The broad strokes are usually covered by lots of other publications and podcasts. You can go a hundred places and read the same four or five bullet points, mentioned in ninety-seven of those places. Stats aside, what about the Four Things you came here to review, right? Let’s see if we scored a HIT or a MISS on the areas I discussed.
1) Play the Starters: On Defense, only three of our presumed starters, Dean, DT Jordan Davis (no stats), SS 1A Terrelle Edmunds (4 tackles) opened the game. Dean forced a fumble inside the five yard line, which was recovered by SS 1B K’Von Wallace(7 tackles), stopping Cleveland’s first offensive drive.
No starters appeared on Offense, unless you happen to be in the camp that thinks RB Kenneth Gainwell (2 – 6 – 3.0 – 0 – 0) should start over RB D’Andre Swift. Swift didn’t even dress. (Throat clear) Not hard to read those tea leaves is it? MISS
2) Be the Aggressors: That’s a big ol’ nope-a-rooni on that one, good buddy. We sent no messages in this one. Tooth-rattling hits and savage blocks were nowhere to be seen, on a night where we surrendered 6 sacks, and saw Gainwell tackled in our end zone for a safety. The Defensive Line tried to bring heat, but they were too often hung out to dry, by loose and toothless coverage. MISS
FYI: This is NOT good protection.
3) Better QB Play: QB Marcus Mariota(9/17 – 52.9% – 86 – 0 – 1) looked awful. Trying to force himself to be a pocket passer (he only ran once, for 5 yards), he was totally out of his element. He lacks the accuracy, timing, mechanics, familiarity with the system, and read-skills needed, to be 1-2-3 dropback guy.
Tanner McKee got the ball out with more urgency than Mariota. He put the ball in some tight windows, hitting receivers in the hands. This week, he also did a much better job of not being a statue behind his Offensive Line. Those are ALL improvements on last week, and that’s all you want out of a rookie third stringer.
That said, while he looked fine as a rookie going against third stringers, anyone suggesting that he be elevated over Mariota, needs to have their blood sugar checked. There is too much McKee doesn’t know about the NFL, to put him one injury away from having to guide this franchise. Unforced error: Not playing QB Ian Book. HIT
4) More Defense: Tighter pass coverage and more contested balls, were the hopes. While this week’s completion percentage allowed (51%) was better than last week’s (61.2%), it still felt like opposing receivers gashed us for first downs, at will. Statistically the improvement looks great on paper, but anyone who actually witnessed that travesty, will tell you otherwise. MISS
****
Who Looked Good:
QB Tanner McKee: (See above) – There are gives and takes to judging his situation, so instead of guesstimating, let’s just look at what was produced. Several of his passes that found hands, were dropped. So he should have been 13/18 (72.2%) or 14/18 (77.7%).
TE Brady Russell: (1 – 22 – 22.0 – 1) – Whether catching a TD, making a block, or making a tackle on Special Teams, Russell was pumped to be out there. Even doing the dirty work. The numbers don’t favor him sticking, but guys like him are necessary.
LBZach Cunningham: (7 – 0.0 – 0 – 0) – Yet again he was where he needed to be, in order to make stops. He’s a seasoned pro, and teams are running vanilla packages right now. So for him, this is shooting fish on dry land.
Who Looked Bad:
QB Marcus Mariota: (See above) – He looks like the product of years of bad coaching, because that’s exactly what he is. Then again so was Micheal Vick when he first got here. Remember when people thought Jeff Garcia was washed up, after his stints in Detroit and Cleveland? Then he came here, got better coaching, and people put him on t-shirts. So relax. Mariota has NEVER been in better hands. Pro OR college.
RB Kenneth Gainwell: (See above) – It wasn’t THAT, he was tackled in the end zone for a safety. It was HOW, he was tackled in the end zone for a safety. He looked small. Helpless. Unable to defend himself. He was dead on contact. Kenneth will gain well if you block a nice hole for him, but he cannot force an issue on his own.
DC Sean Desai– Poor tackling. Coverage didn’t help the pass rush. We spent the night re-acting, instead of dictating the action. The Defense never gave the impression of evolving or learning. The knock on Jonathan Gannon, whom Desai replaced, was that he wouldn’t make adjustments. With the Desai, the question is: Can he make them?
On The Whole:
This game has me worried about the season. Not because of what happened on the field, but because of what didn’t. Remember being the underdog? Remember the “rent being due every day”? Remember when our players were hungry dogs? Take an honest look fellow fans. These Eagles don’t look hungry. They look very, VERY comfortable.
I’m sure the arguers against playing starters will point to the loss of CB Zech MacPhearson, DT Moro Ojomo, and WRTyrie Cleveland as the reason starters don’t even suit up. Which would make sense if injuries were based on use; as in X number of snaps, automatically equals an injury. However, that’s not how it works.
Football players have said for decades, there is no way to get in football shape, besides playing football. I can tell you firsthand, that is an ironclad fact. The only way to shake off the rust of not playing, is to play. Period. There is no substitute for football. It’s why you see football players accomplish feats that other athletes don’t even attempt. Not preparing right, feels like we’re setting ourselves up for failure.
This preseason has the feel of Rocky III, where Rock was training in the hotel, pausing to pose for pictures, and turning his prep into a mockery.
And he was subsequently dismissed in humiliating fashion, by Clubber Lang.
QB Jalen Hurts celebrates catching a football on the sideline. He would immediately throw his only pass of the night, to a fan in the stands.
LAST week the Defensive Line and the Safeties looks pretty good. Long Snapper Rick Lovato (no relation to Poot Lovato) was an animal, recovering a fumble on a punt return. There were some positives. Everything else had the appeal of a four story walk-up. Not a deal-breaker, but you’ll never stop thinking about improving your situation.
Being a preseason game, the “W” or the “L” is practically meaningless. What the Eagles need is the momentum of improvement. There have been a lot of fundamental changes, so a season like the one we just had, is anything but guaranteed. In fact, until we see that the Eagles have adapted well to the changes, there is no reason to believe that they will recapture the division.
There is a lot to show in this game. That vibe however, is a very low-key one. For most, this is the least exciting week of the preseason stretch.
*****
The point of Four Things isn’t to predict a winner, it’s to discuss which tactics would give our Eagles the best chance to win this game. Except in the preseason. At which point the wins are usually less valuable than the losses.
There are more than four things to watch for this week, but I’ll try to narrow the focus so that you don’t get burned out, trying to watch too much football, all at one time.
1) Play the Starters: Everyone needs to see a little action in this one. Don’t hand me any bullshit about how the joint practices that the Eagles had with the Browns, will probably be more physical than the game. If that’s the case, then play them in the game, and hold them out of practice! People pay for those tickets. Don’t jerk the fan base around
Besides, there are no nerves, no stakes, and no butterflies for these guys on a practice field. There’s no “L” to talk about for a week, in the event of a loss. Can MLB Nakobe Dean deliver under the lights and the pressure? Can new RG Cam Jurgens? Does RB Kenneth Gainwell really make a case for #1 RB? Is WR Olamide Zaccheaus a good fit for this team? Let’s see.
2) Be the Aggressors: Again, I don’t want to hear about how much rougher the joint practices are. If I could pen them a letter, it would read: Dear Eagles, this team has been hitting you all week, and now they want to hit you some more in your own home. In front of your fans. In a televised game. Don’t get bullied in your own home by the F Troop of football. Take it to ‘em!
I want to hitting and blocking that makes highlight reels. And not from just a couple of Safeties. A message needs to be sent to every team that has circled us on their calendar: Grab your eraser, and call in sick that week.
3) Better QB Play: While many fans want to throw QB Ian Book under a school bus, the truth is, all three QB’s didn’t look very good last week. Book was almost afraid to throw the ball, and QB Marcus Mariota looked somewhat hesitant at times himself. Both looked more comfortable tucking the ball and running with it.
Oddly, there’s been a fair amount of praise for QB Tanner McKee. He seemed to get the ball out faster, but quickly incompleting half his attempts, is no recipe for success. Granted, our Offensive Line wasn’t doing any of the QB’s any favors, but holding onto the ball too long, or not moving in the pocket, doesn’t offer the Line much support either.
4) More Defense: Closer coverage and more contested balls would be nice to see this week. It doesn’t matter how good the Defensive Line is, if the opposing QB immediately has somewhere to go with the ball. Last week we gave up a completion percentage of 61. It was 76% for their first two QB’s. We will find fourth place in the NFC East, real fast with play like that.
*****
We fans get riled for the first preseason game, because we’ve spent the entire offseason starving for football. Then the NFL hands us a preseason game, and we treat that saltine like it’s Premium. We salivate over it. “Is this a Ritz?!” (Right Eddie?) By the fourth quarter, we realize that the game is just some regular old crackers.
For most, the second preseason game is like being a kid, and getting a sweater for Christmas. It’s not socks, but you can’t wait to put that shit down and open the next one. Next week the starters should play at least a quarter, so we’ll care more about that one. But for now we’re showing up because it’s football. Show some improvement and don’t get hurt. That’s all we ask.
*****
WARNING: I don’t have the faintest clue as to what a point spread is, and I know even less about how it works. I know football and that’s IT. If you use Four Things as a gambling tool, you are trying to lose your money, and will deserve it when you do.
Check back in a few days for Four Things Reviewed, and we’ll discuss how this game went.
DT Jalen Carter – (No stats) Easily discarded a Guard and nearly ran down a sack on his first NFL snap. How is the 9th overall pick still a steal? Thank you Atlanta!!!!
DT Moro Ojomo – (3 tackles) Baltimore couldn’t keep him out of their backfield. It was against their third unit, but he’s a 7th round rookie, so he warrants more study.
S Sydney Brown – (9 tackles) Made stops and brought a physical presence as well.
CB Eli Ricks – (1tack – 1 int TD) Got his hands on two passes, knocking one down and taking the other to the house.
WR Greg Ward – (5 – 53 – 10.6 – 0) Still does an excellent job of giving his QB an easy, early target.
Who looked bad:
QBIan Book – (1/4 – 25% – 11 – 0 – 0) Was reluctant to throw the ball too often.
OL Tyler Steen – Got the start at LT and struggled, giving up an early sack. Moved to RG and still failed to impress.
DE Tarron Jackson – (1 tackle) did not make his presence felt despite great interior play.
DE Kyron Johnson – (No stats) Was practically invisible.
****
The broad strokes are usually covered by lots of other publications and podcasts. You can go a hundred places and read the same four or five bullet points, mentioned in ninety-seven of those places. Stats aside, what about the Four Thingsyou came here to review, right? Let’s see if we scored a HIT or a MISS on the areas I discussed.
1) Throwing to the RB’s: Aside from a lone checkdown to RB Trey Sermon in the second half, there were no other completions to a RB, all game long. So far there doesn’t seem to be much difference between this and the last few year’s offense, in that regard. I understand not wanting to divulge pertinent information to opponents, but we have to practice what we do, if we’re going to be any good at it. MISS
2) Getting Defensive:Hits that draw flags. I was looking for two or three of those, and we didn’t have one. Yes, there were a few hits that laid the wood, but nothing that will “impact” opponents mentally, as Defensive Coordinator Sean Desai says he wants. While S Justin Evans and rookie S Sydney Brown provided some physicality, no one is going to see those guys in their sleep. MISS
3) Who’s On First?: Offensive Line Coach Jeff Stoutlandtold everyone last week that RG Cam Jurgens hadn’t locked up the starting job. I told you on Thursday that that was bullshit. Result? Jurgens spent Saturday night wearing a white Eagles t-shirt. So, you know, keep coming here to find out what’s what.
While I didn’t expect Jurgens to play much, I was surprised that he didn’t play at all. That’s an unforced error by the coaching staff. Jurgens isn’t a seasoned NFL starter who can just step back into where he left off last season, because last season he saw exactly 35 snaps. A guy as green as he is could use the work. If only to work on his muscle memory moving from bench C to starting RG.
I was interested in seeing if he got any game snaps at C, just in the interest of letting him play the spot that we all know he’ll inherit. It wasn’t a serious point, but him not playing at all, doesn’t sit well with me. MISS
4) Listening for a POP!: Sadly, MLB Nakobe Dean didn’t start. In fact, he didn’t play. He wasn’t even wearing an unpadded jersey on the sideline. Call me crazy, but I think zero career starts is too early to grant a player sacred cow status. Same as Jurgens, he could have used the work. And for those who ask “What if he’d gotten injured?”, my answer is, preseason game one is the time to find out if a guy is fragile. Not Week One.
No one popped at second or third string DE, which was surprising considering how much of a runaway train DT Moro Ojomo was out there. He was in the Ravens backfield so much, that it wouldn’t have been weird to see him pick up a blitz, or take a hand-off. It’s hard to believe he was still available in the seventh round.
The Eagles didn’t move CB Kelee Ringo around at all. Surprising since he has seen time at S and NCB in camp. Instead, he got a long look at LCB, where he made a hustle play to corral a long run, but then was later beaten for a 7 yard TD pass. He was all at once more than I expected, and less. MISS
****
This week we had four misses, and no hits. (Don’t worry, during the season it will go back to Done/Not Done.) Understand, the misses aren’t really failures, any more than hits would necessarily be successes. Hits and misses are just a way of charting the outcomes of what was discussed, during the preseason. That’s it.
****
On The Whole:
Our second string Offense moved the ball well against their second string defense. QB Marcus Mariota didn’t look very comfortable out there, except for throwing to WR Greg Ward. Though I wonder if thatwasn’t more Ward than Mariota. RB DeAndre Swift looked nifty, but the play-calling included too much east-west running.
Third string QB Tanner McKee took more shots downfield, but he has to, given the fact that he’s a statue. Any career he has, will be birthed by his arm, not his legs. He made a couple of nice back-shoulder completions (one was called back due to offensive pass interference).
RB Rashaad Pennylooked like he was saving his body for the regular season, because we all know that he can run harder than he did in this game. At no point did he look like a man worried about being cut.
Defensively, I was surprised to see DT Jordan Davis slotted at 4-3 DE at the start of this game, but then it occurred to me that he was actually more of a DT in a 5-2. Seeing rookies DT Jalen Carter and OLB Nolan Smith nearly combine for a sack was nice. What was even better, was how quickly they created that pressure. If we stay healthy, we’re going to be a problem up front this year.
While any idiot can say “Hey let’s sign every high-priced Free Agent on the market”. THE 12 focuses on what we can do with what we already have, to fix or improve our team.
ONLY one thing can protect a season against the injury bug: A deep roster. So we need to be about the business of making sure that our roster is well stocked. That has me wanting more from players like WR’s Britain Covey and Olamide Zaccheaus, and LB’s Shaun Bradley and Kyron Johnson. Not just these four, but (assuming they make the final cut) these four are at the top of the list.
The thing about a deep roster is, no team gets significantly more players than another team. In fact, as of August 2022, teams can carry 47 players on game day. (48, if they carry 8 offensive linemen.) So a deep team won’t be represented by more players. Instead, they’ll be represented by players that give the coaching staff more options.
For example, if Covey is just here as a PR, then he’s a waste of a roster spot. He isn’t good enough at that job, to warrant only doing that job. Same with Bradley. He’s been core on kick coverage teams, but he’s played a career total of 1,009 snaps, with just 45 tackles to show for it. We need more.
Part of the problem however, is that these players see little opportunity on normal downs. Of Bradley’s 1,009 snaps just 131 are on defense. The other 878 are on kick coverage teams. In 17 games Covey logged just 19 offensive snaps, with zero balls thrown his way.
We can’t develop depth, if our deeper roster rarely sees opportunities. We need to make use of and develop our WHOLE roster. No one is saying that these guys may be All-Pro types, but if injury forces us to rely on them, it would be nice if they were actually ready to go.
While any idiot can say “Hey let’s sign every high-priced Free Agent on the market”. THE 12 focuses on what we can do with what we already have, to fix or improve our team.
WE’RE all itching to see DT’s Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter on the field at the same time. That however, can only happen if either DT Fletcher Cox is sitting, or has been flexed outside to LDE. Actually, the move to End would help out not only Cox, but the entire Defense. It would make a second Super Bowl appearance much easier to pull off.
Let’s get into why.
The Eagles featured pass rusher is LOLB/LDE Haason Reddick. When he plays LOLB, he’s outside of the LDE, and when he rushes from LOLB, so does the DE on that side. That’s usually as either part of a five man rush; OR a four man, where the RDE drops into shallow zone, with the ROLB and MLB shifting to their left, to balance out the underneath coverage.
That’s all simple principle. You saw it here last year, and you’ll see it every year, on every team, which has a dominant pass rusher at OLB. Can’t be avoided. But scheme isn’t the issue. Every team sees this coming, and nobody is ever caught off-guard by it. Ever.
Fletcher Cox may not be the 2018 version of Fletcher Cox, but moving him (primarily)to DE (with Reddick at OLB), puts Cox in a position where he can’t really ever see a double-team. Instead he gets to engage just the outer edge of a RG, because the RT has to create a wider gap to engage Reddick.
So wait! Doesn’t that leave Jordan Davis one-on-one with a Center? Because opponents can’t use their LG to help out on Davis, since that LG has Carter, right? Which leaves RDE Josh Sweatdancing alone with the LT.
So opponents can’t double-team anyone on our line. The only way to do it, would be to keep a TE or a RB, as blocking help. That gives our LB’s and Secondary fewer people to cover. Of course the Achilles Heel of this, is when our Front Five gets tired, right?
At which point we roll in LOLB Nolan Smith, LDE Brandon Graham, LDT Kentavius Street, RDT Milton Williams, and RDE Derek Barnett. Folks, there is no breather for opposing offensive lines. Imagine, after a few downs fighting against Fletcher Cox, the guy who lines up across from you now, is a fresh Brandon Graham. Did you catch a break? No. You didn’t.
Brandon Graham and Fletcher Cox. FEASTING.
Eagles fans, we don’t have to add anybody to do this. We already have these guys! It’s just a matter of how we (LOL, I said Howie) deploy them. Did I mention that we have guys like DE Janarius Robinson and (rookie) DTMoro Ojomo, waiting in the wings?
So yeah. Let’s move Cox mostly to DE, making the season easier on both him and the team, on our way to Paradise, Nevada on February 11th, where we will finish the job this time.
While any idiot can say “Hey let’s sign every high-priced Free Agent on the market”. THE 12 focuses on what we can do with what we already have, to fix or improve our team.
SPORTS is great source for mixed metaphors. Yelling that a team should “work the body” (run more); or that they should “go to the upstairs” (throw it deep down the sideline); are two examples of football borrowing expressions from boxing. Well I’m borrowing yet another: We need to throw more uppercuts.
By this I mean, deep throws down the middle of the field. I’m comparing this kind of pass to an uppercut, because while it’s going to the upstairs, it’s taking a different route. Like an uppercut, it’s thrown behind the defense. If the defense can recover, the fight just goes on. However, if the uppercut lands, (if that deep pass connects), it can be a devastating blow.
A deep pass down the sideline often involves a CB and/or a FS with an angle, helping to run down the WR. A deep pass in the middle is usually against a FS. Look, usually a FS is a S, because he can’t run like a CB. If he also has no angle on the completed pass, then it’s just a footrace to the goal post. This is utterly devastating.
WR Quez Watkins rips the Vikings hearts out, during Monday Night Football, with this 53 yard score.
The Eagles have a couple of players who can make this into a real problem. First is WR Quez Watkins. The Eagles have used him like this on occasion, but I have no idea why they don’t abuse this as an option. He has blazing speed and and good enough hands to make uncontested catches. Throwing him open on a deep route needs to happen few times per game.
Second is WR Devon Allen. He’s an Olympic sprinter with 4..5 speed, who had a strong preseason last year, and spent 2022 on our Practice Squad. While WR Olamide Zacchaeus isn’t the burner the other two are, he has a talent for finding soft spots in the coverage, and making yards after the catch. Though at 5’8 he could be a difficult target to hit deep.
So we have the firepower to throw more uppercuts. The only question there is, will we?
While any idiot can say “Hey let’s sign every high-priced Free Agent on the market”. THE 12 focuses on what we can do with what we already have, to fix or improve our team.
THERE’S an old expression in sports: “Dance with the girl who brung ya.” Well that girl, (running the ball), brought us all the way to a Super Bowl. So let’s stay right here. Dancing cheek to cheek with our run game.
Now that QB Jalen Hurts, has become more expensive, some may find it tempting to get pass happy. Others may want to run every single play through him. Well, either of those approaches would be stupid. Now that he’s more expensive, we should risk him less, not more.
Last year we averaged 31.2 rushes per game, 21.5 of which were hand-offs, with Hurts chipping in another 165 totes (in 15 games), for an average of 11.0 per game. We should scale down on the abuse he sees, and turn some of those 11, into hand-offs. Especially since it would be a waste of talent not to.
RB D’Andre Swift wearing the number “0”.
Although Kenneth Gainwell is (currently) listed atop the depth chart, let’s be serious here. Replacing RB Miles Sanders with RB D’Andre Swift, has the potential to be transformative to this Offense. While Sanders was very productive in his four years as an Eagle, Swift is a faster and more decisive runner. Which explains why even on a team with little supporting talent, he was able to be such an explosive player.
In each of his his three seasons, Swift has at least one run of 50 yards, with almost no help to draw attention from him. Here he has WR’sA.J. Brownand Devonta Smith. He has TE Dallas Goedert. He’s never had an Offensive Line like this. Oh, and his QB being a threat to run, makes every defense re-act half a step slower. This should be a career year for Swift.
The only way to screw this up, would be not feed Swift enough for him to get into a rhythm. If he sees 15 to 20 carries per game, we should be golden. That said, it’s not all about him. The RB room on this team currently includes: Swift, Gainwell, Boston Scott,Rashaad Penny, Trey Sermon, and Kennedy Brooks.
Ideally:
Swift should start, and see at least 15 carries in the game.
Gainwell could be sprinkled in for 2 carries per quarter, to give Swift some rest (and to play well enough to push him).
Penny comes in as the closer in the fourth. A big, fast, well-rested closer, capable of ripping off 60 yard runs to paydirt. Penny coming in basically ends Swift’s day, and we pack all of Penny’s carries (6 or so) into the fourth.
If the Eagles can put up 29 hand-offs per game, we should be unbeatable. In fact, last year we were 5 – 0 when hitting 29 hand-offs. In games of 17 hand-offs or fewer, we were 3 – 3 including a 17 hand-off Super Bowl. So yeah. Dance with the girl who brung us. Run the ball.
DESEAN Jacksonwants to retire as an Eagle; and WR DeAndre Hopkins listed Philadelphia as one of the places that he wouldn’t mind playing. So should we be interested? If so, which should we be interested in?
I won’t try to keep you in suspense. The answer is: Both. Depending on the money.
First, let’s deal with DJax. He absolutely should retire as an Eagle. If he wants to sign for a day and retire, sure, why not. He’s earned it. However, if he wants one last ride to chase a ring, as a limited contributor, he’d instantly become our best option at Punt Returner. We could give him WR Britain Covey’s roster spot. He’d certainly give us more as receiving option.
Now, let’s talk D-Hop. Let me use a word that nobody wants to hear: Injury. In the event of a long-term injury to either WR A.J. Brown or Devonta Smith, then WRQuez Watkins becomes our #2 receiver. Are you okay with that? I know I’m not! Last year we were disappointed in how Watkins handled being #3. Picture him having to fill-in for A.J. Brown!
Hopkins represents depth. While he hasn’t posted elite numbers in the last two years, no one doubts his ability to perform at a high level. While Hopkins may not have Watkins’s elite speed, he’s a better route runner, and his hands are near infinitely better. In the event of an injury to Brown or Smith, Hopkins can fill-in as a #2, easily.
Right now our WR depth is Brown, Smith, and Watkins. After that, we have Covey, Greg Ward, (Olympic sprinter) Devon Allen, Olamide Zaccheaus, Tyrie Cleveland, Charleston Rambo, and a couple of undrafted rookies. After Watkins, only Ward has ever caught a ball from QB Jalen Hurts. That was back in 2021.
Restructure that as Brown, Smith, Hopkins, Watkins and DJax. This covers depth, insurance, Special Teams, and legacy. Besides, wouldn’t it be nice to see Watkins and DJax absolutely blowing the lid off of a defense? Putting them on the field together would have opponents lining their Safeties up in the parking lot. Imagine all the room to run on first and ten!
Keeping Ward, Allen, and one more on the Practice Squad, keeps us ready for DJax’s hamstrings to act up again. It’s an annual event, which is why I said limited contributor. However, for every down he can give us (especially in the postseason), he still has the ability to affect and aggravate a defense, just by lining up. As he reminded folks as recently as November 27th…
DRAFT reviews usually come out immediately after the event. Everyone is in such a race to get it to you first, that they rarely ever give it to you good. Not me. I like to take my time and go deeper. Really explore all those places that others tend to ignore. I want to make sure that you’re satisfied. (And accurately informed)
First off, General Manager Howie Roseman is on another level. On the surface, this Draft haul is so amazing, that it’s easy to want to jump to the end of the season, and start spouting a bunch of expectations; but we really need to pump the brakes. Me included.
Now let’s get into it.
Round 1 (9th overall): DT Jalen Carter– We started with the 10th overall pick, but Howie made a deal that moved us up one spot, to take a player widely said to be the most talented player in the entire draft. Some teams were concerned about character issues, but since when did the Eagles make a habit of taking head cases? So I have to trust their judgment on this one.
DT Jalen Carter celebrates his sack by raising the QB into the air.
As an athlete, Carter is explosive, and powerful. He’s an interior penetrator and disruptor, who also can stand a blocker up at the point of attack, not allowing a hole for the run. Better still, from what I watched of him, he keeps a QB’s feet chopping. That means the QB’s normal throwing platform, is compromised.
It’d be a mistake to judge Carters rookie season by sacks and tackles. Those numbers can’t tell the true tale of his value. What Carter does best, is make offenses run off-schedule. He has the ability to make opponents a lesser version of themselves. Wreck a blocking scheme. Make the QB throw off-platform. There’s no stat for those things, but watch how often you’ll see him do it. Pick Grade: A+
Round 1 (30th overall): LB Nolan Smith – His highlights make him seem like a DE and pass rusher, but he only had 12.5 sacks over 4 years at Georgia. Smith is an active, high-motor player, who was used more like an x-factor than a player with a dedicated role. Watching him vs Clemson, a few things jump off the screen.
The first thing I noticed was the size mismatch. He’s only 238 pounds, but Georgia liked to deploy him as a DE/Edge player too often. If the Eagles don’t make this mistake, Smith should be just fine. The next thing you notice is his speed. The guy is blur off the line, and can run with just about any RB or TE.
Georgia used him as more as a Edge player, but the Eagles are going to have to transition him into a bonafide OLB. While he’s shown an ability to set an edge and corral RB’s, as well as rush the QB; he’s also displayed the speed and movement skills to handle coverage in zone and shallow man. So he has the tools to make the adjustment. Pick Grade: A
Round 2 (65th overall): OT Tyler Steen– There is talk of moving him inside to RG, but the move will likely not suit him well. Steen isn’t a lunch pail sort of guy. He had a round 3 or 4 estimate on him, but we reached and grabbed him in the second. From what I’ve seen, there’s no way he should have been drafted at all.
Watching him in the Alabama/Tennessee game, hurt me to my heart. There was no aggression in his game. He fell off of blocks constantly; lunged and ended up on the ground a lot; and his hand usage is atrocious. In the game vs Texas, he looked like outright trash. Finishing no blocks, and watching entirely too much football.
Not an entirely accurate statement, but you get the idea.
Sometimes teams will take a diamond in the rough, because he’s extremely explosive; or has the nimble feet of Ginger Rogers; or is freakishly strong, or has other in-born traits that can’t be taught. That said, I honestly don’t see what the Eagles will try to build off of with this kid. Then again, I’m not on a coaching staff. Pick Grade: F
Round 3 (66th overall): S Sydney Brown – Word is, that he’s an in the box thumper. (I used to have a pet rabbit named Thumper, so this term always tickles me when it’s used in football).
However, watching video of him vs Wyoming, was underwhelming. It shows him watching a lot of football, when others are swarming to the ball, as well as missing tackles.
I usually don’t watch highlight vids, but even his highlight reels don’t back up the hype of him being a hitter. Maybe there’s a Special Teamer here, but I don’t see much else. Pick Grade: D
Round 4 (105th overall): CB Kelee Ringo – Watching him against Oregon, it was hard not to like the potential that was clearly on display. Rarely do I fall in love with measurables, but 6’2, 207, running a 4.36?! Yet my favorite part was watching how when he played man-press, the QB ignored his half of the field.
His tackling could be better, and his mirroring needs polish, but these things are what coaches are paid to improve. This kid has excellent tools, and will spend the next three years learning from CB’s Darius Slayand James Bradberry. Pick Grade: A
Round 6 (188th overall): QB Tanner McKee – Watching bis game against Arizona State made me wonder why the Eagles spent a pick on him. He showed zero pocket awareness, happy feet in the pocket, and seemingly has no idea what a “touch pass” is. Seriously, he strong-armed every throw on a straight, flat line.
Initially when I saw him as a pick, I figured maybe he’d compete with QB Ian Bookfor the third string. After seeing him play, he seems like just a camp arm. Essentially a salaried jugs machine. Pick Grade: D
Round 7 (249th overall): DT Moro Ojomo– Video against Alabama is always quality study material, and that’s what we have here. Ojomo is active inside, but doesn’t rush with much of a plan. So he can muddle a blocking scheme, but he runs himself out of plays just as often.
He looks like a solid rotation piece. They type who can come in later in the game, vs a tired o-line, and rely on raw strength to shine for a possession or two. Pick Grade: B
While the trade for native Philadelphian RB D’Andre Swift happened during the Draft, it’s not a pick, so it won’t be graded. It was also further demonstrated proof that the Eagles don’t draft RB’s in the first round. (At least not under this GM.) Fans clamored for RB Bijan Robinson, but I said we wouldn’t go that route, and I even told you why. I wanted two defensive lineman and that’s what we took.
Notable Post-Draft signings:
WR Joseph Ngata – 6’3 217, not a burner, but makes tough grabs in traffic, as well as YAC.
CB Mehki Garner– 6’2, 212, needs to be moved to S/NCB.
I know other sites and publications gave the Eagles (and nearly everyone else) A-pluses, A’s and B’s, but they’re grading on curve so gentle, you’d think they were a public school teacher on probation.
On the whole, after taking a deeper look than the national media could afford to, for every team, I’d give our Draft a C+. While we hit some home runs here, three of four picks just don’t look like they’ll fit here. Reaching for one of them just makes that pick hurt worse.
LAST year your Eagles finished 14 – 3 overall, 4 – 2 against the division, first place in the NFC East, Top Seed in the Conference, and lost the Super Bowl by a field goal. As is the case with successful teams, free agency has plucked a few feathers from the roster, but General Manager Howie Roseman has contained that spill. We’ve also had some coaching defections, but those may not prove as painful as the national media likes to think.
But enough chin wagging! Let’s look at how the Eagles 2023 roster looks 24 hours or so, before the NFL Draft.
OFFENSE
QB:Jalen Hurts is the class of this division, but that doesn’t mean he still doesn’t have a ton to prove. For many he answered the question of “Can he be a Franchise QB?”, by his play in 2022, and taking the Eagles to the Super Bowl. If one near MVP season, and a Super Bowl were enough, Carson Wentz would get more love than he does from this fan base. Fair being fair, Hurts has to have more than one great year, before we’re using the term “elite”.
Still, Hurts is the best in this division. His arm strength and accuracy are on par with Prescott, but Hurts forces fewer throws into underneath coverage. He’s also more mobile, and practically unstoppable with the QB Sneak (that several teams sought to outlaw). The measure failed, and now teams are pouting and vowing to imitate what they just sought to eliminate. It truly is an Eddie Murphy/Dexter St. Jacques moment, for Hurts. (Check it out. And you’re welcome.)
That said, in two seasons as the starter, Hurts has missed games in both, just as a natural consequence of how the coaching staff uses him. So it’s imperative to get the right back-up. Which is where Marcus Mariotacomes in. He’s a better scheme fit than Gardner Minshew was last season, as mobility is part of Mariota’s game.
With Mariota as the back-up, it means the RPO threat never leaves the field. This is a point that the Eagles silently hammered home, by adding Ian Book as the third stringer. (Seriously, YouTube some video of this kid in college. The Eagles scouting department seriously deserves some sort of award. (+)
RB: Gone are the 1,200 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns of Miles Sanders. Taking up the mantle (so far) is KennethGainwell. He’s fine as a utility player, but he doesn’t break tackles, run creatively, or have “take it to the house” type speed. In fact, in 225 touches (regular and postseason), he has exactly one play for 30 yards or more. Behind him is utility player Boston Scott, who is a great utility player, but who lacks the same traits that Gainwell lacks.
Injury-prone Rashaad Penny signed an heavily incentivized contract, in what is likely a last ditch attempt to have a career. When Penny is healthy, he’s explosive and powerful. He’s a physical runner who can also accelerate away from defenders; but out of the 82 games he’s been under contract for, he’s only suited up for 42 of them, with just 11 starts.
Last, and probably still least, is Trey Sermon. Sermon logged 2 carries last year for 19 yards (9.5 ypc.) so of course the logical place for him was wasting away on the Practice Squad last year. There are no clear answers here, besides the back-by-committee approach, which telegraphs an offense’s intent. (-)
WR:
At 230 pounds, A.J. Brown is the size of an elephant and runs like a deer. He caught for 1,496 yards and 11 scores, often seeming to do so at will, from anywhere, regardless of who was how close to his body. (Like in this picture.) Oh yeah! And his best friend in the world, just so happens to be his QB. And last year was their first season on the same team. And now they get to refine their connection.
If that sounds like a nightmare, consider this: If you try to double Brown, you’re just leaving room for DeVonta Smith, who is Brown’s polar opposite. Smith is a precise route runner, who capitalizes on the holes that secondaries leave when trying to contain an explosive athlete like Brown. Smith also has the more reliable hands of the two, and his grabs quietly eat up clock.
If Brown is an uppercut from Mike Tyson; then Smith is a chloroformed rag in a gloved hand, from your backseat, in a deserted parking lot. Either way, you’re going to sleeeep. Quickly. The only time that one of these guys doesn’t terrorize a secondary, is when both of them are doing it.
The fall-off after that is steep. Quez Watkins is blazingly fast, but his hands are so very suspect. He literally handed two turnovers to Dallas last year, during a 34 – 40 loss (and he’s mad that we’re still mad about that). Like Watkins, Devon Allen also sports 4.3 speed, but spent 2022 on the Practice Squad. Former Falcon Olamide Zaccheaus was just signed and he also has the speed to make house calls.
Britain Coveyspent 2022 being a very lackluster return man, and may not see final cuts this season. Tyrie Clevelandwas added to the roster from Denver, and it remains to be seen why Philadelphia did so. Unless it has to do with his college career, where he showed he could make a living, deep down the middle, as a 6’2 target with really good (not great) 4.46 speed.
Interestingly, Greg Ward is still on the Eagles roster. Ward is a decent, not great receiver, but he’s an awesome utility player. In just 40 games played, he’s caught 10 TD’s, and has some PR experience. He’s works well in the red zone; and having been a running QB in college, innately gets where he needs to be on a scramble drill. Lot of unusual tools in that box, and he’s only 28. Which may be why Zach Pascal was (surprisingly), allowed to walk. (+)
TE:Dallas Goedertis the best player at this position in the division. He is both a very good receiver, and a solid blocker. Last year he posted 702 yards and a catch rate of 79.7 percent. He did however, miss 5 games. The best ability is availability, and Goedert hasn’t played a complete season since 2018.
Jack Stoll is virtually an offensive lineman. He doesn’t have the size at just 247 pounds, but the Eagles potent run game wouldn’t be the same without him. Stoll won’t scare anyone as a receiver, but he catches what he’s thrown (78.6%). Third on the list is Grant Calcaterra. Same dimensions as Stoll, but polar opposite as a player. Catches well, but his blocking needs work.
Fact is, the Eagles need to address the lack of depth here. Goedert misses time. Period. The team needs a contingency plan for when (not if), that happens again. (+)
OT: Last year only six QB’s were sacked more than Jalen Hurts. Given that he missed two games, that’s an even more alarming stat. Of the 38 sacks allowed, LT Jordan Mialata surrendered 6.5 of them. He’s a mauling run blocker, but keeping the QB upright is the most important part of a LT’s job.
For the second season in a row, RT Lane Johnson didn’t allow a sack, and drew just three flags all season. Offensive linemen don’t get credit for yards gained, but Johnson is the best at not costing his team yards. There will a bust of him Canton, Ohio someday.
Jack Driscollcan play everywhere on the line, except the pivot. He’s filled in ably in Lane’s absence, but is ultimately better kicked inside, because he has clear issues with speed on the edge. Roderick Johnson andFred Johnson are also on the roster. (+)
G: While LG Landon Dickerson only surrendered half a sack last year, he was penalized 13 times for 89 yards. That’s enough yardage to wipe out a touchdown drive. He has to improve in that department. On the other hand, the guy is a flat-out mauler both in pass protection and especially when blocking for the run.
Sua Opeta has been a spot starter and has done some mop-up duty as an Eagle, but now he may have the inside track on the starting gig vacated by Isaac Seumalo. Tyrese Robinsonis the third player at this position. The playing is strong, but there isn’t a clear second starter. (-)
C: Future Hall Of Famer Jason Kelce returns for another run at the Lombardi. Behind him is a successor that the Eagles drafted, with Kelce’s help in scouting. That successor is Cam “Beef” Jurgens. With Kelce’s retirement being perhaps 17 games away, the Eagles want to get Jurgens feet wet soon, so there’s talk of playing him at Guard in 2023. Cameron Tom is a decent insurance policy. (+)
In A Nutshell: This Offense has no holes, but it does have cracks in the foundation. With the RB’s currently on the roster, the run game won’t scare anyone, but it’ll be functional. As long as it is, the play-action, and RPO stuff, still makes this one of the most explosive teams in the entire league.(+)
DEFENSE
DE:Josh Sweat notched a career-high 11 of the Eagles 70 sacks, returned an interception for a touchdown, and led the team with 15 tackles for loss. Brandon Grahamat the age of 34, came back from an Achilles tendon tear, to post a career-high 11 sacks, despite only starting one game. Tarron Jacksonand Matt Leo are also on the roster. Expect the Eagles to address this position early in the Draft. (+)
DT:Fletcher Cox started every game and turned in his best season since 2018, posting 43 tackles, 7 for losses, and 7 sacks. He returns at age 32 in what may be his final as an Eagle, largely to be a mentor. Jordan Davis blew no one away with his rookie stats (18 tackles, 1 for loss). This season more will expected as he’s no longer behind Javon Hargrave.
Milton Williams is more of a situational player, who despite not starting, posted 36 tackles with 9 for losses, as well as 4 sacks, He can also be moved to End. Marvin Wilson and Kentavius Streetare more penetrators than run pluggers. It looks as if these reserves are built with an eye towards pass rush, with little concern for trench warfare.(+)
OLB:Haason Reddick posted 49 tackles (11 TFL) and led the team with a career-high 16 sacks. Nicholas Morrow comes over from the Bears, presumably to fill the coverage role vacated by Kyzir White. Patrick Johnson splits his time between here and at DE. He influences lots of plays, but seldom makes one.
Kyron Johnson and Davion Taylormay not make it to final cuts this season. Taylor was drafted as a project, but the Eagles haven’t put the time in. They might be about to lose a gem.(+)
MLB/ILB: With the departure of T.J.Edwards, Nakobe Dean will become the eye of the storm, in Philadelphia. More instinctual and a better athlete than Edwards, this move is expected to be an upgrade. That however, hasn’t been seen yet. Shaun Bradleyand Christian Elliss are the reserves, but since Edwards rarely missed a down, they don’t have a ton of experience. (-)
S:
Undrafted rookie Reed Blankenship was forced into 4 starts last year, and played better than anyone had a right to expect. He’s probably going to have to compete for a starting job in 2023, but his competition won’t have an easy contest. He has more aggression than the departed Marcus Epps, and brings his arms to his tackles.
When the Eagles decided not to overpay Chauncey Gardner, they opted to bring in Terrell Edmunds. Edmunds is an in the box thumper, but his coverage is better than decent. So he’s an excellent pick-up, and possibly an upgrade over last year. K’Von Wallace and Justin Evans are on the roster for now, but the Draft is in a couple of days. So we’ll see. (+)
CB:Darius Slayturned in 14 passes defensed and 3 interceptions. His 58% completion rate was a little high, but not alarming. On the other side isJames Bradberry with 17 passes defensed, and 3 picks with a 57% completion rate, in 2022. There are no free or easy meals throwing against these guys.
Avonte Maddox is a capable Nickel, but he’s missing more and more time with injuries. You have to wonder if this is why the Eagles added Greedy Williams. Williams was a second round flame-out in Cleveland. But c’mon, it was Cleveland. So the Eagles are willing to take a flier on him.
Josiah Scott had a rough 2022. He had 2 interceptions, but he also allowed 68.8% completion rate. Zech MacPhearson is a fourth rounder who acquits himself nicely, but the bench holds a strong grip on those without Draft pedigree. Josh Jobe and Mario Goodrichare longshots to make a deep roster. (+)
In A Nutshell: Every defensive lineman on this team can be described as ‘disruptive’. Every. Single. One. Point to the other team in the NFL that can say that. This unit poisons offenses at the root, by destroying blocking concepts. If you can’t block, you can’t play. Anyone expecting the Eagles Defense to take a major step back, because of a couple free agent defections, can’t see the forest because of the trees. (+)
SPECIAL TEAMS
K/P: Kicker Jake Elliottdidn’t attempt many Field Goals in 2022. He was 20/23 (87%) 6/8 from 40+, and 51/53 (95.4%) on extra points. Yes. 53 attempts. The Eagles were a scoring machine. Those 53 attempted XP’s, doesn’t mention how often they went for two. Elliott had a career-high 63 touchbacks on 91 kickoffs (69.2%). (+)
Arryn Siposs was a sore spot lat year. A punt is the first play on defense. It sets the Defense up with a good or a bad situation. So his 45.6 yard per punt average and his 39.6 yard net, are just too far apart. Additionally, 20 of his 44 boots (45.4%) were returned for an 8.0 yard average. All of that needs to change.(-)
In A Nutshell: Elliott isn’t needed much, but when he is, he’s a great bet. I wouldn’t call him a sure thing and risk a paycheck on him! But I could wager a pineapple without batting an eye. Our punting game however, didn’t do much to help this team in 2022. This unit is more good than bad, but when it’s bad, it’s fish rotting in a nightstand bad.(+)
BOTTOM LINE: Eagles fans are told not to expect 14 – 3 again. Fine. Keep it. Especially with 15 – 2, 16 – 1, and 17 – 0 still out there. Realistically, as it stands, this is probably an 11 or 12 win team. This team can score with ANYBODY, while making it harder to score for everybody. It’ll be interesting to see what happens to this roster in the next 48 hours.
EAGLEMANIACAL.com 