I’m certainly glad the Eagles addressed their issues at FB instead of ignoring that position for another season.  With a look at their depth chart, you can see how the Eagles offseason plans are coming into fruition.  What’s interesting to see there is that Todd Herremans has been moved to the starting LT and Max Jean-Gilles has moved into the starting LG.  I love Jean-Gilles.  He plays with a mean streak and he just wants to go out there and hit people.  He was having a tremendous season taking over for the injured Shawn Andrews before he was injured himself.  Let’s hope that he will come back strong next season.

Assuming Shawn Andrews and Max Jean-Gilles come back healthy, maybe the Eagles offensive line isn’t in as bad of shape as some of us assume.  I have no objections to the starting line of: Todd Herremans (LT), Max Jean-Gilles (LG), Jamaal Jackson (C), Shawn Andrews (RG), and Stacy Andrews (RT).  The Eagles have two promising prospects that they drafted last year to act as reserves this year: LT King Dunlap and LG Mike McGlynn.  And they also have Nick Cole.  He looked questionable early in the season, but ended strong.

It would be great to add a player like Eugene Monroe in the draft, but that’s just not going to happen.  I doubt the Eagles would consider or even be able to find a team to trade into the top 10 to get him and Monroe won’t be going any later than 6 to the Bengals.  After looking at the Eagles offensive line a bit more, maybe OL isn’t the #1 priority.  Maybe the Eagles should just stay put at 21 and 28 in order to take a TE and RB.

With pick 21, I would try to package that with a 4th or 5th-round pick to move up a few spots to secure Brandon Pettigrew.  Pettigrew may go as high as 11 to the Bills, but if they pass on him, Brandon Pettigrew should be around for the Eagles.  Assuming that Pettigrew is taken, the Eagles could then target Michael Oher.  And if both are taken, you have to go with Darrius Heyward-Bey.  If the Eagles don’t land Pettigrew, the Eagles may be looking at Florida TE Cornelius Ingram with a later pick.  Ingram was injured last season, but he had a tremendous Pro Day.  At 6’4″ and 245 pounds with good speed, he would be a great pick.  Check out Ingram’s draft profile.

With pick 28, I’m going after a RB.  My boy Knowshon Moreno may go as early as 16 to San Diego or he may fall down the draft board and be drafted in the late first-round.  Beanie Wells may be around as well and although the Eagles need a big back, he doesn’t really fit the Eagles style. For some reason I just think Wells has bust written all over him.  A guy the Eagles should take a hard look at is Pittsburgh’s LeSean McCoy, who should certainly be available at 28.  McCoy is a bit small at 5’10″, 205 pounds, but he is very LT-esque with his tremendous vision and insane cuts.  Check out LeSean McCoy’s draft profile.  36 TDs in 2 seasons, that’s impressive.

Watching Material:

First order of business: Get well Jim Johnson!  Jim was unfortunately diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer in his spine.  The good news is that the treatment is going well and Jim and doctors remain optimistic.

If you’re a frequent reader of the site, you know that my bread and butter is covering free agent signings and the draft for all sports.  Before I get into some draft talk, I want to give you my quick thoughts on the Arizona game.

Great second half by the Eagles, but you can’t beat a team by playing 30 minutes in a 60 minute game.  After the miserable first half, I thought the game was all but over, but DeSean Jackson gave us hope by taking the lead 25-24 before the Cardinals milked the clock with a seven-minute drive to take back the lead.  As usual, Philly fans start the blame game.  Some people say it was Donovan’s fault for playing like crap in the first half, others want to blame the defense.  Still, some want to put the blame on Reid.  I say it’s no one on the Eagles sideline who is at fault.  I’ll give credit where credit is due.  The Cardinals are a great team.  They have an incredible veteran quarterback and the best wide receiver in the league: Larry Fitzgerald, who is only 25 years old and I can guarantee you that this will not be his last Super Bowl.  They also have a tremendous defense.  That secondary of theirs is up there with any secondary in the league.  They may have the best safety tandem next to Dawkins/Mikell with Adrian Wilson and Antrel Rolle.  With corners Rod Hood and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, who is coming along as a rookie, that’s about as solid a secondary that you can ask for.  Well, enough about the Cardinals.  The point I am trying to make is the Eagles can compete next year with the team they have.  They aren’t “a player away” from being a Super Bowl team, but picking up a solid piece or two in the draft certainly won’t hurt.

OK, it’s time to talk draft.  Mel Kiper released his Mock Draft v. 1.0 and if that’s how the real draft ended up, I would be 100% satisfied.  If you missed it, Kiper has the Eagles taking Ohio State RB Chris “Beanie” Wells with the Eagles first, first-round pick and then just a few picks later, he has the Eagles going for OT Michael Oher.  That may be a bit generous, but I love it!  The Eagles need to get one amazing OT with one of their first two picks.  With the other, add an offensive weapon: a RB like Wells or a TE like Pettigrew.  The Pittsburgh RB, LeSean McCoy, would be a good pick too, but I would be thrilled to have Wells.

Wells is a hell of a back.  I thought he was overrated until I watched the Fiesta Bowl.  Wow!  And he fits the Eagles need for a big back.  The good news is that most teams needs at RB are set.  My boy, Knowshon Moreno, Kiper has going to the San Diego Chargers.  LT v. 2.0 would be a great pick for them.  I can’t wait to see where he goes.  Even better is that could set up the Eagles to take NFL Draft Countdown’s #1 RB in this year’s draft: Chris Wells.  Wells, at 237 lbs., is  a punishing back and he has some speed to boot.

I would also love it if Brandon Pettigrew, the Ohklahoma St. TE, would fall to the Eagles.  Most mock drafts have Pettirgrew going to the Bills at #11.  There’s a great chance of that happening, but if they pass, there’s a chance he may fall down the board since most teams after the Bills don’t have TE needs, but have other huge needs.

The bottom line: Wells would be sick.

Do you think he could be an Eagle?

Watching Material: