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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great you wanna rap just like every other athlete ever... focus on catching the ball this year not on writing rap verses for what you may think are dope tracks. the money is in using your hands to catch footballs not in making music unless you sign some sick rappers i dont think you should be one that just what i think. wait i thought you was on vacation shiel.— defroe- This coming from somebody who can't play football or rap. Why don't you STHU and get a skill loser! — Blessed8251
- so your a big desean jackson rapstar fan huh? will he go platinum do you think. lol being that playing football and rapping are the only two skills in the world i guess you right i dont have any skills. but i wont sthu, you can. — defroe
- wait, you mean Meta World Peace and Allen Iverson didnt have stellar rap careers? wait, what about Tony Parker, that was a jam right there. If you dont know what I mean youtube Tony Parker rap.— peteike
- Don't forget our man Juan Pierre! Free style rap extraordinaire. Youtube him from when the Marlins won the world series...don't be eating or drinking anything as it will shoot out your nose — Mottz
- Nothing like some recycled news on a slow day. Good effort!— philly-born
- I would like to make a public apology to Sheil Kapadia after having posted several very negative messages in response to his article, "What They're Saying About the Eagles," dated June 27, 2012.
I mistook Mike Freeman's words for those of Sheil.
I have already asked Sheil for his forgiveness. I made a horrible mistake and I am truly sorry.
Well, there goes my record of perfection. Prior to now, I had always been right.
Actually, I thought I was wrong once, a long time ago, but I was mistaken.
Tpizza, thanks for the heads up. - Nice L11. Way to man up. No shame in making an honest mistake and big props for showing folks how to handle making one. Let's hope the Eagle's don't have to follow your lead since they will go 19-0 this season. But, just in case they do ...
- This comment has been deleted. — bigghago
- why dont you put some more "..." in your responses to look clever. Youre a moron. KYS — uunderstandben
- o lord— sore richard
- @defroe....So the take-away for you out of this article was the rap-piece. Dude get a clue and life. There was a bunch of positive news in there on the eagles team and some of it's players, and you focused on the rap thing. Moron.— auspitz.paul
- its the only part i chose to comment on. so im a moron for that lol. i fight against the eagle haters on here all the time every day and i get my comments canceled for it. but everyone else is on here taking crazy trash i even report the abuse none of their comments are deleted i see. hey i love the eagles as much as you do but another rapping athlete is what i chose to comment on sorry you a djack rap attack fan didnt mean to hurt your feelings. — defroe
- bunch of positive news? cmon, its a bunch of whatever they can find to make a football article kind of news. All the more reason to comment on whatever you want. This is the worst time of year as a sports fan, hence the x games going on. And for the record, any athlete making a run at music is funny. That goes for actors as well although a few have made it kind of work.— peteike
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