1 hour ago, RLC said:

Imagine if the 2024 draft class takes the regular year 2 leap in 2025....

We are going to really need it, honestly.   There will be some significant roster turnover. 

DL becomes far less of a strength with the losses of Sweat, BG and Williams (I'll operate under this assumption, because there's no reason to reasonably believe the alternative).  So, we'll need some leaps from Moro Ojomo (granted, he'll be entering Year 3, not 2), Jalyx Hunt (so many positives on how he played down the stretch when most rookies hit the "rookie wall", and then get some impact from some rookies... Imagine if Hunt can make the same leap that we saw from Nolan Smith.   And, frankly, Hunt appears to be ahead of where Nolan Smith was at the end of last season.

LB seems to be set, if they bring back Baun (how can they not?!) and Burks would be a great insurance policy on Dean.  BUT... if they think that Trotter Jr is ready to step into a bigger role, they might let Burks walk.  We know that Fangio had some complementary things to say about Trotter immediately after the Dean injury, but ultimately they ran with the veteran down the stretch.

DBs... wow.  I can't imagine how Mitchell and DeJean could get much better than they were this year, other than that they actually make the INTs that they ALMOST made this year in the regular season.  

 

Offensively, we'll need someone to step up in the RB room.  Shipley and any new talent will be needed to help carry some of the load because I expect Barkley to regress a bit to the mean AND for the team to limit his touches next season to provide some longevity.  He was needed like that this year and it was magical, but I think we'll see a dramatic cut in touches and a drop down into the 1200-1500 yards range rushing.  

The OL will be an interesting one to watch.  The big question is who steps up into the depth role that Steen and Johnson had if Steen becomes a starter if Becton leaves and who's the swing OT if Johnson also leaves.  Keegan is a guy I am very high on and think he can be a decade long fixture at OG, but that's still projection.  We haven't seen much from him.   Is 3-peat Super Bowl champion Darian Kinnard the new swing OT?  He got a ton of PT when garbage times came around, as well as during the last preseason game.  Are they content with him if needed for multiple games?

And the TE/WR positions... Is Goedert coming back or are they moving on to save some cap space?   And what's the future with Dotson.  He got more action in the playoffs than the regular season, and if this team starts to go more to the passing game to lean much less on Barkley, can he take on a bigger role?  I think its in him.  Hopefully he puts in the work this year and starts to live up to his draft status more than he has thus far.  The playoffs were a nice carrot to put in front of him.

3 minutes ago, eagle45 said:

Nah, he's just an attention whoor.  Don't confuse the opinions of different people.  He's objectively the former.

Eh, he's not as bad as this guy...

1 hour ago, Ace Nova said:

As much as I admire Andy Reid - that was a 100% Andy Reid pick.  

 

That said, the guy would have been a player, if he had the heart for it.  

I think it was very much a Howard Mudd influence.  And as great a story as he was... he just didn't love football.  You can't play OL and not love it.  Its too physically demanding.  His love was firefighting, and good for him.  I have no animosity towards him, because he didn't ask to be drafted so high.  And he went to do what he loves.  

49 minutes ago, hputenis said:

@HazletonEagle @Swoop Have either of you discussed the fact that Hurt's 47 yard TD to Devonta Smith was underthrown?  If he was an average to slightly above average receiver, that pass is probably getting broken up by the defender.  Luckily, he's elite and made an incredible play.  Maybe releasing the ball sooner is something Hurts can work on in the offseason so Devonta doesn't have to constantly come back to the ball when he's breaking free.  

I was never going to bring it up. Since you did, Ill add that Dotson's should have been a TD with a slightly better throw as well.

 

I have no animosity toward Bradberry. He was good and he declined. It happens.  If you find yourself upset about a guy getting a ring then you need to lighten up.  (I know no one complained yet but I sense it coming :))

 

Baun talking like someone who is staying while Milton is someone who knows he's gone.

1 minute ago, pgcd3 said:

I have no animosity toward Bradberry. He was good and he declined. It happens.  If you find yourself upset about a guy getting a ring then you need to lighten up.  (I know no one complained yet but I sense it coming :))

Apparently he tore his Achilles 

 

36 minutes ago, RememberTheKoy said:

 

I'll be one of many that will boo him. He should read the room after his recent podcast and sit this parade out. 

This room?

23 minutes ago, Mike030270 said:

Booing Kelce during the parade?

 

23 minutes ago, Ace Nova said:

Just stop already.  This is one battle you're not going to win.  I promise.  

 

That said, I wish I could be at the parade - have fun out there!!!

Why entertain the fool?  Let him languish in anonymity... that's the worst punishment you can give a troll.

2 minutes ago, RLC said:

Baun talking like someone who is staying while Milton is someone who knows he's gone.

Makes sense. Baun is irreplaceable on this team. Milton is not worth 20 mil per here

19 minutes ago, e-a-g-l-e-s eagles! said:

 

If he leaves (JUST SIGN HIM NOW HOWIE!  JUST DO IT!!!)... he needs to leave the medallion with the team.  He can't take it with him. 

 

 

But, he's resigning so... it doesn't matter.  He can hang the medallion in his locker at the Nova Care Complex and just leave it there.

Just now, Iggles_Phan said:

If he leaves (JUST SIGN HIM NOW HOWIE!  JUST DO IT!!!)... he needs to leave the medallion with the team.  He can't take it with him. 

 

 

But, he's resigning so... it doesn't matter.  He can hang the medallion in his locker at the Nova Care Complex and just leave it there.

You think he just quits football?

4 minutes ago, e-a-g-l-e-s eagles! said:

Apparently he tore his Achilles 

 

So after me saying somethin nice let me say that the market for a 32-yr old CB who had already declined and then missed a season with a torn achilles probably won't be very robust

1 minute ago, LeanMeanGM said:

You think he just quits football?

No.  I meant via free agency.   There's a chance that Howie doesn't pony up the bucks to resign him.  I think its a slim chance, but there's a chance the actuarial tables win over the X's and O's.  I think its about a 98.5% certainty Baun is back... but there's still that slim chance he gets a crazy offer from outside if he hits the market.

4 minutes ago, e-a-g-l-e-s eagles! said:

 

Lane is a good example.  Playing great and under contract for two more years ($39mm).  No need to retire yet.  But after that has four void years with another $38mm on the books.

I was surprised Howie didn't give him a new contract sometime during the season. Seemed like his price was increasing weekly with the way he was playing

Career FG % leaders in the Playoffs (min 20 attempts).

5 minutes ago, Iggles_Phan said:

I think it was very much a Howard Mudd influence.  And as great a story as he was... he just didn't love football.  You can't play OL and not love it.  Its too physically demanding.  His love was firefighting, and good for him.  I have no animosity towards him, because he didn't ask to be drafted so high.  And he went to do what he loves.  

 

Andy Reid values his coaches' opinions on picks - and I'm sure Mudd was high on the guy.   

The part that I still don't understand is the one thing Andy Reid does best is character evaluation.  At some point during interviews, etc I'm shocked he didn't "see" that the guy wasn't "in love" with the game.   At some point during the interview process (and maybe everyone involved learned from it) you need to ask, "If I take you with a high pick, you're going to be dedicated to the Philadelphia Eagles and if you do that, we will dedicate ourselves to make you the best"  Or something along those lines - especially for a 25 year old offensive lineman coming out of college. 

That said, I think you might be right and Reid ended up taking the "hit" for Mudd on that pick.  

As far as the rest - I'm glad he ended up doing what he wanted to do - offensive line in the NFL is not a job you should do without a 110% invested interest.  That said, he made the commitment, cost us a 1st round pick, signed the contract and collected the paychecks - so for that, he doesn't get a 100% pass in my book.  He gets a partial pass because his intentions were truthful (at least by the time he made his decision) and I would guess (or hope) he put the money he made to good use. 

10 minutes ago, Mike030270 said:

I was surprised Howie didn't give him a new contract sometime during the season. Seemed like his price was increasing weekly with the way he was playing

He said he didn't want to extend some players and not others as it would create division in the locker room. He said it was worth it to win a SB this year if it meant paying more next year.

22 minutes ago, e-a-g-l-e-s eagles! said:

 

How did Mailata not get a pro bowl nod with those grades?

2 minutes ago, Lman said:

How did Mailata not get a pro bowl nod with those grades?

Probably because he missed time

38 minutes ago, eagle45 said:

Nah, he's just an attention whoor.  Don't confuse the opinions of different people.  He's objectively the former.