Tag: Nate Gerry

Eagles land standout SEC LB, Pac 12 CB in Todd McShay’s latest mock draft

Eagles land Patrick Queen in Todd McShay’s latest NFL mock draft

The Philadelphia Eagles are apparently all-in on upgrading their roster via the NFL draft, but one expert believes they’ll go defense over the wide receiver in the first round.

Todd McShay previously had the Birds selecting a wide receiver in his other mock drafts, but in his latest installment via ESPN.com, Howie Roseman and company shore up the defense tremendously with the selection of LSU star linebacker, Patrick Queen.

21. Philadelphia Eagles
Patrick Queen, ILB, LSU

The void at wide receiver hasn’t gone away, and the Eagles will have to think long and hard about whether they are ready to enter the 2020 season with the oft-injured Alshon Jeffery and DeSean Jackson, along with J.J. Arcega-Whiteside off a disappointing rookie campaign, as their wideouts again. Justin Jefferson out of LSU is for sure in play at No. 21. But Philadelphia also could really use a spark in the middle of the defense. Queen is a rangy, off-ball linebacker with burst and great tackling ability.

Queen would again make the Eagles defense that much more versatile and he’s another hybrid that would allow Jim Schwartz to dictate to opposing offenses.

In the second round of his mock draft, McShay has the Eagles again going defense, this time with Pac 12 cornerback and former Utah star, Jaylon Johnson.

53. Philadelphia Eagles
Jaylon Johnson, CB, Utah

It’s another spot to maybe make a play for a wide receiver, but even with the addition of Darius Slay, the Eagles will be seeking cornerback depth in April. Johnson is strong in press coverage and flashes the ability to make plays on the ball. Philly has four picks in Rounds 3 and 4 to find a talented wideout, perhaps someone such as KJ Hamler, Donovan Peoples-Jones or Van Jefferson.

Johnson allowed only nine completions on 22 targets for 112 yards over his last seven games in Pac-12 play last season.

After watching Carson Wentz carry the Eagles to the playoffs, McShay maybe feels like a strong defense will make this team that more dangerous.

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Eagles projected depth chart after the first wave of free agency

2020 NFL Free Agency: Eagles depth chart after first wave of signings

The first wave of the NFL’s free agency period has past and the Eagles roster looks a lot different than it did when the team walked off Lincoln Financial Field after a Wild Card loss.

Howie Roseman has stayed true to his retooling efforts and the Eagles have landed a few big fish like Javon Hargrave and Darius Slay.

With the draft upcoming and moves still to be made, here’s the Eagles project depth chart after the first wave of NFL free agency.

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Offense

QB: Carson Wentz — Nate Sudfeld
RB: Miles Sanders — Boston Scott
WR: DeSean Jackson — Shelton Gibson
WR: Alshon Jeffery — JJ Arcega-Whiteside
WR: Greg Ward — Deontay Burnett
TE: Zach Ertz — Dallas Goedert
LT: Andre Dillard — Jordan Mailata
LG: Isaac Seumalo — Sua Opeta
C: Jason Kelce — Nate Herbig
RG: Brandon Brooks — Matt Pryor
RT: Lane Johnson

Changes from the 2019 season

As of now, Jason Peters will find employment elsewhere, as the Eagles transition to Andre Dillard at the left tackle spot.

Until the Eagles make a move in the NFL draft, Greg Ward will assume the role in the slot after Nelson Agholor moved on to the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency. JJ Arcega-Whiteside could be an option if the Eagles move on from Alshon Jeffery in the coming weeks.

At running back, Miles Sanders is now the goto guy, with Jordan Howard moving on to the Miami Dolphins. Boston Scott will assume the role of change of pace and third-down back until the Eagles add another running back.

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Doug Pederson weighs-in on whether LB is a position of need for the Eagles after releasing Nigel Bradham

Doug Pederson says he’s really excited about the Eagles young linebackers

The Philadelphia Eagles made the difficult decision to part ways with linebacker Nigel Bradham, but head coach Doug Pederson believes the team is in good hands.

While sitting down with Eagles Insider Dave Spadaro, the topic of Bradham’s release and the Eagles’ future at linebacker was brought up.

When asked if linebacker was a position of need, Pederson was vague with his response but gave T.J. Edwards and other young players a vote of confidence.

“It’s all about evaluation. It’s all about, how we can construct our roster and we sometimes we have to make tough decisions. We’ve done this now the last four years, making these types of moves and these types of decisions. We thank Nigel obviously for what he did, he helped us win a championship a couple years ago. He’s been a valuable player for us. I do feel really good about our young players. I thought T.J. Edwards made a big step forward last year, so we’ve got to look at that as well, but everything is in the best interests of the Philadelphia Eagles.”

Since joining Philadelphia in 2016, Bradham has started all 58 regular-season games he played and six postseason games, while constantly showing that he was the Eagles’ most consistent linebacker.

Finances rule the NFL and Bradham who turn 31 in September, has seen his production decline as his cap hit ballooned to $9.8 million if he was on the team in 2020.

The Eagles undrafted free agent from the last offseason, Edwards excelled as a special teams player and was getting significant reps as the Eagles entered the playoffs.

Bradham’s departure could signal the beginning of the T.J. Edwards era in Philadelphia.

Edwards ascension up the depth chart was held up by the struggles that every rookie deals with when attempting to digest Jim Schwartz’s complicated defensive scheme.

With Schwartz being a great teacher and developer of talent, look for Edwards to continue to improve as a player, looking towards a breakout 2020 season.

4 takeaways from the Eagles releasing Nigel Bradham

Eagles save $4.5 million in cap space by releasing Nigel Bradham

The Philadelphia Eagles had a looming decision to make on Nigel Bradham and according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com, Bradham will enter free agency after not having his team option picked up.

With the Eagles set for changes on both sides of the ball, here are four takeaways from the team’s decision to let Bradham test free agency.

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1. Eagles save almost $5 million in cap space

The release of Bradham clears $4.465M of cap space for the Eagles, who aren’t done making moves before the new league year begins.

 

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Nigel Bradham to become a free agent after Eagles decline 2020 option

The Eagles are moving on from Nigel Bradham

The Philadelphia Eagles had a looming decision to make on Nigel Bradham and according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com, the talented linebacker will not have his option picked up and he’ll be a salary cap casualty.

The Eagles had until the end of the league year (March 17) to either pick up or decline the $10 million option on the 31-year-old linebacker.

 

Before the 2018 NFL season, Bradham signed a five-year, $40 million deal, with plenty of outs for the Eagles, including team options in the final three seasons.

According to Over The Cap, the Eagles save $4.5 million in cap space by declining his option. If Bradham is to return, it’ll be at a much lower rate than his $8 million per year.

Bradham’s production has dropped over the past few seasons, but he still leads the team in tackles since signing with the Eagles after leaving Buffalo as a free agent.

The Eagles could look to add a more athletic and versatile linebacker in his place, as big offseason changes loom.

3 sleeper stars from the Eagles 2019 season

Boston Scott was among three of the Eagles under the radar players to emerge this season

The Philadelphia Eagles entered the 2019 NFL season with huge expectations and after injuries and attrition ravaged the roster, the Birds had several unlikely heroes emerge to finish the season strong and help secure the NFC East.

Not everyone on the Eagles roster was an All-Pro or highly thought of and we’ve named three Eagles players, sleepers and under the radar guys who were stars this season.

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1. Boston Scott RB

Pick up after being waived by the Saints in the offseason, Scott wasn’t even on the Eagles 53-man roster at the beginning of the season. He finished the 2019 season as an integral member, amassing 350 total offensive yards and five touchdowns in the final four regular-season games.

Scott’s late-season surge ensured his roster spot for next season and may have pushed Jordan Howard out of Philadelphia.

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Doug Pederson calls Kamu Grugier-Hill “selfish” for lying about concussion symptoms

Kamu Grugier-Hill lied to Eagles training staff about concussion

Kamu Grugier-Hill self-reported concussion symptoms last week in advance of him missing the Eagles game against the New York Giants.

Grugier-Hill missed the Giants game and questions about the Eagles training staff once again jumped to the forefront.

The problem stems from Grugier-Hill suffering a concussion on his very first play from scrimmage against the Miami Dolphins in Week 13, and lying to the Eagles training staff, stating that he suffered a shoulder injury.

On Thursday, almost two weeks after the fact, Grugier-Hill admitted that he pretended he’d suffered a shoulder injury and went and played the rest of the game.

Doug Pederson addressed the matter on Friday, calling it “disappointing” that Grugier-Hill misled the training staff via NJ.com.

“We know how important head and neck injuries are out our league and just ht person and player himself and the well being of the player. From that stand-point to have this come back like this and for him to admit what he has said and done is very disappointing for me as a head coach after putting our players through meetings and instructing our players.”

“It’s a little bit of a selfish act to make that decision when he could’ve gotten checked out right away and probably would’ve been cleared to go back in that game at that point. I’m disappointed.”

Grugier-Hill has been a full participant in practice thus far this week and he’s expected to return against the Redskins on Sunday.

Eagles LB Kamu Grugier-Hill ruled out for game vs. Giants

Kamu Grugier-Hill ruled out for game vs. Giants

The Philadelphia Eagles have ruled linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill out for Monday night’s game against the New York Giants with a concussion.

Grugier-Hill self-reported the concussion symptoms on Thursday and was placed in the protocol.

Eagles vs. Patriots: 4 matchups to watch

Eagles vs. Patriots: 4 matchups to watch

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The Philadelphia Eagles and New England Patriots will square off Sunday afternoon at Lincoln Financial Field in a Super Bowl LII rematch and a huge contest that could go a long way towards solidifying the Birds playoff chances.

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It’ll be the first and possibly the last matchup between Carson Wentz and Tom Brady.

Here are matchups to watch:

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Patriots WR Julian Edelman vs. Eagles CB Avonte Maddox

Maddox has looked good in his return from injury and it comes just in time for him to tangle with the Patriots star in the slot. Edelman has 63 catches for 663 yards and four touchdowns so far this season and can be a matchup nightmare for opposing secondaries.

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Nate Gerry a person of interest as Patriots gameplan for Eagles’ defense

Philadelphia linebacker Nate Gerry will play a huge role in the Eagles matchup with the Patriots

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Any Eagles related conversation focusing on Nate Gerry is certain to bring a variety of opinions centered on his value as a linebacker in Philadelphia’s defense. Gerry for the most part, is either beloved or severely questioned by local fans and media on a weekly basis.

This week, the Eagles face the king of getting the most out of key matchups, when Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots come to town.

With the Patriots practicing and preparing for a tough Eagles front-7, ESPN’s Mike Reiss pointed out New England focusing and preparing specifically for Fletcher Cox, and Gerry.

With Belichick having a highlighted jersey for Gerry at Patriots practice, Belichick is either concerned about the Birds inside linebacker or, he’s sees something he can obviously exploit early and often.

With Sony Michel, James White and Rex Burkhead in the backfield, Josh McDaniel’s and the Patriots could choose to center their offensive game plan around targeting Gerry’s man whenever he’s forced into pass coverage.

Gerry has shown himself to be the Eagles’ most versatile linebacker, playing upwards over four positions during the past five or six weeks. He’s amassed 33 tackles, a sack, two interceptions, and a pick-six over that time span.