We started this two-part mailbag Thursday, when I fielded questions about the biggest concern, roster battles and a kicker fight (see story).
Today, a few more of your questions.
Let's jump in:
@DZangaroCSN Who do you like as the back up linebackers— Jeff Schram (@Jeff_Schram) June 30, 2016
Not a ton of options here. This is a problem area for the Eagles. There's not a ton of depth. The starters seem decent enough: Jordan Hicks, Mychal Kendricks, Nigel Bradham. But Hicks and Kendricks have noted injury histories and I'm not sold on Bradham.
The best bets for backups right now are Najee Goode, rookie Joe Walker, and perhaps Deontae Skinner. There's also a chance one undrafted rookie — Quentin Gause or Myke Tavarress — could make the team because of the lack of depth.
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Goode is a pretty good backup and special teams player, but I'm not sure he could fill the void if a starter was out for a considerable amount of time. And Walker has some promise — at least as a backup — but he's learning a new defense that's much different from the scheme he played at Oregon.
Linebacker and defensive tackle are two real areas of depth weakness on this roster. I wouldn't be shocked to see the Eagles add someone else.
@DZangaroCSN backup DT might be weakest on the team, you see Martin or Allen making the team or both?— Matthew Werner (@ms_doubleu) June 30, 2016
As I was saying, the depth at defensive tackle isn't great. In my first 53-man roster projection, I left off Mike Martin, which proved to be foolish. While Fletcher Cox was gone this spring, Martin took his spot with the first team, which tells me what the Eagles think about him. At this point, it would be pretty surprising if he didn't make the team.
Allen … I'm not so sure. I just don't see him or Taylor Hart being good fits for Jim Schwartz's 4-3 system. I think one of the three undrafted rookies — Destiny Vaeao, Aziz Shittu or Connor Wujciak — have a shot to make the squad.
@DZangaroCSN @chipkelly2016 any truth to the rumors nick foles is coming back?— Sportmigos (@Sportmigos) June 30, 2016
The Eagles have enough bodies at quarterback now with Sam Bradford, Chase Daniel and Carson Wentz. Adding a fourth — especially Nick Foles — wouldn't make sense.
Thinking about Foles' career is pretty crazy. He went from his magical 2013 season, making the Pro Bowl, to being benched for Case Keenum in 2015. Yikes.
