10 things the Eagles must attempt to do this offseason...

1.  Franchise tag or extend Vick with a contract-  According to ESPN reporter Adam Shefter, as of Jan. 30th, the Eagles are planning to franchise their star quarterback, Michael Vick.  This is ranked number one on the "to do" list for a reason.  Vick helped turn around a rebuilding team into a contending team.  With Vick in the lineup, they will always be discussed as a dangerous team.  Truthfully, after this MVP caliber season, he looks like a changed man and deserves a fresh-new contract.  Vick is a humble, respectful man now.  His attitude seems to be cleaned up, wanting to take on a leadership role in Philadelphia.  In his previous seasons with the Falcons, Vick would be the last one to practice and the first one to leave.  That, has all changed now;  he is the first one to practice and the last one to leave.  This says a lot about his character and his willingness to change.

2.  Sign Nnamdi Asomugha-  Not many stats are present in this man's resume, yet he is ranked, by many in the NFL, as the best cornerback in the league.  A reason why, you might ask?  The ball is never thrown in his direction.  Quarterbacks are afraid to throw it at Nnamdi Asomugha, plain and simple.  Imagine having Asomugha on one side and Asante Samuel on the other.  Quarterbacks will have fits on deciding which side to throw it at, causing opponents to run the ball more often.  This will benefit any team's defense.  Signing Asomugha would be a huge interception for the Eagles.

3.  Trade Kevin Kolb-  Although Kolb had impressive games this season, he couldn't outshine the "Madden" play-making abilites of Vick.  Kolb is definitely a starter in this league.  He wants to start, so keeping him on the team will just cause more quarterback drama.  He is no T.O., however, you can tell he is not a happy camper being the back up.  Trade Kolb and work out a package to move up in the draft.

 Move up in the draft-  The Eagles have to work out a package involving Kevin Kolb in order to move up in the draft.  Trading their 24th overall pick and Kevin Kolb, could easily land them in the top 10 picks.  Once they're there, they need to select the best talent available.  Talents such as Nick Fairley (Auburn/DT), Da'Quan Bowers  (Clemson/DE), or Akeem Ayers (UCLA/LB).  

5.  Sign Roman Harper-  The safety position for the Eagles right now is not too safe.  Quintin Mikell's days as an Eagle are numbered.  Harper is a hard hitting safety who can also help with the run support.  They need an intimidating safety who will challenge any receiver to run through the middle, a Dawkins esque, perhaps.  Harper and his fellow Saints teammate, Malcom Jenkins, were snagged from a Pro Bowl type year.  Look for the Eagles to make a         run at Harper.

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6.  Draft or pick up a big running back-  With the loss of Leonard Weaver during the 2010 season, the Eagles did not have the luxury of a pounder.  A pounder is a big running back who will get you those 3rd and 1's or goal line touchdowns.  Weaver is facing potentially a career ending knee injury similar to J.R. Reid's injury, maybe even worse.  However, Weaver plans to be back in 2011.  Their depth at running back is very limited.  Jerome Harrison is also a free agent; he showed glimpses of versatility when traded from the Cleveland Browns in the middle of the season, yet McCoy took most of the snaps.           

7.  In need of more depth at linebacker-  Stewart Bradley, Ernie Sims, and Omar Gaither are all free agents this offseason.  Their core depth at linebacker is slimming down rapidly like a contestant on the Biggest Loser.  Most likely, the Eagles will not re-sign any of them; the only possibility would be Bradley.  Hopefully, they will draft a stud linebacker in the beginning or middle rounds of the draft to regain some depth in that position.  Free agency is also an option with available players such as Chad Greenway (Vikings), Tamba Hali (Chiefs), or LaMarr Woodley (Steelers).



8.  Sign Akers-  Even though Eagles kicker, David Akers, struggled in the NFC Wild Card game with two important missed field goals, he is still extremely dependable.  I am not trying to make an excuse for him, but the week leading up to that game, Akers received news his 6-year-old daughter had a cancerous cyst in her left ovary.  This had to play a role in his performance against the Packers.  Akers was selected to the Pro Bowl and is still a reliable threat.  He has become a veteran leader in the lockeroom. Most kickers cannot gain respect like this.





9.  Extend Desean Jackson's contract and pick up a bigger receiver-  After his remarkable display at the New Meadowlands as well as his multi 100 yard receiving games, Jackson deserves an extension to his contract.  You could debate how he is injury prone and sometimes stirs up drama with his mouth, but it is just hard to ignore the combo of Vick and Jackson.  Make this man happy.  Also, I do not think they have a big, physical receiver who is a red-zone threat.  Riley Cooper still needs some work to become that threat.  There will be available receivers in the draft as well free agency.  Possibly Randy Moss?  How nice would that sound having him as their number one and Desean as the number two; Maclin and Avant would become the slot receivers.  Sounds pretty unstoppable to me.

10.  Look for a veteran back up QB-  If indeed the Eagles trade Kevin Kolb, there will be an empty spot at the number two quarterback spot.  Mike Kafka is their 3rd quarterback, but has no experience under his belt.   They will need a veteran QB who knows the west-coast offense.  Marc Bulger is a free agent, coming from the Baltimore Ravens.  Even though Baltimore is not a west-coast offense, Bulger has played for the Rams.  As we all know, the Rams are known for their west-coast type offense, going back to the "best show on turf" days.  After all the turmoil in Philadelphia and how he left the organization via trade, I dare not say this, but Donovan McNabb could be an option.  He will probably be released by the Washington Redskins sometime this offseason.  If this were to happen, how ironic would it be?

2011 NFL Playoff Predictions

Question, who chose two number six seeds, as well as two number two seeds, to advance into the NFC and AFC championship game when the 2010 NFL season began?  Did it cross any one’s mind that this strange phenomenon could actually happen?  Answer, no one probably thought this, except, of course, for the loyal die-hard fan.   

            

            On Sunday, January 23^rd, the NFL will be hosting two great conference championship games. 

At 3pm, the number six seed, Green Bay Packers, will take on the number two seed, Chicago Bears, in a legendary rivalry game.  These two teams have a rich history with one another.  We can go back as far as the mid 1980’s coaching duel between Mike Ditka and Forrest Gregg.  Mike Ditka, however, seemed victorious in this duel with a Super Bowl win in 1985.  This time it will be a matchup between head coaches Lovie Smith and Mike McCarthy.

 The later game will be the number six seed, New York Jets, versus the number 2 seed, Pittsburgh Steelers, at 6:30pm.  The New York Jets are coming into this game feeling mighty confident, after their tenacious win against the New England Patriots in the AFC divisional round.  Both have dynamic offenses that can cause damage with speedster receivers and game changing running backs.  Defense will be the main attraction of this game though.  Offenses will have to factor in their play calling more carefully or will suffer the consequences.

 There are always key players to watch in “big time” games because of their capability of making “big time” plays.  Here is a list of players to keep your eye on for the rest of the playoffs: 

·         The New York Jets threats: Mark Sanchez, LaDainian Tomlinson, Shonn Greene, D’Brickashaw Ferguson, Nick Mangold, Santonio Holmes, Brad Smith, Darrelle Revis, and Bart Scott. 

·         The Pittsburgh Steelers threats: Ben Roethlisberger, Rashard Mendenhall, Hines Ward, Mike Wallace, Maurkice Pouncey, James Harrison, and Troy Polamalu. 

·         The Green Bay Packers threats: Aaron Rodgers, James Starks, John Kuhn, Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, Clay Matthews, Charles Woodson, and B.J. Raji.   

·         The Chicago Bears threats: Jay Cutler, Matt Forte, Johnny Knox, Devin Hester, Julius Peppers, Lance Briggs, and Brian Urlacher.

        

     My predictions for Super Bowl XLV will be the Green Bay Packers and New York Jets battling it out for the ultimate prize.  This would be the first time in NFL history that two number six seeds meet in a Super Bowl. 

My pick to win Super Bowl XLV is the Green Bay Packers.  In my opinion, they have the best overall team.  The Packers are clicking on every cylinder from passing the ball and running the ball on offense, to interceptions and sacks on defense.  They will become the best football team in the world on February 6th.  


Vince Lombardi would be very proud. 

Opportunity Seized, once AGAIN!

"We weren't expecting to make it this far with this team.  I thought this season turned out to be a great season."  This is a repetitive statement being worn out.  I have been hearing this constantly, since the Eagles loss to the Green Bay Packers last night.

No!  For Pete's sake,  this has not been a great season.  I don't care what we accomplished during the season, whether it be the miracle at the new Meadowlands or the dominating performance against the Washington Redskins. 

I know injuries to emerging stars such as Nate Allen, Brandon Graham and Stewart Bradley as well as veterans Leonard Weaver, Ellis Hobbs and Jamaal Jackson took a toll on us.

             That is no excuse.  

Look at what the New England Patriots have done in previous years even with injuries to impact players.  They have great coaches and scouts that bring the right personnel to fill in for those impact players and still manage to be a threat. 

A great example is running back Danny Woodhead.  After multiple injuries to their running backs this season, they still managed to find a player who could still be effective in their game plan.  Woodhead has been significant to the Patriots offense and are on track to their 4th Super Bowl in the last 8 years.  That is exactly why they have three Super Bowl rings. 

 I am tired of being competitive year after year and not winning a Super Bowl.  A great season consists of having a ring on your finger.  That is the ultimate goal!  Until that happens, I will not be satisfied.

Andy Reid is coming into his 12th year as the Eagles head coach.  He manages the player personnel and game planning for the team.  In his 12 years, Reid's playoff record has been 10-9.  Sounds pretty decent right?  Wrong.  Only one of those 19 games was a trip to the Super Bowl.  As we all know that was against the New England Patriots in 2005, which resulted in a gut-wrenching loss.  Out of all the playoff games he has been to, not one of them has propelled us as the number one team in the NFL.  It has all been compiled into a big bunch of disappointments. 

 I appreciate Reid's efforts in making this team a playoff contender almost every year.  The key word there is CONTENDER.  The goal of every team is to become a Super Bowl WINNER. 

How many chances are the Eagles organization going to give him?  Personally, I think it is time to end the Reid era.  I doubt that will happen, since the front office thinks he is the greatest thing since sliced bread.

Reid's philosophies on offense are not working.  If you look at every Super Bowl winner, they have had a strong running game and a dominating defense.  Reid is too stubborn to see that. 

Reid's biggest 2010 off-season pickup on defense was safety Marlin freaking Jackson, who got hurt during walk through's during training camp.  We had a chance for Julius Peppers but look who got them, the Bears!  Where are they?  Second round of the playoffs with a first round bye.

His philosophies of  being pass happy may work in the regular season, but when playoff season arrives, teams are well prepared for it.  You just can't be one dimensional on offense and expect to go far.  Defenses will read every play, just ask Clay Matthews and the Packers defense.

"Uhh yea, my hair would say their offense was predictable." 

-YOU KNOW YOU HAVE LOST YOUR OPPORTUNITY WHEN THE SEATTLE SEAHAWKS ELIMINATE THE NEW ORLEANS SAINTS FROM THE PLAYOFFS-

Another disappointment, another playoff loss, another window of opportunity for a Super Bowl....DASHED...  :(

A significant amount of changes need to be acquainted for this off-season...enough said.

On to the Next One...

If  Jay-Z witnessed the meaningless game that occurred last night between the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles, he would've said, "I'm on to the next one, on to the next!"  Deuces Dallas, Hello Green Bay Packers!  

"Y'all should be afraid of what I'm going to do next"(Jay-Z, On to the Next One)

We welcome the new year with a great Wild Card weekend match-up between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Green Bay Packers this upcoming Sunday at 4:30.  My wish had come true of not having to face the humiliated G-men, once again.  It is always tough to beat a team 3 times in one season.  You do not want to play a humiliated team in the playoffs because they have more to play for than to just advance to the next round; they are playing for their reputation.  

"Why am I starting to hate the Giants more than I do the Cowboys?  It is a strange feeling, but what can I say, it feels good to be the only playoff team coming out of the NFC east."  

"Aww, how cute, both saying BYE BYE to the playoffs....isn't that precious!?"

The hot streaking Packers are coming off two consecutive wins against very good teams in the Giants and Bears.  Their offense is rolling and their defense is hitting.  The Eagles, however, are on a two game losing streak, both losses at home.  This shouldn't phase them. 

The game against the Vikings was merely a loss of focus on what they needed to accomplish.  The game against the Cowboys was of no surprise, when you play your practice squad against a first team squad.  When you have Austin Howard starting as your left guard on the offensive line facing against sack specialist, Demarcus Ware, a win should be expected.  Additionally, it was pretty pathetic that the Cowboys first team inched their way past the Eagles second team in the final minutes of the game.  You would expect better play from these Super Bowl contenders(Cowboys), according to Jerry Jones as well as many ESPN analysts prior to the 2010 season.    

Enough about the Cowgirls already!  Our focus is solely on those cheese heads aka the Green Bay Packers.  We can't ask for a better match up than this.  We are the ones seeking revenge now, since Green Bay beat us 27-20 in the season opener at home.  However, this is a whole different plot than last time.  Vick, who will be well rested, is our starting quarterback now.  

Eagles Fan:  "Green Bay better PACK their things because the Eagles will gladly FLY them back home." 

Green Bay fan: 
"OUCH! Don't say that, that really, really hurts! I mean it guys, stop!"




I crack myself up sometimes.