Stallworth & Garcia: Do they really matter…at all?
Lately I’ve been thinking that Stallworth and Garcia should be really, really low on the list of priorities for Eagles fans to be concerned about. Offensive production just hasn’t been a problem and so long as you have McNabb and Westbrook, it’s not going to be a problem. As we all know too well, the real problem is defense, and I really think Philly fans need to get over these offensive role players and really hold Eagles management’s feet to the fire on defense.
Why, year in and year out, do we let them get by with mediocre linebackers? Why, year in and year out, do we let them get by with sub-par D-tackles? Why? Why do we focus on offensive players, when the problem all along has been defense?
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Posted on February 22, 2007 by Micah | Filed Under Eagles
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I definitely agree. If they could get those guys without over paying then great, but there definitly not crucial for the teams success. Garcia was great this year, McNabb will be the starter next year, if he goes down, you have AJ Feeley who isn’t a terrible back up. The young Eagles receivers are good, Reggie Brown will be a pro-bowl receiver, he had a hell of a sophomore season. I like Avant and love Baskett. If they get Stallworth too then great one more weapon, but he’s not crucial to the Eagles success. I think the Eagles should draft a linebacker, they need a middle linebacker for the future, if not linebacker then any other defensive position is fair game, another cornerback to be the 3rd cornerback, another safety or defensive end to add depth, but the bottom line should be to draft defense.
- Eagles Pre-draft Analysis
Because nobody wears a jersey for a linebacker (except a few Trotter jerseys) or defensive tackle, while the stands are full of offensive player jerseys.
I agree this is an unhealthy obsession. Philly’s offense has been just as good in terms of points and yards with Thrash and Pinkston on the outside as with Owens or Stallworth. And frankly, Brown and Baskett seem an upgrade on Thrash and Pinkston.
I agree the bulk of the Eagles’ problems are on defense, and that’s where they should focus in their draft. That being said, though, even when they do draft a linebacker - McCoy, Quinton Caver, Tyreo Harrison - they usually miss the boat. Gocong and Gaither are too be determined.
The Eagles can’t draft another defensive end in the first round, they just can’t do it. When you’ve spent 3 of your last 4 first-round picks on d-linemen, and signed Kearse to a big deal, and signed Howard to a big deal and gotten a nice surprise in Trent Cole, you can’t afford to put any more major resources towards this one position, no matter how much it needs it.
I say go safety and outside linebacker as the top two priorities, but there are many ways the team could go this year…
Drew:
As soon as you start drafting need for a specific position instead of talent best player available for your multiple needs, you make yourself worse as a team over the long haul.
If the Eagles don’t resign Thomas, they definitely need to draft a defensive end, since McDougle can’t play. Three defensive ends is not enough.
Normally among players who play at least 1/4 of your snaps, you need a defensive line two deep for rotation, 3 linebackers plus a nickel linebacker, 2 starting cornerbacks plus a nickel cornerback, 2 starting safeties plus a nickle safety; then for depth you need back-ups on the D-line, linebackers, and dime corners and safeties. Right now, the Eagles have 3 defensive ends, 5 defensive tackles, 5 linebackers assuming Jones is cut loose, 3-4 cornerbacks and 2-3 safeties depending on whether you believe in Dustin Fox at either position.
They should draft for talent among any of those needs - 1 defensive end, 1 middle linebacker, 1-2 cornerbacks, 1-2 safeties. On offense, they need a running back, and possibly an O-linemen for depth if anything is available better than Pat McCoy, Scott Young and the other benchwarmers. Rounds 1 and 2 should be the best player available among any of the defensive needs. Rounds 3-7 should be best player available among all needs.
JUQUA THOMAS.