Philadelphia Eagles: Predicting Winners of 5 Key Camp Positional Battles
With the start of organized team activities for the Philadelphia Eagles, all eyes will be on whether Chip Kelly’s intensive offseason plan has actually paid off for the team.
His unorthodox routine is by now well-known, as he cut ties with a handful of Pro Bowl players and paid top dollar for veterans DeMarco Murray and Byron Maxwell, as well as trading Nick Foles and a 2016 second-round draft pick for oft-injured quarterback Sam Bradford.
It’s refreshing that Kelly has been so unsatisfied with last year’s 10-6 record that still included a franchise-record 474 points scored. We will ultimately judge on the outcome of this season; a third consecutive campaign without a postseason victory will make Philly fans restless.
The season may come down to how well Bradford’s twice-surgically repaired knee holds up in actual game action, but don’t overlook these five camp battles that will take place between now and September.
Third Quarterback: Tim Tebow vs. Matt Barkley
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The battle for the third quarterback spot isn’t usually so noteworthy, except this one features one Tim Tebow, a former first-round pick, Heisman Trophy winner and ESPN favorite whose every move in camp will be debated on Twitter.
He will be competing head-to-head with Matt Barkley, a 2013 fourth-round pick of Chip Kelly’s who has highly disappointed in two NFL seasons. Granted, Barkley has participated in limited snaps, but he has done nothing in practice to dispel a horrendous 44.6 lifetime passer rating on 49 pass attempts.
The new extra-point role may allow for Tebow’s particular skill set to serve a purpose. According to Albert Breer of NFL Media, he’s also reportedly corrected his throwing motion by working with former pitcher Tom House. Then again, maybe he hasn’t.
The fact that Tebow didn’t play well in practice Thursday, per the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane, doesn’t mean much in the long haul. It will come down to countless repetitions over the next three months, and Barkley certainly doesn’t have the edge based on his previous experience.
Predicted Winner: Tim Tebow
Starting Right Guard: Matt Tobin vs. Andrew Gardner vs. Allen Barbre
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During Chip Kelly’s two seasons, the Philadelphia Eagles have maintained one of the most potent offensive lines in the league, and that should continue in 2015. Despite releasing longtime guard Todd Herremans, this is still a top-five offensive line with three Pro Bowlers (Jason Peters, Evan Mathis and Jason Kelce), plus an emerging former first-round pick in Lane Johnson.
According to the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane, Matt Tobin took the first-team snaps at right guard Thursday. Allentown’s Morning Call reporter Nick Fierro reports that Allen Barbre took Mathis’ snaps on the left side with Mathis absent at practices and that Barbre would move to the right side if Mathis returned.
Based on the fact that Barbre signed a three-year deal with the Eagles last offseason, it’s easy to conclude he’s the projected starter. He was in line to be the top backup a year ago but suffered a season-ending ankle injury in training camp.
Expect a three-way competition this season between Barbre, Tobin and Andrew Gardner, but the starting spot may go to the player with the most NFL experience.
Predicted Winner: Allen Barbre
Starting Strong Safety: Earl Wolff vs. Jaylen Watkins vs. the Rest
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It’s anyone’s guess as to who will start at strong safety next to Malcolm Jenkins. Chip Kelly didn’t address this position in the offseason, failing to spend a draft pick on a safety or add a quality player via free agency.
According to the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Zach Berman, Earl Wolff was limited again in practice due to last year’s lingering knee injury. It’s the third year for Wolff, a former late-round draft pick, and if he doesn’t win the starting job, he may not have a spot on the 53-man roster.
Chris Maragos took the starting reps in Thursday's practice, which is surprising.
"Chris Maragos and Malcolm Jenkins are the first team safeties. Walter Thurmond and Chris Prosinski are the second team safeties. #Eagles
— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) May 28, 2015"
Maragos was strictly a special teams player last year—a very good one but not a defensive contributor. Seeing Walter Thurmond take second-team snaps at safety was unexpected, and it may be the result of Wolff’s injury.
Chris Prosinski taking second-team reps does not bode well for last year’s fifth-rounder Ed Reynolds, who spent his rookie season on the practice squad. And don’t forget Jaylen Watkins, a fourth-round pick from 2014 who was drafted to be a cornerback but may transition to safety this season.
It’s going to be a lengthy battle, and all of these players are in the mix. Expect Thurmond to end up at cornerback. Don’t expect Maragos to play too much on defense. And if Wolff’s knee doesn’t heal soon, he’s not going to be playing football anywhere. This could be a season-long problem for the Eagles.
Predicted Winner: Jaylen Watkins
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Starting Inside Linebacker: Kiko Alonso vs. Mychal Kendricks vs. DeMeco Ryans
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It will be interesting to see what Chip Kelly has in mind for the current inside linebacker logjam. He traded for Kiko Alonso, re-signed DeMeco Ryans and retained Mychal Kendricks, despite trade buzz. And yet Kelly also drafted Texas’ Jordan Hicks in the third round and signed Brad Jones for depth.
Alonso missed all of 2014 with a torn ACL, but he was healthy enough to take first-team snaps Thursday.
"Kiko Alonso appears to be 100 percent. Didn't do any side work. Working in with the other linebackers. #Eagles
— Matt Lombardo (@MattLombardo975) May 28, 2015"
Kendricks was with the first-teamers too. Ryans is healthy from last year’s torn Achilles tendon, and the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane reported the three players rotated snaps with the first-team defense.
Kelly doesn’t seem to be the biggest fan of Kendricks, seeing as he’s tried to trade him this offseason, according to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports. Still, the fact that Kendricks has freakish talent for the position means he should win the starting job next to Alonso.
Predicted Winners: Kiko Alonso and Mychal Kendricks
Final Wide Receiver Spots: Miles Austin vs. Seyi Ajirotutu vs. Devante Davis
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The first four wide receivers are set with Jordan Matthews, Nelson Agholor, Riley Cooper and Josh Huff, although the order is still unclear.
After that, Chip Kelly will likely go with one more receiver, which means Miles Austin will battle it out with Seyi Ajirotutu, Devante Davis and Jeff Maehl for the final spot (or two).
Austin is a former two-time Pro Bowler whose nagging hamstring issues have relegated him to a likely backup role if he even makes the team; the fact that the Philadelphia Eagles did give him guaranteed money suggests that they think he will make the roster.
If Ajirotutu makes it, it’s because he’s a standout special teams player, not because of what he’s done as a wide receiver.
Undrafted rookie Devante Davis out of UNLV is a sleeper to make the roster and contribute. He was seen as a likely mid-round prospect who somehow went undrafted, but he flashes impressive physical tools at 6’3”, 220 pounds to go with a 4.57 40-yard dash.
Predicted Winner: Devante Davis
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