March Madness

Posted: March 17th, 2020 | Author: | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 1 Comment »

The Eagles shocked everyone by signing Javon Hargrave. This is a terrible move. How do you expect a guy who is 6-1, 305 to play CB?

That’s the problem with tunnel vision. You can get locked in on a scenario and don’t always consider the other possibilities.

I was certain the Eagles would focus on CB, the weakest spot on the team. Start there and then look at other areas. Instead, the Eagles decided to add an impact player to the DL and signed Hargrave.

When I went over lists of possible DTs, I went right by Hargrave every time because I just didn’t think the Eagles would spend big money on another DT. Oops.

That is big money to Hargrave, Fletcher Cox and Malik Jackson. All three of them are amongst the best interior pass rushers in the league. I thought the Eagles would add a DT in the draft. Instead they aggressively went for a top notch player.

We’ve got plenty of time to talk about how the trio will be used. Suffice it to say, the Eagles can be creative with how they attack the QB. Cox and Jackson are athletic enough to play DE.

Good move. Ridgeway gives the team an excellent #4 DT. They also have Anthony Rush, a big DT, and Bruce Hector, a high motor guy. That’s a terrific set of DTs. Stop me if you’ve heard this before…they just need to stay healthy.

Back to Hargrave. He is a terrific DT and it would be hard not to like this signing.

That is one talented, disruptive player. And pressure up the middle is critical. Think about the Super Bowl teams. Chris Jones was huge for KC and DeForest Buckner was huge for SF. The Eagles simply weren’t good enough with interior pressure in 2019. That will change.

The signing caught me off guard, but I love the move.

*****

What about CB?

Byron Jones signed with Miami. James Bradberry signed with the Giants. Bradley Roby re-signed with Houston. Those were my top three targets. Ouch.

We don’t know if the Eagles pursued them or not. While those were the best free agent corners, that doesn’t mean the Eagles wanted them. We know the Eagles have made some poor CB signings in the past decade.

They might be focusing on the next tier of guys. Prince Amukamara is still available. Desmond Trufant was released today and could be of interest. There is still the possibility of trading for Darius Slay.

The Eagles know they must address CB. Expect them to sign and draft players.

*****

What about WR?

DeAndre Hopkins got traded to Arizona. Stefon Diggs was dealt to Buffalo. Amari Cooper re-signed with Dallas.

The Eagles still have targets in Breshad Perriman, Devin Funchess and others.

Hopkins was available cheap. He wasn’t an ideal scheme fit for the Eagles, but would have been a huge upgrade over the players on the roster. Diggs cost several picks so I don’t blame the Eagles for passing on that.

The Eagles need to add a player in free agency. The real key will be adding players in the draft. Carson Wentz needs young, talented receivers to grow with.

*****

Who left?

Wow.

Different eras to be sure, but Reggie White was signed away for 4 years and $17M. How times have changed. Good luck to Big V. He was a late round pick who started at LT in the Eagles Super Bowl win. Always pull for this guy.

Another SB hero could be gone. The Eagles are letting him talk to other teams. If they bring Clement back, it will be at a cheap price. The Eagles do need help at RB. This could be a position where the team waits until after the draft and then decides what to do. Miles Sanders gives them the freedom to take their time and find the right complement.

*****

What’s next?

The Eagles need to add a WR, a CB, a LB and figure out what they want to do at safety.

The Eagles could make a move or two on Tuesday.

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One Comment on “March Madness”

  1. 1 March Madness | SportSpyder | said at 12:42 AM on March 17th, 2020:

    […] March Madness […]