Training camps are opening up across the NFL, and understandably, followers have a variety of questions on their favourite franchises. With that mentioned, Professional Soccer Community has pulled the weekly mailbag out of storage (it was hidden behind a compilation CD of Billy Joel’s biggest hits and a really beaten-up “Operation” board sport) to reply a few of these inquiries.
NFL Information and Rumors Mailbag: Cardinals, Eagles, and extra
What is going to it take for Kyler Murray to win a Tremendous Bowl with the Cardinals?
On Thursday, the Cardinals agreed to a five-year, $230 million contract extension with franchise QB Kyler Murray, as confirmed by PFN Insider Aaron Wilson. So, the Cardinals imagine Murray can make them the promised land, however he wants to beat some tendencies to get there.
Murray has gotten off to some fairly spectacular begins in every of his first three seasons within the NFL. Nonetheless, each he and the Cardinals have struggled down the stretch the previous two seasons. The 5-foot-10, 207-pound QB has put up fairly good numbers, however the Cardinals have completed with a 2-4 file within the ultimate six video games of back-to-back campaigns.
Murray isn’t fully at fault for the late-season faltering. The Cardinals have handled accidents and inconsistency in different areas of the depth chart. Dropping DeAndre Hopkins to damage in the course of the second half of final season was a poison tablet of epic proportions for Arizona. Hopkins will miss the primary six video games of this upcoming season as a result of he tested positive for a banned substance within the NFL’s drug policy. Meaning Murray might want to overcome not having his prime weapon within the combine to start out the season, a interval he has usually thrived in.
That mentioned, the Cardinals have tried to mitigate the injury of Hopkins’ suspension and Christian Kirk’s free agent departure by re-signing A.J. Inexperienced and buying and selling for Marquise “Hollywood” Brown. To ensure that Murray to guide the Cardinals deep into the playoffs and finally the Tremendous Bowl, he must persistently join with gamers apart from Hopkins. Brown could possibly be a large asset in Kliff Kingsbury’s offense, and former Professional Bowl tight finish Zach Ertz has the deep playoff expertise to return up within the clutch. With Brown’s velocity and Inexperienced’s consistency on the surface, Murray ought to be capable of profit from Ertz over the center.
Murray wants to seek out consistency within the winter months of the 12 months. If he and the Cardinals can preserve their momentum intact down the stretch, they might go on an epic run. Whereas the protection has misplaced some key items this offseason, the offense is constructed to place up large numbers. Murray wants to remain wholesome and proceed to be among the many extra correct passers within the league. The offensive line additionally wants to stay collectively and shield him properly.
Do you see any extra offseason strikes occurring for the Eagles?
The Eagles have an open spot on their roster following the discharge of former special-teams captain/cornerback Craig James this week. James has already signed with the New York Jets, however the Eagles haven’t made a corresponding transfer.
Whereas some have speculated that the workforce might have curiosity in buying and selling for Cincinnati Bengals security Jessie Bates III, that transfer is tougher to pull off than most perceive following the franchise tag contract extension deadline. The Eagles would want to surrender a notable asset for Bates with out the safety of a contract extension. Bates has but to signal his franchise tag with the Bengals, and there appears to be no finish in sight to their discord over his deal.
Trying on the Eagles’ depth chart, the one place that would use enhanced depth, simply from a numbers standpoint, is working again. The Eagles have 5 working backs underneath contract: Miles Sanders, Boston Scott, Kenny Gainwell, Jason Huntley, and Kennedy Brooks. That’s the smallest whole within the league getting into coaching camp. Most groups go to camp with six to eight working backs.
A reputation that is sensible for the Eagles is former Denver Broncos and New York Giants working again Devontae Booker, who might play the Jordan Howard function of their backfield rotation. Howard can also be nonetheless a free agent, however given his damage historical past, it’s comprehensible that the Eagles have performed it coy with him.
The protection place would possibly nonetheless go away followers uneasy, however the Eagles’ signing of Jaquiski Tartt seems to be the Band-Assist of the offseason.
Who’re a couple of undrafted gamers who might shock groups and followers and make Week 1 rosters this 12 months?
Talking of the Eagles, undrafted QB Carson Robust looks like a protected wager to make their roster because the third-string QB behind Jalen Hurts and Gardner Minshew. Sure, his fashion drastically differs from Hurts and Minshew’s strengths, however that’s an okay scenario for a third-string, developmental QB. The Eagles gave Robust $320,000 in assured cash, a large sum that signifies that he’s properly considered by the entrance workplace and/or the teaching employees. His solely competitors is perennial follow squad passer Reid Sinnett.
One other fascinating case is New Orleans Saints working again Abram Smith. The previous Baylor working again was projected to be a mid-round choose however fell out of the draft due to some damage issues. Smith was a standout on the Senior Bowl, and his tape is terrific. If he can keep wholesome, he ought to win a job within the Saints’ backfield rotation.
New York Giants fullback Jeremiah Corridor additionally seems to have a promising scenario within the Meadowlands. Because the lone fullback on the roster, Corridor is admittedly competing in opposition to himself. He’s working within the tight finish room, which is unusual for a fullback, but it surely matches what the Giants wish to do with the place. Corridor is an H-back hybrid participant, so having the ability to fill in at tight finish and working again is necessary for the rookie fullback.
Chicago Bears linebacker Jack Sanborn was a shock undrafted participant. He doesn’t face a ton of competitors for a backup gig, and I count on him to be a special-teams standout early on. He has the make-up to be a longtime NFL scrapper as a depth linebacker. He’s additionally a cool story as a neighborhood child.
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