SI Maps The Eagles "Path To Success"
by JasonB on Feb 13, 2012 12:00 PM EST
in Philadelphia Eagles News
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Sports Illustrated's Jeff Diamond recently sketched out a road map for all 32 NFL teams this offseason. He has the Eagles' need as middle linebacker, strong side linebacker and wide receiver. Here's what he had to say.
Four straight wins to end the season was more like the team everyone expected after their flurry of free agent signings. The first concern is to vastly improve the -14 turnover ratio. That starts with QB Mike Vick, who needs to stay healthy and protect the ball better. The Eagles' biggest needs are at middle linebacker and strong side linebacker, and Curtis Lofton of Atlanta would be a good free agent addition. At WR, it's time to say goodbye to me-first DeSean Jackson and sign Dwayne Bowe, Marques Colston or Vincent Jackson in free agency. Andy Reid needs to get back to the playoffs or it's probably time for a change. He'll need the Eagles refocused from day one to avoid the poor start that doomed them in 2011.
Obviously I can't agree more with his #1 point. Anyone who watched this team last year knows that turnovers were the absolute killer. We can debate the merits of Juan Castillo and how culpable he was all day, but it can't be denied that the league leading amount of turnovers this offense had put his defense in a tough spot time and time again. The team simply can't win without improving in that department.
However, I don't really agree with the "me first" characterization of DeSean Jackson. As I've said several times here, he's been a model citizen and a good teammate his entire career until last year. And while I certainly can't defend him showing up late to meetings and not giving max effort, but there's every reason to believe that if he was financially secure, he'd be the DeSean we all saw over his first three years.
Having said that, if he left and any of the other guys mentioned came in... That would certainly help soften the blow.
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Aren’t VJax and Bowe me-first guys? I’ve read lots of complaints about Bowe, especially. Of course, I’ve never heard anyone say anything bad about Colston, so there’s that.
Let the beasting begin.
by TransplantedFan on Feb 13, 2012 12:05 PM EST reply actions
Yeah, that blew my mind. Both of those guys have had well-documented clashes with their respective teams.
Bowe clashed with Todd Haley who clashes with everybody.
Shady McCoy: Franchise records or GTFO
Go Dawgs!
#TeamKuechly
Follow @KeeepSwinging
by KeepSwinging on Feb 13, 2012 2:09 PM EST up reply actions
something bad about colston
he’s ALWAYS hurt.
by willbattle on Feb 14, 2012 5:42 PM EST via Android app up reply actions
Signing Desean really isn't much of a debate.
look, lets not overcomplicate this…. Of the price is right we need to resign the kid. The Birds will put the right language in the deal to protect themselves on the event he flakes out. Its the NFL, if his body doesn’t hold up they simply cut him. Fact is the kid makes life hard for opposing defenses and if we can get him at the right price we should. I would love a big target, but honestly we are better with #10 than without. None of the above mentioned wr’s are terribly durable either, despite their superior size.
by willbattle on Feb 14, 2012 5:50 PM EST via Android app up reply actions
It seems like everyone except us Eagles fans say DeSean isn’t a me first person. I wonder if they pay attention to what he does off the field? Do they even know that he did stuff to stop bullying last year? If he were to leave I think I’d rather go through the draft though to find his replacement
The Legend
jackson has never been a problem off the field in my view. On the field is a different story: drops a large % of ball thrown his way (deep balls too), runs backwards on almost every punt return, personal fouls that negate 50-yard gains, and generally unwilling to take any contact whatsoever from opposing defenders. isnt this football, and doesnt this guy want to be paid like he is a STAR???
NOW HIRING- NFL HEAD COACH
Maybe he’s unwilling to take contact because of Dunta’s hit last year
There's one life, one love, so there can only be one king.
- Nas
by FloridaEagle on Feb 13, 2012 12:32 PM EST via Android app up reply actions
does it matter why he doesnt want to take a hit? dunta’s hit is a sunk cost, and the effect of that hit should effect desean’s next contract if he cant get over it…
NOW HIRING- NFL HEAD COACH
It's not easy "to just get over it"
I agree that shouldn"t affect him but I can’t blame him.
There's one life, one love, so there can only be one king.
- Nas
by FloridaEagle on Feb 13, 2012 1:13 PM EST up reply actions
Where did I say that the Eagles should give him big money?
There's one life, one love, so there can only be one king.
- Nas
by FloridaEagle on Feb 13, 2012 1:34 PM EST up reply actions
Never a problem off the field? Reid suspended him last year for tardiness on team meetings and supposedly it was just the tip of the iceberg. Getting to the point that he was repeatedly late for multiple meetings.
He’s hasn’t been run-ins with the law or any other issues but he has had his share of issues off the field and on it with the Eagles.
Could you post
me a link to a reputable source that him missing that meeting is ‘only the tip of the iceberg’ of his off-field issues? This year’s contract whinings are the only things I’ve ever heard of him having character issues.
Me: "The NFC East is like a bastard cross of rock, paper, scissors and the card game war-good luck trying to figure out who has the advantage on a given Sunday"
A Friend: "But the NFC East has 4 teams. Rock, paper, scissors only has 3!"
Me: "Yeah, you're right. Lets just say if the Eagles are rock, the 'Boys are scissors, and the Giants are paper, picking the Redskins is like being an amputee."
by StoneColeKiller58 on Feb 13, 2012 2:14 PM EST up reply actions
Have people forgotten he only fell to us in the 2nd round because of his character issues?
I'll give you a cookie if you know what my pic is from.
Great point, Avant-Garde
There were “character issues” coming out of college. All that speed, and nobody really wanted him.
Crush them, my Birds!!! CRUSH THEM!!!!!!!!!
by EagleDomiNation on Feb 13, 2012 10:22 PM EST up reply actions
his size was a big factor as to why he dropped to the 2nd…..moreso than caracter issues..
Formerly BWestFactor
FLY #7 FLY !
by ShadyMcVickFactor on Feb 13, 2012 11:08 PM EST up reply actions
again
Could somebody please point me towards tangible evidence of these ‘character issues’? I never heard anything about his character before this offseason/year, let alone in college. From what I understand, he wasn’t a first-rounder because he weighs 180 pounds soaking wet with boots on.
Me: "The NFC East is like a bastard cross of rock, paper, scissors and the card game war-good luck trying to figure out who has the advantage on a given Sunday"
A Friend: "But the NFC East has 4 teams. Rock, paper, scissors only has 3!"
Me: "Yeah, you're right. Lets just say if the Eagles are rock, the 'Boys are scissors, and the Giants are paper, picking the Redskins is like being an amputee."
by StoneColeKiller58 on Feb 14, 2012 1:59 PM EST up reply actions
He’s always had a reputation as a prima donna who’s lacking in self control, going back to his HS days. From the US Army All American Bowl:
However, he was also involved in an embarrassing play when he attempted to somersault from the five-yard line for a touchdown, but landed on the one-yard line, leaving the ball there.
As we all know, he didn’t learn from that mistake, since he did something similar on what would’ve been the first TD of the year.
In college, he was suspended for the first quarter of Armed Forces Bowl for unspecified reasons.
There’s also the incident over the summer where he called some idiot caller on Sirius XM a “Gay-ass, faggot” , which was not great judgement.
Clearly, he’s shown all the signs of a self-centered player with a lack of self control. I’d characterize those as character issues, wouldn’t you?
I'll give you a cookie if you know what my pic is from.
by Avant-Garde on Feb 14, 2012 10:16 PM EST up reply actions
Yes, I would.
Thanks for the links, I never heard about any of those events except the somersault thing. I think they brought that up when he did the same-ish thing in the NFL. I guess I still prefer Jackson’s brand of troublemaking to, say, Dez Bryant’s, but it still makes the idea of bending over backwards to retain his services less appealing.
Me: "The NFC East is like a bastard cross of rock, paper, scissors and the card game war-good luck trying to figure out who has the advantage on a given Sunday"
A Friend: "But the NFC East has 4 teams. Rock, paper, scissors only has 3!"
Me: "Yeah, you're right. Lets just say if the Eagles are rock, the 'Boys are scissors, and the Giants are paper, picking the Redskins is like being an amputee."
by StoneColeKiller58 on Feb 15, 2012 9:22 AM EST up reply actions
I wouldnt mind
Colston over Djack just for the fact that Colston can and will go up/through the middle for the ball. I like Djack and how he can stretch the fiel but his skillset is incredibly limited. We need a receiver who can make the tough catches when need be and hold on to them.
''All men who feel any power of joy in battle, know what it is like when the wolf rises in the heart.'' -Roosevelt
can someone please name ONE wideout not named Fitz who saw production go UP after signing a big deal? this whole idea that Desean Jackson will magically morph back into 08-10 form when he gets a big deal is a very dangerous assumption if you look at what happened with Santonio Holmes, Brandon Marshall, TJ Housh, Deion Branch, Roy Williams.
NOW HIRING- NFL HEAD COACH
The money situation obviously affected his play, I think the 2 concussion last year hurt it ever more. He won’t go over the middle and shies away from contact.
Shady McCoy: Franchise records or GTFO
Go Dawgs!
#TeamKuechly
Follow @KeeepSwinging
by KeepSwinging on Feb 13, 2012 2:10 PM EST up reply actions
This is kinda silly. Those players went from having decent quarterbacks to garbage.
by SuburbanElite on Feb 13, 2012 7:14 PM EST up reply actions
no kidding….Marshall got what, 4TD at the pro bowl with great QBs. I know its the probowl but he still got them….
Formerly BWestFactor
FLY #7 FLY !
by ShadyMcVickFactor on Feb 13, 2012 11:09 PM EST up reply actions
I think that we need to acquire a physical receiver regardless of whether or not Jackson is resigned.
Go Eagles!
speaking of which.......
whatever happened to ‘gator arm’Pinkston ??
It's never easy being an Eagle fan........but I'll be damned if I ever stop !
We don't need the best players at every position,
we need players that play their best , at every position.
by JJeaglerooter on Feb 14, 2012 12:07 AM EST up reply actions
When we inevitably failed even after signing those guys, I would probably lose my mind.
The Curse of Lombardi
Iggles Nest
"Stats are for fantasy and losers. Winning is an attitude."
Our Needs
I Hope we get some Good LBs from FA. There are two out there that I think would be good Larry Grant from SF & The Guy from Seattle I forget his name. There are a couple of good MLB hitting the market & the age concern for a few is not a problem. If this happens we can work on getting a WILL or Maybe a SAM with our 1st round pick.
While Luke Kuechly is a good MLB I dont see us going the route of getting another rookie & having him play MLB & lead our defense. We are in Win NOW MODE & if andy doesnt win I think he maybe out in 2013..
We are Keeping DJAX by giving him the Franchise Tag or probably a 2 1st round tender. The eagles do want DJAX back.
We have Speed on the Outside with DJAX & Maclin but I think its time we got some height/physical WR. In comes VJAX or Dwayne Bowe or Colston. While VJAX would be nice I dont think Phillp Rivers is going to let that happen. Colston is going to be looking for big money especially since he got drafted in the 7th round so he’s going to demand high paycheck. I see Bowe coming in @ a nice price as he is coming from a team thats in a small market
by ImperialEaglesFan on Feb 13, 2012 12:27 PM EST reply actions
I think our best bet.
Would be to get our LB through F/A and focus on offense with our higher draft picks.
Jackson is an amazing talent
But if the Giants taught us anything, it’s that a team full of workers that can line up and simply beat the man across from him physically will go a lot farther than a team full of athletes that rely on schemes
Maybe
But we’ve got a team full of talent that can seem to do it
Still gotta have talent.
Beating the man across from you isn’t as difficult when your defensive linemen are Osi Umenyiora, Justin Tuck, Chris Canty, and Jason Pierre Paul.
And yes this is Philly, you welcome to come check us
And no one had an answer for Victor Cruz this season.
And yes this is Philly, you welcome to come check us
My point had more to do with their O line, which we ripped mercilessly on this site. And their LBs (not that that wasn’t ironic). Cruz was an UDFA who became more of a concern for us than DJax was for them. There was a play to be made, he made it — big or small — period. Fact is, those guys just lined up and got the job done. We can make all the excuses we want, but every year, that seems to be all we have…and people bitch that we have so much more talent, and so much less success.
I don’t think the Eagles are built to go out and beat the guy in front of you. More like they’re built to try to trick you; a lot of finesse. IMO, that affects the mentality of these guys after a while. I think about college football teams like Texas Tech or Houston: we’re a system team. And once a team figures out your system, look out
Bowe- Kind of a headcase; inconsistency and immaturity are concerns. Still young, loads of talent. Could benefit from Vick’s play.
Jackson- Got bad press for a holdout, but other than that, he’s a gamer. Incredible size (6’5", 230 lbs.) and great hands. Still on the right side of 30.
Colston- Quiet for a star receiver, which might impress Reid; prototypical size (6’4", 225); like LeSean McCoy, is from Harrisburg; is still only 28 but injuries are a concern (he missed 2 games his first season, 5 in his third, and 3 this past season).
And yes this is Philly, you welcome to come check us
If Vincent Jackson signs with us, do you think he would mind taking #10 for his jersey to save his fans money?
"Obviously, I lobbied for him to be here. But what a difference a year makes." -- Donovan McNabb
Even if he wanted to, the team wouldn't let him.
Lurie knows there’d be too much money to be made by selling Jackson’s 83 jersey,
And yes this is Philly, you welcome to come check us
what if we asked REALLY nice!
"Obviously, I lobbied for him to be here. But what a difference a year makes." -- Donovan McNabb
by thePurpleLion on Feb 13, 2012 1:33 PM EST up reply actions
I'd rather keep desean over bringing in MORE free agents...
but if he’s gotta go and we pick up one of these guys I probably wont complain.
not too fond of Bowe but id take vjacks or colston in a heartbeat
Colston is a major health liability, and Jackson is getting old. Of those free agents Bowe would be the only one I’d want. He put up good numbers with horrible QBs throwing to him. His clashes were with Todd Haley who fights with everybody. Even Kurt Warner used to give him ‘eat shit’ looks when he was calling bad plays for the Cards.
Shady McCoy: Franchise records or GTFO
Go Dawgs!
#TeamKuechly
Follow @KeeepSwinging
Any of those 3 receivers would be fine with me.
Formerly BWestFactor
FLY #7 FLY !
by ShadyMcVickFactor on Feb 13, 2012 3:20 PM EST reply actions
many of you forget...
Jackson has been nullified in many important playoff games for the Eagles. Maybe just him being there affects the gameplan but you could say that about any good fast receiver and the great ones still make a lot of plays. Think Terrell Owens on the year we had him. He had pinkston on the other side and still had like 12 catches in the superbowl. If we can sign one of those three Im all for it.
Compensatory 2013 pick?
If we just let Jackson go would’nt we end up getting a 3rd or 4th round comp pick ? If so loosing him won’t be a total loss.
You kids and your InterWebNet VooDoo......Scary
Doesn't work that way...exactly..
If they were to sign a big name FA themselves, than they get nothing for DJ… Considering that’s what the fans are hoping they do, at both WR and MLB; it would be more likely they were to not get much in return for whatever DJ signed in FA…
"Eagles fans are a passionate group who love their team," said McNabb, "if not the actual players. It's not like winning a Super Bowl before the first month of the season is the hardest thing they've ever asked of me. That'd be all those times they asked me to go kill myself."
by greenbean#twoOH on Feb 13, 2012 10:08 PM EST up reply actions
Ok. Thanks, did not know that piece of info.
You kids and your InterWebNet VooDoo......Scary
LOL
Lesean McCoy @CutonDime25
I swear todd mcshay and Mel kiper jr. Don’t know ne thing about FOOTBALL !!!
"the Patriots aren't that good." -Freddie Mitchell
You're thinking of the 2013 edition,
Where they look back on Andy Reid’s unsuccessful tenure with the Eagles, and wonder if new HC Todd Bowles will call his own defense.
by UnclaimedFright on Feb 13, 2012 10:26 PM EST up reply actions
A kid will always be a kid....
Perhaps DJackson’s peer-pressure transition from HS to college hasn’t brought the maturity out of him. The juvenile within still claim a hold on him, whether it’s the innocence or naive to the things he does on the field. Rosenhaus the matured professional (?), sees money signs with athletes who are, well, juvenile in maturity…..plays with the mind of such innocence and naivete. DJackson loves to play, but not in Rosenhaus scheme. The locker room, there are those who DJackson can talk to, but on the level of maturity….I doubt that. No body can change the kid, maturity has to set in, it’s own way, it’s own time. Sometimes it’s good to have a kid in the locker room, sometimes the air in the room changes when it’s taken too far. Without the exception he gets blame for his immaturity, it isn’t that most of us hadn’t have those traits coming into adulthood. Sure we’ve all been there, but u can’t dictate maturity, neither does boot camps. Damn the media, the locker room, Rosenhaus, the fans for trying to make him be what we all expects from him….can we all just let him be DJackson, the answer is “NO” because he is a star and the expectation will always be high. The notion that he will always be emphatically known as “THE KID”, is really sick, just let the guy grow for pete sakes. He doesn’t bask in the glory of being a star, because nobody lets him. Why should he live to any ones expectations, especially Rosenhaus, spoiling DJackson’s limelight of his life with some gigs of soap opera. Any one can believe anything, DJackson isn’t about money, on a totally different level of aspect, he loves the game, the fun, the glory of being one of the stars in the NFL. Maybe HOF hopeful, which is a long way to go, if we all let him. At this time, it surely sucks for him to go and reach that goal, there’s no consolation in it, no pride, no joy….nobody is infallible. Guess nobody is going to leave him alone either. There’s a time to leave things in the past and a time to set the future, at the moment just taking it one day at a time, just be who u are, Desean Jackson, grow to be a man of ur time and live to tell it. Credit those who has been an inspiring influence that brought u here today. Not the media, the fans, the locker room nor ur agent, Rosenhaus are any consolation.
by EaglesHeat on Feb 17, 2012 5:33 AM EST via Android app reply actions
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