2 minutes ago, Ace Nova said:

Revisionist history:  Dillard was ranked as high as a top 10 pick by scouts (at the time) and Reagor wouldn’t of made it past the 1st round. 

First part is true.  Second part is irrelevant, as the pick should have been a different WR, and just about everyone knew it.  

1 hour ago, RLC said:

Don't take anything BleedingGreenNation says seriously.

Reagor's block was great. If you freeze-frame a block, it will always look like a hold at the end, when the defender moves backwards towards the ball-carrier. 

People have called Reagor soft. He blocks too hard and some people are calling holding? They're just irrationally angry at Howie Roseman. 

Yup.

I think reagor looked fine last night,

One of the issues posters seem to have with reagor is his effort or lack of, I don't remember seeing him take any plays off or half ashing it on any plays 

He ran hard and played hard ran good routes even when the ball didn't come to him.

He still needs to clean some things up and can get better but I didn't question his effort last night.

 

My take from Preseason Week 1. Overall, I think the team is better than I thought.

 

Defense is going to be alright with Gannon.

If healthy, the DLine is a real strength.

The defense rallies to the ball.

Mailata has some real potential.

Smith, Reagor, Fulghum, and Watkins could surprise us.

Quez is really fast.

Reagor has really improved his route running.

We are going to see alot of 2 TE sets.

Gainwell will surprise this season.

Hurts needs to stop going head first when going down.

Nothing changed in how people will view the QBs after last night.  

1 minute ago, Iggles_Phan said:

Haven't had a chance to see the game yet.  Have it on DVR for watching on Sunday when I'm home.   I look forward to it, but one thing I am gathering is that Watkins, once again, looked explosive.   Which continues to beg the question, why hasn't he been given a look at PR?  Why wasn't he given that opportunity last year?    Why does this guy keep getting overlooked for that position?   It is a desperate need for this team, and has been since Father Time caught up to Darren Sproles.  Watkins needs to get reps at PR in practice and get a legit opportunity this preseason at PR.  

 

There is a strong connection between flanker screens and punt returning.   Its why guys like Tyreek Hill are so great at both and why Greg Ward struggles with both.  Yet... Greg Ward last year got tons of opportunities at both and did nothing positive with them.  Watkins has shown explosion on the flanker screens, let's give him a chance at PR. 

You probably won't agree with me on this, but I prefer minimize what our weapons digest.  Call it being premature, but I don't care...I think Watkins has graduated from KR/PR and needs to focus on being the best outside Z WR he can be.  I realize Hill does it all, but he's not still trying to learn to be a WR.

Let's save PR (and KR) for other young players who need opportunities to shine with the ball in their hands and won't get it on offense.  Huntley, for one, seems to be a good option.    Killins probably doesn't make the team, but he's a perfect type of fit for PR work.

I'd place a huge bet that Ward is the KR by midseason anyway.  It's going to be Reagor initially and he's so clearly uncomfortable with it.  He'll put a few in the dirt and they'll be back to Ward in no time.

30 minutes ago, Bacarty2 said:

nice, way to go completly overboard. 

Just saying he stinks and people will defend him on here cause a nice block against a guy who will be bagging groceries. Improved route runner over last year where it looked like he took the play off. 

wr3 to open the season,  wouldn't be shocked if he's wr4 by the end. At that point you're 2020 First round pick is option 7 in your offense. 

Feel free to share your observations of his play from last night. My guess is you didn’t watch that closely. And that’s fine.

It’s also fine to just keep your mouth shut if you didn’t. But for some reason you woke up and decided to attack a post for whatever reason.

16 minutes ago, RLC said:

We're excited and so far happy with our draft class...and our first 2 picks have barely played at all this pre-season/training camp.

Well, I wouldn't go that far, even though I've been pretty positive.  We just aren't used to anything visibly encouraging from a draft pick at all.

Pick 1 is already hurt when the knock on him was whether or not his body would hold up in the NFL.  Pick 2 is still hurt.  Pick 3 didn't show up in the stat sheet but definitely looked good.  2 guys after that were fine.  The DT after that was really bad.  

After recent years, I guess that's enough to be excited and happy.  

5 minutes ago, eagle45 said:

You probably won't agree with me on this, but I prefer minimize what our weapons digest.  Call it being premature, but I don't care...I think Watkins has graduated from KR/PR and needs to focus on being the best outside Z WR he can be.  I realize Hill does it all, but he's not still trying to learn to be a WR.

Let's save PR (and KR) for other young players who need opportunities to shine with the ball in their hands and won't get it on offense.  Huntley, for one, seems to be a good option.    Killins probably doesn't make the team, but he's a perfect type of fit for PR work.

I'd place a huge bet that Ward is the KR by midseason anyway.  It's going to be Reagor initially and he's so clearly uncomfortable with it.  He'll put a few in the dirt and they'll be back to Ward in no time.

You are correct, I don't agree with you.   Punt returning is much much more about instinct and athleticism than it is about learning techniques, play designs or whatnot.  You learn where you are supposed to catch the ball, and where you let it bounce... you learn the way to read the ball's flight and how to be in the proper position to catch it, and you learn how to decide whether you fair catch or you try for a return.   That's not exactly rocket science level stuff.  And most of it you learn only by doing it.   

And most of the time, these parts of practice are happening in special sessions any way, so its not like it is really coming away from other instruction.  Further, how many times did we see players come into the league as rookies and make big impacts on special teams before they were able to integrate into the offense as weapons?   Where did Tyreek Hill, for example, first shine?  It was as a returner, not as a WR.  Desean did both as a rookie, with no concerns.  You are making it more complicated than it is.

I'll add, Watkins was also used as a returner in college and did a really nice job, so he's not starting at square 1.  And you are right, Reagor has struggled with ball security in the PR role, which is a big part of that job.  

Huntley and Killins don't really deserve a spot on the roster if they can't contribute at RB, keeping them around to be the PR is a waste of space.   I want the ball in playmakers' hands every chance available.  And I don't see PR duties as an extra heavy burden for a young player.  But I see the way the Eagles have been ignoring it as a wasted opportunity.

5 minutes ago, E-A-G-L-E-S Eagles said:

My take from Preseason Week 1. Overall, I think the team is better than I thought.

 

Defense is going to be alright with Gannon. No idea

If healthy, the DLine is a real strength. We've said this every year for 10 years, but I think this will be one of the years that holds true.

The defense rallies to the ball.  Yup

Mailata has some real potential. Yup

Smith, Reagor, Fulghum, and Watkins could surprise us. 

Quez is really fast. Yup

Reagor has really improved his route running. Agreed, still anxiously awaiting for him to break out though.

We are going to see alot of 2 TE sets. I was really hoping we could be past that.  But if Hurts can't hit WRs downfield, 2 TE sets and a contracted offense may be a necessity.

Gainwell will surprise this season.

Hurts needs to stop going head first when going down.

Nothing changed in how people will view the QBs after last night.  100% correct

 

41 minutes ago, Iggles_Phan said:

Haven't had a chance to see the game yet.  Have it on DVR for watching on Sunday when I'm home.   I look forward to it, but one thing I am gathering is that Watkins, once again, looked explosive.   Which continues to beg the question, why hasn't he been given a look at PR?  Why wasn't he given that opportunity last year?    Why does this guy keep getting overlooked for that position?   It is a desperate need for this team, and has been since Father Time caught up to Darren Sproles.  Watkins needs to get reps at PR in practice and get a legit opportunity this preseason at PR.  

 

There is a strong connection between flanker screens and punt returning.   Its why guys like Tyreek Hill are so great at both and why Greg Ward struggles with both.  Yet... Greg Ward last year got tons of opportunities at both and did nothing positive with them.  Watkins has shown explosion on the flanker screens, let's give him a chance at PR. 

Yup 

He had a PR td as a sophomore and returned Kicks as a freshman.

Maybe the coaches don't want to put too much on his plate I'm not sure, and I agree I think he could be a good PR, certainly can't be any worse than ward was last year.

Not only did ward show zero speed and explosion as a returner but he also let far too many punts bounce costing the eagles field position.

Wonder why Huntley also hasn't been given a shot at PR.

He only did KR in college where he was really good but why not try him at PR as well, he definitely has the speed for it.

I've been a big Watkins fan from the beginning and have shared in the hype from last night...but let's also remember that JJAW broke Jordan Matthews' Eagles record for most receiving yards in a preseason game.  Or approached the record, forget which.  

 

1 minute ago, eagle45 said:

I've been a big Watkins fan from the beginning and have shared in the hype from last night...but let's also remember that JJAW broke Jordan Matthews' Eagles record for most receiving yards in a preseason game.  Or approached the record, forget which.  

 

Well, you are the one that has anointed him a 'weapon' and too valuable to put on PR duties, not me.  lol 

2 minutes ago, Iggles_Phan said:

Well, you are the one that has anointed him a 'weapon' and too valuable to put on PR duties, not me.  lol 

This is true.

16 minutes ago, Iggles_Phan said:

You are correct, I don't agree with you.   Punt returning is much much more about instinct and athleticism than it is about learning techniques, play designs or whatnot.  You learn where you are supposed to catch the ball, and where you let it bounce... you learn the way to read the ball's flight and how to be in the proper position to catch it, and you learn how to decide whether you fair catch or you try for a return.   That's not exactly rocket science level stuff.  And most of it you learn only by doing it.   

And most of the time, these parts of practice are happening in special sessions any way, so its not like it is really coming away from other instruction.  Further, how many times did we see players come into the league as rookies and make big impacts on special teams before they were able to integrate into the offense as weapons?   Where did Tyreek Hill, for example, first shine?  It was as a returner, not as a WR.  Desean did both as a rookie, with no concerns.  You are making it more complicated than it is.

I'll add, Watkins was also used as a returner in college and did a really nice job, so he's not starting at square 1.  And you are right, Reagor has struggled with ball security in the PR role, which is a big part of that job.  

Huntley and Killins don't really deserve a spot on the roster if they can't contribute at RB, keeping them around to be the PR is a waste of space.   I want the ball in playmakers' hands every chance available.  And I don't see PR duties as an extra heavy burden for a young player.  But I see the way the Eagles have been ignoring it as a wasted opportunity.

Ideally ones 4/5th RB or WR would be a guy that plays all 4 core special teams and can contribute to offense, or defense in a limited role or a pinch.

Perfect example and I'd take when building a team is Brian Mitchell.

Even though he was never featured in an offense he was invaluable to teams because of everything he did from being a great KR great PR played punt coverage team kickoff team and then was occasionally sprinkled in on offense not to mention he was the teams emergency QB.

I'm not sure the eagles have any one in the roster that fits that bill and maybe part of it is they  aren't asking any one guy to do that all but if they could find a guy like Brian Mitchell who can fill a bunch of roles I wouldn't complain.

8 minutes ago, eagle45 said:

I've been a big Watkins fan from the beginning and have shared in the hype from last night...but let's also remember that JJAW broke Jordan Matthews' Eagles record for most receiving yards in a preseason game.  Or approached the record, forget which.  

 

It's amazing that JJAW looked good against the Ravens.  I can't seem to find any old pre-season stats but I'm pretty sure he had more catches in the 2019 pre-season than he has the rest of his career. 

 

24 minutes ago, eagle45 said:

You probably won't agree with me on this, but I prefer minimize what our weapons digest.  Call it being premature, but I don't care...I think Watkins has graduated from KR/PR and needs to focus on being the best outside Z WR he can be.  I realize Hill does it all, but he's not still trying to learn to be a WR.

Let's save PR (and KR) for other young players who need opportunities to shine with the ball in their hands and won't get it on offense.  Huntley, for one, seems to be a good option.    Killins probably doesn't make the team, but he's a perfect type of fit for PR work.

I'd place a huge bet that Ward is the KR by midseason anyway.  It's going to be Reagor initially and he's so clearly uncomfortable with it.  He'll put a few in the dirt and they'll be back to Ward in no time.

I'd disagree with this because Ward sucked at punt returner last season,  Scott should return kicks and punts, I don't really know why Doug took the job away from Scott last year he was clearly the best when Sproles lost his burst and it keeps him busy if Gainwell starts to eat his tailback snaps.

 

6 minutes ago, Utebird said:

Ideally ones 4/5th RB or WR would be a guy that plays all 4 core special teams and can contribute to offense, or defense in a limited role or a pinch.

Perfect example and I'd take when building a team is Brian Mitchell.

Even though he was never featured in an offense he was invaluable to teams because of everything he did from being a great KR great PR played punt coverage team kickoff team and then was occasionally sprinkled in on offense not to mention he was the teams emergency QB.

I'm not sure the eagles have any one in the roster that fits that bill and maybe part of it is they  aren't asking any one guy to do that all but if they could find a guy like Brian Mitchell who can fill a bunch of roles I wouldn't complain.

Agreed.  And Huntley/Killins aren't nearly as big as Mitchell, and wouldn't be valuable in the coverage teams roles that Mitchell played.  And frankly, neither one has really shown any value in the passing game as a 3rd down type back.   Corey Clement was a good example, though he wasn't the primary returner, he was the personal protector on kickoffs, very good on the coverage teams and quite a contributor on offense when given a chance (speaking about his contributions as a rookie, before the hip/thigh injury hit).   He was an ideal fit for a 'do-it' core ST player that could fill in on offense.   Equally, this team needs 4 core team ST players that can also fill in on defense.  That would be a role for a guy like Edwards and Singleton.  Singleton really isn't a starting LB in the NFL, just the tallest midget in this circus.

7 minutes ago, Utebird said:

Ideally ones 4/5th RB or WR would be a guy that plays all 4 core special teams and can contribute to offense, or defense in a limited role or a pinch.

Perfect example and I'd take when building a team is Brian Mitchell.

Even though he was never featured in an offense he was invaluable to teams because of everything he did from being a great KR great PR played punt coverage team kickoff team and then was occasionally sprinkled in on offense not to mention he was the teams emergency QB.

I'm not sure the eagles have any one in the roster that fits that bill and maybe part of it is they  aren't asking any one guy to do that all but if they could find a guy like Brian Mitchell who can fill a bunch of roles I wouldn't complain.

This coaching staff would take a huge leap forward just by continuing to use Reagor on PR rather than Ward -- so far, so good

I'm sure Watkins could be the PR as well but I've seen very little of him yet, and Reagor was a more accomplished and dangerous PR in college than Watkins was.

Having either or both returning punts and Ward not doing any of it is the path that should be taken.

15 minutes ago, eagle45 said:

This is true.

Hold on, someone agreed with someone else in here and they admit they may have made a mistake? 

The end is nigh

6 minutes ago, Alphagrand said:

This coaching staff would take a huge leap forward just by continuing to use Reagor on PR rather than Ward -- so far, so good

I'm sure Watkins could be the PR as well but I've seen very little of him yet, and Reagor was a more accomplished and dangerous PR in college than Watkins was.

Having either or both returning punts and Ward not doing any of it is the path that should be taken.

I think we can all agree, Ward is a last resort, desperation option at PR at this point.   He's a proven liability in that role.   Reagor needs to be more secure with the ball to be trusted back there full time.   He was more dangerous in college than Watkins, but until Reagor proves that he's not a butter fingers back there, I will continue to push for Watkins, even his PR TD last year was on a bobble.

1 minute ago, Iggles_Phan said:

Agreed.  And Huntley/Killins aren't nearly as big as Mitchell, and wouldn't be valuable in the coverage teams roles that Mitchell played.  And frankly, neither one has really shown any value in the passing game as a 3rd down type back.   Corey Clement was a good example, though he wasn't the primary returner, he was the personal protector on kickoffs, very good on the coverage teams and quite a contributor on offense when given a chance (speaking about his contributions as a rookie, before the hip/thigh injury hit).   He was an ideal fit for a 'do-it' core ST player that could fill in on offense.   Equally, this team needs 4 core team ST players that can also fill in on defense.  That would be a role for a guy like Edwards and Singleton.  Singleton really isn't a starting LB in the NFL, just the tallest midget in this circus.

True Mitchell was a pretty big PR KR at around 220 where as Huntley is about 195.

I thought Edwards looked good on special teams, I wouldn't want him on the field on defense he's just too limited of an athlete but I think he has value as a backup LB core special teams guy 

I agree with singleton, I like his passion and energy but on probably 31 other defenses in the league he's a backup, hell most likely start this year at LB which I would assume would take him off most special teams which is unfortunate because I think he could be a heckuva core special teamer.

The other guy is Craig James, he was the special team captain last year but he offers next to nothing on defense and I'm not sure what he does on special teams that is so great???

6 minutes ago, Alphagrand said:

This coaching staff would take a huge leap forward just by continuing to use Reagor on PR rather than Ward -- so far, so good

I'm sure Watkins could be the PR as well but I've seen very little of him yet, and Reagor was a more accomplished and dangerous PR in college than Watkins was.

Having either or both returning punts and Ward not doing any of it is the path that should be taken.

Yup totally agree, not sure why ward was ever returning punts when there were plenty of other guys on the roster last year that had experience in college returning punts and all of them more explosive than ward.

I like ward as a person and he works hard and is a cool story about a guy that worked his way up the right way but I'm not sure what he really offers to the offense or special teams???

Ideally ones 5th 6th WR needs to be a core 4 special teamer if he's not returning punts is he even on PR team. Is he on punt team or kickoff or KR team???

Maybe these new coaches like him as the 4th WR or even the slot, I do t see him any higher than 5th which would mean he needs to contribute on teams, not sure he does???

7 minutes ago, Iggles_Phan said:

Agreed.  And Huntley/Killins aren't nearly as big as Mitchell, and wouldn't be valuable in the coverage teams roles that Mitchell played.  And frankly, neither one has really shown any value in the passing game as a 3rd down type back.   Corey Clement was a good example, though he wasn't the primary returner, he was the personal protector on kickoffs, very good on the coverage teams and quite a contributor on offense when given a chance (speaking about his contributions as a rookie, before the hip/thigh injury hit).   He was an ideal fit for a 'do-it' core ST player that could fill in on offense.   Equally, this team needs 4 core team ST players that can also fill in on defense.  That would be a role for a guy like Edwards and Singleton.  Singleton really isn't a starting LB in the NFL, just the tallest midget in this circus.

Corey Clement was pretty underrated for his ST value.  Shame he couldn't find that rookie year magic again.  You know he just loved being an Eagle too.

I might be alone with this thought but TJ Edwards doesn't inspire me at all as a LB.  He's more JAG than Singleton.  I don't think he does anything that contributes to the Eagles being a better team and you could replace him with one of Bradley, Taylor, Stevens and not miss a beat.

I look at guys like Andrew Adams, Zech McPhearson, Shaun Bradley and maybe Elijah Riley being core 4 defensive players.  There's also a chance Adams, Bradley and Riley don't even make the team.

3 minutes ago, bpac55 said:

Corey Clement was pretty underrated for his ST value.  Shame he couldn't find that rookie year magic again.  You know he just loved being an Eagle too.

I might be alone with this thought but TJ Edwards doesn't inspire me at all as a LB.  He's more JAG than Singleton.  I don't think he does anything that contributes to the Eagles being a better team and you could replace him with one of Bradley, Taylor, Stevens and not miss a beat.

I look at guys like Andrew Adams, Zech McPhearson, Shaun Bradley and maybe Elijah Riley being core 4 defensive players.  There's also a chance Adams, Bradley and Riley don't even make the team.

IMO, Edwards has the best instincts of any of them, but is slowest.  I agree, he's nothing special at LB, but he's always where he is supposed to be.    Frankly, our entire LB corps is nothing special and any one of them could be replaced by any number of other options, swap out all the Eagles' LBs with the bottom 3 of any other NFL roster and I doubt there'd be any noticeable drop off.

7 minutes ago, Utebird said:

Yup totally agree, not sure why ward was ever returning punts...

One of the greatest mysteries from 2020.  It made sense in 2019, as they were so beat up at WR... they had so few other options.  But last year they knew that they needed to upgrade there... drafted not one, not two, but three WRs that returned in college (Hightower was primarily a KR though) and still stuck with Ward who continued to prove he needed to be replaced.

Kind of surprised to see so many positive takes based off last night. Is it because they just didn't fall flat on their face like some thought? Generally, I didn't see anything special that showed the team can be anything above average at best. Watkins TD was a great splash play with great blocking. Jalen Hurts pass to Goedert was legitimately good. Other than that, the first team O put up 3 points and was up and down. Hurts had good mixed with bad, which I think if you want to be a serious playoff contender, will not be enough. The whole team was 0/8 on 3rd down. The D looked sloppy with tackling and Rudolph looked better than he should have. Steelers basically shot themselves in the foot their first two drives with offensive holding penalties.