Switching the focus to players who could potentially become Eagles, we offers a couple of reports.
First, Aaron Wilson of *The National Football Post *reports that University of Tennessee top-ranked safety Eric Berry is scheduled to visit the Philadelphia Eagles, Cleveland Browns, Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Berry has drawn comparisons to Baltimore Ravens Pro Bowl free safety Ed Reed, a former NFL Defensive Player of the Year. A consensus All-American selection, he won the Jim Thorpe award as the nation's top defensive back. He intercepted 14 passes and recorded 241 tackles in three seasons. At the NFL scouting combine, Berry ran in the 4.4s in the 40-yard dash. He also bench pressed 225 pounds 19 times. Berry suffered a minor sprained toe at his campus Pro Day workout, but it wasn't serious at all.
Safety figured to be a position the Eagles would address this off-season. Veteran Sean Jones left via free agency and the Eagles went out and added former Colt Marlin Jackson in free agency. He joins former draft picks, Quintin Demps and Macho Harris. Still, the Eagles are doing their homework and looking at a projected top 10 selection.
On offense, Philadelphia has its eyes on Idaho guard Mike Iupati, "the premier interior offensive lineman in the draft," according to Scout.com's Chris Steuber. Based on Iupati's upcoming schedule, he has certainly garnered significant attention.
Scout.com has learned through a source that Iupati has worked out and will work out for the Eagles, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans and New York Jets this month. He is also expected to visit the Atlanta Falcons, Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Diego Chargers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers leading up to the draft on April 22.
Writes Steuber: "A three-year starter at Idaho, Iupati has improved each year and has developed into the highly-touted prospect he is today. Scouts are enthusiastic about his ability and believe he can play OT or OG at the next level. The versatility that he presents, to go along with the strong showing that he's had this offseason, makes Iupati a valuable commodity and it's likely that he could hear his name called in the 16–23 range."
Of course, at this point, the Eagles hold the 24th pick overall.
A former offensive lineman himself, head coach Andy Reid likes linemen who can play multiple positions along the line. The Eagles figure to add at least one or two young linemen to the mix. Restricted free agents Nick Cole and Max Jean-Gilles have yet to sign their tenders and Shawn Andrews was released.
Iupati is currently the No. 1 rated offensive guard listed on Scout.com's 2010 NFL Draft Rankings.
-- Posted by Bob Kent, 12:20 p.m., March 26
