Similar to a story I did last week regarding rookie Jamar Chaney replacing Stewart Bradley at middle linebacker, Kurt Coleman will now be starting at safety following the season-ending injury suffered by rookie Nate Allen.
Allen suffered the injury on a freak accident in which he appeared to “burn out” and slid into Mario Manningham, immediately clutching his right knee.
The injury was diagnosed as a ruptured patellar tendon in his right knee, which will require surgery and ultimately end his rookie season.
Before the injury, Allen accounted for 48 tackles, three interceptions and one forced fumble. He was one of two players in the league (Eric Berry) to have at least two interceptions and two sacks on the season.
Allen’s injury now leaves another rookie as the starting free safety. Kurt Coleman, drafted in the seventh round out of Ohio State, will get his shot to prove himself in the league, just as Jamar Chaney did in yesterday’s game against the New York Giants after he recorded a team-high 12 tackles and a forced fumble.
On the season, Coleman has compiled 29 tackles and one interception. He did a good job filling in for Allen during the conclusion of yesterday’s game, specifically when he came in on a blitz unblocked and was able to get in the face of Eli Manning, forcing a bad pass that resulted in a punt on fourth down.
During the draft process, NFL scouts claimed Coleman was too small to play as a safety in the NFL, but displayed good awareness of the game.
According to his 2010 NFL Draft profile via NFL.com:
“Coleman is a bit of a tweener (size, speed) prospect for the next level. He doesn’t have great size for the safety position but lacks great pure speed to play out on the perimeter. Coleman is a fierce competitor that is aggressive defending the run as well as the pass. He has good intelligence in understanding schemes but can be inconsistent in his run support angles and can be out of position at times. Coleman is quicker than fast and may fit best in sub packages (nickel back) as he doesn’t have outstanding recovery speed and burst to cover top receivers. Coleman has solid ball skills but needs to play with more consistency in his technique (peddle, pad level, leveraging receivers and ball carriers). He should be a contributor on special teams as a rookie but may take some time to get on the field defensively.”
From what I’ve seen so far, Coleman has a knack for being around the ball, something that all safeties need to do. He’s not going to deliver any bone-jarring hits, but he does show a good ability to tackle and wrap up the ball-carrier.
Of course, Philadelphia is used to replacing key players on both sides of the ball. As mentioned already, Stewart Bradley (dislocated shoulder) was replaced by rookie Jamar Chaney, Leonard Weaver (torn ACL) was replaced by Owen Schmitt, and of course, we can all thank Clay Matthews for delivering the “concussion that saved our season” on Kevin Kolb, which wound up paving the way for MVP candidate Michael Vick.
So far, Philadelphia has lucked out by finding young players to replace their injured veterans.
As I said about Jamar Chaney, I feel Coleman will be fine in the secondary, and he will have a few games to get adjusted to the scheme before the playoffs begin.
Coleman ain’t gonna deliver any bone jarring hits? Did I miss something? Coleman is the ONLY safety I’ve seen deliver some blows both in the preseason and regular season. I dunno, I must have fell asleep.
Agreed Birdo. Coleman is definetly the hardest hitter, most aggressive db on the team. Nate Allen is soft, cant tackle and plays 20 yards off the ball. Coleman is the better player and wont give that job up. Jamar Chaney with his 16 tackles played every bit as good as Bradley if not better. I think the Eagles got bust on Graham and Allen. Did you take a look at the Giants stud DE who was picked 2 picks after Graham? Jason Pierre Paul. 6′ 5 270 stud.
Hmm, he has a “knack” for being around the ball, the same as your self-declared “knack” for writing! Apparently your thesaurus is misplaced, so you are just using the same outdated words in different articles. That does not say much for your “knack”, does it now? It does say a bit about your inability to write original copy. Who cares if you feel he will be okay? What makes you think so? Done plenty of film study? Played a few years in the NFL? Been a regular covering the NFL for awhile? You already showed your ignorance when you criticized Joe Paterno, so stop wasting our time with self congratulatory articles.
Agreed x2. For his size Coleman is a beast when it comes to delivering big hits. He just needs to hit the OPPOSITION and not his own guys.
And also agreed I think Graham and Allen are showing signs of being busts. Pierre Paul wouldve been a better choice as the first DE taken in the draft. Just like we shouldve taken Hakeem Nicks over Maclin. Eagles 2 Giants 0 in 2010 NFL games. But the last 2 drafts its been Giants 2 Eagles 0. Hope it doesnt hurt in the next few years.
Yes, Kurt Coleman has shown he can hit, but I still am not sold that he can consistently deliver the big hit. Of course, I hope he proves me wrong, but until he does, I’m not going to say he IS a big-time hitter.
But nothing against Coleman, he is a great competitor, and I look forward to seeing him make some plays next week against the Vikings, who will have Joe Webb as their starting QB after Brett Favre left MNF after being slammed to the turf.
@mimitaro: I wouldn’t put Allen in the bust category, he can be a good player.
As for Graham, I never was sold on him when they picked him over the other DE’s on the board (Pierre-Paul, Derrick Morgan). I still think Graham can be good with some more work and if he can better his technique, but Pierre-Paul did look very good yesterday.
Next week could get exciting with 2 scrambling QBs
Webb is a good running QB. He ran for 1,021 in his junior season and 1,427 yards in his senior season at UAB. He also threw for 2,200+, as well.
Hopefully Philly sends some blitzes his way and forces him to make quick decisions and/or force bad passes.
I wouldn’t put Allen in the bust category, he can be a good player.
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I hope he puts on some pounds and becomes tougher then. He seems a little soft and reluctant to tackle. Then when he does tackle his technique is all wrong and he gets trucked. Not something you want to see in your safety. Perhaps Coleman playing well will create some competition at saftey and make them both play better.
LOL @ mimitaro. How are they busts and how did the Giants have a better draft? Because of one season. Becuase Allen and Graham got injured? Way to early to decide stop panicing and calm down. You sound like you have zero knowledge of the game.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E29ytyjjL48
Yes, perfect example of Nate Allen trying to tackle (sorry for poor video quality)
Godson, I know its to early to evaluate and I hope both become better but when Allen is getting outplayed by a 7th rounder you have to wonder. And Graham was supposed to be great at both bullrushing and coming around the corner, I havent seen him do either of those all season. Sometimes as a fan you need to take off the rose tinted glasses and look at things neutrally and so far Nicks > Maclin and Pierre Paul > Graham.
There stats are very similar:
Maclin: 120 rec, 1,663 yards, 14 TD
Nicks: 122 rec, 1,749 yards, 16 TD
And Nicks is Eli’s #1 option, whereas Maclin has been the #2 target, if that, considering LeSean McCoy is a big part of the receiving game, and last season Brent Celek was another big option.
To be fair to those stats, Maclin has started 10 more games in their career and plays in a pass first offense whereas Giants run a lot more. Im not saying Maclins bad, I just think Nicks would have been a better fit for the eagles if they were drafting someone to start opposite Jackson.
And finally, trading our 24th, 70th and 84th pick to move up to pick #13 to take a guy who has been outplayed by the guy picked 15th is starting to look like a bad move..
More than any other time during Reid’s regime, our replacements have been more than adequate. Honestly, it wasn’t that long ago when a lot of our starters weren’t very good.
It seems the draft picks have filled in better than many our free-agent acquisitions.
I’ll take Maclin over Nicks like we have now. Say what you want. Maclin is faster and can make the same catches Nicks can. Stop hating on our own recievers.
And Im happy to see Kurt Coleman get his 1st start at Free Safety. I think he will be better than Nate, for he is definitely more physical and ebtter in coverage. Nate Allen has been very quiet all season, ever since like week 4. Im used to the free safety position with my Eagles putting fear in the hears of the offense (Brian Dawkins) I think Kurt has the potential.
After watching this Vikings team play tonight I think we have the east wrapped up next week they were afwul. Fingers crossed the jets can keep their road form and beat the bears to help the eagles #2 seed chances.
Eagles Starting Defensive Team in 2011
D/Line – Cole,Dixon,Patterson, Parker (Graham will miss some summer camp due to injury,rehab)
LB’s – Chaney at MLB, OLB’s are Fokou, & Bradley (Sims a goner, Jordan,Clayton are back-ups)
DB’s – Lindley and Samuel at CB, Mikell and Coleman at Safety (Allen will miss some Summer camp due to injury and rehab) Patterson & Hanson will be back-ups
Position of Need for the Draft will be CB,S,OLB,DE for the Defense
Position of Need on the Offense will be Interior O/Lineman, TE, WR
Checking on Vikes rookie QB J Webb,
Doesn’t he remind you of a young Randall Cunningham.. with all that raw talent and long legs and a strong arm, I expect him him to make some plays versus the Eagles D next week with his legs..
and maybe a deep pass or 2 (over D Patterson)
this was a terrible article. Sorry Kyle, but Stew Bradley has a dislocated elbow not shoulder. you figure a writer who keeps tossing stats up here would be able to get that correct. All you did was post someone else’s draft analysis and throw some non sense color around it. G, can we get some reputable writers or a scout or something b/c these hack jobs are no better than any of us.
lmao ktd
Is there that much of a drop off from Allen to Coleman? I like Allen but damn I wish we wouldve taken Earl Thomas. From what I’ve seen though, Coleman has aquitted himself quite well with the playing time he’s been given. I’m not as worried about Coleman as I am about Dmitri Patterson’s horrible coverage against Mario Manningham, the Giants 3rd WR. Patterson made him look like Jerry Rice .And as someone said above, I like Maclin but Nicks is a nice big target that wouldve complimented Desean very well. I love Nicks’ game. He’s going to give us headaches for years.
When the EAgles moved up to #13 and traded as much as they did to move up,
the best pick was Safety Eric Thomas
I did not like when they moved up and thought they should have stayed at #24 and picked up an
CB (D McCourtey or K WIlson) and then went Safety and DL with their 2 picks in the 2nd Round
(#37 and # 55) where they still could havve chosen N Allen and a DL at #55
(2 D/Line have looked pretty good that fell in the draft- Bears C Wooten and Panthers G Hardy)