Tag: NFL Playoffs

Eagles updated 76-player roster as 2024 offseason program gets underway

We’re looking at the Philadelphia Eagles updated 76 man roster as the offseason workout program gets underway

The Eagles are back at the NovaCare Complex as the offseason program begins for 76 select veterans and second-year players.

The nine-week training program has three phases: one mandatory minicamp for the entire roster and one rookie minicamp for each group.

Phase One consists of the first two weeks of the program, with activities limited to meetings, strength and conditioning, and physical rehabilitation only.

Phase Two consists of the next three weeks of the program with on-field workouts, which may include individual or group instruction.

Phase Three consists of the next four weeks of the program, during which teams may conduct ten days of organized team practice activities, or “OTAs.”

No live contact is permitted, but 7-on-7, 9-on-7, and 11-on-11 drills are allowed.

The Eagles are changing their offseason program, including adding a mandatory minicamp for the first time under Nick Sirianni. They will have 7 OTAs (May 20, May 22-23, May 28, May 30-31) and three days of mandatory minicamp (June 4-6). In 2022 and 2023, they had six total OTAs.

With the workouts and on-field training underway, we’re looking at Philadelphia’s updated 76-player roster ahead of next week’s NFL draft.

15 biggest salary cap hits for the Eagles in 2024 after first wave of NFL free agency

We’re looking at the 15 biggest cap hits for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2024 after the first wave of NFL free agency

Change is always good for the soul, and after losing six of their final seven games, including a wild-card loss to the Buccaneers, Philadelphia has undergone a dramatic reconstruction that could pay off with championship dividends.

Offensive coordinators Brian Johnson (Commanders) and Sean Desai (Rams) have left, replaced by Vic Fangio (DC) and Kellen Moore (OC).

The Eagles have retooled their roster on both sides of the football after inking DE Bryce Huff, RB Saquon Barkley, OLB Zach Baun, OL Matt Hennessy, WR DeVante Parker, S/CB C.J. Gardner-Johnson, LB Devin White, LB Oren Burks, DT PJ Mustipher, WR Parris Campbell, and CB Tyler Hall to deals during the first wave.

Philadelphia then traded for quarterback Kenny Pickett while extending Landon Dickerson and Jake Elliott. 

Philadelphia currently has about  $33,657,986 in cap space per Over The Cap, and they’re spending about $100+ million plus on both sides of the football.

The Eagles also have a Haason Reddick dilemma that’ll be resolved in the next week or more.

The biggest salary cap hits have changed, with Jason Kelce and Fletcher Cox counting until they’re officially released on June 1.

With the first wave of free agency completed, we’re taking an updated look at the 15 biggest salary cap hits for the Eagles, according to Over The Cap.

Eagles’ biggest draft needs as the NFL Combine gets underway

We’re looking at the Philadelphia Eagles biggest draft needs with the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine underway from Indianapolis

The Eagles are set for wholesale changes.

GM Howie Roseman retools the roster following Philadelphia’s historic collapse, finishing the season 1-6 after a 10-1 start.

The first domino to fall is All-Pro center Jason Kelce’s decision on his future, 36, who reportedly told his teammates he is retiring after 13 seasons with the Eagles but may now be having a change of heart.

Brandon Graham, who turns 36 in April, says he wants to return to the Eagles for one more final season, his 15th, and he’s one of the few guys on the roster deserving of writing his final script.

We’re looking at Philadelphia’s most significant needs with the scouting combine off and running.

Eagles salary cap: Positional breakdowns and financial outlook ahead of NFL free agency

Here’s an early look at the Philadelphia Eagles’ salary cap, positional breakdowns, and financial outlook ahead of 2024 NFL free agency

The Eagles are set for an interesting retool on defense that’ll include a new defensive coordinator and potentially seven new starters in critical positions.

Philadelphia will enter the offseason with a disgruntled Haason Reddick, followed by decisions on 20 pending free agents, including D’Andre Swift, Fletcher Cox, Brandon Graham, Braden Mann, Quez Watkins, and others.

The Eagles currently have about $19 million in salary cap space and the No. 22 overall pick in April’s NFL draft.

Steelers defense sets unique mark for playoff futility

The Steelers defense has fallen flat in the playoffs.

Over the course of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2023 season, the offensive issues stole all the headlines, but the defense had more than its fair share of problems with stopping other teams. Pittsburgh limped into the playoffs again only to see yet another early exit.

The Steelers haven’t won a postseason game in seven years, and one stat illustrates an even bigger issue with that drought.

Here are the scores of the Steelers’ last five playoff losses:

2016 AFC title game: New England Patriots 36, Pittsburgh Steelers 17

2017 divisional round: Jacksonville Jaguars 45, Pittsburgh Steelers 42

2020 wild-card round: Cleveland Browns 48, Pittsburgh Steelers 37

2021 wild-card round: Kansas City Chiefs 42, Pittsburgh Steelers 21

2023 wild-card round: Buffalo Bills 31, Pittsburgh Steelers 17

The Steelers are the only team in NFL history to allow more than 30 points in five straight playoff games. Is this a product of inept offenses that just wore the defense down all season long and by the playoffs they just had nothing left, or does this point to a bigger issue on the defensive side of the football?

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A prediction is in for the Commanders to win the NFC East in 2024

This seems a bit early.

The Washington Commanders will look drastically different in 2024. There’s a new general manager (Adam Peters) and a new head coach (Dan Quinn).

Quinn just recently completed his coaching staff. It’s a staff full of experience, with former head coaches and coordinators joining Quinn in Washington. The Commanders will also likely have a new quarterback in 2024.

With the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft, Washington is positioned to land one of the draft’s top three quarterbacks. The Houston Texans, with a new head coach last season and a quarterback selected second overall, won their division and a playoff game in 2023.

Could the Commanders follow a similar path in 2024?

It’s way too early for those types of predictions. We don’t know who Washington will select in the draft or sign in free agency.

But Colin Cowherd, on Friday’s edition of “The Herd,” believes the Commanders will follow Houston’s path in 2024.

“Commanders win their division,” Cowherd said. “Why Commanders? $75 million in cap space. Love Dan Quinn and Kliff Kingsbury as a staff. I think the Eagles and the Cowboys, because of age and drama, are vulnerable. I think the Commanders, we have a surprise team every year in the league. I think they get Drake Maye. I think Drake Maye is like Justin Herbert as a comp. Played in a simple college offense and will be better than people think immediately. Herbert was, C.J. Stroud was. I think Drake Maye is that guy this year.”

Cowherd makes some good points here. The NFL does have surprise teams every year. And who knows what happens with the Cowboys and Eagles with head coaches on shaky ground.

The Commanders seem far away right now, but they are set up for an immediate turnaround with a strong offseason.

Studs and duds from the Eagles 2023 season

We’re looking at the studs and duds from the Philadelphia Eagles 2023 regular season

The Eagles are set for wholesale changes as owner Jeffrey Lurie and GM Howie Roseman evaluated Nick Sirianni’s future following Philadelphia’s historic collapse, finishing the season 1-6 after a 10-1 start.

The first domino to fall is All-Pro center Jason Kelce, 36, who reportedly told his teammates he is retiring after 13 seasons with the Eagles but may now be having a change of heart.

Brandon Graham, who turns 36 in April, says he wants to return to the Eagles for one more final season, his 15th, and he’s one of the few guys on the roster deserving of writing his final script.

According to Over The Cap, Philadelphia has 20+ free agents, and we’re looking at the studs and duds from a disappointing finish.

Highlights from the 2024 Pro Bowl Games, Flag Football competition

We’re looking at highlights from the 2024 NFL Pro Bowl games, and the Flag Football competition

We can now look towards Super Bowl 58 as the NFC won the Pro Bowl Games with an overall score of 64-59.

Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson broke up a pass from Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud to Los Angeles Chargers receiver Keenan Allen, creating a turnover on downs with four seconds remaining.

Stroud led all quarterbacks with 173 yards on 18-of-22 passing, while Seattle Seahawks’ Geno Smith led the NFC in passing with 154 yards on 15-of-21 passing.

Allen was among the standouts, with 90 receiving yards on nine catches, including three touchdowns receiving and one passing.

Dallas Cowboys receiver CeeDee Lamb had three touchdown catches, including one from Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts. Detroit Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown had ten catches for 117 yards and a TD for the NFC.

Eagles report card: Grading every offensive position from the 2023 season

We’re looking at the final grades and report cards for the Philadelphia Eagles offensive position groups in 2023

After being officially eliminated in the wild-card round, the Philadelphia Eagles are preparing for 2024, and they’ll enter the offseason with a retooled coaching staff after replacing Brian Johnson (OC) and Sean Desao (DC) with Kellen Moore (OC) and Vic Fangio (DC).

While there are 20 pending free agents, Philadelphia will enter the 2024 offseason with front-office continuity, draft assets, and a clear plan for improving around Jalen Hurts.

With the new league year fast approaching, we’re looking at the final report card and offensive grades for 2023.

Are we ready to be honest about Lamar Jackson?

Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson was unimpressive in the AFC championship game, and it’s time to be honest about his shortcomings.

After Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson lost again in the playoffs, it’s time to be honest about his shortcomings.

While offensive coordinator Todd Monken does deserve some blame for abandoning the running game, is Monken wrong for expecting his “MVP” to complete passes with accuracy and timing on three-step drops? Furthermore, Monken’s quick passing attack was the correct counter to the blitz scheme of Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo.

Jackson’s play was pedestrian at best, holding the ball too long in the pocket, dropping back 15-plus yards aimlessly on the first play, and throwing into triple coverage at a crucial point of the game. The Ravens were 3 of 11 on third down. Jackson went 20 for 37 through the air and was sacked four times, losing a fumble on one of them.

As a result of Jackson’s inability to lead the offense, the Ravens defense had to be on the field for 73 snaps. After shutting the Chiefs down entirely in the second half, the Ravens still had to wake up to the false narrative that Patrick Mahomes carved them up. Defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald didn’t even speak to the media before he decided to skip town.

Instead of presuming the Ravens will be back next season, Jackson needs to process the loss and know that the AFC North will be a much more challenging road in 2024. Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow will return from injury, and the Cleveland Browns will have running back Nick Chubb back from injury.

The Ravens didn’t sign Jackson to a five-year, $260 million contract last offseason for empty promises at the podium, locker room dance moves or his ability to win the MVP award. Jackson must improve his game as a pocket passer. It’s time to hold him accountable.