When the 2017 free agency, period kicked off, the Eagles made waves by signing WR’s Alshon Jefferey and Torrey Smith. Alshon, the obvious prize playmaker on the outside, came as a surprise when Howie Roseman pulled the trigger to get him. Torrey Smith was less shocking, seeing as the Eagles had interest in him via trade last year.
With all the excitement surrounding the Birds’ last week, one signing has gone under the radar. OG Chance Warmack, formerly of the Tennessee Titans, was signed to a 1-year deal.
A first round pick in 2013, Warmack, has served as the starting right guard for the Titans, but injuries and inconsistencies saw the praise that used to lift him, begin to weigh him down. Starting in all 48 of the 48 games he’s played in, Warmack was a force to be reckoned with on the field and it’s clear to see why. At 6’2 323 LBs’, Warmack, is blessed with the size to be a pro-bowler, and the athleticism to help him get out in front of his RB to block down field.
Born in Detroit, Michigan, later moving to Atlanta, Georgia, he had a propensity for football at a young age. A former teammate of QB Cam Newton at Westlake High-School, Warmack was named all-state offensive lineman in his senior year, when he led his team to the playoffs and averaged seven pancakes a game. He would later be named to Georgia’s top 150 players and feature in the All-American team by Tom Lemming of Prep Football Report. Considered a top 20 offensive guard in the nation in 2009, the three-star recruit would have offers from over 20 teams, later choosing the University of Alabama.
After graduating early from high school, Warmack, would enroll in Tuscaloosa, to get an early jump on what would be an amazing College career. As a sophomore, he would go on to start 13 games and cement himself as the Crimson Tide’s most consistent lineman. After a strong junior and senior year, Warmack, would be named a first team and second team All-SEC, along with being chose a unanimous All-American in 2012.
Warmack is a former pupil of Eagles, O-Line coach Jeff Stoutland, and cited that their relationship served as a big reason for the reunion, stating “Jeff Stoutland, influenced my decision to come here to Philadelphia.” While under Stoutland, Warmack, became the best offensive line prospects coming out of college football. Multiple scouts and analysts alike had Warmack graded inside the top 10 picks overall.
While some may say he has been a bit of a disappointment for the Titans, the expectations bestowed on Chance couldn’t have been any higher. Surgery on his hand would cost Chance the majority of a 2016 season that he was banking on to finally prove people wrong. Disappointment talks aside, when you watch the tape, you see a player whom is a difference maker on the line and where his talent and athleticism jumps off the screen at you.
Strong in both the run and pass game, Warmack, was clearly the best lineman for the Titans when healthy and could be a legit starter for Philadelphia. At a 1-year prove it deal, he could turn out to be a steal for the Eagles and later become a key cog along the line. With his thick base and long arms, he has the capability to keep QB Carson Wentz, clean in the pocket and help the Birds’ run game get to another level.
With a new team and an old face in Jeff Stoutland, Warmack may finally be in a position to showcase the potential many believed him to pertain coming out of Bama. If there is anybody who can get the most out of him, it’s the man who saw him grow into one of the fiercest prospects in the country. Warmack is banking on himself with a prove-it deal..so it’s not just trying to assert his dominance from a reputation standpoint, it’s a case of securing a long-term future.
With all the attention, going to the Eagles, new WR’s, it may be the singing of Chance, that could be the biggest pick up of the year. Give it time, but we are sure he will earn a long term deal, sort of like Stefen Wisniewski, did this offseason. The Eagles are slowly building a monster of a team..and it all starts up front.
Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
