January 27, 2015

What they're saying: Seahawks will try to keep Byron Maxwell

By Jimmy Kempski
PhillyVoice Staff

John Froschauer/AP

Seattle's Byron Maxwell smiles and points to other players between plays against the St. Louis Rams in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2014, in Seattle.

From Byron Maxwell to Nick Foles to Jordan Matthews to an all-Eagles Royal Rumble, here's what they're saying about the Eagles around the web:

Q&A with Seattle GM John Schneider: Bob Condotta, Seattle Times

On wanting to keep core defensive players such as cornerback Byron Maxwell, who will be an unrestricted free agent after the season: “Yeah, it is. That quite frankly is one of our first priorities is to talk to Maxie. Now I think he like a lot of our other unrestricted guys, I think he is going to be highly sought after and he should be. But we would at least like to have the opportunity to retain him.’’

H/t to Tim McManus of Birds 24/7 for the find.

#JimmyNote: Maxwell is a prime candidate for the Eagles in free agency. Frankly, he should probably be their #1 target, but it's going to cost them. The Seahawks are going to want to retain him, and other teams around the league should have heavy interest.

Don't overlook Nick: Tommy Lawlor, IgglesBlitz

The Eagles had 3 impressive comeback victories to open the 2014 season. Foles made some really key plays in the wins over WAS and IND. He was clutch. Mark Sanchez won 4 games as the starter. There were blowouts of TEN, DAL and CAR. There was a tight win over the Giants in the season finale. When things were good with Sanchez, they were very good. He did lead the Eagles back from deficits in games against DAL and WAS, but ended up losing both. An INT by Sanchez really hurt the Eagles in the Cowboys game and an INT ended the Skins game.

Foles played in a huge game late in the 2013 season. He led the Eagles to a win over Dallas that secured the NFC East title and a playoff berth. When Foles left the field in the playoff game against the Saints, the Eagles had the lead. He’s not scared of the big moments. He can handle pressure situations, which is one of the key tests for how good a QB really is.

I’m not telling you Foles is the answer at QB and the Eagles are all set. I do think we might be a bit quick in dismissing him. I don’t know that the Eagles are going to find a better QB for 2015. And I think Foles can play a lot better than he did in 2014.

#JimmyNote: Tommy also included a video in his post, showing some of Foles' highlights from the 2014 season. Note Foles' pocket presence. He does a great job stepping up in the pocket or laterally out of the pocket to escape pressure and deliver the football. In 2014, far too often Foles retreated backwards, a la Kevin Kolb. He looks like a completely different QB.

Matthews' role in 2015: Sheil Kapadia, Birds 24/7

Per Pro Football Focus, 92.4 percent of the routes Matthews ran in 2014 came out of the slot. He was targeted from the slot 94 times, second to only Green Bay's Randall Cobb. And Matthews' 64 catches out of the slot was also behind only Cobb. Overall, the rookie had a tremendous debut season with 67 grabs for 872 yards and eight touchdowns.

I think it makes a lot of sense to have him over for Cooper on the outside. Overall, Matthews played 65 percent of the offensive snaps. Why not play him outside in 2-WR sets and move him into the slot whenever necessary in 3- and 4-WR sets? Given his measurables and his intangibles, I see no reason why Matthews would be unable to handle an expanded role.

#JimmyNote: Any scenario that includes a diminished role for Riley Cooper sounds good to me.

2014 PFF All-NFC East team: Gordon McGuinness, PFF

Safeties: Malcolm Jenkins (PHI) and Nate Allen (PHI)

Jenkins took well to his change of scenery in Philadelphia, finishing the year with 11 pass breakups. He’s joined by his teammate Allen, who had four interceptions and graded positively against the run.

#JimmyNote: 11 Eagles made this list. I agree with most of their selections, but how bad do the rest of the safeties have to be in the division for Nate Allen to make it? It's fine and good that Allen played the run well (not sure I even agree on that, for the record), but how on Earth can a pair of safeties make this list when the Eagles gave up the 3rd most 20+ yard pass plays in NFL history last season?