Heard in the Cheap Seats

Many Eagles fans, on this blog and elsewhere, have expressed frustration over the lack of activity out of the front office so far this season.  And the moves the Eagles did make, the signing of Stacy Andrews and Sean Jones, are being overshadowed by the ones they didn”t—Brian Dawkins and Tra Thomas.  Philadelphia fans are not known for their patience and certainly are not showing it right now.

But is there something looming to change that rising tide of frustration?  Are the Eagles really just executing against a grand plan, acting as puppeteers and pulling on the strings of Philadelphia? 

Recently, there has been speculation from the likes of SI, ESPN, local Eagle-insider Gary Cobb and Don”t Boo the Birds (among others) that the Eagles are planning on making some big moves leading up to or during the draft.  The evidence to support this claim is apparent.  The Eagles have been getting younger at a startling pace, while stockpiling draft picks and keeping a stack of money locked away in a vault.  It seems they are priming themselves for a run at some big name players via trade or a quick move up the draft board. 

Of course, most Eagles fans would like to see Anquan Boldin don an Eagles uniform next season.  I share in that sentiment, but it still seems unlikely to me at this juncture.  NFL pundits like John Clayton and Peter King seem unable to fathom a scenario where Bolden is not moved.  They must have short memories because I recall a plethora of articles about this time last year making the same claims about Larry Fitzgerald and we all know how that squabble ended.  The Boldin situation is different, but it still seems like a remote possibility that the Eagles land him via a trade.  I hope I”m wrong on this.

Another name that has been floated out there is Jason Peters—the disgruntled left tackle of the Buffalo Bills.  From a football standpoint, an aggressive move to get Peters makes a lot of sense.  He is already a Pro Bowl player and is verging on the status of perennial Pro Bowler.  If you are Donovan McNabb, you can”t ask for much better protection for your blind side.  But again, this seems unlikely to happen.  For starters, the Bills and Peters are currently talking.  Translated a different way, the discussions are not so sour at this point that the relationship is beyond repair. The Bills have also cleared significant cap space with the express purpose of keeping Peter happy.  It seems like Peters will get his money—just not with the Eagles.

I think it is far more likely that the Eagles use their picks to move up the draft board and get a guy they covet—perhaps a player like Brandon Pettigrew. 

So maybe the Eagles do have a grand plan and we are just all in the dark.  They are sitting at a high-stakes table right now and have as many chips as any of their negotiating partners.  But in this game, it feels like the Eagles are playing a fool’’s game.  After all, the house always wins.

Quick Free Agent Update: The Eagles signed Rashad Baker today from the Oakland Raiders.  He is a relatively small safety with solid coverage skills but questionable run support ability.  Baker is also the Oakland Raider safety that came up with the interception that sent the Eagles to the playoffs in 2008.

In addition to the news on Baker, reports have been circulating that the Eagles are interested in Leonard Weaver.  A few weeks back I mentioned Weaver as a potential target for the Birds.  He is a young fullback that is still developing at the position.  He was drafted as a tight end but moved to FB and has blossomed in the role.  He is not a potent lead blocker but definitely a capable one.  His best attribute is that he is a dangerous receiver out of the backfield—a nice weapon to have in the West Coast offense.  If the Eagles complete the deal, it’’s a solid move that adds versatility to their offense and some much needed help in short yardage situations.

I am sure by now everyone has heard the news that Torry Holt wants out of St. Louis. I preface what I am about to write by saying that there is no guarantee that Holt is released. But, if Holt ends up being released, I am leading the campaign right now that the Eagles should go after him hard. It’s no secret that most Eagles fans (including myself) would like to see the team add offensive weapons. While I agree with the sentiment isn’t the Eagles most pressing need, I also believe that they would benefit greatly from adding a player like Holt to the offense. I want Boldin to wear midnight green as much as the next guy, but it’s not happening.

The key to the Holt situation is that he is due a $1.25 million roster bonus on March 17^th. The word going around is that the Rams have been seeking a trade partner. Rumors started swirling that the Giants were interested in Holt, and the thought was that with Steve Spagnuolo being the Rams new head coach, that a deal may be worked out. Because of the roster bonus that Holt is due, teams don’t seem to be eager to give up anything in a trade. The thinking around the league is that Holt will be released on or before March 16^th. Let the countdown begin!!

Like I said, I am driving the bandwagon for the Eagles to go after Holt. I certainly do not want to see him in a Giants uniform. But, that isn’t the reason I think he would be a huge addition to the Eagles offense. We all know the Eagles love to throw the football, so I have never gone along with the thinking that they are fine with the receivers they have. We all saw how dynamic the Eagles offense became by adding Terrell Owens. In my opinion, Torry Holt has at least 2 really good years left in the tank. He turns 33 this summer so it’s not like he is Marvin Harrison. Some people have pointed to Holt’s down year last year as a sign that he is fading. Screw that! Did anyone watch the Rams play last year? They were horrendous. Holt ended the year with 64 catches for 796 and 3 touchdowns. In the 6 seasons prior to last year, Holt had no less than 91 catches and no fewer than 1188 yards receiving. I think his statistical drop off is much more of an offshoot of the Rams being a bad football team than it is of Holt losing his skills. Not to mention, the guy has missed 2 games his entire career. Donovan McNabb wants weapons, well Torry Holt is a weapon, folks. How good would a lineup of Holt, Curtis, and Jackson look next year? The Eagles are going to address RB, tackle, TE, etc in the draft it seems and I am OK with that. So, I think if the reports are true and Holt is released, they would be stupid not to get on the phone and pay the man what it will take to get him year. They can’t lollygag on this one because Holt will not be unemployed long. Who wants to jump on the wagon with me?

My intention when I started this series of posts looking at the Eagles’ offseason needs was to look at every position and assess the depth of the Eagles heading into the 2009 season.  But with my attention diverted and the draft right around the corner, it is time to speed this process along.

Instead of taking a look at every position, I will instead hone in on where the Eagles have pressing needs and will likely look to make significant upgrades either through the draft or free agency.  If I had control over the franchise for the offseason, this would be my blueprint.

Needs in order:

1.) OT: Here’s the situation at the OT position: their two aging and long-time OTs are without contracts and their supposed replacement, Winston Justice, is so bad that the Eagles are attempting to trade him.  Think about that: a team WITHOUT its two starters from last year is shopping the backup-who was a second round pick drafted for the express purpose of replacing Tra Thomas.  Clearly that plan is not going to pan out so it’s time to go in a different direction. 

With Runyan on the shelf for 4-6 months with microfracture surgery, it seems obvious that the Eagles will sign Thomas to a 2-3 year deal.  He is still productive-particularly as a pass protector.  But that still leaves a big gaping hole at the RT spot.  There is a chance the Eagles could slide Shawn Andrews outside and plug either Max Jean-Gilles or Nick Cole in at the RG spot.  It’s also not inconceivable that the Eagles would move Todd Heramanns to the RT spot and use either Cole or MJG at LG.  Every scenario has its risk and in recent days, the free agent options have dwindled as well.  Jordan Gross resigned with the Panthers, and Vernon Carrey resigned with the Dolphins.  My hunch is the Eagles will wait to see how Runyan bounces back from injury and resign him to a two-year deal if the recovery seems to be going well.  If not, they will look to one of the two internal options presented above.  Either way, I expect the Eagles to take an OT with one of their two first-round picks to put the successor in place (assuming they keep them both).

2.) RB: You’ll notice that I didn’t say backup running back.   This is a two-back league and the Eagles need to use a two-back system.  Ideally, they would bring in a RB that has some size, fits their system and can provide some much-needed firepower in short yardage situation.  There are some solid options available in the draft, but two things make it unlikely the Eagles will go that route for immediate help.  The first is they almost never take a running back on the first day.  Andy Reid has shown a general disdain for taking running backs early and those backs that he has drafted have been disappointments with the obvious exception of Brian Westbrook.  For years the Eagles have been searching for a Westbrook compliment in the draft and have whiffed on names like Ryan Moats and Tony Hunt.  The other factor at play here is the Eagles’ window for winning a championship-it ain’t getting any wider.  Because of that, they can’t afford to take a risk on a late-round pick in hopes that they can come in and help right away.  Given all of these factors, I would like to see them go out and get Deuce McAllister.  He is not nearly the player he once was but he tips the scales at 236 pounds, is a solid downhill runner, an above-average receiver and a decent blocker.  He fits the Eagles system well and if they can get him for reasonable money I’d take a shot on him.  His durability is a question but with 12-16 touches a game he should be able to stay fresh.  Another name to consider here is Leonard Weaver of the Seahawks.  He is 26 years old and weighs 246 pounds.  That being said, he is listed as a FB, though he is not a traditional lead blocker type. 

3.) FB: I know most people would probably put WR or TE in this slot and that is definitely a defendable position.  While those positions are areas of need where the Eagles will most likely make a bigger splash, this is an area that MUST be upgraded.  The Eagles need a fullback in the traditional mold that can provide solid blocking in run situations but also double as a serviceable receiver.  I mentioned Weaver above, but I’m not sure he is the type of blocker this team should be looking for-especially if it adds a back like McAllister.  Instead, the Eagles should address this need via the draft.  One player I like is Tony Fiammeta out of Syracuse—and not just because his name has a lot of vowels like mine.  At 246 pounds, he has the size needed at the fullback slot but also has above average hands for the position.  The Eagles could easily get him on Day 2 of the draft and he would at least add someone to camp that has the ability to lead block for Westbrook on the few occasions the Eagles go to a traditional I formation or pro set.

4.) WR: I mentioned in a previous post that Philly is a WR-obsessed city.  Many fans pointed to the lack of a true #1 receiver as one of the primary reasons for the failure this past year.  I don’t subscribe to that philosophy.  The Eagles have a very solid group of receivers that together, offer a wide range of skills.  In fact, I would go so far as to say the Eagles wide receiving corps is in the top half of the league.  So while I do think they should address the position, it is not as dire as some will lead you to believe.  The obvious target out there is TJ Houshmandzadeh.  He does not provide the size the Eagles sorely need but his production levels can’t be questioned.  And let’s not forget, he produced his monster year this past season with Ryan Fitzpatrick under center.  As difficult as it would be to type his name on a regular basis, I’d love to see him in midnight green.   Even if the Eagles do make the big splash the fans crave, they should still look for a big receiver for situational purposes.  One player that might fit the mold is Kenny Britt out of Rutgers.  At 6′-4″ and 227 pounds he has ideal size for a red zone target.  There are some serious concerns about his attitude but hopefully those can be addressed at his young age.  It’s not like DeSean Jackson is devoid of any character issues…

5.) TE: The Eagles like Brent Celek at the TE position and he rewarded that faith with some solid play down the stretch last year.   But Celek is a woeful blocker and is a liability when asked to stay in and help protect McNabb.  And while Celek does struggle in blocking situations, there are very few upgrades available.  Jim Kleinsasser is one intriguing name the Eagles should consider.  He is massive for the position, weighing 273 pounds.  However, he is known mostly as a blocking TE and not much of a threat in the receiving game.  He does have decent hands though and can be a reliable target.  He is by no means a top-flight TE, but can definitely be a solid compliment to Celek.  I doubt the Eagles go this route, but it might be a shrewd move.  Instead, I expect them to stand pat and perhaps add a player in the draft.

Other Possible Areas of Need: DE, CB, FS, LB

Quick Note: I find it almost impossible the Eagles won’t resign Dawkins so I didn’t even go into the possibilities of finding a replacement.

So that’s my blueprint-albeit incomplete, for the offseason.  What would you do?

Sunday Smattering

Free Agency and Rumors:

• Lance Briggs re-signed with the Bears. The Bears quietly entered free agency with little indication as to what their game plan was. After all of the controversy around Briggs last season, the team managed to lockdown one of the game’s top young linebackers.
• Bernard Berrian landed with the Minnesota Vikings. The WR market started out slow this week, with most playing the waiting game to let Berrian set the market. Berrian is a very good receiver, but he lacks the ability to dominate a game. He has the speed to get vertical, but is limited in the red zone due to his average size. Nonetheless, this is a good signing for the Vikings and will add a legitimate passing threat (provided someone can get him the ball, but hey, Berrian is used to that) to their running attack.
• In the biggest signing of the early-period of free agency, the Philadelphia Eagles signed Asante Samuel to a six-year deal (more on this when we get to the rumors section). In addition, the Eagles added some firepower to their pass rush with the addition of Chris Clemons. As the Giants proved in the Super Bowl, a solid pass rush is the key to slowing down any quarterback.
• Justin Smith, considered by many as the top DE on the market, signed with the 49ers. While Smith is a solid player, I think the 49ers overspent to acquire his services. Smith is a classic example of a “right place at the right time” player. He received big money simply because viable alternatives on the market were scarce.
• With the Berrian signing out of the way, the rest of the free-agent market for WRs has begun to fall into place. Donte Stallworth signed with the Cleveland Browns. This is a good deal that will add depth to the Browns already solid receiving corps. Stallworth can stretch the field and is lethal with the ball after the catch.
• The Raiders signed Gibril Wilson.
• In an effort to shore up some holes on their offensive line, the Jets agreed to a deal with Alan Faneca.

There was certainly more moves made in the free-agent frenzy, but the above encapsulates the biggest moves thus far. For a full list, check out ESPN’s free agent tracker.

Rumors:

• With all this movement early in the free agency period, there still remains some intriguing storylines running through the league, not the least of which involves one Mr. Randy Moss. When the Patriots decided not to franchise Moss, it was widely assumed that the team had a deal in place that would be signed as soon as free agency opened. The move was peculiar at the time, because even if there was a deal in place, why not use the franchise tag to protect yourself in the interim? Well, the Patriots failed to do that and they may end up paying the price. Garry Cobb is reporting that the Eagles and Cowboys are the front runners to land Moss’ services after the Patriots. My gut tells me Moss will end up back with the Patriots, but he currently feels slighted that the team won’t pony up top dollar for his services. Teams have an opportunity to swoop in and offer a contract he might not be able to turn down-and you can bet those teams will answer the bell.
• As far as the Eagles are concerned, they have been aggressive in the early-going of free agency, so it wouldn’t be shocking to see them take a run at Moss. But there has been no indication from the team so far that it is interested in acquiring Moss’ services. With the Asante Samuel signing, the Eagles have a plethora of options to work out. The most likely seems Lito Sheppard will be traded. Eagles fans are calling for the front office to use Sheppard as trade bait to acquire Larry Fitzgerald. The likelihood of this happening is minimal, because Fitzgerald carries a massive contract that should never have been signed in this day and age where the teams have all the leverage. Another scenario is to move Sheldon Brown to safety and keep Sheppard as the starting corner opposite Samuel. This would potentially give the Eagles the best secondary in the NFL. It will be interesting to see how this saga plays out. Stay tuned.
• There have been reports that the Vikings could make a run at Brady Quinn. With the multi-year deal signed by Derek Anderson, the Browns have a decision looming on the horizon on the future of their quarterback position. The Vikings might try to nudge them along into making that decision.
• The market for Javon Walker’s services appears to be hot, with as many as 10 teams in the bidding.

As many expected, the market for free agents was short, with most of the best players off the market in the early going. But plenty remains to be figured out.

Final Roundup from Week:

• Kansas exacted a bit of revenge last night by putting a beat down on Kansas State.
• Congrats on #800 Coach K.
• Get well soon, Coach Wooden.