Early Birds: Eagles Positional Reviews, QB/RB
EAGLES POSITIONAL REVIEWS
During the next week, The Inquirer will look at the Eagles' roster position by position. Free agency begins on March 9, and the draft is April 28-29.
Mon. Feb. 29: Quarterback/running back
Tues. March 1: Wide receiver/tight end
Wed. March 2: Offensive line
Thurs. March 3: Defensive line
Fri. March 4: Linebacker
Sat., March 5: Defensive back
QUARTERBACK
UNDER CONTRACT
If the season began today, Mark Sanchez would be the Eagles' starting quarterback. The season doesn't start in February, however, so you can climb off that ledge. Sanchez is a serviceable backup, nothing more and nothing less. The Eagles are scheduled to pay him $4.5 million with an additional $1 million from a guaranteed bonus. That's a pretty significant chunk of change for a backup, but not excessive. Asked about Sanchez last week, Doug Pederson sounded as if he wanted him back, but at nothing more than a No. 2 quarterback.
"He's another veteran guy that you'd like to have at the backup QB position," Pederson said. He added: "In today's football, it helps to have two guys because of the attack style of defenses and the fact that QBs sometimes can't stay healthy for 16 games. So having a guy like that on your roster gives you that cushion."
I wouldn't say that Sanchez will definitely be back. Pederson, who obviously knows the backup position very well, might have someone else in mind. A lot, of course, will depend on what happens with Sam Bradford. Sanchez, 29, didn't perform well in the three games he subbed for Bradford last season, but the overall disjointed state of the offense played a big part in his struggles. He's also a good locker room guy, someone who wouldn't cause a stir behind the starter.
The only other quarterback under contract is McLeod Bethel-Thompson, who was signed earlier this month. He defines the term "journeyman." He got his professional football start in the Arena League before signing with the 49ers. Bethel-Thompson, 27, then jumped briefly to the United Football League before returning to the NFL. Over the next five years, he was signed by the Dolphins, Vikings, the 49ers a second time, Patriots, Vikings again, Dolphins again, and lastly, the 49ers a third time. He spent varying time on their rosters, mostly on the practice squad.
The 6-4, 230-pound quarterback could fight for the third roster spot – although it's impossible to opine on his chances without knowing his competition – but he's more or less here for a spring look-see and to keep the other quarterbacks' arms from falling off.
ROSTER DECISIONS
The No. 1 roster decision for the Eagles this offseason is, of course, what to do with Bradford. They want him back but at the right price, which means they like him but don't love him. The franchise tag ($19.9 million for quarterbacks) is likely off the table. That option will expire tomorrow. The transition tag ($17.6 million) would cost the Eagles less, and they still would have the option to match another offer, but if they didn't, they would receive no compensation in return.
The Eagles are taking a risk if they don't apply either tag, but they still have a week until the start of free agency to work something out. Negotiations with Bradford's agent, Tom Condon, have been ongoing. There was a FOXSports report that the Eagles had upped their ante, but it's difficult to say in what ballpark. The market will dictate whether Bradford tests free agency. Condon has to have some idea of how many teams are interested and how much his client could fetch. But the Eagles likely know the market, too. Love him or hate him, Howie Roseman does his homework.
Condon needs only one team – 49ers? Texans? Browns? – to leverage against the Eagles. But aside from the Texans, would Bradford rather play for the 49ers or the Browns? I wouldn't. I've said this from the beginning: I think the Eagles and Bradford will ultimately get something done. It would be a marriage borne of convenience. There just isn't much else out there for either party.
Thad Lewis, a free agent-to-be, was signed last season. The Eagles had worked him out the year before when Roseman was still in charge of football operations, so Lewis might not be strictly a Chip Kelly fascination.
FREE-AGENT OPTIONS
The top three free-agent quarterbacks, aside from Bradford, are Kirk Cousins, Brock Osweiler and Ryan Fitzpatrick. The Redskins are reportedly set to tag Cousins, so that would take him off the market. Osweiler seems destined to remain in Denver with Peyton Manning likely to retire. Osweiler handled himself well in seven starts last season. He has his flaws, but the Super Bowl-champion Broncos should continue to contend as long as most of their defense remains intact. The New York Jets are reportedly committed to retaining Fitzpatrick.
Chase Daniel would make sense as both a backup or as a starter to hold down the fort until a draft pick develops. Pederson hasn't hidden his admiration for Daniel, with whome he worked for three years in Kansas City. Daniel, despite seven NFL seasons, has thrown only 77 passes in his career. He's 29 and a generously listed 6-foot. He's never really been given the opportunity to play. At the least, he would be a great addition to the locker and quarterback rooms.
Colin Kaepernick isn't a free agent, but there have been reports that he wants out of San Francisco. He apparently doesn't feel as if he should have to compete with Blaine Gabbert for the 49ers job. I would bring him here only to do the same. A trade with the Eagles is unlikely.
Robert Griffin III isn't a free agent yet, but the Redskins are expected to release him soon. After a promising rookie season, Griffin is either damaged goods or incapable of being a starting-caliber pocket passer.
RUNNING BACK
UNDER CONTRACT
The Eagles have $16.5 million in salary-cap space earmarked for three running backs: DeMarco Murray ($8 million), Darren Sproles ($4.5 million) and Ryan Mathews ($4 million). That's a lot of money devoted to one position, especially a position in which it's possible to get production from cheaper alternatives.
Murray wants out of Philly, or so it has been reported this offseason. He has wanted out for a while, it seems. But what's his gripe now? Kelly and his offense are gone. He's still among the highest-paid running backs in the NFL and he should have more opportunities to run downhill in Pederson's scheme. I just can't see the Eagles being able to trade Murray with his contract – unless he's willing to take a significant pay cut. Flat out releasing him before June 1 would cost the Eagles $13 million in dead money. So he'll likely be back.
Sproles will turn 33 in June. He had another productive season, although he was underused once again. He didn't seem as explosive on offense, but again, that could be attributed to the offense's overall predictability. Sproles returned two punts for touchdowns for the second season in a row and went to the Pro Bowl as a specialist for the second season in a row. None of his 2016 salary is guaranteed, but he should return.
If there's a tradeable commodity at the position, it's Mathews. He had a strong first season with the Eagles and is still only 28. There is the health concern, however. Mathews missed three games because of a concussion and was slowed by a groin injury for most of the season. He had offseason surgery. He wasn't the same player post-concussion. Mathews averaged 5.8 yards per carry in his first nine games and only 3.5 in his last four.
Kenjon Barner would come cheap ($600,000) if the Eagles decided to keep him, and he's an option as a returner, but Pederson and Roseman just might want to exorcise every former Oregon player from the roster. Villanova product Kevin Monangai was re-signed in January. Ross Scheuerman, an undrafted free agent, was also added this offseason.
ROSTER DECISIONS
The Eagles don't have any free-agent running backs. They might want to sign a fullback after three years without one in Kelly's system.
FREE-AGENT OPTIONS
There are some starting-caliber tailbacks likely to hit free agency, but the Eagles' cap situation makes it unlikely that Doug Martin, Chris Ivory, Alfred Morris or Matt Forte will be in play. Aside from Martin, I'm not sure I would want any of the above. Could Chris Polk, who was released last April and wound up with the Texans, find his way back to the Eagles roster? I wouldn't bet on it.
A more viable option would be drafting a running back in the latter rounds. That would have made more sense than inking both Murray and Mathews after trading LeSean McCoy last season. The devaluing of the position makes it easier to pluck talent after the first and second days of the draft.