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Philadelphia Eagles By: Lester Updated 4/22/99 Previous Reports: 3/14/99 Latest News on Free Agency The Eagles have already signed CB Bobby Taylor, DE Greg Jefferson, DE Hugh Douglas, FS Brian Dawkins, K David Akers, WR Kotto Cotton, P Tony Martino, WR Harvey Middleton, LB Patrise Alexander, S Kenny Harris, DE Mike Mamula, TE Andrew Jordan, QB Doug Pederson, WR Charles Johnson, WR Torrance Small, DT Mark Wheeler, P Sean Landetta, LB Dana Howard, K Barry Cantrell, OT Matthew Hogg and FB Mark Kacmarynski. Now, you can add TE Jamie Asher from the Redskins, S Tim Hauck from the Colts and the re-signing of QB Bobby Hoying. The Draft The Eagles liked what they say in QB Akili Smith of Oregon, but elected to select Syracuse QB Donovan McNabb with the 2nd overall pick. Philly fans booed McNabb but after a few years, their attitudes may change. McNabb is a big QB at 6'2'' 225lbs. He is an excellent runner and has a strong arm. Remember that the Eagles did sign QB Pederson, so McNabb will be learning the system for at least 1 year. They used their 2nd round pick on LB Barry Gardner from Baylor. He could fill their need for a weak side LB. With their 3rd and 4th round selections, the Eagles selected 2 OL. With the 3rd pick, they selected OL Doug Brzezinski from Boston College. Brzezinski is 6'4'' 305lbs. He was a 4-year starter for Boston College. OL John Welbourn was selected from California with the Eagles 4th round pick. Welbourn is 6'5'' 317lbs. Even though the Eagles signed WR Johnson and WR Smalls in free agency, they still selected 2 WRs in the draft. They used a 4th round pick on WR Na Brown from North Carolina. Brown is a 6'0'' 184lb WR with 4.55 speed. In the 6th round, they selected another big WR in East Carolina Troy Smith. Smith is 6'0'' 194lbs. They upgraded their defensive line by signing Wheeler and also by selecting DL Pernell Davis from Alabama-Birmingham with their 7th round selection. The Eagles needed a receiving TE and got one when they selected TE Jed Weaver from Oregon in the 7th round. Weaver is excellent in reading coverages and finding the soft spot in the zone. With their 3rd pick in the 4th round, they selected Ohio State DB Damon Moore. Moore is 5'11' 208lbs. He is a great hitter who can play FS or SS. With their 6th round pick, they selected RB Cecil Martin from Wisconsin. Martin played mostly FB while at Wisconsin. Draft Grade I give the Philadelphia Eagles a (B-). The Eagles drafted for depth. They were able to do this because they have been doing an excellent job in the free agent market. I would have given them a (C+), but drafting McNabb made me give them a (B+).
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