Archive for March, 2009

Let’s talk about Anquan Boldin, since he can’t stay out of the headlines these days. The Eagles have repeatedly said they want a “difference maker” at the receiver position. When I think of a difference maker, I think of guys who not only score touchdowns, but also catch a lot of long balls. The guys who rack-up yardage and explosive plays. The usual suspects are obvious: Fitzgerald, Andre Johnson, Steve Smith, Calvin Johnson and Greg Jennings. Does Boldin fit this mold? Is he indeed a difference maker? Let’s check the stats. They don’t lie. In the following chart, I’ve graphed [...]

What do Brian Dawkins, Tra Thomas, Jon Runyan, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Marvin Harrison, Orlando Pace and Torry Holt all have in common? None of them will be Eagles in 2009. Why? They’re all over the age of 32. What do Stacy Andrews, Sean Jones and Rashad Baker have in common? They will be Eagles in 2009. Why? Each of them is 27-years old. See the pattern? Like it or not, it’s out with the old and in with the new. The Eagles do not sign or trade for aging players. Jon Runyan was 27 when he joined the team. Jevon Kearse [...]

It finally happened. The Rams dumped Torry Holt. Let the speculation begin! He’s 32 and has only missed two games in 10 seasons. Tell me what you think about “Big Game.”

Most (myself included) feel the Eagles will target the O-line early in the April draft. If not the first round, probably the 2nd or 3rd. It makes sense considering Tra Thomas is gone, and Jon Runyan likely won’t be re-signed. Stacy Andrews is in the fold, but is his addition enough? Let’s take a look at the offensive line as it stands now and see if an early pick is needed. My starting lineup is merely a guess. The Birds have given no indication who will play what position. Position/Player Age LT – Shawn  Andrews 26 LG – Todd Herremans [...]

Earlier this week I posted about the possibility of Leonard Weaver signing with the Eagles. The info came from a radio interview with ESPN NFL Insider John Clayton. According to Johnny, Weaver had “already visited” the Birds. I called that claim suspicious, considering the Eagles always announce high-profile free-agent visits. Well, no such visit has taken place. This comes from Weaver himself in a radio interview with 950 ESPN in Philadelphia. He has NOT visited, but “hopes to.” I’m not sure if he’ll sign with the Eagles or not, but the guy gives a good interview. Seems very knowledgeable and [...]

Well, the Anquan Boldin rumors just won’t stop. Both John Clayton and Peter King are confident Boldin will be dealt, with the Eagles a likely destination. Now, the fellas at PFT are claiming the Cardinals are shopping him for sure. Please take what they say with a HUGE grain of salt. Their so-called “sources” are about as reliable as investing in the stock market. More from PFT. Connecticut running back Donald Brown has apparently scheduled a private workout with the Birds. Brown is 5’10″, 210 lbs and rushed for over 2000 yards in ’08. He has good vision, decent speed [...]

I may be in the minority here, but I am loving what the Eagles are doing this off-season. Stop cursing and shaking your fists in the air. Let me explain. It has become apparent that the Birds are indeed planning to unleash a major splash sometime in the next six weeks. It might be before the draft or during, but something is brewing in the super-secret bunker below the NovaCare complex. Reid and Co. are no doubt huddled together with charts, graphs, scouting reports, game footage and balance sheets. The midnight oil is burning like never before. The only person [...]

The Eagles continue to stockpile safeties. Today they inked Rashad Baker to a one-year contract. The six-year vet spent the last two years with the Raiders. Last season he had a career high three interceptions. Baker is the definition of a journeyman player; this marks his fifth stop in the NFL. He’ll add depth and competition, but I don’t see him as the “answer” at safety. At least Reid and Co. are replenishing a position thinned by free-agent departures. I still expect the Eagles to add a safety in the draft.

ESPN’s John Clayton, in a Seattle radio interview, reported free-agent fullback Leonard Weaver may sign with the Eagles as early as Wednesday. According to Johnny, Weaver has already visited. I’m suspicious of that because the Birds normally announce all their free-agent visits. Was I asleep when said meeting occurred? Now, I am no fan of ESPN and their constant spreading of misinformation, but Clayton is a respected “Insider.” We’ll see if anything comes of this or not.

We’re holding a pretty cool contest across the FanSided network. In the tradition of the impending NCAA Basketball Tournament we will be holding a 64-man Worst Man Drafted elimination bracket. Each team will contribute their two worst draft picks ever, or as far back as we all can remember. I go back to the early ’80s, so I think I’ve compiled a credible list of flops and failures. I need the fans help on this one. Who do you guys think are the 2 worst Eagles draft picks? Again, please select two.

It’s been a topsy-turvy ten days for the Eagles since free agency kicked off. There have been two big-name additions and so far, six departures. We said hello to Stacy Andrews and Sean Jones and waved goodbye to B-Dawk, Tra, Buck, Considine, Lito and G-Lew. The jury is still out on Jon Runyan and L.J. Smith. Although, it looks like L.J. will take his Jekyll/Hyde show to Atlanta. As for Runyan, his future remains in doubt. At his age and with the kind of surgery he’s recovering from, I still contend his career might be over. Let’s recap the additions [...]

After a week of speculation, Tra Thomas is officially a Jacksonville Jaguar. Thomas makes the sixth Eagle to fly the nest, either via free-agency or trade. L.J. Smith continues to flirt with the Falcons, so he’s probably next to go. Tra was as steady as they come when it comes to the left tackle spot. However, his age (34) and a chronic back issue spelled change for the Birds’ FO. The 2009 youth movement is in full-effect for the Eagles. I would have liked to see Tra return, but the O-Line has some flexibility with Todd Herremans and Shawn Andrews. [...]