What's right

[andrewaters]

Yesterday really sucked. I thought maybe this was the year but after what I saw take place this team clearly cannot win it all unless something crazy happens like all the teams we play turn it over 3-4 times a game. The offense is close the defense is not.

So, in order to cheer myself up more than anything I wanted to run down some things that I think are right.

1. This offense is loaded and young. Aside from DMac we are very young and very good at just about every position and you have to remember that Ingram and Andrews x 2 will be back. I know that there are concerns that Shawn Andrews will never be back but it does sound like the back surgery needed to be adjusted for a reason and Ingram is getting his knee fixed properly. So, clearly we are going to be loaded for a long time to come because the OL is talented and young as well.

2. The defense is young and talented at several key positions. DT is a very strong position for us between Bunkley, Patterson, Dixon and Laws. And, we have a lot of linebackers, none of them on the roster right now are world class but Stewart Bradley is very good, just 26 years old, and is ahead of schedule in his recovery. Will Witherspoon is talented a quick. Yeah, they need another LB but who doesn't.

3. The secondary is loaded at CB. Remember, Ellis Hobbs started for the Patriots last year and is our third corner next year. So, we have two more years of Samuel, a few more years of Sheldon Brown and Hanson and Hobbs. I know, safety is a huge concern but that is why we have the draft and free agency.

4. Next year is an uncapped year but the Eagles remain in a good to very good salary cap position. They have a lot of players signed and locked up and will remain in a good position to retain the players they want. Remember, they have a $5 million option on Vick that they aren't going to pick up. A player such as Karlos Dansby could be available next year to sign and the Eagles could potentially have the money to get him.

5. This is a VERY deep draft, especially with defensive talent which is what this team needs. I looked today and one mock has Brandon Spikes falling to the Eagles in the first round. Now, I know we think the Birds will not take a LB in round 1. Maybe not, but would anyone be upset if they took a stud DE or CB in round 1 and then took a kid like Navarro Bowman in the second round to shore up the LB position. That could happen and probably will happen. They are not blind... they see the issues at LB and will address them.

We are in a good position still as a franchise and will remain that way and EVENTUALLY it is going to be our turn. I just don't think it is this year.

[NoDakIggle]

I really disagree with your first thoughts. I will be thoroughly surprised to see Shawn Andrews back. I doubt we will see Ingram develop into much, if he is back at all. So the only one I see being back is Stacy Andrews. And I am not all hyped that it will happen but I have some hope there.
As for the others, I agree they have lots of young talent. I even think some of the young guys getting beat up in the fan base still have a future. And I am one that would never be surprised by a Reid draftee. People said he wouldn't do this or wouldn't do that since he got here and he fools them regularly. So a first round LB isn't out of the question IMO.

[MDFAN]

Yesterday really sucked. I thought maybe this was the year but after what I saw take place this team clearly cannot win it all unless something crazy happens like all the teams we play turn it over 3-4 times a game. The offense is close the defense is not.

So, in order to cheer myself up more than anything I wanted to run down some things that I think are right.

1. This offense is loaded and young. Aside from DMac we are very young and very good at just about every position and you have to remember that Ingram and Andrews x 2 will be back. I know that there are concerns that Shawn Andrews will never be back but it does sound like the back surgery needed to be adjusted for a reason and Ingram is getting his knee fixed properly. So, clearly we are going to be loaded for a long time to come because the OL is talented and young as well.

2. The defense is young and talented at several key positions. DT is a very strong position for us between Bunkley, Patterson, Dixon and Laws. And, we have a lot of linebackers, none of them on the roster right now are world class but Stewart Bradley is very good, just 26 years old, and is ahead of schedule in his recovery. Will Witherspoon is talented a quick. Yeah, they need another LB but who doesn't.

3. The secondary is loaded at CB. Remember, Ellis Hobbs started for the Patriots last year and is our third corner next year. So, we have two more years of Samuel, a few more years of Sheldon Brown and Hanson and Hobbs. I know, safety is a huge concern but that is why we have the draft and free agency.

4. Next year is an uncapped year but the Eagles remain in a good to very good salary cap position. They have a lot of players signed and locked up and will remain in a good position to retain the players they want. Remember, they have a $5 million option on Vick that they aren't going to pick up. A player such as Karlos Dansby could be available next year to sign and the Eagles could potentially have the money to get him.

5. This is a VERY deep draft, especially with defensive talent which is what this team needs. I looked today and one mock has Brandon Spikes falling to the Eagles in the first round. Now, I know we think the Birds will not take a LB in round 1. Maybe not, but would anyone be upset if they took a stud DE or CB in round 1 and then took a kid like Navarro Bowman in the second round to shore up the LB position. That could happen and probably will happen. They are not blind... they see the issues at LB and will address them.

We are in a good position still as a franchise and will remain that way and EVENTUALLY it is going to be our turn. I just don't think it is this year.

Good post.

I'm still a bit optimistic about both Andrews bros. D will be the side to draft on. And go F/A on also.

[andrewaters]

Ingram is going to be a stud. I'm telling you. He is too young not to heal properly and it is just a knee. It's not like it is a back or something like that. Once he gets the knee fixed properly, then will see what we have. He is a freak along the lines of Kellen Winslow Jr.

As for Andrews, the money has been spent on this guy. I say give him this next training camp and if he can play then put him a RG... if he can't, then cut bait and move on. Imagine an OL of Peters, Herremans, Jackson/Cole, Shawn Andrews, Justice... scary.

[NoDakIggle]

5. This is a VERY deep draft, especially with defensive talent which is what this team needs. I looked today and one mock has Brandon Spikes falling to the Eagles in the first round. Now, I know we think the Birds will not take a LB in round 1. Maybe not, but would anyone be upset if they took a stud DE or CB in round 1 and then took a kid like Navarro Bowman in the second round to shore up the LB position. That could happen and probably will happen. They are not blind... they see the issues at LB and will address them.

I just saw the defensive rookies of the year for the last ten years. One, Peppers, DE was a DROY. Nine, count 'em nine, LBs were DROY. Not syaing Andy would go that way but it sure would be nice to pick up a stud LB to pair with Bradley (if he is back all the way) and Witherspoon.

[bullwinkle]

A lot will depend upon who they select at QB in 2010. When Buddy Ryan banched Jaws, he said that he didn't know what the new guy (Cunningham) could do. But he new what Jaws couldn't do any more.

If Andy is going to move past McNabb, he is going to have to make thes ame kind of leap of faith.

While I think that Kolb's strengths and weaknesses as a passer are much differetnt than McNabb's, it might be fair to say they will be a wash.

However, I think Kolb would gets us out of funks quicker than McNabb. And that Kolb and Westbrook could probably supply more of the right kind of leadership to this younger team.

McNabb finds it difficult to maintain personal leadership qualities when his stats are bad and he goes into a self-doubt mode.

I might be wrong, but I don't think Kolb would personalize his failures as deeply, And therefore, he could better contribute to building a team psyche.

[BIGPHILLY]

Few thoughts:

1) I don't think Ellis Hobbs is that great. I believe with the Sheldon situation we should move him to free safety and spend our first round pick on a cover corner

2) Don't fall for the Stewart Bradley "is ahead of schedule" info coming out. We always here that. When the bullets are firing full speed - players are always well below where they were the first full season they play coming back. You will here how great Bradley looks etc. etc. all summer from Spadaro - but he will not be the same next year. That's a concern.

3) We need to find a dominant pass rusher opposite Trent Cole to rely on. We have too many "interchangeable parts" right now. If we want to get pressure with our front 4 we need another great DE to go with Bunk, Patterson and Cole.

[andrewaters]

I think the Eagles best move would be to move to a 3-4 defense. I know that might sound extreme but look at the players they have. Mike Patterson would be a perfect NT and Bunkley and either Howard, Abiamiri, or Parker the other DE. Cole and Gocong are rush backers and WW, Gaither, Jordan and Trotter.

If you look at the teams right now that are feared defensively, by in large they are 3-4 teams. Pittsburgh, Dallas, New England, Jets, Packers, San Diego, Miami.

Really the only teams other than the Eagles that have had success in the last 3 or 4 years with the 4-3 are the Redskins and the Bears.

My birthday is today and my birthday wish would be that in training camp next year McDermott announces the Eagles are making the move to the 3-4.

[FRESH]

I'm interested in the 3-4 alignment, but doubt McDermott makes that move. Perhaps if we make a change at DC.

One thing not mentioned is that the rumor is Weaver and the Eagles are in (early)negotiations about an extended contract. If that gets done, then there is another nice piece of hardware for the offense for the next few seasons.

THe two biggest needs are safety, and either a playmaking DE or LB. And that could be part of the equation that would change if we were to go 3-4. Dawk-love aside, our safety situation flat out stinks. We're not scaring anyone there. Can we find another safety that can cover, and also break your ass in half? He's not on the roster right now.

[leifdawg]

Can we find another safety that can cover, and also break your ass in half? He's not on the roster right now.

Sheldon Brown!!!!!!

[FRESH]

He's not a safety. We've been told that many times. Could he do it? In a pinch, maybe. But assuming he gets back healthy, he's too good of a corner to take off of the outside.

[BIGPHILLY]

He's not a safety. We've been told that many times. Could he do it? In a pinch, maybe. But assuming he gets back healthy, he's too good of a corner to take off of the outside.

* See Woodson, Rod. It's a natural transition for a physical cover corner. Brown's days as a cover corner with speed to keep up are numbered. Move him now - it makes sense.

[FRESH]

I'm not against it. I just really don't see him as being able to transitin to the elite safety that I think we need. And bringing up one example of an All Pro who did doesn't make it more doable in Sheldon's case.

[BIGPHILLY]

I'm not going to try and find all the examples in watching the Vikings/Bears game recently I noticed our old friend Danieal Manning out there doing it.

[leifdawg]

He's not a safety. We've been told that many times. Could he do it? In a pinch, maybe. But assuming he gets back healthy, he's too good of a corner to take off of the outside.

I seem to remember hearing Reid say on several occasions that Sheldon could play safety, they just preferred him at corner.


Also it's just my opinion, but Hanson has passed Brown in terms of coverage skills.