What’s the next step now for the Eagles?¬† They have the defensive end they wanted, but they still must secure a safety and a corner.¬† A center or guard would also be a good acquisition, but that will likely be done tomorrow.
The second and third rounds take place today and the Eagles have the fifth pick in the second round, #37, as well as the 23rd pick today, which is #55.
In a lot of ways, today is just as important as yesterday.  They need to fill some holes with some good football players.  I think a safety will be the pick at number #37.
USC safety Taylor Mays is still on the board if they want him.¬† I would rather see them grab USF’s Nate Allen, who looks like a better cover guy.¬† I would have no problem with them picking Mays but they must have a plan for how they’re going to utilize his skills and give him the best chance to succeed.
Concerning the cornerback position, there are a number who I think could come in here and help such as: Virginia’s Chris Cook, South Florida’s Jerome Murphy, Oklahoma State’s Perrish Cox, and Akwasi Owusu-Ansah from Indiana University of PA’s.
There are four linebackers I could see them being interested in: Texas’ Sergio Kindle, TCU’s Daryl Washington and Penn State’s Sean Lee and Navorro Bowman who are all highly thought of.
I know they will wake up today wondering if they should have held onto those two third round picks.
What do you want to see them do today?
Stay put, Mays or Allen then a LB
The Eagles make-over is full gear. The Eagles defense went from nasty to pansy over the last couple of seasons. They got the Defensive line addressed, which was the most glaring need. Now, its gotta be Taylor Mays. Talk about Brian Dawkins, this kid has that same intimidation factor. The X factor. No one else in this draft comes close at that position in tackling ability. Taylor Mays would be an excellent identity for this secondary. Were gonna hit ya. Were gonna make you pay. Dont try it. Not here, not ever. Thats what I want opposing WRs to walk away with after playing the Eagles. As of right now its Asante’s secondary and that attitude is, It’s all good as long as I get my picks. Bullshit. Draft Mays Eagles.
Pick 37:
Pick 37: Rodger Saffold
Pick 55: Morgan Burnett or Chad Jones
This is really pathetic. The two biggest needs were Safety and Corner but instead we go with the 4th or 5th best Dend in Brandon Graham? We didn’t have to trade down, he would of fell to at least 18. I’m really pissed. Earl Thomas was in our hands and they let him slip out. I don’t know if Andy and the girls in the front office know what their doing at this point. They have had bad drafts over the years and this one is another one. More than likely Graham is a BUST. In day two now the Eagles must get a Safety. Taylor Mays or Nate Allen. I don’t care who it is as long as they can play this year. There are no more CB’s on the board. Who is going to cover Miles Austin, Dez Bryant and Roy Williams now? Dallas got better and we got worse again. Redskins got better, we got worse. Last but not least the Giants got a bust in Pierre Paul, at least we’ll finish 3rd in the division
Actually, the Cowboys drafting Dez Bryant might be the lil push the Eagles need to go after Taylor Mays. Got to have a big, physical presence to combat the Sequoia’s the Cowboy’s now have in their WR corps. Draft Taylor Mays!
Wrong Scrappy-Doo. The Giants had a hard-on as big as the Brooklyn Bridge for Graham. Pop a perc and relax bro. Its going good for the Eagles.
Yeah. Mays is great if he can get there. He won’t get to the top WRs to lay them out.
Taylor Mays = Roy Williams formerly of the Cowgirls. Pass on him.
Taylor Mays = way better then Roy Williams..JPP is not going to be a bust for the Giants…Graham is going to be a monster for us…draft Mays with 37 and see if we can get Kindle at 55 if not we might see a trade for Merriman. Let see how this plays out before we judge how bad they did. You never know this could be a draft that has are D in the top 5 for the next 10 years!
Scrappy Dappy Doo – once again the draft proved to be very unpredictable, but you’re still assuming that you know ‘what would have happened’ and you’re predicting the future. Don’t people realize that if Cole, Simms and Grahm have Romo on his but, Dallas WRs are irrelevant!? What if our run D is very strong due to our revamped front 7? Then we mitigate Felix Jones, and Romo has to beat our pass rush, plus whatever combo of DB picks we get tonight, with Marlin Jackson and Asante back there too!?
Taylor Mays = Roy Williams
If he is so wonderful, he would have been drafted already. He hits better than Dawk but can’t cover. Pass.
1960 predicts the Eagles will trade down with one of their picks to get a third back
Do you guys think the Eagles place too little value on the safety position? We know Reid’s philosophy is that it starts with the lines. I mean we always draft and offensive or defensive lineman with our first pick and every now and then we get a skilled guy. But we always seems to wait until later rounds to get LBs and defensive backs (mainly safeties). I don’t think there’s a coincidence that these are the areas we struggle in. I just thought they would do something different and outside of their normal thinking. But that’s just me. I know you need to be strong on the lines but do you think we place too little emphasis on other defensive spots?
Maybe they will use Graham as a LB? Anyway, we need coverage in the secondary and I would rather see Nate Allen. We already have Demps who can hit hard but can’t cover anyone.
Jimmy, I wouldn’t be opposed to mays, but he has to be able to cover not just hit. Or else he’ll be Roy Williams or Michael Lewis v2.0. No one is care of a safety that can hit but can’t cover. They’ll use that aggressiveness against him and he’ll look silly out there trying to hit air.
I hope they don’t use him as LB. Let him put his hand in the ground and rush the QB. Don’t make the same mistake you did with Gocong.
Scorp – macho Harris and Quinten Demps (not saying they’ve worked out well yet, but they still could), were high picks for the S/CB position. Lito and Sheldon, and Jack Ike, were high picks for CB. I think it can definitely be said that they don’t value LBs as 1rst or 2nd round worth, but this one pick doesn’t portray how they value DBs….
Biggest indcitment of Taylor Mays is that his own college coach didn’t draft him. Who knows him better? Even if Seattle didn’t want to draft him that high, they could have traded down and picked him later.
Yeah Schiller I really meant for the safety position. And I’m talking about before the 4th round. Jack Ike and Demps were picked in the 4th, and Macho in the 5th. Those are not high picks especially when you have needs. Lito and Sheldon were 1st and 2nd but I know we do value the CB position.
And I agree this one pick doesn’t portray which is why I am talking about in general. If we look at all the picks over the past decade one could make the assumption based on that and not just this one pick.
Reidsucks, that’s not the biggest indictment. I don’t care what coach you are there are always some guys out there better than the guy you have. So that doesn’t mean Mays isn’t good, it just means that his coach likes someone better. It’s like if Andy had to line up Kevin Kolb with Philip Rivers and Drew Brees. Who do you think he’ll take? He’ll take either one over Kolb but that’s because they are better not because Reid doesn’t think Kolb is good. I can imagine coaches saying all the time “Man, I wish that guy ws on my team”.
Good point scorp – my memory really failed me there. You’re probably right there at S then. I’m sure hoping for Nate Allen with 37 but we’ll see.
@Scorp: True, but note that many here talk like Mays is next coming of Ronnie Lott with all the singing about how wonderful a hitter he is, etc. Mays isn’t a marginal 4-5th round prospect. If he is, this discussion doesn’t exist. Seattle won’t be faulted for taking Earl Thomas over Mays. And your example of Kolb vs. Brees, Rivers doesn’t wash because you can only compare those three while in college at the same time and coming out at the same time. If those 3 were coming out at the same time, would Reid have drafted Kolb still? May be. You aren’t comparing Kolb of now to Rivers and Brees of now. If you are, Brees is the winner. But that isn’t a valid comparison in this context.
Reidsucks, I agree with you. I don’t really care about how he hits if he can’t cover. What I was saying with my comparison is that if you know what you have but you also know what other players are, you get the best player whether they played for you or not. As a coach you always see other players out there and would like them to be on your team. That doesn’t mean your guy sucks, it just means another guy is better. I’m sure every coach knows they don’t have the best player at every position. So while Carroll coached Mays, doesn’t mean he didn’t salivate over Thomas in college and wish he had him instead. That’s my point.
Today’s Activity for the Eagles
#37 OT R Saffold or my “Wildcard” selection of WR G Tate
#55 CB C Cook or CB B Ghee or Safety N Allen
With QB’s J Claussen, C McCoy still on the board , I would think teams in need of young QB
(Bills,Browns,Seattle,maybe the Panthers,Steelers) would possibly want to move up to grab one of these QB’s and then Eagles could gain an additional 3rd Rd selection,
I also believe with these 2 Young QB’s still on the board, that QB M Vick will generate Zero interest
for teams that have a need at the QB position
Yeah schill I hope we do get a safety here. But I wouldn’t be surprised if they go o-line or CB.
I have a feeling that with #37 we take Nate Allen and then if still there at 55 we grab Cook or Ghee.
The eagles must feel good about Mike McGlynn not to have gone after Pouncey. There is another highly rated center out there though I cant remember the name but he could also be the choice at 37. Unless we trade down a few slots to pick up a third rounder.
Taylor Mays would instantly be the fastest guy on defense and seems limber enough to be able to add a couple of those nice pass coverage techniques some people think are missing to his tool chest while in Philly. More importantly Mikell is getting close to 30, so you might as well add that other safety spot to the list needs which opens the door for the Eagles to slide Mays over in a year or two.
Hopefullly, we get Nate Allen at 37. Taylor Mays will get burnt all over the place in the NFL, regardless of how hard he hits. His speed doesn’t translate to the field. We really do need to grab a CB very soon. We aren’t in great shape at the position right now, no matter how great anyone says the pass rush is going to be.
Darren Sharper can still be an option. If they go OL, CB or CB LB or OL LB, they could still sign Sharper and have Sharper, Mikell, Marlin Jackson + the winner of Demps v. Harris at the S position and be OK there. If it means getting a corner and Sam, I’d be FINE with that.
No way Schiller on signing Darran Sharper or C K Mawae any other veteran that is beyond 28 years old…The Eagles have spent all off-season to shed older players, what makes you think they will now go out and sign a Harper who is 32 I believe or C Mawae like many others have stated..
Just a comment on the value of the safety position. I think they always valued it – Mike Lewis was a failry high pick. When you had Lewis and Dawk, you had Clinton Hart – now starting in SD, and then Mikell. Thye drafted safeties – Remember Reed came in and looked really nice tell he sliced a nerve in his knee. I think the issue was always more you had two good safeties (until Lewis refused an extension and then got exposed in pass coverage), and just slid to a Mikell and Dawkins – but kept drafting ‘the next’ safety – using lower round picks because they thought they had time – Sean Jones was brought in to try and be a short term look. I also think the Eagles thought the package they put together to keep Dawkins here would work, and they were not prepared to go as all in as Denver was. Demps, in my opinion, actually regressed from is rookie year – not sure why. I guess to summarize, this is the first time since Reid has been here that Safety has been a huge need – they have a few options – I think Sharper becomes an option (much like they used Jones last year) if they can’t draft a safety they like
Paulman, you’re making an assumption based on that youth trend, fine. But practically speaking, they have to be considering Safety with the next two picks and factoring options if they don’t select one. If they go some combo of OL, CB, LB in the 2nd round, they’re very unlikely to get a player to come in and contribute for us at the Saftey position. Then they’d explore other options, like a pro bowl, old and weathered all be it, Sharper who played very well last year – they’ve brought in vets before. Just because recently they’ve gotten rid of age and gone young doesn’t mean that it’s a new ‘rule’ for them.
I think they really would love to trade QB Vick and a 4th Rd selction to the Bills for Safety D Whitner
or possibly a trade with the Rams including V Abriami, Q Demps and 4th Rd pick for Safety Otwege
a real outside chance could be a trade with the Panthers that could include Abriami or Laws and Demps for their starting Safety C Harris (the Panthers are in dire need of defensive lineman)
I do think they Draft a Safety at # 55 tonight, but I hope they can bring in a proven younger veteran who has 4-5 good years in him…
@scrap…Graham 5th best DE??..do some homework..do u think before u type..Graham is by far the best DE in the draft..20+ sacks past two years..26 tackles for loss last year(LED NCAA) and 21 the year before..he’s an every down DE. And no he is not best suited for the 3-4 or as a linebacker..with him and Cole its guna be insane..Graham will start week one..
On the next subject..today we need Mays..all the knocks on him wer the same as the knocks on Dawkins..not fluid hips, not a ballhawk..bla bla. Mays has the most upside..include his physical attributes. And he’s nothing like Roy Williams. Williams was 10x slower..Mays has range..And we need someone people fear when coming across the middle..its all about the coaching they get and we have the best secondary coach in the league with dick juron..Here’s proof, Laron Landry..top ten pick..and he sux..the same people who are sayn Berry n Thomas are studs…also said Laron was too..
Get Mays and a LB/CB.
Mawae is 39…Methuselah aged to the Eagles…so that aint happening.
“…as big as the Brooklyn Bridge for Graham”
Entertaining comment, but if it is true (which I highly doubt) the Giants are overloaded with above average DEs and they could afford to take a gamble. The Eagles, on the other hand, don’t have that kind of high quality problem.
Navy, yes Lewis was a high pick in the 2nd round but Hart was an undrafted after coming from the AFL. Mikell was also undrafted. So basically when I say value I mean seriously look at these guys at in the draft and FA rather than trying to get this position in the later rounds and/or on the cheap. Just because they signed Sean Jones doesn’t mean they don’t undervalue the position. They know they need the position but how much emphasis is actually put on the position. Same thing with LBs. That’s my point. And we haven’t always had 2 good safeties back there. We have a guy here or there who played well for a season or a half. Safety has been a need since Lewis left but there hasn’t been an emphasis to fill it through the draft especially with an aging Dawkins.
They got lucky with Mikell but just because he worked out doesn’t mean they don’t undervalue it. Sometimes a gem falls in your lap when you’re not expecting it. But when do they go out for a LB or Safety and say we are going to try to get the best guy? They usually don’t for those positions. It wasn’t until last year Reid finally figured out we needed a real FB and not a converted DT. And the year before we actually needed a good return man and not Reno Mahe that could get you to the same place a touchback can get you. IMO there are several positions hasn’t doesn’t place a lot of emphasis on and it’s evident through the draft and FA.
Bulaga got drafted by the packers..and we play the packers week one..and Graham destroyed him in the senior bowl and in the regular season..so Graham should have a repeat..LOL..this Guy is a 10 sack Guy a year…and immediate impact pro bowler DE..please refrain from future statements until u see the man I action.mi watch college as much as the NFL..Earl Thomas is a macho Harris clone..size wise..with Wat dick juron did for jarius bryd ..making him a pro bowl safety..I’m OK with it…now we draft Taylor Mays to play strong safety, cuz mikell will be turning 30 shortly.
I miss Paulman.
scorp – no doubt they value different positions, but I think that evolves. Don’t hold me to the exact timeline, but they had Jon Ritchie – and he rocked. Then it was Parry, who beat Ritchie out after a bad knee injury – then they went with Tapeh – but they hardly ever used Tapeh, so if you only use a guy for X number of plays…. so we did the Hunt/Klecko thing.. because they didn’t think it would be an issue, then got Weaver – notice the first couple games Weaver didn’t do much, and then he had the huge game against the Giants. I know the Chargers let McNiel go becuase they didn’t value the fullback, no surprise LT numbers went down.
So – your points are valid – Ried does undervalue, but at least he seems to learn and adjust, maybe not as quick as some would like. I think this draft in particular will be the first one where the position of Safety is 9at least in my mind) a top need.
Navy, I agree for the most part. I do think at times we paid too little attention to certain areas and just thought we could get by on scheme and sometimes too much focus on other areas. Between Bunk, Patt and Cole we made some solid picks there. But we’re searching for that other DE when we seems to overlook LB and safety. We probably could have taken a top LB with some of te DE moves that would have made us not need another big impact DE. But now we’re rotating LBs and DEs because most of the guys aren’t good enough or lack the skills as complete players.
I just think safety has been a need for a few years. I mean we know how the Eagles are towards players once they hit 30 and Dawk was what 33 when he left? So in my opinion we should have been looking at top safety prospects at least when he hit 30. But we didn’t and picked up some late round picks and hoped they would fill the gap. Pretty soon Mikell will be up there in age as well and we’ll have 2 safety positions to fill if we still haven’t got the FS right. But I get what your saying, I just wished we placed emphasis on different parts each year instead of until it go so bad we need to get that position. How long did it take them to make WR a top priority…. too long. But that’s just my opinion.
“If he is so wonderful, he would have been drafted already.”
That logic applies to everyone left in the draft.
I am Paulman Eaglez Says..
SInce G-Man put me on the payroll, I have to use my full and proper name….
Paulman, when are we going to get your first round analysis? Or do we have to wait for entire draft analysis. I’m sure everyone can’t wait for that.
What are they going to do for a center?
Does anyone know about the Shipley guy from Penn State – I had read that he won the award for best center in College a couple years back – do we think they are going to use him, Cole, McGlynn and wait for Jackson or maybe use a later rd pick to get a center?