Visiting Day

Posted: May 8th, 2018 | Author: | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 1 Comment »

The Eagles have a camp coming up this weekend. That means this would be a good time to kick the tires on some veteran players to see if anyone is worth bringing in for depth or competition. The Eagles did just that on Tuesday, but bringing in some free agents for a look.

These are the two names we know about. We’ll have to wait and see if any other names are made public.

Upshaw has played OLB, DE and DT in his time in the NFL. The last couple of years he was an effective rotational DT for the Falcons. The Eagles will probably add a veteran to provide depth with Tim Jernigan out for the next four to six months.

Joe Douglas was with the Ravens when they drafted Upshaw in the 2nd round of the 2012 draft. In fact, Douglas was the Southeast area scout so Upshaw (Alabama) would have been one of his kids to scout for an extended period.

Upshaw has started 56 games in his career. He just isn’t a great fit for a specific position. Upshaw is 6-2, 272. He’s strong, tough and physical. He’s nothing special athletically.

Upshaw makes sense for the Eagles. He can play DE or DT. The team believes in a heavy rotation, which is critical for him. A guy his size isn’t going to thrive at DT for 50 snaps. If you play him 20 or so, he can be at his best.

We’ll have to wait and see if he is the DT they add or if they go in another direction.

As for West, the Eagles see a player with starting experience who is a good fit for the offense. If the price is right, why not take a look?

https://twitter.com/2tallmall/status/992921375005331456

As I watched that clip, it occurred to me that he looked like a bigger, stronger version of Wendell Smallwood. West is probably about 230 pounds. He is a N-S runner. He’s not going to make any dynamic cuts, but he will run behind his pads and make it tough for defenders to tackle him.

The Eagles have a strong set of runners with Jay Ajayi, Darren Sproles and Corey Clement. Things are wide open after that, with Smallwood, Donnel Pumphrey and UDFA Josh Adams fighting for roster spots. West would battle with those guys for one or two spots. He has the most experience and probably the most talent of the group.

West is another former Raven. He was drafted in the 3rd round back in 2014. Douglas was still with the Ravens then so this is another player he’s familiar with.

We don’t know if the Eagles will sign either guy (or anyone else). If they do make a move, it probably won’t amount to much, but you do have to remember that Patrick Robinson came to the Eagles as a “nothing move” last year and that worked out pretty darn well for both sides.

*****

Can’t wait to read this.

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One Comment on “Visiting Day”

  1. 1 xiyue said at 10:55 PM on May 9th, 2018:

    一个博客能让人流连忘返，讲真，靠的是实力！