Does The Jason Peters Trade Signal A Philosophical Switch For The Birds?

(Editor's Note: This article is also posted on Misterfootball.com)

In one uncharacteristic move, the Birds have dramatically altered the face of their offensive line for the 2009 season. I went from thinking that D Mac would be running for his life for the first half of '09 as his two new tackles grew accustomed to playing the position, but now it looks like Peters could be an upgrade at the position and finally give the Birds a left tackle who isn't totally adverse to run blocking. Peters, a two time Pro Bowler who ate himself into playing left tackle after lining up at tight end at Arkansas, should be a huge bonus to team that faces DeMarcus Ware and Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck two times a year each. I watched today's press conference and Andy Reid seemed to have a man crush on Peters. He called him "dominant" and "the best left tackle in football" multiple times. Lofty praise for a guy that gave up 11.5 sacks last year (the highest attributed to any offensive tackle in football).



This move flies in the face of everything the Eagles usually do in the offseason. Normally, they totally underwhelm with their offseason pick ups and then spend the months of March through August telling their phan base that "we're ok" at every position that clearly needs up grading. However, for once, the Birds reacted aggressively to a glaring need, but I truly doubt that the move would have been made if Buffalo stuck to their guns and sought true market value for a franchise left tackle. Anyone will tell you that a Pro Bowl, franchise left tackle is as rare as a stud #1 pitcher, 30 point per game big man or a Vezina winning goalie. These guys don't grow on trees and it usually takes a King's Ransom to wrangle one from another team. The 28th overall pick in the draft, along with a 4th rounder and a late round pick in 2010 is clearly NOT a King's Ransom. I'm still trying to figure out how the Birds got this deal done for so little and whether they used the Jason Smith visit as some sort of leverage to show the Bills that they had other options.



Now, let's get to the basic premise of my post. Does the Peters' move signal a change in philosophy by the Birds? Are they really going to make a run at it this year? After all, the move does show a willingness for once to address voids in the lineup with veteran players. Now that Peters is in the fold, it seems logical to reason that the Birds really could be looking to make a run this year. Could this move be a precursor to a run at Anquan Boldin to finally fill the Eagles need for a physical, play making WR? Personally, I doubt it. I think the Birds believe they "are ok" at that position and for once I will agree with them. With DeSean Jackson, Kevin Curtis, Jason Avant and Hank Baskett, I do think they are just "ok". Not great, but probably the best group of WR's McNabb's ever had (notice I said "group"...the 2004 WR's were T.O. and a bunch of future substitute teachers.) Plus, I don't think you'll see the Birds do anything else of consequence at the draft except for trade back to the very end of the 1st round or possibly the 2nd round and maybe use one of the plethora of 5th round picks to move up to the 3rd or 4th round. While we all want a RB or TE with the 21st pick, Hugh Douglas (and a few other sources) is reporting that the Birds are looking to take a DE with their first pick. (I value his comments when it comes to the draft because he was the only person two years ago that said the Birds would take a QB with their first pick.) Thus, it appears that the RB void will not be filled until the 2nd round or later. All in all, I don't think we're seeing a major change in philosophy and equate this move to the Jevon Kearse and Asante Samuel free agent moves that we've seen. When the Birds really like someone in the prime of their career and they have the money under the cap, they will make a deal.



Although, my philosophical change question is really two pronged. The other change is whether the Birds are considering incorporating more running plays into the offense next year. While the two new offensive tackles should allow the Birds to run it more effectively this year compared to last year when Tra and Runyan were breaking down physically, I don't think we'll see a major shift in play calling. Now, if the Birds are to take a RB with their first pick. We might be seeing a change to make the run a bigger part of the offense. Lord knows the Birds should make such a move. It's hard to get a leg up on a NFL defense when all you do is throw, throw, throw and throw some more. Plus, increasing the rushing attempts protects this team when Donovan goes into his yearly funk. While I doubt we're going to see a major change, I'm hoping Andy Reid and crew prove me wrong by drafting Knowshon Moreno with the #1 pick next Saturday night.



On that note, it's time for bed. Time's yours.