Posted: February 28th, 2015 | Author: Tommy Lawlor | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 341 Comments »We have a little bit more than a week until free agency starts. Obviously the key in-house name for the Eagles is Jeremy Maclin. He just had a career year and showed that he is a good fit for Chip Kelly’s offense. The Eagles are talking to him and agent Tom Condon, hoping to work out a deal. The team can use the franchise tag if they can’t work out a deal.
There is optimism that the deal will get done. Still, we’ve been down this road before. You can’t really relax until the signature is on the paper and the deal is done.
The Eagles had a charity event today and Maclin took part in the event. That sure feels like a good sign. Les Bowen was there and has some good quotes.
“I’ve always said I want to be here in Philadelphia, but I’ve also always said I understand it’s a business,” Maclin said Saturday, following an appearance on behalf of the team at the Thomas Jefferson University Hospital Heart Health Day, in front of Lord & Taylor at the King of Prussia Mall. “Both sides have made it known that we both want each other back, so the rest of it is in God’s hands. If it’s supposed to happen, it’ll happen. I want to be here.”
Monday is the deadline for the Eagles to ensure Maclin returns by sticking the franchise tag on the team’s 2014 top receiver. Maclin said he had no idea if that would happen, and said he didn’t know until a reporter told him that the franchise figure for a wideout would be about $12.8 million for 2015. If that hasn’t been part of discussions, and if Maclin hasn’t even talked over the ramfications of the tag with his agent, Tom Condon — it all makes the tag seem unlikely.
The tag might not be an attractive option for the team because all the money would count toward the 2015 cap, using up about half the current available room, before free agent shopping starts.
I expect a deal. I don’t think Maclin is delusional and thinks he is worth megabucks. And the Eagles will usually pay good money to a player they feel is worth it.
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Jimmy Bama and I were talking on the phone the other night. After a lengthy argument over whether Funyuns go better with red wine or white wine, we shifted the talk to free agency. Both of us feel that the Eagles essentially have to sign CB Byron Maxwell. In fact, we almost take it for a given that they will.
This isn’t a case of inside information. Rather, the Eagles are desperate for corner help and Maxwell is the top guy on the market. He also fits the scheme and comes from a winning organization.
Maxwell feels like a player the Eagles must get.
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There is also a strong chance the Eagles will go after a Safety in free agency. Bo Wulf and Greg Cosell took a look at the top candidates for PE.com.
We’d all love Devin McCourty, but I just don’t see the Pats letting him hit the market. The player I would like is Rahim Moore from Denver. He is a centerfielder type, which is what I think the Eagles need.
The Eagles love to talk about interchangeable Safeties. They may prefer Marcus Gilchrist of the Chargers. He can play in the box or in the slot, but isn’t as natural downfield. I loved him coming out of Clemson so I’d be fine with adding him as well.
I haven’t watched tape of Da’Norris Searcy or Tyvon Branch yet.
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Lots more FA talk to come.
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Posted: February 26th, 2015 | Author: Tommy Lawlor | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 567 Comments »The ugly side of pro football.
Herremans struggled with the move to RG in 2013, but played much better in 2014. Unfortunately he got hurt and missed the final 8 games of the year. He will turn 33 in October and the Eagles felt it was time to move on.
Herremans played 10 years for the Eagles. He was never a star, but was a very good offensive lineman who played LG, RT and RG. He played a few games at LT, but was never a regular starter there.
I wrote something about Todd for an old PE.com piece on player development.
Back in 2005, I remember reading NFL.com one day to see what Gil Brandt was reporting about pro day activity. He mentioned that a lineman from Saginaw Valley State had drawn quite a few offensive line coaches to his workout, as well as the normal contingent of scouts. The coaches and scouts came away raving about the prospect’s footwork and overall potential. The player was some guy named Todd Herremans. I’d never heard of him. I didn’t have any game tape of him from the season, but did have a copy of the Division II all-star game called the Cactus Bowl.
Herremans played in the Cactus Bowl and I was excited to pop it in and take a look. I watched the game and took some notes. I came away impressed, but noted that Herremans had zero chance to play left tackle in the NFL. He was beaten a couple of times by pass rushers in that game. If a guy can’t block rushers coming from D-2 schools like West Virginia Wesleyan, Colorado School of Mines or Eastern New Mexico, how the heck is he going to have any chance against NFL rushers? I was so focused on results that I lost track of watching Herremans’ raw ability.
I went up to training camp at Lehigh a few months later to watch the team practice. I looked out on the field and was shocked to see Herremans at left tackle with the starters. To quote the great Vince Lombardi, “What the hell is going on out there?” Tra Thomas wasn’t healthy so Juan Castillo had to put a backup on the field. He decided that Herremans was the next best fit. That really blew me away. Herremans got beat a few times, but held his own for the most part. How was it that the guy who gave up sacks in the Cactus Bowl could now function as a left tackle in the NFL?
Coaching.
Herremans had the raw tools. He was big and pretty athletic. He did have good feet. He was experienced, so he had a solid understanding of blocking concepts. Herremans was smart and coachable. Castillo was able to teach Herremans the Eagles’ blocking system and the specific techniques needed to make it work. I learned a valuable lesson that day up at Lehigh. Don’t underestimate the importance of coaching.
A bit more nostalgia. Here is something I wrote on him after the Eagles drafted Herremans.
Interesting RT prospect. A lot of people don’t remember this, but Jon Runyan was a 4th Rd pick himself. He was 6’7, 310 and ran in the 5.25 range. We can only hope that Todd develops into the kind of player Runyan became. Todd has a similar description to Jon’s when he came out. Good run blocker. Needs some work on pass protection. Herremans has good feet. He moves well and does a good job of keeping his feet active. Bends his knees, but needs to be more consistent about it. Can mirror DEs. Does have trouble with inside moves. That’s something that needs work. Does a good job of extending his arms to keep DL from getting to his body. Will ride a DE wide of the QB. Shows a feisty side. Caught a DE off balance and slung him to the ground. Does a good job of blocking LBs in the run game. Not likely to see much playing time this year. Has the raw physical ability to be an NFL RT. Should get good coaching from Juan Castillo and will be given time to develop.
6’6, 321…5.13 in the 40
Son of a HS Coach. Played basketball and baseball for 4 years in HS. 2 time all conference. Started 40 of 48 college games.
Old Notes: We’ve been mentioned as a team interested in Todd. Some projections have said that he could go as high as 3rd Rd. I’m thinking more in the 5th.
Cactus Bowl Notes: I saw him in a Div. II all star game. Played RT and LT. Didn’t look comfortable at LT. Did look right at home at RT. Comes off the ball very well. Very good job of getting to the 2nd level and taking out LBs. I’ve read he has “great feet”. Can’t say I saw that. Good feet. He needs work at handling edge rushers. Lots of upside.
Enough looking back…let’s look ahead.
What happens at RG? Allen Barbre, Matt Tobin and Andrew Gardner could take over the spot for 2015. Barbre is the best of the trio, but is an older player. There is something to be said for giving Tobin a full-time shot at the job. He is a good run blocker, but needs work on his pass protection.
The Eagles could go after someone in free agency, but that seems unlikely with a lot of money already going to the OL. They could take an OL early in the draft. They were likely to take an OL or two in the draft anyway. Now, the rookie would have a chance to compete for a starting job.
As for Herremans, he will get a chance to play with another team. Please let him go anywhere outside the NFC East so I can enjoy seeing him with his new team.
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