Philadelphia Eagles: What Does Chase Daniel Bring to Team?
The always-unpredictable NFL served up a few more curveballs the last few days via a devastating injury and a surprising trade. Hence the business of football.
You wonder why it is hard to predict what will happen in sports, much less life.
Earlier this week, the Minnesota Vikings received terrible news when third-year quarterback Teddy Bridgewater went down with a severe knee injury. It was backup Shaun Hill to the rescue…maybe. On Saturday, even that changed.
As has been widely covered now, the Eagles acquired a 2017 first-round pick and 2018 fourth-round pick from Minnesota in exchange for quarterback Sam Bradford.
That’s good news for the Birds in the sense that they now have a first-round selection in next year’s draft, an event that the City of Brotherly Love will host next April. You’ll recall that the Eagles gave up a Browns’ ransom in a trade with Cleveland to move up to grab quarterback Carson Wentz with the second-overall pick five months ago.
But what about the immediate picture, like Week 1 against the Browns? While Wentz continues to recover from a preseason rib injury, Chase Daniel will get the start for new head coach Doug Pederson’s club (via Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk). You will recall that the team added him in free agency this offseason, perfectly natural considering he played under Pederson’s guidance in Kansas City.
Eagles
The career resume for Daniel isn’t anything to get really excited about. Six years in the league with the New Orleans Saints and Chiefs has added up to two starts (both with Kansas City). His passing totals add up to 464 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Of course, the inexperienced signal-caller is just holding down the fort it would seem.
Daniel’s performance this summer was hardly earth-shattering (for those who put such stock in those numbers). He hit on 37-of-60 passes (61.7 percent) for 332 yards, one score and a pair of interceptions. He was sacked five times but also ran for 10 yards and a touchdown on six carries.
More importantly, Pederson knows what to expect from him and vice versa due to their time together. This is a Philadelphia offense that will rely on running backs Ryan Mathews and Darren Sproles, as well as wideout Jordan Matthews. It also has a recent newcomer in wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham, but will be down right tackle Lane Johnson for the first 10 games due to a league suspension.
But the Birds also have a pair of effective tight ends in Brent Celek and Zach Ertz, who Daniel and Pederson will use quite effectively this week against the Browns’ 3-4 defense this Sunday.
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How long the journeyman quarterback remains in the starting lineup for Philadelphia remains to be seen. Mike Garafolo of NFL Network is reporting that once Wentz (ribs) is healthy, it’s his job. But look for Daniel and his team to be more than prepared for opening weekend or however long he starts for the Eagles.
When it’s all said and done, it’s hard to believe things could have played out any better for the Eagles, not only now, but in the long run.