People are assuming a lot.

What you choose to do depends on personnel and opportunity.

Eagles are putting together a really physical OL in an age where defenses are build to stop the pass and lack the bulk to handle an OL that can dictate play. So the idea you have to pass to win is predicated on defenses from a decade ago - as teams go to lighter DL and 220 lb LBs, a physical running game is hard to stop. And such an offense is a great environment for a young QB to develop and gradually open up his game. Nor do you need great RBs when you move the opposing front seven off the LOS.

So it wouldn't surprise me if Siri looked at this season so far and said, hey, I've got an unstoppable edge, I'm not going to run 40+ times a game, but if I don't run 30+ times, slap me on the side of my head and wake me up - if I can force teams to put 8 and 9 in the box and play on their heels, I can set up teams for big plays off play action. And given my defense, I want to keep the opposing offense off the field.

Next year, if Jackson grows up and they add a big WR, you can run and dink and dunk on long drives all day long, and when defenses come up and try to stop you, go for the big play. Combine that with a big defensive draft and you might have something special.

The Red Queen effect, you have to keep running to keep up - if everyone builds defenses to stop the big play in the passing game, build an offense that can physically dominate those defenses and dictate play.

7 hours ago, austinfan said:

Au contraire. If Howie is making decisions based on keeping his job, then he should draft defense and hope Brooks and Lane can stay healthy. Only addition on offense would be a big WR and maybe some OL depth, and franchise Goedert if you can't sign him to an extension.

I would disagree. I mean yeah sure if he drafts an elite defence that's going to help this team. But Lurie wants a creative and exciting offense and so there's going to be some pressure to go get a QB I think. 

Lowie literally came out and said the Eagles want to be a "QB factory" and people still think we're going to focus on defense?

Come on people, we're either drafting a QB with our 1st pick or trading the farm for Wilson.

40 minutes ago, UK_EaglesFan89 said:

I would disagree. I mean yeah sure if he drafts an elite defence that's going to help this team. But Lurie wants a creative and exciting offense and so there's going to be some pressure to go get a QB I think. 

I hope not.

I hope they will use that energy and draft OL/WR.

That said, anyone thinking we might draft three defensive players in the first doesn’t know our FO.

3 minutes ago, Infam said:

I hope they will use that energy and draft OL/WR.

OL and WR? And what ignore the defense again?

3 minutes ago, UK_EaglesFan89 said:

OL and WR? And what ignore the defense again?

OL and/or WR. It’s most likely going to be 2-1 (offense-defense) either way. Which way this goes depends on players available I’d assume.

53 minutes ago, Infam said:

I hope not.

I hope they will use that energy and draft OL/WR.

That said, anyone thinking we might draft three defensive players in the first doesn’t know our FO.

Totally disagree!

That they used all their high draft ressources on the offensive side of the ball in the last 3 drafts, doesn’t mean it’s their MO.

They deferred from their mantra the last couple of years taking receivers high but if you look at their draft history it’s predominantly DL, some OL and occasionally a QB (McNabb, Wentz, Kolb and Hurts), a TE (Ertz, Goedert) or WR (Maclin, Agholor, Reagor, Smith) high in the last 25 years.

Not only do I think they will address the defensive side of the ball, I also think they should. Our top defenders are aging and the defense needs a serious young talent infusion.

If we don’t go QB, the focus should be on defense. I’m not saying they should neglect the offense entirely but this draft should be all about adding talent to the defense.

Edge, LB, S, CB over offense in the first 3 rounds unless an offensive prospect you could definitely use is sitting there and is way better than any defensive prospect on the board. Otherwise the mission should be getting blue chip prospects on the defensive side of the ball.

18 minutes ago, Ray75 said:

Totally disagree!

That they used all their high draft ressources on the offensive side of the ball in the last 3 drafts, doesn’t mean it’s their MO.

They deferred from their mantra the last couple of years taking receivers high but if you look at their draft history it’s predominantly DL, some OL and occasionally a QB (McNabb, Wentz, Kolb and Hurts), a TE (Ertz, Goedert) or WR (Maclin, Agholor, Reagor, Smith) high in the last 25 years.

Not only do I think they will address the defensive side of the ball, I also think they should. Our top defenders are aging and the defense needs a serious young talent infusion.

If we don’t go QB, the focus should be on defense. I’m not saying they should neglect the offense entirely but this draft should be all about adding talent to the defense.

Edge, LB, S, CB over offense in the first 3 rounds unless an offensive prospect you could definitely use is sitting there and is way better than any defensive prospect on the board. Otherwise the mission should be getting blue chip prospects on the defensive side of the ball.

I think you are in for a let-down come draft night.

Lurie wants offense, and offense he’ll get.

P.S.: Not talking about what should happen. Talking about what will happen.

28 minutes ago, Infam said:

I think you are in for a let-down come draft night.

Lurie wants offense, and offense he’ll get.

P.S.: Not talking about what should happen. Talking about what will happen.

Exactly the reason why FO structure is such a mess! His meddling is running this team into the ground.

He and Howie have to realise that it doesn’t matter how good your offense is, you simply can’t keep neglecting the defensive side of the ball. Those two go hand in hand.

I think they’ve learned their lesson. They just have to put on the tape. Whatever Sirianni did, the offense is klicking. Might not be what Lurie wants to see (high flying aerial attack) but it’s working.

The offense puts enough points on the board but the defense is letting opposing QB’s gash them. Even a blind man can see it’s the defense that is holding this team back now.

Do I think there’s a realistic chance they’re taking or trading for a QB? Absolutely! Do I think that’s the smart way to go?! Absolutely not!

If they’re truly convinced Hurts is not the guy, I would not fault them for using ONE of their 3 first rounders on a QB if they really believe he’s the guy but they’d be super stupid if they give up a King’s ransom to get that guy. This team is more than just a QB away IMO.

Sign a veteran receiver in FA instead of burning another high pick on one.

2 minutes ago, Ray75 said:

Exactly the reason why FO structure is such a mess! His meddling is running this team into the ground.

Without knowing when exactly he meddled, that’s hard to say. If he got us Hurts, I’m glad he meddled.

2 minutes ago, Ray75 said:

He and Howie have to realise that it doesn’t matter how good your offense is, you simply can’t keep neglecting the defensive side of the ball. Those two go hand in hand.

There is a middle ground between neglect and using all three firsts.

2 minutes ago, Ray75 said:

I think they’ve learned their lesson. They just have to put on the tape. Whatever Sirianni did, the offense is klicking. Might not be what Lurie wants to see (high flying aerial attack) but it’s working.

Learned their lesson? Good luck with that.

2 minutes ago, Ray75 said:

The offense puts enough points on the board but the defense is letting opposing QB’s gash them. Even a blind man can see it’s the defense that is holding this team back now.

Do I think there’s a realistic chance they’re taking or trading for a QB? Absolutely! Do I think that’s the smart way to go?! Absolutely not!

Agreed. Been saying this all along. Using those picks on a QB is the wort thing that could happen.

2 minutes ago, Ray75 said:

If they’re truly convinced Hurts is not the guy, I would not fault them for using ONE of their 3 first rounders on a QB if they really believe he’s the guy. 

Sign a veteran receiver in FA instead of burning another high pick on one.

We’ll see. But I bet it’s not going to be three firsts on defense.

1 hour ago, D-Shiznit said:

Lowie literally came out and said the Eagles want to be a "QB factory" and people still think we're going to focus on defense?

Come on people, we're either drafting a QB with our 1st pick or trading the farm for Wilson.

Sadly, I see this as the most likely outcome.

They've never got over missing out on him in the 2012 Draft.

57 minutes ago, Infam said:

Without knowing when exactly he meddled, that’s hard to say. If he got us Hurts, I’m glad he meddled.

There is a middle ground between neglect and using all three firsts.

Learned their lesson? Good luck with that.

Agreed. Been saying this all along. Using those picks on a QB is the wort thing that could happen.

We’ll see. But I bet it’s not going to be three firsts on defense.

You’re so obsessed with offense that it clouded your vision, my friend.

It was reported Lurie had a big hand in us taking JJAW (Alshon’s replacement) and possibly Reagor (opting for speed instead of the clear cut better receiver in Jefferson). He wants a high flying passing attack so bad and it resulted in neglecting the other side of the ball for years. Only high picks on defense sinds 2016 were Barnett and Jones. They completely deferred from their mantra which a team should never do if it worked for decades IMO. His obsession is driving a lot of fans nuts.

Just take a look at the Steelers, Ravens, Patriots etc. They sticked to the formula and therefor are more stable organisations.

You talk about a middle ground. Funny! Did they do that the last 3 years?! Nope! Entire focus was on offense and Howie had to use bandaids in FA to fill the voids on defense. That has to stop in order for this team to take the next step IMO or do you really believe they’re gonna select a receiver again in the first or an OL high (took both Dillard and Dickerson in the last couple of years)?!

Here’s what I think might happen; they take a QB high and use their other two first and their second rounder on defense.

1 hour ago, Ray75 said:

They deferred from their mantra the last couple of years taking receivers high but if you look at their draft history it’s predominantly DL, some OL and occasionally a QB (McNabb, Wentz, Kolb and Hurts), a TE (Ertz, Goedert) or WR (Maclin, Agholor, Reagor, Smith) high in the last 25 years.

And let's not forget... They went Smith because 1) he was probably BPA at #11 but 2) they failed to address the WR properly the year before with Reagor. 

1 minute ago, UK_EaglesFan89 said:

And let's not forget... They went Smith because 1) he was probably BPA at #11 but 2) they failed to address the WR properly the year before with Reagor. 

Exactly! Time to use those resources on other positions and by all means sign a veteran WR in FA.

8 minutes ago, Ray75 said:

Exactly! Time to use those resources on other positions and by all means sign a veteran WR in FA.

Or hey use a second or third round pick (depending what they do in the first of course).

2 minutes ago, UK_EaglesFan89 said:

Or hey use a second or third round pick (depending what they do in the first of course).

Agreed!

You can definitely argue about Eagles taking a DB and/or LB high because they about never do that but if you believe they’re not looking at QB’s and pass rushers you’re completely clueless.

If they believe Hurts is not the guy, they’re taking a QB in the first because I don’t believe either Wilson, Rodgers or Watson wants to come here.

1 hour ago, Infam said:

Without knowing when exactly he meddled, that’s hard to say. If he got us Hurts, I’m glad he meddled.

There is a middle ground between neglect and using all three firsts.

Learned their lesson? Good luck with that.

Agreed. Been saying this all along. Using those picks on a QB is the wort thing that could happen.

We’ll see. But I bet it’s not going to be three firsts on defense.

I think if they don't trade picks for a QB or draft a QB in the first one of the 3 first round picks will ne traded for a 2022 2nd day pick plus a future 1st.  While I would love 2 defenders and an offensive linemen with the 3 picks don't see them drafting 3 in the first.

 

29 minutes ago, Ray75 said:

Agreed!

You can definitely argue about Eagles taking a DB and/or LB high because they about never do that but if you believe they’re not looking at QB’s and pass rushers you’re completely clueless.

If they believe Hurts is not the guy, they’re taking a QB in the first because I don’t believe either Wilson, Rodgers or Watson wants to come here.

For absolute certainty no top tier QB wants to play in Philly now.  That can change, of course, but for now not a chance

1 minute ago, Freshmilk said:

For absolute certainty no top tier QB wants to play in Philly now.  That can change, of course, but for now not a chance

Exactly. So if they believe Hurts is not the guy going forward and Sirianni believes he needs a different kind of QB, they almost have to go the draft route.

3 hours ago, D-Shiznit said:

Lowie literally came out and said the Eagles want to be a "QB factory" and people still think we're going to focus on defense?

Come on people, we're either drafting a QB with our 1st pick or trading the farm for Wilson.

I wonder what you would have to trade to get Wilson.  I have a feeling that it's not as high as we would think, because he will have pushed Seattle into a corner with his demands.  I'm not a huge proponent of the move, but I do think it is the best way to use the picks into necessary slots for young talent and then deal with the main need for a QB.

38 minutes ago, Ray75 said:

If they believe Hurts is not the guy, they’re taking a QB in the first because I don’t believe either Wilson, Rodgers or Watson wants to come here.

That is an issue that I seldom see addressed. We're pretty sure Watson wants no part of Lurie/Howie. Rodgers I doubt is interested either, he seems like a west coast guy.  I've never heard anything on Wilson's preferences.

16 minutes ago, Freshmilk said:

For absolute certainty no top tier QB wants to play in Philly now.  That can change, of course, but for now not a chance

I would think that would change after we clear off the dead money from the cap.  We can invest our picks into talent (assuming Howie gets it right) and then soon we can become big FA buyers and have money to extend our own talent (the best move).  We may not look to bad to others in the near future.  Although, we do still have the Lurie/Howie situation that may not look so good to them.

13 minutes ago, eglz1 said:

That is an issue that I seldom see addressed. We're pretty sure Watson wants no part of Lurie/Howie. Rodgers I doubt is interested either, he seems like a west coast guy.  I've never heard anything on Wilson's preferences.

I believe a top tier QB like Rodgers or Wilson wants to play for a contender with a stable FO, not a team still looking for an identity, a team that is somewhat rebuilding. That’s all.

26 minutes ago, Ray75 said:

Exactly. So if they believe Hurts is not the guy going forward and Sirianni believes he needs a different kind of QB, they almost have to go the draft route.

Reluctantly agree.  There aren't even any promising backup QBs that will be FA or available in a trade.  Just so obvious there is no college QB worth a top 25 pick this draft.

17 minutes ago, E-A-G-L-E-S Eagles said:

I would think that would change after we clear off the dead money from the cap.  We can invest our picks into talent (assuming Howie gets it right) and then soon we can become big FA buyers and have money to extend our own talent (the best move).  We may not look to bad to others in the near future.  Although, we do still have the Lurie/Howie situation that may not look so good to them.

If the team has talent and $$$ Howie is less of an impediment.   From what I gather $$$ and winning top the list of most players.  They can put up with a lot of incompetent people (players, management) if they are winning and getting paid.  I feel the same way.