Eagles general manager Tom Heckert didn't say much during his conversation with reporters yesterday but his comments about the character of big Alabama left tackle Andre Smith were significant.
You know the story by now. The big fella signed with an agent before the Crimson Tide played their bowl game was ruled ineligible for the game.
Next up, Smith abruptly left the NFL Combine in Indianapolis without telling anybody.
When reached after the combine, he said he left so he could get an early start on his workouts for his Pro Day.
The NFL scouts and personnel people were unimpressed with his workout and with the fact that he wasn't in good shape.
Now he's had a falling out with his agent and decided to fire him and hire another one.
Some teams might have a problem with some of Smith's odd and erratic behavior, but the Eagles one of those teams.
"You just have to look into [his issues and problems]," Heckert said. "We've kind of made the combine such a media spectacle, which is fine, but what happened [in Indianapolis] really wasn't that big of a deal. The kid is a good kid. It was just something that happened and it snowballed. If the guy is a good player, he's still going to be a good player."
I could careless about him leaving the combine and could careless about him firing his agent. I am concerned about his work habits or lack of good work habits.
The guy is already 300 plus pounds and overweight. You're going hand him millions of dollars and expect him to do a better job of disciplining his workouts and eating habits. If anytime he would be able to discipline himself you would figure it would be before the draft.
He may return to being the dominant player he was at Alabama or he could swell up into a walking and talking beach ball.
I guess the Eagles did their homework. I think it's a less than 30% chance that they'll have a shot at him anyway.
