Category: Eagles Minicamp

3 takeaways from the Eagles hiring Marty Mornhinweg as an offensive consultant to Doug Pederson

3 takeaways from the Eagles hiring Marty Mornhinweg as an offensive consultant to Doug Pederson

The Philadelphia Eagles love doing things by a committee approach and that’ll definitely be the status quo when it comes to coaching up Carson Wentz.

On Thursday, the Eagles announced another offensive mind has been added to the coaching staff, naming former offensive coordinator, Marty Mornhinweg as a consultant to head coach Doug Pederson.

Mornhinweg brings decades of experience as a play-caller and offensive innovator and will add another dimension to the coaching-bubble being placed around Carson Wentz.

With a co-offensive coordinator approach in place, here are four takeaways to Mornhinweg’s hire:

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1. The offensive-minded cocoon around Wentz will work wonders

The Eagles don’t have an official offensive coordinator, but they now have a room full of solid and innovative minds that should help take Carson Wentz’s game to the next level.

The Eagles also hired former Broncos offensive coordinator Rich Scangarello and added pass game coordinator to quarterbacks coach Press Taylor’s title, making this offseason about taking Carson Wentz to the next level as a passer.

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6 takeaways from the WR Workouts at the 2020 NFL Combine

6 takeaways from the WR Workouts at the 2020 NFL Combine

The NFL Combine offered the Philadelphia Eagles and head coach Doug Pederson and up-close view of some dazzling wide receivers putting their skills on display.

Alabama’s Henry Ruggs made himself millions, clocking a 4.27 40-yard dash at Lucas Oil Stadium. Ruggs didn’t break John Ross’s record of 4.22, but he definitely ensured he won’t be available for the Eagles at pick No. 21.

With several guys helping and hurting themselves, here are five takeaways from the wide receiver portion of the NFL Combine.

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1. Eagles will need to trade up to land Jerry Jeudy, CeeDee Lamb or Henry Ruggs III.

Ruggs III blazed a blistering 4.28 40-yard dash on his first attempt at Lucas Oil Field, further cementing his status as a legit top-10 talent.

Ruggs time was officially changed to 4.27.

 

Jeudy is a polished route-runner and pass-catcher with a game that’s ideally suited for the No. 1 receiver spot in the NFL.

 

Lamb is an athletic playmaker with outstanding ball skills who is set to become a monster in the NFL.   Lamb combines his exceptional pass-catching skills with big-play skills and the ability to turn a short play into a score.

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2020 NFL Combine: 5 RB’s for the Eagles to watch

2020 NFL Combine: 5 RB’s for the Philadelphia Eagles to watch

The 2020 NFL Combine kicked off on Monday, but the most important part of the week, the workouts, begins on Thursday in primetime.

Eagles executive vice president/general manager Howie Roseman and his staff are projected to have 10 picks to work with during the NFL Draft and with the goal being to retool and get younger, the Birds are set to infuse youth and talent.

The Eagles have Miles Sanders and Boston Scott but can always add more talent. With running back always being a need, here are five to watch at the combine.

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1. Rico Dowdle — South Carolina

A Duce Staley clone and a guy the Eagles assistant head coach is familiar with, Dowdle could be a back of interest for the Eagles in later rounds.

The 5-foot-11, 213-pound running back with Staley’s son Damani, and has a physical style that the Eagles could need if Jordan Howard exits in free agency.

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4 takeaways from Howie Roseman’s NFL Combine press conference

4 takeaways from Howie Roseman’s NFL Combine press conference

Howie Roseman addressed reporters at the 2020 NFL Combine on Tuesday afternoon and the Eagles’ executive vice president/general manager made it clear that changes are coming and the Birds are moving forward as an organization.

Roseman and head coach Doug Pederson met with reporters for the first time since early January when the Eagles were eliminated from the playoffs.

Here are four takeaways from Roseman’s comments.

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1. Eagles reloading rather than rebuilding

Roseman hinted at the Eagles continuing to maintain a competitive balance in the short-term while keeping a championship window open wit the focus being on 2020 through 2022. With around $44.6 million in cap space, the Eagles are expected to be very active in free agency and the draft process.

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Vinny Curry named the Eagles most improved player by PFF

Vinny Curry named the Eagles most improved player by PFF

Vinny Curry returned to Philadelphia during the 2019 NFL offseason after a disappointing stint in Tampa Bay with the Buccaneers.

Curry turned a Super Bowl appearance with the Eagles into a big-time three-year, $27 million free-agent deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Curry was eventually cut and released by the Bucs, allowing him to return to the Eagles on a one-year deal. After having a solid 2019 season, Curry isn’t prepared to chase the big bucks in free agency, stating that he’d like to return to the Eagles next season.

Curry’s consistent play last season didn’t go un-noticed, and Pro Football Focus recently named him the Eagles most improved player last season.

Curry registered four of his five sacks on the season after Week 12 and he could provide the Eagles with a talented presence on the defensive line capable of playing end or defensive tackle.

Curry ranked tied for fifth in pressure rate (16.8%) with one of the NFL’s premier edge rushers, Steelers star T.J. Watt.

That stat was out of 99 NFL defensive ends/edge-rushers who rushed the passer 200+ times or more.

Curry is hoping to turn his solid season into a new contract in Philadelphia.

8 LB’s the Eagles can target to replace Nigel Bradham

Here are eight linebackers that the Eagles could target to replace Nigel Bradham

The Philadelphia Eagles had a looming decision to make on Nigel Bradham and according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com, Bradham will enter free agency after not having his team option picked up.

With the Eagles set for changes on both sides of the ball, here are 8 linebackers via the draft or free agency that the Eagles could target or pursue.

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1. Isaiah Simmons — Clemson

Howie Roseman could decide to look around on the draft day, breathe in all the success that Minkah Fitzpatrick and Tyrann Mathieu have had and finally decides to trade up for a gamechanger on defense who can disrupt an offense’s flow from any position.

The Eagles don’t normally put a ton of value into the linebacker position, but Simmons isn’t your typical linebacker. A versatile hybrid, Simmons can play linebacker or safety, Philadelphia to be one of the most versatile teams in the league.

In this new era of spread offenses and mobile quarterbacks, having a guy like Simmons who can go from elite pass rusher to locking down the middle on a pass play makes him extremely valuable for any style of defense.

Simmons has lined up at linebacker, cornerback and edge rusher, thus still allowing T.J. Edwards and Nate Gerry to get snaps.

It would take the Eagles trading far up in the draft, but it’s a move Roseman should consider.

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3 things to know about new Eagles offensive coach Rich Scangarello

3 things to know about new Eagles offensive coach Rich Scangarello

The Philadelphia Eagles are making moves on this Wednesday afternoon, promoting Press Taylor to the passing game coordinator while adding to new offensive assistants to the staff who bring years of innovative experience.

The Eagles have reportedly hired former Broncos offensive coordinator Rich Scangarello and Andrew Breiner as well.

Here are three things to know about Scangarello and his deep offensive background:

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1. Scangarello has a background with Kyle Shanahan, which should excite some Eagles fans looking for further offensive innovation. Scangarello excels in the run game with pre-snap motion and misdirection that Shanahan’s 49ers team performs so well.

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Former Broncos OC Rich Scangarello to join Eagles staff as Press Taylor is named passing game coordinator

Eagles add Rich Scangarello to the offensive coaching staff

The Philadelphia Eagles just promoted Press Taylor to the role of passing game coordinator and according to Tim McManus and Tom Pelissero, the Birds are set to add multiple offensive coaches to the staff.

Former Broncos offensive coordinator Rich Scangarello and former Mississippi State pass game coordinator/quarterbacks coach Andrew Breiner are also set to join the Eagles staff.

Scangarello was the Broncos player caller in 2019 and was the quarterback’s coach for the 49ers for the two previous seasons. Breiner was the head coach at Fordham for two seasons before moving to Mississippi State.

2020 NFL Free Agency: 7 wide receivers for the Eagles to consider

Breshad Perriman among 7 WR’s the Eagles could target in free agency

During his end of the season press conference, Howie Roseman classified certain aspects of this season as “disappointing”, while making it clear that there would be multiple changes and the Birds would get drastically younger.

One source of concern for Eagles brass is the athleticism and age of the Birds wide receiving corps.

The Eagles could choose to move on from multiple players and have a glaring need to add youth via the NFL Draft.

With free agency set to begin on March 18, here are seven free-agent receiver targets for the Birds:

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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Amari Cooper (19) pulls in a 28-yard pass for a touchdown in front of Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Sidney Jones (22) during the second half of an NFL football game, in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)

1. Amari Cooper

Cooper is one of the biggest pending free agents in the NFL this offseason and a guy that will likely be off the Eagles radar because of his salary demands. Cooper (6-1, 210) is one of the best receivers in the league and would definitely give Carson Wentz the reliable every-down weapon he needs. With his average salary expected to be in the $20 million per season, Cooper can only be a dream for the Eagles at the moment.

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Greg Ward cited as the Eagles ‘breakout player’ for 2020

Greg Ward cited as the Eagles ‘breakout player’ for 2020

Greg Ward waited three long years for the opportunity to become an integral part of the Eagles offense and now the former Houston Cougars quarterback will enter the 2020 offseason with expectations.

Ward made Nelson Agholor obsolete, finishing the regular season with 28 receptions for 254 yards and a touchdown.

Even more impressive for the practice squad call-up, Ward didn’t record his first catch until Week 12. Now finally having secured a roster spot, Bleacher Report has named Ward the Eagles candidate for a breakout year in 2020.

When the Philadelphia Eagles needed help in their wide receiver corps down the stretch, Greg Ward delivered. The 2017 undrafted free agent recorded his first NFL catch in Week 12 and finished the regular season with 28 receptions for 254 yards and a touchdown.

Ward is under contract for 2020, so he’ll have a great chance of breaking out as one of Carson Wentz’s favorite targets.

If you prorate Ward’s final six games over a full campaign, he’d have a 75-catch, 677-yard, three-touchdown season. However, Ward’s numbers could be much better than that.

Ward has a bargain contract that makes it almost certain that he returns to the Eagles roster in 2020 and not specifically as a practice squad player. Ward is only getting better and with a healthy DeSean Jackson, a draft pick or two and a more defined role, he’ll be called upon to do damage from the slot next season.