Archie Bunker
04-27-2006, 07:38 AM
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=16541937&BRD=1675&PAG=461&dept_id=18170&rfi=6
PHILADELPHIA -- With the draft just two days away, the rumors are heating up. The Eagles still want to move into the top 10, where they almost certainly would take a defensive tackle. The quality drops off dramatically after Brodrick Bunkley of Florida State and Hatoli Ngata of Oregon, the top-rated tackles. Neither will drift to 14.
A vertical move would be unlikely to happen until the first day of the draft, according to Eagles general manager Tom Heckert.
"I think it would be more when we’re on the clock, or the day of," Heckert said. "And it’s the same way for the teams that are moving down. They don’t want to do it until the last second, because they might get something better, which I can understand."
If the price to go up is too steep, the Eagles would be OK selecting offensive tackle Winston Justice, according to sources, should he fall to 14. The competition for Justice most likely would come from the Detroit Lions, who own the ninth pick, and the Arizona Cardinals at 10.
The buzz also is the Eagles could stand pat at 14 and draft a linebacker -- yes, a linebacker -- such as Ernie Sims of Florida State. Although the Eagles obviously need to improve the front seven that struggled to make plays last season, the organization hasn’t taken a linebacker off the board in the first round since Jerry Robinson of UCLA arrived at No. 21 overall in 1979.
The Eagles might have another prospect, as well, whom they expect to be on the board if they hang in with the 14th pick. It would be their moment of truth.
"That’s where you have to weigh whether you take the guy there," Heckert said, "or do you move down, or if you get stuck, are you happy with the guy?"
Sources say the Eagles are prepared to trade down just far enough in the first round to pick up another draft pick and a quality offensive lineman, like center Nick Mangold (6-3, 305) of Ohio State.
Mangold isn’t going to sell a lot of Eagles jerseys but he has star qualities. He’s considered a solid technician and a budding leader that could step right in and play well. The Eagles have been unable to hide their interest in Mangold, according to sources.
While Heckert said the Eagles are OK at the center position -- veterans Hank Fraley and Jamaal Jackson are scheduled to battle for the starting job -- it’s obvious the coaching staff had serious doubts about the pivot play.
After all, the Eagles were ready to throw a $10 million-plus signing bonus at center-guard LeCharles Bentley on the first day of free agency. Bentley chose the Cleveland Browns.
Bentley would have been a dynamic upgrade for the Eagles and quarterback Donovan McNabb, who have been feeling the heat up the middle since Super Bowl 39.
To get Mangold, sources say the Eagles probably couldn’t trade down much further than the 20th spot, owned by the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Chiefs and the Eagles are compatible trade partners. The Chiefs need a cornerback or a safety. The Eagles, at No. 14, would be able to offer K.C. its choice of the top defensive backs.
If Mangold escaped the grasp of the Eagles, linebacker Chad Greenway of Iowa would be a consideration, providing he slides. Heckert has made no secret of his affection for the versatile Greenway, whose stock fell after he ran a 4.79 in the 40-yard dash at the NFL scouting combine.
"I think he’s an outside guy but I think he can play both -- strong or weak," Heckert said. "He’s a good player. He’s so smart and so aware and instinctive that he can do all of that stuff. He’s got some size."
The Eagles also are aware their best-laid draft plans could blow up if another teams pulls off a trade.
"There’s going to be some trades," ESPN Draft Analyst Mel Kiper said Wednesday. "I don’t know about a lot. We talked about Philadelphia, if it’s the right situation. And Baltimore (No. 13), if Ngata’s not there. Chicago, now that they’ve got Ricky Manning Jr. at corner, could move out of (No. 26). Houston might look to move back into the first round needing offensive linemen the way they do. There’s going to be some activity. Will there be a lot? I don’t know how you quantify a lot. But there will be some activity."
There was speculation Wednesday the Eagles were trying to upgrade the wide receiver position with Javon Walker, who before Brett Favre recently delayed his retirement another season, vowed never to play again for the Green Bay Packers.
Sources say the Eagles offered defensive tackle Hollis Thomas and a sixth-round choice -- not enough, it appears, to get the job done.
ESPN reported the Eagles offered the Packers Thomas and guard Artis Hicks, while the Denver Broncos shopped wide receiver AshleyLelie and a sixth-round pick.
The Packers want a first round pick according to CBS SportsLine.
PHILADELPHIA -- With the draft just two days away, the rumors are heating up. The Eagles still want to move into the top 10, where they almost certainly would take a defensive tackle. The quality drops off dramatically after Brodrick Bunkley of Florida State and Hatoli Ngata of Oregon, the top-rated tackles. Neither will drift to 14.
A vertical move would be unlikely to happen until the first day of the draft, according to Eagles general manager Tom Heckert.
"I think it would be more when we’re on the clock, or the day of," Heckert said. "And it’s the same way for the teams that are moving down. They don’t want to do it until the last second, because they might get something better, which I can understand."
If the price to go up is too steep, the Eagles would be OK selecting offensive tackle Winston Justice, according to sources, should he fall to 14. The competition for Justice most likely would come from the Detroit Lions, who own the ninth pick, and the Arizona Cardinals at 10.
The buzz also is the Eagles could stand pat at 14 and draft a linebacker -- yes, a linebacker -- such as Ernie Sims of Florida State. Although the Eagles obviously need to improve the front seven that struggled to make plays last season, the organization hasn’t taken a linebacker off the board in the first round since Jerry Robinson of UCLA arrived at No. 21 overall in 1979.
The Eagles might have another prospect, as well, whom they expect to be on the board if they hang in with the 14th pick. It would be their moment of truth.
"That’s where you have to weigh whether you take the guy there," Heckert said, "or do you move down, or if you get stuck, are you happy with the guy?"
Sources say the Eagles are prepared to trade down just far enough in the first round to pick up another draft pick and a quality offensive lineman, like center Nick Mangold (6-3, 305) of Ohio State.
Mangold isn’t going to sell a lot of Eagles jerseys but he has star qualities. He’s considered a solid technician and a budding leader that could step right in and play well. The Eagles have been unable to hide their interest in Mangold, according to sources.
While Heckert said the Eagles are OK at the center position -- veterans Hank Fraley and Jamaal Jackson are scheduled to battle for the starting job -- it’s obvious the coaching staff had serious doubts about the pivot play.
After all, the Eagles were ready to throw a $10 million-plus signing bonus at center-guard LeCharles Bentley on the first day of free agency. Bentley chose the Cleveland Browns.
Bentley would have been a dynamic upgrade for the Eagles and quarterback Donovan McNabb, who have been feeling the heat up the middle since Super Bowl 39.
To get Mangold, sources say the Eagles probably couldn’t trade down much further than the 20th spot, owned by the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Chiefs and the Eagles are compatible trade partners. The Chiefs need a cornerback or a safety. The Eagles, at No. 14, would be able to offer K.C. its choice of the top defensive backs.
If Mangold escaped the grasp of the Eagles, linebacker Chad Greenway of Iowa would be a consideration, providing he slides. Heckert has made no secret of his affection for the versatile Greenway, whose stock fell after he ran a 4.79 in the 40-yard dash at the NFL scouting combine.
"I think he’s an outside guy but I think he can play both -- strong or weak," Heckert said. "He’s a good player. He’s so smart and so aware and instinctive that he can do all of that stuff. He’s got some size."
The Eagles also are aware their best-laid draft plans could blow up if another teams pulls off a trade.
"There’s going to be some trades," ESPN Draft Analyst Mel Kiper said Wednesday. "I don’t know about a lot. We talked about Philadelphia, if it’s the right situation. And Baltimore (No. 13), if Ngata’s not there. Chicago, now that they’ve got Ricky Manning Jr. at corner, could move out of (No. 26). Houston might look to move back into the first round needing offensive linemen the way they do. There’s going to be some activity. Will there be a lot? I don’t know how you quantify a lot. But there will be some activity."
There was speculation Wednesday the Eagles were trying to upgrade the wide receiver position with Javon Walker, who before Brett Favre recently delayed his retirement another season, vowed never to play again for the Green Bay Packers.
Sources say the Eagles offered defensive tackle Hollis Thomas and a sixth-round choice -- not enough, it appears, to get the job done.
ESPN reported the Eagles offered the Packers Thomas and guard Artis Hicks, while the Denver Broncos shopped wide receiver AshleyLelie and a sixth-round pick.
The Packers want a first round pick according to CBS SportsLine.