The observation thread

[ice grillin you]

They aren't getting a receiver in this draft that will make an impact on offense. There just aren't any players with that sort of talent coming out. Receiver is going to have to come in free agency if anywhere.

im not talking about the draft or free agency im talking about the offseason as a whole...player aquisitions by whatever method they may be

btw there are talented wr's in this draft...the reason they cant count on a wr out of the draft to help them next year is because very few rookie wr's make a big impact period...the anquan boldins of the world are few and far between...shtein look at calvin johnson who is the second coming he had a great rookie year but wasnt a difference maker

[Sgt PSN]

It was so frustrating watching teams convert on third down the last couple of years.

A little FYI.....

The Eagles rank 13th in the NFL on Defensive 3rd downs, allowing 38.4% to convert to 1st downs.  That's better than Jax, Pitt, SD, Minn, Tenn and Ind. 

As for the lack of turnovers, this defense kind of reminds me of the defense back in 98.  It was a good defense that was relatively young and was just starting to come together.  Obviously Dawk is the only remaining player from that team and he's not so young anymore.  But Taylor and Vincent were both in their primes just as Tito and Sheldon are in theirs.  Kearse and Spikes are the only other players on this defense that are "old."  Every other position is relatively young and there is a lot of promise at most positions.  DT is locked.  RDE is locked.  CB is locked.  Kearse should be gone this year so do the Eagles make Juqua the f/t starter or do they bring someone else in?  (Jared Allen's a FA)  I think Spikes will be fine for another 2 or 3 years and Gaither and Gocong are improving. 

Dawk only has maybe 2 good years left so the Eagles need to either draft his replacement now or draft a SS and make Mikell the eventual heir to Dawk's throne.  Point is, I see a lot of potential for this defense for the next 5-7 years and if they are able to make just one solid defensive draft pick and 1 solid FA pick up in the offseason then I think this will be a top tier d again next year. 

[ice grillin you]

for the now: i like juqua but hes not a starter...they need another edge rusher...and they need a big time playmaker at any of the linebacker positions...if they did nothing else in the offseason i would be happy with this


for the future: i completely agree on the safety...draft one or even two and hope one of them becomes your future starter...no one better to learn under than dawk

of course they drafted a safety last year and he couldnt even make the team so this is easier said than done

[rjs246]

I agree that Juqua's not a starter, but I don't know that this team needs a 'big time play-maker' at linebacker. It would be nice, but if they have play makers elsewhere I don't think they NEED beastly linebackers. You can't have all-stars at every position and I think that some combination of Spikes, Gocong, Bradley and Gaither will be stout against the run and athletic enough to contribute against the pass.

I could be wrong and the linebackers could absolutely suck next year, but I would rather take care of DE and safety than worry about the linebackers since the young guys have shown improvement this year.

[troyhstewart]

Bradley made more plays last week than Spikes made in 14 games. 

I like Juqua, but he's not going to hold up for 40 snaps a game.

DE
TE
WR
CB
S

I like the young LBs, including Gocong. They seem to have turned around their track record at drafting LBs. They probably should draft 1 or 2 more for STs next year.

[ice grillin you]

I agree that Juqua's not a starter, but I don't know that this team needs a 'big time play-maker' at linebacker. It would be nice, but if they have play makers elsewhere I don't think they NEED beastly linebackers. You can't have all-stars at every position and I think that some combination of Spikes, Gocong, Bradley and Gaither will be stout against the run and athletic enough to contribute against the pass.

I could be wrong and the linebackers could absolutely suck next year, but I would rather take care of DE and safety than worry about the linebackers since the young guys have shown improvement this year.

what improvement from the young guys?...gaither was exactly what he was last year and gocong improved from what exactly...from not playing at all?...i guess so

sacks - 2
int - 1
force fumble - ZERO
fumble recovery - ZERO

those numbers wouldnt be the greatest for any one linebacker...that was the eagle starting linebacker totals going into new orleans

in other words stewart bradley just about had a better NO game than the other three linebackes have had seasons

turnovers are gigantic in the nfl...these linebackers produce next to nothing in that dept...thats is not good enough not even close...gocong specifically cannot get to the ball...he either gets bodied by a blocker or is way out of position...it happened uncountable numbers of times this year...it was his first season and hopefully hell prove me wrong but i just dont see how he can be a linebacker at this level...

however im willing to put up with him if they can get a big time plamaker at one of the other spots...no one is asking for three pro bowlers...but jesus no forced fumbles or fumble recoveries from a linebacker this year?...has that ever happened in the history of the league?

[rjs246]

I get your frustration, and those numbers are atrocious, but this defense has played well this year with three brand new linebackers starting. Gocong has shown more rush off of the edge as the year has progressed. Gaither is Gaither, not spectacular but solid. Spikes did nothing and may be done. Bradley looks promising in extremely limited action. While none of them did anything huge this season, there were good enough to help the defense perform at a pretty high level.

Anyway, like I said, I'm not married to this group but I think there are other more pressing concerns.

[ice grillin you]

its an 8-8 (or possibly a little better with more pts from the offense) defense

i want a superbowl defense

[Diomedes]

that's the equivalent of asking for a pro bowler at all three lb slots.

an 8 and 8 D coupled with an 8 and 8 O means 10 wins and playoffs...

[ice grillin you]

that's the equivalent of asking for a pro bowler at all three lb slots.

what are you talking about...has any superbowl defense ever had that?...you really need to raise your expectations if you want a title....this linebacking corps aint gonna do it

see tampas new englands and pittsburghs defenses for recent examples of what im talking about...no one is asking for the 01 ravens

an 8 and 8 D coupled with an 8 and 8 O means 10 wins and playoffs...

yippie!!

10 wins and another playoff bounce...fun times

[Rome]

The Eagles won't lose anyone of significance this offseason so it stands to reason that they can only get better with new acquisitions.  In order of importance I'd go like this either through the draft or free agency:

1. Defensive End (They need an every down starter there.  Cole's great but they have no one opposite him who isn't a situational guy.  This is a huge priority.)

1a. Safety (Probably the biggest need on the team.  They have no one at SS who is capable of starting and Dawkins is nearing the end of the trail.  We might end up seeing a replay of the 2002 draft with both positions being filled early in the draft.  If not, then they have to address it in free agency.  They really have no other choice.)

2. Receiver (I like Curtis and Brown but neither of them is a true #1.  They need a guy who will draw double teams on every play yet still be able to break down defenses and create his own opportunities.  Sign a guy like that and Curtis/Brown become excellent additional pieces instead of guys they rely on every week.)

3. Tight End (Another huge concern.  Celek might be the next Mark Bavaro but he doesn't look like it to me.  I doubt the Eagles will do anything here because they're pigheaded about the position.  If they weren't then L.J. would have been a no-brainer to resign.)

4. Cornerback (Joselio Hanson is their #3 corner.  That's not gonna cut it especially against teams like the Patriots who have four guys who can beat your ass at the WR position let alone teams they play in the NFC East.  Even if Lito comes back at full strength, they still need someone over there other than Sheldon who is capable of starting every week.  Maybe they go after someone in free agency and maybe they don't.  I don't know.  Good cornerbacks are certainly available every year in the draft but game changers rarely are.  I think free agency is the way to go here but we all know how the Eagles are in free agency.)

5. Linebacker (Is Gocong, Gaither & Bradley a linebacking corps you can count on for the next 5 years?  I don't know about that.  Getting more size and speed at the position couldn't hurt, though.)


Here's hoping the Eagles actually take a solid look at the talent they have on the squad.  They do have talent but when you look at the New Englands of the NFL, it's obvious they're sorely lacking all over the team.  They have an opportunity to get a lot better this year.  They have a decent amount of cap space (not a huge amount but some) and they have a ton of draft picks. 

[mussa]

id like to see them get bernard berrian. seems like he has all the talent, speed and hands. when rex was on, he was making some great catches and is a deep threat. thats the only receiver on the list id take. well of course moss, but thats not happening

[ice grillin you]

The Eagles won't lose anyone of significance this offseason so it stands to reason that they can only get better with new acquisitions.  In order of importance I'd go like this either through the draft or free agency:

this is an excellent point and must be remembered...i know they didnt make the playoffs but the eagles are in a position much like the phillies were at the end of the baseball season...not that far away but also missing a couple crucial pieces...

hopefully unlike the phillies the eagles will take a couple huge steps to address those need areas because if they do than can win a superbowl next year

a #1 wr and a couple front seven playmakers and i put the eagles up there with just about anyone other than NE (assuming mcnabb comes back)

[mussa]

6. OT - Runyan and Thomas are no spring chickens. Justice needs to work hard to prove he's legit. We need a good back-up plan for OT cause right now we're thin and relying on old vets to hold up another season. Runyan I think is fine, he's as hard as steel, but Thomas I don't think has too much left in the tank.

The team needs alot of work and it ain't going to all come together by next year. As zesty as it is...this team is in dire need of remodeling and is along way from getting back to top form. First its Reid...he needs to go. Then its the players...the Spikes and the Kearses need to go...no more washed up vets on their last legs. Next year will be THE year for McNabb. He should be 100%. If they get him some more weapons then there should be no excuses. If he's healthy and still struggling...its time for him to go. We can't judge him too much on his performance this year. I was ready to dump him mid year, but he turned things around here at the end and showed signs that he's not done...he was just not 100% this year plain and simple.

[mussa]

thinking the eagles could win a super bowl with the current coaches and gameplan, even with these playmakers they won't get is fargin comedic

reid has proved one thing and that one thing is the most fundamental part of the game. its time management. he's completly clueless and he's not going to beat the indy's, the pats or any of the better AFC teams with the team he has and the offense he runs. this pass happy shtein ain't cuttin it...not with mcnabb, not with reggie brown...not even with curtis....they need a legit receiver, they need a legit TE, they need a freakin commitment to the run to take pressure off McNabb. they need a consistent, clock controlling offense and a dominating defense. we're not even close