(My process of thinking took into consideration how Roseman likes the middle tier players, what the Eagles currently have on their roster and what positions the NFL draft provides the greatest depth/talent)
Offense
If I’m Howie Roseman, I’ve already devoted a good bit of money to my offensive playmakers and offensive line so I’m really going to analyze what I already have on my roster. In addition to the new contracts for Maclin and Cooper, 2013 signee James Casey is due nearly 4 million for the 2014 season.
There are some interesting names in free agency at the wide receiver position, but they would be a #4 WR on our team. Additionally, Benn and Smith are still under contract for a low cap number.
Wide-receiver/Tight-end– I envision the Eagles upgrading their depth at WR in the draft. I think the Eagles will try and move Casey, drafting a younger “Chip Kelly” like TE in the draft, planning for the future with Celek getting older and making a good bit of money.
Running-back-I see the Eagles looking to unload Bryce Brown with his skill set being similar to that of Chris Polk. The Eagles could benefit from a “scat back” style runner, who has that elite speed and catches the ball well.
Quarterback– Backup to Foles? Having Barkley makes me nervous as the next signal caller after Foles. The free agency class is weak, with the biggest name being Vick. Vick knows the ins and outs of the system, but will he want to be a backup instead of a possible starter for a team like the Jets or Raiders?
A veteran back-up quarterback is needed.
Offensive Line– Sign an athletic guard that comes at a cheap price.
Defense/Special Teams
This is where the attention and $$ needs to be. The cap is going to go up next year and the year after, so I’m not as particular with needing to leave “cap flexibility” for upcoming seasons. The Eagles will get a good bit of cap relief between this season and 2015, as the likes of Trent Cole, Cary Williams, Brandon Graham and a restructuring of Ryans contract will most likely take place. The obvious need is at safety, and this should be the biggest splash in free agency. All three levels of the defense need to be improved with some needing rotational or situational upgrades.
Safety– I’m all in for Jairus Byrd and I hope Roseman feels the same. The kid is a ball hawk, play making safety with a proven ability to intercept passes and force fumbles. He is the center field type safety and will be an instant game changer.
There are other safeties the Eagles will have to choose from that offer different skill sets and a cheaper sales tag.
TJ Ward, Whitner, Jenkins, Bethea, Clemons and Mitchell
so far today, I’ve cut Cole-signed Michael Johnson, Eagles at 22m in cap, cut chung signed Jenkins 21m in cap. signed Ward for 8m, cut casey, 16m in cap about. draft takesEagles down to 10m. but by drafting Beckham and Moncrief, can cut Smith and Benn, that clears 2.5m, back up to 12.5m. reworking d-jax down from 12m to 8m, giving eagles 6m to spend on CB and DL. June 1st Graham for 1.5m cleared if you want back-up Guard. and still have 10m carry-over
.
andrew, where is the $4.8M dead money Cole, & what gives you any inkling, that DJax would rework his contract. This ain’t Madden bro!
Djak would rework his contract tomorrow if the Eagles wanted to, his guarantee money is over, that’s why he was bitching about a new deal, if they offered him more guarantee money he’d jump on a new deal, as for Cole? this year or next he’s leaving us with dead money on the books, I have faith in him and think he’s going to surprise us with a good season but if you can upgrade then you upgrade.
Andrew, this will be Coles last year, because 2015 cap hit is $11.625M, with $3.2M in dead money, This year he has a cap hit of $6.6M, with $4.8M in dead money, with 2015 salary cap jumping to $143M. He isn’t going anywhere this year. DJax contract is not being reworked. Weaselman said as much, in many interviews. He’s another one, on his last year, if he doesn’t wise up.
Let’s get Byrd and Joseph as FA. Trade Curry and a pick for D. Jordan and get WR Benjamin and SS Buchanon with our 1st two picks. The rest of the draft can be depth at MLB, OG, CB etc.
So Andrew it sounds good but I think the eagles 4 safety’s will be Nate Allen, Malcolm Jenkins, Wolfe and draft pick or Kurt Coleman. I’m all in for Michael Johnson but the other guy I want is Sam shields
And I’m in for cutting cole but I don’t think they would do that until after the draft just make sure they get a backup for Johnson and I don’t see ward coming at all Wolfe is damn near the same type of player he is a in the box guy. But Chung,Williams, benn, graham and curry must go either thru trade or cut.
missing pieces.
DE Clifford Geather,
SS- Nate Allen –
How much they spend is up for debate. I think they do what they did last year and target a $5 million dollar player ( the talent price range of a Connor Barwin) then go after a $3-4 million dollar talent price range.
Yeah, & your scenario makes us better? Are you snorting bath salts too?!? No more, f^#@ing nickel & dime BS! Sign Byrd, the best FA of need, who is still in his prime, & fits like a glove. Enough with the dumpster diving. They have $24M under the cap, with no dire needs, but safety, & pass rush, the rest is depth issues, & age.
Andrew P says it will take about 10 million to sign the rookies, leaving 14 million ( 5 million free agent, 4 million free agent) leaving $5 million to fill out the 53 man roster ( back up QB, Punter, return man)
FS Byrd, SS Ihedigbo, NT Joseph, & K Hauschka. Enough said.
0superbowls I agree with you that howie is a cheap bastard and isn’t gonna spend much at all and you hear reports that they are targeting mike Mitchell he isn’t a difference maker hey HOWIE pay Michael Johnson and Malcolm Jenkins !!!! GET IT DONE
I would like the Eagles to focus on the Following plauers in Free-Agency
Safety – either J Byrd, TJ Ward or 2nd Tier
Players M Mitchell, or L Bethea
CB – either W Thurmond, N Carroll
or V Davis
ILB – Brandon Spikes
OLB – James Neal or O’Brien Schofield
DE – Arthur Jones, M Johnson or Lamarr Houston
DT – Linval Joseph, A Fluellen, or P Solia
OL – Jon Asomoah or Geoff Schwartz
QB – Josh Freeman or Thaddeous Lewis
Hey Paulman we already have a Brandon spikes here his name is demeco you know good against the run bad in pass coverage he is just younger and I’ll take Vonta Davis or Sam shields don’t want any parts of mike Mitchell think he was only ok cause of the panthers pass rush and the eagles don’t always get good pass rush so I need somebody who can hold up on the back end even if the rush isn’t there. I don’t see them going dline unless it’s in the draft and I want no parts of freeman he is a drunk and a locker room cancer.
Yeah, let’s bring in Jenkins & Mitchell, both of whom, weren’t even ranked in the top 75 of safeties in 2013. Give me Byrd, & Clemons/ Ihedigbo. Mitchell is a bust from the Raiders, & only had a decent season, due to the Carolina teammates, & him being in a contract year, working towards that $$$$! Now, if we sign Byrd, along with Jenkins/ Clemons, I’m on board.
I watched Mitchell all season long and he was the glue that held that Panther Secondary Together as they lost 2 Starters due to Injury (Charles Godfrey and CB Josh Norman)
He’s a Strong Safety and not a Free Safety
So he excels in playing down the box, strong versus the running fmganecand the short/intermediate routes..
He is not strong in deep pass coverages as most Strong Ssfeties are not due to an overall lack of Speed, and neither does TJ Ward, D Whitner,J Inhedigbo, and neither did Brian Dawkins..
Strong Safety is different than Free Safety
Strong a Safety, you need a leader, a thumper and play caller for the Secondary
At Free Safety you need more athleticism,Speed, ball hawking skills like Jarius Byrd has
No $#!t paul. I know the difference between SS & FS. LOL! Mitchell sucks! He’s a one year wonder, that sucked for 4 years with the Raiders, & was a non-factor. He’s not even ranked in the top 75 of Safeties. He was the glue of my @$$! Look at the players they had- Hardy, Kuechley, Star, Johnson, Davis, Short, Blackburn, Munnerlyn, & him. Come on paul, stop it!
I know you do DCar, but many on here don’t know the a Difference
It’s 2 different Positions,skill sets and responsibilities that I wanted to share with everyone..
Eagkes need an experienced Strong Safety
Who can Step in and be Starter from Day 1
Just messing with you paul. Was being a smart ass! LOL!
They actually need both…Please don’t give me Nate Allen. They need a FS, and SS…2 Veterans, and 2 draft picks for depth, and future Starters.
I’m not a big fan of Mike Mitchell, but you have to admit he would be an upgrade from what we already have…..
***NFL News
Jaguars sign the recently released DL Red Bryant from the Seahawks to a 4 Year to rejoin Coach Gus Bradley
Arizona signs the recently released TE John Carlson from the Vikings to a 2-Year Deal
NO Saints Release WR Lance Moore
TB Bucs Release Guard Davin Joseph
Bronco’s Release CB Champ Bailey
Byrd will be an eagle boys! Book it!
He legit has every single box checked in terms of what you want in a football player, the type of person you want to rep your city and brand and obviously the skillset to dominate.
I’m putting odds the eagles sign him at 90%. I wish my sports book offered prop bets on where guys will end up.
Byrd will be a bird!
It’s destiny! LOL!
It is. We’ve been linked to him for 2 years now. Too many examples of us just gambling on trash at safety and being way wrong. Time to go with the sure thing.
I am all in as well with you guys for Byrd!!!!! It’s our number 1 need and he’s the best option out there!!!!!! You sign Byrd during free agency it gives us more leeway to fix our other positions during the draft.
Philly Mag’s Tim McManus reports free agent DE Michael Johnson-to-Eagles “isn’t happening.”
McManus reported earlier Saturday that the Eagles were interested in Johnson. Once the legal tampering window opened at noon ET, McManus reports talks got “heavy” between Johnson and a “few teams.” The Eagles weren’t among those teams. Johnson is going to break the bank and will have a robust market.
Related: Eagles
Source: Tim McManus on Twitter
Translation eagles backed out because they already locked up Byrd.
Or DE Jared Allen on the cheap..
You heard it here first..
Allen doesn’t fit paul.
People, the 24 million we have in cap space doesn’t include Chung being cut or maybe even Casey, when Chung goes we will have another 3 1/2 million n if Casey goes that will put us over 30 million, you can only rollover the money two years then you have to spend 89% of our cap space, next year we have Ryan’s, herremans, cole and a few others getting cut, the money from those cuts will cover more then half of what we have to give towards Foles, cox, Boykins, Kendrick’s, plus rge cap will be at $140 million, were going to be fine to sign a big name, everybody has to stop buying into the thinking they if we do we’re going to be strapped next year,
That’s true Andrew
You have p look at the real $$$ though
The Eagles are actually $9 million under the proposed new Cap
The other $17 Million rollover $$$$
Suppose they use all this rollover$$ for 2014 will likely mean that they would be over in 2015/2016 Seasons
Anyone who expects them to use their entire rollover $$$ for 2014 Season Contracts isn’t paying attention to how they operate and do remember that they will have 3-4 Contracts coming up to extend young core players cone next year (Foles,Cox,Kendrick’s, Boykin)
So bottom line, they will stay below their total allotment this year to keep on top of future deals for this is how they remain fiscally in good shape year after year..
im hearing eagles interested in champ, plz no he is donnnnne
Smokescreen. Don’t believe it
well gloomy shields just signed 4 yr deal with the pack
I believe Gloomy is down at the Philly Airport waiting on D-Jax
On a serious note,
I wonder if Eagles would talk to CB A Talib or A Venturm from Titans
Who will both be looking for big deals..
Lol Paulman shields would’ve been a great fit here sad to see him stay with the pack I rather have champ than Cary any day of the week.
Shields ain’t no fit, at $9.75M a year. That’s an unwarranted, asinine contract!
Byrd man deleted the Chung tweet. This bitch is a done deal. Big balls chip + big dick nick + the Byrd = domination.
Wang Chung, Big balls, big dick nick, & Byrd, sounds a little too gay, mh. I think you need to reword that entire post. BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!
In all seriousness, FS Byrd, SS Ihedigbo, NT Joseph, & K Hauschka, will all be Birds by the end of the month. Chung, Henery, will be cut, & Ryans, Williams, & Casey’s contracts will be restructured. Cole, Herremans, & DJax will be in their last year, & be cut next year. Graham, Curry, & Bryce Brown will all be traded by draft time. Spoke with Baldy last night, at Xfinity live, & he said that Weaselman will be very active, but the only big move we get, will be Byrd, & a few 2nd-3rd tier replacements. He thinks the Birds are going to draft Dee Ford, with 22, if they don’t trade it for Jordan. He also said the Birds are high on Jordan Matthews, SS Bucchanan, OLB Trent Murphy, Pierre Desir, Stanley Jean-Baptiste, & Daniel McCullers. He told me, if DAT is there in the late 5th, he will be drafted, & he said if we get picks for Graham, Curry, & Brown, we will get another QB. He said don’t be surprised if we draft, David Fales, Logan Thomas, or Jordan Lynch from 5-7.
I would call that a reliable, and identifiable source DCar…
dude dcar thats a real source and I think thats true thnx man
If the Birds sign JByrd and Walter Thurmond, I would be happy!
Byrds coming here it will be the one and only FA signing Howeird will do but it will be nough for us guys then the weasel can crawl back under til first day spring as for trent cole let him go shoot some chipmunks in another state
I just read the Rams are interested in Byrd but only have 10 million in cap space, it said their going to try to get creative to try to make it happen, see, that’s what I’m talking about, if theirs a top tier player that’s going to help your team you do what you have to do to make it happen, all this bitch talking about, we can’t spend too much, we have to worry about next year, that’s bullshit, we have plenty of money and if Howie had half a brain he can get creative and make something happen, get over your nightmares of 2011, make it happen. Howie.
We’ll said Ap well said
Word is that the Redskins,Falcons & Bears are all making a run at
J Byrd… The Eagles are a perfect Fit for him
and hope we land him..
Expect a 5 Year $55-$60 Million Deal with $15 in guaranteed money over the next 3 seasons in Roster Bonus’s
Paulman don’t get your hopes up I don’t see howie paying him sorry they have been linked to mike Mitchell they are going second tier sorry real guy they need to make a push for is Michael Johnson.
I’m hearing that Jarius Byrd is asking for 9 million a year and he’s worth every dollar
More Eagles News
I’m hearing that the Eagles and Safety Mike Mitchell are still having discussions since Saturday and will continue them
from who?
Really mike Mitchell this the shit I’m talking about howie is a cheap ass going for bums like this if you aren’t gonna sign Byrd at least sign Malcolm Jenkins and Clemons not one year wonders like Mitchell smh.
I mentioned yesterday that the Eagles are still in talks with Byrd though its not public knowledge, but theyre also talking to Mike Mitchell as well.
I’ve yet to hear TJ Wards name linked to eagles..
My source says they haven’t shown ANY interest in Byrd, or TJ Ward at all at this time….
Every Internet source speaks about Mike Mitchell, but not one speaks of both he AND Byrd in the same sentence……
Howie may have to overspend in another area of need, or he may reserve some cap space for rookies – especially if he plans to get more picks – We need Pass Rush, as bad as we need Safety help – As well as one new CB to replace the very mediocre Bradley Fletcher – could Altern Verneer be in play?….I don’t know…
But no one is saying the Eagles are targeting both Mitchell, AND Byrd – But Malcolm Jenkins may be the other option while they draft one or two this year to groom as starters in the future – But not in the first round – meaning – Deone Buchannon, and Stanley Jean-Baptiste, or Keith McGill as converted options along with a dark horse – Phillip Gaines CB 6-1 204 Rice 4.36 also as a possible converted player…..
He has repeatedly said he wants to build through the draft.
they better get fuking byrd and mitchell better be a smokescreen
I do not think the Eagles are going in the Byrd direction. Howie has repeatedly said that the Eagles are not going to break the bank on a player. I spared myself this off season on the wishful thinking for big time FA’s this year. If I am wrong…cool, but I’m not getting worked up about it, as I actually want Pryor an Bucannon.
They don’t have to break the bank, Howie has to be creative, he goes to Cole, Ryan’s, Casey and tells them they have to restructure their contracts, between that and cutting Chunk and a few others, he can get the deal done and not touch the Cap, all this talk about him hurting the cap this year or next by signing him is bullshit.
This is what I would try to do
1:In order i would go Pryor (if he is not there I would go in this order Ha Ha Dix, Mosely, Beckham, Benjamin, Gilbert, Nix=one of these guys have to be there)
And then in 2nd maybe trade back/use Graham to get additional picks in the mid rounds and target a combo of..
Craig Loston (depending on if we landed Pryor)/Jeremiah Attaochu/Louchiez Purifoy/Jaylen Watkins/Christian Jones
Use the rest of the picks on Oline/TE (maybe the kid out of Oregon with the bad rep)
Free agency: Byrd, Houston, maybe Shaub if let go/comes cheap for his hometown team
What I think Eagles do:
1st round: Im 90% sure this pick will be secondary or it will be a WR (I dont think Olineman the Eagles like will be available or worth taking here, I don’t think there is a pass rusher worth taking here assuming the top guys go where there are mocked)
In the mid rounds I think the Eagles target guys like Christian Jones and Attaochu to go along with secondary. I think they go heavy on secondary and pretty much stay status quo on Dline. They like guys like Bennie Logan and I think they want to seem them develop for the long run.
Free agency: Malcom Jenkins seems likely because even though he is not great at anything, he is solid at both safety positions. Chip likes versatility.
Again I think Barkley is the backup. I don’t love Barkley but from everything I read Chip does and thats all that matters.
I wonder if the Eagles will be interested in spending some money on a return man. Chip is heavily involved in the Special Teams compared to other head coaches. He obviously values it. Guys like Holliday, Hester, Ginn will be available. We saw first hand what a great return can do in a big game like the playoffs. Special teams cost us the playoff game. Maybe we spend some money there who knows.
All Im saying is they have to finally get this Safety position figured out. You see what having safeties can do when you watch teams like the Seahawks and Niners. Teams are spending high picks on them now and its paying off with (Thomas, Berry, Vaccaro, Reid, Elam)…
All I hear is that they dont want to spend big cause its burned them in the past with signings like Nnamdi..yet how many times have we been burned by signings these stop gap average at best cheap bums year after year. Spend the money and high draft pick and get it right so we can stop talking about the safety position year after fucking year in draft/free agency..Im so sick of it
Good Stuff Pheags
I like LB CJ Mosley but similar to LB Shazier
I believe he lacks the size the Eagles are looking for at LB
Mosley goes 6-1, 235lbs and relies on his speed..
Not sure where he fits since eagles already have LB Kendrick’s with similar size and skills.. They want bigger & stronger LB’s and Players in general
Ted Ginn Jr would be a nice Free-Agent pick-up for he can return both Kick-Offs & Punts as well as be a 4th WR and be used for
10-12 Plays a game.. Ginn is not a great Receiver, but made a lot of big plays for the Panthers last season as a receiver
He has size,experience and world class speed
Special Teams needs upgrading big time in the return game for
D-Jax doesn’t have the balls to return most punts any longer in fear of contact
Ginn runs everything back and is balks to the wall..
I like him a lot with the Eagles if the Panthers don’t resign him
First..
I have been on CJ Mosley bandwagon for months and I think this kid will be a stud in the NFL if he goes to the right situation. I think he could be like a Navorro Bowman who is about the same size and height (after a couple years of NFL conditioning Mosley will put on more weight/size). I think he actually could go before the safeties though. Mosley would be my successor to Ryans after next season. If the safeties are not there I wouldn’t mind him or Beckham/Benjamin even though we signed Maclin/Cooper
I really like the Florida corners as mid round picks to go with Christian Jones who has size and lines up everywhere.
I think they do something in Free Agency at the return position. Djax wont return anything anymore. You look at guys like Ginn or Jacoby Jones from Baltimore and see how much they impact the game. Chip loves special teams so I could see the Eagles spending some money there
I like CB Marcus Roberson from Florida
6-0″ & 190 lbs.. Would be a nice PU in
The 3rd Round to groom for 2 years down the Roadmaze
And could be the 4th CB & play Special Teams
For the Record,
All of My Sources are gone on Spring-Break
All posts are my original ideas, rumor & innuendo
I’m hearing there will be another safety signed. Stay tuned
Yeah Ruben frank has been saying it for 20 minutes on sports talk… Another fine report
I dont mind the Jenkins signing
Safety T.J. Ward’s deal with Broncos is worth average of $5.5 million a year.
I’d think Byrd’s number goes down..
People aren’t being patient on here… Already blasting the eagles. Only desperate teams do this early scarfing fee agents. The best free agents will do some visiting etc…
Malcolm Jenkins’s contract 3years at $16.25 mil is a little over $5 mil yr . Very closely resembles Wards deal..
Let’s see will the Birds still sign Byrd or will they go Mitchell?
The eagles must not want Byrd at all, he’s heading to NO for a visit.. wow
**More Eagles News**
Im hearing the Eagles and Safety Mike Mitchell are engaged in serious talks and a deal could be going down soon
Im also hearing that the Eagles do have interest in Demarcus Ware and may be working on getting a deal done with him
Think about it, with the new work out system that Chip is running here, it might extend a player like Ware’s career another 3-4 years..
Instead, Mitchell signs with the Steelers
Byrd is still available guys…
Let’s hear it for our GM………so far…….
Mitchell gets $25 from Steelers,
Let them have him at that price tag.. Hopefully the Eagles are talking to Clemons from Miami
I am going on record stating that Mike and kind is a very slight upgrade
Over Nate Allen and not enough.. He needs to be paired with a real Strong Safety and now with Ward,Mitchell,Whitner & Bethea all signed
Who else but Clemons is left out there..
Byrd & Jenkins play the same Position
To move Jenkins to Strong Safety does not work
Eagles are out of the Byrd running it appears
Oh nooo paul. The coach just said Jenkins can play both safety positions!
They are not out of the Byrd running yet..
Hypothetically speaking Eagles let’s say signed CB Revis, could Cary Williams then be converted to a Strong Safety and pair with M Jenkins for 2014 and then Draft a adding Safety to groom for 2015
Is a Eagles a Secondary of Cb’s Fletcher & are is with Boykin as Nicole back
And a staring Safety Tandem of C Williams/M Jenkins with a Deone Buchannon as a Deaft pick be good enough for 2014
I wouldn’t be angry with that but highly unlikely
They probably should move Williams to safety but they wont, they wanna win now not 2 years from now. Chip isn’t wired that way, hes very impatient..
Fletcher & Revis Starting CB’s (Boykin as Nickel)
Williams/Jenkins Starting Safety’s (Buchannon & Wolff as back-ups)
No time to groom Cary Williams at safety. A very good idea though, but I doubt Chip would wanna take that chance..
I heard the eagles are still in play for both Byrd and Ware..
Gm, this is s solid pick up, a former first round pick, can play corner, is young, not expensive and consistent with the gm’s philosophy of building your core through the draft, taking care of your players, filling in with solid free agents
Its a winning recipe, as building through disjointeden talent that has. not worked, the redskins for years are a good example, conversely, look how the Steelers do.things, that’s the model. And Howie is doing a good job
Relax,, do not be so hasty with your conclusions, the eagles are building with solid foundations
Sometimes you and others think you are better than the gm, well as I stated before that’s an arrogant position, and if your are than we hope to be reading about your free agent acquisitions when you become a real gm
I doubt they would bring Revis, Ware and Byrd here. But probably 2 out of the 3 with Ware being apart of it regardless..
No way the eagles don’t try their very best to get Ware here.. Im hearing they are really looking into it..
I heard they were on the verge of bringing Mitchell here but he decided to go with Pitts instead at the last minute..
Byrd is still out there and the eagles still have interest im hearing..
If Byrd Signs with Saints they would him at FS
And Kenny Vacarro at SS which would be a very good Starting Safety Tandem
And probably just a hair behind Thomas/Chancellor out in Seattle
2 Teams the Eagles would have to Beat to get to the SB
Eagles cannot allow this to happen and must Sign Byrd
Gotta move on from Byrd, not gonna happen. I think the Eagles are going to draft 2 safeties who will become the future starters
Revis is really forcing the hand of the Bucs because he will not take a pay cut in order for the Browns to trade for him so he will be released soon
Im beginning to think the eagles value Revis over Byrd. Its really starting to look that way..
They could’ve signed Byrd but when the news dropped about Revis they may have changed there mind and went with a guy like Jenkins that is a good ft in the scheme and at a cheaper price…
Revis will be cut soon.. We will see the eagles go for him