Spring Game, NFL Draft

Only BC schedules Spring Games on the same day as the NFL Draft when they have guaranteed first rounders (Matty last year BJ this year) but alas thats the situation.

First Up: Spring Game Things to Watch
1. The QB Competition-If I had a blog last year you would have known how much I disliked watching DD play because I was positive that Tuggle would come in as the starter and do something great. After the first scrimmage it seemed like I was right... until last weeks scrimmage. Now I get that Tuggles seen limited number mostly against 2nd or 3rd team defense but the fact that the Staff felt Tuggle should only attempt suggests they either ran out of time or he might not be the leader after all. Boek's rise only adds to the confusion again this is against the 2nd and 3rd but I have to wonder why he hasn't seen more snaps against the 1st team defense
2. The Linebackers, everyone wants to see the new tackles but I think we have enough quality guys that barely get mentioned that we shouldn't have a problem, the LBs however present a different sort of problem. Herzlich has one OLB spot covered but McLaughlin's injury forced Thompson inside leaving the other side wide open. LeGrande's move to LB suggests hes the leading candidate and likely will get the nod in a manner similar to Akins. My personal preference goes to oft-injured RS JR Bagan or walk-on SR Distaso who both have much better size for the position.
3. Running Backs- While we won't see any of the incoming Freshman you have to wonder if Gary(Tranquill) will find a proper way to use the Haden-Harris Duo. What I saw last year was that when we started Haden he seemed to wear out the defense allowing Harris to bullrush his way through in the second half. Rumors of Haden's nagging injury also suggest that he might live up to his hype.
4. WR- A compelling story developing over who will stand out. You have to love Jarvis and Momah's size and while I don't think Gunnell will make for a great #1 receiver I think that's where you'll see him. In all reality we have a lot of options here including rapidly-rising RS FR Clyde Lee, Music City Bowl highlight Colin Larmond and Mr. Do-Everything Billy Flutie.

NFL Draft
1Rajis going top ten, hands down. There seems to be a lot of love for him going to Cleaveland @ 5 but I really think that his character concerns drop him to either Jacksonville, who doesn't seem to like him much or my pick Green Bay who would love to grab BJ @ 9.
2. Brace-Honestly I always liked Ron while he was @ BC more than BJ so I think that Ron will have a great career in some 3-4 defense who needs someone to clog up the line so the Linebackers can get in there. I don't see him sneaking into the 1st round like Kiwi but he should go pretty early in the 2nd round to a team like Denver or I'll go out on a limb here and suggest that you might see KC trade up for him to replace Dorsey who doesn't really fit into the 3-4 the Chiefs are trying to develop (either pushing Dorsey out to DE or possible trade fodder)

As much as I hate to say it I think thats all we're going to see for drafted eagles. Toal might go to a team that values versatility like New England or KC and Francois might go late do to his great Pro-day numbers and developmental possibilities. I love the G-Men connection for Ramsey that Atleagle suggested though I think if Giants pull the trigger it will be later, more than likely it will be Undrafted Free Agent. I think Purvis will get plenty of looks and pick up a FA contract somewhere. CC will get a shot to crack a practice squad and this might sound odd but I see a lot of similarities between Crane and Matt Cassell (now of KC) both are big guys who have strong arms with sub-average touch and can wheel when they need to. Look at teams with an open spot for a very developmental player (NYG, Indy, Chi, or Dallas)