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WR

When it’s all said and done, this is probably the worst crop of WRs that has ever hit free agency. It’s fucking putrid. There isn’t a true #1 out there, but the Eagles need a deep threat to stretch the field. I’m looking for guys who can run and hopefully have good NFL experience. While many other positions can be addressed in the draft, this is one I think must be filled with a known commodity with experience. The Eagles have an extremely young group here and while I don’t think a “veteran” is needed, I don’t want to add more inexperience.

Donte Stallworth
We know what he brings to the table. He’s a seemingly good guy, he’s one of the fastest WRs in the NFL, he is a pretty good route runner, he’s young (26) and a willing blocker. His hands have been criticized in the past, but they weren’t a big issue.

His hammy situation is bad. He’s missed time every year with Hamstring injuries and I think they affect him other games he does play. He seems to vanish for stretches of games and entire weeks. He missed 4 games due to injury and was a complete non-factor in 4 other games (totaling 7 catches and 1 TD in those games). That’s 8 games where Stallworth didn’t have an impact on the outcome of the came in any practical measurable way.

That’s the real issue. He’s going to get $15 million in total guaranteed salary and probably $50 million over the life of the deal. I really want Stallworth back, but can that investment be justified? That’s the question.

If they don’t/can’t retain him, they MUST replace his speed somehow.

Ashley Lelie
He isn’t officially a FA yet, but he is going to be voiding the final year of his deal based on playing time incentives.

He’s not a world beater and he’s not Stallworth. He is extremely fast, he’s young (just turned 27), he’s tall (6’3”), he knows the WCO, and he should come a lot cheaper than Stallworth.

I was beating the drum for Lelie last year mostly because I thought Stallworth would cost too much in trade. However, my reasoning is the same. If the Eagles can get a stud, give me someone with elite speed and experience in this offense. I like their young WRs (Brown, Baskett, and Avant), but they need a deep threat.

This could be the year Lelie ends up here.

Kevin Curtis
He’s a little guy, he’s a little older (will be 29 when the season starts) and doesn’t have much starting experience (11 games in 4 years, with 9 of those coming in 2005). He’s more quick than fast, from what I’ve seen. He seems to be a good all around WR, but better suited as a #3 guy without much starting potential. I would expect him to end up in Detroit, to be honest.

He is someone to keep an eye on, though. He’s the 3rd best guy on the market, has some speed and went to college in Utah, so he’s probably connected to Reid through the mormon underground.

Drew Bennett
He’s another guy who’s a little older (will be 29 in August) hitting the market. He’s got virtually no deep speed, but he’s very big (6’5”) and provides a big target. He’s got good hands and is supposedly a good blocker (but I haven’t seen too many Titans games). He’s also been productive. He’s missed about the same amount of games as Stallworth over the last 3 years, but he’s produced more yards (2,800) and TDs (18) in that span.

He wouldn’t be a bad signing, but I don’t think he’s a great one for the Eagles. I’m looking for speed here and Bennett is more of what they hope they have in Avant and Baskett. I want to see those guys grow and develop, so I don’t wan the routes they should be running and the catches they are capable of making being taken away by a really solid, stopgap-ish WR.

That’s it for the WRs. Everyone else on the list sucks balls or is a RFA. Some of the RFA’s are interesting (Crayton, Wilford, Welker, DJ Hackett), but this is a bad, bad crop of WRs.

I really want Stallworth back, but can that investment be justified?

What's the alternative?

The stuff that's floating out there just isn't as good as him or demands as much respect from other defenses (even with the glass hammy). I was OK with bringing Lelie in here last year; now I'm not so sure. He's definately not as good as Stallworth, and it'd be like getting Flav-R-Aid.

They'll probably either get someone from the draft or wait until someone has no more need for a quality WR and trade for him, since we all know the front office considers FAs other teams' trash.

What's the alternative?

Don't get me wrong...I don't think there is a great one out there.

When it's said and done, though, can you really justify spending that kind of money on him? That's what it all boils down to.

He was 29th in the NFC in receiving yards and had 5 TDs.

Devery Henderson outproduced him...the #3 guy on the Saints.

Bernard Berrian put up better numbers with Rex Grossman.

Bryant Johnson outproduced him with the Cards.

Algae Crumpler outproduced him.

Keyshawn Johnson put up better numbers.

I'm not trying to knock Stallworth, but if you look at him with honest eyes, you'll see a guy who has never been to a Pro Bowl., never had a 1,000 yard season, and never stayed healthy for a full season.

Can you justify making him one of the top 12 highest paid WRs in the game, with that production? That's the question that must be answered.

I'll tell you that as long as he'll be on the Birds, he'll never have impressive stats (especially not #s like TO) simply because of the nature of the offense. You'd have to look past his production to see if he's worth keeping or not. Considering his injury history and the team being close to the cap ceiling (not to mention that they'd lose a 3rd for re-signing him), we can see why he'll probably be somewhere else next year.

So the answer lies in the draft, as they hope they can draft someone who can mimic his production at a lower cost, plus can be locked up for a few years at said price. But I have no confidence in the team to do this, as Avant is a project in progress and Baskett was a gift from Childress. Maybe they hope they can get lucky like the Saints did with Colston, but I doubt it.

Or they just sign Lelie.

Potential names on the "cut" list due to salary cap and other reasons, as per ESPN:

Keyshawn Johnson
Justin McCareins
Marcus Robinson
Marty Booker
Brandon Stokely

More unlikely: Jerry Porter, Joe Horn

Whether it's one of these names or someone else, I see them going in this direction at WR rather than free agency or the draft.

Just for fun... what about Randy Moss? He can probably be had for a 2 or a 3...

You're just full of bright ideas, aren't ya?

I'm mostly full of cheap scotch

NEAG, I'm also a card carrying member of The Scotch Elite.

I'm not NEAG, nor do I know who that is, nor do I have any idea way I waste my time debating it

The Eagles don't need another speedy deep-threat. That's what they drafted Jeremy Bloom for!

Overall in free agency, "you're going to see a lot of guys get overpaid," Heckert predicted. At least half a dozen NFL teams are said to be more than $30 million under the projected cap. "Free agency's never a great tool to rebuild your team, just because of the money and the guesswork involved. I think it's going to get worse this year, just because everybody's got so much money... there'll be less players available on the market, just because people have the money to tag guys... there's going to be lesser players that make a lot of money just because once it gets into a bidding war, people just have the money to do it. All it takes is one team to make a big offer, and usually the money starts going high after that."

Because the Bird's drafting has been spot-on every year.

Man... they have gotten SO lazy.

What happened to the team model/philosophy where they identified up and coming free agents that fit well into their system? Nobody says they have to go out and get the big ticket guys every year (Redskins!). Just get some solid talent that can add to your roster long term.

Now they just trot in the one-year deal rent-a-players. To fill a hole until they draft somebody or one of their previous picks "learns the system".

"the money and the guesswork involved"

Like their is no money and guess work involved in drafting guys like Bustley, Justice and Gocong.

or Caver, McDougle, McMullen, Mamula, etc.

Johnson, in the defense of the picks you drafted, only Bunkley was actually expected to contribute last season.

The other two are long term projects.

Then again, I'm sure you could find some guys to take their places without thinking too hard.

BTW, Johnson...

We need to come up with some "I heart Bubble?" T-shirts in honor of the 2007 draft.

Like their is no money and guess work involved in drafting guys like Bustley, Justice and Gocong

Johnson, I disagree with Justice and or Gocong being slated as "project players" Justice is/was drafted to take over for Tra because he looked as if he'd started his downward slide, but he lost some weight and fought for his postion... other than his false start or two a game I thought he had a pretty good year... and as for Gocong he got IR'd too early I think he would've started over McCoy, and Gaither... just my opinion

sorry for the threadjacking this is the WR FA thread...

Kevin Curtis caught about 70% of the passes thrown his way. Moulds, McCardell did better (74%, 71%). Curry and Battle (yes, Arnez Battle) also caught 70%.

In perspective, Reggie Brown just topped 50% and Stallworth just under 50%.

In years prior, Curtis caught 62% (2005) and 64% (2004).

Take it for what it's worth.

No worm burners thrown their way?

Moulds was released yesterday and Mike Williams is expected to be relesed today. Not saying either should be considered at this point, but wanted to throw them into the mix.

Also, Antonio Bryant may be released for being an asshole in San fran. No chance he comes here despite his obvious talent.

Finally, Brandon Stokely will likely be released byt eh Colts, but he's coming off an achilles injury which normally means it's over (for a speed player).

I hope they consider Williams, but any WR that didn't blossom elsewhere or have enough native talent is unlikely to blossom in Philly. Williams isn't particularly fast if I remember.

He has to be a real piece of shit if the Lions are releasing him less than 2 years after making him the #10 overall pick.

I hope they consider Williams, but any WR that didn't blossom elsewhere or have enough native talent is unlikely to blossom in Philly.

Really? I hear so many good things about Dave Culley.

He has to be a real piece of shit if the Lions are releasing him less than 2 years after making him the #10 overall pick.

Think that year he missed hurt him?

I think he can still be salvagable. I mean, not succeeding in Detroit means about as much as being a crossing guard in the 3rd grade.

According to the news out of Detroit, though...he's:

- Painfully slow
- Has a gut and doesn't work hard
- Doesn't block
- half asses it in practice

He sounds like a spoiled little douche.

That, plus he's one of the slowest wideouts in the league. I don't have any reason to hate him, but it sounds like he's just a lazy guy without that much talent.

I mean, that offense was pretty darn good in teh passing game last year with Furrey catchign over 100 passes and Roy Williams producing, and Mike Williams wasn't even dressed for 8 games?

Yikes.

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