SB Nation User Blog: jaws1385

The 2009 Season: Rising and Falling Stars, Comeback Players, and Pasture Players

jaws1385 — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 01:20:05 -0000

Hey there, gents. About a year ago, I wrote a piece discussing who I thought were the most overrated and underrated players in the NFL. Now, I'm fixing to tweak that approach a little. I'm going to discuss which players will rise to stardom this season, and which ones are in decline. I'll also throw in the veterans I think will stage comebacks, and those I think will be soon be put out to pasture. Enjoy, and let me know your thoughts.

TOP TEN RISING STARS

10. Roddy White, WR, Atlanta Falcons - Last season, White had his coming-out party, quickly becoming Matt Ryan's new bestest buddy. He finished the year with 88 receptions for 1,382 yards and 7 touchdowns, having played all 16 games and starting 15 of them. With his QB no longer a rookie, and thus having more savvy and carrying more swagger, White should only improve from here.

9. Stewart Bradley, MLB, Philadelphia Eagles - His star's been on the rise for a couple years now, but more slowly than others. He is quickly entering the category of "most underrated players," and this is the year he should step up and claim a place as one of the better middle linebackers in the game. It's his raw tackling ability that will propel him to the upper echelon this year. Last year, he tallied 108 tackles, of which an amazing 86 were solo. He did a good job of directing the defense last year, and with Dawk gone, he'll have the opportunity to become a team leader.

8. Dwayne Bowe, WR, Kansas City Chiefs - Bowe followed up an impressive rookie season with an even more impressive sophomore effort; even with lousy quarterbacking he still managed 86 receptions for 1,022 yards and 7 touchdowns. Now that Matt Cassel, the former savior of New England, is lining up under center in KC, I expect Dwayne to be mentioned for Pro Bowl consideration.

7. Darren Sproles, RB, San Diego Chargers - Sproles is quickly becoming a Westbrook-like threat in the Bolts' offense, as a speedy and elusive rusher and a fluid, crafty receiver. He's another one of the "new" mold of versatile running backs, and he was an excellent complement to LaDainian Tomlinson last season.

6. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Arizona Cardinals - As a rookie in 2008, Rodgers-Cromartie proved he can hang with the big boys. He started an impressive 11 games, tallying 42 tackles (38 solo), and 4 interceptions, one of which he returned 99 yards for a score. It won't be long before we hear Pro Bowl talk surrounding this guy.

5. Michael Turner, RB, Atlanta Falcons - The Falcons have found a terrific complement to their newfound aerial assault. Entering his sixth year in the league, Turner finally had his breakout year in 2008 after spending 4 seasons playing in the shadow of LaDainian Tomlinson. He had 376 attempts for 1,699 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns en route to becoming one of the year's top rushers...if all goes well, he should have more success.

4. Joe Flacco, QB, Baltimore Ravens - I rooted for Joe Flacco (except when he played us), because he's a South Jersey boy like me. For the first time since anyone can remember, it looks as though B-More finally has a legitimate QB to work with. Starting all 16 games in his rookie campaign, Flacco finished with 2,971 passing yards and 14 touchdowns (though he did throw 12 interceptions). He completed 60 percent of his passes as well, and everyone's looking to him to lead Baltimore back to the Super Bowl.

3. Matt Cassel, QB, Kansas City Chiefs - It's not easy being the backup to one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history. But Matt made the most of his opportunity to shine when Brady went down early last season. Matt led the Pats, left for dead after the fateful injury to their star QB, back into the playoffs. He finished the year with a 63.4 completion percentage, 3,693 passing yards, and 21 touchdowns. He's the man now in KC, and the Sea of Red at Arrowhead has to be feeling mighty good about things.

2. Calvin Johnson, WR, Detroit Lions - What a beast this guy is. After a good, but not great, rookie performance that was hampered by injuries, Johnson came roaring back in 2008 to rack up 78 receptions for 1,331 yards and 12 touchdowns. He has unbelievable size and speed, and has made amazing catches up and over his opponents. He has a rookie QB to treat with in Matt Stafford, but the newbie couldn't ask for a better target to help him adjust to life in the NFL.

1. Matt Ryan, QB, Atlanta Falcons - Born in Exton, PA, and schooled at William Penn Charter in Philly, Matt Ryan is looking very, very promising. In his rookie year, he threw for 3,440 yards and 16 touchdowns while starting all 16 games...never an easy thing to do, especially in his case, as he took over in the wake of the sordid Michael Vick saga. He seems to have the complete package: poise, patience, accuracy, arm strength, and good field vision. He's left Atlanta fans drooling for more, and I have a feeling more is what they'll get.

TOP TEN FALLING STARS

10. Jason Campbell, QB, Washington Redskins - It's not that Jason isn't a good athlete; he is, but he simply hasn't proven to be the answer under center for D.C. Last year, he had okay numbers (3,245 yards for 62.3 percent), but he threw for a paltry 13 touchdowns, and when you play in the toughest division in pro football, that won't get you anywhere. There was talk before the draft of the Skins possibly letting Campbell go and trading up in favor of Mark Sanchez, which proved false, but still, there is talk that if Campbell can't deliver, he'll be out of a job sooner than he thinks.

9. Antonio Pierce, MLB, New York Giants - Pierce isn't exactly a favorite of ours here at BGN, but that isn't the reason why he's listed here. The last anyone heard of him, he was eating Brian Westbrook's dust en route to a crushing playoff loss at home to your very own Philadelphia Eagles. Before that, he was under investigation for obstruction of justice in the Plaxico Burress debacle. Whattaguy. His play declined last season, possibly owing to his increasingly portly physique, and he ain't getting any younger, either. New York will be looking for a new middle linebacker after this season, mark my words.

8. Cadillac Williams, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Once thought to be a future perennial Pro-Bowler after his stellar rookie performance in 2005, Carnell "Cadillac" Williams has since failed to rush for 1,000 yards and cannot seem to stay healthy, forcing his team to rely on the pass. At lot has changed in Tampa, though...they fired Jon Gruden, drafted Josh Freeman as their QB of the future, and brought Derrick Ward aboard, presumably as their new starter at RB. Cadillac may find himself cut following training camp.

7. Nate Clements, CB, San Francisco 49ers - Clements was brought to San Fran from Buffalo in 2007, signing a huge contract to be the cornerstone of the Niners' pass defense. It hasn't panned out. He has just 6 interceptions in two seasons with the Niners, and he's getting past the prime of his career.

6. Jake Delhomme, QB, Carolina Panthers - I know, I know, he had a good season in 2008. Still, he is in his mid-thirties (he'll turn 35 in January), and his TD-to-INT rating has slipped. I'm just not sure that at his age he can keep up with the other terrific QBs in his division (Brees in New Orleans, Ryan in Atlanta).

5. Reggie Bush, RB, New Orleans Saints - He's still very young, but Reggie is quickly learning that he can't pull the same razzle-dazzle stuff in the pros as he did in college. He had only 404 rushing yards last year and a measly 2 touchdowns...he'll need to pull his game together right quick, or the talk of draft bust will start to circulate.

4. Carson Palmer, QB, Cincinnati Bengals - It's very simple; either he stays healthy for a whole season, or Cincy is shopping for a new QB come April. When he's healthy, he's great. But he's no good to anyone on the sidelines.

3. Matt Hasselbeck, QB, Seattle Seahawks - Matt played in only seven games last season, and the injuries have started to pile up, which denotes his advancing age (he'll turn 34 in September). Talk of drafting Mark Sanchez was rampant, but the Hawks elected to go elsewhere, so Hasselbeck is still the man. But he needs to stay healthy and lead his team back to prominence, or else.

2. Terrell Owens, WR, Buffalo Bills - If T.O. thought Jeff Garcia, Donovan McNabb, and Tony Romo were bad, wait'll he gets a load of Trent Edwards and J.P. Losman. They basically sent him here to die. Good night, T.O. And a flight of demons sing thee to thy doom.

1. LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, San Diego Chargers - In this league, running backs, even feature backs, don't last long past 30. LaDainian, who is a surefire HOFer and one of the best, most consistent backs in recent memory, is on the downslope of his career. He has never, I repeat, NEVER rushed for less than 1,000 yards in his career, but his total of 1,110 yards in 2008 was a career low for him. The injuries are piling up, and it remains to be seen how much longer he'll play at an elite level.

TOP FIVE PROJECTED COMEBACK PLAYERS

5. Shawn Andrews, OT, Philadelphia Eagles

4. Chad Johnson, WR, Cincinnati Bengals

3. Osi Umenyiora, DE, New York Giants

2. Shawne Merriman, LB, San Diego Chargers

1. Tom Brady, QB, New England Patriots

TOP FIVE OUT-TO-PASTURE PLAYERS

5. Tedy Bruschi, LB, New England Patriots

4. Jeff Garcia, QB, Oakland Raiders

3. Rodney Harrison, SS, New England Patriots (UFA)

2. Derrick Brooks, LB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (UFA)

1. Marvin Harrison, WR, Indianapolis Colts (UFA)

The Rumor Mill - Edge?

jaws1385 — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 13:27:56 -0000

Something we may be interested in here:

Morning, gents. I was just on ESPN.com, and whilst reading the league news sidebar, I noticed that one of the tags read, "Edge may join Eagles' backfield." You have to be an Insider to read this article, which I am not, so if anyone who reads this happens to be an Insider, could you please report on what you read on this matter? I know it's only a rumor, and is in all likelihood unfounded, but I'm just interested in what the article has to say. In this awful lull between the draft and training camp, I'm just looking for something to pique my interest.

With that out of the way, I think we've already discussed the pros and cons of acquiring Edgerrin James, so I won't rehash what's already been said.

Ten Intriguing Storylines for Eagles Training Camp

jaws1385 — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 17:22:05 -0000

In no particular order of importance, here are ten storylines to pay attention to before and during training camp:

1. The Health and Readiness of Brian Westbrook - As always, there are two sides to this story. The injury was reported to be more serious than the team is letting on, and as usual, the team is downplaying everything. The truth is, we won't know how fast B-West will recover until he actually suits up again. Obviously, we don't want him rushing back from injury, but we can't afford to be without him for too long. He's expected to miss the preseason, so camp is pretty much out; it'll be interesting to see how he'll ready himself in the meantime.

2. Donovan McNabb's Contract Situation - Lips are tight across the board on this issue, but I think the two sides will be able to hammer out a contract extension sometime before the start of the season; before camp would be terrific, because it would give Donovan peace of mind and allow him to go about his business without money matters festering in the back of his mind.

3. McCoy or Booker? - This will be a very interesting camp storyline. Lorenzo Booker has already staked his claim, publicly stating that he would readily fill Westbrook's shoes for as long as he is out, and that the job is his to lose. After all, what would you expect a veteran running back to say? No vet wants to go into camp and be beaten out for the job by a rookie. LeSean McCoy, however, has tremendous upside and is already listed as the backup on the team's unofficial depth chart. Hopefully that sprained thumb won't become a nagging injury for McCoy, because I'd love to see him wow everyone and make an immediate impact.

4. Who Starts at Free Safety - The quick answer is Quintin Demps, but I think we should reserve judgment and see how camp plays out. We didn't sign Sean Jones for no reason, after all. Jones is very hungry, and wants to prove that he can replace a legend like Dawk. Demps is hungry too, but it remains to be seen if he's matured since last season. The knock on him coming out of college was his cockiness, which I personally don't mind in a player as long as he can back it up. But that cheap shot on Kurt Warner caught everyone's eye, and don't think Andy wasn't thinking about that when he endeavored to sign Jones. At any rate, this should be one of the best position battles of the entire camp.

5. Number Three Receiver - Barring disaster, Kevin Curtis and DeSean Jackson should be the first and second receivers, respectively. The way I see it, there are three guys who will vye for that third spot: Hank Baskett, Jason Avant, and Jeremy Maclin. What is so interesting about this is that each guy brings a different strength to the field; Baskett has height, Avant has hands, and Maclin has speed. It all depends what Andy thinks he'd need most when throwing to the slot. I think the smart money is on Avant taking the spot, because he's really come along and as I've said before, he's become a very reliable third down pass-catcher. Baskett could be used more in a situational role, particularly the red zone, and Maclin could see a lot of return duty.

6. The Sheldon Brown Saga - Brown skipped a recent set of OTAs, but it was reportedly due to personal matters and not his contract. Whether that is true or not, who knows, but if Brown is smart, he'll show up for camp ready to rock. If he acts up, I'm sure Andy will have no problem replacing him with Joselio Hanson. The team didn't let him become a free agent because they saw value and talent. I'd love to keep Sheldon around because he's a heavy hitter, so we'll see how this plays out.

7. David Akers' Longevity - I raised an eyebrow when the team took Sam Swank, a kicker from Wake Forest, because I wondered if this was the year Akers finally had some competition. As it turned out, Swank's already been released, and once agin there is no one behind Akers. He had an up-and-down season last year, but it will be interesting to see how well he's recovered from his ugly performance against the Cardinals to close out the season. He's one of the Iron Men of the team, but can he still kick at an elite level, or even well enough to help his team win come playoff time?

8. The Brothers Andrews - The shake-up on the o-line was one of the top stories of the offseason, beginning with the signing of man-mountain Stacy Andrews, big bro to Shawn. The team subsequently added Jason Peters, and then decided to move Shawn out to tackle. This will prove to be one of the most momentous stories of training camp, as we will find out how well the line can adjust to the new system.

9. Short-Yardage Woes - The team finally has a genuine fullback in Leonard Weaver, who the team hopes can help convert in those pesky 3rd-and-short situations. This is a problem that should be fixed before anything else, and hopefully Weaver is the answer.

10. Ingram or Celek? - Obviously, the job is currently Celek's to lose, but Ingram has been impressing coaches early, even with his blocking, which was thought to be suspect at best coming out of college. His speed is expected to create mismatches with linebackers, as has been stated exhaustively. Will Ingram just push Celek in camp, or will he shine and make that starting spot his?

More Food For Thought:

Will Victor Abiamiri nab a starting spot?

How much will Kevin Kolb improve?

Does Trevor Laws push Patterson or Bunkley for a starting job?

Chris Clemons: will he live up to his contract?

Macho Harris: diamond in the rough?

More than a month to go now...lot to think about.

Merril Hoge: Eagles Are Worse Than Last Year (Huh??)

jaws1385 — Thu, 14 May 2009 10:27:56 -0000

We officially have our first real detractor of the 2009 season: ESPN's Merril Hoge. This doesn't come as a surprise to me, as historically Hoge has been one of the more vocal mainstream sports media critics of the Birds. Remember the 2004 season? When we went to the Super Bowl? Hoge rarely picked us to win during that season. As I watched NFL Live on ESPN last night, Hoge and Trent Dilfer were asked whether the Eagles are better or worse than last season. Hoge responded with a confident "worse," citing the team's decisions to shake up the offensive line and let Brian Dawkins fly the nest.

My guess is that Hoge is simply playing devil's advocate here. So many figures in the sports media have been praising the team for their productive offseason that it was just a matter of time before the naysayers reared their ugly heads. Plus, his trademark arrogance and penchant for providing contrarian views have only grown since he won out in that public spat with Vince Young, following a long debate over whether the embattled Titan could find long-term success as a pro quarterback. But saying the Eagles are worse than last season?? That's just silly. Here's why:

We'll start with the Dawkins question. Yes, he was the unquestioned leader of the defense, as well as one of the most beloved figures in Philly sports history, but the reality of the situation is that what's done is done and he is in Denver now. I, and many of you, were of the opinion that the organization was making a huge mistake by letting him walk, but I realized that we have to be rational about this. He'll turn 36 this season, and at that age, even a player of his caliber will see his skills diminish. He plays a position that is difficult to play at his age, especially when faced with younger, faster receivers and younger, stronger running backs. Hoge was of the opinion that the Eagles lost their anchor when Dawkins left; this may be true, but if the front office has proven anything over the years, it's that they can let veteran leaders go and move on, achieving success without them. Recall the lessons of Jeremiah Trotter, Hugh Douglas, Troy Vincent, and Terrell Owens. There was much grumbling from Eagles Nation when these guys left, but the team managed to win without them. Hoge overlooks this fact, and is just arguing semantics. This will no doubt be a bittersweet season for us all, even if the Eagles win out, simply because Weapon X won't be there to be a part of it. But we need to move on and trust in the veteran leadership we have.

On the question of the offensive line, Hoge is simply dead wrong. A shake-up was needed, no matter how much Tra Thomas and Jon Runyan had left in the tank. The NFC East was not given the sobriquet "NFC Beast" for no reason. This is a division that features some of the best pass-rushers in the NFL: NY's Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck, Washington's Albert Haynesworth, Dallas's DeMarcus Ware and Marcus Spears. Pro Bowl-caliber players, one and all. To deal with this, the Eagles needed youth on the line. It was becoming clear that Thomas and Runyan were getting slower, and the injuries were beginning to pile up. Jason Peters has the youth and talent to effectively minimize sacks by these players, and moving Shawn Andrews out to tackle whilst moving his brother Stacy back to his natural position at guard is not as risky as Hoge would have us believe; remember that Shawn played tackle in college and has publicly confessed a longing to return to the position. Hoge seems to think that it will take the new-look o-line too much time to adjust, and that Donovan will suffer for it.; methinks Merril doth protest too much.

These were pretty weak arguments for making such a bold claim. Hoge is really reaching here, providing nit-picky examples to back it up. The nail in his argument's coffin is his blatant overlooking of what the Eagles added in order to compensate for the loss of Dawkins and the reordering of the o-line. In other words, the improvements the team made far outweigh its losses. Maclin, McCoy, and Ingram are the future of this team's offense, but they could very well contribute right away. Having a true fullback in Leonard Weaver will improve the run game. I think that Hoge is too swayed by Peters's sack count of last year; remember that he was not happy in Buffalo and that he missed all of training camp. Now he's rich, happy, and ready to work, playing for a perennial contender. He underestimates the return of Shawn Andrews; having him back, healthy and happy, is bad news for opposing defensive lines. Finally, though Dawkins's shoes could never be filled, we have a group of young, hungry players, any one of whom can step in and do the job adequately.

Merril DuAine Hoge (yes, that is really his name) may be saying all this just to provide a different viewpoint from everyone else, but he's going to have to come at us with more than boo-hooing about Dawkins and a vague, overreaching argument about the difficulties the o-line will have in adjusting. The Eagles are better than they were last season, bar none. Saying they are worse without providing legitimate reasons just reveals the contempt Hoge has for this team. Must've gotten pelted with one snowball too many while he played at the Vet.

In the Final Analysis: Outlook On Our Picks

jaws1385 — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 00:24:37 -0000

Another draft come and gone...minicamps and signings over the next couple months...start of training camp three months away...nothing left to do now but take a look at the latest Eaglets to join the nest!

Round 1 (19th Overall) - Jeremy Maclin, WR, Mizzou (6'1", 198 lbs.)

Yet again, Cap'n Andy surprised everyone when he went with this talented young receiver, even after the consensus pick, Knowshon Moreno, came off the board. While many viewed this as a good pick and a steal (many experts had Maclin as a potential top ten talent), some chided Reid and Co. for going with an unproven rookie receiver instead of dealing for an established star in Anquan Boldin. Still, Maclin gives the Eagles another potential weapon for McNabb. He's got good hands and agility, and in college he was a star returner and could score from anywhere on the field. My guess is that he'll wind up returning kicks and battling Hank Baskett for the slot receiver spot. He has the tools to become a number one someday.

Round 2 (53rd Overall) - LeSean McCoy, RB, Pitt (5'11", 210 lbs.)

This was another steal for the Birds; many experts believe that he has first-round talent, so to get him at 53 was a godsend. He has decent size and speed, but it's his agility and elusiveness that make him a threat. He makes tacklers miss in the open field, and his versatility catching passes out of the backfield will fit right into Andy's offensive scheme. He has to improve his north-south abilities, but overall he is an excellent choice to spell Brian Westbrook, and a good candidate to be his eventual successor. The lack of depth behind Brian pretty much makes LeSean the automatic number 2 on the chart.

Round 5 (153rd overall) - Cornelius Ingram, TE, Florida (6'4", 245 lbs.)

One hundred players went before the Eagles made their third pick of the draft, and when they made it, I have to admit, I was perplexed as to why they waited so long to pick a tight end when Jared Cook and Chase Coffman were there for the taking. But don't get me wrong; Ingram has a lot of talent. He's a good, fluid route-runner who can create mismatches with linebackers, but in the grand tradition of Eagles tight ends, he apparently can't block worth a damn. He's a bit undersized for his position, but so are Chris Cooley and Dallas Clark. At this point, with L.J. Smth gone and Matt Schobel occupying a spot purely for insurance purposes, Ingram looks to take over the backup role as someone who can challenge and push Celek.

Round 5 (157th Overall) - Victor Harris, CB, Virgina Tech (5'11", 194 lbs.)

Harris is a solid pick because of his superior size for his position (he could wind up at safety), which allows him to go head-to-head with the bigger receivers. He's a ball-hawk, and he can come up with the big interception, but his tackling skills leave something to be desired, as does his footwork. Because of this, and the current depth at CB (we acquired Ellis Hobbs from New England), I wouldn't be surprised if Andy tries him out at safety, where he could become a capable backup.

Round 5 (159th Overall) - Fenuki Tupou, OT, Oregon (6'6", 330 lbs.)

This is an interesting pick. Fenuki has great upside because, to put it bluntly, he's a goddamn ogre. He has the kind of size that makes o-line coaches drool, and he apparently packs a wallop off the snap. He's a project though, because rather than use his size and brute strength to maul his opponents, he will often let them control the engagement. His footwork is also a tad suspect, but with the help of Juan Castillo, who is one of the best in the business, I think Fenuki could raise his football i.q. and become a backup as early as this season, perhaps replacing Winston Justice if he has a good enough showing in camp.

Round 6 (194th Overall) - Brandon Gibson, WR, Washington St. (6'1", 204 lbs.)

I think this is basically a filler pick; along with Maclin, it signifies the likely departure of Reggie Brown from the fold. Gibson doesn't have prototypical size, but he does have deceptive top-end speed that can stretch the field., as well as the kind of work ethic that impresses NFL coaches. His hands and route-running abilities are suspect, however, as is his ability to create separation, which is something that a QB like McNabb must have. Even with Brown gone, there will still be a plethora of receivers: Curtis, Jackson, Maclin, Avant, Baskett...I highly doubt the final roster will field six receivers. I think Gibson's got practice squad written all over him.

Round 7 (213th Overall) - Paul Fanaika, G, Arizona St. (6'6", 336 lbs.)

Here's another big ol' hogmolly for Juan Castillo to work with. Like Tupou, he has tremendous size and a violent punch off the snap, as well as good upper-body strength, but his agility is lacking. He has the tools to make the team, but he'll have some tough competition.

Round 7 (230th Overall) - Moise Fokou, OLB (6'2", 225 lbs.)

Fokou has good range and is an aggressive, impressive open-field tackler, which is something that Jim Johnson could use. He is not very fluid, however, and he's more of a straight-line kind of guy than a sideline-to-sideline stud. Unless guys like Tracy White or Tank Daniels screw the pooch at camp, Fokou will probably find himself on the practice squad.

Overall Grade: B+ / A -

The Eagles filled some key needs in this draft, but moreover, they drafted for value. Andy stayed true to form, preferring to hoard picks (he has 11 next year) rather than use them immediately. Although I would like to have seen a true safety taken in later rounds, as well as a linebacker taken earlier, this was a very good all-around effort, and we fans should be even more excited for the upcoming season. McNabb-to-Maclin...hmm...the M+M Boys? Has a nice ring to it!

Projected 53-Man Roster

jaws1385 — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 20:10:31 -0000

This is my projected 53-man roster for the upcoming season, including rookie draft picks...let me know what you think.

*R = Rookie

OFFENSE:

QB: 1) Donovan McNabb 2) Kevin Kolb 3) A.J. Feeley

RB: 1) Brian Westbrook 2) Knowshon Moreno (R, Georgia) 3) Lorenzo Booker

FB: 1) Leonard Weaver 2) Kyle Eckel

WR: 1) Kevin Curtis 2) DeSean Jackson 3) Hank Baskett 4) Jason Avant 5) Reggie Brown

TE: 1) Brent Celek 2) Chase Coffman (R, Mizzou)

LT: 1) Jason Peters 2) King Dunlap

LG: 1) Todd Herremans 2) Max Jean-Gilles 3) Mike McGlynn

C: 1) Jamaal Jackson 2) Nick Cole 3) Dallas Reynolds (R, BYU)

RG: 1) Shawn Andrews 2) Duke Robinson (R, Oklahoma)

RT: 1) Stacy Andrews 2) Winston Justice

DEFENSE:

LDE: 1) Victor Abiamiri 2) Juqua Parker 3) Darren Howard

LDT: 1) Mike Patterson 2) Trevor Laws

RDT: 1) Brodrick Bunkley 2) Darryl Richard (R, Georgia Tech)

RDE: 1) Trent Cole 2) Chris Clemons

MLB: 1) Stewart Bradley 2) Joe Mays

SLB: 1) Chris Gocong 2) Tank Daniels

WLB: 1) Akeem Jordan 2) Omar Gaither

LCB: 1) Asante Samuel 2) Joselio Hanson

RCB: 1) Sheldon Brown 2) Jack Ikegwuonu

FS: 1) Quintin Demps 2) David Bruton (R, Notre Dame)

SS: 1) Quintin Mikell 2) Sean Jones

SPECIAL TEAMS:

PK: 1) David Akers

P: 1) Sav Rocca

PR: 1) Lorenzo Booker

KR: 1) DeSean Jackson

LS: 1) Jon Dorenbos

Expect the Unexpected

jaws1385 — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 14:05:14 -0000

I'll begin by stating the obvious: Andy Reid very seldom does what others say he is going to do when it comes to the draft. The Eagles may very well be the most difficult team to gauge on draft day. Which is why I think that making predictions about whom they will select is ultimately a lesson in futility. The only predictable thing about this team on draft day is its unpredictability; it's pure guesswork at this point. Two years ago, who could have predicted that they would trade out of the first round to take a quarterback in the second round as their first pick? Who could have guessed that they would do the same thing the following year, this time taking a defensive tackle first? Under the Reid/Lurie/Banner triumvirate, the demands of the fans have come a very distant second to the designs of the front office...which isn't always a bad thing, I suppose. During the 1999 draft, fans were swinging from the rafters, howling for Andy to take Ricky Williams...and went batshit when he took Donovan McNabb. This is proof we don't always know what we're talking about.

But the draft itself is pure guesswork as well. That's why there's such a thing as busts. Many thought Ryan Leaf should have gone before Peyton Manning...look how that turned out. Tom Brady was drafted in the 6th round, 199th overall...duds may come from any round, but so can studs.

My point is that we shouldn't cling to certain players we think the Eagles SHOULD take...what Mel Kiper thinks the Eagles need is different from what Andy thinks. So when nearly every mock draft I've seen has us taking a running back in the first round, I become skeptical. None of you need to be reminded of this, but Andy does not place a ton of emphasis on the run. Which is why none of us should be surprised if he decides to take a running back in later rounds, one that could convert on third down for much less money than someone like Knowshon Moreno would command. It would not surprise me at all to see the team pick up another pass rusher; nor would it be shocking to see them draft another cornerback to add depth to the secondary. The sexy picks are not what this team is after. Sure, we'd love to see them draft a big, badass left tackle or a stud tight end or even...gasp...a number one receiver. But I think Andy, for the most part, is not enamoured of the idea of making rookies starters and expecting them to contribute right away...ESPECIALLY on the offensive line. There have been very few exceptions to this (Shawn Andrews, DeSean Jackson are two), but a rookie who can make starter right away AND contribute is a rare thing in this league. We must remember that the draft is meant for building future success rather than providing instant gratification.

Which brings me to trades. Of course, many of us would welcome a draft-day trade that would bring someone like Anquan Boldin to town. But that's not really Andy's style either. He prefers to hoard picks, retaining as many as possible to draft more players each year...I guess he figures that the more players he picks, the better the odds are that he will get a future starter out of the bunch. I'm not ruling anything out, but some folks need to relax on their claims that Philly has too many picks and too much money under the cap to not make something explosive happen on draft day.

So, friends, adhere not to mock drafts or the opinions of self-proclaimed draft gurus...be patient, and wait to see what the team will do. Because it's a lot easier to curb expectations and wait things out than to tune in to the draft expecting a certain player to be chosen, and be disappointed if it doesn't happen. The draft will be here soon enough...and then we'll know.

Eagles Top Draft Picks: The Last 25 Years

jaws1385 — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 19:34:31 -0000

There are enough posts going around concerning the 2009 draft, so I thought I'd go a different route and analyze the top Eagles draft picks from 1984 to 2008. Of course, they didn't always use their first-round picks, so I'll just go with the players they picked first in the last 25 drafts...enjoy this little trip down Iggles memory lane.

1984- Kenny Jackson, WR, Penn State: Kenny was drafted # 4 overall, and spent seven total seasons with the Birds, from 1984-88 and from 1990-91 (he spent the 1989 season with the Houston Oilers). He finished his pro career with 126 receptions for 2,170 yards and 11 touchdowns. Highly touted in both high school and college, Jackson enjoyed limited NFL success.

1984 Supplemental Draft- Reggie White, DE, Tennessee: I think we all know how this turned out. He started his pro career playing for the Memphis Showboats of the long-since-defunct USFL. He then signed with the Eagles, where he spearheaded the "Gang Green" defense en route to becoming the league's top pass rusher. Because of the cheapness of then-owner Norman Braman, Reggie became a free agent in 1993, signing with the Green Bay Packers, with whom he eventually won Super Bowl XXXI. He wrapped up his legendary career with the Carolina Panthers. In his 17 seasons, he was sent to the Pro Bowl 13 times, was a 12-time All-Pro selection, won NFL defensive player of the year 2 times, was named to the 75th Anniversary Team, as well as the 1980s and 1990s All-Decade Teams. He racked up 198.5 career sacks, which was the most all-time until he was surpassed by Bruce Smith. Reggie, nicknamed the "Minister of Defense," is widely regarded as the best defensive end of all time. Sadly, the good Minister passed away in 2004 from cardiac arrythmia. He was elected to the Hall of Fame two years later. The Eagles retired his number 92 in 2005, and today a memorial banner stands high for all to see, above the west end zone at the Linc.

1985- Kevin Allen, OT, Indiana: Allen ended up being a huge bust for the Eagles; he was drafted 9th overall and played one season for Philly. He reported to camp in 1986 and tested positive for cocaine. Not long after, he was charged with sexual assault and spent three years in prison. The NFL banned him afterward. Former head coach Buddy Ryan once said of Allen, "Kevin Allen is a good football player...if you want someone to stand around and kill the grass." He definitely places high in the running for the worst-ever first-round pick by the Birds.

1986- Keith Byars, RB, Ohio State: Byars played FB and TE at times for Philly, being a terrific rusher, blocker, and pass-catcher out of the backfield. He played for the Birds from 1986-1992 and even wound up making the Pro Bowl as a Dolphin in 1993. In 13 seasons, fan favorite Byars rushed for 3,109 yards, caught 610 passes for 5,661 yards, returned 5 kickoffs for 94 yards, and scored a total of 54 touchdowns. Today, Byars is an analyst for New York Football Weekly and coaches a JV team in Boca Raton, FL.

1987- Jerome Brown, DT, Miami (FL): This was a man that could have become an all-time great at his position. Drafted 9th overall, Brown brought a sense of boisterousness to the team, as well as tremendous talent. He played 76 games for the Birds, from 1987 to 1991. He was selected to the Pro Bowl twice (1990-91), was named All-Pro twice (90-91) and amassed 29.5 sacks and 3 interceptions during his tenure. Tragically, Jerome was killed when he lost control of his car and crashed at high speed in the summer of 1992. He was only 27. The Eagles retired his number 99 before the first game of the '92 season, and thus was started the oft-repeated rallying cry, "Bring it home for Jerome."

1987 Supplemental Draft- Cris Carter, WR, Ohio State: This is another "oh-what-could-have-been" story. Carter signed with the Eagles and saw limited action in his rookie season, but he caught on the next year,catching 39 passes for 761 yards and 6 TDs. He did well again the following year, catching 45 passes for 605 yards and 11 TDs. However, he was cut by Buddy Ryan before the 1990 season, and later admitted that a serious cocaine and alcohol addiction was the cause. He was claimed off waivers by the Vikings...and the rest is history.

1988- Keith Jackson, TE, Oklahoma: One of the more popular players in Eagles lore, Jackson was drafted 13th overall and had a prolific NFL career. In his rookie year, he caught 81 receptions for 869 yards and 6 TDs, which up until last year were the highest totals ever for a rookie Eagles receiver (DeSean Jackson surpassed him). He played with Philly from 1988-1991 and in an 9-year career was selected to the Pro Bowl 5 times. He finished his career with 441 receptions, 5,283 yards, and 49 TDs. He is still one of the most celebrated tight ends in Eagles history.

1989- Jessie Small, LB, Eastern Kentucky: Small was the Eagles' first pick of the '89 draft (2nd round, 49th overall); he had a short and unspectacular career in Philly, from 1989 to 1991. In those seasons, he totaled only 3.5 sacks and never started a full 16 games. He played one additional year with the Cardinals before retiring.

1990- Ben Smith, CB, Georgia: Smith was drafted 22nd overall, and had a decent rookie season; he started 13 games and tallied 3 interceptions with 91 tackles. He sputtered out afterward ,however, only spending 3 more seasons in Philly before moving on. His career ended in 1996 with Arizona.

1991- Antone Davis, OT, Tennessee: Davis is considered to be a draft bust; the Eagles traded their 1st round pick in the 1992 draft to move up to get him at the 8th overall pick, and he never became the dominant tackle they hoped he would be. He played for the Eagles during some pretty rough years, from 1991-1995, before spending the last two years of his career in Atlanta.

1992- Siran Stacy, RB, Alabama: Because the Eagles had traded away their first round pick in this draft, they were relegated to selecting Stacy in the 2nd round with the 48th overall pick. He played in one game with the Eagles and was released at the end of the season. He tried out for the Browns, but did not make the team due to off-field troubles. He later gained some notice in NFL Europe as a member of the Scottish Claymores. Unfortunately, in 2007, Stacy was involved in a horrific accident which resulted in the loss of his wife and four of his five children.

1993- Lester Holmes, OT, Jackson State: In their ongoing search for a dominant o-lineman, the Eagles took Holmes 19th overall. He didn't pan out like they hoped. He played at right guard for 4 seasons before moving on to Oakland and later to Arizona.

1994- Bernard Williams, OT, Georgia: Another year, another o-lineman bust. Williams was taken 14th overall and showed promise at left tackle, starting all 16 games as a rookie. However, this would be his only season in the NFL, as he was banned after failing numerous drug tests. He later tried his hand in the XFL, AFL, and CFL.

1995- Mike Mamula, DE, Boston College: Some call Mamula one of the worst busts in Eagles history after being taken 7th overall, but I think he's far from it. True, he did not become the second coming of Howie Long, but in his 5-year career (all of them in Philly), he totaled 156 tackles and 31.5 sacks. But, unfortunately, what he is most remembered for in Philly is his infamous behavior at a bar in West Chester. Witnesses say it was a...fly-opening experience?

1996- Jermane Mayberry, OT, Texas A&M-Kingsville: Jermane was picked 25th overall and played a couple positions along the line before settling in at right guard. He was a solid player during his tenure in Philly, even making it to the Pro Bowl in 2002. He is remembered best for his charitable work with underpriveleged youths in the Philadelphia area.

1997- Jon Harris, DE, Virginia: Harris is generally considered to be a first-round bust after being taken 25th overall, playing only two seasons in Philly, and tallying only 2 sacks and 37 tackles.

1998- Tra Thomas, OT, Florida State: Finally, Ray Rhodes scored on a first-round draft pick. The massive Thomas was taken 11th overall, and was an extremely reliable warhorse during his career in Philly, which, as we all know, recently came to an end. From 1998-2008, Thomas started almost every game at left tackle and was selected to the Pro Bowl 3 times. We wish him the very best in Jacksonville.

1999- Donovan McNabb, QB, Syracuse: With the 2nd overall pick in the draft (and the first of the Andy Reid era), the Eagles finally drafted a player around whom they could build a franchise. He did not take long to become a premier quarterback, and since he took over, he has become the Eagles' all-time leader in wins, pass attempts and completions, passing yards, and passing touchdowns. Specifically, he has thrown for 29,320 yards and 194 touchdowns for an overall rating of 85.9. Still, some have argued that he is injury-prone and cannot win the big game. Others have argued that he hasn't had the offensive weapons to do so. Whatever others may say, however, there is no denying that the 5-time Pro-Bowler is the best QB in Eagles history and one of the best in the league for the last 10 years.

2000- Corey Simon, DT, Florida State: Corey was generally considered to be the nation's top prospect at DT in this draft; he was a finalist for the Lombardi Award and the Outland Trophy. The Eagles took him 6th overall, and he produced, though not consistently at the elite level everyone had hoped for. He was good enough to make the Pro Bowl in 2003, though. After the 2004 season, he could not work out a long-term deal with the team, and wound up signing with the Colts as a UFA. He played the entire 2005 season in Indy, but without much success. Injury cost him the 2006 season, and he was eventually let go. Tennessee signed him in August 2007, but he decided to retire two months later due to the toll injuries had taken on his body.

2001- Freddie Mitchell, WR, UCLA: Call him what you want; "FredEx," "The People's Champ," whatever. The fact of the matter is that the former 25th overall pick was a complete bust, albeit an entertaining one. In four seasons with the team, he never had more than 35 receptions or 500 receiving yards. He scored a paltry 5 TDs in his career and had only 90 total receptions for a little over 1200 yards. Still, he liked to talk. The best thing he ever did for the team, besides leave, was making the catch on the legendary "4th and 26" play that allowed the Eagles to win a nailbiting playoff game against the Packers in January 2004. Freddie's moved on since, and despite trying out for several teams, it looks as though "The People's Champ" is done in the NFL.

2002- Lito Sheppard, CB, Florida: Lito, we hardly knew ye. It looked as though the Eagles had themselves a bona fide shutdown corner emerging in 2004 when the 26th overall pick nabbed 5 INTs, returned 2 for TDs, and was selected for the Pro Bowl and the All-Pro Team. However, 2005 turned out to be the first of what amounted to a bunch of injury-plagued seasons in Philly. That said, no one will forget his prowess as a Cowboy Killer; in 11 career games against Dallas, he has 8 interceptions...and who can forget that one INT that Drew Bledsoe threw him in 2006...he returned that sumbitch 102 yards for the score and the win. He made a lot of timely INTs, and was a 2-time Pro Bowler, but the injuries and complaints about his contract were his undoing; the team replaced him with Asante Samuel (which worked out just fine, thank you). Lito, as we are all aware, was recently traded to the Jets. No hard feelings, buddy.

2003- Jerome McDougle, DE, Miami (FL): Here's an indication of McDougle's ability to compete in the NFL: he's a first-round pick (15th overall) that has never, EVER started a game. Not once. He's got 3 sacks to his credit, and is currently searching for his third team. He is most famous for being shot in a robbery attempt in the summer of 2005. It's a shame that he peaked in college; he was good at Miami.

2004- Shawn Andrews, G, Arkansas: When he's healthy, Andrews may be the best guard in the NFL. He's massive, yet he has incredible athletic ability. He is also a very instinctive player, and will often run upfield to level punishing blocks on anyone stupid enough to get in his way. The former 16th overall pick has started every game he has played, and became a stalwart on the o-line from the beginning of his career. He has been sent to the Pro Bowl 3 times (2005, 2006, 2007), and was an All-Pro in 2006. He has had some issues of late, with back problems and a bout with depression. Hopefully, he has made strides against both, and with his older, equally huge brother Stacy joining him, he looks to return to form next season.

2005- Mike Patterson, DT, Southern Cal: Mike ( taken 31st overall) has quietly had a good career for the Birds, even though he doesn't inspire many oohs and aahs. He has racked up an impressive 205 tackles and 9.5 sacks in 4 years, and if he stays healthy, he should remain a solid player.

2006- Brodrick Bunkley, DT, Florida State: Mark my words: Brodrick Bunkley could be a future Pro Bowler. He's shown tremendous run-stopping ability and sheer athleticism, plus he's as strong as an ox. His numbers don't look astronomical yet, but with time the former 14th overall selection could develop into an All-Pro.

2007- Kevin Kolb, QB, Houston: The Eagles traded out of the first round this time, and made what was easily the most controversial pick (2nd round, 36th overall) of the entire draft. Eyebrows around the league were raised as for the first time since he took the reins, it looked as though McNabb was going to have some competition. Of course, two years later, he's still the man, but Kolb is being groomed for the top spot by Andy, who hopes to continue the success he had coaching Brett Favre and then Donovan. What we've seen of Kolb so far hasn't been pretty, but he deserves the benefit of the doubt; being thrown to the lions the way he was against the Ravens last season isn't an adequate indication of how his career will progress. Time will tell.

2008- Trevor Laws, DT, Notre Dame: Once again, the Birds traded out of the first round, this time taking another DT first. It's no secret that Andy loves big ol' hogs on both the offensive and defensive lines, but there's more to Laws (2nd round, 47th overall) than meets the eye. He's extremely athletic and quick for his size, and he's shown that he can be effective off the bench. I wouldn't be surprised if he challenges for a starting spot in training camp.

2009- ???

There's your history lesson for the day. Look it over and decide: top five picks? Bottom five? What's your opinion?

Breaking My Silence

jaws1385 — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 19:57:00 -0000

I've held my tongue long enough. I didn't say anything when the Eagles let potential playmakers like Houshmandzadeh and Derrick Ward go by the wayside. I didn't say anything when they started getting rid of their depth at various positions. I haven't said anything about their cheap tactics with the third-most cap space in the league. I even kept my mouth shut (more from anger than anything else) when they let the heart, soul, and backbone of this team go.

But enough's enough. I read a story this morning in the Trenton Times that made me blow my stack. Apparently it wasn't enough that the team low-balled an icon like Dawkins before they let him go so ignominiously, they actually included a clause in their offer that stipulated he would have to pay money for any games he would miss due to injury. How do you slap an Eagles legend and fan favorite in the face like this? WHERE THE FUCK IS THE LOYALTY?! And before anyone hits me with the obvious, I KNOW that it's a business just as much as it is a sport, but that does not excuse the front office's shameful treatment of Dawkins.

I'm sick and tired of Banner and Lurie nickel-and-diming their way along a road to nowhere. This isn't how you win Super Bowls. They're letting assets go faster than Michael Jackson, and all the while they're raking it in. Lurie bought this team for 195 million in 1994; today it is worth more than a billion. You do the math. One can't help but wonder whether Banner and Lurie are content simply making money off a team that is in contention every year but just doesn't have enough playmakers to win a Super Bowl. Such playmakers don't come cheap, as we all know, and obviously it is not the intention of the organization to pursue any. It seems that they'd rather pick up beaten veterans at low cost to patchwork a team together. I don't know what they're planning on doing with the draft, but right now I am severely disappointed and disheartened by these money-grubbing executives. The "do nothing and hope for the best" mantra has got to go.

Furthermore, what's to become of Donovan? He asked for playmakers, and even threatened to ask for a trade if the team didn't deliver. The team hasn't delivered, only picking up Stacy Andrews (which I am not mad at), so what happens next? Is the team willing to let their franchise QB go just to prove how far above the players the front office is? I'm sorry, I know these are ramblings and ravings, but the lack of loyalty to the players, and by way of the players, the fans, is beginning to border on open contempt. Draft day can't get here quick enough.

The Off-Season Agenda (A Few Humble Suggestions)

jaws1385 — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 15:41:47 -0000

Another season ends in heartbreak for our beloved team and its embittered fans...so what are we gonna do about it? Although the Eagles made a tremendous and unlikely run that ended one win short of the Super Bowl, it's obvious a few more pieces of the puzzle are needed to get us back over the hump. Many pieces are already in place; we just need to re-sign them.

Donovan McNabb takes top priority here; despite the fact that midway through the season I would stand outside and outyell the storms about how we needed to move on from him, Donovan pulled it together and earned his stripes (plus, from what we've seen of Kevin Kolb, making a change at this point would be disastrous). We start with him, and the rest of our needs can be dealt with accordingly. These needs, as I see them, are as follows (and in no particular order):

POWER RUNNING BACK

I'm sure you don't need to be reminded that a major Achilles' Heel for the offense this season was its difficulty on gaining ground in short-yardage situations. 3rd-and-1 on the goal line and we have trouble punching it in? We need a big power back that can double as a battering ram. Correll Buckhalter (who is also a FA) outshines Brian Westbrook here, but he still isn't powerful enough to move the pile by himself. This is a role that I believe can be filled through the draft. Shonn Greene of Iowa is the kind of between-the-tackles runner we could use, and is projected as a second-round steal. The free agent market has the ultimate power back in Brandon Jacobs, but the Giants re-signing him is practically a foregone conclusion. Even if it wasn't, he'll command too much money. The Giants' Derrick Ward is also available, but he's more in the Westbrook mold. Jacobs is certainly tempting (and is the kind of smashmouth juggernaut that Philly would love), but the bulk of the Eagles' off-season dollars are best spent elsewhere. The draft is the answer here.

NO. 1 WIDE RECEIVER

There it is again. Perhaps the most-oft-repeated phrase when it comes to talking about the Eagles' needs. If yesterday's game proved anything, it's that a team is best equipped to win when it has a player that can take over a game and practically win it by himself. Larry Fitzgerald is that kind of player. His stats from yesterday: 9 catches, 152 yards, 3 touchdowns. Imagine what Donovan could do with that kind of talent. The FA market is the way to go here, because the draft is not deep at WR. Michael Crabtree of Texas Tech, Percy Harvin of Florida, and Jeremy Maclin of Missouri are the top 3 prospects, and all of them could be gone by the time the Eagles pick. Plus, if I know Andy Reid, he won't draft a WR up front two years in a row, and I don't blame him. We need to use our draft picks at other positions. Free agent TJ Houshmandzadeh of Cincinnati is our best option here. He wants out of an organization with a clueless coach and a front office that seems intent on running its team into the ground. He's generally considered to be the best number-two receiver in the NFL, and he could easily develop into a number one in Philly. So, hypothetically, if we sign him, our receiving corps could look something like this: 1. Houshmandzadeh, 2. DeSean Jackson, 3. Kevin Curtis, with Jason Avant and Hank Baskett (a FA) in reserve. Andy will have a choice to make in keeping either Reggie Brown or Greg Lewis. Brown is obviously in disfavor, as he's barely been on the field. Lewis might have sealed his fate with that disgraceful drop of a perfect pass from Donovan deep in Cardinals territory. Either way, Baskett should be retained for his height and the effort he gives, and we should give serious thought to bringing TJ on board. His talent and toughness would give Donovan a serious weapon, as well as more options. Anquan Boldin could be traded for as well...did anyone see him and the Cardinals' offensive coordinator going at it yesterday? He's clearly not happy in Arizona's system, and a guy of his caliber would be a welcome addition in Andy's offense.

GAME-CHANGING TIGHT END

This is a position that one could argue does not need to be made; Brent Celek has proven that he is a good TE and that he deserves a starting spot. His blocking is an issue, though. It remains to be seen what the Eagles plan to do here, but just in case Celek hasn't completely won them over, here's some possibilities: Kellen Winslow is a name that has been brought up repeatedly, as he obviously wants out of Cleveland. His reputation as a locker-room headache could put Andy off, however. His talent is undeniable, but he needs to get his ego and temper under control. As for the draft, the Eagles could spend one of their two first-round picks on Brandon Pettigrew of Oklahoma State, or even Chase Coffman of Missouri, if either of them falls that far. Coffman would certainly be a second-round steal. This is a curious situation for the Eagles; LJ Smith is all but gone, and Celek has filled in nicely. But is Celek the kind of tight end that can take his game and the Eagles' offense to the next level? It will be interesting to watch whether Andy will wait to see how Celek handles being a full-time starter, or if he bites the bullet and drafts a future one. His interest in Tony Gonzalez earlier this season denotes his desire to have an elite TE on his roster, but Celek has come a long way since then.

OFFENSIVE TACKLES OF THE FUTURE

Before anyone calls for my head on a pike, let me first say we have to re-sign both Tra Thomas and Jon Runyan. These old warhorses still have fight in them, and both (especially Runyan) will play until they drop. But their age is starting to show (injuries and Thomas' slowed reaction), and I think it prudent to see about a new OT now, to prepare for the future. There's been talk that once either Runyan or Thomas goes, Shawn Andrews could be moved to OT. I would not be adverse to this move, as the Eagles have players (Max Jean-Gilles, Nick Cole) that have shown they can play guard in Andrews' absence. Andy will almost certainly look to the draft for a future OT. He could even trade one of his two first-round picks to nab someone truly elite at this position. Michael Oher of Mississippi, Andre Smith of Alabama, Phil Loadholt of Oklahoma, Eugene Monroe of Virginia, Jeff Smith of Baylor, Ciron Black of LSU, and Russell Okung of Oklahoma State are all names that could show up on Andy's draft board. This is a draft so deep at OT that Andy could take any one of the guys above and still wind up with a potential future Pro Bowler. Right now, the smart money is on Andy picking an OT in the draft.

FUTURE FREE SAFETY

We'll re-sign Dawk to make him a career Eagle, and I hate to even think about someone else replacing him, but I have to be realistic and come to grips with the fact that it will have to happen eventually. Quintin Mikell is a future Pro Bowler at SS, so he's locked in. Quintin Demps is simply not ready. The one guy in a safety-deprived draft I wanted, Taylor Mays of Southern Cal, has said he will return for another season as a Trojan. He would basically have been the draft's entire ball game at that position, so don't look for us to draft one, at least in higher rounds. A replacement from lower rounds is unlikely but possible. Signing a free agent is even more unlikely, because the safeties available are either not good enough or are too old (Rodney Harrison, Darren Sharper). Dawk will still be our starting FS, but a replacement must be considered sooner rather than later, because it will take some time to find anyone who could potentially fill Weapon X's shoes. This may wait until next year.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

The Eagles may want to add an elite pass-rusher to complement Trent Cole. Julius Peppers, who has publicly stated that he wants to leave Carolina, is an unstoppable force coming into the prime of his career. If we had someone like him, our defense would rival Baltimore's. He'll command a lot of money, but he's a sure thing, and Andy would make this defense scary good by signing him.

What about a new kicker? We all knew David Akers was on the downslope of his career, but come on, he misses a field goal and an extra point, and he boots the ball out of bounds on a kickoff...on the same day...in a dome?! He had a great game in New York a week ago, but he's not the automatic point machine he once was. He was nothing short of a liability yesterday, and Andy was visibly upset with him after the botched kickoff. He may have nailed his own coffin shut with his poor performance. I think it's one more season for him, but the Eagles will sign a replacement this off-season.

Well, these are just some things to consider as we prepare for another long, hard off-season pondering what could have been. We have a good nucleus in place, and with the right moves, we can definitely compete for the NFC crown again next year. Pretty soon we'll be back here discussing the draft, so get some mock drafts together and we'll compare. It was a good season, gents, keep your heads up.