What They’re Saying About the Eagles


Here’s the weekly roundup of what the national media are saying about the Eagles.

Matt Williamson of ESPN.com gives the Birds high marks for their free agency moves:

I love what the Eagles have done. By adding Barwin and Sopoaga, Philadelphia’s front seven now looks complete — and the Eagles will be incorporating much more 3-4 than we have seen in recent years. Their secondary, which was just dreadful in 2012, looks substantially better, especially at safety — a huge position of weakness last year.

Evan Silva of Rotoworld.com says the Cary Williams and Connor Barwin signings were two of the six worst in free agency:

Williams played strictly right cornerback in Baltimore. In the NFC East, Dez Bryant, Pierre Garcon, and Hakeem Nicks all run the majority of their pass routes versus right corners. Assuming he’s used at the same position in Philadelphia, that trio is going to love facing Williams twice a year.

And on Barwin:

On tape, it is evident that Barwin lacks threatening edge speed. He’s “just a guy.” The Eagles have publicly attributed Barwin’s poor Texans production to the manner in which Wade Phillips used him. In all likelihood, Philly is going to be sorry if its thinks Barwin will spark the pass rush.

ESPN.com’s Dan Graziano can’t see the Eagles trading up for anyone other than Geno Smith:

I think if the Philadelphia Eagles were going to trade up from the No. 4 pick in next month’s draft to one of the top three, it would be because they’d identified Smith as the guy they want as their franchise quarterback and decided they couldn’t let Jacksonville or Oakland get him before they had a chance. Failing that, I think they stay put at No. 4, secure in the knowledge that they can find an impact starter at that spot.

SI.com’s Peter King is curious about the start of the Chip Kelly era:

I think I’d love to hear what Chip Kelly says to his players on the first day of a very different era for the Philadelphia Eagles. This is the week new coaches can begin to work with their players. Established coaches get their players in-house — for voluntary conditioning — two weeks from today.

Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com looks at what the Eagles might do with their extra cap space:

The Eagles’ smart offseason approach has afforded them flexibility. It’s hard to imagine the Eagles investing much long-term in any of their players until they see how they look under Chip Kelly. The Eagles should carry most of this money over to next season.

Marc Sessler of NFL.com writes that the Eagles were one of six teams to upgrade a position of need this offseason:

Of the six groups, I’d call this more a “new look” than a proven upgrade. Gone is the messy combination of Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Nnamdi Asomugha, two former Pro Bowl selections who looked lost in Philly. Bradley Fletcher and Cary Williams give Chip Kelly a pair of reliable corners, and the safety group is deeper with the additions of Patrick Chung and Kenny Phillips. A fresh start was overdue, and the Eagles haven’t wasted time restocking the cupboard.

Follow Sheil Kapadia on Twitter and e-mail him at skapadia@phillymag.com.
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