Go Long

Phil Sheridan explores the Eagles' WR problems, and by extension Donovan McNabb's WR problems, especially as contrasted to the other premier QBs in the league.

This is well-trod territory. Starting back in the Charles Johnson-Na Brown era, through Stinkston & Trash, and now being reprised by Curtis-Brown. The nut graf of the Eagles' wideout issues:

"One thing seems very clear. During the all-too-brief period when he had a proven superstar wide receiver in Owens, McNabb put up great numbers. He threw passes on faith because he trusted Owens to catch the ball in traffic. Before that situation turned toxic, it proved that McNabb could be as effective as any quarterback in the league.

Manning has always had receivers like that. Brady has them now. So do Tony Romo and Eli Manning."

Except for that brief period with He Who Shall Not Be Named, the Eagles have never had a premier, let alone a legitimate #1 WR. Like I said, it's all been covered before (as have the receivers, like blankets.).

Anyway, what would be more helpful would be a story on WHY the Eagles WR have mostly stunk. Sure Andy Reid doesn't put a premium on the position but why doesn't he do so? And when 65% of your plays are passes, why don't you put more value and emphasis on the quality of your wide receivers.

Where is the money being spent on offense? And why are the Eagles so content to "grow their own" WR by trying to upgrade more through the draft than free agency? And why continue to rely on this strategy when a) it has clearly failed and b) your personnel department has shown a complete inability to properly evaluate talent at this position. Heck, even their big WR "signings" have so far shown to be busts (excluding former #81). $10 million extension to Brown? That's not looking promising now. $10 million to Curtis? The former #3 WR on the Rams? Why did they let Stallworth go when he would have signed for Curtis' money? How many other teams have not one, but two undrafted free agents at the WR position (Greg Lewis and Hank Baskett)?

Why have the Eagles tried to split the difference. Instead of paying $10 million for Curtis, why not go all in and pay $15 million for a true #1. Why try to do it on the cheap only to be disappointed with the mediocre play you get in return?

And why when you're QB is so maligned wouldn't Reid do everything in his power to ensure that the offense was as potent as possible.
One need only look north to New England to see a coach protect and assist his franchise QB. The Pats fell just short in last year's AFC championship, a loss that is at least partly attributable to the dreck Brady had at WR....Reche Caldwel, anyone? So what did Belichick do? He went out and stole a WR from a division rival (Wes Walker), signed speedster Donte Stallworth, and traded for the big kahuna (and admittedly big risk) Randy Moss. Now the Pats have one of the most prolific offenses in recent memory. In that light, the Kevin Curtis acquisition pales in comparison (and is even worse when you consider the Eagles weren't really aggressive in the WR free agent market last off-season. they got Curtis after the rest of the FA signed somewhere else.) Throw in the Pats' trade for Corey Dillon and drafting Laurence Maroney in the first round, and it becomes clear that the Pats have made it a priority to surround their QB with plenty of offensive weapons...and not just Brian Westbrook.