Smith: Tag Your It

Somewhat surprising move by the Eagles in franchising TE LJ Smith. Most had presumed him gone after being unable to reach a contract extension and an injury plagued season that also saw some encouraging play by rookie heir apparent Brent Celek.

Still, for $4.5 million why wouldn't the Eagles tag Smith? Who knew under $5 mil was the going rate for a top TE salary?

He should be fully healed by minicamp, he knows the offense and is an above average receiver. Now if he can only hold onto the ball better after he catches it. As my friend Scott observed this past year, Smith's absence in the lineup had some dramatic effects on the efficiency of the offense. He's Shockey-esque without the histrionics and causes defensive matchup problems. Cover him with an LB? He's faster than that. Cover him with a safety? That leaves some open space in the secondary. Like him or not (and many Eagles' fans don't), the truth is that Smith is more valuable to the offense - especially the Eagles offense - than many realize.

The other encouraging sign is that keeping Smith suggests that the Eagles aren't in a rebuilding mindset for 2008 (i.e., no McNabb trade) but will make a push for the brass ring this upcoming fall. Retaining Smith on a one-year deal preserves one of the Eagles most potent offensive weapons, is a short-term commitment to winning right now, and allows Celek to more fully develop.

2009? We'll have to see.