Its been heavily discussed recently on these boards that the Eagles are in need of some DB help.  The most talked about position is safety with names like Eric Berry, Taylor Mays, Myron Rolle, Antoine Bethea, and others being tossed about and hotly debated.  Some have even suggested moving Sheldon Brown to safety or hoping that one of the young guys we have now (Sean Jones, Macho Harris) develops.  Obviously, safety is a big deal this off-season.

 

But the cornerback spot has not been talked about as much.  That’s not to say that nobody’s brought it up, but I feel like it should be talked about a bit more.  Personally, I’m a big fan of Asante Samuel as our number one guy.  He makes lots of picks, and even though he takes risks to play the ball, he rarely gives up big plays and is a better tackler than he is given credit for.  Sheldon Brown is getting a little older and slower, but he’s still a very solid tackler and one of the best cover corners in the NFC, in my opinion.  But in a few years he’s going to be lagging behind the faster wideouts and we’re going to need somebody to move into the number two spot.  Right now, that guy looks like Joselio Hanson.  Hanson is a good corner, but I don’t see him being much more than a third CB in this league.  I can’t say exactly what it is that I don’t like about him, I just don’t think he’s ever going to be a solid number two CB in this league.  We need to start looking for a number two corner who can step in and play in a year or two, and these are just a couple guys I think we should take a look at.  Feel free to tell me how horribly wrong I am, I look forward to hearing what others have to say on the subject.

 

Antonio Cromartie

via www.mkrob.com

Antonio Cromartie

According to ESPN’s Chris Mortensen, Antonio Cromartie is on the trade block in San Diego for a running back or draft pick.  Cromartie, who is related to the Cardinals’ Pro-Bowl CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, is a very talented young DB with a natural skill set that is rare to come by.  He has above average size for the position and has blazing speed.  In his second year in the NFL he made 10 interceptions, including three against Peyton Manning (in one game).  Since then he has leveled off a bit, so to speak, and has been burnt on some big plays.  At 25 he’s still very young, and I believe he would do well under Dick Jauron, the new DB coach.

 

That being said, I don’t know exactly how the Eagles would acquire him.  My guess is that we would have to send one of our third round picks and either Ellis Hobbs, Sean Jones, or another young player to even have a chance.  But I don’t see the harm in looking at the possibility, as Cromartie is an immensely talented player.

 

Amari Spievey

via www.nationalchamps.net

Amari Spievey

This guy is my "Micah", so to speak.  I’m very excited about this prospect’s potential and value.  Spievey, a CB out of Iowa, is one of the best values of the draft if he goes in the third round as expected.  He played great in his sophomore year, earning second-team All-Big-Ten honors while making 68 tackles, 4 interceptions, and 6 deflections.  In his junior season he was widely avoided by opposing QBs, causing his numbers and draft stock to go down.  Still, with 56 tackles, 2 interceptions, and 8 pass deflections and first team All-Big-Ten honors, it was hardly a bad year.  He’s a great tackler (almost a linebacker at the corner spot) and he plays the ball very well.  He also has experience with kick-returns and played running back in high school, making him difficult to bring down once he gets the ball.  He’s projected as a third-rounder, but I believe he could start this year if needed, and I see him as a Charles Woodson-type DB with his physical play. 

 

Spievey, too, has his downside.  He flunked out of Iowa his freshman year, but did very well both academically and football-wise at Iowa Central Community College and regained a scholarship at Iowa.  He’s been criticized as being slow, but has claimed that his low 40-times were run with turf-toe.  I think Amari Spievey will be an excellent CB, and if he’s still on the board when we pick in the third I’d be disappointed if we don’t nab him.

 

But what do you guys think?