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The DiCecco Daily: Are Eagles Better Or Worse At Cornerback? · Inside the Birds: A Philadelphia Eagles Podcast

• 0:09
  Speaker 1: What's going on? Everyone?
• 0:10
  Speaker 2: Welcome into another episode of the check O dely Andrew
• 0:13
  Speaker 2: de Checo. Here he goes beat reporter friends side the
• 0:15
  Speaker 2: Birds dot Com. Another episode of Better, Worse or the Same,
• 0:18
  Speaker 2: And we're gonna look at the cornerback position the twenty
• 0:21
  Speaker 2: twenty five version versus the group that the Eagles have
• 0:24
  Speaker 2: assembled thus far going into twenty twenty six and twenty
• 0:28
  Speaker 2: twenty five. I'm not even gonna talk about Quinjon Mitchell
• 0:31
  Speaker 2: or Cooper Degen because they're obviously the head of the class,
• 0:34
  Speaker 2: among the best players in the NFL at their respected positions.
• 0:38
  Speaker 2: Cooper Dejene being a nickel corner who can be effective
• 0:43
  Speaker 2: in the run game. He can affect all three levels
• 0:46
  Speaker 2: and he's sort of the quarterback of the secondary in
• 0:49
  Speaker 2: the sense that he is really good at reading the
• 0:51
  Speaker 2: quarterback size and getting involved in the tackling aspect and
• 0:55
  Speaker 2: just being in the middle of the action. Then Quinjon
• 0:57
  Speaker 2: Mitchell completely erasing his side of the field. And both
• 1:01
  Speaker 2: players are coming into their own if you can believe that,
• 1:05
  Speaker 2: because they're coming off on OUH pro campaign, but they're.
• 1:08
  Speaker 1: Coming into their own even more.
• 1:10
  Speaker 2: And so I think twenty twenty six is going to
• 1:13
  Speaker 2: be next level for both players, but beyond that. They
• 1:16
  Speaker 2: brought in Adri Jackson last offseason to challenge Keelee Ringo,
• 1:22
  Speaker 2: who was a holdover and a former fourth round pick
• 1:25
  Speaker 2: in twenty twenty three, and that was the training camp
• 1:28
  Speaker 2: battle they would trade days with being with the first
• 1:31
  Speaker 2: team defense. They didn't see enough there from either one
• 1:35
  Speaker 2: of them that gave them that confidence. They traded for
• 1:37
  Speaker 2: Jacorean Bennett from the Raiders. They send over Thomas Booker
• 1:41
  Speaker 2: and you know Jacorean Bennett will get to him in
• 1:45
  Speaker 2: a little while. But I want to back up to
• 1:47
  Speaker 2: Adri Jackson because whatever the Eagles did to challenge Adri Jackson,
• 1:54
  Speaker 2: he ended up being the last man standing. He was
• 1:57
  Speaker 2: able to kind of off Kiey Ringo and Jacoreyan Bennett.
• 2:03
  Speaker 2: He had a rough patch early in the year, especially
• 2:06
  Speaker 2: the first couple of weeks. He settled in, came out
• 2:08
  Speaker 2: with an interception against the Chargers and kind of stabilized
• 2:12
  Speaker 2: that position. Wasn't targeted all that much. I was surprised
• 2:17
  Speaker 2: that teams didn't look to exploit him, and he wasn't perfect,
• 2:20
  Speaker 2: but I thought he did a solid enough job and
• 2:22
  Speaker 2: should deserve some props for being able to do that
• 2:26
  Speaker 2: and rebounding from a shaky start. He's still a free agent,
• 2:29
  Speaker 2: by the way, at the time of this recording, but
• 2:32
  Speaker 2: kiely Ringo the team was given him chances and it
• 2:36
  Speaker 2: was very obvious.
• 2:37
  Speaker 1: It's been obvious to me.
• 2:40
  Speaker 2: Even going back to twenty twenty three and watching him
• 2:43
  Speaker 2: coming out of Georgia that he's a physical player. He's
• 2:46
  Speaker 2: a toolsy player, but he doesn't have the hip flexibility,
• 2:51
  Speaker 2: never located the football particularly well when it was in
• 2:54
  Speaker 2: the air, and doesn't play it well. It just doesn't
• 2:57
  Speaker 2: look comfortable out there, especially in trans position, and so
• 3:01
  Speaker 2: when he got his opportunity, he was not able to
• 3:04
  Speaker 2: take it and.
• 3:05
  Speaker 1: Run with it.
• 3:06
  Speaker 2: There were a few positive moments, but more often than not,
• 3:09
  Speaker 2: there were a lot of blemishes in his game and
• 3:11
  Speaker 2: he was susceptible to giving up plays and so eventually
• 3:15
  Speaker 2: it made it kind of easy for the Eagles to
• 3:16
  Speaker 2: defer to with Dori Jackson, and they made the right choice.
• 3:20
  Speaker 2: Jaquorian Bennett never really factored into the defensive equation. He
• 3:24
  Speaker 2: was hurt after Week three, suffered a peck injury on
• 3:28
  Speaker 2: that Jordan Davis Field goldblock at the end there, and
• 3:34
  Speaker 2: he never really factored in defensively for the rest of
• 3:37
  Speaker 2: the season. When he came back, he was playing a
• 3:40
  Speaker 2: handful of snaps on special teams and it wasn't until
• 3:43
  Speaker 2: the season finale where he played corner was penalized multiple times. Handsy,
• 3:48
  Speaker 2: a little grabby, and we'll see maybe now with a
• 3:53
  Speaker 2: full offseason, who will have an opportunity to play a
• 3:58
  Speaker 2: little bit faster, maybe look and figure out what he
• 4:01
  Speaker 2: needs to do to tap into the player that he
• 4:04
  Speaker 2: was at certain points.
• 4:05
  Speaker 1: In his Raiders' career.
• 4:06
  Speaker 2: And he's not allowed to make the team, but I
• 4:09
  Speaker 2: think you like the skill set and what he could
• 4:11
  Speaker 2: potentially bring is a fifth or sixth corner. But not
• 4:16
  Speaker 2: feeling too confident about Jackorey and Bennett, He's kind of
• 4:19
  Speaker 2: just a death player scratching to make the roster. That's
• 4:23
  Speaker 2: the way that I'm going into this year. And then
• 4:25
  Speaker 2: mac McWilliams was a fifth round pick out of UCF.
• 4:28
  Speaker 2: He didn't really play last year. He was active for
• 4:31
  Speaker 2: a handful of games and played as smattering a special
• 4:35
  Speaker 2: team snaps and it wasn't until the Giants blowout that
• 4:39
  Speaker 2: he played some defense, and then he did.
• 4:42
  Speaker 1: In the season finale as well.
• 4:45
  Speaker 2: So he do take into the equation Dory Jackson, Keelee, Ringo,
• 4:51
  Speaker 2: Jackorey and Bennett at mac McWilliams, which is important as
• 4:53
  Speaker 2: we turn the page to twenty twenty six, Quina, Mitron,
• 4:57
  Speaker 2: Cooper Degene speak for themselves. They signed Reek Wollen in
• 4:59
  Speaker 2: free and see FREEK one tools the Athletics six foot three,
• 5:03
  Speaker 2: six foot four signed to a one year deal worth
• 5:06
  Speaker 2: about twelve million. So you're getting someone with something to prove.
• 5:10
  Speaker 2: You couple the skill set and the rare size with
• 5:14
  Speaker 2: that with someone who is who is aware that you
• 5:18
  Speaker 2: put together a good season, you're gonna put yourself in
• 5:21
  Speaker 2: position to make some money. And I think you always
• 5:24
  Speaker 2: bet on upside and you bet on tools, and that
• 5:27
  Speaker 2: is an upgrade over Dori Jackson, and he will be
• 5:31
  Speaker 2: the starter.
• 5:33
  Speaker 1: And this is a former pro bowler.
• 5:35
  Speaker 2: He was a pro bowler as a rookie still young,
• 5:38
  Speaker 2: Dory was on the older side. So right there, I
• 5:41
  Speaker 2: think they've upgraded from a starting perspective.
• 5:44
  Speaker 1: Then you have the backup players.
• 5:45
  Speaker 2: Jonathan Jones signs in free agency and he played in
• 5:49
  Speaker 2: twelve games, started seven last season for the Commanders. I
• 5:52
  Speaker 2: think you feel good about that with him as your
• 5:54
  Speaker 2: fourth corner. Can help you on special teams. He can
• 5:57
  Speaker 2: give you cornerback versatility, nickel and also maybe even moonlight
• 6:01
  Speaker 2: at safety if need be. Michael Carter the second is
• 6:05
  Speaker 2: listed as a corner, he's a defensive back. The Eagles
• 6:11
  Speaker 2: are gonna look at him as a safety as well
• 6:14
  Speaker 2: to add that to some of the hats that will wear,
• 6:17
  Speaker 2: So keep an eye on that. I like Michael Carter
• 6:20
  Speaker 2: the player and I like him as the person as well.
• 6:24
  Speaker 1: Great talking to him.
• 6:26
  Speaker 2: Mac McWilliams is still there, but he's gonna have to
• 6:29
  Speaker 2: fight to make the roster. I think knowing that he
• 6:31
  Speaker 2: can play inside or outside is a bonus, but he's
• 6:34
  Speaker 2: gonna have to help him on special teams. Jacorey and
• 6:37
  Speaker 2: Bennett I kind of alluded to his prospects going into
• 6:40
  Speaker 2: this year. Maybe another year within the defense gives him
• 6:44
  Speaker 2: some more confidence, and I think there's always something to
• 6:49
  Speaker 2: be said for a player that has something to prove,
• 6:52
  Speaker 2: so he would fall into that category. And I think
• 6:55
  Speaker 2: as a fifth corner, let's say, you can certainly do
• 6:58
  Speaker 2: a lot worse than Jacorey and be maybe even a
• 7:01
  Speaker 2: sixth corner. I'm not sure how much he can help
• 7:03
  Speaker 2: on special teams, which could factor into the equation. That's
• 7:06
  Speaker 2: where kie Ringo comes into play. Just imagine kiey Ringo
• 7:10
  Speaker 2: and J. T. Gray as your gunners.
• 7:11
  Speaker 1: J T.
• 7:12
  Speaker 2: Gray one of the best special teams players in the league.
• 7:15
  Speaker 2: Kiey Ringo one of the best gunners.
• 7:18
  Speaker 1: In the NFL. But I don't view keey.
• 7:21
  Speaker 2: Ringo as someone who's going to have another opportunity to
• 7:25
  Speaker 2: earn some defensive reps.
• 7:27
  Speaker 1: I think the book has probably closed there.
• 7:29
  Speaker 2: They've given him a lot of opportunities twenty three, twenty
• 7:32
  Speaker 2: four last season, of course, and I think if he
• 7:35
  Speaker 2: does stick, it will be primarily on special teams. But
• 7:38
  Speaker 2: if you're looking at who's the better overall cornerback at
• 7:42
  Speaker 2: the position, that would be Jacorey and Bennett.
• 7:44
  Speaker 1: But if you're the fifth corner, you.
• 7:47
  Speaker 2: Got to be able to help on special teams to
• 7:50
  Speaker 2: sort of justify that game day value. And so that'll
• 7:53
  Speaker 2: be an interesting one to keep an eye on. Tury
• 7:55
  Speaker 2: Castro Fields comes back. He was signed a reserve futures deal.
• 7:59
  Speaker 2: He's a young player that is mostly just going to
• 8:01
  Speaker 2: be getting reps in training camp. Obviously a long shot
• 8:04
  Speaker 2: to make the team, played in a few games in
• 8:07
  Speaker 2: the NFL, and.
• 8:10
  Speaker 1: Yeah, we'll We'll have to wait and see how it goes.
• 8:13
  Speaker 2: But I think all the names that I ran through,
• 8:15
  Speaker 2: all the slotting of the players, I think makes a
• 8:19
  Speaker 2: big difference because now you're not relying on adri Jackson, Keithley,
• 8:23
  Speaker 2: Ringo or Jacorey and Bennett to play meaningful snaps. They're
• 8:26
  Speaker 2: now vying for depth roles. You've solidified the cornerback two
• 8:30
  Speaker 2: spot with Riek one. And I'm always very careful not
• 8:34
  Speaker 2: to put the expectations sky high because that would be
• 8:37
  Speaker 2: that would be wrong. There's quite there's reason for skepticism,
• 8:40
  Speaker 2: but there's also reasons for optimism about bringing in a
• 8:42
  Speaker 2: player like that, and it is a clear upgrade. And
• 8:45
  Speaker 2: they could also draft a player at the position in
• 8:49
  Speaker 2: the draft to add even more competition. But I like
• 8:51
  Speaker 2: where the Eagles stand right now all things considered, So
• 8:54
  Speaker 2: I think the twenty twenty six group, at least on paper,
• 8:58
  Speaker 2: is slated to be better or more superior than the
• 9:02
  Speaker 2: group of last season.
• 9:03
  Speaker 1: And that's always the goal. Strive for improvement.
• 9:06
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  Speaker 2: The Eagles also make a free agent addition and full disclosure.
• 11:29
  Speaker 2: I'm not at the owners meetings in Arizona, but according
• 11:33
  Speaker 2: to a lot of the reporters who were there, Howie
• 11:35
  Speaker 2: Roseman mentioned that the Eagles are signing edge rusher Joe
• 11:40
  Speaker 2: Tryon Sho Yanka And just a little bit of a
• 11:43
  Speaker 2: background on him.
• 11:45
  Speaker 1: He's twenty six years old.
• 11:47
  Speaker 2: He was a first round pick in twenty twenty one
• 11:49
  Speaker 2: of the Tempa Bay Buccaneers. He played his first four
• 11:52
  Speaker 2: years there. Signs with the Cleveland Browns in twenty twenty
• 11:56
  Speaker 2: five and plays in about half the games. Is traded
• 12:01
  Speaker 2: at the deadline for a seventh round pick to the
• 12:03
  Speaker 2: Chicago Bears and in exchange for a sixth round pick.
• 12:10
  Speaker 2: And so you like his size at six five, two
• 12:13
  Speaker 2: fifty nine. He's a younger player, so maybe there's still,
• 12:19
  Speaker 2: theoretically at least room for him to continue to grow.
• 12:23
  Speaker 1: He's athletic. I liked him coming out of Washington.
• 12:26
  Speaker 2: Appeared in eighty two games, forty five starts, fifteen sacks,
• 12:32
  Speaker 2: one hundred and sixty career tackles, eight pass defended, two
• 12:36
  Speaker 2: forced fumbles. His best season came in twenty twenty three
• 12:40
  Speaker 2: with the Buccaneers, where he produced five sacks. So he'll
• 12:44
  Speaker 2: now add to an edge rush room that includes Jaywix Hunt,
• 12:48
  Speaker 2: Nolan Smith, Jose Ramirez, Arnold A Bacadie, and we'll see
• 12:55
  Speaker 2: where it goes, because they're obviously not done there. But
• 12:58
  Speaker 2: those are kind of the one year dart throws that
• 13:02
  Speaker 2: you feel at least moderately confident in with Ebukadi and
• 13:08
  Speaker 2: try On show Yanka because they are younger players and
• 13:12
  Speaker 2: in theory you would think that their skill set could
• 13:15
  Speaker 2: translate favorably to that defense. And so that's the group
• 13:19
  Speaker 2: right now. There's still the NFL Draft because they still
• 13:22
  Speaker 2: need a headliner. There's still the potential of the trade
• 13:26
  Speaker 2: market as well, but make no mistake about it, the
• 13:29
  Speaker 2: Eagles still need that frontline pass rusher where it then
• 13:33
  Speaker 2: allows everyone else to kind of slot in and try on.
• 13:36
  Speaker 2: Show Yanka, by the way, is going to have to
• 13:38
  Speaker 2: battle to make the roster.
• 13:40
  Speaker 1: He shouldn't be viewed as a locke.
• 13:42
  Speaker 2: He's gonna have to help on special teams, kind of
• 13:44
  Speaker 2: like the josh ushe is. He's Ojulari signing. I may
• 13:48
  Speaker 2: have mentioned try on Showyanka on one of my early
• 13:52
  Speaker 2: pre free agency podcast, but I can't recall, but there
• 13:57
  Speaker 2: he is. He's with the Eagles on a one year deal.
• 13:59
  Speaker 2: According to how he rosemand from the owner's meetings,