Dom's Dish - NFL Draft - talk about value

Sure, I've been accused of being a homer.  I've been accused of worse growing up - "throwing"my brother down the steps (he told me to push him), "covering" a wall with boogers (they came with the house), "cursing" all the time on the playground (I was smart enough not to get caught and never spoke filth at home as early as 1st grade).  I also used to wear bright orange and deep purple jeans.  So I'm a homer...

So regarding the Philadelphia Eagles Draft class of 2009.  To be honest, aside from the fact that this is my first year without the NFL network to guide me through the draft (trying to save money to pay the $15/month for the greatest invention ever: DVR), and I haven't really heard the draftniks bragging about this year's draft class, I'm going to chalk this year's draft up to an overall grade of "D".  Sure there are some players up top in the first round or two, but not a year with a Eli Manning/Philip Rivers/Ben Roethlisberger, or Reggie Bush/Matt Leinart.  I just didn't feel the names were there early on, nor were there many names down the board.  So back to the Eagles.  They've made some trades before this draft and certainly "a few" during it.  They traded back so many times in the 3rd and 4th rounds...at one point they had SIX 5th round draft choices.  They turned 2 of those into a potential starting CB/KR in Ellis Hobbs (Patriots) - though I'm weary about a recycled secondary from great Defensive back coach Bill Belichick - BY THE WAY - did you see him during the draft on ESPN?  He was actually wearing a TIE and JACKET!  He looked serial killer-esque I thought.  Put the hoodie back on Bill....but I digress.  

Anyway, the Eagles then took ONE fifth round pick and turned it into a 7th in 2009: #222 and a 5th rounder in 2010 from New Orleans.  Then, they turned around and took #222 and made it a 6th rounder in 2010 from Indianapolis. One pick turned into 2 next year - which might not sound too cool until you realize that due to trades this offseason, the Eagles were uncharacteristically out of the mix with something like 5 choices in 2010 coming into the weekend!

So Monday was the day all those not drafted were eligible to sign with teams in an open market.  The Eagles went out and got them Rashard Mendenhall's younger brother, Walter.  6 foot 225lbs from Illinois State.  Let's hope he has some talent like his brother, a first round choice of Pittsburgh last year.  Andy Reid also fulfilled his BYU quota signing big Guard Dallas Reynolds (6-4, 311) from Brigham Young.  Perhaps Andy is beyond donating to his alma mater, he just employs a few right out of the college football program each year.  Hmmm.