For the third time in the Andy Reid era, the Birds have totally whiffed on a linebacker picked in the second round. This time, it is Matt McCoy who is on his way out the door, probably not to be picked up by anyone else in the league further confirming the Birds' error in judgment.
This latest mistake clearly demonstrates that the Eagles' brain trust simply cannot identify college talent at the linebacker position. If I was in the Eagles' front office, I would do two things. First, I would totally erase from the memory banks of every scout and computer in the building regarding whatever traits they have been seeking in a linebacker. Clearly, they ain't working. Additionally, if there is one person in the organization that most ardently advocated this pick, he should be released from his duties as he obviously doesn't know what he's doing.
Second, I would do what every other company in America does when they need expertise in a foreign area. Bring in a consultant. I heard that Bill Parcells is looking for work. I would bring him to help with the 2008 draft and not take any linebacker that the Big Tuna doesn't sign off on. Actually, I've heard rumors that the Birds have already consulted Parcells on other linebackers. I read that the reason the Birds tried to sign Ryan Fowler in the offseason as a restricted free agent was due to Parcells' strong recommendation. Hopefully, this latest linebacking mistake will enforce the need to bring in someone who knows what to look for in this position.
Of course, I feel vindicated by this move. I vehemently opposed this pick the second it was made. McCoy was an undersized, Jr eligible draftee that didn't play against the best of competition while at San Diego St and looked more like a Safety than an NFL linebacker. Plus, McCoy was the only non Draft Combine invited player to be picked on the first day of the 2005 draft.
Yup, that's your Birds, always out thinking the room. The logical pick would have been McCoy's college teammate, Kirk Morrison, who has become an above average starter for the Raiders over the last two seasons, but the Birds wanted to show everyone how smart they are. Now, we can add McCoy to other 2nd round busts, Barry Gardner and the "Range Rover" (aka Quinten Caver). In today's NFL, you can't just throw away 2nd round picks and that's exactly what the Birds have done over the years with these mistakes at linebacker. These misses have forced the Birds to go after other players via free agency or trade (Takeo Spikes, Nate Wayne, Levon Kirkland and Dhani Jones.)
Ok, after tonight, I'll shift my bitterness towards the Cowboys and their fraudulent QB. I believe this guy is the biggest faker since Ed Norton's character in Primal Fear. I know something isn't right about this guy and his aw shucks attitude. I just haven't figured out yet.
1 comment:
Agreed, to take the kid who was not invited to the combine was a bit of a reach. Funny, everyone agreed he was ok for 6 weeks last year, then we were told he got hurt/worn down and now he's gone. i don't see him finding his way back in the league but who knows. Last i checked, Barry Gardner was still kicking around.
One thing you must consider, when you say 2nd round pick it must be noted, we've been picking in the back end of rounds for the last 8 years now. when you factor that in, its not like we're picking 33rd, its more likely 66th. Think there's a bit of a difference there. No denying we've made some mistakes both in the draft and FA at the LB position. See Mark Simoneau.
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