By: Steve Johnson
Remember the good old days? The years when the Phillies were already out of it by July. The days when you expected the Flyers to fly through the regular season just to blow it in the playoffs. The times when the Eagles would get knocked out in the first round. Ok well maybe the last one is still happening. In a city that waited 25 years to call themselves winners who would expect to have not one but two teams with a "championship or bust" mentality, just three years later? The typical Philly fan is raised to expect the worst. To always root for their teams, but to question the outcome in the back of their head. Well it's different this year, at least for two of the four teams. Our Flyers and Phillies are arguably both the odds on favorites to not only make the championship games but actually win their leagues respectively. Imagine that, the possibility of a city hit hard by these terrible economic times, coming out of the shadows to celebrate not once but twice on Broad Street. It's been a long time since we've seen our teams push all their chips in for a run at a championship. With the Phillies having arguably the best starting pitching staff in baseball history, they're not only looking toward winning it all this year, but for years to come as well. The Giants proved last year that pitching and hitting in clutch moments wins championships. They came up big in key moments in last year's NLCS, while the Phillies came up short. A typically down year from what was expected, the Phillies look to bounce back this year being 3/1 odds to win it all, according to Vegas. The Flyers on the other hand made it to the Stanley Cup Finals last year, losing in 6 games to the Chicago Blackhawks. Looking like they're out for revenge, the Flyers are cruising through the regular season, already up 9 points through 60 games on the 2nd place Tampa Bay Lightning. I know it's hard to not get ahead of ourselves, but hey we're not use to this feeling. So enjoy it while it lasts, take in the season, get excited. Just remember we're still a ways away from holding up trophies and parading down Broad Street once again. As Philly fans we can only hope and wait, until they either do the unthinkable or they let us down...again.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Monday, February 21, 2011
What's Next for the Eagles in this Uncertain Off-season?
By: Steve Johnson
Football season is now officially over right? Wrong. At least not in the city of Philadelphia, where it seems when one season comes to an end, a new one begins. With spring training already going on in Clearwater, the Flyers in a playoff run, and the Sixers who have finally seemed to turn it around, the fans still want to hear about their most beloved team. Even with the uncertainly of there even being an NFL season next year, the Eagles next move is still on the top of our list. So what's next for a team that finished an unexpected 10-6 but lost to the Packers in the first round of the playoffs in January. The first step in a normal NFL offseason would be to re-sign your players and look toward players in free agency. Unfortunately without an agreement between the NFL Players Association and the owners before March 3rd, no such moves can be made. Luckily the Eagles placed the Franchise Tag on new starting Quarterback Michael Vick, By doing this they will be paying him an average salary of the top five paid quarterbacks in the league for at least one more season, also giving the franchise time to work out a long term deal with him. Assuming the owners and players agree on a new collective bargaining agreement, there are a number of moves the Eagles could and should make. Here are the top three.
1. Shore up the Offensive Line: The Eagles allowed the fourth most sacks in the NFL last year, a total of 49, including 95 hits on the Quarterback. Michael Vick might not have even started a game if it wasn't for Kevin Kolb going down week 1 because of a concussion. The Eagles need to protect Vick, who's not getting any younger (turns 31 in June) or faster. Particularly from the center to the right side of the line. The Eagles lost their starting center the first game of the year, shuffled their right guard throughout the year and even pulled tackle Winston Justice midway through their playoff loss to Green Bay.
Solution: Go after a starting quality linemen early in April's Draft
2. Sign a playmaker on defense: This time last year it was rumored the Eagles were going after All-Pro Defensive End Julius Peppers. Those rumors turned out true, just not true enough. Julius signed with the Chicago Bears, because he was uncertain if the Eagles wanted to win now with the rumors about trading Donovan McNabb. The Eagles did trade McNabb, but most would think Peppers prediction would be correct until Michael Vick came out of no where to lead the team to their ninth playoff appearance in 11 years. Well now the Eagles look like they want to win again, the team is young and ready for a championship run, the missing pieces are on defense and there are replacement pieces of there. The Eagles have some free agents they might bring back, including Stewart Bradley, Dimitri Patterson, and Quintin Mikell, but there are bigger players out there that could make a splash. Dawan Landry (formally of Baltimore) and Brodney Pool (New York Jets) both would be upgrades at safety over Mikell. Jason Babin (Tennessee), played for the Eagles as a situational pass rusher in 2009, and would be a great compliment to go along with his Defensive Line coach Jim Washburn, who signed here last month. Paul Posluszny (Buffalo), a stand out linebacker at Penn State, wouldn't fit what the Eagles normally go with at the position, but he would bring a toughness the unit has lacked in the 11 years under Andy Reid. Last but not least, the most prized free agent available would be former Oakland Raider cornerback Nnandi Asomugha. Asomugha would completely turn around a secondary that was rittled with injuries all of last year. A move like this would help the entire defense by giving the defensive line more time to get to the passer, and also free up fellow corner Asante Samuel to do what he does best.
Solution: Make a splash!
3. Trade Kevin Kolb: The time is now to trade Kevin Kolb, who was drafted in 2007 to eventually replace Donovan McNabb. Kolb couldn't be more unlucky. Waiting behind McNabb for three seasons Kolb finally got his chance in 2010 to only be knocked out...literally, the first game of the year against Green Bay. Still getting to play in 7 games, Kolb had a decent season, and looks like a future starter in the NFL for years to come. Unfortunately for him, a superstar in Mike Vick found his tools again, and the time is Vick's. Last offseason the Eagles received first round offers from multiple teams on Kolb, but decided to not pull the trigger and trade McNabb instead. This offseason that move has to be made, his time has come and gone in Philadelphia. The only problem with this move, is as of right now trades for players are not permitted until a new CBA is in place. The Eagles will most likely receive at least a 1st round pick for Kolb, but will probably be asking for a first and a third in return for the future starter. With these picks being acquired the Eagles could either package them to move up and get a superstar or they could build depth on a not very deep team.
Solution: Stop wasting his time, get something for the poor guy
Football season is now officially over right? Wrong. At least not in the city of Philadelphia, where it seems when one season comes to an end, a new one begins. With spring training already going on in Clearwater, the Flyers in a playoff run, and the Sixers who have finally seemed to turn it around, the fans still want to hear about their most beloved team. Even with the uncertainly of there even being an NFL season next year, the Eagles next move is still on the top of our list. So what's next for a team that finished an unexpected 10-6 but lost to the Packers in the first round of the playoffs in January. The first step in a normal NFL offseason would be to re-sign your players and look toward players in free agency. Unfortunately without an agreement between the NFL Players Association and the owners before March 3rd, no such moves can be made. Luckily the Eagles placed the Franchise Tag on new starting Quarterback Michael Vick, By doing this they will be paying him an average salary of the top five paid quarterbacks in the league for at least one more season, also giving the franchise time to work out a long term deal with him. Assuming the owners and players agree on a new collective bargaining agreement, there are a number of moves the Eagles could and should make. Here are the top three.
1. Shore up the Offensive Line: The Eagles allowed the fourth most sacks in the NFL last year, a total of 49, including 95 hits on the Quarterback. Michael Vick might not have even started a game if it wasn't for Kevin Kolb going down week 1 because of a concussion. The Eagles need to protect Vick, who's not getting any younger (turns 31 in June) or faster. Particularly from the center to the right side of the line. The Eagles lost their starting center the first game of the year, shuffled their right guard throughout the year and even pulled tackle Winston Justice midway through their playoff loss to Green Bay.
Solution: Go after a starting quality linemen early in April's Draft
2. Sign a playmaker on defense: This time last year it was rumored the Eagles were going after All-Pro Defensive End Julius Peppers. Those rumors turned out true, just not true enough. Julius signed with the Chicago Bears, because he was uncertain if the Eagles wanted to win now with the rumors about trading Donovan McNabb. The Eagles did trade McNabb, but most would think Peppers prediction would be correct until Michael Vick came out of no where to lead the team to their ninth playoff appearance in 11 years. Well now the Eagles look like they want to win again, the team is young and ready for a championship run, the missing pieces are on defense and there are replacement pieces of there. The Eagles have some free agents they might bring back, including Stewart Bradley, Dimitri Patterson, and Quintin Mikell, but there are bigger players out there that could make a splash. Dawan Landry (formally of Baltimore) and Brodney Pool (New York Jets) both would be upgrades at safety over Mikell. Jason Babin (Tennessee), played for the Eagles as a situational pass rusher in 2009, and would be a great compliment to go along with his Defensive Line coach Jim Washburn, who signed here last month. Paul Posluszny (Buffalo), a stand out linebacker at Penn State, wouldn't fit what the Eagles normally go with at the position, but he would bring a toughness the unit has lacked in the 11 years under Andy Reid. Last but not least, the most prized free agent available would be former Oakland Raider cornerback Nnandi Asomugha. Asomugha would completely turn around a secondary that was rittled with injuries all of last year. A move like this would help the entire defense by giving the defensive line more time to get to the passer, and also free up fellow corner Asante Samuel to do what he does best.
Solution: Make a splash!
3. Trade Kevin Kolb: The time is now to trade Kevin Kolb, who was drafted in 2007 to eventually replace Donovan McNabb. Kolb couldn't be more unlucky. Waiting behind McNabb for three seasons Kolb finally got his chance in 2010 to only be knocked out...literally, the first game of the year against Green Bay. Still getting to play in 7 games, Kolb had a decent season, and looks like a future starter in the NFL for years to come. Unfortunately for him, a superstar in Mike Vick found his tools again, and the time is Vick's. Last offseason the Eagles received first round offers from multiple teams on Kolb, but decided to not pull the trigger and trade McNabb instead. This offseason that move has to be made, his time has come and gone in Philadelphia. The only problem with this move, is as of right now trades for players are not permitted until a new CBA is in place. The Eagles will most likely receive at least a 1st round pick for Kolb, but will probably be asking for a first and a third in return for the future starter. With these picks being acquired the Eagles could either package them to move up and get a superstar or they could build depth on a not very deep team.
Solution: Stop wasting his time, get something for the poor guy
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