D24pick

Eagles Camp Report 2006

Posted on Aug 16, 2006 by Ken Leibee


Eagles columnist Paul Slack gets us up to speed on the goings on at Eagles camp.

Camp is in full swing at Lehigh University as young players take advantage of their budding opportunities. When top organizations stumble like the Eagle did in 2005, changes usually follow. Not changes that would compromise the nucleus of what brought the team to a certain level, more of a strategic fine-tuning.

Most NFL coaches review the season past in mid-Feb and plan their off-season accordingly. Reid winced through game tape inundated with skewed pass/run ratios and on the positive side-his most recent draft class. The run/pass ratio acted as a learning experience while the promising play of his draft picks impressed the six year head coach.

The films revealed a few changes that needed to be addressed. The most important being both sides of the line-of-scrimmage. This is where games are won and lost. The pass rush, which has been the strength of Jim Johnson's defense, required a facelift (Howard-Bunkley-Jasper-Ramsey). The offensive line needed tackle depth and more size in its interior (Max Jean Gilles-Winston Justice). The linebackers, outside of Trotter, were non-factors and needed to be addressed (Barber-Gaither-Gocong). In addition, receivers had to be added with T.O. leaving for Dallas (Gaffney-Avant-Schobel-Bloom-Baskett). Now that the preseason is underway, its time to evaluate which additions and returning Eagles will become front-line players.



Running Back

The Eagles are talented but thin in this department. There's no question that Brian Westbrook is the real deal and Ryan Moats is a big play option, but outside of these two, question marks fill the roster. Bruce Perry is a talented back that doesn't appear to have the toughness to last a whole season. Not that the Eagles will need him to play much, but if either Moats or Westbrook go down, he'll be expected to fill the void. Can the team rely on a guy that has been injury prone since college? Players get hurt, that's the reality of the game, but a certain level of durability is necessary to make a 53 man roster. Only elite players get a pass in that department and Perry hasn't proved enough yet. Reno Mahe has looked impressive thus far, much to the chagrin of Eagle fans. A majority of fans can't seem to embrace the hard working/undersized back. The coaching staff recognizes the value of having back-ups that don't make mistakes on or off the field. Reno fits that description.

The Eagles will address the running back situation before the start of the season if Thomas Tapeh fails to unseat incumbent FB Josh Parry. Tapeh should be given the opportunity to prove he can become the teams missing power back as the preseason rolls along. If not, expect the Eagles to make a move for another back with size. The team just signed RB Marty Johnson, the troubled but talented runner from Utah. At this point Johnson looks to be a camp body until either a proven runner gets picked or Tapeh fills the role.



***Trade Watch*** Watch out for the Eagles to put together a package deal (player and draft-pick) for Donte Stallworth if the team loses out on the Ashlie Lelie negotiations, and The Vikings are in the lead for him over Dallas and the Ravens(who I didn't know was looking)

I say Mike Patterson, Hood, or a Lineman...All along with at least a sixth rounder, Patterson seems to be a great fit, and to add to that they just drafted Bunkley...Hood would be awesome when McKenzie leaves next yr and hopefully Lay can step up for Thomas