What they're saying about the Eagles
Here's a roundup of what the national media are saying about the Eagles this week:
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 this week:
Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com lists Jason Babin's contract as one of the best 11 in the NFL:
Criticize the Eagles and their Dream Team all you like, but everyone except for Nnamdi was signed to very cap-friendly and team-friendly deals. Defensive line coach Jim Washburn knew Babin well from his days at the Titans, and all this guy did was go out and challenge the NFL's single-season sack mark in his first year in Philly. The deal remains very cap-friendly and even in the event of injury, the cap prorations are set up so that the Eagles are protected and the team's cap is in great shape moving forward. Some of those moves from a year ago didn't work so well on the field, but this one certainly did (and Cullen Jenkins' deal is set up similarly as well, and Vince Young was only there for a year, and clearly trading Kevin Kolb made sense, too).
Russ Lande of The Sporting News is hearing good things about Eagles rookie Brandon Boykin:
Throughout organized team activities, Boykin displayed the ability to close fast on passes and the ball skills to break them up. Boykin, a former Georgia cornerback, has high-end speed to run with any receiver, which allows him to play at a high level despite his height. Sources tell us Boykin's performance so far has him entering training camp as the Eagles' primary kick returner and leading in a battle to be their nickel cornerback.
Excellent feature on Eagles undrafted free agent wide receiver Elvis Akpla by Les Carpenter of Yahoo Sports. Akpla got noticed with one great catch at Montana State and plans to become a doctor if football doesn't work out:
Can a highlight really make an NFL career? The Eagles didn't sign Akpla because of a highlight; they seemed to fall in love with him when they scouted him and called about his workouts. Several teams asked Akpla to interview and work out for them before the draft, but only Philadelphia sent Akpla a letter before the draft saying that if he wasn't picked, the Eagles would love to sign him.
Gary Horton of Scouts, Inc. lists Trent Cole and Babin as the No. 2 dynamic duo in the NFC, behind only 49ers linebackers Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman:
These guys really flourished in the Eagles' wide-9 defense in 2011, combining for a staggering 29 sacks from their edge rush positions. The Eagles' defense really stretches the offensive blockers, which leads to good matchups in space where they can simply out-quick the O-line. Both Cole and Babin are relentless rushers, with speed and quickness, and because they are part of a deep defensive-line rotation, they are able to stay fresh. They also can hold up against the run, making both edges of Philadelphia's defense strong.
Pete Prisco of CBSSports.com lists what each team needs to do to make the Super Bowl:
They will be in the Super Bowl if ... quarterback Mike Vick can play more like he did in 2010 and less like he did in 2011. One more if: if any player says the phrase "Dream Team" fine them $50,000.
Marc Sessler of NFL.com thinks linebacker Mychal Kendricks could shine as a rookie.
According to Brian McIntyre of NFL.com, the Eagles have $15,879,570 in cap space, sixth-most overall and most in the NFC.
ABC has video of DeSean Jackson rapping. Thoughts?
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How can someone label Boykin "leading in a battle to be their nickel cornerback"? He's a rookie second rounder who hasn't even put on pads in the NFL yet. I think Boykin was an excellent pick and I hope he is good enough to start right away, but Hanson's been a pretty solid player for the Eagles. Let's not get ahead of ourselves.
— p-diddy- why don't they give these guys vacation days before camp opens up, they have nothing to talk about— dwilly
- Good column. You wrote about the players and their potential. Not your usual "greatest Eagles Team" that will win the superbowl. We realize you have to write good things about the Eagles so that people will keep going to the game and read about it on line and in the paper to keep up readership. What we get angry about is when you go overboard and make them look better than Lombardi's Packers. They are an 8-8 team and everyone hopes they will do better, but let's not give them the championship yet.— mario1239
- Rubicon, disagree about the Lions. They are a better team than the Eagles and have a good shot of going to the Superbowl if they can get past the Packers.— mario1239
- ...Peters had his best yr with the new o-line coach and the 'get off the ball' style...coach has a history of making mediocre o-line guys perform...Bell is better than average, so with time in camp hopefully he'll blow open holes for Shady just like Peters...
I'm not sure what some of the guys who post here want? Do you want to play fantasy football and just pick all the best players from every team and put them in green? Nice, but no livin' in the real world. Sure there are better players around the league, but your 20/20 hindsight commentary is useless...make your bed, dry the dishes and try to earn a popsicle for being a good boy...time to grow up...the eagles have filled some holes and if they stay healthy will be a top tier team...if not, they'll struggle - all the gnat lovers are in the same boat...take Eli out 5 games and see where they finish...— ziggy - You know what, I'm convinced. The Eagles are going to go 11-5. Here's how:
Andy Reid has developed the ability to make adjustments during the games.
Andy Reid has developed the ability to score in the red zone.
Andy Reid has developed the ability to move the ball in short yard situations and continue drives.
Michael Vick will stay healthy this season.
Michael Vick will turn the ball over less this year.
Michael Vick will play the part of the veteran leader.
The defense will tackle.
The defense will be greatly improved in the secondary and at linebacker.
The defensive draft picks will all exceed expectations.
See, all is well. The Eagles have no way to improve. They're the best team in the NFL. They'll win every game. Everything is all smiles.
— rubicon24 - And the tenth and final reason why the Birds will go 11-5: President Obama will issue an executive order outlawing any physical contact to protect players from concussions. Instead, he orders all teams to tie flags to their belts, which gives the Eagles their first of many SB trophies. — mccloudmj
- tpizza: I'm not submitting information as if it's a fact. Of course, I'm giving my opinion. We're all writing in a message board, right?— rubicon24
- With all the articles that were written about the Eagles and their roster, this is the first time I ever heard of Elvis Akpla. And it came from an article done by Yahoo sports, not a local writer. Are the locals not seeing what this national guy is seeing, or are they not paying attention.— watsonmr
- WHO TOOK DOWN THAT EAGLES CHEERLEADERS FINALS PICTURE OF THE BLONDE ADJUSTING HER TOP?????? I AM NOT HAPPY ABOUT THIS!!!!!!!!— mccloudmj
- rubicon its nice to see you've finally seen the light,now if you could spread the word to cg25,mario and phil500 it would be greatly appreciated.— greensob
- To continue my transformation:
DeSean Jackson will become an every down wide receiver.
Jeremy Maclin will improve on his drops and pouting.
LeSean McCoy will no longer run backwards for loss.
Trent Cole will no longer disappear in the second half of the season.
Jason Babin will improve on his tackling.
Dominic Rogers-Cromartie will no longer disappear for quarters at a time.
Danny Watkins will no longer let Vick get destroyed.
Vick will learn how to slide.
Brent Celek will greatly improve on his production this season.
Juan Castillo will put Nnamdi in the correct position this year.
Washburn will coach tackling.
Andy Reid will coach as if his job is on the line.
(Man, all of these mirages are making it easier to anticipate the season. Forget my calls of 9-7 or 11-5. Why not assume the Eagles are going to go 16-0 so that my fellow writers in this comment stream don't see me as a hater.)
Here's to non-objective fandom passing as authentic observation!— rubicon24 - We all get the sarcasm. The thing is, you could make these sort of lists for every single team in the league. There isn't one single team in the league that has 53 players making perfect plays week in and week out nor is there an entire coaching staff making perfect decisions week in and week out. So while you think you are being funny and witty, you really aren't. You are actually showing more ignorance than anything.
By the way, Barry Sanders has the most runs for losses in history and he wasn't so bad. So your dig at Shady was probably a little uncalled for. I won't get into the rest of them, but I will say that Cole didn't disappear in the 2nd half of last season (Sheil did an article on that a few months back in case you were wondering).— Penfold18 - nice — defroe
- Rubio u absolutely right especially about D.Jackson I can't stand the way people look at this guy they think he is a #1 receiver he is eye candy but if u look under the hood u realize there is not enough power he should be playing the slot. I fear that our coaching staff is delusional and won't have these players in the right position and won't put the players in a position to win and be most successful. I really hope my eagles win but if the past is any indication of what's to come we are in trouble lets just pray Andy Reid has learned something from last year and not repeat and fail— shaad
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