During the early stages of Free Agency, the Philadelphia Eagles were bound and determined to plug some holes on the offensive side of the ball. The team was in need of big-play wide receivers and signed Torrey Smith and Alshon Jeffery. The Eagles signed guard Chance Warmack and the club brought back, via free agency, quarterback Nick Foles. As of late, general manager Howie Roseman and head coach Doug Pederson have been concentrating on a defense that climbed back to respectability in 2016 under coordinator Jim Schwartz. Now the team ranked 13th in the league in total yards this past season (30th in 2015) is adding a little more ammo on this side of scrimmage.
A pair of well-traveled additions
During the final week of March, the Philadelphia Eagles added a pair of veteran defenders that figure to make solid contributions to the club. Defensive end Chris Long spent the first eight years of his NFL career with the Rams and this past season getting a Super Bowl ring with the New England Patriots. But now he figures to have a much bigger role with the Eagles than the Pats. As for the other new piece, cornerback Patrick Robinson has bounced around the NFL and is now with his fourth team in as many years. The 32nd overall pick for the then-defending Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints in 2010 left for San Diego in ’15, played for the Indianapolis Colts this past season and now is with Pederson’s club.
In essence, Long replaces Connor Barwin – who was released by Philadelphia this offseason. Robinson hopes to fill the hole left by the free-agent departure of cornerback Nolan Carroll. He left in March for the Dallas Cowboys.
The latest pickup
Now comes word (via Jamison Hemsley of ESPN) that the Philadelphia Eagles have acquired defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan from the Baltimore Ravens.
The teams have also swapped a pair of third-round draft choices. Baltimore now owns the 74th overall selection in the round while the Eagles get the 99th pick – one of the Ravens’ compensatory selections. Jernigan figures to move inside right next to Pro Bowler Fletcher Cox and in place of Bennie Logan – who signed with the Kansas City Chiefs. The Eagles continue to make smart moves and combined with some more talent via the draft, have the look of a franchise headed in the proper direction.
