Philadelphia Eagles news and links for 1/22/20.

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Andy Reid’s coaching legacy can be complete with a Super Bowl 54 victory - SB Nation
Reid deserves a lot of credit for what he’s done this season. The Chiefs finished 12-4, with victories over the Ravens and Patriots in the regular season. He also guided the team to a 2-1 record when it was without Mahomes, who dislocated his kneecap, for 2.5 games. Heading into the Super Bowl, Kansas City has won eight games in a row, the NFL’s longest current win streak. Mahomes has resumed his MVP form; in two playoff games, he has scored nine touchdowns with no turnovers, and he’s dazzled with his arms and legs. So far, the stars are aligning for Reid to win a Super Bowl. But the Chiefs still have to get past the 49ers to do that. For Reid, he wants to win for his players, not for himself. “We need to win this for the guys, for the team,” Reid said, according to Peter King. “It can’t be about one guy. It’s got to be for everybody.” Even if Reid doesn’t want to make it about himself, his story is a big part of Super Bowl 54. And if the Chiefs win, he can finally complete his coaching legacy with the one thing it’s been missing.

Which reputation will Andy Reid cement in Super Bowl? Great coach or loser of big games? - Inquirer
The Chiefs can knock down that wall of personal frustration for Reid against the 49ers on Feb. 2, or they can stack one more large brick atop it. If his reputation as a great coach is secure, his twin reputation as a guy whose teams don’t finish the job is still in the balance. It’s ironic that Reid this season passed Marty Schottenheimer, the only other coach to amass 200 career wins without a championship. In the last couple of years, he also slid by Dan Reeves, Chuck Knox, and Jeff Fisher, Nos. 10-12 on the all-time regular-season-wins list but similarly without a title. Time appears to be on Reid’s side, even if the Super Bowl ring doesn’t arrive with this opportunity. He’s got a 24-year-old quarterback upon whom a team can ride. Of course, he also had a 24-year-old Donovan McNabb in 2000. Time can turn out to be an illusion.

What the Eagles should do at defensive end - BGN
After seeing how not having a healthy offseason hindered Graham in 2018 and Fletcher Cox in 2019, perhaps Barnett deserves slack for not being better last year. Perhaps Barnett, who only turns 24 in June, will make a big leap in 2020. The team could really use that from him. It’s worth noting that the Eagles have a decision to make this offseason on whether they pick up Barnett’s fifth-year option. I’d be shocked if they didn’t. Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz loves Barnett. Case in point: “Yeah, both my daughters wear Derek Barnett jerseys to the games, so that tells you how much I think of him. Derek is always a guy that plays with a chip on his shoulder. It’s one of the things that makes him successful.” Schwartz offered this in response to a question about Barnett’s avoidable penalties. That’s an areas where Barnett definitely needs to improve. His eight penalties were tied for third most among NFL edge rushers in 2019. A number of them were just straight up dumb.

At the Podium: OC Update, Happy For Big Red - BGN Radio
John Stolnis updates you on the hunt for an Eagles’ offensive coordinator PLUS thoughts on Andy Reid making it back to the Super Bowl with Big Red’s postgame presser after the AFC Championship Game Win! Powered by SB Nation and Bleeding Green Nation.

Eagles Senior Bowl preview: Players we’ll be watching this week - PhillyVoice
The Eagles need to start developing some youth in the trenches on the defensive side of the ball, as they have not been able to stay healthy at DT. The Senior Bowl is loaded this year with disruptive defensive tackles who could interest the Eagles. The four most noteworthy, in my opinion: Javon Kinlaw, South Carolina (6’6, 305): Chiseled monster with very good strength and athleticism, who will likely be a first-round pick. If there’s a player I could see the Eagles eschewing a wide receiver or cornerback for at 21, Kinlaw is a guy who would make sense. Neville Gallimore, Oklahoma (6’2, 302): Underwhelming college production, but he’s an absurdly athletic freak of nature who some believe will go Round 1. Raekwon Davis, Alabama (6’7, 312): Davis has a similar body type as Kinlaw, and is high-energy, high-character player who was perhaps hurt by staying in school. After a highly productive 2017 season, his numbers plummeted, which is odd. He’ll still easily go in the the first two rounds, barring any surprises.

Embracing Risk - Iggles Blitz
The Eagles have a lot to figure out with their DBs. There is no foolproof plan. They need to make smart decisions, but they also need to be willing to take some chances. Move Maddox to safety. Put LeBlanc in the slot. Bring back Mills and find someone to start opposite of him. Do not bring back Ronald Darby on a cheap deal and try one more year of him and Mills on the outside. That isn’t working. Let Nigel Bradham go. I know Jim Schwartz loves his veteran LB, but it is time to move on. You have a pair of young, cheap LBs in Nate Gerry and T.J. Edwards. Find a new veteran to mix in with them. Bradham isn’t cheap and he’s not been all that good in the last couple of years.

NFL overhaul tiers: Which teams will look most different in 2020? - ESPN+
Close, but some tweaks needed: Philadelphia Eagles. — Priorities this offseason: The Eagles are well positioned for another NFC East crown. Most of their key players are under long-term extensions, Carson Wentz made a late-season jump, and they found extra playmaking from the depths of the practice squad after injuries. The most pressing issue is mapping out the future of Alshon Jeffery, whose bloated cap hit of $15.7 million is complicated by his obvious lack of chemistry with Wentz.

Just a reminder that Eagles don’t have their Super Bowl without Andy Reid - NBCSP
Six of the Eagles’ 22 starters in Super Bowl LII came from Reid’s time in Philadelphia. Think about that for a second. With how much turnover there is in the NFL and with the fact that the Eagles went through two coaching changes after firing Reid, to have 27.3 percent of your starters come from him is pretty impressive. And think about those individual players: Nick Foles, Jason Kelce, Brandon Graham, Fletcher Cox, Vinny Curry, Mychal Kendricks. (And that doesn’t even include Jason Peters, who missed the game because of injury.) Sure, Foles left and came back but Reid drafted him, the other six starters and Brent Celek, who was also still on that team. So Reid, who was fired by the Eagles five years earlier, drafted the Super Bowl LII MVP and the guy who made one of the biggest defensive plays in franchise history. And let’s not forget that it was Reid who helped Foles fall back in love with the game in 2016 after Foles had strongly considered retirement. Without Reid, Foles wouldn’t have even been in the league for the 2017 season.

Andre Dillard’s first year was ‘an incredible learning experience’ - PE.com
Dillard saw 346 snaps on offense this season, but more importantly, he was able to witness a stellar offensive line firsthand. With over 44 years of NFL experience combined, the 2019 Eagles starting line offered a plethora of advice and tips for the young tackle. This guidance from the veteran players and Dillard’s physical growth have allowed him to elevate his play to a new level. ”I can’t even describe it,” Dillard said. “I’ve made my biggest jump, by far as a player. It has been an incredible learning experience.” The offseason is a time for mental and physical relaxation, and that is exactly what Dillard intends to do. Ever since the Eagles traded up three spots to select him in the 2019 draft, the 22nd overall pick has experienced the whirlwind that comes with being a first-round selection. As Dillard continues to work on his strength and technique this offseason, he will take the time to look back on the journey that brought him to Philadelphia.

Jay Gruden reportedly to be Jaguars offensive coordinator - Big Cat Country
Deploying a west-coast style offense, Gruden is an intriguing addition to the Jaguars coaching staff, able to provide quarterback Gardner Minshew II with enough balance and a quick passing game which the young quarterback thrives in. Gruden is also more likely to call play action passes in his offense which is another area Minshew II showed success, but rarely had the opportunity to do in 2019. In his most successful head-coaching season, 2016, Gruden had the Redskins offensive humming, ranking ninth in total offense, 12th in points, and second in passing offense. Prior to becoming the head coach in Washington, Gruden was a successful offensive coordinator with the Cincinnati Bengals, ranking 10th in total offense in 2013, his final year as offensive coordinator.

Every NFL team’s projected 2020 starting QB: Where Tom Brady could land, and what it means for the other 31 - CBS Sports
Jacksonville Jaguars – Nick Foles. Couldn’t find a way for them to trade that contract for any sort of value at all. Ownership is change-resistant and seems married to the idea this team is somehow poised to be at least a quasi contender, so I suspect they are stuck with him and he battles it out with Gardner Minshew (who should have never been benched last year).

New Detroit Lions D-coordinator Cory Undlin wants ‘guys that play with their hair on fire’ - Detroit Free Press
“(He’s) somebody on defense that I feel has worked really hard through his NFL career to prove in the different spots that he can be successful,” Patricia said. “Someone that I’ve known for a long time, so that’s a positive, too. You’re trying to get familiarity with people to build the stuff. Certainly, I think from that aspect of it, it really helps us just get going in the direction I think we want to go defensively.” Neither Undlin nor Patricia would say what direction that is, exactly, though the Lions aren’t expected to change much in look or feel from the defense that Patricia essentially ran the last two seasons. The Philadelphia Inquirer reported when he was hired that Undlin would not be calling plays initially, and Undlin insisted Tuesday he did not discuss that part of the job with Patricia during his interview. ”Matt asked me, ‘Hey, I want you to be the D-coordinator,’” Undlin said. “I said, ‘I would love to be the D-coordinator, OK,’ and then we’ll deal with all that other stuff when we get back in the building and we go through it.”

Report: Freddie Kitchens to join Giants’ coaching staff - Big Blue View
The Giants interviewed Kitchens for their offensive coordinator position back on Jan. 9, before ultimately hiring Jason Garrett. Judge and Kitchens previously worked together at Mississippi State, where Judge was a graduate assistant and Kitchens was the tight ends and running backs coach.

NFL tests new rules at Pro Bowl - DraftKings Nation
Here are the new options after a successful field goal: The scoring team, Team A, has the following options: Team A may elect to give Team B the ball at Team B’s 25-yard line, beginning a new series of downs with a first-and-10. Team A may elect to take the ball at its own 25-yard line for a fourth-and-15 play. If Team A is successful in making a first down, Team A will maintain possession and a new series of downs will continue as normal. If Team A is unsuccessful in making a first down, the result will be a turnover on downs and Team B will take possession at the dead ball spot. This rule change is likely in response to the new onside kick rules which make it nearly impossible to get the ball back when in desperation mode without putting players at risk when barreling into each other while going for an onside attempt. And since it is only after field goals, teams couldn’t double-up on touchdowns.

Senior Bowl Day 1 - Scouts Notebook
South Carolina DT Javon Kinlaw might be the first Senior Bowl player to be drafted this year. He measured in at 6-5 and 315 pounds. He’s got big hands and long arms. I stood next to him on the practice field and he is really put together. Kinlaw had a good day. He said one of his goals in coming to the Senior Bowl was to show he could be more of a pass rusher. He had 10 sacks over the past two years, which is fine for a college DT. Kinlaw thinks he can do better than that. He was able to beat blockers with both power and athleticism.

QR Bonus: Keys to Beating Kansas City - Football Outsiders
Unfortunately for the Chiefs, the 49ers seem like a team designed to exploit these defensive flaws. They weren’t the best rushing offense this season (-0.5% DVOA, 13th), but they were nearly the most prolific, finishing with more carries than anyone but Baltimore. This is skewed, however, because they were often killing clock in the second half — they only had 202 first-half runs, which ranked 13th. But as we saw last week, when Jimmy Garropolo only threw eight passes, the 49ers will gladly embrace a run-heavy philosophy if it’s working. And when they did throw, they often threw down the middle — 28% of the time, the fourth-highest rate in the league. Emmanuel Sanders, Kendrick Bourne, George Kittle, and Deebo Samuel each made the top 25 among all players in receiving DYAR on passes down the middle of the field.

Report: Antonio Brown is a suspect in the battery of the driver of a moving truck - PFT
Free-agent receiver Antonio Brown’s gradual self-destruction continues. According to Cameron Wolfe of ESPN.com, Brown is a suspect in the battery of the driver of a moving truck. Brown’s trainer, Glen Holt, already has been arrested for felony burglary and battery.

15 Questions About the NFL’s Decision to Have Part of the 2020 Draft … in a Fountain? - The Ringer
On Tuesday morning, the ground shifted, the waves swelled, and the clouds broke as an absolutely galactic piece of news dropped into the earth’s atmosphere. The red carpet portion of the 2020 NFL draft, which is being held in Las Vegas, will not take place in a casino, or a convention center, or even the Raiders’ new stadium. No no, those choices would all be too logical. Instead, Arash Markazi of the Los Angeles Times reported that it will take place “on the water at the Fountains of Bellagio,” and that the “players will be transported to the stage by boat.” Wait, sorry, let me just quote that last line again, for posterity. “The players will be transported to the stage by boat.” OK, now that we’ve cleared that up, take a look.

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