What they're saying about the Eagles

Here's the roundup of national media coverage on the Eagles. I'll try to do these a couple times a week during the season.

And in case you missed it, I posted the first Mike Check of the season, analyzing Vick's play against the Rams.

The links:

SI.com's Don Banks has his questions about the Eagles' style of play on offense:

I've said it before and I'll say it again: That fast-break style of offense they've got in Philadelphia is truly breathtaking, and you could enter the Eagles in the Penn Relays and they'd probably win it. But if the Eagles don't start protecting Michael Vick more, the track team is never going to reach Dream Team status. Vick was sacked three times by the Rams, and hit several more times. He'll never last the year if they don't limit the punishment he takes.

ESPN.com has the Eagles third in its power rankings, behind only the Packers and Patriots:

There are some issues in Philly, but offensive firepower is not one of them.

Brian Billick, who called the Eagles-Rams game for Fox, has the Birds sixth in his power rankings:

Philly began to answer some questions about its retooled offensive line, young linebacker corps and first-time defensive coordinator. But the Eagles are still very much a work in progress. Michael Vick showed once again why he is a unique athlete.

Pete Prisco of CBSSports.com gives the Eagles a B-minus for their performance:

The Eagles pulled away late and were dominant for three quarters, but it wasn't a win without flaws. The Eagles committed eight penalties for 91 yards, Michael Vick completed fewer than half of his pass attempts and the run game struggled at times. Vick made plays when he needed to and the Rams defense did not have enough speed to cover DeSean Jackson.

Prisco has the Eagles fourth in his power rankings:

They did some nice things, but Mike Vick has to stay in the pocket more. Now he starts in Atlanta against his former team, which will be big.

SI.com's Peter King has the Eagles fifth in his power rankings:

LeSean McCoy in St. Louis: 15 carries for 122 yards. Just the tonic to keep the pressure off Mike Vick.

Elliot Harrison of NFL.com has the Eagles fourth:

There are only two stats you need to know from the Eagles-Rams game: Philly put up a 239-spot on the ground and went eight of 11 on third downs. Here is hardcore, serious NFL analysis: You'll win a lot of games with over two bills on the ground and converting 72.7 percent of the time on third down.

ESPN.com's Ross Tucker has his doubts about the Eagles after Week 1:

It is pretty clear from the moves the Eagles have made how little they value the linebacker position. There is only so much money and cap room to go around, and the Eagles elected to allocate their resources to positions that they believe have a greater impact on the game, namely the defensive line and cornerbacks. I completely understand that philosophy. But there are only 11 guys on the field at a time. It is hard to look at the Eagles' linebackers and safeties and believe those five players are Super Bowl quality.

Gregg Easterbrook of ESPN.com liked what he saw from the Eagles against the blitz Sunday:

Blitzing note: The word on the street is to blitz Michael Vick, which the St. Louis Rams did relentlessly on Sunday. Once this caused him to lose a fumble, when he failed to see a safety blitzing from his right (Vick's blindside). But the Philadelphia Heat offense gained 404 yards and scored 24 points. If that's what happens when you mega-blitz him, I'd call it advantage Vick.

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