Eagles trade DT Isaac Sopoaga to Patriots

[AzPatsFan]

Re: Eagles traded Isaac Sopoaga to Patriots

Uh, I noticed, watching the Niners that it had more to do with their linebackers missing a lot of tackles this year. Don't know why the linebackers are not as good, but doubt it has anything to do with Sopoaga. If he was that important to the Niners wouldn't they have brought him back? I think it is evident the Eagles do not think he had anything to do with their improved run defense, wouldn't you say?

I would say a NT doing his job ties up O-linemen, who would be going after the LBs, He frees the LBs to roam somewhat, and tackle the RBs sooner, and the 49ers are missing his presence. The Eagles face a total rebuild, and Isaac won't be there when they are finished, so they got what they could even as they will miss his presence.

 

[jmt57]

Some viewpoints from Philadelphia; the first one coming from a column prior to the trade coming to fruition. Apparently Vinny Curry - a player that I recall many people here discussing before he was drafted - was the player that Philly really wanted to move.


Eagles float Vinny Curry and Isaac Sopoaga before trade deadline | Philly.com

The Eagles have made teams aware that defensive end Vinny Curry and nose tackle Isaac Sopoaga were available for the right price as the NFL trade deadline nears, according to NFL sources.

A team source said that the Eagles were only taking calls from other teams interested in Curry. The second-year defensive end has been a part-time player on the line this season. Because of a schematic switch up front, Curry was inactive for the first two games.

His snaps steadily increased over the next five games, but he played only 12 snaps on Sunday against the New York Giants. He has two sacks in six games. Curry was selected in the second round of the 2012 draft, but specifically to play in a 4-3.

Sopoaga, 32, was acquired in the offseason via free agency. A 10-year veteran, the nose tackle has had limited impact playing only on base downs. The Eagles have credited him with 18 tackles in eight games.​

Eagles trade Isaac Sopoaga to Patriots | Philly.com

Sopoaga, 32, was signed this offseason to be the team's starting nose tackle. He made $3.25 million from Eagles, including a $2.75 million signing bonus and half of his $1 million salary. He played 8 games, had 18 tackles, and played 39% of defensive snaps.

The trade opens an opportunity for younger linemen such as Bennie Logan, Clifton Geathers, and Damion Square. However, Sopoaga's signing was a failure for the Eagles, even if there was not much commitment beyond this season. He only played in running downs, and the team barely needed him halfway through the season.​

Eagles trade Isaac Sopoaga to New England Patriots for 5th-round pick | NJ.com

Sopoaga, who was signed in the offseason, has seen little playing time since he arrived in Philadelphia. The 6-2, 330-pound lineman signed a three-year deal worth $12 million, with $5 million of that believed to be guaranteed.

After appearing in just eight games and registering just 10 tackles for the Eagles, it's safe to say that money was not a wise investment.

Sopoaga became expendable with the emergence of Clifton Geathers, who has proven to be strong against the run. Rookie Bennie Logan, who had a strong preseason, should also see more playing time with Sopoaga gone.

The team was believed to be looking to trade Vinny Curry, but did not end up moving the second-year player. Curry could see more playing time now.

The defensive line now consists of Fletcher Cox, Cedric Thornton, Vinny Curry, Damion Square, Geathers, and Logan.​

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

More DL help available!

Mike Reiss @MikeReiss
Tough day for former Patriots, as DE/OLB Jermaine Cunningham has been waived by the 49ers, team announces. Didn't play in a game for them.

Oh, wait….

 

[I am party]

more interwebz opinions on the trade fwiw:

NFL Forum :: - Patriots acquire Eagles DT Isaac Sopoaga

 

[BSR]

That has been my point. If he was worth what some think he is, the Niners would have kept him, and the Eagles would not be dumping him. I doubt he is the run stuffer that some are calling him. That is obviously his role, but the Eagles fans are saying he is not fulfilling his role and that does not surprise me, nor would I expect him to all of a sudden become a run stuffer that is going to make this defense much better.

I'm not sure fans are a great barometer of the worth of a player, but it wasn't like the niner's fans were down on him: Isaac Sopoaga Appreciation Thread - 49erswebzone.com Forum

If he did become a run stuffer it wouldn't be "all of a sudden" but rather a return to what he did for many years before this one. I'm not sure where why you think he "all of a sudden" became junk when he played really well not too long ago.

 

[shmessy]

Why are we talking about jake bequette on a thread about sopuaga?

On the day the Pats signed Andre Carter, they cut DT Andre Neblett.

It isn't an apples and oranges thing separating DE's and DT's.

 

[JMC00]

Re: Eagles traded Isaac Sopoaga to Patriots

Uh, I noticed, watching the Niners that it had more to do with their linebackers missing a lot of tackles this year. Don't know why the linebackers are not as good, but doubt it has anything to do with Sopoaga. If he was that important to the Niners wouldn't they have brought him back? I think it is evident the Eagles do not think he had anything to do with their improved run defense, wouldn't you say?

49ers let him go because Harbaugh and the 49ers brought in Glenn Dorsey in as the starting NT at half the price.

 

[Rossmci90]

How many players does the team have on the roster now? Do they need to make room for him?

 

[Sciz]

How many players does the team have on the roster now? Do they need to make room for him?

He's taking Vollmer's spot.

 

[50-yard-line]

My one concern: is TOmmy Kelly's injury worse than we thought?

Were they keeping him on active roster rather than IR because there was a chance he might be back and they had to take that chance?

We'll know in the next couple of days, I expect. I hope he's back soon!

 

[JackBauer]

He's taking Vollmer's spot.

I don't believe he's been IRed yet?

 

[Brady6]

Jay Glazer just reported. Not Wilfork but should help against the run.

Great pick up in my opinion, the 49ers are allowing around 20 yards more in rushing yards this season than last and many view his absence as a primary factor. He also has some versatility having played 3-4 DE early in his career before moving inside. This allows us to split up the rookies and play them both at the 3tech instead where they’re both most suited to play.

If him and Kelly both stick around next season will be a very good (old) top 3 with Wilfork back healthy.

 

[SVN]

Jeff Howe ?@jeffphowe 4m
Nine players were released today in the NFL. Three of them (Mesko, Cunningham, Vega) are former Patriots.

 

[AzPatsFan]

That's not the case. The board mostly talked about freeing up game time for others (Logan). Only a couple didn't like him.

Most Eagles fans know that they are not winning anything this year or next. By then Isaac will be retiring. Plus they got CAP relief, and a slightly better draft pick.

 

[Sciz]

I don't believe he's been IRed yet?

Now he has!

 

[Kontradiction]

For the Eagles, they must be high on Logan. He's someone I wanted the Pats to look at in the draft. A DL of Jones-Sopoaga-Kelly-Ninkovich/Carter is nice to have against both the run and the pass. I wish the team could have looked into securing a coverage LB, since Collins still looks lost, but it is what it is. Hopefully he can develop quickly.

 

[simpletruth]

I'm not sure fans are a great barometer of the worth of a player, but it wasn't like the niner's fans were down on him: Isaac Sopoaga Appreciation Thread - 49erswebzone.com Forum

If he did become a run stuffer it wouldn't be "all of a sudden" but rather a return to what he did for many years before this one. I'm not sure where why you think he "all of a sudden" became junk when he played really well not too long ago.

Yeah fans are not always a great barometer, but here we are all giving our barometer. lol

It's what we do. I read the Philly thread and the consensus was he was not a run stuffer. He was not good for them. I am sure they watch the games, so they should know something.

Again, the Niners did not value keeping him. Dorsey was cheaper, but Dorsey is not all that good. I think Sopoaga was overrated on the Niners defense. A NT occupying two olinemen freeing up the backers to make tackles, or getting push/shedding a single blocker is a run stuffer. A NT that can be blocked out of a play by the center or a guard is not good nor a run stuffer.

We shall see which he is, but I never really considered this guy a run stuffer. I considered the Niners linebackers their run stuffers and in watching their games this year their two all pro MLBs are missing more tackles than I have seen them miss before.

 

[YearbookCurfew]

Sweet! Hopefully he didn't cost an arm and a leg.

 

[strngplyr]

Sweet! Hopefully he didn't cost an arm and a leg.

Almost, Wilfork's leg and Mayo's chest. Close enough?

 

[DaBronxPats14]

Very Cool! Like this alot. Glad to see BB address much needed void.