Well, that was a good old fashioned rear-end whooping. The Philadelphia Eagles were never competitive during a 33-16 beatdown at the hands of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the game was never even that close.
There's a weird feeling we're experiencing. We felt good after wins over the Green Bay Packers and New Orleans Saints, but this recent loss felt worse than the collapse versus the Atlanta Falcons.
It's hard to be positive. Fingers are being pointed, and even though the Eagles are entering a bye, many are asking for changes. Here are a half-dozen Birds some would enjoy seeing less of.
C.J. Gardner-Johnson, safety
C.J. Gardner-Johnson brings fire and emotional intensity to this Eagles defense. That's important. It truly is. But, he's also been bad this season. That includes two TDs given up in two games.
We like C.J.! We love everything about his personality, but the refs my think otherwise. So, let's be honest. He's never going to get a call versus future Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees like Mike Evans.
Nolan Smith, EDGE
Has Nolan Smith made a play all season? Let's think about this for a second. He has played 106 defensive snaps and another 25 on special teams. He has registered 11 tackles, zero sacks, and zero quarterback hits while only tallying three hurries.
What's sad is this is fixable, but it would require a change in philosophy, one we doubt is coming. Rather than try to transform him into Haason Reddick, Philly needs to let him play some off-ball linebacker. You'd see him make more plays and tackles if he did so.
Bryce Huff, EDGE
At this point, we're ready to give in. We don't see anything here. Once on Sunday, we saw him generate pressure, but it didn't matter. He missed the target and couldn't get Baker Mayfield down.
The Bryce Huff acquisition can officially be deemed a failure. He seems frustrated with Philly. Truthfully, we have no idea why he'd be so. He was given a huge payday he hadn't earned and hasn't earned since then.
Avonte Maddox, cornerback
Seriously... What is this?
I have watched this play over 20 times in various speeds and I still don’t know how Avonte Maddox didn’t make this tackle. pic.twitter.com/La7mugBXZU
— Victor Williams (@ThePhillyPod) September 30, 2024
Avonte Maddox is Philly's most experienced corner, but though he's seen success in years past, he isn't that player anymore. Maybe it's the accumulation of injuries. Maybe he needs a fresh start, but he's been a liability when on the field.
Per Pro Football Focus. he has lined up in the box 38 times. He has lined up as a slot cornerback 173 times. He's lined up at free safety twice. He has been targeted 19 times, and he has given up ten receptions for 115 yards and a TD reception in the process.
It might be time to see what Cooper DeJean. We doubt things could go any worse than they have to this point.
Johnny Wilson, wide receiver
Johnny Wilson hasn't been targeted often, and there's no reason why he would be. He's on a team where A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Dallas Goedert, and Saquon Barkley are his teammates. The offense should and does run through them.
Johnny has been targeted six times this season and has hauled in one of those targets. He averages 14 yards per reception and 5.5 yards after the catch, but he doesn't use his body well. The Eagles don't have much at wideout past A.J. and DeVaonta, but Parris Campbell is a better option than Johnny. John Ross might be as well.
Kenneth Gainwell, running back
Kenneth Gainwell isn't as bad as some believe he is. He also isn't as good as the Eagles say he is. He's a nice option if Saquon Barkley needs a break. He isn't much more. He isn't much less.
Philly wants him on the field during two-minute drills. That's cool we guess, but 61 offensive snaps through four games might be too many.
Keep him at RB2. That's cool. That's his role, but we'd like to see more of rookie Will Shipley.
