Practice Squad is Really Complete
Posted: September 3rd, 2014 | Author: Tommy Lawlor | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 101 Comments »Teddy Williams will not be an Eagle. Something happened between this weekend and Tuesday night to make the Eagles move on from him. My guess is that he demanded an Icee rather than a Smoothie. Although it is possible that money was the real issue. Williams was set to get good money from the Eagles. Maybe he asked for more. Maybe some other team offered more. We don’t know at this point.
The Eagles added OLB Colton Underwood. Brandon Lee Gowton has the full story over at BGN.
Underwood is a rookie outside linebacker that hails from Indianapolis, Indiana. At only 22 years of age, he measures in at 6-3 and 254 lbs. Underwood played college football at Illinois State before signing with the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted rookie free agent in May 2014.
Underwood played in 45 preseason snaps for the Chargers, according to Pro Football Focus. During that time he showed some potential as a pass rusher. Underwood recorded 1 sack (which was actually on a game-ending play), 1 quarterback hit, and 4 quarterback hurries.
Underwood showed good athletic ability at his Pro Day. Per Gil Brandt:
Colton Underwood, DE, Illinois State: Underwood (6-2 1/2, 256 pounds) did drills rushing the passer and also dropping into space and looks like he could be an outside linebacker in the NFL. His 40 times were 4.70 and 4.75 seconds. He had a 36-inch vertical and a 10-foot broad jump. He ran the short shuttle in 4.43 and the 3-cone drill in 7.03. He also looks like a priority free agent.
The Eagles needed a young LB on the practice squad so frankly I’m glad the Williams deal didn’t work out. That isn’t to say Underwood is anything special or will definitely pan out, but I’d rather the team look at a young LB than a guy who is a CB/WR or WR/CB.
Underwood does have the size, athleticism and skill set the Eagles want in a 3-4 OLB. And a cool name.
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Some people are fired up about Donovan McNabb’s comments about Nick Foles. Honestly, I’m not too fired up about this. I have no problem with McNabb saying it’s too early to call Foles a franchise QB. I agree with that. McNabb sounded dumb when he went further with his comments.
I don’t think Donovan is a bad guy, but he sure doesn’t help that perception with his awkward comments. I don’t need the guy to blow kisses at the Eagles over and over, but he needs to be interesting or insightful. And right now he’s neither.
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The Eagles are pretty healthy going into Sunday’s game.
Eagles first injury report: Huff (shoulder), Tobin (ankle), Watkins (hammy) out.
— Geoff Mosher (@GeoffMosherCSN) September 3, 2014
Chris Polk practiced the last couple of days and is ready to go.
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Interesting Eagles note on an article on NFL insider Adam Schefter.
BRISTOL, Conn. — Adam Schefter had some news to share. On this morning, the audience numbered only one: an AFC executive who had just called.
“Well, I got a few things for you,” Schefter said. “Number one, you got the Titans and Eagles, both very anxious to trade for a wide receiver. They’re both in the wide receiver market. So they’re looking and my understanding is your team is loaded at receiver. . . ”
Don’t overreact to this. I don’t think this has anything to do with Maclin or Cooper. My guess is that this has to do with the fact that Josh Huff isn’t 100 percent, Brad Smith missed some time recently and Arrelious Benn got hurt. While the Eagles kept Jeff Maehl around, they know who he is and his limitations. The Eagles might have preferred a veteran with more ability in that spot.
We don’t know exactly when the comment was made. The article came out on the 2nd. I’m guessing the comment came from sometime last week or over the weekend.
The Eagles could wait until after the opener to make a move. That way they could sign a veteran WR and wouldn’t be guaranteeing his salary for the year. Veterans signed after the opener are week to week.
Or maybe the Eagles have changed their mind and will keep things as is. Stay tuned.
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Welcome to Philly Colton. How fast can you cross-train at ILB and special teams? We have a spot on the 53 all ready to go for you!
Haha…every time I think of Casey Matthews I see that spider chart and get a little ill
The itzy bitzy spider?
Dotsy spider.
Thank you for providing me with an amazing new nickname for Casey Matthews…The Itzy Bitzy Spider…I love it. Tommy, please incorporate this into all future DGR’s
As I recall, it was more of a dot…
an a hole ..
meant to be a joke ..and meant to follow A Roy’s “dot” .. can I pleas retract ? it doesn’t look too funny in print now ..I don’t think he is a bad guy at all.
Considering Maclin is moving on after the year and they need to draft some guys on D; it makes total sense they’d be out looking for a WR.
Maclin and the Eagles wanted a 5 year deal (couldnt agree on the money), so why do think he leaves?
Because that “5 year deal” was of the totally fake variety (I’m guessing) that Cooper signed and was really a 2 year deal…………..with lower money per season than Maclin believes he’s worth.
I can’t be proven right on this until we see another year or two of Chip and Howie, but I bet the Eagles don’t increase their offer to Maclin by even $1. His knee grabbing preseason isn’t going to help that cause either.
Almost all deals are structured like that anymore. Just look at Kapernick’s contract.
I think the trade was more for RS and bottom of the roster WR after huff went down. When whoever we wanted didn’t materialize we traded for Barner to compete at RS.
I think DMac said things the way he said because he knows people are sensitive about criticism of Foles and he is a public personality and has to be nice. I, as an internet nobody, is quite a bit more free to be totally direct about the issues.
McNabb isn’t sensitive to anything or anyone else. He just likes getting his name and words out in the news, and it’s certainly working, isn’t it?
Yeah, that’s it.
McNabb is just a terrible analyst.
He has no personality, and doesn’t seem capable of stringing together coherent thoughts. It’s just random cliches and coach speak and an ill informed opinion or two.
His twitter account was (is?) terrible on an epic scale.
Seeing him attempt to be a “public personality” after his career, I’m not surprised he never won a Super Bowl. That we even got to one with him is a testament to Andy.
Nolan Carroll suddenly returning kicks? Bothers me when a guy hasn’t been doing this all preseason long. Its not easy. Flashback–didn’t we have a guy do this for Andy, and cost us the opening game a few years ago? Punt or kick return screw-up.
Oh please, don’t fumble the opening kickoff to start the season…
Cody…kick knuckleballs to him all week long.
i feel you. we havent had a legit full time threat at returner since….. idk
Brian Mitchell…………………..
who should be in the HOF. Greatest return man of all time and #2 to only Jerry Rice in all time yards.
http://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/all_purpose_yds_career.htm
MM:
Mitchell was certainly a great RS.
But I don’t think he’s the “greatest.”
I’d take Devis Hester and Deion Sanders over Mitchell, who were essentially his contemporaries.
And if Peabody were here, with his boy Sherman, I’d ask for Gale Sayers. (Yes, the players weren’t as athletic across the board, but no one else in the NFL was putting up his numbers: 14.9 YPR on punts his rookie season; 30.6 YPR on kick offs for his career; plus 8 TDs total.)
speaking of devin hester i’m sort of surprised we didn’t go that route this summer. #5WR and a great return / catch in space guy.
Demps wasn’t that bad, but he didn’t so it for very long.
Carroll has done it before, he is not new too it
Yea, and he was pretty good at it. But he hasn’t been doing it this summer. They should not have the guy returning kicks in week one who hasn’t brought back a bunch in pre season. Too many things can go wrong.
Its not something you forget
If that’s so…why bother practicing?
Carroll was one of the guys in training camp taking reps there.
Carrol has been our #2 KR all summer….don’t you think the #2’got plenty of reps at it?
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Interesting that Nolan is ahead of Sproles on our depth chart because Nolan was better suited for our return scheme then Sproles was… Then Kelly reminded everyone that there are two returners, so we could see some Sproles also on sunday
You may be referring to the gut wrenching loss that began the 2007 campaign at Lambeau Field.
I came across this article/post recently about Chip Kelly from December 2012, before he was hired. I know some of you read it back then. It is truely an awesome piece about Chip.
It was written by some guy named Tommy Lawlor. Check it out!
http://igglesblitz.com/2012/12/lets-talk-about-chip-kelly/
Totally whiffed on Nick Foles being the guy Tommy.
He knows as I remind him often :).
This quote:
Kelly hates underachievers. From a clinic talk he once gave, “If a player is a 5.0 player (40-yard dash speed) and plays at 5.0, that is what we want. Do not be the 4.6 player who plays at 5.2 in games.” In other words, give me the guy I can trust, the reliable player. I don’t want the guy who has potential, but doesn’t play up to it.
Needs to re-circulated. Too many people obsess over potential, etc. Right or wrong (and I tend to follow Chip’s thinking on this subject), Chip doesn’t value potential over risk that much. And the personnel decisions he’s made seem to be in line with it.
Agreed.
On BGN they ask the writer for the other team who on the Eagles would you most want on your team. The Jags writer this week said….Maclin. ok, that’s a surprising answer. wow.
His sister is probably the girl shady kicked off the bus..
Guessing your next headline….”Wrapping up, Really”!
Colton sounds a lot like a poor man’s Brandon Graham
Pretty much from what I read about him. Whatever the internet has on him is really meh.
Except he is bigger and more athletic, if anything its more like poor mans barwin
Is it you that has said that the clock starts over on people liking McNabb every time he opens his mouth? It seems like it didn’t take long from whatever he said last time.
He doesn’t care about this fanbase.. He is the ultimate hater. He is the type who will root against FOles because he is so insecure. You don’t see Brian Westbrook hating on shady McCoy. You don’t see Tra Thomas hating on Jason peters,,,..what’s funny is he does his best to make this fanbase hate him, yet when he is struggling to get in the hall of fame, no one in philly will make noise for him to get in…. I can’t stomach him being the best QB in franchise history… He isn’t even an eagle…he just a guy who played for the eagles. Dawkins is an eagle. Westbrook, Tra Thomas are eagles.. Trotter is an eagle and this franchise treated him way worse than Donovan was treated. Ike Reese is an eagle…Mcnabb is only an eagle once n a while when it suits him like if the eagles honor him….
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Can’t wait til FOles wins this city a Super Bowl. Donovan’s comments will be so funny… Bet he compares FOles to Trent dukfers Super Bowl run lol
Think it was Frank or Bowen. Whoever it was, I agree with.
Me and Donovan are past the point of no return…
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Has there ever been another QB who went down as the best QB in the history of a franchise, who has pissed off and alienated his fanbase like Donovan has?
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Mcnabb is the best QB we ever had… We show tons of love to a friggin special team player like Iike Reese. How big of a ass do you have to be to be the best QB this city has ever had and have this type of relationship with your fanbase? It wouldn’t be hard for Mcnabb to make this fanbase adore him…..it can’t be easy to make an entire fanbase hate you when you are nthe best we ever had… Yet the great Mcnabb managed to pull it off. Congrats…
I agree with all of that. He’s not past the point of no return for me personally. He hasn’t said, “Go Dallas!”, so he’s still redeemable. lol
I would guess he’s not past the “point of no return” for the majority. I think that’s part of the point, that Eagles fans, counter-intuitive as it may be, tend to be extremely forgiving of our retired stars (see: Williams, Mitch). But it’s amazing how effectively he’s managed to alienate such a large percentage of the people who used to cheer their hearts out for him.
Still can’t forgive Wild Thing… and I was only 9 years old but the memory is burned in my skull
There is nothing wrong with McNabb’s comments, he is completely correct in saying Foles is not a ‘Franchise QB’.
Franchise QBs are few and far between
I hope and I am confident Nick will become one, but he is a while away yet.
Some Eagles’ fans are way too quick to trash McNabb,
We (and this applies to sports fans in general) are too quick to hype the next coming and too quick to trash former players.
We just need to chill…..
Quick to trash former players? I’ve been trashing McChoke while he was a starting QB here. I wouldn’t call that quick.
There is nothing wrong with Mcnabb calling the QB who broke the greatest show on turfs record for most explosive plays in the NFL in one season check down Charlie who dinked and dunked his way down field?
Anyone hear any rumors about how Ted Williams managed to get himself kicked off the team during his first day?
Was wondering about that first question myself. Not sure who he pissed off or who pissed him off.
Lol I mean, it was probably the first day he was ever at Novacare, WHat can you possibly do on your first day on a new team as a practice player to get kicked out? It’s not like he is a new diva WR who is already calling for the damn ball on his first day…can’t even imagine what a practice squad player could have done on his first day to go from, being highly sought after by the eagles, to getting cut for “ruffling feathers” lol
Prediction for Eagles game? Birds by 20? Fantasy football — do you bench Cobb vs. the number D vs. WR’s at home?
No prediction on eagles game yet… Still need to look at jags secondary…
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What’s the fantasy question? Cobb vs. Seattle D or what?
“do you bench Cobb vs. the number D vs. WR’s at home?”
Translation :). Cobb vs Seattle — who has the number 1 D vs. WR’s when they play home. They only gave up 7 passing TD’s at home and 2 on the ground. I’m not sure if Cobb is a smart start. I have Patterson on the bench that I can start instead…
Oh gotcha… Cordarrele Patterson?
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I don’t know that I can envision Aaron Rogers just getting shut down…he also has Lacy to soften that D up and not let the D pin it’s ears back and get after Rodgers…. I think Jordy Nelson will have a rough game against Sherm, but can they also take Cobb out the game? That would mean that the Packers aren’t going to score points tonight? I don’t know that I envision the packers being held under 20…
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Normally I’d probabky say bench Cobb…. But Viking QBs are going to get Beat up on the road @ Rams… Don’t know how effective Vikings will be at throwing the ball this week….
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If you can see Seattle just shut the packers down all night, than sit Cobb….if you think GB is still going to be able to put up more than 20pts, start Cobb because he could benefit from Richard Sherman taking Jordy Nelson out of the game
I’m almost afraid of showing too much. Last year it was against a division rival. But this year, just win by 10 or so and let’s move on. No need to show out the blur offense or show our double wheel route, etc.
just pull out enough to win.
Everyone knows the double wheel routes are coming. Doesn’t matter, teams don’t have two LBs that can stop them :)… Plus we can run whatever we want, Chip will do a great job of dressing it up later so it looks like we are running something different
Maybe instead of posting your usual BS all over the comments section, try google:
http://www.seahawks.com/team/depth-chart.html
Mike Carey is referring tonight’s Seahawks game which is really great, because he will call the game by the book. So we will really get to see how refs are going to call games this year with the emphasis on WR/CB contact…. The most physical secondary in the league with Mike Cary should be great example for what will be allowed, and what will be called this year because you know the Seahawks will try and test the limits..
Why? Is Mike Carey American Indian? It’s nice to stand up for something IMPORTANT. In short — it’s probably none of his business. Did he ref games that Lewis played in? Are ref’s going to avoid game that Rice will be playing? Or is it that a name(that’s all it is, unless you’re of Indian decent) is more important than an accomplish to murder and beating of women? Maybe the ref’s will unite and not ref any games where the players were suspended for violating NFL rules? You know, where the integrity of the game would be at stake. But that’s ok, as long as he has strong feelings towards something I guess. I’m glad he’s retired.
You don’t have to take a stand on everything to be legitimate in taking a stand on one thing. It bothered him. He asked, he got what he asked for. To make this into something more is disingenuous..
First sentence is fantastic.
“It bothered him“.
Oklahoma is derived from the Choctaw words okla and humma, meaning “red people”.
it is the red (skinned) people`s state.
Maybe he should an editorial explaining to that state why their state bothers him.
Same goes for those idiot senators
Look, I already covered everything you just said, but because I can’t help myself from responding to your strawman… The NFL doesn’t play games in Oklahoma. I can’t see that being an issue for the referee officiating the games that don’t happen there.
obviously no games are played in the redskin state
was showing how ignorant the man,men(?senators)
are in reference to their `stance` against a sports team`s name. Let`s all petition to ban the Cleveland Indians while we`re at it.
I think you missed his point. It wasn’t about the NFL. His point is, why only take a stand(if that’s what you want to call it) only pertaining to the NFL?
I agree. It did bother him. As far as taking a stand against ever issue with-in the NFL — we’ll he’d be jobless. So he couldn’t take a stand about everything…
Why are you mentioning what Rice did to his girlfriend? Are you a girl? Did he grab you, too?
Or, is it possible to find something offensive without being the direct target? Is it allowed for one to stand up for what they believe is right even if they are not the ones being wronged? Beyond allowed, I’d suggest it is a key to successful civilization.
If I was “put” off or bothered by it, I wouldn’t be watching football. THAT has to do with Rice AND that woman. I’m not taking a standing and never watching a Ravens game. The two things are completely different but I appreciate what you’re trying to say.
Well, yes.
If one takes a stand on every cause that is ever discussed they marginalized themselves to the point that they cannot function in society. They end up living in a VW bus and telling you why everything you own is evil.
I do not know the man personally, but something from his upbringing, experience, or self-image led to him feeling strongly on this issue.
Regardless of where I rank this in the issue our country faces, he felt this was one he couldn’t stand idly by and overlook. I respect that.
GE:
I thought Mike Carey retired and moved into the CBS “Mr. Referee” job?
And I concur completely with how you described Carey’s stand on working Washington games.
Carey kept the matter between himself and the NFL.
He never said a word while an active referee (assuming he’s not now).
The NFL obliged him . . . which will not happen again, I think.
And, after going public, Carey carefully explained his motivation: He finds the word “Redskin” personally offensive, as an American and as an African-American (who very well may have been the victim of racial epithets in his life).
As noted, the NFL won’t do this again for another official. It’s one thing to respect an employee’s views on matters of speech in private. Another thing entirely to respect them publicly . . . because then the NFL’s implicitly taking sides against Washington’s owner.
Yeah, so, bottom line . . . good for Carey.
Yeah he was really classy about it… He didn’t even try to get it out there, he just wanted to quietly do his part and stand up for something he believed in without any fanfare involved… Gotta respect that
This is a must-listen podcast:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/move-sticks-daniel-jeremiah/id915544088?mt=2
Former Eagles scout, worked for Howie. Long interview with Howie, touch on a lot of interesting topics.
Major takeaway from DJ is that it is pretty obvious that the Eagles **really, really really** wanted Russell Wilson in the 3rd. Shoulda taken him instead of Vinny I guess. C’est la vie.
I agree with the comments on McNabb and would rather not hear from him again but…he was the best qb we ever had after we, Eagle fans, rewarded him on draft day, (imagine how great it must have felt to be drafted #2), with a chorus of boos by a bunch of us. (A stupid, ignorant and completely wrong bunch but Eagle fans who took the time to attend draft day in NY) That has to sting. One of the greatest days of your life. And then Rush Limbaugh, of all people and out of nowhere went after him and rather than support, the local NAACP chapter also criticized him and then the TO issue, (damn it, that should have been a historic combination)…
McNabb has a right to feel victimized by circumstances out of his control and through no fault of his own. (lets not go to the SB vomit)
His current actions are all his own though. In part I think he is getting bad advise (be controversial) I wish he would get some good help and get his common sense back so we can go back to rooting for him
Good points and I always McNabb took way too much grief about his on and off-field issues in Philly.
Also don’t buy that the same fans that really criticized him even if he had won the SB. Hamels won a WS in Philly & was the key reason why yet he still gets dogged by the same idiots who question his toughness/desire/etc.
Anyone else want to see Chip open the season with an onsides kick?
against an inferior opponent. No thanks
against inferior teams is when these plays should be used. kinda like practice, only in real time
no I don’t agree. there is no reason to add variability against inferior teams. Play straight up and win much more often than not.
they should do an onsides kick against us. We are the bully.
didn`t i say we need to be prepared.?
… agree to disagree, practicing against opponents is better than practicing with our own team, unless the ST defense needs work.
Same thing with 2 pt, conv., definately feel against inferior teams is the time and place to perfect that aspect of the offense.
I think you lose too much of the surprise if you practice against bad teams. But who knows. I’m just bored and ready for Sunday.
…and ready for Sunday.
aren`t we all?!
Ill settle for tonight
I’m with you on this — no need to give Jax a reason to be optimistic.
was thinkin we`d better be prepared for one.
what better way for them to take the crowd out of the game?
Speaking of interest in WRs, does anyone have the full story on Arrelious Benn? I saw Sam Lynch’s tweet that he’s basically gone (not eligible to return after he’s released from short-term IR). Guessing this means if he didn’t get hurt, he would have been cut anyway? Also, how did he hurt his back anyway? Still a little confused on what his situation is/was.
I thought it was a concussion, but in any case, the Eagles could not reach an injury settlement with him and thus put him on IR, and will release him when he is cleared to be able to play.
At that point another team would be able to sign him, but not the Eagles.
Thanks. Yeah, I guess I’m more curious about how the Eagles saw him. If he was going to get cut anyway, then Maehl made the team over him straight up. Why wouldn’t the Eagles consider bringing back Benn later once he healed up (just a courtesy so he could play with someone else vs. IR-designated to return where he’s stuck for at least half the season)? Secretly hoping he’d be a player for us, but looks like that ship has sailed.
RE: Underwood
I assume somebody else has already attacked this low-hanging fruit, but just in case…
Netflix Original – “Locker Room of Cards” – Colton Underwood schemes behind the scenes to usurp power from G.J. Kinne in his Machiavellian lust to be named captain of the practice squad.
Off topic, thought I’d show y’all what I posted over at Kempski’s blog. Here’s a toast to Tommy and Jimmy, two of our best.
As a kid growing up, I read Frank Dolsen all the time and his work inspired me to become a writer. I’m not ready to take him down off my podium yet, but Jimmy and Tommy Lawlor (at Iggles Blitz) are two guys today who write with the same kind of insight, passion and humor. I’m a big fan of both these guys and I’ll bet Frank, who passed in 2006, would agree.
As excited as I am for the eagles game, I’m almost as excited to see JJ Watt and Clowny abuse RG3. .. It’s going to be a brutal BEATDOWN. Watch the texans lineup no one in front of Trent Williams and stick both Watt and Clowney on the other side…. DJ Swearinger is going to crush d-Shawn Jaccson…. Texans defense should def appeal to my sadistic side this week..
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Dallas vs. Niners probably be a shoot out. Hopefully the Niners aren’t so depleted that they can’t get a stop or two.
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Giants at Lions is kind of an odd Monday night matchup for opening week. Lions at home shouldn’t have trouble. Eli looks completely lost n the new West coast offense, that OL is really bad. Suh and Ansah should put a licking on Eli, and when that happens the INTs start coming.
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Be nice to be the only team in the division that wins this week.
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1st 4 games and last 4 games are the most crucial… We have an opportunity to get to a good start against Jax! Colts, a Niners, Skins…if we can start hot, and finish strong we will be fine. Last month is important because it’s Seatle and then 3 division games. Start strong, finish hot, carry it into the playoffs and let’s make some noise.. Ooh rah
Barnwell picks Redskins to win the division. His reasoning didn’t even make sense. Kind of like, their special teams can’t be that bad again, RGIII is pretty good…..even says their draft didn’t help the team much. Bam, division winner.
Anything could happen of course. But why does Grantland (Simmons and Barnwell) hate us so much?
Watts, Clowney, Swearinger… RG3 better hope he can make it out of this game healthy
Swearinger reminds me of Deadwood.
Call him Swedgen like “Wu” does…
I was hoping he bacame an Eagle for that reason alone.
Barnwell is a Giants fan. It’s his bias showing through. He’s generally better about it in the regular season, but right now, there’s no point in saying what everyone else does. Say something crazy for page views…
“When we get our backend playing like our front end, we will have a pretty good defense”-Chip Kelly
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I also finally believe that Byrd and Ward are not here because of money, I think Chip and Billy Genuinly preferred Jenkins for what we do. Again Chip talked to Spads about how there were some really amazing free safety centerfielder and some really good strong Safeties, but Jenkins was the most versatile who fit what we do best….. If they really got the #1’safety they wanted, and paid significantly less than the Broncos And Saints paid for Byrd and Ward! then gotta tip my hat to Chip n Howie..
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Defense is going to make a statement Sunday and set the tone for the season..
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Wondering if we end up trading Curry for Dion or some other pass rushing OLB, Chips going to want to draft Arik Armstead who he recruited for Oregon… The two Oregon boys as the backup DE’s, the 6’6 290lb Taylor Hart, and the 6’7 297lb Junior Armstead….stick Beau in the middle and you have a nasty second line!….
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Come away with Bednarick McKinley 6’5 athletic ILB, Eric Kendricks(Mykals brother)ILB and Arik Armstead DE, trade for Dion Jordan…..now we are talking!… Molk and Tobin means we have no use for Oregons Grasu, and Ifo OLOMU is too short…you know Chip will want to go duck hunting before he no longer recruited the draft picks coming to the NFL, so Arik Armstead will be our newest Duck
How would Santonio Holmes sound? Might be a reach, but would he straighten up in Philly?