I took a close look at the Eagles players salaries then I examined the team's depth chart and one named jumped out at me.
Darren Howard. Would somebody please explain to me how the Eagles can afford to pay a backup defensive end $7.7 million? That's what he made a year ago against the salary cap even though he contributed only 5 sacks and a lousy 43 tackles over 18 games.
That's not even three tackles per game. Teams were running right at the Eagles defensive line all year long yet the former New Orleans Saint could only muster 43 tackles. A good defensive end can make that many plays by mistake. He was a huge disappointment.
He's undersized at 270 pounds which is much like the other defensive ends on the Eagles defense but he doesn't have the speed or quickness of Kearse, Trent Cole, or Juqua Thomas. Darren was supposed to be a tremendous technician but I haven't seen it. It makes no sense to keep paying Howard if he's not productive.
Number 90 was supposed to be a great signing at the beginning of the 2006 free agency period. He was supposed to line up opposite Kearse and give the Eagles one of the best pass rushes in the NFL. Thinking back he didn't look impressive at last year's training camp and he never did much during the season. I wonder which teams were competing with the Eagles to sign Howard.
Now I look at the team's depth chart and he's not even starting. I know Joe Banner is not getting any sleep looking at his salary and the team's depth chart. If it gets my attention I know it gives Joe a stomachache. I haven't heard anything from Jim Johnson and his coaching staff about how Howard needs to step up. I'd like to see some pressure put on Howard about his production. The Birds who pride themselves on releasing players who can no longer perform, should demand performance out of Howard or release him. I think the Birds should cut him in training camp if he doesn't turn heads.
They could take that $5 million he's supposed to make this year and use it somewhere else. There might be a player who is released during training camp who can help them and they could use the extra $5 million to pay them.
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