Philadelphia Eagles Hit Reset to Win Big

The Philadelphia Eagles hit reset this offseason, hoping to steal back the NFC East. Its within reach for Sam Bradford, but the NFL Draft looms large.

We’re tackling each team in the league, traveling alphabetically to debate their biggest offseason issues. Dan Salem and Todd Salem debate in today’s NFL Sports Debate. Two brothers from New York yell, scream, and debate sports.

TODD:

What do you make of the Philadelphia Eagles’ offseason reboot? They moved on from Chip Kelly literally as head coach and general manager, but also figuratively by essentially dumping every big addition he made previously.

A number of the moves seemed like nothing but salary dumps or personality dumps. Philadelphia got barely anything back in their deals of DeMarco Murray, Kiko Alonso and Byron Maxwell. I hated the deals, but is that something you can get behind? At least the exorcising-demons aspect of the deals?

In terms of actual additions the Eagles made, I did like a few of them in the secondary: Leodis McKelvin for two years, $6 million was great; Rodney McLeod is a nice player as well. Brandon Brooks was also a great add along the offensive line.

Then we get to more question marks. Sam Bradford was given $35 million to play quarterback. Chase Daniel was given $21 million to play backup quarterback. Rueben Randle was given money to play football. None of it makes sense.

This team is starting over on the sidelines and thus on the field as well. We don’t know anything about how this team is going to perform, but my hunch says it isn’t very good this coming season. Philly now has the eighth overall pick in the NFL Draft because of those offseason dealings, but who at eight can really save this team? A lot of mocks have Ezekiel Elliot being the selection, which is intriguing because I have questions about all the skill players on offense right now, including running back. The defense is solid but has uncertainty in the middle, especially with injuries.

All that said, if Bradford is competent in this new offense, the Eagles could easily win the NFC East because of the potential on defense. But maybe that says more about the division than this team.

Dec 26, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Jordan Matthews (81) makes a touchdown reception past Washington Redskins free safety Dashon Goldson (38) during the second half at Lincoln Financial Field. The Redskins won 38-24. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

DAN:

Banking the Eagles’ success on Sam Bradford’s shoulders is not a smart move, considering his recent track record of injury and performance. I believe the Eagles really see potential in Chase Daniel, or at least greater potential than they saw in Mark Sanchez. Don’t be surprised if a quarterback competition breaks out in Philadelphia’s camp this summer. That being said, the Eagles have bigger holes to fill in order to win the NFC East.

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I know you like the new-look defense, but the old unit gave up a ton of points in 2015, enough for 28th in the league. That’s a major hill to climb and not something fixed by one or two new players. Until I see some improvement from this unit as a whole, I have a hard time picking the Eagles to win the division. They may have hit reset over much of the team, but it wasn’t enough to elevate them atop the NFC East just yet.

The eighth overall pick in round one of the draft is a major key to the Eagles’ turnaround, but so is trading up into the second round to secure another top-tier talent. With two third round picks, I’d like to see Philadelphia leverage one with a later round pick to get into round two. This ensures two instant impact players and puts this team one step ahead of its divisional competition. I too am a big Ezekiel Elliott fan and he’d certainly light a spark under Philadelphia’s offense, but the Eagles must exit the draft having added defense as well. They need another playmaker.

More nfl spin zone: Can Rueben Randle Find Consistency in Philly?

Assuming the Eagles gel as a team better than last season, which is a near given, they should easily move up in the standings in 2016. The team was in the dead center of the pack last year, but the NFC East is an unknown right now and Philadelphia can take it.

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