I wouldn’t expect a quiet off-season from the Eagles. The team has several free-agents, 7 picks in the first 5 rounds of the draft, several areas they can improve, and a fan base clamoring for a bold move.
Let’s go position-by-position as see what the Eagles are looking at for 2009.
Quarterback
Do I have to? It is clear that Donovan is not going to take us to a Super Bowl championship without help, and that if it comes down to one last drive, he’s probably not going to get it done. He can win the big games, but he can’t win THE big games. He is 8-1 in Wild Card and Divisional games, and 1-5 in Championship Games and the Super Bowl. 90% of NFL teams would kill for that first number, but it’s the second number that is killing many Eagles fans. However, if Trent Dilfer and Brad Johnson can win Super Bowl’s, McNabb can as well, but not if the game is put solely on him.
Some people would like to see McNabb gone, but he is the best option for the team to win next year. In the short time we’ve seen Kevin Kolb, he appears to be accurate, but lacks the arm strength to stretch the passing game, and we lack the running game for that to be OK.
What may change the situation is if McNabb comes in expecting a new contract. He doesn’t deserve it, and we can spend our money more wisely in other places. Right now, we don’t have a better alternative on our bench, in free agency, or in the draft (I don’t like Stafford or Sanchez). McNabb is our QB next year unless he forces his way out.
Running Back
This is an area of need for 3 reasons. First, Brian Westbrook is consistently hurt near the end of the season, and this year was a complete non-factor in our last two playoffs games. Second, our red zone offense and short yardage offense are both dying for a power running back. Third, a consistent running game would take the pressure off McNabb, add another element to our offense, help control the clock and the 2-headed rushing attack proved to be very successful for many teams this season. That’s more like 6 reasons. That enough for you Andy?
Westbrook will be back, but Buckhalter is a free agent, and I’m not sure the Eagles will re-sign him (especially considering how insanely underused he was this season).
I don’t expect the Eagles to go after Brandon Jacobs or Derrick Ward in free agency. The draft has several good options and I’d love for them to take a back in the 1st or 2nd round. They could trade up for Chris Wells, take Knowshon Moreno with one of their 1st rounders, or take someone like Shonn Greene of Iowa in the 2nd or 3rd. Personally, I’d love to see them grab the 5’11”, 235lb Greene (pictured).
Wide Receiver
I’ll save you the rant, but I am positive an elite receiver would really help this team. At the very least, it would give us someone to throw to in the red zone. Without a power back or a TD-catching wide-out, it’s no wonder we’ve been horrible at closing drives the last two years.
I imagine the only guys guaranteed to be on the team next year are DeSean Jackson, Kevin Curtis and Jason Avant. Reggie Brown contributed nothing, and I don’t see him in the team’s future plans. Baskett is a FA and not a priority and thanks for coming out, Greg Lewis.
There is one impact WR in free agency, Bengals WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh. The unhappy Anquan Boldin may also be available in a trade with the emergence of Steve Breaston. Either would be just fine with me. In the draft, the only stud is Michael Crabtree, and I’m not sure our 2 first rounders would be enough to get up and get him. All the other WRs in the draft are relatively small and not of the impact we are looking for. Any impact here is likely to be either Housh, or a trade.
Tight End
Brent Celek was fantastic against the Cards, and I’m looking forward to his following his development. Everyone except Andy Reid knew it was stupid to franchise L.J. Smith and he is thankfully, finally gone. The Eagles need another TE to compliment Celek, who is solid, but not a future star (think Chad Lewis).
Owen Daniels of the Texans is the best FA, and there are a couple decent prospects in the draft. The guy I wanted, Oklahoma TE Jermaine Gresham is returning to school for his senior year.
Offensive Line
This group did a good job pass blocking, but only an average job with run blocking this season. I think Shawn Andrews’ absence was one of the most under-reported stories of the year.
Both Jon Runyan and Tra Thomas are free agents. I expect Todd Herremens, Andrews, Nick Cole (a restricted FA) and Jamaal Jackson to all be part of the line next year with Herremens potentially moving to tackle. If the Birds decide not to resign either tackle (I’d prefer Runyan if they pick one), the best free agent option is Jordan Gross of the Panthers. Reid loves him some linemen, so it is certainly a possibility.
Unless they go after Gross, drafting a young tackle to develop is a must for the Eagles. I fully expect them to use one of their first rounders on this position. They might trade up to get Jason Smith of Baylor or Michael Oher of Ole Miss. If you’ve read Michael Lewis’ The Blindside, you are probably rooting for Oher as I am.
Defensive Line
We are pretty much set at defensive tackle with Patterson, Bunkley and Laws. Defensive end is another story. We have a great player in Trent Cole, and good rotation players Juqua Parker, Darren Howard and Victor Abiamiri, but I think this defense would greatly benefit from another elite pass rusher. Our defense is solid at every position, but lacks an elite force, and since our lack of pressure on Kurt Warner was very apparent, an elite D-end is my solution.
It so happens that 28-year old Julius Peppers is a free agent and desperately wants out of Carolina. They could franchise him, but speculation is that they won’t given the cost and his desire to leave. I would love to see the Eagles make him their bold move.
After Peppers, there isn’t much in free agency or the draft that I would see as a significant upgrade to what we already have.
Linebacker
Still young, and still with room to improve, I fully expect to see Stewart Bradley, Chris Gocong and Akeem Jordan line-up in Week 1 next year. Bradley is the only one who I think has the potential for greatness, but there is certainly no reason to replace the other two without another season.
Cornerback
Samuel and Brown will still be the starters and Hanson will be the nickel back. Hanson is a FA, but I imagine they will re-sign him unless he gets overly greedy. You have to think that Sheppard will become trade bait again, but they likely won’t get what they could have last summer. Jack Ikegwuonu, their 4th rounder last year who was out all season, could surprise, or could be a non-factor (how’s that for analysis).
Maybe a small signing or a late round pick, but no major changes here.
Safety
Quentin Mikell is a given, and I’m just going to assume that Dawkins wants to come back and the Eagles want him back. I imagine Dawkins would even give us a discount. However, especially given Demps horrible and undisciplined play against the Cards, we need a safety-in-waiting to replace Dawkins. Taylor Mays would have been perfect, but he’s going back to USC. Can’t imagine them signing someone to be a back-up and future starter. Considine is also a free agent, and they might re-sign him for a special teams role. Looks like the draft is the best option here.
Kicker
David Akers was horrible in against the Cards, but was solid all season. There are a couple FA kickers out there (Rob Bironas, Mike Nugent) but none worth spending money on over Akers.
In Summary…
Probably Going: Correll Buckhalter, Hank Baskett, Reggie Brown, Greg Lewis, L.J. Smith, Jon Runyan or Tra Thomas, Lito Sheppard
Possible FA/Trade Targets: T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Anquan Boldin, Julius Peppers, Jordan Gross
Draft Needs: OT, RB, TE, CB, S
My perfect off-season blueprint? Sign Julius Peppers and draft an OT and impact RB with the first two picks and use the remaining picks to add depth where needed.
Obviously, this being the day after the season ended, other opportunities may arise, but that is where my head is right now. One thing is certain, they need to make a bold move, or we can’t really expect much improvement next year.
What do you want to see the Eagles do this offseason?
Pete..You hit the nail on the head here with all the trash that needs to be put by the curb and all the holes that need to be filled. Any chance we can afford both Peppers and Housh next year? Not sure what our cap space will be less the FAs that will be leaving and what those 2 players will want in terms of a contract.
The only thing you didn’t comment on is the coaching situation. Are the Eagles a better team next year with or without Andy Reid? And if the answer is with him, do they limit his role in the organization to coaching, pure and simple?
I would love to see them pick up Shonn Greene and Housh if I had to pick 1 FA and 1 draftee personally. With a top tier receiver, and actual real live running game, the potential for this offense is great. They could score enough points (20-30) that our existing defense could hold opponents below that margin (if we resign B-Dawk).
fodder from which to draw:
http://www.comcast.net/sports/russakoffrules/21186/thegreatesttrickthedevileverpulled/
This is great. According to the Washington Post Donovan is done in Philly. I’m not sure yet but it sounds like he may want to leave town more than fans do. Maybe we finally broke his spirit?
Anybody know how much room we have under the cap? If we are a lot under I wouldn’t be surprised to see us get Gross and Peppers for 2 reasons. This group loves their lineman and if they’re going to invest that’s the position it’ll probably be. The other reason is Reid and Co. can’t be stupid enough to know we have a limited amount of time left with this core, assuming they resign Dawk and McNabb is back. They should gear up for the next 2 years with the group they have now. Then turn it over to Kolb etc…
Boldin would be a god in Philly. I think 2 first-rounders should do the trick.
P.S. I can’t find the “Success” key on my keyboard. Is that a Mac function? Do I need to install the latest version of Flash?
I’ve read that Peppers wants to play in a completely different system (3-4) and be more of a LT type outside pass rusher. I think he wants to be in a defense that gives him more flexibility to make plays.
Julius Peppers agent recently said that he wants to play in a 3-4 defense.
jjg: good article. short with lil BS.
confirms what everyone won’t say; they were better than us….well somehow. don’t cry for the Eagles, at least they tried. better than losing the big game. IMO
hmmm….hadn’t read that about Peppers yet.
I guess that puts my focus on Housh.
I think we have a decent amount of cap space. This site suggests $24 mill…. http://seahawknationblog.com/2009/01/2009-outlook-for-eagles-ravens-mcnabb-most-definitely-gone/
Kobe to Eagles: “You need me!” That is pretty interesting!
I don’t want Peppers at all. He is a me-first baby who values his stats over the team’s success.
“In turn, because all members of the Steelers’ front seven are expected to play the same roles, there are no ego fits. Julius Peppers is throwing at fit at Carolina right now because he wants to play for a defense designed to produce personal stats for Julius Peppers. Nobody on the Steelers’ defensive front has particularly fantastic personal stats. That’s part of the point.”
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=easterbrook/090120&sportCat=nfl
I”m thinking the same is true with Boldin, notice the cry-baby fit he threw on the sidelines with his coach when the coach’s decisions were winning the game !
“This winning drive worked on several levels. First, Arizona did not impatiently try for a quick strike. Instead, it tried to control the clock like elite teams do. Second, coaches decided to surprise Philadelphia with runs and did not lose heart when the second-and-1 rush was stopped. Third, offensive coordinator Todd Haley stayed cool when star receiver Anquan Boldin began screaming at him on the sideline during the drive. Boldin is the Greatest Athlete in Human History — just ask him! — and was furious about being yanked for Ben Patrick and Terrelle Smith, two unheralded backups who are good blockers. Fourth, Haley no doubt had noted that Philadelphia opened the game with nickel and dime defenses on the field, and the run worked early (partly because the Eagles’ dime takes linebacker Chris Gocong, an excellent player, off the field). During the Philadelphia comeback, the Eagles put their regular defense out, and Arizona had trouble moving against it. With 10 minutes remaining and Arizona trailing, Philadelphia expected the Cards to go pass-wacky, and sent its dime onto the field. Against a dime, power rushes work, so Haley sent out his jumbo offense and started rushing.”
You hit all of the major areas. The Eagles have not given McNabb an elite receiver in 10 years except for one time. When they gave him one he took the team to the Super Bowl. They need to invest more money in the skill positions and stop being concerned with being so far under the cap every season.