Five Eagles numbers that matter
News blogs, sports blogs, entertainment blogs, and more from Philly.com, The Philadelphia Inquirer and the Philadelphia Daily News.
Five Eagles numbers that matter
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
Here this week's installment of Five Eagles numbers that matter:
80 - Riley Cooper's yards-per-game average in three starts last year against the Giants, Patriots and Seahawks. Cooper lacked consistency (four drops), but overall, was productive when given the opportunity, averaging 19.7 yards per catch. He had a 58-yard grab against the Patriots and the game-winning touchdown against the Giants.
Any plans the Eagles have had about utilizing Cooper's size in the red zone have not materialized (just three RZ catches over the past two years). But given his special-teams role, Cooper is still the favorite to be the Eagles' fourth wide receiver next season and fill in for DeSean Jackson or Jeremy Maclin on the outside in the event of injury.
10.1 - Brian Westbrook's average yards per reception back in 2005. LeSean McCoy's career is off to a tremendous start, and in terms of running the football, he's right there with Westbrook. But he is not yet the receiver or blocker that Westbrook was. McCoy averaged just 6.6 yards per catch last year, a career-low. And he's averaged 7.3 yards per reception for his career.
There will be a lot written this summer about McCoy's new contract and how he's one of the most well-rounded running backs in the league. And that is true. But remember, he's only had two seasons as a full-time player and doesn't turn 24 until July. There are specific areas where he can get even better.
16 - The ranking of the Eagles' punting unit last year, according to Football Outsiders. Chas Henry was average at best in his rookie year, and the Eagles tried out veteran punter Brad Maynard this week, according to Aaron Wilson of Scout.com. Maynard, 38, spent last season with the Browns, whose punting unit ranked 19th.
The Eagles were good on kickoff coverage, and Alex Henery had a promising rookie season, but overall, Bobby April's special-teams unit ranked 18th. Certainly plenty of room for improvement in 2012.
61 - The number of snaps played by cornerback Brandon Hughes in Week 12 last year against the Patriots, according to Pro Football Focus. With Nnamdi Asomugha banged-up and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie inactive, the Eagles chose to go with Hughes instead of rookie Curtis Marsh. Like the rest of the secondary, Hughes played poorly that game, but the point is, the coaches trusted him more than Marsh late in the season.
This year, with Samuel gone, cornerback depth could be an issue. Marsh, a third-round pick from 2011, is probably the most likely candidate to play outside, should Asomugha or Rodgers-Cromartie go down. Hughes should be able to at least compete for that spot though. Rookie Brandon Boykin is expected to compete for the slot position with Joselio Hanson. And deeper down on the depth chart is Trevard Lindley (a fourth-round pick in 2010).
Four of the Eagles' six cornerback spots seem pretty much locked down: Asomugha, Rodgers-Cromartie, Boykin and Marsh. That leaves Hughes, Lindley and Hanson fighting for one or two roster spots.
0 - Number of playoff wins for the Eagles in the last three seasons. The last postseason victory was against the Giants on Jan. 11, 2009.
Much has been written (including by me in this space) about Andy Reid's future with the Eagles. Jeffrey Lurie has seemingly given Reid everything he wants this offseason. After last year's 8-8 campaign, the owner delivered a state-of-the-franchise address, labeling Reid's performance as "unacceptable." Even if the Eagles get off to an outstanding start this season, I'd be surprised if Reid were given an extension currently signed through 2013). And if they fail to win a playoff game for the fourth year in a row, with Joe Banner out of the picture, it will be all on Lurie to determine the direction of the franchise.
You can follow me on Twitter or become a fan of Moving the Chains on Facebook.
Trade him to the Jets and reunite him with Tebow— blueye7- I agree blueye. And sign Plax. Fans still think this guy will emerge and then have the nerve to complain about Avant. pffft— peteike
- Coop is okay at best....He is not the differece maker and he is not good enough to solve the red zone problems a la Plexico...so who cares if he stays or goes....— nuggett
- Tough to tell on Cooper when they don't have a decent QB to get him the ball.— Sidewinder7
- If he is such a good prospect as a wide receiver, why is his name continuously mentioned as a good special teams contributor, that's never been part of the spin on Chris Collingworth.— Dexter
- This is a results driven league, he hasn't done much to justify the roster spot. He isn't the red zone "big body" they tried to pass him off of, and with Shady getting more red zone carriers, I would prefer the ball in his hands more than any other on the team. They took a shot, it failed move on and upgrade with better talent.— xlGmanlx
- I think Cooper is average at best. We need much better than average to get to where we want to be.— Bobphxville
- Reid doesn't know how to use him. Convinced if Cooper goes to a contending team, he will be a valuable contributor.— watsonmr
- McNut will replace Cooper as the the tall receiver option. He is tougher and has more reliable hands. He just needs to learn special teams and that will be the end of Cooper...hopefully
- as long as Chad Hall is taking a roster spot from a legitimate NFL player people need to stop worrying about Riley Cooper. Hall should be arrested for committing fraud.— coloradoeagle
- When they drafted Marsh, they saw him as a raw talent. By all reports, he is developing as expected. If you understood anything about football, you would grasp that drafting Marsh was a reasonable gamble. Instead, you post the same shallow negativity every time. Why don't you go root for the Broncos? — Section 730
- 730 - they think so highly of both that they traded for a corner, signed one as a free-agent and spent another pick in this year's draft on yet another corner. Raw talent is one thing but you draft those guys in rounds 6 or 7 or sign them as undrafted free agents. You don't reach for them in round 3. — coloradoeagle
- Hughes and Marsh are two more players who have no business cashing an NFL paycheck. two more fantastic picks made by Mrs Roseman's little boy, Howie.— coloradoeagle
- Why we havent signed Plax who still has a lot left. Can we please set up a poll to see what the fans think. If we're really placing our superbowl bets on Cooper and McNutt reid deserves to leave.— Yes_General
- I had high hopes for Cooper when they drafted him, but last season he stunk. I'll be shocked if he has a good season this year, I think what you see is what you get. Another guy who couldn't make it at the pro level. The Eagles have a little guy Damaris Johnson, about 5'8" with blazing speed, who they signed to improve their return game. At camp he looks promising, he's sudden and he can catch. If he can get open, he could be another threat to go to the house on any given play.— cletisvandam
Follow
Sheil on Twitter. And become
a fan of Moving the Chains on Facebook.
Download our NEW iPhone/Android app for even more Birds
coverage, including app-exclusive videos and analysis. Download it here.
