Wide Receivers on the Brain

Commenter extraordinaire Kulp has been fairly vocal in the comments lately about the potential receivers the Eagles could still add this off-season.  We asked him to weigh in on the subject for this guest post.  Many thanks.

If the Andy Reid era ends without a Super Bowl Championship, it will perhaps best be known for the fans’ constant obsession with wide receivers.  The Eagles inability to get consistent production from that position has been a serious issue for years, and as a result, some of our expectations have become completely unreasonable.

Since Terrell Owens’ amazing ’04 season, the team has not been able to replace those 14 touchdowns, and last season they finally hit rock bottom.  After scoring 17 points or less in 10 games and ranking 24th in red zone scoring, there is no question the Eagles once again must be in the market for a receiver.  However, this time the need is more specific.  Unlike the years prior to T.O., there are already effective options on the roster.  Kevin Curtis managed 1,100 yards and can be an effective deep threat.  Reggie Brown seemed to have a down year, but he still hauled in 61 passes.  The problem is they combined for only 10 touchdowns.

For that reason, the Eagles mostly steered clear of free agent wide receivers.  They made an exciting and somewhat surprising play for Randy Moss, but there was no interest in the rest of the group.  We’ve already seen what Donte Stallworth has to offer, and they replaced him with Curtis who has similar skills.  Bernard Berrian was also a popular choice for some, but he doesn’t appear to be a solid red zone option. Both have reached agreements with other teams.

Now the question on everyone’s mind is what the team will do next.  The trade rumors have been pouring in nonstop, but the point that has been lost in the madness is not just anyone would be a good fit.  Which receivers would help restore order in the red zone, and which players don’t really make sense?  The candidates, after the jump.

Bryant Johnson, free agent

I’m a Penn State guy, so I happen to really like Bryant Johnson, I just don’t understand why anybody thinks he would help this offense.  At 6’3”, he has the size to be effective inside 20 yards, but his statistics prove otherwise.  In five seasons, Johnson has scored just 9 TDs.  Even if he had scored them all last season, he wouldn’t have cracked the top 10 list.  This no more than a possession guy, and that’s why the Eagles passed.

Chad Johnson, Cincinnati Bengals

It is very, very surprising that they are rumored to be interested in “Ocho Cinco.”  It may be a ploy to make the Cardinals reconsider a trade for a certain All-Pro.  Either way, I hope it’s not true.  His numbers are hard to argue against, but there is one: he scored touchdowns in only four games last season.  Forget the 15-yard celebration penalties, this is a 30-year-old receiver with a bad attitude and looking for a new contract when he isn’t even the top receiver on his team anymore.  Pass…

Lee Evans, Buffalo/Toronto Bills

With a good quarterback, Lee Evans has the ability to be a scary deep threat.  That’s great, but not exactly what the Eagles really need. Speed isn’t the best weapon inside of 20 yards, and at 5’10” he lacks the superior size to get up and over defenders.  Where did this rumor even come from in the first place?

Roy Williams, Detroit Lions

Roy Williams is another excellent deep threat, and more important, he also has great size at 6’3”.  He has never caught more than 8 TDs in a season, but he also never played with a quarterback as talented as Donovan.  While this wouldn’t be a disappointment at all, the Eagles can still do better.  Williams has only played an entire 16 game season once, and there is no reason to be totally convinced he can become a top 10 scorer in the NFL.

Malcolm Kelly, Limas Sweed, James Hardy, NFL Draft

A lot of fans have their doubts about drafting a wide receiver, but this is a solid last resort and actually could be their best move. They wouldn’t be forced to trade Lito Sheppard or any picks to end up with one of these players, and all three guys are 6’4” or taller with the tools to score the rock.  Hardy in particular racked up 36 TDs during 34 games at Indiana, while Kelly and Sweed are regarded by most as the top prospects at the position.  The draft can be a crapshoot, but one of these guys might be the next Randy Moss.

Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals

Ladies and gentlemen, here is the star of the show.  Larry Fitzgerald is EXACTLY what the Eagles need, and he is both proven and ready to play right now.  There are some issues: any deal will likely involve Lito, maybe Winston Justice, and possibly a first round draft pick. They will also need to restructure his contract, but the number is supposedly a fair $27 million guaranteed. Without a doubt, all of that would be completely worth 100 catches and 10 TDs.

Even though the Cardinals claim he is unavailable, I know we all hope deep down that we can get one of the top 5 receivers in the NFL today and finally put a rest to the receiver talk.  Something tells me Andy Reid and Donovan McNabb hope the same thing.

Comments

[HLH]

I hope we can work out a trade with Arizona. I'm dying here waiting for the news to break that Fitzgerald is being traded to the Eagles for whatever we have to give up in exchange. But I do agree if the Eagles can't get Arizona to trade him they better draft Hardy. I'd rather have the sure thing but Hardy just seems like he is gonna be a star in this league. Maybe not a Superstar time will tell. But I think he'll be around for awhile regardless.

[Poster Nutbag]

"There are some issues: any deal will likely involve Lito, maybe Winston Justice, and possibly a first round draft pick.There are some issues: any deal will likely involve Lito, maybe Winston Justice, and possibly a first round draft pick."

when you have a chance to trade winston justice for ANYTHING, you have to take that opportunity.

[Gladly]

Thanks for this explanation of who would fit best and why. I hope it doesn't mean that I'll just have a deeper, fuller understanding of what the Eagles offense is missing if Fitzgerald comes to terms with the Cardinals.

I'll miss Lito, but I'll get over it pretty fast watching Fitzgerald catch touchdowns.

Here's hoping.

[John]

Enough about Winston Justice...we've seen him play ONE game. Just because he had a horrible first game doesn't mean he's a horrible player. Give the guy a chance.

[Zack]

I agree with John...plus going against one of the best pass rushers in your first game doesn't help.

On a side note...I would love to get Bryant Johnson...but I expect his contract will be way more than he is worth...even though I have loved him since he was a lion. I completely agree with the ideas also, Fitzgerald is the only WR that we could trade for that I would really want. The guy is going to be around for awhile and is probably already in the top 5 WR in the league. The draft is also a good place...I just see James Hardy as being a can't miss. The way he completely dominated Justin King and many other CB during the year with a less than stellar QB throwing to him was really impressive. Plus...a guy that size running a 4.45 40 is pretty impressive.

[Michael C]

I dunno, I was listening to WIP and many callers thought we could get Fitzgerald for Jason Avant and our 2nd round draft pick....

I know we all talk about the importance of a big WR, and if you look around the league obviously many of the top red zone WR's are > 6'2", but does anyone know why we seem unable to use Hank Baskett in the red zone AT ALL?? I mean, he is 6'4". For years I have heard the McNabb is uncomfortable throwing a fade route, but I don't know how true this is. And Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne both seem to score a lot, and neither is huge. Perhaps Andy needs to look at how other teams use their wide outs. Not that Curtis and Brown are comparable to Harrison and Wayne of course... Man, I just want this team to win.

[Doug]

Seriously? Thanks for all the stats but have you ever watched Chad Johnson or Roy Williams play football? They're monsters, they can do anything on the field. Roy Williams in particular has a penchant for making circus catches, especially when he's covered tightly. Everyone has always loved Larry Fitzgerald, he's a great WR but he's no Anquan Boldin in my opinion.

[Adam]

I would give up lito a #1 and a #3, for Fitz in a heartbeat. I would give up lito a #1 and Winston "Osi Owns Me" Justice", for Fitz faster than a heart beat.

I heard the Cardinals wanted #1 from this year and next year's draft. That might be asking too much, but i would think long and hard. I mean the man made Rod Rutherford look like a stud. ROD RUTHERFORD. Imagine what Super 5 would look like.

I would miss Lito though. He had something like 8 INTs against the Cowboys in 11 games. Gotta love that. The guys is a playmaker when he's healthy. I wish could trade him out of the conference and i wish him luck.

[eric]

The eagles red zone production suffered this past year because of the lack of a tight-end presense. Injuries to LJ Smith, the ineffectiveness of Matt Schoebel, and the pure green-ness of Brent Celek are very underrated factors.

As you mentioned, Curtis and Brown, statistically, had very good years. Better than some of the James Trash-Todd Stinkston years, I'm sure. But all those years we had Chad Lewis, or a healthy LJ Smith.

I know this is an ancient name, but I remember in 2000, (McNabb's break-out year) Jeff Thomason had some ridiculous stat where 50% of his catches were for touchdowns. Andy Reid has always LOVED using the TE in the end zone. You think it was a coincidence Chad Lewis had two-touchdowns in the NFC Championship game against Atlanta?

Are Curtis and Brown the best WR combo in the NFL? No. Would an upgrade help? Of course. Would I love seeing L-Fitz in midnight green? Hell yeah. But is it necessary for this teams success? Not at all.

Curtis-Brown is the best wide receiving core McNabb ever had (besides T.O., obviously) Westbrook is at his best right now. McNabb is healthy.If they can get production from the TE position, this offense will once again be feared. Mark my words

[Justin]

In an offense that throws at least 60% of the time, you need a premier possession receiver. It is as simple as that.

[Jay]

I'm willing to give up my first born for Larry Fitzgerald!!

[Rick]

Have to get a guy that will produce now. using the draft for a wr will take a few years to get production. and Reid has tried using the draft to get a receiver for 9 years. We always have a potential number one, lets get a number one. Larry or Roy.

[Esco]

Drafting a WR is a great idea!! This way they can ride the bench for 3 years till they are "ready" to play.

[gootman]

I realize Esco is being sarcastic, but if we want to avoid the Kevin Kolb era being like the McNabb era with no true #1 receiver, we do need to look at getting him a receiver.

[Zack]

to what eric said

LJ Smith has consistently been given high praise...and has consistently not done much. When he was out earlier in the season they were saying "oh well they are missing LJ Smith so the redzone will be more difficult." Then he comes back...does nothing...and then is hurt again. The guy is just not as good as he thinks he is or I guess analysts think he is. Watching the games you just forget about him...and for a TE that is supposed to be as good as him, that should not happen.

[bigmyc04]

I don't understand how a 115 million dollar quarterback can be "uncomfortable" with throwing a fade route?!?!?!?

[eric]

zack

I agree, LJ had been overrated in his time here. He's no pro-bowler. But he can play. And a healthy LJ Smith is better than an injured LJ Smith. A second year Brent Celek should be better than a rookie Brent Celek. They should get more production out of the TE position, which as I wrote earlier, is more important to this teams red-zone success.

Maybe taking a TE in last years draft a little earlier, like, say, a Greg Olsen, would have been smarter than trading with Dallas to get a quarterback who shares initials with Kyle Korver?

[PhillyFriar]

Well summarized, Kulp.

A couple of observations. First, anyone who still wants Chad Johnson after the stink he's put up in the last two months is nuts. Second, I don't love Roy Williams, but he'd be a good fit in the offense and a nice alternative if a deal for Fitz never materializes.

Finally, and most importantly -- hence why I gave the point its own paragraph -- everyone saying we should give up as many first round picks as it takes to get Fitz is crazy. Lito has injury concerns, but when healthy he is one of the top ten cover corners in this league. Lito and a second is a better offer than anyone else will put on the table (unless Dan Snyder decides to pull a Ditka, which admittedly is not out of the question). If the Cards can't sign him to an extension, they HAVE to trade him, so at this point it's just a waiting game.

Patience, my friends, patience.

[BFH]

I hate to say it, but the time for acquiring Fitzgerald, in my mind, has passed. I felt like there was a legitimate window to make a run at him while the Cardinals were still hoping to retain Pace and sign some new guys (like Faneca).

But what sense does it make for the Cardinals to dump him now that the free agents they wanted are gone (Faneca, Pace)?

They can plan on paying him the fifteen million and still try and re-work the deal before the season begins. If it doesn’t work out they can try to trade him again before the 2009 season or just cut him, get a ton of cap space, and then go after big time free agents at that time.

Let me say this again so it’s clear — there aren’t any big time free agents left the Cardinals want, so any cap space created by trading Fitzgerald is pointless.

[Mark D]

You're right about Fitzgerald being perfect. In addition to being one of the Top 5 WR's in the league, he's a class-act all the way. He'd fit in very well with the Eagles. Not only that, but he'd be an undisputed #1 WR for the Birds. Whereas with the Cards, he had to share top billing with the equally talneted Bolquin.

[BFH]

@PhillyFriar -- It's not a "waiting game". The Cardinals don't have to do anything with him at all. They are under the cap and can afford to sign their draft picks.

Again, this is assuming the Cardinals are smart -- which I'm not sure they are. If I were the Eagles I would still be calling them.

[Scott B]

He made ROD RUTHERFORD look like a stud?

My friend, that was college! You cant really compare the two. If you want to make comparisons, he has made old man Warner and overrated Leinart look good.

Fitzgerald would be the balls to Number 5's wang.

[JC]

I'm not completely sold on Roy Williams being the major upgrade he's being touted as, but I think he would definitely mark an improvement and prove a viable red zone threat.

Chad Johnson would likely bring some headaches with him, but to the poster who said he's not even the #1 on his team anymore, I think it's because he draws a lot of coverage, allowing Housh to get open underneath. Reggie Brown and Kevin Curtis are viable possession receivers, but without someone to take some pressure off of them, they have a hard time getting enough separation to make a catch. Johnson has to be accounted for, when he's not, he's capable of 250+ receiving yards and multiple TD's (see Chargers and Saints games in 2006).

I agree that Fitzgerald is our best option right now, but there's a name not being thrown around I think the Eagles should look into: Andre Johnson. Granted, the Texans are highly unlikely to want to trade him, and he's not in any contract position where they may have to dump him, but he has all the tools the Eagles are looking for. With the (sort of) emergence of Andre Davis and Houston's less than spectacular secondary, it may be worth looking into.

[Jonn]

As much as I'd hate to report this, the Fitz thing will not happen. Posted on the Cards' web site:

“If we can’t (reach a deal), we will move forward with that number,” general manager Rod Graves said while addressing the national media Saturday at the scouting combine. “Larry is a core player. We are going to do what we have to do to keep that core in place.”

Now that he announced this, Fitz just has to hold out, knowing full well that, no matter how long, he will win.

And let's look at this practically.

Why would they want Lito? They have Rod Hood and Antrel Rolle.

Also, great point posted by BFH. Pace and Faneca are gone, and there are no legit FA's out there. Their main concern was having the space to get those guys -- maybe more -- but that point has past.

Sorry Birds lovers. Believe you me, if he came to Philly I would name my kid Larry Fitz Radcliff (boy or girl).

As far as Texans, Faggins and Bennett don't impress me as CB's, so maybe they'll want Lito. I'd see us giving up Lito, Avant, and a 2nd rounder for him. Still I'm totally ok with that. Doubt they'll part with their only good player though.

Any reply thoughts?

[db]

you got a shout out for this blog on the hashmarks blog on espn while they were waiting on brett favre to get more tissues.

[Adam]

the birds have cut Takeo Spikes. I'm OK with it. I like the fact that they finally have a good group of young LBs they have groomed and drafted. It makes me feel good that they are comfortable enough with the group that they have to cut a guy like Spikes. I liked takeo and he will be missed.

[JC]

Houston's defense seems to be improving through the draft in the last couple of years, with DeMeco Ryans and the emergence of Mario Williams. If Amobi Okoye proves to be worth his high draft placement, they'll have solid anchors throughout the front 7. Unfortunately, the secondary leaves a bit to be desired. While I give Roc Alexander credit for having one of the coolest names ever, it's unlikely to strike fear into the hearts of opposing offensive coordinators. With a veteran playmaker in the secondary to provide leadership, this group could become something special. The defense is full of young players with some potential.

The offense is in a worse state, however. The platoon of Ron Dayne, Darius Walker, and Ahman Green (honestly, did anybody think that was a good pickup?) is passable, though underwhelming, and Matt Schaub shows some upside. That's about where it ends though, outside of Andre Johnson. Andre Davis was alright as a fill in during Johnson's injury, but would you really want him leading your receiving corps? Owen Daniels is decent at the tight end position, but these aren't Pro Bowl caliber players we're talking about here. Without AJ to anchor the receivers and provide a legitimate all around threat, the Texans will likely have to rely on a short game with a platoon of moderately talented backs, and the tight end. I don't see it happening, but it's nice to dream.

[BFH]

There is no freaking way the Texans are letting go of Andre Johnson.

That kind of speculation is just wasting your breath (err, fingers?).

[JC]

For the record, I have a hard time believing that Matt Millen would be willing to dump one of his precious receivers too, but that seems to be quite a popular rumor, so I imagine there must be some basis for it.

And I don't think the Eagles will actually make a play for Andre Johnson, it's just wishful thinking on my part.

[BFH]

Yep -- I can at least "kind of" see the logic behind the Lions trading Williams. They need a ton of help on defense and Williams is a free agent soon.

But yeah, the Texans moving Johnson makes no sense and will never happen. Certainly a nice player, though.

[Ibleed green]

Interesting that they cut TKO now - are they trying to clear up cap space for the next move? Also I think the best way to get Fitz would be Lito and Brown and maybe a 2 or 3. I would rather see Fitz and Curtis start with Avant and Mr.- will never be cut- Lewis as the slots.

[Adam]

It would make absolutely no sense to trade Lito and Sheldon. None whatsoever.

[brandon]

He saying REGGIE Brown.

[MG]

eric - I totally agree that a healthy TE would do wonders for this team in the red zone and their passing attack in general. Problem is that I don't know if LJ is going to come back healthy or be the answer.

Tend to think LJ will be what he was in '05 and '06: some impressive games but overall a mixed bag and a player who doesn't fulfill his potential. It is too bad the Eagles passed on drafting Greg Olsen because he would have set the Eagles at TE for the next 4 or 5 years.

Also wouldn't hurt if this overrated offensive line played a bit better this year too but I have my doubts with two 34-year old tackles who have seen a lot of miles.