Eagles Blog

Per PFT, the Eagles have brought in USC receiver Robert Woods for a visit.

Woods is 6-0, 201.  He was USC’s second best WR (to Marqise Lee), but was still one of the best receivers in the country.  Woods had a good season, but has become a hot name recently.  He had a good showing at the Combine and then a great positional workout at his Pro Day.

I’m not nearly as high on Woods as others.  We’ve seen more than a few USC wideouts have great careers and then struggle or fail outright in the NFL.  Woods is talented.  He was highly productive.  I just have to say that I think the hype on him might be a bit much. He averaged 11.6 yards per catch for his career.  He averaged 24.8 yards per KOR. He was just below 6 yards per PR.  Those aren’t great numbers.  Woods did have 32 TD catches in 3 years and that is impressive.

Some people think Woods could sneak into the bottom of the 1st round.  The Eagles could be targeting him at pick #35.  Chip Kelly would have interest because of Woods’ RAC ability. He can make big plays after the catch.  He will work the middle of the field.

It is also possible this is a smokescreen.  If the Eagles think teams in the middle of the 2nd round would want Woods, maybe someone would be willing to deal up for him.

Spending pick #35 on Woods would be interesting.  Woods is more than just a slot receiver.  This might make you wonder if Jeremy Maclin could be traded. Move Maclin to a contender and then draft Woods to replace him.

Watch his highlights and you’ll think Woods is a 1st Rd’er for sure.

Watch these games and you’ll see he’s good, but not special.

This is an interesting development, whether the Eagles have legit interest or are trying to set up a trade.

The Eagles cut QB Trent Edwards today.

That move makes total sense.  Edwards was a good fit for the WCO, but Chip Kelly wants to do things differently.  Edwards had basically no shot at making the team so letting him go now was the prudent move.

The Eagles have Mike Vick, Nick Foles, Dennis Dixon, and G.J. Kinne currently on the roster.  The team will either draft a QB or add a UDFA to the mix.

Right now there are 74 players on the roster.  The team has 9 draft picks.  That leaves room for 7 UDFAs.  Don’t be surprised if there are a couple of more cuts after this week’s mini-camp.

The Eagles signed CB Cary Williams back in early March.  We know him as the annoyingly emotional fiery corner from the Ravens.  His background is a bit more interesting.

“Reaching that dream was a struggle. Williams grew up in Liberty City, a Miami, Fla., neighborhood with a reputation for violence. As a teen, he was adopted by a cousin, living away from his mother and father.

But Williams was a star on the football field at Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory High in Hollywood, Fla., which gave him a shot a fresh start at Fordham University in New York City. He spent two seasons at the school, moved back home and was out of football for a year, working at DirectTV.”

That’s an interesting path.  After working at DirecTV he managed to get an offer to go play at Washburn and things have been good ever since.  Williams was a star there and then got drafted by the Titans.  He helped them win the Super Bowl and now gets a chance to see his boyhood dream come true…he gets to wear the same uniform as football legend Marlon Favorite.  Life is pretty good.

Nate Allen and Kurt Coleman have been silent for quite a while.  And that’s probably best based on the way they played in 2012.  Zach Berman of the Inquirer was able to speak to them and got some info.

“Spoke to Nate Allen and Kurt Coleman today. Neither wanted to give away Eagles scheme, but both made it sound better for the safeties”

“Coleman on D:”I like it because it complements the safeties a little more.” Allen :”I think us as safeties, it’s going to free us up a lot.””

“Whether the case or not, Allen said he didn’t see Chung/Phillips signings as an indication of where he stands in team’s eyes.”

“Allen said the Phillips/Chung signings are “just competition,”team needs depth. Coleman said, “I think what I do will take care of itself.”

Nate is correct that he controls his own destiny.  If he plays well, he can remain the starter.  However, the notion that the signings are just about competition…not so true.  The team has serious concerns about him.  Nate can prove them wrong, but he’s got no room for error.  The coaches who chose him are gone.  There will be no loyalty.  Play well or else.

The guys at BritishEagles.co.uk wrote up some thoughts on RB Marcus Lattimore and whether the Eagles should be interested in him.

This is all about the doctors.  If they check out Lattimore and feel that he’s going to come back anywhere close to full strength, then Marcus is worth a pick.  If there are any doubts, then pass on him until the 7th round or sign him as a UDFA.

Everyone who has been around Lattimore speaks very highly of his character, drive, and work ethic.  If this just boils down to effort, Lattimore will do what it takes to get healthy and succeed in the NFL.  Unfortunately, effort can’t always fix ligaments.  With RB being such a tough, physical position, I think Lattimore will slide in the draft.

Lance Zierlein is a radio host and football writer from Houston.  He’s got good connections around the league and is someone to listen to when he offers up into.  Lance just posted his second mock draft and check out what he wrote for #4:

“4. Philadelphia – Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia:  I was told to “plug Geno in here” by a league source and I usually listen when this guy speaks.  Kelly’s offense probably won’t ask the QB to run as much as people would like to believe, but I do think his offense will try to stretch the field and play up-tempo which is something that Geno Smith is used to.”

I still don’t buy this as happening, but it is interesting that Lance heard the rumor.  Daniel Jeremiah mentioned “hearing things” about Geno to the Eagles as well.  I tend to think this is just the Eagles doing a good job of spreading mis-information in the hopes of getting someone to move up, assuming some team likes Geno Smith enough to do that.

Maybe the rumors are true and the Eagles do want Geno.  If so, Chip Kelly and Howie Roseman are doing a lousy job of keeping that info a secret.  I just have a hard time believig that’s the case.

Jimmy Bama thinks the Eagles will draft a RB in the late rounds.

The Eagles have an excellent pair of RBs in Shady McCoy and Bryce Brown.  Chris Polk is #3, for now.  There is a need for depth and competition.  Jimmy shows the value in adding RBs late in the draft by pointing out Mike Shanahan’s draft history.  Jimmy also offers up a couple of names that may be of interest.

I agree that the Eagles should add a RB in the late rounds and the team will add at least one more as a UDFA.  Kelly is going to run aggressive, up-tempo practices.  He’ll need a group of RBs that can stay fresh and keep things moving at a quick pace.

Per Adam Caplan:

“Also on Zac Dysert: He worked out for the Eagles today, Colts earlier this week.”

Dysert is a QB that has grown on me.  He is more mobile than people realize.  He is a gifted passer that will make some “wow” throws.  Watch him vs Ohio State and you’ll be blown away, good and bad. He had great moments, but also forced the action too much.  I think Dysert is a 3rd round target, but it won’t shock me if he goes in the 2nd or slides down to the 4th.

Per Aaron Wilson the Eagles had a private workout with Georgia DL Kwame Geathers.  He could play NT or DE.  He played NT for the Bulldogs this past season and that’s his most natural spot.  Geathers should be a late round pick or priority FA.  His brother Clifton is a backup DE for the Eagles.

* * *

The Eagles had a workout with street free agent WR Dan DePalma.  He was on a practice squad for part of last season and just signed with the Chargers.  DePalma worked out for NFL scouts at Temple’s Pro Day and then had a workout for the Eagles.  He played collegiately at West Chester.  DePalma is 5-11, 192 and a slot guy type of receiver.   No word on if the Eagles showed any interest beyond the workout.

Per Aaron Wilson:

“Source: Alabama defensive lineman Quinton Dial visiting Eagles today”

Dial, 6-5, 318, is  late round player that could play the 5-tech role and possibly be a backup NT.  If the Eagles go for offensive players at the top of the draft, they’ll need to find defensive players in the late rounds.  Dial could be good value and a good fit at that point.