More Thoughts on the Preseason

Part of the reason I don't write much in the preseason is clearly demonstrated by the response to our first two pre-season games:

Game 1, August 11, in which a victory over the Ravens includes Riley Cooper going up over Ed Reed to snag a 40 yard pass: "We're totally going to win the Super Bowl this year! Why even bother with the season? Just give us the Lombardi trophy right now and save everyone a lot of trouble!"

Game 2, August 18, in which a loss to the Steelers includes approximately 437 picks by Michael Vick (actual number: 3): "OH MY GOD! Disaster! What's wrong with these guys!?! We're going to go 2-14 this year!"

Me: "Yawn. Andy doesn't even break out the playbook until the regular season. Preseason wins and losses mean nothing."

And I'm sticking by that. I actually like to see the Eagles lose preseason games. That usually means all the guys who may or may not make the team are getting plenty of time to show what they've got. And that our notoriously cagey head coach is keeping ALL the good stuff a secret until the regular season starts. Fine by me.

In other news, Michael Vick just got his long-term contract - $80 million over 5 years, with $36 million guaranteed (in case you somehow missed it - like you've been asleep for the last 24 hours straight). I like it, personally. The Eagles lock him down long term while actually freeing up cap space in the process. Tricky, tricky. I'm guessing it's on to DJax next. Pay the little man already!

Also Howard Mudd has completely remade the Eagles offensive line. I hope it works, because Mike Vick is only worth $80 million if he stays in one piece and ambulatory.

Also, the roster is now down to the requisite 80 guys. Thursday's game against the Jets is a big night for guys contesting roster spots. Which means we're likely not going to recognize anyone on the field. But the roster needs be down to 53 by Saturday, so it's decision time.

Next up: my annual preseason divisional picks, aka The Post That Sets Up My Annual January Walk Of Shame.

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Thoughts on the Preseason

Well, this has been an unusual off season for the Eagles. A team that usually builds through the draft has been picking up free agents like You-Two-Calm-Down-or-I'm-Turning-Off-the-TV Dad picks up free mints after dinner out.

On the one hand, I keep thinking: "Andy has his problems as a coach, but he's a personnel genius. He sees potential in players no one else does." Not that a whole lot of people are confused about Nnamdi Asomugha's potential.

On the other hand, I keep thinking: "The team that wins the off season rarely does well during the actual season."  See below RE: Snyder, Dan, and Redskins, The.

On the third hand - yes, I'm borrowing one of yours - Andy's not randomly adding any old anyone. And he's not paying guys ridiculous amounts of money over many, many years. Steve Smith, for instance, is getting a 1 year deal for $2 million.

So I'm hoping that the Front Office figured they had some cash to spend, there were some guys available, and they could give the whole "free agency fire sale" thing a try for a year or two, and see if any of the gambles work out.

I hope.

The real worry right now, I think, is injury. That's always the worry in the preseason, but this year's worse. None of these guys from any team have been in camp very long, and they're starting to pummel each other, well, now. I know a bunch of guys on a bunch of teams are trying to make teams, and they should definitely get a chance to play and make their cases. But keep the starters OFF the field, yo.

Oh - and pay DeSean already.

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It's a Madhouse! A madhouse, I tell you!

As I predicted (What you don't follow me on Twitter? What are you waiting for? An invitation? Consider yourself invited), free agency is now pretty much spinning into barely controlled chaos. I quite literally can't even keep up with what's going on with the Eagles, much less the entire league. I have a day job, here, people. So I'm cheating and sending you other places for free agency news.

• Tommy Lawlor is covering all the trades at Iggles Blitz and all the rumors on Twitter (yes, you should follow him, too)
• Bleeding Green Nation is blogging at a blistering pace, covering all the rumors and including periodic open threads where you can share your thoughts on who's going to end up where - they also have a sidebar ticker of news from the other teams' SportsBlogNation blogs
• Bird's Fan is also doing a good job of periodically (like "multiple times a day") summarizing all the trades and rumors of trades (seriously, am I the only one who works here?)
• Even The 700 Level has taken a time-out from Phillies coverage to talk Kolb, Cromartie and McNabb (and while we're on the subject, two SIXTH ROUND picks?!? C'mon man!)
• Inside the Iggles wants us to pick up Albert Haynesworth, which just...no. No. A thousand times no, Fat Albert.
• At least the Favre rumor looks to have been bogus. Thank God.

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Lockout Ends

But now what?

Before we bust out the champagne, cupcakes, and 8-foot inflatable LeSean McCoys for the lawn, remember a few things:

• The players' union has to reform and approve the deal. Now, that's likely, but it's not guaranteed.
• Free agency is about to take place, in about 10 minutes. It's going to be a mess.
• Rookies will need to be signed, also in about 10 minutes. And there are new rules for their contracts. Also likely a mess.
• The salary cap has been lowered. That's going to mean trouble for some teams.
• The Hall of Fame game has already been canceled. Who knows what's going to happen with the rest of the pre-season. 
• The teams have to get ready for the full season in 6 weeks. As the WaPo pointed out this morning, the teams that are in particular trouble include those with rookie QBs, those that plan to pick up a lot of free agents, and those that rely heavily on a passing game and timing routes. That's definitely our Eagles on at least that last count, and possibly on the free agent issue too. As Bleeding Green Nation has pointed out more than once, the Eagles front office has at least been making noise about having a big free agency push this year. Guess we'll know soon.

In short, I'm not yet convinced that all will be well for the 2011 season, but I am at least now fairly hopeful that there will BE a 2011 season.

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Tick...Tick...Tick

Well, the owners and the players are meeting - again - to try to work out their differences. Meanwhile, training camps are scheduled to open mid-month (and given that everyone missed all the mini camps, they're going to need every minute of prep time), and the pre-season opening Hall of Fame game is supposed to go down one month from today.

Time's running out, y'all. I don't think we want a repeat of the 1987 season, not least of which because the Redskins won the Super Bowl that year, and if the Skins win a Super Bowl under their current front office before my beloved Eagles win their FIRST EVER, I will seriously go postal.

So, sports fans, who do you think will blink first?

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Trade Rumors

I don't usually post about these because it's mostly just a waste of time, but there are two I can't ignore:

1. It's looking like Kevin Kolb might be headed to the Cardinals - I KNEW it!
2. Plax might be coming to the Eagles. Are they trying to corner the market on ex-cons? Of course it's all "if the price is right" talk. The Eagles don't need receivers, but ever since they dumped Hank Baskett, they don't really have anyone good for end zone fade routes, since all their excellent receivers are four feet tall. As long as they can get him for used DVDs of the Waterboy and The Longest Yard, plus two packs of smokes, I figure why not take a chance?

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Welcome to the Eagles, Danny Watkins

I don't usually write much about the draft. I don't follow college ball, so I generally don't have anything original to say. I could recap scouting notes and combine results, but why would I add myself as a middleman? Waste of time.

But last night I saw something truly unexpected: the Eagles took a 26 year old ex-fireman and ex-hockey player who's only played football for about 5 years with their #1 pick.

Reasons why I'm not freaking out this morning:

• Andy Reid picked up someone to protect Mike Vick's blindside. Thank God, because Max Jean-Gilles wasn't getting it done.
• Danny may be 26, but he's regular 26 not football 26 thanks to his relatively short career to date.
• I quote Fellow Eagles Maniac: "Love this quote about Watkins: 'Watkins is a mature, physical player with a nasty disposition.'" That'll work.
• How fun was watching his fire fighter posse go nuts when he was picked?

Yes, I know we still need a CB opposite Asante Samuel. Yes, I know Jimmy Smith was still on the board when we picked. You think after the T.O. mess Big Red will EVER voluntarily take a hot mess player again? Because I don't. I figure Andy's got a plan that involves Kevin Kolb and a team that needs a QB like the Raiders or the Cardinals.


In the meantime, I'm looking forward to the presser at 4 today.

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