The Eagles Offseason Thread(all aboard the Brian Finneran bandwagon)

[methdeez]

Ha!  Yes.  If James Thrash makes you his bitch it's time to start seriously thinking about retiring.  Or killing yourself, whatever.

Unfortunately this maxim should apply to Jimmy Johnson as well.

Although I don't think he needs to seriously think about killing himself.

I think if he stops seriously thinking about breathing then that will be lights out.

[Philly Crew]

This guy is hilarious:

"After a week with no free agent visits, the Bills again fired up their airport shuttle welcoming Philadelphia free agent cornerback William James to One Bills Drive.
James enjoyed his visit and left Buffalo with the same impression that he had upon his arrival.

"I was excited about the opportunity. I got to meet coach Jauron today and talked with him a little bit," said James. "I'm leaving with the impression that I'm still excited about the opportunity. I've got to play with some things in my head, but I'm excited to be here."

It's no secret the Bills need to refortify the cornerback position after the free agent loss of veteran Jason Webster, who signed with New England, and the release of Kiwaukee Thomas. Buffalo currently has just four cornerbacks on the roster in Dustin Fox, Jabari Greer, Terrence McGee and Ashton Youboty.

James, a seven-year veteran, has spent his entire career in the NFC East playing for the Eagles and Giants, the team that made him a third-round pick back in 2001.

The 28-year old has accumulated 45 starts in his career with all but six coming in his time with the Giants where he earned a starting job. Despite suffering a stress fracture in his lower back in 2003, James started 15 games in 2004 for New York, but the back injury would resurface as he appeared in just two games in 2005.

In the 2006 offseason the Giants released him due to the recurring back problems. Philadelphia however, signed him in the middle of the 2006 season after he passed a team physical and he appeared in three games that season for the Eagles.

Last season James played in 14 games with six starts for Philadelphia as he started in place of injured starter Lito Sheppard. He feels he has put to rest any lingering concerns around the league about his back problems.

"The most important thing is I proved that to myself," said James. "When I was going out there after my first back injury when I was out on the field I was still feeling things in my back not knowing what it was.

"After I was able to rehab for a year and get back on my feet and being out on that field I didn't know if I'd be able to commit to being on a team for a number of years. But I became sure of those things once I was able to hit somebody and get up and not feel anything. I was able to play four or five games (in 2006) without any pain and then a second season without any pain. So I'm very happy that that situation is behind me and I look forward to moving on."

James served mainly as the Eagles' nickel corner behind Sheppard and Sheldon Brown, but was used on the outside in that package.

At 6'0" and almost 200 pounds James is capable of matching up with the league's bigger receivers, and Buffalo's cornerback contingent lacks height which at times made defending the red zone difficult. The Bills ranked 29th against the pass last season.

Facing the likes of tall wideouts like Plaxico Burress, Terrell Owens and Randy Moss over the years has given James a certain degree of comfort with such matchups.

"I've always been considered one of the most physical corners in the NFL and not just because of my size, but because of my aggressive nature," said James. "I like to press a lot so I like to get up there and be physical one-on-one with receivers. I've proven I can handle that. Being six-foot and 197 has a lot to do with that."
James works best in man coverage and is known as a good tackler. He was encouraged by what he heard from Bills defensive coordinator Perry Fewell about Buffalo's scheme.

"I like the philosophy of the defense," he said. "Even watching the film I see guys in this defense getting up there in the receiver's face and I know the philosophy behind this defense is aggressive in nature. That's what I do. I'm a physical corner."

If signed he would likely compete with Jabari Greer for the starting right cornerback job. Becoming an entrenched starter in the league again is something James has been shooting for since his setback with back problems three years ago.

"I had to come off an injury situation going into Philly, so I was the nickel my first year there and last year I had the opportunity to start six games," said James. "That got me back on track to being a permanent starter and I feel like I'm one of the better cornerbacks in the NFL and I aim to prove that. Whatever situation I put myself in I'll be aiming to start."
Whether Buffalo is the place where that quest continues is still up in the air.

"I like where the whole organization is headed. It's going to be one of those things where if it works out I would definitely consider being here," James said of Buffalo. "It's not too far from where I make my home base which is in New York City. It's a good opportunity and it's a good fit and we'll see what happens."

I may have missed it but where is the Lee Evans talk stemming from? Buffalo is in need of a CB, the Eagles are in need of a WR. Does that swap make to much sense or is it just me?

The niners just signed Bryant Johnson, who visited the Bills.  The thought was if the Bills got BJ (ha!), then they could afford to trade Evans for Lito.  Now that is dead and I would guess all chances the Eagles trade for a WR.

[ice grillin you]

they need to contract the bills franchise....everything about it is a joke

[Rome]

I guess we can forget about an upgrade to the receiver position.

Focus On The Team, Not A Single Position

The vast majority of you understand how much has been accomplished in the offseason to date for the Eagles. To go out and get two free agents on the opening days of the market, to sign what everyone said was the cream of the free-agent crop (Asante Samuel) and then to come back a day later and ink a player (Chris Clemons) who (one industry analyst, ESPN's John Clayton, told me "is the steal of all of free agency") is impressive.

There is more to come, for sure. The Eagles continue to engage in trade talks. They continue to explore ways to manipulate the roster and improve everywhere they can.

Most of you get that.

There are a few of you, however, who need to take a step back and stop the hysteria about the wide receiver position. It has been suggested in some circles, albeit a vocal minority I believe, that believe the Eagles "don't have a chance" (and I'm quoting off the Discussion Boards) should they not land an ""impact"" wide receiver at some point between now and September.

This is total, utter nonsense.

While the Eagles have demonstrated a willingness to pursue a hot-shot wide receiver in this offseason – Randy Moss, for instance – and have never been shy about addressing the position, the true, honest-to-goodness fact is that it is not the top-of-the-line priority for this team, and nor should it be.

This is a very fine team the Eagles have put together, one that I believe underachieved last season, one that comes back virtually intact plus the additions of Samuel and Clemons to a defense malnourished last year in the feast of turnovers, one that has a few key players healthy now after battling injuries last year, one that still has a cache of draft picks, some room to work with under the salary cap and one that has a whole lot of motivation to get to the peak.

To suggest that the Eagles ""don't have a chance,"" is plain stupid. It's ignorant of the basic tenet of the NFL, that every team truly has a shot, and it's contrary to the honest evaluation of the top-to-bottom roster this team has put together.

I mean, the hysteria is just out of hand for me. I understand you all want to bring in a superstar wide receiver, and I recognize what Terrell Owens meant to this team in 2004. He was a great addition for that season. The offense, already very, very good, went to another level. The Eagles cruised through the regular season with Owens making big play after big play.

But you know what? The Eagles offense has cruised through a lot of big seasons when it didn't have Pro Bowl wide receivers. The stalling points in the years before came in the NFC Championship Game, when the Eagles – as a team – did not get the job done.

In 2004, with Owens sidelined with his ankle injury, the Eagles blasted their way past Minnesota and Atlanta and reached the Super Bowl.

As a team.

I'm sick of the whole wide receiver obsession, to be honest. And I know I'll hear from the fans who will lob all of the reasons the Eagles have tripped in the past, pointing their venom at the wide receiver position. You will say that in 2003 the Eagles lost to Carolina in the NFC title game because Todd Pinkston and James Thrash were manhandled by the Panthers defensive backs. And you're right. Dead on. I'll add, as a fact, that Brian Westbrook missed that game with an injury and that Donovan McNabb was knocked out and that the Eagles offense flat-out played poorly the whole game.

And that the Eagles lost – as a team.

The past is the past, and I can't change what has happened. I don't agree with the notion that the Eagles don't value the wide receiver position, because any team that has traded for receivers (Owens and Donté Stallworth), used No. 1 picks on receivers (Freddie Mitchell), used second-round draft picks on the position (Reggie Brown) and signed highly-coveted and very expensive receivers in free agency (Kevin Curtis) understands the importance of the position.

You tell me a sure-fire way to find a superstar wide receiver, a proven, no-doubt-about-it way and I'll recommend you for a general manager job in the NFL. There is no -- and I'm going to borrow a line from our old friend Rich Kotite here -- "cookbook answer" to employ a superstar at wide receiver. The best receivers in the NFL are high draft picks, mid-round draft picks, low draft picks, free agents, etc.

Anyway, the Eagles have some good receivers who can win a Super Bowl. Curtis had a very nice first season here, catching 77 passes for 1,100 yards and scoring six touchdowns receiving. Reggie Brown, who I simply expect more from and who I am hoping will bust out this season and become the very best he can be, caught 61 passes. I also recognize that Westbrook is a superstar third piece of the receiving game, and that tight end L.J. Smith is an important piece. I like the roles Jason Avant and Hank Baskett and Greg Lewis can play when they have the opportunity to contribute.

I think I'm writing this out of frustration after spending so much time communicating with fans on the Discussion Boards and from time to time tuning in to sports talk radio and watching television in Philadelphia. It is truly all I hear: Wide receiver, wide receiver, wide receiver.

We would all like to add more to the offense. With McNabb rounding into shape, the offense last season was not good enough at times when Westbrook did not have the ball. We have discussed to death the problems in the red zone. The coaches are well aware of the challenges there. They have poked and prodded and dissected the how's and why's and what-went-wrongs. So I look for better things to come in the red zone in 2008.

And, look, I'm not saying the Eagles won't add a wide receiver. Scenarios at a moment's notice in the NFL. The Eagles are keeping their eyes open for ways to improve the team, to build on what has been a fantastic offseason.

That's the part I want to get through here: Enjoy what the Eagles are building as a team. It's exciting. There are holes to address and the Eagles have the responsibility to do so. Got it. Understood. They know the deal.

I just want to put my two cents in and encourage you to realize what this team has going, rather than being dragged into the muck and mire of the wide receiver drivel. Yeah, McNabb said he wanted playmakers to come on board, and I'm absolutely certain he recognizes how great it is that Samuel and Clemons are on board, and that the turnover drought of last year won't be repeated in 2008. I'm sure McNabb, like all of us, anticipate that the defense is going to have more takeaways and will set up the offense for an easy score or two or three, something it didn't do last season.

And I'm equally sure that the Eagles are exploring ways to address the offense, and to make the special teams more dynamic. It takes time, and the Eagles have time. We're in mid March. There is much more show to come.

I know the majority of you get that part of the equation. I also understand that the passion for the Lombardi Trophy is so incredible high and that there is a feeling of desperation, a question of whether "the window is closing" – a notion I vehemently dispute, which I will write about on another day – and that all you want is to win, win, win.

Got it.

Well, guess what? The Eagles are going to win this year. They're going to win big. This is an outstanding team in place, with the emphasis on the word "team."

[SD_Eagle5]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writ...ex.html?eref=T1


Don Banks calls Eagles one of the 5 most improved teams:

2. Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles won their final three games last season and scratched their way back to .500, and they've kept the momentum going nicely into the offseason. Probably Philly's best decision so far in 2008 has been to not overreact to the fans and media pundits who clamored for the end of Andy Reid's tenure after his most challenging season in his nine years on the Eagles sideline. And while we're at it, let's add a big ditto for Donovan McNabb, who finished very strongly and is going to get at least one more year as Philadelphia's franchise quarterback.

As for the team's personnel moves, franchising tight end L.J. Smith alleviated one potential need, and landing ex-Patriots cornerback Asante Samuel -- the top player available in free agency -- gives the Eagles secondary a proven play-maker with a winning pedigree. He can't do much of anything alone, but if the Eagles can generate more of a pass rush than they did in 2007, Samuel will be part of the winning puzzle.

Philly's pass rush got a boost with the signing of ex-Raider defensive end Chris Clemons, who was one of the more underrated talents in free agency. I also like the release of underachieving defensive end Jevon Kearse -- addition by subtraction -- and veteran linebacker Takeo Spikes, who is the kiss of death for any team's playoff hopes (10 years in the NFL without a postseason trip). The Eagles young linebacking corps of Omar Gaither, Stewart Bradley and Chris Gocong is now set.

What they still need: Stop us if you've heard this one before, but the Eagles could really use a No. 1 receiver. Maybe he arrives via the draft, where Philly owns the 19th pick, or maybe someone can still be pried loose via a trade involving former starting cornerback Lito Sheppard.

How much better?: From 8-8 to 11-5.

I had already forgotten about Clemons until I read this

[ice grillin you]

i cant recall who it was but someone on this board made made the money call on clemons when he said that dook could either get zero or ten sacks

[Rome]

They be hard and shtein.

[Rome]

This guy is in Amsterdam.  The jersey is one thing but the orange farging hat?   Die.  Just die.

[Diomedes]

I like how the jersey is tucked into his jeans up to the numbers.  Such a natural point to tuck a jersey into, just below the numbers.

Wonder what this guy was doing in the Summer of Love?

[PhillyPhreak54]

Anyone who tucks a jersey in should die.

[NGM]

Because clearly dudes who worry about other dudes wardrobes are beyond reproach. 

[QB Eagles]

Wonder what this guy was doing in the Summer of Love?

Probably the same as what he's doing over in Amsterdam.

[Father Demon]

Anyone who tucks a jersey in should die.

That would kill off 70% of the crowd at the Edwards Jones Dome.

[Diomedes]

Probably the same as what he's doing over in Amsterdam.

posing?

seems possible

[SD_Eagle5]

http://www.philly.com/dailynews/sports/200...s_services.html

Posted on Sat, Mar. 15, 2008

Jones says Eagles among teams interested in his services

By JOSEPH SANTOLIQUITO
Philadelphia Daily News
Kevin Jones says he wouldn't mind playing next season for the Eagles, the team he was a fan of during his youth in Chester. The 6-1, 230-pound, 4-year NFL running back and former Cardinal O'Hara High star was released by the Detroit Lions on Thursday, opening up plenty of options for next season.

Two hours after the Lions' release was made public, 12 teams showed interest, according to Jones, including the Eagles.

"I can't say that I knew the Lions were going to make this move and release me, but I always felt in my heart that I wouldn't be a Detroit Lion for my whole career, I don't know where it came from, but it was just a feeling I always had," said Jones, who was drafted 30th overall by Detroit in 2004 after his junior season at Virginia Tech.

"When the Lions drafted me, it came as a big shock, because they weren't that much in the picture. It wasn't my dream situation. It would be a dream, however, to play for the Eagles. Going back to Philly, with all my relatives and friends back there, that's home to me. Chester will always be home to me. I have a real support system there in Philadelphia. Playing for the Eagles would be great."

Jones' best season was his rookie year, when he rushed for 1,133 yards and five touchdowns in 15 games. In 4 years in the NFL, he rushed for 3,067 yards on 761 carries, with 24 touchdowns.

Last season, he recovered from a Lisfranc injury in his left foot to play 13 games. His first game was against the Eagles on Sept.23, scoring a touchdown in the Eagles' 56-21 blowout victory.

In 2007, Jones rushed for 581 yards and a career-best eight touchdowns. He had a number of outstanding games, rushing for a season-best 105 yards and a touchdown at Chicago on Oct.28; rushing 20 times for 93 yards against Green Bay on Nov.22; and 23 times for 92 yards and two TDs against Dallas on Dec.9.

Jones suffered a torn ACL in his right knee against Kansas City on Dec.23 and immediately had surgery.

"I'll be ready by July, I'm ahead of schedule right now and I still think...no, I know I can still play in the NFL," Jones said. "I just look at this whole thing as another challenge. I've faced doubts and challenges my whole life, so this is nothing new for me. I've overcome injuries, so rehabbing is nothing new. My knee right now feels real good.

"This is a great situation for me, because now I can shop myself around and see what's out there. I want to go somewhere where I can get the ball and have a chance to compete. I want to play for a team that has a winning history. I want to say this, too, I didn't get cut because of my talent and ability to perform."

And sharing a backfield with Eagles star Brian Westbrook...

"Are you kidding me? That would be awesome," Jones said. "I'd love to play with Brian Westbrook. He's one of the best backs, if not the best back in the league. I definitely wouldn't mind doing that. I can learn some things from Brian Westbrook."

Jones said he had no visits to any NFL teams scheduled, but: "I'm ready to move on from the Lions. I'm sad to be leaving Detroit not on my terms, but I am happy with the opportunity I have right now. Within 2 hours of being told I was cut, my agent spoke to 12 different teams. Apparently, some people still think I can play in this league."

*