March 11, 2008
The Eagles offseason has been busy lately, with the release of linebacker Takeo Spikes and defensive end Jevon Kearse.
But the Eagles did manage to sign star cornerback Asante Samuel and defensive end Chris Clemons. Now the Eagles look to deal Lito Sheppard.
Many rumors were going around that the Eagles could try to trade for wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, but those have died down.
Now the talk is that the Eagles might try to trade for Detroit’s Roy Williams. Williams is a great receiver, and with his addition, Reggie Brown can finally shine in the Eagles offense, and we can use Kevin the same way the Patriots use Wes Welker in the slot position.
The draft is also coming up, and what the Eagles will do with their first pick is still up for grabs. The Eagles could package the pick with Sheppard, supposedly for a wide receiver, or use it to get a offensive linemen, wide receiver or a safety.
I think if the Eagles are going to trade the pick, we won’t see anything until draft day. If they don’t trade the pick, the Eagles need to go for a breakout receiver, but I don’t see anyone available who's worth taking, unless Oklahoma’s Malcolm Kelly somehow slips to the 19th pick.
DeSean Jackson will probably be available, but Jackson is one-dimensional, and I don’t think he will pan out. He’s explosive, but right now I see him as a carbon copy of a Troy Williamson.
Limas Sweed might still be out there. It will be a stretch, but his athletic ability and size could help the Eagles.
Andy Reid is notorious for taking linemen with the first-round draft picks, and it might happen again this year, much to the chagrin of the fans. The Eagles could be on the hunt for both sides of the line in the first two rounds of this year's draft.
With Winston Justice’s disappointing play, the team is looking to help keep Donovan McNabb healthy and on his feet as much as possible.
Pittsburgh’s Jeff Otah or Vanderbilt’s Chris Williams are both possible solutions to the offensive line. Williams is a huge physical prescience and was a leader of the Vanderbilt line who allowed only 17 sacks during the season. Otah is also gigantic, at 6 feet 6 inches and 322 pounds. Otah is very strong, but might need to slim down, and could be a bit of a project for the Eagles.
At defensive end, Calais Campbell from Miami is a force, and with Campbell and Trent Cole at both ends of the line, the Eagles could pressure the quarterback better than ever. Campbell is so physically gifted, and his potential is limitless. His 6-foot-8-inch height and long arms haunt the quarterback, and his size makes him a great prospect.
