The Eagles could be very competitive in 2010.  They could very well make a deep playoff run.  But, from most fans perspectives the Super Bowl aspirations have been put on hold. 
Although he says he’s ready, that’s a lot of pressure to put on Kevin Kolb in his first year.
While the term “rebuilding” is not in the general manager Howie Roseman’s vocabulary, it’s definitely in his organization’s actions.
As we approach the 2010 NFL Draft, everybody affiliated with professional football in some type of fashion is getting very anxious.  The teams are finalizing their draft boards.  Experts are adjusting their mock drafts (again and again).
Radio personalities are promoting certain prospects for their local teams (Will St. Louis fans boo the draft like the Eagles “Dirty Thirty” in 1999 if the Rams overlook Sam Bradford??).  I’m sure die hard football fans across the country are getting into heated water cooler debates regarding who their respective team should draft.
The NFL Draft is the time most trades are made.  You have your share of trades before the draft and even during the season.  But, front offices are more motivated to finalize their roster as much as possible during the last weekend of April.
You hear a lot about the draft value chart and which players may be on the trading block.  There is one thing that is rarely thought of: Next year’s draft picks.
Here in Philadelphia, fans were outraged when the Eagles traded out of the first round two years in a row.  Remember when Carolina made a trade with the Eagles in 2008 to obtain an extra first round pick?  Could you imagine the Eagles using their 2011 first rounder to help obtain an extra top 32 pick in 2010?
Because this is an uncapped season which placed huge limitations on free agency, the players selected via draft will be depended on more than ever to have an impact on their teams.
Can you imagine if Georgia Tech defensive end Derrick Morgan slipped in the draft to where the Eagles could use the 2011 1st round pick in a package to grab him?
Imagine if they draft Morgan and still have their 2010 1st rounder which they can use in another deal to move up and draft Florida cornerback Joe Haden.  It would be a cause for a brief celebration in the Delaware Valley.
Whether you like the moves the Eagles have made this off season or not, they are poised to make some major moves next week and possibly next off season.  They currently have eleven draft picks this year and nine for 2011.
If a new collective bargaining agreement is reached with a salary cap reinstated, the roster moves the Eagles made this off season should give them plenty of cap space to pursue a few marquee free agents next off season.
Barring a lockout, add those free agents to a few top tier players from this draft with a year under their belt.  Philadelphia could be in position to truly have ‘the best roster in the NFL’ in 2011.
The Eagles could be very competitive in 2010.  They could very well make a deep playoff run.  But, from most fans perspectives the Super Bowl aspirations have been put on hold.  Although he says he’s ready, that’s a lot of pressure to put on Kevin Kolb in his first year.
While the term “rebuilding” is not in the general manager Howie Roseman’s vocabulary, it’s definitely in his organization’s actions.
This team is going to surprise all the haters. If we get a couple of starters out of this draft on defense we will have one heck of a fast young team. Give them a year under their belts and we could really be in good shape. A lock out will likely rob the birds of a great opportunity in 2011.
I agree that they will surprise a lot of people. I really like how they manage their draft picks. They have regularly rolled picks over for a higher pick in the next season. I think that once you start that, in a few years the fruit comes in. 11 picks won;t happen this year, look for at least three of them to be traded for higher 2011 picks, I expect that after the draft, they will have added 6-7 drafted players and traded the rest of the picks for moves and /or 2011 picks. Trading quantity for quality, with three or more carrying over. Solid strategy
To Baw-Ha-Ha,
I do agree with your assesment about the Eagles trading a few for more picks in 2011..
one thing that is different though about this years roster is that the Eagles have already released
quite a few players and will probably end up drafting 8-9-10 players for they actually have the need,
they depleted their active roster by 10 spots (McNabb,Westbrook,Shawn Andrews,R Brown,K Curtis,C Gogong,S Brown,S Jones, A Smith, Trotter) now they have added some players like
H Basket,M Bell,M Jackson,LB Hall, RB Mallet,OL Shipley, but they may need as many bodies in camp as they can get this year (especially on defense where lots of spots/postions could be up for grabs)
Paulman, I guess it depends on whether they combine to move, I know that I always look forward to the draft. I hope that they combine a few to move up in some cases. I DO NOT like the three day draft, but, I am hoping to find that it works for the team, and the fans.
Paulman, I guess it depends on whether they combine to move, I know that I always look forward to the draft. I hope that they combine a few to move up in some cases, I’d like to see no more than 8 drafted, with some better quality
. I DO NOT like the three day draft, but, I am hoping to find that it works for the team, and the fans.
It will make for more trades (especially on the 2nd day) and more speculation since teams/GM’s/Fans have a night in between to sleep on potential trades and rumor’s..
The only people who are going to be surprised by this team next season are the ones who expect them to win more than 6 games.
Surprised … disappointed … whatever. This team is going to STINK in 2010 and no number of draft picks are going to help that. They’re rebuilding.
Ian, put your psychic skills to use and tell us who the draft picks (top 10 overall) will be so we can all bet on them and make bank. Otherwise, don’t pretend that you know the future. Fool
They will fill some holes with this years draft and after the season look over the roster. The FA class is deep next year so whatever they dont hit on in this draft they will address in the next off season. SuperBowl win in 3 years. Lock it in
As long as we stay away from Taylor Mays we’ll be fine.
I’m surprised I’m the only one that got deja vu at the end of this article.
Compared to other drafts, this draft would be a good one to use 2011 picks to make something happen. There are serious needs on D and we could use someone to shore up the O Line. We have enough picks this year to make something happen, just as long as the FO doesn’t screw it up.
Note: There is a very, very distinct possibility that the FO does screw it up.
Could be wrong, but I really don’t see the Eagles trading a first round pick next year for a first round pick this year particularly when they believe they have addressed the DE situation by acquiring Darryl Tapp. If they were to trade a first round pick it would probably be for a young, but established player.
More importantly, I don’t see any team in as bad a shape as the teams picking in the top ten to fifteen picks just handing the Eagles Derrick Morgan. To quote an infamous Eagles player from the past “For WHO???…For WHAT???”
That the Eagles got Tapp tells me that they did that to not have that as a major concern in the draft (rightly or wrongly.) There are 3 players that they are targeting for that first round pick: Lupati, Pouncey, Thomas. (possibly Taylor Mays if the other 3 aren’t available and he is)
The only thing I am really concerned about with this team is the lack of mentors for all the young bucks. So what if we stink next year (although I bet we’re 9-7 at worst). We’ll be good down the line.
no one ever knows what the eagles are going to do once the draft starts. so we will all have to wait and see. go birds!
schiller says:
“Ian, put your psychic skills to use and tell us who the draft picks (top 10 overall) will be so we can all bet on them and make bank. Otherwise, don‚Äôt pretend that you know the future. Fool”
You don’t have to be a psychic to look at this team and know they’re a 6-10 team at best. They don’t have a single skilled veteran on the roster on the offensive side of the ball, their secondary is a train wreck with no-one worth a fart in the wind except for Asante, their linebackers are horrible, and their pass rush is non-existent.
Call me a fool all you want, but you morons kidding yourselves that this team is going to contend next season are the ones who are going to feel foolish.
Ian, first off, what’s your definition of a Vet? He’s gotta be real old? Celek, Avant, Jackson, Peters, Mike Bell, (Vick), Baskett – are all veterans. They’re young vets, but 2/3+ years into the league with proven success means veteran to me. And regardless, have you ever, ever predicted an NFL season correctly? The NO SAINTS won the SB. I’m not saying they’re going to be a contender. I’m saying, predicting the future is an absolutely absurd thing to be confident in. And Q Mikell is a decent Saftey. He had crappy play beside him this past year for sure, but that’s already half the secondary at decent-good. I’m not saying there aren’t gaping holes, but Macho, Demps, Jackson, and whoever we draft (or if we sign Sharper), may very well make for a MUCH better secondary than we have right now come game 1. But you’re somehow certain that won’t happen. Did you know that Donny was going to be a ‘skin and sheldon a brown too?
Oh yeah, and Herramans isn’t a vet. Nope. What are you talking about!?
I keep hearing this draft is deep with talent so I hope they utitlise all 11 picks and maybe even next years first rounder to grab as many quality players as possible this year.
Typical eagles fan always think they will do good every year. Anyone in their right minds know the eagles are not going to win a superbowl this year. Its not a matter of being negative or putting some faith in them its the TRUTH we have an unproven QB horrible defense and you think drafting some rookies are going to help us immediatley? no it wont. Eagles will have to pass a TOUGH i repeat TOUGH schduel this year (in case you forgot) we would have to be better than Dallas, Minnesotta, New Orleans, Washington and the Giants which to me RIGHT NOW we are not. I am a eagles fan at heart but the truth is the truth and most ppl dont like it.
@ IAN
I agree. I think when you are a die hard fan some people can not fathom the truth. I said it before IAN our offense I think will be fine but our defense is lacking so much where a few rookies will not help right away.
Ian do you remember that last game with Dallas and how Desean was literally shut down by Terence Newman? now that people know who Desean is he has to work harder than ever and that game proved it. Remember when Kolb came into the B-more game? and got totally picked apart? and remember when he threw those 3 picks in the Saints game that made you say WHY THE HELL DID HE DO THAT? well these are some of the MANY MANY question we have going into this season. If someone thinks they are going to win the superbowl this year is just simply trying to be optimistic.
Just keep in mind the FO is about money and Mr. Laury interest is his status in Forbes magazine.
When the front office not the team decides to do better in selecting players then there is a chance to say Super Bowl. Otherwise just be prepared for them to keep this team at one level while every one in the division prepares to do well.
Think Like Joe Banner for a second. It is all about saving money. In 2011 a rookie wage scale should be implemented and that being given they will not give up next years first to pay someone more money this year than next at the same spot. For instance, the 24th pick this year might get 15 million over 4 years. Next year that 24th pick might get 8 million over 3 years b/c of the pay scaling. I think all rookies should make the same amount, league minimum for 3 years so we see if their busts, if your not a bust. Then get your big money.
@scrapdawg, I think the XFL kinda had a good idea. Pay players a base salary per their position on a 3 Teir scale. Your production would determine your Teir, and you add to your salary depending on how well you play. The better you do the more money you make.
The Eagles are not going to be as sorry as some of you seem to think. Kevin Kolb’s accuracy, and being able to hit recievers in stride is going to do wonders for our offense. Stew Bradley is a veteran, and will be back stronger than ever, and will be a vocal leader on defense. This team got rid of “dead weight”, people who weren’t earning their paychecks, (including McChoke).
The young guns are gonna surprise some of you.