Jerel, G, This is my dream sequence for the Eagles roster for the upcoming year. It’s my way of stacking the deck in our favor, many would consider it too risky or maybe stupid. I’m ready to roll the dice and go hard for a Super bowl because this team is
only the 10th best team in the NFL (most would consider that too high a ranking except for the Eagles).
I’m not a big McNabb fan for this offensive scheme. I know the team has been very successful with Donovan, but I don’t think he can get them a Super bowl win. I fault Reid more than Donovan for the offensive system, but the league rules force teams to throw today and Donovan’s skills just don’t work here. He can find success in a different offensive scheme. My big 3 problems with McNabb below.
1. Donovan makes way to many mental mistakes, look back at the Eagles 2 minutes offense to end the half and games over the last 3 years.
2. He’s loosing his legs more every year, his legs are his best asset no matter how many times he has said he’s not a running quarterback.
3. I still believe he has anxiety issues because he’s not confident in his arm to win a game when defenses challenge him to beat them passing. Just look at the points the Eagles offense has put up with McNabb over the last 3-4 years. He has major anxiety issues, many athletes puke before games, but he has done it during the Super bowl and in college games and denies it. It has nothing to do with conditioning because he trains his butt off. He looks like an All-Pro at Lehigh without the pressure, but he tightens up when the lights are on. This is not a secret to Andy Reid, he knows McNabb is too fragile for a quarterback in today’s NFL. I have never seen Reid yell at McNabb during a game in 9 years, but he hasn’t hesitated to let loose on Jeff Garcia, Mike McMahon or AJ Feeley as they have come to the sidelines after mistakes.
I had to state all the above because I would trade Donovan for a top 20 draft pick this year and hand the offense to Kolb. This is all based on the Eagles using their first pick on Kolb last year. He fits into Reid’s offensive scheme and 1 year is enough time to learn the offense, it’s just the Eagles responsibility to bring in more weapons.
Now let me put on my GM hat and start wheeling and dealing!
Let’s say we could get a high pick for Donovan from somebody, therefore the Eagles have 2 first round picks, 1 second and 1 third this year.
1. Trade a high pick for either Chad Johnson (not likely ) or Roy Williams from the Donovan pick. The draft is way too risky to get a #1 wide receiver, just look at past drafts histories for the whole NFL. I wouldn’t go after Donte Stallworth because he had injuries as a part time player this year although he has skills.
2. Sign Jared Allen from Kansa City even if they franchise him. It would cost 2 #1 picks, but the defense would be set for the next 8 years with Cole, Allen, Abiamiri and Thomas as your ends. It’s the most important position on their defense and it would be the best DE combination in the NFL for years to come. Look how well Jimmie Johnson’s defense works with great end like the Giants have(Super bowl win!!). They have wasted money and picks on McDougle, Kearse, and Howard. I know I’m spending money, but it’s high value positions and they have saved big money without Donovan at the QB position for the next 4 years.
3. Use the rest of the draft in the next 2 years on to draft a cornerback, offensive tackle, safety, return man and tight end. Take the best talent available and some will work and other will not. It’s just the nature of the draft.
My premise of using 3 first round picks to get 2 All-Pro (possibly Hall of Fame) players is easy to justify in my mind. The Eagles have done a good job with their first picks over the years despite what many say. 1999- McNabb 2000 Coey Simon 2001 Freddie Mitchell 2002-Lito Sheppard 2003-Jermone McDougle 2004-Shawn Andrews 2005-Mike Patterson 2006-Broderick Bunkley I would glady eliminate the risk of the unknown (Mitchell and McDougle) and use first round picks for well paid All-Pros. Let me just make the comment that drives these moves, there is no such thing as an over paid All-Pro player in NFL. Larry Fitzgerald being the 1 exception, but the Eagles would never blunder a contract like they did. There are plenty of over paid guys, but anyone at the top of their position is worth the money. You win with player first and foremost in the NFL! The system is important, but the league is way to competive to think the Eagles system will overcome great players on all the other playoff teams running very good systems.
Jerel
