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

[PhillyPhreak54]

I wouldn't like the idea either, BUT I can see why they would do it.

We know Lito has trouble staying on the field, that is an issue in and of itself. So they sign a stud FA to replace him and use him for trade bait. They sign Samuel because he's a known commodity, not an unknown like a draft pick or an unknown like Joselio Hanson not knowing whether he's going to give up 5 or 6 TD passes as a fill-in starting LCBafter Lito sprains a knee again.

We also know that Sheldon Brown has been a tad bit vocal lately, something frowned upon by the brass. He's also butthurt that JJ came out last year and said Will James would fight for that job with him. We also know that he's 29 years old. He's reaching the number where Joe, Andy, Jeffrey and Tom push the big red EJECT button from high atop the NovaCare Complex.

My guess would be that they view Sheldon and Samuel as the starters (obviously) and want a nickel back who has the promise to take over for Sheldon in 2 years when he either moves to safety or is released/traded. They don't want a nickel back who is oft-injured and makes $5M like Lito.

Do I want them to get rid of Lito? No. I actually would like to see them keep all three.

But if one of the two had to be dealt I would trade Sheldon first. Lito is the bigger playmaker and I know a bigger risk because of his health. In that scenario I would draft a CB higher, maybe even two corners (1st and 4th rounds, something like that).

[The BIGSTUD]

Wrong. Asante Samuel is his replacement....the first round draft pick is the future.


It might seem like a small upgrade but face it...Lito playing in some of those games he missed last year very well could have made the difference between a win or a loss. Impact corners are a big deal, and it hurts not having your only one for a third of the season. Samuel could have as big, if not a bigger impact in games then Lito did, AND he'll be more likely to play the whole season. There's not many other positions they can upgrade immediately in the first round this year, not STARTING positions anyway, so I have no problem with them taking a young corner to be a future starter.


Where else could they draft in the first round that's going to get more playing time then a nickel corner now or in the near future? Safety and OT. And 85% of this MB has spoken out against taking an OT so we're left with safety and CB. I'd rather them take safety but drafting a CB isn't as asinine as it appears.

Question for anyone draft savvy...can the CB they're talking about return punts?

Mckelvin returns punts, yes.

If they trade up for anyone, it has to be Gholston. They can't get high enough for either of the Longs, and no one else that fits their needs is worth trading up for but Gholston. If Gholston gets past the Jets, then I could see that. Trading up for a CB is the worst-case scenario possible.

What I personally would like to see happen is shop Lito for a WR. A team like Detroit or Arizona may be willing to bite if they can't get a corner they like. If not, trade Lito for another 2nd round pick and then draft a WR. with one if your first 3 picks. Then get your other 2 biggest needs with the remaining 2 picks.

[Munson]

I'd definately be happy about them getting Gholston, but he work-out-warrior'd himself up to a pick that will probably be out of the Eagles reach.

[Munson]

Do I want them to get rid of Lito? No. I actually would like to see them keep all three.

But if one of the two had to be dealt I would trade Sheldon first. Lito is the bigger playmaker and I know a bigger risk because of his health. In that scenario I would draft a CB higher, maybe even two corners (1st and 4th rounds, something like that).

Agree with this. I'd really liek them to see if they could keep all 3 this year...but if they get rid of Lito, they DO need to spend a 1st, 2nd, or 3rd round pick on a CB. If they get rid of Sheldon, they'd probably have to spend two early picks on CB for when Lito goes down again.

[The BIGSTUD]

He most likely will be out of reach, but I could see a team like the Patriots trading #7 for #19 and Lito. If Gholston gets past the Jets then he would be there.

I think the best move isn't to move up at all though. The Eagles have too many needs to be trading up.

I'd love if they found  a way to get a WR and Phillips with their first 2 picks in the draft. A lot of draft insiders say Phillips is slipping into the early to mid 2nd round. I'd rather draft a WR at 19, and trade up in the 2nd for Phillips. IMO receiver and safety are the two biggest needs right now.

Hopefully Otah and Williams are both gone by 19 so we don't have to sweat them drafting an offensive lineman for 10 minutes.

[Rome]

The cornerback position can be filled easily in the second round because the draft is going to be stocked with corners.   And I don't see any way possible for them to get high enough to get McKelvin.  If the Jets don't take him at six then the Patriots definitely will at seven. 

[Munson]

I'd love if they found  a way to get a WR and Phillips with their first 2 picks in the draft. A lot of draft insiders say Phillips is slipping into the early to mid 2nd round. I'd rather draft a WR at 19, and trade up in the 2nd for Phillips. IMO receiver and safety are the two biggest needs right now.

I still don't think picking a WR in the first round is a good idea.

Maybe trade down into late round 1 to pick Phillips and get a first round pick for next year? Then trade Lito and your 2nd rounder to get back into late round one again early 2nd round to pick whoever.

This is the first year I think we're really expecting them to make a trade in the draft and cause a stir on draft day...which means they'll stay put at 19, Lito will still be on the team, and he'll bitch and moan all year.

[SD_Eagle5]

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

BFF!

[Dillen]

Maybe trade down into late round 1 to pick Phillips and get a first round pick for next year? Then trade Lito and your 2nd rounder to get back into late round one again early 2nd round to pick whoever.

Why would a team with a pick between 20-32 trade that pick plus next years 1st rounder for 19? The difference between 19 and 30 isn't really much considering the players available.

[Seabiscuit36]

PFT is saying the eagles might move Lito for a first next year, i just dont see them getting that type of value

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

PFT is saying the eagles might move Lito for a first next year, i just dont see them getting that type of value

I'd rather they keep Lito as a nickel corner and punt returner for 2008 and outright release him.  This is not "build for the future" year.  This is "make one last run with Donnie Mac" year.

fargers.

[Rome]

Is there any chance we can put the absurd notion that Lito will be an Eagle in 2008 to bed forever?  Please??

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

We'll put it to rest as soon as he's traded or you're dead.

[Seabiscuit36]

The NFL today awarded the Eagles three compensatory picks in next month's draft. The compensatory picks were awarded based on the Eagles' free-agent signings and losses last year. Before last season, the Eagles lost Shawn Barber, Jeff Garcia, Roderick Hood, Michael Lewis, Donte' Stallworth and signed Kevin Curtis, Ian Scott

The Eagles now have 11 draft picks:
First round, 19th overall
Second round, 49th overall
Third round, 80th overall
Fourth round, 115th overall
Fourth round, 131st overall (compensatory)
Fifth round, 152nd overall
Sixth round, 184th overall
Sixth round, 191st overall (from Cleveland)
Sixth round, 200th overall (compensatory)
Sixth round, 203rd overall (compensatory)
Seventh round, 230th overall (from Seattle)

The league awarded a total of 32 compensatory to 15 teams.

Under terms of the NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement, a team losing more or better compensatory free agents than it acquires in a year is eligible to receive compensatory picks.

The number of picks a team receives equals the net loss of compensatory free agents up to a maximum of four.

Compensatory free agents are determined by a formula based on salary, playing time and postseason honors. Not every free agent lost or signed by a club is covered by the formula.