Tag: Eagles

Former Saints draft pick spreading his wings with the Eagles

Zack Baun is spreading his wings with the Eagles. It’s hard to call the NFC Defensive Player of the Week a draft bust when the Saints didn’t know how to use him:

Credit where it’s due: Zack Baun is flying high with the Philadelphia Eagles. The former New Orleans Saints draft pick switched teams in free agency, and that decision has paid off. Baun just won recognition as the NFC Defensiive Player of the Week for the first time in his career.

Baun was integral to the Eagles’ dismantling of the NFC East-rival Dallas Cowboys; he totaled 8 tackles (3 solo, with a tackle for loss) plus two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in their 34-6 win. So why wasn’t he putting up those kind of numbers in New Orleans?

For one thing, the Saints didn’t have much of a plan in mind when they traded up to draft Baun back in 2020. To move up from No. 88 to No. 74 (and getting back a seventh rounder in the process), the Saints traded their third rounder in 2021, which wound up falling at No. 91. And once they acquired Baun they didn’t know what to do with him. He weighed in at 6-foot-2 and 238 pounds, which was too light for Dennis Allen to stomach at defensive end, where Baun lined up in college. The coaching staff and scouting department were not in lockstep.

They spent the next few years trying to teach him to drop back in coverage and work in space, but Allen and his coaching staff never developed much confidence in him. After trading up to draft him the Saints picked another  linebacker in both 2021 (Pete Werner, at No. 60) and 2022 (D’Marco  Jackson, at No. 161). He never got a chance in New Orleans, playing almost twice as many snaps on special teams (1,293) as on defense (660) through his 62-game Saints career.

Now the Saints are scrambling for answers at linebacker. Demario Davis isn’t getting younger and the injury bug bit him earlier this year. Pete Werner signed a contract extension this summer but hasn’t proven he can stay on the field either. The Saints already decided Baun couldn’t be part of their solution, but the Eagles have figured out how to get the most out of him. Now we have to wait and see how New Orleans moves next.

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Dolphins claim former Eagles, Giants TE off waivers

The Dolphins are back to four tight ends on their active roster after claiming one off waivers Wednesday.

The Miami Dolphins claimed former Philadelphia Eagles tight end Jack Stoll off waivers, the team announced Wednesday. Linebacker David Long Jr. was waived by the Dolphins to make room on the active roster.

Stoll, 26, signed with the Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2021 and spent the first three seasons of his career with the team. When he became a free agent in 2024, he signed with the New York Giants, but re-joined Philadelphia after he was released at the end of training camp.

In his four seasons with the Eagles, Stoll caught 22 passes for 193 yards.

On Tuesday, the Dolphins claimed linebacker Tyrel Dodson off waivers and placed tight end Tanner Conner on injured reserve. Miami brought its roster back to equilibrium by adding a tight end and cutting a linebacker Wednesday.

The Dolphins have three other tight ends on the active roster: Jonnu Smith, Durham Smythe, and Julian Hill. They also re-added rookie Hayden Rucci to the practice squad.

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Saints set to work out former draft pick Boston Scott in the coming days

The Saints are hosting Boston Scott for a workout in the near future, potentially bringing a former draft pick of theirs back home

The New Orleans Saints’ depth has been depleted the last few weeks due to injuries, especially at the running back position. Kendre Miller is now on IR with a hamstring injury, and Jamaal Williams missed Week 9 due to a groin injury. Now the Saints are down to the following at the position:

  • Alvin Kamara
  • Jamaal Williams (groin injury)
  • Jordan Mims
  • Jacob Kibodi (practice squad)

So much for taking the workload off of Alvin Kamara, as he got 29 rush attempts for 155 yards against the Carolina Panthers, as well as six receptions on nine targets for 60 yards through the air.

Now, the Saints will turn to other options for depth at the position, as they will workout one of their former draft picks Boston Scott. Scott was a sixth round pick for the Saints in the 2018 NFL Draft, but never made the active roster and was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles off the Saints practice squad. Scott was a solid option for the Eagles, picking up 302 rush attempts for 1,295 yards (4.3 yards per carry) and 16 touchdowns in his 75 games with them. Additionally, he had 71 receptions for 566 yards (8.0 yards per reception) and a touchdown through the air.

Scott partially tore a meniscus before the 2024 season, which led him to miss the time up until now. However he is now fully healthy according to FOX Sports’ Jordan Schultz, and will be ready to play for a new team.

WATCH: Brian Dawkins talks mental health, Building Relationships with veterans and more

Glenn Erby of The Eagles Wire sits down with Hall of Fame defensive back Brian Dawkins for The Eagles Wire to discuss his Salute to Service, Mental Health, Cooper DeJean, Vic Fango, and the Philadelphia Eagles.

Brian Dawkins is an all-time great athlete and a Hall of Famer, but he’s progressed into an even greater man. He’s focused on service, using his platform to bolster the mental health of others and pouring into others with his faith, resilience, and empathy.

The Hall of Famer participated in a ruck march in San Antonio, Texas, in partnership with USAA, the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP), and Face The Fight to help amplify the cause of mental health awareness and, more specifically, support the mission of the battle of veteran suicide prevention.  During his HOF induction speech in 2018, Dawkins notably talked about his mental health struggles while in the NFL, sharing his thoughts of suicide and how he ultimately overcame them.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DBwi5ceP2QP/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

We sat down with the legendary Eagles on behalf of USAA to discuss his relationship with USAA and the importance of supporting veterans, particularly in mental wellness. Dawkins emphasizes the need for community and support systems for individuals dealing with trauma, drawing parallels between veterans’ experiences and personal struggles.

Dawkins shares insights from his participation in a Ruck march, highlighting his respect for veterans and the inspiration he draws from their resilience. He also touches on the Eagles’ current season, reflecting on their growth and challenges, and concludes with a message of hope and gratitude amidst negativity.

Eagles CB Isaiah Rodgers unveils a pair of Kelly Green Nike Diamond Turf 96 TD for Week 9

Eagles cornerback Isaiah Rodgers unveils a pair of Kelly Green Nike Diamond Turf 96 TD for Week 9

It’s Kelly Green week, and as the Eagles prepare for their Week 9 matchup against the Jaguars, star players on the roster will likely begin unveiling matching cleats and colorways for the occasion.

Isaiah Rodgers beat most of his teammates to the punch, unveiling a pair of White and Kelly Green Nike Diamond Turf 96 TD’s for Sunday’s big game.

The Nike Diamond Turf 96 TD is rooted in Nike Football DNA, taking the cleat Colorado head coach Deion Sanders helped turn into an icon and melding it with our game-breaking technology. The cleat’s signature flames and iconic midfoot spat strap complement Prime’s program’s colors. You’re going to look good. You’re going to feel good. You coming to play?

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Former MSU linebacker finding new life in NFL career as a fullback

A former MSU linebacker may have found a new long-term role as a fullback in the NFL

I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a fringe linebacker make a move to fullback and excel quite like former MSU linebacker Ben VanSumeren has this year for the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles definitely liked something about VanSumeren, as they kept him around the last few seasons, but this year, someone on the Eagles had the idea to use him as a fullback, and he has excelled in a big way.

VanSumeren has been credited with helping star running back Saquan Barkley break some huge runs, and he has shown some fantastic blocking skills out of the fullback position, something we don’t often see anymore in the pro game.

This account below, Last of the Fullbacks, broke down some of his excellent play in that position:

It’s always great to see a Spartan find a home in the NFL, but this story is awesome in a way that any football fan would likely appreciate.

Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan state news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Andrew Brewster on Twitter @IAmBrewster.

Chargers sign TE McCallan Castles to practice squad

The Chargers signed a tight end to the practice squad in wake of Hayden Hurst’s groin injury.

The Chargers signed tight end McCallan Castles to the practice squad, the team announced.

In correspondence, Los Angeles released linebacker Blake Lynch from the practice squad.

The addition of Castles comes in wake of Hayden Hurst’s groin injury he sustained in the Week 6 game against the Broncos.

The Chargers hosted Castles on a visit during the pre-draft process this year.

Castles signed with the Eagles as an undrafted free agent out of Tennessee.

Castles spent two seasons at California, three seasons with UC Davis and his final year with the Volunteers.

For his entire career, Castles played in 45 college games with 29 starts and had 91 catches for 1,226 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Eagles cut former first-round pick after ex-Saints backup took his job

The Eagles cut a former first-round pick after an ex-Saints backup took his job. Maybe Zack Baun should’ve gotten more snaps the last four years:

Shout out to Zack Baun. It’s all you  can do after the former New Orleans Saints backup linebacker signed with the Philadelphia Eagles and outcompeted a former first-round draft pick for a starting job. The Eagles cut veteran linebacker Devin White on Tuesday after Baun displaced him in the lineup, and now he’s a free agent. White was inactive for each of Philly’s first four games this season.

Baun, meanwhile, is closing in on a new career high for snaps played (254; he peaked last year with 303 reps in the Saints defense). He’s already set a new personal best with 43 tackles on the season (29 solo). And he’s still receiving only occasional looks as a pass rusher off the edge, while continuing to line up off the line of scrimmage. Maybe he should’ve been playing more often for the Saints over the last four years.

As for White? He’s looking for a new team after signing a one-year, $3.5 million deal with the Eagles this spring. White was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at No. 5 overall in 2019’s first round, and while he had some great moments and a Pro Bowl nod in 2021, he’s struggled to consistently run and cover as well as his peers. We’ll see where he lands next, but the bigger issue is the Saints failing to get more out of Baun after they traded up to get him in 2020.

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Dennis Allen’s Saints have an atrocious record against good teams

Dennis Allen’s Saints have an atrocious record against good teams. He’s guided them to a 2-8 record against opponents who had a winning record:

There’s a narrative surrounding the New Orleans Saints that they can’t beat good teams, and Monday night’s  loss to the Kansas City Chiefs only seems to support it. Head coach Dennis Allen said himself that the Chiefs outplayed and outcoached his squad. It’s tough to argue with that.

But it’s just the latest loss in what’s a become a pattern for Allen. Since he was hired as head coach in 2022, the Saints have fallen into a 2-8 record against opponents with winning records. Their wins came against the Dallas Cowboys earlier this season and the Gardner Minshew-led Philadelphia  Eagles two years ago.

It’s a concerning trend. Allen and his staff are routinely getting outfoxed by playoff teams and opponents who have seen a thing or two. Just like last season’s demoralizing loss to Sean McVay’s Los Angeles Rams, the Andy Reid-led Chiefs picked up on their tendencies and picked them apart.

If you’re curious, since 2022 the Saints are 12-10 against opponents who had losing records, and 4-3 versus those who took the field at .500. If you want to be charitable and write off 2022 since Allen didn’t have Derek Carr yet, the Saints are 8-4 against teams with losing records, 2-3 against those at .500, and 1-4 against those with winning records. But that split is gnarly, meaning they’re 8-4 against losing teams and 3-7 against those who were at or above .500.

And clearly that isn’t good enough. There’s no reason to think Allen is going to figure out how to beat better opponents after losing 49 of his first 75 games. He and his staff have real limitations in terms of their vision for the team and how they can win and coach their players, and it’s directly reflected in his record. He is what it says he is. The sooner general manager Mickey Loomis comes to grips with that fact, the better off they’ll be.

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Trevor Penning fined $11,255 for unnecessary roughness vs. Eagles

Trevor Penning was fined $11,255 for unnecessary roughness against the Eagles. The Saints’ right tackle fell back into bad habits, and it cost him:

It wasn’t enough for Trevor Penning to cost his team 15 yards against the Philadelphia Eagles. The NFL came calling with an $11,255 fine for unnecessary roughness after he drove Eagles cornerback Darius Slay out of bounds and into the New Orleans Saints’ bench.

This was the kind of play Penning was criticized for coming out of college, and he had done a good job avoiding them after turning pro. But this was an instance where he fell back into bad habits. It was a dumb play that injured Slay, and bowled over one of Penning’s coaches who couldn’t get out of the way in time on the sideline. And it ended up costing him.

You want guys to play to the whistle, and right tackles like Penning are often tasked with setting that tone. But there’s a time to dial it back. In this case it’s the moment when Penning’s coaches are waving and shouting at him to back off before crashing into the bench.

As for the football impact? This penalty wiped out a 5-yard run that converted a 3rd-and-4, moving the ball from the Philadelphia 39-yard line back into New Orleans territory at their own 46. It took a big effort from Penning’s teammates to keep the drive alive and end it with a touchdown,  but it would’ve been much easier if he hadn’t lost his cool.

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