Twitter Mailbag: On Geno, Cason And Safety Strategy

 Every Thursday we select a few of your Twitter questions and provide the long-form answers they deserve. For a chance to have your question published on Birds 24/7, send it to @Tim_McManus.

From @JohnBarchard: If the Eagles take Geno Smith at 4, how many boos will we hear on draft day? Does that send a more ‘we can win now’ message?

It would be a hotly-debated selection for sure. I think the only message it would send is that the Eagles believe Geno Smith can be a franchise quarterback. You don’t burn a pick that high if you are not thoroughly convinced of this.

It all comes down to what Chip Kelly thinks of him. It doesn’t matter whether pundits believe the West Virginia product deserves to be selected at No. 4. If Kelly thinks he will shore up the most important position in football, then he makes the move. You don’t pick this  high in the draft very often. If you can get your hands on a franchise QB, you do it.

There will be boos and there will be disagreement if the Eagles select Smith. But then, there were boos back in ’99 as well. You do what you think is right for the organization.

From @estberg_jamie: What are the Eagles plans for safety and cornerbacks because they seem pretty weak in free agency?

My best guess is that they will wait for the draft to net another safety. Howie Roseman told us that there are more safeties with draftable grades in the upcoming NFL Draft than there have been in recent years. They added Patrick Chung to the safety mix already to go with the likes of Nate Allen, Kurt Coleman and Colt Anderson. Add a safety on the first day of the draft, and the position looks a little brighter.

I’m still thinking that the Eagles grab another corner off the free-agent market. Antoine Cason  (6-1/195/26) is one name to at least keep half-an-eye on. He is visiting Arizona today. If he gets out of the desert, Philly could be in play if the price is right.

From@BilHughes10: If the Eagles fail to get another CB during free agency, does that solidify Milliner as our pick in the 1st round of the draft?

This is part of the reason I believe the Eagles will add another corner before we get to the draft. Right now you have Brandon Boykin, Bradley Fletcher, Chris Hawkins, Brandon Hughes, Trevard Lindley, Curtis Marsh and Eddie Whitley under contract. If you go into the draft with this group, there’s a risk that the Eagles will reach for need.

And even if Milliner is the man you want regardless, it’s no sure thing that he is there at No. 4. It is too important of a position for the Eagles to leave to chance.

We end with an exchange between Sheil and a less-than-optimistic Eagles fan, for comedy purposes.

Has yet to even coach A PRACTICE! RT @troykimbrell: I don’t see kelly staying more than 2 seasons.. It’s a mess.

— Sheil Kapadia (@SheilKapadia) March 14, 2013

There is nothing not to love about this exchange. The Philly fan’s sense of impending doom; the even-keeled Kapadia being driven to CAPS. Classic. The passion (and the pessimism) runs deep, even in March.

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