William Thomas

[Munson]

So he seems to be working pretty hard, I saw the interview with him on CSN a couple nights ago...

So here's the question...if either Todd Herremans or Winston Justice have a REALLY strong pre-season....are they going to trade Thomas, regardless of what kind of pre-season he has? And if they do, what can they get for him in terms of draft picks?

I don't like the idea of moving Todd inside to guard, especially when we have another young guy in Jean-Gilles trying to break the line-up...But I'd hate to move him into guard and then have to move him back out to tackle in two or three years...Unfortunatley, that looks like what they're gonna do....

Thoughts?

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

No.  He's the LT this year as long as he stays healthy.

[Munson]

Oops, forgot to post what I think.

I've liked "William" since he's been here....but I'm really excited about the young guys, and the potential we have to have a young, yet good line in the next couple of years. I gotta say that if eitheer Todd or Justice show they can/should start at some point this year, before week 6 obviously.....They should trade Thomas, or at least shop him and see what they can get.

Of course, I know the most likely senario is that neither show that htey are ready to protect McNabb's blindside yet....but we will see.

[DH]

William Thomas is one of my all-time favorite Eagles. He was the heart on the defense in the 90's.

Tra's OK too.

[SidFarkus]

Oops, forgot to post what I think.

I've liked "William" since he's been here....but I'm really excited about the young guys, and the potential we have to have a young, yet good line in the next couple of years. I gotta say that if eitheer Todd or Justice show they can/should start at some point this year, before week 6 obviously.....They should trade Thomas, or at least shop him and see what they can get.

Of course, I know the most likely senario is that neither show that htey are ready to protect McNabb's blindside yet....but we will see.

What on earth is someone going to give you in week 6 for him? This isn't the NHL.

[Munson]

I didn't say that it was likely that would happen

Infact, the only way he'd be traded in the midddle of the season would be if someone's star LT was lost for the season (or more) in the first couple weeks....and even then it's still unlikely.

[bobbyinlondon]

No.  He's the LT this year as long as he stays healthy.

http:www.nj.com/eagles

story by John Nalbone on Winston Justice has this bit of information--

"Thomas will be 32 in November and is coming off back surgery. Although the team is hoping he will be ready to start Sept. 10 against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium, others that have seen Thomas work out are not as optimistic."

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

Sounds like a second-rate beat writer trying to make a contentious story out of nothing.  He also mentions that getting Justice signed will be very difficult, not coincidentally:

Justice is working at left tackle, where William "Don't Call Me Tra" Thomas has been a mainstay protecting the blindside of five-time Pro Bowl quarterback Donovan McNabb and others for nearly a decade.

Thomas will be 32 in November and is coming off back surgery. Although the team is hoping he will be ready to start Sept. 10 against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium, others that have seen Thomas work out are not as optimistic.

Even if Thomas is healthy, the Eagles may not want to fork over good money only to have Justice ride the bench all season. That price tag, by the way, may ultimately come in higher than expected after all the internal back-slapping the front office did April 29 and the public pronouncement that they felt they landed a bona fide first-rounder in Justice.

[Beermonkey]

Sounds like a second-rate beat writer trying to make a contentious story out of nothing.  He also mentions that getting Justice signed will be very difficult, not coincidentally

Eckel's must be whispering into his little minion's ears, as he needs to keep the anti-FO sentiment going, now that he's no longer the main beat writer. I have noticed some passive animosity towards the FO in some other recent articles from them:

Not much reading between the lines was needed to see that holes remained in his game. Moats still was not up to necessary speed as a pass protector or a pass catcher, which is essential in the pass-happy version of the West Coast offense that the Eagles will continue to run despite recent hints to the contrary by head coach Andy Reid.