The Eagles have struggled mightily in 2018, and while a lot of their troubles can be explained by the rash of injuries they’ve suffered on defense, the offense has also been much worse than last year. Carson Wentz hasn’t looked like himself, and now we have some clarity on why. Wentz returned because Nick Foles was awful the first couple of weeks, and rushed himself back in the process. Wentz is still not 100 percent, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network (Twitter link), who reports Wentz still isn’t able to plant “hard on his left foot.”
Wentz came back from a torn ACL and LCL, which Rapoport says is supposed to take at least a full year to recover from. It helps explain why Wentz hasn’t played at the level we’re all used to, and could mean the Eagles’ offense will only trend upward as the season progresses and he gains more and more confidence in his leg.
Here’s more from the league’s Eastern Divisions:
- This is tight end Charles Clay‘s fourth year with the Bills, and it’s looking like it will also be his last. The Bills will likely move on from Clay after this season, according to Joe Buscaglia of WKBW (Twitter link), who writes this is “the first chance the Bills have to get out of the contract.” Buffalo can save $4.5MM in cap space by cutting him this spring, which makes sense to Buscaglia given Clay’s “complete void in production this year.” Once one of the best tight ends in the game, Clay’s production has completely dropped off a cliff this season as he’s dealt with injuries, catching only 19 passes for 169 yards.
- Patriots running back Rex Burkhead is eligible to return from injured reserve next week, and New England will have to make some room on the roster to bring him back. The Patriots are likely to cut one of their excess offensive linemen, according to Mike Reiss of ESPN.com, who lists both tackle Matt Tobin and guard James Ferentz as being in danger of losing their jobs.
- In case you missed it, there’s a growing sense that the Cowboys might not want to commit huge money to Ezekiel Elliott.
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This is why you don’t rush the healing process. Now the Eagles are under .500 and still don’t have their QB at 100%. Should have waited an extra 1-2 weeks.
Coaches are always under pressure to get the best players on the field. Have to trust what the medical staff tells them. The Eagles record would probably be the same no matter what decision was made. The team is under performing in several areas.
Charles Clay has had to deal with some terrible QB’s in Buffalo. I think a change of scenery will be great for Clay. The Bills ruined his production just as much as he has on the field IMO.
What are the odds Clay goes to NE and becomes Gronk 2.0? I’d say about 2-1.
Foles looked fine actually. Bucs were hot first few weeks. Could have easily played the Colts, Titans and Vikings with the same outcome 1-2. Eagles messed up not doing the old Joe Banner model, get rid of them a year too early than a year too late. Not enough youth where it counts on this roster. Age and injuries are their downfall this year. Still think trading Wentz before the season would have been smart, to like the Browns. Once you pay this guy 27-30M it’s over. Rams know they have to win now while Goff is paid peanuts. Much harder to win with a high dollar QB and middle of the road team than a premium D and offensice weapons and a middle of the road QB. Worked for the Ravens 2x, Seahawks, Eagles, Giants 2x, Bucs, Steelers 1st time, Broncos w Peyton. You’re talking all-time Top-10 guys that have won without the rest of the team being loaded. Brady, Rodgers, Peyton 1st time, Brees, Big Ben 2nd time, Warner.
So your suggestion was to trade Wentz in the offseason and rely on whom at QB for the next decade? I suppose you think we ought to sign Bradford or Sanchez again, because that worked out so well before.
Man, I agree that the QB importance is way overhyped. Definitely plenty of examples to the contrary, despite oversimplified, retread analysis tells us that you “must” have a marquee qb. That being said, Wentz has looked like the real deal. And 1-2 weeks probably wouldn’t have made a lick of difference. In a constant win now model of an nfl, you play the best players. Period. And Wentz – even on a hobbled leg – is the best player. Foles, bless his heart, had a great run last year, but the defense won the playoffs last year while Nico dinked and dunked the offense to success. If anything, Peters and Alshon’s injuries have been more indicative of success or failure, and we need to get an upgrade on the o line. And of course, we have guys playing in the secondary that wouldn’t make most practice squads…
“Dunked and dunked”??? What games were you watching? Dude threw the long ball quite a bit in playoffs, with success.
**”dinked and dunked”