DJ reports early to get to work, before anyone else.

As in, he wasn't lazy, but he wasn't working hard the right way. It's nuanced.

 

Hmm, can't hurt, Dio's improvement is going to come from better technique not just muscle mass

 

The staff figuring out how to best use Dion Jordan is the most important question of this season, imo. At least it's the thing I'm most interested in. We're talking about a gifted top 3 pick with multiple talents who might not fit our scheme perfectly. What is this coaching staff capable of doing with this kid on their hands?

Here are some really thorough writeups on DJ's rookie year...from an Eagles website, of course. I apologize if these have been posted before. But they really are must-reads, imo.

As a DE: http://www.thechipwagon.com/eagles/2014/03/dissecting-dion-jordans-2013-season.html
As an OLB: http://chipwagon.typepad.com/eagles...ns-2013-season-part-2-outside-linebacker.html

 

I don't think the use thing is really an issue, because as those links illustrate they used him right- He rushed like 85% of his snaps, was put in unique positions was given challenging coverage responsibility he lived up to. It doesn't really matter what his position is called if they're going to use his abilities, and that's a good use of his abilities to me.

Him not getting on the field had nothing to do with them not knowing how to use him, it was their confidence in him being a well-rounded contributor. Last year he was an excellent coverage guy, mixed bag as a pass rusher, and a poor run defender. That and Olivier Vernon playing well is enough to explain it.

 

Those are some pretty impressive writeups. Very well done.

I hate to say it and maybe I'll eat my words but I doubt that Jordan ever measures up to a top 3 pick.

 

Not all drafts are equal. Last year's draft was not the best for top talent.

 

To quote the devil himself, "There's no Julius Peppers in this draft."

 

So, what's the 'Phins' plan with Jordan? Try to keep him at DE or move him to linebacker permanently? I thought he could be an elite coverage linebacker coming into the draft. Thanks in advance.

 

I think that may have some value, but not the 3rd pick. Maybe 3rd round.

 

"Long live Rock n' Roll"!!

 

The "plan", such as it is appears to be in base packages, Jordan is a (right) defensive end. I think part of the increased size thing is they want him to be capable of lining up at some of the tighter 6-technique positions.

In passing situations, Kevin Coyle really threw everything and the kitchen sink out there. Look at the second link Limbo posted. He's lined up in a wide variety of positions in a wide variety of packages. He's playing both on the line and off the line in a handful of Nickel alignments.

 

Until he learns how to use leverage properly, he will be a jack of all trades type of player

 

I do think he needs to develop a bit of a mean streak and nastiness when he plays. I still have high hopes for him.

 

All the word we get is DE will remain his primary position. Though last year he did get moved around a lot and at various times lined up at OLB, DT and ILB. I agree with you about his pass coverage, and against teams with big tall TEs like Gronk or Graham, I'd like to see him used in coverage against them as a primary assignment. Just line him up head up on them, don't allow a clean release, and cover them all over the field.

 

Saw title. Thought you were blowing your own horn.

 

Sooooo, you thought the title was about Deej blowing something and the first thing you did was click?

 

I agree on Donald. And I think there is a decent chance he falls to the teens and is within trade range. Due to size and scheme for some teams, there is even an outside chance he falls to 19. It's not a true "need" but he's the kind of BPA that I'd take in a second, "needs" be damned. I think he's a combo of Warren Sapp and John Randle and that kind of inside pressure is just so valuable.

I'm not as high on Barr. Good player but I don't go out of my way to get him.

 

I don't think there is any way he falls to 19 and if he does there are some morons out there.

 

If Donald is there at 19 but we take someone else......I will make sure Hickey is getting a thick stick kicked into his dick by SICK, so it'll look like a wick that will be lit by a chick with a Bic who hates pricks.

 

It can happen. Not saying it will, but it can. He's simply not a very good scheme fit for a 3-4 team, so it is pretty unlikely that any of those teams take him. And even for 4-3 teams, some will dock him for not having the prototype size. The way I see it if he gets past No. 8, which is very possible, he could fall. The Bills are set on the DL and have too many other needs. The Lions have Suh inside and invested a pretty high pick in Fairley just a few years ago. I don't see interior DL as a big need for the Titans. The Giants could definitely take Donald and that would be a good pick for them, but I don't know that it is a given. Dallas could also take Donald and he would be a great fit there, but you never know. I don't see the Rams or Ravens going DL. I don't think he is a scheme fit for the Steelers or Jets. Bears? Maybe. I think there is no more than a 10% chance that Donald makes it to 19, but that's still a chance.

 

A lot of the mocks have the Bears as the lowest he can go. But mocks are worth absolutely nothing really. Speaking generally, Donald still has some learning to do at DT.

 

Would you be willing to move up for Donald? How far up?

 

I would. How far up depends on the cost. I'd be willing to add a third this year or a second next, in addition to No. 19. I think he is a once-every-20-years player at that position.

 

Depends on how much it takes to move up. Not only are you not filling a need by taking him, you're losing a pick to draft a need later. That being said, Starks isn't getting any younger and Donald would be a fierce addition to 3rd down his rookie year. You'd really have to get in the minds of the staff and understand how much faith they have in our injured rookies last year (Taylor and Thomas especially). If there's a lot of trust in their 2nd year development, then maybe you can afford to lose an extra pick.Me? While initially taking the stance that we should absolutely take Donald if in striking range, I've since backed off that stance. I'd rather round out the team. 2 or 3 OL, an LB, CB, etc. I'd rather go that route.

 

Yeah, I'm torn. I think our O line is already better than last year and I think Moreno improves our overall pass blocking too. That being said we need another at least solid O lineman and probably end up w/ one guy that has a pulse and can read w/out moving his lips.......too much. There are some guys in the mid rounds who can play at guard, maybe tackle, but Donald is special. I just heard Mort say he had some insane number of behind the LOS plays. Pass rush sure makes things easier on the DB's and he can play the run as well. Wow I'm excited for next week.

 

If we want him we'll have to trade up to 11, imo, which is the Titans pick. Four of the next five teams are great fits for him: NYG, StL, DAL, CHI. I'd be shocked if he fell past all four of those 4-3 teams.

 

It ain't that big. 4 inches doesn't require the entire set of pants to be removed.

 

Didn't see this article referenced anywhere here re: the Dolphins eyeing Donald. http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/04/30/4088250/miami-dolphins-eye-de-aaron-donald.html In truth, the article doesn't really say much of anything abotu the Dolphins' interest, but the title does and there is apresumably a reason why Beasley bothered to write the story.

 

I like Jordan and think he has a ton of talent, but if that extra 2nd is what we'd need to trade up and get Donald, I think I'd do it. A DL with Wake, Vernon and Graham at DE and Odrick, Starks, Mitchell and Donald at DT would be very deep and very scary.

 

Obviously the cost is the question, but Donald is one of my favorite players in the draft. I have him and Clowney as the BPAs in no particular order.