Redskins, Eagles go in Opposite Directions

[1niksder]

Redskins, Eagles go in Opposite Directions

The Washington Redskins have added an infusion of youth to their roster. These changes come from free agent signings, trades and the 2011 NFL Draft. This mentality is completely opposite than that of the previous decade, where over-paid veterans were considered the norm at Redskins Park. This infusion of youth(or re-building as some call it), has set a new precedence in year two of the Shanahan era. Although the Redskins are not considered ready to compete for the playoffs in 2011, they just may be doing what is best for the long-term future of the organization.

On the opposite end of the spectrum is division foe Andy Reid, and his Philadelphia Eagles. Unlike the Redskins, the Eagles have chosen to stay away from high-priced free agents, and instead have concentrated on building from the draft, and developing, and promoting players from within the organization. The Eagles have had success in the win-loss column, but that success has not brought the city of brotherly love it first Lombardi trophy. The Eagles are hoping to change that in 2011, with a new philosophy that has seen the team reach outside its normal boundaries, and attack the free agent market for high-priced, talented vets. Could this be the Eagles final attempt of the Andy Reid era, to get that elusive Lombardi Trophy? If Reid can't take this team to the promised land, with this type of talent, he never will.

In other words, are the Eagles trying to buy their first championship?



The Redskins have recently cut ties with Veterans Donovan McNabb(34), Clinton Portis(29), Casey Rabach(will be 34), Derrick Dockery(will be 31), Mike Williams(31), Joey Galloway(39), Roydell Williams(30), Albert Haynesworth(30), Maake Kemoeatu(32), Andre Carter(32), Philip Daniels(38), Vonnie Holliday(35), and will potentially part ways with free agent starters Carlos Rogers(30), and Rocky McIntosh(28).

They have replaced these players with potential starters John Beck(30), Ryan Torain(will be 25), Roy Helu(22), Tim Hightower(25), Will Montgomery(28), Chris Chester(28), Kory Lichtensteiger(26), Leonard Hankerson(22), Jabar Gaffney(30), Bary Cofield(27), Stephen Bowen(27), Jarvis Jenkins(23), Ryan Kerrigan(will be 23), Josh Wilson(26), and Perry Riley(23), all of whom were either promoted from the current roster, or aquired in the draft, free agency, or via trade.

Looking at the starting roster from 2010 to 2011, if the Redskins would have gone into the 2011 season with the same starting roster as 2010(with minimal changes), the average age would have been 30. The offense would have averaged 31 years of age(yeah, Joey Galloway reall skewed this one), while the defense would have averaged 29. The projected starting roster(and I know this is still early) for 2011 averages 27 years old. Both the offense and defense drops from 31 and 29, to 27 and 27 respectively.



Now the Eagles didn't go drastic like Redskins teams of the past, adding and over-paying for guys well into their 30's. They did however add veterans like Asomugha(30), Babin(31), Jenkins(30), Mathis(30), and 27 year old rookie Danny Watkins to be potential starters. Kolb was also the starter going into the 2010 season(even though Vick saw the most action, and made himself the unquestioned starter by mid-season), so you can add the departure of the 27 year old to Arizona, and the new starter, Mike Vick(31), to this list also.

How will this infusion of youth transulate to the football field? Well if the Eagles are the team we look to model our franchise after, I would count on a return to the playoffs within 2 years, and once we get there, with good coaching, and smart front office moves, maybe we can stay atop the division for a decade.

....

[Irn-Bru]

The only problem with the analogy is that the Eagles still have lots of draft picks. The only thing they are really hurting is their ability to acquire free agents a couple of years from now while they are dealing with the cap ramifications of cutting some of these guys.

[PulpExposure]

The fundamental difference is the Redskins tried to build their core with free agency, and supplemented with draft picks. The Eagles built their core through draft picks, and supplemented with free agents.

Different approaches.

[SkinsJock]

Pat Kirwin was saying that while the Eagles have added some quality players, these players did not address areas of need well enough (in his opinion) - "the Eagles added 'talent' but will that translate into having better success - this remains to be seen"

I predict the Eagles will be 1 or 2 in the NFC East but will not be playing in the Super Bowl

[CanesSkins26]

but will not be playing in the Super Bowl

Way to go out on a limb