Eagles Mailbag: Will Zach Ertz get more playing time in 2015?

Welcome back to the BGN Mailbag! It's been too long since I've done one of these. I'm going to try to do one of these posts at least once a week, probably on the weekends. Thanks to everyone on Twitter who sent in a question. I couldn't get to all of them, but here are the ones I did answer.

To the Q&A...

@GottaBV asks: Will Zach Ertz see the field more in 2015?

You know, that's a great question. A lot of people wrongly assumed Ertz would have more of a breakout in 2014. That didn't happen because Brent Celek is still around and Chip Kelly loves the veteran's blocking skills. Celek's still here so it's hard to see Ertz fully overtaking him unless the latter's blocking improves.

Ertz jumped from playing 40.8% of the team's offensive snaps in 2013 to 49.9% in 2014 while Celek dropped from 76.5% in 2013 to 69.3% last season. I could see those 2014 numbers getting a little bit closer in 2015, but I think Celek will still have the edge.

@TheEaglesDaily asks: Can Sam Bradford improve red zone woes?

The Rams were never all that great in red zone efficiency during Bradford's tenure: 31st in 2010, 31st in 2011, 19th in 2012, 25th in 2013. It's unclear how much of that was his fault. From the (somewhat limited) tape I've watched of him, I've seen him make some very good red zone throws. He can show pinpoint accuracy when throwing to a spot in tight space. (Example1 ... Example2). I've seen him make throws that I know Nick Foles couldn't really make, so I think there's certainly hope for the Eagles in this respect.

@isaiahholt10 asks: What kind of plays could we see Tim Tebow for short yardage / 2 point conversion plays?

First, Tebow has to make the roster. And I think he probably will given how the team has tried to move on from Matt Barkley. But even if Tebow makes the final 53, there's a chance he never actually suits up. In the past, Kelly has only kept two quarterbacks active on game day. Maybe that changes now that former emergency quarterbacks Brad Smith and James Casey are gone, but right now it's hard to see Tebow having a major role in the regular season. Maybe Kelly will experiment with him in the preseason, as it's been reported.

@MattGrumbrecht asks: Which ILB doesn't make the team?

Kiko Alonso and DeMeco Ryans are locks. Mychal Kendricks' name has come up in trade rumors, but maybe he'll stick around after all. Jordan Hicks is another lock. The Eagles really only kept four or five inside linebackers on the roster last season so that's already four. A potential fifth spot could come down to Najee Goode versus Brad Jones with Emmanuel Acho possibly in the mix as well. So if Kendricks stays, it's at least one of those three backups who won't benefit.

@straightupfire asks: You can tag along with any Eagles player you want for a day but for some weird reason you cannot pick Najee Goode. Who you got?

This is such a weird qualifier. I like it. No offense to Mr. Goode, who seems like a great guy and has made some appearances on BGN Radio, but I wouldn't pick him anyway. I'd have to go with the greatest player in NFL history: G.J. Kinne.

@maiL_reversed asks: When will Howie fix Sam Bradford's sleeves?

Poor Sam. Everyone's hating on his sleeve game. Lest we forget some of the best athletes in Philadelphia wore long sleeves.

@TomWelke asks: Why won't Dion Jordan respond to teammates texts?

Hacked.

@ryne_jones asks: Who is the truest Eagle?

Anquan Boldin.