Off Season Recap

[Rob331]

I know I've had some debates with the Howie haers out there. This off-season should seal the deal. I agree, we can be critical about the whifts in the draft pre-2021, but the roster overhaul since 2020 has been pretty fantastic. As a GM, Howie's done his job - now it's up to the players and coaches. 

Let's recap where we were at the end of the 2021 season. We said we need and we got  - 

Offense

• Need a WR - we got a pro bowl receiver and one of the best young pass catchers in the league in AJ Brown (Grade A)
• Need better WR depth - signed Zach Pascal. Aside from Cedric Wilson he was probably the best back up receiver available (Grade B+)
• Need a pass catching back up tight end - Drafted Grant Calcaterra. Could be a boom since his past history dropped him like a rock in the draft or a bust if that history repeats (Grade incomplete)
• Need a young back up quaterback - Signed UDFA CArson Strong. ANother boom or bust pick for the same reason. The differrence is there was no draft pickinvestment whatso ever. Given that he was actually rated in the top 8 QB;s in the draft it's a really nice signing. (Grade B)
• Need a big running back. Sure Jordan Howard is only a phone call away and they signed UDFA Kennedy Brooks, but the fact is they did not address the need (Grade F)
• Need backup center. They invested a 2nd round pick. I'd rather they waited until next year and drafted Jarrett PAtterson out of Notre Dame, but they chose to addreee the need now. Kelce has been remarkably healthy so having a legitimate backup is a good move. (Grade B).

Defnse

• Need  2 DE's and a better pass rush - we got Reddick and resigned Barnett (Grade A-, Reddick is a great pickup and we'd all have preferred someone other than Barnett although he's neither a plus or a minus at this point. 
• Need a better run defense - we drafted a baby rhino in Justin Davis. Highest rated DT in the draft (Grade A)
• Need a starting corner. We got a steal and signed a pro bowl caliber starter in James Bradberry. (Grade A+)
• Need a better linebacking corps - signed Kyzir White and drafted Nakobe Dean. Hard to do better than that (Grade A)
• Replace Rodney McLeod at safety. Signed Jaquisti Taart. He's not the honey badger, but he's a proven starter who will push Epps and Harris for a starting role and at worst be a quality proven veteran backup. (Grade B).
• Need cornerback depth - signed FA Jimmy Morehead as well as UDFA's Goodrich, Jobe, and Blackwell to battle McPhereson, Gowan, James, Scott, Vincent, and McCain. Strength in numbers gambling someone will rise and shine (Grade C).

Special teams

• Need a punter. Crickets (Grade F)

All in all a fantastic off-season. 

[brkmsn]

Big RB isn't really a need on this team. To get the most out of a big back, he needs a significant volume of carries each week. If you're just looking for a big, short yardage back, Hurts can handle those carries. But with Sanders, Gainwell, and Scott active each week, any potential "big RB" is only going to be an injury replacement at best. 

 

There's nothing wrong with the Tartt signing. Last year, I believe he played for the league minimum. He probably didn't get much more from us. He's no shoo-in to even make this team. He adds experience during camp and preseason, but I don't see him unseating Epps or Harris as a starter and when the final cuts are made, the Eagles are likely to go with a younger, developing prospect

[LacesOut]

The baby rhino is Jordan Davis. Not Justin.

The needed a backup pass catching TE?? Umm yeah sure ok.

Why did they need a young backup QB??

[Rob331]

20 hours ago, LacesOut said:

The baby rhino is Jordan Davis. Not Justin.

The needed a backup pass catching TE?? Umm yeah sure ok.

Why did they need a young backup QB??

Thanks LO - I sometimes need an editor - Jordan it is

Backup tight end - Stoll is promarily a blocker, Tyree Jackson will likely be o PUP, Rich Rod is an emergency option, JJAW is JJAW, and Tagai is who knows. With that group I think its pretty reasonable to think a pass catching back up would be a need. If your point is that it wasn't a high priority, I agree. 

A young back upp QB - two reasons. First, Minshew is in the last year of his contract and he's potential trade bait for a team in need. Second - I don't think Reid Sennett is, was, or ever will be the guy. 

[LacesOut]

1 minute ago, Rob331 said:

Thanks LO - I sometimes need an editor - Jordan it is

Backup tight end - Stoll is promarily a blocker, Tyree Jackson will likely be o PUP, Rich Rod is an emergency option, JJAW is JJAW, and Tagai is who knows. With that group I think its pretty reasonable to think a pass catching back up would be a need. If your point is that it wasn't a high priority, I agree. 

A young back upp QB - two reasons. First, Minshew is in the last year of his contract and he's potential trade bait for a team in need. Second - I don't think Reid Sennett is, was, or ever will be the guy. 

Fair enough, good points made. 

[NOTW]

On 6/18/2022 at 7:39 AM, Rob331 said:

 

• Need backup center. They invested a 2nd round pick. I'd rather they waited until next year and drafted Jarrett PAtterson out of Notre Dame, but they chose to addreee the need now. Kelce has been remarkably healthy so having a legitimate backup is a good move. (Grade B).

 

Wanted to reply on this point about Center.  Fans will often say "just draft so-and-so next year." You can't rely on that.  First there's the obvious:  another team can draft him before you.  You have no idea what the draft board will be like, the draft order, if picks get traded away or you trade up or down, other players that are available when they're drafting that they would value higher.  Player stocks rise and fall, they get injured, lots of stuff can happen.  

Second, they loved this kid and think he'll be Kelce's long-term replacement, so you grab him and secure the position hopefully for another decade.  You don't pass that up because you can maybe, hopefully just get a guy next year.  

[Rob331]

34 minutes ago, 4for4EaglesNest said:

Nothing matters until you get your QB and HC of the future.  We don't have either.  You'll see.  

Not very upbeat today  - are we?

[Talonblood]

23 hours ago, 4for4EaglesNest said:

Nothing matters until you get your QB and HC of the future.  We don't have either.  You'll see.  

Nobody really talks about how quickly Siri had to drop play calling duties. Like it was IMMEDIATELY. That says a LOT about him. 

[matchew88]

Barnett is a plus because he's number 3 or 4 now, not number 1 or 2

[mihailo]

On 6/18/2022 at 4:51 PM, brkmsn said:

Big RB isn't really a need on this team. To get the most out of a big back, he needs a significant volume of carries each week. If you're just looking for a big, short yardage back, Hurts can handle those carries. But with Sanders, Gainwell, and Scott active each week, any potential "big RB" is only going to be an injury replacement at best. 

 

There's nothing wrong with the Tartt signing. Last year, I believe he played for the league minimum. He probably didn't get much more from us. He's no shoo-in to even make this team. He adds experience during camp and preseason, but I don't see him unseating Epps or Harris as a starter and when the final cuts are made, the Eagles are likely to go with a younger, developing prospect

Exactly. That being the case all he can do is possibly displace someone else on the league minimum so it makes 0 difference to the cap number at all. 

[mihailo]

On 6/21/2022 at 7:17 PM, Talonblood said:

Nobody really talks about how quickly Siri had to drop play calling duties. Like it was IMMEDIATELY. That says a LOT about him. 

At this point it shows me he knows to take responsibility and give the play calling to someone currently more able. That seems like a good leadership skill compared to someone hogging the reigns when they are not as good.

Do all good HCs play call? 

[Swoop]

On 6/18/2022 at 10:51 AM, brkmsn said:

Big RB isn't really a need on this team. To get the most out of a big back, he needs a significant volume of carries each week. If you're just looking for a big, short yardage back, Hurts can handle those carries. But with Sanders, Gainwell, and Scott active each week, any potential "big RB" is only going to be an injury replacement at best. 

 

There's nothing wrong with the Tartt signing. Last year, I believe he played for the league minimum. He probably didn't get much more from us. He's no shoo-in to even make this team. He adds experience during camp and preseason, but I don't see him unseating Epps or Harris as a starter and when the final cuts are made, the Eagles are likely to go with a younger, developing prospect

So the starting QB, in your own words, should be used as the short yardage back and you argue with people that aren't sold on him as our Quarterback moving forward?

😂😂😂

[brkmsn]

2 hours ago, Swoop said:

So the starting QB, in your own words, should be used as the short yardage back and you argue with people that aren't sold on him as our Quarterback moving forward?

😂😂😂

I realize you're hoping to drive home some nifty argument that tries to equate that if a QB is a gifted runner, then he cannot be a decent passer. I don't agree with that sentiment at all. Regarding a big back, we have a limited amount of roster slots on this team. Are you advocating that we keep 4 RBs on our final 53? I mean, we could do that if we carry just 2 QBs or go light at some other position. But Hurts' ability as a runner and his leg strength makes him an ideal short yardage runner when we need it and that affords us the opportunity to keep a 3rd QB, or 6th WR that doubles as a return specialist, etc... on the final 53. 

[Shalodeep]

On 6/18/2022 at 10:51 AM, brkmsn said:

Big RB isn't really a need on this team. To get the most out of a big back, he needs a significant volume of carries each week. If you're just looking for a big, short yardage back, Hurts can handle those carries. But with Sanders, Gainwell, and Scott active each week, any potential "big RB" is only going to be an injury replacement at best. 

Yo, you must not want Hurts to start more than the rest of us XD I'm dying right now. So you don't want us to compare him to Tebow, but that was the biggest Tebow defense that has ever been typed out ever lol no, your QB should never be looked at as your big back option....ever. I agree we don't need a big back, but never have I ever thought it was because Hurts was QB. Thank you for that. 

[Talonblood]

8 hours ago, mihailo said:

At this point it shows me he knows to take responsibility and give the play calling to someone currently more able. That seems like a good leadership skill compared to someone hogging the reigns when they are not as good.

Do all good HCs play call? 

Actually, instead of getting all defensive about your answer, I went and did some research. You have a good point here. Cudo's.

[Swoop]

6 hours ago, brkmsn said:

I realize you're hoping to drive home some nifty argument that tries to equate that if a QB is a gifted runner, then he cannot be a decent passer. I don't agree with that sentiment at all. Regarding a big back, we have a limited amount of roster slots on this team. Are you advocating that we keep 4 RBs on our final 53? I mean, we could do that if we carry just 2 QBs or go light at some other position. But Hurts' ability as a runner and his leg strength makes him an ideal short yardage runner when we need it and that affords us the opportunity to keep a 3rd QB, or 6th WR that doubles as a return specialist, etc... on the final 53. 

No, my argument is that it's asinine to suggest that our starting QB should be used as a short yardage back.

Though yes, that doesn't say much about his passing.

[NOTW]

On 6/21/2022 at 12:17 PM, Talonblood said:

Nobody really talks about how quickly Siri had to drop play calling duties. Like it was IMMEDIATELY. That says a LOT about him. 

 

What do you mean by immediately?  It was about halfway through last season that he gave play calling to Steichen.  Also not every HC calls the plays.  It's funny when the HC is expected to call the offensive plays but not the defensive plays.

[mihailo]

2 hours ago, Talonblood said:

Actually, instead of getting all defensive about your answer, I went and did some research. You have a good point here. Cudo's.

I am not sure of how many top HCs playcall as I can't think of many off the top of my head, I thought it was a question worth posing. I just think in general delegation is a good leadership quality. 

[Talonblood]

2 hours ago, mihailo said:

I am not sure of how many top HCs playcall as I can't think of many off the top of my head, I thought it was a question worth posing. I just think in general delegation is a good leadership quality. 

From what I looked up- it's not like in the past. There were under 10 this past year, if the internet info is correct. I was a little stunned to see that.

3 hours ago, NOTW said:

 

What do you mean by immediately?  It was about halfway through last season that he gave play calling to Steichen.  Also not every HC calls the plays.  It's funny when the HC is expected to call the offensive plays but not the defensive plays.

See my updated view.

[brkmsn]

3 hours ago, Swoop said:

No, my argument is that it's asinine to suggest that our starting QB should be used as a short yardage back.

... because QB sneaks are bad? Hurts averaged about 9 carries per game last season. Some of those were short-yardage situations. Obviously Hurts can do QB sneaks, he can run a read option, or they can simply hand the ball to one of our HBs in short yardage situations. But at a critical moment in a game where we are facing 4th and inches, I have no problem with Hurts being the designated "short-yardage" guy. Honestly, I have to wonder if you have a different definition of short yardage runner. It's like you're equating short yardage specialist with Derrick Henry -type power runner that wears down a defense. I never said I wanted to see Hurts get 25+ carries a game between the tackles. I said he can get us tough yards as a runner. Compared to Sanders, Scott, and Gainwell, Hurts has the strongest legs, the most size and is the hardest to bring down. 

[Swoop]

9 minutes ago, brkmsn said:

... because QB sneaks are bad? Hurts averaged about 9 carries per game last season. Some of those were short-yardage situations. Obviously Hurts can do QB sneaks, he can run a read option, or they can simply hand the ball to one of our HBs in short yardage situations. But at a critical moment in a game where we are facing 4th and inches, I have no problem with Hurts being the designated "short-yardage" guy. Honestly, I have to wonder if you have a different definition of short yardage runner. It's like you're equating short yardage specialist with Derrick Henry -type power runner that wears down a defense. I never said I wanted to see Hurts get 25+ carries a game between the tackles. I said he can get us tough yards as a runner. Compared to Sanders, Scott, and Gainwell, Hurts has the strongest legs, the most size and is the hardest to bring down. 

There's a different implication between a QB sneak and being a short yardage back. Tom Brady is and always has been superb at it. No one has ever thought of saying "Hey, Tom's really good at sneaks so let's use him as our short yardage back!"

[brkmsn]

13 minutes ago, Swoop said:

There's a different implication between a QB sneak and being a short yardage back. Tom Brady is and always has been superb at it. No one has ever thought of saying "Hey, Tom's really good at sneaks so let's use him as our short yardage back!"

Tom Brady doesn't exactly have a lot of read option plays incorporated into the game plan. It might have something to do with his lack of leg strength, speed, and elusiveness. But in his defense, a QB sneak is a short-yardage run. But with Hurts, you have more options in that situation.