Morning Phil-Up: What To Expect From Nelson Agholor
By Denny Basens
The penalty for Deflategate has finally been handed down.
Tom Brady will be suspended four games, the Patriots will lose a 2016 first-rounder, a 2017 fourth-rounder (I would love to know the process that led the league to determining that specifically a 2017 fourth-rounder would become part of the penalty), and also received a fine.
However, there were two things missing from this punishment.
First, head coach Bill Belichick needed to receive a suspension of some kind as well. Just as Roger Goodell came down hard on New Orleans coach Sean Payton despite having no involvement in Bounty Gate, Belichick, as the man who is in charge of the operation, should have also been penalized in some way.
Second, Goodell should have put Belichick, Brady, and the entire New England organization on notice with a threat against future violations. Given that this is now the second time in recent history that Belichick’s Patriots have been caught cheating, I believe that Goodell should have also given the coach and his Patriots a final warning against future violations; something to the degree of a lifetime ban for Belichick if the team should be found guilty of any other cheating while he is the head coach.
Belichick and the Patriots are now repeat offenders, and continue to show a lack of respect for the integrity of the sport. The only way for Goodell to get the message home to New England, as well as any other would-be cheaters, is to let it be known that this kind of nonsense will not be tolerated.
What To Expect From Nelson Agholor – Bleeding Green Nation
Nelson Agholor is expected to make an instant impact on the Eagles’ offense, but what are realistic numbers to look for from him?
Dave Mangels of Bleeding Green Nation wrote a piece examining the impact of a number of different rookie receivers from recent years and used them to help project expectations for Agholor.
Mangels came to the conclusion that Agholor, given his expected role in an offense that has helped many players put up strong statistics, should finish with roughly 60 catches for 850 yards and six scores.
Mike Babcock Flyers’ Top Choice For Head Coach – Philly.com
The Flyers have been quiet so far through their search for a new head coach, though at least one name has emerged as the team’s top target.
Former Detroit Red Wings coach Mike Babcock is said to be the team’s first choice. Babcock, 52 years old, has won over 500 regular season games, 82 playoff games, and one Stanley Cup title during his time with Detroit.
He’s still under contract, but the Red Wings have given him permission to speak to other teams.
The 10 Players The Eagles Can Least Afford To Lose To Injury – Philly Voice
Jimmy Kempski of Philly Voice took a look at the 10 players he believes are most essential to the Eagles’ success in the coming season.
In order from 10 to 1, Kempski had Eric Rowe, DeMarco Murray, Jordan Matthews, Jason Kelce, Fletcher Cox, Malcolm Jenkins, Connor Barwin, Jason Peters, Lane Johnson, and Byron Maxwell.
I have some issues and comments with Kempski’s list. First, it’s very difficult for me to imagine Lane Johnson as the second most important member of the team. I think clearly the Eagles were hurt much more by the losses of Jason Kelce and Evan Mathis on the offensive line last year than they were when Johnson was forced to miss the first four games due to suspension.
Also, given the Eagles’ enormous depth at the running back position, I would not place DeMarco Murray on that list.
Should The Eagles Pursue D.J. Swearinger? – NJ.com
The Houston Texans and former second-round pick D.J. Swearinger parted ways on Monday, with Houston waiving the young safety.
Swearinger was once a highly-touted prospect coming out of college, praised for his physical play and coverage ability. While he’s been a disappointment with the Texans, he’s still young enough that he could catch on with another team and have some success.
If I’m the Eagles, I would certainly be interested in Swearinger. The Birds are so lacking in talent at the safety position, and they now have an opportunity to add a young guy with considerable talent to their mix.
Swearinger would be a low-risk option at this point, and adding competition to a weak position couldn’t hurt.