Tag: Nolan Smith

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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Memphis basketball hires former Duke Blue Devil to its coaching staff

According to a Wednesday report, former Duke basketball star Nolan Smith will join Penny Hardaway’s coaching staff at Memphis.

Former Duke basketball star Nolan Smith is back in the world of college basketball.

According to a Wednesday report from The Daily Memphian’s Parth Upadhyaya, Smith will serve as an assistant coach for Penny Hardaway and the Memphis Tigers.

Smith played for the Blue Devils from 2007-11, and his 1,911 career points are 18th in school history and the seventh-most of any player this century. He and current Duke coach [autotag]Jon Scheyer[/autotag] teamed to win a national championship in 2010, the fourth title in school history. Smith scored 13 points in the championship game, a 61-59 victory over Butler, while Scheyer added 15 points of his own.

As a senior in 2010-11, Smith averaged 20.6 points per game.

A first-round pick in the 2011 NBA draft, Smith briefly played for the Portland Trail Blazers before returning to Durham as an assistant coach in 2016. He left for Louisville in 2022, where he’d spent the previous two seasons before this Memphis job.

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Sights and sounds from first half of Eagles matchup vs. Falcons

It wasn’t the most explosive first half, but Philadelphia rode the emotion of Nick Foles’ retirement and a raucous crowd to keep Atlanta out of the end zone late in the first half. The Eagles hold a 7-6 lead heading into the second half. Playing …

It wasn’t the most explosive first half, but Philadelphia rode the emotion of Nick Foles’ retirement and a raucous crowd to keep Atlanta out of the end zone late in the first half. The Eagles hold a 7-6 lead heading into the second half.

Playing without A.J. Brown, Philadelphia used a DeVonta Smith touchdown catch to establish a 7-3 first-half lead before the Falcons pulled within one.

Here are sights and sounds from the first half.

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Takeaways and observations from first half of Eagles matchup vs. Falcons in Week 2

It wasn’t the most explosive first half, but Philadelphia rode the emotion of Nick Foles’ retirement and a raucous crowd to keep Atlanta out of the end zone late in the first half. The Eagles hold a 7-6 lead heading into the second half. Playing …

It wasn’t the most explosive first half, but Philadelphia rode the emotion of Nick Foles’ retirement and a raucous crowd to keep Atlanta out of the end zone late in the first half. The Eagles hold a 7-6 lead heading into the second half.

Playing without A.J. Brown, Philadelphia used a DeVonta Smith touchdown catch to establish a 7-3 first-half lead before the Falcons pulled within one.

With the second half set to begin, here are takeaways and observations from the first half.

Primarily a punt returner, Covey joined DeVonta Smith and Jahan Dotson for the second snap, lined up as an outside receiver. Covey had two catches in the first half, for six yards on two targets.

Monday saw a matchup of two similar running backs with the veteran Saquon Barkley, and second year running back Bijan Robinson. Through two quarters, Robinson has the lead. The Falcons star has 10 carries for 72 yards, and one catch for 72 yards. Barkley has eight carries for 37 yards rushing in the first half.

Whether it was a punishment or by some design, Eagles star defensive tackle Jalen Carter didn’t see a snap in the game’s first series. He was back in the lineup for the second series. CArter finished the first half with one tackle.

At this rate the Eagles best offensive play is Jalen Hurts running. Hurts has 47 yards rushing on the Eagles final drive of the half. Hurts was 9-13 passing for 70 yards and one touchdown. He had six carries for 51 yards rushing.

Smith was going to be the focal point of the Eagles offense with A.J. Brown out and the Heisman Trophy winner rose to the occasion. Smith had three catches for 30 yards and a touchdown on the Eagles four possessions.

Eagles DC Vic Fangio was brutally honest when discussing Bryce Huff’s limited role in Week 1

Vic Fangio said in order for Bryce Huff to play more, he’s going to have to separate himself from the other edge rushers

The Eagles signed Bryce Huff to a three-year, $51 million deal in free agency, hoping to transform the former Jets pass rusher into a younger, more explosive version of Haason Reddick.

Huff was a nonfactor in game one, playing fewer snaps than Josh Sweat, Brandon Graham, and Nolan Smith. During his Wednesday press conference, defensive coordinator Vic Fangio again offered some tough love and made it clear that Huff would see more significant snaps until he started to separate himself.

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Huff has increased his sack production in seasons, jumping from 3.5 sacks in 2022 to 10.0 this past season.

Still, Huff has been known as more of a situational pass rusher than a true defensive end or SAM linebacker. Last season, he played in just 42 percent of the Jets’ defensive snaps, as he was used solely in pass-rushing situations.

It’s only one game, and this situation and his ability to mesh with Fangio will be something to watch.

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Sights and sounds from first half of Eagles Week 1 matchup vs. Packers in Brazil

The Eagles started the first half miserable in Sao Paulo, Brazil, but thanks to a stout defense, Philadelphia only ended up down 6-0 and entered the second half down 19-17 after regrouping. Both offenses made explosive plays, and the Packers secured …

The Eagles started the first half miserable in Sao Paulo, Brazil, but thanks to a stout defense, Philadelphia only ended up down 6-0 and entered the second half down 19-17 after regrouping.

Both offenses made explosive plays, and the Packers secured two early turnovers to exit the first half up two points. Packers quarterback Jordan Love was 7-14 passing for 130 yards and one first-half touchdown.

Free agent running back Josh Jacobs had six carries for four yards, Emmanuel Wilson led Green Bay with three carries for 37 yards, and Jayden Reed led all pass catchers with two catches for 79 yards and a score. With the second half set to begin, here are takeaways from the first half.

Early pregame sights and sounds from Eagles matchup vs. Packers in Brazil

The Eagles are in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and the first NFL game in the region will start in a little under an hour. Brazil, the largest country in Latin America, will host the Philadelphia Eagles vs. Green Bay Packers game on Friday at Arena Corinthians …

The Eagles are in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and the first NFL game in the region will start in a little under an hour. Brazil, the largest country in Latin America, will host the Philadelphia Eagles vs. Green Bay Packers game on Friday at Arena Corinthians in Sao Paulo. This will be the first NFL game held on a Friday evening since 1970.

With kickoff just moments away, here are sights and sounds from the pregame activities.

Philadelphia Eagles’ roster comparison: 2023 vs. 2024 defense

Last summer, the Eagles entered the 2023 NFL season fresh off a Super Bowl loss while maintaining one of the league’s most dominant defensive units. The Birds lost Jonathan Gannon, who accepted the Cardinals’ coaching job. Sean Desai was inserted as …

Last summer, the Eagles entered the 2023 NFL season fresh off a Super Bowl loss while maintaining one of the league’s most dominant defensive units. The Birds lost Jonathan Gannon, who accepted the Cardinals’ coaching job. Sean Desai was inserted as defensive coordinator, and the team jumped out to a 10-1 start before the wheels fell off.

Philadelphia lost six of its final seven games, including a 32-9 blowout loss to the Buccaneers in the wild-card round. Desai was fired as DC and replaced by Vic Fangio, the architect of the scheme. Bryce Huff was signed in free agency, while Haason Reddick was traded away.

With the Eagles just five days away from a much-hyped season-opening matchup against the Packers from Sao Paulo, Brazil, we’re comparing last year’s defensive unit to the 2024 version.

2023: Jalen Carter, Fletcher Cox, Jordan Davis, Moro Ojomo, Kentavius Street, Marlon Tuipulotu, Milton Williams

2024: Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Milton Williams, Moro Ojomo, Byron Young, Thomas Booker

Fletcher Cox has retired, while Byron Jones replaces the departed Marlon Tuipulotu. Thomas Booker and Moro Ojomo offer pass-rush potential.

2023: Derek Barnett, Brandon Graham, Josh Sweat, Patrick Johnson, Haason Reddick, Nolan Smith

2024: Brandon Graham, Josh Sweat, Patrick Johnson, Nolan Smith, Bryce Huff, Jalyx Hunt

Bryce Huff replaces the departed Haason Reddick. Huff is younger than Reddick, and he’s an emerging pass rusher. Jalyx Hunt is an athletic marvel off the edge. Nolan Smith’s progression will be the most scrutinized.

2023: Zach Cunningham, Nakobe Dean, Christian Elliss

2024: Zack Baun, Nakobe Dean, Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Ben VanSumeren, Devin White, Oren Burks

Thanks to another standout training camp, Ben VanSumeren made the Eagles’ 53-man roster, outplaying Oren Burks and others. Devin White offers a Pro Bowl-caliber linebacker.

2023: James Bradberry, Mario Goodrich, Josh Jobe, Avonte Maddox, Eli Ricks. Kelee Ringo, Darius Slay

2024: Cooper DeJean, Quinyon Mitchell, Eli Ricks, Kelee Ringo, Isaiah Rodgers, Darius Slay

After a disappointing finish to 2023, Howie Roseman selected cornerbacks with the first two picks in the 2024 NFL draft. Avonte Maddox is now a safety, along with James Bradberry, while Josh Jobe is with the Seahawks practice squad.

2023: Reed Blankenship, Sydney Brown, Terrell Edmunds, Justin Evans

2024: Reed Blankenship, James Bradberry, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Avonte Maddox, Tristin McCollum

Sydney Brown is on the PUP list and will be a factor in 2024. Reed Blankenship has developed into a solid NFL safety, while C.J. Gardner-Johnson returns the swagger to the Eagles lineup. Tristin McCollum has developed into a solid rotational piece.

Every move the Eagles made during 53-man roster cuts

We’re tracking every move the Philadelphia Eagles made to trim down from 90 players to an official 53-man roster

Philadelphia has a loaded and dynamic roster ripe with dual-threat players on both sides of the football and two of the top coordinators in the game. After five weeks of intense Training Camp and three preseason games, the Birds officially trimmed their roster to 53 players on Tuesday, unveiling the 2024 Eagles to the world and fans alike.

On Monday, the Eagles announced their first wave of roster cuts, releasing four veteran players who are not subject to the waiver wire and can immediately sign with other teams.

With the roster taking shape, here are the moves Philadelphia made to get down to 53 players.

Monday

Ahead of Tuesday’s deadline, the franchise announced four moves, releasing Will Grier, Parry Nickerson, Julian Okwara, and Max Scharping.

Tuesday

RELEASED
(*These players are veterans who are not subject to waivers and can sign immediately with another team.)

LB Oren Burks
WR Parris Campbell
OL Nick Gates
G/C Matt Hennessy
WR John Ross
T/G Brett Toth

WAIVED

T/G Gottlieb Ayedze
T Anim Dankwah
RB Tyrion Davis-Price
TE Kevin Foelsch
DT Gabe Hall
WR Jacob Harris (Injured)
WR Griffin Hebert
DE Tarron Jackson
TE E.J. Jenkins
CB Josh Jobe
OLB Terrell Lewis
C Dylan McMahon
CB Zech McPhearson
RB Kendall Milton
DT P.J. Mustipher
WR Joseph Ngata (Injured)
RB Lew Nichols
G/C Jason Poe
TE Armani Rogers
S Andre Sam
LB Brandon Smith
CB Shon Stephens
S Caden Sterns (Non-Football Injury)
T Laekin Vakalahi
WR Austin Watkins

PLACED ON INJURED RESERVE and DESIGNATED FOR RETURN

TE Albert Okwuegbunam
WR Ainias Smith

PLACED ON THE RESERVE/PHYSICALLY UNABLE TO PERFORM LIST

S Sydney Brown

Eagles vs. Vikings: Top photos from preseason finale at Lincoln Financial Field

We’re looking at the top photos from the Philadelphia Eagles preseason finale against the Minnesota Vikings at Lincoln Financial Field

The Eagles finished the preseason 2-1. They now aim to trim the roster to 53 players and prepare for a gigantic season-opening matchup against the Green Bay Packers in Brazil. Vikings quarterback Jaren Hall was 17-25 passing for 189 yards and two touchdowns on the afternoon, while Tanner McKee was 13-21 passing for 115 yards and one interception. Lucky Jackson led Minnesota with four catches for 53 yards, while Griffin Hebert led Philadelphia with three for 48 yards in the afternoon. On defense, Tristin McCollum made a late push for a roster spot, recording nine tackles and one pass defended on the afternoon. Oren Burks made his own statement, logging seven tackles, one sack, one pass defended, one tackle for loss, and one QB hit. With the team off until Monday, here’s an instant analysis of the preseason finale. ***