The Eagles' best offseason move
What was the Eagles' best and worst move of the 2010 offseason?
The Eagles' best offseason move
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
About to head out of town for the weekend for a family gathering, but wanted to get a quick post up first.
A publication recently asked me to answer a series of questions about the Eagles for their NFL preview magazine.
And there was one question that made me think a little longer than the others: What was the Eagles' best and worst offseason move?
For me, the worst was easy. If you're a frequent reader of MTC, you'll be able to guess it right away: trading Sheldon Brown to Cleveland.
Brown, when healthy, is an above-average corner. The options left now: starting Joselio Hanson, converting safeties Macho Harris or Marlin Jackson, starting rookie Trevard Lindley or hoping for a resurgence from Ellis Hobbs are far from sure things.
As for the best offseason move, I really struggled to find one. Who are the new players the team's added? Darryl Tapp, Ernie Smis, Jackson. Do any of those moves qualify? Nope.
What about the Donovan McNabb trade? While it seems like the majority of fans were on board with starting the Kevin Kolb era, I don't think that deal fits the mold either. It's not lik the Eagles received overwhelming compensation.
So I went with the selection of Brandon Graham and Nate Allen in the first two rounds of last month's draft. Is this choice contingent on those guys actually being able to play? Of course. But at least the Eagles addressed a couple areas of need - pass rush and safety.
I won't lie. It did feel like a bit of a stretch. But it was more a process of elimination than anything else.
So I ask you: What was the Eagles' best and worst move of the 2010 offseason?
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The worst move was keeping Andy Reid in Philadelphia in ANY capacity. The Eagles will not win squat as long as he is in town. It's sad to see people use McNabb as the scape goat for the Eagles' inability to win when Reid is the true albatross.— bjlindy- All of this talk about the McNabb trade is nonsense. By halftime of Game 5 Vick will be the Philadelphia QB... Washington will make the playoffs with McNabb. It's not expected that after trading a franchise QB that the Eagles will seriously contend for the division or a playoff spot. So the choices are simple, you struggle for two years with Kolb behind center and a questionable line, or Vick comes in to salvage the season in Game 5 when the Eagles are 2 and 3 provided they win the Detriot Game in Week 2 other than that they face San Fran with a record of 1 and 3.— Dexter
- What about O.J. Atogwe?— mxc2502
- Does anyone ever think that maybe it was McNabb who always limited the game plan with his obvious limitations on where he could throw it? I think people will see this year how the play calls will be different.— Lonny
- Best was the new special teams coach. I expect immediately improvement there, which is sorely needed. The worst: not firing Andy Reid.— eldiablodelsol2009
- I wish the Eagles would just put all their eggs in 1 basket and have a giant splash ala Heynsworth. You know, throw a lot of money at a big name guy so they could get as much publicity as possible. I can't understand why they are improving the roster with so many upstanding, athletic, youthful players and then going out and getting 2 awesome coaches. It just doesn't make any sense.— tommy_the_k
- Does Buddy Ryan have any more sons?— p-diddy
- Best move of the offseason was simply the decision to clear out the old and reload with fresh blood. When you have had sustained success like the Eagles had for 10 years the easy solution would have been to keep McNabb, Brown and the others and continue on the familiar path. This way will prove to be the right way. I think.— Rick Wise Guy
- I think craiggo and AllDawk have it right. Jauron and April provide much needed upgrades in both departments. Jauron, having been a world class DC, will be a great Mentor for Sean. As far as players go, Ernie Mills is an incredible talent who just needs some coaching on his positioning and over pursuit issues. If he gets that and I believe he will he is a probowler for years to come.— 3kaway
I think the premise of the article and the ensuing childish arguments are moot. A player the Eagles released could tear their ACL in training camp or go on to a Pro-Bowl year. A new player picked up via free agency, trade or the draft might take a season or more before one could even judge their effectiveness or they could jump right in as a clear starting caliber player. This whole article is just punching the clock & feeding the vultures just waiting for a reason to praise/insult either McNabb or Kolb when no one really knows how next season is going to work out for either, let alone all the other changes.— Mabus- I felt pretty good about last year's moves but none panned out as well as I expected. This year I'm not sure about any of the moves that were made so maybe that's a good thing.— PhillyTru
- Easily the best move for this franchise this year was resigning Leonard Weaver. The worst was easily shipping off Donovan McNabb. I went into every season expecting a winning season and a shot at the superbowl. Now I head into the season expecting interceptions like they are coming from Brett Favre, however with less arm strength. I expect DeSean Jackson to be KIA by week 7 because they've been fortunate to rely on McNabb to get the ball to him downfield. Now the system will be slants and curls. Our Defense is going to be painful. Stu coming back won't be that great because he's recovering and it would be a stretch to expect anything great. Our cornerback and saftey position is scary (in a bad way). If we win 6 games, consider that a success.— JmH Reborn
- Agree with the above posters - bringing in April and Jauron will prove to be the best moves. As for players, the Eagles' philosophy of moving a vet a year too early rather than a year too late, could well cost them re. Sheldon Brown, as there is no viable replacement in sight.— Common2Sense
- No question; you are correct about worst; Sheldon. For all the reasond you said, and I wanted us to give him something for being a good soldier and not tanking the season (Paging Lito Sheppard) like we did for #5. That said the McNabb trade was without question the best. Have to say so for both positive & reduced negative. I cant believe all I've heard from players and you scribes ect. and not really a good word about him. I hear words like "Baggage;" comparisons to #88; WOW. I loved #5 for years, and defended him up and down, not anymore. And it wil prove to be a good move. To KolbMachine or whatever; you are an obvious tool who is not a true fan and are just here to antagonize. Probably a Cowboy fan. go away.— B.Woods
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