2012 Eagles Off season Plan

Hey guys whats goin on. My names Kenny Dixon, Im an 18 year old high school student from PA. I've been a long time reader on BGN but never thought of posting. I'm an aspiring sports journalist and die hard Eagles fan. Below I have my off season plan for the Eagles. *Warning- Its kinda long so be prepared haha..... please let me know what y'all think. Thanks guys! E-A-G-L-E-S EAGLES!!!!!!!!!

2012 Philadelphia Eagles Offseason Plan

Personnel Moves:

Announce The Return Of Juan Castillo As Defensive Coordinator

With Steve Spagnuolo taking the D-Coordinator position with the Saints, it’s all but certain Juan Castillo will be back for a second year. As we all know, Juan had a terrible start to his tenure as DC. Whether it was misusing his trio of Pro Bowl cornerbacks or just flat out being out schemed by the opposition, it wasn’t working. But as the season progressed and the offensive turnovers slowed, he began to come into his own. Yes, you might say “Oh, it was against bums like Rex Grossman, Mark Sanchez, Stephen McGee and Matt Moore.” But it was just more than beating up on average QB’s, it was the complex schemes and looks he was giving offenses. The one that really stood out to me was against the Jets, when Trent Cole and Jason Babin lined up at middle linebacker. On that play they stunted causing Babin to get unblocked and get his third sack of the game. Complex schemes like this give me hope for the future that we have found the Juan (I know I should become a comedian) at Defensive Coordinator.

Hire Todd Bowles As Defensive Backs Coach

This might be one of the most underrated moves of the offseason if The Eagles can get it done. Bringing in a defensive backs coach that not only has experience playing the position for eight seasons, but also coaching there for 15 years could give Juan a much needed help in being able to put the players in a position to win. (Andy reference) Also a much under looked fact, while in Miami, Bowles had 3 good CB’s(Davis, Allen and Smith) so to me it seems like there won’t be any problem with having our 3 Pro Bowlers on the field at the same time.

Roster Moves:

Re-sign DeSean Jackson

This is without a doubt the number one priority for The Eagles this offseason. I hear a lot of Eagles fans saying “Release him! He’s terrible, we don’t need him! Let’s sign Marques Colston, Dwayne Bowe or Draft Michael Floyd! Or even better yet, bring back T.O.!” That’s right, I saw some idiot on a blog say let him walk, not trade, let a two-time Pro Bowler walk out the door in order to bring back the 39 year old Terrell Owens. For as much as I love popcorn, and I really, really love popcorn, I would rather eat one of Fred-Ex’s bowties and read Brian Rolle’s tweets all day rather then get my popcorn ready again for T.O. Anyway, back to DeSean. A lot of you may say that LeSean McCoy is the best player on the Eagles offense, and I won’t disagree with you. But without DeSean taking the top off of coverages and having safeties playing 20 sometimes even 25 yards deep, LeSean would not be nearly as effective as he was this past season. Just go take a look at the Eagles offensive numbers from the Arizona game when DeSean was benched. They were absolutely abysmal. You can’t just go out and replace 229 catches, 4085 yards and 21 touchdowns. Just put it this way, if the Eagles don’t re-sign Jackson, we’ll be looking at much worse than an 8-8 season in 2012-13.

Don’t Re-sign Vince Young, Ronnie Brown, Owen Schmitt, Steve Smith, Victor Abimiri, Trevor Laws, Juqua Parker and Jamaal Jackson

Vince Young- Pretty much self-explanatory, he was brought in to resurrect his career from the grave but ended up cementing his coffin on the sideline as a backup. As a longhorns fan it saddens me to see Vince go from National Championship MVP and number 3 overall pick to career backup. In 7 appearances and 3 starts last season he threw for 866 yards, 4 TD’s, and 9 INT’s. Not exactly what the Eagles thought they were going to get from the two-time Pro Bowler.

Ronnie Brown- The Wildcat was more like a pussycat this season for the Eagles. He was brought in to be the big back the team had desperately been searching for, but ended up costing them the game against the 49ers with one of the most idiotic plays in recent history. (See Here) The Eagles attempted to trade Brown mid-season to the Lions for former Eagle Jerome Harrison, but the trade was voided due to the lifesaving diagnosis of Harrison having a brain tumor. As the season progressed, he lost his backup job to rookie Dion Lewis and saw the field sparingly after. Brown had 136 yards on 42 carries to go along with one touchdown on the ground.

Owen Schmitt- Owen has been a good player in his 2 years for the Eagles. He is a solid blocker but doesn’t really bring much else to the table. Because of his limited ability, he began to see the field less and less as the season progressed. When The Eagles had former all-pro fullback Leonard Weaver they were able to split him out wide, use him as an H-back and also hand him the ball out of the backfield. I think the Eagles will go that route again and try to add another dynamic fullback this offseason either through the draft or via free agency.

Steve Smith- The Eagles shocked us all by signing former Pro Bowl wide receiver Steve Smith away from the Giants this offseason. Smith, who was coming off a knee surgery, wasn’t expected to be fully healthy until mid-season. As we all came to find out he wouldn’t be fully healthy the entire season, catching only 11 balls for 124 yards and a touchdown. Another failed free agent signing by the Eagles.

Victor Abimiri- Once a promising second round pick out of Notre Dame, Abimiri never lived up to his potential. He beat out Juqua Parker for the starting left end spot in 2009 and started 5 games that season. After the season he underwent mircrofractue surgery on his left knee and due to injuries, hasn’t played a snap for The Eagles since.

Trevor Laws- Laws is also a second round pick out of Notre Dame that hasn’t lived up to expectations. In 55 career games for The Eagles he’s amassed 5 sacks and 57 tackles. With the recent acquisitions of Cullen Jenkins and Derek Landri, to go along with Mike Patterson and Antonio Dixon, there doesn’t seem to be any room left for Laws.

Juqua Parker- Juqua is currently one of the longest tendered Eagles left on the team. He’s had a great career with the team, being a mainstay at left end for the past 7 years. He’s racked up 31.5 sacks, 195 tackles and amazingly has scored 3 touchdowns. With Trent Cole, Jason Babin, Brandon Graham, Phillip Hunt and Darryl Tapp, there’s just too much depth for the Eagles to keep Juqua around.

Jamaal Jackson- Jamaal Jackson was the starting center for the Eagles up until last season, when he was surprisingly beaten out in training camp by rookie Jason Kelce. Jamaal has had a great career as an Eagle being the anchor of the Eagles offensive line for 4 years. Jackson has publically stated that he wants an opportunity to start elsewhere, and he will receive that opportunity this offseason when he is not resigned by the Eagles.

Re-sign Evan Mathis, Derek Landri, King Dunlap, and Antonio Dixon

Evan Mathis- In order for the Eagles to repeat last year’s success on the offensive line they need to lock up LG Evan Mathis. Mathis was an under the radar signing last year who was inserted into the starting lineup after Todd Herremans was moved out to RT. Mathis played unbelievably good last season, being rated the best guard in the league by many outlets. A starting line of Peters, Mathis, Kelce, Watkins and Herremans will go a long way in keeping Michael Vick healthy next season. I see the 30 year old Mathis getting a 3-4 year deal from the birds.

Derek Landri- Landri was actually a casualty of training camp cuts last season but was brought back after Antonio Dixon’s season ending injury. He was one of the big reasons for the Eagles reemergence against stopping the run late in the season. Landri seems to always be around the ball and in the backfield making plays, what is something the Eagles need. Landri gets a 2-3 year deal.

King Dunlap- The colossal King Dunlap surprised many of us last year by filling in at multiple spots on the O-line. He showed the ability at tackle to get low and protect the QB from some of the best edge rushers in the league, while also moving inside to guard and opening up running lanes for the backs. He is a versatile player who will be back next year as the primary backup at both tackle spots. 2-3 year deal for the King.

Antonio Dixon- Dixon was a great find of waivers in 2009. In a 2 year span as an Eagle he has 3 sacks and 49 tackles. The 6’3, 322lb DT is known for being more of a run stopper but also has the ability to rush the passer. Look out for Dixon to have a breakout 2012-13 season. He gets a 3-4 year deal.

Trade Asante Samuel

While I wish we could keep Asante, I don’t see any way it happens. He’s due$ 9.5 million this offseason. Last year there were rumors of Asante being traded before the season, and then again at the trade deadline. He’s gone on the record saying that the Eagles don’t want him. With statements like “Couple people upstairs might not want me, but who cares? They’ve probably never played football,” and “It’s a business and they run it like a business and they’re going to do what they need to do. They’re playing with a lot of money, playing fantasy football, doing their thing.” It seems like the feelings mutual between both parties that Asante won’t be back. Asante has had a hell of a career as an Eagle, picking off 23 passes and making 3 Pro Bowls. When it’s all said and done, I think the Eagles will trade Asante to the Bears for a third round pick. (10th overall in the 3rd round) With the trade of Asante, it enables the Eagles to move Dominique Rodgers- Cromartie out to LCB, his natural position where he was a Pro Bowler back in 2009. With Nnamdi and DRC the Eagles will have one of the top CB tandems in the league.

Release Winston Justice

Once a promising second round pick out of USC, Winston Justice never lived up to expectations. He started 31 games in 5 years for the Eagles, including starting all 16 games in 2009. He was given a 4 year, $18.15 million contract after the 2009 season. He’s due $3.25 million this year and unless he restructures his deal, he will not be back.

*With the trade of Asante and Release of Winston Justice, the eagles save almost $13 million in cap space.

Free Agency

Eagles Sign LB David Hawthorne

Eagles Sign FB/HB Jacob Hester

Eagles Sign WR Chaz Schilens

Eagles Sign OT James Lee

Eagles Sign SS Tyvon Branch

Draft

Round 1- Luke Kuechly, LB- Boston College

Round 2- Jerel Worthy, DT- Michigan State

Round 2- Orson Charles, TE- Georgia

Round 3- Brandon Boykin, CB- Georgia

Round 3- Kellen Moore, QB- Boise State

Round 4-Kennan Robinson, OLB- Texas

Round 4 - Audie Cole, ILB- North Carolina State

Round 5- Chris Rainey, HB/KR- Florida

Round 6- Derek Dennis, OG- Temple

Round 6- William Vlachos, C- Alabama

Round 6- Blake Gideon.FS- Texas

Depth Chart

QB-Michael Vick, Mike Kafka, Kellen Moore

HB-LeSean McCoy, Dion Lewis, Chris Rainey

FB- Jacob Hester

TE-Brent Celek, Orson Charles

WR- Jeremy Maclin, Jason Avant, Chaz Schilens

WR- DeSean Jackson, Riley Cooper

LT- Jason Peters, King Dunlap

LG- Evan Mathis, Julian Vandervelde

C-Jason Kelce, William Vlachos

RG- Danny Watkins, Derek Dennis

RT- Todd Herremans, James Lee

LE- Jason Babin, Brandon Graham, Phillip Hunt

RE- Trent Cole, Darryl Tapp

DT- Cullen Jenkins, Derek Landri, Antonio Dixon

DT- Mike Patterson, Jerel Worthy

SAM- Luke Kuechly, Moise Fokou, Keenan Robinson

MIKE- David Hawthorne, Audie Cole

WILL-Brian Rolle, Casey Matthews

CB- Nnamdi Asomugha, Joselio Hanson, Brandon Boykin

CB- Dominique Rodgers- Cromartie, Curtis Marsh

FS- Nate Allen, Kurt Coleman, Blake Gideon

SS Tyvon Branch, Jaiquawn Jarrett

K- Alex Henery

P- Chas Henry

PUP List- Jamar Chaney, Colt Anderson