Former Eagles FB Cecil Martin talks current team, predicts Giants game

Cecil Martin came to the Eagles as a 6th round pick in the 1999 draft, Andy Reid's first year in charge of the team. He would go on to start at FB and play 4 years in Philadelphia, receiving the Ed Block Courage Award in 2000. After his football career ended, Cecil went on to be a studio analyst for NFL games shown on Sky Sports in the UK.

He was nice enough to spend a few minutes with us to answer some general questions about the Birds this season and give his predictions about this weekend's game against the Giants.

Q: Have you ever been on a team that's gone through a stretch of games where they've turned the ball over like the Eagles have so far this year? What do you think is the cause?

A: I have not been a part of a team with that had go through that type of a stretch of turnovers. I think it is because they are trying to make plays and while striving to make those big plays they have lost as much care for the ball as is needed. So I see them turning that around, while creating even more big plays.

What are your thoughts on the Eagles run/pass ratio? Is balance important?

I think Andy Reid has always had a good handle on that ration and I sure he bases his game plan on their strengths, while taking advantage of the other teams weaknesses, but also staying true to who the team in in that ratio. I think balance is always important, but strategy and playing to your strengths is important as well.

What are your thoughts on Eagles FB Stanley Havili?

You Know I always will be a fan of the Fullback position. In the case of Stanley Havili I like his hands and his running ability. I know people criticize his blocking but I think he will continue to develop into a better blocker, while also being used in the offense in other ways to leverage his other skill sets.

What do you make of this "feud" between LeSean McCoy & Osi Umenyiora? Was there an extra spark for rivalry games against teams like the Giants & Cowboys when you were here?

I think it is much to do about nothing. I don't think as professional athletes, especially when looking at rivalries like the Eagles, Giants and Cowboys, that statements like this add any more fuel than is already there.

Finally, what is your prediction for this weekend's game against New York and what are you hoping to see from the Eagles?

I see the Eagles winning 28-26. I see would love to see the Eagles not turn the ball over and our defense get to take aways.

Cecil Martin has bee working with the NCSA Athletic Recruiting, the world's first Athleadership Network that changes lives by building leaders through sports and connects students and their families along with high school and college coaches and the business community for the purpose of maximizing athletic scholarship opportunity and life's potential. The network is made available to high school student athletes around the country through relationships with ESPN, NIKE, IMG Academies, Under Armour and NFLPA. NCSA is the leading collegiate recruiting source for more than 500,000 student-athletes and 42,000 college coaches across the country. By taking advantage of this extensive network, more than 92% of NCSA Athletic Recruiting-verified athletes go on to play at the collegiate level. In addition, NCSA educates over 4 million athletes and their parents about the recruiting process each year through educational resources on its website, www.ncsasports.org, presentations of the critically-acclaimed seminar "College Recruiting Simplified," and the book from NCSA Athletic Recruiting, "Athletes Wanted."