Eagles Add Another DB

I got an alert on my phone today. It said “Eagles add free agent” and cut off right after that. I wondered if they finally decided to go for a WR. Or maybe they added another LB. Who would it be?

I did not expect this.

The Eagles and CB Nickell Robey-Coleman agreed to terms on a 1-year deal, per Josina Anderson. Best known for his no-call PI in the ‘19 NFC Championship game, he'll compete for the slot corner role. Philly with 3 new secondary pieces in Darius Slay, Robey-Coleman and Will Parks.

— Tim McManus (@Tim_McManus) March 25, 2020

Interesting.

Robey-Coleman is a terrific slot corner. I’ve been a fan of his for years. From that perspective, this is a smart addition, especially since the Eagles got him cheap.

Nickell Robey-Coleman slot yards allowed per coverage snap, per PFF (50% min)…

'17: 0.96 (t-7th)
'18: 0.68 (1st)
'19: 0.63 (3rd)

QB Rating Allowed:

'17: 90.5 (12th)
'18: 81.1 (4th)
'19: 80.1 (4th)

— Michael Kist (@MichaelKistNFL) March 25, 2020

Robey-Coleman played for the Bills in 2014, when Jim Schwartz was the defensive coordinator. Robey-Coleman will know the scheme and have an idea of what’s expected of him.

He is absolutely the kind of DB Schwartz loves. Robey-Coleman is undersized, aggressive and plays with attitude.

#Eagles new nickel CB Nickell Robey-Coleman:

– Instinctive
– Twitchy
– MORE DREADS IN THE SECONDARY pic.twitter.com/i6RZH6m7z1

— Tyler Steege (@TSteegeNFL) March 25, 2020

Here is what we’re looking at for the Eagles secondary.

CB Darius Slay
CB Avonte Maddox
NB Nickell Robey-Coleman

SS Jalen Mills
FS Rodney McLeod
NS Will Parks

You have Cre’Von LeBlanc and Sidney Jones as the backup corners. Marcus Epps and Rudy Ford are the backup safeties.

The Eagles now have a #1 CB in Slay and a proven NB in Robey-Coleman. Maddox is the mystery man. Can he get the job done as a full-time starter on the outside? The Eagles are betting that he can.

My only complaint is that I want LeBlanc on the field. I hoped the team was going to have him as the NB. The Eagles seem reluctant to rely on someone who played in four games last year. I do understand that side of things.

LeBlanc seems to have the right attitude.

The CREAM always rise to the TOP

— Cre'Von LeBlanc (@Strap_Ent) March 25, 2020

LeBlanc isn’t going to give up the NB role without a fight. That is exactly the attitude you want.

I think competition should be a major theme for the secondary. Let them all battle for jobs.

*****

Still no update on Rasul Douglas being traded. There are some rumors out there, but nothing from a credible source that I know of.

You can bet Howie is working the phones and trying to pull something off.

*****

Jalen Mills says he will take over the Malcolm Jenkins role.

I was hoping McLeod would spend more time in the box.

*****

It will be interesting to see if this can make a difference.

I'm told #Eagles cornerback Sidney Jones is working with notable DB developer and trainer Ronnie Braxton in Texas this offseason. Braxton has worked with Aqib Talib, Chris Harris, AJ Bouye, Bradley Roby, new #Eagles DB Will Parks and many more through the years.

— Mike Kaye (@mike_e_kaye) March 23, 2020

Jones has legit talent. He’s got to be more confident and aggressive. If this trainer can get Jones into the right mindset, that would be huge. Jones will have a chance to compete for the #2 job, but he would have to earn it.

*****

From the #Eagles perspective Slays's deal is really a 4 year deal worth a bit over $15M a year with most of it backloaded. Its a pretty good contract for Philly all things considered.

— Jason_OTC (@Jason_OTC) March 25, 2020

If there was any concern about the Eagles overpaying Slay, that’s not the case. The deal is pretty team friendly.

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