Gut feelings on Brian Johnson?

Mine are good. I still have concerns after how awful the Eagles offense got after Reich and John DF left, but part of me looks back and wonders if that's just how bad Wentz ended up being and not the coaching staff changes(though I think it was somewhat of a factor).

Just hope the offense picks up where it left off. There's no excuse not to, they have loads of talent.

Ugh.  Kenny Gainwell is a nice back but he is not a lead back.  If the Eagles go in to the draft with that mindset and continually pass on RB talent, I'm not gonna be happy.  

53 minutes ago, Sack that QB said:

Eagles could be interested depending on the money. I think they draft a RB regardless. Kareem Hunt and Williams could be in play too.

I would like Fournette if he's a 2nd round of free agency signing.  

7 minutes ago, eagle45 said:

Conversation I had with someone at work today...not entirely my rationale, not sure I totally agree, but interesting...

The defense is going to take a step back in the offseason.  Either through retaining guys that are aging, or losing them.  It's going to be a lot of turnover.  And the defense STILL was useless in the defining game of our season.

If that is inevitable...then why not upgrade the offense?  Teams generally win SB's with an unstoppable offense.  Draft an elite WR in round 1 to replace upgrade Watkins.  In the midrounds, find a prototypical 3rd down back that disappears behind the OL and is a hyper-agile weapon in the passing game.  Sign a veteran bigger back to pair with Gainwell and the rookie.

That's the #1 offense in the NFL.  And that's a SB competitor even with a lesser defense.

Which SBs were those?

5 minutes ago, TEW said:

That would be tremendous, but I just can’t see us using 2 of our first 3 picks on skill players.

Realistically, if we were able to get Downs or Dell in the 2nd and Achane in the 3rd while using 10 and 30 on defense I’d be pretty happy.

I like Downs and Dell, but if they truly want a weapon in the slot, Kayshon Boutte from LSU or Jalin Hyatt are fantastic choices at 62. 

 

Brown  Boutte/Hyatt   LT LG C RG RT Goedert     Smith

                                               Hurts

                                                  RB

 

Good luck, defense.

9 minutes ago, eagle45 said:

Conversation I had with someone at work today...not entirely my rationale, not sure I totally agree, but interesting...

The defense is going to take a step back in the offseason.  Either through retaining guys that are aging, or losing them.  It's going to be a lot of turnover.  And the defense STILL was useless in the defining game of our season.

If that is inevitable...then why not upgrade the offense?  Teams generally win SB's with an unstoppable offense.  Draft an elite WR in round 1 to replace upgrade Watkins.  In the midrounds, find a prototypical 3rd down back that disappears behind the OL and is a hyper-agile weapon in the passing game.  Sign a veteran bigger back to pair with Gainwell and the rookie.

That's the #1 offense in the NFL.  And that's a SB competitor even with a lesser defense.

What elite WR though?

I’m not seeing "that guy” even if you subscribe to this philosophy.

Johnston might be that guy, but his route running and hands are in question. After that, it’s a bunch of guys with trade offs.

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

 

An increased workload?  Yes, for sure.  He only had 53 carries for 240 yards this season

The lead back?  No, I doubt it.  He only had 53 carries for 240 yards this season.

 

I picture Gainwell in tandem with another RB next season, and a 3rd RB on the team as a change of pace RB (Scott still?)

12 minutes ago, eagle45 said:

Conversation I had with someone at work today...not entirely my rationale, not sure I totally agree, but interesting...

The defense is going to take a step back in the offseason.  Either through retaining guys that are aging, or losing them.  It's going to be a lot of turnover.  And the defense STILL was useless in the defining game of our season.

If that is inevitable...then why not upgrade the offense?  Teams generally win SB's with an unstoppable offense.  Draft an elite WR in round 1 to replace upgrade Watkins.  In the midrounds, find a prototypical 3rd down back that disappears behind the OL and is a hyper-agile weapon in the passing game.  Sign a veteran bigger back to pair with Gainwell and the rookie.

That's the #1 offense in the NFL.  And that's a SB competitor even with a lesser defense.

You work with Eliot Shorr-Parks?

 

1 minute ago, Sack that QB said:

Gut feelings on Brian Johnson?

Mine are good. I still have concerns after how awful the Eagles offense got after Reich and John DF left, but part of me looks back and wonders if that's just how bad Wentz ended up being and not the coaching staff changes(though I think it was somewhat of a factor).

Just hope the offense picks up where it left off. There's no excuse not to, they have loads of talent.

I don't know what to expect.  I think Sirianni focuses on what works.  There's all this talk of the offense still being Sirianni's but Sirianni's offense the first half of the 2021 season was much different than it was at the end of the season and this season.  I think we will still see a lot of RPO concepts and QB Run Options.  My concern with Johnson is that he will be more inclined to call for passes when running the ball has worked well.  Despite Hurts' improvement, I don't think the offense would work as well primarily trying to be a pass first offense.  My concern is that Steichen was a check on Sirianni wanting to run the type of offense he ran in Indy.  

Read a comment from an eagle fan in face book about the potential signing of Desai as DC and this poster commented he thought it was mistake as building a 3-4 defense is cheaper than a 4-3 defense and over the last 20 years far more 34 teams have won the super bowl than 43 defenses, though Im not sure how accurate that last statement is.

His reasoning for a less expensive 34 was that hurts is going to cost more so could save money with a 34.

Though I'm not sure how or if a 34 defense is really cheaper?

Thoughts?

As long as we add a running back who can pick up the blitz so our answer to the blitz isn’t to throw WR screens then I’ll be happy. 

1 minute ago, Utebird said:

Read a comment from an eagle fan in face book about the potential signing of Design as DC and this poster commented he thought it was mistake as building a 3-4 defense is cheaper than a 4-3 defense and over the last 20 years far more 34 teams have won the super bowl than 43 defenses, though Im not sure how accurate that last statement is.

His reasoning for a less expensive 34 was that hurts is going to cost more so could save money with a 34.

Though I'm not sure how or if a 34 defense is really cheaper?

Thoughts?

We’re still going to invest heavily in DL and we will play plenty of four-down fronts. I don’t think it’ll save us any money. 

 

Spads confirming Carroll’s report. 

1 minute ago, ManuManu said:

We’re still going to invest heavily in DL and we will play plenty of four-down fronts. I don’t think it’ll save us any money. 

It should reduce the need for great CBs IMO.

Ugh.  As much as I want Kelly Green back, this is what worries me.  This is a quote about the upcoming Lions uniform changes for 2024.  The Lions wear Honolulu Blue.  That's their color.  To say that they will still be in the blues and greys and it will be more change than last time got my attention for sure.

"We’re not going to the Portsmouth colors. No, it’ll still be within the blues and the greys. I think it’s too early to say exactly, but I would describe it at least initially as probably being more change than the last time we did it, ’cause I think those were more subtle changes.”

Nike ruins everything they touch.  They will probably butcher the Eagles if they do a makeover.

The Eagles can draft another WR. Problem is, with Smith getting a new contract, when they WR they draft's contract is up, how are they going to afford paying 3 WRs starter money?

Just now, ManuManu said:

We’re still going to invest heavily in DL and we will play plenty of four-down fronts. I don’t think it’ll save us any money. 

Yup Desai is a 43 guy, that was this guy's problem was he thought it would be better and cheaper to hire a 34 guy.

Personally I don't care what they run as long as it's effective enough.

 

Lol

Just now, Sack that QB said:

The Eagles can draft another WR. Problem is, with Smith getting a new contract, when they WR they draft's contract is up, how are they going to afford paying 3 WRs starter money?

The point of drafting WRs is to off-set the cost of Smith/Brown's contracts. It's a good problem to have!

Maybe it's just me, but when it comes to DC, I'm not looking for a "brilliant, genius" coach. Maybe I would be for offense. For defense, I just want a coach who puts his players in the best position possible. Do what they do best. It took Gannon at least a year to adapt to his players' strengths. I actually like simple on defense. I don't need exotic blitzes. I do like some though. Just challenge the offense. Try to take away their best player/plays and make them do what they're not as good at. 

Just now, RLC said:

The point of drafting WRs is to off-set the cost of Smith/Brown's contracts. It's a good problem to have!

But like Howie said, they draft with long-term in mind. Would they take a WR in round 1 knowing when his contract is up they may not be able to afford to pay him with Smith and Brown making top dollar?

I think it will depend on who's available though. I think they're far more likely to draft a WR in round 1 than RB. I do think they will add some pieces on offense though. Could see a RG added if Seumalo leaves. They'll definitely draft a RB, and slot WR is definitely possible. I like Downs a lot from UNC. If Njigba is there from OSU at 30, I don't see how they could pass on him. He probably won't be there though.

So is Desai a 4-3 under guy?

Howie is really laying the groundwork of not bringing a lot of guys back.