Upon further review...
The Eagles' top secret plan is being revealed and -- hey, it looks pretty good!
Upon further review...
Phil Sheridan, Inquirer Columnist
OK.
THAT is a plan.
Early Thursday, with rumors swirling all over the NFL about Nnamdi Asomugah’s destination and a hundred other players, some cretin logged onto this here blog and wondered about the Eagles’ much vaunted post-lockout plan.
Was Jason Babin really supposed to get us excited?
Well, a day later, that same cretin can log on and issue a mea culpa. By signing Asomugah, who is by all accounts the top free agent available, the Eagles front office delivered on its promise. And while Andy Reid’s description of Joe Banner and Howie Roseman coming out “like wild men” is bound to elicit chuckles – “wild” is not the first word that springs to mind about either of these guys – there is no getting around it.
The Eagles had a definite plan. They acted on it. They’re probably not finished yet. The team is much, much better.
Asomugah. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. Babin. Donald Lee. Vince Young.
I’m not that big a fan of the Babin signing, based on what we saw of him two seasons back with the Eagles. But if he is really transformed by defensive line coach Jim Washburn, and with this array of talent at corner, the pass rush should be miles better. (And yes, Asante Samuel may well be out of here; but DRC and NA might be the best tandem in the NFL.)
Somewhere, Sean McDermott is calling Larry Bowa and commiserating. His defensive talent was to this group as Bowa’s starting rotation was to Doc, Cliff, Cole and Roy.
Another adjustment: Said in Friday’s column that DeSean Jackson’s contract should be in the $10-12 million range for annual value. That’s about where Asomugah’s is. Might have to tweak D-Jax down a million or two. Sorry, kid. Corners get more than receivers, at least in this corner of the NFL.
One last thought: Asomugah chose the Eagles. While I have never been a huge fan of the Michael Vick signing, and while I can’t get past the bottom line that he basically had an average McNabb season in 2010, you have to think he’s part of the allure here. A lot of players watch the Monday night game, and you can picture Asomugah sitting in front of his flat screen, watching Vick light up FedEx Field, and thinking, “I wanna play with that guy.”
Just a thought.
That's why I told you to stop being dramatic on Thursday Phil... Wile you were pouting.. The eagles always have a plan... An an average mcnab year?? What r you nuts? The man was in the running for the MVP... How many balls at the feet did he throw btw?? And babin was the 5th DE that yr.. He had very limited roll w team.. They actually used him as a LB in some packages.. And Andy liked him back them. Note that all these players have such high regaurd for Andy Reid. We all need to give him the credit he deserves. He's the best coach the eagles have had. Hopefullyt these moves help bring him the SB he deserves as well— LAdelphia- "I can’t get past the bottom line that he basically had an average McNabb season" -Phil
Chuck the crack pipe Phil, the only year, I think, McFly was over
60% comp passing was in 2004, because of T.O. Vick had a 65% rating:
VERY good considering he was behind a sub par NFL line.
He also NEVER had the reps as a first string QB in the Summer of
2010, like McFly had for virtually the whole decade.
Every pass Vick threw was a spiral, does McFly even know how to
throw one???
Vick for 2/3 of 2010 was in the MVP hunt, McNabb never came close
to that and NEVER will in Minnesota.
— mikey48 - Mikey - what you say here is true. If you are looking at stats though, the trend is also important. Over the last 5 games, Vick's stats went down substantially (especially considering that the Giants quit playing and Vick racked up big number after they quit.) Hope the guy who lit up the world is the real MV and that good teams can't shut him down. — Dr Bri
I feel like its 06 or 08 or any other 00 year on repeat. Yes, they will sign some free agents, but no, it wont win them a SB with Reid. Even with these moves the team top to bottom is not as good as the teams they had 03 and 04. not even close. They will be lucky to win one playoff game. Young and babin signings were borderline garbage. Asoumgha was a good one. The rest just average. They have finally fixed Sheldons spot after trading him away. Thats it. There are no other improvements anywhere from what they had if they trade Assante. Kolb is better then Young, a healthy graham is better then Babin, and Sheldon Brown is about as good as Asoumgha...there is no net gain that makes the team better then it was in 09. they did enough in FA to win 10 games again. wow.- Sheldon was one of my favs and I hated to see him go, but how in the world can you say that he is about as good as Asomugha? That is utterly ridiculous... Sheldon had moments of brilliance whereas Asomugha is consistently shutting guys down.
— domdipaolo - some people on this board as of just a few hours ago were saying how some other teams were going to be stupid and over-pay for asoumgha. Asoumgha is very good. But Sheldon is too. you dont need to spend 30 million more on Asoughma when the pass is going to be delfected by either one of them. They are about the same age too so although Sheldon was too old for them Asoumgha is not ? they are just trying to trick fans into getting hyped for the season and thinking they made a great improvement. Bottom line, theres not much difference between Sheldon Brown (top 10 CB) and Asoumgha (#1 or #2) The team itself is no closer to winning a SB.
- Per your recruiting comment: I bet a lot of these guys in their 20's went through high school or college wearing a Falcons' 7 jersey.— yobill626
- I take back everything I said about the CPA's running the team. Until next time anyway.— coloradoeagle
- Vick, statistically, had about an average McNabb season. What kind of season did Kolb have?— jayheezy
- Looks like the Eagles are following the Phils' example of aiming high and spending money to get to the top. Good job Eagles now let's sign Desean Jackson who is described on NFL network as the most explosive player in the league. He is also one of the most enthusiastic player who makes other players better.— fjulio
- I think they will need to use all three corners - that's the trend these days! I am shocked and gleeful!! Go Eags!— NM Eagle fan
- "he basically had an average McNabb season in 2010"
I enjoy your writing and reporting, but please tell us all you were high when you wrote that. That's just a stupid statement.— AtlantaIggle - Doo Doo has the most appropriation name on this message board!!! The definition of tool, and trool is doo doo!!!— Johnnydeagle
- troll!!!— Johnnydeagle
- Very impressive moves by the Eagles. Now the players have to bring it home.— bossrjc
