Sources indicate that rookie Nate Allen has been installed as the first-team free safety at Eagles Organized Team Activities.
Mancini’s Take: There’s no understating the season-ending injury to Marlin Jackson, a savvy and physical defender with range who was pegged as Philly’s starting free safety prior to rupturing his Achilles tendon. The Eagles had no intention of heaping too much responsibility on Allen this early, but he’s clearly the player who’s best suited to replace Jackson in terms of pure skill. Macho Harris is a hybrid player with enough speed to play corner, but isn’t physical enough to man any of the safety positions. Quentin Demps, on the other hand, isn’t very good in coverage and lacks the ability to make difference-making plays. Alas, the Birds will have to sink or swim with Allen who’s a chiseled athlete at about 6-1, 207 pounds. He can come up and knock the daylights
1. A.J. Green, Georgia – The Georgia Bulldog heads what is one the strongest positions, especially at the top, among the Class of 2012. Green burst on the scene and earned firs team All-SEC honors as a true freshman after catching 56 passes for 963 yards—only two other Bulldogs have had better statistical seasons catching the football in the program’s history. While his numbers slipped a bit as a sophomore, that was due to the combination of Green missing three full games and the inconsistent play of first-year starter Joe Cox at quarterback. Unfortunately for Green there is no evidence that the SEC school will be better at the quarterback position in 2010. Barring something unforeseen,
1. Mark Ingram, Alabama – With the Heisman Trophy and a BCS Championship already on his resume, there’s not much more Ingram can do to impress NFL scouts. He is a big-time player who flourished on college football’s biggest stage, dominating the SEC and serving as the linchpin to the Crimson Tide’s offensive attack. He should be a solid first round pick who will likely hear his name called somewhere between 10 and 20 should he decide to declare for the 2012 NFL Draft. He is not the fastest back in the nation and isn’t overly impressive in terms of measurables, so it will be difficult for him to improve his stock…although the more you watch
1. Ryan Mallett, Arkansas – While there is debate as to where Mallett stacks up among all of the quarterbacks in college football, he is the clear-cut top pro prospect at the position among the junior class. Mallett has the classic cannon arm that will make scouts drool come pro-day time (expect him to pass on throwing at the Scouting Combine), but he needs to work on his touch and accuracy. Too many of his fastballs still sail high or find the turf. In addition to improving his completion percentage, Mallett can do a better job of allowing his receivers to make yards after the catch. It should be noted that the Arkansas product did a very good job