Bucking The Trend

This complex scheme has contributed to the downfall of a number of young prospects and ultimately given them the bust label.  Players such as Freddie Mitchell, Billy McMullen and Ryan Moats all could not make it in this offense and were cut or traded.  Because of this, the most consistent approach has been to either play it safe and draft a lineman, or if they do draft a skill position player to let them sit and learn for a year.  Yet, this red-shirt year in a way would not be enough to help them grasp the complicated offense.  The most recent player to have instant success in the offense was without question wide receiver DeSean Jackson.  He finished the regular season with 62 catches for 912 yards and two touchdowns.  See unlike Reggie Brown’s first year Jackson just didn’t show flashes, he was able to change games and become a key member of the offense.

            Many experts and fans alike credit Jackson’s first year accomplishments as the reason why the Eagles broke their normal draft template and went out on a limb by selecting receiver Jeremy Maclin, halfback LeSean McCoy and tight end Cornelius Ingram.  It was only the second time in the Andy Reid era that the Eagles had not taken an offensive or defensive lineman with their first three picks.  The other instance was the 2002 draft when they selected corner Lito Sheppard, safety Michael Lewis and current Eagle Sheldon Brown. 

            With McCoy, Ingram and Maclin all expected to make considerable contributions their first year in the pros, the learning curve will have to be accelerated tremendously. 

For years this was the type of draft that fans wanted to see, a draft that focused on the skill pos itions and the opportunity to add some young playmakers to this offense.  When the rookies and selected vets take the field on Monday it will be Maclin, McCoy and Ingram’s first opportunity to start proving that they were worth breaking the mold.