03/18/03
It is time to bid farewell to an Eagles fan favorite, DE Hugh Douglas. In the end, the Eagles could not stomach his agent or his price. We will miss his exuberance along with his sacks.
The Eagle strategy of not overpaying older players is understandable. The question is how to replace him. The Eagles still have not filled the hole left by Trotter in the middle. Last year, they managed to get a body – Levon Kirkland. This year’s model is Mark Simoneau who hardly inspires any confidence. The worst case scenario is that Eagles’ management becomes borderline delusional and begins to believe their own PR spin that Trotter being replaced by Kirkland and Simoneau and that Douglas being replaced by a player such as Vonnie Holliday is representative of an improving football team.
Prying RFA DE Kabeer Gbaja-Baimila from Green Bay will be costly. But KGB has not seen his best days yet. Placed in the high quality Eagles’ Defense, KGB would instantly improve. He would cost a 1st round pick. But it is improbable that the Eagles could acquire a KGB type player in the draft. If they wait until next year when he is a Free Agent, they will need to contend with other high paying suitors.
The acquisition of OLB Nate Wayne was an improvement over Shawn Barber. But replacing Hugh Douglas with Vonnie Holliday would bring the defense to a net minus. The exchange of Kirkland for Simoneau is an exchange of varying degrees of mediocrity and is a net irrelevancy. The Eagle’s managed to trade Al Harris for a 2nd rounder. But how judiciously that this draft pick is used will determine whether this move will be of any benefit.
The Eagles have experienced some set backs in the Draft. But they have had their successes. Buckhalter, Burgess, Lewis, and Westbrook were steals! But more quality success must be attained with the higher draft picks. This years draft is replete with much needed quality LB and DE help along with the opportunity to acquire a TE for grooming. The ravages of Free Agency have left little room for future mistakes in the Draft.
HUUUUUGH, see you in the Pro Bowl!