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

When Adam caplan dropped a tweet saying the Eagles were "very interested” in Jordan love that’s what made me start to believe what you just put out there. Now caplan could be full of crap which wouldn’t surprise me Or any of us but IF and that’s a big if he’s actually correct on that then what you just said makes me feel that way too

I don’t think you need confirmation from Caplan to see the Eagles are worried. And I use the word worried over another one like frustrated because I don’t think Howie, Doug or Lurie want to envision this franchise without Wentz for the next 2-3-4 years, but think about how analytical this team is, supposedly one that spends the most money on analysis people and how they support it. This franchise has to be worried, you cannot ignore the history and probability of Wentz getting hurt. 

2 hours ago, ManuManu said:

I agree with this. 

I think the idea that Reagor and Hightower can both play the X is valid.  That may be an even better position for Hightower than the Z. But I also doubt the Eagles have given up on JJAW.  Eagles expect players to be able to run routes from multiple positions. DJax, slot and Z. Reagor, X and Z.  Hightower, possibly all three. Ward, slot and X. JJAW, X and maybe slot.   Watkins seems like a Z only at this point but he also seems the most developmental WR on the roster with a chance to make the team.  Alshon plays X and slot but I doubt he isn’t PUP to start the season. 

27 minutes ago, VanHammersly said:

I thought I'd add my two cents.  Now, back to CVON!

Whoa, sir, before you leave the Blog forever... may I ask if you happen to play billiards?

No chance the Eagles have given up on JJAW, but he's not a lock either. If he were they wouldn't have drafted three WR's and traded for Goodwin. The way I see it you have JJAW, Ward, Goodwin, Hightower, and Watkins in competition for three or four spots.

13 minutes ago, Maga301 said:

I don’t think you need confirmation from Caplan to see the Eagles are worried. And I use the word worried over another one like frustrated because I don’t think Howie, Doug or Lurie want to envision this franchise without Wentz for the next 2-3-4 years, but think about how analytical this team is, supposedly one that spends the most money on analysis people and how they support it. This franchise has to be worried, you cannot ignore the history and probability of Wentz getting hurt. 

Agreed but I think it’s more concerning that Jordan Love was not going to fall out of the first round at any point in time (you can argue he could i didn’t see that happening at all). Somebody was going to do what the ravens did with Lamar Jackson to get the fifth year option. If the Eagles were very interested in him that means they were going to have to take them in the first round. So why were you so interested in a first round QB unless caplan is full of crap

2 minutes ago, Double said:

Whoa, sir, before you leave the Blog forever... may I ask if you happen to play billiards?

Not only do I play, but some have called me one of the great teaching by billiards professors of all time.  Science, mathematics, the running of the 1974 Kentucky Derby.  I teach it all.

I would normally be optimistic about JJAW going into his second season.  We normally see jumps in year two.  But with the offseason program being as it is, I am not expecting as much improvement from the second-year players.

13 minutes ago, BigEFly said:

I think the idea that Reagor and Hightower can both play the X is valid.  That may be an even better position for Hightower than the Z. But I also doubt the Eagles have given up on JJAW.  Eagles expect players to be able to run routes from multiple positions. DJax, slot and Z. Reagor, X and Z.  Hightower, possibly all three. Ward, slot and X. JJAW, X and maybe slot.   Watkins seems like a Z only at this point but he also seems the most developmental WR on the roster with a chance to make the team.  Alshon plays X and slot but I doubt he isn’t PUP to start the season. 

What would make Hightower a better X than Z?

Just now, Connecticut Eagle said:

I would normally be optimistic about JJAW going into his second season.  We normally see jumps in year two.  But with the offseason program being as it is, I am not expecting as much improvement from the second-year players.

Preach! Been on the same wavelengths for weeks now. 

22 minutes ago, BigEFly said:

Accuracy is not an issue with Hurts. Worst year, he was 60% passer in the SEC as a sophomore.  As a back up/relief player in 2018, he was at 72%.  Last year in Lincoln Riley’s pass happy offense, he was close to 70%. Better than Kyler Murray and nipping at the heals of Baker Mayfield.  Do you watch college football at all?  
 

The main thing I can complain about with Hurts is he trusts his feet so much that he tends too much to a one read and run.   Now that is not to say he locks on to a single receiver, he really doesn’t lock in.  He makes a quick decision if the route is open and runs.  In Riley’s offense the QB can usually see two receivers in a look.  That said, you don’t see him read the other areas as much as I would like. 

It seems like his arm strength isn't great.  

So what's the deal with Hightower?  Noticed at combine he was 6 foot 1 and 189 but during season they listed at 172 pounds.  Did he pack on a bunch before combine?  Obviously he still tested really well with the added weight.  

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

Agreed but I think it’s more concerning that Jordan Love was not going to fall out of the first round at any point in time (you can argue he could i didn’t see that happening at all). Somebody was going to do what the ravens did with Lamar Jackson to get the fifth year option. If the Eagles were very interested in him that means they were going to have to take them in the first round. So why were you so interested in a first round QB unless caplan is full of crap

Yea I dunno, I’m sure we will get more details as each week passes but Eagles are always silent on stuff. This was super silent, could be the reason for Dougs reaction on TV because he has been holding it in for so long. 

2 minutes ago, Connecticut Eagle said:

I would normally be optimistic about JJAW going into his second season.  We normally see jumps in year two.  But with the offseason program being as it is, I am not expecting as much improvement from the second-year players.

Even in a normal offseason it would be hard to get JJAW up to speed. Mooreheads job needs to be clear #1, Jalen Reagor. After that, it's a juggle of getting Watkins/Hightower up to speed while playing catch up with JJAW, as well as trying to help last years holdovers as well. The only one he can basically ignore is Jackson. Hopefully JJAW is doing something this offseason and working out with a private coach just to get those stupid mental errors out of his game. 

2 minutes ago, BigEFly said:

I think the idea that Reagor and Hightower can both play the X is valid.  That may be an even better position for Hightower than the Z. But I also doubt the Eagles have given up on JJAW.  Eagles expect players to be able to run routes from multiple positions. DJax, slot and Z. Reagor, X and Z.  Hightower, possibly all three. Ward, slot and X. JJAW, X and maybe slot.   Watkins seems like a Z only at this point but he also seems the most developmental WR on the roster with a chance to make the team.  Alshon plays X and slot but I doubt he isn’t PUP to start the season. 

Yup.  Couple issues though, aside from the forthcoming X/Y/Z alphabet soup:

In general, I believe in more fluidity at the WR position with more talented players.  Get 3 fast WRs who are tough to cover, each with some unique traits...and move them around X/Y/Z as you see fit in a chess match.  TO, Desean, Maclin...all our best WRs in recent years always moved around the formation.

But we also have very young, very raw talent.  We don't want to throw too much at them at once.  So a more narrowly defined role, for now, may be best.

I love Reagor at X.  He's a first round pick.  The hope is that he can separate at all levels of the field and run all the routes.  If we have an X with Reagor's speed, it's really, really exciting to then pair him up with a prototypically fast Z.  

Desean is capable of playing anywhere for brief looks, but the Z is his home.  Keep it simple for Watkins and let him focus on learning from Desean here.  However, some simple underneath routes from the slot may help Watkins to get his feet wet.

Goodwin should probably spend time in both the slot and Z, based on where he's needed.  We all know Desean won't be available for 16 games.  Even at 29, he needs some seasoning.  But he's a vet and he can figure it out.  He has experience at both spots.

Hightower is the tough one.  He's got the speed for Z and the size for X.  I'd like to see him opposite Reagor long term.  

And then JJAW.  He needs to learn the slot, end of story.  I think 2021 will see the departure of Ertz or Goedert, likely Ertz.  Ertz is ALWAYS in the slot when Goedert is on the field.  That's the role JJAW needs to master.  That's how he can still help this team.  In the red zone, situationally, he can line up as an X.  

The general consensus and smart money is that only one of Watkins/Hightower or two of Watkins/Hightower/Goodwin make the team.  I'd really like to see them all make it.  Ward is insurance.  And I hate to continuously toss the poor guy's life around, but he's insurance that will be available to us week 8 if we need him then.  I really want to give both Watkins and Hightower an extended chance to turn into something.

1 hour ago, Iggles_Phan said:

And the reality is that everything comes down to one thing:  Can Jalen Hurts play?

 

If Hurts is who they seem to think he is (Doug was absolutely BEAMING when they made this pick - thanks to the new system with cameras on all the major players in the draft constantly... we got to basically see Doug in the moment!), then they have a plan in place for him, and this will ultimately work out well... in some fashion or form.  

If Hurts is NOT who they seem to think he is, but rather he is who those who are dead set against this pick think he is, then it's a bad pick.  A bad... BAD pick. 

 

Time will tell.

It also comes down to can Jalen Hurts play hurt?

1 minute ago, greend said:

It also comes down to can Jalen Hurts play hurt?

He's been Hurts his whole career.

25 minutes ago, ManuManu said:

 

So where did all the 12 personnel talk go? Is that still a plan of ours?

God, Groh must have did a number on Doug, he’s wanting to unleash a totally different style offense then we’ve anticipated. 

7 minutes ago, garingovt2000 said:

So what's the deal with Hightower?  Noticed at combine he was 6 foot 1 and 189 but during season they listed at 172 pounds.  Did he pack on a bunch before combine?  Obviously he still tested really well with the added weight.  

Yes. There is talk he needs to add even more, but then you are going to take away his game. 

2 minutes ago, Maga301 said:

So where did all the 12 personnel talk go? Is that still a plan of ours?

God, Groh must have did a number on Doug, he’s wanting to unleash a totally different style offense then we’ve anticipated. 

Try reading the plan again. 

Howie coming on now on WIP  with Ike Reese 

35 minutes ago, BGDutchNorris said:

I could also see Carson playing thru this contract and maybe hanging it up. He'd have the money to, he'd be 31, and would not take anymore hits that could harm him long term (like Luck sort of). Then we would have Jalen who's been learning for 4 years and ready to go. Just a thought

I think this is a very real scenario.  I think Carson loves football but going back to college he has been getting beat up.  I think he's one who is going to want to enjoy life without football as much as he lives and breathes it now.  

The other side is what if after this contract we haven't advanced past the first round of the playoffs or don't sniff a SB title.  

Sounds like, perhaps, Howie had himself a nice draft, let Doug/Marty/Press Taylor have their way with 53, and then took some bullets for them in the PC.  That would explain his poor and defensive answers.  Pure speculation, but possible.

I hope the coaches don't F with Howie's offseason by committing to a WR depth chart that looks something like this:

Jeffery/Jackson/Reagor/Ward/JJAW.  Hightower inactive.  Watkins released preseason.  Goodwin released when Alshon gets healthy.

That would be....lazy isn't the right word.  But they would be crawling back into their old shell for familiarity and comfort.  

 

6 minutes ago, eagle45 said:

Sounds like, perhaps, Howie had himself a nice draft, let Doug/Marty/Press Taylor have their way with 53, and then took some bullets for them in the PC.  That would explain his poor and defensive answers.  Pure speculation, but possible.

I hope the coaches don't F with Howie's offseason by committing to a WR depth chart that looks something like this:

Jeffery/Jackson/Reagor/Ward/JJAW.  Hightower inactive.  Watkins released preseason.  Goodwin released when Alshon gets healthy.

That would be....lazy isn't the right word.  But they would be crawling back into their old shell for familiarity and comfort.  

 

Jeffrey is done here. They aren't drafting three WR's and trading for Goodwin if he was in the plans.

5 minutes ago, Maga301 said:

So where did all the 12 personnel talk go? Is that still a plan of ours?

God, Groh must have did a number on Doug, he’s wanting to unleash a totally different style offense then we’ve anticipated. 

Absolutely it's still part of the plan. The problem with the 12 personnel wasn't the two TEs; the problem was the other two or three receivers (depending on whether you keep a back in or not) were slow. Teams walked their safeties up and dared us to beat them deep and we couldn't. When you have seven defenders packed into an area no more than 20 yards deep the windows are small and even with completions the tacklers will be right there. Tough to run against that as well. You back those safeties out and the CBs giving bigger cushions and suddenly there's a lot more room in the intermediate zones and less run support.

8 minutes ago, bpac55 said:

I think this is a very real scenario.  I think Carson loves football but going back to college he has been getting beat up.  I think he's one who is going to want to enjoy life without football as much as he lives and breathes it now.  

The other side is what if after this contract we haven't advanced past the first round of the playoffs or don't sniff a SB title.  

Depends on how much he wants to enjoy that money he made with his family, hunting, etc.  

 

I could see him walking away "early".  I do not see him going the Tom Brady, play forever route.