Tuesday, November 27, 2012

The 2013 Eagles Will Draft...

Johnny Football's Enabler
As an Eagles Fan (yes, still! Despite everything!), it's time to look at the standings -- the only ones that matter right now. Draft order. Here's your top four of awful, with the Eagles having already taking care of the rest of the NFC...

1-10 Chiefs: Carolina, at Cleveland, at Oakland, Indianapolis, at Denver.

2-9 Jaguars: at Buffalo, New York Jets, at Miami, New England, at Tennessee.

3-8 Browns: at Oakland, Kansas City, Washington, at Denver, at Pittsburgh.

3-8 Eagles: at Dallas, at Tampa Bay, Cincinnati, Washington, at New York Giants

First, let's talk about this draft. It's supposed to suck. since the top QBs (Geno Smith of West Virginia and Matt Barkley of USC) have clear flaws; Smith is probably overrated from that one perfect defense-free day he had earlier this year, and Barkley bears the stigma of coming from the school that has produced as many high draft flops at QB as any other school you can name. (I don't know squat about college football, and even I know that USC QBs are hateful.) But when you have as bad a team as the Eagles have, a top five pick meas an immediate new starter at any number of places (I dream of a stud T, others would rather have a CB, but I'd gladly take either), and we are in Tear Down Mode here; one high pick and/or magic QB is not going to make this team into a real contender. A foundation needs to be built over 2-3 years, and this is not likely to be the only very high draft pick that's coming this way.

So let's get into the trash.

The amazing thing about the Chiefs is that three, and maybe even four, of those games are actually winnable. KC still has a defense that tries and a top-flight RB in Jamaal Charles, and since I kind of enjoy hurting myself and own Dwayne Bowe in fantasy, I've actually seen more of their recent games than anyone should. They led the Steelers, were in it for a long time against the Broncos, still have a home field advantage, and might have won more than one game had they ever gotten their turnover problem under control. It's not out of the question that they could win some games, and the magic of this draft is that there's no Suck For Luck going on. If they finish with just one win, I'll be amazed.

Jacksonville has shown more fight in the past two weeks than we've seen from them all year, and it coincides with the ascension of QB Chad Henne. He's clearly playing for a starting job in 2013, and the Jags aren't going to lay down for anyone. I think they get their third win either this week or next, and wouldn't be shocked if they get to four. Besides, they've lost so much recently that tanking for position is not going to be appealing at all.

Cleveland has the tiebreaker edge on the Eagles thanks to that Week 1 slopfest loss that really should have given us all more of a clue about how this year was going to go; if the teams played now, it's obvious who would win, since the Eagle defense has moved into Historically Generous Mode to QBs. The schedule isn't kind -- it' s hard to see them winning any of those last three games -- but Oakland might be the worst team in the league right now on the field, and someone's got to lose that Kansas City game.

Finally, the Eagles. Um, they aren't winning another game this year. I'd be amazed if they are within 10 points of any of these teams. That's certainly how I'm going to bet.

Now, is there a real benefit to moving up? Of course. Smith isn't really necessary here, so the first pick isn't all that necessary, and while Notre Dame LB Manti Te'o would be exciting (imagine, an Eagles team with a stud LB -- I'm all a flutter here), he's also not the biggest need. The third pick might get you Star Lotuleli (NT from Utah), which isn't going to be the move with Fletcher Cox actually looking good. Which leaves us with the two guys that really work here: Texas A&M OT Luke Joeckel or Alabama CB DeMarcus Milliner.

Personally, I want Joeckel, in that I have the dream of having a good line again quickly with a return to health from Jason Peters and Jason Kelce, teaming up with Evan Mathis and Todd Herremans. (Notably absent: 2011 bust Danny Watkins. What a waste.) Put that line together, run the ball 30 times a game, and you might resemble a football team sooner rather than later, especially if the head coach has any idea at all in regards to defense. And Joeckel is large, fast, mean, used to playing at a high tempo and in front of a mobile QB. There's nothing there that this team doesn't need in spades. Milliner is a big and physical corner who, unlike the current starters, actually shows an interest in tackling, and plays for a team with a far better defense than the Eagles. In that Alabama cares, and hits. But I digress.

Oh, and there's one last thing the team needs to do. But you aren't going to like it. Check back tomorrow for that.

So, in summing up... the Eagles currently hold the fourth pick in the 2013 draft. They are going to get a very good player with that pick. Now, the trick is to make sure the pick is as high as possible... and that the GM is actually competent or not. But I have hope -- because there is no way that 2013 can be as bad to watch as 2011, or 2012. Bring it on!

6 comments:

Mac Lauren said...

A very good and interesting blog post.

Curtis Young said...

I really hope your unpopular idea is to keep Vick. He can certainly hold the spot for a few years if he isn't the focal point of the offense (the running game should be)and changes are made on the OL and improved defense. Why would you throw a rookie QB into this mess? It'd be David Carr all over again.

DMtShooter said...

It's not, but that doesn't mean Vick can't be the QB in 2013. This is worth a whole 'nother post, but the other available options next year aren't encouraging in the least.

The biggest problem with Vick holding the job is that even if the OL is better, I can't see him holding up. The last severe concussion didn't even happen on meaningful contact. The man really shouldn't be playing anymore.

BLSD said...

I'm gonna represent the West Coast here. Not all USC quarterbacks are horrible. Sure, Carson Palmer is an inception waiting to happen and Matt Leinart has disappeared into the Black Hole (I assume, since he hasn't been seen since the preseason) and Rob Johnson was forgettable, but go back 30-40 years and Pat Haden wasn't too bad. Was he? I kind of forget. So, yeah, USC produces great DBs but QB isn't a strong point. Good stuff though about your team. If I weren't so lazy I'd do the same for the Silver and Black. I only wish we had a QB as good as Vick. God, I hate Carson Palmer.

DMtShooter said...

The full list: Mark Sanchez, Carson Palmer, Matt Leinart, Sean Salisbury, Rodney Peete, Pat Haden, Matt Cassel, Bill Nelsen, Pete Beathard, Vince Evans, Paul McDonald, Todd Marinovich, Rob Johnson AND John David Booty.

Carson's the best, and it's not even close. And he's horrible.

BLSD said...

My God, I did not know Sean Salisbury was a Trojan. That explains so much.