Kevin Thomas is an Eagles...and I have no idea what this means...
The Philadelphia Eagles and Indianapolis Colts have announced a trade that will send linebackers Moise Fokou and Greg Lloyd to the Colts in exchange for cornerback Kevin Thomas and a conditional seventh-round draft choice in 2013.
The condition of the draft pick is likely tied to both players making the team and then contributing a certain amount of playing time--- and almost certainly maxes out at a fifth-round choice.
Thomas (6'0", 192) was a third-round pick back in 2010, but spent his rookie season on Injured Reserve, then saw action in nine games—with three starts—last season. That action resulted in 33 tackles and three pass breakups, according to the Eagles' official team release.
With the current talent drought in Indianapolis, Fokou and Lloyd could both see plenty of action with the Colts. In Philadelphia, both were fighting for a roster spot, so this move makes a lot of sense for both teams.
Kevin Thomas (#25, above), CB, 6-0, 192, 3rd round draft pick by Indy out of USC in 2010...
Fokou heads to the Colts with a decent amount of starting experience under his belt, and Lloyd is a guy who has always been branded as someone with limitless potential. For new Colts head coach Chuck Pagano, the former defensive coordinator of the Baltimore Ravens, there could be something in both of these guys he can still pull out and make useful...
As far as how Thomas fits in Juan Castillo's defense, it's tough to say. He's a big guy who prefers the bump-and-run, so that works in his favor, but he is entering a ton of competition. In reality, the only corners guaranteed a roster spot are Nnamdi Asomugha, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and (maybe) fourth-round pick Brandon Boykin or Joselio Hanson in the nickel package....
These under-the-radar moves are nothing new for the Eagles, especially because of the familiarity with new Colts General manager Ryan Grigson, who was a front office guy in Philadelphia for years. Reid loves hooking up with guys from his tree to make deals like this.
Thomas was on the injured reserve list in 2010, but appeared in nine games (five starts) with the Colts last season, registering 33 tackles and three passes defended.
"This is a big corner that can run," Eagles general manager Howie Roseman said about Thomas. "He started some games for them and played some Cover-2. We think he can go press and is instinctive. We scouted him at USC and he'll come and compete with our other corners and add competition to that spot."
Roseman was asked about adding a player to a position of strength...
"Well, for us it was just about the value," he said. "They were looking for some linebackers ... so those guys get a great opportunity here. We just felt like it was a win-win situation for us and for the Colts. We are always looking for corners and linemen; that is something we will always be on the lookout for. Then we had the opportunity to also get a draft pick."
Fokou, once a walk-on at Maryland, started 22 games over the last three seasons for the Eagles. Lloyd, the son of the former Pittsburgh Steelers' All-Pro of the same name, spent most of last season on the practice squad. He played at the University of Connecticut.
Jenkins is fine
Kiddingly, veteran tackle Cullen Jenkins said that the Eagles' defensive linemen have decided to hold position meetings in the training tent from now on. Turning serious, Jenkins said the hamstring he injured during practice on Wednesday was nothing to worry about.
"I was just coming in on a blitz and came down to make contact and felt a little tweak there," Jenkins said. "I won't be out too long."
Jenkins joins a rather lengthy list of injured defensive linemen with Jason Babin (calf strain), Trent Cole (shoulder strain), Monte Taylor (concussion) and Mike Patterson (brain surgery recovery) out indefinitely. At the end of Thursday's practice, former Temple defensive end Morkeith Brown was brought in for a workout...
The positive to come out of the injury woes is that it speeds up the acclimation process for young players like rookie Fletcher Cox, the first-round pick out of Mississippi State..."You're in training camp and guys are going to go down," Cox said. "You never like to see someone get hurt, but you've just got to take it and look at it as more reps for you."
"Cullen has been very helpful to me. I ask him a lot of stuff and he tells me how to get past this, get past that. He has given me a lot of small tips."
April showers praise
Special teams coordinator Bobby April has been impressed with rookie Damaris Johnson as a punt returner and compared him to one of the outstanding returners he has coached.
"You might not remember his name, but we had a guy named Eric Guliford with the Saints," April said. "Eric was not nearly as fast or as quick as Damaris, but he got to every ball. That's how it is with Damaris. [The punts] don't hit the ground, they don't roll. He gets a good break on the ball. He's there in position no matter where it's kicked. He makes good decisions and that's so important because you saw what happened in that playoff game last year [the 49ers losing to the Giants] with the ball hitting the kid on the leg. Those are big plays that affect the offense and defense.."
While no final decisions have been made, April said Johnson, a wide receiver from Tulsa, is the No. 1 punt returner at the moment and Brandon Boykin, a rookie cornerback from Georgia, is the No. 1 kick returner.
Brizer is at Training Camp
Our very own legacy Gate Keeper, the esteemed Brizer himself, is at Training Camp today... I can't wait to coagulate his random observations into a consolidated report...
And while we wait for those monumental comments from Bri, I will attempt to amuse you with a cartoon submitted to us by a fan of the site, who obviously is in tune with Bri's love of dogs..and especially, his young pup L.J. ---
As Brozo would say--- "Hit me!"...
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Awww Dammit..... I am watching Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid....
And FINALLY got the 'Mallrats' reference after 15 years about Lafours the mall's security in the straw hat
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@Jerky Reports are 4-5 pound largemouth being pulled out of this lake!!!! Thanks all, iffin I get service I'll check in. ATV, have a safe flight home, you ignorant slut!
You guys see my new avi? It's a frikkin Lion riding a damn horse! Is that a common site now a days er what?
There is nuffin I like more than going against the Grain....Obviously...
And I mentioned before that This IS a passing league now... And Every team is worried about that... SOoooooo Why wouldn't you start running the Ball Smashmouth Old school at teams Drafting and Signing for Pass protection?
Oh we got Running backs and a O-line...
So we keep 3 TE's and go nuts.... Why Not?
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I don't think they keep 3 TE's, unless Eekaguano tears it up as a FB in preseason, he could play TE in a pinch. They need that open roster spot.
@beanstalk I don't know how the TE situation will play out but I really like Brackett. I don't know if he'll push Harbor out but if we only keep 2, it'll be a shame to see him go.
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@PPW @beanstalk I don't think Brackett makes the 53, I see him as a perfect PS8 candidate though.
@Jerky @beanstalk I'm not gonna try and speculate but I like what I've seen of him. I think he'll have a nice career.
@Jerky Nothing at this time. I've been flying solo for the better part of a year now. Which is fine for now.
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@Jerky That would be sumlin! I'll be in the north woods at a nice lake. Got a spot right on the water and a slip for my boat. I'm gonna boat and drink and fish and puff tough and enjoy nature.
