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 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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Give Howie Roseman credit. He's done a good job of assembling talent AND managing the cap. Now it's up to Andy Reid to translate that into a deep playoff run.— soulman386- actually he is not that bad as a rapper. i mean i know that he knows that is not where the money is but you have to understand like he does.... he wants all of his friends who ride or die with him to be able to come up as well. havent you ever had a BIG dream and thought...well if i ever make it big all my people are gonna be good. he comes from a culture where the people he knows raps and makes music. it shows how shallow, vain, and insensitive to other peoples needs and wants now adays. i say great move desean! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK AND KEEP THE BOYS CLOSE BECUASE YOU OBVIOUSLY CANT HOPE FOR SUPPORT FROM FANS!— breeze4400
- keeping the real home boys around is what got vick locked up in the first place. all i was saying was ok djack rap attack rap do it big son, but focus a little on catching the passes in the endzone just a lil better this season. now that you got your contract you can start your rap label and what not but the only reason you can start your lil rap label is because you play football. CATCH THE BALL HOMIE! — defroe
- "...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." Jason LaCanfora
Which 1st year was that?
— Unstable1 - So what hobbies do you have away from work? I play golf, tennis, and surf. DeSean raps.— ACBaughman
- Gotta do something after the NFL. Might as well lose your millions subsidizing a rap career and an entourage. That's certainly more fun than blowing it all like Schilling or Lenny.— Lancer248
- Cripes! let the kid have some fun...That said, he better not (as they say) give up his day job! He also needs to be much better this season than he was last.....— Mike Boryla
And yet...The trophy case is still empty! GOLD STANDARD!— citysims- Jackson needs to be in the weight room not the recording studio ....
starting to worry about this guy .........— anthemra - Again, what has this team done to improve over last year? (I am not including the drafting of Fletcher Cox.) Ryans is coming off an injury almost all don't come back from. Bell is a HUGE let down from Peters. (I am not talking about protecting Vick here. I am talking about getting down field to block for McCoy.) Book it: 9-7.— rubicon24
- as long as they have the low football IQ 5'11 Allen Iverson at quarterback they are not winning squat, folks— astroqueen0
- a 9-7 team won the superbowl last year you dope,this defense will be way better with ryans and without asante,btw boobicon,guys like ryan are the reason you have to say "almost"never,your just another dope who thinks he knows something,book it dope— greensob
- Rube, exactly WHAT could the Eagles have done any better than they did?— tpizza
- lol, oh great, again in the silence of the offseason the most cluessless and guillable can still hear the cheers of the SB parade upcoming. Wait until the games when those arent cheers, but boos, when Andy calls a timeout on 3rd and inches at the goalline so he can instead do a run/pass option that fails horribly and loses the game. Amazing moments like that just dont happen for other HOF coaches. No, Andy could not have done anything better this offseason, as his moves are pure Gold. Just ask Vince Young. Or AJ Feeley. Or Jack Ikegwanu. Theres alot of guys you could ask.— CharlieGarner25
- hey charlie go get a bath your stinkin up your moms basement— greensob
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