Essentially the Eagles DID trade Feeley for a NE tight end, even if Feeley never signs with NE.    PFT is reporting that the Eagles just signed Alex Smith.    He is clearly an upgrade over a guy we will not miss (Schobel).      He fills a need adequately until CI can bounce back from his second knee surgery.    Seems like a good move.    Not sure who is going to get cut but I am sure that news will come soon.    The early guess would be Brown.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2009/09/08/the-other-alex-smith-lands-in-philly/

Jason,

Great job with the weekend coverage.    Undoubtedly, you created the best place to follow the draft on-line, to get in depth information about the Eagles' picks, and to rant and rave with the rest of Eagleland.

I  have two babies at home and the wife was out of town for the weekend.   While I had NFL Network on 24x7, I was not able to watch much.   That made your site invaluable to me.    Any time I had 2-3 minutes, I was able to hop on.

Bye Dawk :(, I just wanted to give you some props for your additional analysis as well.   I do have to give you a hard time for your Jennings obsession.    Since when does Andy look at the "big back?"    I think Weaver satisfied that need for him this season.    Great analysis though and I appreciated your insight.

Thanks again!

The latest from Pete Pricso at cbsportsline.com is that Denver will try to trade Cutler.    I'd like to look at this a different way than previous posters.    I don't want a McNabb for Cutler trade and I am not looking for your opinions on whether or not we should make that trade.     I am looking for your ideas on how we can make ourselves better by getting in a 3 way trade scenario where someone else ends up with Cutler.    Do you see any scenarios where we could get involved in such a trade and actually improve our team.    If so, how?    What teams would be involved?     

Thoughts?

Hey, a lot of this may be regurgitated slop.   If so, I apologize.    I have not been actively reading every post of late as there just is not that much interesting going on.   Regardless, I am bored and would love your take on these two theories.

1.   The Eagles will not draft an offensive tackle in the first two rounds.    I don't think Andy and team would leave such an important position reliant on a rookie that they don't even know they will draft.    It is way too big of a gamble to take and seems out of style for Andy.     Contrary to most reports out there, I don't really believe they did not already plan to move Andrews or Herremans before they let Tra go.     Maybe I am just drooling over the prospect of an exciting draft day since the offseason has been pretty bland.    Thoughts?

2.    The Eagles will not use both picks in the first round.    Based on Andy's history, I am pretty confident he moves up in this draft for the guy he wants.    Either that or one of the many ridiculous trade rumors may come true and he may trade one of those picks for a players named Boldin, Edwards, Reno Mahe, etc.     I just have a very hard time believing he sits on both picks as that is just not his style.   It makes the mock drafts pretty meaningless to me.     Of course, if he trades up he is likely targeting an OT which counters my original theory.   Thoughts?

Ok, here is my fantasy for the rest of the offseason.   Sign Weaver (I know, I know).    Draft Moreno and Pettigrew in the first round.    Maybe a guy like Britt falls to their second round pick.    Especially if they can move up in the second round using some of their 25 fifth round picks.   Hey, it does not seem that far fetched, does it?   

Ok, they are not all cap casualties but there are some interesting names being cut over the past 48 hours.    Do any of these cuts interest you, the fans?    Better question, any predictions of the Birds picking up any of these guys?

Derrick Brooks, Coles, Joey Galloway, Gibril Wilson?     Anyone?

Not watching the Bucs often, it seems like Brooks might be worth a low end investment to play WLB.    Coles?   Is he worth anything any more or is he a more injury prone Kevin Curtis at this point?

As I have thought more and more about  trades I would like to see, there is one that sticks out to me as the best scenario for the Eagles.     I know, I know, you all want to trade for Anquan Boldin but I just don't see it happening.    I think a trade for Gonzales is marginally possible.    That being said, I have three questions for you fellow Bird brains.

1. How much do you think the Chiefs will take to get rid of Tony Gonzales?
2. How much would you be willing to have the Eagles give up to get Tony Gonzales?
3. How much do you think the Eagles would be willing to take to get Tony Gonzales?   

I missed yesterday's blog fest as I was traveling.    I am pretty surprised that no one is pointing at the offensive line from this game.    The defense was horrendous in the first half and the offensive line has honestly been pretty bad for each of the games in the playoffs.   

McNabb had way too much pressure when the Cards rushed more than 3.     As for everyone who wants the big back, when there is ALWAYS 3-4 players in your backfield before your running back even gets the ball, it is hard to put the onus on Buckhalter/Westbrook.     Finally, everyone is clamoring for the the #1 wideout again.    While that would be great, I truly feel this team wins that game with better play from the O line.   When you consistently cannot make 3rd and 1, it is not likely a problem that your running back is too small.   Not in the NFL and not with Westbrook.    It is a problem with blocking.    When you cannot generate any kind of running game but you have one of the premier backs in the league, albeit hobbled, it is a problem with blocking.   

Not saying a big back would not be nice but big backs are generally one dimensional.    The only exceptions that keeps popping up is Brandon Jacobs but we know that is not happening.    What other big backs do you know of that co-exist on a team with a Pro Bowl back?    And of those big backs, how many of them are the reason that their team always gets a first down when they have a 3rd and short?

As for the #1 wideout dilemma, again, this would be nice.    Crabtree is not going to happen.    No chance whatsoever.     The Eagles would have to give up a lot more than their two late round picks to land him.    And don't throw in Reggie and Lito.   No one will want to trade anything of significance for them.    Boldin?    Maybe.    I'd be elated to get him.    At the same time, I think this team has bigger problems and it begins with the bigger boys.    The O line needs some changes.    Tra looked awful against Bertrand Berry.    Runyan looked awful against Tuck.   (It pains me to say that about Big John Runyah).       As boring as it is, I want to see this team go after the best lineman available in FA and draft another early.     If we can get the big back and stud WR as well, perfect!    I just don't see it happening and I think O line needs to be the higher priority.

First, I have to say that I was one of those bashing McNabb a bit earlier this season.     I was not one of those who wanted him gone but I was certainly not happy with his play and was vocal about it.    Here is my official apology to Mr. McNabb.    I would call him the MVP of the Vikings game.    I thought he was amazing.     He was pressured all day and still managed to make plays at key junctures.    The screen to Westbrook was a fantastic throw with players in his face.   Perfectly timed.    A couple of great third down throws were made to Celek and Avant with little to no time.   

Second, I see Gocong getting bashed all the time on some of these blogs so I have to say I think he has been great lately.    He had two fantastic stops on 3rd downs.     In both cases, he was being blocked and managed to break free to make the tackle.     I think he has been a key against the run and has not gotten the props he deserves.    We all know Stew Bradley has been lights out but Gocong has been a big reason for the success against the run.    He is also out there on coverage teams making plays.     Once JJ started having the safeties cover the tight ends, Gocong was less exposed and I think it has clearly paid off.