Keep This In Mind…
Posted: January 30th, 2012 | Author: Tommy Lawlor | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 92 Comments »When we talk about the draft, we’re not looking for a bunch of starters. We are figuring out which positions to add some talent to.
QB Mike Vick
FB Owen Schmitt (free agent likely to be retained)
RB LeSean McCoy
WR Jeremy Maclin
WR ???
WR Jason Avant
TE Brent Celek
LT Jason Peters
LG Evan Mathis (free agent likely to be retained)
OC Jason Kelce
RG Danny Watkins
RT Todd Herremans
DE Trent Cole
DT Cullen Jenkins
DT Mike Patterson
DE Jason Babin
WB Brian Rolle
MB ???
SB ???
SS Kurt Coleman
FS Nate Allen
CB Nnamdi Asomugha
CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
NB Joselio Hanson
Right now, those are the 3 holes I see in our starting lineup. I think MLB will be addressed in free agency. WR might be as well. And heck, the whole DeSean situation could still get resolved if he and Drew visit Planet Earth for a while. SAM is the one starting spot that we might be looking for a starter.
When we talk about wanting DL or whatever, it isn’t to make the guys starters, but rather to nab a talented guy to have in place for the future. We’ve got some age on the DL and at OT. CB is tricky since DRC will be a free agent after 2012. Adding a stud DT isn’t a way of giving Cullen Jenkins the boot, it’s something we might do if the right guy is available.
Last year we went into the draft uncertain about C, RG, and RT. We had questions at LB and RCB. LDE was a need spot. So was Safety. This is a whole other situation. We’ve got a fairly stable lineup right now. We’ll add a FA or two or three, but then the draft will be more about depth and the future than 2012 starters.
I certainly hope that if they don’t re-up Desean, at least they will franchise him. So that takes care of the hole at WR for a year anyway.
I think a superior linebacker could make a world of difference for this defense.
Well there are a few nice WR free agents out there that would look nice in Eagle green. Maybe letting Desean go might not be a bad idea at this point and we will get a supplemental pick in the draft afterwards anyways.
If the eagles replace desean with a diff top tier free agent they probably would not get a supplemental pick.
Didnt know that. I think with Deseans unreasonable demands and the current free agent class. It might be better just to change WR with a free agent and just let him go.
If they can franchise him and trade him and get a pick and sign a good free agent than good.
Tommy
I would seriously like to upgrade some of our starters and not go into next season with the status quo. As I said in the past, I do worry that the Eagles are not good evaluators and they do tend to “dream” a bit in their projections. And with a 16 game season, theres no time for dreaming and wishful thinking as we saw this year. I seriously would like to add 1 or more safeties (at least one stud safety — with playmaking ability, 2 or 3 linebackers of course a playmaking “aware” MLB and at this point lets upgrade at Desean’s position to a better all around wide receiver. His unreasonable demands are a good time to upgrade his position (not that he was that bad 2 years ago) and move on.
And can you please tell me why Coach Reid doesnt speak to the fans and media after such a disappointing season ? … again when he wins 10 or more games and gets us into the playoffs and possibly the superbowl i can overlook his bad tendencies but after a season like last year cant he try to help the fans enjoy the Eagles and our offseason a bit more?
Who is this magical all powerful Stud safety you want. I mean shit I want a unicorn that shoots fireballs from its eyes but if its not on the market I’m shit out of luck. While this may come off as a bit of a personal attack against you it isn’t rather more just me being tired of people demanding we upgrade Safety when the best upgrades availible are marginal at best.
I would like someone with some kind of skill set that can do at least one certain job well and then the defense can be taylored to fit each players abilities as a whole. Maybe there isnt a “full skill set” safety out there maybe we can at least get someone thats “an upgrade” on what we have to at least get marginally better.
You asked for stud safety with playmaking ability. That to me is Ed Reed and Troy Polamulu. They are few and far between. An upgrade is a different request and can be argumentative. We got 3 guys with going into their 2nd and 3rd years in the league so there may still be upside with their play. I would say the best you could expect or ask for is a veteran safety with some success in the league. That is not a long term answer. The long term answer lies in some cast off or reclamation project (which is very risky indeed) or some future draft pick. I would love for us to look at Laron Landry if the price is right. That would be a risk I would take. However, I think the skins will do what they do, spend too much money and reatain him. Also, he has spent the last two seasons trying to play through a achilles injury that has made him miss some time….and he elected to not have surgery on it which makes me wonder the nature of the injury.
I’m a Philly ex-pat living in DC and the Redskin beat reporters are all saying that Landry likely played his last season with the Skins. Redskins wanted Landry to have surgery for his Achilles tendon, he refused last week and is gambling that he will be healthy enough when FA period comes around. He is a huge injury risk (missed a lot of games past two seasons) and I doubt he will get anything above a 1 year deal.
They could have had Landry and/or Haynesworth in the McNabb trade and took the pick instead. At the time they had a major S need, which says to me they’re not all that interested in LaRon.
His history of muscle pulls and tears are no accident, IMO.
I don’t exactly remember it being we refused to take either player and took the picks instead. I remember that Landry and Haynesworth were trade options but it was more something that was getting kicked around on both sides but nothing concrete or that could be characterized as an offer which we refused. I can be persuaded with a link to an article. Landry is not without risk and if you think his muscle tears and pulls are no accident….or in otherwords he has juiced up his frame a bit too much; that would certainly change my opinion on taking a flyer on him. As for the surgery everyone knows it is a issue. I don’t see why he doesn’t go ahead a do it. His value is what it is. Not getting a surgery that various team doctors will recommend after a team physical doesn’t help his value.
I wish I wrote this post:
“Who is this magical all powerful Stud safety you want. I mean shit I want a unicorn that shoots fireballs from its eyes but if its not on the market I’m shit out of luck.”
SO SO often we hear this argument about why didn’t they get this coach or that player as though you can just have whoever you want and the 31 other teams are non-entities. And if you can’t get whoever you want you aren’t committed to winning.
The model franchises are still the Patriots, Packers and Steelers. All of them have a QB, a stud defensive player or two, and then they draft like wildmen. None of this running out and signing the best available player all the time … because solving your issues sometimes takes players from within to play team football within a system and/or get better. Change is not always the answer it appears it might be. Doesn’t mean be scared to change, but it does mean that at least have someone in mind when you post.
Like for instance, when we let DeSean walk, I say we give his deal to Dwayne Bowe. Assuming he wants to leave. Also I want Pierre Garcon and Vincent Jackson and Robert Meacham. Oh wait, I’m doing it now too.
Nahh D3Keith. You are actually providing legit names of targets that we can go after if Desean walks instead of whining as to why the FO won’t pay Desean like a top 5 WR. While I hope Desean stays because I believe in his upside still, I would not be dissapointed as it appears his body is not changing to allow him to survive for the long haul. Oh yeah, look at the Gints. They made the superbowl without a Desean type of player and had to play against him twice. If he leaves I will not have buyer’s remorse for lack of better term as I feel we can still be good offensively without him and I don’t think he will be a guy that will stay in division.
I’m sure the Eagles would like to upgrade a spot or two. The point is that you have to come up with a basic plan. You list out the projected starters and focus first on filling holes.
Then you can look around and see where upgrades are possible.
As for the stud Safety…I don’t think there are more than a handful in the entire NFL. This notion that the Eagles can just go grab one…I wish.
Reid will hold a PC in the near future. He can’t right now because he’s still working on things. Once things are finalized, he’ll talk. If he tried to hold a PC now, he couldn’t very well say much that would be helpful. That would only make the situation worse.
The Eagles have been really poor at evaluating what they need and what they want each player to accomplish on game day. Yes they know what they want each player to accomplish but at times last year it was not realistic (nnamdi asomugha etc) and didnt fit each players “skill sets” — (round peg square hole) or they just chose the wrong player whether it was through the draft or free agency. The true pickups were where we had coaches that actually knew what they want and what they are looking for (Mudd OL Washburn DL) other then that we have been clueless (overall I mean).
The Eagles are just the opposite of the Giants. (I hate that too). They again had a lot of setbacks in their 2011 offseason and it seemed like their world was over. But surprise, they are in the SuperBowl.
We need to talk not what we cant do but what WE CAN DO and make it happen. Find that safety.
Tommy do you agree on what Reid is doing holding off the press conference?
Does this man not know what direction he wants to bring this team in or has no plan for a DC (that he can share with us) … I mean what is his deal Tommy (you being an insider and all) — it seems very arrogant to me especially when if he wants Juan back he can just say Juan is my DC at his press conference.
Ignoring availability, I do think safety is a position that can be upgraded. While I agree with Tommy that we have a few guys with potential, we have seen many times that players don’t always reach their potential, and to me, “we liked them and felt he could get the job done” will not be an acceptable excuse if Nate Allen, Kurt Coleman, or Jaquan Jarrett do not improve on their mediocre play from last season. Having said that, I also agree with Tommy that finding a good safety is not a simple task. I don’t follow college football carefully, so I can’t say much about players coming out in the draft, but based on most of the draft stuff I have read, no safety really jumps out. On top of that, we have gone that route with two 2nd round picks in the last two years. In terms of FAs, we still have to find out who gets resigned by their own team, but among the potential free agents, there are only a few that have any talent beyond what we already have. I do think that if any of those guys do happen to become available, the Eagles need to not fall in love with potential and recognize that there is the potential to upgrade the position. At worst, a move like that would create competition. At best, you sign a stud FA safety and have a quality backup.
Crappy Safety class. Not good choices.
This is the year to stick with they guys we have and see what they do. If they fail to impress, next season you upgrade. You just spent a 2nd Rd pick on Allen, Jarrett. You have to find out if they can be the guys. Coleman has shown that he can be at least an adequate starter.
There is one S spot open. They can fill that with a pick or veteran and that player will provide competition. Colt tore his ACL so late that I’m not counting on him making it back for the start of the year. PUP maybe.
Tommy – Domowich notes in his column this morning that Keenan Clayton was a safety for several years in college. He thinks the birds should switch him from LB to Safety. This is something I’ve wondered about since they drafted him. I wonder if you could look at a guy like him as a first down and short yardage safety and nickel LB? Thoughts?
I’d be surprised if the Eagles did that . . .
I mean, the Oklahoma coaching staff didn’t think he could play safety in college. Where the receivers are not nearly as good. And OU’s defensive front 7 is usually pretty loaded.
What exactly makes Domowich think Clayton can play safety?
Oh, he didn’t say? Shocking.
This is why Sheila is the only reporter I even bother to read. Make Clayton a safety? Oh sure, love to see him get matched up against a big WR like Marshall. Bahahahahaha
Clayton is a solid nickel LB who may grow into a WLB. You use him in the nickel package, if you draft a big safety like Ikola, you can put him into the nickel package as a LB (like Dawk in 2008).
You don’t take a LB with hips too tight to play safety in college (which in many college defenses is a rover back, or basically a nickel LB) and make him a pro safety.
Tommy
No more wasted seasons! Bring someone in here to battle that has had some success in the NFL and if allen or coleman push him aside good! Im tired of sitting through “hopeful — maybe they will work out players” . We are not a rebuilding team and shouldnt look at next season as “tryouts” at any positions but lets try to upgrade this team both now and for the future. Taking s chance on a good (upgrade to what we have safety) is not a bad decision. Let Allen and Coleman “earn” the spots based on what they do this year at the camps and preseason: dont give them anything.
WHO? This is the problem with people identifying certain needs and whining that the Eagles don’t fill them. The Eagles aren’t the ones who determine what’s on the market. You can’t buy what’s not for sale.
Who is a distinct upgrade out there who might (MIGHT) be available on the FA market? If you can’t find someone who is a guaranteed upgrade, why would you bother? And as Tommy said, there’s no one in the draft class that makes you think they’d be an immediate upgrade, either.
It’s fine wishing for upgrades, but to complain about the Eagles’ inaction when there is no one worth getting just makes you sound silly.
Its not whining. Its facing the fact that this is a franchise that has never won a Super Bowl. Meanwhile every other team in this division has won multiple super bowls and the Giants who had a devastating offseason might just win another Super Bowl. As for the safety market, any one veteran safety that has had success in the past can put together 1 good season and help us in 2012. We cant play for 10 years from now but we have to play for NEXT season. Lets address the needs of this team in accordance with trying to win next season, and plan accordingly for the future.
Again, provide names of targets. Propose a trade that gets us what you think we need. That would be a critical solution to the problem. Not just any veteran safety will help us. We know the reasons that we need to upgrade….but who do we target. Give us a name that fits the bill if not then we can’t crticize the FO for not upgrading or standing pat as there is nothing to get done that achieves the goal.
Ok lets see what is available once the dust settles and we see who is available this offseason in the FA market and who might be available for trade. You cant get top tier at every position in this modern NFL but you cant be too frugal either and refuse to bring in “a risk” who has had success in the past and give him another shot. The Eagles always want what they feel is young with an upside. Signing a veteran thats “not in their usual perimeters” could help this team in 2012. As I said we need to play for NEXT season not for the next 5 seasons.
Wait, we never won a Super Bowl? Then sign a new safety.
Sure, as you said, it is possible for some veteran FA cast off by his team to put together a year that makes them a good signing. The question is, is that possibility greater, and greater by a worthwhile margin, than the probability of the guys we have making enough progress to eclipse this hypothetical FA. I don’t see anyone out there that makes me think yes.
We need to have “the pieces” in place for when the 16 game season starts. How it all plays out is hopefully we win games. If we dont bring the players in we dont have them to compete and play. Allen and Coleman arent going anywhere so if we bring in a veteran it will just sweeten the competition and provide depth at a position that could use some improvement.
So, all you are looking for is a stud safety, another starting safety, two or three starting LBs and a wide receiver better than DeSean during the off season? And the Eagles are dreamers?
Yea its called never winning a super bowl. We need to address the needs of this team and somehow get it done. Yes im dreaming of the Eagles winning the Super Bowl in my lifetime. The Eagles dont have to get “dream” players at every position but at least “compentent” sound players at each position. Example we could have had some veteran presence in LB this season. Maybe we would have at least made the playoffs “and dream alittle bit” but we go with projects and reaches. No NFL team in modern history had so many low round picks manning the LB corps yet Eagles in 2011 we treaded out another one of our “secret stratagies” to surprise our NFL opponents once again. No its not dreaming … I just want competence.
This ain’t Madden or fantasy football.
You have to find a player who fits your system, you can fit under the cap, and who wants to come here. Not that easy.
Giants, who you think are brilliant despite barely going 9-7 after being outscored last season, make their share of mistakes.
Rolle costs them $7M a year, and I’d take Coleman over him, they put him near the LOS to blitz b/c they don’t trust him in coverage.
Yes it isnt. Its always a thousand and one excuses why our team cant find a way “to get the job done” They could have drafted Earl Thomas but no we took Brandon Graham 1 pick over the current pro bowler Paul.
We are horrible at our evaluations and horrible at finding players on defense especially draft wise.
I hope all of our current Eagles rise up to be forces to be dealt with on gameday including Coleman, but please hes a what 7th round pick and we cant find anybody better on any teams rosters (trade) or someone formidable in the draft.
What I would like to see the Eagles do is this (draft): Find players they want and move up in the draft and get them providing they can finally figure out who can play in their system and do it well. I dont need them to draft a boatload of players like they have been doing. Find a few guys that can be players and do what it takes to draft them.
I wouldnt mind Rolle im sure hes better than what we have playing right now. This isnt fantasy football and we got to stop living in our Eagle dreamland and come out and realize if we want to win a superbowl we have to play for THIS season and not try to build a team 5 years from now when all our current players are going to be too old anyways.
A veteran presence at LB and a guy to compete at safety is a far cry from the playmaker, stud, and 3 other starters you started with.
No one is going to argue with the idea od bringing in competition.
True. But we have to stop giving the Eagles excuses for not improving this roster and not winning a Superbowl. Lets be go getters and be optimistic and find a way to bring in a playmaker of some type at Safety and Linebacker. Not every team is the brightest and if we know where to look we can trade for a talent or if someone (even if he is older) is available as a free agent that has had success in the past bring him in and lets try to win this thing NEXT season and stop worrying about 5 years from now like we do every off season.
There are some folks on BGN who would love to applaud you for such ideology.
I think Stanley Havili is going to be our FB next year.
Dave Spadaro says the team is high on him. He could win the job. He has never impressed me as a blocker so I’d be nervous about just giving him the job. I’m fine with him and Schmitt fighting for it. Havili does have talent.
Havili SHOULDN’T bulk up…He should just be our 3rd RB. Mix him in at FB in certain packages.
Bring in another true fullback for competition with Schmitt.
That doesn’t sound like a terrible plan, although I was hoping we’d bring in a 3rd RB with some KOR ability as we don’t really have anyone there at this point.
KOR hopefully can be solved through the draft… perhaps with a slot corner…hint hint
Forget FB. Eagles only used Schmitt for 120 snaps.
Shady ran much better out of the 2 TE set than the pro sets.
There are some good H-back candidates, and Harbor could fit that role.
Brad Smelley, 6’2 233
Emil Igwenagu, 6’1 245 (hands?)
Evan Rodriquez, 6’2 242 (blocking?)
I’d like to get someone more useful than Schmitt, someone who can actually catch and be used in multiple roles.
“Last year we went into the draft uncertain about C, RG, and RT. We had questions at LB and RCB. LDE was a need spot. So was Safety. This is a whole other situation. We’ve got a fairly stable lineup right now. We’ll add a FA or two or three, but then the draft will be more about depth and the future than 2012 starters.”
One thing that bothers me is that after going 10-6 and playing a close game against the eventual superbowl champions last year, we had all those holes you mentioned. Then this year, after backing into an 8-8 record and missing the playoffs, we view the team as having only 3 holes. I look at the roster and see the same question marks, so I am not disagreeing with you, but is it possible we are overrating some of the current starters?
The one guy that I am probably most worried about is Vick. Salary cap-wise, I doubt you can justify doing anything but start him (I imagine that even if you could find someone who would want to trade for him, the cap hit would be huge). But if turnovers was our biggest issue this past season, and he had a huge part in that, part of me is concerned that we have significantly overrated Vick. Don’t get me wrong, I do think he is an above average QB, but I do think it is very possible that we have seen his peak in the first half of last season and ever since, he has been on the decline.
I was saying a year ago how the lockout would hurt Vick & the Eagles more than any other team in 2011. He was possibly the best QB until the last few games of 2010. Defenses figured out how to play against him and he needed the offseason with the coaching staff to fix the issues. It’ll probably be somewhat harder to fix since its been a yr and isn’t as fresh, but I think he’ll be a much improved QB in 2012. It’s not really fair to judge his performance this past season since he’s never had the opportunity to work with Andy & Marty during the offseason; as a starter.
We started 1-4 while juggling the lineup and playing some less than stellar football. Things settled down after that and we went 7-4. 2 of those losses came with VY at the helm.
Overreacting to 8-8 would be the worst thing we could do. The lineup is pretty good. Gotta address MLB aggressively. SAM needs help as well.
I’m all for upgrades, but too often I think people mistake change for upgrade. Sometimes the best thing you can do is focus on improving the guys you already have. Stability is a good thing in football. Year 2 Danny Watkins will be an upgrade on what we had. Year 2 Brian Rolle will be an upgrade. A healthy Nate Allen will be an upgrade. And so on.
Not all guys will improve. That is a fact. Not all replacement players would pan out. You’re rolling the dice no matter what you do.
We were 10th in points allowed, 8th in yards allowed.
We were 8th in points scored, 4th in yards gained.
If the Eagles merely get turnovers down from 38 to their norm of 22-25, they’ll win 10-11 games.
2011 was a clusterfuck, but it’s also how you win championships, build a solid base, then get lucky to have an off year, a big draft, a couple key free agents, and boom, you’re a contender, see the Packers and 49ers.
Once you’re a contender, well, anything can happen, see the Giants.
Eagles came four feet away from beating the Pack in 2010 (if Vick just throws the ball higher to Cooper in the end zone).
I understand the idea of adding a DL to the mix. I just thought Jenkins was only here for 1 year for some reason and we were ignoring the possibility of just re-signing him. Haha. Oops.
I have no doubt we will address LB quickly via free agency. That seems like something we’d do to “over-correct” for last year’s mess. Given Asante’s exit and DRC’s contract (I’m sure we’ll try to extend), I wonder if DB is the way to go in this draft. Do we have a lot of options there?
I think a huge underrated need for this team is a QB…
If Vick doesn’t have a pretty good season, I think he’s gone.
He needs to make the playoffs and win at least 1 playoff game.
It might not seem fair but he will be in his 4th year on the team…
1st year: Learning system, getting back into shape.
2nd year: Playing most of the season.
3rd year: First full year of being starter
4th year: First full offseason as starter, will be his 3rd year of starting on this team…
You may say this is his only his first full offseason but thats NO excuse.
He’s a 10 year + Veteran QB in the NFL……..
HE’S A 100 MILLION DOLLAR QUARTERBACK IN THIS LEAGUE…
I know he’s a person but he really needs to work everyday in the offseason and get ready for this year.
I honestly think this year is Superbowl or we’re going to change this team big-time….
We need to find a QB of the future.
Tommy, give me some names that we can get in the later rounds that has talent, a little bit of mobility and someone that could fit here.
Yeah, but this isn’t the year we draft a QB. Not if Reid is truly in a “win now” mode and must think about making the Playoffs at all costs this season. Using an early pick on a QB when you won’t be coaching him next season would be a wasted pick.
I’m in full agreement. Matter of fact I think that Vick does not have the attributes required to be a star quarterback in this league on a consistent basis. The bottom line is that he is just not a clutch player or a leader – and those two things overlap. There is no way we make a deep playoff run without having to win a few tight games. I have zero confidence in his ability to lead the team down the field against a good defense and score at the end of the game. He can be a star for a game or two but not consistently enough to take a team through a 16 game season and make a playoff run.
Also, his reliance on athletic ability is a problem. We all see that getting out of the pocket and making a few runs often gets things clicking for him. His ability to do this will start to diminish soon. Guys with his type of speed don’t get faster in their 30s – just the opposite. Also, the kind of hits he takes doing this aren’t gonna help as he ages.
Because his receivers screw up?
Smith deflects a perfect pass into an interception, Maclin and Avant get stripped. It’s a team game.
Vick has the swagger of a winning QB, what he needs is to get comfortable as a pocket QB, and that takes time and reps.
If you compare his first 1700 attempts in Atlanta, when he had no clue, with Eli’s first 1700 attempts, they’re not far apart.
Vick 930 1730 53.8% 6.7 71-52 75.7 (6 years)
Eli 892 1608 55.5% 6.4 71-55 75.6 (2-4th seasons)
Eli improved in his 5th season, took another step up his 7th season
Vick improved in Philly, should take another step up in 2012.
A few QBs come on the clam shell, Marino, Peyton, but most take 4-5 seasons to hit their stride (Brees, etc).
Vick is exceptional because he’s never received real QB coaching, both b/c his coaches were happy to ride his athleticism (think Buddy and Randall) and because he was too immature to accept guidance.
People get so enamored with Vick’s running they forget that he’s an exceptional thrower, he has one of the strongest arms in the NFL and a quicker release than Drew Brees. Vick has been undergoing a crash course in how to play QB in Philly, but it’s something you only learn through reps. He ran a simplified offense in 2010, they added a lot to his plate in 2011 and he struggled, with a full offseason he should be more comfortable. Don’t forget, it would take time for any QB to adjust to Mudd’s blocking schemes, I don’t think I’ve ever seen offensive line “stunts” before.
If I had to draw a parallel, it would be Rich Gannon who started a few years, bounced around, then emerged as an elite QB at age 34 for four seasons. Or Steve Young, who was horrible in Tampa Bay, sat behind Montana for years, then emerged as a great QB at age 30. Or Warren Moon who joined Houston at age 28, didn’t emerge as a top QB until age 32, played at that level through age 36.
I think you have some good points here and, as a diehard lifelong fan, I certainly hope you are right. However, I think you and I are really talking about two different things. I don’t question Vick’s ability; it is the mental part and the absolutely intangible “clutchness” that I question. Remember that Smith tipped the ball to his old teammates in the first quarter – not the fourth. Maclin’s fourth quarter game crushing drop against Atlanta – that pass was from Kafka. Avant in Buffalo – that was painful but remember Vick had four interceptions in that game prior to that. How about the Green Bay wildcard playoff game last year? We have the ball to win the game Vick forces a pass into the endzone to Cooper who seems to be running a half-hearted go route? Interception. Season over. This is what I’m talking about. The end of big games that are close. How many playoff games this year have required a quarterback to take his team down and score with little time left. Heck – Brees and Smith did it four times in the Niners/Saints game. I don’t think there are a lot of metrics that can measure “clutchness.” You have it or you don’t and I don’t see it in Vick. I live in Virginia and have been watching him since he was a QB at VA Tech. I just don’t see it. He is a tremendous athlete but, for whatever reason, Ron Mexico has a bad habit of coming out at the wrong moment.
Joe Montana was not really that great an athlete. He was an intelligent guy who had the knack for making plays at critical points in a game. He was also a leader. These are not things I see in Vick. The comparison of Vick to Gannon makes little sense to me. Those guys couldn’t be more different. Vick was the man from day one. He led his team to the NFC championship game in his third year. Gannon isn’t a tremendous athlete. He needed to marinate in the NFL for a number of years to learn how to succeed. This is not Vick. Eli is an interesting comparison. He is a decent athlete that was a high pick expect to start almost right way. However, it would appear that he does have the ability to lead and make key plays in a game – and it pains me to say this. Remember that Vick isn’t a youngster. I know he spent a few years in the poke but he really should be showing what he has at this point. Obviously, we have another year with Vick. This year he’ll have the full off-season to bring it all together. Let’s hope I’m wrong but the Birds do have a contract out after this upcoming season.
I hope DRC doesn’t ask for a big contract when we try to work at his deal…He deserves some good money but not top corner money..Hopefully he’s not mad at us for making him play in the slot.
I’ve no doubt Banner and Roseman will out-negotiate DRC’s agent and DRC, too.
Then DRC can sulk during his free-agent season, play like crap, and leave.
Then the Eagles can plug in someone like Marsh or Hughes and lower their costs.
See how nicely that works out.
Every team has this problem, it has nothing to do with Banner, who is actually pretty on target on what players are worth, Trotter is a good example, he’s the first one to admit he screwed up and was offered a fair deal.
Difference is, some players (Fitz, Aso) are pros and don’t take contract negotiations onto the field, others are immature (DeSean) and screw themselves.
Am I correct in thinking you seem to be steering away from drafting Kuechly Tommy and would actually prefer a FA option? I actually think that might be a better option, especially if we somehow manage to get Curtis Lofton. Getting more and more open to a WR in the first..
I now have a bit of a Vinnie Curry man-crush after the senior bowl. Think he’d be ideal value with our second second rounder. Keenan Robinson didn’t impress me, he is who we though he was. Great in coverage, not physical enough. The play where he got blocked downfield by the RB Martin that went for a TD turned me off him.
I still covet Kuechly, but just think the team will go for MLB in free agency so that the spot is addressed for sure.
Am I the only one who views Avant as someone we shoudl replace?
He creates zero in the way of match up problems. Sure he runs great routes and has great hands, but at the end of the day, a team could cover him with a LB on a given play…I’d like to see a faster/quicker WR in the slot for our team.
Jason is a guy we could look to upgrade.
I might be alone – but I’d honestly like to see this team go offense over and over in the up-coming draft. I said before and will say again – I’d like the first three picks to be spent on offense…
I wouldn’t be upset at all if our 1st three picks we’re
WR, TE, QB or WR, WR, QB or something to that effect should the values be reasonable…
Coming away with a Michael Floyd and Joe Adams with our 1st and 2nd – would be huge in my mind…Give us a huge target and a speedy guy to work in the slot…
That said I fully expect to be extremely disappointed when they go DL/OL/LB….
Hell will freeze before we take a QB w/ one of our top 3 picks.
Perhaps one Joe Adams?
Am I the only one who really hopes to resign Desean to a long-term deal?!
I still remember the “bad” old days when we couldn’t find an above-average WR in the Draft..Fredex, Billy McMullen, Greg Lewis, Todd Pinkston, Na Brown etc.
Finally we have found two (DJax, Maclin) in back-to-back drafts. There is absolutely no guarantee that any rookie WR in this year’s draft class will step in Desean’s shoes who is only one of 5 WR in the history of the NFL to produce more than 900 receiving yards in each of his first 4 seasons.
And it’s not like Maclin has yet proved to be be able to stay healthy for 16 games in a season….
Talk to DeSean/Drew. Get them to realize he’s not a Top 5 WR and ask for reasonable money. This isn’t about the Eagles. They’ve offered good money. DJax thinks he’s elite. He’s not.
unless they drop their asking price I will be fine if we pick up Joe Adams in the 2nd rd
After the initial mishap, Adams did look strong.
Yeah, that’s the thing. I think many of us would love to bring back DeSean- but we don’t want to greatly overpay him. His expectations of pay do not meet his play.
Re-signing DeSean would be my top priority.
The only reason I could see why I’d want him re-signed is he’s a guy I wouldn’t want to see on another team. But I also feel like the game is changing where he’s not as effective.
I think we Eagles fans both overvalue and undervalue his impact on the field. His field stretching abilities is very very nice, but rarely do you have the time to make those throws and watching guys like Fitzgerald and Cruz, I would love to have a strong WR with RAC abilities.
I think most of us “hope’ he’s re-signed, but I think many us have come to the realization that it isn’t going to happen.
I’m happy NOT to resign DeSean.
His body type suggests a short career from now on.
Speed and acceleration peak in a player’s early 20s.
Strength peaks from 25-28.
DeSean has shown no evidence that he’s capable of adding strength, so unlike Steve Smith or Santana Moss, he won’t be able to compensate when he loses his tremendous burst in the next couple years.
The problem is if DeSean loses a step of separation on deep routes, he has mediocre hands and no vertical, so he’s not going to win a lot of jump balls. Nor does he have the body or courage to make a living underneath, he’s not a sharp route runner nor is he elusive in the open field (he depends on his burst, see his punt returns, when he has a lane he explodes through it, when he doesn’t he dances and runs out of bounds). Use him on those underneath routes and concussion city is inevitable.
Won’t surprise me if he’s out of the league or a marginal player by age 28. His best career path is as a Keith Jackson like deep threat who’s primarily a decoy, but you don’t pay $8M, much less $10M for that kind of receiver.
I am starting to think that, if they think that they could develop Tannehill, he could be the first pick. I know Tommy’s review of him so far wasn’t glowing, but he does seem to have a good arm, good mobility, is intelligent (wants to eventually become an orthopedic surgeon), and has shown decent accuracy for someone who has not played QB his entire college career. What I have read about him as a concern is his decision-making and reading defenses. If they feel that that is an experience issue that they can “coach up,” I wonder if they would go for that “future starter” at QB now. That would give him at least one year behind Vick to learn and grow.
They have to be a bit concerned about what the future at QB is if Vick doesn’t have a very good, healthy year next year. It isn’t Kafka, and this could be their opportunity to go after a guy with franchise-level ability. It could be risky in that the effect on Vick and the rest of the team might be unknown, but I think Vick is enough of a competitor that it might force him to raise his game (as opposed to McNabb, who seemed to sulk more about Kolb being drafted). And of course Tannehill is a bit risky, so missing on him sets you back 3-4 years, but it’s not like Andrew Luck is going to fall into their laps.
I could see them signing a few solid FA’s to fill holes (MLB, either DeSean or preferably a bigger WR, maybe someone like Jason Jones), and then going for the QB in round 1. It might help stave off the fans if they don’t go far in the playoffs next year, by having the “next guy” in place, whether Reid stays or not. Hopefully it would be the right guy as well.
And when the next guy comes in and says I want my guy?
Man, I’m sold on Kuechly.
I just don’t want to go back to the musical chairs game at MLB.
Please football gods, no more band aides at MLB.
Kuechly may be a “tackling machine” — as T-LAW calls him.
But with the 15th pick in the 1st round, I have to believe a team should pick someone who’s productivity is equaled by their athleticism . . . because in the NFL, Luke will be facing a whole new level of talent.
He’s clearly not in the same league athletically as Ehrlacher (freak), Willis, or Beason. Seems more like Laurinaitis, Puz or Connor.
But I hope he’s the difference maker Tommy talks about if that where AR goes.
Myself . . . I’d like to see the Eagles *sell out* and get Justin Blackmon or trade down a few slots for Alshon Jeffrey.
Compare Maclin and Nicks: according to the NFL, Nicks is only 1 inch taller and 10 pounds heavier.
But in a game, Nicks plays way more physically. He makes Maclin seem small.
Jackson isnt much smaller then Steve Smith of the Panthers but we all know how different style of WRs they are.
Maclin is perfect WR for screens etc where he can use his speed, where Nicks is much more physical in his game.
I’m pretty sure Mudd and his little scooter can cover Jeffery. A guy who struggles to get separation in college isn’t going to suddenly start torching guys in the league.
Can’t look at Maclin in 2011 and come to any conclusions.
Geez, the guy was emaciated in training camp, doubt he ever got to 200 lbs this year, and lack of strength lead to dings.
Nicks is stronger, but a healthy Maclin is faster and better at getting separation, as well as better hands. Maclin is a smooth route runner, reminds me of Torry Holt.
Tommy,
I really would love for the eagles to sign a guy like London Fletcher to stick in the middle of the D. I think he would really provide some much needed stability in the middle of that defense and then add someone like Zach Brown in the draft for the SAM spot. I know Brown can struggle to get off blocks but with the way the league has moved towards recently with the TE I think he would be a valuable addition with his coverage and blitz ability. What are your thoughts?
Scenario #1: Sign a MLB(whoever you like) in FA. Resign Mathis. Desean walks. This leaves us with needs at WR and SAM. This leaves us some flexibility in Rd1. We have the ammo to go up or down. I’d rather we stand pat and actually get 3 picks in the top 50.
Scenario #2: Sign a MLB in FA. Resign Mathis. Resign Desean. Obviously if Desean stops listening to The Devi..-er-Rosenhaus, this is what the FO would prefer. This leaves us with essentially one spot we have to fill. Do you draft a SAM in Rd. 2-3 and go BPA in the 1st? or still pick up Keuchly at our spot in Rd1 and put him at SAM? Then go BPA, for a WR/DT in RD 2. etc.
Reports out there that Todd Bowles is in for a interview for DB coach today and likely to be hired. Guess this is kind of sort of expected….good move?
http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/inq-eagles/138322809.html
Well I guess Bowles is an upgrade over Lynn. Feels kind of anti-climactic though.
Tommy,
Maybe the FO are thinking that they need to retain Shady and Maclin to new expensive contracts within next year, and then maybe DeSean is not worth extending with what he demands.
With that in mind, I don’t think we will go out an spend big bucks on a FA WR. Otherwise we could just as easily retain DeSean. IF he is let go, I think we spend a 1st or 2nd round pick on a WR.
Maybe Wright, Sanu, etc… I don’t want Floyd (why didn’t he go to the Senior Bowl? Major red flag in my opinion!)
I’d argue that at least one of the safety positions is a hole.
I want George Iloka of Boise State with one of the second round picks.
I also want BPA DL/CB/WR with the first round pick, and a MLB in free agency.
I’m strangely confused that I generally agree with this except the fact that Iloka will be available later than the 2.
Leave him alone. Morton is the draft king….or at least he can do better than Howie and Andy with the internet, youtube and a couple of draft magazines at his disposal.
dont forget hindsight
Heres an offtopic but truly horrifying statistic: Jarrad Page missed a tackle every 5.1 attempts (no surprise there) however…
The worst tackler amongst safeties in the league was Tampa Bay’s Tanard Jackson, who missed an amazing 24 tackles, or one for every 2.4 he attempted.
cue the psycho shower scene music and scream. As bad as Page was this year at tackling, Jackson was TWICE as bad… whoever Tampa’s equivalent of T-Law is must have walked off a bridge this season.
Tommy, the Panthers might cut Thomas Davis because their cap space is tight. Would he be a good pickup if he hits the open market?
He tore his ACL in Sept….His third in less than two years..
T-Law:
Why is *replacing* D-Jax, if he leaves, with a draft pick or FA so important? (Putting aside if Justin Blackmon fell to 15 in rd 1.)
Under Andy Reid, the Eagles went to the NFC title game 5 times with the likes of Thrash, Pinkston, Na Brown, Mitchell, Antonio Freeman, and Hank Baskett and Kevin Curtis. And they won the ’04 game w/ TO on the bench with an injury.
Riley Cooper may not be Calvin Johnson, but he seemed to get his share of good open looks when he played. He’s big, and he can run decently. And Maclin’s very, very solid.
Just wondering.
One thing people don’t understand about deep threats, speed is nice, but size is also effective. Burress ran a 4.6 at his pro day, but could win jump balls, Cooper showed this year he can make plays on deep balls, he just needs more consistently running the bread and butter routes and catching the ball. But he’s going to win a lot of jump balls matched against 5’11 CBs.
I wouldn’t want Cooper as my #1, but he might be more than adequate as a #2 on an offense where they spread the ball around and get Harbor and the FB/H-back more involved in the passing game.
Better option than Landry is Goldson in SF, but he may resign.