You Expected Magic? - Sunday, April 27, 2008
517 Views :: 1 Comments :: :: Michael Bradley

   Anybody who expected Andy Reid to break form and turn the 2008 Draft into a big Midnight Green party just hasn't been paying attention over the past years. Perhaps he could have traded up and selected Branden Albert. He might have grabbed Kansas corner Aqib Talib or USC tackle Sam Baker. But those choices just didn't excite him too much. So, he started trading, and the end result of the Draft for the Eagles was to build for the future. As usual.

   Not that Eagles fans should be too upset. There was no standout wide receiver in the class, so Reid didn't choose one. There wasn't a safety who could take work away from Brian Dawkins, or even Quintin Mikell, for that matter. The offensive linemen available at 19 (or even 15) weren't going to start in 2008. There was no killer defensive end available that late. So, Reid dropped into the middle rounds, hoarded picks and gathered reserve talent. The jewel of his Draft class? Carolina's 2009 number one.

   About the only thing that could make an Eagles fan upset was Dallas' selection of Felix Jones with the 22nd selection. Just imagine the Arkansas dazzler lined up behind Donovan McNabb, with Brian Westbrook in the slot, ready to torture some overmatched safety or linebacker. Beautiful. Don't think we won't be charting his progress, Andy. It was also disconcerting to see that Kansas City was willing to offer more than the Eagles for the 15th choice, even though the Birds had a surfeit of middle-round choices. Either the Eagles didn't think Albert was worth it, or they weren't suitably aggressive. Again, we'll be paying attention to Albert's progress.

  As for the team's nine choices, there is only one whom you can expect to see on a regular basis this season, and that's spindly Cal wideout DeSean Jackson, who is likely to make an impact as a return man, rather than a big-time target. Here's a quick look at the new Birds and their chances of making an impact in 2008.

  Trevor Laws, DT, Notre Dame: Laws will likely be a rotation tackle who can stuff the run. He's also a good kick blocker, which will help the Eagles' shaky special teams.

   DeSean Jackson, WR, California: Jackson weighs a mere 169 pounds, so any work over the middle is out of the question. He'll get deep once in a while and could break a couple kicks or punts.

   Bryan Smith, DE, McNeese St.: Smith is a situational pass rusher with good speed and not much size or strength. He'll help in blitz packages but is far from an every-down player.

   Mike McGlynn, G/T, Pittsburgh: McGlynn is a versatile lineman who could get a shot at starting down the road but is unlikely to see much time, if any, in '08.

   Quintin Demps, S, UTEP: Demps has good speed and can go get the deep ball on the back line, but he doesn't like to support in the running game. If he plays, it will be in nickel situations and special teams.

   Jack Ikegwuonu, CB, Wisconsin: A pre-Combine knee injury will keep him out of '08 and limit the physical corner's already questionable speed.

   Mike Gibson, G, California: Gibson had problems with his health at Cal and wasn't the most phycial drive blocker. A project.

   Joe Mays, LB, North Dakota State: Mays is a physical interior linebacker who lacks sideline-to-sideline speed. Perhaps he'll play some special teams and goal line situations.

   King Dunlap, T, Auburn: Great name, not so great resume. Dunlap is 6-9, and can use his long arms to fend off some rushers, but he's not quick or mean and struggles with fast rushers.