10 hours ago, eagle45 said:

I guaranteed you guys before the season that Greg Ward would finish top 2 in receptions amongst our WRs.  Not because I’m a Greg Ward fan, but because of how bad our weapons are and how poorly the offense is designed.

Not only will he finish top 2, hes going to lead the team in receptions.

Let that sink in.  Greg Ward leads the team in receptions.  And targets.  
 

He also has nearly as many touches as Miles Sanders when you include punt returns.

This team is built around Greg Ward.

 

No it's not.  Ertz got hurt,  and also didn't care about playing.  And Jackson got hurt.  

Miles Sanders supposedly worked on route running and pass catching all off-season and seemed less utilized in the passing game than last year. 

 

Is built around other players who let us down. 

2 minutes ago, Iggles_Phan said:

Yes.  He was cut by Detroit.  Also by Green Bay.   But, he was performing well here... and then magically it ended.   Coaches need to figure out why it worked early and what they can do to bring it back, not just go back to the old standby of Alshon Jeffery.   Jeffery was equally bad on the field when he took over for Fulgham.  He also didn't get targeted or make receptions.  And in the one game he did a little more, it was mostly due to OPIs that weren't called or phantom DPIs that were.  He wasn't good against the Cardinals, but the refs sure helped him out.    This team and coaching staff are too dependent and far too loyal to old and washed up players.

 

Interesting story about Jimmy Smith..bounced around to a bunch of teams before he managed to stick in Jacksonville and become a Pro Bowl WR for about 5 straight years.    So, rather than focusing on where a player comes from (Greg Ward, after all, was a UDFA that bounced on and off the PS for a few years), the team should be working with these guys to get them all better and not pull the plug on them at their first sign of struggling, especially when the entire team is struggling like it has.

It is funny that the Birds took pretty much every bad option this year when they hit that fork in the road. Its almost like the signs said "turn here" and Doug said, no way, Im not falling for that trick and went the other way. 

2 minutes ago, Bacarty2 said:

Why is Fulgham in the dog house?

I just think theres a love affair with Alshon and he Co*k blocks snaps. 

There have been reports that he has been lazy during practice. Not giving his all, showing up late etc. Not sure how you can be lazy in practice when Doug only wants to do walk throughts and have them practicing at 50% to avoid injuries and getting tired. Again part of Dougs job to correct. 

Link below gives a good look at every teams practice squads with protected players marked so you can play the what should the Eagles do game.  There are 496 PS players not on the Eagles roster,  372 who aren't protected.  I'm sure many of them were drafted and just caught in the numbers game or teams going with experience over a rookie in this Covid year.  It just makes sense to poach.  They are almost like gaining extra draft picks from last years draft.  

Howie would rather sign the street UDFA however. 

 

https://www.ourlads.com/nfldepthcharts/depthcharts.aspx

 

 

15 minutes ago, bpac55 said:

Link below gives a good look at every teams practice squads with protected players marked so you can play the what should the Eagles do game.  There are 496 PS players not on the Eagles roster,  372 who aren't protected.  I'm sure many of them were drafted and just caught in the numbers game or teams going with experience over a rookie in this Covid year.  It just makes sense to poach.  They are almost like gaining extra draft picks from last years draft.  

Howie would rather sign the street UDFA however. 

 

https://www.ourlads.com/nfldepthcharts/depthcharts.aspx

 

 

Thats not fully true. Howie has poached many times. Boston Scott, Jake Elliott, Joe Bachie, Haakeem Butler just to name a recent few. He has many more under his belt. So he is going after some of these guys as well. Howie is actually poached more then most other teams. Other teams are rare as well to sign PS guys off other team. happens from time to time but not often. they do the same thing finding players outside. 

I will give Howie credit where credit is due. he actually is one of the better GMs to find productive UDFAs. Maybe its onlt because our players are consistently getting hurt so these guys are getting more playing time. But we have seen some good play out of some of these finds. 

14 hours ago, Mike31mt said:

I think some people are being a little harsh towards Lurie.  You have to place yourself in his shoes post-Chip Kelly.

That lead-by-consensus dynamic absolutely worked after Chip, who was power hungry, and when we had a bunch of unproven coaches.  But over time it got stale, there were power grabs, and it went to S. Thats where Lurie failed, to identify when the structure needed to change with the state of the organization

You have to look at the environment in whic the decisions were made.  Like now, some people are clamoring for a Chip Kelly type.  The pendulum has swung.

But overall, Lurie has been an engaged and good owner 

Credit to Lurie - he, the FO and coaches absolutely nailed 2016 and 2017.  They got so much right then.  History will show that period was peerless among other teams.

But since then, it's an ever increasing mess of traded draft picks, bad to awful cap decisions, questionable FA signings and a desire to hold onto the past.  We've had more than one player leave and say they need to move on from 2017.

As Owner, this falls on his lap.  The FO looks ready for a clear our and refocus on a new identity.  The HC has looked like he wanted out for most of the season and only yesterday mentioned that he might need to change how he treats OTAs and TC to reduce the in-season injuries.  The team has slid into an awful mess.  Where has the leadership been?

IMO any player that they expect to build around next year shouldn't be playing Sunday unless he's the only one available at his position.

This team really needs to abandon its focus on the TE position, get into more spread out WR sets. Having a TE focus is pretty much saying we want small gains over and over, unless you have a RAC champ at TE you just don't get the explosive plays you need in the NFL

36 minutes ago, Iggles_Phan said:

What happened to Watkins?  

Choked on a Mcrib

4 minutes ago, UK Eagle said:

Credit to Lurie - he, the FO and coaches absolutely nailed 2016 and 2017.  They got so much right then.  History will show that period was peerless among other teams.

But since then, it's an ever increasing mess of traded draft picks, bad to awful cap decisions, questionable FA signings and a desire to hold onto the past.  We've had more than one player leave and say they need to move on from 2017.

As Owner, this falls on his lap.  The FO looks ready for a clear our and refocus on a new identity.  The HC has looked like he wanted out for most of the season and only yesterday mentioned that he might need to change how he treats OTAs and TC to reduce the in-season injuries.  The team has slid into an awful mess.  Where has the leadership been?

I lived through Braman and Tose.  The only gripe i have about Lurie is he's too loyal to underperforming employees.

9 minutes ago, DeathByEagle said:

Thats not fully true. Howie has poached many times. Boston Scott, Jake Elliott, Joe Bachie, Haakeem Butler just to name a recent few. He has many more under his belt. So he is going after some of these guys as well. 

I will give Howie credit where credit is due. he actually is one of the better GMs to find productive UDFAs. Maybe its onlt because our players are consistently getting hurt so these guys are getting more playing time. But we have seen some good play out of some of these finds. 

Oh those, only Jake Elliott would be a real hit... and that's seemed to be short lived.  Jake can't kick his way out of a paper bag now.

Just now, Asg 15 said:

IMO any player that they expect to build around next year shouldn't be playing Sunday unless he's the only one available at his position.

What i cant believe was moving up Brandon Brooks. Now chances are he wont get activated or play. But even the possibility is just dumb. Why risk a re injury over a worthless game, even in practice. If Im Doug, Im saying let Brooks rest up even more so we dont even risk it again. This is what his 3rd year of the same injury? Just him sniffing the practice field is dumb. 

47 minutes ago, Casey @ Bat said:

Ginger always catches to much S___. I’d take a swing at that. 😀

She's 86 now so you probably have a chance

2 minutes ago, Iggles_Phan said:

Oh those, only Jake Elliott would be a real hit... and that's seemed to be short lived.  Jake can't kick his way out of a paper bag now.

Exactly my point. We have been more productive with the UDFAs. Most teams dont poach as much anymore. Howie has been one of the most active in doing it in recent years, esp with all the injuries. The point was also showing he does poach contradicting another post saying he doesnt. 

4 minutes ago, DeathByEagle said:

What i cant believe was moving up Brandon Brooks. Now chances are he wont get activated or play. But even the possibility is just dumb. Why risk a re injury over a worthless game, even in practice. If Im Doug, Im saying let Brooks rest up even more so we dont even risk it again. This is what his 3rd year of the same injury? Just him sniffing the practice field is dumb. 

Yeah i didn't get the point of that either unless there's an incentive in his contract that he was able to meet by being reactivated

12 minutes ago, DeathByEagle said:

Thats not fully true. Howie has poached many times. Boston Scott, Jake Elliott, Joe Bachie, Haakeem Butler just to name a recent few. He has many more under his belt. So he is going after some of these guys as well. Howie is actually poached more then most other teams. Other teams are rare as well to sign PS guys off other team. happens from time to time but not often. they do the same thing finding players outside. 

I will give Howie credit where credit is due. he actually is one of the better GMs to find productive UDFAs. Maybe its onlt because our players are consistently getting hurt so these guys are getting more playing time. But we have seen some good play out of some of these finds. 

I agree, Howie DOES do a good job at finding UDFA's but when that is what you rely on to build half your roster you find yourself with a roster full of JAGs.  Finding productive UDFA's is a great way to build depth not the majority of a team.  

Half of this is the media sucks but you had Reuben Frank write an article on why Michael Jaquette should be CB2 next year after the AZ game even though he gave up 150+ to Hopkins.  We can't keep hoping that one of these UDFA's sticks but if we are playing the game of odds here you want as many as possible which is why they would be smart to poach for the last game.

7 minutes ago, BwianWestbwook said:

This team really needs to abandon its focus on the TE position, get into more spread out WR sets. Having a TE focus is pretty much saying we want small gains over and over, unless you have a RAC champ at TE you just don't get the explosive plays you need in the NFL

I like 12 personal to be honest, BUT its more effective with a team that will consistently run the ball and use the bigger TEs in that aspect. Doesnt help Ertz is not a great run blocker. Next year though you could see a change and less 12 if they move on from Ertz. 

1 minute ago, DeathByEagle said:

Exactly my point. We have been more productive with the UDFAs. Most teams dont poach as much anymore. Howie has been one of the most active in doing it in recent years, esp with all the injuries. The point was also showing he does poach contradicting another post saying he doesnt. 

Howie is very active in churning the bottom of the roster.   Trouble is, those bottom of the roster guys are moving up the depth chart, and they generally don't have the talent to belong there.

Yeah, I'm good on Doug. Different medical staff, similar number of injuries. New offensive coaching staff, still no development from Carson or WRs.

The only thing he has going for him is that he gets the team up to play for big games and can take the team on a run. Throw out all the explanations, that performance against Dallas was a disgrace. That kind of game is why Doug is still here and he crapped the bed worse than ever before.

Oh, and his COVID-19 excuses? Bye.

14 minutes ago, BwianWestbwook said:

This team really needs to abandon its focus on the TE position, get into more spread out WR sets. Having a TE focus is pretty much saying we want small gains over and over, unless you have a RAC champ at TE you just don't get the explosive plays you need in the NFL

See my post yesterday about my trade ideas regarding Ertz, Goedert, trading back to take Kyle Pitts and loading up on picks.  A TE combo of Pitts/Dick Rod would give you a saavy vet and an explosive weapon in Pitts.

Just now, bpac55 said:

I agree, Howie DOES do a good job at finding UDFA's but when that is what you rely on to build half your roster you find yourself with a roster full of JAGs.  Finding productive UDFA's is a great way to build depth not the majority of a team.  

Half of this is the media sucks but you had Reuben Frank write an article on why Michael Jaquette should be CB2 next year after the AZ game even though he gave up 150+ to Hopkins.  We can't keep hoping that one of these UDFA's sticks but if we are playing the game of odds here you want as many as possible which is why they would be smart to poach for the last game.

I dont think Howie is doing it by choice though. This teams injuries the last 3 years have been insane, record setting. Hes trying the best he can to fill a roster 5-7 times over after the next guy goes down. Not easy. So yes half the roster is JAGS but not by choice, its more forced on to him year in and year out. You have to again give him credit for putting together anything this year and the past two years and making playoffs. FYI To me PS guys are just as much JAGS as UDFAs. 

I still think a lot of our injury problems have to do with Dougs practice and preseason habits. When you practice light/soft, your body is not prepared for those hits, those cuts etc. Your at a higher amount of injury risk when your first 100% action is live in the game. I cant stand Doug saying they are doing walk throughts early in the week and they need to ease up even more. Never playing your starters in preseason games etc. Just blows my mind. There is a reason some of the least injury teams and team that go farther in the playoffs are teams that practice harder, more fully speed and play starters in the preseason. 

1 minute ago, Saltpeter said:

Yeah, I'm good on Doug. Different medical staff, similar number of injuries. New offensive coaching staff, still no development from Carson or WRs.

The only thing he has going for him is that he gets the team up to play for big games and can take the team on a run. Throw out all the explanations, that performance against Dallas was a disgrace. That kind of game is why Doug is still here and he crapped the bed worse than ever before.

Oh, and his COVID-19 excuses? Bye.

I really don't think the medical staff is the problem, it's the strength and conditioning staff.  They aren't preparing the players bodies the right way.  It isn't like guys aren't recovering or they are misdiagnosing injuries.  DP is the one who sucks at telling us the truth about injuries.  We were told Nate Gerry had an ankle injury.  That ankle injury was surgery on his Achilles.  Huge difference in thinking it could be a sprain/fracture vs. major surgery.  

 

Josh Hingst is your problem.  He's been the Strength & Conditioning coach since 2013.  

 

11 minutes ago, DeathByEagle said:

I like 12 personal to be honest, BUT its more effective with a team that will consistently run the ball and use the bigger TEs in that aspect. Doesnt help Ertz is not a great run blocker. Next year though you could see a change and less 12 if they move on from Ertz. 

12 personnel isn't a bad thing... especially when other teams have gone away from it, because defenses will struggle to adapt to it well each week.

 

But, for the 12 personnel to work, the 2 WRs need to both be speed guys that can take advantage of a team that decides to play single high safety to defend it.   AND... needs to have a fast (but reliable blocking) TE that can run seam routes to defeat them in the deep middle when they go to a 2 high look.  AND... (this is the part that the Eagles struggle with the most) you need to commit to the running game with it.   You don't need a power back, but you really need two RBs that you can rely on.  And play action is the key to all of this to work, to suck up the LBs, and open the space over the middle.

 

 

The 12 personnel thing will likely be going the way of the dodo bird (Dougdo bird?) in Philly.  When Doug goes, it's gone.

4 minutes ago, DeathByEagle said:

I dont think Howie is doing it by choice though. This teams injuries the last 3 years have been insane, record setting. Hes trying the best he can to fill a roster 5-7 times over after the next guy goes down. Not easy. So yes half the roster is JAGS but not by choice, its more forced on to him year in and year out. You have to again give him credit for putting together anything this year and the past two years and making playoffs. FYI To me PS guys are just as much JAGS as UDFAs. 

I still think a lot of our injury problems have to do with Dougs practice and preseason habits. When you practice light/soft, your body is not prepared for those hits, those cuts etc. Your at a higher amount of injury risk when your first 100% action is live in the game. I cant stand Doug saying they are doing walk throughts early in the week and they need to ease up even more. Never playing your starters in preseason games etc. Just blows my mind. There is a reason some of the least injury teams and team that go farther in the playoffs are teams that practice harder, more fully speed and play starters in the preseason. 

Do you think teams are hitting 100% in pre-season games? 

3 minutes ago, bpac55 said:

 Josh Hingst is your problem.  He's been the Strength & Conditioning coach since 2013.  

However we were one of the healthiest teams from 2013 till 2016. Something else changed that gets players bodies ready for contact, cutting etc that is flawed :) Ive touched on it a few times. something I saw was every effect as a player and prepared me and my body for live games.