Post by EagleGene on Jun 20, 2005 10:57:14 GMT -5
Is This Eagles Team The Best It Can Be, Or...?
It was a quiet free agency period, unlike the volcanic eruption from March of 2004. The Eagles approached this off-season very judiciously, convinced that the team they had returning from '04, plus those injured last season, combined with an abundance of draft picks, would put the Eagles in a strong position to make another Super Bowl run in 2005.
So as the Eagles pause during these sleepy days of June and into July, we all want to know the same thing: Are the Eagles as good as they can be, or is there something more that they can do?
It's probably an impossible question to answer, because the Eagles are banking on some things going right before they know for sure. The roster sure looks loaded - there is depth at many critical areas, including running back, quarterback, both lines, the secondary and at linebacker. Certainly, some young players must fulfill the promise the coaching staff has seen, but that's the case with every team.
The one position that sticks out as a concern is depth at tight end. L.J. Smith is the starter and there is every reason to think he's ready for the promotion. Staying healthy is his main objective, and Smith underwent back surgery and ran around looking great in the June passing camps.
What will the depth chart look like in training camp? What would happen if a quality tight end came free from another team?
The Eagles have cap room to use, and indications are that they will spend dollars to secure some of their key young players to long-term contracts. Don't expect any dramatic moves in the days leading to training camp unless a surprise cut is made elsewhere.
And the true answer to the question is that we won't know until the season is over. The only goal that matters is winning the Super Bowl. Anything short of that will be a disappointment.
It was a quiet free agency period, unlike the volcanic eruption from March of 2004. The Eagles approached this off-season very judiciously, convinced that the team they had returning from '04, plus those injured last season, combined with an abundance of draft picks, would put the Eagles in a strong position to make another Super Bowl run in 2005.
So as the Eagles pause during these sleepy days of June and into July, we all want to know the same thing: Are the Eagles as good as they can be, or is there something more that they can do?
It's probably an impossible question to answer, because the Eagles are banking on some things going right before they know for sure. The roster sure looks loaded - there is depth at many critical areas, including running back, quarterback, both lines, the secondary and at linebacker. Certainly, some young players must fulfill the promise the coaching staff has seen, but that's the case with every team.
The one position that sticks out as a concern is depth at tight end. L.J. Smith is the starter and there is every reason to think he's ready for the promotion. Staying healthy is his main objective, and Smith underwent back surgery and ran around looking great in the June passing camps.
What will the depth chart look like in training camp? What would happen if a quality tight end came free from another team?
The Eagles have cap room to use, and indications are that they will spend dollars to secure some of their key young players to long-term contracts. Don't expect any dramatic moves in the days leading to training camp unless a surprise cut is made elsewhere.
And the true answer to the question is that we won't know until the season is over. The only goal that matters is winning the Super Bowl. Anything short of that will be a disappointment.