The Linc - Don't Be Surprised if the Eagles Draft a Quarterback

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Random Eagles notes: Best draft in 10 years, drafting need vs talent, and no to Delmas - JimmyK, Philly.com
If you're trying to fill current team needs with your 5th round pick, and you're counting on players who are still available in the 5th round to be immediate contributors, your team is not going to be a legitimate contender in the first place. The fact that the Eagles had 46 and 49 starts from their rookies in 2011 and 2012 says a lot about why those seasons were failures. Keep that in mind if Howie and Co draft... say... a running back in the 5th round.

Despite Foles, Eagles evaluating QBs at combine - Reuben Frank, CSN Philly
Nick Foles was the Pro Bowl MVP, led the NFL in passer rating, won 10 of 12 regular-season starts, and still, it wouldn’t be a shock if the Eagles draft a quarterback this year. Despite all of Foles’ accomplishments -- a 119.2 passer rating, third-highest in NFL history, 29 touchdowns to just two interceptions, a franchise-record 64 percent completion percentage, the best TD-INT ratio in NFL history -- the Eagles’ brain trust still does not speak of Foles as a firmly established long-term solution at quarterback.

Eagles Notebook - Tommy Lawlor, Iggles Blitz
Jokes aside, I have mixed feelings on Jimmy’s picks. I love Joyner, but taking a tiny Safety at 22 doesn’t seem like good value. We need to see how big he is, but Joyner lists at 5-8, 190. Bob Sanders was "small"…at 5-8, 206. See the difference? Sanders was short, but did have a thick, strong build. Joyner has more of a CB build than Safety. Put on the game tape and you’ll be impressed, but taking him at 22 seems questionable.

Ranking The 2013 NFL Kickers (Or Why Alex Henery Doesn't Deserve Your Support) - Brian Solomon, MoK
On the other end of the spectrum, Henery ranked third-worst in the NFL last year. He lost the Eagles approximately 10.8 points, split about equally between kickoffs and field goals. Henery was near the bottom of the pack in kickoff distance and average drive start, losing 1.6 yards per kickoff. Meanwhile, his 80% field goal accuracy should have been better, given he took mostly shorter kicks. The league average accuracy for his attempts would have been 85.8%.

Offseason outlook: Outside linebackers - Zach Berman, Inquirer
Cole was the top pass rusher in the group. He had eight sacks, and the Eagles’ coaching staff maintained throughout the season that Cole was generating good pressure on the quarterback even if the sack totals didn't always reflect that suggestion. Pass-rushing has been his forte, and he’s been one of the better pass rushers in the NFL during the past decade. But Cole is 31 and is due $6.6 million this season. The Eagles need to consider the future at the position, both for 2014 and beyond. Even if Cole returns in 2014, the contract only becomes more burdensome in the subsequent seasons.

Dion Jordan And the OLB Market - Tim McManus, Birds 24/7
The Eagles are in the market for an edge rusher, as we know, and Dion Jordan has a fan in Chip Kelly. The 6-6, 260-pound Oregon product was selected third overall by the Dolphins in last year’s draft, one spot ahead of where the Eagles were picking. While they walked away happy with Lane Johnson, there’s little doubt that they would have selected Jordan if he was still available. "Trust me, the guy that went number three we were considering very heavily, but didn’t get the chance to pull the trigger on that one," Kelly said afterwards.

Combine: Six Offensive Players To Watch - Tony Pauline, PE.com
WR Davante Adams, Fresno State: Fundamentals are not an issue for Adams rather outright foot speed. This is an instance where scouts will pay close attention to the stopwatch when Adams runs the 40-yard dash. A time under 4.49-seconds could cement the productive receiver as a top-40 pick.

NFL Scouting Combine as much about business as it is about prospects | The MMQB with Peter King
The combine is much more than just NFL prospects running fast and jumping high under the eyes of scouts, coaches and GMs. Some of the best action takes place in Indy’s back rooms, with make-or-break interviews, agent in-fighting and the real start of free agency

SWOOP Wins 2014 "Mascot Games" - Danta Klaus, PE.com
The Eagles might be in the midst of the NFL offseason right now, but SWOOP never rests. Last week, the lovable mascot took his talents to California for Cartoon Network’s Hall of Games extravaganza. As part of the contest, SWOOP participated in a "Mascot Games" competition against some of professional sports’ most famous mascots. And he won. Of course he did. SWOOP conquered the obstacle course and knocked Arizona Cardinals mascot Big Red off the elevated platform in an American Gladiators-style joust bout. It was a resounding knockout for SWOOP in this battle of the birds, further punctuating the Eagles’ 24-21 win over the Cardinals during the 2013 season.