Movable Pieces
Posted: August 5th, 2017 | Author: Tommy Lawlor | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 146 Comments »The Eagles signed DB Corey Graham. That immediately led most of us to wonder where and how he would be used, as well as what that meant for the other DBs.
Doug Pederson said Graham would play Safety to begin with. Someone asked about CB. Pederson said that Graham hadn’t played there in a couple of years so he would stick to Safety for now. His position isn’t as important as the fact he can help the overall pass defense.
The Giants have a talented group of receivers and a pass-catching TE in Evan Engram. The Skins have good receivers and TE Jordan Reed. Dallas added slot receiver Ryan Switzer to their passing attack. The Falcons and Packers have dynamic passing attacks built on multiple weapons.
If you want to stop these teams, you need more than a couple of good CBs. You need a variety of pass defenders. One of the keys to the Eagles win over the Falcons was Malcolm Jenkins playing the slot against their big WRs and limiting their effectiveness. Jenkins needs to focus on Safety most of the time, but when the Eagles want to move him around, they need help.
Terrence Brooks has played well this summer and looks to be the #3 Safety, but the Eagles saw the chance to add someone with better cover skills. That was Graham.
Very nice by Corey Graham here on 3rd down to force the incompletion pic.twitter.com/r4AiBG9uRa
— YardsPerPass (@YardsPerPass) October 25, 2016
Corey Graham is PFF's 5th best safety overall with an 86.3 grade. 84.1 in coverage, 83 vs run, and 67.5 pass rush…#Billsfanatics #Cover1 pic.twitter.com/MyoZOTh89L
— Cover 1 (@Cover_1_) September 28, 2016
Same drive… Bus driver has already got the engine running. Corey Graham with just a fantastic INT. Reads the wheel & goes up and grabs it pic.twitter.com/s6GsDXfulx
— YardsPerPass (@YardsPerPass) September 27, 2016
You can see why the Eagles would like him in those clips. Graham is a smart, veteran player. He understands routes and coverages. Graham has the ability to break on the ball and make plays. He has 15 career INTs.
The Eagles still have issues at CB, but a good trio of Safeties can help them quite a bit. That gives Jim Schwartz a chance to come up with some creative ways to defend good passing attacks.
*****
Daniel Jeremiah talked about the Eagles in a recent podcast and Jimmy Bama has the details. This was probably the most fascinating part.
“Nelson Agholor has had a total rebirth,” he said. “He’s in the slot. He’s going to live in the slot. He’s going to be their slot receiver. I’ll be shocked if he’s not. I don’t know what that means for Jordan Matthews.
“Agholor is a lot more dynamic. Last year against the Seahawks he just turned Richard Sherman inside out, but he dropped the ball. Getting separation was not his issue last year. Just being able to finish, and he was doing a nice job, and it sounds like he’s really focused.
“To me, the interesting thing is when you have a guy like last year with Nelson Agholor, you’re trying to force him to be a No. 2 receiver. You really don’t even have a 1. Maybe he’s trying to be the lead guy. Now you come in and say, ‘Look, you’re No. 3.’ It just puts everyone in the right pecking order and releases some of that pressure on these guys.”
If the Eagles go with Jeffery and Smith on the outside and Agholor in the slot, that would be one talented trio of receivers. Smith has big time speed and is a playmaker. Jeffery isn’t a burner, but uses his size and skill to be a playmaker. Agholor has made a lot of plays this summer. He also had an impressive TD from the slot last season.
Wentz ➡➡➡Agholor @cj_wentz @nelsonagholor #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/UVus7RJfzv
— Philly Bleed Green (@phillybldgreen) July 22, 2017
Jordan Matthews is a good player, but isn’t as fast or athletic as the other guys. You can see where the Eagles would prefer that trio to be on the field, putting more stress on the defense.
What about Matthews?
I’m sure the Eagles would be interested in trading him, but they won’t give Matthews away for nothing. He is a free agent after this year, but he does have some value for this team. The Eagles want to be a playoff team this year. If anyone gets hurt, Matthews is a good insurance policy.
There is also the fact that Agholor still hasn’t played well in the regular season. If he should struggle once September gets here, Matthews would be a big help.
My guess is that Howie Roseman keeps talking to teams and if he gets the right offer, he would take the chance and deal Matthews. The Eagles want to win this year, but they have some young, talented receivers they would love to keep around for the future.
No matter how this shakes out, it is crazy that a year ago the Eagles were trading for DGB and claiming Bryce Treggs on waivers in hopes of finding any help. Now they are trying to figure out the best way to take advantage of their depth.
_
Whoa….pump dem brakes…Agholor getting more PT than Matthews…I’ll beleive it when I see it…until then…snagholor no more it is even if he is showing out in TC…
Let’s trade Ags for a 3rd and keep Mathews.
A 3rd? If he was playing well enough to be worth a 3rd, you wouldn’t want to trade him.
If he was playing well enough to be worth a 3rd, the team wouldn’t have signed Alshon and Torrey and spent 2 draft picks on WRs.
Exactly!
So, uh, why did you suggest it in the first place…?
It’s a spoof on the “Jordan Matthews for a 3rd” rumor started by the Baltimore reporters that some of us cling to in hopes that Howie will come up big.
https://media.giphy.com/media/ahqch5fZMA1Py/giphy.gif
Ahhh thanks.
So we can still trade Matthews for another 3rd right?
I might die and go immediately to heaven if I can have three 3rd rounders to play with on first pick next year without having to trade down for any!
It’ll help ease the pain of not having a 2nd round pick next year (for now).
Move down one, or possibly even only a half spot, and get that two back!
I fully expect us to trade Kelce and a resurgent Curry to the Patriots for one of their eventual 2nd round picks next year.
ha!
To go with our 3 4th rd picks. WOW!
I was floored when I read that. I’d love to know how much of this “info” was prompted by $ discussions with Matthews about a possible next deal.
I personally love having them compete against each other for playing time in the slot.
I think it’s a foregone conclusion that if Etz and Alshon stay healthy, there is no way you pay top dollar for the 3rd or 4th option in Wentz’s progression.
And once the Eagles add Barkley from Penn State at RB next year……………………
Yes!
I don’t want to finish with that poor of a record however.
Maybe Howie can think of something.
Kendricks to SF, Foles to MIA. Package the picks…done.
Guy looks like a 10 top pick unfortunately
Yeah, we won’t be anywhere near him. But I would like to see a long term starter at RB from next year’s draft who can bee over 1000 rushing w/ about 50 catches a year. I love when we have a top notch feature back like Ricky Watters or Shady McCoy.
Don’t lie to me!!
TLaw, you write: “If the Eagles go with Jeffery and Smith on the outside and Agholor in the slot, that would be one talented trio of receivers.” You forgot to include, “I hope,” “I wish,” “I dream,” or “Maybe.”
I agree that threesome has the potential to be strong, but there’s still a whole bunch that needs to be demonstrated. Both Jeffery and Smith need to prove they can stay healthy and Agholor needs to prove, well, that he can play professional football. There’s a ton of potential in the Eagles game. Potential for success or just plain suck.
There is no questioning the talent, its more of a question of production.
If Wentz develops and these guys produce, the passing game could be excellent. As for talent, I think Agholor still has a lot to prove.
Ags’ has gobs of talent. What he sorely lacks is confidence.
Agholor definitely hasn’t proven any “talent” for catching the ball or getting lined up correctly, at least not in the NFL. We’ll have to wait and see on this one.
And consistency. Just catching more consistently would help so much.
To bring our other discussion current, I actually stayed next door to a Canadian guy way up in Morgan, VT who was an Eagles fan. The guy’s dog was even named “Staley” in honor of Duce! I’ve never had any negative comments from Boston fans about any of my Philly gear in VT. In fact, the only time I had cross words with anybody traveling about Philly stuff with with a mouthy liquor store clerk in Jacksonville, FL. I’ve generally had fun conversations with Boston fans wherever I’ve been; which is probably made possible by a mutual loathing for all things NY!
Morgan is very close to Canada. If you get a chance, Montreal is probably only about 1.5 hours away. Most beautiful city in N.A. Feels more like Europe than the US.
As for sports, New Englanders are famous for being polite. Don’t be fooled. They are spoiled and smug from all the Super Bowl wins.
I travel on the NY Thruway. If I stop at a rest area (which are often excellent, by the way — including fresh fruit, produce and baked goods at outdoor farmers markets in the parking lots) if I see someone wearing Giants gear, I will offer, “Dallas sucks.” Never failed to get a positive response.
Yeah, we choked twice on doing the Montreal run. We stayed in Alburgh last year and that would have been even easier than Morgan. I just don’t seem to run out of things to do up here over a week.
I spend much of my time in the forests of the Green Mountains, so I understand. When you get tired of the restaurants and casinos in Alburgh and Morgan, though, try the rural experience of Montreal.
Most beautiful city? Feels like Europe?
*takes drag from cigarette*
Buddy, if you want to see the most beautiful city that feels like Europe in North America, you’ll go to Quebec City…
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/42c7b7e686f6855d6161f0266c3b7f741c73dd1c5a77580ca6ab82a6ace98f79.jpg
I’ve spent only one long weekend in Q City and you’re right, it’s gorgeous. The history and architecture can’t be beat.
*rolling the ashes from a Cuban cigar*
I retreat to an argument that Montreal is the most romantic city in N.A.
A little perusing any stat site will show there are plenty of former 1st round drafted WRs still in the league. Some of these have lived up to their billing, others have not but are still hanging on. Given that they were drafted in the first 32 players in the league, someone and probably most people considered them to be talented.
There’s always that conflation of pre-draft numbers and analysis with talent/potential. I say that both talent and potential is unknown until it has been actualized: until the player achieves his potential, it is not known. There are plenty of bad players who look like gods and for all we know, they are trying as hard as they can and doing everything right. They appear to have talent, but in the end, it is shown they did not.
The one real game play from Agholor that stands out to me is, I believe, against the Giants at the end of his rookie year. I think he may have been in the slot and catches a little bubble pass. He gets great burst and scampers 15-20 yards before taking a big pop from a Giants safety I believe.
If he can catch the ball with some space to work, he can be dynamic. I’m hoping he can show something this year. But I’m not crazy about cutting ties with Matthews until that happens.
It’s the 3rd play in this video. I remember thinking he was gonna score.
https://youtu.be/1CtIBiZ23fI
The talent was 100% there to justify where he was drafted; he just needs to pull his head out of his own rear end.
The play that I remember most is actually the one Jeremiah was referring to in the podcast – we have discussed it here before. He completely jukes out Sherman, cut across the field and gains something like 3 yards of separation on him in man coverage just using his stem and quickness to set up the route perfectly. Then the ball bounces off his chest, basically. So that was very bad. But I keep coming back to that play when we discuss him and I am saying that I think we should hold out hope. When you can do that, in the NFL, against a premium corner, you can be succesful. At the very least you have the ability and we know he has the “want to” and work ethic. If there was ever any meaning to the frase ‘the light might come on for him’ it’s for this kind of situation.
Every time I’m reminded Ryan Switzer is playing for Dallas it makes me sick. I really like the kid since he plays with so much heart. I was hoping the Eagles would get him in the later rounds. I hope he has a nice career, just hard to root for him in Dallas.
Really? I wasn’t overly high on him going into the draft. I see the “heart” part, but I don’t see the NFL football player type. I think we got the better UNC WR; by far.
He’s a better Cole Beasley and great return man. That’s his NFL type.
Really interesting article here;
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/eagles/nfl-viewership-philadelphia-eagles-delays-protests-national-anthem-20170803.html
To quote from it
“Here are the reasons Philadelphians cited for watching less football and attending fewer games:
38 percent – Game delays, including penalty flags
32 percent – National anthem protests
30 percent – Off-field image problems with domestic violence
28 percent – Excessive commercials and advertising
16 percent – Presidential election coverage
1 percent – Cord-cutting”
For my own 2 cents; my viewership of football wasn’t down last year, I still watched just as much with the exception not watching all of the Sunday, Monday, and Thursday night games all the way to the end due to too many of those games being bad matchups.
Because this survey seemed to allow people to choose more than one option, I’m curious how many people also selected “National Anthem Protests” just to complain about them even if they didn’t really stop watching. The overall level of viewership drop from 2015 to 2016 was cut in half from the time the election finished through the end of the season, so the statistician in me might think way too few folks were honest about being caught up in the election because almost all of them came back for the post election part of the season.
On a final note, if you really don’t want to watch NFL football because some guys are protesting before the actual games are being played……………we’re better off without you. If you want to complain about the protests, disagree with the protests, write hate mail to the protesting players, etc., feel free to do so because you also have that right in a free country.
As an Eagles fan, I never miss a game. As I have gotten older, I tend to golf on Sunday mornings and turn on the TiVo around 2:00 PM fast-forwarding through the commercials.
I don’t go to games anymore because I live 1 1/2 hours north and the expense and time involved doesn’t fit my lifestyle like it did in my 20s.
If I were not a huge football fan and more of a casual fan like I am with baseball, hockey, and basketball (this is mainly due to having satellite TV for the past 20 years and Comcast making it next to impossible to watch the other Philly teams), I would absolutely not watch the games due to the protests.
Players have hijacked the National Anthem for their own personal cause. I aboslutely understand racism and police brutality is real and must be addressed, but as the grandson of a soldier who was a prisoner of war in Germany during WWII, it makes me sick to my stomach seeing players sitting/kneeling during the anthem. My grandfather went through hell and back to fight for our freedom.
When Kaep came out pregame wearing socks that have pigs dressed in police uniforms, I think he sealed his fate.
As for the Eagles, I’ve lost all respect for Malcom Jenkins for shitting on the flag and our country and have no desire to see any interviews with him.
I know I’m pulling out just one item from your post, but I’m curious, how did your Grandfather reflect his experience? Many of those guys did go through hell. It’s a miracle many of them got back on their feet. Talk about human resilience.
The grandfather of a woman I know fought with the French Resistance. I held him as a hero and wanted to learn of his experience. He refused to talk about it. He was haunted in some way. The respectful thing was to honor his silence.
If I’m prying into private, family stuff, I fully apologize.
My father was born in the Spring of 1943 with my grandfather being drafted before my father turned 1. I know my grandmother struggled mightily with an infant son and no job at the time.
My grandfather refused to ever talk about the war to anyone until my sister (the oldest child in my family) was about 18 and she asked him to tell her about it. He told her he was knocked unconscious during an explosion and that when he woke up he was tied to a chair and a German soldier was screaming at him in German and then pistol-whipped him causing him to lose consciousnesses. My sister told our family he started to cry and stopped telling the story.
Fast-forward to about 20 years ago when my grandfather was at home on hospice with terminal cancer. My dad sat down with him and started a tape recorder and asked my grandfather to tell his story. Evidently is was very emotional.
To this day, the tape is in my father’s safe and nobody else in our family has listened to it and my father refused to talk about it.
My sisters and I agreed that when my father passes, we will sit down and listen to it together.
On a side note, my grandfather was a very gentle man who never let his emotions get the best of him, at least in my presence, and I considered myself close to him.
Wow. That’s a powerful story. Thanks.
I’m kind of at a loss for words. While we all suffer to some degree, what guys like your Grandfather went through puts my personal trials in perspective. I have met a number of vets from WW2, and they were frequently confused and troubled by the lack of patriotism and its symbols by people of our general age.
One of my friends was discussing flag burning with his veteran grandfather, and pointed out to the older man that the thing that was burnt was just a symbol. The grandfather replied something like, “I know, but it’s a symbol I almost gave my life for.” It’s such a difficult situation. I don’t have the answers.
On a personal note, it’s wonderful you and your grandfather were close. It’s a special bond, one that I also had with my grandfather. My son’s middle name is in his memory.
Thx. Patriotism is a delicate subject for me.
I’m glad you had a similar bond with your grandfather. Your son is lucky to have you for a father.
Your statement about my son is about the greatest thing I can hear. Thanks, Dave, means a lot.
All my best to you and your family.
Fly Eagles Fly, my brother.
My father was on Omaha Beach & then island hopping in the Pacific. Like your grandfather, my father never spoke about his experiences at all until his last years (he died at age 87) when that’s about all he wanted to tells us about. It was only then that we got a sense of the enormous impact the war had had on him. Sounds like a similar story to yours.
Unfortunately, there are very few remaining to tell their stories anymore. I’m glad you got to hear about his experiences.
“As for the Eagles, I’ve lost all respect for Malcom Jenkins for shitting on the flag and our country and have no desire to see any interviews with him.”
I think if you look rationally at what Jenkins has done and said, there’s no way you can say this.
I think Kaep is a polarizing figure, and he brought it on himself. In many ways, he did a good thing by raising an issue that needed raising (and the only way you think it’s not worth raising is if you disagree that there are cases, any cases at all, where innocent black citizens are being hurt or killed by overzealous policemen at a significantly higher rate than citizens of other races). I think the pig socks were the nail in the coffin. You can’t expect serious consideration when you’re making a hyperbolic statement like that. The message should be, “bad cops are doing bad things and we all need them to stop”. The message should not be (and simply isn’t true) “all cops are bad”. Kaep messed it up.
Jenkins, on the other hand, has walked the walk and not just talked the talk. He has engaged actively with local police. He’s gone on ridearounds with them. He treats them with respect, and knows that there is a way to deal with the problem that is constructive. He is doing good work in trying to address the distrust between both sides of this issue. He recognizes that there are people on both sides of it and he is trying to bridge them, to work with the community to address a wrong.
What I’m saying is, don’t lump the two together. Jenkins isn’t shitting on anything.
They are not the same, as you say. Jenkins is much more responsible and thoughtful in his positions/opinions. But he shouldn’t get a pass (pun intended) on his opinings just because he is a Pro football player. Others of good-will may have differing views!
I’m going to try and engage you honestly and without snark, because I think you are a person that is mature enough to handle such a conversation.
Does the American flag stand for it’s good deeds, or does it stand for all of things carried out in its name?
It’s an important question, because it depends on who you ask. The American flag means something entirely different for you and your grandfather, than say, anyone in any country the US has ever bombed.
So let’s go further. Does the US flag only stand for freedom and liberty, or does it not also stand for slavery and racism? Does it stand for only the Tuskegee Airmen, or does it not also stand for the Tuskegee experiments, where black citizens were unknowingly infected with syphilis? Does it only stand for pure, unequivocal voting rights for all, or does it also not stand for Jim Crow laws in the South (btw, the FIRST student integrated, Ruby Bridges, is only 63 years old). Well, I guess that depends on who you ask.
You relate to your grandfather because he’s close to you. I get that. It’s admirable. I in no way ever want me or anyone else to take that away from you. But in doing so, you should also know that others will relate to those closest to them. And if your grandfather was actively segregated against less than a generation ago, how do you think your view is going to be different?
The point that Kaep raised is valid, and the way that he did it got people talking about it for over a year now, so yes, it fucking worked. He’s an imperfect messenger, but he’s also just starting to become an adult. I’ve said far worse in my youth. All that is to say, I don’t think his protest was against your grandfather unless, and only unless, your grandfather was *for* continuing racist policies in this country, and arguing that he meant anything further is just misconstruing the point to not have to further think about it.
Can I just thank you for writing this post. It’s right on the money and someone ought to write it.
My question to you is should protesting the anthem for gay rights be OK? How about Muslim rights to prevent mosques from being bombed in the US? How about for discrimination against Latinos? How about protesting women’s rights? How about access to universal healthcare?
Surely you agree all these causes that are worthy too.
When does it stop?
Why wouldn’t any of those instances be okay? Fundamentally, all of those things are protected by the first amendment. Even assholes like Westboro Baptist get that right.
In practice though, each subsequent protest of the anthem will be less effective and be met with more eye rolls. The conservative media pretty handily dealt with this one by making him an anti American, so what do you think the next group will be met with?
Though if that was not a question in good faith, but am attempt to appeal to some bias you think the next reader will have against women, gays, Muslims, and Latinos, then I guess you missed the point. I’m against treating all of those groups poorly as well and in theory support any non violent protests in their favor. Though I reserve my right to roll my eyes at the stupid ones as well.
And don’t think I didn’t notice you not addressing anything I said.
I regret responding to the initial post because I did not want to get into a no-win confrontation on race. This will be my last post on this topic so please don’t expect me to reply.
With that being said, I assure you, my previous and current comments and answers on this topic are sincere and in no part are to be construed as snark or sarcasm.
To answer your main question, this not about the American flag but the National Anthem. If you are asking what the national anthem means to me, it is about patriotism to our country and paying respect to those who fought for, and currently put their life on the line, for our freedom.
We have a President and for the most part an entire political party that repeatedly discriminates based on race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, and social class. I vehemently oppose all he/they stand for and have had many arguments with friends and family since the presidential election. I am dumbfounded how I never knew all the bigotry that surrounds me. I have also found that most, if not all, the racists I’ve encountered are also xenophobic, homophobic, and misogynistic. Donald Trump has given them the courage to spew their bigotry openly no longer fearful of being “politically incorrect”.
I personally think the only way to end racism is for everyone to join together and fight all forms of discrimination, not prioritizing one group over another. Unfortunately, Kaep prioritizing racism against African Americans further divided us.
The American flag stands for the pure ideals of the rights to life, liberty, and property. It doesn’t stand for the mistakes of the past any more than, say, the cross stands for the evils that people did in Jesus’s name. Everyone knows (but maybe doesn’t say) that everyone and everything is flawed, but if you see this as an excuse to be cynical and take it as Homer Simpson’s lesson (“Never try”), then you will accomplish little in this life.
Good topic, Mike. I tried and failed to find a chart that showed NFL viewership over a period of more than a couple of years. So what if there was a blip last year? One data point tells nothing except that it has gone down. This may be a systemic change in the NFL’s popularity or a one-time dip caused by a perfect storm. Any discussion of the cause is mere speculation.
Recent events have shown that polls are not always accurate. For example, the “Shy Republican” effect in which John Kerry was expected to win the election because of post-voting polls and Bush ended up winning. And the “Shy Trump supporter effect,” which hypothesizes that Hilary’s advantage over Trump in the projections was in part due to the same idea, essentially that supporters of these people are afraid to publicly say it (and how cowardly that you can’t even tell an anonymous pollster who you support; or how paranoid if you think it’s going to cause blowback on you).
When Baltimore floated the test balloon about whether to bring in Kaepernick, I was surprised by how many “anti-” comments there were in a local (Baltimore) article. Whether you label such attitudes righteous patriotism or the basest racism, it is definitely there. The NFL does appear to skew conservative and Apple-Pie-and-Red-State. It fits.
If you can forgive some armchair sociologizing, do you really think the pro-Flag guys are the same people who care about domestic violence? Rather the opposite, I’d think.
But let’s put aside our differences and cut down on delay flags and advertising. Surely we can cross the aisle for that!
“But let’s put aside our differences and cut down on delay flags and advertising. Surely we can cross the aisle for that!”
Great closing statement. ChoTime for President (both popular vote and electoral college).
“righteous patriotism”…the very display of the latter is typically an assertion of the former. “Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel” — Samuel Johnson
It’s about time they just stop with the national anthem before games. It’s not the Cold War anymore. We know where we live.
A lot of us don’t.
Anyone remember “God Bless America” at the Flyers games?
Anyone else there when Kate Smith sang it in person? Don’t ask who is Kate Smith!
Did she sing at that great parade after the Flyers won the Cup? I have a foggy memory of that but it might be some imaginary event I concocted.
I don’t remember either. The image I retain from the parade is McLish being escorted out of the parade on Chestnut St into a building for a restroom break. McLish is between 2 horseback riding police officers to cut thru the enormous crowd. Too much LaBatts will do that to you.
Ha, I’m pretty cynical but even I won’t go that far. Symbols and traditions of national unity do serve a purpose.
FYI, we’re not the only nation to do this.
What exactly is cord-cutting?
Oh jesus christ you must be an old.
Cord cutting is a trend particularly popular amongst broke millenials. Rather than pay $200 a month for cable they simply use Netflix, Hulu and other streaming services. Often times they piggyback their subscriptions off a friend or relative. For non streaming options they find bootleg streams online or find a friend who has it.
Problem is that getting monthly residential broadband Internet is tough for less than $50/month when you add in taxes.
US is among the world’s worst performers when you chart average residental Internet speed and average monthly price.
Streaming services are still cheaper than adding cable TV to your internet. Everyone already needs internet, so decrying the cost of internet is a moot point.
Not here in NESCAC country. Cord cutting is what you do to get your firewood in for the Winter.
Thanks. To you I am old, but to me, I’m just about right. My only recognizable usage of cord-cutting was when parents leave their 21 year old’s stuff in boxes on the porch. I actually thought that in this case cord-cutting might be the fan as the parent, and the NFL as the 21 year-old. BTW, I am not a millennial, but I disowned cable, Direct TV, Dishnet and now I am on Netflix, Amazon Prime and an antenna in my attic. I refuse to pay for any form of television that has commercials.
Well then you my friend are a cord cutter. Enjoy your youthful behavior. 🙂
There seems to be a slight shift on ST’ers to those who can also contribute as a position player on offense or defense. In other words be more than just a ST specialist. In this vein, is Mangoes (spelling?) in trouble as he contributes little as the 4th S on defense. If anything, he is the exact opposite of flexibility.
Maragos signed a 3 year extension last November and carries a $2 M cap hit it cut this year. Next year is a different story.
I agree, but I also think Ray is right, there is a shift taking place.
When Doug came in and starting bringing in his guys there was plenty of room on the roster for ST elites that offer little elsewhere because the roster was poor and we were transitioning (hopefully, to not poor).
I think by design, though, as Doug compiles his guys and builds depth, those guys are going to have a harder and harder time finding a spot on the 53.
I am heartened to see we are still putting a premium on ST skills though, in guys with potential elsewhere instead of just building depth on offense and defense and making Fipp piece his squad together.
Mack Holins and Nate Gerry immediately come to mind.
Is there much difference in cap hit this year if he is traded? Not that there would be any high trade value in Maragos by himself, but might complement another move. Not every team is facing tough cut-down decisions to get to the 53 roster; many will have needs at multiple positions.
POST-6/1 TRADE
2017 Dead Cap: $250,000
2018 Dead Cap: $500,000
2017 Cap Savings: $1,250,000
http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/philadelphia-eagles/chris-maragos-8270/
Thanx for info. If I’m interpreting this correctly (and Corey Grabam’s salary is around the veteran minimum), then there would be no major impact on salary cap from trading Maragos this year, just a livable amount of dead money.
Correct…doubt they would trade him though.
McManus has a nice piece up this morning on Jordan Mathews…
http://www.espn.com/blog/philadelphia-eagles/post/_/id/21539/are-jordan-matthews-days-with-the-eagles-numbered
That’s a good read. Thanks. I’m not sure what to make of Matthew’s stats. It’s hard to fathom how a guy who seems so mediocre has suck stellar numbers.
He seems like a good guy and a good teammate. It’s easy to cheer for him and I hope he has success with the Eagles, or elsewhere.
Volume
Nailed.
To me Jordan Matthews is a Celek. They put team first, play very hard, never complain, play through injuries, maximize the talent they have even if it is limited and are positive leaders. To me, those players and people should be Eagles for their entire career since they are the examples I want representing my team and my city.
Agholor may be more talented, but he loses me with his $.10 head, lack of confidence and poor effort on the field. To me, he is an Eagle only if he performing at a very high level – otherwise I cut bait, trade him for what you can get and find the next Matthews or Celek to help us get over the top.
This is a results league, we need players who are going to sell out for excellence and not let anything stand in their way. Who want to win more than anything else and who can help build a culture that spreads that ethos throughout the roster. I’ve seen nothing that Agholor is one of those players.
Good stuff with the Celek/Mathews comparison.
The problem going forward lies in the contract and salary cap. Matthews is no higher than the #3 receiving option behind Alshon and Ertz.
At the end of the season, it is conceivable that he may have fewer targets than Torrey and Ags.
If Torrey Smith is getting $5M per year, how much is Matthews worth?
Only caveat is that you have made the conclusion that Agholor is a finished product. All indications and history at the position say otherwise.
Also Matthews is legitimately better than both Smith and Agholor, (unless Agholor is suddenly the guy we hoped he was when we drafted him) he’s just not as fast. I always get the feeling we are outsmarting ourselves when it comes to the topic of Matthews.
I get what you are saying, but Celek has been Mr Reliable. JMatt is the complete opposite.
He is exactly who he was as a rookie. He hasn’t improved at all. He is a guy who is solid in the slot, but slot only. He has inconsistent hands and that isn’t changing.
He also has a habit of his mistakes coming at the worst times or ending in horrible results. He has dropped numerous TDs and key 3rd down passes. He had 2 Sam Bradford passes hit him in the chest, pop up, and get intercepted. In a way he reminds me of the Tony Romo of WRs. In key moments I honestly hope they look elsewhere. Because of this I can’t wait to move on from him. I wish him the best, but would prefer he continue his caterer in another city.
Agholor has a lot to prove. If he steps up great. If not we can draft Another slot WR.
Hell no, Celek can catch!
Indeed. Celek may be plodding out there, but he still has great hands.
Celek-esque
https://twitter.com/i/web/status/795746102200991744
“Jordan Matthews is a good player, but isn’t as fast or athletic as the other guys.” Huh? Do some reasearch comparing Matthews combine compared to “the other guys” for your next article.
If that’s the case I never want to hear that Jalen Mills is too slow. He ran a good 40 at his pro day. The truth is 40 times transfer differently for each player. JM just isn’t explosive in pads. AJ is the only WR that will make the roster that isn’t all that fast. However he is super physical and has an amazing catch radius. Matthews has the worst hands on the team besides Gibson.
Except JM came in the league after being the most prolific WR in SEC history. I don’t think Jalen Mills has the same resume.
Tim Tebow came into the league as one of the best college QBs in history. Wentz played at NDSU. Which would you rather have?
Mills would have been a 2nd day pick had it not been for a domestic issue that was unresolved. Additionally JMatt was in the same situation in college. The best WR on a vey bad offensive team. He was force fed because of lack of options.
Matthews isn’t bad, but he is unreliable, doesn’t play to his athletic testing, and is not worth the investment needed to keep him an eagle.
You are building a straw man, my friend.
Uh, don’t read Kempski’s piece on what Jeremiah had to say about his visit to Birds training camp if you want to keep your expectations for this year in check:
http://www.phillyvoice.com/jeremiah-nelson-agholor-going-be-eagles-slot-receiver/
Sizzle!
Philly sports media smh. Let’s not compare Matthews production as a slot WR either to “the other guys” but just for fun because this quote is killing me inside.
“Jordan Matthews is a good player, but isn’t as fast or athletic as the other guys.”
Torrey Smith -https://www.mockdraftable.com/player/torrey-smith
Alshon Jeffrey -https://www.mockdraftable.com/player/alshon-jeffery
Nelson Agholor -https://www.mockdraftable.com/player/nelson-agholor
The not as fast/athletic Jordan Matthews but taller/stronger/bigger -https://www.mockdraftable.com/player/jordan-matthews
Yea, Matthews and Jeffrey are darn near twins. Jeffrey had a pro day with hand times. Matthews was at the combine with electric timers. Stop with this misinformed nonsense.
Matthews in no way plays as big as he is. Its really easy to forget hes 6’3″ and runs a 4.46 because he doesn’t play like it
What are you talking about? Combine > football, always.
Right, so let’s all hop on the Agholor train. If not for draft status he wouldn’t have been on the team. Doug had to give him time off for crying out loud.
Im about to make you Unhappy
Not possible from the internet
So zero middle ground? Ignore the recent and current, focus 100% on years past?
I trust past production over practice reports where every player is a pro-bowler
I agree with you that it is tough to trust Agholor at this point, and that Matthew’s production is discounted because people anticipate his exit after the season. If the management is willing to depend on Agholor, there must have been some incredibly bad and incredibly well hidden coaching issues last year.
I’d also like to point out that, despite being nearly as rare online in sports as it is in politics, nuance is welcome here. Readers and commentors will take time to read and discuss. You can go beyond great vs terrible, obvious vs. stupid.
Hmm let’s think.. Idiot Chip Kelly decided he should play a position which is tailored for players under 6′ and agile and not one that takes advantage of the fact that he is fast and tall. Now everyone buys the narrative “he doesn’t play like it.” It’s not his job to!
He’ s been outside before. He isnt good enough to play there. It doesn’t matter how many exclamation marks you use.
Everybody likes the guy as a person. But Matthews is somewhat limited as a WR.
I show below the 5 athletic indicators they both have in common. You will notice that Alshon beats Matthews is all of them except the 40. He is both more explosive and agile, and also…
…
… can catch.
3 Cone Drill: -40%
Broad Jump: -12%
20 Yard Shuttle: -6%
Vertical Jump: -15%
40: +6%
They are both big guys, but Alshon has the advantages in the traits that matter for a wide receiver. All WRs in the NFL are athletic.
Let me clarify. They are nearly the same physically: size, height, length, hand size ect.. and are strong(bench reps) with 4.4 speed. I’m disputing that Matthews is said to not be in the same class.A sub 7 3-cone is great for Matthews size, which allows him to produce so well from the slot.
Here’s the kicker. Since Matthews has been in the league, is production is right up there with Alshon! That’s what really matters.
Since Matthews has been in the league
Rec Yards YPC TD
Alshon Jeffery 191 2761 14.5 16
Jordan Matthews 225 2673 11.9 19
AJ put up the same numbers in 9 less games! There is a big difference between their yards per catch numbers too that indicates that they are on different production levels.
Clearly, I can either point to the per/game numbers telling the same story or suspensions and injuries. You pick
But, this is really about defending Matthews against the best WR in the league, Nelson Agholor.
I think if you are going to talk about a player’s production its got to be based on playing time… As in per game or per snap. Overall evaluation of a player can take into account injuries and suspensions. I’m more concerned about AJ getting another suspension than I am with him getting injured. A 10 game suspension would be tough. Keep AJ away from LJ and keep LJ away from GNC.
The 2.5 per reception shows that AJ is more explosive than JMatt. Force feeding a guy that has been the #1 option for the league’s worst WR group over the last 2 years doesn’t excite me. He’s a #3 option at best. You can’t pay everyone. Especially ones that are as inconsistent from ply to play as JMatt
Alshon and his 2 whole TDs last year is so much more impressive. He hasn’t excelled as a #1 option anymore than Matthews has. He was a lot better beating up on #2 CB opposite B. Marshall.
As far as the pro-day deal, I can only comment on the information we have.
JM rated less athletic and a tiny bit faster than AJ. JM rated _slower_ than the other receivers. He is also less athletic than Smith according to most of the other indicators. Thus, the statement, JM “isn’t as fast or athletic as the other guys” holds! I don’t think fixating on this particular statement is helping your case.
I always look for efficiency stats before volume stats. It was the basis of my dislike of Sam Bradford as well.
And I am not sure what the point is of bringing the NE slot receivers into this… those guys are famous because Tom Brady is throwing to them. I see no reason to suspect they would be particularly effective or known anywhere else. They are #3 WRs on a team with great TEs.
I have nothing against JM the person, he seems like a great guy. He’s just been miscast as a #1 receiver here. I do have my doubts as to whether someone with his hands can ever be a dependable option on a contender, but time will tell.
Okay, but the quote you were attacking did not say AJ was bigger. It only said he wasn’t as athletic. They are the same size, but AJ is more athletic.
Secondly, as far as production, they put up similar volume, but AJ is far more valuable. Look at his yards per catch: 15.8 vs JM’s pathetic 10.9. That’s an awful number a WR–88th in the league last year.
JM did have a higher catch% (because they were dinks), but his yards/attempt is far lower.
Even below average receivers can put up numbers if they are the only option on a bad team. Below average QBs can put up numbers if they have to throw a lot and there’s no other choice. JM has good yardage totals because there was no one else–he was the best option by far in a terrible, awful, league-worst WR corps. Basically he is kind of like the Sam Bradford of WRs. Puts up some numbers by accumulating a lot of short passes, which doesn’t add up to winning football unless, well, you’re actually good at it (see: Joe Montana and Jerry Rice).
Players like JM can sink you, because their volume might fool you into thinking they are worth something. But like a chucker in basketball who needs 40 shots to get his 20 points every game, he isn’t helping the team win. They’re hollow stats.
I am not saying he is a terrible player, just generally overrated. Perhaps if the light bulb goes on for Wentz and this offense catches fire, he can be an effective player in a reduced role. I would think so–a few more yards of space would probably help a lot.
Again it’s a Pro Day to a combine. Are you agreeing that JM isn’t “as fast or as athletic as the others” considering his times? If so, agree to disagree.
“Look at his yards per catch: 15.8 vs JM’s pathetic 10.9. That’s an awful number a WR–88th in the league last year.”
This is what happens when you fish for reasons to be right. I’ll dispute the misinformation and not your opinion. JM spent most of his time in the slot. I took the first two great slot receivers I could think of and decided to look up their y/r.
Wes Welker in NE – 11.2
Julian Edelman career – 10.7
Real pathetic. His job has been to play smart and get open in the middle of the field, something most receivers are afraid to do or just aren’t savvy enough to do so. Consider the fact he’s doing so misplaced at 6’3! and not 5’10 where he can duck away from concussions a bit easier.
I couldn’t also point to JM v AJ catch rate over the same span.
No drugs like AJ, no mental problems like NA, won’t get a fat check and mail it in like TS in SF, or be caught with guns like Huff(lol).. He’s a leader and true pro. I also don’t think hes overrated either, just look at the venom spew in the comments. You would think I was defending Nelson Agholor.
Is Jeffery dependent on high volume linear routes?
They are wildly different receivers.
3 position coaches and 2 regimes have all decided the best way to use Jordan is as a quasi flex-TE.
90% of Jordans production is on crossers and daggers.
Jordan is more similar to Evan Engram than Alshon Jeffery.
“3 position coaches and 2 regimes have all decided the best way to use Jordan is as a quasi flex-TE.”
My guess is they will all be fired.
“90% of Jordans production is on crossers and vertical routes where the safety get manipulated by something else in the route combination.”
You can prove this how?
Do you ever read D3’s stuff on other sites and/or Twitter? I think he’ll back that up with ease.
No, butI’d like to know, that’s why I asked. Even if it is so, it’s not an indictment. It just proves that they have had different job as I’ve tried to state as well.
Quasi Flex TE… that is actually a really good description of Matthews and his usage as an Eagle.
In other news, Seattle is using Smith at LB. Interesting considering our LB situation.
https://sports.yahoo.com/marcus-smith-working-linebackers-seahawks-202137485.html
He’s being used as an on the ball SAM. It’s more EDGE than LB. They use their SAM similar to how we used Barwin in the 34. Mostly as a rusher but with some dropping involved as well. It’s not really a surprise. One of the pros with Marcus coming out was his athletic ability to fluidly drop in coverage. There’s just not a ton going on between the ears or the intense work ethic to make it in the NFL.
You mean that 4-3 under that Chip / Billy didn’t want to try?
We did that here in his first year, I believe, after Hicks got injured.
Agholor getting reps with the No 1 offensive unit in the slot?
Understand why the Eagles would want this to happen but it seems fairly ridiculous based on just 2 weeks in camp and not even any organized scrimmages/preseason games.
They are just practice reps. They mix in Hollins and Johnson too with the first team. They need to see how different groups of players look together
I ragged on the Eagles’ marketing dept. for pushing the 23k for the first open practice today they supposedly had over 60k.
Even if that is a bit inflated, it is a huge crowd. Eagles’ fans are jonesing in a bad way for an interesting team.
Part of what held the crowd down at the first one, I would guess, was the last minute date swap.
After speaking with Broncos personnel, Yahoo’s Charles Robinson reports Paxton Lynch is being outplayed by Trevor Siemian at training camp.
Citing observers of the Broncos’ practice tape, Robinson reports “Lynch has lost every single practice session to Siemian.” Siemian remains a capped-ceiling commodity, but Lynch simply hasn’t taken the step forward the Broncos had hoped. Robinson does acknowledge the competition remains “unsettled,” and there’s a chance things click for Lynch in preseason games. Still, at this point in time Siemian is the favorite to start in Week 1.
Jordan Matthews is a tough case, but I think some people are being a bit unfair in their treatment of him. When Ertz was the topic of debate not long ago, there were people citing the lack of continuity at QB as an excuse for his lack of production. I’ve yet to see anyone mention that at all when it comes to Jordan Matthews.
Obviously it would be great if Ags could fulfill his potential and make JM more expendable. But, we still need to see proof. I think some of us are getting way too ahead of ourselves with WR optimism. I’m not about to anoint Ags until I see it in the regular season.
Ertz is one of the better TEs in the league.
JM is one of the worst WRs in the league.*
They both had the same bad QBing.
I am not ready to say JM is expendable, either. But assuming we keep AJ, his leaving is a blow we can absorb. We would still be better than we were last year.
*#1 receivers
RIP Dutch.
Sucks. One of my favorites.