Eagles News: LeSean McCoy thinks Philadelphia should promote Duce Staley to offensive coordinator

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5 realistic trade locations and packages for Nick Foles - BGN
We can certainly debate—with reasonable points on either side—whether or not Philadelphia should trade Nick Foles. Those who want to keep Foles cite Carson Wentz’s progressing recovery from his ACL tear and uncertain status for Week 1 of 2018. They also consider Foles’ unprecedented success as a Philadelphia quarterback—he finally brought Lombardi home—and what he now means to this franchise. Others—and I am unabashedly in this camp—value the benefits on Philadelphia’s tight cap and the potential draft capital gained. Currently ~$10M over the cap for 2018 and without a 2nd and 3rd round selection in the Draft, Philadelphia must make roster moves. This seems like a no-brainer: shed money, gain draft picks, without losing a starter.

Howie’s choice: Do the Eagles keep Nigel Bradham or Mychal Kendricks? - PhillyVoice
In Schwartz’s scheme, the slot corner is more of a starter than the third linebacker, as a third linebacker has been on the field for the Eagles for less than 30 percent of the snaps during Schwartz’s tenure in Philly. In 2018, Kendricks will count for $7,600,000, which is a sizable rock in the salary cap jar of a team that is going to have to trim about $10 million just to get back under the cap. In 2017, free agent linebackers found a very soft market. Consider Zach Brown, who had 149 tackles, 4 sacks, 4 pass breakups, 2 forced fumbles, an INT, and a spot in the Pro Bowl in 2016 with the Bills. During the 2017 offseason, as a free agent, Brown signed a one year deal with the Redskins worth $2.3 million, with playing time and performance incentives. The most lucrative long-term deal at the linebacker position (edge rushers excluded) was earned by former Super Bowl MVP Malcolm Smith, who signed a five year, $26.5 million contract with the 49ers.

Offensive Coordinator Update - Iggles Blitz
The Eagles love Duce Staley and I’m sure they would have some interest in giving him a promotion. As I written before, there is just the question of whether he is ready to help build gameplans. That’s something he hasn’t done in the past. Staley has helped with the process, but hasn’t been a primary architect. Groh has only been with the team a year, but he did an amazing job with the WRs. Peter King wrote a great piece on the game-winning TD in the Super Bowl. Groh played a key role in designing the play. He was an OC at the University of Virginia from 2006-2008 so Groh has a background in building gameplans and calling plays. He has a thorough understanding of the passing game through playing and coaching QBs, as well as coaching WRs at the college and pro level.

Eagles Stay or Go Part 1 — Nelson Agholor to Derek Barnett - NBC Sports Philadelphia
Roob: It will be interesting to see how the Eagles’ running backs all line up next year. When training camp started last summer, LeGarrette Blount, Wendell Smallwood, Darren Sproles and Donnel Pumphrey were the main guys, and by the end of the season, only one of them was on the field. My hunch is that Ajayi and Corey Clement will be the lead backs in 2018. Ajayi was very good after joining the Eagles, but he really sold me with his postseason performance — 184 yards and a 4.4 average in the three playoff games. Eventually, the Eagles will have to make a decision, since his contract is also up after 2018. But I’d love to see what he can do behind this offensive line with a full training camp and a full season.

Q&A with Joe Banner: On the Super Bowl win, potentially trading Foles and analytics - The Athletic
You would, at least in my experience, not initiate a conversation with the player about this kind of situation. But it wouldn’t be totally rare for a player or primarily through his agent, if he had a strong position, to get that word to you. Either, ‘Listen, I’m really happy here. I’ll be a free agent in a year. I’d just love to come back and be a part of it again.’ Or, ‘It’s a key moment in my career. I’d really like to try to take advantage of it if you’re open to it.’ And it would always come, especially with a guy of Nick’s character, with a, ‘Hey listen, don’t worry. If you decide not to trade me, I’ll come back, and I’ll work as hard and be as loyal as ever. But if you want to factor in my wishes, this may be a time that making a move would be something I’d be open to.’ So, very possible that there’s no communication at all. If there’s any communication, it’s much more likely to come from the player to the team. In this case, I would say there’s no chance it would be a demand. It may just be sharing with the team an openness to making a change if the right situation presented itself.

A look at 10 lower-level free agents who could end up being great value signings - CBS Sports
Corey Graham’s no spring chicken, but he does adapt as well as anyone in the game and brings rings and stewardship with him. He can still play nickel corner if you need him to, he transitioned to safety with the Eagles and he just keeps winning. He would be a great addition to a young secondary and while father time will catch him at some point, I’m not betting on it happening in 2018.

2017 Adjusted Pythagorean Wins - Football Outsiders
Teams that project to decline include your typical 13-plus-win teams like the Eagles, Patriots, Steelers, and Vikings. The only 11-win or better teams that project to improve or hold their stature are the Saints and Rams, and that is despite a downward adjustment due to garbage-time points scored (26 for L.A., 13 for New Orleans.) The reality is that it’s incredibly hard to win so many games in the NFL, and when it occurs it’s usually a sign that the team won a few extra close games.

Top 2018 NFL Draft linebackers by coverage grade - PFF
Roquan Smith is a fantastic all-around player who graded well in all three defensive phases this year. In terms of coverage, Smith has excelled at minimizing gains after the catch, as opponents averaged just 5.7 yards per catch into his coverage while at Georgia and his 29 coverage stops in 2017 was a figure that stood among the best in the country.

Mets G.M.: Tim Tebow will play in the major leagues - PFT
Six years after a hot-potato trade from the Broncos to the Jets killed the football version of Tebowmania, Tim Tebow is trying to get to the highest rungs of another sport. He has made it to the New York Mets’ major-league training camp, and G.M. Sandy Alderson believes it’s a matter of time before he ends up on a major-league roster.

Report: Cowboys to place franchise tag on DeMarcus Lawrence by March 6th - Blogging The Boys
One of the biggest questions facing the Dallas Cowboys this offseason has been how they’ll handle their breakout pass rusher, DeMarcus Lawrence. Lawrence racked up 14.5 sacks in 2017, finally living up to the hype surrounding him when Dallas traded up to get him back in 2014. Unfortunately for the business side of the Cowboys, he did it in a contract year. It’s been inevitable to hear word that Dallas will use the franchise tag on Lawrence, as they’ll unlikely be able to figure out a long-term deal they both like in the immediate future. This idea crystallized all the more on Monday.

Alex Smith Could Give Jay Gruden’s Offense the Balance it has Been Missing - Hogs Haven
[BLG Note: So the Redskins gave up assets and a big extension to an inferior quarterback to Kirk Cousins just so that they could take the ball out of Smith’s hands? Genius.]

Kyzir White: Physicality and Power - Inside The Pylon
Kyzir White is a bad man. Plugging in the tape of one of the best strong safeties in this draft, two traits immediately stand out—his physicality and power. This was apparent in the flesh too. At the Reese’s 2018 Senior Bowl, I reflected upon the impact White made in tackling drills: “the thud he delivered echoed around Ladd-Peebles”. The 6’2”, 216lb prospect had hit power that was an unfair comparison to the rest of the defensive backs. In this video, I study two plays that epitomize the former Mountaineer’s game. Both showcase the physicality and power that bursts off the screen.

Kirk Cousins rumors: Jets are interested, but Washington could tag QB for 3rd time - SB Nation
Kirk Cousins is definitely not the starting quarterback in Washington any longer. Now his future is the biggest storyline of the 2018 offseason. It was settled the moment the team worked out a trade with the Chiefs to bring in Alex Smith. So now Washington has two choices. It can let Cousins hit free agency, or it can use the franchise tag for a third consecutive season to try to get something for him via trade.

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