Didinger's Mailbag: DeSean's contract, LBs, kickers

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Answering your questions and commenting on your comments, here is todays dip into the mailbag.

Q. With the contract Larry Fitzgerald just signed, DeSean Jackson, in my mind, just became impossible to re-sign, especially with the agent (Drew Rosenhaus) he has. Because of his size and his two concussions, hes too much of a risk to give that much money to. I believe they should trade him to strengthen right tackle or middle linebacker. They have enough talent at wide receiver so they really can part company with him.

-- Franklin WerkheiserBethlehem, Pa.

A. The Fitzgerald contract will no doubt enter the discussion when Rosenhaus meets with Joe Banner. It could be a problem if that becomes the new bar for their negotiations, but I dont think it will simply because Jackson isnt in Fitzgeralds class as an all-around receiver and everyone, including Rosenhaus, knows it. But I would not be looking to trade Jackson. He is too valuable to this offense. You talk about the talent level at wide receiver, but Jeremy Maclin remains a physical question mark and you dont know when Steve Smith will be available. The Eagles need Jackson and it would be in everyones best interest if they kept him happy. Pay him, in other words.

Q. What is the best case scenario for (Moise) Fokou, (Casey) Matthews and (Jamar) Chaney? Is Chaneys ceiling the highest among the linebackers because of his experience stepping in last year? Also, how good can Keenan Clayton be?

-- Andrew FreyPlymouth Meeting, Pa.

A. Right now, Chaney is their best linebacker and he is playing the strong side. Matthews has ability and a world of desire, but he is in over his head as a rookie starter. If things go badly against Cleveland Thursday, I could see the Eagles moving Chaney to the middle where he played well down the stretch last season, and putting the veteran Akeem Jordan on the strong side. Im not giving up on Matthews. I still think he can be a good player, but the Eagles threw him in the fire before he was ready. Give him time. Clayton has good speed and the ability to cover, so he can contribute in nickel and dime packages.

Q. After enduring the disappointing preseason loss to the Steelers, I was reminded of last seasons playoff loss to Green Bay. The sting of that loss made the front office realize the weakness in the secondary, linebackers and defensive line. They improved the secondary and the line. Unfortunately, they forgot (or ignored) the mediocre play of the linebackers. Why was the front office satisfied with strengthening only the secondary and line while completely ignoring the glaring need for capable linebackers?

-- Don KahlerUpper Darby, Pa.

A. I think the Eagles strategy was this: If we greatly improve our defensive line (and they did with the signings of Cullen Jenkins and Jason Babin) and we greatly improve our secondary (and they did with the acquisitions of Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie), we can mix and match at linebacker and well be fine. They put a lot of money in those other areas and went the economy route at linebacker, and so far it looks like it.

Q. We all know the Eagles have not been overly successful in finding players to fit their system at linebacker Do they have someone who looks like they might be able to cover a tight end this year? (Jason) Witten has been the only weapon Dallas has consistently been able to use against us for the past four or five years. Is this going to be the case again or does this nonsense finally stop?

-- Stephen J. Shubeck

A. Jason Witten doesnt just have big games against the Eagles. It only seems that way to Eagles fans. The truth is Witten has been wearing out defenses across the league for his entire career. He is that good. But to address your point: Chaney could be a good cover linebacker on the strong side. He certainly runs well enough and he is physical, but he may have to move back to the middle depending on how things go with Matthews.

Q. With the relief about (Jeremy) Maclins health and the signing of Steve Smith, it would appear that either (Jason) Avant or Riley Cooper could be in some trouble to make the team. Weird that I have not heard buzz from anyone about this. Your thoughts?

-- Chris Burnett

A. Avant is a lock to make the team. He is the most sure-handed receiver on the roster and he has been productive working in the slot. I would be shocked if the coaches gave up on Cooper. He got a ton of reps at camp with Jackson and Maclin out and he looked good. He has a chance to develop into a good receiver and he already contributes on the kick coverage teams, so I think he has a roster spot secured.

Q. This Dream Team hype is one big laugh. These new additions will help, but this is not the problem. The problem was and is the linebacking and the position of right tackle, the position that protects your franchise quarterbacks blindside. They should have been primary during free agency. Winston Justice and the rest of the right tackles cannot play, trust me. Youre going to be saddled with mediocre football with this (Jeff) Lurie administration and (Andy) Reid.

-- Ron Desantis

A. It is fair to say this team has issues at linebacker and right tackle. And it is fair to say they should have done more to secure the right side since it is Mike Vicks blindside and he pretty much holds the key to the season. No argument there. But no team in the NFL is perfect across the board. Every team has holes. You just have to patch over them the best you can. Id say it is unfair to characterize the Lurie track record as mediocre. Since 2000 the Eagles are 123-71-1, a .633 winning percentage, fourth-best in the league. Thats pretty darn good.

Q. Why is that when a backup quarterback opens his mouth and uses the phrase Dream Team it automatically sticks? Why is it that after essentially everyone in the organization states this is not how they view the team the phrase continues to be used ad nauseum by the local and national media? The Eagles look like a team with just as many warts as other teams in the league.

-- Andy KesslerPhiladelphia, Pa.

A. Vince Young offered the Dream Team comment as an off-handed remark. A joke, really. He didnt expect it to go viral the way it did, but thats the world of new media. It was an easy thing for the pundits to seize on and seize they did. Now the Eagles have to live with it. They are the most-hyped team in the league and probably will be picked to win the NFC and go to the Super Bowl by many prognosticators. It will be more pressure for them whether they want to admit it or not.

Q. With a win-it-all-now team, Im surprised the Eagles didnt keep (David) Akers for a Super Bowl run. Thats a lot of pressure to put on a rookie kicker. I can see letting (Sav) Rocca go, as punters are easier to find, but a consistent kicker like Akers? It is a big risk to take with such a good team making a Super Bowl run. Am I missing something obvious here?

-- Keith GallagherGarwood, N.J.

A. Ill say it again: I would not have done it. Akers was 32 for 38 on field goal tries during the regular season. I still consider him one of the top five kickers in the league. The two misses in the playoff game were huge, certainly, but I still would not have cut ties with Akers, especially when the team was clearly loading up for a big run at the title. The Eagles felt they could save money and use it in other areas, but personally Id rather have a veteran in that spot than a rookie, even one as accomplished as Alex Henery.

E-mail Ray Didinger at viewfromthehall@comcast.net.

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