Eagles news: Fans will love Emmanuel Acho's breakdown of Michael Carter II trade
When news broke that Howie Roseman traded John Michie II and a sixth-round pick to the New York Jets to reunite Joe Douglas with former fifth-round pick Michael Carter II – plus a seventh-round pick – it got Philadelphia Eagles fans hyped.
Sure, Roseman has a less-than-stellar track record of mid-season trades, and Carter II isn't Tariq Woolen of the Seattle Seahawks, but he was once considered an elite slot cornerback who has simply been dealt a bad hand from an injury standpoint. At his best, he can really play, which, considering the Eagles' other options at CB3, instantly had fans giving the move positive marks online.
Taking to social media to break down the deal, ex-Eagles linebacker Emmanuel Acho largely echoed the fan sentiment, explaining why Carter II could be an excellent fix for Philadelphia moving forward.
“All right, Eagles fans, just got a crash course watching film on Michael Carter II. Here's what you need to know. When he's healthy, he's a really, really, really good nickel cornerback. What that will do is that will move Cooper DeJean likely to the outside,” Acho said.
“Now the dilemma is this: 2024 Michael Carter II he took a nosedive as it pertains to his talent level. He graded, for what it's worth, 88 out of 89 eligible cornerbacks as it pertains to past defense grade, minimum of 80 coverage snaps. When the dude is healthy, he can play. I like him a lot in man coverage, just finished watching his tape against the Bengals game. Albeit he only got 13 snaps in that game, several special team snaps as well, because he recently got replaced.a
“When he's healthy, he can cover. But the biggest thing is the Eagles' weakness on defense right now is outside cornerback. You move Cooper Dejean to outside cornerback, outside Quinyon Mitchell, then you move Michael Carter II into that slot cornerback position, and you should be set.”
Will Carter II actually work out as a member of the Eagles? Will he play up to DeJean's usual standards in the slot, hold up on the outside when the situation requires it, and ultimately give the Eagles the sort of lockdown secondary they boasted in 2024? Only time will tell, but in Acho's opinion, if Carter II can stay healthy, there's a chance.
“Let's not get our hopes too much up because the 2023 season, of which he dominated, by which he got paid the highest amount ever at the nickelback position, three years, $30 million,” Acho noted. “We're years away from that. Does he still have that talent within him? Absolutely. But he's had a back injury, a shoulder injury, and a concussion. If he can stay healthy, he'll be a dude. Eagles' defense will turn a weakness into a strength. But the biggest thing is, can he stay healthy? We'll see.”
Falcons Struggle with Offensive Line Issues as Playoff Hopes Waver
The Atlanta Falcons have found themselves facing unexpected struggles on the offensive line, a unit that was once considered a strength. Despite entering the 2025 season with high hopes and returning all five starters, the Falcons have encountered difficulties that have contributed to their current 3-4 record. While the offensive line had exceeded expectations in previous seasons, recent performances have shown vulnerabilities that have impacted both the running and passing game.
Injuries and Depth Issues
The Falcons were dealt a significant blow when right tackle Kaleb McGary was placed on injured reserve due to a knee injury. McGary, a key contributor to the line, has been a staple on the right side, and his absence has forced the team to make adjustments.
“It’s been tough losing Kaleb,” said offensive line coach Chris Morgan. “We’ve had to shuffle the deck a bit, but the next man has to step up. It’s part of the game, and we have to adjust.”
With McGary out, third-string right tackle Elijah Wilkinson has taken on a larger role. Wilkinson, though solid, has struggled at times, allowing one sack and 16 pressures in his extended playing time.
“It’s a big responsibility, but I’m doing everything I can to hold it down,” Wilkinson said after a tough loss to the 49ers. “I know the offense relies on the line to protect and create lanes. I’m just focused on getting better every game.”
Storm Norton, a swing tackle who had been sidelined with an ankle injury, has now been designated to return from injured reserve. His experience could provide much-needed depth and stability to the unit moving forward.
“I’m just focusing on getting back to full health and doing what I can to help the team,” Norton said. “There’s a lot of work to do, but I’m ready to come back and contribute to this offensive line.”
Performance Decline
Despite the injuries, the Falcons’ offensive line had initially exceeded expectations, but recent performances have exposed vulnerabilities. In a recent game against the San Francisco 49ers, the offensive line struggled to establish the run game, and quarterback Michael Penix Jr. faced increased pressure throughout the game. Penix was even strip-sacked, resulting in a costly turnover.
“When we don’t play well up front, we don’t play well as a team,” said Penix after the game. “The offensive line and the offense need to get on the same page. We all need to execute better.”
Head coach Raheem Morris also echoed Penix's sentiments, emphasizing the need for improvement across the board.
“We need to be better up front. That’s the foundation of everything we do offensively. If we’re not winning the battle in the trenches, we’re not going to win the game,”
Looking Ahead
As the Falcons prepare for their Week 9 game against the New England Patriots, the team is hopeful that the return of Norton and further adjustments along the offensive line will stabilize the unit. The Falcons are focused on finding solutions to the issues that have plagued their offense, especially in the running game.
“We’re not where we want to be, but we have the talent to turn it around,” said left guard Matthew Bergeron. “We just need to focus on the details and execute our assignments. The rest will fall into place.”
With the offensive line’s struggles becoming a central theme, the Falcons will need to continue adapting and finding ways to improve their play in the trenches. The team remains hopeful that the line will regain its form, but much will depend on how quickly they can address their internal issues and come together as a cohesive unit.
“We’ve got to keep working, and we know we can get it right,” offensive tackle Jake Matthews said. “This team has what it takes. We just need to play up to our potential.”
As the season progresses, the Falcons will rely heavily on their offensive line to push through these challenges and regain the offensive balance they’ve lacked in recent weeks.
