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Gordon Glantz is the managing editor of the Times Herald and an award winning columnist.



Sunday, March 2, 2008

Fly Like An Eagle

As many of you know, I have an obsession with HBO's original programming.

And, if you are like me, you know that HBO - first with the late great show "The Sopranos" and now with the compelling "In Treatment" - is obsessed with the concept of deploying psychoanalysis as a dramatic vehicle.

So - as Archie Bunker would say - "ips-fatso" ... that means I, too, am into psychoanalysis.

I don't know if I'd be willing to subject myself to such a scenario - even though some of you are screaming at your screen right now, urging me to go while searching through your phone book for a name "a friend" recommended.

There is the fear of not knowing what we'd find and the larger fear of what the co-pay would be, so I have an alternate plan.

I can work out some of my issues right here with y'all.

Ain't you lucky?

Before you run for the hills, don't be afraid. Nothing too sensitive will be discussed. My biggest issue is, well, that I will perish before the Philadelphia Eagles - in whom I've invested emotional energy and currency - reach the Promised Land.

So, this evolving blog entry - which will undergo changes along with the team's trials and tribulations - is my way of trying to work it all out in my head.

So, as I stretch out across a figurative couch, break out your legal pads and nod along.

Where do I begin? Perhaps with my frustrations to be able to do more about it.

Football is the only one of the four major sports that I never played an organized version of - unless two games of intramural flag football in college count. I couldn't get into chasing another guy's behind to pull a flag off of it - not that there is another wrong with it - so I gave it up.

Growing up, my friends and I played football all the time. And in all forms - two-hand touch, rough touch, tackle ... in the mud, in the snow.

In elementary school, it was the game of choice at recess (although we used to kick a tennis ball a lot and call it foot hockey). In junior high, it was what we did at lunch.

In high school, we played against a group of black kids every Friday after school on an unforgiving schoolyard blacktop. Those games were intense and heated, but we formed a bond with our regular opponents that carried over in a positive way during school hours that would make the Rev. Jeremiah Wright have to rethink his view of the world.

But I never got to put on a uniform and shoulder pads and be part of an organized game with coaches and refs and cheerleaders and parents fighting.

Believe it or not, I was once too slight - at 155 pounds, soaking wet - to even put myself in position to be cut from the high school team.

Ipso-fatso time again. Having never played, who would take me seriously as a coach? Having never coached, how could I ascend to the front office in the player personnel/scouting realm that would be my fantasy job?

That leaves me powerless; an armchair GM who spent years getting a sub-fix playing fantasy football (four championships ... cough, cough).

I quit playing fantasy football last year (although a comeback is always a possibility).

Maybe, a better way to scratch my itch would be through writing. My long-term goal, once upon a dream, was to be the Eagles beat writer for any paper that would give me the chance. When I covered high school football with verve, I motivated myself with this dream made in pipes. The closest I ever got was covering the Sixers, which was not exactly what I had in mind.

How about my own Web site dedicated to what the Eagles should and shouldn't do?

The Eagles, as some of you know, have their own official Web site that is considered one of the best of its kind in the league. The guy who runs it used to write for this paper as a correspondent to make extra bread after he left the West Chester Daily Local for what was a start-up project and a gamble for a guy with a wife and kid.

He is a nice guy, that Dave Spadaro fella, but he is a non-objective employee of the team. He lobs softballs at press conferences and leaves a lot of issues unresolved.

By being more critical - while still hoping for more wins than loses - I could surely fill a void. But running a Web site is a time-consuming process (particularly when you are a computer illiterate). And one doomed to failure. It's kind of like opening a restaurant. You know, at the end of the figurative day, it's going to eventually close.

So that brings me here.

If I had my own site - or the Eagles beat - I would keep a positional depth chart with running commentary.

So, starting with the offense, here we go:

Quarterback: I didn't decry drafting Donovan McNabb and, for or better or worse, he has been the best Eagles QB of my lifetime. Randall Cunningham remains my favorite, but McNabb has done it longer and better. That said, the recent history - puking during the Super Bowl, the season-ending injuries and the insecurities that don't mesh well with playing the position - had me poised to jettison McNabb and put my No. 5 jersey in the next bag for Purple Heart to pick up. But I saw enough good things at the end of last season that I think the prudent thing is to give him one more year before his contract explodes in 2009. It'll be pretty clear, I think, if he'll be worth the money. More inconsistency and/or injuries, and it'll be time to turn the reins over to young Kevin Kolb. A deep playoff run, and Kolb will have to wait his turn. There is talk that Kolb will be the No. 2 ahead of sports-bar favorite A.J. Feeley, meaning that Feeley could be gone. I'd play it safe, all the way around, this year. However, with a few extra draft picks pending, grabbing a young QB late in the draft would not be a bad idea.

Running Back: Brian Westbrook, from the middle of the 2006 season and into 2007, was finally used how he should be - like the Rams used Marshall Faulk. That needs to not only continue, but even increase. Maybe 93 catches is a red flag for the rest of the offense, and a healthy tight end might take away some of those catches, but the carries still need to be there. Correll Buckhalter, a solid backup, has a year to go on his deal. It'll be interesting to see if he gets pushed by Tony Hunt, who'll be in his second season and should know the offense better. Don't forget Ryan Moats, who flashed promise in 2005 when Westbrook and Buckhalter were on the shelf. Moats, a third-round pick in 2005, broke his ankle during the last pre-season. I wouldn't be opposed to adding a draft pick here to the mix, creating competition in camp for playing time behind Westbrook.

Fullback: Thomas Tapeh, the starter the last few years, was signed by the Minnesota Vikings. That left the Eagles with Jason Davis, who has been drawing a paycheck the last two seasons (2006 on injured reserve; 2007 on the practice squad). He's more of a threat out of the backfield than Tapeh but not as strong as a blocker. There are some fullback prospects in the draft, but don't look for one to be grabbed in the middle rounds - even though a fullback who could catch 30 to 40 passes, like the West Coast offenses of yore, would take added pressure of McNabb and Westbrook. The Eagles instead chose to hedge their bet by adding a science project to the mix in the form of former Temple standout Dan Klecko, who already has three Super Bowl rings (two with New England and one with Indianapolis). Too short and squat (5-10, 275) to play his natural position of defensive tackle, Klecko is looking to turn part-time gigs as a short-yardage fullback into a career-extending ambition as a starter. It's worth a try, but my money is still on Davis.

Wide Receiver: The fans want a stud. The team says they don't need to add anyone to the stable. There is a middle ground. Kevin Curtis had a solid year with 77 catches and over 1,000 yards and the enigmatic Reggie Brown came on strong at the end of the year and finally seemed to get on the same page with McNabb. One more receiver would really, really help. There were too many plays when McNabb took coverage sacks because neither Curtis nor Brown could get open against single coverage. One reason the team is hesitant to create too much competition in camp is because they don't want to end up cutting a player like Jason Avant or Hank Baskett only to see them blossom elsewhere. If they shed themselves of Greg Lewis, a veteran who is never going to get any better, then Avant and Baskett can stay and battle it out for the fourth receiver job. There are some terrific receivers in the draft. I particularly a kid named James Hardy from Indiana who, at 6-7, reminds many of a young Harold Carmichael. Still, the Eagles wouldn't hurt themselves by adding a veteran free agent who can move the chains. This team has too many three-and-outs and struggles too much in the red zone. The Eagles took an alleged run at Randy Moss and inquired about Larry Fitzgerald, but those were pie-in-the-sky shots. Realistically, they should consider trading for disgruntled Bengal Chad Johnson. They won't, but they should.

Tight End: Whenever I think of L.J. Smith, I think of the movie "A Bronx Tale." The line is ... "the saddest thing in life is wasted talent." But it's not too late. Smith has one big payday left in his career and he can only get it by staying healthy and focused this season. Second-year man Brent Celek would be a solid, pass-catching No. 2. Matt Schobel remains as an above-average third tight end. There is talk that Baskett (see above) or maybe career practice-squad guy Mike Gasperson may get looks as a motion, Shannon-Sharpe-style tight ends and make Schobel expendable.

Offensive Tackle: I've seen some bad tackles over the years, so I still have no real complaints with William "Tra" Thomas on the left side and Jon Runyan on the right staying until the hair gets gray. But the time has come to think about their rightful heirs. Winston Justice was made to look foolish while playing on the left side last year. He may work out on the right side, but no one should go to the bank on it. While offensive lineman make boring draft picks, one is needed. Also keep in mind the two starting guards, Todd Herremans and pro-bowler Shawn Andrews. Herremans was less than stellar last year and - at 6-6, 320 - is built more like a tackle. Andrews should spend the next decade right where he is, but I have a sinking feeling the Eagles are Jonesing to move him to right tackle when Runyan retires.

Offensive Guard: Andrews is a stud but Herremans took a step backward after playing well in 2006. It may be time to force feed 2006 third-round pick Max Jean-Gilles into the lineup. Scott Young is a veteran who needs to challenge for a job, maybe even at center, or look for a new line of work. Don't forget the name Stefan Rodgers. The coaches were high on him during camp before he tore up his knee.

Center: Jamaal Jackson, after playing well in 2006, hurt the team with bad penalties and missed assignments. Bang-for-the-buck contract aside, the Eagles may have to come to the realization that the Delaware State product is not long-term solution as a NFL center. The team seems infatuated with backup Nick Cole, who can play some guard and, they claim, short-yardage fullback. A draft pick is in order here, maybe even a high one.


DEFENSE


Defensive Tackle: A third tackle to rotate with first-round picks Mike Patterson and Brodrick Bunkley is a must. Defensive end Darren Howard remains on the roster and could be used inside on passing downs, unless they shed his contract. LaJuan Ramsey - though stout in short-yardage situations - is a fourth-tackle, at best. If Klecko wins the fullback job, that's one more guy in uniform on game day to maybe play a few snaps on defense. Also keep an eye on Jeremy Clark, who was impressive last preseason and somehow made it through 2007 on the practice squad without being snatched away by another team.

Defensive End: The addition of Chris Clemons gives the Eagles a nice rotation of undersized pass rushers, led by pro-bowler Trent Cole. Juqua Thomas and Victor Abiamiri are the others in the mix.

Linebacker: I could break this down between middle and outside linebackers, but the Eagles seems have blurred all those line anyway. Second-year man Stewart Bradley will likely start somewhere, having looking real solid at the end of last season. But mixed signals are going up over whether it will be in the middle or the outside. Where Bradley goes, look for Omar Gaither - last year's middle linebacker - to go to the other place. Takeo Spikes, who provided leadership last year and also a lot of dropped interceptions that could've turned games around, was released. That leaves us with Chris Gocong and Akeem Jordan. Both are outside linebackers. Gocong, a defensive end in college, is at his best going forward and will hopefully be let loose more as a blitzer. Jordan is an undersized hustler the team was lucky to get back after stupidly cutting in training to make room for Pago Togafau. Togafau remains on the roster, but could easily be bumped by a draft pick.

Cornerback: Asante Samuel is in, with hopes that he will help a secondary that was dead-last in the league in interceptions last season. Lito Sheppard, who I think is as good as Samuel when healthy and focused (see L.J. Smith under tight ends and think "A Bronx Tale" again), is on the trading block. If they get something for him, I'm OK with the whole shuffle. If they pull one of those vintage, Spadaro-approved Eagle moves where they just release Sheppard, under the guise of creating cap space they'll never use this season, I won't be a happy - and educated - Eagles fan who knows better. Sheldon Brown is the other corner, with Joselio Hanson likely to return as the No. 4 guy. A spot is open for a stud rookie - and there are several - to take over the nickel job and push Brown for time. Nick Graham, who made the team last year as an undrafted free agent rookie, is in the mix as well.

Safety: This spot could be addressed in the draft, but don't be surprised if it isn't. Brian Dawkins probably has one more good year in him at free safety and Quintin Mikell will come in as the starting free safety. Sean Considine, if healthy, is OK as a backup at both spots. Ditto for J.R. Reed, who can also be your second kickoff returner. Marcus Paschal, who was on the active roster for a few games last year after making the team as an undrafted rookie, would be a more inexpensive option than the enigmatic Considine - his college teammate at Iowa.


SPECIAL TEAMS


Returner: If we have to look at Reno Mahe again, there should be a boycott. An upgrade is needed, but I fear the Eagles are not going to address the need directly. If they draft a receiver or running back or defensive back who can double as a return man, they'll give the guy a look. There are some others on the expanded off-season roster - like Tanard Davis, Bam Childress and Bill Sampy - who will also get shots, but they will have to make the team at their regular positions first. I don't agree with the policy, but I'm stuck up in Section 133 suffering with the rest of you.

Kicker: A friend described David Akers as a delicate genius, and I agree. Unless everything is perfect - the holder, the snapper, the wind, the karma - he gets moody. Let's hope he gets it together again. Many kickers hit a mid-career lull and then come on again (although it is usually with other teams).

Punter: Sav Rocca, the Australian Rules Football legend, did OK last year (no major gaffes as a holder, although Akers may disagree). He gets another year, but improvement will be expected.

Holder: I don't know why it has to be Rocca, but that's the way this team functions. I can't believe there are no receivers (Kevin Curtis?) or quarterbacks (Kolb?) who can do it but ...

Long Snapper: I think they're wasting a roster spot here on Jon Dorenbos because he can't play another position. I'd rather use this roster spot on a return man and have a center who can snap the ball, but I suppose that would be asking too much. Can Klecko do this, too?

Time's up. This ends today's session. Check back as I break down the draft after compensatory picks are awarded.

2 Comments:

Anonymous Adam said...

Maybe you should still try to be a beat writer. I just learned more about you than anyone else in this town!

March 3, 2008 11:16 AM 
Anonymous Jim said...

This is ALMOST as boring as In Treatment!

March 4, 2008 8:13 AM 

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