Eagles FA safety Sean Considine is headed to Jacksonville for a visit.
Considine is a solid player with starting ability who just had the misfortune of sitting behind Brian Dawkins and Quintin Mikell.
The Eagles would have liked to bring Considine back because of his production on special teams, but he is looking for the chance to start and he should get it with the Jags. They've been looking for answers at safety since they released Donovan Darius a few seasons ago.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Taylor agrees to deal with Pats
Fred Taylor has agreed to a deal with the New England Patriots after being released by the Jaguars this offseason.
I don't think Taylor is a dominating every-down back anymore, but he could still work in a rotation or as a spot-starter. The Bills also tried to acquire Taylor, it must be extra bitter when you lose a player to a division rival.
I don't think Taylor is a dominating every-down back anymore, but he could still work in a rotation or as a spot-starter. The Bills also tried to acquire Taylor, it must be extra bitter when you lose a player to a division rival.
Titans re-sign key players
The titans have apparently agreed to terms with QB Kerry Collins and nickel CB Vincent Fuller.
Too bad they lost their biggest free agent. Oh well.
Meanwhile, Titans' reserve CB/return man Chris Carr has been courted by 4 other NFL teams.
Finally, Chris Canty called off his visit to Tennessee. He had originally planned to visit the Titans this weekend, but he was going to hit the Giants and Seahawks first. It appears as though a deal with one of those two teams is likely.
Too bad they lost their biggest free agent. Oh well.
Meanwhile, Titans' reserve CB/return man Chris Carr has been courted by 4 other NFL teams.
Finally, Chris Canty called off his visit to Tennessee. He had originally planned to visit the Titans this weekend, but he was going to hit the Giants and Seahawks first. It appears as though a deal with one of those two teams is likely.
Housh starting tour in Seattle
You know how a few minutes ago I said that a visit usually is a formality, and that if the player passes their physical they almost always sign a deal right away? Well, that's true 99% of the time, but it might not be so in the case of WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh.
Housh is set to visit Seattle today, which would normally lead you to believe a deal would be struck, but considering he's the top free-agent left he might be using the visit as leverage to force the hand of another team interested in acquiring his services.
Houshmandzadeh released a list of teams he'd like to play for that included the Seahawks, as well as the Giants, Eagles and Vikings. I think it's most likely that he'll end up a Seahawk after this visit, because they're the team that is most desperate to add a wide reciever. The other three teams all made the playoffs last season and all (except for maybe NY) already have a solid corps of receivers should they start the season today.
The 'Hawks know that the NFC West isn't going to be a cakewalk anymore, with the emergence of the Cardinals. They need help to stay competitive and they'll pay T.J. handsomely.
Housh is set to visit Seattle today, which would normally lead you to believe a deal would be struck, but considering he's the top free-agent left he might be using the visit as leverage to force the hand of another team interested in acquiring his services.
Houshmandzadeh released a list of teams he'd like to play for that included the Seahawks, as well as the Giants, Eagles and Vikings. I think it's most likely that he'll end up a Seahawk after this visit, because they're the team that is most desperate to add a wide reciever. The other three teams all made the playoffs last season and all (except for maybe NY) already have a solid corps of receivers should they start the season today.
The 'Hawks know that the NFC West isn't going to be a cakewalk anymore, with the emergence of the Cardinals. They need help to stay competitive and they'll pay T.J. handsomely.
Winslow traded from Browns to Bucs
Browns TE Kellen Winslow Jr. has been traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for "undisclosed" draft picks.
Those undisclosed picks appear to be a 2nd-round pick in this years draft and a 5th-rounder next year.
Good move by the Browns. 2007 was a fluke, and like-it-or-not this team needs to add talent at almost every single position. A good way to do that is to grab extra draft picks by dealing some of their quality players. It helps that Winslow was a disgruntled and wanted out anyway.
I don't know why the Bucs made the move though. After cleaning house and releasing so many integral veterans I really thought the Bucs were heading into full-blown rebuilding mode. That's why I'm confused that they'd give up draft picks to acquire anyone. Let's hope they know what they're doing.
Those undisclosed picks appear to be a 2nd-round pick in this years draft and a 5th-rounder next year.
Good move by the Browns. 2007 was a fluke, and like-it-or-not this team needs to add talent at almost every single position. A good way to do that is to grab extra draft picks by dealing some of their quality players. It helps that Winslow was a disgruntled and wanted out anyway.
I don't know why the Bucs made the move though. After cleaning house and releasing so many integral veterans I really thought the Bucs were heading into full-blown rebuilding mode. That's why I'm confused that they'd give up draft picks to acquire anyone. Let's hope they know what they're doing.
Ravens sign CB
The Baltimore Ravens have signed cornerback Domonique Foxworth to a 4-year $27.2-million deal. The Ravens seem to be doing a good job of revamping their aging cornerback spot. Foxworth has talent, youth and speed and should do a solid job replacing veteran Chris Mccalister and/or Samari Rolle.
Bills bringing in Veteran WR?
Laveranues Coles is set to visit the Bills today.
Coles was released by the Jets earlier this week after they failed to come to amiable terms on a contract issue. Coles has seen his ability drop a little the last few seasons, and I'm hesitant to consider him a solid number 1, but if you pair him with superstar Lee Evans and he'll be a good addition.
Visits aren't official, but barring a failed physical you can expect a deal to get done. Now the Bills should focus their energy on finding a solid Tight End. L.J. Smith might still be available and should be a good fit in Buffalo.
Coles was released by the Jets earlier this week after they failed to come to amiable terms on a contract issue. Coles has seen his ability drop a little the last few seasons, and I'm hesitant to consider him a solid number 1, but if you pair him with superstar Lee Evans and he'll be a good addition.
Visits aren't official, but barring a failed physical you can expect a deal to get done. Now the Bills should focus their energy on finding a solid Tight End. L.J. Smith might still be available and should be a good fit in Buffalo.
Vrabel to Chiefs
It looks like new Kansas City GM Scott Pioli is busy adding some old Patriot magic to the Chiefs, bringing in LB Mike Vrabel via trade from his old team.
KC gets some much needed experience and leadership from a veteran player, New England has the opportunity to inject some youth into their aging linebacking corps. I'm not sure what the Pats get in return, but so far this seems to be a pretty one-sided deal.
KC gets some much needed experience and leadership from a veteran player, New England has the opportunity to inject some youth into their aging linebacking corps. I'm not sure what the Pats get in return, but so far this seems to be a pretty one-sided deal.
If you hadn't heard by now...
If you haven't heard yet, the Washington Redskins have signed Albert Haynesworth to a monster contract. The Redskins are throwing a lot of money around this week, making Haynesworth the highest played defensive player in the league as-well-as making DeAngelo Hall one of the highest paid corners. You have to wonder if they'll have anything left to sign their draft picks.
Both those guys are quality players, and they deserve to be paid, just maybe not that much.
Both those guys are quality players, and they deserve to be paid, just maybe not that much.
Steelers Re-sign OG
The Steelers re-signed Guard Kemoeatu to a 5-year $20 Million deal. The Steelers need to get better on the O-line. They were terrible, especially early in the year. The Steelers won the Super Bowl, but that's no excuse to get lazy. If they get complacent then everyone else in the league is going to catch up. I'm not saying Kemoeatu is guilty of poor play, just that I think the Steelers would be wise to keep adding to the line.
Eagles Bring in OT Help
The Philadelphia Eagles are bringing Offensive Tackle Stacy Andrews in for a physical to finalize a deal. Andrews is a free agent formerly with Cincinnati and he is also the older brother of OG Shawn Andrews.
Andrews is likely to play Right Tackle, starting right next to his brother. The Eagles will miss Thomas and Runyan, but if Stacy has half the Talent of Shawn then the Eagles O-line just got a lot stronger.
Andrews is likely to play Right Tackle, starting right next to his brother. The Eagles will miss Thomas and Runyan, but if Stacy has half the Talent of Shawn then the Eagles O-line just got a lot stronger.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Potential Free Agents the Eagles Might Target
The Eagles have a lot of cap room and a few holes that need to be addressed to improve on a squad that reached the NFC championship for the fifth time this decade. Let's take a look at some of the free agents the Eagles might target:
1. Baltimore Ravens center Jason Brown: Brown is a big, strong lineman and the Ravens would love to bring him back, but they're not very close to a deal and Brown will almost certainly get a much larger offer from another team. Brown has a lot of experience playing against 3-4 schemes (4 games per year against Pittsburgh and Cleveland) and he could be a good weapon against division rival Dallas.
The other benefit of Jason Brown is that it would add another strong piece to the interior line in the event that Shawn Andrews is moved from right guard to tackle. Right now Jamal Jackson is the starter in the middle, but he hasn't been lighting things up. Nick Cole is the reserve center, but he could be moved to guard full-time and compete with Max Jean-Gilles for the starting right guard spot. Andrews can then move outside and replace John Runyan at right tackle. Runyan is scheduled to be a free agent, but his age and recent microfracture surgery makes it very unlikely he's going to be coveted by anyone (let alone the Eagles.)
2. Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Marvin Harrison: It seems very likely that the Colts will release Marvin Harrison to clear up some cap room heading into free agency. Harrison is a hall-of-fame player. His skills have certainly diminished, but he's a HOFer none-the-less. The Eagles seem like a good fit because:
A) McNabb asked for more playmakers and Harrison is one of the best to ever play the game.
B) Harrison and McNabb have a history, playing together at Syracuse.
C) Harrison lives in Philly, so they might be able to get a hometown discount.
D) Harrison can help develop DeSean Jackson into an even better receiver.
The Eagles do not have a history of targeting over-the-hill players. In fact Andy Reid avoids them like the plague, but if I had to choose between Houshmandzadeh and Harrison, I'd choose Harrison.
3. New England Patriots fullback Heath Evans: Evans is a hard-nosed, versatile player. The Eagles suffered not having a true fullback on the roster last year and they can solve it without breaking the bank here. Evans is a good lead blocker and could help the Eagles pick up some of those 3rd-and-1's that they missed last season. He also has the ability to run and catch the ball if necessary. There's also the possibility of Philly looking for a FB in the draft. Tony Fiametta out of Syracuse is a possibility, but why not just spring for the known commodity?
4. Tennessee Titans quarterback Kerry Collins: I think this one is a long shot, but I have completely lost confidence in Kevin Kolb and would like to see the Eagles improve at the backup position. Collins is looking for a hefty starting QB contract from Tennessee, but it doesn't appear as though he's going to get it. My prediction is that he tests the water, no one is desperate enough to pay him the salary he wants and he ends up back in Tennessee at a price that satisfies both parties.
5. New York Giants running back Derrick Ward: This is another long shot. It appears as though Buckhalter is not going to be resigned, so the Eagles are in need of a quality backup. Ward, however is looking for (and likely to get) a starting position or at least starting salary somewhere. Not to mention the fact that there are much better prospects in the draft. It would be interesting to steal a player away from New York, especially if he contributes meaningfully to a victory against them.
These are all players that would immediately solidify their respective units. The Eagles would be smart to at least investigate these players and see what happens. In addition, I think the Eagles should investigate a possible trade for Anquan Boldin and should re-sign Tra Thomas and Brian Dawkins. That would go a long way towards strengthening questionable areas on the Offense and Deffense.
1. Baltimore Ravens center Jason Brown: Brown is a big, strong lineman and the Ravens would love to bring him back, but they're not very close to a deal and Brown will almost certainly get a much larger offer from another team. Brown has a lot of experience playing against 3-4 schemes (4 games per year against Pittsburgh and Cleveland) and he could be a good weapon against division rival Dallas.
The other benefit of Jason Brown is that it would add another strong piece to the interior line in the event that Shawn Andrews is moved from right guard to tackle. Right now Jamal Jackson is the starter in the middle, but he hasn't been lighting things up. Nick Cole is the reserve center, but he could be moved to guard full-time and compete with Max Jean-Gilles for the starting right guard spot. Andrews can then move outside and replace John Runyan at right tackle. Runyan is scheduled to be a free agent, but his age and recent microfracture surgery makes it very unlikely he's going to be coveted by anyone (let alone the Eagles.)
2. Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Marvin Harrison: It seems very likely that the Colts will release Marvin Harrison to clear up some cap room heading into free agency. Harrison is a hall-of-fame player. His skills have certainly diminished, but he's a HOFer none-the-less. The Eagles seem like a good fit because:
A) McNabb asked for more playmakers and Harrison is one of the best to ever play the game.
B) Harrison and McNabb have a history, playing together at Syracuse.
C) Harrison lives in Philly, so they might be able to get a hometown discount.
D) Harrison can help develop DeSean Jackson into an even better receiver.
The Eagles do not have a history of targeting over-the-hill players. In fact Andy Reid avoids them like the plague, but if I had to choose between Houshmandzadeh and Harrison, I'd choose Harrison.
3. New England Patriots fullback Heath Evans: Evans is a hard-nosed, versatile player. The Eagles suffered not having a true fullback on the roster last year and they can solve it without breaking the bank here. Evans is a good lead blocker and could help the Eagles pick up some of those 3rd-and-1's that they missed last season. He also has the ability to run and catch the ball if necessary. There's also the possibility of Philly looking for a FB in the draft. Tony Fiametta out of Syracuse is a possibility, but why not just spring for the known commodity?
4. Tennessee Titans quarterback Kerry Collins: I think this one is a long shot, but I have completely lost confidence in Kevin Kolb and would like to see the Eagles improve at the backup position. Collins is looking for a hefty starting QB contract from Tennessee, but it doesn't appear as though he's going to get it. My prediction is that he tests the water, no one is desperate enough to pay him the salary he wants and he ends up back in Tennessee at a price that satisfies both parties.
5. New York Giants running back Derrick Ward: This is another long shot. It appears as though Buckhalter is not going to be resigned, so the Eagles are in need of a quality backup. Ward, however is looking for (and likely to get) a starting position or at least starting salary somewhere. Not to mention the fact that there are much better prospects in the draft. It would be interesting to steal a player away from New York, especially if he contributes meaningfully to a victory against them.
These are all players that would immediately solidify their respective units. The Eagles would be smart to at least investigate these players and see what happens. In addition, I think the Eagles should investigate a possible trade for Anquan Boldin and should re-sign Tra Thomas and Brian Dawkins. That would go a long way towards strengthening questionable areas on the Offense and Deffense.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Eagles Re-Sign Hanson
Just as I predicted, the Eagles re-signed Nickel Corner Joselio Hanson to a 5-year contract. Lito Shepherd is going to have to work hard to get on the field if he's even on the team next season.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Offseason Preview...Finally! Eagles Part 2
Philadelphia Eagles Part 2: Defense
See Part 1: Offense here.
DE: The Eagles are pretty deep at end. Trent Cole is probably the most talented End and faces frequent double teams. He posted a respectable 9 sacks in ’08, but it should have been more, considering he was coming off a 12.5 sack ’07. Still, the fact that he demands so much attention opens things up for the other ends. Cole is the Eagles only solid 3 down End.
Darren Howard led all Eagles with 10 sacks and frequently benefited from the extra attention Trent Cole received. Howard was shaping up to be a free agent bust until his strong showing this season. Victor Abiamiri is the Eagles biggest End and is used mostly in rushing situations. He will often move inside on passing downs to rush from the Tackle spot. The coaches were hoping Abiamiri would compete for the other starting position, but a hand injury kept him out until mid-way through the season. I expect Abiamiri to make a serious push to be at least a 2-down starter opposite Cole this season.
Juqua Parker and Chris Clemons were like mirror images of each other. Parker started the season pretty well, notching 5 sacks in the first 8 games and then disappearing. Clemons meanwhile recorded 4 sacks over the last 8 games and added a fumble recovery TD in week 17 against the ‘Boys after doing jack squat the first half of the season. If you lump them together as situational pass rushers then their production is pretty solid. Ideally, though, I’d like to see both play with more consistency.
The Eagles probably won’t see much turnover at the position. 3rd round pick Bryan Smith didn’t sniff the field in his rookie season, but he could push for playing time in year 2. I expect that Parker is the guy who should be looking over his shoulder.
Julius Peppers wanted out of Carolina and now that he’s been franchised he’s put together a list of 5 teams he’s willing to be traded to. The only team on that list that has been reported is the Dallas Cowboys, but the Cowboys traded their 1st round pick to the Lions for Roy Williams and don’t have enough ammo to snatch Peppers. It’s unlikely the Eagles are on the list (Peppers wanted to go to a 3-4 team where he could play a pass rushing OLB) but even if they are it’s unlikely they’ll pay the huge ransom the Panthers are looking for (I’m guessing at least a 1st and a 3rd round pick.) You can never have too many pass rushers though and it wouldn’t surprise me if the Eagles add one or two during the draft.
DT: The Tackles don’t make a lot of flashy plays but these guys are solid, aggressive, agile defenders that do a great job of plugging holes and leaving the linebackers free to chase the play down and make the tackle.
Jim Johnson likes to rotate his offensive lineman and he had a solid rotation of Patterson, Bunkley and Laws at tackle. Ideally he’d like to rotate 4 guys at the spot, but Klecko was often off working at FB.
I think this is the most underrated unit on the football team and I think they had everything to do with the Eagles’ excellent run defense all season long. They just stuffed the holes, occupied the offensive linemen and never let their men into the second level to block the Backers. In fact, Jim Johnson was flabbergasted that Broderick Bunkley wasn’t named to the Pro Bowl and I’m with him.
One criticism of the Tackles is their lack of sack production, but considering the Eagles frequently use Abiamiri and Howard at Tackle on passing downs that can be forgiven. I don’t see much change coming at the position. The Eagles will likely add a solid 4th tackle to the rotation. It might be Klecko, switching back to defense full-time, or it could be someone found through the draft. There is a game-changing Tackle available as a free agent: Albert Haynesworth. There’s no doubt Haynesworth is better than any of the guys on the roster, but he’s really the only marquee player hitting the market and there’s likely to be several teams willing to throw money at him. The Eagles will only go after him if they can get a very competitive price.
LB: The Linebacker position changed dramatically over the last 2 or 3 seasons. The Eagles dumped starting veterans Dhani Jones, Takeo Spike and Jeremiah Trotter in favor of a crew of unfamiliar, untested youngsters. Heading into this season most people were questioning the unit because of their inexperience, but I think most of those detractors have been silenced.
The Eagles have one of the most solid corps of young playmakers in the league. The projected starters for next season are Stewart Bradley at the Mike, Akeem Jordan at the Will and Chris Gocong at the Sam. Omar Gaither is their top reserve, having experience starting at both the middle and weak side and being effective. Joe Mays is a bit udersized, but people say he’s a wrecking ball. He got a reputation for laying massive hits on his teammates during preseason practices last year. Who knows what he has in store for opponents? Tank Daniels rounds out the top 6, now in his second stint with the Eagles in his short career.
I don’t see a lot of change in the rotation here. Stewart Bradley is a stud of Urlacher proportions (yeah, that’s right, I said it.) It’s nice knowing that you have 2 starting caliber Will’s in Jordan and Gaither. Gocong is solid, though not terribly flashy. He seems to still be learning subtle nuances of the linebacker position after converting from DE as a rookie. He’s a really smart kid and gets better every game. If he continues at this pace he’ll finish his career as a HOFer. I expect the Eagles to draft at least one or two Linebackers to push for reserve slots.
CB: Asante Samuel made the Pro Bowl in his first season as an Eagle – although I’m not convinced he deserved it based on his regular season. He managed to crank things up in the playoffs though and made game-changing plays against the Vikings and Giants.
Sheldon Brown was the other starting corner and he played really well all season. That is except when he was asked to cover Larry Fitzgerald one-on-one at the goal line. To be fair though, a corner with the cover skills of Deion Sanders and the height and leaping ability of Kevin Garnett couldn’t shut Fitzgerald down. Brown doesn’t make the flashy interceptions or returns like other players, but he also rarely makes highlight reel mistakes.
Lito Shepherd was a huge disappointment this season. He wanted a raise in the offseason but management (rightly so) wasn’t willing to give him one until he earned it. He asked for a trade and the Eagles shopped him around, but no one was offering value for him. The instead of going out and proving that he was worthy of a new contract Lito wilted and virtually disappeared. Some people have accused the Eagles of burying him on the depth chart to lessen his value, but come one, are you kidding me? What team would every put one of their most talented players on the bench for something like that? That’s just an ignorant accusation. Ultimately the Eagles probably would have been best-off taking whatever they were offered for Lito last season, even if it was below what they were looking for. There’s still hope for Lito, but he’s going to have to come to camp this year with a whole new attitude and work ethic, otherwise I think it’s doubtful he stays on the roster next season.
Joselio Hanson is going to be a free agent this year and I bet the Eagles make an offer. He has been a solid reserve and Nickel Corner for the team the last 2 seasons. I expect Hanson to re-sign and remain the Eagles Nickel Corner next year. There’s a chance he could be pushed by 2-year man Jack Ikegwuonu. Ikegwuonu was projected to go as high as the 1st round before he injured his knee working out at the combine. The Eagles ended up taking him in the 4th round, and if he can come back healthy he might end up being the steal of all steals.
S: Brian Dawkins and Considine are both free agents. I expect Dawkins to be back even though he’ll be turning 36 next October. Dawkins’ best seasons are behind him, but he still made the Pro Bowl this season and had some of the most outstanding performances of any player at any position on any team. The leaping strip-sack-recovery against the Steelers in week three and his 2 FF performance in a 44-6 rout of Dallas proved he still has gas left in the tank. Dawkins wants to retire an Eagle, fans want him to retire an Eagle and there’s no doubt he’s one of the most respected locker-room presences in the history of the NFL. The Eagles will probably offer him a 2 or 3 year deal to let him finish his career in Philly.
Considine is a solid reserve and a great special teamer, but he’s likely going to pursue a starting opportunity elsewhere. There are a few teams that would be willing to give him a shot so he’ll be going elsewhere.
Quintin Mikell had a Pro Bowl caliber season at the Strong Safety slot. It just goes to show that there is value in the rookie class, even amongst undrafted free agents. Mikell will be back next year as a starter and may even be gunning for a Pro Bowl bearth.
Quintin Demps showed flashes of good play throughout the season but sometimes seemed to be a little overwhelmed (just look at the Larry Fitzgerald TD in the NFC Championship where Demps got all twisted around and fell over.) Still though, I think he’s going to be a solid safety with a little more experience. He’s not ready to start yet, but if Dawkins comes back he and the coaching staff can groom Demps to take over.
There aren’t any gamebreakers on the market, but there’s a good chance the Eagles might add one or two veterans to compete for reserve slots. They also might draft a guy in the mid rounds. If they don’t re-sign Dawkins there is no evident replacement available.
K: David Akers played very well all season until the NFC Championship game when he missed 2 makeable field goals. Still though, there’s no pressure from competition and it seems as though kickers now-a-days are pretty interchangeable. Adam Vinaterri (who was overrated to begin with) has seemed to come back even with the pack and most kickers are pretty secure with their teams unless they pull a Vanderjagt (i.e. Suck.)
P: Punters are a different story. There are good punters and there are bad punters in the NFL. Sav Rocca started out last season as the best punter in the league, but his hot streak wore off. He ended the season near the middle of the pack in net yards, but he was 10th in number of punts inside the 20. He also had one of the highest percentages of punts inside the 20. All-in-all he is a solid punter and seems to be making a decent transition from Australian Rules football to the NFL.
KR: Lorenzo Booker was brought in from Miami to improve the return game, but he quickly lost his spots to DeSean Jackson and Quintin Demps. Jackson primarily handled punt returns because of his shiftiness and agility. Demps handled most of the kickoff returns because of his size and straight-line speed.
Both Jackson and Demps posted a return touchdown during the season and each broke several long returns helping give the Eagles good field position. Both are likely to continue their return duties unless the coaches deem them too valuable in their primary spots. For instance, if the team thinks Jackson is too valuable as a receiver they’re not going to risk injuring him on punt returns. Ultimately, though, both these guys are too dangerous to leave off the field for returns. Devin Hester proved how important a good return man can be against the Cardinals a few seasons ago which ultimately led to one of the most amusing coach meltdowns in all of pro sports:
See Part 1: Offense here.
DE: The Eagles are pretty deep at end. Trent Cole is probably the most talented End and faces frequent double teams. He posted a respectable 9 sacks in ’08, but it should have been more, considering he was coming off a 12.5 sack ’07. Still, the fact that he demands so much attention opens things up for the other ends. Cole is the Eagles only solid 3 down End.
Darren Howard led all Eagles with 10 sacks and frequently benefited from the extra attention Trent Cole received. Howard was shaping up to be a free agent bust until his strong showing this season. Victor Abiamiri is the Eagles biggest End and is used mostly in rushing situations. He will often move inside on passing downs to rush from the Tackle spot. The coaches were hoping Abiamiri would compete for the other starting position, but a hand injury kept him out until mid-way through the season. I expect Abiamiri to make a serious push to be at least a 2-down starter opposite Cole this season.
Juqua Parker and Chris Clemons were like mirror images of each other. Parker started the season pretty well, notching 5 sacks in the first 8 games and then disappearing. Clemons meanwhile recorded 4 sacks over the last 8 games and added a fumble recovery TD in week 17 against the ‘Boys after doing jack squat the first half of the season. If you lump them together as situational pass rushers then their production is pretty solid. Ideally, though, I’d like to see both play with more consistency.
The Eagles probably won’t see much turnover at the position. 3rd round pick Bryan Smith didn’t sniff the field in his rookie season, but he could push for playing time in year 2. I expect that Parker is the guy who should be looking over his shoulder.
Julius Peppers wanted out of Carolina and now that he’s been franchised he’s put together a list of 5 teams he’s willing to be traded to. The only team on that list that has been reported is the Dallas Cowboys, but the Cowboys traded their 1st round pick to the Lions for Roy Williams and don’t have enough ammo to snatch Peppers. It’s unlikely the Eagles are on the list (Peppers wanted to go to a 3-4 team where he could play a pass rushing OLB) but even if they are it’s unlikely they’ll pay the huge ransom the Panthers are looking for (I’m guessing at least a 1st and a 3rd round pick.) You can never have too many pass rushers though and it wouldn’t surprise me if the Eagles add one or two during the draft.
DT: The Tackles don’t make a lot of flashy plays but these guys are solid, aggressive, agile defenders that do a great job of plugging holes and leaving the linebackers free to chase the play down and make the tackle.
Jim Johnson likes to rotate his offensive lineman and he had a solid rotation of Patterson, Bunkley and Laws at tackle. Ideally he’d like to rotate 4 guys at the spot, but Klecko was often off working at FB.
I think this is the most underrated unit on the football team and I think they had everything to do with the Eagles’ excellent run defense all season long. They just stuffed the holes, occupied the offensive linemen and never let their men into the second level to block the Backers. In fact, Jim Johnson was flabbergasted that Broderick Bunkley wasn’t named to the Pro Bowl and I’m with him.
One criticism of the Tackles is their lack of sack production, but considering the Eagles frequently use Abiamiri and Howard at Tackle on passing downs that can be forgiven. I don’t see much change coming at the position. The Eagles will likely add a solid 4th tackle to the rotation. It might be Klecko, switching back to defense full-time, or it could be someone found through the draft. There is a game-changing Tackle available as a free agent: Albert Haynesworth. There’s no doubt Haynesworth is better than any of the guys on the roster, but he’s really the only marquee player hitting the market and there’s likely to be several teams willing to throw money at him. The Eagles will only go after him if they can get a very competitive price.
LB: The Linebacker position changed dramatically over the last 2 or 3 seasons. The Eagles dumped starting veterans Dhani Jones, Takeo Spike and Jeremiah Trotter in favor of a crew of unfamiliar, untested youngsters. Heading into this season most people were questioning the unit because of their inexperience, but I think most of those detractors have been silenced.
The Eagles have one of the most solid corps of young playmakers in the league. The projected starters for next season are Stewart Bradley at the Mike, Akeem Jordan at the Will and Chris Gocong at the Sam. Omar Gaither is their top reserve, having experience starting at both the middle and weak side and being effective. Joe Mays is a bit udersized, but people say he’s a wrecking ball. He got a reputation for laying massive hits on his teammates during preseason practices last year. Who knows what he has in store for opponents? Tank Daniels rounds out the top 6, now in his second stint with the Eagles in his short career.
I don’t see a lot of change in the rotation here. Stewart Bradley is a stud of Urlacher proportions (yeah, that’s right, I said it.) It’s nice knowing that you have 2 starting caliber Will’s in Jordan and Gaither. Gocong is solid, though not terribly flashy. He seems to still be learning subtle nuances of the linebacker position after converting from DE as a rookie. He’s a really smart kid and gets better every game. If he continues at this pace he’ll finish his career as a HOFer. I expect the Eagles to draft at least one or two Linebackers to push for reserve slots.
CB: Asante Samuel made the Pro Bowl in his first season as an Eagle – although I’m not convinced he deserved it based on his regular season. He managed to crank things up in the playoffs though and made game-changing plays against the Vikings and Giants.
Sheldon Brown was the other starting corner and he played really well all season. That is except when he was asked to cover Larry Fitzgerald one-on-one at the goal line. To be fair though, a corner with the cover skills of Deion Sanders and the height and leaping ability of Kevin Garnett couldn’t shut Fitzgerald down. Brown doesn’t make the flashy interceptions or returns like other players, but he also rarely makes highlight reel mistakes.
Lito Shepherd was a huge disappointment this season. He wanted a raise in the offseason but management (rightly so) wasn’t willing to give him one until he earned it. He asked for a trade and the Eagles shopped him around, but no one was offering value for him. The instead of going out and proving that he was worthy of a new contract Lito wilted and virtually disappeared. Some people have accused the Eagles of burying him on the depth chart to lessen his value, but come one, are you kidding me? What team would every put one of their most talented players on the bench for something like that? That’s just an ignorant accusation. Ultimately the Eagles probably would have been best-off taking whatever they were offered for Lito last season, even if it was below what they were looking for. There’s still hope for Lito, but he’s going to have to come to camp this year with a whole new attitude and work ethic, otherwise I think it’s doubtful he stays on the roster next season.
Joselio Hanson is going to be a free agent this year and I bet the Eagles make an offer. He has been a solid reserve and Nickel Corner for the team the last 2 seasons. I expect Hanson to re-sign and remain the Eagles Nickel Corner next year. There’s a chance he could be pushed by 2-year man Jack Ikegwuonu. Ikegwuonu was projected to go as high as the 1st round before he injured his knee working out at the combine. The Eagles ended up taking him in the 4th round, and if he can come back healthy he might end up being the steal of all steals.
S: Brian Dawkins and Considine are both free agents. I expect Dawkins to be back even though he’ll be turning 36 next October. Dawkins’ best seasons are behind him, but he still made the Pro Bowl this season and had some of the most outstanding performances of any player at any position on any team. The leaping strip-sack-recovery against the Steelers in week three and his 2 FF performance in a 44-6 rout of Dallas proved he still has gas left in the tank. Dawkins wants to retire an Eagle, fans want him to retire an Eagle and there’s no doubt he’s one of the most respected locker-room presences in the history of the NFL. The Eagles will probably offer him a 2 or 3 year deal to let him finish his career in Philly.
Considine is a solid reserve and a great special teamer, but he’s likely going to pursue a starting opportunity elsewhere. There are a few teams that would be willing to give him a shot so he’ll be going elsewhere.
Quintin Mikell had a Pro Bowl caliber season at the Strong Safety slot. It just goes to show that there is value in the rookie class, even amongst undrafted free agents. Mikell will be back next year as a starter and may even be gunning for a Pro Bowl bearth.
Quintin Demps showed flashes of good play throughout the season but sometimes seemed to be a little overwhelmed (just look at the Larry Fitzgerald TD in the NFC Championship where Demps got all twisted around and fell over.) Still though, I think he’s going to be a solid safety with a little more experience. He’s not ready to start yet, but if Dawkins comes back he and the coaching staff can groom Demps to take over.
There aren’t any gamebreakers on the market, but there’s a good chance the Eagles might add one or two veterans to compete for reserve slots. They also might draft a guy in the mid rounds. If they don’t re-sign Dawkins there is no evident replacement available.
K: David Akers played very well all season until the NFC Championship game when he missed 2 makeable field goals. Still though, there’s no pressure from competition and it seems as though kickers now-a-days are pretty interchangeable. Adam Vinaterri (who was overrated to begin with) has seemed to come back even with the pack and most kickers are pretty secure with their teams unless they pull a Vanderjagt (i.e. Suck.)
P: Punters are a different story. There are good punters and there are bad punters in the NFL. Sav Rocca started out last season as the best punter in the league, but his hot streak wore off. He ended the season near the middle of the pack in net yards, but he was 10th in number of punts inside the 20. He also had one of the highest percentages of punts inside the 20. All-in-all he is a solid punter and seems to be making a decent transition from Australian Rules football to the NFL.
KR: Lorenzo Booker was brought in from Miami to improve the return game, but he quickly lost his spots to DeSean Jackson and Quintin Demps. Jackson primarily handled punt returns because of his shiftiness and agility. Demps handled most of the kickoff returns because of his size and straight-line speed.
Both Jackson and Demps posted a return touchdown during the season and each broke several long returns helping give the Eagles good field position. Both are likely to continue their return duties unless the coaches deem them too valuable in their primary spots. For instance, if the team thinks Jackson is too valuable as a receiver they’re not going to risk injuring him on punt returns. Ultimately, though, both these guys are too dangerous to leave off the field for returns. Devin Hester proved how important a good return man can be against the Cardinals a few seasons ago which ultimately led to one of the most amusing coach meltdowns in all of pro sports:
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Offseason Preview...Finally!
Alrighty folks, I’ve been gone for a little while, but I’m finally back. Did ya miss me? (Didn’t think so)
As every fan knows the Super Bowl - Combine stretch is a tough period for football journalists. It’s way too early to start speculating about offseason roster moves, but there’s no more real football to discuss.
Consequently most football articles consist of generic offseason previews or a superfluous amount of articles on a press manufactured controversy, usually revolving around T.O.
So to set myself apart from the pack I decided to delay my offseason preview until after the franchise tag deadline came and went. The NFL is structured so that the marquee players rarely ever hit the open market. The salary cap seems to rise every year and if a new contract can’t be agreed upon then the best players are usually franchised. Thus keeping them off the open market. Therefore it doesn’t make much sense speculating who will be available until after the franchise deadline.
So, I’m going to start my preview with a team that’s close to my heart: The Philadelphia Eagles.
QB: Believe it or not, the Eagles are set at this position. Donovan McNabb gets more unnecessary scrutiny than any other player in the NFL. Philly fans may disagree, but there are really only 2 players that are definitely better (Brady and Manning) and neither of them will ever hit the free agent market.
Expect McNabb to get a new contract. Some people are trying to call it an “apology” for his midseason benching, but that’s not really the case. A contract extension is in both the Eagles and the McNabb’s best interest. It gives McNabb some job security and possibly on last payday and it lowers his 8-figure cap number for the next 2 years.
I’m not sold on Kevin Kolb as a backup. He has done nothing to warrant consideration as a starter or even a 2nd-stringer. A.J. Feeley is a great 3rd QB, but that’s about it. I’d like to see the Eagles add some competition for the backup spot, but it’s not gonna happen. They’re OK at the spot anyway.
RB: Westbrook is over-the-hill. I’m not saying that he isn’t still an elite player – he is – but he has more touches than almost anyone else over the last 3 seasons and they’ve taken a toll on his body. The Eagles need to add a back to spell Westbrook to keep him fresh for those 70-yard screen passes he’s so good at.
I think Buckhalter could be that guy. He was excellent in spelling Westbrook this season. If anything I think he didn’t get enough touches, but the coaching staff must know something I don’t, because they didn’t put much faith in him this season. Plus Buckhalter has many of the same faults as B-west, namely his age and poor knees. Buckhalter’s contract is up and I doubt he’ll be back. He’ll catch on somewhere though.
The Eagles traded a 3rd-round pick to the Dolphins for Lorenzo Booker during the offseason last year. They coveted his ability as a return man and his potential to create offense “in space.” He’s been a terrible disappointment, but there’s still time to turn things around. I expect the eagles to target a running back on the first day of the draft – but I doubt it will be the first round. Solid running backs can always be found in later rounds.
FB: The Eagles ground game lagged last season and at least part of the blame must fall on not having a traditional fullback on the roster. Dan Klecko spent time at the position after converting from Defensive Tackle. Kyle Eckel also shared time at the position. Neither appears to be the answer. The Eagles will likely draft a fullback on the second day to compete for the job.
WR: One of Philly’s most maligned positions is actually one of their strongest heading into next season. DeSean Jackson is a stud on offense and special teams. If you redid the 2008 draft today he’d probably be a top-10 pick. Kevin Curtis played well once he came back healthy and Jason Avant was very impressive as Mr. Third Down. Hank Baskett started the season well, but virtually disappeared once Curtis returned. Baskett is a RFA and there’s a good chance the Eagles make an offer to him, considering his value on special teams.
Reggie Brown was a huge disappointment this season. He was injured early in the season, never made an impact on the field and ended up being a healthy-inactive during the NFC championship game. The Eagles will probably try to trade him, but it’s not clear what value – if any – he has. If the Eagles can’t get a fair price for him they’ll probably bring him back and see what he can do in camp. Greg Lewis is a scrappy player, and a good special teamer, but he’s the odd-man-out if the Eagles add a receiver and don’t move Brown.
T.J. Houshmanzadeh is going to be a free-agent this season and it appears unlikely he’ll resign with the Bengals. The Eagles would probably have pursued him at this point last year, but they don’t need a receiver that badly and Housh is probably going to see his skills diminish over the next few seasons. There are rumors Anquan Boldin wants out of Arizona. The Eagles were interested in him last season and likely still are. Boldin’s still a young guy and a solid pro-bowler who would solidify the Eagles WR squad.
Imagine Boldin on one side, Jackson on the other and Curtis in the slot. A mouth-watering proposition.
TE: L.J. Smith is done. The Eagles gave him one last chance to put things together, but injuries and inconsistent play – coupled with Brent Celek’s recent success – have spelled the end. There are several teams who are willing to pay him a lot more than the Eagles.
I would imagine Schobel is also walking on eggshells. He hasn’t done much for the team the last few seasons (1 catch for 7 yards this season) and the Eagles might need that roster spot elsewhere. Brent Celek came on late in the season as a receiver, but he still needs work on his blocking.
Many mock drafts have the Eagles taking a Tight End early in the draft. Now that the Titans have tagged Bo Scaife there are no real prospects in free agency, so the draft it is. Brandon Pettigrew, James Casey, Jared Cook and Cornelius Ingram are all players they might look for in rounds 1-3. Pettigrew is the best all-around TE, but he might not last until the Eagles pick at 21 and they certainly don’t covet him enough to trade up.
OT: This is the Eagles’ most pressing need. Tra Thomas and Jon Runyan are both free agents. Both played well this season, but at 34 and 35 respectively their careers are nearing the end. To add insult to injury Runyan had microfracture surgery and is sidelined 4-6 months, meaning he likely wouldn’t even return before the season began anyway.
The Eagles don’t have a tackle on the roster to step into the starting lineup. Winston justice is their most experienced tackle and he has struggled his whole career. Rumor has it the Eagles are looking to trade even though he’s shown improvement since moving from the left side to the right. The Eagles drafted Mike McGlynn and King Dunlap last season, but there are no indications that either are ready to take the reigns as a starter. With Jordan Gross getting a fat new contract from Carolina there aren’t any quality tackles on the market. There’s also talk of moving Herremans and Andrews outside to tackle.
The draft is deep at tackle, but the elite tackles (Andre Smith, Jason Smith, Eugene Monroe and Michael Oher) probably won’t last until the 21st pick. If Oher lasts until 21 he’ll be the Eagles first selection. If not they might grab a guy like Eben Britton, but he might be a stretch in the first round. Ultimately I think they bring Thomas back to keep protecting McNabb’s blind side and draft a tackle early.
OG: Herremans was solid as a rock at LG this year. He was the most consistent offensive lineman and played really well. The RG spot was a little more complicated. Shawn Andrews went AWOL in the preseason while battling depression. He then suffered a back injury that wiped him out all season.
Max Jean-Gilles stepped into the vacated spot and played really well until he also went down with a season ending injury. This paved the way for Nick Cole who then proceeded to pave the way for our running backs pretty well. It’s nice to know that the Eagles have some solid interior linemen.
There is talk of moving Herremans and Andrews outside to tackle to replace Thomas and Runyan, but why mess with a good thing? Jean-Gilles and Cole were good, but they weren’t as good as Herremans and Andrews. I think moving either player outside should be a last ditch effort. The Guard position is pretty strong and likely won’t change much unless someone’s moved to tackle. The key here is to get healthy, mentally and physically.
C: Jamal Jackson was unimpressive at center this season. He rarely screwed up too badly, but he also rarely excelled. Nick Cole is the primary backup at Center. I would like to see Cole push for playing time. I don’t see position as a need, but there’s a chance of adding someone late in the draft to push both players and add depth.
Alright, I’ll let that digest for a little while and I’ll be back soon with part 2: Defense.
As every fan knows the Super Bowl - Combine stretch is a tough period for football journalists. It’s way too early to start speculating about offseason roster moves, but there’s no more real football to discuss.
Consequently most football articles consist of generic offseason previews or a superfluous amount of articles on a press manufactured controversy, usually revolving around T.O.
So to set myself apart from the pack I decided to delay my offseason preview until after the franchise tag deadline came and went. The NFL is structured so that the marquee players rarely ever hit the open market. The salary cap seems to rise every year and if a new contract can’t be agreed upon then the best players are usually franchised. Thus keeping them off the open market. Therefore it doesn’t make much sense speculating who will be available until after the franchise deadline.
So, I’m going to start my preview with a team that’s close to my heart: The Philadelphia Eagles.
QB: Believe it or not, the Eagles are set at this position. Donovan McNabb gets more unnecessary scrutiny than any other player in the NFL. Philly fans may disagree, but there are really only 2 players that are definitely better (Brady and Manning) and neither of them will ever hit the free agent market.
Expect McNabb to get a new contract. Some people are trying to call it an “apology” for his midseason benching, but that’s not really the case. A contract extension is in both the Eagles and the McNabb’s best interest. It gives McNabb some job security and possibly on last payday and it lowers his 8-figure cap number for the next 2 years.
I’m not sold on Kevin Kolb as a backup. He has done nothing to warrant consideration as a starter or even a 2nd-stringer. A.J. Feeley is a great 3rd QB, but that’s about it. I’d like to see the Eagles add some competition for the backup spot, but it’s not gonna happen. They’re OK at the spot anyway.
RB: Westbrook is over-the-hill. I’m not saying that he isn’t still an elite player – he is – but he has more touches than almost anyone else over the last 3 seasons and they’ve taken a toll on his body. The Eagles need to add a back to spell Westbrook to keep him fresh for those 70-yard screen passes he’s so good at.
I think Buckhalter could be that guy. He was excellent in spelling Westbrook this season. If anything I think he didn’t get enough touches, but the coaching staff must know something I don’t, because they didn’t put much faith in him this season. Plus Buckhalter has many of the same faults as B-west, namely his age and poor knees. Buckhalter’s contract is up and I doubt he’ll be back. He’ll catch on somewhere though.
The Eagles traded a 3rd-round pick to the Dolphins for Lorenzo Booker during the offseason last year. They coveted his ability as a return man and his potential to create offense “in space.” He’s been a terrible disappointment, but there’s still time to turn things around. I expect the eagles to target a running back on the first day of the draft – but I doubt it will be the first round. Solid running backs can always be found in later rounds.
FB: The Eagles ground game lagged last season and at least part of the blame must fall on not having a traditional fullback on the roster. Dan Klecko spent time at the position after converting from Defensive Tackle. Kyle Eckel also shared time at the position. Neither appears to be the answer. The Eagles will likely draft a fullback on the second day to compete for the job.
WR: One of Philly’s most maligned positions is actually one of their strongest heading into next season. DeSean Jackson is a stud on offense and special teams. If you redid the 2008 draft today he’d probably be a top-10 pick. Kevin Curtis played well once he came back healthy and Jason Avant was very impressive as Mr. Third Down. Hank Baskett started the season well, but virtually disappeared once Curtis returned. Baskett is a RFA and there’s a good chance the Eagles make an offer to him, considering his value on special teams.
Reggie Brown was a huge disappointment this season. He was injured early in the season, never made an impact on the field and ended up being a healthy-inactive during the NFC championship game. The Eagles will probably try to trade him, but it’s not clear what value – if any – he has. If the Eagles can’t get a fair price for him they’ll probably bring him back and see what he can do in camp. Greg Lewis is a scrappy player, and a good special teamer, but he’s the odd-man-out if the Eagles add a receiver and don’t move Brown.
T.J. Houshmanzadeh is going to be a free-agent this season and it appears unlikely he’ll resign with the Bengals. The Eagles would probably have pursued him at this point last year, but they don’t need a receiver that badly and Housh is probably going to see his skills diminish over the next few seasons. There are rumors Anquan Boldin wants out of Arizona. The Eagles were interested in him last season and likely still are. Boldin’s still a young guy and a solid pro-bowler who would solidify the Eagles WR squad.
Imagine Boldin on one side, Jackson on the other and Curtis in the slot. A mouth-watering proposition.
TE: L.J. Smith is done. The Eagles gave him one last chance to put things together, but injuries and inconsistent play – coupled with Brent Celek’s recent success – have spelled the end. There are several teams who are willing to pay him a lot more than the Eagles.
I would imagine Schobel is also walking on eggshells. He hasn’t done much for the team the last few seasons (1 catch for 7 yards this season) and the Eagles might need that roster spot elsewhere. Brent Celek came on late in the season as a receiver, but he still needs work on his blocking.
Many mock drafts have the Eagles taking a Tight End early in the draft. Now that the Titans have tagged Bo Scaife there are no real prospects in free agency, so the draft it is. Brandon Pettigrew, James Casey, Jared Cook and Cornelius Ingram are all players they might look for in rounds 1-3. Pettigrew is the best all-around TE, but he might not last until the Eagles pick at 21 and they certainly don’t covet him enough to trade up.
OT: This is the Eagles’ most pressing need. Tra Thomas and Jon Runyan are both free agents. Both played well this season, but at 34 and 35 respectively their careers are nearing the end. To add insult to injury Runyan had microfracture surgery and is sidelined 4-6 months, meaning he likely wouldn’t even return before the season began anyway.
The Eagles don’t have a tackle on the roster to step into the starting lineup. Winston justice is their most experienced tackle and he has struggled his whole career. Rumor has it the Eagles are looking to trade even though he’s shown improvement since moving from the left side to the right. The Eagles drafted Mike McGlynn and King Dunlap last season, but there are no indications that either are ready to take the reigns as a starter. With Jordan Gross getting a fat new contract from Carolina there aren’t any quality tackles on the market. There’s also talk of moving Herremans and Andrews outside to tackle.
The draft is deep at tackle, but the elite tackles (Andre Smith, Jason Smith, Eugene Monroe and Michael Oher) probably won’t last until the 21st pick. If Oher lasts until 21 he’ll be the Eagles first selection. If not they might grab a guy like Eben Britton, but he might be a stretch in the first round. Ultimately I think they bring Thomas back to keep protecting McNabb’s blind side and draft a tackle early.
OG: Herremans was solid as a rock at LG this year. He was the most consistent offensive lineman and played really well. The RG spot was a little more complicated. Shawn Andrews went AWOL in the preseason while battling depression. He then suffered a back injury that wiped him out all season.
Max Jean-Gilles stepped into the vacated spot and played really well until he also went down with a season ending injury. This paved the way for Nick Cole who then proceeded to pave the way for our running backs pretty well. It’s nice to know that the Eagles have some solid interior linemen.
There is talk of moving Herremans and Andrews outside to tackle to replace Thomas and Runyan, but why mess with a good thing? Jean-Gilles and Cole were good, but they weren’t as good as Herremans and Andrews. I think moving either player outside should be a last ditch effort. The Guard position is pretty strong and likely won’t change much unless someone’s moved to tackle. The key here is to get healthy, mentally and physically.
C: Jamal Jackson was unimpressive at center this season. He rarely screwed up too badly, but he also rarely excelled. Nick Cole is the primary backup at Center. I would like to see Cole push for playing time. I don’t see position as a need, but there’s a chance of adding someone late in the draft to push both players and add depth.
Alright, I’ll let that digest for a little while and I’ll be back soon with part 2: Defense.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Highlights from SU Coach Marrone's Signing Day Debriefing
Doug Marrone gave a presentation at the Carrier Dome last night (before the basketball game? After? During? Who knows?) on the 14 players his staff managed to sign to LOI's on national signing day. Here's what he had to say according to Donnie Webb at the Post Standard:
"Rishard Anderson (DB; 6-0, 180): "He has done a great job here. He was rated the 40th best cornerback prospect by ESPN. He didn't play much his senior year, but we took him off what he did his junior year . . . and he was a tremendous player. We're happy to have this type of athlete coming into our university because academics are important and leadership is important."
"Rishard Anderson (DB; 6-0, 180): "He has done a great job here. He was rated the 40th best cornerback prospect by ESPN. He didn't play much his senior year, but we took him off what he did his junior year . . . and he was a tremendous player. We're happy to have this type of athlete coming into our university because academics are important and leadership is important."
Torrey Ball (DE; 6-4, 250): "We battled teams for him with high academic standards. When you talk about junior-college players, you're talking about someone who's at a level of maturity where he can come in and compete."
E.J. Carter (LB; 6-0, 220): "The biggest thing with him is his leadership ability. He came in on his recruiting visit and he tried to gather the class and say, 'Hey, we're going to be the foundation of this football team. We're going to be the leaders on our football team even though we're freshmen.' I was very impressed with him."
Zack Chibane (OL; 6-4, 280): "I go down to New Jersey and I do a clinic. Everyone knows my background in on the offensive line. One of the coaches at the clinic says, 'I saw you took this kid from Paramus High School. You know, I'm just going to tell you I think he's this. I think he's that.' And I said, 'I don't really care what you think.' This kid is a good football player. He's got leadership ability and he's an ex-wrestler. We all know what type of football players these ex-wrestlers are. He's someone who has a chance to compete early for us."
Alec Lemon (WR; 6-1, 175): "When you're looking for a wide receiver, what are you looking for? I'm looking for someone who caught the football. He's someone who caught the football 103 times. This is what we're looking for at the receiver position: Height . . . speed . . . someone who's shown the ability to catch the football."
Charley Loeb (QB; 6-5, 220): "Charley is someone who is 6-foot-5 and 220 pounds. He's one of the first people you want to get off the bus when the other team is looking across the field. We're very excited about him and where he can take our football program with his leadership skills and be able to compete for a starting position."
Dale Peterman (DB; 5-11, 155): "He had one of those big, major schools coming back in on him, trying to take him. But he stuck to his commitment. We're very excited about this player."
Andrew Phillips (OL; 6-5, 260): "Again, local. Just like I said before, I wish we could get 15 kids right around this area so all of a sudden I don't have to wait in airports, I don't have to take three planes, I don't have to fly all over the country. I can get them all right here in this community. This is someone who's going to help us bring our players back out to the community. Andrew will help us bridge that."
Torian Phillips (DB; 5-10. 175): "I'm from New York City. I chose to go to this great university. I wanted to make sure when I first went out that I had gotten a recruit from New York City so that all the other schools know that they're not going to come into this state anymore and take our prospects."
Justin Pugh (OL; 6-5, 275): "Justin held strong to his commitment. I believe in this player. He's someone with great ability and someone I would love, with Coach (Greg) Atkins, to develop into a guy who can compete for a position."
Brandon Sharpe (LB; 6-2, 220): "He was someone who was committed to another university who we were able to sway and convince that this is the best school for him. He's someone with a lot of range who can run. He played defensive end. We're moving him to linebacker. We're looking for great things out of Brandon."
Phillip Thomas (DB; 6-0, 178): "There was another big school trying to come in on him. He's a big hitter. What singled him out is that he can intercept the football and create turnovers. That's what we're looking to do on defense."
Shamarko Thomas (DB; 5-10, 196): "He's another defensive back who can play corner. He's big and physical. That's what we're looking for at that position - people who can hit and get us the football. As an offensive coach, I can't stand it when the other team has the football."
Andrew Tiller (OL; 6-6, 360): "If you're a big guy and you've had trouble staying in shape over the years, this is the guy you want to stand next to when he walks off the bus. You'll feel pretty good about yourself if you put on those extra pounds during the holidays."Syracuse Still in the Running for #1 RB Prospect
SU is still in the running for #1 ranked all-purpose running back prospect David Oku, according to Rivals.com. It appears as though Oku is leaning towards Tennessee, but there's still a chance he could end up in Syracuse Orange next year. Auburn is also reportedly in the mix. I guess he really wants to see himself in blue or orange at the next level.If Oku ends up signing with the Orange that would be a huge catch for the coaching staff. He would be this seasons's only 4-star recruit and could be an immediate contributer. Syracuse has had a history of outstanding running backs including Jim Brown, Floyd Little, Ernie Davis, Larry Csonka and more recently guys like Rob Konrad, James Mungro, Walter Reyes and Damien Rhodes.
Curtis Brinkley had a good 2008 season, all things considered, rushing for 1,164 yards and 7 touchdowns on one of the worst D1 football teams. That ain't half bad. Now imagine putting a solid all-purpose running back in that position. Someone who can run hard, pass-block and catch the ball out of the backfield then the offense is looking a bit more potent. If you mix in touches by Antwon Bailey, Curtis Brinkley and Doug Hogue suddenly you have a stacked backfield.
My philosophy is that you build an offense from the ground (game) up. It looks like Marrone and I are on the same page here, because a large number of his commits were offensive linemen. If he can bring Oku into the fold then the ground game has the potential to be much more potent this year. Start by building a dominant run-game, then you can mix QB Charlie Loeb into the system in 2010 or 2011. Let him use his size and accuracy on the short and intermediate routes to complement the running backs. Who knows if it's going to work out like that, but a man can dream, can't he?
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Syracuse University Signing Day
Alright folks, I took a short break from the blog, but now I'm back and I'm weighing in on how Syracuse football faired on signing day.
New head coach Doug Marrone had his first opportunity to recruit and he made it clear that his focus was apparently to bring in the best players available, regardless of position:
2009 Class According to ESPN.com:
2009 Class according to Rivals.com:
The class is heavy in defensive backs and offensive linemen - both pretty drastic needs - so it's a good thing they happened to be the best players available. The Orange's 4 three-star recruits isn't mind-blowing, but considering the slump they've been in the last 5 seasons it's a good start. 14 recruitments overall is actually pretty low, but like Coach Marrone said, they were limited by scholarship numbers which has led to the relatively small class.
The Syracuse offense has been dismal the last several seasons and it all starts with the O-Line. Remember when Perry Patterson was getting sacked before he'd even completed his drop? Yeah, that's on line O-line. I've always been of the philosophy that success radiates away from the ball, meaning a strong offensive line will open up holes in the run game and give the QB time to make his reads in the passing game, improving the entire offense. Marrone has a background as an lineman and a line coach, so he understands the value of a solid line. I expect this aspect of the team to improve immensely over the next few seasons.
The Orange brought in 4 offensive lineman, including a much-coveted JUCO transfer Andrew Tiller. Syracuse beat out Miami, S.C. State and Rutgers for Tiller, and he hopefully has the ability to start immediately. Chibane is a solid frosh recruit and should develop into a solid starting tackle. Justin Pugh and home-town hero Andrew Phillips are developmental projects but could push for playing time down the line, most likely as interior linemen.
Syracuse has been plagued by size problems in the defensive front 7 the last few seasons. Really, DT Arthur Jones is the only player with ideal size on the squad. They're going to get a little bit of help from 6-4, 250 pound* JUCO transfer Torrey Ball. He has ideal size, but I'd like to see what he has to contribute before I heap any praise on this addition. The orange only brought in one other D-lineman, 6-2, 210 pound Brandon Sharpe. Sharpe has decent height, but needs to add about 30 pounds of muscle to avoid being pushed around by opposing teams. He's not likely to get a lot of playing time until he bulks up a bit.
Syracuse is adding one linebacker in this class, E.J. Carter. Carter is a high-motor type player, but he's a bit on the small side at 6-0, 213. The good thing for undersized players is that males can keep growing into their early 20's so there's a good chance he could add another inch or two. Even if that doesn't happen he'll be better off if he hits the weights and gains 20 pounds or so.
The DB group is probably the most impressive of this class. Syracuse has been abused on the ground and through the air for the better part of this decade, so any defensive help is appreciated. The recruits all exhibit good size and decent speed. Rishard Anderson leads the group and he was even recruited by teams like Wisconsin, Auburn, Florida and Pitt. Ultimately SU won out in the end. Rishard is projected to be a cornerback in the college ranks, but his speed is a bit of a concern to me. He was clocked at 4.62 in the 40, which is a tad slow for corner, but decent for a safety. He has the size and versatility to play any DB position. Shamarko Thomas, Dale Peterman and Torian Phillips should factor into the scheme in the next couple seasons.
The Orange also added a solid pro-style quarterback in Charlie Loeb. Loeb has good size and 6-4, 218 and is noted for his accuracy in the short-intermediate routes. He pays attention to the intracacies of the position and has a decent touch on the ball. He's not likely to start as a freshman, but might take the field in following seasons.
Hopefully Loeb will develop a raport with incoming receiver Alec Lemon. Lemon has good size at 6-2 and good speed, running a 4.49 40. He's a wiry receiver, similar in stature and speed to recent wideout Taj Smith. He adds a good amount of versatility to the offense since he could be used for kick and punt returns. He also has some experience playing defense and could make an immediate impact on special teams.
*A note on all measurements: I'd take most High School and College measurements with a grain of salt. Taj Smith was listed at 6-4, I'm a humble 6-2. I once passed Taj on the SU campus and I had a solid 1 or 2 inches on him, putting him closer to 6 feet even. That's still pretty tall, but many stats may be exagerated.
New head coach Doug Marrone had his first opportunity to recruit and he made it clear that his focus was apparently to bring in the best players available, regardless of position:
"A lot of times in recruiting, people talk about filling up needs and taking care of those needs with your recruiting class," Marrone said. "Well, one of the things that we wanted to do is make sure we went out and get the best players we could. We were a little bit limited, obviously, with our scholarship numbers to what we could do. So we went out there and we tried to sign the best football players or the best student-athletes that we could. And in doing so with this class, we felt we've accomplished that."So how did Marrone and the Orange fair? So far Syracuse has received signed LOI's from 14 players, including a few players coveted by programs like Vandy, Wake Forest, N.C. State, Wisconsin, Miami and Big East rivals South Florida, Rutgers and Louisville.
2009 Class According to ESPN.com:
2009 Class according to Rivals.com:
The class is heavy in defensive backs and offensive linemen - both pretty drastic needs - so it's a good thing they happened to be the best players available. The Orange's 4 three-star recruits isn't mind-blowing, but considering the slump they've been in the last 5 seasons it's a good start. 14 recruitments overall is actually pretty low, but like Coach Marrone said, they were limited by scholarship numbers which has led to the relatively small class.The Syracuse offense has been dismal the last several seasons and it all starts with the O-Line. Remember when Perry Patterson was getting sacked before he'd even completed his drop? Yeah, that's on line O-line. I've always been of the philosophy that success radiates away from the ball, meaning a strong offensive line will open up holes in the run game and give the QB time to make his reads in the passing game, improving the entire offense. Marrone has a background as an lineman and a line coach, so he understands the value of a solid line. I expect this aspect of the team to improve immensely over the next few seasons.
The Orange brought in 4 offensive lineman, including a much-coveted JUCO transfer Andrew Tiller. Syracuse beat out Miami, S.C. State and Rutgers for Tiller, and he hopefully has the ability to start immediately. Chibane is a solid frosh recruit and should develop into a solid starting tackle. Justin Pugh and home-town hero Andrew Phillips are developmental projects but could push for playing time down the line, most likely as interior linemen.
Syracuse has been plagued by size problems in the defensive front 7 the last few seasons. Really, DT Arthur Jones is the only player with ideal size on the squad. They're going to get a little bit of help from 6-4, 250 pound* JUCO transfer Torrey Ball. He has ideal size, but I'd like to see what he has to contribute before I heap any praise on this addition. The orange only brought in one other D-lineman, 6-2, 210 pound Brandon Sharpe. Sharpe has decent height, but needs to add about 30 pounds of muscle to avoid being pushed around by opposing teams. He's not likely to get a lot of playing time until he bulks up a bit.
Syracuse is adding one linebacker in this class, E.J. Carter. Carter is a high-motor type player, but he's a bit on the small side at 6-0, 213. The good thing for undersized players is that males can keep growing into their early 20's so there's a good chance he could add another inch or two. Even if that doesn't happen he'll be better off if he hits the weights and gains 20 pounds or so.
The DB group is probably the most impressive of this class. Syracuse has been abused on the ground and through the air for the better part of this decade, so any defensive help is appreciated. The recruits all exhibit good size and decent speed. Rishard Anderson leads the group and he was even recruited by teams like Wisconsin, Auburn, Florida and Pitt. Ultimately SU won out in the end. Rishard is projected to be a cornerback in the college ranks, but his speed is a bit of a concern to me. He was clocked at 4.62 in the 40, which is a tad slow for corner, but decent for a safety. He has the size and versatility to play any DB position. Shamarko Thomas, Dale Peterman and Torian Phillips should factor into the scheme in the next couple seasons.
The Orange also added a solid pro-style quarterback in Charlie Loeb. Loeb has good size and 6-4, 218 and is noted for his accuracy in the short-intermediate routes. He pays attention to the intracacies of the position and has a decent touch on the ball. He's not likely to start as a freshman, but might take the field in following seasons.
Hopefully Loeb will develop a raport with incoming receiver Alec Lemon. Lemon has good size at 6-2 and good speed, running a 4.49 40. He's a wiry receiver, similar in stature and speed to recent wideout Taj Smith. He adds a good amount of versatility to the offense since he could be used for kick and punt returns. He also has some experience playing defense and could make an immediate impact on special teams.
*A note on all measurements: I'd take most High School and College measurements with a grain of salt. Taj Smith was listed at 6-4, I'm a humble 6-2. I once passed Taj on the SU campus and I had a solid 1 or 2 inches on him, putting him closer to 6 feet even. That's still pretty tall, but many stats may be exagerated.
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