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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Hey, homers, the thing you need to realize is that the Eagles are not just a few moves away from going to the Super Bowl. Hey, homers, the Giants are GOOD ENOUGH to GET AWAY with going 9-7. Eli is MUCH better than Vick. The Giants defense is MUCH better than the Eagles. The Giants offense is better than the Eagles.
Finally, GREENSROB, here's what I know: the Eagles are no closer to winning the Super Bowl this year than they were last year. I also know Eli is 2-0 in Super Bowls. Vick is 0-0. Vick is not a good enough quarterback to win the Super Bowl. Finally, according to Jaworski, Vick isn't even a top-ten quarterback. Here's a hint, stop being a homer. Homer's don't have the ability to view their team objectively. I love the Eagles. I have for over thirty years. I just won't sit by and continue to accept a mediocre team.— rubicon24- Just to correct a few things:
Past 2 seasons: Eli LESS total yards per game than Vick, LESS tds per game than Vick, and MORE turnovers per game than Vick. So the fact that you said MUCH better is laughable.
2011 team defensive stats: Eagles yardage defense (8th) vs. Giants (27th). Eagles scoring defense (10th) vs. Giants (25th). Giants MUCH better? Uh, nope.
2011 team offensive stats: Eagles yards per game (4th) vs. Giants (8th). Eagles points per game (8th) vs. Giants (9th). Eagles passing yards per game (9th) vs. Giants (5th). Eagles rushing yards per game (5th) vs. Giants (32nd). Noticing a theme here?
The fact is, whether you want to believe it or not, the Eagles were one play from the playoffs, or conversely the Giants were one play from not making the playoffs. So this fantastic team that you keep bragging about really isn't/wasn't so fantastic after all.— Penfold18 - nice penfold — defroe
- lol, not bad greensob.— CharlieGarner25
- and what rubicon24 said.— CharlieGarner25
- We have a passing offense with possibly the worst QB and worst set of WRs in the division, a defensive unit led by a flawed offensive line coach and some of the worst special teams in the NFL. Super Bowl baby!!!— guyguy4
- boobicon,you claim to be a fan yet you have nothing encouraging to say,for crists sake its july,every team has at least a little hope yet every article has bs comments from you,every player mentioned has your negetive stamp on them.MLB was a big need so they go and sign Ryans,you say he's washed up,ok fine,who would you have signed instead? you come up with your list of wr's better than djax,so what he's #14,as long as he's not #33 we're doin ok,you cant have pro bowlers at every position,you say vick cant be compared to brady or manning(s) yet thats who you constantly compare him to,the last i checked none of those Qb's you mentioned were free agents,we got who we got and a real fan would root for him/them.perhaps with your infinate knowledge you could point out some teams who've done more to improve And finally i will ask,since you claim to be a 30 year fan,when have they entered a season looking better then now,i've been a fan for over thirty years,i've rooted for them with Tose an Braman as owners,with Marion Cambell and Kotite and all the other riff raff that came through this town and i tell you what,i'll take the talent of the players and the dedication of the FO anyday,that doesnt make me a homer it makes me fan,dope— greensob
- Again with the name-calling? Really? Here's my encouragement: continuing to settle for mediocrity is pointless. The Eagles don't have enough talent and suspect coaching. I would encourage the Eagles to bottom-out and draft a franchise quarterback. I would handle ONE poor season that ended with us drafting a franchise-leading quarterback.
Here's my list of better wide receivers off of the top of my head in no particular order:
Victor Cruz
Dez Bryant
Calvin Johnson
Greg Jennings
Percy Harvin
Larry Fitzgerald
Mike Wallace
Wes Welker
Brandon Marshall
Andre Johnson
Vincent Jackson
Roddy White
Marques Colston
Enough?
Finally, the point you made about "what would I have done instead" is pointless. The point is THAT THIS TEAM IS NOT just a one or two moves away from REALLY competing for a Super Bowl. The following is a list of teams more prepared to win the Super Bowl:
Giants
Packers
49ers
Patriots
Steelers
Ravens
Teams that are similar to the Eagles:
Lions
Chargers
Jets
— rubicon24 - I'm still trying to figure out what cluessless means...Oh wait, it's in a hindsight post so it means nothing.
Greensob, don't let the giant fans bother you. The Giants have a better D? NOT last year. Better O, not last year either. The Gs were actually OUTSCORED by their opponents and were the ONLY team in the division to allow 400 points. Finishing LAST in rushing is a great O?
So much for Rube's comments and since hindsight agrees with Rube, so much for that mope too. One simp posts BS and the other agrees with it. Really sad...but typical.— tpizza - No, the fact you can't answer the question speaks volumes. Simply put you "talk" for the sake of talking and like all the other "critics" have nothing to offer except that criticism. You say you don't know how they improved but can't think of ONE thing you would have done differently? In other words you can't think of anything they've done wrong yet criticize the moves? Weak.— tpizza
- And please stop posting your opinions as if they are fact. Anyone can make a list.
— tpizza - yea i already had your wr list thanks,that puts djax at #14,i'll take it, now wheres your list of lb's youd have signed instead of ryans?how about a list of teams that has a better d-line and secondary ,not one or the other but both,there is no list sorry,and fyi the eagles beat the giants twice last year,but thats a fine list of last years playoff teams you put together,you really went out on a limb with that one,i cant wait for the season to start and dummies like you see what a huge difference one linebacker can make,and when the wins start piling up ,then you,cg25 and phil500 can all change your names and thump your chests and say "i told you so" .just for the record your not a fan your a critic,and a bad one at that.goodnight sweetheart— greensob
- God I hope Boykin beats out Hanson, can't understand what ANYBODY see's in that guy. I can't wait until the season starts, this summer is already too hot, and thanks to a colossal melt down by the Phil's, there is nothing to root for. They get a pass though, they did bring us a ring recently.msomething the Eagles have yet to do!
- pizza they dont bother me,in fact i like reading it,it makes me feel smart ya know.whats funny is everytime i read thier posts i can almost hear in the backgroung MOM! MEATLOAF!— greensob
- I dont know yourdaddy, I wouldnt look past Joselio, hes the experienced Vet, hes hung on this long. Boykin is another guy I dont know about. The eagles not only love guys who do great at the all star game, their favorite is a guy that actually suffers a serious injury at the all-star game. (boykin broke his leg there and dropped to the 4th round because of it) That is not really encouraging for me a guy who breaks his leg when the other guys do not get broken legs. He wont be like emphatically better then Joselio on D, mostly the same, and he will even make rookie mistakes in year 1. Will help with kick returning though, but that doesnt help the defense in any way. Eventually he might be at most a slight upgrade at the slot, or a marginal outside starter. Too small to be dominant, and with broken legs...a real "steal".— CharlieGarner25
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