Eagles Notes: Kelly, Pederson, Linebackers
Some players have been critical of former Eagles coach Chip Kelly, but wide receiver Jordan Matthews isn’t in that camp. At the same time, he readily admits that there are major differences between Kelly and new coach Doug Pederson (via CSNPhilly.com). 
- The Eagles‘ lack of depth at linebacker means that some of the team’s rookies will have a better chance at making the roster, Zach Berman of the Philadelphia Inquirer writes. Last year, outside linebackers Mychal Kendricks and Nigel Bradham and middle linebacker Jordan Hicks combined to miss 15 games, which means that the team’s depth at those positions will be critical. Behind those three, Najee Goode‘s spot is virtually guaranteed while Ty Powell and Deontae Skinner will have to play their way onto the roster, despite also having NFL experience. Seventh-round pick Joe Walker is also in the mix, but his late-round status means that he is far from a lock. With uncertainty on the depth chart, the door is open for UDFAs Myke Tavarres and Quentin Gause.
- Former Giants and Eagles defensive back Walter Thurmond will retire from the NFL. Thurmond, who joined the Eagles a year ago as a cornerback, ended up starting 16 games for the first time in his career while also playing safety for the first time. He excelled at the new position, picking up 71 tackles, three interceptions, two sacks, and two forced fumbles. Pro Football Focus’ grades backed up his solid stat line, as he ranked 26th out of 88 qualified safeties.
Wentz Learning Plays Faster Than Bradford?
- So far in OTAs, Eagles rookie Carson Wentz seems to have a better understanding of Doug Pederson’s offense than veteran Sam Bradford, Matt Lombardo of NJ.com opines. That’s a surprising take given that Bradford is entering seventh NFL season (or, his sixth NFL season, if you exclude his lost 2014). It is rare for rookies to fully grasp a new offense so quickly, but it sounds like Wentz may be an exception. The expectation – for now – is that veteran Sam Bradford will at least begin the 2016 season as the Eagles’ starter.
Brandon Spikes Remains Unsigned
- The Eagles may be thin at inside linebacker beyond their starters, but CSNPhilly.com’s Dave Zangaro doesn’t anticipate a Jim Schwartz–Brandon Spikes reunion. A quality run-stopper, Spikes played for Schwartz in 2014 with the Bills after four in New England, starting 49 games in five years. He’s been unattached since the Patriots released him in June 2015, and a hit-and-run incident resulted in Spikes being suspended for four games last season despite being unaffiliated with a team.
Eagles' Howie Roseman On Year Off
This week, Eagles executive vice president of football operations Howie Roseman sat down with Peter Schrager of FOX Sports (audio link) to discuss a wide range of topics, including the year he spent effectively squeezed out of the Eagles’ front office. 
Eagles DC: McLeod, Jenkins Make NFL's Best Safety Duo
- Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz believes that newcomer Rodney McLeod and Malcolm Jenkins could form the best safety tandem in the NFL, as Josh Paunil of Philadelphia Magazine writes. “That was money well spent,” Schwartz said. “I’m sort of violating my rule with judging too much into this time of year, (but Jenkins and McLeod) are veteran players and you can see that right away. They’re both multi-dimensional. They communicate very well. They can cover a lot of ground. They can blitz, they can play man, they can play zone. I’d be very surprised as the year went on if they’re not one of the better safety tandems in the NFL. They’ve been very impressive so far.” In February, Jenkins and the Eagles agreed to a four-year extension worth $35MM that will keep him in Philly through the 2020 season. In his two seasons with the Eagles, Jenkins has averaged 92 tackles per season, grabbed five total interceptions – including two for touchdowns – and earned his first Pro Bowl nod in 2015. McLeod, meanwhile, inked a five-year, $37MM with the Eagles in March.
Frank Reich: Sam Bradford Isn't Eagles' Clear-Cut No. 1 QB
- Although the Eagles traded up in the draft to use the No. 2 overall pick on quarterback Carson Wentz, the expectation is that veteran Sam Bradford will at least begin the 2016 season as their starter. That might not be the case, however, according to new offensive coordinator Frank Reich. On whether Bradford is the Eagles’ clear-cut No. 1 option under center, Reich told CBS Philly, “No, that’s probably not the right impression.” He continued, “This is one of the most competitive industries in the world and so, to say that there’s not competition, that’s just the furthest thing from the truth.”
Eagles Reinvested In Offensive Line
Only the Vikings and the Raiders will devote more cap space to their respective offensive lines than the Eagles, as Paul Domovitch of Philly.com details. Philadelphia has clearly made the decision to reinvest in its front five after a 2015 season that saw the club rank 20th in pass protection and 30th in adjusted line yards, both of which are Football Outsiders metrics. Guard, specifically, has been addressed, as former Texan Brandon Brooks scored a $40MM deal with the Eagles, while Stefen Wisniewski will compete to start on the interior, and will at worst act as a top reserve.
Eagles Sign Lott, Cut Quigley
- The Eagles have signed defensive tackle Derrick Lott and released punter Ryan Quigley, as Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer tweets. With Quigley out of the picture, it would appear that Donnie Jones has won the team’s punter job. Lott was on Tampa Bay’s taxi squad in 2015 and will try to make the cut in Philly.
Should Eagles Add Veteran To Back Up Mathews?
- Despite questions about Ryan Mathews‘ durability and viability as a starting back, the Eagles waited until the fifth round to add to the position in Wendell Smallwood. And the current mix — which also houses Darren Sproles and Kenjon Barner — looks like Philadelphia’s backfield battalion for 2016 as opposed to bringing in another veteran, Dave Zangaro of CSNPhilly.com writes. Rumors of a potential Sproles trade surfaced earlier this week, but Doug Pederson did his best to refute them. Although effective in 13 games on a per-carry basis at a career-best 5.0 figure, Mathews hasn’t started more than six games in a season since 2013.
Why UDFA Byron Marshall Chose Eagles
- Undrafted rookie running back Byron Marshall chose the Eagles for the opportunity to contribute right away, writes Jeff McLane of Philly.com. “The running back position was a little slim,” Marshall said. “And they were talking to me about being able to play [wide receiver] in the slot and a little bit at running back – to do what I did in college. I liked that role.”
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