Wake-Up Call: Three Takeaways From Marynowitz

Eagles vice president of player personnel Ed Marynowitz spent 36 minutes with the media Thursday morning. Here are three takeaways that we haven’t gotten to yet.

1. Marynowitz spoke at length about the Birds’ three-pronged approach to player evaluation. Keeping that in mind, I think there are several players who have little or no chance to be taken by the Eagles in the first round: Alabama safety Landon Collins; Washington CB Marcus Peters; Missouri WR Dorial Green-Beckham; Nebraska’s Randy Gregory; and Florida State’s P.J. Williams.

As we’ve written about previously, Collins does not seem like a scheme fit. And the other four players have varying issues in what Marynowitz called the character/attitude/intelligence category. You can defend those players all you want or justify some of their issues, but I have an extremely hard time seeing the Eagles taking on that kind of risk in the first round.

Another interesting name is Jameis Winston. The Eagles are not going to be in position to draft him, but if he somehow took a big fall or if they had a higher pick, I wonder if Chip Kelly would even consider him.

2. I thought Marynowitz’s answer about identifying talent in the later rounds was interesting.

“I think when you’re looking at the later rounds, I think the best philosophy to have is, ‘What can they do?’” he said. “There is a reason why, certainly, they’re not a guy that is in the top three rounds. But it’s more about what they can do rather than what they can’t do in the later rounds.

“I think sometimes in the later rounds you may defer a little bit more to numbers in terms of testing numbers and what they have in their body. You want guys that have athleticism and traits that can translate. Guys that are wired the right way in terms of being willing to develop and improve as players. Byron Maxwell is a great example of that. He has a certain level of skill set and is wired the right way to improve and develop, and I think you’re looking for those traits in late-round picks.”

In other words, issues like rawness, inexperience and injuries might be OK. The focus should be on upside in terms of athleticism and mental makeup.

One name that comes to mind is Joe Kruger, whom the team selected in the seventh round in 2013. It didn’t work out, but that sounds like the type of player they might be looking for on Day 3.

3. Overall, I thought Marynowitz came across well and made a strong first impression. He seemed poised and confident. When he didn’t want to answer a question (like when reporters asked about specific prospects), he simply said as much. I can appreciate that. And Marynowitz was pretty insightful in terms of general philosophy.

The biggest issue here is inexperience. What’s going to happen during the draft when teams call and decisions have to be made quickly? Marynowitz said he and Kelly have consulted with people inside the building and outside the building to formulate a plan on assessing the market and making trades during the draft.

We’ll find out next week whether that preparation pays off.

WHAT YOU MISSED

Have you preordered your Eagles Almanac yet? What are you waiting for? Tim and I will both once again have chapters in this year’s edition.

“You just don’t want to take exceptions.” Marynowitz details the Eagles’ three-pronged approach to player evaluation.

Marynowitz says Kelly wants checks and balances. He’s not planning on being a yes man.

A lot of speculation surrounding Marcus Mariota, Sam Bradford and Philip Rivers. The latest draft buzz.

Former NFL scout John Middlekauff identifies three potential fits for the Eagles.

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING

The pressure’s on Billy Davis, writes the Inquirer’s Bob Brookover:

The most devastating injury loss last season involved inside linebacker DeMeco Ryans, and it would seem foolhardy to go into the season counting on two inside linebackers coming off major injuries and surgeries.

The secondary is what needed the most fixing, and it remains a huge question mark. If Kelly really wants to help Davis, he will spend his first two draft picks on players he believes can have an immediate impact as defensive starters. One of the two, preferably the first one, has to be plugged into a secondary spot.

Jimmy Kempski of the Philly Voice on six potential trade chips, including Vinny Curry:

Curry is an imperfect fit in the Eagles’ 3-4, but has produced when he has gotten opportunities in obvious passing situations. Like Boykin and Mychal Kendricks, Curry is in the final year of his rookie contract. If the Eagles don’t think they can re-sign him to a reasonable deal next offseason, then getting something for him now sure beats losing him for nothing.

COMING UP

At this time next week, we’ll be discussing what the Eagles did in the first round.