The Howie Game

Posted: November 26th, 2024 | Author: | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 1 Comment »

Sunday night’s win over the Rams got the world talking about Saquon Barkley and the Eagles. There were a ton of articles and posts today discussing Barkley as an MVP candidate and the Eagles as a Super Bowl team. At the same time, I read about the Jets starting their search for a GM. I read about the Giants trying to figure out what to do with their coach and GM. I also read about Dallas, with a lot of people praising them playing hard and finding a way to break their 5-game losing streak. All that took was a miserable performance by the Commanders.

With all of that in mind, let’s give some love to Howie Roseman.

Howie signed Saquon Barkley back in March. Barkley was a star player, but not someone that all 32 teams coveted. The Giants couldn’t figure out a way to keep him and decided to replace Barkley with Devin Singletary and rookie Tyrone Tracy. Dallas desperately needed RB help, but didn’t make a move. Howie added Barkley and it looks like the best move of the offseason. Barkley is having a historic season and might be the MVP.

Think about the OL Barkley ran behind. LT Jordan Mailata was a 7th round pick back in 2018. Mailata had no football experience, but has become one of the best LTs in the league. Mekhi Becton was signed by Howie after the draft in April. Becton was signed to give the Eagles OT depth, but ended up winning the RG position. Becton had some dominant blocks against the Rams.

Howie traded for WR AJ Brown back on draft weekend of 2022. He was willing to give up a 1st round pick for an established star WR. The Titans have been 29th or 30th in passing yards since trading Brown.

QB Jalen Hurts was a surprise pick in 2021. No one saw that coming. The Eagles already had Carson Wentz, but decided Hurts could be a valuable addition for a few reasons so they took him. Hurts is now firmly entrenched as the franchise QB.

The leading tackler in the game was Nakobe Dean, who the Eagles took in the 3rd round back in 2022. He was expected to go before then, but kept sliding. Howie couldn’t pass up on him in the 3rd. Dean hadn’t done much coming into this year, but Howie went out of his way to praise Dean in the offseason and let everyone know the team still had high expectations. Dean is playing well and is part of why the Eagles have the #1 defense in the league.

The secondary features a pair of rookies. I was shocked that Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean fell to the Eagles picks in the 1st and 2nd round. I thought the Eagles would need luck to get Mitchell. For the Eagles to get both is a minor miracle. Howie was patient and played the draft board just right. He could have traded up, and that might have made some sense. He managed to get both without having to do anything crazy and the Eagles secondary should be good for years. Both DBs played well in the win over the Rams.

The defensive star of the game was Brandon Graham. Howie traded up and drafted him way back in 2010. Howie caught a lot of flak for passing on safety Earl Thomas and DE Jason Pierre-Paul, but BG proved to be a great pick. He is one of the most beloved Eagles of all time.

Jake Elliott made all of his kicks in the win. He was signed off the Bengals practice squad back in 2017 and is probably the best kicker in Eagles history.

Howie has used every resource possible to build the Eagles into what they are…one of the best teams in the league. Signings. Picks. Trades. Howie has been creative and aggressive in building this roster. He’s not perfect of course, but he’s hit on most of his key moves and that is why the Eagles are 9-2 and back near the top of the league.

*****

I didn’t mention Zack Baun above because he had somewhat of a quiet game against the Rams. Howie targeted Baun in the offseason to come to Philly as a backup OLB and STer. He talked to Vic Fangio about Baun. Fangio said he liked Baun, but saw him as an ILB. The Eagles signed Baun early (showing that he was a priority target for them) and put him at ILB.

Baun is having an amazing year. If he doesn’t make the Pro Bowl there should be an investigation.

*****

How do you replace Brandon Graham? You really don’t. He’s a special person and a key player. BG’s versatility gave him the ability to play LB, DE or even DT. You don’t find guys like that on aisle 6 at the grocery store.

The Eagles will have to be creative with replacing BG’s snaps. Milton Williams could see some of them. Jalyx Hunt will get more playing time. I think Tarron Jackson is the guy to watch. He had a good summer and has the kind of size/versatility that could help. He will get a chance to play some and show what he can do.

Fangio is a veteran coach so hopefully he’ll be able to figure out an effective solution.

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One Comment on “The Howie Game”

  1. 1 The Linc - PFF says Brandon Graham “has done more than enough to warrant” Hall of Fame consideration - SportSourcio said at 1:03 PM on November 26th, 2024:

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