The Linc

Let’s get to the Philadelphia Eagles links …

A Special Player – Iggles Blitz
“@BrandonThornNFL — Based on last year’s film this is pretty undeniable. We should start having the conversation about Lane being the best RT of all time sooner rather than later.” Brandon evaluates OL/DL play. He studies line play on a daily basis so this isn’t a flippant opinion. He’s not an Eagles fan. Brandon doesn’t have an agenda. He studies the tape and makes his evaluations. Let’s talk about what makes Johnson special. He has good frame at 6-6. He weighed 303 at the 2013 Scouting Combine, but is well above that now. The Eagles list him at 325. Johnson has 35-inch arms, which is the kind of length you want for an OT. Johnson is a freak athlete. Remember that while he was in junior college Johnson played TE and even QB. He grew from an athletic guy with some size to a freakish combination of size and athleticism. Johnson played strictly OL at Oklahoma and was great for two seasons. He played both RT and LT and was great on both sides. Much of OT success is based on footwork. Johnson’s kick-slide doesn’t look real. His feet are incredibly quick and also balanced. He’s able to move back quickly, but also stay under control so that he can handle the power of the rusher. Johnson’s ability to move and achor is insanely good. Big men aren’t meant to be that quick and that strong.

Pelissero: Eagles LT Lane Johnson eyes extensive playing career beyond 2025 | ‘The Insiders’ – NFL.com
NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport details the latest statement by Philadelphia Eagles left tackle Lane Johnson and his sentiment to play for many years to come.

Lane Johnson and his rotating cast of right guards continues – NBCSP
The left side of the Eagles’ offensive line is manned by Jordan Mailata at left tackle and Landon Dickerson at left guard. They’re two of the best offensive linemen in the NFL and they’re best friends on and off the field. It’s a perfect setup. The right side of the Eagles’ offensive line? It’s manned by All-Pro right tackle Lane Johnson and an ever-revolving cast of characters lining up at right guard next to him. “Honestly, I feel bad for Lane,” Mailata said this spring. “Lane does a hell of a job. No one ever talks about that. How many right guards has Lane played next to? And he has a stellar performance every year. If it wasn’t for Stout (offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland) and Lane, Lane being able to adapt and be as great as he is. That is the reason why we’re able to fill in that position.” No one ever talks about that? So let’s talk about it.

Can you name the NFL team with the most former Eagles players on their roster? – BGN
Now that we’re in the NFL’s dead zone until training camp begins in late July, it’s time for an annual Bleeding Green Nation tradition: checking to see which former Philadelphia Eagles players are still playing in the NFL … and other professional football leagues!

Eagles rookie NFL player comparisons: LB Smael Mondon – PhillyVoice
Mondon was also often used in Georgia’s defense as a QB spy, and the Eagles are going to have to deal with Jayden Daniels for the foreseeable future. Early in his career, he could carve out a role in passing down sub-packages, and is also likely to be a core special teamer. The player Mondon reminds me of is Oren Burks. Mondon and Burks are both long and lean linebackers, and they are both fantastic athletes.

Will this be Jordan Davis’ year? The opportunity is there for the Eagles DT. – Inquirer
“Just putting in a little sweat equity, a little extra things,” Davis said. “When I did that and I was consistent with it, the trajectory for how I was playing definitely took off and very proud of myself. That’s one thing that I’ve decided to continue on doing. I wouldn’t say I didn’t practice it [last year] because I did, but my word of the year for 2025 is ‘discipline.’ Discipline is just having the strength to do it, even when you don’t feel like doing it.” Fangio has said that when Davis’ conditioning is where it needs to be, he can play up to his strength and speed capabilities. So there’s a synergy that may exist between the two. But I think the conversation about Davis’ potential needs to be framed more around his lack of pass-rush moves and inability to bend than it does his weight.Why are we talking so much about Davis? What makes him so important? There’s a real opportunity there for him. He will play at the nose in the Eagles’ five-man fronts and he will be on the field on running downs, but Jalen Carter and Moro Ojomo are still expected to play more on passing downs. Davis needs to step up and be the third guy not only because the defense will need it following Milton Williams’ departure or because rookie Ty Robinson or other defensive tackles on the roster aren’t capable but also to warrant the Eagles’ original investment, the fifth-year option, and his next contract — whether it’s in Philly or elsewhere.

Fantasy football: Don’t be surprised if … these 19 things happen in 2025 – ESPN
Saquon Barkley falls outside the top 5 RB scorers. What an amazing first season in Philadelphia for Barkley, with 2,005 rushing yards, 22.2 fantasy points per game and a Super Bowl championship. Be careful here, though. Of the eight prior running backs to rush for 2,000 yards, Chris Johnson is the only one to finish among the top 5 PPR RBs the next season. None reached 1,500 rushing yards. Several missed multiple games. Barkley entered 2024 with a track record for injuries, then he carried the heaviest volume of his career (378 touches) into February. The Eagles will be more cautious in Year 2.

Artist adds Eagles Super Bowl LIX win to Northeast Philly mural, with room for a few more – CBS News
David McShane depicted the Eagles’ first Super Bowl win, in the 2017 season, on a wall at the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame on Grant Avenue. Now he has added to the mural with another slice showing key moments from the Super Bowl LIX blowout over the Kansas City Chiefs. Ross DiMattei chats with the artist and gets a look at the artwork, including Jalen Hurts throwing “The Dagger” to DeVonta Smith, ahead of a planned dedication ceremony.

Daily Slop – 16 Jun 25 – Commanders beefed up DL is designed to stop Saquon Barkley – Hogs Haven
A collection of articles, podcasts & tweets from around the web to keep you in touch with the Commanders, the NFC East, the NFL and sports in general, and a sprinkling of other stuff

UFL star Ajene Harris could help Cowboys CB problem – Blogging The Boys
So yes, Dallas needs bodies to get through the summer. But Ajene Harris could potentially more than that. The 29-year-old veteran just led the UFL in interceptions this spring, two years after leading the XFL in picks in 2023. He’s been a consistent standout in these spring leagues for several years as a playmaker and willing tackler. He’s on the smaller side at just 5’10” and 180 lbs. but could be competitive among Dallas CB options, particularly in the much-needed role of slot corner. [BLG Note: Harris is a former Eagle.]

Giants’ defense called one of NFL’s ‘most interesting’ units – Big Blue View
The Giants finished with a horrible 3-14 record a season ago. Despite John Mara lashing out at the defense in January by saying “I’m tired of watching teams go up and down the field on us,” the defense was not atrocious in 2024. The Giants finished 20th in the NFL, allowing 24.4 points per game. How defensive coordinator Shane Bowen puts the pieces together is undeniably going to be fascinating. A look at the points per game averages allowed by teams a year ago shows the Giants just 3.0 points per game allowed from having a top 10 defense. With good health and performance equaling expectation from the players on the roster it isn’t hard to imagine the Giants reaching that level.

NFL’s 6 most interesting units in 2025, starring Jets, Dolphins, Cardinals, Patriots, and more – SB Nation
The NFL’s mandatory minicamps have wrapped up and we inch closer and closer to the 2025 preseason beginning. School is out for the summer for NFL franchises, which means all that’s left for us to do is ponder and speculate on which teams will surprise, which will falter, and who will win it all. I’m intrigued by the possibilities of specific units in the NFL, whether it be sides of the ball that finished the season strong or units that have completely overhauled their staff and roster. So which ones have me the most intrigued going into 2025?