ConcreteBoard

 :deion 

Im giving it a C+ so far.

I like that they are trying to fill some need areas, but I think some of the players they are going after have some serious question marks.   Howard was about as good a player they could get for DE help.  Garcia is just another stop gap QB along the way.  Probably the best they were gonna find so not bad there.  I dont get the Barber signing.  Just too many injury issues for my liking.  I just feel the odds are against this guy making it through the season.   I like that they went after Gaffney, but then they went and only give him a 1 year deal.  That shows no confidence in the guy.  What are we supposed to think about that.  Lose Owens and sign an average WR to a one year deal... hmmmmm.    Schoebel sounds like he can play the part, but he has to prove it in an offense that relies on the TE as opposed to an offense like Cincinatti where the TE is an after thought.

C

Howard was nice. Garcia, while gay, is fine for a backup (will not lose us games in a fill in role for donny, and were not winning crap if hes out long term so who cares at that point). Barber is expected since we dont value linebackers. If the coverage is good and the line can get some pressure, our weakling at LB isnt too big a deal. Gaffney is a good 3, but the one year deal is iffy and we need a moulds or walker there. schoebel depends on lj smith. if he can take it to the next level, all schob needs to do is be a safe outlet for donovan (like chad) and block. a confused lj like last year means more out of schoebel which may not be a good thing.

still time to bump it up with the draft, runyan situation, and possible walker/moulds trades.

C-

Howard is the only thing from making it a total F. I'll give them a C- because they HAVE addressed positions of need, while not with the best of quality, but they have done it.

If they find a way to get a SAM, another starting WR, and a DT, and re-sign Runyan they will get a B+. If they get a RB and a FB on top of it, they get an A.

Interim grade:  D+

Whether warranted to not, the public humiliation stemming from the Bentley debacle is weighing down the team's grade at this point.

Heck, even the vet WR they were supposed to have signed ended up going back to his old team.

Like the Howard move, but there is still much to do.

Questionable DE and a backup TE. I gave it a D.

If I were judging each player move individually I'd give Howard a B and the rest of the moves a C. Therefore, I chose C+.

A solid B.

1. We needed a backup QB. Got it.

2. We needed a LB who didn't suck and isn't named Adams or Simoneau. Got it.

3. Darren Howard was a great signing.

4. We needed a backup TE becaus Spach sucks. Got it.

5. We got another veteran WR who still is young enough to grow as a player. Gaffney signing lessens the amount of Greg Lewis we will see.

I completely forgot about Gaffney when I did my grade. I'll keep it at D.

You forgot Mahe is probably coming back.

That should instantly boost it up to a B+ at the very least.

We don't know if it was the Eagles who insisted on a 1 year deal, or if it was Rosenhaus. Just like the Barber deal, Barber had said the Eagles wanted to sign him for longer, but he only wanted a 1 year deal to prove he's back from injury. The first time around, it was the FO's call on that.

I said C-.

While they have addressed positions of need, I don't see where they have yet to get that impact player that can pit the offense or defense on their back and take over.  Once again I see patch jobs instead of real impact.

I know it has not been their philosophy to go out ant break the bank on the top guy early on in FA.  It can be argued they did it twice (the year they signed Runyan and the Kerse TO signing of a couple of years ago) and the second time they of course they went to the Superbowl.

Of course it can also be argued that they have gotten a lot less, or more depending on how you look at it, than they bargained for, with Kerse underperforming his contract and TO's antics respectively. 

However, they apear to be a bit gunshy and gunshy won't put them in position to win a the superbowl.

Who knows maybe Howard makes Kerse better.  Maybe Gaffney makes Brown better and maybe Barber makes Jones and Trott better and the cumulative affect adds up to that impact player I am talking about but that's a lot of maybes.

i was generous & gave them a C.

DE is really the only position they upgraded significantly...some mediocre depth was added at TE, OLB, & QB...nothing more.  they also failed to address the o-line so that cancels out the howard signing, imo.

I gave them a D.

Analysis:

Barber - Yes, he was quite good at WIL 3 years ago for us, and he should be an upgrade over Keith Adams if healthy.  But that's a big *if*.  Barber has done nothing the last two seasons.  I understand the Eagles were looking for a stop-gap before they can get McCoy on the field (since he's supposed to be so damn good), but the fact that they made this move before FA even started is what gets me.  All in all, I give this move a C-.

Howard - He's a very good player, and they got him to sign a severely backloaded contract with surprisingly little risk to the team.  He might have been the best DE on the FA market, but will he be able to get back to double-digit sack totals?  Dunno.  Solid B.

Schobel - They want him to be their new and younger Chad Lewis, and all indications are that he can be.  Reports that he's a sub-par blocker may turn out to be overblown, but we'll see.  Anyway, the signing fills a need very well, considering his age and length of contract.  I'm giving this one a B+.

Garcia - Like Schobel, this signing fills a glaring depth need.  2002/2003 Garcia was a good player.  2004/2005 Garcia?  Injuries galore.  Now the Eagles have the two QB's who had the best seasons of their careers throwing to Terrell Owens throwing to... well, not Terrell Owens.  But we'll get to that.  Anyway, the Garcia move filled a need adequately and thus deserves a C.

Gaffney - Since the Colts gave Reggie Wayne the massive contract, there were really no top-end WR's on the market (except for the one we put there).  I think the Eagles did well to upgrade the depth with a younger guy with upside.  Givens or Jurevicius were probably the only guys out there who would have been a better addition, but the FO obviously did not want to give millions in guarantees to a solid #2/#3 guy.  Fine.  My issue with this is that they are basically betting that Gaffney will be unimpressive if they want to sign him back.  If he has one decent year and/or becomes Donovan's go-to WR, then they have to go back to the contract drawing board with Drew farging Rosenhaus.  At least they could have gotten 2-3 years.  Anyway, assuming they address this position in the draft also, I'll give this move a C.

SAM LB - The Eagles have shown no desire to upgrade this position from the average to below average Dhani Jones, claiming that the LB's will look better with upgrades on the DL.  Unacceptable to keep Dhani as the status quo here.  F.

Defensive Tackle - Rumors are flying that the Eagles are shopping Hollis Thomas.  Last year, we heard that Darwin Walker was on thin ice.  We saw that the only tackle to get pressure at all was Patterson and that he hit the rookie wall.  So, despite a market relatively rife with possible upgrades, the Eagles make no moves.  It would appear that they are counting on Darren Howard in nickle situations and will once again bank on the draft... getting another ok DT, if they're lucky, that will hit a rookie wall before the playoffs, if there are any playoffs.  Big-time F.

Offensive Line - Not only have the Eagles not upgraded here, but they haven't even kept status quo as of now.  This group could not stop the push up the middle and had our QB's running scared.  They also were very spotty in opening holes for our undersized RB's.  So, the position is addressed by... hoping the old guys stay healthy, hoping the young guys step up to the next level, and hoping they can re-sign Runyan after showing very little interest in doing so until March.  So far?  Another big-time earned F.

Fullback/larger RB - There are excellent fullbacks on the market, but all the Eagles keep telling us is that they thought Parry did OK and they are really high on Tapeh.  Oh, and by the way... they don't use a fullback that much, anyway.  Um... ok.  I don't want to hear about a guy who was unimpressive as a rookie and hurt for over a year as their contigency plan for the super-sucky Parry.  I understand having a power running game at least available is not a priority for this coaching staff and FO, and maybe that's where the problem lies.  Either way, it's Fantastic.

individually it looks ok

Howard  B
Barber  C-
Gaffney  C
Garcia  A
Schoebel   A

but as a whole free agency has been a D because of who they didnt get and what they still need

off the nuts, please

lol...didnt read your shtein and wont

youre improving tho...a solid C for you ff

D.

Howard is the only signing that actually improves the team.  The others are pedestrian players who could have been anyone else, and we'd be saying the same shtein about them.  If they play well, that's nice.  But they aren't half the upgrade the team needs, or could have had if they weren't so goddamned cheap.

Wait, I desperately want to be accepted by you... If I say I want them to fire Reid immediately, do I get moved up to a B-?!?!?  In all seriousness though, if the Eagles don't make the playoffs this year, Reid has to go.  His continued persistence to do things his way in the off-season and on game day (meaning not willing to properly utilize a running game or ever remotely overpay to improve the team) is wearing thin on me.

i love you man

On the flip side, if the Eagles win the Super Bowl this year, you owe Reid a written apology.

I said C. If the whole Bentley thing never happened, and some douchebag didnt report we were going to sign him it would have been a C+.

I gave it a "B" because of Howard.  I think he's going to have a monster season and will be a definite difference-maker in that defensive line.

I liked the Garcia, Barber and Schobel signings but I still think Gaffney was a mistake when Givens was out there.  If the Eagles somehow wrangle Peterson or Arrington and get a bruising running back to pound the rock, it goes to a B+.

If they had landed Bentley, it would be an A-.

Homertastic!

C+

At least they've done more than last season...McMahon was the only pre-June 1st signing.

Quote from: Larry on March 18, 2006, 10:39:45 AM
At least they've done more than last season...

...talk about setting the bar nice and low...

C-

You've gone soft.

I gave it a C.

1. Howard is going to do well in a rotation with Cole, and opposite Kearse and Doogs. B

2. Schoebel looks like he'll be a decent addition. Miles and miles better than what we had on the depth chart after LJ last year. I think the dude may just push for LJ's job, and if nothing else, improve LJ's work ethic. B-

3. Barber. Hard to tell here. My gut says he is done starting less than six games into the season, and a backup only. I really think the team is high on McCoy, and Barber was brought in hold the spot if McCoy isn't ready. If McCoy is such a tard he still has problems learning the system, or just doesn't show anything in camps, Barber will start the season, and again, not make it past six games. That sucks, and for the record, I think McCoy isn't going to cut it. D-

4. Gaffney is another where I am on the fence. The guy was pretty well liked coming out of college in '02. First pick in the second round. Produced in a God awful offense, has no injury history, and still shows he has upside. So why the one year deal? I really think Gaffney knocks off Pinky for good. Pinky isn't coming back, and once that becomes reality, Gaffney gets an extension. The guy has the size, speed, and skills to be a solid number two. Hell, he was a decent number two in Houston. He also fills a big depth need. B+

5. Garcia is an excellent move. He is about as good a backup as anyone was going to get in free agency. He definately upgraded the crap that was pushed out their last season when Donny Mac went down.  This will make a real nice group when the Eagles draft Gradkowski out of Toledo in the fourth round. You can book that. B+

6. Both lines. I saw these as probably the biggest need heading into the FA period. They have done nothing, and the hopes for the O-line now rest on getting Runyan back. That falls through, it's ugly. Howard upgrades the end position, but the push up the middle that was not there last year, hasn't been repaired. They need someone to compliment Patterson, and got: no one. Maybe the draft helps to bump this grade, unitl then F--

Quote from: FFatPatt on March 18, 2006, 10:37:44 AM
Homertastic!

:-D

Quote from: MURP on March 17, 2006, 10:37:22 PM
Im giving it a C+ so far.

I like that they are trying to fill some need areas, but I think some of the players they are going after have some serious question marks.   Howard was about as good a player they could get for DE help.  Garcia is just another stop gap QB along the way.  Probably the best they were gonna find so not bad there.  I dont get the Barber signing.  Just too many injury issues for my liking.  I just feel the odds are against this guy making it through the season.   I like that they went after Gaffney, but then they went and only give him a 1 year deal.  That shows no confidence in the guy.  What are we supposed to think about that.  Lose Owens and sign an average WR to a one year deal... hmmmmm.    Schoebel sounds like he can play the part, but he has to prove it in an offense that relies on the TE as opposed to an offense like Cincinatti where the TE is an after thought.

definitely agree about the Gaffney deal, considering they signed Buckhalter to a 2 year deal at the beginning of last season after tearing being on IR again the seaosn before

Quote from: Philly Forever on March 18, 2006, 01:02:51 AM
You forgot Mahe is probably coming back.

That should instantly boost it up to a B+ at the very least.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO  :boom

i said B-

unlike others, i am not going to grade something that doesnt exist. i am grading on the players brought in, not what i think they still need. that can easily be addressed once the offseason is actually over

C. I don't think the team has been very improved, but I don't think it has been harmed either.

If Runyan leaves and no additional valuable signings are made, then the grade drops to D.

Like all of us I would have like too seen more however I think overall the front office is addressing areas of need  B-

Individually:
Howard  B+
Barber  C-
Gaffney  C (???)
Garcia  B+
Schoebel   A

i am grading on the players brought in, not what i think they still need. that can easily be addressed once the offseason is actually over

link?

I gave them a B-. I am giving them a pass in some areas because this is one of the thinest free agent markets we've seen in a number of years at a time when just about every team caught a 10 mill cap break. Right now the O-Line has me the most concerned.

I gave them a C. That is, if C still means average by academic criterion, then that is what this FA period has been.

Besides Bentley, which was never a reality after all, this FA class was extremely weak. I would have liked Witherspoon too, but I don't think he had his eyes set on the Eagles anyways.

Howard was a good pickup, although I can't get extremely excited about him. He has decent numbers and can be a double digit sack player, but his nagging injuries have me being cynical. I think it's a very solid move given the contract setup, so I'm excited to see what he can do opposite Kearse and also adding some depth from both sides of the D-line.

Garcia is a good pickup. Knows the WCO like the back of his hand and came dirt cheap. Backup QB's aren't supposed to play, but if we have to go to battle with Garcia at least he brings experience and good decision making. Simply put, he knows how to manage a game.

I like Gaffney. Giving a young player who has potential a one year deal gives him tons of incentive to make that big pay day in FA. I'm hoping his does well, and I think he can be a very good 2/3 and work the outside with consistency. He was consistent in Houston, and I think he can do similar here.

Schoebel is solid. I like that he's a young Chad Lewis. Having a 2 TE set with LJ will be devestating in the red zone if we can have an effective run game to setup play action. Those two working the middle has me excited. Hopefully he'll flourish in this system because he has all the characteristics of being a skilled offensive target for Donny.

Barber is an eh. I really hope the Eagles have a contingency plan knowing full well his history of injuries. Knees are never 100% after the player comes back, especially all the knee problems Barber has had prior to him coming to the Eagles the first time. Maybe they see something in him, and they got him on the cheap so it makes it a little easier to take.

The one thing you have to give credit to the Eagles is that they never overpay for players, all those FA got what their market value is and their contracts are structured to make the most efficient use of their cap space.

I hope they aren't completely done, however. If some nice players come loose after June 1st, I think they'll be active in that market.

Overall, I figure about a C+... they had needs at a number of positions and got some of them filled.  A few too many questions for my liking, and I feel like they could have made more effort to go after some guys who got away.

Individually:

Barber: - C+... In 2002, he turned in the best performance by a WIL LB during Reid's time with the Eagles.  Is he still that type of player?  Don't think so... but I think he can at least be serviceable, and an infinite upgrade over Adams.  Obviously, the issue is him staying on the field.  11 games played in two years scares the shtein out of me.  If by some miracle he does stay on the field, he's an adequate short term answer until they can get back to playing musical OLB's.

Howard: - B+... I really like the signing.  I think as long as the guy is healthy, he can produce at a pretty high level opposite Kearse as well as creating opportunities for Kearse to pick his game up.  They have the potential to become a nasty tandem that will have a lot of meetings at the QB.  If he doesn't come up with double-digit sacks, he should come pretty close.  Either him or Kearse will reach that double-digit number though.

Schobel: - B... I like the fact that he gives the offense another set of good hands.  He's got speed for a TE which gives the offense another one of those tough matchups they covet so much.  Something tells me that his blocking is halfway decent... good enough for the 3 times a year AR will put him in position to block anyway.  He could be one of those low-key aquisitions that really make a difference.

Garcia: - C... Solid, not flashy.  A former pro-bowler who may still have a little bit left.  In the terrible event that he actually has to see the field, I think he can at least keep things from falling apart and he won't lose games for us like McMahon did so many times with senseless turnovers.

Gaffney - C+...The more I think about it, the more I like him.  I don't think he's a superstar or anything, but the kid put up decent numbers in a god awful offense.  The potential is definitely there to produce in a pass happy offense like ours... and help provide a quality young WR tandem along with Brown.  The whole 1 year deal is a little unsettling though.  If he does indeed produce for us this year... he's gonna have Rosenscum working on his behalf so who knows if he's just using us as a springboard to a big payday.

Resigning Runyan would bump the grade to a solid B... if we added Moulds as well, A... if we got Walker, A+.

With the Runyan re-signing, I'm now able to give this off-season a confident C as of now.  Decidedly average.

runyan doesnt even figure into the grade...he doesnt make the team better he keeps it from possibly falling into the abyss

unless you win the superbowl to me the offseason is about improvement

runyan was necessary but he wasnt part of any upgrade

He was a FA, so signing him or not signing him affects my FA grade, whether you like the way I look at it or not.

In fact, so chug yourself some of your own penis butter if you don't like it, dook.

Quote from: ice grillin you on March 24, 2006, 03:26:29 PM
runyan doesnt even figure into the grade..

certainly does.  If the Eagles wouldnt have re-signed him, there is no doubt people would have seen this offseason much worse off than they did yesterday.

In fact, so chug yourself some of your own penis butter if you don't like it, dook

no thanks


murp makes a good point....if he left the grade definitly would go down so it has to count....lets say then it doesnt count on the positive end for that much...its GREAT that they signed him but it doesnt make them any better than last year

Quote from: MURP on March 24, 2006, 03:31:49 PM

Quote from: ice grillin you on March 24, 2006, 03:26:29 PM
runyan doesnt even figure into the grade..

certainly does.  If the Eagles wouldnt have re-signed him, there is no doubt people would have seen this offseason much worse off than they did yesterday.

Lots of people on here already said that this offseason would have been an F if the FO didn't resign him so you're exactly right.

Aw. How cute.

Quote from: ice grillin you on March 24, 2006, 03:34:34 PM
its GREAT that they signed him but it doesnt make them any better than last year

No, really?  So, you're saying he's equally as good as the player they had at RT last year?  Wow!

No, really?  So, you're saying he's equally as good as the player they had at RT last year?  Wow!

a little worse id say.....due to age

as people get older they generally decline

cept me i dont get older i get better

This poll should be locked so we can compare it against another one with Runyan figured in.

The grade I gave has definitely changed.

Quote from: ice grillin you on March 24, 2006, 03:39:51 PM
No, really?  So, you're saying he's equally as good as the player they had at RT last year?  Wow!

a little worse id say.....due to age

Damn, so they probably should have just handed the job to Calvin Armstrong.  DAMN THIS FRONT OFFICE!

Damn, so they probably should have just handed the job to Calvin Armstrong.  DAMN THIS FRONT OFFICE!

please refer to him as carmstrong from now on

Quote from: FFatPatt on March 24, 2006, 03:46:27 PM...they probably should have just handed the job to Calvin Armstrong...

This goes without saying.

counting runyan, I'd give it a C, with the possibility of moving up depending on howard and gaffney. they really need to find some answers at DT and SLB

Quote from: Diomedes on March 24, 2006, 03:45:14 PM
This poll should be locked so we can compare it against another one with Runyan figured in.

The grade I gave has definitely changed.

'


sounds like a plan.