THN will be filling in the 'Team Needs' page for the draft section through February. In the interest of accuracy, THN has enlisted the help of some of it's friends from the Fan 2 Fan Alliance to ensure that the needs' are accurate.
The Eagles current team needs were provided by E W McKenna of ConcreteField.com.
Philadelphia Eagles
2005 Results: 6-10, 4th in NFC East, 0-6 in division games
2005 Projected Cap Status: $92,000,000 -$7,000,000
2005 Season Recap: What WAS a Superbowl team in 2004, finished 2005 looking like a completely different squad. Injuries, free agency, mental illness, and a carjacking left the Eagles with a dozen players on injured reserve, one starter suspended and benched, and no legitimate replacements for many key positions.
The often injured Derrik Burgess went to Oakland for a large contract and exceeded all expecations with a 16 sack season. Meanwhile, the Eagles' marquee free agent signing from the previous season boasted a 7.5 sack season, which helped turn a pass defense full of Pro Bowl defensive backs into a running gag.
The only starters on offense that were able to finish the season that were left from the team that faced the Patriots in the Super Bowl, were T Jon Runyan and FB Josh Parry. Neither is expected to return for 2006.
Team Needs: 1. Offensive Line - Starting Tackles Jon Runyan and Tra Thomas are not expected to return next season. Rookie Todd Herremans filled in well for Thomas before being injured himself, and Shawn Andrews could move from Guard to Tackle on the right side to replace Runyan if he can get his weight down.
2. Defensive Line - Rookies Mike Patterson and Trent Cole showed some signs that they could be good players, but there were very few other bright spots along the line. Jevon Kearse was a non-factor in many games. Roughly one third of all his sacks came in one game against the Giants. An improved pass rush will go a long way towards helping out the secondary.
3. Wide Receiver - Reggie Brown was supposed to be the 4th receiver, but after Todd Pinkston was injured and Terrell Owens was suspended, he was thrust into the starting role. He played fairly well and set a new team rookie record for receptions. Greg Lewis was inconsitent all season after a surprising Super Bowl performance. Todd Pinkston is a question mark after his injury. He is a downfield threat coming off a knee injury. A major upgrade is needed for the Eagles offense to be successful again.
4. Outside Linebacker – Dhani Jones has been a spectacular failure at this SAM position, but it is believed he will return to form if moved back to the WIL spot. This is a major hole in a defense that will face high quality Tight Ends in every division game.
5. Fullback - Josh Parry was adequate enough when the team could throw the ball anywhere on the field, but he did nothing to help the 2005 Eagles. He was lined up alone behind the quarterback several times a game during the season and ran the ball a total of zero times. He very rarely opened up holes for runningbacks and impressed no one with his pass blocking. Better blocking from this position is something the Eagles must have to help Donovan McNabb.
6. Tight End - LJ Smith is an adequate receiving threat in the middle of the field despite his insistance on carrying the ball as far away from his body as possible, but his blocking leaves a lot to be desired. The Eagles could not be counted on to pick up three yards on the ground. A healthy offensive line and McNabb plus a blocking TE should improve the running game.
7. Quarterback - Koy Detmer may be the best field goal holder in the game today, but he's a free agent and no longer a young man. The Mike McMahon experiment was a disaster, but it's possible he could be back in 2006. He has already proven that he is not the answer if McNabb goes down again.
8. Cornerbacks – Lito Sheppard was consistently beaten by receivers even before he broke his leg. Roderick Hood is a decent nickel corner, but he's not going to scare any of the top receivers in the NFL. Sheldon Brown is a consistent #2 corner. Competition is needed here.
2005 Draft Picks: 1st Round – 14th Overall
Free agency status: Roderick Hood CB RFA; Juqua Thomas DE UFA; N.D. Kalu DE UFA; Quintin Mikell S RFA; Keith Adams LB UFA; Zeke Moreno LB UFA; Jon Runyan T UFA; Dirk Johnson P RFA; Lamar Gord RB UFA; Reno Mahe RB UFA; Chad Lewis TE UFA; Darnerian McCants WR UFA
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