SB Nation User Blog: Joe_D

Our real strengths and weaknesses

Joe_D — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 20:27:59 -0000

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STRENGTHS

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1. Andy "Big Red" Reid

OK, just about every Eagles fan on the planet has had their gripes with Andy Reid in one way or another. Yes, he hasn't won us a ring either, but so far not very many coaches can boast Andy's accomplishments in the past 10 years. He can be BORING to fans as he never shows the public any of the team's cards. His staff can be called cold hearted as they continously let old aging fan favorites walk the plank. I personally wanted Reid fired on MORE than one occasion throughout the years. I'm glad Lurie kept his faith and I was proven to be a fool for doubting Reid's ability to coach a winning team.

2. Defensive Backs

via z.about.com

Asante Samuel, Sheldon Brown, and Quintin Mikkell are all pro bowl caliber players. Name one team who has more quality players in their secondary. Our nickel back (Hobbs) and dime back (Hanson) could start on some teams!

3. Defensive line

via media.scout.com

They may not be the great defensive line we had back in the early 90's but they have quality depth at all posistions. When Clemons and Abiamiri got healthy the defensive line was able to create some nice pressure on its own. If those two continue to play well we should have no problem putting fear in opposing quarterbacks... Oh, and we're pretty good at stopping the run too!

4. Stewart Bradley - The Tom Brady of MLBs

via www3.allaroundphilly.com

Our pretty boy MLB is the most under rated MLB in the game. He might not make the pro bowl any time soon due to the other big names in the NFC (Willis, Urlacher, Tatupu, etc) but this kid can play.

5. Quarterback

via nbcsportsmedia1.msnbc.com

He may not say all the right things in the media as he tends to play the victim but McNabb is a play maker. He's not Mr. Consistent but it's a gurantee he'll make some plays that very few QBs in the league could make.

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Concerns/Mediocre play

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1. Running Backs

via www3.allaroundphilly.com

OK, Westbrook is coming off surgery and more injuries...he's also 30 year old. It pains me to talk about one of my favorite Eagles of all time like this but the NFL really does mean not for long for running backs. I do think he has solid football left in him but his health is a concern. Furthermore, we don't know how well LeSean McCoy is going to pick the game up nor we know if Booker will deliver his promises of learning the system better. Concern

2. OLBs

via assets.philadelphiaeagles.com

We consistently got beat last year by the TEs and running backs out of the back field. Once Jordan stepped in things got better but overall, there's nothing special about our OLBs. They're not bad per se, they make their plays, but they are not a strength.

3. Free Safety

via littlegoldenlamb.files.wordpress.com

OK, this is a concern because we really don't know how it's going to play out. It could get good production from either Jones or Demps -- but we really don't know. It's a concern.

4. Punt team

via www.theage.com.au

I like Sav, I really do. His big, strong, and can tackle -- awesome. In the beginning of the year I thought the Eagles finally got a stud punter but he ended up being real inconsistent down the stretch. It hurt us in severeal games and his play has to be a concern.

5. Sean McDermont

via assets.philadelphiaeagles.com

I personally think he'll do a fine job replacing J.J., but again, we don't know/can't say for sure if he will. For now, it's a question mark/concern.

The worst offseason this year?

Joe_D — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 20:48:34 -0000

WITHOUT a doubt in my mind has to be the Denver Broncos. They went from an 8-8 team to a 4-5 win team and the only reason why they get that many wins is because of their weak division.

Let's review"

1. Got rid of their franchise QB

2. Drafted a RB @ #12 when there are 8 other RBs on the roster... Oh and that defense wasn't exactly ranked #1 either

3. Speaking of the defense it sucked, so they switch to a 3-4 defense.... Without the personnel to do so!!!

4. Over paid the HELL out of Dawkins. Sorry Brian, but your days of flying all over the field are over. Without much talent around Dawkins he's going to have some problems. He's never played in a 3-4 either.

5. Last but not least, they have a diva at WR (Brandon Marshall). I think almost every franchise in the NFL has suffered through having a diva on a team. They are lucky they drafted perhaps the best WR in last years draft class Eddie Royal. As amazing as Jackson was, Royal was just as impressive.

Which brings me to my next point. Every Billichick protege has been a complete bust in the NFL

1. Eric Mangini - Didn't do much with the Jets.

2. Romeo Crennel - Tanked with the Broncos

3. Charlie Weiss - ND hasn't been exactly great since his time as a head coach.

4. Nick Saban - Enough said!

5. Josh McDaniels - While it's just a belief for NOW, I truely believe this guy will stink it up a mile high (pun intended).

With Belichick's underlings doing so bad it makes you wonder how much of a football genius Belichick really is.

NFC E players you dislike the most?

Joe_D — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 14:51:36 -0000

This should be an interesting debate, I saw it on BBI. It can be past or present.

My list:

1. Michael Irvin - Cocky thug

2. Deion Sanders - Cock a-hole

3. Charles Haley - thug

4. Nate Newton - Never liked him

5. Clinton Portis - Thug. Defended dog fighting

6. T.O. - Needs no explanation

7. Antonio Pierce - He sucks and talks a big game

8. Jeremy Shockey - Talker

9. Eli Manning - For his draft day stunt

10. Plaxico Burress - Thug

11. Pacman Jones - Needs no explanation.

Coaches: Wade Phillips, Any Dallas coach except Tuna

Which fans do you dislike the most in the NFC E

Joe_D — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 14:59:43 -0000

At this point in time , for me, it has to be the N.Y. Giants fans.

They are pompous as hell and have the most annoying homerism.

For an example: This year the Giants lost Spags, but to them they have the best defense in the NFC. However , they claim our defense is going to suck because we don't have Jim Johnson... Interesting leap of logic. I could go in and I will. They also claim we downgraded at the O-line position. They honestly believe Tra Thomas is an upgrade over Jason Peters. Worse yet they believe the real reason why the line won't be great "because they have no experience working 'together.' " Interesting because they have a brand new set of inexpereinced WRs, but there's no worry they'll perform at a high level.

At this point in time, I can't wait to face the Giants and I pray we not only sweep them, but send them home in the playoffs......AGAIN

The other NFC E fans. The Redskins fans are just delusional and I can't take them seriously. The Cowboys fans don't bother me as much because they actually give the Eagles a decent amount of respect considering the rivalry we have. Plus, they're still analyzing how they can get their first playoff win since.... since A LOT of things.

Poll

Which fans do you despise the most?

Dallas

105 votes

New York

49 votes

Washington

6 votes

160 votes | Poll has closed

WIP cleared up some B.S. today

Joe_D — Tue, 19 May 2009 02:16:11 -0000

1. Apparently Eskin talked to Asante Samuel about his supposed "Twitter." Sameul said he doesn't have any of that and it's fake... No surprise. I'm sure whoever created that site got his rocks off as his "Superbowl prediction" hit the local media.

2. Also according to Eskin the Eagles DID NOT offer Sheldon Brown and a 3rd for Anquan Boldin. The Cardinals DID inquire about Brown, an unnamed LB and an unnamed RB (interesting.) So for all the FO haters and blasters, chances are, they offered something much higher but the Cards wanted a 1st 3rd and a 5th.

3. It's been said already but let's hope Jim Johnson recovers swiftly and effortlessly.

NFL to disband

Joe_D — Thu, 14 May 2009 02:36:16 -0000

In orer to keep Favre out.

FUNNY STUFF!

http://sportspickle.com/features/volume8/2009-0513-favre.html

NFL to disband to prevent Brett Favre from returning to the NFL
         NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announced today that the league will disband and cease operations in a desperate attempt to prevent quasi-retired quarterback Brett Favre from returning to play again.

         “We are at DEFCON 1 right now,” said Goodell. “We can’t let Brett Favre make a mockery of this league yet again, so we are taking proactive measures and shuttering the NFL. Look at it as though we are entering our bomb shelter for as long as we need to until the threat of nuclear holocaust passes.”

         Goodell has informed union personnel of the pending shutdown.

 

         “The players union is 100-percent behind the commissioner on this,” said union chief DeMaurice Smith. “Every time Brett Favre unretires, he takes a job away from a player who had a roster spot. Also, he is a complete dickhead and presents a bad image of NFL players to the public.”

         Goodell has not received unanimous support for his decision from team owners – namely, Vikings owner Zygi Wilf is against the shutdown – but feels the move is necessary to prevent the ultimate destruction of the league.

         “Not all of our owners want the salary cap either,” said Goodell. “Jerry Jones wishes there was no salary cap so he could just buy every top player. But for the good of the league we have a salary cap. And, for the good of the league, we will end the league to save the country from another round of Brett Favre. And one glorious day in the future when Brett Favre mercifully dies, the NFL will be back.”

         But Favre says the absence of the NFL will not prevent him from returning to the NFL.

“I am calling their bluff,” said Favre. “The NFL is not closing down. And, even if it does, a new league will spring up right away. Roger Goodell should know that I have already received calls from defensive backs around the NFL saying that they’ll play in any league I play in. Brett Favre is never going away. Ever. The NFL should have realized this by now. Because everyone else has.”

p.s. Jason, can you make the rec comment to appear at 3 recs...Lots of good fan posts and to extent some comments not getting any love cause of the 5 rule.

Just when you think he's FINALLY gone

Joe_D — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 04:47:03 -0000

Per PFT

It probably means nothing.

But, let’s face it, Hattiesburg-Laurel Regional Airport is hardly a major hub of transportation.

Only five flights arrived there today, and only six departed.

One of the arrivals came from Minneapolis, and one of the departures headed back there.

The plane from Minneapolis arrived at 9:11 a.m. local time, and left at 4:14 p.m. local time.

It probably has nothing to do with one of the more famous residents of Hattiesburg. After all, he’s retired from playing football, and he has no intention of coming back.

Favre said so himself. “It’s all rumor. [There’s] no reason for it.”

Oh, wait. That was last year, when Favre shot down in early July talk that he wanted to come back.

Since he was telling the truth then, he’s surely telling the truth now.

Edgerin James, Rod Hood, and Travis Laboy released

Joe_D — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 00:42:22 -0000

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4108552

Bad news for Arizona, good news for a team like the Eagles who have the cap to sign some depth. If Hood or Laboy came cheap they would be two young talents to bolster depth at key posistions! And Hood knows our defense.

Out of all the talent out there that got released post draft, these two make the most sense.

The move was to free up some cap space to eventually extend Adrian Wilson, Dansby and Boldin.

Awesome draft!!!

Joe_D — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 23:02:44 -0000

I think we all had our hearts ripped out a little bit when Moreno was taken at #12 by the Denver Broncos (luckily, I think Anuj survived the news), but I'm trying to find a glaring weakness in this team right now and I can't!

1. After the season was over we all agreed our biggest question was at the Tackle posistion. We responded by getting a pro bowl LT and potentially a pro bowler RT in Stacy Andrews. Couple that with our All Pro tackle Shawn Andrews is going to hopefully be back in the mix too.

Our offensive line potentially is one of the best in the NFL on paper

Addressed? Upgraded? CHECK!!!

2. Our next biggest concern was RB. We got a play makeing speedster in McCoy and for the first time in the Reid era we drafted a RB higher than the 3rd round

RB situation Addressed? CHECK!

3. With L.J. Smith leaving for the Ravens we had a hole at the TE posistion, so we went out and drafted arguably the most athletic TE's out there in Cornelius Ingram. Sure, his blocking his raw, but his play making ability makes this pick super rewarding. Plus, he was projected to go a bit higher if it weren't for his ACL injury.

Get another TE? CHECK!

4. Sheldon Brown tries to play hard ball.

We went out and got a decent corner in Ellis Hobbs (Oh, he's also a perenial kick returner (over 28 yards per return last year).

5. We needed more fire power or needed to give McNabb more weapons.

We got a super talented WR in Maclin who was projected to go in the top 10 (Thanks a lot Al Davis!)

Upgraded fire power: CHECK!

To top this great draft off we also loaded up on 2 draft picks next year (one of them a 3rd rounder) Oh, and Lito could give us another 2nd rounder also.

How can anyone be upset? There's nothing we didn't accomplish and according to rumors we could also get another play making TE in Tony Scheffler.

A+

Is anyone else GIDDY about next season now?

Joe_D — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 00:08:46 -0000

Sure, Jason Peters IS NOT the sexy trade that most us hoped for (Boldin or Edwards) but we potentially have one of the best, if NOT the best offensive lines in the league right now. Peters is a top 5 tackle, Andrews is a top 5 guard, Herremanes is a borderline pro bowler, and when Andrews is healthy he is also borderline pro bowl. Perhaps Nick Cole and Jackson can get some GOOD competition going and hopefully one of those guys gets a fire lit under his ass.

Do any of you remember the Chiefs early on in the decade? They had a top flight offense with two of the most mediocre WRs out there -- Eddie Kennison and Johnnie Morton. Priest Holmes was at RB (who was good, don't get me wrong) but their O-line was just staright up nasty. Two HOF tackles and a pro bowl guard -- I admit -- they were FUN to watch.

I have the same feeling about our line going into the season. However, our line can POTENTIALLY be that good with BETTER skill players. I think McNabb is slightly better than Trent Green in his prime, and Westbrook, overall, is better than Priest.Obviously, I'm way more partial about our WR corps than the Chiefs.

Factor that in with a pro bowl FB who can run and catch, I'm getting really giddy at the the potential... Screw another WR, let's get that solid TE and go to war!