Big Difference

Posted: July 21st, 2017 | Author: | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 37 Comments »

Compare these groups.

#1 WR – Alshon Jeffery vs Jordan Matthews

#2 WR – Jordan Matthews vs Nelson Agholor

#3 WR – Torrey Smith vs Dorial Green-Beckham

#4 WR – Nelson Agholor vs Josh Huff

#5 WR – Mack Hollins vs Bryce Treggs

Beyond that, you have Bryce Treggs and Shelton Gibson competing for a roster spot. Last year that guy was Paul Turner. While he was a feel good story, Turner isn’t as physically gifted as Shelton or Treggs.

On paper this group is worlds better. Looks that way as well.

I really can’t wait to see these guys in action. Someone will disappoint, but it won’t be like last year when the Eagles had the worst WRs in the league.

*****

Here is a good interview with Mike Groh.

One of the things he mentions in there is that things are going to get tougher for the receivers in Training Camp. From an obvious standpoint, the pads go on and defenders can be physical with them. No more flag football, as Groh says.

There is also the point that the players will be competing for position on the depth chart as well as roster spots. This competition will bring out the best in some guys, but will cause problems for others. DGB already showed he couldn’t handle increased competition in the spring. Agholor had the best spring of his young career. It will be interesting to see how the different players respond.

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37 Comments on “Big Difference”

  1. 1 Guy Media said at 12:04 AM on July 22nd, 2017:

    I’m really excited to see this group start playing in pre-season games. Also, isn’t Matthews the #3? He really only plays slot.

  2. 2 or____ said at 12:54 PM on July 22nd, 2017:

    He was very productive. If your slot receiver ends up being the #2 producer by far, and your WR corp produces well, to me, calling that slot guy anything but #2 would be dumb (cue the poop jokes).

    #2 is #2, not where they guy plays.

    Heck, poop is poop regardless of location too for that matter.

  3. 3 Guy Media said at 12:08 AM on July 22nd, 2017:

    Side note, about to hit the road for a week of vacation outside of Charleston, SC at Folly Beach. So I’ll be lurking on reading every column, but not really rocking any comments.

    Must haves for the first week of training camp – full attendance of all players.

    Must not haves – arrests, injuries, Ryan Mathews’s contract.

  4. 4 Flyin said at 2:03 AM on July 22nd, 2017:

    Respect and all should be good in Folly.

  5. 5 Forthebirds said at 8:46 AM on July 22nd, 2017:

    Enjoy Charleston. Great city. Great food.

  6. 6 Rob Jarratt said at 2:05 PM on July 22nd, 2017:

    Unbearably hot. Come to Maine and enjoy the good life during the summer and fall. Then leave for warmer climes.

  7. 7 Forthebirds said at 10:00 PM on July 22nd, 2017:

    Hi Rob,
    Please let me know if and when you will be in St. Aug. This winter love to get together with you
    Casey

  8. 8 Charlie Kelly said at 12:45 AM on July 22nd, 2017:

    Eagles are gonna win the super bowl

    its a lock!! book it!!

    i know more than the generals!!

  9. 9 ColorSgt said at 11:56 AM on July 23rd, 2017:

    I hope they do so you can say I told you so.

  10. 10 Mr. Magee said at 11:49 PM on July 23rd, 2017:

    what generals are you referring to??

  11. 11 Charlie Kelly said at 4:20 AM on July 24th, 2017:

    all of them

  12. 12 ColoradoEaglesFan said at 5:17 AM on July 22nd, 2017:

    Thanks Tommy for your insight. I truly am an Eagles fan, but I still can’t get excited about the wide receivers as of now. Alshon – Suspension last year? Jordan – Consistent last year. Torrey – Down year, not impressive to be kind. Nelson – Mental health caused on field issues. Mack – Unproven Shelton – May not make the roster.

  13. 13 CrackSammich said at 6:14 AM on July 22nd, 2017:

    On paper, it’s a million years better. How it plays out, I might agree with you.

  14. 14 Forthebirds said at 8:48 AM on July 22nd, 2017:

    Hard to imagine how it could be worse.

  15. 15 Dan in Philly said at 6:50 AM on July 22nd, 2017:

    Here’s hoping Alshon works out. If he does, it changes the offense. If not, will we make excuses for Wentz or start to give up on him?

  16. 16 ColorSgt said at 9:13 AM on July 22nd, 2017:

    It depends. If for some reason his mechanics seem worse or his decision making is bad…. that will be on him. If the line doesn’t hold up or AJ goes down, there might be some legitimate excuses. I expect either way we will see an improved qb from last year, and he was pretty good last year. The game should slow down for him this year too. I’m not thinking things will go too poorly on his end.

  17. 17 Insomniac said at 3:44 PM on July 22nd, 2017:

    Keeping all bias aside, Alshon when healthy is a proven great WR. Wentz is still a question mark until proven otherwise. So just by track record, the blame from the media/casual fans is going to go on Wentz.

  18. 18 P_P_K said at 5:59 PM on July 22nd, 2017:

    I think it’s important to recognize that Carson will be in only his second year. It’s not reasonable to set the bar too high. Will Eagles fans and the Philly sports media appreciate this, well, whaddya’ think?

  19. 19 P_P_K said at 9:03 AM on July 22nd, 2017:

    Wentz started camp last year as the #3qb. He then became the starter playing behind an injury-ridden O line and throwing to the worst set of wrs in the League. Yet the young man never said a discouraging word. He’s got character, guts, and this year an improved set of wrs, a new rb, hopefully a sturdy line, and a full camp and pre-season as qb1. It’s going to be exciting to see what he can do.

  20. 20 Benny6968 said at 3:10 PM on July 22nd, 2017:

    I am very encouraged by this new group of WR’s.

    Thinking back to last season and knowing how many close games we lost, while leading the league in dropped passes is pretty crazy when you think about it.

  21. 21 ColorSgt said at 6:57 PM on July 22nd, 2017:

    I agree. Some fans have been down on Doug after last year, but I think he put them in good position most of the season. He wasn’t out there killing drives by dropping passes. There were a lot of winnable games last year. They were severely missing that “go to” WR that thankfully they have this year in AJ.

  22. 22 P_P_K said at 6:24 AM on July 23rd, 2017:

    Truth.

  23. 23 CrackSammich said at 6:31 AM on July 23rd, 2017:

    I’m hoping that the presence of Jeffrey makes it easier for guys like Matthews to become the default “go to” when they shade the entire defense towards Jeffrey. JMatt is good enough to be a tight end-like second option (if he learns to catch) grabbing the trash underneath, but you can’t run the offense through him. Ertz is probably the biggest winner of bringing Jeffrey in.

  24. 24 ColorSgt said at 9:25 AM on July 23rd, 2017:

    Right. The presence of a guy like Jeffrey makes everything a little easier on the whole offense. That includes the run game. If they can hit Smith on some deep passes too, that will really force the D respect the the long ball. That opens things underneath for JMatt Ertz and the runningbacks. I really hope Pederson get creative this year. He has all the weapons you could want as a coach. He needs to use them all and keep the defense off balance all game long.

  25. 25 ColorSgt said at 7:31 PM on July 22nd, 2017:

    WR is by far the most improved part of the team from last year. But there are a lot of other areas that should be improved as well. Just having Lane all season would be a huge bump to the OL. Barwin is gone from the DL. They brought some other good DL guys in this off-season. Jenkins playing Safety all season will make a big difference. Doug’s in his second year. Carson’s in his second year. I think we will see them open up the playbook more. A strong OL and better WRs hopefully means less bubble screens. Blount will help get short yardage conversions. CB has hope for the future in Jones. Also, off the field I love the Howie-Joe combo. I think they have a specific plan and when working together can fill in the rest of the roster with the depth it lacks. I think this season has big potential, but could come crashing down with just a couple of injuries or suspensions. Goooo Sports Science!

  26. 26 P_P_K said at 11:13 AM on July 23rd, 2017:

    You’re getting me really psyched for the season.

  27. 27 杭州家政网 said at 8:16 PM on July 22nd, 2017:

    值得思考哦，受教了！

  28. 28 SteveH said at 12:10 AM on July 23rd, 2017:

    So close to actual football… so close…

  29. 29 SteveH said at 12:10 AM on July 23rd, 2017:

    Oh yes, and I’m still riding in the PT Cruiser!!! Another year to hone his skills and he’s going to light it up this year. 50 catches for 700 yards, book it.

  30. 30 Patrick said at 12:24 PM on July 23rd, 2017:

    Maybe in the CFL.

  31. 31 or____ said at 12:51 PM on July 23rd, 2017:

    Was thinking the same thing – thought about Arena League – but I don’t think his skillset is the best for that.

  32. 32 kajomo said at 2:03 PM on July 23rd, 2017:

    Nope

  33. 33 SteveH said at 5:01 PM on July 23rd, 2017:

    Yeah baby!!! We goin for a ride in the PT Cruiser, all the way to the super bowl.

  34. 34 Ryan Rambo said at 10:04 PM on July 23rd, 2017:

    Eagles released CB Dwayne Gratz.
    QB Dane Evans was signed in a corresponding move. A former third-round pick of the Jaguars, Gratz was signed last December by the Eagles and stuck around through the offseason program, so it is somewhat surprising he was let go just before camp. He will likely latch on somewhere else.

  35. 35 kajomo said at 10:25 PM on July 23rd, 2017:

    Did Charles Walker sign somewhere else? I thought he’d be back in time for camp. Assumed this move was to make room for him

  36. 36 Mr. Magee said at 11:56 PM on July 23rd, 2017:

    I think if the WRs catch most of the catchable balls thrown their way, the team will be way ahead of last year, regardless of who the personnel are… Does that really need to be analyzed at this point?

  37. 37 Ryan Rambo said at 12:24 AM on July 24th, 2017:

    Eagles are giving a tryout to a Canadian rugby star

    Thinking outside of the box

    https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/2017/7/23/16016722/eagles-tryout-canadian-rugby-star-philadelphia-nfl-canada-vancouver-star-sevens-tight-end-video