Friday, April 23, 2010

#37 - Nate Allen is an Eagle

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The Eagles just picked South Florida FS Nate Allen.  Or is that USF FS Nate Allen? 

Good pick. 

Nate is what we needed.  He isn't an athlete or a project or a small school guy.  He is a high quality player with experience, size, skills, and production from a BCS school.  He is a safe pick, in a sense. 

Here are my notes on him:

Veteran FS started 39 games for the Bulls. Complete player. Good run defender. Diagnoses plays well. Can cover man or zone. Covers the slot receiver at times. Has the footwork and agility to be effective in that role. Can also be a centerfielder. Gets a good break on the ball. Good nose for the ball. Knows how to slip blocks without getting out of position. Takes good angles. Has some pop when he hits. Knocked a RB's helmet off vs Rutgers with a hit. Wrap-up tackler. Finished 2nd on the team in tackles in 2009. Solid athlete and playmaker. Broke up play-action pass in end zone in the win over FSU. Bit for 1/2 second, then turned and got into position. Got his hand up and swatted the ball down. Broke up 12 passes in his career. Picked off 9. Had 142 solo stops and 5 TFLs. Plays on STs.

Had a good showing at the Senior Bowl. Looked especially good at man coverage in the practice sessions.

Should go in the 2nd round.

We still have pick 55 in this round.  We'll see about CB down there.  Or elsewhere.  Howie and Reid have a plan.  We just have to be patient and let them execute it.  Good start. 
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19 comments:

Joe said...

Mayock says he is an inconsistent tackler...Seems like you don't agree. With Samuel already a liability in tackling, and with the loss of Sheldon, I'd say we need someone we can count on to tackle...thoughts?

Baloophi said...

Yeah, where did this "can't tackle" tag come from?

So Cal EaglesFan said...

Tommy,
What would you think if the Eagles traded their 55th pick in the draft for Richard Marshall or Carlos Rogers?

Adam S. said...

Like the pick, don't know enough about him to love the pick. Seems like a good fit. Also curious about this bad tackler business Mayock is talking about.

Also it must be noted that Samuel is on the left side while Allen will be on the right. I understand there are instances that he will be playing centerfield and will be responsible to clean up Samuels junk. I'd be a little more worried if Samuel were RCB.

Tommy Lawlor said...

Mayock I think referred to him as an inconsistent tackler. Nate is a much better tackler than Earl Thomas. Let's keep things in perspective.

I'll re-watch some tape and see if I find any issues.

Cliff said...

With this pick, I don't see how anyone can not like this draft so far. Great 2 picks.

I'm hoping for a LB to compete at SAM now.

Prem Prakash said...

Well done, Eagles.

Cliff said...

On the clock.

Cliff said...

Damn. I was waiting to go to the bathroom until after the Eagles pick. Now I have to wait 20 more minutes.

Unknown said...

Another trade with the Cowboys. Cripe.

Cliff said...

On the clock.

Maybe.

Cliff said...

Oh crap, never mind.

Unknown said...

Another trade down, I guess we don't like anyone on the board right now.

Adam S. said...

I just wanna know what they are getting in return for trading down. Anybody know yet?

Unknown said...

This seems pretty up to date: http://www.nfl.com/draft/2010/tracker#dt-tabs:dt-by-team/dt-by-team-input:phi

Unknown said...

Judging from NFL.com draft tracker, we got their 3rd and 5th.

Adam S. said...

Ok for the #55 we got pick #59 and #125 from Cowboys. Then for #59 we got #71(4th), #134(5th), #146(5th).

Quite the haul for one 3rd round pick. two 4th's and 2 5th's.

Adam S. said...

apparently my math is pathetic because #71 is definitely a 3rd.

Unknown said...

We traded down again. Good lord, what are they trying to do to us?