The New Additions to the Eagles’ Lineup
This past week, the Eagles finally picked up some players available in free agency. The Birds picked up DE Darren Howard, TE Matt Schoebel, WR Jabar Gaffney, and QB Jeff Garcia. Although these 4 players aren’t exactly the cream of the crop in free agency, they did make some solid roster moves that should improve their lineup.
Before free agency started, all reports seemed to indicate that one of the top 3 free agents available, LeCharles Bentely, was poised to sign a contract to play in Philadelphia. However, Bentley decided to return to his hometown and play for the Cleveland Browns. With Bentley off the market, the Eagles decided to go after his former teammate on the Saints, defensive end Darren Howard. The Birds were interested in Howard a few years back but the Saints put the franchise tag on him. Howard definitely has good speed coming off the corner and has the ability to help this team bring down the quarterback. Hopefully the Eagles won’t abandon Trent Cole as part of the plan because he showed alot of promise last year when he was put in the game.
The next signing gave L.J. Smith a good backup that can come in for a few plays when Smith needs some rest on the sidelines. The Eagles signed TE Matt Schobel, which should mean the official retirement of Chad Lewis unfortunately. Schobel also can hold the ball for field goals and extra points which could mean that Koy Detmer is on his way out off Philly as well. Schobel has good hands and can catch the ball well. Although his blocking isn’t very polished, Schobel should be a good backup.
The Eagles addressed one of their needs by signing WR Jabar Gaffney to a one-year deal. I think Gaffney is a solid receiver that should contribute immediately. I’m interested to see where Coach Reid puts Gaffney in the lineup. I’m assuming he will compete with Pinkston for the number 2 receiver slot, but that means Reggie Brown is the new number 1 receiver and I don’t think we should put this much pressure or a burden on Brown this early in his career. I would much rather see Brown blossom as our number 2 receiver. The ideal scenario would be the Bills cutting Eric Moulds who wants out of Buffalo badly, and then the Eagles sign him to become the new number 1 receiver. If that happened, a former weakness of the team would suddenly become a strength with the depth chart looking as follows:
1) Eric Moulds
2) Reggie Brown
3) Todd Pinkston
4) Jabar Gaffney
5) Greg Lewis
The Birds also addressed the backup quarterback situation this week by signing former 49er and Detroit Lion Jeff Garcia. I know this isn’t saying much but Garcia is way better than Mike McMahon. I feel much better about the Eagles having Garcia waiting on the sideline in case McNabb goes down. Garcia and McMahon both have the ability to scramble and make plays but the difference between the two comes from Garcia’s ability to actually complete a pass to his own team. Hopefully all these moves benefit the Birds and help them keep up with the ever improving NFC East.
- Kyle Garis
Share your thoughts on the new players on the roster or who else you think they should go after
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Posted on March 17, 2006 by Kyle Garis | Filed Under Eagles, Philadelphia
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Pinkston!!!!! We need to address that #1 position because when we did, it made a difference in the offense. Not that there’s another T.O. out there but we can get close.
Keyshawn????
Who ever runs this reply thing if you send it to eagle web thanks.Eagles please by all means get this guy moulds because he is the key to solving this WR problem we’ve been having for years.Sure hes no T.O but who is.This guy could be a good 1 WR and get us to the playoffs