$40 million in cap space - Dawkins + Houshmandzadeh = Philly’s biggest mistake?

By Lou DiPietro  |   Tuesday, March 03, 2009  |  Comments( 3 )

Philadelphia Eagles
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Sometimes it’s what you don’t do that defines you.

And no matter what they do between now and the NFL draft, what the Philadelphia Eagles haven't done in free agency may haunt them for a long time.

I’m talking specifically about two key free agents in T.J. Houshmandzadeh and former Eagle Brian Dawkins.

There was obviously no way that the Eagles were going to make as big a splash in this year’s free agent market as they did in 2008, when they signed Asante Samuel to a mega-deal the minute the clock struck midnight.

And, yes, they have made one big move so far -- signing right tackle Stacy Andrews to a huge contract to stand next to brother Shawn and play right tackle. They kind of had to do that, though, with Tra Thomas and Jon Runyan being free agents, and Runyan having just had microfracture knee surgery; and unless they move Shawn Andrews or Todd Herremans outside, the only other person on the roster who has taken an NFL snap at tackle is Winston Justice (and Eagles fans know how well that experiment has turned out).

That said, there are just some things you have to do regardless of your plans. And in the NFL, where guarantees aren't even as good as the paper they're written on, re-signing the defensive face of the franchise and inking a Pro Bowl receiver who wants to play for you fall under that category.

First is the easy one, Houshmandzadeh. While on the surface the Eagles seem set at receiver, this signing would have been a no-brainer for three reasons.

For one, well, it’s T.J. Houshmandzadeh we’re talking about here. And legend has it that the night before free agency began, he sent a text message to 950-AM ESPN Radio in Philly reading that “I don't know what's gonna (sic) happen, but if they want me, I will be an Eagle tomorrow.”

Sounds a bit like a guy who would come for a little bit more than he’s worth, no?

Second, look at his numbers. Over the last three seasons, Houshmandzadeh has caught 294 balls for 3,128 yards and made the Pro Bowl in 2007. Those numbers are better than the career stats of all six receivers who played for the Eagles last year; that is, except for Kevin Curtis -- who has less than 100 more yards. I’ll give DeSean Jackson a pass because he was a rookie last year, but that’s still sad.

Last but not least, there’s Donovan McNabb -- who has allegedly been lobbying the team to upgrade at the offensive skill positions. Whether those allegations are founded or not, signing a guy like Houshmandzadeh would seriously upgrade any offense, let alone the Eagles'.

The Eagles may think they’re set at receiver, but then again, having two accomplished cornerbacks didn’t stop them from throwing $57 million at Samuel last year. But hey, this is the team that once cut Cris Carter and made its only Super Bowl appearance of the Andy Reid/McNabb Era while the best receiver they’ve ever had (Terrell Owens) watched most of the playoffs from the sidelines with a broken ankle.

Thus, maybe they do know what they’re doing.

But if you believe that, then please tell me how you feel the first time you look at Brian Dawkins wearing a Denver Broncos jersey.

Money, plans and age aside, Dawkins was, at least defensively, the face of the franchise. Sure, McNabb is the “star,” but until last week, Dawkins was the longest-tenured current athlete in Philadelphia sports. Longer than McNabb, and longer than anyone on the Phillies team that just won the World Series. Heck, he lasted longer in Philadelphia than Allen Iverson, Eric Lindros and numerous other former icons.

Yes, he has downsides. For one, he’s 35, and the Eagles have long been a franchise that subscribes to the “better to release a player one year too soon than one year too late” philosophy. And even with the excellent season he had last year -- 75 tackles, three sacks and an INT in 16 games played -- he’s sure to decline eventually. (Oh, and by the way -- those 75 tackles were fourth on the team last year, the three sacks were more than any other non-lineman and his lone INT matched the total of both Sheldon Brown and Lito Sheppard, who just fetched two draft picks from the Jets after his worst statistical season ever.)

However, Dawkins -- like Houshmandzadeh -- wanted to be in Philly, as he told 950-AM ESPN Radio:

“I did not want to get to free agency. I’ve never gotten to free agency, I’ve never gone to free agency. I’ve had years in the past where I could have collected big bucks on the open market, but I did not want to get there. So why would I want to get there all of a sudden now on my last contract? I wanted to be an Eagle. And they denied that.”

And in the words of Dennis Hopper’s Howard Payne from "Speed," all that desire got him was a gold watch and a "sorry about your hand." Or, as Reid and owner Jeffrey Lurie danced around, the equivalent of WWE’s “We wish you the best in your future endeavors” speech.

Yes, Quentin Mikell has emerged as a quality safety in the team's system. But with Sean Considine having gone to Jacksonville, Quentin Demps coming off a decent yet shaky rookie season and the crop of safeties in both free agency and the draft fairly weak, there was still plenty of room for a “declining” Dawkins in the Philadelphia secondary. Instead, the Broncos gave him a five-year, $17 million deal to play alongside Champ Bailey and the overhauled defense.

Just another example of the Eagle brass not listening to anyone but their wallets. And for a team that’s nearly $40 million under the cap, the chance to get an elite receiver and retain the heart and soul of its defense for slightly more than a quarter of that should be too good to pass up -- even with two first-round picks, at least one of which you know Reid will flip into a couple others later in the day.

That $40 million in cap space? It can buy Reid, Lurie and the rest about 5 million Tony Luke’s cheesesteaks, and it can get them all the Will Allens, Jermaine Phillipses and Mike Browns their hearts desire. It’s too bad that many Eagles fans will be too burned from what it didn’t get them to care.
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About Lou DiPietro

Lou DiPietro is an accomplished freelance writer who is fascinated with all things sports. In addition to his duties at RealFootball365.com, Lou contributes to TheBleacherReport.com and Pro Wrestling Illustrated magazine, and has been featured on "The Sports Buffet with Matt West" on 1080-AM ESPN ...
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