Iggles Blitz

by Tommy Lawlor

Eagles Sign Everyone

Posted March 14th, 2025 | 3 Comments »

Okay, that headline has a little hyperbole. But only a little. Howie Roseman broke out the credit card and went to Dollar Tree and did some serious shopping.

I told you Howie was busy. That’s one heck of a Friday.

Johnson is here to add depth to the Edge position and to help on STs. He has a definite ceiling, but plays hard and is a reliable role player. You can win with guys like that on your roster.

Williams is interesting. He is primarily a returner, but has played DB and RB positionally. I’m guessing the Eagles see him as a RB/RS. Does this signal the end for Britain Covey? It might. Covey could be looking for more money than the Eagles want to pay. You sign Williams to give you depth/competition. Maybe Covey doesn’t find a great offer and comes back. If not, Williams has a good chance to win a job.

Hughlett is a veteran LS. Rick Lovato got a bit sloppy last year so the Eagles were smart to bring in someone else. Hughlett will turn 35 in May so you aren’t bringing him in to compete. That’s the guy the Eagles expect to be their LS. He is coming off an injury, but the Eagles obviously feel good about him.

Granson is the most interesting addition. He will remind you of Grant Calcaterra with his size (6-3, 242). Granson has 17 career starts and is 86-958-1 as a pass catcher.

You can see Granson lines up in the slot or flexed out on most of those clips. He is what is called a “move TE” or an “F TE”. You want that guy out in space where he can use his athleticism. The Eagles now have Harrison Bryant, Granson and Calcaterra. They also still have some pretty talented dude on the roster.

With the addition of two quality TEs in free agency and a strong draft class, it really does feel like Goedert is a goner. I would love for them to keep DG, but it sure sounds like the Eagles want to get out of his contract. Let’s hope they can get a pick for him. He’s still a good player and some team should want him. DG is one of the rare guys who can block, catch and run. The downside is that he’s 30 and only played in 10 games last year.

As for Huff, I’m sure the Eagles would love to trade him to be rid of that salary. They obviously wouldn’t be looking for a lot in return.

I’m joking around with the comment about Dollar Tree. The Eagles are definitely bargain-hunting, but with good reason. Miles Sanders was a second round pick. He didn’t pan out exactly as hoped. The Eagles ended up signing Saquon Barkley. Jalen Reagor was a first round pick. He didn’t pan out at all. The Eagles traded for and extended AJ Brown. When you don’t hit on picks, you have to go spend big on free agents.

When you draft Jalen Carter, Nolan Smith, Cam Jurgens, Nakobe Dean, Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean, you can’t spend all that much on outside guys. The Eagles are smart to find players that fit their systems, have some ability and are the right price/age. None of these guys are flashy signings. But neither were Zack Baun, Oren Burks, Isaiah Rodgers or Fred Johnson. Those guys just helped the Eagles win the Super Bowl.

The real key to this offseason is the draft. That’s where Howie can find young, talented players at a good cost. There is obviously a risk in relying too much on the draft (see Reagor), but that’s what you have to do when you have a roster full of high-priced stars. By signing all the cheap free agents, Howie is filling roster holes so he’ll have freedom in the upcoming draft to target the best players and not fill big needs.

As far as I’m concerned the offseason has already been a success. The Eagles re-signed Zack Baun.

I can live with just about anything after that.

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D & C

Posted March 13th, 2025 | 1 Comment »

If you wanted a free agent frenzy, you finally got it. If you wanted Myles Garrett, Zach Ertz and Jaycee Horn, you came up a tad short. And for the best definition of the word “tad”, always turn to this great scene from Airplane II.

So let’s talk about the moves the Eagles did make. They signed three players on Thursday.

  • Edge Josh Uche
  • TE Harrison Bryant
  • CB Adoree Jackson

These guys are here for two reasons: depth and competition.

Uche is a complicated evaluation. He lacks ideal size at 6-1, 245. Uche was drafted 60th overall in 2020. He was lightly used for his first two years in NE before breaking out in 2022. He had 11.5 sacks, 2 FFs and 14 QB hits. Uche went back to being a role player in 2023. He was a backup for NE last year until midseason when he was traded to the Chiefs.

Uche has talent, but he’s only started 4 games in 5 years. The Chiefs kept him inactive for most of the time after acquiring him. Vic Fangio has proven his scheme can get the most out of pass rushers with Uche’s build and skill set. Clint Hurtt and Jeremiah Washburn have to find a way to get Uche to play consistently good football.

The Eagles will still probably add an Edge in the draft. Nolan Smith and Jalyx Hunt could be the starters, depending on what happens with Bryce Huff. Uche could be a good backup. The draft pick could be part of the rotation as well. Uche will turn 27 in September so he’s in the prime of his career. He does have versatility as well. Uche has played some off-ball LB. The Eagles are referring to him as an OLB, which is a pass rusher to them.

Bryant will turn 27 in April. He’s started 33 games over the past 5 years. He has 98 catches and 10 TDs. Bryant was not a volume receiver for the Browns or Raiders. He is a solid blocker and an effective receiver. You can see his potential on this play.

We don’t know Dallas Goedert’s status right now so Bryant might be a backup, but could also potentially be a starter. I tend to think the Eagles will see him as the #2 TE. Bryant has the skill set and experience for that role. The Browns used him as a QB on some sneak plays so he does have some athleticism. Bryant won’t blow you away with his blocking, but effort is not a question. He works hard to engage and sustain his defender.

Jackson was a first round pick back in 2017. He will turn 30 in September and has 82 career starts. Jackson has been a good starting corner in his career, but age has caught up to him a bit. He only started 5 games last year. The Eagles have had in Jackson before.

Jackson was highly sought after back then. Not so much anymore. The Eagles are bringing Jackson in to compete for a starting role. Kelee Ringo would be the projected starter at LCB for now. You can’t just give that job to Ringo. He’s got to win it. Jackson has the experience to battle him for the job. There is the possiblity of adding someone else to the mix. For now, Jackson and Ringo are the key guys. Eric Allen better make room in Canton for one or both of them. Or not.

These guys could develop into impact players. They could be solid backups. They might get cut in September. The Eagles didn’t spend big on these guys because that just isn’t in the team’s plans right now. They have to take chances. Find players who have potential and are affordable.

One of the reasons the Eagles can do this is the strength of their coaching staff. Zack Baun is the supreme example. You can also look at the way Nolan Smith improved over the course of the year. Mekhi Becton had the best season of his career. Nakobe Dean finally looked like the LB we’ve been waiting for. Grant Calcaterra had a breakout season.

Not all players work out. Devin White didn’t push for a starting role and got cut. Matt Hennessy didn’t pan out. Albert O didn’t do anything. You have to take a lot of swings to come up with a few hits.

The Uche signing has the most potential. Bryant is the safest of the moves. Jackson has the most experience and that’s important at CB where the other guys are so young.

Depth and competition.

*****

The Eagles did make a coaching move.

I just read that his nickname is Coach Gummy. Now I have to figure out if that is a good or bad thing.

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