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Eagles News: One NFL executive thinks Ryan Kerrigan doesn’t have much left in the tank

Philadelphia Eagles news and links for 5/18/21.

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Philadelphia Eagles v Washington Football Team Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images

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

What the NFLPA Should Have Learned From Michael Jordan’s Old Contracts (Really) - MAQB
Ryan Kerrigan is an interesting add for new Eagles DC Jonathan Gannon. While, on paper, you’d look at him and think that he’d bring the Seattle-ish scheme that Indy DC Matt Eberflus runs, there’s still a lot of Mike Zimmer influence there. And Zimmer very much values pass-rushers who have some versatility, so he can be creative with them. At his height, that’s what Kerrigan was. At 32, even having some of that left could help Gannon bring his vision for the defense to life. (For what it’s worth, here’s one pro scouting director’s take on what Kerrigan has left: “Not much. Thought he was very close to the end last year even with play time cut back. Sometimes those type guys have one decent last year with a new team.”

Washington Football Team fans are very annoyed to see Ryan Kerrigan joining the Eagles - BGN
“It’s a 10 level of annoyance, for sure. He’s one of our most beloved players, so watching him go to a division rival sucks. On the other hand, we’ll still get to watch him beat up on the Cowboys and Giants twice a season, so it’s not all bad. If he won a Super Bowl with Philly, I’d really just be shocked that he was able to continue playing for the 10+ years and major front office changes it would take to get there. Given that, I’d be happy for him.”

Ryan Kerrigan is signing with the Philadelphia Eagles... - Hogs Haven
That induction will have to wait and it has just been reported that he will be continuing his career with a hated division rival, the Philadelphia Eagles. For some fans going to the Dallas Cowboys would have been the worst possible outcome, but Philly is definitely worse in my book. Good luck chasing that ring Ryan!

FROM THE SB NATION NFL SHOW: Evaluating DeVonta Smith w/Nate Tice - BGN Radio
Good analysis of the Eagles’ first-round pick.

Eagles Add Pass Rusher - Iggles Blitz
The only downside I can see is adding an older player to the roster. If you’re building for the future, you can argue that giving snaps and practice time to Tarron Jackson would be the better investment. Jackson could turn out to be the next Trent Cole and playing him would be smart. Or he could be the next Shareef Miller, and giving him reps would be a waste of time. You just don’t know. Kerrigan instantly helps the team’s pass rush. He provides another solid leader. There is still room on the roster for Jackson and he has another veteran pass rusher to learn from. This move also tells you that the Eagles want to be competitive. They know this roster has issues, but a strong DL can make a huge difference. If you can win up front, you can win. Howie Roseman knows the roster needs talent and youth, but he also wants to win games now. He’s not completely focused on the future. He’s trying to balance building and competing.

Washington Football Team’s all-time sacks leader Ryan Kerrigan joins Philadelphia Eagles - ESPN
Kerrigan joins a defensive end rotation in Philadelphia that includes Brandon Graham, Derek Barnett and Josh Sweat. He’ll be playing for new defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon, who is expected to ask his linemen to read and react more, in contrast to former DC Jim Schwartz’s constant attack style. “They’ve got Brandon Graham and Derek Barnett, guys who are entrenched and are bona fide studs in this league,” Kerrigan said of the Eagles. “But I know they rotate their guys a lot. Whether I’m a starter or a reserve, I still imagine I’ll get a lot of playing time. That was a big thing for me.” Washington had left the door open for a possible return, according to a team source. But it also has starting ends Montez Sweat and Chase Young, and it drafted two more in William Bradley-King and Shaka Toney.

Highly productive and respected, Ryan Kerrigan fills several roles on defense - PE.com
“We’re pleased to add a player and person of Ryan’s caliber to our team,” General Manager Howie Roseman said. “For the last 10 seasons, we’ve seen firsthand how Ryan can affect a game on the field and we know that adding a veteran presence to our locker room can only benefit our young players. “Ryan is excited to show Eagles fans he’s got plenty left in his game and we look forward to seeing him do just that this season.” A player who victimized the Eagles for so many seasons is now here to help a new defense with his pass-rush prowess, his toughness, and his leadership. The addition of Kerrigan in many ways strikes a similar chord to the addition of defensive end Chris Long prior to the 2017 Super Bowl season. Long had been a veteran with St. Louis and New England, having won the Super Bowl the season before with the Patriots, and he thrived in a rotational role off the edge. “He’s just a great player who has power and strength and speed. He’s special,” said Johnson, who never engaged in any trash talking with Kerrigan in their many battles. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard Ryan Kerrigan say a word on the football field. He’s a total class act. I have all the respect in the world for him. The only time we’ve talked is when we were at the Pro Bowl together. He’s a great guy and a great football player.”

Ryan Kerrigan gave Washington stability when it couldn’t be found anywhere else - The Athletic
That he didn’t sign with another team until mid-May and only landed with the retooling Eagles, the lone NFC East team not expected to compete for the division title, suggests the rest of the NFL sees Kerrigan in a part-time role. Kerrigan, who has 13.5 sacks against the Eagles, tied with the Cowboys for his most against any opponent, has at least one sack against 31 teams. He’ll get two shots this season to make it 32, joining Philadelphia’s defensive end rotation while serving as a prime example of how to handle one’s business on and off the field like he did for Washington. “RK didn’t have to open his arms to me and help me throughout the whole season,” said Young, the defensive rookie of the year. “You hear stories where that doesn’t happen all the time. I always thank RK for doing that and always thank him for the type of man that he is. … That’s big bro. I’ve got nothing but love for RK. He knows that.”

Who are the top 10 Washington football players who became Eagles? - NBCSP
Brian Mitchell: After 10 seasons and eight return TDs (six punt, two kickoff) with Washington, Mitchell joined the Eagles in 2000 and added four more return TDs – two punts, two kicks. His 25.3 kick return average is 7th-highest in Eagles history and his 11.7 punt return average is 5th-highest. His four career return TDs in the kicking game is tied for 3rd-most in Eagles history. Steve Van Buren had five (three kick, two punt) and Timmy Brown had seven (five kick, one punt, one field goal). Mitchell also had an 85-yard TD run against the Falcons in 2000, the 3rd-longest TD run in Eagles history.

2021 NFL playoff predictions: Five teams from 2020 postseason that will miss out and five that will join party - CBS Sports
Cowboys: I don’t really fancy Dallas as any sort of real contender, and I think the defense will still prove to be a major cause of concern and Mike McCarthy will face plenty of tough questions along the way. But Dak Prescott is good for several wins above what the QB position provided a year ago, this division is still pretty weak and while I expect WFT to win another NFC East crown, there is enough money and resources invested in this roster to think the Cowboys can be the seventh-best team in a suspect NFC. I think.

Dallas Cowboys 2021 schedule: Way-too-early win/loss game predictions - Blogging The Boys
After splitting games with both the Giants and Washington already, this Week 18 matchup with the Eagles could determine who wins the NFC East division. If everything plays out like predicted, the Cowboys could also be playing for a first-round bye. If that’s true, Dallas has something to play for and that’s bad news for the Eagles. WIN. Dallas Cowboys (12-5)

Taking a deeper dive into the Giants’ 2021 schedule - Big Blue View
The Eagles, who posted the worst record in the division last season at 4-11-1, not only have the easiest schedule next season in terms of 2020 opponents’ combined records at .430, but they also have the best ranking in the NFC East in terms of strength of timing. The Eagles have a +10 net rush edge, meaning that over the course of the season they will have 10 days of more rest than their opponents. But Philly is at one serious disadvantage. The Eagles are the only team this season who has to play four games in 17 days. And, look at the teams they are playing on short rest: Week 4: Sunday on short rest after playing on MNF they face the Chiefs. Week 6: Thursday on short rest after playing on Sunday they face the Buccaneers. After that busy stretch, Philly will also have to play five road games in the next seven weeks. Meanwhile, the Cowboys are ranked similarly to the Giants with a +1 net rest edge. And the defending division champion Football Team has the toughest timing of schedule at -14, one of the worst in the league.

Frank Reich on Carson Wentz: I stick my neck out for people I believe in - PFT
“I think it’s a collaborative effort that we work with Carson,” Reich said. “You stick your neck out for players as a head coach or a GM or a scout or coach. We all do it. Obviously, as a head coach, sometimes you have a bit more say in it than maybe a position coach. But that’s what you love about it. I love sticking my neck out for people I believe in. I’m willing to put it on the line for players that you believe in. I believe in this team, I believe in Carson, so I feel good about it. I do know that his play will reflect the work that he does, it’ll reflect the work that our team does, it’ll reflect the work that our staff does, all the preparation. But I don’t mind being the point person on that.”

Monday Football Monday #37: 2021 Risers & Fallers + More Rodgers Drama + Minicamps Underway - The SB Nation NFL Show
Brandon Lee Gowton fills in for RJ Ochoa as he and Pete Sweeney give their takes on the teams destined for greatness and failure in the upcoming 2021 NFL Season PLUS there’s more Aaron Rodgers drama and rookie minicamps are underway! [BLG Note: We also talked about the Ryan Kerrigan signing in here.]

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