The Eagles off season has not gone according to plan thus far, at least not according to my plan. The subtractions from last year’s roster outweigh the additions, and the areas they’ve addressed in free agency aren’t lining up with the team’s needs. That could change if this rumor from the AP is true.
The Broncos could be shopping their MLB Al Wilson, and one of the teams mentioned as a potential bidder is our Philadelphia Eagles.
Is Wilson the perfect guy for the Eagles? That depends. I think Jim Johnson would love to have him, he’s a hard-hitting LB with good speed. He can cover tight ends and running backs in space. He’s played the middle LB position for the Broncos, but could probably move to the strong side on running downs for the Eagles and replace Trotter in the middle on passing downs.
Wilson is a sure tackler, and although his size isn’t ideal (6’, 240 lbs) for a “run stopper,” he’s a proven commodity. He would be an immediate upgrade. The only question is, how much would it cost the Eagles to pry him loose from the Broncos? How much is he worth to the Eagles? (How much are the Giants and Lions, the two other teams mentioned in the article willing to pay?)
It’s going to cost picks to get him, and the Eagles are loathe to part with picks. Other names being bandied about by the Eagles as possible trade targets at the LB position are Lance Briggs and Jonathan Vilma. Both would be huge upgrades over Dhani Jones or Omar Gaither, but they’d come at a steep price. Not only the price the Eagles would have to pay in a trade, but in the price the Eagles would have to pay to sign them. The Eagles have been unwilling to invest in linebackers in the past, and they probably aren’t going to break that trend at this point.
The larger problem for the Eagles is the d-line. To a man, the Eagles d-line is undersized (or at least they play like it). The LBs never get a clean shot at running backs because the d-line doesn’t eat up the blockers. This is a philosophical problem for the Eagles, and one they desperately need to address. It doesn’t help that the Colts won the Super Bowl with a swiss-cheese run defense. All that did was reinforce the notion that you don’t have to be able to stop the run to win in this league.
The Eagles are proof-positive that this is not the case. Somewhere in the playoffs you’re going to run into a team that’s ready, willing and able to run the ball down your throat for 60 minutes. So, Wilson would be a step in the right direction, and I hope they make this move, but he isn’t the answer. Not him alone. Not when they’re still signing undersized DTs.
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Hi Brian, hoping you can help with this one....
There's a LB listed on the current Eagles roster as being signed in January, 2007 and assigned to NFL Europe. His name is Craig Kobel out of South Florida. He's listed at 6'3" and 265 lbs. The name didn't sound familiar, so I checked a little on him. He was a starting DE at South Florida and lead the team in sacks and was a FB/LB for the AFL Utah Blaze in 2006. Is he worth any consideration or have you heard anything about him?
Wouldn't mind seeing Mr. Wilson in green and I also wouldn't mind him playing for the Eagles. Everyone i've heard from that likes the Broncos is in love with this guy. He is the heart and soul is what I keep reading a real warrior. If that's the case then lets see what we have to give up to get him. Also says the Giants and Detroit are in the running. Not sure what those teams have to give up. I know the Eagles don't like giving up draft picks but only one draft pick from last year produced last year and that was Gaither. I'm not saying they won't produce because i think Bunkley will have a huge year this year but picks don't always pan out the way we would like them to. Cough Cough MAMULA COUGH!
Mix,
For some reason, I still have faith in Reid on draft day. He's made some ballsy moves that have really panned out: Andrews, Westbrook, Brown and Shepphard (when they had 2 pro-bowl caliber corners on their roster), Reggie Brown, and of course McNabb. That being said, I'd like to see them get Wilson. Send a DT and a pick if you have to, just not first two rounds. And Please, please don't bring up Mams ever again.
JJ,
I can't find anything on this guy. He's listed as an offensive lineman on NFL.com, a DE in a news story about him trying out w/ the Bucs last year and an OLB in any college reference.
Last year, in the arena league he only had 6 tackles. Seems like a perfect fit for NFL Europa, and probably won't ever sniff the Eagles.
Hmmmm just read this on KFFL.
Eagles | Team no longer interested in Wilson
Thu, 22 Mar 2007 16:36:04 -0700
Adam Schefter, of the NFL Network, reports the Philadelphia Eagles were involved in trade talks with the Denver Broncos to acquire LB Al Wilson, but have now backed out of the negotiations.
Mix Master
Ugh. Well, we knew it probably wasn't going to happen, maybe now that Andy's back they'll re-open the negotiations for Wilson. Or, maybe Schefter is being misled.
I'd love some good Eagles' news to talk about.
Looks like Al Wilson is heading to the Giants and is in NY for his physical. Bummer...
I spoke too soon. An update says the deal with NY fell through because of the physical.
Just read somewhere that the Broncos are looking for a third-round pick for Wilson. That doesn't sound too steep to me.
You're right, Brian, a 3rd round draft pick doesn't sound like a high price to pay at all for Wilson!
But why would he fail his physical in NY? Could it mean he failed his Piss test? Has he ever been in the NFL's substance abuse program?
JJ,
I don't think he's been busted before. He's never played less than 15 games in a season, so he's durable. Could be the Giants got cold feet.