Bleeding Green Nation: All Posts by Mike Kaye

Preview: Philadelphia Eagles OTA's Continue Today!

2013-05-20T13:00:09Z

Another week, another set of OTA's. The Eagles will hit the practice field with music blasting, sideline signaling and smoothies being made. The team has been installing its new offensive and defensive schemes under Chip Kelly and Billy Davis, will continue to expand the knowledge of its veterans and rookies during this latest three-day stretch.

As always, the Eagles website and BGN will have complete coverage of OTAs, so while you are watching live coverage at PE.com or just looking for stories on BGN, keep in mind a few changes from last week's start the full-team offseason practices. Over the last week, the team has stayed busy on the business side of crafting the roster. Gone are roster bottom-dwellers like Ronnie Cameron, DeMarco Sampson, Marvin McNutt (2012 6th Round pick; claimed by Dolphins) and Matt Reynolds (Dallas's brother and fellow BYUer). The team has added Oregon undrafted WR Will Murphy, Hampton undrafted DE Daryell Walker, Golden West undrafted OT Nic Purcell and former Dallas Cowboys RB Felix Jones. Also, the team has waived Miguel Maysonet, for undrafted free agent tight end, Will Shaw of Youngstown (OH).

Here is the current roster (with numbers) so you can follow along during live coverage with the team's website:

QB

7 Michael Vick

9 Nick Foles

2 Matt Barkley

3 Dennis Dixon

4 G.J. Kinne

RB

25 LeSean McCoy

34 Bryce Brown

32 Chris Polk

39 Matthew Tucker

37 Felix Jones

TE

87 Brent Celek

85 James Casey

82 Clay Harbor

86 Zach Ertz

41 Emil Igwenagu

89 Derek Carrier

83 Will Shaw

WR

10 DeSean Jackson

18 Jeremy Maclin

81 Jason Avant

14 Riley Cooper

13 Damaris Johnson

17 Arrelious Benn

80 Ifeanyi Momah

19 Greg Salas

11 Russell Shepard

88 B.J. Cunningham

84 Will Murphy

OL

71 Jason Peters

79 Todd Herremans

65 Lane Johnson

62 Jason Kelce

69 Evan Mathis

63 Danny Watkins

67 Dennis Kelly

66 Dallas Reynolds

68 Matt Tennant

73 Nic Purcell

77 Ed Wang

72 Kyle Quinn

61 Julian Vandervelde

74 Nate Menkin

78 Matt Kopa

76 Allen Barbre

64 Matt Tobin

DL

91 Fletcher Cox

90 Antonio Dixon

73 Joe Kruger

97 Isaac Sopoaga

72 Cedric Thornton

96 Bennie Logan

75 Vinny Curry

78 David King

77 Damion Square

64 Clifton Geathers

61 Issac Remington

78 Daryell Walker

ST

46 Jon Dorenbos (LS)

6 Alex Henery (K)

8 Donnie Jones (P)

1 Brad Wing (P)

Eagles expected to waive Miguel Maysonet

2013-05-19T20:43:24Z

Well, that was quick! In what has come as a surprise to even Eagles Insider, Adam Caplan, the team is expected cut Stony Brook undrafted free agent, Miguel Maysonet. The small-school running back was one of the more high-profile rookie free agents that the team signed following this year's draft, and looked poised to compete with Chris Polk to be the third runner on the depth chart. The team even highlighted Maysonet in several videos on the team's website, so clearly this is a out-of-nowhere move by Chip Kelly and Co.

Maysonet started his college career with the now-defunct Hostra football program in 2009. After the team was ended by the school, he transferred to Stony Brook. During his time at Stony Brook, Maysonet dominated the small school competition. As a sophomore, he ran for 1,128 yards and 12 touchdowns. In 2011, he ran for 1,633 yards and 15 touchdowns. Not to be outdone (by himself), Maysonet left the best for his last year, with an astounding 1,964 yards and 21 touchdowns. He is more of a one-threat back with just 18 catches over 3 years at Stony Brook.

The signing of Felix Jones and perhaps the performance of Polk and TCU's Matthew Tucker, allowed for the team to drop Maysonet from the competition. Maysonet participated in rookie mini-camp, but was unable to take part in the first post-draft OTAs because his college class did not graduate until this weekend. Maysonet will seemingly get another look, as he has proven to have talent. The Eagles likely figured they had enough competitors at the running back spot and wanted to improve the battle at another spot .

Late-night update (10:57 p.m.):

Can confirm #Eagles are expected to waive RB Miguel Maysonet. As @roobcsn reported, it'll happen pending a physical passed by another FA.
— Geoff Mosher (@GeoffMosherCSN) May 20, 2013

Michael Vick says he learned how to carry the ball properly from Chip Kelly

2013-05-19T18:22:56Z

Eagles quarterback, Michael Vick, was on 97.5 The Fanatic last week and Sheil Kapadia of Birds 24/7 transcribed some key points from Vick's interview with Mike Missanelli. Of the comments Vick made during the interview segment, one is sure evoke some added questions from fans and media alike. During the segment with Missanelli, the former Pro Bowler stated the following when asked about his turnovers:

"The other day, I broke out in the pocket, and the first thing Chip told me was to tuck the football," Vick said. "So I showed him how I was running with it, and he looked at it and he knocked the ball right out of my hands. And he was like, ‘Hold it like this.’ And what he told me felt comfortable. I had a tighter grip on the football. That should secure that problem as long as I work on it. Like I said, you’re always a work in progress, and even when you think you know it all, sometimes you don’t. The people who feel like they know everything, they don’t."

Keep in mind, this was just a few minutes after Vick boasted that he had in the league for 12 years. So in the dozen years that Vick was in the league, no coach, including Dan Reeves and Andy Reid (both made Super Bowl appearances) taught him how to hold a football? Vick in the same breath mentions that players are always "a work in progress" which is a fair very statement, but not knowing one of the the key fundamentals in the game going into your 30's is a bit frightening, considering the caliber of coaching the he has had.

The positive to take away from the comment is that he "now" knows how to hold the ball, following what seems like a brief coaching moment with Chip Kelly. Also, it may speak to how great of a teacher that Kelly really is and Vick is simply understating the significance of the coaching moment. Vick also said that he plans to work on the the technique, which confirms the notion that he really is doing all he can to improve and impress the coaching staff.

Do you think the comments Vick made are more positive than negative? Do you find it hard to believe that Vick has never been taught the right way to hold the ball, given the coaches he has played for?

Report: Clay Harbor to play outside linebacker?

2013-05-17T00:01:24Z

Is Andy Reid giving Chip Kelly some advice? According to Bob Grotz of the Delaware County Times, Eagles tight end Clay Harbor may be in line for a position change. With Brent Celek, James Casey, and Zach Ertz prepared to get major time in the team's offense, Harbor could be the odd man out at his current position. That is why Harbor is apparently giving outside linebacker a shot.

Harbor, who is entering his fourth year in the NFL, has amassed 47 catches for 421 yards and four touchdowns during his career. A 4th round pick out of a small school, Missouri State, Harbor has mostly been Celek's primary backup over the last three seasons. He has shown flashes during his time with the team, but seems to have earned an "okay just isn't enough" reputation from Eagles fans and the local media.

Harbor is not the first Eagles player to switch sides over the past few years. The team had Dan Klecko for a season in 2008, and he played both defensive tackle and fullback. So while the move is unusual, it is not unheard of. The odd part about the switch is that there is already a logjam at outside linebacker and the Eagles had been rumored to want to possibly hold onto four tight ends.

The team and Harbor will likely take a "wait and see" approach to the position change, but it may not be a good sign for his future with the Eagles.

[Note by JasonB, 05/16/13 8:19 PM EDT ] Harbor responds on twitter

@phillyboyintn haha just learning some LB for emergency situations and versatility purposes
— Clay Harbor (@clayharbs82) May 16, 2013

Curtis Marsh: "I am just ready to compete."

2013-05-15T20:15:33Z

Lost in the shuffle of the Eagles scheme changes, the new draft picks and the team's free agency haul, are the leftover "unknowns" of the late-Andy Reid Era. One of those aforementioned question marks is third-year cornerback, Curtis Marsh. The Utah State alum was picked during the now-infamous 2011 NFL Draft, and much like the rest of the Eagles draft class from that year, he has offered very little to be excited about.

With the hiring of Chip Kelly, the additions of Cary Williams and Bradley Fletcher, and selection of Oregon State's Jordan Poyer in the 7th round, Marsh may face an uphill battle for playing time. However, according to Marsh, the new bodies are welcomed acquisitions. "I'm not worried about who they bring in or draft. I want to have the best players in the NFL, but at the same time I want to compete, and I want to be one of the best out there with the starters," said Marsh, during an interview with the local media on Wednesday.

While Marsh may not be discouraged by the new guys at cornerback, he has taken extra measures to impress the new coaching staff. "This whole offseason, I spent my time here, training here," said Marsh, who was converted from a running back into a cornerback midway through his college career. "(This offseason) I did everything I could to get better and prove to these coaches that I am the best, and get out in the NFL, because I believe I can be one of the best."

To Marsh, the offseason is his time to jump-start is career. Starting for Cary Williams while he is on his honeymoon, Marsh has made the most of this week's OTAs. At the end of the day though, Marsh knows his real impact will be determined by how he plays throughout the offseason workouts, training camp and the preseason. He is not getting ahead of himself and is excited about the battle for minutes that Kelly is set to conduct. As Marsh puts it, "I am just ready to compete."

DeSean Jackson: "This offense doesn't really have any limits."

2013-05-14T17:00:09Z

Surrounded by several reporters, Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson made a statement. "This offense doesn't really have any limits," said Jackson, as he addressed dozens of microphones and recorders. The statement rings true to Oregon Ducks fans and those who have followed Chip Kelly's meteoric rise through the ranks of college football. Speculation has run wild since Kelly was hired by the Eagles, but even while the team is in the middle of its second batch of OTAs, questions still remain regarding his NFL offense.

Players met with the media on Monday and offered clues about the speed of Kelly's still-mysterious play-calling on offense. "The biggest adjustment is the pace we're on," said Michael Vick, who is competing for the starting quarterback job. "We're just trying to get the most out of every snap."

The players feel like the offense's speed will not only help them in practice, but in games as well. "We're going so fast, it's hard to change a call or make any adjustments, which is an advantage for us," said LeSean McCoy, who is coming off his lowest rushing total since his rookie year.

To go along with speed, the players have acknowledge the offense's ability to create mismatches through Kelly's imagination, when it comes to play-calling. "We're able to motion from side to side, go behind the quarterback, go in front of the quarterback, and things like that," said Jackson. "With Chip (Kelly), anything is possible," said Nick Foles, who is also competing for the starting quarterback position.

The team is adjusting to not only the timing of practice, but the added elements that come along with Kelly's innovative methods. The team has changed up the dieting and sleep patterns of the players, along with the atmosphere in practice. The coaching staff has added blaring music to give the practice field the noise of a real NFL game. The team is also conducting teaching sessions between practices, instead of allowing players to receive tips or adjustments from the coaching staff in the middle of drills,

With the new changes, come new challenges, but the team seems to really be embracing the new techniques. "I think at every level (Chip Kelly has) been at, he's been successful," said McCoy. "He was very successful at Oregon, and he's bringing that mentality, that same attitude here." For veterans, this is a new attitude, but one they hope will lead to more wins.

Donovan McNabb to retire with the Eagles in September

2013-05-14T02:03:56Z

According to former Eagles quarterback, Donovan McNabb, the multiple-time Pro Bowler will retire as a member of the team that drafted him in 1999. Philly.com's Paul Domowitch reports that McNabb, who was speaking on his NBC Sports Radio show on Monday night, when he declared that he planned to sign a one-day contract with the Eagles in September. A team announcement has not been made, but according to the Syracuse alum, the Eagles may make it official in Week 3, when his former coach, Andy Reid, returns to Philadelphia with the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Eagles took McNabb with the 2nd overall pick in the 1999 NFL Draft. He led the Eagles to one Super Bowl appearance, five NFC championship games and owns most of the team's major passing records. McNabb spent 11 seasons with the team before he was traded to the Washington Redskins in 2010. He spent 2011 with the Minnesota Vikings but was cut in the middle of the season, following mediocre stretch of games. McNabb spent all of 2012 out of the NFL, but has appeared frequently on NFL Network and his aforementioned radio show.

This has been a newsworthy past few days for McNabb already. He announced Saturday that Syracuse would retire McNabb's number 5 jersey on November 2nd. The school still has not confirmed his announcement. The Orange are scheduled to play Wake Forest on November 2nd in the Carrier Dome.

McNabb did not specify if the team would give him the "Brian Dawkins treatment" and retire his number.

Poll

Would you have a problem with the Eagles retiring Donovan McNabb's number 5?

Ifeanyi Momah chose Eagles over Steelers, Saints and Browns

2013-05-13T15:00:10Z

Eagles rookie wide receiver, Ifeanyi Momah, has made quite the impression on Eagles fans, due his massive size (6'7"). However, the lanky product out of Boston College has not produced a large resume to evaluate. Momah, who played his college ball at Boston College, spent five years with the (BC) Eagles. He played as a freshman and sophomore but redshirted his junior year. As a redshirt junior, he caught 19 catches for 296 yards and three touchdowns. As a senior, he tore his ACL during the first game of season, after catching eight passes for 157 yards and a touchdown. He lost his appeal for sixth season, which forced him to enter the 2012 NFL Draft, where he went undrafted.

Momah took part in a Pro Day a few months ago and received serious interest from a few teams. According to Momah, he worked out for the Eagles, Saints, Browns and Steelers. Momah picked the Eagles over the other three teams. "It's a great fit, Chip Kelly is a great coach," said the Boston College alum, when asked why he chose Philadelphia. "I felt I could reach my full potential (in Philadelphia)."

While he does have the size to really be a weapon in the redzone, skeptics may be worried about his ability to recover from a torn ACL at his size. While he has been on the sidelines since early 2011, Momah says he is starting to get into his groove on the field. "There was definitely rust. The tempo, especially with this type of offense, was a little different," said Momah. "It's been a while since I've been in a full uptempo mode, so that was kind of hard for me at first, but I feel like I am back into my own now."

Momah seems very confident heading into the offseason program. While he may face an uphill battle with plenty of talent wide receivers on the roster, Momah possesses an attribute that none of his counterparts have: major size. With Desean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin like locked into their roster spot, Momah is competing with Jason Avant, Arrelious Benn, Damaris Johnson, Riley Cooper and Russel Sheppard for three jobs. Only time will tell if Momah will earn a spot, but for right now, he seems to be the favorite for the Na Brown Award heading into the first session of full-team OTAs.