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NFL Mock Draft (2 Rd) 04/28/2006
Positional Rankings\Stats 04/22/2006
Eagles Mock Draft
Eagles
Team Needs
Eagles Free Agency Scoreboard 04/07/2006
(Part II)
06/10/06
Approaching the new season, the WR position is the most controversial. The short presence of the controversy magnet Turmoil Owens demonstrated for all to see what an accomplished, field -stretching WR could do for this Offense. This lesson is not lost on the Eagle FO, who attempted a trade with Green Bay for Javon Walker, a WR that could help right away since, like Owens, he is coming from a West Coast Offense. But the Packers were not interested in having any parts of an exchange that might herald the return of the Eagles juggernaut. Green Bay wisely exiled Walker to the AFC.
On a positive note, the Eagles will be bolstered by Free Agent Jabar Gaffney, 4th Rd rookie Jason Avant, and the return of Todd Pinkston from injury. Although Gaffney’s 55 receptions last year are impressive, the fact that he was signed to a 1 year contract betrays a couple of Coach Reid's inner thoughts. The first is that the Eagles never considered him to be the answer – which is evidenced by their attempted trade for Walker. Secondly, by the time he gets comfortable with the AR WCO, he will be ready to hit the Free Agent market. It is difficult to get excited about a WR who is just going to be here for a year. Jason Avant is a prototypical WCO WR who possesses good size, very good hands, and runs excellent routes – similar to Reggie Brown. Other teams might look at Jason Avant and shrug. But, being this type of WR makes him more valuable to a team running the WCO. Todd Pinkston’s return will be important if his speed is still intact. The much maligned WR has hurt teams down the field by catching the occasional long-ball.
Reggie Brown will continue to improve after his promising rookie season. But, the fans are concerned about the other WR position - not about Reggie. At the opposite WR position, the jaundiced eye will see a WR who has disappointed in the past (particularly during the NFC Championship against the Panthers), a 4th Round Rookie, a WR that has shown an inability to transition from a 3rd WR to a starter, and an underachiever with a 1 year contract.
Another area of lesser controversy is at Running Back. Brian Westbrook is a superstar. Ryan Moats is a very talented backup who must improve his receiving skills. Bruce Perry has shown that he can also be dangerous both running and receiving. Although replete with talent, criticism is often levied at the Eagles lack of a “big back.” At the heart of this concern is Offensive Strategy rather than personnel. The Eagles are dismissive of the need for a “big back.” To paraphrase AR, “if we need 1 yard for a 1st down, we have a big QB, McNabb, who can pick that up.” This says much about their philosophical strategy regarding the RB position. Everyone and their brother can agree with that AR statement including those who advocate for a “big back.” But the true value of a power back is when it is 1st down or when it is 3rd and 3 or 3rd and 4.
One of the benefits of the power back is to provide balance. If it is 3rd and 4, a power back makes it difficult for a Defense to pin their ears back and get after the QB. If the Eagles could call on a power running game in situations like that, Defenses would not have a clue what the Eagles would do. As it stands, Defenses just need to keep their eyes open for the draw and commit 100% to defending against the pass. Another benefit of a power running game is that it wears down opposing Defenses. Besides contending with the jumbo-sized Eagle OL, the play finishes by getting cracked by a big RB coming out of the backfield. A power running back also has a similar effect that a deep-threat WR has on Defenses. As opposed to stretching the field, they shrink Defenses which must now be concerned with physically stopping a running attack at the LOS and with the possibility that a power RB might break a tackle of a lone defender for a big gain.
On the Offensive side of the line, the Eagles have improved their depth along the OL, at QB, and have added competition at WR. A lack of significant improvement at WR, RB, and perhaps Offensive Strategy, will make scoring points during this upcoming season more difficult than it should be.
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Offense I - Of Dreams Unfulfilled 06/03/06
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Defense - No Rearview Mirror 05/19/06
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Draft Day Notebook 04/30/06
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Me Lika Ngata 03/25/06
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Eagle Free Agency: Ins and Outs 03/17/06
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Bent on Bentley 03/11/06
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Its Free Agency Time Again My Friend 03/04/06
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The Eagles in Review 01/02/06
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The Offseason of Our Discontent 08/05/05
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