Eagles 2010 Offseason - Past, Present, and Future: DE

(For those that missed my first post; Past, Present, and Future: S)

The Eagles defense is historic for bringing the blitz and putting pressure on the opposing QB. But maybe we have to blitz the QB? Think about it, Mike Patterson and Brodrick Bunkley are solid at best. They a pure run stoppers, but they are rarely bringing pressure up the middle on third downs. Trent Coleis one of the Eagles best players ever, but is usually shutdown because of double-teams. And the huge question mark is at LDE? We have a mildly producer starter and two inconsistent role players.

Past DE: McDougle, Jerome #95

A over hyped college player for Miami, the Philidephia Eagles drafted the DE 15thoverall in the 2003 draft. But the rookie soon became injury plagued. With the Eagles, McDougle was plagued by injuries in the 2003 and 2004 seasons. In the final 2003 pre-season game, he sustained injuries during a game against the New York Jest forcing him to miss eight games of the 2003 season. Later in the 2004 season, he suffered a knee sprain in a game against the Dallas Cowboys, leaving him him inactive for the final four games of the 2004 season, which was the Eagles superbowl run. On July 28, 2005, McDougle was shot in the abdomen in a robbery, just before training camp. He missed the whole 2005 season. In 2006 in a Eagles 23-21 loss to the Bucs. In the fourth quarter of a extremely close game, McDougle sacked Bruce Gradkowski, but as seen above, the DE grabbed the QB's face mask, ending up in a 15 yard penalty. McDougle then kicked the flag, which resulted in another 15 yard penalty. The Bucs the made a difference maker 62 yard field goal. In 2007, McDougle was again injured, tearing his triceps in a preseason game against the Ravens. He was placed on IR. In '08 the DE was cut in training camp. Thus ending the Eagles headache. This is one reason I think we should not draft DE in the 1st round.

Also if we look at past history with DE's in the draft we see that its better to draft later

Eagles RDE Cole, Trent: 5th round

DE Burgess, Derrick: 3rd round by Eagles

DE/LB Kampman, Aaron: 5th round by Packers

DE Allen, Jared: 4th round by Chiefs

DE Mathis, Robert: 5th round

DE Talyor, Jason: 3rd round

That's not a bad list right there. When the Eagles take a DE early they usually don't produce; McDougle was over hyped coming out of college.

Present DE: Parker, Juqua #75 and Abiamiri, Victor #95

We can say right now, neither are the solution. Possibly Victor Abiamiri, the second round pick in '07 draft the Notre Dame. He's shown some flashes of brilliance, specificallyl ast season ('09) with the TD against the Panthers(see pic above). But like McDougle, who shares the same number, has been plagued with injury. But there's still hope, he's only in his 3rd season, althought having high expectations this season. hile only playing 29 games over three years, he has 20 tackles and 4.0 sacks. Below average, but he has never played a full season. But I feel that we need someone now to play. And current player Juqua Parker, is diminishing. Although having good stats with 34 tackles and 8.0 sacks; we all feel that the is usually getting one on one blocking and not making a huge impact. 

Future DE's

Here are the top DE's in the draft

Greg Hardy, College: Mississippi, Height/Weight: 6-foot-4, 262

Hardy started nine times as a true freshman in 2006, joined the basketball team after the 2006 football season and played in 15 games. He scored six points against Florida in the SEC tournament. He has 21.5 sacks over the past three years. He can be a very good NFL player, if he plays hard every down. He has the size, speed and athletic ability needed to be great. He will be a first-round pick in the draft. His father played at Mississippi.

Corey Wootton, College: Northwestern, Height/Weight: 6-6, 278

Wootton is a fifth-year player, who played and started in 2005 as a true freshman. He was injured in the fourth game and was given a medical redshirt year. He was first-team All-Big Ten in 2008 when he had 10 sacks. He has great size and speed for the position. He is a very athletic player, who will be a first-round pick. He has tremendous upside and should be a very good NFL player.

Brandon Graham, College: Michigan, Height/Weight: 6-0¾, 275

Graham played as a true freshman at Michigan in 2006. He's an outstanding athlete from Detroit who played basketball and ran track in high school. He has started 16 games and made 19 sacks in career. He was voted MVP of the 2008 team and was second-team All-Big Ten. He has outstanding speed and quickness for his position, which complements how hard he plays every down.

Jerry Hughes, College:TCU, Height/Weight: 6-1¾, 255

Hughes played as a true freshman at TCU after being an outstanding running back in high school. He has been a three-year starter at defensive end. He had 15 sacks in 2008, including four vs. BYU. He has great quickness coming out of his stance, to go withhis 4.7 speed in the 40-yard dash. He also has good strength to stop running plays and had 17 tackles behind the line. He was a first-team All-Mountain West player in 2008 after forcing six fumbles and two interceptions. He is a possible 3-4 linebacker.

Brandon Lang, College: Troy, Height/Weight: 6-3½, 255

Lang is a four-year player, who went to prep school out of high school. He originally signed with Georgia. He made first-team All-SouthlandConference in 2008 and had 11.5 sacks. He missed most of 2007 withknee surgery. Lang is a very talented player that has speed, quickness, toughness and strength. He is a possible first-round pick, if he has a good senior year.

Jermaine Cunningham, College: Florida, Height/Weight: 6-3, 250

Cunningham played as a true freshman in 2006. He has started 26 games over the past two years and has 11.5 sacks over that time. In 2007 vs. LSU, he was credited with 17 tackles. He has quickness and speed to rush the passer. Cunningham works hard and his best position might be a 3-4 linebacker.

Sources: NFL.COM

Julius Peppers #90

News:Peppers' agent believes that the Panthers have decided to move on and that they're not interested in a long-term extension, Charles Chandler of the Charlotte Observer reports.

ESPN.COM

I say why not. He is not affected by the CBA and is proven most of all. Last year ('09) he had amazing stats for a DE. Total Tackles: 42, Sacks: 10.5, FF: 5, INTS: 2 and one for 1 TD. Imagine if we had that much production at the DL alone. With Cole and Peppers we form the....colepepper? Nah, we have one of the best pairs of DE's in the NFL. And if we get Peppers we can still groom Abiamiri and pick up someone later in the draft like Greg Middleton or Koa Misi (HAWAII REPESENTS!).