Eagles chat with Zach Berman

Chat with beat writer Zach Berman ahead of the season opener.

3rd & 7 37yd

Thank you for joining the weekly chat. Week 1 is finally here. Looking forward to all of your questions...

by Zach Berman 9/4/2018 4:02:16 PM
when do you see Alshon returning game 3? Can Gibson fill in if Hollins cant play?

by bob 9/4/2018 4:02:26 PM
That would seem like a reasonable timeline. Mack Hollins suffered a setback, so you won't see him this week. Shelton Gibson will need to step in. I think the Eagles will lack firepower on Thursday.

by Zach Berman 9/4/2018 4:03:08 PM
do they still draft offensive tackle early in 2019; given mailata development?

by bob 9/4/2018 4:03:09 PM
Way too soon to say. Need to see where they pick, how the draft class looks, how Mailata/Vaitai develop.

by Zach Berman 9/4/2018 4:03:33 PM
I missed Pederson's press conference this morning. Did he address (apologize for?) his acting-out from the previous conference?

by Lucifer 9/4/2018 4:03:34 PM
He didn't need to apologize. He did address it when he explained he had not notified Carson Wentz before the report came out.

by Zach Berman 9/4/2018 4:03:54 PM
Do you think the passing game will struggle missing Alshon and Hollins? Or will the tight ends and running backs pick up the slack?

by Loudog 9/4/2018 4:04:03 PM
It's not going to be the same. I expect more two-tight end sets, but Alshon Jeffery is a really good player and helps the players around him.

by Zach Berman 9/4/2018 4:04:27 PM
Will the birds win this one? I think it is a tough opener and we are banged up at key positions?

by Loudog 9/4/2018 4:07:01 PM
I think the absences of Bradham and Jeffery will hurt them and Atlanta is a good team. Can't rule the Eagles out -- especially at home -- but I'm picking Atlanta.

by Zach Berman 9/4/2018 4:07:34 PM
Can Foles just turn it on when games count? Or will we see the Foles who struggled last season during the last few games before he got his feet under him?

by Loudog 9/4/2018 4:07:35 PM
His variance is incredible. He could turn it on. He could also continue his preseason struggles. With him, you never know. But I wouldn't bet against Foles. He's a resilient player.

by Zach Berman 9/4/2018 4:08:14 PM
No better options than Wheaton?

by Karl 9/4/2018 4:08:15 PM
Knows the offense, has starting experience in the NFL. They can do much worse.

by Zach Berman 9/4/2018 4:08:32 PM
Jenkins restructure was to free up money for who? Wentz? Darby? BG? Or a FA?

by Ty 9/4/2018 4:08:45 PM
My guess is not for one player, but to have that payroll flexibility. And they can do it because Jenkins isn't going anywhere.

by Zach Berman 9/4/2018 4:09:03 PM
I like what you wrote this morning about Foles and his swings from great to awful. What do you attribute that to?

by KI 9/4/2018 4:09:05 PM
Thank you for reading. I wish I had the answer. I think he's a rhythm quarterback. It's like in the NBA Jam video game when a shooter catches fire.

by Zach Berman 9/4/2018 4:09:40 PM
Who is the leading rusher in this game? I think our running game can take advantage of the Falcons D line

by Loudog 9/4/2018 4:11:39 PM
Jay Ajayi. He'll get the most work. He's had success against Atlanta. Think this needs to be a Jay Game.

by Zach Berman 9/4/2018 4:12:10 PM
Gibson is going to make a strong case for Hollins roster spot and if Wallace cant put up numbers I think he could push for WR3 by mid season. What are your thoughts on Gibson pulling a Agholor 2.0 this year?

by Flip4flop 9/4/2018 4:12:19 PM
That's a tough comparison. Agholor is an incredibly talented player -- a first-round pick for a reason. But I think Shelton Giibson has potential to be a top four WR for the Eagles. He'll try to show it on Thursday.

by Zach Berman 9/4/2018 4:12:55 PM
Birds must really like Bruce Hector. What did you see from him?

by Danny 9/4/2018 4:12:56 PM
Can penetrate and get to the QB from the interior. That's a valuable skill.

by Zach Berman 9/4/2018 4:13:08 PM
I’m a diehard fan, but I realize we have a weak WR group. I think a lost Thursday will come back to bite us

by Rob 9/4/2018 4:13:14 PM
It's a long season. There's only 16 of them, but not the end of the world if the Eagles lose.

by Zach Berman 9/4/2018 4:13:28 PM
Do you see the Eagles getting a top two seed in the conference this year? Tough schedule and a lot of good NFC teams

by Loudog 9/4/2018 4:14:25 PM
Being in the NFC East helps. NFC South and NFC North could have their teams beat up on each other. I'm predicting a first-round bye for the Eagles.

by Zach Berman 9/4/2018 4:14:50 PM
How do the Birds handle the linebackers with Nigel out? Will this hurt our passing defense?

by Loudog 9/4/2018 4:14:51 PM
It will hurt both run and pass defense. Grugier-Hill and Gerry will both get time, with KGH my guess for weak-side linebacker.

by Zach Berman 9/4/2018 4:16:27 PM
Were you surprised on losing Means? He was good when he got the opportunity. Also helped mimic opposing players

by Loudog 9/4/2018 4:16:30 PM
I was surprised. I thought they'd trade him or keep him. But they do have a surplus at DE, and Sweat has a lot of potential.

by Zach Berman 9/4/2018 4:16:54 PM
Zach. can you please expand on your thoughts about cutting Means? Yes, there is depth at DE right now, but beyond this year it's Barnett and maybe Sweat, who is still unproven.

by Greg 9/4/2018 4:16:56 PM
I don't know if Means is a building block-for-the-future player. Nice guy to have around, but not a starting-caliber player. Maybe I'm wrong. He's still unsigned, so think might be a case where Philly values him more than elsewhere.

by Zach Berman 9/4/2018 4:17:41 PM
Any idea based on practice on usage between Clement and Sproles on passing downs?

by Flip4flop 9/4/2018 4:17:46 PM
Both will be involved in the passing game. I see Clement working all three downs art different times.

by Zach Berman 9/4/2018 4:18:02 PM
On the Agholor comment, I just meant going from Agholor struggles in drops and just awful play to his turn around year last year. Gibson had an AWFUL training camp last year but seems to have really found his focus. Thanks for your answer and completely agree that he will be in the mix for a bigger role by the seasons end

by Flip4flop 9/4/2018 4:18:11 PM
Then yes, Gibson can have that turnaround. He's already displayed. I've been really impressed with him this summer.

by Zach Berman 9/4/2018 4:18:30 PM
How many losses will it take for Howie to start making real moves/trades? This WR is mediocre. LB group is above average, no depth at DT.

by Ed 9/4/2018 4:19:56 PM
Depends what the market is. Howie won't give away picks. Need a team with a player falling out of favor or a team out of contention.

by Zach Berman 9/4/2018 4:20:29 PM

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