Nick Piccone
The best move the Eagles have made since firing Chip Kelly was hiring Jim Schwartz as their defensive coordinator. I think he may be a little overrated, but compared to Billy Davis, anyone that replaces the now former Eagles defensive coordinator would have been overrated anyway. Hell, people probably would’ve loved Juan Castillo to come back as the team’s defensive coordinator over Billy Davis.
While my tongue is planted firmly in my cheek at this point, Eliot Shorr-Parks of NJ Advance Media is reporting the top priority for the Eagles at this point is to re-sign three top players: Vinny Curry, Zach Ertz and Lane Johnson.
The Eagles have reportedly already shown interest in re-signing Curry by offering him a “firm” contract right after the season ended. Everyone expects Schwartz to re-install a 4-3 defense, and Curry would fit right into the new system. He’s a playmaker when he’s on the field, but doesn’t see the field nearly as much as his playmaking ability dictates he should. And the rumor is the Giants are high on signing him, so it would be a double blow if the Eagles were not able to.
When Lane Johnson isn’t trashing the fans or commandeering a bus over the figurative carcass of Chip Kelly, he actually plays pretty well. He’s played both right and left tackle and is arguably the best offensive lineman the team has right now. The offensive line has been a problem the last two years, but Johnson wasn’t exactly one of them – until he took a stupid penalty. Three times. In a row. OK, maybe I’m exaggerating. But that’s what it felt like.
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Zach Ertz is probably the best receiving threat the team has right now, and he’s currently set to become a free agent after next season. Re-signing him makes the most sense because whoever is quarterbacking this Eagles team next season needs someone like Ertz. He makes a lot of plays but was also hampered by a couple injuries this past season. But re-signing him would probably prove to be well worth it. Doug Pederson has also helped turn the Chiefs’ Travis Kelce [yes, Jason’s brother] into a monster tight end, joining the elite. That bodes well for Ertz.
I’m not sure how I would react if the Eagles couldn’t keep these three, but it probably wouldn’t be good. It’s a good thing to hear that these three guys are a top priority for Doug Pederson to keep in the fold.