Marcus Epps drives a much-needed wedge into a slight revolving door we’ve seen from the Eagles at the safety position.
When the door slammed shut on an embarrassing 31-15 Wild Card Round loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a game that was never as close as the score might lead you to believe, thoughts shifted to what was necessary to make the Philadelphia Eagles better. The needs were obvious.
It didn’t take much to create an offseason shopping list because, heck, we keep asking for the same thing every year like a disappointed child that never gets what they ask for on Christmas.
How long have we been saying this team needs wide receivers? We’ve probably said that for as long as we’ve been asking for cornerbacks, linebackers, and depth at safety and running back, right?
Well, Santa Claus heard us (finally). The past three months, even though we were confused about what the team was doing sometimes, have felt like a party.
The Eagles have capable receivers at wide receiver (DeVonta Smith, Greg Ward, Quez Watkins). They’ve also added one of the game’s best. A.J. Brown. You already know what they’ve done at cornerback with the addition of James Bradberry and the upgrades they’ve made at linebacker.
No one would complain if Jessie Bates was added, but if he isn’t, the Birds are fine with Marcus Epps. Sometimes, the big splash isn’t needed. Sometimes, it’s better to roll with what’s already in place.
Here’s a message for the Birds and their coaches. This is why positional coaches are hired. Let these guys grow up together. Allow Marcus Epps to make mistakes and take his lumps. All he’s needed is an opportunity.
He didn’t crack last season, and with another year of experience under his belt, it’s unlikely that he’ll crack during the 2022-2023 NFL season if he’s asked to step in and make plays.