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Alshon Jeffery has discovered a soccer dwelling in Philadelphia, however he by no means forgets his roots.
Carson Wentz has 4 shiny new toy weapons lining up at receiver in 2020. The Eagles went arduous on the place within the draft.
Philadelphia jump-started their greatest place of want on Day 1 by taking Jalen Reagor, then added John Hightower and Quez Watkins on Day 3. Additionally they made a draft-day commerce with San Francisco to accumulate Olympic sprinter Marquise Goodwin. Not for nothing, the Eagles additionally took a flier on one other pace risk — Morgan State’s Manasseh Bailey — after signing him as an undrafted free agent.
Eagles GM Howie Roseman had come underneath fireplace for not addressing the receiver place in free company. The staff is anticipating the return of 33-year-old burner DeSean Jackson from damage in 2020, in addition to a controversial comeback for Alshon Jeffery. The latter nonetheless isn’t 100-percent and will miss the primary few weeks of the common season.
“We knew we would have liked to get higher at that place. I do know I’ve talked about it within the offseason, however we actually really feel like we’ve added [depth].” Roseman informed reporters. “We’ve added DeSean [Jackson] again, Alshon [Jeffery] again. We have to get him wholesome, get him proper.”
It was telling to listen to Roseman name out Jeffery by identify, particularly after head coach Doug Pederson omitted Jeffery’s identify in a earlier query in regards to the staff’s veteran management on the place. He talked about Jackson, Goodwin and Greg Ward because the gamers for the youthful guys to look as much as. No Jeffery.
“I really feel personally we’re going to should lean on our veteran gamers. We’re going to should lean on DeSean Jackson and Greg Ward, who we all know has come into his personal and been on our staff for couple years. Guys like that,” Pederson stated. “And now Marquise Goodwin, a veteran participant who understands the sport, till we will get these younger guys caught up.”
Crew Defines New ‘Eagles Mentality’ for 2020
The day after the Eagles misplaced to the Seahawks in final yr’s playoffs, Howie Roseman walked into Doug Pederson’s workplace with a be aware.
He had three issues jotted down on a chunk of paper: “Can he run? Is he wholesome? Does he like to play?” The top coach nodded in settlement and so they walked down the corridor to run it by participant personnel guru Andy Weidl. Straight away, these phrases turned their offseason motto.
“After we checked out everybody we picked right this moment, we tried to reply these questions,” Roseman stated. “Now, after we went somewhat bit later within the draft, perhaps there have been some questions on a few these guys, however we felt like they had been ok soccer gamers that they had been definitely worth the threat.”
Eagles’ brass stored stressing the final a part of the motto, about drafting guys that love soccer and need to get higher. Weidl termed it the “Eagles mentality” and a part of it entails placing a product on the sector that the blue-collar followers in Philly will be pleased with.
“Clearly, we see the skillset on tape and we perceive that, the man can play soccer,” Pederson stated. “However speaking to those individuals actually offers us a greater perception into the character of the individual. Does he love soccer? Is he captivated with his sport? Does he need to get higher? And that’s how we do it.”
Preliminary Depth Chart Up in Eagles’ Locker Room
The Eagles have compiled a really tentative and early depth chart. Eagles GM Howie Roseman teased the information in his post-draft press convention nevertheless it has but to be up to date on the staff’s official web site. Both approach, it’s not arduous to foretell the way it would possibly shake out on the receiver place.
With Alshon Jeffery doubtless lacking Week 1 — and perhaps he will get traded within the meantime — the Eagles will pencil in DeSean Jackson and Jalen Reagor on the skin, with Greg Ward Jr. taking on the slot. J.J. Arcega-Whiteside and Marquise Goodwin mission as their backups, with John Hightower and Quez Watkins listed behind them.
Coaching camp ought to be chock stuffed with heated battles, too. Watkins, the sixth-round choose from Southern Miss, has already put his new teammates on discover. He doesn’t count on to take a seat on the sidelines all yr.
“I’m actually not any individual that’s going to attempt to keep off to the aspect,” Watkins informed reporters. “I’m going to point out as much as the competitors and present all people what I’m about.”
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