Coming Together

Nothing brings people together like a common enemy. Orlando Scandrick became that enemy on Friday.

He went on a TV show and aired his thoughts on the Eagles.

"It felt really really 'scapegoat-ish.' The problem in Philadelphia is much much deeper than me. I still feel like they're living on that Super Bowl high. It's over." — @OScandrick on Eagles releasing him pic.twitter.com/ngJaYD2wVf

— UNDISPUTED (@undisputed) October 25, 2019

Not a smart move. No team will touch him after this. Scandrick struggled on Sunday night and deserved to be cut. He then goes on national TV and airs dirty laundry? Over the hill guys can’t get away with stuff like that. Teams will take chances on elite talent. Guys like Scandrick better have zero baggage if they want a job.

This is completely sour grapes. Just look what he was saying a few days ago.

Here are some quotes from Orlando Scandrick immediately after the Dallas loss. Much higher on the locker room makeup then. pic.twitter.com/40Q3Dk0QAi

— Tim McManus (@Tim_McManus) October 25, 2019

12 days ago, it was all "That's why you're the captain, bro," per Scandrick. A month ago, Howie Roseman was "very, very, very honest." Five days ago, the Eagles had "a great head coach" and "great leadership."

Orlando Scandrick is a bitter, angry, dishonest clown. https://t.co/XTJt42rJ7V

— Jimmy Kempski (@JimmyKempski) October 25, 2019

Crazy.

Rather than creating controversy, Scandrick seems to have fired up Malcolm Jenkins.

Malcolm Jenkins on Orlando Scandrick’s comments: “I could give two shits about people who aren’t here.” #Eagles

— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) October 25, 2019

Malcolm Jenkins on the Orlando Scandrick comments: #Eagles pic.twitter.com/6ZDrOHhqOA

— Eliot Shorr-Parks (@EliotShorrParks) October 25, 2019

And here is the Eagles response.

pic.twitter.com/3Z2QraQb7h

— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) October 25, 2019

Outstanding.

This could end up being a favor to the Eagles. It won’t make the Eagles any smarter or stronger or faster, but little things like this can be good motivational tools. This could be good for bonding in the locker room. You know teammates love Jenkins. If someone comes after him, the other guys will have his back.

Winning in Buffalo will take more than just a motivational tool.

Buffalo has built a solid roster and winning team. Yes, they have played a soft schedule, but this team is on the rise. They have legit talent, especially on defense. They are 3rd in yards and points allowed. Soft schedule or not, that is impressive in late October.

The Bills have a good front. Rookie Ed Oliver is a special talent. DT Jordan Phillips is having a breakout year. Edge rushers Jerry Hughes and Lorenzo Alexander are old, but still disruptive.

LB Tremaine Edmunds is a terrific athlete and makes plays all over the field.

The secondary is outstanding. Former Eagle Jordan Poyer leads the team in tackles. Micah Hyde is the other safety and is more of a playmaker. CB TreDavious White looks like a Pro Bowl player. He can do it all.

Buffalo’s offense is a different story. QB Josh Allen is in his second year. He has tremendous talent, but is a highly inconsistent player. There are times when Allen looks like a future star. There are other times when he looks terrible. He’s already thrown 7 INTs this year so DBs will have chances.

Allen can make incredible throws. He has a huge arm and isn’t afraid to take chances. He’s also a good athlete and dangerous runner. He’s on pace to run for more than 500 yards this year.

Frank Gore (remember when he was an Eagle for 20 hours?) is the workhorse runner. He’s ancient, but is still productive. Rookie Devin Singletary is his backup.

Buffalo does not have a strong set of pass catchers. WR John Brown is the best of the bunch and does have top speed. Cole Beasley is the slot guy. You’ll remember him from his years in Dallas. TE Dawson Knox is an emerging star. He averaged 15 yards per catch. Really good athlete.

The OL lacks stars and isn’t great at pass protection, but they are tough and get the job done.

That OL will be facing a rebuilt set of Eagles DTs.

Source: #Eagles plan to elevate DT Bruce Hector from the practice squad to the 53-man roster ahead of Week 8 matchup vs. Bills.

Here's more on the move, including his role:https://t.co/QS6XirWRWW

— Mike Kaye (@mike_e_kaye) October 25, 2019

So you’ll have Fletcher Cox and…Anthony Rush, Albert Huggins and Bruce Hector. Those are not household names. We’ll have to wait and see if they can get the job done. I do love the fact they are going to be young, hungry, fired up players. There is value in that.

Expect to see a lot of Brandon Graham and Vinny Curry inside on passing downs.

The performance of the young guys will be interesting to watch. If they struggle, that may force Howie Roseman to make a deal before Tuesday’s deadline. If the young guys play well, the Eagles can look for bargains. There won’t be as much pressure. Plus, Tim Jernigan will be returning in a few weeks.

This game is going to be important for a lot of reasons. I can’t wait to see how things play out.

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