Dissecting the Philadelphia Eagles 2011 Draft

It's too early to know for sure whether the Philadelphia Eagles did a good job picking players in the 2011 NFL Draft, but it's no fun waiting to pass judgment.With Andy Reid's horrible track record of draft day failures we can assume he picked the wrong players yet again.

The Eagles once again tried to show everybody that they're smarter than everybody else and I'm afraid that once again their lack of Lombardi Trophies proves that they aren't even average at drafting talented players.

Let take a look at each pick through their scouting reports, how they'll fit in on the team (if at all) and what it means to the team overall.

Danny Watkins (OL) - 1st round, 23rd overall

Let me see if I've got this straight.The Eagles set an NFL record for allowing the most red zone TDs and they passed up several defensive ends and cornerbacks to pick a 26-year-old offensive lineman?And he was the oldest player ever drafted in the first round in the history of the draft.The Eagles have an unwritten rule that nobody approaching the age of 30 gets a contract extension, so this kid will need to start from day one and there might not be any training camp this year.I assume he starts at left guard and Todd Herremans moves over to take over for the completely inadequate Winston Justice at right tackle.Ã' Watkins has spent more time playing hockey and rugby than he has playing football in his life.Hell, this guy (can't call him a "kid" at 26) has spent more time as a fireman than a football player in his life.This was a horrible pick unless he plays at a Pro Bowl level from day 1, which is highly unlikely.

Jaiquawn Jarrett (Safety) - 2nd round (54th)

I actually love this pick.Really.I can't believe Reid compared him to Brian Dawkins, but Jarrett is a punishing hitter and as sure a tackler as there is on a football field.Some analysts said the Eagles reached for Jarrett in the second round because he isn't very fast.I say you don't need to have your strong safety covering tight ends and running backs out of the backfield.That's what Nate Allen is for, assuming he is healthy.Jarrett will give the defensive backfield the intimidating presence it has lacked since Dawkins was allowed to leave because he was too old.This pick also signals the end of Quintin Mikell's tenure with the Eagles since he is 30.See, 30 is a dirty number in the organization.Take note of that Danny.

Curtis Marsh (CB) - 3rd round (90th)

The Eagles have absolutely nobody to start at cornerback opposite Asante Samuel and I don't think they answered that question with this pick.He climbed draft boards with a good showing at the combine.(Paging Mike Mamula)He's fast, but he's also small.Marsh also has only played CB for two years after playing running back early in his college career.This makes two picks out of three so far for the Eagles where the player is inexperienced and there probably won't be much of a training camp before the season.Brilliant!

Casey Matthews (LB) - 4th round (116th)

Yes, Casey is Clay's younger brother, so the bloodlines that also include a Pro Bowl father (Clay) and Hall of Fame uncle Bruce) tell us that he should be a good player.Matthews isn't as athletic as his brother but he is smart and instinctive.This was also a need pick for the Eagles as Omar Gaither, Ernie Sims and Akeem Jordan aren't expected back.Matthews will either compete with Jamar Chaney at MLB or Moise Fukou at weak-side LB.Stewart Bradley will be moving back to his college position of strong-side LB next season.This was a good value pick for the 4th round. Â

Alex Henery (K) - 4th round (120th)

Yes, a kicker.Here the Eagles go trying to outsmart everyone again.The problem here is that nobody ever even drafts kickers that often and Henery was the only kicker drafted this year.I don't care that he is the most accurate kicker in NCAA history.The Eagles already have a Pro Bowl kicker in David Akers.The reason for this pick is that Akers wouldn't take their low-ball offer last year, so he's gone.He's also over 30.You'll read about how he can also punt, but what you won't hear is that he can't kickoff.So the Eagles now have to waste two spots on the active roster for kickers next year.God, I hate this organization.

Dion Lewis (RB) - 5th round (149th)

Lewis is a small scat-back (5-7, 193 pounds), who will serve as a change of pace back for LeSean McCoy.Lewis did rush for 2,860 yards in two seasons at Pitt though.I don't see the reason for this pick since the Eagles have plenty of other options in the passing game and McCoy is an excellent receiver out of the backfield.Hey, at least they didn't pick a punter.

Julian Vandervelde (Guard) - 5th round (161st)

Vandervelde is a guard from Iowa, who isn't especially big (6-2, 300 pounds) or athletic.Sounds great so far.The bright side is that he is smart and played against big time competition in the Big Ten.This is purely a depth draft pick, which is fine in the fifth round.It makes up for Reid blowing it last year by not drafting a single offensive lineman and watching that unit perform horribly throughout the season.

Jason Kelce (Center) - 6th round (191st)

Yet another depth pick at a position of need.Unfortunately the Eagles brass tried to flex their brains once again here.Kelce is a former linebacker who isn't big enough (6-2, 282 pounds) to deal with NFL defensive tackles.Another guy who was a combine star.He'll be lucky to make the practice squad.

Brian Rolle (LB) - 6th round (193rd)

Rolle was a playmaker at Ohio State and I never heard his name mentioned in the tattoos for memorabilia scandal that Jim Tressel tried to cover up, so he has that going for him.He's a talented player, but he dropped to the 6th round because of his size.Where have I heard that before?Rolle, isn't even 5-10, so he's yet another undersized CB on the Eagles.He has a chance to make the team only because what the Eagles already have is so bad.

Greg Lloyd, Jr. (LB) - 7th round (237th)

Yes, another linebacker.Ã' And yes, he's the son of the great Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker.Of course Dad help a gun in junior's mouth when he was only 12, so they don't exactly have a close relationship.As is the Eagles' way, Lloyd is an injury reject.He tore his knee up in 2009 and played only seven games in 2010.He's a hard hitter, but is slow.His only shot to make the team is on special teams. Â

Stanley Havili (Fullback) 7th round (240th)

I know this was their last pick in the 7th round, but why would the "geniuses" that run the Eagles even bother making this pick?Havali was a good pass-catcher as a fullback for USC.He caught 116 passes for 1,290 yards in his career and ran for 509 yards.That would matter if the Eagles ever used a fullback for more than five plays a game.I guess he has a chance to make the team since Leonard Weaver ("You can't stop the Weave!") is trying to come back from a gruesome knee injury and the only other fullback on the roster is Owen Schmitt, who is, well, Owen Schmitt.

As I said, it's impossible to know right now how the Eagles did in this draft.Ã' We'll get an idea if they ever have a season in 2011.

What we do know for a fact is that with the current Eagles' brain trust making the picks, there is no reason for optimism.The Eagles totally ignored a gaping talent hole on the defensive line and waited to select a few cornerbacks, instead of grabbing a stud (Colorado's Jimmy Smith) in the first round.They were the only team to pick a kicker in the entire draft.They picked a couple of running backs even though they never run the damn ball.And they picked the oldest player ever to be chosen in the first round of the draft even though they drop players like they're lepers as soon as they approach 30-years-old.

All-in-all, it was another typical day at the office for the Philadelphia Eagles.Well, that is if the office is filled with arrogant jerks, who think they're smarter than everyone else even though they have never won a damn thing.