I got the feeling while sitting in the Eagles Executive dining room last Thursday listening to Eagles GM Howie Roseman that he’s spent a lot of times thinking about how their arch rivals up the New Jersey turnpike, the New York Giants have captured two Super Bowl Championships in recent years.
Reese’s formula for building a championship football team includes drafting the best player available and filling wholes on the roster in via free agency.
“We try to pick the best player”, Reese told the gathered media earlier this week. Later on in his talk with the media, Reese said, “The draft has nothing to do with who is on our team right now, we’re going to draft the best player we can find”.
This is the mentality which Roseman wants to adopt. He wants the Birds to go through this draft with a mentality that’s almost blind to their current roster. Like Reese they want to draft the best player on the board. Reese doesn’t think this draft has 32 first rounders.
Many times with the Giants, that best player has wound up being a big, fast, athletic, pass rushing and playmaking defensive end. Roseman has seen how Reese has stockpiled defensive ends during this championship run. New York currently has three Pro Bowl defensive ends on its roster, Osi Umenyiora, Justin Tuck, and Jason Pierre-Paul and they had to move another talented defensive end, Mathias Kiwanuka to outside linebacker.
This is one of the reasons I believe the Birds could select a defensive end with their first pick. Would the Giants pass up North Carolina Quinton Coples if they had the chance to draft him? I don’t think so. Would they pass up sackmaster Illinois defensive end Whitney Mercilus? I don’t think so.
Coples is falling on draft boards and he would be hard for the Eagles to pass up at 15. He cannot only be a dominating pass rusher from outside at the defensive end position, but he showed during his junior year that he can do an outstanding job of rushing the passer from the defensive tackle position.
Mercilus is an explosive pass rusher, who led the nation in sacks in 2011 with 16 as well as a total of 22 tackles for a loss. The Illinois defense end had an amazing nine forced fumbles in 2011. He’s 6’4″ 260 pounds and like Coples, he has the ability to move inside and effecively rush passer from the defensive tackle position.
There have been questions about Coples taking him plays off and Mercilus not being able play against the run.
Im totally on board with the Eagles taking Coples at #15 if he is still there. Especially if they think he can rush the passer from the DT position like Tuck does for the G men. I’ve been posting that I think the Eagles will draft a corner in the 1st rd mainly because of the Eagles wanting to dump Asante and the talent drop off at the corner/ safety position after the 1st rd of the draft. After Claiborne/Gilmore/Kirkpatrick & Jenkins there really isnt any other corners that can come in and play right away. At the DT & DE position there will be good players available in the 2nd & 3rd rd’s like Vinny Curry, Cam Johnson, Devon Still, Kendall Reyes & Derek Wolfe.
Remember that Coples lost 15 lbs before his last season at UNC and told the Tar Heels Coaching Staff that he was finished playing DT in College and that he strictly was going to play DEsince DE has a higher visibility and higher pay in the NFL than a DT does…It’s this type of selfish attitude that Coples has shown and part of the reason he is falling..
Thats not necessarily true becuase haynesworth got 100 million so hes not 100 percent right about that ,, but coples is a rare player and would fit good here also because he can play both DT and DE.. if he falls to 15 would you take him and would he be your number one player? @ paulman
Justin Tuck is a beast a rare breed just because he can do it successfully at the Nfl level. Doesn’t mean these guys can have the same success. Lets be original and come up with our own concepts.
We were on green bay’s dick with how they use woodson, how did that work out for us. Now we are on NY’s dick on how they use their d-line. This makes no sense we might as well aske green bay and new york to run our team too. Seeing how we can’t think for ourselves. Hell look out for the two tight end attack cause new england do it.
@pdiddy Eagles have been trying to do it their own way for years now… FASTBALLS!!! Small undersized Highmotor & good character players. Really hasn’t worked out to well yet. With the exception of Trent Cole the Eagle have imported all the talent they have on defense but I hear ya on Tuck… Not a lot of players are as good and can move all around the DE line like he can.
@ diddy coples is 6’6 285 lbs played DT last year and had 10 sacks at DT.. which is unbelievable at any level .runs a 4.72.. at his size its extremely impressive..
You go with what works.. It’s fairly obvious that the Gmen draft much better. A good pass rush does a heck of a lot for your team.. I think they should def go after coples if cox is not on the board. Knowing the eagles, who knows what they are going to do
Did anybody happen to notice he Cleveland Plains Dealer’s research on drafting of ProBowl players over the last 9 years. The Eagles are 3rd in the league, trailing only the Patriots and Ravens. Interesting, no?
Coples= Tuck, maybe but I think not like I said lets do us. We run the wide 9 lets get the stout DT’s and LB’s to support the dam system. This is what they implemented let’s make it work dammit. We don’t have JUSTIN TUCK WE GOT FUCKIN THORNTON AND LANDRI AND SHIT. LET’S JUST GET REESE FROM THE GIANTS ON THE PHONE AND LETS ASK HIM WHO WE SHOULD PICK.
PLEASE REESE CAN YOU HELP US WHERE TO STUPID TO PICK A GOOD DEFENSIVE PLAYER GREAT GO BIRDS.
Oh by the way go flyers great win today.
joe friday- yep I posted it on here. But be careful – it was ALL PROS not PROBOWLERS – two different things.
The main difference is who selects them – ALLPROS – the Associated Press media – professionals and they only get to rank the best at each position. Probowlers – fans have a say and I can vote for Chad hall 5 billion times if I know computer technology and wanted to…
So allpro is more accurate and objective.
But yes. What is interesting is those facts up against the numbskulls on this site (the haters) who insist that Reid and the Eagles are by far the worst – they’re factually incorrect – way off in fact – but that doesn’t stop them.
@diddy watch the video coples plays DT better than all of the other DTs he had 10 sacks in 2010 when he played DT instead of end. tuck is 6’4 268 i think, coples is 6’6 285 the guys is a force .. if hes there and we dont take him im going to be upset.. I didint think he was that good until i watched the tape.. hes the best by far
Have the Eagles drafted a pro bowl player on the defensive side of the ball in the last 6 years?
If so…..who?
Has songs asked a question he knows the answer to, but just wants to stir up hate that leads to very little significant information in the last 6 mintues?
If so…why?
Because he thinks it says something. At MOST, it can say what the Eagles did or didn’t do in the past. At at most, you can say ‘well, then they didn’t draft well on D”. So then that at most can lead to “fire Reid or Roseman”. But aint happening anytime soon.
So at most it leads to….drumroll please….. NOTHING AT ALL.
Songs is that insane person banging his head against a wall in a deadend – over and over and over and over and over and over and over – expecting a different result.
As long as they continue signing them, who cares where they come from? Nnamdi, Babin, Ryans, I am not sure sure if Jenkins has made the list, but he is stellar as well. They still rank 3rd, that is better than 29 other teams, but obviously facts do not matter. Blind hatred is so much more interesting.
mobile.cleveland.com/advcleve/pm_59556/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=TpSXNtGY
copy that into your url. Then click on “2” – songs, you know #2 – your nickname.
See it for your own eyes.
Yes, they’ve been worse on D than O. But they are #3 in drafting all-pros. Period. Now they have Washburn helping out. Let’s see what happens. Or bitch and bang your head into the wall like Songs. Your choice.
BAM
Paulman,
It seems that all the rumored picks the Eagles were going to pick ( Cox, Coples, Kuechly, Barron, etc) will probably be gone at 15. Do you think they will trade up to get one or trade back to get an extra pick?
Watch the eagles draft some bum nobody heard of.
Just watch…then the spin machine will been how the Eagles got their guy.
They outsmarted everyone to get a bum that will be out of the league in 4 years.
You need a damn safety. Barron is there so don’t make the same mistake we made picking Graham over Earl Thomas.
We have depth on the line..get the Safety.
Roseman admitted error in past drafts so eat the money invested in your mistakes (Allen & Jarrett) and get it right this year.
Barron is the truth..don’t draft a guy and switch him to another position. Draft Barron and the Safety problem will be solved. Period.
Get Burfict at a discount also to add to nasty to the defense filled with soft bitches.
that’s wonderful that Roseman wants to adopt Reese’s draft mentality, but who Roseman and the Eagles scouts think is the “best” player is not always who Reese and his scouts think is the “best” player and this is why the Giants have won 2 superbowls in the past 5 years and the Eagles ZERO
Songs I’m with you all the way on taking a flyer on Burfict with a 5th round pick. I have a feeling the eaglesreally want Fletcher cox and will move up to get him. Linebackers- Nigel Bradham and Michael Kendricks. Safety- Markelle Martin, although I’m not opposed to waiting til next year to grab TJ McNonald from USC. Brock Osweiler QB in thesecond and Vinny Curry. Tackle Nate Potter from Boise State or lLevy Adcock. Wide Receiver Tommy Streeter from the “U”.
It goes mnore to the Coaching and Development of Defensive Players which the Giants have been superior than the Eagles for a a while now.. Ho wmany times do they come up with no-name TE’s, WR and LB’s and CB’s and DL who can all play at a high-level.. Even in JJ’s final couple of Season, look at the Staff that was working with him Segrest, Suhey,etc,tec… Sean Mcdermott was a Good Secondary Coach and once he became elevated to DC, the Secondary has gone to hell the last 3 Seasons…
You have to have the Talent, but you have to have solid coaching and solid schemes to utilize your players talents on what they do best and in this area, the Eagles have not been very godo for a while now…
isnt it funny – I read songs post about drafting a ‘bum’ talking about outsmarting everyone – talking about spin and excuses –
then in the next breath he talks about drafting a bum, who makes a zillion excuses for why he can’t play – and everyone else says – ‘may not even be drafted’ and he yells lets get him…. cracks me up
Agree Eaglehaslanded. It’d be foolish to pass up on Burlfict if he were available at that point. I am really confused as to what the Eagles will do.
My best bet is that they are going to take Bobby Wagner in the second round. That’s probably what I feel most confident about.
Eagle has landed – where you been doc? We have been missing our resident head shrinker –
DT/DE and LB with the first three picks – I think Keulchy in the first, Curry in the second….
eagles will get S Bell in FA after the draft –
LOL, Hey Navy. I’ve been busy, lots of people out here that need help, seriously. I actually read a post of yours that I agreed with, I then called my psych (LOL). Just waiting on the draft. I think the Eagles will get the job done.
OK -now Mium – you got my attention – the eagles on year took a flyer in the 5th round on Jeremy Bloom – he was a freshamn all american with a bunch or return TDs from Colorado I think – he stopped playing football in college to compete for the olympics in skiing, and the eagles used a 5th rounder to see if he had football magic left in him – the eagles have been roundly boo’d for that decision – the reason he stopped playing college football was a battle with the NCAA over endorsements from his skiing – so….
here was a dedicated, determined, gold medal winning superstar who was one hell of an athlete that busted his butt… and everyone goes – ‘Bloom what a stupid pick’ remember freshman all american… etc.
now Burflict – go look at his stats – I think he had 1 game with duoble digit tackles, 1 tackle vs Boise state – benched by his coaches, academic problems his whole career – bad attitude – stupid penalties, maturiyt issues –
then on top of that – shows up fat, slow and weak at the combine and pro days..
and now people are saying ‘hell, lets use a 5th rounder on him’ when everyone is saying now he may not even be drafted (use a 7th maybe?)
the logic just amazes me….. having seen a couple of his games (and I admit, I do not watch a lot of college football) I saw NOTHING that would indicate this guy is anything close to ready for the NFL???
Hey Dtime,
A good question and my take is that 1 of the 4 players you named will drop and be on the board at #15..
I think Fletcher Cox goes to the Rams at #6 or the Panthers at #10 at the latest
I think Kuechley can go as early as Panthers at #10 or to the Chiefs,Seattle or even the Cardinals before the Eagles select..
I think Mark Barron is selected by the Cowboys at #14
So Coples is the wildcard here ..
Possibly Jaguars at #7 or Panthers at #9 if Fletcher Cox is gone or even Seattl or the Cardinals.,
I think with many teams looking to trade down, that the the Trade Value will not be what it has been in the past years Maybe an extra 3rd Round pick at earliest..
If All 4 Are off the board which is a possibilty, then you have to look at
best Value Pick available which is probably CB S Gilmore or DT M Brockers
or possibly even WR M Floyd.. I aslo would not be surprised to see the EAgles Trade the #15 to the Oakland Raiders (who have no 1st Rounder and not many picks at all in the draft) for next years #1 PIck and maybe a 3rd Rounder for this year or a player (OLB Aaron Curry) in return… GM McKenzie of the Raiders and AR go back to the Packers days and have been good friends for for a while..
EHL – if you ever get bored – go down to the VA – they always need help –
We are all hoping they get this right – I think as long as they stay oriented to the D side of the ball (no Vinnie – no QB for you till round 5 or 6) with the early picks and find a solid KR/PR we will do alright –
don’t feel bad about agreeing with me doc – BSM and I have agreed twice this month… shocking I know – amazing things can happen
Muimuiman, I’m not familiar with Bobby wagner outside of what I read in my draft guides. I never saw him play. Is he a stud? is he best suited for the Mike , Sam or the Will ?
Pman – agree on the coaching aspect – right now the eagles have I think 4 assistants that can be considered best inthe Biz –
Wasburn and Mudd for the lines, Bowles for DBs and April for STs… (god I hope April is in screaming for a KR/PR) Lets hope we see some growth with these guys..
Hey Navy, according to the Mayans the world is supposed to go through a dramatic change on Dec. 21,2012, perhaps all this agreeing is a precursor.
I thought that was supposed to be dec 12 at 12:12:12
the whole 12/12/12/12/12/12/12 (12h 12m 12 s 12 Dec 2012) time thing – either way can;t wait for the draft to get here – I think all news has ground to a halt till after teams see how the draft falls out – glad to see you back
No, it’s the 21st. Trust me on this one, we both agree however, can’t wait til 4/26/12 8 PM. Glad to be back, thanks big guy.
Again Burfict can be no worse than what we’re use to drafting…At least he brings an edge …
Maybe he can at least be as good as Matt McCoy
You think?
Shall I name more?
Syracuse DE is rising up draft broads Chandler jones. standing at 6-foot-5 266lbs and a wingspan of 35 1/2 inches. he has NFL bloodlines: brothers arthur jones plays for the ravens and jon jones is in the UFC light heavyweigth champion. He is extremely athletic and has a high motor. mike mayock has jones higher rated then coples on he’s board. That’s my sleeper pick for eagles, jones is being compared to JPP and Osi Umenyiora
I like their Staff and was especially pleased with the hiring on Todd Bowles as Secondary Coach who I think will make a big differnece with the entire Secondary unit for experienced players and especially all the young players
but I have been disappointed i n Special Teams Bobby April to be honest..
This is goign on his 4th Season with the Eagles and I really haven’t seen any significant improvments with their Overall Special Teams play in my opinion.. Their Coverage Teams have improved (probably has to do alot with COlt Anderson) but the Kick-Off Return game still sucks and unless D-Jax does something on his own, the Punt returns are not all the good either.. I don’t recall the Eagles really blocking any Punts of FG’s during his Time so all in all, I think April is overrated and I believe is the highest-paid SPecial Teams Coach in the entire NFL.. I want to see better results.. ..
Bobby Wagner is best suited for the WILL Position per many Scouts reports EHL
He’s 6-0 244 lbs and a excellent tackler, very strong in pass coverages and really one of the few 3 Down LB’s in this Draft in my opinion.. He’s bright, strong work ethic and plays bigger than he is.. He had a great Senior week and was the Games MVP with 9-10 Tackles, 1 Int and 1 Forced Fumble .. He unfortunately had a bout with pneumonia after working out in Arizona where he was training for the Indy Combine and was unable to attend the Combines, but he had an excellent Pro Workout Day and per all reports has done very well in the interview process, has natural leadership skills
Wagne rwas a 4 Year Starter at Utah State and Defensive Captain for his last 2 Seasons with them.. Senior Year he had 147 Tackles, including 67 Solo tackles, 4 Sacks and 2 INt’s.. He is not a blitzing type of Pass rusher Lb and is in the mold of a true LOLB in a traditonal 4-3 Scheme
Some Scouts say that Wagner reminds them of of a young Lance Brigg,Jon Beason type where he’s very active, always in position and closes in fast to make the play and that he should be able to contribute his Rookie Season and has a bright future ahead of him…
NFL Scouts.Com has him rated as the #57 Ranked Prospect which puts him in the middle to late 2nd Round, but lots of teams like him and would be suprised if he lasts past #50
So let me get thins straight songs – becuase the way your brain works is unlike any logical format known to mankind – lets WASTE a pick on a fat- out of shape, excuse making (but not playmaking) immature, getsa benched for being stupid LB, becuase he will be better then Matt McCoy?
Really, thats what you have to offer – especially when you don;t even know if its true –
at least you have given up on trying to hype the guy… seeing as how no one was buying that load of feces – now its ‘he won;t be as bad as that guy’ logic!
Nice! What do you say we shoot for guys with talent, that produced in college, that act like they want to be professional football players! You know, guys that don;t say things like – its my coaches fault… (any remember where that interview was posted?)
BEst thing about Wagner – went to school in Utah – only thing better would be BYU (that’s a joke for those that didn;t get it!)
Pman – King Dunlap blocked a field goal – so did Landri vs Miami – can’t remember a punt block – didn;t we get a couple punts blocked last year> but yeah.. a bit of a disappointment especially in the KR (Lewis just didn’t explode up the field). I am hoping they use a 4rth or 5th rounder to get a solid and dedicated KR/PR to add some pop in the return game –
GC were on the same page. They go Coples in the first round. I think they need to draft 2 young DEs but guys that are versatile and can play DT. I like both Cople and Mercilus who have great size, speed, strength and versatility. I go Coples in a heartbeat, and i dont believe the eagles will pass him up if he falls to them at 15. But remember the cowboys pick at 14 and would draft an impact DE pass rusher to go along with Ware so if Coples falls, i think they would take him over a safety. So the eagles gotta be careful there..
P man about your Eagles trade 1st rd pick to Raiders… Not gonna happen. Raider don’t have any of their own draft picks until the 5th rd. They have however picked up compensatory draft picks from free agents lost last season. Unless the was a change in the collective bargaining agreement, compensatory draft picks cannot be traded. Also read a story on pro football talk about Raiders new GM Mckenzie not wanting to trade away anymore future draft picks. Oakland is already with out a 2nd rd pick in 2013 from the Carson Palmer trade.
A more likely trade partner for the Eagles if they wanted to slide back would be with the Bengals or the Patriots.
We can have a monster draft & if the Birds don’t draft Burfict, Songs is gonna complain. LMFBO!!! Let it go Songs. Come on man. He isn’t going to get drafted.
I only have one guy in my radar and thats coples.. .. ive been watching the draft for 12 years and the eagles never took the guy i wanted ..and the most shocking pick was desean jackson .. i couldnt belive they took him .. id take burfict in the 6th round with out a doubt
I don’t care who it is. I just want a stud in the 1st round to play to his level and dominate. Juan will go from being the goat from last year, to one of the best defensive cordinators this coming season. Book it!!
Well, if they draft a defensive end that will be them admitting Graham was a serious mistake…. a mistake that had two future pro bowlers on deck within i few picks from Graham.
Can we get Modrak as an consultant for defensive players?
Songs, the good teams Draft the best player on their board to fit their schemes..
If they Draft a DE it’s because they believe he can help the Team and be a good football player regardless on who else is on the Roster..Cole nad Babin are 30 + years of age, Tapp is strictly a rotational player and earns too high of a salary to remain with the Eagles after 2012, so regardless of what Graham does or doesn’t do, they need to add a DE somewhere in this Draft to help groom for the Future..
To Sully,
Your are right about compensatory picks, they cannot be traded..
@ Eaglehaslanded, Paulman, I’ve seen Wagner project as frequently at SAM as WILL. I think he’d be fine at either spot.
On the safety front: Barron is the least impressive top safety prospect I’ve seen in a while. There’s nothing that really stands out about him that makes you think he’s a must draft. They aren’t going to give up on Jarrett after rarely playing as a rookie. Coleman actually played pretty well after they benched Page and moved Coleman to SS. I’m not sure you’d get an upgrade with a rookie in this year’s draft class. Same with Allen. They had to rush him back from an injury and he wasn’t ready. He should be a full strength this year and we’ll get to see if he’s worth a starting spot or not. Even though Safety is a question mark for the Eagles, the top end talent just isn’t there in this draft to spend an early pick on one. I think they’d be better off getting a stud on the Dline, a quality LB in the 1st or 2nd, a top slot CB like Boykin in the 2nd, a red-zone threat at TE or WR in the 3rd then drafting the best safety left on the board in the 4th or later.
I just think the marginal upgrades at the other positions in the first 3 rounds are much better than safety this year. I think they are in a good position to give one last year to see what they have in Allen/Jarret/Coleman since the draft class is so weak.