Welcome to The Linc, the daily Philadelphia Eagles links roundup at Bleeding Green Nation!
Jalen Carter spoke to reporters on Wednesday after previously declining to answer questions after Monday night’s loss to the Dallas Cowboys. Wasn’t a great look for him to dodge the media after a no-show performance by the defense. Carter clearly isn’t a “trash” player but he’s certainly not living up to the expectations that come with being the highest-paid interior defensive lineman in the NFL. It’s not hard
to understand how he could be frustrated, especially while playing through a hairline fracture in his wrist. But I’m not sure including this line about fan expectations is very productive.
Let’s get to the Philadelphia Eagles news and links …
What will it take for Jalen Carter to dominate more consistently? – NBCSP
How does Carter think he’s playing? “I think ya’ll ask me this every year and I say trash,” Carter said. “So trash. I think you asked me this last year and the year before and I gave you the same answer. So trash. Not to my expectations and I guess not to what the fans want, even though it don’t really matter what they want.” Carter isn’t trash, obviously. No one thinks that. He’s a great young talent who needs to turn into a consistently great player.
The Eagles’ lousy season has been full of what-ifs. Let’s answer some of them. – Inquirer
What if the Eagles hadn’t extended Jalen Carter’s contract before this season? In July, the Eagles made Carter the highest-paid defensive tackle in the NFL, handing him a four-year deal worth as much as $160 million. Much was made of how long it took the two sides to reach this agreement — it was announced within 24 hours of the start of training camp — but in reality, the Eagles signed Carter as soon as they could. He was eligible for a new contract after his third NFL season, and he had finished his third NFL season. Now, Carter is so talented — and the Eagles invested so much in him, trading up to draft him with the No. 9 overall pick in 2023 — that one could make a good case that they had no choice but to sign him. They weren’t going to let him walk away in free agency in a couple of years, and if he had an outstanding 2026, it would have been only more expensive to sign him. But aside from one game, that 19-17 loss to Jacksonville in London on Oct. 11, he has not been outstanding, and through his first three seasons, he has been genuinely great for, what, a season-and-a-half? For the first nine weeks of 2023 and all of 2024? What’s more, from his spitting incident last season to his refusal to take public accountability for his and the defense’s subpar performances this season, he has shown few signs if any that he’s maturing into the on-field game-wrecker and off-field leader the Eagles need him to be. Had the Eagles waited to give him the extension, if he were still playing now on his rookie contract, would they be getting a better, more motivated Carter? If they had been more patient, might they have reconsidered letting Milton Williams — who in New England has been every bit as good as Carter, if not better — sign elsewhere?
Commanders cornerback guarantees Washington will beat the Eagles in Week 8 – BGN
Well, if it’s bulletin-board material that will help the Philadelphia Eagles win a football game to snap their five-game losing streak, the Washington Commanders just gave them some. Speaking after practice on Wednesday, Commanders cornerback Amik Robertson guaranteed that his team will beat the Eagles.
Ten hypothetical NFL trade deadline deals that could swing the Super Bowl race – The Athletic
4) DT Moro Ojomo to the Bills. Compensation: Third-round pick. After missing out on Buckner, the Bills could make a splash for a young defensive tackle with loads of potential. Last season, when Ojomo started nine games, he finished with six sacks. He’s just 25, and he could be even more effective in a system like Jim Leonhard’s that gives him freedom to get upfield more often. The Eagles already gave Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter big extensions, so they likely would let Ojomo walk after the season. With their season falling apart, the wise move would be to trade Ojomo, who could be a game-changer for the Bills as a run stuffer and interior pass rusher. He also fits into Buffalo’s 3-4 scheme. Pairing Ojomo with budding star Deone Walker would be a move for this season and the future.
NFL QB rankings, Week 8: Joe Burrow, Caleb Williams hit season high; Patrick Mahomes slides – NFL.com
25) Tanner McKee found some success early against the Cowboys’ leaky defense on Monday night, but he couldn’t sustain the production long enough to keep up with the Dallas offense. It’s still clear he’s an inexperienced backup, but he’s playing with an injury-ravaged cast that lowers the ceiling for the entire offense.
The Longest Autumn – PHLY Eagles
I know Howie Roseman understands what needs to happen to this roster. This is an organization facing difficult decisions, and those decisions have to be made. But the fascinating question now isn’t simply who stays and who goes. It’s how we find meaning in the rest of this season? How do we remain invested when the stakes that once consumed our Sundays are suddenly gone? Because I don’t want to give up football in October. I don’t want to spend the next three months pretending to care about the gutters. I want to care about the Birds. And today, that’s what we’re going to figure out. How do you survive the longest autumn?
NFL Told Saquon Barkley to Divest Polymarket Stake – Front Office Sports
Saquon Barkley was forced to divest his equity stake in Polymarket because NFL players are not allowed to invest in or endorse gambling or prediction-market companies under league rules, the Eagles running back told Front Office Sports. A profile of Barkley revealed last September that Polymarket was among his start-up investments. But at some point between then and this past summer, the league told players they are not allowed to have financial interests in prediction-market platforms. “I am not in that right now,” Barkley told FOS. “I am not allowed to be in that.”
How will the Giants resolve their quarterback ‘problem’ if J.J. McCarthy continues to play well? – Big Blue View
The question is: Which quarterback is better, and what should the Giants do with the one who is not the answer to that question? Originally I thought there was a chance the Giants might flip McCarthy to a contending team in the other conference before the trade deadline (which is two days after the Giants’ next game, in Philadelphia). Now I can’t imagine that happening unless McCarthy and the Giants lay such a big egg in Philly that it changes the team’s view of him.
Flaws and flash carry the Cowboys past the Eagles – Blogging The Boys
The Dallas Cowboys delivered a performance against the Philadelphia Eagles that was both encouraging and concerning, showcasing their offensive potential and their lingering bad habits on defense. While a 17-point win over a bitter divisional rival is always pleasing, a closer look at the film shows a team still trying to completely put it all together. Let’s highlight some specific elements that jumped out at us after further review.
Washington Commanders vs. Eagles on SNF Week 8: Inside the Matchup – Hogs Haven
Unfortunately for Quinn and the Commanders, the Eagles’ weaknesses mirror their own. While Philadelphia’s defense ranks 31st with a 28.7% pressure rate, the Commanders’ offensive line is allowing pressure 39.9% of the time. Similarly, while the Eagles offensive line is allowing pressure with a 41.7% rate, Washington’s defense ranks 17th in pressures with a 34.4% pressure rate and each defense has been extremely poor at generating quick pressures. Both teams have been bad in the trenches, but something will have to give on Sunday night.
Jeffrey Simmons trade grades for Bears-Titans blockbuster for massive haul of picks – SB Nation
The Chicago Bears cemented their playoff run on Thursday by landing one of the NFL’s best defensive tackles, sending a massive haul to the Tennessee Titans for All-Pro Jeffrey Simmons. Chicago is sending two first-round picks, and a fourth-round pick to Tennessee to Simmons — who will immediately revamp a defensive line that was in dire need of interior pressure. The Bears also got a 2028 fifth round pick back in the deal, per Adam Schefter. It’s a major investment for the Bears, a sign that the Titans need to rebuild on defense, and the success of this team hinges on what Chicago is able to achieve in the next three-to-four years.
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