Eagles 2022-2023 Season

[xogfog]

I actually went back and refreshed my understanding of the 2022 practice squad rules and the whole practice squad does now travel with the team to road games, so not just the players that the elevate, which have to be announced 90 minutes before game time. You can now elevate a player 3 times during the season (one more than last year), so the using the elevation tactic for having a returner is not a long term tactic. So if the want Covey as the returner, they'll have to add him to the 53 by the 4th game, if the elevate him for the first three.

[Docs]

I know - I posted that earlier. They have an open spot on the 53 because they moved Dillard to the IR, so in addition to being able to elevate two practice squad players per game, they can fill Dillard's spot on the 53 man roster while he is on the IR, and if that player comes from the practice squad and remains on the 53 roster for multiple weeks, the Eagles would not to need to burn any of the limited practice squad call ups on that individual. Each team can only elevate an individual player from the practice squad for three games per year, so there's an advantage to putting them on the 53 instead of elevating if, for example, they might be interested in having that player return kicks in more than 3 games.

[xogfog]

It is odd that they have not filled the spot that Dillard's move to the IR created. Maybe they want to get through the first four games until Dillard gets back using elevations. I would find it hard to think they are doing it for money reasons.

[LegoDoom]

I know - I posted that earlier. They have an open spot on the 53 because they moved Dillard to the IR, so in addition to being able to elevate two practice squad players per game, they can fill Dillard's spot on the 53 man roster while he is on the IR, and if that player comes from the practice squad and remains on the 53 roster for multiple weeks, the Eagles would not to need to burn any of the limited practice squad call ups on that individual. Each team can only elevate an individual player from the practice squad for three games per year, so there's an advantage to putting them on the 53 instead of elevating if, for example, they might be interested in having that player return kicks in more than 3 games.

If a player is elevated to the 53, then aren't they still subject to waivers if the teams wants to put them back to the PS?

[Docs]

Yes, if the player is added to the 53 man roster and then sent back down to the practice squad, they will have to clear waivers. If they elevate a player for 3 games, and want to add them for a fourth, they have to add that player to the 53 man roster. I guess I figured everyone on the practice squad has already cleared waivers, but it does make sense that they would be a bigger risk to be lost in waivers mid season after having game film in real games rather than preseason film.

I wondered if they targeted someone on another team's practice squad but that player was on the protected list?

I also looked at veteran free agent lists to see if there was a post week 1 target for a non-guaranteed spot, which might make sense with the cap space that Howie just cleared with his cap space renegotiation kick the can down the road magic. But I don't see anyone worth holding the door open for on those lists. So I remain curious about what will happen with that roster spot. I am obviously more than ready for the season to start.

[xogfog]

I e-mailed Jimmy Kempski about the roster and he said Covey will be called up but not sure if he will be added to the 53.

[LegoDoom]

Covey and Noah Togiai to be elevated from the PS for the Lions game.

[bkeich]

I know everyone is anxious to see Hurts prove (or disprove) that he is the franchise QB, but honestly this isn't the game for that. Detroit has a terrible rush defense, and the Eagles need to take advantage of that today. Hopefully they only throw 20-30 passes today and just keep running through the Lions.

One big play from AJ Brown would be great. He also needs to "announce himself with authority" to the Philly crowd. I expect the first play to be a throw downfield or a quick screen or slant to him.

[LegoDoom]

After the first half.... I guess I need to retract my comments about 4 WRs not being enough. I felt bad for Smith for not getting enough looks and then I realized that I'm not even sure Watkins is on the team this week. AJ Brown looks good, though. And a nice play design to Goedert. Hurts can still run and has made some nice throws. I hope to see a little more running at halftime and maybe targeting a few other receivers.

[Docs]

Happy for the win and AJ Brown looks great. Coming into this season, I thought the two biggest questions marks were 1) would Hurts develop by staying in the pocket longer and going through his progressions, something he needed to improve upon from last year and 2) do we have an NFL caliber defensive coordinator - some said he didn't have the talent last year for his defense to succeed but Howie got him the talent this offseason. Hurts zeroed in on Brown all day long and ran the ball 14 times. On the plus, if our QB only makes one read its a good thing we have Brown. Our defense did not look great against Detroit, and so far, I have a hard time understanding why Gannon's name is mentioned as a dark horse head coach candidate in this league, hopefully he will open my eyes before the season is over.

And unfortunately - New Orleans came back and beat Atlanta.

[phillychuck]

I have no faith in Gannon after 19 games. He has shown me nothing special. Way too conservative, content to let Goff have all day to throw. That's going to yield more of those 90% passing games to good QBs.

[LegoDoom]

Regarding #1... this offense doesn't have progressions. It's an RPO with a main target. I hesitate to blame Hurts for this. He was fine running and made good throws to his 1st receiving option. The offense just isn't that complicated.

[LegoDoom]

I have no faith in Gannon after 19 games. He has shown me nothing special. Way too conservative, content to let Goff have all day to throw..

I did see a blitz today, so at least that's progress!

[allentown]

In fairness, Hurts seldom had the time to make more than one read; too often he lacked the time for one read. We never handled the pass rush in passing situations. For one of the best O-lines in the game, the Eagles got shredded on pass protection today. Detroit was creative and we didn't have an answer. We'll see if things improve next week, but today's performance has me worried about our O-line. The D-line was better than the O-line, but not by a lot. This did not look like a team successfully built from the trenches.

I thought our Dbacks looked a lot better than last season and LBs looked better. Sanders looked good. We weren't good enough at stopping the run. Still, a win is a win.

[LegoDoom]

The Eagles got shredded with blitzes, which should be a coaching or QB problem (and in some cases the C/OL). Maybe some RBs handled it poorly, but it seemed like a read problem and not a blocking problem.

IMO, it's the ability to coach players to recognize situations, but maybe Hurts has a problem with it. I'm honestly not sure, but it's not like the coaching has been great in other areas.

[bkeich]

Not sure that I see the D Line playing better than the O-Line. Actually, I am sure, no chance. The D Line generated very little pressure, only on a few plays, mostly Goff stood back there and threw, luckily he can't hit open receivers or the Eagles would have lost.

The OLine did at least control the defense enough for over 200 yards rushing, much of it Hurts running for his life.

The DLine also did almost nothing against the Detroit running game. No one on the DL had more than 3 tackles, they hardly made a play, but luckily the LB and more important safeties did make plays.

[phillychuck]

Prescott broke his thumb and is getting surgery. Out at least 4 weeks, probably more like 6 or 7. That's pretty relevant to to the NFC East, especially considering Dallas didn't look good with him.

[LegoDoom]

The Lions offensive line is very good. Teams usually need to blitz more to generate pressure on them. The secondary played well considering Goff had time to throw.

[gmwannabe]

a lot to clean up and improve, but it is a win. I think the team will need 3-4 weeks (their true training camp) to see how they will be. hear's hoping Hurts is the one so the eagles can use those 2 1st rounders on young strong, quick D lineman. that d-line is really old.
gm

[LegoDoom]

The initial reports are 6-8. The Eagles play them in 5 weeks, so that's very relevant.