Bleacher Report - Articles by Rob Pastorino

Should the Philadelphia Eagles Take an O-Lineman in Round One?

Rob Pastorino — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 00:51:23 -0500

I know Reid will, BUT...

The more and more I look at it, the Eagles may not "need" a tackle nearly as much as everyone believes...I don't think they should invest in one in the first round, but definitely pluck one, or even trade up in the second/third to get an o-lineman if they must.

They have the fourths and fifths to do it...invest in a lineman, yes, but not necessarily a tackle until as late as round three, and here's why.

1-King Dunlap is certainly big enough, and could pan out to be quite a steal in the seventh round of last year's draft...I doubt he's the next Winston Justice, and there is still a chance ("so you're saying there's a chance") justice will be able to play in this league...

2-They now have two Andrews to man the tackle spots...Shawn was brought in to eventually be the replacement at left tackle, and has said he feels more comfortable playing on the left side...and those would be some massive brothers at the tackle spots!...

3-They have Herremans, who can play guard and even shift out to tackle, especially in a backup role...

4-A short list of guys that may be available for a pick as an o-lineman in the second round, possibly for the birds' slot: Max Unger, William Beatty, Jamon Meredith, Eric Wood, Duke Robinson, Phillip Loadholt (could slip to third), and a guy I think could pan out nicely for the birds even into the third is Fenuki Tupou (or not to pou!!!) out of Oregon...

With the kind of depth they showed on the line last year, and the versatility they have up there, I believe strengthening some other offensive positions in the first round, eg. running back, tight end, receiver, would go a lot further to helping this team out sooner rather than later...playmakers are found early in drafts, lineman can be good finds late, more often...just dig a little more personally than the dreaded (dare I say) Freddie Mitchell "find"...

As for running back, the two Browns, Andre and Donald, are both looking like second or third round gold for them...and Shonn Greene could even slip to them in round two...

For when Reid picks a tackle at 21 or 28...

Let me know what you think...and thanks to Phillip Boyer, whose "Midnight Green" inspired this comment/article...

Does Anyone Believe the Lions Should Not Take Matt Stafford First Overall?

Rob Pastorino — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 01:54:35 -0500

I'm not a Lions fan. I disagree with the numerous mock drafts stating the Lions should take Matt Stafford with the first pick.

If I'm sitting at number one, and I have the 20th, as well as the 33rd, then I'm going to take the most stellar player available at number one.

The one I feel is going to be worth that paycheck for years and years to come...and I don't think Stafford is that guy!

He's good, but I'll take Aaron Curry, Jason Smith, or Eugene Monroe over him with the first pick each and every time.

Why?

Coming of an 0-16 year, drafting a quarterback who won't play right away isn't the quickest way to get better. For right now, the Lions are better off with Dante Culpepper, and drafting either Smith or Monroe to protect him.

It's obvious the Lions have been rebuilding for a while. They would be better off taking a linebacker, such as Curry, who looks like he will be an absolute stud in the NFL for a long time.

Mark Sanchez, out of USC, just may be available at No. 20, or Josh Freeman from Kansas State at No. 33.

Either one is just as capable of making it in the NFL as Stafford, but the Lions wouldn't have to pay either of them first pick salary.

For the Lions sake, I hope they don't waste the first overall pick on a quarterback. If they were picking third like the Falcons last year, then maybe...but not first, not when you have the kind of names up there on the list of prospects like Curry, Smith, or Monroe.

I'm an Eagles fan, through and through, so Lions fans, let me know what you think.

Go Birds!!!....please god, give us hope!

Rob Pastorino — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 23:24:05 -0500

Writing on the Philadelphia Eagles could prove rather difficult...

But, this team did just shockingly make it to the NFC Championship, as unlikely as it has ever been in the history of this team, but by having all the cards fall their way the last day of the regular season made it all worth it...

Now, upper management has to make the smart moves they never seem to want to make, and Donovan and the crew can lead the Birds to their first ever Super Bowl. $40 million in cap room should be more than enough to put the right players in the right places, and build through the draft at any positions they are possibly thin at...Jeffrey Lurie has to spend in these tough times, and at this perfect time, to give this team a couple more years to make a good, fun run at the Super Bowl with number five at the helm, and the cheesesteak lover calling some ugly games...Lurie has got to do this for the Eagles fans, and for Donovan, and B-Dawk, who hopefully has two more years, and show us how "PEDAL TO THE METAL" really looks...

Firstly, free agency...

1st - Sign Vernon Carey and Stacy Andrews...regrettably you have to let go of two very, very solid linemen in order to do it, but the Eagles have never had a problem letting players in their twilight go once they don't have what they once did anymore...get these two, and you get younger, and you might just re-invigorate your all-pro guard to come out of his funk by playing next to his bro...Carey should do well in Thomas' spot...

2nd - Throw plenty of money at T.J. Houshmandzadeh, and put a playmaker right across from your playmaker of the future in Jackson. You also put Curtis in the slot, where he becomes the absolute best #3 receiver in the league, and he's in his wheelhouse. And most importantly, you don't have to give anything up but $$$ you have to get him!

Secondly, the draft...

1st - Get Brandon Pettigrew! This guy is the tight end this system needs, and he is another rare playmaker, and solid blocking tight end. Even if you feel you have to move up to get him, we have plenty of picks, and you'll still haveanother first rounder to get a tackle if you absolutely must in the first round...

2nd - Pick a back that can play in the backfield as a rookie, even just to fill in for B-West on third downs, a bigger guy would be nice. Gotta let Buck go, as much as I like him, he's not a replacement for Westbrook if he should go down again...Shonne Green out of Iowa might work, but since B-West, we've been striking out with backs, so I'd love to see their other first rounder get Moreno, Wells, McCoy...but they need that interior lineman in the First...

(I'd love to see Tony Gonzalez as an Eagle for the next couple years, but unfortunately it's not the Eagles style to give up a second-rounder for a Hall-of-Famer!!! Would've had a better shot at going to Arizona and actually winning the game in the fourth-quarter...)

Now, I am a die-hard Birds fan, and I would love to see these four things happen, cause we don't give up a whole lot, and I think our offense would be as good as our awesome defense was this past year! McNabb and Andy could possibly get that ring (or at least get the chance to play for it)...$40 million should go to this offense, which is already good, but these plays would really make it fun to watch (AND "PUT THE PEDAL TO THE METAL") but not take it to the last freaking day to get there!!!

My first article, I hope you liked it, and please let me know what you thought...

Got some great ideas for the birds from other articles on here, specifically "Upcoming Free Agents Very Few Talk About For The Eagles" by Haran Knight and hopefully you appreciate my sincere agreeance...