Eagles: We're not rebuilding
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Eagles: We're not rebuilding
Jeff McLane
The Eagles' off-season turned more curious when Sheldon Brown became the latest casualty in the team's "Benjamin Button" transformation.
The 31-year-old cornerback was dealt to the Browns today, along with linebacker Chris Gocong, in exchange for two draft picks and 24-year-old linebacker Alex Hall.
While there appears to be evidence to the contrary, the Eagles say they aren't rebuilding.
"The word rebuilding will never enter our vocabulary," Eagles general manager Howie Roseman said, according to the team's Web site. "We're trying to win. We're trying to win right now. I think we're just trying to get better in all areas. We're trying to build a team that this city can be proud of. We're excited about that. We've got a lot more work to do."
Roseman expressed similar sentiments in an earlier conference call with reporters. Here's the transcript of that interview.
The Eagles are getting younger and younger.
A closer look at the team's moves since late February, when they announced the release of running back Brian Westbrook, reveals a sharp contrast in age between those coming and going. In a five-week span the Eagles have shed 11 players and added six. If you add unrestricted free agent linebacker Jeremiah Trotter to the 11 -- coach Andy Reid said he would not return -- the average age of the departed is 29.5. The average age of the six new players, on the other hand, is 25.3.
And, of course, 33-year-old quarterback Donovan McNabb is on the trading block with 25-year-old Kevin Kolb waiting in the wings.
The Eagles typically subtract aging players for younger ones, but this off-season seems more drastic than other ones. Last week at the NFL owners' meetings, Reid was asked if the off-season turnover was a matter of getting younger and reloading or getting younger and rebuilding.
"We expect to win games," he said. "When we bring young guys in we bring them in with that in mind. We want the best ones we can find and expect them to hold up the tradition that we’ve built."
The Eagles won't say it publicly, out of respect to the veteran players that left, but they viewed each as declining. Of course, there's something to be said for experience and having leaders on the roster. Brown and Westbrook, for example, were lead-by-example vets.
Here are the players that have left, along with their ages: Defensive end Darren Howard (33, Trotter (33), wide receiver Kevin Curtis (31), Brown (31), Westbrook (30), linebacker Will Witherspoon (29), wide receiver Reggie Brown (29), defensive end Jason Babin (29), defensive end Chris Clemons (28), safety Sean Jones (28), guard Shawn Andrews (27) and Gocong (26).
And here are the Eagles' additions since March 5: Wide receiver Hank Baskett (27), running back Mike Bell (26), safety Marlin Jackson (26), defensive end Darryl Tapp (25), linebacker Alex Hall (24) and wide receiver Chad Hall (23).
Click here for the earlier post on the Brown/Gocong deal.
I don't understand what games you guys have been watching, but the ones I watched this last year, Brown had lost a step and was a liability in coverage. Chris Gocong was not the right guy for the Eagles from the start, he will excell in a 3-4 defense. MacNabb couldn't win the superbowl for the past 11 years, but now he is supposed to win with diminishing skills like throwing grounders to the receivers and making the receivers stretch out for balls that were thrown behind them?? It was time to move on. This isn't rebuilding. If we didn't have a quarterback or the players it would be rebuilding. Seattle is rebuilding. We were getting rid of old players who no longer have the skills that we desired. The Eagles will be fine with Kevin Kolb at QB. This is the 1st year where he will prepare to have the team as his own. he never really started a year with going through camp as the 31 QB. much different circumstance. If you think you can tell what kind of QB Kolb will be from the 2 games and a couple preseason games he played in, wow, you are a better scout than all the other NFL Scouts. Kolb will be a fine QB. He played great at Houston and he has the guys around him to succeed. Hopefully the Eagles also draft Danario Alexander, Maclin's teamate at Mizzou. The Eagles went there this week to meet with him. He is a 6'5" monster receiver with very soft hands who rarely drops a pass. The Eagles will be fine this year and I believe once everyone gels, we will be unstoppable. Oh and after we trade Asante Samuel....— crohnkiller- as a cowgirl fan, witherspoon is the only eagle i watched on D, he was all over the place, and he made plays. sheldon was by far your best db,fast and hit people. what is up in philly???— bopkova
- They are rebuilding with younger and cheaper players; its a profit move ahead of an anticipated strike. The last player we got from Cleveland sucked; I hope this linebacker turns out to be better than S. Jones. My concern: in the last 2 years the player decisions for the O-Line and secondary have been just terrible. Howie does not appear to be solving or correcting that condition!— lerze77
- Is that Benjiman Buckman or Our starting safety Macho Harris? This defense is the worst we have fielded in 20 years and what do we do? Get rid of the players who actually produced on it. 6-10
- so if this is just a football decision, i guess sheldon brown is not one of the top 2/3 corners on the team -- that what roseman is saying? good to see the front office staffed with another penny-pinching scumbag. just like nickels.— snakeplissken
- we want Kolb in Seattle! he is a hell of a quarterback. Followed his career at UH. Please trade him and keep McNabb.— wacoast
- So I guess Roseman has become the gold standard's new donkey...father of the year andy reid jumped the sahrk 5 years ago— Dr. Michael
- BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!! I dont see how this helps us at all. Our Defense was already a mess now we are missing a starting CB. I dont care about GoCong he was never a 4-3 linebacker but S.Brown was a good player. he wanted more money but who dosent. He deserved to get paid. I dont know why they are cutting all the veterns. We already have a terrible defense now they just made a huge hole that cant be filled by E.Hobbles or a rookie.— Joey0210
- Unless they trade Mac for at least two people: a draft pick high and a player, then all the complaints are justified. Going younger is not a bad idea but there have to be some darn good draft picks to make this team tougher.— KGKoons
- Eagles are rebuilding for the Kolb era. I'm ok with that and happy that this years draft is VERY deep. I have all the respect in the world for McNabb and wish him the best, but no sense in keeping him if we aren't going to be a contender this year.— ChrisM
- I applaud the Eagles for getting rid of mostly talentless players. Look at this list: Darren Howard (33, Trotter (33), wide receiver Kevin Curtis (31), Brown (31), Westbrook (30), linebacker Will Witherspoon (29), wide receiver Reggie Brown (29), defensive end Jason Babin (29), defensive end Chris Clemons (28), safety Sean Jones (28), guard Shawn Andrews (27) and Gocong (26). Only Sheldon Brown was good and he is 31 years old and his better days are definitely behind him. The maxim get rid of a player 1 year too soon rather than 1 year too late. We have 10 picks, 7 of which are in the 1st 5 rounds AND we are trading a loser in McNabb (I supported him in Philly but the fact is I don't believe he has the tools necessary of a winning qb, especially in a pass heavy offense that relies on ACCURACY). We will be able to TRADE UP and get a stud. The Eagles are cheap but smartly cheap, and I believe we're getting younger and better during this rebuilding process. We wasted 10 years under McNabb - We're moving on.— dsh129
- Alex Hall an Eagle-Super Bowl here we come!— slade1955
- If people stop going their games, like the fans did in order to get phillies to eventually boot ed wade. Then eagles fans take notice. Of Course they are rebuilding, look at the pathetic off season they have had. No playmakers signed from free agency, real gold standard they are. The only gold they have are putting it into their pockets because fannies are still going to games, 60000 on waiting list for season tickets, people buying merchandise, etc. Hit them in the pocketbook first, then they take notice. Go Phillies!!!!!— Jes44
- Why the h*ll not?— 88etrain
- This is what happens when pointy-headed accountants run a f***ing football team instead of men who actually played the game. What a disgrace. Christ.— Jerome99RIP
- Once again this shows what a joke of an org. the Eagles are; I do not know why I keep supporting this team. Maybe its time for all the fans to boycott this product. As long as there is a 65K waiting list for season tickets and they keep making money it will be business as usual. If he take a hugh chunk out of the profits maybe they will do things differently.— tomoli
- We are rebuilding on the fly. However while I can see Sheldon skills on decline, they should have gotten a better deal than that. Make's you think that they might make the move with Oakland for D.Mac 4 their corner.— fla.eagle
- I guess Brown bit one too many times on Romo's pump fake. He won't be missed. It's a young man's game and we're saving money for future free agent pics. I like what they are doing. Draft a solid corner and everyone will forget about this. Gocong, what has he ever accomplished. Weak linebacker on weak corps (corpse as your President would say).— dpell
Comment removed.- As Joe Banner calls them "oldah playahs".— Rabe56
- Brown was a one-time probowler who only played 10 games last year, is questionable in coverage (check the ypc metrics by KC Joyner on ESPN), won't resign here next year, and is 31. Don't even defend gocong. he was okay at best. Better to get something for both of them now in the deepest draft in 15 years before you get nothing next year. Plus, its not like they were difference makers. Reload, rebuild the defense, just like they rebuilt the offense in two years. And still win games. Smart move.— phillydopes
- The headline for this article should have read...we're not rebuilding, we don't know what we're doing. Alex Hall had 30 tackles in 30 games. That's one tackle per game. They gave up the best tackler for him and a 5th rounder fresh out of college.— dapmman
- They think we are idiots. Please they love the money!— CrashTestCorzine
The magic word is: CHEAP! CHEAP! CHEAP!— ANDY-IS-FAT- Rebuilding assumes 1) they're building towards something and 2) they had it built in the first place. I can't see how trading your best players (QB included) gets one to a super bowl.— vinni
- Allright Andy ....DRAW!!— TBear
- Whether it's called rebuilding or retooling, it is obviously happening. All teams must take advantage of turning over players who are showing the effects of the football wars and are now viewed as a step slow. Some players can no longer be hidden in fancy schemes when there seems to be too much of a "down" side to their game. Football takes a toll on their bodies. These gladiators have fought the good fight season after season, but their time is now past. The Eagle management has come to realize that this team can't win in the post season with the players they now have; they are not just inches away from the Super Bowl anymore. Therefore, McNabb (All Pro) will be traded as it will take years for new players to develop, and by the time they are ready to contend, McNabb will be too old to lead them. So, it's time to turn the team over to a young quarterback. It's time to reload!— ndmcconn
- Look at the picks folks, we have 5 picks by 105, 2 more by 137. We can get some high quality players with these picks. Add playmakers to all 3 levels of the defense, after taking Pouncey with our first pick, moving up if need be. The comp picks at the end of the draft can be used to nab RB, LB or OL depth.— The Reddgie
Sheldon was the only player on D late in the season that actually tackled anyone. The D is weak before letting these two go...Should be Swiss Cheese now.- Replacing 31 year olds with 21 year olds makes sense to me. It is a young man's game.— lgeagles
- Sheldon had a good year for 10 games, then faded quickly. he looked really slow by the end of the year. Gocong has been a disappointment all along. I don't see how Mcnabb stays given what they are doing though. They are trying to get younger and younger.
- the way i see it, this team needs players, actual players, not late-round picks they can maneuver into mid-round picks in 2012. It's one thing to stockpile draft picks, but if you're consistently giving starting jobs to fifth round picks, it just seems backwards
- If the Eagles aren't rebuilding then why are they shopping McNabb for Kolb? Why are they trading or cutting loose any and everyone that is near the age of 30? The Eagles are clearly trying to get younger and whether they admit it or not they are indirectly rebuilding. http://thesportsmole.wordpress.com/— TheSportsMole
- Brown and Witherspoon are the only departures that bother me, but Bell and Jackson are the only additions that I have hope for. This team needs on-field leadership, especially on the D, not to mention DBs who can tackle. I am willing to give last year's LB corps the smallest of passes due to the injury problems but that doesn't mean I think the team should stand pat at LB.— SNEAKYPETE
- When this team eventually takes the field, we're not going to know half of the damn players on it.— Kramerica
- how does "win right now" involve trading your starting pro-bowl cornerback and a starting linebacker for a 5th & 6th round pix and a 3rd string no-name linebacker from the browns no less? i dont get it.— drumminge6
