Eagles discussion 2017

phillychuck 2017-08-10 13:25:34 UTC #1

First pre-season game tonight. One sentence season preview: the offense looks improved, the defensive front 7 looks very solid, can the cornerbacks do the job and help the birds conquer a tough schedule and rise to the top of a wide-open NFC East?

Detailed preview from Big Ed76, a former Eagles MB Mod and poster at BSG:

Big Ed76:

New Coaches
WR Coach = Mike Groh (Rams WR Coach/Passing Game Coordinator)

New Players
QB Nick Foles (KC)
QB Matt McGloin (OAK)
RB LeGarrette Blount (NE)
WR Alshon Jeffery (CHI)
WR Torrey Smith (SF)
OG Chance Warmack (TEN)
DE Chris Long (NE)
DT Timmy Jernigan (BAL)
DT Gabe Wright (DET)
LB Steven Daniels (WSH)
CB Patrick Robinson (IND)
CB Mitchell White (CFL)
FS Corey Graham (BUF)

Gone From Last Year
QB Chase Daniel (NO)
RB Kenjon Barner (LAC)
RB Terrell Watson (PIT)
WR Dorial Green-Beckham (released/unsigned)
OG Allen Barbre (released/unsigned)
DE Connor Barwin (LAR)
DE Marcus Smith II (released/unsigned)
DT Bennie Logan (KC)
LB Stephen Tulloch (retired)
LB Bryan Braman (unsigned UFA)
CB Nolan Carroll II (DAL)
CB Leodis McKelvin (released/unsigned)
CB Dwayne Gratz (released/unsigned)

Re-signed/Extended Players
TE Trey Burton
OG Stefen Wisniewski
OLB Najee Goode
DB Jaylen Watkins

What to Watch This Preseason
-- After starting all 16 games as a rookie, this has quickly become Carson Wentz's team. Will there be a sophomore slump, or will he take the next steps to becoming one of the league's up-and-coming superstars? After Chase Daniel complained about not getting enough playing time in his only season here, he was dumped in favor of ol friend Nick Foles (and Daniel ended up in New Orleans behind Brees). The team also signed Penn State alum and former Raider backup Matt McGloin to be their 3rd-string QB.

-- After getting rid of DeMarco Murray, the Birds tried to make Ryan Mathews the starter, but fumbles and injuries derailed his 2016 season, and at this point he's only on the roster until he's medically cleared to be released. Failing to get any of the premium RBs in the draft, the Birds opted for a 1-year deal with Super Bowl champion LeGarrette Blount, who brings size and experience to the position. Wendell Smallwood and Darren Sproles return as backups, and the team drafted FBS all-time leading rusher Donnel Pumphrey in the 4th-round to eventually replace Sproles, who is retiring after this season. NJ native and Wisconsin alum Corey Clement will also be battling for a roster spot.

-- The WR spot was the biggest issue with the 2016 team, and Greg Lewis was one-and-done as the coach of this group, replaced by Mike Groh, who has familiarity with major offseason signing Alshon Jeffery from the Bears. The team also added Torrey Smith after the Niners released him, they added two draft picks in Mack Hollins (size) and Shelton Gibson (speed), and they dumped major underachiever Dorial Green-Beckham. Jordan Matthews is back and playing for a big payday next offseason, while Nelson Agholor is expected to have a rebound season after his sophomore disaster got into his head.

-- Every training camp for the past few years has been Jason Peters' final one with the team, and he was SICK OF THIS and asked to have his contract reworked, ensuring he'll be around at least two more seasons. Jason Kelce also returns despite thoughts he'd be released after back-to-back awful seasons. Stefen Wisniewski signed a new 3-year deal, and Chance Warmack was a top-10 pick four years ago but was allowed to walk from Tennessee, signing a 1-year deal this offseason and reuniting with his former coach at Alabama, Jeff Stoutland. Isaac Seumalo will also be in the mix for the LG and C spots. The team didn't draft waste any draft picks on a very weak OL class, but top center prospect Tyler Orlosky was added as a UDFA. UPDATE: Seumalo was named starting LG on 7/26, then Barbre was traded to Denver for a conditional 2019 pick

-- When the team moved back to a 4-3 defense after Pederson and Schwartz took over, Connor Barwin's days were numbered, and following the season, he was released and joined the Rams 3-4. Although the team signed Chris Long from the Patriots, the team still needed a top young DE to go with a group that includes underachieving rusher Vinny Curry and 1st-round bust Marcus Smith II, so the Birds used the #14 pick on Tennessee end Derek Barnett, who broke Reggie White's school record for sacks. Early reports on the rookie have been outstanding, so keep your fingers crossed. Last year's 7th-round pick Alex McCalister is back after spending the year on IR. UPDATE: Smith II was released on 7/26

-- With Bennie Logan leaving for Kansas City, the team traded for Ravens DT Tim Jernigan (who will be a UFA after the season), added journeyman Gabe Wright from Detroit and drafted Elijah Qualls in the 6th round out of Washington. Upcoming UFA Beau Allen suffered a torn pec in April and is expected to be out until September or October.

-- The starting LB trio of Bradham/Hicks/Kendricks will return in 2017 barring any surprise cuts or trades, but the depth is lacking after Stephen Tulloch (retirement) and Bryan Braman (unsigned) moved on. Joe Walker, another 7th-round pick that spent last season on IR, will be in the mix, along with this year's second 5th-round pick, converted strong safety Nathan Gerry from Nebraska. Najee Goode, Kamu Grugier-Hill and Don Cherry also return to compete for a backup spot. UPDATE: former Redskins LB Steven Daniels was re-signed on 7/26 after being signed and released earlier this offseason

-- Cornerback will be the biggest weakness on the 2017 team. Nolan Carroll II moved on to Dallas, Leodis McKelvin was released, and top draft pick Sidney Jones IV isn't expected to contribute much this season as he recovers from a torn Achilles suffered during Washington's Pro Day. Patrick Robinson was added from the Colts on a 1-year deal to start opposite Jalen Mills, Rasul Douglas was drafted in the 3rd round out of West Virginia, and former CFL star Mitchell White will be in the mix with fellow CFLer Aaron Grymes. Ron Brooks and C.J. Smith also return to compete for roster spots.

Preseason Schedule
THU 8/10 7:00pm at Green Bay (NBC10)
THU 8/17 7:00pm vs Buffalo (NBC10)
THU 8/24 7:00pm vs Miami (NBC10)
THU 8/31 7:00pm at N.Y. Jets (NBC10/NFL Network)

Patchmk88 2017-08-10 14:59:02 UTC #2

I'm guessing an 8-8 or 9-7 season. I think our secondary gets roasted many games and think Wentz is one more year away from being a top 15 QB. We should be fun to watch though.

rkeden 2017-08-10 15:15:05 UTC #3

Amazing to me how similar the pro teams in Philly are as we enter the fall. All 4 seem to have passed through the obstacles of finding exciting young talent to form the base of the next cycle of success. All seem to have the attention, approval and support of their phan base.2019 is going to be a great time to be a Philly Phan. I realize that there are still infinite reasons for the "doubters" and "glass half-empty" folks to have their say but it seems to me that, barring catastrophic injuries, the opportunity to have the youngsters on all four teams gain experience and confidence will bear a bountiful crop soon.

Tonight it is Hoskins, the rookies on the Eagles in a "first look" game and Wentz for a quarter of throwing the ball around. Lots to look forward too in the days ahead!

allentown 2017-08-10 15:25:41 UTC #4

If the Eagles defensive line is as good as they think it is, and if they use Kendrick to do some blitzing -- this really is his only true strength, this will make the CBs look a lot better than they actually are. It will also allow a guy who is basically a S to be acceptable as a CB. Shorten the time available to the QB sufficiently and prevent him from setting his feet to throw and an iffy CB can look quite good.

bkeich 2017-08-10 20:08:59 UTC #5

I know this will be unpopular, but I would look to bring back Leodis McKelvin if he is still unsigned. He was hurt last year and played hurt. He isnt a great player, but healthy he probably would still be our #1 CB.

I know this isnt a SB team, but it could easily be a playoff team if we don't get burned by our lack of CB starters and depth. We have a slew of guys who should be backups (and a couple promising rookies).

I am really surprised no one picked up DGB. He is an oddity, it doesnt seem to be attitude, he has all the skills you could dream of but it just doesnt show up on the field. I have to think there are at least 20 WR coaches out there that think they can really make a name for themselves by solving the mystery.

Going to be a fun season if Wentz stays healthy. Even if we arent great that kid has EVERYTHING you want in a QB, just needs time and experience. I was a little worried about his deep throwing last year, it seemed like he just tossed them up there with very little accuracy or thought, but now that we have real deep threats we will find out. Reading that he has been working on diet and core body strength sounds EXACTLY what I want to hear, this kid is going to the HOF.

allentown 2017-08-10 20:36:21 UTC #6

Do we have enough cap space left to do that? Also, he may have been hurt last season, but there must be a reason that we are about to play our first pre-season game and McKelvin remains unsigned.

bkeich 2017-08-10 23:47:39 UTC #7

There is a fair amount of space sitting out there if we can ever get to release Ryan Matthews. I assume he has to pass a physical for that.

At this point I suspect McKelvin may not cost much, he hasnt signed yet and may have to just take what he gets. He needs a resurrection season and since he already knows this defense the Eagles might be his best choice. I would offer him something around the league minimum and see if he bites. No idea if he is healthy or not.

phillychuck 2017-08-11 03:41:29 UTC #8

Corners (and defense as a whole) were fine tonight until the 4th string got in. Biggest problem was the complete lack of a running game. No holes for anyone, not the backs fault. Pumphrey looked really bad, fumbled twice and went down hard when hit. McGloin checked everything down, threw one awful INT, but who cares, he shouldn't ever play. HVaitai got hurt, looked like it might be a knee bruise, or it might be ligament damage.

Wentz played well. Agholor dropped the only pass thrown to him.

bkeich 2017-08-11 03:48:28 UTC #9

Want to see Barnett get some 1st team reps, he dominated 2nd and 3rd team tackles.

Eagles looked good in the part of the game that mattered. Packers ran a ton of corner and slot blitzes and it was no surprise that a OL combinations that don't play together got toasted by this strategy. That also was a major reason for the running game failure.

We have to throw the ball down the field more often when it matters. Teams are going to kill Wentz if he is forced to throw all the time because we can't execute a 20 yard pass.

Hollins made the team tonight.

Lawman 2017-08-11 16:52:56 UTC #10

Eagles trade WR Jordan Matthews and 2018 3rd round pick to Buffalo for CB Ronald Darby

Squire 2017-08-11 16:56:32 UTC #11

Woah. That's huge. Buffalo made a companion trade sending WR Sammy Watkins and their 6th to the L.A. Rams for CB EJ Gaines and their 2nd

Lawman 2017-08-11 16:57:36 UTC #12

I don't know enough to comment intelligently on this. Is this a good deal for the Eagles? An overpay - if so by how much?

bkeich 2017-08-11 17:15:40 UTC #13

This is brilliant, you rarely see this in the NFL, but it is a case of trading from a strength to solve a roster issue. Darby is a credible starting CB, which is what we desperately need. Matthews is a quality WR, but we have a fair number of those and guys like Treggs/Turner are reasonable to fill in at #5/#6.

Hate to see Matthews go but it seems like they were going to let him walk (or he chose to) at the end of the year anyway.

phillychuck 2017-08-11 17:31:00 UTC #14

Zeke Elliot suspended for the first 6 games of he season. 3 days to appeal.

allentown 2017-08-11 17:32:27 UTC #15

I'm not thrilled with this deal. The third rounder is worth more than either Matthews or Darby. In his first game action, Agholor didn't get it done as Matthew's replacement. It looks as though Ezekial's just announce 6-game extension have inspired the Eagles to go for it now and try to win the division. That is some justification for an over-pay.

bkeich 2017-08-11 17:38:08 UTC #16

I don't think Agholor was even in for 10 plays, he had 1 target that was pretty close to uncatchable (Wentz gunned a throw high from way to close). Lets give the guy a chance, lets not just assume because last season was a disaster that Agholor can't be a #3 WR.

Who is more valuable, Matthews (FA at the end of the year) or Darby (2 seasons left on contract)? WR is a position that is much easier to fill in the NFL. Darby has more value, so yes, there was a draft pick included, but I would hardly call it "going for it" to acquire a guy to give our two rookie corners a bridge and an actual starting CB to work with instead of the slew of marginal players to learn from.

allentown 2017-08-11 17:41:25 UTC #17

I'd definitely do Matthews for Darby. My issue is with the 3rd round pick.

gmwannabe 2017-08-11 18:25:08 UTC #18

third rounder is way too much. howie is taking his best ruben stance, as in getting fleeced. jumped at the pressure to get a cornerback and gave up too much.
gm

Squire 2017-08-11 19:42:19 UTC #19

Feels like maybe a one round too high overpay on the pick but Matthews we couldnt sign both Matthews and Jeffrey at the end of this year, the WRs apparently look much improved in camp (even the UDFAs) and quite frankly CB might be the second most expensive position in football behind QB. At worst its third behind QB, DE. So I am not particularly sweating this. This team's draft legacy over the past decade could lead someone to conclude that converting picks into young proven players is a better use of resources (acknowledging that we have Joe Douglas now).

phillychuck 2017-08-11 19:57:18 UTC #20

Yeah, I would have preferred giving up a 4th, but you couldn't have gotten a Darby-equivalent in round 3 next year. Hopefully Howie finds us a couple of second-day picks before the next draft. J-Matt was almost a throw-in in this deal. Plus we get a bit more cap space.