will we ever win?

Eagles 2011 Draft

The Eagles drafted 3 offensive linemen, 3 linebackers, 2 running backs, and 1 each of safety, kicker and cornerback. They drafted no defensive ends. I'm sure all the picks are "high quality good kids, smart, and captains of their teams."

According to the "experts" that are not employed by an NFL team, the Eagles first and second round picks were guys that were projected to be drafted lower. But I don't think that is really important except a couple years down the road when we look back and see who the Eagles didn't pick. Let's hope most of these guys can play.

ROUND 1, pick 23: Danny Watkins, G, FIREMAN, 6-4, 310, Baylor
Watkins used to play hockey and was a goon and used to be a fireman. He didn't play football until he went to Junior College where he wanted to learn to be a better fireman and apparently got good really quick at football instead and then transferred to and excelled at Baylor. He apparently will be a guard in the NFL because he's not athletic enough and doesn't possess the quick feet and good lateral motion necessary to play tackle. Howard Mudd supposedly loves this guy. At 26 years old he is the oldest player ever drafted in the first round and will be 27 in November. Did you know he used to be a fireman?

ROUND 2, pick 54: Jaiquawn Jarrett, S, 6-2, 195, Temple
The Eagles apparently fell in love with this guy watching him play against MAC competition. He only had 2 interceptions all last year and has a mediocre 40 time, but apparently he plays very instinctually and can hit. While his tackling is fundamentally sound, his coverage abilities appear to be less so. Jarrett says his role model as a safety is Jack Tatum and loves his playing style from watching ESPN clips. Unfortunately for Jarrett, Reid was dumb enough to compare him to Dawkins. Right. Some say he might be more of a free safety, so what about Nate Allen? And see ya Quintin.

ROUND 3, pick 90: Curtis Marsh, CB, 6-1, 193, Utah State
This guy played cornerback for just two seasons in college, and only one as a starter (but that's more than Castillo has ever been a defensive coordinator), so he is another player that is going to need a lot of coaching to get up to NFL speed. Oh wait... He is big and tall with long arms, but is seen as a raw prospect. His former position was running back so I'm going to assume he has some hands and can catch, which only Samuel seems to be able to do consistently in the Eagles secondary. His father, Curtis Marsh Sr., played three seasons in the NFL as a wide receiver with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Pittsburgh Steelers if that means anything.

ROUND 4, pick 116: Casey Matthews, LB, 6-2, 235, Oregon
This guys claim to fame is his last name. I'm going to predict he doesn't share the talent and ability of his family members and will mostly make an impact on special teams and not the linebacking corps. He does possess the same good hair of his brother, though. Eagles fans of course already love him. Must be from all those Oregon games they've watched.

ROUND 4, pick 120: Alex Henery, K, 6-2, 175, Nebraska
The Eagles made Henery the only kicker picked in this draft and the highest drafted kicker since 2006 when New England took Stephen Gostkowski at #118. Most say the Eagles reached taking a kicker this high – no kickers were drafted last year. But Akers didn't sign his tender after the Eagles franchised him and we all know what that means. And you don't waste a 4th round pick on a kicker and not keep him and he did make 68 of 76 FG attempts at Nebraska. See ya Akers. Bonus: Henery can also punt! So we can keep Rocca until it gets cold and then have this guy punt too and free up a roster spot. Henery will also be the latest athlete in town whose name will be perpetually butchered by the locals.

ROUND 5, pick 149: Dion Lewis, RB, 5-8, 195, Pittsburgh
LeSean McCoy said on the Twitter that Reid took his advice with this pick as this guy was his backup when McCoy was at Pitt. Like McCoy was when he was drafted, Lewis is being compared to Brian Westbrook as every shortish RB that is shifty/speedy and can catch will be for the next 10 years or more, especially if they are picked by the Eagles.

ROUND 5, pick 149: Julian Vandervelde, G, 6-3, 300, Iowa
Vandervelde sings opera and sang the anthem when Obama visited Iowa a few years ago, is supposedly really smart, is a nerd that likes Dungeons & Dragons, is well coached and is quick off the ball, can probably play center too, and most likely will warm the bench if he makes the team. Todd McShay predicted he would be this year's "Mr. Irrelevant," but was wrong. (shocking!)

ROUND 6, pick 149: Jason Kelce, G, 6-4, 283, Cincinnati
This seems to be a depth pick or a project pick. Kelce though is very quick for being so big, running a 4.89, 40 while weighing 283. He originally was a walk-on linebacker who later transitioned to OL and played both guard and center at Cincinnati and made second-team All-Big East at both positions. Last name will also provide correct pronunciation difficulties.

ROUND 6, pick 149: Brian Rolle, LB, 5-11, 218, Ohio State
This guy seems kind of small to play linebacker in the NFL, but maybe he's fast and can cover a tight end. Probably will make more of an impact on special teams.

ROUND 7, pick 149: Greg Lloyd, LB, 6-2, 234, Connecticut
Lloyd's dad is the son of Greg Lloyd Sr, the Steelers former All-Pro player. Father and son are estranged though apparently because of the dad's abuse and some incident involving a gun. The dad was an Eagles linebackers coach for a brief stint a few years ago. Lloyd had knee surgery his junior year and barely played his senior year when he was still recovering. He's very athletic though, is a big hitter and his combine performance was good! Sold! Another special teams guy looks like.

ROUND 7, pick 149: Stanley Havili, RB, 6-1, 230, USC
A possible fullback to come in if Leonard Weaver is still recovering. But he's probably too small to play fullback in the NFL even though he can catch and can block. Probably a cut or practice squad dude.

Wonder if we'll see these new guys play at all this year. Must suck to be a rookie right now.