Eagles offensive makeover
The Eagles add a bunch to their offense.
Eagles offensive makeover
Rich Hofmann, Daily News Sports Columnist
Draft weekend is message time in the NFL, maybe the only time when a team tells the truth -- and not with its words but its actions.
With that:
In selecting Jeremy Maclin with the 19th pick in the first round, and trading up two spots to do it, the Eagles selected a wide receiver higher than they have since they took Kenny Jackson with the fourth overall pick in 1984. That's a quarter-century.
In selecting LeSean McCoy with the 53rd pick in the second round, the Eagles took a running back higher than they have since they took Charlie Garner with the 42nd overall pick in 1994. That's 15 years.
Earlier, they used the 28th pick as part of a trade to acquire left tackle Jason Peters from Buffalo.
And they signed right tackle Stacy Andrews, a former franchise player from Cincinnati.
And they signed fullback Leonard Weaver.
But forget about Andrews and Weaver for a second. The last time the Eagles effectively expended their first three picks on offensive players was in 1985 (T Kevin Allen, QB Randall Cunningham, G Greg Naron; ouch). They also did it in 1982 (WR Mike Quick, TE Lawrence Sampleton, TE Vyto Kab), and 1972 (QB John Reaves, T Dan Yockum, G Tom Luken). And then you go way, way back from there. Even then -- and even if I missed one someplace -- three offensive acquisitions with the top 53 picks appears to be unprecedented, at least in the Eagles' modern era.
If that doesn't tell you about the Eagles' hopes and their concerns, nothing does. If that doesn't tell you that they want to placate quarterback Donovan McNabb with more options, more possibilities, nothing does. I know, I know, you wanted Anquan Boldin. Maclin is younger and faster but it might take longer, and that is a fair concern. But the Chicago Sun-Times is reporting that the Bears inquired about Boldin and the Cardinals rejected their offer of the 47th pick. You wonder if it would have taken the 21st pick to get him. And if you don't really love him, and it is going to cost you $9 million or $10 million to get him, and you can get younger and faster at the same position without him, what do you do?
I wanted a really big guy for the red zone, but you can't invent him if he isn't there. Given that, I don't see how you can dislike the Maclin pick. I mean, you can see Andy Reid scheming even now. And, yes, I know you hate it when Reid schemes. But he really is pretty good at it, and pretty reasonable, except for the game or two every year when he goes off his rocker. But that is the exception. They do score a lot of points.
Reid and McNabb. It comes down to them, as always, but there is a lot to like here. If nothing else, there are new people and new skill sets to talk about.
If he was placating McNabb, wouldn't Pettigrew have been the better choice? Maclin will come into the season wth the same expectations as DeSean had. Returns, and learn te offnse. We can't ssume he will have the same impact on the offense D-Jack had.— bdizzle- They have a TON of weapons now. They're definitely small, but with Westbrook, Jackson, Curtis, Maclin, and McCoy as options, they have more than enough play-makers to make up for it. Any one of those guys is a threat to score from anywhere on the field. And though I don't know much about this tight end, he looks like the kind of big athlete they can throw to in the red zone. They've done a great job rebuilding the line while still acquiring some new talent. Good for them.— McRocks33
- yes, he can scheme and great job with draft. But Andy, it's INQUIRED NOT ACQUIRED— christopherkmaddaloni
- Sure you can. You can assume anything. I assume Maclin will have an equal impact, if not better.— Bazalite
- can maclin touch his ankles ???— phillyflava
- After a lot of fretting and wondering what the hell the Eagles were waiting for, they shrewdly came away with a lot of very good players. Has anyone had a better offseason?— jmalloy
- I agree with most of the comments. You have to give the FO credit on this draft. They addressed most of the major concerns (O-line, WR, RB, TE,DB's, etc) They could have one of the most, if not the most, explosive offenses in the ENTIRE NFL. Imagine wideouts: Jackson, Curtis, Avant, Baskett(I know no one likes him but I think he is a diamond in the rough), Celek and Maclin. In the backfield weaver and westbrook (they will have a nickname before you know it) and a crushing offensive line. The defense upgraded as well. Once they gel with the new acquisitions- hand the divisional and conference title to the Eagles and we are superbowl bound. Word to Reid-get creative wiith the playcalling... GO BIRDS— komplex2005
- It's time for McNabb to put up or shut up! This is his last chance, he has no more excuses. If he can't handle the pressure this year he is finished. He better be ready because everyone will be on him if he chokes again.— fred13
- I don't see him just "placating" McNabb. I think Andy watched his offense stall for much of the season. In the red zone. In short yardage. Reid watched how well Warner looked with "weapons"...the D was a project for a couple of seasons...so whether or not McNabb influence Reid, or whether the writing was on the game film, building up the offense is a project for 2009.— retzlaff
- looks like we have an extremely bitter physic making asinine predictions up in here...yes, I'm talking to you "superbowless eagles". haven't you ever heard the phrase "never say never"? I think the name "lifeless loser" fits you better.— commen sense
- My head is still spinning with the possibilities.The Team appears to have taken a quantum leap. Donovan just stay healthy.— MJPD345
Comment removed.- Comment removed.
- On placating DonnyMac...Isn't the tag on Kolb that he was a "system QB"? What system was that at Houston? The run-and-shoot, wasn't it? Maybe instead of taking the system out of the boy, they're bringing the boy back to the system...— Chris Mc
- On placating DonnyMac...Isn't the tag on Kolb that he was a "system QB"? What system was that at Houston? The run-and-shoot, wasn't it? Maybe instead of taking the system out of the boy, they're bringing the boy back to the system...— Chris Mc
