Let’s Talk About The Eagles Young Guys
After February 4, 2018 I just wanted the NFL to disband, making the Eagles champions forever. That didn’t happen. So, as mandatory mini camp gets underway, a new season is upon us and there will be a lot of change for the Birds.
Most of the time, if a team has hit the ceiling of the salary cap, it is not ideal. But, the Eagles are in a unique position where the core of their Super Bowl Champion roster has eaten up most of the cap space, so it’s a good problem to have. In a situation like this, it doesn’t bode well for aging veterans. Brent Celek…R.I.P. in peace. Jason Peters…one year left. Darren Sproles…back but for how long?
With every door that closes, another opens. With a lot of talent on the team and not much money to go around, Philadelphia is the perfect place for young guys with low cap hits to get an opportunity to make a name for themselves. We have some new young writers. The Eagles have some new young talent. Each of our new guys picked an Eagle from the youth movement they think is most likely to become the next big thing on the Back to Back campaign:
Vince S: Kamu Grugier-Hill
Mychal Kendricks moving onto browner pastures leaves a gaping hole at the weak side LB position. Kamu has been a star on our special teams unit, one of the best in the game, for the last two years, even getting a finalist nod for a Pro Bowl spot in ’17. He’s been taking snaps with the first team at the WILL position (granted with no Hicks yet but he’ll be the MIKE with Bradham as the SAM) and all reports say he’s been killing it. If he continues icing people on defense then he could be seeing a LOT more than the 85 defensive snaps, which is what he saw last year. His speed (ran a 4.45 in the 40) takes away the short pass options like RPOs, flats, etc. This makes our GOAT front four’s job infinitely easier, giving them more time to break into the pocket. Based on his stellar performance at OTAs so far, his skill set, and willingness to step up for this team in the past (he fucking kicked off…remember?!?) I think he’s beginning to be the runaway favorite to take this spot over Corey Nelson who was told he’d have to fight for the spot. That just not with Kendricks anymore, it’s with Grugier-Hill.
Brian C: Sidney Jones
The Sidney Jones pick in last years draft may have been way more Process than any move the Sixers have made. Now, the time has come for it to pay dividends for our secondary this season. Coming off a torn Achilles, Jones is looking to have an impact this season and the hype train is absolutely rolling through OTAs. As the practices began, he opened as the starter from the nickel position. Reporters who were able to watch the practices raved about Jones’ athleticism and ability to stick with slot receivers in man coverage. I thought losing Patrick Robinson in free agency this offseason would come back to bite us in the ass, but if Jones is able to step up and play the nickel position, the defense won’t miss a step. If it wasn’t for his injury, Jones would’ve been the first defensive back selected in the 2017 draft. And that was a loaded draft for defensive backs, producing players like Tredavious White, Marshon Lattimore, and Marcus Williams. I expect Jones to step in and be everything as advertised before the injury occurred. The Birds have always shit the bed when it comes to cornerbacks. From the washed up Nnamdi Asomugha Dream Team bullshit to the dumpster fire known as Byron Maxwell, we’ve been promised great cornerback play numerous times and we’ve gotten blue balled every single time. It’s so refreshing to finally have corners who we can count on week in and week out. Jones is the future at the position and this year he’s going to get his chance to prove just that.
Joe D: Dallas Goedert
Going into the offseason, depth at the tight end position was going to be a pressing need. The Eagles said goodbye to the aging legend, Brent Celek, who had been the longest tenured athlete in this city. They also saw Mr. Philly Special, Trey Burton head to Chicago in free-agency, leaving All-Pro Zach Ertz as the only legit tight end on the roster, which seems less than ideal. In steps Howie Roseman to save the day and shit on the Cowboys, all in one steal of a pick. Drafting Dallas Goedert was the biggest second round steal since the Warriors got Draymond Green and with the way David Akers presented the pick, Goedert has no choice but to be a legend. First name aside, people have been raving about the 6’5″, 255 pound Goedert’s performance in OTAs thus far. His athleticism, physicality, and playmaking ability have many believing he will see a significant amount of playing time this upcoming year. He has the potential to be a stud in red zone situations, providing the defending Super Bowl champions yet another young offensive weapon.
Kyle J: Mack Hollins
Most athletes go out and purchase luxury items like cars, houses, boats, etc. Not Mack Hollins. On any sunny weekday you can usually find this 6’4” 220 pound monster riding his bike down Penrose Ave after a grueling practice. Mack truly embodies the blue collar attitude and what it means to play for a Philly team. Missed catch? He’s down doing push ups. Wrong route? Again doing push ups. THE KID WORKS FOR IT. In 2017 the wide receiver group was stacked with talent so Hollins didn’t get a whole lot of snaps. His 64 yard grab taken to the house for six points in the Carson Wentz MVP Game against the Washington Foreskins showed exactly what Hollins can bring to the table. This year, who knows, maybe he grabs special teams captain or works his way on the field for home run scenarios with Torrey Smith gone. Either way Mack Hollins could be a huge part of another Super Bowl run.