July 17, 2017
One of the fastest ways for a team to plummet down the NFL standings is for a team to whiff on its high draft picks, specifically the first-round picks. So far, Eagles receiver Nelson Agholor has qualified just as that.
But Agholor has received some positive buzz for his play in spring practices, which can happen out of nowhere for any player. Over at Bleeding Green Nation, Brandon Gowton was asked about Agholor in his latest Eagles mailbag:
Saying Agholor has “struggled” to this point in his career would be a massive understatement. He’s literally been one of the worst wide receivers in the NFL over the past two seasons. He’s arguably been THE worst wide receiver in the league.
And Gowton suspects that Agholor won’t exactly take Jordan Matthews’ place on the Eagles depth chart:
I wouldn’t expect Agholor to suddenly be good. Expectations should be kept relatively low. I think the realistic expectation is that Agholor becomes a solid role player and no longer a total liability when he’s on the field. If he becomes more than that, great. I’m just not counting it based on a small sample of spring practices.
Now just a week away from training camp, we’re hard-pressed for any real Eagles news. But Agholor will certainly be one of the players to watch on the Eagles roster in preseason and training camp.
1. Going fourth: Chip Kelly was called "Big Balls Chip" for his gunslinger mentality but he's got nothing on Doug Pederson.
2. On the inside: We continue our Eagles training camp preview by taking a look at the interior offensive line. The Eagles depth chart is pretty deep at those three spots.
3. Special delivery: The Eagles kicking positions are in pretty good shape, too, with Caleb Sturgis and Donnie J’owns.
4. Trouble in Big D? It’s sounding more and more likely that the Cowboys’ Ezekiel Elliott could face a suspension.
2016 Play-Action Defense: Bryan Knowles, Football Outsiders
The Eagles defense fared well (2nd-best in the NFL, to be specific) in FO’s play-action defense rankings. Knowles believes that has to do with the team’s linebackers and safeties:
That's exactly what you'll see in the league's worst play-action defenses; a Who's-Who of the worst pass-coverage linebackers in football last year. Detroit had Tahir Whitehead. Green Bay had Joe Thomas and Blake Martinez. New Orleans had Craig Robertson and Nathan Stupar. If I'm an offensive coordinator, those are the sorts of players I want to target with deception and misdirection, rather than players such as Benardrick McKinney and Brian Cushing in Houston, or Jordan Hicks and Nigel Bradham in Philadelphia. If you're looking for a correlation between something and strong play-action pass defense, look for the linebackers who can stay disciplined.
More on the TEs: Tommy Lawlor, Iggles Blitz
Lawlor continues to look at the tight ends (Zach Ertz, Brent Celek, and Trey Burton), which could potentially be a strength of the Eagles roster:
Trey Burton is more of a mystery man. He is talented, but I’m not sure how good he is. Because of his size, I’m not sure if Burton can ever become a true #2 TE or if he’s stuck being a role player. He’s so good on STs that having him as the #3 TE isn’t a bad thing. You just see him flash good ability at times and wonder if he can be something more than the #3 guy.
Super Bowl champ Chris Long breaks down all things Game of Thrones: Sports Illustrated
The Eagles’ new pass rusher breaks down the television that we’ve all been talking about, Game of Thrones:
Like everyone else, I’m sad that this show has to end in the not-so-distant future. But for 13 more Sundays, the internet will stand still and people too busy to watch the damn show live will complain about spoilers. I was never a guy who read the books or memorized the Game of Thrones Wiki, just a casual fan who’s gotten really into the show. I used to think dragons were lame. I don't now.
Shek to the Future: Eagles sneak by Chiefs for first Super Bowl victory: Dave Dameshek, NFL.com
Well, dare to dream, right?
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