Eagles Analysis: Accommodating Assets

Over the past three years, former Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly worked tirelessly to overhaul the roster to fit his vision, pulling weeds and sewing the seeds of the zone-read offense and the 2-gap 3-4. Now, with Doug Pederson and Jim Schwartz presiding over their respective units, it’s more than likely that the roster will be subjected to yet another shift in personnel with the subsequent change in ideology. Still, it remains to be seen just how much of shift is in store. Presuming a calamitous change might be a bit excessive for a number of reasons; one being the unified front the Eagles’ front office is preaching, with another being Jim Schwartz’s pledge to adjust to his personnel. While some have assumed that various players will be discarded as a result of the most recent regime change, I’m not quite as convinced. Here are some players who may or may not become victims of circumstance:

1) Connor Barwin, OLB/DE

Connor Barwin presents a very curious case for a number of conflicting reasons. For one, Barwin falls under the umbrella of the “family” the organization is trying to cultivate, as a valued teammate and locker room leader. The Eagles staff is trying to establish stability, so, in theory, jettisoning a popular teammate, productive player, and overall great guy likely wouldn’t fit that trend. On the other hand, it’s fair to posit that Barwin is much more well suited to operate in the 3-4 as the do-it-all JACK linebacker, just as he did under Billy Davis and Chip Kelly.

The counter to the former would likely be that Barwin is an expensive “character” fit at a hit of $7.35 million in 2016. The fact of the matter is that while he’s certainly a very good football player, it’s difficult to justify paying a projected defensive end –who only ever really hit his stride after converting to 3-4 OLB– an exorbitant sum when he’s not a prolific pass rusher, especially when the FO just signed Vinny Curry to a lucrative deal. This argument certainly has merit, although I tend to disagree to a point. In my opinion, Barwin’s versatility is his most valuable asset in a switch to a 4-3. While he might be a somewhat limited pass-rusher, he’ll have the advantage of serving in a rotational role while potentially playing at the SAM OLB position. Schwartz utilized a similar player in Manny Lawson in the SAM/pass-rusher role while in Buffalo, so it doesn’t appear that he’d be entirely adverse to the idea of using Barwin in a hybrid role.

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Financially/schematically it’s not difficult to justify moving on from Barwin, but I feel as though organizational values coupled with Schwartz’s and Barwin’s flexibility will allow for the marriage to subsist. That being said, I wouldn’t be surprised if the team decided to work out a deal that’d be mutually beneficial for Barwin and the organization; a possible move to a team that provides a better scheme fit, while allowing the Eagles to recoup picks and/or a veteran asset. A little while back, I proposed that the Eagles explore a trade for Bears OLB Willie Young. Young played for Schwartz back in his Detroit days, has proven to be an effective pass-rusher, and wants out of Chicago’s 3-4. In theory, a Barwin-Young swap –perhaps along with a Bears draft pick– could make sense. This move would net the team a cheaper, potentially more effective pass-rusher, and a possible draft asset. Still, it’s all conjecture at the moment, and judging by Schwartz’s comments, it appears Barwin will be sticking around for now (barring a deal that the Eagles can’t refuse).

2) Walter Thurmond III, DB

Despite a productive first season in Philadelphia –while being broken in at a new position, no less– Walter Thurmond has long been considered a virtual certainty to walk in free agency. I was skeptical early on, but following the Eagles recent splurge on contract extensions it appeared that the veteran defensive back was poised to take his talents elsewhere. That is, however, before Comcast Sports’ Geoff Mosher suggested that the Eagles are in fact interested in re-signing Thurmond, and are looking to open up negotiations with his reps at the upcoming NFL scouting combine. It’s difficult to pinpoint Thurmond’s market-value, particularly after the crazy deals that safeties received last offseason, but I’d venture to guess that his injury history will give GM Howie Roseman some leverage in negotiations.

It’s still entirely likely that Thurmond tests free agency, as the Eagles might be turned off by the price; however, his versatility and relative effectiveness displayed under Billy Davis should be a compelling selling-point. When Schwartz turns on the tape, he’ll see a talented, all-purpose coverage player, with plus range and ball-skills. Thurmond seems like a natural complement to a player in Malcolm Jenkins, who Schwartz recently lauded as a stud do-it-all safety. As I mentioned on Twitter, moving on from Thurmond would set the Eagles secondary back. The only alternatives are 1) starting a 3rd or 4th round rookie 2) signing a similar, possibly more expensive player in free agency, or 3) staying in-house, and converting Eric Rowe or another player to safety. The simplest and most obvious solution is sticking with Thurmond, at least in the interim.

3) Jason Peters, OT

This is one move that should be contemplated at a superficial level, but likely won’t be seriously considered. Peters is undoubtedly in decline, but is practically untouchable in the Eagles locker room. He’s a sure-fire future HOFer, and is an unquestioned team-leader. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if Peters’ mid-season dissension wasn’t at least part of the reason Chip Kelly didn’t make it to year 4 of his contract.

This one falls firmly under the category of the “family” feel the organization is attempting to recapture. Peters did have a very uncharacteristic seasons; however, it’s not as though he’s a severe liability. Peters likely hangs on for at least one more season, with the capacity to linger for perhaps another depending on how he has performs. I’d expect for the Eagles to look for a replacement right tackle –Johnson is slated to take over Peters spot on the blind-side– sooner rather than later, but the franchise LT’s job isn’t in imminent danger as some have wondered.

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