Around the NFL...Training Camp Style

[JoeRedskin]

Originally Posted by 30gut

Yup that makes sense and that's who they lost (Peters).
We could have really hurt their OL if we had enough cash to outbid them for D.Bell.

Although I have a lot of respect for Vick, i think their receiving corp is limited.
Here's how I see them:
With Riley Cooper breaking his leg they don't (at present) show enough depth to 4-5 wide.
If they're in base or 3 WR personnel:
DeSean only runs routes outside the numbers and you can always double him.
If you need to you can double Maclin but imo he's not a dyanmic WR and I think Wilson or D.Hall (if he's in the mood to play honest press man) can shut him down.
Avant you can play man-to-man.
Celek you can play man to man.

The X-factors are Shady McCoy and whether or not Andy Reid feels like running the ball.

IMHO - Couldn't agree more. In fact, I think McCoy, more so than Vick, is the key to their offense. Due to his versatility, he really presents problems for the defense which, in turn, creates openings for Maclin and Jackson. Both are good WR's who can make great plays (as opposed to say a C. Johnson who is a great WR who can make phenomenal plays). I think this is true even if Reid stays with his pass heavy offense.

As you say, both Maclin and Johnson can be taken away - most of the time - in the passing game by doubling and pressing and the rest of the WR are nothing special. McCoy, however, creates all sorts of match-up up problems in the passing game and frees Maclin and Johnson on the play action. Even if Reid doesn't run much, McCoy is the type of runner for whom you have to respect the run any time he is in because he can break for big gains anytime he touches the ball.

Vick, well, he's Vick. He extends plays and makes some on his own. While he is individually dynamic, McCoy is both individually dynamic (to a lesser degree than Vick) and makes the team more dynamic schematically. By that I mean, defenses have to respect Vick b/c if they don't, Vick will make big plays that move the team and create scoring and, because you can't count on one guy to take Vick away either as a QB or runner, he creates opportunities for others.

On the other hand, and in addition to his talent as RB and receiver, McCoy creates a different kind of uncertainty for the defenses. Just like Vick you have to account for him as an individual and so he creates openings for others in style (but not the degree) that Vick does. Because of McCoy's versatility as a runner and receiver, defenses don't know exactly how he will be used on any particular play creating a schematic confusion (is he a runner or receiver - is it pass, play-action, draw, off-tackle, etc?).

McCoy & Vick together are extremely dangerous for the problems they present. IMHO, however, take away McCoyand their offense becomes much, much less dynamic

I expect their defense will be improved from last year - not really all that hard to do. They have a lot to prove and may be playing with a chip on their shoulder. The addition of Ryans and the subtraction of Samuel (again, IMHO) will provide giant step forward. Still not sold on the Wide 9 or Castillo, but I expect a much better performance from their D this year.

And, yes, I wish we had been able to grab Bell. I would much rather have had him than Morgan. Not sure if he was available when the call to go for Morgan was made, but, if so, I think Morgan over Bell was a mistake.