We're three weeks away from the beginning of the official NFL off-season, when teams are allowed to begin making offers to players and teams. I'm very excited. Chances are that the Eagles will not be inactive like they have been in recent past. Similar to what I did in another article of mine, "Possible Weapons for Eagles in '08", I'll share what I hope the Eagles do, to help them become the team they need to be in order to finally win the Super Bowl, while considering current rumors.
Most recently, ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported that Asante Samuel may be targeted by the Eagles. There was another rumor that the Eagles may trade Reggie Brown and a 4th round pick to the Detroit Lions for WR Roy Williams. Another source said that the Eagles were eying Vanderbilt OT Chris Williams at the Senior Bowl.
My thoughts...I love it. I'd be satisfied if only those three things get accomplished this off-season.
Asante Samuel and Lito Sheppard. What a pairing that would be! That could become the best CB-tandem in the NFL. Asante Samuel would open up so much; not just the defense but the special teams as well. Sheldon Brown could move to strong safety and Quintin Mikell could become a full-time member of the special teams, where he played great last year. Although, I would worry about how Sheldon Brown would take the whole thing. Last year, he was upset that Jim Johnson gave William James an open opportunity to take the starting role away from him. Last month, he argued that Donovan McNabb was wrong in asking for more playmakers. He obviously doesn't like the idea of moving to safety.
I have this weird feeling about what all could come of trading for Roy Williams. If the Eagles were to go out and just sign a free agent, like Bernard Berrian, we would be set at WR. By swapping WRs, I'm unsure whether or not Andy Reid would want to hand the third string role to Hank Baskett or Jason Avant. Is there a possibility that he could be trying to add another playmaker while, at the same time, keep a spot open for a wideout coming from the draft? Enter DeSean Jackson. I don't see why the Eagles wouldn't be taking a very serious look at him. The Eagles understand how bad their special teams were last season and have witnessed, just as the rest of the NFL has, what a superstar returning kicks can do for a team (the Bears and Devin Hester).
Eagles Off-Season To-Do List:
1. Do whatever it takes (I don't care how big of a price he is) to get Asante Samuel but, first, make sure Sheldon Brown would be satisfied with the switch to safety. It wouldn't be a good idea to have another disgruntled defensive back (formerly Michael Lewis). I can't see Asante Samuel going back to the Patriots for three reason. First, Samuel and the Patriots agree to a deal back in August which gave Samuel assurance that he won't be tagged for the 2008 season. Second, I can't see Samuel wanting to come back to the mess that is going to be the Patriots next year. Yes, they will be a mess. You can't go 18-0, come up short in the Super Bowl but suddenly have a lot of motive to return in '08 and try to accomplish the same task. Third, Samuel wants the big bucks and he wasn't given that by the Pats in '07 (according to Samuel), why would they now?
2. Trade WR Reggie Brown and a 4th round pick to the Detroit Lions for WR Roy Williams. The front office needs to satisfy its players (mainly McNabb and Westbrook) and get them a playmaker WR. Roy Williams looks to be the most reasonable option. Larry Fitzgerald is too much money, Chad Johnson is too much of a locker room risk, and Javon Walker is too injury prone. Also, unlike Johnson, Roy Williams is only 26 years old.
3. Sign Roy Williams to a long-term deal. Roy Williams will be a free agent at the end of the 2008 season. Can we, for once, keep a top wide receiver for more than a year (Stallworth and Owens)?
4. Trade 2008 2nd Round Pick, William Thomas, Jevon Kearse, and Jason Avant for a mid to late-1st round pick. William Thomas has been great on and off the field (great guy) for the Eagles over the years but he's getting up there in age (34 by next season's end). It is doubtful that the Eagles will resign him to a new contract for the 2009 season with all of these lineman in the waiting (Max Jean Gilles, Winston Justice, etc). I think it'd be best to also let Jevon Kearse go. I personally think the Eagles have treated him like garbage. I'm sure he was well enough to play each game but was still benched for most of the games. He sold his house. He's well on the way out of town. I wish him the best of luck to whichever team he goes to.
5. Resign Joselio Hanson, Thomas Tapeh and Sav Rocca.
6. With the two first round draft picks, draft WR DeSean Jackson of California and OT Chris Williams of Vanderbilt. With the third round pick, draft CB Tracy Porter of Indiana. Jackson would give us another playmaker and a great return man. Williams would have a good chance to step in and play right away. If not, the Eagles could move Todd Herremans back to left tackle, opening up a spot for Max Jean Gilles at guard. The Eagles have had way too many injuries in the secondary over the years, Porter would add another corner to what would suddenly become the best in the business (the secondary).
2008 Lineup
Key Free Agent/Trade Additions: Asante Samuel, Roy Williams, and Travis LaBoy
Key Draft Additions: DeSean Jackson, Chris Williams, and Tracy Porter
QB - Donovan McNabb
RB - Brian Westbrook
FB - Thomas Tapeh
WR1 - Roy Williams
WR2 - Kevin Curtis
WR3 - DeSean Jackson
WR4 - Hank Baskett
TE1 - L.J. Smith
TE2 - Brent Celek
LT1 - Todd Herremans
LT2 - Chris Williams
LG - Max Jean Gilles
C - Jamal Jackson
RG - Shawn Andrews
RT1 - Jon Runyan
RT2 - Winston Justice
LE1 - Trent Cole
LE2 - Juqua Thomas
RE1 - Travis LaBoy
RE2 - Victor Abiamiri
DT1 - Brodrick Bunkley
DT2 - Mike Patterson
DT3 - Darren Howard
WLB - Takeo Spikes
MLB - Omar Gaither
SLB - Steward Bradley
BackUp LB1 - Chris Gocong
BackUp LB2 - Akeem Jordan
CB1 - Asante Samuel
CB2 - Lito Sheppard
CB3 - Joselio Hanson
CB4 - Tracy Porter
SS1 - Sheldon Brown
SS2 - Quintin Mikell
SS3 - Sean Considine
FS1 - Brian Dawkins
FS2 - Quintin Mikell
K - David Akers
P - Sav Rocca
KR1/PR1 - DeSean Jackson
KR2/PR2 - Tracy Porter
Top Special Teams Contributors: Quintin Mikell, Darren Howard, Tracy Porter, Chris Gocong, Akeem Jordan, and Sean Considine
Do all of that and you have the 2009 Super Bowl champions or so I hope...
Most recently, ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported that Asante Samuel may be targeted by the Eagles. There was another rumor that the Eagles may trade Reggie Brown and a 4th round pick to the Detroit Lions for WR Roy Williams. Another source said that the Eagles were eying Vanderbilt OT Chris Williams at the Senior Bowl.
My thoughts...I love it. I'd be satisfied if only those three things get accomplished this off-season.
Asante Samuel and Lito Sheppard. What a pairing that would be! That could become the best CB-tandem in the NFL. Asante Samuel would open up so much; not just the defense but the special teams as well. Sheldon Brown could move to strong safety and Quintin Mikell could become a full-time member of the special teams, where he played great last year. Although, I would worry about how Sheldon Brown would take the whole thing. Last year, he was upset that Jim Johnson gave William James an open opportunity to take the starting role away from him. Last month, he argued that Donovan McNabb was wrong in asking for more playmakers. He obviously doesn't like the idea of moving to safety.
I have this weird feeling about what all could come of trading for Roy Williams. If the Eagles were to go out and just sign a free agent, like Bernard Berrian, we would be set at WR. By swapping WRs, I'm unsure whether or not Andy Reid would want to hand the third string role to Hank Baskett or Jason Avant. Is there a possibility that he could be trying to add another playmaker while, at the same time, keep a spot open for a wideout coming from the draft? Enter DeSean Jackson. I don't see why the Eagles wouldn't be taking a very serious look at him. The Eagles understand how bad their special teams were last season and have witnessed, just as the rest of the NFL has, what a superstar returning kicks can do for a team (the Bears and Devin Hester).
Eagles Off-Season To-Do List:
1. Do whatever it takes (I don't care how big of a price he is) to get Asante Samuel but, first, make sure Sheldon Brown would be satisfied with the switch to safety. It wouldn't be a good idea to have another disgruntled defensive back (formerly Michael Lewis). I can't see Asante Samuel going back to the Patriots for three reason. First, Samuel and the Patriots agree to a deal back in August which gave Samuel assurance that he won't be tagged for the 2008 season. Second, I can't see Samuel wanting to come back to the mess that is going to be the Patriots next year. Yes, they will be a mess. You can't go 18-0, come up short in the Super Bowl but suddenly have a lot of motive to return in '08 and try to accomplish the same task. Third, Samuel wants the big bucks and he wasn't given that by the Pats in '07 (according to Samuel), why would they now?
2. Trade WR Reggie Brown and a 4th round pick to the Detroit Lions for WR Roy Williams. The front office needs to satisfy its players (mainly McNabb and Westbrook) and get them a playmaker WR. Roy Williams looks to be the most reasonable option. Larry Fitzgerald is too much money, Chad Johnson is too much of a locker room risk, and Javon Walker is too injury prone. Also, unlike Johnson, Roy Williams is only 26 years old.
3. Sign Roy Williams to a long-term deal. Roy Williams will be a free agent at the end of the 2008 season. Can we, for once, keep a top wide receiver for more than a year (Stallworth and Owens)?
4. Trade 2008 2nd Round Pick, William Thomas, Jevon Kearse, and Jason Avant for a mid to late-1st round pick. William Thomas has been great on and off the field (great guy) for the Eagles over the years but he's getting up there in age (34 by next season's end). It is doubtful that the Eagles will resign him to a new contract for the 2009 season with all of these lineman in the waiting (Max Jean Gilles, Winston Justice, etc). I think it'd be best to also let Jevon Kearse go. I personally think the Eagles have treated him like garbage. I'm sure he was well enough to play each game but was still benched for most of the games. He sold his house. He's well on the way out of town. I wish him the best of luck to whichever team he goes to.
5. Resign Joselio Hanson, Thomas Tapeh and Sav Rocca.
6. With the two first round draft picks, draft WR DeSean Jackson of California and OT Chris Williams of Vanderbilt. With the third round pick, draft CB Tracy Porter of Indiana. Jackson would give us another playmaker and a great return man. Williams would have a good chance to step in and play right away. If not, the Eagles could move Todd Herremans back to left tackle, opening up a spot for Max Jean Gilles at guard. The Eagles have had way too many injuries in the secondary over the years, Porter would add another corner to what would suddenly become the best in the business (the secondary).
2008 Lineup
Key Free Agent/Trade Additions: Asante Samuel, Roy Williams, and Travis LaBoy
Key Draft Additions: DeSean Jackson, Chris Williams, and Tracy Porter
QB - Donovan McNabb
RB - Brian Westbrook
FB - Thomas Tapeh
WR1 - Roy Williams
WR2 - Kevin Curtis
WR3 - DeSean Jackson
WR4 - Hank Baskett
TE1 - L.J. Smith
TE2 - Brent Celek
LT1 - Todd Herremans
LT2 - Chris Williams
LG - Max Jean Gilles
C - Jamal Jackson
RG - Shawn Andrews
RT1 - Jon Runyan
RT2 - Winston Justice
LE1 - Trent Cole
LE2 - Juqua Thomas
RE1 - Travis LaBoy
RE2 - Victor Abiamiri
DT1 - Brodrick Bunkley
DT2 - Mike Patterson
DT3 - Darren Howard
WLB - Takeo Spikes
MLB - Omar Gaither
SLB - Steward Bradley
BackUp LB1 - Chris Gocong
BackUp LB2 - Akeem Jordan
CB1 - Asante Samuel
CB2 - Lito Sheppard
CB3 - Joselio Hanson
CB4 - Tracy Porter
SS1 - Sheldon Brown
SS2 - Quintin Mikell
SS3 - Sean Considine
FS1 - Brian Dawkins
FS2 - Quintin Mikell
K - David Akers
P - Sav Rocca
KR1/PR1 - DeSean Jackson
KR2/PR2 - Tracy Porter
Top Special Teams Contributors: Quintin Mikell, Darren Howard, Tracy Porter, Chris Gocong, Akeem Jordan, and Sean Considine
Do all of that and you have the 2009 Super Bowl champions or so I hope...
