Eagles off-season discussion

[Gepetto 1,368]

Brian Dawkins has signed a two year contract with the Denver Broncos. - NFL Network

[unckeyherb 2]

yep. Sad, sad day here in Philly.

 

Brian Dawkins Signs in Denver

Friday, February 27, 2009

Posted By Mike Florio 4:38 PM

After 13 years with the Eagles, safety Brian Dawkins will have a new home.

 

David White of the San Francisco Chronicle reports that Dawkins has agreed to terms with the Broncos.

 

Dawkins, 35, had said during the season that he thought he'd work out a deal to end his career in Philly. It could still happen, but only after a stint with the Broncos

.

 

I feel sick to my stomach

 

EDIT: Not that it means much, but Schefter is on NFL network live and is still reporting that they are just talking. Just sayin...

[NewbieJr 541]

I have mixed reactions about this. On the one hand, it's never good to lose the emotional leader on your team. On the other hand, he certainly has lost a step or two over the last few years (even though he played well down the stretch). This prevents the Eagles for maybe having to make a decision this year or next which would seem to be insenitive or unappreciative.

 

Hopefully, they use the frred-up money wisely.

[Kilroy 0]

I didn't think they'd let Dawkins leave. I wonder how much he got from Denver. Hopefully Stacey Andrews can get his brother back on track with his NFL career.

 

I also heard on the New York radio stations a few hours ago that the Eagles trade Lito Sheppard to the Jets for a 5th round pick and a conditional 2010 pick I think - it may have just been the 5th.

 

I wonder if they got better offers for him last year. At this point they would've been lucky if they got more for him though.

[Foghorn Leghorn 0]

I also heard on the New York radio stations a few hours ago that the Eagles trade Lito Sheppard to the Jets for a 5th round pick and a conditional 2010 pick I think - it may have just been the 5th.

 

I wonder if they got better offers for him last year. At this point they would've been lucky if they got more for him though.

 

If that's true, that's really unbelievable. After the Samuels acquisition, the talk was either a 1st rounder or packaging him to get Boldin. If an overrated corner like Dre Bly was worth a starting offensive tackle, a running back with tools but no tool box, and a 5th round pick, then I would have thought the Eagles could surely get something better than a 5th rounder for Sheppard?

[GhostofMeanMachine99 1]

Veteran Dawkins visits the Denver Broncos

By Ray Parrillo

Inquirer Staff Writer

 

There appears to be a chance one of the greatest and most popular players in Eagles history will depart the team.

 

Free agent Brian Dawkins visited with the Denver Broncos yesterday, but the 35-year-old safety had not signed with the Broncos as of early today, an NFL source familiar with the negotiations said.

 

"It is not done," the source said.

The Oakland Raiders were apparently also interested in Dawkins, and the San Francisco Chronicle reported that Dawkins had agreed to a two-year deal with the Broncos. A Broncos spokesman told The Inquirer that no announcement was scheduled. A report out of Denver, where Dawkins attended last night's Nuggets basketball game, speculated that Dawkins might resume negotiating with the Eagles.

 

Dawkins' agent, Jim Steiner, said Dawkins was in Denver, but he declined further comment. Dawkins could not be reached for comment. Eagles spokesman Derek Boyko would not comment.

 

Meanwhile, NFL.network's Adam Schefter reported that Eagles cornerback Lito Sheppard will be traded to the Jets for a 2009 fifth-round pick and a 2010 conditional draft pick, which could be as high as a second-round choice or as low as a fourth.

 

Safety Sean Considine, a fourth-round pick in 2005 who spent the last four seasons with the Eagles, signed a two-year contract worth $3 million with Jacksonville. He had 17 career starts, making 165 tackles.

 

Dawkins was not the only Eagle in Denver yesterday. Running back Correll Buckhalter, who was hoping to find a starting role, agreed to a four-year deal with the Broncos.

 

Denver was busy on the first day of free agency. The team signed safety Renaldo Hill to a four-year, $10 million contract yesterday. It was unclear how Hill's signing would affect negotiations with Dawkins.

 

Indications are that the Eagles did not want to give Dawkins more than a one-year contract, so he opted to test the market. But the Eagles are monitoring the Dawkins situation closely, so it seems they have not closed the door on him.

 

Dawkins said at the Super Bowl he wanted to end his career with the Eagles, with whom he has played all 13 of his NFL seasons. He is one of the team leaders, and he has the longest tenure of any of the city's professional athletes. Dawkins showed there was still fuel in his tank when he was named to his seventh Pro Bowl last season.

 

Last season, Dawkins became the team's all-time leader in games played (183), and he is tied for the lead with 34 interceptions.

 

Dawkins is among six veteran Eagles on the free-agent market.

 

Buckhalter, 30, spent eight seasons with the Eagles, mostly as Brian Westbrook's backup. An example of determination, Buckhalter missed three of his first four seasons because of a series of knee injuries. Yet he was usually effective filling in for Westbrook.

 

Otherwise, there were reports tight end L.J. Smith might sign with Atlanta.

 

Left tackle Tra Thomas, 34, who has spent 11 seasons with the Eagles, is also on the free-agent market. His agent, Peter Schaffer, would not comment on Thomas' situation. Like Dawkins, Thomas has said he hoped to remain with the Eagles.

[GhostofMeanMachine99 1]

If that's true, that's really unbelievable. After the Samuels acquisition, the talk was either a 1st rounder or packaging him to get Boldin. If an overrated corner like Dre Bly was worth a starting offensive tackle, a running back with tools but no tool box, and a 5th round pick, then I would have thought the Eagles could surely get something better than a 5th rounder for Sheppard?

 

From what I read, the conditional pick could be anywhere from a 2nd to a 4th.

 

A great deal for the Jets.

[NewbieJr 541]

From what I read, the conditional pick could be anywhere from a 2nd to a 4th.

 

A great deal for the Jets.

The Shepard-situation was horribly mismanaged by the Eagles brass.

[GhostofMeanMachine99 1]

The Shepard-situation was horribly mismanaged by the Eagles brass.

 

I believe they think they're smarter than everyone else, and that's just plain ridiculous. The team's early success in the beginning of the decade caused that to happen.

 

Now Considine signed elsewhere, and if Dawkins does the same in Denver, that leaves them paper thin in the secondary.

 

If Tra Thomas goes elsewhere, they become thin on the offensive line. If memory serves me correctly, the secondary and the offensive line have been the two mainstay units over the past 9 years or so.

 

We know it's not the economy hitting the team hard, unless Lurie's other business ventures are getting hammered. Regardless, the team is his money machine, they just raised focking ticket prices again, so IMO, the economy can't be the issue.

 

So I guess it comes down to them being focking cheap and/or too smart for their own damn good, and the good of the team and the fans.

[NewbieJr 541]

I believe they think they're smarter than everyone else, and that's just plain ridiculous. The team's early success in the beginning of the decade caused that to happen.

They were offered high draft picks last offseason for him and they turned it down. Shepard complained about being relagated to backup so they buried him deep on the depth chart in a power play.

 

Now, they're getting garbage picks for him.

 

The guy's a two-time Pro Bowler. He should have been on the field in all nickle packages. A few interceptions would have kept his value up while keeping the team just as strong. Instead, they flex their muscles and 'punish' him and cost themselves dearly. Terrible!

[Foghorn Leghorn 0]

I believe they think they're smarter than everyone else, and that's just plain ridiculous. The team's early success in the beginning of the decade caused that to happen.

 

Now Considine signed elsewhere, and if Dawkins does the same in Denver, that leaves them paper thin in the secondary.

 

If Tra Thomas goes elsewhere, they become thin on the offensive line. If memory serves me correctly, the secondary and the offensive line have been the two mainstay units over the past 9 years or so.

 

We know it's not the economy hitting the team hard, unless Lurie's other business ventures are getting hammered. Regardless, the team is his money machine, they just raised focking ticket prices again, so IMO, the economy can't be the issue.

 

So I guess it comes down to them being focking cheap and/or too smart for their own damn good, and the good of the team and the fans.

 

Well, assuming the trade hasn't happened yet, is there any way the Eagles could convert Sheppard to a safety? Rod Woodson made a successful conversion late in his career, and Ronnie Lott started out as a corner on the Niners. Now, I'm not comparing Sheppard to two Hall Of Fame talents but, is this something the Eagles already investigated and declined, or has it even been mentioned?

[GhostofMeanMachine99 1]

Well, assuming the trade hasn't happened yet, is there any way the Eagles could convert Sheppard to a safety? Rod Woodson made a successful conversion late in his career, and Ronnie Lott started out as a corner on the Niners. Now, I'm not comparing Sheppard to two Hall Of Fame talents but, is this something the Eagles already investigated and declined, or has it even been mentioned?

 

Sheppard could never play safety. And why would any corner want to convert to safety, anyway? Even the highest paid safety in football makes about the same as a mid-tier CB in the NFL, which is why you rarely see it happen.

 

Sheppard lacks the size, build, and instincts to play safety. He's a cover corner at best.

 

Rod Woodson was able to make the conversion because he had size and great instincts, and was never afraid to put his nose in a play.

 

Think about it: if Dawkins is truly gone, the Eagles only have 2 safeties on the roster right now. I don't like that situation at all.

[GhostofMeanMachine99 1]

Sad to report but it's official. Dawkins is gone.

 

FOCK ANDY REID, FOCK JOE BANNER, FOCK JEFF LURIE, AND FOCK ANYONE IN THAT ORGANIZATION WHO THOUGHT THIS WAS THE BEST THING FOR THE TEAM.

 

Saturday, February 28, 2009

Dawk's Gone

Agent Jim Steiner just confirmed in a text message that Brian Dawkins has agreed to terms with the Denver Broncos, and minutes later, the Broncos announced the signing of the 35-year-old safety, who has played in more games as an Eagle (183) than any other man.

 

It's a dark day in Eagles Nation.

 

My take: Ultimately, the loss of the longest-tenured Eagle might not harm the defense as much as it harms the psyche of the fan base. Dawkins really did struggle early last season, before a role adjustment helped him dominate down the stretch. But if anybody ever earned the right to grow old gracefully, to net a "reward" contract near the end of his career, it's Dawk. I think public opinion was the main reason Birds management cobbled together Dawkins' August 2006 contract extension; the team was acting against its "precepts" even when Dawk was 33. This time, I think management, in yet another example of the tone-deafness that has long rankled the rank and file, thought a one-year offer would be accepted because Dawkins didn't want to leave. If Dawkins didn't want to take a one-year offer, well, that would be that.

 

Value in catering to the fans by giving Dawk a two-year deal, even if you doubt he has two good years left? Why, whatever could you mean?

 

Reid, by the way, announced at the onset of the Stacy Andrews press conference that he would not discuss other situations, including the Dawkins matter. Near the end of the session, ESPN Radio reporter Brian Seltzer tried respectfully to convey to Reid that despite his statement, fans throughout the region would want to know what he had to say about Dawkins. Reid then upbraided Seltzer for disregarding his "rules."

 

Shawn Andrews said Dawkins going to Denver would be "definitely a loss to the team and a loss to me personally."

 

"If I had to pinpoint one guy, since I've been in Philadelphia that I respect as a husband, as a father, as an athlete, a football player, it would be Dawkins. He will be dearly, dearly missed."

[Kilroy 0]

They were offered high draft picks last offseason for him and they turned it down. Shepard complained about being relagated to backup so they buried him deep on the depth chart in a power play.

 

Now, they're getting garbage picks for him.

 

What higher draft picks were they offered? The most I remember hearing was the Buccaneers offering a second and Michael Clayton. I'm not saying they got a better deal now, but a 5th rounder this year and something in the 2nd-4th round range next year isn't bad for Lito Sheppard.

 

And his postion on the depth was due to his performance on the field. To state they base it on something other than talent is ridiculous. Especially during a playoff run.

 

The guy's a two-time Pro Bowler. He should have been on the field in all nickle packages. A few interceptions would have kept his value up while keeping the team just as strong. Instead, they flex their muscles and 'punish' him and cost themselves dearly. Terrible!

 

You're fooling yourself. He isn't as good as you think he is. If he was they would've gotten better offers for him last offseason. If the worst they get for Sheppard from the Jets is a 4th and 5th round pick, that's not so bad.

[Kilroy 0]

Well, assuming the trade hasn't happened yet, is there any way the Eagles could convert Sheppard to a safety? Rod Woodson made a successful conversion late in his career, and Ronnie Lott started out as a corner on the Niners. Now, I'm not comparing Sheppard to two Hall Of Fame talents but, is this something the Eagles already investigated and declined, or has it even been mentioned?

 

Last offseason after the Eagles signed Asante Samuel some people thought the Eagles might move Sheldon Brown to safety, but Sheppard was never mentioned as an option at that position.

 

The Eagles secondary should be fine though. They have Samuel, Brown, and Hansen at the top. They'll likely draft or sign someone else at CB and they also have Jack Ikegwuonu. I don't know much about the guy other than he was thought of as a first day pick before an injury killed his value. The Eagles got him late in the fourth.

 

I wish they would have kept Dawkins, but Quinton Mikell's been solid back there and they must like what they have in Quintin Demps. The loss of Dawkins shouldn't break down the unit unless they suffer some lapses early on and miss his leadership skills in rebounding from it.

[NewbieJr 541]

You're fooling yourself. He isn't as good as you think he is. If he was they would've gotten better offers for him last offseason. If the worst they get for Sheppard from the Jets is a 4th and 5th round pick, that's not so bad.

Dude's a two-time Pro Bowler. Do you think I'm making that up?

[Kilroy 0]

Dude's a two-time Pro Bowler. Do you think I'm making that up?

 

How good has he been the last two years? When is the last time he's stayed healthy?

 

If you aren't happy with them getting a 5th this year and a 2nd-4th next year, what do you prefer they got for him?

 

They weren't able to get a first for him last year. Best offer they were rumored to get was a second from Tampa Bay and Michael Clayton. This deal doesn't seem any worse than that to me (I actually think it's better). It's not like Sheppard's value was on the rise after his play the last two seasons either.

[WhiteWonder 2,738]

How good has he been the last two years? When is the last time he's stayed healthy?

 

If you aren't happy with them getting a 5th this year and a 2nd-4th next year, what do you prefer they got for him?

 

They weren't able to get a first for him last year. Best offer they were rumored to get was a second from Tampa Bay and Michael Clayton. This deal doesn't seem any worse than that to me (I actually think it's better). It's not like Sheppard's value was on the rise after his play the last two seasons either.

 

you know its not better. It may be close but calling it a 2nd-4th next year is just speculation at this point.. All we know is it is dependent on his playtime.

 

also ESPN was reporting the 5th was in 2010 and the conditional pick was in 2011. That would mean they get nothing this year... I am not sure of that report is correct however.

 

what i do know is he is going into his 8th season, has been to 2 pro bowls, and underproduced the past 2 years but as a Jet fan im going to hope that is a direct result of the decrease to his playing time this season and his own discontent. If he can step up and be solid opposite Revis ill more than happily trade a 5th and future 2nd... If he doesn't pan out, chances are he wont see enough play time for it to be a very high future pick anyway.

[Kilroy 0]

you know its not better. It may be close but calling it a 2nd-4th next year is just speculation at this point.. All we know is it is dependent on his playtime.

 

It's a matter of a opinion. If the Eagles got a fifth and either a 2nd or 3rd out of this next year, then they did just as good as if they got Tampa Bay's second and Michael Clayton last year.

 

also ESPN was reporting the 5th was in 2010 and the conditional pick was in 2011. That would mean they get nothing this year... I am not sure of that report is correct however.

 

I haven't heard that and would be kind of surprised if the Eagles were willing to wait that long to get full compensation for Sheppard.

 

what i do know is he is going into his 8th season, has been to 2 pro bowls, and underproduced the past 2 years but as a Jet fan im going to hope that is a direct result of the decrease to his playing time this season and his own discontent. If he can step up and be solid opposite Revis ill more than happily trade a 5th and future 2nd... If he doesn't pan out, chances are he wont see enough play time for it to be a very high future pick anyway.

 

That pretty much sums it up. I'll be interested in seeing if his health holds up this year. That will be half the battle towards him having a successful season in itself.

[Foghorn Leghorn 0]

Sheppard could never play safety. And why would any corner want to convert to safety, anyway? Even the highest paid safety in football makes about the same as a mid-tier CB in the NFL, which is why you rarely see it happen.

 

Sheppard lacks the size, build, and instincts to play safety. He's a cover corner at best.

 

Rod Woodson was able to make the conversion because he had size and great instincts, and was never afraid to put his nose in a play.

 

Think about it: if Dawkins is truly gone, the Eagles only have 2 safeties on the roster right now. I don't like that situation at all.

 

Rod Woodson is listed as 5'11", 205, Sheppard as 5'10", 194. I don't see where size is a differentiator here. As far as instincts go, I recognize that Sheppard may not be in Woodson's class but as NewbieJr pointed out, he's a two-time Pro Bowler. Now, unless he's regressed (as has been mentioned in this thread), I would have thought they'd do everything they could to at least try to get him on the field instead of sitting on the bench.

[GhostofMeanMachine99 1]

Rod Woodson is listed as 5'11", 205, Sheppard as 5'10", 194. I don't see where size is a differentiator here. As far as instincts go, I recognize that Sheppard may not be in Woodson's class but as NewbieJr pointed out, he's a two-time Pro Bowler. Now, unless he's regressed (as has been mentioned in this thread), I would have thought they'd do everything they could to at least try to get him on the field instead of sitting on the bench.

 

Lito was never exactly a guy to put his nose in a play nor get physical. Playing safety these days, you have to do that.

 

I understand your train I though. I do. However, the player needs to want to do that, and for a cornerback and former pro bowler, making that switch would cost him alot of dollars. Safeties just don't make as much money as corners do in this league.

 

Don't forget, too, that Woodson played in a different era. Safeties back then weren't used like they are today. And credit Dawkins for that, because the way he was used in Johnson's system has paved the way for guys like Sanders and Polamalu. That was something Ray Diddy brought up yesterday on the radio.

[GhostofMeanMachine99 1]

you know its not better. It may be close but calling it a 2nd-4th next year is just speculation at this point.. All we know is it is dependent on his playtime.

 

also ESPN was reporting the 5th was in 2010 and the conditional pick was in 2011. That would mean they get nothing this year... I am not sure of that report is correct however.

 

what i do know is he is going into his 8th season, has been to 2 pro bowls, and underproduced the past 2 years but as a Jet fan im going to hope that is a direct result of the decrease to his playing time this season and his own discontent. If he can step up and be solid opposite Revis ill more than happily trade a 5th and future 2nd... If he doesn't pan out, chances are he wont see enough play time for it to be a very high future pick anyway.

 

Lito's great when he's on the field and happy. The issue for the Jets is that they guy wants to be paid for what he's done a few years ago (and that's make the pro bowl). It'll be very difficult to do that, if you're the Jets, to do a new contract, especially with his ability to constantly get hurt.

 

He may thrive in a less physical division.

[WhiteWonder 2,738]

It's a matter of a opinion. If the Eagles got a fifth and either a 2nd or 3rd out of this next year, then they did just as good as if they got Tampa Bay's second and Michael Clayton last year.

 

Thats actually a matter of speculation. We don't even know if it can go as high as a 2nd as it hasn't been reported yet.

 

But yes, it is indeed a 5th round pick this year... The same report on ESPN that said 2010 and 2011 has been fixed and shows it as 2009, 2010.

 

It also lists the contract extension he was given.. here is the link http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3942420

 

while i liked the trade, not sure i like that extension

[GhostofMeanMachine99 1]

Thats actually a matter of speculation. We don't even know if it can go as high as a 2nd as it hasn't been reported yet.

 

But yes, it is indeed a 5th round pick this year... The same report on ESPN that said 2010 and 2011 has been fixed and shows it as 2009, 2010.

 

It also lists the contract extension he was given.. here is the link http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3942420

 

while i liked the trade, not sure i like that extension

 

Wow. Alot of money for a guy who can't stay on the field. When healthy he'll be worth it, but that's alot of dough for a part-timer.

 

I hope he plays well for them.

[WhiteWonder 2,738]

Wow. Alot of money for a guy who can't stay on the field. When healthy he'll be worth it, but that's alot of dough for a part-timer.

 

I hope he plays well for them.

 

i hope so too

i see what you mean about part time, in his career he has played in 12, 16, 15, 10, 13, 11, 16 games.... not as bad as i feared when i went to look it up but not great

[Kilroy 0]

i hope so too. i see what you mean about part time, in his career he has played in 12, 16, 15, 10, 13, 11, 16 games.... not as bad as i feared when i went to look it up but not great

 

It's worth mentioning that some of those games he played in, he wasn't all that effective due to the injuries that caused him to completely miss other games.

[GhostofMeanMachine99 1]

Besides letting all their players go, what the hell are the Eagles going to do with the rest of FA?

 

With the exception of Dallas, the Giants and Redskins have improved their teams from last season. The Eagles have taken a giant step backwards so far.

 

Consider the fact that they rarely get contributions from incoming rookies (especially on the offensive side of the ball), as is, this team won't win 6 games next season.

 

To me, this sounds like they're in a rebuilding mode. If that's the case, trade McNabb and be done with it already. And if that's truly the case, how dare Lurie raise ticket prices, especially in this economy.

 

Gold standard my azz!

 

But they'll be considerably under the salary cap.

[wiffleball 4,790]

Gotta think McNabb ain't happy. He refused to sign an extension until he saw what the Eagles would do in the offseason - I'm pretty sure losing all your players isn't what he had in mind. I read that Dawkins got $7M for one year from Denver. That's as much as he made in the last 3 from PHIL. - Crazy.

[GhostofMeanMachine99 1]

Gotta think McNabb ain't happy. He refused to sign an extension until he saw what the Eagles would do in the offseason - I'm pretty sure losing all your players isn't what he had in mind. I read that Dawkins got $7M for one year from Denver. That's as much as he made in the last 3 from PHIL. - Crazy.

 

It's almost as crazy as saying Greg Lewis is still with the Eagles but Brian Dawkins is not.

 

I also heard the center who recently signed with the Rams, his agent said the Eagles showed real strong interest but never really did what it took to try and sign him (then never made him an offer).

 

Banner just loves to get guys on the cheap, which is fine, because that way of thinking has gotten him exactly nothing in the SB win column, which at this point, seems irrelevant to him.

 

You go to the NFC championship, almost pull the game out, go into this year with lots of dough to make the team better, so they do nothing but let guys go without addressing their needs?

 

6 wins next season. Count on it.

[wiffleball 4,790]

It's almost as crazy as saying Greg Lewis is still with the Eagles but Brian Dawkins is not.

 

I also heard the center who recently signed with the Rams, his agent said the Eagles showed real strong interest but never really did what it took to try and sign him (then never made him an offer).

 

Banner just loves to get guys on the cheap, which is fine, because that way of thinking has gotten him exactly nothing in the SB win column, which at this point, seems irrelevant to him.

 

You go to the NFC championship, almost pull the game out, go into this year with lots of dough to make the team better, so they do nothing but let guys go without addressing their needs?

 

6 wins next season. Count on it.

 

Do you think they're doing that deliberately? Calling McNabb's bluff? McNabb basically said "if you don't do something in the offseason, I'm not re-working my contract." - They've done about as close to nothing as anyone other than Terry Schiavo could have done. :shrug:

[9-Route 0]

on the one hand, the eagles have had success stories in their grooming of replacement personnel in the past. sheppard and brown themselves were prime examples as both were drafted to replace troy vincent and bobby taylor. they survived losing william thomas long ago by drafting trotter; they survived trotter's loss in FA by sliding in gaither and cogong; they let burgess go and unearthed trent cole; the list goes on [corey simon-bunkley/patterson, michael lewis-considine]. i just have a hard time seeing the replacements as being competent nfl starters at this time [paying joselio hansen---is he a capable cb3? sliding herremans or shawn andrews to tackle---can they anchor the edge against the nfc east pass rush?] as far as FA$$, i've posted before that they have had mixed results: TO for $49M was a boom, while kearse [$66M] and howard [$30M] were busts. it almost seems that they often fall too much in love with their previous successes and are overconfident that their personnel decisions will work out all of the time [when the nfl reality always has some % risk, even for the best evaluators of talent]. this has def contributed to gripes regarding their overall off-season plans and themes over the past seasons.

 

on the other hand, as has been posted, their off-season "plan" has been curious thus far. it sure seems like they are cleaning up some 2008 issues [sheppard] and nipping 2009 issues [dawkins, runyan, tra thomas] in the bud. the way they're moving right now, i'd not be shocked to see double- or even triple-draft-day deals that move mcfagg, net boldin, and secure a top10 pick/qb of the future [as kolb has demonstrated said player is clearly not on the roster].

[Melissa Stark 1]

With Tra Thomas and Runyan possibly gone also, it appears the Iggles are in rebuild mode or Semi rebuild at the least.

Sorry if this is posted above, didn't read it all.

 

 

 

I'm not sure what to make of Dawkins, keep your most vocal team leader, who is clearly aging or rebuild?

 

The Philly news showing fans reactions, they ain't to happy.

[Kilroy 0]

Do you think they're doing that deliberately? Calling McNabb's bluff? McNabb basically said "if you don't do something in the offseason, I'm not re-working my contract." - They've done about as close to nothing as anyone other than Terry Schiavo could have done. :shrug:

 

No, they aren't calling McNabb's bluff. They're doing the same thing they've done every offseason for the last 10 years or so. Quinten Demps was drafted to be Dawkins replacement. And as much as I love Dawkins and worry about how much his leadership skills will be missed on that defense, his talent at this point in his career is replacable. I'm not about to rag on them for letting Dawkins walk.

 

Now who else was out there? T.J. Houshmanzadeh? That guy isn't going to make or break the Eagles in '09. He averaged 10.2 yards a catch in '07 and 9.8 yard a catch in '08. I don't think he would be catching 90 plus passes a season either in the Eagles offense. He'll also be 32 in late September and I don't see him closing out his career like Jimmy and Rod Smith did. He'll have some productive seasons, but I don't think he's that true number one wide out the Eagles are lacking.

 

I would have liked to see them add Haynesworth, but that wasn't going to happen. Especially with the Redskins jumping all over him.

 

The offensive line was, and still might be, their biggest need this offseason. They addressed that by signing Stacy Andrews. If Tra Thomas walks (and I think he likely will) there's a good chance they'll sign at least one other lineman. Andy Reid would be willing to move a few guys already on the roster out to LT or LG also. And you know they'll draft at least one or two guys there.

 

So who are these other players they should have signed right off the bat? The RB position will be addressed, most likely through the draft, though they might want to add another vet. The WR position isnt nearly as bad as some like to claim it is. The only guy worth really pursuing would be Boldin - if he's even available.

 

Other than that it's still early in the offseason. I'm sure they'll make some other moves.

 

To claim they want to get players on the cheap is such a worthless argument (then again, it's not much different than already claiming they'll go 6-10 next season). Look at the the money they threw at Asante Samuel last season. If they really want a guy, they will spend the money.

 

And as for calling McNabb's bluff, there's nothing to call. The Eagles ultimately decide if they offer him a contract, not McNabb. If there's nothing offered, McNabb has nothing to turn down to begin with. This is just McNabb's way of making it look like he didn't want to be on the team anyway when/if they let him go.

[GhostofMeanMachine99 1]

Do you think they're doing that deliberately? Calling McNabb's bluff? McNabb basically said "if you don't do something in the offseason, I'm not re-working my contract." - They've done about as close to nothing as anyone other than Terry Schiavo could have done. :shrug:

No, not at all. They would never place one player over the entire team. Never.

 

That being said, I'm real curious as to what their plan is for the upcoming season.

 

All emotion aside about Dawkins, you have to ask the question: how many other safeties in the NFC are better than Dawkins, based on last year's performance? Yes, he made the pro bowl, and yes, some feel he made it on reputation. But the guy shrugged off a sub-par first half of the season to come on and play outstanding the second half of the season.

 

Some will say that it took Jim Johnson tweaking the defense to accomodate Dawkins. Well, that's what good coaches do. And I heard no one complaining about the play of the defense down the stretch last year and in the first two rounds of the playoffs.

 

So getting back to the 'who is better than Dawkins' question, you first have to look at Quinton Demps. Are the Eagles saying a second year guy is gonna be better than Dawkins would this year?

 

If you look at the rest of the FA market, who out there is better than Dawkins, as of today? I don't see anyone, and the only two guys I'd consider to replace him are Jermaine Phillips and Dawan Landry.

 

So getting back to the point I'm trying to make, and that is TODAY, there isn't anyone available who's better to play the position than Brian Dawkins. No one. Given that, and the fact that the team is $40 million under the cap, why don't you sign him?

 

Yes, they made an offer of one year, and yes, they were shocked when Denver made that huge offer. But given that you have the money to counter that offer, given that you played in the conference championship the year before, and given that there is no one else better qualified to play the position, why not overpay just a little, just to assure that position is filled for at least one more year, and hopefull, another title run?

 

I don't care about two years from now. I don't. I care about next year. When he's your best option, and you have all the means necessary to make sure he's here and he's not, I have a huge problem with that way of thinking. It says the top and bottom lines of the team have nothing to do with winning a Super Bowl and have everything to do with revenues, profits, expenses, and keeping a decent product on the field.

 

As many others have said on this bored, if you don't win it all, then what does it really matter, anyway? That train of thought is definitely not in the minds of the Eagles' front office, and it's pretty apparent.

[GhostofMeanMachine99 1]

on the one hand, the eagles have had success stories in their grooming of replacement personnel in the past. sheppard and brown themselves were prime examples as both were drafted to replace troy vincent and bobby taylor. they survived losing william thomas long ago by drafting trotter; they survived trotter's loss in FA by sliding in gaither and cogong; they let burgess go and unearthed trent cole; the list goes on [corey simon-bunkley/patterson, michael lewis-considine]. i just have a hard time seeing the replacements as being competent nfl starters at this time [paying joselio hansen---is he a capable cb3? sliding herremans or shawn andrews to tackle---can they anchor the edge against the nfc east pass rush?] as far as FA$$, i've posted before that they have had mixed results: TO for $49M was a boom, while kearse [$66M] and howard [$30M] were busts. it almost seems that they often fall too much in love with their previous successes and are overconfident that their personnel decisions will work out all of the time [when the nfl reality always has some % risk, even for the best evaluators of talent]. this has def contributed to gripes regarding their overall off-season plans and themes over the past seasons.

 

on the other hand, as has been posted, their off-season "plan" has been curious thus far. it sure seems like they are cleaning up some 2008 issues [sheppard] and nipping 2009 issues [dawkins, runyan, tra thomas] in the bud. the way they're moving right now, i'd not be shocked to see double- or even triple-draft-day deals that move mcfagg, net boldin, and secure a top10 pick/qb of the future [as kolb has demonstrated said player is clearly not on the roster].

 

The one thing that will be missed with Dawkins was his ability to be the QB of the defense. It's a complicated defense, he has the best view of the offense, and he helps guys get lined up properly.

 

It's pretty much been a given, and now that he's not here, who's gonna be that guy?

[Melissa Stark 1]

I'm sure some Iggles follower knows Reid's contract status.

 

If this rebuilding phase goes bad this year, how long will they keep Reid?

I'll say 2 more yrs?

[Kilroy 0]

Only thing I can find is that Reid's signed through 2010. I thought he got a more recent extension though that ran past that, so I'm not sure.

 

I'm not certain the Eagles see this as anymore of a rebuilding phase than they saw the past two seasons already. I guess this year is pushing them closer to completely overturning the roster though since Reid's been here. Now that guys like Dawkins, Tra Thomas, and Jon Runyan already are, or appear to be on their way out.

 

Donovan McNabb and Brian Westbrook are the only two really left from that early regime Reid took over/put together.

 

As for Reid's job status - I think he'd have to put together back-to-back seasons of 6 wins or less before Lurie really thought about firing him.

[enis_44 0]

So, it's McNafro for sure again in '09 right? Stoopid Kolb is never gonna play is he.....

[The Next Generation 10]

Greg Lewis-WR-Patriots Mar. 5 - 3:45 pm et

 

Patriots acquired WR Greg Lewis from the Eagles in exchange for undisclosed compensation, according to NFL Network's Adam Schefter.

[GhostofMeanMachine99 1]

Greg Lewis-WR-Patriots Mar. 5 - 3:45 pm et

 

Patriots acquired WR Greg Lewis from the Eagles in exchange for undisclosed compensation, according to NFL Network's Adam Schefter.

 

I can't believe somebody traded for Greg Lewis.

 

The undisclosed compensation was an office trash can and a pack of Chicklets. AND WE ROBBED 'EM!