What They’re Saying About the Eagles

Here’s a roundup of what the national media are saying about the Eagles this week.

LeSean McCoy is apparently unimpressed by what the Giants have done this offseason. From the New York Post:

“I’m not paying attention to the Giants,” McCoy told The Post at a team-sponsored charity event. “What have they done [this offseason]? Signed some guys. Big deal.”

Ashley Fox of ESPN.com suggests Jeremy Maclin could look to fill the leadership void left by Jason Avant:

The bigger departure, reading between the lines of what Maclin said and didn’t say, was slot receiver Jason Avant, a valued leader in the locker room. When the Eagles released Avant early last month after eight seasons, the team took the unusual step of publicizing statements from owner Jeffrey Lurie, general manager Howie Roseman and Kelly, all of whom praised Avant as a valued member of the organization.

Maclin said other players in the locker room would have to “pick up that slack” and teach younger players how Avant handled work ethic and leadership.

Todd McShay of ESPN.com has the Eagles taking Oklahoma State CB Justin Gilbert at No. 22:

I also considered Anthony Barr and Marqise Lee here, as both would fill need positions and are coming off of very productive careers in the Pac-12 (so there’s more of a familiarity there for Chip Kelly). But Gilbert is a good value at this spot who also fills a need. He is not very physical but has an excellent combination of size and speed to go with very good ball skills and playmaking ability. Gilbert might be able to help out in the return game as well.

Peter King of The MMQB on the making of the NFL schedule:

The joke in the room late Wednesday was the NFL would have to root against the Phillies all summer, because the Eagles are home on potential baseball playoff weekends on Oct. 5 and 12. Lord help the league if the Pirates get hot in October—because the Steelers are home Oct. 20 and 26. And it’s not neighborly to fool with the World Series.

Rob Rang of CBSSports.com thinks LSU WR Odell Beckham Jr. will slide to the Eagles:

Chip Kelly’s offense is built around speedy playmakers who can defeat opponents one-on-one. After releasing DeSean Jackson, Kelly and general manager Howie Roseman are expected to make finding a similarly gifted athlete a priority in the draft. With one of the draft’s best pure athletes slipping to them, replacing Jackson could prove surprisingly easy.

Dan Kadar of SB Nation has the Eagles taking Michigan State CB Darqueze Dennard:

The Eagles need better cornerback play next season and have few good long-term options on the roster. Dennard is a physical cornerback, but he’s athletic enough to work on zone plays. Could this be a landing spot for rising wide receiver Cody Latimer?

Brian Baldinger of the NFL Network goes with Florida State WR Kelvin Benjamin:

The Eagles replace DeSean Jackson with a much bigger target, and Chip Kelly wants to get bigger at that position.

Don Banks of SI.com goes with Oregon State WR Brandin Cooks:

For those predicting Chip Kelly will live to regret the Eagles’ divorce from DeSean Jackson, perhaps you had best wait to see who he replaces him with in the draft. If it’s Cooks, Philly might be in for close to the same type of big-play production. Like Jackson, Cooks is a quick and elusive threat with the ball in his hands, and he’s capable of stretching the field vertically and creating consistent matchup problems for a defense.