By now, you've surely heard it all. The Eagles are 7-8 and coming down the home stretch stronger than they have played at any point this season. They've lost five games by less than 5 points.
What if they got breaks in 3 of those games? Or, in 4 of them? Or, god forbid all 5 of those games?
They'd be a possible 12-win team at this point and vying for the #2 seed in the conference.
It's almost like somebody who plays the lottery fantasizing about what they'll buy if they win. They envision talking to a financial advisor, where they'll purchase their coveted property, vacation spots, and blah, blah, blah. And, then they of course don't win the lottery...
Then what?
That brings to the Eagles. If they go 8-8 this season then what? Will they stand pat because they feel they are just a "hair off?"
That would be a foolish mistake. Sure, they could theoretically be 12-3 right now and on their way to 13 wins. And, I could win the power ball, but that doesn't mean I'm going to waste my money on it.
With that said, the one thing we can take away from this late finish is that McNabb can run again. It was a relief to see him bust that 40-yard run on the opening drive yesterday; he's been doing more of that. But, he looked explosive. And, he will be back next year. The Eagles are on the right track by brining him back, but need to do much more than that.
The Eagles need impact players at skill positions on both sides of the ball. My wish list, keeping with Christmas spirit is the following in order of priority:
#1-an impact play-making safety that can also return punts
#2-a stud wide receiver
#3-an impact pass rushing defensive end to be paired with Trent Cole
#4-a play-making linebacker that can create turnovers
#5-a tight end (via trade or through the draft)
My first priority is to draft a play-making safety that can return punts, in the mold of Ed Reed. And, Kenny Phillips out of Miami is just what the doctor ordered. He's 6-2, 200 pounds, and runs a 4.40 in the forty. The Eagles will have to trade up into the top 10 to get him and I know you're thinking how things wound up when they traded up to get another player out of Miami named Jerome McDougale. But, you can't be risk averse in this business because of the past. Just because TO blew up in their faces doesn't mean they shouldn't go after Chad Johnson. And, the same goes for trading way up to get a top-notch player to fill a serious need. Miami is known for their safeties-namely Ed Reed and Sean Taylor, and he is in that same mold. And, with Dawk getting older they need to find his replacement.
By drafting Phillips and getting him to return punts as well, you solve two problems. And, then I'd like to see the Eagles acquire Chad Johnson via trade. And, in free agency they'll need to target a serious pass rusher to compliment Trent Cole. And, acquiring a play-maker at linebacker is certainly in order because Takeo Spikes was ineffective this year at creating turnovers (which was his MO throughout his career) and looks to be a few notches below his former self. And, after the debacle known as LJ Smith, they will need to get a tight end. Right now, Fred Davis out of USC looks to be the top tight end chosen and is slated to go in the 1st or 2nd round.
The Eagles have much work to do. And, they shouldn't fool themselves by thinking they're right there because they fell 3 points shy of knocking off the Patriots, shutting down the Cowboys, and lighting up the Saints.
That is fool's gold.
At least Eagles' front-man and propagandist Dave Spadaro has no illusions about it; he said on the Morning Show on 610-WIP today that there is work to be done.
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