Aug 27, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham (18) runs with the ball after making a catch against Indianapolis Colts linebacker D’Qwell Jackson (52) at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
The Philadelphia Eagles’ wide receiver situation has become a little less crowded.
On Friday afternoon, the team announced that they have released Dorial Green-Beckham, ending the former Tennessee second-round pock’s time in Philadelphia after just one season.
Acquired last summer in a low-rise trade for Dennis Kelly, DGB failed to distinguish himself positively on a team desperate for wide receiver help. The offseason additions of Alshon Jeffrey, Torrey Smith, Mack Hollins and Shelton Gibson were clear writing on the wall that the team wanted to radically overhaul the position.
Personally, I’ve been in the minority on Green-Beckham. I liked him more than most and think he still has the physical potential to be something in this league, but the simple truth is that mentally the guy just hasn’t been able to put it together, and the fact that he’s been through two teams in just two seasons really doesn’t bode well for his odds of putting it all together and succeeding elsewhere.
DGB has such a laissez faire approach to playing. He did not care to attack the ball while it was in the air. Overall he had no sense of urgency. His game attitude was nonchalant. He has the skill but no desire to go above that which his given talent would allow him. May not have been the sharpest tool in the shed either.
Yeah I think you’re right on all those points. I think it’s a shame he’s going to let his own potential go to waste, but for the Eagles it’s a pretty moot point.
The wide receivers were all put on notice with the overhaul in free agency and the draft. DGB was the first to go, but won’t be the last. It’s only a matter of time before Treggs is sent on his way, and I still don’t think Agholor is safe either, although he’ll be given every shot to make it.
Honestly I’m more surprised that Marcus Smith hasn’t been let go yet.
At least DGB showed up for voluntary workouts.
DGB is just not a very Bright Player and never has improved on learning and mastering the nuances of Playing WR.. He really only had 1 Big Season at the College Level and though he has the Physical Attributes, he just is not smart enough to apply all the little things a WR must do to be successful at the NFL Level, Proper Route Running, Getting out of Breaks Quickly, Using deception on CB’s.. He was just used to be a big Target at the College Level where their QB’s could throw Jump Balls to Him and he would out-physical smaller, less talented College CB’s but this doesn’t work at the NFL Level
According to Adam Caplan the Eagles were comfortable cutting DGB because they are high on 2016 UDFA WR Marcus Johnson and 2017 4th round pick WR Mack Hollins based on their OTA performances.
The Eagles liked Johnson last year but he got hurt at camp and was put on IR.
Johnson who is bigger 6’2″ 205 and just as fast (4.37 40) as Shelton Gibson catches the ball cleanly and is a good route runner. He was my diamond in the rough Eagles player last year.
Was Marcus Johnson the UDFA out of U of Texas ?
Yes.
Yes I liked him last year too and kind of forgot about him once he was injured last Camp.. has nice Size and Hands
I think WR S Gibson and RB D Pumphrey end up on the Practice Squad or have some Injury that they are Placed on IR for a Season so the Eagles can stash for a Year
I think Pumphrey makes the team if the way the Eagles were using him in OTA’s translates into preseason. I think Gibson gets stashed on the IR if he continues to struggle to catch the ball in TC.
Pumphprey definitely makes it he’s sproles replacement but I do see them giving him a fake injury so he can get ready for next year and learn this year
Unless he’s able to Return Kicks/Punts I don’t see where carrying a 4th RB with little to no Playing Time makes the 53 Man Roster unless he has a Summer Camp Pre-Season.. If Eagles carry 3 TE & 6 WR on their 53 Man Roster, then 4 RB’s is a lot unless he Plays Special Teams too..
I think Pumphrey is going to play a role on offense right away, they’ve been lining him up in different spots all throughout the spring.
If there’s a guy who MIGHT be in danger, it’s smallwood. I’m not sure how he fits in with sproles, Pumphrey, and Blount, but I think if nothing else he still gets a spot for insurance
I like smallwood, he showed he can return kicks and actually had some good games running the ballx
Yeah I like him too, and to be clear, I’d be pretty surprised if he didn’t make it, but I do think that if things stay the way they are now, I think Smallwood is at the bottom of the pecking order, and may even be inactive most weeks…you can easily carry four running backs, but its hard to find playing time for three, let alone four.