Philadelphia Eagles: 10 Free Agents & Draft Prospects Andy Reid Should Target
The dark cloud of uncertainty, regarding the National Football League’s collective bargaining agreement, looms over the NFL and any off season discussions. Depending upon who you speak to, the agreement could be finalized as early as March, but a realistic date is months thereafter. Until negotiations are finalized and a new deal is hammered out, no players will be granted new contracts and no trades will take place. So, fans are left to debate and wait.
A similar cloud hangs over the cit of Philadelphia.
Most Philadelphia Eagles fans had expectations of “rebuilding” upon entering the 2010 season, even though the organization would refuse to utter such an admission. Early in the year, Mike Vick supplanted Kevin Kolb as the starting quarterback and his unexpected play turned rebuilding expectations into thoughts of a deep playoff run and dare the hungry, green-bleeding fans say it aloud…a Broad Street parade.
Despite the unexpected, sometimes dominate, play during the regular season, the Eagles’ post season ended much like the first it game of the year. Just short of a home win against the Green Bay Packers.
With the loss, the team’s focus shifts towards the off season and improvement. But because of the Eagles’ 2010 play, neither fan nor franchise will have any expectation of rebuilding next year. In fact, the pressure to win it all next year, may be more than head coach Andy Reid has felt since the Super Bowl XXXIX appearance.
So, what can Andy Reid and the Philadelphia Eagles do to improve? Who can they acquire, through both the draft and free agency, that will tip the scale of superiority in their favor? Reid will be entering the second year of his three year contract extension and may have hung all hopes on Mike Vick. Many believe Vick will be named the starter. If that assumption is used, where else can the Eagles improve?
Nnamdi Asomugha
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The news seemed to come from left field, but the star corner-back for the Oakland Raiders is a walk-away free agent this year. Eagles CB, Dimitri Patterson, struggled this year and if the polished veteran, Asomugha, was to spread his wings in Lincoln Financial Field, the Eagles secondary would quickly become fearful. With both Asante Samuel and Nnamdi Asomugha locking down their side of the field, any team in the league would have matchup issues
Champ Bailey
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While the Eagles are not looking to rebuild, the Denver Broncos undeniably are. Champ Bailey’s contract extension negotiations hit a wall earlier this year and an offer was pulled from him. Given Bailey’s age, he may opt to work with a team close to winning a championship. It’s a gamble for the Eagles, but his veteran leadership, play making ability and desire to win may be exactly what their secondary needs. His presence, along with Asante Samuel, would solidify both corners on defense and the Eagles could focus on a more potent pass rush from the middle of the defensive line. Bailey would certainly be cheaper than Asomugha and may allow the Eagles to approach other free agents.
Paul Posluszny
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A former Penn State graduate, Posluszny had a tremendous year, at ILB, with the Buffalo Bills. He recorded 151 tackles, 103 solo and 48 assisted and 2 sacks. Eagles current MLB, Stewart Bradley had a tough season. Bradley missed four regular season games and the wild card game against Green Bay, due to injury. The Eagles linebackers struggled during the season and Posluszny could be a welcome addition for the new defensive coordinator; yet to be named. Posluszny has missed some games in his young career, due to injury, but finishing third in the league in tackles is noteworthy.
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Richard Seymour
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Yes, Seymour has miles on the odometer, but he’s played well in Oakland the past two seasons. At 6’6 and 310, Seymour is athletic and creates problems upfront for opposing offenses. The Oakland Raiders have many players walking toward the free agency door and Seymour should be a priority for them, because of his stability upfront. For the same reasons, the Eagles should have Seymour on their radar. He finished with 48 tackles, 36 solo and 12 assisted, along with 5.5 sacks, in 13 games.
Tyson Clabo
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The Atlanta Falcons’ RT was just added to the Pro Bowl after Eagles LT Jason Peters declined to play. While the Eagles do not run the ball as much as Atlanta, Clabo performed well for quarterback Matt Ryan. The Atlanta Falcons’ offense surrendered only 23 sacks, third fewest in the league. After Winston Justice was pulled in the Wild Card game against Green Bay, many fans want to see more depth and consistency on the OL. Clabo is 29 years old, stands 6’6 and 321 lbs. He was un-drafted from Wake Forest and just completed his fifth year in the league. He’s started all 16 games in three straight years and might be a nice fit for Mike Vick and the Eagles.
Stephen Paea: DT
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A senior from Oregon State, Paea earned the 2010 PAC-10 Pat Tillman Defensive Player of the Year award, voted by the coaches. He was also selected as AP First Team All-American in the 2010 season, voted by the AP. In 2009 Paea finished with 43 tackles (8.5 tackles for a loss) and registered 3 sacks and 4 forced fumbles. In 2010 Paea finished with 45 tackles (10 tackles for a loss) and registered 6 sacks and 4 forced fumbles. He’s been consistently aggressive throughout his career. Paea may impress scouts enough to get selected earlier in the first round. With a need for more help from the DL, Paea should be on the radar and ranked high.
Gabe Carimi: OT
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Carimi is a 2010 Big Ten offensive lineman of the year and consensus All-American for the University of Wisconsin. He stands at a towering 6’7 and weighs 327 lbs. The success of Wisconsin’s running game this year, his advertised footwork and ability to move out and open spaces, should be enough reason for the Eagles to have Carimi on their radar. If available with the 23rd pick in the draft, he may turn green, with the Eagles’ first pick.
Brandon Harris: CB
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Harris is a CB from the University of Miami. Depending upon how the Eagles treat the draft, they may opt for a glaring need with their fist pick at 23. Given that free agents could likely be a non factor, due to the CBA, by the time the draft starts the Eagles may want to draft Harris at CB. Harris finished the 2010 season with 44 tackles (29 solo and 15 assisted), one forced fumble and one interception. While his 2009 campaign posted better results, Harris saw less activity toward his side of the field, which won’t go unnoticed by NFL scouts. Harris has tremendous speed and cover abilities. His attitude is thought to be an asset for NFL franchises and could earn him a pick in the first round.
Quinton Carter: FS
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A Free Safety from Oklahoma, Carter stands at 6’1 and weighs in at 200 lbs. Carter is known as a big hitter, but couples that with obvious size and deceptive speed. He finished the 2010 season with 96 tackels (58 solo and 38 assisted) and four interception. He was a Jim Thorpe award candidate. He recorded 17 tackles against Texas Tech and 14 against Missouri, this year. It’s believed that Carter can do it all and that makes him a hot prospect, perhaps the best safety in the draft.
Muhammad Wilkerson
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A local boy!! At DT from Temple University, Wilkerson stands at 6’5 and weighs 305 lbs. He started all games for Temple this year (and last) and finished the 2010 season with 70 tackles, including 13 for losses. He also finished the season with 9.5 sacks. Wilkerson’s dominate play named him first-team All MAC, in both his sophomore and junior seasons. While Temple is not a power house college football program, Wilkerson seems to have strong character and the qualities a new DC would need in creating a new identity on defense
TBD...
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Most fans believe the Eagles need to address a young secondary, a weak group of linebackers, questionable offensive line talent and a defensive line that needs to be more effective and/or consistent. It seems likely that the CBA negotiations will continue past the draft, so the team may try to look past lure of highly touted free agents and focus more on the talent entering the league from the college ranks.
One thing is certain, the Eagles have new expectations and will be watched and judged heavily this off season.
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