Last year around this time, we were getting ready for the Eagles to play in Super Bowl LII.
This year, we're looking ahead to the future.
Since we've entered the offseason a little earlier than the Eagles wanted, we have plenty of time to get into your questions this week. And there were a lot of them, so we split them up.
Here's the first bunch:
What aspects of Nick Foles game can Carson incorporate to his to make himself better?— Michael Pershing (@MichaelPershin2) January 22, 2019
I like this question, in part because we've heard it casually mentioned so much over the last few weeks and in part because it accepts the inevitability that the Eagles are moving on from Foles and Wentz is the guy.
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I think the main thing Wentz can take from Foles - and really Doug Pederson too - is that sometimes simple really is better. With Wentz, who is an incredible talent, it at times felt like the offense was all about him. That doesn't fall all on Wentz either. I think the coaching staff, and Pederson in particular, need to understand how to use Wentz better.
The Eagles' offense simplified when Foles was back in there and got back to basics. I think the lesson in there is that sometimes you have to go back to basics before building it all up. Wentz is more talented, but sometimes that clouded judgment of the offense and got them away from the staples of the offense. Next season should be about finding a balance between those staples and allowing Wentz to be the special player he is.
What's the deal with Sidney Jones?— Collin Ntilikina (@Sawickip95) January 22, 2019
What's the deal with Sidney Jones?
He was hurt.
I still don't understand all the hate directed at him and all the folks calling him a bust. You can feel strongly that the team made a bad choice taking a player with an Achilles tear at No. 43 a couple years ago, but don't take it out on him. I see a 22-year-old kid with a ton of promise who got hurt during his only real season in the NFL. It's just wayyyyyy too early to call this kid a bust.
And I know we all have short memories, but early in the 2018 season, I actually thought Jones was playing well in the nickel corner spot before the first hamstring injury. I still think he ends up being a good NFL player.
Will the Birds address the aging defensive line in the draft?— Jeffrey Branch (@PhillyFlash59) January 22, 2019
Yeah, they need to. For me, the Eagles' needs at defensive end and defensive tackle should be right there at the top of the list, especially with how much emphasis Jim Schwartz puts on stopping the run and getting to the quarterback with the front four.
The good news is that this is supposed to be a very deep draft for defensive linemen. Howie Roseman said as much in his end-of-the-season press conference. Now, because it's so deep, you might think the Eagles can wait to get one later, but what I've seen in a draft with a deep position is there's normally a run. I wouldn't wait. I'd be happy that a good player falls to me wherever I'm picking. For instance, I had the Eagles taking DT Christian Wilkins in my first Eagles-only mock draft earlier this week. I think that would be a tremendous pick.
How do you think the Eagles secondary will lineup to start 2019? So many different players that could play in different positions such as Maddox who can play slot, outside, or safety.— Uzair $aleem (@UzairSaleem23) January 22, 2019
This is a really hard question and I'm not sure I have the right answer, partly because we don't even know who's going to be here in 2019. For the sake of this answer, I'll assume Ronald Darby doesn't get re-signed and Rodney McLeod is still on the roster. If that's the case, then I'd say Malcolm Jenkins and McLeod at safety. Rasul Douglas and Jalen Mills outside and then Jones, Avonte Maddox and Cre'Von LeBlanc have a battle for the nickel corner. If McLeod isn't back, I think Maddox could be a longer-term fix at safety. I know some folks don't want Mills to take back his starting job, but Schwartz likes him, so I'm not ready to say he loses it.
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