Quintin Mikell Will Find Something Better To Do Than Watch NFL Draft

by Tim McManus on Apr 19, read full article here

Count at least one Eagles player amongst those that do not have the stomach for the NFL Draft this year.

“I usually am [a big NFL Draft guy], but I won’t be watching it this year,” said Quintin Mikell. “I’m going to find something better to do with my time.”

In talking to several players at Power Train in Cherry Hill, the temperature is luke-warm at best when it comes to the upcoming draft. Much like the fans, their excitement level has been affected by the uncertainty surrounding the upcoming season.

Plus, for them, it’s a very personal matter.

“It’s going to be a little frustrating,” said Mikell. “How are we going to have a draft and there’s not going to be any football? How are you going to have a first-rounder cross the stage and shake [Commissioner Roger Goodell’s] hand?

“‘Welcome to the NFL. You have no job.’ ”

Reports surfaced in March that the NFL Players Association was encouraging top prospects not to attend the draft in New York City, though that movement appears to have lost traction. Draftees are in an awkward position where they will be immediately locked out by the team and league that selects them; just another oddity in an uncomfortable offseason.

“Whether rookies go up and shake the commissioner’s hand, that’s not really a big deal to me,” said defensive end Victor Abiamiri. “I just want to focus on the season getting here, playing football and making that money.”

Far from a boycott, Brent Celek and Todd Herremans will be throwing a draft party on April 30 at their new bar in Old City, “879.” But that appears to be more of a business decision, and less an endorsement of the event.

“I used to be into it, not too much any more,” said Celek. “I like that stuff, right now I just don’t have the time for it. I’m doing my own thing.”

Adam Caplan Talks Philadelphia Eagles

In yesterday’s live chat with Adam Caplan of FoxSports, Adam addressed several interesting points regarding the Philadelphia Eagles.

• Adam reiterated that last year he felt that both Kolb and Vick would be on the team while McNabb would not.  His prediction for this year is that if Vick returns, Kolb will be traded.  He feels there will be a strong market for Kolb based on his age, upside, and the desperate need for a quarterback that several teams face.  Caplan feels that the Eagles will either get a future first round pick and additional considerations or a first round pick in this year’s draft.  Possible destinations suggested include Cardinals, 49ers, Titans, Vikings, Seahawks.
• Asked possible destinations for Nnamdi Asomugha, Caplan opined that the Eagles would be a sensible fit seeing as they play more man defense than most teams and that they would like to press opposing wide receivers more.  PCP TAKE:  Asomugha is at the top of my off-season wish list for the Birds.  He is a shutdown corner and the team is incredibly weak at the position beyond Asante Samuel.
• When asked what the Eagles offseason needs were, Caplan cited many; right guard, strong-side linebacker, weak-side linebacker, defensive end, cornerback, and strong safety.
• Caplan does not feel that resigning Quintin Mikell is a priority currently but that it should be.

Eagles Sign 2nd Round Pick Nate Allen

Dave Spadaro has broken the news on http://www.twitter.com/EaglesInsider that Philadelphia Eagles 2010 second-round draft selection Nate Allen has inked a four-year deal and will report to the team tomorrow, missing only one day of training camp.
The Allen signing leaves only first-rounder Brandon Graham unsigned for the Birds. Only one first-round pick from the entire 2010 NFL draft class, Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant, has been signed.

The 37th overall pick, Allen is expected to start at free safety opposite Quintin Mikell, though he will compete with Quintin Demps and fellow rookie, seventh-rounder, Kurt Coleman. Macho Harris is believed to be moving back to cornerback.

Allen is a 6-foot-1, 210-pound South Florida product. He finished his collegiate career having started 39 straight games and accumulated 224 tackles and nine interceptions. He is a big play guy with great instincts. Head coach Andy Reid had this to say about Allen, “He’s a smart kid. He’s got a nice football mind. He’s a fast learner.”

Eagles: Macho Harris Wins Starting Gig?

Brian Seltzer of ESPN 950 in Philadelphia most recent twitter post states “Quintin Demps no longer starting FS. Looks like job has fallen to Macho Harris.” Apparently, Macho Harris practiced with the first team today. Speculation began last week that Harris had been so impressive that he may be able to lock down a starting gig. Many insiders have stated that Harris has been the most impressive safety in Eagles camp, a group that includes Quintin Mikell, Sean Jones, and Demps.

Philadelphia Eagles Name New Defensive Coordinator

Per the team’s official site, “The Eagles officially named Sean McDermott defensive coordinator on Friday morning. Head coach Andy Reid will introduce McDermott at a press conference at 1 PM on Saturday which you can see live on PhiladelphiaEagles.com.

McDermott had served as the team’s defensive coordinator on an interim basis during Jim Johnson’s leave of absence this past offseason. Johnson continues his treatments for cancer after being granted a leave of absence by the Eagles on May 18.