Birds misread friendship between Wentz, Matthews
Work hard, get better every day, be a great teammate, stay out of trouble and you have nothing to worry about.
That’s the way it was in Jordan Matthews’ first three years with the Eagles, when he became one of just five NFL players to record 65 or more receptions and 800 or more receiving yards in their first three seasons. And it looked like he would be rewarded with a fourth season, just like the others four, Odell Beckham Jr, Mike Evans, A.J. Green and Randy Moss.
But the Eagles needed a cornerback — three, actually, if defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz is on point schematically with what teams do in the new NFL — and to get a decent corner you have to give something up.
The Eagles, unfortunately, are the only team that thinks Nelson Agholor can play, and the Buffalo Bills needed a receiver. So it was Alshon Jeffery, Torrey Smith or Matthews that had to be thrown into the deal to bring Ronald Darby aboard, and we all know the Birds were committed to the first two chaps, so it was see ya.
That first paragraph was part of the conversation Matthews had with Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz, his best friend who drove him to the airport after the trade. You can do everything they ask and more and it’s, thanks for your effort, we’re better off without you.
They say stuff like this happens this all the time in the NFL, which is the ultimate bottom line business. No, it really doesn’t. If it did every team would be in this weird funk the Eagles are in right now.
Trading Matthews was the first time the Eagles said no, in so many words, to Wentz, who, if anyone missed Howie Roseman’s offseason rhetoric, was the guy the Birds were committed to building around.
Wentz wanted more weapons on offense and he was given Jeffery, Smith, LeGarrette Blount, wide receiver Mack Hollins and Donnel Pumphrey, who thinks he’s a big dog.
Wentz wanted the offensive line shored up just in case something happened to right tackle Lane Johnson, who was suspended 10 games last season, or Jason Peters, who is 35 but doesn’t play like a guy a day over 34 suddenly gets old. Voila, Stefen Wisniewski was re-signed to surprisingly decent money and the Eagles brought in Chance Warmack, who is big enough to block the entrance to the complex.
The Birds also got Peters’ word, through a contract extension, that if he can’t play left tackle at a high level, he’ll move inside to guard, where, folks, he could be dominant.
Moving Matthews wasn’t part of Wentz’s process, and maybe the Eagles injured themselves internally judging by their post-trade hangover.
Choose an excuse, any excuse starting with dog days of training camp. The Eagles haven’t had a decent practice since they traded Matthews.
That’s not to say they won’t get back on track, just that they misevaluated what the veteran meant to not just Wentz but the team. All they’ve got to do is work their rear ends off, stick around to work extra, give freely to help teammates get better and, uh, Buffalo? You’re kidding.
They say stuff like this Matthews trade happens all the time in the NFL, which is the ultimate bottom line business. But it really shouldn’t. Not to the second-year quarterback you’re putting all of your money on.
Head coach Doug Pederson let the Eagles know how much he was disappointed in their first post Matthews’ trade practice, Saturday. That was tough to watch. You can find more enthusiasm and hope at a shore bar after last call. Afterward Wentz was one or two seconds from showing Dick Vermeil emotion when suddenly, he was interrupted by a dopey question. Wentz then was criticized by some for not taking the trade like a man, which is really hilarious because we all know he is The Man.
But we digress, The Sunday practice was a little bit worse than Saturday. Monday, I’m told, wasn’t good. Tuesday was a waste of time.
Darby looks pretty good at cornerback. Either that or the receivers the Eagles kept can’t get open. Hollins might never catch another pass in practice if he’s covered by Darby. Only Jeffery has answered the Darby challenge, and that, Eagles fans is a red flag.
Bottom line, the Eagles better get after it Thursday night in their second preseason game against … the Bills. Even the 30,000 or so fans who actually show up aren’t going to tolerate sluggishness of any kind. Not after management made the blockbuster deal for Darby.
It’s a big game for Wentz, who at least won’t be watching to see how many passes Matthews catches for the Bills. Matthews is out with a chest injury. They’ve spoken. Wentz told his bud he’s praying for him “a lot.
“It’s tough,” Wentz said. “The trade, then getting injured and everything. But he knows that the Lord has a plan and we talked about that. It’s unfortunate for him.”
The Eagles have a plan. It’s Carson Wentz. And they don’t need to make it any more difficult than they have.