Tag: Avonte Maddox

Eagles likely to play more man-to-man coverage in the secondary thanks to key additions

Eagles to play more pressure man-to-man defense with CB’s in 2020

A once vulnerable unit for the Philadelphia Eagles could become the strength of the team by seasons end if everything works out for Jim Schwartz.

A secondary that was reduced to playing a ton of zone coverage over the past two seasons will now give Jim Schwartz the option to unleash 60-minutes of hell on opposing offenses that face the Philadelphia Eagles this season.

Schwartz has Darius Slay at cornerback, Nickell Robey-Coleman and Cre’Von LeBlanc in the slot, with several different options to man the cornerback spot opposite Slay. A unit that was much-maligned last season could be deeper and more versatile after moving Avonte Maddox to the outside and Jalen Mills from cornerback to safety.

The pandemic will make the transition challenging, but as The Inquirer reported, the Eagles could return to the times of Troy Vincent, Bobby Taylor, and Brian Dawkins.

“That’s definitely an easier transition,” Robey-Coleman said Monday during a video news conference. “That’s up my alley. I love man-to-man. I love getting in people’s faces, putting hands on [them].

“That’s definitely going to be one of the [hallmarks] of this defense, is getting in people’s face and actually covering them and letting the D-line do what they do best, and that’s getting after the quarterback.”

If the Eagles can pair a consistent and volatile pass rush with Slay’s ability to flourish in man-to-man coverage, Philadelphia could end up being the most balanced team on both sides of the ball in the entire NFC.

[vertical-gallery id=639089]

[lawrence-related id=639132,639118,639057,639110,639092]

Watch: Darius Slay vibes to rapper ‘Rod Wave’ with new Eagles teammates

Darius Slay vibes with new Eagles teammates

[jwplayer cN6EfAsk]

Darius Slay brought a whole new vibe to the Eagles locker room and a once vulnerable secondary is now walking and talking with supreme confidence.

One of the NFL’s top cover cornerbacks, Slay has openly talked about his love for his new Eagles teammates and the culture that permeates from the locker room.

During a recent team meeting, Sidney Jones captured Slay dancing to Florida rapper, Rod Wave, and posted it to his Instagram story.

Slay has been upfront about his love for the Eagles culture while hoping to bring a swagger and excellence to the secondary that’s been missing for some time.

[vertical-gallery id=639089]

[lawrence-related id=639132,639118,639057,639110]

Philadelphia Eagles’ biggest 2020 training camp position battles

Philadelphia Eagles training camp battles and predictions

[jwplayer WwHqH2Su]

The Philadelphia Eagles enter the 2020 NFL season locked and loaded with the bulk of their 53 man roster set.

Entrenched in such a talented roster are several high profile training camp battles at integral positions, with the ramifications trickling down the lineup.

With the acclimation period ramping up and the Eagles just days away from putting on the pads, we breakdown the top position battles:

***

Avonte Maddox

1. Cornerback opposite Darius Slay

Depending on whom you ask, the job is either Avonte Maddox’s to lose or Sidney Jones’s position for the taking. Slay is entrenched as the Eagles franchise cornerback. The player opposite of him has yet to be determined, but it’ll likely come down to Maddox, Jones, or Rasul Douglas.

Nickell Robey-Coleman and Cre’Von LeBlanc will hold down the slot, and the Eagles could choose to utilize a rotation similar to last season.

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5, Page 6, Page 7, Page 8

Rodney McLeod believes Eagles’ secondary is working to regain lost respect

Rodney McLeod says Eagles’ secondary lost some respect around the NFL

[jwplayer WwHqH2Su]

The Philadelphia Eagles roster retool trickled down into their embattled secondary where they allowed Ronald Darby and Malcolm Jenkins to walk in free agency, replacing the duo with Darius Slay, Will Parks, Nickell Robey-Coleman, K’Von Wallace and Jalen Mills’s move to safety.

Marquand Manuel is the newest addition coaching wise and the Eagles are hoping he brings some of the experience that helped the Seahawks once young secondary develop into the Legion of Boom.

“I think people respect him because one, he has played the game, his passion, and the way he coaches his group,” McLeod said. “The expectations that he has for us are very high. He has coached a lot of good secondaries, and we want to be another group to be respected in this league and treated as such. He is going to fit perfectly, and we are going to be good.”

He harped on that lack of respect that the Eagles back-seven faces on a weekly basis.

“As a defense, I think we lost a little bit of respect,” said McLeod. “It was gained as the (last) season went on, I believe. We caught our stride, guys (got) confident in one another. We were getting to the spots that we needed and you saw things coming together. But as a secondary, I felt that we were a little disrespected at times.”

McLeod is the one veteran holdover from the purge whose play has been consistent and as he assumes a new leadership role, he’s looking for the Eagles secondary to redeem itself after some embarrassing play over the past two seasons.

[vertical-gallery id=638359]

[lawrence-related id=638974,638967,638960,638953,638946]

Rodney McLeod has high praise for new Eagles DB coach Marquand Manuel

Eagles secondary already gravitating towards DB coach Marquand Manuel

[jwplayer VLCFOX3l]

The Philadelphia Eagles made several changes to the secondary, none more important than the addition of defensive backs coach, Marquand Manuel.

Eagles cornerbacks have suffered over the past two seasons under Cory Undlin, but he’s off with the Lions now and Manuel, a former college star and NFL safety, has been hired to retool a once confident secondary.

The initial reviews have been glowing and star safety Rodney McLeod told reporters during a zoom meeting that Eagles defensive players have already started to gravitate towards Manuel.

“I think people respect him because one, he’s played the game,” said McLeod via NJ.com on Thursday. “His passion and because of the way he coaches this group and the expectations that he has for us. It’s a very high standard,” McLeod said. “He’s coached a lot of good secondaries. We want to be another group to be respected in this league and treated as such. He’s going to fit perfectly, man.”

The additions of Darius Slay, Nickell Robey-Coleman, Will Parks, and K’Von Wallace were instrumental as McLeod believes the Eagles’ secondary has lost some respect in recent seasons with the linebackers and secondary taking the bulk of the heat after being labeled the weakest link.

“As a defense, I think we lost a little bit of respect,” said McLeod. “It was gained as the (last) season went on, I believe. We caught our stride, guys (got) confident in one another. We were getting to the spots that we needed and you saw things coming together. But as a secondary, I felt that we were a little disrespected at times.”

With Slay manning the corners and Nickell Robey-Coleman in the slot, the Eagles should have a different presence in pass coverage this season. If Wallace can transition his versatility and physicality early-on, the Eagles could have a top-10 secondary.

[vertical-gallery id=638359]

[lawrence-related id=638974,638967,638960,638953,638946]

Eagles believe they landed a top-5 slot CB in Nickell Robey-Coleman?

Eagles believe Nickell Robey-Coleman is a top 5 slot CB in the NFL

[jwplayer rtymRdOJ]

The Philadelphia Eagles quietly went about adding talent during the free agency period and one of their most valued acquisitions could be the difference between a return to the Super Bowl.

There has been discussions about the Philadelphia Eagles playing Avonte Maddox at the cornerback slot opposite Darius Slay and a huge reason for that could be the acquisition of Nickell Robey-Coleman in free agency.

The Eagles inked the former Rams cornerback to a one-year, $1.35 million deal and according to Tim McManus of ESPN.com, Robey-Coleman is held in high regard by Philadelphia brass.

Philly views Robey-Coleman as a top-five slot corner in the NFL. He allowed a passer rating of 80.1 last season with the Los Angeles Rams — good for 13th among all CBs– and was sixth in yards per slot coverage snap (0.63), according to Pro Football Focus. There’s plenty more on his résumé than the controversial no-call pass interference in the 2018 NFC Championship game, including 48 career passes defensed and five forced fumbles.

The move greatly improved the Eagles secondary and if Sidney Jones and K’Von Wallace can both nail down starting jobs in training camp, Philadelphia could legitimately have a top-five secondary by seasons end.

[vertical-gallery id=637243]

[lawrence-related id=637408,637399,637382,637385,637377]

Eagles named the best landing spot for free agent CB Logan Ryan

Philadelphia Eagles named the best landing spot for Logan Ryan

The Philadelphia Eagles added Darius Slay via trade this offseason and have spoken openly about being comfortable with the revamped cornerback room. If Jim Schwartz and company start looking for a mid-training camp upgrade, one New Jersey native could fit the bill.

Despite being linked with the New York Jets for the bulk of the offseason, Bleacher Report believes the Philadelphia Eagles would be the best landing spot for free agent cornerback Logan Ryan if the money is right.

Much like with Clowney, the biggest sticking point with Ryan appears to be money. According to Cimini, Ryan is believed to be seeking a contract that pays about $10 million a season. That’s a lot of scratch for a cornerback who allowed five touchdown passes last year and a passer rating against of almost 90.

The longer Ryan remains unsigned, the more likely those demands will come down. Assuming that’s the case, there’s another team with a similar color scheme that could use his help on the back end.

The Philadelphia Eagles boosted the secondary in a big way this offseason with the acquisition of Darius Slay, but whether it’s at corner opposite Slay or at safety after the departure of Malcolm Jenkins, Philly’s 19th-ranked pass defense from a year ago could absolutely use Ryan’s experience and versatility.

A smart, instinctive hybrid defensive back, Ryan would vibe nicely with an Eagles secondary that is embracing versatile defenders. Ryan can play the slot, safety, and could make the Eagles that much tougher to gameplan for.

Last season his 18 passes defended were third-most in the league, while he also added 4.5 sacks, eight quarterback hits, 113 tackles, and four interceptions.

Jalen Mills named the player on the hottest ‘hot seat’ for the Eagles entering 2020 NFL season

Jalen Mills on the hot seat for the Eagles entering 2020 NFL season

Jalen Mills tested the open market during free agency but eventually returned to the Eagles on a 1-year prove-it style deal.

Upon returning to the Eagles, Mills had his position switched and will now attempt to replace Malcolm Jenkins at the safety position.

During the offseason, the Eagles also acquired Nickell Robey-Coleman and Will Parks via free agency and then drafted former Clemson star, K’Von Wallace, in the fourth round of the NFL draft. With Mills back in the fold and some talented additions, Bleacher Report named the hybrid safety the player on the “hottest, hot seat.”

The Philadelphia Eagles allowed Malcolm Jenkins to walk in free agency. Jalen Mills will transition from cornerback to safety as a potential replacement, per Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer.

“General manager Howie Roseman didn’t shy from projecting Mills as the starting strong safety opposite free safety Rodney McLeod,” McLane wrote. “But as Jenkins proved, the position could be many things, and the Eagles view Mills as a positionless player.”

Versatile players have multiple seats, which increases their job security. However, Mills could miss out on two starting positions in the secondary.

Mills will likely make himself a lot of money this season or put himself in a position to become a career backup based on needs and value around the league.

Wallace would appear to provide the most immediate threat to Mills’s position with the Eagles while Jim Schwartz could alleviate any controversy by simply playing a third safety and three cornerbacks with one linebacker on most downs.

[vertical-gallery id=636768]

[lawrence-related id=636814,636803,636790,636775]

Avonte Maddox vs. Sidney Jones named the position battle to watch for Philadelphia Eagles

Avonte Maddox vs. Sidney Jones named a position battle to watch for the Philadelphia Eagles

[jwplayer 2hiky61X]

The Philadelphia Eagles will have several intriguing position battles go on during this virtual offseason, but none more important than who will play cornerback opposite Darius Slay.

When the Eagles acquired Slay from the Detroit Lions, it finally secured Jim Schwartz a lockdown caliber defender capable of stifling a teams’ number one wideout. That acquisition will all be for naught if the Eagles can’t get consistent play at cornerback opposite Slay.

In a projection of starting lineups for all 32 NFL teams by Pro Football Focus, Avonte Maddox vs. Sidney Jones at cornerback has been named the battle to watch.

Battle to watch: Avonte Maddox vs. Sidney Jones at outside cornerback

The Eagles put in work in their secondary this offseason, bringing in several high-level players like Darius Slay and Nickell Robey-Coleman, along with a draft prospect PFF liked in K’Von Wallace. Their second outside cornerback spot is still a little up in the air, though, with the two major players being Maddox and Jones. Maddox has the edge in experience (1,248 defensive snaps compared to Jones’ 643) and has graded out slightly better (55.9 compared to Jones’ 53.0). That should give him the leg up in the competition.

Maddox was previously the starter in the slot but with the addition of Will Parks, Nickell Robey-Coleman, and Cre’Von LeBlanc returning, Jim Schwartz may have different ideas about the outside.

Maddox will likely get the nod, but the Eagles desperately want Jones to come out the winner despite no public acknowledgment of such a claim. The former second-round pick, Jones has all the skills and just needs to confidently put it all together.

[vertical-gallery id=633998]

[lawrence-related id=636393,636387,636378,636369,636361]

 

Eagles addition of Nickell Robey-Coleman and Will Parks named the most underrated move of the offseason

Eagles addition of Nickell Robey-Coleman and Will Parks named the most underrated move of the offseason

The Philadelphia Eagles made several key moves this offseason, none more important than the additions to the secondary.

Darius Slay is the big name, but Nickell Robey-Coleman and Will Parks bring swagger, versatility, and confidence to the Eagles on bargain salaries.

It is that cheap cost that allowed ESPN’s Field Yates to label the addition of the two defensive backs as the most underrated move of the offseason.

The Philadelphia Eagles added two players to their secondary — slot cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman and safety Will Parks — for less than $3 million combined for this year. Even though neither projects to start, the Eagles know the importance of depth in the secondary after theirs was tested so severely last season, and each player adds pedigree to this position group.

Both players figure to see a lot of time early on and depending on how training camp shapes out, Parks and Robey-Coleman could very well indeed be starting because of the toughness they bring to the lineup.

[vertical-gallery id=634368]

[lawrence-related id=634738,634731,634706,634697]