Posts Tagged ‘Ray Edwards’

The State of The Philadelphia Eagles

Monday, July 25th, 2011

by Brandon Pemberton

Starting today , NFL teams will be able to re-sign their own free agents and talk to other free agents.  The Philadelphia Eagles have plenty of issues at different positions they need to address, mostly on the defensive side of the ball, in my eyes.  They already have a Super Bowl contender’s offense in my opinion, and while some believe picking up Plaxico Burress and or Reggie Bush are top priorites, the Eagles defense stunk last year in the red zone, they are weak at linebacker (as usual), they have one legit, healthy starter in the defensive backfield, and outside of Trent Cole, the defensive line can all go.  If I were the General Manager of this team, here is what I would be thinking about and doing:

Defensive Line: It’s time to either break up the defensive tackle combination of Brodrick Bunkley and Mike Patterson or get rid of them both.  The two of them have been big disappointments since being drafted in the first round of the draft in back to back years (2005 and 2006) and I’m tired of seeing them getting blown off of the ball and never making a play in the backfield.  The two of them aren’t playmakers and have no impact on this team.  I said it last year and I will say it again right here: Antonio Dixon should get a chance to be a starter on this team.  He has great size (6’3”, 322 lbs), is strong at the point of attack, and makes plays in the backfield.  He brings a different type of game and size compared to the other two.

Also, Albert Haynesworth will most likely be available after spending a season in D.C. with the Redskins, but he also might be facing a possible suspension from the NFL after his incident in the restaurant with the waitress in which he was charged with misdemeanor sexual assault.  Eagles hired defensive line coach Jim Washburn and he has gotten the best out of Albert during his career in the NFL.  When playing with motivation and something to prove, Haynesworth can be the most disruptive force on the interior line in all of football.  Another player that is available is DE Charles Johnson from the Carolina Panthers, who had a breakout season after Julius Peppers left for Chicago, and I also like Ray Edwards from Minnesota as well.  Bottom line is the Eagles need to help Trent Cole as far as rushing the passer is concerned.  Brandon Graham is coming off of a bad knee injury and most likely will not be ready for the start of the season.

Linebackers: The Eagles have refused to put any stock in having tough, hard nosed, playmakers at the linebacker position over the years and it has killed them.  Ernie Sims stinks and is comparable to a stray bullet.  He has no idea who and what he’s going to and suppose to hit.  It was a reason why a team like the Detroit Lions were ready to let him go and it’s time for him to receive his walking papers from the Eagles.  Chad Greenway might become available depending on the agreement on years concerning free agency in the CBA and he is the kind of player the Birds need at linebacker.  He has the speed, size, instincts, and tenacity that the Eagles have lacked at that position for years.  At middle linebacker, Jamar Chaney came on at the end of the season, starting the last two regular season games as well as the playoff game against the Packers.  He showed good instincts, speed, coverage ability, and sound tackling.  Played well enough that the Eagles are giving him the chance to be the starter this season.

Stewart Bradley has been injured on and off the last two seasons and even when he was healthy and on the field, he was overrated and exposed in pass coverage against tight ends and making plays in open space.  Moise Fokou saw time at all three linebacker positions and made no impact while on the field.  That leaves the Eagles with another weak linebacker core that needs to be upgraded.  There have been talks of playing Bradley at the “Sam” Linebacker, which was the position he played in college at Nebraska. 

Defensive Backs: Besides Asante Samuel at the left corner, they have question marks at the three other positions in their defensive backfield.  Offenses picked on the corner opposite of Samuel at an alarming rate last season.  There have been talks heating up about the Eagles trading QB Kevin Kolb to the Arizona Cardinals for Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and possibly a 2nd or 3rd round pick.  This would instantly upgrade the Cornerback position and force more passes to the other side of the field.  Nate Allen is coming off of a serious knee injury(ruptured right patella tendon) and was having an up and down rookie season before the injury.  Quintin Mikell is a free agent, who has been exposed for the fraud he has always been as a player and it’s time for him to walk as well.

The Eagles drafted Temple safety Jaiquawan Jarrett in the second round, a selection that was a bit of a stretch in my eyes.  I thought he would be available in the 3rd round or maybe fourth.  While he is a big hitter and sound tackler, and is always in the right spots, he is sort of a tweener as a NFL saftey.  He doesn’t have the top end speed and range to play free safety and isn’t big enough to play in the box constantly as a strong safety.  The Eagles should look for help at safety from the likes of Roman Harper (Saints), Atari Bigby (Packers), or maybe Eric Weddle (Chargers).

The Eagles say they are all in and ready to win it all.  If that’s the case, then fixing the defense and giving first year defensive coordinator Juan Castillo talent to work with will be key.  Free agency will be moving fast, so we will see.

Brandon Pemberton of Brandon on Sports, for War Room Sports

Top NFL Free Agents

Wednesday, July 20th, 2011

by Brandon Pemberton

Well, from all the reports we are hearing, as soon as Friday, the NFL lockout could be over and the league back in business.  Supposedly starting Friday and ending Sunday at 11:59 pm, teams will use that time period to re-sign their own free agents or decide to let them walk.  Monday at 12-midnight will be the start of free agency and training camp would commence by mid-week.  I have been going over the list of potential free agents and I have compiled my top ten available players:

1. Nnamdi Asomugha, CB Raiders, 30 years old ( 11 career Int’s, 4 time All-Pro)

Is right behind Darrelle Revis as the best cornerback in football.  If you looked at his career interception numbers, you might be fooled and not realize how great of a player he has been over the last 5 years since becoming a starter.  Is a shutdown corner, he has the size, footwork, and technique, while being a class-act off of the field.  He’s asking for $19 million per and he’s 30 years old, so there is some risk of his play falling off in maybe 3 or 4 years, but as of now he cuts off one side of the football field.

2. Ray Edwards, DE Vikings, 26 years old ( 2010 stats 37 tackles, 8 sacks)

Played the left end position opposite of Jared Allen the past two seasons and has blossomed into a nice player.  Is not only a good pass rusher, but plays the point well against the right tackle and tight ends against the run.  Should receive a nice contract ASAP.

3. Charles Johnson, DE Panthers, 26 years old (2010 stats 62 tackles, 11.5 sacks)

After being a part time player his first three years in the league, Johnson had a breakout season as a starter when the Carolina Panthers let Julius Peppers leave via free agency.  He showed the ability to get to the QB on a consistent basis and that will get you paid.

4. Johnathan Joseph, CB Bengals, 27 years old (14 career Int’s)

Is an underrated cover corner that would be a great fit for any team.  Was part of one of the NFL’s best corner tandems the last few seasons.  Is great in “Bump & Run” coverage and tackles as well.

5. Carl Nicks (restricted), G, 26 years old (made the 2010 pro bowl and 2nd team all-pro)

Is one of the best Guards in football and was part of the best Guard tandem in football.  He is a pure mauler and uses his size (6’5” 345lbs) to his advantage as he pummels his opposition weekly.  Is only 26 years old and has plenty of great football ahead of him.  A team might give him an offer even though he is a restricted free agent. He is that good.

6. Santonio Holmes, WR, 27 years old (2010 stats 12 games, 52 catches 746 yards, 6 TD’s)

When he is not serving suspensions for off the field nonsense and actually playing, Holmes is one of the most dangerous receivers in the game.  His ability to change direction at full speed and control his body while making spectacular receptions, are second to none.  The only risk with giving him a long-term deal is the chance he gets in trouble off of the field again.

7. DeAngelo Williams, RB Panthers, 27 years old (2010 stats 6 games 87 carries, 361 yards, 4.1 ypc, 1 TD)

Williams went down with a right foot injury in the sixth game of the season and was placed on injured reserve with a right foot sprain.  He was on pace for his 3rd straight 1000 yard season and had previously established himself as one of the league’s most explosive running backs.  Since the Panthers have Jonathan Stewart under contract, it’s more than likely that Williams hits the free agent market.  I could see him landing in Denver with his former coach John Fox.

8. Sidney Rice, WR Vikings, 25 years old (2010 stats 5 games, 17 receptions, 280 yards, 2 TD’s)

Had a career year in 2009 but had surgery on his hip and played in only 5 games in 2010.  Is 25 years old and is in the prime of his career.  As long as he is healthy, he is a legit number one receiving threat in this league.

9. Stephen Tulloch, MLB Titans, 26 years old (2010 stats, 111 solo tackles, 49 assists)

Has been the starter at middle linebacker for the Titans the last three seasons and has developed into a good player.  He is a physical run stopper and is very good in pass coverage as well.  Underrated player in my eyes due to the fact a lot of people haven’t seen too many Titans games.  He is legit.

10. Zach Miller, TE Raiders, 25 years old (2010 stats, 6o receptions, 685 yards, 5 TD’s)

Has caught over 50 passes for over 650 yards each of the last three seasons on a dreadful Oakland Raiders team.  He’s actually way better than most casual NFL fans might believe.  Has deceptive speed, great hands, and catches the ball well in traffic.  Made the Pro Bowl last season and I see many more in his future if he leaves the Raiders and plays for a franchise that’s ready to win now.

Brandon Pemberton of Brandon on Sports, for War Room Sports