What they're saying about the Eagles
News blogs, sports blogs, entertainment blogs, and more from Philly.com, The Philadelphia Inquirer and the Philadelphia Daily News.
What they're saying about the Eagles
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
Apologies for the late post today, but here's a quick roundup of what the national media are saying about the Eagles this week:
ESPN.com's Dan Graziano gives the Giants' Hakeem Nicks the edge over DeSean Jackson as the NFC East's best wide receiver:
Nicks runs routes better. He separates from defenders better. He finds the ball in traffic better. He catches the ball better. He's just a better player, and it's really no slight against Jackson to say that. Assuming he recovers from the broken foot he suffered last week and is ready for the start of the season, Nicks belongs on a list of the top 10 wide receivers in the game right now. He might even belong at a higher spot than No. 10. He's the best wide receiver in the NFC East right now. As eye-popping as Jackson's first couple of years in the league were, (a) much of his damage was done in the return game and (b) his last couple of years haven't been worthy of a top-10 wideout.
For the record, I agree with Dan that Nicks is the better player. But maybe some of you disagree?
Marc Sessler of NFL.com says Juan Castillo is under pressure in 2012:
The Eagles used the draft to bolster the front line of their aggressive 4-3 base scheme. If rookies Fletcher Cox and Vinny Curry contribute, this D-line could be among the league's best. Philly also brought in DeMeco Ryans and added young talent at linebacker to turn that position group around. (While we're at it: Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie will be more at home next season.) Many coordinators around the league would trade their lineup for Castillo's.
Matt Williamson of ESPN.com projects the top running backs in the NFL in 2015. He's got Trent Richardson first and LeSean McCoy second:
McCoy will turn only 24 years old in July, and the Eagles recently rewarded him handsomely by extending his contract. They apparently feel that McCoy is well-equipped to be a star back for some time going forward -- and I couldn't agree more. He took a massive step forward last year and is among the most dangerous all-around players in the NFL.
Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com has McCoy as his top running back:
McCoy vaulted to the top of this list as a result of his 20-touchdown performance last season. The dynamic Eagles running back piled up 1,309 yards and a league-leading 17 touchdowns on the ground, while also adding 48 catches and three touchdowns through the air. He also led the NFL with 14 rushes for more than 20 yards. McCoy is the most elusive open-field runner in the league and proved last season that he's capable of grinding out the tough yards inside the tackles. Ball security isn't an issue, either, as he's lost a total of three fumbles during his three-year career.
A couple more Eagles have been named to NFL Network's Top 100 list, as voted on by players. Jason Babin is at No. 44, and Jason Peters is at No. 42. They join Trent Cole (57), Michael Vick (70), DeSean Jackson (71) and Nnamdi Asomugha (79). The list has received its share of criticism. And if you look at any measure other than just total sacks, Cole has to be listed ahead of Babin.
You can follow me on Twitter or become a fan of Moving the Chains on Facebook.
The players list is always a joke: the players are often stupid, uninformed about the players they don't compete against, and most lack any objectivity. Unlike, say Graziano, who clearly has no bias.— Warhound- @Sean S - do you attend Graziano's chats? He fully admits hes not even a football fan. He has no team preference. He like Georgetown and thats it.— uunderstandben
- breeze4400, don't pay too much attention to CG25, although he feels that he would be an excellent GM for the Eagles. As tpizza put it so well yesterday (or sometime), the Eagles are doing what they can to win a superbowl. Just look at the free agent acquisitions. While there are many that want Andy fired, it remains true that he is the winningest coach in Eagles history, and gives us a good chance almost every year. A few more fortunate bounces of the ball, and we would have a SB trophy. It will come. Keep rooting for the Birds!— dlscholt
- — CharlieGarner25 I wonder why people who are not true eagles fans are on the sight. i mean if you hat andy and the front office and the players and everything about the eagles then why cheer for them. thats right....you dont. all you do is spew venom all over us. the power of life and death is in the toungue son... i believe we will do awesome this year and take a deep run into the playoffs. maybe we could set up a paypal or something so that you can bet they wont win 8 games this year and i can get a little extra cash. lol— breeze4400
- Why are we arguing about Jackson and Nicks? Jackson is the second or best receiver on the Eagles right now... Third best inside the 20...— chris_r
- Someone needs to show this to Desean to see what he has to say about it. Seems to me that this kid needs all of the motivation he can get.— phillyroni
lol, it was a joke. If you were really some kind of expert on my posting habits you would know I think Desean is an overated punt returner that will never, ever, win a SB as a starting WR on any team. BEST WIDE RECIEVER EVER.- Hicks is a up and coming player. But Hicks drops the ball more than Terrell Owens. At crucial times too. He has all the physical attributes but lets pause on top 10 until we can spot some consistency. I still think D jack's best years are ahead of him. And if we are comparing D jack's past to Hick's budding present we arent being realistic at all.— Zeru
- "DESEAN IS ALSO THE BEST RECIEVER OF THE LAST TWO DECADES".
And yet you said resigning the players that finished 8-8 was a mistake? Huh...more mumbo jumbo. Guess that means they should have let him walk?
You can answer that one along with the other one while I'm gone. Hop to it.— tpizza - I dont even care who is better...!! die hard EAGLES FAN. Im riding wit DJAX!!— Natural215
- well NFL players arent exactly the smartest group out there. Peters at 42 is a bit low, but Babin at 44 is even worse. He shouldnt even be on the list. Babin in the Wide-9 is the definition of a gimmick. and gimmicks dont win superbowls. getting 18 sacks and losing 8 games with a crappy overall defens in almost every other area is truly genius. No wonder the Wide-9 has never resulted in s supernowl championship. NEVER. same with 60% passing. Both sides of the ball are infested with stupid. Year 14 WILL BE THE YEAR. GUARANTEED. DESEAN IS ALSO THE BEST RECIEVER OF THE LAST TWO DECADES.
- Well Genius... THe Giants lined up in the Wide 9 on 32 of their 61 Defensive snaps in the Super Bowl. So they used it on almost every passing down. So do some research because that is winning the Super Bowl using it!
— doodoo1214 - DeSean is not the best receiver on the team, much less the last decade. Maclin will have a great year again without the medical issues that hobbled him early. — chris_r
- Jackson brings a Dynam ic element that few possess. Nicks is a fine receiver, however Jackson is my clear choice the threat level he brings to the field. Jason Peters fop LT in the game at 42...I am with u F.F.F DOESN'T seem right.— trinieagle
- graziano is suuuuch a giants fan anyway who cares what he thinks.— Sean s.
- nicks wasnt even the best wr on his team last year.— Sean s.
- Fascinating as always.— Jerome99RIP
- Curious that the players would rate Jason Peters, the top LT in the league (or pretty damn close to it), as low as 42. What's up with that I wonder?...— FishFryFrank
- Nicks is a better all around player. I still would not trade him for Jackson straight up. Jackson's big play ability makes the opposing defense play differently.— esoburgsc
- Well, I think right now you have to say Nicks is better. But going forward, who knows.— ICDogg
- Nicks is better than Jackson until Jackson proves he's better than the way he played last year. He has his money now so he better produce.— ej610
Follow
Sheil on Twitter. And become
a fan of Moving the Chains on Facebook.
Download our NEW iPhone/Android app for even more Birds
coverage, including app-exclusive videos and analysis. Download it here.
