Now that the draft is complete and for the most part Free Agency is complete (save a vet free agent or two coming in). How do you all grade Howies work this offseason?
Going into the offseason I had several things I wanted to see. Upgrades at CB, LB and WR. Increase team speed. New offensive coordinator and defensive coordinator or at least a new DB coach. Move on from most of the veterans we had on the team like Jenkins, Bradham, Peters, Darby and Big V.
Overall I like the following
1. The Slay trade gives us the best CB we have had in a very long time. He is a shutdown corner and he will make this team better on defense.
2. Moving on from the OG's like Peters. You don't spend a first round pick on a trade up to sit a guy like Dillard. I have a different take than most on him. When he played LT he showed he has pro bowl potential. When he played RT he was a fish out of water. Need him to play this year. Bradham clearly lost speed. Darby the same and just couldn't cover.
3. Drafting of 3 wide outs plus the trade for Goodwin. I don't think Reagor was the right pick at 21 however its not like he isn't going to contribute this year. I would expect at least Agholor production without the major drops (he will drops some balls though). I was looking more at Jefferson as reliable volume catcher for Wentz. The Eagles want more speed and they brought in 4 guys who can flat out scoot. Now can they catch?
4. I like the addition of speed at linebacker. I do think Taylor and Bradley will help more in special teams this year. Looking at the way Taylor played in college I just think he needs to be coached up a little on the game. He has the instincts, the speed and the tackling ability to be a good one.
5. Wallace and Parks plus bringing back McCloud I like at safety. I do think it was time to move on from Jenkins. He looked to be a little slower last year but he seemed to miss more assignments than I saw him miss in the past and he admitted to that. I also think the kid Arnold who we got as an UDFA has a real shot to make this team. He is a ball hawk and a very good tackler. His question is speed.
6. Attention to the DT tackle position. Last year we got volume injuries at CB, DT and WR. I mean we were down to guys off the street at times to play next to Fletch. Hargrave the return of Jackson should really help us get back to where we were in 2017 at the position.
Things I didn't like
1. Lack of a true veteran linebacker. Gerry missed way too many tackles last year. I like TJ Edwards but I am not sure he is anything more than a run stuffing linebacker. I covered Taylor and Bradley already. Just seems to me without a veteran we are going to get dinked and dunked to death.
2. I thought we needed another pass rush defensive end. I don't think Toothill is the answer. Maybe Miller gets his shot. But the way we like to rotate I thought we may invest a little more there.
3. Lack of a another veteran lineman. I want Dillard to start but I think we need a veteran behind him. We not only lost Peters but we also lost our top backup in Big V. While I think that Driscoll and the Prince will develop I am not sure its year 1.
4. I really think Hurts has a chance to be a damn good QB in this league. I just don't think it needed to be for the Eagles. I would have went Kristian Fulton or Willie Gay JR. there.
5. I wanted to move on from Schwartz. I just don't think his defensive schemes are good enough. I do think he got lucky with his DB coach leaving. I like the new DB coach better and maybe they finally develop a corner or two.
Overall this is not a bad offseason. If we get back some of the players who were hurt last year like Jackson and some of the rookies can contribute this year along with some of the rookies from last year taking the next step. I still see this as a playoff team. Depending on how they jell they could be a deep into the playoff team.
Going into the offseason I had several things I wanted to see. Upgrades at CB, LB and WR. Increase team speed. New offensive coordinator and defensive coordinator or at least a new DB coach. Move on from most of the veterans we had on the team like Jenkins, Bradham, Peters, Darby and Big V.
Overall I like the following
1. The Slay trade gives us the best CB we have had in a very long time. He is a shutdown corner and he will make this team better on defense.
2. Moving on from the OG's like Peters. You don't spend a first round pick on a trade up to sit a guy like Dillard. I have a different take than most on him. When he played LT he showed he has pro bowl potential. When he played RT he was a fish out of water. Need him to play this year. Bradham clearly lost speed. Darby the same and just couldn't cover.
3. Drafting of 3 wide outs plus the trade for Goodwin. I don't think Reagor was the right pick at 21 however its not like he isn't going to contribute this year. I would expect at least Agholor production without the major drops (he will drops some balls though). I was looking more at Jefferson as reliable volume catcher for Wentz. The Eagles want more speed and they brought in 4 guys who can flat out scoot. Now can they catch?
4. I like the addition of speed at linebacker. I do think Taylor and Bradley will help more in special teams this year. Looking at the way Taylor played in college I just think he needs to be coached up a little on the game. He has the instincts, the speed and the tackling ability to be a good one.
5. Wallace and Parks plus bringing back McCloud I like at safety. I do think it was time to move on from Jenkins. He looked to be a little slower last year but he seemed to miss more assignments than I saw him miss in the past and he admitted to that. I also think the kid Arnold who we got as an UDFA has a real shot to make this team. He is a ball hawk and a very good tackler. His question is speed.
6. Attention to the DT tackle position. Last year we got volume injuries at CB, DT and WR. I mean we were down to guys off the street at times to play next to Fletch. Hargrave the return of Jackson should really help us get back to where we were in 2017 at the position.
Things I didn't like
1. Lack of a true veteran linebacker. Gerry missed way too many tackles last year. I like TJ Edwards but I am not sure he is anything more than a run stuffing linebacker. I covered Taylor and Bradley already. Just seems to me without a veteran we are going to get dinked and dunked to death.
2. I thought we needed another pass rush defensive end. I don't think Toothill is the answer. Maybe Miller gets his shot. But the way we like to rotate I thought we may invest a little more there.
3. Lack of a another veteran lineman. I want Dillard to start but I think we need a veteran behind him. We not only lost Peters but we also lost our top backup in Big V. While I think that Driscoll and the Prince will develop I am not sure its year 1.
4. I really think Hurts has a chance to be a damn good QB in this league. I just don't think it needed to be for the Eagles. I would have went Kristian Fulton or Willie Gay JR. there.
5. I wanted to move on from Schwartz. I just don't think his defensive schemes are good enough. I do think he got lucky with his DB coach leaving. I like the new DB coach better and maybe they finally develop a corner or two.
Overall this is not a bad offseason. If we get back some of the players who were hurt last year like Jackson and some of the rookies can contribute this year along with some of the rookies from last year taking the next step. I still see this as a playoff team. Depending on how they jell they could be a deep into the playoff team.
Comment