Celek fires back at Brooking
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Celek fires back at Brooking
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
Eagles tight end Brent Celek fired back at Cowboys linebacker Keith Brooking during a radio interview. (AP photo) (AP Photo / Matt Slocum)
The Eagles and Cowboys have ended each others' seasons two years in a row.
And even though it's April, the players are doing their part in adding to the rivalry.
And we at MTC love it.
You'll remember that Cowboys linebacker Keith Brooking took a jab at the Birds last week.
"The way we dominated them, obviously [Donovan] McNabb didn’t play his best, but they were very predictable," Brooking said. "We knew exactly what was coming on every play. A lot of that didn’t have to do with Donovan McNabb."
Those words found their way to Eagles tight end Brent Celek, who responded on ESPN 103.3's Galloway and Company show.
"It kind of irked me a little bit," Celek said. "I don't think they knew exactly the plays that we were running, when we were running them. They played better than us in those games and I'll give them credit. They did do a good job. But for him to say that, I totally disagree with him. I'll tell ya what, I can't wait to play him next year."
Last year, Celek broke out with 76 catches for 971 yards and eight touchdowns. We saw a side of him we hadn't seen in his first two seasons in the league - dragging defenders along for extra yardage, showing emotion after picking up first downs, etc.
He was asked what he'll say to Brooking when the two teams meet.
"I can't say that on radio, guys," Celek said. "Every time we went down there, and you see him trying to get the crowd riled up on that big jumbotron, it just gets me going, so I can't wait to play him again."
Well, we know that Eagles-Cowboys is going to be fun. And we know that Eagles-Redskins is going to be fun. What about Eagles-Giants? That's going to be fun too. But more on that later.
Celek continued to back his buddy Kevin Kolb, saying the Eagles made the right move.
"They did the right thing," Celek said. "They got faith in Kolb, and I'll tell ya what, I think Kolb is gonna be one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL in years to come. I hate hearing people say that we're rebuilding right now cause we got a lot of good players on our team and we're gonna win a lot of games this year.
"The people in the front office and coach Reid have seen Kevin's development over the last three years, and they feel it's time. And I'll tell ya what, a lot of guys on the team feel the exact same way. We're ready to rally behind him and get this thing going."
Thanks to ESPN's Matt Mosley for the link.
Earlier we linked to comments made by McNabb's dad to USA Today.
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Comments (102)
How can almost every NFL analyst, national sport reporter, and almost every player who has spoken out on this trade be wrong? It like you anti-McNabb guys are only looking at this from one side. The Eagles will suck next season, and that is one mans fault. Andy Reid.— dowens1617- Brooking is right. The Eagles offense is predictable, Andy runs the ball way too much. I really wish he'd throw it more— Will T.
- I don't know anyone would listen to what Brooking has to say. He would cry with the Falcons and he cry's with the Cowgirls. No one has respect for him.— sheeron
- Panthro22: How do you define a hater? McNabb had several chances to bad mouth the Eagles and he did not. I can't say the same about at least 2 players he made successful. Celek and DJack's Off!— Bigbadrookie
- Duh, the Bird's can't stop the run, and the Defense will be pounded unmercifully...It's does not matter what "Magnum' and Kolb do on Offense...Joe and Andy, draft a Nose Tackle/DT's and Run Stuffer Linebackers or pay the price...— Newway
- TheDoof, a hater......BigBumRook, a hater......are there more? I'm sure there are..........
- Look, noone in this forum can predict the future. I believe that 95 percent of the posters are Eagles fans. I believe that zero percent of the fans grumbled when Mcnabb threw a td. I dont think the trade in division was smart, point blank. WE DIDNT NEED TO DO DONOVAN RIGHT! All u have to do is look at the cowboys performance post T.O. to see that addition by subtraction works in some cases. I am starting to believe we drafted the next new and improved Brett Favre, we will all be stunned with the ropes this cat is gonna throw. If Phil Savage gets this draft right, and the squad is blessed with good health, bowl, no doubt in my mind.— Onlineps2beast
- Brookings is right and now Andy and Morty's play callling will be exposed. Wake up Kolb fans! The same thing that plagued Donovan will plague Kolb.— mac609
- Nice pic of Celek....missing a pass.— TheDude
- Celek is also a TE who dropped several easy catches last, but that comes with the game. He is a good talent that can become great. i just wish these guys would focus on football. McNabb made you an upcoming star, so don't say anything that will slight him.— Bigbadrookie
- Gotta love Celek's fire. A tight end who can play and bust skulls.— NorthEagleFan
- Lonewolf 10. Celek will be now that they have someone who can throw an ACCURATE pass!— fanup
- GO AHEAD BRENT! Tell it like it t-i-is!!!! I'll bet the haters won't be telling you to shut up and play!
- If Mcnabb didn't throw the ball to Celek he would be just another loser riding the pine. He hasn't done enough to talk about anyone since he been in the league. One fairly good season don't make you a star in this league. Not yet.— sykesl19119
Oh Celek really through down there--(sarcasm)-- If these guys want to fire up a rivalry they should get tips from Jroll— KINGOFZED- What are the facts that we learned from the article? 1.) The Eagles were predictable against the Cowboys. The reference was to the 2 games at the end of the season. Sometimes a d-coordinator will get in an o-coordinators head for a period of time and adjustments will need to be made to get him out. Wade Phillips is now preparing the Cowboy d game plan. He is a crafty vet like JJ was, the things he is doing need to be understood over a few games in order to counter him. 2.) Celek thinks the Eagles did the right thing by promoting Kolb. This in no way is a reflection on McNabb's leadership or ability. It is more a reflection of the players perception of Kolb's upside.— suf
- I completely agree with Celek that the Eagles are not rebuilding. They traded McNabb because Kolb is a better QB, right? They won 11 games last year, made the playoffs and lost. The goal is to win a Super Bowl. If they don't win the Super Bowl next year, they failed. If they don't win 12 or more games and reach the NFC championship game, the McNabb trade was a mistake.— MikeP
- drbob1: If that was what Celek said then I would agree with him Read is statement again. He said that the change was a GOOD move!!!! he did not need to go there....— Bigbadrookie
Comment removed.- One just has to think of what Jeff Garcia did for this team in the short time he played here. He was a leader and inspired the team like McNabb never did. T.O. got a lot of locker room support from Trotter, Westbrook and others and McNabb, once again came up short. I'll gladly take our lumps, if we do, just to get our chances to win the big game which we didn't with low throw McDoDo.— walt1
- Comment removed.
- None of the Eagles former assistants needing a QB made a bid for McNabb. Tom Heckert of the Browns only wanted Kolb, Heckert went with Delhome instead of making a pitch for McNabb. Spagnola and the Rams quickly denied the trade rumors, Childress of the Vikings never made a proposal. Brian Baldinger said McNabb has serious flaws. Washington likely got skinned in this deal.— Carlos2
- .. and yes, I know it's 'Brent' , not 'Brett'— drbob1
- @Bigbadrookie: Actually, the purpose of my post and the others was to ridicule Brookings for acting like such an idiot when the Vikings ran it up from 27-3 ( I had my score messed up in my original post) to 34-3. Nobody expected him to know the Vikings plays, and he didn't know the Eagles plays either; that's just something players say to make themselves look smart , which is why he's getting pasted on this board. Players all have about the same opportunity to prepare for another teams game plan; they receive multiple game films of that team vs. other opponents and review nearly every tendency a team has. That's what they're doing between Wednesday and Saturday. But I'm pretty sure they didn't steal Andy's 15 scripted plays or anything else. It's about execution, they did and we didn't. The following week, they didn't and the Vikings did. Also, Brett Celek emerged as one of the better TE's in football last year, and he never threw McNabb under the bus, all he said as that he's looking forward to playing with Kolb. What did you want him to say?— drbob1
- Comment removed.
- Some of you are asking why the Cowboys did not know the Vikings plays the following week. Well that is the point you morons. The knew the plays of the Eagles and beat the living stuffings out of us, but they could not predict the plays of the Vikings and got whooped!! Bret, you were a nobody before you started catching from McNabb, so to throw him unders the bus is classless! It is better to STFU than bite the hand that fed you...— Bigbadrookie
- Lonewolf- He may not be but he's getting pretty darn close.— davekrieg
- Won't matter how good the offense is, the Iggles aren't going to be better than 8-8 with that garbage of a defense.— Tracer41
- Last I checked Brookings and Dallas were getting dominated by Farve and the Vikes. And Brookings was crying about getting the score run up on Dallas ... losers— RocketC
- Ph**k Jason Witten and the entire Cowdump organization...— philadelphiachild51
- Brookings is a classless phaaaaaaaaggggggg!— Herc142
- Reid's playcalling is as predictable as the days of the week. Of course Dallas knew what was coming, the Eagles got their a**es handed to them 2 weeks in a row and the Eagles made no changes in the game plan, the Cowboys just sat back and waited for the Eagles to fall right into their lap, which they did. As much as I loathe McNabb, I think the trade to the Redskins gives the Cowboys the NFC East on a silver platter, nobody in the division is going to be able to touch them now, unless Kolb comes out next season and plays like John Elway or something, but I don't know. The draft will determine alot about the Eagles 2010 season. The Boys are still considerably better team.— BosoxJohnny
- It really seems the players are behind this move to Kolb. I think we have all missed something here. Or should I say, once again, the Philly sports writers missed something again.— craig123
- Seems the players are team players or have harbored a great dislike for McNabb. The Eagles, all on message talking up this deal. However, the NFC East "ain't" a division where debate determines a team's fate. I still say trading McNabb was wrong, but to a twice Super Bowl Winning Coach in your division...... with a solid history of working with experienced QBs.... 8-8 is not acceptable....I don't see enough in the draft to give the Eagles a Diffrence Maker and Game Changer on Defense..... or Offense. Something better happen and very soon. 8-8 is not acceptable under any circumstance.— Dexter
- Hey Dean1... no one has seen the schedule yet... It's due out next week. Hey Brookings.... "DALLAS SUCKS!"— Reizorc
- So verve "can often call the play before Reid does," huh? What does that mean, verve -- calling run vs pass? And how often are you correct? Let me guess, maybe 50% of the time? You're talking nonsense, pal. Another echo-chamber WIP moron.— ahab
- As much as I hate to admit it, as I'm a big McNabb proponent, and I DO NOT have faith in Kolb, the timing was perfect for the Eagles to move on from Donovan. It was either get something for him now while it's still possible or get nothing next year. I have to commend the team for growing a set and making this choice, albeit a tough choice.— Reizorc
- Does anyone in Philly really care what a Dallas player has to say? But Celek handled about as professionally as possible. Heck, Brooking may not even be playing when the Eagles visist.— PhillyFanSouth
- the players are happy McGoof is gone.— Klambake
I'm also excited about the upcoming season...just to see some young players. I don't expect too much, and I won't whine if they don't win the SB this year. It's called "realistic expectations". Goodbye to the drama queen, time to allow my testosterone to emerge again.— road515
Good job Celek. But many are correct, I can often call the play before Reid does. And I don't even watch tape, just the games.— verve- Lonewolf..in about a year..watch him..Witten is a good TE..not a great one...and Spangler..so you know what players think now huh? You should takethat show on theroad pal. You'd make a lot of money.— merlinknghts
- Celek is a leader on and off the field. If the Eagles use their draft stockpile wisely, this will be another great year.— JohnFC
- Ummm, ChrisM is a freaking moron, people. "Duh, Reid is predictable. Brooking is right. Duh." Man, that's genius, is what that is. You all need to turn WIP off now and again and do something to expand your minds a bit. Try watching a sitcom or something. Baby steps.— ahab
- I agree with ChrisM. Andy and Marty are way too predictable because most of the sets they run try to exploit the same thing, so when a defense can recognize what formation they are in, they have a good idea of what is coming and where they are trying to attack. And this comes from the head coach, not the QB. Don's problem was that he was not Peyton Manning. His football IQ is not as high. He runs plays that he is given, he scrambles to make bad plays work, but like Reid- he can't make in game adjustments, or in his case adjustments at the line. Kolb better learn to read defenses better than Don or we will see a whole lot of the same thing we did for the past 11 years, but from a guy who is less athletic. I wish management would recognize they aren't fit to run an organization and fire themselves- because our team's greatest strengths and greatest weaknesses are all bundled up in Management.— Knock0ut12
- ItsOnLikeDK - I was never a McNabb fan, but him "not being able to read a defense very well" is off-base. McNabb's strengths included reading defenses, going through his progressions, and not turning the ball over. This is why his int - attempts ratio is one of the lowest in NFL history. Accuracy, heart, and non-leadership qualities were his overwhelming weaknesses. And, for those who think this team will be a playoff team next season, DREAM ON. 7 wins max - have you bothered to look at the schedule?— Dean1
- How come Brooking couldn't predict what was coming the following week when it was 37-3 Vikings and Minnesota had the ball inside their 20 on 4th down with a minute left? He looked pretty surprised after that play! It's easy to talk in April, but things change from year to year in the NFL. That's why the Eagles weren't opening their big mouths after the 2008 season ending 44-6 whipping they put on the Cowgirls, because things can change like they did in '09. And they can change back in '10, and Brooking just gave the Eagles players more incentive.— drbob1
- Comment removed.
- I'm actually excited for this upcoming season. The suspense is actually killing me.— Philadelphia Guy
- They have too many holes to fill, too much inexperience to win the division this year, but you have to like the young guns.— ml307n
- Celek summed it up. Pretty obvious that McNabb was not well liked by his teammates. And for those who are criticizing Celek, you are as much a loser as McNabb. Celek is a quality, high work-ethic player that had to wait his turn while that stiff L.J. Smith was starting. He should have been on the field long before. If any of that criticize him worked as hard as he does, you mom wouldn't still be making your bed.— Bob1
- I heard Celek drove McNabb to 30th Street to catch his train to DC.— Phillies2008WSChamps
- Sorry Brookings is right. As an Eagles fan I watched those games thinking that they had our play book. Its true. Some Redskins player said the same thing 2 years ago. Its part of the reason why they Eagles can not win it all. WE R PREDICTABLE!!! Wish Donnie-Mac and B-Dawk were still Eagles!— bearealfan
- Celek Rocks. Can't wait to see the Cowboys fold under the pressure of a repeat performance— phillyjhawk
- Witten was no Witten before Romo threw him every ball.— HandNik
- Comment removed.
- ChrisM if we're so predictable, then how did we go 11-5 last year. Way to many haters blog on here. If we were predictable it was only because McNabb gave it away, he's old and inaccurate.....— ForeverEaglesFAN
Lonewolf isn't a complete and utter douc*bag, my man...oh wait, yes he is- Celek is the man. Plus he jumped over that defender once, and that was sick.— sixers_610
- I did notice McNabb is at Washington's voluntary workouts. He was too good to come to philly and work out with his team-mates, but HAD to work-out with the Skins. Maybe if he supported his young team-mates here, things would have been different. I won't miss him. I hope he stays healthy and all, but it is time to move on.— brickhead
- Comment removed.
- Comment removed.
- Yawn!— bvillebaron
- Your correct Lonewolf10, Celek is not Witten. If he was, he would be a big gay Cowboy!— sdmf25
- It's not about being predictable, it's about play execution. Everyone knows the Jets will run the ball but they execute the run well and are difficult to stop. When the Denver Broncos had Terrell Davis EVERYONE knew what play was comming but still could not stop it. For the Eagles, offense execution, timing and YAC are more important than finesse. Brooking is a blowhard who uses phony emotion to fire his team up. Hopefully his comments will come back to haunt him.— PhillyTru
- anybody who disagrees that the eagles O is not predictable doesnt know anything about footbal or is in total denial....— the tru 1
- I'm getting PUMPED for Eagles football this year.— telly
- they were predictable b/c McNabb never audibled. Never changed the play... could only learn a few plays per week. Syracuse ain't no Harvard. and he played a silly air guitar...— Skena
- chrisM nailed it. mcnabb is just the most recent scapegoat.— sore richard
- Comment removed.
- I met Kevin in his first year in Phila. He was attending our charity event. I welcomed him here and wished him good luck. He spoke to me as if I was the only person in the room even though we were standing under a rainy, noisy tent. He has a presence about him. I think he is tough, too. I look forward to what he is going to bring to the team but really would love the McNabb bashing to end at this moment. He wanted to win, did the best he could, was a great guy while he was here, and was only the best QB we ever had. Yes, I want to win a Supe...but don't people feel he did, too? Don, I only wish you the best except when you play us.— Scott B.
- Celek should have just called Brooking out and said: "He can't cover me." Because I don't think that Booking can even keep pace with him.— 46 and 2
- I guess the cowboys didn't know the predictable plays the eagles were running in the last game of 08, a 40 point blow-out of the cowboys. All of a sudden they figured out the birds playcalling in 09. yeah right.— mmonahan
- Comment removed.
- I think AR's future is on the line with this draft. We've got a lot of picks and a lot of holes, especially on defense. He's got to get a couple of playmakers that make a difference this year or next. Otherwise, he's gone when his contract expires. When they elevated Roseman did anybody in the scouting/drafting dept. get moved around?— Cameiros
- Hey Brent, get ready for 6 and 10! Oh, and do yourself a favor; don't waste your time getting into every verbal skirmish that's out there. It's just a waste of time and energy; do something constructive.— JBinPA
Brooking is right. The eagles are one dimensional and predictable with their play calling. My kids know their plays. 1st down throw, if incomplete, run on 2nd for a yard. On 3rd and 9 attempt a 6 yard pass and hit the receiver's feet. Any failure now means only one thing. "Rebuild" the coaching staff— burholme- i think that stupid move to hire that defensive guy from dallas who left after one season here had something to do with the Cowboys domination and knowing the plays.— Wise_Owl
- Wasn't Brooking the guy who whined like a little baby at the end of the Vikings-Cowboys playoff game when the Vikings were "dominating" the Cowboys? I thought I remember him running over the Minnesota sideline late in the game and crying that they were running up the score on them.— JimG
- JLH I assume you're talking to me, and he absolutely can't read a defense (well.) QB's who know what they're seeing have their footwork right and get the ball out on time. QB's who don't either a.) don't play or b.) squeeze the ball and fire it 150mph behind/below/above the target because he didn't see him until it was too late and he rushed the throw or else can buy enough time to find a wide open receiver. That's not the right way to play in the NFL and that's why he consistently DESTROYS bad teams and totally locks up against good ones. It will never change, we had all seen enough of it. GET OVER IT!— ItsOnLikeDK
- Comment removed.
- How are you as a player...getting mad because another player tells the TRUTH! So what! Ohh we really going to get them now!! LOL! The Eagles are very PREDICTABLE and they using the players to back Kevin Kolb. Its called the PR spin. Now everybody is hype over KK. Please, he is not better right now than McNabb so to sit there and say were going to probably have 6-10 season. Is right on the MONEY!!! Anything better is a PLUS!! Its called the LEARNING CURVE. It's nothing like actually PLAYING!! This is rebuiding. Stop believing the HYPE! If any other team gets ride of there main players and put others in there role....guess what? Its called REBUILDING. The Sixers said the same thing when they got rid of Iverson. We need change or we need to go in a different direction. Now look at them!! The same is going to happen to the Eagles.. Why? Still no defense!!! PERIOD!! Nobody is saying how horrible Sean McD Defense was last year or that they brought in Dick Jauron to take his place...sorry I mean help him out!!! LOL, The O can B very nice but still no O-Line..and No D-Line..and no LB...and 1 corner who doesnt want to tackle aka DEion without the PRIMETIME ..oh nobody to cover the Tight ends..ohh forgot we got FOKU and Demps!! LMAO!! The Eagles are cheap and now they have proved it whole heartly! Its one thing to go with the youth movement but should have given McNabb his real one last change with the young guys and a REAL DEFENSE!!! Not give him away for dam near NOTHING!! A starting caliber QB for almost nothing. That's funny. RESPECT, WHAT RESPECT!! We are tired of him, so GIVE HIM AWAY!! And that's exactly what we did! PERIOD!!!— riza1976
- So now McNabb couldn't read a defense huh whatever your name is? Here we go with the revisionist history nonsense. Let's not let the facts get in the way of a moronic post. The man holds the record in every Eagles passing category and you throw some garbage like that out there. At least pretend to know what you're talking about please. Here's an idea for an ingrate yet to do anything big mouth like Celek. How about subtracting all the yards he gained from McNabb's poor, in the dirt, no defense reading, purely athletic, inaccurate passes (did i cover them all?) and start from scratch next year?— JLH
- Everyone . . Eagles will look much different after . . the draft . . I really think they'll move up . . to #11 or #12 and take a LB . . . possibly that rolando maclain from Bama . . with him and Stew . . we'd be set for 8 years . . . he's a beast . .— ingy9
- Yes, the Eagles are predictable, but sounds to me like Brooking is overstating things a bit. Plus, Brooking was the one whining that the Vikes ran up the score on them - even though Dallas did almost the exact same thing to the Birds the week prior - so whatever. His best days are well behind him, let him talk junk.— erbower
- Wasnt Brooking the one complaining to the Vikings sideline when the Cowgirls were getting their butts kicked?— traugdog420
- Wolf are you an Eagles Fan or a Boys fan? Celek is a stud, he had a great season and I expect to see his numbers even higher. The tight end will be a big focus this season in the passing game.— bobf876
- Celek gives 100%...maybe if the two OT's can manage that they might win some games.— gulfportdan
- If Kolb turns out to be as good as everyone in the organization thinks he can be, and if a fair portion of the upcoming draft picks pan out, this team will be in a great position to be a true contender again for several years, similar to the early-to-mid 2000s. It will most likely take them a season or two of developing some young defenders and a few O-lineman to get there, but they really seem to be on a good path.— Raggamonkey
- Roblupe, His name is Brent and I assure you that anyone who knows football knows that Donovan could not read a defense very well. He made up for that with great athleticism and arm strength. It was also his biggest flaw as his throws were often off time and off target. Kolb will be a better QB for this team.— ItsOnLikeDK
- With Sheldon, Westbrook and Dawkins gone, Celek has and will step up into a strong leadership role for this team, and I think it suits him well. He's gonna be a very good player for a long time. Go birds!— ItsOnLikeDK
- 'scuse me Brad but who exactly tossed you those 76 balls anyway - a guy who knew the leeague and how to read dfenses and ball hawking CB's you've got no respect for the recently departed— robinlupe
The truth hurts. Andy Mornihnreid's playcalling IS predictable. Brooking is not the first member of an opposing team to let that slip. The only thing he got wrong is that it had a lot to do with McNabb.— tornadoh- Comment removed.
- Everyone in the NFL knows the Eagles are predictable. This is one of the reasons we haven't won a superbowl. Mark my words the same problems the last ten years will exist with Kolb at the helm, because the problems stem from Reid, not McNabb.— ChrisM
- celek aint no witten...my man— Lonewolf10
- Hell Yeah— Reggie92
- I agree with Brooking (sadly) - Reid is too predictable, and with a weak offensive line, he'll pass more. As for McNabb not being liked, well - funny that TO can come in one year and divide a clubhouse - sure many people for a long time have been rubbed the wrong way by McDiva.— AllDawk_AllTheTime
Celek is the best. Brooking is a typical Dallas baby, whine when you lose, gloat when you win.— Richard Saunders- The guys who catch passes from him and the coaches who've seen him everyday in practice all seem genuinely excited about the transition to Kolb. Not just lip service and towing the company line, genuine excitement and confidence. Can't wait for all you "This team is going 6-10 for the next 5 years" people to be eating your words soon enough
- I wasn't sold on Kolb after 2 games, but it sounds like internally, the players love him, the coaches love him and he can do some things. Now if we use our 11 picks wisely to bolster up the defense and offensive line, we'll be set.— aerussel
- Seems like the elephant in the room. No one wants to say it but McNabb wasnt that well liked and other teamates were ready to see him go because they didnt think he was the leader on the team.
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Sheil Kapadia is in his fifth season writing about the Eagles and the NFL for philly.com. His earliest
memories as a sports fan include several trips to Veterans Stadium with
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