Time for another edition of the Eagles weekly mailbag! Great questions to get to today so let’s get down to it!
Do you believe the Eagles chasing Byron Jones in free agency is their best choice, or do you believe there is a cheaper option they should look into?
Yes and yes.
When was the last time the Eagles had a lock down corner? Asante Samuel? We thought Nnamdi would be that guy, but the scheme was wrong. Did we really think Byron Maxwell would be? I didn’t.
Byron Jones brings the ability to close off half of the field for the Eagles. He can cover.
Byron Jones bites on a move at the line and swings his hips around faster than you text your ex after 5 beers to stay in the play. Stays in the hip pocket. Thank you. Goodnight. See ya later. Cha Cha.
— Liam Jenkins (@LiamJenkinsPSN) March 4, 2020
No pick though 2/10 pic.twitter.com/YWeLxb15xP
Yeah but no INTs.
Byron Jones last 2 seasons (transitioned to CB full-time) according to PFF:
— Conor (@SnipeMyles) March 2, 2020
2019: 30 receptions allowed (avg 1 PG), 331 yards (20 YPG), 3 TD’s allowed, & 6 pass-breakups.
2018: 37 receptions allowed (avg 2 PG), 481 yards (30 YPG), 2 TD’s allowed, & 14 pass-breakups.#Eagles
Yeah..but… shut up.
Jones brings something to the Eagles that they haven’t had in a long, long, long time. Pay him.
Do you believe the rumor that swirled around in the combine about Andre Dillard and Alshon Jeffrey being packaged in a deal and being traded elsewhere? Per Tim McManus.
Well that was answered already, wasn’t it? Even if Peters wasn’t going to test free agency, I could not even fathom any way the team would let go of their left tackle of the future in one year. It was a ridiculous rumor.
Thanks for the memories JP, but it’s time for Dillard’s era to begin. DillyDillard!
With the news that Jason Peters is testing the FA market do we use our early pick on an O linemen or a Receiver?
Still going receiver. The best linemen will go top 15 most likely, but that need doesn’t take precedent over receiver. You still have starters across the line for an excellent group, can’t say that about wide receiver.
Do you think we should stay at 21 and settle for Justin Jefferson and how much does Chase Claypool interest you as a round 3 option for the Eagles?
I don’t think Jefferson is a “settle” option because he’s really damn good. He’s a primarily slot receiver, but he can play outside too:
Check out the thread below from 4th and Jawn’s Chris Mallee and watch just how good he is everywhere:
His speed and quickness will never “wow” you, but Jefferson is physically gifted and has incredible body control. Pair that with great hands and a winners mentality and you have a day 1 impact player https://t.co/oT93RtnzYK pic.twitter.com/ULuXPoQv5B
— Chris Mallee (@mallee_chris_24) March 5, 2020
Regarding Claypool, he might sneak into the 2nd. Dude had a monster combine:
Chase Claypool at the 2020 NFL Combine
— NFL Research (@NFLResearch) February 28, 2020
• Bigger than Cameron Wake
• Faster than Odell Beckham Jr.
• Stronger than Jared Allen
• Jumps higher than Julio Jones
• More explosive than Devin Hester@ChaseClaypool @NDFootball pic.twitter.com/4fLbNWInHv
My thoughts on adding him to the offense belong in the After Dark section of PSN. A 13 personnel type play with him, Goedert, Ertz, with Sanders in the backfield, and Jackson on the outside? JeEeEeEeEz.
Has Alshon’s play actually declined or was he a victim of a bunch of different factors all happening at the same time?
Yes.
In his five years in Chicago, he averaged 4.8 receptions per game and 72.2 yards per game and 15.0 yards per reception. In three years with Philly, 4.2 receptions and 54.4 yards per game and 12.9 yards per reception.
He played 16 games his first year here then 13 and 10. His 16 games included playing with a torn labrum, so we’re eternally grateful for that. But his play significantly declined after 2017. He was seemingly always hurt. He did have his moments of big plays but his lack of effort overshadowed those. Remember the catch on the sideline last season that could’ve been a touchdown but he went out of bounds? Yeah.
Add that with the “sources” drama and Jason Kelce probably calling him out (Jimmy Kempski spoke on BGN radio and said that would be his guess, this relationship was doomed for a while.)
We will always appreciate what you did for the Eagles AJ, but time to go.
#1 free agent target Philly needs to be successful
Did you see what I said about Byron Jones? It’s him.
I’ll add in 1B: any damn good linebacker.
Adam Caplan mentioned on Inside the Birds that the Eagles will probably be out on the first wave of linebackers, meaning Cory Littleton, Joe Schobert (UGH), and Blake Martinez.
I’m a HUGE fan of Nick Kwiatkoski. From week 11-16 he had 45 tackles, extrapolate that over 16 games and that’s a 120 tackle season. This is when he was playing over 93% of the snaps. The Eagles had a pre-draft visit with him before he was drafted in 2016, so we know Schwartz likes him.
There are people in the Eagles organization that believe having a hard nosed MLB would do wonders for the defense. One who could “plug holes and not get knocked off the ball. Need solid athletes with size and can run in that spot.”
Kwiatkoski is that guy.
That’s all from me! Thanks again for your input! Flippin’ The Birds returns next week! We have a very special guest, hope you join us!
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
