Can someone explain the fascination with these players?

[overseascardfan]

Roderick Hood - 5 career INTs, but 0 last season and only 3 passes defensed before he was benched after 10 games. Can anyone name a former Eagles cornerback that has gone on to success anywhere else?

Terrence Holt - Has two complete seasons in his first four. Lindy's NFL Preview for him read that he "will have to make a step up if he expects to retain the starting free safety job." Started on one of the shabbiest defenses in the NFL and hasn't made one memorable play his entire career.

I guess I just don't get it. Is it because they sound familiar?

Because we need DB's and they are the best available left in FA, so of course there is going to be interest.

 

[MadCardDisease]

Roderick Hood - 5 career INTs, but 0 last season and only 3 passes defensed before he was benched after 10 games. Can anyone name a former Eagles cornerback that has gone on to success anywhere else?

Terrence Holt - Has two complete seasons in his first four. Lindy's NFL Preview for him read that he "will have to make a step up if he expects to retain the starting free safety job." Started on one of the shabbiest defenses in the NFL and hasn't made one memorable play his entire career.

I guess I just don't get it. Is it because they sound familiar?

Quite simplily they fit the plan that Whis presented. Whis felt comfortable with Rolle and Green. He wanted to use FA to bring in someone who could compete for the starting job and provide depth in the defensive backfield.

Roderick Hood is the perfect fit for that plan. Unlike other FA CBs released from the Eagles in the past, Hood hasn't entered his prime yet. Last year he was their Nickle back. Hood wants an opertunity to start. Hood is very, very athletic and has great speed. The only knock on him is his size. I think he would be the perfect fit to come in and cover those smaller speedy WRs.

Holt also fits into the plan that Whis presented. His isn't a top teir guy but he can come in and compete for the starting safety position. Even if he doesn't win a starting job he provides much needed depth at the position.

So if we are able to sign these two guys it's all part of the plan that Whis talked about.

 

[kerouac9]

MCD, why is there any reason to believe that Ken Wisenhunt has the ability to implement a good personnel plan? He's never dealt with defensive personnel. Actually, he's never dealt with personnel, at all. Never as a head coach at any level. Ever. Neither has Russ Grimm.

Regardless, I think that you guys that are talking about Whis's "plan" are all wrong. It's Graves' team, and it's Graves' roster. Graves has never shown a propensity to make good free agent decisions (Larry Foster, anyone?).

I can accept that these are solid depth guys, but I don't really get the enthusiasm for them. There are 3-5 guys in free agency just as good as Roderick Hood or Terrance Holt. I'm not sure why people will be upset if they get away.

All the big fish in free agency are already gone, and Rod Graves is going to have to hope that Joe Thomas falls to us in the draft, or explain that we had Levi Jones ranked in the Top 3 on our board all along.

 

[CardinalChris]

MCD, why is there any reason to believe that Ken Wisenhunt has the ability to implement a good personnel plan? He's never dealt with defensive personnel. Actually, he's never dealt with personnel, at all. Never as a head coach at any level. Ever. Neither has Russ Grimm.

Regardless, I think that you guys that are talking about Whis's "plan" are all wrong. It's Graves' team, and it's Graves' roster. Graves has never shown a propensity to make good free agent decisions (Larry Foster, anyone?).

I can accept that these are solid depth guys, but I don't really get the enthusiasm for them. There are 3-5 guys in free agency just as good as Roderick Hood or Terrance Holt. I'm not sure why people will be upset if they get away.

All the big fish in free agency are already gone, and Rod Graves is going to have to hope that Joe Thomas falls to us in the draft, or explain that we had Levi Jones ranked in the Top 3 on our board all along.

What's funny is I read this post, started to get my feathers ruffles and realized that's about right for this team.

 

[MadCardDisease]

MCD, why is there any reason to believe that Ken Wisenhunt has the ability to implement a good personnel plan? He's never dealt with defensive personnel. Actually, he's never dealt with personnel, at all. Never as a head coach at any level. Ever. Neither has Russ Grimm.

Regardless, I think that you guys that are talking about Whis's "plan" are all wrong. It's Graves' team, and it's Graves' roster. Graves has never shown a propensity to make good free agent decisions (Larry Foster, anyone?).

I can accept that these are solid depth guys, but I don't really get the enthusiasm for them. There are 3-5 guys in free agency just as good as Roderick Hood or Terrance Holt. I'm not sure why people will be upset if they get away.

All the big fish in free agency are already gone, and Rod Graves is going to have to hope that Joe Thomas falls to us in the draft, or explain that we had Levi Jones ranked in the Top 3 on our board all along.

I disagree! Whis sat down with his crew several weeks ago and mapped out a plan. They first decided on who they though we should keep and who to let go. They gave this plan to Graves and it's his job to implement. They did the same thing for FA. Graves is not out there blindly bringing in guys. He is following the plan that was mapped out shortly after Whis was hired.

I won't cry if Hood or Holt are not signed as long as they find similar players to fill those holes.

 

[TheCardFan]

I disagree! Whis sat down with his crew several weeks ago and mapped out a plan. They first decided on who they though we should keep and who to let go. They gave this plan to Graves and it's his job to implement.

If you really believe that Whiz and his staff have control over player personnel...

Graves answers to the Bidwills and they control the moves. Whiz has input but he is the HC not the GM.

 

[MadCardDisease]

If you really believe that Whiz and his staff have control over player personnel...

Graves answers to the Bidwills and they control the moves. Whiz has input but he is the HC not the GM.

I believe that they presented Graves a plan of what they were looking for in FA. It's the same plan that Whis has been talking about for the last two months. Now it's Graves job to bring these guys in and get them signed.

 

[kerouac9]

I disagree! Whis sat down with his crew several weeks ago and mapped out a plan. They first decided on who they though we should keep and who to let go. They gave this plan to Graves and it's his job to implement. They did the same thing for FA. Graves is not out there blindly bringing in guys. He is following the plan that was mapped out shortly after Whis was hired.

I won't cry if Hood or Holt are not signed as long as they find similar players to fill those holes.

Right, but is there any reason--any reason at all--to believe that Ken Whisenhunt, who's never, ever built a team of any kind in his entire career, suddenly knows what it takes to scout and acquire good athletes int he NFL? Is that based on anything except hope and faith? Butch Davis put together National Championship teams at Miami and couldn't assemble a winning roster in Cleveland. Whisenhunt didn't have much say in personnel decisions in Pittsburgh because they had Cower and a GM who has been doing this for years. Even if you think that Whis has some understanding of scouting the offensive side of the ball, he has no experience on the defensive side, where we probably need more personnel help!

Graves is out there not bringing in any guys. At the same time, he's taking money that we could be using to make us better this year off the table. That's the plan?

 

[TheCardFan]

I believe that they presented Graves a plan of what they were looking for in FA. It's the same plan that Whis has been talking about for the last two months. Now it's Graves job to bring these guys in and get them signed.

You honestly think that plan included letting Big go and going into next year with Wells, Brown, Leckey, Lutui, Ross, Gorin, and a rookie OL?

You honestly think he wants to risk his success and reputation on that line?

2 6th rd picks , a 7th rd, a 4th rd, a 2nd rd, 2 undrafted FA's, and a rookie?

That is THE PLAN?

 

[MadCardDisease]

Right, but is there any reason--any reason at all--to believe that Ken Whisenhunt, who's never, ever built a team of any kind in his entire career, suddenly knows what it takes to scout and acquire good athletes int he NFL? Is that based on anything except hope and faith? Butch Davis put together National Championship teams at Miami and couldn't assemble a winning roster in Cleveland. Whisenhunt didn't have much say in personnel decisions in Pittsburgh because they had Cower and a GM who has been doing this for years. Even if you think that Whis has some understanding of scouting the offensive side of the ball, he has no experience on the defensive side, where we probably need more personnel help!

Graves is out there not bringing in any guys. At the same time, he's taking money that we could be using to make us better this year off the table. That's the plan?

Whis/Grimm have been involved in football their entire lives. I should hope that they know something about what to look for in a football player. At least he learned from some of the best. Now if our new head coach came from the Lions and was a Millen protege, I'd be worried.

 

[kerouac9]

Whis/Grimm have been involved in football their entire lives. I should hope that they know something about what to look for in a football player. At least he learned from some of the best. Now if our new head coach came from the Lions and was a Millen protege, I'd be worried.

So why do they have scouts if these guys know so much? Millen's spent as much time in football as either Whis or Grimm. You have no idea how much contact Whis had with Cowher or their GM regarding what you look for in a football player and how to get the best out of your guys.

This team has made basically the wrong decision nearly every time the faced a fork in the road for the past four seasons. I'm not sure that there's any evidence to make it seem like they've suddenly begun to figure it out.

MCD, how do you gloss Graves' decision to take free agency money off the table by accellerating bonuses for this season? Does that really seem to you like a guy who's decided that this is a team who can get over the hump and host a Super Bowl that they're appearing in?

 

[MadCardDisease]

You honestly think that plan included letting Big go and going into next year with Wells, Brown, Leckey, Lutui, Ross, Gorin, and a rookie OL?

You honestly think he wants to risk his success and reputation on that line?

2 6th rd picks , a 7th rd, a 4th rd, a 2nd rd, 2 undrafted FA's, and a rookie?

That is THE PLAN?

The plan was not to pay Big $12 million dollars. If he could be had for a resonable price they would like him back. It sounds like Big is asking for $23 million dollars in garenteed money. Do you Honestly believe that Big is worth that much money?



It doesn't matter what round a guy was selected in. If they can play then they deserve to start. Part of the plan was to increase the depth on the O-line. We are only two days into FA.

 

[TheCardFan]

Do you Honestly believe that Big is worth that much money?

IF that is the market and we don't have a better option...yes. That is one unconfirmed report from PFT you are quoting my friend!

It doesn't matter what round a guy was selected in. If they can play then they deserve to start. Part of the plan was to increase the depth on the O-line. We are only two days into FA.

I agree with you to an extent but I would venture to guess that most successful olines are mostly filled with #1 and #2 picks. We have 6 guys out of 8 that were drafted in the 4th rd or later...or not drafted at all!

 

[kerouac9]

Yes. Big is worth $7.5 million per year and $20 guaranteed on a six-year contract. We would have been able to make that deal months ago.

Now, because Graves has given up on free agency, we wouldn't even be able to make that. Do you really think that Big was ever going to come back here? Did you really believe Graves when he said that he wanted Plummer and Boston back, too?

 

[PJ1]

The plan was not to pay Big $12 million dollars. If he could be had for a resonable price they would like him back. It sounds like Big is asking for $23 million dollars in garenteed money. Do you Honestly believe that Big is worth that much money?



It doesn't matter what round a guy was selected in. If they can play then they deserve to start. Part of the plan was to increase the depth on the O-line. We are only two days into FA.

Who is left that we can sign that will not be a step backwards at tackle?

 

[MadCardDisease]

So why do they have scouts if these guys know so much? Millen's spent as much time in football as either Whis or Grimm. You have no idea how much contact Whis had with Cowher or their GM regarding what you look for in a football player and how to get the best out of your guys.

What in the world are you talking about? Obviously Whis and Grimm and Graves are not the only guys who evaluate talent on the team. You have to be kidding me with that comment. In the end the GM makes the final call on who is brought in and in our case that is Graves. However that is only after he has listened to what his staff has recommended.

To me Millen has proven that he is a poor judge of talent. He misses on almost every guy he brings in. That comment was ment to be a joke poking fun at Millen's teams.

Obviously Whis didn't make the final call on who the Steelers would bring in. However I'm pretty sure he had a say in who he though would help his offense.

 

[kerouac9]

Obviously Whis didn't make the final call on who the Steelers would bring in. However I'm pretty sure he had a say in who he though would help his offense.

1) What is that assurance based on?
2) What makes you think that Whis is any more of an astute judge of talent than Matt Millen is? Or Rod Graves?

That's why I don't understand why people are so willing to trush Whis's plan. He didn't initially want to come here, and Russ Grimm (who's never coached up players in the way that we're apparently asking him to) didn't even know who was on the roster a week into his tenure here.

 

[Redsz]

That is pretty ridiculous, your arguing something you can't prove ether way. Your arguing hypotheticals.

I would say that it is highly unlikely that Whiz and Grimm can progress to this level without having atleast SOME input on personnel.

I would also say that it is also highly unlikely that Whiz, as a head coach, doesn't have any input on personnel.

 

[kerouac9]

But it's also highly unlikely that he's good at choosing personnel. Doing so is exceptionally difficult, especially when you're set on getting guys that no one else thinks are exceptional.

 

[MadCardDisease]

1) What is that assurance based on?
2) What makes you think that Whis is any more of an astute judge of talent than Matt Millen is? Or Rod Graves?

That's why I don't understand why people are so willing to trush Whis's plan. He didn't initially want to come here, and Russ Grimm (who's never coached up players in the way that we're apparently asking him to) didn't even know who was on the roster a week into his tenure here.

Obviously no one knows how good Whis will be as a head coach. We will find out soon enough though. For now all we have to go off of is his plan for the team.

 

[Redsz]

But it's also highly unlikely that he's good at choosing personnel. Doing so is exceptionally difficult, especially when you're set on getting guys that no one else thinks are exceptional.

We don't have anything to determine that fact one way or another do we? So until we see otherwise, debating such a point is rather fruitless.

 

[JM88]

Can anyone name a former Eagles cornerback that has gone on to success anywhere else?

Who can't? Al Harris has been a pro bowl alternate in 3 out of 4 seasons since he moved from Eagles to the Packers.

 

[kerouac9]

Who can't? Al Harris has been a pro bowl alternate in 3 out of 4 seasons since he moved from Eagles to the Packers.

Thanks. That actually makes me feel a lot better. I love Al Harris. One of the most underrated CBs in the NFL.