So I guess I'm very late, and we need an Eagles thread.
I have been a bit overly focused on the Sixers, my personal relocation and my son. So when I have time I'll add some videos etc to support comments, and I'm going off memory so may come back with some corrections.
Lot of moves and trades etc again this year, I'll focus on the big picture
Defense
The Eagles again upgraded the pass rush.
They added Jernigan from the Ravens to replace the departed Logan, he is seen as an attacking DT and one that prevents teams from constantly double teaming Cox. He's got one year left on his deal so a lot of opportunity for him.
They also drafted Barnett in the first round (and he's been IMPRESSIVE) I'll add some videos and commentary later.
They also added Chris Long as a free agent. The D line is potentially the core of the defense, Curry, Cox, Long, Barnett, Graham, Jernigan are the names you know but there is depth behind. If these guys get it right they can cover for the corners. If they get outplayed ... yeah.
At linebacker the secret stud is Hicks. He's the new Sean Lee, superstar with injury concerns that casual fans don't know. The Eagles generally play only two LB and Bradham has been good. Behind them is Kendricks, who is on the trade block, but had an excellent pre season with interceptions, sacks the lot. If the starters get hurt it's an issue. There's no depth past Kendricks and no one should trust him!
In the secondary the depth improved at Safety, two good starters in Jenkins and Mcleod and Graham is a nice depth addition.
The corners... are still an issue. They traded their "best" WR matthews to the bills for Darby, they drafted two corners, but one is out maybe all year (Sidney Jones- who imo they overdrafted but apparently he was likely their first round pick if not for the injury so eh). Mills had a good offseason and camp ( I'm dubious on his top end speed). They also drafted Douglas in the 3rd. The state of the CB position on a decent team led to the trade and now Darby got hurt in week 1- luckily (esp if you saw it) he's only out 6 games ish.
Long term there are a lot of young corners with talent on the roster, in the near term, this is clearly the weakest link.
Offense
On the o-line they added Chance Warmack (and extended him a year). The line is ok depending on your view of Kelce these days and if PEters can keep going, and they have some nice young talent. But the depth isn't ideal and final cuts left them thin.
It's good on paper. The results on the field are unclear.
Wide receiver was a gaping chasm of suck last year. They signed Jeffery and Torrey Smith and drafted Hollins and Shelton Gibson. The latter didn't make the team. Not good for a 5th round pick. He was brutal in pre season and camp. The team is convinced Agholor can be a contributor (former first round pick in 3rd year and brutal so far). Pre season and game 1 supported that. Huge upgrade overall and I'm personally very high on Hollins. The idea is clear. Smith offers a deep threat, Jeffery a star and Agholor can use his route running skills in the slot.
Running back is another gap. As expected Mathews was released, and they drafted one, but in the legendary RB draft they missed all the targets and imo reached on Pumphrey. He barely (and maybe only due to PR) made the team but didn't dress and now today ripped his hamstring and is on IR.
I like smallwood but he has yet to produce, they signed Blount which is nice but he's been brutal outside New England so... We shall see. Sproles is still here too but there's no sure thing here. Pretty unacceptable given the amount of talent out there.
TE no change it's just a year older. The project Billy Brown should have made the roster but they got lucky and he made it to the practice squad. Ertz is good, Celek is old and a blocker now, Burton is decent but never really stepped up.
Finally WB. Wentz is the man. His pocket awareness and ability to manufacture on the move is positively Rodgersesque. But his accuracy, esp on the long ball, is inconsistent. He's the guy and I think his personality is perfect for the situation but I want to see the accuracy.
Somewhat oddly they replaced Chase daniels with old friend Nick Foles who was hurt all pre season and that's a bit scary.
Special teams saw long long term LS Dorenbos got somehow traded to the Saints for a 7th round pick. That move saved his life as the medical found a heart condition and the trade was unwound. But there's a new long snapper! Sturgis hurt himself in week 1 and is on IR there's now a new K too (Jake Elliot- i know nothing). Elsewhere ST are unchanged and should decent.
In summary, the team got better
QB better (experience)
RB worse to the same eh
WR MUCH better
O line better
TE same
D line much better
LB same
Safety better (depth)
CB better but still awful
The defense will live or die on the front 7 and the offense will be on Wentz. I think they are a 500 to 9 maybe 10 win team at the best. Playoff and division contender but long shot to make noise.
I have been a bit overly focused on the Sixers, my personal relocation and my son. So when I have time I'll add some videos etc to support comments, and I'm going off memory so may come back with some corrections.
Lot of moves and trades etc again this year, I'll focus on the big picture
Defense
The Eagles again upgraded the pass rush.
They added Jernigan from the Ravens to replace the departed Logan, he is seen as an attacking DT and one that prevents teams from constantly double teaming Cox. He's got one year left on his deal so a lot of opportunity for him.
They also drafted Barnett in the first round (and he's been IMPRESSIVE) I'll add some videos and commentary later.
They also added Chris Long as a free agent. The D line is potentially the core of the defense, Curry, Cox, Long, Barnett, Graham, Jernigan are the names you know but there is depth behind. If these guys get it right they can cover for the corners. If they get outplayed ... yeah.
At linebacker the secret stud is Hicks. He's the new Sean Lee, superstar with injury concerns that casual fans don't know. The Eagles generally play only two LB and Bradham has been good. Behind them is Kendricks, who is on the trade block, but had an excellent pre season with interceptions, sacks the lot. If the starters get hurt it's an issue. There's no depth past Kendricks and no one should trust him!
In the secondary the depth improved at Safety, two good starters in Jenkins and Mcleod and Graham is a nice depth addition.
The corners... are still an issue. They traded their "best" WR matthews to the bills for Darby, they drafted two corners, but one is out maybe all year (Sidney Jones- who imo they overdrafted but apparently he was likely their first round pick if not for the injury so eh). Mills had a good offseason and camp ( I'm dubious on his top end speed). They also drafted Douglas in the 3rd. The state of the CB position on a decent team led to the trade and now Darby got hurt in week 1- luckily (esp if you saw it) he's only out 6 games ish.
Long term there are a lot of young corners with talent on the roster, in the near term, this is clearly the weakest link.
Offense
On the o-line they added Chance Warmack (and extended him a year). The line is ok depending on your view of Kelce these days and if PEters can keep going, and they have some nice young talent. But the depth isn't ideal and final cuts left them thin.
It's good on paper. The results on the field are unclear.
Wide receiver was a gaping chasm of suck last year. They signed Jeffery and Torrey Smith and drafted Hollins and Shelton Gibson. The latter didn't make the team. Not good for a 5th round pick. He was brutal in pre season and camp. The team is convinced Agholor can be a contributor (former first round pick in 3rd year and brutal so far). Pre season and game 1 supported that. Huge upgrade overall and I'm personally very high on Hollins. The idea is clear. Smith offers a deep threat, Jeffery a star and Agholor can use his route running skills in the slot.
Running back is another gap. As expected Mathews was released, and they drafted one, but in the legendary RB draft they missed all the targets and imo reached on Pumphrey. He barely (and maybe only due to PR) made the team but didn't dress and now today ripped his hamstring and is on IR.
I like smallwood but he has yet to produce, they signed Blount which is nice but he's been brutal outside New England so... We shall see. Sproles is still here too but there's no sure thing here. Pretty unacceptable given the amount of talent out there.
TE no change it's just a year older. The project Billy Brown should have made the roster but they got lucky and he made it to the practice squad. Ertz is good, Celek is old and a blocker now, Burton is decent but never really stepped up.
Finally WB. Wentz is the man. His pocket awareness and ability to manufacture on the move is positively Rodgersesque. But his accuracy, esp on the long ball, is inconsistent. He's the guy and I think his personality is perfect for the situation but I want to see the accuracy.
Somewhat oddly they replaced Chase daniels with old friend Nick Foles who was hurt all pre season and that's a bit scary.
Special teams saw long long term LS Dorenbos got somehow traded to the Saints for a 7th round pick. That move saved his life as the medical found a heart condition and the trade was unwound. But there's a new long snapper! Sturgis hurt himself in week 1 and is on IR there's now a new K too (Jake Elliot- i know nothing). Elsewhere ST are unchanged and should decent.
In summary, the team got better
QB better (experience)
RB worse to the same eh
WR MUCH better
O line better
TE same
D line much better
LB same
Safety better (depth)
CB better but still awful
The defense will live or die on the front 7 and the offense will be on Wentz. I think they are a 500 to 9 maybe 10 win team at the best. Playoff and division contender but long shot to make noise.
