A Healthy Green Bias: Um.... Is this really all we get?

By Chris Sherman

I feel like I’m usually a pretty patient guy when it comes to sports’ offseasons. I check for news here and there, but I don’t worry when the Eagles don’t make a splash early with a big free agent. The Eagles found some small-ticket acquisitions and they seem like good ideas, but thus far I don’t think any of these acquisitions could have changed the result for either of those Philly-Dallas games at the end of last season. However, the Eagles’ website writers tell me to be patient, and that Philadelphia isn’t done yet, so I continue to try.

So when I get an email this morning from the official Eagles’ website titled “Big Moves for Eagles!” I sure as hell expected more than a defensive end who started only five games in a healthy season last year and a backup running back who may or may not end up in Philadelphia anyway. Now I am panicked. Now my patience is up. Defensive end and free safety were, in my opinion, the two most important areas that needed to be addressed this offseason. The Eagles have filled both of these positions with players who do not command the starting spot even on paper.

At the left defensive end position… we have managed to add another guy to that rotation. Super. Teams still won’t think twice before double-teaming Trent Cole when opposite him is, again, a rotation of Darryl Tapp (the newly acquired DE), Juqua Parker, Victor Abiamiri, and Darren Howard.

At free safety, I don’t dislike the pickup of Marlin Jackson, but it almost feels like he’s just keeping the seat warm while waiting for Quintin Demps or Macho Harris to pick their game up. He’s generating competition but many fans were looking for a downright improvement at the safety position to protect Asante Samuel when he jumps routes.

The Eagles have, thus far, not given themselves any tools that could take them further towards a championship than last year. I hope we’re not relying on the draft to provide that push, because while we may get lucky with an impact rookie, the draft class is much more likely to provide their value down the line.

Assuming we’re just about done in free agency, it feels like we’re rebuilding, doesn’t it? If we’re not willing to upgrade the team we have now, then our only hope at a championship is if New Orleans, Indianapolis, Minnesota, Dallas, etc. all get worse and nobody else steps up. And if we truly are rebuilding, then why the hell haven’t we traded McNabb? I’m of the opinion that McNabb is our best QB for next year and Kolb the years after that, but if we’re not making a serious run in 2010 then what do we have to lose?

I could end up being completely wrong. It could turn out that the Eagles’ make some big move on defense that kills any credibility my fledgling column has. I can tell you, though, that I’m already missing Tom Heckert. I prefer to trust my GM’s but I have cause to wonder if Howie Roseman was really up for the job.