The 2007 Offseason Thread

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

Hugh Douglas and Howard Eskin?  I'm sold.

[ice grillin you]

OMG!

eckel can like mcnabb AND report that hes unhappy

unheard of


again it all comes down to eagle homers not liking a guy who doesnt always come up roses when talking about the team...end of story

[ice grillin you]

Paul Domowitch | Offseason might sting, Birds fans
by Paul Domowitch

THREE PIECES of advice for Eagles fans as they prepare for an offseason not expected to bubble over with Super Bowl-here-we-come news: 1) stay away from the knife drawer; 2) keep the acid-reflux medicine close by; and 3) focus on the Phillies until the rookies report to Lehigh.

Between now and then, not much that will happen at One Nova-Care Way likely will bring much of a smile to your face, other than possibly the long-overdue pink slips expected to be given to Dhani Jones and Jerome McDougle.

The free-agent market is anorexic, but even if it weren't, and even if the Eagles actually were inclined to gobble up veterans, which they're not, they don't have their usual 1,000 acres of salary-cap space. After signing several young players to long-term extensions in 2006, they will head into free agency less than $13 million under the projected $109 million cap.

Free-agent quarterback Jeff Garcia, who helped resurrect the Eagles after Donovan McNabb's season-ending knee injury, probably won't be back. While the Eagles have said they want to re-sign him to back up McNabb again, at least three teams - Minnesota, Tampa Bay and Green Bay (if Brett Favre retires) - appear to be interested in the soon-to-be- 37-year-old Garcia as a possible short-term starter.

Wide receiver Donté Stallworth also probably is going bye-bye. The free-agent crop of wideouts is extremely lean, and Stallworth, who averaged 19.1 yards per catch this season, is expected to draw quite a bit of interest.

As with Garcia, the Eagles have said they wouldn't be averse to re-signing Stallworth. But they're not interested in a bidding war. General manager Tom Heckert is on record as saying he and coach Andy Reid would be content playing with a four-man receiving corps of Reggie Brown, Hank Baskett, Jason Avant and Greg Lewis. Wonder how Todd Pinkston's footsies are doing?

Two other free agents, nickel corner Rod Hood and former starting strong safety Mike Lewis, are history. Middle linebacker Jeremiah Trotter's future also is uncertain. Defensive coordinator Jim Johnson acknowledged after the Eagles' playoff loss to the Saints that Trotter, who didn't have a very good season and whose knees have begun to betray him, "can't play too many plays" anymore.

Trotter's salary jumps from $1.7 million in '06 to $2.63 million in '07. He could be released or asked to take a pay cut. What kind of adrenaline rush would an '07 starting linebacking corps of untested Chris Gocong, Omar Gaither (at Trotter's spot in the middle) and Matt McCoy give you? Thought so.

If you're hoping against hope that the Eagles will go after a linebacker or a big power back to complement Brian Westbrook in the first round of the draft, you probably will be disappointed there, too. Best bet right now is a safety or cornerback or, gulp, another defensive lineman.

Contract talk

The Eagles' smaller-than-usual salary-cap space is the result of two things: 1) contract extensions handed out last year to such young players as Shawn Andrews, Jamaal Jackson, Todd Herremans, Reggie Brown, Mike Patterson and Trent Cole; and 2) salary escalations of a number of vets.

Defensive end Jevon Kearse's base salary will jump from $2.1 million in '06 to $5.2 million in '07. Tackle Jon Runyan's increases from $1.15 million to $2.9 million. Westbrook, who signed an extension in November '05, will see his base salary jump from $585,000 to $2 million. Defensive end Darren Howard's doubles from $1 million to $2 million. Tackle William Thomas, who earned $3.65 million in '06, will make $4.55 million next season. Safety Brian Dawkins' salary, on the other hand, actually drops, from $3 million last season to $1.2 million on '07.

McNabb's salary and cap number stay flat. He earned $5.5 million in salary in '06 and will make the same in '07. His '07 cap number, which includes prorated bonuses, will be $8.6 million. McNabb's current deal runs through 2013. His base salaries and cap numbers for the final 6 years of his contract: 2008, $6.3 million ($9.4 million cap cost); 2009, $9.2 million ($10.4 million, one of two prorated bonuses expires); 2010, $10 million ($10 million, second prorated bonus expires); 2011, $12.1 million ($12.1 million); 2012, $14.1 million ($14.1 million); 2013, $16.2 million ($16.2 million).

[ice grillin you]

so if domo is correct:

minus
garcia
jones
mcdougle
stallworth
mike lewis
rod hood
trotter

plus
baskett
avant
gocong
mccoy
1st round pick

[hunt]

[MURP]

I feel like I read that same article the past few offseasons.   

[BigEd76]

McCaffery with another WTF column...

Control freak Reid has created a crisis
Jack McCaffery, Times Sports Columnist
01/25/2007

Day One of the Andy Reid Era in Philadelphia, introductory press conference in a downtown ballroom, cameras everywhere, reporters interested, a franchise open to change. And a hint of what was to come. "We all want the same thing here," Reid said, before implying that the press should follow his rules and enjoy the ride to all football glory. In other words, he mistook Philadelphia then as he has mistaken it ever since for Green Bay, and since he never learned otherwise, now he has a crisis.

He has a crisis because he has one quarterback whom he has pummeled into sad timidity, softening him like a well-oiled catcher's mitt with years of needless protection, ridiculous diversion and relentless control. That would be Donovan McNabb, prone to injury and late-game stomach distress, interceptions at the worst of moments, weird humor and hair-trigger feelings. And the crisis began last week when, in a snapshot of the Reid-McNabb relationship, the head coach ordered the quarterback not to answer legitimate, responsible football questions in a reasonable, conventional setting -- and the quarterback retreated to his room, exactly as ordered, not allowed to say anything at the dinner table.

Reid also has the crisis because he has another quarterback who never submitted to control, generally speaks when he cares to speak and was willing to fly to Burbank, don an Eagles jersey and participate in a slapstick stunt for Jay Leno in which a Giants fan was flattened by a panel truck. That would be Jeff Garcia, prone to NFL survival, strong of personal sense and willing to embrace any football moment.

So where is the problem?

The problem is that once Reid misread his play chart and believed he could throw a blanket of camouflage leaves over the possibility of his worst fear -- a quarterback crisis -- the leaves began to smolder and there was no fire-extinguisher in sight. Having not learned anything since his Day One orders to the press were met with muffled laughs, Reid apparently didn't learn much, either, in whatever journalism program he may have taken at BYU. He never learned that cover-ups not only don't work, but encourage deeper digging.

In another situation, in another program, the two-headed quarterback monster would have been transformed by now into a lovable pet. In a 20-minute postseason press conference, ostensibly to provide a medical update concerning his surgically repaired knee, McNabb could have expressed delight at Garcia's success, thrust his fist to the sky and energized Eagles fans with the promise that he would return better than ever. At the worst, the Eagles would have two fine quarterbacks going forward, both with the same mission -- to put an end to the disgrace that is 0-since-1960. At best, McNabb's enthusiasm would have rendered Garcia's comedy trivial.

But by censoring McNabb, Reid only redirected the river of speculation. So once McNabb's thoughts were limited to his family members spraying damaging blogs, other voices began to peep. Some were underground, saying in printed reports that McNabb has been unhappy. Others -- like Brian Westbrook after a loss to the Saints in the playoffs -- openly, aggressively praised Garcia. Listen: "We have been saying that the whole time Jeff's been playing that he has brought that fire back and that competitiveness. He is a leader. Everybody has played better since Jeff has gotten in there and that is the true definition of a leader. When the guys can rally around Jeff and play better, you can't ask for much more."

That quote -- delivered downstairs in the Superdome, minutes after the Eagles season -- did not generate nearly enough attention. Read it again. And believe that it was said out loud, in front of plenty, with purpose.

That's where it is going -- and where Reid would like it to stop. There is a feeling in the clubhouse -- not a consensus, perhaps not even a plurality, but a feeling -- that the Birds would be fine with Garcia at quarterback. They means they would be fine without a $112,000,000 self-appointed "captain of the ship" with brittle bones and matching emotions. McNabb is still upset that 30 made-for-broadcast plants booed him at the draft. He nearly wept when Terrell Owens said something nice about Brett Favre. His camp even used the word "bittersweet" in connection with Garcia's success.

Now, this: An attempt at censorship, but resulting turmoil.

How will the Eagles respond? Well, they have had opportunities, beginning with Jeffrey Lurie's postseason press briefing in the locker room, to guarantee Garcia work. Instead, they punted. Now, Garcia wants to test the free-agent market. Just a guess, but once it is clear that McNabb is healthy, Andy's Media Army will begin to tout A.J. Feeley as the most capable backup since Harry Truman.

In the meantime, Reid will try to control everything he can. Indeed, it was interesting when Reid responded to questions about McNabb, the head coach sounded uncomfortable with the situation. The resulting headline: "Reid says he and McNabb still getting along well."

Reid says. Reid. Not McNabb. Reid says. And once he does, he expects everyone to accept that as truth and to keep marching.

Problem is, not everybody did on Day One. And a whole lot fewer are stomping that yard, all these unfulfilled promises later.

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

stomping that yard

I quit.

[PhillyPhreak54]

so if domo is correct:

minus
garcia
jones
mcdougle
stallworth
mike lewis
rod hood
trotter

Nothing too earth shattering in there. I think we're all prepared for the fact that the fools are going to let Stallworth go. My brain hurts from thinking about them giving him away for nothing.

We knew Hood and Lewis were gone.

Garcia said he;s testing the FA market.

McDougle and Jones should have been cut before they went wheels up at the N'awlins airport.

The Trotter thing has started up and it's snowballing. Eckel was the first to say this. FWIW Gargano said the other day that Trot is going nowhere. We know he's not only plugged in with Trotter from doing the show but he's got Heckert in his ear too.

[Magical_Retard]

McCaffery with another WTF column...

Control freak Reid has created a crisis
Jack McCaffery, Times Sports Columnist
01/25/2007

Day One of the Andy Reid Era in Philadelphia, introductory press conference in a downtown ballroom, cameras everywhere, reporters interested, a franchise open to change. And a hint of what was to come. "We all want the same thing here," Reid said, before implying that the press should follow his rules and enjoy the ride to all football glory. In other words, he mistook Philadelphia then as he has mistaken it ever since for Green Bay, and since he never learned otherwise, now he has a crisis.

He has a crisis because he has one quarterback whom he has pummeled into sad timidity, softening him like a well-oiled catcher's mitt with years of needless protection, ridiculous diversion and relentless control. That would be Donovan McNabb, prone to injury and late-game stomach distress, interceptions at the worst of moments, weird humor and hair-trigger feelings. And the crisis began last week when, in a snapshot of the Reid-McNabb relationship, the head coach ordered the quarterback not to answer legitimate, responsible football questions in a reasonable, conventional setting -- and the quarterback retreated to his room, exactly as ordered, not allowed to say anything at the dinner table.

Reid also has the crisis because he has another quarterback who never submitted to control, generally speaks when he cares to speak and was willing to fly to Burbank, don an Eagles jersey and participate in a slapstick stunt for Jay Leno in which a Giants fan was flattened by a panel truck. That would be Jeff Garcia, prone to NFL survival, strong of personal sense and willing to embrace any football moment.

So where is the problem?

The problem is that once Reid misread his play chart and believed he could throw a blanket of camouflage leaves over the possibility of his worst fear -- a quarterback crisis -- the leaves began to smolder and there was no fire-extinguisher in sight. Having not learned anything since his Day One orders to the press were met with muffled laughs, Reid apparently didn't learn much, either, in whatever journalism program he may have taken at BYU. He never learned that cover-ups not only don't work, but encourage deeper digging.

In another situation, in another program, the two-headed quarterback monster would have been transformed by now into a lovable pet. In a 20-minute postseason press conference, ostensibly to provide a medical update concerning his surgically repaired knee, McNabb could have expressed delight at Garcia's success, thrust his fist to the sky and energized Eagles fans with the promise that he would return better than ever. At the worst, the Eagles would have two fine quarterbacks going forward, both with the same mission -- to put an end to the disgrace that is 0-since-1960. At best, McNabb's enthusiasm would have rendered Garcia's comedy trivial.

But by censoring McNabb, Reid only redirected the river of speculation. So once McNabb's thoughts were limited to his family members spraying damaging blogs, other voices began to peep. Some were underground, saying in printed reports that McNabb has been unhappy. Others -- like Brian Westbrook after a loss to the Saints in the playoffs -- openly, aggressively praised Garcia. Listen: "We have been saying that the whole time Jeff's been playing that he has brought that fire back and that competitiveness. He is a leader. Everybody has played better since Jeff has gotten in there and that is the true definition of a leader. When the guys can rally around Jeff and play better, you can't ask for much more."

That quote -- delivered downstairs in the Superdome, minutes after the Eagles season -- did not generate nearly enough attention. Read it again. And believe that it was said out loud, in front of plenty, with purpose.

That's where it is going -- and where Reid would like it to stop. There is a feeling in the clubhouse -- not a consensus, perhaps not even a plurality, but a feeling -- that the Birds would be fine with Garcia at quarterback. They means they would be fine without a $112,000,000 self-appointed "captain of the ship" with brittle bones and matching emotions. McNabb is still upset that 30 made-for-broadcast plants booed him at the draft. He nearly wept when Terrell Owens said something nice about Brett Favre. His camp even used the word "bittersweet" in connection with Garcia's success.

Now, this: An attempt at censorship, but resulting turmoil.

How will the Eagles respond? Well, they have had opportunities, beginning with Jeffrey Lurie's postseason press briefing in the locker room, to guarantee Garcia work. Instead, they punted. Now, Garcia wants to test the free-agent market. Just a guess, but once it is clear that McNabb is healthy, Andy's Media Army will begin to tout A.J. Feeley as the most capable backup since Harry Truman.

In the meantime, Reid will try to control everything he can. Indeed, it was interesting when Reid responded to questions about McNabb, the head coach sounded uncomfortable with the situation. The resulting headline: "Reid says he and McNabb still getting along well."

Reid says. Reid. Not McNabb. Reid says. And once he does, he expects everyone to accept that as truth and to keep marching.

Problem is, not everybody did on Day One. And a whole lot fewer are stomping that yard, all these unfulfilled promises later.

imagine if we went further into the playoffs or the superbowl? this is nothing, cause im sure we will get more articles like this but imagine...just imagine if we had gone further. 

[ice grillin you]

Nothing too earth shattering in there. I think we're all prepared for the fact that the fools are going to let Stallworth go. My brain hurts from thinking about them giving him away for nothing.

We knew Hood and Lewis were gone.

Garcia said he;s testing the FA market.

McDougle and Jones should have been cut before they went wheels up at the N'awlins airport.

The Trotter thing has started up and it's snowballing. Eckel was the first to say this. FWIW Gargano said the other day that Trot is going nowhere. We know he's not only plugged in with Trotter from doing the show but he's got Heckert in his ear too.


its not about whos leaving its about who coming/replacing them...perhaps you could go over that list with us with the same vigor

[PhillyPhreak54]

No thanks. I don't have the energy to even think about it.

[Diomedes]

This is one of the most depressing threads in a long time.  I think I may take the advice to stay away from the news.

[ice grillin you]

want some more dio?


Linebacker? U must be kidding
Birds unlikely to pick PSU LB in 1st round
By BERNARD FERNANDEZ
fernanb@phillynews.com

MOBILE, Ala. - Former Eagles linebacker John Bunt-ing was marveling at one of those little factoids that can make Senior Bowl week so interesting, and it isn't that almost every player here was measured shorter than they were listed by their respective universities.

Bunting, who is networking the coaching community after being fired by North Carolina, expressed incredulity that the Eagles have gone nearly three decades without drafting a linebacker in the first round. The last time the Eagles spent a No. 1 on a linebacker was in 1979, when they took UCLA's Jerry Robinson with the 21st overall pick.

"I can't say I follow the Eagles that closely anymore, but it is kind of amazing that they've gone almost three decades without taking a linebacker in the first round," said Bunting, an Eagle from 1972 to '82. "Their mind-set seems to be that they can just go out and find a linebacker that can play. Doesn't matter whether it's a free agent or someone from a lower round of the draft, they'll get him ready to play somehow, some way.

"And besides," Bunting reasoned, "there's not a lot of [Brian] Urlachers coming along."

No other NFL team has resisted taking a linebacker with its top pick as long as the Eagles.

Although several NFL analysts believe linebacker is a critical area the Eagles need to address soon, and several very appealing players at that position could be available when the team picks 26th in the first round on April 28, it appears that Robinson's status as one of the rarest of Birds is safe for at least another year.

The highest-rated linebackers here, on many teams' boards, are Penn State's Paul Posluszny and Ole Miss' Patrick Willis.

Eagles general manager Tom Heckert, who is here with head coach Andy Reid, team president Joe Banner and a phalanx of midnight green-clad scouts to inspect the prime beef, indicated that linebacker "probably is not a major priority for us right now."

"We kept eight [linebackers] throughout most of the year," Heckert said. "We have a lot of young players there with Omar [Gaither], Matt McCoy and Chris Gocong, and we're interested in seeing how [special-teams player] Tank Daniels develops."

Heckert identified the secondary, always at or near the front of Reid's to-do list, along with the offensive and defensive lines, as an area of more immediate concern. Free safety Brian Dawkins is headed to another Pro Bowl, but he is 33 and is going to start slowing down one of these days. Valued backup safety Quintin Mikell and nickel back Rod Hood are free agents who could bolt to teams offering starting jobs and higher salaries.

"It is true that we want to build on our offensive and defensive lines and on the corners," Heckert acknowledged. "We think that the chances on hitting on those guys later in the draft aren't very good, so if a good one's there, you'd better take him early.

"Our philosophy is that we can find linebackers and safeties a bit further down the line."

Given the Eagles' run of mostly sustained excellence since Reid was hired on Jan. 11, 1999, it's difficult to argue with the agenda he and Heckert have crafted. Big Red is nothing if not resolute, and a sign behind his big desk at the Nova-Care Center is inscribed with these words from Charles Lindbergh: "The important thing is to have a plan, and then to follow it step by step no matter how small or large each one by itself may seem."

But Mike Mayock, an analyst for the NFL Network and a regular contributor to Comcast SportsNet's "Daily News Live," believes at least one aspect of that etched-in-stone plan to be flawed. Mayock noted that middle linebacker Jeremiah Trotter is 30, that his creaky knees no longer allow him to be an every-down player. He also is aware that McCoy is undersized and got pushed around a lot last season before being replaced by Gaither, and that Gocong, who had an incredible 41 sacks as a defensive end at Cal Poly his last two seasons, has yet to play a down as an NFL linebacker after spending his rookie year on injured reserve.

Starting outside linebacker Dhani Jones almost certainly will not be retained and another veteran, Shawn Barber, also is a longshot to return.

"Since Andy's been in Philadelphia, he's believed that he could get - I don't want to say 'get by' - what he needs at linebacker from the free-agent pool," Mayock said. "For the most part he's used his high draft choices on offensive and defensive linemen. He's never really believed that you need to spend a high pick on a linebacker.

"But when I look around the NFL today, I see a lot of playmaking linebackers. The Eagles don't have any of them. To me, the Eagles need to upgrade that position with youth and talent."

Mayock believes Posluszny or Willis, or maybe even both, might be there when the Eagles' turn to pick comes up.

"I'm a big believer in value, wherever you're drafting," he said. "What's the best value you can get for your team? I think Posluszny and Willis are kind of borderline, mid- to late-first-round guys.

"Look, I love Posluszny, but there are mixed opinions about him in the scouting community. Some people have him as a second-rounder or even a third-rounder. I happen to think he's a first-rounder, but maybe more toward the back of Round 1. So, yeah, I think he'll be there when the Eagles draft.

"Willis is a little bit different. He's more of an inside 'backer whereas Posluszny is likely to play on the outside. And because Willis is not really a three-down linebacker, there's also a good chance he'll be there toward the end of the first round."

Can Posluszny, who has been called the "best linebacker ever to play at Penn State" by Jack Ham - the Nittany Lions linebacking great who earned four Super Bowl rings with the Steelers - become as dominant as Chicago's Urlacher or San Diego's Shawne Merriman? Can Willis, who was in on 137 tackles for Ole Miss and won the Butkus Award as the nation's top linebacker while Posluszny won his second Bednarik Award as the top defensive player? Only time will tell, but each has received strong reviews while here.

"I hear the thunder when he's out there,'' Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Jon Gruden, the North team's head coach, said of Posluszny. "I turn around and it's No. 31, knocking somebody sideways in the hole. All I know is that this guy will hit you hard and hit you often.

"Hopefully, he's there for us at some point and we can add him to our team. I like him a lot."

Chris Mortenson, an NFL analyst for ESPN, feels just as strongly about Willis.

"An absolute stud," Mortenson said. "I know Andy's philosophy, and it's worked very well. But linebacker is an area he's going to have to address at some point. If they have a chance at Patrick Willis, I don't know why they wouldn't jump at him."

Heckert notes that the Eagles have drafted linebackers in early rounds during the Reid era - Barry Gardner in the second round in 1999, Quintin Caver in the second round in 2001, McCoy in the second round in 2005, Gocong in the third round and Gaither the fifth round in 2006. For the most part, serviceable players at best.

Heckert also might have pointed out that the Baltimore Ravens hit the linebacker jackpot when they drafted future Hall of Famer Ray Lewis with, yes, the 26th pick in the 1996 draft.

"You never say never," Heckert said of the chances the Eagles will take a linebacker in the first round of the draft for the first time since the Carter administration. "In football, anything is possible."

[Diomedes]

want some more dio?

Yeah baby, shtein on me!  Piss on me!!  Stab my balls!!