Sports Talk Philly: Philadelphia Sports News and Rumors

Chris Long Retires from NFL

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By Paul Bowman, Sports Talk Philly Editor

The Eagles will oficicially not have a Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year take the field to start the 2019 season.

On Saturday night, veteran defensive end Chris Long announced his retirement on Twitter.

Cheers. Been a hell of a journey. Eleven years and I can honestly say I put my soul into every minute of it. Highs and lows. I’ve seen them both and I appreciate the perspective. Gratitude and love to those who lifted me up. pic.twitter.com/Ap8zi73Ifl

— Chris Long (@JOEL9ONE) May 19, 2019

Jets Firing Their GM Could Be Bad News For Eagles

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By Paul Bowman, Sports Talk Philly Editor

You could ask any Eagles fan who Howie Roseman is and they will almost certainly know the Eagles General Manager.

Roseman gets a lot of credit. He is the man making the calls. The one on the phones who completes all the trades the Eagles make and agreeing to contracts with the players. He also manages the salary cap and makes the Eagles selections during the draft.

There is another major player in the Eagles front office, however. One who played a key role in the way that the team makes player acquisitions to ensure a cohesive locker room culture: Vice President of Player Personnel Joe Douglas.

Stefen Wisniewski Re-Signs With Eagles

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By Paul Bowman, Sports Talk Philly Editor

While players like Nick Foles, Jordan Hicks, Golden Tate and Jordan Matthews quickly signed deals with new teams, the Eagles had four potentially impact players waiting for the wave to come following the draft. That list included offensive lineman Stefen Wisniewski, receiver Mike Wallace and running back Jay Ajayi. To a much lesser extent, guard Chance Warmack could be included in that group.

Still guys like corner Chandon Sullivan and special teams ace LaRoy Reynolds found a new team prior to all four of those guys.

On Monday at 7 a.m., one of those players made a decision.

Veteran offensive lineman Stefen Wisniewski became the first of those players to officially sign a contract for 2019. He will not be with a new team, however.

The Penn State product took to Twitter to announce his return to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Report: Eagles to Sign Quarterback Cody Kessler

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By Paul Bowman, Sports Talk Philly Editor

The most controversial pick that the Eagles made in the 2019 NFL Draft was the selection of a quarterback in the fifth round.

The Eagles selected Clayton Thorson out of Northwestern. Thorson was not a universally accepted pick by the Philadelphia fan base, but the team loves him and he has the same skill sets as Nick Foles, meaning the Eagles could develop him into a cost controlled backup for the foreseeable future.

The move seemed to solidify the quarterback position with starter Carson Wentz and Nate Sudfeld, who was extended a second-round tender, filling the other two quarterback positions. At the same time, it seemed to leave AAF starter Luis Perez without a chance at a spot.

Eagles, Lincoln Financial Extend Relationship Through 2032

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By Paul Bowman, Sports Talk Philly Editor

On Tuesday, Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer reported that the Philadelphia Eagles would be hosting a press conference "with owner Jeffrey Lurie and team president Dom Smolenski on Thursday at 1pm to make a 'major community announcement.'"

This announcement took place in the middle of Lincoln Financial Field, however, instead of the usual press room. There was a good reason for that.

On Thursday, the duo of Lurie and Smolenski announced that the team and Lincoln Financial have reached an agreement that will take the partnership through 2032.

That means the name Lincoln Financial Field will stick with no name change in site.

Lincoln Financial first bought the naming rights in 2002 after it was decided Veterans Stadium would be demolished and the Eagles would have their own stadium.

2019 will be the 17th season for the Eagles playing in The Linc. By the time this new deal is set to run out, the Eagles will have been playing in the stadium for 30 seasons.

Since the Eagles began playing at Lincoln Financial, they have a record of 82-55 at home. They posted a less than stellar run at The Linc from 2010-2013 (13-21) in the downfall of Andy Reid in Philadelphia and hiring of Chip Kelly took effect. Remove that period and the team is 69-34 at the building they will now call home through 2032.

Eagles, Blake Countess Restructure Deal, Make Andrew Sendejo Expendable

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By Paul Bowman, Sports Talk Philly Editor

While this might not seem like big news on the surface, the affects of the move could have significant impact on the make-up of the Eagles 53-man roster in 2019.

Just a few days ago, the Eagles claimed Blake Countess off waivers.

It was a solid move that the Eagles made to create competition for the third and fourth safety positions. While many thought that Andrew Sendejo's roster spot was safe following the move, a lot has changed since then.

LaRoy Reynolds Signs with San Francisco 49ers

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By Paul Bowman, Sports Talk Philly Editor

Early on Monday, it was announced that cornerback Chandon Sullivan had found a new team just five days after his release.

Now another former Eagle has found a new team, and it still isn't one of the trio of Mike Wallace, Stefen Wisniewski and Jay Ajayi, who should all probably have a new contract by now.

Instead, LaRoy Reynolds, who was signed primarily to play special teams, is the next Eagle to find a home, according to Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia.

Chandon Sullivan to Sign with Green Bay Packers

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By Paul Bowman, Sports Talk Philly Editor

It took only a few days, but cornerback Chandon Sullivan seems to have found a new home.

According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, Sullivan will be joining the Green Bay Packers on Monday.

Cornerback Chandon Sullivan, who was recently released by the #Eagles, is signing with the #Packers today, per agents the Katz bros. He started one game for Philly last year and was a special teams contributor.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 6, 2019

While it is not surprising that a team would pick up the corner who showed potential and has a year of practice squad experience, it is somewhat shocking to think that he found a job prior to guys like Mike Wallace, Stefen Wisniewski and Jay Ajayi.

Way-Too-Early 2019 Eagles Roster and Practice Squad Projections

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By Paul Bowman, Sports Talk Philly Editor

The Eagles have a roster of 90 players filled, not including additional rookies who have received minicamp invites. That number will need to be whittled down to 90 at the start of OTAs and then down to 53 by the start of the regular season with an additional 10 spots available on the practice squad.

There is no doubt that things change quickly in the NFL and there will surely be some injuries during training camp and/or the preseason games. The team may also make some additions, as they have earlier this week, especially with someone as prone to make trades as Howie Roseman at the helm. Still, it is fun to look at what players may be the ones to watch during that time period.

With that, here is my way too early projection of the 2019 Eagles 53-man roster and practice squad.

Eagles Claim Blake Countess Off Waivers

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By Paul Bowman, Sports Talk Philly Editor

The Rams asked safety Blake Countess to take a pay cut from his $2 million tender after they drafted two safeties last weekend. He declined.

Following his unwillingness to take less, the Rams released Countess.

NBC Sports Philadelphia's Reuben Frank reports that the Eagles have claimed the player they drafted just three years ago after regretting having to make the cut.