Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

One of the best articles I've read about bubble players

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • One of the best articles I've read about bubble players

    Who’s the best RB on Eagles’ roster? How will Zach Brown, Blake Countess impact L.J. Fort, Andrew Sendejo?

    By Mike Kaye | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

    The Eagles have been one of the busiest teams in the league following the NFL Draft.

    Not content with just filling the roster with unproven assets, the front office has taken steps to improve the group with veteran additions. The arrivals of linebacker Zach Brown and safeties Blake Countess and Godwin Igwebuike should impact the defensive depth chart.

    With a flurry of movement, including the expected arrival of 14 undrafted free agents, Eagles fans are curious about the current state of the roster. NJ Advance Media recently hosted a Twitter Q&A and decided to elaborate on some of the best questions from the session.

    How does Zach Brown impact Eagles’ other linebackers? Here’s updated depth chart projection

    The Philadelphia Eagles signed former Pro Bowl linebacker Zach Brown to a one-year deal on Friday. His arrival should have an immediate impact on Nigel Bradham, Kamu-Grugier-Hill, L.J. Fort, T.J. Edwards, Paul Worrliow and Nathan Gerry.

    Below are some of the best questions from our weekend mailbag session:

    @sfpd2217 asks: Who is the best RB on the Eagles’ roster now? Miles Sanders or Jordan Howard?


    MK: Howard is currently the top running back on the roster. He has developed into a productive starting NFL running back. He’s a strong short-yardage gainer, a very solid blocker and an underrated receiver. While the Eagles acquired him for only a conditional 2020 sixth-round pick, Howard is still a Top 12-15 running back in the league.

    Sanders is a strong prospect and the Eagles targeted him throughout the pre-draft process. Frankly, their pursuit of him was extremely transparent, especially based on their previous history. That said, he is still a work-in-progress as a blocker and a receiver. He has some very fixable bad habits in his approach as a runner as well.

    Sanders has a much higher ceiling than Howard but assistant head coach Duce Staley will have to develop him enough to reach that point. Howard is a ready-made asset with proven ability. While it would be nice to say Sanders is a surefire star running back, the reality is that he is a talented prospect who needs to be developed into a consistent contributor.

    @David_McArdle1 asks: With the signings of Countess and Brown, do you see the Eagles cutting Andrew Sendejo and L.J. Fort to regain comp picks?


    MK: The Eagles would only need to cut one of those two players to recoup the fourth-round compensatory pick for Jordan Hicks (or Golden Tate). While I think both Countess and Brown will inevitably make the roster, I don’t think it should be considered a foregone conclusion that Fort and/or Sendejo get released in the fallout.

    That said, if the Eagles really value receiving that projected fourth-round pick, Sendejo is probably the more likely of the pair to be released.

    The Eagles made it a point to sign Fort immediately in free agency. The front office liked his special teams ability and his upside on defense. As of now, he’s probably -- at worst -- the backup middle linebacker. Unlike Corey Nelson last season, Fort has shown he can be a special teams ace to the point that the Eagles can use him even if he bombs on defense. Fort has potential as a sub-package player on defense because of his athleticism and coverage ability.

    Sendejo is coming off a rough final season with the Vikings. His performance was plagued by injury and inconsistent play. The Eagles waited a bit to sign the veteran, so he probably wasn’t much of a priority signing either. While he offers special teams ability and plenty of experience, Sendejo isn’t a must-keep player at this point in his career.


    While some will bring up the third safety role, there’s a chance that job will be altered moving forward. Avonte Maddox is capable of playing safety and nickel cornerback. If he wins the starting nickel job, there may not be a reason to take him off the field. When Malcolm Jenkins moves into his linebacker role in nickel or dime coverage, the Eagles can simply move Maddox into the safety spot. If the Eagles use that strategy, Sendejo’s playing time on defense would not only be limited but possibly non-existent.

    Still, the Eagles value special teams aces, so Sendejo could keep his gig if he stands out in that phase.

    @philly_win asks: Is Countess going to be the Eagles kick returner this year?

    Related question from @OldSchoolDrE8: Is Countess good enough defensively to be in consideration for the #3 safety spot? Seems like just a special teams ace. Also, is he the front runner to be the top kick return?

    MK: These two questions popped up a lot in some form or fashion this weekend.

    Countess is a special teams asset. That said, he does have some defensive upside. He made some plays on defense during his time with the Rams. While the Eagles moved on from Countess during his rookie season, they clearly still see plenty of upside in his development.


    Countess should receive the opportunity to compete for the third safety role with Sendejo and Tre Sullivan. However, as previously mentioned, that role may be different this year with the versatility presented by Maddox. If the Eagles are set on having a separate third safety role, Countess should be involved in the competition process.

    While some may remember his deficiencies as a rookie, it’s important to also remember that he’s been developed in Los Angeles. Working for Wade Phillips and Gregg Williams should have helped him grow as a defender.

    Countess will be relied on as a gunner and a return specialist in his return to Philadelphia. Even with those potential jobs, it would be hard to rule him out for an expanded role on defense as well. With the compensatory formula hovering over Sendejo’s head and Sullivan lacking experience, Countess may have a shot at the third safety gig.

    As far as the kick returner job is concerned, that role’s competition is probably wide open. With Countess, Corey Clement, Shelton Gibson and Boston Scott on the roster, the Eagles have four options for the job. The team could also add a player or two in free agency following the May 7 compensatory formula deadline.


    Countess averaged a respectable 24.6 yards per return last year. If that success carries over to camp, he will probably earn the job over Gibson or Scott, who are both going to be legit bubble players. Unlike Gibson and Scott, Countess should receive a strong enough chance to earn a role at his main position of safety as well. Clement will probably be the second returner no matter what happens with the other three players.

    It will be interesting to see if Countess gets a tryout at punt returner, a position that lacks a true competition at this point.
    "Hey Giants, who's your Daddy?"

  • #2
    Kick returner they also have Thompson from Penn State that they can look at as he can both return kicks and punts.

    Sendjo is here as insurance against McCloud being healthy. If McCloud is healthy Sendjo will most likely be cut to recoup that 4th round pick.

    Also as much as the writer thinks Forte will make the team, its not a forgone conclusion. I think that Cabana Boy, Brown and Kamu (Backup kicker) are on the team, the others are going to battle out for two maybe three spots. Now I think Forte will be one of those but if he and say Paul Worilow are close, then Worilow will make it because Forte gives them back a 4th round pick. Now if the disparity is big, then Worilow is gone.
    Were from Philly F in Philly no one likes us we DON'T CARE!

    Comment


    • #3
      I'd hate to see a decision made over a draft pick myself. I would hope one of these guys steps up and the decision is based on performance. As for making the team as a kick returner these days I think that it's almost foolish. Just put somebody back there with a brain in his head and have him stay in the endzone and get the ball on the 25 yard line with no penalties. However punt returners are a huge decision. I still think that Jackson should be the guy because he's such a playmaker but very few people agree with me. I say "if you have a cannon you shoot it!"(John Robinson).
      "Hey Giants, who's your Daddy?"

      Comment

      Working...
      X