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
Here's this week's roundup of what the national media are saying about the Eagles:
Mike Freeman of CBSSports.com has released his list of the NFL's 10 biggest jerks. Two Eagles, DeSean Jackson and Michael Vick, make the list. Jackson at six, and Vick at No. 1:
When is Vick allowed to move on? When is that threshold from criminal to forgiven criminal crossed? To some, it already has. But to many, like me, though it's clear that Vick has changed, the crime was so disgraceful, more time is still needed to make sure the change I've seen in him is not an act but permanent. There's almost a simple formula here to follow. The worse the crime, the more time it takes for the re-evaluation.
This is an arrogant approach for me and others, particularly since everyone judging Vick has made their own errors. But there are mistakes and then there are mistakes. For Vick, it will still take more time.
Matt Williamson of ESPN.com looks into his crystal ball and projects the top 15 pass rushers in 2015. He's got Trent Cole barely making the list at No. 15:
Cole is a fantastic, underrated player and pass-rusher. But will that hold true three years from now? Cole turns 30 this season, but he was a fantastic presence rushing the passer in 2011. Plus, the Eagles now have plenty of defensive end options to help spell Cole (and Jason Babin) and extend his career. From the honorable mention group, Chandler Jones was the one I thought had the best chance of being on this list ahead of an aging 2015 version of Cole.
Vick came in at No. 20 in Peter Schrager's Top 100 players list on FoxSports.com:
Vick in the top 25? You better believe it. He still strikes fear in the hearts of NFL coaches and defenders everywhere. And though the Eagles slipped and stumbled out of the gate in 2011, Philly finished the season with four straight victories and four straight mesmerizing performances out of Vick. With a full offseason to work with teammates, a healthy crew of receivers and a focus on the NFC East crown — don’t be shocked when Vick turns in the best season of his career.
Doug Farrar of Yahoo Sports takes a look at the 10 best third-day draft picks from 2011. Jason Kelce and Brian Rolle both make his list (Kelce at No. 2 and Rolle at No. 3):
A former walk-on linebacker at Cincinnati. Kelce turned himself into a draftable offensive lineman with pure tenacity. He beat incumbent Jamaal Jackson for the starting job in Eagles camp, and impressed legendary line coach Howard Mudd enough to become the Eagles' first center to start his first NFL game since 1968. Kelce played very well through injuries, and Mudd may have his next Jeff Saturday if Kelce can stay healthy.
Brian McIntyre of NFL.com has the contract details for Eagles safety Oshiomogho Atogwe. He'll make the league minimum ($825,000) with $100,000 fully guaranteed.
In case you missed it from today's Daily News, the crew that runs the Cowboys' Web site had a little birthday message for Vick.
And don't forget to check out the 2012 Eagles Almanac, which is chock full of great information to get you ready for training camp and the upcoming season.
You can follow me on Twitter or become a fan of Moving the Chains on Facebook.
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— bigghago - Vick has already been voted by millions of fans throughout the world in a Forbes poll as "Most hated sportsperson in America, for THREE YEARS in a row!...Congratulations to Vick, and now he is also named the biggest jerk in the entire NFL...Wow the awards keep coming for the loser Vick, the most hated person in sports...LOL.
No wonder millions of former Eagles fans will no longer root or support the Eagles until the physcho dog killer is no longer on the Eagles...dumb Lurie divided the fan base when he made the awful decesion to pay Vick $100 million as Eagles QB..LOL.— phil500 - I guess this is the same reason the Eagles have thousands upon thousands waiting on a list to get season tickets. — charmaine
- Here's the difference between a sports journalist and a hack.
Ray Didinger is involved in dog therapy work and English bulldog rescue, so the subject of animal abuse really hits home with him. He was sickened by what Vick did to those animals, but he's still capable of separating those emotions from his work as a football analyst. He makes the distinction every week.
On the other hand, you've got Sheil, who views Vick's crimes as so atrocious that after all these years, a completed jail sentence, the loss of nearly $100 million, and hours of hours of community work against animal cruelty, he not only can't forgive him, he needs to report with an underlying tone of hate.
Certainly, he lays awake at nights thinking of the sufferings of humans (at the hands of other humans) across the globe and throughout history. - Brian Rolle showed good potential. If he can smooth out the rough edges (coverage and missed tackles) he could develop into a very good weakside linebacker. Kelce will be the Eagles center for 10+ years.— soulman386
Right.. Because shooting deer and everything else in the forest for fun could never compare to having vicious dogs fight each other. The people that hate Vick are the same people that do things like kill an entire moose just to hang his head in their garage or run a horse to death on a track and shoot him in the ash after his knees run out of cartiledge. Gotta love the hypocrisy. Only thing that divides the fan base is those who want a superbowl and the other ones more concerned with social issues.— Zeru- Good point, the only people who hate Vick are hunters and horse racing trainers. You also forgot that Vick didn't just fight dogs, he tortured them to death with his own hands. Enjoy that Super Bowl. — wmichael
- It's sad folks are still giddy about the 4 game win streak at the end of last season. Beating the Little Sisters of the Poor 4 times in a row is hardly an indication that the Birds are ready for a SB run.— 2ndNlong
- Vick with his own bare hands held dogs heads under water while they frantically kicked and squirmed until they slowly died..Vick also attached jumper cables from a battery to the helpless dogs and electrocuted them, and Vick also strung up and hung dogs from a tree until they died..Vick admitted in court records he got a "high" and enjoyed torturing and killing these helpless dogs...WOW, and now you know why this crazy physcho Vick has been voted the most hated sportsperson in America for three years in a row!— phil500
- I have heard that some humans being beat, raped, drowned, burned, hung many, many human beings with their bare hands.............and guess what, they weren't even brought to justice, and they were forgiven. And you want to know something else I heard, Jeffey Nalley killed more dogs than Vick, he was actually going to animal shelters adopting dogs only to take them home and skin them alive and mutilate them.............oh yeah, this happened not even a year ago. All while you law obiding dog lover were worrying about Vick. Amazing.....isn't it. Give me a freakin break. — charmaine
- Never hunted in my life, but I am fine with those who hunt and use the animal for food. From what I have seen, Jeffrey Nally should spend the rest of his life in jail. If he gets out of jail and gets a job with a company I support, I will no longer support them.
Have not been to or watched an Eagles game since Vick was signed and will not until at least he is gone (maybe longer). That is my right as a consumer. I can't justify any of my money going to pay him millions after his actions. You have the same right to go in and give him your hard earned dollars.
Charmaine, my question to you is: If you can come on here and praise Michael Vick, why can't others voice their dislike?
And yes nixman, it must be because he is black. That's why I loved having Cunnungham, McNabb, Dawkins, Reggie White, Seth Joyner, Byron Evans and at least dozens of other black players on the team.
I'm sure some oppose him because he is black and others support him for the same reason. Neither is right.— JPCase - You're fine with people that hunt, you're not watching any games until Vick is gone, you can't justify your money going to pay him. Everyone of those remarks makes you sound like a hypocrite. Read what you just wrote it has hypocrite written all over it. You eat meat, you follow articles about Vick, not sure if you were paying to see a game or not, I highly doubt that you were, however at any rate you follow those games whether you watch them or read about them. As I said your comments make you sound like nothing more than a hypocrite.
You asked a question "why do I defend Vick" let me answer that for you. I have never defended his actions, however I do defend him having a second chance at life, which is something everyone deserves. I come here mainly because I have just as much right to do so, as those who come here to voice their dislike. Now I have a question for you, why aren't asking those that come on here to voice their dislike the same question you asked me. Yeah you are a hypocrite.
Oh yes one more thing, Jeffrey Nalley never went to a federal prison, nor did Nalley recieve the media attention Vick recieved and continues to recieve, HSUS, PETA, ASPCA, FBI, none of these agencies were ever involed with his case hmmmmmmm I wonder why.— charmaine - I think you need to reread my response, charmaine. I said I have no problem with those who hunt and use the animal for FOOD. I think someone should be arrested if someone hunts for the "thrill of the kill." Vick's actions involved taking pleasure out of the pain and death of animals.
I never asked why you defend Vick. I asked why you attack those who criticize Vick. I don't have a problem with you defending Vick, don't you have something better that attacking his critics to support your position?
I paid and went to 6 home games on average and traveled for one each season - not that you will believe me.
As far as your comparison to Nally. Vick was a well known public figure long before his actions came to light. He re-entered the national spotlight on his own. Nally committed local (state) crimes. Vick's were federal and state crimes. Nally will likely spend significantly more time in jail because he kidnapped his ex girlfriend. That doesn't justify his abuse of the animals. In my opinion, he should serve life in prison for each of the offenses.
Sounds like you are the hypocrite here, charmaine. You attacked people, including me, without any evidence of wrongdoing. If that is OK, then attacking Vick must also be OK.— JPCase - Well Said Zeru... I hope and pray to God he wins SB ..then we will see how much of the dog loving haters will continue to whine about Vick.. To tell you the truth, I would go out on a limb to say some of the hate goes even beyond the dog issue!!— nixman101
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