Eagles’ Off Season Yields Loud Criticism

It’s another offseason and the critics are flying higher than the Birds.
A series of staff reductions and a couple of ho-hum additions have served to once again depress the radio dial panic buttons. Talking heads everywhere are bemoaning the Eagles and their lack of spending.
Philadelphia has subtracted overachieving defensive end Jason Babin and disappointing one-year safety Sean Jones.
Injury-prone good guy Kevin Curtis fell victim to bad knees and a big contract. At 31 it’s doubtful he’ll regain the quickness and speed that elusive wide outs require.
Another wide receiver, Reggie Brown, was also shown the one-way door. Brown was a second-round pick who showed potential and signed a lucrative, long-term contract extension. But he never reached his early promise and only salary cap implications allowed him to retain a roster spot throughout 2009.
The decision to part with rookie surprise Brandon Gibson was directly connected to Brown’s salary-cap busting contract. Gibson’s star was rising in St. Louis as last year came to a close and the sixth rounder could haunt Philadelphia for years to come.
Linebacker Will Witherspoon arrived in the trade with the Rams and he appeared to solidify a group beset by injuries. But his $5 million contract made him expendable for 2010 because the Eagles approach each position on the field as a value judgment. Linebacker has simply never been a financial priority for Philly.
Chris Clemons was brought in two years ago to be a pass rushing specialist, but the former Raider never rose above mediocrity. His trade to Seattle brings Darryl Tapp to the Birds. Tapp is just 25 and has time to resuscitate his career as a defensive end with potential. It’s always tough to sacrifice a draft pick in a trade so Tapp had better realize the faith the Eagles have placed in him.
The Brian Westbrook saga is an unfortunate piece of Eagles history. The former Villanova star represents one of the finest draft selections in team history and for about three years he electrified fans each week with amazing feats. Westbrook is a classy person who was simply not built to take the pounding of a feature back in the rugged NFL.
He will go down with the names of Van Buren, Montgomery and Watters are terrific Eagles’ backs who made their mark under the winged helmet. That being said, Westbrook’s perennial knee and ankle injuries made it difficult to justify his retention. Toss in the unfortunate concussions and it was impossible to retain him.
Shawn Andrews was a great offensive lineman. Regrettably, his mindset and claims of back pain prevented him from reaching Hall of Fame conversation. Andrews was that good, but his antics, including his frequent and strange use of social networking, made him easy prey for the ax.
The Eagles could not tolerate another season of Andrews being somewhere on the west coast “tweeting” his daily rituals and amateur musical musings. He had to go.
Darren Howard was another attempt by the Eagles to fortify their pass rush and give star end Trent Cole some much-needed help. Howard was versatile, often playing tackle in passing situations. While Howard was adequate, his age and contract made his absence much easier to take.
Marlin Jackson has arrived from Indianapolis with two surgically prepared knees. No one knows how he’ll perform as a defensive back. His injury history is easy fodder for the critics, but time will tell whether the move pays off.
As of Sunday evening, the Saints had yet to match Philadelphia’s tender to running back Mike Bell, an overachieving free agent. Bell would add a veteran presence to the Birds’ backfield; however, his past does not include demonstrated expertise in blocking and pass receiving.
Andy Reid’s pass-first offense requires
backs to pick up the blitz and squeeze the football on screens and other pass routes. Bell’s acquisition is another that would need justification.
As long as the team goes without a Super Bowl title, the critics will howl their displeasure at virtually every move or non-deal the Eagles are involved in. Meanwhile, winning has converted Phillies’ manager Charlie Manuel into what some are calling the best Philadelphia manager yet.
Indeed, winning is everything.
Reach Rossi at joerossi61@comcast.net
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