DE Anthony Spencer of Purdue fits the Eagles mold as an edge rusher

Anthony Spencer of Purdue is a 6' 3", 266 lb. defensive end, who ran a 4.63 40 yard dash at his pro day workout. Spencer is no mere undersized workout warrior-he was perhaps the best defensive player in the country at getting penetration and pressure from the edge last year. Scouts say that despite his lack of ideal height, he can pack at least 10 more pounds onto his frame, with no loss of speed or quickness. And it is quickness that is Spencer's forte.

It is an overused phrase to say a prospect 'has a motor." Its kind of a backhanded compliment ordinarily given to over-achievers. I wouldn't use "motor" to describe Spencer, as much as relentless. He doesn't quit on plays, and he just keeps fighting hard to bag QB's and runners. Spencer may be the best hand fighter in this draft class of all the defensive lineman prospects. He doesn't let tackles get a hold of him and lock out their arms and leverage him often. He is good at a variety of rips, swims and hand techniques to disengage from blocks. That is a skill most solid NFL pass rushers have to perfect to consistently get pressure on the pocket - you can't let the massive offensive linemen of today get and keep their hands on you, when they have a 50 or more pound size advantage. Spencer is somewhat advanced already in this area compared to his peers in this draft class. He got good coaching at Purdue, where successful NFL DE's have been groomed under Joe Tiller's program.

Spencer fits the Eagles' DE prototype. Jim Johnson and Andy Reid want guys that will instantly penetrate, and want ends that can crash the edge. The Eagles want to force quick throws, and to do that you need outside pressure. Spencer should, from day one in the NFL, be a solid 3rd down or nickle pass rusher. He plays the run better than you might think, and if he could get up to 275 and remain as quick as he is now, he should be able to be solid, but not spectacular, at anchoring versus the run. He benches 500 pounds, and has shown good functional strength, or "playing strength," for a somewhat smaller than ideal end. He is a good kid, very coachable. I like the fact he has gotten better each year. One other plus in his favor is mental and physical toughness. As Buddy Ryan used to say, "durability is as important as ability" in the NFL. Spencer was particularly gritty in a 15 tackle effort against Notre Dame. He played through a hyperextended knee. In the NFL, nobody feels good or healthy by November. Its still a tough guys league, despite the emphasis on speed and skill. One area where Spencer will have to get better is lower body strength. He will struggle versus double teams at the next level unless he gets more powerful in the legs. He also needs to keep those pads low all the time. He was so much better than many of the OT's he faced on the college level that he could get away with playing a little upright at times, relying on his good upper body power. All in all, while he may not last until 26, if he is there, Heckert, Reid, and Johnson would be really tempted to take a guy that is tough, quick and productive, to hedge against any problems Javon Kearse or Darren Howard may experience in 2007. I think a 3-4 defensive team will grab him though, before Philly gets the chance.

Brian Leonard of Rutgers - the missing piece to a championship puzzle?

Brian Leonard of Rutgers may have the best hands of any running back in this year's NFL draft. He is 6' 1", weighs 238 lbs., and runs a 4.5 40 yard dash. If Andy Reid had a chance to "design" the perfect fullback for his West Coast offense, in my opinion he would create Brian Leonard.

The matchup problems Leonard would cause opponents when added to weapons in Philly like Westbrook, L.J. Smith, Kevin Curtis and Reggie Brown, would have to excite Andy Reid and his offensive coaching staff. How many fullbacks are actually legitimate deep threats in the passing game? You can line Leonard up outside the numbers, flexed out as a receiver. He and Westbrook would instantly be the best pass catching backfield in the modern NFL era. The Eagles could run their no-huddle offense, and just as easily go into a "5 wide" look, with no lack of athleticism, as they could run a power running play out of I formation. What would defenses do? If they stay in base defense, with 3 linebackers, they simply can't cover Westbrook, Smith and Leonard adequately with just LB's and safeties. If they go nickle or dime, they risk getting plowed under in the running game by the big offensive line and Leonard as a sturdy lead blocker.

I think the Eagles would have to move up to near the top of round 2 in the draft to get Leonard. Its a move they really should make. He can solve the "big back" and "short yardage" dilemma, while adding real firepower for many years to come to an already explosive offense. It may take giving up a 5th rounder to do it, or slightly more by way of an existing player or future draft pick. What really has to have Andy & Co. licking their chops is Leonard's talent catching screens - a staple in Reids West Coast Offense. Leonard is an underrated runner, with surprising elusiveness for his size. He has relatively loose hips, and can make the first man miss. He can cut back, and change direction well with the rock in his hands. He ran for 2,779 yards at Rutgers, for a 4.1 average, and found the endzone 32 times as a ballcarrier. He caught 207 passes in his college career, for a 9.1 yard average, with 13 TD's.

There are not may negatives with Leonard. He has extremely high character on and off the field. He is as unselfish a talented player as will ever enter the NFL. Objectively, though, he will be an effective, but not devasting, lead blocker in the running game. You lose a little power at the point of attack as a run blocker to gain his skill and versatility. He is a polished pass blocker, and slides well to pick up edge pass rushers. Hopefully we will hear Leonard's name called as a new Eagle this Saturday. Watch his resume here - http://youtube.com/watch?v=qgWptGJauog