Memorial Day Reading: Barwin’s Bash



Hope everyone is enjoying the long weekend.

Some Eagles activity is coming up. The first set of OTAs runs from Tuesday though Thursday this week. We’ll speak with Chip Kelly, and get our first look at the 2014 squad. Plenty to look forward to. For now, a few links to pass along:

The Dolphins’ offense —  now under the stewardship of former quarterbacks coach Bill Lazor — will have a Philadelphia influence to it, writes  Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.

Associates of new Dolphins offensive coordinator Bill Lazor, Philadelphia’ former quarterback coach, said he was advised by the Eagles not to take the Dolphins job if Joe Philbin didn’t give him total control of his unit. Philbin has given him that authority, and Dolphins players are excited about the system he’s implementing.

“It’s reminiscent of Chip Kelly’s offense in Philadelphia, with the tempo and style,” said one Dolphins player who asked not to be named.

Kelly uses a spread offense, and the player said the spread is an important part of this Dolphins attack, but there is more to this offense than that.

“There are some West Coast offense concepts,” the player said. “Some shotgun, some under center. They’ve discussed having both no huddle and huddle. It’s fast tempo.”

Good story by Chris McPherson over at the team’s website on defensive back Davon Morgan, who had been out of the league for over two years and working as an in-house counselor and tutor before catching the Eagles’ eye this offseason.

Morgan placed a call to John Ballein, who is Virginia Tech’s Associate Athletics Director for Football Operations, asking for a simple favor – to participate in the Hokies’ 2014 Pro Day. Morgan knew that with cornerbacks Kyle Fuller and Antone Exum on the NFL’s radar there would be plenty of scouts in attendance. Morgan may have been three years removed from his own Pro Day, but he was a model citizen during his time in Blacksburg, Va. He was a team captain. His class won three ACC titles. He earned his degree in human development.

If anyone was worthy of a chance, it was Morgan. And Morgan was well aware of the significance of the opportunity.

“This is my last big shot,” Morgan said. “I’ve been through this before. I know what to expect. I’ve got to do something to stand out.”

With head coach Chip Kelly, defensive coordinator Bill Davis and secondary coach John Lovett among the Eagles representatives in attendance at the Pro Day, Morgan put on a show. Afterwards, teams approached Morgan for his contact information, but there was no promise of anything.

And finally, Connor Barwin has been a busy man. He appeared on CSN Philly and offered a couple thoughts on Marcus Smith; had some fun on the new weekly podcast over at PhiladelphiaEagles.com; and even played DJ for 88.5 WXPN the other day for the “Top 5 at 5.”

This is all to help promote the inaugural benefit concert being put on by the  Make The World Better Foundation (MTWB), established by Barwin in 2013. It will be held at Union Transfer on June 20 and will feature “Philly Artist of the Year” Kurt Vile.

All proceeds from the concert will be donated and matched by MTWB for the revitalization project at Ralph Brooks Park in South Philadelphia.   LeSean McCoy, DeMeco Ryans, Jason Kelce, Todd Herremans, Najee Goode, Bradley Fletcher, Mychal Kendricks, Trent Cole, Cary Williams, Brent Celek, Bennie Logan and other Eagles are expected to be in attendance.

If interested, visit www.MTWBProject.org.