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julamy, nobody here expects the Spikes of 2000 to show up next year. But, it isn't far-fetched to be excited about giving up virtually nothing, and risking virtually nothing, for a guy that has a very good shot of improving one of the biggest weaknesses on the team.

If he sucks, fine. He'll be an overpaid player for a year. It doesn't hurt the Eagles financially. But the flip side is that he's at 75% of where he was, which would be a big upgrade.

Not odd at all IMO.

But thing is, they don't even know where Spikes will start right now. They said he's, "expected to start at one of the LB spots and he can play all 3", so it just raises a few questions in my mind.

Gocong is small for a DE. He was 260 at the combine, but has a smaller build, short arms, and had some baby fat on him. I imagine he's spent the last year trying to get leaner and quicker to play the LB spot and I wouldn't be shocked if he's about 250ish right now.

There's a Shot it could be Spike, Trot, Gaither.

There's a shot it could be Gocong, Trot, Spikes (Spikes played the weakside his first 8 seasons, I think).

There's a shot it could be Gocong, Spikes, Gaither (if they think Trot's done during the summer).

There's a shot it could be Gocong, Gaither (in the middle), and Spikes on the weakside...

I'm not saying it's a bad thing, but there's a lot up in the air right now. That said, If Gocong is the player they claimed he was when they drafted him, he's got to get some PT and it's probably got to be at LB.

I love the Spikes move because it means they don't have to count on Gocong, but I still want to see him.

Well I'll agree with you on the last line.


I am eager to see Gocong.

I can see maybe a Gaither move to MLB on passin downs, Trotter sittin, Spikes at SAM and then Gocong at WIL gettin upfield.

But I think they're goin to just play around with combos on Gocong, who as of last month was still 260ish per Spuds, and Im surprised cos I know you read/post over there as we've discussed the archives etc from the EMB before.

Gocong could very well be 260 or so...it's very possible. I just find it hard to believe.

This is the same man who said Trent Cole is 275, you know!

I like this deal for what they gave up to get Spikes and for the weakness he'll address when healthy.

Overall I think this suggests changes on the horizon at MLB. I think Trot (God bless him) is on the way out or at the very best moving to a limited role. Anybody got the CAP numbers on what the hit would be for cutting Trotter?

I would be very disappointed in this team if they spent a 3rd round pick on Gocong just to have him sit and "learn" for second consecutive season.

The other thing to look at is this probably means no LB on day one.

You can take that however you want. Good in that Reid's day one LB selections have historically blown anyway or bad in that they're still not willing to invest a high pick on a top LB prospect.

Seth you're probably right about passing downs, didn't they pull Trot in those situations most of last year, that's the way I remember it... so they actually have options like I said earlier this is the most optimistic looking LB corp I can remember since they had LB's like Evans and Joyner...

I get the sense that Trot is done and that he'll either give up his starter spot or get cut entirely, especially since his lateral movement is just about gone. He was totally exposed in that Indy game, and considering what he has to do just to get into game shape, I don't see him starting all 16 next year.

I think we may be looking at a repeat of the "secondary draft" from a couple years ago.

They want a safety. They really want a corner. They won't take a QB. They CAN'T take an o-lineman.

I could still see them taking a defensive lineman if one falls and I could see them taking a linebacker if there is one they like, but they seem hellbent on replacing Sheldon at the CB spot and using him as a nickel, so I imagine CB will be a priority.

Of note, Chris Houston (CB from Arkansas) is said to be "slipping" and he's a player I'd be happy with at 26.

Agree 100%. Gocong may benefit the most from this move. This also must have serious implications on their draft board. It allows them to groom a DB instead of drafting a linebacker 1 and expecting him to contribute immediatly. I still wouldn't rule them trading down. What do you think they would get for trading out of the 1st round? A second and a third?

I dunno. There seems to be quite a bit of LB talent in the draft this year, and I'd hate to see them pass on that just so they can draft their usual CB again. Drafting another LB gives them a chance to truly shore up a position which has been lacking for so long. Maybe use some fantasy logic here and draft the best player available, instead of forcing a lesser player into a position you think you need to fill.

They also get no supplimental draft picks this year - the first time in many years if my memory serves.

I suppose Holcomb beats most QB projects, so if nothing else it saves them the decision of spending a 6th or 7th round pick on another spare rookie QB.

Spikes is due to get $5M next year as the last year of his contract. Here's hoping the Eagles extend the deal soon before it becomes a mid-season issue when Spikes realizes that his only options from the F.O. are a new contract or getting cut.

I'm not sure they draft a LB high, i really cant see it. They have Gaither, Mccoy and Gocong. Where is the room for another LB. I don't think they cut 55 or 54. If they draft a LB, one of the above players is cut. To be honest with you, id be Happy having a player like Jones who can play either position (WLB, SLB) as the main backup.

I think we are all missing the most important question about this trade.

Can Holcomb take over the job of holding on field goals? (blue)

Of note, Chris Houston (CB from Arkansas) is said to be "slipping" and he's a player I'd be happy with at 26. - FD


Interesting.
Offline, to both MIG and BD, I asked em to rate who they'd like Philly to take with their 1st pick, (list in new thread) and I had his name in their as I too would be happy with that pick as well.

They have Gaither, Mccoy and Gocong. Where is the room for another LB.

I think the plan is to tell McCoy to "go long". Then they don't have to deal with the numbers issue until next year when McCoy figures out the joke and comes back.

Something about Gocong scares me. The has tweener/3-4 written all over him. I hope plays well, I just worry it was a highlight reel pick.

I like Gaither, but have not been overly impressed by Gocong or McCoy. Would like to see someone drafted who could either push them to be better or push them off the depth chart.

Then Lawrence Timmons is your man.

From another perspective about the Briggs trade -

Maybe (and I stress maybe) the Skins want to make that trade because they won't have to plunk down a ton for an unproven 1st round pick, plus they still get to pick a player (albeit at a reduced salary) while picking up an All-Pro player.

I don't agree with the reasoning, but if that's the case (and it's not exactly as if 1st round picks are guaranteed great players), then it might not be as bad than at first glance.

That could easily be what the Skins are thinking, but it's bogus.

The 6th overall pick (which is what I think they have) is where you get an ELITE talent.

Briggs is good linebacker, but not an elite talent. Additionally, he plays next to Urlacher and there have been quite a few linebackers who played really well next to Urlacher only to stumble on their own.

Put it this way...If Briggs entered the draft today (Bears just released him and the NFL declared he'd enter the draft), would you take him as the 6th overall player?

Maybe some people would, but I wouldn't.

Who needs ELITE players when 1/4 of the Earth is covered by Smoot?

bass that was good...

He's only covering 1/4? Maybe he lost a step.

No....the rest is covered by water...so says Smoot and Gore.

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