Are the Eagles built to win now?
It's time for the annual offseason discussion about the Eagles' window, and whether it's open or closed. Is this team built to win right now?
Are the Eagles built to win now?
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
It's difficult to pinpoint exactly when the whole window conversation became an annual offseason topic.
You know the one I'm talking about. It revolves around the Eagles' window of opportunity to win a Super Bowl. After the 2001 season, when the Birds reached the NFC championship with a third-year coach and a 25-year-old quarterback, the window seemed like it would be wide open for years to come (and really, it was).
But pretty much every offseason thereafter, the question was asked: What do the Eagles need to do to win now?
Given the roster turnover we've seen in the past few seasons (Brian Dawkins, Donovan McNabb, Jon Runyan, Tra Thomas, Brian Westbrook, Sheldon Brown, Lito Sheppard and so on), it makes sense to visit that topic once again.
Before 2010, Eagles management refused to use the word rebuilding around the Novacare Complex. Yet, after the playoff loss to the Packers, Andy Reid's message was a little different.
"Very few teams can retool the way that we retooled and still compete, put yourself in a position to compete for a championship, and we were able to do that," he said.
And so the question must be asked. After a season of retooling, are the Eagles built to win right now? Will they be legitimate Super Bowl contenders in 2011? It's a complex question that I want to look at from three different angles: personnel, coaching staff and offseason uncertainty.
Let's examine the first (and the biggest) one today and the other two on Tuesday.
PERSONNEL
Do the Eagles have the players right now to compete for a championship, and how long will the core be together? I've identified a specific group to examine based on two factors:
1. I expect each to be starting for this team in 2011 (assuming there's football). This means their jobs are secure, they're under contract (or are expected to be) and they're healthy.
2. Each is capable of playing at a high level and has demonstrated that in the past year or two.
Here's a chart with those players listed, along with age and contract information. Note that age pertains to the projected start of the 2011 season.
| Age |
Contract |
|
| Michael Vick |
31 |
Unsigned |
| LeSean McCoy |
23 |
Signed through 2012 |
| DeSean Jackson |
24 |
Signed through 2011 |
| Jeremy Maclin |
23 |
Signed through 2013 |
| Jason Avant |
28 |
Signed through 2014 |
| Brent Celek |
26 |
Signed through 2016 |
| Jason Peters |
29 |
Signed through 2014 |
| Todd Herremans |
28 |
Signed through 2013 |
| Asante Samuel |
30 |
Signed through 2013 |
| Trent Cole |
28 |
Signed through 2013 |
Before I get to what the table shows, let's acknowledge some players who were left off. Because of the offseason uncertainty, we do not know how things are going to play out for guys like Quintin Mikell and Stewart Bradley, who are not under contract. I included Vick though because I have trouble envisioning a scenario where he is not the starting quarterback in 2011.
There were some tough decisions to make on defense. You could make the case for Antonio Dixon or Mike Patterson to be included, but given the way the Eagles rotated defensive linemen in 2010, I didn't include either guy. And injuries have to be accounted for also, which is why you don't see either Brandon Graham or Nate Allen listed. Both players showed promise, but they suffered season-ending injuries, and I wasn't comfortable saying either is a sure bet after one season.
One more thing to keep in mind when looking at the last column of when players are signed through. That doesn't mean the player will become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the contract. We don't know what their exact rights will be until the CBA is resolved.
Let's move on to the players who are listed. As you can see, seven of the 10 are signed through the 2013 season. And from the numbers I saw, those aren't really backloaded/deceiving contracts. The one exception could be Samuel, who's scheduled to make $10.4M in 2013 at the age of 32. Then again, he's coming off his best season as an Eagle.
Vick is a tough player to project. He'll be 31 later this year, and while he's unsigned, the Eagles are fully expected to use the franchise tag on him to keep him here in 2011. Remember, just because they tag Vick doesn't mean a long-term extension won't be worked out. So it's a distinct possibility that he's the starting quarterback through at least that 2013 window. We don't know how much (if any) his body benefited from not getting hit for two seasons while in prison. We also do not know how he will react to different defensive schemes being thrown at him now that teams have a year of film on him in the Eagles' system.
Jackson is only signed through next season, but extending him will likely be an offseason priority (once the Eagles are able to do so). McCoy is an interesting case because he'll be in a somewhat similar situation to Jackson next season. He's working under a rookie contract that will pay him $490,000 in 2011 and $575,000 in 2012. Like Jackson, McCoy is represented by Drew Rosenhaus. Keep in mind, though, that he'll only be 24 when his rookie deal runs out. Assuming he doesn't take some kind of giant leap backwards in the next two years, it's reasonable to assume he'll be with the Birds through another contract.
You'll notice that eight of the 10 players I listed are on offense. That group is built to win now. Guys like McCoy, Jackson, Maclin, Avant, Celek, Peters and Herremans should all theoretically be in their primes. And Vick is coming off his best season.
McCoy, Jackson, Maclin and Celek are nowhere close to 30. The only three offensive positions not accounted for in the above table are center, right guard and right tackle. Winston Justice was signed to an extension during the '09 season and is under contract through 2013. He had an inconsistent 2010 that resulted in the benching against Green Bay, and the Eagles will have to decide whether he can start at right tackle for the next few years.
Center is an unknown with Jamaal Jackson recovering from injury and Mike McGlynn having had an up-and-down 2010 season. However, Jackson is also signed through 2013. McGlynn is scheduled to be a free agent after next season.
At right guard, Max Jean-Gilles is not under contract. Neither is Nick Cole.
So overall, the offense is in very good shape to be a championship-level group through at least 2013. At that point, Vick will be 34.
The defense, of course, is another story. There's a lot of uncertainty on that side of the ball.
Up front, Trent Cole is a Pro Bowl-caliber defensive end, and Dixon also played at a Pro Bowl level last season, even though he was not used as an every-down player. The Eagles have three other guys who were first-round picks: Brodrick Bunkley, Mike Patterson and Graham. That's where Jim Washburn comes in. The Birds are counting on him to get the most out of this group. Of the players mentioned here, only Bunkley is likely to become an unrestricted free agent before 2013.
Linebacker is a complete crapshoot. Bradley, Akeem Jordan and Ernie Sims are scheduled to be free agents, although we don't know what exactly their rights will be until after the CBA is resolved. I can't imagine they'd bring Sims back though. Meanwhile, JaMar Chaney and Moise Fokou are playing on rookie contracts so the Eagles control their rights. Having said all that, I'm not sure that there are three starting linebackers among this group.
And finally, the secondary. I mentioned Samuel above. Mikell is a free agent, and Allen is on his rookie contract so he's not going anywhere. Right cornerback is a position that has to be addressed (hey, didn't we say the same thing last year?). And Joselio Hanson is signed through 2013.
So what's the bottom line here with personnel? Offensively, the Eagles are in position to compete at a Super Bowl level in the next two-to-three years. That window could probably be extended, based on a variety of factors (contracts, health, draft, free agency, etc.). But without taking any of those into account, the Eagles have several talented players that should be in their primes (and under contract) through 2013.
The defense is filled with question marks. Last year's group certainly was not Super Bowl-caliber. If Graham, Allen and Chaney make significant leaps in their second seasons, if the Eagles add a talented linebacker (or two) and a capable right cornerback, if Juan Castillo proves to be a better fit than Sean McDermott and if Washburn can get more from the defensive line, maybe it could be. But then again, those are a lot of ifs.
In the second part of this analysis, I'll take a look at the offseason coaching changes, the draft and free agency.
And if you missed my posts from the weekend, I rounded up some mock drafts and wrote about how Kevin Kolb would feel about a potential trade to the Cardinals.
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As long as Andy Reid calls the shots on Sunday's, they will be in a position to compete for a championship (very undefined broad based term by the way), but they will not win a championship with Andy Reid as head coach. Unless a miracle happens where he all of a suddenly learns how to control tempo, the calling of timeouts and when to throw the red flag. We've all been wishing on this for years, but if you believe he will change, then I say you're dumb enough to beleive a snake won't bite if you put your hand in front of its face. It's the nature of the beast. In the mean time, I'm going to put myself in a position, which allows me to ignore the big man in the jump suit standing on the sidelines with only 66% of a clue. Enjoy your mediocrity.— Voytas- Trading Kolb for a defensive player (in any of several positions where we need help) would be a big move forward for the defense. Trading him for a draft pick or two in 2012 (the most likely year with the CBA still in serious jeopardy) would be very little help.— dlscholt
- There is so much bull comments on this web site, but this one is solid and makes more sense than I've seen in a long time. Kolb wants his shot but was proven ineffective during the past season as heir apparant for the Eagles. Trade him while we can. Kafka is better as a prospect. — dapmman
Nice article based on fact and supported by opinion. Too many articles on this site are the other way around. 90% opinion and very little fact. These article help us get through the long off season.
I can't stand the play calling but as far as Reid being mediocre, his won loss record suggests otherwise. While the Eagles are certainly not champions (yet) they compete year in and out among the best in the NFL.
This suggest that the Eagles personnel should be ready for another run at a ring in 2011. I doesn't look like massive change is required on the depth chart.— willbert31- It amazes me that people keep criticizing Andy for calling timeouts early in halves. Did you ever think that the extra conversation may just be the reason why his QBs have often had one of (and sometimes) the lowest interception rate in the league. Oh and BTW, which critical games in the last 11 years did the Eagles lose because of lack of timeouts? Most coaches don't have the guts to call timeouts early in the half when they're needed and their QB ends up throwing a a costly INT. Thank goodness Andy doesn't care what Gonzo and his ilk think and/or write.
- Pitchers and catchers are in camp. We will now get to see a REAL Championship team work. 51 years and counting since the Eagles won a crown! The only rings Andy will ever get are Onion!— jakster
It's not worth discussing the on-field talent until Andy gets out of town— shawnmac- NO they are not,they are a few years away minimum,,the defense needs help,the best friend for a defense is a ball control offense,the offense looks for the big plays too much,the DC's have caught up with mcVick also other teams will improve including the Cowboys with the hire of Rob Ryan they are greatly improved and have a good ground game and will be a threat for the division title,the Packers will be in the hunt for the next decade,the Cardinals and Vikings could have big bounce back seasons..in this humble fans opinion the BIRDS will never win a SB with BIG RED,next season will be his last,hopefully Jon Gruden is still on the market...w.— wolf 4
- wolf 4...Big Red is a candidate for coach of the year and he has two QB's that can win a SB with this team... AND...ppizza-i'll get behind the right QB ,2011-12-13- 14-15-16 is the plan...wolf
Flip....flop....flip ....flop
Hey wiff, shouldn't you be practicing pushing that abuse button? Lots of wiff bashing lately. Get on that will ya? Oh, and please wash your finger...we been getting many complaints about a smelly mouse button...who knows where that finger has been...
— tpizza 
Comment removed.- SNAP!!!!!(the trap went off)CYO didn''t i tell ratpizza would be sniffin around,all it takes is some smelly cheese,,,after the Vikings game i knew the BIRDS would not win a SB with BIG RED or mcVick,that was a must win game to secure a first round bye and they choked up..bottom line...w. — wolf 4
- Really wiff? You wait until game 15 to change your mind and that's not a flip flop? I guess that's why you then picked the Eagles to beat the Packers in the playoff game? Of course that was after you predicted a Falcon/Eagles Championship Game. So in other words you ADMIT you flip flop every chance you get? Throw in the "Go MV7" stuff, AR Coach of the Year nonsense, ex-eagle wiff quote of the year, and a ton of other stuff an you make a bass in a row boat jealous you flip flop so much. No prediction needed wiff. I'll be here every day bashing you until KK is gone, just like I promised. BOOK IT!!! Now go wash that finger and practice pushing that abuse button. It'll be 2:30 in the AM soon and we all know that's when you do your dirty deeds...tick...tick...tick...Snap that! — tpizza
- This comment has been deleted.
— Mabus - Yeah I pretty much guaranteed the return to his rathole for tonight but he'll be back tomorrow...or tonight when he returns to push the abuse button around 2:30. The pinata always returns to the spot where it was last smacked and yellowiff is no different. Snap? He's gotta be kidding. — tpizza
- Comment removed.
Sheil, thanks for stressing the importance of the LINEBACKING position, which the Eagles consistently underplay to their detriment. And I liked jakster's onion rings...- I kinda think Jimmy Rollins should bat 5th. It will allow him to be somewhat undisciplined as a hitter (swinging at first pitches) while giving him the chance to drive a fastball when he sees it. Plus he can take some pressure off being a speed guy and thus saving his legs which gave him problems last few years.
Oh you wanted football comments here????? Its baseball season and finally we can talk about someone who could possibly win something (Ill hold off on the Flyers until June).— rvb2321 - A resounding NO......the defense is a joke with names like Paterson, Mikel and some other guys named Joe...After Asante they do not have a quality player with physical skills or the brains to be anything other than the 32 worst defensive team in the league...thank YOU Andy for your incredible lousey personel moves.....and don't claim Michael or DeShawn as you got lucky with both of them......You cannot get around the talent question....and you can't coach third and fouorth teir players to pro-ballers.......TALENT wins.....and we don't have any on defense...— nuggett
- I don't think the defense is as far off as most think. They need another good CB, a stud LB and DL. They also need a good OL on the right side. That's 4 starters which could easily be filled through the draft and FA. Whomever they bring in via free agency on defense should be a team leader, because what that unit lacks more than talent, is a Ray Lewis type.
— Mayhem - I love how Gruden's name always comes up like he was the greatest coach in history. He took a TB team who's Defense was unreal and won the SB against the Raiders who had a high powered offense. Wait wasn't Gruden on the Raider's coaching staff just 2 years prior? What happened when the defensive players Dungy drafted left/retired oh yeah the team went from SB winners to non-contenders almost overnight and Gruden was fired for having TB in the bottom of the NFC South at a time when Atl and Car were the toughest games of the division. And everyone's 2nd favorite coach Cowher was the coach of Pitt for longer than Reid has been here and he came away with a total of 1 SB ring. As proved this year and last year if you want to win a SB in the National Free-agent League, you need to have a combination of luck, a stellar O or D and a good/great O or D to complement the other side of the ball. The Eagles will win a SB when the defense is as good or better than our offense is now. Would you guys rather be Ravens fans? That team is gonna go to the cellar quick without an infusion of young talent on both sides of the ball. How bout the Jets? They have a killer defense, but their offense is not right for their personnel. Some seasons things fall in place for a team like it did with GB this season, but that is where drafting and trading for players that work in your offensive and defensive game-plans comes in. Let them play out last season 10X and I bet you with everything that happened to that team last year they win the SB maybe 2 out of 10 times with them only making the SB 3 times.— SWIM
Get rid of Kolb! Since "HE" thinks he is talented enough to start on any NFL team let me do so. When they find out that he can't read Defenses to call the audible then he would be right on the bench.- Vick will probably take 200 hard hits next year. He'll be on the DL by Midseason so all this championship talk is just hot air.— farley
- Vick is the QB, so they aren't a championship contender in the NFL no-matter how many or few hits he takes. — jtj06
- The difference you see in Championship teams and the Eagles (besides the players) is that you see far less glaring errors in game management. Clock management and use of timeouts come to mind in really big games. If the Eagles are ever to win a 'Ship they need to get better in those areas and it starts with coaches. You don't see these kinds of errors in teams that compete for Championships.— mundiff
- It takes these two scenarios to win a superbowl: 1) Top 10 defense, top 5 running game and good special teams 2)Top 10 defense, good running game, great special teams, and most importantly a top QB that is as smart as they are accurate. i.e. a QB who can read blitzes and defenses prior to the snap.
the Eagles have none of the above. So they will do what we see every year. Make the playoffs and lose at some point along the way. Vick is electric, but so was McNabb for a long time. They are both not what you would call smart QB's by any stretch of the imagination!— Atlas - Your right about the defense but most people don't realize how important linebackers are. 6 of the last 11 SB winners were loaded at lb position in fact Pittsburgh was #1 and Packers # 2! The 6 teams I talk about the Ravens,Patriots,Steelers and Packers. In the Steelers 6 SB wins here are their lb's. Ham,Lambert,Russell,Lloyd,Porter,Kirkland,Harrison, Farrier you get the picture name 1 good lb in Reids time here don't give me Trotter he couldn't cover! The single biggest number on defense isn't being in the top 10 it's plus minus to's. Your top 5 got shot down the Packers were not on the too 25!
.— Sam 52 - They are built to win 10-12 games a year BUT NOT, ever, NEVER, EVERNEVER built to win the BOWL...starts with AR and his in game foolery.......— RoastedBird
- Comment removed.
- He'd like to make it a full time job. — tpizza
- Like Dave said it's the linebackers it's a joke how bad they have been in Reids 12 years until they get some in here it will be the same story again!— Sam 52
- As usual Sheil another great article. Defense IS the big question. We could stop anyone last season and it got worse as the season went. Should we sign a "big name" on defense?— NC Eagle Fan
HAHAHA! no. Stop putting 200lb guys on the d-line for starters. That "speed over size" philosophy is a flunk. Vick looked good for a bit there, but he is not championship-caliber...just another "fun to watch" type.— Mr. Underhill- who cares man. Eagles...losers for fifty plus years and counting.— rubberguard
The answer is NO!!!! Still in need of REAL linebackers and another Defensive end and a TRUE safety! Talk to me after those items are purchased!— citysims- Run at a championship? Defensive Lineman that can actually get to the QB and Linebackers....need some.
- Trade Kolb for a quality defense player since defense is the glaring need. Hopefully the new D-coordinator will help. This team wins yearly regardless of personnel since Reid has been in town and I'm beginning to assume that's going to continue. Every year there's a new player or two in the thick of things and that will continue also.— dapmman
- When The Eagles pick 6 ft 248 lbs DE's and 5 ft 10" cornerbacks they are not improving themselves. All the teams that advanced had running balance with Green Bay still trying the run even when they lost all of there starters.— tulsaphil
- We need stud linebackers and great defensive players or developing ones. We have a great corner in Asante Samuel. We need to go after Asomugha who is a FA to opposite Samuel. We need monster defensive backs. Our defensive line has a beast in Trent Cole. We need to get a monster DT and other DE. Offensively the team is set, a stud WR would benefit but DeSean and Maclin are just fine. Celek is solid as well. Most of the changes need to be made on defense, ours do not intimdate anyone with the exception of Asante and Cole— DonovanMcNabb
- No, the Eagles are not "legitimate" contenders right now. The Eagles are, at least, 2 offensive linemen, a big time D-lineman, 2 linebackers and 2 DBs away from being an awesome team. Despite all the fans' complaints about Andy Reid, NO coach could have gotten any more out of the Eagles last season.— billtfla
- billtfla: The "coach/GM" is the reason for those short comings. Since he picks the players, he cannot be absolved of blame when they fall short.
- Even bigger question - why are the Eagles the number one story on the sports page over the first day of SPRING TRAINING for a team that is made up of PROVEN WINNERS?! Way to go, philly.com— Tom Cos
- I don't think the Eagles are built to win right now. As good as DJac and Maclin are the need a Big Physical receiver and a lot of help on D. And I don't want to beat a dead horse but giving McCoy only 12 Carries in the Playoffs ain't gonna cut it.— cuso20
- Built to win now? - NOT EVEN CLOSE. AR, no linebackers, refusal to run the ball,no pass rush, weak secondary,suspect O line, O line coach now the D.C.????!!! Win now? PLEASE! Win at some point with AR? Probably not.
- As always, AR will do what it takes to make the Eagles competitive during the season. However, for the following reasons, the Eagles will not win a championship:
1. Lack of LB talent.
2. Lack of secondary talent after Samuel.
3. Defensive line is to small to stop the run.
4. Right side of offensive line is very weak.
5. Poor clock management by AR.
6. Not enough emphasis on the run by AR and MM.
7. AR, MM and offensive line will get Vick hurt and out for the season by week 10 with their pass, pass, pass and punt offense.
8. DC has no defensive experience.
— PortCity - I like their chances of making the playoffs for the next few years. Super Bowl contenders? Yes, but..... odds are maybe 500:1 of winning Super Bowl, where the Pack, Steelers, Patriots, and a few others are maybe 10:1. We're a top 15 team; not a top five team. Sheil, leaving Dixon and Patterson out makes no sense. They are good players, underrated. It will be real interesting to see what Washburn does with the defensive line.— armchairGM
- The Eagles will NEVER win a Super Bowl. They were built to win (and should have) before and they always come up empty. We are the only NFC East team without a ring. Face it, the birds aren't "lucky" enough to win it all. Remember our motto "wait til next year"!— greenguy
- How can this team be so terrible and so far away from a superbowl team. They lost by 5 to the superbowl champions and had the ball with a chance to win at the end of the game. They beat the #1 seed in the NFC. They aren't losing any key to this season, unless Vick isn't locked in. This team is good enough to win the superbowl. The question is.......how about the new coaching staff.— willbert31
- Not until they shore up their weaknesses (Offensive Line, bigger Defensive Line, Linebackers and BD's with more experience). Taking time management and real-time adjustments out of Reid's hand.— danthony930
- Weak D and a QB who retrograded at the end of the season...I'm looking forward to the strike. At least the Birds will have a good reason for disappointing once again.— 2ndNlong
- As long as Vick is the QB and Reid is the coach - no way. You've already seen what happens when the league sees Vick a few times - he becomes the one-trick pony that the league figured out his last year in Atlanta when they were last in passing and 25th in total offense (and Vick played all 16 games). Keep drinking the Kool Aid, as we watch Vick's numbers continue to dive next season like the did the last part of this season. And no, we will never win a championship with Andy at the helm.— CiceroSpuriousDeodatus
- I have always marveled at how the Eagles were able to keep "the window" open this long while never getting all the pieces together. Especially with the receiver core. Now they seem like a playoff team who will not get past the first round year after year. No way I see Reid being the kind of head coach who can put together a D to go with this high octane, but non time comsuming offense he's got.— Artiescott
- I agree with you partially with your statement about the window continually being open, but i thinks it just appears to be open. They always seem to be above 500, in contention, and I start to think that Reids doing a good job. But then when the smoke clears and you assess the season, its the same thing all over. They had the team in 2004; they should have worked something out with TO, and signed a good free agent LB or two. Thats what the Phillies are doing. They know they are there, and they are adding. The Eagles in my opinion, didn't follow that logic, and the window slowly closed. They lost the last 3 games of the season the last 2 years. Something is wrong here. — watsonmr
- Sheil, thanks for continuing to ask the right questions. I've enjoyed your analysis and look forward to the rest of this series. As a Philly fan in Houston I can't get enough insight on all of our teams. Yes it's time for pitchers, catchers and the Cup looks within reach, but the Eagles are every bit as relevent during the off season as the other. I just spent 9 days in Hawaii and wished that the Eagles weren't there, but in a rebuilding year at least they were in the conversation. I met Javon Kearse and he said Washburn is his all time favorite coach, the Eagles were lucky to get him. Keep the info comming Tahnks— Flash Dad
- I can envision a fairly likely scenario where Vick is not the Eagles' starting Qb- he violates the terms of his probation by getting caught hanging out with a co-conspirator,getting high, drunk, or possessing a weapon or a pet.— jtj06
- Does your mom know you're up this late? — Mabus
Sure! were built to win now,We win every year....just not when it counts! We won't ever either unless we start drafting real talent on defense. Way to many high picks on D-line that don't pan out or don't play to the level at which they were drafted. How come we never draft any linebackers in the first three rounds?...Oh thats right were to busy drafting "fastballs"!. Why draft em' though when you can pick up a "shark in the water" like Ernie Sims, what a waste of a pick! GO EAGLES!!!- yeah right.............they will never get to the super bowl and win it. Sorry losers. Your team isen't like the teams who has won it plenty of times. Eagles are a bunch of losers!— MRD
- 1. There is no one on the o line as it now is that could start for Pittsburgh or Green Bay.J Jackson was a stud, but who knows if he comes back. Until they get quality on the O line, any dream that the Eagles will be competitive for a Super Bowl is just folly.
2. M. Vick is a small framed player, and it is imperative that he have an O line that can pick off blitzing lbs and dbs. There is a better than even change that he will get waffled and not get up. Without M Vick buying time, the eagles can not get the big plays they had last season.
3. D Jackson troubles me. It seems like dbs have found out that if they hit him, he seems to get out of rhythm, Also it seems like if he does not get the big home run play, he loses interest. I also worry about whining about salary and am afraid he might turn into a divisive force, like TO was.
4. I also worry about the big play offense that Andy seems to like. By the end of the season, it seemed that opposing teams realized that if they could stop the big plays, that they could win. Also, it seems to me that an offense capable of sustained drives by running and passing are more successful in the red zone.
5. Who replaces Leonard Weaver?
6. The Eagles seem to have forgotten Brent Celik.
7. The defense is more than one player away. It takes a complete team to get to the Super Bowl.
8. How about David Aker. Have Andy's comments damaged his psyche? Will another team that needds a kicker offer him more money tan the Eagles are willing to pay? And how about the punter?— angrybear - Ok now Vick is going to be on Oprah. Now are the writers suppose to ignore it, watch it but not report on it, or watch it and report on it. What would satisfy those that say people have to stop writing about Vick. Because no one is dragging him on the show. I believe he's appearing on his own. Are we to watch and not comment? Or would commenting offend those who say we should all move on. I'm torn on this one, because if Michael didn't appear on the show, there would be no comments.— watsonmr
As long as Andy-ball is taking place, there won't be much winning. At least not a Super Bowl.- Built to win now ROFFL..... they had an atrocious defense and it wont be much better next year.. too many holes to fill...... the offensive line is also pretty bad.... Built to win now? NO..... Built to be mediocre now...... YES— kramer65
- Eagles Super Bowl contenders??? Not with Andy Reid at the helm. Cant draft, cant coach on game day and wont run the ball. It's pretty easy to see. Been hear forever and he has not won it.
- Built to win now? ROFLMAO no. The defense is small, getting smaller, and seriously lacks talent. The defensive coaching staff has no experience other than the DL coach, who will be asked to work miracles with the likes of 6' 248# DEs. Vick won't survive a 16 or 18 game season behind that OL when Reid insists on throwing the ball 65% of the time.
There should be an age limit on here.— ej610
Wait until Vick gets his money. Then the real Vick will appear. Reid is an impulsive dope.— Kioto- This team will not win a superbowl until they get some Defensive lineman that are big enough (thank god we singed a CFL player masybe Mamula is still available... ROFFL, all their linebackers suck (Bradley very overrated), CBs suck... including Samuel..... safeties suck... dont even mention dawkins because he sucked his last 2-3 years here also. Reid is a dope and has to go....— kramer65
- It's difficult to see how the Eagles offense or team is set for a championship now. With Vick starting at QB they played 3 playoff teams- they nipped the injury riddled, one-and-done Colts at home coming off of a bye and got torched by the Bears and Packers, both of whom held the Eagles to two TDs. So unless the new CBA is going to abolish the NFC Central, the Eagles aren't getting to any Super Bowls in the next few years.— jtj06
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