In Roob’s Eagles Observations: Figuring out what’s going on with Nakobe Dean
Figuring out what’s going on with Nakobe Dean, a look back at Buddy Ryan’s playoff history and Jason Kelce’s thoughts on the difference between a deli and a diner.
That’s a taste of what’s coming in this week’s edition of Roob’s 10 Random Eagles Offseason Observations.
1. When Zack Baun was taking almost all the 1st-team reps at off-ball linebacker next to Devin White three weeks ago at minicamp, I figured that was just because Nakobe Dean was still working his way back after foot surgery late last year. Then at mandatory minicamp, Dean was a full participant, and Baun was still getting most of the 1st-team reps. Dean mixed in here and there, but based on the practices we’ve seen so far, Baun – a guy I thought wasn’t even a roster lock a month ago – is clearly ahead of Dean on the depth chart. And I’m not sure I understand that. Don’t the Eagles have to find out of Dean can play? He’s the one who’s 23 years old, he’s the one who the Eagles drafted in the third round just two years ago, he’s the one under contract through 2025, he’s the one everybody was so high on. Then he doesn’t play as a rookie and gets hurt last year and now he’s buried behind a 27-year-old on a one-year contract playing a new position? I’m not saying Dean is the answer. I am saying I’d like to see him get at least half the 1st-team snaps just to learn more about him. Maybe once training camp comes around next month he’ll get more run with the 1’s. We’ve seen mostly White and Baun but also a little White and Dean and even some Baun and Dean. But mostly White and Baum. Maybe Dean just needs to do better picking up a fourth defensive scheme in three years. Maybe he’s still working through some things with his foot, although he’s healthy enough to get full reps with the 2’s. Maybe the coaches want him to understand nothing is going to be handed to him. Heck, maybe Baun is just better. He looked fine in the five practices open to the media, although obviously with no pads. I just want to see Nakobe get a fair chance. If he’s not good enough, he’s not good enough.
2. In their three playoff games under Buddy Ryan, the Eagles had 43 offensive possessions. Here’s how they went: 20 punts, nine turnovers, six field goals, two missed field goals, three unsuccessful fourth downs, two end of games and one touchdown.
3. We’ve spent so much time talking about rookie corners Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean as well as newcomer Isaiah Rodgers it’s easy to forget about Kelee Ringo, who got a generous helping of 1st-team reps in last week at mandatory camp. Ringo got a taste of playing time late last year and looked comfortable surrounded by chaos. From what we saw the past few weeks, he’s built on his rookie year and looks terrific. He can run, he’s got great size, and you can tell his confidence has grown exponentially from last year.
I think Cooper is earmarked for 1st-team slot this year with Avonte Maddox backing him up, and Mitchell is still the favorite to win that CB2 spot this summer opposite Darius Slay, but Ringo is going to give him a good battle this summer and I don’t think it’s a given that Mitchell wins that job. Now, when Darius Slay moves on – and that could well be next year – it’s easy to imagine Ringo and Mitchell as the outside starters with DeJean inside and Rodgers as the outside backup if he’s still here. That’s a long way off, but the talent level at corner this year compared to last year is nuts.
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