Four-for-Four: The “I’m Feeling a Draft” Edition

EAGLES

Mar 26, 2014; Orlando, FL, USA; Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly speaks to reporters at the NFL Annual Meetings. Mandatory Credit: Rob Foldy-USA TODAY Sports

CHIP’S CRUSH

If the Eagles end up drafting from their 22nd overall slot in the first round, don’t be surprised if USC WR Marqise Lee is the name called by commissioner Goodell as the team’s first round pick. Perhaps more than any other player in the pre-draft process, Lee’s name has been attached to Philadelphia and given Kelly’s track record in just one year of drafting, it makes sense.

Last year, Kelly tabbed tight end Zach Ertz with the Eagles 2nd round pick. Ertz had, just months before, torched Kelly’s Oregon Ducks team including a game-tying touchdown that forced overtime. Oregon would go on to lose the game, but Kelly would not forget what he had seen the talented Stanford product do to his undefeated squad. Though he is still building experience at the professional level, Kelly does have the advantage that he is familiar with a sizable chunk of the incoming class. For some, like Lee, he has witnessed first hand what they are capable of on the field. One can dissect tape and crunch combine numbers all they want, but the value of watching a player from the sideline goes beyond the tape.

Birds247.com had an article regarding the apparent infatuation with Lee and what the USC product did in his matchups with Kelly’s Ducks that may have given him an edge over some other players in the draft. Sheil Kapadia highlighted a pair of games where Lee went off for 157 yards and 187 yards with a combined 20 catches. A quote by Kelly regarding the dynamic receiver should tell you all you need to know about if the team is interested.

"“Matt Barkley and Andrew Luck are the two best quarterbacks I’ve faced, and Marqise Lee may be the best receiver I’ve had the opportunity to coach against,” Kelly said. “And Robert Woods and what he’s done. It was an unbelievable battle for those guys.”"

Lee is a remarkable talent, when healthy. He can return punts and kicks, he can play any of the receiver positions, and has the sort of playmaking ability that should excel in this offense. There is injury concerns with Lee and he did not exactly blow away the combine. That said, Kelly probably knew all he had to about Lee before even taking the Eagles job. Many expect the Eagles to take a receiver in one of the first two rounds of the draft. Unless they decide to move up or down from their selection, don’t be shocked if that player is Marqise Lee.

A WARNING FOR SANCHEZ

Sep 12, 2013; Foxboro, MA, USA; New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez warms up before the game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Perlman/THE STAR-LEDGER via USA TODAY Sports

In a somewhat bizarre article by CBS Philly, Boyz II Men’s Shawn Stockman chimed in on the Eagles and their acquisition of former New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez.

"“Mark Sanchez is not the guy, “He’s just going to go into Philly, and get cussed out. Cause, if anybody knows anything about Philly radio, it’s no holds barred. They go in. So, I can imagine what they’re talking about in Philly radio right now. We love our sports. I’m not an Eagles fan, but every other sport, I’m all Philly. Flyers, Phillies, Sixers.”"

It’s nice to see that Stockman, a member of a group that embraces its Philly roots, is dialed in to the sports scene. That said, he may be overdramaticizing the scrutiny placed on a potential third string quarterback, even if it is Mr. Butt-Fumble himself.

JOE BANNER: MOVIE STAR?

I have yet to divulge in the Academy Award front-runner that is ‘Draft Day’. A fictional tale of a day in the life of being the general manager of the Cleveland Browns on the afternoon of the NFL Draft. The film stars such established actors as Kevin Costner and Dennis Leary, but it is perhaps the cameo of a former Eagles president that will lock down the Oscar for Best Picture.

I guess we know now why he’s no longer in football.