Eagles Fever

Future of the Eagles

2009-09-27T22:26:00.000-04:00

These are some starters that are supposed to be long term fixtures at the positions (or are now).
QB - Kevin Kolb
WR - DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin
RB - LeSean McCoy
FS - Macho Harris
RT - Winston Justice

I want to start off the article by saying that McNabb's job is NOT in any form of jeapordy. But Kevin Kolb played pretty damn well. He is the first QB in the NFL to throw for 300+ yards in his first two starts. He and Jackson clearly have a chemistry going. He hit Maclin several times for decent gains. He is giving Brent Celek the opportunities necessary to become the pass-catching TE in the NFL (he has the most receiving yards for the NFL so far). He even ran for a touchdown! He is moving the ball up and down the field. While he may not be starting when the Eagles play Tampa Bay (McNabb should be back by then) he has shown that we can trust him to be the Quarterback of the Future for the Eagles.

LeSean McCoy played an outstanding game. While Westbrook will remain the starter for the remainder of the season, McCoy clearly is the long term solution. He showed great vision, and was able to hit the holes quickly. Had McCoy juked slightly harder on one play, he could have had a 30 yard TD run. Eldra Buckley is a nice back up, but McCoy showed that he can carry the ball as often as necessary.

DeSean Jackson- Need I really address this? The past two weeks he has 71, and 64 yard TDs. The week before he returned a punt 85 yards for a TD. The kid has the penchant for the big play. He is the best receiver since the Eagles had Terrell Owens, and he's only a sophomore.

Jeremy Maclin - He played well. He had 4 receptions for 33 yards. What's important to remember is that that could've been 5 and a TD had Kobb throw the ball slightly in front of Maclin. Maclin and Jackson should be tearing up opponent's secondaries for years to come.

Macho Harris - You want to know what makes me happy? The fact that Brian Dawkins, by far and away one of the greatest players to ever don the Eagles uniform and a seven time Pro-Bowler, left town and we're not worrying about his rookie replacement. Harris is making tackles when he needs to, and has not given up the big play yet. Eventually he will make a mistake or two, but he looks leaps and bounds better than Demps ever looked last year.

Winston Justice - The kid has simply played. No one expected him to come in and make a Pro-Bowl, but he is playing for his life. He is simply dominating while run and pass blocking. I'm glad that Andrews got hurt early on, so Justice could improve vastly during the preseason. He is only going to get better as the season goes on.

Notice I said nothing about Vick. He played well, didn't turn the ball over, but nothing that memorable. Simply not turning the ball over does not win you a salary in the NFL, and definitely with the Eagles. While I'm glad the Eagles made the move, until I see a payoff in the regular season I'm not going to fully understand the move.

The Eagles go into the bye 2-1, and the Buccaneers, Raiders, and Redskins (they looked terrible today) the Eagles could realistically start 5-1. Much better than last years 3-3. Today was just a brief glimpse of what the Eagles will be in the future, and it looked pretty good, even if it was just against the Chiefs.

What To Make of the 53 Man Roster.

2009-09-06T14:05:00.003-04:00

The Eagles Waived-
B Trae Williams, CB Jack Ikegwuonu, DE Bryan Smith, DE Josh Gaines, LB Tank Daniels, FS Reshard Langford, WR Danny Amendola, RB Lorenzo Booker, C Dallas Reynolds, G Paul Fanaika, G Mike Gibson, TE Rob Myers, FB Marcus Mailei and FB Kyle Eckel. These players are now subject to waivers.

Ikegwuonu simply hasn't recovered from that knee injury which allowed him to slip to the 4th Round in 2008. He lacks the speed necessary to play CB with the Eagles, and he continuously got beat during the preseason, against second string WR's.

Bryan Smith was a project. The Eagle's failed at turning him into a successful player.

Danny Amendola was a favorite of mine going into the preseason. I loved seeing him make plays in the receiving game and return game. But we are already holding 7 WR's on the roster (will get to that later). I hope that he gets signed to the Practice Squad, but he may get picked up by another team first.

Booker has been on his way out of town for a while.

Myers and Bright were projects. Unfortunately neither could show any talent at the TE position.

I loved Kyle Eckel last year. There was simply no space for him on this year's roster though. The addition of FB Weaver almost sealed his fate.

The Eagles Cut-
DT Dan Klecko, LB Matt Wilhelm and TE Matt Schobel. These players are now unrestricted free agents.

Wilhem was simply a Training Camp Body. Schobel hasn't really done anything for this offense in recent history. And Klecko was the reason that a jet's rookie running back accumulated so many yards.

Important Retentions
Quarterback- McNabb, Kolb, Feeley.
Vick is on the commissioner's exempt list. Right now the Eagles are keeping Feeley on the roster so they don't lose anything they could gain out of a trade. If he isn't traded within a few days expect him to be cut. There are also rumors of Kolb getting traded, but I don't see that happening.

Running Back - Westbrook, McCoy, Buckley
No surprises here, except maybe for Buckley. Buckley absolutely played his way onto this team though.

Full Back - Weaver
No surprise.

Tight Eend - Celek, Curtis
Celek is the obvious starter. Curtis has proved he can block in Dallas. He also proved in the Jet's game that he has the ability to catch. Look for the Eagles to maybe add a third TE early on.

Wide Receiver - Kevin Curtis, DeSean Jackson, Jason Avant, Jeremy Maclin, Hank Baskett, Reggie Brown, Brandon Gibson
The Eagles cannot keep seven WRs. Eventually either Basket or Brown will be cut or traded. Gibson has played his way onto the squad.

Offensive Line - Jason Peters, Todd Herremans, Jamaal Jackson, Stacy Andrews, Shawn Andrews, Max Jean-Gilles, Nick Cole, Mike McGlynn, Winston Justice, King Dunlap
While the Eagle's like to have lots of linemen, don't expect everyone to stay. I just don't know who the Eagles will give the boot to.

Defensive End - Victor Abiamiri, Jason Babin, Chris Clemons, Trent Cole, Darren Howard, Juqua Parker
I'm not sure if all 6 will stay in Philadelphia. While they are quality ends, unless Trent Cole is going to be switched out a lot more often than last year I can't see them all getting field time.
Note on Babin: Great Preseason, man absolutely played his way onto the team. Hopefully returning to his rightful position will allow him to excel.

Defensive Tackle - Brodrick Bunkley, Trevor Laws, Mike Patterson
I expect them to add one more sometime soon. Only three DT's is concerning. Especially if Bunkley or Patterson goes down for the season (or even worse both)

Linebacker - Moise Fokou, Omar Gaither, Chris Gocong, Akeem Jordan, Joe Mays, Tracy White
We all knew this was going to be the lineup. Tracy White and Moise Fokou played their way onto the squad. I can't really envision this changing. The backups pretty much have the ability to play any of the three positions.

Cornerback - Sheldon Brown, Joselio Hanson, Ellis Hobbs, Dimitri Patterson, Asante Samuel
No surprises. Dimitri Patterson is the gunner on special teams so that really helped his case for making the team.

Safety - Quintin Demps, Macho Harris, Sean Jones, Quintin Mikell
No surprises again. Jones and Demps are still battling it out. Harris' play has caused some rumors that he may even be in the mix now. I doubt it. I envision Sean Jones starting the season at Free Safety.

Specialists (3) - David Akers, Jon Dorenbos, Sav Rocca
Reliable

Again this roster is ANYTHING from final. There will be lots of changes in the upcoming days.

Is Andy Reid Coming Back?

2009-09-03T08:05:00.004-04:00

Tonight the preseason ends (FINALLY!) In a little over 1 week the games start counting and the pressure begins mounting.

We all know the bio. Reid and McNabb are entering their 11th season as coach and QB of the Eagles. Until recently the off-season headlines have focused on the question of McNabb's future with the Eagles. Will the team give #5 an extension? Would the team explore the possibility of a trade? Is it 2 more years and done for McNabb in Philadelphia? All good questions...time will tell.

With all the McNabb (and Vick) talk this off-season Reid's future has gone a bit under discussed. It shouldn't if you look at Reid's current deal. Just 2 years remaining. So with 2 years remaining it is logical to think that this upcoming season would be a show me the money or show me the door season.

A coach of Reid's stature doesn't deserve to go into the 2010 season clinging to a 1 year deal. The question at some point this season will be are the Eagles going to again extend Reid's contract?

Bashers of the Eagles' front office will be quick to say that Reid is the puppet running the Banner and Lurie show. Reid will be here as long as he keeps Lurie a billionaire (the latest report has the Eagles valued at $1.123 billion). But to continue to make money you need to put a winning product on the field (otherwise the Phillies will continue to steal all the Philly fan's love and money).

Sure the Eagles made the NFC Championship Game last season.. But they also needed an Oakland Miracle to simply qualify for the post season after a 9-6-1 record. 9-6-1 equals slightly above average. The past 4 seasons under Reid the Eagles have gone 33-30-1 in the regular season. Again, slightly above average.

Does average warrant a new extension? Will an 11th season without a title finally be enough to convince ownership that Reid can't deliver a title? At some point even the most loyal owners need to realize a change may be necessary.

The 2009 season is a big one for the big guy. The seat may not be hot now, but each loss is sure to crank up that temperature on Reid.

The Beard is Back - Well It Should Be

2009-09-02T09:21:00.002-04:00

The beard I am growing has nothing to do with the fall weather that we are currently experiencing. Nope, it has everything to do with the current state of the Eagles.

The Andy Reid beard brought us fans so much good fortune last season (well until that NFC Championship Game, but the beard can't be blamed for that one, the Eagles almost always seems to crumble in the NFC Championship game).

So with so many questions already surrounding the 2009-'10 Eagles I thought it's time to start growing the beard. OL, Safety, MLB...the beard has us covered.

McNabb has a problem with Vick...talk to the beard. I can already picture the beard staring in the next Shawn Andrews You Tube video. And if come December the Eagles are tanking, well the Reid beard should have that Santa Claus look and we Philly fans love to show our appreciation to Santa (sorry, couldn't resist and, yes, only kidding!).

I know Andy doesn't read Eagles Fever (though he should) but this fan is hoping for a return of the beard. The success of our season is depending on your facial hair Andy.

Bye, Bye Booker

2009-09-02T08:21:00.003-04:00

Second chances. It's been a theme during the Eagles 2009 off-season. I'll spare you another Vick post and instead focus on another Eagle who was given a second chance. Hopefully Vick has better luck then Lorenzo Booker with his second chance.

Chance one was being selected in the 3rd round by the Miami Dolphins. This chance was wasted when he couldn't manage to crack the starting line-up or contribute significantly to a 1-15 Dolphins team. But one man's garbage is another man's 4th round draft pick.

Chance two was being traded to the Eagles for a 4th round draft pick. Chance two was wasted when Booker managed only 53 yards rushing and 11 yards receiving during the 2008 season. Oh yeah, the guy was also benched for 6 games and made Winston Justice look like an All-Pro with his turnstile blocking in the backfield.

I remember attending the Eagles game last Thanksgiving and being so excited with the performance of Kyle Eckel. With each strong carry I dreamed of the permanent deactivation of Booker. Evidently my turkey had too much tryptophan and I was delusional. Booker would unfortunately be returning for the 2009 season.

Insert off-season pick-up Eldra Buckley. See a strong preseason rushing the ball by Buckley. See a strong preseason on special teams by Buckley. See Thursday night, September 3, 2009 being the last game that Booker plays for the Eagles.

It's a guarantee that the Eagles are only keeping 3 RBs on the roster. The versatility of Weaver eliminates any need for a 4th RB. This should all equal Booker being cut when the Eagles trim their roster to 53 players next week.

Bye, bye Booker. Make sure the door hits you hard on the way out. I hear Reno is looking for a business partner out in Utah. And I know a couple hundred thousand fans that would willingly drive you to the airport for the first plane out of Philadelphia!

Is Vick The Future at QB?

2009-09-02T08:17:00.001-04:00

Sorry fellow Eagles' fans, here is yet another Michael Vick post. But I need some outside opinion on radio comments I heard from Jeremiah Trotter on Sunday morning.

It's the opinion of Trotter that Michael Vick will be the starting QB for the Eagles in the future. It could happen in 2010 or 2011, but it WILL happen per Trotter. Though the opinion may first seem outlandish, there is some merit to the thought.

Trotter's argument is that the Eagles will go through too much on and off the field controversy to warrant only keeping Vick for one season in a gimmick-type role. Instead the team will take their PR lumps this season, while putting Michael through extensive QB training and then make him the QB of the future.

As stupid as this theory may initially sound I am actually beginning to believe it might not be so far fetched. Throw in the facts that McNabb did not get a contract extension this off-season and the teams' current unwillingness to fully support McNabb's "rhythm" claim and Trotter might be on to something here.

But as is always the case with McNabb he is in total control of the situation. If McNabb can deliver a big 2009 season (e.g. Super Bowl title) the door slams shut on a future with Vick. A Super Bowl title would almost surely mean a contract extension and McNabb finishing his career in midnight green, while Vick hits the trade market.

But if the 2009-'10 season ends in disappointment what keeps the Eagles from moving on from the McNabb era? McNabb, being the better QB, would have greater trade value than Vick. For the Eagles, Vick is 2 years younger than McNabb and will have had a full year learning under Reid, McNabb, and Mornhinweg. Maybe in that year Vick can make a career transition similar to Cunningham (scrambler to pocket passer).

As we have seen already this preseason Vick's presence is going to cause a lot of controversy on and off the field. As the weeks pass the number of questions will only increase. As fans we can only hope the on-the-field excitement for the Eagles out weighs the off-the-field circus this season.

And to end the post, I personally hope that the Ax Man is wrong and McNabb puts up MVP caliber numbers this season and is riding the lead float down Broad Street in February. Vick will then be on the first trade out out of Philadelphia next off-season.

Preseason Edition: All-NFC East Offensive Team

2009-08-25T11:10:00.002-04:00

By Bob Cunningham: The NFC East is arguably not only the most competitive division in the NFL, but it may also be the most talented. The NFC East boasts what some still might call the most talented roster (at least on paper) in Dallas, 2008's Super Bowl champion New York Giants, a young but talented Washington team, and the always-contending Philadelphia Eagles.

So what kind of offense could the NFC East rosters put together? Let's find out.

Quarterback

Starter: Donovan McNabb (2nd: Tony Romo)

For me, and really mostly anyone besides delusional Giants fans, Donovan McNabb and Tony Romo are the obvious choices here. McNabb gets the nod for obvious reasons, among them the fact that he has won in the playoffs and has taken his team to the biggest stage that the NFL has to offer, only to fall three points short of the ultimate prize.

McNabb is borderline Hall of Fame quarterback, with a Super Bowl ring (or lack thereof) being the only thing that will keep him out of Canton. By the time his career is over, he will join only three other quarterbacks to pass for over 30,000 yards, and rush for over 5,000. The other three are Steve Young, Fran Tarkenton, and the late Steve McNair.

Two of those quarterbacks (Young and Tarkenton) are in the Hall of Fame, and McNair be enshrined one day. Young is the only one of the three to have a Super Bowl ring.

Romo has the skills, but needs to start winning games for his team, rather than throwing them away. Eli Manning has proved he's capable, but is not a standout in terms of production or overall talent. Jason Campbell is still progressing and while I believe he has more upside than Manning or even Romo, must show it before he can be considered.

Running Back

Starter: Brian Westbrook (2nd: Clinton Portis)

When healthy, Brian Westbrook may be the most dangerous player in the NFL. Some may argue Adrian Peterson, but AP does not make the plays in the passing game that Westbrook can make, even though he's miles ahead as a runner.

Portis is an incredibly talented running back, but isn't as explosive as Westbrook is. I suppose they're different types of backs, and it really all depends on what you want to do with your offense, but if you're going to pass to your back at all, Westbrook is the obvious choice.

Marion Barber could make a case for this, but until he shows that he can be a game-changer and take some pressure off of Romo, he won't enter the class of Westbrook or Portis. Brandon Jacobs is a good bruising kind of back but needs a guy to take carries away from him or he'll wear himself down.

Fullback

Starter: Madison Hedgecock (2nd: Leonard Weaver)

Hedgecock is an old school kind of battering-ram fullback, which personally, I love. He's a dying breed in the NFL because while he's able to catch and run out of the backfield, it's not what he's best at doing, or what he'd rather be doing. He wants to stick his nose in there and pop a linebacker to make way for Jacobs, which is how the fullback position is played.

Weaver is part of the evolving fullback. He's a guy who can do it all out of the backfield including taking handoffs and catching over the middle or in the flats, but his blocking suffers because he focuses on these different elements. He's perfect for a west coast scheme, however, and is just what the Eagles need.

Deon Anderson is the kind of triple-threat that Weaver is, but he's not quite on the same level. Mike Sellers is surely a close third and in most any other division might be the very best fullback, but the East is stacked at the position this year. He's an incredibly underrated guy, and I may even be guilty of it now, but putting him ahead of Hedgecock or Weaver didn't seem right.

Tight End

Starter: Jason Witten (2nd: Chris Cooley)

Witten is a top five tight end in the entire NFL, so it's certainly not a surprise that he's on the top of a pretty good crop of tight ends coming out of the East. He can catch, he can block, and better than any other tight end in this division, he can run after the catch. He's a nightmare to cover, then he's a nightmare to tackle. Said simply, the man is good.

Cooley may be the most versatile of the tight ends. He is able to not only play tight end, but can line up in the backfield as a fullback, or even a tailback if necessary. He's a headache for defenses because he moves around so much and can make a catch anywhere. There's not really a specific weakness in his game, he's just not the same caliber as Witten.

Kevin Boss and Brent Celek are guys still coming into their own. Boss is a great security blanket for Manning, whereas Celek is more of a target for McNabb. Both players are very good for their teams and in a few years could be making a list like this very difficult.

Right Tackle

Starter: Shawn Andrews (2nd: Marc Colombo)

Andrews is a difficult guy to place, but when healthy he's hands down the very best. Even though he hasn't played right tackle in the NFL yet, he is making the switch this year and should be great doing it (the qualifer again being "if he's healthy). He played right tackle in college, and was a terrific right guard in the NFL, so it's not a stretch to say he should be just fine.

With Andrews out at the moment, the starter would be Marc Colombo of the Dallas Cowboys. He's a guy who's not going to make any headlines, but he does his job and he does it well. The other two teams don't have a right tackle set in stone, but guys like Kareem McKenzie could be starting for the Giants, and Stephon Heyer for the Redskins.

While both are good players, neither are going to challenge Andrews or Colombo.

Right Guard

Starter: Chris Snee (2nd: Leonard Davis)

Snee is one of the best in the game at the guard position, and is the hands-down favorite to win the spot for the All-NFC East team. Like most linemen, you don't hear a whole lot about Chris Snee, but as an Eagles fan, you know who he is every time you watch him blow up a defender.

The Cardinals must be kicking themselves for not thinking of moving Davis inside to guard and keeping him there, because the man once regarded as a bust has turned into a Pro Bowl-caliber guard for the Dallas Cowboys and only continues to get better. He's a dominating guy on the inside, and should make life easier for smaller guys like Felix Jones and Tashard Choice.

Stacy Andrews should be very good at right guard, but he's coming off a torn ACL and is moving to the inside from tackle, so we'll just have to wait and see how he does. Randy Thomas in Washington is by no means a standout, and on any of the other three teams in the division is only a backup type of player.

Center

Starter: Andre Gurode (2nd: Shaun O'Hara)

Picking a starter between these two was extremely difficult, but in the end Gurode grit and tough play wins him the starting nod over more of a technique-driven player in Shaun O'Hara.

Gurode and O'Hara run their lines very well, and a case could be made for either of these men depending upon what you're looking for out of a center. There really is not a wrong answer, and either way you're getting a Pro Bowl-caliber center.

Jamaal Jackson has been slipping over the past couple of years, or he may be in the conversation, but he'll have to have a stellar year to get back to being regarded as one of the best centers in the game again. Casey Rabach is a viable starter in Washington, but again, not much more than that.

Left Guard

Starter: Todd Herremans (2nd: Rich Seubert)

Left guard may be the weakest position of the stellar offensive linemen that the NFC East has to offer, but it seems to be clear that Herremans is the best of even a weak bunch. Seubert could have a case for the starting spot, but Herremans is younger and a better pass blocker.

Kyle Kosier and Derrick Dockery are certainly not bad players by any means, and at one point Dockery was even considered one of the best in the entire league, but after failing to live up to a huge contract in Buffalo he was released and is trying to rebuild his reputation the same place it started, in Washington.

Left Tackle

Starter: Jason Peters (2nd: Chris Samuels)

Jason Peters is the biggest name on the offensive line, and for good reason. He's one of the best left tackles in the game, and certainly the very best in the NFC East. He's got great feet, and is very good at anticipating a defensive end's movements. The Eagles just traded for him from the Buffalo Bills this past offseason, but he's already the best in the division.

Chris Samuels is another guy with pretty good feet, but on occassion he will be slow out of his stance and allow a defensive end to just run around him. The athleticism is there, so his erratic play is a mystery, and could point to a poor work ethic, but short of spending time around him and the team, there's no way to be sure.

David Diehl may be getting a challenge from rookie William Beatty as it seems as though the Giants aren't ready to cement Diehl as the starter at left tackle. However, Beatty could also be pushed over to right tackle, so it's a story worth watching. Flozell Adams is a good left tackle, but isn't on the same level as Peters, and doesn't quite beat out Samuels.

Wide Receiver

Starters: DeSean Jackson, Roy Williams (2nd: Santana Moss, Kevin Curtis)

DeSean Jackson is the best receiver in the NFC East. Even entering his second season, he has shown that he has the talent and the capabilities to be a No. 1 receiver. He'll get a great chance to put up some big numbers in Reid's offense, and could really open a lot of eyes.

Roy Williams has caught a lot of heat in Dallas and many aren't sure that he's truly a No. 1 receiver. However, looking at his body of work in Detroit, and his new-found work ethic in Dallas, he's gearing up to have a big year catching Tony Romo-thrown passes. He's still a guy that defenses always must keep an eye on, because he has the talent to explode.

Santana Moss and Kevin Curtis are both speedy guys who can be a nightmare if they get behind the coverage. Moss is the better of the two, as he is the No. 1 guy in Washington, but Curtis proved his worth after his 1,000 yard season in 2007 during his first year as an Eagle.

Rookies Jeremy Maclin and Hakeem Nicks may find their way onto this team next year, but for now they are just rookies and will need to show something first. No Giants player made it onto this receiving corps, and the reasoning is simple: they're just not that good. Steve Smith is probably the best they have to offer, and he's a No. 2 guy even on a poor team.

Rob Myers Could Wind Up As Second Tight End

2009-08-25T11:09:00.001-04:00

By Bob Cunningham: There's a pleasant surprise in the midst of all the question marks floating around the Eagles' tight end dilemma, and that's the emergence of rookie Rob Myers out of Utah State.

Myers was brought in the day after it was confirmed that Cornelius Ingram had a torn ACL and would not be available for the entire 2009 season, and he's impressed since day one. The first impression was that he was very fast, and that impression has not faded in the least. He's got more speed than your average tight end, which could create a lot of problems for covering linebackers.

At 6'4 and 240 pounds, he's the same size as Ingram minus about five pounds, but is much faster for that missing five pounds. Myers seems to have good hands as well, hauling in four receptions in the Eagles most recent preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts.

What's really working in Myers' favor is the fact that the Eagles are incredibly thin at tight end at the moment, which will give him the chance to show that they should give him a shot. The feeling is that they're tired of Schobel's lack of production, and no one is really convinced that Eugene Bright is an NFL tight end.

There was talk of the Eagles bringing in former Cowboys tight end Tony Curtis, but nothing has happened with that. A minor move like that would probably have been done by now if the Eagles were really intent on bringing him in. This could signal that Curtis is delusional and making some demands, or that the Eagles are ready to give Myers a shot to prove himself.

Even if (Tony) Curtis does find his way onto this roster, it may still be as the third tight end behind Brent Celek and Myers, which would mean an end to the Matt Schobel era in Philadelphia. Schobel seems like a good enough guy, but I'm not sure that many in Philly would shed a tear upon hearing of his departure.

Myers is about the same player as Ingram, and could be used in much of the same ways, including putting him in the slot or using him as a redzone target. The Eagles are always a mystery, but don't be surprised if Myers gets his first NFL job with the Eagles.

Would Matt Jones Have Been a Better Fit Than Vick?

2009-08-24T09:49:00.000-04:00

By Bob Cunningham: In a heavily-publicized move, the Eagles signed "quarterback" Michael Vick to a two-year contract just a couple of weeks ago. Now they're dealing with the ripples that the move has caused in the hopes that the on-field production outweighs the headache they're enduring at the moment.

The idea is that Vick will be a utility, or gadget type of player. He might line up anywhere on the field including quarterback, wide receiver, or running back. The plan is that his presence alone will cause a panic and confusion for the defense, allowing the Eagles' offense to take advantage of said confusion and create a big play.

However, is it possible that there was a better option available? Namely, Matt Jones.

From the football side of things, Jones was actually progressing quite well in Jacksonville before his most recent run-in with the law for possession of cocaine. He was a gadget guy coming out of college, and was eventually stuck in as a wide receiver though there was talk of him playing tight and end and, his college position, quarterback.

He's not the athlete that Vick is, but then again that could be said of any player. However, Jones is also more versatile than Vick. While Vick probably has the athleticism to play running back, or even line up at wide receiver, Jones has shown that he can catch and is a viable option at wide receiver, and is probably big enough to play tight end at 6'6" and 242 pounds.

While Jones has not played tight end in the NFL, he would certainly be better than the Eagles' options behind Brent Celek (Eugene Bright, Rob Myers, and Matt Schobel). On top of that, he's a great redzone target and could operate the wildcat just as well as Vick with his prior experience playing quarterback, which as I said is in fact his natural position.

As a quarterback, Jones may even stack up with Vick. Jones wasn't a terrific quarterback in terms of his mechanics and when it came down to the little details, but he had a fairly strong arm and could get the job done. Vick's troubles as a quarterback are well-documented, and it's unclear if he'll ever be able to really get all of the nuances of being an NFL quarterback.

From a PR standpoint, it makes even more sense.

Bringing in Michael Vick has not been good for the Eagles' reputation as a company outside of NFL circles, and while the move has been praised by a few who believe Vick deserved a second chance, it has mostly been met with harsh criticism and confusion.

Signing Jones would have probably been the opposite. Outside of the Philadelphia scene, the move to bring Jones in probably would have gone unnoticed and blown off as just another signing. There quite certainly wouldn't be anyone at the NovaCare complex to protest the signing of Jones.

Yes, defensive coordinators and opposing teams will worry about Vick much more than they would have worried about Jones, but after running the wildcat a few times, or catching a few fades in the corner of the end zone, teams would have certainly started to take notice to Jones' presence on the field.

Let's also not forget that Jones is a guy that Eagles were interested in, and some thought he may have even fallen to the Eagles with the 31st overall pick that year. It's unclear whether the Eagles would have actually taken Jones, as it wouldn't have been a surprise to see him passed up for Mike Patterson anyway, but they were definitely kicking around the idea.

At this point, it's nothing more than a "what-if" scenario, but it's something worth considering. Vick may turn out to be a fantastic signing, and he may bring it all together and really work for the Eagles this season, but it's hard to think that maybe, just maybe, there was and still is a better option available.

What Happened in Indy?

2009-08-23T12:46:00.004-04:00

Andy Reid called the performance in Indianapolis "embarrassing," "absolutely ridiculous on both sides of the ball", and "unacceptable." Reid was clearly trying to send a message: The regular season is coming real fast, it's time to get ourselves prepared.

While Reid absolutely has the right to be unhappy about his team's performance, it just gives the Eagles more to focus on.

1. Getting the offensive line together.

Donovan McNabb was originally slated to play an entire half, but then Reid became aware of the offensive line situation. King Dunlap simply could not block Dwight Freeney. Although Reid will never say it, McNabb was pulled out after the TD pass because Reid did not want his ranchise quarterback to get injured in a meaningless preseason game.

2. Ellis Hobbs doesn't know the system yet.

That Reggie Wayne touchdown was completely unacceptable. Hobbs thought that he had safety help over the top but he didn't. This is all because of a misunderstanding of the play. Sheldon Brown knows the system, and Hobbs also needs to get on the same page.

3. Maclin is not Jackson!

He looked hesitant while returning kicks. He dropped a third down pass that hit him right in the hands. We can only hope this is because of the missed time and it will get better as the season goes on.

Some good things about the game:

1. Starting offense looked relatively good.

That TD throw to DeSean Jackson is exactly what was missing last year. McCoy looks great while running, and will only get better as he adjusts to the speed of the game. McNabb looked to be on target with most of his passes; the only problem was a couple of dropped passes on third down.

2. Hobbs did fine as a kick returner.

He had a return for 35 yards with poor blocking. He looks like he will be a plus from Demps last year.

3. Jason Babin looked good once again.

He's had 4 tackles and one sack in both of his preseason games...and this time he was going against the Colts' first-team offensive line! He also forced a fumble on Peyton Manning, a feat that is not easily accomplished.

Eagles Make a Call to Warrick Dunn

2009-08-23T06:08:00.001-04:00

By Bob Cunningham: According to Sam Wyche of NFL.com, the Philadelphia Eagles are one of many teams to make exploratory calls to free agent running back Warrick Dunn. Apparently, talks with the Eagles never got serious because they were so far apart on a dollar amount.

The Seattle Seahawks were the only other confirmed team to have spoken to Dunn, which makes sense considering their running backs are less-than-stellar and Mora, Jr. was Dunn's coach in Atlanta, where he spent his time between stints in Tampa Bay.

The 34-year old running back has not been drawing the attention that was first anticipated, and a move to the Eagles doesn't make sense for either party. The Eagles now know that they will be getting Westbrook back for Week 1, and LeSean McCoy is cemented in as the number two running back.

Dunn is clearly better than Eldra Buckley or Lorenzo Booker, but Dunn does not want to return as a third back when there are teams who could use him as a number two change-of-pace back. The Eagles probably wouldn't guarantee him playing time, and tried to give him third-back money. Dunn rejecting that offer isn't exactly a shock.

Dunn is probably going to wait it out for someone to call him after the preseason if a team decides they're not happy with their current stock of running backs, but with a pretty good crop of veteran free agent running backs (Edgerrin James, Shaun Alexander, Deuce McAllister, etc.) Dunn better make sure he's not being too picky. If he won't sign, someone else will.

Eagles Showing Desperation at Tight End

2009-08-22T22:39:00.000-04:00

By Bob Cunningham: According to Jason La Canfora of NFL Network, the Eagles have been looking at former Cowboys tight end Tony Curtis, and plan on signing him pending a physical.

Curtis, for his career, has 11 receptions for 50 yards and three touchdowns. At 6'5 and 251 pounds, Curtis will be more of a blocking tight end, and his signing will probably mean the release of Eugene Bright. Of course, it could mean the end for Rob Myers, but the Eagles probably want to see a little more out of him. It's clear at this point that Bright is simply not an NFL tight end.

It was looking like Curtis could be the backup in Dallas during the 2008 offseason when the Cowboys traded then-backup tight end Anthony Fasano to the Dolphins. However, the Cowboys used a second-round draft pick on Martellus Bennet, who immediately took over the second tight end spot.

Curtis was released after the 2008 season and picked up by the Kansas City Chiefs after they traded Tony Gonzalez. Curtis was released recently after the Chiefs signed former Giants receiver Amani Toomer.

The signing of Curtis will be a sign that the Eagles have hit the panic button concerning the tight ends considering he goes against everything Andy Reid looks for in a tight end. Curtis is more of a guy who comes in to block, as evidenced by his minimal receiving yards.

The Eagles will be counting on Schobel or Myers/Bright/Curtis to step up big time and help this team out at the tight end position. Don't be surprised to see a lot of three and four-wide sets this year, even for Reid.

Jason Babin Could Wind Up Making Philadelphia Eagles Final Roster

2009-08-21T18:23:00.000-04:00

By Bob Cunningham: When Jason Babin was signed by the Eagles, it wasn't a move that get much publicity. A small blurb was placed here or there beneath a more important story or mentioned a passing sidenote. He was considered a camp body without much of a shot at making this team. Well, that may all be changing.

Babin impressed a lot of people last night when the Eagles went into Indianapolis to play Peyton Manning and the Colts. Babin was getting very good pressure, and looked extremely quick off the ball. A couple times he caused Manning to rush, which caused a bad throw.

This is exactly what the Eagles are looking for out of their defensive ends, and it's something that they have not been getting—outside of Trent Cole. Darren Howard was able to get pressure last year, but a lot of his sacks came from playing the tackle position in the nickel on obvious passing situations.

Babin was a first-round pick back in 2004, so the potential is there and the talent has been showcased on some level; it just needs to translate onto a professional football field.

I was there for Babin's introductory press conference, which few members of the media actually stuck around for, and he said that he felt like the Eagles defense was a perfect fit for him.

He said that he loves getting around the edge and getting after the quarterback, which is what the Eagles do. He may have been right, and in only a couple weeks with the team is moving up quickly.

He played right end on Thursday night in place of an injured Cole, and he's got a huge task in front of him if he's intent on playing right end. Left end, however, is more of an open position with Juqua Parker's arrest, and Abiamiri's injury. Not to mention that Abiamiri was less than impressive last night.

If Babin can show something while playing at the other end position, he may have overcome his difficult odds to make this team's final roster.

Andy Reid Calls Philadelphia Eagles Embarrassing In Loss to Indianapolis Colts

2009-08-21T17:46:00.001-04:00

By Jimmy Duncan: Preseason or not, the Birds have had better days. The Eagles had numerous problems in the 23-15 loss to Indianapolis on Thursday night. The game was not even as close as the score indicates.

It looked bleak for Philadelphia from the first whistle, as Peyton Manning led the Colts on a 12 play, 81 yard drive, capped off by a three yard touchdown pass to Anthony Gonzalez. Manning never looked back, completing 10 of 14 passes for 167 yards.

One of the more eyebrow raising plays of the game came with 4:50 left in the first quarter, when Manning connected with Reggie Wayne on a 76 yard scoring strike. Ellis Hobbs, filling in as the starting cornerback for the injured Sheldon Brown, completely missed his assignment, leaving no green helmets within 30 yards of the wide open Wayne.

"I think [we need to] just get back to basics", said starting safety Quentin Mikell. "I think the main thing is we've got to fly around a little more. We've got to get our eyes on the right spot. It's always tough in the preseason, but that's no excuse. We've got to get this thing together. We're going to go back to work on Saturday and figure out what we need to do there."

When asked specifically about the Reggie Wayne debacle, Mikell said:

"That's a good play that they had. They had two guys running through the zone on one of our safeties and that's a tough position. Any time you have a great quarterback like Peyton Manning it's tough. But that point aside, we don't have any excuses. We've got to make the plays, so at the end of the day we've just got to get better."

Penalties were another huge problem. The Eagles registered twelve penalties for a staggering 87 yards. Several of these penalties were for silly "rookie" mistakes. Illegal formation, too few men on the line of scrimmage, false starts, etc.

"All in all, that was an embarrassing performance and way too many penalties, not enough intensity all the way around, starting with me," Coach Reid said after the game. "It was a poor performance."

On the other hand, there were some high points. The quarterback rotation of Donovan McNabb, A.J. Feeley, and Adam DiMichele combined to go 35 of 49 for 343 yards, with both McNabb and DiMichele registering touchdown passes.

"We are taking a step ahead," said McNabb after the game. "There were a lot of things we could take out of this. We weren't able to start the way we wanted to start last week. This week, we did. We can take some things out of this. The positive thing about it is that once we get all of our guys healthy we can get things really rolling."

The thing for Eagles fans to remember here is that although this was a boring, sometimes painful to watch preseason game, it was a preseason game nonetheless. Several starters, who would have normally played, sat with minor injuries. There were twelve players who didn't even make the trip out to Indy.

We should get a more accurate view of what to expect from this team next week, when the Birds host the Jacksonville Jaguars. Generally, you see the most of the starting group in the third preseason game. Also, Michael Vick is expected to make his Eagles debut against the Jags, so look for Andy Reid to try some different stuff and shake things up a bit.

Relax, Eagles fans. There's no need to panic...

Yet.

Eagles Get Good Injury News; Release a Safety

2009-08-19T12:12:00.002-04:00

By Bob Cunningham: As you may or may not have known, Shawn Andrews was sent out to California recently to see Dr. Robert Watkins to get his back looked at. While sending him out there shows a high level of concern, which in itself is bad news, the doctor actually gave Andrews some good news.

Dr. Watkins apparently told Andrews and the team that his injury is muscular, and not structural, which significantly increases the likelihood that he will be able to get on the field soon and be fine for the September 13th opener at Carolina.

Andrews will be a vital piece to this offensive line, and the Eagles will need to know his status sooner rather than later so they can decide if they need to pursue outside help (namely, Jon Runyan) or if they can just sit tight and wait knowing that Andrews will be able to play. This news goes a long way in helping that decision.

The good news doesn't end there, as it appears that Brian Westbrook's injuries were either not quite as serious as first thought, or he's unbelievably ahead of schedule. He practiced in a live drill yesterday and says that he feels good about being able to play in the opener at Carolina. In fact, he said he'd like to see some preseason action if at all possible.

This is a fantastic development for the Eagles as the health and success of Westbrook is always monumental in not only winning individual games, but being able to make a push late in the season. The presence of LeSean McCoy should keep him fresh come playoff time, which is exactly what the Eagles need.

If Westbrook can start the year off at 100 percent and ready to go, the chances of getting back to the Super Bowl for the first time in five years greatly improves.

In some not-so-good news for safety Rashad Baker, the Philadelphia Eagles have released him. Apparently Baker just decided one day that he wouldn't show up for practice, and for a guy who's on the bubble anyway, that apparently was the last straw for Reid. Baker was handed his (or perhaps mailed if they still couldn't find him) papers and is no longer a Philadelphia Eagle.

Expect more whispers about this story in the coming days, as it's still unclear why Baker missed practice or even exactly what went down afterwards.

You may remember Baker as the kid who saved the Eagles season last year, as he was the one who picked off Jeff Garcia in Week 17 to seal an Oakland Raiders victory, and giving the Eagles a shot at the playoffs before their dismantling of the Cowboys.

What Remains to be Fixed in Philadelphia

2009-08-18T02:03:00.006-04:00

The Philadelphia Eagles are a team that is on the brink of success. Simply put, there a couple of things that are holding them back... and here they are.

The Offensive Line

This is the most publicized problem with the Eagles right now. In May the Eagles had the following projected starting lineup.

RT: Jason Peters

RG: Todd Herremens

C: Jamaal Jackson

LG: Stacy Andrews

LT: Shawn Andrews

When the Eagles played last Thursday, only Peters,who went out of the game with an injury anyway, and Jackson even played. While the back ups didn't do a terrible job, the game definitely would have taken a different course had they O-line better. Stacy Andrews and Jason Peters look on pace to return either this week or next week. Todd Herremens is expected to return in the season opener. The biggest question mark is Shawn Andrews and his ability to recover from some back muscle issues. Winston Justice, the former second round pick, is currently playing right tackle. The Offensive Line needs to sort itself out before the Eagles head to Carolina for the season opener.

Depth at TE

Right now Celek, Bright, Schobel, and Myers are the only TEs on the 80 man roster.

- Celek is the obvious starter.

- Matt Schobel has been here for several years, knows the system, but has never really produced during the regular season.

- Robert Myers is a project the Eagles are working on.

- Bright is a converted defensive end who looks like he needs another year on the practice squad before he can play at this level.

If the Eagles ever want to line up in a dual TE set and hope their opponents take them seriously they need at least another TE. If Celek is ever seriously injured the team is going to be in dire need of one.

The Linebackers

If you took one thing away from the Patriots game it should be that a TE was allowed to score 2 TD's with relative ease. Covering the TE is the LB's job. While I don't know which LB had the specific assignment on Baker, that problem needs to be fixed. I think that this will be fixed as the preseason goes on and the LB's get better chemistry, but it cannot happen during the regular season.

2009-08-17T18:50:00.002-04:00

What do you think...is he sincere?

Practice with Michael Vick

2009-08-16T02:21:00.012-04:00

A Couple of Big News Items:

1. Michael Vick
Yes, Michael Vick practiced today. He originally practiced in offensive only drills, completing slant patterns and regular routes. He worked studiously with McNabb and Marty Mornhinweg: trying to get his footwork and basics back in place. What is notable about this practice is that
a) He handled the media well, spoke very little
b) He was the first one on the field and the last one off
c) He hooked up with Maclin twice for 50 yard throws down the field.

2. Sheldon Brown
Sheldon Brown injured his ribs today while defending Kevin Curtis. His ribs are bruised and there's no word yet on how long he'll be out.

3. Shawn Andrews Speaks!
"Yeah, a lot of you guys with the ink pens question my mental toughness. I know a lot of people are trying to keep their jobs and do good for their paper, so I guess it’s OK. It’s tough when a guy can’t defend himself. People just kind of make me out to be a nut case. It’s all right. I’m content with myself and where God wants me to be."

Get back on the field PLEASE!

4.Westbrook Practiced.
Philly.com had this to say about Westbrook:

"Westbrook ran during intalls, but not during team drills. The running back looked very sharp."

Gcobb.com had this to say about practice:

"Brian Westbrook was out getting some work during the individual drills. We went in after those were over and I'd estimate that he looked about 70%. You can see that B-West still has a ways to go before he's all the way back. He doesn't put all of his weight on that injured ankle. It's understandable. It's good to see him out here so far ahead of the first game."

Check me out at The Bleacher Report and Iggles Fanatics

Moving Forward: How Will the Eagles Use Michael Vick?

2009-08-15T23:16:00.005-04:00

By Anthony Williamson: Just how will the Philadelphia Eagles use Michael Vick once he's able to return in Week 7?

I'm reminded of when the Coyote FINALLY caught the Roadrunner, only the bird was now a few stories tall. The Coyote turns to us, the viewer, and asks, "You always wanted me to catch him, now what?" Philly fans always wanted this team to have more weapons so...now what?

The two words I keep hearing tossed around are "slash" (a la Kordell Stewart) and "wildcat." But that hardly lets the fan know how Vick is going to be a playmaker for this offense.

Since Madden is out today, I have a few plays I'll be adding to my playbook and I won't be putting Vick's speed up to 99 like the '04 version.

Play No. 1

Deceptively Vick

The Eagles LOVE screen passes and I love the way they execute them, most of the time, so here's an opportunity for Vick to shine. Vick and DeSean Jackson are spread out as receivers on the right side of the formation. DeSean Jackson then goes in motion to the left past Westbrook, who in the backfield split left.

The defense reacts to the two explosive players on the their right and shift the coverage figuring Vick is a decoy. At the snap, the ball is pitched to Vick, who is behind Stacy Andrews and Nick Cole, and he proceeds downfield.

Play No. 2

Vintage Vick

Brian Westbrook has a career 158.3 QB rating. Yes, I know he threw one pass way back in 2002 for a 25-yard touchdown to a player I don't even remember (was it Pinkston?) but if he can do it, why not Vick?

Vick lines up behind beastly Leonard Weaver in the I-formation with Donovan faking the hand off to Weaver and pitching the ball to Vick the opposite way.

This sucks up the safety, which allows Vick to do what he does well, which is throw the deep fly. Whether it's Jackson or Curtis who settles under the pass, it should go for 30+ yards easily.

Most secondaries are too disciplined to fall for this play, so it's best used against a team with weak/overly-aggressive cornerbacks.

The Redskins would be a perfect team to execute this play against.

Play No. 3

WildVick

The direct snap play works best here. You have Vick lined up as a halfback on the strong side.

The center snaps the ball directly to Vick, who then can run, throw the ball himself or throw to Donovan, who can launch it downfield. This may take time to develop, so I'd save it for when the Eagles play a team with really slow linebackers, like the Giants.

Play No. 4

Mag-vick

You put in your "fast" package of three wide receivers: Maclin, Jackson, and Curtis. Then you put Westbrook in the backfield and Vick as the tight end.

It starts as a fake draw to Westbrook, followed by the pitch to Jackson, who then fakes the pitch to Maclin. Jackson gives it to Vick, who uses the blocking from teammates to head upfield.

This is not likely to gain much yardage unless Vick makes a few people miss, something that he was once very good at. If he can get a solid block or two, the rest will be seen on SportsCenter.

This is a high risk-high reward play, so I'd save it for when the Eagles play a more mentally handicapped team, like the Cowboys.

Play No. 5

Hines Vick

College quarterbacks who become receivers normally have some key advantages. They read coverage better, have strong hands and are normally deceptively elusive.

Considering all those things, it's easy to picture Vick running routes. Physically, he's stronger than most corners in the league and we know about his speed.

These are a couple ideas I had but I'm sure the Eagles have even more.

Any offensive coordinator would be salivating at the thought of using a guy like Vick. Especially if he's as willing as reports indicate to be a team guy and do whatever is asked of him.

One thing is for sure; I wouldn't want to have to come up with a defensive game plan for the Eagles this year!

Don't Make The Newest Eagle a Vick-tim of Circumstance

2009-08-14T14:10:00.005-04:00

By Lou DiPietro: In case you haven’t heard, the Eagles played a pre-season game yesterday. They looked decent. And, in a fitting ending, David Akers missed a long field goal that would’ve given them the win.

Actually, you probably hadn’t heard, because you were inundated with the news that Michael Vick is now a Philadelphia Eagle. People are overjoyed, people are outraged…but either way, people are talking.

Even if Vick’s acquisition doesn’t make the team better, it sure will make for an entertaining media circus. And the folks at PETA need not worry, because I know the Eagles are a very animal-friendly and socially conscious organization. Hell, their mascot is a bird.

But, for those in Philly—and specifically the Iggles’ organization—who are worried about the personal ramifications of Michael Vick’s employment, well, I have a gift for you.

The Top 5 Ways the Eagles can keep Michael Vick in check:

5. Write it into his contract that he must play middle linebacker if and when any Eagles opponent lines up in the Wildcat offense. After all, who is the biggest natural enemy for domesticated cats?

4. Instead of having to tackle Vick, all defenders rushing the quarterback will be allowed to smack him with a rolled up newspaper.

3. Place an invisible fence along the sidelines, and fit Vick with the collar. So if he tries to step out of bounds…

2. Anytime Vick commits a turnover, discipline him by rubbing his nose in the spot.

1. Six words, Philly fans: Dollar Dog Night at the Linc.

I hope you took that list all in the good fun it was meant as.

Seriously though, you can believe what you want and judge Michael Vick how you see fit. He’s not going to see the field for at least a couple months (if at all this season), and if he even makes one positive contribution, his acquisition is worth a gamble.

Yes, in terms of morality, Vick’s past indiscretions are quite egregious. I don’t condone what he did, nor should anyone, really.

But don’t make him a victim of circumstance.

After all, there are players in the NFL who have been accused of murder, convicted of involuntary manslaughter and been partially responsible for the permanent paralysis of an innocent bystander.

I think Vick understands now that what he did was wrong, and has taken his punishment like a man. And while you may think he deserves more, I think a more suitable punishment would be something akin to the list above—something that reminds him of his past every day.

In that vein, I’m reminded of an old HBO special I once saw. I don’t remember names or gory details, but the gist was that a drunk driver killed an innocent child, and as part of the restitution, the driver was required to send a check for $1 to the victim’s family every Friday.

It was an inconsequential amount (over 50 years it would be all of $2600 or so), but the fact that the driver would be reminded of their mistake at least once a week was enough to justify the punishment in the judge’s eyes.

That said, I guess it’s fitting that Vick is coming to Philly—a town so passionate yet so fickle about sports that most fans would boo their own mother if she threw an interception in a key spot.

No matter what, that’ll never be enough for some people.

I guess to them, the saying “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone” doesn’t apply.

But when does it ever?

Breaking News: Michael Vick Signs 2 Year Deal With Eagles

2009-08-13T22:36:00.000-04:00

By Shady Botros: Chris Mortensen of ESPN is reporting that Michael Vick has signed a 2 year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles. The news was just reported by Mortensen about 10 minutes ago.

Vick has been out of the league for about 2 years now due to the dog fighting charges. Vick has been serving time in jail.

While Vick has been out of the league, he is only a few years removed from being the highest paid player in the league, and the former number 1 pick in the 2001 draft.

Vick’s suspension has been conditionally lifted by Commissioner Roger Goodel.

Of all the teams the Eagles were not one of the teams who showed any interest. However everybody deserves a second chance and Vick has shown remorse.

I also wonder how quarterback Donovan McNabb will react after the benching. Does he worry about his job security, does he want to share reps with Vick, how would you feel if you were in Vick’s situation.

This probably shuts the door on Kevin Kolb who was the acclaimed the quarterback of the future, this will also be a distraction in camp which really isn’t the style of the Eagles organization.

Football wise I don’t know what to expect, he portably doesn’t have the laser arm, or the 4.3 speed, will he play out of the wildcat or as a quarterback, and will he start.

As for the national reaction, how do you feel about this signing? Does this make the Eagles the laughing stock of the NFL? How do you feel as an Eagles Fan? How big of a distraction will this be, just a few questions to think about.

MLB Joe Mays: Views from Philadelphia Eagles' Training Camp Sidelines

2009-08-13T10:02:00.000-04:00

By Jamie Brown: Eagles' linebacker Joe Mays is stepping in for the injured Stewart Bradley in the team's preseason game against the Patriots on Thursday.

If Mays can maintain his composure and physical style of play, he could start all 16 games this season.

Mays was taken 200th overall in the 2008 draft, and I am going to talk about him as if he is a rookie, despite coming into his second year with the Eagles.

Why?

He has only taken three (yes, three) snaps in a regular season game, and he hasn't really had a chance to prove himself. But he will on Thursday.

"Lacks height, but has impressive upper-body muscle structure (sometimes gets too muscular), thick chest, broad shoulders, thick thighs and calves..."

What does this mean for the Eagles' defense? How will stopping the run be the same this season without Bradley?

"Fires low off the snap and is combative with his hands in attempts to shed and split double teams..."

Mays is "The Answer." Not in a cocky, Allen Iverson way, but in a "he actually is the answer" way. Watching him at training camp gave me newfound hope in what looked to be a desolate season.

"Comes out of his stance and attacks the ball carrier with good force and has the hand strength to dislodge the ball from the opponent..."

Bringing back my Iverson point, yes, training camp is just practice. But this is the only thing I have to judge Mays on and he looks great.

"Good at stacking and controlling multiple blockers, which frees up his outside linebackers to make the play..."

From memory, he only gave up one pass for a big gain (the team was doing a one-on-one drill) and either knocked down the rest or stopped the TE from even getting off the line.

This sort of physical defense is what the Eagles need to recover from their losses to injury this offseason: a player that can come up and stop a Marion Barber or Brandon Jacobs up the middle or step back into coverage to break up short yardage plays.

"In pass coverage, he is capable of sticking to tight ends and slot backs..."

I have yet to see him blitz the QB in person, but he seems to be the sort of LB that can do it all. His versatility shone on the field, and I'm pretty sure I could smell his confidence and excitement from the sidelines.

"Has better vision on running plays, as he has that explosive initial step shooting the gaps..."

Mays has this "swagger" about him that makes him look fierce and competitive beyond what I have seen before. It could be that he is fighting tooth-and-nail for a starting position, or it could be he has analyzed, assessed, and is now dealing with the situation at hand: the lack of depth in the LB corps.

He said he has learned the scheme and playbook thoroughly and is ready for the upcoming season.

But don't get your hopes too high, he's not quite DeMarcus Ware. He looks great and is doing very well on the field, but he is essentially a newcomer to this team and still has a long way to go before becoming a starter in the regular season.

But he is well on his way.

Quotes taken from Joe Mays's scouting report before the 2008 draft.

Todd Herremans Could Miss Entire Preseason

2009-08-12T19:36:00.000-04:00

By Bob Cunningham: In the latest string of injury news, Todd Herremans apparently has what is called a "stress reaction" in his left foot, which could lead to a stress fracture if he doesn't get off of it, and stay off of it.

The injury will put him out of commission for probably the next four weeks, which means he's likely to miss all of the preseason. Even if he would be able to come back for the fourth game, the starters only play about a series in the final preseason game, if they even play at all.

Reid could put Herremans in there for the first quarter, but he runs the risk of having him hurt the week before Week 1, and probably wouldn't take that chance.

It's not a real surprise to see Herremans injured considering he hasn't left the field at all during camp. Because of Peters lengthy absence due to some injuries, Herremans was playing constantly out at left tackle, and only had a couple practices inside at his guard position.

The biggest thing about this is that Herremans is only one of three starting offensive linemen who will not be playing tomorrow against the Patriots. The others joining him on the sidlines are the Andrews brothers, Stacy and Shawn.

With those three guys riding the pine, the starting line will probably consist of Jason Peters at left tackle, Max Jean-Gilles at left guard, Jamaal Jackson at center, Nick Cole at right guard, and Winston Justice at right tackle.

While it's by no means a terrible line, it's certainly not the line I want to see Week 1 against the Carolina Panthers. The chances are very good that Herremans will be back at his left guard spot by then, and that Stacy Andrews will take over at right guard. However, the right tackle position still remains a mystery with Shawn Andrews hurt, and Jon Runyan still in free agency.

Juan Castillo doesn't think it's a problem, so I'm not real worried, either.

Eagles Re-Sign QB Adam DiMichele

2009-08-12T09:58:00.003-04:00

By Bob Cunningham: In the wake of the Matt Nagy debacle, the Eagles have decided to bring former Temple quarterback Adam DiMichele once again (this according to our friends over at NFLDraftBlitz.com), after cutting him earlier in the offseason.

DiMichele was originally brought in to be the fourth quarterback in camp, a position only used to push the other guys and to use as a camp body, but that didn't work out as the Eagles cut him before training camp even began.

My colleague Garry Cobb, who runs GCobb.com, said that he looked to be in way over his head during the OTA's. He said he obviously just did not comprehend the intracacies of an NFL offense and that he didn't belong on an NFL team.

"It usually takes a while to see who truly belongs on the team, but it doesn't take long to see who doesn't belong. Young quarterback Adam DiMichele is one of those who is in over his head. He's got a weak arm and is struggling to digest all of the information the Birds are throwing at him.
I know there are a lot of Temple fans in the area and it would be a great story if he were to compete for a job but that's not going to happen. He looks like a walking-talking turnover out here at the practices.
Incidentally, DiMichele was the quarterback who threw the hospital ball over the middle to Cornelius Ingram. The ball was up the air for an hour before it got to the kid. Those kind of passes get receivers carted off during a game.
I've seen receivers threaten a quarterback with bodily harm for throwing a pass like that."

That's about how much fomer-NFL-player-turned-media-personality Garry Cobb thinks of him. Not exactly a glowing review, to say the least.

DiMichele's time may be short-lived, as it would be a surprise if the Eagles keep him past this upcoming game on Thursday. However, if he shows something, they may keep him on until the first cut for training camp.

QB Matt Nagy's Contract Disapproved By League Office

2009-08-11T19:21:00.001-04:00

By Bob Cunningham: The biggest news for the Eagles today was that quarterback Matt Nagy's contract was not approved by the NFL, a rare occurrence.

While it's not exactly clear as to why his contract was disapproved, it appears to have something to do with the fact that he was a coaching intern. Apparently the league is worried about teams designating guys as "coaching interns" so that they can attend all practices, meetings, and any other team functions, but then be called upon as a player if necessary.

While this could create a precedent, I think the league may be out-thinking themselves just a bit on this one.

Do they really believe that the Eagles were "stashing" a 31-year old guy who never played outside of the Arena Football League? It's not like they brought him on without having to make a roster move. They were forced to cut a guy, and that guy turned out to be receiver Brandon Robinson.

The point here is that while I understand what the league is doing, they may be overreacting a bit. However, they'll get no argument from me, or the Eagles for that matter, who said they are just going to go in a different direction and keep Nagy on as a coaching intern.

'A' for effort?