Today has been relatively busy in terms of Eagles related news, so we’ve compiled everything you need to know into one handy article!
Eagles part ways with WR Rasheed Bailey:
According to an official announcement from the team, the Philadelphia Eagles have waived wide receiver, Rasheed Bailey.
Roster Move: #Eagles have waived WR Rasheed Bailey.
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) May 10, 2017
The move is a little unsurprising, given the amount of depth that the team now have at the position, but Bailey rejoined the Eagles after being picked up by the San Diego Chargers
Prior to being waived by the Jags last season, the 6’1, 209 pounds, wideout was turning heads in Philadelphia after a strong offseason. Racking up 100 receiving yards and a touchdown on ten receptions during the preseason, Bailey was considered a dark horse to force his way onto the final 53-man roster.
Before being signed by San Diego however after stints with the BC Lions and Jacksonville Jaguars, the Eagles actually put in a claim for the former Dellaware Valley wideout..but were unsuccessful in their bid. The Eagles would eventually bring Bailey back, but with the additions of Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith, his chances of making the final 53-man roster were slim.
The Eagles now have eleven open spots on their roster, all of which will be presumably filled by undrafted free agents who will be announced tomorrow.
Donnel Pumphrey hints at jersey number:
The Eagles newest running back tweeted out something interesting earlier, perhaps indicating what number he will wear for the Birds this season.
34 ?
— Donnel Pumphrey Jr. (@Pumphrey6K) May 10, 2017
Kenjon Barner was the last running back to wear 34 for the Eagles..but it’s also 43 backwards, the number of Darren Sproles. Sproles is not only a teammate of Pumphrey, but a back he looked up to throughout his career. Perhaps we’re reading too much into this, but it’s definitely cool to see Pumphrey excited about making 34 his own.
Is Brandon Graham holding out?
In true Philadelphia Eagles fashion, what is stated on one site, is completely conflicted elsewhere. According to a report from Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Graham is expected to miss voluntary workouts until the Birds’ restructure his contract, which would infer that he’s pressing for a raise.
Defensive end Brandon Graham has stopped attending Eagles workouts and is expected to skip organized team activities later this month – and also possibly mandatory minicamp in June – until the Eagles renegotiate his contract, two NFL sources said.
It would be difficult to say that the 29-year old defensive end isn’t deserving of a raise. After a career year in 2016 that saw him run rampant under Jim Schwartz, amassing 5.5 sacks and 41 tackles, it’s also easy to see why he’d want one. The Eagles paid Vinny Curry some big money last season and just drafted Derek Barnett..it’s not a good look from Graham’s perspective.
However, Jason La Canfora reports that Graham is currently with his family in Detroit..so what this means, who knows?!
Reports of Brandon Graham contract dispute are unsubstantiated. Am told he's with his family in Detroit and eager for the season to start
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) May 10, 2017
It’s worth noting that Fletcher Cox, Sam Bradford, and Darren Sproles all missed the voluntary workout section of the offseason last year in varying capacities..and both Cox and Sproles received new deals. The Eagles aren’t exactly blessed with cap space..but Graham is an integral cog of the Eagles Defense and if these reports are true..it might be time for some more Howie cap magic.
Michael Vick sees greatness in Carson Wentz:
Talking to Daryl Slater of NJ.Com, former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick opened up on what he sees in Carson Wentz.
“I think Wentz is a great quarterback,” Vick said Monday. “I think consistency will be a key for him. He started out great in the beginning of the season last year, and then kind of tailed off toward the end. He was young and probably hit the rookie wall a little bit.
“That’s no excuse, because you’ve had guys like Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco who went deep in the playoffs in their first couple seasons. [Wentz] is a spark for that city. I think it’s what they need. Good to see a guy out there really giving the fans something they want to see, and something to cheer about down the road in the future.”
It’s refreshing to see another former QB of the Eagles speaking so highly of Wentz, who has earned plenty of praise after his rookie campaign. With the 2017 season drawing closer by the day, all eyes will be on the Eagles signal caller as he enters year two.
Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
