Updating the RG Battle
Posted: August 15th, 2015 | Author: Tommy Lawlor | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 96 Comments »We don’t know for sure, but it sure seems like Andrew Gardner will be the starting RG in the preseason opener. He has been working with the starters more than anyone else in Training Camp, especially in recent days. I think he has a good chance to win the job for the season.
Has Gardner stood out or is he simply the lesser of four evils, so to speak?
We don’t know what the answer is, but there is a case to be made for him. He started at RG six times last year so he knows the position and he knows the Eagles scheme. Gardner has the size the Eagles like at 6-6, 308. He is a good athlete, which helps with the outside running the team likes to do.
I have no problem with Gardner potentially winning the RG job. He was an effective starter last year, despite being new to the team and being shuffled around. He could easily be an improved player this year.
Not everyone agrees with me.
The sentiment seems to be that Gardner is a 29-year old journeyman with limited upside. He’s not that good in the short term and doesn’t offer much in the long term. I understand that thinking and there is logic to it. Why not give the job to Matt Tobin and see if he can grow into the role and hold it for 5 years? Or give it to Moffitt to see if he can regain the form that made him a mid-round pick and promising starter in the past?
The big issue is that it doesn’t sound like those guys are playing as well as Gardner. This isn’t like sitting Doug Pederson to get Donovan McNabb on the field. Pederson had the knowledge and experience, but at a certain point you simply had to play McNabb because of his potential. Gardner, Tobin, Moffitt and Julian Vandervelde are similar in talent. Each guy has strengths and weaknesses.
We all agree that Gardner is not the long term answer at RG. That’s okay. In the immortal words of Mick Jagger, you can’t always get what you want, but (paraphrasing) you just might find you get what you need. The Eagles want a long term answer. What they need is a starter for 2015. Gardner could prove to be that guy.
The preseason games will be huge in evaluating these players. Matt Tobin stood out in the past two summers so playing in games could bring out the best in him. Moffitt is shaking off rust every day. He needs to show enough to make the team, let alone challenge for a starting gig. The more Moffitt practices and plays, the more he should get back to where he was as a player. The light could go on for him next week, next month or in November. You just don’t know.
Chip Kelly and Jeff Stoutland will go with the player that wins the job. They won’t give it to anyone.
The future at RG could be some young guy on this team. He could be on another NFL team. Or he could be getting ready for the upcoming college season. Focus on the present for now. Sunday is going to be a huge opportunity for four guys to show what they can do. Hope at least one of them steps up.
* * * * *
One other part of this equation is that young players sometimes develop slowly and other times they just don’t pan out at all.
The Eagles had some interest in OL Jeremiah Poutasi. He was at LT in college, but would have projected to RG with the Eagles. The Titans took him 66th overall, which surprised me. He has shown talent for them, but struggled in the preseason opener.
Donovan Smith is a player the Eagles had interest in. He’s the backup LT in Tampa. He is struggling in pass protection.
Jake Fisher is dealing with a minor injury and didn’t play in the Bengals preseason opener.
Had the Eagles drafted one of these guys, it is still possible Gardner (or some other veteran) could be winning the battle at RG. You want the young guys to pan out, but there aren’t any guarantees.
The Eagles will have to be aggressive next offseason in going after some youth for the OL. Whether this comes via trades, free agent signings or draft picks, there is no disputing the fact that young talent is needed.
Unless, of course, Tobin, Moffitt, Malcolm Bunche and Brett Boyko all somehow turn into terrific players this season.
* * * * *
Do you think Jeff Stoutland likes Jason Peters? Wow. Fast forward to the 6:30 mark to see Stoutland get all kinds of excited about Peters.
The entire interview is interesting. Stoutland doesn’t exactly offer a glowing endorsement of Tobin, but I’m not sure if there was a meaning to his words or he simply didn’t express himself well. The problem with assistant coaches not speaking to the press very often is that they can be awkward when they do get interviewed.
If you prefer to read rather than to listen, Les Bowen has the details here.
_
sounds like Tobin doesn’t play well on the right side. Too bad for him–I’m guessing they wouldn’t switch Barbre for him, either.
Even DeNiro knows football.
And he rocks a sweet cardigan
http://headinavice.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/de-niro-pat-snr.jpg
I might order myself that sweater as a mystery XMas gift and pretend it’s from Santa. Then wear it every Sunday.
It is fantastic. I would too if I didn’t live in a place that never gets colder than 60.
Aaron Wilson
@AaronWilson_NFL
17s17 seconds ago
Chris Polk with the catch out of the backfield, running hard, and picks up 25 yards
0 retweets
0 favorites
Would have loved to have seen Polk in a bigger role here at some point. Thought the kid was legit.
Polk: 10/29 rushing, 3/36 receiving. He’s getting work, but blue was 9/60 rushing
Vikings RT Phil Loadholt tore his achilles 2 plays into tonight’s preseason game. T.J. Clemmings replaced him.
I hate the preseason!
How did Clemmings look? I was pulling for the Birds to get him in the draft?
He was routinely stoning the Bucs LDE on pass rushes.
Yeah, he is a very strong stout OL. I would not want him at T with us because we want our T to be able to run, and I feel like smaller guys may give him trouble. However I really like him at G and his strength would be nice at goal line or short yardage.
I have always Thought that Gardner would beat Tobin for the RG spot.,… the ONLY WAY I could see Gardner not starting against Atlanta is if Moffit is able to return to Form and beat him out….. But in my mind its Gadner vs. Moffit, Tobin might as well go back to LG where he played MUCH BETTER last year, and get ready to backüp Barbre…
..
Even tho I think Gadner wil start, I don’t believe their is anything to UPDATE because I still think they are all going to get playing time at RG in the preseason, and even tho I think Gadner won’t have trouble beating out Tobin, I don’t think that has actually happened yet.,,I think what happened up Til now doesn’t even matter, and the Preseason play will determine who starts..
,,
I like Tobin, but from what I saw he belongs at LG and didn’t seem to be the type who could play on both sides…I don’t know if Gadner is good enough to start more then 1 yr at RG, but I am confident that he is a better option at RG then Tobin…. But if everyone plays to their full potential, I would assu,e Moffit would win….but who knows what Moffit looks like these days,.. What happens in the next 3 games will determine who starts at RG..
..
I’d REALLY Love Bunche to surprise us and start throwing Defnders around at Guard,.. he should look good in the Run game, no idea if he can pass block yet..
sorry to bring this up again but I asked a few days ago about using a PS3/4 or Xbox to get NFL ticket. My research on the web and NFL Ticket website says I can only do that if I can’t get a satellite (i.e., I’m in an area where I can get DirectTV). I had thought I had a loophole and if I bought a game console I could get NFL ticket automatically.
Can someone enlighten me? thanks
Job has me in Florida. Going through same issue. There are multiple websites you can stream the game for free. Just Google it. Asked the same question on this board a few days ago and everyone was very helpful. I wrote the websites down. I’ll give them to you when I have the opportunity. Sling box is also an option.
In the meantime if you have NFL network they show every pre season game.
If you don’t have WIFI at least the Eagles are one of the most nationally televised teams.
yep I did that one year, and it’s fine. But this is just so frustrating. I make enough to watch the team I follow, and the NFL won’t let me bc they prefer to make more money and have less access. But they say they are all about access. I know I am being picky and this is a first world problem, but I don’t want to watch it on my smaller computer and I don’t want a freakin satellite on my roof. I just want to pay someone money and turn my TV on. It’s 2015, this should happen.
If you have a TV and computer with HDMI ports you can run it to your TV through comp.
Do any of your buddies have the ticket max? If so, maybe they will let you borrow their password so you can stream the games.
If you can’t get directv b/c you live in an area that doesn’t receive their satellite then they let you stream it now. You can check this on their website. If you can get directv just sign up for sunday ticket and cancel after the season ends.
Get urself an android box my man it will let u run first row sports and better options to watch all nfl games. Try it out on computer install xbmc/kodi u’ll love it
I would LOVE to see Barkey play real well in the preseason get his trade value up and trade him For another teams back up to take a closer look at…. For example, if we could get someone like Zack Mettenberger, Kurt Cousins, Mike
Glennon for Barkley, I’d take any Of the 3 and RUN!… I would probably also be willing to give him up for EJ Manual who may not make the Bills Roster… I don’t think much of sny of those names, but those are young Backups that you may be able to get and since I think chip is a better offensive coach then most of their current coaches, I wouldn’t mind taking a flier on young backups to see if Chip can grow them better then Lovie, Wisenhunt, Gruden or Rex…
..
Didn’t Seattles,backüp QB get hurt, or did I dream That? If they need a backup any chance Pete Carroll gives up a 7th for Barkley?
Cousins isn’t a young backup., he is turning 27 in 3 days . He’s about a year younger than Bradford and Tebow.
yeah he ruined his own career by being terrible, rather have matty b. i’d take mettenberger though
Jackson sprained his ankle but it doesn’t sound that serious.
Uh ohhh… Darren McFadden has been taken off the injured list… Are you afraid? Lol Hide your woman, hide your kids, the “Great” Darren “two Ply” McFadden… Dude has more soft tissue injuries he is about as durable as two ply toilet paper…. Cowboy wimp…
Even though he is off the injury report it won’t surprise me if he doesn’t play a snap in pre season. Like you said the guy is made of soft tissue.
Philip Rivers, Chargers agree to four-year extension through 2019
The deal is worth $83.25 million withs $65 million guaranteed, The $65 million guaranteed would give Rivers the highest guaranteed money of any player under their current contract.
They’ll be moving to LA in 2016 and need a “Marque QB” for ticket sales…
I’m still willing to bet that they stay put in San Diego and the moving teams are;
Rams to LA
Raiders to LA
Jags to London
Also, don’t discount the possibility of Raiders to San Antonio with a super secret clandestine time-share scheme with games in Mexico along with San Diego playing games in Mexico.
Should just move the Jags to LA and use london like they do know with every team getting a game every couple years over there
Unless you’re of a mind that a full time team in London, followed by some experimental games in Munich or Berlin resulting in an eventual full time German team would add such a disgusting level of TV money to the NFL that it’s going to happen.
Jags to Mexico so they can become the Aztec Jaguar Warriors playing at Azteca Stadium. Make it happen.
I’d buy that for a dollar.
You could be right…By the way, as a fan, I hate the idea of international NFL games, but the owners will win out….
I actually like it………as long as it isn’t the Eagles leaving Philly. Having been to both London and Munich, I enjoyed by time in both cities. They both have great sporting cultures in those cities as well.
And if it gets me perpetual 9:30 AM kickoff games on Sundays…………..I’m 100% in!
I’d hate to lose a home game to London, and you know with the Eagles being so popular, it’s only a matter of time till Chip has to take the boys overseas which will screw up his practice routine…
I would not be upset if Chip holds SB and DEmarco out all preseason games…I Would not want to lose SB to a preseason injury and QB’s qet enough reps in practice that they could probably be up to.snuff after the 1st. Qtr of the ATL game I’m not saying that is what Chip will do, but I would not automatically figure SB is not healthy….when you consider that we are playing 3 tough, agressive defenses this preseason (Balt, GB, and Jets) why risk your potential “franchise” QB before you need to…
With the high number of carry’s Demarco had last year, I don’t need to see him in preseason either, Duce says he knows the whole playbook…he’ll be ready week 1.
I fully expect Tebow to make this team…no matter how he looks. I have said it since it was first announced that Chip signed him, that Chip will have a “red zone” package of plays for him to use for the 2 pt. Conversions, which I think Chip will use often and I would not be surprised if SB doesn’t work out as the “franchose”QB due to injury or $$ issues that Chip would like to work with him as I believe Chip thinks he is the “QB Whisperer” and can turn him into Marcus Mariotta Ii…(You heard ot here first!!)
AP and Lynch have been held out of preseason games, so I can see Chip resting Murray.
Regarding Sam, I share your concern but I still hope to see him next week providing RG shows promise. But I’m nervous as hell about it.
The thing is that unless Gardner blows them away this week, I think they’ll give someone else a shot with the starters next week. My guess is Moffitt, but perhaps Vandervelde. Seems like they’ve decided that Tobin fits best on the left side. Some linemen can handle the shift from one side to the other. Some can’t. Then, you look at the film from the first 2 preseason games and try to decide on which player is best at RG and start them in the 3rd preseason game. Hopefully that player then locks themselves in as the starter. Regardless, I think our line will still be in flux for preseason game 2.
I would like to see Moffitt win, feels like the most upside, but Stoudtland said recently he is slow to get his timing back etc. Not that it won’t get there, but seemed clear he isn’t neck and neck vying to start.
Gardner could potentially start the season and then be replaced down the road once Moffitt gets his mojo back.
I would be worried and upset if Bradford does not play in a pre season game. That would absolutely mean that something is wrong. It has been about a year and a half since he has played. He needs to get the feel of a live game before just throwing him into the season opener on MNF.
Kelly believes in reps as evidenced by how practice and TC is run. He wants him to have reps in the pre season.
Of course, I’m anxious to see Sam too, but if Chip says next week “I’m holding Sam out until we have more continuity with the OL” or something like that I would believe him and not automaticly feel we are being “conned” and Sam is still not healthy. Having said that, I’m confident we’ll see Sam against the Ravens.
Stoutland went to TJ Clemmings’ Pro Day and many mocks had him in the first round, but the word in the league apparently was he was overvalued, raw, and injured. He was on the board for the Jordan Hicks pick. The Vikings took him at 110 (4th), Phil Loadholt went down, and now he’s starting at RT, solid in the first half of his preseason game. Their RG is a natural RT but the Vikings feel Clemmings is better at tackle, which would have been a short term issue in Philly but at the moment he seems to me to be a strong 3rd round pick.
Clemmings fell because of a foot issue that was rumored to be degenerative.
The Vikings apparently did well to ignore the rumors more than others. Most on this board liked Clemmings more than I did. Pick La’el Collins in the 7th and they’d have a set, at least they’d stay at the top of the league in arrests.
He hasn’t even made it to the regular season yet. Just because he can play right now, that doesn’t mean his foot won’t be an issue throughout his career.
Embiid looked great shooting during warm ups before games too. It’s a little early on both to draw any conclusions.
ever been to game early? all these guys look crazy good shooting. remember went to Bulls game, had start time wrong, got there like 2 hrs early. watched judd beuchler warm up. he might have missed 5 times in an hour. was couple other guys, but remember him specificlly. gametime, he was so buried on bench, was about as close to getting PT as me.
.
it’s more the way Embiid moved than anything. 7+ footer just shouldnt look like that, on 1 foot. crazy to think what his athletic ceiling could be if he ever gets healthy.
You really think a little time in the first preseason game is worth anything for evaluating a whether a foot problem is going to lead to long term issues? Hope things work out for the man, but this conversation is about as premature as it gets. 😉
The games can’t come soon enough for me.
I wonder what our sports science / retraining program could have done to mitigate that.
There is no sports science for a stress fracture in your foot… No sports science can help bones
Speaking of 3rd round coulda shoulda, RB David Cobb is moving to the top back spot for the Titans.. Whisehunt: “He’s got a good feel, good vision, good feet and a good feel for making
the cuts and getting through the line,” Whisenhunt said. “That’s what
we liked about him at the Senior Bowl. Obviously he was very productive
his senior year at Minnesota. We were really excited to get him.”
Dallas could have had him in the third but they added to their OL stockpiling by picking Chaz Green ahead of where he was projected. Cobb was the most solid guy on the board at RB without injury issues, if they thought they just needed someone like that to run behind “America’s OL.” As it is, they have Underwear Thief who loses concentration and reaches for his holster when you tell him his babamama’s in the stands, fast, can catch, doesn’t fumble, but not good off contact or durable. Dunbar’s out, McFadden’s out, Gus Johnson tweaked his shoulder. This is an oversight that’s more fun to think about.
Cobb should get time sooner rather than later. Bitch-up Stank-e is a terrible player.
Maybe he is better than Hicks who knows, but “starting” because of injury is not starting b/c he was too good to keep on the bench, and looking good in the first preseason game is….I guess looking bad, but see Eagles backup OL completely dominate the Steelers starting DL last year. Meant nothing.
I said on my first post after the draft that Hicks was a good player to pick and that Kelly wanted to groom him to be defensive QB. You need 3 years to evaluate an OL pick. But being able to hold your own for a half in your first NFL game when your college experience is limited at the position is a positive sign, whatever happens to his foot.
can’t have too many ilbs
Chip will have one of the smallest draft boards in the NFL, He needs football focused guys with good athletic gifts and specific size requirements. We will have to get used to passing on guys you like the film of because they have been excluded for ‘commitment’ issues.
Judging draft picks is tough to do early, especially guys with character or health concerns – since they often bite you down the line – especially just after you sign them to a big extension 😉
I don’t plan on ever getting used to missing out on top talents. I’m not saying that will or won’t be the case with Clemmings, but if we blow it on guys; I’ll be in rip mode.
So much sound and fury this offseason. Love Kelly or hate him, the team is not boring. It all kind of compounded itself. No OL for the second straight draft, then cut Mathis. That really drove some people crazy. Leads to the whole Hicks vs. “my favorite available lineman” debate. I’m pretty confident that the team would have liked for an OL to stay on their board. But the point about them not being a guarantee (even if you give up Rowe), is sound.
Time to put the pads on and start focusing on what is, rather than what ifs.
Right I’m so tired of sh$t like is Bradford 100%. No one ever said he was completely ready to face an NFL rush. It’s just made up click bait disputes. His long term health and readiness is so much more important than whether he plays 8 snaps today.
You may want to set the A/C before you put the pads on but it’s a good precaution.
maybe kelly sees Guard as a plug-n-play (for lack of a better term) position. not every guy can be high pick/money player. every successful team has an area they make. Seattle makes OL, Belicheck before McCourty popped was shuffling DBs in and out for last decade. heck guy who made SB winning play was UDFA and read he’s on the bubble, though i dont follow NE closely enough to know how true that is.
.
between Barbre and Guardner, paying them about 2m combined, other 3, 20m. i’d say it’s on JP, Kelce and Lane to pull the 2 new guards play up. think there’s worse positions to go year to year cheaply than guard. sure D3FB forgotten more about OL than i’ll ever know, but i wonder what’s the difference between 10th best guard and 30th, in grand scheme of things. if they stink, that’s a whole different story.
I think Chip definitely has some views on how to spend his cap money. On NE, notice they let both Revis and Browner go heading into this season too. Brady of course makes up for so much.
yeah, using examples is always tough when team has franchise qb.
.
but i’ve never gone down a team’s roster and thought ‘hey, look at those 2 guards, hope eagles dont meet up with them’. long as JP, Lane and Kelce play well and healthy, i’m not crazy worried over guard. still rather have Mathis, but that was a mess.
right and Belicheck seems even harder to copy than most. He is a warlock. And cheats.
right. he’s smarter than everyone else. willing to do more than anyone else. and they have the police/Gooddell in his back pocket. tough combo to beat.
I think what they’re doing with the salary at guard 100% backs up your view that the position is plug and play in Kelly’s mind.
And we’re going to find out in a few years if he views WR the same way.
Here’s an update…. They all suck.
false.
We’ll find out today at 1.
Don’t be so hard on the Colts.
I almost peed myself laughing when I read the Colts were discussing an extension with Anthony Costanzo.
carson palmor looked pretty good for a guy that tore his acl week 10
Interesting that he doesn’t get nearly the same flak for being fragile as Sam Bradford considering he has had 2 ACLs.
The original one wasn’t really a China doll type injury. Kimo Von Therapy put a kill shot on that knee.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxwezo3EGF8
Palmer’s played in about 88% of his teams’ games, including multiple 16 game seasons as a starter.
Bradford is below 50%.
He, Bradford, needs a couple consecutive 16 game seasons
And Bradford has also missed time in his career due to arm problems.
So has Palmer. Tore muscle in his elbow and broke his collarbone
[…] will fill the starting RG role? Tommy Lawlor of Iggles Blitz shares his […]
DeMarco Murray won’t play in Sunday’s preseason game against the Colts.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
But understandable.
Thank god… Playing him would be absurd… It’s hot as hell out today…
Agreed. Marshawn and AP missed preseason games too.
AP hasn’t played a PS game in 4 years…
L.
I hope they throw Wolff onto the field and force him to play every Single snap, all 4 quarters… I hope our players treat him like an Old school WWE Wrestling “Luberjack match” where guys would line up around the ring and every time a wrestler fell out the ring, the guys would throw him back in the ring…. I want to see Wolff exhausted, crawling on all fours, begging for a substitution, and every time he gets to the sideline Eagle players throw him back on the field…
Man up, Hoyt.
https://moviemanjackson.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/guntohead.jpg
But, buttt, buuuuut, Wolff has an owie.
Pussy ISNT even playing… Wolff? Change his last name to Pussy Cat
According to Bama, Bradford on the field in full pads. Love it.
Eagles Insider ✔ @EaglesInsider
#Eagles announce QB Bradford, S Couplin, S Wolff, LBs Alonso and Kendricks and TE Ertz will not play vs. Colts.
Earl Wolff is a JOKE! Cut that pussy TODAY! Send his bitch ass home.. He shouldn’t be allowed on the sideline with the Players..fuckin fraud
Also Ryans is not playing
New thread up
word
[…] will fill the starting RG role? Tommy Lawlor of Iggles Blitz shares his […]