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Where to begin?
Another championship game, another loss. It should get easier shouldn't it? We should be used to this no? I guess it really doesn't work that way. I had a really strong karmic feeling this year post-Phillies World Series that can now be chalked up as wishful thinking. So where does the team go from here? Lets examine.
The big question - will McNabb and Reid be back next season?
I personally don't see a scenario in which they wouldn't be. McNabb played a good game yesterday in leading the Birds back from the dead, but he also displayed why he is such a polarizing figure in this city. McNabb's inconsistency reared its head on balls to Greg Lewis (underthrown), Kevin Curtis (overthrown out of bounds), and Hank Baskett (thrown behind - negating a chance for a huge catch and run). Inability to win the big one with the game on the line? Check. With just over two minutes to play and his legacy on the line, McNabb countered with four straight incompletions, and well, game over. Was this loss McNabb's fault? By no means, but it still provides his vocal critics more ammunition to add to their cache.
Andy Reid is here to stay, but I've heard from more than one reader/commenter who suggested this team is in need of a Gruden infusion a la Tampa Bay 2002 when Dungy just couldn't get it done. I can't fault Reid's gameplan against the Cardinals. The players on the field just couldn't get it done with their first half redzone opportunities. If there is a coach to blame it's the usually unsolvable Jim Johnson, who didn't have an answer to Warner's blitz pickup and quick underneath routes.
Who's in, who's out?
The Birds have seven unrestricted free agents and two restricted free agents headed into next season. The unrestricted list:
Tra Thomas, Jon Runyan, Correll Buckhalter, Brian Dawkins, Joselio Hanson, Sean Considine, and L.J. Smith.
The restricted: Nick Cole and Hank Baskett
Sean Considine and L.J. Smith are gone. I'd assume the Birds would tender Nick Cole after the job he did filling in for both Shawn Andrews and Max Jean-Gilles. Hank Baskett? Who knows. Baskett is an adept blocker and he knows the system, but he hasn't shown a high level of improvement over the past three years. Hanson is back unless he goes the Roderick Hood route, and takes less money for the chance at a starting job. I think Dawkins returns with a two-year deal, ditto for one of the incumbent tackles. I just don't see Reid letting both Runyan and Thomas go unless they plan on aggressively targeting top free agent Jordan Gross in free agency. Correll Buckhalter could stay or go depending on the interest he garners in free agency, but with his injury rap sheet, I don't see too much demand.
What does this team need via free agency and the draft?
Depending on the players mentioned above, the Birds need an infusion of youth and talent mainly on the offensive side of the ball. Aside from Dawkins, the defense will remain largely intact without many changes to the starting squad. You could make an argument for another defensive end and maybe some safety and cornerback depth. Depends on the health and/or evaluation of second round DE Bryan Smith (remember him) and fourth round pick Jack Ikegwuonu.
The offense is a different story. Significant changes along the offensive line will likely take place depending on the health (physically and mentally) and free agency status of Runyan, Thomas, Andrews, Cole, and Jean-Gilles. Jean-Gilles was exposed as a starter and may be cut loose with the more versatile Mike McGlynn (played tackle, guard, and center in college) on the horizon. Look for the line to be addressed early and often in the draft. The other major need in my opinion is the running back position. After two largely healthy seasons Brian Westbrook struggled with injury and the coaching staff compounded the problem with their unwillingness to siphon off any of the load to the more than capable Correll Buckhalter. However, we all know of the ticking time bomb that are Correll Buckhalter's knees. Look for the Birds to upgrade this position in the draft rather than free agency. Sure Brandon Jacobs and Derrick Ward will be on the market, but I just don't see the Birds paying top dollar to a free agent running back given the breadth of talent that will be available come April's draft.
A little side note here - can the Eagles please draft/sign a running back that is tough enough to learn blitz pickup? The most recent targets have been attempts to emulate Brian Westbrook's versatility in both running and passing skill sets, yet each has failed miserably with the blocking aspect of the running back position. And as we all know, if you can't block, Andy Reid will not put you on the field. Just look at the recent failures: Ryan Moats, Tony Hunt, Lorenzo Booker, and Bruce Perry. Every single one of those guys was either too dumb, too small, or a combination of both when it came to sharpening their skills in the finer points of the game. Stay tuned for massive draft coverage featuring the running back class of 2009.
Do you draft another WR to push into that 3rd/4th spot with Avant? How about a blocking TE to compliment Brent Celek? Yes and yes. Are you sold enough on Celek to move ahead with him as your full-time starter? I'm leaning on the positive side of that one.
Well we're waiting.........
I'd like to hear some reader suggestions in the comments. What would you like to see come training camp 2009? What needs to be changed and what needs to stay the same?
As for the blogging schedule, I'll be diving headlong into the 2009 draft. If you were at all familiar with my work at the Eagle Scout Blog on NJ.com (now defunct - damn economy) or the trusty prospect list on Eagle Scout Uncensored you know my unhealthy fondness for the NFL draft. Hope springs eternal.
By the way, NFL Network will be televising the Senior Bowl practices in HD all week. And thus, the healing process begins.......again. Hope springs eternal.
Draft a running back eh....Eagles dont have a clue when it comes to drafting running backs or wide receivers Im sorry. Westbrook was magic(as was desean) but hes been the only one in 10 years(same for the wideout spot). I would suggest going the free agent route. If it costs them it costs them...why do we play the games? To win...or to be good but not great and stay under the cap ?
Derrick Ward could turn out to be great and may not cost that much...
So, I let it sunk before my full comments on the game. I am with you on McNabb. Missed some huge throws to 3 WRs above, but you also have to add in him not leading the routes for big plays which we desperately needed in that game. Along with that, there were some drops that just cant happen in those games.
As for overall, Jim got outcoached. Couldn't get in done in the limelight. Given the stops in the 2nd half, Warner missed some open guys. Yeah it was some pressure, but he flat out missed Boldin on a 3rd down. Plus, Demps picked the worst day to have a terrible game. In the end, the D needed one more stop. I will mention the special teams flops too though. I thought we would have a huge advantage, and although we covered well, Akers and the holder just didnt bring it. With the last play and some people wanting PI, I think it could have been called, but in that playoff situation, you can't call it. We had our opportunities, but we just didnt capitalize on them.
As for "rebuilding," you are totally right, need some youth. Draft replacements for Runyan/Thomas and Dawkins. I think our WR core has to be addressed. Greg Lewis has got to go. Period. I think we need a big game WR. We saw firsthand what a primetime WR can do to a ballgame. Add that to Curtis/Jackson/Avant/Baskett and let Reggie Brown go (no special teams play, Avant can play that role) and let Celek be your TE, that is solid receiving core.
With RBs, we need that bruising back. Westbrook is just not it. Whether it be free agency or draft, gotta go after one. Jacobs would good in green, but the Eagles wont pay for him.
With Reid and McNabb, I think both have to come back. No way Kolb is ready, and who are going to get that is better than Andy right now? I mean, I like Gruden, but this is Andy's team. I don't wanna see it completely dismantled just yet, and I am worried Gruden might want his own personnel.
As in philly, there is always next year. But for me, it is now officially hoops season.
LET'S GO SIXERS!!!
I hear you Gdog - the Birds draft record on the RBs is terrible - I just know they probably don't want to pay for a FA back. I like the RB class coming out this year - I'll have to take a look who best fits this offense.
We'll see what the Birds do at WR - Jackson/Curtis/Avant is the start of a solid core, but I would mind one more gamebreaker/speed guy.
I don't really care what shape our next RB is - either a scat back (Booker) or a bruiser (Hunt) I just want him to be good. There really isn't a perfect size anymore - look at Westrook, Sproles, Jones-Drew, Chris Johnson - I just want him to be able to get on the field because of his talent a la DeSean Jackson.
I think they can afford to get a back in the draft who can contribute 8-10 plays a game, but not one that would make Westbrook feel compromised. We all know how the organization likes to build from the line out, but if McCoy from Pitt is around with our pick from Carolina, that might make sense.
Without beating the WR drum, I would be nice to see someone over 6'3" on the radar. I agree that a younger tackle is in order. If Winston Justice is not an option, is he even worth a roster spot next year? Is Booker on the roster, or is that admitting a mistake? And Reggie Brown? I feel like he never clicked with McNabb, but does he deserve to get deactivated over Greg Lewis?
Fun times ahead. And take solace in the fact we ended the Cowboys season and the Giants season. Trying to concentrate on the positives...
I love McCoy from Pitt. I don't know what the deal is with Reggie Brown - I don't think he and McNabb ever really liked each other much.
Booker better not make this roster - that would be terrible. He doesn't even contribute on special teams.
I think the Senior Bowl is a nice way to get warmed up for the combine. I know teams like the Eagles and Patriots (and now add in the Chiefs) often put a premium on seniors, especially players who actually graduated. I think this is where T. Laws showed up on Philadelphia's radar last year. I think this is where Philadelphia will find a TE this year, unless they drum up the Gonzalez trade talks now that Carl Peterson is out of the picture.
Yep, the Senior Bowl is were I really noticed Trevor Laws as a prospect. He manhandled every OG he went against that week. TE Brandon Pettigrew (OK St.) looked good catching the ball yesterday, but he'd likely be a 1st rounder.
That TE from Southern Miss is looking solid. A little smallish, but Winslow-like without being a soldier(!). Getting him and Celek out there together would be sweet.
Pack up Brown and Sheppard and ship them off together for some picks.
That So. Miss kid looks like a nice player - his blocking on 1 on 1 drills was impressive too.