Tag: Nolan Smith

Howie Roseman explains why Eagles haven’t extended Zack Baun, other key free agents

Eagles GM Howie Roseman could be looking to stack up on compensatory picks after he explained why the Eagles didn’t hand out contract extensions to key 2025 free agents like Zack Baun, Josh Sweat and others

The Eagles have 19 pending free agents, and with some big names looking to cash in, the Philadelphia defense could look quite different in 2024.

During his Super Bowl opening-night press conference, the Eagles GM provided insight into his thinking, explaining to Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia why he didn’t extend contracts to several key free agents.

“Once you start doing that, it’s almost like, are you picking favorites?” Roseman said. “And the other guys start saying, ‘What about me?’ And they start playing for themselves as opposed to the team.

“Now, we’ve seen that probably costs you money in the long run as you’re doing it. But when you have an opportunity to compete for a championship, it’s worth that sacrifice I think.”

Philadelphia has several critical free agents who probably want to return to the Eagles but could land massive paydays on the open market. Zack Baun, Mekhi Becton, Milton Williams, Josh Sweat, Isaiah Rodgers, and Kenneth Gainwell could land lucrative deals when the new league year begins.

Roseman admitted that he watches Baun and Becton’s price tag grow daily but sacrificed potential long-term deals for a Super Bowl run without distractions.

“I’ll do anything for a championship,” Roseman said. “So if that’s the trade-off and maybe we lose a player, I won’t like that, but I’ll take it.”

The six free agents listed above will all have major suitors on the open market, but if those players depart, the Eagles can land upwards of four compensatory picks.

Former Georgia Bulldog leads NFL in postseason sacks

Philadelphia Eagles defensive lineman, who is a former Georgia Bulldog, leads NFL with four postseason sacks

Former Georgia Bulldog Nolan Smith Jr. is having a playoff run for the ages with the Philadelphia Eagles. He’s earned himself a sack every game  and after recording a sack against the Washington Commanders, he’s now the leader in postseason sacks, with four.

Philadelphia drafted Smith Jr. in the 2023 NFL draft, the same draft as former Bulldogs Jalen Carter, Nakobe Dean, and Kelee Ringo. In 2023, he didn’t start a game for the Eagles and only attained one sack. This season, he became a starter and posted 6 1/2 sacks, eight tackles for loss, and 11 tackles for loss.

Smith Jr. is three sacks away from passing LaMarr Woodley, Michael McCrary, and Richard Dent for the most in a postseason run ever.

Philadelphia has used contributions from a lot of former Georgia Bulldogs in their run to the Super Bowl. The Eagles lost Nakobe Dean for the season after their win over the Packers, but players like All-Pro Jalen Carter and defensive tackle Jordan Davis have made the Eagles defense one of the NFL’s best.

Top photos from Eagles 55-23 win over Commanders in NFC Championship game

Top photos from Eagles 55-23 win over Commanders in NFC Championship game

The Eagles dominated every facet of the game and won the turnover battle while dominating the Commanders to advance to Super Bowl 59. Philadelphia rushed for seven touchdowns, including three scores each for Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley, blowing out their NFC East rival 55-23 at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday.

As preparations begin for the trip to New Orleans, we’re reviewing the top photos from the historic victory.

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Highlights from first half as Eagles hold a 27-15 lead over Commanders in NFC Championship game

Sights and sounds from first half as Eagles hold a 27-15 lead Commanders in NFC Championship game

The Washington Commanders have a young, ascending roster, and that youth showed in the first half. Costly penalties and crucial turnovers spurred the Eagles early on, giving them a 27-15 lead in the NFC Championship game.

Saquon Barkley’s two first-half touchdowns energized the Birds, and Jalen Hurts connected with A.J. Brown on a four-yard touchdown with 57 seconds left in the first half. We’re looking at the first-half highlights with the second half set to begin.

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Nolan Smith honors injured Georgia, Philadelphia Eagles teammate

Former UGA star Nolan Smith honors injured teammate Nakobe Dean with touching tribute

Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Nolan Smith honored injured Eagles teammate Nakobe Dean in the NFC divisional round. Smith ran onto the field carrying Nakobe Dean’s jersey ahead of the Eagles game against the Los Angeles Rams.

“I am my brother(‘s) keeper,” said Smith in a tribute to Dean after the game. Smith and Dean played college football together at the University of Georgia. The defensive duo won a national championship together at Georgia in 2022.

Smith and the Eagles are looking to advance to the Super Bowl. Philadelphia beat the Rams, 28-22, to advance to the NFC championship game against the Washington Commanders.

Smith recorded four tackles, one sack and forced a fumble in the Eagles’ win over Los Angeles.

Smith and Dean are two of six Georgia Bulldogs on the Eagles. The other Dawgs on the Eagles are defensive tackle Jordan Davis, cornerback Kelee Ringo, safety Lewis Cine and defensive tackle Jalen Carter.

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Former Georgia Bulldogs take over NFL playoff game

Former Georgia Bulldogs Jalen Carter and Nolan Smith made a big difference in the Eagles win over the Rams

Former Georgia Bulldog Jalen Carter has been a game wrecker this year and he continued his All-Pro season with a dominant postseason.

Against the Los Angeles Rams, a team with former Bulldogs legends Matthew Stafford and Stetson Bennett, Jalen Carter dominated, totaling two sacks and a forced fumble. In total, he had six pressures, leading the team, and he was the driving force on defense in a 28-22 Eagles win. Carter really disrupted the Rams’ final drive as Los Angeles tried to win the game.

Former Bulldog Nolan Smith also made a big impact. Early in the fourth quarter, Smith sacked Matthew Stafford, causing him to fumble the ball and give the Eagles the ball back.

Overall, the two Philadelphia Eagles combined for 10 pressures, three sacks, three tackles for loss, and two tackles for loss. The loss of former Georgia Bulldog Nakobe Dean provided extra motivation for the two to play better.

Stafford actually played well enough to keep the Rams in the game, but with 2:29 left in the fourth, the Rams failed to convert a 4th-and-11, giving the Eagles the ball back. Now, Carter, Smith, and the rest of the Eagles will be playing the Washington Commanders in the NFC championship game.

Eagles to host Commanders in NFC Championship game after 28-22 win over Rams

Eagles to host Commanders in NFC Championship game after 28-22 win over Rams in the NFC Divisional Round

The Eagles are headed to the NFC title game and host their division rival, the Washington Commanders. After holding on for a 28-22 win over the Rams in the NFC divisional round, the Eagles will play the Washington Commanders.

In what can only be described as a barn burner, Philadelphia looked like they put the game away after going up 28-15, but the Rams scored a late fourth-quarter touchdown to pull within seven. After the Eagles could not maximize their final offensive drive, the Rams had one final shot on a ten-play, 60-yard drive that fell short with an incomplete pass to Puka Nucau at the Philadelphia 22-yard line.

The No. 2 seed Eagles will host the No. 6 seed Washington Commanders (12-5), who defeated the No. 1 seed Detroit Lions (15-2) 45-31 at Ford Field on Saturday night.

Washington’s 45 points were the most in a playoff game in franchise history.

Detroit quarterback Jared Goff threw three interceptions and was uneven all night. He went 23-40 passing for 313 yards (7.8 avg), one touchdown, and a 59.7 quarterback rating. The Lions’ running game was dynamic but underused, as Jahmyr Gibbs had 14 carries for 105 yards (7.5 avg) and two rushing touchdowns.

NFL Playoff picks: Unlock exclusive data-driven predictions

For Washington, Offensive Rookie of the Year favorite and Pro Bowler, Jayden Daniels was 22-31 passing for 299 yards (9.6 avg), two touchdowns, no interceptions, and a 122.9 quarterback rating.

In an offensive shootout, the two teams combined for over 1,000 yards of offense and 57 first downs.

Philadelphia and Washington split the season series, with the Commanders pulling off a 36-33 home win in Week 16 after Jalen Hurts was ruled out with a concussion.

Sights and sounds from first half as Eagles holds a 13-10 lead over Rams in divisional round

Sights and sounds from first half as Eagles holds a 13-10 lead over Rams in divisional round

The weather came as expected, but there were plenty of big plays in the first half as the Eagles hold a 13-10 lead over the Rams at home in the divisional round game on Sunday. A Philadelphia win and Nick Sirianni would host the Washington Commanders in the NFC title game next week. The Eagles lost rookie cornerback Quinyon Mitchell in the first half with a shoulder injury, and Isaiah Rodgers matched up with Rams wide receivers on the outside, which will be something to watch. With the second half quickly approaching, here sights and sounds from the first 30 minutes. ***

Eagles vs. Rams: Pregame sights and sounds from NFC Divisional Round game

We’re looking at pregame sights and sounds from the Philadelphia Eagles matchup against the Los Angeles Rams in the divisional round

We’re now minutes away from the Eagles, and Rams kicking off their divisional-round matchup at Lincoln Financial Field.

Philadelphia is look to reach 7-0 in the Divisional Round at home in their franchise history and advance to another NFC Championship Game. With kickoff moments away, here are the pregame sights and sounds from a gigantic matchup.

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Sights and sounds from first half as Eagles holds a 10-0 lead over the Packers

Jalen Hurts fought off rust and an intense Packers pass rush to make plays when needed as the Eagles jumped out to a 10-0 lead in the first half. Vic Fangio’s defense did a good job of confusing Green Bay quarterback Jordan Love, forcing two …

Jalen Hurts fought off rust and an intense Packers pass rush to make plays when needed as the Eagles jumped out to a 10-0 lead in the first half. Vic Fangio’s defense did a good job of confusing Green Bay quarterback Jordan Love, forcing two interceptions.

Philadelphia lost linebacker Nakobe Dean to a knee injury and will look to finish drives and capitalize on Packers turnovers.

With the second half underway, here are seven takeaways from the first half.

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