Waiting For Godot…Or Spags
Posted: January 19th, 2012 | Author: Tommy Lawlor | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 64 Comments »Ever heard the old saying that silence can be deafening? Sometimes it can just be silent. And that’s the way things feel now.
Steve Spagnuolo was in New Orleans yesterday. He either didn’t get the job or didn’t want the job. We aren’t hearing any definitive reports from down there. One report said that Sean Payton may go to the Senior Bowl and meet with some candidates down there. Payton doesn’t want to rush into a decision. There was a report making the rounds that Jack Del Rio had been sighted in New Orleans. If true, that could be to meet with Payton or simply to visit since Del Rio’s wife is from Louisiana.
There are no reports today on the whereabouts of Spags. I’m guessing that he went over to Texas to chill out with Wooderson and Mitch Kramer. I know that’s where I’d be if given a choice of places to hang out.
No updates on the Eagles and defensive coaches.
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Someone in Las Vegas put out odds that Marty Mornhinweg is the favorite to become the new coach of the Indianapolis Colts. I just don’t see it, but I certainly would support it.
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Jamar Chaney had successful neck surgery yesterday in Charlotte, NC. That is my hometown and I do have some connections in the medical community down there, but I swear that reports of a nurse telling Jamar “Tommy said to tackle better or else” are completely false. Never happened. As far as you know.
I am glad to hear that things went well, but Jamar remains a major source of frustration for me. His play dropped so significantly from 2010 that it is almost crazy. I hope he has a great offseason and then makes me feel stupid for ever doubting him, but…I’ve got my doubts about that happening.
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I watched a bit of tape on Luke Kuechly last night. I’ve had a few people expressing doubts on him lately. I naturally called them heretics and had them forcibly removed from the village, but just to be safe figured I’d go back and watch Luke some more.
I put on the Miami game. They have big OL, fast runners, and good skill players. Miami’s Lamar Miller got loose for a long TD, but it looked like he hit a gap that a S or OLB should have covered. Luke was blocked on the play, but away from the ball. Miller saw daylight and just exploded. That dude can run.
Miami threw a short pass and Kuechly flew over to tackle the guy for minimal gain. He then got Miller in the backfield on a run.
There was a run to Luke’s left. He used his hands to keep blockers off his body and flowed to the ball, then making the tackle.
Miami threw a deep ball down the middle. Luke was there to make the play, but his hand just missed the ball. And this was a good 30 yards downfield. I know some people have asked about his cover skills. Luke isn’t a guy like Keenan Clayton that can fly around the field like a giant Safety, but he has good cover skills for a MLB. Greg Lloyd, who we drafted last year, was the kind of guy who truly is a 2-down run defender that you flat out don’t want on the field. Kuechly is fine on passing downs. The reason you pull him off is if you have other players you want to get on the field.
I only watched part of the game, but that was the contest when Luke jumped the pass over the middle, picked it off, and then ran it back 45 yards for a TD.
I came away feeling very good about Luke. He tackled well. He showed good range. He was instinctive. He fought to keep blockers off him. That’s what I want in a MLB for the type of defense we’re running now.
I was concerned about Miami LB Sean Spence, another player I’m fond of. He really struggled with BC’s OL getting to him. Spence did have 14 tackles (4 solo), but didn’t look as good as I’d hoped. I’m not sure if he’s a fit for the Eagles anyway. WLB for us, but doesn’t appear to be a serious upgrade over Brian Rolle so why take him?
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I’ll put up some type of Shrine Bowl preview tomorrow, as it relates to the Eagles.
Not a great set of players.
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In case you missed it, my PE.com column was about whether there were any lessons to be learned from the playoffs, specifically last weekend’s games.
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Want to support some fellow Eagles fans? There is a band called The Whiskey Saints (I’m assuming the PBR Saints is already taken) that has some our Eagles brethren in the lineup.
You can go to their website and listen to their music. Good stuff. I really dig “Before My Time”. Good song. I still can’t confirm if Joe “Mama” Besser every played drums for them.
Here is an Eagles themed video they did. We have 4 dudes in Eagles jerseys playing against scantily clad ladies in a game of football. Sadly, they played just like the 2011 Eagles. The highlight for me is when one of the chicks uses a throat slash gesture to taunt our downed hero. Well done. Be sure to check it out.
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Speaking of quality videos…go check this out. This is old stuff from the Eagles 25/8 show. It is David Akers and Jon Dorenbos having a snapping competition in the locker room. David Akers will blow your mind. Amazing stuff.
As just a novice follower of potential draftees, I saw a few games which Luke played in. The game I really watched throughout was this year’s game against Notre Dame. Despite being at my camp and drinking and eating heavily that day, I still came away quite impressed. More than once he either read and attacked the runningbacks on screens and wheel routes perfectly.
Not that Notre Dame is great competition, but even if he’s not as effective on 3rd down as a speedy player, I wouldn’t be uncomfortable with him out there with someone like Rolle, Matthews or Clayton in the nickel. As a dime guy, obviously not, but I think he can cover most NFL running backs and TEs relatively well.
I still say WR should be priority #1….and wouldnt’ be upset if they drafted a QB (via a trade up or down).
I don’t care about the defense despite their short comings, turn the ball over less, score more, and the Eagles are in the playoffs.
If we address MLB with a pro move, I’m fine with taking a WR in the 1st round. I’d love to find a way to get Justin Blackmon. Watched him yesterday and I love that dude. Big, strong WR. Plays tough.
I realize mock drafts are kind of a joke, but Kiper has Blackmon going 2nd. Do you really see it as a possibility he’s around where the Eagles can get him without pulling a Julio Jones?
As far as the offense goes: we’ll see what Vick can do with a full offseason, the o-line looks good, RB isn’t really an issue, and the WRs and TEs are a decent group. Could use a FB like Leonard Weaver, but nothing new about that.
Really I think the offense next year needs a big, physical playmaker. I don’t really care if it’s a WR or TE, just somebody tough who will go up and fight for the ball. Like you said in the PE article about TEs: “Defenses hate facing these players because they don’t have defenders who match up well with them.” Someone who drives D coordinators nuts because LBs aren’t fast enough, CBs aren’t big enough to bring them down, and safeties can’t stay with them.
Blackmon could go super high or slip down to pick 10. Depends on how he runs and if there are any character issues. If the price is right, he’d be a player I would be willing to move up for.
Agreed on getting a big, physical playmaker.
If we give up both our seconds and our first we can get as high as number 4.
Somewhere I read a smart article how the impact of WRs is overrated and basically Falcons did the worst thing possible by trading so much for Jones. A lot of it made sense, just can’t remember where I read it…
Victor Cruz thinks they definitely paid too much for him.
I think it’s kind of like RBs. You can find good to really good players in later rounds and seems nobody wants to invest 1st rounders on them anymore.
But then again nobody should undervalue the impact of a great RB like Peterson or last season McCoy. Same goes to receivers like Fitzgerald or Megatron.
Just seems going for WRs in 1st round is a lot more acceptable than going for a RB, yet so many WRs end up being busts or just good players…
CHFF has said for years that the impact a WR has is really not that big.
Safety is also a position that is sometimes valued too much by fans and really has a lot less of an impact on the overall defensive numbers.
Interesting about safeties. Feels like every great defense of late has a great one … or that teams with at least one great one can do a lot more defensively (Thinking Polamalu, Reed, Dawk, Rodney Harrison, etc.)
It’s probably something you can say of every position though … a superior player at xxx makes a big difference.
T-Law:
When Ray Lewis was drafted, he seemed kind of narrow in the hips and weighed about 220 pounds — 225lb soaking wet. In his prime, though, he must have played in the low 240’s and his base seemed much wider.
So . . . how much more weight do you think Kuechly can add without losing quickness/speed. Also, like Lewis, LK seems kind of lean in the hips. Do you project his base getting wider as he matures — again, w/out losing his best assets.
Trying to project body development is hard. I focus on stuff I know for a fact. Luke is a good tackler and physical player in college. He’s not a fake bully like some guys who pound on WRs and hide from OL. Luke will mix it up with anyone.
He doesn’t have a giant core, but that’s hardly a must in today’s NFL. I think he’s got a big enough frame that he can adjust his body to whatever the coaches/trainers tell him he needs to do.
One thing that stuck out to me (which you mentioned in the PE article) was the Pats using Hernandez as a RB. Anyone remember the Eagles doing something like that in a key game to catch a team off guard or create mismatches? I’m sure they have but nothing springs to mind.
Using the OL coach to run the defense? (rim shot)
Season opener 2009. McD had Trent line up as ILB and rush up the middle. Panthers had never seen that look from us and it gave them problems. Not sure that’s a “key” game. NFC title game when JJ switched Kearse and Burgess to better contain Vick.
There were all the memorable plays when they had Chad Hall lined up in the backfield.
No seriously…that nifty little tight end screen to Brent Celek made him almost a running back. I’m not sure if Reid and Morningwheg invented the play, but I saw it popping up all over the league after I saw the Eagles running it.
I’d like to see Desean Jackson used more like the Pats use Welker. Greg Cosell had a great breakdown at his PE.Com “Film Room” feature on the way the Patriots use Welker the week before the New England game (ugh!). I know Jackson is not the middle of the field guy Welker is, but Cosell talks about how the Pats get Welker the ball in space so he can utilize his PR skills…sound like the skills of any mouthy little lightning in a bottle WR we know?
Problem is, Welker has great hands and fights for yards. That’s a big part of why he’s so effective. Those are not DeSean’s strengths, to put it incredibly mildly.
I know. Desean drove me crazy at times this year, but I think his speed, shiftiness and big play ability make him valuable to the offense. I’d like to see the guy mature, and realize some of his potential, preferably as an Eagle. We’ll have to see how it shakes out.
DeSean really isn’t very shifty, you don’t see him cut back on those end arounds or leave a DBs jock on the field very often. His strength is his great acceleration. But he doesn’t run sharp routes, and doesn’t have great moves in the open field – his big plays on PRs come when he has a lane and explodes through it.
That means if you put him in the Welker role, his career expectancy would be about 6 games. Because he’d take a lot of punishment. Welker is like McCoy, he’s so quick and agile that defenders rarely get a clean hit on him.
I’m starting to wonder if Andy told spags the job is yours of you want it. Spags said let me see what else is out there and now he is sleeping on it. The fact they haven’t confirmed Juan as this years DC tells me he’s not it. I would if they announced Spags and Knowles have joined the eagles. IF MM goes to Indy and Childress comes in that is a pretty impressive coaching staff. Childress/Reid/Spags/Mudd/Washburn/Knowles. Heres to praying and keeping my fingers crossed.
Tommy here’s a question for you about Luke. Do you think since this is pretty much Reids last year and he has to produce next year, does he look more at FA for a MLB that can produce instant results? Luke is an elite talent, but hasn’t taken on NFL guards. He plays in the ACC which isn’t what it used to be. Somebody like a Lofton/Tulluch/Jackson in the short term would be a more productive option then LUke.
“The fact they haven’t confirmed Juan as this years DC tells me he’s not it.”
You could be very right about that, and I had that same feeling after the season, but the longer they continue to not say anything about Juan and we don’t hear anything about DCs being interviewed/being on the Eagles radar (keep in mind, Spags is someone the media suggested the Eagles could be interested in if they went with a new DC. There have been no stories saying the Eagles are actually looking to bring him in), the more I think they plan to stick with Castillo.
I don’t know if any of Tommy’s stories about Spags and the Eagles are based on inside sources, but when he wrote “Ever heard the old saying that silence can be deafening? Sometimes it can just be silent. And that’s the way things feel now,” all I could think of was, but what if he’s wrong. Maybe the silence is telling that the Eagles are sticking with what we have. For me, each passing day makes the silence more and more deafening. Hopefully, I am wrong though…
I hate the fact the eagles have to be so secretive. Just effin announce what your doing.
It’s frustrating at times as a fan when the team is so secretive, but I do think in most scenarios, it is smart for the team to be secretive. For example, if they were interested in Spags, by keeping it secretive, they protected themselves from the media jumping all over them for not being able to bring him here. Also, if they ultimately end up with Castillo, they can claim he was their guy the entire time.
Re: Castillo: I think there is some public perception that Castillo did not cut it as the DC. I don’t know why the Eagles would come out and actually address that perception by saying that Castillo will be the DC for 2012-13. I think that unless otherwise mentioned, Juan’s the guy. Honestly, I think letting the Castillo hire play out may be Mr. Lurie’s way of judging the future of Mike Vick, Andy Reid, and the direction the franchise is heading under Reid. The 2013 offseason is going to demand some big decisions on those issues. If hiring Juan was as bad a move as it’s appeared so far, I think that’s going to reflect poorly on Andy going forward.
I think it will be interesting to see if Spagnuolo coaches at all this year. He had a meteoric rise from assistant to head coach. He had to deal with a lot of fail as a HC, not all of it his fault. From what I can see publicly, Spagnuolo is a guy that pours his heart and soul into the job. Even though he’s happy to have offers to do what he does best, he’s got to be disappointed with how the Rams thing went. It really wouldn’t surprise me if he just takes a season off to recover from burn out. He’s a bright young-ish man that will have a long future in football.
Very well could be that we go with a pro move at MLB. I’m fine with that, as long as the guy is legit and we’re not bargain hunting.
Sorry for the typos. My IPhone is acting up and won’t let me correct them.
I did’nt know you were from Charlotte Tommy..
Born in Charlotte. Lived in NC all my life, for better or worse.
At least it’s not South Carolina.
Geez, talk about ruining your national image.
When you cheer the Newt, well, nuff said.
It’s worse than being a Cowboy’s fan.
Tommy,
Chaney definitely had a disappointing season but how much of that is due to no OTA and a change in position? If he had all of pre-season as the starting MLB as opposed to the WLB, don’t you think he would have had a much better year. I am familiar with Chaney’s neck surgeon, Brigham. He does have an excellent reputation. I just cannot imagine that he is going to be 100% at the beginning of the season.
The lack of an offseason hurt him, but that’s no excuse for missing tackles. That’s basic football. Jamar just didn’t play well in 2011. No two ways about it.
I don’t know if his surgery will seriously affect him in 2012 or not. I hope not for Jamar’s sake, but if there is a silver lining to a situation like this, maybe it will force the Eagles hand at MLB since they can’t talk themselves into giving Jamar another chance.
Don’t worry, he’ll show up. I expected him here already, but he’s coming. Should be here soon. Any time now. Is that him?
Nothing like Bartrum…. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JK11WK2aVQE
this is a strong year for a MLB in free agency. It makes sense for the Eagles to try to fill their biggest holes in free agency because you get veterans and the team has the ability to contend. Kuechly would be a solid pick with relatively low bust potential, but scouts said that about Aaron Curry.
With Kuechly, you could have an average starting MLB, and you could have a guy who takes a few years to adjust to NFL competition, which is why a free agent may be better, especially if you have to trade up for Kuechly. I’m not saying he won’t be a pro bowler but with the team’s offensive and defensive lines set, you can afford to get a FA and pick Kuechly if he falls, having him ready in case of injury or the FA not playing well. Dont’e Hightower may not be fast enough for MLB. Vontaze Burfict may fall to where the Eagles pick in the second round, but you don’t want to count on him right away if they decide they want him at all.
I also think they should re-sign DeSean, because he makes Vick more dangerous. What sets Vick apart from the top QBs is his ability to go deep, and DeSean can run routes which are impossible to defend. DeSean did too good a job of making Eagles fans forget Todd Pinkston and Reggie Brown.
Then you sit there and wait for the best value on the board to fall to you. Andy isn’t happy picking LBs. He wants to pick DE Nick Perry. If Andy isn’t happy it may hurt the team in some way.
All these speculations have created a lot of questions in my mind.
First of all, it’s become apparent to me that I don’t have an understanding of trade value in the NFL. (It doesn’t follow the exact same logic as the NBA, which I have always followed more closely.) Let’s say Blackmon looks like he might go at #2:
-1: Could we put the franchise on Desean and deal both him and Asante (and maybe some draft picks) to St. Louis for their #2 pick.
-2: Is that even feasible? Would we have to throw in more draft picks and/or maybe another player?
-3: What would we have to give them to switch first-round picks?
-4: Would St. Louis find any of this this appealing?
-5: Is any of this a good deal for us? (Note: While keeping Desean might be the best decision we ever make, Desean’s volatile personality and fragile frame makes me willing to deal him, personally.)
Also, the other day I read a good article at Grantland written by Charles Pierce about Belichik’s creativity, particularly with strategically playing his players out of position. This reminded me of an idea someone put out there (in one of the comments on this website, I think) about using Clay Harbor’s relative speed to punch the ball forward in short yardage situations. Is Clay really fast enough for that? Could we really re-purpose him as a big running back?
Speaking of which, there’s been a lot of talk about how elite teams are using a corps of situation-specific running backs instead of a single star running back. If we extend Shady for big money, are we handcuffing ourselves a little? Should we be looking to add a Tolbert-like back, and expect Shady to be okay with getting fewer touches? That can’t be affordable either, can it? Would Shady even accept such a thing? Are we better off doing what New Orleans is doing? The idea of Lesean, our best player, potentially being a net hindrance to our offense makes my head swirl and my stomach a little sick.
Also, we’ve talked a lot about potential DC replacements, but now that we know MM is getting a lot of attention for HC jobs, what are our fallback positions for OC? The obvious logic would be to pick an OC who likes to run the ball so as to balance out AR’s proclivity to throw every down. Childress has been mentioned, but isn’t he big on throwing the ball, too? What are our best options at OC?
(Okay, that’s a lot of topics, but here’s one more for the road: Any chance Jason Campbell will want to pull a Vince Young and become the Eags’ #2 QB in order to learn from AR and get to play in the at least 3 or 4 games that most people expect Vick will be injured?)
Asante has limited trade value because of his age, ill fit for many systems, and his salary (almost $20M the next two years). They’ll be happy to get a 3rd, probably end up with a 4th round pick, they weren’t offered much last year.
DeSean will be hard to trade if some FA WRs hit the market, I can pay a top WR what I have to pay DeSean and NOT give up a draft pick? No brainer. The rest of the league can see DeSean’s limitations and know Rosenhaus is a pain to deal with.
Harbor could be used as a H-back, and he’s lined up in the backfield to block. As a running back? Took Weaver about four years to make the transition. Wouldn’t bother. Better off seeing if Havili has gotten faster and stronger. Or sign someone.
If you pay McCoy, he’ll accept sharing the ball, players get greedy when they’re on a salary drive, once they cash the check, staying healthy becomes more attractive.
Eagles didn’t throw that much, and looking at Celek’s comments in Arizona and the last four games, Vick is getting the message that there’s nothing wrong with throwing dumpoffs, they won’t diss you in the locker room. Hate to break the news, it’s now a passing league, even in places like Baltimore. I assume Culley is next in line, with Pederson as QB coach.
Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. Any ideas on the Jason Campbell-thing? It seems crazy to me, but I know there was some internet speculation about the possibility.
I like your crazy outside the box thinking…. if I were drawing up an insane yet in my opinion fair trade between the Eagles and someone it would look like this (bear in mind there is about .001% chance this would actually happen:
Blackmon slides to the 5th pick
Eagles give: 1st round pick early, 2nd round pick, Desean, Asante
Bucks give: 1st round pick, 3rd round pick
The Cards will probably want picks for their pick rather than veterans that aren’t signed in the long term. Fisher doesn’t have to win immediately so they can build.
Andy picks his coaches, and he would pick a West Coast OC, perhaps promoting Dave Cully. Moving Juan C over to OC crossed my mind but people may cancel their season tickets if they hear that.
Spags going to Saints per Jay Glazer. Damn.
booo
http://youtu.be/umDr0mPuyQc
Yep. Well, I guess the speculation on him coming here can end now.
It will be interesting to see if he makes a difference down there. They had a good DC and got torched this year.
They had a terrible pass rush and crap secondary and they got no 1st round pick to draft an impact player.
Yeah, I read all these articles about how NO is perfect for him, and I don’t quite get it.
Yeah, I read all these articles about how NO is perfect for him, and I don’t quite get it.
Gregg Williams has a great reputation.
But, as I documented yesterday, in 15 years as a DC and HC (12 years/3 years), his defenses have finished in the Top 10 in points allowed only 5 times.
Jim Johnson was known for his bend-but-don’t break philosophy. His bottom line was Points Allowed — target “17”.
So I don’t know if Williams is all he’s cracked up to be.
spags to saints
Tommy,
Like I said earlier, the turn-overs were the biggest culprit for the season’s failure. So, Andy may be thinking if we didn’t have turn-overs we could have been good even with an OK defense (think the offense of Saints, Pats and Packs and their defense)
Your thoughts?
Secondly, would like to hear your thoughts on candidates remaining if we take the route of a new D.C. (Jack Del Rio, ??) I am thinking Todd Bowles may end up being the DC of Miami if he doesn’t get a H.C job considering Nolan left for Atlanta.
Re: Juan and the D.C. position
I like Juan. Seems like a good guy and hard worker.
But this year’s conference title games seems to prove again the old adage that defenses win championships — offenses sell tix (and win in the regular season).
49ers — physical, dominant defense with lots of talent in the front 7.
Giants — another physical defense that really picked up steam the last 4 games of the regular season (allowing less than 60 points I think) and in the playoffs. Fewell’s back on the radar for possible HC candidate.
Ravens — enough said.
The exception is the Patriots . . . who lucked out with an exhibition game against the Broncos last week. Their D-line is lousy. As is their back 4. The LBs — as it seems w/ all Belichick teams — are pretty good.
Again, I’m talking about the playoffs now. Not the regular season.
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So turning back to Juan. Do the Eagles have the defensive coaching and players to stack up with 49ers, Ravens, and Giants in “playoff-style” defense?
Juan may still be a couple of years away from being a good D.C.
And personnel-wise, the Eagles just done seem to close to as physical as the Niners, G’ints, and Ravens. Not just in the back 7 but up front too (‘cept for T-Cole).
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Looks like Spags has made the Eagles’ decision for them.
Lots of luck to him . . . because the Saints’ talent level is pretty weak on the D-side of the ball.
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So here’s hoping Juan’s learning curve is right there w/ the late Steve Jobs.
I can’t think of another guy in the Eagles’ organization whom I’d love to see succeed than JC.
With that argument, do you think Ravens will win over Patriots? Also, in the previous years Packers and Saints have won with amazing offenses, not defenses… I like to think that we can win if we limit our TOs and strengthen our D a little bit (one or two upgrades)
2010 Packers defense was elite
re Juan, hope so, and would love to see him succeed too.
The 49’ers defense looked much more impressive than NYG.
The Giants D has improved recently, but…watching the Giants and Packers game, the Packers looked inept at times.
Packers crappy play in all three phases fed the outcome of that game more than the Giants performance on defense.
Careful. Mitch Kramer’s mom pulled a shotgun on me.
Awesome.
Jay Glazer is reporting the Saints hired Spags for DC. I’m beginning to think it’ll be Castillo for one more year (or is it Juan more year?).
EDIT: seems others beat me to it…
Tommy,
If both DeSean Jackson and Marquis Colston were available to the Eagles this offseason at the same price, which one would you choose?
Colston is exactly what we need but he spends a LOT of time in the trainers room. Those guys terrify me as big-money free agents.
Spags is now the DC in NO…. just saw this on nfl.com : (
So spags is a saint. Any one else on the radar? I think I would rather stick w juan at this point
If Spags is out of the conversation, I think I want to stay with Juan. Look at what the coordinator carousel did to the 9ers offensive players. Is it possible that we will see some of our guys grow with a little consistency leading the defense? Combined with the improvements through the season and the fact that the leadership should have a good feel for what they need to add, I think a solid positional coach to fill our void might be enough.
On the other hand, if we can play opponents like the ones in the video link, I wouldn’t mind seeing them running away from our guys all afternoon.
A man with his priorities truly set straight. That’s why you’re the brains of this place.
N.O. Defence had most of its rankings slightly worse than average, but possibly the most imp. Stat that is not given any weight when looking at D is turnovers. There D was way ahead of everyone in creating turnovers(mostly int.) the yr. they won the SB. Turnovers are more imp. than the ranking of a D. In regards to Ravens vs. Patriots I agree that N.E. will probably win, but that’s due to the Ravens O being so bad that even N.E. D should look good & I’m not sure but I think N.E. has been good with the turnover ratio this yr.