More on Malik, RB and A Wrong to be Righted

Posted: March 13th, 2019 | Author: | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 2 Comments »

The Eagles moves became officially official on Wednesday.

Let’s talk more about Malik Jackson.

The Eagles added a disruptive interior force in Jackson. He can explode off the ball and get into the backfield. Jackson also has outstanding lateral quickness, allowing him to get around blockers and into gaps. He knows how to use his hands to beat blocks. All DL get blocked. The really good ones don’t stay blocked.

Fran Duffy put together some great examples of Jackson’s ability.

Jackson has averaged six sacks and nine TFLs over the past three seasons (his time in JAX). Not only is he disruptive, but Jackson knows how to finish plays. Some DTs can get into the backfield, but struggle to finish.

Jim Schwartz’s scheme is built on negative plays. He doesn’t focus on confusing offenses so much as getting them in predictable situations and then attacking the QB. Jackson’s ability to come up with TFLs and sacks makes him an ideal fit for the Eagles defense.

The only issue I had when watching tape of Jackson was how he was used. I studied multiple games from the 2018 season and he played the 3-technique on every single play. Most DTs move from NT to 3-tech, depending on the situation and who they’re on the field with. Jackson was always the 3-tech.

Fletcher Cox plays the 3-tech a lot for the Eagles. He’s obviously able to play the NT as well, but he’s easier to double-team at that spot. In his press conference today, Jackson said he was willing to play anywhere the Eagles asked him. He will need to move between NT and 3-tech so the Eagles can keep offense off-balance. That will make it more challenging for OL to block him and Cox.

Jackson said he was benched at midseason last year because the coaches didn’t like his run defense. The Jaguars gave up 109 or more rushing yards in 10 games last year. Clearly Jackson wasn’t solely to blame for that, but the coaches obviously wanted to try something else. Jackson isn’t a guy who is going to eat up blocks. He is at his best attacking up the field. The Jags went 5-11 last year. That meant the opponent played with the lead more often and could run the ball. Jackson isn’t a guy you want on the field for a ton of run plays.

I do think the Eagles should still spend a high pick on a DT. If anything happened to Cox, Jackson would be reliable as a pass rusher, but he would need a good run defender to play beside him.

Playing alongside Cox should help Jackson and vice-versa. Both guys are athletic enough to beat single-blocks and blow up plays. One of the other benefits here is that the Eagles can rest Cox more. Put him on the bench in some pass rush sets and let Jackson and Brandon Graham be the DTs. Tim Jernigan wasn’t a guy you wanted on the field in the nickel or dime. Jackson is.

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DeSean Jackson will meet the media on Thursday morning. I’m sure that will be an interesting press conference.

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Agholor is sticking around. For now.

If feels like the Eagles are feeding this to Schefter so he’ll let it out there that the team likes Agholor. If some other team is interested in a trade, they’ll have to pay a reasonable price. The minute you let other teams know a player is available, their value drops. You have to make it seem like the player is safe as is.

It is also possible the Eagles genuinely want Agholor for this year. He is good in the slot and gives them insurance on the outside. They are paying a lot to someone who will be behind Jeffery, DeSean, Ertz and maybe Goedert as a passing target. We’ll have to wait and see how this plays out.

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We don’t know what the Eagles plan at RB is, but we know one move that won’t be made.

What the Funyuns???

That’s cheap. And the Eagles didn’t match or beat that deal? I was shocked.

Some people are really upset by this. Okay, I get that to a certain extent. But let’s wait and see what does happen.

Howie Roseman has a plan at RB. We don’t know what it is yet, but free agency isn’t even 24 hours old right now. There are plenty of players left to sign. There are guys to be traded for. And we still have the draft.

I expect the Eagles to add one pro RB and one in the draft. Maybe they add a couple of lower level free agents and a draft pick. We have to wait and see what happens.

It is way early in the process. Be patient.

The Eagles know they need to add serious talent at RB. For whatever reason, they didn’t feel Tevin Coleman was the answer, reasonable price or not.

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Potential good news on the comp pick front.

The Eagles do have interest in keeping Darby. They’re talking to him. I think the price is going to be the big issue. If some other team is willing to overpay, Darby is gone. If the market is softer than he expects, maybe the Eagles work something out.

KC is talking to other CBs so this isn’t a done deal.

As to Ajayi, he would be reunited with Frank Reich in Indy so that makes sense.

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My all time favorite draft prospect.

I would love to see the Eagles bring him to Philly to be part of the safety group. Berry has only played in three games over the past two seasons so he can’t be counted on as a starter, but I would absolutely roll the dice on him as the #3 safety.

Here is something I posted on the EMB in the spring of 2009, heading into Berry’s final college season.

For those of you not aware, the greatest human on the planet happens to be a Junior Safety named Eric Berry.  He plays for the Tennessee Vols.  He will be eligible for the 2010 draft and it is my moral imperative to make sure he’s drafted by the Eagles.

To ensure this happens, I’ve kidnapped one million people and put them inside an active volcano in rural Delaware.  When Berry is selected next April, those people will go free.

I’m sad to report those people are still waiting to be release.

I’m happy to report that Howie Roseman can free them if he does the right thing.

Tick tock, Howie…

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2 Comments on “More on Malik, RB and A Wrong to be Righted”

  1. 1 Eagles News: Jalen Mills says Philadelphia is going to be “the No. 1 defense in the league” – Bleeding Green Nation | Everyday News Update said at 9:50 AM on March 14th, 2019:

    […] More on Malik, RB and A Wrong to be Righted – Iggles BlitzHowie Roseman has a plan at RB. We don’t know what it is yet, but free agency isn’t even 24 hours old right now. There are plenty of players left to sign. There are guys to be traded for. And we still have the draft. I expect the Eagles to add one pro RB and one in the draft. Maybe they add a couple of lower level free agents and a draft pick. We have to wait and see what happens. It is way early in the process. Be patient. The Eagles know they need to add serious talent at RB. For whatever reason, they didn’t feel Tevin Coleman was the answer, reasonable price or not. […]

  2. 2 Philadelphia Eagles news: DeSean Jackson, Malik Jackson additions highlight opening of free agency – SportsNewsNow said at 5:42 AM on March 15th, 2019:

    […] More on Malik, RB and A Wrong to be Righted: Lawlor [Iggles Blitz] […]