GAME DAY.    Well look, Carolina again has been playing well the last month.   4 straight games all decided by 3 points or less for these pesky Panthers.  They almost got one from the Chiefs.    The Eagles are on a different path and have higher aspirations.   They just have to play their game and take care of business.   The #1 Seed is still in play even with the Lions win against Greenbay.   They still have the Bills who can play with anyone.   Then they have the Bears again who almost got them on Thanksgiving if they didn't self destruct.   Next they have 49ers who have beaten the Lions 13 of the last 14 games since 96.   Lastly the Vikings who may be playing for the Division.   Eagles have to stay the course.   

9 hours ago, Sack that QB said:

Penn state dominating and clear officiating bias enters the chat again. Penn state are the true winners of this game.

Be sure to notify the NCAA of this fact. I'm sure they have it wrong.🤣

8 hours ago, mattwill said:

Steen is probably in the top half of NFL Guards, but he is what he is and not likely to progress other than a little bit around the edges. Becton on the other hand has plenty of room to develop further … not only one position, but possibly two.

Why would we think Steen is unlikely to progress but Becton is?

becton already showed a willing to be lazy and sloppy in new york. There is evidence with him

My re-sign priority list would be:

1a: Bechton (25)
1b: Williams (25)
1c: Baun (27)

Let walk:
Sweat (27)
Isiah Rodgers (26)

Restructure/trade/release/save money if possible somehow with them:
Slay (33)
Goedert (29)

Draft targets: DE, TE
 

1 minute ago, ToastJenkins said:

Why would we think Steen is unlikely to progress but Becton is?

becton already showed a willing to be lazy and sloppy in new york. There is evidence with him

 

8 hours ago, mattwill said:

Steen is probably in the top half of NFL Guards, but he is what he is and not likely to progress other than a little bit around the edges. Becton on the other hand has plenty of room to develop further … not only one position, but possibly two.

Steen’s upside is a Todd Herremans type of OG…highly position versatile, not going to get out quicked by an interior DL in pass protection…but not someone who is going to blow up a DL and open holes.

Bechton offers interesting RT upside/insurance for Lane.  He can blow up DL in the running game.  And, conditioning dependent, has more downside in pass protection.

So I really think the Eagles need to decide what kind of offense they intend to be for the next 2 years when choosing to re-sign or not re-sign Bechton.

14 minutes ago, eagle45 said:

 

Steen’s upside is a Todd Herremans type of OG…highly position versatile, not going to get out quicked by an interior DL in pass protection…but not someone who is going to blow up a DL and open holes.

Bechton offers interesting RT upside/insurance for Lane.  He can blow up DL in the running game.  And, conditioning dependent, has more downside in pass protection.

So I really think the Eagles need to decide what kind of offense they intend to be for the next 2 years when choosing to re-sign or not re-sign Bechton.

Haven't they already decided? They signed Barkley to a 3-year contract and they loaded up on the OL. They may tweak QB2 and they need a TE. Whether they go for another WR depends on how Dotson comes along but these things aside, it's pretty clear what they are and want to be.

23 minutes ago, ToastJenkins said:

Why would we think Steen is unlikely to progress but Becton is?

becton already showed a willing to be lazy and sloppy in new york. There is evidence with him

Evidence? He gained weight when he was out injured but dropped it all by the time he came back. He played his last season on one leg. The Jets put out a narrative that was BS. Becton put up with a ton of crap, lousy coaching, and personality clashes between coaches and front office. These are the Jets, mind you, an even bigger mess than the Giants or the Panthers.

21 minutes ago, just relax said:

Haven't they already decided? They signed Barkley to a 3-year contract and they loaded up on the OL. They may tweak QB2 and they need a TE. Whether they go for another WR depends on how Dotson comes along but these things aside, it's pretty clear what they are and want to be.

I think they ride with Dotson and Johnny Wilson for next year.  They've already invested a TON into the WR position... and they invested a 3rd round pick in this upcoming draft in Dotson, they can't keep throwing resources at WR.  They have the best tandem in the league, arguably.  That's a luxury in itself.  Their limited resources need to be spent elsewhere this offseason.  

1 hour ago, eagle45 said:

 

Steen’s upside is a Todd Herremans type of OG…highly position versatile, not going to get out quicked by an interior DL in pass protection…but not someone who is going to blow up a DL and open holes.

Bechton offers interesting RT upside/insurance for Lane.  He can blow up DL in the running game.  And, conditioning dependent, has more downside in pass protection.

So I really think the Eagles need to decide what kind of offense they intend to be for the next 2 years when choosing to re-sign or not re-sign Bechton.

Beston has proven this season at the RG position.  He could slide over as RT if Lane calls it a career.  Steen could then fill the RG position.  Alternatively, Steen can take the RT position and Becton stays at RG.  Either way, re-signing Becton is the right move.  

Becton is having a good season and he is enjoying his success.  He is surrounded by good OL players, an OL guru in coaching and the team is winning games.  Doubt if he would become less-motivated and his game regresses.

1 hour ago, just relax said:

Haven't they already decided? They signed Barkley to a 3-year contract and they loaded up on the OL. They may tweak QB2 and they need a TE. Whether they go for another WR depends on how Dotson comes along but these things aside, it's pretty clear what they are and want to be.

Barkley is like…what…the 7th most expensive player on offense?  I’m not actually looking up, but I’d imagine Hurts, AJ, Devonta, and even Dickerson/Mailata/Lane are higher paid.  Not to mention the sheer volume of first and second round picks invested this passing game.

I agree it’s clear what they are but I’d argue it’s less clear what they want to be.

1 minute ago, Penn7980 said:

Beston has proven this season at the RG position.  He could slide over as RT if Lane calls it a career.  Steen could then fill the RG position.  Alternatively, Steen can take the RT position and Becton stays at RG.  Either way, re-signing Becton is the right move.  

Becton is having a good season and he is enjoying his success.  He is surrounded by good OL players, an OL guru in coaching and the team is winning games.  Doubt if he would become less-motivated and his game regresses.

I feel like signing Bechton might save us a first round pick at RT.

43 minutes ago, Iggles_Phan said:

I think they ride with Dotson and Johnny Wilson for next year.  They've already invested a TON into the WR position... and they invested a 3rd round pick in this upcoming draft in Dotson, they can't keep throwing resources at WR.  They have the best tandem in the league, arguably.  That's a luxury in itself.  Their limited resources need to be spent elsewhere this offseason.  

Oh, I agree. I mentioned QB2 and TE because the context was offense only. On defense, I'd look for edge, a DT (especially if we don't resign Williams), a safety, and whoever the best player available is at any position. With the way they used Van Sumeran we might pick up a FB/H-back somewhere.

All in all, this is a remarkably sound roster, and loaded with youth as well.

9 hours ago, mattwill said:

They didn’t.  Instead they chose to release him when he reached the end of his activation window.

https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/eagles-release-albert-okwuegbunam

They did. They had to use the designation at the time of IR’ing him instead of the usual process. It’s the new rule. 
 

https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/eagles-release-albert-okwuegbunam

The fifth-year player had not suited up in 2024 as he was on Injured Reserve; Designated for Return at the end of the preseason with an abdomen injury.

Also @mattwill either way you want to look at it, when the practice window opens they are using a designation to return. They don’t have to actually return. 

https://www.profootballnetwork.com/nfl-rules-injured-reserve/#:~:text=Once a player is healthy,on season-ending injured reserve.

Quote

Once a player is healthy enough to practice, they must be designated for a return. This designation clears the player to resume practice and triggers a 21-day window during which the team must either activate the player onto the 53-man roster or place them on season-ending injured reserve.

 

15 minutes ago, just relax said:

Oh, I agree. I mentioned QB2 and TE because the context was offense only. On defense, I'd look for edge, a DT (especially if we don't resign Williams), a safety, and whoever the best player available is at any position. With the way they used Van Sumeran we might pick up a FB/H-back somewhere.

All in all, this is a remarkably sound roster, and loaded with youth as well.

I think they like VanSumeren.  Very athletic with previous experience in the backfield.

I anticipate that they may even change his jersey # to the 40s next season, so that he wouldn't have to declare when entering the game on offense.

2 hours ago, eagle45 said:

My re-sign priority list would be:

1a: Bechton (25)
1b: Williams (25)
1c: Baun (27)

Let walk:
Sweat (27)
Isiah Rodgers (26)

Restructure/trade/release/save money if possible somehow with them:
Slay (33)
Goedert (29)

Draft targets: DE, TE
 

Williams may be tough to keep.  He can easily get non-discounted starter money elsewhere. In 15 months, we will be signing Carter to the largest contract for a defensive player in the history of the league.  Howie might want to manage the $$ resources allocated to one position.

They could choose to sign Becton and Johnson to secure the OL in the near future instead and then go DE and DT early in the draft.

Looking at Slay's contract, I think they would need to cut him before a $16M bonus hits in 2025.  That would make keeping Rodgers more important.

9 hours ago, RememberTheKoy said:

 

They did though when they placed him on IR.  It was part of the rule with the timing that they did it.

They placed him on IR on August 27th.  On October 16th they opened the practice window for him while retaining him on IR.  At the end of the three week practice window period they by NFL rules had to either (1) activate him to the roster, or (2) waive/release him. They chose towaive him with an injury settlement. Once a player is waived/injured, the waiving team has five days to make an injury settlement with the player, which compensates them for the time they are expected to be injured. This makes the player a free agent, but they cannot re-sign with the team that waived them for six weeks plus the length of the settlement.  Six weeks from November 6th is December 18th.

11 hours ago, LeanMeanGM said:

They did. It was the new IR rule where you can IR up to two players at cutdown day but have to designate them at the time to return. Eagles have plenty left anyway and will get two more when they make the playoffs. 

They did not use any of their Activations on September 27th when they placed Albert O and Anias Smith on IR.  What they used were their two allowable Designations

2 minutes ago, mattwill said:

They placed him on IR on August 27th.  On October 16th they opened the practice window for him while retaining him on IR.  At the end of the three week practice window period they by NFL rules had to either (1) activate him to the roster, or (2) waive/release him. They chose towaive him with an injury settlement. Once a player is waived/injured, the waiving team has five days to make an injury settlement with the player, which compensates them for the time they are expected to be injured. This makes the player a free agent, but they cannot re-sign with the team that waived them for six weeks plus the length of the settlement.  Six weeks from November 6th is December 18th.

You keep applying the normal rule to the new rule that was implemented for the first time this year. 

https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-injured-rule-coming-play-163518704.html

Quote

By Competition Committee; amends Article XVII, Section 17.16(C), to permit each club to place a maximum of two players who are placed on an applicable Reserve List on the business day of the final roster reduction to be designated for return. Such players will immediately count as two of the club’s total designations

 

4 hours ago, wussbasket said:

Long shot ask, does anyone know of any Eagles/sports bar in Prague that would carry the game? 

Dubliner Irish Bar in Prague has everything a good Irish pub should: a welcoming atmosphere, lively music and great drinks. As one of the city's best known sports bars, it boasts 2 large screens and 14 TV's showing Premier League and International football, and the NFL. There is also live music.

https://www.pragueexperience.com/pubs-bars-cafes/sports-bars.asp

3 minutes ago, mattwill said:

They did not use any of their Activations on September 27th when they placed Albert O and Anias Smith on IR.  What they used were their two allowable Designations

Now you’re moving goal posts. Teams have 8 designation to return from IR spots. There is not anything about a number of activations. 

It's gameday and we've barely talked about Carolina all week. More concerned about the off-season.

Either we're getting upset or blowing them out today😅

1 hour ago, just relax said:

Haven't they already decided? They signed Barkley to a 3-year contract and they loaded up on the OL. They may tweak QB2 and they need a TE. Whether they go for another WR depends on how Dotson comes along but these things aside, it's pretty clear what they are and want to be.

The fact that we tried to convert a backup LB into a FB, and then when that LB got hurt we immediately signed a FB, should tell us everything we need to know.

2 hours ago, ToastJenkins said:

Why would we think Steen is unlikely to progress but Becton is?

becton already showed a willing to be lazy and sloppy in new york. There is evidence with him

The reason (for me at least) is (1) the significant difference in their physical attributes, and (2) the difference in the time each of them have been playing Offensive Guard.  Steen has been for several seasons.  Becton has less than a season at the position.

I think the Eagles draft BPA next year.  Position part of the BPA grade will be determined by what occurs in free agency. 

On defense, scout OLB/Edge (Sweat, Graham may be gone, Huff has yet to prove himself), ILB (even if they sign Baun, Burks may leave), DT (Milton, how does Gabe Hall look, Byron Young?), CB (Rodgers likely gone, also Bradberry, Maddox and possibly Slay, if they don’t think Ringo takes the next step and can be a reliable starter, then another CB becomes a big need) and S.  So basically every position.  Starters not currently signed are Sweat and Baun.

On offense, scout back up OT, that could eventually replace Lane and C, (Fred, Driscoll, Gates and Becton are UFAs, how do they feel about Kinnard?), back up RB (Gainwell is a FA and Shipley could be #2 - that was why he was drafted), TE (Goedert availability, plus Calcaterra’s at the end of his rookie deal, Uzomah is a FA), always scout the back up WRs for a possible upgrade.

Lovato is 32, so I imagine it’s worthwhile to scout LS, including ones on the street right now.  I fully expect an alternative to Lovato may be a future contract signing.