2008 Woodie Awards
The Birds poised to rebound in '06
Brent Beale
Issue date: 9/11/06 Section: Sports
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With the dawn of the most anticipated season in Philadelphia sports history about to begin, the question continues to linger, what type of team do the Eagles have?
The Answer? A very patient one.
With overwhelming examples in the Eagles favor, two of which have come within the past six months. Let us remember back to draft day. The football world screamed the praises of a 300 plus pound defensive tackle from Florida St. named Broderick Bunkley. The Eagles having serious defensive line issues, the consensus was to trade up and pluck him from the mix. The Eagles remained patient and Bunkley fell nicely to their spot at 14. What is the value of such patience? By not panicking and selling later draft picks the Birds were able to make a minor trade in order to move up in the second round and grab Winston Justice, who is a mammoth of an offensive tackle who was projected by most to go in the first round to whom else? The Eagles. By showing the ability to wait while other teams were trying to pull the trigger on a season changing move, the Eagles very calmly ended up with two players who were projected as top 15 talents.
Example number two. The much maligned receiver corps. Patience once again paid dividends. While the fan base clamored for Javon Walker, the Eagles knew a receiver would shake loose, that would not cost them as dearly on draft day. Although the Eagles had a contract with Walker in place hours prior to his draft day trade to the Denver Broncos, another wide receiver would sign with the team later in the off season. Donte Stallworth of the New Orleans Saints was acquired in exchange for linebacker Mark Simoneau and a conditional fourth round pick.
We can talk about all the patience in the world, but this team still needs to go out and show people that 6-10 was an apparition. The national prognosticators have this team pegged as an 8-8 squad, one who brings up the rear in the NFC East. However as per usual the name Manning has netted the Giants three extra wins in the eyes of the national media. Be that as it may, the Giants defensive line and secondary are still very suspect, so much so that they will not finish first.
The Answer? A very patient one.
With overwhelming examples in the Eagles favor, two of which have come within the past six months. Let us remember back to draft day. The football world screamed the praises of a 300 plus pound defensive tackle from Florida St. named Broderick Bunkley. The Eagles having serious defensive line issues, the consensus was to trade up and pluck him from the mix. The Eagles remained patient and Bunkley fell nicely to their spot at 14. What is the value of such patience? By not panicking and selling later draft picks the Birds were able to make a minor trade in order to move up in the second round and grab Winston Justice, who is a mammoth of an offensive tackle who was projected by most to go in the first round to whom else? The Eagles. By showing the ability to wait while other teams were trying to pull the trigger on a season changing move, the Eagles very calmly ended up with two players who were projected as top 15 talents.
Example number two. The much maligned receiver corps. Patience once again paid dividends. While the fan base clamored for Javon Walker, the Eagles knew a receiver would shake loose, that would not cost them as dearly on draft day. Although the Eagles had a contract with Walker in place hours prior to his draft day trade to the Denver Broncos, another wide receiver would sign with the team later in the off season. Donte Stallworth of the New Orleans Saints was acquired in exchange for linebacker Mark Simoneau and a conditional fourth round pick.
We can talk about all the patience in the world, but this team still needs to go out and show people that 6-10 was an apparition. The national prognosticators have this team pegged as an 8-8 squad, one who brings up the rear in the NFC East. However as per usual the name Manning has netted the Giants three extra wins in the eyes of the national media. Be that as it may, the Giants defensive line and secondary are still very suspect, so much so that they will not finish first.
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