Fans are curious why team didn't go after big names
By "Joey Scarfone"

Pre-Season 2080 (Philadelphia) - Once the trade deadline passed the Philadelphia Eagles fans could officially begin griping about the 2080 off-season. Most notably about the signings of journeyman Sherm Sweeny from Washington and Marcus Callguire from Minnesota.

'We have been very honest about the fact that this ballclub is well into the process of rebuilding from within,' said Head Coach Art Tang at his daily mid-afternoon pre-break press gathering. 'These guys are going to fill some gaps that we have on defense and help bring these young kids around.'

'Sweeny is a great competitor,' continued Tang, 'and in the seven years that he's been a starter, he's put up 59 sacks and 172 tackles. That's pretty good considering he's played six of those years in Tampa Bay.'

'Now Callguire is a kid that we've had our eye on ever since he came into the league from Southern Mississippi back in 2074. We offered him a rookie free agent contract but he felt he had a better shot at starting up in Minnesota. Which he did, as he's been a starter for the Vikings the last three seasons putting up 129 tackles and 9 sacks.'

Tang acknowledged the fact that Sweeny and Callguire were not the typical stud players that are highly coveted in the free agency market. Tang said filling the holes on defense took priority over the risk of going after high-cost talent and losing out to a more attractive franchise.

SIDELINES:

• Tang offered no comment regarding the Bears' officially waiving Super Bowl MVP David Sprague. Sprague, as everyone in Philly knows, was the last pick of the 2079 draft, selected by the Philadelphia Eagles. But when GM Andrew Lewis failed to submit the team's final roster cuts before the league deadline, the team was penalized a future 2nd round selection and was forced to waive their final two draft selections from that draft (David Sprague and Aaron Stephens). Look for the Birds to sign a kicker by Monday evening's deadline. 50/50 says it's Sprague.

• The 2080 season could be the last we see the 4-3 defense in Philadelphia. Coach Tang installed the defense several years back when he had Theo Grimes and Anthony Selby patrolling the line. Now that his defensive unit is weaker, the Birds are way overdue for installing a safer 3-4 scheme to keep the big-yardage losses to a minimum.

• Speaking of Grimes, Tang announced that Grimes has been hired as Defensive Line coach for the upcoming season. Grimes missed the two off-season mini-camps but will reportedly be a part of the team's training camp at Lehigh University.