Kiko Alonso

[Deano]

FYI - he went full speed at practice today. Said the knee feels good.

 

[Iggloo]

Yup, sounds like he and Kendricks played side by side a lot with the first unit, with Ryans rotating in. That's what I want to see.

I am looking forward to watching him, and really the whole D.

Not so optimistic about the offense unfortunately but the D is going to take a step forward.

 

[Rey]

Too bad our QB isn't anywhere near full speed. Good to hear on Kiko though.

 

[GenJac]

We'll have Jenkins, Maxwell, and Thurmond (3 Super Bowl champions) in the secondary teaching arguably the best drafted secondary players this year. How can you not be excited?

 

[Birds4life81]

Kiko and Kendricks is a nasty combination in the middle. Our defense should be much improved from top to bottom.

 

[old duke]

I think we have the D set up very good now. Kiko, Maxwell, and Thurmond have solified the D. We just need another OLB to add to the mix.

 

[Deano]

Agreed, but let's work on the Oline please.

 

[Los Eagles]

I think we have the D set up very good now. Kiko, Maxwell, and Thurmond have solified the D. We just need another OLB to add to the mix.

Marcus Smith?

 

[old duke]

Marcus Smith?

We hope, but I'm not counting on it. He's a good kid, but another one of Howie's panicky moves. And, I don't want to hear it from Chip detractors he had anything to do with it. He wanted to trade up for OBJ, but Howie wouldn't do it. Howie had a list of 8 players they all liked, but when all of them were picked, he panicked and traded back with Cleveland (Manziel), and picked Marcus. That was the straw, and the reason why Chip gave Lurie an ultimum - him or me.

 

[deerpathdave]

Marcus Smith?

I like the fact he added muscle, I don't like the fact that he wasn't practicing due to a pull this week. Not convinced the guy is "wired right". We should know though by the time the season rolls around.

 

[Birds4life81]

Marcus Smith added much needed weight and C.Barwin said Smith has turned into one of the stronger guys in the weight room -- a place where we all wanted him to be living in. The injury is definitely frustrating but that's a part of all athletics. There's plenty of time till TC -- so there's no reason to panic just yet. I'm encouraged he addressed the most important issue - increasing muscle mass and decreasing BF %. Let's not forget the Brandon Graham's of the world, sometimes it takes time, health and opportunity to take the next step.

 

[deerpathdave]

We hope, but I'm not counting on it. He's a good kid, but another one of Howie's panicky moves. And, I don't want to hear it from Chip detractors he had anything to do with it. He wanted to trade up for OBJ, but Howie wouldn't do it. Howie had a list of 8 players they all liked, but when all of them were picked, he panicked and traded back with Cleveland (Manziel), and picked Marcus. That was the straw, and the reason why Chip gave Lurie an ultimum - him or me.

It's a great story, but really just speculation. We know Chip liked OBJ, but I really think there was no way they were trading up to number 12 for a WR. We do know that the players they liked were gone. I think it more likely that Chip wanted to give up a number 2 or 3 to move up a spot or two for Clinton-Dix. I do think you are right that Chip did not want Marcus. He tends to be an immediate need sort of guy and to take a guy that early that would not see the field for at least a year is not his style. To Roseman's credit, that is why you normally separate the GM from the coach....To get someone thinking about who will not be on the team a year or two down the road and prepare well for it. He probably wanted Matthews at this point, and forced Roseman to trade up for him to keep him off his back.

 

[mall3013]

I'm really excited about this defense. I think the Birds will be in a good position to start the regular season. Our defense is going to be nasty. ST should continue to be successful.