Personally I love the Eagles draft. Remember, this is only one part of the whole in making the 2011 roster. Free Agency hasn’t happened yet due to lockout. It seems that the Birds were focused much more this year on making sure they got the players that they specifically targeted, players that play with an edge or were special in some way (or both).
I believe why it appeared to many that they may have reached for some players based on where a “Draft Expert” had them projected. Keep in mind the whole argument, “he would have been there in the 3rd or 4th round why did they take him in the 2nd??!!”, is preposterous because it assumes that everyone is working off the same draft board. Safety depth in this year’s draft was thin. The Eagles obviously wanted Jaiquawn Jarrett and they made sure that they got him.
The only reason anyone “thinks” the Eagles reached for him is that “Draft Experts” projected him to go in the 3rd or 4th round. At the end of the day, it’s all about production. The Eagles history in drafting 2nd and 3rd round picks is spotty based on production. Production will dictate whether or not this was a good draft. Period. Therefore, as always, it’s wait and see.
My analysis of what I’ve seen with my own eyes watching game film of these players. Note: I don’t spend much time talking about weaknesses below but instead on reasons I’m excited about this draft or why I think the Birds took these players. I just really liked the kinds of players they chose to add to their team. I am definitely rooting for all of them.
Danny Watkins – Brings Attitude, toughness, borderline dirty player, physical skills, emotionally mature, dominated at the Senior Bowl (Man against boys), body is fresh as a daisy compared to younger college prospects at his position who’ve been playing since pee wee football. Best OL prospect ever drafted for Howard Mudd to work with. Only real knock is age and limited FB playing experience and primary he was still available at pick 23.
Jaiquawn Jarrett – Physical Safety, alley player who comes with bad intentions and lays the wood, secure tackler with strength to scoop and slam runners. Haven’t had a real physical presence in Defensive Backfield since Dawk.
Curtis Marsh – Athletic freak, aggressive and has raw physical skills that will need to be developed, limited playing experience at CB (2 years) as he was a running back his first two years. Confident and does not play with fear.
Casey Matthews – Not as physically gifted as older brother Clay but possesses great instincts on how to play LB position. Student of the game, sheds blocks well, can make the big play (forced fumble on Cam Newton in NCAA Chip was a perfect football play) plays the game the right way doing all of the little things that often doesn’t show up on a stat sheet.
Alex Henery – K/P finished college career with best FG% in NCAA history. Bailed Nebraska out of games routinely by being money on FGs and consistently changing field position in the punting game.
Dion Lewis – LeSean McCoy’s replacement at Pitt. Freshman year (2009) had 1,799 yards and was Big East offensive rookie of the year along with receiving skills, body type similar to Maurice Jones-Drew and finishes runs with power.
Julian Vandervelde – Another guard who seems like another Howard Mudd guy. Athletic, powerful, intelligent, uses hands well, and maintains solid body position when going to the next level. Excelled in Iowa’s zone running scheme.
The rest of the draft there are some interesting picks where it appears the Eagles took some flyers. I really liked the Jason Kelce pick from a value perspective at this point in the draft. Former RB/LB walk on to Cincinnati and developed from 215 to 295 lb G/C. Plays with a chip on his shoulder and out to prove doubters wrong.
Brian Rolle was a productive LB at OSU. Greg Lloyd had injury history at UCONN but if you believe in bloodlines, who knows? Stanley Havili, camp body at this point. Until I see him play, I have no opinion.
By Christian O. Vila
Nice aritcle Christian…
Is “Contributor” a family nickname … Good work and positive vibes..
I guess you never see anwest coast games. Havilli has been extremely productive for 4+ years at USC. Really knows how to play and is an elite passcatcher and rute runner. The only knock is that he is not a great run blocker. Also excellent on runs from scrimmage.
He’s a RB in a FB body who doesn’t block well enough is the analysis that I have read on him thru various sources..Has very good hands, but is not very fast and isn’t physical enough ..
I don’t see where that description makes him a fit in the Eagles System..
At FB and even RB , you have to block, you have to catch and you have to be quick.. he’s a negative in 2 out of 3 requirements..
I think they’re going to try to let Havili get bigger and stronger, then work with him on his blocking techniques because Andy and Marty like the idea of having a fullback who can both run with and catch the football.
Nice article…i am just as excited about seeing what mudd and washburn do for their respective lines as I am the new players that we drafted, and whorver we add via free agency…i wonder how the,draft would have went if this was a typical offseason without the lockout..i really hope we can put it all together and finally reach the goal without disappointment or the same ol “so close” stuff
G:
I’ll be interested to see Mudd and Washburn too…but at Lehigh/camp. That’s it. I’ve not forgotten that OL and DL coaches are usually non-descript and anonymous. If they’re as good as their reputations, then a guy like Bunkley will improve drastically. Shipley and McGlynn will improve as well. That’s how I’ll gauge their effectiveness.
Most likely, the Summer Camp will be held at NovaCare Center with limited public access. Most clubs have already stated that due to the elockout and the shorter time together and the costs and logistics involved of holding Camp elsewhere, that many teams have decided just to have it at their own practice facilities… Eagles are still on the fence about this but if lockout goes much longer, they will most likely bypass Lehigh this summer..
AR and company think that Blocking is teachable. You can’t teach a guy to run fast or have soft hands. They use this concept with the TE’s they’ve drafted…
Would LOVE to see an old school West Coast FB in this offense…..a guy who is a match-up problem. Guy who can take a LB on a run or slide off that LB and catch a quick pass.
To Can’t Climb
I thought that’s why Chad Hall is on the roster…
Back to blocking on being teacheable which it is technique & leverage wise,
What is not teachable though is one’s desire to take on bigger players and stick your nose in there even when your outmatched physically and is this area, FB Havilli has had many doubters on whether he’s willing to commit to the punishment that it takes to be able to block effectively at the NFL level
Reports and scouts that have followed USC football have stated that they were always waiting for HAvilli to use his physical skills more but rarely saw it on a consistent basis.. With Weavers Status and return very uncertain, nad O Schmitt a Free-agent, HAvillie would have an excellent opportunity to come and make a name for himself and possibly earn a roster spot.. I do think the EAgles will resign Schmitt and I also think Weaver will retire or at maybe go on the PUP list for 2011 and try to return 2012 but his knee injury and subsequent 3 Surgeries have not gone well and it was determined that Weaver has suffered some nerve damage as well, so he has an uphill battle to even get back on the field let alone play Professional Football again
After doing a little more research on Stanley Havili, I would change my comment from “camp body” to a great value pick in the 7th rd and a chance to win a starting job as the FB of the Eagles. with Leonard Weaver a long shot to return for this season (maybe never) due to his catastrophic knee injury, the Eagles currently have only two FBs on their roster. On a side note, the Eagles interestingly have him listed as a RB. Owen Schmitt filled in solidly last year but he does not come without limitations.
Havili was a four year starter at FB for USC which is not to be overlooked. Although he is not devastating, he is a willing lead blocker. His strengths most certainly are in the passing game as a receiver due to his soft hands, fluid body control and possessing natural instincts running routes. He has a bit of wiggle for a 230 lbs ball carrier making people miss in the open field and plays with a coolness that makes me think he should be able to handle the upgrade in competition in the NFL. Starting at USC for 4 years can definitely help someone with the adjustment to be sure.
The Eagles don’t really use a traditional FB in their Offense all that often,
He difinitely has good running and catching ability, but any Back in th eEagle Offense has to be able to block where they have 1 Back Sets, picking up the blitz’s,etc,etc.. This Havilli definitely has a shot of making the roster and will also need to shine on Special Teams too..