bubba9497 Posted March 3, 2004 Share Posted March 3, 2004 Will Eagles' additions offset subtractions? They enter the period of free agency with four potential losses. By Larry O'Rourke Of The Morning Call http://www.mcall.com/sports/all-eaglesmar03,0,2762740.story?coll=all-sports-hed The time of year their fans view as an annual blood-letting began at 12:01 this morning, and the Philadelphia Eagles marked it with the kind of cold, salary cap-calculating silence that indicates they think it's just business as usual. This latest bout with free agency could be particularly unsettling for Eagles fans. It will be arguably more painful than the winter of 2002, when Jeremiah Trotter bolted to the Washington Redskins, and at least as painful as the winter of 2003, when the popular Hugh Douglas and Brian Mitchell were among the losses. Although 18 of the Eagles' 22 incumbent starters are under contract through at least the end of the 2004 season, running back Duce Staley, cornerbacks Troy Vincent and Bobby Taylor and linebacker Carlos Emmons are the four starters eligible for unrestricted free agency. Figure Staley and Taylor are goners. With the Eagles needing playing time for Brian Westbrook at running back, they simply will not be able to justify matching the starter-type offers of riches Staley will get elsewhere. And Staley will get those offers, even from some teams that will simply want to drive up the price to make sure Staley is no longer an Eagle. At best, the Eagles have to hope Staley ends up in the AFC. At worst, he'll take up residence in Dallas. Taylor's nine seasons make him the longest-serving Eagle, and his and Vincent's intended successors, Lito Sheppard and Sheldon Brown, were drafted two years ago. Taylor was more vocal in complaining about his lack of a contract extension than the even-keeled Andy Reid regime would like, and that just adds to the feeling that he's gone. Although Vincent continues to tell people he would like to move to the Carolina Panthers because he owns a home in North Carolina — never mind it's a four-hour drive to Charlotte — figure there's a good chance he will be back in Philly. Vincent is a Trenton, N.J./Lower Bucks County product and resident, and it's unlikely he will want to uproot his children or upset his routine for what is likely the last year or two of his career. Emmons' future as the Eagles' strongside linebacker likely will be decided in injury rehabilitation. Any negotiating power he had seemingly was negated when he sustained a fractured left fibula in the second-to-last game of the season. Other veteran Eagles eligible for unrestricted free agency are defensive end Marco Coleman, defensive tackles Jim Flanigan and Paul Grasmanis, and guard Bobbie Williams. None will be great losses. But the Eagles also are expected to announce the departure of a folk hero today, when they reportedly will trade of third-string quarterback A.J. Feeley to Miami for a future draft pick. All together now: ''Ouch!'' But what about the bold moves that could ease the pain? With $24 million reportedly available under the salary cap, surely the Eagles will go after a big-name player, right? Surely this is going to be the exciting offseason that team president Joe Banner promised last offseason, but has said little about this time around? Not necessarily. Terrell Owens' potential availability and the Eagles' obvious need for a game-breaking wideout have created the biggest buzz, but Owens' latest shenanigans — failing to formally notify the 49ers he was seeking free agency — further clouds whether the Eagles would even consider trying to lure him from San Francisco. Really, any doubt about that should have been cleared up at the Pro Bowl, when Reid sent Tampa Bay defensive tackle Simeon Rice home for missing a practice. If Reid deals with misbehavior that way in Honolulu, imagine his disdain for the possibility of Owens acting up on his sidelines in Philly. So figure the Eagles will make the more conservative types of free agency-related moves they made last offseason, when they upgraded their fullback position by signing Jon Ritchie and plugged their linebacking corps with the acquisitions of Nate Wayne and Mark Simoneau. They likely will flirt with Tennessee wideout Justin McCareins, try to work a deal for Dolphins' defensive end/restricted free agent Adewale Ogunleye, and keep an eye out for a bargain-priced veteran cornerback and running back. The losses will once again generate more interest than the gains. But after back-to-back 12-4 seasons and three appearances in the NFC Championship Game, the Eagles tight-lipped brass doesn't figure to be taking anything other than the business-as-usual approach. All together now: ''Ouch!'' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vegas-Born Posted March 3, 2004 Share Posted March 3, 2004 I would hate it if they get a big time WR to help Donavan out. We may not have the corners to stop someone like TO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OaktonSkins/BushFan Posted March 3, 2004 Share Posted March 3, 2004 Reid is just still pissed off about the NFC title game two seasons ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TC4 Posted March 3, 2004 Share Posted March 3, 2004 Originally posted by Vegas Baby I would hate it if they get a big time WR to help Donavan out. We may not have the corners to stop someone like TO That's okay With their run defense, or I should say lack there of, we will be able to run Portis right at them and thus, keep the ball out of McNabb's hands Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbooma Posted March 3, 2004 Share Posted March 3, 2004 If Philly gets TO watch out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EagleSteve Posted March 3, 2004 Share Posted March 3, 2004 Originally posted by TC4 That's okay With their run defense, or I should say lack there of, we will be able to run Protis rigth at them and thus, keep the ball out of McNabb's hands Don't bank on the Eagles getting hit with as many injuries as they did last year. Before the injuries hit, they were top-5 at stopping the run. Add to that the 'Skins "looks good on paper" offensive line, and Portis isn't scary yet. If Bugel gets the o-line to domininate the LOS, then Portis will have some fun. Anyway, look for the Eagles to make defensive moves and possibly and o-line move. Unfortunately, they'll probably hope that McMullen/Lewis mature and add a lower-level WR. Will McCants bite at a nice offer? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlsbadd Posted March 3, 2004 Share Posted March 3, 2004 I am not sure but I think that it would take a draft pick to get McCants, I don't think AR would go for that. I would expect AR to shore up the D with some run support and as far as the offense goes I think we will hear AR say "We'll be fine" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TD_washingtonredskins Posted March 3, 2004 Share Posted March 3, 2004 We'd have to match McCants' offer or get a 4th or 5th rounder from Philly. I think the FO said they intended on matching any offers he received. However, on the Junkies this morning he said that he had 10-12 teams interested in him. I think we might end up losing him and that would REALLY annoy me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbooma Posted March 3, 2004 Share Posted March 3, 2004 Originally posted by speedwagon20 We'd have to match McCants' offer or get a 4th or 5th rounder from Philly. I think the FO said they intended on matching any offers he received. However, on the Junkies this morning he said that he had 10-12 teams interested in him. I think we might end up losing him and that would REALLY annoy me. A 4th or 5th rounder is nothing for McCants. Why didn't we tender him to a higher deal so we would get at least a 1st? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKINZ_DOMIN8 Posted March 3, 2004 Share Posted March 3, 2004 Taylor's nine seasons make him the longest-serving Eagle, and his and Vincent's intended successors, Lito Sheppard and Sheldon Brown, were drafted two years ago. Lito Sheppard and Sheldon Brown the starting DB's ????? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!!!!!! Eagles are DONE. Other than McNabb they have no other true playmakers on the offense and their defense will get run on more than a baker at a weight watchers convention. :eaglesuck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief skin Posted March 3, 2004 Share Posted March 3, 2004 they are declining and we are up and coming at last the universe is getting back to a state of harmony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EagleSteve Posted March 3, 2004 Share Posted March 3, 2004 Originally posted by Chief skin they are declining and we are up and coming at last the universe is getting back to a state of harmony Chief, I've heard this the last 3 years and the Eagles have run off 11, 12 and 12 wins, while the 'Skins have managed 8, 7, and 5 wins. At this point, the Redskins need to show something on the field. Their talk over the last three seasons is more than cheap, it's falling on deaf ears right now. Beat the Eagles, Cowboys and Giants next season. That will show everyone that the Redskins are back. Until then, this off-season looks just like the past three to other NFC East fans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbooma Posted March 3, 2004 Share Posted March 3, 2004 Originally posted by Blazers21 Until then, this off-season looks just like the past three to other NFC East fans. One difference a man that has won 4 NFC championships and 3 superbowls is leading the way now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EagleSteve Posted March 3, 2004 Share Posted March 3, 2004 Originally posted by jbooma One difference a man that has won 4 NFC championships and 3 superbowls is leading the way now Very true! I will never overlook Joe Gibbs. He's the best. So far, I think the 'Skins have done a great job so far this off-season. I thought that way last year as well. So for the time being, I'll still stand by the Eagles ultra-conservative approach to FA. It works for them, even though it's frustrating for the fans. When a rival makes good moves, and you get a second rounder in 2005 for AJ Feeley, it's not inspiring. Especially with the glaring holes at WR. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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