Sports Talk Philly: Philadelphia Sports News and Rumors

Chris Maragos Undergoes Another Successful Surgery, Retires From NFL

Embed from Getty Images

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

Embed from Getty Images

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

Embed from Getty Images

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?

Embed from Getty Images

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

Embed from Getty Images

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

Embed from Getty Images

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

Embed from Getty Images

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

Embed from Getty Images

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

Embed from Getty Images

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

2019 Eagles Schedule Preview and Predictions

Embed from Getty Images

By Evan Krawczuk, Contributing Writer

The 2018 season for the Eagles left some to be desired. Was it a Super Bowl hangover? Maybe, but the abundance of injuries and the shuffling of the secondary didn't help. With a healthy Carson Wentz and a more organized defense, 2019 could be a very solid season for the Philadelphia Eagles. These are my projections for the 2019 season and what kind of path I see the Eagles taking, barring any injuries or anything catastrophic, of course.

 

Week One vs. Washington Redskins

A divisional match-up to kick off the season at the Linc. There's nothing better. The Redskins were a sneaky team last year before their quarterback, Alex Smith, got injured. With Smith’s entire career in limbo, who’s going to be under center for the ‘Skins? Washington drafted Ohio State Buckeye Dwayne Haskins who, after the draft, is determined to prove the league wrong. Haskins could be a very strong candidate for rookie of the year, but there will be growing pains, especially in South Philly in his first career start. The Eagles take the opening game of the year.

Eagles record: 1-0

 

Week Two at Atlanta Falcons

The Eagles first prime time game comes Week two against the Falcons. Although the dirty birds have a dangerous offense with Matt Ryan, Julio Jones, and company, their defense couldn’t stop a runny nose last year. The Falcons drafted some beef for their offensive line to keep Matty Ice up-right and give him some time to get the ball out. I think Julio and the Falcons high-powered offense will have a big game against the Eagles. The Eagles lose game two to the Falcons. 

Eagles record: 1-1

 

Week Three vs. Detroit Lions

The last time Detroit came to Philly was the Snow Bowl. Shady McCoy had himself a game in the blizzard. The Birds won that one, but these are two different teams now with two different head coaches. There will be a similar outcome, though, with a lot less snow. Birds beat the Matt Patricia-led Lions at home.

Eagles record: 2-1