Ah, a little offseason intrigue. Could a mere Philadelphia Eagles fan, who attended the team’s Academy for Men last weekend, have
Who will be number 1 on the Eagles’ depth chart? Unfortunately, at this stage we know not.
uncovered perhaps THE biggest bit of information about what Chip Kelly currently thinks about this team and its players abilities?
Very probably not. There has been a lot of buzz about pictures taken and posted on SB Nation’s Bleeding Green Nation site that featured what appeared to be an unofficial depth chart.
And why wouldn’t we be interested? There is not even an attempt at an updated chart on PhiladelphiaEagles.com, with names of players no longer on the team featured. So what, oh what, are writers and fans supposed to focus on these days?
Anything, really, and if it’s the unlikely scenario that a fan has captured the deepest, darkest secrets of the NovaCare, then so be it.
The biggest non-story from the non-depth chart? That Nick Foles is listed as the starting quarterback. GASP! He’s been taking reps with the first team in OTAs this week – clearly this means a decision on the starting quarterback has been made…Right?
Kurt Coleman and Colt Anderson are listed as the team’s starting safeties. I know we have over three months to go until the regular season gets underway, but that seems very unlikely, regardless of what transpires during the rest of OTAs and training camp.
Also? The chart would indicate that all of the Eagles’ 3-4 moves on defense were for naught, as the faux-depth chart indicates the 4-3 scheme of old.
According to Les Bowen of The Daily News, the Birds have stated that the chart was developed for the Academy by the Marketing department. Talented as they are, the team’s marketing brains won’t have a role in creating who we see on the field this season. Phew.
So, truly, the story is a bunch of hoopla about nothing, but it was fun for the few seconds it seemed that maybe a great mystery had been uncovered in the offseason.
Back to reality!
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WR Jason Avant is happy to play wherever his team needs him. (Image via Sports-Kings.com)
We’ve heard much about Chip Kelly’s energetic and efficient style of running Philadelphia Eagles practice: the loud music, the nonstop pace. But Kelly has more tricks up his sleeve and is having his offensive players try their hand on defense in practice.
So far, TE Clay Harbor has taken turns at linebacker, “to be more versatile.” Harbor says that practice at the position is only for “emergency situations,” but could Kelly be trying to find other possibilities for Harbor to remain on the roster with three other tight ends on the Eagles’ roster, including Brent Celek and 2nd-round draft pick and Stanford standout Zach Ertz?
If we know anything about Kelly at this stage, it’s that he continues to keep us guessing.
WR Jason Avant took turns in the defensive backfield last week and is pleased to be considered in other aspects of the game. Avant has already demonstrated his versatility with his contributions to special teams and serving as an emergency quarterback for the Eagles.
“It’s one of those things that I work hard, and whatever that may be, and whatever the team wants me to do, I’ll do it. Whatever that is – special teams, offense – whatever it may bring. I’m going to do it the best I can. I don’t necessarily think it’s a clouded future. I think it’s an honor, in any way, for any coach to think you can do other things.”
If these practice moves are keeping us guessing, they will likely do so to the Birds’ opponents, should Kelly wish to roll them out during games. The Inquirer’sZach Berman notes,
“New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick, a friend of Kelly’s, has done similar things in the past. Receivers Troy Brown and Julian Edelman have played defensive back in games. Linebacker Mike Vrabel caught 10 career passes as a red-zone tight end. The Eagles’ experimentation is not unprecedented, although it is uncommon at the NFL level.”
In a practice move not as dramatically different as his teammates’ turns on the opposite side of the ball, WR Jeremy Maclin has practiced punt returns. This change can be chalked up to Kelly wanting to fully evaluate the abilities he has on each player on Philadelphia’s roster. The 2012 season is the first that Maclin did not have punt return duties in his professional career, but it’s an option the new Eagles coach wants to keep open.
“Yeah, we’ll look at Mac back there. Again, it’s May, so we’re going to take a look at him and Damaris [Johnson] and DeSean and [receiver] Nick Miller. Russell Shepard is a guy that’s returned punts before, one of the rookies that’s out here. So we’ll get a bunch of those guys because you never know in a game; all of a sudden two guys are hurt.
When you’ve only got a 46-man [game] roster, someone has got to go back there, and hopefully it’s someone that’s fielded punts before. [Maclin] has got some experience at it, but we’ll take a look at him. But does that mean he’s going to be our starting punt returner? I have absolutely no idea right now.”
Kelly is testing the mental and physical prowess to their fullest as his players begin to settle in to his style of practice and leadership. At this early stage in Kelly’s tenure, nothing is routine.
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The first Chip Kelly-led practice with the Philadelphia Eagles held under the watchful eye of the media is in the books, and
(Image via NFL.com)
the sentiment was unanimous: it didn’t disappointment.
It was a sensory experience. The loud music and the playlists (featuring the likes of Duran Duran, Tupac, Flo Rida, Ozzy Osbourne, and the Dropkick Murphys, to name a few). The speed at which plays were conducted, with only 10 seconds “down” time. Where to look? What to watch for?
The Daily News’ Les Bowen, like many in attendance, went to where much ink already has been and will continue to focus in the next several months: the quarterbacks.
As far as the QBs went, there were no real surprises. The read-option was brought out from the beginning and Mike Vick got the most snaps with the first team, but only just – Nick Foles got almost the same amount. Oh Chip, always keeping us guessing. Then there is Dennis Dixon, brought to the team from the Ravens’ practice squad, who has the distinction of being the only quarterback in the league with experience under Chip Kelly from their days together at Oregon. Not surprisingly, Dixon performed smoothly at practice, according to reports, familiar with the sign language being used on the sidelines. Matt Barkley seems to be a quick learner, connecting with receivers when given the opportunity. G.J. Kinney, the oft-forgotten fifth quarterback on the Eagles’ roster, was largely forgotten at this practice as well.
On defense, Trent Cole and Connor Barwin lined up as the first-team outside linebackers, while DeMeco Ryans and Mychal Kendricks were on the inside. The other big area of curiosity, the secondary, didn’t provide much insight into how things may actually play out as offseason signing Cary Williams was absent from practice, having married over the weekend. Curtis Marsh got a number of reps, presumably in Williams’ sted, along with Bradley Fletcher. The starting safeties were Patrick Chung and Nate Allen.
Kelly was asked specifically about Dennis Kelly at right tackle, but he gave words of caution that can and should be used with anything read into practice this early on:
“It’s May 13th, so I would make that of it. I don’t think we play the Washington Redskins until sometime in September.”
Sheil Kapadia put together an excellent timeline of what it was like inside practice on Birds 24/7. You should definitely take a look. One of many interesting tidbits from Kapadia:
“We begin to see the new play-call structure. Offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur stands on the sideline with a walkie-talkie and calls the play into the quarterback’s helmet. But before each snap, every offensive player looks over to the sideline. An offensive assistant plays the role of third-base coach and runs through a variety of hand signals that relay personnel grouping and formation.”
Exciting times in Eagles-land. It’s only May 13 but ever so slowly, the pieces to the puzzle of what the Birds will look like in the 2013 season have begun to be assembled.
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Today is big day for the Philadelphia Eagles. It will be the first time that Chip Kelly will lead a full-team practice via OTAs, and it’s the first opportunity media will have to observe first-hand what they’ve heard about.
The super-fast pace of practices. The communications that will change the league, at least according to Brent Celek.
This comes right on the heels of this weekend’s three-day rookie minicamp. Philadelphia’s youngest members will be tired after their crash course but will also be enlivened at the opportunity to now practice alongside their more seasoned teammates.
Two of the Birds’ drafted rookies will be absent, however — TE Zach Ertz and DB Jordan Poyer. No, they don’t need a rest after the intense weekend. They will be out of action until they graduate from college, adhering to an NFL rule that permits participation in only one minicamp until the completion of finals. Ertz will graduate from Stanford on June 16, and Poyner from Oregon State on June 10. Each will miss a total of seven practices between then and now.
Aside from Ertz and Poyer, the rest of the Eagles had better be well-rested to compete in Kelly’s “track meet.” In addition to the excitement of seeing the new normal for Eagles practice, much attention will be payed to how players are used in these practices, first and foremost in the quarterback competition. How will reps be split between the five QBs currently on the Eagles roster, and how will former USC quarterback Matt Barkley perform in initial competition against Nick Foles and Mike Vick? 1st-round selection Lane Johnson lined up at right tackle over the weekend — will that remain the case, and what will that mean for the rest of the offensive line? And who will line up in the first team defensive backfield for the Eagles, an area that remains a concern?
While the final answers to these questions won’t be revealed for some time, we’re getting closer.
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On the eve of the first rookie camp under Chip Kelly, the Philadelphia Eagles were busy getting down to other business with their rookies — getting five of the team’s draft picks signed.
Included in that group are second-round pick TE Zach Ertz, fifth-round safety Earl Wolff, and seventh-rounders DE Joe Kruger, CB Jordan Poyner and DE David King. This means that three of the team’s draftees remain unsigned — first-rounder Lane Johnson, third-rounder Bennie Logan and fourth-round pick Matt Barkley.
Also on Thursday, the Birds worked out LB Gerald McRath. McRath was a fourth-round pick of the Tennessee Titans in 2009 and spent three seasons with the team. However, he was suspended for four games in 2010 for violating the league’s substance abuse policy and spent the 2012 season on IR with a knee injury.
Rookie camp begins today at the NovaCare, and here is your peek at those who have been invited to attend. Among the list, the name of former Eagles LB Chris Gocong will jump out at you. He is currently recovering from an Achilles injury. After his time with the Birds, he was on the Browns and will once again work out with new Philadelphia defensive coordinator Billy Davis, who was previously linebackers coach in Cleveland.
Here’s the full list:
Image via PhiladelphiaEagles.com.
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Lane Johnson has his moment on the NFL Draft stage with Commissioner Roger Goodell after being the 4th overall pick. (Image via the Philadelphia Eagles Instagram)
Eagles fans, the wait is over. There was no trading down — instead, when Oklahoma OT Lane Johnson was still available at number 4, the Philadelphia Eagles took him.
The 6’6, 303 lb tackle will be an integral part of the Eagles’ offense, helping to protect Mike Vick, who at this early stage will presumably be Philadelphia’s starting quarterback for the 2013 season. Johnson is an extremely athletic player – he has played both sides of the o-line as well as played quarterback and tight end in his career. Here is an excerpt from Johnson’s scouting report, via The National Football Post:
“With rare foot quickness he is able to slide out to the corner easily to stop speed rusher’s initial burst. His ability to block with base helps him to slide easily side to side to adjust to quick pass rush moves at the contact point. Although he does not punch aggressively in pass pro, he flashes the ability to get his hands on pass rusher quickly, can “get a good fit” and is able to lock-out and tie up pass rusher.”
Head coach Chip Kelly said that Johnson is one of the players the team had targeted and was extremely excited to add him to the Eagles.
“I know [Oklahoma head coach] Bob Stoops extremely well and I talked to Bob about [Lane Johnson] extensively last week. He just remarked what a tough player he is and what a selfless player that he is; he’s moved positions. He wants to play. I think he is going to be a great addition to our team. The game is won up front. He’s another tough, physical guy and that’s what we were looking for.”
For his part, Johnson is thrilled to be heading to Philadelphia for many reasons, including the fact that his experience with Oklahoma’s up-tempo offense should fit in well with Kelly’s plans.
“I know that at Oregon, they ran a very fast-paced offense that was very similar to Oklahoma and I think I fit with what they need…I’m excited. I think Coach Kelly brings a lot of energy and enthusiasm to the Eagles. I know we’re all anticipating what’s going to happen and so am I. I’m ready to get started and I’m very fortunate to be with the Eagles.”
Johnson also thinks that his style of play will be a good fit for Philly’s notoriously intense sports fans.
“I view myself as kind of an aggressive player on the field, but off the field I’m a down-to-earth guy. I’m not arrogant at all. I know Philly is a good blue-collar town that works its tail off and they’re very passionate about their sports, especially football.”
It’s a solid pick for the Birds. After tackles Eric Fisher and Luke Joeckel went 1-2 to the Chiefs and Jaguars, respectively, and Oregon DE Dion Jordan, who was rumored to be of interest to Philadelphia, went third to the Dolphins, Philadelphia decided to stay put and get one of the top talents on the board, which was their strategy all along.
With the tattered o-line one of the biggest detriments to the Eagles’ efforts in 2012 and the unknown of if Jason Peters will truly be back to his former self going into 2013, picking one of the most talented players in a draft stacked with offensive line talent was a no-brainer for Philadelphia. And, as offensive lineman typically experience less of a gap in performance from the college to the professional level than other positions, Johnson will hopefully make his presence well known on the Birds’ line for years to come.
Welcome to Philadelphia, Lane.
Here is some film of Johnson, the first draft selection of the Chip Kelly era for the Eagles.
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With a little over a week to go until the 2013 NFL draft begins, Philadelphia Eagles GM Howie Roseman met with members of the press on Monday. The media hoped to discover inklings of the team’s strategy heading into the draft. Not surprisingly, little was definitively revealed by Roseman, including the question of who ultimately calls the shots within the organization at the draft. Will the Eagles trade down from their current number 4 overall pick? That’s certainly a possibility, but Roseman played the team’s cards close to his chest. What was absolutely clear is the fact that the enormity of that decision — and more specifically, getting it right – has not been lost on anyone within the organization.
“Like anything in this draft, you want to be sure. You don’t want to take someone because you ‘think’ . . . We’re not going to force anything.”
In one sense, it’s a basic decision. Who is likely to be the best player on the board when the Eagles make their choice? But that player must immediately be an impact player for the team. No if, ands or maybes. No overthinking or trying to force a player into a role where it will be a stretch for him to succeed. But that leaves little certainty as to how the Birds will proceed.
It’s no secret that the question of who will be the Eagles’ quarterback, both for the 2013 season and longer term, is one of the most pressing questions for the team. It’s also not new news that that position is not featured in the strength and abundance category as it was in 2012. Roseman spoke to that issue, saying that this year’s draft is actually the norm regarding quarterback talent, with last year being the exception.
That’s all fine and good, but what does that mean for the team’s picks at number 4 and beyond?
West Virginia QB Geno Smith is still on the Eagles’ radar. The team traveled to West Virginia to work out Smith, as well as hosted him for a visit at the NovaCare. Smith’s leadership and focus have come under fire recently, which may very well impact his draft stock, but if that’s not the Eagles’ own analysis those questions may not hold much weight.
Roseman noted that this draft was deep with talent along the offensive and defensive lines, noting that some of the top prospects at offensive tackle are attractive possibilities, such as Luke Joeckel, Eric Fisher, and Lane Johnson, as that position is more straightforward in projecting success from the college to the professional level. Defensive end Dion Jordan is another pick that might entice the Eagles, particularly given head coach Chip Kelly’s familiarity with the Oregon player.
But Roseman noted yesterday that their strategy and selections are not his decision, or Chip Kelly’s choice. They are organizational decisions.
So there you have it. Clear as mud as we head ever closer to the draft. It may be frustrating now, but in less than two weeks we will have the clearest set of information regarding the Philadelphia Eagles’ possible focus and direction under Chip Kelly yet and have plenty of information to parse, dissect, and analyze.
FYI…
You will be shocked to know that the Eagles released veteran quarterback Trent Edwards on Monday.
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We’re in the depths of the long football offseason, but lo! A slight vision of hope on the horizon. The release of the Philadelphia Eagles preseason schedule. Kinda sorta.
It’s something, right?
The exact dates and times are not yet fixed, but in the first preseason under head coach Chip Kelly, the Birds’ schedule will be as follows:
August 8 – 11: vs. New England
August 15 – 19: vs. Carolina
August 22 – 25: at Jacksonville
August 29-30: at New York Jets
While the preseason is typically not greeted by the most excitement, under a new regime it will provide important insights into what Kelly’s plans are for Philadelphia for the regular season, including how the quarterback situation is shaping up at that time.
So. You ready? Just four months to go.
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Will Jason Peters return to his former glory? (Image via Rittenhoused)
The demise of the 2012 Philadelphia Eagles offensive line began before the season even started. It all started when Pro Bowl tackle Jason Peters suffered an injury to his Achilles — two times. That seemed to set the tone for the line for the year, with injuries to Jason Kelce and Todd Herremans befalling the o-line as the season progressed.
As the Eagles go through the earliest part of their offseason program under new coach Chip Kelly and Peters returns to work, the question of the tackle’s status following a year of rehab for his injury looms large. Returning to a player’s previous ability level following an Achilles injury is a challenge, but it’s one that Peters plans to meet.
While participating in voluntary workouts with Philadelphia teammates at the NovaCare Peters proclaimed, “I’m 100 percent” and, according to Peters, he has been for quite some time.
“I was going to come back last year, but it was a bad season. I could have (played), but I didn’t want to risk it with a losing season. And the coaches kind of held me back a little bit.”
Peters is not satisfied simply to have recovered from the injury. If he is not back at the level of play of his 2011 Pro Bowl season, he’s not taking the field.
“I’m not going to get out there if I couldn’t be back to where I was before I got hurt.”
The coaching staff will start to get a read on Peters’ post-recovery performance at the Eagles’ first minicamp on April 16. With the increased tempo anticipated from Kelly’s practices, Peters is planning to get down to 320 from his playing weight of 340 in 2011 so he can be lighter on his feet and prepared for “whatever the coaches throw at us.”
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The Philadelphia Eagles continued to make moves to shore up their new defense by acquiring DE Clifton Geathers from the Colts on Thursday in a trade, giving up fullback Stanley Havili.
Geathers’ (6-7, 325) collegiate career
Clifton Geathers
was spent at the University of South Carolina, where he played in 36 games and finished with 72 tackles, 12 tackles for a loss, 6 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles. He was a sixth-round draft pick of the Cleveland Browns in 2010. Since that time, he has spent time in the NFL with Cleveland, Miami, Seattle, Dallas and Indy. The 25-year old Geathers has appeared in 15 total games during his three years of playing professional football. He played in eight games for Indianapolis in 2012, recording five tackles and a sack. Geathers will bring his run-stopping skills to Philadelphia’s new 3-4 defensive front.
Havili is in his second year in the NFL. With Philadelphia acquiring fullback/tight end James Casey and retaining Emil Igwenagu, the Birds have options to fill the fullback role typically featured in head coach Chip Kelly’s offenses.
Tapp moves South
DE Daryl Tapp, a member of the Philadelphia Eagles for the past three years, is now a member of the NFC East rival Washington Redskins. Tapp signed a one-year deal with the team. Prior to his time with the Eagles, Tapp spent four seasons with the Seattle Seahawks. Tapp played in 13 games for the Eagles in 2012, accumulating 17 tackles in 257 snaps.
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