Archive: February, 2010
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
INDIANAPOLIS -- If it weren't for the Steak and Shake sightings, there might not be any proof that
Andy Reid was here for the NFL scouting combine.
The Eagles coach has been an apparition this week -- at least for the media that covers the NFL, and in particular, the reporters that write about the Eagles. The whole organization, in fact, has been in cognito. Of 32 NFL teams, the Eagles were one of only nine teams that weren't represented by a coach or genereal manager on the media room podium.
Eagles GM Howie Roseman met with a handful of reporters for a 45-minute pre-combine chat last week rather than have his week of scouting interrupted. It was an understandable move by the new GM, although he might have benefited from a podium appearance and used it as an opportunity to introduce himself to the rest of the national media.
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
INDIANAPOLIS -- Tom Heckert is now in Cleveland. The Eagles, his old team, have three quarterbacks all in the the last year of their contracts. And the Browns probably need a quarterback.
He must have talked to Andy Reid, his old boss, about one of those quarterbacks, right?
"I'd rather not say," the Browns new general manager said today at the NFL scouting combine.
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
INDIANAPOLIS -- Deny, deny.
The Rams said that they haven't spoken to the Eagles about a possible trade involving quarterback Michael Vick, despite reports to the contrary.
"I have not had any conversations with the Philadelphia people about Michael Vick," Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo said today at the NFL scouting combine. "Zero."
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
INDIANAPOLIS -- You can check off the San Francisco 49ers as potential suitors for one of the Eagles' trio of quarterbacks -- maybe.
San Francisco head coach Mike Singletary pronounced Alex Smith as his starting quarterback for next season, with one caveat.
"I feel a great deal about saying Alex Smith is our starter going into the next football season," Singletary said during the first day of the NFL scouting combine. "The thing for me is I'm always going to use words like, 'probably' because I like competition. I like guys knowing that we're always going to compete. But I feel very comfortable in saying Alex Smith is our starting quarterback."
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
Brian Westbrook said today that has no plans on retiring and that his agent has already fielded "three or four" calls from interested teams.
A day after his release, the former Eagles running back broke his silence and spoke to 97.5 The Fanatic. Westbrook was nothing but respectful to the organization and said that he harbored no hard feelings toward the Eagles.
Coach Andy Reid delivered the news to Westbrook yesterday morning. The running back said it was the first time he had heard anything about being released. He said that he had not heard from owner Jeffrey Lurie or team president Joe Banner, although both members of the front office did deliver comments praising Westbrook yesterday.
Jonathan Tannenwald
Jeff McLane takes your questions about the latest Eagles news in a live chat at noon Wednesday.
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
The Eagles announced today that they plan to release Brian Westbrook, one of their all-time greats.
The 30-year-old running back's decorated career with the Eagles is over after eight seasons.
"This is a tough day for the Philadelphia Eagles," head coach Andy Reid said. "Anytime you have to release a player like Brian Westbrook, that’s not an easy thing to do -- neither for us or for Brian. I had an opportunity to talk to Brian this morning about the situation and inform him that we were going in a different direction. Brian was tremendous with it and very professional with it."
- Poll: Is releasing Westbrook the right move? (11465 votes)
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
Stacy Andrews said today that he would be willing to restructure his contract a year after the Eagles offensive lineman signed a six-year, $38.9 million deal as a free agent.
"I would do a minor restructuring of my contract," Andrews said by telephone. "They want to do an adjustment and we're willing. Hopefully, we can come to an agreement."
Andrews, who tore his ACL with the Bengals near the end of the 2008 season, started only two games at right guard last season and sat on the bench for much of the season. The Eagles said it was because he hadn't fully recovered from the knee injury. Andrews, though, said the knee was not the problem and that his lack of production had more to do with being switched from tackle to guard.
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
Kevin Kolb went on 610-WIP today and confirmed that he and the Eagles did not discuss a contract extension as was reported last week.
"We haven't even talked to them as far as I know," Kolb told WIP host Howard Eskin. "That totally blew me away when that was reported because that was obviously false.
"I don't even talk to my agent [Jeff Nalley] that much about it because ultimately it doesn't have anything to do with what we say. So we're kind of just sitting back right now and letting things iron out. We know there's still some time here and I'm sure there'll be a phone call some time in the near future or a meeting. But as of right now we're just going to let it iron out and have faith that the right decision's going to be made."
