The Philadelphia Eagles opened the bye week by trying to end the Ronnie Brown era. Did you really think that the team’s front office would take a week off like the players and coaches?
Team president Joe Banner, general manager Howie Roseman and coach Andy Reid aren’t just sitting on some South Pacific island sipping umbrella drinks. Exercising Brown’s run-pass option to re-acquire Jerome Harrison, his 41 rushing yards on the season and an undisclosed 2013 Lions draft pick was just a minor item on the Eagles’ bye-week to do list.
Topping the list, or at least what should top the list, is locking down Philly’s best wide receiver for the long term.
http://www.phillyburbs.com/sports/e...cle_ade6fdd3-7c7a-5732-8b44-81a0020558c9.html
Sure, he’s had a bit of a slow start. Still, his 37 catches for 489 yards and three touchdowns lead the Eagles in each category. He’s Michael Vick’s most reliable target. He’s also the most dangerous.
One of the team’s hallmarks since Jeffrey Lurie took over as owner has been targeting young talent, showering them with a contract extension and locking them down for the long term.
It’s all about securing the future. Signing Jeremy Maclin now would do just that.
Maclin? That’s right.
But what about DeSean Jackson?
It’s becoming clearer and clearer that the Eagles are just going to wait it out and figure out if they really want him. They definitely want Jackson’s game-breaking ability. Just having him on the field makes the team better.
The question is at what cost?
There’s no doubt that Jackson is underpaid. He might be the most underpaid player in the entire league.
But let’s remember why. Coming out of the University of California, Jackson was one of college football’s most exciting receivers. Jackson was also considered, fairly or unfairly, an off-the-field risk.
The Eagles took the risk and were rewarded with one of the most dynamic players in the entire league. They also got three years of grumbling about the contract Jackson signed.
If locking down young talent is a hallmark of the organization, a total refusal to negotiate on anyone else’s terms is its defining characteristic. Holding out during training camp was exactly the wrong signal to send the Eagles.
If the Eagles want Jackson back, he’ll be here, but only on the the team’s terms. Jackson will get his payday, as a franchise player or with a new contract extension, or, if need be, somewhere else.
Maclin isn’t going anywhere. He’s under contract, the contract he signed as a rookie. He’s been a bargain.
Despite missing most of training camp while doctors tried to diagnose an offseason illness that sapped his strength, Maclin has come back better than ever.
“I think he’s just getting back into the swing of things, I think, endurance-wise and so on,” coach Andy Reid said. “I think he’s just catching up from missing the training camp. But I think he’s playing very good football, and Michael (Vick) has a lot of trust in him.”
Exactly.
Jackson stretches the field because of his speed and explosiveness. Maclin can do that.
Jason Avant has the sure hands and precise route running ability of a great possession receiver. Maclin can do that, too.
Maclin has the speed to fly past corners. He has the strength and toughness to venture over the middle where linebackers and safeties lie in wait.
As much as anyone, Maclin is the engine that makes the Eagles’ passing attack work.
Ideally, Jackson and Maclin will play alongside each other for the rest of their careers. Their respective strengths complement each other perfectly. Years from now, they could be the faces of the most successful era of Eagles football.
Or not.
Making Jackson happy isn’t going to be easy. Which is why making Maclin happy is the right thing to do.
And hey, while they’re at it, the bye week might be a good time to make sure LeSean McCoy stays in town for the long term. He’s pretty darned good, too.
Team president Joe Banner, general manager Howie Roseman and coach Andy Reid aren’t just sitting on some South Pacific island sipping umbrella drinks. Exercising Brown’s run-pass option to re-acquire Jerome Harrison, his 41 rushing yards on the season and an undisclosed 2013 Lions draft pick was just a minor item on the Eagles’ bye-week to do list.
Topping the list, or at least what should top the list, is locking down Philly’s best wide receiver for the long term.
http://www.phillyburbs.com/sports/e...cle_ade6fdd3-7c7a-5732-8b44-81a0020558c9.html
Sure, he’s had a bit of a slow start. Still, his 37 catches for 489 yards and three touchdowns lead the Eagles in each category. He’s Michael Vick’s most reliable target. He’s also the most dangerous.
One of the team’s hallmarks since Jeffrey Lurie took over as owner has been targeting young talent, showering them with a contract extension and locking them down for the long term.
It’s all about securing the future. Signing Jeremy Maclin now would do just that.
Maclin? That’s right.
But what about DeSean Jackson?
It’s becoming clearer and clearer that the Eagles are just going to wait it out and figure out if they really want him. They definitely want Jackson’s game-breaking ability. Just having him on the field makes the team better.
The question is at what cost?
There’s no doubt that Jackson is underpaid. He might be the most underpaid player in the entire league.
But let’s remember why. Coming out of the University of California, Jackson was one of college football’s most exciting receivers. Jackson was also considered, fairly or unfairly, an off-the-field risk.
The Eagles took the risk and were rewarded with one of the most dynamic players in the entire league. They also got three years of grumbling about the contract Jackson signed.
If locking down young talent is a hallmark of the organization, a total refusal to negotiate on anyone else’s terms is its defining characteristic. Holding out during training camp was exactly the wrong signal to send the Eagles.
If the Eagles want Jackson back, he’ll be here, but only on the the team’s terms. Jackson will get his payday, as a franchise player or with a new contract extension, or, if need be, somewhere else.
Maclin isn’t going anywhere. He’s under contract, the contract he signed as a rookie. He’s been a bargain.
Despite missing most of training camp while doctors tried to diagnose an offseason illness that sapped his strength, Maclin has come back better than ever.
“I think he’s just getting back into the swing of things, I think, endurance-wise and so on,” coach Andy Reid said. “I think he’s just catching up from missing the training camp. But I think he’s playing very good football, and Michael (Vick) has a lot of trust in him.”
Exactly.
Jackson stretches the field because of his speed and explosiveness. Maclin can do that.
Jason Avant has the sure hands and precise route running ability of a great possession receiver. Maclin can do that, too.
Maclin has the speed to fly past corners. He has the strength and toughness to venture over the middle where linebackers and safeties lie in wait.
As much as anyone, Maclin is the engine that makes the Eagles’ passing attack work.
Ideally, Jackson and Maclin will play alongside each other for the rest of their careers. Their respective strengths complement each other perfectly. Years from now, they could be the faces of the most successful era of Eagles football.
Or not.
Making Jackson happy isn’t going to be easy. Which is why making Maclin happy is the right thing to do.
And hey, while they’re at it, the bye week might be a good time to make sure LeSean McCoy stays in town for the long term. He’s pretty darned good, too.
