It's never too soon for Eagles to overhaul WR position

[time2rock]

It's never too soon for Eagles to overhaul WR position

 

 

 

Reuben Frank

EAGLES INSIDER

It’s not like there’s a ton of options. It’s not like there are a bunch of hotshot prospects waiting around on the practice squad. It’s not like you’re going to sign someone off the street in the middle of January who’s going to help.

The Eagles are going into the postseason with two legitimate NFL wide receivers in their regular rotation.

And that’s a scary place to be.

DeVonta Smith has had a very good rookie year, and Quez Watkins has shown that he’s a solid receiver as well as a 23-year-old 6^th-round pick.

Beyond that?

If we didn’t know it already, the meaningless loss against the Cowboys Saturday night showed us the cupboard is bare beyond those two, and that really makes life difficult for the 23-year-old quarterback who’s going to lead the Eagles into the postseason.

It’s clear the Eagles wanted to use the Cowboys game to get Jalen Reagor’s confidence up after another miserable season and to get J.J. Arcega-Whiteside some easy catches in a no-pressure game with nothing at stake.

Is it too much to ask your former 1^st-round pick and 2^nd-round pick to make some plays?

Apparently it is.

Saturday’s game only magnified the biggest issue the Eagles have, and that’s wide receiver depth. The Cowboys came in without Michael Gallup, and their fourth option behind Amari Cooper, CeeDee Lamb and Gallup – Cedrick Wilson - had five catches for 119 yards and two touchdowns.

Meanwhile, Reagor was doing his usual thing – five offensive touches for a pathetically ineffective 29 yards – and JJAW was doing his usual thing – dropping passes at every possible opportunity.

Reagor finished the season with 299 receiving yards and a ridiculous 3.2 average on 10 rushing attempts. Not to mention a paltry 7.3 punt return average. The Eagles kept trying to invent ways to use him and he came up small every time.

The last 1^st-round WR who wasn’t a rookie to start at least a dozen games and not reach 300 receiving yards? It was 32-year-old Andre Rison 22 years ago.

Meanwhile practice squad running back Jason Huntley steps on the field for the first time this year and on the third kick return of his life busts it for 35 yards and shows more elusiveness on one play than Reagor has shown in his career.

Then there’s Arcega-Whiteside, who by all accounts puts in the work, has a great attitude, gives everything he has on special teams but just can’t play. Cannot play. Drops a touchdown that goes right through his hands and misses another that turns into an interception. Waits all year, finally gets an opportunity and then this.

The Eagles wanted to use the Dallas game to get Reagor and JJAW some confidence going into the playoffs, but their performance only hammered home what we already know.

They shouldn’t be on the field.

The Eagles are a better team if they’re not playing, and it’s not even about who else they have because that’s irrelevant. It’s about them making plays that help teams lose.

Reagor averaged 44 snaps per game this year, and Greg Ward averaged 14 but somehow Ward did more with his seven catches than Reagor did with his 33. Scored more touchdowns. Had as many 25-yard catches.

I’m not under any illusions that Ward is a star, but he catches the football and once it’s in his hands he moves in a forward direction.

Ward hasn't been a big part of the offense. He’s had seven or fewer snaps in six of the last nine games. Huntley didn’t play all year until Saturday night. Kenny Gainwell has had nine games with three or fewer touches.

Yet all those guys make plays that Reagor and JJAW only dream of.

There’s no rule that says you have to play the same guys in the postseason that you played during the regular season.

If the Eagles truly want to have the best possible chance to win a wild-card game, Reagor should be inactive this coming weekend. Ward and Gainwell in the slot gives Hurts a couple reliable targets and gives the Eagles a better chance to win.

Nick Sirianni owes it to his owner, his players and this city to give the Eagles the best chance to win this weekend, and that means Reagor inactive and no sign of JJAW except on special teams.

But beyond that, the grim reality is that an NFL team that’s been trying to upgrade the wide receiver position for years goes into the offseason with a desperate need to upgrade the wide receiver position.

Reagor is what he is. JJAW is what he is. They were catastrophic draft picks, and the Eagles must cut their losses, start over and rebuild the WR corps around Smith and Watkins. If Ward is a part of it? That’s OK.

You have this world-class offensive line, a deep and talented stable of running backs, a Pro Bowl-caliber tight end and a promising young quarterback who had an auspicious first season as a starter.

Add a couple more receivers who can actually catch the football and make plays - granted that's easier said than done - and this offense would be unstoppable.

I don’t care where Reagor and JJAW were drafted. The Eagles have to move on. Now would be a good time to start.

https://www.nbcsports.com/philadelphia/eagles/its-never-too-soon-nick-sirianni-and-eagles-overhaul-wr-position

[birdman#12]

Reuben Frank continues to be one of the worst "sportswriters" I've ever read.  

This moron loves to pile the sh-- on guys who are struggling, even though this piece of sh-- has been given a pass for lousy writing for years.  He's a big reason why philly media is considered one of the worst in sports reporting.

I'm not going to get into a detailed debate about JAWW or Reagor because the only thing Philly fans look at is catches and yards..  But the overemotional conclusions this moron draws is simply not how NFL coaches and GMs view player roles and production.  

It's not a debate that JAWW and Reagor were drafted too early.  But they're a lot of reasons why they haven't produced and some of those reasons are actually fixable. But whether the eagles coaching staff and GM want to spend time to do that is questionable.  It SEEMS like Sirianni can see Reagor's potential, but he also is somewhat restricted on the amount of time to get him there....the NFL is a win now league and only so much time can go into development.  

Pedersen and his staff simply were not very good at talent development......and he didn't like to play rookies alot.  Sirianni seems to prefer playing rookies early and providing more upcoaching during the year with his staff.  The last 2 years also have had some below average QB play.  Wentz was simply terrible his last year here.  His confidence was severely damaged and he digressed to a 1-2 look QB.  Hurts, who shouldn't have started this year, started as a 1-2 look QB who has gradually improved.....but he still can lock on his primary receiver and won't go thru all his progressions before he takes off.....he's getting better and will be able to spread the ball around more.

The eagles passing game was and still is one of the least productive passing games this year.  It was poor last year with Wentz and it's a slowly developing phase with Hurts.

When those situations exist, only the receivers who are the primary read actually produce decent numbers.  Last year, it was the tight ends, this year it has been Smith and Goedart.

None of this excuses the drops. But it can explain the lack of targets and YPC.  When guys like JAWW and Reagor get opportunities, they HAVE to catch the f------ ball.  Because regardless of how much a coach believes in potential, dropping passes is a ticket to the bench and off the team.

With the playoffs here, Ward should get more opportunities, simply because of his sure hands.  But in playoff football, 3rd and 4th receivers can be a huge difference in games...but if the QB isn't getting to those reads, they will continue to be non-factors, I don't care who is running those routes.

 

[Portyansky]

Really thought we were gonna go with Smith, Reagor and Ward. At this moment I wouldn't mind Smith, Watkins and Ward

[Procus]

I don't always agree with Roob, but I do here.  Need to move on from JJAW and Raegor.  Maybe they can step up their games elsewhere if they get a fresh start with a different team, but they've been given enough time to show what they can do in Philly and came up short. 

 

[weko]

10 hours ago, birdman#12 said:

Reuben Frank continues to be one of the worst "sportswriters" I've ever read.  

This moron loves to pile the sh-- on guys who are struggling, even though this piece of sh-- has been given a pass for lousy writing for years.  He's a big reason why philly media is considered one of the worst in sports reporting.

I'm not going to get into a detailed debate about JAWW or Reagor because the only thing Philly fans look at is catches and yards..  But the overemotional conclusions this moron draws is simply not how NFL coaches and GMs view player roles and production.  

It's not a debate that JAWW and Reagor were drafted too early.  But they're a lot of reasons why they haven't produced and some of those reasons are actually fixable. But whether the eagles coaching staff and GM want to spend time to do that is questionable.  It SEEMS like Sirianni can see Reagor's potential, but he also is somewhat restricted on the amount of time to get him there....the NFL is a win now league and only so much time can go into development.  

Pedersen and his staff simply were not very good at talent development......and he didn't like to play rookies alot.  Sirianni seems to prefer playing rookies early and providing more upcoaching during the year with his staff.  The last 2 years also have had some below average QB play.  Wentz was simply terrible his last year here.  His confidence was severely damaged and he digressed to a 1-2 look QB.  Hurts, who shouldn't have started this year, started as a 1-2 look QB who has gradually improved.....but he still can lock on his primary receiver and won't go thru all his progressions before he takes off.....he's getting better and will be able to spread the ball around more.

The eagles passing game was and still is one of the least productive passing games this year.  It was poor last year with Wentz and it's a slowly developing phase with Hurts.

When those situations exist, only the receivers who are the primary read actually produce decent numbers.  Last year, it was the tight ends, this year it has been Smith and Goedart.

None of this excuses the drops. But it can explain the lack of targets and YPC.  When guys like JAWW and Reagor get opportunities, they HAVE to catch the f------ ball.  Because regardless of how much a coach believes in potential, dropping passes is a ticket to the bench and off the team.

With the playoffs here, Ward should get more opportunities, simply because of his sure hands.  But in playoff football, 3rd and 4th receivers can be a huge difference in games...but if the QB isn't getting to those reads, they will continue to be non-factors, I don't care who is running those routes.

 

Neither guy is an NFL player.  Neither can run routes, get separation, track or catch the ball.  It is not fixable.  Both are absolutely horrible and should be cut after the season.  I completely agree to play Ward over either starting Sunday.

[CouchKing]

Can the Eagles afford a veteran WR under the salary cap?

[Robj80]

swap Gainwell for Reagor and the eagles will be a better team. Line him up in the slot. Have him do the sweeps (or better yet don't do sweeps). 

[birdman#12]

3 hours ago, CouchKing said:

Can the Eagles afford a veteran WR under the salary cap?

Yes they can, but I don't think that's necessary. But if they did, I doubt Howie wants to pay a huge salary to a FA WR.

If any of the Calvin Ridley rumors are true, then they need to kick the tires on that.....Ridley has another year left on a rookie contract at $11 million, and the eagles have the draft assets and some players to trade to make that happen.

 Smith, Ridley and Quez Watkins would be fun to watch.

[EaglesAddict]

3 hours ago, CouchKing said:

Can the Eagles afford a veteran WR under the salary cap?

Yes.  Just a matter of who...(or more likely, who's available come FA)

[EaglesAddict]

I agree with the article premise.  That's why I can damn near guarantee the Eagles will be players in FA for a WR (I seriously doubt they will invest another high pick at the WR position this year).  

JJAW may have value as a blocker/ST'er, but that is simply not good enough.  The Eagles will more than likely give another year to Reagor being that he's a first round investment.  Time has expired on JJAW though. Time to cut that loss. 

[nipples]

16 hours ago, Portyansky said:

Really thought we were gonna go with Smith, Reagor and Ward. At this moment I wouldn't mind Smith, Watkins and Ward

Eh, I like Watkins as an explosive #3 but still need a true second WR opposite Smith. My ideal choice would be either signing one of the big name vets, or trading for Ridley. If they can’t make either of those happen then I’d be absolutely fine taking a WR again in the first as long as the other two are used for defense. 

[nipples]

32 minutes ago, EaglesAddict said:

Yes.  Just a matter of who...(or more likely, who's available come FA)

Godwin, Robinson, Mike Williams,and JuJu are the biggest names that could be free agents. Godwin probably re-signs with Tampa, unless Brady decides to retire after the Eagles beat him this weekend. Davante Adams could be a FA too but he’ll be ridiculously expensive. 
 

Rumors about Calvin Ridley being available for trade too..: I’d be OK with that at the right price. 

[Outlaw]

1 hour ago, nipples said:

Godwin, Robinson, Mike Williams,and JuJu are the biggest names that could be free agents. Godwin probably re-signs with Tampa, unless Brady decides to retire after the Eagles beat him this weekend. Davante Adams could be a FA too but he’ll be ridiculously expensive. 
 

Rumors about Calvin Ridley being available for trade too..: I’d be OK with that at the right price. 

DJ Chark is young and impressive.

[nipples]

14 minutes ago, Outlaw said:

DJ Chark is young and impressive.

Not sure I’d be in on Chark unless it’s super cheap. Coming off a season ending injury, and "young” is kind of the opposite of what I think we need right now. We need a strong vet presence to round out the WR corps IMO. 

[PoconoDon]

I want to keep Smith and Watkins. Ward is marginal and must compete for a spot. All other WR slots get new blood via FA and the draft.

[Outlaw]

15 minutes ago, nipples said:

Not sure I’d be in on Chark unless it’s super cheap. Coming off a season ending injury, and "young” is kind of the opposite of what I think we need right now. We need a strong vet presence to round out the WR corps IMO. 

He would be super cheap, that's the point.

[nipples]

27 minutes ago, Outlaw said:

He would be super cheap, that's the point.

I guess. I still wouldn’t want him to be their only FA WR. They need experience in the WR room. 

[UK_EaglesFan89]

How many times have we said this in the last few years? They need to invest and overhaul the WR position. 

Smith should be back (duh) and Watkins should be back. Besides that? Reagor has to be cut, JJAW has to be cut and who else is there? Ward can hang around as a depth guy.

Time to go spend cap on WRs Howie. 

[Portyansky]

5 hours ago, nipples said:

Eh, I like Watkins as an explosive #3 but still need a true second WR opposite Smith. My ideal choice would be either signing one of the big name vets, or trading for Ridley. If they can’t make either of those happen then I’d be absolutely fine taking a WR again in the first as long as the other two are used for defense. 

I meant at the start of the year.