The 2008 season is filled with games we as fans will look back on
and want to punch a hole in the wall. Chicago, Cincinnati, first Giants
game, and both Washington losses are 5 off the top of my head. And the
thing that all these games had in common was the inability of the
Eagles' offense to gain that 1 tough yard.
Some blame the Eagles ineptness on the offensive line. The loss of
Shawn Andrews certainly doesn't help the cause. Some blame it on Andy
Reid's propensity for neglecting the run all together, thus the line is
unaccustomed to run blocking. While the vast majority of fans blame it
on Reid's on-going neglect as the GM to acquire the big back needed to
get that 4-and-1 in a crucial situation.
While Reid was out looking for the next Brian Westbrook (see Moats,
Ryan and Booker, Lorenzo), other teams were drafting the Marion Barbers
and Brandon Jacobs of the world. I'm not pushing for the Eagles to go
after a RB in the first round necessarily, but a big back may be a
piece to the puzzle that pushes the Eagles to the next level, or at
least helps them beat the Cincinnati's and Chicago's of the league.
The upcoming draft isn't stocked with many top prospects that fit the mold, but if the Eagles really want one they're there.
Junior Chris "Beanie" Wells of Ohio State was an early
Heisman candidate, but a Week 1 ankle injury derailed his campaign
before it started. Still, Wells is a big man (6-1/237) with unusual
speed and a powerful push. With two first-round picks, Wells could be a
luxury the Eagles can afford.
Shonn Greene, a player Penn State fans became familiar with
this season when the Lions lost to Iowa, has been getting some
first-round buzz, but he's more likely a second-round pick. Greene is
compact (5-103/4/233) and powerful. He's not much of a breakaway threat, but can get the tough yardage.
Liberty's Rashad Jennings (6-03/4/235) devastated
the Flames' competition this season. Although he's at a small school,
Jennnings started his college career at Pittsburgh but transferred to
the Lynchburg, VA school to be closer to his ailing father. Jennings
could be had in the third or fourth-rounds.
Colorado State's Gartrell Johnson (5-10/228) and Richmond's Josh Vaughn (5-115/8/226) aren't gigantic, but both run with power. Either could be nice sixth- or seventh-round pick.
Original Story:
http://www.firedforwinning.com/?p=1064
and want to punch a hole in the wall. Chicago, Cincinnati, first Giants
game, and both Washington losses are 5 off the top of my head. And the
thing that all these games had in common was the inability of the
Eagles' offense to gain that 1 tough yard.
Some blame the Eagles ineptness on the offensive line. The loss of
Shawn Andrews certainly doesn't help the cause. Some blame it on Andy
Reid's propensity for neglecting the run all together, thus the line is
unaccustomed to run blocking. While the vast majority of fans blame it
on Reid's on-going neglect as the GM to acquire the big back needed to
get that 4-and-1 in a crucial situation.
While Reid was out looking for the next Brian Westbrook (see Moats,
Ryan and Booker, Lorenzo), other teams were drafting the Marion Barbers
and Brandon Jacobs of the world. I'm not pushing for the Eagles to go
after a RB in the first round necessarily, but a big back may be a
piece to the puzzle that pushes the Eagles to the next level, or at
least helps them beat the Cincinnati's and Chicago's of the league.
The upcoming draft isn't stocked with many top prospects that fit the mold, but if the Eagles really want one they're there.
Junior Chris "Beanie" Wells of Ohio State was an early
Heisman candidate, but a Week 1 ankle injury derailed his campaign
before it started. Still, Wells is a big man (6-1/237) with unusual
speed and a powerful push. With two first-round picks, Wells could be a
luxury the Eagles can afford.
Shonn Greene, a player Penn State fans became familiar with
this season when the Lions lost to Iowa, has been getting some
first-round buzz, but he's more likely a second-round pick. Greene is
compact (5-103/4/233) and powerful. He's not much of a breakaway threat, but can get the tough yardage.
Liberty's Rashad Jennings (6-03/4/235) devastated
the Flames' competition this season. Although he's at a small school,
Jennnings started his college career at Pittsburgh but transferred to
the Lynchburg, VA school to be closer to his ailing father. Jennings
could be had in the third or fourth-rounds.
Colorado State's Gartrell Johnson (5-10/228) and Richmond's Josh Vaughn (5-115/8/226) aren't gigantic, but both run with power. Either could be nice sixth- or seventh-round pick.
Original Story:
http://www.firedforwinning.com/?p=1064
