Bleeding Green Nation: FanPosts

Former MVP McNair found dead

2009-07-04T22:51:15Z

Story reported on ESPN

Former Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair has been killed, a source has confirmed to ESPN.com.

McNair, 36, suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the head in downtown Nashville, police spokesperson Don Aaron said. A female victim was also found dead.

"I don't have any answers for you now as to what's happened, who's responsible," Aaron said.

Aaron said police have tentatively identified the woman but did not release her name.

"There are persons who were around the complex today, visitors, who have been taken to headquarters for questioning, just to see what they know, what they may have seen," Aaron said. "No one is in custody right now."

The condominium where the bodies were found is one that McNair was known to frequent, but police spokeswoman Kristin Mumford could not say whether he was the owner. The incident happened near 2nd South & Lea Ave in Nashville.

Detectives from the police department's centralized homicide unit were on the scene.
McNair played 13 seasons in the NFL, 11 were with the Titans. He played his final two years with the Baltimore Ravens, retiring after the 2007 season.
"We don't know the details, but it is a terrible tragedy and our hearts go out to the families involved," NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement.

"We are saddened and shocked to hear the news of Steve McNair's passing today," Titans owner K.S. "Bud" Adams Jr. said in a statement. "He was one of the finest players to play for our organization and one of the most beloved players by our fans. He played with unquestioned heart and leadership and led us to places that we had never reached, including our only Super Bowl. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family as they deal with his untimely passing."

About 50 people crowded just beyond police tape outside the complex in the upscale Rutledge Hill neighborhood, some wearing Titans hats. The condominium is located within walking distance of an area filled with restaurants and nightspots, just a few blocks from the Cumberland River and within view of the Titans' stadium.

McNair began his career in 1995 with the Houston Oilers, who eventually became the Titans, and finished with 31,304 yards passing and 174 touchdowns. McNair played with pain for several years, and the injuries ultimately forced him to retire.

The highlight of his playing time might have been a five-game stretch at the end of the 2002 season when he was so banged up he couldn't practice. McNair started all five games and won them all, leading the Titans to an 11-5 finish and a berth in the AFC championship game for the second time in four seasons.

McNair played all 16 games in 2006, his first season in Baltimore, and guided the Ravens to a 13-3 record. But he injured his groin during the season opener last season and never regained the form that enabled him to earn a berth in four Pro Bowls.

"I am deeply saddened to learn of today's tragic news regarding the death of Steve McNair. He was a player who I admired a great deal," said New England Patriots senior football adviser Floyd Reese, who was GM of the Titans when McNair played there. "He was a tremendous leader and an absolute warrior. He felt like it was his responsibility to lead by working hard every day, no matter what.

"I don't think there was a player who played with him or against him that didn't look up to him and respect him," Reese said. "My heartfelt condolences go out to his family, his friends and the many teammates who loved and admired him."

Titans coach Jeff Fisher was out of the country, taking part in the first NFL-USO coaches tour to Iraq.

Pete Prisco's Over and Underrated Players

2009-07-04T07:36:28Z

Pete Prisco of CBS Sports puts in his take of the most overrated and underrated player on each team in the league. His arguments/explanations are weak, but it's an interesting discussion. Here's what he had to say about our Eagles and the rest of the NFC East.

Philadelphia Eagles

Overrated: RB Brian Westbrook. He's a good player but some think he's great. He doesn't stay on the field, and for a guy who didn't rush for 1,000 yards last season, you'd think he was Adrian Peterson the way some talk about him.

Underrated: S Quintin Mikell. He was the Eagles' best safety last season, not Brian Dawkins. He's a good tackler who has improved in pass coverage.

Rushing yards only tell part of the story when talking about a back like Westbrook. He is more a weapon than he is a true RB. Obviously, you can't be an elite back if you can't stay healthy, but I think it's hard to hate on him for his injury concern. I'm not sure how he is common rated, but I think most people would mention an 'if healthily when discussing Westbrook. I guess not the people Prisco talks to. In fairness he had to pick someone and our only high touted players are him, McNabb and Asante Samuel. I probably would have went Asante. He's a play maker for sure, but not a top of the line shutdown guy.

Glad to see Q get some love. In his first year as a full time starter, he put up Polamalu like numbers at the SS position, yet he was just the other safety, to casual football fans. Bradley was another option here, or Trent Cole.

As it vaguely pertains the Eagles:

Overrated: FS Brian Dawkins. He isn't what he was a few years ago. He's not as good in coverage at age 35.

For our divisional rivals.

Dallas Cowboys

Overrated: WR Roy Williams. Has he ever lived up to the hype? He had better now or Dallas will be in trouble at receiver.

Underrated: NT Jay Ratliff. How he didn't make the Pro Bowl last season is a mystery. He was dominant.

No complaints here. Roy gets talked up as a 'true number 1 WR' but only has had one season over 850 yards.

Good 3-4 lineman commonly get overlooked. They do the hard work like clog running lanes and eating up blockers while edge rushers can get sack or even just tackles that actually show up in the box score.

New York Giants

Overrated: MLB Antonio Pierce. His bark is bigger than his bite. He is a good player but not nearly as good as some would believe.

Underrated: LT David Diehl. He isn't an elite player, but after moving from guard, he has done a nice job at left tackle.

Once I again I'm in agreement. I think Pierce is on the decline and manages to get himself mentioned with some of the elite at the position.

The O-Line as whole gets some well deserved credit, but how about some love for the guys on it. Diehl has stepped up and has done a great job at LT. If not Diehl I would have said Corey Webster. He was one of the better CBs in the league last season, and I rarely see him get any respect for it.

Washington Redskins

Overrated: CB DeAngelo Hall. He played well for the Redskins when he was picked up last season, but he isn't as good as he thinks -- or others think.

Underrated: CB Carlos Rogers. He looked like a Pro Bowl corner at times last season but has some inconsistency. If he can work through that, he should be a better player than Hall.

I think we've recently had this discussion on here. DeAngelo is more physical tools and hype than he is a good corner. If he can ever put it together, he might have something, but until then, he belongs on here.

Rodgers was statistically one of the better corners last season, but got little recognition.

As an additional note I'm slightly disappointed Matt Ryan wasn't the Falcon's overrated player as he's not the 2nd coming and/or a top tier QB (at least not currently). Oh well.

Your thoughts?

Part 2 of 32 - Dallas Cowboys - Do the Eagles have the potential to be THE dominant team of the next decade?

2009-07-03T13:33:14Z

Part 2 of 32 of "Do the Eagles have the potential to be THE dominant team of the next decade?"

Part 1 - Philadelphia Eagles

Today we look at the Dallas Cowboys, who certainly have some pieces in place, but have a lot of work to do along their offensive line going into the next decade.

The Starters - Offense

QB - Tony Romo - 29

RB - Marion Barber - 26

FB - Deon Anderson - 26

WR - Roy Williams - 27

WR - Patrick Crayton - 30

TE - Jason Witten - 27

LT - Flozell Adams - 34

LG - Kyle Kosier - 30

C - Andre Gurode - 31

RG - Leonard Davis - 30

RT - Marc Colombo - 30

The Offense - Key Reserves

QB - Jon Kitna - 36

QB - Stephen McGee - 23

RB - Tashard Choice - 24

RB - Felix Jones - 22

WR - Miles Austin - 25

WR - Sam Hurd - 24

TE - Martellus Bennett - 22

G - Montrae Holland - 29

T - Robert Brewster (rookie) - 22

T - Doug Free - 25

Average Age of Offensive Starters - 29.09 years old

Average Age of Offensive Reserves - 25.20 years old

The glaring issue going into the next decade for the Cowboys is their offensive line, which is the oldest in the NFL. By the time the playoffs roll around, every single starter on the O Line will be at least 31 years old. Their days in the NFL are numbered. Trivia question - How many offense linemen currently on an NFL roster are 35 years of age or older? 3. That's right, of the 320 or so offensive linemen that will make an NFL opening day roster this year, only THREE are 35 or older - Kevin Mawae (38), Walter Jones(35), and Casey Weigman (35). That's it.

So how did the offensive line get to be this old? Well, this year, the Cowboys had 12 draft picks, and shockingly they only used ONE on an offensive linemen. Last year, they didn't draft any. It's absolutely unbelievable they pretty much ignored the position with such a glaringly old group of players. Now they did draft a number of offensive linemen in the years prior to 2008, but it didn't go so well. Take a look...

2009 – They drafted 12 players, and only took ONE offensive lineman – Robert Brewster in the 3rd round.

2008 – 6 picks, no OL.

2007 – 8 picks, and they took James Marten in the 3rd round (now on the Raiders) and Doug Free in the 4th.

2006 – 8 picks, and they took 2 OL, but waited until the 7th round to do so – tackle Pat McQuistan (has survived so far, battling for a roster spot this year) and center E.J. Whitley (out of the league)

2005 – 8 picks (and it’s hard not to like what they did in this draft), 1 OT in the 6th round – Rob Petitti (out of the league)

2004 – 8 picks, 2 OL – tackle Jacob Rogers (out of the league) in the 2nd, and guard Stephen Peterman (now on the Lions) in the 3rd.

2003 – 7 picks (and another good draft), but 1 OL – center Al Johnson (out of the league).

So in the past 7 years, they’ve drafted 9 offensive linemen. Only 3 are still with the team (for now), none start, 4 are out of the league completely, and just one is a starter in the NFL (Stephen Peterman, although it’s with the Lions). That’s crazy stuff.

As for the receivers, there's a battle between Miles Austin and Patrick Crayton for the starting job opposite Roy Williams. Jerry Jones thinks Miles Austin is the next coming of Terrell Owens. I'm a little sceptical of that sentiment. Regardless, if Austin and Sam Hurd don't step up, this remains another position which the Cowboys will need to address.

The rest of this unit looks to be in great shape. The backfield is stacked with talent and youth, as is the TE position. Tony Romo is quietly getting older (29), and he should be in his prime, but there's no reason to believe he won't be the Cowboys QB for at least the next 5 years (even if he begins to decline).

Moving along...

The Defense - Starters

DE - Marcus Spears - 26

NT - Jay Ratliff - 27

DE - Igor Olshansky - 27

OLB - Anthony Spencer - 25

MLB - Keith Brooking - 33

MLB - Bradie James - 28

OLB - DeMarcus Ware - 28

CB - Terence Newman - 30

S - Gerald Sensabaugh - 26

S - Ken Hamlin - 28

CB - Mike Jenkins - 24

The Defense - Key Reserves

DE - Victor Butler (rookie) - 21

DE - Brandon Williams (rookie) - 21

DE - Jason Hatcher - 26

DT - Junior Siavii - 30

OLB - Bobby Carpenter - 25

OLB - Jason Williams (rookie) - 23

MLB - Matt Stewart - 29

CB - Orlando Scandrick - 22

CB - Alan Ball - 24

CB - Deangelo Smith (rookie) - 22

S - Pat Watkins - 26

S - Michael Hamlin (rookie) - 23

Average Age of Defensive Starters - 27.45 years old

Average Age of Defensive Reserves - 24.33 years old

Just like the offensive, the biggest glaring issue going into the new decade is the line. Jay Ratliff is a nice NT, but after that, you're looking at a couple guys (Igor Olshansky and Marcus Spears) that average less than 3 sacks per season. In a 3-4 defense, th DE is asked to be a run stuffer in addition to a pass rusher. However, Spears and Olshansky both stay in the game on passing downs andthe mere fact that they can't get to the QB 3 times per season is an eye-popping statistic. Depth is basically non-existant. They did draft a couple DE's in the 4th round (Butler and Williams), and aside from that the other reserves are Junior Siavii and Jason Hatcher. This line will need to improve going into the next decade.

The corners look to be in decent shape, although the safeties will could definitely use an upgrade. Terence Newman is already in decline, but the Cowboys are drafting players for their secondary like they're going out of style... They drafted 4 this year (2 corners, 2 safeties), 2 in 2008 (2 more corners), and 2 in 2007 (2 more corners). Note to the Cowboys front office... Your offensive line, by the time the playoffs come around, will average 31.6 years old. Might want to chill out with all the corners and take some guys that can keep your QB alive.

As for the linebackers, DeMarcus Ware and Bradie James should be fixtures of the defense for the foreseeable future. Brooking is nothing more than a one-year stop-gap, and Spencer has a lot to prove. The Cowboys typically draft at least one linebacker every year, and that will never change.

Unrestricted free agents after the 2009 season

- Jon Kitna

- Miles Austin

- Sam Hurd

- Pat McQuistan

- Cory Proctor

- Montrae Holland

- Marcus Spears

- Jason Hatcher

- Stephen Bowen

- Junior Siavii

- DeMarcus Ware

- Alan Ball

- Gerald Sensabaugh

- Pat Watkins

Poll

Which team looks to be set up to have more success in the upcoming decade?

Your Second Favorite Team

2009-07-03T04:35:35Z

Since this is one of the slowest times of the offseason, it's fun to stir up conversation. So who's your second favorite team? And c'mon, do say that the Eagles are your only favorite team. Granted, this team is the best (in our eyes) and this should be the team to root for. But there has to be someone else you root for, even if it's for a little bit. Here's mine

The have a defence that reminds me of the green and a RB that can (and probably be better than) West. But of course the Eagles come first (ESPECIALLY IN THE PLAYOFFS)

Poll

Do you have a second team to root for?

Expect Big Things from the Big Kid

2009-07-03T03:39:19Z

Shawn Andrews has a lot to play for this year; and a couple reasons why this year might make football fun for him again. We all watched in anguish last year as one the most talented players on our team sat out and struggled with a condition that is extremely hard to understand. Well, he's back! Not only is he back, but he's back with his brother and his old college teammate.

Pat Kirwan of of NFL.com and Sirius satellite radio did an interview with him, and I thought it would be worth while to post his notes of the interview here:

Interview of the week

Because of my daily Sirius radio show, I talk with players, coaches, front-office executives and, on occasion, even owners. This week, I have to say that I was very impressed with Eagles guard Shawn Andrews.

Andrews has struggled with depression, but he's well on his way to recovery. He talked with me about all the pressures he has dealt with since childhood, and, until recently, he tried to mask them. But after receiving a helping hand from Eagles coach Andy Reid and a few family members, Andrews said he feels ready to resume a healthy life -- and enjoy football.

As Andrews said, "Sometimes you don't miss the water until the well runs dry." The well was almost dry for Andrews. But now he's ready to play well next to his brother, recent Eagles addition Stacy Andrews, and college friend Jason Peters, who came to Philadelphia in a trade with Buffalo.

Shawn energized me when he talked about how positive he feels right now and how much he feels he can accomplish. Watch out for the Eagles this season.

Do the Eagles have the potential to be THE dominant team of the next decade? 32 part series...

2009-07-03T01:43:30Z

Buckle up!!! I'm about to go a REALLY, REALLY long way (yup, a 32 part series that's likely to get at least moderately annoying at some point) to answer a question about the youth, depth, and talent on this Eagles team... Do the Eagles have the potential to be THE dominant team of the next decade? It's a pretty bold question... so let's take a look at every single team in the NFL, beginning right here with the Philadelphia Eagles...

The Offense - Starters (and their ages)

QB - Donovan McNabb - 32

RB - Brian Westbrook - 29

FB - Leonard Weaver - 26

WR - DeSean Jackson - 22

WR - Kevin Curtis - 30

TE - Brent Celek - 24

LT - Jason Peters - 27

LG - Todd Herremans - 26

C - Jamaal Jackson - 29

RG - Shawn Andrews - 26

RT - Stacy Andrews - 28

The Offense - Key Reserves

QB - Kevin Kolb - 24

RB - LeSean McCoy - 20

WR - Jason Avant - 26

WR - Jeremy Maclin - 21

WR - Hank Baskett - 26

WR - Reggie Brown - 28

TE - Cornelius Ingram - 24

C/G - Nick Cole - 24

G - Max Jean-Gilles - 25

(Ages are as of 7/2/09)

Average Age of Offensive Starters - 27.18 years old

Average Age of Offensive Reserves - 24.22 years old

Donovan McNabb is 32 years old and recently received a pay raise on his contract, which has 2 years remaining. Clearly, barring injury, the next 2 years are his. It's too early to tell what happens in 2011, but the Eagles love McNabb's backup, Kevin Kolb. We've seen McNabb get the Eagles close, but many (myself included) believe that this Eagles team is the best in recent memory (and yes, that includes the team that went to the big game in 2004). The next 2 years are do or die for McNabb.

Brian Westbrook in 2007 was the best running back in the NFL (apologies to you, AP), as he topped 2,000 yards from scrimmage and basically was the Eagles offense. He took a massive dip in production in 2008 due to a collection of injuries. He recently had surgery to remove bone spurs, but the coaching staff is confident he'll be ready for the regular season. Will he still be productive going into the next decade? It's certainly a question mark. I have my doubts. The Eagles drafted LeSean McCoy as Westbrook's successor, and we'll soon get our first look at our new backup RB.

That's pretty much it with the question marks on offense going into the next decade. The youth, depth, and potential of the rest of this offense is downright scary, and I just don't see any real holes. None. The offensive line is big (333.6 lbs per man) young (27.2 years old on average), mean, and nasty. The receivers are extremely young. Jackson, Maclin (optimistically), Avant, and Celek (our likely 1-2-3, and TE going into the next decade) average 23.25 years of age. Seriously, that's ridiculous. The QB and RB (our 2 best players) may need to be replaced within the next 3-4 years, but their replacements will be in about as good a position as anyone could possibly ask for.

Moving along...

The Defense - Starters

LDE - Juqua Parker - 31

DT - Brodrick Bunkley - 25

DT - Mike Patterson - 25

RDE - Trent Cole - 26

SLB - Chris Gocong - 25

MLB - Stewart Bradley - 25

WLB - Akeem Jordan - 23

LCB - Asante Samuel - 28

FS - Quintin Demps - 24

SS - Quintin Mikell - 28

RCB - Sheldon Brown - 30

The Defense - Key Reserves

DE - Chris Clemons - 27

DE - Bryan Smith - 25

DE/DT - Victor Abiamiri - 23

DE/DT - Darren Howard - 32

DT - Trevor Laws - 24

LB - Omar Gaither - 25

CB - Ellis Hobbs - 26

CB - Joselio Hanson - 27

CB - Jack Ikegwuonu - 23

CB/S - Macho Harris - 23

S - Sean Jones - 27

Average Age of Defensive Starters - 26.36 years old

Average Age of Defensive Starters (if Abiamiri wins LDE starting job) - 25.63 years old

Average Age of Defensive Reserves - 25.63 years old

Holes - Eh, not so much. OLB, maybe. Let's just keep this short and sweet... This unit was ranked 3rd in the league in defense last year, is returning 10 of 11 starters (you'll be missed, Dawk), and at 25.63 years of age on average (if Abiamiri wins the starting job), this defense is going to be outstanding for a long, long, long time. Is this the youngest unit in the NFL? We'll soon find out.

Unrestricted free agents after the 2009 season

- Jason Avant

- Hank Baskett

- Winston Justice

- Max Jean-Gilles

- Nice Cole

- Dan Klecko

- Omar Gaither

- Chris Gocong

- Leonard Weaver

- Sean Jones

Number of starters on that list - 2

Money currently available under the salary cap - $24,819,687

Poll

Do you think we'll soon find that the Eagles are in a position to be THE dominant NFL team of the next decade?

Really interesting series of articles on factors to success

2009-07-02T20:28:24Z

Over at this guy's Colts' blog http://www.stampedeblue.com/section/winning-stats (HT to Football Outsiders.com)

Yes, this guy says about 13,594 times that Peyton Manning is great, but if you can stand that, there's a bunch of facinating points he makes by analyzing the last 8 years or so of games and seeing if there is any correlation between conventional wisdom and actually winning football games. The most intersting thing that I found was that neither Yards per Carry nor RB Success (the FO stat) correlate very strongly with winning. The #1 factor for winning? Drive success rate, followed by Adjusted Net Passing Yards per Attempt.

I know that correlation does not equal causation, but it really struck me just how much more important passing is to winning than almost anything else in the NFL these days. Far, far more than running, red zone effeciency, or other old chestnuts we hear every year from the talking heads.

First time Fantasy Football player

2009-07-02T20:16:28Z

Hey everyone, I decided to give into the fantasy football craze thats been going on. This will be my first time playing FFB so I went with Yahoo sports and joined one of their public leagues. Just thought I could get some tips on what to do to have a good first season with FFB. I'll post the team I drafted (or should I say Yahoo drafted for me with my player recommendations) after the jump.

QB : Donovan Mcnabb - Phi (Alternate: Trent Edwards - Buf)

WR : Andre Johnson - Hou

WR : Eddie Royal - Den

WR : Desean Jackson - Phi

Alternate WR : Michael Crabtree - SF
Jeremy Maclin - Phi

RB : Pierre Thomas - NO

RB : Ryan Grant - GB

Alternate RB : Willie Parker - Pit

TE : Brandon Pettigrew - Det

Alternate TE : Brent Celek - Phi

Kicker : David Akers - Phi

Defense : Eagles

Alternate Defense : Carolina

So thats my team I guess. If you guys have any advice for a first timer, comment away.

Seven Eagles Destined for Success

2009-07-02T17:16:06Z

As a passionate Eagles fan, it's tough to select only a few players on the team that are "above the rest". And, once again, we have little to discuss in this "dry" part of the offseason, so I have taken my time and chosen seven members of the current roster that I believe are destined to succeed, in both 2009, and the future. The players selected are not the ones you expect to succeed, like Donovan McNabb, Brian Westbrook, or Asante Samuel, but are some that may experience a great deal of success for the first time. So, cure that offseason cancer with a quick look at some of the Eagles that we should be on the look out for in the near future:

Four Eagles destined for success in 2009...

Victor Abiamiri, DE, #95: With 2 years of experience under his belt, and a lot of knowledge gained from watching the starters, Abiamiri (see picture) is set to begin a heated competition with fellow DE Juqua Parker for the starting left end spot. His size and speed complements the Defensive Tackles well, and whether he beats out Parker for the starting spot or not, I think he'll prove to be a dominant force on the defensive line.
Kevin Curtis, WR, #80: Although Curtis has already shown that he can be the "go-to guy" as a receiver (see 2007 season), a 2008 preseason injury cost him nearly half of the regular season. According to doctors, Kevin is ahead of schedule and is ready to get on the field, and he said so himself during a recent charity event. I see Curtis returning close to his '07 form, and providing Donovan McNabb with another great offensive target.
Trevor Laws, DT, #93: In his rookie campaign last season, Laws was unable to find the field much of the time, but became a late-season force as a quality backup, recording a total of 16 tackles. With Mike Patterson and Brodrick Bunkley secured at the starting DT spots, Laws can take advantage of the backup battles by facing off against rookie Jervonte Jackson and perhaps gaining the number 3 position on the DT depth chart. If he does so, which I am confident he will, look for Laws to see a major increase in playing time, and become a very beneficial factor on the defensive line.
Lorenzo Booker, RB, #25: Yes, yes. I know what you're all thinking..."You put a guy who failed to gain even 60 rushing yards on the 'Destined for Success List'?!". My answer: Booker displayed a lot of potential while performing for the Dolphins in his 2007 rookie year, and now with rookie LeSean McCoy and Eldra Buckley on board at the runningback position, Booker will have to give all he's got to make the team. I have a strong feeling that he will open the season as the backup to Westbrook (with McCoy being the 3rd back), and if he can stay healthy, a productive reserve season should be on the way from Lorenzo.

Three Eagles destined for success after 2009...

Macho Harris, CB/S, #35: Because of the depth at the Safety positions the Eagles have at the moment, I don't foresee Victor "Macho" Harris to play a whole lot in 2009. But with his versatility and determination, Harris should find a spot on the roster good enough for a decent amount of playing time in the coming years, and when he does, expect an explosion of talent. He is a ball-hawk and has quick reflexes, which should prove to be a key in the defense in the years following '09.
Bryan Smith, DE, #63: When looking at Smith's 2008 rookie year, you don't see alot of anything. In fact, you don't see anything at all. He was inactive for the majority of the season, and spent time being mentored by defensive coordinator Jim Johnson. But once the likes of Darren Howard and Juqua Parker are gone from the team (I'd give at least a few more years), expect Smith to step into a backup role that spells the starters for a few plays. With his athleticism, Smith should be able to shine while taking backup reps, and could work his way into a very good reserve player, and eventually the starter.
Quintin Demps, FS, #39: Although I see Demps as a quality starting safety in 2009, I believe his better years will come after this upcoming season. Once he has some experience as the lead guy, he should be able to throttle his immense amount of talent, and turn it into that of a great professional. No, I don't think he's the second coming of Brian Dawkins, but he should mature into a feared player within the next few years. But not in 2009.

After evaluating this brief look at some Eagles expected to break into a successful pattern within the next few years, we have seven great Eagles destined for success.

Picture source: Online image. http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/00dLh0R0Yc7DM/340x.jpg

Rookie Free Agents - Diamonds in the Rough?

2009-07-02T15:22:58Z

In the spirit of AlecTheMan's great article on rookie fullback Marcus Mailei, I'm going to take advantage of a lull in the offseason and examine some of our lesser-known rookies: the RFA's. The release of DT Trevor Jenkins, RB Walter Mendenhall, QB Adam DiMichele, and K Sam Swank has left us with eight undrafted rookies on our roster, all fighting for their shot at the NFL. Some might make a splash in training camp and earn a preseason roster spot, some might even impress enough in preseason to merit a spot on the practice squad. And hey, you never know, we might just have a diamond in the rough that makes the opening day roster. Here is what we have to work with:

Josh Gaines - DE

Height: 6'1"

Weight: 274

Age: 24

Analysis:

Gaines (shown above with his arm in a sausage) is a ferocious lineman out of Penn State with a hard-working attitude. Unfortunately, his small size has caused many coaches to overlook him, leading to his RFA status. Although he might not have the speed and block shedding ability it takes to be an every-down end, his strength and good work ethic just might be enough to land him a position somewhere.

Projection:

Gaines faces an uphill battle for the starting roster with five of our presumed six DE positions already locked in. However, his only competition for that final spot is second-year player Bryan Smith. Since Smith did not play at all last year, Gaines might just have a chance to beat him out for the sixth position if he impresses the coaches enough. Expect Gaines to make the 65-man preseason roster, and give Smith a run for his money.

Jervonte Jackson - DT

Height: 6'5"

Weight: 300

Age: 22

Analysis:

The brother of Eagles' center Jamaal Jackson, Jervonte comes to us from Florida Atlantic University, where he registered 153 tackles and 7.5 sacks during his four-year career. He was also named a first-team All-Sun Belt selection as a senior after posting 41 tackles and 1.5 sacks.

Projection:

After the release of Trevor Jenkins, Jamaal's little brother will have a bit of breathing room going into training camp. Newly-converted (for the umpteenth time) DT Dan Klecko will provide stiff competition, but Jervonte should be able to give him a run for his money with his leadership skills and his ability to get to the quarterback. Since Andy Reid loves to keep reserve linemen on the practice squad, Jackson will likely have a good shot to make it there if he doesn't earn a spot on the active roster.

Reshard Langford - S

Height: 6'1"

Weight: 213

Age: 23

Analysis:

Langford is a hard-hitting safety out of Vanderbit, where he was a four-year starter with 11 career interceptions. He is quick up the field in run defense, squares into ball carriers and wraps up tackling. Aggressive, he voluntarily throws his pads into the action, and works hard to make plays. He also helps out on coverage units as a special teams player, a valuable trait in any backup. At 6'1" he is tied for our largest safety with Sean Jones.

Projection:

Could he be this year's Quintin Mikell? It's a long shot. Langford will have to fight Rashad Baker, Demps/Jones, CFL star Byron Parker, and probably even Macho Harris is he wants to earn a backup safety position. His special teams play will be a huge factor in determining the outcome, but it is likely that he will only make the preseason roster.

Marcus Mailei - FB

Height: 6'0"

Weight: 255

Age: 22

Analysis:

Pretty much everything you need to know about Mailei can be found here. While his carrying skills are not the greatest, Mailei can be a fantastic lead blocker, a solid receiver, and fierce special teams player.

Projection:

Again, special teams play is the key to making the roster as a backup. However, with Leonard Weaver around, it is extremely unlikely that the Eagles will keep two fullbacks on their active roster again. Barring an injury (god forbid), Mailei will be a strong candidate for the practice squad.

Dallas Reynolds - OG

Height: 6'4"

Weight: 314

Age: 25

Analysis:

Reynolds is a strong, stout blocker out of BYU who comes off an outstanding season after moving to the center position. Plays with good lean, effectively fights with his hands, and strong in his upper body. Stays square, blocks with leverage, and controls opponents at the point of attack. Solid position blocker who effectively seals open holes in the middle of the line. Terrific with a shotgun snap, as the ball quickly gets back into the quarterback's hands. Effectively quarterbacks the offensive line, and makes the calls. Displays terrific quickness in his all-around game. Keeps his head on a swivel, and works well with teammates. Plays with a nasty attitude and blocks down well on defenders.

Projection:

The Eagles actually don't have an official center on their roster behind Jamaal Jackson. Nick Cole does a fine job with any backup position, but he is officially listed as a guard. So, Reynolds might be able to slip into the final roster with his leadership and great snapping abilities. He'll have to fight against the likes of King Dunlap, Mike McGlynn, Mike Gibson, Winston Justice, and Chris Patrick though, so if he doesn't make the team, expect to see his name on the practice squad come September. Andy Reid loves keeping extra linemen in reserve, and especially will after the fiasco involving Shawn Andrews and Max Jean-Gilles last season. Interesting Sidenote: Although he swears it doesn't mean anything, Dave Spadaro has put Dallas Reynolds on his "Unofficial Depth Chart" as the #3 center behind Nick Cole.

Brandon Robinson - WR

Height: 5'11"

Weight: 192

Age: 23

Analysis:

From the Boston Eagles to the Philadelphia Eagles comes WR Brandon Robinson. During his 4-year college career, he posted 141 receptions, 2,023 yards and 10 touchdowns, earning All-ACC honorable mention honors in his junior season. Attended Breck School in Minneapolis, MN, where he earned All-America and Minnesota Prep Player of the Year honors in 2003. He recorded three touchdown catches, a punt return touchdown and a 32-yard field goal in his final high school game.

Projection:

Robinson's versatility will be an asset he can build upon, but don't expect that to take him to the NFL. The WR and return man positions are extremely crowded right now, and Robinson will have to fight to make the preseason roster, let alone the practice squad.

Courtney Robinson - CB

Height: 5'11"

Weight: 200

Age: 22

Analysis:

Robinson is a feisty and fundamentally sound cornerback out of Massachusetts with a good head for the game. Jams opponents at the line of scrimmage, slowing their release off the snap, fluid transitioning to run downfield, and does a nice job getting his head back around and locating the pass in coverage. Aggressive, gets after opponents and wraps up tackling. Quick up the field to defend running plays or screen passes. Runs well laterally with opponents, and does a nice job positioning himself to defend the throw. Good for dime packages and can also return kicks.

Projection:

Robinson faces a very crowded position at cornerback. With the top four spots already assigned to Asante Samuel, Sheldon Brown, Ellis Hobbs, and Joselio Hanson, Robinson will have to battle Jack Ikegwuonu, Dimitri Patterson, Trae Williams, and possibly Macho Harris for the fifth cornerback slot. While his return abilities set him apart from the rest of the pack, the Eagles already have a pretty stacked return game as well. Don't expect Robinson to make it to the preseason roster.

Marcus Thigpen - WR

Height: 5'9"

Weight: 193

Age: 23

Analysis:

Tiny Marcus Thigpen (no relation to the Chiefs' QB Tyler Thigpen) is a recently converted halfback out of Indiana. He is a quick footed ball carrier who displays outstanding open field running skills. Patient, waits for blocks to develop, and quickly finds the hole. Elusive, creates his own yardage, and makes defenders miss. Runs low to the ground, plays with excellent balance, and shows a burst of speed. Easily turns the corner, uses blocks everywhere on the field, and shows toughness in his all-around game. Consistently gives his offense good field position with long kick returns.

Projection:

Again, Thigpen faces a very crowded position at wide receiver. With the top spots all but guaranteed to DeSean Jackson, Kevin Curtis, Jeremy Maclin, and Jason Avant, he'll have to face Reggie Brown, Hank Baskett, Shaheer McBride, Danny Amendola, Brandon Gibson, and Brandon Robinson if he wants to make the final roster. Not likely. Even though he brings return skills to the table, as previously mentioned, the Eagles are stacked in that area. Don't expect him to make it past the first round of cuts.

Poll

Which rookie free agent has the best chance of making the opening day roster?

JasonB quoted by ESPN - Ultimate Standings 2009

2009-07-02T14:35:59Z

Our very own, JasonB was just quoted on ESPN.com in the article about Ultimate Standings 2009. Very interesting story about how the Eagles. Its a must read.

Last Year's Rank: 66
Title Track: 68
Ownership: 69
Coaching: 53
Players: 32
Fan Relations: 45
Affordability: 80
Stadium Experience: 74
Bang for the Buck: 39

Thanks to Cole Hamels & Co., Philly no longer anticipates losing. Great for Philly; not so much for the Eagles. Even after eviscerating the Cowboys 44-6 to make the playoffs, then sending the Vikes and Giants home, the Eagles still didn't get as much brotherly love (up 22 places) as you might have expected. Sheesh, tough crowd. What gives? Well, for one, the Linc has grown stale. "When it opened there were big open concourses near each end zone that were a great place to hang out, have a drink, commune with fans and still have a great view," says JasonB of Bleeding Green Nation. "However, two years ago they started selling standing room only tickets. Now the concourse is mobbed because people camp out there for a good spot the moment the stadium opens." Not stale are the crab fries ($7), which are still are a must. And bird fans find the sight lines of the city and field much more impressive than Andy Reid's decisionmaking (cough, benching McNabb, cough). Plain and simple: The way to please these fans is to win, damn it. Because we now know ties (13-13 against the Bengals) don't cut it.

1 on 1 With Tommy Lawlor

2009-07-02T13:08:32Z

Tommy Lawlor knows football.

When his preschool classmates were learning their ABC's, he was studying his X's and O's. When they were watching Bambi at home, he was tuning into the Eagles vs. Cowboys. And when his peers looked up to Scooby Doo as a role model, he looked up to Ron Jaworski. I could go on and on forever, but you get my point.

If you don't already know Tommy Lawlor (or goeagles99 on the official Philadelphia Eagles message board), then allow me to introduce him to you:

Meet Tommy Lawlor

Writer for Philadelphiaeagles.com
Click here to view his articles

Creator of www.scoutsnotebook.com

Has been trained by an NFL scout in the art of scouting and player evaluation

Following the Eagles for almost 20 years

Creator of well known Philadelphia Eagles blog: www.eaglesblitz.blogspot.com

One heck of a Philadelphia Eagles fan

Tommy is well known and well liked by the Eagle fans that dwell the Philadelphia Eagles message board. He is the "go-to-guy" when it comes to draft questions and Eagles' game reviews. His evaluations of Eagle games and players are very detailed and engrossing.

Because Tommy Lawlor knows his pigskin, I decided to conduct an interview with the "Eagles' Einstein" to hear his thoughts on various subjects, as well as the up-coming 2009-2010 Philadelphia Eagles season.

Enjoy!

INTERVIEW WITH TOMMY LAWLOR

Question 1 : How did you become apart of the Philadelphia Eagles website?

Tommy: Back in March of 2003 I signed up for the team's message board. Hugh Douglas and Shawn Barber were free agents. I live down in NC and hoped to get some local news about what was going to happen with those guys. I loved Hugh and desperately wanted to see him stay. The Eagles message board wasn't exactly a great place back then. There were lots of questions, but few good answers. I started answering questions. Then I began writing out long posts about the team. Once the season rolled around I started writing detailed game reviews. Over time I built up a bit of a following. In 2006 the team gave me a spot in their blog section. They came to me and asked if I'd be interested. I talked to Dave Spadaro the next summer about writing for the website and that is when Fandemonium came about. My articles began appearing on the front page of PE.com in September of 2007.

Question 2 : What are some of the perks that come with being a writer for the Eagles?

Tommy: I don't get paid to write my articles, but I get access to a huge audience. That has helped my own website, Scoutsnotebook.com, to really grow. I also get to be associated with a great website. Dave, Chris McPherson, and Bob Kent run the best website in the NFL. That isn't just my opinion. They've gotten an award for that a couple of times.

Question 3 : Who was your favorite Eagles player growing up?

Tommy: My all time favorite Eagle is Reggie White. I absolutely loved him. He could play DE or DT. He was a force against the run and a great pass rusher. He was also a good person. Set aside the religious stuff and just focus on the fact he was a strong part of the community. I was devastated when he left. That was the end of an era. One distinct memory of him came against Dallas in 1992. He got into the backfield and reached out for Troy Aikman. Reggie got his thumb and index finger on Troy's jersey. Reggie then pulled him down for a sack. That's a strong dude. My favorite Reggie moment was when he sacked Saints QB Bobby Hebert for a sack late in the wildcard win we had in 1992. Reggie jumped up and signaled for the safety. He was incredibly excited and emotional. That ended a lot of playoff frustration and was a great, great moment.

Question 4 : Who is your favorite Eagle player now?

Tommy: I love both Brian Westbrook and Trent Cole, but I'd probably choose Cole between the two. I'm a sucker for defense. I was a big fan of Trent's when he was in college. He played on a very talented Cincinnati defense. Cole was the hardest working guy and was around the ball a lot. Those traits have followed him to the NFL. Trent isn't the most talented guy, but he will beat you through sheer effort if he has to. I respect the heck out of that. He is a talented athlete, but all too often we see guys with great natural gifts, but they lack the focus and drive to take advantage of that ability. Cole is an overachiever.

Question 5 : What training camp battle are you most excited to see this year?

Tommy: The spot I'm most focused on is LDE. We need Victor Abiamiri to step up and win that job. The defense needs him to become a good starter in order to get even better than last year. I don't want Victor to win the job because Juqua Parker isn't impressive. I want Juqua to have a very good training camp and Victor to have a great training camp. I am curious about what will happen at FS. Sean Jones and Quintin Demps will fight for that job. I also wonder if Omar Gaither can really push Akeem Jordan for the starting gig at WLB.

Question 6 : Name one Philadelphia Eagle who will surprise us this year and why.

Tommy: Trevor Laws is a player to watch. He played DT for Notre Dame in 2006. He moved to DE in 2007 and played in the 3-4. Last season he had to adjust to playing DT in the NFL. He had to learn our scheme. There shouldn't be any real change this year. He now has a good feel for our scheme and the NFL. Trevor got better as the season went along last year. I'm expecting him to play well for us this year.

Question 7 : Cowboys, Redskins, Giants: Which one do you hate more?

Tommy: I hate the Dallas Cowboys most of all. I loved Tom Landry. I hated seeing him fired by Jerry Jones. I hated Jimmy Johnson when he was coach down there. I respect both JJs, but I'm not a fan of either guy. I don't like the Redskins or Giants, but I have a special hatred for the Cowboys.

Question 8 : As the creator of www.scoutsnotebook.com, you definitely know a thing or two about the NFL Draft. Which Eagle rookie drafted this year will make the biggest impact?

Tommy: LeSean McCoy is the rookie to watch. He is likely to be the backup running back this year. That means he will get his share of chances to make plays. If Brian Westbrook misses a start, McCoy will have a chance to really step up. The coaches are really excited about McCoy. That is a player they really wanted and he's looked great to this point. We just need him to keep it up.

Question 9 : Is 2009 the best chance at a Superbowl victory the Eagles have had this entire decade?

Tommy: I think the 2009 team is the best Eagles team on paper that we've had in years. We need to see if everyone stays healthy during the summer. There is balance between offense and defense. The team has a good mixture of youth and age. There is plenty of speed, but also a lot of talent on the lines. I'm excited to see just how good this team can be.

Question 10 : As of right now, July 1, pending no injuries, what is your prediction of the 2009-2010 Philadelphia Eagles season?

Tommy: I think the Eagles are the best team in the NFC. I'll be highly disappointed if the team isn't in the hunt for the Super Bowl. You never know what will happen in the playoffs so I'm not comfortable saying "the Eagles better win the Super Bowl or else". There are just too many variables at that point.

Question 11 : Open forum: Say whatever you'd like to the Philadelphia faithful.

Tommy: One thing I try to encourage all fans to do is enjoy the journey. The Steelers had some real low moments last year. So did the Cardinals. They ended up in the Super Bowl. Don't let every loss or setback get you down. The Eagles will lose a game. Donovan McNabb will have a bad game. Don't let that ruin a fun season. Two of my good friends are Buffalo Bills fans. They haven't been in the playoffs in a decade. They'd give anything to experience what we did last year. I know we don't have a Super Bowl title yet, but I just wonder if most fans appreciate how good we've got it. Football is a lot more fun when your team wins. The Eagles went 3-20 from late 1997 through early 1999. Losing in the NFC title game hurts. Going 3-20 is a whole different level of misery. Enjoy the good times.

So there you go. Hopefully you enjoyed it, and I am deeply sorry for the length. (I got too excited asking questions)
I will try to get a hold of Tommy again sometime in the near future, hopefully near training camp.

Poll

Tommy Lawlor believes that this 2009 squad is the best team on paper that we have had this entire decade, including the 2004-2005 Superbowl team. Do you agree?

The 2009 Season: Rising and Falling Stars, Comeback Players, and Pasture Players

2009-07-02T04:11:52Z

Hey there, gents. About a year ago, I wrote a piece discussing who I thought were the most overrated and underrated players in the NFL. Now, I'm fixing to tweak that approach a little. I'm going to discuss which players will rise to stardom this season, and which ones are in decline. I'll also throw in the veterans I think will stage comebacks, and those I think will be soon be put out to pasture. Enjoy, and let me know your thoughts.

TOP TEN RISING STARS

10. Roddy White, WR, Atlanta Falcons - Last season, White had his coming-out party, quickly becoming Matt Ryan's new bestest buddy. He finished the year with 88 receptions for 1,382 yards and 7 touchdowns, having played all 16 games and starting 15 of them. With his QB no longer a rookie, and thus having more savvy and carrying more swagger, White should only improve from here.

9. Stewart Bradley, MLB, Philadelphia Eagles - His star's been on the rise for a couple years now, but more slowly than others. He is quickly entering the category of "most underrated players," and this is the year he should step up and claim a place as one of the better middle linebackers in the game. It's his raw tackling ability that will propel him to the upper echelon this year. Last year, he tallied 108 tackles, of which an amazing 86 were solo. He did a good job of directing the defense last year, and with Dawk gone, he'll have the opportunity to become a team leader.

8. Dwayne Bowe, WR, Kansas City Chiefs - Bowe followed up an impressive rookie season with an even more impressive sophomore effort; even with lousy quarterbacking he still managed 86 receptions for 1,022 yards and 7 touchdowns. Now that Matt Cassel, the former savior of New England, is lining up under center in KC, I expect Dwayne to be mentioned for Pro Bowl consideration.

7. Darren Sproles, RB, San Diego Chargers - Sproles is quickly becoming a Westbrook-like threat in the Bolts' offense, as a speedy and elusive rusher and a fluid, crafty receiver. He's another one of the "new" mold of versatile running backs, and he was an excellent complement to LaDainian Tomlinson last season.

6. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Arizona Cardinals - As a rookie in 2008, Rodgers-Cromartie proved he can hang with the big boys. He started an impressive 11 games, tallying 42 tackles (38 solo), and 4 interceptions, one of which he returned 99 yards for a score. It won't be long before we hear Pro Bowl talk surrounding this guy.

5. Michael Turner, RB, Atlanta Falcons - The Falcons have found a terrific complement to their newfound aerial assault. Entering his sixth year in the league, Turner finally had his breakout year in 2008 after spending 4 seasons playing in the shadow of LaDainian Tomlinson. He had 376 attempts for 1,699 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns en route to becoming one of the year's top rushers...if all goes well, he should have more success.

4. Joe Flacco, QB, Baltimore Ravens - I rooted for Joe Flacco (except when he played us), because he's a South Jersey boy like me. For the first time since anyone can remember, it looks as though B-More finally has a legitimate QB to work with. Starting all 16 games in his rookie campaign, Flacco finished with 2,971 passing yards and 14 touchdowns (though he did throw 12 interceptions). He completed 60 percent of his passes as well, and everyone's looking to him to lead Baltimore back to the Super Bowl.

3. Matt Cassel, QB, Kansas City Chiefs - It's not easy being the backup to one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history. But Matt made the most of his opportunity to shine when Brady went down early last season. Matt led the Pats, left for dead after the fateful injury to their star QB, back into the playoffs. He finished the year with a 63.4 completion percentage, 3,693 passing yards, and 21 touchdowns. He's the man now in KC, and the Sea of Red at Arrowhead has to be feeling mighty good about things.

2. Calvin Johnson, WR, Detroit Lions - What a beast this guy is. After a good, but not great, rookie performance that was hampered by injuries, Johnson came roaring back in 2008 to rack up 78 receptions for 1,331 yards and 12 touchdowns. He has unbelievable size and speed, and has made amazing catches up and over his opponents. He has a rookie QB to treat with in Matt Stafford, but the newbie couldn't ask for a better target to help him adjust to life in the NFL.

1. Matt Ryan, QB, Atlanta Falcons - Born in Exton, PA, and schooled at William Penn Charter in Philly, Matt Ryan is looking very, very promising. In his rookie year, he threw for 3,440 yards and 16 touchdowns while starting all 16 games...never an easy thing to do, especially in his case, as he took over in the wake of the sordid Michael Vick saga. He seems to have the complete package: poise, patience, accuracy, arm strength, and good field vision. He's left Atlanta fans drooling for more, and I have a feeling more is what they'll get.

TOP TEN FALLING STARS

10. Jason Campbell, QB, Washington Redskins - It's not that Jason isn't a good athlete; he is, but he simply hasn't proven to be the answer under center for D.C. Last year, he had okay numbers (3,245 yards for 62.3 percent), but he threw for a paltry 13 touchdowns, and when you play in the toughest division in pro football, that won't get you anywhere. There was talk before the draft of the Skins possibly letting Campbell go and trading up in favor of Mark Sanchez, which proved false, but still, there is talk that if Campbell can't deliver, he'll be out of a job sooner than he thinks.

9. Antonio Pierce, MLB, New York Giants - Pierce isn't exactly a favorite of ours here at BGN, but that isn't the reason why he's listed here. The last anyone heard of him, he was eating Brian Westbrook's dust en route to a crushing playoff loss at home to your very own Philadelphia Eagles. Before that, he was under investigation for obstruction of justice in the Plaxico Burress debacle. Whattaguy. His play declined last season, possibly owing to his increasingly portly physique, and he ain't getting any younger, either. New York will be looking for a new middle linebacker after this season, mark my words.

8. Cadillac Williams, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Once thought to be a future perennial Pro-Bowler after his stellar rookie performance in 2005, Carnell "Cadillac" Williams has since failed to rush for 1,000 yards and cannot seem to stay healthy, forcing his team to rely on the pass. At lot has changed in Tampa, though...they fired Jon Gruden, drafted Josh Freeman as their QB of the future, and brought Derrick Ward aboard, presumably as their new starter at RB. Cadillac may find himself cut following training camp.

7. Nate Clements, CB, San Francisco 49ers - Clements was brought to San Fran from Buffalo in 2007, signing a huge contract to be the cornerstone of the Niners' pass defense. It hasn't panned out. He has just 6 interceptions in two seasons with the Niners, and he's getting past the prime of his career.

6. Jake Delhomme, QB, Carolina Panthers - I know, I know, he had a good season in 2008. Still, he is in his mid-thirties (he'll turn 35 in January), and his TD-to-INT rating has slipped. I'm just not sure that at his age he can keep up with the other terrific QBs in his division (Brees in New Orleans, Ryan in Atlanta).

5. Reggie Bush, RB, New Orleans Saints - He's still very young, but Reggie is quickly learning that he can't pull the same razzle-dazzle stuff in the pros as he did in college. He had only 404 rushing yards last year and a measly 2 touchdowns...he'll need to pull his game together right quick, or the talk of draft bust will start to circulate.

4. Carson Palmer, QB, Cincinnati Bengals - It's very simple; either he stays healthy for a whole season, or Cincy is shopping for a new QB come April. When he's healthy, he's great. But he's no good to anyone on the sidelines.

3. Matt Hasselbeck, QB, Seattle Seahawks - Matt played in only seven games last season, and the injuries have started to pile up, which denotes his advancing age (he'll turn 34 in September). Talk of drafting Mark Sanchez was rampant, but the Hawks elected to go elsewhere, so Hasselbeck is still the man. But he needs to stay healthy and lead his team back to prominence, or else.

2. Terrell Owens, WR, Buffalo Bills - If T.O. thought Jeff Garcia, Donovan McNabb, and Tony Romo were bad, wait'll he gets a load of Trent Edwards and J.P. Losman. They basically sent him here to die. Good night, T.O. And a flight of demons sing thee to thy doom.

1. LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, San Diego Chargers - In this league, running backs, even feature backs, don't last long past 30. LaDainian, who is a surefire HOFer and one of the best, most consistent backs in recent memory, is on the downslope of his career. He has never, I repeat, NEVER rushed for less than 1,000 yards in his career, but his total of 1,110 yards in 2008 was a career low for him. The injuries are piling up, and it remains to be seen how much longer he'll play at an elite level.

TOP FIVE PROJECTED COMEBACK PLAYERS

5. Shawn Andrews, OT, Philadelphia Eagles

4. Chad Johnson, WR, Cincinnati Bengals

3. Osi Umenyiora, DE, New York Giants

2. Shawne Merriman, LB, San Diego Chargers

1. Tom Brady, QB, New England Patriots

TOP FIVE OUT-TO-PASTURE PLAYERS

5. Tedy Bruschi, LB, New England Patriots

4. Jeff Garcia, QB, Oakland Raiders

3. Rodney Harrison, SS, New England Patriots (UFA)

2. Derrick Brooks, LB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (UFA)

1. Marvin Harrison, WR, Indianapolis Colts (UFA)

Details of McCoy Deal Surface

2009-07-02T02:16:58Z

After confirming that rookie RB LeSean McCoy had agreed to a 4-year contract a few days ago, the Eagles have now released the details of the former Pitt star's deal. The specifics have also been mentioned by an anonymous league source. According to these statements, McCoy (see picture) is due an approximate total of 3.47 million dollars over a 4-year time frame. It is likely not what kind of money McCoy was expecting when he opted to enter the Draft this offseason rather than continue at least 2 more years of college play, but it seems to be a fair deal and not an overblown, "not-worth-it" type of contract.

According to ProFootballTalk:

McCoy also will be eligible for a one-time incentive of $357,000, based on achieving playing time of 35 percent in his rookie year or 45 percent
thereafter. Though the $357,000 is not technically guaranteed, such payments are
regarded as guarantees, especially when paid to a player who is expected to get
plenty of reps and where the amount is guaranteed for skill and injury via
future base salaries. As to the base salaries, McCoy will earn the minimum
amounts: $310,000 in 2009; $395,000 in 2010; $480,000 in 2011; and
$565,000 in 2012.

As stated in a previous post:

McCoy finished off a 2 year career at Pittsburgh University last season,
and amassed a total of 3,365 yards from scrimmage and 36 touchdowns. Ranked as
one of the top runningbacks going into the Draft, McCoy was taken with the 53rd
overall pick by the Eagles, and compared well to starter Brian Westbrook while
practicing in mini-camps. He is undoubtedly going to be a key player in the
offense, whether that is this season, future seasons, or both.

Brotherly Love

2009-07-02T02:07:21Z

Philadelphia may not be called the "city of brotherly love" because of the sibling players they've had on their professional sports teams, but the Eagles sure make a case for it with their historical and current rosters that hold sets of brother players. It is clear that they may not be the most "brotherly" team in the NFL, for other squads have held many more brother players, but it sure seems that the Birds have a knack for bringing in players that have some sort of relation. Below, you can see a few of the Eagles' players that became teammates with one or more of their relatives while playing in Philly:

Shawn & Stacy Andrews (pictured)

These "mammoth men", both offensive linemen weighing over 330 pounds, always wanted a chance to play together on a professional football team. And after Stacy went through college at Mississippi and 5 years as a Bengal, and Shawn cruised through Arkansas University and played 5 years as an Eagle, the Andrews brothers were finally united when Stacy was signed to a 6-year contract by Philly this offseason. They have already been dubbed "The Great Wall of Andrews" for their large size and dominant offensive line protection, and their act in Philadelphia should only get better once they actually hit the field in games. If Shawn can return to his Pro-Bowl form and Stacy can live up to the hype he's received, then this pair of siblings could be one of the best in Eagles' history.

Koy & Ty Detmer

Although neither Koy nor Ty Detmer experienced a great deal of success while playing in the NFL, they can both recall some fond memories of when they were a part of the Philadelphia Eagles organization together. Koy, the younger of the two, spent more time in his career as an Eagle than Ty, who was only on the roster from 1996-1997. But this is not about their individual stays; this is about their time spent together as brothers on the same team, something of a rarity for two QBs. They will never be remembered for their heroics or overwhelming talent, but their uniqueness as two brother Quarterbacks will always find a spot in Eagles history books.

Lito Sheppard & Jabar Gaffney

Although Sheppard and Gaffney only spent a few months together on the same team, it was a unique experience seeing the two united. They're not brothers, but cousins, and their brief stint together in the 2006 offseason was as good as it good be. Gaffney would go on to be released before the start of the season, so their playful relationship as Eagles didn't last long, but their miniature sibling combination remains in the minds of the truest Eagle fans.

Jamaal & Jervonte Jackson

While Jamaal has been a Center for the Eagles for 5 years, his brother Jervonte (a DT) will be fighting to make the roster in his rookie campaign in the remainder of the offseason. Nevertheless, these big guys (Jamaal weighs in at 330 lbs.; Jervonte is at 300) are together as Birds. The only question is how long they will remain together in the midnight green.

Correll & Chris Buckhalter

Both Buckhalter brothers played the RB position in their tenures as an Eagle. And while Correll's time as an Eagle was significantly longer than Chris's (Correll played 8 seasons and Chris spent the 1996 season on the practice squad), their brief brotherly duo will be remembered as one of the most controversial events for the Buckhalter family, seeing as Chris was later charged with manslaughter and his currently serving a 20-year jail sentence.

Although there are undoubtedly several other Eagles that have played alongside their relatives, those listed above were the most notable found in the never-ending data flow of Philadelphia Eagles' information. However, there are some former and current Eagles who have and had siblings elsewhere in the league...take a look:

Starting RB Brian Westbrook has a younger brother named Byron, who has spent 2 seasons on the Washington Redskins' practice squad.
TE Matt Schobel's older brother Aaron is a 2-time Pro-Bowl DE for the Buffalo Bills, and his cousin, Bo, is a former NFL DE who now is on the Orlando franchise of the newly created UFL.
Former DE Jerome McDougle is the younger brother of current free agent OG Stockar McDougle, who has previously played with the Lions, Dolphins, and Jaguars.
Former CB Dustin Fox's older brother Derek has played with the Indianapolis Colts and St. Louis Rams.
RB LeSean McCoy has an older brother named LeRon, who is currently a free agent, but has spent time with the Cardinals and 49ers as a Wide Receiver.
Former FB Zach Tuiasospo, who spent all of his 2 seasons as an Eagle on the practice squad, has a brother named Marques who has played QB for the Raiders and Jets, and is currently a free agent.
DE Chris Clemons' brother, Nic, is a DT for the Denver Broncos

All of this brotherly love talk is getting me excited to actually see some of the sibling duos in action (The Andrews, Jacksons, etc.), and with Training Camp right around the corner, we are closing in on football season once again.

Stories from the Nest: Unique Tales of Eagles Fans' Experiences

2009-07-02T00:37:01Z

In a brand new post series entitled Stories from the Nest: Unique Tales of Eagles Fans' Experiences, we will feature interesting recollections of Eagles fans' personal experiences at a special event, game, or any other moment having to do with the beloved Philadelphia football franchise.
You can submit a unique story or brief summary of an Eagles memory that appeals to you and that you believe other fans would enjoy. We will read each and every submission entered into this "system", and although not all of your stories will always be shared, it is likely that your unique experience will be interesting enough to be displayed for Eagles nation to view. The "winner(s)" of the process will have their tales of Eagle experiences published in the next edition of this post series. For instructions on how to submit a story, read below:

Entries can be submitted via email to cjben0511@aol.com.
When sending, please insure that your story has been saved as a "Rich Text Format" if attaching the document rather than writing it out in the actual email.
Please include your name. Also, include a brief summary of yourself or an interesting fact about your love for the Eagles (although we do not require this, it will make your experience appear as official as possible). Additionally, it would improve the quality and authenticity of your story if you choose to include a relative location of your residence (example excerpt of story: John Smith, from Miami, Florida, a devout birds fan since 1995, has had the chance to meet quite a few of the finest Eagles ever to play the game...). An included photo of the event would also boost the appeal of your story, however a picture is not required.

This unique post series should allow all of us fans to express some of our fondest Eagles moments, as well as pass some time in this seemingly frozen time of the offseason. We cannot wait to read your stories!

Picture source: Online image. "The Nest of Death". http://www.nestofdeath.com/philadelphia/Photo/fans/UnJHand.jpg

Join The Bleed Green Fantasy Football League

2009-07-01T22:50:41Z

For the first time in Bleed Green's history, we will be hosting our very own Fantasy Football league. With our continuous growth of our fan base, we feel that we need to please our readers, and incorporate you into our site. Here is your chance, as fans of Bleed Green, to take on the staff and show your football knowledge in our public fantasy league for our fans. The league will consist of 12 teams, with 3 spots being reserved for the staff of Bleed Green. Also, this is a free fantasy league, where bragging rights are at stake. So how can you register for the Bleed Green Fantasy League? Below are the guidelines and registration information for our 1st ever fantasy football league.

To register, you must e-mail fphlip9@yahoo.com, and I will reply as soon as I can, then you will be given your registration information from there on. ( We will do our best to include every fan who wants to be apart of the league, if we get an outburst of fans who want to participate, we will create another league to accomadate everyone )

How the Fantasy League Will Work

There will be 12 teams in each league
The Draft date will take place July 19th at 7pm ET, which is a Sunday.
It will be held on NFL.com
The scoring settings and playoff format will be e-mailed to you once you register.

The Bleed Green Fantasy Football League will be a great way to interact with the staff, and will be a fun and competitive league. If you are interested, be sure to register as soon as possible, to insure your spot in the league. We are all looking forward to this great new addition to our ever expanding site. Throughout the NFL season, we will be writing articles about our league, showing the standings and recent games. This will truly be a great feature of Bleed Green.

An Eagles Rookie You May Not Know

2009-06-29T02:34:05Z

Defensive end Paul Kruger has had some football experiences that he will never forget. Such fond memories include being named a Freshman All-American at Utah, as well as being selected by the Baltimore Ravens as the 57th overall player in the 2nd round of the 2009 NFL Draft.

However, the 2nd round draft selection does have a few football related remembrances in which he truly never wants to re-live again. Take for example...one particular play when his Utah Utes took on the visiting Weber State Wildcats on September 27, 2008. Before the play, Kruger did his usual thing, aligning his 6'4, 263 lbs on the flank of the defensive line. During the play, the Weber State Tight End, who was aligned on Kruger's inside shade, performed a down block to try to seal the interior defensive lineman. This would leave the 57th overall pick one on one against the Weber State Wildcat Fullback. Kruger hesitated, but that mistake shouldn't matter, right? I mean, he is a future day one pick, and we're talking about a full back from Weber State here! Wrong. The Wildcat Fullback clashes with Kruger, turns him around, and forces him to the ground. (You can watch this play here: Scroll to 2:31)

So who was the brute player that put the 2nd rounder on his back?
That talent was Weber State Fullback, and undrafted rookie free agent Marcus Malei.

Marcus Mailei signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in late April. Fans of the Eagles will come to love Marcus Mailei, as he is a hard-nosed football player who will lay a shoulder into anyone. What is interesting to note about Mailei is that he wasn't used primarily for running while at Weber State, but for receiving, making 58 catches over the past three collegiate seasons. Andy Reid loves a pass catching back as much as he loves Geno's Steaks.

Marcus Mailei will join Eagles' fullbacks Leonard Weaver and Kyle Eckel upon entering training camp.

Below, I have gathered a few rather interesting lists. This should help you get to know the rookie:

NFL Fullback Comparisons:

Marcus Mailei: Height: 6-0 / Weight: 255

Leonard Weaver: Height: 6-0 / Weight: 242

Lorenzo Neal: Height: 5-11 / Weight: 255

Kyle Eckel: Height: 5-11 / Weight: 237

Justin Griffith: Height: 6-0 / Weight: 230

Interesting (but probably useless) Facts:

Cousin of current Ravens DT Haloti Ngata

Attended/played at the same high school as current Eagles LB Stewart Bradley

Bench press max is 430 lbs. (That is equivalent to 2 Kevin Kolbs)

Squat max is nearly 600 lbs. (That is equivalent to 1 Andy Reid)

Collection of Quotes:
In referring to Marcus Mailei...

"Has a great work ethic. No one will out-work him in the weightroom." - High School Coach Ray Groth.

"He’s going to play a lot of years and last a long time," Weber State Head Coach Ron McBride said. "I’ve had scouts tell me he’s one of the top one or two fullbacks in the country. I haven’t seen a better guy on film as far as doing things we asked him to do."

Veterans on the Roster Who Were Signed As Undrafted Free Agents:

WR Hank Baskett

G Nick Cole

C Jamaal Jackson

S Quintin Mikell

T Jason Peters

It will be difficult to battle for the fullback position, basically because Leonard Weaver is a great talent and proven fullback. However, Mailei and Eckel should produce a competitive battle for the number two spot. It's key to remember that the Eagles only signed Weaver to a one year deal. If talks with Weaver break down during the off season, Mailei may be the starter next regular season, pending he makes the team. Even if he doesn't make the 53-man roster, he should be able to find his way on the practice squad.

For more highlights of Marcus Mailei, view the following highlight reel:

09' Opening Game vs Panthers

2009-07-01T00:34:54Z

The 09' regular season opens up against the Carolina Panthers, a team with the 3rd best record in the NFL in 08'. The Panthers have done very little in the off season, other than drafting speedy pass-rusher Everette Brown and bringing on Colts defensive coordinator Ron Meeks. The Eagles on the other hand have made enough off season moves for many analyst to pick them as an early Superbowl favorite. Here are few challenges the Eagles will have to deal with to win game one.

1. Maybe the best running attack in the NFL. At least that is what some analysts are predicting. In 08' Deangelo Williams had over 1500 yards, 5.5 avg, led the league with 20 TDs, and most importantly had 0 fumbles. All this while splitting carries with rookie stud Jonathan Stewart.

2. Steve Smith. What was up with those rumors last year that the Panthers might trade Steve Smith to the Eagles? The Panthers would never trade potentially the best player in their short existence. He is usually the best athlete on the field, and can take over a game any given week. His constant Houdini acts create wins out of games the Panthers have no business winning. His threat is rivaled only by guys like your very own Brian Westbrook... when healthy.

3. Potentially a much improved pass rush. Led by Julius Peppers and his 08' 14.5 sacks. Julius is not always the most motivated player, but when he is focused he is arguably the best defensive players in the league. In addition the Panthers drafted Everette Brown, possibly the best pass rusher in the draft. And they brought in Ron Meeks whose specialty is in making a huge impact with small, fast, Panther-like defenders. Add in Jon Beason, whom many call the best LB in the NFL, and this defense could be handful.

What are the biggest challenges the Panthers will have to overcome against a new, young Eagles team?

Poll

Who is the toughest team the Eagles will face in 2009?

A Big No No EA!

2009-06-30T05:40:39Z

I love the madden franchise. And up to now I thought they have actually been fair. Some of the players in 09 were over rated. But this is where they got it wrong.

CB Joselio Hanson

10 ranking: 75, 09 ranking: 78. He did ok, why is he lower?

FB Leonard Weaver

10: 82, 09: 87. Arguably, one of the top FB's in the NFL right now.

ILB Stewart Bradley

10: 77, 09: 79. He's one of the best LB's in our divison.

DeSean Jackson

10: 81, 09: 78. Eh...should have been an 85

Kevin Curtis

10: 76, 09: 89. He was phenomenal last year. EA was too generous last year, but a legit 2nd WR. At least a 79.

Quintin Demps

I'm actually more angry about him than stewart bradley. 09: 73, 10: 68. WTF???