Predicting Eagles Roster

There has to be 22 cuts by Saturday. These are our projections. The backups have to be effective on special teams.

Offense

3 Quarterbacks: Nick Foles, Mark Sanchez, Matt Barkley

No Surprises here. Hopefully we will not see Barkley during the regular season. It would be moronic to trade Sanchez should for anything but a pair of second round picks. Every team should have two capable starters in case the starting QB goes down. We should have more to say on Sanchez in a blog up next week. It is doubtful Nick Foles will have only 2 interceptions by the end of this year.

4 Running backs: Lesean McCoy, Darren Sproles, Matthew tucker, Henrey Josey

            Chris Polk did not practice much at all due to injuries.

Offensive Lines: LT Jason Peters, LG Evan Mathis, C Jason Kelce, RG Todd Herremans, RT Lane Johnson,

           

3 Tight Ends: Brent Celek, Zach Ertz, James Casey

            Maybe next year the Eagles roster will have 4 TEs. It is bound to happen under Chip Kelly.

           

5 Wide Receivers: Jeremy Maclin, Riley Cooper, Jordan Matthews, Josh Huff, Brad Smith

           

Defense

Defensive Ends: Fletcher Cox, Brandon Bair, Vinny Curry, Brandon Graham,

           

Defensive Tackles: Cedric Thorton, Bennie Logan, Beu Allen, Damion Square

           

Outside Linebackers: Trent Cole, Connor Barwin, Marcus Smith

           

Inside Linebackers: Demecco Ryans, Mychal Kendricks,

           

5 Cornerbacks: Cary Williams, Bradley Fletcher, Brandon Boykin, Nolan Carroll, Jaylen Watkins

           

Safeties: Malcom Jenkins, Nate Allen, Earl Wolffe, Chris Maragos

           

3 Special Teams: Kicker Cody Parkey, Punter Donnie Jones, LS Jon Dorenbos,

            Parkey hit a 54 and 53 yard field goal and boomed a kickoff that almost went through the end zone during the last preseason game. He led the College football with touchbacks When Henry missed a 31 yard field goal, he knew his time was done. He was embarrassed. 31 yards was the experimental extra point that the NFL was testing out during one game of the preseason. If Parkey begins to play poorly (like Henry), the Eagles should hold open tryouts or just sign random kickers until someone sticks. This rule should be implemented because the NFL has an abundant of offense. Donnie Jones has a good chance to be an all pro.

                       

10 Practice Squad:, G.J. Kinne, Will Murphy, Kenjon Barner, Trey Burton, Ifeanyi Momah, Ed Reynolds, Taylor Hart

            They recently raised the practice squad to 10 and adjusted the rules. Obviously these players are the odd men out. They could be picked up by other teams before getting signed to the Eagles PS. At least they will make around $310,000. G.J. Kinne should is a versatile QB. He is a utility player for the practice squad. Trey Burton looks like a fun project that could develop into a role player next year. Taylor Hart

           

Miscellaneous Thoughts Going Into the Regular Season

Hoping for a 5^th round pick in his 2^nd year to become the starter and beat out a veteran in Nate Allen. It has been five years since Brian Dawkins has left the eagles and five years of not having a solid starting safety duo.

As training camp was starting, there was talk that Evan Mathis wanted more money. But he is  a nice guy so because of that let’s start a bake sale for him. It would have been stupid for him to hold out.

Jordan Matthews is the second round pick and expected 3rd receiver on the depth chart. He might end up being the first WR on the depth chart towards the end of the season. Jordan would be hurdling over Maclin and Cooper.

A 30 year old, Darren Sproles, is supposed to fill the void of DeSean Jackson. Jackson left without anybody in the Eagles organization caring.

Should we be in love with Roy Halladay?

Philadelphia is one of the greatest sports town. We respect you when you give your all in every game. This type of play became associated with former Phillies All-Star and CY Young winner Roy Halladay. Halladay was an unbelievable talent during his career, one of the best to pitch in the last decade but, as Phillies fans do we give him too much credit? Yes, I know Halladay’s career with the Phillies was cut short because of injury, and he was really never able to regain that CY Young form. But, was he really all he was cracked up to be? Now fans want to have him in consideration for the Phillies Wall of Fame.

Roy Halladay obviously had his best years with the Toronto Blue Jays, where he pitched twelve years of his career. While playing for the Blue Jays Halladay won the CY Young award as well as being a six time All-Star. When the Phillies brought Roy to Philadelphia it was expected that he would bring that Blue Jays dominance along, as well as a World Series chance. Halladay pitched amazing for his two of his four years in Philadelphia, winning the CY Young award and being a two time All-Star. Halladay brought excitement to the city with a Perfect Game against the Marlins, and a No- Hitter in the playoffs against the Reds. However, he wasn’t able to help get the team over the hump. Halladay pitched for one of the best Phillies teams record wise, and wasn’t able to win a World Series. This factor will always stick with him and the Phillies, even though he was the key component of the “Four Aces” he wasn’t able to bring Philadelphia another championship, and this factor hurts his legacy in this city. Halladay in the perspective of many Phillies fans is seen as a Saint, a guy that did no wrong in this city. However, I think Halladay shouldn’t be viewed in this way, though he was a great player during his career, he gets too much respect being a Phillie.

In my opinion Phillies fans have overrated the career and work Roy Halladay provided fans in this city. In all honesty, Roy Halladay never lived up to his potential in Philadelphia nor did he ever live up to the contract that he was given. Yes, again I understand his career was cut short in this city and that he pitched through injury. But, that being said he did not pitch up to the contract he was given. I love Halladay as a pitcher and a competitor; I just think he gets too much credit being a Philadelphia Phillie. As Phillies fans we need to take a step back, this guy was no Steve Carlton, no Robin Roberts, and no Jim Bunning; Roy Halladay will never be seen as a Phillie, he will always be a Blue Jay. We as fans cannot claim Halladay as our own.

-Brett

Are you drinking too much Chip Kelly Kool-Aid?

Philadelphia Eagles fans are too proud of head coach, Chip Kelly. They believe that he will make their dream of winning a Super Bowl come true. There is too much hype surrounding Chip Kelly. Eagles fans are not sipping, but chugging the new Chip Kelly flavored Kool-Aid. The Kelly mania has some believing that the Kool-Aid may be spiked. In that case, fans are getting drunk on their own craze. Somewhere in Philadelphia there are kegs of the Chip Kelly Kool-Aid.

It was a special day when the Eagles hired Chip Kelly to be their new head coach on January 16, 2013. Since that day fans have been fixated on Kelly because they knew he would bring new and exciting football to the Eagles. Kelly took over a dreadful squad that went 4-12 in 2012. With basically the same roster he turned the team into a 10-6 NFC East Division Champions. Chip Kelly accomplished this because he is able to adapt. Former Oregon players that are now Eagles can attest to that as the playbook is different than what they knew at Oregon. The Eagles head coach will add a new wrinkle to his offense whenever he believes it will fit and work. He meshed together players that he did not draft with his high octane offense to make one of the best offenses in NFL history and the best in Eagles history. Players were able to have career years because Chip adjusted his scheme to fit the players that were given to him. As Kelly acquires players that are picked by him, we can expect the offense to look entirely different each year.

The greatest NFL minds are searching for a blue print to stop Chip. Defenses have spent the entire offseason scheming to stop Chip’s offense. There is not a soul that can anticipate what play he will concoct next. Chip Kelly is innovating today’s NFL. The only thing that NFL experts and analysts can figure out is that the Eagles are trying to score more points than the other team.

Chip Kelly uses a fast paced no-huddle offense to give the defense less time to think and score quickly. The speed of the no-huddle offense is Chip’s greatest strength and biggest weakness. There is roughly five seconds from the end of one play to the ball being snapped of the next. This creates momentum, which the offense needs to be successful. Without momentum the no-huddle is pointless. The offense is unable to gain momentum without utilizes high completion percentages throws. High percentage throws help keep possession of the ball as the offense moves rapidly downfield. When the ball is under control, the clock is not. If the offense rushes downfield for a touchdown, the defense will be on the field for a large portion of the game. The opposing team has control ball and the clock at that point. Philadelphia’s defense ends up getting winded. They are more vulnerable to a late touchdown in the fourth quarter. That would be a crushing defeat for this young team. If the Eagles are beating up a team, they need to keep on crushing them. Chip should never let his foot off the pedal. The pressure should always be on the opposing team. It is when the pressure is let go that an opponent has a chance to get back in the game.

Last offseason Chip Kelly was the best man for the Eagles’ head coaching job, and he still is. Kelly is a guy that Philadelphia should get behind and support. But, do not put him above the team. He is not the answer to all of Philadelphia’s prayers. Since Chip Kelly has complete control of the Eagles, he is the face of the team. Not any of his players. The sports world is raving about him. Fans come to games to see Chip. If Kelly does win a Super Bowl, he will be the most popular and recognizable figure in Philadelphia.

-Glen

What it means to Live and Breathe Philly Sports

McNabb you suck! Iverson get off the court! You’re a bum Burrell! Lindros you’re a loser! These are phrases every Philadelphia sports fan knows all too well. When you’re ours your ours forever. Anybody else you are the enemy. Our love for our athletes is unbelievable. A Philadelphia athlete has to be a specific type of athlete to play in this city and be successful. But once you do something great here, your name will live on forever. Players that play here can lift up the entire city. They can bring together white collar and blue collar workers. You have to be a unique player to play here, and you have to have the ability to let nothing bother you and play your heart out. Shawn Bradley once said about Philadelphia fans, “The problem with Philadelphia fans is that they want you to play every game like it’s your last one.” So, truly what does it mean to be a Philadelphia sports fan

The City of Brotherly love we don’t show too much love for our players, but when we do, they won’t only know it but the whole world will know it. Here we love our teams, our players, and our sports. In this city we wear our hearts on our sleeves. We yell and scream at the players who have done so much for us. Whether it is Donovan McNabb or Allen Iverson, our way of showing love is cursing, screaming, and freaking out at our players. That is because we do not want the best for them but for our city, that is because these players are our family and our lives. No matter what life has thrown at the City of Philadelphia, we have always had sports; the Eagles, Flyers, Sixers, and Phillies to rest our hopes and dreams on. We might not have the most Championships, we might take the back seat to LA and New York with sports success, but no one can say they try harder every season for their teams then the Philadelphia fans do. Philadelphia fans have had bad seasons and rough patches, but we still have hope. We are able to have hope because of our miracles such as 4^th and 26, the step-over, or a World Series. We are passionate fans. We love our teams and players. We will believe in you until you prove us to be wrong.  As Billy Wagner said about Philly fans, “Those people, it doesn’t matter how successful you are. I don’t get it. They boo you. They scream at you.”

Philadelphia is a town of hard working individuals, and we expect the same out of our athletes. We want the best for not only them but us as well. We expect you to go out every game and play like it was your last game, if you do that, and with stand our hate you will live on forever in this town. Players like Iverson who played his heart out and gave his all to the city of Philadelphia; to take a team of rag tag guys to a championship and to play with so much heart. A guy like Pat Burrell who tried his hardest, dealt with the hate of Philly fans because he didn’t live up to his potential, but brought us a championship. These are guys that will be remembered in this city and guys we love, because they played their hearts out. Guys with the true Philly attitude, the never quit give 110% are the guys we love. I asked what does it mean to be a Philly sports fan? To live in the City of Brotherly Love? It means to love your team so much that you are willing to hate on them, it means to support your guys to the death, and finally it means to give your all to your city and players, and hopefully they will give it back to you. It takes a special type of player to play here, because we are no ordinary fans, we are Philly fans. 

-Brett

Ronald Roberts could be Living a Dream!

Well SJU Hawk fans we told you it was going to happen, and now it looks like it is! Another Saint Joseph’s University Hawk will be playing NBA basketball. Ronald Roberts Jr. is heading to Sixers camp this fall with a 3 year contract, reports staff reporter Tom Moore of the Bucks County Courier Times. We are very excited to hear that the first year of his contract may be guaranteed, which in simple terms means he is going to have an opportunity to play in the NBA. So SJU Hawk fans go out and buy your Ronald Roberts Jr. jersey’s because he is staying in Philadelphia. 

Ron is amazingly athletic, which is why he was a piece that both the Sixers and the Miami Heat went after, inviting him to summer league. During summer league Ron truly showed his college dominance that many of us Hawk fans got to see first sight. Roberts who just turned 23 August 5, averaged 10ppg, 7 rebounds, and 1 block during summer league. Though these games were against D-Leaguers and potential NBA rookies; it truly showed the potential dominance of Ron. Roberts has been showing this ability over the last four years with the SJU Hawks, scoring 14.4ppg, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks; during his senior season with the Hawks. Roberts also showed a quality that many athletes do not have during his senior season and that was leadership. Roberts, with the help of other seniors Langston Galloway and Halil Kanacevic; was able to not only get his team to the NCAA March Madness Tournament for the first time since 2008, but also win the A-10 Championship. After SJU lost to UConn in the tournament, Roberts worked on the weakest parts of his game and became NBA ready. 

Ronald Roberts has had his ups and downs as a college player. But, an opportunity like this could not have happened to a nicer person or player. Those who didn’t get to interact with Ron wouldn’t know but everyone who has come in contact with this kid has said he’s kind and soft spoken. Ron took time out of his day after the loss to Creighton this season to talk to us, two SJU radio hosts, to tell us about their performance. This kid deserves everything that comes to him in the NBA, hard work truly pays off. Ron truly played like a star that had a chip on his shoulder during summer league. For a guy coming in as a undrafted free agent to a team that realistically speaking was expecting much, surprised us all. As SJU fans and supporters we aren’t too surprised to see the performances that he gave to the Sixers fans during summer league, but now at least he is getting the recognition he deserves. We as Hawks are proud to see another SJU Hawk getting an opportunity to play in the NBA, and this time with the home town Sixers. Hopefully, we will get an opportunity to see Ron play against Jameer come the fall. Hawks buy your Ronald Roberts Jr. jerseys now! THWND

 

Zach Ertz will be Pro Bowler in 2014

Since last season Zach Ertz has improved every aspect of his game. The sky is the limit for him. He has had the most buzz out of anybody during training camp. In his second year his role and production will grow. He has a unique combination of skill and size to go along with his athleticism and versatility. Zach Ertz has an awesome name. It starts with a Z and ends with a Z. His name allows us to have fun word play such as: Ertz up your skirtz or Zach so good your tight end Ertz. His great name matches his great play. He was a former All-American for Stanford before being drafted early in the second round by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2013. During his first year, Ertz was able to make an impact to the team. He played 16 games in his rookie season and finished with 36 catches for 469 yards and 4 touchdowns. In his second year he will be even better making him a pro-bowler.

Versatility is a trait that Chip Kelly treasures. Not only can Zach Ertz play tight end, but he can also go out wide or in the slot as a receiver. Being able to be moved around the field like a chess piece exemplifies how extraordinarily athletic he is. He is able to create mismatches in the passing game. In today’s NFL the most effective mismatch that favors the offense is an athletic tight end being covered by a linebacker. The tight ends accounted for a little less than a third of the Eagles 32 passing touchdowns in 2013 season. Next year expect Zach Ertz to lead the team in receiving touchdowns. Kelly wants to use their size to battle for the ball in the air and in traffic. As a rookie Ertz showed that he does not only have size. He had an impressive average of 13 yards per catch and 8 receptions of 20 or more yards. These numbers show that he can also run good routes and knows how to get open. Kelly was infatuated with him before scouting him for the 2013 draft. It was during the Oregon and Stanford games that Kelly realized how phenomenal Ertz could be. It is hard not to fall in love with Zach Ertz like Chip Kelly has. Zach better perform or else Eagles fans will know how love Ertz.

Kelly requires his tight ends to block at the line and downfield. At the start of season, Ertz was not a functional blocker. Throughout last season and the offseason he has had time to improve. Now a year with the Eagles strength program, he will be better suited to take on blockers and endure the rigors of the NFL season. Last year, number 86 for the Eagles would come off the field when the Eagles needed to run the ball. Now that Zach Ertz’s blocking is improved he will be able to stay on the field. Last year Brent Celek blocked for double the amount of snaps than Ertz.

Ertz’s improved blocking allows Chip Kelly to not have to worry about the personnel that is on the field. The Eagles can run a two tight end formation more effectively now with both Brent Celek and Zach Ertz. A two tight end formation should become the staple of the Eagles offense instead of some variation of a three wide receiver formation. It was something that Kelly used more towards the latter half of the season. This is a direct result of Zach Ertz progressing throughout last season. A 2-TE formation is effective with the no-huddle because the defense is not able to guess if the play will be a run or a pass based on the formation.

Zach Ertz and Brent Celek both have two unique styles of playing the tight end position. It would be redundant for the Eagles to have more than one tight end of the same skill-set on the roster. Celek is a grinder. He fights for every yard and through tackles. Celek is a superior blocker. He is pivotal to the Eagles rushing attack. Ertz may never be as skilled of a blocker as Celek. Because Brent Celek is in the prime of his career there is no need to push or rush Ertz’s development. However, as Zach Ertz emerges Celek’s playing time will decrease. Celek has about three more solid years left. His playing of play is extremely rigorous and wearing on the body. By the end of the season Zach Ertz will take over as the premier tight end of the Eagles.

Ertz is another offensive weapon of the Eagles whose numbers will not match his ability because the Eagles have an abundant of weapons. He creates mismatches. He is a vertical weapon. He is a red zone target. He has the ability to become the best tight end in Eagles history. And rank up there with modern tight ends such as Jason Witten and Julius Thomas. It would be a stretch to compare his future production to Jimmy Graham and Rob Gronkowski.

A player that will not have the ball in his hands as much because of the emergence of Zach Ertz is Riley Cooper. We talk about his situation here. If every player performs up to their ability, Cooper should have lower statistics than he did last year. Nick Foles will get the ball thrown to him when they need to utilize his size. Times for that would be in the end zone or on third down.

Quick comparison of Zach Ertz to his fellow Rookies:

Player	Team	Round	Catches	Yards	AVG	TDs
Tyler Eifert	Bengals	1	39	445	11.4	2
Zach Ertz	Eagles	2	36	469	13	4
Gavin Escobar	Cowboys	2	9	134	14.9	2
Vance McDonald	49ers	2	8	119	14.9	0
Jordan Reed	Redskins	3	45	499	11.1	3
Travis Kelce	Chiefs	3	0	0	0	0
Dion Sims	Lions	4	6	32	5.3	1
Levine Toilolo	Falcons	4	11	55	5	2
Luke Wilson	Seahawks	5	0	0	0	0
Nick Kasa	Raiders	6	1	9	9	1
Mychal Rivera	Raiders	6	38	407	10.7	4
Ryan Griffin	Texans	6	19	244	12.8	1

Zach Ertz is right at the top of a very competitive tight end draft class. If Ertz ever wonders how he is progressing all he has to do is look over to his division rival, the Redskins. Jordan Reed has seen most of his playing time because of the decline of Fred Davis.

notice Cooper watching in the background