Reflection on the NFL Combine and the Eagles Draft Needs

There’s no doubt about it that the #1 priority for the Eagles this NFL offseason is the linebacker position. The way they fill this position is the real question here.  I think a lot of these questions will be answered as the start of free agency opens on March 13^th. The one big question that remains is, “What will the Eagles do with DeSean Jackson for this upcoming year?” They have the choice to either franchise tag him (entitling him approximately $9 million) or to release him and hope to sign another free agent.  The other thing would be to release him and draft a top end wide receiver like Michael Floyd.

Personally after watching this week’s combine for linebackers, I feel the Eagles need to just pull the trigger and draft LukeKuechly if he is available at #15.  The big knock on this guy is that he was not very athletic and the majority of his tackles were beyond the line of scrimmage. I think Kuechly’s 4.58 40 yard dash time, 38” vertical jump, and his 10’3” broad jump quieted all the critics out there. There are two things about this young man that are undeniable. His instincts and work ethic are definitely two qualities that NFL teams will be looking for during the 2012 NFL Draft.

As far as the DeSean Jackson debacle, I think the Eagles should go ahead and use the franchise tag to keep him.  I am hopeful that the Eagles can find a way to trade this cancer and pick up someone with a better red zone presence.  Personally I would love to see the Eagles go out and get Randy Moss, Vincent Jackson, or Marques Colston. Recent years have shown that red zone efficiency for Eagles have been a cause for concern and a player like DeSean Jackson has been non-existent in that area.

Problems with the ‘Not So Fly’ Guys

After going into the final week of January at 29-14-4 and in second place in the Eastern Conference, the Flyers have slipped in the month of February.  Last night the Flyers fell to 33-20-7 with a 0-2 loss to the Edmonton Oilers, who currently hold the second least amount of points in the entire NHL.  With problems ranging from an inconsistent defensive line to terrible goaltending, the Flyers recently made some moves before the trade deadline to bolster their blue line that is lacking in size and strength.  The void left by Chris Pronger’s probable season-ending injury will now be up to Nicklas Grossman (acquired from Dallas) and Pavel Kubina (acquired from Tampa Bay).

Philadelphia Flyers GM Paul Holmgren hopes the new acquisitions can take the pressure off young blue-liners like Marc Andre Bourdon and Erik Gustafsson.  These new additions are giant defensemen that will give the Flyers more “Prongerish” type of players.  The major problem with the Flyers, however, has yet to be fixed.  Even after dishing out $51 million to obtain an “elite” goaltender, the Flyers are still near the bottom of the league in goals against and save percentage.  Ilya Bryzgalov and Sergei Bobrovsky are right there at the bottom of the league in goalie production, hovering around the hockey Mendoza line of 0.900 in save percentage.

The one bright side of the Flyers and seemingly the only reason they can be competitors in the playoffs is the offense.  Averaging a league leading 3.28 points a game, the front line led by Claude Giroux have exceeded their expectations.  This can put trade talks about going after Rick Nash to rest.  Not only is the asking price for him too high but the need right now is at an all-time low.

Another cause for concern is the Flyers problems within their own division.  Right now they are 6-8-2 against teams in their own division.  Recently they have lost the last five of those contests by a combined score of 12-23. This has caused the Flyers to fall back to being tied for third in their own division.  If the Flyers can put it together they must be able to beat teams like the New York Rangers.  The Atlantic Division will likely contain 4 playoff teams.  This means the odds of the Flyers facing off against a division foe are very likely, which is very worrisome right now.

I hate to say it but I feel like right now the only shot the Flyers have of even making it back to the Stanley Cup Finals is if Bryzgalov learns how to deal with the pressures of playing in the Philadelphia atmosphere.  It also could help if the NY Rangers get upset early in the playoffs, since they seem to be Philadelphia’s kryptonite.

Pitchers and Catchers Report to Camp

It’s finally that time of year again!  Time for the heartaches of last year to get put behind and the high expectations of this year to begin.  The Phillies pitchers and catchers finally reported to Clearwater, FL this past Sunday to start workouts for the upcoming year.  Some other notables that also returned were Chase Utley, Jim Thome, and RYAN HOWARD!  Yes I said it, Ryan Howard.  ‘The Big Piece’ was caught on tape taking ground balls like he didn’t just destroy his Achilles last October.  As for the pitchers, they were all saying the right things about this upcoming season. 

Cole Hamels contract talks have been the big story this off season and after one day at camp he put those talks to rest by making it known he wants to stay a Phillie.  You have to love when players can put this situation behind them and start concentrating on the real goal here.  Cole came out and said “I don’t have a deadline.  I think the only deadline that is set by major league baseball is five days after the World Series”.  How much has this guy grown since being named the 2008 World Series MVP.  Just incredible!  Jonathan Papelbon was also seen throwing with Cliff Lee at camp and he is looking forward to the pressure.  One thing about this guy is that you know he can handle the pressure since he was the closer for the Red Sox for the past six seasons.  The only worry is that he will not live up to his $50M contract.  As for Roy Halladay, Cliff, and Vance Worley I think you know exactly what you are going to get there.  They were three of the most consistent pitchers last season and Worley looking to repeat the incredible season of last year. 

The fifth starting spot in the rotation by the time the season rolls around is the big question.  Rumors are flying that the Phillies are examining the possibilities of trading Joe Blanton because of the Luxury Tax threshold.  Teams could be somewhat weary of taking on that kind of salary or they can be worried about how healthy he is.  These are the two biggest worries for the Phils.  With Kyle Kendrick signing a two year $7.5M contract I think the Phillies have no choice but to shop Blanton.  It’s hard to believe they awarded this guy that type of contract just to fill in as necessary and watch the Phils throughout the playoffs.  I mean I know he filled in alright last year but let’s use our heads here Ruben Amaro!  They could have bolstered their bullpen for that kind of money!  I guess I can’t complain if he is the only complaint about our pitching staff.  Other teams got bigger fish to fry with starting/relief pitching!

All-in-all I am confident in the team this year!  Bring the Commissioner’s Trophy back to the City of Brotherly Love!

The Dream That Became a Nightmare

In 2011 the NFL Lockout affected every team in the league but no more than it affected our Eagles.  The array of talent that was picked up in the offseason had every fan thinking super bowl or bust.  In the back of my mind I knew that having this mentality could only be devastating.  Every year it seems to be a dark horse team that wins the championship and this year was no different. 

This year the eagles should have rolled through the NFC East due to the inconsistency of the Cowboys and Giants. Looking back at the season now the Eagles only needed to win one more game to have the possibility of celebrating like the Giants are right now. The Dream Team turned out to be “Lebron Team” (the team who can’t close in the 4^th quarter).  Failing to capitalize on 4^th quarter leads to the Falcons, Giant, 49ers, Bears, and Cardinals because of stupid mistakes. Leading the lead with 38 turnovers also doesn't help matter much either.

In these five 4^th quarter meltdowns, the Eagles were outscored 60-3!  Much of the blame can be placed on the defense and defensive coordinator who should not have even been there!  However, three fourth quarter points in five games!  I can tell you that until I research this, I didn’t think it was remotely close to that pathetic. Then we finish off the last four games by outscoring our opponents 125-46.  So if the hottest team at the end of the year usually wins the super bowl, that team would have been us!  Another point to mention is that not only would the Giants not be in these talks but they would not have even been in the playoffs if the eagles won one of those five games!

A couple other things have been going through my mind too.  Should Mike Vick have toughed it out a little more?  Was the offensive play calling too conservative in the fourth quarter?  Should Juan Castillo be fired?

First off I don’t think it’s fair to me to hate on Vick because I don’t know what it feels like to have broken ribs.  However, I am a Philly fan and hate on every little thing.  So I do think he should have toughed it out and played more while hurt!  Look at Big Ben for god’s sake.  He went out there hobbling.  The fourth quarter play calling is probably just as much to blame as Juan Castillo’s terrible defense.  Finally, I am indifferent about Castillo because of the strong finish he had.  I agree with the Eagles organization that it is difficult to fire a guy who ended the season so well; unless of course that replacement was a guy by the name of Steve Spagnuolo.

So that’s my reflection on the 2011 season… Bring on 2012!  Perhaps with the addition of a Hall of Famer, Randy Moss!  I am all for that!