A Special Dude

Posted: September 5th, 2023 | Author: | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 1 Comment »

Jalen Carter was a dynamic force for Georgia the past two seasons. He was going to be the top pick in the draft. The Chicago Bears had the top slot and were in desperate need of a dynamic force up front in their defense.

Fast forward from January to September and Carter is an Eagle. Tim McManus wrote an excellent piece explaining how that happened. We know a lot of the details already, but McManus mixed in some new nuggets. Make sure you read his piece.

The key to all of this is that Carter is a special player.

“He’s very physical,” cornerback Darius Slay said on his podcast. “Quicker than what you think and stronger than he looks. He’s pushing folks back.” Lane Johnson, one of the best tackles in the game, said: “This guy is ready to play right now and ready to take control of a game right now. He’s a game-changer.”

The Eagles have had a lot of good DL in the past 35 years. Only a few of them could truly be classified as special.

  • Reggie White
  • Jerome Brown
  • Fletcher Cox

All were high picks. All had a rare combination of strength, quickness and agility.

Carter has the potential to join that group.

Don’t expect Carter to be a dominant player this season. Aaron Donald had a terrific rookie season, but he’s the anomaly. Most rookie DTs are up and down. OL play takes a huge jump from college to the NFL. It can take DTs a year or two to adjust to that and be consistently disruptive.

As talented as Brown was, it took him a couple of years to become the special player we remember.

You just don’t see DTs with that combination of explosion and agility. JB was something else.

Carter got everyone’s attention in the preseason.

https://twitter.com/RunHurts/status/1698007003191205995

Carter then had some impressive moments in the joint practices with the Browns and Colts. Those of us not in attendance weren’t able to see him in action so we can’t wait to see him in the season opener. I’m torn on what to expect. The rational part of me says to keep expectations down. The delusional nut job that occupies a lot of my brain expects to see a green tornado destroying the Patriots offense repeatedly.

No matter what, it will be great to finally see him on the field for an extended amount of time. We’ll finally get an idea of what Carter can do this year.

I think one thing that will really help Carter is that he’s not here to carry the defense. He’s not here to be the key to the DL. The Eagles are still loaded up front. Carter can be a game changer, but he won’t have to feel the weight of the world on his shoulders. If Jordan Davis falls on him he may think he’s got the weight of the world on him, but that is a bit different.

The Patriots OL has issues.

Carter and the other Eagles DL could have a big game on Sunday.

*****

The Eagles have shown interest in Mann in the past. No signing yet.

Smith was an athletic LB at Penn State. Doesn’t have great instincts, but certainly worth a look.

*****

Morrow is a guy you want on the PS in case of injury.

Phillips has shown potential in the past. He’s got 18 starts and is worth trying to develop.

Kyron Johnson just never showed much in the NFL. Solid STer, but not so good that you have to keep him around. Hopefully he gets another chance somewhere and fares better there.

Mullen was 1 of 237 corners on the Eagles roster. They can afford to let one go.

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One Comment on “A Special Dude”

  1. 1 Eagles News: NFL executives predict Jalen Carter will be DROY - S.G.E said at 8:15 AM on September 5th, 2023:

    […] A Special Dude – Iggles BlitzCarter then had some impressive moments in the joint practices with the Browns and Colts. Those of us not in attendance weren’t able to see him in action so we can’t wait to see him in the season opener. I’m torn on what to expect. The rational part of me says to keep expectations down. The delusional nut job that occupies a lot of my brain expects to see a green tornado destroying the Patriots offense repeatedly. No matter what, it will be great to finally see him on the field for an extended amount of time. We’ll finally get an idea of what Carter can do this year. I think one thing that will really help Carter is that he’s not here to carry the defense. He’s not here to be the key to the DL. The Eagles are still loaded up front. Carter can be a game changer, but he won’t have to feel the weight of the world on his shoulders. If Jordan Davis falls on him he may think he’s got the weight of the world on him, but that is a bit different. […]