March 19, 2017
Free agency is kinda-sorta over, so we'll take a look back at how some of the national media outlets viewed what the Philadelphia Eagles were able to do to improve their team.
(In case you missed our grades, you can find them here).
Philadelphia Eagles: The Eagles needed to upgrade at receiver, and they accomplished that in adding Alshon Jeffery. While the offense got plenty of attention, the defense was ignored.
#JimmySays: With limited resources, something had to give. I am a little surprised that the Eagles didn't add anyone defensively though, so it's a valid gripe.
If all goes right this year, Jeffery should be the centerpiece of a new-look passing game in Philadelphia.
#JimmySays: To note, SI is grading just the Jeffery deal here.
After suffering through two miserable seasons in San Francisco, Torrey Smith heads to Philadelphia, where he'll become Carson Wentz's latest downfield threat.
#JimmySays: Again, to note, SI is grading just the Torrey Smith deal here. A- feels a little generous.
The Eagles made landing help for Carson Wentz a priority, which is why they signed receivers Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith. They will help the passing game, and Jeffery only got a one-year deal (while Smith’s deal is for so little guaranteed money it’s essentially a year-to-year commitment). They also re-signed guard Stefan Wisniewski and added Titans guard Chance Warmack. They lost corner Nolan Carroll and nose tackle Bennie Logan.
Getting help for Wentz made sense. And Jeffery should be hungry playing on a one-year deal.
#JimmySays: To read what CBS had to say about the Eagles' free agency period, you'd think they'd give a better grade than a C+.
Smith is an interesting choice for Philadelphia, especially considering he was practically a non-factor for the San Francisco 49ers the past two seasons. Despite that, the deal only contains $5 million in guaranteed money with a $500,000 signing bonus and the last two seasons are basically team options, per Tom Pelissero of USA Today. Smith has a lot to prove in the City of Brotherly Love, but still has speed and is still an upgrade compared to what Philadelphia was working with last year. So long as he still has gas left in the tank, he should be a boon to second-year quarterback Carson Wentz. Throw in that GM Howie Roseman negotiated a ridiculously team-friendly contract, and it looks all the better even if Smith doesn't work out.
#JimmySays: Are there not enough grades that you have to assign something in between a B- and a C+? That's worse than going to a steak joint and saying, "I'd like it in between medium and medium rare." Oh, so you mean you want me to spit on it?
Anyway, this grade is just for the Smith signing.
At long last, the Eagles have the top receiver they need. Jeffery opted to sign with Philadelphia despite multiple offers, with Ian Rapoport of NFL.com citing the Minnesota Vikings, Indianapolis Colts and Chicago Bears as other suiters for the former Pro Bowler's services. Jeffery apparently had multi-year offers on the table, but instead took this lucrative one-year contract and it could prove to be an excellent decision on his part. He is not without issues, what with missing six games in 2015 due to injury and serving a four-game PED suspension last year, but still has the size at 6-foot-3, 218 pounds to be the strong outside receiver that quarterback Carson Wentz needs. Jeffery is in a position to have a resurgent year in Philadelphia and capitalize on free agency once again at age 28 so long as he can stay healthy. In short, this is a steal for Howie Roseman.
#JimmySays: On the Jeffery deal, Forbes forgot to actually give a grade, but it would appear they're psyched about it.
Follow Jimmy on Twitter: @JimmyKempski
Like Jimmy on Facebook.
