The Eagle Report Answers the Tough Questions

Part One: November 17, 2006

As it pertains to this year and the offseason, there are many question marks facing this Philadelphia Eagles team in their mission to make the playoffs this year and look ahead to next year. We here at The Eagle Report have decided to answer a few with our own opinions and insight.

 

  1. Are the Eagles going to re-sign Michael Lewis?
    1. If they do, it will not be as a strong safety. The Eagles seem really pleased with the play of Sean Considine, hence why he is now the starter at that position. Lewis’ inconsistencies at defense seem to always come at the worst of the time. While both guys are hard-hitters, Considine has been more stable. Lewis, for the rest of this year will most likely be a dime back and nothing else. The Eagles are interested in making Lewis into a linebacker, which we feel is actually a very good idea as he certainly has the speed and ability to do so. However, if Lewis is not willing to make the change, his days in Philly will likely end following this year. Lastly, the Eagles like to get their signing/extensions out of the way early (i.e. Jamaal Jackson, Trent Cole, Reggie Brown, Brian Dawkins) and the fact that Lewis has not received such an offer does not look good for #32.

 

  1. Is Broderick Bunkley officially a first round bust?
    1. It is too early to place such a label on a guy, especially with someone who had such a productive college career, such as Bunkley but he really hasn’t done anything so far. His hold out at the beginning of training camp was definitely a dumb move and has held back his training as a result. His coach at Florida State, the legendary Bobby Bowden has said that Bunkley is a guy that has to be in for a couple series in order to get a grasp for the situation. He has not had that in Philadelphia given the rotation Jim Johnson has with his defensive line. Bunkley has also not seen very much playing time in large part to what has been a stellar year by Darwin Walker. He has not had many chances to register a sack, but he is still young and has lots of time to get his weight down and get more playing time. If he still does not have a sack by this point next year, Bunkley can be labeled a bust. Right now, we feel Bunkley has simply been disappointing.

 

  1. Should they not make the playoffs, will the Eagles fire Andy Reid?
    1. Not this year. The Eagles record at 5-4 after Week 10 is disappointing, and the playoffs are certainly a question mark at this point, but we do not think Andy deserves to be fired. As a head coach, Andy does a great job preparing his team in practice and keeping them from mouthing off to the media/getting arrested (something other coaches have difficulty with). If Andy should be relived anything, it should probably be his front office role. As Mike Holmgren saw in Seattle, it is difficult to be both the good guy as a coach and the bad guy as a front office guy. It might be in the Eagles’ best interest for Andy to focus on coaching. GM Tom Heckert, team president Tom Heckert, and owner Jeff Lurie have set the NFL standard for salary cap management year after year and can do without Andy in the front office. If the Eagles don’t make the playoffs next year, it will most likely be “three strikes and you’re out” for the big man.

 

  1. Will Donovan McNabb win MVP this year?
    1. McNabb’s chances of winning the MVP hinge upon whether the Eagles make the playoffs this year couple with whether the Saints make the playoffs this year. McNabb and the Saints QB Drew Brees each have similar numbers this year with Brees slightly ahead of McNabb in passing yards. The Saints have been the surprise of the year, but are losing ground to the surging Carolina Panthers. If the Saints lose their lead and miss the playoffs, Brees likely will not win MVP, but if the Eagles don’t make the playoffs, the chances of McNabb winning the award in the NFC are almost non-existent. McNabb and the Eagles’ performance will ultimately decide how things pan out. McNabb is a true professional though, and cares more about his team winning than any statistics or awards he may win.

 

  1. Will the Eagles re-sign Donte Stallworth?
    1. The Eagles’ decision on whether or not to re-sig Stallworth will be based on his contributions for the rest of this year as well as whether he can stay healthy. With the exception of that nagging hamstring injury, Donte Stallworth has worked out well for the Eagles and given the Eagles passing game a great 1-2 punch with Stallworth and Reggie Brown. We would like to see Stallworth return in 2007, but it will depend on how badly he wants to stay in Philadelphia as well as how much money he asks for.

 

  1. Where does Correll Buckhalter fit into the Eagles’ plans for 2007?
    1. He really doesn’t. The knee injuries have taken their toll on Buckhalter. He has lost a considerable amount of speed and playmaking ability since coming back from surgery. With the fragile Westbrook as the starter and uncertain status of the speedy but inconsistent Ryan Moats, Buckhalter is the odd man out. He has not contributed very much this year. The Eagles still need a big back to compliment Westbrook and Moats and frankly, Buckhalter is not that big back; at least not anymore. Also needed is someone who can fill the shoes of the versatile Westbrook and that man is not Buckhalter. It was great to see him come back at all after those injuries, but his chances of making the team next year are not good.

 

  1. How will Jevon Kearse, Chris Gocong, and Jeremy Bloom rebound from their injuries after spending the 2006 season on IR?
    1. Absolutely they can. All three of these guys will make a full recovery by the time the Birds are back at Lehigh in August next year. Kearse’s knee injury was a matter of wrong place at the wrong place. When he comes back, he will be looking to contribute immediately. He is a true professional and team player. As far as Gocong and Bloom, those guys getting hurt was a major disappointment but their injuries are not serious. Bloom was the first to admit that he did not prepare for the NFL nearly as well as he should have and is working with the Eagles training staff to get healthy for next year. Gocong’s neck/shoulder stinger has a possibility at coming back throughout his career, but while at California Polytechnic, Gocong was praised for his great work ethic and resiliency and will bring that into 2007’s camp. Kearse and Bloom also possess these traits and we are all hoping for ability to bounce back in 2007.

 

  1. How does William Thomas fit into the Eagles’ plans with Winston Justice on the horizon?
    1. The Eagles getting Winston Justice at pick 39 in the 2006 draft was definitely a great pick. The problem is, William “don’t call me Tra” Thomas has done a good job this year but is getting old. At the same time, Justice is too talented and did too good of a job in the pre-season to sit around and do nothing for another year. Chances are, Thomas’ days in Philadelphia are numbered as a result of the up and coming Justice. If the Eagles do release Thomas, he would undoubtedly be able to find a place to play because teams are always looking for veteran linemen.

 

  1. Will the Eagles make any changes to their often criticized linebacking group?
    1. We think the chances of the Eagles drafting a linebacker in the 2007 draft are pretty good. As far as the group itself is concerned, McCoy, Trotter, Barber Gaither, Jones, and Gocong are average, but are capable of good things. Shawn Barber has done a great job filling in for the Eagles this year and could very well be back next year. Jones’ inconsistencies at strong side linebacker have been a problem. If any of these people will be gone soon it will most likely be Jones or Barber. Either way, the Eagles need better linebackers to help sure up their running defense.

 

  1. How have Darren Howard, Matt Schobel, Shawn Barber, and Jeff Garcia fit in with the Eagles this year?
    1. So far, all four have contributed in their own way. Howard will be in Philly for a few years to come and has provided a lot of leadership for this team. He has also done a fine job as the starting LE after Kearse went down and setting up RE Trent Cole. All in all, Howard has been a great pick up for the Eagles. Matt Schobel has been a little bit of a disappointment with his dropped passes, but he also hasn’t been used a whole lot. Now and then, Schobel has broken off on a big play. We don’t think he has really found his place in Philadelphia yet, but he will with time. He is a fantastic backup for LJ Smith. Shawn Barber has been a great surprise at linebacker and provided good leadership. He has been all over the field and done a fine job backing up Matt McCoy. Jeff Garcia hasn’t really done anything this year, but he is a great insurance policy. Garcia is a good teammate and enthusiastic presence on the sideline. Having a guy like that rally the troops on the sideline always helps the team.

 

  1. Who should the Eagles keep: William James or Rod Hood?
    1. One of these guys will likely be gone at the end of 2006, if not both. Hood and James are both on one year deals and only play in nickel or dime situations on defense. Hood has battled injuries this year and James is coming back from an injury. When he was with the Giants, Will Peterson (now James) was a standout corner. Hood is a good corner but his time may have run out his time in Philly. If James has a good couple weeks, we may see him back next year.

 

  1. Are the Eagles better off without Terrell Owens?
    1. Yes. Given his antics on the sidelines during week 5 and the way the other receivers have stepped up, the Eagles are better off without Owens, plain and simple.

 

  1. Will Omar Gaither be a good eventual replacement for Jeremiah Trotter?
    1. All three times I was up at training camp, I was very impressed with #96. When the second team defense was on the field, it was not rare to see Gaither telling people to make adjustments and calling plays. His confidence was very fun to see, especially since he is just a rookie. However, there are some problems with mental mistakes (see: 12 men on the field penalty in Week 6) and tackling with OG. These problems should subside given the experience Gaither will receive and the mentorship he has with Jeremiah Trotter. Gaither should do a fine job as an eventual replacement for Trotter.

 

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