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The Philadelphia Eagles officially re-signed starting cornerback Ronald Darby to a one-year contract worth $8.5 million on Friday afternoon.
We’ll have more analysis of the Darby deal and what it means for the team in the near future here at Bleeding Green Nation. In the meantime, here are some instant reactions to the deal.
Let’s start off with one of Darby’s teammates celebrating his return.
My guy https://t.co/FWfx66PcdG
— rasul (@rd32_era) March 15, 2019
For those who think Darby isn’t good, here are some things for your consideration.
Since he entered the league in 2015 – Ronald Darby is the 19th highest-graded cornerback (82.0 overall career grade) among qualifying CBs with at least 1000 coverage snaps including the postseason. https://t.co/yQOF24DagX
— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) March 15, 2019
Eagles cornerbacks by PFF grade (rank out of 131 CBs)
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) March 15, 2019
Ronald Darby: 38th
Rasul Douglas: 44th
Cre’Von LeBlanc: 63rd
Avonte Maddox: 64th
Jalen Mills: 112th
Sidney Jones: 127thhttps://t.co/4orz2zNSHA
Even more reactions for you to chew on below:
I’ve thought that the Eagles’ desire to bring Darby back really doesn’t reflect well on one of these two corners: Rasul Douglas or Sidney Jones.
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) March 15, 2019
And I don’t think it’s Douglas.https://t.co/4orz2zNSHA
Something to keep in mind about the Eagles CB position is that it seems like there’s a non-zero chance Jalen Mills could begin season on PUP list.
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) March 15, 2019
At least, that was my takeaway here:https://t.co/ulyBvjru7L pic.twitter.com/0xKm1JeOtP
Mills was still wearing a boot March 2, per these photos https://t.co/vF6P0W18Am https://t.co/DRFWktJIQd
— Daniel Gallen (@danieljtgallen) March 15, 2019
Dear mock drafters:
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) March 15, 2019
It was already time to stop mocking cornerbacks to the Eagles in the first round but now it is really time to stop doing that. Please and thank you.https://t.co/4orz2zNSHA
Mills will never be moved to safety. Team loves him at corner. https://t.co/9H27yz2P61
— Alex Smith (@Alex_SmithPHI) March 15, 2019
Darby likely wasn't getting great offers coming off of injury, and is betting on himself to play well in 2019 to get a big contract in 2020.
— Benjamin Solak (@BenjaminSolak) March 15, 2019
This gives PHI another year to figure out what they have in young players like Rasul Douglas, Sidney Jones, and Avonte Maddox.
Big win. https://t.co/tVYLsvgXX1
The Eagles now have six corners under contract for 2019 25 or younger.
— Benjamin Solak (@BenjaminSolak) March 15, 2019
3 (Ronald Darby, Cre'Von LeBlanc, Jalen Mills) hit free agency in 2020.
2 (Rasul Douglas, Sidney Jones) hit FA in 2021.
This upcoming season is crucial for determining who wins those long-term jobs.
I don't, no.
— Benjamin Solak (@BenjaminSolak) March 15, 2019
Maddox is the most likely, as he actually played there last season, but it's far more likely that they just draft a safety. https://t.co/28QOxUqxzQ
Prove it deal, makes sense for both parties. https://t.co/ju4Tyjaxzu
— Michael Kist (@MichaelKistNFL) March 15, 2019
There were discussions about one-year and multi-year deals with a few teams. Darby is opting for the prove-it deal with the hopes of cashing in next year. https://t.co/1hMqIK56Al
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 15, 2019
how to be an eagles fan (in steps):
— Celtics team chemistry fan account (@johnwintertweet) March 15, 2019
1. complain about too many corners
2. season starts, football happens
3. complain about lack of corners
4. season ends
5. see number 1
The Darby deal is a sensible move for the Eagles. Eagles keep a talented, 25-year-old starting CB that they know. Darby can reset his value coming off injury. Comparable to keeping Jeremy Maclin on 1-year deal in 2014.
— Zach Berman (@ZBerm) March 15, 2019
Love this move. There’s some excitement with the young CBs in Philly but they’ve either struggled or shown flashes in small windows so far. Definitely shaky. This makes Darby the 1 and lets Mills, Jones, Douglas and Maddox compete https://t.co/l3x3qmmWrm
— Mike Clay (@MikeClayNFL) March 15, 2019
It's hard to overstate how well Douglas, Maddox, and LeBlanc were playing last year. Now Darby, our best CB, is back. If Sidney Jones is healthy, that's quietly a really strong set of CBs.
— Kyle (@IgglesNest) March 15, 2019
I know he’s had his ups and downs, but I’m really happy we’re bringing Ronald Darby back.
— Stephen Lee (@Stephen_Lee20) March 15, 2019
Jalen Mills is *too* hot-and-cold and Sidney Jones has essentially been a bust thus far.
This is good. #Eagles
With Darby signed, the Eagles' top unsigned players are: J. Ajayi, T. Jernigan, M. Wallace, H. Ngata, S. Wisniewski, C. Warmack, C. Graham, R. Rodgers, D. Sproles
— Zach Berman (@ZBerm) March 15, 2019