yes its early but why not

by NickPampani on Nov 17, 2008 11:54 PM EST

ok so we got a steal this offseason when we drafted Desean Jackson in the secon round as the 7th reciver taken, but he isnt going to answer all our problems.

this off-season we need help in 2 areas and that is our run blocking and solid target for McNabb to throw to.

what can we do to get this done... well with 2 1st round picks we can always go online wiyh one but where does that leave the other. how about a trade down... wait no, my brain is working we shal trade up for crabtree. he would deffinitly sacure our WR possition, and can you immaging Desean and crabtree maturing together with curtis in the slot.

here is some other options....

in the free agent martket there is:
Lee Evans
T.J. Houshmandzadeh
Jabar Gaffney

we can also look into trading for a TE:
tony G

or there is also kellen Winslow who is obviously unhappy in Cleveland

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If the offensive line and pass blocking is good enough, almost any receivers will be just fine for McNabb. Same for the run blocking.

It seems obvious the focus of the team in the draft and free agency, as of right now, needs to be in no particular order:

Tight End (two!)
Fullback
SAM or MIKE Linebacker depending on where you want to put Bradley
Free Safety (starter?)
Strong Safety (backup?)
Right Tackle or Right Guard depending on the fate of Runyan, and whether Andrews is slid outside, and what Justice’s future is
Left Tackle depending on the fate of Thomas, whether Herremanns is slid outside, and what Dunlap’s future is.
Halfback (TJ Duckett/Najeh Davenport size and style)
Cornerback (5th corner)

We have plenty of good enough wideouts, defensive ends, defensive tackles, and quarterbacks.

What interesting, is that with at least two first round picks (barring a trade of McNabb or Sheppard), the only first round position on that list by normal Eagles criteria is Right Guard or Right Tackle and Left Tackle (I can’t see a 5th cornerback being a first rounder). I think the fans would go ballisitic if both first round picks were used on offensive linemen. I would. And if the staff thinks Justice, Dunlap, Andrews, and Herremans are enough competition of the tackle spots, with McGlynn and Gilles competing for the guard spots with Herremanns and Andrews if they aren’t slid out, it might not be necessary to draft one early at all. The 3rd or 4th round could be excellent spots to find a back-up tackle or guard.

This would leave the Eagles in the position of having two mid to late first round picks and really needing to take the best Safety, best Tight End, or best SAM or MIKE Linebacker on the board, or possibly the best big Halfback. Would they do it when they never draft these positions in the first round? The fans would also go ballistic if they trade out of the first round with one or more picks, since bulking up on more draft picks means drafting more players who just are not going to make the team, rather than addressing areas of need with higher quality early picks.

I could see them putting Joe Mays at MIKE, Bradley at SAM and pushing the linebacker pick back some rounds to back-up status.

Are there high quality Safeties and Tight Ends worth 1st round picks who are going to be in this draft?

And the big question – will they resist resigning LJ Smith for peanuts when he gets no offers?

by Andrew B on Nov 18, 2008 2:48 AM EST 0 recs

I generally agree

with your assessment of the Eagles needs in the draft, although I think you can probably get an upgrade at fullback late in the draft or through free agency. Tight end could also be addressed outside the draft if Gonzalez (obviously only if we’re in win in the next three years mode) is still available or Winslow. I also agree that there’s no need to use a first rounder on a wide receiver. As Jackson shows, you can get a fine receiver in the second round, if you are good at evaluating talent. Sadly, we’ve drafted our share of duds at that position over the years. I disagree, however, that the wide receiver position does not need to be addressed. Jackson looks like he is going to turn into a quality player, so that’s one spot. As for the rest, , none of them have speed, none of them have great hands, and except for Baskett, none of them have size. None of our receivers force other teams to double cover them (Jackson may deserve that someday, but he’s not there yet), which means teams are free to put a safety in the box against us. Our receivers do not consistently get separation. Because of the system, and because Mcnabb gets good protection and is himself good at creating extra time in the pocket, some of these guys eventually come open and our passing game has success. But the passing game would be more effective if we had better receivers who didn’t need so much time to get open or who could catch a ball in traffic. How many teams do you think would jump at the chance to pick up Lewis, Avant, Brown, or Baskett if we cut them? Even Curtis would not be likely to be a number 1 or 2 target anywhere else. Like I said, I don’t disagree that other positions are more pressing, but I think it doesn’t help us to overrate the existing receivers, or to think that better receivers wouldn’t make a difference. Look at new England. They went from a strong team to one of the most dominant teams in history (ignoring the fluke loss in the SB) by upgrading their so so receivers by adding Moss and Welker. Yes, their system worked with average receivers, but they were much better with better receivers. If we manage to upgrade the run game, getting better receivers would be less of a priority, because the improved running will free the receivers up more, but if we’re going to pass the ball 45-50 times a game, then I say we ought to improve the receivers.

by MJW on Nov 18, 2008 9:49 AM EST up 0 recs

im sorry but i wont here this WR stuff anymore

the Eagles NEEEEED a big GOOD WR…the fact is our recievers occasional show some goodness but they are not consistent enough…Hank Baskett who’s been our 2nd reciever much of this year has had 2 decent games, Avant had been NOWHERE, Curtis has been hurt, Reggie Brown is…Reggie Brown…the fact we need ONE actual 1 reciever…all our reciever (withthe possible exception of DJack in a COUPLE years) are #2 recievers right now…ok…so for next couple years until DJack mature get Lee Evans of TJ and you got the explosive Jackson and the consistent TJ or Evans and McNabb will be happy and have a GUARENTEED probowl year…now think of this also…what if we dont land TJ or Evans…trade our 2 firsts for Mic Crabtree…Crabtree is a bigger guy for McNabb to throw to plus you have DJack to grow beside him…they would be the future of our team AND THE SPORT IN GENERAL…but im sorry we need a #1 wideout

Fire the Fat One
Fire Andy Reid

by XxBleedGreen5xX on Nov 19, 2008 6:49 PM EST up 0 recs

cornerback....

Don’t forget we have Jack I. from Wisconsin sitting on the shelf and ready to play next season. Before he was injured he was projected to go late first early second round.

by slandog on Nov 18, 2008 4:09 PM EST 0 recs

Lito as trade bait

Good point. If Jack I is healthy, and if Reid sees enough in him we could conceivably trade Lito to shore up one of the problem spots.

by MJW on Nov 18, 2008 4:23 PM EST up 0 recs

true

Jack I was a first rounder min if he hadnt gotten hurt. HADNT. he was hurt so we also have to look at the fact that how well he comes back from his injury and plays, will he play at the caliber that was needed for a first rounder or will he scumble to his injuries.

Look up... get up...Don't ever, ever give up!!

by anuj on Nov 18, 2008 5:45 PM EST up 0 recs