Alabama left tackle Andre Smith has recovered from the foolish moves he made earlier at the NFL combine in Indianapolis and his mediocre Pro Day workout. He has recovered and won't be available for the Birds.
Man breasts or not, the dude can play. NFL player personnel people have gotten over the earlier mistakes and started looking at videos of Smith again. His stock has started going back up.
He is the most dominating of all the offensive tackles in this year’s draft. It wouldn’t be a shock to anybody if he winds being the better thanJason Smith and Eugene Monroe, who will be drafted before him.
He won't be on the board long enough for the Eagles to have any chance of moving up to get him. He’ll be gone before number 10, probably going to the Cincinnati Bengals at the number seven spot.
If the Eagles want a tackle in the first round who can play right away, it’s going to have to Michael Oher of Mississippi, Eben Britton of Arizona or William Beatty of UConn.
Oher has the athletic ability of the top tackles but some of the scouts think he’s got a screw loose. There are questions about his ability to stay up mentally with blitz pickups. Reid doesn’t like guys who can’t keep up mentally.
Britton is solid but he might not be quick or athletic enough to play the left tackle position in the NFL. You can’t have a guy over there getting outrun around the corner.
I think Beatty is the guy. He’s got the size, athleticism and arm length for the position. He can play right now. I watched his Pro Day workout and he’s a tremendous athlete for a guy 6’6”.
The formula is quick feet and long arms with good body control. Beatty has all three plus he's a solid guy.
He’ll be on the board when the Eagles draft.
The Birds aren’t concerned about the right tackle position, they’re sure that either Andrews can play there. It’s the left tackle position that has them staying up at night.
Shawn Andrews will get the nod if they don’t grab a left offensive tackle early.
