I’ve read quite a few glowing articles about Eagles new general manager Howie Roseman in the last week or so, but I want to see how he measures up against what Giants general manager Jerry Reese did in the 2007 draft.
Usually a draft takes a number of years before it makes a major contribution to a football team.¬† This wasn’t the case in 2007 when Reese’ draft class played major roles in securing an NFL title for the New York Giants.
Reese selected eight players in the 2007 draft and seven of them contributed majorly to the Giants run down the stretch and through the playoffs on their way to a Super Bowl championship.
His first pick that year was cornerback Aaron Ross, who became a starter and contributed three interceptions and made 42 tackles on that great defense.
Rookie wide receiver Steve Smith became Eli Manning’s go to guy on 3rd down and made big catches in each of their playoff games and the Super Bowl.¬†¬† It caused some Giants fans to change 3rd and long to 3rd and Smith.
Rookie defensive tackle Jay Alford earned some snaps on a defensive line that was one of the best ever in the playoffs.  Alford also got a sack of Tom Brady in the Super Bowl.
Linebacker and longsnapper Zak DeOssie became a key member of the special teams and contributed a couple of key fumble recoveries on the playoff march.
Rookie tight end Kevin Boss stepped as a starter at tight end for injured starter Jeremy Shockey and made some key receptions in both the playoffs and the Super Bowl, but more importantly, his blocking opened up holes for the Giants running backs.
Offensive tackle Adam Koets didn’t get on the field.
Safety Michael Johnson was part of the team’s dime package and contributed on special teams in the regular season, playoffs and in the Super Bowl.
In each game down the stretch and in the Super Bowl, seventh round running back Ahmad Bradshaw was the change of pace back for starter Brandon Jacobs and he made quite a few big carries to get the Giants into the win column.
I’ve never seen a general manager have a draft class show up so big, so soon.¬† This group of rookies played like they have been in the league for years.
Hopefully the Roseman and the Eagles will have a good year as well.
Join GCobb.com for Eagles Draft Talk tomorrow night at 7pm at P.J. Whelhan’s on Rte. 70 in Cherry Hill, NJ. ¬†We’re going to do a mock draft and talk about what the Eagles should do in the upcoming draft.
There’ll be plenty of great wings and you’ll be able to get $10 dollar domestic draft pitchers. ¬†We’ll have prizes to win and a good time to be had.
I think the eagles are going to surprise a-lot of haters this year. Young guys buy with some starting experience at almost every position. Lots of picks this year in a “DEEP DRAFT!!”. Howie could set the tone for the next 5-10 years with this off season.
Because people have lost confidence in the Eagles ability to improve their lot and get to the Super Bowl
they must be characterized as haters or negative people. Maybe they should be seen as reality based
and not easlily convinced that a few personel moves and many draft choices will translate into the ultimate goal. Sorry we can’t jump for joy when Andy drools over guys like Booker only to see he was way off base.
A pretty tall task to match Giants GM J Reese,who I feel is one of the top #3 Talent Evaluators at the
GM position (behind COlts B polian and Ravens O Newsome)
I wrote an article on the GIants plan of action for this upcoming draft which hasn’t been posted yet..
but I think they pose the biggest challenge for the Eagles in this draft since they have very similar
needs as the Eagles do which are CB,DL,OL,S. They added Safeties A Rolle and D Grant and have returning S K Phillips from injury.. But I look at last years draft for theGiants which was excellent and expect bigger production from many of their 2nd year players like LB C SIntim, OT W Beatty, TE T Beckham, WR H Nicks and WR R Barden as well as RB R Brown if healthy…
The Giants have 7 draft picks tihs draft with 5 out of the top #147 Selections, My picks for them are the following
Rd 1 (15th Overall) MLB R McClain (A starter from Day 1 to fix their biggest weakness)
Rd 2 (46th Overall) CB C Cook (A big 6’2″ CB to match up against the big WR’s and physical)
Rd 3 (76th Overall) OT J Valdheer (6’8″ OT with good feet for depth and compete for 2011 Starter)
Rd 4 (115th Overall) DT A Jones (6’3″ 310 lbs run stuffer who fits the mold of Giants DT’s)
Rd 5 (147th Overall) OLB O Schofield (led the NCAA for tackles behind the line of scrimmage)
Rd 6 (184th Overall) RB C Scott (a big-down hill runner 6’0″ 230 lbs to replace a fading B Jacobs)
Rd 7 (221st Overall) QB M Kafka ( a future back-up for Eli – J Sorgi is not the answer there)
One concern, I have is the if McClain is off the board at #15 when the Giants pick, they may end up selcting S/CB E Thomas taking him away from the Eagles who would possibly move up to grab him
It’s unlikely Roseman will be much compared to Reese…I mean the Giants are literally overflowing with starting defensive linemen that were for the most part picked out of obscurity and all of them are in high demand on the trade market. There’s no other team in the league in that position. With the whole of trading for Ernie Simms it just doesn’t inspire confidence. I think the guy might be an impact player, but it’s just as likely that he’ll never displace Akeem Jordan from that starting spot and be another situational guy that the Eagles should have already had if they could evaluate talent.