eagles franchise LJ

[Rome]

I don't hate L.J.  I just don't think he's worth a lucrative long-term deal.  I have no problem with them tagging his ass at all.  In fact, if they tag him for the next five years, I'd be fine with it.  I actually like the move very much but if another team falls in love with him and signs him to an offer sheet that would require them to give up a high draft pick or more, I'd have no problem with the Eagles taking the draft picks.

L.J. is what he is... he's a decent player that hasn't done much right or wrong in his time in Philly.  His best season was a 650 yard effort with 60 catches.  That doesn't scream "franchise player" to me.  Not at all.

[SunMo]

romey, that doesn't make sense, if you don't think he's a franchise player, why would you be ok with giving him the average of the top 5 TE salaries for the next 5 years?

forget the change of getting picks for him, that rarely happens, the franchise tag is basically a big "hands off" to the rest of the league.  if you are going to tag him the next 5 years, just give him a deal with a decent bonus and spread it out over the deal.

[mussa]

Let's settle this like men over a game of Tecmo

as long as we're spooning and eating provolone cheese

[The BIGSTUD]

Good move I guess. No one out there better.

[ice grillin you]

No.  A healthy LJ is more better than a 2nd round pick.

yeah the hate (or maybe dislike is a more apt description) is a little to strong towards lj for my liking...id be more than happy to resign him long term at fair money

Without a doubt.  I don't hate him either but he hasn't come close to living up to his potential either and his fumbles drive me insane.  That said, TE's of his ability are still hard to come by so I'm all for the Eagles keeping him until a better option presents itself. 

im not sure what his potential was...he wasnt a top ten pick...he was supposed to be a good pass catching te and other than last year thats exactly what hes been...hes never going to be antonio gates especially in this offense where they spread the ball around so much

[Rome]

romey, that doesn't make sense, if you don't think he's a franchise player, why would you be ok with giving him the average of the top 5 TE salaries for the next 5 years?

forget the change of getting picks for him, that rarely happens, the franchise tag is basically a big "hands off" to the rest of the league.  if you are going to tag him the next 5 years, just give him a deal with a decent bonus and spread it out over the deal.

I don't mind paying him on a year to year basis.  I do mind giving him a longterm extension because his production hasn't warranted one.

Like I said, I do think he has ability, just not the sort of ability that warrants a huge signing bonus plus a string of years that would tie the Eagles to him.

[Feva]

No.  A healthy LJ is more better than a 2nd round pick.

yeah the hate (or maybe dislike is a more apt description) is a little to strong towards lj for my liking...id be more than happy to resign him long term at fair money

I agree.  While LJ hasn't been spectacular... he's been better than what people really give him credit for.  Also, the fumble reputation is a little unwarranted as well.  I think it's more that he fumbled in high-profile situations (against MIN that Freddie caught, the SB), more than the amount of fumbles.

He's been a decent TE (a playmaker at times) who can stretch the field and get YAC when he's hit in stride.  Got no problems if he was signed long-term.

[ice grillin you]

Also, the fumble reputation is a little unwarranted as well.  I think it's more that he fumbled in high-profile situations (against MIN that Freddie caught, the SB), more than the amount of fumbles.

absolutey the problem is ridiculously overrated....something that also contributes to the perception that hes a terrible fumbler is that they happened in a small window of time (ie the 2004 playoffs) which always accentuates the problem

i would bet he doesnt have more than 5 career fumbles total...no idea how many hes lost

[PhillyGirl]

I also agree with the fumble thing...I've always said that its ridiculous to consider him to have a fumble problem.

He's lost 2 total fumbles in his career. 3 fumbles, 2 lost.

[Feva]

He's lost 2 total fumbles in his career. 3 fumbles, 2 lost.

That makes him a regular Tiki Barber, doesn't it?

Another thing about the LJ perception... I think he got off on the wrong foot his rookie year with that "dropped" pass in the end zone against Tampa... and people got down on him from the start.  It was a much tougher catch than people want to admit to.  It's not like Neckbeard hit him between the numbers.

[ice grillin you]

just looked it up and to be fair those are his regular season stats...he has two post season fumbles losing one...but still its not a huge problem and definitely isnt a reason to get rid of him

[Seabiscuit36]

I heard LJ fumbles the ball a lot

[Sgt PSN]

No.  A healthy LJ is more better than a 2nd round pick.

yeah the hate (or maybe dislike is a more apt description) is a little to strong towards lj for my liking...id be more than happy to resign him long term at fair money

Without a doubt.  I don't hate him either but he hasn't come close to living up to his potential either and his fumbles drive me insane.  That said, TE's of his ability are still hard to come by so I'm all for the Eagles keeping him until a better option presents itself. 

im not sure what his potential was...he wasnt a top ten pick...he was supposed to be a good pass catching te and other than last year thats exactly what hes been...hes never going to be antonio gates especially in this offense where they spread the ball around so much

No, he wasn't a #1 pick but coming out of college, the reports on him was that he was athletic, had great hands and would really be able to stretch the field, especially down the seam.  I've seen flashes of that over the last few years but I haven't seen it with any sort of consistancy.  His pass and run blocking, while it has improved over the years, is still subpar with what you'd like to get out of your starting TE.  

Another thing about the LJ perception... I think he got off on the wrong foot his rookie year with that "dropped" pass in the end zone against Tampa... and people got down on him from the start.  It was a much tougher catch than people want to admit to.  It's not like Neckbeard hit him between the numbers.

I know I wasn't really mad at him for that.  Maybe I'm in the minority but I never felt LJ should get much blame for that play.  It wasn't a great pass like you mentioned and I thought it was dumb of Reid to put him in that position in the first place.  Sorry, but I don't think you take a rookie in his first pro game and make him the go to guy on a gadget play.  Not to mention the fact that as the Eagles were lining up for the FG I was saying to my buddies watching the game with me that it would be a fake.  I'm sure I wasn't the only one who saw that coming. 


Like I said earlier, I like the dude and wouldn't mind seeing him ink a long term deal.  But he's one player I absolutely would not over pay to keep, and playing under the franchise tag salary is over paying him.....a lot. 

[troyhstewart]

I have never hidden the fact that I think LJ is overrated.  But there is nothing better in the FA market, so the franchise tag is a smart move. I hope he signs the one year tender and the team doesn't stop looking for the future at TE.

[Father Demon]

Man.

CF luvs them sum LJ.