UGA certainly has not treated us as well as Alabama in the draft.

10 minutes ago, LeanMeanGM said:

People fell in love with the college player. I think his draft fall and Eagles reluctance to play him is concerning. 

It seems like we just have a reluctance of playing rookies on defense in general. Was Cox the last defensive player we drafted that actually got significant playing time as a rookie?

He looked fine when he actually got a decent amount of snaps.

2 minutes ago, bitbased said:

It seems like we just have a reluctance of playing rookies on defense in general. Was Cox the last defensive player we drafted that actually got significant playing time as a rookie?

We barely even have any players on the current defense that we drafted.  Maddox played a decent amount as a rookie…and played quite well.  It was only by absolute necessity and he also got hurt pretty quickly.

Barnett was a finished product when we drafted him and he was about as effective as a rookie as he ever got.

I completely forgot we get Barnett back after his knee surgery next year.  So we really don’t need to add at DE now.

1 minute ago, bitbased said:

It seems like we just have a reluctance of playing rookies on defense in general. Was Cox the last defensive player we drafted that actually got significant playing time as a rookie?

Barnett, Maddox, Hicks, Williams were pretty frequent. I think Mills started right away too. Some of this is situational but I’d think Davis has the lowest number of snaps for a first rounder besides Dillard as of late. Dean got less snaps than Davion Taylor. 
 

10 hours ago, ToastJenkins said:

Reed is a nice story and try hard guy but indont see him as a starter. Backup and special teamer

Is Reed today any different from Epps two years ago?  If anything he is more advanced than Epps was … essentially one year more advanced.

Post mortem on Gannon:

I think he ran a great defense from Monday to Saturday.  He designed a great defense.  We arguably had 9-10 players on defense have the best year of their career.

Credit Howie for bringing in the talent.  But you don’t have that many players play better here than they did elsewhere (or for different coaches) if your defensive staff isn’t doing something right.

Now, let’s talk Sunday.  In 2021, when the defense wasn’t nearly as talented…and QBs were slicing and dicing…Gannon never adjusted and simply took a different approach.  That’s what initially made him a lot of enemies in the fan base.  And in 2022, against Dak and Mahomes…when there was no resistance, there was no change.  It felt like he would clam up, try to stop the big play, and allow qbs to walk all over him when his initial scheme failed.

Thats what cost them the Super Bowl. 
 

Keep the scheme.  Keep the positional coaches that worked with Reddick and Sweat.  But someone else calling the shots on game day will be an upgrade.

I think TJ Edwards had much more of field general role on this defense than he gets credit for.  And White started off the season much better than he finished.  So there just wasn’t much reason to get Dean on the field.

Now there is.  So we’ll learn what they think of him this offseason.  Same with Davis.

8 minutes ago, mattwill said:

Is Reed today any different from Epps two years ago?  If anything he is more advanced than Epps was … essentially one year more advanced.

Literally made this same argument earlier today. Epps didn’t become a full time starter til this year. Add on he didn’t start a game until his second year. Both came into the league not highly thought of. Reed is further along in his development then I think Epps was at this point in time. If we pay CJGJ it’s unlikely we are paying both S spots as hurts is getting a massive extension. Reason we could with mcleod and jenkins for as long as we did was cause Carson was under his rookie contract  

If Edwards or White were awful, I'd understand the theatrics over Dean not playing much.

That said, neither Edwards nor White should be back.

10 minutes ago, mattwill said:

Is Reed today any different from Epps two years ago?  If anything he is more advanced than Epps was … essentially one year more advanced.

Opposing OCs and QBs will always try to get him to turn his hips and run full speed in coverage.  That’s not something that can improve.  
 

He’s a fantastic football player who does a lot of things well, but your defensive secondary will have to be built around compensating for the mismatches he’s susceptible to.

End of the road Malcom Jenkins is the comp I think of.  Does so many little things well with a great feel for the game, but you have to keep him in the box due to coverage issues.

10 hours ago, Sack that QB said:

In their biggest test of the season their defense choked in epic fashion.

NFL Network interviewed Travis Kelce on the field after the game. One of the questions he was asked covered why he was able to be so open so often.  He broke into a huge smile and said, "Andy Reid … he is an Offensive genius!”  Before we label the Eagles Defense as chokers, we may want to consider that the opposing coach is the best Offensive mind in football.  It is always hard to beat the very best.

20 minutes ago, LeanMeanGM said:

Barnett, Maddox, Hicks, Williams were pretty frequent. I think Mills started right away too. Some of this is situational but I’d think Davis has the lowest number of snaps for a first rounder besides Dillard as of late. Dean got less snaps than Davion Taylor. 
 

You're right. Hicks and Mills were starting right away. The other 3 were limited but still a decent amount (~40% of snaps). Didn't remember Hicks playing that much since he was on IR/injured constantly.

Just now, mattwill said:

NFL Network interviewed Travis Kelce on the field after the game. One of the questions he was asked covered why he was able to be so open so often.  He broke into a huge smile and said, "Andy Reid … he is an Offensive genius!”  Before we label the Eagles Defense as chokers, we may want to consider that the opposing coach is the best Offensive mind in football.  It is always hard to beat the very best.

No!  That game was the first time the Chiefs offense scored 30+ points ….. seemingly according to folks in here the past couple of days 

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

Literally made this same argument earlier today. Epps didn’t become a full time starter til this year. Add on he didn’t start a game until his second year. Both came into the league not highly thought of. Reed is further along in his development then I think Epps was at this point in time. If we pay CJGJ it’s unlikely we are paying both S spots as hurts is getting a massive extension. Reason we could with mcleod and jenkins for as long as we did was cause Carson was under his rookie contract  

I love the Eagles formula of turning CBs into safeties.  Worked wonders with Jenkins and CJGJ.

We’ve tried it in the draft without much success.  But we haven’t had success with anything defense in the draft lately, so I wouldn’t give up on it.

I think a young high draft pick disappointing vet cb or a mid round cb who fits the profile…at least you know those guys will be proficient in coverage against WRs and TEs.  Then let them compete and complement the opposite extreme in Blankenship.

8 minutes ago, eagle45 said:

I think TJ Edwards had much more of field general role on this defense than he gets credit for.  And White started off the season much better than he finished.  So there just wasn’t much reason to get Dean on the field.

Now there is.  So we’ll learn what they think of him this offseason.  Same with Davis.

I'm just glad that most people have hopped off the train of chucking money at Edwards because he was "All Pro level." He's fine but not an impact player that deserves a large contract.

29 minutes ago, bitbased said:

It seems like we just have a reluctance of playing rookies on defense in general. Was Cox the last defensive player we drafted that actually got significant playing time as a rookie?

He looked fine when he actually got a decent amount of snaps.

Jalen Mills would be my guess.  7th round but still drafted.

I mentioned this earlier that they seem to be very cautious and patient with rookies on defense.  Not many really play right away.

4 minutes ago, bitbased said:

You're right. Hicks and Mills were starting right away. The other 3 were limited but still a decent amount (~40% of snaps). Didn't remember Hicks playing that much since he was on IR/injured constantly.

Really weird how Hicks was the Benjamin Button of every other NFL player. 

2 minutes ago, mattwill said:

NFL Network interviewed Travis Kelce on the field after the game. One of the questions he was asked covered why he was able to be so open so often.  He broke into a huge smile and said, "Andy Reid … he is an Offensive genius!”  Before we label the Eagles Defense as chokers, we may want to consider that the opposing coach is the best Offensive mind in football.  It is always hard to beat the very best.

Lou Anarumo didn't seem to have trouble. Held the Chiefs to 23 points, beat them earlier this season and beat them in KC last year. Hell, the Jags even did a better job defending the Chiefs than the Eagles did.

It's true Andy Reid is a great coach. But the Eagles made him look unstoppable, which he is not. Let's not forget, Reid's weaknesses are always big games. Of course it's vs Gannon where Andy Reid finally puts together his magnus opus of coaching performances. And did it with a QB who was far from 100%.

It's ok to say the Eagles defense choked. They are paid to make plays too. Over 75 sacks on the season, barely touched Mahomes the entire game. Wide open guys all game for Mahomes. Didn't get one stop in the 2nd half. And the Chiefs left points on the board with a missed FG. For a defense this talented, this performance was maybe the worst defensive performance for a unit this talented I've ever seen.

This is something that's supposed to happen to bad teams that get fluky leads in playoff games and eventually the way superior team just takes over and imposes their will. Not to one of the best defenses in Eagles history and best teams in Eagles history.

11 minutes ago, eagle45 said:

I love the Eagles formula of turning CBs into safeties.  Worked wonders with Jenkins and CJGJ.

We’ve tried it in the draft without much success.  But we haven’t had success with anything defense in the draft lately, so I wouldn’t give up on it.

I think a young high draft pick disappointing vet cb or a mid round cb who fits the profile…at least you know those guys will be proficient in coverage against WRs and TEs.  Then let them compete and complement the opposite extreme in Blankenship.

The more and more I look into the draft, I don’t think the Eagles are gonna pick at 10. I don’t think any of the pass rushers they want and covet are going to be there. I think it’s gonna be too costly to move up to get one of them when you’re going to have as many holes because of the free agents that they have. I actually think it’s more likely they move from 10 into the 15 to 17 range to get some picks in the 2-6 round range. At that point, I think it opens up for the possibility of a cornerback. But I would bet if there’s an offensive lineman there (or a pass rusher they like at that point) that they really like that can play guard and tackle they’ll go in that direction. I say that because I don’t think Seumalo is coming back and if you get a tackle that could play guard, you can just play him at guard until lane retires then shift him back outside to tackle.

the 30th pick is more interesting to me. I wouldn’t be shocked if they try to move in either direction. Move up a couple picks if someone is there they like and if they have a bunch sitting at 30 they have even graded i could see a slight move back into the top of the second round.

i have a feeling there’s gonna be some corners released like bradberry was this past year that they’ll be in on. Probably not as good as bradberry though. I also wouldn’t be shocked if a big name pass rusher becomes available they are in on it with that 30th pick like they were with aj brown. 

One of the things that actually annoys me the most post-Super Bowl is the Chiefs OL goading that they "took care of" our DL. Yeah, life is a lot easier when they fall down on their own due to the field conditions. I just appreciate that our team and fans seems to take things gracefully and just shuts up after the games for the most part.

It's like everyone took offense because we were favored in the last two games for whatever reason. Our team/players didn't even say anything.

There was even a Chiefs fan that called in yesterday to the Pat McAfee show that said that the game was rigged for the Eagles 😂😂

Let's see if Jalen handles it better than Carson did. 🤣

I get that White/Edwards weren’t top their LBs this year, but the LBs overall played better than they have in years. I’m not sure starting over fresh in that department is a good idea. 
 

It’s like the "you can find a RB in late rounds” thing. Yes, sure you can. But 25 LBs are drafted each year and while some late round guys end up being good, there’s a lot of late round guys that aren’t. Good players aren’t easily replaced, and neither are even "serviceable” players. Given our likely cap situation, we need to be intentional with our moves and accept the fact that we can no longer have stars at so many positions. Guys who are serviceable and who don’t require huge contracts are guys we need to really think hard about moving on from. I’d rather keep guys like that than guys who over-achieved because of the talent around them. Miles Sanders being one of them. We can’t pay him what some other team will. Isaac probably too. Hargrave will require monster money we can’t afford. It’s not gonna be easy. Our roster is gonna suffer. But the question is, where do we throw the money and draft capital. 
 

 

I wonder if the Eagles will look to upgrade slot WR. Whether they do or don't it obviously won't be the top of their list of priorities. And also, I wonder if they bring Pascal back. I think they might. Sirianni loves him and he'll probably be incredibly cheap. Just one of those guys they bring back yearly a la Greg Ward.