Eagles offered a 2nd rounder and Brandon Graham for Dion Jordan a couple months ago

You're right it's a worthy trade on its own merits.

 

As we fall all over ourselves thinking that players available in the draft are going to be so great, I thought it'd be nice to bring in a review of Dion Jordan at this time last year:

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2012/profiles/dion-jordan?id=2539288

Again, the fact that we have too many DE's, our OLBs stink and Jordan's pre-draft scouting reports have him projected as an All-Pro at linebacker speaks volumes to our coaching staff's inability to figure out ways to get him on the field.

Jordan is an incredibly unique talent and Oregon was able to have a great deal of fun with him - rushing the QB, covering slot receivers, making 2 point conversions, etc. It's not a mystery why somebody as inventive as Chip Kelly keeps trying to acquire him from us.

It's also interesting to compare Jordan's scouting report to Clowney's. Clowney does come out on top (but not by much) in the key measurables and is the better prospect as a pass rusher. But Clowney can't (or atleast was never asked to) do the things that Jordan was in terms of coverage.

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2014/profiles/jadeveon-clowney?id=2543456

We should bench Misi, put Jordan at SOLB let him rush and cover and field the most athletic group of linebackers in the NFL. Behind a disruptive DL of Vernon, Starks, Odrick and Wake. Attack, penetrate, be disruptive. It's not like there's many power running teams that we need to worry about. Get our speed on the field and reign havoc on opposing offenses, play on their side of the line of scrimmage and allow our highly paid and drafted secondary to play coverage behind them.

My disappointment in this coaching staff has no bounds.

 

The deal was reportedly for Graham and their second round pick (that's #54 not #22).

 

And this adds to your point.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap20...andon-graham-reportedly-on-eagles-trade-block

 

I'd prefer Dion Jordan as a linebacker in the base package, but it's hardly a travesty. It's not a glamorous position, and it basically revolves around Jordan's weakness as a player thus far. The guy needs work as a run defender and putting him in a position largely about setting the edge isn't all that valuable a way to get him on the field. That's not to mention that Koa Misi played well, and the issues with linebacker came at the other positions Jordan isn't so much a fit to play.

It really isn't a matter of them figuring out how to use Jordan. Creativity isn't the issue, the coaching staff put him in a pretty wide variety of positions that were really aggressive in terms of giving him coverage responsibilities. It's a matter of them being satisfied that he's doing the fundamental things well, like run defense and stuff like that.

 

If it were that easy another team would have done it already.

 

It could be that they've been trying to get a player, a la Jordan, in return and are just trying to get any compensation now after failing. If the Evan Mathis on the block rumor is true, then they seem to be willing to try and get value by moving guys.

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I wanted to Draft graham the year he came out, but his conditioning and body has not progressed..also saw some signs that he really didn't enjoy working out, but I fell in love anyway, may be the reason why he's fallen out of favor.

 

If you can find a way to swap Olivier Vernon with Brandon Graham for minimal additional cost, I'm down. Jordan, not so much.

 

You just can't give up on Jordan after one limited offseason, because of the high ceiling he has. I will say though, I may even keep Vernon over Graham if those rumors of microfracture surgery are true. Vernon made a nice jump in production last year anyways. I'll be interested to see what kind of jump DJ makes this year.

Looks like Hickey is saying all the right things about him so far....

http://blogs.palmbeachpost.com/thed...plans-praises-dion-jordan-after-trade-rumors/

Sorry if that was posted already.

Couple interesting nuggets outside of the Jordan info...

- Hickey said the Dolphins have gone “digital” when it comes to preparing for the draft. The team is also putting together an analytics team.
- While the Dolphins haven’t attended every Pro Day around the NFL, Hickey says every Pro Day is recorded and that the team has seen almost all of the draft prospects live at some point. - When asked about Coach Joe Philbin’s role in the draft, Hickey said it’s a “team effort” and many people are involved.
- Hickey said Miami’s scouts and security director Stu Weinstein do a good job of gathering background info on prospects. But Hickey said there are still “grey areas” with many college players that the team has to iron out during interviews and the evaluation process.

I'm a big fan of them incorporating the analytics into their drafting philosophy. I thought I had heard they were adding this, so this is confirmation.

 

For some reason new coaches like to come in and get rid of good players, Philbin pulled the same crap.

IMO Chip Kelly is digging his own grave. I can't wait to bet against the Eagles next year.

 

I don't even think I'd do that. Assuming Philly wants him gone then either his knee or his attitude must be a pretty big issue.

I love OV though. You need a guy like that who never quits on plays and will always clean up the garbage. Very underrated, imo.

 

Eh but it's Desean Jackson.

Maclin said it was like a TO situation which was probably the most damning thing I've heard.

 

I like OV too, but Graham is basically an upgrade in the same role on a team with too many ends.

 

But an upgrade that would cost quite a bit more (assuming) and comes w a pretty big injury flag.

 

Well Jordan is the JT clone... now we just need the Zach clone, Chris Borland in the 2nd!