A different look at the Eagles Free Agency

[Muhast]

So I decided to look at Babin/Jenkins average for their careers. I noticed both have missed a TON of playing time, with Babin having one good season for his career.

Babin has played 8 years with 5 different teams. Made ONE probowl.

Has started 42 games over that span. Two complete seasons, most years he started 4 or less games.(0,0,0,3,4,)

He has 30 sacks in his career. An average of about 4.2 per season.

Cullen Jenkins has started 66 games in his 7 seasons Has played ONE complete season. Zero pro-bowls.

He has 29 career sacks, or an average of 4.1 sacks per season.

----------------------------------

When you throw out the contracts, and look at the big names vs their stats. These two aren't that scary.

So they really improved the CB spot. But these two aren't really that far off of the production of the guys they are replacing. JuQua Parker averages 3.5 sacks per season, Daryl Tapp avaraged 4 sacks per season, and the DT spot(which presumably Jenkins will play) is an average of about 3.5 sacks per season from the two that rotate there.

Improved? Certainly.
Dream Team? Not even close.

In reality the "Dream team FA Class" consists of:
An All-pro CB(Nnamdi),
a QB who was black-listed by most teams during FA(Young)
2 DE's that can't stay on the field (Jenkins,Babin)
A WR who has never caught more than 400 yards in a season (Higgins)

Obviously Nnamdi was the star of this years FA, but the other peices won't make me lose sleep at all. (Note* I left out DRC b/c he was traded and not a FA signing)

[SA_Gunslinger]

I totally agree on Babin. He's an NFL journeyman (in fact, I believe he was with the Eagles two years ago and was totally ineffective) which is always a red flag, and last year was his best year by FAR. Certainly, it's possible he could repeat that success, but until he shows otherwise, last year was an aberration in his career, not the norm.

I guess the question is, will all these guys playing TOGETHER up their individual performance? The tendency is to presume yes, but it remains to be seen.

:star:

[Muhast]

I totally agree on Babin. He's an NFL journeyman (in fact, I believe he was with the Eagles two years ago and was totally ineffective) which is always a red flag, and last year was his best year by FAR. Certainly, it's possible he could repeat that success, but until he shows otherwise, last year was an aberration in his career, not the norm.

I guess the question is, will all these guys playing TOGETHER up their individual performance? The tendency is to presume yes, but it remains to be seen.

:star:


That was pretty much my point. When you think of the group as a WHOLE, it sounds impressive. When you actually look at the stats and amount of time these guys have missed, it's not as scary.

Clearly Nnamdi was a significant pickup. Nobody is questioning that. But it was an upgrade at a position that they didn't really need. Asante Samuel was a 2 time All-pro and DRC was traded before they went for him. I still don't understand why they made the move. They would have been better served pursuing OL and S help.

[jimmy40]

That was pretty much my point. When you think of the group as a WHOLE, it sounds impressive. When you actually look at the stats and amount of time these guys have missed, it's not as scary.

Clearly Nnamdi was a significant pickup. Nobody is questioning that. But it was an upgrade at a position that they didn't really need. Asante Samuel was a 2 time All-pro and DRC was traded before they went for him. I still don't understand why they made the move. They would have been better served pursuing OL and S help.
to try to cover all of the Packers' receivers.

[SA_Gunslinger]

Clearly Nnamdi was a significant pickup. Nobody is questioning that. But it was an upgrade at a position that they didn't really need. Asante Samuel was a 2 time All-pro and DRC was traded before they went for him. I still don't understand why they made the move. They would have been better served pursuing OL and S help.

well, to be fair, I would have said the same thing had we gotten him.

[gmoney112]

I'm not shaking in my boots about the Eagles. They might win the division but it will be because other teams don't play them tough.

Also, I believe Jenkins will play a DT in the 4-3.

[Hostile]

If Jim Johnson were still alive, the Eagles Defense would scare me. I won't lie.

I think they are going to play heck keeping Vick alive, and if they go to Young it is a step down.

They're going to have to get rid of Asante Samuel, and no disrespect to DRC or Nnamdi, but he has more skins on the wall then both of them.

I like Jenkins a lot, but am not overly wowed by him. I think Ty Warren is every bit as disruptive if we can land him. And I am thrilled we signed Spears long term.

[Sam I Am]

They are definitely better than they were.

They would have been better off using that money the spent on NA on linebackers. They already had two very good CBs, why in hell would you buy a high dollar third one? A CB is a great thing to have, but I think top flight LBers and safeties are more valuable.

They are one serious injury to Vick from a complete failure. (and he likes to run which doubles the risk) Young isn't going to take them to the promise land.

[jimmy40]

They are definitely better than they were.

They would have been better off using that money the spent on NA on linebackers. They already had two very good CBs, why in hell would you buy a high dollar third one? A CB is a great thing to have, but I think top flight LBers and safeties are more valuable.

They are one serious injury to Vick from a complete failure. (and he likes to run which doubles the risk) Young isn't going to take them to the promise land.
safeties are more valuable than cornerbacks?

[Sam I Am]

safeties are more valuable than cornerbacks?

IMO Absolutely. They are the QBs of the defense. They stop the pass as well as the run. If you have a great pass rush, your CBs don't even have to be that good. Your safeties always need to be good. Otherwise, you get burned. You can protect CBs with safeties over the top, it's damn hard to protect a safety.

[Mash]

From what I gathered from the people at NFLN was...

Most of these contracts signed could just be 1 year deals with little dead money.

The new DC is a former OL coach and has never coached Defense. They did pick up one of the best DL coaches tho. That being said...Ive heard that the Eagles defense wont be the same scheme as Jim Johnson ran.

It will be more passive...less exotic blitz and from what Ive heard on NFLN was it will rely on pressure from the front 4 more.

[Sam I Am]

It will be more passive...less exotic blitz and from what Ive heard on NFLN was it will rely on pressure from the front 4 more.

You mean it will be Paul Pasqualoni's defense? :laugh2:

[jimmy40]

IMO Absolutely. They are the QBs of the defense. They stop the pass as well as the run. If you have a great pass rush, your CBs don't even have to be that good. Your safeties always need to be good. Otherwise, you get burned. You can protect CBs with safeties over the top, it's damn hard to protect a safety.:laugh2: I thought you were serious the first time I read that. good one dude, you got me.

[Muhast]

:laugh2: I thought you were serious the first time I read that. good one dude, you got me.

Look at Alan ball and troy polamalus impact on their teams. The settlers have not had a probowl cb in years but constantly have good defense. Exact same for Baltimore. They have not had a probowl cb since mccallister and they as well have great defenses. Its the scheme the pass rush and the safety play

[jimmy40]

Look at Alan ball and troy polamalus impact on their teams. The settlers have not had a probowl cb in years but constantly have good defense. Exact same for Baltimore. They have not had a probowl cb since mccallister and they as well have great defenses. Its the scheme the pass rush and the safety playeverybody and their dog knows cornerbacks are more valuable than safeties. this is nothing new

[Muhast]

everybody and their dog knows cornerbacks are more valuable than safeties. this is nothing new


If that is the case, why do the Ravens and Steelers always have top defenses while having very average CBs?

[jimmy40]

If that is the case, why do the Ravens and Steelers always have top defenses while having very average CBs?front seven dude. You do not want to have this discussion.

[Muhast]

front seven dude. You do not want to have this discussion.


I do want to.

Obviously a pass rush is important, but don't you find it odd that they have the top defenses in the NFL almost every single season and to go with the front 7 they have all-pro safeties with pedestrian CB's?

A great front 7 will help any defense, that is for sure. But you don't find it odd that in all of those years of the Steelers and Ravens having great front 7 and great safety play they havn't sent a CB to the pro-bowl?

Clearly a great S is more important than a great CB.

[Joe Realist]

The key here is the Eagles OL and DL coaches. Jim Washburn was the coach in Tennesse last year and from what I heard is one of the best in the NFL. Howard Mudd, former OL coach in Indy is another who is regarded as one of the best in the business.. Hoepfully their OL coach turned defensive coordinator will get confused.

[Nnamdi Asomugha]

Ahe-dzb73Bk
babin is a beast in jim washburn's scheme. washburn is now the eagles defensive line coach. this video tells it all. notice him sacking romo twice? :D

jenkins has been banged up a lot, but that can happen in football.

[Muhast]

Ahe-dzb73Bk
babin is a beast in jim washburn's scheme. washburn is now the eagles defensive line coach. this video tells it all. notice him sacking romo twice? :D

jenkins has been banged up a lot, but that can happen in football.


I noticed he was a nobody who played for like 5 different teams and was labeled a bust until last year.

Don't expect the same production this year.

BTW: Your OL was the downfall of your team. You drafted a 26,soon to be 27 year old and signed a RT who has been injury prone as well.

Not to make it like you guys don't have a good team. But Vick has injury concerns as it is. Your OL isn't going to help the cause.

[Nnamdi Asomugha]

I noticed he was a nobody who played for like 5 different teams and was labeled a bust until last year.

Don't expect the same production this year.

BTW: Your OL was the downfall of your team. You drafted a 26,soon to be 27 year old and signed a RT who has been injury prone as well.

Not to make it like you guys don't have a good team. But Vick has injury concerns as it is. Your OL isn't going to help the cause.
eagles oline is rebuilt.

Peters, Herremans, Jackson, Watkins, Harris

looking better than the cowboys line...