Eagles get LB, RB with their 3rd round picks

by JasonB on Apr 28, 2007 11:12 PM EDT in News Comment 10 comments

Stewart Bradley - Best hair in the draft

First comes the linebacker, with the 87th overall pick the Eagles took LB Stewart Bradley from Nebraska. I really like the Bradley pick, he's a big(6-4 255) true SAM linebacker that specializes in stopping the run.

Oh yes, we drafted a guy that specifically stops the run! Plus, I think he's very good value late in the third round. This seems like a slam dunk good need pick that should here very well. He's just a big, tough guy that will finally be drafted by the Eagles to play the spot he played in college. G Cobb, who was a strongside linebacker for 11 years in the NFL, said on WIP that Bradley has everything you look for in the position.

Strengths:
Has good size and a big frame...Has an excellent motor...Terrific instincts...Stout against the run and can take on blockers...Smooth and fluid in coverage...A solid tackler with good technique...Good pass rusher and blitzer...Is smart and a hard worker with great intangibles...Physical and aggressive...Special teams potential.

Weaknesses:
Speed and overall athleticism are only average...Long-term health and durability are major concerns...Lacks top-notch quickness and agility....Does not have great range...Hands and ball skills are sub par...Production was okay, not outstanding.

So linebacker, specifically SAM linebacker was a position we all wanted to address in this draft. Defensive end was a need and that was addressed. The next one is a guy Eagles fans are going to love. A big, Penn State running back.

With the 90th overall pick the Eagles took Penn State RB Tony Hunt. Hunt is the big back(6-1 233) Eagles fans have been wanting for years now and is another good value pick where they got him.

Strengths:
Has great size with a solid frame...Displays outstanding balance...A strong and powerful runner who will deliver a blow and fall forward...Has good hands and can help out in the passing game...A reliable blocker...Durable and the type who gets stronger as the game goes on...Was very productive throughout his career.

Weaknesses:
Lacks elite timed speed and quickness...Won't break off many long runs...Not very shifty and won't make people miss...Vision is somewhat questionable and he will misread some blocks...Will struggle to get outside and turn the corner in the NFL.

This guy will be our hammer. He ran for almost 1,400 yards last year and 11 TDs. He also caught 27 balls for 3 TDs. He's the second leading rusher in Penn State history, which is saying something considering the kind of RBs they've had over the years. This is guy that will grind out the short yards and wear down opposing defenses late in games. Want to take bets on how long it is before some talking head refers to Hunt and Westbrook as "Thunder and Lighting?" Could someone please come up with another way to refer to a backfield combo of a smaller, fast guy and a bigger, bruising guy? How many "Thunder and Lightings" have there already been?!

I was kinda bummed to see guys like Marcus MacCauley and Usama Young, two corners, fall off the board just before we picked. I had my eye on those two. MacCauley is a big corner who I think the Eagles would have looked to move to safety and Young is a project type corner with all the tools you look for in a pro corner. No big deal though because in the end I like the two third picks we did get. Honestly, I think Eagle fans are going to like the 3rd round alot better than the 2nd or first...

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Safety

Since we haven't picked one yet, what does everyone think about taking Kevin Payne? He's listed with a huge number of positives, and not too many negatives. Frankly, I like the idea of dealing one of our two 5th round picks to get up in the 4th round to get him. Maybe we can also ship out some trash in the trade, like Jones, McDougle, Moats, or Holcomb.

http://www.nfl.com/draft/profiles/2007/payne_kevin

Positives: ... He is a physical player inside the box, with solid run stuffing ability ... In 2006 he was much more effective at staying on the hip of the receiver, using his hands better in attempts to disrupt the route's progression ... He keeps plays in front of him and is quick to locate and shut down the cutback lanes ... He is not easily fooled by run action and it is rare to see him bust assignments when coming up to make the hit at the line of scrimmage ... With his speed and closing burst, it is surprising that the team did not utilize him more as a blitzer. He reacts instinctively to the ball and with additional experience, he could be quite effective in a Cover-2 scheme ... He makes quicker breaks on the ball in the zone than when playing the man, as he breaks on the ball in an instant when he reads the play ... He likes to play up near the line of scrimmage better than in the deep secondary, but he has the speed to run with any receiver. With better hip snap, he could be even more effective accelerating when running deep routes ... He is more physical in run support, delivering a thud on contact ...

Negatives: He is still getting confidence in his pass coverage ability, needing to improve his route recognition skills ... He has the hand strength to drag the ball carrier down, but needs to get his head across and arms extended to wrap and secure better as a tackler

Compares To: Donovin Darius, Jacksonville

by Andrew on Apr 28, 2007 11:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I've heard alot about him

He's one of those guys that has a little devoted following among some draftniks that see him as a 2nd day steal. From what I've heard about him, I'd be more than happy to see the Eagles get him. Tanard Jackson would be another interesting pick.

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by JasonB on Apr 28, 2007 11:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

With a name like that...

he's bound to be an NFL Star.... Bring the Payne!

Fly Eagles Fly!
The Eagles Chronicles

by klkatz on Apr 29, 2007 10:01 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Filling a need?!?

Oh yes, we drafted a guy that specifically stops the run!

Go figure! But it does kind of put the lie to Reid's comments in his interview with Berman that they picked Kolb because they didn't really have any needs to fill.

Speaking of which, here's hoping they do something for the secondary today.

by sdf on Apr 29, 2007 9:58 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Obviously

Translated from Eaglespeak to reality...

"We don't have any needs to fill"

means

"We don't want anyone to know what we're doing."

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by JasonB on Apr 29, 2007 11:28 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Defensive Backs

I'm assuming we'll address the CB/S deficiencies today... It is always so trivial when it happens, but then it will fall into place and we'll once again realize we have a fat genius as our coach.

Fly Eagles Fly!
The Eagles Chronicles

by klkatz on Apr 29, 2007 9:59 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

by 700 Level on Apr 30, 2007 9:26 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I think so too

My guess is that he'll make it to camp, but nothing is guaranteed past there. He's going to have to beat a guy out to stay on the team. Namely Buckhalter.

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by JasonB on Apr 30, 2007 9:30 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs