With the NFL Draft less than two weeks away, it is time to assess another position that is up to much debate on this Eagles squad: wide receiver. In the pre-and-post-T.O. eras, the greatest point of contention amongst the fans has been Andy Reid's offense needs the true, number one wide-out it has always lacked in order produce on a high level consistently. On a team that throws the ball as much as the Eagles, and in the key situations in which Reid puts the ball in the air (Third-and-short, goal line, leading late in the fourth quarter) it would make sense for the front office to pursue the very best pass catchers. The very success of the offense depends on it. However, throughout his tenure, with one exception, Reid has stayed true to a philosophy where he spreads the ball around to a group of receivers in order to prevent the defense from keying on a single go-to guy. This strategy has been deployed with varying outcomes over the years. When the Eagles offense has clicked using the array of receivers, it is hard to argue with the spread the ball around philosophy. But at crucial point in the season, as well as in Reid and quarterback Donovan McNabb's careers, the glaring need for a play-making receiver has made itself obvious. No Eagles fan will ever have the memory of the abuse Todd Pinkston and James Thrash took against Ricky Manning, Jr. and the Carolina Panthers game in the 2004 (2003 season) NFC Championship. These two marginal talents were shut down in every sense of the word, and the Eagles lost their third straight NFC title game, 14-3. This, of course, is the game which spurred Reid and the Philadelphia front-office to change their philosophy in not only acquiring a premier receiver in 2004, but a premier receiver who had a reputation as a showboat and a bit of a prima donna. Enter Terrell Owens. The starters went 13-1 in the regular season, cruised through the NFC playoffs and finally made a Super Bowl appearance. Of course after that, T.O. went crazy, neither the front office nor McNabb helped matters much and here the Eagles are in 2008, still looking to fill the shoes of the greatest playmaker to ever catch a Donovan McNabb pass.
2008 was an almost comically inconsistent year for the Philadelphia Eagles, and because scoring points in Andy Reid's offense is based on the receivers ability to catch passes, it is safe to say the receivers were the most inconsistent group in green last season. Donovan McNabb set a career-high for passing yards in 2008 with 3,916. McNabb also threw the third highest number of touchdowns in his career, 23. With strong statistics from the QB, from afar one may not see the play of the receivers as a problem. But on a team that threw 606 forward passes (fourth highest in the league), the offense failed to produce a 1,000-yard receiver (DeSean Jackson, 912 receiving yards, lead the Eagles). Furthermore, no receiver nor tight end caught more than 62 passes (Jackson) or 3 touchdowns (TE L.J. Smith and Hank Baskett each recorded 3 TDs). Despite these pedestrian numbers, the Eagles did have two players finish in the top ten in one statistic in the NFC, among names such as Terrell Owens, Marques Colston and Steve Smith. This statistic is, of course, dropped passes. Both L.J. Smith and DeSean Jackson dropped 6 balls, tied for tenth in the conference. The Eagles, as a team, were also among the league leaders in this statistic.
But to be inconsistent, a group must have good times to match the bad. Kevin Curtis, who gained over 1,100 yards in 2007, started in only 8 games this past season. But once Curtis was able to return to the lineup after recovering from a sports hernia, he displayed some of the chemistry with QB Donovan McNabb that allowed him to lead the Birds' receiving corps in receptions, TDs and yards in '07.
2008 also saw the beginning of a career of a potential superstar. Second round draft pick DeSean Jackson emerged as the top playmaker in Andy Reid's offense. Jackson, in his rookie season, lead the Eagles with 912 yards on 62 catches in 15 starts. Jackson became the first rookie receiver to make a legitimate impact in Reid's tenure. Although Jackson was inconsistent with his ability to make grabs in big situations (remember December 21 @ Washington), he did make great strides in becoming McNabb's go-to guy, and his bobble-catch for a touchdown in the NFC Championship to give the Eagles a 25-24 lead in the 4th quarter showed what kind of big-play potential the former Cal star truly possesses. Jackson's performance in 2009 will go a long way in determining how effective the offense can be.
Jason Avant and Hank Baskett also continued to grow into their roles as possession receivers, recording 32 and 33 receptions, respectively, and combining for 5 TDs. Coach Reid and offensive coordinator Marty Morningweg finally showed the ability to use Baskett's 6'4" frame and star high-jumping ability to their advantage, and called several fade routes in the end zone for Baskett, who recorded a career high 3 TDs. The continued use of Baskett as a big target for #5 will be another big factor in the success of the passing game.
The tight end play was largely a disappointment for the Eagles in 2008. Incumbent starter L.J. Smith was in-and-out of the lineup due to injury and below average (even for Smith's standards) play, and by the playoffs, second year man Brent Celek had solidified himself as the top TE. Celek, a 2007 5th round pick out of Cincinnati, started 7 games in the regular season and showed flashes of Pro Bowl talent. But the playoffs is where Celek shined brightest. Through three playoff games Celek caught 19 passes for 151 yards and 3 scores, including a 10 grab, 2 TD performance in the NFC Championship game. The loss of Smith to free agency should not be a huge blow to this offense, especially with the emergence of Celek as the Chad Lewis of the future.
Even though the Birds have not made a move for a receiver in free agency, and the draft is still looming, the team improved its receiving corps quite a bit, already, this off-season. The trade of WR Greg Lewis to the Patriots for any sort of compensation has t be one of the great steals in NFL history. Lewis' absence from the receiving depth chart has greatly improved the talent of the group; truly addition by subtraction. Reggie Brown is another interesting case. He saw his playing time decreased in 2008, thanks largely to the rise to prominence of rookie sensation DeSean Jackson. Brown set career lows in games started (3), receptions (18), yards (252) and touchdowns (1). Brown was deactivated for several games in 2008, including the NFC Championship in Arizona. Brown's place on this team in 2009 is in doubt, and he will have to fight for his roster spot.
The team will address the receiving corps at some point this off-season. With trade rumors circulating about Anquan Boldin, Chad Johnson and Braylon Edwards and the Eagles possessing 12 draft picks, including two in the first round, there are moves to be made. The Eagles may opt to draft a receiver rather than trade for a veteran. This tactic may have been seen as a mistake by fans in the past, as Reid's Eagles have never successfully developed a receiver, but again, DeSean Jackson's emergence as bona fide playmaker has changed many people's minds.
In attempting to come up with a final analysis of the 2009 version of the Philadelphia Eagles' receiving corps, legendary actor-coach Gene Hackman keeps coming to mind, with a classic quote from The Replacements: "If nothing else, they should be fun to watch".
Monday, April 13, 2009
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Position-by-Position Breakdown: Offensive Line
The weather is warming and spring is in the air. With voluntary workouts beginning and the 2009 NFL Draft looming it seems like a good time to assess the current Philadelphia Eagles roster in order to get a better idea of what exactly the team will be looking to do over the last weekend in April in New York's Radio City Music Hall. With all the mock drafts circulating on the internet and ESPN and The NFL Network, and all of the so-called "experts" claiming they possess inside information on what teams are looking to do at the draft, it is easy to get caught up in the guessing game. And make no mistake, mock-drafting is nothing more than a guessing game, especially after the first five picks. In order to have a a more precise understanding of what the Eagles are looking to address at the draft, it is best to first assess what the team already has in terms of depth, talent and experience. Throughout the month, leading up to the draft, there will be an overview of each position posted on FROM OUT OF LEFT FIELD to provide readers and fans with both analysis on the current Eagles roster and some in-sight as to how Andy Reid, Joe Banner and their cast of cohorts are plan to propel this team to the "next level".
The logical starting point is, arguably, the most important unit of any team: the offensive line. The off-season provided major changes for a line which gave up a mere 23 sacks (seventh fewest in the NFL and second fewest in franchise history) on well over 600 pass attempts. The book-ends, left tackle Tra Thomas and right tackle/iron man Jon Runyan, who have started 134 games as a tandem, are gone. Thomas signed as a free agent with Jacksonville after the Eagles expressed no interest in retaining the perennial All-Pro who will turn 35 during the season. Runyan's future in the NFL, by his own admission, is in doubt due to the pounding he has taken in his 213 consecutive starts, and the arduous process of a 330 pound 36-year old recovering from microfracture surgery on his knee is a turnoff to most NFL teams.
Most analysts are predicting Philadelphia will take an offensive tackle with one of their two first round selections (21 and 28). But what seems to be a weakness from the outside may continue to be a position of strength for the 2009 Eagles. While the on-and-off the field contributions of both Runyan and Thomas should not be understated, there are players on the current roster who could and should be able to fill the void left by the veteran tackles.
Tra Thomas has done very well protecting McNabb's blind-side ever since McNabb took over as the starting QB in 1999. In 2008 Thomas was credited with allowing only 2 sacks, and was flagged for 2 false start penalties and 1 holding penalty while starting all 16 regular season games. Big shoes to fill, no doubt. Since Thomas' departure Todd Herremans has been slated on the Eagles' Unofficial Depth Chart as the starting left tackle. Herremans had a career year playing left guard in '08. In 16 games (15 starts), Herremans was held responsible for 0.75 sacks and was flagged a total of 5 times for 38 yards. While it is the norm for guards to give up far fewer sacks than tackles, Herremans has been described by coaches as the best of the '08 linemen, a group which allowed one sack for every 27.3 drop backs. Herremans is also a natural tackle, having been converted to guard because he was playing behind a pair of Pro Bowlers in Thomas and Runyan. Herremans played left tackle at Saginaw Valley State, where, as Sports Radio 610 WIP producer and analyst Josh Winters put it, Herremans "ate people". Herremans also saw time at left tackle in his rookie season with the Birds, filling in for the injured Thomas. If Herremans is the answer on McNabb's blind-side, the transition should be smooth for both Herremans and the offense. There are other options. Coach Reid once stated he had the best left tackle in the league playing right guard. Reid's reference was to Shawn Andrews. Andrews has been one of the top linemen in the league, when healthy, and could be a viable candidate to fill Thomas' shoes. The move does not seem likely, however, as Andrews has grown into his role as a guard and may not be built to block the DeMarcus Wares and Osi Umenyioras of the league. Newly acquired tackle and older brother of Shawn Andrews, Stacy Andrews may also be up for the job, as he has experience at the position, and there is always a possibility Runyan is re-signed during camp if he can prove to team doctors and coaches his knee is healed and he can still hold down the right side of the offense. Of course, the Eagles may still draft a lineman to step in right away, but Herremans seems like the best option.
Assuming the Unofficial Depth Chart represents the team's plans, and Herremans moves from guard to tackle, someone will need to play in the spot Herremans vacated. Right now the Eagles website is listing 2006 fourth round pick Max Jean-Gilles as the starter. Jean-Gilles had an impressive college career, and looks the part, boasting a 6-foot, 3-inch, 360 pound frame. Coming into training camp last season many thought Jean-Gilles was poised to beat out Herremans for the starting left guard position. That did not happen, but Jean-Gilles ended up starting 11 games in place of Shawn Andrews. In those 11 starts, Jean-Gilles was held responsible for half of a sack, and was only flagged twice, both for false start. But Jean-Gilles went down with an injury, and Nick Cole, who started 2008 as a third-stringer, stepped in. Cole was impressive in his 5 starts and throughout the playoffs. Many credit the 350-pound former undrafted free agent out of New Mexico State for the Eagles' improvement in short-yardage situations late in the season. Right now, Cole is listed as the second string center and right guard, but the starter at left guard could be one of the more interesting battles this summer.
The center position could be interesting as well, as Jamaal Jackson has never met the promise he showed after replacing Hank Fraley due to injury in 2005, and full-time in 2006. If Nick Cole develops as a consistent center and shows chemistry with McNabb, Cole could oust Jackson, who signed a seven-year contract extension with the Eagles in July of 2006.
The health of Shawn Andrews is another huge concern on a line full of question marks and "IFs". If Shawn Andrews is healthy there is no reason to believe he won't return as one of the premier blockers in the NFL. But if his back is still an issue, or he isn't in a good place mentally, Nick Cole could step into Andrews' position, where he closed 2008. Shawn Andrews' presence on the line could be a more pressing issue than the starting left tackle, and if he is healthy, this line should enjoy another successful year, as well as an improvement in short yardage situations. It is the belief of this writer that Brian Westbrook's drop in production had as much to do with health as it did the absence of the earth-moving Andrews. Health is the primary concern of the entire NFL, and among this group, could be the difference between an effective offense and one that falls flat.
The new "Big Kid" on the block, Stacy Andrews, is slated to be Runyan's replacement at right tackle. Since signing as a free agent with the Eagles before the 2000 season, Jon Runyan has been a rock, starting in every game on the schedule since signing. Not only has Runyan been the definition of toughness and consistency with Philadelphia, he has also been one of the most disciplined players on the roster. Runyan has been flagged six times, four for false start, two for holding, over the past three years! In 2008 Runyan drew two flags and allowed 7 sacks in his 16 regular season starts. His presence will be missed both on and off the field. But Stacy Andrews, the former fourth round pick out of Mississippi, has developed into a very good player over his five seasons in Cincinnati. In 2008, Andrews allowed a league-high 9.5 sacks playing right tackle for the Bengals. From an outside perspective this number is disheartening to fans in Philadelphia, but the number may be a bit inflated. Many teams doubled up pass rushers on Andrews' side of the line because Levi Jones, the Bengals' left tackle, was such a dominant force on Carson Palmer's/Ryan Fitzpatrick's blind-side. In 2007 Andrews started 14 games and allowed only 1 sack. Andrews' penalty numbers are also comparable to Runyan's. In 2008 Andrews was only flagged three times. While it may be rough on the locker room and fan base to lose a warrior like Runyan, the on-field contributions of Andrews should not be seen as a downgrade. The Eagles did not do much in terms of free-agent signings, but the elder Andrews brother was certainly a strong addition.
Most "experts" have made it a foregone conclusion the Philadelphia Eagles will be using at least one of their first round picks on an offensive linemen, most notably, a tackle. But with the young talent on this roster, it would not be surprising if the Eagles pass on a first round lineman. But the o-line will be addressed in the draft. That is a fact. With quality depth players like Max Jean-Gilles and Nick Cole stepping into possible starting roles, depth will be a concern on the front line. In his ten-year drafting history Andy Reid's Eagles have drafted 84 players. 18 of those 84 have been offensive linemen. Reid and his staff have averaged 8.4 picks per year, and an average of 2 linemen have been taken with those picks, each year. With the loss of big-name starters and the move up the depth chart of former backups, along with the common notion that former second round pick out of USC, tackle Winston Justice, will not make the 2009 squad, offensive line will be a prominent issue addressed at the 2009 Draft. Coach Reid has also the unique ability to scout undrafted free agents. On the current roster the Eagles list three undrafted players on their offensive line depth chart: third string tackle Chris Patrick, backup guard/center Nick Cole and starting center Jamaal Jackson all went undrafted. The Eagles look to keep their blocking corps youthful and competitive at every position, and will continue to do so on April 25th and 26th.
Next: a look at the Philadelphia Eagles' receiving corps.
The logical starting point is, arguably, the most important unit of any team: the offensive line. The off-season provided major changes for a line which gave up a mere 23 sacks (seventh fewest in the NFL and second fewest in franchise history) on well over 600 pass attempts. The book-ends, left tackle Tra Thomas and right tackle/iron man Jon Runyan, who have started 134 games as a tandem, are gone. Thomas signed as a free agent with Jacksonville after the Eagles expressed no interest in retaining the perennial All-Pro who will turn 35 during the season. Runyan's future in the NFL, by his own admission, is in doubt due to the pounding he has taken in his 213 consecutive starts, and the arduous process of a 330 pound 36-year old recovering from microfracture surgery on his knee is a turnoff to most NFL teams.
Most analysts are predicting Philadelphia will take an offensive tackle with one of their two first round selections (21 and 28). But what seems to be a weakness from the outside may continue to be a position of strength for the 2009 Eagles. While the on-and-off the field contributions of both Runyan and Thomas should not be understated, there are players on the current roster who could and should be able to fill the void left by the veteran tackles.
Tra Thomas has done very well protecting McNabb's blind-side ever since McNabb took over as the starting QB in 1999. In 2008 Thomas was credited with allowing only 2 sacks, and was flagged for 2 false start penalties and 1 holding penalty while starting all 16 regular season games. Big shoes to fill, no doubt. Since Thomas' departure Todd Herremans has been slated on the Eagles' Unofficial Depth Chart as the starting left tackle. Herremans had a career year playing left guard in '08. In 16 games (15 starts), Herremans was held responsible for 0.75 sacks and was flagged a total of 5 times for 38 yards. While it is the norm for guards to give up far fewer sacks than tackles, Herremans has been described by coaches as the best of the '08 linemen, a group which allowed one sack for every 27.3 drop backs. Herremans is also a natural tackle, having been converted to guard because he was playing behind a pair of Pro Bowlers in Thomas and Runyan. Herremans played left tackle at Saginaw Valley State, where, as Sports Radio 610 WIP producer and analyst Josh Winters put it, Herremans "ate people". Herremans also saw time at left tackle in his rookie season with the Birds, filling in for the injured Thomas. If Herremans is the answer on McNabb's blind-side, the transition should be smooth for both Herremans and the offense. There are other options. Coach Reid once stated he had the best left tackle in the league playing right guard. Reid's reference was to Shawn Andrews. Andrews has been one of the top linemen in the league, when healthy, and could be a viable candidate to fill Thomas' shoes. The move does not seem likely, however, as Andrews has grown into his role as a guard and may not be built to block the DeMarcus Wares and Osi Umenyioras of the league. Newly acquired tackle and older brother of Shawn Andrews, Stacy Andrews may also be up for the job, as he has experience at the position, and there is always a possibility Runyan is re-signed during camp if he can prove to team doctors and coaches his knee is healed and he can still hold down the right side of the offense. Of course, the Eagles may still draft a lineman to step in right away, but Herremans seems like the best option.
Assuming the Unofficial Depth Chart represents the team's plans, and Herremans moves from guard to tackle, someone will need to play in the spot Herremans vacated. Right now the Eagles website is listing 2006 fourth round pick Max Jean-Gilles as the starter. Jean-Gilles had an impressive college career, and looks the part, boasting a 6-foot, 3-inch, 360 pound frame. Coming into training camp last season many thought Jean-Gilles was poised to beat out Herremans for the starting left guard position. That did not happen, but Jean-Gilles ended up starting 11 games in place of Shawn Andrews. In those 11 starts, Jean-Gilles was held responsible for half of a sack, and was only flagged twice, both for false start. But Jean-Gilles went down with an injury, and Nick Cole, who started 2008 as a third-stringer, stepped in. Cole was impressive in his 5 starts and throughout the playoffs. Many credit the 350-pound former undrafted free agent out of New Mexico State for the Eagles' improvement in short-yardage situations late in the season. Right now, Cole is listed as the second string center and right guard, but the starter at left guard could be one of the more interesting battles this summer.
The center position could be interesting as well, as Jamaal Jackson has never met the promise he showed after replacing Hank Fraley due to injury in 2005, and full-time in 2006. If Nick Cole develops as a consistent center and shows chemistry with McNabb, Cole could oust Jackson, who signed a seven-year contract extension with the Eagles in July of 2006.
The health of Shawn Andrews is another huge concern on a line full of question marks and "IFs". If Shawn Andrews is healthy there is no reason to believe he won't return as one of the premier blockers in the NFL. But if his back is still an issue, or he isn't in a good place mentally, Nick Cole could step into Andrews' position, where he closed 2008. Shawn Andrews' presence on the line could be a more pressing issue than the starting left tackle, and if he is healthy, this line should enjoy another successful year, as well as an improvement in short yardage situations. It is the belief of this writer that Brian Westbrook's drop in production had as much to do with health as it did the absence of the earth-moving Andrews. Health is the primary concern of the entire NFL, and among this group, could be the difference between an effective offense and one that falls flat.
The new "Big Kid" on the block, Stacy Andrews, is slated to be Runyan's replacement at right tackle. Since signing as a free agent with the Eagles before the 2000 season, Jon Runyan has been a rock, starting in every game on the schedule since signing. Not only has Runyan been the definition of toughness and consistency with Philadelphia, he has also been one of the most disciplined players on the roster. Runyan has been flagged six times, four for false start, two for holding, over the past three years! In 2008 Runyan drew two flags and allowed 7 sacks in his 16 regular season starts. His presence will be missed both on and off the field. But Stacy Andrews, the former fourth round pick out of Mississippi, has developed into a very good player over his five seasons in Cincinnati. In 2008, Andrews allowed a league-high 9.5 sacks playing right tackle for the Bengals. From an outside perspective this number is disheartening to fans in Philadelphia, but the number may be a bit inflated. Many teams doubled up pass rushers on Andrews' side of the line because Levi Jones, the Bengals' left tackle, was such a dominant force on Carson Palmer's/Ryan Fitzpatrick's blind-side. In 2007 Andrews started 14 games and allowed only 1 sack. Andrews' penalty numbers are also comparable to Runyan's. In 2008 Andrews was only flagged three times. While it may be rough on the locker room and fan base to lose a warrior like Runyan, the on-field contributions of Andrews should not be seen as a downgrade. The Eagles did not do much in terms of free-agent signings, but the elder Andrews brother was certainly a strong addition.
Most "experts" have made it a foregone conclusion the Philadelphia Eagles will be using at least one of their first round picks on an offensive linemen, most notably, a tackle. But with the young talent on this roster, it would not be surprising if the Eagles pass on a first round lineman. But the o-line will be addressed in the draft. That is a fact. With quality depth players like Max Jean-Gilles and Nick Cole stepping into possible starting roles, depth will be a concern on the front line. In his ten-year drafting history Andy Reid's Eagles have drafted 84 players. 18 of those 84 have been offensive linemen. Reid and his staff have averaged 8.4 picks per year, and an average of 2 linemen have been taken with those picks, each year. With the loss of big-name starters and the move up the depth chart of former backups, along with the common notion that former second round pick out of USC, tackle Winston Justice, will not make the 2009 squad, offensive line will be a prominent issue addressed at the 2009 Draft. Coach Reid has also the unique ability to scout undrafted free agents. On the current roster the Eagles list three undrafted players on their offensive line depth chart: third string tackle Chris Patrick, backup guard/center Nick Cole and starting center Jamaal Jackson all went undrafted. The Eagles look to keep their blocking corps youthful and competitive at every position, and will continue to do so on April 25th and 26th.
Next: a look at the Philadelphia Eagles' receiving corps.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
