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Eagles Ready to Make Big Splash?

BirdsFan — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 22:18:46 +0000

Today, the Eagles were visited by top offensive tackle prospect Jason Smith. Out of Baylor, Smith is projected to be one of the top three overall picks in the NFL draft. It is said to almost be concrete that the Lions will take Georgia QB Matthew Stafford with the number one overall pick. After the Lions, the Rams are the next to pick. With the loss of Orlando Pace this offseason, I would almost say it is a certainty that the Lions would take Smith if the Lions take Stafford. The Chiefs have the third overall pick in the draft and it is rumored that this is where the Eagles could possibly move up. If Smith were to still be on the board after the first two selections and the Eagles liked what they saw today, they could package their first two round picks along with something else to move up and hopefully get the starting left tackle for the next 10+ years. In all honesty, I don’t think it will happen due to the Rams need for an OT.

Although I’m a bit sick of talking about it, there are still rumors flying around about Anquan Boldin. Yesterday it was said that the Cardinals are listening to offers for Boldin again. Today it was said that the Cardinals would trade him for a first and third round pick. This is obviously something the Eagles could do since they have two first round picks. However, I’m a bit tired of getting my hopes up so I’m not going to think about it and just hope that it happens.

WR Prospect – Deon Butler

BirdsFan — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 20:44:31 +0000

A wide receiver who’s draft stock has been rising lately is Penn State’s Deon Butler. Butler has already conducted a private workout with the Eagles as well as cross-state rivals Pittsburgh. At 5′ 10″ 170 pounds, Butler does not have ideal size; however, what he lacks in size, he makes up in speed. While participating in the NFL Combine, Butler posted a 4.38 40-yard dash time. Butler was part of a dynamic trio of receivers at Penn State who are widely considered to be the best class of receiver the school has ever had. In his senior season, Butler had 47 receptions for 810 yards and seven touchdowns.

I think many people in the area would love to see Butler join the Birds because there are so many PSU fans around Philadelphia. Personally, I do not think that Butler is the type of receiver the Eagles need right now. Butler has about the same skill set as DeSean Jackson but I think Jackson is a better receiver. The good thing about Butler is that he can be had in the third or fourth round.

QB/WR Prospect – Pat White

BirdsFan — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 20:32:23 +0000

Today the Philadelphia Eagles worked out West Virginia’s Pat White. During his time at West Virginia, White played quarterback but was known for his ability to make plays with his legs. Upon completion of the 2008 season, there was talks of how White may make the transition to WR in the NFL because he’s not considered to be a “true quarterback.”

In 2008, White had 1842 yards passing with 21 touchdowns while also accumulating 974 yards on the ground with 8 touchdowns.

The emergence of the “wildcat” offense in the NFL may have boosted White’s draft stock dramatically. Teams that view White as a possible draft prospect have to take into consideration that he could fit this wildcat role quite nicely.

The Birds experimented with the wildcat using DeSean Jackson twice last year. One effort resulted in a touchdown while the other resulted in an interception. Maybe if White steps into this role we could rule out the interceptions and maybe become more productive from it.

The real mystery is the fact that it is hard to rank White’s value and predict what round he may be drafted. If teams pursue White it will probably be because they have a strong interest in implementing the wildcat into their playbook. It will be interested to see if the Eagles go after White.

WR Prospect – D.J. Boldin

BirdsFan — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 00:42:05 +0000

Not only do the Eagles have interest in Anquan Boldin, but they also have interest in his younger brother, D.J. Boldin. At 6′ 0″ 220 pounds, Boldin has a similar build as his brother and is known as a physical receiver just like big bro. In his senior year at Wake Forest, Boldin led the ACC in receptions ahead of such other ACC receivers as Hakeem Nicks and Darrius Heyward-Bey.

Boldin doesn’t have the hype that Anquan did coming out of college and may get a lot of looks simply because of his brother. However, he does have something that Eagles receivers tend to lack and that is great size. I am unsure where Boldin is projected to go but I’m sure with all the picks the Birds have that they’ll have multiple cracks at him if they choose. Drafting younger Boldin may make the older Boldin more likely to want to play for the Eagles but I don’t see Anquan coming to Philly past draft weekend.

Will Boldin end up in Philadelphia?

BirdsFan — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 01:08:40 +0000

It has been a very popular question and will continue to be: Could the Eagles possibly make a trade to receive Anquan Boldin from the Arizona Cardinals? Most people in Philadelphia would love to see it and I couldn’t agree more. We need a true number one receiver and Boldin would fill that spot perfectly. The question continues to be if it will actually happen and what are the Cardinals looking to get in return.

Peter King of SI.com says he believes the Eagles will make the trade for Boldin. I hope he’s right.