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LJ Smith is practicing and set to start

Spt

Earlier this week Andy Reid left little doubt as to what would happen when TE LJ Smith returned

"L.J. is a starter when he comes back, and hopefully it works out for him with his [concussion]," Reid said yesterday at the NovaCare Complex. "He's making progress, just getting him back in there. We'll see come Wednesday, but he's getting ready."

Wednesday came and LJ practiced. He'll practice today as well.

The only reason this is news is because of the career game backup TE Brent Celek had starting in place of LJ last week. Celek had 6 catches for 131 yards against Seattle.

For his part, Brent Celek doesn't think he's earned the starting job yet.

"I don't think so. I don't think I've really earned it," Celek said, when asked whether he expected a larger role, after putting up more yardage than Smith has ever managed in a game, in six Eagles seasons.

"I think I've showed what I can do, but like I've already said, L.J. is a great player, and I'm happy that he's back this week."

What do you think? Is one big game enough to hand Brent Celek the starting job? Especially a game against a suspect defense? On the other side, it's not as if LJ has done a whole lot to justify his starting job so far this year.

Poll
If you were Andy Reid, who would you start this weekend at TE?
LJ Smith
118 votes
Brent Celek
238 votes

356 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs  |  Comment 17 comments |

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Comments

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LJ. He’s a better blocker and he has had good success vs the Giants

by Joe_D on Nov 6, 2008 1:22 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

I think I’ll have to interject a bit here. In the past LJ was a better blocker, but Brent has been improving. Also, I’ve watched LJ the past few games that he’s played in and his blocking skills seem to have diminished as compared to two years ago. For my money, I’ll take the small blocking drop off in exchange for an additional pass catching threat with decent hands… especially against this secondary.

World F*ckin' Champions, indeed...

by foos05 on Nov 6, 2008 1:35 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

I don’t think that LJ shortcoming is due to bad play only. He has been asked to block alot this year due to poor offensive line play. The Eagles run a lot of short motion, double teams with TE helping out the guards and Center.

LJ is usually drawing a safety in coverage, and Celek only got bye due to the fact that the defense did not pay him any attention.

New York may game plan for both players, this will render Celek ineffective this week. Overall LJ is a better blocker than Celek, however Celek has improved a little. Celek is just very slow with the ball.

But Celek produces…I understand why the Eagles would go with LJ.

Philles (80 & 08)
Team of Destiny!

by yophillybro on Nov 6, 2008 1:47 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

after the first 65 yards I think they might have started to pay attention to Celek.

"I need to do a better job of putting players in the right position to perennially come up short of expectations"

by Whodie126 on Nov 6, 2008 2:41 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

I know I sound like a broken record ...

but Celek will be a stud he was the all time leading reciever at Cincy as a TE he is tough and has decent speed and great size. Its time the Eagles start using him and bail on LJ.

"I need to do a better job of putting players in the right position to perennially come up short of expectations"

by Whodie126 on Nov 6, 2008 2:42 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Gints pass rush...

is beyond better than the Seahawks’. The Seahawks were without their 2 arguably 3 best rush linemen which means that Andy and Marty were able to disregard the pass rush as a problem in their playcalling and therefore get the tight end out a lot more. The Gints have one of if not the best pass rush in the league and therefore no matter who starts this week they will seem to have little affect on the offense. Celek will do nothing this week if he starts. If anything he would be a blocking liability. If anything the coaches need to look at leaving the tight end in to block less often, not at who was playing when they used a different scheme. It’s the playcalling not Celek.

by TwoTonsOfIrony on Nov 6, 2008 3:17 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

LJ is my choice.
Celek cant even run, and im the only one that can see this…dude is slow-as-molasis!
He came in a did a great job, but K’mon people…yall really think its easy to play in the NFL and anybody can do it…Its obvious the D was not keen on stopping Celing and posses as 0 threat.
I guess Kevin Kolb should be the starter too since QB is so easy to play and Donovan cant win the big game. Pure arrogance.

by Bugzy on Nov 6, 2008 3:57 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

interesting …

Celek cant even run, and im the only one that can see this…dude is slow-as-molasis!

were you aware that Celek and Smith ran the same 40 time (4.75)? Celek may be pretty slow but he has better hands than LJ. LJ would have won the blocking battle but I’m not so sure anymore as our TE blocking has been atrocious this year from everyone.

But from what I’ve seen Celek is not any slower than LJ, and IMHO is probably the better option moving forward.

"I need to do a better job of putting players in the right position to perennially come up short of expectations"

by Whodie126 on Nov 6, 2008 4:31 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

I agree but saying someone is slow-as-molasis as oppose to a player from the same position and looking at there 40 times does actually have some barring.

"I need to do a better job of putting players in the right position to perennially come up short of expectations"

by Whodie126 on Nov 7, 2008 4:18 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

LJ is def playign below his potential, but hopefull seeign Celek will bring fire in the way he plays.

by Bugzy on Nov 6, 2008 3:59 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

A bit early for this kind of talk, but what positions should the Eagles be looking for in the first round next year with two picks likely in the mid to low first round?

Given the aging Thomas and Runyan, and the general play of the offensive line this year on short yardage, offensive line would be a concern. Shawn Andrews’ return won’t be enough to fix this line.

I would love to see a bigger running back or a true replacement for Westbrook (I have no faith in Booker), but I doubt Andy Reid will pull the trigger on this.
I’m still a bit surprised Steve Slaton went in the fifth round (having seen Slaton play against RU far too many times). WVU and RU have not the same teams without Slaton and Rice this year.

by JGCarraway on Nov 7, 2008 9:54 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

Offensive Line and Safety… Probably a TE… Other than that, yes some depth at RB would be helpful… The first person to say WR is going to get a smack in the head

World F*ckin' Champions, indeed...

by foos05 on Nov 7, 2008 10:18 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

I didn’t say safety because I feel the Eagles can get a decent safety in Rd 2 or 3 whereas ready to play OTs are at a premium. RB is needed because of the age of our current RB corps.

I definitely agree about safety depth being lacking though. Eagles will also likely need to draft a TE to back up Celek in the middle/late rounds, and because of Lito Sheppard, I see a cornerback being drafted also at some point.

by JGCarraway on Nov 7, 2008 10:38 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

I don’t see a cornerback being drafted, remember we have Jack I. from Wisconsin sitting there because of injury. So if we draft a CB I see it much later in the rounds, but nothing before the 4th or 5th rounds.

by slandog on Nov 7, 2008 11:00 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

I see the same thing, but Ikegwono (sp?) is a risk still. First round talent with an injury that could affect future play.
From what I’ve seen over the years, the Eagles really really like drafting guys at cornerback for Jim Johnson if there’s even a hint of a shortage
Better to not have a repeat of last year’s cornerback situation when Lito went down given the complexity of Jim Johnson defenses.

by JGCarraway on Nov 7, 2008 11:09 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

yeah jack igu-something was probably gonna be a 1st to second round pick if not for his injury. he may turn out to be great. As for celek, does anyone else get reminded of our infamous TE chad lewis when watching celek play? lewis was the man.

by andyb on Nov 7, 2008 11:10 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

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