SPANISH HARLEM – On this day last week, the Philadelphia Eagles traded Carson Wentz to the Indianapolis Colts.
It was something all the Philly fans knew was coming at some point but for some it hurt harder than others. There was a feeling around the league that the relationship between Wentz and the organization could be repaired when they fired Doug Pederson, but that never came to fruition. Now he is the starting quarterback for another team.
First, let’s look at what they got for him; a 3rd round pick in this year’s draft and next year’s 2nd rounder. That one can turn into a 1st round pick if some conditions are met – like if Colt Carson (tm) plays 75 percent of his games, or if he plays 70% and the Colts make the playoffs. There were rumors that the Eagles wanted a first round pick for Wentz, so if goes well in Indy, they get the first round picked they wanted all along. All things considered, after the mess that this became, it was the easy choice. Indianapolis was the team he wanted to go to coming off the type of season he had.
I can honestly say… I felt more relief than anything. I totally checked out on him when the rumors started that he would request a trade if Jalen Hurts continued to be the starter. It wasn’t the right thing to let leak, whether it was him outright or through his agent. The move seemed weak in my eyes because it showed he wasn’t taking responsibility for his play. I thought he needed to be benched and watch someone else in the offense to get a grasp what he was doing wrong. Instead, it went the other direction and he wanted out.
Some guys love to compete and when faced with adversity. They become better. This wasn’t the case for Carson Wentz. When they drafted Hurts, I was as surprised – like many – as many but in the end I understood. When you consider Wentz’s injury history, it was smart. Some people will note that the second round pick should of been used on someone that could help them win now, not take a project at a position that was already filled with your quarterback of the future. I saw both sides of the story and felt that each made some good points. We can all agree that Howie Roseman and Pederson saying they wanted to start a QB factory was a bad optic, though.
There is more that could be said about the rumors that Wentz wasn’t a great teammate and that he was hard to coach but I won’t speak on that because I wasn’t inside that locker room. What I will say is, however, is that I liked the flashes that Hurts displayed when he became a starter. He wasn’t perfect and we will have to see more to see if he really becomes “the guy” and that’s fine. But that also won’t stop the rumors that the Eagles can take another quarterback with their first round pick in this year’s draft.
In my opinion, draft around him for this season and see what you have. If they stink again, then you will have a high draft pick after next season and you can look to make a change at the position if necessary. Get better, get younger and take the best players that help you contend now and in the future.
But what do I know?
Juluis Randle Get His All-Star Wish
As a New York Knicks fan, I was so happy that Julius Randle became an NBA All-Star this season. It was well deserved after some in media doubted that he would be picked. I am the first to admit, I didn’t really like his play last season. He was their best player but there were times when he hogged the ball and didn’t make the right play. That is not the case this season. He is playing the best all around game of his career and is sharing the ball. The team is better because he took the necessary steps to make those around him better as well.
Congratulations are in order!
That is it for now, come back tomorrow for Quaker Cam James.
Until Next Time…
