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Eagles

Random Thoughts As Philadelphia Sports Is On “Slight” Edge

Placeholder Shilloutte User Image John Kincade March 22nd

by John Kincade

JAMES HARDEN PLEASE BE HEALTHY

There are only 11 games left in the regular season. The 76ers are currently even in the loss column with the Celtics so the 2 seed in the East is very much up for grabs. That is what makes what happened Monday night vs the Bulls so frustrating. For one thing the loss dropped them back even in the loss column, but James Harden being injured is a greater concern. All season long he has been battling a foot injury and it appears that he tweaked his Achilles. Doc Rivers was very coy and we will find out later today if he is going to help them get revenge on the Bulls tonight. He shot 2/14 from the floor and had only 5 points. It was a terrible game. Even a mediocre game would have been enough to win that game. That loss could be the difference between a Home Game 7 being in Boston or Philadelphia. I can’t take another Spring of wondering what if? Harden has to be ready go.

HOWIE ROSEMAN HAS TO JUMP START THE YOUTH MOVEMENT

The Eagles have two picks in the first round in the upcoming 2023 NFL Draft. They will enjoy having 3 picks in the first 2 rounds the next 2 drafts. Since Howie Roseman decided to get the veteran gang back together again, the ability to draft their replacements is immediate. They will have one of the oldest starting cornerback duos in the NFL. They need a youngster in that room. They will have to add a few more edge rushers. A starting running back is definitely on the shopping list in case Penny doesn’t rebound from his injury history. This draft and last years that brought Jordan Davis and Nakobe Dean to town will be as big a chapter in “The Story of Howie” as his Super Bowl berths. This is about sustaining. You can’t have a young franchise QB signed to a big money deal and then collapse.

THE PHILLIES HAVE TO COME TOGETHER QUICKLY

The World Baseball Classic is finally over and some fans enjoyed it. The majority of those fans were outside of the United States. It grew its audience internationally but hardly moved the needle among USA Baseball fans. I watched the highlights of most games to be completely honest, but when I was watching I was holding my breath. The fear of injury for the Phillies players was enough to take away from my enjoyment. I understand that the players care about the event and celebrate the competition. I feel about it like I do the Eagles pre-season. I’m just hoping that there won’t be an injury. It was great seeing Trea Turner thrive and dominate, but I’m a fan of my team. They will now have 6 days to come together as a team and attempt to gel. A slow start won’t keep them from a post season berth as last season proved, but the divisional race was over before it ever began. If you want a packed house all summer and a chance to break the Braves NL East Division domination streak, how you play early will matter. If this team is in great position BEFORE Bryce Harper returns it’s going to be a wild ride!

 

5 Trade Targets That Could Interest The Eagles At Safety

The Philadelphia Eagles entered free agency with a bunch of veterans who were ready to test the market. They decided to bring back veterans like Brandon Graham, Jason Kelce, James Bradberry, while restructuring Darius Slay’s contract. But the one position that Howie Roseman seemed to neglect is safety.

Many fans (myself included) thought that the Eagles top priority was to bring back safety CJ Gardner-Johnson. Acquired from the Saints right before the season, the Eagles transitioned the former cornerback to the safety spot and he fit in beautifully. But he also overplayed his hand and mishandled his market. The Eagles reportedly came to him early in free agency and offered him a multi-year deal, he declined, and when he realized that the market wasn’t what he thought it would be the Eagles had moved on.

So what are the Eagles going to do? The idea that the Eagles are going to go into next season with a safety combo of Justin Evans and “Ed” Reid Blankenship is naïve. The Eagles will either address the safety position in the draft or via a trade (because the good safeties are off the board in free agency.) Howie Roseman absolutely loves to make trades. Out of every GM in football, Howie looks to trade more than anyone else.

So lets take a look at some players that fit the mold of a CJ Gardner-Johnson. Not the playstyle, but the contract status. The Saints traded CJ Gardner-Johnson to the Eagles because they could not agree on a contract extension. They elected to get a draft pick from the Eagles than a lower compensatory pick if he left in free agency. There are those players every single year that become available. Howie has done great work taking advantage of other teams cap issues.

So here are 5 players that might interest Howie Roseman and the Eagles via the trade route.

  • S - Jeremy Chinn (Carolina)

    The Eagles were heavily interested in Jeremy Chinn during the 2020 NFL Draft. The Panthers havent picked up his team option and Chinn will become a free agent after the season. The Panthers gave up a lot of draft capital to trade up to the #1 pick so they could be interested in getting some of it back. Especially in a rebuilding year. The current coaching staff and front office didnt draft Chinn, so whats the upside for them to keep him?

  • S - Darnell Savage (Green Bay)

    Darnell Savage is a local guy (Bear Delaware) who is poised to be a free agent after this season. He is on a Green Bay team that likely wont be competing much in 2023 since they missed the playoffs last year, and are moving on from Aaron Rodgers. So whats the upside for keeping Savage? Savage is owed over $7 million dollars so that might price him out of the Eagles price range but hes a hell of a player.

  • S - Grant Delpit (Clevland)

    Like Chinn, Delpit is a former 2nd round pick from the 2020 NFL draft. Playing well for a Cleveland team that gave up a ton of draft capital to get creep Deshaun Watson. Cleveland is that adorable team that always thinks they are in it, so would they look to trade their starting safety? Well if he is just going to hit free agency in a year then maybe. He is on a VERY team friendly contract (owed just $1.6 million).

  • S - Antoine Winfield Jr. (Tampa Bay)

    Winfield isnt unsigned because the Bucs dont want him. He is unsigned because he is going to cost a LOT if he hits the open market. He is slated to after this season. One of the best safeties in the league, he was originally a second round pick who has quickly developed into a beast. But he is playing for a rebuilding team. Does he want to be in Tampa? Does Tampa want to allocate top dollar to a safety? If the answer is “no” to both then Howie could pounce.

  • S - Julian Blackmon (Indianapolis)

    Blackmon fits the mold of the previous names. He is on a bad team who is rebuilding. He is in the final year of his contract and is VERY affordable. What would he really cost? probably not much. But he could be a worthy stap gap at the position for one year. And playing with a CB tandem of Darius Slay, James Bradberry, and Avonte Maddox should help any safety elevate their game.