Questions: The Eagles' WR situation
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Questions: The Eagles' WR situation
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
During the next few days, we'll take a look at some of the Eagles' unanswered questions as their Week 1 matchup against the Panthers inches closer.
Today we look at the wide receiver situation.
Assuming that the Eagles keep six at the position, which is not a given, there have been three players competing for two spots. The locks are DeSean Jackson, Kevin Curtis, Jeremy Maclin and Jason Avant.
Which leaves Hank Baskett, Reggie Brown and Brandon Gibson.
Let's take a look at how each player has performed so far during training camp and in the first two preseason games:
Baskett - He's got five catches for 50 yards in two preseason games. I thought he played pretty well against the Colts. There was one play late in the second quarter when he avoided a defender to get to the first-down marker. What Baskett has going for him is that he brings a specific skill set to the table with his size. However, the offense hasn't really used that to its advantage so far in Baskett's career here.
Brown - He's been pretty quiet through two games, with two catches for 38 yards. Against the Colts, Brown's lone catch came during the final drive of the first half. His camp was on part with Baskett's as both guys performed well but didn't really stand out from the pack. Brown is an interesting guy to watch because his future could go several different ways. Do the Eagles keep him and hope he shows some of the promise we saw earlier in his career? Do they try to trade him and see what they can get in return? Don't laugh. Remember, they got a fifth-rounder for Greg Lewis. Or do they just cut him outright?
Gibson - Like LeSean McCoy, he got a ton of reps and endless instruction at Lehigh. Unlike McCoy, he's a sixth-round pick, which means there's no guarantee of gaining a roster spot. Gibson has six catches for 69 yards and a touchdown in the preseason. Four of those receptions came in Thursday night's game against the Colts. But against the Patriots in Week 1, when everybody was reeling from the Michael Vick mania, Gibson was doing his best to make an impression in any way possible. He laid a punishing block on a New England defender on a pass to Eldra Buckley in the closing minutes. The officials first threw a flag, saying it was illegal, but then picked it up and said there was no penalty. Definitely something you like to see from a rookie.
Here's what offensive coordinator Marty Morhninweg had to say about Gibson and the wide receiver situation:
"I think Brandon Gibson, really all our receivers, Brandon Gibson for sure is in a heated battle right now to make this football team. He is right in the competition. He’s been impressive in many things. Here was the thing with the last ballgame is that when you grade the players, every one of them did some very good things and they graded out almost across the boards. They played really well except for one, two, or three plays. But you can’t have that. You can’t have that across the boards and so we’ve got to tighten that thing up. We’ve got to get those mistakes down to a minimum."
Sounds like the team still needs to see more from all three guys before making its decision.
As always, chime in with your thoughts on how you'd like to see this thing play out.
Reggie has to go!— ginzo- Reggie is clearly the best receiver of these 3!! Does anyone realize that he was injured all last season?? Ever try playing wide receiver with a bad hamstring? Baskett & Gibson are not in his league!— FetchDixon
- I'd like Reggie traded, maybe to Baltimore, for a nice draft back, but I guess he is the next best starter, if Desean or Kevin go down. Other guys have individual strengths, but aren't the package Brown is.— riw7d
- G-Lew was worth trading a draft pick for because he smoked the Pats on several occasions and Bellichik couldn't tame his chubby for the guy. Brown had a nice start to his career but he is off everyone's radar now. If we cut him somebody will sign him, but no one is coughing up a draft pick unfortunately.— bobo_29
Keep Hank. He's got great hands and his wife has great knockers.— Richard Saunders- it doesn't matter if Reggie is "better." The fifth and sixth guys will most likely be used in special teams. I like the fire and physicality that Gibson has, plus he is young and has some potential. Brown and Baskett have reached their peak and of the two I think Baskett is the better receiver and has better potential for big play ability.— robm0202
- I say trade whichever one can bring back the most--and keep the other two.— reils
Hate to say it after all of the optimism the analysts showered him with before last season began, but he looks like the odd man out (Reggie). He was thought to have the potential to be a break out player before the injuries slowed him last season. Special teams or not, this guy should be given the benefit of the doubt. I hope he realizes some of the skill he flashed two seasons ago. I think realistically that if Brown can't impress, he gets the cut (maybe traded to Minn, Brad is Reid's lapdog). Hank has shown good hands fights for the ball, and Gibson looks very hungry making hard hits on ST and tippy-toeing the sideline. Brown's seemingly lacksidasical approach has to frustrate the hell out of Big Red.- Trade 'em all. We've pretty much seen what Hank Baskett can do. Reggie is injury prone. Gibson is a sixth rounder, regardless of how he's played in preseason. You might be able to shift him to the practice squad. I'd really be looking for a TE right now, because Schoebel is not a reliable backup to a guy that had one really good year. If we need a fifth receiver, send in The Vick!!!— JimCollins
- Love to see Baskett kept as a TE albeit small.— JBP
- If we weren't so deep at WR...I'd say keep Reggie. But we are deep. Hank does more than just catch balls and run routes. He's probably the best blocking WR we have and he is the biggest body. He's a great role player. Gibson has alot of heart and upside. He has enough potential to keep on as a 6th WR. Reggie is odd man out— tampaPhillyfan
- As long as Gibson keeps up the effort, he deserves to make the team. Baskett has been a project since he arrived, and it is clear that he does not have great skills. However, he does fill a nice role and blocks pretty well. Reggie Brown still has a high ceiling, but he appears to be spent, whether through injury or lack of ability to mesh with Donovan.
- Brown needs to go. He stinks. I like Gibson, I hope he makes the team. I think he has been the best WR out of the three.— ChrisM
- Brown is definitely a goner. Banner & Reid will not pay his super inflated salary with the crop of talent they have now.— klschs
- Reggie to the Rams for a conditional pick. They need receivers.— Stephen_Niksa
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