Eagles' latest underdog story feels familiar for a reason
If you didn't know anything about him and watched him play, you might be tempted to think that Reed Blankenship was some mid-round draft steal. The Philadelphia Eagles' safety carries himself like a guy with a chip on his shoulder because he didn't think he should have heard his name announced as late as it was.
But alas, that isn't Reed's story at all. He's a former undrafted rookie free agent who was passed over, underestimated, and forgotten. From night one until the selection of Brock Purdy, every NFL team ignored him several times during seven rounds of the 2022 selection meeting.
There's an old saying, though, something about the losses of others being another's gain. Yeah... That's it! Now, that sounds like more of a Reed Blankenship style of story. He worked his hind parts off and made the 53-man roster, and since day one, he has played like he has a point to prove.
Time has flown. He's in a contract season, the final year of a rookie deal he inked ahead of the 2022 NFL season.
The Eagles may be reliving Reed Blankenship's story through Andre' Sam
Andre' Sam isn't the owner of a name most pro football fans would recognize as easily as 'Blankenship'. He has a similar story, though. He also went undrafted. He also plays safety... He has also played well enough to convince coaches to keep him around.
Sam was waived as part of the final roster cuts on August 26, 2024. He was re-signed to the practice squad two days later and eventually saw his first in-game action when elevated to the active roster in Week 14. His NFL debut came against the Carolina Panthers. He made one tackle. He and Blankenship both won their first Super Bowl this past February: Blankenship as a starter and Sam as a scout team member.
So, why are we comparing these two? Based on the pedigree and their standing, it would seem there isn't enough to do so, but they're more alike than you may realize. Reed has already proven he belongs, and Sam may do so this summer.
Philadelphia currently carries four listed safeties on their 90-man roster and two defensive backs who are basically safeties anyway. Rookie second-rounder Andrew Mukuba is still unsigned, but he'll make the team. If we had to construct an Eagles depth chart right now, Sam would be the sixth safety on a defensive unit that will probably only carry five on the 53-man roster.
Right now, it feels like Sam will be among the tough roster cuts, like his ceiling is another stay on the practice squad. He's behind Blankenship, Mukuba, Sydney Brown, Tristin McCollum, and Lewis Cine on the depth chart, but he's ahead of Maxen Hook.
The Eagles organization likes Brown more than Vic Fangio does. We have also seen Fangio mention McCollum without needing to be prompted, but he gave more first-team reps to Sam than McCollum during the spring practices that were open to the media.
There's so much left to work out, but that's what this time of year is all about. Might Sam have a little 'Reed Blankenship' in him, or are we making something out of nothing by even assuming he could be a dark horse who could catapult himself onto the roster? Time will tell. Enjoy the show because this probably won't be the last time we talk about the Eagles' safety competition in detail.
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CBS News
a minute ago
- CBS News
Saquon Barkley joins Trump's push for youth fitness, revival of Presidential Fitness Test in schools
Eagles star running back Saquon Barkley has been named to President Trump's council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition, joining the President's renewed push for youth fitness and the revival of the once-standard Presidential Fitness Test in schools. On Thursday, President Trump reestablished the Presidential Fitness Test for American children, a fixture of public schools for decades that gauged young people's health and athleticism with 1-mile runs, sit-ups and stretching exercises. "This is a wonderful tradition, and we're bringing it back," Trump said of the fitness test that began in 1966 but was phased out during the Obama administration. An executive order he signed Thursday also reinvigorates a national sports council that the president stocked with former and current athletes and other figures from the sports world. Barkley, who did not attend the event Thursday, was among several prominent athletes who joined Trump and top administration officials, including allies such as friend and pro golfer Bryson DeChambeau and others who've attracted controversy, such as former New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor. Other renowned sports figures on the council who did not attend the event Thursday include retired golfers Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player, former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, hockey legend Wayne Gretzky and Roger Goodell, commissioner of the National Football League. It's the latest athletics-related push from Trump, an avid golfer who remains enthralled with the world of sports. "I was always a person that loved playing sports. I was good at sports," Trump said. "When you are really focused on sports, you've thought about nothing else. To an extent, this is one of the reasons I like golf. You get away for a couple of hours." The announcement also came as Trump readies the United States to host the 2025 Ryder Cup, 2026 FIFA World Cup games and the 2028 Summer Olympics. He also signed a different executive order earlier this month mandating that federal authorities clarify whether college athletes can be considered employees of the schools they play for. Trump on Thursday said the council, known formally as the President's Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition, will also deal with various issues on college athletics, such as the transfer portal that has more easily allowed athletes to switch from school to school. The council, which will have up to 30 members, will also develop criteria for a Presidential Fitness Award. The fitness test will be administered by his health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. In the test, children had to run and perform situps, pullups or pushups, and a sit-and-reach test, but the program changed in 2012. 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New York Times
a minute ago
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Talanoa Hufanga's ‘sick' play fuels dominant day for new-look Broncos secondary
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Yahoo
29 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Micah Parsons' dad once named Chiefs, Steelers, Lions as preferred trade destinations
With Micah Parsons officially requesting a trade from the Dallas Cowboys, an old clip of his father, Terrence Parsons, talking about preferred destinations for his son in a hypothetical trade scenario has resurfaced. During an appearance on the "Life in the Stands" podcast in December 2024, Parsons' dad stated that his preferred trade landing spots for the superstar edge rusher are the Kansas City Chiefs, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Detroit Lions. "I know Pittsburgh fans are like, 'whoa,' but I'm sorry, him [Micah Parsons] and [T.J.] Watt together would be like cheating," Terrence Parsons said. "Him and [Aidan] Hutchinson together in Detroit would be like cheating. I love it. Kansas City, that's who they are right now." Parsons requested a trade out of Dallas due to the franchise's lack of communication with his agent. The 26-year-old's relationship with the Cowboys and owner Jerry Jones seems to be completely destroyed. Dallas has no plans of trading Parsons, but if they can't agree on a long-term extension with him, they may be forced to move him at some point. Parsons' father's landing spots for the four-time Pro Bowl edge rusher are bold. Adding Parsons to Kansas City's defense would be lethal, while pairing the disgruntled Cowboy with Watt or Hutchinson in Detroit would also be pretty much unstoppable. However, none of the teams Parsons' dad listed as preferred spots have the money to sign Parsons to a record-breaking extension. The Chiefs are slated to have negative $61 million in cap space next offseason, and the Steelers already have two expensive edge rushers in Watt and Alex Highsmith. As for the Lions, the team must prioritize getting an extension done with Hutchinson first, which likely takes them out of the running for Parsons. It's possible that Parsons lands with one of three destinations his dad spoke about during a podcast appearance last year, as all three franchises are playoff contenders, and two are legitimate Super Bowl contenders in Kansas City and Detroit. However, it remains to be seen whether any have the money to sign Parsons to a new deal after trading valuable picks for him while also keeping their core together. MORE:Infamous Raiders trade used as measuring stick for potential Micah Parsons deal
