Photo Credit: NJ.com; Cover photo credit: Philly Influencer
Since the Phillies are so dreadful, we need football more than ever right now. On July 24th Quarterbacks, rookies and selected veterans will head to training camp. The first full-team practice will be on July 27th. It can’t come soon enough, as we will finally have some football in our lives. Personally, I can’t wait for the season to start. I bleed green and any football, even practices, is exciting. It is year 2 of the Doug Pederson era and year 2 of QB Carson Wentz. I’m very optimistic about this season as they have improved on some of the glaring holes that this team had last year. There are still some positions on this team that are up for grabs, and training camp should provide some players the opportunity to fill those holes. With that being said, here are some of the top positions battles that I’m looking forward to monitoring throughout camp, to see who emerges.
CB
The players: Jalen Mills, Rasul Douglas, Patrick Robinson, Ron Brooks, CJ Smith, Aaron Grymes, Dwayne Gratz, Mitchell White, Sidney Jones (Injured)
Cornerback is by far the biggest weak spot on the entire roster. It seems like it has been that way for years now. They will most likely keep five of the above mentioned group. Training camp will decide who starts and who makes the roster. Since it is the worst position group on the team, all positions are up for grabs.
- Jalen Mills is probably a lock to start at one of the outside spots. He struggled last year at times, but for a 7th round pick, it wasn’t bad. He plays with confidence and swag.
- Patrick Robinson is a former first round pick who has battled injuries and has bounced around the league. However, he is the elder statesman of the group and probably has the best chance to win the other outside corner spot.
- Rookie Rasul Douglas was a third round pick out of West Virginia (Go Mountaineers). He led the nation in interceptions last year with 8. He has good size at 6-2 210lb, and having been a third round pick, he is a lock to make the team. Since the competition ahead of him isn’t great, there is a good chance he plays meaningful snaps this year (the Eagles hope this is the case). Those three guys are locks to make the team barring injury.
- Ron Brooks is a veteran who was on the team last year, but missed 10 games after he tore his quad. If he comes back from that, he is a candidate to start in the slot. He probably has a good chance to make the team if he proves he is healthy.
The last spot most likely comes down to CJ Smith and Aaron Grymes. Both were undrafted and played sparingly for the Eagles last year. All indications are they both have had good showings in OTA’s. The remaining guys of the group are as follows:
- Dwayne Gratz is a former third round pick of the Jaguars in 2012. He has an uphill climb to make the team, but again with not much ahead of him and with a strong showing, could make a case to make the team.
- Mitchell White played in the CFL last year and he said the Eagles wanted him more than some other teams. He could be a practice squad candidate.
- Rookie Sidney Jones, who was a second round pick, and probably would have been a top 15 pick, will most likely sit out the whole season after tearing his Achilles. If he was healthy this group would look better.
LG
The players: Isaac Seumalo, Allen Barbre, Chance Warmack, Stefen Wisniewski
Four of the five offensive line spots are locked in. Jason Peters at left tackle, Lane Johnson at right tackle, Brandon Brooks at right guard, and Jason Kelce at center. That leaves one spot up for grabs and that is at left guard. This has the potential to be a very good offensive line, and they are super important since they protect our franchise aka Carson Wentz.
- The favorite to win the starting in my opinion is Isaac Seumalo. He was the Eagles 3rd round pick last year. The Eagles would like to get younger, which also gives him an advantage. He was pressed into game action last year when the line had to get shuffled due to Lane Johnson being suspended, Brandon Brooks missing a few games, and Barbre getting injured as well. The team is high on him and he took most of the reps with the first team in OTA’s.
- Allen Barbre is a veteran who has the ability to play multiple positions along the line. He was the starter at LG last year before getting injured. He is 33 and the Eagles would save approximately $2.1 million if they cut or trade him. If he loses the starting job he is in danger of even making the team. He’s versatile enough because he can play tackle and guard, and that could still save him even if he doesn’t win the starting job.
- Chance Warmack was the 10th overall pick in the 2013 by the Tennessee Titans. That is extremely high for a guard. If you watched his college tape you can see why. He dominated in college for Alabama. However, since coming to the NFL he has really struggled. He has also battled some injuries. The Eagles signed him right away in free agency to add depth and hope they can unleash all that potential he showed in college. The reason they feel like they can is because his offensive line coach in college was Jeff Stoutland. He happens to be the Eagles offensive line coach currently, so the relationship is there. He could be the first guard to come in if an injury were to occur (especially if Barbre gets cut). He can play both guard spots as well. Let’s see if he can realize his potential and make an impact.
- Stefen Wisniewski was a surprise resigning in the offseason. He seemed to talk about how he wanted to start, but wasn’t given that opportunity last year. He played a lot last year due to the injuries and suspensions. He’s a natural center and that’s the position he has played the most in the NFL. Jason Kelce is a trade candidate as he’s getting older and struggles against bigger tackles. If he does, then Wisniewski most likely jumps into the starting center spot. Due to resigning in the offseason, his chance to make the team really isn’t in question. He should be active on game days, but might not play much unless an injury happens or Kelce gets traded.
Left Defensive End
The players: Vinny Curry, Derek Barnett, Chris Long
The right defensive end spot is locked in with Brandon Graham. He had a breakout year last year (about time). All three of these guys will make the team. The battle is really to see who plays the most during the season. Defensive Coordinator Jim Schwartz likes to rotate the line a lot, so all four of the guys will play, and all four can play on either side.
- Vinny Curry signed a 5 year $47.25 million contract last year, but only had 2.5 sacks to show for it. I thought he would play better in the attacking 4-3 front that Schwartz likes to run, but that just wasn’t the case. Because of his contract situation, the Eagles would love for him to play up to that deal. If he does, the strength of the team becomes even stronger. He will definitely play, but how much really depends on him and how well the rookie looks.
- The rookie I spoke about is Derek Barnett. He was the Eagles first round pick in this past draft. I think the fact that he was drafted is really a sign on Curry the most. He broke Reggie White’s career sack record at Tennessee. That’s an impressive feat. He looks the part and definitely should have a productive career. He is a lock to make the team and will definitely play. If he is even half of Reggie White in the pros then the Eagles got a good one.
- Chris Long was signed as depth. The former number 2 overall pick is a veteran who just won the Superbowl this past year with the Patriots. He will probably play the least of the four, since the Eagles have the least invested in him. But, he can provide wisdom and technique to the group.
- I didn’t mention Marcus Smith because he’s a bust who didn’t want to even show up to compete in OTA’s. Good riddance.
4th/5th/6th WR
The players: Nelson Agholor, Mack Hollins, Shelton Gibson, Marcus Johnson, Bryce Treggs, Paul Turner, Greg Ward
The top three wide receivers on this team are locked in: Alshon Jeffery, Torrey Smith and Jordan Matthews. They will be on the field the most as teams run a lot of three wide receiver sets now. The battle is really for the end of the roster.
- Nelson Agholor has not played well since being the Eagles first round pick in 2015. He is entering the make or break year this year. With less pressure on him this year, due to the fact that he will be lower on depth chart, he should be able to (hopefully) focus more on catching the ball. Since it costs more to cut him than to keep him, he will make the team this year. He looked good in OTA’s so maybe he has finally turned the corner. Maybe. Getting anything out of him this year would greatly help him and the team. I am one person who is still holding out hope for him. The tools are there for him to be good. He just needs to focus more and get out of his own head.
- Mack Hollins was the Eagles 4th round pick this year. He has great size (6’4” 221lb) and good speed (4.53 40). He was also a special teams standout for North Carolina. His production in college doesn’t match his size. He will make the team because he’s an excellent special teamer, but we will see how much he plays on offense. He’s an intriguing prospect who many said stood out in OTA’s.
- Here is where things get really interesting. How many receivers do the Eagles keep? I think they keep six. Shelton Gibson is probably the favorite to win the last spot. The rookie 5th round pick out of West Virginia (Go Mountaineers!!) is a speedster (4.39 40). However, he struggled catching the ball in OTA’s and there has been talk of possibly trying to get him on the practice squad or getting “injured” so they can stash him on IR for the year. He has his chance to improve in training camp.
- The sleeper of the group is Marcus Johnson. He was on the Eagles practice squad after going undrafted out of Texas last year, and the team apparently really likes him. If Gibson struggles in training camp, he is possibly the guy that takes his place as the 6th After DGB got released his chances improved and we will see if he can keep his good performance in OTA’s going in training camp.
- Bryce Treggs made the 53 man roster last year after going undrafted. He was with the 49ers last year in training camp, but the Eagles signed him after he was cut by them. They liked his speed. That’s all he really has though. He caught 3 balls for 80 yards. I can’t see how he makes the team. He is a practice squad candidate. His speed could attract other teams as well.
- Paul Turner was everyone’s favorite player last year. He played extremely well in the preseason, and since everyone knew the receivers were bad, they wanted him to make the team. However, he didn’t make it and was sent to the practice squad. He eventually got called up and played sparingly. He caught 9 balls for 126 yards. Since wide receiver has more depth this year, his chances are slim. He is another guy who will probably be a practice squad guy and would need an injury or two to make the roster.
- Greg Ward was the Quarterback for Houston in college. He is trying to transition to receiver in the NFL. He has a very slim chance, but if they like him enough and see some progress they could keep him around on the practice squad.
Those are really the only four positions where there is any intrigue heading into camp. A couple other spots like backup defensive tackle, backup safety, and backup linebacker have some competition. All the other positions are pretty locked in. I cannot wait for some Eagles football. 60 more days until the regular season kicks off against the Washington Redskins. FLY EAGLES FLY!
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