The Linc - The Eagles spend money, lots of it

Eagles and their spending | Philadelphia Daily News | 09/11/2009
Buffalo News pro football writer Mark Gaughan recently ranked the league's 32 teams based on the total value of the contracts of the 80 players they had in training camp. The Vikings were No. 1 at $736.87 million. Guess who was No. 2? That's right. The Eagles at $721.22 million.

Like Eagles, Panthers Also Had Rough Preseason
For a team that went 12-4 last season and returns 20 of 22 starters, there sure is a lot of uncertainty surrounding the Carolina Panthers. Eight months of bad news will do that.

John Smallwood: Eagles defensive coordinator McDermott about to take first test | Philadelphia Daily News | 09/11/2009
OK, PRESCHOOL is over for Sean McDermott, but instead of moving on to grade school, high school or even college, the Eagles rookie defensive coordinator is jumping right to the graduate-school level of the NFL.

N.J. zoo camel leading protest of Eagles due to Michael Vick signing - The Huddle: Football News from the NFL - USATODAY.com
A soothsaying camel at a New Jersey zoo will not predict Philadelphia Eagles games this season to protest the club's signing of QB Michael Vick. Whatever will we do?

More after the jump including trusting Shawn Andrews, fantasy outlook for this weekend's game, superbowl or bust, and a bad outlook for the Redskins?

Trusting Shawn Andrews can be dangerous - NFC East - ESPN
So here we are two days before the start of the regular season and Eagles right tackle Shawn Andrews is missing practice because of a balky back. Please tell me this isn't catching you by surprise. Even dating back to the owners' meeting in Dana Point, Calif., I thought it was strange to hear Andy Reid express so much confidence in Andrews.

Fantasy football week 1: 5 things to watch for - Philadelphia Eagles vs. Carolina Panthers
The Philadelphia Eagles meet the Carolina Panthers this Sunday in a clash between two 2008 playoff teams. The Eagles head into 2009 as a favorite among many to win the NFC East and the Panthers head into 2009 with many doubters for a team that went 12-4 during the 2008 regular season (ESPN power ranking of #14).

NFL 2009: Same as every year for the Eagles, it's Super Bowl or bust -- latimes.com
The Philadelphia Eagles could have an undefeated regular season, set records and breeze through the playoffs. Nothing matters more than winning their elusive first Super Bowl. Anything less would be considered a failure this season.

Jim Zorn as a Coach: Where Did the Risk-Taker Go? - The Fifth Down Blog - NYTimes.com
NY Times Fifth Down blog post on why Skins 2008 season went south and why it bodes badly for 2009