The Eagles Should Continue to Take Chances on Players with “Locker Room Issues”
Back in 2009, the Philadelphia Eagles shocked the sports world by signing Michael Vick to a two-year contract. Vick’s skill on the field was second to none. He had a unique style of play that the NFL had not seen before and succeeded with it.
However, there were off-field issues that troubled many from an ethical standpoint. In 2007, Vick’s NFL career was put on hold after being sentenced to 21 months in prison for involvement in a dog fighting ring. After his time spent in prison, Michael Vick was a free agent and wanted another chance in the NFL.
Every year, athletes across the NFL are benched, fined, suspended, or even released for various reasons. It is a problem that the NFL has struggled with a long time. Players struggle with the fame and put their ego aside, finding themselves abusing drugs, arguing with coaches, or even using violence upon others. These players are penalized appropriately, but most then believe that they should return to the football field where they are unwanted by many teams and fans. Most of the time, these players just need a second chance to right their wrongs and contribute to a team.
This season hosted its fair share of similar issues. At the start of the year, the Steelers fail to come to an agreement with Le’Veon Bell which caused him to sit out the entire year, Josh Gordon removed himself from the NFL due to drug abuse, Kareem Hunt was released from the Chiefs organization after leaked footage of a domestic violence incident and Antonio Brown’s disagreements with his coaches resulted in him sitting on the bench for a crucial week 17 matchup, just to name a few. All of these players are exceptional athletes and unfortunately got caught up in selfishness and poor choices. However, all of them have paid the consequences and will soon be looking for a second chance in the league.
After signing Michael Vick paid off for the Eagles, the team most recently brought in defensive end Michael Bennett who was perceived to be a “locker room cancer” and the trade received a lot of hate. People were afraid that Bennett’s attitude would disrupt the locker room and ruin the bond between the players. Instead, Bennett was one of the most productive players on the defensive side of the ball for the Eagles and fit into the locker seamlessly.
There were no issues because of the culture that has been established in Philadelphia. First, the team is lead by General Manager Howie Roseman and Head Coach Doug Pederson who are both highly respected. Beyond that, the captains of the team: Carson Wentz, Lane Johnson, Fletcher Cox, Malcolm Jenkins and Kamu Grugier-Hill are all great leaders and influence the culture of the team. Everyone seems to get along together and have fun winning as a team as well as look forward to improving from mistakes to be the best that they can be. If a player in the league wants a second chance, they would fit in with the Eagles very well and find their home in Philadelphia, as we have seen.
The 2019 offseason will feature many big names available through free agency or trade that the Eagles may target and give a chance in Philadelphia. These names include: Le’Veon Bell, Antonio Brown, and Jalen Ramsey. Previously on the radar: Running Back Kareem Hunt who has signed with the Cleveland Browns 2/11/19.
Photo: Clutch Points
First of all, Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown. They are two of the most dynamic players in the NFL who deserve to be paid well and utilized in an offense that respects their skills. Bell will be a free agent looking to be paid upwards of $20M a season to be compensated for his ability as a runner and receiver. As we have seen when he is on the field, he is an elite back that can break off for long runs and even create mismatches in the passing game. If he is given the money that he deserves, Bell will be very satisfied and will be ready to contribute to an offense. The Eagles have shown that running back is one of, if not the biggest hole on the roster and need to find a player who can help revive the running game in Philadelphia. Bell can do this, but at a hefty price. Acquiring Bell through free agency would use up a lot of cap space so that it would be one of just a few signings the Eagles would manage but it would be worth it.
Photo: ESPN
Antonio Brown is in a similar situation. He has been unhappy with his usage in Pittsburgh and has argued with QB Ben Roethlisberger and Head Coach Mike Tomlin on multiple occasions. His antics caused him to miss the Steelers week 17 game. Unlike his former teammate Bell, Brown will not be a free agent and would likely be traded so that the Steelers can benefit from getting rid of him and have a say in where he lands. Antonio Brown holds another hefty price tag and will collect over $20M in the 2019 season. Although expensive, the dynamic wide receiver would immediately upgrade the Eagles wide receiver corps and would find himself opposite Alshon Jeffery, another great receiver. Having both Brown and Jeffery on the outside and Agholor and Ertz work in the middle of the field would give Carson Wentz weapons everywhere he looks on the field and could be the start of the most dynamic offense in the NFL.
Photo: The Ringer
On the other side of the ball, cornerback has been an issue with the Eagles due to a plethora of injuries including Jalen Mills, Ronald Darby, Sidney Jones and Rodney McLeod Jr who were all week 1 starters. Although the Eagles will be getting a couple of these players back next season, there may be a chance to trade for on of the best cornerbacks in the league, Jalen Ramsey. Ramsey has always been a overly confident player and expressed that confidence across the league whether it is calling out other players or getting into scuffles on the field. The Jaguars are a struggling team and may decide to cut ties with Ramsey in hopes to rebuild and get rid of one of their best players who has been causing them headaches. If Ramsey is available via trade, the Eagles should be one of the teams that call asking for the price. Although Ramsey likes to run his mouth, confidence is one of the traits that corners need and his play backs it up. Like Michael Bennett, a trade for Jalen Ramsey would cause a lot of backlash in Philadelphia but it is a trade that would likely pay off for the Eagles. The team’s culture would help Ramsey calm down and he would quickly become the best corner on the team.
Although all of these players have their own individual problems, varying from contract disputes to domestic violence, they are all elite players in the NFL that can contribute to positions of need for the Eagles.
As we have seen, the Eagles have taken risks on similar players and they have paid off. I am confident in the Eagles team culture and leaders to mold any of these players from their troubled past with their previous teams to a Philadelphia Eagle who will not only contribute, but more importantly: better themselves as a person.
Featured Photo: ESPN
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Categorized:Eagles