Tag: Javon Hargave

Steelers vs. Eagles: Week 5 battle of Pennsylvania will double as reunion with Javon Hargrave

The Steelers will reunite with their former defensive tackle next week in The Battle of Pennsylvania.

A deep-seated rivalry that began 87 years ago takes the field next Sunday when the 0-2-1 Philadephia Eagles travel to Heinz Field to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Unofficially dubbed “The Battle of Pennsylvania,” the interstate, interconference clash dates back to Nov. 19, 1933. The Steelers and Eagles were, for three decades, in the same NFL Eastern Division, and played twice annually. Post-AFL-NFL merger, they’ve played a dozen times, meeting once every four years.

This contest, their first since 2016, will be the fifth in the Ben Roethlisberger era. The teams are tied at two wins apiece since Big Ben took over in 2004.

Javon Hargrave reunion

AP Photo/Chris Szagola

The Steelers lost a significant piece of their defense when the Philadephia Eagles signed lineman Javon Hargrave in free agency this offseason.

Pittsburgh will reunite with their former tackle in Week 5, but Hargrave hasn’t been as heavily involved as he was with the Steelers.

Initially, we at Steelers Wire weren’t too happy about Pittsburgh not extending Hargrave, but the team seems to know what they’re doing (they usually do). They plugged in Tyson Alualu and didn’t skip a beat — he’s been performing exceptionally well in the void left by Hargrave’s departure.

Isaiah Buggs is there to spell Alualu, and, for added depth, Pittsburgh selected Carlos Davis in the 7th round of the 2020 draft.

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Hargrave was dealt an early blow with an upper-body injury a couple of weeks into Eagles training camp. It was expected he would miss multiple games but, instead, returned Week 2 versus the Los Angeles Rams.

Since getting back on the field, the former third-rounder has been rotating in behind starter Malik Jackson. In 37 pass-rush snaps, Javon has four hurries, and in 20 run snaps, a single tackle and stop.

In Pittsburgh, Hargrave started all but 12 games in four seasons. During that span, Javon contributed 14.5 sacks, 168 tackles (22 for loss), 22 QB hits and two forced fumbles. His rookie season he recovered a fumble and took it in for six points.

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Eagles DT Fletcher Cox could be in line for a contract extension with big 2020 season

Philadelphia Eagles could give Fletcher Cox a new contract to ease salary cap woes

The Philadelphia Eagles are facing some looming salary cap decisions and keeping their best defensive player around could free up some cash.

The Eagles are among the NFL teams that would be most affected by a reduced 2021 salary cap due to fans not being able to attend home games during the pandemic.

Per Over The Cap, the Eagles are set to be $50.6 million over the salary cap in 2021, with the next closest team, the New Orleans Saints, only projected to be over the cap by $9.5 million.

Next season (2021), the Eagles could have 12+ or more players making $10+ million or more as well.

Fletcher Cox is one of those 12 players and according to Zach Berman of The Athletic, a huge 2020 season from the star defensive tackle could allow the Eagles to reduce his cap number while giving the All-Pro more years and security on his deal.

Cox’s situation is trickier. He turns 30 in December and had a down year based on his standards. But if he returns to form and the Eagles expect him to be on the roster for a few more seasons, they can extend his deal and adjust his $22.48 million cap number. So those are the two obvious places for reworked deals.

Cox would certainly take the security of more money spread out over banking on the Eagles or another team ponying up $22 million per season in this financial climate. He’s still the best defensive tackle in the NFL behind Aaron Donald and still looks to be dominant as he heads into his 30s.

The Eagles signed Fletcher Cox to a 6 year, $102.6 million contract extension in 2016.  According to Over The Cap, the Eagles converted $14.67 million of his 2019 salary to an option bonus and 2020 is the final year he’s due guaranteed money.

If the league and TV partners bring in less revenue due to games either being canceled or no fans in attendance, the salary cap could drop significantly to the tune of “$30 to $80 million” less per team.

The Eagles are currently scheduled to pay out $263.3 million in 2021 and if they were forced to reduce that space to about $210 million, it would likely require the restructuring of several big-named contracts.

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Steelers sign two former XFL Guardians

The Pittsburgh Steelers add depth to their lines via the XFL

The Steelers added depth both sides of the ball Wednesday with defensive tackle Cavon Walker and offensive tackle Jarron Jones, both formerly of the XFL New York Guardians.

Walker, the XFL’s sack leader, compiled 4.5 sacks, nine quarterback hits, and 19 tackles (five for loss) in five games with the Guardians.

Prior to joining the XFL, Walker had brief stints with the Kansas City Chiefs and Chicago Bears.

Moments later, Rich Cimini of ESPN NFL Nation reported that the Steelers signed both Walker and Jones.

Jones spent time with several NFL teams, most notably the New York Giants and Buffalo Bills.

Depth at the interior of the Steelers defensive line was thin after losing nose tackle Javon Hargrave in free agency to the Philadelphia Eagles. Pittsburgh previously added defensive lineman Chris Wormley via a trade with the Baltimore Ravens.

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Top DT prospects for the Steelers in the 2020 NFL Draft

Who will replace Javon Hargrave? These defensive tackles are projected to be available second-to-mid rounds

With the departure of defensive tackle Javon Hargrave via free agency, expect the Pittsburgh Steelers to select his replacement in the second-to-mid rounds.

Here are the top DTs projected to be available:

Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

Raekwon Davis | Alabama

Height: 6-6          Weight: 316

As a reserve in his freshman year, Davis contributed four tackles and one sack. He became a playmaker as a sophomore by posting 69 tackles, 10 for loss, and a team-high 8.5 sacks in 14 games (six starts), which earned him first-team All-SEC honors. During Alabama’s title run that year, Davis had 10 tackles, two sacks, and an INT in the team’s two playoff wins. His production dropped off his junior and senior seasons.

Davis compiled 67 solo tackles, 108 assists, 19.5 TFL, 11.5 sacks, one INT, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery during his career at Alabama.

Davis is a versatile run defender who can play DT or NT versus the run. With excellent strength and power, he is tough to move off the ball. He completely controls his run lane in either 1-gap or 2-gap situations. The more Davis played his last two seasons, his effectiveness as a pass-rusher diminished; he was better when he was fresh and played fewer reps.

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