Eagles News: The Jalen Hurts and Nick Sirianni relationship “is still a work in progress”

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What I’m hearing on the Eagles: Nick Sirianni’s job security, relationship with Hurts and more – The AthleticWe’ve seen Jalen Hurts on the sideline with Nick Sirianni, and they were not going at one another. But there is definitely a difference in personality. The way I would describe it: The relationship is still a work in progress. Last year there was some disconnect between them, due to their personalities. Nick, we’ve seen, is a very emotional guy. Jalen is a very private guy. They are different human beings, which is fine. You don’t all have to be the same, but you do have to be on the same page when it comes to what you want to do on offense.” […] “Brian Johnson was last year’s offensive coordinator — he’s since been fired and is now with the Commanders. Johnson had a great relationship with Hurts, which is part of the reason why he was promoted before the 2023 season after Shane Steichen left to take the Colts job. But, according to a few people in Philadelphia, while Johnson was the OC, it was 100 percent Sirianni’s offense you were watching last season, and Sirianni wanted to do it his way. That meant a conservative, run-first approach, especially when they got near the red zone. And last year, opposing defenses were ready for it. Johnson wasn’t calling plays. He was solely focused on giving Sirianni the offense that Sirianni wanted to run.”

Will the Eagles’ coordinators play the kids? – BGNA lot of things went wrong last season. One of them was that the Eagles’ heralded draft class barely saw the field, and when they did it was sporadic or out of necessity. Nolan Smith never played double digit snaps on defense until the 11th game of the season. Tyler Steen played all of 9 snaps in games he did not start. Sydney Brown played 16 total snaps in Weeks 2 and 3, missed Weeks 4, 5, and 6 with a hamstring injury, then started in Week 7. Kelee Ringo played literally one snap on defense in the first 12 games, then played a majority of snaps in the final four games. This was a continuation of 2022, when Nakobe Dean played 27 snaps in blow outs and 7 snaps the rest of the season, including 0 in a near meaningless season finale. Cam Jurgens played 8 snaps in non-blowout games, and just 1 in the season finale. Kyron Johnson played a majority of special teams snaps in 15 of the 16 games he dressed for, but played just 18 snaps on defense over three games. Will this season, with significant changes to the coaching staff, be any different? Will the new coordinators play the kids, or will they lean on veterans? Betteridge’s Law of Headlines says the answer is no, but that’s only half right.

Philadelphia Eagles training camp preview: Key dates, notable additions, biggest storylines – NFL.com5) Saquon Barkley was something of a surprise addition given the money the Eagles had to spend at a position where they’ve sometimes been frugal. But adding a complete, three-down back while robbing a division rival of its top playmaker is always worth considering, and Barkley could be an upgrade over the departed D’Andre Swift. That’s all contingent on Barkley staying healthy, of course, which hasn’t always been the case in his career. But he’ll be running behind what probably will be the best offensive line of his career and might be able to reprise some of his early-career explosiveness this season. The potential of a Hurts-and-Barkley fueled run game is enticing. Kenneth Gainwell is a solid No. 2, but I’ll be curious to see how the multi-tool Will Shipley fits in — and I suspect he’ll eventually have a sneaky role on the team. The only question I have is how much of an impact will the Eagles’ notable investments in the backfield make for a team that was a top-10 rushing unit last year, anyway.

Eagles 2024 training camp preview: Specialists – PhillyVoiceBritain Covey was arguably the best punt returner in the NFL last season, not just because of his high punt return average, but also because he’s so good at preserving hidden yards. In the 2024 draft, the Eagles selected Cooper DeJean, Will Shipley, and Ainias Smith, all of whom were good returners in college. Could the addition of those three players put Covey’s roster spot at risk, since he hasn’t yet been a regular contributor in the regular offense? Eh, probably not. If you replace Covey with an unknown quantity, you risk the losing the advantage of having a top-performing punt return unit. But also, look back at the 2020 draft, when the Eagles drafted three players with returning chops in Jalen Reagor, John Hightower, and Quez Watkins. Reagor actually has two career return TDs — one punt return TD for the Eagles in 2020, and one kick return TD for the Patriots in 2023 — but he has also been a muff machine.

What Makes Jalen Carter so Dominant? – PE.comJalen Carter was a force in opponent’s backfields during his successful rookie season. Fran Duffy details on film why Carter was able to make his mark and what his 2024 season could look like.

NFL’s most intriguing people: Who will define the next year? – ESPN+Bill Belichick, former coach. By the time it happened, the Patriots’ decision to move on from Belichick wasn’t a shock. What was a shock to many was Belichick’s inability to land another job right away. It felt like he was going to get the Falcons’ job, but that instead went to Raheem Morris, and none of the other teams with coach openings even tried to hire him. People close to Belichick say they believe he still wants to coach — at least long enough to get the 15 wins he needs to surpass Don Shula atop the all-time wins list — and that he’ll have his eye on potential opportunities as this season goes along. That means that just about every coach who’s on the hot seat will probably have to deal with speculation that Belichick is looking over his shoulder and that his bosses might be considering hiring Belichick. It’s entirely possible that, at age 72 and five years removed from his last playoff win, Belichick isn’t going to be anyone’s top choice as a head-coach candidate in 2025. But that’s not going to tamp down the speculation. Belichick will remain one of the league’s most intriguing figures until we get to next January and see whether he’s still someone teams want to hire.

Best offensive player at each position in the NFC East – Blogging The BoysQB – Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys. Let the debate begin. Dak Prescott is the best QB in the NFC East and one of the best in the entire league, evidenced by finishing runner-up to Lamar Jackson for the league’s MVP award last season. There is a chance Jalen Hurts could surpass him in 2024 though.RB – Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles. Well, this is an easy one. Saquon Barkley may have switched teams in the NFC East, going from the Giants to the Eagles, but he still remains the best RB in the division. He could have a career year in Philadelphia behind their OL and the weapons surrounding him. WR (X) – A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles. A.J. Brown could be looking over his shoulder in 2024 to make sure the Giants rookie WR Malik Nabers doesn’t overtake him as the best WR (X) in the NFC East. Fortunately for him, Nabers is a significant disadvantage with Daniel Jones as his QB.

It’s ‘be better or else’ for New York Giants QB Daniel Jones in 2024 – Big Blue ViewJones is again in a prove-it year. It is crystal clear. Jones needs to stay healthy and play better than he ever has, or the Giants will move on. The last time Jones was in a prove-it season was 2022, the first year of the Schoen-Brian Daboll regime. Jones responded to Schoen not picking up his fifth-year option and seeming ready to move on at quarterback by having the best year of his career and landing a new contract. Perhaps he will respond similarly this time. If Jones stays healthy, plays with the edge he has shown, and reverts to 2022 form that means the quarterback play will be far better than what the Giants had a year ago. If Jones doesn’t, the Giants might move on from him in-season. If Jones isn’t playing well or the Giants fall out of contention early and it becomes obvious Jones won’t be the quarterback in 2025 Drew Lock will take the reigns. Either way, the offensive line play has to be better. It is unfathomable that it wouldn’t be. That should improve the quarterback’s play, or at least the chance for the quarterback to play well. The receiver play should be better, creating more plays and making the quarterback and the offense look better.

Jason Wright officially transitioning out as Washington’s team president – Hogs HavenWright’s tenure in DC will be most remembered for running interference for the team’s former owner, rolling out one of least successful brands in US pro sports history, and orchestrating numerous gaffes during various celebratory events. His eventual departure was eagerly anticipated by much of the fanbase.

Terrell Owens said he was disrespected by Tom Brady when he wanted to make a comeback – SB NationTerrell Owens was a lot of things over the span of his career. One of the greatest receivers of all-time, a paragon of on-field consistency while also being a legendary headache off of it. Now Owens reveals that he tried to make what would have been the wildest comeback in NFL history, with the Buccaneers in 2021. Owens said he was disrespected and ghosted by Tom Brady when he offered his services to the 2021 Buccaneers, who were trying to defend their Super Bowl championship on the eve of Brady’s retirement. Owens told the Houston-based Bubba Dub Show podcast that he felt like he was the missing piece to the puzzle.