Causes for Concern

The Philadelphia Eagles’ 24-20 win over the Dallas Cowboys did not alleviate production and injury concerns facing the team.

On the latest episode of “Inside The Birds,” Geoff Mosher and Adam Caplan dove into the team’s biggest concerns and potential solutions. 

GETTY IMAGES: Philadelphia Eagles WR A.J. Brown had just one target in Week 1 after missing time in training camp due to injury.

Za’Darius Smith

Geoff Mosher: “I like the signing because he does fit what they do. He has played in a defense that requires you to both rush the passer and drop. The reason why he’s here is they want him to rush the passer.”

Adam Caplan: “He’s bigger physically, I would be surprised if they don’t play him inside if they need him to…he was with the Lions last year but making too much money.”

Ben VanSumeren

Mosher: “When you combine the loss of Johnny Wilson, a good blocker out of 11 personnel and the loss of Ben VanSumeren, which now takes away your ability to have 22 personnel, your running game is not as good as it used to be because of the blocking. Saquon had an okay game against Dallas, but not a Saquon Barkley game.”

Landon Dickerson

Mosher: “Now it’s his back that’s becoming a problem coming off the knee surgery. If you’re Jeff Stoutland, you have to be prepared that the sixth offensive lineman that you might want to use to help in the run game, he may have to be your fifth as a starting left guard. I’m concerned about Landon Dickerson this year.”

Caplan: “He’s a big dude, has a lot of weight to him…They have to add somebody to the practice squad, a veteran guard/center, somebody with experience if Dickerson can’t play.”

A.J. Brown

Mosher: “The usage and the way A.J. Brown looked like he was running made me think he’s not 100%. He didn’t look to me like the normal A.J. There weren’t a whole lot of downfield routes for him.”

Jalen Carter

Mosher: “We do know that they are cracking down this year on sportsmanship and personal conduct, so it wouldn’t shock me if there was some kind of discipline here.”

Caplan: “He is going to get fined, but the question is does he get suspended?…They really want to crack down on taunting. Life without Carter is not great.”

Mosher: “Jalen showed some leadership abilities that were pretty good throughout camp and the offseason, but it also goes to show you that you can be one step away from reverting back to what you once were. No Brandon Graham, no Fletcher Cox, no Jason Kelce, they are really missing that kind of leadership element.”

– Benjamin Paul is a staff writer for InsideTheBirds.com.