depth

All posts tagged depth

DJAX OR D-HOP?

Posted by The BEAST on 2023/05/28
Posted in: Conversations, free agents, Front Office (F.O.), NFL, Offense, Players, Roster, Special Teams. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

DESEAN Jackson wants 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 WR Quez 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…

Hey, remember this one?

Hurts to Djax for an 81 yarder in 2020.

So yeah. The answer is both.

CUTTING BRADHAM WAS STUPID

Posted by The BEAST on 2020/02/19
Posted in: Conversations, Defense, Front Office (F.O.), Players, Rants, Roster. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

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ASIDE from letting him test Free Agency, then trying to bring him back for less than 9 million, cutting OLB Nigel Bradham was a stupid thing to do. The move is billed as a cost cutting move, that will save the Eagles 4.4 million in 2020. That number is gravely inaccurate on a few levels, but it’s reporting was meant to get fans buzzing about what we’d do with the “extra” 4.4 million.

For the most part the trick worked. Many fans are speculating that the money will be applied to a free agent CB. The very notion is hilarious, and further proof that most Eagles fans don’t get the money side of this. Let me explain.

First. Money aside, Bradham was our best LB. He was our only complete LB, in that he could play the run or the pass. He has the size and speed to play inside or outside. He called defensive assignments. He has a nose for the ball, and has been on the scoring end of a few big plays for us. Nate Gerry, Kamu Grugier-Hill, T. J. Edwards, Alex Singleton and Duke Reilly, are what we have left now that he’s gone.

Second. Let’s talk savings. The Eagles didn’t save 4.4 million. Bradham made that last year. In 2020 had the Eagles picked up his option, he’d have made 9.75. Among current OLB salaries, here’s where he’d have sat:

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If you want to argue that we saved 9.75 million, I’ll spot you that. Now let me ask you: What do we spend to replace him with similar or better production? Quality free agents don’t work cheap. And the list up there tells you what the market looks like.

Third. Let’s talk about where to apply that fictional 4.4 million in savings, or that temporary 9.75 million in savings. All the buzz is about either CB’s Chris Harris, Byron Jones, and Darius Slay. None of whom will touch Earth in Philly, without a sniff at 15 million per year. And that’s just to open the bidding. Last time I checked 15 was still more than 9.75. Again, no savings.

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But WOO-HOOO! We still would have that hole at OLB! Isn’t this neat? Wait, what am I talking about about “would have”? They already cut him! We have that hole right now! Such a massive hole. Isn’t it GLORIOUS? You can see straight through to the Chinese lock-down, due to Coronavirus. Oh what an age we live in!

And for those who think we’re going to spend it on a 20 million dollar WR, after we cut/trade/murder WR Alshon Jeffery, you all are my absolute favorite. Why confine yourself to reality, when you can put your head under a pillow, and scream until you pass out and dream of a world that suits you? I agree, Trump is the smartest President we’ve ever had!

So yeah. Cutting Bradham? Hey Howie. Way to go, Ace!

DON’T RUSH FOR MILES SANDERS

Posted by The BEAST on 2019/05/15
Posted in: Conversations, Fans, free agents, Offense, Players, Roster, Uncategorized. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

2019 Miles Sanders Duce Staley

EAGLES fans have already fallen for rookie RB Miles Sanders. He has yet to log a single Training Camp carry, and already I’m seeing talk of how he’ll be the starting RB next season. Not during the 2019 season, but the 2020 season. There are some people who are already looking past offseason trade acquisition, RB Jordan Howard.

This is a mistake, and proof that some members of our fan base, keep failing to grasp a fundamental NFL truth. That truth being: You can never have too much talent in a position.

2002: The Eagles had CB’s Al Harris, Lito Sheppard, Sheldon Brown, Troy Vincent, and Bobby Taylor, all on one roster. By 2004 all but Sheppard and Brown would be gone.

Eagles 2002 Secondary

2002 Secondary Top row Left to right: Brian Dawkins, Al Harris, Bobby Taylor, Rashard Cook, Troy Vincent. Bottom row: Michael Lewis, Blaine Bishop, Lito Sheppard, Sheldon Brown

2008: The Eagles added CB Asante Samuel to a roster that already included CB’s Sheppard and Brown. Immediately the chatter began about who to bench or not re-sign (Lito) because we had Samuel and Brown. Instead of learning from 2003’s mistake and embracing depth, we made depth a detriment. Again.

2018: A QB room that looked like Carson Wentz, Nick Foles and Nate Sudfeld. Foles was allowed to walk for nothing, ostensibly because the Eagles couldn’t afford him. Foles subsequently signed a 4 year contract with the Jaguars. Since then, Eagles GM Howie Roseman has found a way to gin up/create/conjure roughly 21M$ in cap space. That’s 21M counting the rookies. Oh yeah, Foles 2019 salary cap figure: 12M$. The Eagles didn’t let Foles walk over money. Don’t let anyone fool you about that. Not now.

Three Headed Monster

In 2017 the Eagles had RB’s LeGarrette Blount, Jay Ajayi, Corey Clement, and Darren Sproles. Until Sproles got hurt. However, even with Sproles being hurt, we were still ridiculously stocked at the position. In fact, we leaned heavily on those RB’s in our Super Bowl win. After which, Blount was allowed to leave.

That left us Ajayi, Clement and Sproles in 2018. The idea was to make Ajayi “the guy”, and let him be spelled by Clement. Sproles was never supposed to figure in heavily. Then Ajayi got hurt, and Clement got nicked up, then injured. Suddenly a position that was embarrassingly deep in 2017, was a bare cupboard in 2018. Raise your hand if you missed Blount in 2018.

Learn the lesson Eagles fans.

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Right now RB looks like Jordan Howard, Miles Sanders, Corey Clement and Josh Adams. (Scuttlebutt has it that Wendell Smallwood is on the outside looking in.) However, as I said, many fans are already looking forward to the days (2020) when Howard has moved on, and the onus gets thrust upon Sanders. That’s a short-sighted thing to wish for.

First of all, depth is NEVER bad. NEVER. Second, playing these guys as a platoon, keeps them fresh during the season, and could prolong their overall careers. Third, if we find a guy who works for us, we should by any and every means at our disposal, lock him down. Even if it’s just so that our rivals can’t find their salvation in him. If this group works, it’s only smart to keep it intact.

It’s time to learn the lesson Eagles fans. It’s time to stop making the great, the enemy of the great. Sanders is great to have. I’m excited about him too. However, even greater than Sanders, is Sanders when surrounded by big-time help.

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#12 QUALITY, NOT QUANTITY

Posted by The BEAST on 2019/04/13
Posted in: Coaching, Defense, Offense, Players, playoffs, Roster, The 12, Uncategorized, X's and O's. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

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WHEN injuries happen, it’s important to have proper back-ups. Proper as in, fits the scheme, so they can step right in and allow a continuation of the program. If a back-up requires the coaches to re-vamp the system, or implement a drastic scale-back on how much of the playbook can be used, then someone (the GM) didn’t do their job building the roster.

This isn’t me suggesting roster moves here. I NEVER do that in The 12. It would be antithetical to why I started this series in the first place. What I will do however, is discuss the idea of adopting and adapting the vision to build proper back-ups. That way we can take a true, next man up approach. Like the 2017 Eagles did.

Quality depth isn’t just about talent. Quality depth actually is more often about a back-up being prepared to play, and understanding their role if they have to start for an extended length of time. This is about being prepared if certain players were to become unavailable.

Players such as:

WR DeSean Jackson – Brought here to take the lid off of defenses, we saw what happens to the Offense in a year where we had a deep threat for 16 games (Torrey Smith). We also saw what happened when we lost our deep threat (Mike Wallace) in the second game. In the event that Jackson goes down, the next most logical player to step up would be WR Mack Hollins.

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Mack Hollins rocking his former number 10 jersey, celebrating a 64 yard TD vs the Redskins.

Hollins missed all of 2018 with a sports hernia, followed by a groin injury. While he doesn’t have Djax’s speed (who does?), he has legit wheels and hands. Plus with that 6’4” frame, he’d be a nightmare for any secondary. Especially one already trying to cope with WR Alshon Jeffery and TE Zach Ertz.

DT Fletcher Cox – While there are a few guys at DT, there is of course no one who can fill Cox’s shoes. However, splitting his duties could lessen the blow if we have to do with out him. DT Trayvon Hester vs the run on 1st down, or 2nd and short, and DE Vinny Curry playing inside on 2nd and long and 3rd downs.

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Vinny.

Again, this isn’t about replacing talent, it’s about players understanding their roles and doing what they’re good at. In that way they can focus on delivering, when called upon.

SS Malcolm Jenkins – I’ve had my eye on S Tre Sullivan for a couple of years now.

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He didn’t make the cut in 2017, but he got to play a little in 2018. He was big in the playoff game vs Chicago, mostly in a FS role. Sullivan can be prone to the stupid penalty, but he’s got a hitter’s mentality, and plays with confidence and passion. He’s an emotional leader waiting to happen.

QB Carson Wentz – QB Nate Sudfeld is the back-up now.

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He’s played here for two years, knows the system, the playbook, and has played well when he’s stepped on the field. The key to Sudfeld is in making sure that he doesn’t think it’s his job to “win” games. Have him just focus on his job, and let the outcome take care of itself.

RB Jordan Howard – RB Corey Clement battled a leg injury early last year that kept him from being his best.

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The Eagles allowed he, and Wendell Smallwood to duke it out for the nod when RB Jay Ajayi was lost for the year. Clement was eventually lost for the year, and Smallwood got the nod until the staff couldn’t take it anymore, and started RB Josh Adams. Based on what we have now, Clement should be the #2 here. It’s time.

For pretty much everything else, the Eagles have either proven depth , or they have burning needs. Positions like DE, G, CB, TE, WR are pretty well stocked, and the Eagles can mix and match to exploit match-ups. Positions like MLB, reserve LT, reserve OLB, are already dumpster fires, and no amount of spin, or putting lipstick on a pig, will cover that up.

For some positions, the Draft can’t get here fast enough, but for others… A little planning now would keep us rolling smoothly over obstacles, and into the playoffs.

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2018 DRAFT WISH LIST

Posted by The BEAST on 2018/04/23
Posted in: Defense, Draft, NFL, Offense, Players, Preview, Roster, Special Teams. Tagged: , , , , , , . Leave a comment

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PHILADELPHIA just won a Super Bowl. We’re picking 32nd. We don’t need new starters, because many are signed through the next few years. Even our primary back-ups are gold nuggets.

Thanks to General Manager Howie Roseman, the Eagles boast what is almost certainly the NFL’s most complete and deepest roster. There are some thinnish spots (OLB and TE) and some older spots (LT, C, WR, and DE), but it’s nothing that a strong Draft can’t smoothly pave over. All we need is a strong Draft.

And therein lies the problem.

This Draft has some goodies tat he top of it, and some nifty do-dads near the bottom, but the middle is like a vast wasteland, if your team isn’t desperate for talent. I almost wish we could reserve our picks, and sit this year out. However, that’s not how this works.

So I put together a Wishlist of prospects that I’d like to see the Eagles use our picks on. (Provided we don’t trade out of spot.) This list is less about the individuals talent that they bring to the team, and more about how they fit into what we do already. View this list with that in mind.

1) Round 1 Pick 32 (#32 overall): LT – CONNOR WILLIAMS

Word is that he’s fallen off since getting hurt, but we don’t want him bringing his college game/technique to the NFL in the first place. He’s got a good motor, a mean streak, and unlike our current back-up LT, he doesn’t have heavy feet. As usual, I prefer using game tape over using a highlight reel if I can. That way you see what a player is like, down in and down out.

 

2) Round 4 Pick 30 (#130 overall): LT – BRANDON PARKER

He run blocks with the attitude of RT. No sin in having a matching set of young Tackles ready to go, in case of retirement and or injury.

 

3) Round 4 Pick 32 (#132 overall): LB – GENARD AVERY

Now is where it gets weird. Avery has a 5th or 6t round grade on him, but to Hell with that. Less important than where we get a guy, is THAT we get a guy who does what we need. He may not be there later, so get him now. He’s a powerful guy playing in a scheme that suits him poorly. He’s moved around the formation (inside the box, on the edge, matched up in man), so he offers the chance to be a 3 down player.

 

4) Round 5 Pick 32 (#169 overall): RB – CHRIS WARREN III

“Warren has a 7th round grade on him! Why reach and get him this early??! Draft picks aren’t free! This isn’t Madden, dumbass!” I hear you, I hear you. Take a breath and let me ask you: “Will we miss LeGarrette Blount?” What if we we could replace him with a younger, cheaper player who already has some pass protection polish to his game? He won’t start, but he can fill that third RB role. Look at the WHOLE tape and tell me that he’s not worth a 5th rounder.

 

5) Round 6 Pick 32 (#206 overall): LB – DORIAN O’DANIEL

He’s more of a Nickle LB/Safety tweener, which we have a couple of already. The whole idea is to draft a Special Teams coverage Ace, who can also play some actual defense.

 

6) Round 7 Pick 32 (#250 overall): WR/RS – QUADREE HENDERSON

I’m not a big fan of highlight videos. However, given that so much of what this guy does is on Special Teams, it seemed silly to look for regular downs-type game video. Take a look and tell me if he reminds you of anyone.

 

So that’s what the Draft would look like if I had my way. I mean it’s pressure-free! Seriously, what do you get for the team that has everything? This Draft is a restocking run. That’s it. It’s a replenishment of depth, where hopefully we’ll find more gold in this Draft.

So lets get prospectin’! I meant, uh drafting.

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