How much more do we know now and has anything really changed?
Desean Jackson and Stephen A. Smith exchanged questions and answers; cool, calm and collected. Jackson was sincere with his portrayal about his tenure in Philadelphia. Was he honest with all that he recanted? Like every “source” coughing up “what really went down,” all is left for speculation.
Desean’s take on being released from the Eagles appeared as if he is still trying to figure out why it took place, while also entertaining his excitement for joining one of our NFC East rivals. He made it appear as if he had no issues with his ex-teammates or head coach. He did speak of the differences between Andy Reid and Chip Kelly. He was also only late for “one” meeting throughout his entire NFL career.
If any “point” was clearly made, over and over and over again; Desean Jackson is not now or has ever been a gangster or affiliated himself with gangs. He knows people in gangs both from his childhood and through the music scene. The hand gestures made against Washington, merely “shout outs” to friends and family.
My favorite part of the interview, Desean asking Steven A. Smith if he knew the person expressing Maclin being a “team player” and him being a “me-me” guy. That alone gave me the mental image of what “may” have gone down in the locker room.
The entire situation remains strange to me. I’m no longer in a state of shock for how quickly it happened and how it went down. Anger has faded; D-Jax will not contribute as an offensive play maker in 2014.
I expect no further insight provided by Chip, Howie or Mr. Lurie. They are hiding and they don’t want to be found.
Questions about why Desean was released will be attempted again, but the answers are going to be simple.
“They will only discuss matters pertinent to the current team.”
It will be as if Desean Jackson was a fairy tale character; that is until we face him for the very first time.
Actually Jeff, Desean did not say he had only been late for “one” meeting.
He said he had missed one meeting “probably” (or probably not) and been late for others. (many others?)
“For sure I have been late,” he said. “I’m not gonna lie about that. I’ve been late to meetings before.”
“I missed one meeting probably out of my whole career.”
Here we have the Jeff Spicoli of the Eagles and people still wonder why he’s gone.
That interview was staged with a script. Who really thought DJax was come out and tell the 100% truth?
The interview was a waste of time. I wish people would just let it go already! It’s done, so move on!!!!!!
Interview was a joke and completely stupid/pointless. If you are Djax and you can’t outright deny factual statements in the NJ report/social media BS/locker room stuff then why would you sit down with the Circus ESPN is to do an interview..
I hang out with gang members only if they are not doing negative things…
Damn Djax needs some new PR people ASAP
And btw this guy Stephen A Smith is a clown of a interviewer/reporter. Everyone knew the interview was going to be a softball but damn if your not going to ask the tough questions then don’t do the interview. Or just be real about it and say Im interviewing this dude for my own personal gain and were going to continue to pimp this story out for ratings. What a fraud
No wonder they put this fool on that stupid show with Skip. The majority of dudes that watch that crap are lowlifes with no jobs/life sitting at home on weekday mornings
Funny how TV works…they have talk shows that cater to the stay at home mothers..they have wheel of fortune that caters to the old/retired…and they have Stephen A smiths/Skips show that caters to the jobless welfare degenerates.
Such compassion fellow man. LOL
That’s because Steven A Smith sides with his own people. To me, he is somewhat of a racist commentator. It’s always the white mans fault..
Why wasn’t ” dejaccass ” wearing his normal get up instead looking like Urkel, complete fraud
The interview was excellent and Stephen A. Smith, an excellent reporter who does his job well. DJax came across has honest and sincere. He didn’t hide the fact that he has made mistakes or been late to meetings. The reality is that Djax has the guts to stand before the public and give his side to the story. All you hear from the Eagles are dirty cheap shots from behind the curtain of “anonymous quotes” . For all we know it can be the fiction of grumbling reporters who never liked DJax…
The bottom line is simple…i don’t care if DJax’s teammates didn’t like him, I don’t care if he cussed out the coaches, I don’t care if he missed meetings or was late…I don’t care about none of that…I care about the production on Sunday…82 catches, 1300 yards, 9 touchdowns, and the effective running of clear out routes that helped the running game and Shady as well as every other receiver on the field!
This is what we know for a fact…the rest is innuendo, speculations, backstabbing, and bullshit….Bottom Line.
steven a smith did a good job in the interview. He asked most of the questions he should have and kept DJax talking. I think Steven A. Smith missed the gun questions. Missed the reward question, and missed the intentional misspelling of words like knock ( knocc) and back ( bac). But Steven A. Smith dotted the I’s and crossed the T’s to the journalist’s stories that were negative about him.
Djax did not come off as good. I left the interviewing seeing a hurt young adult who admitted he has gang friends, lost his team mates respect, and wants to prove Philly wrong for not believing in him anymore.
Koolbreeze you are a funny man
All the stories bout his association is true one guy involved with the murder of that 14 yr boy desean knew him all his life. Bottom line is he made his bed now he gotta lie in itHe never wanted to cut ties with these guys or become a true teammate and buy into coach and eagle philosphy.Let skins have him aint the fukin end of the world Lets talk bout draft already i’m done with the strapper
This entire deal is fucked up! Chip showed his inexperience as an NFL head coach dealing with this thing, and for the Eagles organization as a whole attempted to SMEAR this young man…. Maybe so he wouldn’t go to a rival…… was classless, baseless, and showed some immaturity! Second of all, If none of this was substantiated, WE HAVE TAPE OF ANOTHER RECIEVER PRETTY MUCH INSULTING THIS ENTIRE CITY, TEAM , AND LEAGUE! If that’s not a releasable offense, I will continue to question what the motives of this coach and organization. Let me make this clear. I’m with Chip! An Eagles fan for life. But This one ……. will have me rooting for Washington this year as well! This was Fucked UP!!!!!
Here we go with the race nonsense again.
I don’t know how a Team can function Koolbreeze if Players & Coach’s
Don’t respect and pull for one another..
It doesn’t have to be a loved eat, but mutual respect and having each other’s back is essential in having a Winning Organization
In any type of Sport,Business or Life for that matter
This “I’ll do my own thing, but show up on Sunday’s to perform”
Just doesn’t work for a new Coaching Staff who is trying to build a new & winning culture with lots of young & impressionable Players on it
And it appears that this was the bottom line concerning D-Jax, whether us fans like it or not..
I thought Interview went well for D-Jax and Steven A
And wish D-Jax well but not against our Eagles..
Time for everyone to move on from this story,
What’s done is done..
I think Steven A. Smith did a good job with the interview because he kept DJax talking but I do not believe Steven A. Smith came off good. Steven A. Smith made a horrible mistake which would get him fired from any law office in the country when he asked DJax about the gang sign on the field. He followed up Djax’s answer with how Deangelo Hall felt about the sign instead of did the NFL league office contact Desean about that sign on the field. Did any Eagle front office employee discuss that on the field sign with him and when? Who cares about DeAngelo Hall’s feeling about gang sign, a real interviewer would have cared how the Eagles felt about that signal.
paulman, good coaching knows how to manage difficult players and situations. Its not just about X’s and O’s…its the ability to resolve differences, adjust to situations and getting the most out of players. This is what makes Phil Jackson such a great coach…he dealt with a true wacko in Dennis Rodman got the best out of him, and won championships.
When a coach tells me he cant manage excellent talent because the player has a ‘me’ first attitude…well I say welcome to the NFL…a lot of players who may say the right things to media…a lot of them have a ‘me’ first attitude. Example, one of the greatest players who ever played the great Lawrence Taylor was a ‘me’ first player who would quite often ignore what the coach told him to do and make a play based off of what he wanted to do! A lot of wide receivers are divas with a ‘me’ first attitude…the bottom line…Chip Kelly did his quarterback no favors…Foles more than anyone needs a All-Pro receiver like D-Jax! He got him easy passes, created space…and D-Jax as a ‘me’ first guy….did a whole lot for the team. Yes…there is no “I” in team…but there damm sure is a “I” in WIN…and that’s what we need…wins!!!
Eagles did not smear Jackson. They did him a favor by not saying anything because the multiple reasons for his dismissal had nothing to do with his play but everything to do with his inability to function within the structure of a football team
No other team would trade for him, for the reason above and his large contract
I hope Jackson figures it out in Washington but I doubt it because he plays it out that he’s the victim, and he’s got plenty of enablers, “poor djax, the eagles screwed you”
Bottom line. You screWed yourself. you have a second chance. let’s see what you do with it
The Eagles screwed themselves out of a All-Pro player who was a major factor in them winning 10 games last year and going to the playoffs. The Eagles screwed themselves by allowing that same player to go to a division rival and aid that division rival’s chances in winning the division.
DJax got $16 million dollars in guaranteed money.
The Eagles screwed themselves and we have to wait to see if they get a second chance! Will they get a dynamic All-Pro player who forces teams to double him? Will the Eagles get a second chance at a player who will open up the offense for other players? We had two such players…Shady and D-Jax…as we speak now we are down to one!
Jackson has figured it out…he figured it out last year when he gave us 82 catches…I hope the Eagles figured it out….because if they are wrong…if they dont replace his production..if they dont win…we.Eagle fans will not be happy…at all!
Still waiting for all you geniuses to explain to me why he wasn’t suspended or disciplined last year, oh I forgot he was demoted to 3rd string during the first mini camp for one day. Spin away people spin away. The hype during that first Redskin game is going to be crazy.
Biglion, are you naive land — the eagles kicked him off the team and are publicly humiliating him for the past 2 weeks. Every eagle player is scared shitless of the owner to even publicly say good bye to Desean. When the Eagles play Desean the players will shake his hand and hug him but today they fear the Eagle front office and won’t even acknowledge him.
DURING THE SEASON
Still waiting for you to tell me why putting up with his shit for a year then getting rid of him doesn’t make sense either.
Still waiting to hear how suspending him was gonna increase his value in the off season.
Who cares about value what did they get for him after the season? Why would you allow someone to disrespect you and other coaches in front of the team and miss meetings. I would have him put out of my locker room, addition by subtraction right? Anonymous teammates saying good riddance right? Let’s just agree to disagree because all of you know what the right answer is you just can’t bring yourselves to say it.
HAHAHAHAHA
Now we all know what the right answer is. You’re trying to be literal with the tough guy speech but thats not how the way it works. You don’t just suspend a player without pay from a team or just send him home. You have a roster full of Vets and you use others to delegate and facilitate change. Thats Business 101 and Mgt 101. Avant and Vick were pillars on the team that Kelly Avant and Vick are record saying that he turned to them first. They dealt with DeSean all season his rollercoaster up and down nonsense. They got rid of him after exhausting their efforts to trade him. The only reason why he didnt get traded was because Andy Reid gave him a 10 million dollar base salary that no one in the league wanted to give him.
Theres no way in hell you can get around that.
So he couldn’t be inactive ? Are there rules against that? Spin away Izell like Vinnie said he wouldn’t have been missed right? So making everyone accountable is playing tough guy? Like I said we all know what should have happened if all this crap were true.
Stop the nonsense. You want it both ways. First saying he wouldn’t be missed is nonsense. So lets eliminate that response in the argument. Making him inactive is nonsense. Just a headache of reporters and media down your throat. I’m not PAYING ANYONE 10 mil to sit on their ass. The player won in that regard.
So in sense your showing suspend him make him inactive etc STILL PAY HIM and then trade him in the offseason or get rid of him.
Worst business practice ever.
Izell this is coming from a guy who’s played multiple sports up and into the college level, you cannot police that behavior with other players, he should have sat period, but obviously all this behavior was overstated and as for answering media questions. Chip seems to be just fine dealing with the media, see you guys can’t have it both ways not me because I would have had no problems with sitting him. My team my rules what’s that you guys say? Personal responsibility.
Big I don’t disagree with you on any of those levels. I have son that I am coaching up through wrestling and football I know exactly what you mean.
However professional sports is an entirely different animal. You can’t even compare to anything else.
I disagree sports or not you can delegate to other members on the team. Its the reason why they have veteran capts etc.
Ive said before I did not like Vick the QB, but Vick the professional after he came back from jail….thats how a MAN handles his business.
You are not just kicking him off the team. It doesnt work that way. And making him inactive is just the beginning of the end which more than likely implodes your team because you can’t have that kind of distraction not in today’s media etc.
Like I said I have done it before sometimes you have to just ride a disrespectful pain in the ass out. You don’t want to look at them everyday you come to work and in the middle of meeting you just want to bitch slap the nonsense out of them…but you can’t do it.
Spin away Big…all you have said is get rid of him lol. Like its that easy with no repercussion.
The Patriots are having to pay contract money to a guy sitting in jail on murder charges and the NFLPA is fighting tooth and nail to get him his money.
Please tell me how you are just going to cut a guy and keep your money…lmao stop the nonsense.
Not to mention you haven’t seen DJax or his agent address anything outside of the gang ties. And DeSean himself said he didnt believe the team put it out there. You wont see him file a grievance on his behalf by the NFLPA because in order to do so the Eagles would be compelled to show evidence why it cut him from team etc. So a wise agent says shut your mouth and move on.
If I fire one of my employees without proper cause they would come back and sue the pants off me. More than once I have had pain in the ass employees and I let them ride out to the end of fiscal contract and not renew them. Do you not know how much a pain in the ass it is to document an employees nonsense sit down with lawyers on dismissal etc. Thats time lost and money spent.
To many are acting like this is a high school team and not a business. If this was college Chip would have kicked his ass off the team. In the pro’s you ride it out.
Why dont you hillbillies just say it and stop being pussies. That fucking ghetto nI&&a got what he deserved. We dont care what he did on the football field. We will show him who the master is.
Oh the logic of ignorance…lmao….
Stop trying to be the mouthpiece for all black people dumbass.
Im the mouth piece for myself and stand by whatever i post. How about that.
I can respect that. I can respect the fact you don’t agree with the move and hate it. But the nonsense race baiting which only brings the other side of the idiot race baiters into is pointless.
The real ‘race baiters’ are the ones who have attacked D-Jax for who he is friends with…they are the one with the thinly-veiled racist attacks on D-Jax based on relationships he has with other people….rather than on any confirmed actions that he personally engaged.
The racist race-baiters on here have attacked D-Jax because of ‘pictures’ he took…supposed ‘gang’ signs that he flashed…none of which of course indicates to anyone with a half a brain…any criminal activity. It has been the racists on this forum who attacked D-Jax because of his rap label…like that had some impact on his performance…so all of this negativity…again nothing remotely indicating any criminal activity of Jackson…as been attached to Jackson and it is pur and simple racist!
If you engage the nonsense doesnt make you better. Only brings you right into that group of nonsense.
So kool….are you saying white people can’t be gang members? If its racist that he was cut bc of gang ties then you are racist! White people are gang members all over this country!
We all know about the Italian,Irish & Russian Gangs..
Does anyone know anything about “Jewish Gangs”
Their Signs, or Colors or mode of Operandi..
What do they call themselves…
Your employer is your master. An employee has the right to leave but make no mistake who is in charge. UPS delivery service in Queens, NY fired a man for disputing his pay this week. 250 co workers walked off the job in support of the man for 90 minutes. 20 employees were fired the next day and the other 230 received a letter informing them they will be terminated in the coming month when they hire their replacement. Local politicians threatened to not use UPS in government local contracts and UPS said then those politicians will be signing the rest of the 1500 employees pink slips with that move.
I really hate the race card but I gotta agree with u Dag. These dudes hide behind code words like “Thug” and ” traditional Americans”. We am now what u really mean. Now honestly I don’t think that dress a release had anything to do with race, however the fan/media response has a not so subtle racist tone to it. Just like with Richard Sherman; unfortunately there are still some people in this country who believe that African Americans should be seen and not heard. Flamboyant African American athletes will always be denigrated by the establishment and guys like Vinnie.
The truth is the league would be much less entertaining without the antics of the Desean Jacksons of the world. Maybe Michael Jordan will open up a school or training camp where he teaches black athletes to be humble and obey their masters.
*desean’s release
Lol no need to edit…damn phone kills my typing as well.
Yeah lets get offended by the “some people” minority on both sides (black and white) who spit nonsense.
Letting yourself be brought down by ignorance and responding to with ignorance makes you no better.
Only simpletons hide behind the gang nonsense on both sides.
He got cut because he was a pain in the ass that the coach didnt want to deal with.
Ok dag, lets play your game.
Seeing how Chip Kelly is a racist, and the Eagles operate in a racist manner, they cut DJax becuase they have scouted a young kid down a University of Arkansas Pine Bluff….the kid had uncles and cousins that taught him the N-word from a young age, and even how to fashion a cone hat from a sheet. His hands suck and his speed is….well, he has deceptive slowness. Chip and Howie are building their team as the true racists that you have all labeled them. They are not concerned about having team players, leaders or players committed to the success of the team…they are only focusing on promoting a single race. It is a business plan that Lurie has apparently promoted, at least if you are to believe some of the posters on this site.
And we are officially down the rabbit hole….
SMH
Greenfan, Izell you guys want to read Dag’s post again? That wasn’t about the Eagles it was towards some of the posters on this site.
Ok Biggie, let me state it differently.
The one thing that seems to be certain is that DJax appears to be an asshole as a teammate. There were reasons why he wasn’t chosen until the second round, and it had to do with his character. Look at his numbers his senior year, the guy was a malcontent. Read the stories about that year….anyone remember 2011? The way that he “mailed it in” because he wanted a new contract?
Assholes come in all shapes, sizes and colors. The fact that is new coach is trying to put a team together with players that buy into his system is no surprise, and as with most extremely talented players, DJax was used to everyone kissing his ass. They probably did it since he was 5 years old….and his attitude and expectation of special treatment has only gotten worse over the years. So Kelly was the one to finally say that the disruption and disrespect was not worth what he gave the team on the field. Special yes. Irreplaceable no.
But too many are claiming that Jackson was released because of his lifestyle…or becuase he is Black. Richard Sherman has accused the Eagles and Kelly of being racist and having a double standard. There is no doubt that Sherman is a smart and educated man….no doubt that he is a smarter man than me…but that does not mean that he cannot be wrong about his accusation. That does not mean that he is choosing to ignore many of the simple facts and history of the player and team. Jason Whitlock had a very interesting article about this who subject, and he stated very clearly the problem with immediately jumping to the race accusation without really looking at the facts.
I understand that Greenfan, but what Dag and to a point I get upset with
are some posters who take any and every opportunity to rail against the black athlete. I know you’ve seen it on this forum that’s why I come out sometimes in defense of what others see as indefensible.
Biggie we agree. Truly…truly I don’t see where a persons skin color has any business in being a fan of the team. A man’s character knows no color. They are all GREEN as far as I am concerned.
This isnt about the Eagles. This is about the fans. This about the fans worrying about who the fuck someone hangs around with. Its about fans worrying about PRACTICE, fucking PRACTICE. This is about a guy playing the Air Guitar. Who cares. This has nothing to do with what the Eagles did to Djax. Its more about the fans who are more concerned with players personal lives than what really matters which is what they do on game day.
Again agree to disagree. No one wants to be around a dude that is a clown and put up with his shit unless he is future HOFer. In the history of sports those are the ONLY guys that get away with that nonsense.
This nonsense that DJax suddenly is a gamechanging HOFer is moronic. Hes a career 60 reception right around 1kyd Wr who average 5TDs a season. Those arent HOFer numbers nor HOFer impact.
His one awesome year was in an offense with a coach that is bringing a scheme and philosophy no one is seen and more than a handful around the league are trying to steal.
Like I told Big…MURDER this regime if they cut Djax and their gameplan disintegrates because their gamble blew up. Until then I am not worried. I would be a hypocrite after going into last year thinking with a rookie head coach who never coached in the pros was going to win the division and have an offense that switched between nite and day QBs and didnt miss a beat and on top of that got better lol.
Practice isn’t their personal life nimrod
it has come to this?
TBH, I don’t really care if Desean missed every single meeting. Without him, we would have been an 8-8 team. Talent reigns supreme in this league. Guys like Jeff Maehl may have been pissed because tehy went to every meeting and were “good little boys”. If they could produce like Desean, maybe Id give them some credence in this.
Talent reigns supreme….than T.O and Randy Moss would have titles. Its not that simple.
It is that simple…the teams that beat T.O and Randy Moss had more talent! Randy Moss was beaten in his championship try by a super talented Giants defense…T.O was beaten because New England had a defensive line that was more talented than our offensive line….and they had one of the most talented Quarterbacks in the history of the NFL…
You beat talent…with more talent…and when a Coach believes that his ‘system’ will win championships in the NFL…he is deluded and in for a rude awakening. Chip has better replace DJax talent with more talent…its not that easy at all…as a Eagle fan I hope he pulls it off….but if he doesn’t…he will get what we Eagle fans give losers…
Have no problem with the end of your statement and I feel the same way. There better be a plan/strategy in place.
Remember when Larry Fitz was possibly out in Arizona and the rumors were trades for him with DJax outta here. I wouldve drove him nonstop to Arizona. I thought highly of DJax but at no point did I ever see him as a no.1 and until this year he never was a breakout stud. To me he was always the perfect no.2 to a real beast.
“Flamboyant”??????????????????
Now I don;t like “flamboyant” players? But most especially especially black “flamboyant” players.
Funny, I didn’t think quitting ont he field, ripping his coaches, going to meetings whenever he felt like it and generally being a pain in the ass was considered “flamboyant”!!
But hey, whatever floats your boat (or fits your pathetic agenda)
Problem with your pathetic agenda is it convieniently avoids/ignores my stance on white players who act the same way.
I’m an equal opportunity “flamboyancy” hater!
I hated the signing of that tattooed idiot Jason Babin because all he ever did was think about himself, constantly abandoning his responsibilities to pad his stats. Can’t win with guys like that.
I’ve been on here and made posts about theBoston Bruins doing exactly the right thing trading that immature “me-first” Tyler Seguin even though he has immense talent. The Bruins are a better team for it.
I have been very vocal about Brent Celek’s ridiculous pointing downfield after each friggin catch….too “flamboyant”. Well, guess what. Last year Kelly told him to stop that stupid shit and hustle back to the LOS and he did.
He got with the program. Desean didn’t because he’s a selfish “me-first” player….er I mean “flamboyant African American”
Teams don’t win championships with selfish me-first players. Vick and Mesean were both exactly that. I am glad they are both gone because the Eagles will be a better team with them gone.
But hey, ignore all that….the only reason people like me don’t like Desean’s pouting, bitching “who the fuck is he throwing to” quitting self is because we’re racists who do not like “flamboyant” African Americans.
What other straws you going to grasp at now?
vinnietheloser…you come up with the most ignorant statements..lets take a look at Mr Team First….Brent Celek…here is a guy who cant consistently beat linebackers…He’s nowhere near a tight end like Jason Witten…he just dont have the talent…you would celebrate and praise a guy like that…because…well…he’s such a nice, team player….
Bottom line is guys like him in the NFL are a dime a dozen.
There is no “I” in team…no doubt there…but there damm sure is a “I” in WIN…and we need winners here on the Eagles…I dont care if they are selfish ‘Me” first players…if they produce that’s who I want. Teams do win with selfish ‘me’ first players…they always have and they always will.
Teams dont win with ‘system’ coaches who will place emphasis on their ‘system’ over talented players…bottom line!
Why are his team mates happy? Why hasn’t one come out to defend him..please address this
The hypocrisy of overblowing a guy who never had more than 70 receptions in one season accept his first season with a coach who according to the moronic posts “Never will transition to pros” or “scheme wont work” or “got lucky”
The fact of the matter is Desean was a playmaker…but for all his playmaking in pass first offenses under Andy where he was the GO TO WR in the offense he never averaged more then 60 receptions 1000yd and 5 tds in a season. Those arent superstar numbers. Please say otherwise and contradict yourself and sound stupid.
We lost an excellent playmaker…but this No.1 WR top 10 WR in football bullshit…LMAO Stop the nonsense. We havent had a No.1 Wr since T.O.
As I’ve stated before if he was an ass and didn’t get ong with the coach then I have no problem getting rid of him just like I had no problem with them getting rid of TO. Nor do I think it was racist in any way shape or form. What I said was directed at the reactions a lot of “traditional Americans ” have spewed on blogs, twitter etc.
I look at this way….”traditional american” viewpoint that gets the race baiting started is just another way to get people to show their ass after they get pissed off then point fingers and say “see i told you!”
It gets hard to decipher the race nonsense on this site at times.
Anyways Big
Is it me but if Brandon Cooks and DJax are similar players…Cooks like hes made out of granite lol. DJax must be 170 no way hes 185.
Oh heck no Desean is 170 tops and is probably allergic to weights. Cooks is put together.
But who cares….
Mike Evans….Mike Evans….Mike Evans…..Mike Evans….lol
Cooks seven days a week and again on Sunday. Unfortunately, I think the Jets will grab him.
At 22 its a gamble to really feel any true needs on this team. If there is a year that you trade up and grab talent this is the year.
You can sit in the later rounds and let draft board dictate.
It really sucks that there are no true 3-4 OLB in this draft after Mack Clowney and Barr IMO. The only true 3-4 NT IMO is Nix and I think hes long gone before 22.
I would do a happy dance at 22 if we stay put and he was there.
I know alot of people wanted to go defense in the first round but to me because they have yet to address the OLB or pass rush through DL IMO a safety that high is pointless. Without a true pass rush rookie vet HOFer are getting exposed in that secondary. Not to mention the Saints crushed us RUNNING the football.
Priority on defense is OLB NT CB.
Load up on the offense in the first is fine with me if its Evans.
Agreed. 170 soakin wet with a hard on. Brandin Cooks is going to be the real deal.
After looking like Stephen Hill is going to be a bust I think they are going to lay off the WR market since they picked up Decker and I think they are going to make a run at Chris Johnson for the speed part of their offense. However for Vick to be effective hes going to need someone to get behind the defense because we all know the short to middle area of the field is not his forte.
If they go best player available at 22 the pick won’t be a rush LB,
Jets are showing major interest in Brandin Cooks.
In my mock draft coming out this week for round 1, I have Cooks going to the jets.
I also see Chris Johnson going to the Jets.
I think if they lock up Chris Johnson they look at safety or CB. Offensively they have some weapons and the Jets tried to sign DRC because they were desperate at the CB spot.
If they drafted Cooks than it means they have given up on Stephen Hill. If so they just had back to back drafts they are already giving up on players in Hill and Geno Smith.
Where do you have Manziel…I honestly think Manziel dictates the entire draft. If he is taken in the top 10 the board gets moved around big team because we can 4 qbs taken before 12th pick.
I have Manziel going in the early 20’s.
Why is gcobb the only Eagles chat board where everyone cries racism?
No idea on my end. gcobb.com should be the one site always available for people to be straight with their thoughts and feelings.
Passionate, with it comes strong opinions and sensitive wording at times to get a message noticed.
This is Philadelphia sports, raw, real and be prepared to defend your turf.
If cooks is gone trade back as much as possible.
Disagree if Evans/Barr are there at 15-18 trade up. If Nix is at 22 jump on him.
Nix will be on the Board.. And stay away from him
I believe DL Aaron Donald and Tim Jernigan go before Nix and Hageman
Due to their high motors.. Nix & Hageman have big bodies but sone red flags about their drive and self motivation
If Barr is still on the board around 18 I say get creative and move up to get him. The issue with moving up is we only have 6 picks, unless we get real creative GMCliff and paulman style and start wheeling and dealing.
I pray Barr is still on the board at 18, if so, the Eagles must find a way to get him.
Unless you think there are Muhammed Wilkerson types at the end of the first like how the Jets stole him.
There are no Wilkerson’s in this Drat
The DT/NT is very weak this year
Both Top DT’s listed (Aaron Donald &
Tim Jernigan are in the 6-1/6-2 290lbs range)
and could be very good 5-Technique DE’s in the
3-4 but not playing the 1 Technique as NT in a base 3-4
They are not big enough..
I worry about Jernigan paulman, talent wise he maybe the best DT in the draft but will he stay in shape?
Naw on Nix….I was a Nix guy until the end of the season. His play wasn’t that great this year. Plus..people are questioning his dedication to the game as far as staying in shape. Plus he has other hobbies that he’s interested in that is said to be a distraction to him being dedicated to the game.
Nix is good but your are correct Eagles he isn’t 100 percent dedicated to football he likes the adulation that goes with being a player but won’t put the effort necessary once he gets paid. Stay away from him.
If cooks is gone trade down as much as you can get as many picks as possible then take Bryant from Clemson in the 2nd or 3rd
Big,
I’m not a genius, but I guess Kelly didn’t bench DeSean during the season because he was too valuable to the team. They definitely had no one to plug into his spot.
It won’t be easy to replace Jackson. It’s going to take some offensive scheme changes with DeSean is gone. I’m sure Kelly is not foolish enough to think any WR can do what Jackson did…
You are absolutely correct Irish, we all know that and I understand benching or sitting him would have started a circus but my point is most of these reports are blown out of proportion because there is no way that behavior would have been tolerated.
Mr toast props to you, you know footballer
Manziel will be the first pick overall in the draft, he’s the best qb prospect since Peyton manning
The Texans might pull the trigger on him Jake, I wouldn’t but he won’t last past 8.
LSU and Mizzou exposed Manziel…they had a simple plan that is now a blue print…keep him in the pocket and he’s lost. His accuracy in the pocket is not that great.He is no way the best prospect since manning. That still goes to Andrew Luck. No one thought Luck was a 3rd round talent, some think Manziel is…ask Ron Jaworski!
Players moving up the Boards in the 1st Round after the Top 4-5 (Clowney,Mack,Robinson, Watkins) are WR’s Mike Evans, Cooks & Beckham,
DL T Jernigan,A Donald ,CB Gilbert,Fuller & Roby along with
OL Zack Martin, Joel Bitonio, LB CJ Mosely, Guards Su’a’-Filo
And Yankey & TE Ebron & QB Derek Carr
Players sliding down the 1st Round
QB Bortles,& Bridgewater , OT C Kouandijo,
Safety Pryor, DL Nix, Tuitt & Hageman, WR M Lee
DE/OLB Trent Murphy & Dee Ford
There typically is a Player or 2 that no one sees coming being a drafted in the 1st around that pushes other Players down
Did he just say manziel was the best since Peyton wow I’m gonna drink half of this bottle of rum so I can wake up and think like jakedog does.
LOL. Gloomy you know it’s Saturday and the drinks are plenty in Casa de Jakedog on weekends.
I think the Key to this Draft are the Texans, Rams & the Browns
We all know SL Rams is Trading that # 2 Pick
The question will be if Texans take a QB at #1,
There will robs of Teams offering the Rams plenty to get
DE Clowney, which believe it or not the Rams don’t really need since they
Have 2 very good, young DE in Quinn & Long already
So if Clowney is not Selecting Clowney at #1,
The Trade City will happen..
If Texans does select Clowney at #1 which I think they will
Then Rams will have Johnny Football to Dangle
He’ll I think the Rans should take Manziel since Bradford has not done very much in his 4 Seasons as the Rams Starter..
Rams are eyeing a OT who they have a choice of Robinson,
Matthews or Lewan and could get one of these 3 by trading back with
Jags,Raiders,Browns or even the Vikings at #8 and still end up a good OT
Paulman, the Rams have a stud in Laurintias and a up and coming OLB on one side with Ogletree. Thoughts on them taking LB Mack in the second spot, and entering the top 5 linebacker groups in the NFL conversation?
No Jeff, Rams need a OT,Safety & CB and a developmental QB which is what I expect them to focus on in the early rounds
HC Steve Fisher is very close to the “Matthews” Family which is why I have them selecting OT J Matthews over the other OT’s
He played with Bruce Matthews, hired him as a Coach while with the Titans
Drink up. But I will be correct, the guy looks like a middle aged accountant but he will be great
Top #10
1) Texans -DE Clowney (they’ll grab QB with their
#33 Pick at start of 2nd Round)
2) Rams Trade Pick to Cleveland Browns who select
QB Manziel
3) Jaguars trade to Eagles who Select WR Sammy Watkins
4) Rams – OT Matthews
5) Raiders – OT Robinson
6) Falcons – LB Mack
7) TB Bucs – WR M Evans
8) Vikings – QB Bortles
9) Bills – TE Ebron
10) Lions – OT Lewan
11) Titans – CB Gilbert
12) Giants – DT Donald
13) Rams – Safety Pryor
14) Bears – DT T Jernigan
15) Steelers – CB Denard
16) Cowboys – Safety Dix
17) Ravens – LB CJ Mosely
18) Jets – WR Cooks
19) Dolphins – OT Zack Martin
20) Cardinals – QB T Bridgewater
21) Packers – Safety Jimmie Hall
22) Jaguars – WR Beckham
23) Chiefs – WR M Lee
24) Bengals – DE Kony Ealy
25) Chargers – CB Fuller
26) Browns – WR Benjamin
27) Saints – DE Dee Ford
28) Panthers – OT J Botinio
29) Patriots – TE A Jenkins
30) 49ers – CB B Roby
31) Broncos – DT Louis Nix
32) Seahawks – OL Xavier Su’a-Filo
Paulman where is Derek Carr?
Texans at #33, and will follow his brothers Steps to Houston
If the Texans get Clowney and Carr they win the draft. But it is doable.
I did forget to have OLB Barr in my 1st Round by error
Plug him in at # 22 to the Jaguars
Then Beckham to the Chiefs at #23 and
WR Lee slides down into the 2nd Round
(Too many Cold Stella’s last night)
The price for Eagles is steep to move up 19 Spots to get WR Watkins
It cost’s the Eagles their 1st (#22) 3rd (#86th) & 5th (150th) in 2014
And their 1st Round Pick in 2015 along with RB Bryce Brown
The Eagles then Select the Following
2nd Rd (#54) Safety Deone Buccanon (Wash State)
4th Rd (#118) DE/OLB L Webster (Bloomsburg)
7th Rd (#214) CB Lavelle Westbrooks (Georgia State)
Eagles will attempt to trade Guard Mathis and DE Brandon Graham
For some Picks, but get no takers ..
Can’t give up the 2015 1, I know the point system will demand it but you can’t give it up.
paulman, your trade machine is always cranking out something fierce, I always enjoy it.
I have a lot of movement in round 1 of the NFL draft, and I have Eagles not drafting in round 1. My mock draft 1.0 will be released this week. Eagles I feel will sniff at what it rakes to get a Barr/Evans. They will watch both safeties go in the top 15 picks, and Woods go to the Jets. Benjamin is more of a late first type guy and the Eagles hope he slips to them in the early second round when they pick in the Jaguars spot.
** Woods… I need coffee before I post, Cooks to the Jets at pick #18.
I am going to pull a GMCliff on you Jeff and state
That you cannot have any of the same “Selections” that I have listed..
Ha ha .. Good Grief !!!
So what if coach Kelly dislikes another player down the road? Say someone of D-Jax caliber. Is he just going to continue to oust great talent out the door? Not all athletes are going to be perfect…there needs to be some sort of a happy medium
DMAN, a great point you raise. I had this conversation with my buddy the other day. This is not the college level anymore, the size of these paychecks and the red carpet professional athletes can walk on will create more “D-Jax” like personalities at all professional sports levels. I’m not sure a question can be asked at the interview process, “Hey, by the way, are you going to pull any Desean Jackson like behaviors during your tenure in Philadelphia?”
For god’s sakes, its not about his personal “dislike” that’s just a convienient word.
Over his coaching career he’s dealt with 100s of men. Its impossible for him to have ‘liked’ all of them.
This is about whether or not Desean was doing his job. He wasn’t. He (and apparently for a long time) did what he wanted to do.
Kelly is the boss, and Jackson is the employee….and like in any other occupation, if the employee isn’t doing the job, he gets turfed.
You can’t have a guy like that on the team because it creates resentment “Why can he dog it in practice?” “Why can he insult the coach?” etc. “why doesn’t he have to show up on time – I do?” “WHy do I have to run crisp routes while he cuts corners?” etc
This even more important because they are blowing up this team and starting new with a myriad of young players. Guys just out of college for the most part…a team where rookies are going to come in and be asked to be significant contributors the next couple season till the ship is righted.
He doesn’t want young guys coming in and watching Desean ignore all the rules and figure you can skate like that in the Pros.
Anyway, I’m off to hike some mountains and meditate on this further.
Rumors swirling around that all Players who are invited for private workout at NovaCare are asked if they Like D-Jax..
If they answer Yes, they are dropped off the Draft Board and sent home before actually even working out..
The only Player who said no was a Kicker they brought in
From Portugal who speaks no English..
Good Grief..,
So Mike Evans got sent home Monday?
Nonsense.
It’s why I called it “Rumors Swirling”, IJ..
C’mon Toast, have a little fun on here..
Lol rumors on here no way 🙂
I’m fueling the Mike Evans rumors singlehandedly….justed posted made up stuff on the Bucs message board so the fans can turn on that pic.
The Mike Williams trade killed my dream…Lovies picking him up.
Grrrrrr
First of all….anyone who brings race into this ARE RACIST themselves. All over this country there are white people in gangs. Yes they are wanna be’s and I am not proud of them but the fact is that white people are gang banging. SO to say it was racist to cut him bc he is associated with gangs is straight RETARDED. Being associated with gangs reguardless of color is not a smart move by anyone.
Second…..for those few on here that actually have a REAL job try going into work late 2x this week, skip a meeting, or yell at your boss and see what happens. Even as an union member you may be looking for a new job or on very thin ice.
Third….all of you who are crying a river and saying the Eagles suck, are stupid or whatever negativity PLEASE don’t let me see you signing the Eagles praises when they are winning games this year. I have copied ALOT of your statements and I will repost them to show everyone how much of a bandwagon fan you are, which is like being a gang wanna be.
Im not that high on the Cooks kid as some others are. If everything works out for the kid I do think he can be similar to Victor Cruz. I would just rather have Beckam, Benjamin, or Evans.
If the two safeties are gone, esp Pryor, then I wouldn’t be mad if they took one of those three Wrs. Im not crazy about the rest of the defensive players who will likely be available at 22. I would try to trade down even though it would be difficult to find a trade partner to trade up to the spot unless say one of the top 3 Qbs slip which I doubt.
A Team with an early 2nd Rounder ,who passed on a QB
with their 1st Round Selection,may want to get back into the 1st Round
To grab QB Derek Carr or if Bridgewater falls ..
Teams like Texans,Jaguars,Raiders could all be in Play
And up fir a Trade if they feel that Carr won’t last until their
2nd Round Selection ..
Wow Paulman just seen your mock draft I don’t think there is any chance in hell they trade up that far I see them trading back 10x’s before they even trade up once as much as I would love to have Sammy Watkins not at the price of giving up a 1st next year can’t do it hell NO…..
Normally I would agree that Eagles would never give that much to move up in the a Draft , but Something tells me that the Eagles are going to make a big move come Draft Day/Weekend after the loss of D-Jax and I believe it will be for a Playmaker and Sammy Watkins is the biggest Playmaker in this Draft
I wouldn’t do this Deal, but I think Eagles may feel they need to replace D-Jax and a lot of the bad press that was associated with his release..
This First Round of Draft will be wild & wooly and I believe the Eagles
Will be involved in some moves..
Yea that’s a lot to give up. Way too much. Especially with the deepest WR class in a long time. I can see them move up if a player like Mack/Barr falls. I see them staying but or moving back of anything. You have to remember Chip knows these kids coming out of the draft. I still see them picking up one of the two safeties or grabbing cooks (if he makes to 22) lee or beckham. If they take a DB in the fist round they can always take two more WR in later rounds (Benjamin/martavis Bryant).
This would be a terrible move! The Eagles should simply address their defensive needs in this draft. Why draft a WR and have that kid play under the pressure of replacing DJax…as good as the receivers are in this draft none of them are Desean Jackson…plain and simple…the Eagles should just take care of defense…but if a QB like Carr falls to them…they should grab him up quickly
I am not in favor of it either KB,
But my gut tells me they are going to make a move for one of these Top
WR’s , even if they give up too much, to Save a little face from releasing D-Jax in the first place.. Just a thought ..
A WR Corps of Maclin, Watkins & Cooper as their Top 3
Would be a pretty damn good WR Corps moving forward..
Paulman, I enjoy reading your draft & trade rumor posts in this site.
I go back & forth about the Eagles wanting to “save face” with the DeSean release issue: I think that Howie likes to be liked by Eagles fandom – I think Chip couldn’t care less & knows that building a consistent winner is the only thing that matters & that he knows what it takes to build that.
But, Chip is aware of Howie & Jeffrey’s sensitivity to the real-time pulse of Eagles nation – particularly coming off the last couple years of the Andy Reid regime.
So, it will be interesting to see how this plays out in the next 5 weeks.
Watkins Ertz McCoy would be top 5 skill position players in the league.
Address defense but if Carr falls take him….lmao
WR is now a need. They have no choice.
It was always a need. There 3rd and 4th Wr were Avant and Damaris Johnson.
Jarrett was a need pick too. How did that work out? Or Brandon Graham?
Or Danny Watkins.
So be aggressive in free agency but don’t be aggressive in the draft.
MAKES PERFECT SENSE.
Hold on first we roast them because they didn’t go after a supposed stud in free agency in Byrd(which is HIGHLY debatable)
Then they target the best WR in the draft that most experts are saying is the most complete WR in the draft to come in a long time now they are a mistake.
Hahahaha damned if you do damned if you don’t.
So with every mock draft saying Dix and Pryor, the top two CBs, and only 3 true 3-4 OLBs(2 in the top 10)gone by 15 now, fans want us to go defense no matter just to go defense.
Thats how you end up with Danny Watkins/Jarrett….makes no sense whatsoever.
I agree, IJ. Reaching for a certain position of need rather than going BPA has hurt us in the very recent past.
I would like to see us trade up to get someone we really covet on our draft board — whether that is Evans or Watkins or someone else — it will be interesting to see what we would have to give up in this year’s draft and/or next year’s draft to make such a trade-up.
PS – I do not see QB Carr being an option for the Eagles at all.
But, someone may want to try to trade up to 22 with the Eagles to get Carr.
Unless you can identify a Muhammed Wilkerson type in this first round this is the draft to move up. Heavy draft with QBs and Wrs low OLBs and pass rush that this team really needs.
You can have Troy Polamalu in his prime back there at S and it would mean nothing because Cox has to prove he is a monster in the middle and Cole is not a 3-4 OLB.
Lack of pass rush is this teams achillees heel. Say otherwise and your just talking bias agenda.
The Panthers turned Mike Mitchell into a free agency stud after just one year when most of the league thought he was a bust. Capt Munnerlyn was their starting CB.
The Panther front 7 was devastating.
So this weekend McCoy was asked at CSA about DJax he wouldn’t comment. When asked about the draft….”Chip loves those monsters on the outside. Maybe I can get some better blocks :)” Then he hyped his boy AJ Green up a bit.
Btw I was dying to see him and Sherman in the same building….but Sherman didn’t show up until today.
What do you mean he wouldn’t comment? McCoy already has said plenty to say:
“I heard the rumors, but I was surprised for sure,” LeSean McCoy said Thursday at the Call of Duty: Ghosts Celebrity Grudge Match, via FoxSports.
“I mean, [DeSean’s] probably one of our biggest playmakers that we had. He can make plays at any given time. He can control the game. He’s probably the biggest deep threat in the NFL. To lose a guy like that is definitely tough. He’ll definitely be missed.”
McCoy’s comments are very telling indeed…
LMAO But lets not leave the key part to that story that you so easily left out
“The guys upstairs made the decision for a reason,” he said. “When you do things like that, you have backup plans in your mind. You don’t let one of the top wide receivers go and then not have anything to back it up. I’m sure coach (Chip) Kelly and (general manager) Howie (Roseman), they’ll be able to take care of it.”
Stop your nonsense
You notice Shady talks about the plays and not the player? You can’t find one guy on the team to speak up for DJak the person, that should tell you something, even Incognito had people day he was a good person, shows you how bad a person he was in their eyes.
If the Eagles cant replace a career 60 reception 1kyd 5TD WR then the organization is a complete failure.
Oh and before we start with the avg yds per catch Devery Henderson used to be neck and neck with him every year.
The kid was a talented playmaker but this all of a sudden HOF ALL PRO BEST WR hindsight is moronic .
Come on man your smarter than this. Im not saying he cant be replaced but you can’t minimize his effect on tje field. He opened up the field just with his presence. Teams game planned against him. DBs feared his speed. He had more effects than just numbets. DBs state that even now.So to just llook at “numbers” isnt fair.ESPN did a repott on the last 10 years of WRS with similar speed , the Darius Heyward Beys of the world and they sucked. Djax has speed and talent. The dude dont drop many balls and can play. A rare combination.
When did I ever say he wasn’t a playmaker. Not once not never. But this over the top All Pro bs saint pedestal is ridiculous.
A guy has a CAREER year but suddenly its all him an Kelly doesn’t know what he’s doing…pure nonsense.
Reid ran almost a 65_70 percent pass offense and his numbers speak for themselves.
Look at TY Hiltons numbers just as dominant in an offense with no running game and he was the.no.1 wr.
Stop the nonsense. We lost a playmaker. We didn’t lose Jerry Rice.
To IJ,
Another Trade Scenario would be with the
Tampa Bay Bucs at #7 to Draft WR Mike Evans
I believe the Eagles are targeting Evans and will make offers
for the one of Two Top WR’s..
Maybe toss in a Bryce Brown, Evan Mathis
So the Eagles wouldn’t have to give up as many Draft Picks..
Mike Evans will be nothing special in the NFL…..
I disagree GM I think he’s the best big body WR in the draft.
A few WR’s moving up the Boards that I like as NFL Players
1) Martavius Bryant – Clemson 6-4 211lbs
2) Dontae Moncrief – MIss St 6-2 225lbs
3) Allen Robinson – Penn St 6-3 220lbs
4) Paul Richardson – Colorado 6-0 175lbs
5) MIke Davis – Texsa 6-0 200lbs
6) Cody Latimer – Indiana 6-3 215lbs
WR’s that are falling down the Draft Boards
1) Marquie Lee – USC 6-0 192lbs from a 1st Rounder to a 2nd Rounder
2) Jordan Matthews – Vanderbilt 6-3 212lbs from a 2nd down to a 3rd
3) Jarvis Landry – LSU 6-0 205lbs from a 2nd Rounder down to a 3rd
4) Josh Huff – Oregon 5-11 206lbs from a 2nd down to a 3rd Rounder
I think he is one of the most popular – but the way I see it, won’t be the most successful WR in the NFL – If he is successful at all – I think they NEED to concentrate on Defense……they can still get a quality WR, or 2 later in the draft..
1. Paul Richardson – 3rd Round – 6-1 198 4.41 – Colorado
2. Cody Latimer – 3rd Round – 6-2 204 4.3 – Indiana
3. Ryan Grant – 5th Round – 6-1 202 4.47 – Tulane
4. Cory Washington – 7th- UDFA – 6-4 207 4.52 – Newberry
5. Jordan Harris – UDFA – 6-2 215 4.48 – Bryant University
IJ, I know may are enamored with the WR Class this year, but I see a lot of overrated players, that will be bust, or well underachievers of the expectations some have of them….Mike Evans is one of them
What’s up GMCliff? Many think the bird’s select 2 wide outs this year. Are we gambling this draft again?
Mike Evans needs more than a “Big Body”, to be successful on the NFL Level…..
Like I said they need to focus on the Defense – If they want to move up – It should only be for Khalil Mack, or Greg Robinson to be the heir apparent to Jason Peters, or replace Lame Johnson – and NO Wide Receiver at all…
Lane Johnson is a bust? We agree to disagree on that.
I have no problem addressing the interior of the line and if at 22 the kid of UCLA is there taking them would be fine. I’m done with Todd Herremans.
I concur about defense but only if they are trading up to target Mack/Barr or the two CBs Dennard and I cant remember the other guy off hand.
I see nothing special in Prior and HaHa.
Oh I would be fine with CJ Mosely at ILB as well.
Where in that post do you hear me say Lame Johnson was a bust???……He played as well as expected considering he isn’t that good – giving up so many sacks last year – That was the reason why he didn’t make the all- rookie team.
He was better than what we’ve had the past few years since Runyan left – but that’s not saying much, because I still don’t like him – He is still learning how to play the position….
I don’t think neither – Xavier Sua’filo , nor CJ Mosley, should be selected in the first round, and I don’t think Darqeze Dennard, is all that great of a prospect either…..
Clinton Dix, Pryor – a move up for Mack only, because I pass on Barr – Has only played the position for 2 years, and disappeared in games at times – Buyer beware….
Toast, I absolutely do not follow the popular opinion of these prospect – History has proven the most popular, and most overhyped, are the ones that generally become bust in the NFL…
If he wasn’t that good then Eric Fisher is an absolute bust. I had no problem with Johnson on the outside and especially in the run game. IMO alot of his sacks and especially on that left side were communications breakdowns early. Matching him up with Herremans early was not a good mix. Herremans was a turnstile or a penalty waiting to happen all year.
No…. a lot of Herramans mistakes were trying to pick up the slack for Lame Johnson when he missed, or couldn’t hold blocks, because he just wasn’t that good…
Eric Fisher made the All Rookie 3rd Team – I agree, he didn’t play well – but most felt he was a better player than Lame – because they at least acknowledged him….
Eric Fisher
Kansas City Chiefs, first round (No. 1)
By Gil Brandt
NFL Media senior analyst
Published: Jan. 15, 2014 at 03:18 p.m.
Updated: March 5, 2014 at 05:25 p.m.
837 Likes | 349 Comments
Fisher, who was hampered by health issues in training camp, started slowly, then got better and better as the season went along, edging out fellow top-five draft pick Lane Johnson for this spot. Though he spent 2013 at right tackle, he projects as a top talent on the left side, possessing good athleticism for the position.
By Matthew Fairburn @MatthewFairburn on Jan 9 2014, 11:58a 33
Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
A few defensive rookies became immediate stars in 2013.
Of the three best defensive rookies in the NFL this season, none were taken in the top 10 of the 2013 NFL Draft. In fact, the all-rookie defensive team is littered with players who weren’t even selected in the first round, let alone the top 10.
More: 2013 all-rookie team, offense
Some stars were born on defense in the 2013 NFL Draft, even if the class was largely disappointing at some of the key positions on offense. The first round would likely look a lot different if teams could do the draft all over again.
Here’s the all-rookie team for defense and a pick for Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Defensive end
Sheldon Richardson, New York Jets: Few players in the NFL were more dominant at their position than Sheldon Richardson was in 2013. He ate up a ton of snaps for the Jets but still managed to be consistently disruptive throughout the end of games and into the second half of the season. He didn’t rack up a ton of sacks, but he was in the backfield constantly and was a big part of New York’s dominant defensive line.
Ezekiel Ansah, Detroit Lions: Consistency was an issue for Ekekiel Ansah in 2013, but he was productive as both a pass rusher and run defender in his rookie season. The nine sacks were what turned heads, but it was his play in the running game that the Lions likely appreciated the most as the season wore on. Few expected him to make a big impact as a rookie, so he will be an exciting player to watch grow in years to come.
Defensive Tackle
Star Lotulelei, Carolina Panthers: Teams have to be kicking themselves for letting Star Lotulelei pass them by. The former Utah defensive tackle graded out as one, if not the top player in the entire draft. A medical scare at the NFL Scouting Combine caused him to slip some, and the Panthers got a steal with the 14th pick. The Panthers got a dominant season from their rookie at defensive tackle. He had four sacks and was impossible to block at times in the running game. For most of the year, he looked like the top-five pick everyone initially thought he was.
Kawann Short, Carolina Panthers: The Panthers really struck gold in Round 2 when they picked up Purdue defensive tackle Kawann Short. While Lotulelei was more of the run-stuffing defensive tackle, Short was getting penetration as a pass rusher. He only hit home on two sacks, but he compiled 24 quarterback hurries. Carolina has a pair of dominant defensive tackles to build around now.
Inside Linebacker
Kiko Alonso, Buffalo Bills: Many people are picking Bills rookie linebacker Kiko Alonso for Defensive Rookie of the Year, and for good reason. He made most of his impact in coverage, where he intercepted four passes. Tackle statistics are always up for debate, but Alonso was actively around the football in just about every Buffalo game. He added two sacks to his impressive rookie totals, but pass rush is an area he could improve on.
Outside Linebacker
Sio Moore, Oakland Raiders: From a scheme fit standpoint, Sio Moore may have been the best pick the Oakland Raiders made in the 2013 NFL Draft. He played a balanced game for the Raiders at outside linebacker. He had five sacks at season’s end and was just as reliable in run support. His coverage skills are a still a work in progress, but he improved throughout the season in that area.
Jamie Collins, New England Patriots: Jamie Collins was just supposed to be a pass rusher in his first season with the Patriots. While he didn’t record a single sack, he was in the backfield enough to warrant some praise in that area. The four passes he broke up in coverage may have been more surprising, though. In time, Collins will develop into a quality pass rusher, but in the meantime if he’s able to be a reliable linebacker in coverage, his value to the Patriots will only go up.
Safety
Kenny Vaccaro, New Orleans Saints: Maybe it was Rob Ryan or some of the additions the Saints made in the offseason, but the New Orleans defense was much improved this season. There are still some holes, but safety certainly isn’t one of them. Kenny Vaccaro came in and played as advertised in his rookie season. His range was on display in the running game and the passing game. He broke up six passes as a rookie and even had a sack.
Eric Reid, San Francisco 49ers: Often times, rookie defensive back struggle in at least one area of their game. But 49ers safety Eric Reid was the epitome of balance in his first NFL season. His four interceptions were third among NFL safeties, but he was just as solid in the running game, recording 60 tackles.
Robert Lester, Carolina Panthers: After going undrafted out of Alabama, Robert Lester latched on with the Panthers and made a big impact. He wasn’t quite as balanced a player as Reid or Vaccaro, but he was better than both in coverage. Quarterbacks had a 49.6 rating when throwing his way in 2013.
Cornerback
NFL Awards
•2013 All-Pro team
•SB Nation hands out its awards
•The All-Disappointment team
•The All-Backup team
•The All-Narrative team
Desmond Trufant, Atlanta Falcons: As most rookie cornerbacks are, Desmond Trufant was targeted often in Atlanta. With teams throwing his way consistently, Trufant had the opportunity to make plays, and he did. He tied for the league lead with 15 pass breakups and picked off two passes. Not a bad start to his career.
Tyrann Mathieu, Arizona Cardinals: Tyrann Mathieu wasn’t the typical cornerback this season. He did a little bit of everything for Arizona’s defense and that’s what made him so valuable. Mathieu had nine quarterback hurries from the secondary, which isn’t common, especially for a rookie. He was also making plays in the passing game. For a guy who was written off by many after getting kicked out of LSU, Mathieu made his mark in the NFL this season.
Defensive Rookie of the Year
Sheldon Richardson, New York Jets: Sheldon Richardson has been a near wire-to-wire choice for Defensive Rookie of the Year. He played a ton of snaps for the Jets and never wore down. His 52 tackles were second only to J.J. Watt among 3-4 defensive ends. Between Richardson and Muhammad Wilkerson, the Jets have the looks of a dominant front three to build around.
And for the heckler – Both Ziggy Ansah, and Jamie Collins both made the 1st Team All Rookie Team….
I didn’t see one Eagles draft pick on any list
As I said all year had the Eagles drafted them – They would have started for them – as would he others I mocked for the Eagles
By Matthew Fairburn @MatthewFairburn on Jan 8 2014, 1:06p
Here’s the all-rookie team on offense with our Offensive Rookie of the Year pick.
Quarterback
Mike Glennon, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Mike Glennon takes this spot on the all-rookie team by default. While other rookie quarterbacks were either injured or ineffective, Glennon improved as the season went on and put together a respectable season given what he was dealing with in Tampa Bay in terms of play calling and injuries to some of his top weapons. He finished with 19 touchdowns and only nine interceptions. Glennon wasn’t incredible and may even be replaced this offseason, but he was better than his classmates.
Running back
Eddie Lacy, Green Bay Packers: With Aaron Rodgers out with a collarbone injury, not many people gave the Green Bay Packers a chance to make the playoffs. But rookie running back Eddie Lacy was up for the challenge of carrying the offense. He finished eight in the league in rushing with just under 1,200 yards and was third in the NFL with 11 touchdowns. Lacy did it all while the Packers couldn’t keep defenses honest with a respectable passing game. Lacy made a strong case for offensive rookie of the year.
More: 2013 all-rookie team, defense
Giovani Bernard, Cincinnati Bengals: Early in the season, it looked as if Cincinnati Bengals running back Giovani Bernard would run away with offensive rookie of the year honors. He was getting more involved in Cincy’s offense on a weekly basis and was making a big impact catching the ball out of the backfield. Bernard wore down a bit down the stretch, however. He finished with over 1,300 total yards and eight combined touchdowns, though. Pittsburgh’s Le’Veon Bell closed out the season strong, but Bernard’s body of work was enough to keep him on this list.
Wide Receiver
Keenan Allen, San Diego Chargers: It’s been a while since a wide receiver came into the league and had the type of season Keenan Allen had for the San Diego Chargers. After not dressing for the Chargers’ first game of the season and being targeted a total of three times in the next two games, Allen burst onto the scene in Week 4 with a five-catch, 80-yard performance. With 13 games to work with as a rookie, Allen caught 71 passes for 1,046 yards and eight touchdowns. A.J. Green and Julio Jones are the only receivers in recent memory with comparable rookie seasons, and Allen put his together in 13 games. His 68-percent catch rate and five 100-yard games made him one of the most valuable players on the Chargers’ offense in 2013.
Cordarrelle Patterson, Minnesota Vikings: For most of the season, Cordarrelle Patterson was non-existent in Minnesota’s offensive game plan. But as the season went on, Patterson earned more playing time at wide receiver and started to make a big impact. He found the end zone nine times, catching four touchdowns, rushing for three more and adding to return touchdowns to the mix.
Tight End
Jordan Reed, Washington Redskins: Even with all of the disfunction in Washington this season, rookie tight end Jordan Reed managed to string together a productive campaign. He fit nicely into the offense and was one of Robert Griffin III’s most trusted targets, especially in the red zone. In just nine games, Reed caught 45 passes for 499 yards and three touchdowns.
Offensive Tackle
D.J. Fluker, San Diego Chargers: Despite a rough year in pass protection, D.J. Fluker earns a spot on the all-rookie team after a dominant season of run blocking. While Fluker’s limitations were on display when he was asked to move to left tackle, he consistently showed off his run blocking chops on both sides of the line of scrimmage. He should be a fixture at right tackle in San Diego going forward.
Justin Pugh, New York Giants: Another “right tackle only” prospect from the 2013 draft who stepped in and performed as a rookie is Justin Pugh of the New York Giants. He also needs to improve his pass blocking, but he was a reliable starter for the Giants in all 16 games and was one of the team’s most consistent run blockers.
Offensive Guard
Larry Warford, Detroit Lions: If he didn’t play guard, Larry Warford might have gotten more attention for the rookie season he had in Detroit. Warford was not only the best rookie offensive lineman in the NFL this season, he was also one of the best offensive lineman in the league this season regardless of age. He didn’t allow a sack all season and helped make Detroit one of the best run blocking teams in the NFL.
Kyle Long, Chicago Bears: Kyle Long had an inconsistent rookie season but flashed often enough to make this list. The Bears have to hope the Kyle Long from early in the season is the one they’ll get moving forward. Long was far from a finished product coming into the league, so for him to play as well as he did at times was encouraging.
Center
Travis Frederick, Dallas Cowboys: Plenty of things have gone wrong for the Dallas Cowboys in 2013, but the selection of Travis Frederick in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft was a big hit for them. The four sacks he allowed are a bit much for Dallas’ liking, but Fredrick made up for it in the running game. He’s a piece to build around on the offensive line.
Offensive Rookie of the Year
Keenan Allen, San Diego Chargers: A solid argument can be made for Eddie Lacy as the Offensive Rookie of the Year. He had the third most rushing touchdowns in the league and was asked to carry the load for a team missing its starting quarterback for most of the season. Lacy piled up a lot of yards and put points on the board, but a lot of it had to do with the sheer volume of his carries. His 4.1 yards per carry average was good for 24th in the NFL. He also had a tendency to wear down late in games.
Allen deserves the recognition for what he’s been able to accomplish in comparison to others at his position. This season has arguably been one of the seven best seasons ever for a rookie wide receiver, and he did it in 13 games. Allen was thrust into the role as the Chargers’ No. 1 wide receiver and has been reliable while making big plays at crucial times. Not only did he average nearly 15 yards per catch, but he also had over 5 yards after the catch on average. Rookie receivers don’t normally play how Allen did, and that’s why he would have my vote for Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Notice two Right Tackles on the 1st Team Rookie list – None named LAME……….
Paulman I think the bucs want Evans having just traded mike Williams to the bills and are now real thin at wr.
Your right about that..
I think I even mentioned this the other day,
Not enough cold “Stella’s” in me yet to start
Thinking straight.. Good Grief..
T.Y Hilton was drafted in the third round out of FIU and has been virtually identical to DJax and this year was the true no.1 to Luck. You can find similar talent.
The eagles will stay at 22 and draft the best receiver at that spot. They do not have the creative minds you guys have. Lol and they get paid well to do nothing.
They will probably draft cooks or Benjamin at 22, neither one of them will produce like Djax but hey it is what it is.
That was my last Djax comment, I am over it now. The players on the team were not fond of him, and that’s why he was let go. I just wish they told the truth from day one. Instead of all that gang bs.
I am so tired of hearing about what the ‘players’ on the team was ‘tired’ of…what they ‘didn’t “like” about DJax. Why should we as fans give a f&$k about what and who the Players ‘like’ or ‘dislike”. These guys have no championship rings…we have had no parades…all we has fans can go by is production! Production is an objective standard and no one argues this point…DJax produced ON THE FIELD.
The Defensive Players shouldn’t say squat…the way they were man-handled and pushed around in the playoffs…the Offensive Line should shut the hell up…the way they didn’t open any holes for Shady in the playoffs and got manhandled and beat.
I DONT WANT TO HEAR IT…STOP IT…
DJAX-9 Touchdowns 1330 yards and only 3 drops!
Bottom Line!
Don’t disagree that his production won’t be missed.
The Redskins are now better with this move. The Eagles made the Redskins better….period.
Keep in mind the Redskins won the NFC one year before us and now RG3 is an whole season and a half removed from the knee injury.
What will be the blow back if the Redskins take the East this year?
Go away you Fraud and Troll. You are a Redskins fan, so I could care less about anything that comes from your keyboard.
The Eagles Didn’t make the Redskins better,
They didn’t trade D-Jax to them, He was Cut, Flat-Out released and became a Free-Agnet and availalbe to all other 31 Clubs.. The Redksins decided to sign hin and offeer him a good Deal.. It;’s how it works..
Did the Saints make the Eagles better by actually trading Darren Sproles to the Eagles…
You do what you feel is right for an organization, the Job of Scouts,Personnel depts,GM’s & Coach’s are to replace PLayers with new Players who can learn and contribute to the “System? .. It’s what the NFL is about and how the Good Teams stay Good and Competitive
I think Sproles is on the down side of his career and Payton…who out coached Chip in the Playoffs-traded him because he sees the decline coming. But if Payton is wrong, at least he got something in what is said to be the best draft in years. This the NFL and I wonder if Chip knows that…or does he still think he is at Oregon!
The Eagles didn’t want Washington to get their hands on Sproles so they traded for him. We all know the birds didn’t want DJax to end up in DC. But Washington won’t be able to afford both Garcon and DJax next year. Garcon makes 9 million a year and the Kerrigan’s contract comes up next year.
The Redskins have a terrible OL line they just must Will Montgomery to center have huge holes at both guard and the right tackle position.
Their defense is ATROCIOUS. They lost London Fletcher are manning the middle with Perry Riley as the brains of the defense and their top CB is DeAngelo Hall.
At safety they are gambling on both Merriweather and Ryan Clark to be serviceable all year. Merriweather has not played more then a handful of games in years and even at his best now is the equivalent of Nate Allen….just a serviceable guy.
Ryan Clark is DONE.
They are another team in the division that drafted HORRIBLY the last 3 years. If their 2nd and 3rd round picks arent quality starters by the end of the season they will unravel quickly with injuries.
RG3, the experiment has been forced to the detour lane. His knee plummeted him to a bottom 15 QB. He hurt the other knee last year too because his spindly legs aren’t strong enough to absorb 300 LB defenders. RG3 is not big enough to play NFL QB, he is too small.
SHannahan, RGIII< GM Allen and Owner Snyder all F'd up RGIII status last Season where he should have started on teh PUP List and been activated around week 5-6 and they had all Summer Long to creat an Offense for back-up Cousins to be succesful in and start the Season at least with a healthy QB.. It was painfully obvious the RGIII did not have his legs under him to a good month into the Season and by that time was shell-shocked by getting pummeled just like David Carr did back in his early Seasons with a terrible texans Team..
They ruined a whole year of development for RGIII and Back-up Cousins and now Shanahan is Fired.. This is exactly waht happens when a Franchise is too short-sighted to see the nose's on their own faces ..
All for greed, All for hype & fanfare and now looking back, All for nothing and it coudn't have happened to a nice bunch of guys too…
what does Gruden run in DC? I would think a short passing game with slants, screens, and circle routes to get the ball out to that speed moving forward.
Let it go….let it gooooooo
Can you imagine the Eagles’s secondary trying to stop Garcon and Djax?
What a damn joke!!!!
one on the worse secondaries in football must go up against a 3 time pro bowler let lose to play against them 2 times a year.
Definately, “The Golden Standard”.
songs they are forfeiting the 2 games against washington… they are afraid to play them. you are and continue to be a stupid a.hole… oh and how bout you work on your grammar!
DeSean is not nearly as good as Dez Bryant – we face him twice a year. On average over the last three years Victor Cruz has also been better than DeSean – we face him twice a year.
Don’t let the thought of facing DeSean Jackson wrinkle up your forehead, Songs…. Any descent CB can take DeSean out of his game by jamming him at the LOS. Then it takes a good accurate passer to get the ball to him…. something the Skins don’t have.
This is the year that Nick Fole’s carriage turns into a pumpkin.
I’m taking all bets that Foles falls flat on his face and stink up the joint this season.
Like I said he would.
Foles is what we’ve seen in the last month of the season during the first half of games.
A damn bum that will be exposed.
Copy and paste it!
Written like the true Eagles fan that you are Songs…..what a pathetic POS.
Song’s was saaying the same garbage every week lasy year when he replaced Vick.. Go Join a Redksins Blog and cheer your buddies RGIII &
D-Jax or a Jets Site and Follow VIck..
Your Eagles Fan Card has been revoked and is getting Vaccinated ..
Songs,
Over the last month Foles was 4 wins 1 lose – 11 TDs – 2 INTs – 64.5% completion percentage with a 110 passer rating.
You have talked about Foles falling on his face for a year – when will it happen? He was the pro bowl MVP in his last game.