As the NFL season approaches, Eagles fans (at least those not bored into unconsciousness by the preseason) are strutting with optimism. And why not? This team is talented, healthy, and already knows its way to a championship parade.
But there are flaws with the powerhouse Howie Roseman built. Fortunately, there is also the opportunity for the savvy GM to craft a move right now that would send fans rushing to book reservations to Super Bowl LIV next Feb. 2 in Miami.
Let’s face it, the Birds’ edge rush projects as just average.
With Chris Long retired and Michael Bennett gone to the Pats, depth is thin. Any improvement has to come from third-year defensive end Derek Barnett playing like the first-rounder he was drafted as three years ago.
Maybe he will. Or, maybe the Eagles could add immediate impact by trading for Houston’s unhappy 26-year-old defensive end Jadeveon Clowney.
You’ve heard the stories. Clowney and the Texans can’t agree on a long-term deal, so Houston slapped a franchise tag on the young star. Clowney has sulked at home through training camp, and the impasse appears to have reached the breaking point.
The NFL rumor mill has the Texans talking trade with a half-dozen teams — including the Eagles. That makes sense.
Of course, the rumor mill also sparks inane scenarios. Reports in the last week have Clowney coming to Philadelphia for Lane Johnson, Jason Peters, Alshon Jeffery or, in one story, Zach Ertz. None of those things will happen. A Super Bowl hopeful doesn’t help itself by adding strength at one position and tearing down another.
Equally unrealistic are reports that Texans coach Bill O’Brien, who also serves as their de facto GM, will seek to replace RB Lamar Miller (knocked out for the season last weekend) by sending Clowney eastward for the likes of Wendell Smallwood, Josh Adams or Corey Clement. O’Brien may desperate, but he’s not stupid.
What makes sense – and could actually happen – is the Eagles sending their 2020 first-rounder and a role player, say, Halapoulivaati Vaitai (just as I’ve finally learned to spell his name) to Texas for the young star. A first-round pick might sound pricey, but, hey, if it’s No. 32 who’d complain?
Clowney comes with 18.5 sacks in the past two seasons and one of the NFL’s top combinations of size and speed. But he also comes with baggage.
For one, he’s got a history of immaturity and losing focus during games. This deal only works if you believe the Eagles coaching staff and veteran leadership can motivate Clowney into working on every play.
Second, NFL rules preclude any team from signing Clowney to a long-term deal now, so he could leave as a free agent after just one season. The Eagles have the cap space to add his $16 million price tag for 2019. But can Roseman make it work long term?
My hunch is he can, and that Clowney would remain an Eagle under a deal similar to that of Fletcher Cox (six years, $102 million).
Blockbuster moves like this are rare in the NFL because most GMs are reluctant to shake things up right before the season opens. But not Roseman.
Three years ago, he shipped Sam Bradford to the Vikings for a first-round pick and promoted rookie Carson Wentz to starting QB just eight days before the opener. That was a stunner, a huge risk and — ultimately — a franchise changer.
Bringing in Jadeveon Clowney is exactly the kind of gutsy move Roseman would make. Here’s hoping it happens.
