Philadelphia Eagles Cut Amon Gordon, Walter Mendenhall, Adam DiMichele

The Eagles have made some room on their roster. They can only carry 80 players into training camp and had 82 signed, with Jeremy Maclin and LeSean McCoy still to go.

The three players released today were injured defensive tackle Amon Gordon, running back Walter Mendenhall, and quarterback Adam DiMichele (who most people didn’t even know was at the OTAs).

The Eagles will still need to cut at least one more player heading into camp and I would imagine it to be local punter from East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania, Ken Parrish.    

 

The Implications of Amon Gordon’s Release

Unfortunately, Gordon required what is definitely a season ending, and possibly career ending, surgery to repair a ruptured achilles tendon. The Eagles were going to need to cut some talented players, but this is not the way anyone wants to see a player depart.

It also looks as though Philadelphia took two rookie free agents to compete for the vacant defensive tackle position. 

Jervonte Jackson, 6’5″, 300 lb from Florida Atlantic and Trevor Jenkins, 6’1″, 287 lb from Middle Tennessee State have an outside opportunity to make the team as a fifth defensive tackle if they can impress.

I would think it likely that these guys represent nothing more than training camp bodies, and if the Eagles really want a fifth tackle, they may very well look to the waiver wire.

For the Eagles to keep just four defensive tackles fits the mold pretty well, as their defensive scheme calls for sliding a defensive end into the interior on passing downs for more quickly developing pressure and pursuit.

 

The Implications of Walter Mendenhall’s Release

I had very high hopes for rookie free agent Walter Mendenhall as an Eagle. Many fans were looking forward to the promise of a 6’0″, 225 lb running back, but it is not to be.

Unfortunately, Mendenhall never had an opportunity to strap on the pads and really show what he could do. I must assume that he had a falling out with, or just never really held serious interest from, the coaches.

I have a feeling Mendenhall will be a guy who finds a home and some success in the NFL, but not as an Eagle in 2009. McDaniel will probably sign him in Denver.

Sometimes these guys come around again when the practice squad starts to take shape. I can hold on to my hopes for that.

In the end, what it does mean?   

Much to the chagrin of many Eagles fans, it is a much more promising outlook for returning third string running back Lorenzo Booker.

Andy Reid has remained consistently resolute regarding his confidence in Booker’s ability. He does fit the mold for Reid’s system very well, but his two-yards-and-change average per carry in the 2008 regular season lost him a lot of fan support.

It is premature to dismiss Booker based on his average, when he didn’t have a statistically significant number of carries with which to arithmetically average in the first place.

Booker had his moments of shine in the 2008 training camp and preseason, so we will have to see if running backs Eldra Buckley and Kyle Eckel can challenge him in training camp in 2009.  

Hopefully, Booker is not lingering around strictly because of the investment of the 2008 fourth round draft pick.  

I am going to give Andy Reid and company the benefit of the doubt here, as they have been amazing this off season, and I’m sure Booker is much better than his 2.5 yard per carry average would otherwise indicate.

 

Who is Adam DiMichele and Where Did He Come From?

I think this guy snuck past security and found his way onto the practice field wearing a Ron Jaworski jersey or something. That’s the rumor, at least.

O.K., that’s not true, but local Temple Owl alumni Adam DiMichele’s stay with the Eagles didn’t last very long. No big surprises here, but it would have been nice to find a young diamond in the rough at quarterback to challenge for a back-up role—especially a local kid.

Make Room For LB Fokou and G Fanaika, Who Will Go?

Tuesday, the Eagles continue signing their late round draft picks to four year deals.  The biggest part of the story is not the agreement of terms with these players, but rather the ramifications to the rest roster.

I’m going to be quite honest when I confess to having had my doubts about Brandon Gibson’s, Moise Fokou’s and Paul Fanaika’s opportunity to make this football team, especially Fanaika and Gibson because of the preexisting depth at that position.

The Eagles recently signed fifth round selections Victor “Macho” Harris and Fenuki Topou along with sixth round pick Brandon Gibson. Read More

Brandon Gibson would have been a second or third round pick had he left early after his 2007 season as he had originally planned.

If their careers in the NFL do not work out, the law firm of Fenuki, Fanaika and Fokou has a very nice ring to it (three rookie draft picks Fenuki Topou, Pail Fanaika and Moise Fokou).

For now, we are talking about linebackers and offensive linemen.

 

The Offensive Line with Guard Paul Fanaika

Paul Fanaika is a good looking guard selected in the sixth round from Arizona State.  There is no doubt that he has the potential to be a solid NFL player, but how does he fit in with the Eagles?

The Eagles will almost certainly keep no more than 10 offensive linemen and a long snapper.  This is what the current offensive line profile looks like:

T: Peters, Andrews, Dunlap, Topou, Justice, Patrick

G: Andrews, Herremans, Cole, Jean-Gilles, Fanaika, McGlynn, Gibson, Reynolds

C: Jamaal Jackson 

LS: Dorenbos

If the Eagles have to cut this group of 15 true linemen down to 10 for the 53 man roster they will put some respectable talent out on the open market.

Peters, Andrews, Andrews, Herremans and Jackson are all but guaranteed to be Eagles in 2009.  Now Topou and Fanaika are as well, having been buttoned up for four year deals. That’s seven linemen already.

Cole and Jean-Gilles are productive veterans alternating at right guard in the absence of Stacy Andrews from group workouts. It is unlikely the Eagles are interested in parting ways with these players without substantial trade value exchanged in return.

That’s a total of nine linemen so far.

Without trading away one of their talented reserve guards, the Eagles will only be able to keep one of the following offensive linemen, unless one of them can long snap:

• T King Dunlap
• T Winston Justice
• T Chris Patrick
• G Mike McGlynn
• G Mike Gibson
• G Dallas Reynolds

 

Dunlap has been getting rave reviews from Juan Castillo and Andy Reid since he was selected in the seventh round of the 2008 draft. I think it is unlikely that he will be cut or traded as he really has little value on the trade market and the Eagles are thin at true tackles.

The depth chart at offensive line for 2009 may look like this:

LT               LG                 C                RG                RT

Peters          Herremans      Jackson       Andrews         Andrews

Dunlap          Fanaika          Cole           Jean-Gilles      Topou

There is some additional flexibility in this offensive line with Herremans and both Andrews brothers being capable tackles and Cole playing guard and center very well. 

Winston Justice and Chris Patrick would appear to be gone. 

Justice never mentally recovered since he gave up a ton of sacks in Osi Umenyiora’s breakout game against the Eagles. The coaches never really looked at Justice again either.

Patrick made the active roster at the end of last season. He’s a big young Cornhusker that seems destined for another team in 2009 unless he clears waivers and finds a spot on the practice squad.

Dallas Reynolds is a rookie free agent from Andy Reid’s favorite school, BYU, where Reynolds played center and Reid played guard and tackle. Expect Reynolds on the practice squad if he clears waivers.

Here is where the cuts will hurt most of all. 

The Eagles are deep at guard, but these guys have been championed by the coaching staff as really good looking prospects much like Dunlap.

McGlynn was a fourth round 2008 draft pick. Gibson was a sixth round 2008 draft pick.

These two players are young and talented prospects. I definitely would not have expected Fanaika or Topou to make the cut over McGlynn.  

There is really little choice but to expect the Eagles to keep an 11th lineman in McGlynn or expect them to trade Cole or Jean-Gilles away for a draft pick or in a bundled offering for a veteran.

It’s not very logical for a 2008 fourth round draft pick (McGlynn) to lose a job to a 2009 seventh round draft pick (Fanaika) before the pads go on and these guys show what they can do with contact, so accordingly, I am going to assume that the Eagles will find a way to keep McGlynn on the active roster.

The only alternative is to waive Dorenbos if someone else can long-snap.  I don’t say that lightly because the value of a reliable long-snapper is possibly mockable, but unquestionably invaluable.

Gibson may be a prospect for the 2009 practice squad if he clears waivers.

 

The Linebackers and Rookie Moise Fokou

The Philadelphia Eagles linebackers are rich with talent. Read More 

Fokou looked like a long shot to make the team as a seventh round selection despite his impressive season at Maryland in 2008.

He is a little bit undersized, but will provide good competition as a weak side linebacker with Omar Gaither and Akeem Jordan.

At linebacker, one would expect the Eagles to keep six players on the 53 man roster for 2009.  Once again, with Fokou locked up, one of the returning players must go, probably Tracey White.

Stewart Bradley, Chris Gocong and Joe Mays are fairly secure in the jobs at linebacker.

Either Omar Gaither or Akeem Jordan should be assured a position as well.

Gaither should find a home with the Eagles again. He does a nice job on special teams and can play any of the linebacker positions.

Akeem Jordan also serves a nice role as a coverage linebacker where his presence can be highly correlated to the more successful and productive defense of the second half of 2008 despite his lack of generating turnovers.

Special teams linebackers Tracey White and Tank Daniels don’t seem to fit the roster build any more.  There just is not enough room to keep seven linebackers without some kind of huge move. 

Charleston Hughes may have an opportunity on the practice team, but not much else.

The depth chart at linebacker may look like this:

WILL                         MIKE                          SAM

Akeem Jordan           Stewart Bradley           Chris Gocong

Moise Fokou             Joe Mays                    Omar Gaither

Fokou, Mays and Gaither will have to do whatever job the Eagles may have expected from Tracey White and Tank Daniels on special teams.

 

What are the Eagles going to do with all their excess players?

The Eagles may be able to create another stock pile of draft picks for 2010 if they can deal some of their depth at linebacker, defensive back, receiver and offensive line away to other interested teams. 

One more shocking blockbuster trade using their discretionary players may seem unlikely but not out of the question.

The final picture of the Eagles 53 man roster is starting to become much clearer. More to come on that topic.

Eagles’ OTA Breakdown: Without Sheldon Brown, What Does It All Mean?

What does Sheldon Brown’s OTA absence mean to the Eagles’ 2009 regular season?

Andy Reid offered a comment that he wanted Brown at the OTAs, but continued further to say that Brown was working with his own agenda.  Reid added that the opportunity is good for the new and young corner-backs to gain experience through repetitions. 

He did not comment on how Brown’s absence ultimately figures into his 2009 game plan.

Sheldon Brown has offered no further comments on his disgruntlement or on his absolute intentions at this point in regards to his absence in the OTAs. 

First, note that Brown was within his contractual rights to stay home. 

Fellow corner-back Asante Samuel is not participating in the final week of the OTAs, either.

That aside, Brown looked to be in a proper state-of-mind to play football during the mandatory mini-camp.  He apologized to the fans and his teammates about his pre-draft outbursts, but the Eagles needed him at this OTA and his absence greatly discounts his apology.

I’m not going to knock Sheldon Brown’s game as others have done since the bickering began (Brown Underrated?), but I will suggest that this latest upheaval is even more reminiscent of the 2008 Lito Sheppard season.

 

What Can Be done?

The good news is that the potential of the other corner-backs and the trade value of Sheldon Brown is more than noteworthy.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see Brown get traded in a package that includes an Eagles’ wide receiver or offensive lineman for a veteran at a needed position or a second or third round draft pick.

The Eagles will need to rid themselves of at least one quality receiver and offensive lineman by the start of the regular season.

If Brown goes in a trade prior to a disappointing season on the bench, his trade value will be much higher.  I know the Eagles do not like to have their hand forced by a player, but what one wants and what is best are often mutually exclusive events. 

If Brown comes in and plays the position the same way he has in the past, there is no better option in my opinion for the Eagles. 

Throwing Sheldon a bone would not be such a bad thing.

 

Worst-Case-Scenario

Considering a worst-case-scenario, Eagles’ fans have to feel good about the prospects of Ikegwuonu, Hobbs and Hanson as starting nickel and dime corner-backs.

Hanson was fantastic in 2008, playing the outside corner-back in nickel packages.  Sheldon Brown covered the slot position in the nickel most of the time.

Hobbs was charged with surrendering a lot of touchdowns in New England, but he is unquestionably an improving, young and talented corner back with NFL game experience and big play making ability.

Ikegwuonu looks the part.  He played the part well in college, but we can only get a better feel for what he can do in the NFL after the Eagles strap up in full gear.

Trae Williams and Dimitri Patterson have also been around the league and may offer up some surprises when camp starts.

When it’s all said and done, Eagles fans should feel very good about the defensive backfield regardless of the disposition of the Sheldon Brown conflict.

 

Final Thoughts

The OTAs are not much of a help to Sheldon.  If he is psychologically ready and continues his off season conditioning, it’s all good as far as his game is concerned. 

If Sheldon is not ready for this season with the Eagles, the young prospects may need to step their game up a bit.  

The youngsters are all more than capable and full of promise.

There is a little bit to worry about, but not much.  I am hopeful that Brown will play well for the Eagles, but if the coaching staff senses a diminished performance forthcoming—trade him now and bring in the new class.

 

Jeremy Jarmon: Future Eagles Left Defensive End?

The Eagles are going to work out a left defensive end on Tuesday.  Jeremy Jarmon will miss his senior year at Kentucky do to a violation of the NCAA banned substance list.

Jarmon claimed to be a squeaky-clean guy and offered the explanation that he was taking a supplement he did not know contained a banned substance.  He was told to stop taking the supplement, but at that point it was too late.

The inflexibility of the NCAA regarding their substance abuse policy has been widely criticized specifically regarding the Jeremy Jarmon ban.

In just three season, Jarmon became the No. 3 all-time sack leader in Kentucky history, with 17.5 sacks recorded.

Jarmon will become NFL eligible in the 2009 supplemental draft.

The left side of the defensive line is one of the question marks going into 2009 for the Eagles. 

Jarmon is a natural left end, but how could Jarmon figure in to the picture at defensive end for the Eagles?

It’s doubtful that he is ready to start in the NFL, and his 2009 senior year output for Kentucky is and will always be a projection.

Victor Abiamiri is a very good-looking defensive end.  Jaqua Parker and Chris Clemons have also played the position well.

If I were to take a stab at the current prognosis at left end, I would expect Abiamiri to start and shift inside to tackle on passing downs, with Clemons coming in to play left end to get better edge pressure.

Right now, the Eagles look to return six defensive ends from last year.  Trent Cole, Darren Howard, Jaqua Parker, Victor Abiamiri, Chris Clemons, and Brian Smith were all on the active roster.

Obviously the Eagles can’t keep seven defensive ends. With the injury to defensive tackle Amon Gordon, they will more than likely keep six, not five. 

Still, one end would need to go away in order to make room for Jarmon.

It’s hard to imagine the Eagles using one of their 2010 draft picks in the supplemental draft for any player, let alone a defensive end.

Nonetheless, if Jarmon is as impressive as he may be in the private workout on Tuesday, the Eagles may make a move for a new face on defensive line.

 

Who Will Not Get Traded to Make Room for Jeremy Jarmon?

Trent Cole is a lock.  The rest of the roster is trade-able or cut-able.

Victor Abiamiri should be a locked in player.  He’s a young end drafted in the second round of 2007.  Abiamiri is just now getting his opportunity to show what he can do on the field.

He hasn’t been overly impressive yet, but optimism is high on what he may bring to the field in 2009. 

Abiamiri will get another season or two to emerge before the Eagles look to dismiss a second-round draft pick entering his third NFL season.    

 

Who Might Be Cut or Traded To Make Room for Jeremy Jarmon?

Clemons has been an interesting defensive end.  He was signed as a free agent and showed a solid ability to get to the passer in 2008, something everyone looks for in a left end.

Clemons registered four sacks in 2008 with the Eagles and eight sacks in 2007 with the Raiders, while only starting two games in those seasons.  In 2009, he is entering his sixth NFL season.

Brian Smith was the 2008 third-round draft selection of the Eagles.  I don’t think the Eagles are ready to move away from Smith yet. 

Smith has not taken an NFL regular season snap, but his speed burst has been impressive.  He may be an option to play a hybrid end or linebacker position if he is unable to gain bulk.

 

Who Would Likely Get Cut or Traded To Make Room for Jeremy Jarmon?

Darren Howard had a career year registering 10 sacks, but he is the oldest defensive end with a noteworthy contract size, and could easily be considered dispensable.

Jaqua Parker started most of 2008 at left end for the Eagles. If the Eagles are comfortable with Abiamiri and Jarmon, they could definitely take that direction over Parker.

Both of these players could merit a fourth or fifth round trade value if the timing is right.

The Eagles also signed rookie free agent from Penn State, Josh Gaines. Gaines’ best opportunity with the Eagles in 2009 might be the practice squad.

 

Final Thoughts at Left Defensive End

I really don’t see the Eagles making a move for Jeremy Jarmon.   

Then again, they are bringing him in for a private workout right away. 

If Jarmon fits the bill for Any Reid and company and they pull the trigger on a deal, I would expect to see Parker or Howard shipped off for a 2010 draft pick.

 

 

The Eagles Agree To Terms With Rookie Draft Picks Harris, Topou, Gibson

The Eagles have agreed to terms on four year deals with CB Victor “Macho” Harris, OT Fenuki Topou and WR Brandon Gibson in an interesting development.

Victor Harris makes all the sense in the world.  He provides special teams value and is flexible enough to play safety and cornerback.  He was an electric stand out at Virginia Tech. 

The Harris signing is going to put a lot of pressure on safety prospects Rashad Baker and Reshard Langford. 

Cornerback, Jack Ikegwuonu, may also be caught in the pinch, although that seems unlikely.

There is an outside chance that the Eagles keep 10 defensive backs instead of nine (9) and that could bode well for the safeties.

The defensive backfield becomes a bit clearer barring injury and may end up looking as follows:

CB: Samuel, Brown, Hobbs, Hanson, Ikegwuonu.

S: Mikell, Demps, Jones, Harris.

Baker and Langford still have an outside chance of making the team. 

I like Langford’s opportunity to make the practice squad if he clears waivers. 

I don’t think Baker will be an Eagle although he has looked very good up to this point in the OTAs.

Considering Sheldon Brown’s most recent absence, he may be on the trading block after all.

 

The signing of OT Fenuki Topou from Oregon is also interesting.  It is a pretty good indicator of Winston Justice’s fate.  Justice was not getting rave reviews from anyone.

It also shows the concensus is that Jon Runyan is not planning on returning at this point, at least as an Eagle.

Topou is a good looking offensive tackle that the Eagles took with their third fifth-round pick.

The ultimate offensive line picture remains unclear. 

There is tremendous depth and talent at the guard position, but tackle looked relatively weak in terms of depth, besides the heralded improvements by King Dunlap and the flexibility of the Andrews Brothers and Todd Herremans to play both tackle and guard.

McGlynn and Gibson really get put on the press here.  These guys have shown great potential and are well liked by the coaching staff.  Somebody will have to go and the Eagles needed more depth at tackle than guard.

The Eagles may have kept only nine offensive lineman, but with Andy Reid’s love of the trenches and this signing of Topou, I expect to see 10 linemen on the roster.

Here’s a picture of what the offensive line may look like.

T: Jason Peters, S. Andrews, King Dunlap, Fenuki Topou

G: S. Andrews, Todd Herremans, Nick Cole, Max Jean-Gilles, Mike McGlynn or Mike Gibson

C: Jamaal Jackson

 

The signing of sixth round selection, wide receiver Brandon Gibson, blows my mind a bit.  This has sweeping implications.

Someone definitely has to go now.  Baskett and Brown are the veterans at the bottom of the depth chart as I see it. 

Baskett offers a contribution on special teams and a size-to-speed ratio otherwise not present.

Brown is built in the model of Maclin, Curtis (the oldest receiver on the team), and you could stretch it to Jackson and Avant as well. 

Injuries and otherwise ineffective play kept Brown unproductive in 2008.

Neither Brown or Baskett warrants much trade value, a fifth round pick at best.  If the Eagles kept all of these receivers, that would make a ridiculous seven  on a roster that has been widely speculated to only carry five in 2009.

Brandon Gibson could be a real talent at wide receiver, I am just surprised that he may be bumping Baskett or Brown from the roster.

In 2008, Gibson was the lone star at Washington State.  He does not have great size or tremendous speed, but he is definitely a receiver with very nice hands and a great sense of how to play the position.

Walther Football ranked Gibson as the 14th best receiver prospect in the nation despite his average productivity in college.

I can only imagine that the Eagles keep six receivers, not five with this development and the picture may look like this:

WR: DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, Kevin Curtis, Jason Avant, Hank Baskett and Brandon Gibson.

An afterthought is if Jeremy Maclin is winning the confidence of the coaching staff as a starter, Curtis, Avant, Baskett and Brown may all be considered tradeable. 

Although Curtis seems highly unlikely, he has the only promising trade value.

 

Considering these deals, there are some players that the Eagles will likely look to trade or release and that list may include: Winston Justice, Mike McGlynn, Mike Gibson, Sheldon Brown, Hank Baskett and Reggie Brown or more. 

The Eagles official roster stands at 79 men.  They are only allowed to carry 80 at this point in pre-season and LeSean McCoy, Jeremy Maclin, Cornelius Ingram, Paul Fanaika and Moise Fokou have not yet signed, so they don’t count.  They would bring the Eagles to 84. 

One more free signing before players must be cut to make room.

Andy Reid and Rick Burkholder Provide a Brian Westbrook Injury Update

The Philadelphia Eagles front office has been minimizing Westbrook’s ankle injury as a minor procedure that is of little or no concern.

Westbrook’s agent offered a statement that the procedure is only being performed because he has time enough to heal before the season commences.

The overwhelming impression of Westbrook’s situation in the locker room is a complete return to form.

The final estimation to full recovery is only discernible well after the procedure and into the rehabilitation process.  Worst case scenario is a need for a second clean out that may or may not be elective. 

Despite the positive expectations from the franchise and players, the Eagles will take nothing for granted as they prepare for 2009.

Today, the day of his surgery, the Eagles issued an official statement on PhiladelphiaEagles.com.

Athletic Trainer, Rick Burkholder said that the surgery was not able to be completed arthroscopically, but was still a minor procedure.  He expressly stated that it was an optional surgery that is of little concern.

The bone spurs were a secondary injury relating back to his ankle sprain in September of 2008.  Over time the spurs developed and caused scar tissue that was causing pain and swelling when Westbrook positioned himself on the balls of his feet.

Burkholder did not offer up any official return-time estimates, but stated that Westbrook was in the best shape of his career and he expects him to be primed for productivity in 2009.

Burkholder also commented on the resiliency and toughness of Westbrook as a factor that should expedite his return time.  He inferred a return to practice estimate to be sometime between training camp and the beginning of the season.

Regarding his cardiovascular conditioning, Burkholder minimzed concerns by offering the idea that following his minor off-season procedures, Westbrook will be in the best shape of his recent career.

Andy Reid also offered comments regarding his comfort level with the successful return of Westbrook.

He did not allude to any interest or initiatives in acquiring a veteran running back at this time, but admittingly recognized that there were some viable options and that more could emerge on the waiver wire as the team cuts begin.

Reid seemed genuinely optimistic regarding the abilities of Booker, McCoy and Weaver to play what roles are required of them despite expressing some concerns for their pass blocking.

Overall this is a good prognosis.  Westbrook is out of surgery and reportedly had no unexpected complications.

Looks like Westbrook will be ready to go in time for week one.

Philadelphia Eagles’ Brian Westbrook Facing Surgery and Rehab

Brian Westbrook will be out indefinitely following this Friday’s scheduled procedure to have bone spurs removed from his ankle. Westbrook noticed the strong pain in his ankle after completing the Philadelphia Eagles’ rookie and mandatory mini camps. He has not practiced in the recent OTAs.

The area is described as needing to be cleaned out. Westbrook is not expected to return until well into training camp at the earliest.

I don’t even want to think about this, but what do we do now? And what does this mean for the season?

Well, it means we keep more running backs on the roster than we otherwise would have for a little while longer at least. 

Lorenzo Booker now looks like a really good option as another plug-and-play, receiving-type, speed back that head coach Andy Reid could put on the field to spell rookie LeSean McCoy in camp and maybe early 2009 season.

Booker has potential at least.

Free-agent long-shots Eldra Buckley, Walter Mendenhall, and Marcus Thigpen will also get more work and looks and will have an opportunity to stay on this team for a little while longer, if nothing else.

One of these free agents could quite possibly see the field in the 2009 regular season.

Leonard Weaver would also figure to get more looks as a running back in camp, preseason and possibly some of the regular season. Weaver has the best NFL experience and would actually play really well in Reid’s running back role.

Of course, McCoy figures to bear the burden of the Westbrook injury. He will get a lot of work, starting now. McCoy’s immediate future will include more carries in practice, more practice, more studying.   

We will find out what kind of player McCoy is very soon.

I don’t think it’s likely, but the Eagles may be tempted to bring in a veteran from the free-agent market. If the situation gets worse, the idea becomes more realistic.

Recently released Edgerrin James and J.J. Arrington would be interesting to look at if it had to go that way. 

Ahman Green, Warrick Dunn, Deuce McCallister, Rudi Johnson, Chris Perry, Michael Pittman, and Aaron Stecker are all still emergency free-agent options as well.

Even when Westbrook does return, I would expect him to carry half of the workload he might normally carry. He must show his ankle and knee are in a condition to support a high level of play without exposure to more injury.

If he comes back prematurely, he could miss the entire season.

Our thoughts are with you, B-West. Get well.

A Closer Look at the Eagles’ Second-Round Selection: LeSean “Shady” McCoy

I am just way too excited to see what LeSean “Shady” McCoy is capable of doing in Andy Reid’s offense.  He may not be the prototype running back by the traditional standard.  He is, however, a prototype running back for Andy Reid.

I am going to go out on a limb here and say that I believe McCoy is the best running back from the 2009 draft class.

 

McCoy at PITT

At PITT, McCoy put up some gaudy numbers in just two seasons:

| 2007 | 1,328 yards | 4.8 avg | 14 TD | 33 receptions | 244 yards | 1 TD |

| 2008 | 1,488 yards | 4.8 avg | 21 TD | 32 receptions | 305 yards | 0 TD | 

McCoy will be 21 in July, he was a sophomore in 2008.

Those are pretty impressive numbers for such a young player.

In 2007, McCoy earned unanimous freshman All-American and Big East rookie of the year accolades while setting freshman conference and school records.

In 2008, McCoy earned second team All-American and Big East offensive player of the year awards while setting more conference and school records.

McCoy was simply brilliant as a college football player.  He had a great sense of knowing where he was, where he wanted to be, where he was needed and how to get there.  He did especially well when he needed to be in the end zone.

When you watched him play at PITT, his quickness in and through a hole in the trenches was of an incendiary nature and his ability to manipulate the open field with vision, quickness and velocity was extraordinary.

 

McCoy’s Workouts and Draft Day

Although McCoy was ill on the day of his combine workout, he impressed on his pro-day. 

His 4.48 second 40-yard dash did not disappoint anyone but McCoy.  That 4.48 would have ranked him fourth in the combine, but faster than Moreno, Brown and Wells.  He ran a 4.25 second 40 at the 2004 Nike State College Training Camp. 

LeSean’s pro-day yielded more very strong running results with a 4.18 second 20-yard shuttle and a 6.82 second three-cone.  Those times would have ranked tied for sixth and first respectively, both faster than Moreno.

He surprisingly did not jump very well.  His broad jump and vertical left something to be desired, but his quickness and speed are definitely there.

In another draft, McCoy could have easily been a first round pick.  In 2009, McCoy is a Philadelphia Eagle.

On the Philadelphia Eagles team web site, McCoy was quoted, “I thought I would go way higher…being patient and then being drafted by the Eagles, the wait was worth it.”

McCoy indicated on the Eagles team page that he has been mentored in many things by fellow Bishop McDevott, Pitt and Philadelphia Eagles alumni Ricky Waters. 

McCoy also mentioned that he grew up as a Barry Sanders fan.

More points in his favor.

In his post draft interview, he showed a ton of respect for Brian Westbrook’s abilities.  McCoy expressed his intent to learn from Westbrook and contribute on the offense as a rookie, recognizing that he needs to work on his blocking.

 

McCoy’s Prospects for the NFL

Aside from pass blocking, McCoy will need to improve his ball security a bit as well.  He ran with the ball a little too loose at Pitt and Andy Reid and running backs coach, Ted Williams, will make sure he is prepared to protect the ball at the NFL level before he steps on the field.

There have been differing statements expressing concern regarding McCoy’s size.

LeSean McCoy is not as small as he has been billed.  At the combine he measured up at 5’10” and 198 lbs.  This is what is listed on the Eagles website and on the NFL draft page and other places. 

McCoy was battling the flu at the combine and did not participate other than in the bench press.  He was dehydrated and well under game weight.  Pitt measured McCoy at 5’11” and 210 lbs.  He weighed in at mini-camp at 213 pounds.  That’s his game size.

The doubt that goes with small size is power and durability.  One problem with that as an exclusive correlation is that all backs get hurt, big and small.  Brandon Jacobs and LaDainian Tomlinson and everybody else gets hurt.

McCoy recorded two injury free seasons as a freshman and sophomore starter at PITT.  That’s as much as you can do to show durability as an NFL rookie.

No mistaking him for a power back, McCoy was definitely the most elusive running back in the draft.  He may not finish like Moreno, have the stiff arm of “Beanie” Wells or the pass blocking skills of Donald Brown, but he has a shiftiness that none of them posses.

What I really like about McCoy is told by the way he works the ball in his hands.  He does a great job demonstrating his balance and understanding of his center of gravity as he changes ball carrying hands to gain leverage and preparedness in accelerating around and away from would-be-tacklers.

When he cuts, he looks like Westbrook.  Their plant foot just pierces the dirt and as they realign their bodies, the earth is violently turned-over under their feet as they explode in a new angle. 

It’s a beautiful thing.

When finishing his run, he works down low to get under tacklers and squeeze out an extra yard or two.  Very much like Westbrook will finish a lot of runs.

McCoy is also a fantastic receiver out of the backfield.  He catches very well on the run and accelerates through the catch.  His hands are receiver quality. 

McCoy can learn his pass blocking technique.  His power comes from his legs and that is where you pass block from. 

 

McCoy Fitting in with the Eagles

In the rookie mini-camp and OTAs, McCoy has looked very good and breathtakingly quick.  His burst has caught everyone’s attention.

Although McCoy has a lot to learn about the offensive system, he played in a pro style offense that is similar to the Eagles.  He should have an easier time adjusting because of his experience at PITT.

So we can expect that McCoy will be ready to contribute in 2009.  If McCoy can pick up the pass blocking duties he can be a three down back and give Westbrook a more sustainable breather.

He is a perfect fit for Andy Reid’s brand of the west coast offense and should assimilate into the “where’s waldo” running back role with his versatility.

McCoy has the raw skill set to develop into a very Westbrook like player.

LeSean McCoy will be a great back for the Eagles for several seasons.

 

Breaking News

As I am writing this article, news is released of Westbrook requiring surgery for bone spurs in his ankle.  McCoy will likely get a lot of work early-on and a lot of share time with Westbrook to at least midseason.

This is terrible news.  The only bright spot is the hope that rookie LeSean McCoy can be ready for the NFL by the season opener. 

This is a lot of pressure for young McCoy, but I do think he works well under pressure.

For More Analysis on the Westbrook Injury: Click Here

Philadelphia Eagles’ OTA: Westbrook, Brown, and Andrews Remain Absent

The injury news and drama from the organized team activities is beginning to roll in. Some seemingly minor injuries to key players and disgruntlement at the cornerback position shouldn’t impact the team in the end.

Regardless, these players really need to find a way to stay healthy and get to practice to make this 2009 season as good as it can be. 

 

Brian Westbrook, Running Back: Ankle

Westbrook is sitting out of the OTA with an ankle injury. The injury has been reported as discomfort and of no association with his knee injury from 2008.

The move with Westbrook is most likely precautionary. “B-West” doesn’t have anything to learn about the basics of the system and their is no reason to risk anything at this point.

Westbrook will need to do a better job of staying healthy this year, regardless of this injury. He needs to make sure that his ankles and knees are strong, flexible, and reinforced so that he can prevent the little nagging injuries from taking the pop out of his step.

This disconcerting aspect of this injury is that there is still no contact. How will Westbrook hold up throughout this season? If he continues to be injured, we may see more of McCoy than we expect.

If the injury is really minor, it’s probably a result of overcompensating for some tenderness in his knee. If he needs the rest, the Eagles need to give him as much of it as they can afford.

 

Sheldon Brown, Cornerback: No Show

Sheldon Brown did not show for the OTA. He is not required to come, but his intention has not been made clear yet.

This could easily mean nothing. The absence could be completely excused, but with all of the pre-draft drama regarding Brown, one tends to think the worst.

This team is better with Brown, but if he really does not want to be here, Reid did a nice job backing him up at the position.

With Brown out of the lineup, a great opportunity may emerge for Ikegwuonu, Hobbs or Hanson. These guys can all play and they will have more time to prove it.

I’ve been standing up for Sheldon Brown because of his history with the team. He may want to continue to sit out, but now is not the time to make a point. I’m going to continue to assume that the absence is not indicative of Sheldon’s ethic for 2009. 

 

Stacey Andrews, Guard/Tackle: Is He Ready to Practice?

Stacey Andrews is reportedly working out in individual exercises. That makes him that much closer to group workouts. 

Max Jean-Gilles has been playing right guard in the most recent OTAs. That is a clear demonstration of the depth this line has. Nick Cole and Max Jean-Gilles are crystal clear starting caliber linemen.

A question that remains is the move of Shawn Andrews to tackle and it’s relativity to the season’s starting lineup.

It seems like the coaching staff may have some concerns regarding the mobility of Stacey Andrews following his knee surgery. Shawn Andrews is more foot loose at the book end position anyway, so it all makes good sense.

If Stacey Andrews suffers a set back playing as a guard, Cole or Gilles will be able to fill in nicely.

It seems very wise to put the bigger question mark in a position with more talented and practice-ready depth at backup.

If Shawn Andrews has a set back at tackle, Stacey can move out to a familiar tackle position and Cole or Gilles can fill the gap.

Despite the concerns with these marquee players, the Eagles are still in a strong position at this point in the offseason. Westbrook is going to be a huge key to this team’s success if he is healthy and that needs to be the No.1 priority.

 

The Greatest NFL Running Backs of the Last 50 Years: 1959 to 2009

Who are the greatest running backs of all time and why? 

No simple answers here, just a lot of opinion. 

Several running backs have the right to make the claim and many more deserve consideration.  The greatest running backs have shown the ability to be physical and elusive with consistency throughout their career however long.

Click the player names for youtube highlight videos.

 

1. Jim Brown 6’2″ and 232 lbs. | Cleveland Browns (1957 – 1965)

Jim Brown made the pro bowl every year of his career.  In nine 14 game seasons, Brown totaled 12,312 yards with a 5.2 yard average per carry and 80 rushing touchdowns. 

Brown also received for 2,499 yards and 20 more touchdowns.

Keep in mind that he played 14 game seasons.  Brown led the league in rushing every year of his career with the exception of 1962.  He averaged over 100 yards per game during his career.

He never went down easy and fought for the extra yard after contact every single time.  Most of the time, that extra yard turned into an extra bunch of yards.

There just wasn’t anybody else who ever ran through everything the way Jim Brown did.  He could run through a player or drag them, whichever way it went.

Jim Brown ran like a train.  

Players didn’t tackle Jim Brown, they got hooked on him and sooner or later they fell off or were run between the train and the tracks. 

One man rarely brought Jim Brown down. 

If you pro-rated Jim Brown’s production to 16 game seasons, he would have had  14,171 yards in only nine years.

 

2. Barry Sanders 5’8″ and 203 lbs. | Detroit Lions (1989 – 1998)

Barry Sanders made the pro bowl every year of his career.  He led the league in rushing four times.  He almost certainly would have broken the NFL rushing record had he not retired, still in his prime, after 10 years.

Sanders ranks third on the all time rushing list behind Emmitt Smith and Walter Payton with 15,269, a 5.0 yard average per carry and 99 touchdowns.   

Barry Sanders was the most elusive running back in NFL history. 

Nobody ever crossed up defenders like Sanders.  Once Sanders was in the defensive backfield, it was lights out. 

Sanders had the most exciting runs for losses in NFL history.  Playing for the Lions, he had plenty of opportunities to elude defenders in the backfield.

Nobody did the spin move like Barry Sanders. 

When Sanders spun, he moved what seemed like 15 feet laterally in half of a second.  Sanders could show a tackler his back and do a half spin away from danger, or just spin right out of a wrapped up tackle.

Watching Barry Sanders run through a defense was like watching someone try to hit one of those little bouncing balls with a dart.

In 1997, Sanders rushed for 2053 yards with a 6.1 yard average per carry.  

 

3. Walter Payton 5′ 10″ and 200 lbs. | Chicago Bears (1975 to 1987)

Walter Payton made nine pro bowls in his 13 year NFL Career.  During his reign, Payton accumulated 16,726 rushing yards with a 4.4 yard average per carry and 110 touchdowns.  Payton also had 4,538 receiving yards with another 15 touchdowns.

Payton is second on the all time leading rusher list behind Emmitt Smith.

Tackling Walter Peyton looked like trying to tackle a wave.  If he didn’t knock the would-be-tackler over, he went around them or both.  Affectionately dubbed “Sweetness” for his silky smooth running style, Payton could finish a run through a tackler as well as work the open space in a field.   

Payton was a skilled ball handler. 

He palmed the ball like all high school and college coaches tell their players not to and used his free hand as a weapon. 

When contact was inevitable he sensed it.  Payton would tuck the ball and initiate the contact himself.

 

4. Emmitt Smith 5’9″ and 210 lbs. | Dallas Cowboys (1990 to 2002) | Arizona Cardinals (2003 to 2004)

Emmitt Smith rushed for 18,355 yards with a 4.2 yard average per carry and 164 rushing touchdowns.  Smith enjoyed a long 15 year career in which he made eight pro bowls. 

Smith was one of the toughest running backs ever. 

Through sheer determination alone, Smith would regain his composure and balance to extend a run.

Smith had a great balance of agility, quickness, and power.  Emmitt did not run away from or over many players.  He was fantastic at sliding out of a square position with a defender to create a bit of separation and bounce off of the contact. 

Emmitt is famous for having rushed for 168 yards and catching 10 passes in a game which he played through the pain of a separated shoulder. 

Madden kept saying, “This guy can’t throw a pebble five feet, he was trying before the game.” 

I’ll Miss Madden.

Anyway, Smith had will power.  He willed his feet and legs back underneath of him throughout his career.

Emmitt Smith is the leading rusher in NFL history.

 

5. Bo Jackson 6’1″ and 227 lbs. | Oakland Raiders (1987 to 1990)

One of my greatest disappointments with professional football was not having Bo Jackson for a full NFL season.  Jackson was indeed the second coming of Jim Brown with more speed.

He was a Major League Baseball player for the Kansas City Royals and once baseball was over, he showed up for the Raiders.  He played four seasons and averaged just fewer than 10 games per season.

Jackson made the pro bowl in 1990 without ever playing a full season.  His statistics do no credit to his game except for his 5.4 yard average per carry.

Bo Jackson would have been a statistical leader in every category had he continued his football career full time.  He was a punishing runner who could stay in stride as he bowled over a would-be-tackler.

 

6. O.J. Simpson 6’2″ and 212 lbs. | Buffalo Bills (1969 to 1977) | San Fransisco 49ers (1978 to 1979)

O.J. Simpson rushed for 11,236 yards in 11 mostly 14 game seasons.  He averaged 4.7 yards per carry and scored 61 rushing touchdowns.  O.J. made the pro bowl five times and was the first back to rush for 2,000 yards. 

He did it in a 14 game season. 

Simpson was a long, lanky back that had a gazelle-like stride, tremendous balance, and the uncanny ability to just rip through arm tackles.  He didn’t really bowl players over; O.J. just ran outside of their wrapping range and ran through their grips with cheetah like acceleration.

O.J. is a bad man. 

 

7. Franco Harris 6’2″ and 230 lbs. | Pittsburgh Steelers (1972 to 1983) | Seattle Seahawks (1984)

Franco Harris played half of his 13 years in 14 game seasons and compiled 12,120 yards with a 4.1 yard average per carry and scored 91 rushing touchdowns. 

Harris made the pro bowl nine times.

Harris was an extremely imposing football player that carried great agility and speed.  He didn’t go down without dishing out some punishment of his own.

Franco Harris ran very hard and with great skill.  He had a wonderful sense of timing in redirecting his speed on the opponent’s side of the line of scrimmage.

His exaggerated running style only added to the Goliath-like impression that Harris left on the field.    

Franco Harris is best known for the immaculate reception. 

 

8. Eric Dickerson 6’3″ and 220 lbs. | Los Angeles Rams (1983 to 1987) | Indianapolis Colts (1987 to 1993)

Eric Dickerson rushed for 13,259 yards in 11 seasons, averaging 4.4 yards per carry and scoring 90 touchdowns. 

He was a six time pro bowler. 

Dickerson was a track star with football gear. 

He was a really tall running back and it almost made him look awkward at times, but the man could run.  Eric Dickerson really just ran hard angles around tacklers and blew threw a reaching arm or two.

If you were wondering, Dickerson was very tough when he needed to be.  He ran over Ronnie Lott. 

Enough said there.

In 1984 with the Rams, Dickerson rushed for 2105 yards averaging 5.6 yards per carry.

 

9. Earl Campbell 5’11” and 232 lbs. | Houston Oilers (1978 to 1984) | New Orleans Saints (1984 to 1985)

Campbell made the pro bowl in five out of his eight seasons.  He rushed for 9,407 yards averaging 4.2 yards per carry with 74 touchdowns.  In his first three seasons Campbell averaged between 4.6 and 5.2 yards per carry.

Earl Campbell may be the hardest runner of all time.  

If presented with the option of running around or over a tackler, Campbell would choose over.  He had the ability to make people miss, but Campbell had a great style of loosening up a defender with a change up step and then plowing them over. 

When a defender had Campbell wrapped up high, he was likely to push his way ten yards down the field before finally breaking out. 

If you watch Campbell closely, he seems to change ball carrying hands better than anyone to set up a stiff arm or make an arm free to fight off a handsy would be tackler.

Campbell was really like a bull in his running style.  He had the speed and power, but when tacklers put their arms around him he would surge his body violently and gore the defenders off of their feet. 

 

10. Marshall Faulk 5’10” and 211 lbs. | Indianapolis Colts (1994 to 1998) | St. Louis Rams (1999 to 2005)

In 12 NFL Seasons, Marshall Faulk earned seven pro bowl berths.  He rushed for 12,279 yards with a 4.3 yard average per carry and scored 71 touchdowns on the ground. 

Faulk also received for 6,875 yards and another 36 touchdowns.

Marshall Faulk was one of the most elusive running backs in the history of the NFL. 

As part of “The Greatest Show on Turf,” Faulk became the master of the all-purpose back duty.

Whether he was running out of the backfield or receiving in the flats, Faulk was not a player that defenders wanted to be facing in a one-on-one situation. 

He could break down and accelerate like a rabbit. 

 

Honorable Mention: Tony Dorsett, Gale Sayers, Thurman Thomas, Curtis Martin, Jerome Bettis, Marcus Allen, Terrell Davis, John Riggins, Wilbert Montgomery, Larry Csonka, and Curt Warner

Active Players: Ladanian Tomlinson, Adrian Peterson, Clinton Portis, Jamal Lewis, Fred Taylor, Edgerrin James, Brian Westbrook, and Warrick Dunn…

All of these incredible running backs shared a common vision of the field.  Each had their own way of finding open space. 

One sure thing is that these players dominated the field with the ball in their hands.

 

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