05-31-2015, 02:55 AM
I was reviewing my posts on this thread and the 2014 thread, and on an individual basis, I've been unhappy with Chip's offseason moves. Trading McCoy to crowd the ILB position and picking up a Cowboy to replace him (and I still think Shady is the better RB.) Trading a younger/more winning Foles for an injured / more expensive Bradford... and giving up picks on top of it. Not offering Maclin as much as KC did, or locking him down earlier. Drafting an ILB in the 3rd and then trading the 4th... came away with less/lower drafted prospects than I hoped and no OL depth from draft picks. As a whole, I disagreed with a lot of the offseason moves. But.
I look at this roster and the ceiling is higher than last year's, starting with the QB. Bradford is capable of outplaying Foles. Foles had more value in my mind, but Bradford is the better player. He also has history with Murray, a very productive RB, and the addition of Mathews means the RB position overall is at least equal to last year. Most importantly, the secondary should be much improved with Maxwell, Carroll, and Rowe. If Thurmond successfully switches to S, or Rowe moves over, that group should be much more competent than in previous years. Kiko and Kendricks could be very disruptive inside backers. Graham has potential as an outside rusher. Huff, Agholor, and Matthews could be a very talented young WR trio. Chip was willing to take risks to shoot for the stars. He's not comfortable being 10-6... and as a fan that's a scary and impressive trait. I'm not willing to blow up a winning team, but Chip is a dreamer.
I'm coming around to excitement for the 2015 season. I can respect Chip's dreaming. I want to see the brutal competition at Corner and S. I want them to forge a defense that plays more games like the Black Sunday Shutout. They're going to miss role players like Nate Allen, Trent Cole, Todd Herremans, and yes even Bradley Fletcher, but the risks Chip has taken have been calculated. I'll never be happy with some of the moves individually, but the future is not bleak.
I look at this roster and the ceiling is higher than last year's, starting with the QB. Bradford is capable of outplaying Foles. Foles had more value in my mind, but Bradford is the better player. He also has history with Murray, a very productive RB, and the addition of Mathews means the RB position overall is at least equal to last year. Most importantly, the secondary should be much improved with Maxwell, Carroll, and Rowe. If Thurmond successfully switches to S, or Rowe moves over, that group should be much more competent than in previous years. Kiko and Kendricks could be very disruptive inside backers. Graham has potential as an outside rusher. Huff, Agholor, and Matthews could be a very talented young WR trio. Chip was willing to take risks to shoot for the stars. He's not comfortable being 10-6... and as a fan that's a scary and impressive trait. I'm not willing to blow up a winning team, but Chip is a dreamer.
I'm coming around to excitement for the 2015 season. I can respect Chip's dreaming. I want to see the brutal competition at Corner and S. I want them to forge a defense that plays more games like the Black Sunday Shutout. They're going to miss role players like Nate Allen, Trent Cole, Todd Herremans, and yes even Bradley Fletcher, but the risks Chip has taken have been calculated. I'll never be happy with some of the moves individually, but the future is not bleak.