Wexell: SKIP TRASH HEAP AND DRAFT BELL'S BACKUP

[Shawn]

If we address the pass rush and the secondary in the first two rounds (in whichever order), then I would be quite happy with David Johnson in round 3. He seems to check off every box that we could be looking for. If he was from, say, Alabama instead of Northern Iowa, he could be a borderline first round type of talent, I would think.

I agree. IMO, he is a top 3 back in this draft.

[Shawn]

so pot smokers are LOSERS?? how easily you disregard the season he has had... His ability on the field speaks for itself.

I think you just set up a strawman. Haus never called Bell a loser. He questioned his leadership based on him being a knucklehead. I don't believe pot to be the "evil weed", but it's still illegal and an issue with the NFL. Smoking pot was poor judgment at the very least. It has cost us his presence for at least 2 games. So, I would question his leadership at this point as well. Hopefully, he learns from his mistake and grows just as all young men should. But, he has to earn that...not just on the field but off.

[Slapstick]

How about Bilal Powell?

[phillyesq]

How about Bilal Powell?

I thought I read somewhere that the Jets are going to make a big push to resign him. But he's the kind of guy that would absolutely make sense.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Looks like Pierre Thomas will be released as well. He only had 45 rushes last year...but also had 45 catches as well. That seems to fit how we use our RB's now. Two years ago, he had 147 carries, and 77 catches. And he is used to working in a timeshare where other backs are featured.

[Shoe]

Looks like Pierre Thomas will be released as well. He only had 45 rushes last year...but also had 45 catches as well. That seems to fit how we use our RB's now. Two years ago, he had 147 carries, and 77 catches. And he is used to working in a timeshare where other backs are featured.

Exactly. Guys like that are precisely what we need. He will produce better than 90% of rookie RBs next year (cuz he can probably pass-block better), and since that's the case... what would be the point (of spending a pick on a RB). We need to spend TWO picks in the secondary. We also have a LB need, we have a STRONG TE need, you can always spend a pick in either trench... Back-up RB is a luxury.

[SS Laser]

Exactly. Guys like that are precisely what we need. He will produce better than 90% of rookie RBs next year (cuz he can probably pass-block better), and since that's the case... what would be the point (of spending a pick on a RB). We need to spend TWO picks in the secondary. We also have a LB need, we have a STRONG TE need, you can always spend a pick in either trench... Back-up RB is a luxury.

I disagree that a back up RB is a luxury pick. The Steelers offense was putting up points when the RB was the main focus. Ravens game showed that. So there is a major need for a RB who can at least be the "focus" when Bell is out and IF he gets hurt again. I hope a FA vet could do that but would not pass up a BPA pick at RB after the 3rd rd IMO.

[Chadman]

I get people wanting to have a quality back-up RB, but given the usage of Bell, it simply HAS to be a 'value' player. This is a guy that MIGHT get 5 touches a game.

You don't want to invest a second 3rd round draft pick into a RB that touches the ball 5 times a game.

There will be plenty of FA RB's to pick from. Find the one that best fits the system in case Bell goes down. But don't sign a guy to a multi-year deal, or draft a high round player, to sit & ride the pine.

[Discipline of Steel]

I get people wanting to have a quality back-up RB, but given the usage of Bell, it simply HAS to be a 'value' player. This is a guy that MIGHT get 5 touches a game.

You don't want to invest a second 3rd round draft pick into a RB that touches the ball 5 times a game.

There will be plenty of FA RB's to pick from. Find the one that best fits the system in case Bell goes down. But don't sign a guy to a multi-year deal, or draft a high round player, to sit & ride the pine.

I dont know, the backup RB HAS to be good. He MIGHT end up being our #1 option and he WILL have to provide quality touches every game lest 'we milk the bellcow until his udders fall off'.

[hawaiiansteel]

I disagree that a back up RB is a luxury pick.

I agree with you, a good back up RB is a luxury pick UNTIL God forbid something happens to Le'Veon Bell and then it instantly becomes a major need...

[hawaiiansteel]

Frank Gore to sign with Eagles

Updated: March 8, 2015
By Adam Schefter and Adam Caplan | ESPN

Free-agent running back Frank Gore has told people he will sign this week with the Philadelphia Eagles, according to league sources.

Barring a breakdown in talks, Gore is expected to sign a three-year deal in which $7.5 million in the first two years is guaranteed.

Gore's decision will end an impressive 10-year run with the San Francisco 49ers.

The final price tag, which the two sides still have to negotiate, is expected to come in at less than half of former Eagles running back LeSean McCoy, who is signing a new deal this week with the Buffalo Bills. But the Eagles plan to hand their starting job to Gore, and he has informed other teams that he has made his decision, sources said.

Free-agent cornerback Byron Maxwell told ESPN's Josina Anderson that he will sign with the Eagles when free agency begins Tuesday.

The Eagles were considered the front-runner for Maxwell. However, they had to fend off the Seattle Seahawks, who had been making a last-ditch effort to bring Maxwell back to Seattle, according to sources.

But the Eagles don't have to worry about who their new running back will be. It will be Gore, who will turn 32 in May.

Gore is the type of locker room leader that Eagles coach Chip Kelly covets. Gore is coming off four straight 1,000-yard rushing seasons and has rushed for over 1,000 yards in eight of the past nine seasons. The only season over the past nine in which he failed to reach that threshold was 2010, when he missed five games with a broken hip. Gore is considered an excellent pass protector as well.

A five-time Pro Bowler, Gore was a big proponent of Jim Harbaugh returning to the Niners, who instead "mutually" parted ways with the coach and promoted defensive line coach Jim Tomsula to the head-coach position. Gore said he wanted to see what the 49ers did with the job before deciding his own future.

Maxwell, 27, was a starter all season in 2014, except for three games when he was out with an injury. With quarterbacks trying to avoid throwing at cornerback Richard Sherman, Maxwell was tested often (once every 5.7 snaps) but without much success from opposing quarterbacks, who averaged only an 81.1 passer rating against him.

He had two interceptions and 12 passed defensed in 2014. He played both the outside corner spot and at nickelback last season.

[URL]http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/12445109/frank-gore-plans-sign-philadelphia-eagles?addata=module-b[/URL]