SB Nation - Moises Fokou

Eagles 2009 draft wrap-up

JasonB — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 00:22:32 -0000

8 months ago: Philadelphia Eagles draft picks wide receiver Jeremy Maclin, left, and running back LeSean McCoy Answers questions from reporters Sunday, April 26, 2009, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/H. Rumph, Jr.)

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The 2009 draft is over. While it is the centerpiece of the NFL offseason and a great event... by the time it does end you find yourself very much grateful to see it go. It's two long, long days.

- The Eagles draft pretty much started with the mega trade that sent their #28 overall pick and a 4th rounder to the Bills for pro bowl LT Jason Peters.

- The Eagles first actual draft pick came after they traded up 3 2 spots to grab WR Jeremy Maclin 6'1, 200lbs from Missouri.

- The Eagles shored up a need in the second round with the selection of 5'11, 210lb RB Lesean "Shady" McCoy from Pittsburgh.

- The Eagles then made a series of trades that saw them drop down in the 3rd round and then out of it in a trade with the Saints. They picked up an extra fifth rounder and a third rounder next year in the process.

- The Eagles would then make yet another trade, but this time they netted an actual player by sending two 5th round picks for New England Patriots CB Ellis Hobbs.

- The Eagles would make three picks from #153 to #159 in the fifth round, the first being 6'4 245lb TE Cornelius Ingram from Florida. ESPN's Todd McShay called Ingram the "best pick of the fifth round."

- The first defensive player selected came at #157 overall, 5'11 CB Victor "Macho" Harris from Virgina Tech.

- At #159 the Eagles grabbed 6-6, 330lb OT Fenuki Tupou from the Oregon Ducks.

- The Eagles then traded their 164th overall pick to the Saints for a seventh rounder this year and the Saints fifth rounder next year.

- With the 194th overall pick the Eagles took their fourth skill position player, 6-1 WR Brandon Gibson from Washington State.

- In the 7th round the Eagles would turn their attention back to the offensive line with the selection of OG Paul Fanaika from Arizona St.

- The Eagles final pick would also be the second defensive player taken, 223lb OLB Moises Fokou.

With the 230th overall pick the Eagles select LB Moises Fokou

JasonB — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 23:23:44 -0000

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The Eagles final pick of the day was 6-1 223lb OLB Moises Fokou from Maryland.

Scouting Report

Strengths:
Good athleticism...Above average speed and quickness...Active with a non-stop motor...Has excellent range...A reliable tackler...Shows fluid hips...Decent pass rusher...Strong work ethic...Terrific special teamer.

Weaknesses:
Is undersized and does not have the bulk you look for...Lacks great instincts and awareness...Needs to get stronger...Has trouble getting off blocks...Just average in coverage...Not an ideal fit for every team.

Notes:
First name is pronounced "MOE-ees"...Was born in Cameroon...Began his college career at Frostburg State before transferring to Maryland in 2005...A two-year starter for the Terps...Played with a torn labrum in 2007, which later required off-season surgery...A prototypical weakside linebacker...Profiles as a backup and special teamer...Needs to land with a team willing to sacrifice size for speed and athleticism.

Terps Headed to All-Star Bowls

Ben Broman — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 22:50:51 -0000

Five Terps are getting recognized for outstanding play this year by being invited to various college All-Star Bowls, and though they're not the five I would've chosen if I had to pick just five, I wish congratulations to all of them.

Edwin Williams, the most deserving of the bunch, is headed to the East-West Shrine Game, and he'll be joined by Jaimie Thomas on the offensive line. Moise Fokou and Jeremy Navarre will attend the Texas vs. The Nation game, in what will hopefully be an effort that will show Texas that no, they can't outplay 49 other states combined, and perhaps end this excuse for Texas to pat their ego. Meanwhile, Kevin Barnes will attend the Senior Bowl, but won't play due to the injury he suffered earlier in the year. The Barnes injury really is a shame; I think he would've been able to get a mid-round selection in the draft had he been healthy. Now, he'll have to make it in tryouts with some team. Very, very unlucky.

Anyway, congrats to all the Terps!

Terps Out of It

Ben Broman — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 16:01:33 -0000

After attending the game, I can't express in words just how disappointed I am with this team. A night game, a blackout, a must-win, senior night...and they give that kind of performance. It was just sad.

One could tell from the beginning it wasn't going to be a good game. Florida State came out pumped up, jumping around, very active. Maryland? Almost somber. Very little energy. That was echoed when the game started.

Chris Turner did not have a good day, obviously. Threw a couple of picks that really hurt. That's not to say he was the biggest culprit - pointing out one player would be hugely incorrect. No one did their job last night. The offensive line is another big one - perhaps Turner would've done better if he wasn't getting whacked every time he stepped back to pass. And the running game - maybe if it was actually a threat, the defense would have to play honestly, and Turner wouldn't be facing a blitz every single down. At halftime, Maryland had one yard rushing. One yard!

Then there's the defense. They did very little all game. It's tough to blame them too much - they could've given up only 6 points and still lost. Not to mention how much they were on the field. But man, there were times when Christian Ponder would run over guys - a quarterback would carry a linebacker. What kind of performance is that?

That brings me to the coaching staff, who maybe were the worst of everyone. Chalk me up as one who doesn't understand James Franklin. Both starting safeties are out for FSU, and yet he decides to go dink-and-dunk for half the game. Darrius Heyward-Bey would consistently get single coverage, yet throwing it deep to him seemed to be taboo. Instead, Franklin thought to get the ball in his hands by screen plays and reverses - I have trouble with that. Another problem - on almost every pass play, Turner would roll out to his right, completely taking away half the field. Instead of covering 53 yards, the defense had to cover 26 yards. That's a substianally less amount of space, which only makes it harder for the QB. Even worse, Meggett played most of his time in the spread, while Scott played more in the 2 TE packages - the exact opposite of what's supposed to happen. The power back goes in the power set, the speed back in the speed set.

Chris Cosh wasn't better. Too often he'd set the defensive back ten yards of the line of scrimmage. This mostly happened in the 1st and 2nd quarters, and FSU saw it - they were able to hit screen plays and short dump offs for seven or eight yards consistently. The middle of the line was the weakest I've seen it in a long time. I don't know if was the players or the scheme, but it wasn't right.

Really, despite the crappy coaching, it comes down the players. Yes, at times Cosh didn't call the right set. But the times Moises Fokou, Jeremey Navarre, Dave Philistin, or Dion Armstron just ran by the guy the ball - usually Ponder - or tried (and failed) to arm tackle him instead of wrap him up...they didn't execute. Same with the offense. Franklin's plan would've worked perfectly had the line actually blocked. It's the players fault foremost, then the coaches for failing to adapt. Just a very, very saddening game.

[photo via ESPN/AP]