What they're saying about the Eagles
Here's the roundup of what the national media are saying about the Eagles:
I really enjoyed this breakdown of the Eagles cornerbacks from Falcons wide receiver Roddy White, as told to SI.com's Jim Trotter. Here's what White said as he watched film of Nnamdi Asomugha before last week's game:
"Nnamdi's a launcher, so he steps forward and shoots his hands at your chest," White says. "Knowing that, and being back a half-yard, you kind of hesitate off the ball because you know he wants to lunge at you and get his hands on you. So you slow-play it. As soon as he takes his foot forward, you know his hands are coming, so you want to rip over them when you're playing him. You don't want to do a swim move because he can still get his hands on you. You want to rip because you can pull him and get by him.
"Once you get around him, he's so long and tall (6-foot-2) it's hard for him to get out of breaks. That's the thing that people don't understand when you watch this guy because he's so good at getting his hands on people. But when he doesn't, it's hard for him to get in and out of breaks and get to people. That's our game plan, come up here and get our hands and feet ready to go."
Falcons wide receivers combined for just seven catches and 71 yards last week, but White provides great insight into how teams will attack the Eagles corners.
SI.com's Don Banks says it looks like Andy Reid's developed another quarterback:
He's doing it again. How long until Eagles coach Andy Reid quietly lets it be known that Philly backup quarterback Mike Kafka can be had next offseason for the low, low price of a first-round pick? (But he'll settle for a second, with hopes that somebody will take the bait and make another A.J. Feeley, Donovan McNabb, or Kevin Kolb-like trade with him).
SI.com's Peter King has the Eagles 10th in his power rankings:
The offense will undergo a metamorphosis if Vick is out against the Giants this week with that concussion.
He also named Trent Cole one of his defensive players of the week:
Maybe this year, now that the Eagles have all these stars, Cole will get the credit he deserves. He was dominant Sunday night, with one sack, two hits of Ryan, three additional tackles for loss and one pass batted down. And about 16 gee-whizzes from Cris Collinsworth in the NBC booth, justifiably.
ESPN.com has the Eagles sixth in its power rankings.
Brian Billick of FoxSports.com has the Eagles eighth:
The Eagles showed a lot of heart for going into Atlanta and playing the way they did. Andy Reid can use DeSean Jackson's effort running down Ray Edwards after the fumble recovery as a mantra for this team moving forward.
Peter Schrager of FoxSports.com likes the Eagles to beat the Giants, regardless of whether Michael Vick plays:
If Vick plays, the Eagles should handle the Giants in this one. If he doesn't, the Eagles should handle the Giants in this one.
The Pick: Eagles 31, Giants 20
Pete Prisco of CBSSports.com has the Eagles ninth in his power rankings.
Prisco has the Eagles beating the Giants, 26-23:
The question here is Mike Vick. He looks like he's clear to play, but how clear will that head be? Expect the Giants to blitz him all day just like they did last year. The Eagles line has issues inside. I look for the Giants to hang around because of their pressure. The Eagles will find a way late, but New York stays in the game.
Elliott Harrison of NFL.com has the Eagles sixth:
Good effort Sunday night on the road, considering Michael Vick was lost in the third quarter and the Eagles' third-stringer almost pulled it out. The offense is strong enough to overcome defensive errors like Jarrod Page declaring himself geometrically challenged with some serious bad angles, particularly on Michael "Burner" Turner in the fourth quarter Sunday. LeSean McCoy can beat any team in the ground game or the passing game. The strength of the roster keeps this club above Detroit, Baltimore, San Diego and the rest.
Bucky Brooks of SI.com has his concerns about Mike Kafka potentially starting against the Giants:
The Michael Vick-less Eagles would have a difficult time against the Giants. His elusiveness covers for a lot of their deficiencies up front and I don't believe Mike Kafka can avoid the Giants' ferocious pass rush consistently. Even though he has played well in spot duty, Kafka's inexperience and lack of mobility could cost the Eagles in this game. Andy Reid always does a nice job of helping his quarterbacks play well, but defeating the Giants with a third-team quarterback would be tough for Philly.
Michael Silver of Yahoo Sports has the Eagles fourth.
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