Tag: Kelee Ringo

Sydney Brown and Kelee Ringo are finding other ways to be impactful in Eagles wins

Sydney Brown and Kelee Ringo are finding other ways to be impactful in Eagles wins and making a name for themselves on special teams

Sydney Brown (3rd round, No. 66 overall) and Kelee Ringo (4th round, No. 105 overall) were key picks in the 2023 NFL draft, and while neither player is a key starter like Jalen Carter or Nolan Smith, both defensive backs have made a name for themselves on special teams.

Before his Week 13 injury, Brown and Ringo had critical roles as gunners on the punt team, and they shined along with Braden Mann in the 24-19 win over the Ravens.

During his weekly press conference, Michael Clay talked about Brown and Ringo’s key roles on special teams.

One, it starts with the protection. We can’t cover anything unless the ball has been punted, obviously. Having those guys – their mindset has changed, especially Kelee from last year, watching Sydney and [former Eagles and current Seahawks CB] Josh Jobe to now taking the reins.

Sydney wasn’t able to be out there the first few games of the season. Going out there and still playing at a high level. You just see the confidence kind of ooze out of [Kelee] and Sydney to go out there and say, ‘All right, it’s one on one, let’s make a play there.’ Whether it’s a fair catch or making a play, getting the ball out.

The confidence out of those two guys has been outstanding. A lot of behind the scenes goes to [Special Teams Assistant] Tyler Brown, giving them all the tools he possibly can to get these guys to succeed.

Then the veteran guys, some guys that you don’t see, whether that’s [CB] Parry Nickerson, [DB] Avonte Maddox, that have played in the league for a while pushing these young cats to be the best they possibly can. I think it’s shown a lot, and those two have been doing a really good job in tandem.

According to PFF, Ringo has played 249 special team snaps (12 games) and earned an 85.3 grade with five games remaining. As a specialist, Ringo has six tackles.

Brown has been back in the lineup for seven games since returning from a torn ACL, and he’s earned a 72.2 grade from PFF in 148 snaps.

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Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Philadelphia Eagles: Key matchups

Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Philadelphia Eagles: Key matchups

The Jacksonville Jaguars enter Week 9 coming off a rough loss to Green Bay at home and look to get back into the win column in a tough road matchup in Philadelphia.

However, the Jaguars may be without several key players at key positions this weekend. This could pose some issues for a team that is looking to secure their second win in three weeks. A win against the Eagles could boost a ton of confidence into a roster and coaching staff that needs it.

Philadelphia has seemed to right the ship after a rocky start to the season, having played some of its best football in all phases in recent weeks. Jacksonville looks to slow their momentum and steal the home field advantage in this weekend’s late Sunday afternoon bout.

Jaguars Wire takes a closer look at a couple of the key matchups against the Eagles that could be critical in securing win No. 3 for the Jaguars.

Jacksonville’s skill players vs. Philadelphia’s secondary

The Jaguars got beat up this past weekend against the Packers.

Standout slot receiver Christian Kirk went down with a broken collarbone and is out for the season. Rookie sensation Brian Thomas Jr. is said to be a game-time decision with a rib injury but head coach Doug Pederson suggested earlier this week it will likely come down to pain tolerance for team’s top playmaker. Receiver Gabe Davis is also nursing a shoulder injury.

This means second-year wideout Parker Washington, top tight end Evan Engram, Tim Jones, and a practice squad call-up could be the ones trotting out against a sound Eagles secondary.

Philadelphia is getting some quality play from some of their younger talents, including rookie defensive backs Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean. While Darius Slay is out with a groin injury this week, the Eagles have capable depth in Kelee Ringo and Isaiah Rodgers.

Their safeties C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Reed Blankenship, and Sydney Brown make up the rest of a secondary that is built to take on the vertical stretching ability of the Jaguars offense.

The Eagles 57.1 passer rating against deep targets is the fifth-lowest in football, according to Next Gen Stats. This doesn’t bold well for Trevor Lawrence skill players, especially if Thomas can’t go this weekened.

Yet, should Thomas be healthy, it will be a significant boost for an offense that will need him to continue to be the top playmaker he has been this season. Look for the Eagles to play plenty of disguised coverages from a Cover 3 base alignment that will allow them to rotate to play more match and quarters coverage.

Jacksonville’s defense vs. Philadelphia’s offense

This is seemingly nightmare fuel for a Jaguars defense that is in the bottom-five in most statistical defenses.

Quarterback Jalen Hurts and running back Saquon Barkley have been terrors on the ground against opposing defenses. These two have allowed the Eagles to field the second-best rushing offense in the NFL behind the juggernaut Baltimore Ravens run game.

It doesn’t help that wide receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith have been outstanding this season in the passing game, posing more trouble for a lowly Jaguars secondary.

Jacksonville has struggled to penetrate the backfield consistently this season despite the talents of pass rushers Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker along with interior linemen DaVon Hamilton and Arik Armstead. Inconsistency has been a constant theme for defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen and his defense overall.

Putting it bluntly, this is not a well-coached defense and a man-heavy system that has put players on all three levels in a disadvantageous position. However, the key to finding some improvement is simple: an increase in zone coverage variations and blitzes.

Jacksonville has the lowest blitz-rate in the league and that must change if they want to give their secondary a chance to make plays on pressure-influenced passes. If this were to happen Sunday and the Jaguars force Hurts into bad decisions with the football, there is a path to a successful day against a strong Eagles offense.

Eagles young Philly DAWGS turn back the clock on defense in dominant win over Giants

Eagles young Philly DAWGS turn back the clock on defense in dominant 28-3 win over Giants

Less than 24 hours after Georgia entered Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium and dominated the No. 1 ranked Texas Longhorns 30-15,  three former Bulldogs helped Philadelphia move to 4-2 with impactful defensive efforts against the New York Giants.

The Eagles’ eight sacks were the most they’ve had in a game since Week 17 of 2022, and Vic Fangio’s defense dominated the New York Giants, 28-3, on Sunday at MetLife Stadium.

Philadelphia has four defensive starters from the University of Georgia, and those guys set the standard in Sunday’s win.

Nakobe Dean led all players with 11 tackles.

The former Georgia All-American middle linebacker added two sacks, two tackles for loss, and four quarterback hits on the afternoon.

Jalen Carter logged four tackles, two sacks, two tackles for loss, and two quarterback hits.

Nolan Smith has improved week by week and has logged two tackles, one sack, two tackles for loss, and two quarterback hits.

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WATCH: Eagles make history with blocked extra-point for a score

Philadelphia Eagles make history with blocked extra-point for a score

After a disastrous start against Tampa Bay, the Eagles are within two scores after blocking a Buccaneers extra point and returning it for two points.

Following a Buccaneers touchdown, Isaiah Rodgers blocked the extra point attempt, and Kelee Ringo returned it for two points and much-needed momentum. According to the great Merrill Reese, it made franchise history.

Philadelphia trails 30-16 with one-quarter left in Tampa.

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Eagles block Bucs PAT, return it for two points

The Eagles score two points on a return of a blocked Tampa Bay PAT

Here’s one you hardly see at any level of football.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers set up for a PAT after scoring a touchdown to go up 30-14 on the Philadelphia Eagles in Florida on Sunday.

The Eagles had other plans, blocking the kick. Kelee Ringo picked it up and took the football back the length of the field.

That translates into two points for Philly, which trailed 30-16.

Eagles news: Isaiah Rodgers is the favorite to start at CB opposite Darius Slay

Isaiah Rodgers is the frontrunner to start at cornerback for the Philadelphia Eagles opposite Darius Slay

The Eagles are one week away from determining a final 53-man roster and a depth chart for a defensive unit looking to regain its status among the NFL’s best.

This summer, the most extensive training camp battles occurred at offensive guard, linebacker, and cornerback position opposite Darius Slay. Quinyon Mitchell has been stout as a rookie, but he’s seen more first-team snaps in the slot. With Cooper DeJean’s initial training camp injury slowing his progress, the outside cornerback battle has come down to Isaiah Rodgers and Kelee Ringo, and according to ESPN’s Tim McManus, the former Colts draft pick and reinstated defensive back will start at cornerback after missing a year of football due to a suspension.

The battle for the outside corner spot opposite Darius Slay Jr. between former Indianapolis Colt Isaiah Rodgers and second-year player Kelee Ringo has been a good one. While they continue to split reps, Rodgers has been getting the nod at the start of practice more frequently of late and can probably be considered the front-runner at this point.

Vic Fangio said he “may have to play Mitchell at nickel” for now to get the best combination of players on the field.

Things could change once the dynamic DeJean gets into playing shape and understands the scheme, but for now, the Birds are far and away much improved in the secondary.

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Vic Fangio on Eagles’ biggest position battles: CB, LB, and maybe edge rusher

Vic Fangio says the Philadelphia Eagles biggest position battles are at cornerback, inside linebacker and edge rusher

The Eagles have a loaded roster, but the biggest uncertainties and position battles will likely occur on the defensive side of the ball.

On Thursday, new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio addressed the media and was asked about the biggest and most intense position battles. It was no surprise that the cornerback spot opposite Darius Slay, the inside linebacker spot, and the edge rusher would see the most competition.

Quinyon Mitchell, Isaiah Rodgers, and Kelee Ringo will battle for the cornerback spot opposite Darius Slay. Devin White should be a Day 1 starter at the inside linebacker spot, leaving Zack Baun, Nakobe Dean, Oren Burks, and Jeremiah Trotter Jr. to battle for the weak-side linebacker spot.

At the edge rusher spot, Bryce Huff is a Day 1 starter, but Josh Sweat, Brandon Graham, Nolan Smith, and others could all compete for that role.

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Eagles breakout candidates for 2024: No. 10 TE Albert Okwuegbunam Jr.

Philadelphia has a stacked offensive unit, a retooled defense, and two versatile studs at the coordinator positions in Kellen Moore (OC) and Vic Fangio (DC). There are few holes on the roster, but there is plenty of room for younger guys and select …

Philadelphia has a stacked offensive unit, a retooled defense, and two versatile studs at the coordinator positions in Kellen Moore (OC) and Vic Fangio (DC).

There are few holes on the roster, but there is plenty of room for younger guys and select veterans to have a breakout season, cementing the revamped Eagles as a Super Bowl favorite.

On offense, there are several candidates for the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year, while the defense has an All-Pro candidate at defensive tackle and young elite talent at cornerback. Ten players are poised for a breakout season, and with training camp quickly approaching, we’re previewing each player.

Breakout candidate No. 10 is the immensely athletic Albert Okwuegbunam Jr.

Before being a fourth-round pick of the Broncos in 2020, Okwuegbunam had a successful career for the Missouri Tigers.

2× Second-team All-SEC (2017, 2019)
All-SEC Freshman Team (2017)

A 2020 4th-round pick, Okweugbunam logged 54 catches for 546 yards and four scores in 3 seasons in Denver.

Philadelphia acquired Okwuegbunam from Denver after the 2023 preseason finale that saw the versatile tight end catch seven passes for 109 yards and a touchdown. But the Broncos didn’t have room for him on their roster, so they made a deal with the Eagles.

Philadelphia traded a 2025 sixth-round pick and a 2025 seventh-rounder to the Broncos last August and decided not to utilize the pass catcher at all the previous seasons under offensive coordinator Brian Johnson.

A fourth-round pick out of Missouri, Okweugbunam was targeted just once in four games of action last season and did not have a catch.

He’ll return under first-year offensive coordinator Kellen Moore and should find a role with the innovative play-caller. Look for Moore to incorporate Okwuegbunam more into the passing game.

Moore will bring a modern offense that heavily features pre-snap motion and aggressive, vertical route concepts.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott had a career year under Moore in 2021, finishing that season with 4,449 passing yards on 68.8% completion percentage while throwing 37 touchdowns and ten interceptions.

Prescott achieved career highs in passing attempts twice with Moore, with 596 in 2019 and 2021.

The idea that Okwuegbunam would return in 2024 after being barely used last season gives insight into how poorly coached the Eagles were on offense.

Even with Dallas Goedert injured for almost a month, Brian Johnson never found a role for the talented pass catcher.

Howie Roseman’s do-over indicates that Okwuegbunam’s lack of usage in 2023 was on the staff, not the player.

Eagles retooled secondary named the biggest reason for optimism in 2024

The Philadelphia Eagles retooled secondary was named the biggest reason for optimism in 2024 by Pro Football Focus

The Eagles collapsed last season, losing six of their final seven games, including a 32-9 loss to the Buccaneers in the NFC wild-card round. Changes were made as both coordinators departed, with Kellen Moore (Chargers) and Vic Fangio (Dolphins) inserted as more seasoned and experienced upgrades to Nick Sirianni’s staff.

Fletcher Cox and Haason Reddick departed on defense, while serious upgrades were made in the secondary. Howie Roseman spent draft capital on Quinyon Mitchell (round 1) and Cooper DeJean (Round 2). C.J. Gardner-Johnson returned to the team in free agency, while Isaiah Rodgers joined the franchise officially after serving a one-year suspension for gambling. Tyler Hall signed a one-year deal, while Avone Maddox was re-signed in free agency.

Pro Football Focus recently examined the reasons for optimism for all 32 NFL teams and found that Philadelphia’s retooled secondary is the biggest reason for happiness.

They threw resources at the secondary

The Eagles have elite talent at quarterback, wide receiver, offensive line and defensive line. The one glaring weakness was a 28th-ranked coverage unit. They reunited with safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson and two extremely talented cornerbacks in the draft in Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean. DeJean, in particular, should be an asset in the slot after Philadelphia ranked dead last in the NFL in slot coverage grade last year.

Philadelphia has an extremely strong roster, and their offseason work to fix the secondary should keep them in Super Bowl contention.

The Eagles focused on rebuilding the secondary, and Philadelphia selected multiple defensive backs within the first two rounds for the first time since 2002. That year the Eagles took three DBs, cornerbacks Lito Sheppard and Sheldon Brown and safety Michael Lewis, despite already having big named stars on the roster players like Troy Vincent, Bobby Taylor and Brian Dawkins at key spots in the secondary.

With Slay, 33, and Bradberry, 30, entering the final stages of their careers, Philadelphia will develop a core that includes Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, Kelee Ringo, Isaiah Rodgers, and Eli Ricks, just to name a few.

At the safety position, the Eagles have Reed Blankenship Gardner-Johnson and a talented, injured Sydney Brown.

Eagles announce dates for rookie minicamp, OTAs and mandatory minicamp

The Philadelphia Eagles will hold their rookie minicamp on May3-4

The Eagles added nine talented rookies on NFL draft weekend, and they’ll hit the practice field immediately after the NFL and the team announce the dates for their rookie minicamp.

Philadelphia and Green Bay will hold workouts this weekend on Friday, May 3, and Saturday, May 4. Baltimore, Seattle, and the New York Jets will spend Friday, May 3, Saturday, May 4, and Sunday, May 5, holding their rookie minicamp.

OTA Offseason Workouts: May 20, May 22-23, May 28, May 30-31
Mandatory Minicamp: June 4-6
Rookie Minicamp: May 3-4

Twenty-six other teams will begin next week, while the defending Super Bowl Chiefs holding sessions on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.

Philadelphia is currently finalizing what should be a seven-man undrafted class, while Quinyon Mitchell (22), Cooper DeJean (40), and Jeremiah Trotter Jr. (155) headline a nine-man draft class full of athleticism and versatility.