The players chosen by the Eagles in the 1999 draft have now played 3 seasons, a good enough amount of time to revisit Andy Reid's first draft and see what went right and what went wrong.

Going into the 1999 draft the Birds were in need of just about everything. Ray Rhodes' last season as head coach ended with a 3-13 record and little talent. The 1998 draft had yielded some solid players like tackle Tra Thomas, linebackers Jeremiah Trotter and Ike Reese, and defensive end Hugh Douglas, who came from the Jets in exchange for their 2nd round pick. At the time though, only Douglas was a known quantity.

Running back Duce Staley was coming off his first 1,000-yard season but fans in Philadelphia were clamoring for Texas running back and Heisman Trophy winner Ricky Williams. Even Mayor Ed Rendell was lobbying for Williams. New head coach Reid came from the Packers where he had mentored Brett Favre in the West Coast offense. He knew he needed a quarterback to run his system and the '99 draft seemed to have a bumper crop of signal callers. The fans were going tohave to be disappointed.

No less than five QB's were expected to chosen in the 1st round and the Eagles, with the 2nd overall choice, had to make the right decision on which QB to choose. Picking the wrong one could spell disaster for years to come.

The Cleveland Browns with the 1st pick seemed assured of taking Kentucky QB Tim Couch. Reid now had to choose between Syracuse's Donovan McNabb or Oregon's one-year wonder Akili Smith.

After watching McNabb operate under Jon Gruden at the Senior Bowl Reid knew McNabb was his man. When the draft rolled around and McNabb's name was announced 20 or so morons from Philly who were bussed to the draft by 610 WIP to boo whoever the Birds drafted not named Ricky Williams greeted the young QB. To his credit, McNabb stood there, got his picture taken with Paul Tagliabue and kept on smiling.

Three years later those 20 morons are counting their blessings. Williams, after some decent seasons in New Orleans, was traded to Miami and is doing well, but McNabb is special. He's led the Eagles to back-to-back playoff appearances and was the 2000 MVP runner up. Akili Smith has been a complete bust in Cincinnati after being taken with the 3rd pick overall. The Bengals have been recovering from that pick ever since (see Scott Mitchell, Gus Frerotte and Jon Kitna). Reid gets an A for selecting the right man to lead his club.

Then came Reid's 2nd pick. Not knowing what he had in Trotter (no one really did) Reid selected Barry Gardner to be his defensive general at middle linebacker. Gardner isn't very athletic and was more of an overachiever at Northwestern. Two picks later the Redskins selected Michigan tackle Jon Jansen who has become a rock for Washington at right tackle. Gardner lost out to Trotter in preseason and started the 2000 season on the weakside where he was supplanted by Mike Caldwell and now Shawn Barber. He provides solid depth now behind Levon Kirkland but hasn't been the playmaker Philadelphia was hoping for. Ried gets a C- more for passing on Jansen then picking Gardner. Jansen would look great at right tackle rather than big money free agent Jon Runyan.

With their 3rd round pick Philadelphia chose Boston College guard Doug Brzezinski, a bruiser who started all 16 games at left guard in 1999. The Eagles were in desperate need for offensive line help and Brzezinski helped immediately. In 2000 Brzezinski lost his starting job to the Eagles' first 1999 4th round pick John Welbourn. Welbourn, out of California, started the 1999 campaign as the starting right tackle but got injured in game 1. In 2000 and 2001 Welbourn has been solid if unspectacular at left guard. He's a good pass blocker but struggles in the run game. Bottom line, Welbourn is a solid starter and Brzezinski adds good depth, something the Eagles haven't had in years. A B-grade for Reid's two o-line pick ups.

4th Rd. Side Note: Current special team dynamo Dameane Douglas was chosen by the Oaklnad Raiders five picks after Welbourn.

With the Eagles' second 4th round pick, a compensatory pick, the Birds took Ohio State strong safety Damon Moore. Moore was tabbed to start immediately but didn't pick up the defense quick enough and ended up watching vet Tim Hauck for a season. In 2000 Moore stepped in to the starting lineup and showed flashes of being a stout run stopper. In 2001 Moore improved again and seemingly solidified his status as a starter.Unfortunately for Moore, he tore his ACL in the championship game versus the Rams. With 10-plus months of rehab ahead the Eagles decided not to offer Moore, a restricted free agent, a contract. Moore eventually signed with the Chicago Bears and, after some off the field turmoil, is making an impact on the Bears special teams. Despite the unfortunate injury Moore suffered and the fact Virginia QB Aaron Brooks (if you saw him in college who knew?) was selected only 3 picks later, Reid gets a B-grade for a pick that netted a solid starter for two years.

Philly's 4th round wasn't over yet. After the Ravens nabbed Edwin Mulitalo the Eagles got another compensatory pick and selected UNC wideout Na Brown, a no-speed, all-hands guy. Brown was a no-show in '99 and saw minimal action in 2000. 2001 was supposed to be his year to take over as the 3rd receiver but his sure hands failed him time and again. Brown lost his spot to rookie Freddie Mitchell and spent the majority of the year on the sideline. Reid cut his losses during 2002 training camp and cut Brown. This pick grades out as a D.

The Eagles didn't have a 5th round pick but in the 6th round they grabbed fullback Cecil Martin, best known for leading the way for Ron Dayne at Wisconsin. Martin had a reputation as a hard worker with good hands, just what Reid needed for his West Coast offense. Martin saw limited playing time in '99 but started in both 2000 and 2001. He's not as strong a lead blocker as you'd like but he does have decent hands and plays special teams. Give the Birds a B+ for finding a starter this late.

6th Rd. Side Note: Current backup safety Rashard Cook was selected by the Bears 12 picks after Martin.

Later in the 6th round, with a pick acquired from Denver, the Eagles selected East Carolina wide receiver Troy Smith. Smith had nice size but little else. He didn't see the end of 1999. Green Bay grabbed Alcorn State's Donald Driver 12 picks later. Grade D.

Finally in the 7th round the Birds nabbed Jed Weaver, a tight end from Oregon, and Pernell Davis, a huge defensive tackle from Alabama-Birmingham. Weaver made some starts for the Eagles in 1999 but was cut in the 2000 preseason. Davis spent some time on Philadelphia's practice squad but wasn't activated even though the injury to Hollis Thomas left the Birds dangerously thin at tackle. Hmmmmm. Still, Weaver is now a contributor for the Miami Dolphins. Not bad for the 7th round. Grade C+.

7th Rd. Side Note: Ex-Eagle special teamer Sean Morey was selected 10 picks before Davis. Both were compensatory picks.