Sports blog information from USA TODAY.
“Uce” leads the way for this year’s free-agent linebackers.
As they do with pass rusher Brian Burns, the Carolina Panthers have another top defender ready to hit the open market in linebacker Frankie Luvu. And also like Burns, “Uce” may be sticking around for 2024.
But until we find that out, here’s Luvu and the very best of his free-agent contemporaries:
We’re looking at ten Philadelphia Eagles who exceeded expectations during the 2023 NFL season
The Eagles are set for wholesale changes after 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 ten players who exceeded expectations this season.
We’re looking at seven Philadelphia Eagles 2024 NFL free agents that’ll flourish on another team
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.
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 seven that could flourish on other teams.
Philadelphia GM Howie Roseman defended the Eagles approach and philosphy to building a roster and utilizing the linebacker position
The Eagles build through the trenches, choosing to stock up on elite pass rushers and defensive tackle talent while avoiding premium resources regarding the linebacker position.
During his end-of-season press conference, Roseman used typical GM jargon to describe his lack of urgency in addressing proper depth at the linebacker position.
Howie Roseman on the linebacker position. #Eagles pic.twitter.com/rSdMQswXef
— Andrew DiCecco (@AndrewDiCecco) January 24, 2024
“I feel like we’ve had a long history of success here building the team a certain way,” Eagles general manager Howie Roseman said on Wednesday. “And I think maybe there are some preconceived notions that at the linebacker position, that we don’t care who we play at linebacker. Again, our two Super Bowl teams over the last six years, the linebacker play was good from those guys.”
Roseman hit on undrafted free agent T.J. Edwards and signed Kyzir White to a team-friendly deal last offseason, as both players played critical roles in Philadelphia advancing to the Super Bowl.
Roseman then balked at paying both players, allowing Edwards and White to walk in free agency while putting his eggs in the basket that 2022 third-round pick Nakobe Dean would blossom into a field general and tackling machine in year two.
In addition to Dean, the Eagles signed former Bears linebacker Nicholas Morrow in free agency and then signed former Michigan State linebacker Ben VanSumeren after the draft.
Roseman added Zach Cunningham and Myles Jack during training camp on Aug. 6.
With the NFL offseason starting in March, we’re looking at where the Eagles will turn at the linebacker position.
The Philadelphia Eagles have downgraded LB Zach Cunningham to doubtful for matchup vs. Cardinals and tight end Albert Okwuegbunam has been ruled out
The Eagles have updated their injury report for Sunday’s matchup against the Cardinals, downgrading linebacker Zach Cunningham to doubtful, and tight end Albert Okwuegbunam was ruled out with a hamstring injury.
The Eagles have changed the game status for the following players for tomorrow's game:
Zach Cunningham – knee – Doubtful
Albert Okwuegbunam – hamstring – Out https://t.co/exxeeq7XG8— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) December 30, 2023
Both players were initially listed as questionable.
Cunningham has missed the previous two games due to the injury. Okwuegbunam was added to the injury report on Friday.
On Friday, Cornerback Darius Slay (knee) was the only other player with a game status designation, and he was declared out.
Slay will miss his third game in a row following arthroscopic knee surgery.
According to Rob Maaddi of the Associated Press, Philadelphia Eagles Security Chiefs Dom DiSandro has been barred from being on the sidelines for rest of 2023 regular season
Dom DiSandro will remain a key figure for the Eagles on and off the field, but his role on the sidelines for games has been reduced for the remainder of the 2023 NFL season.
According to Rob Maaddi of the Associated Press, Philadelphia’s security chief will remain banned from being on the sidelines after a thorogh investigation by the league.
I'm told #Eagles security chief Dom DiSandro is banned from the sideline for the remainder of the regular season.
— Rob Maaddi (@RobMaaddi) December 16, 2023
DiSandro will still be allowed to travel with the team to Seattle for its Monday night game and he can perform all other work duties but he is not permitted on the sideline,the Associated Press reports.
According to Ian Rapoport, DiSandro can return to the sidelines during the playoffs.
We’re looking at takeawRays from the first half as the Dallas Cowboys hold a 24-6 lead over the Philadelphia Eagles
Jalen Hurts was 7-13 passing, for 92 yards and another costly turnnover as the Eagles offense did little to support their struggling defense.
Dallas was efficient in the first half, and capitalized on several mistakes to take a 24-6 first half lead.
DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown combined for 4 catches, and 77 yards in the first half, while Zach Cunningham led the Eagles with six tackles, and Darius Slay had four tackles and 2 passes defended in the first half.
Dallas Goedert and Shaquille Leonard are active for the Philadelphia Eagles Week 14 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium
The Eagles released their list of inactives for Sunday night, and the club will have both Dallas Goedert and Shaquille Leonard available to play.
Philadelphia is getting healthier, and only has five players inactive for the Week 14 showdown that’ll likely decide the NFC East.
Tonight's inactives #PHIvsDAL pic.twitter.com/TuWJwO1Z7k
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) December 10, 2023
Darius Slay is active after missing time this week with a knee injury, while linebacker Zach Cunningham is returning to the lineup after missing the loss to the 49ers with a hamstring injury.
Defensive tackle Fletcher Cox, and tight ends Grant Calcaterra and Jack Stoll were also on the injury report this week and have no game status designations for tonight’s game.
For Dallas, all-world pass rusher Micah Parsons will play despite dealing with the Flu.
We’re looking at the Philadelphia Eagles’ updated 53-man roster for Sunday night’s huge matchup against the Dallas Cowboys
The Eagles were forced to get over their 42-19 loss to the 49ers reasonably quickly, and the team will need to be on its A-Game for a must-win showdown in Dallas against the Cowboys.
Dallas is undefeated at home this season and has outscored their opponents in those games by 151 points.
The matchup will have playoff implications and could decide the NFC East crown, while the winner will clinch a playoff spot.
With kickoff fast approaching, we’re looking at who has the edge at each key position.
We’re looking at who has the edge at each position ahead of the Philadelphia Eagles Week 14 matchup vs. the Dallas Cowboys
The Philadelphia Eagles are 10-2 and in first place in the NFC, but they’re looking to regain some confidence after a 42-19 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. This week will be another massive challenge as the Eagles face the 9-3 Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on NBC’s Sunday Night Football.
The Cowboys are undefeated at home this season and have outscored their opponents in those games by 151 points.
The matchup will have playoff implications and could decide the NFC East crown, while the winner will clinch a playoff spot.
With kickoff fast approaching, we’re looking at who has the edge at each key position.
