I think the Eagles would also be perfectly happy if one of the three top cornerbacks makes it to 12, too, and might not hate Parsons, since although he's a LB, he will function in most defenses like a hybrid edge rusher. And the best edge rushers in the draft will still be on the board, and maybe one or two of the three premier offensive tackles as well.
A lot of talent will still be there. The trade down is only a mistake if Chase or Pitts turns out to be a monster and they would have taken him at 6 (and he was there and would not have been at 12).
NFL Approves 17 game schedule for 2021.
So is the Super Bowl now going to be on the second Sunday in February?
I know, it's all about the money but sixteen games (excluding postseason) are enough, especially considering football's brutal nature.
And I think they are still only doing 1 bye week. The really should do 2.
TV ratings were bad when they opened Labor Day weekend so I think they are pretty set on opening after that.
I read somewhere that a lot of the players are not happy about this. They are not getting paid more to get beat up an extra week. The NFL union is notoriously weak, though.
The Eagles extra game will be a road game in 2021.
There is some additional money in there for the players. I think the TV contract has some escalators that the 17th game will lead to more revenue under the current TV deal (the new one was priced already with 17 games in mind). That revenue will increase the salary cap. And pre-existing contracts get a 17th game check added. Also, the players' share of revenue increases to 48.5% from 47.0% and some of that share increase is due to the 17th game kicking in early (about $3.5 million for each team's salary cap).
But in general the players are giving more here than the owners. At the very least they should be adding a few roster slots too as teams will just need more injury replacements.
Weren't they supposed to reduce or even do away entirely with exhibitions games as part of this? Or so some players wanted, anyway.
They are getting rid of one Preseason game, so now they will play 3 instead of 4.
I'm thinking more about the draft, it looks like 5 QBs may go off the board before the Eagles pick at 12, which means only 6 non-QB picks will be off the board when the Eagles pick. So it is possible that Pitts, Chase, Smith and Waddle are gone by 12, but more likely one or two of them might be there. If all four are gone before 12, then I would hope LB Parsons or CBs Surtain or Horn would be there, but I think the top corners will be gone and I want nothing to do with CB Farley who just had back surgery. If the big 4 are gone. I'd also be okay with the Eagles trading back a few picks again if it gathers an extra pick in the first 100 and grabbing one of the top pass rushers.
My priorities if they fall:
Pitts (no chance he's there), Chase, Sewell, Horn, Smith, Surtain, Paye, Parsons, Slater, Darrisaw, Waddle
And most vet starters will play the same pre-season minutes they always do. It won't cut their load at all.
I'm happy if we get our choice of Parsons, Slater, or Smith
I'm certainly higher on Smith than you.
My preference if everyone is there is Chase, Pitts, Smith, Waddle, Parsons, Surtain, Horn, Sewell, Paye
Whoever the players, Roseman needs to kill this year and next year's drafts to successfully rebuild this roster.
It should also decide whether he keeps his job or not, but Lurie is loyal and may continue to look past his mistakes
It would be pretty insane if the next three years don't go well and Howie stayed. But that also doesn't have to mean a Super Bowl. It sounds like Lurie needs to take a harder look at himself, in any case. These have been his drafts too, he's made that clear, and any changes they do make won't matter if Lurie's still the one ultimately interfering in the big calls, whether it's a 2nd-round pick or an offensive coordinator.
I agree Lurie needs to look in the mirror and go back to his original stance of letting the football people run the show, but I still have no sympathy for Roseman.
Either he is the one responsible for the bad drafts (and he does have final say from all reports) or he is allowing himself to be used as a stooge by Lurie to keep his job. Both are not great.
First draft since Eagles traded down:
That's pretty awesome picking!
