If your favorite football team’s general manager or owner is
having a press conference during the first week of January, that’s usually not a
good sign. Either the team is making a coaching change or is holding an
end-of-season media day. Last year, the Eagles were making a coaching change,
and this year in the first week of January, president of football operations
Howie Roseman was addressing the media looking back on 2016 and discussing what’s
next.
In 2016, the Eagles posted a 7-9 record for the second
straight year. However, there seems to be more optimism surrounding the Eagles
right now than there was at this time one year ago shortly after Chip Kelly was
fired. Mainly because in Carson Wentz, the team appears to have the elusive
franchise quarterback that they haven’t had since Donovan McNabb still wore the
midnight green. Additionally, the end of the 2015 season was a clear indication
that the team had quit on Kelly as evidenced in several blowout losses in the
second half of the year. This season, except for a home game against Green Bay
and a road game in Cincinnati, the Eagles were competitive in almost every game
they played which has sparked a debate over how close the team is to contending
for a Super Bowl.
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| Michael Perez/Associated Press |
Roseman made it clear at his press conference today that
there are still glaring deficiencies on the roster that need to be addressed. The
Indianapolis Colts have been mentioned on Philly sports talk radio as the prime
example of what the Eagles cannot afford to amount to. A team with a franchise
quarterback and a roster devoid of talent elsewhere. Finding the right players
to supplement the roster and fill the holes is what this offseason is all
about. You did not need to watch every play of every game to know the Eagles
need help at wide receiver and cornerback. Despite selecting Wendell Smallwood
in the fifth round of last year’s draft, the Eagles certainly need to add a
running back this offseason considering Ryan Mathews likely will not be back
and Darren Sproles has hinted at 2017 being his last year in the NFL. They
could also use some depth and linebacker and edge rusher. One of the team’s
better players, defensive tackle Bennie Logan, is set to become a free agent.
Yes, it goes without saying that some of these roster holes
are a direct result of indefensible personnel decisions by Kelly. But there’s
nothing the Eagles can do about those decisions now. As a matter of fact, it
seems very plausible that previously released wide receiver DeSean Jackson may
return to Philadelphia in free agency. What matters now is if the Eagles have
the right people in place to ascend from the NFC East cellar. Roseman indicated
today that vice president of player personnel Joe Douglas will be heavily
involved in draft preparation, but Roseman said he will still have final say. It
doesn’t seem like current head coach Doug Pederson is going to be all that
involved on the personnel side but after one season, questions remain as to if
Pederson can be a successful NFL head coach. Between the moves made by Roseman
and Douglas in the upcoming offseason and how Pederson fares in his second
season, 2017 is going to be a pivotal year in determining the trajectory of the
Philadelphia Eagles. Nobody’s expecting a Super Bowl, but it’s fair to expect a
better roster and for the Eagles to win some more close games. That is how you
can measure progress for this football team this year.
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