineffective pass rusher from a standing position and also ineffective in coverage situations…that much you could see in his college film, so essentially you’re talking about a “Project Player.” As I already said, more or less, you generally don’t take “Project Players” in the first round and you certainly don’t trade up to draft a “Project Player” in the first round unless your young, gullible and a poor evaluator of talent. As to “Other teams’ interest” in Graham as I recall the only team that was “possibly” interested in Graham was the Giants and they already had an overload of talented DEs, so at the time so they really could afford to take a shot in the dark on a “Project Player.” Do I think that was their strategy? No not really…Personally I think that was a viral media smokescreen used to influence gullible GMs and move them away from two first round DEs that actually were pro game ready in that draft. If a GM is relying on other teams talent evaluation to decide his first round selection obviously he shouldn’t be the guy pulling the trigger. If Roseman had evaluated the talent correctly it wouldn’t have mattered who was interested in Graham because it was clear from the tangible facts in hand before the draft, to anyone with even a modicum talent evaluation skill that that this guy probably wasn’t going to be able to contribute IMMEDIATELY.

Having gone through all of that while everyone wants to put Graham’s inability to make an impact immediately on his injury keep in mind he was a healthy scratch for 98% of his rookie season, which means HE COULDN’T BEAT ANYONE on the existing roster at any point through summer camp, preseason and regular season daily training…which is typical of a “Project Player.” Juqua Parker, as decrepit and unappreciated as he is, plugged along, went about his business, kept his job, got his sacks, pressures and tackles.

Graham might be a good player or he could be a turd as someone else suggested, but that doesn’t change anything about the fact that coming out of college didn’t have the tangible criteria that would have anyone believe he wasn’t going to need significant preparation to just see if he could be a good player. That kind of thing shouldn’t happen when people are getting paid significant sums of money based on the game and personnel acumen they’re supposed to have and when there are multiple players that do in fact have the all of the requisite criteria available.

jakedog
jakedog
April 21, 2012 3:26 pm

Schiller, defending sanity in an insane world, have fun with that, navy, if you weren’t so damn comical I could work up a modicum of anger, keep up with the defense of your boy ,whatever the agenda, and butch, another articulate, well reasoned post

navyeaglefan
navyeaglefan
April 21, 2012 4:36 pm

Butch – EVERY FREAKIN TEAM HAS 20 OR SO PICKS DUDE – THATS WHY YOU NEED TO GET YOUR HEAD OUT OF YOUR ASS! EVERY TEAM – go read a draft magazine and look at how the eagles rank compared to the other 32 teams – you are evaluating in a vacuum without facts, without logic and without a reference –

WHERE THE HELL DID YOU GET GRAHAM WAS A HEALTHY SCRATCH his rookie season – that again is pure bullshit – but your ass friend JAKEDOG jumps in to defend you yet again when you are dead wrong – graham played in all 13 games (he tore his knee in week 14) so he was NEVER a healthy scratch – he started 6 of the 13 games – so again – YOU ARE PULLING SHIT OUT OF YOUR ASS – your entire logic and grasp of the topic is false – dude – go to NFL.com – he was NEVER a healthy scratch – WRONG! Dumb ass –

as a matter of fact Graham started MORE games then JPP did as a rookie so again – your logic is flawed – the other top ranked DE morgan played in 4 games

yeah jake – articluate and WRONG – you must be fromthe new age school where you get the answer wrong but want credit for spelling the wrong answer correclty – idiot

so you can keep trying to play little cute games about roseman and agendas – because clearly your arguments are so freaking lame and weak – hell they are just plan WRONG – why don;t you try defending your own lame ass arguments instead of worrying about who I am –

please make some more shit up –

navyeaglefan
navyeaglefan
April 21, 2012 4:41 pm

oh and Butch – Graham wieghed EXACTLY 2 pounds less then JPP at the combine (268) and was listed at Michagan as 263 – WRONG AGAIN – but very articulate – the issue with Graham was he was short (only 6 2)

matter of fact dumb ass – here ya go –

Brandon Graham possesses freakish strength from the defensive end position and an incredible burst off of the line of scrimmage, allowing him to explode into the backfield to rack up tackles for losses.

Graham is an extremely hard worker, a leader, and a charismatic guy who his teammates seem to flock toward. He kept fighting hard on one of the worst Michigan defenses in recent memory, often making huge plays when the Wolverines absolutely had to have them.

Graham doesn’t have a ton of great pass rushing moves, but he has enough in combination with his strength, solid speed, and great athleticism to make opposing quarterbacks feel his presence at all times.

Graham is also a very good run defender because of his leverage and strength. Graham is also versatile enough to play either the 4-3 defensive end or 3-4 outside linebacker positions.

Graham also is capable at blocking field goals and punts when he gets the green light.

Brandon Graham’s Weaknesses

At just 6-foot-1, 270 pounds, Graham lacks the ideal height for his position, but his former teammate LaMarr Woodley has proven with the Steelers that a player of that size can be productive, and Graham is a very similar player right down to his home state (Michigan) and statistics.

Graham could stand to add a few more pass rush moves. He also has the occasional lapse in terms of concentration on running plays, but those are fairly rare.

Graham also has short arms to go with his slightly undersized frame for defensive end, leading some to believe he’d be better in the 3-4 as a rush linebacker than at defensive end.

and this particular mock draft was from yahoo sports had Graham going to the Dolphins at #12…

STOP MAKING SHIT UP

sullybleedsgreen
sullybleedsgreen
April 21, 2012 5:09 pm

Updated Eagles 2012 Mock!!! 1st thru 4th

Eagles are sitting at 15 with Fletcher Cox, Ryan Tannehill & Stephon Gilmore off the board. (this is who I think the Eagles are looking at with #15) New England offers their 1st pick in the 1st rd (#27 overall) and their 1st pick in the 2nd rd (48th overall) to move up into 15 and take Quinton Coples. This is what their picks could look like…

1st rd #27 Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama
2nd rd #46 Vinny Curry, DE, Marshall
2nd rd #48 Derek Wolfe, DT, Cinn
2nd rd #51 LaMichael James, RB, Oregon
3rd rd #88 Donald Stephenson, OT, Oklahoma
4th rd #119 Nigel Bradham, LB, Florida State

Remaining Picks would be Safety, KR, WR, FB/TE

navyeaglefan
navyeaglefan
April 21, 2012 5:13 pm

solid sully but I think Kuelchy in rd 1

isn’t Jenkins a Kr/Pr also?