***Official 2009 Philadelphia Eagles Thread*** (1 Viewer)

[JaxBill]

Remember, the guy they drafted who "couldn't walk when they drafted him" ... was a projected first round player ... Obviosuly, they will address this situationin the coming days/weeks.... let's see where they go before you all panic....

Anyone read anything or seen any updates on Jack I-whatever? Should be interesting to see how he pans out.

The Eagles' paid mouthpiece, Dave Spadaro said that he was up and running full speed in his Friday chat. I don't know if he said he was fully rehabbed or not but he gave a positive report.

 

[BuddyKnuckles]

Remember, the guy they drafted who "couldn't walk when they drafted him" ... was a projected first round player ... Obviosuly, they will address this situationin the coming days/weeks.... let's see where they go before you all panic....

Anyone read anything or seen any updates on Jack I-whatever? Should be interesting to see how he pans out.

The Eagles' paid mouthpiece, Dave Spadaro said that he was up and running full speed in his Friday chat. I don't know if he said he was fully rehabbed or not but he gave a positive report.

tough to believe anything coming out of the Novacare these days

 

[GoBirds]

Remember, the guy they drafted who "couldn't walk when they drafted him" ... was a projected first round player ... Obviosuly, they will address this situationin the coming days/weeks.... let's see where they go before you all panic....

Anyone read anything or seen any updates on Jack I-whatever? Should be interesting to see how he pans out.

The Eagles' paid mouthpiece, Dave Spadaro said that he was up and running full speed in his Friday chat. I don't know if he said he was fully rehabbed or not but he gave a positive report.

Spadaro is such a D-bag.

 

[Deranged Hermit]

Remember, the guy they drafted who "couldn't walk when they drafted him" ... was a projected first round player ... Obviosuly, they will address this situationin the coming days/weeks.... let's see where they go before you all panic....

Anyone read anything or seen any updates on Jack I-whatever? Should be interesting to see how he pans out.

The Eagles' paid mouthpiece, Dave Spadaro said that he was up and running full speed in his Friday chat. I don't know if he said he was fully rehabbed or not but he gave a positive report.

Spadaro is such a D-bag.

I didn't personally see this, but Hugh Douglas said yesterday that Ike Reese almost went over the table on Spadaro after he said something bad about Dawkins on a Comcast show. That would have been entertaining.....

 

[delusional]

Remember, the guy they drafted who "couldn't walk when they drafted him" ... was a projected first round player ... Obviosuly, they will address this situationin the coming days/weeks.... let's see where they go before you all panic....

Anyone read anything or seen any updates on Jack I-whatever? Should be interesting to see how he pans out.

The Eagles' paid mouthpiece, Dave Spadaro said that he was up and running full speed in his Friday chat. I don't know if he said he was fully rehabbed or not but he gave a positive report.

Spadaro is such a D-bag.

I didn't personally see this, but Hugh Douglas said yesterday that Ike Reese almost went over the table on Spadaro after he said something bad about Dawkins on a Comcast show. That would have been entertaining.....

I am sure it will be talked about tomorrow on Daily News Live. I did read that Spads was getting roasted big time buy Ike and some other people on the show.

 

[Jeff Pasquino]

The overreaction has now reached Yahoo???

Ugh.

Eagles fans are calmly dealing with Brian Dawkins' departure

By Chris Chase

Move over Ben Franklin, Philadelphia has a new favorite son. Brian Dawkins, the 13-year Eagles veteran, signed with the Denver Broncos yesterday and the decision of the Philly front office to let Dawkins go over a reported $2.2 million difference has Philadelphians reacting like Joe Banner went out and took a sledgehammer to the Liberty Bell.

Talk radio lines are jammed with callers badmouthing the organization, blog commenters are being their usual rational selves and even the mainstream press is jumping in on the hysterics.

Witness the Philadelphia Inquirer's above-the-fold story about the Dawkins departure. (Would Donovan McNabb leaving the city garner moon landing-type headlines from the Inquirer?)

If that wasn't enough, the newspaper's story about Dawkins begins with a comparison to the founder of Pennsylvania:

The city's skyline wouldn't look the same if the statue of William Penn toppled.

Eagles fans who attend their first game next season will likely have a similar feeling about their team when they look into the secondary and see Brian Dawkins is no longer there.

Brian Dawkins was a great player for Philadelphia. As a Redskins fan, I'm glad to see him out of the division. But, come on people, he's going to be 36 years old next season. Plus, as Bob Ford wrote in one of the few calm and rational takes on the matter, it's a business decision by both the team and Dawkins himself. But rational isn't fun. I much prefer this. Related: Donovan McNabb

 

[BuddyKnuckles]

The overreaction has now reached Yahoo???

Ugh.

Eagles fans are calmly dealing with Brian Dawkins' departure

By Chris Chase

Move over Ben Franklin, Philadelphia has a new favorite son. Brian Dawkins, the 13-year Eagles veteran, signed with the Denver Broncos yesterday and the decision of the Philly front office to let Dawkins go over a reported $2.2 million difference has Philadelphians reacting like Joe Banner went out and took a sledgehammer to the Liberty Bell.

Talk radio lines are jammed with callers badmouthing the organization, blog commenters are being their usual rational selves and even the mainstream press is jumping in on the hysterics.

Witness the Philadelphia Inquirer's above-the-fold story about the Dawkins departure. (Would Donovan McNabb leaving the city garner moon landing-type headlines from the Inquirer?)

If that wasn't enough, the newspaper's story about Dawkins begins with a comparison to the founder of Pennsylvania:

The city's skyline wouldn't look the same if the statue of William Penn toppled.

Eagles fans who attend their first game next season will likely have a similar feeling about their team when they look into the secondary and see Brian Dawkins is no longer there.

Brian Dawkins was a great player for Philadelphia. As a Redskins fan, I'm glad to see him out of the division. But, come on people, he's going to be 36 years old next season. Plus, as Bob Ford wrote in one of the few calm and rational takes on the matter, it's a business decision by both the team and Dawkins himself. But rational isn't fun. I much prefer this. Related: Donovan McNabb

you can call it whatever you want Jeff, but majority rules in this nation. And the majority of Eagles fans see this for what it is...a gutless, cold, necessary sucker punch at a true Philly sports hero.no amount of spin, corporate propaganda, or directionless spewing of nonsense from the clones will cover it up

 

[Jeff Pasquino]

The overreaction has now reached Yahoo???

Ugh.

Eagles fans are calmly dealing with Brian Dawkins' departure

By Chris Chase

Move over Ben Franklin, Philadelphia has a new favorite son. Brian Dawkins, the 13-year Eagles veteran, signed with the Denver Broncos yesterday and the decision of the Philly front office to let Dawkins go over a reported $2.2 million difference has Philadelphians reacting like Joe Banner went out and took a sledgehammer to the Liberty Bell.

Talk radio lines are jammed with callers badmouthing the organization, blog commenters are being their usual rational selves and even the mainstream press is jumping in on the hysterics.

Witness the Philadelphia Inquirer's above-the-fold story about the Dawkins departure. (Would Donovan McNabb leaving the city garner moon landing-type headlines from the Inquirer?)

If that wasn't enough, the newspaper's story about Dawkins begins with a comparison to the founder of Pennsylvania:

The city's skyline wouldn't look the same if the statue of William Penn toppled.

Eagles fans who attend their first game next season will likely have a similar feeling about their team when they look into the secondary and see Brian Dawkins is no longer there.

Brian Dawkins was a great player for Philadelphia. As a Redskins fan, I'm glad to see him out of the division. But, come on people, he's going to be 36 years old next season. Plus, as Bob Ford wrote in one of the few calm and rational takes on the matter, it's a business decision by both the team and Dawkins himself. But rational isn't fun. I much prefer this. Related: Donovan McNabb

you can call it whatever you want Jeff, but majority rules in this nation. And the majority of Eagles fans see this for what it is...a gutless, cold, necessary sucker punch at a true Philly sports hero.no amount of spin, corporate propaganda, or directionless spewing of nonsense from the clones will cover it up

I've got no issue being with the minority. I'm good with my outlook.Bob Ford also gets it.

 

[Jeff Pasquino]

Bob Ford: Departure of Eagles great is business - on both sides

By Bob Ford

Inquirer Sports Columnist

The easiest column to write today is the one that says the Eagles are heartless skinflints with no appreciation for the 13 years of emotional devotion Brian Dawkins gave to the organization.

It would take about half an hour to write, and that's counting a sandwich break.

There would be images of Dawkins risking his neck - and usually the other guy's - with a flying Superman tackle. Of Dawkins emerging from the smoke-filled tunnel on all fours like the primal superhero he was for nearly all of his career here. And of Dawkins crying on the field after the second-round playoff win over the Giants just six weeks ago, a warrior who cared more deeply, so the column would say, than the suits for whom he expended every ounce of his being.

Be a heck of a column.

But that is merely the cartoon version of what happened in the last few days. What actually happened is that the Eagles gave the 35-year-old free-agent safety a rough idea of the contract they would offer. He went out and solicited a better offer - a much better offer - and he took it.

Brian Dawkins won't be ending his career as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles because that is the decision he made. If you want to castigate the Eagles for making a business decision, that's fine, but remember that Dawkins made one, too.

It will be a popular argument that the Eagles forced Dawkins out of town with a low-ball offer, one that was insulting for a seven-time Pro Bowl player. More accurately, Denver gave Dawkins a contract offer that, if he plays only one season, will make him among the highest-paid safeties in the NFL for that season.

According to a source familiar with the new five-year contract, it is essentially a two-year deal for a total of $9.5 million, with $7.5 million of that guaranteed. If he lasts just one year, he would still get the $7.5 million. That is $1.2 million above the 2009 franchise tag for safeties. It's an incredible deal.

Fans will be upset that the Eagles were not willing to pay Dawkins similarly, for all that he has done in the past. That part is true, but it also isn't how the Eagles work. They believe in paying for what players can do in the future, and neither Brian Dawkins nor anyone else is going to be paid for a pass he intercepted or a tackle he made in 2002. It didn't work that way for Troy Vincent or Hugh Douglas, and it wasn't going to work that way for Dawkins.

Is that a cold-eyed way to look at the world? Sure, but that's the game. It is no less cold-eyed when a player like Asante Samuel leaves the team that nurtured him and made him a champion to grab a big payday somewhere else.

That's not the situation Dawkins was in. He didn't get a monster contract, but he had the opportunity for a better deal for himself and his family and he took it. If it wasn't a better deal for the emotions of Eagles fans, well, that's the way it goes.

Even the most ardent supporter of Dawkins has to admit that he is no longer a dominant player. He made the Pro Bowl this year on reputation, not on a repetition of his greatest seasons. He is no longer able to cover the whole field from the free safety position. By the end of the season, he had been converted to a mini-linebacker in the pass-situation coverages, with Quintin Mikell and Quintin Demps roaming center field.

In effect, Dawkins was going to be a situational player if he remained. He would have been on the field for the first defensive play of every game, giving him titular "starter" status, and that would have been the right thing to do. Getting him off the field in certain situations would have also been the right thing, and that's just the reality of it.

The Eagles have a lot of money to spend under the projected salary cap at the moment. Some of that is because they pushed forward money from last season's cap, and some of it is because they are undeniably unwilling to part with cash for the sake of emotion.

They did part with a chunk of it to land offensive lineman Stacy Andrews, brother of right guard Shawn Andrews, and it's still a long way to the first week in September. That long road could include any combination of additional free-agent signings, trades, surprise draft picks, whatever the front office feels it might take to restore a roster that was inconsistent for much of last season. Getting it right this time would be nice.

But giving Dawkins a Lifetime Achievement Contract was not on the to-do list, and, if you've paid attention for the last 10 years, that's no surprise. The Eagles made their decision. Dawkins made his.

He might have been a signature player in Philadelphia for 13 years, but yesterday he chose to put that signature on a piece of paper in Denver.

Finally, someone else gets it AND writes it down too.

 

[Jason Wood]

Bob Ford: Departure of Eagles great is business - on both sides

By Bob Ford

Inquirer Sports Columnist

The easiest column to write today is the one that says the Eagles are heartless skinflints with no appreciation for the 13 years of emotional devotion Brian Dawkins gave to the organization.

It would take about half an hour to write, and that's counting a sandwich break.

There would be images of Dawkins risking his neck - and usually the other guy's - with a flying Superman tackle. Of Dawkins emerging from the smoke-filled tunnel on all fours like the primal superhero he was for nearly all of his career here. And of Dawkins crying on the field after the second-round playoff win over the Giants just six weeks ago, a warrior who cared more deeply, so the column would say, than the suits for whom he expended every ounce of his being.

Be a heck of a column.

But that is merely the cartoon version of what happened in the last few days. What actually happened is that the Eagles gave the 35-year-old free-agent safety a rough idea of the contract they would offer. He went out and solicited a better offer - a much better offer - and he took it.

Brian Dawkins won't be ending his career as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles because that is the decision he made. If you want to castigate the Eagles for making a business decision, that's fine, but remember that Dawkins made one, too.

It will be a popular argument that the Eagles forced Dawkins out of town with a low-ball offer, one that was insulting for a seven-time Pro Bowl player. More accurately, Denver gave Dawkins a contract offer that, if he plays only one season, will make him among the highest-paid safeties in the NFL for that season.

According to a source familiar with the new five-year contract, it is essentially a two-year deal for a total of $9.5 million, with $7.5 million of that guaranteed. If he lasts just one year, he would still get the $7.5 million. That is $1.2 million above the 2009 franchise tag for safeties. It's an incredible deal.

Fans will be upset that the Eagles were not willing to pay Dawkins similarly, for all that he has done in the past. That part is true, but it also isn't how the Eagles work. They believe in paying for what players can do in the future, and neither Brian Dawkins nor anyone else is going to be paid for a pass he intercepted or a tackle he made in 2002. It didn't work that way for Troy Vincent or Hugh Douglas, and it wasn't going to work that way for Dawkins.

Is that a cold-eyed way to look at the world? Sure, but that's the game. It is no less cold-eyed when a player like Asante Samuel leaves the team that nurtured him and made him a champion to grab a big payday somewhere else.

That's not the situation Dawkins was in. He didn't get a monster contract, but he had the opportunity for a better deal for himself and his family and he took it. If it wasn't a better deal for the emotions of Eagles fans, well, that's the way it goes.

Even the most ardent supporter of Dawkins has to admit that he is no longer a dominant player. He made the Pro Bowl this year on reputation, not on a repetition of his greatest seasons. He is no longer able to cover the whole field from the free safety position. By the end of the season, he had been converted to a mini-linebacker in the pass-situation coverages, with Quintin Mikell and Quintin Demps roaming center field.

In effect, Dawkins was going to be a situational player if he remained. He would have been on the field for the first defensive play of every game, giving him titular "starter" status, and that would have been the right thing to do. Getting him off the field in certain situations would have also been the right thing, and that's just the reality of it.

The Eagles have a lot of money to spend under the projected salary cap at the moment. Some of that is because they pushed forward money from last season's cap, and some of it is because they are undeniably unwilling to part with cash for the sake of emotion.

They did part with a chunk of it to land offensive lineman Stacy Andrews, brother of right guard Shawn Andrews, and it's still a long way to the first week in September. That long road could include any combination of additional free-agent signings, trades, surprise draft picks, whatever the front office feels it might take to restore a roster that was inconsistent for much of last season. Getting it right this time would be nice.

But giving Dawkins a Lifetime Achievement Contract was not on the to-do list, and, if you've paid attention for the last 10 years, that's no surprise. The Eagles made their decision. Dawkins made his.

He might have been a signature player in Philadelphia for 13 years, but yesterday he chose to put that signature on a piece of paper in Denver.

Finally, someone else gets it AND writes it down too.

Wow...when you have to start looking at Bob Ford columns for support, you might as well call it a night.What's next, quoting Dave Spadaro?

 

[Jeff Pasquino]

Bob Ford: Departure of Eagles great is business - on both sides

By Bob Ford

Inquirer Sports Columnist

The easiest column to write today is the one that says the Eagles are heartless skinflints with no appreciation for the 13 years of emotional devotion Brian Dawkins gave to the organization.

It would take about half an hour to write, and that's counting a sandwich break.

There would be images of Dawkins risking his neck - and usually the other guy's - with a flying Superman tackle. Of Dawkins emerging from the smoke-filled tunnel on all fours like the primal superhero he was for nearly all of his career here. And of Dawkins crying on the field after the second-round playoff win over the Giants just six weeks ago, a warrior who cared more deeply, so the column would say, than the suits for whom he expended every ounce of his being.

Be a heck of a column.

But that is merely the cartoon version of what happened in the last few days. What actually happened is that the Eagles gave the 35-year-old free-agent safety a rough idea of the contract they would offer. He went out and solicited a better offer - a much better offer - and he took it.

Brian Dawkins won't be ending his career as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles because that is the decision he made. If you want to castigate the Eagles for making a business decision, that's fine, but remember that Dawkins made one, too.

It will be a popular argument that the Eagles forced Dawkins out of town with a low-ball offer, one that was insulting for a seven-time Pro Bowl player. More accurately, Denver gave Dawkins a contract offer that, if he plays only one season, will make him among the highest-paid safeties in the NFL for that season.

According to a source familiar with the new five-year contract, it is essentially a two-year deal for a total of $9.5 million, with $7.5 million of that guaranteed. If he lasts just one year, he would still get the $7.5 million. That is $1.2 million above the 2009 franchise tag for safeties. It's an incredible deal.

Fans will be upset that the Eagles were not willing to pay Dawkins similarly, for all that he has done in the past. That part is true, but it also isn't how the Eagles work. They believe in paying for what players can do in the future, and neither Brian Dawkins nor anyone else is going to be paid for a pass he intercepted or a tackle he made in 2002. It didn't work that way for Troy Vincent or Hugh Douglas, and it wasn't going to work that way for Dawkins.

Is that a cold-eyed way to look at the world? Sure, but that's the game. It is no less cold-eyed when a player like Asante Samuel leaves the team that nurtured him and made him a champion to grab a big payday somewhere else.

That's not the situation Dawkins was in. He didn't get a monster contract, but he had the opportunity for a better deal for himself and his family and he took it. If it wasn't a better deal for the emotions of Eagles fans, well, that's the way it goes.

Even the most ardent supporter of Dawkins has to admit that he is no longer a dominant player. He made the Pro Bowl this year on reputation, not on a repetition of his greatest seasons. He is no longer able to cover the whole field from the free safety position. By the end of the season, he had been converted to a mini-linebacker in the pass-situation coverages, with Quintin Mikell and Quintin Demps roaming center field.

In effect, Dawkins was going to be a situational player if he remained. He would have been on the field for the first defensive play of every game, giving him titular "starter" status, and that would have been the right thing to do. Getting him off the field in certain situations would have also been the right thing, and that's just the reality of it.

The Eagles have a lot of money to spend under the projected salary cap at the moment. Some of that is because they pushed forward money from last season's cap, and some of it is because they are undeniably unwilling to part with cash for the sake of emotion.

They did part with a chunk of it to land offensive lineman Stacy Andrews, brother of right guard Shawn Andrews, and it's still a long way to the first week in September. That long road could include any combination of additional free-agent signings, trades, surprise draft picks, whatever the front office feels it might take to restore a roster that was inconsistent for much of last season. Getting it right this time would be nice.

But giving Dawkins a Lifetime Achievement Contract was not on the to-do list, and, if you've paid attention for the last 10 years, that's no surprise. The Eagles made their decision. Dawkins made his.

He might have been a signature player in Philadelphia for 13 years, but yesterday he chose to put that signature on a piece of paper in Denver.

Finally, someone else gets it AND writes it down too.

Wow...when you have to start looking at Bob Ford columns for support, you might as well call it a night.What's next, quoting Dave Spadaro?

Well, at least you have Buddy Knuckles for support. That'll show me.

 

[Jeff Pasquino]

To revisit Brian Dawkins' contract:2 years, $9M.Perspective:Franchise tag number for a safety in 2009:$6.3M

What the heck does that have to do with the price of tea in China? $40+ mm under the cap, raised season ticket prices, impossible to replace this year [in a win now mode].Dawkins is as far away from the "franchise number" as he is above the average salary for an NFL player. Talk about taking a stat and misusing it.

Really Woodrow? Come on.Impossible to replace? The entire league is wondering now about the price of tea - which is the price of veteran safeties. Denver flat out overpaid for a 35-year old safety who has never played for a different organization. As for using the average salary for an NFL player, sure - folding in QBs and LTs to compare to a safety makes perfect sense. Excuse me for providing perspective for what the Top 5 salaries of all NFL safeties is and listing the franchise tag number.Take some emotion out of this and explain how it makes any business sense for the Eagles to throw a near-franchise tag price salary at Dawkins. I don't see it.

1) The Eagles have PLENTY of cap space, "overpaying" for Dawkins for a year or two IN NO WAY impairs them from doing anything else they have planned2) Dawkins is not Trotter or Douglas, who were not only aging but demonstrably worse players when the Eagles let them walk. Dawkins is still an effective saftey; and this comes from a guy who actually watches him on the field at the Linc every home game3) The value he brings to the locker room is worth an extra million or two dollars, ABSOLUTELY. You say to remove the emotion? Football is a GAME OF EMOTION. Without emotional leaders to inspire the team, without your players feeling an emotional drive to succeed, your team is going to suck regardless of the talent level. And last, but certainly not least, you should know better than to frame the franchise tag as a reason to not pay someone. If each year every NFL player became a UFA, it would be perfectly reasonable to suggest that a given player [Dawkins in this case] not be paid commensurate with the top 5 at his position. But free agency doesn't work that way. The only players who can get deals commensurate with the new reality [which is to say, $127mm cap] are those declared free agents. The NFL positional bar resets every year. Last year's "big contract" is this year's "market value." The idea of paying Asante Samuel $70mm for 7 was widely criticized last year [people saying, he's good, but not THAT good]. Well fast forward and you've got Aso banking $15mm per, Hayden making $9 per, freaking Foxworth making $7mm per! Joselio Hanson, our DIME BACK, got $6.4mm guaranteed; $1mm less than Dawkins wanted. The economic of NFL free agency are not about matching up what someone gets with what players in the league have ALREADY SIGNED FOR. The franchise tag usually measures the latter years of players against an average salary that is likely never to be met because either the bar will be reset higher or the player will have to redo his deal as the balloon years kick in. It's fun with math.

Since we can't seem to let this go, which is understandable, but I thought you'd have some business sense here Wood.

1) The Eagles have PLENTY of cap space, "overpaying" for Dawkins for a year or two IN NO WAY impairs them from doing anything else they have planned

Who cares how much cap space that they have? If you have $500 and walk into a store and don't like that everything is overpriced, do you pay $50 for something you think should be $10 just because you have $500? Of course not. The Eagles have placed a price tag on Dawkins and the FS position. $9M for 2 years with 80% guaranteed won't break the bank but it would set a bad contractural precedent and go against what they've always done - let 30+ vets with little left in the tank walk, regardless of team chemistry - right or wrong.

2) Dawkins is not Trotter or Douglas, who were not only aging but demonstrably worse players when the Eagles let them walk. Dawkins is still an effective saftey; and this comes from a guy who actually watches him on the field at the Linc every home game

Come on, Jason - you know that Dawkins was a liability in coverage all year long. He couldn't cover anyone when asked. He was also consistently late to deliver that signature big hit - the one he always loved to give - because he's slowed down.

3) The value he brings to the locker room is worth an extra million or two dollars, ABSOLUTELY. You say to remove the emotion? Football is a GAME OF EMOTION. Without emotional leaders to inspire the team, without your players feeling an emotional drive to succeed, your team is going to suck regardless of the talent level.

Yes the game is about emotion - but it's fleeting emotion. It is March 1st and the season is six months away. Good teams draw a line and don't overpay for players just because they're the veteran leaders. That's a mistake that gets you in trouble over time. Good organizations would rather let a player go a year too early than a year too late.

And last, but certainly not least, you should know better than to frame the franchise tag as a reason to not pay someone. If each year every NFL player became a UFA, it would be perfectly reasonable to suggest that a given player [Dawkins in this case] not be paid commensurate with the top 5 at his position. But free agency doesn't work that way. The only players who can get deals commensurate with the new reality [which is to say, $127mm cap] are those declared free agents. The NFL positional bar resets every year. Last year's "big contract" is this year's "market value." The idea of paying Asante Samuel $70mm for 7 was widely criticized last year [people saying, he's good, but not THAT good]. Well fast forward and you've got Aso banking $15mm per, Hayden making $9 per, freaking Foxworth making $7mm per! Joselio Hanson, our DIME BACK, got $6.4mm guaranteed; $1mm less than Dawkins wanted. The economic of NFL free agency are not about matching up what someone gets with what players in the league have ALREADY SIGNED FOR. The franchise tag usually measures the latter years of players against an average salary that is likely never to be met because either the bar will be reset higher or the player will have to redo his deal as the balloon years kick in. It's fun with math.

This one is pretty good. The Eagles made a conscious decision not to spend anywhere close to franchise tag numbers for Dawkins. That's proven by not tagging him when they could - they had the tag available. Now he gets close to franchise money for the position and it isn't relevant? Ridiculous statement. It shows what value they had for the spot (much lower) and that they wouldn't come close.Denver is desperate to establish a defense and they WAY OVERPAID for Brian Dawkins. That's pretty much a fact. I'm a fan of the Eagles - not the front office of the Eagles, but the team that plays in Midnight Green - but I'm able to separate the decisions that have to be made vs. the decisions I may want see. Dawkins should have retired as an Eagle. Brett Favre should have retired as a Packer. These things happen.

 

[Jeff Pasquino]

Can we move on now and start griping over something else that should be happening, such as getting involved in Houshmandzadeh's free agent tour?

There's a player that I'd be willing to see them open up the warchest and buy.

 

[Jason Wood]

Can we move on now and start griping over something else that should be happening, such as getting involved in Houshmandzadeh's free agent tour?There's a player that I'd be willing to see them open up the warchest and buy.

For the love of God, please keep Housh away from this team; unless he's willing to sign for a LOT less than I suspect he'll get.

 

[modogg]

The overreaction has now reached Yahoo???

Ugh.

Eagles fans are calmly dealing with Brian Dawkins' departure

By Chris Chase

Move over Ben Franklin, Philadelphia has a new favorite son. Brian Dawkins, the 13-year Eagles veteran, signed with the Denver Broncos yesterday and the decision of the Philly front office to let Dawkins go over a reported $2.2 million difference has Philadelphians reacting like Joe Banner went out and took a sledgehammer to the Liberty Bell.

Talk radio lines are jammed with callers badmouthing the organization, blog commenters are being their usual rational selves and even the mainstream press is jumping in on the hysterics.

Witness the Philadelphia Inquirer's above-the-fold story about the Dawkins departure. (Would Donovan McNabb leaving the city garner moon landing-type headlines from the Inquirer?)

If that wasn't enough, the newspaper's story about Dawkins begins with a comparison to the founder of Pennsylvania:

The city's skyline wouldn't look the same if the statue of William Penn toppled.

Eagles fans who attend their first game next season will likely have a similar feeling about their team when they look into the secondary and see Brian Dawkins is no longer there.

Brian Dawkins was a great player for Philadelphia. As a Redskins fan, I'm glad to see him out of the division. But, come on people, he's going to be 36 years old next season. Plus, as Bob Ford wrote in one of the few calm and rational takes on the matter, it's a business decision by both the team and Dawkins himself. But rational isn't fun. I much prefer this. Related: Donovan McNabb

Yes, there is no doubt it has gone overboard. I think one of the latest i saw was a poll that asked if Dawkins was the best Eagle of all-time and the results were something like 950-yes, 350-no. I loved Dawk too, but the best Eagle ever? It is getting asinine, hopefuly this snow we are getting will get people to stop crying over Dawk and now they cry over the snow.

 

[Jeff Pasquino]

Can we move on now and start griping over something else that should be happening, such as getting involved in Houshmandzadeh's free agent tour?There's a player that I'd be willing to see them open up the warchest and buy.

For the love of God, please keep Housh away from this team; unless he's willing to sign for a LOT less than I suspect he'll get.

Wait a minute - he's the best WR available and we have ample cap room, why is the pricetag now a concern here and it isn't for your argument on Dawkins?I want the player here - Housh would be a great asset, even if they allegedly overpaid for him. We both did agree that money would be stupid as FA opened.

 

[Buddy Ball 2K3]

Pat Kirwans thoughts:

The best deal signed so far has to be the Eagles' contract with Joselio Hanson. Here's an up-and-coming player who only received $6.4 million of guaranteed money in a five-year deal to be Philadelphia's nickel cornerback.

 

[Jason Wood]

Can we move on now and start griping over something else that should be happening, such as getting involved in Houshmandzadeh's free agent tour?There's a player that I'd be willing to see them open up the warchest and buy.

For the love of God, please keep Housh away from this team; unless he's willing to sign for a LOT less than I suspect he'll get.

Wait a minute - he's the best WR available and we have ample cap room, why is the pricetag now a concern here and it isn't for your argument on Dawkins?I want the player here - Housh would be a great asset, even if they allegedly overpaid for him. We both did agree that money would be stupid as FA opened.

I've talked about Housh ad nauseum of late. Money matters, in that Housh would require a contract that impacts the team well past the next season or two. But more importantly, he's not going to be worth the money IMHO. He's a 32-year old possession receiver looking to grab elite WR money. Thanks, but no thanks. He's exactly the kind of player the Eagles don't go after. Totally different than keeping one of our own that clearly knows, and can excel, in the system.

 

[Bushead]

Remember, the guy they drafted who "couldn't walk when they drafted him" ... was a projected first round player ... Obviosuly, they will address this situationin the coming days/weeks.... let's see where they go before you all panic....

Anyone read anything or seen any updates on Jack I-whatever? Should be interesting to see how he pans out.

The Eagles' paid mouthpiece, Dave Spadaro said that he was up and running full speed in his Friday chat. I don't know if he said he was fully rehabbed or not but he gave a positive report.

Spadaro is such a D-bag.

I didn't personally see this, but Hugh Douglas said yesterday that Ike Reese almost went over the table on Spadaro after he said something bad about Dawkins on a Comcast show. That would have been entertaining.....

DH - so with all the Dawk doom and gloom - have you heard any whispers you can share that might pick us up a bit?

 

[Jason Wood]

DH -- Any inkling on whether Philly is going to be proactive in making McNabb happy? Also, silence is deafening on the Tra Thomas front.

 

[Buddy Ball 2K3]

I haven't heard that anyone in the NFL is showing much interest in Thomas. I think he is one of the guys that comes back simply because of a serious lack of interest from the rest of the league.

 

[unckeyherb]

Can we move on now and start griping over something else that should be happening, such as getting involved in Houshmandzadeh's free agent tour?There's a player that I'd be willing to see them open up the warchest and buy.

For the love of God, please keep Housh away from this team; unless he's willing to sign for a LOT less than I suspect he'll get.

While Housh is a good possession WR opposite Chad Johnson, a marquee WR he is not. It would be just like the Eagles to overpay for him and tout him as "the stud-WR everyone has been asking for". Is he an upgrade over what we have? Absolutely. Is he worth the long-term, high-dollar contract it will take to secure him? No chance. I'd rather they chase after Boldin, or even Braylon (who is supposedly on the block if you trust rumors started by random people). At least you can justify the age issue. TJ is going to be 32 when the season starts.

 

[Jason Wood]

Can we move on now and start griping over something else that should be happening, such as getting involved in Houshmandzadeh's free agent tour?There's a player that I'd be willing to see them open up the warchest and buy.

For the love of God, please keep Housh away from this team; unless he's willing to sign for a LOT less than I suspect he'll get.

While Housh is a good possession WR opposite Chad Johnson, a marquee WR he is not. It would be just like the Eagles to overpay for him and tout him as "the stud-WR everyone has been asking for". Is he an upgrade over what we have? Absolutely. Is he worth the long-term, high-dollar contract it will take to secure him? No chance. I'd rather they chase after Boldin, or even Braylon (who is supposedly on the block if you trust rumors started by random people). At least you can justify the age issue. TJ is going to be 32 when the season starts.

For as disappointed as I am in the Dawkins move, I'm generally a staunch defender of the Eagle's front office and, in this case, I've seen nothing to indicate they are interested in bringing in TJ much less overpaying for him. Thankfully.

 

[Deranged Hermit]

DH -- Any inkling on whether Philly is going to be proactive in making McNabb happy? Also, silence is deafening on the Tra Thomas front.

re: Donovan. Nothing appears to be coming anytime soon. From what I understand, the FO doesn't fear Donovan to be a divisive figure in the locker room (ala' TO), so they'll call his bluff.re: Tra. They still want him and every day he remains on the market is another dollar the Eagles will save. The Eagles think he will be their starting OT come opening day.

 

[Deranged Hermit]

Remember, the guy they drafted who "couldn't walk when they drafted him" ... was a projected first round player ... Obviosuly, they will address this situationin the coming days/weeks.... let's see where they go before you all panic....

Anyone read anything or seen any updates on Jack I-whatever? Should be interesting to see how he pans out.

The Eagles' paid mouthpiece, Dave Spadaro said that he was up and running full speed in his Friday chat. I don't know if he said he was fully rehabbed or not but he gave a positive report.

Spadaro is such a D-bag.

I didn't personally see this, but Hugh Douglas said yesterday that Ike Reese almost went over the table on Spadaro after he said something bad about Dawkins on a Comcast show. That would have been entertaining.....

DH - so with all the Dawk doom and gloom - have you heard any whispers you can share that might pick us up a bit?

I posted this earlier. Keep in mind, my friend is more involved with the draft side of things, so I really only get updated on FA every now and than.

They're discussing a few safties. It appears that they want to address this need in FA rather than burn a early draft pick. They don't think Demps is ready. I have not heard any names yet.IF they get a stud WR, it will be Boldin. They didn't appear to want Housh even before the crap that went down with him yesterday.They are interested in Ward, but not at the 5mil per he's seeking. Like Housh though, every day he's on the market, his price will go down. Bo Scaife (sp?) getting francheised threw a kink in their plans. If he hit the FA market, i honestly believe he'd have been an Eagle by Saturday at the latest.At the draft (where my buddy gets the bulk of his info) they don't want to leave the 1st without a OL. Yes, OL, not necessarily OT. They are interested in the usual suspects at OT, but might grab an Alex Mack if he's there with . Yhe more he talks, the more I think they go OL and CB in the first. They are not looking to move up YET, but that obviously can change as people drop. In the second they are looking at a few positions (RB, TE, S, OL) and will probably go best available from that list with that pick.

 

[Polish Hammer]

DH, thanks for keeping us in the loop. I'm probably not the only one that keeps hoping to hear a positive update with regards to Sean Jones possibly coming here. Getting him in place would help ease the emotional blow of losing Dawk, and could likely even be an upgrade when factoring in a 3 year window of production.

 

[Chunky Soup]

For the love of God, please keep Housh away from this team; unless he's willing to sign for a LOT less than I suspect he'll get.

Anquan or Braylon, please.

 

[Deranged Hermit]

For the love of God, please keep Housh away from this team; unless he's willing to sign for a LOT less than I suspect he'll get.

Anquan or Braylon, please.

For what it's worth, Housh's price would have to come way down for that to happen.To be completely honest, IMO, the only guy that might be available that would be worth getting is Boldin. I think anyone else is pretty much a lateral move.

 

[CentralPA]

Can we move on now and start griping over something else that should be happening, such as getting involved in Houshmandzadeh's free agent tour?There's a player that I'd be willing to see them open up the warchest and buy.

For the love of God, please keep Housh away from this team; unless he's willing to sign for a LOT less than I suspect he'll get.

Wait a minute - he's the best WR available and we have ample cap room, why is the pricetag now a concern here and it isn't for your argument on Dawkins?I want the player here - Housh would be a great asset, even if they allegedly overpaid for him. We both did agree that money would be stupid as FA opened.

There was a report released that allegedly Housh's agent contacted the Eagles and said his client would sign on the dotted line for this much, saying that this was what was being offered to him from other teams but that he REALLY wanted to be an Eagle. It was no where near what other teams were offering them so the Eagles i guess are no longer entertaining the idea of Housh in an Eagles unifrom. So that apparently is out the door

 

[JAA]

Can we move on now and start griping over something else that should be happening, such as getting involved in Houshmandzadeh's free agent tour?There's a player that I'd be willing to see them open up the warchest and buy.

For the love of God, please keep Housh away from this team; unless he's willing to sign for a LOT less than I suspect he'll get.

Wait a minute - he's the best WR available and we have ample cap room, why is the pricetag now a concern here and it isn't for your argument on Dawkins?I want the player here - Housh would be a great asset, even if they allegedly overpaid for him. We both did agree that money would be stupid as FA opened.

I've talked about Housh ad nauseum of late. Money matters, in that Housh would require a contract that impacts the team well past the next season or two. But more importantly, he's not going to be worth the money IMHO. He's a 32-year old possession receiver looking to grab elite WR money. Thanks, but no thanks. He's exactly the kind of player the Eagles don't go after. Totally different than keeping one of our own that clearly knows, and can excel, in the system.

We might have been a posession WR away from the Superbowl last year.

 

[dirtywaters20]

The overreaction has now reached Yahoo???

Ugh.

Eagles fans are calmly dealing with Brian Dawkins' departure

By Chris Chase

Move over Ben Franklin, Philadelphia has a new favorite son. Brian Dawkins, the 13-year Eagles veteran, signed with the Denver Broncos yesterday and the decision of the Philly front office to let Dawkins go over a reported $2.2 million difference has Philadelphians reacting like Joe Banner went out and took a sledgehammer to the Liberty Bell.

Talk radio lines are jammed with callers badmouthing the organization, blog commenters are being their usual rational selves and even the mainstream press is jumping in on the hysterics.

Witness the Philadelphia Inquirer's above-the-fold story about the Dawkins departure. (Would Donovan McNabb leaving the city garner moon landing-type headlines from the Inquirer?)

If that wasn't enough, the newspaper's story about Dawkins begins with a comparison to the founder of Pennsylvania:

The city's skyline wouldn't look the same if the statue of William Penn toppled.

Eagles fans who attend their first game next season will likely have a similar feeling about their team when they look into the secondary and see Brian Dawkins is no longer there.

Brian Dawkins was a great player for Philadelphia. As a Redskins fan, I'm glad to see him out of the division. But, come on people, he's going to be 36 years old next season. Plus, as Bob Ford wrote in one of the few calm and rational takes on the matter, it's a business decision by both the team and Dawkins himself. But rational isn't fun. I much prefer this. Related: Donovan McNabb

you can call it whatever you want Jeff, but majority rules in this nation. And the majority of Eagles fans see this for what it is...a gutless, cold, necessary sucker punch at a true Philly sports hero.no amount of spin, corporate propaganda, or directionless spewing of nonsense from the clones will cover it up

I've got no issue being with the minority. I'm good with my outlook.Bob Ford also gets it.

Gets what? Jepedo Banner's hand up his puppet dirthole?

 

[unckeyherb]

Can we move on now and start griping over something else that should be happening, such as getting involved in Houshmandzadeh's free agent tour?There's a player that I'd be willing to see them open up the warchest and buy.

For the love of God, please keep Housh away from this team; unless he's willing to sign for a LOT less than I suspect he'll get.

Wait a minute - he's the best WR available and we have ample cap room, why is the pricetag now a concern here and it isn't for your argument on Dawkins?I want the player here - Housh would be a great asset, even if they allegedly overpaid for him. We both did agree that money would be stupid as FA opened.

I've talked about Housh ad nauseum of late. Money matters, in that Housh would require a contract that impacts the team well past the next season or two. But more importantly, he's not going to be worth the money IMHO. He's a 32-year old possession receiver looking to grab elite WR money. Thanks, but no thanks. He's exactly the kind of player the Eagles don't go after. Totally different than keeping one of our own that clearly knows, and can excel, in the system.

We might have been a posession WR away from the Superbowl last year.

meh. maybe, but I doubt it. No WR is going to stop Arizona from putting 32 points on the board.

 

[Donny Loved Bowling]

Would love to see the Birds add Sean Jones, but I have a sinking feeling that they will target Jim Leonhard instead, who reminds me too much of Considine. Word from WIP is that he could be in town early this week, weather permitting.

I think Scaife would have been a good fit, too bad he got tagged. Scheffler is reportedly on the block...?

In the wake of Dawkins' departure, I think a Boldin or Braylon trade is the only thing that can redeem the Birds FO in my eyes.

DH, has your pal mentioned if Pettigrew is on the Eagles' radar? I'm hoping to hear his name at 21. Really don't understand their focus on OL in the first round, especially if they're planning to bring Tra back. I thought they had built up depth in recent drafts. (Cole, MJG, Gibson, McGlynn, Dunlap)

 

[travdogg]

I've been reading some rumors that the Rams are trying to shop Pace and Holt together in an effort to get maybe a 2nd or 3rd round pick for the pair.

Any chance the Eagles would be interested since they have the cap room, a need at OT, and could use another WR?

 

[Jason Wood]

I've been reading some rumors that the Rams are trying to shop Pace and Holt together in an effort to get maybe a 2nd or 3rd round pick for the pair.Any chance the Eagles would be interested since they have the cap room, a need at OT, and could use another WR?

When one of the worst teams in football is trying to jettison two aging veterans with big contracts in a package deal, contending teams known for financial discipline don't usually bite.

 

[JAA]

Can we move on now and start griping over something else that should be happening, such as getting involved in Houshmandzadeh's free agent tour?There's a player that I'd be willing to see them open up the warchest and buy.

For the love of God, please keep Housh away from this team; unless he's willing to sign for a LOT less than I suspect he'll get.

Wait a minute - he's the best WR available and we have ample cap room, why is the pricetag now a concern here and it isn't for your argument on Dawkins?I want the player here - Housh would be a great asset, even if they allegedly overpaid for him. We both did agree that money would be stupid as FA opened.

I've talked about Housh ad nauseum of late. Money matters, in that Housh would require a contract that impacts the team well past the next season or two. But more importantly, he's not going to be worth the money IMHO. He's a 32-year old possession receiver looking to grab elite WR money. Thanks, but no thanks. He's exactly the kind of player the Eagles don't go after. Totally different than keeping one of our own that clearly knows, and can excel, in the system.

We might have been a posession WR away from the Superbowl last year.

meh. maybe, but I doubt it. No WR is going to stop Arizona from putting 32 points on the board.

Does it matter if Curtis catches that ball?

 

[Deranged Hermit]

Can we move on now and start griping over something else that should be happening, such as getting involved in Houshmandzadeh's free agent tour?There's a player that I'd be willing to see them open up the warchest and buy.

For the love of God, please keep Housh away from this team; unless he's willing to sign for a LOT less than I suspect he'll get.

Wait a minute - he's the best WR available and we have ample cap room, why is the pricetag now a concern here and it isn't for your argument on Dawkins?I want the player here - Housh would be a great asset, even if they allegedly overpaid for him. We both did agree that money would be stupid as FA opened.

I've talked about Housh ad nauseum of late. Money matters, in that Housh would require a contract that impacts the team well past the next season or two. But more importantly, he's not going to be worth the money IMHO. He's a 32-year old possession receiver looking to grab elite WR money. Thanks, but no thanks. He's exactly the kind of player the Eagles don't go after. Totally different than keeping one of our own that clearly knows, and can excel, in the system.

We might have been a posession WR away from the Superbowl last year.

meh. maybe, but I doubt it. No WR is going to stop Arizona from putting 32 points on the board.

Does it matter if Curtis catches that ball?

Hood mugged Curtis on that play. It's not a slam dunk that ANY WR would have caught that ball, Moss, Fitz, Housh inculded.

 

[delusional]

I see things like this

OL DB TE RB WR in the first 5 picks.

They may bring back Tra at LT, draft a C/G, got to get a RB in the draft and they will/should have one at one of their 1st round picks.

They need DB help bad...they are very thin. They also need TE help & WR help. FB also and I wouldnt be surpised if a LB made its way into the draft on day 1

So that is my call for what is going to happen. OL DB TE RB WR in the first 5 picks.

btw I am all for replacing the Rocky statue with one of Dawkins....

 

[unckeyherb]

Can we move on now and start griping over something else that should be happening, such as getting involved in Houshmandzadeh's free agent tour?There's a player that I'd be willing to see them open up the warchest and buy.

For the love of God, please keep Housh away from this team; unless he's willing to sign for a LOT less than I suspect he'll get.

Wait a minute - he's the best WR available and we have ample cap room, why is the pricetag now a concern here and it isn't for your argument on Dawkins?I want the player here - Housh would be a great asset, even if they allegedly overpaid for him. We both did agree that money would be stupid as FA opened.

I've talked about Housh ad nauseum of late. Money matters, in that Housh would require a contract that impacts the team well past the next season or two. But more importantly, he's not going to be worth the money IMHO. He's a 32-year old possession receiver looking to grab elite WR money. Thanks, but no thanks. He's exactly the kind of player the Eagles don't go after. Totally different than keeping one of our own that clearly knows, and can excel, in the system.

We might have been a posession WR away from the Superbowl last year.

meh. maybe, but I doubt it. No WR is going to stop Arizona from putting 32 points on the board.

Does it matter if Curtis catches that ball?

Anyone would have been hardpressed to catch that ball. Housh is a good WR, but I don't think he makes that grab. Besides, its not like: he makes the grab, Eagles win. Point is, Housh is what he is: An above average to very good WR that has benefitted from all that comes from playing with a far superior WR in Chad Johnson; consistent single coverage and defensive coordinators scheming to control someone that is not you. Who on this team is going to command the kind of attention that Chad Johnson garners? No one. And thats fine, if you pay him for what he is. The problem is, he is being touted as a marquee WR by everyone. I don't buy it and hopefully (and from what I can tell) neither do the Eagles.

 

[JAA]

Can we move on now and start griping over something else that should be happening, such as getting involved in Houshmandzadeh's free agent tour?There's a player that I'd be willing to see them open up the warchest and buy.

For the love of God, please keep Housh away from this team; unless he's willing to sign for a LOT less than I suspect he'll get.

Wait a minute - he's the best WR available and we have ample cap room, why is the pricetag now a concern here and it isn't for your argument on Dawkins?I want the player here - Housh would be a great asset, even if they allegedly overpaid for him. We both did agree that money would be stupid as FA opened.

I've talked about Housh ad nauseum of late. Money matters, in that Housh would require a contract that impacts the team well past the next season or two. But more importantly, he's not going to be worth the money IMHO. He's a 32-year old possession receiver looking to grab elite WR money. Thanks, but no thanks. He's exactly the kind of player the Eagles don't go after. Totally different than keeping one of our own that clearly knows, and can excel, in the system.

We might have been a posession WR away from the Superbowl last year.

meh. maybe, but I doubt it. No WR is going to stop Arizona from putting 32 points on the board.

Does it matter if Curtis catches that ball?

Anyone would have been hardpressed to catch that ball. Housh is a good WR, but I don't think he makes that grab. Besides, its not like: he makes the grab, Eagles win. Point is, Housh is what he is: An above average to very good WR that has benefitted from all that comes from playing with a far superior WR in Chad Johnson; consistent single coverage and defensive coordinators scheming to control someone that is not you. Who on this team is going to command the kind of attention that Chad Johnson garners? No one. And thats fine, if you pay him for what he is. The problem is, he is being touted as a marquee WR by everyone. I don't buy it and hopefully (and from what I can tell) neither do the Eagles.

I was being facetious in that TJ was labeled something simply as a 'posession receiver'. Sorry folks, but if we had a true 'posession receiver', its quite possible we were super bowl bound. My point is I am tired of people trivializing needs on this team. We need another good/great WR. We need another RB. We need a TE. These are all things that due to our FO being money conscience, we are missing out on. I was the one on these boards oh so many years ago that said if we got TO, we would be super bowl bound. I was on here last year complaining about the Gonzo no-trade. Im still on here about the Boldin trade. Fact of the matter is the year we land all those 'high-priced' FAs, we go to the Super Bowl. Its clear that money is more important that continuing on that avenue.

 

[Domination]

Why no interest in Braylon? I think he does have an issue with drops, but he could be had for cheaper than Boldin. Also, the last great WR that we had in this town (TO), has led the league in drops multiple years.

DH, I know you said that they are looking at filling the S position in FA, but I really like the kid Chung out of Oregon. Any interest?

 

[Deranged Hermit]

Why no interest in Braylon? I think he does have an issue with drops, but he could be had for cheaper than Boldin. Also, the last great WR that we had in this town (TO), has led the league in drops multiple years.DH, I know you said that they are looking at filling the S position in FA, but I really like the kid Chung out of Oregon. Any interest?

I'll ask when I speak to him.As for Braylon, I just think it's a case that no one really believes he'll be moved. I think any one of us would be tickled to have him.

 

[unckeyherb]

Can we move on now and start griping over something else that should be happening, such as getting involved in Houshmandzadeh's free agent tour?There's a player that I'd be willing to see them open up the warchest and buy.

For the love of God, please keep Housh away from this team; unless he's willing to sign for a LOT less than I suspect he'll get.

Wait a minute - he's the best WR available and we have ample cap room, why is the pricetag now a concern here and it isn't for your argument on Dawkins?I want the player here - Housh would be a great asset, even if they allegedly overpaid for him. We both did agree that money would be stupid as FA opened.

I've talked about Housh ad nauseum of late. Money matters, in that Housh would require a contract that impacts the team well past the next season or two. But more importantly, he's not going to be worth the money IMHO. He's a 32-year old possession receiver looking to grab elite WR money. Thanks, but no thanks. He's exactly the kind of player the Eagles don't go after. Totally different than keeping one of our own that clearly knows, and can excel, in the system.

We might have been a posession WR away from the Superbowl last year.

meh. maybe, but I doubt it. No WR is going to stop Arizona from putting 32 points on the board.

Does it matter if Curtis catches that ball?

Anyone would have been hardpressed to catch that ball. Housh is a good WR, but I don't think he makes that grab. Besides, its not like: he makes the grab, Eagles win. Point is, Housh is what he is: An above average to very good WR that has benefitted from all that comes from playing with a far superior WR in Chad Johnson; consistent single coverage and defensive coordinators scheming to control someone that is not you. Who on this team is going to command the kind of attention that Chad Johnson garners? No one. And thats fine, if you pay him for what he is. The problem is, he is being touted as a marquee WR by everyone. I don't buy it and hopefully (and from what I can tell) neither do the Eagles.

I was being facetious in that TJ was labeled something simply as a 'posession receiver'. Sorry folks, but if we had a true 'posession receiver', its quite possible we were super bowl bound. My point is I am tired of people trivializing needs on this team. We need another good/great WR. We need another RB. We need a TE. These are all things that due to our FO being money conscience, we are missing out on. I was the one on these boards oh so many years ago that said if we got TO, we would be super bowl bound. I was on here last year complaining about the Gonzo no-trade. Im still on here about the Boldin trade. Fact of the matter is the year we land all those 'high-priced' FAs, we go to the Super Bowl. Its clear that money is more important that continuing on that avenue.

granted. You won't ever hear me defend the moves this FO makes, nor do I disagree that we have needs at WR, RB, TE, OL the list goes on. I'd love to get a great WR on this team. I just don't think Housh falls into that category, thats all. FWIW I think RB is far more pressing than any WR needs...

 

[GoBirds]

Just read the other thread with talk of the Giants possibly looking to get Braylon or Boldin. Talk about Eagles fans flipping out, what if the Eagles allowed one of those moves to happen while doing nothing, yikes.

 

[Donny Loved Bowling]

Don't understand the supposed need for a CB in the draft. Brown and Samuel are an excellent starting tandem, and they just locked up Hanson to be the nickel back. They were high enough on Ikegwonu last year to spend a mid-round pick on him despite a major knee injury. Many experts touted him as a 1st-round caliber talent when healthy, which he now is. I could see them using a first-day pick on a safety, even if they replace Dawk with a FA. Really not sold on Demps just yet.

 

[BuddyKnuckles]

Well, at least you have Buddy Knuckles for support. That'll show me.

Nice cheap shot. whats wrong, you cant take it when someone disagrees with you openly? I've backed up virtually everything i've said. You may not agree with my reasoning or my view, but its nice to know that a Mod has to sink to the level of taking cheap shots at people. Because when people run out of real arguments and thoughts, they invariably turn to cheap shots

 

[Jeff Pasquino]

Well, at least you have Buddy Knuckles for support. That'll show me.

Nice cheap shot. whats wrong, you cant take it when someone disagrees with you openly? I've backed up virtually everything i've said. You may not agree with my reasoning or my view, but its nice to know that a Mod has to sink to the level of taking cheap shots at people. Because when people run out of real arguments and thoughts, they invariably turn to cheap shots

You fan the flames every chance you get in here, guy.Take solace that an admin shares your viewpoint.By the way, no one has been more openly against your view (and most others, including Woodrow) on the Dawkins move than me - with consistent and repeated arguments - but hey, if it makes you feel better to say I'm giving you a cheap shot - enjoy. As for running out of real arguments, that's a hilarious statement from you. People consistently tell you that you're two-faced and play both sides of the Eagles (see Donovan sucks vs. I love this team) but the rest of us have to counter your arguments? No thanks. Those of us know how to characterize your thoughts on "your team".

 

[Blood Hound]

Do the Birds have any FA scheduled to visit? With BDawk gone ( ) and Tra Thomas visiting the Jaguars, the immediate needs of this team might outnumber the number of quality draft picks we have this year, even with the extra first.

 

[Slider]

Well, at least you have Buddy Knuckles for support. That'll show me.

Nice cheap shot. whats wrong, you cant take it when someone disagrees with you openly? I've backed up virtually everything i've said. You may not agree with my reasoning or my view, but its nice to know that a Mod has to sink to the level of taking cheap shots at people. Because when people run out of real arguments and thoughts, they invariably turn to cheap shots

You fan the flames every chance you get in here, guy.Take solace that an admin shares your viewpoint.By the way, no one has been more openly against your view (and most others, including Woodrow) on the Dawkins move than me - with consistent and repeated arguments - but hey, if it makes you feel better to say I'm giving you a cheap shot - enjoy. As for running out of real arguments, that's a hilarious statement from you. People consistently tell you that you're two-faced and play both sides of the Eagles (see Donovan sucks vs. I love this team) but the rest of us have to counter your arguments? No thanks. Those of us know how to characterize your thoughts on "your team".

Way to take the high road. And you can't love the Eagles and dislike McNabb? You're way off on this one and just have a general dislike for people who criticize McNabb. You should tone it down.

 

[gonzobill5]

Do the Birds have any FA scheduled to visit? With BDawk gone ( ) and Tra Thomas visiting the Jaguars, the immediate needs of this team might outnumber the number of quality draft picks we have this year, even with the extra first.

I don't like the sound of that.