Yesterday the Eagles lost two starters from their Super Bowl Championship squad. They released veteran defensive end Vinny Curry after trying to restructure and reduce his deal. The Birds biggest and most physical running back from a year ago, LeGarrette Blount, was in Detroit on Friday and he signed a deal with the Lions.
According to numerous reports, the Eagles tried to renegotiate Curry’s contract, but from some undisclosed reasons were unable to work it out. Curry hasn’t been able to put up big sack numbers, but he has been able to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
The signing of former Seattle Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett and all the big salaries the Birds have along their defensive line has made it very difficult to hang onto Curry.
Blount was the number one ball carrier for the Birds early in the 2017 season, but the acquisition of Jay Ajayi reduced Blount’s role. The fact that he knows new Lions head coach Matt Patricia probably was a factor in the signing.
Saturday – Curry was able to sign a three-year deal for $27 million dollars with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers today. He got $11 million dollars of the deal guaranteed.
Bennett and Graham starting with Long and Barnett getting snaps as pass rush specialists again? ( 2-1 ratio of playing time between starters and reserves? )
This past season was Vinny Curry’s best tackling season. Previously he liked to tackle air, he did a decent job tackling ball carriers this year.
Vinny Curry’s agent read the free agent market correctly for his client declining a a pay cut to secure another top 5% DE contract in the NFL again.
Blount was as good as Howie could have done in last year’s free agent market. He nailed this signing
Ajayi, Clement, Smallwood, Pumphrey is the pecking order of remaining RB for 2018.( room for additions)
TE Ertz … they have 3 TEs on their practice squad.
According to Michael Silver of the NFL Network Eagle DE Chris Long considering retirement. Eagles offering significantly more money than his current contract to entice him to return for 2018.