NFL Preview: AFC

Here is the breakdown of the AFC this season, with the Philadelphia Eagles preview coming later this week:

AFC North: The division will come down to one game: Baltimore at Steelers, Dec 27th. 

1. Baltimore Ravens: The Ravens surprised the league last year, advancing all the way to the championship game behind the play of rookie quarterback Joe Flacco, and rookie head coach Jon Harbaugh. If it was not for the 3 losses to the Steelers, it might be the Ravens who would be defending Super Bowl champions. The Ravens boast a strong running game behind the play of second year player Ray Rice and veteran Willis McGahee. I think Joe Flacco is ready to take the step into league star this season. And the defense? There ok.

2. Pittsburgh Steelers: Its a hard to repeat. Since Super Bowl 1, only 8 teams have managed to win back to back championships. The Steelers return virtually everyone from last years team. Head Coach Mike Tomlin is one of the best in the league, and this is a team that has experience in being defending champions, having won the Super Bowl in 2006. At the end of the day, its hard to continue to dominate a team like the Steelers did to the Ravens last year, and I the Ravens will beat the Steelers this season in the key games. 

3. Cincinnati Bengals: With Carson Palmer back under center, the Bengals hope to rebound from a dissapointing 2008 campaign, where they didn't get their first win until week 9. The combination of Carson Palmer and Chad Ochocinco should be a dominant one, but the connection has yet to result in wins for this team. This season should be a better one for the Bengals, but at the end of it, Marvin Lewis could be looking for a new job. 

4. Cleveland Browns: I can't remember the last time I saw a team go from so promising to such a mess so quickly. Last season the Browns were a trendy Super Bowl pick. Now? Its  days before their first game, and they havn't even named a starter. Reports are that Brady Quinn will get the nod, and I think he will be decent. But there is to little talent on this roster to compete. And with lame duck Eric Mangini at the helm, this should be another dissapointing season for the Browns. 

AFC South: After running away with this division last season, the Titans show their age  at QB, and Manning shows why he is MVP.

1. Indianapolis Colts: There are a lot of reasons to think this season could be a disapointing one in new Lucas Oil Stadium. After a year of learning the ropes under Tony Dungy, rookie head coach Jim Caldwell will take over. I think rookie running back Donald Brown will be a bust. Saftey Bob Sanders is injured again. So why will the Colts win this division? Peyton Manning is still under center. The real coach of the team, Manning will make a star this year out of Anthony Gonzalez, and should be able to put enough points on the board to lead this team to a division title. 

2. Tennessee Titans: Even though last season ended on a dissapointing note, losing their first playoff game to the Ravens, the Titans surprised everyone last year, rolling all the way to the best record in the AFC. The running back combination of Chris Johnson and Lendale White is one of the best, if not the best, in the league. But this is the season I think Kerry Collins falters. The Titans are paper thing at receiver, and Collins will show his age this year as the Titans miss the playoffs. 

3. Houston Texans: Everyones favorite team this season, the Texans finished up 5-1 to end last years campaign. Rookie running back Steve Slaton showed enough promise to push him up to the top of everyones fantasy football draft board. Wideout Andre Johnson is the best receiver in the game no one knows about. But I am not ready to say Matt Schaub is good enough to lead this team to the playoffs. 

4. Jacksonville Jaguars: The Jags upgraded their wideouts this off season, adding Tory Holt to try to help out quarterback David Garrard. Garrard threw an uncharacteristically high amount of interceptions last season, totaling 13 picks to only 15 touchdowns. Maurice Jones Drew is now the feature back with Fred Taylor in New England. The Jags should be better then last season, but this division is to strong for the record to indicate it. 

AFC West: Anyway the Chargers don't go 6-0 in their division? Anybody?

1. San Diego Chargers: This one should be a cake walk for the Chargers. After stunning the Denver Broncos last season to capture the division, their should be little fight from any of the other 3 teams this year. The Chargers boast one of the quickest backfields in the league with Ladanian Tomlinson and Darren Sproles, last seasons playoff hero. Quarterback Phillip River's pockets are a lot heavier this year, fresh off 36 million dollers in his new contract. Its Super Bowl or bust this year for the Chargers. 

2. Denver Broncos: It could be one and done for new coach Josh McDaniels. Since his hire, whether you can blame it on him or not, its been nothing but bad news for the Broncos. Franchise quarterback Jay Cutler is in Chicago, leaving the once high powered Bronco offense in the hands of Kyle Orton. The defense was a mess last season, and even more pressure will be on them this year. With that being said, there is enough talent on this team if Brandon Marshall plays to at least finish 2nd. But no playoffs once again. Poor Dawkins.

3. Oakland Raiders: This season is a big one for JaMarcus Russell, as the Raiders will look for the former number 1 pick to finally flash some of the talent he showed at LSU. The Raiders cut Jeff Garcia to make no doubt in Russell's mind that he was their guy. I think Russell, along with Darren McFadden and Micheal Bush, will show enough promise this season to get the group of fans in the Black Hole excited for next year.

4. Kansas City Chiefs: Matt Cassell will be eager to prove that he is not a product of the New England Patriots system. Simply put? He won't. Long year in KC.

AFC East: Tom Brady shows he's human, and the Jets surprise everyone. 

1. New York Jets: If theirs one team that isn't afraid of Bill Belichick, its Rex Ryan and the New York Jets. And if theirs one sports writer that isnt afraid to go out on a limb, its me. Alot has to go right for the Jets to win this division. Mark Sanchez has to play like someone who has more then just 14 starts in him- all on the college level. Leon Washington and Thomas Jones have to take enough pressure off Sanchez to give him time to grow. Rex Ryan has to back up all his talk. The defense has to be great. I think all of that will happen.

2. New England Patriots: Even though they didn't make the playoffs last year, the Patriots enter this season in a familar role- Super Bowl favorites. This is all because of the return of Tom Brady. Brady, who tore his knee up so bad last year there were some rumors he might never play again, is expected to step back in and be the same player who led his team to 18-1 the year before. Why does everyone just assume he is going to be ok? It took Donovan McNabb and Carson Palmer a full season playing before they were the same. Daunte Culpepper never recovered. Is Brady Culpepper? No. But he also isn't superman. 

3. Miami Dolphins: Can the Dolphins ride the wildcat to another playoff berth? Even with the Wildcats wetdream Pat White on the team, the Dolphins still have Chad Pennington under center. Pennington had a solid year last season, but he has not been able to put it together in consecutive seasons his whole career. The division was strong last year, and is even stronger now. The Dolphins are the odd team out. 

4. Buffalo Bills: Its going to be a cold winter in Buffalo. With the off season addition of Terrell Owens, the Bills feel they are ready to win now. Marshawn Lynch and Trent Edwards, along with Owens, do form a nice core of talent, but does anyone believe Owens is going to be quite as he catches from the worst quarterback hes had his whole career? Things could get ugly quick, as the Bills limp to a last place finish. 

Playoffs:

1. San Diego Chargers

2. Baltimore Ravens

3. Indianapolis Colts

4. New York Jets

5. Pittsburgh Steelers

6.  New England Patriots

Round 1: Colts over Patriots; Steelers over Jets

Round 2: Ravens over Colts; Chargers over Steelers

Round 3: Ravens over Chargers

AFC Champion: Ravens

NFL Season Preview: NFC

This week on Philly Stand Up, I'll get you ready for the upcoming NFL Season with a week long preview. Today is the NFC, the AFC tommorw, and then the rest of the week will be focused on the Birds. 

National Football Conference

East: With almost every quarterback in this division on the hot seat, the Eagles emerge from this group of teams that all have big question marks.

1. Philadelphia Eagles- The preseason was not kind to the Birds, as they entered it as a trendy Super Bowl pick, and left it with more questions then answers. The offensive line, linebacker, and secondary is a concern, but in this once strong division, who dosn't have holes? The Eagles have the best quarterback, wide receivers, and running back in this division- and that should be enough. More to come later in the week. 

2. New York Giants- This is the year we will get to see what Eli Manning is really about. After a strong start to last year, the Giants finished the season in a downward spiral. After the suspension of Plaxico Burress, the Giants went 2-3 in the last 5 games, then lost their first round playoff game. While rookie wideout Hakeem Nicks has been impressive in preseason (8 catches, 263 yards, 3 TD), the Giants are paper thin at receiver. The running game and defense will be good, but Manning showed us last year he can't win without Plaxico, and he won't prove us wrong this year.

3. Dallas Cowboys- The pressure will be on the Cowboys this year: with the opening of their new stadium, the departure of Terrell Owens, and the embarising end to last year. The Cowboys should commit to the run this year, as they field an impressive backfield of Marion Barber and Felix Jones. Tony Romo will find that despite the headache Owens gave him off the field, he will get a bigger one on it when he realizes the Roy Williams is no T.O.

4. Washington Redskins- This team is one losing streak away from completely imploding. Jim Zorn and Jason Campbell are playing for their jobs this year. Albert Hanyesworth has bust written all over him. Clinton Portis is getting older, and his relationship with his coach is cordial at best. Its very possible that after this year, Campbell, Zorn and Portis could all be gone. 

South: The Falcons, Panthers, and Matt Ryan try to prove they were no fluke last year- only the Falcons pass the test.

1. Atlanta Falcons: The Falcons took everyone by surprise last year, and have "bust" written all over them. They return a second year coach and quarterback, an aging tight end, and an immense amount of expectations to live up to. But this team has to much fire power on offense not to be good again. Couple that with a mediocre division, and that leads to a NFC South crown for the Falcons.

2. New Orleans Saints: The Saints failed to meet high expectations last year, as injuries ravaged their season. Drew Brees, one of the best quarterbacks in the league, has plenty of toys to play with. And he better be ready, because the Saints defense gave up the 2nd most points per game last year. 

3. Carolina Panthers: The Panthers have everything you could want in a team- a powerful running game, solid defense, and a good coach. But this will be the year Jake Delhomme comes back to bite them. He started with his choke artist game in the playoffs last season, and will continue into this one. 

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Theres no much to like when it comes to this team: questions at quarterback, no real play makers at the running back or wide reciever postion, a defense that lost its leader in Derrick Brooks, and a rookie head coach. It should be a long season down in Tampa.

West: In one of the weakest divisions in the league, the Cardinals try to loose the division- but win it anyway.

1. Arizona Cardinals: Coming off a surprising Super Bowl appearance, the Cardinals will try to be the first team in a while to make the playoffs after losing in the Super Bowl the previous season. The Cardinals did address their running game with the addition of Chris "Beanie" Wells thru the draft, and still have the best group of wide outs in the league. Kurt Warner will continue to add to his (gulp) Hall of Fame Career. 

2. San Fransico 49ers: The 49ers ended the season as the team no one wanted to play, finishing 5-2, including impressive wins over the Jets and Redskins. Mike Singletary has this team on the right track, but any team that has Shaun Hill at quarterback is not ready to win in this league.

3. Seattle Seahawks: This is a team that has a lot to prove. Matt Hasselbeck is coming off a season ravaged with injuries, and wants to prove he is once again one of the elite quarterbacks in the league. Jim Mora is back head coaching, and wants to prove that he can get the job done. TJ Housmandzadeh is out to prove his Madden ratings are to low- and that he can be a number 1 wideout in this league. All three will fail.

4. St Louis Rams: What is there to say for this team? New coach Steve Spagnuolo was a good hire? Stephen Jackson is a good back? Kyle Boller is still playing? Another long season for the Rams. 

North: The best division is football features 3 teams that could win it all- Aaron Rodgers passes Favre for the division title.

1. Green Bay Packers: The Packers have come out like gangbusters this preseason, and America should get to know these names: Aaron Rodgers, Ryan Grant, and Greg Jennings. The Packers defense was actually better then the Bears last year, and their offense was better then the Vikings. The Packers lost 7 games by 5 points or less last year, and with another year under Aaron Rodgers belt, they'll win those games this year.

2. Minnesota Vikings: Look at the numbers of Tavaris Jackson last years, compared to Brett Favres: Jackson: 9 td's, 2 int's, and a quarterback rating of 95. Favre: 22 td's, 22 int's, and had a quaterback rating of 81.  Throw is the fact that Jackson is liked by team mates, mobile in the pocket, and not brittle like an old man, and you have to ask: Is Favre really an upgrade? Jackson killed the team last year with being unable to make things happen in the passing game, which Favre might be able to do better. But Favre is also known to throw the ball to the other team at key points in the game- and that will do the Vikings in, just like it did the Jets last year, and the Packers the year before.

3. Chicago Bears: With the arrival of Jay Cutler to the south side, the Bears finally have the quarterback they need to get to the Super Bowl. Only problem? The defense might not be their anymore. The Bears gave up the 21rst most points in the league last season at 21, and Brian Urlacher is only getting older. And while Cutler is an upgrade, if the Bears really plan to use Devin Hester as their number 1 wideout, Cutler could be forcing his way out of Chicago as well by seasons end. 

4. Detroit Lions: The good news is, the Lions can only improve this year, after going 0-16 last season. The bad news? I think they made the wrong call on Matthew Stafford. Bright spots on the team will be Calvin Johnson and Kevin Smith, but thats about it. When will they win their first game? Week 8, when the Rams visit. 

Overall Conference Breakdown: 

Do the Eagles have question marks? Absolutely. But what team dosn't. The teams that could compete with the Eagles (Packers, Falcons) have little playoff experience at both quarterback and head coach. The Bears, Vikings and Packers will beat each other up in the regular season, giving the Eagles home field. Brett Favre isn't beating the Eagles in a playoff game. The Cardinals don't win that game last year in Philadelphia. The Giants, if they can get their offense together, are the Eagles biggest threat, and the Eagles went into the Meadowland last year and beat them in the playoffs. So by default, its the Eagles.  

Playoff Seeding:

1. Philadelphia Eagles

2. Green Bay Packers

3. Atlanta Falcons

4. Arizona Cardinals

5. Minnesota Vikings

6. New York Giants

Round 1: Giants over Falcons; Vikings over Cardinals

Round 2: Eagles over Vikings; Packers over Giants

Round 3: Eagles over Packers

NFC Champion: Eagles

To Sheridan: It Isn't Time to Let Sheldon Brown Go

In what is becoming an annual off season event for the Eagles, another play reported to the mini-camp yesterday unhappy with his current contract.

Like Brian Westbrook two years ago, and Lito Sheppard just last year, the Eagles find themselves once again deciding what to do with an important part of their team.

This year its Sheldon Brown, the Eagles most consistent corner over the last several years. After watching money thrown the way of Asante Samuel and Juselio Hanson, Brown finally spoke out about his displeasure with his contract status.

Last week, Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Phil Sheridan wrote a piece advising the Eagles to get rid of Brown as quick as possible, even resorting to cutting him if they have to. While I respect Sheridan, I could not disagree more with that stance.

First of all, the idea of cutting Brown is crazy. You do not release a Pro-Bowl caliber cornerback, who is not in his prime, but not that far past it. Brown only gave up 1 touchdown pass last year, and that was to Larry Fitzgerald in the playoffs. If your going to release cornerbacks off of that, then theirs going to a lot of corners looking for jobs when training camp rolls around.

Sheridan says that with the acquisition of Ellis Hobbs, the Eagles have a better, younger replacement. I find that hard to believe on a number of levels. First off all, if Hobbs is so good, then why did it only cost the Eagles 2 5th round draft choices to get him? The Eagles got only slightly less for Sheppard, and he didn't play at all last season.

The Eagles defense last season carried this team into the playoffs, with their secondary giving up the thirds fewest yards through the air and 12 fewer touchdown passes then the Patriots secondary. The Patriots secondary gave up more touchdown passes then anyone else in the league last year. While other things factor into that, when you look at those numbers, then put in the fact that the Patriots practically gave him away, it makes you think twice about releasing Brown and putting Hobbs in their.

Sheridan references the Sheppard situation last season as a main reason to let Brown go. He says Sheppard "poisoned the air in the locker room, quit on them, and took up a valuable roster spot." Obviously, Sheridan has more access to the Eagles then I do, but I didn't think that Sheppard poisoned the locker room at all. Sheppard had a bad year, no doubt about that. But if having a bad year means you poisoned the locker room, then Reno Mahe should be dragged out and beaten for letting off so many fumes in that room.

The truth is that the Sheppard situation is completely different then the Brown one. Sheppard was replaced. The Eagles decided Asante Samuel was better then Lito Sheppard. Sheppard had not choice but to ride the bench. Browns situation is different. You could argue that Brown had a better season then Samuel last year. There were many times Samuels was burned over and over by players like Devin Hester. There's a reason Brown was on Fitzgerald in the redzone last year. If Brown wants to, he will be the starting cornerback for the Eagles in week 1. Sheppard did not have that option.

Sheridan then compares Sheldon Brown to Terrell Owens. That is a stretch in almost everyway. Does anyone think Brown is going to start hitting team mates and doing sit ups in his drive way? No. Brown is the ultimate team player, having watched players like Brian Dawkins and Troy Vincent handle themselves like professionals. Brown is one of the leaders on that defense for a reason. Worst case scenario, Brown makes the ocassional, snotty comments after loses.

That brings up another reason why they should keep Brown. Loses. The Eagles will not being doing a lot of that this year. This team is good, really good. The defense and offense are both in the top of the league. They have a good young nucleus surrounding a veteran quarterback in Donovan McNabb. This team is going to win a lot this year. And we all know in sports, winning is the ultimate deodorant. It covers up anything. Do you think that after blowing out teams, and playing the whole game, Brown is going to be complaining out his contract? No. Winning even shut T.O. up. I think it can keep Brown quite. And the truth is, the Eagles have a better chance of winning with Brown on the roster.

That is why the Eagles need to hold on to Brown. Don't pay him. Don't do anything with him. Keep him on the roster, let him pretend to throw a fit, then start him on Sundays.

But don't, by any means, let him go. The Eagles have enough young players on this team already. Don't let another proven veteran walk out of the secondary.

It is in the interest of everybody involved- the Eagles, Brown and fans- that Brown stays.

No matter what Sheridan says.

Eagles Draft Analysis

The Eagles entered the draft needing to fill some major holes. They were: left tackle, wide receiver, running back, secondary, and tight end. 

Check, Check, Check.

Lets look at this past weekend for the Birds, how they filled each hole, and how each move will effect the upcoming season.

1. Left Tackle/ Offensive Line- The Eagles addressed their offensive line in a big way this offseason. While it was not the popular move to let Runyan and Thomas go - I previously wrote I thought they should resign them both- the Eagles let them both walk, leaving  huge holes at both tackle spots. However, with the addition of Stacey Andrews and Jason Peters, the Eagles now have what some consider to be the best offensive line in football. The Eagles absolutely robbed the Buffalo Bills of Peters, giving up their 28th pick for him. Knowing the Eagles had to come out of those first 2 picks with at least one tackle, to be able to use that pick on a young, proven, 2 time pro bowl 26 year old tackle is one great pick. The Eagles were able to make their offensive line from one of their weak points to one of their strongest. 

2. Wide Receiver: The Eagles won a lot of battles this weekend when it comes to the wide out spot. Along with the New York Giants, the Eagles were mentioned in almost every rumor involving either Anquan Boldin or Braylon Edwards. Many experts believed that when the weekend was over, one of them would be in either midnight green or Giant blue. Which ever team got one of them would instantly become the favorite to win the NFC. 

The fact that neither team ended up with either of them is a victory for the Eagles. The Giants offensive was awful after they lost Plaxico Burress last season. Eli Manning fell back down to earth, and with no passing threat, teams were able to stop the Giants running game. The Giants still have that problem today. This is a big victory for the Eagles.

Another victory for the Eagles was the drafting of Jeremy Maclin. While I, like many Eagles fans, at first was confused and angered by the pick, the more I analyze it, the more I like it. Maclin is 6'0, 200 lbs. Many people projected him going 7th, and ESPN had him ranked at the 2nd best wideout in the draft. His is comparable to DeSean Jackson, which some people don't like. But after watching Jackson last season, why woulnd't we want another Jackson? Maclin will be able to split time with Jackson in the punt return game, which solves a problem the Eagles were going to have to face as Jackson became their number one. Maclin also will be a perfect compliment across from Jackson, as their speed going down the field will open up the middle for players like Kevin Curtis, Jason Avant, or Brent Celek going across the middle. 

Another angle to look at the decision of Maclin over Boldin or Edwards is the effect it will have on Jackson. While their were no problems last season, some considered Jackson to be some what of  a diva coming out of college. The aquistion of Boldin or Edwards would have relagated him to the number 2 spot, and would have stunted his growth. Now, Jackson is paired with another young stud wide out, but one that is unquestionably below him. Going into the new season, Jackson is still our best threat. That is good for him, and good for the team.

3. Running Back: With the departure of Correll Buckhalter, the Eagles needed a running back to play behind Brian Westbrook. The Eagles could have gone two ways with this- they could have gotten a complimentary back for Westbrook, ala Beanie Wells, or a Westbrook clone/ eventual replacement, ala their second round draft pick, LaSean McCoy. 

Getting McCoy as the 53 overall pick was a steal. With Knowson Moreno off the board, the Eagles had the option of either Beanie Wells, Donald Brown, or LeSean McCoy. Brown, at least to me, as bust written all over him. Beanie Wells, while he would have been a nice compliment to Westbrook, has trouble catching it out of the back field, which would have had him glued to the Eagles bench. McCoy, on the other hand, was considered a first round pick until a poor showing at the combine dropped his stock.  And in that poor showing, he actually recorded a faster 40 time then Moreno. McCoy also had more rushing yards and touchdowns the Moreno last season. 

McCoy gives the Eagles what they needed- somebody who can step in for Westbrook and be able to run the same plays as him. When it comes to short yardage situations, a spot that Wells could have been used, the Eagles already have somebody to do that- fullback Leonard Weaver. The Eagles will be able to use McCoy to spell Westbrook, and they can also put them on the field at the same time. Imagine both of them splitting out in the flat with Jackson and Maclin sprinting down the sideline. Those are 4 home run threats right their. McCoy, like Maclin, will give this Eagles offensive more playmaking ability and more options.

4. Secondary- The Eagles defense was not a main priority this off season, with it already being one of the top units in the NFL. However, the secondary has been going through some changes thus far. With the departure of Brian Dawkins and the public brawl Sheldon Brown is going through with the front office, the secondary is a question mark going into this season. The Eagles tried to address that in the draft with the aquistion of Ellis Hobbs. Hobbs was the starting corner back for the New England Patriots. While their secondary struggled last season, to get a player of Hobbs ability with a 5th round pick is a good pick up. Hobbs gives the Eagles some insurance in the event of Brown going off the deep up ala Lito Sheppard and being a non factor this season (which is unlikely) or if Juselio Hanson has a down year or Jack Ikegwuono is not what the Eagles think he is. Hobbs adds needed depth at a position that is facing some big questions going into the season.

5. Tight End- When the Eagles traded up to the 19th spot, many fans were hoping and expecting to hear Brandon Pettigrews names called. Pettigrew was considered to be the best, most complete tight end in the draft. While Brent Celek had a nice year for the Birds last season, he is not a huge threat in the passing game, or a good blocker. Pettigrew was considered to be both. While the Eagles did not end up with Pettigrew, they might have gotten somebody just as good, if not better, with the drafting of Cornelius Ingram. 

Ranked as the second best tight end and 44th best player overall, Ingram missed all of last season at Florida with a torn ACL. However, he was healthy enough at the combine to record a faster 40 time then Pettigrew. In his last full season healthy at Florida, Ingram caught 34 balls for over 500 yards and 7 touchdowns. Last season, Pettigrew caught 42 balls for 472 yards and no touchdowns. Is Ingram better then Pettigrew? Many people will tell you no. But could he end up being the steal of the draft at 153 overall? Yes. 

Overall, this was an amazing draft weekend for the Eagles. They got everything they needed while out doing their division rivals. The addition of Maclin, McCoy and Ingram to Jackson, Kevin Curtis, Jason Avant, and Brian Westbrook will give Donovan McNabb a group of players on the offensive side of the ball that will be the best he ever lined up with. The Eagles offensive weapons are young, fast, and home run threats. Leaving the NFL draft, the Eagles have the best group of wide receivers in the NFC East. Whens the last time you could say that? They managed to fill almost every gap they needed to this weekend. Going into next season, the Eagles have to be considered the favorites to win the NFC East. 

Eagles Land FB Weaver

Eagles fans can now relax: the Eagles have a fullback. 

The Philadelphia Eagles signed fullback Leonard Weaver today, inking him to a 1 year deal worth up to 2.5 million dollars. Weaver finished with 130 yards on only 30 carries last season with the Seahawks, for a 4.3 average per carry. Weaver is also a threat in the passing game, catching 20 balls for 222 yards, an 11 yard average. 

The signing will help the Eagles in a lot of ways. Third and one was the teams Achilles heel last season, but now with the addition of Weaver, they will improve in that area. Weaver is 6'0, 242 lbs, and is the answer to Eagles fans hope for a big, bruising back. Where Kyle Eckel, Correll Buckhalter and Dan Klecko failed, Weaver will be able to pick up the tough yardage at the end of games. 

Weaver, as stated before, is also a threat in the passing game, which we all know will make him a factor in Andy Reid's offense. With Weaver in the game with Westbrook, the Eagles will be able to keep one of them in the backfield with McNabb and send one in the flat. Both Weaver and Westbrook will be able to win the 1 on 1 match ups with the linebacker, and sending them into the flat will open up the middle of the field for players like Brent Celek, Jason Avant and Kevin Curtis to make plays. 

The timing of this move is a curious one- the Eagles have been rumored to be talking to Weaver for a couple weeks, and it was rumored that they were at one point out of the chase. Is it a coincidence that now that both Beanie Wells and Knowson Moreno are done there pro-day work out, and mere days after Moreno finished his, the Eagle sign Weaver? Could this mean the Eagles decided to sign Weaver, use him as a change of pace back, and go another route with their first round pick? 

That is just speculation, but the real story is that today, for really the first time all off season, the Eagles made a move that the fans could be excited about. 

Bargain Receiver For Eagles?

With the draft coming up, the Eagles are (hopefully) looking for ways to improve their team, especially their wide receivers position.


Take a look at the breakdown at these two receivers over the last 3 seasons, and decide which one you would rather have:

Receiver 1 Receiver 2


Catches 81 83
Touchdowns 8 6.5
Yards Per Catch 16 12.6
Yards 1,031 1,057


On paper, those two wide outs are almost identical.


However, in real life, the perception of these two could not be farther apart.


Receiver 1 is Anquan Boldin, probaly the man that most of the people in Philadelphia would take a pay cut to get in an Eagles uniform. Boldin is reportedly on the block, and the asking price is being set by the New York Giants, who are rumored to have offered 2 first round draft picks and a 3rd round draft pick. While that is just a rumor, it is a more then generous offer, one that the Eagles would probaly not match.


Receiver 2 is Torry Holt. Holt was released today by the St Louis Rams, and is a free agent. he is 3 years older then Boldin, but has not taken the physical beating that Boldin has. Last season was a down year for him (63 catchs, 3 TD's) , but who on St Louis had a good year in general? Holt has spent years being the number 1 option on the Rams, a role Boldin never had. He has had under 90 catches only once in the last seven years.


But most importantly, Holt will cost you only a contract. Sign Holt, and you get to keep your two first round draft choices. If the Giants sign Boldin, they will be favored to win the NFC. With Plaxico not returning (most likely), Boldin would fill that hole for them. Boldin also would be a better fit for the Eagles, as he is an under neath, strong, over the middle the receiver, a perfect compliment to DeSean Jackson.


Holt is not Boldin, but he is more then just a consolation prize. If the Eagles sign Holt, and keep their two first round draft choices, they could also add a running back like Knowson Moreno through the draft, as well as a tackle that could fill the huge hole on the left side of the line.


Would I match the Giants trade for a 1rst this year, 1rst next year and a 3rs round draft pick for Boldin? Yes I would, mostly to block him from going to New York, and because if the Eagles get Boldin, that first round pick next year will probaly be in the high 20's.


Would I try to out do the Giants and give up BOTH first round picks this year? No, at that point I would sign Holt, keep the draft picks, draft a running back and tackle, and hope Boldin is a flop in New York. Holt is still an offensive weapon, and down field threat.

Eagles Can Still Save Off Season

Much like last season for the Eagles, the off season has not gotten off to the best start for them.

Its been 2 months since the Cardinals ended the Eagles latest run to the Super Bowl, and for Eagles fans, its been 2 months of watching the Joe Banner and Andy Reid trying to make the team better. 

Trying being the key word.

So far, the Eagles has added Stacy Andrews, Sean Jones and Rashad Baker. Needless to say, those names do not make the fans hearts skip at beat. The Eagles have passed on players such as T.J. Houshmanzadeh and Derrick Ward, players that could have helped them this season. 

Meanwhile, the Eagles have let every single free agent of theirs walk except Joselio Hanson. That list includes one of the corner stone of their franchise, Brian Dawkins. It includes the heart of their offensive line, Tra Thomas and Jon Runyan. And it includes the best tight end in the NFL, L.J. Smith (ok, maybe not). 

But as mad as the fans are at the Eagles, take a step back, and look at where the Eagles stand right now.  

They have spent virtually none of their almost 40 million dollars in cap space. Through trades, they have 12 picks going into the NFL draft.  

The Eagles have the ammunition to turn this around. 

Some will get on them for not putting out the money for Houshmanzadeh, but was he really worth the money the Seahawks paid him? Profootballtalk.com has reported that the Cardinals are now shopping Anquan Boldin. Do you think the Eagles would have tried to trade for him if they had already signed TJ? Now, the Eagles have to be considered the favorite to land him, and many websites link him to the Eagles. 

As far as letting Dawkins walk, it was not a good move. There is no denying that he was the heart and sole of this team. But the replacement they have signed, Sean Jones, is better then people think. Over the last 3 years, Jones is 3rd in the NFL in interceptions as far as the saftey position goes. Jones has averaged more tackles and more pass deflections then Dawkins. You could look at that and blame that on the fact that the Browns defense sucks, and he had more tackle oppurtunies, but you could also credit the fact that Dawkins has more sacks and forced fumbles then Jones on the fact that Dawkins plays in a blitz happy defense, and towards the end of last season, played up on the line a lot. 

While Dawkins will be missed in the locker room, on the field, the Eagles defense is just as good, if not better, then it was when the season ends. 

When I wrote my Eagles Off Season Preview article, I said I hoped the Eagles let Correll Buckhalter walk. Not because I didn't like Buck, but because I knew if they resigned him, they would not draft a half back in the draft. Now? Their is a good chance that when the Eagles are on the clock for the draft, they will be debating between Beanie Wells, Donald Brown or Knowshon Moreno as their running back of the future. 

Their have also been reports that the Eagles are talking to Seattle full back Leonard Weaver, a 6 foot, 242 pound pass catching, tough running player. The addition of him to the Eagles offense would be big, because it would solve their 3rd and 1 problems, and would open up holes for Westbrook that were not their for him last season. 

So while many people feel down about the Eagles, look at what they have the potential to due based on their inactivity in the first 2 weeks of free agency: trade for Boldin, sign Weaver, and draft top running back.

If the Eagles take the field week 1 with Boldin, Weaver, and Moreno on their offense, would you call the off season a failure?  I would say that roster makes them the favorite to make the Super Bowl. All of these moves are very possible. 

So even though so far the Eagles have let Dawkins walk, passed on players, and even fired a disabled man, the off season is not over. They have used virtually none of their resources, and due to public backlash, are feeling the pressure to do so. 

Much like last season, the Eagles can turn this around, and I think they will.