Hate to beat a dead horse here. But when is Howie going to upgrade punter position? What happened to competition at every position. Siposs has not earned it. Should be a new guy in here as soon as Zentner was released. Should try out Michael Turk or Adam Korsak. I want Punt God ultimately. Gotta figure Howie is just waiting for all of that to clear up maybe, which is why he isn't really doing much now. Agent claims there are interested teams. 

1 minute ago, brkmsn said:

I don't see any reason why Covey can't take some to the house during his career. He did it a lot at the other levels. He's had time to develop as a WR here too. While we couldn't see TC and what he was doing there, the reports at least were positive. It's unfortunate he's got the hamstring issue right now because we likely would have gotten a chance to see how he's grown as an NFL WR in the preseason. Not being able to witness something like that sucks, but he'll provide depth at WR during the season. They may even give him a few snaps each game.

Yeah he can play slot.

8 minutes ago, LeanMeanGM said:

Which is dumb because his contract was up so they didn’t even have to technically fire him. I’m guessing after losing the other two coordinators they wanted stability somewhere. 

I thought you were going to say it was dumb because he spiked the megaphone to yell.

17 minutes ago, jojodancer said:

Hate to beat a dead horse here. But when is Howie going to upgrade punter position? What happened to competition at every position. Siposs has not earned it. Should be a new guy in here as soon as Zentner was released. Should try out Michael Turk or Adam Korsak. I want Punt God ultimately. Gotta figure Howie is just waiting for all of that to clear up maybe, which is why he isn't really doing much now. Agent claims there are interested teams. 

I don't see why he'd wait. They must be going with Siposs, unfortunately. 

8 minutes ago, Diehardfan said:

I don't see why he'd wait. They must be going with Siposs, unfortunately. 

Siposs is a dynamite holder. 😁 I would like to see him on the practice squad to start year. 3 week probation period...

51 minutes ago, jojodancer said:

Hate to beat a dead horse here. But when is Howie going to upgrade punter position? What happened to competition at every position. Siposs has not earned it. Should be a new guy in here as soon as Zentner was released. Should try out Michael Turk or Adam Korsak. I want Punt God ultimately. Gotta figure Howie is just waiting for all of that to clear up maybe, which is why he isn't really doing much now. Agent claims there are interested teams. 

If Franklin approves of Covey, that’s all I need to hear. 

It has to be his holding, there's no other logical explanation unless Howie refuses cap-wise to allocate anything more than the bare minimum there. But the fact that they brought in Zentner shows they're at least curious.

Bring in Punt God.

Azaria or whatever his name is

Arazia still has a civil case pending. He hasn't had a visit or anything since working out for the Jets back in May. My guess is he probably wants to get that case out of the way before signing anywhere. 

9 minutes ago, just relax said:

If Franklin approves of Covey, that’s all I need to hear. 

Covey can punt too? What can’t that kid do?! 

I'll be interested in a punter update when you guys find me one who can also play the slot or nickel CB. Until then,  we are about as good as its gonna get. 

What was the reason we don’t play the jets this year in PS?

1 hour ago, devpool said:

Me personally, I take Penny every day of the week and it isn't close. Sermon had 2 carries for 14 yards last year and couldn't beat out gainwell or Scott to get carries. If he's healthy and still can't get touches then what's the point? Rather have a guy who will contribute when healthy, even if that's only 8 games out of the year 

I think in a rotation Penny will be healthier, maybe 12-15 touches a game with max 10 of them being rushes. He also said he lowered his playing weight so maybe that helps also.

Either way I'm taking Penny over Sermon by a long shot, you can always find a cheap running back on the street to give what Sermon gives 

I love Penny when he’s on the field. He’s incredible. But the injury stuff is a serious problem. He’s coming off yet another season ending injury. We don’t see what the coaches see in practice, and if he’s lost speed and quickness than he and Sermon might be a lot closer than they would have been the previous two years. And if that’s the case, Sermon is better because of the contract.

Personally I might cut Scott. Fun player, but I don’t see how he would get touches with Swift, Penny and Gainwell on the roster. And in that case, I want Sermon as the backup to Penny.

Punter Lou Hedley just released by Saints. Siposs almost counting $1M on the cap. $750K salary for Hedley sign him up. No brainer.

3 minutes ago, jojodancer said:

Punter Lou Hedley just released by Saints. Siposs almost counting $1M on the cap. $750K salary for Hedley sign him up. No brainer.

How did he do in the preseason?

1 minute ago, pgcd3 said:

How did he do in the preseason?

Pretty even with the incumbent Gilliken. Saint reporters on X, stating worthy of starting role somewhere.

Not sure how I feel about a dude off the scrap heap starting week 1.

8 minutes ago, Sack that QB said:

Not sure how I feel about a dude off the scrap heap starting week 1.

He was a really good player at one point. Maybe he’s closer to his old self than the scrap heap.

4 hours ago, austinfan said:

I tried explaining that when Hurts was drafted, and took a lot of flak around here. What impressed me with Hurts was that he went to Oklahoma and put up similar numbers, without time to learn the system, as the two previous QBs, both who went #1. He didn't have their arm/speed combo they did (Mayfield and Murray), but they also had a couple years in the system whereas Hurts was starting from scratch. Told me he had "it." Now at the time he was drafted, I saw him as a great backup to a starter made of glass, with starter upside - I thought his upside was top 10 if he continued to improve, and he had the intangibles that made that improvement a good bet. He's exceeded even my most optimistic expectations.

Fans tend to underrate intangibles, but I think they're key to players outside the top of the draft in any sport (those so talented they often succeed in spite of themselves).

Think about Dawkins (2nd rd), Peters (UDFA), Malaita (UDFA), Blankenship (UDFA) and so on.

Then think about the guys who flop like Watkins, Reagor, M Smith, et al.

If I'm drafting, I'm taking everyone off the board who lacks work ethic and motor, conversely I'm targeting guys with off the charts intangibles (work ethic and football IQ the most important) a little higher than their talent would suggest (but don't go crazy, players still need athleticism to succeed). Immature players can grow up, but players who lack competitiveness and love of the game won't take the extra steps needed to succeed. And you can only coach up "dumb" players so far.

Not sure I'd lump quez in with the aforementioned, dude was a late round pick, scraped and clawed his way onto the roster and made some big plays the year before last .

I think the decrease in snaps and touches really messed with him, I look for him to have a bounce back year this year.

But yeah I agree, intangibles can be underrated and pure physical tools overrated, then again those physical tools are easier to measure where as intangibles aren't 

15 minutes ago, Sack that QB said:

Not sure how I feel about a dude off the scrap heap starting week 1.

Maybe it's because I still think the Eagles would have won the SB if Reid didn't pull Trott's tag the year they lost to Tampa....but trying to make due with just a guy at LB will come back to bite them. They are trying so hard to make a few guys work for the spot who in all honestly shouldn't even be on the roster. Make a trade, give up an asset, but save probably 2 roster spots they could use at WR/CB/RB/DL for someone who could actually help the team this year. They probably won't, but that's the better move IMO.

Cunningham as a backup to that guy? I'd rather see Ellis and ditch Morrow as well.

1 hour ago, jojodancer said:

Hate to beat a dead horse here. But when is Howie going to upgrade punter position? What happened to competition at every position. Siposs has not earned it. Should be a new guy in here as soon as Zentner was released. Should try out Michael Turk or Adam Korsak. I want Punt God ultimately. Gotta figure Howie is just waiting for all of that to clear up maybe, which is why he isn't really doing much now. Agent claims there are interested teams. 

Could be waiting for cuts🤷‍♂️

2 minutes ago, Diehardfan said:

Maybe it's because I still think the Eagles would have won the SB if Reid didn't pull Trott's tag the year they lost to Tampa....but trying to make due with just a guy at LB will come back to bite them. They are trying so hard to make 3 guys work for the spot who in all honestly shouldn't even be on the roster. Make a trade, give up an asset, but save probably 2 roster spots they could use at WR/CB/RB/DL for someone who could actually help the team this year. They probably won't, but that's the better move IMO.

It was Banner not Reid, Banner was the GM not Reid 

But I agree, eagles have a much better chance in 02 with trotter.

2 minutes ago, Utebird said:

It was Banner not Reid, Banner was the GM not Reid 

But I agree, eagles have a much better chance in 02 with trotter.

I remember them talking on 610 back then that it was Reid who decided to pull the tag but I could be wrong. What a shame that year was....

 

Edit

Quote

ESPN.com: NFL - Trotter let go amid feud with Reid

 

7–8 minutes

---

I had never heard this much anger in Andy Reid's voice.

It was Sunday afternoon, and all weekend on sports talk radio, on the streets and at the cheesesteaks counters of Philadelphia, Reid -- the head coach of Philly's beloved Eagles -- had been getting his brains beaten in.

 

	http://sportsmed.starwave.com/media/nfl/2001/0103/photo/s_jtrotter_hh.jpg
	Most likely, any celebrating Jeremiah Trotter does next season will not be with the Eagles.

 

The reason: the Eagles' announcement late Friday afternoon that they were removing the franchise tag from Pro Bowl middle linebacker Jeremiah Trotter, the Eagles' leading tackler the past three seasons, effectively releasing him with no prospect of getting anything in return.

I myself was perplexed at this seemingly indefensible move. So, I called Reid to get the benefit of his thinking, and to find out what his team planned to do to replace the only Eagles player in team history voted to two Pro Bowls by the age of 25.

I reached Reid on his cell phone. He was at a conference at his church near where he lives in Villanova. But not even his house of worship could contain the near rage I could sense he was feeling -- both about how the negotiations with Trotter dragged on and then deteriorated, and how he was getting excoriated from Pennsauken to Pottstown about discarding one of the Eagles most popular players.

"I've gone through this before -- for taking Donovan (McNabb) in the draft to the wide receivers last year -- and the last time I looked we were five points from the Super Bowl last year," said Reid, who last season led the Eagles to their first NFC East title in 12 years.

The divorce between Trotter and the Eagles happened in a fit of anger late Friday afternoon.

For most of last week, Reid spent hours huddled with his scouting and pro personnel staff, going over the April 20 NFL draft, and, invariably, the subject of Trotter's status would bubble to the surface. Trotter had shunned the offer sheet, which would have guaranteed him $5.515 million this season, as prescribed by the franchise tag. He had not shown up for the off-season workout. And his agent, Jim Sexton, was still demanding a trade.

But history shows trades are tough to do in the NFL, especially if it's clear that the player and the team are at an impasse, as was the case here. On Friday, sources say, the Eagles made one last ditch attempt to work out a deal with Cleveland. The Browns would have received Trotter and wide receiver Todd Pinkston in exchange for Cleveland's wideout Kevin Johnson -- a teammate of McNabb's at Syracuse -- and a draft choice. The Browns said no.

And Reid emerged from the meeting Friday angrier than anybody in the organization can remember.

"I was done," Reid told me Sunday. "I had had it. He cooked his own goose."

The "he" Reid is referring to, of course, is Trotter. And within an hour of that meeting Friday, the Eagles had removed the franchise tag and Trotter was a free man.

Said one senior member of the Eagles organization, "This became personal between Reid and Trotter. Trotter was hanging a sign of disrespect out there in the Eagles locker room -- and Reid was saying, 'You know what, I run this ship, not you.' "

What happened between Trotter and Reid is similar to what happened between Reid's mentor, Mike Holmgren, and disgruntled wide receiver Joey Galloway in Seattle. But at least there, the long, acrimonious impasse resulted in the Seahawks getting two No.1 draft choices for Galloway from the Cowboys.

"Andy's a lot like Mike," said one NFC coach who knows both men. "You don't want to show them up. It's not pleasant."

 

		I respectfully pointed out to Reid that the Ravens had a Super Bowl championship to show for it, and that any Eagles fan would trade five seasons under the salary cap for one Lombardi Trophy -- maybe 10 seasons.

 

And there are many in the Eagles organization who believe this was a test of wills between Trotter and Reid. For two years, Trotter has said he deserved to be paid in the $6 million a year range -- that he was worth at least as much as Pro Bowl middle linebacker Ray Lewis of the Baltimore Ravens. The Eagles, who have gotten high marks for managing the salary cap, said $4 million per season was Trotter's market value.

Reid tried to make the argument to me that teams that overpay for players wind up unraveling. Look at the Baltimore Ravens, Reid said.

"If I give Trotter what he wants, I may have to cut two or three players down the road, and I can't do that," said Reid.

I respectfully pointed out to Reid that the Ravens had a Super Bowl championship to show for it, and that any Eagles fan would trade five seasons under the salary cap for one Lombardi Trophy -- maybe 10 seasons.

So, now what happens? How do the Eagles replace a player voted by his peers as the defensive MVP in 2001?

"We'll be all right," said Reid.

The new middle linebacker will be reserve weakside linebacker Barry Gardner, who was drafted in the second round in 1999 to play middle linebacker, but couldn't beat Trotter for the job.

Gardner is not as big as Trotter and not as fierce a hitter. And Reid acknowledged that Gardner will come off the field in nickel situations, leaving newly acquired free agent outside linebacker Shawn Barber and veteran strong side linebacker Carlos Emmons to handle pass defense duties. Trotter rarely came off the field on third downs.

Gardner is considered a smart player, but what they lose in Trotter is a fiery leader, a great downhill middle linebacker who was perfectly suited for the attack style of defense designed by blitz-at-all-cost defensive coordinator Jimmy Johnson. Trotter, who skipped out of school to chop wood for his dad in Texas, walked as a man among men in the Eagles' locker room. It will be tough for Gardner to step into those shoes.

And Reid will have to suffer through a summer of discontent in Philly, much like what befell former owner Norman Braman when he allowed Hall of Fame defensive end Reggie White to leave for Green Bay a decade ago.

Then, however, White was 31 years old, and there was a real debate about whether he was past his prime. Of course, he wasn't. Trotter is only 25. His best football might be ahead of him.

And one more thing -- when White left for the Packers, the Eagles were compensated with two first-round draft choices. When Trotter leaves town, the Eagles probably will get a compensatory third-round choice next spring, but in the meantime they will be left holding a well-managed salary cap.

And, as of a week ago, the Eagles were $5 million under the $71.7 million salary cap -- the most room under the cap of any of the playoff teams last season.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/columns/paolantonio_sal/1364565.html

 

1 minute ago, Diehardfan said:

I remember them talking on 610 back then that it was Reid who decided to pull the tag but I could be wrong. What a shame that year was....

I could believe that, Reid still had a lot of pull along side banner.

Then again the media did love to villainize Reid so who knows🤷‍♂️

But yeah watching fat Kirkland and slow as molasses Gardner's that year was gross.🤢

Just now, Utebird said:

I could believe that, Reid still had a lot of pull along side banner.

Then again the media did love to villainize Reid so who knows🤷‍♂️

But yeah watching fat Kirkland and slow as molasses Gardner's that year was gross.🤢

Sure was and it didn't have to be. That article talked about Reid getting angry and saying screw this....well that worked out well.