Sports Talk Philly: Philadelphia Sports News and Rumors

Eagles Free Agent Evaluation: Mike Wallace

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By Paul Bowman, Sports Talk Philly Editor

Leading up to the start of free agency, Sports Talk Philly and Eagledelphia will be taking a look at the players on the Eagles roster who are scheduled to become free agents this offseason and how the team should look to handle each.

In this edition, we will be covering wide receiver Mike Wallace.

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Career

A third-round pick of the Steelers in 2009, Wallace made an immediate impact for his team. Not only did he appear in every game of the season, but he lead the league in yards per reception, establishing his ability as a downfield threat early on.

Eagles Free Agent Evaluation: Haloti Ngata

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By Paul Bowman, Sports Talk Philly Editor

Leading up to the start of free agency, Sports Talk Philly and Eagledelphia will be taking a look at the players on the Eagles roster who are scheduled to become free agents this offseason and how the team should look to handle each.

In this edition, we will be covering defensive tackle Haloti Ngata.

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Career

The twelfth overall pick in the 2006 draft, Ngata spent nine seasons with the Baltimore Ravens. In his time with the team, he made five consecutive Pro Bowls and was named to the All-Pro team twice in a row. His increase in production from 2008 to 2012 helped the Ravens reach the playoffs in each of those seasons as well as win the Super Bowl in 2012.

Buccaneers Release Vinny Curry

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By Paul Bowman, Sports Talk Philly Editor

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have hired a new defensive coordinator for the 2019 season, one who wants to run a 3-4 defense. That was bad news for former Eagles defensive end Vinny Curry.

Injuries hampered Curry in 2019 and the veteran eventually lost his starting job to former Penn State defensive end Carl Nassib. That combined with the switch to a new defensive scheme lead to the decision that was made by the Buccaneers on Tuesday.

Four Eagles Make Pro Football Focus Top 101 of 2018

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By Paul Bowman, Sports Talk Philly Editor

A group of Eagles players has earned yet another honor. The latest honors involve four Eagles being named to Pro Football Focus’ top 101 players of 2018.

It should be known that these rankings only took into account performances during the 2018 season. Previous seasons have no bearing on this list, but the playoffs did.

Coming in at number 91 was Eagles tight end Zach Ertz.

While fans may argue that he belongs higher on the list, it should be known that PFF takes blocking into account for tight ends. Ertz absolutely had a season for the ages, setting a NFL record for most receptions by a tight end in a single season with 116. He also went for 1163 yards and eight touchdowns. He added 10 catches for 102 yards in the playoffs.

He has not previously made these rankings.

Eagles Free Agent Evaluation: Richard Rodgers

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By Paul Bowman, Sports Talk Philly Editor

Leading up to the start of free agency, Sports Talk Philly and Eagledelphia will be taking a look at the players on the Eagles roster who are scheduled to become free agents this offseason and how the team should look to handle each.

In this edition, we will be covering tight end Richard Rodgers.

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Career

A third-round pick of the Packers in the 2014 NFL Draft, Rodgers made an immediate impact in Green Bay. Rodgers developed into a blocking-first tight end who had the ability to run routes and make catches when needed.

Former Eagles Ron Brooks, Greg Ward Jr. Shine in AAF Debut

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By Paul Bowman, Sports Talk Philly Editor

While the season may be over for the Eagles, there are some former Eagles players who are looking to make a name for themselves and return to the NFL for another chance.

A new place for players to showcase their talent is the Alliance of American Football (AAF), which had its first two games ever Saturday night. The league features eight teams (all of them in southern cities) and has started to play a 10-week schedule with an additional two weeks of playoffs. As the league is not meant to be a competitor to the NFL, the games started following the Super Bowl and will end prior to NFL preseason games and training camp.

Among the names on the rosters of the four teams that played Saturday are former Eagles defensive tackle Winston Craig, safety Ed Reynolds, wide receiver Greg Ward Jr. and cornerbacks De’Vante Bausby and Ron Brooks.

Eagles Make Two More Coaching Moves

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By Paul Bowman, Sports Talk Philly Editor

For the third day in a row and the fourth day of this work week, the Eagles have made moves to their staff for 2019.

Both are former players in the league.

The first spent most of his career with the Eagles. Mike Bartrum spent seven of his 13 seasons with the Eagles as a long-snapper and backup tight end. He made the Pro Bowl with the Eagles in 2005, but suffered a neck injury that forced him to retire the next season, clearing the way for Jon Dorenbos.

Eagles Free Agent Evaluation: Jordan Matthews

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By Paul Bowman, Sports Talk Philly Editor

Leading up to the start of free agency, Sports Talk Philly and Eagledelphia will be taking a look at the players on the Eagles roster who are scheduled to become free agents this offseason and how the team should look to handle each.

In this edition, we will be covering wide receiver Jordan Matthews.

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Career

It seems like so long ago that Jordan Matthews was traded away, but after signing with the Eagles midseason, the wideout has spent four of his five seasons in the league with the Birds.

Matthews, the cousin of NFL legend Jerry Rice, joined the Eagles as a second-round pick in 2014. He immediately became a much-respected member of the team due to his strong work ethic and his team-first mentality. Matthews was the first player to work with Nelson Agholor and give him the work ethic that allowed him to turn his career around. He was one of the first players to come out and say that Jalen Mills would be a great player in the league. Yet another example was his traveling to new franchise quarterback Carson Wentz’s home to build a brotherly bond and rapport during the offseason.

Eagles Hire Former Director of Personnel Operations

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By Paul Bowman, Sports Talk Philly Editor

Another day, another coach.

The SEC Network’s Cole Cubelic is reporting that Joe Pannunzio will be taking a job with the Eagles, though the exact position has not yet been made clear.

Alabama RB coach Joe Pannunzio is leaving to take a position with the @eagles

— Cole Cubelic (@colecubelic) February 7, 2019

Eagles Hire Replacement for Gunter Brewer

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By Paul Bowman, Sports Talk Philly Editor

The Eagles have filled yet another of their vacant coaching positions, this time promoting from within to replace Gunter Brewer as the wide receivers coach.

The NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport is reporting that Carson Walch will now take over the position.

The #Eagles are promoting assistant WRs coach Carson Walch to full WRs coach. He takes over in charge of that talented group after the team moved on from Gunter Brewer.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 6, 2019