Ronnie Brown is Your Backup RB

Posted: August 2nd, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 90 Comments »

Great signing by the Eagles.

Ronnie is 6’0, 230.  He has the size/strength to be a power runner.  He runs well for a big guy.  Ronnie has 7 career runs of 40 or more yards.  Darren Sproles has 0.  Brian Westbrook has 4.  Ronnie is a solid receiver.  He’s got 184 career catches.  Good blocker as well.

Ronnie was the Wildcat QB for the Dolphins in the last 3 years.  He was a good runner, but also threw passes.  He’s only 4 of 12 in his career, but has 2 TDs.

I think having someone like Ronnie at backup RB will force Andy to mix him into the lineup a bit more.  Not as much as I’d like, but more.  I’ll write out a longer post on his signing later.

Ronnie’s stats at NFL.com.


90 Comments on “Ronnie Brown is Your Backup RB”

  1. 1 Kammich said at 4:55 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    What a tremendous fit.

    I wasn’t really considering him an option, because the price point and playing time we could offer seemed below what he’d be looking for. But in this horrendously watered-down RB market, I guess he just wanted to play for a winner(thats becoming a trend, isn’t it?).

  2. 2 owumd said at 4:56 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    All the over-30 vets with injury histories, this is your stop. Dan Snyder, show us the way.

  3. 3 Dan said at 4:56 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    So what positions are left to be filled?
    Backup OT and a veteran MLB, and we should be good to go.

  4. 4 Kevin (RC) said at 4:58 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    Absolutely perfect.

    I want Brown or Clintin Portis. Of the two, Brown was my preference because he can spot-start BETTER if Shady goes down. Also, he’s different than McCoy.

    Roseman is killing it

  5. 5 Flyin' said at 4:58 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    Ronnie is 29. He’ll turn 30 in Dec.

  6. 6 Fred said at 4:59 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    I never considered Ronnie to be a bug guy just by looking at him, I would have never guessed 230. I always saw him as a speedy scat back.

  7. 7 Max said at 5:01 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    I think this clearly puts the target on the Iggles..especially with those stupid “Dream Team” comment that VY made…..every team’s gonna bring their A game to defeat the Iggles…can’t wait for the season to start…I hope they can translate all these pickups to W’s on the field – otherwise its a shame!

  8. 8 Dan said at 5:04 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    I never thought that Brown would be available. I thought that a guy at his age (29) whose had the success that he’s had would cling to the notion that he is still a starting RB in the NFL. I especially didn’t think he would want to be a #2 back here of all places.

  9. 9 Tommy Lawlor said at 5:12 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    Howie talked back in March/April about how we could benefit from some veterans who might be willing to come here on a 1-year deal.

    Vince
    Ronnie
    WR?
    LB?

  10. 10 CVD said at 5:16 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    do other teams know something we dont? or are we just that much smarter than everyone else? i think its the second one

  11. 11 Tommy Lawlor said at 5:19 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    Ronnie for short TD. Replay is better than live.

    http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-highlights/09000d5d81d3557a/Ronnie-Brown-TD-run

    Ronnie w/ long run vs MIN.

    http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-highlights/09000d5d81aa4e61/Ronnie-Brown-51-yard-run

  12. 12 Zach said at 5:21 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    Any interest in Bryant McKinnie for RT competition? He’s reportedly badly out of shape, which definitely throws red flags, but he appears to currently be the cream of the OT crop left on the market.

  13. 13 owumd said at 5:22 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    Was anyone friends with any Skins fans during Snyder’s many wild and crazy free agency binges? Anyone ever have any conversations with those friend during those offseasons? How are people not recognizing the distinct similarities to the Eagles approach. Fill your team with people near or over 30 with a history of injuries, but who have highly recognizable names? What could possibly go wrong?

  14. 14 Tommy Lawlor said at 5:27 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    Game highlights from 2008. He’s worn down a bit since then, but is still pretty good.

    http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-highlights/09000d5d80c27b5c/WK-9-Ronnie-Brown-highlights

    Wildcat run for long gain from 2009.

    http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-highlights/09000d5d81433221/Ronnie-Brown-45-yard-run

  15. 15 CVD said at 5:30 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    Dan Snyder overpaid for guys that used to be talented and they never did anything for the skins. We got great deals and can get out of all of them if we choose (except namdi, but why would we want out). We also didn’t use a single draft pick, we actually picked up picks. It is very different than Dan Snyder

  16. 16 Jim said at 5:34 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    Except unlike the Redskins, the recognizable names with injury histories are being signed by the Eagles to very low-risk contracts.

  17. 17 owumd said at 5:37 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    At the time, people considered Snyder’s acquisitions to be for talented guys. It’s retrospective that we notice that he got players at the tail end of their careers, and that they never did anything for the Skins. There’s a reason they were regarded as off-season champs: people continually bought into the hype. All Redskins fans did (that’s why I ask if you anyone knew any, and had any conversations with them). ESPN and the general NFL media did (they were routinely picked as division winners in those years). Former players certainly did (former players always think current players have a bit left in the tank, and always think recognizable names are inherently more talented than unrecognizable names).

    How are Reggie Brown, Cullen Jenkins and Jason Babin materially different than the types of guys the Skins were adding back then? Remember to think about what was thought of the Redskins deals at the time they were signed.

  18. 18 Cliff said at 5:48 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    Uh, yeah, we all thought the Skins overpaid for over-the-hill players. I don’t see your point.

  19. 19 STeve said at 5:52 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    Ronnie Brown just signed a contract for 1 million and you compare it to the Skins overpaying for aging players. Just stop.

  20. 20 Jim said at 5:56 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    Ronnie Brown – 1 year, $1 million
    Cullen Jenkins – team only on the hook for $4 million for one year if he doesn’t work out
    Jason Babin – only $5 million guaranteed

    You were saying?

  21. 21 iskar36 said at 5:58 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    @owumd

    It’s a fair point, but I do think there is a big difference when you look at the contracts that players signed to go to the Redskins. Easy example is Albert Haynesworth. Didn’t he sign the largest contract ever for a defensive player? Now compare that to Nnamdi who signed a very reasonable contract to come here (reportedly even taken less than other teams were offering). On top of that, I don’t know that other than Nnamdi, any of these guys are make or break players in terms of our long term success. Babin is a good player, but the reality is that we hope Graham comes back healthy eventually (whether it is this year or next). Jenkins is a good player as well, but we already have Dixon, Patterson and Laws in place. Jenkins only adds to that mix. Ronnie Brown is also coming here to be a backup, not a starter. Sure, we are relying on these guys to make an impact this year, but we haven’t hurt our future with any of these signings.

  22. 22 ian no 2 said at 5:58 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    Trivia: Brown also brings the 1st rounders on the roster back to 11 after the Bunkley trade:

    Vick 2001 / Round: 1 / Pick: 1
    Asomugha 2003 / Round: 1 / Pick: 31
    Babin 2004 / Round: 1 / Pick: 27
    Brown 2005 / Round: 1 / Pick: 2
    Jackson 2005 / Round: 1 / Pick: 29
    Patterson 2005 / Round: 1 / Pick: 31
    Young 2006 / Round: 1 / Pick: 3
    Rodgers-Cromartie 2008 / Round: 1 / Pick: 16
    Maclin 2009 / Round: 1 / Pick: 19
    Graham 2010 / Round: 1 / Pick: 13
    Watkins 2011 / Round: 1 / Pick: 23

  23. 23 owumd said at 6:00 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    Skins fans didn’t think so. In this version of the analogy, you’re the Skins fans. It behooves you not to see Ronnie Brown, Cullen Jenkins and Jason Babin as 30-year-olds with either injury histories or one solid season, and instead see them as quality veteran additions for reasonable contracts, so that’s how you see them. Plenty of people outside of Philadelphia agree with you. Likewise, plenty of people outside of Washington agreed with Skins fans back during their free agency bonanza years. It’s very easy to convince yourself that hype is warranted when you’re living inside a hype machine.

    The Eagles have three terrible LBs and two terrible safeties. They’ve made huge upgrades at CB. They’ve traded a young DT and added an old DT. They let a young RB who was successful in the system in part-time duty walk, and replaced him with an old RB with an injury history who has never played in the system. They’ve added a defensive end who is now 30 years old and is coming off of his lone successful season. These are all objectively excellent additions that bear no resemblence to the years when the Skins added Brandon Lloyd and Sean Springs and Clinton Portis and Lavernues Coles and Santana Moss and Casey Rabach and lord knows how many others?

    Nnamdi is one thing. He’s one of the best players in the league (sort of like when the Skins signed Haynesworth). DRC is young and accomplished. But the rest of the additions are carbon copies of what passed as team building for Cerrato and Snyder. It was rightly ridiculed by Eagles fans when the Skins tried it. It’s being roundly applauded now in Philly. People are just giddy about their new presents, and they’re refusing to look at the considerable negatives to all of these moves.

  24. 24 Tommy Lawlor said at 6:02 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    owumd raises some interesting questions.

    I think one big distinction was already pointed out. Our guys aren’t getting huge dollars the way that the Skins overapaid.

    Just as important, we’ve got infrastructure. These guys aren’t here to be the cake. They’re the icing. In WAS, the free agents were supposed to be the cake and icing.

    I’ll write out a post telling my favorite story of just how messed up the Skins were/are.

  25. 25 Dan in Philly said at 6:04 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    I’m actually getting nervous that this team just looks too good on paper.

    On the other hand, the last team which looked incredibly good on paper was the Patriots when they went undefeated during the regular season, so maybe it sometimes does actually translate…

  26. 26 Cafone said at 6:06 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    The reason Snyder’s moves were horrible is that he got stuck with lots of dead money. There is no risk of that with these signings. If they stink, they get cut.

  27. 27 piercit said at 6:09 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    Dude please stop…we are not BUILDING A TEAM!

    We are accenting it.. big difference!

  28. 28 Dan said at 6:12 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    Dan Snyder’s signings:

    Brandon Lloyd- 7 years/35 millionn, 10 million guaranteed
    Adam Archuleta- 7 years/35 million, 10 mill guaranteed
    Deion Sanders- 7 years/56 million, 8 million signing bonus
    Albert Haynesworth- 7 years/100 million, 41 million gar.
    Antwan Randel El- 7 years/31 million, 11.5 gauranteed

    Trades
    Donovan McNabb- 2nd and 4th round picks
    Jason Taylor- 2nd round pick
    Jamaal Brown- 3rd round pick
    T.J Duckett- 3rd round pick

    Comparing Snyder to Banner is unfair.

  29. 29 CVD said at 6:14 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    Eagles
    VY is a backup and Ronnie Brown is a back up both on 1 year deals for not a lot of $$. Namdi is still a great player so I am not worried. DRC is young and a stud. Babin and Jenkins are not making a lot of money and can be cut after this year. Plus we actually got more picks. The eagles were always a good team and good organization with great coaching. We have a great QB and a ton of young guys. These are the differences

    Skins
    The skins would trade their picks away for players that would not pan out. They would not get more picks. They also over paid for these players (very important). They couldn’t get rid of them after one year. They also expected a lot from these players, which is why they overpaid them. These guys were all supposed to be starters. The skins didn’t have a lot of young talent, so they needed these older vets to contribute and stick around. Skins were probably one of the older teams in the league.

  30. 30 owumd said at 6:14 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    It’s true that the guaranteed money given to these players is far less than the Skins offered in their contracts. In terms of the risk posed that lasts beyond this season, these deals are a different animal than the Skins deals.

    But dead money isn’t the only thing that made the Skins acquisitions terrible.

    They also found themselves relying on a number of players who were switching systems, and turned out not to be the guaranteed upgrades they were seen to be at the time of their signing. In many cases, the veterans became significantly worse players simply by changing systems, and the perceived upgrade never materialized.

    And because the players were older, they also presented a higher injury risk than the guys who might have otherwise been on the team. By the end of the year, when the older players predictably wore down and saw their play decline, or suffered injuries that kept them out of the lineup, the Skins found themselves relying on young players who hadn’t gained experience earlier in the season. All of those Skins teams finished significantly weaker than they started.

  31. 31 Kevin (RC) said at 6:15 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    The big difference is Andy Reid, the stabilizer. Without question, it’s HIS team.
    Washington: Turner, Marty, Spurrier, Gibbs, Zorn, Shanahan.

    No continuity.

  32. 32 Shawn said at 6:18 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    I think we’re done with free agency until the end of preseason when teams start shedding players to get to 53.

  33. 33 CVD said at 6:19 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    owumd

    so u agree with us now. ur last post sounds like u agree

    unless u were comparing us to them with the last 2 paragraphs. i doubt u r cuz we arent switching anyones system and nobody should be wore down cuz as we said some are back ups and wash rotates the dline alot.

    i do undertand what u r saying. but when u look closer u see that its very different

  34. 34 Cafone said at 6:22 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    Tommy,

    Would you say Ronnie Brown is a lock to make the team? Is there much of a chance that the Eagles don’t like what they see and release him before the regular season starts?

  35. 35 Iskar36 said at 6:23 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    Caplan reporting that OT Ryan Harris also signed.

  36. 36 mcud said at 6:26 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    Love the Ronnie Brown signing. Love, love, love it. Love the player, love the skill set, love the length of the deal, love the money, love his role on the team.

    When you factor in need, cost, skill, role, and value, this is definitely my favorite signing of free agency so far.

  37. 37 Westport johnny said at 6:27 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    ESPN reporting that J Mac has showed up at camp; no word if he’ll practice tomorrow

  38. 38 bp said at 6:33 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    @owumd

    is that you morton?

    While I do agree with the general point that offseason hype can be dangerous to buy into, the analogy between these Eagles and those Redskins holds almost no water whatsoever, let alone sharks or battleships…

  39. 39 Tommy Lawlor said at 6:34 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    Eagles sign RT Ryan Harris to 1-yr deal.

    Good signing. When healthy, good player. Injuries ruined both of last 2 seasons. Wasn’t a fit in new Denver offense. Harris is Mudd type OL. John Fox wants biggies that can maul in the run game. Harris is more athletic type.

  40. 40 owumd said at 6:34 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    CVD, I’m less concerned with agreeing or disagreeing with you all as if this is some sort of debate in which any of our arguments matter, and more concerned with making a very specific point that there’s room for more apprehension and less celebration around all of these signings.

    The contract terms are different in a significant way. I never thought otherwise. But the types of players we’ve acquired– who, contrary to what most are saying, most certainly are being expected to contribute meaningfully to the success of this team– are more similar to the types of players the Skins acquired than most people seem willing to admit.

    So what I’d say is, there are certainly differences. The Eagles are a better team, Andy Reid is a better coach, and the contracts the players have signed contain far less of a financial commitment. But there are similarities too: we’re counting on aging veterans with injury histories and/or a limited history of success. The larger point is that the hype currently exceeds the actual improvement, much as it always did for the Snyder-led Redskins.

  41. 41 Name said at 6:34 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    “Nnamdi is one thing. He’s one of the best players in the league (sort of like when the Skins signed Haynesworth).”

    You cant compare them because you guys paid haynesworth 100 mill and he was a risk because everyone knew it was hard to motivate him.

    “The Eagles have three terrible LBs and two terrible safeties”

    Why is it that Nate Allen is terrible? Plus we have a 2nd round pick form last year. And Coleman wasnt that bad at all for a rookie last year

    “They let a young RB who was successful in the system in part-time duty walk, and replaced him with an old RB with an injury history who has never played in the system”

    If Jerome Harrison wasn’t here last year would anything have changed? He had 19 carries (dont count the last game of the season). So Ronnie Brown isn’t gonna make or break us unless Shady gets hurt.

    “They’ve added a defensive end who is now 30 years old and is coming off of his lone successful season.”

    He actually played well over the last 3 years when he got the opportunity, per PFF. But still, we have BG coming off an injury and will be ready by next year. Not to mention the other two 2nd year D Ends.

    I am guessing u r a skins fan. And I see ur points. I don’t think all these moves were guaranteed success but they are nowhere near what you are saying. We can get rid of all of them next year (except namdi and DRC) and we wouldn’t miss a beat. That is why we set their contracts up this way. We have such a young team right now.

  42. 42 CVD said at 6:35 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    that was me. sorry for the long post

  43. 43 nzflyer said at 6:42 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    We signed RT Harris from the broncos ?

  44. 44 Kickin Asomugha said at 6:42 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    WOW WOW WOW, this is the best offseason EVER. Can anyone remember anything better? The Philz last year with Lee and Roy, but this tops it for me for Philly Sports. Absolutely AWESOME. I’m absolutly Killin my friends who are cowboy fans. They are cryin the blues in Dallas, they are so mad it’s not funny. It’s great.

  45. 45 mcud said at 6:47 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    Meh on Ryan Harris. If there were I clear upgrade available, I’d be all for it. This just reads to me like Mudd doesn’t like King Dunlap or Austin Howard. That’s bad news.

  46. 46 owumd said at 6:47 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    I am, without question, not a Skins fan. In fact, I hate the Skins even more than I love the Eagles, which is why these conversations seem so familiar to me to the times I’d try to convince Skins fans that they really weren’t improving as much as they thought they were. Always I was called crazy for daring to suggest that there was a downside to bringing in that many free agents. But fans bite down hard into hype. I get it.

    The only point I’ll respond to from your post above is Nate Allen. It’s time to stop acting like it’s possible for guys to recover from major knee injuries suffered at the end of a season in time for the start of another season. Every year, fans from teams all over the league convince themselves that their injured player is different. He’s ahead of schedule! He’s in great shape! He said it feels great! Coaches say he looks like his old self! And every year, in virtually all cases, we watch players struggle to look like their former selves for a full season. I’ve come to accept without fail that a player won’t recover from a major knee injury until he is one full season removed from the injury. Rarely, but not never, I’ll be proven wrong. But my default position is that the player will be bad in the year following the injury. This position helps in two ways. For one, it means I don’t react as negatively about the player’s long-term outlook than other fans when the player predictably underperforms expectations. And obviously, it also helps not to be surprised when a guy you were counting on just doesn’t look very good. It makes the first few Sundays of the year less frustrating.

  47. 47 ian no 2 said at 6:47 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    “They let a young RB who was successful in the system in part-time duty walk, and replaced him with an old RB with an injury history who has never played in the system.”

    Brown is 14 months older than Harrison. Brown, signed to a one year contract, can block, run for short yardage, and catch passes, which fills a hole on the team. You could make the point that instead of picking out 2 of their promising rookies, they’re replicating Snyder’s use of elderly RBs last year (Portis, Parker, Larry J), but then you say:

    “The Eagles have three terrible LBs and two terrible safeties.”

    You could say these players are relatively unproven, but which is it? You are contradicting yourself. The only way to avoid overspending on vets is to play young players with less experience.

    The Eagles have 11 draft picks next year, after 11 draft picks in ’11 and 13 picks in ’10.

  48. 48 CVD said at 6:57 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    owumd

    my bad, one of ur lines made it sound like u were a skins fan.

    so you just think our safties need time. not that they r just terrible. i dont agree with you about the linebackers at all but they are unporven so i get what u r saying.

    to be honest. you could take away babin, jenkins, VY and brown and i would still be excited as hell for this year. we have such a young team, how could you not be excited.

  49. 49 owumd said at 7:02 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    There is one more possibility, besides overspending on vets or playing young players with less experience. You can always retain your own veterans who have experience within your system. Quintin Mikell and Stewart Bradley would have been fine signings, I think.

    But your larger point is true, and I acknowledge it. There is a contradiction in what I said.

    I’ve always been in favor of the Eagles decisions to promote from within, to trust their scouting, coaching, and intuitions, and to put young players in key positions rather than to fill holes with so-called proven free agents. In that sense, Chaney, Fokou, Clayton and Coleman are very consistent with their past decisions.

    I pointed out that they had holes at LB and S as another way of saying that people needed to temper expecations and climb off the hype train. It’s easy to watch the stream of headlines and convince yourself the team has improved more than it really has. But you’re right to point out that the primary alternative to going on a free agent shopping spree is trusting your own unproven young players.

  50. 50 CVD said at 7:18 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    RT really worries me. LB and Saftey I am ok with and actually kind of excited to see what these young guys can do. But RT could be a huge problem.

    The one thing i really dont like about all this is the fact that everyone is talking us up. I always liked being the underdog that came out of nowhere. We were never sexy so we didnt get talked about. Now its all about us.

    Either way i cannot wait for some football.

  51. 51 Dan in Philly said at 7:23 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    I’m hoping that Vick, Reid, and co will be able to squash all the paper champion talk. I hope they have the leadership to keep the Maimi referenced gone from now on. I certainly hope they can tell the young players that the Eagles haven’t won a GD thing yet, so cool down and focus on practice and preparation…

  52. 52 That Dream Team name is really sticking said at 7:30 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    “I was there for 11 years, and the biggest thing we brought in was T.O. (Terrell Owens),” said McNabb. “Now they’re getting the so-called ‘Dream Team.’ It’s amazing, but I look back on my career and what they’re doing now … that’s great; that’s excellent. But you’re seeing another side. You’re seeing Andy (coach Andy Reid) taking that chance

  53. 53 More from Mcmope said at 7:32 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    “Then, you’ve got to worry about DeSean (Jackson). When he comes back are you going to give DeSean the ball or throw it to (Jeremy) Maclin? Remember, you have to give LeSean McCoy the ball, too. And then at the end you still have to pay Mike Vick. They have more problems than people are looking at.”

  54. 54 the sky IS falling said at 7:40 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    First I would like to say that I can’t believe we are going to attempt to field garbage bags on our defense. I mean… look at our linebackers (facepalm) one of them has never played even one single snap in an NFL game! Another one played Mike LB last year and yeah, it looked like he was ok and physically gifted, but he probably sucks. The other guy has started out at Weak side the last two training camps and he is so terrible that both seasons he wound up playing SAM… AAAARGH! and that’s not all….

    Can you believe we are letting someone who had surgery even have a chance to make this team? I mean I have heard that Jesus can heal the lame, but Nate Allen and Marlin Jackson were reported to show up to camp on hoverrounds!

    Again at the safety position we are trusting some kid who didn’t even play at a major college and was drafted way higher than he was on my own personal draft board (which by the way is waaay better and more elite than those of paid scouts) and you guys think he is going to be good… pppft… Lastly our other so called “safety” more like “gateway” was a 7th round pick who was only a solid starter when called upon last year.

    P-A-T-H-E-T-I-C

  55. 55 ian no 2 said at 7:40 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    Owumd, Reid prioritizes DL and CB to LB and S because he tries to shut down the pass and because fewer players have the physical skills for DL and CB. In addition to that, the Moneyball system applies to cap management, in which you calculate which players are the hardest to replace with a journeyman at minimum salary, and spend on those players. Mikell is probably going to be better than Coleman/Jarrett this year, but is he seven million better (4 yr contract)? Bradley may play better than Matthews in 2011, but the same applies tho his 2011 contract isn’t known. However, Aso changes completely the pass D, Jenkins adds pass rushing to a DT unit which lacked it, Babin improves a unit that couldn’t produce at DE across from Cole, etc.

    I think Young should publicly walk back the Dream Team line, but it’s already spread around the league.

  56. 56 the sky IS falling said at 7:45 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    Oh and don’t even get me started on all these alleged “veterans” that every one… even Rob Ryan… knows are actually a bunch of chumps.

    The Eagles needed to upgrade at CB and they went and got Nnamdi Asomugha and DRC? HA! you call that an upgrade?

    They needed depth at DE and signed Jason Babin? How is he going to carry the entire defense on one good season? I mean that is what we’re talking about here right? He has to resurrect the ENTIRE defense all by hisself.

    And you call signing Cullen Jenkins for a lower cap number and getting a draft pick for Bunk an upgrade? Dude, Bunk is clearly a stud, and the best player evar to play for Rory “the man” Seagrest. Don’t even get me started on why we over hyped these new coaches.

    HYPE is for kids!

  57. 57 owumd said at 7:52 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    I point to the trollish desperation and refusal to converse in good faith of “the sky IS falling” as the first point of evidence that people might be getting a bit unduly carried away by these free agent signings.

  58. 58 the sky IS falling said at 7:59 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    @ owumd… don’t take yourself so seriously. All of those statements were re-characterizations of what you have been saying on this blog.

    Here’s a reality check for you. The Eagles front office has been able to capitalize on the popularity of Mike Vick. They have upgraded some of the positions on defense from last year. No need to get ya panties in a bunch because some fans are excited. I’m not expecting a SB win. Just good old Eagles football.

    You’re not talking to skins fans. Almost every poster on this board has made valid points and you have basically stuck your fingers in your ears and shouted “lalalalala I can’t hear you!”

    I guess you heard me though… since you stopped reiterating the same points that you have made and got shot down several times.

  59. 59 Sarcasm is fun said at 8:03 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    we can all read your previous posts, and i don’t think anyone on this blog is hoisting a Lombardi. most are just excited to see some upgrades.

  60. 60 owumd said at 8:05 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    I understood what you thought you were doing. That’s why I said you refused to engage in good faith disagreement: none of those things are remotely similar to what I’ve been saying.

    I’ve acknowledged many people’s valid points. I’ve restated some of my own, and retracted others. I’ve done what reasonable people do when they want disgree about football, but don’t care to have a pissing contest.

    The Eagles are a very good team. One of the five best in football. They’re better than they were last year. I just disagree about how much better they are. I’ve explained some of the reasons I think that. I’m glad you’re excited for the season. Me too.

  61. 61 owumd IS a good sport said at 8:25 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    Sorry for being so over the top. You have proven to me, and i assume everyone else that you are most def not a skins fan, and also a stand up guy.

    On a different topic… who are your Top 5 teams (doesn’t have to be a particular order).

  62. 62 owumd said at 8:36 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    Packers, Eagles, Steelers, Patriots and Ravens. I could probably be swayed by any possible order of those five teams.

  63. 63 Berms said at 8:50 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    We sign Jarrad Page… there’s your veteran safety guys.

  64. 64 Fred said at 8:55 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    Jarrad Page? Source

  65. 65 Dan said at 8:56 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    Banner says Eagles entertaining offers for Samuel

    http://blogs.nfl.com/2011/08/02/banner-says-eagles-entertaining-offers-for-samuel/?module=HP11_content_stream

  66. 66 Berms said at 8:59 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    Not sure how to post links from twitter but it was Jay Glazer reporting. Figuring that’s a good source but looks like he has a history of being a pain in the butt.

  67. 67 mcud said at 9:07 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    @Fred

    Glazer. So its legit.

  68. 68 izzylangfan said at 9:15 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    Historically and in principle, the Eagles want to build by the draft. This year, however, the use of free agency by the Eagles is so extreme it is difficult not to think that the philosophy has changed. However, I do not really think so.

    The Eagles would probably rather have built by the draft but they had too many draft misses on defense in past years so they had to do something. It is a good thing then that they did not get to ideological about it and were able to shift as the need required.

    The structure of the deals the team made leaves the Eagles in good cap shape in future years.

    Finally, and perhaps most important – this year there are approximately twice as many free agents because of the special uncapped year rules we had last year. This surfeit drove the price of the free agents down to the fair to bargain range. The reason you normally don’t want to build with free agency is because you normally have to overpay.

    I don’t think the Eagles over payed. But they recognized that this is the year the free agents would be plentiful and cheap and they pounced. Great Job!!!!!

  69. 69 Corry said at 9:20 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    @Dan

    Technically, he says they’re entertaining offers for “one of our cornerback[s]”. Doesn’t specifically mean Samuel. I’m holding out hope that we go into the season with all three.

    (Though admittedly there’s probably 10x more interest in Samuel than any of the other corners not named Rodgers-Cromartie or Asomugha).

  70. 70 McG said at 9:22 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    my greatest concern this year is going to be with the heartache that is sure to come with pairing down a 90 man roster to the final 53… That is going to be hard for me as a fan (I like the fringe guys more than I should)

  71. 71 Cliff said at 9:28 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    @ izzylangfan

    I agree with some of your post. The Eagles are just taking advantage of the market. We aggressively added free agents because there were good free agents to be had.

    In contrast, 2010 was an uncapped year, but look who was available…

    Julius Peppers, DE
    Karlos Dansby, LB
    Gary Brackett, LB
    Thomas Jones, RB
    Dunta Robinson, CB
    Darren Sharper, S

    The Eagles went after Peppers and lost, but the rest of the “top” free agents were pretty mediocre compared to the 2011 group. My point being; if there are good free agents available this front office attempts to get them.

  72. 72 Eric said at 9:29 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    Here’s a little story from what I was told when I lived outside DC. Archuletta wanted to play for the Bears but his agent said let’s go to the ‘skins for a year or two. You’ll make big money and they’ll probably release you and you can sign with the Bears.

    That’s exactly what happened. And I was told that information the season prior to him signing with the ‘skins. So someone just didn’t make that up after the fact.

  73. 73 Matt D said at 9:33 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    @owumd re: skins vs. eagles

    I have two points that haven’t been raised.

    1. I remember the Skins every year winning the offseason battle. They would sign one or 2-3 big-named guys every year. Every year, I would be thinking, “but there are 22 starters. 2-3 guys won’t cure that team.” Meanwhile, the Eagles would stay the same and let the team get more chemistry. So on one hand, you’re correct in valuing continuity, but on the other, The Skins NEVER had an influx of this much talent in one offseason after going to the playoffs in 7 of 10 years. While some similarities are there and some tempered expectations are in order, the situations are not a one-to-one comparison, and we’re allowed to be excited.

    2. None of the FA’s on the offensive side of the ball are expected to start. A backup QB, RB, and some OL depth does not disrupt the continuity/chemistry on that side of the ball. Most of the big signings for starters come on the defensive side of the ball, where the system is being overhauled with a new defensive coordinator anyway. So teaching an old Eagle a new system may not actually be that much of an advantage over teaching a FA. And I don’t think any of us would argue that continuing that mess of a defensive strategy would have been the right call. The bottom line- the continuity argument kinda doesn’t work on the defensive side anyway…

  74. 74 Nick said at 9:35 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    That was fast. Page’s wikipedia page (!) has already been updated to say he signed with the Eagles today. (Now there is one agent who knows how to earn his $$ !)

  75. 75 Cliff said at 9:39 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    @ Eric

    And you’ve touched on another difference between both organizations:

    Go to the Skins for a couple years, get paid.

    Go to the Eagles for a couple years, make the playoffs and have a legit shot at a Super Bowl.

    Love or hate Andy Reid, our chances of reaching the playoffs and Super Bowl any given year are a LOT better than at least 27 other teams.

  76. 76 mcud said at 9:45 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    What would the over/under be on just how many of our 11 free agent signings make the final 53? 6-6.5?

  77. 77 Alex K said at 9:51 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    The only impression I got from the Banner interview is that they are actively shopping Joselio Hanson, not Asante.

  78. 78 Tommy Lawlor said at 9:51 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    I go eat some dinner and we add another player. Stocking up for Thursday’s practice.

  79. 79 Cliff said at 9:56 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    @ mcud

    Locks:
    Nnamdi Asomugha
    Jason Babin
    Cullen Jenkins
    Ronnie Brown
    Ryan Harris

    On the Border:
    Johnnie Lee Higgins
    Donald Lee
    Akeem Jordan

    Gone:
    Evan Mathis

    As for the dozen UDFA’s… who the hell knows. Lots of camp bodies out there. MAYBE a few PS candidates.

  80. 80 Corry said at 10:05 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    @Tommy

    That’ll teach you to go on a chocolate pudding run in the middle of the most aggressive Eagles’ offseason ever.

  81. 81 mcud said at 10:06 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    Can’t imagine Harris is a lock being a RT only candidate. At least King and Austin could conceivably line up at LT.

    I’d LOVE if Dunlap or Howard just took the RT job, but the signing of Harris either says that Mudd isn’t impressed by them, or that Justice is nowhere near coming off of the PUP list.

  82. 82 eagles nut said at 10:16 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    Harris can play LT or RT.

  83. 83 Baloophi said at 10:21 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    (Imagine Seinfeld’s voice) – “What’s the deal, with the one year deal?”

    Isn’t a player like Ryan Harris someone the Eagles would normally try to lock up for more than one season? I can see how some of these onesies make sense for the player (Vince Young, Ronnie Brown) but I’m surprised we’re not seeing more multiple year deals. Is this a reflection of new CBA rules or are there hidden second year options (other than franchising) that we don’t know about?

  84. 84 mcud said at 10:25 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    Since when? Has he played LT at the pro level? I know the Denver Post supposedly said he could play LT, but that’s also the paper that said he was re-signing with the Broncos today? 🙂

    Has he even played a pro snap at LT?

  85. 85 ian no 2 said at 10:37 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    Page probably has a better chance than Jackson of making the team, and is insurance if Allen gets hurt. The Patriots thought enough of him to give him a 2nd round tender but he became unrestricted with the new CBA. Large FS considered above average in coverage and good against the run, plays special teams.

  86. 86 Cliff said at 11:16 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    I assumed Harris was a lock because his signing must mean Justice isnt going to be ready anytime soon.

    Maybe this offseason should have taught me “don’t assume anything” with this organization.

  87. 87 Cliff said at 11:26 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    I wonder if the Eagles showed any interest in Zach Miller (when he was available). Celek’s coming off a down season, was supposedly out of shape, and Harbor is just in his 2nd year.

    I’m not saying I’m not happy with our TE’s, but Miller was a Pro Bowler and seems like he’d fit here.

    Just a thought.

  88. 88 Nu B said at 11:35 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    Absolutely fantastic signing. I have loved Brown’s game for a long time. That is one tough dude.

    Geez, remember the days when we used to get fired up for Rocky Boiman signings? How much has changed…

  89. 89 MannaFromKevin said at 11:55 PM on August 2nd, 2011:

    Get ’em, Tommy! Get ’em!

  90. 90 Stephen said at 12:13 AM on August 3rd, 2011:

    I go to work, more FA’s sign, head keeps spinning trying to wrap my mind around whats going to happen with roster.

    Tommy we need an update, stat! I dont know anything about Ryan Harris or Jarrad Page.