- Free agency has officially begun in the NFL and, like usual, the Eagles dove right in with big news.
To me, the biggest was the reports that former Eagle wide receiver DeSean Jackson would be returning to Philly from Tampa Bay. D-Jax wore out his welcome with the Buccaneers and wanted to return to the Eagles. Sounds like he got his wish.
The Birds need speed in their receiving corps to spread the field and open up spaces for guys like Alshon Jeffery, Zach Ertz and Nelson Agholor. Jackson still has the elite speed to keep defenses honest so they don't put eight men in the box against the Eagles.
Carson Wentz should have fun throwing bombs to Jackson, although Nick Foles was probably the better long-ball tosser. It's nice to know the Eagles have that home run threat back, someone able to score from anywhere on the field.
Will D-Jax return punts too? Philadelphia needs improvement in its' special teams return game. Darren Sproles gave the team that home run hitter weapon after Jackson was cut by Chip Kelly and ended up in Washington. But since then, either on kickoffs or punt returns, the Birds have been weak.
Nice weapons now with Jackson, the pair of tight ends and Agholor. They still need a speedy running back, but it's a start.
I was a little surprised GM Howie Rossman brought back often-injured Jason Peters. He is one of Owner Jeffery Lurie's favorite players. Still, Peters could hardly stay on the gridiron last season. Eagles' management must feel their young offensive linemen just aren't ready to start yet.
Always confused about how they treated Stefan Wisnewski. They cut him yesterday.Football experts claim he played well for the time he was on the line for Philly.
More action to come as the week progresses on.
As expected, QB Nick Foles signed a nice deal with Jacksonville. Foles gets his chance to play and lead a team. Nate Sudfeld is now Wentz' backup. I would expect Rossman may draft a young quarterback late in the draft.
- I gave up on the Flyers too soon. With their 3-2 comeback win over Ottawa last night the Orange and Black move to within three points of a playoff spot. Hopefully they still have something left to get them over the playoff hump.
- Bryce Harper played right field on Monday afternoon in Clearwater. Harper walked and struck out in his two plate appearances.
I'm not worried about Aaron Nola getting hit around on Sunday against the Orioles but I am worried about another poor outing by inconsistent Vince Valasquez. He is getting pounded in Florida already. Up north for the past few seasons, Valasquez is a real roller coaster, from one good outing to not able to go past five innings. It's time for him to step up or else go to the bullpen ( where he probably belongs, anyway). Drew Amderson, who has pitched well in Clearwater this spring, is right there waiting to take a rotation spot if Valasquez continues to falter.
The Phils are off today but play Wednesday night in Tampa against the Yankees. Harper will play. Their annual St. Patrick's Day game is on Sunday vs the Yanks in Clearwater. The Phillies will be wearing green.
No comments:
Post a Comment