2018 Eagles: Blinded by the Lombardi

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Oil Can Dan

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We’re on to 2018 after a miraculous 2017. The team returns 21 of 22 starters.

Key losses:
LGBT
Torrey Smith
Patrick Robinson
Trey Burton
Vinny Curry
Beau Allen


Additions:
Mike Wallace
Dallas Goedert
Michael Bennet
Haloti Ngata

Wentz may not be ready by week1 but SB MVP Nick Foles is ready if needed. Also back should be Jason Peters, Jordan Hicks and recently resigned Darren Sproles.

More to come as camp approaches but as it stands they seem well positioned to compete in the stacked NFC.
 

BigSoxFan

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Ha, great thread title. Those Eagles/Giants games this year are going to simply be fantastic.
 

SeoulSoxFan

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Just edited the um, "great" title for consistency sake. Eagles seem to be well on its way to another SB run. May it stay as a singular "Lombardi" if the Pats do the same.
 

BigSoxFan

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Why do you say that particularly?
Eagles/Giants? I'm a Pats fan so I'm equally annoyed with both franchises but I work in NYC so I deal with NYG fans on a daily basis and they love, love, LOVE(d) to knock Philly on their lack of SBs. Now that they've finally nabbed one and are on top of the world, the rivalry is going to be even more intense. Giants fans love to tweak Pats fans on SB 42/46 but the real hatred is with the Eagles. Similar to Sox/Yanks in 2004, there is a whole lot of pent up frustration that will be coming out this year by Philly fans.

And now you'll have the defending champ Eagles led by their franchise QB and loaded defense going up against a team with a Manning-face, Odell Beckham Jr., and now one of the most electric RB prospects in a long time in Barkley. So, like 2003-2004 Sox/Yanks, you have an intense rivalry with a ton of talent on the field on both sides.

That should lead to some exciting games in 2018.
 

SeoulSoxFan

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What was the title originally?
The original title was "Blinded by the Lombardi -- 2018 Eagles" singular, I believe.

I am obsessed with getting thread titles to follow somewhat of a uniform syntax, as it helps to scan them down. I thank everyone for tolerating this bit of a dope dickery.
 

Oil Can Dan

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Here's a nice Howie Roseman interview from the Wharton People Analytics Conference. While there's nothing earth shattering in here I thought some might like to see it. Discussion points include the marriage of analytics with traditional scouting, incorporating sports science, and the importance of interpersonal relationships.

 

LondonSox

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Eagles/Giants? I'm a Pats fan so I'm equally annoyed with both franchises but I work in NYC so I deal with NYG fans on a daily basis and they love, love, LOVE(d) to knock Philly on their lack of SBs. Now that they've finally nabbed one and are on top of the world, the rivalry is going to be even more intense. Giants fans love to tweak Pats fans on SB 42/46 but the real hatred is with the Eagles. Similar to Sox/Yanks in 2004, there is a whole lot of pent up frustration that will be coming out this year by Philly fans.

And now you'll have the defending champ Eagles led by their franchise QB and loaded defense going up against a team with a Manning-face, Odell Beckham Jr., and now one of the most electric RB prospects in a long time in Barkley. So, like 2003-2004 Sox/Yanks, you have an intense rivalry with a ton of talent on the field on both sides.

That should lead to some exciting games in 2018.
I think the Giants suck. Eli is washed, the o line is terrible and their defense is awful.
But thanks for explaining, I can understand that.
 

terrynever

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Let's not dismiss the Giants so blithely. Barkley makes their offense better in so many ways. Hell, the Giants almost beat Philly in Philly last September, and gave them fits in the second matchup, too.

Looking past opponents is never a good thing.
 

Average Reds

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Let's not dismiss the Giants so blithely. Barkley makes their offense better in so many ways. Hell, the Giants almost beat Philly in Philly last September, and gave them fits in the second matchup, too.

Looking past opponents is never a good thing.
It’s much more fun saying that the Giants suck. Especially when they do.

If you want to discuss the finer points of their suckage, I will join you in the Giants thread.
 

LondonSox

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I'd say the Giants sucked regardless, though I'd probably admit it's a philosophy not a view. But they actually suck and are delusional.

Eagles released Kendricks yesterday which is a bit if a surprise and then lost a back up LB to injury

Expect the eagles to look to add some LB depth by trade or veterans.
Kendricks didn't start and got limited snaps with people healthy. I don't really care but they need depth.
Hicks is great but coming off injury and injury prone. Bradham is great.
 

LondonSox

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Eagles not all going to WH so Trump pulls the invitation

The Philadelphia Eagles are unable to come to the White House with their full team to be celebrated tomorrow. They disagree with their President because he insists that they proudly stand for the National Anthem, hand on heart, in honor of the great men and women of our military and the people of our country. The Eagles wanted to send a smaller delegation, but the 1,000 fans planning to attend the event deserve better. These fans are still invited to the White House to be part of a different type of ceremony — one that will honor our great country, pay tribute to the heroes who fight to protect it, and loudly and proudly play the National Anthem. I will be there at 3:00 p.m. with the United States Marine Band and the United States Army Chorus to celebrate America."
What a child
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/president-donald-trump-shockingly-cancels-eagles-white-house-visit-over-anthem-issue/

Also YAY
 

GoDa

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If you know any Trump-supporting Eagles fans and aren't one yourself. This is kind of awesome.
 

dcmissle

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Average Reds

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First the Super Bowl and now this. Man, these last six months have been something for this long-suffering Eagles fan to observe.

Could not be prouder of the team and the mayor for how they reacted to Trump. #wordsIneverexpectedtowrite.
 

pappymojo

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So, a Pats fan supposedly made a bet with an Eagles fan and the result is that they are going to put a billboard up on the way to Gillette.

This is what the artist came up with.

 

dcmissle

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That’s an interesting question. Are you basing it on this one (apparent) example, or are there others as well?
No, as I said, there have been a handful of occasions where it struck me that he is edgy. Most, but not all, have been since the SB win. Many, but not all, have related to the QB position. None are particularly memorable, though I recall a recent one being about Foles.

The thought bubble would be, “we are where we are because we’re good, not lucky, and we’re not taking any bullshit from anyone.”
 

Oil Can Dan

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I'll be disappointed if the Eagles don't make him whole on that, but I haven't seen anything reported.

Weird season for the birds. I've never been very rational when it comes to the Eagles but if I squint enough I can see a path forward towards the Super Bowl for them. The Bears will be tough but they're a pretty young team with a young QB and I could see a win there. The Saints blew their doors off 48-7 two months ago but they seem to have slipped backwards a little bit since then. A SB run is unlikely, but not impossible.

I'm a huge Wentz guy but I have to acknowledge the improvement with Foles at the helm. I don't think there's any serious decision to make at QB after this season, but I can admit that at a minimum it's worth internal discussions as to whether to look to move Wentz for a huge package. We'll see...
 

singaporesoxfan

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I'll be disappointed if the Eagles don't make him whole on that, but I haven't seen anything reported.

Weird season for the birds. I've never been very rational when it comes to the Eagles but if I squint enough I can see a path forward towards the Super Bowl for them. The Bears will be tough but they're a pretty young team with a young QB and I could see a win there. The Saints blew their doors off 48-7 two months ago but they seem to have slipped backwards a little bit since then. A SB run is unlikely, but not impossible.

I'm a huge Wentz guy but I have to acknowledge the improvement with Foles at the helm. I don't think there's any serious decision to make at QB after this season, but I can admit that at a minimum it's worth internal discussions as to whether to look to move Wentz for a huge package. We'll see...
Andrew Brandt has been consistently saying that business-wise, the Eagles have to move Foles this off-season; doesn't make business sense to pick up the $20M option for 2019 for a backup. Though obviously if they like Foles they could move Wentz and renegotiate a contract for Foles.
 

Mystic Merlin

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It’s not just the cap issue. Foles and the Eagles have a mutual contract option that triggers after the Super Bowl.

So, they definitely need to pick a guy now because Foles can walk away as an unrestricted free agent if Wentz is gonna be the presumed starter in 2019.
 

dcmissle

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Andrew Brandt has been consistently saying that business-wise, the Eagles have to move Foles this off-season; doesn't make business sense to pick up the $20M option for 2019 for a backup. Though obviously if they like Foles they could move Wentz and renegotiate a contract for Foles.
Does Brandt acknowledge that the Eagles cannot unilaterally move Foles? As I understand the contract, Foles buys complete freedom with a $2 million check to the Eagles. Brandt should know this.
 

Oil Can Dan

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My understanding is that the Eagles could use the Franchise Tag on Foles even in the scenario where they exercise the $20M option and Foles gives $2M back to be free.

All of the specific logistics aside, I think that if the Eagles come to a decision that they'd prefer to roll with Foles rather than Wentz, then Foles would be open to a new contract that allows for that to happen. I am still of the thought that Wentz is their man going forward, but the door on going the Foles route seems to be opened just a bit. If Foles leads them deep into the playoffs then all bets are off...
 

singaporesoxfan

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Does Brandt acknowledge that the Eagles cannot unilaterally move Foles? As I understand the contract, Foles buys complete freedom with a $2 million check to the Eagles. Brandt should know this.
Oh, right, I paraphased him badly. His point was solely that Foles wouldn't be on the team, though if he picks up value as @Oil Can Dan points out the Eagles can franchise tag him and trade him.
 

Royal Reader

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If they win a playoff game with Foles, the Wentz trade option seems on the table - you have to think that for a proven decent QB on a rookie deal you could maybe get a solid player on a rookie deal at a less vital position and two firsts. Given they know they can win a Super Bowl with Foles, it's not crazy. It kinda feels like a reverse Brady-over-Bledsoe.

Anyone got a handle on how the fanbase might react?
 

dcmissle

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Oh, right, I paraphased him badly. His point was solely that Foles wouldn't be on the team, though if he picks up value as @Oil Can Dan points out the Eagles can franchise tag him and trade him.
That tag would cost them approximately $25 million for the season if he signed it, all against their 2019 cap.

Edit. Went through this with Cousins last offseason. Players can cooperate in a sign-and-trade, or not. If they don’t and the team plays franchise tag roulette, things get dire if at a high value position the player says fuck you and signs the tender.
 

Oil Can Dan

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So the Eagles went on a nice run at the end of the season to take the last wildcard spot. And Nick Foles suffered an injury that may have cost him a cool million.

https://theeagleswire.usatoday.com/2018/12/30/injury-reportedly-cost-nick-foles-1m-incentive-bonus-came-up-1-play-short/

I have a feeling that Jeffrie Lurie will make him whole.
Reports this past weekend stated that the Eagles will in fact honor the $1m bonus, so woohoo to that!

If St. Nick leads the Eagles past the Saints on Sunday they have to think about entertaining offers for Wentz. I have no idea what type of haul he'd bring in given his knee injury last year and the fact that he has a broken back right now. Reports over the weekend had the Eagles likely able to tag and trade Foles for at least a 2nd round pick. It'll be an interesting offseason one way or the other...
 

Average Reds

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I have a hard time believing the Eagles would take the risk of tag and trade, but who knows.

I do know that Foles cashed another $1 million check yesterday. So, he’s got that going for him.

I am kind of enjoying the Nick Foles farewell tour.
 

Time to Mo Vaughn

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I have a hard time believing the Eagles would take the risk of tag and trade, but who knows.

I do know that Foles cashed another $1 million check yesterday. So, he’s got that going for him.

I am kind of enjoying the Nick Foles farewell tour.
I actually see it not too dissimilar from the Matt Cassel situation the Patriots had. Cassel was coming off his age 26 season with just the single full season track record, and Foles will be finishing his age 29 season with a few seasons (plus most importantly postseason) track record. Cassel was traded for a 2nd round (34th overall) pick. You've also got the comparison of the Alex Smith San Francisco to Kansas City trade in 2012. Smith was coming off his age 28 season with one year left on his deal and SF the Chiefs 2nd round pick plus a conditional pick the following season.

I have to imagine that there's a couple teams in the NFL that would be willing to trade for Foles looking to sign him to an extension that it makes sense for the Eagles to tag him.
 

Oil Can Dan

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I too think there will be teams willing to do that. I think Foles would look good in MIami or Washington, for example. At the same time I think the Eagles will be sensitive to Foles' wants and desires. I think they had an opportunity to trade him for a 2nd to Cleveland this past offseason but took his wishes in to consideration (along with their view that Wentz wouldn't be ready) and declined that.

Also worth mentioning the compensatory pick the Eagles would receive in the event they don't tag him and he walks. I believe that would apply even if they pick up his option and he buys his freedom. I know it's a complicated formula based on who they lose and sign overall, but I read somewhere that the back of the napkin math suggests a 3rd. So any team would theoretically need to beat that well enough to accommodate the stench of having traded your SB winning QB who also took you X far in the 2018 postseason.
 

Oil Can Dan

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https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2814401-mike-freemans-10-point-stance-its-nick-foles-world-were-just-living-in-it

Whenever the Eagles' season ends—and the way quarterback Nick Foles is playing it might not end anytime soon—look for the Eagles' current starting QB to be one of the most pursued players of all time.

You read that correctly. Several team officials from both conferences think it will be a free-for-all for Foles if the Eagles decide to part with him, and most think the team will do just that despite Foles' remarkable postseason success.

One AFC East team executive said he believes there will be an almost "Reggie White-like pursuit" of Foles by teams desperate for a franchise thrower. White, who left the Eagles for the Packers in 1993, is considered the highest-profile free-agent signing of all time.
"There are a lot of teams that will shoot their shot at Foles," one NFC West scout said, "and [should Philly keep him] will be willing to part with substantial draft picks to do it."

There is already rampant speculation about where Foles will end up. One scout believes Raiders coach Jon Gruden will use some of the booty from the Khalil Mack and Amari Cooper trades (two first-rounders for Mack and one for Cooper) to make the Eagles an offer they can't refuse.
Not saying I totally agree with this premise, but I guess I could see Jon Gruden dealing a couple of those juicy 1st rounders for Foles...
 

BaseballJones

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Could the Eagles get more for Foles or Wentz? I'd suggest Wentz and given how the Eagles' players respond to Foles (it's amazing how they love him), I'd give serious consideration to trading Wentz and just keeping Foles.
 

Average Reds

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Could the Eagles get more for Foles or Wentz? I'd suggest Wentz and given how the Eagles' players respond to Foles (it's amazing how they love him), I'd give serious consideration to trading Wentz and just keeping Foles.
The Eagles could absolutely get more - likely much more - for Wentz than they could get for Foles.

This is because Wentz is a much better QB than Foles. This is also why the Eagles will keep Wentz.
 

BaseballJones

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The Eagles could absolutely get more - likely much more - for Wentz than they could get for Foles.

This is because Wentz is a much better QB than Foles. This is also why the Eagles will keep Wentz.
I suppose. But if Foles takes them deep again, isn't that all you can ask of a QB? Get two first rounders for Wentz, keep Foles, load up on draft picks, and keep rolling.

But I don't really care....it's the Eagles.
 

dcmissle

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That’s interesting because assuming Eagles make no major FA signings, they’d get a compensatory third for him anyway. Granted, that would be toward the bottom of the round, but this suggests to me that it’s important to Eagles to find a place that Foles would be comfortable — and that they would be comfortable him going to.
 

tims4wins

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That’s interesting because assuming Eagles make no major FA signings, they’d get a compensatory third for him anyway. Granted, that would be toward the bottom of the round, but this suggests to me that it’s important to Eagles to find a place that Foles would be comfortable — and that they would be comfortable him going to.
It'd be in 2020 though vs. 2019
 
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