Current Status-The transition from the 4-3 to the 3-4 had some positive moments in 2013, but a lot of work is still required to make this a formidable group. Fletcher Cox, Cedric Thornton and Bennie Logan are the three names that fans and experts will give you as the front three for the Eagles. You could even make mention of former second round selection Vinne Curry who made plays with the limited snaps he was given.
I think Cox had a nice season with some big moments, but I question if his greatest strength is more in
the 4-3 technique. He can line up both outside and inside, and that flexibility for the coaches is a terrific asset. He was asked to do some things last year which required him to take on multiple blockers to open up lanes for the line-backers, instead of pressuring the quarterback. I think Cox is a playmaker, and needs the opportunity to get after the quarterback more. Whether this was signs of growing pains with the new defense or results of minimum help by the players around him, requires additional time to give a complete answer to.
Thornton was terrific against the run, but minimum production in the sack department with registering just “one” for the season. He was undrafted, so the production we have received has been terrific and unexpected, but he is a free agent, does he start long term?
Logan became our nose tackle when Sopawaga proved he was good for nothing. Logan is undersized, but did an admirable job. He is what Kelly wants from his defensive line, athletic and a good burst, but like Thornton, is he really anything more than a rotational player? When you think of a nose-tackle, you picture the “big boy,” Casey Hampton, Ngata, or B.J. Raji. I look at Logan and I see your traditional tackle in a 4-3 set, he reminds me of what Mike Patterson did while he was in Philly.
Surprisingly it was Vinnie Curry and his four sacks that had the biggest production from the 3-4 group of players. Curry experimented with the outside linebacker stuff in training camp, but he is a pass rusher, period. He takes good paths with his pursuit of the quarterback. Repeating myself once again, he is nothing more than a rotational player.
Moving Forward– Does Chip Kelly need athletes who can play multiple positions and are interchangeable, or was that his 2013 approach with the players at his disposal? I would like to think that Kelly recognized the need for a true nose tackle as it was one of his first moves to begin the 2013 free agency period.
There are some names in the 2014 free agency class and some players with round 4/5 projections that could fill this role.
At the end position, if the Eagles bring in another player opposite of Cox, what do we do with Logan, Thornton and Curry? Do previous starters simply become role players?
The pass rush last year was inconsistent. The line-backers are typically the players who are the big stat collectors in the 3-4 set, but better play should be expected from defensive line.
The primary focus will be the secondary and an outside linebacker, so dishing out heavy dollar signs or using high draft picks will probably be a road not traveled by the Eagles with improving the defensive line.
I like the Following Free-Agents for the DL
For DT/NT Postion
1) Linval Joseph – (NY GIants 6-4′ – 323lbs – 25 Years Old)
2) Paul Solaia – (MIami 6-4 340lbs – 30 Years Old)
3) Andre Fluellen – (Detroit Lions 6-2 315lbs – 28 Years Old)
For DE Postion
1) Michael Bennett – (Seahawks 6-4 275lbs – 28 Years Old)
2) Arthur Jones – (Ravens 6-3 315lbs – 27 Years Old)
3) Lamarr Houston – (Raiders 6-3 300lbs – 26 Years Old)
4) Robert Ayers – (Broncos 6-3 275 lbs – 28 Years Old)
paul, I agree with Paul Soliai, Joseph, Houston, & Jones, but Fluellen is a rotational 4-3 DT, & not a NT. Bennett, & Ayers are 4-3 DE’s, & too small to be 3-4 DE’s.
I want big, strong players. Kelly said the big guys beat up on the smaller guys. The likes of Thorton and Logan are best suited to get after the QB on third down or when the Eagles are up in the game and trying to attack the opposing QB when they have become one dimensional and a pure throwing team. I want the front line to have some “beef” to it. Cory Simon, Holis Thomas, even a Paul Grasmanis, I want the boys who have some belly falling out of the bottom of their jersey. Howie, Chip…Where’s the beef?
Jeff, I agree 100%. I’m tired of this team having nothing but square pegs, in round holes. Reid is gone, & I want his philosophy to be a distant memory. I’m sick of the Logans, Grahams, Coles, Bunkleys, Pattersons, Te’o-Nesheims, Laws, Abiamiris, & Gocongs of the world. Give me a 6’3″ 330+ NT. Give me 2 6’4″ 300+ DE’s, that can play 3-tech & 5-tech, that can tackle, hold the run, & get pressure on the QB. Get me a natural, 3-4, rush OLB, who is 6’3″+ 260 lb+ that gets to the QB, & can drop in coverage. Get me a couple younger, bigger versions of Ryans inside, that can cover, & make plays. Get me some freaking safeties, that can hit, cover, & make plays. Get me some bigger, playmakers at CB. I’m sick of these soft, out of place, rotational players on DF, EVERY year.
DCar,
I like Bennett a lot and remember,
He would come in on pass-rushing downs
And be one of the “specialized Pass-Rushers”
Who can line up at DT, slide Cox in at DT, etc
Not all 7-8 DL on the Roster have to be 315lbs
You need to have 2 Pass-Rushers in this Grouo
Vinnie Curry is probably one, but who is the other
I believe the Eagles scheme and system is going to rotate
6-7 Players a Game along the DL, and the bottom line is that you have to have a couple of quick, active and athletic DL that can finish at the QB
And I believe M Bennett is one of the Players who can do this with sone consistency so bring him on board.. I don’t care if he’s 280lbs,
Does he make Plays or not…
I’ve been watching Bennett all season and he’s very productive in my opinion in passing downs…
paul, so you want to give a big contract, to a guy who isn’t an outside 3-4 lb, nor a 3-4 DE, just on passing downs. What makes you think he would even do that, with the contract he is going to get? He does not fit. You get caught up with your liking players, not thinking of the fit. He would be the same as having Cole, Curry, Thornton, Logan, & Cox. All not fits! All out of place! All belong in a 4-3. Bennett is a very good pass-rusher, but he doesn’t fit, especially money, & scheme wise.
The reason I like Detroits Fluellen at 6-2, 325 is that being a back-up to
The best DT Tandem in the NFL (Suh & Fairly) is that he’s under the radar, looking for a chance to play more snaps and can play up and down the DL and could play the 5 Technique as a 3-4 DE and also play inside
As a adT in a Pass Rushing situations..
Fluellen is a good Foitball Player whose body is fresh and ready to go..
and could be signed to a relatively cheap 2-3 Year Deal
Remember Chip Kelky likes versatility and Fluellen offers this
How do you know he could play 5-tech, when he never done it before? He isn’t a NT, & not a 3-4 DE. He is a 4-3 DT. Plain & simple. Again, square peg, in round hole. You are the definition, of “capo tosto” or “dalla testa rotonda.”
He’s 6-2 315lbs DCar.. Played College ball at Fla State where he was moved up and down the DL… The guy is a 5 Year Vet playing in the Trench’s, he has th size and footwork to the DE- 5 Technique in a base 3-4 or slide inside and play the 1 or 3 Technique, etc,etc…These are Defensive DL, there is not rocket science here and don’t give me any of that American Indian, can’t handle his alocohol bs crap either … C’Mon Man…
Huh???? paul, WTF you talking about? Don’t know what you are talking about.
Only teasing you DCAr..
OK. You had me worried. I thought you were off your meds again. LOL!
Gcobb, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and the world would be a better place if you started taking yours. LOL!
rootdown, the world would be a better place, if you minded your business, & went fuck yourself! Who the fuck are you anyways?
I like Lamarr Houston…but we can use another stout DT
Add a Veteran Player from the above list without breaking the Bank
Then Draft a DL to go along with Cox,Thornton,Logan,Curry and you have a pretty talented, young & versatile DL
This team needs so much on defense on every level. They got nothing in terms of pass rush from there d-line. Cox is a made up Eagle fans love child with very little production. Logan is to small and Thorton (the best of the bunch) had 1 sack in 16 games? You need LB, Safeties and DBs. The luxury picks of a TE in the 2nd round should be over. That’s why this talk of receiver anywhere in the 1st 5 rounds is ludicrous unless somehow someway a Mike Evans or a Benjamin may fall and you cant bypass them.
luxary pick? Brett Celek is not a one man wrecking crew. Howie nailed that 2nd round pick. Zach Ertz is going to be a feature player.
36 rec, 469 yards, 4 TD is a luxury?
Touchdowns, Touchdowns, Touchdowns — People who score Touchdowns are not luxuries —
Projection time, how many touchdowns does Zach Ertz have to score in 2014?
I’ll put the over under for Ertz at 7 touchdowns. I feel its a solid number, nothing that will turn heads when you look at potential double digit TD catching TE’s. It’s hard to really focus on “what” Ertz can do for this team down the line, as there were many solid OLB, Safety, and CB options that we could have taken instead of upgrading a position where we had already signed a TE in the offseason. I wanted Cyprien who ended up going to the Jags, but whats done is done. I really like Ertz, and when I see how TE’s have become such a big part of today’s offense, I’m excited to see what this guy does with a full off-season, a year in the Pro’s in the books. In 2009. Celek went for 76, 971 and 8. Ertz has more talent then Celek, I really feel Ertz could even do better then Celek’s best year with the Eagles.
Ertz is actually just a better athlete than Celek. He isn’t as good a football player. That’s why he never could start over Celek, like most predicted.
You guy’s are overstating what he may actually become. Too me he is a situational receiver in a 2 TE set exclusively. Jason Avant, had more TD, than DJack, the year before, but obviously not the best WR……..TD’s don’t mean he is better, it means he was open in that situation, although he has had some great catches…he still isn’t better than Celek at TE..
GMCliff -you sound like a Brian Westbrook defender in Shady McCoy’s rookie year
Yet I am correct in my Celek -Ertz analogy…..
We’ll see, he is not better than Celek at this time. Ertz is not a traditional TE, he is not a good blocking TE.
Playing with Celek in a double TE set enabled him to get open because of the presence of the obvious threats – McCoy, Jackson, even Celek was able to produce; not having to stay in to help block for a beat up Offensive Line this year…….which isn’t required for Ertz, because he is more of a WR, than a TE….
Do you honestly think that Defensive Coordinators are going to ignore him when they put him on the field next year? He won’t have the same scenario next year..
Also, he has to learn to be a better blocker before he can start over Celek, outside of a double TE set. If the Offensive Line is depleted, like it has been for most of Celek’s unproductive seasons, he will have to stay in and block, which isn’t his strong point, and his production will fall as well…….He is a big WR, and they should use him as such, not as a TE.
you’re really hoping that he is more productive. He won’t if doesn’t supplant Celek, who Chip Kelly said when interviewed, that he was the first name he thought of when speaking about Pro Bowl considerate players on his team….not Ertz…The Coaches say, he has talent, but has a ways to go…You say he is going to be a star….get ready to eat crow when he fails to reach your expectations….
GMCliff – ask Shannon Sharpe why he wasn’t a better blocker and he’ll tell you they pay million dollar raises for catches not blocks —
Celek 32 receptions on 51 targets
Ertz 36 receptions on 56 targets =
Guess who is going to get four to six targets a game next year?
Guess who is going to be on the Eagles roster in 2017?
I told you all last year the Eagles were going to take an Oline followed by whichever of the 2 TEs were available with the second pick.
They did just that.I was not suprised. The Eagles had just chosen Chip Kelly as coach? Did anyone really think they were going D early????
He also knew he had a young QB waiting in the wings. TEs are always important to draft along with young QBs.
Johnson and Ertz were both excellent picks (though I am concerned about Ertz’s propensity to drop one ball a gaime – he did the same in college). Both players performed very well at their respective positions, should improve heading in to their second years, and will be staples on the Birds O for the Next 10 years.
Please do not be suprised if with their first pick the Eagles again go Oline…
First round picks should only ever be spent on Oline, Dline or QB anyway, as they represent the most value and have the longest careers (if productive). Well, it isn’t going to be QB…so that leaves Oline and Dline.
The coach is Chip Kelly.
Oline it is.
Dline second round.
Wr in 3rd.
Eagles make FA splash signing one of the safeties from Buff or Cleveland.
Take note that Ertz was a Rookie last Season, missed many of the OTA’s due to his Graduation Date at Stanford..
I don’t beleive anyone with “Football Sense” expects a Rookie (no matter what position) is going to step right in and out outperform a 5-6-7 Year Starting Veteran .. Ertz is a Receiving TE, we all know that,
the TE position is different now where most Teams have 3 of their Rosters.. .1 strictly a Receiving Target (like J Graham,Gronkowski,J Finley, Gonzales,etc,etc and 1 more of a Blocking TE and then 1 who is in-between Player)
The Days of just having a TE who blocks first and maybe catchs a few Balls in the Red-Zone are over… Most Teams utilize their TE’s a real weapons to make Defense’s have to defend the entire field…
J Graham,Gonzales, Gronkoowski, J Thomas, etc,etc are not Paid to be blockers.. they are Paid to creat the mis-matches and make Plays down the field
I don’t think it makes a difference Paul….
He’s not Jimmy Graham, a Healthy Gronkowski, or Julius Thomas….
You can put him on Jermichael Finley’s potential, because he’s been overrated for years now. I think you guys are all excited about nothing.
You sound just like the guys who were sure of themselves, that said Brandon Graham would be one of the leaders in sack totals in the NFL this year, based on his production per snap count…How’d that work out?……..You’re making fools of yourselves based on a guy that is OK…….TO EACH HIS OWN BROTHER…….LOL!!!!
Yet, that being said Graham, Gronkowski, Thomas, and Gonzales, all are excellent Blockers, as well as Pass Catchers……You are actually making my point…….the top guys can do it all….That includes Antonio Gates, Martelius Bennett, Jason Witten, Aaron Hernandez, Jordan Cameron, and Heath Miller.
I put Ertz in the category of a Jared Cook, Brandon Pettigrew, Charles Clay, Coby Fleener, and Tyler Eifert type who are average to OK Pass Catching TE’s in the league…..
Excellent Blockers from Graham,Gronkowski,Thomas, Gonzales are you seeing something on the Football Field that I don’t see.. J Graham is a very poor Blocker, Gonzales has never been known as a Good Blocker as A Gates, Gronkowski, Hernenadez,etc .
Where are you seeing Excellence in Blocking from these Players..
They are Paul…pay attention
They are not GMCliff
They are no comparison in blocking as TE’s Heath Miller,
Dleanie Walker, etc,etc
Maybe not as good blockers, but they do block, and more than Ertz will be asked in his career…My point is that Ertz isn’t on their level period.
an accurate comparison would be Jared Cook, Coby Fleener – non blocking pass catcher
and why is this any surprise GMCliff to compare a Rookie 2nd Round Draft pick with TE’s with 6-8-10-12 Year Pro’s in the NFL.. That’s pure assaninity.. You are getting a little full of yourself here lately my friend..
That’s like me stating Nice Foles should be like Tom Brady
just stupid,stupid,stupid…
My point is Paul, which I’m sure you’ve picked up by now is Ertz, isn’t as great, or potentially s great as most would like to believe.
So, enjoy his, Jared Cook, Coby Fleener career.
I think anyone with a brain knows GMCliff that ERTZ, being only a Rookie and not in the same Class as the Top TE’s in NFL who have played,matured, honed their Skils a years of Practice and Hard Work.. I also believe that no one expected him to step right in and be a impact player in his Rookie Season, Youseem to be the only Poster on here that Expects Rookies to be able to do this and the NFL is lucky to have 4-5 Impact Rookie Players a Season out of the 250 Players Drafted, it just doen’t happen.. but as usual, you are telling us that ERTZ is simply going to have an Average Career after his Rookie Season, and many her believe that RTZ will be a Top 10 TE in the NFL in terms of Production by 2016…
You keep comparing Rookie Players or Draft Prospects to 6-8-10 Year Veterans which is foolish to keep readin about..
The kid have a bright future as does Lane Jonson and even Benie Logan, does this mean any of them are “impact” or All-Pro’s, absolutetly not, tbut can they be a good young Core of Players to help to contribute to the Eagles Success for the next 4-6-8 Years.. Yes I think they can for I am an Eagles fan and want all the Players to succeed, for if Players have success, then the Team has Success.. YOu are way to quick to write off a Player
who hasn’t even gotten his feet wet as a NFL Professional Player
I’m not talking about him as a rookie. I’m talking about his overall potential.
You, and others keep bringing up that he’s just a rookie crap, to give yourselves wiggle room, and time in your opinions coming to fruition. Okay give it time….and we will see…I don’t se anything special….
With Celek in on more plays, being more valuable, because he is the better blocker…
I don’t need Shannon Sharpe’s opinion…..LOL!! If you think he is going to be better than I say he will be. Then you will be willing to take the facetious I told you so verbal tail whipping that comes with it right?
e0, you are comparing a HOF, superb TE to a rookie TE, who was a luxury pick? Are you brain damaged? He was a luxury pick, that should have never been taken. Stop with the stat comparisons, Celek was the only TE on the roster who could block, so he was on the line most of the year. Educate yourself, before you start ragging on gm again. Stop going out of your way to refute everything he says. You look clueless, & foolish. Just like your stupid Lane Johnson- Ansah- Lotulelei arguments.
Hhahahahahaaaaaa!!!!!
gmc, there just ain’t no talking sense to some of these irrational boobs on here. SHEESH!!!
Grow up please nobody wants to read your childish nonsense here. This comment section is informative most days but people like you make it into something it does not need to be. Grow up.
Some of these guys take a lot for granted. That’s why I don’t always respond to E0S, and Ciggy…..They have to see it before they believe it, so responding to them is a waste of time.
Just like Brandon Graham, Foles, DJack being traded, and other statements….They’ll be shown better than told….
Don’t sweat it. We hear this every year, and still come out of it smelling like a rose, while they have egg on their face, and never hear a response saying I was wrong…what else is new?….LOL!!!
TeamHurnt, go f^#@ yourself! If you don’t like what I say, too f^#@ing bad! Childish nonsense? WTF are you even talking about? Mind your f^#@ing business. Leave the conversation to the men. Who the f^#@ are you anyways? Beat it!!!!
Lol – the 2 dingbats holding hands again — Clueless Howie, Gimmick Chip, Don’t belong in the league Davis, Over drafted Lane, Luxury Ertz, Not a NT Logan and what other asinine things do GMCliff and DCar stand for = oh yeah they like the trade down Joe Banner method, bwahahahaha–
—
and yet we are still correct…
Memory serves me correct Banner traded up to get Graham, McDougle, …..
and traded down for inferior talent like Freddie Mitchell, Trevor Laws, and Kevin Kolb……He, and Reid, flat out sucks in terms of talent evaluation..
Don’t insult us like that, its laughable…LOL!!!
and Howie
e0, if you even had a brain cell in your empty head, you could comprehend what we talk about. You are another one of the blind loyalist, lemmings, that can’t think for themselves, & are afraid of criticism, because you think you wouldn’t be a good fan, if you weren’t. GTFO, with your Ball-less, flawed, irrational thinking. Get lost with the rest of the boobs. At least gmcliff, paul, & I try to talk about ways to legitimately improve this team, & don’t just suck the dick of Weaselman, & think as him as God! Dude did a mediocre job, with the FA signings, & the draft was all reaches, non-needs, & idiocy, while neglecting the same things, that have been neglected, for years! If you can’t see that, you’re an idiot!!!!
They did pretty damn well with reaches, luxuries, gimmick coaches, bad free agents. Imagine if you bozos ever made a real pick in your life…. Super Bowl each year. Undefeated from the armchair.
I wouldn’t base my opinion on an overachieving year Ciggy…
You have a lot of mouth for someone, with zero Sports management experience. This so called armchair GM, HAS MORE EDUCATION, AND EXPERIENCE THAN YOU, e0s, and Howie…
With a tougher schedule next year, we can only hope we are so lucky. But you will continue to expect the same results?….Only if we upgrade the positions we ignored to stabilize for years my friend….
Call me what you want, but I know what I am talking about…
I’d love to read your dissertation and see the teams you have coached or put together/ I’d compare resumes for sure
Knowing you it wouldn’t make a difference because, I’m sure you’ll find a way or reason to be critical, even with your foot in your mouth.
Relax with your uneducated criticism. Let the year play out, and we will see who is smarter, me – or you and Howie
Uneducated? Let the year play out? It Already played out. Next year is a new draft and free agency! What teams have you built I. Real life
GMCliff – you predicted doom and failure and Howie and Chip won the divison, we waited a year, the results are in: Howie and Chip look like geniuses and you look like a dingbat for questioning them.
ADMIT IT gmcliff YOU WERE WRONG
Hey havenoclue, chiming in again, where his mouth doesn’t belong! How’s your Girlfriend Ruin 2morrow Jr. doing? Since you were so correct, on all of those ass kissing irrational arguments you had with me, the last 3 years about him! My armchair undefeated streak wasn’t too shabby there! GTF lost you troll POS, & go back inside your girlfriends colon, where you belong, you ass kissing, brainless lemming! GTFOH!!!!
Temper tantrums are unpleasant and disruptive behaviors or emotional outbursts. They often occur in response to unmet needs or desires. Tantrums are more likely to occur in younger children or anyone else who cannot express their needs or control their emotions when they are frustrated.
gmcliff, don’t argue with the retired coach/ referee, that knows everything, with the self bragged about pristine family. We ain’t worthy, to be on the same website as he. We can’t have a critical, individual frame of mind & thinking, if we aren’t professional FO people. We only have brains, eyes, knowledge of all sports, & over 3-4 decades of following all sports. God we aren’t worthy! Lord help us!
Anger involves the emotions – like sadness, disappointment or frustration.
Anger involves the body – blood pressure rises, muscles tense, and the heart rate increases.
Anger involves thoughts – and it’s how you direct your thoughts that can make a difference between worsening the anger or coping with it.
Rather than escalating the feelings by thinking irrational thoughts like “the world is out to get you,” stop and think of solutions by focusing on what’s wrong.
Is passive-aggressive behavior, without shouting, a good way to express anger? Dr. Brothers says, No, because it’s a way of trying to hurt others without letting them know of your anger; alternatively, you’re trying to retaliate while acting blameless.
Low levels of constant anger are unhealthy and unproductive; it can also provoke others to become angry with you, and it won’t lessen your feelings of aggressiveness.
Zackery says anger can be good: it acts as a motivator; stops others from “walking all over you”; and may bring some long-term problems out in the open. Zackery says multiple stressors often cause people to “explode” with anger once they’re triggered into a response. Obviously, some people deal with anger much better than other do.
If you were taught that anger is “wrong,” you might never have learned how to deal with it properly. Things simmer until they explode.
Are depression and anger related? Dr. Brothers says that anger turned inward is often experienced as depression. People “swallow” their anger rather than confront their problems or the ones who anger them. That’s a reaction of “powerlessness,” and it is not a healthy response.
Zackery says there are two ways to handle anger – through expression or suppression.
Expression is the healthier choice: talking things out in a reasonable, rational, relatively-calm way will go a lot further towards reaching a resolution than an explosive outburst will.
Suppression is a way of “holding in,” which is ultimately pointless and unproductive.
Should you try to quietly reason with an angry person? Dr. Brothers says, No, because such people are not reasonable at that moment, and you could provoke them into escalating the anger. She suggests leaving them alone for a while, but offer to talk to them when they feel more under control.
What’s the difference between “counseling” for anger management and classes? Zackery says counseling will help you to identify your triggers, with help from a therapist who is a mental health counselor or psychologist. You can work one-on-one or include family members. You can explore feelings like sadness, and triggers that set you off. Many people seem to manage anger better after only 8 to 10 sessions.
Classes teach you how to express anger in “a controlled, healthy way.” Once you have some insights about what causes you to become angry, you can learn new ways of coping and dealing with anger.
If you hurt anyone else or find your anger is hurting personal relationships or makes you regret things you’ve done, either counseling or classes could benefit you.
If you are in trouble with the police or you’ve physically harmed someone or people are afraid of you, you may benefit from both: insights from counseling and changed behaviors from taking classes.
There are physical problems related to passive, pent up, or violent anger. You may get headaches, have difficulty sleeping, have high blood pressure and/or digestive problems, Zackery says, and “stress and hostility related to anger can lead to heart attacks.”
Uncontrolled anger benefits no one and can harm many.
If you need help, seek it. If you’re confronted by an out-of-control, angry person, walk away or protect yourself from anyone who is acting unreasonably. As Dr. Brothers says, “Your safety should take precedence over an effort to change the person’s mood all by yourself.”
No TeamHurnt, my outburst is to a dickhead, who is getting involved in a conversation, that has he has NO business being in! You don’t know me, nor my needs, frustration, nor my emotions, so take your clueless, armchair, psychology, & go back under the rock you came from.
Blah. blah, blah!! Go google some more clueless, definitions, diagnoses & dissertations for me. I’m so enlightened now. Thank you, maybe now I can get the help, that I so sorely need! GTFO troll!!!!
The DL did its job especially considering the cost — The only player not holding his value was Brandon Graham. Last insane rookie contract ( Sam Bradford draft) Graham was given a 6 year guaranteed contract. Cliffton Geathers is a free agent and Square is not a keeper so the Eagles might have 2 spots to fill. The New Jersey Giants and Virginia Redskins will both be adding 3 new starters each to their offensive lines this offseason. So the free pass the Eagles got last year in the division is gone, big time talent is coming to the NFC East offensive lines.
I’ll never forget trading up that year, Earl Thomas right there in the Eagles lap, and the Birds drafting a “tweener” in Brandon Graham. The Chris Gocong experiment, the Bryan Smith failure, here the Eagles did it again, when a ure fire safety was there for the taking. I agree, the Eagles d-line may have looked even better then theor talent with how poor the O-lines were for the Giants and Skins. That is one area that I strongly hope the Eagles take into consideration. Minus the Cowboys, the other teams in the NFC East had some of their worse seasons in the last five years. They have made coaching changes and major roster changes will also be coming. The Eagles have already been given the 2014 NFC East title by some of the local media, but I can’t say all of that right now, how could we? We know the holes that this team has, we know that a lot of things worked out for us last year. I’m very confident that the Eagles will be a solid team next year. I’ll take it as far as saying we could battle for a spot in the NFC Championship Game. Our schedule is rough, but when all is said and done, we need to win our division, and then rise up, take our game to the next level in the playoffs.
Redskins play in Maryland, not Virginia. Also, what big time talent are you expecting to come to the NFC East.
Isn’t Fed-Ex Field and Redskin Training Ctr on the Virginia side..
Anyways, the NFC Teams have this amount of Cap Space going onto the Off-Season (Approximate amts)
1) Eagles – $20 Million
2) Cowboys – $2 Million
3) Redskins – $1.5 Million
4) Giants – – $100,000
These Teams are going to have to release,restrtucure
Many of their own Players Deals just to retain some of their own Free-Agent Players, let alone go out on the open market and bring in Players for other Teams…and then save $$$ for their Draft Picks
All 3 Franchises are strapped this Season
Eagles need to pounce and use good planning on who they sign to fill holes
(Safety/De) then Draft 4-5 key good solid players
And they can be on their way to the Class of the NFC East for the next 3-5 Seasons
FedEd is in Landover, MD.
Readskin Park – Richmond, Virginia
field in landover
headquarters richmond –
2 new offenses are coming to giants and redskins and with that those inefficient OL are going to get revamped
They are going to have to revamp with Young Players,Draft PIcks for neither the Giants/Redskins have the $$$ to go out and sign Free-Agent OL to any big Deals..
Justin Tuck’s contract is getting ripped up, he is not a feature player anymore and not worth pro bowl money ;I think the Giants sign a FA guard and use their first on an OT. —
Redskin’s will have 3 new OL starters also — RG3 cannot take that pounding again –
I think Ertz will end up being a very good player for us. I think he will develop into a real threat in the endzone and will really help our young QB out downfield. I also think his blocking is underrated for a young TE which he did a lot of at Stanford. Some of you guys are unrealistic when it comes to young players, expecting rookies to just walk on an NFL field and put up numbers like the best in the league. Its delusional. If you know football you know thats not how it works 99% of the time.
BTW go look at what Jimmy Graham, Witten, Gates, Gonzales put up their rookie years in the league. The numbers were nothing special. You guys would have probably been down on them too. Numbers are very comparable to Ertz. Even if Ertz doesnt end up being an all time great like those guys, doesn’t mean he cant be a really good developing player that I would love to have on this team going into the future.
Give the kid a full NFL offseason at least
Gmcliff, I think it’s only fair that I admit I was one who thought Brandon Graham was going to have a breakout year. I was wrong.
That being said, I feel like you shoot down a lot of people’s opinion but never give one of your own. Who would you have taken over Lane Johnson last year? The vast majority of football analysts and experts seem to think he did a pretty damn good job this year for a rookie. Also, who do you like this year?
BTC, I have major respect for you for saying that.
The vast majority have been applauding the effort of the entire Offensive Line…the stubborn have ignored the many sacks he has given up this year, classifying them as hurries…The OLine as a WHOLE did a very nice job, and not just exclusively because of the efforts of Lane Johnson…..that’s blind loyalty to Howie…
Everybody knows, my choice last year was Ziggy Ansah. That opinion wasn’t hidden from anyone. I don’t know what you mean when you say I NEVER give an opinion of my own……That’s not true Brother.
I have been mocking Kony Ealy for 2 months now…where have you been?
GM, you think the kid packs on some lbs (currently is listed at 275) and plays opposite of Cox, or slims down and we use him as an OLB?
Jeff, I am going to start posting highlights of Kony Ealy, playing in coverage. Many including Ray Didinger, feel this kid is an Aldon Smith clone with more athleticism – natural pass rusher – but with coverageablity.
We have no one on our roster with that type of freakish athleticism. I want Khalil Mack, – Who I have been mocking since the end of last years SuperBowl – but we have played ourselves out of getting him, so if Howie wants the best available…and he is available – even within range of getting…. they better take him…..Then thank me for the suggestion brother…:)
Ealy can only help as we put our secondary together piece by piece. If you really think about it, it could very well be best decision the Eagles could make in round one.
I don’t view Pryor and Clinton-Dix (top 2 projected safeties) how I did with the safeties the Saints and 49ers got in the first round last year. The CB’s don’t wow me either. Would I like one of the big WR’s in the first round? Sure, but we spent a very high pick last year on a TE who can be used in some WR formations. There is a chance we bring back Cooper, and if not we grab another big body WR who is capable of catching 50 balls.
We need a player who scares the “F***” out of opposing teams. One you have to gameplan for. Dawkins teams planned against. For a period of time, the same with Trotter.
-I’ll jump on the Ealy train, looking forward to the highlights.
Jeff, there is going to be some talent in the 3rd – 6th rounds that may surprise a lot of people how their NFL Careers turn out.
That’s when teams are successful in the draft, when they hit in those rounds….
They can wait on drafting a Safety by signing Jarius Byrd, and drafting Deone Buchannon in the 3rd..
Jeremiah Attaochu is another pass rusher, I’d like to pair with Ealy for the future.
Here is another name, but as a MLB – Andrew Jackson – Western Kentucky 6-1 257lbs – Trotter Like, with more speed, and coverageablity.
Fair points. I’ll admit I can’t keep track of everyone’s pick from year to year. That being said, I do think we need to give Lane Johnson a couple years to really evaluate him and determine if he was worth the 4th overall selection.
Who is gmcliff picking this year if the draft were today?
I just told you……. Kony Ealy
If Johnson were drafted in the 2nd Round, I would be pounding him like I do. I just think there was better players on the board at needed positions Like:
Ansah, Sheldon Richardson, Star Lotululei, Kenny Vaccaro, and DJ Fluker. We should have made more of an effort to trade down for more impact.
I wouldn’t be pounding him..
Sorry, was reading too fast.
Its cool Brother..
If he did such a great job, why wasn’t he nominated to the pro bowl…I tell you why, because the job they say he did was bull shit…..
Peters, Mathis, and Kelce deserve more praise, and Herramans didn’t play well, but what do you expect trying to help Johnson with all his mistakes?
IMO Earl Thomas is the best safety in the league right now, and it kills me to watch.
Imagine if we picked Thomas before Graham and Wilkerson instead of Watkins. Two picks that would have made a huge impact right now on this defense, esp when it comes to our needs right now. Imagine how much better this D would be right now with just those 2 players we could have easily had.
Wilkerson played in the Eagles backyard (Knighton is another one btw). How the hell don’t they pick him over Watkins.
We did get a Temple guy, he just happened to be the wrong one and is now suiting up for the Jets. It’s hard to watch players who we could of have had, there are plenty out there, many who we will watch for years to come, Pro Bowl after Pro Bowl, and for a guy like Earl Thomas, possibly one day, elected into the Hall of Fame.
Terrance Knighton, was the DT that DCar, and myself were screaming for the Eagles to sign last off season in Free Agency.
quality free agents wanted nothing to do with Philadelphia last off-season. Knighton made the correct decision he is in the Super Bowl. Ricky Jean-Francois came to Philly used them to pump up his offer elsewhere and signed with SF and probable made the right decision for himself.
Francois played for Indianapolis, and didn’t do much ……He would have sucked here without Robert Mathis.
We will absolutely break down free agency as it nears, I still have linebackers, CB’s, Safety and Special Teams to Assess with upcoming articles. Free Agency is a frenzy, I love it and look forward to it. PaulMan is like a human college mock draft, so can’t wait to have his round by round up to the minute players Eagles should target.
That’s right Jeff, we need a pass rush….a real consistent pass rush, which means Outside Linebackers first.. then Safety, CB, WR, OG….
Paul gives 10 different mock drafts a week, per month…..of non- impact
Ha! They are entertaining, and if anything, it forces you to quick search the players he has listed. I watch every pick of every round with knowing roughly 20% of the players being called. I can’t turn it off, so his mock drafts will improve my knowledge of players.
Don’t get me wrong, Paul is my man…
DCAR in September of 2011″with this team we are having a huge party in November Mail it in” that’s less than 3 years ago. The pitcher he loves gives up a four run lead they get beat by a juggernaut and all of a sudden the gm who built that team blows! July 2011 that gm makes a trade that is the best day in Philly pro history according to gm DCAR, it doesn’t work out and now DCAR goes with the all caps and &$)!?@&$. You are undefeated from your armchair. You don’t understand athletics.
Now this year a gimmick coach, reaches, bad draft, bad free agency and the eagles win six more games , division and playoffs… But they would have been better on the DCAR armchair plan
I don’t understand Athletics? Not everyone, can be a perfect, know-it-all, retired coach/ referee/ umpire, Superfan, with knowledge of every sport, & all of the rule books, & front office strategies like you! I feel so inferior to you now, with all of my unfulfilled dreams, insecurities & my meaningless existence. MAN, my successful 45 years on this planet, isn’t good enough anymore. Maybe I’ll just leave this site, & not come back now, since you have shown me the light?
:*(
I don’t know all sports. I never comment on hockey or hoops or college football because I don’t follow them.
You don’t know that in athletics things happen… I guess that is because you were undefeated every year in all sports. Maybe your anger and frustration come because you are like a HOF baseball player that can’t manage because everyone else is below your talent level
No, because I have 2 eyes, a perfect functioning brain, & can think non-biased, with it, instead of with my heart! My anger & frustrating comes from @$$holes like you, coming on here telling people what to say, & telling them they don’t know what they’re talking about, because you disagree with them! Get this through your irrational, flawed, peanut head, you don’t know me, you don’t know $#!T about talent, & you ain’t better than anyone on here, nor are you a better fan, because you don’t criticize. I was wrong about the coaches, & I’ve stated i many times the past few weeks, but you don’t see that, only the truth I speak about the other things. You have yet once, to admit you were wrong about your girlriend Ruin 2morrow! Because you ain’t a man, & you lack the intestinal fortitude, to admit you were wrong! Get lost, & find something to do with your life, other than coming on here to irrationally argue.
Paulman’s Winter Olympics Mock Medals in teh “Curling Event”
1) Gold – Canada
2) Silver – Iceland
3) Brozne – USA
I will be Flying to Sochi,Russia this evening, as I was invited by Premier Vladimir Putin and his Family as a Guest and will be posting some “Mock Medal Award Winners” in Skiiing,Skating, Curling, Hockey and other Events ..
Be on the lookout if your interested ..
LOL!!!
Curling and hockey are the only events that matter.
Canada’s men will win curling gold, not sure about the women…Jennifer Jones is pretty attractive, but has a bit of choke in her sometimes.
I am not the biggest fan of Canada’s hockey team this year. Legend of Lucic should have been on there somewhere if only to scare the daylights out of the Swedes and Ruskies.
DCAR your unfulfilled dreams have created anger and frustration… Your only thing to look forward to is your undefeated armchair career. As for bragging mister “rebuilt myself three times, cop , mma blah blah” …
Blah, blah, blah! That’s all that comes out of your pie hole, troll! Verbal, meaningless, clueless, diarrhea! As I’ve stated a trillion times, you don’t know me, nor nothing about me. You have never seen me brag on here! The only time I’ve ever responded to certain things, were to ?’s by other posters. I don’t come on here, like the condescending, elitist, I’m a perfect know-it-all, Superfan, like you do! You are a POS, coward, that hides behind the keyboard! plain & simple! Beat it punk!
clue·less
ˈklo͞oləs/
adjective
informal
adjective: clueless
1.
having no knowledge, understanding, or ability.
“you’re clueless about how to deal with the world”
synonyms: oblivious, unaware, unmindful, insensible,
Go copy & paste some more for me, it’s enlightening, & educating, because, duuuuh, I’m not smart enough!
I don’t know all but I do know in sports that things happen and when they do I don’t beat my chest, cuss and rip people who a few days earlier I praised. You are a fraud, you are frustrated by the knee injury that ended your HOF career.a nod you come on here as an irrational thug punk
You are a funny girl! I like how you concoct your fantasy life for me. You ought to right a script for Disney, or something. Yeah, I’m a thug punk, says the punk bitch behind the computer! Go away, you are a nauseating, tiresome, useless growth, on the @$$ of a corpse! Beat it troll! Take your new girlfriend running buddy TeamHurnt with you!
No! You aren’t in charge …frustrating isn’t it! You are not behind the computer? That would be the pot calling the kettle. You behind the computer who cusses everyone, threatens people. You are a bully.
Yeah, I’m a bully, says the condescending GCobb editor, & nazi! GTFOH! You are a priceless, spineless, little girl, who needs to talk down to people, to feel like a man. See, I can back up my talk. I never threaten anyone, unprovoked. The only times I’ve ever threatened anyone on here, was when my manhood was called into question, or someone said something about my Mother, or something like that. I told you chief, anytime, anyplace. BTW, I am in charge punk!
Like I’ve said to you numerous times, instead of irrationally arguing, & talking down to me, talking $#!T, making $#!t up about me, grow a pair, & do something about it! Go ahead, call me some more names, like thug, bully, blah, blah, blah, little Nancy!
if you are in charge how can i keep responding?
making stuff up? hmmm the stuff i say in here is directly from here… you always start with the name calling hence the thug and bully on my part.
……..…../´¯/)……….. (\¯`\
…………/….//……….. …\\….\
………../….//………… ….\\….\
…../´¯/…./´¯\………../¯ `\….\¯`\
.././…/…./…./.|_……_| .\….\….\…\.\..
(.(….(….(…./.)..)..(..(. \….)….)….).)
.\…………….\/…/….\. ..\/……………./
..\…………….. /……..\……………..…/
….\…………..(………. ..)……………./
rootdown, I can see, I have another POS troll to deal with, that doesn’t know how to mind his f^#@ing business? Take those fingers, & pleasure your corn-hole with them!!!!
Can Ealy play OLB or is his natural position a DE in 4-3?
Ealy is more of a 4-3 DE or a stand-up 3-4 OLB who specializes in rushing the Passer.. Can he drop in Pass-Coverage, yes, but that’s not his strength at this stage of his carrer.. He’s much more effective rushing in than dropping back (think Trent Cole)
All I want his assignment to be his rookie season is “take the QB” out. We can bump opposing TE’s with Barwin, Kendricks can use his speed in space, and hopefully with some legit Safety on this squad we have another option to cover the TE. I’m trying to make it really simple for the rookie, let him do exactly what he is being drafted for. No more trying to change what got them to this point. Rush the QB, often, hard and finish the hit!
That’s right Paul…Kick that knowledge Brother on Ealy..
But no, don’t think Cole…..Think Aldon Smith, but more athletic..
He can play OLB….although he is big enough to play DE with more bulk put on.
OLB at the NFL Level would not be an easy Transition for Kony Ealy, He’s a Pass-Rusher and best suited for a 4-3 Defense as a down lineman (DE)
but he is super Athletic and Coachable and has the skill set, but I always hate the idea of moving a kid to a new Postion and to try learning it at the NFL Level.. It rarely works…
Ealy needs to go a 4-3 Def Front Team like the Cowboys, Giants, Falcons,etc,etc… 3-4 is not his best fit as a Football Player
The Eagles have a decision to make on Clifton Geathers.
Not really E0SB
They will offer him a 1 Year Deal, but he is no lock to make the 2014 Roster.. Has has great Size, but doesn’t seem to know how to use it yet and don’t believe Coaching Staff is counting or epxecting much from him to be honest with you..
our No#1 priority in free agency this year should be Jairus Byrd! We need a safety in the worst way.
I agree Breezy, and #2 Jason Woirlds
I have read it all on here now, this guy team hunt comes here to lecture on anger management directed at dcar, dcar tells him in his own way to get lost, with a few &@# mixed in , priceless…..
Only on the springer show!
Justin Tuck, Linval Joseph and Fletcher Cox would be a formidable front three that would cost the Eagles cash, but not draft picks which is ideal. Hopefully the Eagles can draft Justin Gilbert in the first round if he’s available and Keith McGill (Utah) in the second so they can move Cary Williams to free safety where he would probably be lights out and have a starter in the wings behind Brandon Fletcher. Drafting Kelvin Benjamin in the first is something I would welcome as well. NFL rules for WR contact are probably going to be enforced more strongly and assuming they are Riley Copper will be less effective in pass patterns where he can’t push off or man handle corners without being penalized. Benjamin will bring the size to get off the line and the speed to get nice RAC yards. Maclin should be re-signed immediately and figure out the rotation at summer camp if they go that way.
Then they can probably also draft Kyle Van Noy in the 3rd round and definitely should if he’s available.
OLB Van Noy will most likely go mid/late 2nd Round..
Remember the Eagles are Selecting #22 out of #36 Spots each Round..