Monday Practice Talk
Posted: July 28th, 2014 | Author: Tommy Lawlor | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 104 Comments »The Eagles were in full pads for the first time in the 2014 offseason and practiced at The Linc today. All the reports make it sound like a pretty interesting day.
— The Eagles mixed up their defensive personnel yesterday, sometimes having the first team secondary rolling with the second team unit and vice versa. So when I saw Marcus Smith running with the twos I wasn’t sure if coordinator Bill Davis was simply shuffling things up. But Smith, who was with the third team throughout spring and the start of camp, was once again with the second team today. My guess is he’ll stay there backing up Connor Barwin at the “Jack” outside linebacker spot opposite Brandon Graham, who backs up Trent Cole at “Predator.” It’s difficult to say if Smith as earned the promotion or if the Eagles just want to see him playing against better competition, but it’s a natural step for the first round draft pick. Jake Knott was the other promotion, jumping from third team inside linebacker to the second team ahead of Jason Phillips. Looks like he’s out of the doghouse after being suspended four games.
— A few quickies … Zach Ertz made a strong grab in traffic when he hauled in a pass by Sanchez that was thrown slightly behind him. … But I’ll give catch of the day honors to B.J. Cunningham, who went over defensive back Davon Morgan to pull in a short-armed throw by Barkley. … Cedric Thornton, at least on one play, picked up where he left off last year when he sliced through the o-line and “dropped” McCoy. … Casey Matthews, after moving to outside linebacker last season, has been taking all his reps at inside linebacker this camp. … Celek dropped a pass from Foles. … The Damaris Johnson daily mistake came when he put the ball on the turf during a kick return. He retrieved it, but Johnson hasn’t done himself any favors through three practices.
It is good to see Marcus Smith moving up the depth chart. He’s now the backup Jack LB. No offense to Byan Braman, but I want Smith on the field as much as possible this summer. As McLane points out, there is also the benefit of getting to see him go against better competition. Right now he’ll be going against RT Lane Johnson a lot.
Also good to hear about Jake Knott. The Eagles coaches liked him quite a bit last summer. Things had been very quiet in regard to him this offseason, aside from his 4-game suspension. I wondered if Knott just hadn’t made progress or if he was in the doghouse for the suspension. I don’t know if Knott will challenge for a starting role down the road, but he can be a solid backup and good STer.
Damaris Johnson is headed in the wrong direction. He isn’t the type of WR Chip Kelly prefers so it is critical that Johnson stands out on STs. Right now he’s doing that, but in the wrong way. You want to stand out for good reasons, not mistakes. Johnson showed excellent promise back in 2012. It is really frustrating to see him struggle like this.
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Another day, another fight. Jimmy Bama offers his take on things.
For the second consecutive day at Eagles training camp, a pair of Eagles fought at the end of a play. On Sunday, it was LeSean McCoy vs. Trent Cole. On Monday, Jeremy Maclin and Bradley Fletcher squared off and threw haymakers at each other. Interestingly, not only are all of those players locks to make the team, they’re all currently first team veterans.
Before practice on Monday, Chip Kelly likened football practice fights to little kids throwing temper tantrums.
“Yeah, their emotions got the better part of them,” said Kelly. “Those things happen. It’s no different than sometimes little kids don’t get along very well and throw Tonka trucks at each other. I (think) the fact that it made SportsCenter must have meant it’s the world’s slowest sports day, I can tell you that. That two kids push each other in practice somewhere… It’s not a real big deal.”
Not a big deal?!? Did Chip not go to grade school? Where I grew up, if a fight was brewing, somebody yelled “FIIIIIGGGGGHHHT!!!!!!” Everyone within earshot immediately stopped what they were doing and watched. Is that not what it was like growing up in Manchester, New Hampshire, Chip? Because we were far less mature down here in the Philly suburbs.
I have to side with Chip on this. Fights aren’t a big deal to me unless they get out of hand (which is very rare) or the two guys going at it have something noteworthy about them. Nick Foles vs Cary Williams? I want to read about that. Maclin vs Williams? Not so much. But I’m probably in the minority on this…so read Jimmy’s post and enjoy his artwork.
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Now onto Sheil Kapadia and his take from Monday.
12:44 – The Eagles have a “Formations” period every practice. The offense lines up against the defense, and it’s all about motioning, shifting, etc. Football coaches at all levels will tell you success depends on execution. But so much is determined before the ball is even snapped. Just think back to Week 17 last year when the Cowboys got Dez Bryant lined up on Chung. Anyone watching live or on TV knew that one was going to be trouble.
1:15 – We see one of these every day. McCoy and Darren Sproles together in the backfield. Sproles motions to the left, Foles fakes the handoff to McCoy to the right and then delivers the ball back to Sproles on a bubble screen.
1:20 – Perhaps the play of the day. Earl Wolff breaks on a deep ball near the sideline intended for Arrelious Benn and breaks it up. Excellent range and closing speed. Wolff is the best athlete the Eagles have at safety. If the coaches can get him to play to that athleticism, he’ll be on the field. Smith, Cary Williams and others give Wolff love for his effort.
Great point about the Formations period. Getting lined up correctly is huge. The best schemes in the world are meaningless if the players aren’t in the right spot when the ball is snapped. This isn’t as easy as it was 20 years ago when football was more static. There was less substitution. There was less going on in the way of formations and motion. You were going to see the Pro Set or the I-formation. It wasn’t hard to line up. These days a lot goes on before the ball is even snapped.
I need to write something more about Sproles. He has really grown on me. The players and coaches seem to love him. Kelly seems to have plenty of plans for him. Peter King pointed out the other day that the only reason the Saints let him go was salary.
I will not be the least bit surprised if Wolff starts opposite of Malcolm Jenkins. Wolff is more athletic and more physical than Nate Allen. Wolff needs to show he’s got the mental side of things. If he does that, he can beat out Allen. I don’t care which guys wins the job. I just want good Safety play this year. I think both will end up starting games at some point.
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Geoff Mosher also had some good notes.
Trending upward
Maybe Chip Kelly really is the genius he’s often portrayed to be. After two days of having some of Matt Barkley’s reps handed to fourth-string quarterback G.J. Kinne, Barkley responded by having perhaps his best practice of the season. Barkley made some tremendous decisions in the scrimmages and showed some extra life with his passes.
Catch of the Day
B.J. Cunningham doesn’t get much press, but the second-year wideout turned in the day’s smoothest catch, leaping near the left sideline to reel in a fastball from Barkley despite being smothered by cornerback Davon Morgan.
Stock rising
Towering wideout Ifeanyi Momah, a 6-foot-7 prospect who didn’t make the team last year and didn’t sign with anyone, made two sterling catches — a fingertip grab across the middle and another against tight coverage on the left sideline. Should be a boost for Momah’s confidence.
Mosher was really impressed with Matt Barkley, which is good to read. “Best practice of the season”? I like that. Barkley can’t relax after a good practice or two. He must work his butt off if he’s going to push Sanchez for the backup job and really impress the coaches.
I’m still on the BJ Cunningham bandwagon, but I can’t say it feels like we’re going all that far. One practice at a time, I guess.
Momah sounds night and day better than last year, but he would need a phenomenal camp to push for a roster spot. The best hope for him is to play well enough to win a practice squad spot. Even that isn’t likely, but I’m certainly glad the young man is getting a taste of success after a miserable summer last year
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“I’m still on the BJ Cunningham bandwagon, but I can’t say it feels like we’re going all that far. One practice at a time, I guess.”
Sure you are, you’re getting all the way to cut down day!
This could be the year that we keep Momah. Well that’s what I’m hoping…
on the practice squad you mean?
That is a good start. Hopefully he keeps getting better. We’ll need quite a few WRs to put around Matthews and Huff long term.
Figure, this year he managed to improve working out on his own…who knows, maybe a year on the PS helps him develop Into an eventual member of the 53man roster….if he shows nice improvement from last year, then you def have to see how much more he can grow. Rare size/athleticism combo, can’t give up on him to soon
No. I hope he takes Damaris’s spot on the roster. If we kept some useless WR last year we could do it this year.
Cooper, Maclin, Smith, Huff and Matthews are almost locks, only way Momah makes it is if we keep 6 WRs and that means we only go with 3 RBs or 3 TEs
Why is Smith a lock? I wouldn’t be surprised if Huff just made the practice squad if he doesn’t show anything.
Smith has been no. 1 slot WR through whole off season and was the Eagles best ST player last year
You think our 3rd round pick is going to the PS? He would be gone the same day.
I don’t even think he is competing for a roster spot… Best case scenario for him is probably practice squad this year, develop enough to make the roster next year…
Cunningham sounds like a good fit. Size, some speed, good route runner. 8.125 hands. Will Kelly ever keep him? Will Kelly ever move Boykin to the outside? BJ will have to make Kelly keep him and overlook his small hands. If he in not one of the top 4 WR on the team he wont make it.
Well we know they’re keeping Maclin, Cooper, Matthews, and Huff to start with, and I think Maehl has the inside track on another spot.
smith before maehl i think.
Definitely….think smith is a lock
Boykin has been lining up as outside CB for the 2nd team
I certainly got the impression that Sproles will be used a lot more extensively than I originally expected.
Forget the toolbox analogy; Chip has his own d@mn hardware aisle. 2 TE sets, 2 RB sets, 4 WR….he’s set to simply pick the best counter for whatever matchup/scheme a DC installs. I love it.
Yup yup…playing time, and touches should change from week to week depending on who we face…we already saw some of that last year, we played mostly out of 3WR, but going into the Carfinals game it was blatantly obvious that the weakness of that D was LB and Safeties….to no surprise, Chip gave them a heavy dose of two TEs….where as, if Andy was coaching, he would have ignored their weakness, and tried to throw at Patrick Peterspn 45 times lol..
thought we saw something there
HA.. Gotta do a better job
I think our best 5 would be Matthews, Huff, Shady, Sproles. and Ertz!
It would be great to see Barkley come around to show the skills and potential he had during his Jr. season at USC prior to his shoulder injury that would have made him the 2nd QB taken in the 2012 draft right after Andrew Luck.
Barkley’s draft stock dropped because of his tape. The shoulder didn’t help, but he didn’t hurt that until the UCLA game at the end of the year. That team was the preseason #1 and finished unranked. Where a player is projected in August is of no value, because alot of that is accounting for the evaluators projected growth of the player during the upcoming season. This is especially true at the QB position. Think back to this time last year. Teddy Bridgewater was going to go first or second overall, Tajh Boyd was a top ten pick, David Fales was going to sneak into the first round with Stephen Morris going in the teens. Right now all evaluators are trying to do is find project able qualities, as the season progresses they start to poke holes in players games. There is no chance in hell Matt Barkley goes #2 overall in the 2012 draft had he come out, and I like the kid.
I hear what you’re saying except I liked when Barkley said it because it was a shot direct at the piece of human trash RGKnee and all loser Washington fans. RG3&out sucks and they suck.
Momah wins all ties, you have 7 developmental slots for players who don’t dress, if he continues to improve I doubt they’d expose him on the PS.
Reasoning is simple, you simply can’t find guys that big, fast and athletic. If he’s showing that last year was a matter of being rusty and inexperienced, and he’s ready to take a step up, you have to gamble on his upside versus someone like Benn or Cunningham.
Even more so if he shows that he can contribute on STs.
Right now Maehl is in front of Momah outside and he has a leg up because of ST. Momah will also only make the team if we keep 6 WRs.
Maehl kind of gets short shrift from fans but he is a lot more ready to play than Momah. Ultimately you need guys who are ready to play rather than crowding the roster with project players. And Maehl is improving as well.
Don’t even think Momah is competing for a Roster spot, best case scenario for him at this stage, is practice squad IMO….
I don’t believe it. Maehl may have played on ST last year but just because he played ST doesn’t mean he has a spot this year. The addition of Braman, Maragos, and rookies like Reynolds/Watkins/Huff will most likely mean Maehl is highly disposable. Sure he had more time knowing the playbooks but this is a guy who at best is the Colt Anderson of WRs.
Think the eagles are keeping 5WRs, UNLESS Rejus Benn looks really really really good, which I wouldn’t count on..
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It will be coop,Mac.huff.the pope. And Brad Smith…
We don’t have to keep 6 WRs. But I think we would if someone looks really good. that 6th WR has to compete against all the other positions…
Maehl was playing 1st team when Cooper was out
That doesn’t mean anything. I believe Chip cycles players all the time to evaluate players.
edit: also it’s clearly Oregon bias.
Too some degree, but I havnt heard Momah take 1st team reps at all
I don’t think you really have that many developmental spots once you start the season. There will be injuries and a need for depth.
Don’t know if this has been posted, but Ross Tucker did an entire podcast on Chip Kelly, including an interview by him and Bill Polian of Chip himself. Some interesting stuff if you haven’t taken a listen yet.
http://www.rosstucker.com/wp/podcasts/ross-tucker-football-podcast/
Listened to it yesterday, great listen
http://www.si.com/nfl/2014/07/28/best-offensive-lines
Eagles OL ranked 10th, Dallas # 2
the author says Lane Johnson struggled at times, but then mentions Dallas is starting a rookie (won’t he struggle?).
anyway, more “nobody respects us” ammunition
In general I have no use for rankings but I am concerned that the Offensive Line depth could turn into a problem. We’re putting a lot of faith in Barbre as it is. Dallas invested in their line and it’s a strength for them now but of course they have other issues.
I’d call it a wash. Smith, Fredrick, and Martin are all high quality linemen. Bernadeux and Free are between pretty meh to below average. Their second line consist of Uche Nwaneri, who was a long term starter for the Jags, but apparently the Cowboys valued him more as a backup than the Jags did to come back and start, Jeremy Parnell who has been in the league since 09 and made 2 starts, two rookie UDFA’s, and Darrion Weems who went through practice squads in 2012 at a crazy pace before he caught on with Dallas.
So Dallas is no better off in terms of depth than we are on the OL, and while their starters may be younger, ours are more established, and safer bets to perform, so I would give that a wash as well.
How many quality backups do you want? What teams really have the depth to withstand 3 or 4 starting OL going down?
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Barbre is the ONLY backup we have any clue about. It’s easier for me to believe that Stoutland has developed two of our youngbucks into servicable backups, then it is for me to believe that Stoutland is working with backup slop, that all needs to be replaced for two years..
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Very very invested in the PS to see how the backup OL and QBs look
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And whenever you really start to get worried, check out the giants. That will make you feel better lol.. Those poor simple bastards are hoping Jon Jerry gets healthy and saves them….I’m convinced TODAY. I can block at a higher level than Jon Jerry!! I would probably name him one of the NFLs 10 worst players. He makes Justin Pugh look like Evan Mathis…
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Also. What’s with everyone talking about the cowboys line as if it’s any good? They have 3 good players, but the other two are very much suspect!
WHAT A JOKE. He severely underrated Peters who made the ALL PRO last year.
He also glosses over that Zach Martin isn’t that good, is undergoing a position change, and played at a college that is known for a total lack of intestinal fortitude and has fans that are extremely stupid, brain-washed, and very easy to knock out with one punch.
NOTRE DAME SUCKS!
http://www.csnphilly.com/football-philadelphia-eagles/when-jenkins-suggests-change-eagles-coaches-listen
Love the part about how the coaches listen to the players
“At one point, the offensive starters lined up against the entire defensive unit. At every defensive position, the four-deep roster was lined up, one behind the other at each position. As the offense was shifting and motioning, the defensive players went through their checks and calls. Each side of the ball only took a few steps into the play, but that’s the most important split second. By having the four-deep defense on the field, the less experienced players could mirror and learn from the players in front of them. That’s just smart. And it’s so simple. That’s the genius of Chip Kelly.”
http://mmqb.si.com/2014/07/29/training-camp-report-philadelphia-eagles/
I think the seconds before the snap is the most important so very nice that Kelly puts effort into it
thats an awesome thing to note. thanks!
would love to see video on that. sounds cool.
I think the Eagles are a peg below Seattle, San Francisco, Green Bay and
New Orleans, but after seeing Washington on Thursday, there’s no doubt
the Eagles are the class of the NFC East. To do better than that,
Philadelphia needs to show they can match the physicality of the elite. — G. Bedard
Hey GEAGLE this guy thinks the Iggles aren’t physical enough to compete.
As Creed said to Rocky: No, do listen to it Rock. Because when it’s over, everybody’s gonna owe you an engraved apology.
Bwahaha silly fool….. Defense will be Nasty this year! Just watch YOUR Philadelphia Defense:. And I’ll take our Oline getting to the second level against any linebackers in the league.
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I need signatures to get a petition going for Brian Dawkins and Wes Hopkins playing in the September home game against the skins!! I want Desean to be road kill that the skins have to blow a timeout to scrape him off the Linc Turf!!
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I missed practice yesterday, true or False: Vinny curry was all over the place?
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I’m getting jacked up for the ceiling. This is the last weekend of the year without football!!!!!
Watch out for a decline from San Fran. All-done Smith is going to miss some games and their D-back situation has dropped off from last year. Talk out of San Fran is that they’re trying to transition more of the plays on O to Kaep throwing and look where that got them against Indy last year. A regressing league and a scrambling bum idiot of a starting QB getting more pass attempts should knock a few wins off of their total.
Agreed. Think years physical football deep into the playoffs will take it’s toll and there older players will start to lose a step..
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They have young players who haven’t really played yet that will have to step up
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I also think there is just too much drama and mayhem sorrounding that team. Can’t tell me that’s a healthy environment right now. They had like 10 arrests, a coach and a GM that hate each other, serious contract disputes/holdouts, guys like Iupati who know they are gone after this year..a QB who is still below average at passing the ball from in the pocket, injuries and suspensions to key players
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I think they have a rough year….I don’t think they will completely implode, I just don’t think they will maintain Elite status all year and get to the confrence final again….I think they could sneak into the playoffs as a wildcard, but lose early in the playoffs…could see them coming to philly in the first round and our fresh bodies just being too much for older players that been playing uber physical football late into January for 4 years in a row…
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20-31 E-A-G-L-E-S wildcard round win!!!
Funny, on the Ross Tucker podcast (he and Polian had a GREAT interview with Chip, give it a listen if you haven’t already) Chip is talking about the trend towards bigger DBs league-wide, and thus the need for big WRs. He starts listing the guys Height/Weight, saying “I don’t think we have any WRs under 200, and it’s exciting”. It takes a minute for him to catch himself and say “only 1 WR”— DJ2
I don’t see him making the team this year. I think Jmac-Cooper-Matthews-Huff-Smith are a very nice top5, with hopefully The Holy Seer seeing > 35-40% of the snaps and Huff playing his way into first backup role.
The point I loved the most was about the slot WR.
what was the point?
He didnt understand why you would go with a small slot WR because that meant 1 less blocker in the run game (so pretty much, he does not want a Wes Welker sized slot WR, which explain why Damaris Johnson might struggle with playing time).
he’s going to struggle with playing time b/c he won’t be on the team.
this goes back to the physicality comment from Bedard. I think we are going to put a physical beat down on some teams this year.
I’m a little biased.
I’d like to see Peters knock the crap out of fraud JPP for starters.
Seing DJ as a non existent WR and a bad return man also helps to explain why he’s struggling with playing time. 😉
But I get your point. As long as Maehl, Igwenagu and DJ don’t make the roster, I’m happy on Offense. If one of those last spots goes to Burton, Benn, Momah or to the Defense, I don’t care really. Except if the roster spot goes to caseymatthews instead, then I’ll gringe. 😉
Agree completely. I can’t wait to see what bigger guy they bring in next season to compliment our top 3 of Matthews, Huff, and Cooper. Figure Cooper is out of here after the 2nd year of his new deal, so the top 3 (or 4 or 5) in 2016 is going to be 100% different from 2012 or 13.
Momah made some good grabs yesterday and was not looking out of place. But let’s not get carried away.
I really want to though. Something about a huge fast WR that makes me giddy!
I put out a hit on Desean..masked Bryan Braman to destroy Desean on a punt..he replied: “I got you!” Bwahahaha love this psycho
Relax bro lol Sounds like he was answering a question.. If you aint part of those fans he is referring to dont sweat it man.. Lets be real there are some of those fans that exist in this fan base
No, no, no…. Reporter didn’t even lead him.,,….I thought Desean was always LOVED by the fans…name another Philly athlete who could admit to doggng it over a contract that fan would still embrace…half of us made excuses for him. The majority of the city was flipping out over cutting him…
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I just don’t understand what reason Desean has to crap on philly fans…we didn’t treat him like we treated Mcnabb… It’s like Iverson talking smack about us, why would he since he always loved him…
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I was even more pissed at the shot he took at FOles…but the fan talk I do not understand. I can understand certain players saying that…but philly loved that dude
I dunno man ive read some fans dogging on him from his size, to him being a one trick pony, to being invisible in games, Mesean etc These are labels set from Eagles fans that ive read.. Whats that saying only takes one or a few to ruin it for many or everyone.. Something like that.. Sounds like youre not one of those fans so dont sweat it bro.. Big season coming up n DJax is old news n hes a Skin
what shot did DeSean take at Foles?
Lots of rumors about BG being traded yet he spends a lot of time on the 2nd unit. Not sure what it means but for someone who is supposed to be on the way out is getting a lot reps…
All the rumors are pretty much media speculation and not the Eagles seeking a trade
At this point you have to think a guy on the last year of his rookie deal, who isn’t going to be signed here for big money, is more valuable as a functional backup than a 6th round pick.
Very curious about what happens with him….it’s not that I think the Eagles wouldn’t like to have his pass rush off the bench this year, I just question if they are willing to lose a young talent like Long, with experience rushing standing up or with his hand in the dirt, to keep a player who will leave them in free agency at the end of the year. You know Braman and Marcus are making the team, so it comes down to Graham vs. Long for the 5th OLB, and that’s if we even keep a 5th. Last year we only had 3 OLB, we made Mathews our 4th,,.
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1 year of BG vs. 3 years of Travis Long on a cheap deal?
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Very curious to see how this unfolds
it’s amazing how we’ve replenished the depth in 2 years.
Really is..we were crapping our pants last year over lack of depth. If we didn’t have such good injury luck who know what it could have looked like….a year later, we don’t have enough roster spots for all the guys we want to keep.
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Impressive depth makeover in one offseason for sure.
Getting rid of Graham to clear a roster spot for Long. More proof that GEAGLE is autistic.
Relax. No one makes you read them. We don’t need to sink to name-calling.
You’re right. Sorry to GEAGLE. I edited my comment, please forgive me.
It’s not about Graham vs. Long, it’s about the value of a roster spot. The guy will be gone next year (to 95 % – and if it wouldn’t be the NFL I’d say 99) and we don’t know if we’ll get a comp pick for him.
If Smith is ready for, let’s say, 40 % of the snaps. that would leave around 25 % for Graham. That is, if Cole and Barwin only play 66 %, which is far from a guarentee – they could both easily go up to 75 or 80. If Graham would have any future here – maybe. If we’d be in total, Saints like win now mode – maybe. But I just hope it doesn’t happen. It”d be a short sighted move, imho, and it hasn’t even something to do with Long. Although the coaches like him.
Doesn’t make sense. He’s performing well above his salary. Even if he is only used at LDE in a Nickel 4-3 alignment opposite Trent Cole, that is money well spent.
I think we have different opinions on the value of a roster spot. To me, you have to really stand out if you’re a one year rental. BG doesn’t stand out for us in this scheme.
Of course, you may counter, there is a huge roster turnover every year in the NFL. But in most cases, like I said, I would prefer the player I maybe (!) planning long term with over the player who will be gone next season.
This isn’t the Sixers, we aren’t casting off players who we won’t want in 2-4 years. It’s about making the best possible 53 man team in 2014. That absolutely includes BG. He is a better OLB than a lot of people, including Dion Jordan. He can cover, tackle, and rush better than Dion Jordan. Cutting him makes absolutely no sense at all.
OK, we just have to agree to diagree here. Imho, that’s a ridiculous statement – since Graham can’t cover, but if you view him that way – well, it’s your right.
I hope Chip will agree with me, but we’ll see.
How is that ridiculous? He had more sacks, more TFLs, more tackles, more pressures, more hurries, was better in coverage, etc. All while being a “misfit”.
Just because Dion Jordan is taller and was drafted #3 overall? Look at Trent Richardson. Based on how Dion played last year, he wouldn’t even be a first rounder if there was a redraft.
Feel like I’m taking crazy pills with how people just regurgitate the whole “BG is only a 4-3 end” BS. Prove me wrong. Show me some video or stats otherwise.
Sorry mate, but I trust my eyes there. Terrible in space, terrible in coverage, and that means opposing QBs will know what’s going on when he’s on the field. That’s exactly the opposite of what Billy D wants to do on Defense. As a OLB, you better be Demarcus Ware at rushing the passer or you show some overall skills. BG is none of the above.
That has nothing to do with Dion Jordan. And btw., no one can evaluate Jordans space movement and coverage skills in the NFL since he had to play 43DE – he was good at it in College. Grahams skills in that area were evaluated by Davis and he didn’t think he should give Graham a significant role. So Barwin played around 99 % of the snaps. That’s just not healthy, for our D and for Barwin.
OK, so no actual stats, video or real evidence. Just a bogus opinion informed by the hivemind. Got it.
Where are your stats, videos or real evidence? Why do I have to prove you something, while Billy D showed us what he thinks Graham is capable of?
Can anyone persuade me as to why in the name of the Lord of Light that Casey Mathews & Damaris Johnson are still on this squad?? I understand that we need “Camp Bodies” but they both appear to have about as much chance of making the 53 man roster as Megan Fox bearing T- Laws love child. Wouldn’t we be better served unloading them & possibly bringing in some guys that would fight their guts out for a spot on the practice squad or better? I just feel like we’ve wasted FAR too much time on these jokers. I would include Brandon Graham on this list, but being a former 1st rounder & IMO posessing real potential as a 4-3 DE, my HOPE is we could still swing some kinda trade for a LB maybe?to add depth & ST potential? How bout’ Dion Jordan & a lifetime coupon gratis at Geno’s or Pat’s. Would that maybe get it done?? LOL. : )
“possibly bringing in some guys that would fight their guts out for a spot on the practice squad or better? ”
and who would that be?
If I knew the answer to that, I surely would’ve suggested them, but man, you cannot tell me that Casey Mathews & Damaris Johnson are irreplaceable camp guys. My thought process was NOT to unload them this very moment, but I FULLY believe at the first league wide cut down that there WILL be players available that may not fit the systems they are currently in, but may well not only fit in here but undoubtably will have a strong shot at being am upgrade over the players I mentioned.
Mathews is good ST player, so he has more value than most. Damaris has good talent, so not like he is some crappy no name guy.
Only reason you name them, is because you know them, there is at least 10 guys worse on the Eagles roster than those two
Thank you for “telling me” my reasons for picking names. It’s not like I haven’t end a a fan for 40 years. I PICKED the names because although Mathews may be a serviceable ST’r but I sure wouldn’t feel confident having him take the field with the D. We’ve all seen that disaster unfold. But compared to Johnson? Where is this ” Good talent” you speak of exactly? He is a HORRIFIC return man in both decision making and in avg. return yards & he cannot get on the field as a WR. So where is this talent I’m missing? If fielding kick offs in places he never EVER should on a consistent basis is a talent, then yes, he’s a beast. SMH
You are talking about maybe the 50-53rd best players. It’s not that easy to just upgrade them at this point when everyone has 90 players stashed on their team. They may not make the team this year, but they won’t be the first cuts nor easily replaced by someone who is in the first cuts off another team.
I think DJ is a bit more at risk than Casey, in my opinion.
T-Law might feel differently about his chances.
And I wish him ALL the luck in the world on that score! 🙂
I’ll share your annoyance if they’re on the final 53. I don’t mind camp bodies familiar with the system.
Last time, I promise.
“A sickly silence fell upon the patrons of the game.
A straggling few got up to go in deep despair. The rest
Clung to that hope which springs eternal in the human breast
Then from 5,000 throats and more there rose a dreadful yell;
It rumbled through the valley, it tolled the famous bell;
It knocked upon the shipyards and recoiled upon Will Penn,
For Casey, mighty Casey, was on the field again.
Oh, somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright;
The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light,
And somewhere men are laughing, and somewhere children shout;
But there is no joy in Philly — mighty Casey was not cut.”
We aren’t going to bring in guys mid camp. Our practices are too fast and playbook too complicated for it to make sense in most situations (thinking about LB and WR especially). It’s annoying but whatever.
http://www.si.com/nfl/2014/07/29/baltimore-ravens-fans-ray-rice-standing-ovation
wow. 2nd reaction: imagine the sh$tstorm if Philly fans did this. Oh the outcry, worst fans ever, etc.
What I do not get is why he gets an ovation, is there really so many guys who do not care about women (and if there was women who cheers as well, wtf?)
apparently they do not have moms, sisters, daughters or wives. I don’t know, unexplainable.
why are you outraged if she’s not?
There are plenty of women who believe the “she deserved it” myth too, it makes them feel safer, like it could never happen to them because they wouldn’t do something to “deserve it”.
i didn’t pass any judgment on what happened but she was quick to reconcile and marry. The court gave him a pass.
Think if ray rice had uppercut a dog he would have received more scrutiny from fans than he did for smashing his wife. funny how things go.
She is looking at it from her own viewpoint. I am looking at it as to how this affects society, acts as a message esp to male fans, etc.
Dont forget these are guys that cheered Ray
Lewis for 45 years after he was involved in a double hommy and the death
of his college roommate.
Ray Rice is a POS and a poor excuse for a human being. I hope his knee gets blown out in games 3 through 6 on a freak play, thus reinforcing that he should have been suspended for 6 games.