Last week I posted a piece on the Eagles' options to improve their receiving corps through free agency and on the first day of the new free agent season they came through in a big way by agreeing to a one-year deal with former Chicago wide receiver Alshon Jeffery after already inking Torrey Smith to a three-year deal as a free agent receiver out of San Francisco.
In that post, I questioned Philly's ability to land a high-profile player like Jeffery given the team's current strains on the NFL salary cap, but it started the process of making some room by releasing fan-favorite defensive end/linebacker Connor Barwin and his $7.75 million hit on the cap. It takes hard decisions to win in the free agent game and the mentality of this team appears to lean towards helping the offense at the expense of the defense. Standout defensive lineman Benny Logan was already given his walking papers which has to raise some concern for a unit that finished the regular season in the middle of the pack in total yards allowed.
Do not get me wrong, the addition of both Jeffrey and Smith immediately upgrades a passing offense that was 24th in the NFL in yards per game and it gives second-year quarterback Carson Wentz both a big target that can come down with the jump ball as well as a speedster that can bring the deep ball back into play. These moves also help to turn up the heat on Jordan Matthews to up his game as possibly the third-best receiver on this team right now. Rest assured that the heat will also get turned up pretty high on Wentz if he does not take full advantage of his two new weapons.
The Eagles still need to address their running game and there are more than a few holes on defense that could turn into huge craters if team vice president Howie Roseman and head coach Doug Pederson do not start doing a much better job with the draft. I would not look for anymore big splashes in free agency given that the Eagles' cap situation could still be called tenuous at best, but they should be able to add a few pieces here and there to keep things moving in the right direction.
Friday, March 10, 2017
Sunday, March 5, 2017
Eagles' Free Agent Plans at Wide Receiver
It is no big secret that one of Philadelphia’s most pressing needs this offseason is a major upgrade at the wide receiver position. The Birds tried to solve this problem a few years back by drafting Jordan Matthews in the second round of the 2014 draft before using a first round pick in 2015 to land Nelson Agholor. Both players have proven they can play at the next level, but neither one will ever be considered an elite wide receiver in the NFL.
After giving away the farm last year to move up and get Carson Wentz with the second overall pick of the 2016 draft, it is time to bring in some legitimate weapons to give the second-year quarterback a chance to live up to his potential. The quickest and easiest way to accomplish this goal is through free agency since you already know what you are getting in return for your money. With a number of high-profile wide receivers expected to test the free agent waters in the coming weeks, the question on every Eagles fan’s mind is which players they should go after.
DeSean Jackson was one of the most exciting wide receivers to ever play in Philly, but I do not think he is the answer should Washington decide to cut him loose. DJax would create a 'been there, done that' type of situation that could actually do more harm than good if he reverts back to some of his old selfish ways. Another name on the list could be Alshon Jeffery, who reportedly is looking to test the free agent market as opposed to staying in Chicago. That situation could turn into a bidding war with several teams and Philadelphia is not in the best of situations when it comes to NFL salary cap.
Moving down the list, names such as Kenny Britt (Los Angeles) and Kenny Stills (Miami) come to mind as potential targets. Both of these players are coming off big years which should boost their value on the open market. If I had to choose between the two, I see more upside in Stills given his relative youth.
Trade rumors surrounding New Orleans’ wide receiver Brandin Cooks have been linked back to Philadelphia, but it appears that New England has stepped to the forefront with an offer involving a first round pick.
A new name on the list could be Terrelle Pryor after he failed to come to terms on a new contract in Cleveland. Another Redskins' receiver that could find himself on the open market is Pierre Garcon, who has proven himself to be one of the more consistent players at his position. In this head-to-head matchup, I would opt for Pryor given his youth and incredible versatility as an all-around playmaker.
Brandon Marshall was given his walking papers by the New York Jets, but he is another wide receiver that comes with too much baggage to be a good fit in Philly. A few of the other big names on the potential free agent list include Victor Cruz (New York Giants) and Vincent Jackson (Tampa Bay), but neither of those two players can make the major impact that the Eagles need from a new No. 1 or even No. 2 receiver.
The bottom line in this whole situation is that team vice president Howie Roseman and head coach Doug Pederson have their work cut out for them when the NFL starts its new business year on March 9. They could opt to try and fill this need with the draft, but that strategy is what has gotten the Birds into this situation in the first place. While I am not exactly sure which available free agent receiver I would go after, I would not break the bank to get a deal done. This position may be at the top of the list when it comes to offseason needs, but there are plenty of other holes to fill on this team if the Eagles have serious plans to be competitive in the NFC East next season.
After giving away the farm last year to move up and get Carson Wentz with the second overall pick of the 2016 draft, it is time to bring in some legitimate weapons to give the second-year quarterback a chance to live up to his potential. The quickest and easiest way to accomplish this goal is through free agency since you already know what you are getting in return for your money. With a number of high-profile wide receivers expected to test the free agent waters in the coming weeks, the question on every Eagles fan’s mind is which players they should go after.
DeSean Jackson was one of the most exciting wide receivers to ever play in Philly, but I do not think he is the answer should Washington decide to cut him loose. DJax would create a 'been there, done that' type of situation that could actually do more harm than good if he reverts back to some of his old selfish ways. Another name on the list could be Alshon Jeffery, who reportedly is looking to test the free agent market as opposed to staying in Chicago. That situation could turn into a bidding war with several teams and Philadelphia is not in the best of situations when it comes to NFL salary cap.
Moving down the list, names such as Kenny Britt (Los Angeles) and Kenny Stills (Miami) come to mind as potential targets. Both of these players are coming off big years which should boost their value on the open market. If I had to choose between the two, I see more upside in Stills given his relative youth.
Trade rumors surrounding New Orleans’ wide receiver Brandin Cooks have been linked back to Philadelphia, but it appears that New England has stepped to the forefront with an offer involving a first round pick.
A new name on the list could be Terrelle Pryor after he failed to come to terms on a new contract in Cleveland. Another Redskins' receiver that could find himself on the open market is Pierre Garcon, who has proven himself to be one of the more consistent players at his position. In this head-to-head matchup, I would opt for Pryor given his youth and incredible versatility as an all-around playmaker.
Brandon Marshall was given his walking papers by the New York Jets, but he is another wide receiver that comes with too much baggage to be a good fit in Philly. A few of the other big names on the potential free agent list include Victor Cruz (New York Giants) and Vincent Jackson (Tampa Bay), but neither of those two players can make the major impact that the Eagles need from a new No. 1 or even No. 2 receiver.
The bottom line in this whole situation is that team vice president Howie Roseman and head coach Doug Pederson have their work cut out for them when the NFL starts its new business year on March 9. They could opt to try and fill this need with the draft, but that strategy is what has gotten the Birds into this situation in the first place. While I am not exactly sure which available free agent receiver I would go after, I would not break the bank to get a deal done. This position may be at the top of the list when it comes to offseason needs, but there are plenty of other holes to fill on this team if the Eagles have serious plans to be competitive in the NFC East next season.
Saturday, February 25, 2017
Eagles 2017 Draft Picks
Courtesy of my friends at Bleeding Green Nation, the following is the complete list of Philadelphia's draft picks this year after receiving an additional fourth round pick from Cleveland as a result of last season's trade with the Browns that brought Carson Wentz to town.
Eagles' 2017 NFL Draft Lineup
1st - No. 14 or 15 (from Minnesota) TBD with a coin toss at the NFL Combine
2nd - No. 42
3rd - No. 75
4th - No. 119
4th - No. 139 (from Cleveland)
5th - No. 154
6th - No. 197
7th - No. 232
In the coming weeks, I will be weighing in on which direction I believe the Eagles will take in this year's draft based on a number of areas of need.
Eagles' 2017 NFL Draft Lineup
1st - No. 14 or 15 (from Minnesota) TBD with a coin toss at the NFL Combine
2nd - No. 42
3rd - No. 75
4th - No. 119
4th - No. 139 (from Cleveland)
5th - No. 154
6th - No. 197
7th - No. 232
In the coming weeks, I will be weighing in on which direction I believe the Eagles will take in this year's draft based on a number of areas of need.
Friday, February 10, 2017
Eagles Well Down the NFL Futures Odds List to Win Super Bowl LII
The confetti was still flying in the streets of Boston following the Patriots' incredible overtime victory in Super Bowl LI when the futures odds to win next season’s NFL title game were first released. As expected, New England has been opened as a +500 favorite to repeat. As far as the betting odds for our beloved Philadelphia Eagles, the current outlook is not as nearly as encouraging.
It should not come as any big surprise that Philadelphia is well down the list as a +5000 longshot to win Super Bowl LII after going 7-9 in 2016, but we also have to live with the fact that the Eagles have the longest odds on the board of any team in the NFC East. The Dallas Cowboys have been opened as +800 second-favorites to win it all next season after posting the best straight-up record in the NFC this year to earn the top seed in the playoffs. The New York Giants’ betting odds to win Super Bowl LII are set at +2000 and the Washington Redskins are next in the division at +4000 odds.
Looking back at Covers.com’s final football Power Rankings for the NFL this past season, the Eagles came in at No. 23 on the list, so there is some serious ground to make up in the NFC East in light of Dallas being ranked second and the Giants coming in at No. 7. Washington contended for the division title for most of the season, but it faded to No. 20 on Covers' list with just two victories in its last six games.
The good news for tortured Eagles’ fans is that the precedent for a worst-to-first run in the division has already been accomplished three times in the past five seasons. The Redskins pulled off this feat in 2012 and in 2015 and more recently Dallas went from worst to first this past season. The Cowboys sunk to 4-12 in 2015 before a pair of rookies propelled them to the top of the heap with this season’s 13-3 run. What’s to say that Eagles’ vice president Howie Roseman and second-year head coach Doug Pederson do not cook up a couple of hot free agent deals along with some more wheeling and dealing on draft day to add the necessary player personal to quickly turn things for the Birds next season.
It should not come as any big surprise that Philadelphia is well down the list as a +5000 longshot to win Super Bowl LII after going 7-9 in 2016, but we also have to live with the fact that the Eagles have the longest odds on the board of any team in the NFC East. The Dallas Cowboys have been opened as +800 second-favorites to win it all next season after posting the best straight-up record in the NFC this year to earn the top seed in the playoffs. The New York Giants’ betting odds to win Super Bowl LII are set at +2000 and the Washington Redskins are next in the division at +4000 odds.
Looking back at Covers.com’s final football Power Rankings for the NFL this past season, the Eagles came in at No. 23 on the list, so there is some serious ground to make up in the NFC East in light of Dallas being ranked second and the Giants coming in at No. 7. Washington contended for the division title for most of the season, but it faded to No. 20 on Covers' list with just two victories in its last six games.
The good news for tortured Eagles’ fans is that the precedent for a worst-to-first run in the division has already been accomplished three times in the past five seasons. The Redskins pulled off this feat in 2012 and in 2015 and more recently Dallas went from worst to first this past season. The Cowboys sunk to 4-12 in 2015 before a pair of rookies propelled them to the top of the heap with this season’s 13-3 run. What’s to say that Eagles’ vice president Howie Roseman and second-year head coach Doug Pederson do not cook up a couple of hot free agent deals along with some more wheeling and dealing on draft day to add the necessary player personal to quickly turn things for the Birds next season.
Friday, January 13, 2017
Green Bay Aims to Eliminate the NFC East from Postseason Play
The Green Bay Packers will put their seven-game winning streak on the line this Sunday afternoon against the Dallas Cowboys in the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs. They advanced to this round by hammering the New York Giants 38-13 last Sunday in the Wild Card Round while the Cowboys earned the week off as the top seed in the NFC. The Cowboys may be listed as 4.5-point home favorites in this matchup, but you have to believe that they will have their hands full against one of the hottest teams in the league.
Before the 2016 NFL regular season got underway, I had the Packers winning the NFC this year. Things did not look all that promising when they slipped to 4-6 after their first 10 games, but once Aaron Rodgers got hot he never cooled down which is one of the main reasons why Green Bay is just one more victory away from a trip to the conference title game.
The big story in Big D all season long has been the exceptional play of rookie quarterback Dak Prescott and rookie running back Ezekiel Elliott. The big question for both of these players is how they handle playing their first game on the biggest stage of their young careers. You know I will be rooting hard for both of these newbies to falter under all the added pressure given my utter dislike of their team as a whole. There is nothing better in the world then to see team owner Jerry Jones burying his head in his hands on national TV when Dallas loses. I would love to see this weekend's loss be at the hands of the Eagles, but for now I will be pulling hard for that other team in green to send the Cowboys packing to complete the NFC East sweep!
Before the 2016 NFL regular season got underway, I had the Packers winning the NFC this year. Things did not look all that promising when they slipped to 4-6 after their first 10 games, but once Aaron Rodgers got hot he never cooled down which is one of the main reasons why Green Bay is just one more victory away from a trip to the conference title game.
The big story in Big D all season long has been the exceptional play of rookie quarterback Dak Prescott and rookie running back Ezekiel Elliott. The big question for both of these players is how they handle playing their first game on the biggest stage of their young careers. You know I will be rooting hard for both of these newbies to falter under all the added pressure given my utter dislike of their team as a whole. There is nothing better in the world then to see team owner Jerry Jones burying his head in his hands on national TV when Dallas loses. I would love to see this weekend's loss be at the hands of the Eagles, but for now I will be pulling hard for that other team in green to send the Cowboys packing to complete the NFC East sweep!
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