A Year Ago
Posted: June 18th, 2017 | Author: Tommy Lawlor | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 27 Comments
There is a lot of optimism with the Eagles right now. Carson Wentz just had his two best practices of the spring. The WRs have played well and look to be an incredibly improved unit. The defense has looked outstanding. Rookies Rasul Douglas and Derek Barnett might challenge for starting roles. And Donnie Jones is still around to carry the team on his back if needed.
Is this bogus hype?
That’s a fair question to ask. All 32 teams are feeling good right now. Players are running around in shorts and everyone looks fast. Teams are healthy and the players are happy. They aren’t worn down by long practices in the middle of summer. This is the time for optimism. Everyone sees the glass as half full right now.
I went back and re-read some posts from last June to offer perspective. Things were not ideal.
◦Carson Wentz, the #3 QB, was up and down. We were mainly excited that he threw deep more often than Sam Bradford and Chase Daniel.
◦Nelson Agholor was struggling. Drops were an issue already.
◦Reuben Randle, T.J. Graham and Chris Givens were a mess.
◦There was hope that Leodis McKelvin and Nolan Carroll could be solid starters. Oops.
◦Eric Rowe was really struggling.
◦Josh Huff, like the rest of the receivers, was disappointing.
◦There was a buzz that TE Chris Pantale and LB Quentin Gause would make the roster. Neither did.
◦Taylor Hart was a DT.
◦Myke Tavarres potential existed. Sort of.
◦DGB was underachieving for a different team.
I’m not saying the team was a trainwreck last spring. There were some highlights. But there were also some real issues.
The 2017 Eagles are far from perfect, but do feel significantly improved, in terms of talent and performance. I would say Mike Groh has upgraded the coaching staff as well, but we need some more time before we know that for sure.
I think it is okay to feel good about this team right now.
Posted: June 18th, 2017 | Author: Tommy Lawlor | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 27 Comments
There is a lot of optimism with the Eagles right now. Carson Wentz just had his two best practices of the spring. The WRs have played well and look to be an incredibly improved unit. The defense has looked outstanding. Rookies Rasul Douglas and Derek Barnett might challenge for starting roles. And Donnie Jones is still around to carry the team on his back if needed.
Is this bogus hype?
That’s a fair question to ask. All 32 teams are feeling good right now. Players are running around in shorts and everyone looks fast. Teams are healthy and the players are happy. They aren’t worn down by long practices in the middle of summer. This is the time for optimism. Everyone sees the glass as half full right now.
I went back and re-read some posts from last June to offer perspective. Things were not ideal.
◦Carson Wentz, the #3 QB, was up and down. We were mainly excited that he threw deep more often than Sam Bradford and Chase Daniel.
◦Nelson Agholor was struggling. Drops were an issue already.
◦Reuben Randle, T.J. Graham and Chris Givens were a mess.
◦There was hope that Leodis McKelvin and Nolan Carroll could be solid starters. Oops.
◦Eric Rowe was really struggling.
◦Josh Huff, like the rest of the receivers, was disappointing.
◦There was a buzz that TE Chris Pantale and LB Quentin Gause would make the roster. Neither did.
◦Taylor Hart was a DT.
◦Myke Tavarres potential existed. Sort of.
◦DGB was underachieving for a different team.
I’m not saying the team was a trainwreck last spring. There were some highlights. But there were also some real issues.
The 2017 Eagles are far from perfect, but do feel significantly improved, in terms of talent and performance. I would say Mike Groh has upgraded the coaching staff as well, but we need some more time before we know that for sure.
I think it is okay to feel good about this team right now.
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