The Eagles' best offseason move
What was the Eagles' best and worst move of the 2010 offseason?
The Eagles' best offseason move
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
About to head out of town for the weekend for a family gathering, but wanted to get a quick post up first.
A publication recently asked me to answer a series of questions about the Eagles for their NFL preview magazine.
And there was one question that made me think a little longer than the others: What was the Eagles' best and worst offseason move?
For me, the worst was easy. If you're a frequent reader of MTC, you'll be able to guess it right away: trading Sheldon Brown to Cleveland.
Brown, when healthy, is an above-average corner. The options left now: starting Joselio Hanson, converting safeties Macho Harris or Marlin Jackson, starting rookie Trevard Lindley or hoping for a resurgence from Ellis Hobbs are far from sure things.
As for the best offseason move, I really struggled to find one. Who are the new players the team's added? Darryl Tapp, Ernie Smis, Jackson. Do any of those moves qualify? Nope.
What about the Donovan McNabb trade? While it seems like the majority of fans were on board with starting the Kevin Kolb era, I don't think that deal fits the mold either. It's not lik the Eagles received overwhelming compensation.
So I went with the selection of Brandon Graham and Nate Allen in the first two rounds of last month's draft. Is this choice contingent on those guys actually being able to play? Of course. But at least the Eagles addressed a couple areas of need - pass rush and safety.
I won't lie. It did feel like a bit of a stretch. But it was more a process of elimination than anything else.
So I ask you: What was the Eagles' best and worst move of the 2010 offseason?
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Best move - Getting rid of Shaun Andrews. Worst move - Their 3rd rd pick in the draft. Who is that guy?— flyerdup
The worst move? Doing NOTHING to improve their vapor-thin O-line. The same problems remain: no center, no right guard, no depth,. no run blocking, etc. The best? Probably handing the Cadillac keys to Kolb, but there are, of course, many questions remain. Hopefully, overall, improving the defense will help, but with that turnstile O-line ... Run, Kevin, run!!- Richard S...can I borrow your crystal ball so I can pick the next Power Ball number? You seem pretty sure of urself...— EaglesBleedMoney
- I think the best move was trading McNabb and passing the mantle to Kolb. At the same time I also dont think it was McNabb's fault that we didnt win a SB during his tenure, because he's never had a rock solid running game, and he's *almost* always had either shaky wideouts or a shaky defense. I also think the eagles would have the best chance to win next year with McNasty, but lets face it, we gotta think a few years down the road, and Kolb will be very good, maybe even better, eventually. Dont expect magic next season though, and remember that McNabb plays really, really well with a chip on his shoulder...— navogel
- Good points about the two coaches - April and Jauron. If the D-backs being out of position was due to poor coaching, that could be very significant. Special teams was pretty solid. But, with all the new "high motor" guys we drafted, it can definitely get better. I think getting younger and faster on D appears to be a good way to go. Any one move is a very tough call. The funny thing is that the one move that many (most?) on the boards will describe as the best move will also get a lot of votes for the worst move - getting rid of McNabb. I agree with Sheil on the worst move. I got nothing for the single best move. But, I will hope that AllDawk_AllTheTime is correct about Jauron. If he is, that will be a very good sign for the D because the linebackers should be considerably better and the D-line has the potential to be improved as well. Go Flyers!
- keep using those tears as lubricant inerceptionmachineshow— tripschaos
Comment removed.- Best move was Ernie Sims hands down..natural Will who was a captain in Detroit...no worst move from me...Andy Reid is the best GM coach we've had since 1960...— Quick82
- Hands down keeping Weaver was the biggest move. With Westbrook gone, he may be key if McCoy has any problems. Note how our short yardage skills were much better last year. Weaver seems like a solid dude and a good leader, big things with so many vets gone.— danks
- QB switch was the best move. That will be considered a no-brainer by November. McNabb's on field big play or bust style puts too much pressure on the defense and apparently his personal style and the constant drama he generates didn't wear well on his young teammates who spend the year in Philly working together trying to win rings.— jtj06
- There are people on "The Biggest Loser" that are faster than Sheldon Brown. He has a safety's body and that's where he belongs. Kolb at QB is the BEST move the Eagles's made.— changkarate
- Best Move - Ernie Sims Worst move - NOT getting an elite CB after trading Brown for no real reason. We not only get McNabb twice now (not that I am all that worried), we get Romo twice, Eli twice, Favre, PEYTON Manning, Rodgers. I love Kolb and think he will eventually be elite, but my biggest concern is the handling of all these very good QBs.
- TheKolbIntereceptionMachineShow...get Donavan's manhood out of your mouth....— crohnkiller
- I like when people make comments about Kolb or DNabb's leadership abilities. Truth is NOBODY out side of that locker room knows how those two lead. This team has you all convinced with words and very little physical evidence that Kolb is better then McNabb. Good luck with that...— mrs115
- without a doubt it's the change at QB..after the two horrendous Cowboys ganes,this team was in free fall faster than panpizza gains weight..with the move at QB the team has a leader on the field and off more accuracy since ron jaworski and more team unity since the buddy ryan days..the team now has the best passing quartet in the NFL..KK will have this team in the SB by 2012..the frontoffice finally did what they should have done after the underdog arizona cardinals proved what me and a few other fans have called for....a change at QB and a need of leadership..wolf.— wolf 4
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