I'm here, ready for the weekly chat. Much to discuss at the league meetings. The AFC coaches spoke this morning, Jeffrey Lurie speaks in two hours, and Chip Kelly talks tomorrow.
Good question to start with, Tom. There are many more than five, but here is a place to start...
1) Why the decision to make the front office changes; 2) What was the timeline with the Gamble decision; 3) What is Howie's role now; 4) Why did you change your mind about Howie's personnel ability; 5) What's your confidence Chip is here long-term?
This dates back to last season. Mathis has a big contract, and he's on the older side. Mathis is also belived to be interested in a new deal, considering he's established himself as one of the top guards in the NFL.
I'd be surprised, but he's a good player, so you can never say never. But players at that age and with that salary are not always the most attractive on the trade market.
Good question. Some will need to happen internally -- Allen Barbre/Matt Tobin/Andrew Gardner are players to watch at guard. That is where draft-and-develop comes in. Eagles will also need to evaluate well in the draft -- they cannot afford misses.
I don't; he's a natural center.
I can see 18-10-2 between Murray/Mathews/Sproles.
I'll need to see it to believe it. I think he should get that chance, but they've been reluctant to do it to date.
Mathis? What's the motivation? I don't think he wants less money.
I don't think so; they have Celek, Ertz, and Burton. The Eagles don't have that many picks to invest. Maybe if a really good player falls, but I don't think that's the direction the Eagles go.
I think Watkins is more of a possibility than Carroll.
Carroll has not been a safety in his career. Eagles like Watkins as a hybrid player.
I'll ask Chip tomorrow. We'll know more then. ...I can see Wolff as a possibility, if he's healthy.
If I could have turned that pick and No. 20 into Mariota, then yes. But I don't know if they can. Just getting the pick doesn't make them better, though. Would still leave a hole at QB.
I need to see if Long is healthy. He's coming off his 2nd ACL injury in 3 years.
It seems Chip Kelly has the trust of Lurie. But this league is about winning.
He's taking it slower the second time around. I wouldn't be concerned yet. I'd be worried about training camp.
I hope so! I'll make a good pitch to my editors...
With Sproles, I think about touches. How often is he used in the passing game. And I do think they need to make sure they keep Sproles happy. Maybe it's 18-8-4.
A little bit of both. Also, you don't know what the roster is going to look like yet -- and a lot depends on how Alonso recovers.
I think both are going to be good in the NFL. It depends on the system and the surroundings. In the Eagles' system, I'd prefer Mariota.
If the price is right, yes. If they can turn Curry into a starter in the secondary, I'd do it. They cna find situational pass rushers, which is essentially what Curry is.
Who's on the board? Hard to say who the candidates are at 20 because it depends who falls.
