FanNation - The Republic of Sport

I say give #21 and the 3rd for Boldin. We still have the cap room and Boldin is a proven player just like Peters. The Eagles time for a superbowl is now!!! With the 2nd round pick take Andre Brown. At 6-0, 228 he would be the big back we need. IF NOT!!!--- Take the ultimate chance! Trade #21 and the 3rd to Oakland for their #1 pick and Michael Bush. Bush is a big back to compliment Westbrook and then draft Michael Crabtree with that pick. With our #2 pick take the best TE who is available. I am just speculating but I say something is already in place for a WR because McNabb is to quiet for a QB who has no #1 WR and no contract extension!!!

I think the Eagles needs are bigger then a WR....Donovan McNabb needs a safety valve on that offense....Brent Celek showed flashes of it in the playoffs, but he has a problem blocking....Brandon Pettigrew, 6'6", 240....that's a big target running in the middle of the field...AND it's a big body for a DE to get around when trying to get to the RB....Keep the first round pick....take Pettigrew (if available)....then in the second round get yourself a complimentary RB....The defense will be better then last year because all the young guys are more experienced....The offense just needs little pieces here and there....WR isn't a pressing need for this team....the West Coast offense isn't a deep threat offense....Curtis, Jackson, Avant, and whoever they'd pick up in the 3rd round would be enough in the passing game....LJ Smith hurt this team over the past 2 years with his horrid play....We need that TE who can be the Jason Witten or Dallas Clark type guy who can block and catch....

For those who said the Eagles F.O. was cheap...well they just spent about $100 million on 2 pro bowl OT's. They both got 6 year deals, and a pirates booty in guaranteed money. I'm not sure they have the wiggle room to pay Boldin what he wants, plus shore up McNabbs extension. That would probably leave the well dry, which historically Banner does not like to do. Banner is very smart with how the team spends it's money...every year Philly has the cap room to sit at the table and negotiate for free agents they feel highly about, but are realistic (unlike D.Snyder).
We as fans get caught up in the emotion, and attachment to aging players leaving for other teams. They made Dawk an offer they felt was reasonable for his age and diminishing skills, without giving Philly a chance to counter offer, ultimately he ran for the hills for more money.
At first glance, we saw players leaving and not much happening. Now, a week before the draft, they have added a pro bowl LT, a pro bowl RT, a nasty FB who can do it all, and 2 safties. 4 of those 5 are day one starters (Jones if Demps were to get injured). Not too bad!

heres what the eagles need to do...... they need a wide reciever or two. Lets keep McNabb and reid for one more year and see what happens..... need another good safety.... and maybe a decent lineman to replace runyan..... THEY NEVER SHOULD HAVE GOTTEN RID OF DAWKINS... SHOULD HAVE RE SIGNED

The Eagles should try and trade their second and third round picks for Tony Gonzalez. This would allow them to draft a running back with their first round pick, Moreno, Brown or Wells. The passing game would be tops in the league with the addition of Gonzalez(We were sixth in the league last year). He is a big body that can stretch the field. With the two speed demons on the outside, Jackson and Curtis spreading the defense, the middle will be soft for Tony Gonzalez and Avant. Or they Stack the middle and Desean will just run past the corners. The running game already looks good with a healthy Westbrook and new addition Leonard Weaver running through a new massive o-line. Add a stud running back via the draft and that would just be nasty. Although we lost a great Eagle in Dawkins, I would look for the defense to be just as good if not better. Brian Dawkins was a play maker, but a liability in coverage. Pre-draft moves have been stellar. With a decent draft we should be Superbowl contenders.

He gave up the most sacks in the NFL last year with 11.5. In 13 games.

Stacy Andrews, your other "big signing", gave up 9.5.

So, that's 21 sacks, just by those two alone.

McNabb was sacked only 23 times last year with Runyan and Thomas at tackle, who are gone.

Peters gave up the most sacks in the NFL last year with 11.5.

In 13 games.

Stacy Andrews, your other "big signing", gave up 9.5.

So, that's 21 sacks, just by those two alone.

McNabb was sacked only 23 times last year, with Runyan and Thomas at tackle, who are

gone.

Panama Red did his homework, and is correct.
However, they are still the same men, with the same skills, just a year removed from pro-bowl play maybe (and this is just my opinion) for the following reasons.
OLT Peters paved the way for Lynch in 07 and performed at a very high level, thus making the pro-bowl and rightfully so. Then came the contract dispute. He held out of training camp and reported for the start of the season, disgruntled, and unmotivated (and still made the pro-bowl). The Bills are a bit away from making a super-bowl run, unless T.O. saves the day, and without Lynch for the 1st 3 games. There is no denying his power and athletic ability. He just wasn't a happy camper.
ORT Andrews also played at a very high level (hoping to get out of Cincy) and also made the pro-bowl and rightfully so as well. I believe that was a banner year for 85, thanks to keeping Palmer upright. Then they slapped the franchise tag on him and he could not escape. Andrews is a monster of a man, and seems very excited to be lining up next to his brother Shawn, who is also a pro-bowler. Both men are now playing for a winning organization, and just got PAID.
I'm not making excuses for these men, but we see it happen all of the time. For the Eagles sake, I hope it unfolds the way they envisioned because they just don't throw around that kind of money on players they think might be good. They tend to do their homework too.
Juan Castillo is one of the best O-line coaches in the NFL. I don't think lack of motivation will be a factor anymore. One more thing...Palmer is a statue, and Edwards does not quite have the es-capability and pocket awareness of McNabb. We may be having a similar conversation sooner than later if the Cowboys don't take care of D-Ware. He wants to get PAID too!

Peters and Andrews played for teams that had no #1 QB or NO CHANCE OF WINNING!!! Have faith boys. When you play on a team with great players they make the players around them better. Besides, being in a WINNING ENVIROMENT will make them both want to be better. They now have something to play for other than just a paycheck. Getting back to the topic; Howard Eskin says DO NOT COUNT OUT THE EAGLES FROM THE ANQUAN BOLDIN SWEEPSTAKES!!! That is good enough for me, because we all know his head is stuck up Reid`s butt. I told everyone six weeks ago that Dave Spadaro said that in the first round they would get a probowl OL. Guess what happened --#28 for a pro bowler! He and Eskin have their heads in the same place. HAVE FAITH BOYS!!! BEST DRAFT IN EAGLES HISTORY!!!! Besides, if anybody thinks that it is the money all they have to do after getting Boldin is tell McNabb that he is under contract for two more years. WE got you what you said you needed, NOW GO OUT AND WIN A SUPERBOWL!!! Then next year when there is no cap you WILL BE REWARDED!!!!

I would not have a problem with that. After all, they have 10 picks left, and not enough room.
They could sweeten the deal for Boldin by giving the 21st, a 3rd, and a 5th. Like with Peters, they know what they are getting with Q. A tough, physical, sure handed, big run after the catch do it all pro bowl WR. Another day one starter. They could still come away with a power-back like Shon Greene, or Jennings in the 2nd, who could do the dirty work inside and goal line situations. Grab a big bodied blocking TE with whatever they can scrap together to get the best of the rest, and off we go. You made a good point, and it all comes down to if they get Boldin...what's not like if your McNabb. On paper, an outstanding O-Line, a nasty FB who will pave the way for Westy, and catch a lot of balls. The Eagles countered the defensive moves the East teams made with creating a monstrous O-Line to pass protect, and blow open holes for the RB's. They cannot allow the Giants to claim Boldin if he is up for grabs. If the Eagles were able to pull off a trade for Q, D-Mac would be a fool to walk away. Take the hometown discount( it's not like he hasn't gotten paid, Mr. $100 mill QB) the grass isn't always greener on the other side. Dawk's gut must have wrenched when he heard they traded his all pro QB!

eagles no 1 need is a RB. Donovan loves to spread the ball around and as much as fans want a no 1 receiver, i feel desean + curtis aredecent receiver, wes welker type. Jason Avant can produce and catch when called upon. He has made 4 NFC Championship games w/o a #1 and won 1 of them, remember TO came back in the Super Bowl. Eagles need a powerback on offense or maybe a TE cuz they sucked in short yardage, maybe Weaver can move the chains in short yardage. I wud not b surprised if Pettigrew does not fall in there laps on draft day, they make a run at Gonzalez.


As an Eagle fan, i am hoping the LBS and Safeties are good enough to not allow major running and passing plays.

I feel like running back in the first round is the most sound choice. I don't see the Eagles going after Wells. So it is almost a Moreno or bust situation. If he is not around, I look to see if TE Pettigrew is there. If not, look for the Eagles to move out of the first round again. I see alot of similar talent that will still be around in the second round. I think I take a chance that Brown will still be around in the second, which is very possible given the trading partner. I also try to package some of the fifth round picks. With four, there is no way all of them will be able to make the team. So use them to move up in the second and third rounds.

The Eagles didn't just put together the bet O Line in football so they can twiddle their thumbs if Westbrook twists an ankle. They go for Knowshon, if he's not available then Pettigrew - but probably as trade bait. They downplay Celek because they want to sign him for a longer deal, but he's a pretty freakin' good TE, we all know that. If a decent Boldin trade comes up they'd do it, there's a few old bruiser RBs for cheap out there that'd give them through the season.

I think they just did for the O Line what they recently did for the Linebackers, and those dividends are still growing. I think what we really need now is more D Line, but I don't think we're getting Peppers. At this point we are starting to scare NFC rivals, if we get close to what the Giants have on D Line we are scary freakin' good. Don't forget that Kevin Curtis unhurt is a pretty freakin' good receiver - him, DJax and Westbrook on the field with a real bull rusher that can catch (Leonhard) - we have the Cowboys' diversity or weapons along with the most solid line going (leaky line is why the 'Boys can't do crap with that scary offense).

Andy, my only advice to you right now (after all of the kudos for this draft year) is to practice 3 step drop plays, especially with Kevin Curtis! If we get DMac more comfortable with a real West Coast offense we have ALL the tools, nobody can stop us.

Forget Moreno or Wells.

They need Brown or McCoy in the backfield to be Westbrook's eventual successor.

McCoy would be ideal since he's the best receiving RB in the draft. Take him at #21.

Joe Banner is now saying the Eagles are not yet out of the Boldin Sweepstakes. They will get a very good RB with the 2nd round pick. #21 and the 3rd round pick WILL BE TRADED FOR ANQUAN BOLDIN!!! Hopefully Brown is available in the second round. If not, let`s make a deal and add a couple of 5th rounders with our 2nd and move up to make sure he is ours!!! SUPERBOWL BABY!!!!

QUOTE(#14):

Originally posted 10:55 AM ET  04.20 by Oso: No Mo' MAUL

Forget Moreno or Wells.They need Brown or McCoy in the backfield to be Westbrook's eventual successor.McCoy would be ideal since he's the best receiving RB in the draft. Take him at #21.

Knowshon is good at catching the ball out of the backfield, and could be used immediately as a very good compliment to Brian Westbrook.

I would like to see them get Moreno or Brown.

The problem with McCoy is that he doesn't block, at all. They would not need to take him at 21 as he won't be taken untill the early/mid 2nd round. So if that is their guy they should look at trading down.

QUOTE(#7):

Originally posted 03:29 PM ET  04.19 by Panama Red

Peters gave up the most sacks in the NFL last year with 11.5. In 13 games. Stacy Andrews, your other "big signing", gave up 9.5. So, that's 21 sacks, just by those two alone. McNabb was sacked only 23 times last year, with Runyan and Thomas at tackle, who are gone.

Stacy Andrews was protecting a terrible QB in Ryan Fitzpatrick. Fitz likes to break out of the pocket and scrambles all the time, leading to a lot of sacks credited to the tackles.

Two words: Anquan Boldin.

About damn time the Eagles get McNabb the receiver he has needed since T.O. was bounced out of town.

Offenses vary in the type of blocking schemes, They like Peters and they know talent. The Eagles are one of the better talent evaluators in the NFL. A few years ago they got rid of their starting corners Taylor and Vincent and they didn't miss a beat. The Eagles have to pull the trigger on a big time receiver. Don't understand what the hell is the problem. Desean Jackson is a very good receiver, get another one and you'll get that elusive ring. Should've kept Dawkins. He was a leader. Gotta get that receiver before Mcnabb starts to slip.

All good points made by everyone, but just looking back to last year, what was the Achilles heel for Philly's offense?
Controlling the line of scrimmage. They had major problems converting in short yardage, and goal line situations. Reid has always stressed the importance of controlling the hashes on both sides of the ball. The defense was great, but the offense struggled to keep drives alive by a matter of a yard or two. Those conversions could have led to TD's, FG's, or just chewing up the clock and giving the defense a breather. ( losing games by a FG is becoming a trend)
I don't care how many studs a defensive unit has, eventually it will break down if it is out there longer than the offense is.
We might be (key word "might") witnessing the best O-Line put together in Andy's tenure here.
Unless he can step up his game, the weak link might be C Jackson. It wouldn't surprise me to see the Eagles drop out of #21, and slide down a few spots if RB Moreno, and TE Pettigrew are gone. ( after analyzing team needs below #21) By doing this, they could still possibly draft RB Brown, who the Eagles like, and has visited with the team.... that has the same skills as Moreno. Moving down in the 1st, and then moving up from 53 in the second, they might have a shot at getting the best C in the draft in Alex Mack, plus get a very good RB in Brown. And they still could address the TE position in the 2nd, or 3rd with Chase Coffman(6'6/244lbs).
I understand WR would be the "sexy" pick, but C Mack, and RB Brown would yield great value. With the new additions to the line, the run game should get a huge boost. Last year #5 set a career high in passing yards (24 yards shy of 4,000). WR is not the problem anymore. The Pats and Steelers won multiple super-bowls without a true #1 WR.