The Eagles’ search for a new wide receiver coach has concluded as the team officially announce the signing of Mike Groh.
#Eagles agree to terms with Mike Groh as the team's new wide receivers coach. #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/vQuKv8eE3W
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) January 23, 2017
After parting ways with Greg Lewis following a disappointing season, the Eagles sought a more experienced coach who has shown an ability to help develop players into stars. This is something that 45-year old Groh has shown consistently throughout his career.
Prior to his lone season in LA, where Kenny Britt amassed 1,000 yards in a single season for the first time in his career, Groh spent time with the Chicago Bears and New York Jets. Working with Alshon Jeffery and Brandon Marshall, Groh rapidly grew a reputation as one of the best in his profession.
Whether it was coaching the likes of Amari Cooper at Alabama or Brandon Marshall in the NFL, Groh always seemed to bring the best out of his players.
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 Eagles have had to refine their search to an experienced mentor who has shown an ability to nurture star talent. 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 the offseason, with Alshon Jeffery and Kenny Britt both having huge success under his guidance and both testing the waters of free agency.
Groh has been bought in with one intention in mind, nurturing the talent of a very young receiving core. The Eagles have flashed plenty of potential with their wide receivers over the last couple of seasons, but after a first year filled with inconsistencies and errors under Doug Pederson, it was clear that changes had to start from the top if that were to change.
Groh will inherit an inconsistent roster if he is named the team’s WR coach, headlined by Jordan Matthews who received for 804 yards this year, while the rest of the corps combined for just over 1,000. Nelson Agholor, Dorial Green-Beckham, Bryce Treggs, and Paul Turner make up the other names who caught passes for the Eagles this year, while the likes of Rasheed Bailey, Marcus Johnson and David Watford are among those who signed futures contracts after the season ended.
It will be a tall order to transform a unit plagued with issues into a well oiled machine, but Groh may be among the most suited candidates to do so.
