The 2007 Offseason Thread

[shorebird]

Whatever you say about McNabb, whatever label or spin, injury prone or not injury prone, we will be lucky if he makes it through this season without getting hurt. Thats just my opinion. I hope I'm wrong.

[Rome]

Ex-Eagle Thomas joins La Salle staff

By the Inquirer Staff

William Thomas, six years past his NFL playing days, will join the coaching staff at La Salle University.

Thomas, a two-time Pro Bowl linebacker, spent 10 years in the NFL with the Eagles and Oakland Raiders, recording 37 sacks and 27 interceptions. He retired after the 2001 season.

"William wanted to get into coaching and we had an opportunity, so it worked out well for him to begin his coaching career [here] and for us to have a guy with his experience and knowledge," Explorers coach Tim Miller said yesterday. "I think our players will really value his input."

La Salle finished 3-7 last year and was outscored by more than 10 points per game.

Thomas, 38, will coach the linebackers with Terence Archer.

His experience in coaching is limited to his memories of his days in the NFL.

"I always saw the coaches staying the night and not going home, burning the midnight oil," he said.

Now he's joining the club.

Willie T!

[Geowhizzer]

Whatever you say about McNabb, whatever label or spin, injury prone or not injury prone, we will be lucky if he makes it through this season without getting hurt. Thats just my opinion. I hope I'm wrong.

Pretty much sums it up. 

And for those who bank on McNabb's ability to "bounce back" from injuries, remember two things:

1.  This is the most serious injury McNabb's had, in terms of his career.
2.  McNabb turns 30 this season.  It's a lot harder to bounck back once that front number turns.  I found this out the hard way.  Feva's finding this out right... about... now. 

Like Shorbird, and like all Eagles fans (even IGY, I think), I hope I'm wrong.  I want McNabb to come back strong, play 19 games, and win the MVP and the Lombardi Trophy.  But if Vegas were to put the over/under for McNabb's games played at 12, there would be a lot of people betting the under.  Especially since he hasn't hit the over since the Super Bowl season.

[BigEd76]

-- Banner was on WIP and says that the last 3 unsigned picks should be done before camp on Friday

-- Didinger thinks that if the Eagles haven't extended LJ Smith by now, it doesn't appear that they're going to

[General_Failure]

Ray's really going out on a limb there.

[ice grillin you]

really

[Feva]

What I don't get about that is that LJ's been a solid, if not spectacular TE since he's been here.  Why does he have to fight so hard for an extension, yet guys like Patterson, who's been aiiight... got extended 2 weeks after signing his rookie deal?

[Rome]

Smith is obviously looking for a lot more than the Eagles are willing to spend on a tight end.  There's no other explanation.

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

Schobel + Celek = win

[ice grillin you]

What I don't get about that is that LJ's been a solid, if not spectacular TE since he's been here.  Why does he have to fight so hard for an extension, yet guys like Patterson, who's been aiiight... got extended 2 weeks after signing his rookie deal?

like romey said money and also he plays offense and isnt a lineman...andy is a 100% system guy when it come to offense...he believes that you build an offensive line and you can pretty much put me and you around it and theyll be successful

[Seabiscuit36]

Eskin said last night that he thinks Kolb will be signed by friday.  Beck just signed with the Fins, so that should set the bar

FINS BAG BECK

John Clayton of ESPN.com reports that the Miami Dolphins have agreed to terms with quarterback John Beck, the team's second-round pick in the 2007 draft.

Beck, a former BYU quarterback, saw his stock rise significantly in the run-up to the draft.  Some teams had him rated as the best overall quarterback.  Others regard him as a good player whose studious-to-the-point-of-nerdy demeanor might not mesh well with the modern pro athlete.

The Fins liked him enough to pass on Brady Quinn with the No. 9 overall pick.

Clayton reports that Beck signed "a three-year deal and an option."  We're not sure what that means, frankly.  It sounds like there's a provision that allows the Fins to pay Beck some additional money in exchange for picking up the fourth year of the deal.  Under the CBA, the maximum duration of contracts for second-round picks is four years.

The distinction between three and four years is critical.  After three years, a player is eligible for restricted free agency. 

Beck is due to receive $2.25 million in guaranteed money.

[methdeez]

Football Outsiders review of the Eags line:

7. Philadelphia Eagles (16) Shawn Andrews is the league's best guard, and he makes a huge difference to Brian Westbrook and the rest of the running game. The other guard, Todd Herremans, is probably the weakest point on the Eagles' line, but he is strong in blocking straight ahead. Jamaal Jackson, a 330-pound center, showed a lot of promise in 2006, his first full season as a starter.

Left tackle William Thomas and right tackle Jon Runyan are smart, experienced players who are tasked with the extremely important — and challenging — job of keeping Donovan McNabb upright. The Eagles have great young talent in backups Winston Justice and Max Jean-Gilles, although there have been concerns about work ethic for both.

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/7036746

The use some interesting stats to judge line performance.

[PhillyPhreak54]

The reason LJ doesn't have a deal is because the salaries of TEs have skyrocketed. Look no further than Visanthe Shiancoe - he has 35 receptions in 4 years and got himself 5-$18.5M-$7.5M SB from the Vikings.

Daniel Graham got 5yrs $30M and $15M guaranteed from Denver. When you compare his numbers to LJ's they are about the same. Except LJ has more catches and yards despite being in the league one year less.

Smith has said in the media how other TEs are getting crazy money so unless the Eagles go above and beyond Graham's deal, they will let him walk.

[rjs246]

If Chad Lewis can do well in this offense, anyone can do well in this offense. That dude couldn't outrun my meatcicle.

[Rome]

He couldn't outrun your dick?

What??