Local newspaper writer slapfight!

by JasonB on Mar 24, 2009 1:38 AM EDT in Philadelphia Eagles News

Yesterday Daily News' writer Paul Domowitch made the audacious claim on his Philly.com "blog" that you can "Book it: The Eagles will take a RB in round one."

My gut feeling right now? Probably not Wells and probably not McCoy. Maybe they trade up for Moreno. Or maybe they stay put and take Brown with one of their two picks. But they will take one of them.

Well, his colleague over the Inquirer(they really work for the same company) Bob Brookover seemed to take issue with that and shot back later in the day using his own Phily.com blog. "Is there money back with blog's guarantee?"

Since blogs get buried under new blogs faster than newspapers get placed in the bird cage, there's really little risk in making a guarantee. Who'll remember what was written in Eaglesomethingorotherian a month from now?

He also had a juicy quote from Tom Heckert at the owners meetings to refute the idea that the Eagles would take a back in round one...

"I think over time it has been proven that you can find backs later on," Heckert said. "We obviously haven't been great at it. We got Brian (Westbrook), but if you look around the league there are guys taken in the fourth and fifth round. I think it's probably an easier position to find than offensive tackle or defensive end, so those are the guys you better take early."

Is Heckert throwing up a smokescreen or he is just being honest? In the Andy Reid era the Eagles have never taken a RB higher than the 3rd round.

Will the Eagles actually take a RB in round one? Will Domowitch respond to the salvo from Brookover?

Poll

Will the Eagles take a RB in round one?

Yes

344 votes

No

312 votes

656 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 19 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

Would the Eagles take a RB in Rd 1?

This is just my personal opinion, but if Moreno somehow falls to the 21st pick and the Eagles don’t take him then they’re fucking idiots. I don’t see them pulling the trigger on any other RB at 21.

The monster at the end of this blog.

by grover on Mar 24, 2009 2:20 AM EDT reply actions

I agree with that...

Don’t see them taking any back other than moreno in the 1st…

by PoppiDamus on Mar 24, 2009 8:49 AM EDT up reply actions

I think it depends on the first pick. I think if Pettigrew is available then we should take him and hope Knowshon drops to our second one or trade up with our second one to get Knowshon.

by The Legend on Mar 24, 2009 2:23 AM EDT reply actions

yeah...

it could be one of several positions by the time pick 21 comes around. it happens so many times that andy isn’t satisfied with the players left on the board when the eagles pick comes and he trades down. hopefully, there will be a quality RB, TE, or OT when it’s our turn.

by awd777 on Mar 24, 2009 8:26 AM EDT up reply actions

Hmmm. While it is true that the Eagles have never taken a RB before the 3rd round, it is also true that the Eagles have never had a glaring need at RB in the Andy Reid era. Think about it, we have gone from Duce to Buck to Westbrook. So, I think there is a good possibility that this is the year we take a RB in rounds one or two. Also, my personal preference is Donald Brown.

by Neduol Caz on Mar 24, 2009 5:25 AM EDT reply actions

+1

I agree 100% here. What are the Eagles going to do at RB if and when Westbrook goes down (or potentially goes down)? I’d also note Heckert’s comments – “I think over time it’s been proven you CAN find backs later on. . . . We obviously haven’t been great at it.”

What he’s saying here is, contrary to conventional wisdom on this site, running backs aren’t a dime a dozen. After the first round, it’s pretty much a crap-shoot. The Eagles have actually been doing pretty well by league-wide standards – picking up Westbrook and Buckhalter in the 3rd or 4th but missing on Moats and Hunt. There is no margin for error this year. And before anyone brings up Brandon Jacobs and Marion Barber, take a look at all the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th round misses in this division over the past ten years.

If I’m not mistaken, quarterback and running back are the only two positions where the Eagles will be starting a player on the wrong side of 30. Westbrook has proven to be fragile. What’s the back-up plan? Booker? A potential bust 3rd or 4th rounder? An older veteran (at a position where it’s incredibly important to be young)?.

Who was that ex-Packer who we brought in year after year? A significant step back from the three-headed and two-headed attacks that have been successful for the Eagles at times since then and that most teams rely on today.

I know others disagree here, but I think you are right on.

by dave in san mateo on Mar 24, 2009 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Sheldon Brown is 30 (or will be by opening day)

"I tried to run him over but Eli had his big boy pads on and he kind of stopped me from getting in the end zone. The next time I’ll try to jump over his head.’’ - Asante Samuel

by foos05 on Mar 24, 2009 12:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Kevin Curtis and Juqua Parker are both 30 too … and of course Akers and Rocca but 35 year old kickers isn’t really that shocking.

"I need to do a better job of putting players in the right position to perennially come up short of expectations"

by Whodie126 on Mar 25, 2009 9:28 AM EDT up reply actions

I just don't see it

Running backs are not a position of high draft value for the Eagles. Plus I think they’re looking at last year’s draft and seeing that guys like Matt Forte (2nd round), Kevin Smith and Steve Slaton (3rd round) were drafted later and still very successful. I think the success of a RB is less important to the Eagles than the success of their O-Line.

by ajay on Mar 24, 2009 8:34 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs

I agree with you but..

It should be pointed out that last year’s running back class was WAAAAY deeper than this year’s. Teams with needs at RB are going to have to act a little earlier.

For that reason, I could definitely see the birds going RB 2nd round.

We should also remember that since they’re bringing in Donald Brown, they’ve probably got their eyes on someone else.

by afksports on Mar 24, 2009 9:50 AM EDT up reply actions

I think were trading up

And its not for a running back I think its for our next LT so I say no.

by homestar2281 on Mar 24, 2009 8:42 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs

I have a hard time believe Heckert. Andy Reid loves to play mind games, and i don’t think Heckert would be GM if he didn’t too.

by Clyde Simmons on Mar 24, 2009 8:42 AM EDT reply actions

Remember when Andy was coaching Adrian Peterson in the Pro Bowl? Andy said: “now that I have AP, I am going to run the ball every down”. Does Andy Reid really covet a between the tackles style of runner, or was he just screwing with the media that asked him if he was going to run 100 million times.

by Clyde Simmons on Mar 24, 2009 8:55 AM EDT up reply actions

Screwing

by ajay on Mar 24, 2009 9:09 AM EDT up reply actions

both

the pro bowl is a time of fun for the players as well as the coaches. not only will the playes try new things and get to play with other people but so do the coaches. we all know Andy has a good relationship with Childress and probably has heard alot about AP from im and respects AP alot. he probably saw this opportunity to play with the media and at the same time just not have to sceem for the future or ration players

by NickPampani on Mar 24, 2009 9:31 AM EDT up reply actions

He's a dumbass

He thinks the eagles will TRADE UP for a back in round 1?

LOLOLOLOL!!!!!!!

Guys, I’ll be somewhat shocked if we get one in the 2nd. 1st? Not a chance.

E-A-G-L-E-S EAGLES!!!

by Joe_D on Mar 24, 2009 1:21 PM EDT reply actions

anything’s possible… but i’m pretty positive we wouldn’t trade up for one in the first. Running backs are a dime a dozen. That Rashad Jennings guy from liberty i think could be a solid pick in the 4th or 5th. Also Cedric Peerman from virginia and Javon Ringer out of michigan state are potentially good backs

Representing CANADA eh?

by awat5 on Mar 24, 2009 2:01 PM EDT up reply actions

It's a sexy pick

Just like WR and that’s why Eagles fans and “experts” always entertain the idea of drafting a skill position high up EVER year. The fact is, Westbrook is STILL our starter. The Eagles feel like they can get a good productive back in the later rounds… If not, there’s always a back on the unemployment line that can do the job. The first rounds for us are reserved for lineman and quarterbacks. The game is won on the line, and that’s where our first round choices come from.

E-A-G-L-E-S EAGLES!!!

by Joe_D on Mar 24, 2009 2:25 PM EDT up reply actions