In depth 2013: Philadelphia Eagles

by | Feb 23, 2013 | 2012 season, 2013 season, NFL Draft, NFL Free Agency, NFL Random Thoughts

Few teams are going through the changes the Philadelphia Eagles are heading into the 2013 season. Gone is Andy Reid, who patrolled the sidelines in Philly for 14 years, taking the team to five NFC Championship games and one Super Bowl during that span.

Owner Jeffrey Lurie replaced Reid with Chip Kelly, who will try to adapt to the professional game after building a dominant team at the University of Oregon through a potent spread offense and some occasionally unpredictable coaching decisions. How his style works in the NFL is one of the most interesting open questions out there as the 2013 season gets underway.

Eliot Shorr-Parks, a long-time Eagles reporter and an editor at Bleeding Green Nation, acknowledges that it’s too early to say what the answers will be to some of the questions. Quarterback position? At this point, who knows who calls the signals for Philadelphia in 2013. The new 3-4 defense? The look of that alignment is still up in the air, as well.

Shorr-Parks joined us to share his early observations on what is sure to be an interesting 2013 for the Eagles.

Zoneblitz: Was moving on from Andy Reid the obvious move at the end of 2012 and what are your reflections on his years running the Eagles? (more…)

In depth 2013: Oakland Raiders

by | Feb 21, 2013 | 2012 season, 2013 season, NFL Draft, NFL Free Agency, NFL Random Thoughts

The first year of the post Al Davis–era in Oakland ended much the same way as much of the previous decade – with the Raiders on the outside of the playoff picture looking in. After a promising 2011 saw Oakland hit the .500 mark, salary cap issues and a lack of draft picks caused the Silver and Black to take a large step back in 2012.

Those same issues continue to plague the Raiders heading into 2013, as does a roster full of injury prone (Darren McFadden) and head case (Rolando McClain) athletes. So what can coach Dennis Allen and General Manager Reggie McKenzie do to get this team on the right track? And how long will it take?

Chris Shellcroft, editor of Just Blog Baby, tells Zoneblitz it could be a couple years or more before better times return to the Bay Area.

Zoneblitz: The Raiders dropped to 4-12 in 2012. What went wrong with the season and how did the results compare with your expectations heading into the year? (more…)

In depth 2013: Jacksonville Jaguars

by | Feb 19, 2013 | 2012 season, 2013 season, NFL Draft, NFL Free Agency, NFL Random Thoughts

A new owner, a second-year quarterback with his first shot at a full offseason of training, a new head coach and a defense that had played well in 2011 had fans and observers intrigued to see how 2012 would unfold for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Instead of rewarding the optimism, however, the Jaguars struggled mightily once again, dropping to a 2-14 mark that cost a bevy of team officials their jobs.

The 2013 season brings more change. Owner Shahid Khan immediately unveiled a new logo and hired Gus Bradley away from Seattle to become the new head coach. So what does the team need to do to make the improvements that will allow Jacksonville to contend for a playoff spot in the near future? Adam Stites, manager of Jaguars blog Big Cat Country, shared his thoughts with Zoneblitz.

Zoneblitz: What do you make of the Jaguars hiring Gus Bradley as head coach and David Caldwell as general manager? (more…)

In depth 2013: Kansas City Chiefs

by | Feb 17, 2013 | 2012 season, 2013 season, NFL Draft, NFL Free Agency, NFL Random Thoughts

Two years ago the Kansas City Chiefs were in the playoffs. I thought heading into the 2012 season, the Chiefs had a chance to rebound from a down 2011 season and chase the playoffs again. I have rarely been more wrong.

Last season was a disaster in Kansas City and it took down yet another coach. Andy Reid was brought in from Philadelphia as Romeo Crennel’s successor and the Chiefs have the top pick in the draft. Can a potentially exciting offseason rekindle the momentum this team had after the 2010 season?

Patrick Allen, senior editor of the Arrowhead Addict blog, joined us to share his thoughts.

Zoneblitz: This team had six Pro Bowlers but went 2-14. What went wrong in 2012? (more…)

Cousins will do fine in Redskins’ family

by | May 1, 2012 | 2012 season, NFL Draft, NFL Random Thoughts

Why are people feeling sorry for Kirk Cousins? Why do people think his selection by the Washington Redskins was controversial?

The Redskins thought he was a value in the fourth round so they took him. Cousins may be a backup. Or Robert Griffin III could be a flop. Then Washington has a backup plan in place.

Look no further than 1994, the year Washington drafted both Heath Shuler and Gus Frerotte to see that it’s not unheard of for the unheralded guy to end up better than the big shot. Or, as a commenter in a National Football League Post column pointed out, the 1971 draft when the Houston Oilers selected both Dan Pastorini and Lynn Dickey. Both had long careers, but Dickey arguably outperformed Pastorini over the long haul after he got his shot with Green Bay. (more…)

Steelers, Patriots, Browns and maybe Vikings among day one winners

by | Apr 27, 2012 | 2012 season, NFL Draft, NFL Random Thoughts

Two of the AFC’s long-time powerhouses got better Thursday night, potentially solidifying their chances of chasing yet another Lombardi Trophy in 2012.

New England, in my eyes, retained its standing as the favorites for a repeat shot at the Super Bowl with their maneuverings. Normally more of a threat to trade down, New England got aggressive and jumped up in trying to fill the defensive deficiencies that dogged the team last season.
In landing defensive end Chandler Jones and linebacker Dont’a Hightower, the Patriots are much better on defense than they were when the day started.

Pittsburgh didn’t have to do any wheeling-and-dealing to win the night. As other teams traded up and down before the Steelers’ pick came up, Stanford guard David DeCastro inexplicably dropped into their laps.

(more…)