What a Difference a Year Makes
Posted: February 21st, 2017 | Author: Tommy Lawlor | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 104 Comments »Can the Eagles find an elite receiver? Can the team find a good CB? Who is going to be the starting tailback this year? There are some interesting questions as we head into this offseason. But those questions seem pretty easy when you think back 365 days. A this time last year there was tremendous uncertainty for the organization.
I wrote about that for PE.com.
All we knew about Doug Pederson is what we heard in his press conferences, and that was pretty scary. We had no clue if he could be an effective head coach. There was also a fear Pederson would be Andy Reid Jr, mis-managing the clock and refusing to run the ball. Pederson was far from perfect, but he did okay with the clock and he did run the ball. There is hope for him.
Nobody knew what to expect from Howie Roseman. Would other teams deal with him the way they had in the past? Would he remain good with contract negotiations? Would the team draft okay? Would he get along with the new coaches? Overall, Howie had a very strong offseason. He moved players the Eagles didn’t want and managed to get the Eagles up to #2. He drafted Carson Wentz. The overall rookie class looks promising. The Eagles landed good free agents and extended Fletcher Cox. Not every move worked perfectly, but doing all that and then trading Sam Bradford for a 1st round pick is a good offseason in my book.
Last February we had no idea what to make of the Eagles. From management to coaches to players to schemes, we had no idea exactly what to expect. It looks like the Eagles made mostly smart moves and now have the foundation in place to get back to being a winning team. Can the team take the next step and become a Super Bowl contender? We’ll have to wait and see on that.
The next 6 months are going to be huge for the Eagles. They need to make the right cuts/trades to create cap space. They need to sign the right players. They need to scout and draft well. And the coaches must develop the young players already on the roster. If the team can make enough of the right moves, a year from now we’ll be talking about what a difference a year makes, only this time it won’t be about laying a foundation, but rather winning games and getting back to the playoffs.
*****
ESPN suggests Chiefs could cut Jeremy Maclin https://t.co/NRbAvtfIeM
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) February 21, 2017
I’ve mentioned this as a possibility in previous posts.
If Maclin hit the market, his price would certainly be cheaper than it was last time around. He’s older now and isn’t a star player. Still, he would be a high character, quality veteran receiver to add to the offense. He has RAC ability and is still fast enough to get deep. The Eagles might be interested.
There are reports that the Eagles are targeting Alshon Jeffery. If true, that would make Maclin and other receivers backup options if the Eagles aren’t able to land their primary target. The good news is that there are enough receivers who will definitely be on the market that the Eagles can find at least one to add to the lineup.
Help is on the way.
We just don’t know who yet.
_
Maclin is the part fit with Wentz. Maclin’s best area on the field is the same area Wentz is great at.
Overthrowing targets down the middle of the field?
re: Maclin. He chose KC over the Eagles. I’m not saying I can’t blame him, but I don’t want him back. Aging and not a start player. The ONLY way I’d want him here is if there’s an A-lister already on the team. I don’t want him if he’s the only signing(where’s the upgrade considering this is a young team with eyes on the next few years, not this year)
….
Great article up until the “back up” options. Losing mentality IMHO if they are saying “well, let’s settle for these WR’s because we can’t find the one we want”. Eagles need to move forward. Signing blah wr’s is not moving forward. I’d rather Eagles not sign one(if they can’t find the guys they want) and take a shot at drafting some. If that means the current Eagles wr come back, so be it. I’d rather not have aging wr’s on 1 year deals. Build a base. Once a core team is set, then sprinkle the veterans in where needed.
Signing average WRs would be a big jump forward. Maclin is better than that. If you “sign the guy you want” but at an extreme price, that means you can’t make any other moves, and we need CBs just as bad. So you are going to sign blah CBs if you get the expensive diamond at WR. Maclin isn’t the diamond, but he’s far from blah as well.
Maclin is going to be 29 — not young, but not really old, and will likely give you solid production for some time yet. There is no reason he’d be a 1-year contract — he’ll get multiple years from someone. He signed at KC to be with his first coach, close to home, and for more money, at a time when it looked like the Eagles were trading away everyone he knew on offense (Shady, Foles) and had no idea what kind of team he would be coming back to if he stayed. I can’t blame him a bit.
The unsexy free agent signings often work out better. Bradham was one of the best last offseason. And since yes, we do need multiple new WRs, it would be bad if he was the only one — but still a big help. But him and a high draft pick — that could work.
Are giving all this opinion on the love of Maclin? I like him too. But — 29 and a team that’s rebuilding doesn’t = a good signing. Wentz will be(hopefully) a seasoned vet going into the 2019 season. He has a lot to learn. By then, if Mac is signed 3 years = ugh. If Wentz was ready today and Eagles already had a good(to great) starting WR and JM, I’d love Mac as a signing. Speaking of JM, Mac would probably out-produce JM in 2017. That might be a no brainer — but I’m hoping the team is looking to the future and not now(when the team isn’t ready). By the time the team is ready, it’ll be time to replace Maclin. I’d rather have a wr that’ll be here when Wentz is ready…
I wouldn’t be upset if Eagles sign Mac and draft WR with 1st pic(as I said, I like Mac). But in 1 to 2 years, we’ll be saying we need a wr…
I know, huh? Where do people get these ideas that everything is going to be perfect. Our team, which has 3 bad receivers in its 3-WR set, shouldn’t pick up a talented vet at a reasonable price: better to just throw a bunch of draft picks with a GM who’s shown no particular ability to draft talent, and pick up some REAL stars.
The question is- what are the factors surrounding his decision to leave Philly?
1. Chip’s offense wore people out, as did his pace. The direction of the team was not improving (Vick gone, Jackson gone).
2. Maclin is from Missouri. He has roots, family, closer to his college which was a huge influence in his life.
3. He returned to the coach that drafted him, and also a father figure. Maclin had a rough upbringing; Chip wasn’t exactly a “players coach” – which is something that Reid morphed into. He wanted to play for his old coach, and he had the possibility to do so.
4. KC (allegedly) offered more money overall (year and contract total). We are seeing now that they are cash strapped, but he made his money when he could. Do you blame him? He’s blown out 2 ACL’s, and every play could be his last.
With all of these factored in- do you blame him for leaving? I get “loyalty” to a team, but when are teams often loyal to players? This isn’t a case of DeMarco Murray wanting to come back to Philly
He was on the team when Doug was coaching, there is probably a sense of family there as well.
you can assume all of that. Nothing above is factual but sounds like great deduction. I can guess that Maclin loves AR as the main reason he left. Reason doesn’t matter. Once you leave, it’s never the same when you come back…..
Bud, I’m not going to go through and pull up article links and post them here- its not worth my time. You can disagree with me, that’s fine, but I’m not wrong.
Do some research and figure this stuff out for yourself.
research on words your putting out there as fact? Fine — I’ll make is simple — 2. Maclin is from Missouri. He has roots, family, closer to his college which was a huge influence in his life. — find that 1 article where that’s true. It’s only 1 — I’m sure you can find it.
….
I believe someone posted under this article that Maclin stated ‘a phone call could have made a difference’. IF that’s true — that blows away your perceived facts.
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Since you can’t find a supporting article I mentioned….Everything else is pure conjecture. No shit that CK ran a fast camp. Find an article that said Maclin’s reason for leaving is because of the up tempo camp. I’ll wait. Find 1 article that quote’s Maclin making that statement. Not a reporters thoughts or YOUR thoughts thinking that you’re linking the two together.
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Why would I do research on garbage you’re spewing?
Sounds like I’ve triggered you into a fit of rage. Get up off of the couch, leave your parents basement and go outside to get some sunshine. It’ll help you smile more.
And don’t worry about those student loans, the government will help you out with those 🙂
You just got owned, Mr shallow
sheep need not apply.
It is factual that Chip’s offense wore people out.
It is factual that Maclin is from Missouri.
It is factual that Reid was the coach that drafted him.
It is factual that Reid was a players coach.
Please don’t tell me we’re getting all meta on what a “fact” is here, too.
Factual — Maclin’s best career was under CK. My words were “can guess”…I never said anything was factual….Maclin from Missouri is factual but someone saying “his roots blah blah blah” is NOT factual…
Agreed. Draft WRs, don’t bring in overpriced hasbeens.
Definitely would be a big fan of gettin Mac back. I loved him in Philly, and while he was never going to be Megatron or J. Rice, he’s a sold WR who played great for us. Would especially love to have him back now!
He could certainly help our WR corpse develop, we need some veteran leadership in that area (plus we have an experienced WR coach with a good track record).
Imagine, Maclin back in Philly, playing alongside the guy that was supposed to replace him- Agholor.
“Imagine, Maclin back in Philly, playing in front of the guy that was supposed to replace him- Agholor.”
fixed!
If the rumor is true, I hope the Eagles lose out on Alshon. I don’t care if its to a team that is “a contender” or a team with more cap space. We’re already rolling the dice on one drug user this year, let’s not double down on that bet.
Not to mention price and injury history…
Howie had quite the off-season. Outside of the Wentz and Bradford moves… possibly one of the biggest and most underrated moves he made was the hiring of Joe Douglas and Andy Weidl.
For me that move said two things about Howie:
1. He realized that he may have been deficient at personnel evaluation and he hired two people that could significantly improve the team in this area.
2. With this move Howie showed a willingness to limit his own “voice” when it comes to personnel evaluation. This is hugely important as the draft and free agency have yielded far too many “strike-outs” during Howie’s tenure (and the Eagles have failed to win a playoff game since 2008 – we’re about to hit a decade here, folks). Eagles need to start showing improvement in many areas this year. Hitting on any of the numerous misses that Howie and company have had during his reign could have improved the team enough to make / win playoff games over the last few years. I seriously believe it’s like a domino effect sometimes when a team makes the right / wrong decision with one player. Hopefully Douglas and Weidl will show Eagles and their fans why Howie hired them… and Eagles will have a few more hits instead of misses.
Ten years without a playoff win? All Chip’s fault.
No thanks to Maclin, who’ll be 29 in May and will get paid for more production than he will provide (I predict). Beyond being a sure pair of hands without burner speed, what does he offer that you can’t find cheaper on the market? Certainly not size or physicality. Struggled to get open last year (when he was on field).
A sentimental favorite, but…
Knowing he can actually play in the NFL.
Hands, route running, body control, awareness, and just generally being an actual real starting NFL WR.
Sounds like a vet. There’s lots of those. Being faster than Pierre Garcon isn’t necessarily a compelling reason to sign someone.
I’m with Neckbeard. While Maclin and/and or Jackson would provide an upgrade, both guys are aging and B+, at best, NFL receivers.
Now that I’ve criticized, I have to admit I can’t think of better options outside the draft.
And even in the draft, it’s basically Williams, Davis (Ross with two bad knees) and a bunch of future 2s and 3s.
Agreed. Carson isn’t going to have it easy, especially compared to his counterpart on the Cowboys.
Good thing the Eagles are in a position to possibly get one!
I don’t think either make it to 14.
Good thing were picking 15….. O wait.
You aren’t picking anything, RETARD.
Sorry, my slowed intellectual skills got the best of me again! Damn! BTW the correct term is intellectually disabled brought in by the DSMV. I wouldnt want you to spew insults like a fool.
I think it’s quite likely one of them does, but I also don’t think it’s Howie’s mindset to take that chance. They fill wr over cb in FA, and take what falls to them. If he really wants a wr, they trade up.
31 year old Garcon on a 3 year 20 mil ( 8 guar)
29 year old Maclin on a 4 year 32 mil (12 guar)
I’m taking Maclin.
only played 2 full seasons in his career(for whatever reason). Had 2 very good seasons – 1 with CK and 1 with AR. Turning 29. Hmm. I think he’d be a good player for the Eagles. Eagles would jump from one of the worst wr corps to mid-pack. As a fan, I want more than that…
Sometimes, I feel bad for you
Say Maclin is cut loose by the Chiefs. Jackson is free agent. We are going to sign one of them (hypothetically).
Who do you pick, and why? What does the contract look like?
Jackson Career Stats (drafted in 2008)
498 Receptions
8,819 Yards
17.7 Average per catch
91 Longest TD reception
46 Touchdowns
380 Rushing Yards
6.2 Rushing Yards average
Maclin Career States (drafted in 2009)
474 Receptions
6,395 Receiving Yards
13.5 Average per catch
83 Longest TD reception
46 Touchdowns
43 Rushing Yards
4.3 Rushing Yards average
I think Maclin, Jackson, and Britt would all be grouped in the same tier of FA. (Personally I think Britt works best with Wentz). I would expect all three to go somewhere in the 8-9mil a year category.
Id pick Jackson because he is elite at what he does. He is not a “number 1” with size, it what he does, he does better than anyone in the league. Putting Maclin on the field doesn’t change how defenses line up against the Eagles; it just puts brains and hands (and age) on Nelson Agholor’s frame. Adding Jackson immediately shifts how defenses have to approach defending the Eagles.
But Jackson doesn’t score touchdowns like Maclin!!
Take the one that has any redzone stats
So ironic, “i hate chip he got rid of maclin and jackson”. Maclin and jackson become free agents – nah they aren’t that good, i’d only take them on a team friendly deal.
“Chip ruined our wide receiver corps” now both of these dudes are getting dropped for not producing consistently.
I’m of the camp that Maclin left on his own terms. Chip (and quite likely Howie) felt he was overpaid by KC, plus there are the plethora of non-financial circumstances that may have affected the move. I’ve always agreed with the calculus that he was overpaid, despite (or more correctly, precisely because of) the QB he had throwing to him. There was just little chance he would put up the numbers necessary to justify that contract. Still was sad to see him go.
Jackson was most definitely shown the door. Arguably could have gotten him to take some sort of pay cut, but probably not (and who knows how THAT would have played out the next season). I thought what WASH paid him was fair value for what he is/was. And I think his production there has been in line with his pay, again considering who was throwing to him in light of his skillset. His problem now is that he’s more McNabb (most likely much worse) than Brady in terms of off-field preparation. That, more than the fact that he’s a speedster, makes me think he hits a wall hard very soon.
Of the two, I’d prefer Maclin, even at a higher $$. But then I’ve always been a Maclin fan, so maybe I’m biased. I think he can still be a very good, not elite, receiver if he has a QB that can throw to WRs. I’m hoping he shakes loose from KC.
If we did by chance end up with the 15th from losing the coin flip, would sending Barwin to the Colts (if they agreed) be worth the move up by 1? I know we should get a good player at either spot. Just thinking out loud.
Jackson or Maclin?
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/4c21b7580b9646557616278670140f36e18d6c4f38363020b05bdbc87ebc06b1.jpg
DeSean. While both have similar (good) hands DeSean is faster.
I agree. If I could have one it would be desean. What he does is truly special.
Both Maclin and rookie Matthews outscored Jaccson his first season in Washington.
Shame on you Tommy, after yesterday’s article “Words Matter”, you link the ultimate Eagles Clickbait website BGN with a misleading title. ESPN suggests the Chiefs “should” cut Maclin, not that they “could”.
Should is used to say that something is the proper or best thing to do, or to say that someone ought to do something or must do something.
Could is used to say that an action or event is possible.
Maclin is probably a post June 1 move guys..they save 10 million vs 5.2 million waiting. Though there may not be much to do with the savings. 7.2 million is a lot of dead money pre June 1.
Maclin at 2year/8 million. Smart guy, good speed, good hands. Not a number 1 (never was) but efficient and better than anything we have now. I like Stills and I like Britt also. I do think they go WR in FA and DB in the early part of the draft.
I assume you mean $8M per year.
Getting Wentz is great, but the rest of the off-season was a slightly better version of Groundhog Day.
They hired their 4th choice as HC in Pederson who had zero experience and whose main attribute was his Reid-like ability to bring back a “family atmosphere” to the locker room.
They elevated Roseman back into the GM slot even after his mixed track record, deep involvement in hiring Kelly and inability to work with and sharp political elbows led Lurie to fire Kelly.
They paid Bradford over $11M for, what, a 6 month period of time? And signed Daniel to a bad contract as well not to mention McKelvin, Carroll, Ron Brooks, Givens etc.
There is still a tremendous amount of uncertainty around this organization. Roseman has to prove he can build a winner, Pederson that he can coach a winner and they have 2-3 years to get it done before the clock starts on re-signing Wentz or starting over.
I agree the next 6 months are critical, but sustainable excellence is the goal. They have to all prove they can sustain good decision making and discipline over multiple years.
I take it you’re a glass half empty type of person.
Until they win something, it is realistic. Again, no playoff wins since 2008 and only three playoff appearances since that year. If you’re ok with those results, so be it. I’m not.
I’m not a doctor, but I’m pretty sure you’re blood type is be negative.
I’m definitely stealing that line.
clever, lol.
Why do you care what they paid Bradford for 6 months? They re-signed him when they were unsure if they could get the guy they wanted in the draft, and then traded him for a first round draft pick. Would you have preferred that they saved the money and not have a first round pick?
The salary cap in the NFL can impact a team’s ability to build a competitive roster especially when they draft and develop talent poorly like the Eagles. The Eagles allocated too much to the QB position which hurt their ability to fill other holes. We paid the price for that during the season. Since they signed Bradford, they did not need to overpay Daniel or sign him at all as one example.
On that “headline’s” note:
DeSean could contribute making another difference this year.
Maclin and Jackson are not the answers, they are overpriced WRs on the decline, that’s why their respective teams may dump them. Key to success is drafting/developing players.
Lol.
DeMeco Ryan to the 49ers…as a coach. Defensive quality control. Good for him.
Reminds me of a friend of my who was obsessed with dating his old girlfriends.
Can someone make up an image of Howie’s and Jeffrey in dark sunglasses standing in front of a retired police Caprice with Mac, Jax, and Shady behind them and a caption saying they are on a mission from God? Tommy might need it for the new logo.
It’s got cop shocks. Cop engine.
What do you say? Is this the new Reid-mobile?
I owned a squad once. City auction. Only 3 years old. Last year with the big block Chev 350. Cop rear end. Cop seats. Used to have young guys offer to buy both. Usually after I beat them off the line. Used to annoy them no end considering I am female and a mother. A real one. ;-). Sorry I don’t remember gear ratios.
The Chevy 350 is a small block. Big block Chevy includes the 396/402, 427, and 454. Maybe you had the LT1, which was a 260 HP 350. Cops loved that one.
Regardless of free agency the iggles have to nail this draft. Double dip at CB in rounds 1 and 2 if they have to. The team needs to draft and develop its own talent to be a contender. Can’t BUILD through FA.
Joe douglas will be key in this. Can’t wait to see him work the daft and i pray howie just sits in a corner and listen to the man.
GE’s Dream off season:
1. Sign WR DeSean Jackson
2. Sign WR Brian Quick
3. Re-sign DT Bennie Logan
4. Double dip by drafting a CB in rounds 1 and 2
5. Draft O line help and depth
#JobDone
What about runningback?
6. Sign RB Latavius Murray.
Duce Staley + 2 jars of Flintstones gummy vitamins. Done.
You forgot the pickle juice.
Touche. Tooshie
Needs WR depth.
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. Snork! Is it August yet? Time for training camp? Did we draft anyone good this year or another bunch of kids with no NFL experience? Is Urlacherzzz signed? Zzzzzzzz.
Not so sure I am ready to hitch my wagon to Doug like I am Carson. Cautiously optimistic though for sure.
This would make a fantastic topic. Because there were some things he did very well and some things he whiffed hard on.
Stuff fell kind of odd this time.
Round 1 Pick 15: Sidney Jones, CB, Washington (B+)
Round 2 Pick 11: Forrest Lamp, OG/OT, Western Kentucky (A-)
Round 3 Pick 10: ArDarius Stewart, WR, Alabama (A)
Round 4 Pick 17 (WASH): Jarron Jones, DT, Notre Dame (A-)
Round 4 Pick 33 (COMP): Julien Davenport, OT, Bucknell (A-)
Round 5 Pick 11: Jeremy Sprinkle, TE, Arkansas (B-)
Round 5 Pick 17 (WASH): Brian Hill, RB, Wyoming (A)
Round 6 Pick 10: Keionta Davis, DE, Chattanooga (B+)
Round 7 Pick 12: Jeremy Cutrer, CB, Middle Tennessee (C-)
What’s everybody’s general opinion about Lamp and Stewart?
No Hunt? Go see a doctor – you’re not yourself.
Seriously though, I like Hunt a lot, but do you set out to draft Hunt and Sprinkle in every draft, then fill in the rest?
My tricks in the 4th round to trade down got him taken out from under me.
And Sprinkle seems like exactly the guy to replace Celek with, so I’ve been targeting him a ton.
Fair enough.
Lamp is really really good.
Maclin, Jackson, and McCoy: Hard to remember that we had all 3
(Thanks for nothing, Chip – enjoy your future job at a D2 school.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pc6rDGtyphA
won as many playoff games with them as without them.
Won as many Super Bowls with Brian Dawkins as we did without him, I’d still like him back.
On Reggie White even.
A real Eagles fan would know that Maclin was released when KC offered him more money. McCoy the jerk was traded for a middle linebacker who was generally regarded as possibly great, and MLB has been a problem area for several years. Jaccson made a number of ever-so-exciting highlight catches but didn’t score enough. But no doubt you’ll grimly hang on to the little bedtime story you keep telling yourself.
Maclin should never have reached FA.
I agree. There is definitely some ‘memberin’ going on:
1. Maclin said that a phone call may have been enough.
2. The MLB was possibly great…but wasn’t even satisfactory.
3. Jaccson (sic) not scoring enough led to him being cut…for nothing and being replaced…with nothing.
Do you believe the team without those three was superior to the team with them?
None of those 3 were worth their contracts. If you keep players because you are afraid you won’t be able to find adequate replacements, you’ve already lost. It’s time to start getting good value for resources invested. More Hicks, fewer Agholors. Back to back first round duds was a killer. Good teams aren’t afraid to move on while a player is still good, but not as good as his contract. That’s the nature of the current CBA.
But good teams don’t move on from those players to players that are worse. You ignored my question. Do you believe we were better once they were gone?
Sorry. Clearly the team has done poorly the last two years. Does that mean it has to be because of those moves?
How about just those position groups then?
You have to be able to move on from outsized contracts in today’s NFL. I put the blame on talent eval and development. Two wasted #1’s hurt at least as much.
At the right price, Maclin would be a tremendous fit for the Eagles. He is still only 28 and still has several good years left; he could have a resurgence with the Eagles.
Maclin is so perfect for for Wentz.
Maclin is best in the 10-19 yard area, so is Wentz. On sideline throws Maclin has incredible body control and has super reliable hands