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NFC East Round 1 Draft Notes

Now that we've all analyzed the Prince pick and many are praising it, let's have a look at what our NFC East opponents did Thursday night and their local media reaction......

Dallas Cowboys: Tyron Smith, T, USC, 9th pick overall

Bob Sturm: Why Cowboys fans should be happy with Tyron Smith | Dallas Cowboys News - Sports News for Dallas, Texas - SportsDayDFW
As you can imagine, I was quite pleased with how the Cowboys made out in the first round by selecting USC T Tyron Smith to be part of this franchise moving forward. Given his current ability and his amazing upside, I think we should all be rather pleased that the rebuilding of this offensive line is underway with 2 tackles who should possess the most important 2 spots on the line who could conceivably hold down their spots for a long, long time.

It's not like we do anything but root for every pick the Cowboys and Eagles make to be busts, but this was a solid first round pick The only thing that makes me scratch my head is when I think about how awful Dallas was in the first half of last season, I seem to remember a horrendous defense that got their defensive guru head coach fired. But again, I think this was a quality pick.

Washington Redskins: Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue, 16th pick overall (traded down from No. 10 with Jacksonville)

Redskins Coach Mike Shanahan does the right thing in first round of 2011 NFL draft - The Washington Post
Thank you, Mike Shanahan. You finally did what you needed to do Thursday night as the coach and leader of the Washington Redskins, selecting Purdue outside linebacker Ryan Kerrigan in the first round of the NFL draft. Focusing on defense — after trading down from the 10th overall pick to the 16th — was exactly the right approach to help a poor 3-4 defense with significant personnel problems in every position group.

Maybe Mike Shanahan told owner Dan Snyder to get out of his way, and actually accumulate picks instead of trade them all away. But this article also talks about how it was good for Shanahan to stop thinking about the offense and make a move on defense for a change.

Philadelphia Eagles: Danny Watkins, G, Baylor, 23rd pick overall

Picking a fireman caps strange day | Philadelphia Inquirer | 04/29/2011
One of the guys who will be stopping by very soon is Danny Watkins, a 26-year-old with more experience at fire protection than pass protection. A native of British Columbia, Watkins played hockey and rugby growing up and worked five years as a fireman before heading to a California junior college to study fire science.

Hands tied by labor strife, Eagles take an oldie | Philadelphia Daily News | 04/29/2011
OK, SO THE NFL lockout has officially screwed the Eagles more than any other team.

Ah yes, who among us Giants fans doesn't feel warmth in their heart when they read this stuff? Then again, if you think about it, the Eagles could have had the 19th pick if things had worked out differently on December 19, 2010. Of course, they still may have taken Watkins.