WR

All posts tagged WR

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.

JASON AVANT IS AN EAGLE AGAIN

Posted by The BEAST on 2020/07/30
Posted in: Coaching, Conversations, Front Office (F.O.), Offense, Players, Uncategorized. Tagged: , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

player-jasonavant550px.arrowheadaddict

JASON Avant working with the Eagles WR’s feels like an investment in Karma. It’s bringing him home to an Eagles franchise that he’s never strayed far from. Even when he played in Kansas City. Under head coach Andy Reid. (See what I mean?)

Avant was always a bit of a coach/mentor. Even as a player, he was one of a handful of players that young guys innately felt that they could talk to, and ask questions of. And why not? He carried an air of professionalism and credibility. While those things never jump out at you, over a period of time they build a level of gravitas that attracts people to you.

Never one that could be mistaken for a deep threat, Avant was known for running great routes and having even greater hands. Other sportswriters will tell you that his career was built on ‘precision’, but let me explain what that word actually means in relation to football. It means his career was about study, discipline, repetition, and habits.

avant catch.jpg

If you liked Odell Beckham’s catch, then you have to LOVE the original version.

Avant the player walked what he talked. And THAT is who now is among the teachers for young WR’s Jalen Reagor, J.J Arcega-Whiteside, John Hightower, Quez Watkins, and possibly most beneficially, Greg Ward.

It’s worth noting also that Avant and WR DeSean Jackson were teammates from 2008 to 2013. So there’s a dynamic at play where Avant and DJax can reminisce about playoff games, with the youngin’s in the room. The proof of what they say will be evident just by the fact of those two men being in that room. That level of credibility is hard for hungry players to ignore.

Jason Avant and Desean Jackson vs Den

I specifically mentioned those four young WR’s, because beyond 2020 there is little chance of seeing DJax and/or WR Alshon Jeffery in midnight green. At which point we will likely be starting Reagor and Arcega-Whiteside. That in mind, it would be wise for the 2020 Eagles to keep six receivers, with Jeffery, DJax, Ward, A-Dub (I’m introducing that nickname today), and Reagor at the top five.

(Sidenote: Rookie RB Adrian Killins (5’8″, 177lbs) will probably log as many NFL carries as RB Donnel Pumphrey (5’9″, 176lbs) did. Meaning zero. The smart move would be to put Killins on the 2020 Practice Squad, and try to transition him to WR. You don’t let speed like his just walk out the door, unless you are 1012% certain that he can’t play.)

While Avant isn’t the WR’s coach, having his voice in the room, is huge. It’s the voice of a mid-level talent who made an 11 year career, out of being a first rate professional. That can’t be anything but a huge Avant-age (see what I did there?) for the young stable of receivers we have here.

I’m thrilled with the move.

CHANGE MY MIND

BTW I found out TWO new things last night: 1) This guy’s name is Steven Crowder, and 2) We have the same birthday

MARQUISE GOODWIN. SNEAKY GOOD.

Posted by The BEAST on 2020/05/28
Posted in: Conversations, Front Office (F.O.), NFL, Offense, Players, Reviews, Roster, stats, trade. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Marquise Goodwin 49er

WHILE most of the talk is on the pair of Jalens that the Eagles drafted, WR Marquise Goodwin was the sneaky good add of the offseaon. How could adding him be sneaky when every time the media mentions our addition at that position, they mention the trade brought Goodwin here? How could it be sneaky, if people are talking about it??

Sneaky is not about some punch that our rivals don’t see coming. It’s about the power of the punch that everyone seems to be underestimating.

Goodwin has played 7 years so far. He’s never posted a 1,000 yard season. Never caught more than 4 scores in a year. He owns a career catch rate of exactly 50.0%. Over the last 3 years since he got to San Francisco, he’s started fewer games, seen dramatically fewer targets and caught for dramatically fewer yards, with every returning year.

hmmm...

The point is, the 5’9”, 180 pound receiver, though extremely fast, is viewed as a known commodity already. He’s seen as a flame-out. A one-trick pony who languished for 4 years in Buffalo, and then was slowly phased out of the offense in San Fran.

His stats tell that story. His tape however, tells another. He is a bit of a one-trick pony, but when relegated to role-player, it’s one hell of a trick. I don’t usually use highlight video, because it doesn’t tell you who a man is, down in and down out. It doesn’t show nuances. But Goodwin isn’t here for nuances. We didn’t bring him in to be poison. We brought him in to be a .45 slug.

Check the tape. It’s 6 minutes so wait until you have time. Trust me. It’s worth it. Don’t let me talk you into him. Let his tape sell you on why he’s here.

Did you see how often he had to stop and turn around for the ball? Did you how it works out when he doesn’t have to? Did you see that “Toe Drag Swag”? Now consider that most of this was with QB’s C.J. Beathard, Nick Mullens and Brian Hoyer throwing to him. QB Jimmy Garoppolo targeted Goodwin just 21 times (12 catches) in 2019.

Now Goodwin has QB Carson Wentz throwing to him. Wentz has better arm strength, accuracy and ball placement skills than any QB that Goodwin has ever played with. And unlike Garoppolo, Wentz doesn’t throw passes with his eyes closed.

Goodwin is in the best position to succeed that he’s ever been in as a professional. Despite being role-player, he’s now free to practice the trade that he’s mastered. The one where he takes the top off of defense and opens up the field behind him. And unlike in the past where he was just a 50/50 threat, now he’s in a system that makes him a bonafide weapon.

Alshon. DeSean. Jalen. Zach. Dallas. Greg. And Marquise.

Loading revolver Dark Tower

Our Offense is loaded and the QB is ready to fire. Sneaky good add indeed. 

WHAT ABOUT GREG WARD?

Posted by The BEAST on 2020/05/18
Posted in: Coaching, Conversations, Front Office (F.O.), Offense, Players, Roster, stats. Tagged: , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

2019 Greg Ward

BEFORE we go nuts talking about how fast the Eagles have gotten at the WR position, can we talk about how consistent the Eagles are, in regards to how they motivate as coaches? Given how WR Greg Ward stepped up last year, it seems almost a slap in the face that so many say that he may not even have a roster spot when the Eagles next play meaningful game.

Ward served three stints on the Practice Squad, before he finally was given a chance to play in a real NFL game. He played in seven games, starting the final three. In those starts he caught 17 of 21 targets for a catch rate of 80.9%, for 175 yards, as well as chalking CB Josh Norman in his home:

card.WR greg.ward

Overall in those seven games, Ward posted 28 grabs, for 254 yards and that score. Not killer stats, but given that he was essentially tossed into a meat-grinder, where he became the #1 wide receiver by default, Ward responded beautifully.

Hey, look, more speed is great. And unlike other years, not only do we have up-front speed, but we also have speed in reserve. That said, how do the Eagles send the message that stepping up matters, if they leave Ward on the upcoming cutting-room floor?

The answer is: They can’t. Especially if WR J.J. Arcega-Whiteside gets to stay on the roster. 

In a universe that makes sense, the Eagles would keep 6 WR’s instead of our customary 5. Those 6 should be: Alshon Jeffery, DeSean Jackson, Jalen Reagor, Greg Ward, Marquis Goodwin, and Whiteside. The Eagles however, will likely keep just 5, which could make that last spot a toss-up between Ward and Whiteside.

Outside of Jeffery, the Eagles don’t have another big receiver besides Whiteside, so that could be his edge. On the other hand, if the Eagles want a better route runner who uncovers quickly, and gives his QB a place to go with the football, then Ward is the no-brainer, hands-down, pound-the-table choice.

Greg Ward dallas

Odds are that Jeffery will start the season on the Physically Unable to Perform list, so rookie Jalen Reagor will start opposite Djax. When Jeffery gets back, Reagor may end up sliding into the Slot. Until that happens, the Slot will likely be a question mark.

With Goodwin being speed insurance against an injury, don’t expect the Eagles to feature him too much. So in a six receiver group, the Slot role would be in play. In a five receiver group (in that universe that makes sense), it should belong to Ward for at least a few weeks.

Over the last couple of years, I’ve written a couple of articles about Ward. With a little bit of imagination Article 1, Article 2, he could be a reason for opposing coaching staffs to lose plenty of sleep. I just hope that the Eagles coaching staff doesn’t end up being the ones who get caught snoring.

BUILDING THE EAGLES ROSTER

Posted by The BEAST on 2020/04/02
Posted in: Conversations, free agents, Front Office (F.O.), NFL, Offense, Players, Roster, The 12. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , . 2 Comments

 

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WHILE I myself have been critical of General Manager Howie Roseman during the first round of Free Agency, I did remind people (and myself), that it’s still early. There is no need to panic. Also, I have concerns about a number of holes left throughout the entire team. Not just at receiver.

There are a few sportswriters crying about the Eagles not getting QB Carson Wentz any new WR’s. They shook their heads about Roseman saying that the team internally, sees our WR position differently than people do from the outside, and that we have plenty of talent at receiver. I agree with his assessment, having written in support of our current receiving corp, back in early February, as one of my first article in The 12.

2019 Eagles WRs - Good luck trying to sleep

Hey! Remember a year ago when everyone was sure that WR’s Alshon Jeffery, DeSean Jackson, and Nelson Agholor were going to torch the NFL? Remember a few months ago when the excuse was that Carson didn’t have Jeffery, Jackson, and Agholor? So wait. Now he’s getting Jeffery and Jackson back, and everyone is bummed about it? Are people really that upset about losing Agholor? Was he the difference maker? Is… Is that what this is?

Are people really upset that we didn’t get WR Stephon Diggs, who publicly threw his QB under a bus a few times? Are we really upset that we didn’t get WR Robby Anderson, a former Jet who’s not always proven to be coachable, and so had no serious suitors besides Carolina? Are we really upset that we didn’t spend 20 million on WR Amari Cooper, who has a well documented history of losing interest during games? In what way has Breshad Perriman proven himself the equal of either of our starters?

FYI: Trading for WR DeAndre Hopkins was do-able, but he wanted a new deal that the Eagles felt was outside of the team’s price range. Maybe something could have been worked out, but the Eagles want to get younger, and if we’re being honest, I’m not sure how Hopkins would have fit in the Audience Of One locker room, anyway.

AO1 carson_wentz .jpg

Make no mistake we have plenty of holes on Offense. Too many in fact, to obsess over any one position.

Depending on who you ask, LT is either solid for the next decade, or we have a bust waiting to be exposed and get our QB killed.

There is no insurance behind our starting RB.

If we don’t add some speed at WR, we’re one injury away from being where we were in Week 3 of 2018, and Week 3 of 2019.

Another veteran QB is an absolute must have. Preferably someone with a little mobility. Maybe signing FA’s Blaine Gabbert or Blake Bortles? A trade for Jacoby Brissette would also be a thing of beauty. (Though he would need his deal stretched out to five years.) Not to fuck over QB Nate Sudfeld, but you saw us last year. You can’t ever have too much talent at QB.

The Draft and the second round of Free Agency still lay ahead of us. Would it have been nice to have a few new, shiny pieces by now? Sure. Like I said, I’ve already said as much. But to whine and say silly shit like “Carson’s being hung out to dry.” That’s alarmist and stupid. Don’t be that fan. And ignore such rantings. 

LET’S TALK WIDE RECEIVERS

Posted by The BEAST on 2017/04/29
Posted in: Conversations, Draft, Front Office (F.O.), NFL, Offense, Players, Rants, Roster, Special Teams. Tagged: , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

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HELP me understand this. In 2016 we had trouble at WR, so we didn’t cut any of our primary WR’s in Jordan Matthews, Nelson Agholor, or Dorial Green-Beckham. Instead we ADDED Free Agents Alshon Jeffrey and Torrey Smith. Surely we weren’t going keep all five of these guys heading into September, so we’d need to shave at least Agholor. So why then are we drafting more WR’s? 

I could see drafting a WR if we were talking about Chris Godwin, whom QB Carson Wentz could mature with. I could see the logic if we were talking about JuJu Smith-Schuster or if we’d traded up to get a top-shelf guy. What I don’t get, is burning picks on WR’s who seem more like they were drafted with an eye towards them playing Special Teams here. You get those guys after the Draft.

We came into this Draft loaded with NFL quality veterans at the WR position. We had real depth in case of injury, for a team that generally keeps 5 active WR’s. So are we keeping 6 this year, or are we going to get rid of real depth to hold onto a Special Teamer or two? That’s not a question fans ask on Draft day, but come September ‘Cut Downs’, that very conversation will happen among Eagles coaches.

Remember how we kept Bryce Treggs over Paul Turner last year? Neither was drafted, but we deactivated a quality receiver for a fast guy who played Special Teams. Don’t look now, but I think we just set that same scenario up, when we drafted WR Mack Hollis in the 4th and Shelton Gibson in the 5th. In that scenario, who do you cut? Do you keep the quality vets, or do we cut one of our draft picks?

It’s easy to say if we keep five, “Cut Agholor since he’s a bust anyway”. That would mean cutting a vet and at least one of the WR’s we drafted. Given that the WR’s we drafted were 4th and 5th rounders, most fans won’t care if they get cut anyway. The odds are already stacked against 4th and 5th rounders to even make the team. Why bellyache over it, right?

Here is where I need you to explain this to me. If the odds are already long for a 4th and 5th rounder, why draft two guys at a spot where you already have plenty of help? You just stacked a stacked deck even more against either of these picks panning out. It’s basically giving away a draft pick. Or two! This is only made worse by the fact that we still need an OLB, or a RB to fill in for Ryan Mathews if, WHEN he gets hurt this year.

Maybe you can explain it to me. Please, when you do, use VERY small words. I don’t want to miss anything. Because the Eagles Draft already has me tilting my head like a dog.

THE 12: #2 WORK THE EDGES

Posted by The BEAST on 2017/03/16
Posted in: Coaching, Offense, Players, Roster, X's and O's. Tagged: , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

THE122017#2

IF Carson Wentz is going to matter in this league, he has to improve on his ability to use his WR’s. That will only happen if he actually attempts more passes to his WR’s. It doesn’t matter who we add if the play-calling doesn’t facilitate opportunities to get the ball out on the edges.

If this Offense is going to ever hit it’s stride, we’re going to have to stop being so reliant on routes like “Checkdowns” and “Wheels” to RB Darren Sproles. For one thing, Sproles is nearing the end of the road. Also, we all saw that over-using him last year, came with some heavy consequences for Sproles.

When the ball can to find it’s way towards the numbers, it will leave TE Zach Ertz room to operate between the hash marks, and occasionally open up room directly in front of Wentz to gallop for a cheap “five-and-slide”.

This isn’t rocket science. Getting the ball to WR’s outside the numbers, will help every level of our Offense. Aside from being able to get the ball to them during moments like 3rd and 9, it also helps to keep the opposing Safeties back, and out of the way of the running game.

It’s going to come with mistakes. Interceptions, pick sixes… those will happen. They even happen to SB winning QB’s

card.malcolm.jenkins

However, if Wentz is to be the guy we’re all hoping he becomes, the attempts must be made.

2017 DRAFT WISH LIST

Posted by The BEAST on 2017/03/02
Posted in: Conversations, Defense, Draft, NFL, Offense, Players, Roster. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

 

2017-draft

ASIDE from QB Carson Wentz, 2016’s Draft was a disaster. We took eight players in last year’s Draft, and aside from Wentz, not one of them is good enough to be a Starter in 2017. That being said, we should go easy on that draft. We didn’t have an idea of who we were going to be as a team yet. There was no way of predicting what character would emerge from the new culture brought in by rookie Head Coach Doug Pederson.

Sixteen games later, we now have an idea of who we are, and of who we’re trying to be. So in the 2017 Draft, we need to add players who can enhance our strengths, and minimize (if not completely eliminate) our shortcomings.

+++++

PARABLE: A man needed milk for his cereal and a loaf of bread. Having only 6$ on him, he figured he could cover both, so he went to the market. At the market he got a loaf of bread costing him 3.69, but there was no milk to be had. No pints, quarts, half or whole gallons. There wasn’t even cream or half and half. When the man asked the merchant why there was no milk, the merchant said that no milk had been delivered that week. The merchant suggested the man buy liquid coffee creamer instead. The man pointed out that even a small coffee creamer (being 2.39), was nearly 1$ more than a quart of milk. The merchant agreed. The man thinking in that moment only of his cereal, put back the bread and bought the creamer.

+++++

The Eagles have several big needs, the biggest one being a CB. However, given our first Draft spot, the CB we really need, won’t be there this year. It doesn’t matter how high of a pick we spend on a substitute CB. Spending extra on what you don’t need (coffee creamer), won’t turn it into what you need it to be (milk). Especially when it will cost you something else you need in the process (bread).

Put in terms of Draft prospects: Picking [Tre’Davious White] at #14 won’t turn him into won’t turn him into [Marshon Lattimer], and will only cost us a shot a the WR we need. Let’s address our CB need by overspending on a one-year FA, and gamble on a CB on Day Two.

(Keep in mind this is coming out BEFORE the Combine. Nothing here is set in stone)

1) (14 or 15 overall) WR [Corey Davis] should still be on the board when we pick, and that’s perfect. He has the requisite size and speed to force opponents take him seriously on the boundary. He’s also a decent blocker in the run game, and is already accustomed to being an Alpha WR. He expects that role, wants that role, and has lived up to that role at the collegiate level.

Wentz needs a true #1 to help him develop and reach his potential. Watching Wentz with his WR’s this year was like the days of Donovan McNabb being stuck with Todd Pinkston and James Thrash. If we want better from Wentz, he has to be given better tools. Start with Davis.

2) (42 overall) We need a Starting RB. Not a committee. Not a Free Agent re-tread with injury issues. We need a real bell-cow, who will scare teams into loading the box. [D’Onta Foreman] seems like he could be that guy.

I have my doubts about him being on the board at #42. If he’s there, take him. If Foreman is already gone, reach on a CB and grab RB [James Connor] in the Third.

3) (75 overall) If he’s there I take CB [Channing Stribling] before 5 seconds are off the clock. We still have yet to see if he “makes any money” at the Combine, but right now he’s still kind of below the radar.

Former Eagle Mike Zordich was his Secondary Coach at Michigan and you can see some of that lunch-pail mentality come out of this skinny (6’2”, 175) CB. He’s one of the few CB’s in this Draft who commits vs the run. At #42 he’d be called a reach today, but at #75…given a few years, he’d likely be called a steal.

4A) (119 overall) Normally I don’t include highlight reels, but I felt I had to here.

Despite the fact that teams frequently doubled DE [Tanoh Kpassagnon] (Tan-No Passon-Yo) they still ran many plays away from his side during many of those doubles. (If you want to see how that looks during a game, I have game film for you here. Be patient, it’s not exciting.)

The idea of a guy you have to double on the outside, as well as having to double DT Fletcher Cox on the inside, could mean incredible things for our Defensive Line. So far nobody is talking much about this guy, and so he could be the absolute steal of the Draft. Grabbing him this early is just a bit of a reach, but I wouldn’t bank on this guy being around in the Fifth Round.

4B) (139 overall) FS [Obi Melifonwu] is a guy who I expect to hear a lot about in the next few weeks. His measurables are of course the first thing you notice about him (6’3” 217).

Upon looking at the tape, you notice that when he’s not lining up in the parking lot or near the line, you see a guy who has a knack for squeezing passing lanes, and can reliably finish his tackles one-on-one.

5) (154 overall) As I said before, we need RB help. While taking a bell-cow early would an extremely smart thing to do, it would also help to plan for the day when RB Darren Sproles isn’t here anymore. I like RB [De’Angelo Henderson].

He doesn’t have any recent video out there, but it’s hard not to see flashes of Brian Westbrook in his game.

6) (197 overall) RT [Sam Tevi]. He’s new to the position but shows potential not just athletically, but in how he attacks his assignments.

Doesn’t play to the whistle, but then no one on his college O-line seemed to. Makes you wonder if this is something that can be corrected with a change of atmosphere. Especially since Tevi is still so raw. If not, then he’s no better than a career back-up. In any case he’s already better than the OT we drafted last year.

7) (232 overall) This is the pick that I like to use on project players, or long-shot steal prospects. Some would say wait until after the draft for those picks, and they are entitled to their opinions. This however is MY Wish List, so here’s the guy I’d pick: C [Erik Austell]. At only 260 pounds, he probably won’t be able to add the 20-25 pounds needed to be a 16 game NFL starter. What he could be is an ace H-Back, and core Special Teamer. If he could be taught to long snap, he could be worth his weight in gold.

There were other players I liked such as CB’s Marshon Lattimore and [Teez Tabor]; WR’s [Noah Brown] and [Jalen Robinette]; RB’s [De’veon Smith] and [Shock Linwood]; OT [Will Holden]; and TE [Adam Shaheen]. I wouldn’t be sad to see any of them in midnight green. However, due to where we draft, what we need, and who would realistically still be on the board when we picked later, hard choices had to be made.

I scrambled for WEEKS (on a busted computer) to get this done before Combine news started to come out. Corey Davis, Tanoh Kpassangon, De’Veon Smith and D’Onta Foreman were the guys in my head when I started this. Compiling the rest of this list was like pulling my own teeth. The truth is, this is a very weak Draft and it was hard to find players that I liked. There were a couple of pleasant surprises, but MAN, I hope next year is deeper and has a top-tier CB for us.

 

GOOD NEWS, BAD NEWS…

Posted by The BEAST on 2017/01/09
Posted in: Coaching, Conspiracy Corner, Draft, Front Office (F.O.), NFL, Offense, Players, Roster. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . 2 Comments

RUMOR has it that the Eagles need to draft a speedy WR. The idea is to give QB Carson Wentz a legitimate, defense stretching weapon to throw to. I have several issues with that assessment and how it was arrived at, but I’ll wait to address my beefs on that subject with tomorrow’s (already written) article. For today, I want to bring you the Good News and the Bad News.

The Good News:

terrell-owens

For anyone hoping that the Eagles draft a WR early, you will almost certainly get your wish. The last time we had a franchise QB (Donovan McNabb), the former offensive lineman who coached this team (Andy Reid), took forever to get his QB a real WR (Terrell Owens). The very year that he did, the QB had the best year of his career and we went to the Super Bowl. A year later, the team ditched the WR and began to slowly deteriorate.

The current Head Coach (Doug Pederson) and Offensive Coordinator (Frank Reich) both used to be NFL QBs. Both men know the importance of a good WR for a QB, and they will waste no time in getting Wentz someone to play catch with. So be prepared to celebrate drafting a WR early.

The Bad News:

The 2017 Draft is dreadfully short on genuine speed, so this year that trait will be at an even higher premium than usual. Even after we were eliminated from playoff contention, our team prioritized winning games over improving our Draft position. The result was that we fell from the 8th spot to the 12th spot in each round after the 1st round. In the 1st round we get Minnesota’s pick, which is 14th overall. Teams ahead of us that also could use WR help: Cleveland (picking twice), Chicago, San Fran, NYJ, Carolina and Buffalo.

That’s not saying that all of those teams will take a speedy WR. It just means there is more demand than supply. So in order to get into position to get the WR we need from the Draft, we’ll likely have to move up. Put another way: We’ll likely have to overpay this year, to pair a WR with the QB we overpaid for last year.

That is unless we wise up.

GM (I’m calling him that) Howie Roseman said that we’re not doing “band-aids”, which he was using as shorthand for a getting a high-priced Free Agent. While that should put to bed any rumor of signing DeSean Jackson, it doesn’t have to mean that we will completely avoid signing a FA WR.

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Already there are rumblings that we may be interested in Dolphin WR Kenny Stills. That would be an absolutely solid move to make. He’s 24, has the speed we’re said to need, and he’s a proven NFL veteran.

One FA name you aren’t hearing about, is Viking WR Cordarrelle Patterson. He’s been criminally underutilized for years, serving primarily as a killer KR for a borderline team. He’d likely welcome a more prominent role and the type of contracts that come with it.

These are examples of moves we could complete well in advance of the Draft. It would save us a high draft pick, but more importantly, Wentz would have a proven vet to work with. Otherwise we’re risking the development of our franchise QB, on a highly drafted rookie that we hope won’t be the next Nelson Agholor.

Here’s hoping the Eagles bring us some Good News.

CAN’T CATCH A BREAK.

Posted by The BEAST on 2016/10/26
Posted in: Coaching, Conversations, NFL, Offense, Players, Rants, Roster, trade. Tagged: , , , , , , , , . 6 Comments

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CARSON Wentz will be a wasted pick if we can’t get him a Wide Receiver to rely on. Most of the great Quarterbacks you can think of, had a go-to WR that also comes quickly to mind. Wentz doesn’t have anything remotely like that, and it’s starting to stunt his growth.

I’m seeing ball after ball forced in the direction of Nelson Agholor.

I’m seeing Jordan Matthews (still being employed poorly in the slot, and taken off the field in too many sub-packages) become all but invisible during most of the game.

I’m seeing Dorian Green-Beckham make short catches in traffic, and then get all but ignored in the red zone. (Though he did just catch a 6 yard touchdown on Sunday.)

I’m seeing back-up WR Josh Huff lead the team with 39 yards receiving in a whole game.

I’m seeing the Eagles trying to trade for a second WR in just over 3 months.

The easy answer is to say that the WR’s aren’t good enough. That was fine to say before the DGB trade. However, the whole idea of trading for him was though he had off the field/maturity issues, he has plenty of talent. That means we can’t say it’s a talent issue anymore.

Fact is, our 4 guys top WR’s all have very different styles from each other. Yet we’re to buy that none of them can play at all. One or two guys? Sure, I can buy a bum or two on a roster. But FOUR at one position? One that you traded for! I can’t be made to buy that. My I.Q. is just too damned high, my eyesight is too good, and I know too much football to quietly swallow that B.S.

The real problem is that Offensive Coordinator Frank Reich and Head Coach Doug Pederson don’t really know where they want to hang the team’s hat. We were billed as running a hybrid West Coast Offense, that included elements of the Spread, and utilized the TE more. The thing can’t be smooth, because they built-in too many wrinkles.

Week to week, the focal point of our Offense seems to be making sure that everybody plays, and gets a chance to hold the ball. On most teams, the staff will draw up specific plays designed to get the ball into a specific players hands? Do you EVER feel like we do that here? I sure as fuckall, don’t.

Our coaching staff seems incapable of putting ANY of our WR’s in “a better position to succeed”. Our receivers are used as interchangeable parts, instead of maxing out their built-in advantages and individual talents. We have three WR’s (Matthews, DGB, and Huff) who could each be a match-up headache, but instead are looked upon as mediocre at best.

Like I said, one or two guys sucking, I can buy. One or two guys with no talent? Sure, okay. One or two guys with bad work ethic. I could even spot you that. But FOUR guys? Four guys? Meanwhile Paul Turner (remember him?) just sits at home inactive?

Look, we drafted talent high, traded for talent, and have talent sitting at home. The issue isn’t player talent, it’s coaching. The coaching staff needs to decide who we are on Offense, and figure out how to get the most from each player to help define that identity.