Now that we are pretty sure Doug and Howie will be back, I think its safe to take a look at what I would do going forward. Now to be clear I was not in favor of either coming back so I am somewhat trying to think as to the current offensive and defensive schemes as well as Howies penchant to value QB, OT, DE, etc over say RB or LB.
Coaching Staff
Honestly I think some of the individual coaches like Duce, Stoutland etc are good coaches. You can see some of the young guys at those positions getting better. The real problem this year is how do you as a coach consistently get guys ready to play when the cast is changing on a week by week basis due to injury. Now I think there problems on offense have to do more with scheme, same with the defense. One should change this offseason as Schwartz already is not coming back. The other should also change.
1. New offensive coordinator - A true coordinator not a bunch of guys doing a group think. That has proven to not only screw up your franchise QB but also gives the wrong signals. Bringing in somebody from the outside makes sense. Somebody who has done well before with helping QB's as well as has an innovative offensive plan. Here is who I would attempt to hire
- Mike McDaniel Run game coordinator 49ers - He has been with Kyle Shanahan for 13 seasons. Shanahans offense blends a lot of the concepts that Doug likes but also elements of Frank Reichs offense. In other words I think he is a good fit for here. Now will he come? Don't know.
BONUS: If McDaniel says no and Doug thinks Hurts should be the next QB then Greg Roman who is the Ravens QB Coach would be my next choice
2. New QB Coach - Lets face it not only did Wentz regress so did Sudfeld and honestly Hurts best games were his first two. The last two games were not so good. Now he is a rookie but still. They need somebody who can be the DeFlippo type voice.
- Josh McCown - I know he is under contract as a player for Houston however I think this is his calling. The Eagles really like him and honestly I think he would do wonders as a QB coach here. There is nothing like a player who can coach but also has done it in the pro's
Duce stays, Stoutland stays, Moorhead stays, on the fence on Justin Peele but for now he stays. The rest can take the next flight out of town.
Also another big thing. Doug needs to give up at least some of the play calling. Maybe he will now that Schwartz is gone and he may need to spend more time on the defensive side of the ball.
3. New Defensive Coordinator - After the Super Bowl for whatever reasons Schwartz just wasn't the same coordinator. I like a guy who is aggressive as a coordinator, Schwartz was not.
- Gus Bradley - Get on the Gus bus. Seriously I don't know if he would even consider it after the way he was throw to the side during the Chip Kelly regime but he may especially if he thinks Doug could possibly be gone in 2022. Defensively the Chargers took a step back this year but in 2019 they were a top 10 defense. He is an aggressive coordinator who has been a head coach before which fits the same mold as Schwartz. Now I will say he is going to have multiple offers so the Eagles will need to step up big time to get him.
BONUS: Marquan Manual or Matt Burke - Both have been coordinators before and both are currently on the team. Doug seems like to promote from within. I personally would not go down that road.
4. New Special Teams Coach - Dave Fipp has been here forever and a day. I think this the worst special teams unit he has had. Why he consistently rolled out Greg Ward and Boston Scott as the returners when he has guys like Quez Watkins, John Hightower and Jalen Reagor who were superior college return guys just boggled my mind. I think its time for a change.
- Andy Hill Ast Special Teams Coach KC - Hill is the assistant in KC who had one of the best if not the best special teams in football this year. He was not there when Doug was there but I am sure he will get the scope from Andy on this one. I am looking to get somebody from a team who has consistently had good special teams.
Now that we are through the coaching staff changes its time to look at the roster. The first thing we have to look at is the Salary cap. Right now there cap number from over the cap Top 51 is set at 265k. The salary cap at the moment after the Covid negotiations is 175k. So for this purpose they are 90 million over the cap. I have them at having 25.5 to roll0ver (yes that number is different than over the cap I think they may have a few things wrong or may have) so for my purpose I am going to use the number of 65k over the cap after the rollover. Folks that is a ton of money. Now that 65k gets them to the cap. In order to draft and take advantage of the draft position we have we will need another 10 million. That is before we even think about signing players such as restricted free agents and such So in reality they really need to clear around 85 million dollars. Some of this will be through cuts, some through trades and some through restructures. But this is going to be hard.
Trades
.1. Derrick Banett DE - People forget he is only 24 years old. He is not a top guy but he is also not a rotational guy, he is a solid starter who plays the run and rushes the passer. Every team can always use more pass rush. I think the Buccaneers are a prime place to trade him. They are in need of another pass rusher are in win now mode. I believe they can do something like this.
Eagles Trade Barnett and the Atlanta 5th rounder for the Buccaneers 2nd rounder. Savings 10 million now we need to clear 75 million
2. Zach Ertz TE - Hate this one but they need to move on in order to get some salary cap space. Ertz did not have a good year but a team like Chicago might be a great fit. Not going to get a ton for him. Cap savings 5 million now down to 70 million
Eagles Trade Ertz and their 5th rounder in 2022 r to Chicago for a 3rd this year
3. Carson Wentz QB - This one is going to happen. I hate this as much as Ertz if not more. Never going to get value for him especially if he is requesting a trade. That said QB still bring some value especially to teams like the Colts or New England. Also of note before this trade happens Wentz gives back some money to facilitate a trade. I think the Colts step up here and make it happen. 12 games in a year where at times he and Kelce were the only starters on the field will make team think . So with a Carson contract restructure to facilitate a trade. Carson essentially will give the Eagles 10 million dollars back of his signing bonus, he then signs a new contract with the Colts that they give him a 10 million signing bonus.
Eagles Trade Carson Wentz and their 3rd round pick in 2021 to the Colts for their 1st round pick in 2021, a conditional pick in 2022 that can go as high as a 4th rounder if Wentz is still on the team in 2022. If not the Eagles give back a 3rd rounder.
So after Trades we clear out 25 million in cap space, get a 1st, 2nd and a 3rd this year, while giving up our 3rd as well as a 4th and two 5th. The cap number is now 45 million to get to the cap, 65 million in order to draft sign our restricted free agents etc.
Cuts
1. Alshon Jeffrey - With a post June 1st designation, saves 13 million 32 million to get to the cap.
2. DeSean Jackson - 5 million savings - 27 million to get to the cap
3. Marquise Goodwin - 5 million in savings (now this is one where I don't think the OVC number is right as I had him redoing his contract an only counting 1 million) Either way 22 million to go
4. Malik Jackson - He will be cut with a June 1st designation. That saves 10 million but will be used to sign draft picks.
12 million to get to the cap. 32 to draft
.
Restructure
1. Lane Johnson - Turn Johnson guarantee salary into a signing bonus and add a year. Saves us 7 million on this years cap
2. Darius Slay - Turn his guarantee of 12 guarantee million salary into a signing bonus. Saves us 7 million on this years cap.
3. Javon Hargrave - Turn his guarantee of 13 million into a signing bonus that saves us 9 million on this years cap.
4. Rodney McCloud - Turn his 4 million into a signing bonus - Saves us 3 million on this years cap.
5. Brandon Brooks - Turn his 10 million guarantee into a signing bonus. Saves us 8 million
This clears 34 million. So that gives us the 12 million to meet the cap, the additional 20 million to draft, sign restricted free agents etc. So we are back in the game and the cap not only looks good for 2021 but 2022 looks like they will be about 60 million under the cap. So this is a necessary change.
The Draft
I used Fanspeak for this draft and their rankings. I did this because it was easy to duplicate the draft picks I traded for above. I used their player rankings and trade requests.
1 - 6 - Jamar Chase WR - To the well once again at WR, this one is as close to a can't miss as you can get. Usually I would say the Eagles would go offensive or defensive line here but there just wasn't anyone there. Chase is the best WR in this draft. I know everyone is talking about Smith but he is Todd Pinkston at 170lbs soaking wet. I was really contemplating taking Patrick Surtain as we need a CB in the worst way but having 21 was a better chance of a good CB being there.
2- 21 - Asante Samuel JR. CB - Yes we finally take a CB in round one and a name that should be familiar to us. He is Asante son and plays a lot like him. Future shut down corner, play him across from Slay with Maddox in the slot. (From Colts)
2-6 - Dylan Moses LB Alabama - Probably won't be here in reality but he was during the this mock and I jump on him. Team him with Singleton and get some development from Taylor and we will have a fast athletics linebacking corp.
2-24 From Bucs - We have a Trade, Eagles trade with Buffalo for their 2nd and 3rd round picks We also trade back a 6th rounder
2-30 Brevin Jordan TE Maimi FL - Another that may not be there but TE is a sneaky need especially after dealing Ertz.
3- 19 Caden Sterns S Texas - Solid safety prospect. Can play both safety positions. This is another big need on this team. From Chicago
3-29 Xavier Thomas DE Clemson - Not sure how he was here, I have him as a possible late first rounder. Need another rotational end to rotate with Sweat now that Barnett is gone
5-6 Glenn Logan DL LSu - Adding to the line once again
6-6 Tyler Vrabel OT Boston College - Can't not add offensive lineman.
7-6 Josh Sills OG Oklahoma - Another to the mix
If things fall this way I see Chase, Samuel, Moses, Sterns all starting day one. Jordan and Thomas both contributing as rotational guys. I don't have the comp picks in there but if they were I would have continued to add depth.
I also have not done anything on Free agency. I can see them signing a veteran backup QB to Hurts, other than that I don't see them doing much because they don't have the cash to.
This offseason is going to be very interesting and frustrating at times, especially during free agency. But if we can come away with six picks like I have in the first 3 round and hit on at least 4 of them it will go a LONG LONG way to rebuilding this team.
Coaching Staff
Honestly I think some of the individual coaches like Duce, Stoutland etc are good coaches. You can see some of the young guys at those positions getting better. The real problem this year is how do you as a coach consistently get guys ready to play when the cast is changing on a week by week basis due to injury. Now I think there problems on offense have to do more with scheme, same with the defense. One should change this offseason as Schwartz already is not coming back. The other should also change.
1. New offensive coordinator - A true coordinator not a bunch of guys doing a group think. That has proven to not only screw up your franchise QB but also gives the wrong signals. Bringing in somebody from the outside makes sense. Somebody who has done well before with helping QB's as well as has an innovative offensive plan. Here is who I would attempt to hire
- Mike McDaniel Run game coordinator 49ers - He has been with Kyle Shanahan for 13 seasons. Shanahans offense blends a lot of the concepts that Doug likes but also elements of Frank Reichs offense. In other words I think he is a good fit for here. Now will he come? Don't know.
BONUS: If McDaniel says no and Doug thinks Hurts should be the next QB then Greg Roman who is the Ravens QB Coach would be my next choice
2. New QB Coach - Lets face it not only did Wentz regress so did Sudfeld and honestly Hurts best games were his first two. The last two games were not so good. Now he is a rookie but still. They need somebody who can be the DeFlippo type voice.
- Josh McCown - I know he is under contract as a player for Houston however I think this is his calling. The Eagles really like him and honestly I think he would do wonders as a QB coach here. There is nothing like a player who can coach but also has done it in the pro's
Duce stays, Stoutland stays, Moorhead stays, on the fence on Justin Peele but for now he stays. The rest can take the next flight out of town.
Also another big thing. Doug needs to give up at least some of the play calling. Maybe he will now that Schwartz is gone and he may need to spend more time on the defensive side of the ball.
3. New Defensive Coordinator - After the Super Bowl for whatever reasons Schwartz just wasn't the same coordinator. I like a guy who is aggressive as a coordinator, Schwartz was not.
- Gus Bradley - Get on the Gus bus. Seriously I don't know if he would even consider it after the way he was throw to the side during the Chip Kelly regime but he may especially if he thinks Doug could possibly be gone in 2022. Defensively the Chargers took a step back this year but in 2019 they were a top 10 defense. He is an aggressive coordinator who has been a head coach before which fits the same mold as Schwartz. Now I will say he is going to have multiple offers so the Eagles will need to step up big time to get him.
BONUS: Marquan Manual or Matt Burke - Both have been coordinators before and both are currently on the team. Doug seems like to promote from within. I personally would not go down that road.
4. New Special Teams Coach - Dave Fipp has been here forever and a day. I think this the worst special teams unit he has had. Why he consistently rolled out Greg Ward and Boston Scott as the returners when he has guys like Quez Watkins, John Hightower and Jalen Reagor who were superior college return guys just boggled my mind. I think its time for a change.
- Andy Hill Ast Special Teams Coach KC - Hill is the assistant in KC who had one of the best if not the best special teams in football this year. He was not there when Doug was there but I am sure he will get the scope from Andy on this one. I am looking to get somebody from a team who has consistently had good special teams.
Now that we are through the coaching staff changes its time to look at the roster. The first thing we have to look at is the Salary cap. Right now there cap number from over the cap Top 51 is set at 265k. The salary cap at the moment after the Covid negotiations is 175k. So for this purpose they are 90 million over the cap. I have them at having 25.5 to roll0ver (yes that number is different than over the cap I think they may have a few things wrong or may have) so for my purpose I am going to use the number of 65k over the cap after the rollover. Folks that is a ton of money. Now that 65k gets them to the cap. In order to draft and take advantage of the draft position we have we will need another 10 million. That is before we even think about signing players such as restricted free agents and such So in reality they really need to clear around 85 million dollars. Some of this will be through cuts, some through trades and some through restructures. But this is going to be hard.
Trades
.1. Derrick Banett DE - People forget he is only 24 years old. He is not a top guy but he is also not a rotational guy, he is a solid starter who plays the run and rushes the passer. Every team can always use more pass rush. I think the Buccaneers are a prime place to trade him. They are in need of another pass rusher are in win now mode. I believe they can do something like this.
Eagles Trade Barnett and the Atlanta 5th rounder for the Buccaneers 2nd rounder. Savings 10 million now we need to clear 75 million
2. Zach Ertz TE - Hate this one but they need to move on in order to get some salary cap space. Ertz did not have a good year but a team like Chicago might be a great fit. Not going to get a ton for him. Cap savings 5 million now down to 70 million
Eagles Trade Ertz and their 5th rounder in 2022 r to Chicago for a 3rd this year
3. Carson Wentz QB - This one is going to happen. I hate this as much as Ertz if not more. Never going to get value for him especially if he is requesting a trade. That said QB still bring some value especially to teams like the Colts or New England. Also of note before this trade happens Wentz gives back some money to facilitate a trade. I think the Colts step up here and make it happen. 12 games in a year where at times he and Kelce were the only starters on the field will make team think . So with a Carson contract restructure to facilitate a trade. Carson essentially will give the Eagles 10 million dollars back of his signing bonus, he then signs a new contract with the Colts that they give him a 10 million signing bonus.
Eagles Trade Carson Wentz and their 3rd round pick in 2021 to the Colts for their 1st round pick in 2021, a conditional pick in 2022 that can go as high as a 4th rounder if Wentz is still on the team in 2022. If not the Eagles give back a 3rd rounder.
So after Trades we clear out 25 million in cap space, get a 1st, 2nd and a 3rd this year, while giving up our 3rd as well as a 4th and two 5th. The cap number is now 45 million to get to the cap, 65 million in order to draft sign our restricted free agents etc.
Cuts
1. Alshon Jeffrey - With a post June 1st designation, saves 13 million 32 million to get to the cap.
2. DeSean Jackson - 5 million savings - 27 million to get to the cap
3. Marquise Goodwin - 5 million in savings (now this is one where I don't think the OVC number is right as I had him redoing his contract an only counting 1 million) Either way 22 million to go
4. Malik Jackson - He will be cut with a June 1st designation. That saves 10 million but will be used to sign draft picks.
12 million to get to the cap. 32 to draft
.
Restructure
1. Lane Johnson - Turn Johnson guarantee salary into a signing bonus and add a year. Saves us 7 million on this years cap
2. Darius Slay - Turn his guarantee of 12 guarantee million salary into a signing bonus. Saves us 7 million on this years cap.
3. Javon Hargrave - Turn his guarantee of 13 million into a signing bonus that saves us 9 million on this years cap.
4. Rodney McCloud - Turn his 4 million into a signing bonus - Saves us 3 million on this years cap.
5. Brandon Brooks - Turn his 10 million guarantee into a signing bonus. Saves us 8 million
This clears 34 million. So that gives us the 12 million to meet the cap, the additional 20 million to draft, sign restricted free agents etc. So we are back in the game and the cap not only looks good for 2021 but 2022 looks like they will be about 60 million under the cap. So this is a necessary change.
The Draft
I used Fanspeak for this draft and their rankings. I did this because it was easy to duplicate the draft picks I traded for above. I used their player rankings and trade requests.
1 - 6 - Jamar Chase WR - To the well once again at WR, this one is as close to a can't miss as you can get. Usually I would say the Eagles would go offensive or defensive line here but there just wasn't anyone there. Chase is the best WR in this draft. I know everyone is talking about Smith but he is Todd Pinkston at 170lbs soaking wet. I was really contemplating taking Patrick Surtain as we need a CB in the worst way but having 21 was a better chance of a good CB being there.
2- 21 - Asante Samuel JR. CB - Yes we finally take a CB in round one and a name that should be familiar to us. He is Asante son and plays a lot like him. Future shut down corner, play him across from Slay with Maddox in the slot. (From Colts)
2-6 - Dylan Moses LB Alabama - Probably won't be here in reality but he was during the this mock and I jump on him. Team him with Singleton and get some development from Taylor and we will have a fast athletics linebacking corp.
2-24 From Bucs - We have a Trade, Eagles trade with Buffalo for their 2nd and 3rd round picks We also trade back a 6th rounder
2-30 Brevin Jordan TE Maimi FL - Another that may not be there but TE is a sneaky need especially after dealing Ertz.
3- 19 Caden Sterns S Texas - Solid safety prospect. Can play both safety positions. This is another big need on this team. From Chicago
3-29 Xavier Thomas DE Clemson - Not sure how he was here, I have him as a possible late first rounder. Need another rotational end to rotate with Sweat now that Barnett is gone
5-6 Glenn Logan DL LSu - Adding to the line once again
6-6 Tyler Vrabel OT Boston College - Can't not add offensive lineman.
7-6 Josh Sills OG Oklahoma - Another to the mix
If things fall this way I see Chase, Samuel, Moses, Sterns all starting day one. Jordan and Thomas both contributing as rotational guys. I don't have the comp picks in there but if they were I would have continued to add depth.
I also have not done anything on Free agency. I can see them signing a veteran backup QB to Hurts, other than that I don't see them doing much because they don't have the cash to.
This offseason is going to be very interesting and frustrating at times, especially during free agency. But if we can come away with six picks like I have in the first 3 round and hit on at least 4 of them it will go a LONG LONG way to rebuilding this team.
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