5 Philadelphia Eagles that won’t be back for another season in 2022
. Anthony Harris, safety. . player. 54. .
Philadelphia Eagles safety Anthony Harris
When the Philadelphia Eagles made the decision to add two former Vikings to the roster, the moves made sense.
Jonathan Gannon, the Eagles’ new defensive coordinator, formerly spent time on Minnesota’s staff from 2014 to 2017 as their assistant defensive backs coach, meaning he spent three seasons getting to know Anthony Harris (2015-2017). That also meant that he had direct knowledge of Wilson who, as we previously mentioned, joined the Vikes as an undrafted rookie in 2017.
Perhaps all of that was key in Philly pursuing both players and none of them making the decision to come to the City of Brotherly Love.
Both signings were low-dollar and low risk when you consider what was available in the free-agency pool, ao. as you might expect, people were thinking of the high-reward component. Again, it made sense, but anyone who follows the Birds knew how this would end.
Neither player has really been a difference-maker. Now, we picked on Wilson earlier, but we also have to say that some of the outcomes have been because of the fact that they’ve been handicapped because of the scheme and playcalling of their defensive coordinator.
What’s unfortunate is Philly’s defense has been so vanilla, stagnant, and predictable that we can’t give a fair critique on whether Harris’ inability to be a consistent playmaker despite tallying 39 total tackles, a pass breakup and an interception, is a result of something he’s lacking or not.
Defensively, this team lacks an aggressive nature. They’re too passive, but when all is said and done, Smith, who recorded 104 tackles in 2020, will be dismissed as a bad signing when, if used properly, he could have been so much more and a very valuable part of the organization.