Eagles News: Carson Wentz has a chance to make some NFL history against the Giants

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[BLG Note: Carson Wentz can also become the first quarterback in Eagles franchise history to have at least 4,000 passing yards in a single season. Wentz had 325 yards when the Eagles played the New York Giants back in Week 14 so it’s really within reach.]

Eagles vs. Giants Final Injury Report: Zach Ertz ruled out, Jalen Mills questionable - BGN
Zach Ertz is the Eagles’ leading receiver on a team that severely lacks pass catching talent so his absence is kind of a big deal. The pressure is on Dallas Goedert to follow up his career game against the Cowboys with another big effort at MetLife Stadium. The recently re-signed Richard Rodgers figures to be the second tight end in 12 personnel packages while Joshua Perkins could also continue to get limited playing time. Here’s more on Ertz.

Eagles-Giants Week 17 Preview - BGN Radio
Jimmy Kempski and Brandon Lee Gowton give their predictions and thoughts on which players could be back or gone next season, analyze the latest roster moves, and preview Eagles-Giants! Powered by SB Nation and Bleeding Green Nation.

Urgency - Iggles Blitz
There was a play where Boston Scott chip-blocked DeMarcus Lawrence. Scott was just supposed to hit Lawrence to slow him down and then Scott would release into his pass route. Scott hit Lawrence and knocked him off balance. Scott stuck with the block and moved him off the ball. Just took him out of the play. Wow. Just wow. Malcolm Jenkins was 1-on-1 in space vs Zeke and tackled him for minimal gain. Miles Sanders was 1-on-1 in space vs Sean Lee and was somewhat pinned against the sideline. Sanders used a great fake to get by Lee and up the field for at least five yards.

Wooden sleds and bear crawls: Inside Miles Sanders’ ROY charge - ESPN
Eagles rookie running back Miles Sanders didn’t want to curse in front of the media, he said, but he had to in order to explain what coach Duce Staley put him through after he lost two fumbles during a Week 3 loss to the Detroit Lions. ”It’s called ‘The Bitch,’” Sanders quietly told ESPN at his locker stall in September. It’s a wooden sled that’s brought out for such an occasion. The offending player -- in this case Sanders -- has to push the sled from a bear-crawl position 150 yards for each fumble. Fifty yards up, then back, then up again. Sanders had to do it twice. “He let me do them different days,” said Sanders. “It’s not fun.” But it is effective, apparently. Sanders, who had issues with fumbling at Penn State, has not let another ball hit the turf since.

What happened to Jordan Howard? He finally explains - NBCSP
“You just can’t give him a full complement of plays,” Doug Pederson said Friday. “We don’t want to necessarily disrupt what we have going, but he is a big piece obviously to our offense.” Sanders will continue as the lead back, and Scott will continue as the second back. Howard’s role? It’s going to be small. “It’s been a while since I’ve been out on the field so it’s going to take some time to get back used to it,” he said. “I’m just trying to fit in wherever I can to help the team. I know I’ve got to get back into the groove of things. I can’t just go back out there and have my regular workload. I know what’s going to happen, so I can’t be naive about that.”

The 8-Point Lead: Don’t ask Jason Peters about the end of his career; Miles Sanders’ push for rookie of the year - The Athletic
Turns out, the Eagles barely needed one this season — at least not yet. Wentz will start his 16th game on Sunday and has played 99 percent of the offensive snaps. Considering his past two seasons, that’s an accomplishment by itself. “I was actually just asked how I’m feeling — and I’m thankful,” Wentz said Thursday. “The last two years, I’ve been out at this point. To feel the way I do, to still be out here with the guys in Week 17, it’s a blessing. It’s something I don’t take for granted. And I’m excited to hopefully get one more.” Wentz has left the field only once for medical reasons — a concussion evaluation in Week 2. He’s missed snaps in two other games that were out of reach. But he’s been durable en route to his second 16-start season in four years. That stands out in Eagles history. Before Wentz’s 16-start rookie campaign in 2016, the Eagles went seven consecutive seasons with more than one starting quarterback. Donovan McNabb started every game four times in his Eagles career: 2000, 2001, 2003 and 2008. (He could have started 16 games in 2004, but the Eagles had clinched home-field advantage by Week 17.) There are 16 quarterbacks who have started every game this season. Lamar Jackson will sit this weekend to rest for the postseason, so Wentz will be one of 15 — fewer than half — to start every game.

His Eagles teammates say this about Jason Peters: Don’t ever count him out - Inquirer
Brandon Brooks: “He holds everybody accountable. He’s old school as a player compared to the league now. I hate to be the old guy, like, ‘Get off my grass,’ but the league is a lot different, even from when I came in. To see dudes, say, they had a bad play. Dudes aren’t thinking about making a bad play. They’re like, ‘[Fudge], I got to see JP on the sidelines. He’s going to say something to me.’ When he speaks, dudes listen, coaches listen, general managers listen, owners listen.”

There’s a lot to watch with so much at stake vs. Giants - PE.com
The Eagles put up 10 points in their first two possessions against Dallas and played with a lead the entire game. That was huge. That changed the tone of the game. In this three-game winning streak – and, really, throughout the season when they’ve won games – the Eagles controlled time of possession and they’ve started fast. So … how do the Eagles get the offense on track quickly without Pro Bowl tight end Zach Ertz, officially out for his game with injured ribs? They do what they’ve done: They play efficient offense and they spread the ball around and they take creative approaches to favorable matchups. Tight end Dallas Goedert becomes the go-to receiver here – how many targets will he get on Sunday? How does 15 sound? – and Greg Ward is vital to keep the chains moving.

The NFL’s Future GMs: Candidates in Position to Lead Team Personnel - MMQB
We’re going to have the traditional names on this year’s list. But it’s definitely worth mentioning guys like Omar Khan and Samir Suleiman in Pittsburgh, Jake Rosenberg and Alec Halaby in Philly, Rob Brzezinski in Minnesota, Russ Ball in Green Bay, Mike Greenberg in Tampa and Mike Disner in Detroit. Philadelphia’s Andrew Berry, with a hybrid background, should also be considered. He’s Harvard-educated, he’s scouted for a decade and he’s worked with Paul DePodesta and Sashi Brown in Cleveland, giving him unique perspective on balancing different sides of team building. He could be ideal for a team like Jacksonville, with the expectation that analytically-minded EVP Tony Khan will be more influential going forward.

Giants vs. Eagles - When Philly has the ball - Big Blue View
While Ertz is injured, Dallas Goedert is still a dangerous offensive weapon and the Eagles’ second-leading receiver. Regardless of whether or not Ertz plays, the Giants will also likely get to see a fair amount of TE Joshua Perkins, who caught five passes against them last time, and newly re-signed veteran Richard Rodgers. Rodgers has mostly been a back-up over the course of his six-year career, but as a 12-game starter for the Packers in 2015 he caught 58 passes and 8 touchdowns, so he is a player to be aware of as well. All told, while the Giants’ secondary matches up well against Philly’s depleted receiving corps, their offense will likely be run though the tight end and running back positions. The Giants’ struggles against tight ends are well-documented, and a well-used running back can be difficult for any defense to deal with. The Giants should prepare — and game plan — to be attacked at the linebacker and safety positions.

Bill Callahan/Kevin O’Connell Redskins Pressers: Terry McLaurin and Landon Collins won’t play vs Cowboys - Hogs Haven
Redskins interim Head Coach Bill Callahan and Offensive Coordinator Kevin O’Connell spoke to the media after the final Redskins practice of the year. This could also be the final week both of them are employed by the Redskins. Several players have been ruled out for Sunday’s game. Two more members of the secondary are going to IR, and more new faces will likely be on the field in Dallas. [BLG Note: Eagles clearly can’t count on Washington to win in Dallas.]

Dallas vs. Washington final injury report: Dak Prescott will play, Tyron Smith, Byron Jones questionable - Blogging The Boys
The final injury report for the Dallas Cowboys is out and like last week, Dak Prescott isn’t on it. He’s not listed as questionable so he will be a go and start on Sunday versus Washington. He still wasn’t able to practice much this week so we’ll have to see if that affects him. Last week he had a poor game versus the Eagles. Tyron Smith is questionable as he is dealing with a back injury that has plagued him off and on. Cornerback Byron Jones is also questionable as is defensive tackle Antwaun Woods. Those are three pretty important starters for Dallas that could either sit out or be limited in their abilities if they do play. Jones’ injury just happened this week.

Friday Injury Report: Josh Jacobs and Richie Incognito both doubtful for Sunday - Silver And Black Pride
While the Raiders were missing a plethora of starters at Thursday’s practice, the only players carrying a designation heading into Sunday’s game are Josh Jacobs and Richie Incognito, who are both listed as doubtful. [BLG Note: Miles Sanders is only 40 scrimmage yards away from passing Jacobs and leading all rookies. Sanders had 69 yards from scrimmage when the Eagles played the Giants back in Week 14.]

Opinion: Cowboys, Browns, Giants among NFL teams that could be making big changes soon - USA Today
Dan Snyder has found himself in this position many times, but he needs to finally find a solution that will create long-lasting change. The Redskins will hire a new coach after firing Jay Gruden five weeks into the season, and Snyder also should fire team president Bruce Allen, who has overseen a decade of ineptitude. According to multiple people with knowledge of the situation, Snyder understands the viewpoint that the franchise needs a reset and is considering a complete overhaul, which would include the firing of Allen. However, Snyder also is considering a scenario in which he retains Allen while handing some of his responsibilities off to a high-ranking front office addition. Multiple league insiders said that Allen’s presence makes “many” of the top coaching candidates hesitant to come to Washington. But another person familiar with Washington’s inner workings said that Allen still has a good chance to keep his job.

BREAKING: Saints hosting Antonio Brown for free agent workout - Canal Street Chronicles
The New Orleans Saints could use another wide receiver opposite Michael Thomas, and it looks like they’re still considering their options, even this late into the season. None other than Antonio Brown is confirmed headed to New Orleans for a free agent workout.

Relationship Over! Draya Michele Callously Confesses Orlando Scandrick Split On Christmas Day - Bossip
It’s a wrap for Draya Michele and Orlando Scandrick as a couple as the entrepreneur and her footballer fiancee have officially called it quits. Earlier this week, Draya caught some slack from the public after she tweeted jokingly about wanting to see rapper DaBaby’s alleged nudes. People reminded Draya that she was in a relationship, but apparently, the Orlando supporters were wrong.

Michael Vick reflects on forgiveness, his football career, and what’s next - SB Nation
Michael Vick is one of the most electrifying players the NFL has ever seen. Along with becoming one of the most popular athletes in Atlanta sports history, Vick set the standard for mobile quarterbacks during his 13-year NFL career, paving the way for guys like Lamar Jackson. Vick is also one of the most polarizing players in NFL history. His career was put on pause in 2007 after he pled guilty for involvement in a dogfighting ring and spent 21 months in federal prison. His comeback in 2009 with the Philadelphia Eagles yielded the best season of his career, which he pursued until his retirement in 2015. He now spends most of his time as an analyst with Fox Sports on Fox NFL Kickoff (as well as other FS1 programming) and working with the Team Vick Foundation. Vick sat down with SB Nation to discuss his career, his time in prison, forgiveness (and the lack thereof), along with what he wants to do in the future.

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