Sports Talk Philly: Philadelphia Sports News and Rumors

Darren Sproles Returns to Eagles on One-Year Deal

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By Paul Bowman, Sports Talk Philly Editor

With just days until the start of Eagles training camp, Howie Roseman and the front office decided to make a change.

On Friday afternoon, the team announced that they had signed veteran running back and return man Darren Sproles to a one-year deal.

Roster Move: #Eagles have agreed to terms with RB Darren Sproles on a one-year contract.#FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/l6qnpthxLJ

— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) July 19, 2019

Sproles will join Jordan Howard, Miles Sanders and Corey Clement as running backs that seem to have a spot locked up on the 53-man roster. His return will likely make it difficult for Boston Scott, Wendell Smallwood or Josh Adams to crack the roster.

His ability as a return man could also make the path more difficult for guys like Deandre Thompkins and Blake Countess to earn a spot based off of their own returning skills.

You could certainly say it is a debatable move.

On one hand, Sproles could provide a much needed boost to a team that lacked a real return game all season. Sproles also provides and excellent veteran presence.

Of course, it must also be noted that Sproles is currently sixth on the All-Time All-Purpose yardage leaderboard. He is just 162 yards behind Hall of Famer Tim Brown for the fifth spot.

On the flip side, Sproles taking a roster spot seemingly removes young talent from the roster and could come back to bite the team.

Sproles has also appeared in just nine games over the past two regular seasons. A player with that injury history probably can't be counted on to stay healthy all season and the team will likely look to keep at least one of the previously mentioned young backs around by signing them to the practice squad.

One thing is certain - many of his teammates are glad he's back. We'll just have to wait and see if it was a good move to bring him back.

Chris Maragos Undergoes Another Successful Surgery, Retires From NFL

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By Paul Bowman, Sports Talk Philly Editor

Chris Maragos made a name for himself in the NFL as part of the Legion of Boom in Seattle. Maybe that's a bit misleading, since he was a backup, but he did come up with the name "The Aftershock" for the backups to the members of the Legion of Boom.

After his three-year stint as a member of the Seahawks and "The Aftershock", Maragos departed via free agency to Philadelphia.

Maragos and fellow safety Malcolm Jenkins joined the team at the same time and the city was not impressed to say the least.

These two were not considered top talent and they, along with linebacker Bryan Brahman made up the free agent signings for the year. The public attention was more on the releases of players like Emmanuel Acho, Jason Avant, and, of course, DeSean Jackson.

Early 2019 Eagles Roster and Practice Squad Projections

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By Paul Bowman, Sports Talk Philly Editor

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 been doing, especially with someone as prone to make trades as Howie Roseman at the helm.

The moves have been continually shaping the roster and changes have had to be made since my initial way-too-early projections.

With just over a week until the Birds start camp and begin preparing for their preseason games, my updated projections are below. If you read my previous projections, all changes have been written in bold.

Connor Barwin Wants to Play For The Eagles in 2019

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By Paul Bowman, Sports Talk Philly Editor

Connor Barwin is a favorite of Eagles fans and it isn’t difficult to see why.

Barwin made his lone Pro Bowl with the team in 2014 when he recorded 14.5 sacks. At that point, he looked like he would be a key player on the defense for years to come.

Not only that, but Barwin is a player who gives back to the community, much like the now-retired Chris Long, and fits in well with the city’s ideals. He was even known to ride SEPTA or his bike to get around the city and make it to training camp.

In fact, Long has said that Barwin played a part in his choosing to sign with the Eagles and Barwin climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro in the offseason with Long for The Water Boys Foundation.

What Will The Eagles Do With Their Crowded Backfield?

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By Matt Szczypiorski, Sports Talk Philly Contributing Writer

Ah yes, Eagles mini-camp and OTA’s, the yearly reminder that it is almost, sort of, close to football season. There’s nothing quite like quarterbacks wearing red jerseys, wide receivers running routes on air, offensive lineman blocking sleds and defenders tackling bags. Okay maybe that doesn’t get the juices flowing quite like week one at the Linc will, but Eagles football is getting closer.

Before the Eagles take the field for the aforementioned week one showdown with the Washington Redskins, the coaching staff has a pretty important part of the team to figure out: running back. Duce Staley and Doug Pederson have some new toys to play with in the backfield. However, there are some familiar faces to make decisions on at the back end of the running back depth chart as well.

Bears trading RB Jordan Howard to the Philadelphia Eagles for a 6th-round pick in 2020 that can become a 5th-round pick, league source tells ESPN.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 29, 2019

Eagles Make 14 Front Office Moves in Wake of Douglas Departure

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By Paul Bowman, Sports Talk Philly Editor

The Eagles lost one of their most valuable assets on Friday in the form of Joe Douglas.

The team had known that the move was coming, they just did not know when. The Jets firing their GM opened up the first opportunity for Douglas and the Jets simply would not take no for an answer, needing to sweeten the pot and ask again to finally get him to move out to New Jersey.

Since the team knew the move was coming and Douglas was a front-runner for the position with the Jets from Day 1, the team had plenty of time to come up with a plan for if and when it happened.

Joe Douglas Hired as New York Jets General Manger

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By Paul Bowman, Sports Talk Philly Editor

The Eagles lost one of their most valuable assets on Friday in the form of Joe Douglas.

Considered the favorite for the Jets vacant general manager position since the position became available, the New York Jets have made the move official, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.

Jets just would not take “no” as an answer from Joe Douglas. He tried to turn down the Jets and each time he did, they came back at him harder and harder. Jets simply were not going to be denied in their efforts to land the former Eagles’ vice president of player personnel.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 8, 2019

Interestingly enough, Schefter reports that Douglas turned the Jets down multiple times, so the team must have offered Douglas quite a pretty penny to force him into taking the position.

Carson Wentz Signs Four-Year Contract Extension

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By Paul Bowman, Sports Talk Philly Editor

The deal is done.

After months of speculation and rumors of a deal worth $30 million per year, the Eagles and franchise quarterback Carson Wentz have agreed to a new deal that will keep the quarterback in Philadelphia through the 2024 season.

The extension is for four-years, $128 million, according to Adam Shefter of ESPN.

Eagles are giving Carson Wentz a four-year, $128 million contract extension that include guarantees over $107 million, per source.

Wentz’s total deal is now six years for $154 million, per source.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 7, 2019

Wentz is set to make $32 million per year on the extension. He will be guaranteed $107 million and can hit escalators to reach a total value of $144 million.

Darren Sproles Says That If the Right Team Calls, He'll Return

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By Paul Bowman, Sports Talk Philly Editor

The Eagles had three players that looked to have a real possibility to retire at the conclusion of the 2018 campaign.

The first to make his decision was left tackle Jason Peters, who took a pay cut to ensure he would be on the 2019 roster.

The second to decide was defensive end Chris Long.

Following the draft and the reduction of his playing role on the team, Long announced that he would be retiring from the league.

Eagles Sign Safety Trae Elston

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By Paul Bowman, Sports Talk Philly Editor

The Eagles have added yet another safety to the competition.

On Wednesday, the team signed Trae Elston to a deal to compete with Tre Sullivan, Blake Countess, Andrew Sendejo, Godwin Igwebuike and some undrafted free agents for the third and fourth safety position on the roster.

To create room for him, the Eagles released linebacker B.J. Bello.

Roster Move: #Eagles have signed S Trae Elston and waived LB B.J. Bello.#FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/miimCeHj33

— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) June 5, 2019