UPDATE: LAST CHANCE to get your plans in to me (either in the comments or via e-mail). I’m going to post everyone’s plans tomorrow for discussion. Then I’m going to trash Dannie in my facebook status and see if he tries to fire me.
Let’s see which one of us would make the best GM…
I know it’s still very early in the off-season, but the Eagles are moving in reverse and it’s frustrating. Starters Brian Dawkins, Tra Thomas, L.J. Smith and (presumably) Jon Runyan are gone. As is CB Lito Sheppard. Stacy Andrews replaces Thomas and Runyan on the line and…uhh….we had a back-up corner visit and asked him to play safety…and…uhh…that’s pretty much it.
There is still a lot of time and the Eagles have a lot to work with. The Eagles have a lot of cap space, some tradable assets (Reggie Brown, Sheldon Brown) and the following 11 draft picks…
1st round, #21
1st round, #28
2nd round, #53
3rd round, #85
4th round, #117
5th round, #133
5th round, #145
5th round, #149
6th round, #181
6th round, #182
7th round, #213
With all those assets, I would expect the team to look a lot different come September. But how much better will they be? The real question of this post is how much better could YOU make them? Below is my best guess at the current Eagles depth chart. Using everything at your disposal (including position changes), how do you not just improve this team, but make them Super Bowl contenders. Here are some resources to help…
- List of free agents
- Every NFL mock draft on the internet including a 7-round mock
- Draft trade chart the GMs use (point value assigned to each pick. our 2 first rounders could probably only get us up to #8)
- Most up to date rumors on who might be traded (Boldin, Cutler, Jason Peters, etc…)
What I would like to do is have every person who wants to participate go through the moves they would make as GM with the remaining assets. What I will do is create a new depth chart with your moves, and then after everyone is done, I’ll post everyone’s depth chart (including mine) and we can debate whose Eagles team is the best.
Now, the one caveat is that I will determine whether or not a move you make is realistic. For instance, no Joselio Hanson for Larry Fitzgerald proposals or us trading a 1st and a 5th rounder to move up into the top-5. So think through your moves. Too bad there is no NFL trade machine.
Loading ...
{ 2 trackbacks }
{ 32 comments… read them below or add one }
Man, I wish I had time to do this. I think they are set at CB and LB (I don’t see them trading Sheldon) everything else is ???. Can we really rely on Shawn Andrews?
you’ve got time. I’ll leave this open for at least a week.
1st round (28) & 3rd round (85) to the browns for braylon edwards.
Good start Mike, but what else?
You good with Demps at safety? Herremens at LT? Booker as the only other RB?
Gotta have a full plan!
go after dawan landry to play safety. if not, i would be content with sheldon moving to safety and signing springs to play the other corner. draft lesean mccoy out of pitt to back up westbrook. draft oher to play LT.
I already did an expanded version over at my site, but I’ll try to be brief.
I avoid draft trades because finding a dance partner is always a chore. Both 1st rounders and 5th would probably get up to #5 or #6, but the only guys worth it are Jason Smith and Crabtree. I think both will be gone by the fifth pick. That being said, I stand pat in the first three rounds.
#21 – Moreno or Pettigrew
#28 – McCoy or Jared Cook
The first round nets me a TE and RB; I believe all the elite tackles will be gone by 21 and 28. Oher is too much of a project and Eben Britton is a right tackle who can’t pass protect.
#53 – Best OT available. I like William Beatty from UCONN.
#85 – S Rashad Johnson. Great leader at Alabama. Provides needed depth.
#117 – WR Brian Robiskie – Showed he was fast enough at the Combine. Great hands, excellent route runner and at 6′3″ 210, has the size to operate in the red zone.
I let Klecko and Eckel battle it out for starting FB. May the best man win.
I roll the dice with Shawn Andrews and move him to left tackle.
LT – Sh. Andrews
LG – Herremans
C – Jackson
RG – Cole
RT – St. Andrews
The defense is set, IMO. Lots of pass rushers, depth at LB. I start Demps at FS, but I sign Mike Brown or Marlon McCree to provide a veteran presence. I trade Reggie Brown for whatever I can get. Maybe a 5th or 6th round pick in 2010. Lastly, I dump Booker and sign Jason Wright. He’s young, can catch and will make a nice #3 RB.
Thanks Scott,
I’d prefer Moreno and Cook in your pairs of 1st rounders. Moreno can catch and block in addition to his running skills.
Mike Brown is an interesting option. There are several players out there that could provide the veteran presence at safety.
This sounds like it would be a lot of fun to figure out all the moves. I’ll probably get around to it this weekend when I have the time.
These are the kind of interesting posts that make this my #1 site for philly sports. Great job guys
looks like T.O. is in play…
I would like to see them either get Moreno or Pettigrew with the 21st pick.
I would also like to see them use some of their 40 million they have under the cap and sign Leonard Weaver. He is the perfect fullback for the offense that they run. He can block, run and catches the ball well out of the back field. Plus I don’ think that they would need to break the bank to get him.
I would try to package my other 1st round pick with a 3rd and see if I could get Arizona to bite on it for Bolden. They need to draft an O tackle but I don’t know who they would go after.
I’m going to do mine by position:
QB – As much as I’m 100% not sold on K. Kolb as the backup, Feeley is a viable alternative if McNabb goes down and Kolb is ineffective, so no action needed for now.
RB – Draft Moreno (if available) at #21 as a long-term replacement for B. West & a change-of-pace guy for this season. Draft Rashad Jennings (6′1″, 234) out of Liberty at #85 as a goal-line/short yardage back. CUT Booker (or don’t if Moreno’s already off the board at #21 and we go with the backup plan below at TE).
WR – Boldin’s very attractive (in a strictly heterosexual football performance kind of way), but I have a feeling that Warner’s gesture of giving some $ back from his new contract if the Cardinals can get a new deal done with Boldin will work. Stay patient – the Rams will release Torry Holt by March 17th if they can’t find a deal they like. If trade talks for Holt heat up, talk w/Rams about Holt for Reggie Brown & the 4th rounder. Otherwise, wait until Holt is cut and sign him to a deal. CUT Greg Lewis – WR corps is then Holt, Jackson, Curtis, Avant & Baskett.
TE – Draft Pettigrew IF (and only if) Moreno is unavailable at #21. Otherwise, look at Dan Wilcox from Baltimore as a solid backup to Celek & blocking TE .
OL – Draft William Beatty from UConn or Jamon Meredith from South Carolina at #28 – a bit of a reach in either case, but they are both possible long-term starters at LT given a little time to develop. For now, let William (Tra) sign elsewhere, move Herremans out to LT, open up a competition between MJG and Cole for LG, Jackson stays at C, Shawn Andrews stays at RG, Stacy Andrews at RT. Draft Kraig Ubrik from Wisconsin in the 4th, assuming you haven’t already dealt the pick. One last thing – if Runyan’s knee responds to the microfracture surgery, BRING HIM BACK, even if it’s just as a backup. If for no other reason than it will at least make the fans feel a little better, given the rather shameful way Dawkins was apparently treated.
DL – No major changes – if there’s a guy they like available in FA to give us a little more depth in the DE rotation, fine. Draft guys with long-term potential at DE/DT with 5/6/7th round picks, and send them to the practice squad.
LB – Gocong (for now) and Bradley are fine – I’m not sold on the Jordan/Gaither combo, so why not a 1/2 year deal for Derrick Brooks? Replace some of that veteran leadership you just lost letting Dawkins walk, and who better to thrive in Jim Johnson’s speed/blitz-oriented D than the ultimate speed WILL?
CB – No major changes. Draft depth at CB in the later rounds if there are guys on the board you like. Bring in a veteran in camp if Ikeguwonu’s knee injury has hurt his ability to play.
FS – Mikell is simply not fast enough to play FS in the NFL (neither is Dawk anymore, btw – that’s why Q. Demps got to be the guy getting abused by Larry Fitzgerald in the championship game), particularly in our system – given the amount of blitzing and man coverage we use, the FS needs enough speed to play sideline-to-sideline. Sign Shawn Springs to a 2 year deal, and let him mentor Q. Demps and your 2nd rounder, either Sean Smith (6′4″ CB who ran more of a safety time at the combine), Louis Delmas from W. Michigan, or Rashad Johnson from Alabama, depending on what you see from these guys at their respective Pro Days.
SS – Mikell is your full-time, pro-bowl caliber starter at SS. Draft Stephen Hodge from TCU (6′1″, 235) with your first 5th (#133) as a potential backup – he hits like a ton of bricks, ran a decent (4.58) 40 at the combine, but may be better suited for OLB in the NFL.
You almost forgot the other positions…
K – Hate to say this, but CUT David Akers. Too erratic, missed some big kicks this season, his kickoffs are getting shorter and shorter. Take a look at Mike Nugent, who was just cut by the Jets.
P – Rocca’s fine (for now).
Oops! Almost forgot. CUT Klecko (or move him back to DT), sign Leonard Weaver to be your new starting FB.
Josh B.-
One last thought – if he drops into the early 4th, I’d LOVE to package a few of our excess 5ths & 6ths and see if we can get up to grab Pat White. Between Jackson and White, we’d have the makings of a lot of VERY interesting combinations if Andy wanted to run some Wildcat plays next year.
I don’t think T.O. finished his driveway bench press sets or his foul shots. Gotta bring him back for common courtesy’s sake … and to sharpen the senses of a sometimes somnambulant Donovan. Besides, T.O.’s Banner’s kind of guy; dotted line – no problem. All kidding aside, I’d like to have him back for football and entertainment
purposes. Would be an against-the-grain decision, to say the least. Also an immediate upgrade to flying corps. Radio commentator Hugh Douglass would be thrilled.
jjg-
greg lewis and a 2010 pick to the pats for a 2009 pick (read 5th round)
could roy williams be a replacement for b dawk? i know he sucks in coverage much like michael lewis did. but he can do what dawk did this year which is more of a linebacker/safety hybrid and not be used in pass protection. plus he’s 28. thoughts?
I am by no means an expert, but this was a fun little exercise and a good way to kill a few hours at work. Here’s my proposed transactions:
Trades
Braylon Edwards: Reggie Brown and 3rd round pick
The Browns might not really even be shopping Edwards, and a 3rd rounder with Reggie Brown may not be enough to pry him away if they are, but a definite upgrade if it happened. Edwards is a big target (6′3 I think) and both a red zone and deep field threat. Had a bad case of the drops last year, but had a monster season the previous year behind consistent quarterback play and solid TE production, which brings me to…
Tony Scheffler: Chris Clemons, 5th round pick and 6th round pick
Rumor has it that Scheffler is on the trading block, as he is not an ideal fit in McDaniels’ New England style offense. Already having the prototypical TE for his scheme in Daniel Graham, Scheffler becomes expendable. Scheffler is not a great blocker, but is an excellent receiver over the middle and led all TE’s (with over 40 receptions) in average yards per catch last year. In other words, an excellent fit for the Eagles’ West Coast offense. Denver could use some depth on the defensive line opposite Elvis Dumervil while Jarvis Moss develops, and packaging Clemons with a few late round picks may close the deal. Brent Celek is developing nicely, but having a second, viable receiving threat at TE could do wonders in red zone and short yardage passing situations.
Signings
Resign Jon Runyan to a short term deal with playing time incentives
Jon Runyan knows the Eagles offense inside and out. With Tra Thomas likely gone, it would be wise to retain some veteran leadership on the team to help mentor a young tackle. There are obvious concerns about his health going forward, so playing time incentives should be included to limit the Eagles’ exposure in the somewhat likely event he is unable to play or perform up to standards.
Sign FB Leonard Weaver
The Dan Klecko experiment was interesting, but ultimately somewhat of a failure. Kyle Eckel is a good garbage-time back that can gain tough yards and run out the clock to protect starters from injury, but unlikely to step into the role of successful fullback. Leonard Weaver is an instant upgrade at the fullback position, and somewhat of a necessity if the Eagles choose not to pursue a good blocker at TE (which they haven’t really had in a long time anyway).
Sign LB Angelo Crowell
Angelo Crowell is an often overlooked linebacker with excellent size and speed. I’m not sold on the Akeem Jordan/Omar Gaither tandem at OLB. Crowell isn’t a big play guy, but has good pursuit skills, solid tackling, and the speed to perform well in coverage. Injury concerns linger, but he also has good upside.
Sign S Sean Jones
Sean Jones is a big hitter and tackling machine. While unlikely to ever fill the emotional void left by Brian Dawkins, Jones should perform well on the field in his place.
Draft
After the proposed trades, the Eagles are left with the following draft picks:
1st round, #21
1st round, #28
2nd round, #53
4th round, #117
5th round, #133
5th round, #149
5th round, #151
6th round, #182
7th round, #213
While the Eagles have several needs that could be addressed in the draft, I think the general concensus is that the offensive line and the running back position need the most immediate help. I have put together two scenarios depending on which need is addressed first. Admittedly, some of these draft picks may be a reach, as it’s entirely possible they’ll be off the board by the time the pick rolls around. I use this more as a guide to what positions I think should be drafted in which round, with a potential player for reference.
Acquiring Scheffler, Edwards, Weaver, Crowell, and Sean Jones would free up draft picks to be used for depth at other positions and provide a few luxury picks.
Scenario 1: RB Focus
1st round (21): Knowshon Moreno (RB – Georgia)/Donald Brown (RB – Connecticutt)
1st round (28): Eben Britton (OT – Arizona)/William Beatty (OT – Connecticutt)
2nd round (53): Sean Smith (CB – Utah)
4th round (117): Ricky Jean-Francois (DT – LSU)
5th round (133): Austin Collie (WR – BYU)
5th round (149): Kyle Moore (DE – USC)
5th round (151): Courtney Greene (S – Rutgers)
6th round (182): Jasper Brinkley (LB – South Carolina)
7th round (213): Deon Butler (WR – Penn State)
If the Eagles go with RB first, I see no reason to trade up. There’s the possibility that Knowshon Moreno will be available, and Donald Brown is a solid alternative. I was tempted to include Chris Wells as a possibility, but I see the Eagles wanting to groom a back in Westbrook’s image, rather than go with a complimentary “Thunder and Lightning” approach that’s becoming so popular these days. There will be a few good tackles left on the board which may be a bit of a reach at the end of round 1, but will likely be unavailable when the Eagles pick again at #53.
I’m a bit torn over selecting a defensive back this early in the draft. On one hand, the Eagles need a safety much more than a cornerback. On the other hand, I suggest the Eagles sign Sean Jones. I think there is the potential of shifting Sheldon Brown to safety, as they just paid Joselio Hanson starter money (and probably not for the purpose of using him in a rotational/nickel package). It’s also possible they’re looking to trade Brown while he still has value. With Mikell (a solid starter) and Demps on the roster, the addition of Sean Jones and a position change for Brown could make for a crowded depth chart at safety. Sheldon Brown could potentially be used to help pry away Edwards from Cleveland, as they could use safety help now that they no longer have, you guessed it, Sean Jones.
Sean Smith is a solid defensive back who has the versatility to play both corner and safety, and would add some real depth to the Eagles secondary in case Samuel or Hanson gets injured. Andy Reid loves his big men, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see more depth added on the defensive line. Another possibility is a DE here, especially if Clemons were traded to Denver as I proposed. A project WR could be taken next (in hopes of finding the next Colston), followed by another DL pick, a safety or OL, a linebacker and maybe another receiver to throw on the practice squad.
Scenario 2: OL Focus (Package 1st round picks)
1st round (7): Eugene Monroe (OT – Virginia)/Michael Oher (OT – Ole Miss)
2nd round (53): LeSean McCoy (RB – Pitt)/Shonn Greene (RB – Iowa)
4th round (117): Cary Harris (CB – USC)
5th round (133): Vance Walker (DT – Georgia Tech)
5th round (149): Matt Shaughnessy (DE – Wisconsin)
5th round (151): Patrick Turner (WR – USC)
6th round (182): Louis Vasquez (OG – Texas Tech)
7th round (213): Victor Butler (LB – Oregon State)
If the Eagles choose to address the void at tackle first, I’d propose packaging both first round picks to move up and try to get Eugene Monroe, or maybe Michael Oher (which may be a bit of a reach at #7ish). The Bengals may be a viable trade partner at #6, as they have plenty of holes to fill (that’s what she said) and could still get a solid OT and another pick in the 1st which would help them along in their rebuilding quest. In the 2nd round, the need at running back should be addressed with either Shonn Greene or LeSean McCoy (I’m favoring McCoy if he’s still around). After that, the position order stays mostly the same, though everything is bumped back a round or 2 due to having less picks. I like Vasquez in the late rounds, as Texas Tech’s line was incredibly solid this year, and I think he’d be a good value.
Depth Chart: Draft Scenario 1
QB: McNabb, Kolb, Feeley
RB: Westbrook, Moreno, Eckel
FB: Weaver, Klecko
WR: Edwards, Jackson, Baskett
WR: Curtis, Avant, Collie
TE: Scheffler, Celek, Schobel
LT: Runyan, Britton
LG: Herremans, Jean-Gilles
C: Jackson
RG: Andrews, Cole
RT: Andrews, Dunlap
DE: Abiamiri, Parker
DT: Patterson, Howard
DT: Bunkley, Jean-Francois, Laws
DE: Cole, Moore
OLB: Crowell, Jordan
MLB: Bradley, Mays
OLB: Gocong, Gaither
CB: Samuel, Hanson
CB: Brown, Smith
SS: Jones, Demps
FS: Mikell, Greene
Depth Chart: Draft Scenario 2
QB: McNabb, Kolb, Feeley
RB: Westbrook, McCoy, Eckel
FB: Weaver, Klecko
WR: Edwards, Jackson, Baskett
WR: Curtis, Avant, Turner
TE: Scheffler, Celek, Schobel
LT: Monroe, Runyan
LG: Herremans, Jean-Gilles
C: Jackson, Cole(?)
RG: Andrews, Vasquez
RT: Andrews, Dunlap
DE: Abiamiri, Parker
DT: Patterson, Howard
DT: Bunkley, Laws, Walker
DE: Cole, Shaughnessy
OLB: Crowell, Jordan
MLB: Bradley, Mays
OLB: Gocong, Gaither
CB: Samuel, Hanson
CB: Brown, Harris
SS: Jones, Demps
FS: Mikell
So we end up with a surplus at DT, which I’m sure Reid would be fine with. The DT draft pick could also be used on a center to replace Jackson when he’s gone.
2010 and Beyond
The Eagles have quietly gotten much younger with minimal outbursts from the fans (Dawkins being an obvious exception). There are very few remaining holes to fill, though having depth and versatility on the lines is always of utmost concern (if only the Raiders could figure that out). It may be time to draft the franchise QB of the future, as I’m not sure I ever see Kolb stepping into that role, though admittedly, he’s had very little chance to prove himself thus far. A stud LB may be a good option in the draft, though knowing the Eagles, they’ll likely just trade out of their first round pick again and waste it (not that I’m still bitter on them passing up on Lamarr Woodley when Kolb would have been available at their later 2nd round pick where they took a DE…). The future is bright my friends, even if it’s only a dream.
Looking back at my proposal, I believe it would likely take more than Clemons (who the Broncos may not even want) and a 5th/6th round pick to get Scheffler. If that is the case, I suggest offering a conditional pick in next year’s draft depending on his performance this year.
Pete, Chiming in at your behest, I install Kolb as starting QB, McNabb as the scout team “engineer” (of course, telling him to “stay ready, anything can happen, ‘McMope’ “). That’ll activate the Eagles’ chemical compound, draw on a Texas investment and reinvigorate Wilma’s blog.
Moral: The performance must meet the profile.
Well first keep Mcnabb at qb
Next keep our current Rb situation and with our first roun d pick(#21) take Bennie Wells.
Fullback, sign Lorenzo Neal(old but good)
Tight End, keep current situation and see if there is a good Te out there in the draft at resonable round
Wideout, Trade First roumd, Third round for Boldin
Keep ofensive linemans as is and draft younger
Keep demps as sub sign Sean Jones
Nice Linebacker core keep as is
Draft Corner back in late 5th or 4th round
Trade fith and Sheldon for early second…draft nice D-lineman
With rest of picks deivy out as much and pick out nice young gems
If no number one…go after nice young wideout…possiblt Hakeem Nicks….or Other
Pete, if Pettigrew is there at #21 we should take him. Take best r.b. that fits their needs at #28 and best player on their board at o.t. or safety in the second round. Trade R.Brown and one of our 5th rounders for Holt. Sign Weaver. And get a big reciever with promise in the midrounds along with a young center and defensive back help. I want McNabb to be given upgrades at the tight end,r.b.,reciever and f.b. positions and see what happens.
Shouldn’t Sean Jones be on the depth char?
jurnee16-
this post was originally done before the signing. I said people didn’t have to include him in their plans if they didn’t want to.
Here’s the plan; Sign FB L.Weaver and DE Jason Taylor. Trade 28th pick in rd 1 and a NE’s 5th rd pick for Clv’s 2nd & 3rd (Clv takes McCoy), trade the 21st pick in rd 1 and Phl 3rd rd for Boldin, trade Clv 3rd rd pick to KC for Gonzalez, trade 4th & 5th for the backend of the 3rd rd, trade 3rd pick to Oak for RB M.Bush. Use Clv 2nd rd pick on RB R.Brown, use Phl 2nd rd pick on LT P.Loadhodt. No 3rd or 4th rd picks. QB McNabb, RB Westbrook (Bush & Brown), FB Weaver, WRs Boldin/Curtis/Jackson (Avant/Baskett), TE Gonzalez (Celek), LT Sh Andrews, LG Herremans, C Cole, RG Jean-Gilles, RT St Andrews (Jackson/Loadhodt/Justice/McGlynn/Dunlop). Jones & Demps fill in for Dawkins, Jason Taylor & Clemons rotate starting DE but defense remains in tact. Cole, Patterson, Bunkley, Taylor, Jordan, Bradley, Gocong, Samuel, Brown, Mikel, Jones (Demps/Ikewguonuo/Hanson/Clemons/Gaither/Laws/Howard). Go win it now while McNabb is still young enough! That’s peddle to the metal!
Haha, Wheeler definitely stomped me on the creativity part. Those trades must have taken a lot of thought. Interesting proposals man.
all-
I would love to see Pettigrew at 21 and Donald Brown at 28. That is about the best I can do.
Also, sign Weaver and move Klecko back to the D-Line. Cut Eckel. Back to my Donald Brown pick at #28, I can see him being the most durable and best back to come out this draft down the road. He really broke out at UConn last season and was their entire offense. Defenses didn’t respect their passing game and still couldn’t stop Brown. And the Big East, although weaker than the SEC, still had some quality defenses in VA Tech, BC, among others.
I am retarded. What is this, 2004???
The Big East stinks, but D. Brown is still good. Pete, can you enable comment editing? THX