3 minutes ago, NCiggles said:

Yet 

 

13 minutes ago, LeanMeanGM said:

 

 

I could see Covey get traded for a late pick at some point in camp

6 hours ago, Iggles_Phan said:

Nah.  Slay needs to earn his spot too.  He bailed on the team last year.  

He is 100% locked in as CB1. His contract makes him unmovable, and he played decently enough last year. There’s zero chance they go with 2 inexperienced starters on the outside. 

4 hours ago, Godfather said:

FB snaps?

 

 

 

 

In theory, FB snaps.

The Eagles, I think uniquely among NFL teams have a lot of versatile players.  Offense and Defense.   And were HS QBs.  That kind of thing.  Tiebreaker is "were they a HS QB?"

The Eagles don't have a Fullback on the roster.  I guess you could say that there couldn't be a FB snap if there isn't a player who is called FB on the roster.   But the Eagles have a lot of Linebackers who are shorter than TEs and heavier than RBs who played offense in HS,  and maybe even college.  VanSumeren was a Fullback for the Michigan Wolverines for 2 years,  behind Ben Mason.  Was a WR/QB in HS.  All of those LBs with hiras and versatility on offense could be getting snaps on offense.   The top 3 picks in the recent draft all have offense/defense.  DeJean as QB won the state championship 2 years.  Quinyon was a running back.  Jalyx was a wide receiver.  Any of those guys or other guys could be on the field, doing something on offense. A 4.33 guy like Quinyon who was a running back,  could be a running back, a jet sweeper guy,  that WR3 that Covey and Campbell will be getting snaps at.  DeJean could do that too.   Jalyx at 250+ pounds,  a WR,  could be a blocker, and catch passes.   Etc.  The Eagles have a lot of players who have done a lot of things and are fast and strong.  Versatile freakbeasts.  I guess you'd call someone a FB if they're in the backfield and doing mostly blocking.  I guess. 

1 hour ago, pgcd3 said:

I could see Covey get traded for a late pick at some point in camp

I don't see the Eagles wanting to downgrade the punt returns for no reason as much as you do.

15 hours ago, Alphagrand said:

Last year the Eagles 53-man roster was comprised of:

Offense -- 24  QB (3), RB (4), WR (4), TE (4), OL (9)

Defense -- 27  DE/EDGE (6), DT (7), LB (3), CB (7), Safety (4)

Special Teams 2

 

Where does Johnny Wilson slot on the WR depth chart?  1.  AJ Brown, 2.  DeVonta Smith, 3.  Ainias Smith, 4.  Parris Campbell, 5.  Devante Parker, 6.  Britain Covey, 7.  Johnny Wilson

It's possible the Eagles carry 5 WR on the 53 for this season.  Brown, Smith are locks (of course).  Ainias Smith figures to make it due to versatility.  What it comes down to is, can Wilson beat out Covey?  I don't think Parker or Campbell would be claimed by another team if they were released and brought back; Campbell got $400K guaranteed and I don't think Parker got even that much.  For roster management it's possible both could be released on final cutdowns.

Covey and Wilson would be an interesting roster decision.  Shipley was an excellent KR at Clemson, but didn't return punts.  Ainias Smith returned 82 punts in all 5 seasons at Texas A&M.  DeJean was an excellent PR at Iowa -- but do the Eagles use him there?

I honestly think Howie tries to trade Covey at some point; I don't really see a roster spot for him.  If not, he's likely a cut -- already being 27 years old.    

 

I think you're all worrying about the wrong side of the ball, as you say last year we carried 6 DE's and 7 DT's, as of right now our 90 man roster only has 9 DE/OLB and 8 DT's and 2 of both groups are either UDFA or signings off practise squads and one of the OLB's is Hunt who's a project.

There has to be a move coming for d-line right?  To bring in more top competition if nothing else, at the moment it's at least 7-1 you get cut if you're a DT on the roster.

8 hours ago, DEagle7 said:

 

Their hatred for Chip Kelly is just petty at this point 

3 hours ago, Random Reglar said:

I don't see the Eagles wanting to downgrade the punt returns for no reason as much as you do.

Covey puts up good numbers but eye test he gets exactly what the coverage team gets him, he's never looked like a special returner who's always a risk to run one back to the house.

I could easily believe the Front Office thinks that one of the college returners they drafted might be able to produce at a similar level in a pinch and may even provide a bit more.

18 hours ago, vikas83 said:

I agree that it will be disappointing if Mitchell can't win the job, but I think they will at least open camp with Bradberry there and make Mitchell take it from him. I am sure they have some hope JB can look useful, but I am highly skeptical. He's a guy who was limited speed wise and seems to have lost more than a step. But they Eagles tend to treat vets with respect, so expect him to open OTAs and likely camp as the starter.

Howie even told Mitchell, i want you to live with Slay.  Mitchell is an amazing prospect but a tad raw, he’s LCB of the future.  I’d think if anyone replaces Bradberry it’s Cooper or Ringo

9 hours ago, uncphillyfan said:

Gainwell cut yet?

No reason to. Players being honest about why things failed is a good thing, so they can identify the core issue and fix it. 

7 hours ago, vikas83 said:

He is 100% locked in as CB1. His contract makes him unmovable, and he played decently enough last year. There’s zero chance they go with 2 inexperienced starters on the outside. 

Then, I suppose he has nothing to lose in being asked to win the job.   He may be unmovable, but I wouldn't say that he is unbenchable.  Playing time should NEVER be based on the contract the player has, because that's when things get ugly on the field (and in the locker room).  Slay bailed last year, and for me, that's an inexcusable move and he needs to prove that he's here to play, not here to cash his check.  

 

Unreasonable in today's NFL?   Maybe.   But, a true competitor should have no problem with it, because he should believe that he'll win the job.  If he feels that he's already earned the job, I'd just point out that he missed the end of last season and that there are new coaches in place.  Time to show the new staff what he is capable of.  And, when a CB hits the age that Slay is... the burden of proof that he still has it is on him. 

 

Would 2 inexperienced starters on the outside lead to potential mistakes and big plays against us?  Absolutely.  But, a CB who's fried also leads to potential big plays against us.  But, for me, it would be about sending a message of accountability across the roster.   Earn your job.  And if you expect to keep your job, you will earn it every day.

3 minutes ago, RLC said:

No reason to. Players being honest about why things failed is a good thing, so they can identify the core issue and fix it. 

Being honest with each other... that's good.   Putting more things out into the public eye... that's marginal at best.   A better response to the pointed question like that would be to say that the issue (or issues) have been addressed internally and it won't be an ongoing issue this year.   No need to say more than that.   

 

These guys really need to take courses, either in college or in the pros, on how to handle the media and how to deal with difficult questions.   The empty word answers may be frustrating to those on the outside, but they are far better than the airing of laundry publicly.

2 minutes ago, Iggles_Phan said:

These guys really need to take courses, either in college or in the pros, on how to handle the media and how to deal with difficult questions.   The empty word answers may be frustrating to those on the outside, but they are far better than the airing of laundry publicly.

That's just not how Gen Z operates. 

6 hours ago, Random Reglar said:

I don't see the Eagles wanting to downgrade the punt returns for no reason as much as you do.

Yes, Covey is good, but you do realize that Cooper DeJean was a Unanimous All-American as a return specialist. You want the ball in his hands. There's a reason Iowa was considering him on offense. 

Ainias Smith was 1st team All-SEC in 2023 as a return specialist and a 1st team All-SEC in 2021 as a Punt Returner. He was injured in 2022.

Even if Covey get some reps at WR, let's not pretend a 27 year old 170 LB guy is going to automatically turn in to some slot machine. They drafted Ainias Smith to do that.

I think the best scenario is that Howie can fleece a team in a trade for Covey. 

39 minutes ago, Wentz_Era said:

Howie even told Mitchell, i want you to live with Slay.  Mitchell is an amazing prospect but a tad raw, he’s LCB of the future.  I’d think if anyone replaces Bradberry it’s Cooper or Ringo

Long term, yes. Right now, Mitchell should be playing in place of Bradberry. Mitchell, playing almost exclusively zone at Toledo projects very well as a rookie in to Bradberry's position.

After this years training camp, and next years training camp, and in season reps as he hones his craft in man, he should slide over to replace Slay in year 2. Hes the most well equipped man CB on our roster for the Slay role. But he will need the practice, and coaching. Plus, Slay will still be starting this year so that position isnt open.

4 minutes ago, bpac55 said:

Yes, Covey is good, but you do realize that Cooper DeJean was a Unanimous All-American as a return specialist. You want the ball in his hands. There's a reason Iowa was considering him on offense. 

Ainias Smith was 1st team All-SEC in 2023 as a return specialist and a 1st team All-SEC in 2021 as a Punt Returner. He was injured in 2022.

Even if Covey get some reps at WR, let's not pretend a 27 year old 170 LB guy is going to automatically turn in to some slot machine. They drafted Ainias Smith to do that.

I think the best scenario is that Howie can fleece a team in a trade for Covey. 

That's great. Imagine if Covey had accolades as a return specialist while he was in college...

7 hours ago, pgcd3 said:

I could see Covey get traded for a late pick at some point in camp

I don't. I wouldn't risk putting DeJean back there at all and I'm not sure if A. Smith has the best of hands securing punts. Covey was better than both of them as a punt returner collegiately and has experience. He's reliable. I'm keeping him around but maybe that's just me and the RAS guy.

3 hours ago, Cochis_Calhoun said:

Covey puts up good numbers but eye test he gets exactly what the coverage team gets him, he's never looked like a special returner who's always a risk to run one back to the house.

I could easily believe the Front Office thinks that one of the college returners they drafted might be able to produce at a similar level in a pinch and may even provide a bit more.

Correct. Covey has good PR instincts but he isn't a gamebreaker. He's Reno Mahe, who was steady as they come but no one was scared of. 

It's not a coincidence they drafted guys with both PR and KR ability. It's going to be exciting to see what they do with the return game, especially KR. Isaiah Rodgers was a top KR for the Colts. Will Shipley, Ainias Smith and Cooper DeJean are all tremendous KR. Smith and DeJean excel at PR. These guys are going to be on the field. 

5 minutes ago, bpac55 said:

Correct. Covey has good PR instincts but he isn't a gamebreaker. He's Reno Mahe, who was steady as they come but no one was scared of. 

It's not a coincidence they drafted guys with both PR and KR ability. It's going to be exciting to see what they do with the return game, especially KR. Isaiah Rodgers was a top KR for the Colts. Will Shipley, Ainias Smith and Cooper DeJean are all tremendous KR. Smith and DeJean excel at PR. These guys are going to be on the field. 

I think DeJean only returned punts.

Rodgers and Shipley seem to be our best options. They both averaged about 27 yards.

Campbell was pretty close at maybe 24 yards iirc

Smith didnt have a very impressive average on KR.

 

Id like to see Rodgers and Shipley both lined up deep on KR. 

5 minutes ago, bpac55 said:

Correct. Covey has good PR instincts but he isn't a gamebreaker. He's Reno Mahe, who was steady as they come but no one was scared of. 

It's not a coincidence they drafted guys with both PR and KR ability. It's going to be exciting to see what they do with the return game, especially KR. Isaiah Rodgers was a top KR for the Colts. Will Shipley, Ainias Smith and Cooper DeJean are all tremendous KR. Smith and DeJean excel at PR. These guys are going to be on the field. 

Covey is way better than Mahe was stop. First things first is securing the ball for the ridiculously high powered offense. I'd trust Covey to do that and then some more than the rookies.

And I think its ridiculous how people are discounting Covey this year as our PR.

And doesnt make sense to me either why people have ruled out any chance of contributing on offense with new offensive coaches and a new role that perfectly matches his skill set.

23 minutes ago, RLC said:

That's just not how Gen Z operates. 

Correct.   But, that doesn't make it a 'good thing'.   Social media leads to a lot of unnecessary drama, because Gen Z (and other generations, as well) can't keep things to themselves.  "If you don't have something good to say, say nothing." 

2 minutes ago, brkmsn said:

That's great. Imagine if Covey had accolades as a return specialist while he was in college...

I'm not taking anything away from Covey. If there's a way, you could even go back to when he was signed as an UDFA and see how excited I was about him. However, as I posted about it a week or so ago and maybe I put way too much thought in to it, I think position flexibility is extremely important. If you can save a roster spot with DeJean or Smith as your PR, it allows you to stash a project on the roster, or go heavy at a certain position. 

If Covey gave you anything on offense, I wouldn't be as adamant at replacing him at PR, but the fact of the matter is he doesn't. As of today, he's at the bottom looking up at WR. 

When it comes down to WR5. Would you rather cut a guy who has rare size, speed traits in Johnny Wilson with the hopes he develops just to keep Covey, who doesn't even play WR? Or would you keep Wilson knowing that you drafted a few guys who excel at PR and are also going to contribute on both sides of the ball?

2 minutes ago, HazletonEagle said:

I think DeJean only returned punts.

Rodgers and Shipley seem to be our best options. They both averaged about 27 yards.

Campbell was pretty close at maybe 24 yards iirc

Smith didnt have a very impressive average on KR.

 

Id like to see Rodgers and Shipley both lined up deep on KR. 

Correct, that was a mistake on my part. I meant to lump him with Smith as PR, not KR.