Here’s a thought: Trade for WR Roy Williams, now
Feel free to rip me a new one in the comments section if you don’t agree but I think this is the perfect time for the Eagles to make a trade. After 3 weeks, the Eagles have proven that they are a contender. Unfortunately, in the NFC, the Cowboys, Giants, and Packers also proved they are contenders. Worse, the Cowboys and Giants are in the same division as the Eagles, the NFC East. Therefore, every game means something more this year than ever and the window of opportunity is wide open. With the AFC so far looking like the lower of the two conferences, if the Eagles can make a move, they can further position themselves to win the Super Bowl.
Next year, the Eagles have two first round picks. One was acquired last year in a draft deal with the Carolina Panthers. Assuming major injuries can be avoided, the Eagles have the core of players and talent to win now. There’s no point in keeping both of these two number one picks for next year. Those picks can certainly help them in the future but it cannot help us win the Super Bowl this year.
Make the phone call to the Detroit Lions right now as they just fired their GM. Maybe they would be up for shaking things up a bit. WR Roy Williams is struggling in Detroit’s new offensive scheme. He can become a free agent at the end of the season. With the Lions starting the season 0-3, they might as well blow up the team and get value for what they have now before they lose Williams and get nothing in return. They would be crazy not too. Offer a number one pick to Detroit for WR Roy Williams; conditional on him signing a long-term and cap-friendly contract with the Birds.
Yes, I know, receivers take time to learn the West Coast Offense. Don’t tell rookie sensation WR DeSean Jackson that. Let’s see how Roy Williams fits in. Heck, use him as a decoy and let him run fly routes all game long. Yes, I know, Head Coach Andy Reid insists we are fine with our current core of receivers and he does not value the receiver position as highly as other positions. Hello Coach Reid. The one year we had a stud receiver, we lost the Super Bowl by three points! QB Donovan McNabb had his best year that season. Can you imagine Roy Williams lining up with a healthy Kevin Curtis, DeSean Jackson, and any other combination of Reggie Brown, Hank Baskett, or Jason Avant? The formation possibilities would be endless. Reid could scheme and confuse opposing defenses by sending RB Brian Westbrook in motion, out of the backfield. Having all these weapons on the field at all times makes it easier for others including Tight End L.J. Smith. Having all these receiving threats would open up running lanes for Westbrook as the opposing defenses would have to further respect the pass. It would give McNabb more choices and make the offense more of a threat. In theory, a better offense gives us a better defense as they would not have that added pressure of keeping opposing offensive teams’ scoring down as they had to do this past Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
There’s no time like the present. How much longer will the likes of Jon Runyan, Tra Thomas, and Brian Dawkins be around, playing at a high level? McNabb could be gone after this season. This city and the fans deserve a championship. This core group of players on this current team deserves a chance at the Super Bowl. It is now up to Reid and the front office to pull the trigger and make the move. After all, half the time, number one picks wind up as busts. The upside of the trade is worth the risk. Do it.
With that said, “E-A-G-L-E-S!! EAGLES!!”
September 24th, 2008 at 9:08 am
Nice thought but NFL trades barely happen in the off season so it’s a pipe dream to think one of that magnitude could happen in the regular season. This is the one area the Eagles lack urgency and I think their regular season success has clouded their judgement. I agree it’s O line and D line that is most important but a WR playmaker is critical in big games. You can beat the Rams, the Saints, the Deadskins of the world during the regular season with the GLew’s of the world but in the big moment, when you need a player with all-world talent to make a play, that’s where the Eagles have fallen woefully short in championship games and will continue to I am afraid. Here’s to hoping this off-season they see the end of the tunnel as you say with their core stars and go after Anquan Boldin (who if you are going to pitch a trade, is the guy, not Williams). I do understand your logic with Detroit in a mess but Williams seems to disappear and I’m afraid years of playing with Detroit may have killed his spirit. Give us Boldin and DeSean in his second year and a healthy Curtis and you are a Super Bowl contender next year!! E A G L E S!!!!!
September 24th, 2008 at 9:21 am
Thanks for your feedback Easy Ed. I considered Boldin but due to his public display of being critical towards his own organization and his public outcry for more money, this leads me to believe that Reid won’t even go near the idea. Williams is a different scenario that could benefit the Eagles cap-wise more than Boldin could
September 24th, 2008 at 5:07 pm
I think this was the best blog yet. That move just makes sense. I hope someone forwards this to Andy Reid. Maybe he could read it between cheeseburgers.
Good for you Vedder.
September 24th, 2008 at 9:37 pm
I’d love to see that, i got both Roy Williams and McNabb on my fantasy team.