What they're saying about the Eagles
Here's a roundup of what the national media are saying about the Eagles:
What they're saying about the Eagles
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
Here's a roundup of what the national media are saying about the Eagles:
Ian Rapoport of NFL.com stopped by Eagles mini-camp on Wednesday:
A lot of the good feeling comes from coach Andy Reid. Reid said with a straight face that he always has fun. But really, it seems he’s having more fun now. Why? Maybe less to lose. He knows it’ll be a big year either way.
DeSean Jackson has run out of excuses, writes ESPN.com's Ashley Fox:
The bad behavior from DeSean Jackson better be exclusive to 2011 (and, in a small part, to 2010), because the Philadelphia Eagles aren't going anywhere without their speedy wide receiver on board. This team is gunning for a Super Bowl run. Anything less will be another epic fail. They need Jackson to be all-in, because when he is, when he is right in the mind and loving the game, he is virtually impossible to stop.
John Czarnecki of FoxSports.com names Michael Vick as one of his 10 players under pressure in 2012:
The franchise rewarded him with $20 million in 2011 and he proceeded to become a red-zone turnover machine. He lost the ball 18 times, matching his total for touchdown passes. Vick is saying now that these Eagles, with a richly-paid DeSean Jackson at receiver, are his best team ever.
The Eagles are third in Gil Brandt's power rankings on NFL.com, behind only the Packers and Patriots:
The Eagles need to keep quarterback Michael Vick healthy, and that's why the loss of All-Pro LT Jason Peters really hurts. Peters ruptured his Achilles tendon twice this offseason, essentially ending his 2012 campaign before it began. The team did well picking up Demetress Bell to fill in, though. Bell's certainly not Peters, but he's a capable replacement. Philadelphia boasts a very talented offense, but the defense only played well in spots last season.
Gregg Rosenthal takes a look at franchises that have never won the Super Bowl and projects which will be the next to hoist the Lombardi Trophy. He's got the Panthers as the favorites, with the Eagles as the runner-up:
Eagles fans are sick of falling just short, but that's what they'll do in this meaningless post. We could see them finally winning it all under Andy Reid, but don't quite trust Michael Vick enough to be steady throughout an entire playoff run.
Clark Judge of CBSSports.com says Terrell Suggs would be wise to pay attention to what happened to Jason Peters this offseason:
The Eagles' All-Pro left tackle tore his Achilles in March and underwent successful surgery. Then, in May, he tore the Achilles again, this time when his walker broke. Not only isn't Peters likely to play again this season, but I know some people who wonder if he'll ever play again.
It's a cautionary tale Suggs would be wise to follow, and it sounds as if he is. While I'm not suggesting Peters did anything improper, I am suggesting that Suggs pay attention and proceed carefully, patiently and wisely -- listening to physicians as much as he listens to his body.
There have been reports that Kevin Kolb was booed at the Cardinals' "FanFest" practice earlier this week, but ESPN.com's Mike Sando, who was in attendance, says the story's been overblown:
About 15,000 fans turned out to watch the Arizona Cardinals during their "FanFest" practice Wednesday night. If some of them booed quarterback Kevin Kolb, I didn't hear it. I arrived for the event 90 minutes before players walked onto the field and left well after they had departed.
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oh poor old kevin kolb the konkusion king we couldve stuck with you but you always got injured just like mv but mv is better thats just what i think though.— defroe- MV IS better!!! WAY BETTER! GO MIKE VICK GO!— Panthro2011
- The Panthers? Seriously? Josh Freeman looked like the second coming of a franchise QB savior, too, during his first full season as a starter, but look at him last year. Nothing against Cam Newton, but it'll be hard to replicate that success again this year. Mike Vick is gonna set the field on fire!— Drigh13
I have to believe Michael Vick this year is a little more likely to set these posts on fire than the field.- The Eagles paid Vick $20 million last season..and Vick became a turnover machine in the red zone,where Vick turned the ball over 18 times........Wow, Eagles paid Vick $20 million last season and Vick did not even win a stinkin'playoff game...LOL.— phil500
- You know what worries me. There is never any talk in the National Media with regards to Celek in the red zone. I've seen some of the numbers on Celek posted by the local writers and frankly, I'm not impressed and think we need better from the tight end position. Celek is big enough that he should have his way between the hash marks and in the red zone but he disappears. Also, Copper is a disapointment, until he learns how to come back for the ball and out fight small Dbacks.
— Dexter 
The Attitude gained by the departure of Joe Banner is monumental. No more nitpicking at the contract level can go a long way in any player's head. That one intangible object has been resolved. Look for big years from the disrespected... Funny Dexter mentioned T.E.. I was checking for the 'yards after catch', 1st-Down efficiency, and Red Zone Stats. These definitively need improvement.— Homersez- @phil500: You know who else got paid $20 million last year? Peyton Manning. His team finished with the worst record in the NFL.— Penfold18
- '....it seems he’s having more fun now" referring to Reid. Sure , didn't he say he was "fired up" at Banners farewell news conference. The one detractor in the FO to Reid is now gone, no wonder Reid feels good.— watsonmr
- @penfold don't pay @phil500 any attention he is just mad because he is stuck in a minimum wage job and can't afford to see the Eagles play, you know a troll, hater, that is mad that no one in the organization gives a hoot what he thinks. I wonder if he has enough money to move his trailer out to Arizona Kolb could use the support.— Blessed8251
- Jason Avant is the one who better have a good year. It's real easy to say Desean Jackson needs to improve this year now that he's got his contract...( everyone OUTSIDE Philly has beat that dead horse to death ) but the Eagles really need Avant to go back to being Mr. Clutch on third downs. Last year he had way too many dropped balls and fumbling issues..carrying the ball way away from his body allowing defenders to strip the ball. And he went to the media complaining about the fans here...PLEASE....just shut your mouth and do your job! No matter what happens, even with the relatively untested Cooper and the rookie McNutt on the roster, if Avant doesn't play to his capabilities this year, the Eagles will regret the fact that they went into the season and not signed Plaxico Burress for the red zone— tony b
- I totally agree@tony b— diehardeagle
- It would be completely Philly luck to sign Plax and that's his final break down year. Losing Peters bothers me. Finally you had MV somewhat comfortable in the pocket and now, without Peters, he might be panicking and running all over the place. The suspense in this pre-season is what major piece will have the big injury. We've already taken the first big one with Peters- whose next? And if not pre-season, which of the first 3 games? Why can most other franchises have a SB win and we can't? The [I-can't-write-it-here-but-I-have-several-words-that-fit] Giants alternated between suck and Super Bowl winner. I wonder if that's not a bad life. We already have suck.— RitchieAllen64
- Last year was supposed to be Reid's defining year and he bullied the front office, Banner included, to give him all the players to make it a runaway for him no matter the cost and the cost was huge. He then flopped 8-8. Lurie gave him another shot, but without his biggest booster, Joe Banner.
This year he will be out to prove all his decisions Brandon Graham, defense by committee coaching, the two linebacker he has blind faith in and of course, Michael Vick, which so far hasn't delivered what Reid wanted. Too, Vick is tied to Kolb in Arizona. Last year both teams were 8-8, but Payton Manning was 1-15 in his first year. If Vick bombs again this year and Kolb has the year experts expect him to have it will be another stone on Reid's grave. He can't complain. He is getting every player he wants and is making all the decisions. That's where the problem is.— mario1239 - Biggest difference this yr is they took calling the protection away from Vick. Seems like a small thing but it will be a huge difference.— djack10
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