After the Eagles were unceremoniously eliminated from the playoffs last weekend, the focus quickly moved to the off-season. There are several issues nagging at the team, especially the deficiencies at offensive line, defense, and special teams.
Let’s hope that back-to-back embarrassing losses in Dallas galvanizes the players and coaching stuff and leads to some positive changes for the team going into 2010. There are plenty of holes to be filled, positions to be upgraded, and free agents to address. Here are some of the team’s most pressing matters, in no particular order.
ADDRESS THE QB SITUATION: Although Donovan McNabb ended the season on a low note, we all know he’s capable of much more. While he is likely not going anywhere now, the 2010 season will be the final year on his restructured contract. Don’t expect the Eagles to enter next season with a lame duck quarterback. Any number of things could happen, but the most likely scenario will be #5 getting extended for a couple of years. Anything else will be surprising.
OFFENSIVE LINE: Jamaal Jackson’s injury exposed how weak the team’s offensive line really was this past season. While he’ll be back next season, the team needs to stock up on talent, both through the draft and free agency. Never underestimate the power of good second stringers, especially when the injury bug hits the line hard. Keep an eye on March 5th (start of free agency) and April 22nd (the first day of the draft).
LINEBACKERS: The single biggest loss of the season was Stewart Bradley’s injury to his ACL on Flight Night. The chain reaction of players being shifted into unfamiliar roles and second stringers starting every week gave first year defensive coordinator Sean McDermott more challenges than he expected. Things got so bad that Jeremiah Trotter was brought out as retirement to give the team another weapon at middle linebacker. Bradley seems to well on his way back to the starting lineup in 2010, but for insurance reasons, the Birds need more quality linebackers.
SAFETY: While the front office deemed Brian Dawkins over the hill and offered him a decent contract, what the Broncos offered was really out of this world. The players that stepped in for him this season weren’t anything to write home about. Quintin Mikell was less than serviceable and Quintin Demps battled injuries all season. We’re almost a year removed from Dawkins leaving, so it’s time to stop thinking about what could have been. The team needs another safety that can anchor the secondary.
PUNTER: Sav Rocca is terrible, inconsistent, and one of the league’s worst punters. Let him walk and find his replacement via free agency or the draft.
FREE AGENTS: There are several players that are eligible to become unrestricted free agents at the end of the season. While most of them can be passed on, a few of these guys need to be locked up for the long-term. At the top of that list is first team All Pro fullback Leonard Weaver, a player that made an excellent impression in his first year in Philly. Add to that list Jason Avant, who makes an excellent third receiver and really had a break out year in ‘09. Guard/center Nick Cole and linebacker Chris Gocong are also prime candidates to get resigned, as those two positions are in particular need of depth.
The Eagles have a long off-season ahead of them, one that will be likely be filled with a lot of moves. Yesterday the team made its first big announcement by firing special teams coach Ted Daisher and replacing him with well-regarded veteran Bobby April.
The team isn’t going to sit back and hope things fall into place. They have a lot of work to do in order to improve their fortunes in a very competitive NFC East, so expect this laundry list to be addressed over the next several months.
Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images
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