"He's a Julius Peppers/Dwight Freeney mixture type of player," Weaver said. "I think that after...

"He's a Julius Peppers/Dwight Freeney mixture type of player," Weaver said. "I think that after going through the drought he's been through the past three years in Seattle with the losses that he's hungry and ready to come out and prove himself again.

Weaver believes Tapp can thrive in Philadelphia's defensive scheme, much like Pro Bowl defensive end Trent Cole.

"They're high-motor guys that can make a difference," Weaver said. "Tapp is a high-motor, physical player. He plays against the run very good. He's able to use his height as an advantage obviously, getting under the pads of big offensive tackles. One of his specialties is being able to get up the field and make sacks and create havoc in the backfield. The Eagles are going to use his full ability and allow him to play like a reckless man. For the most part, he's going to do what Philly fans love, which is come to work every day and compete to the best of his ability," Weaver said. "I think he's going to make a big impact on this defense this upcoming year."

Leonard Weaver speaks on Daryl Tapp trade

Thanks to NPK for finding this.

about 2 years ago JasonB 15 comments 0 recs |

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I’m just glad Weaver isn’t in charge of structuring contracts for the Eagles FO – some big names he’s throwing out there.

by andyreidswaistline on Mar 19, 2010 7:00 PM EDT reply actions

Oh Please

God let this be so.

by greenage on Mar 19, 2010 7:30 PM EDT reply actions

I'm gonna say that Weaver stretched the truth a little bit on this one to help out a friend.

But, damn do I love a guy who has a “high-motor” and never quits on a play.

Brent Celek > Chuck Norris

by Filth2Fury on Mar 19, 2010 7:38 PM EDT reply actions

It can't sound any better than that ...

… of course, expectations are the enemy of achievement. If we expect Tapp to be meh and he has 12 sacks, we’ll love the guy. If we expect him to be PeppersFreeney and he has 12 sacks, we’ll think that was four too few.

Still waiting for the Eagles to Bring It Home For Jerome

by D3Keith on Mar 19, 2010 7:40 PM EDT reply actions

12 sacks, opposite of Cole, would have me so happy I’d be setting off streamers! I would love to see them get pressure from rushing four…

by 92-74-99-96 on Mar 19, 2010 8:16 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

I said this in the other thread... most DEs don't fit our system

but Tapp does

Most popular DEs like to just run around OTs and get sacks. The Eagles system asks DEs to engage the OT and react to the play on 1st and 2nd down usually. Tapp already does this… hard working guy, I think he’ll be a 3 down DE for us.

by Smallbugger on Mar 19, 2010 10:40 PM EDT reply actions

I spent some time watching some Seahawks highlights from last year

And as much as I’d like this new guy to truly be a “Dwight Freeney / Julius Peppers” type of player, he isn’t.

He’s basically a slower version of Trent Cole; i.e. he’s an undersized DE who plays the run well. He reads play-action well and doesn’t overcommit to a pass-rush, which allows him to take good angles on RBs.

However, he pretty much has zero explosiveness, non-existent burst, and a very limited set of pass rush moves, so he basically never gets to the quarterback. Then again, the Seahawks had him playing RDE and going up against LTs, where he was clearly outmatched, so maybe he’ll be able to get more sacks as a LDE.

by MyronBales on Mar 20, 2010 1:48 AM EDT reply actions

I think that's a point not mentioned enough

The difference between most teams’ LT and RT is huge huge. Of course we’re being optomistic, but I’m thinking this is going to be the pickup of the offseason when this coming season is all said and done. Not that he’ll be our best defensive player, but he’ll end up exceeding our prior production from that position by a long shot.

by Bisch on Mar 20, 2010 2:08 AM EDT up reply actions

270 lbs is undersized now?

That’s a prototypical weight for a DE.

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by JasonB on Mar 20, 2010 9:04 AM EDT up reply actions

He's barely over 6'0" tall

by MyronBales on Mar 20, 2010 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Now I'm not saying shorter guys can't be effective as DEs

But height is definitely a factor. Guys who aren’t tall can only succeed as DEs if they compensate for their lack of height with explosive burst and raw speed (Dwight Freeney).

by MyronBales on Mar 20, 2010 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Peppers? Freeney?

C’mon Weaver. I know he is a former teammate but this is going a little overboard. Really hasn’t shown in his career so far that he is capable of generating any where near the consistent pressure these two normally do. No problem with that since they are both among the best DE pass rushers in the league but stiil.

by MG77 on Mar 20, 2010 12:42 PM EDT reply actions

Like everybody else has said, switching sides so that he’s going up against RTs AND playing with Trent Cole on the other side should both have positive impacts on his production.

I am the people's troll :3™

by yomjoseki on Mar 20, 2010 12:59 PM EDT reply actions

I agree

Also our DTs are not that bad either so there indeed should be a positive impact in his production. Yes we all know Weaver Stretched his assessment of Tapp but Weaver did come here and make a big enough difference that he got himself a new contract so one may never know

by Two Nickels on Mar 23, 2010 1:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Eagles fan in Seattle

Tapp isn’t Trent Cole, but he can play. I really like this acquisition and I think you’re going to see more QBs on their ass this year. The Hawks have had little to no pass rush as the likes of Tubbs, Bernard, and Kearney (more age related than anything else) have left.
The Eagles have grabbed Tapp at what I believe will be the apex of his career, and I expect double digit sacks from him. It’s like when you paint the house and you realize how crappy your furniture is… we’ll realize we need a new DT.

by Dredge on Apr 6, 2010 2:49 PM EDT reply actions