FA Targets..

[swat]

Now that we have basically filled out our staff, its time to start looking at possible FAs.

Here are some guys I'd love to add. Its not a long list but I think these guys could really help our team as we rebuild. Really only position I would "break the bank" is at Safety. Id do everything possible to add Byrd or Goldson if they are not Franchised. Would not want us going after the really big name guys at the premium positions.... at this point in time. Maybe next year.

QB
* Alex Smith - Only if he becomes a FA. I wouldnt risk too much on him, as in picks or money. Would be a show me deal as a fa only. No trade.
* Dennis Dixon - Strictly as a backup. Knows Kellys system and what he wants from his players.

TE
* Jermichael Finley (25) If released. The guy has some issues but he is also a straight stud if used properly. Similar to Vernon Davis. Although I think he is less of head case than Davis. Can be center piece of an Offense.
* Martellus Bennett (25) or Jared Cook (25) - Athletic big men more suited to Kellys Offensive style. Celek is just too damn slow and drops way too many passes. Id send Celek packing the minute we signed any of these 3 guys.

S
* Jarius Byrd (26) or Dashon Goldson (28). We need an elite veteran Safety in the worst way. Problem is both may be franchised. Cant hurt to try. Nate the Great gets cut 5 minutes later.

KR/PR
* Josh Cribbs (29) - Yes, he is older but the dude is a tremendous return man. Its been a long time since we have had a great one. Wouldnt give him a huge deal but a 3 year deal at reasonable money would be a great get imo. Think Chip Kelly wouldnt find a way to also use him on Offense? I bet he would. No injury history to speak of is a major plus for a guy at his age. Pat Shurmur being on our staff only makes the possibility even greater imo.
* Tedd Ginn (27) - Another stud KR/PR who should be available. Younger and faster than Cribbs but less of a threat on KRs and has a bit of an injury history. Still would be a very good signing. Our ST coach (Dave Fipp) has exp with Ginn, while he was with SF (2008-2010). If we do sign either of these guys, Id cut/trade Avant immediately there after. Top 4 would be DJacc, Maclin, Cooper & Cribbs or Ginn.

P
* Reggie Hodges (31) - Cleveland connection. One of the better punters in the league. We need one.


For everything else...I look to the draft.

[Iggloo]

Honestly of those names I like Dixon and Byrd and that is about it. If Buffalo lets Byrd test free agency, which I doubt, he should be our #1 target. A young ball hawk.

I like some young TEs in this draft like Kelce and I would draft a guy behind Celek. Finley is a head case who was not happy with Aaron Rodgers. If you can't be happy with Aaron Rodgers, you have problems.

[Rey]

Free Agents more often than not prove to be a waste of money ... the ones really worth it end up getting resigned or tagged. The ones who end up hitting the market end up getting grossly overpaid. There are some value guys out there, but it's usually the guys who haven't really had a chance due to talent ahead of them on the depth chart ... that's where great scouting pays off.

[WIZ]

That's a terrible list. Byrd maybe and that's iffy.

[iggles nut]

I'm more for the sleeper types. I don't want to spend big money on anyone.

Here's guys I'd look at:

QB
==
Matt Moore, MIA: Doesn't have elite physical characteristics but look at when he actually got playing time. He played well in both 2009 with Carolina and 2011 with Miami. He had a poor year in between with Carolina but that entire offense was dysfunctional as Steve Smith was in a funk and their OL was struggling. I'm not saying he's the future at QB but he'd be a good guy to have a year or two to compete with Foles while we develop a guy drafted in the mid-rounds this year or maybe in the 1st round next year.

TE
==
Delanie Walker, SF: I don't know if I want to spend big money on a FA tight end as this year's draft is the best in a few years at the position. Walker had too many drops this season but I don't think that's been a problem with him throughout his career. Walker is a very good blocker as either a TE or as a FB and he's a stud STs player.

DL
==
Terrance Knighton, JAX: Local guy who has flashed at times with JAX and disappeared at others, could be NT, risk/reward signing, depends on price
Desmond Bryant, OAK: Ideal size for 3-4 DE, for stats types that follow ProFootballFocus.com and other websites he graded out quite highly
Sammie Hill, DET: Drafted from small school and has been stuck behind bigger-name players but has played well in rotation
Alan Branch, SEA: Probably on the higher end of the price scale but has played well in Seattle after busting in Arizona

OLB
===
Victor Butler, DAL: Stuck behind Ware and Spencer but I've always liked him dating to when he was drafted
Lorenzo Alexander, WAS: Versatile guy that can play ILB or OLB in 3-4 and is very good STs player

CB
==
Keenan Lewis, PIT: 3rd round pick in 2009, didn't really develop until this year but has seemed to hit his stride, shouldn't cost a lot
Tracy Porter, DEN: Played very well at times in NO, got lost in the mix in Denver but still young, shouldn't cost much

S
==
David Bruton, DEN: For reasons mentioned by others in separate thread
Kenny Phillips, NYG: Got hurt last year and then Stevie Brown played very well, quality player that has battled a few minor injuries, bigger safety that can hit

[Iron Eagle]

Paul Kruger

[eaglesnut]

I like Byrd. I really wanted him in that draft. He's turned out to be a damn fine safety.

At TE you can't have inconsistent guys like Finley or Cook. Gotta be reliable. I'd take Bennett or Walker.

[Aguilas verdes]

I like some young TEs in this draft like Kelce and I would draft a guy behind Celek. Finley is a head case who was not happy with Aaron Rodgers. If you can't be happy with Aaron Rodgers, you have problems.

GB didn't really use their TE so he had reasons to be miffed. GB didn't even use their TE to run as they rarely if ever ran the ball. Their top 4 WRs could start on most teams and I'd take any of the 4 over any Eagles WR. Randall Cobb, Greg Jennings, James Jones and Jordy Nelson. Donald Driver who is also a stud just retired. Lot of mouths to feed and no fun being the TE and the 5th or 6th option.

I'd definitely roll the dice with him but then again, Harbor looks promising. He has really good hands; just needs to get more reps. Celek needs to get cut. He is a poor man's Chad Lewis and is reminscent of Mamula as in almost. Showed flashes but otherwise sucked donkey balls. There is a pun in there somewhere in the case of Mamula.

A player not being mentioned who should be the #1 target is Ed Reed. If he gets cut, the Eagles should make him the highest paid S ever. He is so good and would be such a benefit to their D that it would be worth giving up the 4 to get him. He is the leader they do not have. He is the dominate force. The playmaker. The guy who steps up when the game is on the line. Time after time after time. He is a first ballot hall of famer. If Primetime is the best playmaking CB ever, Ed Reed is the best playmaking S ever. Players do not come around like this everyday. He is a stud. And is exactly what they have been missing since Dawkins left. Since that time, they have been a shell without a playmaking stud S.

[Wings]

I'm more for the sleeper types. I don't want to spend big money on anyone.

Here's guys I'd look at:

QB
==
Matt Moore, MIA: Doesn't have elite physical characteristics but look at when he actually got playing time. He played well in both 2009 with Carolina and 2011 with Miami. He had a poor year in between with Carolina but that entire offense was dysfunctional as Steve Smith was in a funk and their OL was struggling. I'm not saying he's the future at QB but he'd be a good guy to have a year or two to compete with Foles while we develop a guy drafted in the mid-rounds this year or maybe in the 1st round next year.

TE
==
Delanie Walker, SF: I don't know if I want to spend big money on a FA tight end as this year's draft is the best in a few years at the position. Walker had too many drops this season but I don't think that's been a problem with him throughout his career. Walker is a very good blocker as either a TE or as a FB and he's a stud STs player.

DL
==
Terrance Knighton, JAX: Local guy who has flashed at times with JAX and disappeared at others, could be NT, risk/reward signing, depends on price
Desmond Bryant, OAK: Ideal size for 3-4 DE, for stats types that follow ProFootballFocus.com and other websites he graded out quite highly
Sammie Hill, DET: Drafted from small school and has been stuck behind bigger-name players but has played well in rotation
Alan Branch, SEA: Probably on the higher end of the price scale but has played well in Seattle after busting in Arizona

OLB
===
Victor Butler, DAL: Stuck behind Ware and Spencer but I've always liked him dating to when he was drafted
Lorenzo Alexander, WAS: Versatile guy that can play ILB or OLB in 3-4 and is very good STs player

CB
==
Keenan Lewis, PIT: 3rd round pick in 2009, didn't really develop until this year but has seemed to hit his stride, shouldn't cost a lot
Tracy Porter, DEN: Played very well at times in NO, got lost in the mix in Denver but still young, shouldn't cost much

S
==
David Bruton, DEN: For reasons mentioned by others in separate thread
Kenny Phillips, NYG: Got hurt last year and then Stevie Brown played very well, quality player that has battled a few minor injuries, bigger safety that can hit

I agree with this list.....I wouldn't spend a lot, and I would also look for potential special teams players as well as starters.

[iggles nut]

The cost to franchise safeties is relatively low. Buffalo's most prominent free agent is OG Andy Levitre but since there's only one tag level for OL and it's huge considering the amount elite LTs make I doubt Buffalo uses it's tag on him. They'll almost certainly tag Byrd.

[eaglesnut]

Yeah a bunch of these guys will be unavailable by the time FA actually comes around.

But some more guys could become available. the Steelers are in rough cap shape. Casey Hampton could be available. No better way to start a 3-4 or show some younger NT how to do it than getting Hampton.

[Eagles Psycho]

The Eagles should only be shopping in the clearance aisle this season. No big names, please.