5 thoughts on the Eagles
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5 thoughts on the Eagles
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
Here are five Eagles-related thoughts (or ramblings) that have been floating around in my head:
1. I'll admit to being intrigued by the Albert Haynesworth talk. On the one hand, he's been unprofessional with the Redskins. And that's putting it lightly. More accurately, he's been a complete disaster. On the surface, it looks like he got paid and then quit caring.
On the other hand, Mike Shanahan hasn't exactly shown great people skills in his first year with the 'Skins, and I still think Haynesworth's capable of being a dominant player - when he wants to.
Haynesworth played in only eight games in 2010, totaling 13 tackles and 2.5 sacks. One of those games was the Redskins' Week 8 win against the Eagles. And Haynesworth gave the Birds all kinds of problems in that game. At various times, he pushed around or beat Mike McGlynn, Todd Herremans and Jason Peters.
Sidenote: Since there was confusion in the comments, I'm referring to the first Eagles-Redskins game, not the second one where the Birds dropped 59 points on Washington, and Haynesworth infamously laid on the ground during one play.
The thought of putting him on the same defensive line as Trent Cole has to be intriguing to Andy Reid and company. The Birds could certainly use a dominant defensive tackle that can play the run and also get after the quarterback. A guy who requires more than one lineman to block him. It really could change the whole look of this defense.
But again, that's assuming he's the Haynesworth of a few years ago (14.5 sacks in 2007 and 2008 combined). Don't forget, the Birds reportedly had a chance to acquire him in the Donovan McNabb trade. Is it possible the Eagles' opinion of him has changed since then? Maybe. Specifically if they believe Jim Washburn can get the most out of him.
And the other factor is: What will it take to get Haynesworth? As of now, we don't know if the Redskins plan on trading him, cutting him or keeping him. Haynesworth is reportedly due a guaranteed salary of $5.4M in 2011. He's due $7.2M in non-guaranteed money in 2012 (including an offseason workout bonus). There are several other bonuses in 2013 and beyond.
In the past decade, the Eagles have shown that they'll surprise us. They did so when they acquired Terrell Owens. And they did so again when they signed Michael Vick. Of course, nothing can get done until there's a new CBA, but that won't stop the fans and media from discussing a potential Haynesworth move all offseason.
2. I've gotten many questions from e-mailers and via Tweeters about the Eagles switching to a 3-4. A team source told Les Bowen over at Eagletarian that the Eagles are not contemplating making that switch. This news will send some fans into a frenzy, but this issue is a little more complex than it first appears. I've heard the following argument quite a bit since the Eagles fired Sean McDermott: The Packers run a 3-4. They have a great defense. The Steelers run a 3-4. They have a great defense. Why can't the Eagles run a 3-4?
And my answer is this: If the Packers or Steelers had the Eagles' personnel, their 3-4 would have holes. Those teams have great players, and their talents are maximized by the scheme. The Eagles just don't match up in terms of talent with either of those squads. In other words, switching to a 3-4 would not magically turn this unit into an elite defense.
Also, consider that there might not be much practice time this offseason with the projected lockout, and it really doesn't make sense to implement a brand new scheme. Unless the Eagles really are focused on thinking long-term.
3. Speaking of scheme, it's tough to know what to make of this defensive coordinator search. You would have to think that the Eagles had some names in mind when they fired McDermott. But it won't be Jim Mora, and the latest name to surface is Saints assistant Dennis Allen - a defensive backs coach in his mid-30s who has never before been a coordinator, but has a good reputation as an up-and-comer.
Sound familiar? Count me among those who think that pretty much fits McDermott's profile. I'd be surprised if Allen were the choice, although it's tough to really know what the decision-makers are thinking right now. As for Dick Jauron, if he were the guy they wanted, wouldn't they have hired him already? Look at how aggressively they went after Jim Washburn, a guy they clearly thought could help them. I have a hunch (and it's just that, a hunch) that the guy who ends up getting the job might not even be on our radar yet.
4. I don't know if there's going to be a training camp, but if there is, I'm excited to see Washburn in action after reading all the great things his former players have said about him. John Thornton, who played for Washburn from 1999-2002, had this to say on Twitter:
Wash is the best. Makes players compete at all times. Spells sacks- $ack$. Use next contract,family, peers to motivate guys.
Now that it appears Juan Castillo will return as offensive line coach, the guys up front should have some heated battles up at Lehigh.
5. And finally, it's never too early to look at mock drafts. It may seem ridiculous to guess at players when the first-round order isn't even finalized, but that's not going to stop me from linking to new ones that I find.
ESPN.com's Mel Kiper Jr. released his first mock draft of the offseason, and he's got the Birds taking Wisconsin tackle Gabe Carimi:
The Eagles are loaded at the skill positions and did a nice job of hitting defense early in last year's draft, so they should address the offensive line at a place where the value meets the need. In Carimi they get a guy who loves to run-block and will sustain his blocks into the parking lot. He plays with an edge but needs continued development as a pass-blocker. His film against some big-time prospects this year shows a guy ready to contribute.
It will be interesting to see if the Eagles make a move at right tackle. Winston Justice was inconsistent, but don't forget that he signed a five-year deal in 2009. Also don't forget that Clay Matthews has made a lot of offensive linemen look bad. Justice will be judged on his body of work and what the Eagles think they can get out of him going forward, not just that one game.
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Comment removed.- What specifically did, or didn't, Banner do that you think he should have done in the past 13 years. Name a couple of things.
— ej610 - ej, this is the first response this clown's ever written that didn't just say "Joe 'Nickels' Banner!". If anything, this is progress. One day, he may actually have a thought worth posting that's either funny or insightful. About anything.
— Doctor D 
Espn got me all excited today with all the Ravens Coordinator news, but just because team officals told Les Bowen that they arent interested doesnt mean a whole lot. Just look at all the lies Andy DIRECTLY told the media, ie Kolb,McNabb etc... They have more than proven they will lie to achieve their goals. Maybe, they dont want Allen to feel disrespected or something. See, I think the Eagles do have the personnel to switch to a 3-4 but I dont even think its necessary. ALl the Eagles have ever needed on defense was a Massive DT to occupy two blockers and yet Andy has stubbornly refused. Year after year I hope in every draft that they will take one. Last year it was Cody and Cam NEwton. THe Defense needs a DT,S,CB,LB. I realize those are alot of needs but the Eagles really blew it last year. 2010 Draft was loaded with good talent for DB's, so what do the Eagles do? They go having on DE's and waste a bunch of picks on two DE's, in all two high 3rd rd picks,13th overall,and a mid 3rd rd. ALl on DE's, now the 2011 draft is loaded with DL, so what will the Eagles do? They will focus on someother postition. Just brain dead, this Reid Regime is! I love the idea of Haynesworth because it would finally give them that elusive DT and c-o-n-s-i-s-t-e-n-t pressure.IF they draft well this year(crossing my fingers)and their is a Free Agency period, then they should be able to fill in alot of holes. They could get a solid CB in FA,some Probowlers will be available(Nnamdi,Joseph,Cromartie,Houston) and maybe make a push for Mankins for RG. That sounds like alot but the Birds would be 70MM under the old cap rightnow and most think the new cap will be higher. So the Eagles will have option even with new contracts for Desean and Vick,plus they could always get creative with those contracts. If there isnt a prolonged lockout, the Eagles could sign two probowl calibre players in FA! ANd lets just hope new DC will get input on def Draft picks!!!- Never pay attention to ESPNs headlines. They are just guessing most of the time. Wrong half of the time. Jay Glazer is the reliable one
- Pushed around McGlynn?? You mean like on this play? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFzp3uHua40
- Good column Sheil. Bringing Albert in doesn't scare me. Taking over his contract scares me. If they can bring him in with option of releasing him early, that would be worth the gamble.
All you 3-4 guys didn't pay much attention to the next to last ranked Redskin defense this year did you? That's what it's like trying to play a 3-4 with no LB's. Also the SS is much more important in a 3-4 and the Eagles don't have one of those either.— jimmyj - stikolaboloni - I said the FIRST meeting against the Eagles. That's from the second one. - SK— skapadia
- I do agree 100% on the 3-4 stuff... Pittsburgh has LaMarr Woodley and Jerome Harrison at OLB and their D Coordinator is none other than Dick Lebeau.. GB has B.J. Raji at nose, LBs Clay Matthews, A.J. Hawk, Desmond Bishop.. The Eagles have Moises Fokou, Ernie Sims, Jamar Chaney and look likely to hire some 38-yr-old secondary coach from New Orleans I've never heard of
- Andy has lied to me too many times. I feel betrayed. That certain level of trust and respect is gone. He told me he was going to Pat's, and he went to Gino's.— tommy_the_k
- They are a 4-3 team with 4-3 players (not 4-3 talent, just 4-3 players). It's not the scheme, it was the plays getting called within it, the stupid wrinkles (Cole dropping back), and not getting the best 11 guys on the field (Lindley sitting because he couldn't pick up the intricacies). 4-3 works when you either generate consistent pressure with the front four (Bears) or blanket the 3rd and longs with consistent run stuffing on 1st and 2nd. McD got the run stuffing part down, but then blew it with dlineman dropping back and giving up 3rd down completions to TE's. They need a dominant DT (don't know if fat albert is that or not), not 2 mediocre ones, and better coverage from the dbackfield (Asomughn or whatever it is) till Cole's complement and replacement are found.— Bleue
- OMG. Dont go near Haynesworth. Benn living in DC for years now and witnessed him and the whole drama here. Shanahan may be a a**hole but Haynesworth really is a lazy, self-serving, oxygen-sucking, out of shape, 1.5 sacks/year player, plays 1 in 4 downs guy. And as awful in the clubhouse as on the field. He was rotten for Jim Zorn, the anti-Shanahan, too so dont blame Shanahan, who really was decent in public as he tried to get something out of this has-been. He'll be a mess in Philly.— Rando
- I agree, bleue. What I don't get is why McD insisted on having Bradley/Chaney on the field on those third and longs. Those guys just can't cover ANY TE. Of course, no one else (Mikell, Allen, Clayton, Lindley, Hobbs) could either.— NCNovaguy
- I disagree with those who say the Eagles can't run a 3-4. They would have the players to make the switch and would really only need a few pieces to pull it off. For one, we would need a NT, someone along the lines of a Ratliff or Raji; we would need a much better strong safety, ala Reed or Polamalu, and one LB with a real mean streak in him, ala Suggs, Harrison or Ware. The rest of the D can be filled in with our current roster. My breakdown would go like this:
DE: Cole and Bunkley; NT: best avail option(NOT Fat Albert(we already know he won't play the position); OLB: Graham and best avail FA (Foiku if no other option); MLB: Chaney and Bradley; CB: Samuel and Lindley; FS: Allen; SS: NOT Mickell!!!— papabear702
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