Die Hard Sports Fan

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!!”

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A good test comes for the Eagles Offense this Monday as they head to Dallas to take on the Dallas Cowboys.  Many questions loom for The Birds’ Offense.  Can the Offensive Line give McNabb enough time to let his receivers get open?  Can the Eagles sustain enough of a rushing attack to eat up the clock and keep the Cowboys’ high octane offense off the field?  Will the Eagles receivers replicate anything near their production from last week’s game against the Rams?  Will Head Coach Andy Reid bring his “A Game” play calling to win such a big game (no onside kick to open the game please!)?

Donovan McNabb was on fire last week against the Rams.  He had nice throwing lanes to step into and release an accurate ball.  The Cowboys defense is much better than the Rams in all aspects.  The Eagles Offensive Line will need to contain dangerous players such as DeMarcus Ware, Chris Canty, Anthony Spencer, and Marcus Spears in order to be productive.  There are no doubt these players will make plays; it’s just a matter of the quantity of plays made.  The Eagles OL needs to keep the big plays made by the Dallas defense to a minimum.  Aging Tackles Jon Runyan and Tra Thomas could have trouble with the younger and quicker Dallas Defense.  That could be a problem for McNabb.  He will need to be the “calm, and at peace McNabb”, not the “pumped up, throwing the ball over receivers’ heads McNabb”.  I would expect the Eagles to counter the aggressiveness of the Cowboys front seven by calling various types of screens and passes to Brian Westbrook and the other running backs.  An early benefit from this strategy would be to get McNabb into a rhythm and confident as he makes a few completions to guys out of the back field. 

If there was ever a game where the Eagles receivers and tight ends needed to step it up a notch, this would be the game.  Having receivers successfully get open and who can help move the chain is a must for this game.  I don’t see the Eagles receivers playing at the level they did last week against the Rams.  I think the Eagles’ wide-outs took the Rams by surprise but Dallas will be more mindful of their playmaking ability.  First, the Dallas front seven should do a better job of throwing off the timing of the Eagles offense.  Next, the Cowboys have better depth and talent at the Secondary positions although there are weaknesses such as the pass coverage ability of Safety Roy Williams. 

This game has me nervous.  I have to be honest.  In my opinion, it is critical that the Eagles get some points on the board the first drive or two, setting the tone for the game as if saying, “Here we are, and we aren’t going to back down”.  Brian Westbrook must have a great game both rushing and receiving.  Having him involved early and often will help keep the Cowboys Defense on their toes instead of pressing forward, trying to get to McNabb.  Andy Reid and the coaching staff must create mismatches and confusion so that Westbrook and the rest of the offense can open up the field and move the ball consistently.  The Eagles should be able to move the ball and score on occasion.  The question remains is if it will be enough to beat the Dallas Cowboys. 

With that said, “E-A-G-L-E-S!!  EAGLES!!”

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