5 thoughts on the Eagles
Here are five thoughts on a variety of storylines from Lehigh:
5 thoughts on the Eagles
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
Here are five thoughts on a variety of storylines from Lehigh:
1. Owner Jeffrey Lurie gave his State of the Eagles address this morning and did his best to dumb down the hype surrounding the team's offseason moves. More on that in the video I did below with Domo.
But perhaps the most newsworthy part of Lurie's presser came when he was asked about wide receiver DeSean Jackson, who continues to hold out.
"Listen, we all really like DeSean. He’s a positive player, a good person, and we have nothing but high hopes going forward with DeSean," Lurie said. "I’m not going to talk publicly about any of the dealings with him, but it’s all positive and we look forward to DeSean being here and working things out in a great way going forward."
Later, Lurie was asked if the team had a policy of only negotiating contracts with players who are in camp, and he said yes, that has been their philosophy.
But overall, I got the sense that what I've felt all along is still true: Jackson wants a contract that will provide him with financial stability, and the Eagles want Jackson to be a part of their future. Those two things are not mutually exclusive.
Now that the Eagles have made their big splash, it's time for Jackson to show up. And it's time for the Eagles to sit down with Drew Rosenhaus and put this matter behind them. I really think it makes the most sense for both parties to move forward.
Oh, by the way, Lurie said he sees Michael Vick being here for a long time so add a Vick extension to the Eagles' to-do list also.
2. The afternoon walkthrough was scheduled to begin at 2:45 p.m. today. At 2:28, two rookies were the first players on the field: Danny Watkins and Julian Vandervelde. Watkins is playing catch-up, and while he's certainly had his "learning" moments in the past two days, it seems clear he's going to put in as much time as necessary to make sure he's up to speed by Week 1. Vandervelde, meanwhile, will have to fight for a roster spot.
While watching the walkthrough, I realized the Eagles had four-fifths of their offensive line intact with Jason Peters, Todd Herremans, Jamaal Jackson and Watkins. For now, Austin Howard has been getting the reps at right tackle, but that spot could be occupied by Ryan Harris as soon as tomorrow. Winston Justice, meanwhile, continues to rehab.
Overall, though, this unit is much more equipped to protect Vick than it was a week ago.
3. At one point during the afternoon walkthrough, Reid stood by Howie Roseman and Joe Banner, a scene we've witnessed time after time in the past week or so.
But maybe what was more interesting was what was happening everywhere else. On the same field, about 40 yards away, Marty Mornhinweg ran the offense, with the help of offensive line coach Howard Mudd, wide receivers coach David Culley and quarterbacks coach Doug Pederson.
On the second field, Juan Castillo ran the defense, with help from secondary coach Johnnie Lynn and safeties coach Michael Zordich.
And on the other end of the field, there was Jim Washburn with the defensive linemen.
I need to ask some of the veteran players if my theory's on point, but it sure seems like Reid is delegating on-the-field coaching responsibilities more than ever before.
4. Is it too early to look ahead to the 53-man roster? Of course not. With that being said, there are a lot of spots to be won in the next couple of weeks.
On offense, you've got No. 3 running back (Dion Lewis?); No. 5 wide receiver (Sinorice Moss?); No. 2 tight end (Clay Harbor or Donald Lee?); and offensive line (could King Dunlap and Austin Howard be fighting for a roster spot?).
That's assuming DeSean Jackson returns at some point, Jeremy Maclin gets back on the field and Winston Justice gets healthy.
5. On defense, there are spots up for grabs along the line. Will DE Phillip Hunt make the team? I think he's got a pretty good shot. What about the DTs the Eagles signed yesterday - veterans Derek Landri and Anthony Hargrove? I think there's a good chance the Eagles keep one of them, and possibly both.
Linebacker is a mystery. Casey Matthews, Jamar Chaney and Moise Fokou look like locks. I think Akeem Jordan and Keenan Clayton are favorites for two of the other spots, but a lot can change at this position in the coming weeks.
Same goes for cornerback, where pretty much everything depends on the future of Asante Samuel. If the Eagles keep Samuel, does that mean Joselio Hanson is gone? It would make sense, considering the Eagles have drafted cornerbacks Trevard Lindley and Curtis Marsh in each of the past two seasons.
And finally, safety. Kurt Coleman has looked good so far and is the favorite to join Nate Allen and rookie Jaiquawn Jarrett. But beyond that, who knows? Marlin Jackson? Jarrad Page? Colt Anderson?
We'll see what happens, but those are some of the areas I'll be keeping an eye on as the Eagles get their new free agents on the field Friday.
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I'd like to see them keep Colt Anderson as the last safety or as a special teams player. That guy was lights out on kick coverage.— PHLtoLAX- @Sheil -- The dream team talk is plenty dumb all on its own. I wonder if what Lurie was doing was trying to "tamp it down" rather than "dumb it down." — phillyl0
- Pick up Lofa Tatupu please!!!— blueye7
- Getting old, and has become injury prone. Pass.
— phillychaos - Don't botch this up you idiots. Suck it up, pay him what he's worth, and move on.— n62
- I'm sure we all agree with your sentiment, the problem is that I'm equally sure that even we couldn't agree on what he is worth, (in terms of top 5, top 10, etc.) ThIS is undoubtedly what is holding up a deal between the birds and his agent
— blaqjaq - I used to live in Tact, but then I moved to Morrow.
- PHLtoLAX, I agree, you don't hear Anderson's name much, but he was a great pick up for the special teams.— hmmm2011
- 53: Vick, Vince, Kafka, McCoy, Brown, D. Lewis, Schmitt, Celek, Lee, Harbor, DJax, Maclin, Avant, Cooper, Higgins, Peters, Herremans, JJax, Watkins, Harris, Justice, Dunlap OR Howard, Mathis, McGlynn, Henery, Henry, Dorenbos, Cole, Babin, Jenkins, Tapp, Dixon, Patterson, Hargrove OR Landri (both if Patterson goes to IR), Laws, Hunt OR T'eo-Nesheim, Matthews, Fokou, Chaney, Jordan, Clayton, Lloyd OR Rolle, Allen, Jarrett, Coleman, Page, Anderson, Nnamdi, Asante, DRC, Hanson, Lindley and... Marsh. Sorry, Marlin Jackson, Chad Hall, Jorrick Calvin, Sinorice Moss, Cornelius Ingram, Eldra Buckley, Rashad Jeanty, AQ Shipley. Kelce, Vendervelde, Havili, among others, to PS.— jmk1512
- May the best man win the job. We may actually have to release some real talent this year because the guy in front of him has more, that's stood place to be!
Joseilio Hanson has to go, he's awful— yourdaddy! - I love everything the Birds Fount O is doing, and it's going to pay off!! Give Mighty D'Mouse (that's a complement BTW) what he deserves, and see you at the S-Bowl!!! Man, oh Man this is goin' to FUN!!— Willie B Nice
- Just keep major injuries down to a minimum for the starters...— M60tanker
- I think A.Reid is outta here after the season, especially if the Eagles win the SB. Perhaps move upstairs full time or something.— lefty1117
- We haven't even played our first preseason game and the injuries are piling up. Not a good sign.— fanup
- hanson needs to go. clay harbor has to be the #2. he is young and showed some potential. what about cornelius ingram? any chance?— djack10
- None of the injuries so far has to be anyone that made any significant contributions. I wouldn't care if they traded or cut the entire defensive line with the exceptions of Graham, and Cole, and so far as offensive line if the eagles on the right side of the line had any dignity they would retire to become traffic cops. There's not been a linebacker in Philly since Seth Joyner why is that position so important now?
Sheil I respect your reporting, but tell the other writers to stop making excuses for these loafers. In nobody's mind does King Dunlap or Winston Justice remotely appear to be a NFL Tackle. Keeping Joseilio Hanson is charity work, what's he actually done since being in an Eagles uniform?— Dexter - jmk1512 has a good list there. I agree that both Harbor and Lee stick. I would not rule out Havili in place of Schmitt, provided he can block well enough. I think they'll use a true fullback less and less, while Havili adds another receiving threat to the backfield.— armchairGM
- It's way to early to talk about roster spots....everyone has their favorites, but exhibition games have to be played.....Harbor definitely will be above Lee on depth chart!— bearsfriend
- DREAM TEAM...USA Today and ESPN and all the national media have branded the Eales with the name DREAM TEAM.
Lurie can't be afraid and stop the name of DREAM TEAM...the media will use it to hype the Eagles all season long...Vick and the DREAM TEAM...it's cool.— frank105 
Hanson to Cleveland for a 5th rounder in 2013...book it....
Tom Heckert is the Ed Wade of football..always willing to take our trash heap— lib4- Hanson was a good three, now he's the best number 4 in the league. Get a grip.— Mass EagleFan
- Reid may be delegating now, but game day when important decisions need to be made, is what you have to worry about. Like throwing the ball over 50 times against a team thats just about last in the league in run defense.— watsonmr
- If Hanson leaves, Nnamdi could get his old number.— dlscholt
- Let's wait until the first preseason game at least. We'll find out a lot then.— marioP
- Andy Reid/Marty Mornhinweg are addicted to the "big play". This offense needs more reliable small plays, fewer SACKS against Vick, and more contribution from TE & FB. Hoping we'll see AR & MM use a 3 TE set and run or pass from that in red zone. Like Austin Howard as 3rd TE.Lets grade some road.— Smashmouth
- Not seeing TeoNeishim is guard-killer story. Is no longer an Eagle?— Smashmouth
- Who makes the 53 man team? Who ends up on IR? Some how everything will take care of themselves.— Clt Philly Fan
- You guys getting Joselio Hanson confused with Dmitri Patterson? Hanson was good covering the slot receiver last year. If NA or Samuels goes down, then DRC moves to LCB or RCB and we still have a good nickle-back.— dragoon6
- Ever since hanson went off the juice he hasn't been the same!— jdld610
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