Eagles OTA’s begin today
Eagles offseason team activities begin today. The entire 90 man roster is in attendance for these activities. We decided to take an in-depth look, at what you the fans should be keeping an eye on, during these team activities.
Does Fletcher Cox show up?:
There’s a lot of worrisome among the fanbase, regarding the future of star defensive tackle Fletcher Cox. The team and him are in negotiations, involving a long-term contract. He’s been holding out, waiting for a deal to be completed, but if it doesn’t there’s questions if he’ll be in attendance for these activities.
He’s staying away to avoid injury, that could ultimate hinder his negotiations with the team. Now that Sam Bradford’s holdout has ended, Fletcher Cox’s current one will start coming more into focus. We’ll see how this one pans out.
Quarterback situation:
Obviously, there’s some awkwardness heading into these practices. Carson Wentz tried to shoot it down on Friday, saying he expects a “good working relationship” with Bradford. But, this situation is going to be very well under the microscope. National media, social media, and all of Philadelphia is going to be keeping tabs on this situation.
The running back picture:
This current crop of running backs, for the Eagles, is worrisome to the fanbase. Ryan Mathews is an injury prone and will be turning 29, during the season, so his workload should be monitored. Darren Sproles is still a good weapon to have, but we know what he is. He’s a Swiss Army knife, receiving, and couple carries type of back
Wendell Smallwood (Eagles 5th round pick in 2016) is an unknown commodity, he’s got good speed, and underrated vision. It’s still unknown what he brings to the table workload wise. Kenjon Barner is on the roster bubble, we’re still not sure what we have in him, and he has fumbling issues. Byron Marshall and Cedric O’Neal (both undrafted free agents) will be trying to make the team, as well.
AROUND COVER32
Twitter Tuesday: Brandon Boykin can only LOL at this point
Madden Monday: Rob Gronkowski’s case against the curse
2016 Preview: Ranking the 2016 MVP Candidates
Starting wide receiver competition:
This picture still isn’t as clear, as many might think. Jordan Matthews is poised to move to the outside, he was regulated in slot duties since his rookie year in 2014, so how he transitions to outside will be under the microscope. Nelson Agholor is coming off a very disappointing rookie season. Agholor played in a more pro-style hybrid system, during his collegiate days with University of Southern California, under Steve Sarkisian.
Agholor is returning to a more pro-style system, under Pederson, and won’t be nursing a high ankle sprain this go around. He definitely has to improve, there’s no doubt about it, and free agent signing Rueben Randle will be pushing him for that other outside spot.
Who’s going to be the Eagles fullback?:
The Eagles signed Ryan Mueller this offseason, who was making the transition from linebacker to fullback, but recently released him to free up space for their undrafted free agents. Now they don’t really have an anointed fullback on the roster. Trey Burton is scheduled to transition form tight end, to fullback, but there’s no guarantees that works out.
Starting cornerback picture:
Eagles invested a 2015 second round pick in Eric Rowe, who clearly proved he’s a starting outside caliber corner for the Eagles. He started the last six games for the Eagles, not allowing a touchdown, and only giving up 128 receiving yards in that time span. It’s still not determined if he will be the number one corner for the Eagles, or how he will handle a full season starting, but if he can build off his rookie season, the Eagles have a stud on their hands.
Leodis McKelvin and Nolan Carroll are competing for that other outside job, with McKelvin having the upper hand in the competition. McKelvin knows Jim Schwartz’s system, starting nine games outside for Schwartz and the Bills in 2014, and gives the Eagles that speed outside. The slot cornerback job is still up in the air, with JaCorey Shepherd, Jalen Mills, and Blake Countness competing for that spot.
Linebacker depth:
The Eagles have very poor linebacker depth at the moment. Jordan Hicks, Mychal Kendricks, and Nigel Bradham are the team’s starting linebackers in 2016. Neither of these linebackers have played a full 16 game season yet, in their careers. The team currently has Najee Goode, Quentin Gause, Joe Walker, Myke Tavarres, and Deontae Skinner all battling for those backup jobs.
That’s not a very solid group. Besides Goode, Walker was the Eagles 2016 seventh round pick, Tavarres and Gause are both undrafted rookie free agents, and Skinner has only played in seven career games. The Eagles might have to use the waiver wire, after the preseason cuts, to find better linebacker depth for the 2016 season.
Left guard battle:
The Eagles offensive line was their weakest unit last season. They’ve upgraded it big time, especially with the signing of right guard Brandon Brooks. The left guard spot is up in the air, with a lot of guys competing for the job. Eagles third round rookie Isaac Seumalo, free agent signing Stefan Wisniewski, former starter Allen Barbre, Andrew Gardner, and Matt Tobin are all competing for the job.
The post Eagles OTA’s begin today appeared first on Cover32.
