The *** Official *** Eagles offseason thread

[MDC 5,874]

New coach, possibly a new GM and quarterback, nowhere to go but up ... it's an exciting time to be an Eagles fan.

[Big Blue 06 195]

Plenty of talent on the offensive side of the ball. They just need to pick the right coach, find a QB and get their sh1t together.

 

Big holes on defense. That may take awhile to fix.

[Portis26 0]

This job may lure Gruden back IMO

QB still issue

OL still issue

[MDC 5,874]

Andy Reid officially fired. Here's hoping the Eagles do not go after a retread or a college coach and instead target a top coordinator. I would love a defensive minded coach who runs the ball. Bill Polian as the new GM / director of player personnel would also make me very happy.

[MDC 5,874]

Five candidates are:

 

Chip Kelly

Bill O'Brien

Dirk Koetter

Greg Roman

Bruce Arians

 

Of the above I'm least interested in Chip Kelly: gimmic offense and supposedly a huge ego who rubs people the wrong way. O'Brien is intriguing but that's a huge gamble based on one year of work as head coach of Penn State.

 

I'd be happy with any of the coordinators but Arians is my pick, he did a great job this year. If they add more candidates I think Mike Zimmer and Ray Horton deserve a look.

 

[Portis26 0]

I can see them making play for Gruden or Cowher

[The Next Generation 10]

I can see them making play for Gruden or Cowher

 

I hope not. Give me a young, hungry up-and-comer preferably someone who can choose a great D coordinator.

[MDC 5,874]

I can see them making play for Gruden or Cowher

 

I suspect both those guys would insist on control of player personnel and they aren't going to get it here.

[JT 137]

Five candidates are:

 

Chip Kelly

Bill O'Brien

Dirk Koetter

Greg Roman

Bruce Arians

 

Of the above I'm least interested in Chip Kelly: gimmic offense and supposedly a huge ego who rubs people the wrong way. O'Brien is intriguing but that's a huge gamble based on one year of work as head coach of Penn State.

 

I'd be happy with any of the coordinators but Arians is my pick, he did a great job this year. If they add more candidates I think Mike Zimmer and Ray Horton deserve a look.

 

 

Not interested in Kelly for the same reasons you stated. Koetter signed an extension in ATL and is a terrible head coach. You think Kelly is an abrasive a-hole? He looks like Ghandi compared to Kelly. O'Brien not near enough resume.

 

Arians at least showed something this year at the NFL level. I'm really not interested in a college coach.

 

I wouldn't have a problem with Gruden, though the personnel issue is a big deal. Cowher just doesn't feel like a fit for some reason. I get the impression he's enjoying tv.

[Stewburtx8 67]

Five candidates are:

 

Chip Kelly

Bill O'Brien

Dirk Koetter

Greg Roman

Bruce Arians

 

Of the above I'm least interested in Chip Kelly: gimmic offense and supposedly a huge ego who rubs people the wrong way. O'Brien is intriguing but that's a huge gamble based on one year of work as head coach of Penn State.

 

I'd be happy with any of the coordinators but Arians is my pick, he did a great job this year. If they add more candidates I think Mike Zimmer and Ray Horton deserve a look.

 

 

As an Eagles fan, I would LOVE Bill O'Brien as the Eagles new coach. But the $18+ million buyout pretty much takes him off the list. Not to mention I'm a Penn State fan as well (and many PSU fans are also Eagles fans) and losing O'Brien would be another crippling blow to the program.

 

I like Greg Roman the best of the other options above. He's done a great job in SF I think of tailoring his offense to the players/QB he has.

 

Replacing Howie Roseman would be the #1 thing I want to see happen, but unfortunately I don't see it actually happening.

[MDC 5,874]

I like Greg Roman the best of the other options above. He's done a great job in SF I think of tailoring his offense to the players/QB he has.

 

Replacing Howie Roseman would be the #1 thing I want to see happen, but unfortunately I don't see it actually happening.

 

The more I think about it the more I agree with you on Roman. You wouldn't have to worry about the Eagles running the ball enough, that's for sure.

 

I'm going to be a homer and give Roseman a chance. If what Lurie says is true than Roseman was only solely responsible for the 2012 draft, which looks excellent thus far.

 

I know that's a big "if" but it's something.

[MDC 5,874]

Eagles bringing in Gus Bradley for a second interview today. Early reports said he was coming to finalize a deal but that appears to be wrong. Other reports say he's the front runner, which makes sense since he's the only coach the Eagles have interviewed twice. Rumor is that they're high on Ken Whisenhunt too.

[Fantasy Noob 10]

Is there a quick fix they can make to remain competitive next year? My take is you need to settle the QB issue and fortify the offensive line and if possible nail down the secondary.

 

What are you guys going to do at QB? Any ideas or word in the local media? Are they thinking veteran, Foles, draft or trade for intriguing prospect like Mallet/Flynn?

 

Your team has a lot of talent, me I would cut your high priced under performers on defense, draft defense and offensive line and get a tough discipline style coach in there. This year seems like a bad time to be looking for a coach for the NFL and the Eagles definitely look like a team that could use a firm hand at coach for a year or two.

[Stewburtx8 67]

Is there a quick fix they can make to remain competitive next year? My take is you need to settle the QB issue and fortify the offensive line and if possible nail down the secondary.

 

What are you guys going to do at QB? Any ideas or word in the local media? Are they thinking veteran, Foles, draft or trade for intriguing prospect like Mallet/Flynn?

 

Your team has a lot of talent, me I would cut your high priced under performers on defense, draft defense and offensive line and get a tough discipline style coach in there. This year seems like a bad time to be looking for a coach for the NFL and the Eagles definitely look like a team that could use a firm hand at coach for a year or two.

 

 

Foles is the QB unless the new coach really doesn't like him. I think he did enough at the end of the season to deserve the chance to start. They will probably bring in a veteran as the backup and to give him a slight battle in camp. Drafting a QB in the first round BETTER be out of the question. No one is worth that pick. I am OK with them using a later round pick on a project QB (someone like Tyler Bray or Ryan Nassib).

 

The offensive line actually isn't in bad shape when healthy. Getting back Jason Peters, Jason Kelce, and Todd Herremens is a huge boost to a line that was actually one of the better ones in the league in 2011. The right side of the line could use a little help. Defense is definitely an issue. They should cut Nnamdi and maybe even DRC. They need to rebuild most of their secondary. They also need to find some LB's that can cover RB's and TE's. Demeco Ryans may not be a 3 down LB anymore.

[MDC 5,874]

Is there a quick fix they can make to remain competitive next year?

 

I think if they get the right coach and some things break right for them they could go 8-8. I guess that's competitive?

 

The OL needs some help and I'm hoping for Joekel (sp?) in the first round. Assuming he works out at LT and Kelce / Peters comes back healthy, you move Herramins back to his natural guard spot and the OL is at least average. Couple that with two good RBs and at least some decent receiving threats and they should be OK.

 

The D is where they're a disaster. The Eagles might need to replace both starting corners and safeties - that is how bad it was last year. Add to that the need for improvement at strong side linebacker and possibly depth at DT and DE ... that side of the ball won't be a quick fix.

 

I don't think Foles will ever be better than just okay t starter but that's fine - it's a bad QB draft and they have enough needs all over the D and at OL anyway. I expect they either bring in a vet for some low end competition or draft someone in the 2-4 round range. What I hope they do is shift to a more run-oriented approach to shorten the game and keep the pressure off the QB.

 

So yeah, .500 would be a big step in the right direction and I think it's doable but there are no quick fixes with this team right now. They should shoot for competitive next year and build for the following 2 seasons.

 

Incidentally I really like Gus and think he'd make a mighty fine coach here.

[Stewburtx8 67]

Eagles bringing in Gus Bradley for a second interview today. Early reports said he was coming to finalize a deal but that appears to be wrong. Other reports say he's the front runner, which makes sense since he's the only coach the Eagles have interviewed twice. Rumor is that they're high on Ken Whisenhunt too.

 

 

Aaaaand Gus Bradley is on his way to interview at Jacksonville. His 2nd interview at Lurie's mansion lasted 7 hours. He obviously left without reaching a deal. I don't think anyone wants to coach this team. I'm guessing Howie Roseman is part of the problem.

 

On another note, what is with these 7-9 hour interviews? What the hell do they talk about for that long? Seems absolutely ridiculous.

[MDC 5,874]

Aaaaand Gus Bradley is on his way to interview at Jacksonville. His 2nd interview at Lurie's mansion lasted 7 hours. He obviously left without reaching a deal. I don't think anyone wants to coach this team. I'm guessing Howie Roseman is part of the problem.

 

On another note, what is with these 7-9 hour interviews? What the hell do they talk about for that long? Seems absolutely ridiculous.

 

Maybe I'm being a homer here, but I can't imagine the Jags are any more enticing than the Eagles. Our worst season in 15 years is pretty much average for JVille. This interview process is making the team look pretty amateur though.

 

About the length of the interviews, I heard Lurie insists on having tantric sex with all the candidates.

[Stewburtx8 67]

Maybe I'm being a homer here, but I can't imagine the Jags are any more enticing than the Eagles. Our worst season in 15 years is pretty much average for JVille. This interview process is making the team look pretty amateur though.

 

About the length of the interviews, I heard Lurie insists on having tantric sex with all the candidates.

 

 

Jacksonville can be more enticing than the Eagles if they are willing to give someone full control. If a coach comes in here for an interview and sits down with Howie Roseman for 7-9 hours, maybe that's the problem. They don't believe in him or trust him. It's just a guess. This is a job potential coaches should want over some of the other jobs out there. This team has some talent. But I think that the fact that Roseman will still be making the final call is pushing potential coaches away.

 

Do these coaching candidates want to kill themselves after sitting down with Lurie/Roseman for 7-9 hours? I just couldn't imagine "interviewing" for that long. It's sort of comical.

[The Next Generation 10]

Chip Kelly, the new Eagles HC!

[JT 137]

Crap. Get ready to repeat this process in 3 years.

[Stewburtx8 67]

Crap. Get ready to repeat this process in 3 years.

 

 

Yep. Hate it. The one coach I didn't want.

[MDC 5,874]

Yep. Hate it. The one coach I didn't want.

 

+1

[JT 137]

Yep. Hate it. The one coach I didn't want.

 

 

The only question is if he gets booed on opening day, completing the seamless transition from the Reid regime.

[Stewburtx8 67]

The only question is if he gets booed on opening day, completing the seamless transition from the Reid regime.

 

 

Maybe they can draft Denard Robinson to run Kelly's offense.

[The Next Generation 10]

Say what you want about gimmick offense that won't translate or whatever...this is going to be a fun, exciting team to watch. And it starts again today!

[Fantasy Noob 10]

I know you guys aren't in love with Kelly but your team might actually have the closest match to the personnel he needs to run his offense in the NFL on the offensive side of the ball. Not sure that Kelly is a good match for what your team needs though.

 

Good point about the O-line, I forgot how banged up they are.

[JT 137]

I know you guys aren't in love with Kelly but your team might actually have the closest match to the personnel he needs to run his offense in the NFL on the offensive side of the ball. Not sure that Kelly is a good match for what your team needs though.

 

Good point about the O-line, I forgot how banged up they are.

 

Why do people think that Vick... a 32 year old, punch drunk guy who can't stay healthy in the pocket... is a good fit for what Kelly does? Seems they're still thinking of Vick from nearly a decade ago when he was a superlative athlete. He's well past that.

 

If that's who Kelly is hitching his wagon to, my over/under for his tenure (3.5 yrs) is way too generous.

[Fantasy Noob 10]

Sorry I thought it was pretty clear from the prior posts and the sports news cycle that Vick is a goner in Philly. There is no way they should bring him back; the team quit on him and he openly bashed his team mates. He can't possibly be resigned or kept on the team could he?

 

I was referring to DJax, Maclin and McCoy all fast talented players at the critical positions. At Oregon Kelly was great about getting the ball into his most dynamic players hands as frequently and often as possible.

 

Lets be honest we honestly don't know if Vick is done or not based on how bad that O-line was. He just had no time to throw the ball. He probably will fade into backup QB land but I would not be surpised if he had a year or two left in him as a middle of the road NFL QB elsewhere but he probably wont get the chance. How great would Vick have been running the zone read option in his prime...wish we could have seen that.

[The Next Generation 10]

From NFL.com:

 

What about the rest of the Eagles' offense? The pieces are in place for Kelly's attack to be very good right away. DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin make for a nice pair of speedy, vertical wide receivers. Running back LeSean McCoy is a versatile fit for a fast-break offense. The offensive line has talented pieces in left tackle Jason Peters, guard Evan Mathis and center Jason Kelce. Yes, fantasy owners of the skill-position players should be excited. Kelly will run more plays per game than normal teams. More plays equals more numbers.

It's not that Kelly will simply run his scheme from Oregon at the pro level. He knows he'll have to bend his approach to NFL realities and his roster. There is plenty of talent in Philadelphia to work with. Kelly's offense is not built on gimmicks but established NFL principles. He's going to be different, but there are a lot of reasons to believe his attack can be successful. If not, it'll be fun watching him try.

[JT 137]

Sorry I thought it was pretty clear from the prior posts and the sports news cycle that Vick is a goner in Philly. There is no way they should bring him back; the team quit on him and he openly bashed his team mates. He can't possibly be resigned or kept on the team could he?

 

I was referring to DJax, Maclin and McCoy all fast talented players at the critical positions. At Oregon Kelly was great about getting the ball into his most dynamic players hands as frequently and often as possible.

 

Lets be honest we honestly don't know if Vick is done or not based on how bad that O-line was. He just had no time to throw the ball. He probably will fade into backup QB land but I would not be surpised if he had a year or two left in him as a middle of the road NFL QB elsewhere but he probably wont get the chance. How great would Vick have been running the zone read option in his prime...wish we could have seen that.

 

Key to success in the NFL, and to any offense that requires quick decisions, is the trigger man. Until we know who that it we have no earthly idea what kind of offense Kelly will run.

[MDC 5,874]

Key to success in the NFL, and to any offense that requires quick decisions, is the trigger man. Until we know who that it we have no earthly idea what kind of offense Kelly will run.

 

I think people are going to be surprised to see Kelly run the ball a whole lot more than Reid.

[JT 137]

I think people are going to be surprised to see Kelly run the ball a whole lot more than Reid.

 

Kelly has always run the ball, and it was a point of consternation with Reid. I'd be shocked if he didn;t run the ball more. But it won't be because he's running read option with Michael Vick or Nick Foles. It will be the evolution of the system he ran in college, parts of which New England has incorporated over the last year or so to enhance their running game.

[Fantasy Noob 10]

There was a neat article over on Grantland about the Patriots terminology helping them run uptempo offense which kind of boils down to that wierd sign thing Kelly ran at Oregon. Basically, the terminology to tell each player his responsabilities is somewhat overly complex in most NFL offenses and that the Blur Offense/Patriot Hurry up minimize this confusion and put more pressure on the defense by getting the players their assignments much faster and more efficiently than other offenses.

 

http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/8849439/how-terminology-erhardt-perkins-system-helped-maintain-dominance-tom-brady-patriots

 

Based on this article and how the Texans struggled to get their defenses set, when the Patriots rushed the snap, I think this offense has a chance to succeed. The speed will reduce the confusing looks/coverages and make it easier on their QB.

 

Key to success in the NFL, and to any offense that requires quick decisions, is the trigger man. Until we know who that it we have no earthly idea what kind of offense Kelly will run.

 

Yes your right in the NFL it is largely oriented around QB play, but that dosen't mean you can't look at a coaches history and try to read into it and determine what he will do, and thats what we are trying to do here. To say you have no idea what kind of offense Kelly will run is playing coy, we know he likes uptempo fast offense. It's what he put together in New Hampshire and what he became famous for in Oregon.

 

This is a FF forum we want to try to predict the future and we are especially sensitive to offensive inovation or changes based on our games format. The Eagles have an abundance of elite talent at WR and RB positions and you are getting a college coach that speciallized in getting the ball into these positions hands as often as possible and at a pace no one has seen before. I don't think its that big a stretch to think this match looks extremely promising on paper.

 

But Kelly has some problems as well, his defenses sucked and that seems to be this teams weak link, he is unsettled at QB, he has a horrific ego which can backfire when dealing with millionare athletes, and converting a veteran team to an entirely new offense. It's going to be fascinating to see if he can do it, I think his ego gets in the way and he puts all his time and energy into the offense. He needs a dramatic improvement on defense it will be interesting to see what happens in the draft/free agency as they build the roster for the future. This off season is going to be exciting for the Eagles.

[MDC 5,874]

Staff in place, a lot of big ticket cuts, 4 QBs on the roster and working out Geno Smith today.

[GreenTD 56]

Staff in place, a lot of big ticket cuts, 4 QBs on the roster and working out Geno Smith today.

 

So who would you take at the #4 overall spot if you're the GM? Eric Fisher, Geno Smith or Dee Milliner?

[Super Cubs 132]

Just signed TE James Casey to a nice deal. As a Texans fan I'll say the Eagles picked up a very underrated TE. Really wish we would have kept him and sent OD packing.

[MDC 5,874]

So who would you take at the #4 overall spot if you're the GM? Eric Fisher, Geno Smith or Dee Milliner?

 

It's really going to depend on free agency. I think they desperately need to sign a veteran CB and possibly an OT. I'd love to see CB Smith and RT Sebastian Voller as signings.

 

Assuming things stand as they are right now and there's no shot at Star or Joeckel I guess they'd have to go with Millner of the players you mentioned. They have like 2 corners on the roster. But I hope they make a few key signings so they're in position to take the BAP. That would probably be Womack.

[GreenTD 56]

With his heart condition pushing him down draft boards, it looks like Star will be there at your #4 pick. Would you select him over Milliner, Fisher or Womack? With Kelly instituting his offense, Womack might make a lot of sense to open holes for McCoy on the interior of the line whom can also pull on screens & sweeps.

[MDC 5,874]

With his heart condition pushing him down draft boards, it looks like Star will be there at your #4 pick. Would you select him over Milliner, Fisher or Womack? With Kelly instituting his offense, Womack might make a lot of sense to open holes for McCoy on the interior of the line whom can also pull on screens & sweeps.

 

Depends a lot on free agency but I've read that Star's heart condition is nothing and the guy throws around O linemen like rag dolls and looks like a stud 3-4 nose tackle. My big board would probably have Joeckel first and then Star so yeah, I'd take him over Fisher and Womack for sure. I'd have to think about Millner only because CB is a huge position of need on this team but when you're 4-12 you've got to take the best available IMO.

 

They can change this equation though by signing a Sean Smith or Vollmer to bolster the OL. I know they don't want to go nuts after the dream team fiasco but there are a handful if starting caliber corners on the market and Vollmer is a young stud who would really solidify the line.

[GreenTD 56]

Depends a lot on free agency but I've read that Star's heart condition is nothing and the guy throws around O linemen like rag dolls and looks like a stud 3-4 nose tackle. My big board would probably have Joeckel first and then Star so yeah, I'd take him over Fisher and Womack for sure. I'd have to think about Millner only because CB is a huge position of need on this team but when you're 4-12 you've got to take the best available IMO.

 

They can change this equation though by signing a Sean Smith or Vollmer to bolster the OL. I know they don't want to go nuts after the dream team fiasco but there are a handful if starting caliber corners on the market and Vollmer is a young stud who would really solidify the line.

 

Good analysis MDC.