44 minutes ago, DaBirds said:

On paper I think this roster is better.

Injuries who knows? Hopefully none.

They have a lot of talent. They certainly have to play up to their potential and stay healthy like you said. As fans I'm not sure what more we could want going into the season. The D is loaded, the OL is healthier and deeper, they lost Brown, but they have some intriguing new skill players, SB could go off again this year, and they have an OC who has a lot to prove, but seems to be very intelligent with a good plan. Howie could add a safety and TE, but he's done about as good of a job as a GM could have done. So many teams around the league would love to be where we are as fans with this much to look forward to. If it doesn't work it doesn't work, but there is no reason for people to be down on them. We are so blessed as fans we are spoiled a bit vs what fans in Cleveland or DC or Miami have to look forward to.

1 minute ago, Joe Ball said:

'24 D for PHI was dominant by years end, not '85 Bears great, but great once the early season struggles against the run were addressed. What they did to KC in the SB was master class, 6 points through 3 qtrs? Outstanding.

Yep. My big takeaway is people forget how big of a turnover machine Zach Baun was that year. He was incredible and the best LB I’ve seen on the Eagles in my lifetime. It’s going to be a hard feat for him or anyone to top that.

NOTE...

I'll be opening up the Regular Season blog on or around Tuesday next week - after roster cuts and practice squad creation.

2 minutes ago, LeanMeanGM said:

I don’t take issue with you at all. I didn’t even quote you to begin with. People can be optimistic all they want. What I take issue with is the slightest of criticism or not drinking the kool aid is labeled as miserable and negative.

The thing that makes this board good is difference of opinion. Otherwise it would just be Reddit.

Perhaps I could have worded things better. I don't care if people are waiting to see. What drives me nuts is how blessed we are as fans with that roster full of talent and what seems to be good coaches on both sides of the ball with the best GM in sports who did an amazing job and are downers about the season that hasn't started. 10 wins the worst? No, but it was the they are going to struggle aspect of it or the sky is falling posts from someone else last night. Waiting to see is fine and reasonable. Waiting for them to fail is another.

1 hour ago, Sack that QB said:

If he is on the outs, I could definitely see Howie pouncing on this one as a flier reclamation project.

Definitely follows, Bekton -> Green -> Jones. Our OL backups seem a bit better, so maybe less room for play here.

15 minutes ago, Mike030270 said:

It'll be interesting to see how the passing game is. I think that even if they struggle that a certain group of fans will not admit that we will miss him

Washington has punt return experience in college. Looking more and more like PR is a PS call up

I pretty excited that this year's defense, without having played a regular season snap, is in the same breath as the 2024 version.

7 minutes ago, LeanMeanGM said:

Yep. My big takeaway is people forget how big of a turnover machine Zach Baun was that year. He was incredible and the best LB I’ve seen on the Eagles in my lifetime. It’s going to be a hard feat for him or anyone to top that.

Funny you mention Baun...I remember making a negative comment about him in the offseason after the SB...you corrected me quickly 🤣...and you were right. 🤷‍♂️, I can't always be right. jk jk...

11 minutes ago, Mike030270 said:

I think the defense carries the offense again 🤷‍♂️

I think we will see teams attack the O the same as last year, stack the box to stop the run and see if the new passing game can actually overcome it. I think if the passing game comes out being effective, that will be a good sign that the O has turned the corner.

I’m not sure that i can handle another year of the O going halves at a time doing nothing though. The D on paper looks pretty good, but depth at CB and S are going to be issues. I’m not sure we can expect them to carry like we saw the back end of 24 and last year. Nor do i want to see it.

They can’t let bad teams hang around and they have to put away games. Nail biters are to be expected, but not for 17 games.

45 minutes ago, jojodancer said:

Hurts will quiet the doubters once again. No wait. Some peeps will sit here and say that he was just a passenger and went along for the ride...and that the defense deserves the MVP trophy. LOL. Comical! If he wins it all, what will be the excuse this time to taint and diminish his accomplishments & leadership of this team?

The defense being good is pretty much a given. What will drive the narrative on Hurts is whether we have a prolific passing game, or if we are a running team who just efficiently converts 3rd and manageable through the air when needed like in 2024.

26 minutes ago, pgcd3 said:

No team would allow their best players to play a football All Star game in the middle of the season. There's no chance that would happen. Also if every team has a bye then there's no TV money that week. That also would never happen. What makes more sense is an 18 game season with 2 byes. That's a 20-week TV schedule

The TV money would come from televising whatever events they do that week and then supplemented by having every team playing every week before and after the bye. They don't even need a gane, just do a bunch of skill events or something. Prople are going to watch it, people still watch preseason games for some reason and they're probably the least entertaining form of football.

2 minutes ago, Wentz_Era said:

I think we will see teams attack the O the same as last year, stack the box to stop the run and see if the new passing game can actually overcome it. I think if the passing game comes out being effective, that will be a good sign that the O has turned the corner.

I’m not sure that i can handle another year of the O going halves at a time doing nothing though. The D on paper looks pretty good, but depth at CB and S are going to be issues. I’m not sure we can expect them to carry like we saw the back end of 24 and last year.

Healthy Carter and Mitchell getting picks would do wonders

I think the offense will miss AJ even though a lot of fans can't admit to it because of how it all happen. The hate wont allow it

9 minutes ago, Diehardfan said:

What drives me nuts is how blessed we are as fans with that roster full of talent and what seems to be good coaches on both sides of the ball with the best GM in sports who did an amazing job and are downers about the season that hasn't started. 10 wins the worst? No, but it was the they are going to struggle aspect of it or the sky is falling posts from someone else last night. Waiting to see is fine and reasonable. Waiting for them to fail is another.

Success creates expectation, failing to meet expectations creates doubt and frustration, especially among a strong committed fan base. I've lived it 30-31 years now, I just ignore the naysayers, the team hasn't failed, until they've failed. At the same time there is nothing wrong with being objective, it's not necessarily negative, it's not seeing everything through rose colored glasses.

21 minutes ago, Joe Ball said:

'24 D for PHI was dominant by years end, not '85 Bears great, but great once the early season struggles against the run were addressed. What they did to KC in the SB was master class, 6 points through 3 qtrs? Outstanding.

One of the best things about that defense which last year's did not have was how much they generated turnovers. And it carried over on to STs coverage units as well. They took the ball away at such a crazy rate.

They werent exactly a fierce pass rushing group, or a group of big guys who punished people. There was some of that. But mainly they were so dominant because they just didnt let the other team have the ball.

The longer a drive went, the more likely that team was to end up getting the ball back.

In the beginning of the season last year it seemed like tackling suffered because they were overcommitted to stripping the ball, without much success.

I hope this years team can get back to elite ball stripping.

31 minutes ago, BigEFly said:

Another tryout for a last PS game.

he was a nice player in college. Could be a good option to have on speed dial if they need a return man or backup slot at some point.

Athletic has listed preseason heroes each PS week. Twice for Cam Brown of the cowpads and this guy. Bit small for my liking but he does tackle.

Kapena Gushiken, DB, Philadelphia Eagles

Gushiken signed with the Eagles in May as an undrafted free agent out of Ole Miss. He flashed at safety, nickel and as a special teams coverage player Saturday in a 24-7 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. He tackled well. He played physical as a run defender when taking on blocks. He looked comfortable in deep-field safety responsibilities. And he showed off NFL-level awareness and instincts. On a snap in the fourth quarter, Gushiken recognized a play-action boot concept. He carried a route from Ravens tight end Ty Pezza into the flat — designed to take advantage of the flow of the defense — and tackled him short of the marker.

Kapena Gushiken, DB, Philadelphia Eagles

Gushiken made the list last week, and he is stacking preseason performances now. In Week 1, the Eagles moved Gushiken to multiple positions, including nickel and safety. In Week 2 against the New England Patriots, Gushiken played exclusively at nickel. He had a run stuff from that nickel spot in the first quarter, flying unblocked off the edge. Gushiken continued to prove comfortable in zone coverage. He is a name to watch for any team in need of defensive back help at nickel or safety.

24 minutes ago, Connecticut Eagle said:

NOTE...

I'll be opening up the Regular Season blog on or around Tuesday next week - after roster cuts and practice squad creation.

Seattle’s DT Williams gets $90m extension, 3 yrs, $56m guaranteed.

Okay. We have just few days left here to close on this EMB poll (that's on the main board) in regards to Hurts as starting QB, where 49 members have voted.

So far, this is further confirming the accuracy of the Quinnipiac Poll that was taken on this same question 6 months ago in February right after the season. In that poll:

Eagles Fans: 83% say keep Hurts, 7% say replace him, and 10% have no opinion.

NFL Fans Overall: 72% say keep Hurts, 8% say replace him, and 20% have no opinion.

The EMB poll above is kind of in the middle of those 2 polls.

78% say keep Hurts

14% say replace him

8% say no opinion

Still have a few days left here to conclude this poll.

7 minutes ago, BigEFly said:

Athletic has listed preseason heroes each PS week. Twice for Cam Brown of the cowpads and this guy. Bit small for my liking but he does tackle.

Kapena Gushiken, DB, Philadelphia Eagles

Gushiken signed with the Eagles in May as an undrafted free agent out of Ole Miss. He flashed at safety, nickel and as a special teams coverage player Saturday in a 24-7 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. He tackled well. He played physical as a run defender when taking on blocks. He looked comfortable in deep-field safety responsibilities. And he showed off NFL-level awareness and instincts. On a snap in the fourth quarter, Gushiken recognized a play-action boot concept. He carried a route from Ravens tight end Ty Pezza into the flat — designed to take advantage of the flow of the defense — and tackled him short of the marker.

Kapena Gushiken, DB, Philadelphia Eagles

Gushiken made the list last week, and he is stacking preseason performances now. In Week 1, the Eagles moved Gushiken to multiple positions, including nickel and safety. In Week 2 against the New England Patriots, Gushiken played exclusively at nickel. He had a run stuff from that nickel spot in the first quarter, flying unblocked off the edge. Gushiken continued to prove comfortable in zone coverage. He is a name to watch for any team in need of defensive back help at nickel or safety.

Gush is probably making this roster, unless Howie finds a vet.

21 minutes ago, mikemack8 said:

It’s funny because the passing game was terrible last yr.

Theres a 99.9% chance it’s better this year.

"Stinks” would be an upgrade to what they had last yr.

They could be the Thrash and Pinskton yrs level and be awful and still be better than last yr.

The AJ thing might have worked if this happened after 2022 but this narrative that somehow they were good last yr and now they will be bad makes no sense. I keep hearing it everywhere. 😆

Yes I’m sure they will miss having the 23rd best pass offense in the league this year. Even if they are 22nd in the league (which is awful) it would be an improvement.

42 minutes ago, Wentz_Era said:

I think people forget how good Slay ‘on the back end of his career’ was the SB year. If Woolen is even half as good as slay was that year, we should be ok at CB.

True, Slay was very good - still at a CB1 level in 2024.

3 hours ago, EaglePhan1986 said:

How on paper does this defense have more talent than the Super Bowl one from 24? It’s not at safety or edge rusher. Is Woolen an upgrade over Slay from that season? We’ll see and i hope I’m wrong, but I think we have ourselves a 10 win team and are fortunate to be in a weak division

2024 edge rushers: Sweat, Smith, Hunt, BG, Huff

2026 edge rushers: Greenard (better than Sweat), Hunt (better than his rookie self), Smith (likely better than his 2nd year self assuming healthy), Ebiketie (on par with BG at a minimum), Epenesa (better than Huff)

We are better at edge in 2026. Better at DT (Carter, Davis and Ojomo all way better than 2024, offsets loss of Milt). Better at CB (Q and Coop better than rookie year, Riq and Slay probably a wash). Let's say roughly the same at ILB (better depth). Worse at S.

13 minutes ago, BigEFly said:

Athletic has listed preseason heroes each PS week. Twice for Cam Brown of the cowpads and this guy. Bit small for my liking but he does tackle.

Kapena Gushiken, DB, Philadelphia Eagles

Gushiken signed with the Eagles in May as an undrafted free agent out of Ole Miss. He flashed at safety, nickel and as a special teams coverage player Saturday in a 24-7 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. He tackled well. He played physical as a run defender when taking on blocks. He looked comfortable in deep-field safety responsibilities. And he showed off NFL-level awareness and instincts. On a snap in the fourth quarter, Gushiken recognized a play-action boot concept. He carried a route from Ravens tight end Ty Pezza into the flat — designed to take advantage of the flow of the defense — and tackled him short of the marker.

Kapena Gushiken, DB, Philadelphia Eagles

Gushiken made the list last week, and he is stacking preseason performances now. In Week 1, the Eagles moved Gushiken to multiple positions, including nickel and safety. In Week 2 against the New England Patriots, Gushiken played exclusively at nickel. He had a run stuff from that nickel spot in the first quarter, flying unblocked off the edge. Gushiken continued to prove comfortable in zone coverage. He is a name to watch for any team in need of defensive back help at nickel or safety.

UDFA streak!