2 minutes ago, Thrive said:

FWIW. This always made more sense to me than the fully-guaranteed rhetoric.

Not surprising.  Why would the Ravens commit that guaranteed money to someone who has been injured a lot in the past 2 years? They'd be mad to do it.

7 hours ago, Penn7980 said:

Right you are.  OT should be the top priority.  Need to have Johnson's replacement from this draft and to take over in a season or 2.  #10 pick should be high enough to get a good prospect.  The interior OL looks good as-is. 

On DL, we have a few serviceable players, but not at the high level.  If they play well this season, the needs may not be pressing.  DE could use some young blood anticipating the drop off of Graham and Barnett. 

Yep, and while it's boring it's the right thing to do. 10 is a premium pick and most likely/hopefully they won't be picking that high again any time soon. Getting someone who can play G and T and eventually replace Lane is a low key need. Not to mention that Lane has been getting banged up in recent years. As far as the DL goes. DT is still a need and With Graham on a one year deal and Reddick having only two years remaining pass rusher is a need as well. They can get LB's, S's, RB's, etc later in the draft. It's a lot harder to find those blue chip guys in the trenches past the early part of the draft.

2 minutes ago, garingovt2000 said:

Any predictions on where Lamar ends up if he is traded?

Jets after Rodgers has another last minute Hippie Druid meltdown and vanishes from society

6 minutes ago, Thrive said:

FWIW. This always made more sense to me than the fully-guaranteed rhetoric.

Seems like the biggest hurdle is actually that he's represented by his mom and not someone approved by the NFLPA

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2023/03/21/representative-not-certified-by-nflpa-has-contacted-multiple-teams-on-behalf-of-lamar-jackson/

Quote

Last year, the NFL specifically instructed teams not to negotiate with representatives not certified by the NFLPA, when Saint Omni was allegedly contacting teams on behalf of then-Bears linebacker Roquan Smith.

"Clubs are reminded that, under Article 48 of the NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement, Player Contracts may only be negotiated with the player, if he is acting on his own behalf, or with the player’s NFLPA certified agent,” the August 2022 memo explained.

We’re told that the NFLPA is aware of the situation. It’s unclear whether the league was. It now is, if anyone at 345 Park Avenue (hello) is reading these words.

 

5 minutes ago, T-1000 said:

Remember a year ago when pretty much everyone had concerns about Marcus Epps becoming a full time starter and thought TJ Edwards was a below average starting LB. Now after having DECENT seasons playing on a defense loaded with pro-bowlers people are acting like they can't be replaced. Such drama, they won't skip a beat going to Blankenship and Dean to replace them.

Context matters. Epps was actually one of the few bright spots from that 2021 defense and showed flashes, along with his youth to have the majority of fans being positive about him starting. We had more concerns about the other safety at the time. TJ Edwards played solid football. "A decent starting MLB" in 2021. Our LBer play from the previous years were so bad that TJ was an upgrade. TJ also elevated his game from 2021 to 2022.

Blankenship played well in 4 starts. We have no idea how Nakobe will fair. These are two totally different situations going into a season.

29 minutes ago, Dwide Schrude said:

Yeah he needs to let it rest. His time is over 

 

24 minutes ago, UK Eagle said:

Yup.  He needs to accept his moment went years ago and move on. It's embarrassing to see him make that pro day about him

Disagree about Cam Newton.  Older running QBs are good cheap backups for younger running QBs.

I tend to agree about the pro day part.  Shouldn't really be about veterans.

Call me spiteful but seeing cowboys fans love for bijan Robinson makes me want to snatch him from them.  

2 minutes ago, Random Reglar said:

 

Disagree about Cam Newton.  Older running QBs are good cheap backups for younger running QBs.

I tend to agree about the pro day part.  Shouldn't really be about veterans.

Does he want to be a backup? I got the impression he feels he should start

1 minute ago, UndyTaker said:

Context matters. Epps was actually one of the few bright spots from that 2021 defense and showed flashes, along with his youth to have the majority of fans being positive about him starting. We had more concerns about the other safety at the time. TJ Edwards played solid football. "A decent starting MLB" in 2021. Our LBer play from the previous years were so bad that TJ was an upgrade. TJ also elevated his game from 2021 to 2022.

Blankenship played well in 4 starts. We have no idea how Nakobe will fair. These are two totally different situations going into a season.

Blankenship showed flashes too. The defense didn't skip a beat with him taking over for CJGJ.

Nakobe Dean was one of the top LB's in the country on the top defense in the country and from a pure talent perspective is a clear up grade to Edwards who was completely exposed in the super bowl.

There is no guarantee that they are upgrades or even adequate replacements but all signs point to that and my point is that despite you saying "context matters" this is all revisionist history based on what people thought of Epps and Edwards at this time last year versus now. Neither one is anything more than an average to slightly above starter in this league and paying them would have been stupid.

5 minutes ago, Mike030270 said:

Seems like the biggest hurdle is actually that he's represented by his mom and not someone approved by the NFLPA

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2023/03/21/representative-not-certified-by-nflpa-has-contacted-multiple-teams-on-behalf-of-lamar-jackson/

 

Well someone is apparently negotiating with his "team” based on the $133M/3yr rumor. 

2 hours ago, pgcd3 said:

The bummer about this offseason for Eagles is that it's about minimizing how much worse they get and not really about getting better so far. I'm trying to think through moves out there or picks where you could actually hang out hope that the team will be better this season.

I thought of this myself but I think they’ve pretty much maintained so far. You can say they are slightly worse at linebacker and safety but for the most part I’d say they are close. So I guess the way I look at it is they have almost the same team and a chance to land a couple real difference makers in the draft. 

4 minutes ago, Mike030270 said:

Does he want to be a backup? I got the impression he feels he should start

Bring Newton in to return punts.  Him doing that Superman pose after an 8-yard PR would really get the fans into it.

23 minutes ago, Mike030270 said:

I'd disagree they have the better overall roster

 

4 minutes ago, T-1000 said:

Blankenship showed flashes too. The defense didn't skip a beat with him taking over for CJGJ.

Nakobe Dean was one of the top LB's in the country on the top defense in the country and from a pure talent perspective is a clear up grade to Edwards who was completely exposed in the super bowl.

There is no guarantee that they are upgrades or even adequate replacements but all signs point to that and my point is that despite you saying "context matters" this is all revisionist history based on what people thought of Epps and Edwards at this time last year versus now. Neither one is anything more than an average to slightly above starter in this league and paying them would have been stupid.

I mean you're talking about Epps and TJ who played an entire season before entering 2022. Blankenship and Dean combine for 4 starts. I think it would be foolish to just hand the starting job to Blankenship without bringing in someone to compete with him. And as for Dean, if he was a clear upgrade over TJ then why didnt he start over him? Im not going to get over positive and wishful thinking just because they are Eagles players. Not going to say we're fine at LBer because Dean is going to step in. We have no idea how hes going to play. Reed and Nakobe could be significant liabilities on defense next year. 

22 minutes ago, Thrive said:

FWIW. This always made more sense to me than the fully-guaranteed rhetoric.

 

 

Can't blame him.  Probably wants go to a team that will make an actual effort to surround him with talent on offense.  No other top young QB has had to work with less than Lamar.  Great TE but nothing beyond that.  

3 minutes ago, Mike030270 said:

Does he want to be a backup? I got the impression he feels he should start

I clicked on the twitter,  I couldn't learn anything from that.

Anthony Richardson + Cam Newton seems right to me.  

To me, it seems like he's similar to Mariota.

Also,  Ravens need a backup better than Tyler Huntley whether Lamar is there or not and Lamar might not be there.

I think Cam should be cheap,  and maybe get some performance bonuses possibly.

Most teams wouldn't want him I think,  but as backups go, I would think he'd be useful at short yardage rushing.

 

14 minutes ago, Thrive said:

Well someone is apparently negotiating with his "team” based on the $133M/3yr rumor. 

Yes it's a very strange situation all around

26 minutes ago, garingovt2000 said:

Any predictions on where Lamar ends up if he is traded?

3-way trade:

Packers get -- Lamar Jackson

Ravens get -- Aaron Rodgers

Jets get -- not a thing

 

Jets emerge as clear winners of the trade.

6 minutes ago, UndyTaker said:

I mean you're talking about Epps and TJ who played an entire season before entering 2022. Blankenship and Dean combine for 4 starts. I think it would be foolish to just hand the starting job to Blankenship without bringing in someone to compete with him. And as for Dean, if he was a clear upgrade over TJ then why didnt he start over him? Im not going to get over positive and wishful thinking just because they are Eagles players. Not going to say we're fine at LBer because Dean is going to step in. We have no idea how hes going to play. Reed and Nakobe could be significant liabilities on defense next year. 

The point is you are replacing two average to slightly above average starters. Epps was a 6th round pick who was cut by the team who drafted him and TJ was undrafted. People had serious question marks about them as starters coming into last season. Saying otherwise is revisionist history. We also have adequate replacements based on what we saw from Blankenship last year and Nakobe's pedigree. Some people are acting like we are replacing Dawkins and Trotter and it's hilarious.  Not to mention this defense is, has been, and will be built around the DL and corners so they just need solid play from the LB's and S's.

On 3/20/2023 at 1:35 PM, bpac55 said:

Sorry for the long post coming up.  Eagles currently have 8 CB on the roster and 3 safeties.

Darius Slay, James Bradberry and Avonte Maddox are your starting CBs.  All 3 are under contract for 3 more years.  If they all play those years out remains to be seen.

Josiah Scott and Zech McPhearson are the immediate backups.

Greedy Williams is going to be given every chance to prove he deserves playing time and could be the top backup when the dust settles.  

Josh Jobe was a core ST player and looked good  at outside CB when in limited snaps.  Coaches have also singled him out numerous times so they are high on him..another outside CB.

Mario Goodrich was the practice squad project last year and most likely ends up there again.  He has good size.

 

Those numbers at CB tell me they aren't adding a CB high in the draft.  You bring in a 1st round CB and he's on the bench for at least 1, if not 2 years.  I know you draft for the future, but that's a bad use of investments to let your 1st rounder sit for 1/2 of his contract.

-Maddox isn't going anywhere and neither is Scott as his top backup.  Don't forget the way Howie thinks.  He looks at Josiah Scott as a 4th round pick, not the 6th round pick/Jameson Houston.  I'm not a Josiah Scott fan but he's a Howie trade asset...he's in a comfortable spot.

-Jobe as a core ST and potential top backup isn't going anywhere either.His draft profile also suggests that he's a good candidate to move to safety in the NFL.

That's 5 CB without talking about McPhearson or Williams.  McPhearson is going in to year 3 and not any closer to starting making any contribution outside of ST.  

With all of that being said, you wonder if they look at McPhearson or Jobe as potential safeties.  Greedy Williams, if he plays to his potential, makes them expendable to move positions.  Both players are 5-11 190.  

Just spitballing and thinking of some ways to utilize players on the roster.  They still have quite a few holes to fill and not a lot of money.  

 

The fact that they have 8 CBs tells you that this is a position they value.  Maddox has missed games in every season except 2021.  He was out for half the season and was not able to play in the playoffs except for the Super Bowl.    Greedy Williams is a low cost high reward signing.  It was a one year deal and I can't find the terms.  It tells me the deal was so cheap the agent didn't want it advertised. I am sure he's going to get a chance to succeed but he's not guaranteed a roster spot.  Josiah Scott had about 36% of the defensive snaps last season.  I think was pretty even split between back ups playing and him filling in at safety for an injured CJGJ. I was not that impressed with him.   McPhearson only had about 9% on mop up duty.     So I do think the top 3 are likely locked in but I don't think you can expect to get them all through the season healthy.  The 2 best players in the secondary are over 30.   Beyond Slay, Bradberry and even Maddox, there's a bunch of potentially good to JAGs.  If it's a good player at a position of value, the team should not pass on him.   Howie is looking 2 years down the road potentially with the draft.  He's not going into the draft with big holes to fill with rookies but he's not going to shy away from taking a CB, I think, if that who they have at the top of their board.  

My point is I'm guessing they will go OT, DE and RB with their first 3 picks.  

20 minutes ago, T-1000 said:

The point is you are replacing two average to slightly above average starters. Epps was a 6th round pick who was cut by the team who drafted him and TJ was undrafted. People had serious question marks about them as starters coming into last season. Saying otherwise is revisionist history. We also have adequate replacements based on what we saw from Blankenship last year and Nakobe's pedigree. Some people are acting like we are replacing Dawkins and Trotter and it's hilarious.  Not to mention this defense is, has been, and will be built around the DL and corners so they just need solid play from the LB's and S's.

From what I remember most people were comfortable with Epps starting going into 2022. Most people expected Dean to get the start over TJ once he was drafted. I agree with them being average to above average, and nobody is saying they're Dawkins and Trotter, but what im saying is theres not enough sample size to say Reed filling for Epps will be an adequate replacement. Reed played well with the limited time he got but imo its not enough to feel as comfortable as I was with Epps going into 2022. Dean not only unable to win the starting job over TJ in training camp, but also hardly seeing the field is a bit worrisome. Saying hes going to be a good replacement because of his college pedigree and hype just isnt a lot to go off of. If they want to go ahead and start these guys then so bit it, but I wouldnt feel as comfortable as I did with Epps and TJ going into 2022 because we saw them play a whole season in 2021 and there was a lot more to go off of. We knew more of what we were getting.

https://www.inquirer.com/eagles/eagles-2023-free-agency-howie-roseman-cj-gardner-johnson-darius-slay-fletcher-cox-20230321.html

Anyone have a sub that can share what's in this piece?

4 minutes ago, Sack that QB said:

https://www.inquirer.com/eagles/eagles-2023-free-agency-howie-roseman-cj-gardner-johnson-darius-slay-fletcher-cox-20230321.html

Anyone have a sub that can share what's in this piece?

 

5 minutes ago, Sack that QB said:

https://www.inquirer.com/eagles/eagles-2023-free-agency-howie-roseman-cj-gardner-johnson-darius-slay-fletcher-cox-20230321.html

Anyone have a sub that can share what's in this piece?

Yes

8 minutes ago, NCiggles said:

The fact that they have 8 CBs tells you that this is a position they value.  Maddox has missed games in every season except 2021.  He was out for half the season and was not able to play in the playoffs except for the Super Bowl.    Greedy Williams is a low cost high reward signing.  It was a one year deal and I can't find the terms.  It tells me the deal was so cheap the agent didn't want it advertised. I am sure he's going to get a chance to succeed but he's not guaranteed a roster spot.  Josiah Scott had about 36% of the defensive snaps last season.  I think was pretty even split between back ups playing and him filling in at safety for an injured CJGJ. I was not that impressed with him.   McPhearson only had about 9% on mop up duty.     So I do think the top 3 are likely locked in but I don't think you can expect to get them all through the season healthy.  The 2 best players in the secondary are over 30.   Beyond Slay, Bradberry and even Maddox, there's a bunch of potentially good to JAGs.  If it's a good player at a position of value, the team should not pass on him.   Howie is looking 2 years down the road potentially with the draft.  He's not going into the draft with big holes to fill with rookies but he's not going to shy away from taking a CB, I think, if that who they have at the top of their board.  

My point is I'm guessing they will go OT, DE and RB with their first 3 picks.  

When it comes to draft capital invested in CB, they don't value the position.

The current roster is made up of:

-They traded a 3 and a 5 for Slay.

-They got lucky and Bradberry was released.

-They drafted Maddox and McPhearson in the 4th.

-Josiah Scott was traded for a 6th round pick and another UDFA CB.

-Jobe and Goodrich were UDFA.

-Williams is an UFA signed on a minimum 1 year deal.

Over the last 10 years they've used a 5th on Earl Wolff, 7th on Jordan Poyer, 4th on Jaylen Watkins, 5th on Ed Reynolds, 2nd on Eric Rowe, 6th on JaCorey Shepard, 6th on Randall Evans, 6th on Blake Countess, 7th on Jalen Mills, 2nd on Sidney Jones, 3rd on Rasul Douglas, 4th on Avonte Maddox, 4th on K'von Wallace, and a 4th on Zech McPhearson.

-Two 2nd round picks that played a combined 3 seasons for the team (Jones IR rookie year doesn't really count).

-One 3rd round pick who's played his best football for other teams.

-Four 4th round picks the best being a slot CB in Maddox.  Watkins, Wallace and McPhearson are the jaggiest of JAGS. 

-Two 5th round picks who combined for 3 seasons and out of the league.

-Three 6th round picks who combined for 2 games as an Eagle when Countess was signed years later.

-Two 7th round picks which are the best players out of the bunch but Poyer has done it for the Bills.

Even last year, the safeties were made up of a waiver wire claim and a guy they traded a 5th and 6th for and decided not to bring back.