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5 players who Eagles need to be great in 2019

By Rucker Haringey

PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 03: Carson Wentz #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles warms up prior to the game against the Washington Redskins at Lincoln Financial Field on December 3, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 03: Carson Wentz #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles warms up prior to the game against the Washington Redskins at Lincoln Financial Field on December 3, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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Eagles QB Carson Wentz
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JANUARY 13: Carson Wentz #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on during the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Saints in the NFC Divisional Playoff Game at Mercedes Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

1. Carson Wentz

With all due respect to the way Nick Foles played last season, the Eagles offense was never the same after Wentz went out due to injury. Fortunately, the franchise quarterback is currently participating in OTAs with zero restrictions.

It must be said that availability is a big time skill in the NFL. It’s particularly important when you’re talking about a franchise quarterback. Wentz is clearly that level of player when he’s healthy. The Eagles need to keep him healthy for a full season.

Part of that responsibility falls onto Wentz and his understanding of when to, and when not to take risks out on the field. He has to learn to slide and get out-of-bounds more than he’s done in his young career. The Eagles also need to adjust their play calling to keep him safe. That means Pederson needs to design fewer plays for Wentz out on the edge where he might be tempted to take off and put his body in danger.

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The Eagles should hope that Foles’ departure will have a meaningful impact on how Wentz operates this season. If this team has to go to Nate Sudfeld or Clayton Thorson for any length of time their hopes of a magical Super Bowl run are over. This has to be Wentz’s best year under center for Philadelphia. If he can play 16 games at a Pro Bowl level, there’s no reason the Eagles can’t be the best team in the NFC.

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