The Eagles' depth has been tested at a few spots lately. Here are a few thoughts on the guys they've signed and the guys they've relied on to fill those areas.
Thoughts on Brett Kern: Here's a guy that's been in the league a long time (2008 was his rookie year). He has been objectively, in every way, a better punter than Arryn Siposs. Check these career numbers out:
Player | Yards/punt | Net Yards/punt | Touchback % | Inside 20 % |
Brett Kern | 45.9 | 41.8 | 5.8% | 39.7% |
Arynn Siposs | 44.7 | 39.1 | 6.1% | 33.3% |
I'd say that the most important number on that board is the net yards per punt, and that's Kern's greatest advantage. Consider that Siposs has punted 44 times in 13 games (3.4 punts per game); multiply that by the additional 2.7 yards per punt of field position the Eagles theoretically stand to gain and you're looking at the possibility of gaining 9.1 yards per game of hidden yardage. That's effectively an additional first down per game. Of course, Kern is 36 and may not quite have the same leg he once did, and one wonders what (if any) complications may arise in the holding game as a result of this change, but the bottom line is that this addition will reasonably improve things in the special teams department.
Thoughts on Anthony Harris: way back in August, the thinking was that this guy should not be starting for the Birds, and that's the correct evaluation. At that point, if you ranked the 64 starting safeties in the league, Harris probably ranked around #60. Of course, the Eagles added CJGJ to the roster and saw the emergence of Reed Blankenship, making Harris expendable. He spent a week on Philly's practice squad, a couple months on Denver's practice squad, an additional month on the Broncos active roster (accumulated no stats), and now he's back in Philly on the PS once again. Of course, we expect him to be promoted to the active roster shortly (he's still in shape and certainly knows the defense). For an emergency addition, he's as good a find as could reasonably be expected (again, knows the defense and has 61 career starts). Both Blankenship and Gardner-Johnson should make it back in the next few weeks, making Harris' value as a depth player thoroughly worthwhile. I believe he'll help on special teams as well. No matter what else, he's a lot better than K'Von Wallace.
We know that Goedert is likely returning this week, but let's give some credit to both Jack Stoll and Grant Calcaterra. Both guys have demonstrated good hands (only one drop in 20 combined targets), solid after-catch ability and both have been good blockers (especially pleased to see Calcaterra's development in this area). I loved what the Eagles did last weekend in using both tight ends as lead blockers on sweep plays. Going into this season, TE depth was one of the few areas of weakness on this roster; now I think it's turning into a strength, especially if we ever get anything out of Tyree Jackson. Similarly, I felt that safety depth was a real concern: once the Eagles get healthy they'll have four playable safeties to use.
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