Everybody knows the Eagles were going to sign a defensive linemen or two during free agency after they sent veterans Cullen Jenkins and Mike Patterson on their way. Today they signed veteran San Francisco 49ers nose tackle Isaac Sopoaga.
He’s not a spring chicken at 31 years of age, but he is a space-eater standing 6’2″ and weighing 320 pounds. Sopoaga will be asked to take on double-teams and sacrifice himself in order to keep the linebackers free. He’ll be on the field for first down and second down of each series.
There’s no way that Patterson at his size would have been able to take on the double teams that Sopoaga will see. He won’t be asked to make plays himself, but his job will be to keep blockers off DeMeco Ryans and Mychal Kendricks, so that they can run from sideline to sideline and make plays.
In his nine years in San Fran, Sopoaga recorded 447 tackles and 7.5 sacks in 125 career games (80 starts). Originally a fourth-round pick of the 49ers in 2004, Sopoaga (6-2, 330) has experience at both defensive tackle and nose tackle.
The 31-year old is a native of American Samoa. He played collegiately at Hawaii after graduating from Samoana High School in Pago Pago. In 2012, Sopoaga played in 15 games (10 starts) and amassed 55 tackles and one sack. He also had eight tackles and one sack in the postseason, en route to a trip to the Super Bowl.
I like this signing of Sopoaga. He should fit nicely in that 3 – 4 D. But i sure hope the Eagles aren’t done in free agency. I bet they have something up there sleeve. They always seem to surprise everyone with a big signing or two
Great signing for a True NT at 330lbds who knows how to eat space between the Center & Guard area.. Will play about 30-40 Snaps a game based on opponent and score of the games, but his strength is against the run, short yardage and in the red-zone where the Eagles need all the help they can get
In obvious passing downs or with a decent lead in games, then Fletcher Cox/Cedric Thornton slide to DT mas Pass-rushers
Cox will play DE in their base 3-4 with Sap at NT
Good character/Lockeroom fella as well
Terrance Knighton would still be on my radar….
Take him off your Radar, GMCliff
Eagles got their 1 NT in Sapoaga.. and will likely Draft another DT to go along with Sap/Thornton/Dixon, they are finished in Free-Agency at this Position
My boy, pot roast, spent overnight with Broncos, close with deal! But we got a 31 year old part time NT, who struggles against the run! You’re not excited?!? F^#@ this organization! I’m disgusted & about to turn in my fan card! If this is it in FA, & they f^#@ this draft up, I’M DONE! I know there’s still good players left, but I’m highly disappointed & underwhelmed!
I agree Pman. He filled a need coming from a pretty damn good defense last year.
I think they will get Francois as well as he is meeting with the eagles and i think they will draft late a DT/NT to help grow under Issac Tutelage. What i love about all these FA signings are they are low risk high reward under the radar signings that will help us these are players that want to play and prove there worth i love it
Pot roast is another overrated player once again Dcar you gotta select players that fit your scheme and finally there gonna do that Tom Gamble has made his presence felt.