According to a report from ESPN’s Adam Caplan, the Eagles have interest interviewing in Rams WRs coach, Mike Groh. The Eagles recently parted ways with their own wideouts coach, Greg Lewis and are now in the market for a replacement.
#Eagles have interest in interviewing #Rams passing game coordinator/WRs coach Mike Groh for their WRs job opening, sources said.
— Adam Caplan (@caplannfl) January 13, 2017
It wasn’t long ago that Caplan reported the heavy pursuit of Bills WR coach, Sanjay Lal. Lal was reported to have interviewed with the Eagles, but information after that was scarce.
From what I’ve been told, the Bills want to retain Lal. While they couldn’t block the move at the time due to the position not being regarded as a promotion, the staff made it very clear that Lal could have a huge part to play in their future. Bills Wide receivers made it known that they are extremely fond of their coach just a couple of weeks ago. Sammy Watkins went on the record as saying the following:
What WR Sammy Watkins had to say about Bills WR coach Sanjay Lal: #Eagles #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/P5VtxtUL64
— Gayle Saunders (@EagleSessions) January 10, 2017
It’s clear to see just how much admiration Sammy Watkins has for his WR Coach. But if Lal were to take the position in Philadelphia, would this give the Eagles a realistic shot at signing Sammy Watkins? Not only would he be joining his brother, Jaylen Watkins, but also a WR Coach who helped him receive for 1,047 yards just one season ago.
Watkins has struggled when it comes to staying healthy and with the Bills going in a new direction, they may be open to trading the former first round pick. The rookie contract is far less damaging to the Eagles cap than a projected pending free agent’s would be and it would certainly fit the Eagles latest trend of targeting players with “low-risk, high-reward” traits.
Having just signed Sean McDermott as their new Head Coach, wish to retain as much stability as possible. Some have projected Lal to rise through the ranks in Buffalo, after coaching at Oakland and with the Jets. Now with a new Head Coach in place and a dire need to replace Anthony Lynn, Lal could be a candidate for that position..something the Bills may have hinted at following the interview in Philadelphia.
Even if he isn’t, the Bills will have replaced a Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator in the space of a few days. Lal would be one of the only constants on the team and the Bills simply have to do what they can in order to retain any kind of stability.
The Eagles have now seemingly turned to Mike Groh. The 45-year old has spent one year in Los Angeles with the Rams, acting as Fisher’s passing coordinator and WR’s coach. If there’s one thing we saw from the Rams this year however, it’s that they had no Offensive success at all. Ranking 30th in passing yards, 32nd in touchdowns and 28th in yards per reception, they didn’t exactly set the league on fire. Then again, no Offense under Fisher really has.
Take into the account that Jared Goff was thrown into the deep end earlier than the team intended and the picture really paints itself. However prior to the move to LA, Groh spent eight years coaching the Chicago Bears wide receivers.
It was widely speculated that the Eagles would make a push for Alshon Jeffery during the offseason, who is now a pending free agent. Groh worked extremely well with Jeffery and proved to be instrumental in his development. If the Eagles were to try and actively pursue the receiver who had two 1,000 yard seasons under Groh, then they would need all the leverage they could get.
The team are limited in cap space and Jeffery would understandably command a high price. Having a familiar face to welcome Jeffery into the City of Brotherly Love and pick up where they left off in 2015 does make a lot of sense.
Groh also helped along the likes of Brandon Marshall and the Eagles simply need a strong-minded coach who has shown an ability to develop stars. Groh ticks the boxes and could not only aid in helping push the development of players such as Agholor and Matthews, but potentially a deal sweetener if the Eagles were to address the position in free agency.
No interview has been announced yet and it’s not yet known whether the Eagles are eyeing other candidates as well, but Groh could make a lot of sense for the Eagles.
Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
