12/12/04
12/12/04
Its early December and the Eagles have 4 games and what appears to be a long playoff season ahead - not exactly the perfect time to start thinking about Free Agency and Team Needs. As we have come to expect from Eagles Management, they have been scouting and planning for Free Agency and the 2005 NFL Draft for some time now.
The way to start is by looking at who may be leaving the nest as a Free Agent in 2005. On Defense, Corey Simon is as good as gone. Although he has played well recently, his play in the 1st half of the season was mediocre. The emergence of Sam Rayburn, and the return of Hollis Thomas to health have made Simon an expensive luxury. Even with Simon leaving, if Grasmanis can return from injury and play like the old Grasmanis, DT will not be a team need.
After investing so heavily at the DE position - signing Free Agent Jevon Kearse and drafting Jerome McDougle in the 1st Rd of 2003 - DE should not be a concern. Kearse is a superstar. But the oft injured, low production McDougle has yet to deliver. Derrick Burgess, a Free Agent in 2005, who has been injured for the past 2 seasons, is once again injured and may not be back until the playoffs. Hugh Douglas was resigned for one year and is undoubtedly not the future of the Eagles at RE. Projected 2004 starter ND Kalu is on injured reserve and when he did start last year did not generate sufficient pressure on the QB.
As was the case at WR, the Eagles have once again proven that they can learn by finally moving Mark Simoneau to OLB. They have been pleasantly surprised by Jerome Trotter's return to eminence. They are assuredly kicking themselves that they signed Trotter for only one year. If Trotter signs with another team in 2005, this time the Eagles will at least realize that they will miss him. Another Free Agent at LB is Special Teamer and LB backup Keith Adams who has played well when Simoneau and Nate Wayne were injured.
On Offense, Buckhalter is injury prone and is a question mark at best. Dorsey Levens is running on his last bucket of coal. The Eagles could use a change of pace RB that could take 40% of the carries. Jon Ritchie FB, currently on Injured Reserve, is also a Free Agent. Backup FB Josh Parry has shown glimpses of promise but has been inconsistent in pass receiving and is not a blocking road grater like Ritchie .
The Offensive Line has received a great deal of attention in last years draft. But, with Jermane Mayberry being a Free Agents, Hicks would play LG. OL backups Steve Sciullo and Alonzo Ephraim have played adequately.