Which Eagles should stay and which should go this offseason?
It's decision time for the Eagles. After another season ended with a disappointing early exit from the playoffs there is sure to be turnover. We're here to offer some assistance to Eagles head coach Andy Reid and general manager Howie Roseman. The lack of a labor agreement could delay business for several months, but we're already looking ahead.
It's decision time for the Eagles. After another season ended with a disappointing early exit from the playoffs there is sure to be turnover. We're here to offer some assistance to Eagles head coach Andy Reid and general manager Howie Roseman. The lack of a labor agreement could delay business for several months, but we're already looking ahead.
Twenty-four players on the team at the end of last season did not make it to the 2010 opening-day roster. When we did this last year, we predicted 16 of them. Here's our opinion as to who should stay or go this off-season. Play along here, or go to philly.com's interactive page to make your own picks.
QUARTERBACKS
Michael Vick: Which guy is he: the first six games Vick or the last seven Vick? Probably more of the latter. Stay
Kevin Kolb: If he can get a first-round pick in a trade, he's gone. Like him as insurance, though. Stay
Mike Kafka: Noodle-armed quarterback has best job in sports. Is not the backup solution should Kolb go. Stay
RUNNING BACKS
LeSean McCoy: Aside from Vick was the team's MVP. You'd think that would warrant more carries. Stay
Jerome Harrison: Solid mid-season pickup has expiring contract. Is nice complement to McCoy. Stay
Leonard Weaver: Has a long road back after suffering a gruesome knee injury in the opener. Fan favorite. Stay
Owen Schmitt: Started off like gangbusters but teetered off. OK blocker but may be needed if Weaver can't return. Stay
Eldra Buckley: Training camp punching bag had one highlight (or lowlight): a fumble vs. Packers in Week 1. Go
WIDE RECEIVERS
DeSean Jackson: Brittle but spectacular. The great entertainer wants new deal. Is a holdout in the cards? Stay
Jeremy Maclin: Consummate professional's solid season was overshadowed by his divaesque counterpart. Stay
Jason Avant: Despite a few drops, upped his reception total for the fifth straight season. Stay
Riley Cooper: Rookie's not as good as he thinks he is - at least, not yet. Still a 4th receiver. Stay
Chad Hall: Can do all three Rs - receiving, running and returning - but not one at a particularly high level. Go
TIGHT ENDS
Brent Celek: Asked to block more so numbers dipped dramatically. Last year may have been aberration. Stay
Clay Harbor: Improved blocking by the end of the season. Could cut into Celek's snaps next season. Stay
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN
Winston Justice: Team's union player rep had up-and-down season. Was benched in playoff. Gets one more shot. Stay
Max Jean-Gilles: Lost all that weight with the lap band and did play better. But Eagles need to lose about 350 lbs. Go
Jamaal Jackson: First the ACL, now the triceps, probably lost his spot to McGlynn. Stay
Mike McGlynn: Is still learning the center position but made strides. Could slide over to RG if Jackson is the C. Stay
Todd Herremans: The most consistent of the offensive linemen. Has one of the team's better Twitter accounts. Stay
Jason Peters: Played as his most consistent following mid-season arthroscopic knee surgery. Stay
Nick Cole: Experiment at center was a colossal error. Never recovered. Needs to . . . Go - now.
King Dunlap: Public failed to realize it, but improved this season. Could supplant Justice at RT. Stay
Austin Howard: Baptism by DeMarcus Ware was scorcher, but he has tools. Still a project, though. Stay
Reggie Wells: At least his last name wasn't "Andrews." Go
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN
Juqua Parker: Team's oldest position player at 32. Can still get to the quarterback. Has to be used sparingly. Stay
Brandon Graham: Jury still out on whether top draft pick was worth hullabaloo. Must now come back from torn ACL. Stay
Mike Patterson: Andy Reid was touting his Pro Bowl credentials. He's not at that level, but he's still a producer. Stay
Brodrick Bunkley: Production has really declined. Eagles weren't ahead on the curve on this one. Go
Antonio Dixon: Played at a Pro Bowl level in middle of season. Needs more strength to get to next level. Stay
Trent Cole: Had just 3 sacks in final 8 games. Doesn't love scheme but may need to play less. Stay
Trevor Laws: Did enough in early part of season to bring back. But will be on short leash. Stay
Darryl Tapp: Once he got the system down he was effective. Still only a rotation end. Stay
Victor Abiamiri: 29 games in 4 years for the oft-injured former 2d-round pick. Don't let the door . . . Go
Daniel Te'o-Nesheim: The Eagles drafted this third-round dud and let Jason Babin and Chris Clemons go. Go
Ricky Sapp: Phantom knee injury placed him on IR for the whole season. Warrants another look. Stay
Bobby McCray: Loved his song, "Don't Worry, Be Happy." He should sing it the day he's cut. Go
Jeff Owens: Could strengthen inside pass rush but is another Eagles defender without instincts. Go
Jeremy Clark: He was on the roster? Go
LINEBACKERS
Stewart Bradley: Admitted he was slowed early by 2009 ACL injury. How do you explain rest of season? Stay
Jamar Chaney: Showed promise filling in at the middle. Would allow Bradley to move to natural strong-side. Stay
Ernie Sims: Came from Detroit with reputation that he has no instincts. Did nothing to prove otherwise. Go
Moise Fokou: Best-case scenario isn't as starter but is a serviceable backup and special teamer. Stay
Akeem Jordan: Has regressed since 2009 mid-season injury. Could get training camp shot but not in this format. Go
Keenan Clayton: Too early to say if he's the solution at weak-side. Says heart is at safety. Stay
Omar Gaither: Could hang around because of versatilty, but it's time to cut the cord. Go
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Asante Samuel: Was having perhaps best season until a knee injury derailed it. Has to stay hungry in off-season. Stay
Dimitri Patterson: He is what he is: a special teams ace and fifth CB. Have to wipe Giants memory away, though. Go
Ellis Hobbs: On injured reserve again. Contract is up. Hinting toward retirement. Go
Joselio Hanson: Will be 30 by the start of next season. Can still play the nickel spot but not much else. Go
Quintin Mikell: He's 30, just OK and has no contract. But knows the system and is a leader. Stay
Nate Allen: Rookie tore his patella tendon late in the season. Solid, but no Earl Thomas. Stay
Kurt Coleman: Is bright, has decent instincts and did fine stepping in for Allen. Still has lots to learn. Stay
Trevard Lindley: Couldn't supplant either Patterson or Hanson, which tells you something. But only a rookie. Stay
Jorrick Calvin: Was just mediocre as returner. Made a few boneheaded plays. On injured reserve. Go
Brandon Hughes: It's amazing some of the names that end up on the roster by the end of the season. Go
Marlin Jackson: Suffered team's first season-ending injury in May. Still may have been best free agent signing. Go
Jamar Adams: Aside from the novelty of having three Jamars on roster, is not answer at safety. Go
Antoine Harris: Missed all of season with foot injury. It's the only way he would have stayed on the roster. Go
Colt Anderson: Really made an impression on special teams. Now lose the ponytail. Stay
Gerard Lawson: Addition gave the Eagles four CBs with dreadlocks. If this were a reggae band he might have fit. Go
SPECIALISTS
David Akers: Choked in the playoffs - again - but still has a strong leg at 36. Stay
Sav Rocca: Had his best season in nearly every category. Is 37 and a free agent but earned a return ticket. Stay