Eagles Growing Restless Over QB Competition

June 18th, 2013 Joe Sageman Posted in Features, Main
Chip Kelly has not settled on a starting QB for the 2013 season, causing some frustration in the locker room.

Chip Kelly has not settled on a starting QB for the 2013 season, causing some frustration in the locker room.

QB Michael Vick and WR DeSean Jackson are among the Eagles who have publicly voiced their desire for Chip Kelly to name a starting quarterback. While the locker room seems more curious than angry about the quarterback controversy, the position battle is the first time Kelly has been openly questioned by his players. How Kelly’s relationships with his players evolve over time could set the tone for the season and for Kelly’s tenure as head coach.

Players are justified in knowing their starting quarterback. The winner of the job will immediately be thrust into a leadership role and become a face of the franchise. Not only that, but teams with no clear starting quarterback are doomed in the regular season. With very few exceptions, playoff caliber teams have one clear signal caller with command over his teammates and his organization. Teams without a clear-cut starting quarterback often show a lack of leadership, identity, and offensive firepower on the field.

Face it, Eagles fans. This is Michael Vick’s team. The locker room has his back and he has won over the complete support and confidence of the offensive players. Although he and Foles both played poorly in 2012, Vick is still the superior quarterback in any system. Throw in Chip Kelly’s preference for mobile quarterbacks, and Vick is the clear choice. To be perfectly clear, Vick’s age and declining skill level will prevent him from being a long-term answer at the quarterback solution, but he gives the team the best chance to win in 2013.

Though Vick should have already been declared the team’s starting quarterback, Chip Kelly isn’t totally in the wrong. In his defense, it’s only June. As long as he names a starter before training camp, the competition won’t divide the team or start to turn the players against him.

More importantly, Chip Kelly simply does things differently. That’s the main reason the Eagles hired him. Kelly does not follow conventional wisdom, and the Eagles players and fans should give him a fair shot at doing things his way. The Eagles made a conscious choice to hire a mad scientist of a coach, so they cannot be surprised or upset when the squad does not function like a typical NFL team. The players owe Kelly a bit more patience than they’ve shown to this point. Kelly is a big believer in competition and has never coached either Vick or Foles in person. He reserves the right to make Vick fight for his job and still has plenty of time to make a final and firm choice. While the drama surrounding the quarterback picture is intriguing, let’s evaluate Kelly’s decisions at the end of the season instead of second guessing them in June.

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Jason Kelce 100% Healthy?

June 17th, 2013 Joe Sageman Posted in Injuries
C Jason Kelce's recovery appears to be going smoothly

C Jason Kelce’s recovery appears to be going smoothly.

C Jason Kelce appears to be fully recovered from a devastating knee injury he suffered in September of 2012, according to a report from Comcast SportsNet. If he is indeed all the way back, Kelce’s return would provide an enormous boost to an offensive line that desperately needs to rebound from a nightmarish, injury-plagued 2012.

In the same report, Geoff Mosher questions Kelce’s ability to thrive outside of Howard Mudd’s system. He states that Chip Kelly’s scheme is not “a system that isn’t catered to his quickness,” but that could not be further from the truth.

In fact, Kelly coveted athletic centers at Oregon and when he had them, he often pulled them on outside running plays. That system showcased Max Unger’s skills and allowed him to be a top 50 selection in the 2009 draft. Athletic centers like Kelce allowed Kelly to open up his playbook at Oregon, and it’s reasonable to expect the Eagles to carry over some of those same elements.

In an offense where plays are designed to get the ball in space, athleticism is supremely important for offensive linemen, who don’t often operate in closed quarters. That’s why the Eagles spent a top-5 pick on Lane Johnson, and that’s why they’re counting on Kelce, Jason Peters, and Evan Mathis to return to form in 2013. If all five starters make it out of training camp healthy, Eagles fans have a lot to get excited about up front.

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Defensive Linemen Adding Weight For New Scheme

June 16th, 2013 Joe Sageman Posted in News

With the cleaning house of the defensive coaching staff following a disastrous 2012 campaign, new defensive coordinator Billy Davis has a new vision for the defense. After playing a base 4-3 defense under Jim Johnson, Sean McDermott, and Juan Castillo, the Eagles are transitioning to a 3-4 system in 2013.

Juan Castillo and ex-defensive line coach Jim Washburn used defensive linemen primarily to rush the passer. In doing so, they were willing to sacrifice some size and stoutness against the run in order to field quick linemen who could get after the quarterback without the help of blitzers.

Under Billy Davis, the Eagles are asking their defensive linemen to gain weight. Their roles will shift dramatically, going from finesse pass rushers to big uglies occupying blockers and holding the line of scrimmage. By focusing more on the run game, the hope is that the defensive line will be able to free up inside linebackers to make tackles without having to shed blocks.

Starting defensive ends Fletcher Cox and Cedric Thornton now weigh 311 and 310 pounds, respectively, while nose tackle Isaac Sopoaga stands at a massive 330. Second team players Antonio Dixon, Clifton Geathers, and Bennie Logan all weigh at least 309 pounds as well.

The Eagles have long been under fire for fielding undersized defensive units, and Chip Kelly’s staff has already put an end to that problem. What remains to be seen, however, is whether or not the team’s new infatuation with size will hurt their ability to rush the passer.

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Eagles To Improve Lincoln Financial Field

June 9th, 2013 Joe Sageman Posted in News

 

The Linc's expansion plan suggests the Eagles are focusing their efforts on hosting a Super Bowl.

The Linc’s expansion plan suggests the Eagles are focusing their efforts on hosting a Super Bowl.

With the NFL branching out its Super Bowl locations to cold weather cities, the Eagles could have an eye on landing the big game themselves. The team recently announced a two-year expansion plan which will be completed prior to the start of the 2014 season. Here are the main features of the plan:

  • 1,600 seat expansion to bring the stadium’s capacity to 70,000
  • New HD video boards
  • Footbridges connecting opposite sides of the upper concourse
  • In-stadium Wi-Fi installation

Next year’s Super Bowl will be held at the Meadowlands in New Jersey. If the game is successful, expect cities like Chicago and Philadelphia to pounce on the opportunity to host the game. Owner Jeffrey Lurie admitted that he would be intrigued by the possibility of luring the big game to Philly.

“We’re going to watch that very carefully. I’m sure we’ve all been at phenomenal football games outside in December and January. So, absolutely, root for a decent-weather day in New York and New Jersey and we think we’ve got a great city here to host it, a great stadium, and I’m sure others feel the same way.”

Ultimately, the Eagles’ potential bid on the Super Bowl won’t have any effect on the team’s on-field performance, which is what fans are most concerned about. The important thing for the Eagles is to win the Super Bowl, not to host it.

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Fantasy Friday: My Do-Not-Draft List

June 7th, 2013 Joe Sageman Posted in Fantasy Football

As an avid fantasy football, I’d love to share my predictions and opinions with Eagles nation. Admittedly, I’m not highly qualified to be a fantasy ‘expert’, but who is? I generally finish a little above average, but I don’t pretend to have some magic championship recipe. Let me know whether or not you are interested in reading more regular fantasy columns in the comments section below.

For the inaugural Fantasy Friday post, I will try to slow down the hype trains of 5 players who are being overrated by experts right now. Keep in mind that everybody’s draft board will look a lot different come August:

Randall Cobb, WR, GB – Cobb has unlimited upside in PPR and return yardage leagues, but in standard formats, he will disappoint owners who reach for him in the third or fourth rounds. He will catch a bunch of passes, but won’t rack up yardage at a fast clip because all of Aaron Rodgers’ down field targets are intended for Jordy Nelson and James Jones. After drafting a pair of running backs, the Packers also figure to take away Cobb’s rushing attempts. There are so many mouths to feed in Green Bay and only one ball, so Cobb figures to be a low-end WR2 as an underneath slot receiver.

Robert Griffin III, QB, WSH – It amazes me that RG3 is talked about as a fourth or fifth round pick. There are so many good quarterback options out there that rolling the dice on Griffin and his knee would be ludicrous. Remember, Griffin only threw for 3,200 yards and 20 scores last season and figures to cut down on his rushing attempts in 2013. Fantasy owners will inevitably make panic moves and reach for their starting quarterbacks, but take Tony Romo or Russell Wilson instead.

Percy Harvin, WR, SEA – Harvin is a dynamic talent, but don’t buy the rumors that Seattle will run its offense through him. Everything starts with Marshawn Lynch for the Seahawks, and that run-first, slow-paced offense will take away opportunities for Harvin. Unlike Minnesota, Seattle has other legitimate receiving threats who will also compete with Harvin for targets. For example, the Seahawks view Sidney Rice as a number 1 receiver, but he only caught 50 passes in 2012. I’d be shocked if Harvin topped 1,000 yards, and he shouldn’t go anywhere near the third round.

Eddie Lacy, RB, GB – I have fallen into the trap of taking Packers running backs on more than one occasion. No Packer has topped 190 carries or 4 rushing TDs since 2009, and don’t cross your fingers that Lacy will be the first to do either. He doesn’t play on passing downs, has serious medical concerns with his toe, and enters a crowded backfield where he will have to hold off Johnathan Franklin, DuJuan Harris, Alex Green, and John Kuhn for carries. There is no indication that the Packers will suddenly anoint a feature back and Lacy should be viewed as a low-end RB3.

LeSean McCoy, RB, PHI – As an Eagles fan, I recognize that McCoy has tremendous upside in a system that will feature his abilities for the first time in his career. He should get plenty of opportunities to run the ball with Chip Kelly calling the shots, but don’t get carried away and take him in the first round. The chance that the Eagles offense crashes and burns is very real, and fantasy owners don’t want to be stuck with a bust of a first round pick if that happens. McCoy’s role in the passing game will be slashed, he will cede carries to Bryce Brown and potentially Felix Jones, and he doesn’t figure to approach the 20 TDs he posted in 2011 on a rebuilding squad. Though McCoy could easily surpass 300 carries, expect his rushing average to plummet as defenses key on him. He’s a borderline RB1 who simply isn’t worth the risk in the opening round.

 

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Jason Peters Looks Fully Healthy

June 6th, 2013 Joe Sageman Posted in Injuries
OT Jason Peters would provide a big boost to the offense if he returns to his 2011 form

OT Jason Peters would provide a big boost to the offense if he returns to his 2011 form

Pro Bowl left tackle Jason Peters ruptured his Achilles’ tendon in March of 2012 and again in May of 2012. While those back-to-back tears threatened Peters’ career, he insists that he is fully healthy heading into the 2013 season.

Peters has been a full go all offseason, and though he admits he is 10 pounds overweight, he has no concerns about his Achilles’. After Tuesday’s full speed practice, left guard Evan Mathis came away impressed with his performance:

“It looks like he has never been through an Achilles injury to me. He was at his true form. If you know football at all, you would see that yourself. He looks great. He looks phenomenal. He was a tremendous athlete before and after the injury.”

Peters has not had to deal with much contact so far, but the chances that his Achilles’ holds up through 2013 are looking better and better. Before going down to injury, Peters was the best left tackle in football and probably the best all-around offensive lineman. He has a rare combination of strength in the run game and agility as a pass protector, and his health will be crucial to the overall performance of the offensive line. His nastiness is especially needed under Chip Kelly, who figures to lean heavily on the run game.

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Bennie Logan Signs Rookie Deal

June 6th, 2013 Joe Sageman Posted in News

The Eagles inked third round DL Bennie Logan to a four-year contract, leaving OT Lane Johnson and QB Matt Barkley as the lone unsigned rookies. Due to the new CBA, rookies have very little wiggle room in contract negotiations, so don’t expect any holdouts.

Logan has a golden opportunity to carve out a nice role as a rotational defensive lineman right off the bat. Don’t expect him to beat out Cedric Thornton, Isaac Sopoaga, or Fletcher Cox for a starting job, but he has the versatility to play all over the defensive line and earn a bunch of snaps as a rookie. At 6’2″, 309, Logan is much better against the run than against the pass, but he has the length and bulk to fit as a nose tackle or defensive end. At LSU, he starred in a 4-3 defense as a defensive tackle, usually lining up as a 3-technique and occasionally as a 1-technique. By the end of the season, Logan could be pushing Thornton and Sopoaga for their starting jobs.

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Eagles Reveal Training Camp Plans

June 5th, 2013 Joe Sageman Posted in News

Chip Kelly has turned everything from the team’s nutritional habits to its practice schedule on its head since taking over as head coach. The Eagles will no longer make their annual trip to Lehigh for training camp. Instead, they will mostly practice at their NovaCare Complex. The team will hold 5 practices in Lincoln Financial Field that will be open and free to the public. The dates of the public practices are July 28, August 5, August 11, August 17, and August 26.

The Eagles will also hold a pair of joint practices with the New England Patriots, their first preseason opponent. Usually, one or two pairs of teams decide to practice together each preseason, but I didn’t think it would be the Eagles. So far, Kelly and company have been rather secretive, and I’m surprised that he would let another coaching staff get such an up-close-and-personal look at his team. Those practices will be held August 6 and 7. Players generally enjoy joint practices as they get the opportunity to hit somebody different. In this case, the defense will have its hands full against Tom Brady, even if he will be missing Wes Welker and Rob Gronkowski.

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