Draft picks McCoy, Ingram need to be better blockers to play fo...

LeSean McCoy, the University of Pittsburgh running back selected in the second round , and Cornelius Ingram, the University of Florida tight end taken in the fifth round, did not play in college offenses that required the same type of physical play they will be asked to excel at in the NFL.

[PSU Fan]

Tony Hunt was an outstanding blocker at PSU, as Paterno said many times. Hunt beat out Austin Scott at PSU for that reason alone. The Eagles don't like (or understand) traditional running backs, they like receivers that play in the running back position. That's why Westbrook is perfect for them, yet is prone to injury. McCoy is supposed to be a good receiver. Receiving, not blocking, should be his main focus if he wants to stay with the Eagles.

[Another View]

PSU Fan wrote:

Tony Hunt was an outstanding blocker at PSU

I'm not a big fan of Penn State or Tony Hunt. I don't think the Eagles gave Hunt a chance to develop. I believe he was drafted by the Eagles in round 3, and he really didn't get a lot of snaps at running back. With Buckhalter gone, I'll bet they wish they could have kept him around. They had to scramble for running backs in the draft this year, and I'm not sure that this McCoy is any better than Hunt...so the result is a wasted draft pick.

[negative]

an outstanding blocker in the nfl is different than an outstanding blocker in college. hunt could handle ncaa blockers b/c he was bigger and faster than they were. nfl linebackers are strong and very fast! Westbrook, while smaller than Hunt, has a low center of gravity and knows blocking technique. It is also strengthened by the fact that his footwork and agility are second to none. My initial guess is that once McCoy demonstrates the technique to block, his foot work is going to be a lot faster than Hunt's.

To compare Hunt to McCoy is also a bit deceiving. First, Hunt's speed is average for an NFL RB. McCoy has Westbrook speed, in the hole, in the open and once he has broken away. Hunt could go the first 15 yards and be tracked down by linemen and linebackers. Second, McCoy's rush credentials were proven in two years where it took Hunt four years to put his front an center (alright, I'll grant 3 b/c the frosh year was blocked by the rotation with scott). Third, Hunt played for an outstanding team with great blocking linemen. McCoy played for a team that he effectively carried. Fourth, Hunt was a poor receiver in both the open field and in traffic. McCoy appears to have the receiving skills.

I think the Eagles gave up on Hunt's development b/c he had no more upside. He was already fully developed. If he shows up elsewhere in the NFL as a 1000 yard rush, then I'm wrong, but nobody drafted him before the Eagles and he's not exactly turning heads... heck, is he even on an NFL roster?

[Steve Smith]

Another View wrote:

<quoted text>
I'm not a big fan of Penn State or Tony Hunt. I don't think the Eagles gave Hunt a chance to develop. I believe he was drafted by the Eagles in round 3, and he really didn't get a lot of snaps at running back. With Buckhalter gone, I'll bet they wish they could have kept him around. They had to scramble for running backs in the draft this year, and I'm not sure that this McCoy is any better than Hunt...so the result is a wasted draft pick.

Sorry, but that's a loserish view of it..."scramble for running backs" I don't see anything I'd call a scramble...I'd say Hunt's talents were severely limited...and any descent RB in the draft would ellipse Hunt. This was a great Eagles draft.

[Steve Smith]

negative wrote:

an outstanding blocker in the nfl is different than an outstanding blocker in college. hunt could handle ncaa blockers b/c he was bigger and faster than they were. nfl linebackers are strong and very fast! Westbrook, while smaller than Hunt, has a low center of gravity and knows blocking technique. It is also strengthened by the fact that his footwork and agility are second to none. My initial guess is that once McCoy demonstrates the technique to block, his foot work is going to be a lot faster than Hunt's.
To compare Hunt to McCoy is also a bit deceiving. First, Hunt's speed is average for an NFL RB. McCoy has Westbrook speed, in the hole, in the open and once he has broken away. Hunt could go the first 15 yards and be tracked down by linemen and linebackers. Second, McCoy's rush credentials were proven in two years where it took Hunt four years to put his front an center (alright, I'll grant 3 b/c the frosh year was blocked by the rotation with scott). Third, Hunt played for an outstanding team with great blocking linemen. McCoy played for a team that he effectively carried. Fourth, Hunt was a poor receiver in both the open field and in traffic. McCoy appears to have the receiving skills.
I think the Eagles gave up on Hunt's development b/c he had no more upside. He was already fully developed. If he shows up elsewhere in the NFL as a 1000 yard rush, then I'm wrong, but nobody drafted him before the Eagles and he's not exactly turning heads... heck, is he even on an NFL roster?

Nicely said.

[Another View]

negative wrote:

McCoy has Westbrook speed, in the hole, in the open and once he has broken away.

You may be right about Hunt. It is probably fair to trust Andy Reid on the decision to waive him. I'm not sure I agree that McCoy has Westbrook speed. I watched the highlight film of McCoy on draft day on the Eagles' website, and I saw a physical running back with a good stiff-arm that gets tackled from behind frequently...at the college level. He has a lot to prove in the NFL. I definitely like that he doesn't dodge contact.

[Steve Smith]

Another View wrote:

<quoted text>
You may be right about Hunt. It is probably fair to trust Andy Reid on the decision to waive him. I'm not sure I agree that McCoy has Westbrook speed. I watched the highlight film of McCoy on draft day on the Eagles' website, and I saw a physical running back with a good stiff-arm that gets tackled from behind frequently...at the college level. He has a lot to prove in the NFL. I definitely like that he doesn't dodge contact.

I'm getting confused about who's negative and who's negative about McCoy ;-)...In him I see a good open field runner who blasts through the holes with great speed but with no top gear, like you mentioned...still, a rare and great talent...I see a player who has a high avg. per carry but few long TD runs...a player whose style will give him practically an injury free longevity...and great hands.

[Steve Smith]

How many "outstanding" successful ex-Eagle players are there out there besides headcase and Dawk?

[Another View]

Steve Smith wrote:

How many "outstanding" successful ex-Eagle players are there out there besides headcase and Dawk?

The only guy that comes to my mind that Andy Reid let go too soon was Derrick Burgess. I think he led the AFC (or entire NFL?) in sacks one year for the Raiders. For the Eagles, he couldn't get on the field due to repeated injuries.