Special Teams, Draft Tidbits
Not much going on in the NFL for another week and a half or so, until everybody convenes in Indianapolis for the Scouting Combine. But that doesn't mean we can't cobble together a very special Valentine's Day Eagletarian.
Special Teams, Draft Tidbits
Les Bowen, Daily News Staff Writer
Not much going on in the NFL for another week and a half or so, until everybody convenes in Indianapolis for the
Scouting Combine. But that doesn't mean we can't cobble together a very special Valentine's Day Eagletarian.
BTW, my favorite Valentine was the "HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY" Tweet from Rosenhaus Sports. Makes me feel so warm and fuzzy inside to know that Drew and Jason care.
*It's always notable when Rick Gosselin of the Dallas Morning News publishes his annual special teams rankings. I called 'em "arcane" in a story written when the Eagles hired Boby April last month, and Goose thought I was making fun. I just meant "esoteric." Also, "brilliant," "mind-blowing," "awe-inspiring," "incomparable," though somehow I omitted those characterizations. I'm including them now.
Anyhow, the 2009 Eagles ranked 17th overall, first in punt returns, which means the rest of their operation didn't grade out as well as you might have expected. (Or I might have expected, anyhow. I doubt you're been giving it that much thought. That's why you have me.) The Bills, April's team last season, ranked third, which is the reason April is now the Eagles' special teams coach, and Ted Daisher was down at the Senior Bowl a couple weeks back looking for a job. (With, as Ted pointed out, his kicker, longsnapper and punt returner all in the Pro Bowl. If you wanted to make a list of people who really deserved to get fired by the Eagles, it would take quite a while to get down to Ted, but as we all know, life and the NFL are less then fair.)
The top special teams belonged to Cleveland. The Super Bowl-winning Saints ranked 29th.
*New mock draft up from ESPN's Todd McShay. Notable only in that I agree with Todd's premise, that the Birds should be looking for a safety at 24th overall. He has them getting the USC monster, Taylor Mays, then has the Cowboys taking South Florida's Nate Allen with the 27th pick. After talking to some people who really follow this stuff, I'm not sure Allen isn't the more complete player.
*I held off until now on last week's GCobb report RE Eagles contract negotiations with Kevin Kolb. The last few days, though, I've seeing all sorts of analysis of what this "must mean" from various internet sites. Before we get the cart all the way down the track while the horse still stands in his stall, I feel compelled to note that as far as I can tell, there have been no contract talks. Kolb's side indicated to me that it certainly would like for there to be contract talks. So far, nothing.
I think the Eagles are still sorting out exactly what they want to do. If they really are solid on one more year of Donovan McNabb as the starter, as Andy Reid has indicated, they will offer one sort of deal to Kolb. If there is a real chance they listen to McNabb trade offers, they might offer a different sort of deal to Kolb. They definitely will do something there, at some point. But I'm pretty sure they haven't done it yet.
Gosh Les, why doesn't the brain trust just ask us knowledgeable fans on how to proceed? Have we ever steered them wrong?— TBear- On what basis can you say there have been no contract talks? Were you told by his agent? Les, you're just speculating. It's interesting that Kolb's agent did not deny the story that a contract offer was made. He had no comment. If there was no truth to the story I don't see why Kolb's agent wouldn't just say that it's untrue. The story also appeared on the Eagles official website which is interesting. If there was no truth to the story would the Eagles allow Dave Spadaro to put it on the website? Interesting...— soulman386
- We want Ricky Williams!— p-diddy
- When you use the word tidbits, with an 's' at the end, it implies multiple "bits". You put one obvious point in print and get paid for it. Apparently athlets in Philly aren't the only ones stealing paychecks.— Bleue
- TBear - Eagles fans are among the dumbest in sports. And I'm from Philadelphia.— bobbyd24
- Wow, bobbyd24, you proved your own point! Ever hear of irony?
- uh, that would be sarcasm, not irony.— high alpine
- I think the Eagles have made the fans into idiots with all the emotional upset they have caused the past 50 years.— Wise_Owl
- I don't think that was sarcasm, although I must say sarcasm translates exceptionally well over the internet.— Jerome99RIP
- soulman, he said "as far as i can tell" there have been no talks.— juggadore
- Stupidity is frequently defined as doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting different results. So...is Lurie at the top of the list for keeping the same coach who can't get it done for 11 years. Is the head coach at the top of the list for sticking with the same QB for 11 years and not getting it done? Are the 60-plus thousand fans who have been filling Jeffrey Lurie's stadium and coffers as the team repeatedly fails at the top of the list? I'm thinking there's strength in numbers.— jimmyeagles
- "Do I know what 'rhetorical' means?" - H. Simpson— Wes Hopkins
- Daisher got fired because the Eagles were among the league leaders in special teams penalties. I bet he wasn't in any hurry to bring that up when he was talking to reporters.— tagryn
- Well bobbyd24 you certainly proved your standing among Philadelphia fan smarts. but I happen to believe that we are probably the smartest(and most sarcastic) fans in all of sports....— Va. EagleFan
bobbyd24, thanks for not including us NYers in your classifications :)— tpizza- TMays, signing Peppers & Bradley back will greatly improve the D. Sounds like April & some talent upgrade will improve the STeams. & maybe the Andrews brothers get on the field next year? All this doesn't matter if they don't bring back Super5!!— Super5
- Kolb will start. McNabb will go.— Fritz and Alice
- iIf Phila.is smart(and no boady says they are)they should weigh all offers then seek help in there decisions(ask their fans for help!)— frank martino
- Take Reid's word on this one. McNabb will be back at QB for the Birds. How do I know? The Eagles are all about stability, that is, status quo. Reid/McNabb has made them a bunch of money and they are not about to mess with the formula. Plus, the Eagles don't play that "Let's get rid of this guy, because it's time for that guy to play" Green Bay Packers stuff. Reid is stupifyingly loyal, and will ride McNabb, with all his ups and downs. There's a reason the game's called football, since that is where McNabb throws passes.— trainrdt
- @jimmyeagles - let me break it down for you my friend - the Eagles are a team built to win in the regular season, which puts butts in seats and merch on backs. It is a billion dollar business enterprise. Management sees the post season as a fan’s delight, just not a business priority. Fiscal conservatism, including salaries and player age, is crucial, that’s why they were so indifferent to Brian Dawkins’ departure, electing to replace him with a late round but serviceable draft choice. As a result of how they do business, they have gaping holes each season which prevents them from being the “gold standard” they keep talking about. The Eagles are designed to keep the fans interested and hopeful, but in the end, disappointment. The team is a year-round passion for fans, but for ownership, it is first and always a business, and that's all you need to know about the Jeffrey Lurie Eagles.— trainrdt
- I still find it just amazing that Philly sports writers can't get the story. Don't you guys have any contacts within the orgainization? Have all of your contacts dried up? Why do sports media people outside of Philadelphia get the news before you guys? What's the deal?— craig123
- Philly fans are definitely not the smartest fans in sports (or the dumbest). What philly fans are is the most pathetic and unappreciative. This is the only city that consistently bashes their best players. Brad Lidge wins a world series and than struggles, and everyone kills him. Donovan McNabb takes the Eagles to the playoffs 8 of 10 years, and has the 3rd highest winning percentage of all QB's in the league right now, and you would think he was Ryan Leaf listening to the fans. The people in this city who either enjoy trashing people or are just so angry that we haven't won more championships need to get a life.— aj322
Comment removed.- Reid called a few special teams boners himself...or did Daisher conjure up that on-side kick and spring it on an unsuspecting AR?— Smashmouth
- Comment removed.
- "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result." Albert Einstein Not Stupidity Jimmyeagles— joedirt217
- To improve special teams, I would put Desean Jackson back on kick-off returns. I know he does alot now; notice they were #1 in punt returns, which is what he does. Give him a new contract and tell him to return kicks. As an aside, notice that Saints were 29th in special teams, and I know that they were about 25th on defense. Drew Brees must have really had a heck of a year, because he really has no big time Pro Bowl stars on offense, and of course they won ita all.— watsonmr
- releasing sav rocco improves the special teams immensely,.....trading mcnabb and a pick for lechler and seymour would improve the special teams and dee-line and quarterback spots all in one shot,....so, there's my contribution les— SyddBarrett
- Dasher also completely messed up Sav's punting as well as having all the special team penalties. Akers was pretty good before he got here, he will be just as good next year. Dasher will not be missed.— kdbned
- Interesting trade, SyddBarrett. But wouldn't even Al Davis realize how abominable #5 performed on the Oakland Coliseum turf last year, and not give up the all-time Punting leader for him to "improve" their miserable offense? I do like the possibility, along with the Birds drafting that amazing Nebraska place-kicker for when Akers is ready to hang up his spikes. I'll bet Bobby April would be in favor of all of this speculation!— tomvallar
- tpizza...what is your take on Pierce not returning to the Giants?— RichieAllen64
- daisher got fired because he can't count to eleven men on the field... that said capn'andy can't keep track of three timeouts and mcidiot dosen't know you only get three and that a game can end in a tie.... so heads must roll... if only the right heads rolled... no loss getting rid of daisher but beenefit keeping reid and vomit man!!!!— elmeaux_b
- GREAT LIFE IN THE BRONX BOBBYDSHH, GO TO OTHER TEAMES SITES AND TALK TRASH!funfunfun— socalbirdsfan
- The Eagles are going nowhere with McNabb at QB. Every year it is some lame excuse why we didn't get it done.— Fast Eddie
- Hey jimmy, that's the definition of insanity, not stupidity.— adam4
- Bobby April was the 2004 & 2008 Special Teams Coach Of The Year. Coming off the rotten job Dashier did, I think the talent is there & with the influx of young aggressive blood. April will be a canidate for the 2010 S.T.C.O.T.Y. again. Coaching was this teams problem last year. young & not respested.— Coach Mike
- Block in the back, number 91, receiving team— phillyboss
- Comment removed.
- Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. -Albert Einstein Insanity, not stupidity Jimmyeagles.— joedirt217
Hmm. I wonder how folks will try to blame McNabb for the special teams unit?— Leegles- Comment removed.
- Any knowledgeable fan, as we all know Philly fans are, right? Would know that a team with three QB's facing their last year of a contract is more then likely in no big hurry to negotiate with anybody. Why would they? Let the other guys make inquiries into who is available and see what value each one has. I doubt, without knowing anymore then anybody else, if the Eagles are in any hurry to decide anything.— merlinknghts
- Gee, he didn't take "arcane" as a complete....oh wait, it's not.— JimG
- oops..."compliment"....not "complete.— JimG
- Dallas fans are by far the biggest idiots and most annoying of the fan world. So that easily rules us out as the dumbest. They know nothing of football and all they can recite is that they have Super Bowl rings almost 2 decades old.— jcruise2
- RichieAllen64, sorry, haven't looked at this article in a day or two. Outwardly it looks like the Giants released Pierce because they feared his neck injury might be a recurring problem. I do think he has gotten a lot slower too. The Giant D was a shambles last year, worse than the Eagles so an infusion of youth would be a help at this point. Inwardly though I still think that the Giants were not sold on his "non involvement" in the Burress mess and he may be a tad too outspoken for the conservative Giants too. Throw in the money they can save by cutting him a year early and they can use that $$ to draft or FA a replacement. There is not a real good prospect to replace him on the roster now. All that together is the reason he got cut IMO. Hope that helps.— tpizza
- RichieAllen64, BTW, your namesake sure could hit. I saw him hit one off the centerfield scoreboard about 2/3 of the way up in Shea in 64? I think [man, I still have nightmares about that ending]. Always thought he has been shortchanged and never got his due.— tpizza
nice st move...hope we can crack top 10 in all three categories this year... o, d, and st. good chance.— teenwolf
