10 Things I’d Do If I Could Be The Eagles GM

The city is buzzing around the Philadelphia Eagles after they traded up to draft quarterback Carson Wentz with the 2nd overall pick in this years NFL Draft. With now rumors swirling about Darren Sproles, and more, I figured I should give this a shot. Below are ten things I would do as the Eagles general manager, in no particular order.

1. Kelly Green Uniforms

I think the Eagles need to reintroduce the throwback Kelly Green uniforms. I like the midnight green jerseys, so I would love to have a Kelly Green jersey we whip out at least once during every season. Kind of the same thing the Rams have been doing with their throwback uni. Once a year the Rams wear a retro jersey, which I believe is something the fans love to see. It is also one of the most popular jerseys worn and bought by the fans. This is something the Philadelphia Eagles need to introduce.

2. Lower the crab fries and beer price

One thing is for sure, the fans love their beer. However, the Eagles have the highest cost per ounce in the NFL. At Lincoln Financial Field the beer costs $0.71 per ounce. Also the Crab fries are the signature go to snack at the Linc. In my opinion the $8 price tag is too much. The Falcons just introduced a new revolutionary food menu. It is something the Eagles must do.

On what team officials are calling a “fan-first menu,” a number of items will be priced at $2: soft drinks (with unlimited free refills at self-serve stations), Dasani bottled water, hot dogs, pretzels and popcorn.

Also part of the plan: Pizza slices, nachos, waffle fries and bags of peanuts will be available for $3. Twelve-ounce domestic beer will cost $5.

Who would not love going to the Linc and spending maybe $7 for a beer and a hot dog. Currently, that would cost close to $20, and in my opinion, is quite outrageous.

3. Refund the fans that wasted money on Murray, Alonso, and Maxwell Jerseys

I am actually scared to buy a jersey. With the recent off seasons, you start to feel like no player is safe. Maybe the Eagles should have a plan in place. This plan would be maybe an extra 5 or 10 dollars, but it ensures you that if that player leaves the team after only 1 season you will get a refund or a replacement jersey. This is something I think is neccesary and will be very popular idea. When Lesean McCoy was traded I was upset partially because it had to do with the fact I just bought a McCoy jersey. When it was finally time for me to move on I decided to buy a Murray jersey. He was our new flashy and exciting player, so of course I was pumped when we signed him. Fast forward a year, and now I am without a good jersey. I, along with hundreds of fans want a refund. If I were the GM I would make that happen.

4.  Pay Fletcher Cox

When you have a player like Fletcher Cox, you have to pay him the big bucks. Fletcher Cox has been holding out of voluntary workouts and OTAs. He is still signed until 2017. However, it is time we secure him for the future. He is due to make $7.8 million this season, come next contract I expect him to be making double that. I would sign Cox to a 5-year $80 million contract with $55 Guaranteed.  I know that the money is a lot for a defensive tackle but Cox is too productive and too crucial to our team and the future. Last season Fletcher Cox finished with 71 tackles, 77 QB pressures and a career best 9.5 sacks.

Total QB pressures in 2015:

Fletcher Cox: 77
Cowboys entire defense: 71#Eagles

— Ty (@HandsTeamTy) May 11, 2016

Let’s just say the man needs to get paid.

5. Trade Darren Sproles

Recently it was reported that Darren Sproles is holding out of OTAs because he wants to sign a long term deal. Another reason he is holding out is due to the trade buzz surrounding him during the draft. At the age of 33 I do not think it is a smart idea to sign him for the long term. I love Darren Sproles and think he is a great player. However, the Eagles are building for the future, and Sproles is not getting any younger. He will do wonders for a superbowl contender and the Eagles can get back another draft pick.

6. Trade Jason Peters

This one is going to seem very controversial, but I think this would be the right move. Jason Peters is 34 years old, making $10 million a year and is signed until 2019. He is still a good left tackle, but what scares me is his injuries. Last season was his first season where he really struggled. It is kind of like the Sproles situation. If we could trade Peters for another pick and save some cap I think it is a good move. We have replacements on the bench who could be an option like Vaitai the rookie we just drafted. Like I said, I know it will be a controversial move, but I truly believe we are in a rebuilding time, it is time to prepare for the Wentz era. Peters is still good enough to play somewhere else, and we can get a quality pick in return. At his age I think it is a good move. Injuries with him were scary, and he is not going to get younger. This would be a different story if he wasn’t so injury prone, but it is what it is.

7. Sit Carson Wentz

I think everyone thinks the same about this topic. This week Sam Bradford came out and said he will play this season. He also said if Wentz comes to him, he will help him. I think it is best for Wentz to take the back seat this season. He can learn from Bradford and Chase Daniel. When it is Wentz’s time to rock he will. A lot of people have articles defending this move, so it is not worth explaining. Here is an article about sitting Carson Wentz instead.

8. Lean on Ertz

One player in the NFL who completely changed a team last season was Jordan Reed. Not only did he make Kirk Cousins look amazing, he also carried the whole Redskins team to the playoffs. This is something I know Zach Ertz can do for the Eagles. We have seen Ertz be very productive at times, but he is still an under-used commodity on this team. Next season Ertz should get at least 10 looks a game, and at the end of the season he will make the Pro Bowl and carry this team to the playoffs.

Zach Ertz was 7th among tight ends last year, and in my opinion we did not even use him to his full potential. Many of the players ahead of him were the focal point of their offense. The sky is the limit with Ertz, and if he finds the endzone more often, he can possibly be right up there with Gronkowski.

9. Develop Jalen Mills into a Lockdown Corner

I already wrote an article about how I feel about Jalen Mills. With Cory Undlin as the defensive backs coach I believe the sky is the limit. He has the talent and the skill to become a very good corner in the NFL. We have to get the best out of Jalen Mills. If we can develop and utilize him properly, he will be a force in the NFL for years to come.

10. Give Denzel Rice, Myke Tavarres, and Byron Marshall Big Roles

Big Roles is a term I use loosely. However, I want players like Myke Tavarres and Denzel Rice to rotate in at linebacker and corner. We do not have great depth at both positions, and these two are both very good players. The two can come in and rock when their number is called. Byron Marshall can do a bit of everything, but I think he will be most effective on 3rd down. He can be our new and younger Darren Sproles. All three of these players can contribute to our great special teams group as well. These guys will get a lot of better if they see real time NFL action. You have to get them on the field to help develop them and earn them valuable NFL experience.

What would you do if you could be the Philadelphia Eagles GM? Comment what your first move would be below.