January 25, 2017
After a few quite weeks following the conclusion of the 2016 regular season, there's finally some Eagles stuff to talk about this week.
Free agency is approaching, as is the 2017 NFL Draft, which will take place in Philadelphia three months from this weekend. And with the Senior Bowl taking place in Mobile, Ala. this week, there's plenty to discuss about what comes next for Doug Pederson and the Eagles.
But before we get to that -- because focus will soon be shifting entirely to next season -- let's take one last look back at Pederson's first year at the helm, which (all things considered) went pretty well for the first-time head coach. Marcus Hayes of The Philadelphia Daily News broke down the season based on the obstacles Pederson had to overcome in Year One, and didn't give him anything lower than a B-minus.
Here's a look at his overall assessment:
Predictably, in his rookie season, Pederson made mistakes in play-calling, personnel use and strategy; which, to his credit, he admitted.
Incredibly, in his rookie season, Pederson dealt with more incendiary off-the-field crises, slights and misdeeds than some coaches encounter in their entire careers.
"It's a tremendous tribute to him and his character for what he went through this year," general manager Howie Roseman said after the season. "The adversity he faced . . . it's something that's really promising."
Indeed, Pederson performed remarkably well. He emerged weathered, wiser and, from this perch, well-respected. [philly.com]
For the most part, I tend to agree. For a rookie coach, with a rookie quarterback and very few offensive weapons, Pederson did well. And, yes, he is getting a pass on some things because it was his first season.
You can expect that to change next year, especially if Dan Quinn and the Falcons win the Super Bowl. Quinn's in just his second season as a head coach. Last year, his team got off to a ridiculously hot 5-0 start before struggling to an 8-8 finish.
Sound familiar?
Let's take a look at what they're saying about the Eagles, starting with a brief recap of what we've got on PhillyVoice today
• Senior Bowl practice notes: Day 1 [Kempski]
• List of players Eagles scouts spoke with at the Senior Bowl practices, with analysis [Kempski]
• Eagles will get input on offseason acquisitions from Wentz [Kempski]
• The Eric Rowe trade: A Philadelphia travesty! [Kempski]
• Eagles hire Mike Groh to be wide receiver coach [Kempski]
• Clueless Christie has gone from blocking bridges to burning them [Cataldi]
• Will Eagles draft for need or take best player available? [Mullin
• Roseman: Rowe wasn't traded because of ties to Kelly [Mullin]
[Eagles VP of Player Personnel Joe] Douglas, 40, a former University of Richmond offensive tackle, was asked how the Ravens operate under general manager Ozzie Newsome. Newsome and Roseman have contrasting backgrounds; Newsome was one of the best tight ends to ever play in the NFL, whereas Roseman started out as the Eagles' legal counsel.
"Ozzie's one of the most consistent people in the NFL, the way he treats people, just the way he goes about his business," Douglas said. "The biggest thing that he believes in is that if you do the work, if you put the time in on a player, everyone gets their say. So we have a great open forum in draft meetings. It didn't matter what level – personnel executive down to personnel assistant. You did the work, you have a say. He's a Hall of Famer.
"At the end of the day, he does make the final call, but it's such a collaborative effort, not only with the personnel guys but with the coaches . . . Everyone has an opportunity to speak their mind and give their opinion on a player. If there's a tie . . . He breaks the tie, but it rarely comes down to that." [philly.com]
Many of the top cornerbacks, though, won't be [at the Senior Bowl]. Marshon Lattimore (Ohio State), Sidney Jones (Washington), Marlon Humphrey (Alabama), Gareon Conley (Ohio State) and Quincy Wilson (Florida) are all underclassmen who declared early. But there are still a number of talented seniors who will be attendance.
Tre'Davious White (6-foot, 197) of LSU may have a first-round pedigree. He isn't especially rangy (listed at 6 feet even), but he bears some resemblance to former teammate and current Eagles cornerback Jalen Mills, both in skill and temperament.
Jourdan Lewis (5-foot-11, 186) of Michigan and Cameron Sutton (5-11, 186) of Tennessee, who missed part of his senior season because of a broken ankle, had impressive collegiate careers, but they could fall to the second day because of perceived size liabilities. [philly.com]
Hamilton, 23, is the seventh player the Eagles have signed to a reserve/future contract this offseason.
For the past two seasons, Hamilton was part of the Seahawks’ practice squad after spending time on both the Bills’ and Packers’ rosters in the summer of 2015. He went undrafted out of Louisiana-Lafayette in the spring of 2015. [bleedinggreennation.com]
Before the 2016 season, Hart made the Eagles' original 53-man roster but was then cut as the team claimed three players. From there, he went to join his old coach Chip Kelly in San Francisco. The 49ers waived him on Oct. 22 and the Eagles claimed him but kept him inactive the rest of the way.
The writing was on the wall: Without this decision, it’s very possible Hart’s days with the Eagles were numbered. They might still be. But at least he’s giving it a shot.
At 6-foot-6, 305 pounds and with pretty good athleticism, it seems like Hart has the right makeup to be an offensive tackle. [csnphilly.com]
Turns out, the Eagles had a plan in mind for Hart, who, per PhiladelphiaEagles.com, spent the end of the season taking snaps at offensive tackle for the scout team.
The move is particularly interesting when you consider that it comes after a season in which Jeffery Lurie and Howie Roseman could not sit on the loveseat and watch Thursday night football without being subjected to that USAA commercial in which Alejandro Villanueva reminds the nation that he went from an Army Ranger to the starting left tackle for the AFC Central-champion Pittsburgh Steelers. ...
Not only did the Steelers successfully convert Villanueva from defensive end to offensive tackle, they’re attempting to do the same thing with another Eagles castoff: 2015 seventh-round pick Brian Mihalik, whom the Eagles released from their practice squad on Sept. 16. [philly.com]
Kelce will play in his second Pro Bowl. He also played in the Pro Bowl after the 2014 season. Kelce, 29, started all 16 games this season for the Eagles. He replaces Atlanta Falcons center Alex Mack, who will play in the Super Bowl. Kelce was rated the 27th-best center in the NFL this season by Pro Football Focus.
Sproles will appear in the Pro Bowl for the third consecutive season. He had 94 carries for 438 yards (4.7 average) and two touchdowns. He also had 52 receptions for 427 yards and two touchdowns, and averaged a career-high 13.2 yards on 17 punt returns. He replaces Falcons running back Devonta Freeman. [philly.com]
"I felt it coming," Rowe said of the trade from the Eagles, who finished 7-9 and missed the postseason for the third straight year. "I was surprised it happened, I think anybody would be surprised when you get traded. But I heard what people were saying, I saw how I was on the depth chart. And I kind of saw it coming.
"I didn't know I was coming here, though. I didn't know where. I told my girl, because we live together, I said, 'Hey, be ready. We could move.'" [pennlive.com]
Darren McFadden — Running Back
Just over a year removed from his second ever 1,000-yard rushing season as a member of the Dallas Cowboys, McFadden’s workload last season went off a cliff. Only appearing in three games for the Cowboys, McFadden managed only 87-yards this past season.
A 30-year old by the start of the 2017 season, McFadden will be hitting free agency this offseason. With the Philadelphia Eagles in need of a true runner, McFadden could be the answer in Philadelphia. His elbow injury that caused him to miss most of last season should not reoccur, limiting the chance of this signing being a bust.
Being an in-between-the-tackle runner, McFadden does have the ability to break it to the outside for extra yardage. With his running ability and Darren Sproles serving as the pass catcher, the Eagles backfield would definitely be upgraded from last season. [sports.yahoo.com]
Trent Cole, who was released by Chip Kelly prior to the 2015 season, is set to become a free agent this March. A fan favorite in Philadelphia, Cole was the Eagles’ longest-tenured player at the time of his release. Following his release, Cole said that he wanted to be an Eagle for life. As it turns out, he now has the chance to finish his career with the team that selected him in the fifth round of the 2005 NFL Draft.
Despite having the second-best defensive front seven in 2016, the Eagles need added depth at defensive end. Connor Barwin could be on his way out of Philadelphia and the Eagles will need to find a viable option to play behind Brandon Graham and Vinny Curry. [insidetheiggles.com]
Follow Matt on Twitter: @matt_mullin
