Eagles

Nick Foles to the Jags? Plus Dave Gettleman’s Eli Manning Comments and Other Combine Notes

By Kevin Kinkead

Published: Feb 27th, 2019 · 2:23 PM EST

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Why do a tag and trade for Nick Foles when you can pursue him in free agency instead?

I’d assume that’s the thought process in Jacksonville as I come across this Wednesday afternoon tidbit from Adam Schefter:

A lot can change once free agency opens March 13, but for now, the Jacksonville Jaguars will head into free agency as the favorite to land Nick Foles.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 27, 2019

Foles may be the top free agent quarterback in a limited market that includes Teddy Bridgewater, Tyrod Taylor, and Ryan Fitzpatrick.

Earlier today at the NFL Combine, Giants coach Pat Shurmur more or less committed to Eli Manning moving forward. He didn’t necessarily commit to him as a starter, and the Giants could of course draft a quarterback this year, but it sounded to me like he would be fine with 38 year old Eli under center heading into the 2019 season.

General Manager Dave Gettleman spoke a little later, and had this to say:

Interesting. Dave Gettleman not as willing to commit to Eli Manning in 2019 as Pat Shurmur was. pic.twitter.com/gaOzirqfXf

— Ralph Vacchiano (@RalphVacchiano) February 27, 2019

“We’re evaluating everything and we just gotta keep moving forward.” 

Different tone I think, a different take on the Manning situation.

Gettleman later doubled back with this:

Dave Gettleman clarified on his original lukewarm comments about Eli Manning returning by stating “The Kansas City model really worked well.” It’s clear the Giants are looking at Eli starting with a rookie first-round pick waiting in the wings.

— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) February 27, 2019

This is the likely scenario. If you’re trying to replicate the Alex Smith/Pat Mahomes scenario, the Giants could use their 6th overall pick on somebody like Dwayne Haskins or Kyler Murray and let them sit a year behind Eli.

In other news, Mike Kaye reported on a couple of meetings the Eagles apparently had with draft prospects, after the jump:

Source: #Eagles host formal meeting with Iowa State RB David Montgomeryhttps://t.co/33eu1gOtNg

— Mike Kaye (@mike_e_kaye) February 27, 2019

I really like Montgomery.

He’s a no-nonsense kind of downhill runner and a guy who just torched my college team on more than one occasion over the years. He ran for 13 touchdowns and 1,216 yards on 257 carries last year, which is good for a 4.7 yard average. Montgomery went for 124 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries in the Alamo Bowl and topped 100 yards in seven games. Pro Football Focus says he led the college game in both 2017 and 2018 before with the most broken tackles among all running backs.

Kaye also reports that the Eagles met with San Diego State offensive tackle Ryan Pope. Pope is 6’7″ and 320 pounds.

Writes Mike:

Pope spent the majority of his college career at right tackle but switched to the left side during his final three games. The Eagles could potentially view Pope as a swing tackle, especially as a rookie, as the team looks to expand and improve it’s offensive line depth.

There was also this nugget from Matt Lombardo, who used to cover the Eagles for NJ.Com and now reports on the Giants:

The #Eagles have shown interest in, reached out to #Florida OG Fred Johnson, league source says. #NFLDraft

— Matt Lombardo (@MattLombardoNFL) February 27, 2019

That’s about it for now. Cody Parkey is being released by the Bears, if you care about that. His last action in the NFL may very well have been the double-doink.