- D-Jax for V-Jax. There are two pro-bowl caliber receivers named Jackson that are unhappy with their roles and salaries on their current teams. Why not offer the San Diego Chargers Desean Jackson for their big WR Vincent Jackson? This move would take a little work from both sides as Desean is currently under contract, albeit a small one, and Vincent Jackson will be a free agent this off-season. San Diego would most likely have to resign Vincent Jackson in order to trade him for Desean. I doubt San Diego would let him walk, then trade a high draft pick or two just to sign Action Jackson for a big contract. If anything it would be a position shakeup that both teams need. These two had nearly identical numbers in 2009, but Vincent is a big target that could be a presence going across the middle, something that the Eagles lack. Between he and Maclin, Vick would have all the deep threat he could want. Besides, D-Jax and his pretty boy Cali swag would be right at home in sunny San Diego.
- Since we are on the topic of Vick... It's essential that Vick is given either an extension or the franchise tag. To give him that franchise tag would mean the Eagles have one more year to evaluate him while paying a sum that he would be comfortable with: likely $17+ million. An extension probably wouldn't be much longer that a few years. Vick ignited a spark that the stale Eagles have not see in years. His athleticism and desire to return to prominence made watching on Sunday tolerable again for many people. Although he is a controversial figure, there is no denying the next level to which he elevates this offense.
- More than anything this off-season Lurie, Banner, Roseman, and Reid need to work on getting someone nasty on defense. I mean nasty in two senses: really good and really mean. Preferably, this person should be a defensive tackle or a linebacker in order to stop the sieve that is a run defense. When was the last time there was a defensive Eagle that was just plain mean? Yeah, Dawkins was crazy, but it was a bit comical the way he approached a tackle. No, what I'm talking about is a dirty player kind of mean. A Haynesworth kind of mean. I know, I know. "Haynesworth is a fat cry-baby making $100 million dollars." However, he would fit perfectly (in more than one way) on this defense. He is the big boy brick wall that is glaringly absent in between Trent Cole and Juqua Parker. Plus, much of the drama he created in Washington was because they wanted him to play in a 3-4 defense where he wouldn't have had any real responsibility or opportunity. In an attacking 4-3 defense where anyone's number could be called on a blitz, Haynesworth would have the chance to rush the QB rather than just keeping two blockers occupied. It's rumored that he wants to stay in Washington, but don't you think he'd rather play Shanahan's Redskins twice a year?
- Take advantage of the draft! Use picks for something valuable for once. There are two options in this draft for the Eagles to make a splash, and it makes sense for everyone involved. I've already said that Vick needs to be re-signed and Kolb has mentioned he wants out if he doesn't get to start. Two teams jump out at me as teams that Kolb could start for: Arizona and Carolina. OPTION #1: Offer Kolb and a first round swap to Arizona. The Cardinals will be picking 5th, and they desperately need an NFL ready QB which I just don't see at that pick. Philly would move up to 5th and pick defensive back Patrick Peterson from LSU as an immediate play-maker opposite Asante Samuel and infinitely better than any option Reid is putting out there now. OPTION #2: The Panthers are in the same boat as the Cardinals in QB terms. Andrew Luck, the projected #1 pick in the draft, certainly delivered a gut punch by deciding to stay at Stanford. Carolina has that pick this year, but who knows how next season will pan out. What sense does it make to stay at #1 when the franchise QB they need is no longer there. Kolb, first round swap, and a 4th or 5th rounder for Carolina's first overall pick. This puts the Eagles in a prime position to address their need at DT with Nick Fairley who would be a nice substitute should Haynesworth not be available. He possesses the same kind of talent and mean streak that the Eagles lack.
Most importantly, Andy Reid must recognize that he is this teams largest obstacle (no pun intended, but funny nonetheless). His drafting method and refusal to adjust his coaching style to what each game dictates are locking this team in football purgatory. He has built a decent team, but refuses to fully take advantage of his weapons. At this point, it's unclear what kind of protection Jeff Lurie is extending to Reid, but unless Big Red learns to manage the clock better or run when the defense will let him run, I don't see him seeing too many more summers as an Eagle. How many more variables must change before we realize that the constant is the problem? It's silly for me to get my hopes up with this wish list except in a world where money is no object. I leave you with my final plea to the Eagles brass:
Please get us to February 3rd.
What the birds need Ideally but not realistically is buddy ryan back...Ried is done with and needs to focus on his troublesome kids and not the losing with style birds. Matt C
ReplyDelete