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There is only ONE WEEK remaining until Philadelphia Eagles rookies, quarterbacks, and select veterans report for 2017 training camp. That means there’s only one week left of the NFL’s dead period. It also means only seven more days of filler content to pass the time! Speaking of ... starting today, we'll be breaking down the Eagles' opponents on a game-by-game basis with the help of writers from corresponding SB Nation NFL blogs.
The Eagles open the 2017 season with a road game against Washington. The Eagles have not fared well at FedEx Field in recent years. You have to go all the way back to 2013 in Chip Kelly’s first game with the Eagles to find a Philly win in Landover, Maryland.
Philadelphia has a great opportunity to end Washington’s winning streak over them right away this year. Hopefully they capitalize on a Washington team that went through a dysfunctional offseason. If not, the Eagles will have a chance to beat Washington again when the two teams play in Philadelphia in Week 7.
Here’s a more in-depth look at Washington from our SB Nation colleagues over at Hogs Haven.
Notable free agent additions:
WRs Terrelle Pryor, Brian Quick, S DJ Swearinger, ILB Zach Brown; DE Terrell McClain, Stacy McGee
Notable free agent departures:
WRs DeSean Jackson, Pierre Garçon; DEs Chris Baker, Ricky Jean Francois
Trades:
None
Draft picks expected to contribute as rookies:
DE Jonathan Allen, OLB Ryan Anderson
Biggest offseason addition:
Terrelle Pryor will be asked to shoulder a true #1 wide receiver load this season. After DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon departed via free agency, his chemistry with Kirk Cousins needs to develop quickly. Josh Doctson is another wide receiver addition as he returns from a rookie season lost to injury.
Biggest storyline heading into training camp:
The biggest story of the offseason is obviously the ongoing contract drama with QB Kirk Cousins. This will be settled, at least for this year, by the July 17th deadline to either sign a long-term deal or play out the franchise tag. The firing of Scot McCloughan, and Bruce Allen stepping back out of the shadows, and the subsequent “restructuring” of the front office was the other big storyline that affects the team.
Under-the-radar storyline heading into training camp:
Major turnover in the coaching staff affects both sides of the ball. Defensive coordinator Joe Barry was fired after two uninspired seasons, and will be replaced by OLB coach Greg Manusky. The Redskins also added defensive line coach Jim Tomsula to finally improve the DL. Offensive coordinator Sean McVay left for a head coaching job with the Los Angeles Rams and will be replaced by QB coach Matt Cavanaugh. Jay Gruden will return to calling plays on offense this year. The defense seems improved and the offense has more question marks.
Notable injuries heading into training camp:
Rookie CB Fabian Moreau will likely enter the season on PUP, OLB Junior Galette makes his third attempt to play a snap as a Redskin after back-to-back Achilles injuries.