As NFL teams scramble to build their practice squads, the Philadelphia Eagles were very hasty in finding a backup quarterback. They claimed second-year signal-caller, Ian Book, from the New Orleans Saints.
The move itself is a little ironic as it comes just one day after fleecing the Saints for 24-year-old Safety, Chauncey Gardner-Johnson. Book joins the Eagles to become QB3 behind Gardner Minshew and Jalen Hurts.
Who is Ian Book?
Ian Book was originally selected in the fourth-round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He was forced into action for one game last season where he went 12/20 for 135 yards and 2 interceptions in a debilitating loss to the Miami Dolphins.
He didn’t exactly fare much better this preseason, completing 42/65 passes for 315 yards, 2 touchdowns, 2 picks, and 2 fumbles. Not great.
The Saints decided that he wasn’t really good enough to win a spot over veteran Andy Dalton or the elusive Taysom Hill, so he hit the waiver wire. It does go to show how disappointing the UDFA signings of Reid Sinnett and Carson Strong turned out to be, if this is the caliber of QB the Eagles are bringing in to replace him.
Will Ian Book open a new chapter in Philly?
Book played his collegiate ball at Notre Dame, where he tallied 8.948 yards, 72 touchdowns and 20 picks in 45 total appearances. At 6’0, 206 lbs, he’s a little undersized for the QB position and lacks the real arm strength desired from someone who is at his best making off-base throws. He’s not the best runner, but showed a solid understanding of timing and where the ball needs to be delivered on shorter routes during his time at Notre Dame. For that reason, he at least has a skillset for Nick Sirianni to work with away from the lights to see if there is any juice left to squeeze.
Photo by Larry Radloff/Icon Sportswire
