Category: NFC East News

Nate Gerry a person of interest as Patriots gameplan for Eagles’ defense

Philadelphia linebacker Nate Gerry will play a huge role in the Eagles matchup with the Patriots

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Any Eagles related conversation focusing on Nate Gerry is certain to bring a variety of opinions centered on his value as a linebacker in Philadelphia’s defense. Gerry for the most part, is either beloved or severely questioned by local fans and media on a weekly basis.

This week, the Eagles face the king of getting the most out of key matchups, when Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots come to town.

With the Patriots practicing and preparing for a tough Eagles front-7, ESPN’s Mike Reiss pointed out New England focusing and preparing specifically for Fletcher Cox, and Gerry.

With Belichick having a highlighted jersey for Gerry at Patriots practice, Belichick is either concerned about the Birds inside linebacker or, he’s sees something he can obviously exploit early and often.

With Sony Michel, James White and Rex Burkhead in the backfield, Josh McDaniel’s and the Patriots could choose to center their offensive game plan around targeting Gerry’s man whenever he’s forced into pass coverage.

Gerry has shown himself to be the Eagles’ most versatile linebacker, playing upwards over four positions during the past five or six weeks. He’s amassed 33 tackles, a sack, two interceptions, and a pick-six over that time span.

Eagles rise in latest USA Today NFL Power Rankings

Eagles No. 11 in latest USA Today NFL Power Rankings

The Philadelphia Eagles are preparing to battle the New England Patriots at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday and the Birds are feeling good after a refreshing bye week. After two straight victories to move their record to 5-4 on the season, Philadelphia jumped up two spots in the latest USA Today NFL Power Rankings.

Backing the Brinks truck up for a guard often a questionable move … but giving Brandon Brooks a $54 million extension could be a bargain.

The Eagles are using a ton of two-tight end sets with Zach Ertz and Dallas Goedert and Wentz will likely rely on their versatility while targeting Miles Sanders in the passing game against Dont’a Hightower.

Should the Eagles attend Colin Kaepernick’s private workout?

The Eagles should not attend Colin Kaepernick’s private workout

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In the famous term made popular by Ricky Watters, “For who? “For what”?

That could definitely be the motto when discussing whether the Eagles should attend Colin Kaepernick’s personal workout on Saturday. The Eagles are known for doing their due diligence whenever a talented player becomes available and with the news that all 32 NFL teams have been invited to Atlanta to watch the former 49ers star perform, the question has to be asked, will the Eagles send front office personnel and scouts?

Kaepernick, who led the 49ers to a Super Bowl appearance in 2012, hasn’t played a game since becoming a free agent in the offseason of 2017.

If you’re interested in theatrics and good drama, then attending the workout would make sense, even with the Eagles preparing to face the defending Super Bowl champions just hours later in a huge home game.

Adding to the theatrics, Kaepernick is also the same guy that called Malcolm Jenkins a “sellout” and a “neo-colonialist.” Jenkins is an Eagles captain and carries a ton of weight in the locker room.

If you thought Carson Wentz had eyes behind his head and developed acne on his face from dealing with Nick Foles as his backup for those two seasons, just imagine the stress Wentz will deal with when he’s asked about Kaepernick?

Or how will he deal with questions about gadget plays involving the athletic Kaepernick, or critics and pundits calling for his job the first time he struggles. Both quarterbacks have flourished in the RPO focused offensive system, and Kaepernick’s athleticism could make for interesting conversation in regards to how he’d look commanding the Eagles offense.

The Eagles have had previous opportunities to sign Kaepernick and are unlikely to sign him this go around either. Also pertinent to the matter, the quarterback position isn’t currently a need and there’s no guarantee that Kaepernick would be an upgrade over Josh McCown as the backup.

Due diligence on free agents players is always a must, but in this case, the Philadelphia Eagles may choose to pass.

Eagles Injury Report: Jordan Howard, Jason Peters limited participants at practice

Jordan Howard, Jason Peters limited at Eagles practice on Wednesday

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The Philadelphia Eagles released their first injury report in advance of Sunday’s matchup with the New England Patriots. Jordan Howard and Jason Peters were listed as limited, while Alshon Jeffery and Nigel Bradham did not practice.

Alshon Jeffery was listed as “day-to-day” coming out of the bye week after he suffered an ankle injury during the fourth quarter of the team’s win over the Chicago Bears.

Jason Peters had arthroscopic knee surgery after leaving the Week 6 loss at the Minnesota Vikings. Rookie Andre Dillard has started in his place over the past three games and performed well, but Peters is expected to regain his starting job upon being cleared.

Linebacker Nigel Bradham (ankle) is expected to be limited during workouts, but there is a chance he could play this week.

Cornerback Cre’Von LeBlanc (foot), remains on injured reserve but has been eligible to return since Week 9.

Doug Pederson says Alshon Jeffery is dealing with an ankle injury

Eagles Alshon Jeffery dealing with an ankle injury

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Doug Pederson met with the media on Wednesday and revealed what many already knew, that Eagles wide receiver Alshon Jeffery is “still sore” and “day-to-day,” after suffering an ankle injury in the team’s win over the Bears in Week 9.

Jeffery has been banged up this season and has 34 catches for 353 receiving yards and three touchdowns in eight games. Jeffery is averaging career lows in yards per target (6.4 yards) and yards per reception (10.4 yards).

The Eagles are already dealing with the loss of DeSean Jackson and would be in dire straights without Jeffery on the outside.

Former Bucs CB Vernon Hargreaves could be a player the Eagles have interest in claiming

Vernon Hargreaves could be a player the Eagles have interest in claiming

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers grew tired of Vernon Hargreaves and his antics, but could the former first-round pick be a player that the Eagles have interest in adding to the roster?

Two days after he was benched for lack of hustle, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers released starting cornerback Vernon Hargreaves on Tuesday morning.

“After thoughtful consideration over the past few weeks, Bruce and I came to the conclusion that we needed to make this change,” Buccaneer’s general manager Jason Licht said in a statement via ESPN.com. “
Hargreaves was the 11th overall pick in the 2016 draft out of the University of Florida.

Even with Cre’Von LeBlanc set to return to the roster, Hargreaves could be a good fit for an Eagles defense looking for a standout cornerback.

Hargreaves started all 16 games for the Buccaneers as a rookie, and had his best season as a pro, logging 76 tackles and two forced turnovers. The past two seasons have seen Hargreaves really struggle with injuries and inconsistency.

He missed half of his second season with a hamstring issue and all but one game last season after injuring his shoulder.

Hargreave would fit well in Jim Schwartz man to man defense, a style he was astute at coming out of college.

His physical play marvels Rasul Douglas’s style and he’s still playing on his rookie deal.

Because he was waived, Hargreaves will be subjected to the waiver process, meaning the other 31 NFL teams around the league will have an opportunity to place a claim before he can become an unrestricted free agent.

Still in his fourth-year, Hargreaves would carry a salary into 2020 of $9.954 million after the Buccaneers exercised his fifth-year option prior to the season.

4 takeaways from the Eagles signing Brandon Brooks to massive contract extension

4 takeaways from the Eagles signing Brandon Brooks to a massive contract extension

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The Philadelphia Eagles rewarded Brandon Brooks for his dominant play, signing the Pro Bowl right guard to a four-year, $54.2 million extension.

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According to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport, the deal makes Brooks the highest-paid guard in the NFL.

With the Eagles set to battle the New England Patriots at home on Sunday, here are four takeaways from the massive deal.

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1. Brooks has been ELITE

The Eagles star is currently ranked number one among guards with a 93.4 overall grade this season and he’s only allowed just one sack in his last 59 games played.

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Eagles’ Brandon Brooks now the highest paid guard in NFL after signing 4-year, $56.2M contract extension

Eagles Brandon Brooks is now the highest-paid guard in NFL after signing 4-year, $54.2M contract extension

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Brandon Brooks has performed like one of the best players in football this season and on Monday, the Philadelphia Eagles rewarded him handsomely for it. The Eagles announced the signing of Brooks to a new four-year contract extension.

Jeff McLane is reporting that the deal is for four years, $56.2 million, with $30 million fully guaranteed.

According to Over The Cap, the $14.25 million average is the highest in the league among guards, ahead of Zach Martin of the Cowboys ($14 million per year). Andrew Norwell of the Jaguars averages $13.3 million.

Brooks reached the Pro Bowl in 2017 and 2018 and is certain to be an All-Pro this season as well.

Tom Brady not over Super Bowl loss, hints at Patriots using their own ‘Special’ play vs. the Eagles

Tom Brady says he’s still not over Super Bowl loss to the Eagles

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Tom Brady is preparing for his first duel with Carson Wentz, yet he still can’t get over the sting of New England’s crushing 41-33 loss to Philadelphia in Super Bowl LII.

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While a guest on WEEI’s “The Greg Hill Show” in Boston on Monday morning, Brady discussed the ‘mental scar tissue’ that remains from that crushing defeat against the Birds.

“You assume I’m over it? Come on now,” Brady said. “That’s a lot of mental scar tissue from that year. That was a tough game.

Brady went on to provide further insight into the lasting hangover he feels from that loss.

“In a lot of ways we learned from that year and we came back stronger the next year. We won the Super Bowl in ’18. I think everything is a matter of perspective and when you play in that game and you play great teams, you’re not going to win them all. This is not the Harlem Globetrotters vs. the Washington Generals. This is all about tough competition against the best teams. They deserved it that year, and now a couple years later we get a chance to play the organization again. We’ve had a lot of changes, they’ve had a lot of changes. It’s totally different circumstances. Huge game for us. Big game for them. The better team is going to win.”

Both teams are coming off bye weeks and the Patriots (8-1), are nearly unbeatable when they’ve had a week to prepare.

While discussing the “Philly Special”, Brady hinted at the Patriots pulling out their own bag of tricks in the rematch.

“Tough play to stop. They executed it well,” Brady told WEEI. “That play will go down in history, just like a lot of those big plays in the Super Bowl have. Good for them.”

NFC playoff picture: Where the Eagles stand after Cowboys loss on Sunday night

NFC Playoff picture and where the Eagles stand after Cowboys loss

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The Philadelphia Eagles have finished up a much-needed bye week as the team sits at 5-4, with the New England Patriots visiting the Linc this week.

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Things seemed cloudy on Sunday with the San Francisco 49ers, New Orleans Saints, Minnesota Vikings, Seattle Seahawks, and Green Bay Packers all playing so well. It was assumed that the NFC East might only get one team into the playoffs with Philadelphia or Dallas representing the division in the postseason.

After Sunday’s wild and crazy action, culminating with the Cowboys’ huge loss at home to the Vikings, the NFC is now wide open.

Here are your current NFC standings:

National Football Conference

San Francisco 49ers 8-0
Green Bay Packers 8-2
New Orleans Saints 8-2
Seattle Seahawks 7-2
Minnesota Vikings 7-3
Dallas Cowboys 5-4
LA Rams 5-4
Philadelphia Eagles 5-4
Carolina Panthers 5-4
Chicago Bears 4-5
Detroit Lions 3-5-1

Even with the Eagles Week 10 bye,  six of the eight teams currently ahead of them in the playoff picture all did battle with one another on Sunday, with the Panthers losing to the Packers, the Cowboys losing to the Vikings at home, and the 49ers hosting the Seahawks on Monday Night Football.

The Eagles will host the Patriots this week and Seahawks and the Seahawks next Sunday, before playing four of their remaining five games against teams that are a combined 4-22. After the two home matchups, the Eagles will travel to Miami to face the Dolphins, then they’ll host the Giants, travel to Washington, host Dallas and then finish the regular season on the road at MetLife Stadium against the Giants.

After the crushing loss to the Vikings, Dallas will face the Lions, Patriots, Bills, Eagles, and Rams over the next five weeks in a scenario that will make the Week 16 showdown in Philadelphia for the NFC East title.