Report: Philadelphia Eagles LB coach Ken Flajole not expected to return in 2021

Philadelphia Eagles LB coach Ken Flajole not expected to return in 2021

With Jim Schwartz out as defensive coordinator, the fallout is has begun as Alex Marvex of SiriusXM is reporting that linebackers coach Ken Flajole will not return.

Flajole was a massive supporter of embattled linebacker Nate Gerry and he failed to develop any long-term starters at the position despite Alex Singleton emerging in 2020.

Flajole joined the Eagles coaching staff in the 2016 offseason as the team’s linebackers coach and he’s coached every defensive position during his 40-plus-year coaching career.

[listicle id=645562]

[lawrence-related id=645606,645584,645585,645579,645556]

Looking ahead to the Philadelphia Eagles key 2021 free agents

Looking ahead to the Philadelphia Eagles key 2021 free agents

The Philadelphia Eagles are currently 3-4-1 on the season and working towards another NFC East championship. Even with the Birds fully engulfed in the 2020 season, 2021 looms, and with impending salary cap issues, the Eagles free agent class for next spring could likely see a lot of familiar names exit as Howie Roseman and company look to continue their youth movement.

Here’s a brief look ahead to some of the Eagles key free agents for next spring.

Eagles place DE Genard Avery on the Reserve/Injured list

Eagles place DE Genard Avery on the Reserve/Injured list

The Philadelphia Eagles just announced two roster moves, placing linebacker Nate Gerry and pass rusher Genard Avery on the Reserve/Injured list.

Avery has been dealing with an injury and the roster move paves the way for Jalen Reagor and Jason Peters to return to the lineup.

Eagles place LB Nate Gerry on the Reserve/Injured list

Eagles place LB Nate Gerry on the Reserve/Injured list

The Philadelphia Eagles have placed starting linebacker Nate Gerry on injured reserve with an ankle injury the team just announced.

Gerry has been dealing with an ankle injury and the roster move paves the way for Jalen Reagor and Jason Peters to return to the lineup.

Eagles vs. Cowboys Injury Report: Nate Gerry among 7 to not practice; Malik Jackson listed as limited

Nate Gerry was among seven Eagles players to not practice on Thursday

[jwplayer oJ4ctDg4]

The Philadelphia Eagles released their Thursday injury report and Nate Gerry was among 7 players to not practice. Malik Jackson was among the three others listed as limited participants.

DNP: Avery (elbow), Curry (illness), Driscoll (ankle), Gerry (ankle), James (hamstring), Jeffery (calf), Sanders (knee).

LIMITED: Malik Jackson (quad), T Lane Johnson (knee, ankle), CB Cre’von LeBlanc (quad).

FULL: K’Von Wallace (neck).

Jalen Reagor, T.J. Edwards, and Jason Peters have yet to be activated and added to the 53 man roster so they’re not currently listed as participants.

[listicle id=642822]

[lawrence-related id=642814,642820,642833]

Will Parks set to make his season debut with the Eagles badly needing an answer for Ravens TE Mark Andrews

James Palmer of the NFL Network is reporting that Will Parks is cleared and ready to make his Eagles debut

[jwplayer qByb2ziO]

In Sunday’s loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Eagles’ biggest Achilles-heel was the play of their linebackers, specifically Nate Gerry, who once again was a liability in coverage.

On Sunday rookie Chase Claypool took advantage of Gerry’s lack of foot speed for a touchdown late in the game. Gerry and Alex Singleton allowed seven catches for 78 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the loss, and it’s been a growing problem since the Week 2 loss at home to the Los Angeles Rams.

Per PFF, Gerry is allowing a 154.6 passer rating to opposing quarterbacks, while opposing receivers have caught all 23 passes with Gerry in coverage for 267 yards and four touchdowns in just five games.

There have been calls to bench Gerry, but the best remedy for the Eagles will come in the form of a healthy Will Parks. Parks had his 21-day practice window activated recently and according to James Palmer of NFL.com, the versatile safety will make his season debut on Sunday.

A key player who can flourish in the slot or at linebacker in nickel or dime situations, Parks had 134 tackles, four interceptions, 13 pass deflections, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery in four seasons with the Broncos.

Parks is big enough to play a hybrid linebacker while providing adequate size at the safety position as well.

[vertical-gallery id=639260]

[lawrence-related id=642228,642215,642208,642206]

Doug Pederson on his support for Jim Schwartz despite the Eagles defensive struggles

Eagles head coach Doug Pederson doubled down on his support for defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz

Doug Pederson gave Jim Schwartz a vote of confidence on Monday just hours after the Eagles defense was shredded by a rookie wide receiver in Philadelphia’s 38-29 road loss to the Steelers in Pittsburgh.

The Eagles rarely got pressure on Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger as he completed just under 80 percent of his passes with three TDs to rookie Chase Claypool, who scored four touchdowns.

The Steelers scored on six of their nine possessions as the Eagles gave up 38 points on the road.

Roethlisberger changing the play on Claypool’s final touchdown catch doesn’t excuse the fact that Schwartz had Gerry lined up one on one despite the linebacker’s inability to cover the quick wideout.

It should have been a defensive back on Claypool with the game on the line and for that Schwartz will need to shoulder a bulk of the blame.

Eagles LB Duke Riley Carted off vs. the Steelers with an injury

Duke Riley was carted off against Pittsburgh after causing a fumble.

The Philadelphia Eagles had another player leave against the Steelers after Duke Riley was carted off against Pittsburgh after causing a fumble.

Alex Singleton came in at linebacker for Riley with the Eagles trailing the Steelers by two points late in the fourth quarter.

Nate Gerry says Eagles linebackers are looking to ‘flush it’ and move on after debacle against the Rams

Nate Gerry looking forward to the Bengals afer bad loss to the Rams

[jwplayer XGQeKGws]

The Philadelphia Eagles entered their Week 2 matchup against the Rams with the No. 1 rated defense in football. That honor quickly evaporated and 60 minutes later, the Eagles defense was a disaster during a 37-19 loss to the Rams.

The Eagles linebacker corps led by Nathan Gerry played below average in the afternoon, looking outmatched in the running game and beyond confused by the Rams short passing game. On Wednesday, Gerry took the blame for the Eagles brutal play against the run and used the phrase, “flush it” when talking to Les Bowen of The Inquirer, to describe where the Birds though process in advance of the matchup with Cincinnati.

“It’s easier for us to flush it knowing we still have the objectives and goals ahead of us that we still want to accomplish. … It’s just one of the bumps in the road. … I feel like we learned from it, and especially after today’s practice, I feel like we’ve definitely flushed it.”

The Eagles gave up 191 rushing yards on 39 carries and were gashed for big plays both on the ground and in the air as well.

Gerry called Sunday a bump in the road and something the Eagles will move on and learn from.

[vertical-gallery id=639201]

[lawrence-related id=641344,641341,641340,641329,641332]

Jim Schwartz gives the Eagles linebacker corps a vote of confidence

Jim Schwartz says he’s very confident in the Eagles linebackers despite their poor play in loss to the LA Rams

During the Eagles 37-19 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, the Philadelphia defense was confused and gashed over and over by Sean McVay’s constant motion and misdirection. Left in the aftermath was Nate Gerry missing tackles or Eagles defenders chasing behind Rams offensive stars scurrying towards the end zone.

On Tuesday, Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz took the blame, suggesting that his game plan was the cause of the debacle.

When getting specific, especially about his underperforming linebacker corps, Schwartz again took the fall, stating that he didn’t put them in a good enough position.

During Tuesday’s zoom meeting, Schwartz talked about a more complex game plan, but if Gerry and company struggled with a “simpler” gameplan, what was a more complex and more difficult gameplan going to help?

[vertical-gallery id=639201]

[lawrence-related id=641265,641261,641258,641242]