OTAs – Week 2

Posted: May 30th, 2017 | Author: | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 107 Comments »

The Eagles were back in action on Tuesday and it was open to the media so we have some news and nuggets to take in.

Rather than go writer by writer, let’s talk about players/positions. We’ll start with CBs.

Jimmy Bama on Rasul Douglas.

While Douglas got beaten on that red zone play, he had a fantastic day otherwise. In a different red zone drill, he broke sharply on a slant route intended for Nelson Agholor and was able to make the play. Later in the practice, Douglas got his hands on three consecutive passes. He is always aware of where the ball is, which is why he was able to lead the nation in interceptions last year, with eight.

That is very encouraging to hear. Looking good for a day doesn’t mean much in the grand scheme of things, but it is great to hear the rookie CB is performing well. That is the weakest position on the team and it is one spot where a rookie has a legit shot to win a starting job. Douglas isn’t there yet, but he’s trending in the right direction. He’s showing that the pro game isn’t too big for him, at least not right now.

Les Bowen had a good quote from Douglas in regard to breaking up passes, despite being so new.

“It makes me feel good, boosts confidence. I’m still waiting for my first interception, but it’s good to get a feel of the ball, the route concepts,” said Douglas, a third-round pick from West Virginia who intercepted nine passes in his two seasons there.

This kid is really growing on me. He doesn’t want to just cover, he wants the ball. I love DBs who think like that and have the skills to back it up. He will get burned at times, but will also make some big plays.

Jeff McLane had some notes on other corners.

I don’t want to make too much of a May practice in shorts and shells, but the much-maligned Eagles cornerbacks had a nice day, particularly some of the guys lower on the depth chart. Mitchell White, a former CFLer, batted a Wentz pass to Smith to the ground. Aaron Grymes, another product of the Great White North, undercut a Nick Foles pass and intercepted it. Undrafted rookie Randall Goforth (young man) broke up a Foles toss to Burton. And Douglas, despite that jump ball loss to Jeffery, had some fine moments. He had tight coverage vs. Agholor on an errant pass in the back of the end zone and jumped another toss to Agholor.

Grymes is a player I think could once again challenge for a roster spot. Goforth was a S/Nickel at UCLA so it is interesting to see the Eagles playing him mostly at CB. He has good ball skills and the ability to play inside or out so you can see where the Eagles coaches would have interest.

The Eagles need multiple players to help the CB situation. This isn’t a one-guy fix. 

***

Carson Wentz and the offense struggled, partially due to the rain, partially due to the defense and partially due to themselves. We’ll start with Brandon Lee Gowton’s thoughts on Wentz.

Same deal as last week for Carson Wentz: another up and down showing.

He once again struggled with sailing passes during red zone drills. Too often were the passes sailing out of the back of the end zone, completely failing to give his receivers a chance to catch the ball. Missing high wasn’t the only issue. He also threw a worm burner over the middle to the feet of Trey Burton. Wentz got picked off by Jalen Mills on a short throw intended for Brent Celek. It looked like there may have been some miscommunication on the play. Wentz almost threw a second interception on a short pass to Celek but Najee Goode dropped the pick.

It wasn’t all bad for Wentz. The 24-year-old passer threw a few nice touch passes on fade routes to both Celek and Burton in the end zone. He gave Jeffery a chance on the jump ball touchdown and he also connected with Nelson Agholor (who burned Mills) on a deep bomb for a score.

It can take the offense a few weeks to get going, especially with a young QB and new WRs. Timing and chemistry are critical to offensive success. These players need some time to work out the kinks and get in a good rhythm. If Wentz is playing like this on Aug 15th, then we have an issue.

Wentz is making some impressive throws.

***

Everyone took note of Alshon Jeffery on one play. Here is BLG’s take.

PLAY OF THE DAY: Alshon Jeffery made a beastly catch in the end zone by winning out on a jump ball thrown by Carson Wentz. Rookie cornerback Rasul Douglas had tight coverage but it doesn’t matter with Jeffery. The veteran wide receiver is going to go up and get that ball. After Jeffery made the catch, he got up, stared Douglas down, and spiked the ball directly in front of the Eagles’ third round draft pick. In my head I’m imagining Alshon said something like “F*** you rookie! You can’t stop me!”

I’m really looking forward to see him Jeffery in action. It sounds like he is fired up and wants to play at a high level. He just got a big paycheck, but it doesn’t sound like he is sitting around counting his money.

Looks like Hollins could turn out to be a good receiver. Still way early, but lots of encouraging signs. Dave Zangaro also chimed in on Hollins.

Rookie receiver Mack Hollins has been more impressive thus far than fellow rookie Shelton Gibson, which is less of a knock on Gibson than it is praise to Hollins. Hollins’ combo of size and speed is standing out consistently, and he certainly looks like more than a special teamer. So we’ve established that Hollins is a pretty good football player in shorts, but let’s not crown him yet. The pads go on in August.

And here is a note from Jimmy Bama on Nelson Agholor.

One thing Nelson Agholor seems to be putting an emphasis on is contested catches. After he catches passes away from his body with his hands, he yanks the ball away from the (invisible) defender. It’s catch, and yank. Agholor has not been good on contested catches, so his (or perhaps Mike Groh’s) idea to do that is a good one. Agholor had an OK day. He made the catches he should have made, but was unable to come up some more difficult ones. His highlight of the day came on a double move against Jalen Mills in which Agholor beat Mills deep for a TD. That drew a “GOT EEEEEM!” from Torrey Smith.

It is good that Agholor is focused on something. That’s a sign of good coaching. Anyone could tell him to not drop as many passes, but finding a way to have him address something specifically is smart. That should help give him the best chance to succeed. Agholor is off to a solid start, but still has a long way to go.

***

Jimmy Bama noticed something interesting in regard to the jumbo sets.

Last year, the Eagles would often add an extra blocker in jumbo sets. That was Matt Tobin. This year that role has gone to Dillon Gordon, which are essentially first-team reps. Gordon had that role in the first round of OTAs as well. He’s looking like an early strong bet to make the roster.

It sounds like the Eagles want to get Gordon on the field. Not as a starter, but as a role player. They want to see him in action to find out what he can do. He also brings a lot of versatility because of his background. Tobin was a 6th OL. Gordon could be that or a 3rd TE or the FB.

***

The guys from PE.com on Donnel Pumphrey.

The Eagles are exploring ways to utilize rookie Donnel Pumphrey in both the offense and special teams. On offense, Pumphrey moves around the formation from the backfield to the slot. During special teams drills, Pumphrey took a lot of reps fielding punts.

***

Who was there and who wasn’t? Tim McManus has the info.

Defensive tackle Fletcher Cox returned after missing the first week of OTAs, but there were a number of absences Tuesday. Tackle Jason Peters and punter Donnie Jones were not in attendance for the second straight week. Running backs LeGarrette Blount and Darren Sproles had family obligations. Defensive linemen Tim Jernigan and Alex McCalister and corner Ron Brooks also were out for personal reasons. Vinny Curry was sidelined with an illness.

Amazingly, Marcus Smith skipped for the second week in a row. Les Bowen went all Woodward & Bernstein to get to the bottom of this.

Yikes. That’s not…good. OTAs are voluntary. What they don’t tell you is that they are voluntary for good players. For everyone else (and that certainly includes Marcus Smith), you better have your butt there or you may pay with your job. If Smith is great from here on out, fine. That isn’t likely. And this is the time of year for marginal players to work to improve their game so they can win a roster spot.

Or not.

_

107 Comments on “OTAs – Week 2”

  1. 1 Charlie Kelly said at 11:55 PM on May 30th, 2017:

    I think Mack Hollis will be a stud!! Could cause big match up issues for defenses.

  2. 2 Derka derka said at 1:41 AM on May 31st, 2017:

    So much mass for one cb to handle

  3. 3 Charlie Kelly said at 1:42 AM on May 31st, 2017:

    they gon’ need some of dat fight milk to compete!!

  4. 4 Will Ft. Daft Punk said at 7:21 AM on May 31st, 2017:

    Hollins on side and AJ on the other. Thats a lot of height

  5. 5 Charlie Kelly said at 7:35 AM on May 31st, 2017:

    with jordan and ertz in the slot

    or add some speed with torrey

    could be fun!!

  6. 6 eagleyankfan said at 7:39 AM on May 31st, 2017:

    or Pumphrey. Boy does that kid need a nickname – DPump? Dpu?

  7. 7 Charlie Kelly said at 8:05 AM on May 31st, 2017:

    i think his name from college was simply Pump!

    but shouldnt it be Pumph? lol

  8. 8 EagleOne1983 said at 2:24 PM on May 31st, 2017:

    And with the nickname pump, all I can think about is the Nikey Turkey commercial from SNL.
    “Just pump it.”

  9. 9 Media Mike said at 9:53 PM on May 31st, 2017:

    Here is his theme song.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKO80WcO0eU

  10. 10 Will Ft. Daft Punk said at 7:40 AM on May 31st, 2017:

    Dont forget the Resurrection of Nelson

  11. 11 Charlie Kelly said at 8:04 AM on May 31st, 2017:

    yeah… i forgot it on purpose lol

  12. 12 Will Ft. Daft Punk said at 8:09 AM on May 31st, 2017:

    Forest Whitaker voice: “Keep the dream Alive!”

  13. 13 Cedric Basedprophet Bost said at 2:13 PM on May 31st, 2017:

    His nick name is D.J

  14. 14 Dragon_Eagle said at 9:33 PM on May 31st, 2017:

    Solid candidate for the Na Brown award, no doubt,

  15. 15 Brendan Ekstrom said at 2:11 AM on May 31st, 2017:

    Lol that email.

  16. 16 Insomniac said at 3:11 AM on May 31st, 2017:

    RZ wishlist for the last 9 years

    [x] Big RB that can actually punch it in
    [x] WRs that can box out people for jumpballs
    [x] Gadget players to get those cute trick plays
    [x] OL that can get some push
    [ ] Magic football that scores by itself

  17. 17 Media Mike said at 4:59 AM on May 31st, 2017:

    Does telling Doug to go F himself on his red zone play calling count as “scoring” on himself?

  18. 18 Rellihcs said at 5:08 AM on May 31st, 2017:

    Take your meds, and that advice you offered up too.

  19. 19 Media Mike said at 5:23 AM on May 31st, 2017:

    Huh?

  20. 20 Rellihcs said at 6:55 AM on May 31st, 2017:

    I was responding to your Doug trashing attitude. It’s May. He was a rookie head coach last year, with a rookie QB, RB injuries, TE injuries, bad WRs, and OL woes. And here you are in May, after they made hugely significant additions to interior OL, WR including proven RZ weapons, big RB who lead the league in TDs last year – especially short yardage… And you’re sitting here bringing “tude” about the coach’s RZ play calling last year?

    Come on man.

  21. 21 laeagle said at 4:11 PM on May 31st, 2017:

    You’re not going to cure him. That change can only come from within. Or, without, if “without” means pinning his eyes open a la “Clockwork Orange” and forcing him to watch a spy cam chronicling the mundanities of Kenjon Barner’s life.

  22. 22 Rellihcs said at 4:17 PM on May 31st, 2017:

    This is truth.

  23. 23 Media Mike said at 9:39 PM on May 31st, 2017:

    I was just playing on the use of the verb “to score” in Insomniac’s checklist. I guess you didn’t care for it.

  24. 24 Rellihcs said at 10:56 PM on May 31st, 2017:

    Fair enough. Wasn’t trying to be an ass.

  25. 25 Media Mike said at 5:28 AM on June 1st, 2017:

    And to your point; I’d also expect upgrades at RB, LG, C, and WR.x 2 to give Doug a better level of comfort in calling better plays in the RZ this year.

  26. 26 Rellihcs said at 6:48 AM on June 1st, 2017:

    Cheers to that.

  27. 27 衣皇后 said at 4:04 AM on May 31st, 2017:

    很荣幸来到这里参观！

  28. 28 Media Mike said at 5:02 AM on May 31st, 2017:

    I’m looking forward to Alshon scoring a TD on a jump ball over overrated bums Janoris Jenkins / Eli Apple / DRC!

  29. 29 Anders said at 5:52 AM on May 31st, 2017:

    Nolan Carroll, oh wait he might be suspended

  30. 30 Rellihcs said at 6:52 AM on May 31st, 2017:

    Indeed, not like there’s great corners for the most part in the NFCE – Alshon already proved he can own the talented big mouth in WAS… and that was with a crappy QB…

  31. 31 Dave said at 7:22 AM on May 31st, 2017:

    I just want him to catch a jump ball over Josh Norman.

  32. 32 P_P_K said at 9:04 AM on May 31st, 2017:

    I’m looking forward to an Eagles receiver catching a jump ball in the red zone.

  33. 33 kajomo said at 10:25 AM on May 31st, 2017:

    I’m looking forward to an Eagles receiver catching the ball

  34. 34 Mac said at 11:28 AM on May 31st, 2017:

    I’m looking foward to an Eagles receiver lining up in the correct position.

  35. 35 ChoTime said at 11:55 AM on May 31st, 2017:

    All these issues will be solved by the firing of Greg Lewis, scapeG.O.A.T.

  36. 36 Insomniac said at 12:25 PM on May 31st, 2017:

    Janoris Jenkins isn’t overrated.

  37. 37 A_T_G said at 6:49 AM on May 31st, 2017:

    All encouraging stuff, but why did McLane feel necessary to include in parantheses that UDFA Randall Goforth is a young man?

  38. 38 Rellihcs said at 6:51 AM on May 31st, 2017:

    Yeah that puzzled me. McLane is weird to say the least. But I was wondering if it was a reference and indeed it is. Famous poem starts “Go forth young man”….

  39. 39 A_T_G said at 11:07 AM on May 31st, 2017:

    It is. I realized it later.

    Most embarrassingly, I made a similar joke when he was signed.

  40. 40 Rellihcs said at 11:09 AM on May 31st, 2017:

    Forget that rep, it’s just OTAs. Time to knock that rust off – now if you make that mistake repeatedly late in training camp….

  41. 41 Ark87 said at 11:00 AM on May 31st, 2017:

    My guess: gentlemen’s bet with Kempski where the stakes were writing something odd parenthetically. Maybe the over/under on Jason Kelce’s bathroom breaks?

  42. 42 laeagle said at 4:09 PM on May 31st, 2017:

    so you’re the kind of funny guy who doesn’t like other guys being funny? 🙂

  43. 43 A_T_G said at 7:49 PM on May 31st, 2017:

    The coffee hadn’t kick in yet.

  44. 44 Dave said at 7:17 AM on May 31st, 2017:

    The overall covfefe of the team looks promising.

  45. 45 Gary Barnes said at 8:56 AM on May 31st, 2017:

    well played

  46. 46 Bert's Bells said at 10:22 AM on May 31st, 2017:

    It’s positively cromulent.

  47. 47 AddictedToPhilly said at 12:44 AM on June 1st, 2017:

    Despite the constant negative press

  48. 48 eagleyankfan said at 7:37 AM on May 31st, 2017:

    I get it, it’s May and it’s ‘oh, it’s ok, he(Wentz) has til August’…word of caution…Wentz(and I’m a fan of Wentz) issue at the end of last season was over throwing. Wentz hooked up with a guru over the winter to work on those mechanics. Wentz has worked current coaches. Wentz is still over throwing, enough to where reports after two OTA’s are the same – up and down. Nobody is sounding the alarm but you do have to raise an eyebrow that his issue is still noticeable enough to write about it.

  49. 49 Rellihcs said at 7:43 AM on May 31st, 2017:

    I thoroughly disagree. We don’t know the purpose of the drills, and otas is not where you evaluate performance.

  50. 50 eagleyankfan said at 7:47 AM on May 31st, 2017:

    oh, so MS is correct. Nobody needs to show up because nothing is being accomplished in OTA’s. I think you’re extremely underestimating OTA’s. They aren’t just show up and run around in circles. T-Law is pretty clear about what OTA’s mean, which is 180 from your view…Trends are set (good or bad or correctable til next team get-togethers) but OTA’s are pretty important…

  51. 51 Rellihcs said at 7:51 AM on May 31st, 2017:

    Not at all what i was saying. I didn’t suggest Carson should be absent, or not try. At all . It’s not all so extreme.

  52. 52 eagleyankfan said at 8:07 AM on May 31st, 2017:

    “raise an eyebrow” is extreme? I get people interpret what they are reading to their own opinion but how does raise an eyebrow = extreme? I also don’t mean to imply Wentz should be fixed(by guru) because what he’s doing/experiencing is a process that isn’t fixed by 1 visit. Simply saying — Aggie worked on something and it’s noticeable(to date) .. Wentz worked on something and it’s not noticeable (to date)…nothing more, nothing less…

  53. 53 Rellihcs said at 9:16 AM on May 31st, 2017:

    “raise an eyebrow” – no that’s not extreme. That wasn’t what I was referring to.

    “oh, so MS is correct. Nobody needs to show up because nothing is being accomplished in OTA’s. I think you’re extremely underestimating OTA’s. They aren’t just show up and run around in circles. T-Law is pretty clear about what OTA’s mean, which is 180 from your view…” – that’s an extreme reaction to my point.

  54. 54 eagleyankfan said at 10:02 AM on May 31st, 2017:

    gotcha…

  55. 55 Dude said at 9:34 AM on May 31st, 2017:

    Foles!! Foles!! Foles!!

  56. 56 ChoTime said at 10:18 AM on May 31st, 2017:

    Saw a girl wearing a Foles shirt the other day (in Arizona). That’s my boy!

  57. 57 Mac said at 11:26 AM on May 31st, 2017:

    Well… he did play college ball at Arizona, and has a jersey in the pro football HOF.

  58. 58 Will Ft. Daft Punk said at 7:49 AM on May 31st, 2017:

    The purpose of the drill was to score in the redzone. Wentz did have an issue with over throwing guys last year. Its worth mentioning at least if he’s still doing it.

    is it going to be an issue in September? Who knows?

  59. 59 eagleyankfan said at 8:03 AM on May 31st, 2017:

    exactly. nobody is yelling panic. Just taking notes.

  60. 60 ChoTime said at 10:18 AM on May 31st, 2017:

    Careful… you’re either with us or against us, man!

  61. 61 eagleyankfan said at 8:07 AM on June 1st, 2017:

    I’m on the fence 🙂

  62. 62 D3FB said at 8:59 AM on May 31st, 2017:

    It’s probably always going to be a flaw and that’s ok.

    Rodgers has a propensity to go chicken with his head cut off when he’s not comfortable.
    Big Ben will hold onto the football until 8 defenders bring him down.
    Eli loves to throw the ball to the other team
    McNabb killed all the worms
    Matt Ryan can’t improvise
    Cam’s relies too much on arm talent instead of technique and can get wild
    Luck is a gunslinger

    Carson is always going to have some gunslinger and some issues with accuracy in his game. And he can still be a top 10 QB with these deficiencies.

    The mechanical stuff could take years to iron out the roughest edges.

    But he’s big, can move, improvise, and most importantly he can process the field.

  63. 63 bill said at 9:39 AM on May 31st, 2017:

    If I had any photoshop skills (at all), your first sentence would move me to make a stuart smalley picture with Wentz’s head, doing a daily affirmation.

    Since I don’t, I’m forced to making you use your imagination.

  64. 64 eagleyankfan said at 10:12 AM on May 31st, 2017:

    And we’re splitting hairs in May(about Wentz). McNabb killing worms is by far, the funniest post of the year. Luck IMHO is still growing. If I’m expecting Luck to continue to grow, I expect a year 2 QB to also to continue to grow.
    …
    With that said…Eagles were aggressive and moved up to get Wentz. I don’t know(don’t really care) if other teams moved up to get those QB’s. Because of such a move, there are certain expectations of that QB. Those expectations are further into then this year. let’s hope for improvement and not regression…

  65. 65 Insomniac said at 12:27 PM on May 31st, 2017:

    So he’s not going to be Rodgers but Favre instead? What a bust.

  66. 66 Bert's Bells said at 2:07 PM on May 31st, 2017:

    Could get a Favre in the second round. Bust and a reach.

  67. 67 Dragon_Eagle said at 9:41 PM on May 31st, 2017:

    Brady has failed to win a Super Bowl in some seasons. Plus he cheats. Regularly.

  68. 68 P_P_K said at 9:07 AM on May 31st, 2017:

    During this off-season, I convinced myself that Wentz will make great strides this year, that he’s a future high-caliber qb, and he’s the franchise qb of the next decade. Except, what if he’s not?

  69. 69 Rellihcs said at 9:18 AM on May 31st, 2017:

    The results of the work you put into the offseason, and the progression from rookie year to the proverbial “second year jump” – is not to be measured in May.

    This is “get the rust off” time, start building a bit of chemistry with the new WRs time, introduce the rooks and lower roster guys time. Not starting QB consistent high performance time.

  70. 70 Dude said at 9:31 AM on May 31st, 2017:

    Preach brother. I am ready to move on from this failed FCS QB experiment. Consider my eyebrows raised.

  71. 71 Insomniac said at 12:24 PM on May 31st, 2017:

    It has been an issue since college. A year or two isn’t going to magically fix it.

  72. 72 eagleyankfan said at 8:06 AM on June 1st, 2017:

    I guess that’s even more to the point. Can it be fixed? And me being a million miles away – does it have to be fixed? 25 for 40 with 5 overthrows and 3 TD’s? I guess I don’t care. Down 3 with 1 minute left to play and an over throw on 3rd, I’ll care :).

  73. 73 A_T_G said at 1:24 PM on May 31st, 2017:

    Today’s attendance was a little better…
    https://twitter.com/Tim_McManus/status/869956834190163968

  74. 74 Sean Stott said at 2:22 PM on May 31st, 2017:

    Cutting someone because they didn’t go to voluntary practice would be a violation of the CBA. I understand that that would be hard to show, but I don’t like the idea of shades of gray with the word voluntary.

  75. 75 CrackSammich said at 4:20 PM on May 31st, 2017:

    It’s like the rest of the world. They can’t fire you because you got pregnant, but they can document every silly mistake you ever made and use that one time you were 2 min late coming back from lunch to justify firing you instead. If Smith if on the edge of the roster and not doing anything to save himself, there’s plenty of reasons to cut him if they need one.

  76. 76 A_T_G said at 4:36 PM on May 31st, 2017:

    Is there any advantage to playing that game, though? Why not just want until mandatory practices, fine him until h shows, then cut him when he performs poorly?

    In addition to being legit, it seems like it would send a better message to the rest of the players.

  77. 77 CrackSammich said at 5:07 PM on May 31st, 2017:

    I doubt they cut him prematurely unless there’s somebody on the market that’s better. Otherwise, they’ll just let one of the other guys “win” the roster spot to boost their confidence.

  78. 78 xmbk said at 7:11 PM on May 31st, 2017:

    He’s due a bonus before cap. That’s legit reason enough to cut him.

  79. 79 Ryan Rambo said at 2:23 PM on May 31st, 2017:

    https://youtu.be/XYVZffSgy_Y

  80. 80 Sean Stott said at 2:25 PM on May 31st, 2017:

    Waited months for this!

  81. 81 SteveH said at 8:43 PM on May 31st, 2017:

    I like Jim Schwartz. He seems like a new man compared to his hot-head days in Detroit.

  82. 82 ColorSgt said at 11:45 PM on May 31st, 2017:

    I agree he seems like a cool guy, but I wish his defensive scheme wasn’t so predictable. Mix in different looks and blitz more. Why do we have to live and die by the DL getting pressure?

  83. 83 eagleyankfan said at 8:03 AM on June 1st, 2017:

    Because – if you can generate pressure with 4, the defense is extremely better.

  84. 84 Anders said at 1:52 AM on June 1st, 2017:

    He was the same before he became an HC.

  85. 85 CrackSammich said at 6:03 PM on May 31st, 2017:

    Osweiler completing the worst offseason ever with a possible knee injury today.

  86. 86 SteveH said at 8:41 PM on May 31st, 2017:

    Marcus Smith must not like money.

  87. 87 daveH said at 9:20 PM on May 31st, 2017:

    I’m missing something .. couldnt watch the video. .. haven’t seen any updates. .. did they cut him ?? That’s my immediate thought

  88. 88 Rellihcs said at 6:49 AM on June 1st, 2017:

    You missed nothing. It’s Marcus Smith missing something.

  89. 89 Dragon_Eagle said at 9:44 PM on May 31st, 2017:

    Or, knowing he’s going to be cut, isn’t stupid enough to participate in voluntary OTAs. Getting hurt practicing with a team that is going to cut him won’t help him get a chance elsewhere. Frankly, I think he may be making the right decision.

  90. 90 Media Mike said at 9:48 PM on May 31st, 2017:

    He’s 100% trying to compel a cut. I don’t blame him. I also won’t blame the front office for telling Smith to F off, report to the mandatory stuff, or start getting fined.

    He’s the team’s property and totally at their mercy until such time as they decide he’s not.

    But I don’t blame him for trying to engineer an exit prior to teams finalizing camp plans.

  91. 91 SteveH said at 10:15 PM on May 31st, 2017:

    I wonder what kind of contract he would get. Certainly no more than a 1 year deal at the minimum.

  92. 92 Media Mike said at 10:20 PM on May 31st, 2017:

    But his agent would get a cut of the signing bonus on that new deal, so…………….

  93. 93 SteveH said at 10:25 PM on May 31st, 2017:

    You know, if the Eagles are in need of DE depth I’m willing to sign for the veteran minimum and I can guarantee as much production as MSII. Just sayin.

  94. 94 Media Mike said at 10:26 PM on May 31st, 2017:

    Smith is in a really bad spot. He’s 100% a practice body destined for a cut because he’s the DE5.

  95. 95 SteveH said at 10:27 PM on May 31st, 2017:

    That’s what I’m saying, if the Eagles need an ineffective DE5 to eat up reps, I will gladly ineffectively rush the passer for 700,000 dollars.

  96. 96 A_T_G said at 11:02 PM on May 31st, 2017:

    Wouldn’t he be uncuttable if he got hurt, or require an injury settlement?

  97. 97 Tom33 said at 9:57 PM on May 31st, 2017:

    Well, this is encouraging coming from Fletch…

    “I like everything this organization is doing and I think this
    organization is moving forward. I love everybody (they acquired),
    especially Derek Barnett. I just go out and watch the kid. I have been
    here the whole offseason, and this kid has a lot of energy and he’s
    going to be a big help for us.”

    http://www.csnphilly.com/philadelphia-eagles/fletcher-cox-hopes-weight-loss-helps-him-become-more-productive

  98. 98 Media Mike said at 10:00 PM on May 31st, 2017:

    That’s much better than Steeler WRs trying to tell each other they’re getting cut over drafting JuJu Smith Fraudster.

  99. 99 bushisamoron said at 10:36 PM on May 31st, 2017:

    Smith is good as gone. What a waste

  100. 100 Media Mike said at 5:26 AM on June 1st, 2017:

    Agreed. He’s the poster child for why you don’t reach in drafts.

  101. 101 A_T_G said at 7:25 AM on June 1st, 2017:

    I don’t know if that is really the moral here. Had we traded back for an extra 4th rounder who likely also would no longer be on the team, I don’t think we would feel much different about MSII.

    Of course, had we traded back and Dallas snatched him from under our noses as was rumored, he would be one of our favorite picks from that draft, so maybe you are right.

  102. 102 ColorSgt said at 7:36 AM on June 1st, 2017:

    Yeah. It really comes down to being prepared for anything in the draft. I blame chip for it, and I don’t think he and Howie were on the same page at all. Didn’t we find out later that they only had a handful of guys ready to take in the first round? And magically they were all taken before the Eagles pick.

  103. 103 Crus57 said at 8:03 AM on June 1st, 2017:

    Is the poster big enough to fit Danny Watkins too?

  104. 104 eagleyankfan said at 8:09 AM on June 1st, 2017:

    It’s funny – it doesn’t how bad a pick is and I’ll never think it was worse than taking Kolb. I think it was the arrogance of Andy Reid, smirking like he just made a move for a superstar that nobody else knew about…

  105. 105 Crus57 said at 8:17 AM on June 1st, 2017:

    I think partly that, and partly that it came after we traded back, out of the 1st round. We waited and waited and then.. Kevin Kolb. It was like a surprise birthday present that turned out to be a treadmill.

  106. 106 Tumtum said at 11:35 AM on June 1st, 2017:

    Considering what Kolb was traded for, that was a terrific pick.

  107. 107 A_T_G said at 10:49 AM on June 1st, 2017:

    Chase, Steven, who’s next? Jack?

    https://twitter.com/LesBowen/status/870276031239917568