Washburn, the Wide-9, and the Future

Posted: January 10th, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 57 Comments »

The Eagles might make a move at Defensive Coordinator.  We’re still in speculation mode right now, but we’ll find out next week if the team is going to make a move.  One question raised by many is what happens to the Wide-9 and how the presence of Jim Washburn affects the situation.

Not all coaches like the Wide-9.  Titans coach Mike Munchak wanted bigger DL when he took over the team and went with a different scheme.  6’5, 276 Jason Jones was moved from DT to LDE, if that gives you any kind of idea of what happened.

Prior to 2011, Eagles DTs in recent years had played a 2-gap style.  That meant they were moving laterally and controlling the middle of the line.  Now the players are taught to get upfield and be disruptive.  2-gap is better for run defense, but 1-gap is better for making plays and rushing the passer.  This isn’t a case of right and wrong.  It is all about style.  What does the coach want?

Steve Spagnuolo believes in a 1-gap system, but he likes to mix in zone blitzing.  The Wide-9 features the DL as rushers, not zone blitzing.  The two ideas on the surface wouldn’t seem to work well together.

However, there isn’t anything written where we have to run the Wide-9 every single snap or that Spags would want to zone blitz 30 times a game.  Because both systems are attacking in nature there could be a mixing of the two.

This is where personality becomes crucial.  Jim Washburn isn’t a passive guy.  He believes in his system.  I’m sure he’s willing to make some adjustments, but how many?  I don’t know him and it wouldn’t be fair to try and label him.  Spagnuolo worked under Jim Johnson from 1999-2006.  Since then he has been the DC or HC, which meant he could do as he pleased with his defense.  Would Spags be open to mixing things up?  Maybe.  He does seem like a reasonable guy.

I don’t think Washburn’s presence here is going to necessarily drive away coaches.  I do think people would want to know how flexible Washburn is with mixing things up.  Now, if Washburn has a reputation around the league as being very stubborn, maybe he would drive people away.  I tend to doubt he’s that rigid because he’s got such a good reputation, but you never know what people say behind closed doors.

Washburn showed some flexibility this year .  The Eagles moved a DE more to the inside against certain run formations/packages.  The world didn’t end.  Lightning didn’t strike.  Simple adjustment.

As for the DTs, plenty of coaches around the league use a 1-gap system and want guys attacking up the field.  That’s not a big deal at all.  Really, the placement of the DEs out wide is what bothers some people.  And more than a few teams do move DEs out wide in passing situations so it isn’t as if what the Eagles are doing is revolutionary.  This isn’t the defensive version of the Run ‘n Shoot or something crazy like that.

I talked about Gregg Williams being a potential candidate recently.  Williams was the DC for the Titans when Washburn was hired to be the DL coach back in 1999.  They worked together for 2 years, and went to the Super Bowl in 1999.  That worked okay.

People have asked me to talk about Williams.  What does he do?  He’s like talking about Picasso.  Which period?  He did some stuff with the 46 while in Tennessee.  He had the Wide-9 for a couple of years.  Williams then went to Buffalo as HC.  Up there he had big DTs and focused on stuffing the run.  The DEs were pass rushers.

Williams was fired by the Bills and went to WAS as DC from 2004-07.  He had smaller DTs, but bigger DEs.  That group seemed to play a lot of Cover 2.  I think that is the first team I remember lining Safeties up way downfield to force the Eagles to play small ball.

Williams was in JAX for a year before moving on to the Saints.  He’s done a lot of blitzing down in New Orleans.  Williams is once again mixing things up.  SS Roman Harper plays a lot in the box.  The Saints also lead the league in rushing with just 3 men.  He’s actually talked about shifting to a 3-4 at times.  I don’t know if that’s because he’s so fascinated with doing more zone blitzing or if he sees a lack of pass rushers on the Saints.

Williams has no one thing that he always does.  He’s a bit of a chameleon, adjusting to the situation and his personnel.   It would be very interesting to see what Williams would do with the Eagles personnel.

Some have expressed a concern about getting rid of the Wide-9 might really hurt the defensive line.  Not really.  One player is greatly helped by the system and that’s Jason Babin.  The Wide-9 allows him to use his speed and athleticism and play in space.  Trent Cole is a good rusher in any system.  Cullen Jenkins is a 3-technique DT that can thrive in any 1-gap system.  Mike Patterson has shown that he can be a good starter in any system.

I would like to see the Wide-9 kept in place no matter who the coordinator is.  I really liked the way the DL played this year and don’t want to mess with it too much.  I can live with mixing in more tight formations on run downs, but don’t want too much change.   This was the best DL play we’ve had in years.  Let’s build on that rather than tearing it apart.

* * * * *

Interesting stuff from Jimmy at BloggingThebEast on the Senior Bowl and NFC East rosters.  Eagles have a lot of guys who played in the game.

* * * * *

Interesting stuff from the NFC East blogger with ESPN here as he talks about the Parcells guys in Dallas getting up there in age.  The great SB teams were built by Jimmy Johnson.  Much of the talent in the recent surge came from Bill Parcells.  Can the Cowboys replace guys like Tony Romo, Jay Ratliff, DeMarcus Ware, and Jason Witten as they hit the wrong side of 30?

* * * * *

Some reader asked me about Utah State LB Bobby Wagner.  I like him as an OLB more than ILB.  Interesting prospect, but I don’t have a great feel for him yet.  I’ve watched parts of a few games and like what I see, but haven’t made up my mind on how much I like him.

* * * * *

Someone brought up Curtis Lofton’s name as a MLB target in FA.  I haven’t mentioned him because I didn’t realize he was a UFA.  He absolutely could be a guy to go for.  Solid young MLB. I do think the Falcons will aggressively try to re-sign him.  I have no idea what kind of a cap situation they’re in, but Mike Smith is a defensive coach who likes his LBs.  I doubt he wants to lose Lofton.

* * * * *

Is everyone here reading Monday Afternoon Quarterback (MAQB) by Gimpy over at ScoutsNotebook?  If not, let’s change that.  Gimpy is an old friend from the EMB.  He’s got some interesting thoughts on the NFL.  And he worked long and hard to learn reading/writing just for this (he’s a Pitt grad so don’t expect too much).

  • Anonymous

    Greg Williams sounds like a great coach because he doesn’t force a rigid scheme on the players he has. But instead adjusts to maximize what his players let the scheme do.

    Maybe that’s easier said than done. But if Williams can do it, why not Spags?

    • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_GWMNZ32U6YPGGA7N4JNWH4OSJE Mac

      Kinda reminds me of a certain coach who led some great Eagles defenses in the past decade… maximizing on player strengths. RIP JJ you are missed by your family and your extended Eagles family.

  • http://twitter.com/aceandson Ace

    Seems the Eagles did run a few zone blitzes in the second half of the season -not as much as McDermott -but they were part of the playbook. I may be mistaking Cole or Parker downfield for “hustle” plays, though.

    More importantly, the line was very successful this year. A good co-ordinator, you would think, would want to build on that and not scrap it for scheme he “thinks” may work. I assume most coaches at the NFL level would be familiar with the “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it” school of management.

    • Anonymous

      We did mix in a couple of zone blitzes. Cullen Jenkins dropped into coverage twice that I’m picturing. Believe it or not, he’s actually okay there. Deceptively good athlete.

      Trent got burned on the long pass play to the TE in the Jets game.

  • Anonymous

    Tommy I was thinking the same thing about Bobby Wagner, I think he would be a great 3rd Round pick that could compete for SLB instantly. Rolle at WLB and either a FA or Luke at MLB. Bobby seems to have great instincts and doesnt shy away from tackles.

    As far as Washburn…we had record sack numbers this year. DOn’t do away with the wide 9…I really think, like you said that Spags or whoever who work with it. The offense goes two TE’s we move our DE in…things like that can be tickered with. The biggest thing is getting a crew of LB’s behind them to make plays.

    ( I would love Lofton, but ATL is crazy if they let him walk)

    I also would like to Eagles to bring in Jason Jones from TN for a look…I think he could be disruptive as a DT for us…could be insurance if Patterson has another set back with his head injury. Jenkins/Jones/Dixon/Landri/Patterson/Thornton all fighting for spots….

    Can’t wait for March!!!

    • Anonymous

      Now we could obviously just outbid Atlanta but that would put us in a tough spot when we have to re-up Maclin and Shady, and possibly even Djax

  • http://twitter.com/sjampendk Sjampen

    Anybody else got trolled by La Cafora?

    • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_GWMNZ32U6YPGGA7N4JNWH4OSJE Mac

      Haha I was thinking the same thing today…

      Hide your intellectual babies… La Canfora is on the prowl.

  • Daniel Suraci

    If I’m a DC and I see the sort of pressure that the Eagles front four got, leaving 7 other guys on the field to do whatever, I *have* to try the system in place now.

    Off topic #1, watching the wildcard games, I kept noticing how much separation receivers got. Was it just a strange weekend, or do the Eagles receivers really not get separation consistently? I feel like Vick is always threading needles.

    Off topic #2, who is our LB coach and did he do anything? Why wasn’t he fired?

    • Anonymous

      LB Coach — former Eagles player Mike Caldwell, who played under JJ.

      He worked a couple years for AR as an intern/quality control coach (I think). Then was promoted to LB coach after last season.

      • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000462635892 Thorin McGee

        I don’t remember him as being any good as a LB, maybe that’s part of our problem there.

        • http://openid.anonymity.com/zk1ini Dewey

          There is no correlation between performance as a player and performance as a coach.

          • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000462635892 Thorin McGee

            Here there is! Mike was a not good enough player, and he’s coached a not good enough LB corps. That’s correlation (which we all know is not the same thing as causation).

    • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000462635892 Thorin McGee

      Anticipation creates separation. You seldom see Vick throwing a ball that’s halfway there when the receiver exits his break (and has maximized separation).

      Also, if you’re comparing it to Denver, defenses respect our passing attack enough to not stack 10 men in the box.

    • Anonymous

      I agree. We seem to not get separation like we did last year. We got the best back in the league so it’s not like the didn’t have to worry bout the run.

  • Anonymous

    Once you have had a year with Washburn and the Wide – 9, it doesn’t seem that losing Washburn the next year means you also lose the Wide-9. It’s not patented. It seems pretty straightforward. If a DC is worth hiring, he must be able to understand the Wide – 9 without Washburn being around. If Washburn is right that eery week another team uses it, and he is not coaching all those teams, then it must be something that can be implemented without him.Am I missing something? Is there some reason why you’d have to have the same DL coach to play Wide -9?

    • Anonymous

      Wide-9 or not, Washburn is arguably the top DL coach in the NFL. His pupils have a great track record. You want to do whatever you can to keep him around. It isn’t just the system. He knows how to teach and motivate guys.

      • Anonymous

        If he is the best DL coach, that is one thing. If the Wide 9 is the best DL tactic, that is another. Neither one means the Wide 9 has to be jettisoned if he doesn’t get along with Spagnolo.

    • Anonymous

      Plus, what advantage would there be to losing Wash and keeping the Wide-9?

      • Anonymous

        If it is the best DL setup, then that is the advantage. I am not saying that is better than having him. I am just saying that the Wide 9 is not dependent on employing him as the post seems to suggest. Think about it: if he is right that every week another team uses Wide 9, he is not coaching all those teams. So those teams must be getting an advantage from the Wide 9 that is independent of Jim Washburn’s presence. If your question were right, then every team would say, “we can’t use the Wide 9 because we don’t have Jim Washburn”. Which is like saying, “We can’t run a West Coast offense if we don’t have Bill Walsh”. Or “we can’t run a Cover Two without Tony Dungy”. This stuff is not proprietary.

        • Anonymous

          Not at all. A lot of teams run the wide-9. Washburn is not a requirement.

          My question is, why would you decide keeping the wide-9 is the way to go, then get rid of the best coach to teach it? What advantage is there to getting rid of Washburn, then installing some other guy to do what he is doing?

          And before you say that the coach might want his own guy to run the wide-9, any coach who wants the wide-9 but not Washburn is not the guy you want.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_GWMNZ32U6YPGGA7N4JNWH4OSJE Mac

    Ok so… If I am a stage coach driver and I have an excellent team of horses who are cared for by one of the best stable-masters of the present day and the back wheels of your stagecoach are in a state of disrepair and have broken on a few recent trips… naturally you must fire your stable-master…

    I am all for keeping Washburn, this year was the most fun to watch the D-line in recent memory. I am not willing to lay the blame of poor play by the LB core and Jarrad Page on Washburn’s doorstep.

    • Anonymous

      I’m not against keeping Washburn by any means, but to me, keeping the wide 9 at the expense of an upgrade of DC is not intelligent. I don’t think that necessarily has to be the case, in fact, like Tommy said, I think Spags could come here and use the wide 9 effectively, but the DC should be allowed to scheme the way he thinks is best and the rest of the coaches need to see the DC as the guy in charge. That doesn’t mean the DC shouldn’t take suggestions from the other coaches either, just that ultimately, the decision should be the DC’s to make.

      In other words, yes, the DLine looked great this year and it would be great if we can maximize the talent of the dline with Washburn’s system. That being said, whoever coaches the defense has to make sure that maximizing the effectiveness of our dline does not come at the expense of the rest of his ideas about the defense and how it all works together.

      To use another analogy, uou can have the most powerful engine in the world, but if you don’t have the right vehicle to put it in, that power may never translate into speed.

      • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_GWMNZ32U6YPGGA7N4JNWH4OSJE Mac

        50 sacks.

        There were only 2 weeks this year without a sack, the Chicago game and the Bye week.

        I think that a quality DC would see these things and the play that comes out of the Washburn D-line and would be excited to work with him. If he doesn’t think that way… Then I’m not willing to call him a quality DC. If a DC can’t think outside the tiny box he would have to be living in to want to ruin one of the best parts of this defense… then he shouldn’t be in Philly.

        I could be wrong, but I view Washburn as a man driven to win. I believe he would be willing to tweak his techniques for the benefit of the team if it leads to wins.

        • http://www.facebook.com/people/Anders-Jensen/748307140 Anders Jensen

          We did actually tweak the wide 9 abit on run downs and as Tommy said, its not like the wide 9 is something crazy on passing downs (a guys like Freeney often line up wide 9)

        • Anonymous

          The 50 sacks were great and no question you want to continue to bring pressure on the QB. However, lets not pretend that the wide 9 is the only way to do that. It’s possible that going with 1-gap DTs and the talent we have at DE, not to mention using blitzes more effectively, we still are able to get pressure. I’m not saying we need to sacrifice 50 sacks, but if getting away from the wide 9 eliminates a significant amount of the big plays at the cost of a few sacks, I don’t think there is any reason to have to be married to the scheme. Again, this may be a moot point because the DC may like the wide 9 and how to design a scheme the incorporates the wide 9. I just think if the Eagles hire a DC, they need to be able to trust his ideas enough to let him run his own defense, with or without the wide 9. Otherwise, why hire a new DC that guy in the first place?

          • http://www.facebook.com/people/Anders-Jensen/748307140 Anders Jensen

            QBs like Brady, Bress and Rodgers laugh at the blitz because they got so talented WRs and TEs. The only way to defend against em is to play really good coverage and be able to bring pressure with the front 4.

          • Anonymous

            that didn’t work out so well for Detroit and their talented defensive line with the wide-9, not for the Eagles against Brady. I think the problem with that philosophy is that you aren’t going to consistently get enough pressure on them with just the front 4 to slow them down enough to not get into a shoot-out. I don’t think there is anyway around blitzing those guys out of different looks on occasion. It’s why Lebeau and Rob Ryan had success against Brady this year. Rex didn’t do so well against them this year, but he was 2-out-of-3 last season.

          • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_GWMNZ32U6YPGGA7N4JNWH4OSJE Mac

            While the D-line only notched 1 sack in that game (Mike Patterson), I’m not hanging this loss on their front door. Perennial pass catching phenom Welker put up 115 yards on 8 catches with 2 TDs. Somehow old man Branch put up 125 on 6 catches.

            To me that indicates more of a lack from the back 7, rather than the D-line.

          • Anonymous

            but that’s my point, its rare to be able to play coverage against those guys without getting pressure on them, or sufficiently disguising your zone looks. They only need the slightest window in the zone to get a completion. If there is no one in their face to force a quick ready, you’re toast.

            Lebeau went with a tight press-man against Brady and disrupted their timing patterns, and ran his zone blitzes underneath to force quick decisions. There isn’t one particular way it has to be done, but I think the common denominator against most QBs, and especially the league’s best, is pressure.

            If they keep a TE and/or RB in to protect on occasion then you are talking 4 rushers against 6 blockers. The QB should have enough time to make his reads. Just my take from watching these guys shred defenses.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000462635892 Thorin McGee

    There’s no reason to think the Wide 9 and zone blitz can’t be used in tandem so long as you can train your DEs to pop out of those sprinter stances. They both put mental pressure on the blockers and QB, but from different directions.

    The zone blitz makes the line have to adjust on the fly because the guy who was coming ain’t the one coming anymore. When that guy is a Wide 9 DE who has already put fear into the heart of the OT and has him in full jump-back mode, it’s even harder for the OT to recognize those adjustments to pick up the blitz. Likewise, if the threat of the zone blitz keeps the OT from getting back fast enough to cut off the Wide 9 DE, there will be a sack, and possibly a death in the backfield.

    These things might go together like flamethrowers and hand grenades.

    (A note: I don’t think the 2-gap DT is necessarily better against the run so much as its better at freeing up your LBs and covering for them when they’re weak. Linemen in the backfield create havoc for every offensive play but the screen pass.)

    • Anonymous

      “These things might go together like flamethrowers and hand grenades.”

      Nice analogy. So much cooler than puppies and sunshine.

      • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000462635892 Thorin McGee

        There’s no place for puppies and sunshine on Washburn’s DL.

    • Anonymous

      Smart post, and I agree. I think the Bears used max protect against the Eagles, which really reduced the ability of the ends to seal the deal on Cutler. Who could forget that image of Cutler falling down in the pocket, getting up and shoveling a pass on a big 3rd down, all before anyone could get to him? In a situation like that, it would be great to be able to bring some unexpected pressure from a zone blitz.

      I feel like during the last 4 games I saw a lot more zone blitzing–some of those interesting packages with Babin standing up or swapping the DT’s with the DEs. Even acknowledging that the teams they beat were non-competitive, those packages appeared to get pressure. I wonder how much of that was connected to the rumored gameplanning Andy did with Juan? I wonder if that was the Andy influence?

  • Anonymous

    Re: Senior Bowl Attendees

    To me what’s interesting about the list of Senior Bowlers is that it coincides with Howie Roseman’s ascendency to GM. The jury is still out on Roseman, but my gut is leaning towards HR not being very adept at finding talent.

    • Anonymous

      Nah, we’ve been a Senior Bowl team for years.

      McNabb
      Sheldon
      Mike Lewis (I think)
      Jerome McDougle
      Mike Patterson
      Bunk
      Kolb
      Laws

      Those are some of the 1st / 2nd Rders we’ve taken over the years. More than that, actually, but you get the point. We like Senior Bowl players.

  • Anonymous

    Curious if we would b better off with someone like d bowe or colston and tag and trade djax. Any thoughts Tommy?

    • http://twitter.com/sjampendk Sjampen

      To me the perfect situation would be Mike Wallace. He’s a better receiver than D-Jax, and although he’s not the same weapon, ill take a motivated Wallace. Dwayne Bowe could give us a more physical approach, and Stevie Johnson is pretty much the only WR to burn Revis in the last two years.

      I think well work it out with DeSean once he realize that nobody is gonna pay him 10 mill a year.

      • Anonymous

        Wallace is about as fast as desean too, not as explosive as him but I would def take Wallace. He Is restricted tho

    • Anonymous

      Mike Wallace is a restricted Free Agent. So unless you don’t wanna give up a 1st + 3rd Wallace ain’t going anywhere.

      Also there is no way the Chiefs will let go their franchise WR, Dwayne Bowe that is!

      The only realistic chance of not downgrading WR (if Desean leaves) is getting Vincent Jackson whom the Chargers are believed to not tag.

      Stevie Johnson will most likely get the FT as well.

      Not sure about Colston. Is he just benefitting from Drew Brees and Payton’s offense or is he really THAT good. Don’t know if he’d be an upgrade over Desean.

      That being said the wisest thing would be to re-sign Desean for 7-8 Mio a year.

      • Anonymous

        If desean plays like last year I don’t even want him for 5mill. How do u know he would take 7-8 mill? I
        I would take the 6’4 colston. Im sure part of what made him good was brees but part of what kept him from not being better could b that brees spreads tha ball around alot. I don’t c how desean stays after the way last year went down. I’m one of the people that is not on desean side. I know people say “well if u paid him he would have played for u”. This ain’t the NBA where the players rule the league, other players didn’t get paid and played well and gave their all

  • Anonymous

    Tommy, just read your article on PE.com. I trust your judgement, but you mentioned how cool it would be to pick up London Fletcher… Isn’t he almost 37 years old?

    • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1068177518 Tom Gryn

      Fletcher will be 37 by the time camp opens. On the other hand, he’s still highly productive (96 solo tackles in 2011) and definitely a leader-type, and probably wouldn’t break the bank to sign either because of his age. If they think Matthews or a draftee can be the answer at MLB but needs more experience, Fletcher could be the ideal stopgap for a couple of years while that guy gets his NFL feet under him. Another consideration: if, as Tommy has said, Reid has a “win now or else” edict from Lurie for 2012, signing Fletcher would make a lot of sense as a guy who could basically walk off the bus and start for us.

  • Anonymous

    Tommy any thoughts on Jerell Harris the LB from Bama? He flashed at me a few times during the game last night. Lists 6’2 and goes about 243. I really like how fluid he was at taking away the sprint option as he was plenty quick enough to get out to the back yet when Jefferson would look to cut it up he had very fluid hips to snap back and tackle him. Was an extremely highly recruited prospect out of HS. I think he could be a steal that just got overshadowed by his running mates. Plus Howie has noted his love for the SEC.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_33FTQ3QUA6JVWLP7RC6WSPQTSY Furt

    “Can the Cowboys replace guys like Tony Romo, Jay Ratliff, DeMarcus Ware, and Jason Witten as they hit the wrong side of 30?”

    Ratliff looked old and slow this year from my limited perspective. Is he done or a victim of ‘slobby robbie’ ryan ?
    http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Garbage-Pail-Kids-SERIES-1-Matte-SLOBBY-ROBBIE-26A-/00/$(KGrHqYOKjoE1s1RjMtcBNk-qKv!4w~~_3.JPG

    At the same time Ware looked as deadly as ever, he is still on the career trajectory of Strahan and Reggie White.

    Romo? I was expecting the pukes to put up bigger numbers this year. Glad they didn’t, but not sure why, plenty of weapons.

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Anders-Jensen/748307140 Anders Jensen

      I think I could be the Dallas DC and Ware would still get 16 sacks a year, its the same with a guy like Allen. I think Ratliff looked very good in Wade Phillips’ 3-4 as a NT, but would be a 3-4 DE in most other systems.

      • Steven Dileo

        Did you know that Ware and Osi graduated together from the same high school. That must have been a really good defense.

        • Anonymous

          And college, too: Troy University.

          In HS, those two also played w/ Redskins’ LB Marcus Washington

  • Anonymous

    I like what the wide nine has brought to our defensive line and our defense but I would no wise “tie” it to a new DC unless that is what the new coach wants. I want a good overall aggressive defense that makes their own plays: sacks interceptions forced fumbles turn overs and just plain keeping the other teams from scoring. I wouldnt want to keep a good coordinator from coming here just because he didnt want to use the wide 9.

  • Anonymous

    Tommy

    a name that hasn’t been discussed/mentioned recently is UFA Safety Michael Griffin from the Titans. Do you think he’s worth a look?!?!

    • http://twitter.com/sjampendk Sjampen

      Im not Tommy, but i think he mentioned in a couple of post that he didn’t think there was a safety worth going after. He was satisfied with our guys but open to an upgrade, the problem was the only two targets was Landry who is injured more than Mike Vick and Tyvon Branch who isn’t a playmaker, jut a good solid safety that will demand a big payday to leave Oakland(essentially Mikell over again).

      • Anonymous

        I am aware of this. However I am surprised that he didn’t mention Griffin. Maybe he didn’t know he was going to be an UFA. Just like Curtis Lofton?!

  • Anonymous

    Speaking of Jason Jones, It seems to me that he could be a very likely target. IMO, he’s just what they look for, a young ascending player with a dip in production that makes him a cap-conscious signing. He doesn’t fit all systems, but is a perfect fit for the wide 9, which increases his value here and decreases it on the general DT market. I’d say that if they do sign Jones, Cullen Jenkins is definitely a goner. He didn’t generate as much interest in the FA market as he believed he would, and took the deal with the Eagles where his salary swells up to around 8 Million in the 2nd season. He turns 31 in 2012, and has a spotty injury history–though he stayed healthy this year. I liked him alot this past season, but I think there’s a good chance Jenkins goes. I think they need a good player to replace him, though, like Jones. As much as I like Landri, I’d rather have him in a rotation, staying fresh and playing with all that energy, than possibly wearing him down as a starter.

    • Anonymous

      There is no way in hell that the Eagles will let go Jenkins after LAST season. If they go after Jones I am afraid that Landri will not be re-signed. Or even Mike Patterson will get cut/traded.

  • Anonymous

    Anyone know of a site like this for the sixers? Sixers r no joke this year, they r doing good things

  • http://twitter.com/Nyotaimorisushi SushiChef Mark

    Here’s my take, I remember Eagles defenses being feared. This team was not feared at all. I love the DL and feel our front four are perfect as is but with weakness at LB and Safety this team will be exposed. I don’t care who the DC is, well anybody but JC, they need to improve the play at those areas either via the draft or FA. Troy and Bobby had Dawk and solid LB play. Sheldon and Lito had Dawk and solid LB play for the most part, NA and Asante had poo playing safety and LB. I think it is important that those positions aren’t overlooked. Coleman is not a starter. He’s a nice compliment and STer, but that is it.