I hereby banish the word "rebuilding" as applied to the 2013 Eagles…
We are one good draft away from escaping Goldfinger's laser ray. Chip Kelly and the Eagles have a license to thrill…
We're making the moves and picking the poisons. Secret agents abound. We got this.
This is not pie in the sky or "Ream Team" talk… The stars are aligned.
A realistic harvest is upon us. New intelligence abides. And secret weapons everywhere…
Now it comes to pass that power alliances with other nations in the name of the triumph of goodness are being forged…
The Miami Dolphins are talking with us about a nuclear trade-back scenario…and the Dolphins are allies.
Super-agent Drew Rosenhaus is “hearing from everyone” that the Miami Dolphins are targeting an offensive tackle in the first-round, per Ben Volin of PhinNation.com. Since losing Jake Long to the Rams, the Dolphins have been linked to every available free agent offensive tackle, but they haven’t shown serious interest in guys like Eric Winston, Andre Smith or Bryant McKinnie. As far as the draft is concerned, the Dolphins will have a tough time landing any of the top-three offensive tackles. Luke Joeckel and Eric Fisher could be taken within the first five picks and Lane Johnson would have to get by the Cardinals at No. 7 and the Chargers at No. 11 in order for them to take him. Miami has an additional second and third-round pick to work with, so there’s a very real chance they could trade up and secure one of the top tackles. Alabama OT D.J. Fluker is reportedly rising up draft boards in the days leading up to the draft, so there’s at least a chance he could get some consideration as high as No. 12 overall.
Enter the Eagles and their secret weapon, Agent #4….
Oh the gold that is there to be spun with our friends in Miami…
Add that business trip to Mr. Roseman's expense account, Miss Moneypenny…
The Dolphins lack of faith in Martin at left tackle is the reason they’ve been involved in discussions with Kansas City for Brandon Albert. It’s also the reason that many are reporting that the Dolphins are ‘high’ on left tackle prospect Lane Johnson. The only problem with that theory is that the Dolphins might not have the luxury of sitting at #12 to select Johnson. Johnson is one of the 3 elite left tackles in this year’s draft and could be gone by the time the Dolphins are on the clock.
The former Oklahoma Sooner is 6’6″, 303 lbs. He’s very athletic for an offensive lineman. He ran the 40 yard dash in 4.72 seconds at the Combine, following an impressive Senior Bowl. He was the backup QB in high school and in junior college before converting to tight end. Then at Oklahoma, he made another move, this time to offensive tackle. JB-Sage-Lion doesn't like his run-blocking abilities so much. But the boy can pass-block…
So really, the question is: How much do the Dolphins really like this guy. If they like him, they’ll probably have to move up into the top 8 to select him. That means trading away a 2nd or 3rd rounder to do so. This type of trade will only happen on draft day because the Dolphins will have to see how the draft board is unfolding before making the move. For example, if only one of the elite 3 tackles is taken in the top 7-8, the Dolphins might sit tight and hope that one of them falls to them at #12.
However, if the Chiefs take a left tackle with the #1 overall, there’s a chance the second big-name tackle could be off the board by pick #5. This would mean that Jeff Ireland and crew would need to make a deal to move up and get their man. Would they hate giving up a 2nd or 3rd round pick and the #12 to get a tackle? Of course. But think of it this way: If Johnson is a bonifide starting left tackle, he would play the first 4 years of his career at a very manageable salary. Contrast that with a potential trade for Brandon Albert, which would probably cost a 2nd round pick. Albert is a proven commodity, but will not only cost a draft pick but also a lot of money ($10 mil +) in a new contract.
Here's where the Eagles come in and make a "Live and Let Die" deal…
Howie Roseman and Chip Kelly must know the Dolphins' interest in "trading up" for a Left Tackle is partially a smoke screen designed to put pressure on the Chiefs to lower their trade demands for Brandon Albert. As each day ticks off and the 2013 Draft gets closer, the more pressure there is on the Chiefs to unload Albert in favor of a LT, most likely Luke Joeckel. They want a 2nd rounder in trade now, and Miami has been the only real suitor. If Miami is "reported" to be interested in moving up for an LT, then the Chiefs leverage continues to dwindle.
There are 6 teams ahead of the Dolphins on draft day who are potentially shopping for an OT. The question is… are they all specifically shopping for LT? Only one "expert" (the analyst for NFLDraftScout.com) has the Eagles getting an OT— and that being Eric Fisher— so the next question would be…If Fisher is gone by the 4th pick.. would they still be looking at OT? Let's say they would not… because their needs seem to be more geared towards the future QB position…. so that would leave 5 teams ahead with 3 top OT's in their grasps. The way these experts see it, by the time the Lions come around, the one top OT left standing would be Lane Johnson… so would Philly be a willing trading partner, considering all their needs? Would the Lions? And at what expense?
Enter Menelik Watson, a Brit OT from Florida State… no trades, no sacrificing of any picks which the Dolphins also need… They can hope these other teams go BPA and that Lane Johnson, if he gets past San Diego, would fall to Miami. How likely is that? I'd say about 70-30, with the Dolphins being on the 30 side, but again, remember my homie Menelik… such a good bloke from jolly ole England… tea time in Miami. Ta ta.
Here's where the Eagles do their Dr. Blofeld thing…they negotiate a deal with the Dolphins, who end up getting Eric Fisher, while the Eagles get two extra picks in the mid-1st and mid- 2nd. The Eagles not only secure their desired playmaking target in the 1st, but they also acquire an OT prospect in the 2nd—perhaps even Menelik Watson himself—and more.
Sheer brilliance. Very Bond…license to thrill. Designed by "Q" himself…
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Blasphemy Chapter 5….
I don't really believe DeSean Jackson's walk-off punt return against the Giants in 2010 was the greatest play of all time…
This is a small step for Eagles Eye, and a "giant step" for Sunbutts…
Dubbed "Miracle at the Meadowlands No.2", DeSean Jackson's amazing punt return vs. the New York Giants in 2010 has been voted the "Greatest Play of All Time" by NFL.com
Jackson's 65 yard game winning punt return- with no time left on the clock- beat out a Steve Young touchdown run vs. the Minnesota Vikings. Jackson's punt return won by close to 16 million votes (58,635,836 to 42,853,011). The winner was decided by a fan vote.
The voting has been going on for close to a month and started with 64 plays. Jackson's punt return beat out a Michael Vick touchdown run, a hail mary by Billy 'White Shoes' Johnson, a touchdown run by Barry Sanders, 'The Catch', and a Troy Polamalu flying tackle.
Jackson's famous touchdown came on December 19th, 2010, with just 12 seconds left, capping off a 21-point comeback by the Eagles. After fumbling the punt initially, Jackson took off and went almost untouched on his way to endzone. Tom Coughlin told Matt Dodge to not punt the ball to Jackson, but the punter was unable to do so.
At the time, the win was viewed as the start of something special for the Eagles. Things did not work out that way, however, as they lost in the first round of the playoffs that year. It was a devastating loss for the Giants as it kept them out of the playoffs.
To my mind, Eli Manning's miraculous escape combined with David Tyree's improbable helmet catch with Rodney Harrison draped all over him is a play which set up the greatest upset in Super Bowl History…and should be the winner. It is not just this crazy play itself, it's the setting and the consequences. If that play is not made, The 2007 Patriots would be celebrated as the greatest team ever. Besides…it makes me smile every time I see it.
As for the poll, recent events always trump older ones. Hard to believe that DeSean's play beat out actual playoff and Super Bowl plays. Maybe if the Eagles had actually won the SB that year I could buy into it more.
The "greatest plays" are defined not only by the skill involved but by the moment at stake. "The Immaculate Reception", "The Catch", the "Music City Miracle" were named because these plays changed football history. While DeSean Jackson's play is worthy to be remembered in Eagles lore, in actuality, it was a good return after a shoddy line drive punt with a change-of-pace bobble thrown in— and it propelled the Eagles to exactly nowhere.
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