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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wow mccoy runs backwords?guess i was watching someone else pile up yards,djax and maclin are considered a strength throughout the league so i'm not really sure why your always riding them,drc dissappeared bc he wasnt in his position and with non=tackling samuals gone he and nnamdi will be back in thier spots and are you really knocking cole and babin? do you even watch the games? you just went back on the dope list,dope!— greensob- So Rube, let me get this strait, the 49ers are going to win the Super Bowl with Alex Smith as their QB. They're so much better than the Eagles that they beat them because of 2 field goals that were within 40 yards huh? You know, the Kicker who hasn't missed another kick since? OK, I got you. And the Ravens being without their most dominant player for majority if not the entire year. After suffering from that injury that you said ALMOST nobody ever comes back from. LMAO, but they'll DEF do that. Although their starting RB has been missing all of the OTA's and will most likely end up holding out for part of traing camp, and it's a proven fact that ANYONE holding out has their statistical WORST season of their career, and usually begins the downwards spiral of said players career. No but they DEF can do it, because they have the 2 oldest stars in the NFL on their D. It's funny, the same ray of hope the Ravens have had for all these years is the same ray of hope the Eagles have. Only diff is that they got it done, we didn't. Have actually been a better team, but you wouldn't know that talking to Eagles fans. So.... that's 2 teams off your list. The Steelers.... Cmon son. They just got handled by Tim Tebow and someone's is supposed to be scared of that team now?!— papabear702
- and furthermore papabear,the eagles consistantly spank the giants,the packers are the biggest 15-1 chokers ever,and theres no way the pats offense can carry the pathetic d forever,against that list i like the eagles chances,but you know,i may be a homer— greensob
- Last point... While everyone is crowning the Giants and rightfully so, please remember they only GOT TO the Super Bowl on a fluke play. An almost sure-handed KR fumbled the ball twice for scores. Giants were getting creamed and needed plenty of miracles and luck... So CG25, yes luck does play a HUGE part of any teams Super Bowl success. Thank you all. Happy 4th of July. Get out there and enjoy yourselves with your family and friends and be safe!!!— papabear702
- papabear702: Key words: they only GOT TO the Super Bowl. That's right. They got to the Super Bowl. And won. Plus, the 49ers can get away with having Alex Smith at quarterback. They had an historic defense. We do not.
greensob: the Eagles consistently spank the Giants. Fine. The Giants win the Super Bowl. The Packers choked last year. THEY WON THE SUPER BOWL THE YEAR BEFORE. The Patriots have been in five Super Bowls in the last ten years. FIVE! These arguments are really poor. The Eagles continue to settle for above average. Other teams do what is necessary to win Super Bowls.
The point of this chain is that we all love the Birds. I am just no longer going to tolerate smoke and mirrors. The Eagles aren't good enough. Every other team in the division has won at least THREE Super Bowls. The Eagles are the East Coast version of the San Diego Chargers. The difference is that Chargers fans don't continue to tolerate average. They change coaches. They find franchise quarterbacks. (Rivers playing in an AFC championship game with a torn ACL is more impressive than ANYTHING Vick has done.) Am I missing something? Vick has NEVER had two consecutive winning seasons as a starter. Vick is past his prime. He was never that good to begin with.— rubicon24 - greensob are You nuts?Don't You realise a positive outlook is frowned upon...get with the program and start being a whiner like cg25 (Cowgirls fan on the wrong board).The Birds have had an excellent off season:Added Ryans,top shelf draft with smart moves in Curry and Boykin to go along with the expected LB,DT top picks.Lots of depth now with some sleepers at RB and WR.Extended top players at multiple positions on both sides of the ball and moved Banner out the door...now THAT is one hell of an off season.GO EAGLES!— greenbloodVAEagle
- greenblood,i got him to admit they are 'above average' so its a start,now one of these days he will realze that 'above average with a little luck ' wins most superbowls these days. seriousely,9=7 teams won 3 out of the last 4 with one of them beating an 18=0 dynasty— greensob
- The rap thing was all i cared to address. thanks for the wonderful comments on me. lol— defroe
- I must beone of millions of Eagles fans who's sick & tired of reading yesterday's stories again today. We are hungry for NEWS. How about something on the fab rookie class--"Guys on the Bubble" like Marvin McNutt, Demaris Johnson, et al. Instead we get manufactured stories like the implications of the Lurie's breakup. "More to this than meets the eye." yada yada. there's always more behind the scenes of any divorce, but is it sports news> No, it's called 'filler' & I'm fed up with it. There are real stories, guys, but you have to get off your butts and go find them.— rad205
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