1 hour ago, austinfan said:

If it walks like a duck . . . my suspicion is they'll go "3 safeties" with CJGJ essentially playing NCB even if they call it something else - and why does he have a problem with being a safety/NCB - last time I checked, NCBs get paid as well as safeties.

I agree 

and with him who knows. He is an odd dude

4 hours ago, we_gotta_believe said:

I guess I'm more eager to see what he have in McKee before cutting bait on him. And yeah, the fact our LBs are still huge question marks mean I'd prefer to spend some mid round picks on them in the hopes we get a prospect that could turn into a semi-capable starter from one of them. 

Why would they have to cut bait on McKee?

4 minutes ago, Iggles_Phan said:

Why would they have to cut bait on McKee?

Only so many snaps to go around 

Just now, ToastJenkins said:

Only so many snaps to go around 

Limiting his number of snaps is a far cry from cutting bait on him.

3 hours ago, DEagle7 said:

We're all anxious to see if the issue was more HC/QB or OC/DC.

It was HC/OC/DC.

2 hours ago, devpool said:

Not really, coaching was very obviously the issue last year with two brain dead coordinators and an equally brain dead HC. Now they have two new, established coordinators and sirianni is nothing but a cheerleader at this point.

That aside, even with the crap coaching they still won 10 games with a harder schedule than they'll have this year. To say they'll win 5-6 games is laughably ridiculous, even for a clown like cataldi. 

The Eagles went 10-1.

Then the 2 WRs 1 TE and 1 QB all got hurt.

Lost a few games because of that.

Best player,  AJ Brown, was out of the playoff game.   and the Eagles lost.

Apparently,  recognizing that Best Player Is Not Playing is not within the skill set of the Eagles fans.

The Eagles need either 1) more WRs in order to give the 2 good/great WRs rest so they won't be hurt / worn out for the playoffs or 2) give those versatile freakbeasts snaps on offense so the WRs won't be hurt / worn out for the playoffs.

Eagles fans can't even notice the most basic problems.  AJ BROWN - BEST PLAYER - NOT IN THE PLAYOFF GAME.

The Eagles WR Duo - Brown and Smith - led the NFL in WR Duo snaps which directly resulted in fatigue and injury which directly led to losses at the end of the season. 

Don't forget the Eagles fans being so bad that multiple players pointed out the terribleness of the fans.   Slay - happy we're on the road for the playoff game, nice to not have home field disadvantage.  Brown - explaining the awfulness mechanism -  media is full garbage and the stupid fans believe everything they hear.   I like Slay and Brown more than I did 6 months ago.  They're telling the truth.

 

3 minutes ago, ToastJenkins said:

Only so many snaps to go around 

Not in preseason, Hurts will play maybe half to 3/4 of a game. Plenty of snaps for #2 and #3.

And in TC, you need 4 QBs - Hurts plays with the #1s, but you don't overwork PIckett, so you need for McKee and a scrub to take plenty of reps.

43 minutes ago, Random Reglar said:

VanSumeren had the highest PFF of the Eagles ILBs,  and cost nothing.

He's completely invisible to Eagles fans.

Last year,  after the draft,  and before the camp,  the Eagles had Dean as green dot and Morrow.   And they had VanSumeren who was one of many udfa without much consideration.    Morrow didn't go great in early preseason,  so they brought in Cunningham in early August.   Going into the season,  it was Dean, Morrow, Cunningham.

This year,  it seems that the Eagles fans need as many ILBs as necessary to remove VanSumeren from consideration.  
1
Dean as green dot.  White/VanSumeren as other.  Fine.   But the Eagles fans need more.   And the offense is going with 10 players. 

WR1.  Brown  WR2.  Smith.  WR3.  Parker.  Backup to WR1.  Parker.  Backup to WR2.  Parker.    Eagles fans don't really notice this.

I've been making my own argument about how versatile freakbeasts would be excellent on offense.   The Eagles front office brings in those players I like, but the Eagles coaches don't use those players on offense.

Last year,  it was,  play Brown until he drops,  play Smith until he drops,  play Goedert until he drops.   My hope is that those players aren't burnt out and damaged when the playoffs arrive, and that more than just 2 WRs and 1 TE have enough practice on the field to be good enough to do something.  My preference is for versatile freakbeasts to do that,  but  that's not the only way to do that.

Reddick is a Linebacker.  Nolan Smith is a Linebacker.  Baum is a Linebacker.  Bryce Huff is a Linebacker.   They all play the same position,  OLB.  They could play ILB.   The Eagles could just go,  well Nolan,  you could play 25% of the snaps in the 4 man rotation at the single OLB spot the Eagles use on the other side of the DL opposite Sweat and Graham at DE,  or get good at ILB.

I think it'll work itself out in the 6 months between now and the first game.

VanSumeren is very athletic and very raw, rotated between FB and LB in college. He's good downhill, but instincts and pass coverage are real question marks. ILBs have to be able to read and react, not bite on play action, know which gap to fill, time their A gap blitzes, etc.

Kind of player you wouldn't consider starting right now, STs, and backup, but if he continues to make progress could push for a job next season.

7 minutes ago, Random Reglar said:

The Eagles went 10-1.

Then the 2 WRs 1 TE and 1 QB all got hurt.

Lost a few games because of that.

Best player,  AJ Brown, was out of the playoff game.   and the Eagles lost.

Apparently,  recognizing that Best Player Is Not Playing is not within the skill set of the Eagles fans.

The Eagles need either 1) more WRs in order to give the 2 good/great WRs rest so they won't be hurt / worn out for the playoffs or 2) give those versatile freakbeasts snaps on offense so the WRs won't be hurt / worn out for the playoffs.

Eagles fans can't even notice the most basic problems.  AJ BROWN - BEST PLAYER - NOT IN THE PLAYOFF GAME.

The Eagles WR Duo - Brown and Smith - led the NFL in WR Duo snaps which directly resulted in fatigue and injury which directly led to losses at the end of the season. 

Don't forget the Eagles fans being so bad that multiple players pointed out the terribleness of the fans.   Slay - happy we're on the road for the playoff game, nice to not have home field disadvantage.  Brown - explaining the awfulness mechanism -  media is full garbage and the stupid fans believe everything they hear.   I like Slay and Brown more than I did 6 months ago.  They're telling the truth.

 

Dont forget they were holding back to play possum and surprise teams in the playoffs 

1 hour ago, austinfan said:

If it walks like a duck . . . my suspicion is they'll go "3 safeties" with CJGJ essentially playing NCB even if they call it something else - and why does he have a problem with being a safety/NCB - last time I checked, NCBs get paid as well as safeties.

 

1 hour ago, LeanMeanGM said:

Check again. The highest paid NCB in the NFL just got a deal that max’s out at $10M apy. Not even close to what good/top safeties get. 

I mean ... that's been the whole issue with CJGJ and contracts. The Saints saw him as a Nickel that could play safety and in contract talks weren't willing to use safety as the bar for an extension. Then in Philly, after his contract expired, most of the league viewed him as a nickel that can play safety and nobody was willing to go over $8M which is well below what he was seeking as a "safety."

Despite being a safety here, most teams still view his fit as nickel in their defenses. Nickel CBs get paid less because they are typically on the field less. I believe that if CJGJ cuts his missed tackle percentage in half, teams will more readily view him as a safety. 

27 minutes ago, Iggles_Phan said:

Limiting his number of snaps is a far cry from cutting bait on him.

I would disagree

we all know he needs those snaps to have much of any chance

28 minutes ago, Random Reglar said:

The Eagles went 10-1.

Then the 2 WRs 1 TE and 1 QB all got hurt.

Lost a few games because of that.

Best player,  AJ Brown, was out of the playoff game.   and the Eagles lost.

Apparently,  recognizing that Best Player Is Not Playing is not within the skill set of the Eagles fans.

The Eagles need either 1) more WRs in order to give the 2 good/great WRs rest so they won't be hurt / worn out for the playoffs or 2) give those versatile freakbeasts snaps on offense so the WRs won't be hurt / worn out for the playoffs.

Eagles fans can't even notice the most basic problems.  AJ BROWN - BEST PLAYER - NOT IN THE PLAYOFF GAME.

The Eagles WR Duo - Brown and Smith - led the NFL in WR Duo snaps which directly resulted in fatigue and injury which directly led to losses at the end of the season. 

Don't forget the Eagles fans being so bad that multiple players pointed out the terribleness of the fans.   Slay - happy we're on the road for the playoff game, nice to not have home field disadvantage.  Brown - explaining the awfulness mechanism -  media is full garbage and the stupid fans believe everything they hear.   I like Slay and Brown more than I did 6 months ago.  They're telling the truth.

 

Door's open.   Don't let it hit you on your way out.

21 minutes ago, austinfan said:

VanSumeren is very athletic and very raw, rotated between FB and LB in college. He's good downhill, but instincts and pass coverage are real question marks. ILBs have to be able to read and react, not bite on play action, know which gap to fill, time their A gap blitzes, etc.

Kind of player you wouldn't consider starting right now, STs, and backup, but if he continues to make progress could push for a job next season.

Almost seems like a Parsons type transition with his tools. Dont make him think just go get the qb

2 hours ago, ToastJenkins said:

With Lanes age and injuries its a smart pick even if he doesnt jump right in at guard. Have to think long term

agree with you completely on DT. High pick there would be stupid

Lanes replacement - RAW Day 3 pick with great athleticism.

Stout is great at doing things like turning massive rugby player in the 7th round into star LT.

Have him do that again.   Stout,  being great at turning day 3 picks into stars,  does not need a day 1 or 2 pick to replace a player who doesn't look like he's at all ready to go. 

The Eagles can just bring in great athletes who need better coaching on day 3 or udfa.     Steen should be RG.  If that works - and it should - the Eagles should have the same OL this year, next year,  the year after and then maybe Lane is retiring,  but maybe not. 

If Lane does retire,  guess what,  the Eagles could,  then,  use a 1st round pick on a OL.  Instead of drafting a 1st round OT and have him wait around years to play.

Who is WR3?

5th round - Tylan Grable - OT.  9.85 RAS.  There's the Lane replace.

1/4 inch shorter than Lane.  3 pounds heavier than Lane.  Was HS QB like Lane.  Then became TE like Lane,  then OT like Lane.   And,  5th round.  Not like Lane.

2 minutes ago, ToastJenkins said:

I would disagree

we all know he needs those snaps to have much of any chance

Cutting bait means you are giving up on him.  He's still the #3, at least.   Let him compete for the #2 job.   Why does he just get the #2 job handed to him?  What has he really proven for that to be the better path?

1 hour ago, Random Reglar said:

VanSumeren had the highest PFF of the Eagles ILBs,  and cost nothing.

He's completely invisible to Eagles fans.

Last year,  after the draft,  and before the camp,  the Eagles had Dean as green dot and Morrow.   And they had VanSumeren who was one of many udfa without much consideration.    Morrow didn't go great in early preseason,  so they brought in Cunningham in early August.   Going into the season,  it was Dean, Morrow, Cunningham.

This year,  it seems that the Eagles fans need as many ILBs as necessary to remove VanSumeren from consideration.  
1
Dean as green dot.  White/VanSumeren as other.  Fine.   But the Eagles fans need more.   And the offense is going with 10 players. 

WR1.  Brown  WR2.  Smith.  WR3.  Parker.  Backup to WR1.  Parker.  Backup to WR2.  Parker.    Eagles fans don't really notice this.

I've been making my own argument about how versatile freakbeasts would be excellent on offense.   The Eagles front office brings in those players I like, but the Eagles coaches don't use those players on offense.

Last year,  it was,  play Brown until he drops,  play Smith until he drops,  play Goedert until he drops.   My hope is that those players aren't burnt out and damaged when the playoffs arrive, and that more than just 2 WRs and 1 TE have enough practice on the field to be good enough to do something.  My preference is for versatile freakbeasts to do that,  but  that's not the only way to do that.

Reddick is a Linebacker.  Nolan Smith is a Linebacker.  Baum is a Linebacker.  Bryce Huff is a Linebacker.   They all play the same position,  OLB.  They could play ILB.   The Eagles could just go,  well Nolan,  you could play 25% of the snaps in the 4 man rotation at the single OLB spot the Eagles use on the other side of the DL opposite Sweat and Graham at DE,  or get good at ILB.

I think it'll work itself out in the 6 months between now and the first game.

Seek help

45 minutes ago, Iggles_Phan said:

Why would they have to cut bait on McKee?

Pickett was brought in to compete with him. If he wins the #2 spot, then McKee isn't going to see the field. 

42 minutes ago, ToastJenkins said:

Only so many snaps to go around 

This

42 minutes ago, Iggles_Phan said:

Limiting his number of snaps is a far cry from cutting bait on him.

Ok maybe I should've used a different metaphor. I didn't mean they're literally going to release McKee, but rather move on from him as a consideration for the job.

3 minutes ago, we_gotta_believe said:

Pickett was brought in to compete with him. If he wins the #2 spot, then McKee isn't going to see the field. 

And that's a bad thing?   If McKee can't beat out Pickett, then the Eagles upgraded the backup QB position.   I still don't get it.

40 minutes ago, austinfan said:

Not in preseason, Hurts will play maybe half to 3/4 of a game. Plenty of snaps for #2 and #3.

And in TC, you need 4 QBs - Hurts plays with the #1s, but you don't overwork PIckett, so you need for McKee and a scrub to take plenty of reps.

Well that's the thing. McKee looked fine in preseason action, but then when that's brought up the common retort is that "but it's only preseason". Which there's some truth to, but also seems like a catch-22 for a player like him.

4 minutes ago, we_gotta_believe said:

This

And if he’s terrible in training camp, then what? Backup QBs aren’t exactly readily available in August/September. They found a QB they liked and pulled the trigger. A bird in hand…

1 minute ago, Iggles_Phan said:

And that's a bad thing?   If McKee can't beat out Pickett, then the Eagles upgraded the backup QB position.   I still don't get it.

Because Pickett might only be marginally better. And if he can't outplay McKee at all, then the trade was a complete waste. The scenario where this makes sense is if he's clearly outplaying McKee.

2 minutes ago, we_gotta_believe said:

Because Pickett might only be marginally better. And if he can't outplay McKee at all, then the trade was a complete waste. The scenario where this makes sense is if he's clearly outplaying McKee.

And that very well could be the case.  One guy was a first round pick, and the other was a 6th round pick.   That's not the be all, end all obviously.  Ryan Leaf was a #2 overall pick, and Tom Brady, as we all know was a 6th round pick, #199.   But, the idea that Pickett would outplay McKee isn't an outlandish one.

Meanwhile, the idea that McKee's development should stand in the way of bringing in a better backup confounds me.  I know some people were excited by him in the preseason.  But, as we all should know... that's not that big a deal.

1 minute ago, ManuManu said:

And if he’s terrible in training camp, then what? Backup QBs aren’t exactly readily available in August/September. They found a QB they liked and pulled the trigger. A bird in hand…

Agreed, it's an insurance policy against McKee regressing. But since we're talking about backup QB, it's an insurance policy for an insurance policy. I just would rather have used that draft capital for an insurance policy elsewhere.

I don't want to come across like a Pickett hater or anything, as I said before, some of his game is bound to improve in this offense. I just see this as another trade using a mid-rd pick that likely falls flat like Avery, Quinn, Tate, Byard, etc.