He was right there. Just patiently waiting for the Philadelphia Eagles to call his name with their fourth-overall pick in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft. But no, not yet.
Then, the second round of the draft came around yesterday, and in a surprising and glorious twist-of-fate, West Virginia University QB Geno Smith, the widely-regarded number-one QB in this year’s class, was still on the board when the Eagles turn came again with the 35th overall pick.
Well, the Eagles decided to make a decision that will haunt them for at least the next decade, as they let Smith slip on by once again; selecting Stanford University TE Zach Ertz.
The Eagles then decided to make an even odder decision when they chose QB Matt Barkley, the overrated surfer-bro from the University of Southern California, in the draft’s fourth round. Wait, what?
After the Birds made the decision to let Smith slip through their grasp, and Florida State University QB E.J. Manuel was already gone as well, it seemed logical for the team to rely on current Eagles QBs Michael Vick and Nick Foles for the time being, and look to next year’s draft to find their mobile, elusive signal-caller who would fit head coach Chip Kelly’s mold in order to run his coveted spread offense.
But, no. Inexplicably, the Eagles drafted Barkley, an incapable runner with no read-option ability, who has been doubted by plenty of NFL scouts when it comes to his current arm-strength, due to shoulder and arm injuries sustained during his college career.
Smith, an elusive, show-stopping gun-slinger, was the perfect fit for Kelly’s spread-option offense, but for some reason the Eagles decided he wasn’t worth their first or second-round pick.
Well, congratulations, Eagles, you just acquired a brand-new Foles (a major disappointment) who has even less potential and an even worse attitude. Good luck.
You can follow Joe on Twitter @EaglesRant for all Eagles/NFL insight.
