22 replies to this topic

[Legalhit53]

The needs following the 2008 season were clear.  Everyone, including Andy Reid, agreed the team needed to do the following:

1) Improve on Special Teams (overall coverage, blocking, kicking, etc)
2) Find a Kick and Punt Returner
3) Generate More Turnovers on Defense
4) Improve Red Zone Offense

There were other problems of course, but can anyone actually say these needs were adequately addressed in the offseason??

1) Special teams continue to look atrocious, especially the blocking, and it seems David Akers will continue to struggle beyond 40 yards.  

2) The "quest" for a kick and punt returner seems to be neverending.  While Booker appears to be a fine addition to the backfield, you cant rely on him to catch the ball on kickoffs, which is a problem.  DeSean Jackson has potential at PR, but now that Curtis is out for at least half the season, how much can you rely on the kid?  Either way, missing on Booker and placing your faith in an unknown like Jackson is a failed attempt at fixing the return game.

3) Turn overs are sometimes based on luck, and to their credit, the Eagles went out and got a playmaker in Samuel.  Although we have seen ZIP from his so far, I am willing to say the jury is out on this one.

4) There was not 1 single offseason move made that would realistically improve the red zone offense.  Has the offense or playbook changed?  Nope.  Did we add new weapons?  Nope.  It seems that the entire approach was based around getting LJ back and hoping he miraculosly improves the red zone offense.  Great plan.  What if he gets hurt again?  

I know I will get slammed by Reid-apologists and people that say "its only the preseason," but come on.  These were very public needs.  The response was mediocre, at best, and as a life-long Eagles fan, I'm tired of it.

[hanmill]

I understand all of your points but I dont know if i'm ready to say that the Eagles have not improved after only 2 preseason games.  As a matter of fact based on the last game vs Carolina  I think the Eagles have a punt returner and in 2 quarters of play the Eagles had one interception.   Demps will be the kick returner and even though he has less game experience than Booker he has more kickoff and punt return experience.  On offense--remember that the Eagles sat their best offensive option (Westbrook).  Lets wait until Friday to pass judgement on what the Eagles did and didn't do.

[Abwehr]

Agree on 1, I think 2 has more to do with blocking, disagree on 3 (We have seen zip from Samuel?  The season hasn't started yet...), agree on 4 (though the playbook has changed a bit - running fades in practice).

[5 McNabb 5]

The needs following the 2008 season were clear.  Everyone, including Andy Reid, agreed the team needed to do the following:

1) Improve on Special Teams (overall coverage, blocking, kicking, etc)
2) Find a Kick and Punt Returner
3) Generate More Turnovers on Defense
4) Improve Red Zone Offense

There were other problems of course, but can anyone actually say these needs were adequately addressed in the offseason??

1) Special teams continue to look atrocious, especially the blocking, and it seems David Akers will continue to struggle beyond 40 yards.  

2) The "quest" for a kick and punt returner seems to be neverending.  While Booker appears to be a fine addition to the backfield, you cant rely on him to catch the ball on kickoffs, which is a problem.  DeSean Jackson has potential at PR, but now that Curtis is out for at least half the season, how much can you rely on the kid?  Either way, missing on Booker and placing your faith in an unknown like Jackson is a failed attempt at fixing the return game.

3) Turn overs are sometimes based on luck, and to their credit, the Eagles went out and got a playmaker in Samuel.  Although we have seen ZIP from his so far, I am willing to say the jury is out on this one.

4) There was not 1 single offseason move made that would realistically improve the red zone offense.  Has the offense or playbook changed?  Nope.  Did we add new weapons?  Nope.  It seems that the entire approach was based around getting LJ back and hoping he miraculosly improves the red zone offense.  Great plan.  What if he gets hurt again?  

I know I will get slammed by Reid-apologists and people that say "its only the preseason," but come on.  These were very public needs.  The response was mediocre, at best, and as a life-long Eagles fan, I'm tired of it.

There is plenty of time to hop on the Cowboy's wagon if your not satisfied. I mean why waste time complaining...

[Bear Grylls]

The needs following the 2008 season were clear.  Everyone, including Andy Reid, agreed the team needed to do the following:


4) There was not 1 single offseason move made that would realistically improve the red zone offense.  Has the offense or playbook changed?  Nope.  Did we add new weapons?  Nope.  It seems that the entire approach was based around getting LJ back and hoping he miraculosly improves the red zone offense.  Great plan.  What if he gets hurt again?  

I know I will get slammed by Reid-apologists and people that say "its only the preseason," but come on.  These were very public needs.  The response was mediocre, at best, and as a life-long Eagles fan, I'm tired of it.

Hey genius,

What move were we gonna make?  Tell me what move that the Eagles didn't make that some other team did make that could have added to our weapons...

Exactly. Now shut up.

[CountBlah]

There is plenty of time to hop on the Cowboy's wagon if your not satisfied. I mean why waste time complaining...

Ahh yes, blind obedience or go become a fan of another team.  

[5 McNabb 5]

Ahh yes, blind obedience or go become a fan of another team.  

You got it.....

[austinfan]

The needs following the 2008 season were clear.  Everyone, including Andy Reid, agreed the team needed to do the following:

1) Improve on Special Teams (overall coverage, blocking, kicking, etc)
2) Find a Kick and Punt Returner
3) Generate More Turnovers on Defense
4) Improve Red Zone Offense

There were other problems of course, but can anyone actually say these needs were adequately addressed in the offseason??

1) Special teams continue to look atrocious, especially the blocking, and it seems David Akers will continue to struggle beyond 40 yards.  

The coverage groups look much better, they've added some fast, aggressive athletes.
The blocking is still subpar.

2) The "quest" for a kick and punt returner seems to be neverending.  While Booker appears to be a fine addition to the backfield, you cant rely on him to catch the ball on kickoffs, which is a problem.  DeSean Jackson has potential at PR, but now that Curtis is out for at least half the season, how much can you rely on the kid?  Either way, missing on Booker and placing your faith in an unknown like Jackson is a failed attempt at fixing the return game.

They added Jackson and Demps, two of the top college return men.  You can't add veteran return men very often, because they have such short shelf lives.  Brian Mitchell was a freak of nature.  They've tried Booker because he has the raw skills.  That's what preseason is for, to try out guys.

3) Turn overs are sometimes based on luck, and to their credit, the Eagles went out and got a playmaker in Samuel.  Although we have seen ZIP from his so far, I am willing to say the jury is out on this one.

They added pass rushers, Samuel and Demps (ballhawking safety), made Bradley the starter at MLB and Gaither at WLB, better pass defense from the LBs.  What else could they have possibly done?

4) There was not 1 single offseason move made that would realistically improve the red zone offense.  Has the offense or playbook changed?  Nope.  Did we add new weapons?  Nope.  It seems that the entire approach was based around getting LJ back and hoping he miraculosly improves the red zone offense.  Great plan.  What if he gets hurt again?  

They've worked on the fade with Baskett, got LJ back, are planning a bigger role for Celek, and are auditioning for a big back for short yardage.  Who did you expect them to get?  Fact is, very few players are reliable red zone targets, go check the red zone TDs stats and tell me how many players had 8 or more red zone TDs in any season.  I've posted the stats before.  It's a group effort, that starts with the QB.

[Passyunk Square]

1) Improve on Special Teams (overall coverage, blocking, kicking, etc)
2) Find a Kick and Punt Returner
3) Generate More Turnovers on Defense
4) Improve Red Zone Offense

I think they at least tried to address all of these needs.

1. The Eagles signed (Boiman) and drafted (Mays, etc.) players to help on special teams. They did not find competition for Akers; if he has another bad year it's on Reid.
2. Uh ... they drafted Desean Jackson to return punts, drafted Demps for kick returns and traded for Booker.
3. They signed Asante Samuel.
4. You've got me there; they didn't do much.

There's a difference between trying to do something and failing, and just not addressing a need at all. I'd argue that the Eagles did actually address most of these issues. Whether the moves work out or not, that's another story ...

[outsyderz34]

Ahh yes, blind obedience or go become a fan of another team.  

I think he was speaking more to the fact that they were picked as Super Bowl favorites and have looked awful in their first 2 preseason games.  Meaning, you can't take much from preseason games.

[CountBlah]

Hey arlingtonfan,  you know you look like a yuckapuck whenever you put your responses INSIDE a big block quote without distinguishing them the original posters comments.  

My tip for the day.

[Runtherock]

Well said Legalhit.

[birdguy]

state of the eagles....

offense:  NO outside weapons for our franchise QB, all of our hopes being placed on the shoulders of a 165 lb. rookie
defense:  Banged up defensive line with questionable linebacking core
special teams:  way too many question marks and awful coverage/blocking units with a kicker who is clearly not as sharp as he once was

But somehow we're the gold standard and priming for another super bowl run......

[ilikepargo]

@ Legalhit:  You've had poster after poster explain in detail why you're wrong, but nothing says that you're an idiot like having Runtherock agree with you.  

[Runtherock]

@ Legalhit:  You've had poster after poster explain in detail why you're wrong, but nothing says that you're an idiot like having Runtherock agree with you.  

Legalhit's an idiot but you respond to his post with name calling? Weak.

[Perforator]

Legalhit's an idiot but you respond to his post with name calling? Weak.

It's better than telling him to root for another team.

[Runtherock]

It's better than telling him to root for another team.

Actually its no different, both are immature responses.

[Legalhit53]

@ Legalhit:  You've had poster after poster explain in detail why you're wrong, but nothing says that you're an idiot like having Runtherock agree with you.  

if you dont agree that the front office has misfired on several key decisions then you're kidding yourself, or a moron.  also, how do you explain the fact that this team had just 1 winning season in 3 years and is a mediocre .500 during that timeframe?

if a mediocre .500 win percentage doesnt illustrate mistakes within the front office, i dont know what does.

you have no facts to back up your argument.

[Legalhit53]

I think they at least tried to address all of these needs.

1. The Eagles signed (Boiman) and drafted (Mays, etc.) players to help on special teams. They did not find competition for Akers; if he has another bad year it's on Reid.
2. Uh ... they drafted Desean Jackson to return punts, drafted Demps for kick returns and traded for Booker.
3. They signed Asante Samuel.
4. You've got me there; they didn't do much.

There's a difference between trying to do something and failing, and just not addressing a need at all. I'd argue that the Eagles did actually address most of these issues. Whether the moves work out or not, that's another story ...

I agree there is a difference between trying and not doing anything.  I didnt say they didn't try.  We all know about their well-documented pursuit of a top-tier WR in the offseason.  But Andy Reid, McNabb, and the entire Eagles organization is in the business of winning, not trying.  They're all held to the same standard.

I know they tried, but it looks like they failed.  Again.

[WilbertM31]

The thing is it's not a failure to them. They will have 8 sellouts and tons of merchandise sold and extra money for Lurie. And the team will be competitive and coem up just a little short giving hope for next year and the same cycle over and over again. And in this Eagles dominating town this will work. Not for the Sixers or Phillies. But for this team people in Philly are sheep. And come next year when they fail to win again people will still be out in arms defending the front office and Andy Reid. It's not about Super Bowls here.

[Passyunk Square]

I agree there is a difference between trying and not doing anything.  I didnt say they didn't try.  We all know about their well-documented pursuit of a top-tier WR in the offseason.  But Andy Reid, McNabb, and the entire Eagles organization is in the business of winning, not trying.  They're all held to the same standard.

I know they tried, but it looks like they failed.  Again.

You asked if anyone could say these needs were addressed in the offseason. My answer is yes, they were addressed. Other than bringing in competition for Akers, the Eagles addressed every one of those needs. It's just that we don't know yet whether they have the right answers.

It is way too early to call the offseason a failure.

[[TSM]_PimpDaddyPain]

#2 and #3 they attempted to address with Jackson, Demps, and Samuel (and keeping Lito here).  We'll judge this at the end of the season, but they did try on these.  

#1 and #4 I agree with you.  

1 - Blocking on special teams is still a flatout embarassing, monumentally epic failure; and if it doesn't improve to at least an average respectable level by gameday, people need to get canned.  You have to at least partially blame Segrest, but I wouldn't be against cutting some players.  A 2nd or 3rd stringer that can't play special teams doesn't deserve to make the team.  

4 - I also see no tangible improvement in the red zone offense, which we have struggled with in both preseason games.  No tall, physical, jump-ball type WRs or TEs were added; nor bulldozing RB/FBs.  The only way I see this improving is if Reid and Morninhweg do some trick plays with Booker/Westbrook/Jackson on the field, some double TE sets with some dumpoff routes to Celek and LJ, jump balls to Baskett, and some short yardage runs with Hunt.  But as far as adding specific personnel to help here, I see no effort.

[Philanova]

0.0002 stars!