Eagles Eye - A Philadelphia Eagles blog
It's just another reason DT Cullen Jenkins is becoming one of my fave Eagles...added to his 40 tackles and 5.5 sacks last year...and the Super Bowl ring he wears from the Packers...and the fact he has quietly emerged as the team's veteran leader in the clubhouse.
Cullen Jenkins, 6-2, 305, originally signed by the Green Bay Packers as an Undrafted Free Agent out of Central Michigan U. in 2003...spent a year in NFL Europe... the younger brother of former Carolina Panthers and N.Y. Jets DT Kris Jenkins... Age 31, Cullen Jenkins has cast his lot with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Jenkins is so intent on staying with the Eagles that he didn't mind restructuring his contract Tuesday.
"I wanted to be able to retire as an Eagle," Jenkins said in a phone interview. "I'm not one of those types of players to bounce around and get as much as he can get. I like being here. I think it's a great team with a great atmosphere and I wanted to stay here."
Jenkins, 31, originally signed a five-year, $30 million contract with the Eagles last July 30. Under the terms of that deal, he was due to receive a $5 million roster bonus on March 13 - the first day of the 2012 league year - and was scheduled to make $2.75 million in base salary. Terms of the restructuring weren't announced Tuesday, but it's likely Jenkins will not be receiving that large of a bonus in order to reduce his $7.75 million salary cap number. Had he not agreed to the restructuring there was a possibility the Eagles would have released him after just one season.
"We are very excited about having Cullen back on our football team," Eagles general manager Howie Roseman said in a statement. "Cullen made an immediate impact for us this year on and off the field. We look forward to a great future together with him in an Eagles uniform."Jenkins enjoyed a solid season with the Eagles in 2011 after spending his first eight NFL seasons with Green Bay. The 6-foot-2, 305-pounder registered five and a half sacks - second-most among NFC defensive tackles behind Chicago's Henry Melton (seven) - tied for second on the Eagles with seven tackles for losses, and posted 40 tackles.
Most of his sacks occurred early in the season, however. He notched four in his first three games as an Eagle, joining the late Jerome Brown as the only defensive tackles in franchise history to open a season with at least one sack in the first three games. But he had just a half-sack in the team's final 11 games.
More significantly, he emerged as one of the team's strongest leaders in the locker room. Jenkins, who earned a Super Bowl ring with the Packers in 2010, was respected by the Eagles' veterans and became a mentor to the younger defensive players.
Toward the end of the season, Jenkins said he realized there was a possibility his contract would have to be reworked and made it clear to Eagles' management that he was open to the idea.
"It was cool to get it done without any problems," Jenkins said. "I'm actually kind of relieved because I was wondering about what could happen. People were talking that I could be released."
At the end of the season, rumors began to circulate that Green Bay would be trying to lure Jenkins back if he became a free agent. Jenkins was one of the Packers' more popular players and still owns a home in Green Bay. But he made it clear on Tuesday that he wanted to stay with the Eagles.
"I didn't really think about (returning to) Green Bay," Jenkins said. "We had great run and I'll never forget my years there, but that time has come and passed. Now I'm an Eagle and look at myself as an Eagle and I didn't want to get to point where I would have to make decisions with (going to other teams)."
Jenkins will be rejoining an Eagles defense that struggled through the first half of the season, but played better down the stretch.
"The biggest thing you can expect from our defense is a lot of hungry people, a lot of hungry players," Jenkins said. "We take a lot of pride in what we do and we're excited to try to continue the success we had at the end of the year."
I like Jenkins' attitude in all this...it gives me the feeling that in 2012 we are flying nicely under the radar...run silent, run deep.
Remember when the Eagles were known to be a not-so-good power running team? Since then, they have gone to a zone-blocking strategy with their offensive line, and it seems to be paying dividends.
I dug up an old article by Kevin Donovan from November of 2008 to illustrate the point. Donovan wrote this for the Examiner.com, and it was centered upon a TD catch by Todd Herremans which was achieved off a play designed to look like a power run formation, at 3rd-and-goal at the two-yard line against Seattle...
This memorable play involved the starting left guard (Todd Herremans, #76 at the time) lining up outside the starting right tackle and inside the third string tight end. Pretty uncommon formation.
But it was successful, Todd Herremans’ touchdown reception got a standing ovation from all the big boys who man the trenches. What’s even more impressive? He made the catch with a dislocated finger. Let’s break down what happened...
Herremans (76) is announced as an eligible receiver. He lines up next to Jon Runyan with Matt Schobel (89) to his right. The backfield is split with Dan Klecko (49) on the left and Correll Buckhalter (28) lined up deep on the right. Prior to the snap Klecko shifts to his right in front of Buckhalter.
At the snap Herremans blocks the defensive end in front of him, Schobel releases to the second level and engages a linebacker, Klecko takes two steps forward like he’s setting a lead block, and McNabb (5) and Buckhalter look to make the handoff.
Playfake! Klecko breaks off and runs a drag route a yard in front of the goal line. Schobel runs a parallel route at the back of the end zone. Herremans releases from his block, drives two steps forward, pivots, and gets the ball right in his numbers. Touchdown!
Although running a play like this was a sign that Andy Reid and Co. still could not figure out the power running game at that point, it was a good sign that they were willing to find ways to use this perceived weakness to manipulate a defense.
The Seahawks (and everyone else following the NFL) knew the Eagles were miserable in power run scenarios. On this play Seattle deploys a seven man defensive line, with two linebackers, and two safeties. Those defensive players face an odd heavy set with the additional lineman. Certainly they sense trickery afoot, with Herremans announced as eligible, but the formation still indicates a two-yards-and-a-cloud-of-dust type play call. The Eagles sell the fake so well that literally every Seahawks defender is sprinting forward at the snap. By the time they see the fake handoff and Klecko leaking out into his route, Herremans is already turning to catch the pass that changed the game’s momentum.
Give the Eagles points for creativity and execution. By flaunting their weakness in a crafty formation and play, the offense turned a liability into an asset.
Jump to 2011 and 2012:
The old offensive line of the Eagles is gone except for Herremans, and the old OL prototype of massive pass-blockers who didn't execute power run plays is now replaced by smaller but faster guys. Of course, "small" is a relative term when you're comparing a 310-pound guy to a 340-pound guy. But hopefully you get the point.
So here's the new reality of the Eagles running game:
Historically, offensive line play in football involved one-on-one confrontations, with burly offensive linemen overpowering their defensive counterparts to open running lanes. Problem was, defensive linemen and some outside linebackers became as big and quick as the best of the traditional offensive linemen like Jon Runyan and Tra Thomas (See Exhibit "A", Haloti Ngata....) So teams without big, powerful offensive lines devised the zone blocking scheme to benefit smaller, more athletic linemen who can use speed and leverage to their advantage. When zone blocking, offensive linemen block gaps, or areas of the field between blockers, and not necessarily one specific defender. While individual schemes may vary, zone blocking relies on a few general rules...
Covered...
In a zone blocking scheme, the offensive lineman's responsibilities change depending on whether he's covered (when a defender is lined up directly in front of him) or uncovered. A covered lineman still must block his assigned defender, just like in a traditional blocking scheme. However, because it's a zone, the offensive lineman blocks the gap on the play side. In other words, if the play calls for the run to go right, the lineman will step into the gap and block the right side of the defender, creating a seal.
Uncovered...
If the offensive lineman is uncovered, meaning that no defender is in front of him, his job in a zone scheme is to slide into the play-side gap, secure the area, offer double-team assistance to his play-side teammate and then quickly move into the second level to engage any free linebackers or defensive backs. Uncovered offensive linemen, and the decisions they make, are critical to zone blocking success.
Outside...
Zone blocking may be either inside or outside. In outside zone blocking, the offensive linemen try to gain leverage on the outside of the defender, forging a seal for the runner along the sideline. If defenders recognize the outside movement and overplay in that direction, the offensive linemen use the defender's momentum against him, driving him all the way to the sideline and opening a cutback lane for the runner.
Inside...
Zone blocking also attempts to use the defender's momentum to create a cutback lane, except the designed hole falls between the tackle and guard and not outside the tackle. The same basic rules govern inside zone blocking, with the linemen double-teaming according to whether or not they're covered. The main difference in inside zone blocking is that the running back reads the outside hip of the play-side guard, ideally cutting the ball between the guard and tackle.
Warning...
Zone blocking features a lot of double-team blocks, with an uncovered lineman stepping in to help his play-side teammate. When moving across to block the already engaged defender, the double-teaming lineman must block the defender above the waist. Cutting an engaged defender below the waist or knee can be extremely dangerous for the defender, creating an increased risk of injury. Because of the seriousness of the infraction, officials will call a chop block and penalize the offensive team 15 yards.
Okay, so zone-blocking has come to Philly and looks like it's here to stay. Hard to argue against it with the yardage Shady McCoy put up last season running with it. Obviously there's a lot of reading and smarts required of the offensive linemen in the new order. Just as important is the physical side of it: the slightly smaller, more agile and mobile big athlete with the long-distance runner's stamina to match
I'll be watching the Eagles draft with increased attention to the offensive linemen they may select. It appears the organization is committed to transforming into a zone-blocking running game. It is not a fad. Ask Arian Foster.
Personally I'll miss the blocks-of-granite drive-blocking lines of the Eagles' past...of the Antoine Davis mold (RT, '90's), and Lester Holmes (RG, '90's), guys like that who blocked straight ahead for power running backs like Ricky Watters. But those days of classic yet less-sophisticated defensive challenge are long past.
It took almost a decade to figure it out, but I believe the zone-block run philosophy is the new "power run" answer for the Eagles.
The Mendoza Line for skill positions in the NFL is 4.5 seconds in the 40-yard dash...(but don't ever tell an offensive lineman that his is not a "skill position", you may justifiably get a personal demonstration of a cut block).
Based on their high school and college times recorded in the "40", most NFL-eligible athletes may think they've already got the 40-yard dash drill in the bag.
NFLN announcer Rich Eisen will attempt to better the 6.18 he recorded at last year's Combine...
But word comes out of JB-Land near Austin, Texas... a lot of guys with 4.5 and better on their resumes really can't run that fast...
There's a timing controversy in the great state of Texas, where football is a religion and where getting a college football scholarship is equivalent to entering the priesthood. Going on to the pro's is like being elevated to Monsignor.
A reporter named Adam Nettina examined this trend of "Phony 40" times as early as 2009 in an article for "In The Bleachers"....
"Unlike casual fans and bloggers who love to inflate, proliferate, and generally just throw 40-yard dash times around as if they were fixed height and weight statistics, I tend to take a more modest approach when it comes to examining the sport's most infamous measurement of its most prized commodity: speed. As many of you are no doubt aware by now, I'm typically very, very skeptical of 40-yard dash times that I hear. I referenced this on National Signing Day:"
The Austin American Statesman has a great article to keep the “numbers” of National Signing Day in perspective. Those who read the blog on a regular basis know I am highly skeptical of reported 40 yard dash times, often because they are self-reported and quite frankly, highly inflated. It’s good to see someone set the record straight when it comes to this issue.
Mansfield Timberview running back Eric Stephens — the No. 36-rated recruit on the Fabulous 55 — is 5-11, 200 pounds and has 4.38 speed on texasfootball.com. On Rivals.com, the Texas Tech-bound Stephens is 5-8 (three inches shorter), 177 pounds (nearly 25 pounds lighter) and, according to the site’s analysis, “doesn’t have home run speed.”
Stephens, insists Timberview coach Terry Cron, is 5-8, 200 pounds and runs about a 4.56.
“I don’t know where some of these guys get their numbers from,” Cron said. “It seems like they heard it from a guy who heard it from a guy who heard it from a guy, and that’s good enough to report.”
I encourage you to read the rest of the article, which deals with the “magic” number of a sub 4.6, which many prospects know they must report to even be considered for a FBS offer. Frankly, this whole obsession over 40-times as THE basis for evaluating and offering players is getting out of hand.I reference this post just to remind everyone that when it comes to 40-yard dash times, you're almost always hearing something that's at the very least marginally - but more often than not substantially- inflated. This view is consistent in all levels of competition, but seems especially prevalent and most profound at the high school level, where there is often a lack of standardization of testing for the drill. In other words, even if you are getting the "true" 40-yard dash time from the player, there often is no way to verify it under controlled conditions. We all know certain factors like weather, wind, surface, timing method, and even clothing can effect the speed of an individual over 40 yards, and that's not even factoring in the countless number of 40-yard dashes a prospect can run in trying to best his previous times. In other words, there are seldom any 4.3 guys. Heck, I'm not even sure there are many 4.4 or 4.5 guys. But are there a very select handful who have run a 4.3? Sure, but more often than not it's been on a "fast track" indoor surface with the benefit of a generous, if not altogether "home team " timing method.
Nettina's main point leads us to a better understanding of why Combine times in the "40" are often "disappointing", and how in the world could Anquan Boldin have put up a 4.7 in his rookie year?
This has been, I believe, the key component in examining why 40-yard dash times at the NFL combine have typically been slower than one would imagine. So often led to believe that NFL skill position players must run below the magical line of 4.5 seconds, your average NFL fan would be shocked (yes, shocked) to learn that the average NFL combine times for running backs since 2005 is actually 4.56, while the average time for receivers is 4.57. This very relevant truth must be especially disconcerting with each passing year, as former high school stars of the Rivals.com and Scout.com generation find themselves posting electronic times slower than the ones they claimed coming out of high school. All of this comes to us not only on the eve of this year's scouting combine, but also on the heels of the Kennedy/CES Combine held in Atlanta.
The combine, held for many of the southeast's top high school juniors, is thought by some to signal the unofficial start of the recruiting process. Back in 2009, as expected, several prospects stood out. One of these young men, wide receiver Da'Rick Rogers, ran a blistering 4.34 40-yard dash at a mind boggling 6'2, 197-lbs. Another prospect, defensive back Ryan Ayers, ran an insane 4.31. And don't forget about quarterback Qudral Forte, who posted an impressive 4.38. The only problem is that he didn't. In fact none of them did. Rogers ran a 4.55, Ayers a 4.49, and Forte a 4.59. The discrepancy you ask? The former times were taken from a hand-timer, the latter from an electronic timer - just like to one that is used at the NFL combine. Not excusing the still relevant point that all three of these young men are extremely fast, but suddenly they don't look like the all-world sprinters that fans and recruiting junkies like to so often associate them with. Just looking at the numbers alone, it's easy to see someone associating a 4.34 or 4.31 and saying that individual is a 4.3 player.
Heck, our tendency to associate 40-yard dash times with the standard tenth of a second could even lead many to cite Forte as a player who runs in the 4.3s. But he's not. He more of a "4.6" guy, just as much as Rogers is a mid-4.5 guy and Forte is a 4.5 guy. So what's my point? Am I just trying to rip on three random high school juniors who just so happened to test very well (but not that well) at a recent high school combine? Of course not. But I think it's important to keep the numbers in perspective. Knowingly or not, fans and media members have created a culture in the sports that's conducive to this obsession and inflation of individual and team speed. In doing so, we've in fact created our own monster when it comes to not only evaluating talent, but in effect determining the educational and financial situations of the thousands of young men who hope to earn college football scholarships.
In an effort to keep pace with numbers that are all to often misleading (like the hand-timed 40-yard dashes above) more and more high school football players inflate, mislead, or flat-out lie about their own 40-yard dash times with increasing regularity, proliferating a myth of what is truly fast and what is not. Yet when we evaluate the numbers across the board (and not just in the 40-yard dash either) we find that the benchmarks for measurables such as size, speed, and strength are not what we thought they were.
Does that make the young men who play the game any less impressive from an athletic standpoint? Of course not. So why is it then that some 42 year-old bum sitting in his cubicle has the audacity to categorically determine whether a player is "fast enough" or "strong enough" to play Division I football? It boggles my mind, and hopefully, after reading and studying over the above facts, it starts to boggle yours as well. For More on 40-Yard Dash Times and the NFL Draft, be sure to check out DraftDaddy.com's excellent article on average testing times since 2005.
---Thanks to Adam Nettina and "In The Bleachers" for the research in this blurb...
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Most of the phans who come here probably already know that the NFL "Franchise Tag" has decreased in value under the new collective bargaining agreement... but I am just really finding out about the actual hard numbers of the deal.
Overall decrease in the value of a franchise tag contract further complicates the relationship between Eagles management and guys like DeSean Jackson (above), and puts extra pressure on players and agents to get long-term guaranteed money deals done.
Here's how the Franchise Tag values have changed by position under the new CBA:
Running Back: This year $7.7 million.... last year, $9.6 million (a DECREASE of $1.9 million);
Wide Receiver: This year $9.4 million.... last year, $11.4 million (a DECREASE of $2 million);
Tight End: This year $5.4 million.... last year, $7.3 million (a DECREASE of $1.9 million);
Offensive Line: This year $9.4 million.... last year, $10.1 million (a DECREASE of $.7 million);
Defensive End: This year $10.6 million.... last year, $13 million (a DECREASE of $2.4 million);
Defensive Tackle: This year $7.9 million....last year $12.5 million (a DECREASE of $4.6 million);
Linebacker: This year $8.8 million.... last year, $10.1 million (a DECREASE of $1.3 million);
Cornerback: This year $10.6 million.... last year, $13.5 million (a DECREASE of $2.9 million);
Safety: This year $6.2 million.... last year, $8.8 million (a DECREASE of $2.6 million);
---and finally, the only position that sees an increase in value:
Quarterback: This year $16.1 million.... last year, $ 14.4 million (an INCREASE of $1.7 million).
Beginning this Monday (February 20, 2012), NFL teams can begin to apply the franchise tag to players. They can do so up until March 5 at 4 p.m. ET. For those that don't know, the franchise tag is a method of keeping players from hitting the open market. Previously, the franchise-tag number was generated by averaging the top-five salaries at a position to determine a number for that position.
This year, the franchise tag value will be a percentage of the overall salary cap figure for the previous five years.
Exception: The only instances this doesn't apply: when a player already made more than the franchise-tag value, or when a player receives the franchise tag for the second-straight year, in which case tagging said player would cost 120 percent of their previous base salary.
Aside from the exception above, it's clearly much more cost effective to utilize the franchise tag on a player in 2012 than it was in 2011. Wide receivers like DeSean Jackson, Dwayne Bowe and Marques Colston might not be tag candidates at $11.4 million. At $9.4 million, they certainly are.
Reports are already rolling in that Jackson will be tagged and that the team will seek to trade him once they place the tag on Jackson. Philly better be comfortable rolling with DJax if they can't find a suitor, though, because the wide receiver is a good bet to swoop in and sign his tender quickly. The $9.4 million represents more than triple what Jackson's made in his entire career thus far, and you can bet he'd like to see some guaranteed money.
"Worst case, of course, is that Philly ends up giving its top playmaker one more "contract year" at turning in a big performance before hitting free agency. $9.4 million is a lot to pay for a wideout, but it's better than (a) doling out a big contract to someone new and/or a malcontent, or (b) letting Jackson walk for nothing in return." --- Will Brinson, CBSSports.com
Am I the only one in the room right now who thinks a lot of players are just now finding out how the new CBA has devalued their franchise tag numbers? And that a lot of NFL players in general are experiencing some form of reverse "sticker shock"?
One dramatic example I can give you of this is the Jermichael Finley situation in Green Bay...
At $5.5 million, the tight end is a no-doubt-about-it franchise tag choice. Finley is upset because last year the tight end franchise tag value was $7.3 million...So Finley's reportedly ready to argue that he's actually more of a wide receiver than a tight end and should be paid a $9.4 million tag as a wide receiver, based on the number of snaps he takes from a wide receiver position. (He may want to remove the words "best tight ends in the league" from his website then.)
The Packers don't seem ready to give Finley a long-term deal yet, but they're also not willing to let him go. That same spirit prevails among Eagles management with regard to playmakers like DJax... and the surprising reduction in franchise tag values is adding resistance and resentment to the mix.
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Every other year or so I like to look around for the latest in Football Training technology...
Probably the most innovative training device I've seen lately is the iPad, in its ability to totally transform the Playbook and Advance Film Scouting tools into easily accessible media... no more lugging around of 500-page transcripts or 16mm film projectors or VHS videotape libraries...
But you still need the brick-and-mortar training devices. Football is a physical sport. There's no cybernetic cure for that undeniable fact.
So let's take a tour of the currently hot training gadgets:
#1... the "Run-N-Chute" Speed Training Parachute....
The Run-N-Chute is a no-tangle aerodynamic speed-strength training parachute. The Run-N-Chute is ideal for the athlete who wants to gain that competitive speed edge. It's designed to develop a faster start and enhance explosive speed and sprinting power. During training, the Run-N-Chute produces drag which increases with speed. The faster an athlete moves, the more drag it produces. The Run-N-Chute includes: One Run-N-Chute speed parachute, a webbed belt w/ quick release buckle and a training manual.
"The Run N Chute is the best resistance running instrument for speed development. This speed parachute will help you develop a faster start, and also improves the running mechanics that are necessary in running faster."---Dr. E.J. "Doc" Crease - UCLA Strength Coach
#2...the " Football Fumbler"...
The Football Fumbler is designed for beginner, advanced or professional football players. It teaches the athlete to grasp, control and be aware of the football. One athlete runs with the football while the other runs behind holding the nylon strap rip cord and attempts to dislodge the ball from his hands. This teaches ball awareness and control, which becomes a priority as the ball carrier fights to maintain possession while maintaining the forward motion. Comes complete with all necessary hardware and instructions.
#3...Strength-weighted training vest and shorts...
Build lower leg power, acceleration and endurance with the STRENGTH WEIGHTED VEST & SHORTS when training... Play in it, practice in it and train in it. The STRENGTH WEIGHTED VEST & SHORTS also comes with recommended training movements workout program. Includes 10 lbs of weight for the vest and 5 lbs for the shorts. Total maximum weight capacity: Vest = 30lbs. (except small it can only hold 25 lbs), Shorts = 12lbs. 
#4...Power Sled...
Develop the explosive leg drive required for an elite performance. Use the harness to target stride length and drive or use the handles to push the sled, developing a powerful hip and leg drive.
- Push or pull sled.
- Improve acceleration and leg drive
Sled made of strong welded steel. Assembly required. Color: Red. Sled dimensions: 37"L x 18" W x 9" H. Wt. 28 lbs.
#5... "Mastering the NFL Football Combine Training Video"... [N.Y. Giants linebacker Dhani Jones getting ready to perform his 8th set of dynamic box squats with chains. He routinely completes 3 reps in under 2.9-seconds with this weight (365 lbs.). Now that's explosive power!...and he learned the secret of this training technique from Joe DeFranco's video...]
In the past two years alone, Joe DeFranco has trained over 500 top college and high school prospects... His training video is now required viewing for NFL strength and training coaches. Since 2010, DeFranco has accomplished the following:
This contoversial and information-packed video is guaranteed to take your understanding of Combine training to a new level. This is truly the video that college and professional football scouts don't want you to see.
JB99 and Brizer have both viewed this video. And now you know why they have been running off to the gym so much recently.
I like Tommy Lawlor as a football writer and an Eagles analyst, and he's been doing it for many years now for not only his Fandemonium column at PE.com, but also his independent blog Iggles Blitz and as a contributor to the reborn Igglesblog.com...
Lawlor writes in straight-forward sentences and gets to the point. He is not overly loquacious or sentimental. His style is almost Hemingway-esque in that he tells you what he's going to tell you, then he tells you, then he tells you what he told you.
Tommy Lawlor also writes for Scouting Notebook.com... this is Lawlor's most recent PR photo, which indicates Tommy has been working out of late...I would not be surprised to see Lawlor on the NFL Network someday as an analyst in the current Jason LaCanfora mode...Nice to see a hard-working local guy do good...
Like a kid waiting for Christmas, I always have looked forward to Lawlor's preliminary "Mock" of the Eagles impending draft through their first 10 selections. Around these parts we call it the Eagles "Mach 10" (copyright GK Brizer 2007)...
Just released yesterday, here are Lawlor's studied Mach 10 picks for the Eagles:
1st Round (No. 15 overall) - DT Fletcher Cox, Mississippi State, 6-4, 295
2nd Round (No. 46 overall) - DE Chandler Jones, Syracuse, 6-5, 265
2nd Round (No. 51 overall) - CB Brandon Boykin, Georgia, 5-9, 183
3rd Round (No. 77 overall) - LB Keenan Robinson, Texas, 6-3, 240
4th Round - WR T.Y. Hilton, Florida International, 5-10, 175
4th Round - OT Nate Potter, Boise State, 6-6, 295
5th Round - LB Demario Davis, Arkansas State, 6-2, 235
6th Round - S Jerron McMillian, Maine, 5-10, 205
6th Round - WR B.J. Cunningham, Michigan State, 6-1, 206
6th Round - S Sean Richardson, Vanderbilt, 6-2, 218
As Lawlor himself points out, this Mach 10 scenario is not exactly what he would want but what he thinks the Eagles will do...
I am thrilled that Lawlor sees Texas linebacker Keenan Robinson in the 3rd Round picture...of course mostly because I've been touting the guy for about a month now myself... But noticeably missing in this picture is LB Luke Kuechly in the 1st Round...who I thought would be the Eagles' priority choice if Luke were still available at pick #15.
"I know linebacker Luke Kuechly is the primary pick for the Eagles in mock drafts, but I tend to think the team will go for a veteran in free agency to improve middle linebacker," writes Lawlor. "I would love to see them get Kuechly, but I'm not expecting it at this point."
Fair enough.
So what's the fascination with Fletcher Cox at DE?
Fletcher Cox (#94) is a defensive tackle who plays with the reckless abandon and athleticism of a pass-rushing DE...
Here's a bit of what Lawlor had to say about Fletcher:
"Cox is a really interesting player. MSU lined him up all over the place. He was defensive tackle, defensive end and nose tackle. He played on the right and left side. You never knew where he would be when the defense broke the huddle. Cox is a good athlete. He has the burst to get off the ball and into the backfield. He's comfortable playing at end. Cox is a good pass rusher, not just a quick guy. He had five sacks this year. He could beat you with burst, a move, or even come up with hustle sacks."
"I think the Eagles would like someone to be the backup under tackle. Cullen Jenkins starts in that role and he was the only inside guy who could regularly get pressure on the passer. Adding a guy like Cox would make perfect sense. He's got the athleticism and skill to be a good pass rusher. He also has value because you could play him at end if you wanted. I'm guessing he'll do well at the Combine and will be someone who does make sense in that range. We'll find out for sure next week."
So be it... I'm open-minded to Fletcher Cox now because of Lawlor's analysis.
Thankfully Lawlor backed up my own desire for Texas LB Keenan Robinson to be drafted by the Eagles in the 3rd Round:
Keenan Robinson, LB, Texas
Writes Lawlor: "Robinson has the potential to be a big-time SAM linebacker. He has an ideal frame. Robinson is a good athlete. He can cover. He's got good pass rush skills. At his best, Robinson can be a physical player and good run defender. The reason he's on the board this late is inconsistency. Watch the Texas/Oklahoma game from 2010 and you'll think Robinson would be a first-round pick. Other times he was more up and down. There is no lack of skill or potential. Robinson had a good showing at the Senior Bowl. He's experienced enough to challenge for a starting job right away. Last year, Seattle took a somewhat inconsistent player in the mid-rounds named K.J. Wright. He became their SAM and was good enough to send Aaron Curry, a former top-five pick, out of town. You can still find good starting linebackers in this part of the draft."
Thank you in advance for that, Mr. Lawlor. I couldn't say it any better, other than Keenan Robinson is "my boy"...
So there you have it--- the prototype for your Mach 10 Draft entry soon to be field-tested at the Brizer Bowl...
For the record, Lawlor has previously hit on 4 of his Eagles Mach 10 selections in his best annual showing over the past 5 years... Last year (2011), he hit on 3 selections.
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Turning the conversation to Free Agency, here are the big questions I'm pondering today:
Which big-name free agents won't really be "free?''
If you think the Saints are letting NFL Offensive Player of the Year Drew Brees get out of town, you haven't been paying attention for the past six years or so. If you believe 49ers quarterback Alex Smith really will be available next month, then you probably missed the fact that Smith is caddying for his head coach and BFF Jim Harbaugh in Thursday's first round of the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. Ray Rice, Matt Forte, Marshawn Lynch and Wes Welker? I'll give you odds that all four either wear the franchise tag at some point in March, or they'll have new long-term contracts in Baltimore, Chicago, Seattle and New England, respectively.
It just makes economic sense in terms of this year's franchise tag salary levels. The franchise tag is down to just $7.7 million for running backs, and $9.4 million for receivers. Rice, Forte, Lynch and Welker are well worth keeping around for another year at those numbers. And Brees and Smith are far too valuable to the Saints and 49ers, respectively, to let them get a sniff of the open market.
Who will be the biggest prize in free agency?
Houston defensive end/outside linebacker Mario Williams probably isn't going to coax the Texans into a franchise tag designation, given that his number would be more than $22 million and the team has some cap issues this offseason. That means a 27-year-old pass rusher with 53 sacks in less than six full seasons will reach the market, and that could kick up a little dust from teams fighting over him.
On the other hand, Williams might prefer to stay with the ascending Texans and work with the team to make that happen. He had five sacks in five games playing outside linebacker in Wade Phillips' 3-4 defense before a torn pectoral muscle ended his 2011 season. Houston, of course, didn't fall off a cliff without Williams, finishing second in overall defense and winning the franchise's first playoff game ever.
There are pass-rush-needy teams that could come after Williams and make it very difficult for Houston to keep the player who went first overall in 2006. Three that come quickly to mind: Buffalo, Tampa Bay and Jacksonville. In addition, the 3-4 Packers are hungry for another pass rusher at outside linebacker, although the big free agency splash hasn't been the Green Bay way under Ted Thompson.
[Thanks to Derek Pease of "This Given Sunday" for his contributions to this blurb...check him out at Derek Pease (@SportsbyWeeze) ]
Changing pace after the previous football-heavy blurb, we deserve a break... the annual Sports Illustrated "Swimsuit Model" edition has been revealed:
Kate Upton gets the nod as the 2012 SI Swimsuit Cover Girl... a 19-year-old Victoria's Secret model from Florida via Michigan, Kate joins an impressive list of previous winners roughly equivalent to our own "First Poster" list of heroes...
I always thought the annual SI Swimsuit Issue was somewhat frivolous, an obvious attempt by Madison Avenue to fill in the void of pro sports between the Super Bowl and the Opening Day of major league baseball...
Now I see it differently... it is an annual event celebrating Renewal... the advent of a new NFL football season! Today the SI Swimsuit Issue dovetails beautifully with the NFL Scouting Combine which has become a religious retreat of sorts for serious NFL and Eagles fans... and the publication also foreshadows the Free Agency signing season, too.
It wasn't always like that.
The swimsuit issue was invented by Sports Illustrated editor Andre Laguerre in 1963 to fill the winter months, a typically slow point in the sporting calendar then. He asked fashion reporter Jule Campbell to go on a shoot to fill space, including the cover, with a beautiful model. The first issue, released in 1964, entailed a cover featuring Babette March and a five-page layout. Jule Campbell soon became a powerful figure in the modeling industry and molded the issue into a media phenomenon by featuring "bigger and healthier" California women and printing the names of the models with their photos, beginning a new supermodel era. 
Babette March, the very first "first poster" in 1964...
To many, the magazine is an acceptable exhibition of female health and sexuality not out of place on a coffee table. Recent editions have mixed the modeling with a tribute to sportsmen and sportswomen. The swimsuit edition is controversial with both moralists who subscribe for sports news content as well as those who feel that the focus on fashion and swimsuit modeling is inappropriate for a sports magazine. Also feminists have expressed that "the Swimsuit Issue promotes the harmful and dehumanizing concept that women are a product for male consumption." Subscriptions have been canceled by some subscribers when it arrives. The 1978 edition, remembered for its fishnet bathing suit made famous by Cheryl Tiegs, resulted in 340 cancellations. Sports Illustrated itself makes the controversy a form of entertainment, with the issue two weeks after the swimsuit edition packed with complainants such as shocked parents and troubled librarians. Recently, the number of cancellations has declined. Nonetheless, to avoid controversy, Sports Illustrated has, since 2007, offered its subscribers the option of skipping the swimsuit edition for a one issue credit to extend their subscription by a week.
But of course, as an Eagles fan (who is somewhat obsessive-compulsive by nature---"Yeah, this is the year, gonna do it this year, it's a 1949 Buick Roadmaster... Straight 8... Fireball 8... Only 8,985 production models... Dad lets me drive slow on the driveway... But not on Monday, definitely not on Monday..."), I am more concerned with how many "first posts" these gals have racked up.
Getting the SI cover shot is like the ultimate "first comment post" on any Eagles blurb, whether it be here or on Dave Spadaro's "On The Inside" or on any of the top-rated Eagles fan sites. It's a great way to establish your brand on current events and to be remembered for the time period being commented upon...
So I thought it would be fitting to list the most prolific "first posters" or home-run hitters of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue legacy:
Most covers by model...
| Model | Number of covers: issues |
|---|---|
| Elle Macpherson | 5: 1986, 1987, 1988, 1994, 2006 |
| Christie Brinkley | 3: 1979, 1980, 1981 |
| Kathy Ireland | 3: 1989, 1992, 1994 |
| Cheryl Tiegs | 3: 1970, 1975, 1983 |
| Daniela Pestova | 3: 1995, 2000, 2006 |
| Paulina Porizkova | 2: 1984, 1985 |
| Tyra Banks | 2: 1996, 1997 |
| Rachel Hunter | 2: 1994, 2006 |
| Rebecca Romijn | 2: 1999, 2006 |
| Elsa Benitez | 2: 2001, 2006 |
| Yamila Diaz-Rahi | 2: 2002, 2006 |
| Veronica Varekova | 2: 2004, 2006 |
| Carolyn Murphy | 2: 2005, 2006 |
The chronological list of "first post" cover model "home run hitters"...
- 1964 – Babette March
- 1965 – Sue Peterson
- 1966 – Sunny Bippus
- 1967 – Marilyn Tindall
- 1968 – Turia Mau
- 1969 – Jamee Becker
- 1970 – Cheryl Tiegs
- 1971 – Tannia Rubiano
- 1972 – Shelia Roscoe
- 1973 – Dayle Haddon
- 1974 – Ann Simonton
- 1975 – Cheryl Tiegs
- 1976 – Yvette and Yvonne Sylvander
- 1977 – Lena Kansbod
- 1978 – Maria João
- 1979 – Christie Brinkley
- 1980 – Christie Brinkley
- 1981 – Christie Brinkley
- 1982 – Carol Alt
- 1983 – Cheryl Tiegs
- 1984 – Paulina Porizkova
- 1985 – Paulina Porizkova
- 1986 – Elle Macpherson
- 1987 – Elle Macpherson
- 1988 – Elle Macpherson
- 1989 – Kathy Ireland
|
Interesting to note, Beyonce Knowles was on the cover but a mere 5 years ago!--- I had already forgotten that! And look at the multiple consecutive year reigns of gals like Elle Macpherson, Paulina Porizkova and Christie Brinkley! Kinda reminds you of the posting dynasties of guys like Brizer, JB99, and DDD, doesn't it?
Eagles trivia note: Who was the Eagles QB the year when the first SI Swimsuit Cover Issue was released?
Answer: In 1964, it was Norm Snead---he completed 138 of 283 pass attempts for 1,906 yards, 14 TD's and
12 INT's...a 48.8% completion percentage...Eagles finished 6-8...Head coach was Joe Kuharich...
Total Home attendance at Franklin Field was 420,061...
It wasn't that long ago when the Eagles were famous for their Jim Johnson defensive scheme known as the "zone blitz"...
Even the "Big Ben" prime-time offense of the Pittsburgh Steelers felt its sting to the tune of a 15-6 regular-season Eagles victory in 2008...
When Ben Roethlisberger wasn't crawling around on his hands and knees, he was scrambling around like he didn't have a clear picture. If you didn't know better, you might have thought he'd lost a contact on the turf of Lincoln Financial Field.
Unfortunately for Big Ben, there was contact and plenty of it. Jim Johnson, the Eagles' defensive coordinator, provided it with a wide variety of stunts and blitzes that Philadelphia used to rack up nine sacks.
It was tough to find a pattern in Johnson's attack. He would bring players from every level of the defense -- the first level (defensive line), the second level (linebackers), and the third level (defensive backs) -- all with a high degree of success. And he constantly broke his own tendencies. But what is most important is that the Eagles believed in his philosophy and they executed his schemes as a well-disciplined, cohesive unit.
In the second quarter and trailing the Eagles 7-3, the Steelers had the ball, first-and-10, at their own 33. Out of base personnel, the Eagles rarely blitzed. But Johnson called one, bringing linebackers Omar Gaither and Stewart Bradley. Philadelphia played man-to-man coverage and showed it pre-snap, with no disguise.
The blitz was designed for Gaither to attack Roethlisberger through a gaping hole in the offensive line, with no one to block him. For that to occur, several of Gaither's teammates needed to perform some dirty work.
At the snap, defensive tackle Broderick Bunkley slanted across the face of the left guard, holding the attention of two blockers, the guard and the center. Bradley, the middle linebacker, blitzed from the second level, keeping his path as close to Bunkley as possible. He was blocked by running back Willie Parker. Right defensive end Darren Howard performed a wide and controlled rush, removing the tackle from the rest of the offense.
With Bunkley occupying the left guard and center, Bradley controlling Willie Parker, and Howard widening the tackle, a huge gap formed on the left side of the offense. Gaither, following closely behind Bradley, sprinted toward Roethlisberger, untouched. While he didn't make the sack, Gaither disrupted the timing of the pass. Gaither forced Big Ben to move forward, into the waiting arms of Juqua Parker.
If Roethlisberger had another half second, he could have hit an open Heath Miller, but the timing and precision of the blitz sprung Gaither free just in time to force Roethlisberger off his perch. Instead of another first-and-10, the Steelers faced second-and-12.
That's the kind of game-changing moment a Philadelphia-style defense used to be famous for.
Looking at the "zone blitz" in Philly as a forensic examiner, one must conclude that it is not yet dead...and could come back. We need to know that the rest of the league has adapted to reading and picking up the zone blitz, so it's not that easy to make a living off anymore.
Historically speaking, the "zone blitz" was invented to counter the "Run and Shoot" offense that was so innovative and successful in the '80's and '90's... The "Shoot" as it became known was basically defined by the spreading out of four wide receivers... it evolved into different variations with different names, like "Choice and Switch"... Mike Martz when he was with with the Rams consistently used forms of "Choice and Switch". Petrino at Louisville had used a couple of R&S concepts. Even Charlie Weis at Notre Dame used a play very similar to the Georgia concept, ie., the famous four verticals so common today where the slot receiver reads the coverage to attack the seam or the deep middle...all these variations were largely developed and expanded based upon the R&S. Everyone who seriously considers passing offense should study the Run and Shoot.
The Shoot as a specific, delineated system with the four wide receivers (or two split ends and two slots), a single back, half-rollouts, certain run plays, the protections, the screens, and the like was countered by defensive minds like Jim Johnson's. Offenses responded and have disguised their run and shoot philosophies by calling them different things and showing different looks. There is nothing magical (or surreptitious) about that; it is the West Coast philosophy and it is a good one. The reason people question all this now is because, for a time, the Run and Shoot had nearly unparralleled success. Jim Johnson created a blueprint for slowing it down and ultimately beating it.
As the typical history goes, the zone blitz killed the R&S. The preface to this story is that for twenty years, the Run and Shoot did not get blitzed. [Well, it did, but Run and Shoot teams (like the U of Houston) would score 60 or 70 on those blitzing teams, and the NFL teams that tried it would give up after a quarter or half of touchdowns raining from the sky.]
The R&S used the RB in the protection. The quarterback would do a half-roll to one side, the line would do a kind of sprint-out/turnback protection, and the running back would often block the defensive end or end man on the line of scrimmage to the half-roll side. About 8-10 times a game, however, the running back would block the DE for a 1001 count, and then slide off and release for a screen pass as his linemen got downfield to block for him. Against an all-out blitzing team, no one covered him because he had already engaged a defender, so everyone assumed he was in the protection, they would rush upfield, and the running back would release out into the open field.
It became a study in game theory and reading and reacting. So defenses responded to this RB tactic. They had to keep at least one safety or another defender back to spy the RB. Why did this mean no blitzing, if the RB is able to block the end man on the line of scrimmage while another player must sit back and not blitz, simply to see whether or not the RB releases on a screen? The net result was that R&S teams rarely, if ever, saw Cover 0 blitzing man defenses. They could always release four receivers, block with six (assuming their six could block the other teams' six) and not face any overload blitzes.
Enter the zone blitz. Back in his days with Texas A&M, Bob Davie was an innovator. Against run and shoot teams like the University of Houston, he would run his 3-4 defense, blitz his outside LBs (thus forcing the RB to stay in and block), and drop off defensive linemen and interior linebackers so he could still play zone with six to eight defenders. As a result the R&S's protection and formation scheme broke down. They blocked with six, had the running back on a bad matchup with a good OLB, faced an unblocked rusher, but the defense still had 6-8 guys in coverage, so the R&S's "hot reads" and breakoffs did not work either. The run and shoot finally had to adapt. Sure they could do things like certain quick breakoffs and other gadgets, but free rushers and seven guys in coverage was a losing battle for the QB.
Jim Johnson was studying the Texas A&M zone blitz theory very closely... And he soon realized it was not just about merely "disguising coverages," (as Run and Shoot QBs and receivers were well coached and could still find the voids or the single man coverage), or the straight blitzing (as shown above, Run and Shoot teams could defeat the straight blitz), it was the defensive combination of always being able to get an unblocked rusher, eat the RB, and run a disguised zone that eventually rattled and slowed down the "pure" Run and Shoot.
Jim Johnson didn't invent those three elements of an effective zone blitz, but he certainly incorporated them into an overall unified vision, knew when to call them, and also (most importantly) got his players to buy into them.
I wonder if we'll begin to see the integration of "zone blitz" with the proven benefits of the Castillo/Bowles/Washburn regime of defensive line pressure and revised secondary coverage?
The zone blitz was started in the early '90s as a way to give the defense a method to pressure offenses without the high risk of playing man-to-man coverages. Zone blitzes are easy to disguise because they look like base zone coverages to the offense at the line of scrimmage.
Another aspect of the zone blitz confusing to the offense is the fact that the defensive players exchange responsibilities. The defense blitzes players who the offense had anticipated will drop into pass coverage. The defense then replaces those blitzers with players that the offense had accounted for as rushers. Is the current Eagles defensive personnel versatile enough to pull off these switches?
There are unlimited combinations of zone blitzes. The idea is to confuse the offense's identification of who the rushers and pass defenders are. It plays havoc with the offense's count system in determining blocking assignments.
The offense counters the zone blitz with ways to identify if it is coming and where it is coming from. They may utilize different formations and change the snap count so that the defense tips ofF its plan prior to the snap.
There's a Standard 2-Deep Zone and a 3-Deep Zone from which all zone blitzes are designed off...
Standard 2-Deep Zone is a basic 2-deep pass coverage, meaning the defense divides the deep pass zones into two halves of the field with a safety in coverage for each. When playing a 2-deep zone, the remaining droppers (the two corners and three linebackers) divide the underneath, or shallow, areas of the field into equal fifths. The offense anticipates that the linebackers and corners will drop into pass coverage and that the two ends and the two tackles will be the pass rushers... This is a basic Eagles 4-3 defensive formation.
In standard 3-Deep Zone, the defense has decided to defend the deep area of the field by dividing it into thirds with each deep zone covered by a defender. When playing a 3-deep zone, you take the four remaining pass droppers (linebackers and a cornerback) and divide the underneath pass zones into fourths. A standard 4-man rush with the two ends and two tackles remains.
The first zone blitz Jim Johnson brought to the Eagles involved the switching of responsibilities in the basic 2-deep zone coverage. It was called the "Weakside Linebacker and DE Exchange"...In this zone blitz, the weakside linebacker blitzes through the A gap, and the defensive end -- from a three-point stance -- drops into pass coverage. This confuses the offense because the defensive end in the three-point stance has been identified as a rusher. The offense expects the defensive end to rush and allocates the offensive tackle to block him. Not only is the offensive line handicapped by the offensive tackle's wasted assignment on the DE, but by bringing the weakside linebacker the running back is forced to stay in and not release into a pass route, even though it is a simple 4-man rush.
It was brilliant in its simplicity.
Johnson then added the "2-Deep Zone with Middle Linebacker and Defensive Tackle Twist", in which the MIKE linebacker plugs his A gap strong and the defensive tackle twists around. The defense simply replaces the MIKE linebacker's pass drop with the weakside linebacker and the defensive end takes the weakside linkebacker's pass drop if it is a pass play.
Johnson also added the "Strong Side Linebacker zone blitz", which is the most common zone blitz in college football today. This linebacker zone blitz appears even more complicated to the offense because the defense shows a 2-deep zone prior to the snap of the football. The offense anticipates that the linebackers will drop into their fifths in pass coverage. However, the defense drops down into a 3-deep zone on the snap, choosing to divide the field into four underneath pass zones and three deep ones. The strong safety plays the outside fourth. The weakside linebacker takes the MIKE's drop in his fourth. The defensive tackle, if it is a pass play, drops from a three-point stance and takes the WILL linebacker's fourth. The defensive end moves from a three-point stance to take the outside fourth. This scheme allows the strongside outside linebacker and MIKE to blitz when the offense doesn't expect it.
JJ also liked the "Cross Zone Blitz".. it involves blitzing both inside linebackers from a formation that appears to be a 2-deep zone (called a 2-deep hide). The MIKE linebacker blitzes his A gap and the weakside linebacker loops around behind the MIKE linebacker in the B gap. The free safety actually drops down on the snap as a linebacker and plays the shallow one-third drop...
Finally, another Jim Johnson classic: the "Strong Safety and Middle Linebacker Zone Blitz"... Johnson learned you can also blitz one of your safeties from a 2-deep look to confuse the offense. In this particular blitz, it is the strong safety who comes up and blitzes the B gap along with the MIKE linebacker who blitzes the A gap. The defense once again plays a 3-deep and 3-underneath coverage giving up an underneath zone.
Maybe we'll see more of these potentially game-changing zone blitzes as 2012 evolves and the coaching triumvirate on the "D" side of the Eagles becomes comfortable and confident with its athletic personnel. I think I saw traces of that evolution of defensive thinking in the final month of the Eagles 2011 season.
The Philadelphia Eagles currently have a little over $13 million in actual salary cap spending room for 2012--- but that money will be needed to help sign DeSean Jackson, other potential free agents and also rookies to new contracts--- not counting any money that may be loosened up by the trading or contractual restructuring of expensive veterans like Asante Samuel ($9.5 million).
Understanding the NFL’s salary cap isn’t always easy, which is why every team has a capologist to crunch the numbers. I don't pretend to know all the in's and outs of many of the variables that go into figuring a team's final salary cap number, such as prorated signing bonuses, performance incentives, backended contracts and the like...
But I understand the basic concept---- the NFL salary cap in 2011 was $120,375,000 "soft", with teams having the flexibility to borrow $3 million from future years. That means the real cap was $123,375,000.
The salary cap for 2012 has not been set, but it is projected to be between $121-125 million, with teams being able to borrow another $2 million from future caps. Therefore, we’ll safely project the Eagles salary cap to be at $124 million in ’12. But please understand this is an estimation.
Second, keep in mind that teams must preserve at least $5 million to sign their rookie class. The more picks, the more cap space needed.
Where do the Eagles rank in affordable spending for 2012? Here's a list compiled by Omar Kelly and Shandel Richardson of the Miami Sun Sentinel showing who's got the dough leftover to spend in 2012 and who's got to cut make significant cuts in spending:
POSSIBLE BIG SPENDERS
Teams that have the cap space to make big moves in free agency:
Cincinnati Bengals $80,641,237 [currently allocated salary cap dollars]
Tennessee Titans $92,739,765
Washington Redskins $94,351,284
Kansas City Chiefs $95,844,195
Tampa Bay Buccaneers $98,899,458
Atlanta Falcons $100,227,174
Denver Broncos $101,389,121
New England Patriots $101,827,381
Chicago Bears $101,887,741
San Francisco 49ers $102,938,980
Cleveland Browns $103,789,162
WORKING ON A BUDGET
Teams that aren’t up against the cap, but need to make smart moves to avoid trimming a ton of players and salaries:
Jacksonville Jaguars $107,270,274
Buffalo Bills $108,426,522
Seattle Seahawks $111,742,430
San Diego Chargers $111,960,165
New Orleans Saints $113,358,069
Philadelphia Eagles $113,964,694
Baltimore Ravens $115,670,281
Minnesota Vikings $116,078,422
Houston Texans $116,306,676
Miami Dolphins $116,636,173
Indianapolis Colts $116,773,288
Green Bay Packers $118,001,169
Arizona Cardinals $118,787,639
TIGHTENING THE BELT
Teams that will be at, or over the projected salary cap once they’ve signed the rookie class. These teams must purge their roster moving forward. The higher the cap number, the more drastic the cutbacks need to be:
St. Louis Rams $120,982,904
Detroit Lions $122,760,121
New York Giants $124,735,807
New York Jets $128,092,733
Dallas Cowboys $128,910,735
Carolina Panthers $129,962,768
Oakland Raiders $140,861,316
Pittsburgh Steelers $149,885,537
All in all, the Eagles look to be in pretty good shape going forward from their current salary cap status. They're in that middle group that has the flexibility to do some serious shopping as long as they free up some money by trimming some expendable contracts. And I would expect to see them doing some free-agent window shopping among the teams who are in the "Tightening The Belt" category and in danger of exceeding their caps.
For the record, I like the salary cap in the NFL--- it's what keeps the league fair and competitive.
I love these early mock drafts, but to be honest, I don't take them seriously until after Free Agency and the Scouting Combine happen...
But the National Football Post carries some degree of credibility, so I'll put their version 2.0 Mock Draft for 2012's "Round 1" out here...and they have the Eagles holding their 1st round pick at Number 15 and selecting Luke Kuechly, linebacker from Boston College:
Luke Kuechly, LB, junior from Boston College...6-3, 240 and still growing at age 21... 2011 Butkus Award winner playing on a 4-8 team, with 191 tackles (102 solo)...
Here's how the NFP sees it going down:
1. Indianapolis Colts: Stanford QB Andrew Luck
With news coming out this past weekend that the Colts possibly have already made up their mind on QB Peyton Manning, Luck is looking more and more like a slam dunk.
ICONRG3 moves up to number two.
2. -TRADE- Washington Redskins via St. Louis Rams: Baylor QB Robert Griffin III
RG3 is the kind of athletic quarterback that would be an ideal fit in the Washington offense. He can make plays outside the pocket, throw on the run and create second lives with his legs.
3. Minnesota Vikings: Southern Cal OT Matt Kalil
Quarterback Christian Ponder has shown flashes in year one, but he needs to stay healthy. Therefore, bringing in the top offensive tackle prospect in the draft who has a chance to mature into a Pro Bowl-caliber lineman seems like an easy selection at three.
4. Cleveland Browns: Oklahoma State WR Justin Blackmon
Quarterback is the biggest missing piece in Cleveland. However, if they can’t land RG3, getting one of the best offensive weapons in the draft is a nice consolation prize.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: LSU CB Morris Claiborne
Tampa Bay has done a great job over the past two drafts improving the overall talent along its defensive line. Therefore, adding a playmaking corner who can capitalize on all the potential pressure is a must for this defense to take that next step.
6. –TRADE- St. Louis Rams via Washington Redskins: LSU DT Michael Brockers
As bad as the Rams need to add talent on the outside at receiver, they are also in need of some talent inside at DT. Brockers has the talent to develop into an All-Pro caliber lineman for the Rams and they can always add a receiver with their additional picks from the Redskins later in the draft.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Alabama CB Dre' Kirkpatrick
Kirkpatrick adds a physical element to the Jaguars secondary. He’s got the ability to press off the line, make plays in zone and consistently tackle the ball carrier. Plus, he has the size to handle some of the bigger wideouts in the AFC South.
8. Carolina Panthers: Penn State DT Devon Still
The Panthers need a big body inside who can anchor on contact, push the pocket and find the football. Still isn’t a dynamic pass rusher and there are some other linemen on the board with a little more talent. But he has the size to fend off blocks inside and in my mind is one of the safer defensive tackle prospects in this year’s draft.
9. Miami Dolphins: Iowa OT Riley Reiff
Who knows how the Dolphins offensive line is going to look after free agency. They have some potential holes looming and bringing in a talent like Reiff who can play both inside and out gives the Fins another talented blocker who eventually should win in both the run and pass game.
10. Buffalo Bills: Stanford OT Jonathan Martin
Martin is a finesse tackle with good feet, natural range and the ability to mirror in space. He has some holes in his game, but offers the Bills a better athlete than anyone playing their tackle spots now.
11. Kansas City Chiefs: Stanford OG David DeCastro
The Chiefs need to improve at a number of spots up front on their offensive line and DeCastro is by far the best prospect still on the board.
12. Seattle Seahawks: North Carolina DL Quinton Coples
The Seahawks have a real unique blend of athletes on the defensive side of the ball and because of that it makes me think Coples would be able to fit right in and fill a number of roles at both DT and DE. Plus, Pete Carroll seems like the kind of coach that could get the most out of Coples’s talent.
ICONPerry could rise with a big postseason.
13. Arizona Cardinals: Southern Cal DE/OLB Nick Perry
Finding a long term complement for OLB Sam Acho this offseason is becoming more and more of a need for the Cardinals. Perry is a little tight, but has a great first step, is learning to use his hands better and can cleanly turn speed into power off the edge.
14. Dallas Cowboys: Wisconsin OL Peter Konz
Center and guard are both needs in Dallas and the idea of adding a potential blue-chip lineman who has the skill set to play either spot is simply too good to pass up even at 14.
15. Philadelphia Eagles: Boston College ILB Luke Kuechly
A tackling machine with good size, natural instincts and knowledge to fend off blocks and find the football. Is the kind of talent the Eagles need inside to improve their struggling linebacking corps.
16. New York Jets: Alabama OLB Courtney Upshaw
Upshaw is a thick, powerful kid who can line up all over the Jets 34 front and get after the passer. He’s got the power to win consistently on contact vs. both the run and pass game.
17. Cincinnati Bengals: Alabama RB Trent Richardson
Running backs always seem to fall on draft day and the Bengals get a steal at 17. Richardson has the ability to be the workhorse back in Cincinnati for the next 5-7 years and gives the Bengals another talented young skill position player.
ICONThe Bengals get a great value at pick 17.
18. San Diego Chargers: Alabama ILB Dont’a Hightower
ILB Takeo Spikes will turn 36 next season and adding a physical body inside like Hightower will go a long way in improving their front seven. Hightower is a “plus” run defender who can be used as a blitzer inside or a pass rusher off the edge.
19. Chicago Bears: Ohio State OT Mike Adams
You have to think after the struggles the Bears have had at left tackle this season, drafting a guy like Adams who has the size and athleticism to handle premier NFL pass rushers is a must for them this off-season.
20. Tennessee Titans: South Carolina CB Stephon Gilmore
With starting CB Cortland Finnegan potentially leaving via free agency, getting a tall, physical defensive back who displays a natural feel in zone and can go get the football could become a pressing need in Tennessee.
21. Cincinnati Bengals: North Alabama CB Janoris Jenkins
Jenkins is a bit undersized and he does have some character concerns. However, he’s a fluid kid with a “plus” initial burst and when motivated he’s about as tough as any corner in the draft to separate from.
22. Cleveland Browns: Texas A&M QB Ryan Tannehill
The Browns missed on their quarterback in the top ten. However, they get a good athlete in Tannehill who can throw on the move, create with his legs and has as much upside as any prospect at the position outside of RG3.
23. Detroit Lions: Georgia OL Cordy Glenn
The Lions need to improve both their tackle and guard spots on the offensive line and Glenn has the talent to play either spot. He’s a gifted athlete for his size with natural movement skills and if he can ever put it all together he has the skill set to play at a high level in the NFL.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers Iowa State OG Kelechi Osemele
The Steelers have a ton of holes up front, but adding a talented body who can play some guard or right tackle like Osemele is a solid value at the end of round one.
25. Denver Broncos: Georgia TE Orson Charles
NFL teams are looking for mismatch tight ends who can play with their hand on the ground, split out into the slot and play in the backfield as well. The Broncos don’t have much in the terms of dynamic skill position guys and Charles can mature into a real safety blanket for QB Tim Tebow down the line.
26. Houston Texas: Notre Dame WR Michael Floyd
Floyd is a good value at this stage and would give the Texans a legit number two threat to take pressure off WR Andre Johnson in the pass game.
27. New England Patriots: Alabama SS Mark Barron
New England has had to piece together their secondary this year, but in terms of talent they could certainly use an upgrade at a number of spots. Barron is a smart, instinctive safety with good ball skills, can play in the box and be effective bumping/running with tight ends underneath.
ICONBurfict to the Ravens makes a lot of sense.
28. Green Bay Packers: South Carolina OLB/DE Melvin Ingram
Finding another pass rusher off the edge is becoming more of pressing need for the Packers and Ingram has the ability to reach the QB in a number of ways off the edge.
29. Baltimore Ravens: Arizona State ILB Vontaze Burfict
If Burfict is going to end up going in round one, a team like the Ravens would be an ideal situation for him. He’s got a great role model to look up to in Ray Lewis and can be brought along slowly under him.
30. San Francisco 49ers: Baylor WR Kendall Wright
Wright might be the draft’s top vertical threat and has the ability to open up a lot of options for the 49ers offense down the field.
31. New York Giants: OLB Zach Brown: North Carolina (6-2, 230)
Brown’s a gifted run and hit athlete who adds some much needed range to the Giants linebacking core. He should be able to come in and make an impact on special teams early on as well.
32. New England Patriots: Illinois DE Whitney Mercilus
Age is creeping up on the Patriots at the defensive end position and Mercilus has the type of measurables to really move up draft boards with a solid post-season.
Speaking of "bases", here is the current scorecard for the lifetime "First Post" totals of the players who frequent this page and the pages of PE.com at Dave Spadaro's "On The Inside" column... As a certified obsessive-compulsive stat keeper, I've been tabulating these "home run" totals going back to 2007... And everyone on this list of career posting achievers has shown a knack for waiting for their pitch and not missing it when it comes.
The Lifetime Totals:
Brizer………………………………544
DDD……………………………….252
JB99……………………………….135
Hoser………………………………. 57
Jerked Up…………………………...57
Brozer………………………………48
ATV……………………………….. 43
Hud Huston………………………....40
Eagle Nut…………………………...39
French Lady Fan (Nathalie)………...34
Boner………………………………..32
Kenny Kenemeka…………………...30
Leo Pizzini…………………………..20
Fields………………………………..20
Poet………………………………….18
Kent Phil…………………………….17
Birdcrazy…………………………….16
Don Pardo…………………………...13
Lupes………………………………...12
Blasphemizer………………………...11
Dutch Rubb………………………….11
Hedge…………………………………9
Italicon………………………………. 8
Mr. Kraxx…………………………….4
J. Wood……………………………… 4
Spiffo…………………………………3
Genetic Freak…………………………3
B.Quick……………………………….2
usmcBattsy……………………………2
Bruzer 9.5……………………………..2
Luke………………………………….. 2
Cast of Thousands…………………….1 each
Onward through the fog!
