Tag: Jason Kelce

Eagles’ Jason Kelce: ‘Reality is the Giants are a good football team’

Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce believes, contrary to popular opinion, that the New York Giants are a good football team.

Don’t tell Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce that winning the NFC East with a beat-down of the New York Giants in Week 17 is an easy thing, because he’s not buying what you’re trying to sell.

Despite the stark contrast between the two teams and their current direction, Kelce is aware that Sunday’s game isn’t going to be a walk in the park. In fact, contrary to popular opinion, he and his Eagles teammates believe the Giants are actually a good football team.

“The reality is the Giants are a good football team, we stuck one out in overtime last time, but these guys are playing great football,” Kelce said, via NBC Philadelphia. “They have really, really good personnel up front on defense. Offensively, what did they score, 40 points against Washington? We haven’t won diddly yet.”

The Eagles did catch the Giants just as they were beginning to warm up, but a few halftime adjustments in Week 14 was all they needed to come back and beat Eli Manning and the Giants in overtime.

This time around however, Daniel Jones is back under center and the Giants have literally nothing to lose. They’re locked into their position in the NFC East and it’s likely the entire staff will be fired come Black Monday, so that makes Big Blue exceptionally dangerous.

If the Eagles get ahead of themselves and overlook the Giants, they will lose. And that’s precisely what Kelce is hoping to avoid.

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3 Eagles land in the top-10 of ranking of the NFL’s top-25 offensive linemen

Brandon Brooks is NFL’s top offensive linemen according to PFF

Two of the NFL’s top offensive lines will be on display Sunday when the Philadelphia Eagles host the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field.

Both teams boast some of the top players at their position and annually are in the rankings for the top five skill groups in football.

Pro Football Focus recently released their top-25 offensive linemen in the NFL, and the Eagles landed three players in the top-10.

Eagles left guard is currently the highest-graded offensive linemen in all of football, his running mate Lane Johnson is No. 5 and the future Hall of Famer, Jason Peters landed at No. 10.

The Cowboys had two players in the top-10, with Zach Martin landing at No. 3 and right tackle, La’el Collins at No. 8.

Jason Kelce landed at No. 14, as the top center in all of football.

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Lane Johnson among 4 Eagles’ named to PFF’s 2020 NFL Pro Bowl roster

Lane Johnson among 4 Eagles’ named to PFF’s 2020 NFL Pro Bowl roster

Lane Johnson missed out on being named to the Pro Bowl, once again getting the snub in favor of right tackles around the NFL. Johnson is one of the best tackles in football, and likely the best right tackle on the planet today.

Recognizing that the Eagles star is a legit Pro Bowler and All-Pro candidate, Pro Football Focus named Johnson and three other Eagles to their 2020 NFL Pro Bowl roster, based on their criteria of success.

Lane Johnson, Philadelphia Eagles (88.8), Ryan Ramczyk, New Orleans Saints (88.3) & La’el Collins, Dallas Cowboys (84.3)
A vintage year for right tackles sees all three NFC spots taken by players on the right side of the line. Ramczyk has allowed just 19 total pressures this season and shut down a series of elite pass-rushers, while Lane Johnson makes a notable difference to the Eagles’ offense when he has gone down hurt. La’el Collins has surrendered just one sack this season and been a force as a run blocker.

Brandon Brooks, Philadephia Eagles (92.7), Zack Martin, Dallas Cowboys (89.2) & Brandon Scherff, Washington Redskins (75.0)
Brandon Brooks has long been a top guard, but this is the best season of his career and arguably better than any other guard in the game. Perennial Pro-Bowler Zack Martin isn’t far behind, and Brandon Scherff also makes the team thanks to solid grades across the board.

Jason Kelce, Philadelphia Eagles (77.4) & Frank Ragnow, Detroit Lions (76.0)
Not quite matching his best seasons, Jason Kelce remains among the league’s best, but he’s joined by second-year player Frank Ragnow, whose run blocking has been much better inside at center than it was at guard.

Aaron Donald, Los Angeles Rams (93.5), Grady Jarrett, Atlanta Falcons (89.7), Fletcher Cox, Philadelphia Eagles (87.3) & Vita Vea, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (78.2)
Only because his sack total a season ago was so absurd Donald’s total this season seems relatively pedestrian, but he is still among the best players at any position this season. Grady Jarrett has been the one consistent standout on a Falcons roster full of inconsistency this season, while Vita Vea has added some real pass-rush to his immense run defense to join the team.

Johnson was joined by Jason Kelce, Fletcher Cox and Brandon Brooks on the list.

Eagles ever-improving LG Isaac Seumalo named to PFF’s NFL Week 15 Team of the Week

Isaac Seumalo named to PFF’s NFL Week 15 Team of the Week

Isaac Seumalo has come a long from that Week 2 thrashing he suffered at the hands of Grady Jarrett and the Atlanta Falcons.

The least known member of the Eagles starting five on the offensive line, Seumalo has worked and improved and the determination is paying off. Seumalo was solid in the Eagles win over the Redskins and has gotten better every week.

In Week 15, Seumalo got the ultimate honor, grading out so well that he was named to Pro Football Focus’s NFL Team of the Week.

LG ISAAC SEUMALO, PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
The much-maligned left guard has actually been very solid over the second half of the season. The image of him getting worked over for eight pressures against the Falcons in Week 2 can be difficult to get out of your mind, but from Week 6 on, Seumalo has been the ninth-highest-graded guard in the NFL.

Emerging middle linebacker and undrafted rookie, T.J. Edwards also made the team for his special team’s contributions on Sunday.

The worst Pro Bowl picks — and the players who should replace them

The worst Pro Bowl picks — and the players who should replace them

 

The worst Pro Bowl picks — and the players who should replace them

Every year, a group of undeserving players are named to the Pro Bowl. Here’s this year’s list, and the players who should replace them.

If you think the Pro Bowl is a meaningless exercise, don’t tell the fans, players, and teams when somebody on their side is snubbed in the process. Every year, there are deserving players who aren’t voted to the Pro Bowl roster, and every year, there are players who get on more through previous reputation than current performance.

Here are the most egregious omissions in the 2019 voting, with thought on which players these unfortunate snubs should replace. Because if you’re going to complain about a player who’s wrongly off the Pro Bowl roster, you should be able to find a guy who’s taking up space. That’s where things get a bit more difficult!

Quarterback (NFC)

In: Dak Prescott or Kirk Cousins
Out: Aaron Rodgers

(Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports)

Either Prescott or Cousins would be a better fit on the NFC roster than Aaron Rodgers, who had just three games with more than 300 passing yards this season, three games with less than 200 yards passing, and eight games with one or zero touchdowns. Cousins has been on fire after a rough start to the season, and Prescott ranks first in Football Outsiders’ opponent-adjusted efficiency metrics. Not that Rodgers has had a bad season, but this seems much more like a reputation pick than anything else.

Receiver (AFC)

In: Julian Edelman
Out: Jarvis Landry

(Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports)

Landry has been one of Cleveland’s few bright spots on offense this season, but it’s kind of ridiculous to have him in over Edelman, who was part of a total snub of New England offensive players that hasn’t happened since 2003. Yes, Landry has 74 catches on 1,018 yards and five touchdowns, but Edelman has 92 catches for 1,019 yards and six touchdowns in an offense so broken, opposing defenses can bracket him on just about every play. Edelman has faced more double teams than at any other point in his career, and he’s having arguably his most productive season.

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Brandon Brooks among 5 Eagles named to the 2020 Pro Bowl

Eagles have 5 players named to the 2020 Pro Bowl

The NFL announced their selections for this year’s Pro Bowl and five Eagles made the list. The Birds are led by right guard Brandon Brooks, defensive tackle Fletcher Cox, tight end Zach Ertz, center Jason Kelce, and talented long snapper Rick Lovato.

For Brooks, it’s his third selection in a row, while it’ll be the third time in his career for Zach Ertz.

It’s the fifth selection for All-Pro Fletcher Cox.

Here’s the NFC team in its entirety via NFL.com:

OFFENSE

Wide receiver: Julio Jones*, Atlanta Falcons; Michael Thomas*, New Orleans Saints; Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers; Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tackle: David Bakhtiari*, Green Bay Packers; Tyron Smith*, Dallas Cowboys; Terron Armstead, New Orleans Saints;

Guard: Zack Martin*, Dallas Cowboys; Brandon Brooks*, Philadelphia Eagles; Brandon Scherff, Washington Redskins

Center: Jason Kelce*, Philadelphia Eagles; Travis Frederick, Dallas Cowboys

Tight end: George Kittle*, San Francisco 49ers; Zach Ertz, Philadelphia Eagles

Quarterback: Russell Wilson*, Seattle Seahawks; Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints; Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers

Running back: Dalvin Cook*, Minnesota Vikings; Christian McCaffrey, Carolina Panthers; Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys

Fullback: Kyle Juszczyk*, San Francisco 49ers

DEFENSE

Defensive end: Cameron Jordan*, New Orleans Saints; Nick Bosa*, San Francisco 49ers; Danielle Hunter, Minnesota Vikings

Interior lineman: Aaron Donald*, Los Angeles Rams; Fletcher Cox*, Philadelphia Eagles; Grady Jarrett, Atlanta Falcons

Outside linebacker: Chandler Jones*, Arizona Cardinals; Khalil Mack*, Chicago Bears; Shaquil Barrett, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Inside linebacker: Bobby Wagner*, Seattle Seahawks; Luke Kuechly, Carolina Panthers

Cornerback: Marshon Lattimore*, New Orleans Saints; Richard Sherman*, San Francisco 49ers; Darius Slay, Detroit Lions; Jalen Ramsey, Los Angeles Rams

Free safety: Budda Baker*, Arizona Cardinals; Eddie Jackson, Chicago Bears

Strong safety: Harrison Smith*, Minnesota Vikings

SPECIAL TEAMS

Kicker: Wil Lutz*, New Orleans Saints

Long snapper: Rick Lovato*, Philadelphia Eagles

Punter: Tress Way*, Washington Redskins

Return specialist: Deonte Harris*, New Orleans Saints

Special teamer: Cordarrelle Patterson*, Chicago Bears

The Baltimore Ravens led the selections with an astounding 12 Pro Bowlers for the best team currently in the AFC.

The New Orleans Saints led all NFC teams with seven selections, while the Kansas City Chiefs have six selections for the second year in a row, while both in-state Pennsylvania teams, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles have five apiece.

4 takeaways from Eagles 17-10 loss to the Patriots

4 takeaways from Eagles 17-10 loss to the Patriots

The Philadelphia Eagles are now 5-5 on the season after blowing a 10-point lead against the defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday.

The Eagles defense showed up in full force and looks to be rounding into form after battering Tom Brady during a dominant first half by Philadelphia. After a late second-quarter touchdown, The Eagles scored zero points and are now a full game behind the Dallas Cowboys in the win column.

With the Seahawks coming to the Linc next Sunday, here are four takeaways from the Birds 17-10 loss to the Patriots.

***

1. Eagles aren’t a serious playoff contender without deep threat

Nelson Agholor had four catches for 40-yards, while Zach Ertz led the Birds with nine catches for 94 yards, deep passing yards were hard to come by. The Eagles went away from Miles Sanders after a strong first half. Even with Alshon Jeffery back, this Eagles offense works too hard to gain big chunks of yards.

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