While the actual 2009 schedule won't be released for a few more weeks, we already know who the Birds will square off against next season at the Linc. On top of division foes Dallas, New York, and Washington lets take a look at who will be visiting the City of Brotherly Love next fall.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: With a new coach at the helm after former Eagles offensive coordinator and long time Bucs head coach John Gruden was fired this off season, there are more questions than answers on this team. One thing is for sure the Birds defense will reek havoc with whomever is behind center for Tampa as I'm chalking this one up as a win.
New Orleans Saints: This team finished the 2008 season with two wins to even their record at 8-8. They should provide a good test for the Birds as Drew Brees is always a threat to come in and have a big game. Eagles win in a thriller.
San Francisco 49ers: Mike Singletary will have this team playing much better than they were before he became the head coach and are probably a year or two away from being a really good team. Fortunately for the Eagles, they will not be there yet and that should add up to another game in the win column.
Denver Broncos: The big question here will be who is behind center for Denver. I actually hope it is still Jay Cutler so the Eagles's defensive line gets to tee off on that whiner, making him wish he was somewhere else. Eagles win by two touchdowns.
Kansas City Chiefs: Another head coach with ties to the Eagles, Herm Edwards was also fired in the off season, but a change at the top will not be enough to improve this team from their dismal 2-14 record in 2008. The Eagles should be able to push this team around at the Linc, wining this game going away.
The Birds non division home games should provide five victories for the Eagles in 2009 as I think they are all teams they will be favored against and should be able to beat. If they can win two out of three division home games they should be a solid 7-1 at the Linc this year.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Eagle's Draft Update-March 27th
While most fans think it is a given that the Eagles will be looking to draft an offensive lineman with their first pick in the first round ( 21st overall) and possibly a running back with their second pick in the first round (28th overall) there is still a need at wide receiver that might be able to be addressed in round two.
The Eagles drafted WR DeSean Jackson in the second round in 2008, who made an immediate impact his rookie season. He added speed and big play ability that were lacking in the current receiving corps. In this years draft the Birds may look to the second round as an opportunity to add a receiver who has the size and strength to fill the role of “possession receiver”, complimenting Jacksons’ abilities.
The following are some of the players who they may have their eye on and should be still on the board in the second round:
Brian Robiskie; 6′3″ 199 lbs from Ohio State. He became a key figure in the Buckeye’s offense in 2008 establishing himself as a “go to” guy. He has the size and hands to make an immediate impact.
Kenny Britt; 6′4″ 214 lbs from Rutgers. He certainly has the size the Eagles have been lacking over the past few seasons and would make a great target as he is not afraid to go over the middle.
Greg Carr; 6′6′ 214 lbs from Florida State. he put up some great numbers with the Seminoles and has the size to go up get those “jump balls” in the end zone. He could be the second coming of Harold Carmichael.
These are a few other players who may work themselves into the mix, or the Eagles may look to trade up in the round which would open up a whole new array of possibilities. The bottom line is that they still need to upgrade themselves at the wide receiver position, and just like last year the second round may be the perfect time to do it.
The Eagles drafted WR DeSean Jackson in the second round in 2008, who made an immediate impact his rookie season. He added speed and big play ability that were lacking in the current receiving corps. In this years draft the Birds may look to the second round as an opportunity to add a receiver who has the size and strength to fill the role of “possession receiver”, complimenting Jacksons’ abilities.
The following are some of the players who they may have their eye on and should be still on the board in the second round:
Brian Robiskie; 6′3″ 199 lbs from Ohio State. He became a key figure in the Buckeye’s offense in 2008 establishing himself as a “go to” guy. He has the size and hands to make an immediate impact.
Kenny Britt; 6′4″ 214 lbs from Rutgers. He certainly has the size the Eagles have been lacking over the past few seasons and would make a great target as he is not afraid to go over the middle.
Greg Carr; 6′6′ 214 lbs from Florida State. he put up some great numbers with the Seminoles and has the size to go up get those “jump balls” in the end zone. He could be the second coming of Harold Carmichael.
These are a few other players who may work themselves into the mix, or the Eagles may look to trade up in the round which would open up a whole new array of possibilities. The bottom line is that they still need to upgrade themselves at the wide receiver position, and just like last year the second round may be the perfect time to do it.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Eagle's Draft Update-March 20th
The 2009 NFL Draft scheduled for April 25th-26th is little more than a month away and the Eagles still do not seem to have a clear cut strategy for what they will do with their two picks in the first round at #21 and #28. Even if they did, we won’t know for sure until they are “on the clock” as Andy Reid and the rest of the front office staff are always going to play their cards close to the vest as everything is subject to change in this game.
The other day I noticed a fan poll on www.philadelphiaeagles.com , the Birds official Home Page. The question posed was what position will the Eagles draft with their first pick. The results were as follows: Offensive Lineman- 28.8% Running Back-26.4% Wide Receiver- 15.1% Tight End- 8.3% and the most telling response “I have no clue”- 21.4% .
There are definite needs at all these positions, but the question will come down to who is the best available player at one of these positions when it is the Eagles turn to pick. I still would not rule out trading down unless there is someone they have locked into, as the Birds have been known to move out of the first round in the past. The fact that they have two picks in the first round makes all this even more interesting. They have a great opportunity to fill two holes right away, as they will be looking to draft a starter at left tackle and possibly tight end. However, if there is a running back or wide receiver that fits their scheme they may go in that direction.
Hang tight as we are still a long way from draft day, and right now we simply have many more questions than answers, but that is what makes all this speculation fun
The other day I noticed a fan poll on www.philadelphiaeagles.com , the Birds official Home Page. The question posed was what position will the Eagles draft with their first pick. The results were as follows: Offensive Lineman- 28.8% Running Back-26.4% Wide Receiver- 15.1% Tight End- 8.3% and the most telling response “I have no clue”- 21.4% .
There are definite needs at all these positions, but the question will come down to who is the best available player at one of these positions when it is the Eagles turn to pick. I still would not rule out trading down unless there is someone they have locked into, as the Birds have been known to move out of the first round in the past. The fact that they have two picks in the first round makes all this even more interesting. They have a great opportunity to fill two holes right away, as they will be looking to draft a starter at left tackle and possibly tight end. However, if there is a running back or wide receiver that fits their scheme they may go in that direction.
Hang tight as we are still a long way from draft day, and right now we simply have many more questions than answers, but that is what makes all this speculation fun
Why the Eagles should Draft a Running Back with their First Pick
As the 2009 NFL college draft is right around the corner there has been a lot of conversation about what the Eagles should do with their two first round picks. There are some definite areas of need that have to be addressed most noteably offensive tackle, tight end, and running back. While conventional wisdom has me believing they will draft an offensive tackle with their first pick to replace the loss of Tra Thomas, there are some quality players available at running back which could be even a more important need fill.
Everyone agrees that Brian Westbrook is one of the top offensive weapons in the league and can alter the outcome of a game with one play. Anytime you have a player that demands that much attention from the opposing defense, it is bound to open up other opportunities for the entire offense. The fact remains though, he is turning 30 this year and is coming off the most injury ridden season of his career. Now that he has the long term contract he was looking for, it is time to take some of the burden off his shoulders to help extend his career. Looking at their current roster, Correll Buckhalter is gone and Lorenzo Booker has not proven to be the answer.
Taking a look at who might be available when the Eagles pick 21st in the first round, three running backs come to mind. Chris Wells from Ohio State, Knowshon Moreno from Georgia, and Donald Brown from Connecticut. Draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. has the Birds taking Brown with the this pick and his counter part Todd McShay has them picking Moreno. I like Wells because of his size. At 6′1″ , 235 lbs he could be the inside power back to compliment Westbook’s outside speed. This potent combination could take the pressure off of McNabb and the passing game creating a true balanced attack that would give defensive coordinators head fits. Andy Reid would have to be willing to alter his “pass first and often” mentality, but we all saw how well this offensive performed when the pass/run ratio was better balanced.
Having the luxury of two picks in the first round could allow them to acquire both a top notch offensive lineman and explosive running back, filling two of their primary offensive needs. It should be interesting to see the direction they decide to take come draft day
Everyone agrees that Brian Westbrook is one of the top offensive weapons in the league and can alter the outcome of a game with one play. Anytime you have a player that demands that much attention from the opposing defense, it is bound to open up other opportunities for the entire offense. The fact remains though, he is turning 30 this year and is coming off the most injury ridden season of his career. Now that he has the long term contract he was looking for, it is time to take some of the burden off his shoulders to help extend his career. Looking at their current roster, Correll Buckhalter is gone and Lorenzo Booker has not proven to be the answer.
Taking a look at who might be available when the Eagles pick 21st in the first round, three running backs come to mind. Chris Wells from Ohio State, Knowshon Moreno from Georgia, and Donald Brown from Connecticut. Draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. has the Birds taking Brown with the this pick and his counter part Todd McShay has them picking Moreno. I like Wells because of his size. At 6′1″ , 235 lbs he could be the inside power back to compliment Westbook’s outside speed. This potent combination could take the pressure off of McNabb and the passing game creating a true balanced attack that would give defensive coordinators head fits. Andy Reid would have to be willing to alter his “pass first and often” mentality, but we all saw how well this offensive performed when the pass/run ratio was better balanced.
Having the luxury of two picks in the first round could allow them to acquire both a top notch offensive lineman and explosive running back, filling two of their primary offensive needs. It should be interesting to see the direction they decide to take come draft day
Eagle's Draft Update- March 12th
With the NFL college draft less than a month away, it is time to begin a serious discusion on who the Eagles are looking at with the 21st and 28th picks in the first round. In light of some free agent departures the first three need positions that come to mind are offensive tackle, tight end and running back. The following are some names circulating around the various mock draft boards that are out there.
Eben Briton, OT from Arizona. At 6′6″ 309 lbs he fits the profile the Eagles look for in an o lineman
Branden Pettigrew,TE from Oklahoma St. He is ranked as the top tight end in the draft and could be a long term solution in case Brent Celek isn’t the answer.
Chris Wells, RB from Ohio State. At 6′1″ 235 lbs he could fill the void left by Correll Buckhalter and supply a power option to Brian Westbrook’s speed. It could also help to extend Westbrook’s career by taking some of the weight off his shoulders.
There are a few other names flying around out there but the general thought is that the Birds will look to fill one or two of these positions with these first two picks. Another player whose name is being thrown around is WR Darrius Heyward-Bey from Maryland, although I do not think he will be still on the board by the Eagles first pick.
As with anything the Eagles do, this is all subject to change, so tune in next week for another update.
Eben Briton, OT from Arizona. At 6′6″ 309 lbs he fits the profile the Eagles look for in an o lineman
Branden Pettigrew,TE from Oklahoma St. He is ranked as the top tight end in the draft and could be a long term solution in case Brent Celek isn’t the answer.
Chris Wells, RB from Ohio State. At 6′1″ 235 lbs he could fill the void left by Correll Buckhalter and supply a power option to Brian Westbrook’s speed. It could also help to extend Westbrook’s career by taking some of the weight off his shoulders.
There are a few other names flying around out there but the general thought is that the Birds will look to fill one or two of these positions with these first two picks. Another player whose name is being thrown around is WR Darrius Heyward-Bey from Maryland, although I do not think he will be still on the board by the Eagles first pick.
As with anything the Eagles do, this is all subject to change, so tune in next week for another update.
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