:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63831772/usa_today_11488711.0.jpg)
Let’s get to the Philadelphia Eagles links ...
New Eagle Ryan Bates is fulfilling a childhood dream after starring at Archbishop Wood, Penn State - Inquirer
Ryan Bates grew up in Warrington with a life-size Brian Westbrook poster on his wall. He rooted for the Eagles every Sunday. So when the offensive lineman from Archbishop Wood and Penn State took a moment in the Eagles locker room after his first practice at rookie minicamp to wonder what the 12-year-old version of himself would think about this sight, Bates explained it with raw emotion. “Holy s---,” he said. “Honestly. Twelve-years-old, that’s what I’d probably say.” And how about his friends from back home who joined him in the stands for the NFC Championship game 16 months ago, before which they tailgated in the parking lots and after which they went running up Broad Street together? “Holy s---,” he said.
Eagles depth chart following the 2019 NFL Draft: Offense edition - BGN
Wentz is poised to have a great season if he can just stay healthy. Here’s hoping he will because the Eagles will only go as far as No. 11 takes them. Sudfeld has big shoes to fill as Nick Foles’ replacement. He’s shown some positive flashes in limited action but is still largely unproven. Thorson seems like the favorite for the No. 3 job since the Eagles used a fifth-round pick to bring him in as a developmental passer. Kessler will theoretically push Sudfeld and Thorson for the No. 2 and No. 3 spots.
At the Podium: Doug Gets Testy at Rookie Minicamp - BGN Radio
Rookie Minicamp has started and Doug Pederson is ready to chime in on everything, except Carson Wentz’s availability for OTAs PLUS Jeffrey Lurie’s “massive” announcement.Powered by SB Nation and Bleeding Green Nation.
Always Looking - Iggles Blitz
The Eagles were able to get Wiz back at a reduced rate. Ditto for Tim Jernigan. Vinny Curry returned to the Eagles for a cheap deal. Ronald Darby stuck around for less than he expected to get. Rodney McLeod took a pay cut to keep his job. These signings have worked out really well for the Eagles, giving them great depth at a reasonable cost. There is one potential downside. The 2017 team had great chemistry. The players got along and brought out the best in each other. You wonder if any of these players are bitter, having not gotten the kind of free agent money they hoped for. Maybe these players are happy that the Eagles gave them an offer. Maybe there won’t be any hard feelings. I certainly hope that’s the case. It will be interesting to see if anything comes of this or if this team also has great chemistry.
Grading the Eagles’ offseason moves: Stefen Wisniewski bolsters interior line depth - The Athletic
Wisniewski is far from a perfect player, and it’s telling that in an offensive line-hungry league, returning to the Eagles as a backup was his best option. But he’s smart, tough, versatile and knows the system. Offensively, the Eagles are in position to be able to withstand injuries across the board (except for at quarterback, of course). As I wrote previously, there is no excuse for this to be anything short of a top-five offense in 2019, if Carson Wentz is healthy. Grade: Airplane peanuts. They’re not your first option for a snack, but if you don’t have the time or resources to get something better before boarding, they’ll at least provide some satisfaction about two hours into that cross-country flight.
Monday Injury Rounds: Quarterback Update - Football Guys
While a return to full activity during OTAs would be a welcome development, a lucrative contract offer from Philadelphia would be even more reassuring. General manager Howie Roseman says the Eagles are in the planning stages of a long-term deal and “wouldn’t hesitate” if the deal was right. Actions speak louder than words, however, and Philadelphia will have two years to assess Carson Wentz’s durability after exercising the fifth-year option on his rookie contract. Our next data point will be the Eagles’ first OTA workout on May 21.
Most accurate NFL quarterbacks by pass depth in 2018 - PFF
Cody Kessler, Philadelphia Eagles: 72.3%. The new man in Philadelphia only played 263 snaps in relief of Blake Bortles in Jacksonville last year, and while he did end the year with a poor 52.1 passing grade (no thanks to the 2:3 big-time throw to turnover-worthy play ratio), he did manage to finish the year ranked 18th among signal-callers in overall accuracy percentage. His work on the short stuff was a big reason why – 72.3% of his short throws earned an accurate designation, which beat out notable names like Matt Ryan (72.0%), Russell Wilson (71.7%) and Tom Brady (71.1%).
With Cody Kessler, Eagles add experience to QB room - PE.com
What does Kessler mean as far as the depth chart goes? It’s going to play out on the field, but at the moment it looks like this: The Eagles have Wentz, a player who they are building around for the present and the long term. Nate Sudfeld returns for his third season as an Eagle and his fourth in the NFL as a rising prospect whom the Eagles feel very confident in, also aware that Sudfeld has never started an NFL game and that there is an experiential learning curve happening with Sudfeld. Thorson, a 2019 fifth-round draft pick, had a strong weekend and continues his assimilation into the Eagles’ offensive scheme. Kessler brings what the rest of the quarterback crop – not including Wentz, of course – does not have: Starting experience in the NFL. He was thrust into the 2016 mess in Cleveland, starting eight games and completing 66 percent of his passes with six touchdowns and only two interceptions in nine games. The Browns stunk that year and Kessler took a beating in and out of the pocket, but he showed toughness, he showed some moxie, and he moved the offense as much as that offense could move. After two seasons with the Browns, Kessler played in Jacksonville in 2018 and went 2-2 as a starter with 709 passing yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions in the five games he played.
Eagles’ rookie RB Miles Sanders already off to good start with Duce Staley - NBCSP
Just one NFL practice under his belt and Eagles running back Miles Sanders was already sure he’s going to get along just fine with running backs coach Duce Staley. Here’s one guess how he knew: “[Staley] was very hard on me,” Sanders said. “Wants the best out of me.” On Friday, the first day of the Eagles’ three-day rookie minicamp, Sanders said Staley’s emphasis was on finishing plays. Practices can be long, players might be tired by the end of them, but Sanders needs to finish strong. That was something he was prepared to focus on for Day 2.
NFL Draft Trade Rankings - Rotoworld
24. Eagles - Draft capital lost via trades equivalent to losing the No. 116 pick. [...] 32. The Eagles trading No. 163 to the Patriots for No. 167 and No. 246.
Report: Steelers expected to sign former Eagles and Raiders WR Johnny Holton - Behind The Steel Curtain
Holton would go on to join the Eagles as a future signings in 2019, only to be released three weeks ago and will now look to restart his career in Pittsburgh. Noted for his speed in college, this 6-foot-1 wide receiver ran a 4.42 40-yard dash at his pro day was also a kick return man, finishing his career with 942 yards from 42 returns.
Setting up the NFL’s QB battles: Who’s leading, where rookies stand - ESPN
Most likely QB to lead team in 2019 snaps: Manning. Something crazy or unfortunate would need to happen between now and Week 1 in order for Manning to lose his spot as the starter. The Giants would have to stink up the joint early for Jones to take over before midseason. The likelihood is New York will stick with Manning until the team is mathematically eliminated (or close) from the postseason. We’ve already seen how hard it has been for the Giants to move on from Manning. He’s a franchise legend. There are strong intimate feelings there. It won’t happen until the outside noise is just too loud to ignore.
Report: Cowboys lose second scout to Oakland Raiders staff - Blogging The Boys
Juliff spent over three decades with the Dallas Cowboys. That’s a long time to be at any profession which means moving isn’t exactly something that was thought of lightly. 31 years also takes us back to 1988, a time well before even The Triplets roamed Texas Stadium and the minds of NFC East opponents. Walter Juliff was part of the Cowboys contingent that preceded Jerry Jones which means he was around the likes of Tom Landry, Tex Schramm, and Gil Brandt. It’s been that long.
Vikings Feeling the Salary Cap Squeeze, OBJ Back in Cleveland, Rookie Standouts in Minicamps - MMQB
In a year in which they didn’t have a first-round pick, the Saints believe they brought home a first-round talent in fourth-round safety Chauncey Gardner-Johnson. He’s gotten a rep for being a little bit of a loudmouth, which turned some teams off. But given how the Saints are put together, that won’t be a problem in New Orleans. And his nickel/safety versatility could make him an easy piece to play with, and eventually replace Vonn Bell in the lineup, should Bell walk after this year.
Still no word on “Hard Knocks” team for 2019 - PFT
Once you cross off the teams with new head coaches, the teams which made the playoffs in the last two years, or the teams that have been on it before, you’re left with five possibilities. Washington, along with the Raiders, 49ers, Lions, and Giants can be compelled to do it.
The Patriots’ newest trick is to crush teams with their running backs - SB Nation
The New England Patriots, however, took one look at a depth chart devoid of tight end talent and decided to invest in their running backs. In a vacuum, Bill Belichick’s 2019 NFL Draft was a shotgun approach to adding the best talent he saw available. But while getting Tom Brady new blood to throw was expected to be a priority, the Patriots drafted as many wide receivers and tight ends (N’Keal Harry) as tailbacks (Damien Harris) at this year’s event. Now New England enters the upcoming season with a potent backfield — and it’s time to wonder if restarting the Pats’ running game is Belichick’s next trend-bucking move.
...
Social Media Information:
BGN Facebook Page: Click here to like our page
BGN Twitter: Follow @BleedingGreen
BGN Manager: Brandon Lee Gowton: Follow @BrandonGowton
BGN Radio Twitter: Follow @BGN_Radio