Tag: Elijah Holyfield

Final Philadelphia Eagles 53-man roster projection ahead of season opener vs. Washington

Final Philadelphia Eagles 53-man roster projection ahead of season opener vs. Washington

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The Philadelphia Eagles are less than one week away from a season-opening showdown in D.C. against Chase Young and the Washington Football Team.

With training camp over and several notable changes to the roster, here’s our final 53 man roster projection with two extra players added because the Birds technically can elevate two practice squad players per week, basically carrying 55 if they so choose.

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QB – 3 — Carson Wentz, Jalen Hurts, Nate Sudfeld

Sudfeld was the unquestioned backup but Hurts looked sharp at times during training camp. It wouldn’t be a shock if the Eagles moved on from Sudfeld, but if he makes the team he’ll be the backup one week from now.

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Boston Scott

RB – 3 — Boston Scott, Corey Clement, Miles Sanders

The Eagles appeared prepared to enter the 2020 NFL season with two holdovers from last season and a refurbished Corey Clement, but it appears only three running backs will make the cut.

Look for the undrafted rookie Adrian Killins to find a role on the expanded practice squad after being a part of the first round of cuts.

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Philadelphia Eagles waive 12 players as they work to get roster down to 53

Adrian Killins, Elijah Holyfield among 12 waived by the Eagles

The Philadelphia Eagles released 12 players on Thursday as the team works to get the roster down to 53 players

The team also placed Andre Dillard on injured reserve. Elijah Holyfield made strides and had a solid camp but with the Eagles focused on running backs who are talented pass catchers, Holyfield is likely to land on the practice squad.

Grayland Arnold was another player that had developed a training camp buzz and now he’ll likely find interest on the waiver wire.

Philadelphia Eagles 53-man roster projection: Difficult decisions loom after final scrimmage

The Philadelphia Eagles are less than two weeks away from a season-opening showdown in D.C. against Chase Young and the Washington Football Team. With training camp now in full swing and several notable changes to the roster, here’s an updated 53 …

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The Philadelphia Eagles are less than two weeks away from a season-opening showdown in D.C. against Chase Young and the Washington Football Team.

With training camp now in full swing and several notable changes to the roster, here’s an updated 53 man roster projection with two extra players added because the Birds technically can elevate two practice squad players per week, basically carrying 55 if they so choose.

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QB – 3 — Carson Wentz, Jalen Hurts, Nate Sudfeld

Sudfeld was the unquestioned backup but Hurts looked sharp at times during training camp.   Training camp scrimmages aren’t real games and for that reason alone, Hurts starts the season as the third guy on the depth chart.

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7 Eagles players drawing rave reviews at training camp

7 Eagles players drawing rave reviews at training camp

The Philadelphia Eagles returned to the NovaCare Complex in pads for the first time since last January. Training camp 2020 is underway and although the Covid-19 pandemic has totally altered how things are done, the players and coaching staff are working amid the circumstances.

There were a few highlights on the day and we’re taking a look at seven players who debuted to rave reviews on Monday.

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1. Shaun Bradley, LB, Temple

Bradley was active and could be on his way to causing a shakeup in the Eagles depth chart. He was responsible for a huge hit on Dallas Goedert and ended up getting reps ahead of Davion Taylor.

The Temple product knows the playbook and he’s a playmaker.

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7 takeaways from the Eagles first padded practice of 2020 training camp

7 takeaways from the Eagles first padded practice of 2020 training camp

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The Philadelphia Eagles had their first padded practice of the 2020 NFL season and several rookies shined as Doug Pederson works to mesh Carson Wentz with some explosive weapons.

Here are seven takeaways from the Eagles’ first padded practice of the year.

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1.  Alshon Jeffery primed for a big season

If this is Alshon Jeffery’s last hoorah in Philadelphia, expect the physical receiver to go out with a bang.  Jeffery put in the work this offseason and has been engaged with quarterback Carson Wentz and his teammates since arriving early three weeks ago.

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Philadelphia Eagles 53-man roster prediction ahead of the first training camp practice

Philadelphia Eagles 53-man roster projection ahead of first training camp practice

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The Philadelphia Eagles are just hours from participating in their first 2020 training camp practice after spending the first two weeks working thru a two-phased acclimation period that included weight training and physical fitness.

With training camp now in full swing and several notable changes to the roster, here’s an updated 53 man roster projection:

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QB – 3 — Carson Wentz, Jalen Hurts, Nate Sudfeld

Sudfeld is the unquestioned backup, but Hurts has looked sharp during the initial workouts as he continues to soak up the NFL game during a shortened preseason.

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Philadelphia Eagles 53-man roster projection ahead of 2020 training camp

Eagles 53-man roster projection ahead of 2020 training camp

GM Howie Roseman stayed true to his retooling effort, forgoing big named free agents at specific positions to add youth and speed to the roster.

In the NFL draft, Roseman made waves by selecting a quarterback in the second round and then securing Carson Wentz some speed via trade (Marquise Goodwin) and three solid draft picks in Jalen Reagor, John Hightower, and Quez Watkins.

With the training camp here and set to start here’s a look at the Eagles projected 53-man roster.

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QB – 3 — Carson Wentz, Jalen Hurts, Nate Sudfeld

Sudfeld is the unquestioned backup, but the Eagles have made it clear that Hurts will be involved from the beginning, meaning he’ll likely make the roster every week, especially with it expanding two more players.

A huge battle to watch will be Sudfeld and Hurts, with the rookie possibly ascending early on or struggling to learn the ropes as an NFL passer. Either way, Hurts is apart of the Eagles’ future and apart of the present.

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EAST HARTFORD, CT – SEPTEMBER 29: Michael Warren II #3 of the Cincinnati Bearcats carries the ball during the first half against the Connecticut Huskies at Rentschler Field on September 29, 2018 in East Hartford, Connecticut. (Photo by Tim Bradbury/Getty Images)

RB – 4 — Boston Scott, Corey Clement, Miles Sanders, Michael Warren

The Eagles appeared prepared to enter the 2020 NFL season with three holdovers from last season and Elijah Holyfield was the third name. After bringing Corey Clement back in free agency and signing undrafted free agent Michael Warren, this group will look different. Sanders will be a year stronger, while the Eagles brass loves Boston Scott and what he brings.  Look for the undrafted rookie Michael Warren, to snag the role of goalline and short-yardage back if it isn’t Jalen Hurts there as well.

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Philadelphia Eagles backfield duo ranked among the worst in the NFL

Philadelphia Eagles backfield duo ranked among the worst in the NFL by PFF

The Philadelphia Eagles have one of the best young running backs in all of the NFL, but it’s the rest of his running mates who are having that Rodney Dangerfield moment.

The Eagles currently have veterans Boston Scott, Corey Clement, and Elijah Holyfield on the roster. They’ll add undrafted free agents Adrian Killins and Michael Warren to a talented but untapped group.

In a recent ranking of running back duo’s from Bleacher Report, the Philadelphia Eagles finished among the worst, landing at No. 30 on the list just ahead of the Rams and Steelers.

30. Philadelphia Eagles

RB1: Miles Sanders (79)

RB2: Corey Clement (70)

Total: 149

The rankings were determined by a combination of evaluation, Pro Football Focus grades, the analytics from Football Outsiders, along with opinions from pro and college scouts around the NFL.

The assumption is that a healthy Corey Clement will supplant Boston Scot in the lineup despite the Darren Sproles mini-me playing a huge role in helping the Eagles secure the division title late last season.

Even tho the Eagles pass to set up the run, they’ll need to figure out how to produce offense on the ground, while lessening the hits Quarterback Carson Wentz takes.

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Isaiah Wilson of Georgia a mammoth NFL tackle

Isaiah Wilson of Georgia football a mammoth NFL tackle

The three key cogs of the so-called Great Wall of Georgia all declared early for the NFL draft. Taking a quick look at each of them: Andrew Thomas, Solomon Kindley and Isaiah Wilson

Here I look up, way up at big Isaiah Wilson.

Wilson, not his now much more heralded classmate Andrew Thomas, came into the University of Georgia as the top-ranked offensive lineman in the country. Out of Poly Prep High School in Brooklyn, NYC, and already 6-7, 345, the young man struggled mightily to adapt to the searing Southern heat and humidity. He also was not reasonably tested by anyone in high school, considering how much bigger and stronger he was than his competition.

While Thomas was immediately thrust into the starting lineup and was the left tackle of the present and future at UGA, Wilson had to wait his time. As a two-year starter for the Dawgs, Wilson helped lead Georgia teams that won 11 and 12 games and put up three thousand-yard rushers: Elijah Holyfield (once) and  D’Andre Swift (twice). Not many men can get around or through him.

Oct 5, 2019; Knoxville, TN, USA; Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Isaiah Wilson (79) blocking Tennessee Volunteers linebacker Darrell Taylor (19) during the first quarter at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports

As offensive line coach Sam Pittman left UGA to becoming the head coach at Arkansas, Wilson choose to join his fellow tackle Thomas and leave early for the NFL. At right tackle, he is probably a second round pick to a team in need. I don’t think he has the speed to be converted to a left tackle easily.

D’Andre Swift compared favorably to NFL backs prior to draft

UGA’s D’Andre Swift compared favorably to NFL backs prior to draft; Georgia football continues forth as “RBU.”

D’Andre Swift’s skill set has him comparing favorably in the media with two successful professional running backs: ESPN’s Matt Bowen compared him to game breaker Dalvin Cook. While, Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller compared him to the versatile Alvin Kamara.

The first comparison speaks to the production Swift had in his three years at Georgia. His cutback ability is similarly lethal to that of Cook.

The second comparison tells of his passing game contributions, blocking and catching passes. As Swift’s career continued at UGA, he consistently became more versatile and complete. I think he’s a complete back.

Matt Miller said, “Love it. My comp is Kamara. Excellent receiving option. Hate that he got banged up late, saved some tread on his tires.”

Nov 30, 2019; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs running back D’Andre Swift (7) on the sideline against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the second half at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

First as a true freshman playing at UGA from Philly, Swift kicked in 618 rushing yards, in support of Nick Chubb and Sony Michel, including the biggest play of the SEC championship game win over Auburn.

As a sophomore, Swift and Elijah Holyfield teamed as a pair of thousand-yard runners, a year after his former teammates Chubb and Michel did the same. Georgia going back-to-back, with a different pair of thousand yard backs, set a new milestone for the dominant Athens ground attack. The legacy of Georgia as “RBU” (Running Back University) intact.

Then, as a junior, Swift went for 1,218 yards on 196 carries. When healthy, he was clearly the best football player on the UGA roster last season. Sadly, he was nicked up in the 2019-2020 postseason, playing sparingly in the SEC championship game and Sugar Bowl.

He is reportedly well and ready. A recent mock draft had Swift going early in the second round. I had him going to the Atlanta Falcons with the 16th pick.