What They’re Saying About the Eagles

Here’s a roundup of what the national media are saying about the Eagles this week.

ESPN.com’s Dan Graziano thinks the Eagles should make a play for Darrelle Revis:

With eight picks in the upcoming draft and about $33 million in salary cap room right now ($44 million if they cut Asomugha), the Eagles have the wherewithal to make any move they want. Assuming the Jets are as motivated as they seem to be to trade Revis, the Eagles might be able to get him with a package led by their high third-round pick. That’s a better pick than the Jets are likely to get as compensation if Revis leaves via free agency next year, and if the Jets wait for that to happen, Revis could end up signing with the Patriots and terrorizing the Jets twice a season for the rest of his career.

Elliot Harrison of NFL.com thinks 49ers safety Dashon Goldson would be a nice addition for the Eagles:

The Eagles’ secondary has been a real problem. The draft is a great tool, but Philly could potentially use three new players in the secondary; in order for it to get better, some work must be done in free agency. Nnamdi Asomugha could be cut. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie is a free agent. The safety position is no great shakes, either. Philadelphia’s back four made every quarterback — save for maybe Brandon Weeden — look like the love child of Aaron Rodgers and Dan Fouts, allowing 33 touchdown passes while picking off just eight. That’s unbelievable futility. Philadelphia has more than $30 million in cap space. Perhaps making a push to sign safety Dashon Goldson might be the first, most appropriate move (although signing Ed Reed would be cool, too).

Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com has Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie 29th on his list of free agents:

It’s not a great sign that two teams have seemingly given up on DRC in his young career. But how much cash would he have commanded if on the market after his second pro season?

Pete Prisco of CBSSports.com has Rodgers-Cromartie 19th:

He wasn’t great last season, but he has a ton of athletic ability. It’s almost as if people are waiting for it to show.

Clark Judge of CBSSports.com offers up his free-agency plan for the Birds:

The Eagles haven’t had a quality safety since Brian Dawkins left four years ago, and while this draft is loaded at the position I might start there when looking for veteran help. There is quality up and down the line, with someone young like a Chris Clemons of Miami or William Moore of Atlanta available. Of course, so is San Francisco’s Dashon Goldson, but reports have him seeking $8 million a year. Plus, he turns 29 in May. They could look for cornerback help here, too, with guys like Shaun Smith, Cary Williams or Greg Toler expected to hit the market.

Doug Farrar of Yahoo Sports has the Eagles taking Oklahoma offensive tackle Lane Johnson with the fourth pick:

Johnson’s stock has been rising since a dominant Senior Bowl, and his combine tests proved what he already knew — he’s a very mobile lineman with freakish athletic tendencies. New head coach Chip Kelly may adapt some of his Oregon offensive principles for the NFL, but don’t expect him to stray from the idea of a multiple zone-blocking system that provides optimal flexibility. Perhaps more than any other lineman in this class, Johnson has the pure athleticism to bring it in Kelly’s schemes.

Chris Burke of SI.com includes Rodgers-Cromartie on his list of free agents who hurt their value in 2012:

Let’s just say that things never really worked out for DRC in Philadelphia. He was looked upon as one of the game’s premier young cornerbacks when the Eagles acquired him in that Kevin Kolb trade. Two years later, he’s probably in the second-tier of available corners.

Khaled Elsayed of Pro Football Focus calls Nnamdi Asomugha one of the most over-valued players in the NFL:

Safe to say the Eagles didn’t really get what they were expecting out of Asomugha. Looking a step slower, Asomugha gave up completions on 66.7 percent of balls into his coverage, with five of those being touchdowns. His 15.9 yards per reception allowed was the seventh-highest in the league as he struggled to keep up with the NFL’s top receivers.

Dave Dameshek of NFL.com includes Michael Vick on his list of quarterbacks who can’t win the Super Bowl:

Not even Vick can delude himself into believing he’s anything more than a placeholder in new coach Chip Kelly’s system.

Obstacle: Inaccuracy; slowing foot speed; never-ending string of injuries.

Alex Marvez of FoxSports.com looks at the QB outlook for all 32 teams:

Vick agreed to a restructured contract to play under new head coach Chip Kelly, whose wide-open offensive system may be a better fit for him than Reid’s West Coast-style scheme. Foles isn’t as athletic as Vick, but the Eagles feel strongly enough about his potential that overtures about a potential trade to Kansas City where Reid is now head coach were rebuffed.

Follow Sheil Kapadia on Twitter and e-mail him at skapadia@phillymag.com.
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