September 30, 2012; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles fans cheer during first quarter action against the New York Giants at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey G. Pittenger-US PRESSWIRE
Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz has to be smiling; Howie has delivered him three former Bills plus a safety that likes to hit. As for head coach Doug Pederson, he has been reunited with his guy Chase Daniel. The money it took to bring Daniel to Philadelphia clearly shows that Howie is trying to keep everyone happy down at the NovaCare Complex.
The Eagles will continue to add a few more players in free agency, but the majority of the headlines were made yesterday. Wednesday morning itself started a bit rough, the Maxwell and Alonso deal was considered to be off the table at one point, but in the end, the Eagles parted ways way with a bad Maxwell contract and move up five spots in the first round of the 2016 draft.
The Murray trade only moved the Eagles up thirteen spots in the fourth round, but Roseman was able to dish off another bad contract, which ultimately gave him the cap flexibility to sign off on yesterday’s contracts.
The roster upgrades across the board were areas of need, with the two biggest additions coming with offensive guard Brandon Brooks and safety Rodney McLeod.
In terms of Brooks, this was bit of a surprise. The likely candidate targeted at offensive guard was former Kansas City Chief and recently signed Houston Texan Jeff Allen. With the experience at both guard and tackle and familiarity with Pederson, Allen made sense. Two things with Allen, the first was his size, built more like a tackle, and second, he has missed significant time with injuries. When the Eagles signed Brooks, it sent a message to Eagle fans; Pederson wanted a “mauler.” Could Brooks bring to the Eagles what former first round offensive guard Shawn Andrews did? It has the potential, but his combination of nastiness and athleticism will quickly win over the fan base.
Everything you read on McLeod gives the sense that for the first time in what feels like eternity, the Eagles have themselves two legit safeties. Walter Thurmond played above expectations last year, but McLeod is a different type of player. He can cover ground with his speed. He is a tremendous tackler for a guy his size.
Howie Roseman put the Eagles in a better position yesterday; he filled holes by signing players and structuring contracts in such a way that flexibility is still available for the team to make additional moves.
The question marks with Howie Roseman were never about his ability to manage the cap or maneuver in the draft to trade up or back. The concern with Roseman is the draft; will the Eagles come away with prospects that are difference makers?
Moving up five spots in the first round certainly reduces the “risk” factor. It’s what the Eagles do with the mid round picks that will ultimately pave the way for their future success in building the team through the draft.
No Respect for probably their Best Free-Agent Signing Yesterday which was LB Nigel Bradham (6-2 244lbs) … The Eagle Fans are going to like this Player, He’s big, rangy, strong, explosive and plays with a mean streak as you expect a LB to be and not what we’ve had on the Eagles the last few Seasons with Alonso,Kendricks & Ryans …
Bradham will play that Strong-Side OLB and Cover TE’s/RB’s out of the Backfield and allow the Weak Side LB (Kendricks) do what he does best which is rush the Backfield/Passer..
A LB Corp of Bradham,Hicks & Kendricks could be a very good one if all remain Healthy and Pick-up Schwartz’s system well which is very LB friendly
Bradham has has Best NFL Season in 2014 playing under Schwartz
where he had 104 Tackles, 2 Forced Fumbles and 1 Int & 2.5 Sacks
At his Best, Bradham reminds me a little bit of Thomas Davis of the Panthers, in terms of range,size,athleticism and versatility, Now can Bradham learn to become more efficient and consistent like Thomas Davis is who brings it week in and week out, this we will have to see but if so, then the Eagles got themselves a real good LB
LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!
Now you see it huh???
Don’t see that at all. Bradham can’t cover a TE or RB. My guess Kendricks & Higgs stay on field for 3rd cornerback & Bradham goes off. I think the birds needed a LB but Bradham is a specialist not a full time player. He is just a 1st down or short yardage Linebacker. He will get roasted if his role is to cover a zone flat or worse, man to man.
so seriously who knows Bradhams game better paulman or eagles0superbowls? complete opposite ends of the spectrum evaluations.
PMan is correct in that he will play strong side linebacker ( SAM) but wrong in comparing him to Thomas Davis who is a weakside linebacker( Will) Neither of us know who will yield for a 3rd CB but I know if Bradham is one to the 2 remaining LB on the field he will be the blitzer and not the coverage Linebacker. He is a big downhill linebacker whose strength is attacking the line of scrimmage and his weakness is coverage.
I would grade Bradham an 8 out of 10 in the run game and a 4 out of 10 in the pass game.
Bradham has areas to improve in his pass coverage, no doubt, but he is a far improvement on Michael Kendricks who is one of the wors pass-cover Starting LB’s in the NFL.. I imagine that Kendricks will do more Blitzing due to his Speed ,more often than Bradham , if a Nickel Back comes in on3rd & Long, depending on opponent, situation, score, etc, etc, I would think Kendricks is coming off the field before Bradham
I would Rank Kendricks a 5 in the Run Game and a 2 in Pass Coverage Game
But Kendricks is the better Blitzer if used properly whether it’s from the weak side (Will) or up the interior which is probably what Kendricks does best..
Schwartz will have to be careful on how he deploys and uses his LB’s , Barwin is still probably their best Pass-cover LB so we may see Schwartz have narwin with a hand inthe ground on early downs and then have him take the TE or RB’s out inPassinin coverage while Bradham Blitz’s..
FRANCO WITH 2 DINGERS TODAY!!
4 TOTAL SO FAR
Ruf had two yesterday… Shame bout Altherr
Cowboys sign former Eagle Cedric Thornton to a 4 Year $17 Million Deal
Cowboys also have CB Nolan Carroll coming in for a Visit