Eagles News: PFF ranks Philadelphia’s secondary as the worst in the NFL

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Ranking all 32 NFL teams' secondaries heading into the 2017 season - PFF
Patrick Robinson is the notable veteran addition to the secondary, but he is coming off a rough season in Indianapolis that saw him give up a passer rating when targeted of 111.7 in eight appearances. Jalen Mills (31.8 overall grade) and Ron Brooks (40.9 overall grade with Buffalo) failed to impress last season, and rookie Sidney Jones is likely to be limited or unavailable for much of the season with an Achilles injury. Third round pick Rasul Douglas should factor into the equation, as his eight interceptions and 18 total passes defended led FBS in 2016. The safety position features Rodney McLeod, who has 52 missed tackles in four seasons as a starter with the Eagles and Rams, and Malcolm Jenkins, who appears to be past his prime after giving up a combined 13 touchdowns the past two seasons.

Figuring how the Eagles’ running back rotation will play out - BGN
In last year’s running back preview, I wrote about how the Eagles’ running back situation was very sketchy. Sure enough, my concerns were confirmed during the 2016 season. To no one’s surprise, Mathews couldn’t stay healthy. Sproles became the lead rusher at one point. Smallwood gave you what you’d expect from a fifth-round pick. Philadelphia’s lacking run game put way too much pressure on Wentz to throw the ball. As a result, Wentz attempted the second most passes of any rookie in NFL history. This situation can’t happen again in 2017. Doug Pederson needs to do a better job of sticking with the run. It’s not all on Pederson, though, he needs rushers he can actually rely on.

Counterpoint Ep 2: The 7 Reasons Jimmy Kempski Could Be A Dumpster Fire This Season - BGNRadio.com
Jack Fritz is back for Episode 2 of the Counterpoint pod as he goes through the DGB cut, Draft Twitter, Jimmy Kempski's stick figure game and a lot more!

Eagles training camp preview: Defensive end - PhillyVoice
There's an argument to be made that Graham was the Eagles' best player in 2016, as he generated a lot of pressure, and was excellent against the run. He also happens to be on a very team-friendly contract, so the Eagles are finally getting a lot of bang for their buck on a player who had a slow start to his career. Graham isn't without his detractors, however. Many observers can't get past the fact that his season high total of sacks over his career is 6.5. That's a narrow-minded way of reviewing his overall play the last two seasons, although it's certainly fair to say that at some point Graham is going to have to convert more of his pressures into sacks.

Some OL Fun - Iggles Blitz
When I was watching Eagles tape for my Zach Ertz scouting report recently, I checked out Brooks. He had some really good moments, but he frustrated me quite a bit as well. I don’t think he does a good job with his hands. Good blockers get their hands on defenders and you know…block them. Brooks used his massive frame to push on defenders more than I like. That can lead to missed blocks.

For Eagles, high hopes for upgraded wide receiving corps - Daily News
Doug Pederson has spoken often this offseason about his offense’s poor third-down and red-zone production last year. “Those are critical areas that we need to get better at,’’ the Eagles coach said. The Eagles finished 20th in third-down efficiency (37.9 percent) and 24th in red-zone touchdown percentage (49.1) last year. Just three of the 12 teams that finished behind the Eagles in third-down efficiency made the playoffs. And over the last five years, just seven teams with a sub-50-percent red-zone percentage have qualified for the postseason. So, yeah, those are pretty important areas.

Eagles' season hinging on Wentz - ESPN
Kirk Morrison believes Philly's chances in the NFC East depends on Carson Wentz avoiding the dreaded sophomore slump.

Top 5 : Malcolm Jenkins - PE.com
Let's take a quick look back at some of the biggest plays from Malcolm Jenkins in 2016.

Philadelphia Eagles milestones in reach for Carson Wentz, Fletcher Cox, Malcolm Jenkins - PennLive
Jason Peters needs a Pro Bowl selection to tie Chuck Bednarik for the most in franchise history. Peters, a left tackle, made two Pro Bowls before arriving in Philadelphia in 2009 and has earned a nod after seven of his eight seasons with the Eagles. That has the 35-year-old in a tie with Brian Dawkins and Reggie White for the second highest total in franchise history.

Eagles 2017 training camp position battle: Defensive end - CSN Philly
But Connor Barwin was released after the season, and there are several candidates to replace him in the starting lineup: Vinny Curry, Chris Long and Derek Barnett. Either way, there will be some sort of rotation, but it's unclear exactly how this rotation will work. The best chance any of those guys to earn playing time is to win the starting gig. We'll start with Curry. The Eagles tried to give Curry the chance to start last season. They started last spring with Barwin and Curry as the starters, but Graham simply outplayed Curry and never gave up the job. After signing a $46.5 million contract last offseason, Curry played just 43 percent of the Eagles' defensive snaps. And even when he played, the production wasn't there. Curry finished the year with just 2½ sacks, his lowest total since he didn’t get any as a rookie in 2012.

PFT preseason power rankings No. 18: Philadelphia Eagles - PFT
As long as everyone is healthy, the offensive line should provide strong support for Wentz and what the Eagles hope will be a better run game. They also have a deep defensive line despite the loss of defensive tackle Bennie Logan as the additions of Chris Long, Timmy Jernigan and first-round pick Derek Barnett ensure the cupboard will be well stocked. Tight end Zach Ertz, linebacker Jordan Hicks and safety Malcolm Jenkins are other players to like in Philly, but Wentz’ development figures to be the lead storyline for the Eagles one way or another.

Washington tried to go cheap on Kirk Cousins, and it's going to cost them - SB Nation
Kirk Cousins is going to make a lot of money in 2018, and Washington may be looking for a quarterback after botching things with him.

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