The vibes are good
Before we get to your questions, let’s see your answer to my question:
I am a little surprised by this, I thought the results would be more of a mixed bag. I put myself in the middle, I expect this team to make the playoffs but also wouldn’t be totally shocked if the season comes undone. Case in point:
New article on ESPN of Hurts saying his learning was “halted.” Reading the article, who specifically told him to not worry about protections and how did that affect his play last season? – kjb304
“I think in the end when you look at this upcoming season and what you have seen in years past, it’s just different autonomy in different places,” Hurts told 94.1 WIP on Thursday. “We had a great player in Jason Kelce who took on a lot of responsibility, and as a result of that I was told not to worry about a lot of things. And so my eagerness to learn over the years kind of was halted because of who we had, but now times are different and I’m excited for that journey and this opportunity.”
“It’s been a role that I’ve been waiting on,” Hurts said. “I know we’ve had a well-respected, Hall of Fame guy who’s been doing that, and now we [have] the opportunity to do that. It’s something I’ve been wanting, and I think that’s how it’s supposed to be.”
Everything falls on the head coach. But it’s hard to fault the Eagles for the way they have handled this particular part of Hurt’s development. There’s no reason to put protection calls on a young QB’s plate when he has a Hall of Fame center. Now that Jason Kelce is retired, and Hurts has experience, giving Hurts control is a natural progression.
This shouldn’t be a thing, but Hurts went and made it a minor one. Add it to the small but growing pile of quotes (about Brian Johnson, about Kellen Moore’s playbook) that show that not all is well between Jalen Hurts and Nick Sirianni. If this team starts off poorly it will get ugly.
Eagles took a big leap of faith in drafting Georgia Bulldogs. It’s now time to see that pay off. What can we expect? – BroadSt.Bulldogs
It wasn’t a leap of faith to draft Georgia players from a defense that won back to back national titles. That was a generational defense. In their first title game, in their front seven they played nine blue chip players: 5 star recruits Travon Walker, Quay Walker, Jalen Carter, Nolan Smith, and Channing Tidall, and 4 stars Devonte Wyatt, Zion Logue, Julian Rochester, and Robert Beal. Nine blue chips is a top 20 recruiting class on its own.
But yes, it is time for their potential to turn into reality… if they get a chance. Most of the Philadelphia Bulldogs are backups.
-Jalen Carter looked really good until the wheels completely fell off the entire team last year, not going to knock him for that. I’m not concerned about him.
-Jordan Davis has to show that he can last a whole season. Training camp was encouraging but that was August, the worry for him is November and beyond. He has yet to have a sack, tackle for loss, or QB hit after October.
-Nolan Smith will get playing time if he deserves it. Vic Fangio will rotate players and will make major in-season changes, so early playing time for anyone shouldn’t be read into too much, but his playing time vs Jalyx Hunt will show just how much the coaching staff thinks of him. He might be the second guy off the bench.
-Nakobe Dean has to show that he wasn’t a product of playing behind a Georgia line that was two deep in first round picks. I’m not letting his late surge in camp and preseason fool me, I need to see it on the field in games that matter. With Owen Burks on the 53 man roster now is Dean even LB3?
-Kelee Ringo was such a galaxy brain pick/trade. Outside of the 1st round or early 2nd round, where you’re grabbing premium prospects at premium positions, trading up is a bad move. If a player you have a 2nd round grade on is available in the 4th round, you haven’t outsmarted the league by trading a 3rd rounder to select him. Barring injury he won’t get much of a chance to show his worth. Last year Ringo was 6th in snaps played by an Eagles CB. This year he should be…. 5th.
Why would Howie sign Oren Burks before game 1? Couldn’t he just used a Week 1 call up from the practice squad and then sign him. Then his yearly salary wouldn’t have been guaranteed, correct? By the time Week 8 gets here, who knows where Oren will be in regards to the teams plan. – FIJoe
My guess is they promised him he would get called up to the 53 when someone got hurt, and then James Bradberry immediately got hurt.
Hard to see another team wanting Burks on their 53 since he just returned from injury, and the only other team to sign a LB to their 53 after cuts were the Cardinals, who promoted Krys Barnes, who played for them last year, from their PS.
His salary will now be guaranteed, but it’s league minimum, so that is not a big concern. But this was a dumb process. All of this could have been avoided if they just swallowed their pride and cut Bradberry, who wasn’t going to start and since he can’t play special teams probably would have been inactive on Friday.
We all know that Laekin Vakalahi is going to become the second coming of Jordan Mailata. Can International Exempt players be poached? – Mailata_in_a_Miata
The bonus is simply an extra practice squad roster spot, so yes he can be poached like any other practice squad player. Don’t worry about losing Vakalahi though, he played all of eight snaps in the preseason, no one is giving him a 53 man roster spot.
I want to know what the thoughts/opinions are on offensive line and defensive line?I can’t help but feel both sides are a bit less than they were last season. – TH79
Less than last season, absolutely. Even if Cam Jurgens is really good, he can’t replace the experience that Kelce had. Lane Johnson is still great but he’s 35. And in between them they’ll likely see a downgrade at right guard. The offensive line can survive a step back in effectiveness. So long as they’re healthy, they’ll be fine.
The defensive line, well, it depends on Jalen Carter. First two thirds of the season he looked like the rookie of the year. The final third… the final third of the season was forgettable for everyone. If Carter takes the year two leap that most players take, the line can function. Once a huge strength for the Eagles, the defensive front is sorely lacking in three down players. Carter has the best chance to be an any and all situation player. Jordan Davis hasn’t shown it, Bryce Huff hasn’t shown it, Josh Sweat hasn’t shown it. The only players in the front seven/six who have been three down players are Brandon Graham, who is on his retirement tour, and Devin White, who got benched last year.
The defense is a worrying combination of role players, but if Carter can take that year two step towards his high potential, that could be enough to keep their head above water.
Is BLG or is anyone else of the BGN crew going to Brazil to cover Week 1? Who else on the Eagles beat is making the trip? – JemTheRocker
We don’t have that kind of money! I was surprised to find that even though the flight length is the same, that it is actually cheaper to fly to Europe than to Rio. Don’t expect a large contingent of local media.
Vão pássaros!
