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:
Bill Barnwell of Grantland.com names the 25 worst players in the NFL. Eagles cornerback Dimitri Patterson makes the list at No. 24:
Patterson was a last resort at cornerback forced into action by injuries; teams avoided Asante Samuel and spent the second half throwing at the guy who the Philadelphia Inquirer politely noted " … is better suited to special teams."
Various NFL.com experts offered their takes on what kind of impact Kevin Kolb might have on the NFC West. Adam Rank thinks teams would be wise to avoid Kolb:
The teams that don't trade for Kolb will be the real winners. Why has the league determined that Kolb is going to be the savior for any franchise? Especially when Kolb is removed from Reid. I was skeptical of Kolb last year when Donovan McNabb was traded and I have less faith in him this year with any of the three NFC West teams looking for a quarterback.
Joe Theismann is apparently not a big fan of Kolb either. He compared him to John Beck in a recent Washington Post interview with Mike Wise.
"John Beck and Kevin Kolb came out the same year,” Theismann added. “Because [Eagles Coach] Andy Reid named Kevin Kolb a starter for a half of a game, or a quarter of a game, we’ve anointed him the hottest free agent out there. But what has he done? I mean, really, what has he done?”
ESPN.com's Dan Graziano picks LeSean McCoy as one of the NFC East's future stars:
Why McCoy and not the Giants' Ahmad Bradshaw? Well, because I picked Nicks for the Giants, and because I think McCoy has a better chance to hold up over the next three-to-six years. Not only is he already a reliable focal point of the Eagles' offense, he gets to be that in a way that doesn't wear him down. They don't run him between the tackles excessively. They don't ask as much of him in pass protection as the Giants do of Bradshaw. And they have enough other offensive weapons that he doesn't get overworked. McCoy has the talent, and the chance to make it to 2014 as a relatively unscathed 26-year-old back.
Pro Football Focus ranked all the offensive lines in the league, and the Eagles came in at No. 17:
It didn’t help the Eagles losing guys to injury, and then having to accommodate for a switch from a right handed to left handed QB. More so you felt like the line was never overly sure of itself, something the athleticism of Mike Vick can bring to a team. It is hard blocking a guy when you’re not sure where he’s going to be but perhaps that’s an excuse. This unit dropped down way further than the talent it has would suggest.
Pete Prisco of CBSSports.com runs through a group of current players that could make the Hall of Fame. He has Brian Dawkins on the bubble:
Safeties fight an uphill battle to get in, but he has been a productive player for a long time, even if his play has tailed off the past two years.
Prisco doesn't expect Donovan McNabb to get in:
He has been a good quarterback, but not a great one. Unless he can do something in his final years, like win a Super Bowl, I just don't see it happening for him.
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I suppose these guys have to talk about something. But, the negative comments on Kolb are a bit hard to understand. Wasn't he offensive player of the week 2 times in his 7 starts? Yes, the Chiefs weren't very good. But, did every QB get offensive player of the week against the Chiefs? How about the 2010 Atlanta team? I understand that Reid's offense is pass-centric, but did every Eagle's QB under Reid win offensive player of the week as often? Is he really a bigger gamble than any of the QB's taken in the first round this year? I guess (hope) we'll see what other teams think about him pretty soon.— borntosuffer- That's the thing that people don't seem to understand. He has the POTENTIAL to be a productive QB. Yeah, teams could sign Orton, who's probably better right now, but he doesn't have the upside that Kolb has.
— phillychaos - He was named NFC player of the week twice and has won some games in the league. One last year against the Falcons and on the road. I'm not saying he will be a star but to ask "what has he done?" is the mark of a person who either doesn't do their homework or is just a plain moron. In Theismann's case I would say both.— philly_J
Comment removed.- Comment removed.
- @Philly_Mike. You're right Vick hasn't done a lot in the playoffs, but last years playoff run can't be placed squarely on Vick. The line that is supposed to protect him didn't, and David Akers missed kicks he hasn't missed in years. Oh and then there was a D' that was just lousy. So really if the D' gets 1 stop, or Akers doesn't miss his field goals, Vick's performance becomes a moot point doesn't it?— paulNC
- I agree. But, the same things can be said about most of McNabb's playoff loses as well. But yet, we never want to accept THAT. For some reason, we forgive Vick. — phillychaos
- Sorry to see that Joe Theismann still thinks he has anything worthwhile to say. Too many shots from Lawrence Taylor = inability to accurately ascertain information and make relevant observations.— fentonhardy
- On another note....how big of a geek is Gonzo? Everyday his picture pops up on the "Latest Eagles Videos" to the right and I can't help but think it.— philly_J
- Alan Greenspan; I wish I could have generated the economy the way Banner and Laurie are able to. Their cash flow is nothing short of amazing given their franchise has never won a super bowl....but the gold standard Laurie made reference to is exactly right.....the team keep making money by fleecing the dopey fans who buy merchandise, tickets, food and beverges, parking fees, seat licenses, at a any costs. Why initially they didn't put in enough wter fountains to force fans to buy beverages. Gee, you gotta admire the gold standard they have set for making money the easy way....fielding a losing team.— STEPHEN1988
- Hey "BorntoSuffer", I agree completely!!! The O line is the destination to the "Bowl". Doesn't matter what Castillio and the "D" does. Our offense was "squat" the last 5 games last season.— jaycReadingPa
- prediction. Dallas cowboys win the east, lose NFC conference Championship to the Cardinales and Kevin Kolb. Reid blames the defense, the offensive line and the receivers for not making the playoffs. Joe Banner says the Eagles are better than the Cowboys. Vick is arrested in off season and is released by the Eagles. Kafka named starting quarterback. Jackson and Macklin refuse to play for the Eagles and are traded to the Cardinales. The league investigates all the trades to the Cardinales. Jeff Lurie goes to Europe. Philly sports writers claim they knew this would happen.— marioP
- Just remember -last year all of the experts would have basically skipped the Regular season and gone straight to the Super Bowl with Dallas and San Diego.— Pheathers in Florida
- What are you people talking about saying what has vick done? What has Mcnabb done? Vick just got out of prison what 2 years ago and he led us to a 10 win season? playoffs....?? maybe if we would have a better D, we would of went farther and better! You people who are bashing Vick forgot that he was also a candidate for the MVP award last year? ya get me? So what has vick done? I would say alot considering it was his first full season of playing!? so I cant wait till this year starts.— Joswald1116
- McNabb not in the Hall?? What a shame...Kolb will never be anything in the league...let's pray some Ed Wade of the NFL gives us a 1st Rounder....And if Patterson is on this list...why isn't Joselio Hanson?? I'd take Patterson over him anyday! And for all the Vick bashers...u guys are idiots...he saved this franchise while you same people crippled it by getting Number 5 traded!— DavezMental.Com
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