Just now, LeanMeanGM said:

Mutter museum. Not what you’re asking for but it’s not what you aren’t asking for either.

I already know about that. Never been. Probably not ever going.

20 minutes ago, St0nedsk8er said:

Do you believe in the possibility of Devonta Smith having an offensive player of the year caliber season?

Not even remotely. Devonta Smith is great. And, in an alternate reality, I think he could have had something closer to a Marvin Harrison type career. But we aren’t in that reality.

I want to reflect for a moment on how beyond the bounds of reasonable expectations our hope has traveled with Devonta Smith. This is a 27 year old wide receiver who has averaged 969 yards and 6 TDs per season over the last 3 years.

And people are talking about offensive player of the year, career year, NFL isn’t ready for Devonta this year….(I’m not attributing all these quotes to you, but I’ve heard them from many others).

Again, Devonta is great. But people act like Patullo and AJ Brown have been conspiring just to keep down Jerry Rice in waiting.

13 minutes ago, HazletonEagle said:

I already know about that. Never been. Probably not ever going.

It’s been years since I’ve been so not sure what it’s like anymore. I never really liked museums in general but really liked Mutter since they offered more of a PG-13 display.

2 minutes ago, eagle45 said:

Not even remotely. Devonta Smith is great. And, in an alternate reality, I think he could have had something closer to a Marvin Harrison type career. But we aren’t in that reality.

I want to reflect for a moment on how beyond the bounds of reasonable expectations our hope has traveled with Devonta Smith. This is a 27 year old wide receiver who has averaged 969 yards and 6 TDs per season over the last 3 years.

And people are talking about offensive player of the year, career year, NFL isn’t ready for Devonta this year….(I’m not attributing all these quotes to you, but I’ve heard them from many others).

Again, Devonta is great. But people act like Patullo and AJ Brown have been conspiring just to keep down Jerry Rice in waiting.

Devonta Smith is limited only by the QB throwing the passes. As the #1 he's easily eclipsing 1,000 yards and double digit TDs unless they revert back to a 60/40 run pass offense. Could he be an OPOY? Absolutely, just not here.

No one has been conspiring to keep him down, but the fact of the matter is they had a WR1 who would bish and moan if he didn't get targets in an offense that already throws the ball less than 25 times a game. That is obviously going to negatively affect every other receiver's production.

5 hours ago, Mike030270 said:

There are some fans that just will not blame Hurts even if the offense sucks in 2026 though

And then there is you people who will still try to find something to complain about with Hurts if he wins another Super Bowl.

1 minute ago, devpool said:

Devonta Smith is limited only by the QB throwing the passes. As the #1 he's easily eclipsing 1,000 yards and double digit TDs unless they revert back to a 60/40 run pass offense. Could he be an OPOY? Absolutely, just not here.

No one has been conspiring to keep him down, but the fact of the matter is they had a WR1 who would bish and moan if he didn't get targets in an offense that already throws the ball less than 25 times a game. That is obviously going to negatively affect every other receiver's production.

Smith is not Randy Moss, TO, Megatron, Mike Evans, or Tyreek Hill. Those are players who can put up numbers with any QB. Either huge frames to just dominate contested catches, the speed to just heave them the ball and run under it, or the danger underneath to just make huge plays out of lazy 5 yard tosses.

He’s also not JSN, St. Brown, Wes Welker, or Edelman. Those are your ultra-high volume slot guys who are far sturdier to make a living in the middle of the field.

His path to success is Marvin Harrison, Tory Holt, Reggie Wayne….absolute surgical route runners. This is not the offense (even with Mannion) and not the QB to utilize that type of WR. Those were lopsided passing offenses with anticipatory precision pocket passers.

Could Smith have a career year and eclipse 1,000 yards and (for the first time in his career) 100 receptions this year? Absolutely.

OPOY? 4 WRs since 2000 have been OPOY. Their receiving yardage: 1809, 1793, 1947, 1725. The chances of Devonta Smith, Jalen Hurts, and this offense combining to put his numbers into that stratosphere are precisely 0%.

17 minutes ago, eagle45 said:

Smith is not Randy Moss, TO, Megatron, Mike Evans, or Tyreek Hill. Those are players who can put up numbers with any QB. Either huge frames to just dominate contested catches, the speed to just heave them the ball and run under it, or the danger underneath to just make huge plays out of lazy 5 yard tosses.

He’s also not JSN, St. Brown, Wes Welker, or Edelman. Those are your ultra-high volume slot guys who are far sturdier to make a living in the middle of the field.

His path to success is Marvin Harrison, Tory Holt, Reggie Wayne….absolute surgical route runners. This is not the offense (even with Mannion) and not the QB to utilize that type of WR. Those were lopsided passing offenses with anticipatory precision pocket passers.

Could Smith have a career year and eclipse 1,000 yards and (for the first time in his career) 100 receptions this year? Absolutely.

OPOY? 4 WRs since 2000 have been OPOY. Their receiving yardage: 1809, 1793, 1947, 1725. The chances of Devonta Smith, Jalen Hurts, and this offense combining to put his numbers into that stratosphere are precisely 0%.

I literally said he couldn't be an OPOY here for the same exact reasons you just listed.

7 hours ago, eagle45 said:

Smith is not Randy Moss, TO, Megatron, Mike Evans, or Tyreek Hill. Those are players who can put up numbers with any QB. Either huge frames to just dominate contested catches, the speed to just heave them the ball and run under it, or the danger underneath to just make huge plays out of lazy 5 yard tosses.

He’s also not JSN, St. Brown, Wes Welker, or Edelman. Those are your ultra-high volume slot guys who are far sturdier to make a living in the middle of the field.

His path to success is Marvin Harrison, Tory Holt, Reggie Wayne….absolute surgical route runners. This is not the offense (even with Mannion) and not the QB to utilize that type of WR. Those were lopsided passing offenses with anticipatory precision pocket passers.

Could Smith have a career year and eclipse 1,000 yards and (for the first time in his career) 100 receptions this year? Absolutely.

OPOY? 4 WRs since 2000 have been OPOY. Their receiving yardage: 1809, 1793, 1947, 1725. The chances of Devonta Smith, Jalen Hurts, and this offense combining to put his numbers into that stratosphere are precisely 0%.

Appreciate your responses, very good points and I’m going to have to agree - just based on those yard totals for the previous winners alone…I do absolutely do believe he’s been somewhat held down in the sense of having to share WR1 , being a teammate to a 2k rusher and just his selfless personality in general. It’s my opinion that he is absolutely a guy you can game plan around. I’m just excited to see him this year and anticipating his best play yet. But yeah 100 receptions for Devonta Smith is the bench mark in my mind. - it will be fun to watch the yards and touchdowns fill in.

8 hours ago, LeanMeanGM said:

It’s been years since I’ve been so not sure what it’s like anymore. I never really liked museums in general but really liked Mutter since they offered more of a PG-13 display.

So there are boobys?

9 hours ago, eagle45 said:

I am one of the bigger Hurts critics on the board.

Between the line's durability concerns, Goedert's durability concerns...there is a scenario where an offense once considered a QB's dream (where many, myself included, argued that any QB would look incredible here) suddenly transitions into an offense that drags down the QB with minimal weapons and one legitimate pass catcher.

If that happens, Hurts is a goner anyway, as he'll get caught up in the wash of rebuilding the offense. But it might not be his fault.

At this point in his career, AJ probably has the same speed as Wicks. Both drop some balls. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if Stowers is faster. (AJ ran a 4.49 at the combine, Stowers a 4.51). Lemon is faster than Brown, just a smidgen slower than Dotson. Lemon is like a rabbit in his quick cutting. Both Lemon and Stowers demonstrated good route running in college. Both separate. Both demonstrated great hands.

Hurts can throw anticipation throws. AJ would have bombed here if not.

I read you post and could help but think of

13 hours ago, Diehardfan said:

The guy only has so much to work with with Hurts. Do I think he can do well? As someone who doesn't like the guy at all....I'm hopeful...yeah. Do I think an actual QB would do better than an aging guy who may not be able to rely on his legs as much? Absolutely. Based on the system and all the offensive talent it's on Hurts to get it done, though. No excuses. Yeah, the OL may have issues, but he has more offensive talent across the board than all but maybe 2 or 3 teams... and I'm not sure there are even that many.

13 hours ago, hputenis said:

I can already envision the spinning people will do in here to defend Hurts if he sucks again.

If there is failure it shouldn't be that hard through film study to figure out who's "fault" it is. So we'll see i guess

HE looking for opportunities in Philly and then this

https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/crime/bourbon-heist-philadelphia-theft-alcohol-b2991833.html

9 hours ago, RememberTheKoy said:

And then there is you people who will still try to find something to complain about with Hurts if he wins another Super Bowl.

Well at least you admit that you'd never blame Hurts no matter what

2 hours ago, St0nedsk8er said:

Appreciate your responses, very good points and I’m going to have to agree - just based on those yard totals for the previous winners alone…I do absolutely do believe he’s been somewhat held down in the sense of having to share WR1 , being a teammate to a 2k rusher and just his selfless personality in general. It’s my opinion that he is absolutely a guy you can game plan around. I’m just excited to see him this year and anticipating his best play yet. But yeah 100 receptions for Devonta Smith is the bench mark in my mind. - it will be fun to watch the yards and touchdowns fill in.

Smith has already had a 95 catch 1196 yard season in 2022, and that was with Brown putting up 1496 yards in the same offense. It’s absolutely foolish to suggest Smith isn’t capable of 1300+ yards as the WR1.

9 hours ago, eagle45 said:

Smith is not Randy Moss, TO, Megatron, Mike Evans, or Tyreek Hill. Those are players who can put up numbers with any QB. Either huge frames to just dominate contested catches, the speed to just heave them the ball and run under it, or the danger underneath to just make huge plays out of lazy 5 yard tosses.

He’s also not JSN, St. Brown, Wes Welker, or Edelman. Those are your ultra-high volume slot guys who are far sturdier to make a living in the middle of the field.

His path to success is Marvin Harrison, Tory Holt, Reggie Wayne….absolute surgical route runners. This is not the offense (even with Mannion) and not the QB to utilize that type of WR. Those were lopsided passing offenses with anticipatory precision pocket passers.

Could Smith have a career year and eclipse 1,000 yards and (for the first time in his career) 100 receptions this year? Absolutely.

OPOY? 4 WRs since 2000 have been OPOY. Their receiving yardage: 1809, 1793, 1947, 1725. The chances of Devonta Smith, Jalen Hurts, and this offense combining to put his numbers into that stratosphere are precisely 0%.

This is nonsensical. Production is driven primarily by the number of targets he will have. The highest correlation between yards and any other stat is simply the number of times a receiver is targeted. Nacua had 200 targets; JSN had 182, and Amon St. Brown had 162 targets. Calvin Johnson had over 200 targets in his most productive year. Tyreek Hill had over 170. Marvin Harris averaged over 180 targets a season during the peak of his career. The question about production for Smith is how many targets will he have in the offense this coming season.

Even if the passing targets are like they were in 2024, which would likely mean a super productive running game, Smith and AJ combined for 184 targets that season. How many of those combined targets would go to Smith vs. the other receivers. I think the question. I would imagine it is pretty likely Smith will have a career high in targets. His prior career high came in 2022 with 136 targets. To lead the league in yards, he would need 170+ targets. I agree that is unlikely but not impossible. It would probably mean the running game is not what they expect and the defense isn't great. If they are ahead in games, they will run the ball. What may change is a willingness to pass to get ahead. Still, a great season would involve Smith having 150 to 170 targets. If I was to bet on it, more than140 targets is probable;150 to 170 is possible; 170 to 180 is unlikely and 180 -200+ is highly unlikely. If we were to set the over/under at 160 targets I would take the under.

26 minutes ago, Alphagrand said:

Smith has already had a 95 catch 1196 yard season in 2022, and that was with Brown putting up 1496 yards in the same offense. It’s absolutely foolish to suggest Smith isn’t capable of 1300+ yards as the WR1.

It's not about Smith, it's about Hurts. There is a group on here that thinks Hurts is a bottom 5 QB or worse. He's not, nor is he a top 5 QB. I'm interested to see how he takes to this offense. I think it goes better than some on here think it will simply because he isn't a dope (he's learned a new language/system every year for a decade and has maintained winning). He has good accuracy, good arm strength, can extend plays in a way not many can, stays healthy. I think he is chomping at the bit to play in an offense that gets the ball out quick and actually designs plays to get his best receivers mismatches. Theoretically, he won't just be standing in the pocket hoping a receiver can beat a coverage that knows exactly where the receiver is going. If he can't do it, the Eagles have played their hand beautifully to be able to move on and reset the QB position. If he does, they have 8-9 picks in the top 100 in the 2027-28 drafts to get another group of good, young, cost effective players. Howie is just so calculating and smart.

Minicamp today

Kind of a D move on your way out after you forced your way out

7 minutes ago, LeanMeanGM said:

Kind of a D move on your way out after you forced your way out

What a cornball. Alpha wide receivers are the weirdest people on the planet.

Instead of force feeding Brown,Smith and Goedert and relying on RBs solely to run the ball, I believe the offense opens up a bit and spreads the ball around. Wouldn’t be surprised at all, if Smith’s target total isn’t unlike last year with Goedert’s being similar to last yearand Brown’s targets get distributed amongst Wicks, Lemon, Stowers, the RBs and Hollywood with additional targets going to Wilson, possibly Darius Cooper and even TE3, whoever that ends up being. I have real hopes the offense is less predictable because they utilize all the skill players.

The Beats are predicting a heavy running game. I suspect it will be more even than they are predicting. The staff isn’t blind to the impact the 2,000 yard season had on the OL, Barkley and the impact all the Brotherly Shoves had on the OL and Hurts. I think they’ll adjust more than just using Tank and the other backup RBs.

Yeah, I might be a bit over optimistic but it’s spring. October brings reality.

18 minutes ago, St0nedsk8er said:

Do you believe in the possibility of Devonta Smith having an offensive player of the year caliber season?

2 hours ago, BigEFly said:

At this point in his career, AJ probably has the same speed as Wicks. Both drop some balls. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if Stowers is faster. (AJ ran a 4.49 at the combine, Stowers a 4.51). Lemon is faster than Brown, just a smidgen slower than Dotson. Lemon is like a rabbit in his quick cutting. Both Lemon and Stowers demonstrated good route running in college. Both separate. Both demonstrated great hands.

Hurts can throw anticipation throws. AJ would have bombed here if not.

I read you post and could help but think of

The issue is that the offense sucked last year. We are staring from a point of suck.

So the argument that AJ has declined (which I’ll buy) still doesn’t apply when trying to improve the offense. Even if Wicks is as good as 2025 (or 2026) AJ (which he won’t nearly be), that’s still a starting receiver in an offense that sucked.

We need 2022-2024 AJ. Or weapons that can get us back to that. And I’m not buying that simply asking Devonta to do more, Wicks, two rookies, and anyone but Patullo at OC are getting us there.

12 minutes ago, Freshmilk said:

He has good accuracy, good arm strength, can extend plays in a way not many can, stays healthy. I think he is chomping at the bit to play in an offense that gets the ball out quick and actually designs plays to get his best receivers mismatches. Theoretically, he won't just be standing in the pocket hoping a receiver can beat a coverage that knows exactly where the receiver is going.

Quite a bit to unpack with this portion on Hurts:

Good accuracy -- yes

Good arm strength -- NFL average, maybe a touch below. Main reason why he's hesitant to throw to the middle of the field, IMO.

Can extend plays in a way not many can -- I'm concerned this skill is diminishing

Stays healthy -- I guess, but he does get dinged up more seasons than not

Your next sentence 'remains to be seen'. "Chomping at the bit to get the ball out quick" has never described Hurts. Quite a few mobile NFL QBs are what I call "chicken salad" QBs. They look to make chicken salad out of chicken S, but the scripted play broke down because they didn't get the ball out, so they made their own chicken. I think Hurts falls into that category too often.

But Philly fans...