Three thoughts on the Eagles
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Three thoughts on the Eagles
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
Here are three thoughts on the Eagles:
REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS FOR VICK
It comes as no surprise that Michael Vick has been in the headlines - both locally and nationally - this week, with full-team OTAs under way at the Novacare Complex. Since he became the starting quarterback during the 2010 season, one question has been asked repeatedly with Vick: Can he stay healthy?
But from where I sit, perhaps the more important question is: How can you win with Vick?
The point is this: If in Week 2, the Eagles are down by a touchdown in the third quarter, and Vick is faced with deciding between getting around Ray Lewis or sliding, what do you think he's going to do? Anybody who's watched him over the years knows the answer. He's going to try to make a play.
It's part of why he's so well-liked by teammates and so respected by peers. Vick believes he can escape any sack and turn any play into a 20-yard gain. Sometimes, he's right. And other times, he's wrong. But I don't think that part of Vick's game is going to change at this point in his career.
Since becoming the Eagles' starter, Vick has missed six of 31 starts (or about 19.4 percent) because of injuries. Over the course of a 16-game season, that's about 3.1 games.
What do those numbers mean for 2012? It seems likely that Mike Kafka or Trent Edwards will be asked to make a few starts. One guy has attempted 16 career passes. The other failed to land one of the nearly 100 quarterback jobs available in the league last year. Maybe Kafka or Edwards will surprise. But as far as I can tell, backup quarterback is the biggest question mark on this team right now.
Getting back to Vick for a second, it's important to be realistic and focus on what actually might change in 2012. Will he run less? I doubt it. In 2011, Vick escaped a league-high 17 sacks, according to Football Outsiders. When he crossed the line of scrimmage on improvised runs (plays that originally called for a pass), he averaged 10.2 yards per carry.
Instead of worrying about Vick running less, perhaps he should focus on protecting the ball when he runs. Vick fumbled 10 times in 2011, and it wasn't a new problem. He fumbled 11 times in 2010 (although he only lost three). Take a look at Aaron Rodgers' numbers. He had just 16 fewer rushing attempts than Vick, but only fumbled four times. The 20-yard runs when the cornerbacks have their backs to the line of scrimmage can demoralize a defense. But the fumbles that end long drives and eliminate scoring chances can demoralize an offense.
WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT GRAHAM
We forget now, but Brandon Graham was not a bust in his rookie season. He had 13 QB hurries (second-most on the team to only Trent Cole) to go along with three sacks and two forced fumbles. In training camp that year, Graham was one of the team's most impressive players, but he had some issues against the run once the games started and was used more as a rotational player, after beginning the season as a starter.
Before then, as a senior at Michigan, he had 9.5 sacks and led the nation with 25 tackles for loss.
Yesterday, the Inquirer's Jonathan Tamari caught up with Graham, who is well aware of the "bust" label he currently carries with some. But to be fair, he's not there yet.
The Rams selected defensive end Chris Long with the second pick in the 2008 draft. He had four sacks as a rookie. In the last two seasons, he's totaled 21.5.
Even the player Graham is most often linked to, Jason Pierre-Paul, had just 4.5 sacks in his rookie season before exploding for 16.5 last season.
Graham has the entire offseason to work with one of the best defensive line coaches in the league in Jim Washburn. If he's healthy, it's reasonable to expect him to be a good part of this defensive line rotation in 2012. If that doesn't happen, we can revisit the bust label after the season.
THE VETERAN/ROOKIE RELATIONSHIP
Back when the Eagles selected LeSean McCoy in the 2009 draft, there was no doubt the franchise had pegged him to eventually take Brian Westbrook's job.
Which is why I was so surprised that summer to see how much Westbrook helped and guided McCoy at training camp. When he signed a new contract last week, McCoy talked about how important his relationship with Westbrook still is today. Even yesterday, he talked about how Westbrook told him to always watch film and figure out how he can improve, even if he had an outstanding game.
But not all veteran/rookie relationships are like Westbrook and McCoy's. It's one of the most interesting aspects of the offseason practices, actually. As part of a team, players want to help one another. But veterans also want to keep their jobs. Paul Domowitch of the Daily News caught up with nickel corner Joselio Hanson yesterday, and Hanson seems to have no interest in teaching rookie Brandon Boykin the finer points of playing the slot.
In many ways, Hanson's stance is completely understandable. He was undrafted out of Texas Tech, and just last year, the Eagles cut him after adding Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.
In a perfect world, Hanson would help Boykin out and let the chips fall where they may. But things don't always work out that way.
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Look, the over/under on Vick missing games is at 3. I'd rather have an overweight, puking McNabb as backup over Kafka, Edwards, Foles.— SilliBilli- McNabb is still unemployed so apparently nobody agrees with you.
We need Kafka to get a few starts so we can trade him for a 2nd round pick to a desperate team with poor management in a few years.— bc3030 - Joselio wants to make sure he keeps getting those NFL paychecks as long as possible. Hard to blame him. If Eagles guaranteed the rest of his contract, I'm sure he'd be glad to help. (I know they are not going to, just saying, incentives run the opposite way: do NOT help the guy trying to take your job.)— Scholes
- Graham sucks but AR will keep him around just like he did AbeiMARY and Mc DOGle to try and justify the blown picks fooling no one but himself.Pathetic.— sewell guy
- Wow, those are the least clever attempts at insulting nicknames I've ever heard. Akin to the morons who write "Joe Nickels Banner" and I think I've even read "Andy Bleed" once or twice on these message boards. It's like when a 5-year old calls you "captain poop" and thinks he has a real zinger. Leave comedy to the professionals, or at the very least, leave it to the adults. — Zavkhan
- Abiamiri and McDougle stayed around so long because they were oft-injured and could be stashed on IR. I'm guessing Reid wanted to see what they could do when healthy. If Graham stays healthy this season, and is still unproductive, he'll probably get shown the door.
— phillychaos - Hanson has proven himself to be a "me first" jerk. Westbrook set the bar by showing how a pro puts the good of the team before that of himself. Someone should tell Julio that there is no "I" in team. This "me first" attitude is what lead to the 8-8 season of a year ago.
Either Hanson changes his "tude" or he needs to take it elsewhere.— phillyroni - Sheil: well thought out, reasonable, objective post about the team. Wish some of the posters on here took the same approach.
p.s. Bedpan, you have something on your face (still)— JTR - This comment has been deleted. — bedpan
- I'd be so lucky. — JTR
- A lot of players take the same attitude as Hanson and his is understandable after being cut last season. If your well paid job had a short shelf life you would probably do the same thing. Next up, insurance salesman. Hes prob not ready for that adjustment just yet.— peteike
- Hard to blame Hanson for not wanting to put himself on the unemplyment line. There is no I in team but there IS in Joselio.— tpizza
- You can't compare BWest to Hanson. BWest was a star, borderline HOF. He has money and a legacy. Hanson, while useful, is easily replaceable and he knows it. Huge difference.— NCNovaguy
- so unfair to label a draft pick a bust because he got injured how many of these internet clowns ever tore a ACL when he start making plays they won't even admit they were wrong just hop right on the wagon.....go eagles all the nay sayers and haters can fly outta here ..— positive eagle
- Wow sewell guy.awful.— Sean s.
- Brandon "McDougle" Graham is a BUST no matter how much fluff and Sugar you try to throw on it. JPP has developed into a leauge Superstar because of his hard work. Graham is just another Bad Pick by our front office and a Head coach with a Ego that's just as bloated as his waist line...Drafting "Fastballs" SMDH! GOLD STANDARD!— citysims
- Not really defending Graham, but it probably helps JPP that he didn't suffer a serious, season ending injury like an ACL tear.
Just sayin'.— phillychaos - This comment has been deleted. — bedpan
- I think he can. Your complete unwillingness to give an injured player the benefit of the doubt makes you a bad fan and a bad person. — bc3030
- This comment has been deleted. — bedpan
- Logic would dictate that for a player like Graham, you keep him around to see what he can do because he hasn't really had a chance to get going yet (injury, lockout). Would you have them cut Graham because JPP had a great season? That doesn't seem very logical at all.
If the Birds were going in to the season needing Graham to be a super productive starter, and assuming he would be, then I'd be upset about it for sure. But the fact is they are fine at DE so there is really no reason not to see what he can do.— JTR - What is up with the ALL CAPS are you trying to be Captain Poop— urbnasty
- Hanson is not a " Me first Jerk" If Westbrook was going to share carries with Mccoy thats fine. Hanson will not share playing time. If Hanson helps Boykin, and Boykin surpasses Hanson... Hanson is GONE. Comparing Graham to Chris Long is null and void. If Graham cant start over Babin, that should be the comparison. Graham was not only a first round pick, he required a trade to move up for him. This cat cost us a starting safety for a decade! Babin is a one dimensional speed rusher. Its worked for him the last two years, but if Graham cant provide a considerable cause for getting snaps over Babin, then pack his bags he was not worth the investment.— 1st and goal
- Lay off Graham, he's legitimately injured. Graham was a solid defensive end in the Big 10. Very disruptive against solid competition every week, and Big 10 Defensive Co MVP.
Some of you don't know what you're talking about when it comes to Talent, some of you same guys thing Peterson is a solid tackle and he over the course of playing for the Eagles averages 2 tackles a game. When it comes to Graham as a rookie he preformed well in Philly.
There is no reason in some of you considering Graham a bust while appreciating two tackles a game from Peterson the Starting Defensive Tackle. That's just talking to be talking.
— Dexter - You know DT and DE are different positions right? While your defense of Graham is admirable, you didn't need to turn that into an unwarranted criticism of Patterson, a guy you apparently have spent so much time studying that you don't even know his name. — bc3030
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