Eagles News: Andre Dillard’s “athleticism has flashed big-time early on”

Let’s get to the Philadelphia Eagles links ...

What to Expect at League Meeting, NFL-NFLPA Committees Addressing Player Pain Management - MMQB
Speaking of offensive lines, the Eagles strongly believe they bolstered their offensive line on draft weekend. The team was as stunned as anyone that Andre Dillard fell into range for a reasonable trade up from 26, and Howie Roseman didn’t hesitate to pounce on the opportunity. His athleticism has flashed big-time early on, I’m told. And while questions exist when it comes to his run blocking (he’s definitely a projection), the Eagles liked his strength, balance and ability to bend. The team believes position coach Jeff Stoutland can develop him in that area. Philly, by the way, also liked what it saw in a couple undrafted guards it signed. Looks like both Iosua Opeta and Nate Herbig have a shot to make the team.

7 key things we’ll be watching during Eagles OTA practices - BGN
3 - Will there be more 12 personnel?! Earlier this offseason, Doug Pederson said the Eagles’ coaching staff has made a concentrated effort to get more two tight sets involved in the offense. Assuming he’s telling the truth, that’s very smart because 12 personnel helped saved the Eagles’ 2018 season. I want to take Pederson at face value because 2019 marks the first full offseason where the Eagles know they have two really good tight ends. The team didn’t select Dallas Goedert until late April last year and they didn’t know exactly how much he could contribute as a rookie. But now they should know that Goedert and Zach Ertz are both studs who deserve a lot of playing time. Goedert showed serious potential last year and he should only improve moving forward. Ertz, meanwhile, is coming off a year in which he broke the NFL record for single-season tight end receptions. We should be seeing the Eagles utilize a good amount of 12 personnel during spring practices.

Here are all of Eagles WR DeSean Jackson’s targets in 2018, with analysis - PhillyVoice
After having watched Jackson’s 2018 targets, I’m even more steadfast in the belief that he is a perfect fit for the Eagles’ offense. I don’t see a drop in speed, and his mere presence should open up the short-to-intermediate passing game for guys like Alshon Jeffery, Zach Ertz, and Dallas Goedert, as well as having a positive effect on the run game. And if the defense cheats up, then the above video clearly shows that he has the wheels to take the top off the defense.

Ready to Go - Iggles Blitz
Wentz played at an elite level in 2017. One of the reasons for that is that he had a full offseason of work. Wentz was ready to go when September rolled around. He had great chemistry with his receivers, both within the offense and when freelancing. Wentz was more up and down in 2018. He didn’t play at all in the preseason. He was limited in Training Camp. Wentz missed the first two games. When he finally returned, Wentz wasn’t the same. This wasn’t a question of talent, but something was off. Whether it was timing, decision-making, chemistry with the receivers or not being completely in sync with the coaching staff, something was off. Practice matters.

Jay Glazer’s NFL mailbag: How worried should Jets fans be about the future? - The Athletic
But this wasn’t a secret inside the league. In addition to Michael Lombardi’s report for The Athletic on the Friday of draft weekend, I wrote in a chat for The Athletic that the rumor had been very, very loud all week long that the Jets were going to fire Mike Maccagnan and go hire Joe Douglas from the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles heard that it was a strong rumor and they even talked about it internally. Gase was getting texts about it, Maccagnan was getting texts, Douglas was getting texts, the Eagles GM and coaches were getting texts. Within the league, this rumor started getting very loud about 10 days before the draft.

10 non-rookies with something to prove at Eagles OTAs - NBCSP
Tre SullivanThe Eagles signed Andrew Sendejo and claimed Blake Countess, but Tre Sullivan still has a chance to win the Eagles’ pretty important third safety job. Undrafted out of Shepard in 2017, Sullivan played important snaps late in 2018 and might have more room to grow. Sendejo isn’t a lock for the team and Countess hasn’t played a ton on defense in the league.

Jeffrey Lurie to the students of his alma mater: ‘I am hopeful about our future’ - PE.com
”Yet it was also a time when new movements for women’s rights, gay rights, and the environment really began to take off. And when I see how today’s young people are organizing to confront the real and present danger of gun violence, address climate change, and work for a more fair and just society, I am hopeful about our future. In my time here, Clark remained a place where political dissent and peaceful protest were understood as a vital part of learning and of citizenship. This is where I was inspired to eventually pursue a Ph.D. in social policy, even if my career ultimately followed a different script.

Saquon Barkley calls Miles Sanders this year’s best rookie running back - PFT
“What he went through, coming here as a five-star to sitting back and waiting for his spot and his moment, when he got his moment he took advantage of it,” Barkley said, via the Centre Daily Times. “To be the second running back taken in the draft — and in my opinion, the best running back in the draft — he’s going to prove that to the league this year. I’m really excited for him.”

Jaguars believe Nick Foles will buck free-agent QB trend - ESPN
However, when the quarterback isn’t a future Hall of Famer, things typically haven’t worked out that well. Seven of the 10 other free-agent quarterbacks signed to multiyear deals failed to lead their teams to the playoffs. Two others never made it past the first month as the starter. Those players don’t have any impact on what Foles will do with the Jaguars. It’s just a historical trend that says teams that go shopping for a franchise quarterback generally miss more than they hit -- unless, of course, you’re able to snag a future Hall of Famer who somehow became a free agent.

Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott handcuffed, not arrested, at Vegas music festival - Blogging The Boys
It’s been a quiet offseason for fourth-year running back Ezekiel Elliott. All reports have been positive surrounding the two-time Pro Bowler both in the locker room, on the field, and off the field. That is, up until today when TMZ.com released a video of Ezekiel Elliott using his body to push a security guard for a music festival to the ground.

Reuben Foster Leaves Redskins OTA’s With Torn ACL. His Season Is Over. - Hogs Haven
The Redskins ILB goes down in OTAs

Buccaneers Are Moving On From Gerald McCoy - Bucs Nation
The face of the franchise for nearly a decade will be moving on. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have decided it’s best to release Gerald McCoy, saving them $13-million in cap space for the 2019 season. McCoy was always in danger of being let go, one way or another, once the Bucs decided to shift to a 3-4 defense.

Ask a former NFL player: Should there be a rule that permanently bans domestic violence abusers? - SB Nation
The solution is for NFL decision makers to take a stand on their own and not give contracts to players with incidents of abuse toward women and/or children. I don’t think we need an absolute rule. We need the leaders of franchise to ignore the talent of the player and focus on the person. I hope that can happen.

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