Comments on: 2012 NFL Mock Draft Pt. 1

By: Christopher Rowe

Christopher Rowe — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 17:52:01 +0000

Good to have great debate back again so thanks to both of you for sparking it. Trotter (a Rhodes draftee) is the only Eagles LB to make the Pro Bowl since the 1990s
(http://www.prosportsblogging.com/2011/01/25/wanted-defensive-coordinator-apply-within/)

By: James Centifonti

James Centifonti — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 16:38:53 +0000

Well for me it would depend on how things unfold in the draft. But they should consider drafting Barron at #15 and then use the 2 picks in round 2 if needed add a 2013 pick in to move back in to round 1 and draft Burfict.

Andy may really have no choice if this is truely his last shot with the Eagles. If not hope Kuechly falls or that it doesn’t cost too much to move up a few spots to land him.

By: Christopher Rowe

Christopher Rowe — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 15:35:15 +0000

Sounds like a young, raw version of Ray Lewis. Then again, so was Terrell Suggs.

Agree Trotter was the last dominant Eagles linebacker for a year or two and Bradley had a good year or some say Simmoneau…but it has not been since the days of Seth Joyner and the Reggie White/Clyde Simmons/Eric Allen/Wes Hopkins teams (as James alluded to). Reid simply doesn’t value the LB position.

Spagnuolo does as a Johnson disciple (as did McDermott who was not allowed to develop them) and it is time for a defensive authority figure. Fouku, Chaney, Matthews and Rolle are cokplimentary players but how great would it be to grow the legend of the next Butkis or Urlacher or Lewis or Singletary? You need Spagnuolo in order to make defense a priority rather than a secondary side dish!

By: James Centifonti

James Centifonti — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 14:01:31 +0000

Shocked you don’t have Courtney Upshaw but have Dont’a Hightower. Both are close in early draft grades

By: James Centifonti

James Centifonti — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 13:53:24 +0000

Yeah Trotter is probably the last “decent” or capable player they had accutally suited to play the middle. I’ve watched Kuechly a lot this year and same with Burfict who reminds me of Ray Lewis when he is not losing his mind taking a personal foul penalty & when he wasn’t benched by Arizona St towards the end of the year because of it.

This would be an area I’d imagine they’d have to change ASAP “if” they landed Spags.

By: Michael Waterloo

Michael Waterloo — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 04:02:02 +0000

Chris long time no talk hope all is well! and depending on your definition of “dominant” I would say Jeremiah Trotter

By: Christopher Rowe

Christopher Rowe — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 03:57:57 +0000

Eagles may surprise us this year… when was the last time they even HAD a dominant linebacker?

By: Michael Waterloo

Michael Waterloo — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 03:19:57 +0000

Hey James,

Appreciate the read and disagree, not to early for a mock. I realize all of the moves that have to take place, that’s why I labeled this as part 1, as I will do one each month leading up to the actual draft. I do agree that Kuechly would be the best fit for the Eagles if he is around and the organization loves the guy. If not, I still feel they will take a linebacker though!

By: James Centifonti

James Centifonti — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 02:42:37 +0000

As much as I’d love to see the Eagles draft a LB in round 1, they haven’t since 1979.

I always expect them to draft some sort of lineman. But if the don’t I’d hope Kuechly slides to them & if not then Barron is who they should take.

Both would aide a huge weakness down the middle of their defense.

By: James Centifonti

James Centifonti — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 02:29:46 +0000

Way to early for a mock, still have free agency that begins on March 13th & maybe some trades even before the draft that will change things.

I’ll post one here just after some players sign. This one is interesting just in terms on some players you have going at some slots.