I dare to dream!!!  That’s what you have to do as an Eagles fan these days.  You can’t believe a thing said in the media regardless of how reliable they say their source is.
Each year, no matter how last season ended I try to stay positive and say “This is going to be the year”.  It happened with the ’09 Saints and also with the ’07 Giants.  Why not the 2010 Eagles??
Of course, I’m realistic enough to know that certain things need to take place for a team to even contend for the Lombardi Trophy.
It’s one thing for a team to find guys who fit their scheme/philosophy, but the most important thing is for a team to stay healthy.  If the starters can’t stay healthy, then the reserves better be ready to step up.
The Eagles had neither go in their favor in 2009.  I thought they had a chance to do great things, but I knew if the offensive line didn’t stay intact those chances were slim.
We all know how that turned out. It started with Todd Herremans foot and went downhill from there.  I’m not even going to get into Stewart Bradley’s injury and the linebacker unit.
The Eagles have taken the scenic route in preparation for 2010.  They’ve cut loose over aged/underproductive contracts.  They’ve signed three free agents, made a trade for a defensive end, and have signed most of their restricted free agents to their respective tenders.
Have they done enough?  Of course not!  There’s three weeks left until D-Day and there are still a lot of holes to fill for this team to be competitive again.  The currently have fifty-nine players on the roster. Eight draft picks plus seven un-drafted free agents won’t make an eighty man training camp roster.
I have a step by step idea of what I’d like the Eagles to do in the upcoming weeks.  Obviously players have to be available when the Eagles select for this to be possible.
None of these things may happen.  A few of them may occur.  If all of these transactions came to fruition, I may go into cardiac arrest.  Until official transactions are reported, this is my prediction…..
2010 Draft Day 1 (Round One)
1(24): Mike Iupati-OG (Idaho)
(Why this could happen)- The Eagles may have to trade up for Iupati but he could very well slip to pick No. 24.  Iupati’s size and versatility are exactly what Andy Reid looks for in a lineman.  Nobody wants to hear about an offensive lineman in the first round, but I find it hard to argue this selection.   He would start at right guard immediately.
Trade: Michael Vick-QB and Stacy Andrews-OG/OT to Buffalo for 2010 2nd round (No. 41) and 2010 5th round (140) picks
(Why this could happen)- Selecting Iupati would make this possible.  I believe Andrews contract was restructured along with his bonus being paid to make him more marketable for a trade (only in an uncapped year).
The Bill would give Vick his chance to start.  More importantly, the retirement of Brad Butler and the defection of Rich Incognito to Miami has Buffalo hurting for offensive linemen.  That’s where Andrews comes in.
I don’t see Buffalo declining this offer.
Draft Day 2 (Second and Third Rounds)
2(41): Nate Allen-FS (South Florida) РI’m not trying to hear that Marlin Jackson is the answer free safety.  I’m also not high on Taylor Mays.  Allen is the best guy for the Eagles defense and he should be available at this selection.
2(49): Chris Cook-CB (Virginia) – The Eagles need a taller, physical corner.  They also need someone who can eventually replace Sheldon Brown.
Trade: 2010 2nd round pick (No. 55) to Kansas City for Derrick Johnson-LB
Regardless of his first round tender, Johnson still isn’t a good fit for the Chiefs 3-4 D.  A second round pick should fill a void with a very good SAM linebacker.
3(70): Corey Wooten-DE (Northwestern) – Even with the addition of Darryl Tapp, the Eagles need depth at defensive end with the departures of Darren Howard and Jason Babin.  Wooten’s 2008 knee injury could cause him to slip here.  He’s a prototypical left end who can play inside on passing downs.
3(87): Navarro Bowman-LB (Penn St.) – Bowman gives the Eagles another option at weakside linebacker.  He could eventually challenge Akeem Jordan to start.
Draft Day 3 (Rounds 4, 5, 6, and 7)
Trade: Ellis Hobbs-CB to Oakland for 2010 4th round (No. 109) pick
I have a hard time believing the Eagles will pay $2.6 million for a rehabbing dime back who was more successful in kickoff returns than defense.  The Raiders not only need CB depth, but they were horrible in kickoff/punt returns last year.
4(105): Eric Decker-WR* (Minnesota) – A Linsfranc sprain could drop Decker to this spot.  You can’t have enough receivers in the Eagles offense.  Decker has Hank Baskett’s size and Jason Avant’s hands.  Not a bad combination.
4(109): John Skelton-QB (Fordham) – There’s no doubt the Eagles will draft a QB to groom this year.  They’ve been watching Skelton and he should be available at this pick.
4(113): A.J. Edds-LB (Iowa) – Edds would fit well as a 4-3 SAM linebacker in this defense.  He wouldn’t be pressured to start if Derrick Johnson is here.
5(140): Myron Rolle-S (Florida St.) – The Rhodes Scholar’s character should attract the Eagles.  He’d backup Quintin Mikell (who’s almost 30 going into his contract year) at strong safety
6(200): Zoltan Mesko-P (Michigan) – The Eagles need to end the Sav Rocca experiment ASAP.  They’ve already done their homework on the top rated punter in the draft.
7(243): Deju Karim-RB (Southern Illinois) – Karim could possibly fit in well as a 3rd down back.
7(244): Vince Oghobaase-DT (Duke) – A 2009 leg injury slowed Oghobaase down.  Add the fact that he’ll probably be best as a pass rushing DT and you have a drop in draft stock.  Fortunately for the Eagles, Oghobaase would address their huge need for an interior pass rush.
Rookie Free Agents
- Danny Batten-DE (South Dakota St): Batten could potentially rotate with Trent Cole at right defensive end.
- Danario Alexander-WR (Missouri): Injuries have killed Alexander’s draft stock.  His size and hands warrant a training camp opportunity.
- Tim Hiller-QB (Western Michigan): Small school prospect has the size and ability to develop.
- Dominique Harris-SS (Temple): Local product would challenge for a roster spot at strong safety.
- Trindon Holiday-WR/KR (LSU): Strictly a return specialist.  A very good return specialist though.
- Chris DeGeare-OG (Wake Forest): DeGeare has good size and can play guard or tackle.
- Levi Horn-OT (Montana): A former tight end, Horn has the size Reid likes in his tackles.
Post Draft Veteran Signings
- Dante Culpepper-QB: If McNabb and Vick leave, the Eagles will need a veteran to backup Kolb.  Doesn’t get much better than Culpepper.
- J’Vonne Parker-DT: This would be Parker’s sixth team in as many seasons.  He deserves a shot in training camp.
- Quin Sypniewski-TE: The Eagles need a third, blocking tight end.
- Pisa Tinoisamoa-LB: Tinoisamoa could challenge for the WILL spot.
- Adam “Pacman” Jones-CB: If Pacman is serious about returning to the NFL, the Eagles could use his skills.  Keep him off Delaware Ave and he could succeed.
- Jimmy Wilkerson-DE: He won’t be able to play until the start of training camp, but he could be given a shot.
- Justin Green-FB: Strictly a training camp body.
I appreciate the research you obviously put into this article, but I have a hard time believing Buffalo would pony up a #2 and #5 for Michael Vick and Stacy Andrews…
PS – I don’t want to see Pacman anywhere near this young team.
Yeah I mean … You need to re-title this article “One Eagles Fan’s (Pipe) Dream Of A Perfect Off Season.”
First off, there’s no way Buffalo is going to give up a 2 and a 5 for Vick and Stacy Andrews. The Eagles only got a 2 and a 4 for McNabb. Not a prayer Buffalo would give up that much for these two stiffs.Secondly, why the heck would you trade Ellis Hobbs? I mean I agree he isn’t that great, but the Eagles are down to rock bottom at corner. Who’s going to play in Hobbs’ place?? Despite what Lurie said, Joe Banner really can’t suit up for a game. Lastly, how in the WORLD can you suggest you put Pacman Jones on this team?? What are we trying for, the All Convict Roster?? Come on.
Silly.
Dreams and Delusions- An Eagles Fan’s dreams. Fiction
Some good stuff Haran and research on your end..
I can possibly see a Trade with Vick & Buffalo (but not with Stacey Andrews in it) the Eagles have invested too much $$ in him not to get at least 1 years service out of him..) The Eagles could send Vick and their 4th Rd pick # 121 overall to Buffalo for their 2nd Rounder (#41 Overall)
I also don’t see Eagles trading the 55th pick for 28 D Johnson from the Chiefs..Too high a pick for a player many feel has peaked already… I rather draft a J Hughes from TCU or S Lee from Penn State
Nate Allen will be gone by the 41st (Cowboys are very high on him per sources as a lot of others are)
and too many of your high draft selections are coming off injuries like C Wooten, E Decker, and Bowman has some character issues that Eagles typically stay away from.. And one last critique is that I don’t see the Raiders or anyone giving up a 4th Rounder for E Hobbs… (return guys are a dime a dozen except for the Eagles..)
Yoo have inspired me to come up with a Paulman plan of Action for Eagles to write/post….
Haran….Looks like you did do some research however you forgot about the 37th pick we just got for McNabb………..and Flackman Jons? Are you serious????
One last thing
The Eagles would have no interest in Pacman Jones or D Culpepper…
They are not good lockeroom guys and Could never envision the F/O and AR wanting to surround a young team with this under-achievers… makes no sense if you think about it…
I do think they may take a look at recently released K Hamlin from the Cowboys..(if nothing else,
maybe pick his brain on the Cowby schemes that the Eagles had such a hard time with..)
and could see a M Bulger, P Ramsey, C McNown as possible 3rd Qb but I think they will draft Shelton from Hofstra and count on him being the 3rd QB
Yello…?
Jeff…Big Red calling, how soon can you get to the NovaCare compound…I mean complex?
I’ve been driving up and down Broadstreet since last season Mr Reid. I’ll be there in 20 minutes…
I love the part where Vick is traded. I would use him to move up.
Well…that sucked….
Supposed to be Jeff Garcia.
Epic Fail
i like the Myron Rolle pick….i think he’s gonna be good …its nothing like a smart fball player…i could live wit a lupati pick……but i gotta feelin if they like eric berry they could move up to get him….i gotta feeling we gone move up this year…we need to make a splash a star player this yr…by the way Paulman sucks
I agree birdman – We move up and splash or If unable we drop out of the first and gather more VALUE picks. (However they define value)
I actually wrote this article before McNabb got traded WellWell, I wanted to send a revised edition. Also, the Culpepper addition was before Bulger got cut. Garcia is a possibility. The bottom line is, if Vick is traded (and I think he will be), a veteran backup is needed. Bulger probably still wants a chance to start. Culpepper is desperate just for a job. Same thing goes for Pacman Jones. Think about it, last year in early August did you think the Eagles would sign Vick??…….I didn’t think so. I think Pacman is a possibility. He knows this is his last chance to get some type of NFL career. He’s only 26, so he’s old enough to hopefully learn his lesson yet still young enough where the organization (especially Quintin Mikell) can be an influence on him and not the other way around.
I don’t think Vick and Pacman are so similar. Mike Vick was a punk and did some real dumb stuff, but I don’t feel like going out to drink with the guy you’d be like, uh oh, there’s a 90% chance that someone’s going to jail and this is gonna get ugly. Pacman is a walking disaster at all times. And it’s doubtful that he’s still in good football shape and/or has an discipline in life to come in and be a solid, mature veteran presence.
We should definitely take a shot at Pacman.
Take a shot, get it?
When we offer to trade Vick for a second round draft pick, are we going to the Bills’ facilities, putting a gun to Ralph Wilson’s head and assuring him that either “Michael Vick” or Wilson’s brains are going to be on one of the lockers? There’s no other way that trade is happening. McNabb was only worth a second round pick, so I don’t see how Vick possibly could be.
Andrews isn’t worth anything in a trade after last season.
Neither is Hobbs. He’s coming back from IR and was only worth two fifth round picks before he was injured. He’d be lucky to get one fifth round pick at this point, and the fact is we need him more than we need the kind of cornerback we could get for a late draft pick.
Vick and 3rd Rd pick (#87 overall) to Rams for Safety Otwege and their 5th Rd pick (around #130)
or Vick and 4th Rd pick (#121 overall) to the Bills for Safety D Whittier and their 5th Rd pick (around #135) Whitter has played for new Secondary Coach D Jauron and could be a leader of a entirely new Secondary and is in his prime right now .
Then to sure up the CB position,
Trade A Sammuel, Q Demps and 3rd pick (#70 Overall) to Oakland Raiders for CB Asamougah and their 4th or 5th Rd pick…(Sammuel is not a leader and a cancer in the lockeroom and not a very
good influence to this young Eagle team which is about to get real young on the defensive side of the ball) Asmagouh is a shut down CB and hungry to play for a winner where as Sammuel just wants to do his own thing his own way… (I cannot stand Sammuel and never liked them going out and signing him.. he makes Int’s but is a Diva in his own mind and afraid to get physical and is the most overrated CB in the NFL)
I could stand Samuel only because Sheldon was the polar opposite, Brown was the Bulldog type and Samuel was the finesse Pick machine. Now we have nothing to challenge the bigger WR’s of the NFC East, or MFL for that matter. IDK about Asamougah…he’s great and all but he’s 29 and the Eagles, as well all know, stay away from older players regardless of talent level. We really need to address the CB situation and I’d rather see a veteran than a rookie.