Promote your business or product on 700level.com. For
more information about advertising with us CLICK HERE!

http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/sports/football/16341989.htm

The eagles are projected to have the 8th lowest cap space in the league heading into a free agency period that is going to focus (hopefully) more on resigning current players (stallworth, Garcia) than bringing in New ones. With a ton of teams with 25+ million in cap space, they are not in a good spot. I wonder if they will be able to resign stallworth and garcia to competetive contracts seeing that both are the most prized free agents at thier positions. Unless they move some serious money around (kearse, Mcnabb) they could be in some trouble.

Thoughts on offseason priorities and the chances of resigning both Dante and Garcia?

(Blackberry post, ignore spelling mistakes)

Good article.
But how did this happen to the Eagles?

I thought the Eagles were known for not spending.

My guess is that all of those extensions that the Birds have inked in the last six months (Dawkins, Cole, Patterson, Brown, Dirk, Heremanns, etc.) have really eaten into the cap for next year.

And please, let's stop even dangling the thought of them cutting McNabb. There is no way that will happen. I don't see Kearse being cut either, especially since they figure to lose Juqua Thomas and the pass rush already sucks ass. Under those circumstances, there's no sense in cutting your best pass rusher, particularly when you loathe free agency.

The real crime will occur when they let Stallworth walk to the Giants, Skins, or Cowboys. Better make that treasured 3rd round pick translate into one amazing undersized DT with a nice bubble and a high motor.

They'll be fine - the cap is going WAY WAY WAY up the next 2 seasons.

It'd be nice if McNabb restructured to help out HIS team, though.

Better make that treasured 3rd round pick translate into one amazing undersized DT with a nice bubble and a high motor.

NTFF Talon!

Depending on how the season ties up, we'll see what McNabb does, but I highly doubt they'll cut/lose significant people.

I can't believe they would cut 5, but they may ask him to restructure his deal to free up some room.

stallworth and garcia to competetive contracts seeing that both are the most prized free agents at thier positions
If another team offers Garcia a chance at the starting spot, he'll almost certainly sign there rather than with the Eagles to be a backup, regardless of contract. So, I wouldn't worry so much about JG. It's pretty much out of the Eagles's hands (err large talons).

Alos, Schaub will be the most prized UFA QB next year.

"...but they may ask him to restructure his deal to free up some room>"

I can't wait for the self proclaimed "America's Favorite Sports Mom" to post to her blog on that topic.

I think I will just wait for the f-dallas version. It is more insightful and makes me laugh as opposed to the "real deal" which makes me wonder just how far the mythos of the prototypical sports "hero" can continue.

My point wasnt cutting Mcnabb, clearly you havent noticed that I am a Mcnabb Groupie to the 10th degree. In both Kearse and Mcnabb, I was refferring to the possibility of restructuring thier contract since they are the two biggest on the books (I think Mcnabb is getting 14 million).

Schaub is a RFA, it will take a max contract and 1 and 3 pick to get him.

We'll have to wait and see on the cap, but I have a feeling there will be more room than people (and "experts") think. The Eagles are world famous for their LTBE incentives that add cap bonuses to the following season and I'd be shocked if tey didn't have quite a bit more than people are projecting when the smoke clear.

Second, the FA crop this year is complete and utter garbage. Lance Briggs will probably be the most sought after player on the market (if he gets there) because of the weak crop and the fact that he's entering his prime. I think he's good, but not a game changer.

Cato June? Great speed, but he makes McCoy look stout in the run game.

Gonzo would be nice, but he'll be an 11 year vert and someone will overpay for him.

Christ...the #1 safety hitting the market is Michael Lewis.

The Eagles #1 target in FA should be Stallworth and they should do their best to keep Garcia. They need to add more size (Sands is a guy I'm really, really hoping they go after) on the D-line, but most of their needs can be addressed in the draft.

I think the Eagles decided their FA was now, given what they knew would hit the market. They've re-signed Reggie Brown, Patterson, Jamal Jackson, Runyan, Andrews, Cole, Herremans, Dirk Johnson, and Dawkins in the last few months, with all but Runyan coming since the season started.

On McNabb restructuring his deal...not going to happen. His cap hit next season is around $8.5 million, which is a pittance for a Pro Bowl QB. If he had a Manning type hit ($15 millionish), I could see doing a restructure, but his cap hit is tiny given his position and standing in the league.

Finally...where they could save money if they wanted to.

- Tra Thomas has played well and I'm not suggesting he should be cut. However, he's only got a couple years left and the Eagles already drafted his replacement. If the Eagles could get a pick for him AND Justice was ready to play, you could save almost $5 million by moving Tra off the books.

- SCHOBOAT has a price tage of $1 million per over the next 3 seasons. I think they are going to draft someone to groom behind LJ because it's looking like he'll be gone when his contract is up. Why keep this bum around for that money?

- Bartrum, if he retires (which has been the talk), would shave another $800K off the books.

- McDougle is scheduled to have a cap hit of $1.8 million next year. Any reason why he shouldn't be thrown in a dumster like a newborn on prom night?

- Dhani Jones has a $2.75 million cap hit next year. No soup for Dhani!

- Darwin Walker is going to count for almost $1.9 million against the cap next year. I'd love to move him to someone who will fall in love with teh sacks and forget the guy can't play the run AT ALL. Trading Walker would save money, potentially net a draft pick, and be a solid move if they can replace his spot with someone STOUT. If they trade Walker and elevate Lejaun Ramsey to take his roster spot, we've gained nothing.


Time will tell on everything, though.

great stuff F-d,
Its all about 18, he resigns and we can basically look forward to the draft.
F-d, with the resigning of all the players you mentioned, would you agree the only reason they havent signed 18 is because the 4th/3rd round pick situation (and the hammy)? Is it really that simple, wait till the day the season ends and you dont have to give up the 3rd rounder? It is a dangerous strategy seeing that there is so much $ available to a lot of teams and a team could tamper and promise rosenwhore a monster deal (ala Bentley) once FA starts...

I think that's one of the motivating factors. The other is the injury issues and his price tag.

This market is probably set for Stallworth and is starts at $13 million in bonuses and $39 million (total) over 6 years. That's the deal Deion Branch got and it's what Stallworth with likely (and rightfully) demand. That's a tough pill to swallow for a guy you almost expect to miss 3 or 4 games per year with Hammy issues. I like Stallworth and want them to retain them, but that's a tough deal.

I think his speed is critical, but don't forget...they "love" Avant and Baskett. They also think Brown is going to be a stud. I think Brown will be good, but a complimentary receiver. I think Avant and Baskett project as slot guys.

Still, That's a LOT of money for a guy who can't stay on th field and I understand why it's a tough call for them.

Also, regarding the off-season...the Eagles are planning on getting a starting Sam LB and PR/KR from the IR in Bloom and Gocong. I'm sure they'll factor that in as "additions" they've made.

One last thing regarding that Domo article...there are a lot of screw-ups in there (Shockey and Little both signed extensions in the last 12 months, for example), so I wouldn't take much from it.

He did mention an interesting name in Musa Smith. He's still very young (24 years old), has no wear on the tires, and I've liked him every time I've seen him play. He was behind Jamal Lewis and Chester Taylor. In the first game of last season, Roy Williams broke his leg badly and ended his year. With his injury being a concern, the Ravens went out and grabbed Mike Anderson in the Off-season and they've split the leftover carries between them (right down the middle) with Lewis toting the rock non-stop.

I think Smith could be a sleeper in FA that would be a great fit for the Birds. He's 6'1", 235 lbs. and likes to run people over, but he's best suited as a complimentary back. Sounds like a winner to me.

Im with you f-d. As much as I have loved what Stallworth (when he's been on the field) has done I dont see them paying very much for a guy who will only play 12 or 13 games a year. Hell, I think in a couple of years Brown and Baskett could be one of the better receiver tandems in the league. Maybe its the kool-aid talking, but either way I dont think they will be hurting for receivers like in past years.

Also there is no way Garcia is around next season. With the Vikes QB issues (Johnson done, Jackson not ready) I would not be suprised to see Childress jump on him.

With any team there is some loose fat to be trimmed cap wise, and the FA has usually done a good job with that. Im not worried at all about it. Trim enough money to spend to plug some wholes and they will be on their way to defending their division title.

Stallworth has to come back, and Garcia has stated that he liked the role he's had with Philly this year, so if they respect him with what he's worth, I can see him coming back as well. He's 37 now, and he wants a ring, whether he's a starter or not. You can't think a guy will give up a shot at a ring for cash, not when he's banked a good deal already.

That said, I'm agreeing on Tre and others probably being the guys on the way out. Jones is a disappointment for the value he's paid, as is Walker. Schaub has been decent and unless they draft someone I can see him coming back another year.

McDougle has to go, the guy taking up a $5 cab ride is too much. I'd rather see The Next Big Thing on the roster next year that that waste of air.

"And please, let's stop even dangling the thought of them cutting McNabb. "

cant happen. heard it on the radio last week, cutting or trading mcnabb would actually cost the eagles 11 million in cap space in '07, which means you would have to cut several high priced players, just to be able to cut or trade mcnabb.

i agree with f-dallas, tre', darwin walker, dhani jones, mr. softee..add up to about 10 mil in savings. with the cap space already available, it should give the birds enough room to sign their own FA's and maybe 1-2 decent UFA's from other teams.

Also there is no way Garcia is around next season. With the Vikes QB issues (Johnson done, Jackson not ready) I would not be suprised to see Childress jump on him.

Man, I didn't even know Childress was gay. Though he does look like a child molester, what with that bald head and Kinko the Clown tufts of hair over his ears.

Garcia has stated that he liked the role he's had with Philly this year

Where and when did you hear/read that? I would have thought that he'd be looking for a starting job.

Garcia has stated that he liked the role he's had with Philly this year

Where and when did you hear/read that? I would have thought that he'd be looking for a starting job.

It's just the PC thing to do when one is excelling in an unexpected role while still getting paid peanuts. Even if it was not stated, it will be at some point in the future. I have a feeling that Garcia is gone after this season and will garner a decent "starter money" contract somewhere else. (probably to another awful team with a shitty offensive line)

Garcia is in a difficult situation that really resticts his options. He's 37, and a team would only sign him as a starter as a one-year stop-gap/help-train-the-rookie-QB option, ala Doug Pederson. Or a team could sign him as the last starting veteran piece to hopefully put a team over the top, ala Steve McNair. Compounding the problem is that fact that most people believe the only way Garcia can succeed is if he's in the West Coast offense with a fairly good supporting cast. All of this really narrows down his possible destination.

Minnesota presumably is ready to roll with Tavarius Jackson, and Jackson would really be taking a step backward if they brought in someone to start in front of him. Denver is obviously relying on Jay Cutler. Garcia would have been a decent fit for both teams THIS year, but he wouldn't be of much value NEXT year.

San Francisco is committed to developing Alex Smith, and Houston seems to be doing the same with David Carr. Seattle's QB situation is set, and you would think if Favre doesn't return, Green Bay is going to give Aaron Rodgers a shot after all of these years. I don't know what kind of offense Cleveland runs, but I would imagine there's no way in Hell Garcia will return to either the mistake by the lake or Detroit.

Oakland has given Andrew Walter some playing time this year, and he's kind of sucked. No one would be shocked if they draft a QB like Brady Quinn, so they could use a veteran tutor. Either way, they already have Aaron Brooks in the fold. He's no great shakes, but I can't see them investing a lot of money in Garcia, especially when they have little to no shot at winning a championship in the near future. Of course, Al Davis may not realize that, so all bets are off.

I'm not sure what the Kansas City or Chicago offenses are, but I don't believe they are West Coast style. If so, those might be logical destinations for Garcia. Otherwise, I don't see him getting a starting job anywhere, and if he's going to remain a backup, why not stay in a comfortable situation in Philadelphia?

The really question will occur if he has some success in the playoffs and earns his stripes with the players, fans, and media, will the Eagles want him to backup the franchise QB/"leader" with the fragile psyche?

"The really question will occur if he has some success in the playoffs and earns his stripes with the players, fans, and media, will the Eagles want him to backup the franchise QB/"leader" with the fragile psyche? "

That is why they will probably draft some QB from Delaware State in the 6th round and cut Jeffy loose.

talon

mostly agree with ur assessment

my buddy and i went down each team on sunday before the game, and discussed the QB position. most either has an established vet or a young up and coming guy. or they suck, and you know garcia aint goin for that again after cleveland and detroit. the only two we came up with were vikes and da bears. and with the bears, a lot will depend on how well grossman plays in the playoffs. garcia wont want to go just anywhere. he got a pretty big contract to go to cleveland i think. detroit too.

imo, he either stays here, or signs with a potential winner, but only if he's the starter.

the only two we came up with were vikes and da bears.

Of the two, the Vikes aren't near a playoff contender, let alone a SB candidate, so I can't imagine him going there, even if the offense is similar.

Garcia would be a fish out of water in Chicago, and while they've got the defense to contend, that offense is in need of a QB, and I doubt that the guys they have there now are the answer. I'd expect them to take a serious look at Leftwich once the Jags cut him loose.

Should be read those guys are NOT the answer.

1  2