Roundup: Eagles Reportedly Interested In DL Martin


A bunch of notes to get to on this Saturday…

Let’s start with free agency. While the Eagles have already made their major moves, they’ll continue to keep their eyes open for value plays. One area where they could use some bodies is on the defensive line. The Eagles added nose tackle Isaac Sopoaga, but don’t have a lot of versatile pieces (outside of Fletcher Cox).

Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com reports that they’ve shown interest in Chargers defensive lineman Vaughn Martin. Originally a fourth-round pick in 2009, Martin (6-4, 297) fits what the Eagles are looking for. He has size, versatility and is only 26-years-old.

Martin would be a defensive end option in a 3-4 and would play defensive tackle in 4-3 fronts. In 2012, Martin had 19 tackles, one sack and one forced fumble. He played 58 percent of the Chargers’ defensive snaps, per Pro Football Focus.

NASSIB AHEAD OF SMITH?

Greg Cosell of NFL Films recently said on NFL Network that he has Syracuse’s Ryan Nassib ranked ahead of West Virginia’s Geno Smith. Per Rotoworld:

Cosell cited Geno Smith’s “slow eyes” in terms of anticipation and “ball location” on intermediate to deep throws as reasons for concern. “My No. 1 quarterback based on the film study I’ve done is Ryan Nassib,” Cosell said. “I liked him overall more than Geno Smith. I think he’s a much more precise intermediate thrower. I think the ball comes out with a little better velocity at the intermediate level. And I think he’s a little more accurate. And I like his footwork a little bit better.”

Meanwhile, Andy Reid and Chiefs GM John Dorsey traveled to Texas A&M to work out offensive tackle Luke Joeckel earlier this week, according to Adam Caplan.

Kansas City is doing its homework on all of the top tackles. Reid and company have workouts scheduled with Central Michigan’s Eric Fisher and Oklahoma’s Lane Johnson as well, according to the Detroit Free Press.

EXPECTATIONS FOR DRC

Broncos head coach John Fox was very candid about his expectations for former Eagles cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.

“It’s our job to get the most of it out of him, just like anybody that had him before,” Fox said, per Jeff Legwold of The Denver Post. “We’ll see how that goes, how hard he’s willing to work and adapt to what we’re teaching him.

“You turn on a 60-play tape and 30 of the plays he does you can’t coach. And 30 of those plays you’re maybe not so happy with. And that’s probably why he’s on his third team. But at the end of the day he’s got the skill set. We really like him. We were very up front with him. He understands.”

The Broncos signed Rodgers-Cromartie to a one-year deal.
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