On 3/1/2023 at 5:45 AM, EaglesAddict said:

I'd argue that the defenses of that era weren't hamstrung by the rules of today that favor offenses.  I'm not saying neglect the defense, I'm saying use more of our most valuable resources to keep the offense elite while maintaining a "competitive defense" that can at least be middle of the pack.  Using the draft as an example: use our two first rounders on offense and our 2nd and 3rd rounders on defense.  That's what I mean be resource allocation and just tilting it to favor offense.  We have an opportunity right now to add to our offense and make it a juggernaut.

I see us getting a CB or DE in the first. And hopefully trading down, depending how the board stacks.

OT/OG depth, RB1, WR3 are all needs but don't necessarily need to be filled by the draft. Re-sign big contributors, Trade, FA depth, BPA draft is the normal off-season routine for Howie. He'll likely trade back in one or maybe even both of those 1st round picks if his targets aren't there.

The Eagles are currently losing both starting DTs, both starting lbs, both starting safeties, one starting corner, 3 backup DEs, and I believe two or three backup DTs. On top of this they have to pay or try and convince Jalen to postpone his eventual massive contract for one more season so they can try to bring back some of these guys. The draft should be heavy defense, but I would prefer at least one trade down with a first for an additional first for a later year. Then Howie needs to fill as best he can the rest of the roster. Overall revamping the defense to make it younger but still effective is a need for this team. The offense is stacked, but that’s useless if the defense is back to letting mediocre quarterbacks complete 80% of their passes against them. 

16 hours ago, Traveler Vic said:

I see us getting a CB or DE in the first. And hopefully trading down, depending how the board stacks.

If you asked me what I think the Eagles will do in the 1st, I'd absolutely say it'll be CB or DL (or possibly even OL). Much will depend on what shakes out in FA prior to the draft, but yeah, CB and DL are the most likely positions they'll address.  That said, there's a part of me that wants them to just keep stacking the offense.

On 2/21/2023 at 1:04 AM, Peacekeeper said:

Yes offense needs to be elite.. starting with getting a dual threat speed RB, and a power back.

We absolutely have to limit Hurts ‘put the team on his back’ runs in the regular season to prolong his career and de-risk injuries 

Watching the all 22 of Eagles game our RB gets open a good amount of times but hurts doesn’t look for him (I don’t think he trusted sanders in the passing game) getting a RB that’s a threat in that area is a game breaker to take this offense to another level 

as for Hurts, he needs to develop a passing game inside the RZ. We were able to bully our way down there all year. Would like to see him throw more TDs keeping defenses guessing. 
 

Slot receiver needs an upgrade or for Quez to step up next year. I like his speed but he had a disappointing year 

What does your All-22 show for Watkins, is it a RB situation where Hurts is simply not looking his way?

6 hours ago, EazyEaglez said:

The Eagles are currently losing both starting DTs, both starting lbs, both starting safeties, one starting corner, 3 backup DEs, and I believe two or three backup DTs. On top of this they have to pay or try and convince Jalen to postpone his eventual massive contract for one more season so they can try to bring back some of these guys. The draft should be heavy defense, but I would prefer at least one trade down with a first for an additional first for a later year. Then Howie needs to fill as best he can the rest of the roster. Overall revamping the defense to make it younger but still effective is a need for this team. The offense is stacked, but that’s useless if the defense is back to letting mediocre quarterbacks complete 80% of their passes against them. 

They won’t want to delay the Hurts contract. They would be in trouble if they let him play out the last year as they wouldn’t be able to afford the exclusive tag in 2024. Also remember that it would be an extension, so only part of the signing bonus would count.

 

8 hours ago, ManchesterEagle said:

They won’t want to delay the Hurts contract. They would be in trouble if they let him play out the last year as they wouldn’t be able to afford the exclusive tag in 2024. Also remember that it would be an extension, so only part of the signing bonus would count.

 

I don’t mean that they don’t pay him, rather I mean they structure the deal so it is soft early but heavy later when they have more cap space. 

I'm starting to lean towards yes....make the offense indefensible and next year with 12 draft picks....go for defense with like every pick!  Gump your way to a full defensive rebuild and complete the re-tool.  

The defense needs help more than the offense.  We lost the SB due to the defense could not stop KC offense.  The offense scored enough points to win, but the defense couldn't stop the Chiefs from scoring.

DL, LB, CB/DB all need help.  CB/DB are losing several starters and the back-ups are still unproven.  They need to add talents thru draft, FA and trades.

 

On 3/7/2023 at 7:03 AM, NYEagle said:

I'm starting to lean towards yes....make the offense indefensible and next year with 12 draft picks....go for defense with like every pick!  Gump your way to a full defensive rebuild and complete the re-tool.  

 

2 hours ago, Penn7980 said:

The defense needs help more than the offense.  We lost the SB due to the defense could not stop KC offense.  The offense scored enough points to win, but the defense couldn't stop the Chiefs from scoring.

DL, LB, CB/DB all need help.  CB/DB are losing several starters and the back-ups are still unproven.  They need to add talents thru draft, FA and trades.

 

A big part of any year's draft plans discussion needs to always include what's available, not just needs.  We can say they should focus on one side of the ball or focus on certain positions but there's also the draft board that dictates it as well.  What guys rise and fall, run on positions, etc can all affect it.  We can say they just need to take X player at #10 but what if he's taken at #6, then what?  It can be very unpredictable.

So they're on the board and the fans think they should draft X position or focus on one side of the ball...and they can choose to reach for an ok player at that position or side of the ball, or they can take the best prospect who overall might be a much better prospect and potential great player on the other side of the ball.  Take this year's #10 for example.  General consensus is to take a corner which I like that idea.  But what if the team thinks that corner will be a B, but there's an OT to replace Lane Johnson available who they think is an A+ and will be a great player? 

That's the kind of decision a team has to make: do you take the better player overall so that in 2 years time you have a great player instead of a very good player?  Is that position valued at that round/pick?  You have to build a roster over many years and have a longer view, you do not ever draft just for the immediate season.  That's how teams reach and miss out on better players.  Obviously there are some positions you don't draft high because you have a starter locked in already, but sometimes like with Goedert you take someone to develop and take over.  

The Eagles also need to learn - and I think/hope/pray that the last 2 drafts have proven that Howie is figuring this out - what positions they scout/draft well and which they don't.  They do well at drafting lineman first and foremost.  They've continued to have strong lines and keep drafting quality replacements.  So that's the bread and butter.  They also seem to have shifted to drafting from more pro-ready schools and players that won championships, came from more competitive schools.  If that means they never figure out how to draft a good corner and have to rely on free agency and trades at corner, but are drafting great lineman, TE, QB or other positions then so be it.  I would love a great corner in the draft.  But they also need to focus on what they do well and take a longer view of the roster not just the immediate season.

On 3/3/2023 at 9:15 AM, EagleVA said:

What does your All-22 show for Watkins, is it a RB situation where Hurts is simply not looking his way?

The film shows that Watkins blows. 

On 2/20/2023 at 1:45 PM, eagle45 said:

I think there are 3 ways to improve on offense:

1. Hurts more consistently throws an accurate deep ball.  (Reasonable expectation).

2. Hurts gets a more consistently open deep target, ie either upgrade Watkins or Watkins has a better year.  (Hard to find a good deep threat...this would would be round 2-3 draft pick, earlier would be unwise, later and you aren't getting an upgrade).

3. RB with great quickness who can contribute on screens and be more of a factor in the passing game. (Rounds 2-5 draft).

 

Those are really the only things to add.

You know my answer: Gibbs would give us a potential home run threat with the ball in his hands from handoffs, out of the backfield and running routes out of the slot.

Achane as well, but the receiving from the slot is more of a question.

On 3/3/2023 at 2:53 AM, EazyEaglez said:

The Eagles are currently losing both starting DTs, both starting lbs, both starting safeties, one starting corner, 3 backup DEs, and I believe two or three backup DTs. On top of this they have to pay or try and convince Jalen to postpone his eventual massive contract for one more season so they can try to bring back some of these guys. The draft should be heavy defense, but I would prefer at least one trade down with a first for an additional first for a later year. Then Howie needs to fill as best he can the rest of the roster. Overall revamping the defense to make it younger but still effective is a need for this team. The offense is stacked, but that’s useless if the defense is back to letting mediocre quarterbacks complete 80% of their passes against them. 

Agree with everything except delaying signing Hurts ... they'll for sure want to lock him in now while they still can for "only" $50M/year.  Next year that could likely be closer to $60M.  

I don't know how this draft can't be heavy on defense considering the number of starters we are likely to lose and the lack of cap space to be major players in free agency.  I'm sure Howie will try once again to wait until the initial signing frenzy is over and go bargain shopping, hoping players get cut that we can sign for a super team friendly deal (like Bradberry last year).  Depending on who is available when we are on the clock with the 10th pick, I wouldn't be opposed to trading down a few spots to pick up a 2024 1st and a couple mid round picks this year - perhaps a team really wanting a QB sees someone available at 10 and is willing to overpay a bit.  A couple extra picks this year would be nice, we need to add a RB and possibly OG too but the rest should be on defense.  Who knows, maybe they trade down with pick 30 too, but we mostly need to add picks this year and not next ... we'll be stocked next year (we already have 8 and are quite likely to pick up 4 comp picks for a total of 12).   

3 hours ago, nipples said:

The film shows that Watkins blows. 

And as everyone knows, he's worse when it snows.  

 

 

 

7 hours ago, time2rock said:

Agree with everything except delaying signing Hurts ... they'll for sure want to lock him in now while they still can for "only" $50M/year.  Next year that could likely be closer to $60M.  

I don't know how this draft can't be heavy on defense considering the number of starters we are likely to lose and the lack of cap space to be major players in free agency.  I'm sure Howie will try once again to wait until the initial signing frenzy is over and go bargain shopping, hoping players get cut that we can sign for a super team friendly deal (like Bradberry last year).  Depending on who is available when we are on the clock with the 10th pick, I wouldn't be opposed to trading down a few spots to pick up a 2024 1st and a couple mid round picks this year - perhaps a team really wanting a QB sees someone available at 10 and is willing to overpay a bit.  A couple extra picks this year would be nice, we need to add a RB and possibly OG too but the rest should be on defense.  Who knows, maybe they trade down with pick 30 too, but we mostly need to add picks this year and not next ... we'll be stocked next year (we already have 8 and are quite likely to pick up 4 comp picks for a total of 12).   

I’m not trying to state they should wait to lock up Jalen, rather structure the contract to make the big hits happen later. I think they’re have at least a 40 mil surplus next season so they will have room to absorb a lot more of that contract later. Question about comp picks though. I heard traded for players and one year free agent signings do not count for comp picks which would mean Quinn, CJGJ, and Bradbury won’t equate to comp picks. I was wondering if you heard that too?

8 minutes ago, EazyEaglez said:

I’m not trying to state they should wait to lock up Jalen, rather structure the contract to make the big hits happen later. I think they’re have at least a 40 mil surplus next season so they will have room to absorb a lot more of that contract later. Question about comp picks though. I heard traded for players and one year free agent signings do not count for comp picks which would mean Quinn, CJGJ, and Bradbury won’t equate to comp picks. I was wondering if you heard that too?

1 year signings are allowed and so are trades. The key is were they under contract with you and then left during the official free agency period, as well as some other rules (like they have to be ranked in the top 35% of all league players, meaning you don't get comp picks for scrubs).  

Remember they traded a 3rd round pick for Golden Tate, who left and signed with another team so they got a 4th round comp pick back for Tate. 

This Over the Cap article explains comp picks pretty well.

55 minutes ago, EazyEaglez said:

I’m not trying to state they should wait to lock up Jalen, rather structure the contract to make the big hits happen later. I think they’re have at least a 40 mil surplus next season so they will have room to absorb a lot more of that contract later. Question about comp picks though. I heard traded for players and one year free agent signings do not count for comp picks which would mean Quinn, CJGJ, and Bradbury won’t equate to comp picks. I was wondering if you heard that too?

I posted a piece by Kempski in 411 that covers projected compensatory pick values for our impending free agents.  CJGJ and Bradberry would qualify but not Quinn.

 

On 3/10/2023 at 3:37 PM, NOTW said:

1 year signings are allowed and so are trades. The key is were they under contract with you and then left during the official free agency period, as well as some other rules (like they have to be ranked in the top 35% of all league players, meaning you don't get comp picks for scrubs).  

Remember they traded a 3rd round pick for Golden Tate, who left and signed with another team so they got a 4th round comp pick back for Tate. 

This Over the Cap article explains comp picks pretty well.

I just read an article that says "voidable contracts do not count for compensatory picks. These are the players it says do not count.

"The following can not count: James Bradberry, Fletcher Cox, TJ Edwards, Javon Hargrave, Robert Quinn, Isaac Seumalo, and Kyzir White. Everyone but Quinn voided, while Quinn renegotiated his contract when he was traded to make him a free agent, because he originally signed a five year deal and it turned into a three year deal, it does not count.”

These are the ones it claims does. 
 

"The following Eagles could count in the formula if they sign elsewhere: Andre Dillard, Marcus Epps, CJ Gardner-Johnson, Linval Joseph, Brett Kern, Gardner Minshew, Zach Pascal, Miles Sanders, Boston Scott, and Ndamukong Suh.”

This is the cite they used. 
 

"No [Unrestricted Free Agent] shall qualify as a [Compensatory Free Agent] unless and until the maximum possible term of the player’s contract has expired, and all other requirements have been satisfied. The Maximum Possible Term of any Player Contract shall be determined as of the date of such contract’s execution and shall include all years of the contract (including, without limitation, option years and voidable years).”

https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/2023/3/12/23636371/philadelphia-eagles-free-agency-mailbag-compensatory-draft-picks-nfl-news-darius-slay-trade-rumors
 

 

On 2/20/2023 at 5:08 PM, opa-opa said:

Please no more of these small shifty RBs. We need a big tough guy who can break tackles. Havent had one like that since Blount.

Charbonnet is your man.

7 hours ago, EagleVA said:

Charbonnet is your man.

Looks too slow for our brand of RPO. 

20 minutes ago, judunno said:

Looks too slow for our brand of RPO. 

Truth be told, it wasn't a RPO, it was more of a option run, QB or RB, which is college football and I don't expect the same results in '23.  

3 minutes ago, EagleVA said:

Truth be told, it wasn't a RPO, it was more of a option run, QB or RB, which is college football and I don't expect the same results in '23.  

Still too slow. Not quick enough and he won't be running people over like he did in the Pac-12

I'm thinking that the D still needs to be updated. LB is still questionable. Not sure if Dean is up to the task. Also with CJG now gone safety needs to be addressed. On O, I still think we need a RB and probably will draft one late or sign FA after draft. Another thing we need to do is upgrade ST players (imo, coach too)

 

Don't be surprised if their first selection is an Offensive Tackle to add depth and eventually replace Lane Johnson.

6 hours ago, NOTW said:

Don't be surprised if their first selection is an Offensive Tackle to add depth and eventually replace Lane Johnson.

Wouldn't mind it. Trenches are getting older. Gotta get the understudies in here.