When Chip Kelly indicated that Walter Thurmond would be making the switch to safety, it caught me off guard for several reasons.
The first was obvious; Thurmond has zero experience both at the collegiate and pro level playing the position. Second, the Eagles safety battle was thought to involve guys like Earl Wolff, Eric Rowe and Jaylen Watkins with Thurmond penciled in as the starter alongside his former Seahawk teammate Byron Maxwell.
Chip believes that Thurmond received valuable insight playing the “nickel cornerback” role that will help ease the learning curve with the switch to safety. Having a guy like Malcom Jenkins who successfully made the switch during his tenure in New Orleans is also going to benefit Thurmond. The Eagles were a team this past off-season that pursued Devin McCourty, yet another former cornerback who successfully made the switch to safety. With how Chip views the safety position, it’s actually less of a surprise the more I think about the decision to make the switch with Thurmond.
Thurmond looked the part during OTA’s, reading coverages and not looking out of place. Once the pads go on, will he be able to hold his own as a tackler at under six feet and two hundred pounds?
Like Chip says, OTA’s are about getting reps, moving guys around and seeing where they “could” fit best. Knowing how Chip likes his safety to play, I understand why there is comfort going with the veteran Thurmond.
Even though Thurmond is currently “penciled” in as a starter, there is still an entire training camp and preseason for a guy like Jaylen Watkins (a player I really liked coming out of Florida in 2014) to step up and prove he is the better man for the job.
Of all the moves we DIDNT make this offseason, the McCourty thing was the one that i was pissed about. They fact they tried for him tells me everything I need to know about this coach. Mainly….. he understands what needs to be done in the secondary.
Supposedly the Giants,Eagles & Redskins all offered bigger Deals to McCourtey who decided to remain inNew England
Do note that McCourtey was originally Drafted as a CB 4 Years ago and only converted to Safety 2 years ago…
How has Watkins looked? I’ve heard very little about him & Ed Reynolds
I really believe that J Couplin is going to shine once the pads go on and really push Thurmond for that Safety Spot…
Wolf’s a goner early in Camp I believe as he just can’t stay healthy and Kelly
Doesn’t seem to like him very much…
pman you have been asking about the safety group for a long time…..Gary needs to give you a update now
Not to be a pain, but all we’ve heard and read is about Thurmond & Carroll besides Jenkins and Maxwell, how about the other 7-8-9 Players…
I’ve read zippo on Watkins,Reynolds, Shepard and very little on Rowe,Couplin, Boykin, Wolff…
What’s the Deal…
Thurmond at safety is the biggest gamble of the off season IMO. It feels very much like eggs all in one basket and if he doesn’t pan out its a problem. My eye will be on Watkins as well because if he sucks its Bradley Fletcher scenario all over again.
CB’s (5 on the 53 Man Roster)
Starting CB’s – Maxwell, Carroll
Slot CB – Boykin
Nickel-Back-Up CB’s – Rowe & DJ Biggers
(Practice Squad – J Shepard)
Safety ( 5 on Roster)
Starting Safety’s. – Jenkins & Thurmond
Back-Ups – Couplin & Watkins
Special Teamer – Prosinski over Maragos
Practice Squad Player – Ed Reynolds – E Wollf gets released )
I can see Shepard being the 5th CB – Biggers gone! He is supposedly is doing well in camp and Biggers is a proven bust.
hey pman check out bleeding green nation they are excited about ertz and huff plus they have ed rynolds as 2Nd string safety
Thnx.. I see article where Eagles and Bradford are nowhere close to an extension as it seems both sides will use this 2015 Season as an Audition for Bradford, who if he goes on and is healthy and has a strong 2015 Season the he would become a very desirable Free-Agent QB in 2015 and could get $16-$18-$20 Million per Year for a desperate Franchise needing a QB like the Jets,Texans, Bears, Cardinals, Redskins, etc, etc based on what happens to their current QB’s Situation
Then you have Teams like the Broncos, Saints & Cowboys that having aging QB’s making big $$$ who could be at the end of their Careers if any would sustain a major injury…
It would be smart for Bradford to let 2015 Play out and put up some good Stats in a QB Friendly System, play some big games with national exposure and the watch the bids come in next Free-Agency…
This uncertainty unfortunately is not good for the Eagles or Chp Kelly who really needs to Focus on Coaching and not worrying about Contracts, Player Morale etconce the Seasongets under way…
This is why I hate a dual role of a Head Coach & GM being handles by 1 Person.. It’s too much.. Let the Coach’s Coach and let the Front Office acquire, sign,draft good Talent to fit the Coach’s Schemes
The Eagles can always use the franchise tag on Bradford – if he has a great season. If Bradford has a great season, why would he want to go anywhere else? (Assuming the Eagles pay him fair market value) he would have everything he wants in Philly and will be part of Chip’s world.
That would be close to $22 Million for Bradford for 2016 if they Franchised him!!! With Sanchize already under Contract thru 2016, I don’t see that as a viable financial decision , remember they will have Fletcher Cox, M Kendrick’s, C Thornton as Free-Agents and players like. Z Ertz, L Johnson, B Logan & K Alonso all comimg into their Contract Seasons…
That is why they will do a long term deal if he works out. $22 million is the reality of a top QB. Of course if Bradford is hurt again, or fails to live up to expectations, he will command a smaller long term contract or will be allowed to walk. In either case, the Eagles have options and I’m pretty sure Sanchez isn’t the long term answer.
i also hate a dual coach and gm…..but I think an auditon is good I dont bradford comfy at all
Wolff and Reynolds I didn’t see making roster, but Watkins I expected to be contending for the starting role. Not sure at this point how Thurmond doesn’t start week 1 of regular season. His role isn’t going to be one of filling stat lines, it’s to minimize offensive production and playing intelligent football.
Who was the last Eagle DB that they actually Drafted, that has made a positive impact for the Eagles… Brandon Boykin maybe…
Jarrett, Lindley & Marsh were Flops…
Wolff, Reynolds, Watkins need to step it up this Camp or they will likely be cut
And join the others in the Flop Category…
It’s the trio of lito, Michael Lewis and brown. Boykin could absolutely start in the nfl, but we won’t get the opportunity in philly to see that happen.