What they're saying about the Eagles
Philly.com, Inquirer, and Daily News coverage of the Eagles
What they're saying about the Eagles
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
Here's a roundup of what the national media are saying about the Eagles:
Football Outsiders details offseason needs for NFC East teams. Their numbers back what everyone watching saw: that the Eagles need a linebacker.
The stat pages at Football Outsiders make the holes in Philadelphia's defense very clear. First, the defensive line statistics, where we see Philadelphia ranked third in stuff rate but 29th in second-level yards and 22nd in open-field yards. In plain English, that means the defensive line was very good at hitting runners in the backfield, but when those runners made it across the line of scrimmage, they usually went for big gains.
Next, the team defense page, which shows that the Eagles were OK covering wide receivers and dominant against tight ends, but they ranked 29th when covering running backs in the passing game. You'd be hard-pressed to find a team in the league that got less value out of its linebackers.
Pete Prisco of CBSSports.com thinks veteran linebacker London Fletcher could be a good fit for the Eagles:
The Eagles had big problems at middle linebacker and Fletcher is coming off one of his best seasons. He is 37, so the contract would have to be team friendly. For a few years, it would make sense.
According to Brian McIntyre of Football Outsiders, the Eagles have $18M in cap room, but can make some moves to clear space:
Michael Vick has a fully guaranteed $12.5 million base salary that could be restructured to help lower his $13.9 million cap number for 2012. Two post-lockout free agents signings could also help free up some additional cap space for the Eagles. Cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha did not receive a signing bonus, so his $11 million cap number is comprised solely by his $11 million base salary. Converting some of that into a signing bonus that is prorated over the four remaining years of his contract would reduce his cap number. Defensive tackle Cullen Jenkins has a $5 million roster bonus that comes due on March 13. Converting that into a signing bonus would clear $3.75 million in cap space. Cornerback Asante Samuel has added $1 million to both his 2012 and 2013 base salaries, which now stand at $9.4 million and $11.4 million. Trading or releasing Samuel would clear $8 million from the Eagles' salary cap.
In an ESPN.com piece, Howard Bryant says the DeSean Jackson situation is an example of how the NFL Players Association still has a lot of work to do:
The Jackson case should be the latest example for the players of how football is an unpalatable business for them. They run the risk of career-threatening, even life-threatening, injury. Yet they have little financial certainty and a minimal amount of freedom. They are subject to a disciplinary system in which their appeals are heard by the same person -- Goodell -- who levies the original penalties. And after their careers are over, far too many of them die early, evidenced again this week by the death of former star wideout Freddie Solomon, who was only 59 years old.
Dan Graziano of ESPN.com isn't ready to rule out the possibility of Albert Haynesworth reuniting with Jim Washburn in Philly:
The Eagles don't need to invite discord into their locker room at this point, so it would behoove them to be sure Washburn can really draw out his talent and motivate him to perform. But if he can, wow. Haynesworth doesn't even turn 31 until June, and when he was at his best, he was one of the best defensive linemen in the league. There's no indication that he's not healthy. His problems with Washington, New England and Tampa Bay all seem to have been attitude related. And yeah, maybe he's just a guy with a bad attitude who got his money and no longer cares about anything else. This is possible, even likely, and can't be ruled out. But sometimes, a coach and a player just click. And if Washburn could get Albert Haynesworth clicking again, the Eagles could come away with one of the steals of the offseason.
NFL.com's Jason La Canfora expects the Eagles to franchise Jackson:
The Eagles plan to franchise DeSean Jackson, according to league sources, which is a no-brainer. For all of his faults in 2011 and the attitude concerns, he is a flat-out game-breaker when he's right, and Philly isn't in the business of giving assets away. Should the right trade option come along once he's tagged, then the Eagles could do some business in that regard. But this is a front office and coaching staff desperate to get back in the playoffs, and they don't have a lot of vertical threats outside of him.
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All Andy has to do is put them all in a better position to make plays.— NC Eagle Fan- I don't know what they do at LB. Draft the BC kid and sign Fletcher or another Vet and move the kid to SAM or WILL and move him back to MIKE later? To me the whole LB core is suspect.— Artiescott
- It's amazing how many people believe Howie Roseman is not qualified but they are willing to give their sofa sitting, arm chair quarterbacking, janitor brained ideas on who they think they Eagles should draft or get through FA.— Fat-Andy
- We most need a middle linebacker of around 250 pounds or so that runs a 4.7 40 and hits guards like a mack truck hitting a Pinto. Not sold on the BC kid. The combine will tell us a lot more. Anyone know the combine dates?
— Hatfield_ham - Do you foamers know it's baseball season?— jman
- You'd have to be brain damaged to think signing Haynesworth would be a good move. He quit on his last three teams. What else do you need to know? But then again, every millionaire deserves a fourth chance.— p-diddy
- If Fletcher is willing to take a one-year deal, they should try to sign him. I assume he's looking for more though. Even if the Eagles use their top pick on an LB, I think they need to sign a free agent LB as well.— p-diddy
- Every single FA every year is rumored to be coming to the Eagles.— GJK3161
- I find it fascinating how so many posts lately express salivating hunger to draft a wrecker. Let me be the latest to categorically assert that he will not be an Eagle, and he will not be drafted before the third round. If Vontaze Burfict makes it onto the field next season, it will probably be on somebody's special team. Yes he is big, and yes, he hits with a lot of torque, but he will be worse at covering a slot receiver or a tight end than Casey Matthews was. The desire to have a beast on the defense that doesn't just tackle, but rattles the ball carrier is directly related to the wide 9 alignment. We love the pressure it generates on the QB, so we agree to look elsewhere, i.e, the linebackers, when that pressure from the defensive line leaves gaping holes for running backs. Well guess what. You get a safety like Landry or a linebacker like Burfict to address that problem, and the pass defense becomes a bigger problem than the run stopping was last season. I agree that the linebacker play was not good enough last year, but to my mind, the area that needs to get bigger and nastier immediately is the defensive line. Babin and Cole are lightweight attack dogs, and they can effectively steal time from the QB, but, having smaller tackles in the expectation that they will penetrate and sack has never worked very well for the Eagles. Rather than slipping behind the line, how about COLLAPSING the line which a.) prevents QB from stepping up and b.) makes it a helluva lot harder to run between the tackles. Get a few tackles (and ends) the size of Woolfork or Seymour or Tuck, and be amazed at how effective those fleet, undersized linebackers can be.— gnarlyscuzz
- You are entirely too logical to be posting here.
— OldBill1934 - http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1063228-nfl-trade-speculation-one-player-each-team-is-most-likely-to-deal#comments— Jgrimm37
- NO, NO, NO London Fletcher or drafting a LB that is 95% chance of failure. Use those draft picks/Asante to trade for a PROVEN LB. I'm tired of the guess work at the LB position. GD IT!— SilliBilli
- Haynesworth only because we have Washburn and it would have to be incentive laden contract. Moss...not if my life depended on it. There is nothing in their recent histories to make me think either is worth it but at least Wash's input would be an edge for us.— tpizza
Juan loves his young LB's... London Fletcher would provide a Pro Bowl caliber encyclopedia of knowledge on the field. At thirty-seven he still played in the Pro Bowl. I like him better than Lions/Tulloch who coverage skills have much to be desired and would be more expensive. Dan Graziano is on point I would take Haynesworth and Moss...both were once Special players that lost their DESIRE to play. Have they found some New Desire? and are ready to come back with a chip on their shoulders... Definitely worth looking into.- Please. LaRon Landry can't stop Desean! We don't need him or any other player from the Deadskins! Get that Tuloch dude from the Lions, resign Desean and draft a couple more position players and let's get rolling Eagles! Its Super Bowl or bust this year (as if it hasn't been every other year.......)— Panthro2011
- Vontaze Burfict then Move Chaney to Mike.
And if its Chaney or Fletcher. I am keeping Chaney, who did play well after he got a chance to settle in at Middle.
— dmanphilly - Can we start a LaRon Landry rumor. He will be a beast in this system (and needed to stop the run)— Sports4Life
- Home Depot and Sam's Club would be a good place to get use out of our linebackers. They certainly should not be cashing NFL paychecks.— coloradoeagle
- please no! no london fletcher, no haynesworth either! i'm all for clearing space, but so we can sign a FA wide receiver and draft a top LB!— otown philly fan
- "You'd be hard-pressed to find a team in the league that got less value out of its linebackers."
You think we don't know? LOL
The Eagles might have the only defense in the league that is SMALLER than it was 20 years ago, especially at LB, but overall as well.
The 1991 team was heavier on average, and much bigger at DE
— banned - London Fletcher? Is this rumor mongering even worth of print? Do so called "journalists" no longer have any standards?— JBinPA
- Let's not get London Fletcher. He's twice as old as most of the guys in the locker room, right?— Leegles
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