Let’s get to the Philadelphia Eagles links …
Ranking the top five rookie classes of the 2024 NFL season: Commanders, Eagles struck gold – NFL.com
2) PHILADELPHIA EAGLES. […] Last season, Philly’s defense ranked 31st against the pass, 26th overall and 30th in points allowed, and the team fizzled in the Wild Card Round. This season, the Eagles rank first in the NFL in both passing and overall defense and sit third in points allowed. And cornerbacks Quinyon Mitchell (Round 1, No. 22) and Cooper DeJean (Round 2, No. 40) are leading the defensive resurgence with their suffocating cover skills. The duo’s intelligence, athleticism and versatility have enabled coordinator Vic Fangio to throw a blanket over opposing passing games utilizing various zone and man “match” concepts that keep quarterbacks guessing within the pocket. Mitchell is tied for the lead among all rookies in passes defensed (12) this season, while DeJean ranks second in the NFL in total target EPA (minus-28.3) as the nearest defender, per Next Gen Stats (minimum of 200 coverage snaps). Jalyx Hunt (Round 3, No. 94) has appeared on just 22.5 percent of the Eagles’ defensive snaps, but he’s flashed disruptive potential as a rotational player, logging 21 tackles, 1.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and a pair of tackles for loss. Hunt is a starter-in-waiting for a team that hoards pass-rushing specialists in the bullpen, and the addition to the pipeline of the Cornell and Houston Christian product is another example of how GM Howie Roseman “rebuilds” his roster years before it needs to be repaired.
The Eagles owe Saquon Barkley a Super Bowl ring – BGN
He will finish a mere 101 yards shy of breaking Eric Dickerson’s 2,105-yard mark set in 1984. Considering the Giants are playing to lose on Sunday to maintain their lofty draft status, Barkley could have very easily broken the all-time single-season rushing record. But the Eagles wisely do not want to risk their franchise back. It makes sense. It was a head-over-heart decision. Everything about Barkley has been good this season on and off the field. He has been, and always was, a very good locker room presence. When healthy, he has been a stellar running back. He has a team-first mentality and now the very team he plays for owes him something: A Super Bowl ring. If Barkley wanted to press the matter, he could have. Instead, he opted to sit and recharge for a Super Bowl run and sacrifice a career all-time milestone that would have under his Hall of Fame bust in Canton.
In Roob’s Eagles Observations: Jeff Stoutland, the offensive line miracle worker – NBCSP
4. I said this at the end of last year, long before the Eagles acquired Kenny Pickett, that I would have been fine if the Eagles went into the 2024 season with Tanner McKee as the No. 2. I saw enough from him at training camp to know he had the size, accuracy, arm strength, intelligence and poise to handle the job in Year 2. That said, I also understood why the Eagles went out and got Pickett. If you’re a team with legit Super Bowl aspirations, there’s a comfort level you have with an experienced backup who’s won games in the NFL and has played close to 1,500 career snaps over an untested 6th-round pick who’s never played in a regular-season game. Pickett showed Sunday why the Eagles believed in him. He played smart and tough and was productive. But what about next year? After seeing another training camp of McKee and his performance Sunday, I’d be fine trading Pickett this offseason if the opportunity arises. That’s how much I believe in McKee. Pickett is still only 26 and he may have shown enough against the Commanders and Cowboys to earn the eye of teams looking for a veteran quarterback, either as a backup or a guy who can get you through half a season until your hot-shot rookie is ready. Pickett is under contract for one more year, and if you can find a team willing to part with a conditional 5th-round pick that can become a 4th-rounder, I would do it. Quarterbacks are valuable assets, and there are always teams looking for good ones, and Pickett has shown what he’s capable. The Eagles have three capable quarterbacks, and knowing Howie Roseman’s track record, he’s already thinking about turning one of them into draft assets. Obviously, Jalen Hurts isn’t going anywhere and McKee, with his upside and potential and high ceiling, isn’t going anywhere. So I’m shopping Pickett. If nobody is interested? You bring him back. But in my mind, having McKee as a No. 3 is a waste. He can play, and we all finally saw it in his brief cameo on Sunday.
Giants-Eagles 5 questions: Eagles fans would find it ‘pretty funny’ if Giants won, hurt their draft position – Big Blue View
Ed: The Giants beat the Eagles in a meaningless season finale last year. Here we are again in a similarly meaningless game. Do you even care who wins? BLG: Three priorities for this game, in order: 1) No injuries. The Eagles obviously won’t be playing their starters but it’s not like the preseason where literally every key player can rest. There will be some important backups/role players playing, so, don’t want to see them get hurt. 2) Young players play well. Including second-year quarterback Tanner McKee. If the Eagles are looking good because potential long-term contributors or future trade candidates are looking good, so be it. 3) Lose the game. I think it would be pretty funny if the Giants went through such a miserable season only to end up with a first-round pick that falls out of the top five in the 2025 NFL Draft order.
Mailbag: How will the Eagles get to the Super Bowl? How might they have a quick exit from the playoffs? — PhillyVoice
This upcoming offseason, the Eagles will have four free agents likely to made a good amount of money, whether they re-sign with the Eagles or go elsewhere. They are Josh Sweat, Milton Williams, Mekhi Becton, and Baun. Their losses won’t be anywhere near as damaging as they were after the 2022 season. They’ll be in a better position to retain Baun. There’s precedent for the Eagles to re-sign a linebacker to a lucrative deal after they had an unexpectedly good season. That’s what they did with Nigel Bradham after the 2017 season, when they signed him to a five-year deal worth $40 million. I think the Eagles would be comfortable doing a similar deal, but with inflation of the salary cap baked in. So, like $12-$14 million per year? Something in that range. If I had to guess whether Baun stays or goes, I’d would guess that he stays.
NFL Week 18 picks, schedule, odds, injuries, fantasy tips – ESPN
Giants storyline to watch: The Giants are looking to win their second straight season finale against an unmotivated Eagles team. This one could come with more consequences. New York could fall as low as ninth in the draft order with a win, but as coach Brian Daboll said repeatedly throughout the week, that’s not on their mind. “We’re just getting ready to play the Eagles,” he said. That seems to be with rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers & Co. playing their normal roles.
The Best NFL Bets for Week 18: The End of the Road – The Ringer
The Eagles have decided to rest all of their starters on Sunday. This means that Saquon Barkley will not break Eric Dickerson’s record for rushing yards in a single season. On the one hand, the Eagles probably would have needed to give Barkley 20 carries the week before the playoffs for him to chase the record. That’s definitely not a smart move if you care only about championships. However, I agree with the point raised by my colleague Raheem Palmer on X: Sports are also about fun. Breaking records is fun, and it’s a good way to keep the regular season important. Maybe we should all be more like Dan Campbell. As for betting thoughts or analysis on this game, I have little to offer. The Eagles usually have a ton of organizational depth in the trenches, but the offensive receiving options after A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith are below replacement level. We saw Dak Prescott torch the Eagles’ entire backup secondary in a meaningless Week 18 game in 2022. Can Drew Lock follow up his historic showing?
Giants vs. Eagles: ‘Just take little crumbs every day, and eventually you’re going to have a cake’ – PE.com
The Eagles announced that quarterback Jalen Hurts (Concussion/Left Finger) is officially out for Sunday’s regular-season finale against the Giants and that backup quarterback Kenny Pickett (ribs) did not practice all week and is questionable. Tanner McKee worked with the first-team unit, although many starters are resting this week to get ready for the playoffs, and is prepared to make his first NFL start if called upon. “Super excited. I feel very ready, very prepared getting a ton of reps this week which has been awesome just with our guys,” McKee said. “I feel like we have a good game plan. Honestly, I’m really excited to go out and play football. I don’t think anything’s different as far as a preparation standpoint or anything like that.” Rookie wide receiver Johnny Wilson has followed McKee’s career since the two both were standout high school players in California. He’s excited for everyone to witness what he’s seen from McKee in practices all year long. “He’s prepared for moments like this,” Wilson said. “This is nothing new, just go out there and do the same things that he has been doing. Just attacking the process in the same way.”
Jason Kelce makes his late-night debut in Philly, F-bombs and all – Inquirer
As for the show itself, it had a little bit of everything — Jimmy Kimmel meets Saturday Night Live, with some Philly sports talk and NFL Films thrown in. One skit involved Kelce speaking to a 11-year-old version of himself who wasn’t too thrilled to find out he grew up to become a late-night TV host. Another bit involved an audience member munching on a Wawa hoagie while mentioning Gritty’s unmentionables. But the core of the show was a panel discussion featuring three guests, which included NFL Network analyst and former NFL lineman Brian Ballinger and rapper Lil Dicky, whose real name is Dave Burd. But the star of Kelce’s first episode was Hall of Famer Charles Barkley, making his first of many appearances on the network after ESPN struck a deal with Warner Bros. Discovery to air Inside the NBA next season after TNT loses its TV rights.
Rodney McLeod Jr. preparing for final game in the NFL – Cleveland Browns
After 13 seasons in the NFL, S Rodney McLeod Jr. has 60 minutes of playing time left before he calls it a career. McLeod, who is in his second season with the Browns, announced his intentions to retire ahead of the 2024 season. As he prepares to suit up for one final game when the Browns take on the Ravens in Week 18, McLeod is soaking in his last week of practice and game preparation as a professional football player. “I’m just staying present, just living in the moment, to be honest,” McLeod said. “Taking things one day at a time and really just cherishing every single day that I have left. It’s hard for me to look ahead but just looking forward to preparing for one last week with my guys in order to walk away with a victory.”
Washington Commanders vs Dallas Cowboys Friday Injury Report – Hogs Haven
The Washington Commanders held their last full practice of the week before they travel to Texas to play to the Dallas Cowboys in the season finale. Dan Quinn ruled out three players after today’s practice ended. Marshon Lattimore(hamstring), Jordan Magee(hamstring), and Tyler Owens(ankle) will all be missing their second-straight game. Quinn said he liked Lattimore’s speed in practice, and he’s very close, but they aren’t rushing him back until he’s ready.
Report: Trey Lance to see ‘significant’ snaps in Dallas Cowboys season finale – Blogging The Boys
It was almost a full 365 days later when the Cowboys traded for Lance and it took until November 10th of the 2024 season for him to throw a pass in a regular season game for the team in some mop up duty against the Philadelphia Eagles. We have noted this several times over, it was a horrific trade for Dallas having sent a fourth-round pick for Lance’s services. Importantly, Lance is a free agent after this season so the idea that the Cowboys could have been getting a look at him for the future wasn’t exactly a genuine one. Still though, it will be interesting to see how he looks in a game that isn’t in the preseason.
NFL All-Pro ballot picks for every position, including Josh Allen vs. Lamar Jackson for First-Team honors – SB Nation
If I could characterize the 2024 NFL regular season with one word, I think it would be “change”. We saw the rising of new stars and beginning of different eras in the NFL. The Washington Commanders are good now (?), led by a superstar rookie in QB Jayden Daniels. The NFC North is home to two of the best teams in football, one of them led by…Sam Darnold? What year is it? With the regular season ending, it’s time to do All-Pro voting. I currently don’t have a vote (yet) but for SB Nation I’m doing my 2024 NFL All-Pro ballot as if I was. I wanted to try and make sure I got the positions and people I wanted to recognize as well, which is why I put two running backs and a fullback, to recognize players that don’t get put on the ballot. So let’s get into it, with my 2024 NFL All-Pro ballot.
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