Eagles News: Jason Kelce says Nick Foles “being a backup quarterback is not what that guy should be”

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Jason Kelce conflicted on Nick Foles’ future - WIP
“There’s no question that being a backup quarterback is not what that guy should be, I think we all see that,” Kelce said of Foles. “And the reality is, that’s probably going to be someplace else. Even with him playing the incredible season he has, we’re just in a unique situation here in Philadelphia where we have a tremendous young quarterback whose—the future is all in front of him. He’s still on a rookie contract and then you got another guy whose, unfortunately, been in the league for a very long time. There’s a lot of different dynamics to it, so I’m going to stay out of that. I’m sure that the Eagles organization will figure that one that.

Mike Zimmer definitely isn’t mad that Doug Pederson may have called Matt Nagy to ask the Bears to beat the Vikings - BGN
The well-adjusted Zimmer, who allegedly once staged a stuffed animal massacre in the Vikings’ locker room (and then denied it was him), definitely doesn’t care. He probably cares the least of anyone. He’s not mad. It’s funny to him, actually.

The Kist & Solak Show #59: Reviewing the Eagles-Texans Film - BGN Radio
Michael Kist and Benjamin Solak give injury and playoff scenario updates before diving head first into the film of the Eagles’ 32-30 win over the Texans! Foles vs. Watson was FUN, plus other overarching themes are analyzed in full! Powered by SB Nation and Bleeding Green Nation.

Not So Dumb - Iggles Blitz
Think of the changes from 2017 to 2018. The staff in 2017 had their top four WRs healthy most of the year. They had three talented, veteran TEs. They had three good RBs to work with. The OL was fairly healthy, aside from JP’s injury. The 2018 staff had all kinds of WR injuries to deal with. The #3 TE missed most of the year. The #2 TE is a rookie. RBs have been coming and going all year long. The OL has dealt with nagging injuries for much of the season. And the QB missed a lot of offseason practice while rehabbing a torn ACL. He then dealt with a back issue that was more serious than anyone knew. Even if you return Flip and Reich to this year’s staff, the results for 2018 weren’t going to be the same. There were just too many issues for this group to be dominant like they were last year. Doug Pederson is still a good coach. He’s still a smart coach.

Doug Pederson: Carson Wentz is our guy - PFT
Coach Doug Pederson reiterated Wednesday that the Eagles are fully committed to Wentz as their quarterback of the future and he continues to tell Wentz just that. “I think you have to continue to talk,” Pederson said during his press conference. “I don’t think you have to necessarily always go out of your way and make sure that [you communicate that to him]. He understands. He knows the situation he’s in. He’s trying to get healthy. But at the same time, I want him to understand that, hey, he’s our guy. He’s the guy we drafted and moving forward, he’s our quarterback. I don’t have to sit there and keep encouraging; he knows that. But we do have conversation, and I try to encourage him the best I can.”

If you think Nick Foles is a long-term answer for the Eagles, you’re drunk - Daily News
To the growing faction of recency-biased Eagles fans: You might think you want Nick Foles to replace Carson Wentz and be your quarterback forever and ever. You don’t. You’re drunk. Worse, you’re a lightweight. You’ve become inebriated by just seven career starts out of 47.

Why Nick Foles’s Contract Means This is Probably His Last Season With the Eagles - Sports Illustrated
1. The Eagles must decide if they are going to exercise the option to keep Foles (and his $20 million salary) 30 days prior the 2019 league year, meaning in the week following the Super Bowl. 2. If the Eagles do not exercise the option, Foles becomes a free agent. 3. If and when the Eagles exercise the option, Foles must make a decision in the five days after that. 4. If Foles decides to void the option and cancel the contract, he must concurrently pay back the Eagles $2 million, the amount of his 2018 signing bonus, and he will then become a free agent. 5. If Foles decides not to void the option and remain with the Eagles, the $20 million salary becomes fully guaranteed on the fifth day of the 2019 league year (March 18).

Stats to know for all 32 NFL teams entering Week 17 - PFF
Philadelphia Eagles: Since Michael Bennett joined the NFL as an undrafted rookie in 2009, he’s had 527 regular season pressures. Only Cameron Wake and Von Miller have more pressures in the last decade.

Scramble for the Ball: 2018 All-Rookie Team - Football Outsiders
On the opposite sideline, in the green corner, Doug Pederson displayed the aggressiveness on fourth down and in two-point situations that has made him the winner of multiple Hermies. On the Eagles’ very first drive, they faced fourth-and-2 at the Houston 37 in long field-goal range. Instead of attempting the long kick, Pederson had his offense go for it -- and go for it they did, resulting in a 37-yard touchdown pass from Nick Foles to Darren Sproles. Three drives later, trailing by two points after a Jadeveon Clowney strip-sack gave the Texans a 5-yard touchdown drive, the Eagles faced fourth-and-3 at the Texans’ 8-yard line. Again they went, and again they converted -- then drove to fourth-and-goal at the 1-yard line, where again they went, and again they converted. On four drives, three fourth-down attempts had led to 13 points (the Eagles missed the two-point conversion after the second touchdown). Pederson was not aggressive for the full game -- he settled for attempting a game-winning field goal at the end when the Eagles had first-and-10 at the Houston 19-yard line -- but his aggressive early decisions played a huge part in the Eagles keeping their season alive. O’Brien’s conservatism stood in sharp contrast as the Texans fell out of pole position for a bye in the AFC playoffs.

The Twists And Turns Of The WR Group This Season - PE.com
A passing game that lacked consistency for much of the season has come alive as the Eagles have won four of their last five games. It’s helped that Jeffery is healthy, all the way back from his rotator cuff injury, and virtually impossible to cover one-on-one. Agholor has worked hard to become a threat both on the outside and in his slot position. Golden Tate, acquired at the trade deadline in late October, has played in seven games, worked his way into the mix, even with weeks where he’s been really busy and others when he’s been targeted very little. Jordan Matthews, added early in the season when Wallace went down, has 20 catches and two touchdowns and has been a go-to target on third downs.

Four Must-See Matchups in the NFL Week 17 - The Ringer
I’ve noticed an argument emerge since Nick Foles took over for Carson Wentz. I won’t call it a straw-man argument or a hot take. It’s more of a pre-take, arguing a position that is not even being debated. It’s that Wentz is definitely better than Foles. This, of course, is obvious. Wentz was an MVP candidate in 2017 and played well this year before he injured his back. Foles flailed in his September starts but has led the Eagles to two wins in December since replacing Wentz. Crucially, Foles will cost $20 million against the cap next year, so he’ll be far more expensive than Wentz’s $8.4 million cap hit. It’s clear who Philadelphia’s no. 1 quarterback is when both players are healthy. Foles leading the Eagles to the postseason is a low-probability event; FiveThirtyEight gives them a 28 percent chance of making the playoffs. If he does manage to get them in and win two or more games, then he will reinforce his status as a football god. Instead of worrying about who starts next year for Philadelphia (it will be Wentz), we should enjoy another year of a wacky, fun playoff push by Foles.

Hard part over, Tim Jernigan hoping to make impact with Eagles’ season on line - NBCSP
Tim Jernigan was just happy to be back on the field Sunday. After an offseason where he seriously began to contemplate his football future, Jernigan wasn’t able to play in the first 10 weeks of the year before he made his season debut Nov. 25 against the Giants. He played 20 snaps in that game and was looking forward to finishing the season strong, but just before the Washington game on Dec. 3, he had some spasms in his back. After the long road back to the field, he needed to sit the next three games. But he returned Sunday. You might wonder if the hardest part about playing right now is getting back in shape, but the 26-year-old defensive tackle isn’t even looking at it like that. “The hardest part is over. The hardest part was watching,” Jernigan said to NBC Sports Philadelphia on Sunday night. “The good, bad and the middle, these are my brothers. I want to be there with them. The hardest part for me, personally, was watching. Just being able to get on the field, be a part of the solution, be a part of another Sunday in Philly at the Linc, it was just a great feeling for me. I gotta cherish every moment.”

Bruce Allen continues winning off the field, New Redskins business executives wiped out - Hogs Haven
Bruce Allen does not handle change or challenges to his authority well. He also has a magical ability to always find a scapegoat(or multiple scapegoats for his failings as an football executive. The Redskins made several changes to the business side of the organization this year to attempt to improve the fan and stadium experience. The hirings of people like Brian Lafemina and Jake Bye were seen as moves in the right direction for a franchise that has not been functional in a long, long time.

2019 Draft News: QB Justin Herbert to return to Oregon - Big Blue View
If the New York Giants were hoping to address their quarterback position with their first pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, they have one less option with which to do so. Oregon Ducks quarterback Justin Herbert has announced that he will be returning to School for his senior season.

Christmas Sam: Darnold Promises Bright Future - The Draft Network
These plays matter because they remind us that next season, Sam Darnold will be a 22-year-old quarterback with wonderful physical potential. He has good size and great mobility, good vision when he extends plays and a wicked arm on the run. His velocity and accuracy don’t really drop off from bad platforms, which helps him survive against pressure packages and broken pockets. Physically, the dude is toolsed-up, just like he was at USC — only this year, he’ll have that precious NFL experience that will helps steady his ebbs and flows.

Vikings Injury Update: Eric Kendricks, Xavier Rhodes do not practice, uncertain for Sunday - Daily Norseman
Two key members of the Minnesota Vikings defense might night play this Sunday against the Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium. Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press reports that Eric Kendricks and Xavier Rhodes did not practice Wednesday. Kendricks did not play against the Detroit Lions because of an injured hamstring and Rhodes stopped playing with a groin strain halfway through the fourth quarter. When asked, coach Mike Zimmer says of their return “I don’t know. We’ll see.”

NFL picks 2018, Week 17: Experts predictions for the final playoff order - SB Nation
Philadelphia is rooting for the Bears this week. The Eagles are holding onto a thin whisper of playoff hope, and in order to return to the postseason they need the Vikings to lose and to beat Washington themselves. The later part of that should be no problem, not according to our panelists, but the former is going to require some luck. Then again, the Eagles have Nick Foles, who’s kind of like a rabbit’s foot wrapped in four leaf clover.

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