What They’re Saying About the Eagles

Here’s the latest buzz on the Eagles during the second week of free agency.

Jimmy Kempski details why drafting Ezekiel Elliott would be a waste of resources for the Eagles.

Finding a good running back isn’t like finding a franchise quarterback, a quality offensive tackle, a good cover corner, or a stud edge rusher. Good running backs are easy to find. The other positions, not so much.

Furthermore, you can be exposed if you don’t have a QB, OT, CB, or lack a pass rush, whereas teams routinely have shown they can thrive without a top-flight running back.

Elliott is a great player, and he could pay immediate dividends for an Eagles offense that does not have much in the way of home run threats. Just not at 8.

In response, Tommy Lawlor of Igglesblitz.com wrote a piece called Running Backs Are People Too.

But…too often we forget that draft prospects are people. Individuals. We’re not talking about the Eagles drafting “a RB” at number 8. We’re talking about the Eagles taking Ezekiel Elliott.

My top 3 prospects in the draft are DB Jalen Ramsey, LB Myles Jack and Elliott. There are plenty of other good players, but that trio is the best. If the Eagles have a chance to get any of them, they should strongly consider picking them. That, of course, assumes the Eagles feel the same way I do about them.

I can’t promise you that Elliott won’t be a bust. He could tear his ACL next week or get his contract and be ruined by finally having money in his pocket. The draft is an inexact science.

I can tell you that if the Eagles took Elliott 8th overall, I think it would be a good pick based on what I’ve seen of him. I see an outstanding player with special potential. He reminds me a bit of LaDainian Tomlinson. LT was probably a bit more fluid, while Elliott is a bit more powerful.

Phil Sheridan of EPSN.com thinks the Brandon Brooks signing could be the most beneficial move the Eagles made last week.

Signing a guard is like getting a pair of socks for your birthday. It isn’t particularly exciting, but then you remember what it’s like not to have any. The Eagles experienced that feeling firsthand last year when Chip Kelly cut veteran guards Evan Mathis and Todd Herremans without bothering to replace them. Their entire offense couldn’t function properly. The 6-foot-5, 342-pound Brooks should help restore the offensive line to its former prominence.

In a recent interview with Tennessee radio station 102.5 The Game, DeMarco Murray took responsibility for his shortcomings in Philadelphia.

“I wouldn’t say I was in the wrong relationship at all. They have a great team there, great owner in Jeffrey. Howie and Jeff, they do a great job. They know what they want in the team, personnel wise,” Murray said. “It was just a relationship that didn’t work, for whatever reason. I’m not going to go into the details of that. I have a really good relationship with those guys.”

“But I was very fortunate to work with those guys and get a trade done. Things didn’t work out. I look in the mirror and don’t blame anyone. I take full responsibility for it. I just try to move on and work hard and try to make the best of the opportunity I’m given.”

Bryce Johnston of Over The Cap took a closer look at just how Howie Roseman was able to save the Eagles significant financial losses in his recent spate of trades.

Fortunately for the Eagles – and when I “fortunately” I do not intend to imply that this was accidental – these contracts were structured such that only a small portion of the guaranteed money came in the form of a signing bonus ($5 million out of $18 million for Murray and $6 million out of $25 million for Maxwell). As a result, the Eagles were able to trade away $9 million of the $13 million worth of potential dead money associated with Murray and 11.5 million of the $16.3 million worth of potential dead money associated with Maxwell. The Eagles were also able to trade away $1 million out of $2 million worth of potential dead money associated with Mark Sanchez. The Titans, Dolphins and Broncos, respectively, are now instead responsible for this potential dead money (unless any of these players are traded again prior to the season).

Adam Shefter was on with Anthony Gargano and the 97.5 Morning Show to talk about the Eagles’ prospects of signing free agent defensive tackle Nick Fairley.

“Nick Fairley, I don’t think the Eagles are as in as people say. I texted a few different people. I don’t think you’re going to see that today and I don’t know if you’ll see that at all. We’ll find out.”

Signs still point to Walter Thurmond retiring, reports PFT’s Mike Florio.

Per a league source, Eagles safety Walter Thurmond is currently leaning toward retirement.

Last week, Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Daily News reported that Thurmond was considering walking away at age 28, after four years with the Seahawks, one with the Giants, and one with the Eagles.

Thurmond, according to the source, has opportunities to return, earning in the range of $4 million. But for now Thurmond is closer to calling it quits than coming back for a seventh season. Converted to safety last year by the Eagles after playing cornerback his first five seasons, Thurmond was selected by the Seahawks in the fourth round of the 2010 draft.