Gridiron Experts

Fantasy Profile: LeSean McCoy

LeSean McCoy came to Philadelphia prepared and hoping to be the eventual replacement to Eagle legend, Brian Westbrook. Since Westbrook’s penchant for injury caught up to him in the worst and (according to recent reports) inevitable way possible, McCoy’s ascent was expedited and he was listed as the starter in only his second week as an NFL running back. For just about any other possession in the league, this isn’t typically a good thing.

But for running backs, well, in the year prior to McCoy’s rookie season, the 2008 rookie class produced Steve Slaton, Chris Johnson, Matt Forte, Tim Hightower, Ray Rice, Jonathan Stewart and Kevin Smith all of whom came into the league and immediately contributed, adding anywhere from league-changing to serviceable fantasy numbers. This doesn’t even factor in highly touted Darren McFadden (who was splitting carries/fighting injury), Felix Jones (ditto) and Rashard Mendehall (missed his entire rookie season with a preseason knee injury) who were all first round picks. With that, the precedent was set, and expectations were high for McCoy in his rookie season. Especially since he was replacing the most consistent running back of the past decade in Westbrook.

To say those expectations have since diminished for 2010 isn’t entirely accurate. I mean, the list of guy’s named above, only Chris Johnson, Rice and Stewart exceeded the standard they set in their rookie seasons, which indicates that fluctuation amongst running backs, much like everything else related to the NFL, is volatile. So no one’s giving up on McCoy per say, but his numbers in his rookie campaign were, shall we say… problematic for a team that’s relied so heavily on consistency coming out of the backfield for the past ten seasons. I’m sure at some point in the league’s history, four touchdowns and four yards a carry translated into a promising rookie year. But after 2008, when so many players drafted into far less ideal situations than McCoy out-performed him in a landslide, it doesn’t bode well for his future in Philadelphia.

In a way, he’s under just as much pressure to replace Westbrook as Kolb is to replace McNabb. Some might say mores so. While Eagle nation …Continue reading Fantasy Profile: LeSean McCoy

The 5 Biggest Reaches of the Draft

Last week’s draft provided a certain amount of excitement that only one year’s worth of anticipation can create. Fans wait an entire year to witness the selection of new talent for their teams, and when they select little known players or “make a reach” in the draft for a player that arguably shouldn’t go as high as they’re about to be picked, understandably some fans get quite cheesed. While others celebrate knowing their team’s front office has just outsmarted all 31 others in the league. Here is a quick look at who I believe were the 5 biggest reaches of the 2010 NFL entry draft in order of their selection.

DE, Tyson Alaulu, 1st round 10th overall, Jacksonville Jaguars

To the surprise of most observers the first DE taken in the draft was not Derrick Morgan, not Jason Pierre Paul, and not even Brandon Graham. It was California’s Tyson Alaulu. In Alaulu the Jaguars have found themselves a powerful “tweener” rush as he displays the size and strength capable of …Continue reading The 5 Biggest Reaches of the Draft

It’s always interesting to see how the first-round of the NFL Draft will play out, and not unlike years past, the 2010 NFL Draft carried it’s share of first-round surprises.

From Denver reaching for Tim Tebow to Jimmy Clausen’s historical slide, the draft got things rolling immediately. However, despite many people losing interest after the over-hyped first-round, there were quite a few stellar late-round picks, giving those fans that hung around until the bitter end something to write home about.

While many of the first-day prospects are the guys who will be major fantasy football contributors in 2010, it’s several …Continue reading NFL Draft Late Round Steals

Three Way Trade: Eagles, Lions, Broncos
The Philadelphia Eagles can scratch off one of their draft needs after acquiring Ernie Sims on Monday morning. The Eagles made out like bandits in a three-way deal with the Detroit Lions and Denver Broncos.  Philadelphia has sent a fifth-round pick to Denver, who then sent tight end Tony Scheffler and a seventh-round pick to Detroit,  in return Lions send LB Ernie Simsto the Eagles.

The Linebacker rotation for the Eagles was a nightmare last season. With as many as seven different starters playing all LB positions, the Eagles decided to acquire former first round pick Sims in hopefully mending a defensive wound.

2009 first-round pick Brandon Pettigrew is still recovering from surgery on his left knee, and with the already lack of depth at this roster spot the trade for Tony Scheffler fills a need.

The Broncos new system never fit well with Scheffler, a restricted free agent who had been skipping the Broncos’ offseason programs, and rumored to be not a fan of Josh McDaniels. Getting something for a player that was part of the plan is positive way to look at letting go of a talented offensive target. Mind you, after trading Marshall and Scheffler the need for skilled players has all of a sudden became a huge need.

Detroit is making some real strides on trying to get out of the NFL basement. Only time will tell if these moves result in any sort of success. While you have to hand it to the Eagles once again, gaining an excellent LB prospect for a mer 5th round pick.

NFL NEWS & RUMORS

• Rams release Marc Bulger on Monday. Someone should tell Sam Brafford he needs to get himself a real estate agent in the St.Louis area because this is a slam dunk. Bulger was scheduled to make $8.5 million next season and was never expected to be with the team, heading into training camp.

• The Seahawks and Detroit Lions made a few trades today: Seattle sent guard Rob Sims to Detroit for a fifth-round draft pick. Sims was a 4th round pick for the Seahawks back in 2006 and started 14 games for Seattle last year. The Lions also traded away Robert Henderson for a 7th round draft pick in this years draft.
• Defensive lineman Anthony Hargrove has signed his tender offer, and the team announced that he’ll be back in New Orleans in 2010.
• NFL Network’s Jason La Canfora reported that the Redskins already have buyers remorse after signing Albert Haynesworth to such a huge contact. Rumors were that the big man was on the table when McNabb trade talks were commencing. Eagles had no interest.
• We had DT Jared Odrick high on our draft boards but not as high as the Cleveland Browns. PFT.com is reporting there is a lot of love for the big man in Clev-town
• Tim Tebow Signs A Deal With Nike

Shocked…to say the least.

Donovan McNabb was traded to a division rival the Washington Redskins on Sunday.

The trade will not break McNabb free from the Eagles completely though, as now he will get to face his old team twice a year, but in a new jersey color.

Most Philadelphia Eagle fans have been wanting to see a change for years with either McNabb leaving town, Reid going, or both, but this move may sting if the Kevin Kolb project doesn’t turn out. Or if now Kolb demands huge starter money and isn’t much better.

Trading McNabb now was the smart business move as they had get something while he was still under contract, but trading him to a rival in the same division makes no sense.

Philadelphia will receive the No. 37 overall pick in the 2010 draft and either a third or fourth round pick in 2011 for the 6 time Pro Bowler.

Personally I think the Eagles didn’t get as much as they could have with McNabb and should have waited to the start of the NFL Draft. The Eagles are now a re-building team and should see a drop in their Super Bowl Odds in Vegas futures overnight.

Kolb is essentially a rookie, with only two starts to his name, along with 2nd year running back -LeSean McCoy taking over for Westbrook. DeSean Jackson, Maclin, Avant and Celek are also a very young crop of players, which will no doubt be a monster power house in a few years, but I don’t see success overnight.

McNabb on the other hand is headed to a team that could only string together 4 wins in 2009, and has a bad O-Line. New coach Mike Shanahan is known for his running game and will love the option of having a rocket arm that Donovan possesses. The same can be said for McNabb, as he has always been apart of a pass happy offense, something that many believe to be a bad an unbalanced strategy, the change could help him.

Of coarse McNabb the classy guy he is had this to say: “I’m really excited about my future with the Washington Redskins,” McNabb said in a statement. “I’m eager to work with coach Shanahan. He’s been a very successful coach with a couple of Super Bowl victories on his resume. While it’s been my goal to win a Super Bowl in Philadelphia, we came up short. I enjoyed my 11 years here and we shared a lot more good times than bad.”

The Offer Has Been Made: McNabb To The Rams?
This could be another ugly rumor, but as it stands now Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer has reported that the Philadelphia Eagles “Have an offer on the table”. The Rams are offering their 2nd round pick (No. 33 selection in the draft), in exchange for McNabb and the best defensive player available, which is now being rumored to be safety O.J. Atogwe.

McLane writes that McNabb would be willing to go to St. Louis with a contract extension, and that a trade could happen quickly. Although, this goes against everything McNabb has recently wrote on his site Yardbarker:

“I was asked to respond to statements made at the NFL owners meetings that the Eagles would entertain offers to trade any of their three QBs. Here is my response:
“My position hasn’t changed. I’ve said all along that I would like to win a Super Bowl and finish my career in Philadelphia.
“I understand the situation well and just hope whichever direction the Eagles decide to go in, they do it quickly. I think that would be best for me, Kevin, Michael, the Eagles, and any other teams involved. No matter what happens, I’ve already begun preparing to have an outstanding season in 2010.” -Donovan McNabb.

This is getting out of control, Andy Reid is playing with fire. We had mentioned that a move that is dragged out not only losses value from teams giving up in the situation (Seahawks, Browns) but it paints a messy picture for the start of a new season. If Philly doesn’t make a move fast the 3 QB’s are going to start to get ticked off and begin to vent to the media. Reading McNabbs latest post has a hint of anger that he just wants a trade to go down, no matter who it is. Remember, this isn’t like trading a guy in Madden, these are people and have to pick up and move to a new city, not to mention get their hands on the new playbook ASAP. The longer the Eagles wait, the less they’ll get in return

[**UPDATED**]

Earlier we (and just about everybody else) reported that Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer had stated that he had an inside source on McNabb on his way to the Rams….what do you know, another rumor.

Per Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Rams G.M. Billy Devaney says that report of a trade is “[a]bsolutely false” and “utterly ridiculous.”

NFL News & Signings

• Mike Bell is headed to Philadelphia after the Saints chose not to match an offer sheet the restricted free agent signed with the Eagles. The Eagles have added a solid addition to their backfield and now have a nice compliment of running backs in their backfield.
• The Detroit Lions re-signed restricted free agent DE Jason Hunter to a one-year, $1.759 million contract.
• Free agent CB Phillip Buchanon revealed that he’s scheduled to visit the Washington Redskins on Monday.
• Miami Dolphins coach Tony Sparano expressed displeasure with RB Ronnie Brown, CB Will Allen, and DT Tony McDaniel after recent arrests.
• Chiefs coach Todd Haley singled out Dwayne Bowe as a player who must ramp up his offseason diligence this year. Fantasy owners should keep an ear out to see if he does…or just check back with us.
• Coach Tony Sparano said he’s yet to consider where Pat White might play if he fails to emerge as one of the Dolphins top three quarterbacks.  The Dolphins invested a very high pick in White last year, (2nd Rd pick 44th overall)it doesn’t make any sense for coach Sparano to not have a plan for this guy.