Tag: Malcolm Jenkins

Eagles land on ESPN’s list of most improved defenses

Philadelphia Eagles land on ESPN’s list of most improved defenses

The Philadelphia Eagles defense was criticized and battered during the first of the NFL season, but over the past four weeks, the Birds have gotten healthy and seemed to have found their rhythm.

With Jalen Mills and Ronald Darby healthy, the Eagles defense is among the best in the NFL over the past three weeks. According to ESPN.com, the Birds meteoric improvements as a defense have landed them on a list of the most improved defensive units.

8. Philadelphia Eagles
2019: -7.2% (6)
2018: 0.0% (15)
Gain: -7.2%

It’s a modest improvement, but the Eagles have gone from a 6.7% pass defense DVOA last year (15th) to -0.5% pass defense DVOA this year (12th). They’ve blitzed a bit more than they used to under Jim Schwartz, currently at 27.2% per SportsRadar, as compared to a league-low 16.0% in 2018.

The Birds have improved with the return of Jalen Mills and Ronald Darby to the secondary. Two other additions, Rudy Ford and Pass rusher Genard Avery, have also helped spur on the Eagles’ newfound defensive success.

Should the Eagles attend Colin Kaepernick’s private workout?

The Eagles should not attend Colin Kaepernick’s private workout

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In the famous term made popular by Ricky Watters, “For who? “For what”?

That could definitely be the motto when discussing whether the Eagles should attend Colin Kaepernick’s personal workout on Saturday. The Eagles are known for doing their due diligence whenever a talented player becomes available and with the news that all 32 NFL teams have been invited to Atlanta to watch the former 49ers star perform, the question has to be asked, will the Eagles send front office personnel and scouts?

Kaepernick, who led the 49ers to a Super Bowl appearance in 2012, hasn’t played a game since becoming a free agent in the offseason of 2017.

If you’re interested in theatrics and good drama, then attending the workout would make sense, even with the Eagles preparing to face the defending Super Bowl champions just hours later in a huge home game.

Adding to the theatrics, Kaepernick is also the same guy that called Malcolm Jenkins a “sellout” and a “neo-colonialist.” Jenkins is an Eagles captain and carries a ton of weight in the locker room.

If you thought Carson Wentz had eyes behind his head and developed acne on his face from dealing with Nick Foles as his backup for those two seasons, just imagine the stress Wentz will deal with when he’s asked about Kaepernick?

Or how will he deal with questions about gadget plays involving the athletic Kaepernick, or critics and pundits calling for his job the first time he struggles. Both quarterbacks have flourished in the RPO focused offensive system, and Kaepernick’s athleticism could make for interesting conversation in regards to how he’d look commanding the Eagles offense.

The Eagles have had previous opportunities to sign Kaepernick and are unlikely to sign him this go around either. Also pertinent to the matter, the quarterback position isn’t currently a need and there’s no guarantee that Kaepernick would be an upgrade over Josh McCown as the backup.

Due diligence on free agents players is always a must, but in this case, the Philadelphia Eagles may choose to pass.