Stewart Bradley, Tony Hunt Round Out Strange First Day

With their two 3rd round picks, the Eagles finally took a few players the fans can get behind. We've long thought that LB was a position that needed an upgrade, and at the #87 pick, Nebraska LB Stewart Bradley had his name called. Three picks later, the Birds picked Penn State RB Tony Hunt, the change-of-pace, between-the-tackles big back that fans have been hollerin for.

Each player is considered a good value pick at this point in the draft, but each comes with a few question marks. Bradley has some injury concerns, and Hunt coughed the ball up a few too many times at State College. Still, both of these picks could have a positive impact on this year's team, and their upsides look to be far greater than their possible flaws. Bradley also has a ridiculously smooth 80's mane going.

So after a surprising trade with the Cowboys and an astounding first pick, the Eagles did fairly well with their next three selections. We'll see what craziness tomorrow's rounds have in store for us.

Stewart Bradley>>NFL.com
Tony Hunt>>NFL.com

Comments

[ian]

It is of course puzzling that they didn’t take a safety on Day One. They passed on Weddle with the no. 36 pick (as well as CB Houston), then passed on big, fast strong safety Sabby Piscitelli with the second pick in the 2nd round, and could have had SS Aaron Rouse (big, good against run, shaky against pass) with the 87th pick. They may have thought that they’d be able to get Rouse at 90 but the Packers grabbed him at 89.

While the first two picks are justifiably controversial, the Stewart Bradley pick at 87 is a great pick, as is getting Hunt next. There weren’t many strong side linebackers available today, just really Timmons and Beason before no. 26, with Bradley a solid, smart player next down the chart. Getting him means that you don’t have to bet the farm on Chris Gocong and Dhani’s bag is closer to being packed. Hunt is a tough fullback who can run down the middle, block and catch passes, a better player than Rouse, and who should turn out to be a better value than taking Brian Leonard at 36. Sean Considine should be happy tonight, I hope he makes us happy next winter.

The main thing to me is whether they really got the best players available, not whether they drafted position. If you could see into the future you’d pick the guys who were stars no matter what their position was, so why not try to simulate that?

[gootman]

Not a bad first day... bit disappointed we didn't address the secondary, but at least they did address some needs.

Hearing good things about Bradley, prototypical SAM linebacker, which is something we can definitely use. Hopefully the knee holds up.

We've been asking for a big back for years, 6'2", 230lbs is big enough for me. I watch pretty much every Penn State game and you always see Hunt running between the tackles picking up the tough yards.

Abiamiri... hopefully Kearse, Howard, and Cole stay healthy that we won't have to rely on him much. Only thing I've been hearing is that he improved every year, lets hope that continues.

Kolb, who knows might turn out to pick a great pick. I just don't like where they picked him and the questions it creates with McNabb. Maybe he can learn to hold for Akers, then the Eagles will keep him no matter how good or bad he turns out to be.

[Run Up The Score]

I'm still trying to figure out the Kevin Kolb selection. I've seen the kid play a bit, and he's rather good, but I don't understand why they couldn't wait until the 3rd round. If Kolb was the Eagles third pick of the day, Eagles fans would be happy with the selection. I can't say he's clearly better or worse than Beck, Stanton, or Edwards. Depends on what you want from a QB.

Still, they picked up Abiamiri, Hunt, and Stewart along with Kolb. They're good players, and all fill needs if you think the Eagles had planned to pick up a QB today (and I suspected they would, just not in the second round).

[Ray]

Kolb may end up being a good pick, but I don't ever see him getting on the field. McNabb still has several years left in him. Now that we took Kolb and hunt, is there a trade in the future for moats or holcomb/feeley?

[Run Up The Score]

Nobody's going to trade for Holcomb, and Feeley's not going anywhere. They'll cut Holcomb.

[Walklett]

Why sign Feeley to a multi-year deal, then draft another QB? Drafting this guy with your first pick is ridiculous. Andy Reid has done pretty well over the years with the draft, but this was plain stupid in my opinion.

Who's gonna cover Randy Moss and Donte Stallworth when we play the PATS??

[Run Up The Score]

Well, we just picked up secondary help. Looks like a safety project.

C.J. Gaddis from Clemson.

Back on the clock now. As a Penn State guy, I'm silently hoping for ILB Tim Shaw. Expecting help at CB or WR, though...

[Run Up The Score]

Tight end from Cincinnati?

Ehh, I guess so.

Brent Celek, Cincinnati.

[Mike G]

Anyone else notice Stewart's uncanny resemblance to Malibu from American Gladiators? check it out: http://www.autographedtoyou.com/celebpics/deron_mcbee2.jpg

[Annie]

Well, we're definitely not going to run out of QB's. Love that hair on Stewart!

[Mojo]

Liking the Tony Hunt pick. Should be serviceable for years to come. Agree that Holcomb will be the odd man out. But not sure that this Kolb guy is a done deal. I smell "Dave Barr".