The NFL Combine in Indianapolis is underway and there’s already news coming out of the weigh-in. Wes Bunting of NationalFootballPost.com talked about two offensive linemen, whom the Eagles will be looking at closely,
“One of the slight surprises was the weight of USC OT Tyron Smith, who was listed anywhere from 280 to 285 on the USC roster. However, he measured in at an even 6-5, was 307-pounds and looked far and away like the most athletic offensive tackle at the weight-in. Plus, his nearly 37-inch arms are also very intriguing and I have a tough time seeing how this guy isn’t the first offensive tackle off the board come April.”
That’s news because Smith is considered the best athlete of this year’s tackles. He was considered the one most capable of playing left tackle and being quick and fast enough to deal with the speedy defensive ends in the NFL.
The only question about Smith was his weight. That fact that he’s weighing in at 307 is going to increase the chances that he’s the first tackle off the board, which could drop Nate Solder, Anthony Castonzo, and Gabe Carimi down to the Birds if they want one of them.
NationalFootballPost.com – “Villanova OL Ben Ijalana was one of the unknowns going into the combine after missing the Senior Bowl 
due to a sport hernia. However, he weighed in at 6035, 317-pounds and might be a bit short for the tackle spot by NFL standards. However, with 36-inch arms -one of the tops among the offensive line group- he certainly has the length to make up for his lack of ideal height and at least get a shot on the outside. He was a bit sloppy in the upper body, but possesses a strong, thick looking lower half with the natural base to anchor on the edge.”
Ijalana is a young man with versatility and intelligence. He’s Andy’s kind of player, who is as clean as whistle off the field. Can we say that any more with his decision to sign Michael Vick? Seriously, the Eagles need help inside at the guard spot and this young man could do the job. His longs arms would be especially helpful when pass blocking.
NationalFootballPost.com: “Much like his brother last year,OL Mike Pouncey weighed in nearly ten pounds less than his listed weight on the Florida roster at 303. He stood an even 6-5 with 32 ¼ inch arms, about a quarter inch shorter than his brother Maurkice in 2010.”
Teams are going to feel very confident about Mike because of the success of his brother, Maukrice who was a Pro Bowl center for the Steelers in his rookie season.
IDK……. I want a down right NASTY, bearded, No hair cut having, tobacco spitting, wears wrangler jeans everyday type, lives on a farm in Montana or Nebraska type guy………. Thats what we need…. No more Jason Peters (NO HOMO) pretty boy type image……. A guy with thick skin and can play in cold weather with snot in his beard……… One if not the best DE Michael Strahann said the best guy he hated facing was Jon Runyan……. We need a clone of him and hank Fraley up front to represent this team!!
Please Philly stop the Dunlap experience and get some real players to protect your franchise Qb…….. Dunlap has pushed a defender into our Qb to create a sack for the Giants SMH!!!!!!! I wish we had that NE eye for guys on the front line…….. I’m black……… Does NE have any black offensive linemen up front?????????? And if so when?????? Can anyone let me know…….
NE o-lineman are all sheas. I feel you on wanting a nasty attitude o-lineman dude. Black or white he needs to be pissed off at teveryone on D. Pouncy’s brother would be nice.Dude from BC plays angry.
They just need to stop pluggin in these dudes that are back-ups at best. Draft right and we’ll have depth. I have no problem with Nick or Max starting a game casues a starter needs time to heal. Or if they have to come in cause of a minor injury. But get some youth in here and make the o-line a powerhouse again. Vick will do the rest.
I knew Tyron Smith was a beast….. The fact that the one knock on him was his weight and now he comes in weighing at 300+ will surely push him far up the draft board. He is no doubt going first out of all the O-linemen now. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Dallas get him at 10. It sucks too, because I was actually hoping that his weight was down so maybe the Eagles would have a shot at him. Doubt it now.
B llijalana defintiely projects as a Guard in the NFL by most Scouts
T Smith will probably put another 10-15lbs in 2 years time with Pro Training and is tall,strongand athletic enough to be a OT in the NFL but could probably play Guard as well. Both will make very good NFL players
As a thought,
With the liklely impending strike/lockout putting the 2011 NFL Season in Jeopardy. I as a NFL GM would draft all Juniors and the youngest players in this upcoming draft with an eye for the 2012 Season and beyond..
Don’t you think Juniors would be the most adversely effected (due to less experience coming into the league)? They can’t partake in mini-camps or work with the coaches until there is a new CBA. Next season could be a short version, so the most experienced draft choices are the ones who will help in 2011 and get up to speed in 2012.
if I had my choice, it would be Pouncey….the interior line needs better talent.
To be honest,
If no CBA is in places and these Rookies lose these first 2-3 OTA Sessions,
they will have even a harder time making an impact for 2011 Season if there
a rush-rush shortened camp time and Pre-Season schedule ..These first few OTA’s after getting drafted is the time these rookies can at least learn the playbook,terminology,etc,etc.. No CBa, No OTA’s Rookie Workouts or no Contact with the team is my understanding so they will be way behind the 8 Ball as far as making any instanct impact if there is a Season..
My Plan would be to get as many picks in the first 4 Rounds and then trade my 5th thru 7th Rounds picks to teams in return for 2012 & 2013 Draft Picks
I like Castonzo and Ijalana, but I’d let Mudd make the pick when Eagles go for an OL and let Washburn and Castillo pick the DLmen and LB’s. Andy, get out of the war room and get a sandwich or two or three.
OT 1st round RB 2nd round ALL DEFENSE REMAINING PICKS
@runtheball09
I like your thinking too, but we need a backup RB to take some of the heat off of McCoy (Daniel Thomas KSU) and a KR to help the special teams.
Back-up RB is a need since Eagles probably won’t Re-sign J HArrison,
but it has to be a late round (6th-7th Rd Selection) since they have many more Priorities to fill first..
There will also e plenty of FA RB’s on the Market to grab a short-term player to give McCoy a breather.. Watch for RB’s like Barber, Magahee, R Williams,C WIlliams,D Sproles,C Taylor, R Bush all expecting to be released from their Current Teams and out there looking for work who could be had for relatively cheap $$ ..
spent the day watching college games from this year…. one guy I am jumping on the bandwagon is Miami FL DE Allen Bailey…. the kid is quick and relentless….has a non-stop motor. He plays DE, but also can play inside. He is 6-4 285 and has room to put on 10 more pounds….Mayock has him going anywhere from 17-35. he is the type of player the Eagles need on the other side of Cole…sorry but Graham is only a situational pass rusher…Bailey is a 3-down lineman.
Bailey had a very poor Senior Week versus top competition.. I am not so sold on him though due to his inconsistency over his career.. He is very athletic and explosive off the ball.. He has the build where he can probably put 10-15 lbs of bulk and really be tough to block.. He’s best in a 4-3 and like you said, with his size could slide in at DT in passing situations.. I think He will be on the Board when the Eagles Select and will most likely go towards the end of the 1st Round (The Jets really like him too)