I think they call that the Huck-a-Buck

Oh my dear sweet God, finally we have a fullback.  The Eagles have addressed their most obvious need of the off-season, inking former Seahawk Leonard Weaver to a one year deal.  Assuming that the 2010 season is uncapped, Weaver will be looking to improve in every facet of the game and prove he should be a big money guy.

Leonard Weaver’s role in the offense of ‘09 is unclear.  Last season, the Eagles fullback position was a joke, and epitomized the arrogance of the Eagles front office (again thinking they were smarter than everyone else and a DT could play FB).  Having such a glaring weakness at fullback must have had some type of impact on the way Andy Reid uses the position, and the Eagles frequently ran out of the singleback.

Signing Weaver definitely changes things in the Eagles backfield, and hopefully he isn’t the final backfield addition.  Assuming the Eagles draft a running back, touches may be limited, but then again with the current wide receiver core I hope we’ll be seeing a new-age three-headed monster early and often.

Click here to see why Leonard Weaver improves the Eagles offense.

Forget WRs, Defense Wins Championships

Although the Eagles haven’t been as flashy in Free Agency as many would have liked, they have added two potential starters at positions of need.  Stacy Andrews will contribute if healthy somewhere along the yet-to-be-determined new-look offensive line.  Sean Jones will be hitting on special teams and will have a chance to compete for a starting Safety spot.  Even with these solid moves, it sure seems like a lot of work remains to be done.

With over $40 million in open cap space and 12 total draft picks in April (including two 1st rounders and metric ton of 5th round picks), the Eagles have more flexibility to improve their roster than any team in the NFL.  Maybe that’s why we are all so anxious to be a part of the action.

This team still has a lot of room for improvement, and the glare from the window of opportunity closing is blinding.  I for one think the time to take the Eagles to the next level is now, and some of the stereotypical Eagles front office conservatism should be thrown to the wind.

Click here to read all the Eagles Free Agency News, including interest in Leonard Weaver, Jason Peters and Julius Peppers

I had the whole case for signing McFadden outlined, and the post was scheduled for 7:30 tonight.  Of course, the good-for-nothing Cardinals had to ruin everything and sign McFadden to a 2-year, $10 contract at like 6:00 PM.

Not only does this impact the Eagles depth at corner, but also could undermine the sinister plot to trade for a #1 WR.  Trading Sheldon for Boldin doesn’t work if the Cardinals are now content with the CB depth.

Although frustratingly tardy, click here to check out the now outdated case to go after another quality CB like Bryant McFadden

I’ve heard fairly mixed reactions from the SOB Nation regarding Friday’s signing Free Agent Safety Sean Jones, but the Eagles are spinning it as a big plus.  For every positive that I can find in Jones, there is a negative or uncertainty that has yet to be answered.

We will all be watching Jones closely in training camp and and throughout the pre-season, it will be interesting to see how he pans out.   I think he will be given the opportunity to make an impact this season.  Not sure why, but I do feel a lot more comfortable with Jones on the roster than I did a few days ago when Demps was the only remotely viable Safety option outside of Quintin Mikell.

Jones, although coming from a 3-4 defensive scheme, he’s excited about coming to the Eagles and playing in Jim Johnson’s aggressive 4-3 defense:

I watch (defensive coordinator) Jim Johnson. He brings pressure defense and I’ve always admired that. I always wanted to be in that kind of defense. I have experience playing the 4-3 in college. I still have experience doing that. It’s going to be a great opportunity for me to just showcase my skills.

Jones (#26) looks significantly bigger than former teammate Safety Brodney Poole at the :34 mark.

Click here to read our full take on the Eagles newest member, Sean Jones

Someone get me out of Cleveland!

We are in need of a sign of life from the Eagles front office.  The Stacy Andrews signing has a lot of risk to it, and our heart was just torn from our collective chest when Dawkins held up that hideous blue and orange jersey.

We need to add a playmaker to the mix, and not because Donovan wants one.  We need one because we need a championship.  The Eagles are currently a ridiculous $43.8 million below the NFL Salary Cap per EaglesCap.com, the front office’s inaction is further evidence of their lack of commitment to success.

We are all still digesting the changes we’ve seen thus far, but the fastest way to win back the fan base is to give us the WR we have been chanting for.  Despite the obvious holes at safety, offensive line, running back, fullback, tight end, etc., adding a Wide Receiver will make the biggest splash.

And trading is the only way to make that happen.  The mediocre 2009 Free Agency class of WRs had it’s validictorian graduate to Seattle today, and veterans Joey Galloway, Laveranues Coles,  Devery Henderson, and Marvin Harrison are among the best who remain unsigned.  All can be playmakers, but none can compare to the options who have been rumored to be available via the trade market:

Boldin would welcome a trade to step out of Larry Fitzgerald's shadow

• Anquan Boldin - Anquan put on a clinic in ‘08, scoring 11 TDs in a season shorted to 12 games due to a broken face he sustained in Week Four.  Boldin at one point was requesting a trade from Arizona, but it appears as though the departure of Todd Haley have quieted the All-Pro WR.  Anquan would fit in perfectly with the Eagles; an explosive, sure-handed, tough receiver to go along with DeSean and White Lightning in the slot and outside.  If the Cardinals give Kurt Warner all of Anquan’s money, talks may flare up again.
• Braylon Edwards - Had a terrible year by his standards in 2008 (870 yards, 3 TDs) and he hasn’t been getting along with the Cleveland fans due to recurring dropped passes.  New head coach Eric Mangini is looking to overhaul the franchise, and from what Braylon’s been saying he isn’t a big fan of Cleveland:  “It is what it is…I’ve learned since being here that I’m very unappreciated.  Not by the organization, just in the eyes of the fans and the city.  Since Day One, I’ve been a marked man coming from Michigan. It’s just gone that way.”  Depending on what Mangini’s impulsive decision tells him to do, the Eagles may be able to get a potentially great #1 receiver at a relative bargain.
• Brandon Marshall - New Denver head coach Josh McDaniels is clearly in the process of overhauling the roster he inherited, and controversial WR Brandon Marshall may be available at the right price.  Although Marshall may be suspended for a portion of ‘08 due to an ongoing domestic violence case, he has the talent to be one of the best WRs in the NFL and I would sure love to steal something back from Denver.

The prospect of the Cardinals trading one of their All-Pro WRs to the Eagles seems unlikely, but if the Eagles were to put an aggressive offer out like a 1st and 3rd round draft pick, could Arizona refuse?  In the case of Edwards or Marshall, a 2nd and 5th round pick could potentially convince their teams new management to make a move.  At the end of the day both players are completely at the mercy of the teams that own their contracts, but I’m sure they all would like to get a new contract and play on a Super Bowl contenting team.

We want to be a Super Bowl contenting team, right?

Reid needs to play a better Santa Clause this off-season, all Eagles fans have got is (Trent) Cole.

What the hell is going on around here?  I know the 2008 NFL season went a little bit longer for the Eagles than everyone expected, but it’s like Andy Reid and Joe Banner didn’t prepare for the off-season at all.

They are the blurry-eyed, bed-headed student rushing to their final while pounding a Red Bull and scanning their notebook one last time.  At his point, the smart kids have already started to hand in their exams and its become very obvious; we’re screwed.

Still we try to tell ourselves everything is going to be okay; there is still time left, we can still turn this around.  But it appears as though the Eagles front office have responded to an uninspired start to Free Agency by using the old A, B, A, C multiple choice method.

Today’s round of Free Agency updates don’t look much better than the last few, but here goes nothing:

From the way Tra Thomas has been talking, you would think he already signed with another team

• Tra Thomas - Although he visited with Jacksonville and left without a contract, Thomas seemed pretty resigned to the fact that he may not be an Eagle in 2009.  Yesterday, Tra said “They haven’t shown any interest in bringing me back, so as hard as it is I have to move forward.  The Eagles have always been the team I wanted to play for, but now I have to go to the team that wants me.”  Damn.  So who is our left tackle again?  Bookend Andrews’ are starting to look like a distinct possibility.

• Shawn Springs - Visiting the Eagles today?  Really?  Shawn Springs like the extremely mediocre CB?  As Free Agent visits and signings go hand in hand with the Birds, one has to question what the ulterior motive behind signing Springs.  Does Sheldon Brown move to FS?  Is Sheldon on the block?  Although Eagles can’t afford to let another talented leader exit the secondary this off-season, Brown is one of the more attractive trade pieces the Eagles currently hold.
• Antonio Cromartie - When the word got out that the Chargers were looking to bring back CB Drayton Florence, the rumors started to fly that Cromartie was on the block.  Florence ended up signed with Buffalo yesterday, meaning that Chargers GM A.J. Smith had to grovel his way to the podium and release a statement that Cromartie is not on the block.  There goes that idea.
• Jermaine Phillips - Now that the Safety position has changed forever, why not take a look at one of the better safeties available in Free Agency?  The former Buc SS Phillips has been a staple in the tough Tampa Bay defense over the past seven seasons, and visited with San Diego and Seattle yesterday.  Phillips is much more of a proven player than any safety on the Eagles roster not named Quintin Mikell, but the Eagles probably won’t pursue him as that would make it look like we need a safety.  Solid Costanza Logic right there.
• Cedric Benson - Would have made a pretty mean thunder to compliment Westbrook’s lightning, but signed a 2-year, $7 million contract with Cinncinatti yesterday.  There is probably a stipulation in his parole which forced Benson to sign with a land-locked team (Cedric tends to get in trouble on boats).  Too bad for the Eagles, it could have been a lot of fun at the Jersey Shore this summer.

But forget the missed opportunities and departed Eagles.  Today is a new day, full Free Agency opportunity and $43.8 million in salary cap space.

We can only go up from here, right?

Here’s a roundup of some of the stories floating around out there right now.

• The Chargers might be looking to deal cornerback Antonio Cromartie if they can land Dayton Florence.  Would the Eagles be interested in Cromartie to start opposite Asante so they can move Sheldon Brown to safety?  Cromartie had 10 picks in 2007.  Why the Chargers are so eager to deal him?
• Speaking of Sheldon Brown, NBC’s Sports Final had Adam Caplan on last night and Caplan reported that there is a chance they Eagles might try to use Sheldon Brown in any potential deal for Anquan Boldin.  Don’t get your hopes up though.  If the Cards do indeed end up dealing Boldin and the Chargers end up shopping Cromartie, the Eagles would have competition for Boldin.
• According to Caplan, the Eagles don’t think Quentin Demps is ready to start just yet.  He said to look for the Birds to try and find a temportary replacement for Dawkins until Demps is ready.  He also said the Eagles are interested in free agent corner Jabari Greer.  Again, the idea here is that Sheldon could be used in a trade for Boldin or could be moved to free safety to replace Dawkins.
• Cedric Benson could be headed to Houston to backup Texans starting RB Steve Slaton.   If Benson is willing to be a backup, why aren’t the Eagles at least giving him a look as Westbrook’s backup?
• More speculation that the Rams are looking to deal Orlando Pace and Tory Holt.  While WR and OT are both needs for the Eagles, I can’t see the Eagles taking on either aging former star.
• Tra Thomas visited Jacksonville on Monday, but apparently didn’t leave with a contract.  I would have written a full post on this, but I’m pretty damn tired.

And so the exciting 2009 Eagles off-season continues.

Does anyone else hold their breathe every time Westbrook gets tackled?

On the same day that Philly.com reported that Brian Westbrook underwent surgery on his left knee, free agent RB Derrick Ward signed a 4 year, $17 million contract with the Tampa Bay Bucs.   Less than a week into free agency we’ve learned our near 30 year old RB will be coming off of surgery, our backup RB left for Denver, and our options to provide some insurance are fading fast.

First off, let’s talk about Westbrook’s srugery.  Westbrook’s agent claims his client is fine.

Agent Todd France told the Daily News today that Eagles running back Brian Westbrook did indeed have a minor arthroscopic procedure on his left knee, more than a month ago. Asked if Westbrook would be fine for minicamps, France said: “He’s already fine. This was a long time ago. It was basically just a cleanup.”

Continue reading about the Eagles depth issues at RB heading into 2009

The Eagles won’t be “putting it on the board” in free agency this year.  Free agent TJ Houshmandzadeh has reportedly reached a deal with the Seattle Seahawks according to multiple internet reports.  Housh ended up not even being on the Eagles radar after his agent played games with the FO last week by lying to them about how much money they were seeking.

With Housh off the board, the Eagles have fairly limited options at wide receiver via free agency this year.  The only wide receiver left that could be cosidered an upgrade is Laveranues Coles, but so far the Eagles haven’t shown any interest in the former Jets #1 wide receiver.  Most NFL experts have mentioned that the Dolphins lack of interest in Coles (because of his ties to the Tuna) is hurtng Coles value and reduced his market.  So far only the Bills have made an offer to Coles.

Coles recorded just 850 yards receiving last year, but reached the end zone 7 times.  Considering the Eagles lack of production in the red zone last season, adding a receiver that can get open and score near the goal line would be a welcomed addition.

If only we had the cap space…

At the end of last week I posted what I thought a perfect off-season would be.  Well, after a strong start thanks to nailing the signing of Stacy Andrews, my perfect off-season was pretty much shot to hell once the Eagles let Dawkins test the waters and Housh’s agent lied to the Eagles about how much money they were asking for.  It’s ok though because I’m ready to adjust my strategy on the fly.

First off, the offensive line still needs to be addresses with the way NFC East teams are improving their defensive lines.  Washington nabbed Albert Hayneswerth and the Giants, who already had a sick line, added Rocky Bernard AND Chris Canty.  That defensive line in New York is going to be scary good.  It looks like we’ll also need to add a safety via free agency with Dawkins departing.  With all of the defensive improvements within the division, the Eagles are going to have to counteract by improving the offense.

With all that said, here are some free agents still available which should be getting strong consideration from the Eagles FO at this point.

• Derrick Ward (RB) - It doesn’t seem like there is a big market for Ward right now.  He’s visited a couple of teams and hasn’t signed anywhere so he obviously isn’t getting the kind of offers he wants.  If he leaves Tampa without signing a contract, the Eagles need to at least open up talks with Ward.
• Marvel Smith (OT) - Smith, like Stacy Andrews, is coming off of an injury riddled 2008 season, but unlike Andrews he has played at a Pro Bowl level before.  He’ll be 31 when the season starts though.  There’s not a lot of options out there along the offensive line so the Eagles might be forced to take another injury risk player.  In a perfect world, an offensive line of Stacy Andrews, Shawn Andrews, Jamal Jackson, Todd Herremans, and Marvel Smith would look pretty good on paper.  The problem is that offensive line is full of major question marks.
• Khalif Barnes (OT) - Barnes is intriguing as he is only 26 and has started 57 games for the Jaguars over the past four seasons.
• Michael Boulware (FS) - Boulware isn’t a great safety by any means, but he could be a stop gap for the Eagles until Demps is ready to start.

There isn’t really a whole lot left out there in terms of impact free agents.  Ray Lewis still hasn’t signed anywhere, but the odds of Lewis signing in Philly are probably non existent.  With all of the cap space and draft picks the Eagles have, there is no reason for them to stand pat and be conservative.  With the PR disaster they allowed to happen with Dawkins leaving combined with the fact that the Giants and Redskins both significantly improved their defenses, the Eagles need to make a bold move to improve offensively.  Andy Reid should start by picking up the phone and finding out what it would take to pry either Anquan Boldin or Braylon Edwards away from their respective teams.

What once looked like a very promising and exicting off-season is quickly folding as quickly as McNabb in a two minute drill with the game on the line.  It’s still early, but the FO has a lot of work to do to improve the team and prove to the fans that they are indeed committed to building a Super Bowl winner and not just selling jerseys and filling the stadium.