Rooting for 'Hawks? That's Kafkaesque
The Philadelphia Daily News - Eagletarian
Rooting for 'Hawks? That's Kafkaesque
Les Bowen, Daily News Staff Writer
Eagles fourth-round rookie quarterback Mike Kafka is an engaging, obliging fellow, but he has a dark side.
Kafka, a Chicago native, will not be rooting for the Flyers in the Stanley Cup finals, scheduled to start Saturday.
"I'm rooting for the 'Hawks this time," said Kafka, who was born a little more than 26 years after the most recent Chicago Stanley Cup victory, which came in 1961.
He said he'd watched Chicago's playoff run here and there, shuttling between the cities since last month's draft. Didn't sound like he was into it to the extent that he owned a Patrick Kane jersey, or even would know how to spell "Byfuglien."
Obviously, Kafka's prime concern right now is the Eagles' offense, and learning the QB position. Despite Lehigh-level heat, he stayed on the field long after today's rookie camp workout, throwing to undrafted free agent wideout Chad Hall, from Air Force.
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Ernie Sims, the Eagles' new weakside linebacker, might be the highest-profile starter attending rookie camp, as he gets a handle on the Birds' defensive scheme. With no pads on during these practices, you really notice that Sims is not big. His listed measurements of 6-0, 230 could be overstated. But you also notice he's really, really quick. It's noncontact, so the 0-line was doing more shadowing than blocking, but Sims really motored into the backfield on a blitz today.
"I'm real confident in blitzing," Sims said. "That's something I like about this defense ... the more the coaches put me in that situation, I'm going to take advantage of it."
The rap on Sims is his aggressiveness, which apparently can make him an easy target for misdirection. That charge was often leveled at Jeremiah Trotter in his prime, as well. Sims isn't conceding much there.
"I don't listen to the criticism," he said. "Everybody's going to have something to say, but at the end of the day, it's all about what I do on the field ... I feel like, yeah, I make mistakes, but at the same time, I cover up for those mistakes with great plays, also. I'm excited to get the season started so I can show Philadelphia what I can do."
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The Eagles have hired a new regional scout, Daniel Jeremiah, as part of the continuing shuffle that accompanied Tom Heckert going to Cleveland and Howie Roseman succeeding him as the Eagles' general manager.
He'll be the third QB unless Andy spots someone with better skills being droppede for personal/political reasons from another team. Might even do a straight swap for a guy like that WITH a good knowledge of Andy's system.— TBear
Um, cut montgomeryhopkins.- Exactly Main Liner. I respect more the fact that he's sticking with his home town team. If he starts dissin' the Flyers, that's a different story, but he hasn't as far as I know.— Krusty
- Just in case we have the sensitive types on here, I'll qualify my posts- I'm joking...
- Mike K. can root for anyone he so desires-----just be ready as the third QB when called upon. As a Wildcat he tore up the Nitts until he got hurt just before halftime.— Romus
- I'm hoping for Kafka's metamorphosis into a Flyers fan— stimmer
- So this joker is from Chicago...hmmm. Seems to me we just got rid of a QB from Chicago, cut Kafka NOW! "Lets Go Flyers"!!!!— flyerdup
- I've got no problem with him reppin his home town with other sports as long as he's 100% Philly Eagle and he'll probably be #2 back up to Vick at some point in the season. Anyway, Go Flyers!!!!!!!— realtruth
Can't wait to get my KAFKA jersey! Even if he gets cut, I'd rather have the name of one of the most significant 20th century modernist writers on an Eagles jersey than a player who will eventually be traded, released, or, ultimately, retire.— Leegles
Sheesh, we're kidding Jesus/main/montgomery. No one is angry. No one holds it against Kafka if he's a Blackhawks fan. He should just get less water during camp.— Richard Saunders- what hockey team he likes - who cares! Sims looks like he'l lbe a great player for the Eagles D— Tom Man
