Here’s a thought: Trade for WR Roy Williams, now
Feel free to rip me a new one in the comments section if you don’t agree but I think this is the perfect time for the Eagles to make a trade. After 3 weeks, the Eagles have proven that they are a contender. Unfortunately, in the NFC, the Cowboys, Giants, and Packers also proved they are contenders. Worse, the Cowboys and Giants are in the same division as the Eagles, the NFC East. Therefore, every game means something more this year than ever and the window of opportunity is wide open. With the AFC so far looking like the lower of the two conferences, if the Eagles can make a move, they can further position themselves to win the Super Bowl.
Next year, the Eagles have two first round picks. One was acquired last year in a draft deal with the Carolina Panthers. Assuming major injuries can be avoided, the Eagles have the core of players and talent to win now. There’s no point in keeping both of these two number one picks for next year. Those picks can certainly help them in the future but it cannot help us win the Super Bowl this year.
Hurry up and make the phone call to Detroit Lions GM Matt Millen before he is fired. The Lions have been known to make some bad trades in the past (see Denver trading RB Tatum Bell and OT George Foster for CB Dre Bly as an example). WR Roy Williams is struggling in Detroit’s new offensive scheme. He can become a free agent at the end of the season. With the Lions starting the season 0-3, they might as well blow up the team and get value for what they have now before they lose Williams and get nothing in return. They would be crazy not too. Offer a number one pick to Detroit for WR Roy Williams; conditional on him signing a long-term and cap-friendly contract with the Birds.
Yes, I know, receivers take time to learn the West Coast Offense. Don’t tell rookie sensation WR DeSean Jackson that. Let’s see how Roy Williams fits in. Heck, use him as a decoy and let him run fly routes all game long. Yes, I know, Head Coach Andy Reid insists we are fine with our current core of receivers and he does not value the receiver position as highly as other positions. Hello Coach Reid. The one year we had a stud receiver, we lost the Super Bowl by three points! QB Donovan McNabb had his best year that season. Can you imagine Roy Williams lining up with a healthy Kevin Curtis, DeSean Jackson, and any other combination of Reggie Brown, Hank Baskett, or Jason Avant? The formation possibilities would be endless. Reid could scheme and confuse opposing defenses by sending RB Brian Westbrook in motion, out of the backfield. Having all these weapons on the field at all times makes it easier for others including Tight End L.J. Smith. Having all these receiving threats would open up running lanes for Westbrook as the opposing defenses would have to further respect the pass. It would give McNabb more choices and make the offense more of a threat. In theory, a better offense gives us a better defense as they would not have that added pressure of keeping opposing offensive teams’ scoring down as they had to do this past Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
There’s no time like the present. How much longer will the likes of Jon Runyan, Tra Thomas, and Brian Dawkins be around, playing at a high level? McNabb could be gone after this season. This city and the fans deserve a championship. This core group of players on this current team deserves a chance at the Super Bowl. It is now up to Reid and the front office to pull the trigger and make the move. After all, half the time, number one picks wind up as busts. The upside of the trade is worth the risk. Do it.
With that said, “E-A-G-L-E-S!! EAGLES!!”
It was the 1st day of September, 1991, and the Eagles season was kicking off with a road game in Green Bay. Expectations for a successful season were high in Philadelphia. With “The Ultimate Weapon” QB Randall Cunningham to lead the offense and a top defense, lead by DE Reggie White, there was no reason to believe that this team couldn’t be something special.
That feeling, which spread throughout the city and the Eagles fan base, quickly disappeared. All it took was one play and like a dart popping a balloon, the positive energy and excitement about the 1991 Eagles season was gone. A first quarter passing play by The Eagles ended with me and millions of other Eagles fans, holding their breath. Our star QB was gone for the season. Packers LB Bryce Paup, came in and hit Cunningham low, around the knees. I was up all that night. I was upset that our season was over. Life was so cruel to make us wait impatiently the entire off-season only to kick us Eagles fans in the groin. It was too painful to digest.
It turns out the season was not over. The Eagles were competitive and finished 10-6. Who would have known that after that first game the Eagles defense would be one of the best ever defenses in the NFL. That season, the Eagles defense finished number one against the pass, number one against the run, and number one in overall total defense. Darth Vader would say, “Most impressive”. I’m left wondering what this team could have done with a healthy Randall Cunningham.
Unfortunately, for Eagles fans everywhere, and in addition to having Rick Kotite as the Head Coach, the Eagles offense was horrific. QB Jim McMahon was decent as Cunningham’s replacement, but he never made it a full season. I still cringe when thinking of the performances that year by QBs Pat Ryan, Jeff Kemp, and Brad Goebel.
This year, after seeing the New England Patriots QB, and superstar Tom Brady, injured and knocked out for the year on the first game of the season, reminds me of its parallels when comparing to the 1991 Eagles. Both teams were very talented. Both teams had high expectations. Only time will how the 2008 Patriots respond. Will other players step up and carry them? Will Patriots fans be frustrated with the lack of quality play from their QB position? I doubt anyone can be as bad as Pat Ryan. I also doubt their defense can give performances such as the 1991 Eagles defense did. However, I do give the Patriots the benefit of the doubt as I don’t think their current head coach can be compared to Rich Kotite; and that should give Patriots fans some hope. It will definitely be interesting to sit back from afar and watch how they respond, that’s for sure.
With that said, “E-A-G-L-E-S!! EAGLES!!”
