What They’re Saying About the Eagles

From mock drafts to Nick Foles’ future to 2013 predictions, here’s what the national media are saying about the Eagles this week.

Mike Freeman of CBSSports.com writes about the Eagles’ quarterback situation:

A person familiar with the Eagles’ thinking says new coach Chip Kelly likes the idea of keeping Vick (at a cheaper price) but genuinely doesn’t know exactly what he has with the quarterback. Kelly and others on the Eagles’ staff have poured over game tape of Vick from last season and beyond and still believe he is more than a viable thrower.

Kelly also likes quarterback Nick Foles, but I’m told he’s not as high on Foles as some believe. Don’t be shocked if Kelly makes a strong run at Alex Smith and dumps Vick, who is on the roster for now, especially if Vick doesn’t take a pay cut.

Peter Schrager of FoxSports.com has the Birds as one of his five sleeper teams:

We don’t know who will be playing quarterback, but we do know who will be the head coach. Chip Kelly, the Oregon coach-turned-Eagles head man, is such a wild card that it’s hard not to at least be intrigued by what his offense will look like. The hiring of Pat Shurmur — a longtime West Coast offense guy — as his offensive coordinator was a curious one. Will it be Vick at QB? Will it be Nick Foles? Will it be a rookie like EJ Manuel? How about Alex Smith? No one knows for certain who the Eagles’ quarterback will be, but I’m excited to see the new-look Eagles.

Dan Pompei of the National Football Post asked three front-office men to rank Alex Smith, Matt Flynn and Vick. They have Vick third among the group:

Another views Vick this way: “He does not have the unique athletic skills he once had to create, but he still moves around better than most. What made him is speed, and that is deteriorating. The problem is he can’t hold up as well as he once did. His ability to stay healthy, secure the football and make decisions all are questionable.”

Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com has the Eagles taking Alabama cornerback Dee Milliner. Albert Breer has the same.

Josh Norris of Rotoworld.com has the Eagles taking Texas A&M offensive tackle Luke Joeckel:

Obviously if Chip Kelly has full confidence that Jason Peters will return to form, this pick might not happen. We still are not sure what type of offensive system Kelly intends to run, but if Oregon-like play calling is featured, the Eagles’ offensive line needs to be very mobile and balanced. Joeckel is an excellent athlete for the left tackle position with great posture. He did show deficiencies against Florida, however.

The Eagles can carry over up to $23 million in cap space, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.

Evan Silva of Rotoworld.com has the Eagles 22nd in his offseason roster rankings:

Kurt Coleman would be covering punts on a team with a good secondary, and Nate Allen hasn’t been the same since rupturing his patellar tendon in 2010. At the very least, the Eagles need one new starting safety. Kenny Phillips and Louis Delmas would be attractive free agent additions.

Optimum Scouting has the Eagles taking Joeckel:

Up for consideration for this pick is Ryan Nassib, who may be a sneaky good fit for this Chip Kelly/West Coast offense hybrid, but would be a reach here, Eric Fisher, who may work better in space for Chip Kelly’s offense, or Joeckel, who still retains the value of the drafts best tackle, for now. It’s no lock that Joeckel is the best (reviewing his film to compare he and Fisher), but at this point, the Eagles go with the best OT in the draft.

Recruit Dontre Wilson was not happy with Kelly’s decision to leave Oregon. From the Dallas Morning News:

Wilson said during his announcement that he was stung by Kelly’s departure, and upset that Kelly didn’t give Wilson, his father or his high school coach Claude Mathis a warning that he might be heading to the Philadelphia Eagles, even though Kelly’s announcement came a day after he had an in-home visit with the Wilsons.

“To me, it was wrong,” Wilson said. “It kind of hurt me a little.”

Pete Prisco of CBSSports.com has the Eagles 29th in his power rankings:

Can Chip Kelly come and run his style of offense? And who runs it?

Follow Sheil Kapadia on Twitter and e-mail him at skapadia@phillymag.com.
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