Trotter

[Irish]

After two so-so seasons with the Washington Redskins Trotter has signed a 1 year deal worth about 600 thousand.

Question:
Will the lose of two All-Pro CB's allow the Eagles to blitz as much as they have in the past. Dhani Jones is a much faster MLB, will the Eagles move him outside or play a 3-4?
OR
Even for 600K is it worth the Eagles just hoping Trotter can rebound back to the All-pro he was in philly before?

 

[Blackman]

Trotter won't be an all pro, but he's proven in this system and worked well with JJ in the past, so I think it's a great sign for the Eagles. They are saying that he's coming to be Simeneau's backup, but I think he'll be starting at some point. Either way it gives the Eagles some solid depth at linebacker, which they need stop the run better than they did last year. At this price I think Trotter is worth the risk since he's done it here before.

Also, I think it helps debunk the myth that Andy Reid lets personal feelings get in his way of football decisions. Trotter left on very ugly terms, and honestly I thought all bridges were burnt by both sides in this one. Glad to see that things could be rectified by boh sides. Personally I think if Trotter proves he can do it here once again he'll probably sign a multi-year deal with the Eagles next season and be here to stay. Eagles run D were better with him in the past, and this is obviously a system that has worked for him. Hopefully it works out for both sides --- and it's more money wasted by Daniel Snyder (I love it!)

You bring out a good question about the secondary, and my hope that this improved LB core and dline will take some pressure off the DBs. IF they can get enough pressure on the QB early, I think Brown and Shepard should be able to hold their own. Having Brian Dawkins back there is also a nice security blanket too. I've heard a lot of good things about Matt Ware so far too, and while I'm not putting a ton of faith in him, he could have some impact in the dime.

Right now the Eagles depth chart looks like Jones at LLB, Simeneou at MLB and Wayne at RLB, and I'm sure Trotter and Ike Reese will both see their share of time. Couple that with Kearse, Simon, Walker and Kalu up front, and I think that the Eagle defense will be improved against the run. Losing Emmons hurts, and I do think going from Carlos to D Jones is a downgrade, but I like how they look overall on paper this year. The Eagles have put all their chips in the middle and are going for it this year, and as a rabid fan I'm pretty excited.

 

[Irish]

Blackman

I totally agree, that for the price it is worth a go at him. I'm thinking the Eagles defense has gotten better up front and weaker in the back. Dawkins need to stay healty for this team to do well.

If Kearse stays healthy and the LB's play well they may get the pressure then need quick so the corners are not exposed. If the d-line is uneffective (I'm a skins fan I know this as fact) it will be a long season of QB's picking apart your secondary. Nothing is more fustrating then the other team completing every third down because the QB can have a sit-down lunch in the pocket.

IMO The one thing that hurts the Eagles alot, is with such inexperienced CB's you cannot bring Dawkins up to blitz as much as in the past. Can't wait for it to start!

GL
Irish

 

[Blackman]

You are right about Dawkins -- they are going to lose the ability to have him blitz so often, and he's going to have to play "center field" more often this year.

What do you think about your 'Skins this year? Obviously getting a guy like Portis on your offense changes everything, but do you think the O line has improved? Even as an Eagle fan I almost felt bad for Ramsey and some of those hits he took last year. Almost

Brunnell is a proven vet, but I don't care if you have Dan Marino back there -- if the QB is going to take a beating every game it's going to be tough to thrive.

Hey, at least I expect the Giants to suck again!

 

[Irish]

Agree I think the g-men are in for a tough one this year. whoever they start at QB. Warner has show he can't take the pressure and who know how lil Manning will handle it. If he thought there was too much pressure in SD, he is in for a world of hurt in NY.

The Skins, well I think the difference in the o-line will be the coaching staff. I think the extra reps and practice will work to the strong suits of each play. Samuels had his best year as a pro with this line coach. I expect Dockery, Thomas, Jensen and Samuels to pick it up this year, they stunk last year. Plus there is not going to be too many spread formation so that will give the QB a little extra time with big Baxter and Kozlowski on the line at TE.

I think Portis will be the work horse on offense, just feed him the ball about 40 times a game (Tomlinson type numbers). I like the skins chances, its the D-line I'm worried about. Hopefully the FA they picked up will gel and then it might be a good year. If Daniels and Griffin play like they can and if Washington and Barrow play well our front 7 should be tough. I love the draft pick in Taylor, IMO instant impact player, however Springs needs to stay healthy and they have a shot. 3/4 of the whole CB unit is coming back from injuries????

On paper the team looks good, I'm hoping with a coaching staff as talented as the one in DC, it will make the difference. The players are there now it's just a matter of how they come together. I am a strong believer in Gibbs, just like the Tuna, but I think the players Joe has are better then in Big D.

Honestly....looking at #2 in the division behind your birds (maybe) but a wildcard birth for the playoffs.

What do you think? Can Westbrooke carry the load all year for the birds or will they be throwing batteries at him come mid season? HA

 

[Blackman]

I think Westbrook is safe from the batteries, especially since he's a 'Nova grad and considered a local product. Lots of pride with him so far.

Honestly I don't think he's going to get the majority of the carries though, that's Buckhalters' job. Westbrook will stay as the home run hitter, but when it's said and done I think Buckhalter will be the go to guy when they are trying to grind the ball and the clock (I do think Duce will be missed in this capacity.) Believe it or not but John Ritchie might get the occasional carry, and reports from rookie camp seem positive that this Thomas Tapeh kid could be another guy that will help out getting a few touches a game. Westbrook is small though, and while that injury wasn't a common type play, I just hope it's not a sign that he might be a little fragile.

I agree with you about the Skins Oline, and the impact Gibbs can have on them. I think they'll improve, but I just question how much raw talent is there to begin with. Coaching can only go so far, the players still have to have skills to get it done, but you are right the Skins will have an air of confidence again with Gibbs on the sidelines.

Do you think the Portis for Bailey trade was good? I know it was the flashy pick, but giving up a player like Bailey's got to be tough. I hated to see Taylor and Vincent go, and they aren't close to the level of Champ Bailey.

 

[Blackman]

Got this off an Eagles board -- pretty funny.

Welcome Back Trotter 2004 Remix:

Welcome Back, your mouth was your ticket out
Welcome back, to the same organization you once bitched about.

Some of the names haven't changed since you hung around, But we've added TO, Phreak, and we're Jacksonville-Bound.

Who'd have thought you'd return to shore, who'd have thought you'd return to shore, our undersized and overrated LB corps.

From Kensington to Stone Harbor, Kensington to Stone Harbor, please bring us the bones of Tiki Barber, bones of Tiki Barber.

Welcome Back, Welcome Back, Welcome Back

 

[Irish]

HA - thats pretty funny!
The Bailey trade I think is a push. I do think a second round pick was a little too much but in the draft and seeing you can get great players in almost every round, it was just the cherry on the sunday.
Looking at Champ over the past few years.... He has more name recognition than talent. In washington everyone threw at Smoot because champ was on the other side. the teams that did attack Champ beat him in a lot of routes. IMO he is a great CB which will be awesome with some deep safety helpsomething he lacked in DC (Does Lynch still have it to help him in Denver?).

Looking at Portis, he is a hard nosed tough RB that will carry the load in a gibbs style of offense. He showed he can make the cuts, has the speed and can catch out of the back field.

I think the trade was great for both teams and with the addition of Springs I don't think the talent level at CB droped dramatically. I would rather have a team defense concept like the Panthers secondary have rather than one great player just going through the motions.

Plus Champ was not going to re-sign in DC, we got something great for him rather then having him cry a whole season and then leave town.