What are our needs for '09

by yophillybro on Aug 25, 2008 11:33 AM EDT Comment 30 comments

I was talking to my budy about possible future moves, and during my conversation I realized that next years draft will be very interesting.

I know its early, but just for fun, what are the possible moves you would make to upgrade this team for 2009, consider the McNabb/ Kolb situation. Consider the possible emergence of Jackson, and Browns bad contract. Also consider Lito Sheppards situation and the fact that we have 2 first round picks. We will have an interesting offseason next year. Who stays and who goes, is Dunlap and Justice your future? ( I gotta give props to Justice, he played well vs NE).

Please don't take this post too seriously, its just for fun. I know that die hards do like to look to the future. I just figured I would get this out there before I forget. What do you think we will do as far as cutting, signing Free agents, drafting etc. You are the GM, whats your move?

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herremans moves to LT, jean gilles starts at LG

i think the right side of the line will remain the same, but there;s a chance of justice stepping in and replacing runyan.

the biggest need in the next draft is a ballhawking middle linebacker. i think gaither will be exposed at some point, and i don’t see any of the starting linebackers being anything more than average. at least not yet.

ANATOMY OF ERA:
Variables Don't; Constants Aren't

by variablesdont on Aug 25, 2008 11:53 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

It'll be tough to expose Gaither in the middle

because he’s our starting OLB

by Alon on Aug 25, 2008 6:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Give the LBs a season before you judge them

I don’t think you can say the LBs are average before Jim Johnson has had a chance to scheme with them yet. I think Chris Gocong will be used much more often as a pass rusher or blitzer (remember the pats game least season). I also see Bradley being able to blow up the middle like Trotter used too. I think once the D is running something other than their base offense we will see a little more of what we all love about a Jim Johnson D: Getting to the QB.

I think as far as next years draft is concerned, we will be drafting an OT with one of those first 2 picks. Andy Reids era can really be attributed to having 2 of the best Tackles in the game, and I am sure he knows it, and wants to keep it that way.

I also see a TE in our future. Celek is good, but having an allstar TE makes the WRs look a little better.

As for the Defense, I think we still need another DT and another FS.

by Clyde Simmons on Aug 25, 2008 1:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

by offense in the first paragraph, I meant Defense

also, if Jackson has a good season, expect another punt returner. When you think about it, our best offensive weapons seem to start out as punt returners…it really seems to be a good play.

by Clyde Simmons on Aug 25, 2008 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don’t know about TE I think Celek is more than capable of being a pro bowler. And I think we will draft a DE before DT, but I agree we probably go with an OT in the first and trade the second.

by Whodie126 on Aug 25, 2008 1:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Gocongs job is to protect the outside, and not get blown up, and give up the sideline.

He stands his ground and force the ball inside, he does a good job of that. He is more of a space eating LB. That is why he isn’t in many plays, he forces the ball inside, and does a good job of it. That is why Bradley isn’t your Sam. Gocong cannot be a downhill LB, he plays Outside LB, they are never down hill. You are thinking of Trotter, he was a downhill LB, just run up and clog up the hole.

His weakness is the screen, he looks silly in the open field

Dallas Sucks

by yophillybro on Aug 25, 2008 4:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed on Celek

He reminds me of a cross between Chad Lewis and Bubba Franks. Not 100% sure why.

by Alon on Aug 25, 2008 6:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

definatly agree

but at the same time, LJ is no wuss. he has the athletic skill to be a solid threat. im not jumpin of LJ’s wagon unless he doesnt produce this year, injury free. he has the talent and i wouldnt write him off yet.

A DE might be more neccessary to complement Cole. Patterson is doing a solid job of bringin in the double team, giving the DT (MP plays NT right) more shots at the runner and qb. a de that could pass rush along trent might be the better option

What was that? A special team? Us? The Eagles?

by anuj on Aug 25, 2008 10:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

each of the linebackers are playing out of position

stewart bradley came into the league as a SLB, but he’s playing in the middle. gocong is supposed to be playing an aggressive, downhill style, but he’s lining up every play over the tight end, so by default, he’s not in a great position to get into the backfield.

gaither can play all 3 positions, but i’m not sold on him being better than okay at any of them.

the lineup right now from will to sam is gaither-bradley-gocong.

i think it’s clear that the best use of the talent is gocong-gaither-bradley, which would put gocong in that instinctive downhill, aggressive mindset, instead of lining him up against the tight end and making him play read/react football.

ANATOMY OF ERA:
Variables Don't; Constants Aren't

by variablesdont on Aug 25, 2008 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

no offense man but if JJ thinks that gaither-bradley-gocong is a better combo than gocong-gaither-bradley I’m going to side with him. You are pretty much saying that he is using his personel wrong and to question JJ is blasphemy.

by Whodie126 on Aug 25, 2008 3:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

JJ is playing people to their potential.

Most of this stems from Gocong. Gocong is big and physical. They refuse to move him because he doesn’t get pushed around at LB. He sucks in the open field, but a lot of LBs do.

Gaithers is a Will, he is actually playing his position.

Since Bradley can’t play Sam, (because of Gocong), they put him at Mike.
Really, the only person playing out of position is Bradley. Chris is a DE learning LB, so I guess you can say he is out of position.

I really don’t see the birds drafting a LB early. They like DBs or Dline or Oline. That has always been the positions they like to stack.

Dallas Sucks

by yophillybro on Aug 25, 2008 4:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Me and you are in the same page

I think that the we go DE with our first pick. Unless you have a best Tackle available that they love. I think that they get the best pass rusher available to replace Parker, and leaving Abiamiri and McDougle/ Smith as your bench. I can see them trading both picks to go top 5 for the best DE. (I would only guess this knowing how they Eagles feel about pass rushers). Unless McDougle turns out to be a monster. Then this team would be set with a great DLine.

I would be surprised to see another RB get drafted as well. Brian and Buck are getting up their in age.

I would like them to go safety, but you can probrably get that in the second round. Unless you have a really great safety worth drafting with the Carolina pick.

Dallas Sucks

by yophillybro on Aug 25, 2008 1:46 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

dunno bout that safety.

if we have a solid, i mean really solid pick for SS we should go for it, but i like to see a future of Q and Demps in FS and SS. i know its a little early but i like what i have seen from them

What was that? A special team? Us? The Eagles?

by anuj on Aug 25, 2008 10:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i would trade mcnabb, kolb, westbrook, asante, desean, curtis, reggie brown (that’s $250 mill right?) for david beckham. then i would move akers to QB, and Rocca to WR(he’s the big WR we’ve been looking for, 6’4) since they seem to have a good chemistry (not sure about that statement). then i would trade both 1st rounders, and my 2nd, and my 3rd, and my future 1st and 2nd for Jim Harbaugh. then i would fire jim johnson, marty, and andy reid. replacing all of them with Jim Harbaugh. after that i would trade lincoln financial field for this ‘99 honda accord i’ve been eyeing recently. then i would trade my self for jerry jones in dallas, and trade for mcnabb, kolb, wetbrook, asante, desean, curtis, reggie brown. then punch Roy Williams in the face in return i’ll probably get hit stick-ed. then i’ll just go to apsleepalsssdfbyebye

by Remis on Aug 25, 2008 1:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

ZZzzzZZZzzZZzzZZzz

by Remis on Aug 25, 2008 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

o and i’ll move beckham to kicker, forgot to mention that

by Remis on Aug 25, 2008 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Then I would trade all that for those Eagles sneaker that used to be your logo.

Dallas Sucks

by yophillybro on Aug 25, 2008 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

uhhhhhhh... no comment?

What was that? A special team? Us? The Eagles?

by anuj on Aug 25, 2008 10:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

uhhhhhhh… then why did u comment?
jp lol

by Remis on Aug 25, 2008 10:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

just speculation but if carolina tanks bad enough that we get a top 5 pick i am hoping we get michael crabtree. other than that they will likely go best value as always

by 0sirys on Aug 25, 2008 4:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

do you have any of his stats, I am not a NCAA guy, I googled him

He looks nice. It would be sweet, but who goes. I guess Basket.

Dallas Sucks

by yophillybro on Aug 25, 2008 4:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Man, he had like 23 TD last year,134 catches, 1962 yards.

Im I reading those numbers right. That is a freaking BEAST.
Can you imagine that, Crabtree, Jackson, Curtis, Avant, Brown

Westbrook, Booker,

You can still draft a Safety in the first with your other pick.

Dallas Sucks

by yophillybro on Aug 25, 2008 4:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

glad you're on board

most assholes are still bitching about trading out of the first round two years in a row.

ANATOMY OF ERA:
Variables Don't; Constants Aren't

by variablesdont on Aug 25, 2008 4:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I can't understand that

I thought the Eagles draft strategy the past couple years was pretty brilliant… We’re in prime position to stack either this year or next year, and that’s more in line with our roster’s general age, not to mention the collegiate elite talent that is coming out.

by Alon on Aug 25, 2008 6:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i.e. I agree with you

by Alon on Aug 25, 2008 6:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think we'll go with an FB

Just kidding. I think that the oldest high quality players on the roster (followed by their primary backups) are:

QB: DMac (Kolb)
RB: Westbrook, Buckhalter (Booker, Hunt)
WR: Curtis (Brown/Jackson)
TE: Smith (Celek)
TE: Schobel
LT: Thomas (Herremans, replaced by MJG)
RT: Runyan (Andrews or Justice)
(Defensive front seven are all exceptionally young)
FS: Dawkins (Demps/Mikell/Considine/Reed, probably in that order for the Eagles)
K: Akers (The guy we picked up seems okay?)
P: Rocca

QB is ostensibly set for the next decade or more, I think the Eagles have a lot of faith in their backup RBs and Westbrook to maintain his level (given that new contract).

TE seems like an area of concern, but I think they like Celek. However, the Eagles love having 2 TEs on the field, and a lot of their offensive potency in the red zone came from defenses having to deal with both Lewis and Smith. I think they’re trying to replicate that with Celek and Smith, but it’s doubtful Smith remains an Eagle beyond this or next year. I really expect them to draft or sign an athletic receiving TE in the mold of Smith, and I expect them to do it in the first couple rounds.

The offensive line situation has several scenarios, once Thomas/Runyan depart:
A) Herremans LT, MJG LG, Jackson C, Andrews RG, Justice RT
B) Herremans LT, MJG LG, Jackson C, McGlynn RG, Andrews RT
C) Justice LT, Herremans LG, Jackson C, MJG RG, Andrews RT
D) Justice LT, Herremans LG, Jackson C, McGlynn RG, Andrews RT
E) Dunlap LT, Herremans LG, Jackson C, MJG RG, Andrews RT
F) Dunlap LT, Herremans LG, Jackson C, Andrews RG, Justice RT

Scenario A seems like the most likely scenario, followed perhaps by scenario F. This is all assuming Justice can’t play guard, which he probably can do just fine, and that Dunlap can’t play guard, which he probably can do just fine. I’m sure I’m missing a few. However, Scenario A presents an offensive line that has 2 question marks, at the RT and LT. Basically, positions you don’t want to have as question marks. Scenario E, on the other hand, presents only 1 question mark. Still, it’s at LT, and it’s a bigger question mark. If the Eagles think their kids can develop just fine, they won’t draft high because they do have a lot of high quality depth on the offensive line (excepting center, but some of the guys on the line can also play center). Still, losing 2 top tackles will create depth problems, so I see the Eagles spending a high pick on a high quality guy that will create good competition and either add great depth or make a great starter.

FS: It remains to be seen if Demps can be the heir apparent to Dawkins, but he’s being groomed for it at any rate. I think the Eagles will want Mikell to stay at the SS, where he has played well, but they will probably still spend a pick at the safety position because having great talent in the secondary is invaluable.

K/P: Shelf lives for kickers/punters are longer than for other positions, but Akers and Rocca are still both getting on up there — and Rocca has had years of being pummeled in Aussie Football to add to it. Still, drafting a K or P for the future? Seems very doubtful, especially when the Eagles have such a good track record developing UDFAs at those positions or thinking outside the box.

Conclusion: I think the places most likely to receive high picks are TE, LT, and S. Lotta words for a pretty obvious conclusion, I guess.

by Alon on Aug 25, 2008 6:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I think you and a lot of people will be surprised by Celek given the opportunity.

by Whodie126 on Aug 25, 2008 7:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think you misread

I love Celek, I think he has pro-bowl potential. Just like Chad Lewis went to the bowl. I think he’s faster and more athletic than Chad, and not as good a blocker. There’s nothing about Celek that I don’t like, it’s just that we need 2 prolific TEs for our offense, and when we have just one or none our red zone offense falters.

by Alon on Aug 26, 2008 1:47 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs