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Eagles News: Brian Dawkins calls on Eagles fans to not give up

Philadelphia Eagles news and links for 12/12/17.

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New York Giants v Philadelphia Eagles Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images

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Eagles fans, you should know more about Jeff Hostetler - BGN
In an eerily similar situation, the Eagles need to look to Jeff Hostetler and the 1990 Giants for hope.

An expert's opinion of Carson Wentz's likelihood of starting the 2018 season on time, and returning to 100 percent - PhillyVoice
"I would say (a return in time for training camp) is a possibility," said Collins. "There are a lot of factors involved, and we have loose parameters based on the injury, and then there is how the individual responds. I’ve treated lots of people who responded more quickly than others. A few years back, there was more of an accelerated rehab type of approach in getting people back very quickly, and there are stories here and there of people who got back in a very short time frame. "I would tell you that six-to-nine months is not out of the question, so that would put him right in that wheelhouse for training camp. With that said, an isolated ACL is one thing. If there are other injuries involved, it makes for a slightly more difficult rehab."

Next QB Up - Iggles Blitz
Let’s talk about Foles and the rest of the season. This is a tricky subject because subtlety is important. Carson Wentz is a franchise QB. He is someone you build your team around. He makes the guys around him better. Foles is a good backup QB. He can be an effective starter under the right circumstances, but Foles needs the guys around him to make him better. People love to point out the 2013 season, when Foles threw 27 TDs and only had two interceptions. He posted some of the best numbers in NFL history. While Foles posted amazing numbers, he wasn’t doing amazing things. Go watch some highlights. You will see some impressive throws. You’ll also see some players running wide open. You’ll see players catching a pass and running for a TD. You’ll see DBs falling down. You’ll see WRs winning jump balls. There aren’t any special throws on that video. When you watch Wentz, he makes some special throws. He is a truly gifted QB. Foles just isn’t on that level.

A look at life without Carson Wentz for the 2017 Eagles - ESPN
The loss of quarterback Carson Wentz puts the 11-2 Philadelphia Eagles in some rare territory. The Eagles have already clinched the NFC East and can secure a first-round bye with a victory at the New York Giants on Sunday. When the playoffs roll around, Wentz will become just the third quarterback to win 11 games but not start a postseason game, joining Phil Simms in 1990 and Oakland's Derek Carr last season. The 1990 Giants went on to win the Super Bowl behind backup Jeff Hostetler, while the Raiders fell to the Texans in the wild-card round due in part to the struggles of third-string QB Connor Cook. In other words, it can go one of two ways. The Eagles believe backup Nick Foles will keep the team afloat.

The Philadelphia Eagles may be just fine with Nick Foles at QB - PFF
Sure.

Eagles' Super Bowl hopes aren't over after Carson Wentz injury, and Bill Parcells explains why - LA Times
“There’s absolutely an opportunity for Nick Foles,” Garcia said. “I’m sure if you look at my Twitter, you’ll still see Eagles fans wanting me to come back. That’s just the love and appreciation they have for me and what I was able to help the Eagles do back in 2006. They don’t forget. They’re very appreciative, and I appreciate that and how they think that,” laughing now, “even at 47 I can come back and do it. “The way that people respond to me, it doesn’t seem like I’d ever have to pull my wallet out in that city. But I’d be more than happy to buy everybody a beer there and share one with them.”

Carson Wentz's Season-Ender - Rotoworld
The blow is devastating for all involved. The Eagles, fantasy players, a league starved for young talent at the quarterback position. Although they sit at a commanding 11-2 atop their fiercely-competitive conference, it’s hard to consider the Eagles NFC favorites at this point. Perhaps they will still lock up the No. 1 seed, but Nick Foles is not the card you want to be playing come January. Throwing out his “it was all a dream….” 2013 under Chip Kelly, Foles owns a career 6.53 YPA. He’s completed just 59.3 percent of his passes while posting a 29:25 TD:INT. This will be the most talented supporting cast of his career, but not the only talented supporting cast of his career. In head-to-head matchups with the NFC’s other contending quarterbacks, even Case Keenum has the advantage.

Defeat, Victory and a Brutal Loss: Eight Days on the West Coast With the Eagles - Sports Illustrated
The front-running Eagles headed west for their toughest two-game stretch of the season and emerged in prime position for a Super Bowl run—except for the loss of their franchise QB. The MMQB followed them for an eventful week in the life of an NFL team.

Neither Doug Pederson nor Carson Wentz can stop an ACL from tearing, so enough with the blaming - Daily News
And Pederson said Monday that Wentz actually might have suffered the injury as he took that last stride before trying to dive for the touchdown – it might not have happened when Wentz was sandwiched between Barron and Morgan Fox. “It appears watching the film again today that it was actually before the contact. So it could be a non-contact deal,” Pederson said. “But that’s just what it appears like on tape.”

Monday Morning Digest: Eagles Lose Wentz—but Not Hope - B/R
So the Eagles have a history of overcoming the loss of irreplaceable players. This version of the team has the tools to do it: a great defense (though it took some lumps on Sunday), a strong running game, even a backup quarterback in Foles who has led the team to the postseason before. Remember: One of the NFL's other top teams is currently quarterbacked by Case Keenum. Anything is possible. Those old McNabb and T.O. stories don't end in Super Bowl victories. No Eagles story has ever ended in a Super Bowl victory. But they often end with the Eagles persevering through adversity and exceeding expectations. For now, that will have to do. Enjoy the playoff berth as much as you can, Eagles fans. And don’t give up hope, because the Eagles themselves never do.

Upon Further Review: State of the Eagles' quarterback position - The Athletic
The Eagles, with Pederson, offensive coordinator Frank Reich and quarterback coach John DeFilippo have earned the benefit of the doubt when it comes to developing young quarterbacks. You can see some positive attributes from Sudfeld in those clips — he's decisive and generally accurate on intermediate throws. He's not the most immobile quarterback. His arm strength leaves something to be desired, but he's a third-string, former sixth-round pick. What did you expect? “Nate's done a really good job,” Pederson said Monday. “That's part of the reason why we brought him up earlier in the year. Teams were interested in Nate, and we feel really comfortable with him. I've been there too. I've been there as a third quarterback being brought up and now the number two. So not only are we getting Nick ready but also Nate at the same time has to be prepared to go in and play. Lot of confidence in them.”

Doug Pederson adamant Eagles can overcome the ultimate loss - NBC Sports Philadelphia
"To the fans out there, you can't lose faith," Pederson said. "This has been a resilient football team all season long. If there's ever an opportunity for me as a head football coach to rally the troops, now might be the time. "We just came off a tremendous victory to win the NFC East. Guys are riding extremely high. It's a little bittersweet. But you know what? We've got the Giants this week and we've got an opportunity to ... if you win Sunday, you get a first-round bye. There's still a lot to play for. That's what's exciting about this season. We're still playing for the opportunity to hopefully be in that game." Pederson, just after delivering news of a torn ACL, was adamant that his team can overcome the loss of Carson Wentz. "It sure can," he said. "Heck yeah."

Eagles Move Forward Confidently With Foles - PE.com
Life goes on for the Philadelphia Eagles in the aftermath of quarterback Carson Wentz’s season-ending knee injury, just as it has gone on in the past when starring, starting quarterbacks have gone down. But there’s a reason head coach Doug Pederson presented himself with a stiff upper lip and a strong message: He has faith that veteran Nick Foles can operate the offense at a high level for the 11-2 Eagles ...

The Eagles just lost Carson Wentz, and their shot at the Super Bowl - Washington Post
The Eagles remain a very good team. They were the league’s best and most balanced team for much of this season. They still will be in the NFC playoffs, perhaps as the No. 1 seed. They have the conference’s best record, at 11-2, and they clinched the NFC East title Sunday. They remain capable of eking out a postseason victory. But not three of them. Probably not even two of them.

Eagles have a plan for life without Carson Wentz. Do they have a prayer? - SB Nation
The Eagles believe they have what it takes for a deep run in the playoffs, even without their star QB.

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