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Reddick

 

Eagles signed a “tweener,” hybrid edge/SAM LB Haasan Reddick from Carolina.  Redick has had tremendous success the last 2 seasons (his final with Arizona, his only with Carolina under his former Temple Head coach Matt Ruhle.  Facts on Reddick signing:

  • 13th pick in 2017 by Arizona in 2017 draft.  A SAM LB who will rush the passer 85+ % of the time.  Will drop back a bit as LB, but not much.
  • Averaged 11.5 sacks and 4 forced fumbles in last 2 seasons, for two different clubs, once allowed to play to his strengths.  Let him do his thing (rush the passer, not drop into coverage), and he's a playmaker.
  • He plays the run well.  Can set the edge even at his size.  Makes plays in the run game too. 
  • A personal goal has been to add 10-15 lbs this off season to add strength while maintaining speed.
  • One negative… He does not get the number of hurries one would expect based on his sack total.
  • He listens, he learns, and he is smart. 
  • Acquired on a 3 year deal in his prime (age 27, turns 28 in Sept.).  Will be 30 when contract expires.
  • Lowest grade by national analysts was a B-. All others higher, to A+.  Overall opinion is this was clearly 1 of the "best" bang for buck signings yesterday (3/14). 

 

My Thoughts:

  • Gotta love Howie. This wasn't plan A (QB change).  Or plan B (Acquire Calvin Ridley and make him comfortable and happy).  But he's smart, & this plan C is cool.
  • I hated the bend don’t break style of Eagle D Defensive coordinator Rich Gannon felt forced to play last year.  It's prove-it time for me in 2022... Let’s see what Gannon does this year with "his" pieces.
  • Gannon wants to adapt his pieces to his D & play it with playmakers.  Gannon will have Reddick vary from wide-9 to 5-technique to 4i for defensive linemen, and the SAM role (handled by Genard Avery & Patrick Johnson last season), but mostly a pass-rushing role. The Coordinator will change up weekly per the offense he faces, and become less predictable.  I want to see if Gannon's intellect & creativity can shine when he's got HIS guys.  And put Reddick in positions he can succeed, not fail.
  • Reddick, as a hybrid SAM LB/edge rusher for that contract (3 years, $45 mil), he's a three down player.  So TJ Edwards will likely be a LB who comes out on 3rd & 5+
  • Anyone desiring it can kiss the idea of a 1st rnd LB pick goodbye.  Eagles WILL draft a LB, but a specialty guy who excels covering TE's.  I think they have their starters (Edwards, Reddick, Davion Taylor).
  • Emphasis round 1 will be D-line & trading 1 of the picks.  If they do anything other than that with a 1st rounder it'll either be a WR or DB depending on how they finish Free Agency, and how the draft falls.  Dark horse- getting a Kelce replacement, but with him returning not sure they’ll do that in first round.

Eagles Lessons: When evaluating (both draft and) free agent activity, one must pursue undervalued playmakers.  Looking for playmakers with cost-benefit inevitably carries risk (with Reddick it’s an undersized edge who had 3 quiet NFL seasons before being allowed to play to his strengths) but has great potential.  Also, don’t always insist on a fulfilling a template for your desired “piece…”  The traditional great edge is 6’5” 265.  Not Reddick.  He’s undersized even as a SAM LB.  But he gets the job done quite well. 

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