Fran Duffy is in love with Eagles addition of Ronald Darby
If Fran Duffy says the Eagles adding Ronald Darby is a good thing, we all can rest a little easy.
Fran Duffy may have talked us into it. “He can cover anybody”. That was part of the title of one of his latest pieces. One that discusses the trade that resulted in the Philadelphia Eagles sending wide receiver Jordan Matthews packing and bringing cornerback Ronald Darby to town. Before we get into that, let’s get you caught up.
Monday morning on 94 WIP-FM’s Morning Show with Angelo Cataldi, the morning team talked a little football. In a poll that was being run almost simultaneously, they asked one of the biggest questions of the last few days. How do Eagles fans feel about the team trading Matthews for Darby?
At the time of this writing, as expected, the results are split just about evenly between total support and uncertainty. Some love it. Some need to see a little more before they can totally agree with the decision.
Take a second to cast your vote and look for yourself:
How do you rate Howie Roseman's trade of Jordan Matthews and a third-round draft pick for Ronald Darby?
— WIP Morning Show (@WIPMorningShow) August 14, 2017
As mentioned, Fran Duffy, the content manager for the Philadelphia Eagles, loves the move. In the most recent Eagle Eye In The Sky Podcast, the Darby debate was part of what was on the table for discussion. That can be heard by clicking here. Duffy’s analysis of Darby doesn’t end there. This morning, he showed one of the newest Eagles love by tweeting some of his film. Honestly, if this stuff doesn’t get you a little excited, you may need to check your pulse.
Take a look:
Shot number one:
Shot 1 - 2 picture perfect examples of Darby's ability to stay 'in-phase', keeping him in position to play the ball. All starts w/ his SPEED pic.twitter.com/6shK0QhqW8
— Fran Duffy (@EaglesXOs) August 12, 2017
Shot number two (Darby staying ‘in-phase’):
Shot 2 - Speed not only lets you stay in-phase from the snap but it also gives you the chance to recover. This is outstanding makeup speed pic.twitter.com/isXtQdBd14
— Fran Duffy (@EaglesXOs) August 12, 2017
Shot number three (recovery time):
Shot 3 - Watch Darby 'click & close' on this slant route from OBJ. This is also where his ease of movement and explosiveness come into play pic.twitter.com/7n6u8Af2Uu
— Fran Duffy (@EaglesXOs) August 12, 2017
Shot number four (‘clicking and closing’):
Shot 4 - Darby's quickness and COD skills are also apparent at the top of route breaks. Watch him here against Kenny Stills / Nuk Hopkins pic.twitter.com/v4cm2t4hf0
— Fran Duffy (@EaglesXOs) August 12, 2017
Shot number five (change of direction):
Shot 5 - There are times where Darby can get turned around in coverage, but watch how well he recovers here for the PBU. Top-end athleticism pic.twitter.com/uUDAXnBIHW
— Fran Duffy (@EaglesXOs) August 12, 2017
Shot number six (recovering after getting turned around):
Shot 6 - You're not supposed to break up passes against routes that look like this. Unbelievably athletic play by Darby here. #Eagles pic.twitter.com/87YM5dMP3h
— Fran Duffy (@EaglesXOs) August 12, 2017
He posted more, but you get the idea. Darby scares quite a few Eagles fans because of what they’ve seen from the cornerback position over the last few years. Throw in the Nnamdi Asomugha and Byron Maxwell signings and things can reach panic level.
Is Darby truly the answer? Obviously, time will tell, but Duffy does give him a glowing endorsement. In his words, “He can cover anybody”. The full story can be found here. Meanwhile, hearing good news from someone who follows the Eagles’ every move so closely is always going to grab headlines and attention. His glowing endorsement should help with the uneasiness. For right now at least.