17 replies to this topic

[dawkbleedsgreen]

Moving forward, I really like Nick Foles and the intangibles he brings to the QB position. However, I think it would be a big mistake if we put him in a position to put the team on his shoulders while we rebuild.  We should give our young quarterback the tools to succeed. I think the three things he needs most are: 1) a dynamic, physical receiver to complement Desean Jackson and 2) a good pass blocking oline that can support 3) a good running game with Mccoy and Brown

Cut/Don't Resign
QB Michael Vick (Cap Impact: +$10.7M)
CB Nnamdi Asomugha (Cap Impact: +$11.3M)
OT Demetress Bell (Cap Impact: +$9.6M)
S Kurt Coleman (Cap Impact: +$0.6M)
DT Derek Landri (Cap Impact: +$0.0M) - Was great in Washburn's system, but I think he'll be expendable once we move back to a more traditional 4-3
WR Jeremy Maclin (Cap Impact: +$0.0M) - This was a difficult decision to make. I strongly considered keeping him, but with the price tag he'll likely carry as a free agent and the need for a more physical receiver across from Desean Jackson, I decided it was best to part ways.
TE Clay Harbor (Cap Impact: +$0.6M) - I didn't make this move because I thought Harbor was a bad player. However, I would rather move forward with Celek because he gives us versatility as both a solid pass-catching and blocking tight end. The fact that he has had good chemistry with Foles doesn't hurt either. This was a somewhat difficult move, but I think I have a better backup plan (read on)
OL Nathan Mankin (Cap Impact: +$0.5M)
OL Matt Tenant (Cap Impact: +$0.5M)
S David Sims (Cap Impact: +$0.5M)
LB Jason Williams (Cap Impact: +$0.7M)

Restructure
DT Cullen Jenkins (Cap Impact: +$1.0) - Restructure him this year with the intent of letting younger talent groom behind him for a year or two before we cut him down the road. I still think Cullen Jenkins is a good player and gives you the versatility to play DE or DT depending on the situation.

Note: All cap impacts are for the 2013 season and are net of dead money. All figures are from EaglesCap.com

Trade
RB Chris Polk for 2014 6th round pick.


Projected 2013 Cap: -$13.7M
Rollover from 2012: $21.1M (assumed that we lost $5M on the 2012 cap rollover)
Additional savings from roster cuts: $36.5M

Projected 2013 Cap for FA and Resignings: $43.9M
Note: Removed Jason Babin from roster and assumed some rollover of 2012 cap


Resign
CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
LB Akeem Jordan
OT King Dunlap
DE Darryl Tapp
LS Jon Dorenbos

Free Agent Signings

S Jairus Byrd - Buffalo Bills
Our first big splash of free agency. Byrd is a young, physical safety that brings a presence we desperately need in our defensive secondary. Certainly a player worth spending big $ on and should pay dividends down the road.

WR Greg Jennings - Green Bay Packers
This is our second and last big free agent signing. Given the Packers' depth at WR, I expect Jennings to hit the FA market as a hot commodity. At 29, Jennings is in the prime of his career and is worth breaking the bank for. I think he still has a couple good years left in him and brings a physical presence opposite of Desean Jackson. Imo, this money (and some) is much better spent here than on Maclin.

TE Delanie Walker - San Francisco 49ers
Love Walker's versatility and gives us the TE we desperately need in two tight-end sets with Brent Celek. This might not be a sexy move, but it's very necessary and gives us another good blocking TE in the running game.

QB Mike Kafka - No Team
I understand people's dislike of Kafka here on the boards, but I still think he is a solid backup QB and knows our system. I don't know about you, but I am not a big fan of this year's QB class. I would rather go with the sure thing this year and if Foles struggles, look for his replacement next year.

Draft

Round 1:
OT Luke Joekel - Texas A&M
Although he was under the radar coming into the 2012 season, Joekel dominated top SEC competition and solidified himself as an elite LT prospect. One of the safest picks in this year's draft and certainly one of the best pass-blocking left tackles to come out in years. Joekel gives us the option to move Herremans back to guard.

Round 2 (a):
S Matthew Elam - Florida
After the bowl games and combine, could certainly make a case to move into the bottom of the first round. Tough, instinctive safety that has been a stud for Florida. In today's NFL, he's the perfect hybrid safety that can either come up and play in the box or drop back into coverage. Bet you don't miss Kurt Coleman now.

Round 2 (b):
DT Kawann Short - Purdue
Physical specimen at the DT position that can rush the passer in a 4-3 scheme. Projected to go in the 3rd round last year, he elected to stay in school for another year to develop. Although he has never quite lived up to his potential, is a talented DT that can be a great complement to Fletcher Cox. Given how deep this class is at DT and DE, I could definitely see him slip a bit. I think we trade up back into the second round and grab him.

Trade 3rd round pick and 2014 4th round pick to move back into the middle/bottom of the 2nd round
Trade 6th round pick for 2014 5th round pick

Round 4:
DE Cornellius Carradine - Florida
Was probably a 1st rounder prior to tearing his ACL late in the season. With our group of pass rushers, worth taking the risk and giving him time to recover on the sidelines. I think he's a great talent that offers too much value at this spot to pass up.

Round 5:
CB Tyrann Mathieu - No School
Honey Badger was kicked out of LSU after failing a drug test. There was speculation that he would enroll elsewhere and play his way into a potential transfer (perhaps even back to LSU), but he opted to enter the 2013 draft instead. An incredibly talented cornerback with rare instincts and playmaking ability. Character concerns and the fact that he hasn't played in a year will no doubt plummet his draft stock, but I think he's simply way too talented to pass up. Just to give you an idea, had he not gotten kicked out of LSU, he would be a surefire top 5 pick in this year's draft (and we would probably even be talking about drafting him in our spot). Given the high character environment in the Eagles organization, particularly after letting go of all our locker room cancers (*cough* Jason Babin *cough*), I think he's worth stashing away on the depth chart and giving the opportunity to work for playing time.

Round 7:
OG Sam Brenner  - Utah
Late round project. Can't really say much else about this pick.


Post-Draft Roster

QB (3): Foles, Edwards, Kafka
RB (3): McCoy, Brown, Lewis
FB (1): Havili
WR (5): Jennings, Jackson, Avant, Cooper, Johnson
TE (2): Celek, Walker
OL (11): Peters, Herremans, Kelce, Mathis, Joekel, Dunlap, Kelly, Watkins, Reynolds, Gibson, Brenner

DE (6): Cole, Graham, Tapp, Hunt, Curry, Carradine
DT (5): Patterson, Cox, Jenkins, Thornton, Short
LB (5): Ryans, Kendricks, Jordan, Chaney, Matthews
CB (5): Rodgers-Cromartie, Boykin, Marsh, Hughes, Mathieu
S (4): Byrd, Allen, Elam, Anderson

K (1): Henery
P (1): McBriar
LS (1): Dorenbos

Total: 53

Before you all freak out, I realize that we're short 1 linebacker. I opted to go with an extra OL because I wasn't particularly impressed with this year's crop of 4-3 OLB's. I think that we definitely have trade value in players like Watkins, Dunlap and even Kelly if we need to make a move for linebacker depth, but for now, I think it's nice to have solid depth on the Oline. Speaking of which...

Starting Day Oline
LT - Joekel
LG - Herremans (Finally!)
C - Kelce
RG - Mathis
RT - Peters

Why move Peters to RT? It's quite simple, really. As good as Peters is (probably the best LT in the league prior to his injury), an Achilles injury will have likely taken some toll on his mobility. For this reason, I think Peters will be much better suited to playing RT from now on where he can be a mauler in the run game. I also like letting the rookie play in his natural spot instead of playing him at RT off the bat with the plan of moving him back to LT. Although it sounds easy, I just don't think the actual transition will be, especially in the NFL.

Anyway, that's it! What do you guys think?

[dawk1977]

If mike wallace was available, would he be a better fit at WR.  Just curious because he is younger and would be able to grow with the team.  Where as jennings, would be here performing at a good productive level maybe 3 years tops.

[dawkbleedsgreen]

dawk1977, on 07 December 2012 - 02:29 PM, said:

If mike wallace was available, would he be a better fit at WR.  Just curious because he is younger and would be able to grow with the team.  Where as jennings, would be here performing at a good productive level maybe 3 years tops.

I personally think Jennings is the better WR and even though he only has a couple years left in the tank, I would prefer to groom a younger WR behind him rather than sign Mike Wallace to a blockbuster contract. He's a good player, but I just don't think he's worth that kind of money (and I would probably just keep Maclin for cheaper in that case)

[VmprBlood]

Maclin is not a FA so why would you cut him.Plus I dont think anyone would trade for Polk because he hasnt played to show what he can do.

[Eagle Gator 12]

6th rounder for Polk? he hasnt played in a game and was undrafted lol im pretty sure he didnt play much in preseason either, thats just ridiculous.

greg jennings cannot get out of GB, not with Driver being so old.

i like Walker and Byrd in FA

i also dont hate the draft, Short is gonna be a good player.

[GoEagles614]

Greg Jennings has speed and is a good route runner.

Mike Wallace has a lot of speed.

I don't think either ADD a different element to our game.

Dwayne Bowe would, he'd be the yin to DeSean's Yang. We'd have a new redone threat, a true number one who wouldn't get punished on the press, and he's tough.

Also he'd be a better run blocker.

With this addition I think we should hold on to Harbor, instead of spending for Walker, possibly even pick up Goldson or Delmas, and use our 1st second rounder somewhere else. (OL, DL, LB, CB)

[Golfesv]

Love your draft finally someone who thinks picking up joeckel and drafting a legit safety in the second. Thanks you I like also Shawn Williams maybe in the third for another safety pick up but either way you have to address safety in the second!!

[NWMontana]

_{Good work, like the draft....}  

[kitko60]

I like the draft and free agency but I have a few suggestions...
Greg Jennings- NO WAY!  Too much money for not enough WR.  We can do better than Jennings.

Here is what I think we should do with the offense:
Keep Maclin another year unless a team blows us away with an offer.
Sign Jared Cook.  Run a 2 TE offense most of the time in which Celek can become the blocker TE and Cook can stretch the field like a WR from the TE position.
IF Jake Long accepts RT in this offense, sign him!  I think he could be the best RT in the NFL.

Draft a big physical WR as a project.  Gamble in the 2nd or 3rd on talent alone and try to develop him.  I really like what Riley Cooper is doing with Foles at QB.  Folks, these WR are going to improve the further they get away from Vick!  Foles is the guy now!  Watch them start to look a lot better!!

[dawkbleedsgreen]

kitko60, on 10 December 2012 - 03:16 PM, said:

I like the draft and free agency but I have a few suggestions...
Greg Jennings- NO WAY!  Too much money for not enough WR.  We can do better than Jennings.

Here is what I think we should do with the offense:
Keep Maclin another year unless a team blows us away with an offer.
Sign Jared Cook.  Run a 2 TE offense most of the time in which Celek can become the blocker TE and Cook can stretch the field like a WR from the TE position.
IF Jake Long accepts RT in this offense, sign him!  I think he could be the best RT in the NFL.

Draft a big physical WR as a project.  Gamble in the 2nd or 3rd on talent alone and try to develop him.  I really like what Riley Cooper is doing with Foles at QB.  Folks, these WR are going to improve the further they get away from Vick!  Foles is the guy now!  Watch them start to look a lot better!!

Thanks for the feedback! These are all great points and you'll see that I have already incorporated a lot of them in my second mock which I'm planning to post sometime later this week.

It isn't in Jake Long's interest to come to a team as a RT because they get paid significantly less (unless it was as a plan to replace Peters going forward). However, even if he was brought in as a long-term replacement plan, it would be unwise to pay $20-30M a year to both players when that cap room can be allocated elsewhere. I really believe that we're in a position to grab a franchise left tackle in Luke Joekel for cheap, which, financially, gives us an opportunity to break the bank on premier players in free agency that would be valuable additions to this team. It also gives us the ammo to extend players like DRC, Maclin (if we want) and other young players going forward.

Stay on the look out for my updated mock later this week.

[Footballman175]

<----- Love the Elam pick

Draft is great man

[philaphan018]

please dont tell me you actually have the brandon boykin starting next year?

[dawkbleedsgreen]

philaphan018, on 17 December 2012 - 01:01 AM, said:

please dont tell me you actually have the brandon boykin starting next year?

I should've specified that I would be starting either Hughes or Marsh opposite of DRC. I wouldn't ever move Boykin out of the slot. As good as he was in college, I just think he would get mauled by NFL receivers on the outside

[ThaPhenom]

i hate Mathieu he's waay to small to be a starting corner in the NFL... @ 5' 09" how in the world is he expected to compete with the 6' 03" WRs... at best he could be slot corner but we already have Boykin

[morphius12812003]

Cutting Maclin, wow.  I am glad your not our GM.  Most of the remainder seems ok.  Your logic on signings is off.  You know players have the RIGHT not to sign with teams right?  What makes you think DRC wants back, and Jennings wants out of GB?

[BirdGang45]

I think we need better CBs. Unless you want to see our secondary get murdered, worse than they are now. Also which one of our CB is going to tackle?

[phillygrump]

BirdGang45, on 23 December 2012 - 02:18 AM, said:

I think we need better CBs. Unless you want to see our secondary get murdered, worse than they are now. Also which one of our CB is going to tackle?

We need safeties more than corners right now. Our safeties are arguably the worst in the league.

[BirdGang45]

phillygrump, on 23 December 2012 - 05:38 PM, said:

We need safeties more than corners right now. Our safeties are arguably the worst in the league.

True. I would go after CB in the draft, and safety. I would also look to get a safety in free agency.