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Changes for the Eagles this weekend
Michigan
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in Sports Talk
From SI.com:
Speaking of the Eagles, would the last player leaving Philly please remember to hit the lights? And what's left of that Eagles secondary about now? Dawkins takes off for Denver. Lito Sheppard was just traded to the Jets. Sean Considine bolts for Jacksonville. Correll Buckhalter is now a Bronco, and L.J. Smith has already made a trip to Atlanta on his way out of town. Throw in the fact that the signing of offensive tackle Stacey Andrews signals the end of Jon Runyan's Eagles career, and no team's roster lost as many familiar names as Philadelphia's this weekend.
Continuity has been a real factor in the Eagles success this decade. Same head coach and quarterback since 1999. Same defensive coordinator in Jim Johnson. Same veteran stalwarts like Dawkins, Runyan, Tra Thomas, and Buckhalter scattered throughout the roster. But the times, they are a changin' in Philly. At least a bit around the edges.
Speaking of the Eagles, would the last player leaving Philly please remember to hit the lights? And what's left of that Eagles secondary about now? Dawkins takes off for Denver. Lito Sheppard was just traded to the Jets. Sean Considine bolts for Jacksonville. Correll Buckhalter is now a Bronco, and L.J. Smith has already made a trip to Atlanta on his way out of town. Throw in the fact that the signing of offensive tackle Stacey Andrews signals the end of Jon Runyan's Eagles career, and no team's roster lost as many familiar names as Philadelphia's this weekend.
Continuity has been a real factor in the Eagles success this decade. Same head coach and quarterback since 1999. Same defensive coordinator in Jim Johnson. Same veteran stalwarts like Dawkins, Runyan, Tra Thomas, and Buckhalter scattered throughout the roster. But the times, they are a changin' in Philly. At least a bit around the edges.
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Lito Sheppard was just traded to the Jets - did OK without him last year. He opened his mouth too much about his contract. The Eagles don't like that.
Sean Considine bolts for Jacksonville - maniac on special teams. Too many missed tackles in regular play.
Correll Buckhalter is now a Bronco - should have been given more playing time. He is a beast at times. They will pick up a new back, maybe with the first round pick.
L.J. Smith has already made a trip to Atlanta on his way out of town - ooooops dropped the ball my bad, ooooops dropped the ball my bad, ooooops dropped the ball my bad. Rinse and repeat. Celek played better as back up.
Throw in the fact that the signing of offensive tackle Stacey Andrews signals the end of Jon Runyan's Eagles career - Runyan had surgery and is questionable. He may be signed for much less money. Bet another team will not pick him up. The addition of Andrews is a good move.
He was one of two All-Pro Eagles last year. That is it. Granted he is older now but to say he was not good in coverage or anything like
that is kind of misinformed when now our best safety is Quintin Demps. He may turn out to be a good player but he will not be a future
HOFER like B.D. He also is not as physical as B.D. or the team leader. Who will be that guy now? If you say McNabb I may get sick right
here and now. Westbrook. No. Dawkins ranked #4 all time in games played for the same team on defense behind (in no order) Jim
Marshall, Clay Matthews, and Darrell Green. All these guys stayed the entire career with the same team. Out of respect and for team
chemistry he should never of been allowed to leave town. I know the other guys played at a different time (free agency wise) in the
NFL but these kind of moves make it difficult for Eagle fans to embrace this ownership. They do this too often. Then the give money
to guys like Reggie Brown who do not live up to management expectations.
There were no better options than keeping Dawkins this year and maybe the next couple years. The Eagles are under the cap by a lot
and so what if it would of been some cap hit in latter years. The goodwill received would of been worth it. Dawkins still hit well enough
in the last game of the season to cause two turnovers against Dallas this past year. And if his pass coverage skills were not good the
last few years then how come they resigned him three years ago. Why did Andy Reid offer such incredible praise at the Hall of Fame game
back then. Why did Reid say (which surprised me since he usually keeps mum in free agency) that the should of Dawk and Tre (Tra Thomas)
signed soon before F.A. starts. Also, Dawkins was defensive player of the month in December I believe. And All-Pro.
I will agree with you if you believe Dawks best years are behind him. But his ability on the field is a question mark? To think this might not
be a detriment to winning games. I dunno. Could be. As an Eagles fan, I will just go with "It was business" Nothing more. Dawk was and
still is great. Had plenty in the tank. Great leader and the face of the Birds for over a decade. He will be missed.
aconte
Name me any veteran player who in anyone's opinion was worth the signing price after the Eagles, under Andy Reid, basically let them go without "seriously" trying to sign them. Yes you could bring up Trotter going to Washington or TO, but in my view they weren't worth the signing price. Corey Simon might be one that the Eagles would have wanted to keep, but he did turn out to be a flop after he left the Eagles.
Collecting 1970s Topps baseball wax, rack and cello packs, as well as PCGS graded Half Cents, Large Cents, Two Cent pieces and Three Cent Silver pieces.
<< <i>Don't worry, Steve, everything will be all right...LOL!!!!!!!!!! >>
Yea...and like your Jets are worry free.
<< <i>Name me any veteran player who in anyone's opinion was worth the signing price after the Eagles, under Andy Reid, basically let them go without "seriously" trying to sign them. >>
Probably the same number of Super Bowls the Eagles have won under Andy Reid.
Like I said last night, I think it was a mistake letting Dawkins go. The veteran leadership is gone and the message sent to the other players is a negative one.
B. Dawk was the heart and soul of the Birds. That is now gone.
I think this was not good for the overall health of the winning team. Just my opinion. The Birds do just enough to be good but not enough to be great.
aconte
<< <i>
<< <i>Name me any veteran player who in anyone's opinion was worth the signing price after the Eagles, under Andy Reid, basically let them go without "seriously" trying to sign them. >>
Probably the same number of Super Bowls the Eagles have won under Andy Reid.
Like I said last night, I think it was a mistake letting Dawkins go. The veteran leadership is gone and the message sent to the other players is a negative one.
B. Dawk was the heart and soul of the Birds. That is now gone.
I think this was not good for the overall health of the winning team. Just my opinion. The Birds do just enough to be good but not enough to be great.
aconte >>
The Eagles came within 4 points of winning a Super Bowl against a tough Patriots team in which the Eagles were a 7 point underdog in that game - that ain't bad getting that close. And there's no disputing that the Eagles have one of the best records in the NFL under Andy Reid. Frankly, i attribute the poor play in some big playoff games to McNabb much more than Andy Reid.
And you're conveniently forgetting how often Dawkins was injured the past few seasons. Yes, he just had a nice season, but he is like an old racehorse that runs one last great race and then breaks down - Dawkins will be an injury prone flop with Denver and that's a very easy call.