Tag: Jim Schwartz

4 takeaways from the Eagles agreeing to deal with DT Javon Hargrave

4 takeaways from Eagles agreeing to deal with DT Javon Hargrave

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The Philadelphia Eagles have a new game-wrecker nicknamed the ‘Gravedigger’ to pair with Fletcher Cox in what should be the NFL’s most dominant interior tandem.

Javon Hargrave is leaving the Steelers to come across the state after agreeing to a three-year, $39 million deal that includes $26 million guaranteed, according to Adam Schefter.

The 89th overall pick in the 2016 draft, Hargrave played in 62 career regular-season games with the Steelers, starting 52, while racking up 168 tackles (22 for loss), 14.5 sacks and 22 quarterback hits.

Over the past two seasons, Hargrave has been dominant, tallying 67 tackles and 10.5 sacks while helping the Steelers lead the NFL in sacks during that span.

Now an Eagle, he’ll team with Fletcher Cox, while allowing Philadelphia to have one of the most versatile defensive fronts in the NFL.

Here are 4 takeaways from Hargrave’s deal:

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1. Eagles are back to prioritizing the defensive line

The Eagles prioritize the defensive line an had gotten away from the pressurized front that had given offenses hell over the 2017 and 2018 seasons.

Hargrave is a major boost to an interior defensive line that’s been lacking outside of Fletcher Cox.

 

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3 things to know about new Eagles interior game-wrecker Javon Hargrave

Eagles agree to deal with Javon Hargrave

The Philadelphia Eagles missed out on the No. 1 rated free agent cornerback, Byron Jones, but championships are built in the trenches and teams can’t score if their quarterback is on the ground.

The Eagles were pretty quiet during the first day of the legal tampering period but got a jump on things Monday night when they signed Javon Hargrave away from the Steelers for $39 million over three-years.

Hargrave is a talented player and will fit in with the blue-collar culture that Eagles fans represent.

If you’re not familiar with the monster in the middle, here are three things to know about the Eagles star.

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1. Hargrave is now the NFL’s highest-paid nose tackle

The Eagles don’t play a 3-4 defense, so the honor is null and void, but with his 3-year, $39 million deal, Hargrave would be recognized as the highest-paid nose tackle in the game today.

a game wrecker, Hargrave was the 8th highest graded interior defender last seasons.

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Eagles could have interest in underrated Illinois LB Dele Harding

2020 NFL Draft: Eagles could have interest in Dele Harding

The Philadelphia Eagles will enter the NFL draft with 10 selections and after having a total of ten over the past two years, Howie Roseman and company will have an opportunity to add extraordinary depth to the roster.

Scouts and personnel experts are out on the pro day circuit and according to Tony Pauline of the Pro Football Network, the Eagles have interest in a Big-10 linebacker with local ties.

Illinois linebacker Dele Harding is starting to generate some buzz and the Eagles are reportedly among the teams interested in the All Big-10 linebacker.

Harding, who participated in the Shrine Game and measured 6-foot, 232 pounds, is good in pass coverage and brings physicality to the defense when defending the run.

During his final season with the Illini, Harding logged 149 tackles (14 for loss), 3 interceptions (2 TDs) and 2 forced fumbles.

Harding’s 40-yard dash times have ranged from 4.67 to 4.82 seconds, with 27 reps on the bench press.

Should the Eagles engage in a bidding war for CB Byron Jones?

Eagles and Giants could engage in a bidding war for Byron Jones

The Philadelphia Eagles covet Byron Jones and appear prepared to break the bank for his services but a question has to be asked, how much is too much?

The Eagles have been in on Jones from the start of conversations about free agency but it appears the New York Giants would like to make a big splash and secure his services as well.

Pro Football Network is reporting that the Eagles are the favorites to land Jones, but they’ll have to outbid the Giants for his services.

Throughout the week of the NFL Combine, everything I heard pointed to the Philadelphia Eagles being the favorite for CB Byron Jones. Then late in the weekend, someone told me to “expect the Eagles and New York Giants to get into a bidding war for Jones.” As I reported last week – Jones is going to make a lot of money and he’ll be able to pick the team he wants to play for.

Last season according to Pro Football Focus, Jones had an overall grade of 76.1 (14th among cornerbacks) a 74.8 grade in coverage and a 94.1 passer rating against.

In 2019, on 53 targets, Jones allowed 30 catches for a 56.6 completion percentage allowed. What you won’t see here is Jones giving up deep balls or 70-yard slants for a touchdown.

The Eagles will have options with Jones, James Bradberry, Chris Harris and Logan Ryan all available, but it’s the Cowboys star that Philadelphia brass clearly wants.

But at what price?

Jones reportedly will demand upwards of $16 million per season as he looks to reset the market. Will the Eagles, Giants, and another suitor be willing to pay that price for a player who’s a shutdown style corner, but doesn’t turn the ball over?

We are a week away from finding out.

2020 NFL Combine: 10 DL for the Eagles to watch

2020 NFL Combine: 10 DL for the Eagles to watch

The 2020 NFL Combine will now feature the defensive players with workouts and position drills for defensive linemen and linebackers.

The Eagles have a need for depth on the defensive line, despite Brandon Graham, Derek Barnett, Fletcher Cox and Malik Jackson all set to return as starters.

With Graham, Cox, and Jackson getting up there in age, it’ll be imperative for the Eagles to land some young talent along the defensive front.

Here are ten defensive linemen or edge rushers regardless of the position that the Eagles should watch at the NFL Combine on Saturday.

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1. Josh Uche | EDGE | Michigan

A standup linebacker for Jim Harbaugh and the Wolverines, Uche has the ability to be an every-down pass rusher in the NFL, who can also be versatile in a zone or man pass coverage.

With the Eagles looking to be innovative while getting younger and more versatile, Uche could be perfect against the grain option.

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Eagles can solve their CB problem by prying Darius Slay away from the Lions and signing him to a long-term deal

Eagles can solve the CB problem by acquiring Darius Slay from the Lions

The Philadelphia Eagles have a bevy of different positions to address this offseason, but the one consensus among experts and analysts is that changes need to come in the secondary, and in a huge way.

Both starting corners from the 2019 season, Jalen Mills and Ronald Darby are free agents, and although Mills could still return, the Eagles need an upgrade at the position.

Cowboys’ Byron Jones and the Broncos’ Chris Harris Jr. are among the top projected free-agent corners, but Howie Roseman could circle back to a player that he’s pursued for the past two years.

According to Adam Schefter, Detroit Lions star cornerback Darius Slay can be had for the right compensation.

Slay has been seething mad about the organization’s decision to trade team captain Quandre Diggs to the Seattle Seahawks and it sounds like both parties are looking for a fresh start.

Recently, ESPN’s Mike Clay suggested Slay to the Eagles in a deal that would send fourth-year cornerback Sidney Jones and a third-round pick to the Lions in exchange.

Slay wants out badly and the Eagles need him even worse.

Slay is a Pro-Bowler and All-Pro caliber cornerback who had only allowed 15 completions on 27 targets for just 189 yards and one touchdown through November and is still one of the best in the game at his position.

Slay leads NFL with 82 passes broken up since 2015 and is one of just 2 cornerbacks named to 3 straight Pro Bowls (Jalen Ramsey). Adding Slay to the Eagles secondary could finally allow players like Jalen Mills if re-signed, Avonte Maddox, Cre’Von LeBlanc and Rasul Douglas to flourish, without the pressure of assuming a shutdown role.

Slay is currently in the top-15 highest-paid cornerback in the NFL according to Over The Cap, and he’d come at a decent rate, of $10 million per season.

Slay is set to hit free agency following the 2020 season, and the Eagles could lock him up long term with the talented cornerback still only 29 years old.

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Making the case for why the Eagles should exercise Derek Barnett’s 5th-year option

The Philadelphia Eagles have some pressing needs on the roster, but one area that’s solid regardless of numbers is the defensive end position. Brandon Graham is aging but he’s still one of the NFL fiercest pass rushers and he’ll once again pair with …

The Philadelphia Eagles have some pressing needs on the roster, but one area that’s solid regardless of numbers is the defensive end position.

Brandon Graham is aging but he’s still one of the NFL fiercest pass rushers and he’ll once again pair with Derek Barnett. Injuries have limited the former first-round pick out of Tennessee to 35 games in three seasons, but when he’s in the lineup, he’s supremely effective.

Barnett had 6.5 sacks last season, not eye-opening numbers, but his 22 quarterback knockdowns suggest that he’s continuing to improve as an edge rusher.

The Eagles have until May 30 to pick up Barnett’s 5th-year option at around $9,451,000 or close to $10 million if the figure rises.

It should be a no-brainer, as the Eagles need to continue developing Barnett while holding onto his rights for an extra year. Barnett’s unlikely to regress and he seems to be just hitting his stride as a defensive end.

He plays hard every down, his plays can’t be measured in sacks, nor can his constant motor and dedication to the position.

Still, only 23 years old, Barnett has 14 career sacks despite only playing in 35 games and from an experience standpoint, you can make the case that the defensive end is just figuring out the game and will be the ultimate disruptor with more game experience.

With plenty of room to grow and no true replacement on the roster, the decision is obvious for the Eagles.

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3 takeaways from news that Marquand Manuel will coach the Eagles secondary

The Philadelphia Eagles have hired former NFL player and Falcons defensive coordinator, Marquand Manuel as the defensive backs coach.

The Philadelphia Eagles have made an impressive hire on Senior Bowl Saturday, agreeing to a deal with Marquand Manuel according to Jeremy Fowler.

Manuel was the architect of an improved Falcons defense and will be called upon to turn around an Eagles cornerback group that has struggled in coverage over the past two years.

With changes coming on the backend of the Eagles defense, here are four takeaways from Manuel’s hiring.

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1. Eagles defensive backs will improve immediately

Manuel, 40, has a track record of success and experience that dates back to his playing days at Florida. He played 8 seasons in the NFL and coached up the Seahawks defense when they were considered the best in the NFL. While in Atlanta, Manuel was credited with the improvement in Keanu Neals play overall improvement of the Falcons secondary.

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Eagles to hire Marquand Manuel as DB coach

Marquand Manuel to be hired as Eagles defensive backs coach

The Philadelphia Eagles finally have some traction on one of their coaching vacancies, as Jeremy Fowler is reporting that Marquand Manuel will be named defensive backs coach.

Manuel formally coached in Seattle when the Legion of Boom was wrecking shop around the league and played for Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz in Detroit.

Manuel Replaces Cory Undlin, who is now the Lions defensive coordinator, and he’ll be tasked with improving an Eagles secondary that has come under fire over the past two seasons.

Eagles ‘considering’ hiring a familiar name for new defensive line coach

Philadelphia Eagles ‘considering’ internal promotion at defensive line coach

The Philadelphia Eagles once again need a defensive line coach and the organization won’t have to look far to find an internal candidate.

According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, special assistant Matt Burke is a name that could replace Phillip Daniels as a defensive line coach.

Burke, 43, joined the Eagles before the 2019 season as a defensive special assistant under Jim Schwartz, and his relationship with the Eagles defensive coordinator goes all the way back to 2004 with the Titans.