We're deep into free agency, the draft is rapidly approaching and the 2017 Super Bowl champion Eagles are being reshaped into a new team.
Which means it's a perfect time for a Roob's 10 Observations.
1. As the Eagles move on from LeGarrette Blount and reshape the running back position, it's intriguing to ponder just how good Corey Clement can be. From what I saw last year? I think the kid can be a stud. His touches were limited until late in the season, but how many rookies have had 300 rushing yards, 200 receiving yards and averaged at least 4.4 yards per carry and 13 yards per catch? Would you believe three in the last 40 years? A guy named Jesse Clark with the Packers in 1983, a guy named Adrian Peterson with the Vikings in 2007 and a guy named Corey Clement. It's tough to project, but he can run, he can block, he can catch, he's got a real flair for making big plays and a terrific knack in the red zone. Can't wait to see him in an expanded role.
2. As for Blount, you can't overstate his value to the Eagles last year, both as a running back and a leader. For a guy with his resume to come into that locker room and not once complain about his workload - even when he had no carries against the Chiefs - was remarkable. His selfless attitude really resonated with the young guys in the locker room. And I know a lot of fans were upset to see him go, but as incredible as his Super Bowl performance was, you can't forget that in the seven games leading up to the Super Bowl he averaged 2.9 yards per carry. And he's 31 years old. If the reported numbers are correct, Blount's $4.5 million 2018 salary makes him the 12th-highest-paid running back in the league. Good for him. I wish him well. He was a huge part of that 2017 team. But it made no sense for the Eagles to bring him back.
3. It's amazing how much money teams keep throwing at Sam Bradford. He's got 34 wins in eight seasons, he's never had a winning record, he's never made a postseason, and on the rare occasions when he's been healthy, he's won only 43 percent of his starts. Oh, and he's missed 42 games since 2013. "He's our guy!"
4. Speaks volumes that both Blount and Torrey Smith singled out Duce Staley in their tweets or Instagram posts saying goodbye to Philly after joining new teams. Staley wasn't even Smith's position coach, and he still singled him out. Blount wrote: "To my main man Coach Duce Staley - You have impacted my life on and off the field and pushed me to be the best version of me I can be and for that I thank you!" Staley is such a natural leader and such a big part of what the Eagles accomplished in 2017. He's going to be a head coach one day.
5. The Eagles lost Vinny Curry, but they have Brandon Graham, Derek Barnett, Michael Bennett and Chris Long. They lost Trey Burton and Brent Celek, but they have Zach Ertz. They lost Smith, but they have Alshon Jeffery, Nelson Agholor and Mack Hollins. They lost Blount, but they have Jay Ajayi and Clement. They lost Patrick Robinson, but they have Sidney Jones, Jalen Mills, Rasul Douglas, Ronald Darby and Daryl Worley. They've lost a lot, but they're still stocked at every position where they lost someone. Pretty darn good roster planning.
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6. I feel like in the wake of Nick Foles' brilliant postseason, people are forgetting exactly how good Carson Wentz was before he got hurt. So here's a list of every quarterback in NFL history with 33 or more touchdown passes and seven or fewer interceptions in a season before his 30th birthday: Carson Wentz.
7. I wonder how much Haloti Ngata has left. He's 34, he's coming off a torn biceps, and he's five years removed from his last Pro Bowl. Beau Allen was quietly a solid backup defensive tackle and played a big role in that D-line rotation the second half of the season after Tim Jernigan hurt his ankle. I don't mind the signing. Ngata comes cheap and there's really nothing to lose. But it's been a while since he's been a dominant player, so it'll be interesting to see how he fits in.
8. If you've never been to Canton, Ohio, plan your trip now. The Pro Football Hall of Fame is a great place to visit any time. But the weekend of Brian Dawkins' induction is going to be unforgettable. Dawk's speech is going to be epic.
9. The Philly Special may be the greatest play in Eagles history, but where does the fourth-quarter, fourth-down conversion rank? The Eagles trailed with 5½ minutes left and faced a 4th-and-1 inside midfield when Foles converted a short completion to Ertz. If they don't convert, they lose. That's gotta be a top-10 all-time play. Maybe top-five.
10. Tight ends with more catches than Ertz in their first five NFL seasons: Kellen Winslow Sr., Jimmy Graham, Jason Witten and Antonio Gates.
