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  • Eye of the Eagles

    KENDRICKS, AGHOLOR AND THE OVERALL FEELING OF THE EAGLES HEADING INTO 2016


    August 31, 2016 Eaglesfantalk Comments 0 Comment
    There are a ton of things going on regarding the Eagles as we approach opening day on September 11th, where the Eagles take on the Browns at Lincoln Financial Field. Let’s jump straight to it.

    MYCHAL KENDRICKS: While addressing the media, Doug Pederson mentioned Mychal Kendricks would be playing in the 4th and final preseason game. Pederson is a new coach, so I’d let this slide if he was consistent with playing other starters. Pederson mentioned Kendricks as the only starter that would play on Thursday against the Jets. Maybe he’s just trying to get Kendricks caught up since he’s had an injury holding him out. But why is Jordan Matthews, who’s yet to play in the preseason not suiting up against the Jets as well?
    I’m not guaranteeing Mychal Kendricks won’t be on the roster when the season begins in less than two weeks, but with the Eagles signing Stephen Tulloch, who Jim Schwartz highly covets, it wouldn’t shock me at all to see Kendricks moved. Remember, Chip Kelly was the head of team personnel when Kendricks was given a 4-year $29 million extension, not Howie Roseman. Keep an eye on this situation.

    NELSON AGHOLOR: Yes, I am the biggest Nelson Agholor advocate. I continue to give him the benefit of the doubt. A part of it is because he was taken 20th overall in the first round of the 2015 draft. The other reason(s) are what I have seen from him on tape. I’m not sure if Agholor is still hindered by the ankle injury that made him miss 3 games last season or what, but Agholor looks to have lost a step. Or two. He doesn’t look like the explosive player he was, coming out of USC.

    Some bring up confidence with Agholor as the issue. And sure, that may play into his mental drops. And at times he does look like he’s rushing. Almost as if he’s still adjusting to NFL speed. But lack of confidence doesn’t make a player run slower. Agholor doesn’t look like the guy I was so very, very high on coming out of college last season. I still have hope he can turn it on, but man, am I losing patience. One thing that intrigues me is Pederson and the staff continuing to be so high on Agholor. Despite the struggles, he isn’t set to play against New York and looks to have the starting “X” position locked up. I’ll have a close eye on him opening day against Cleveland.

    SAM BRADFORD: Yes, it’s just preseason, but Sam Bradford has looked good this preseason, especially week 3 against Indianapolis. Bradford has completed 80% of his throws. And when you watch the games, that completion percentage correlates with what you see. Bradford looks calm in the pocket, and seems to have a firm grasp of what Pederson wants to do on offense. The West Coast offense is much more complex than Chip Kelly’s. One of Bradford’s strengths is his mental approach to the game. Pederson’s offense allows Bradford to check to plays if a defense shows its cards. Excited about Sam Bradford in 2016, I expect a career year.

    THE D LINE: Again, it’s just preseason, but there are things you can takeaway when watching these games. If a defensive coordinator is calling exotic blitzes while an offense has a vanilla gameplan, the defense’s success should be taken with a grain of salt. But when I see the Eagles defense generating a ton of pressure and breaking down a QB’s pocket with just a 4-man rush, I pay attention. The Eagles in every preseason game have looked like the more physical team in the trenches. Good defenses control the line of scrimmage and the Eagles D line looks like it is going to cause opposing offenses fits this season. Look out.

    GENERAL FEELING: I like where the Eagles are heading into 2016. The achilles heel for the offense will be the health and play of the offensive line. So far, they’ve stayed healthy and have looked good in both the run-game and pass protection. With a clean pocket, Sam Bradford can be a really good quarterback in this league. I know people are hesitant, but get excited about this defense. They have top-8 potential. Jim Schwartz has never had a defensive front like this. I know people are down on the Eagles, but it wouldn’t shock me if they won 10 games and competed for the division. All goes back to the O line and if they can holdup. We will see.

    Fly Eagles Fly.
    "Hey Giants, who's your Daddy?"

  • #2
    It's a very optimistic outlook on the team, and certainly there are things to be positive about here. What he doesn't really address is who is going to be generating offense for,us. If Aggie is a gagger, and our top runner is consistently injured, then where is the offense goignto come from? Praying that DGB is our savior? Josh Huff is going to stop being......Josh Huff? Ertz is going to finally become that pro bowl level TE that his is destined to be?

    Yep, best to bank on the D to be world class.
    http://shop.cafepress.com/content/global/img/spacer.gifOK, let's try this again...

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    • #3
      I'm encouraged by the play of the lines. It all starts up front. If your O and D lines are playing lights out, it can make up for a lot of other shortfalls. I still feel like they're an 8-8 team, but the line play bodes well for them.

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      • #4
        Agreed. Hard to take much from the phony games, but the Oline has looked better than expected. And the D line has looked as good as hoped for.
        http://shop.cafepress.com/content/global/img/spacer.gifOK, let's try this again...

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        • #5
          Yes we are well on our way to our second consecutive preseason Lombardi!!!
          "Hey Giants, who's your Daddy?"

          Comment


          • #6
            It is interesting that Kendricks is the only starter to play in Fake Game #4. He really hasn't shown much in recent times and the acquisition of Tulloch makes him expendable. At this time, it would be hard to get anything of value in a trade - except a draft pick.

            I too am more optimistic about the team's chances this year. Our OL looks better (albeit in fake games), and Bradford looks more relaxed. Our defense looks much better - with the use of more and better designed blitzes which Schwartz hinted at in the last game.

            The biggest improvement for me is the tossing of Kelly's Chinese Air Raid offense, which hurried the offense and tired the defense. In that offense, we put more pressure on ourselves more than on the opponents. Good riddance!
            "Nobody in football should be called a genius. A genius is a guy like Norman Einstein." - Joe Theismann



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            • #7
              Originally posted by stocknowledge View Post
              It is interesting that Kendricks is the only starter to play in Fake Game #4. He really hasn't shown much in recent times and the acquisition of Tulloch makes him expendable. At this time, it would be hard to get anything of value in a trade - except a draft pick.

              I too am more optimistic about the team's chances this year. Our OL looks better (albeit in fake games), and Bradford looks more relaxed. Our defense looks much better - with the use of more and better designed blitzes which Schwartz hinted at in the last game.

              The biggest improvement for me is the tossing of Kelly's Chinese Air Raid offense, which hurried the offense and tired the defense. In that offense, we put more pressure on ourselves more than on the opponents. Good riddance!
              I don't think there is any way they trade Kendricks because we're light at that spot now. I really think they want to give him more PT. It's pretty embarrassing for him though. Maybe he was just chosen because they don't have enough to play?
              "Hey Giants, who's your Daddy?"

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              • #8
                With Kendricks they're still thin at LBer. I agree that they are giving him more playing time. The guy has some talent. Maybe he's just slow to pick up the system? I don't know, but it certainly wouldn't surprise me to see Tulloch starting in that spot on opening day.

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                • #9
                  not sure what type of fire he needs under his ass but they need to put one there
                  Wait until next year is a terrible philosophy
                  Hope is not a strategy
                  RIP

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                  • #10
                    I'd bet it's close to what EB said in that he's probably making mental mistakes. That seems strange to me as he used to call defenses be fore when Mufasa was out.
                    "Hey Giants, who's your Daddy?"

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                    • #11
                      I think it has more to do with his contract. As you say he knew the D and was makings calls. His brother is doing great as far as the Vikes are concerned but he is on his first contract.
                      Wait until next year is a terrible philosophy
                      Hope is not a strategy
                      RIP

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        [QUOTE=NoDakIggle`;289506]I think it has more to do with his contract. As you say he knew the D and was makings calls. His brother is doing great as far as the Vikes are concerned but he is on his first contract.[/QUOTE]

                        I don't understand ND?
                        "Hey Giants, who's your Daddy?"

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                        • #13
                          He got a new contract didn't he? Maybe he felt he made it and didn't have to work as hard.
                          I understand how a guy like Agholor (or others) show talent in college but not in the NFL. But a guy who showed talent in the NFL and then drops off has to either be injured or don't care. None of us are close enough to know the reason but Kendricks should be at his peak
                          Wait until next year is a terrible philosophy
                          Hope is not a strategy
                          RIP

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Originally posted by NoDakIggle` View Post
                            He got a new contract didn't he? Maybe he felt he made it and didn't have to work as hard.
                            I understand how a guy like Agholor (or others) show talent in college but not in the NFL. But a guy who showed talent in the NFL and then drops off has to either be injured or don't care. None of us are close enough to know the reason but Kendricks should be at his peak
                            I get it now ND-duh. He just doesn't strike me as that type but who knows?
                            "Hey Giants, who's your Daddy?"

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