One month left until the caravan heads to Lehigh University.  Soon we’ll find out what potential this ‘new’ Philadelphia Eagles team truly possesses.
It’s excellent to hear that the Eagles are getting their draft picks signed quickly.  So far 10 of their 13 selections are under contract.  Only one more person must be released in order for the required 80 man roster to be intact.
I’m pretty sure rookies Riley Cooper and Nate Allen will be signed pretty soon.  There is one big concern I have regarding this organization: Will 1st Round Pick Brandon Graham be signed before training camp begins?
Let’s forget the fact that the Eagles traded out of the first round in 2007 and 2008.  Look at the first round picks they did make in 2006 and 2009.
Both Brodrick Bunkley and Jeremy Maclin missed valuable time in Lehigh their rookie seasons due to contractual issues.  Bunkley’s rookie season was pretty much ruined because of this.
Maclin had a fairly decent rookie year, but he got off to a slow start and it’s only because of Kevin Curtis’ injury woes that allowed him to get on the field.
This is a cause of concern as we approach the month of July.  You can blame a draftee’s agent but Banner & Co. have to do a better job of making sure their 1st round pick is in position to report to Lehigh from the beginning.  Their track record the past four years doesn’t speak highly of how they deal with first round selections.
Imagine if Graham misses just one week of camp.  He could possibly end up so far behind on the learning curve that Juqua Parker, Darryl Tapp and maybe even Ricky Sapp could be ahead of him on the depth chart.
This cannot happen.  Not this year.  Not when a perennial playoff contender is ‘only retooling’ in order to keep contending.  The Eagles made a point to address their pass rush this offseason and Brandon Graham is expected to be a huge part of it.
If Graham is as good as Andy Reid thinks he is, -if he truly is worth the two third round picks the Eagles used to move up and get him- he must be signed and in Bethlehem, PA by July 26.
The bottom line is: Will he?
So how do you make it happen? Serious question. With the ‘slotting’ and the agents typically waiting to see what the people in front and behind their pick got – how do you make it happen? The big issue seems to be the players wait, knowing full well others are on the field, becuase they do not want to risk injury, and to maintain barganing leverage… then when they demand 30 million a year and struggle, and fans get angry… so what’s the right answer other then ‘get it done’
Any idea how many of last years 1st round picks were signed and in camp on time?
Couldn’t this whole issue be resolved if the NFL adopted some sort of NBA style rookie salary system?
Navy, of course you’re right, and I heard they’re working on it in the CBA talks, but the agents are going to whine like the little p*ssies that they are. Hopefully the NFLPA will speak for the vets and get it done. But I’m actually not worried about Graham losing (a little) time. I think of all positions, DE is one where, if he’s there for the majority of camp, he’ll be fine. We don’t need Brandon Graham to play lights out to win our first game. Plus the man is a natural talent and will be ‘in the rotation’ to start game one regardless. It’s not like (best case scenario), he’d be starting and playing the entire game v. GreenBay, anyway. I think DE is the least ‘cerebral’ position (OK, maybe DT too), so he’ll be fine regardless. If it’s a drawn-out hold out (doubt it would be), that’s a different story.
Graham has a different personality than either Bunkley or Maclin had. Graham is more a guy who “wants to be there” to compete and I’m expecting him to let his agent know he wants a deal done. Maclin was not happy where he was picked in draft plus he/agent knew they had Eagles over a barrel with the receiver situation so he wasn’t in a hurry, and Bunk was not as physically/mentally ready nor “let’s go get ’em” as Graham is. You can see Graham has a fire in his belly and I believe he wants to be in camp to compete for “#1”, even though he’ll be rotating. Just optimistic there won’t be any holdouts this year.
Navyeaglefan; You’re right on the money but I don’t think the players or their agents are going to be able to stop the owners imposing a rookie salary system. The owners are about to bitch slap the players again. On another note are you active or retired? I’m a contractor getting underway next week on the Makin Island.
Schiller; Your right on as well. If they can play it won’t matter; like Corey Simon (remember his first game against the Cowboys) and if can’t play then it won’t matter, like McDougle.
JP89 – retired SWO – used to ride around on gators all the time! Makin Island – nice and new. I just left the contractor world (lockheed) and went DON civ.
Willbe interesting to see if they focus on that
I am more concerned about sigining and having Safety Nate Allen in from Day 1 ready for camp.
I believe he and his agent have the most leverage to hold out for more $$$ for obvious reasons.
The Eagles basically have annointed Allen as a Starter already.. So if he misses 1-2 weeks of camp,
this was not only be critical for Allens development but to the back-end of the Eagles Defense as a whole..I think Graham will be in camp by end of week 1 at the most.. I cross my fingers though for Nate Allen to get get signed,sealed and delivered by start of camp..