The Linc - Another perspective on Westbrook

by JasonB on Jan 20, 2010 6:00 AM EST in Philadelphia Eagles News

So... this is what Martell Mallett looks like.

Westy Retirement? Not So Fast | Philadelphia Daily News | 01/19/2010
The Brian Westbrook I know is a courageous competitior, though, and an ornery guy. To meekly shuffle off into retirement because that course fits the team's agenda? Not the guy that decided to boycott the start of training camp in 2005 without even telling his then-agent. Not the guy who denounced management from the NovaCare stage during a news conference when he was angry about his contract. I don't see Westbrook giving up on his career, at age 30, without a fight.

Philadelphia Eagles 2009: A Final Recap | Philly2Philly.com
As the Eagles ponder their future and wonder how a team that blew them out twice in six days got blown out themselves, here is look back at the 2009 season with at least one eye on 2010. Right now, the Eagles look like a perennial playoff team, but nothing more. They are good enough to find 10 to 11 wins on their schedule, but appear to be miles away from getting back to the Super Bowl. So what do they do? Let’s first look at what they have done.

Bob Ford: Don't expect Eagles to move past McNabb just yet | Philadelphia Inquirer | 01/19/2010
The quarterback is older now, almost certainly beyond his best years, and, in the biggest game of the season, his explosive offense sputtered and the road to the Super Bowl became a roadblock. Behind him, waiting ever impatiently, is the younger quarterback, the one whose time must arrive, somewhere if not here.

Rich Hofmann: To fix Eagles defense, start with secondary | Philadelphia Daily News | 01/19/2010
In general, the Eagles rushed the passer just fine last year. Only a half-dozen teams in the NFL had a higher sack percentage than they did. This was not some kind of gross deficiency.

Eagles Sign CFL Rookie of Year Mallett
The Eagles on Tuesday signed running back Martell Mallett, who spent last season with the BC Lions of the CFL. Mallett (6-0, 210) rushed 214 times for 1,280 yards (5.8 per carry) and six touchdowns last season. The 23-year-old also had 43 receptions for 342 yards and two scores and was named the league’s Most Outstanding Rookie.

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Some good points in these articles

Starting with the idea that Westbrook’s impending retirement might not be real at all. What happens if he doesn’t retire and doesn’t agree to restructure his deal with the Eagles in order to become McCoy’s backup? If the Eagles cut Westbrook the year after they let Dawkins walk away, the AM radio in your car will melt and run like liquid.

Eckels’s recap is pretty fair overall aside from a few oddities. When he gets to the team’s draft needs and suggests they should draft a punter, well… not that it doesn’t ever happen, but not many teams want to spend draft picks on kickers. He also slips in what looks like a shot at Andy Reid, setting it up by insisting almost all the team’s draft needs are on the defensive side of the ball, “but you know Reid will fit in an offensive lineman somewhere in the mix.” Given the questions with the Andrews brothers and Jackson versus the backup shuffle that didn’t work out so well, I’d be surprised if Reid didn’t look to add something to the offensive line.

Ford’s prediction that McNabb will be back strikes me as accurate. Aside from all the fan back and forth on this, where every conversation turns into McNabb vs. Kolb, the offense pretty much did what Reid asked it to do. Plenty of commenters have pointed out that the lack of a credible running game threat lets opponents tee off on McNabb. Whether Reid sees the problem as his own fault, or the offensive line’s fault – either because they can’t open space for the run, or they can’t protect McNabb endlessly against the pass rush – it doesn’t seem likely he’s going to look at McNabb’s stats this season and conclude McNabb can’t play any longer.

Hoffman’s analysis of the Eagles defensive pass rush is a very interesting read as well. He makes a pretty strong case for the real problem not being so much the rush, but the breakdowns in the secondary. It’s also hard to argue his conclusion that they could use an upgrade in almost any area on the defense. Hoffman argues for a CB but sits on both sides of the fence saying they sure could use a good DE opposite Cole.

It’s going to be a long offseason until some real information starts leaking out.

by EANX33 on Jan 20, 2010 9:22 AM EST reply actions

Hoffman's article

Was the best one I have seen on the Eagles’ defensive issues and anyone who watched the last 2 games of the season would agree – the pass coverage was just not adequate as Brown was clearly shot playing with multiple injuries, Samuel was targeted early and often especially on screens, and Romo looked for the Hot Route all day long over the middle because of Hanson’s poor play/inability of the S to cover.

If the Eagles are going to have a better defense next year, they desperately need a FS who has some ability to cover and some LBs who can actually make an occasional play or two in the pass coverage/pass rush game.

by MG77 on Jan 20, 2010 9:51 AM EST reply actions

Nothing on our Long Snapper making it to the Pro Bowl?

Dorenbos to Pro Bowl

by Ant on Jan 20, 2010 10:55 AM EST reply actions

Hoffman’s article was a good read but I disagree with it.

the reason our blitzes weren’t as succesful was because of the less than satisfactory play of our defensive line. Nobody other than Trent Cole poses any threat to rush the passer, making it easy for opposing offensive lines to double cole and pick up our blitzes. Bunkley and Patterson are one of the most underrated DT pairs in the NFL but they are not pass rushers. The rules say 3 years to evaluate a draft class so the jury is still out on Trevor Laws, but he has shown very little so far. we’ve been hearing for two years now that Victor Abiamiri is going to have a breakout season and im sick of it. He’s made of glass and can’t seem to play more then 5 games a season. We need a stud pass rusher on the other side of Cole. it will make life easier for our blitzers as well as our secondary.

The obvious sexy choice for a DE acquisition is Julius Peppers. I know hes old, production declining, wants to play in a 3-4, expensive, etc. I’d still love him in an eagles uniform. Whether or not it happens we’ll see. One thing we all know is that Reid and Co. almost always get there man. if they find a stud pass rusher they like, be it Peppers or anyone else I’m sure theyll find a way to bring him on board.

The way I see it our needs in order are:

1. DE
2. FS
3. RG
4. P
5. A tro0 #1 Wide rEcIeVur and a 250 p0und Powa BaCk!!!!!!!1111

by njh3293 on Jan 20, 2010 11:11 AM EST reply actions

Kiper's first mock draft

Has the Eagles taking Navorro Bowman. Love him as a player, don’t trust that his off-the-field issues are behind him.

by wildcatlh on Jan 20, 2010 1:30 PM EST reply actions

well if you need a linebacker Penn State is a good place to go.

Jim Johnson 1941-2009

"The 0-2 pitch, swing and a miss! STRUCK HIM OUT! The Philadelphia Phillies are 2008 World Champions of baseball! And let the city celebrate! " - Harry Kalas 1936-2009

by Whodie126 on Jan 20, 2010 1:43 PM EST up reply actions

Besides Paul Poz up in Buffalo

Who else is there? I don’t really follow PSU, so I don’t actually know.

About 10 minutes ago, I was pondering my own existence. Then I decided that it didn't matter.

by IronHank on Jan 20, 2010 2:17 PM EST up reply actions

PSU is known as Lineback University … something they picked up in the 60s … they’ve never had bad linebackers. Shane Conlan, Andre Collins, LaVar Arrington, and most recently Paul Posluszny and Dan Conner.

The U has put out some greats recently too.

Jim Johnson 1941-2009

"The 0-2 pitch, swing and a miss! STRUCK HIM OUT! The Philadelphia Phillies are 2008 World Champions of baseball! And let the city celebrate! " - Harry Kalas 1936-2009

by Whodie126 on Jan 20, 2010 3:15 PM EST up reply actions

CFL Pride

I would like to take this opportunity to let you guys know that Mallett is a great player and will more than likely make it onto the active roster next year. Really…. really talented. I’m biased of course, seeing how I am CANADIAN!!

Representing CANADA eh?

by awat5 on Jan 20, 2010 7:08 PM EST reply actions