Leo Pizzini evaluates Eagles as they emerge from OTA's...
So far so good in Eagles' voluntary OTA's for 2012... no flukey injuries, a host of talented prospects, and a defensive coaching staff that appears refreshed and focused on rewriting history.
The weather in Philly was near-perfect for 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills Thursday... sunny, dry and 75 degrees F.
Defensive coordinator Juan Castillo was confident and relaxed in the media sessions Thursday. His process of defensive playcalling will be made easier by a full offseason of preparation, which Castillo was denied in his first season as a professional defensive coach.
"What's hard," he said, "is when you have five or six coverages and it's training camp and you have two-and-a-half weeks to get ready for the season [2011]. Those coverages would have to go in, a couple of them in a day. What we've been able to do [in these oganized team activities] is ... be on one coverage for four days. That's a big, big difference."
Speaking of coverage, we were lucky to get Bored Emeritus member Leo Pizzini in the mix of things here the past few days. Leo adds solid analysis based upon his collegiate and semi-pro experience as a safety and a punter. Equally important, Leo is a great communicator and downright entertaining. He is also a dedicated family man who runs his own business and coaches several youth football teams in the Philly area. Still in his early 30's, Leo has a future somewhere in the sport in many potential specialties if he ever chooses to go that route. But he's pretty busy as it is right now, thank you...
I'll just pick out some clips from the last two days of Leo's overall take on the Birds (and football) so far-----
Leo Pizzini... by the way, Leo has a whole bunch of nice articles on the Eagles archived at Bleacher Report, if you're ever perusing the back pages of the Philly sports section there...
"Eaglescap.com says we've got 15 mill in cap space... but... it looks like they might have done some bad math... I'm gonna do some more homework on the topic... cuz 15 mill means we will almost definitely bring in a pretty big name or extend another player like maybe--->DRC???? - I dunno..."
"The only real rule broken [in the 'bounty' scandals] was the un-contracted payouts and the hiding of the fact from the commish... not really the manner of play... but if the players took money off the books as well... they are responsible for THAT... if they played dirty on the field... the refs should have been responsible... blah, blah... it's frigg'n football... you play with the mentality to hurt people with a legal hit... the cash on the side ain't no big thing... that's just a little spice... who really cares... its only shocking to those who have never been around a locker room... that's my take..."
"Trent Edwards... doesn't look like he's gonna make the squad anyway... I kinda like Edwards' prospects in a quality NFL offense... the Bills were horrible..."
"I thought Graig Cooper might last... he always seemed to have a nice game... I expect we'll see him surface somewhere in the league..."
"I think the Eagles keep 3 RBs and a FB type... but as far as Shady, Dion, Polk and Brown... I dunno... if Polk and Brown both find ways to contribute on special teams... then I'd say maybe... but still unlikely... and then I go back to... 'I have no idear'... "
"Good chance we could stash Bryce Brown on the P.S.... and I agree... I was even thinking that we might keep 4 QBs..."
"I'd kinda like to see us keep 5 DTs... Jenkins, Cox, Dixon (if healthy), Landri and Patterson (although I think we don't value Landri as much--he's a nice gamer)... if we did... we could play a pseudo 3-4/5-2... with Dixon, Cox or Jenkins as 2-Gap NT and Patterson, Landri, Cox or Jenkins as 3 tech DE's and some mixture of pass rushing OLB/DE (like D-Ware/T-Suggs)... play Babin, Cole or really any of our regular 4-3 DEs like that (basically still playing a wide-9)... that would be a nice change-up look that we could do without major substitutions... "
"I think we like Landri for our short list... but don't really value him with a designated roster spot... we kinda showed that last year... but... I like the guy.... I think they still like Patterson for depth... but... Washburn's thinking may be enough to change the evaluation process and traditional way of thinking..."
"I really like what I've seen from Dixon and Landri... Dixon (injury) and Landri (journeyman) are on the fringe with upside I think (although I like both more than Patt who I still like too)... Cox and Jenkins are locks... its a bad year to release Patt too I think (for cap reasons)... and even if one doesn't like him... he's still a serviceable NFL DT... he's not leaving the league anytime soon..."
"I can't remember the last time we didn't keep 6 DEs... so... I figure... Cole and Babin are locks.... so is Curry... unless Graham goes full medical carnage... he's pretty much a lock too... there isn't much to dislike about Tapp... so... I'm gonna call him a shoo-in (in the absence of a trade - he could have some trade value - and I expect the Birds to make another deal of some kind... maybe for a veteran safety)... and I think they like that Maurice Fountain (in the same way they like DT Cedric Thornton- who could challenge Dixon and Landri for a spot)... but Maurice and Phil Hunt could have a tough battle for a roster spot..."
"It's tough not to like what we saw from Hunt in his limited action... so... I'm rooting for him too... like most are..."
"Linebacker is going to be a nice competition... Ryans and Kendricks are locks... but there are 7 interesting guys battling for a likely 4 remaining spots... I think all of them are P.S. eligible too though... Casey is probably a lock... they love him... and Chaney, Clayton and Rolle are probably in while Fokou, Jordan and Lloyd are looking-in... Lloyd is a definite P.S. candidate again... I'm not sure if Fokou is eligible, I think he is (I still like Fokou as a serviceable player with more development potential)... but I think somebody will pick him up if we cut ties... and Jordan is a short-list candidate... that's my thought there... in case youse were wondering 'bout my thought there... "
"The "Wide 9" [which Washburn now refers to as an "Over defense with a 9 technique"] is actually an over & under at the same time... that's what kinda makes it unique... "over" basically means the DE flanks out on the strong side of the offense (where the TE is)... "under" mean the DE flanks out over the weak side (where the TE is not)... Washburn plays it over and under... with a 9 technique... so... somebody, somewhere... called that... the 'Wide 9'... "
"Washburn's technique is to penetrate and make the play behind the line... so basically... they are playing 2-gap... but not by driving the lineman backwards to cover both gaps... they simply get around (or are intended to) the line and cover both gaps from the other side of the LOS... which sounds pretty cool if it works..."
"Washburn's style is: make the play in the backfield... shoot the gaps... speed pinch the edges... don't control the line... just overwhelm it basically... something like that... "
"I also expected to see [Washburn bring in] a pair of 350-pound 2-Gap DTs... but the truth is... its hard to find 1 good NT... let alone 2 quality 2-Gap interior linemen... and forget about serious depth in that regard..."
"I like Tapp a lot... as a balanced DE... pass rush and run stuff... he's a 3 down DE if need be... but I like the little I know about Hunt too... he would seem to be the perfect third down Wide 9 DE..."
[On switching from boxer undershorts to patterned briefs]: " I'm gonna have to go with cheetah skin patterned briefs... tidy whities don't suit me anymore... I'll take a pic for my avatar... the big question is... do cheetah patterned briefs require a lot of chest hair and a big gold chain?"
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So whilst that Johan Santana first ever Mets no hitter has to be the feel good story of the year... Does it get an asterisk cause that Beltran ball down the line was clearly fair... Chalk flew... What sez youse?
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Whilst I HATE Tom Brady... That under armour commercial where they dweeb is making fun of his Boston accent... Very funny
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for now, me, my menstruations (which i love having, since we're on that topic) and my doubts about my holidays will wish you a nice weekend. it's almost saturday night here, and dinner party is in order.
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Palmetto,..TBT,..this is a well known risk factors scheme,..taught in principle,..in any legit project mgmt course,..the ignorant press/media,.are slaves to their own,..lack of knowledge,....Enjoy,.BORED,..off to da gym..
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Time to do sumpt'in ,check youse later...swelled donk's! ya youse know dat one!
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@southphillyben I wonder why this wasn't addressed in that POS movie wiff Ryan Reynolds
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Don't ANYONE tell this to ATV.
I love living in Florida - LOVE it.
However - I do ENVY you folks in the Autumn - cool crisp air, leaves falling, driving distance to the Eagles.
NEVER lose site of the fact that (IMO) Philly IS the 'Center of the Known Universe'
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so nobody willing to give me advice or even mere opinions about which games to come over and see. i will keep to myself, henceforth, all info about my trip. wouldn't want to over-disturb with uninteresting info or queries. thanks. i'm very disappointed.
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@n.akuatuta im with atv, i dont want to give bad advixe, if it was me though one of those games would be giants or cowboys.
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@PPW @n.akuatuta ok so maybe me and ppw are the same person but damnit we didnt do it on purpose.
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@n.akuatuta Only pre menstrual womens are disappointed,..not self reliant wenches,.like yurself,..perk up!. The BORED expects better,..and enjoys surprises.
@n.akuatuta I saw your inquiry and pondered but I don't know the schedule well enough to give advice... I wouldn't want to pick a couple a zzzzz for youse
@atvcar and @all. you must be kidding. you played in the death pool last season. you and the other guys know the rest of the teams much better than i do. the schedule is available everywhere. geeez. i will not shut up about this and never never ask anything of you guys again. but when someone needs tips about new zealand, is someone also a menstrual woman ? bri, you disappoint me immensely.
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@n.akuatuta Welp... Games are one thing, but giving advice to someone how they spend their duckets is another. I hadn't looked at the schedule in depth yet... Especially for travel purposes. And you said three game and we don't (I think) have three in a row at home this year??? Anyway, I'm sure you'll chose wisely
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so the phillies play today ? is this the day little blas goes to the game ? i hope they win. blas, you better be in shamrock mode..
