What they're saying about the Eagles
The national media continue to write glowingly about Kevin Kolb and his ability to take over as the Eagles' starting QB. Here's a roundup of what they're saying.
What they're saying about the Eagles
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
Today should be pretty quiet until 8 p.m. when the Eagles take on the Chiefs in Kansas City.
As always, I'll be chatting the game so be sure to join me.
In the meantime, here's a look at what they're saying about the Eagles in the national media.
Yet another glowing piece about Kevin Kolb and his ability to successfully take over as the Eagles starting quarterback. This one is in Sports Illustrated. The blurb on the top of the front cover reads: Why QB Kevin Kolb is Philly Tough. The article is titled The Kid Can Handle It and the lead-in says:
A tough Texan who can take down a boar with a Bowie knife, Kevin Kolb isn't scared off by the pressure of succeeding Donovan McNabb in Philly.
NFL.com's Vic Carucci goes team-by-team, describing the drama that could unfold with each franchise this season. Here's what he says about the Eagles:
Kevin Kolb isn't getting much, if any, honeymoon period as a first-time regular starter. It can't be said enough that the Eagles made an incredibly risky decision by trading Donovan McNabb, the greatest quarterback in franchise history and still one of the NFL's best at the position, to the Redskins. Should Kolb encounter any prolonged struggle, hyper-critical fans and media in Philadelphia are unlikely to cut him or the Eagles' brass much slack. There will be calls for him to be replaced by Michael Vick. And there will be harsher criticism than ever of the Eagles' brain trust.
ESPN.com's Matt Mosley breaks down the most indispensable players (non-quarterback) on each NFC East team. For the Eagles, he chooses DeSean Jackson:
I believe Jackson is now the most dangerous player in the league. Whether it's on punt returns or crossing patterns, he constantly puts pressure on the other team. Having a player who is that dangerous can cover up mistakes in other areas. The Eagles feel like they're never out of a game because of players such as Jackson and Jeremy Maclin. Jackson won't have as many catches as Maclin this season, but he'll find the end zone at least 12 times when you combine his punt returns and receiving touchdowns. We all made a huge deal of Devin Hester a few years ago, but obviously Jackson is the more complete player. Someone pay this man so he can go on about his business.
Jackson is a good choice. He poses a threat on offense that opens things up for everybody else. Who are some other options? Trent Cole would certainly be one. He's an elite defensive end who can get to the quarterback and is also very good against the run. Asante Samuel would be another, given his play-making ability and the Eagles' lack of depth at cornerback. You could even argue LeSean McCoy, considering how thin the Eagles are at running back.
John P. Lopez of SI.com names 15 under-the-radar rookies, guys who were not drafted in the first round. The rookie who makes the list from the Eagles might surprise you: undrafted free agent Austin Howard:
It's amazing that in a league that values tackles more than just about any other position on the field, the mammoth and quick Howard (6-7, 335 pounds) went undrafted. The Eagles have found a gem, all right, in this first season with Kevin Kolb as the full-time starter. Howard, who played tight end his first two seasons at Division I-AA Northern Iowa, won't be in the starting lineup to open the season, but rest assured he'll get there. He's stepped in and been physical, quick and shown good hands in every practice and preseason game.
If Lopez is predicting that Howard will get in the starting lineup this season, I disagree with him. That's not happening unless Jason Peters or Winston Justice gets injured. But Howard does look like a good find so far. He's slated as the backup left tackle, although they could move Todd Herremans over if Peters were to get injured. Howard has also been practicing as the extra lineman in goal-line packages.
And finally, SI.com names the all-time best player for every jersey number. Several Eagles made the list:
5: Donovan McNabb
9: Sonny Jurgensen
11: Norm Van Brocklin
17: Harold Carmichael
23: Troy Vincent
35: Pete Pihos
41: Keith Byars
92: Reggie White
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5 should be Kerry Collins before McNabb.
I've already got the nickname for Austin Howard- The Bigger Piece.— Rick Wise Guy- Obama should have been listed as #44. His accomplishments on the football are equal to those that earned him the Nobel Peace prize.— eldiablodelsol2009
- Izell Jenkins has a stranglehold on #46.— davekrieg
- Vic Carucci calling McWaddle traded out of Philly and having an negative effect on the Eagles at this point is a joke. Calling McWaddle one of the NFL's best QB's is typical national media talk. When is this going to stop. The guy hasn't played a complete season since 2004, is unable to win any big game, doesn't know the rules of the league, comes off as polished phoney who has trouble getting along with teammates or the front office and is now making up excuses for his past stupidness. Will someone out there say this guy is ordinary, has been ordinary and is on the decline from o.k. to retiring. Not that there's anything wrong with that.— JACK V
- Craig123, Pete Pihos was s superstar durning his day and puts any receiver on the Eagles today to shame, including a superve DJax. Read a little NFL history. Wolf, could not agree with you more, plus Hornung puts Joe Namath's night light to shame. He puts Wilt's night life to shame.— JACK V
- Predictions are filler in bored times between games. I love columns that talk about "questions"...heck there's a million "questions" about every game, even before the game starts. What's the weather like. Which side will the coin fall? Who's the head linesman (oh yeah, some call a skad more penalties than other). I stopped predicting. Just watch it all unfold. Learned my lesson in college when predictions morphed into losing sure fire bets.— retzlaff
- Joe Namath may be the most overrated player in NFL history! It was a great upset, but if he was on the Kansas City Chiefs instead of the New York Jets would people really make a big deal about his bold prediction?? NO. Besides that magical season, take a look at Joe's career. It was average at best. Besides 1969, Joe had a greater effect selling panty hose than he did winning football games— jimmydugan
- wolf you're right. they should ditch all modern players who are vastly superior athletically because of their "empty stats" and replace them with all old-time players, who probably wouldn't make it out of training camp in today's nfl due to their size and speed. respect the history of the game but realize that today's nfl players are in an entirely different league athletically than the 60s. don't bash "empty stats" and then support guys who put up their numbers against the athletic equivalent of today's high school athletes. compare the linemen from hornung's teams to your typical high school football linemen now. the high school linemen from today are bigger, stronger and probably faster than your typical nfl linemen in the 60's. i'm glad you remember how great these guys performed at the time, but dismayed that you forgot how small and slow everyone was then compared to now.— alnew2110
- alnew-tell me one coach as great as vince lombardi or one linebacker as great as dick butkus or one running back as great as jim brown..tick tock..case closed.....wolf.— wolf 4
- My nephew is five years old and writes more coherently than wolf. Have you ever heard of punctuation and grammar? Also, I think my nephew knows more about football than wolf. Moron.— phillyinsd
- "You could even argue LeSean McCoy, considering how thin the Eagles are at running back." IMO, he is part of the thinness. -not bob levy— remyy
How did Bednarik not get #60? Who is else there??— kjuggs77- man, who cares about lists of great players. Its like trying to rate the best guitar players. Its stupid, like all lists, just opinion. This should be all KK talk gosh darnit— peteike
- Why dont't let just pack their bags and head to Dallas now for the SB!!!!— rsjII
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