Reflections on Day One
- From: "Kurt Straub" <jkurtstraub@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sun, 30 Apr 2006 11:50:45 -0400
Every mock draft I saw had Bunkley going in the top 10, by memory one had
him as high as no.5. For sure this was an inteligent pick, filling an
obvious need. Bunkley will disappoint if he is not the starter by the end
of training camp. The Eagles must think so, too, hence the departure of
Hollis Thomas. Thomas was a good soldier with a nice career, but he
couldn't move any more. Having Patterson and Bunkley up front gives the
Birds two young, strong, and *fast* starting DT's for years to come. Now
with Darren Howard on the other side, hopefully freeing up Kearse from being
double-teamed all the time, we can get a real pass rush next year.
As to Justice, this looks like a Lito Sheppard kind of deal--- learn your
trade for a year or two, then be ready to step in and start at one of the OT
spots. Tre Thomas and Jon Runyan are both skilled contributors, but they're
getting up in years, and may need to be replaced sooner than expected. I
wouldn't be totally surprised to see Justice play some at one of the
interior OL positions in the meanwhile, if he is as good as the Birds seem
to think. (Although with the team now grabbing Gilles, presumably to start
at one OG spot, alongside Shane Andrews at the other, I'm wondering if one
of these folks might be ticketed for center in camp.)
The thrid round pick, Gocong, didn't make sense to me at first. We don't
need another smallish DE. However, the Inky reports that Gocong will be
ticketed to the strong outside LB spot. If Gocong can play the position,
that makes sense. The Birds want to replace Dhani Jones, and with good
reason. Jones had an awful year. Gocong, would, if nothing else, add some
much needed size to the LB corps. Now does he have the speed to go sideline
to sideline and still cover tight ends and the occasional RB out of the
backfield on his side? Beats me! Only time will tell.
While these are all sensible picks, I'll confess to some amount of
dispapointment that the Birds did not leave Day One with a wideout. Heavens
knows, this is a major need. Are we really going to start the season with
Gaffney and Brown starting, Todd Pinkston in the slot on third down?
[shudder] Sorry to be negative, but I've lost all faith in Lewis and
McMullen. This is a spot which cries out for a talent upgrade. I'll bet
Donovan is crying out, too!
---- Kurt Straub
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