What They’re Saying About the Eagles

Here’s a roundup of what the national media are saying about the Eagles this week.

Pro Football Focus identifies Vinny Curry as the Eagles’ “Secret Superstar” for 2014.

In his 322 regular season snaps, Curry performed that role better than any 3-4 end in the NFL sans J.J. Watt. Curry registered 32 combined pressures in 217 pass rushing snaps for a Pass Rush Productivity grade of 11.6. Not only was that the second best PRP last season, but it was also the second best PRP we’ve ever seen from a 3-4 end in PFF’s seven seasons of data. To give you an idea of how crazy 32 pressures is in 217 snaps, Curry had one fewer pressure than Defensive Rookie of the Year Sheldon Richardson even though Richardson had 264 more opportunities (2.2 times as many pass rushing snaps).

That type of production is almost impossible to chalk up to being a fluke. An undersized, second-year end, playing a brand new position, was one of the most efficient interior rushers of the past seven seasons. It’s exciting to think about what could be next for Curry.

Bovada came out with some odds for the NFL season. They have the Eagles over/under win total at 9.

As for the odds to win the NFC East:   

Philadelphia Eagles                   3/2
New York Giants                       11/4
Dallas Cowboys                        13/4
Washington Redskins                4/1

Meanwhile, Sportsbook.com has Jordan Matthews at +1000 to win Offensive Rookie of the Year (h/t Bounty Bowl). Marcus Smith is +3000 to take home the defensive honors.

Jason La Canfora has former Eagles quarterbacks coach Bill Lazor, now an offensive coordinator for Miami, as one of six assistants that could be desirable head coaching candidates before long.

 Lazor has been a sponge, soaking up aspects of vastly different offensive systems through his coaching journey, including a critical juncture last season on innovative Chip Kelly’s staff with the Eagles. That helped him land the Dolphins job, and while I am not wild about the overall job security of that staff, given this is likely a make-or-break year for Joe Philbin during what has been a tumultuous tenure there, I expect Lazor’s star to continue to rise. If he can keep Ryan Tannehill on a more consistent path, it will open some eyes. Lazor has a way of connecting with quarterbacks and he was on a few team’s extended list of guys to interview for head coaching jobs a year ago. Being in the coordinator role now, dealing more with the media on a regular basis and being a little more in the limelight should help his stock.

OTAs have just begun, but so far, so good for Arrelious Benn, Adam Caplan reports.

In ACL recovery news, #Eagles WR Arrelious Benn is doing well. No issues during OTA practice today.

— Adam Caplan (@caplannfl) May 28, 2014