by Michael DeLuca
Yesterday, I discussed the Eagles’ hosting of Baylor tackle Jason Smith, a highly regarded prospect projected to be off the board in the top five picks of the upcoming NFL Draft. I opined that the Eagles’ simply used Smith to leverage the Bills into finalizing a deal for Jason Peters. And, as pointed out by Mike Florio of profootballtalk.com, as Smith was visiting with the Eagles, he himself learned that the team had completed said trade and no longer had a need for a left tackle.
“You hear all the right things and then 10 minutes later they say, ‘Oh yeah, we just got Jason Peters. Sorry,” Smith told Adam Schein and Jim Miller of Sirius NFL Radio on Friday. “And then they dropped me off at the wrong airline,” Smith said, laughing. “The great thing is, I understand that it’s all business.”
I didn’t hear the interview myself but I’m willing to bet that last line was simply the obligatory “I understand that it’s all business” and deep down Smith is probably seething in regards to the Birds’ doublespeak and what he perceives as a purposeless visit to the City of Brotherly Love. But, before getting too worked up, Smith would be wise to realize that the Buffalo Bills just created a need for a left tackle and just acquired the ammuntion to move up and get a player like….say…..Jason Smith!
Well made 2 pointer.
1. Smith needs to understand that will happen to almost every NFL player at some point, and he probable hasn’t seen the last use like that.
2. Buffalo definitely gained the ammo the Iggles once had. Not sayin Philly doesn’t have ammo but it’s not that great now. Who will want to take a bunch of 5th’s? No 4th rounders would mean Andy and co. will use 3 of them and trade one other.
I still think the Eagles have something up their sleeve. I am thinking Pettigrew will be the pick, somehow, someway, I think he is the guy they want. Its all about adding beef to the O-Line and he is like adding another tackle to the mix. They like Celek, but he cant block, Pettigrew can block and move the chairs, while Celek has shownhe can get open in the red zone, I think it would be a nice duo.
I agree, I think the Eags still have a TON up their sleeve. I also think Pettigrew is the guy, and I think they will make multiple trades on draft day. They will get back into the 4th round, and maybe add an extra 2nd or 3rd.