If Not Houshmandzadeh, then Who?
It’s February, which means the annual “upgrade the receivers” chants are growing louder. We are fifteen days from the opening of free agency and the name TJ Houshmandzadeh is becoming more popular than a cheesesteak from Pat’s. And if you believe the rumors, Anquan Boldin could be on his way to Philly. For the record, I don’t buy it.
As enticing as it is to imagine a receiving corps of DeSean Jackson, Kevin Curtis and Housh, we should temper our excitement a tad. These are the Eagles after all. The odds of them opening the checkbook for a 32 year-old wideout – who is roughly the same size as Jackson and Curtis – are not good. Not to say TJ couldn’t help, but a bigger, more physical receiver seems more appropriate.
Of course, guys like Larry Fitzgerald don’t grow on trees. But there are plenty of 6′4″ guys available in free agency and the draft. Rich Hofmann over at the Daily News wrote an interesting article suggesting a few other names who might help the Birds’ red zone woes. I’m not sure I agree with Rich, but he makes some good points.
My personal opinion is a dominant pass-catching tight end who can also block is the number one priority. Remember when Donovan had Chad Lewis? It was Lewis who caught two touchdowns in the NFC Championship win over the Falcons. What if he hadn’t broken his foot on the game-sealing touchdown grab and was available to play in the Super Bowl?
The point is, Lewis gave Don a reliable red zone threat who rarely dropped a pass. A quality tight end can make all the difference to a quarterback. Maybe that’s why the Eagles did their best to acquire Tony Gonzalez back at the trade deadline. If it wasn’t for ex-Chiefs‘ GM Carl Peterson’s high demands, Gonzalez would have been wearing Eagle green.
In my humble opinion, Brandon Pettigrew is the name that should be circumventing the offices at NovaCare. He is an imposing package of size and skill. He can catch, run and block like few other prospects in recent memory. His ability to operate between the hashes allows more space for outside receivers to roam. If he can pick-up the Eagles’ complex offensive scheme quickly, he could pay huge dividends by mid-season.
Adding another weapon in the passing game is an absolute, but it doesn’t have to be a wide receiver. The Birds can score points. Their problem is finishing drives. If a tight end like Pettigrew can solve those issues, I say go get him. No matter what it takes.
Housh is only a couple inches taller than both. But there is one thing he brings that neither DeSean or Curtis can, a 90 catch season. Believe me, i love Curtis and DeSean, but we need another wide out. I dont care if it’s Anquan, Housh, or even Antonio Bryant. We need one. And i agree with Pettigrew, but only if we can get him with the 28th pick. I think we take Beanie Wells or Knowshon with the 21. we need a back up who can take over for Westy in a couple of seasons…
February 12th, 2009 at 7:33 pmI think DeSean will be a 90 catch guy, maybe in 2009. I’d love to get Wells or Moreno at 21, but I question whether either will be there.
February 13th, 2009 at 12:27 amI confess to not having ever seen Pettigrew play, so I can’t be as excited as others about the possibility.
But, what is interesting in my view, this is the first time in a long time that the Eagles MUST make some significant moves at “skill positions”. With LJ certainly gone, Buckhalter hitting free agency, and Lorenzo Booker being a complete disaster, there will almost certainly be more than one shiny new, and talented skill guy around next year.
February 13th, 2009 at 8:42 amTom Heckert is saying don’t count on a wideout in free agency or the draft. It could be lip service, but I wouldn’t be surprised. However, he did say the Birds are looking at tight end and most importantly, running back. They can land a solid runner in either the first or second round for sure.
By the way, Pettigrew is a punishing blocker with good hands. Reminds me of Heath Miller of the Steelers, but bigger.
February 13th, 2009 at 12:13 pmGreat, great point about Chad Lewis. God, I MISS that guy! I think Celek can develop into that type of player, I really do (in fact, he’s a bit faster and more polished at this point in his career), so that being said, I think the WR chatter this year is probably a little more justified that past offseasons. I Like Housh, but I’m not in love with the idea of bringing him to Philly. Someone like Boldin gives us an extra dimension, that tough over the middle, YAC kinda guy that we really need; almost like another faster TE really. Start D-Jax and Curtis, and move Boldin around in the formation. Re-sign Buckhalter, and use him and West often. Just sayin’…
February 13th, 2009 at 12:14 pm