By Matt Lombardo | NJ Advance Media For NJ.com
The Eagles will begin voluntary OTAs next week, which will offer a first glimpse at the Eagles' new-look offense that includes offseason additions Alshon Jeffery, and Torrey Smith, which suddenly creates both depth and a numbers-game at wide receiver.
Both Jeffery and Smith are seemingly locks to make the roster, unless either of the team's draft picks at the position, Mack Hollins or Shelton Gibson, are preseason disappointments. Could Nelson Agholor be left fighting for a job this summer?
Meanwhile, the addition of former Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount appears to fill a void in the offense, adding a bigger-back who could thrive in short-yardage situations as part of a backfield by committee.
Here's this week's mailbag:
Elise Amendola | AP Photo
What is the Eagles' plan for Blount?
It still appears that the Eagles' plan at running back this season is to have a backfield by committee approach, featuring Blount, Wendell Smallwood, Donnell Pumphrey, and potentially Darren Sproles (although his $4.0 million cap number leaves open the possibility that he might not be on the roster come opening day), but the addition of Blount certainly gives head coach Doug Pederson and offensive coordinator Frank Reich options.
Seemingly, Smallwood and Blount would be the focal points of a committee approach and take a significant portion of the carries between them, with Blount thriving in short-yardage and goal-line situations.
However, Howie Roseman alluded to the possibility of Blount taking on a much larger role:
"We're always looking for complementary players when we go over our roster and positions," Roseman told the team's official website, via NFL.com. "Obviously, LeGarrette had a tremendous amount of success with New England last year, rushing for over 1,000 yards and scoring 18 touchdowns and winning a Super Bowl. He sets the tempo for your team as a running back."
"He can run between the tackles and he can drag tacklers down the field. He can do everything you look for in the running game. He had runs of plus-20 yards (Blount had seven rushes of 20-plus yards last season, tied for sixth most in the league) and he's won two Super Bowls in the last four years. For us, people are going to see that his size is what jumps out at you, but he's also got quick feet for a big man. He has a complementary skill set that works well in our backfield."
Everything you need to know about LeGarrette Blount
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Griff, Martin | The Times of Trenton
How influential is Eagles' RB coach Duce Staley's input on coaching staff?
It is certainly well known that during Chip Kelly's tenure as head coach, Duce Staley essentially had autonomy over both coaching the running backs and setting the backfield rotation. Likewise, it is no secret how well-regarded Staley is throughout the NovaCare Complex, specifically by owner Jeffrey Lurie, given that Staley was the first candidate interviewed to succeed Kelly when he was fired prior to Week 17 in the 2015 season.
While Doug Pederson is a bit more hands-on in terms of his on-field coaching, there is little evidence to believe that Staley holds any less clout over coaching the running backs. Staley put Dalvin Cook through multiple pre-draft workouts, and seems to have a solid voice in terms of how the position is utilized under Pederson, similar to his role on Kelly's staff.
Running back is one of the most interesting position battles to watch throughout the rest of the offseason program and over the summer. How Wendell Smallwood progresses from his rookie season and the development of Pumphrey will certainly be something to keep an eye on under Staley.
Tim Hawk | For NJ.com
Which Eagles WR will be first to go? Could Nelson Agholor be on chopping block?
Here is an early educated guess on the Eagles' wide receiver depth chart, which is suddenly among the deepest positions on the roster:
1. Alshon Jeffery
2. Mack Hollins
3. Jordan Matthews
4. Shelton Gibson
5. Torrey Smith
6. Nelson Agholor
While anything is possible, it seems like a foregone conclusion that Dorial Green-Beckham will be the first wide receiver to go. Barring some sort of miraculous and sudden grasp of the offense, and improvement during training camp, Green-Beckham's days in an Eagles' uniform were numbered the moment the team drafted Hollins and Gibson.
Meanwhile, cutting Agholor would cost the Eagles $4,684,309 in dead-money, which seems to indicate that the 2015 first-round draft choice will have one last chance to impress the coaching staff and prove to the front office that he has worth picking in Round 1.
John Froschauer | AP Photo
Who will lead the Eagles in touchdowns?
Jeffery is a solid guess to lead the Eagles in touchdowns in his first season catching passes from Carson Wentz. However, with the attention that is likely to be paid. to him by opposing defensive coordinators and the potential to draw double-teams, there could be another pass-catching option on the receiving end of Wentz's touchdowns, particularly in the red-zone.
Given the attention likely to be paid to Jeffery, and an infusion of speed in the receiving corps in the form of Hollins and Gibson, this will be the year that Zach Ertz cracks double-digit touchdowns and leads the Eagles in that category.
Charles Krupa | AP Photo
Would Eagles bring in Darrelle Revis?
As we have seen this offseason, and particularly this week with the addition of Blount, anything is possible when it comes to the Eagles, Howie Roseman and late-offseason free agent pickups.
However, the Eagles appear to have found their short-term band-aid at the cornerback position earlier in this offseason, picking up Patrick Robinson. Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz and the coaching staff have high hopes for Jalen Mills in the second-year of his career, and in all likelihood would like to get third-round pick Rasul Douglas some immediate snaps.
Besides, at age 31 and given his off-the field issues earlier this offseason, Revis does not seem to fit the profile of the type of players that the Eagles would target particularly after a disappointing 2016 campaign.
Chris Szagola | AP Photo
Who starts on the offensive line?
The center position could wind up being one of the most hotly contested position battles, especially if a trade market develops for Jason Kelce during the preseason, and how that potential position battle shapes up will have a trickle-down effect on the two guard spots.
Assuming that Kelce is on the 53-man roster in September, Brandon Brooks is a lock to start at right guard and the Eagles have high hopes for 2016 third-round pick Isaac Seumalo after he played both guard positions and right tackle last season, he should have an inside track for the starting left guard spot.
Right guard: Brandon Brooks
Center: Jason Kelce
Left guard: Isaac Seumalo
Tim Hawk | For NJ.com
Any roster surprises?
Suddenly it's difficult to find positions on this team that can't be considered deep, outside of possibly the cornerback position.
Yes, the Eagles added defensive end Chris long and drafted Marcus Smith to bolster the defensive end position, but I agree that Steven Means has a legitimate chance to make this roster because of not only his versatility to play both linebacker, defensive end, as well as the fact that he is a core special teams contributor.
Last season, Means finished with three tackles and 1.0 sack. The fact that Means is cheaper than Marcus Smith also helps his cause.
THE NO HUDDLE SHOW:
MORE COVERAGE:
Lori M. Nichols | For NJ.com
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HOW TO REACH ME:
Matt Lombardo may be reached at MLombardo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattLombardoPHL.
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