Daily Archives: August 4, 2011

Vick on Super Bowl Parade: “Plan It”

Posted on August 4, 2011 | Leave a comment

One difference noticeable difference between Michael Vick and Donovan McNabb has been the confidence and swagger Vick had brought to the quarterback position.

That confidence was on display again today during an interview with Howard Eskin and Ike Reese of 610WIP.

Vick stretches after a morning practice

Vick was asked about the excitement  surrounding this upcoming season, and the fans back in Philadelphia already planning a parade.

“Plan it,” Vick said confidently.

Vick went on to say in the interview that he feels this season will be a memorable one, and that he can’t help but work harder as the team continues to bring in free agents.

In the interview, Reese asked Vick if he felt like he had been given the keys to a Lamborghini. Vick agreed, saying now that he has the keys, all he has to do is drive it.

Vick has been razor sharp every day at camp. From the minute he takes the field to cheers from the fans, Vick has been smooth, confident and productive. Last year, coming in as the back up, he was more of a observer as Kolb ran the show.  One noticeable difference is how much time he has spent during this camp talking to his receivers, giving them little things he sees that could improve a route.  He is really putting his imprint on this team, as you can tell his teammates feed off of his confidence. He said that he feels every ball he throws is going to be a completion, and it’s looked that way so far.

Vick taking his game to the next level is a scary thought. After being so dominant at points last season, Vick could set NFL records if he is consistent over 16 games.

And if he is, that plan will need to be planned.

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Posted in Eagles, Michael Vick

Projecting the 53 Man Roster

Posted on August 4, 2011 | Leave a comment

Although it seems like training camp has been going on forever, it has been just over a week since the Eagles first reported to Lehigh, looking to trade Kevin Kolb and upgrade a defense that was one of the worst in the league last year.

My how things have changed.

The Eagles have done a complete overhaul of their roster at many positions, but that does not mean they still do not have serious questions facing this roster.

Now that they are dropping like flies, how many defensive lineman do they carry?

If they decided to carry more, what position do they cut a player at?

Will Joselio Hanson make this team?

Three tight ends?

Here is a look at how I see the 53 man roster shaking out, if they had to make cuts today.

Quarterback (3): Michael Vick, Vince Young, Mike Kakfa

Running Back (3): LeSean McCoy, Ronnie Brown, Dion Lewis

Fullback (1): Owen Schmidt

Offensive Line (9) : Jason Peters, Todd Herremans, Jamaal Jackson, Mike McGlynn, Danny Watkins, Ryan Harris, Evan Mathis, King Dunlap, Austin Howard

Tight End (3): Brent Celek, Clay Harbor, Donald Lee

Wide Receiver (5): DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, Jason Avant, Riley Cooper, Chad Hall

Defensive Line (9): Trent Cole,  Jason Babin, Antonio Dixon, Trevor Laws, Cullen Jenkins, Juqua Parker,  Darryl Tapp, Daniel Te’O Neisheim,  Cedric Thornton

Linebacker (6): Jamaar Chaney, Casey Matthews, Moise Foku, Greg Lloyd, Keenan Clayton, Akeem Jordan

Secondary (10): Nnamdi Asomugha, Asante Samuel, Dominique Rodgers Cromartie, Trevard Lindley, Curtis Marsh, Jaiquawn Jarrett, Kurt Coleman, Nate Allen, Colt Anderson, Marlin Jackson

Kicker (1): Alex Henery

Punter (1): Chas Henry

Long Snapper (1): John Dorenbos

PUP: Winston Justice, Brandon Graham

IR: Mike Patterson

Notable Cuts: CB Joselio Hanson, LB Rashard Jeanty, S Jamar Adams, RB Eldra Buckley, OT Julian Vanervelde, S Jarrad Page, LB Brian Rolle, WR Sinorce Moss

Roster Breakdown:

Locks: 38

Up for Grabs: 15

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Posted in Eagles, training camp

Mike Patterson diagnosed with brain condition

Posted on August 4, 2011 | Leave a comment

Yesterdays scary scene at Lehigh surrounding Mike Patterson seemed to come to happy end when it was believed that their would be no long term effects from the seizure Patterson suffered on the field.

But Sal Palantonio of ESPN reported this morning, which he said has been confirmed by Eagles head trainer Rick Burkholder, that Mike Patterson has a brain condition called arteriovenous malformation (AVM).

Picture of AVM

Eagles trainer Rick Burkholder speaking to the media after practice, confirmed the ESPN report. He said that it would be foolish to speculate what effect AMV would have on his playing career.

Pattersons agent, J.R. Rickett, has denied the diagnosis, saying that it is premature and no final diagnosis has been given.

“Once we know the course of treatment and timetable for recovery, Mike and his wife Bianca will decide how to proceed,” Rickert said in a statement.

Here is how AVM is described on MayoClinic.com:

“A brain AVM (arteriovenous malformation) is an abnormal connection between arteries and veins. An AVM is typically congenital, meaning it dates to birth. An AVM can develop anywhere in your body but occurs most often in the brain or spine. A brain AVM, which appears as a tangle of abnormal arteries and veins, can occur in any part of your brain. The cause isn’t clear.

You may not know you have a brain AVM until you experience symptoms, such as headaches or a seizure. In serious cases, the blood vessels rupture, causing bleeding in the brain (hemorrhage). Once diagnosed, a brain AVM can often be treated successfully.”

The website listed computer assisted brain surgery, radiation, or brain mapping as possible treatments.

Patterson is believed to be heading back to New Jersey with his wife today. Teammates at practice that have spoken to him say he is not in any pain, and seemed in good spirits.

It is moments like this that made the CBA this summer so important. Due to the long negotiations, if Patterson is unable to play again, he will have better health options and benefits they he did before hand.

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Posted in Eagles, Mike Patterson

Eagles Must Keep Asante Samuel

Posted on August 4, 2011 | Leave a comment

Every morning Asante Samuel has taken this field this year at Training Camp, either he or an excited fan in the field have started singing “Asante’s Back! Asante’s Back!”, as if every time he walks out from the clubhouse could be his last.

With the acquisition of Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, it is now rumored that the Eagles are listening to offers for the Pro-Bowl cornerback, fueling fire that he could be gone at any moment.

But make no mistake about it: the Eagle would be making a mistake by trading away Asante Samuel.

Asante Samuel's swag is backed up by big plays

The fact is, despite the how red hot Howie Roseman has been this offseason, it will be very hard to get value back for Samuel. Pipe dream rumors of San Francisco 49er linebacker coming to Philadelphia for Samuel are just that- dreams. Fans talk about moving Samuel for a player in a position of need, but with the signing of OT Ryan Harris, the Eagles really don’t have many holes. Middle linebacker Casey Matthews may not be proven, but it will be hard to trade Samuel for a middle linebacker that is as talented at his position as Samuel is. Trading Samuel for a player will only result in a downgrade of talent on the defense.

If the Eagles move Samuel, they would be lucky to get a 2nd round pick, and more then likely will get a 3rd. Plus, given the Eagles very clear front office mentality of win now, it is unlikely they would remove a huge piece of the defense for a future pick.

Andy Reid and Juan Castillo have not just been spewing PR talk when they have said time after time how lucky they are to have three Pro-Bowl cornerbacks. You would have to go back sometime to find an Eagles defense with this many playmakers on it. While there may have been more dominating defenses in the past, no Eagles roster has never had this many playmakers on it. Opposing offensive coordinators will finally look across the field and have players to be afraid of.

Simply put, the more playmakers you have, the better you are.

Logistically, on the field it would work. The talks by Nnadmi Asomugha and Juan Castillo about putting Nnamdi all over the field- including the nickel- are real and they are both excited about it. While Nnamdi may need some time to adjust to playing a Charles Woodson hybrid style cornerback position, he is talented and smart enough to make the move quickly. Nnamdi has spent his whole career on an island out in Oakland, not being thrown at and not being given the chance to make plays. It is easy to see why the idea of being put in the middle of the field and being told to go make plays would excite him.

The fact is, despite his actions to the media, Samuel wants to stay here.

Before Samuel spoke to the media on Monday, he talked with Andy Reid. It is also rumored that he called Reid while he was still away and said that he wanted to remain an Eagle. At practice on Wednesday, Samuel was his usual self- running around, talking, and making plays. Juan Castillo was sure to make clear to the rest of the team who the veteran on the team was- asking Samuel on multiple occasions to show other players his technique, and asking what the team punishment should be for dropping balls.

Samuel has been his usual self at training camp

Call Samuel what you want, but one thing you can’t call him is stupid. Samuel knows that Nnamdi agreeing to a hybrid corner role allows Samuel to keep his regular position full time. It will also, combined with the presumably improved pass rush, force more balls to be thrown in distress. Their is no better player in the league at jumping a route then Samuel. The fact is, with Nnamdi and DRC in the fold, Samuel could have a career year- and he knows it.

Those that worry about Samuel ruining the locker room should calm down. The fact is, Samuel has not gotten along with his coaches since he has arrived in Philadelphia. And although Reid could have handled the Terrell Owens saga better, he knows that all Asante needs is a little ego stroking. On Sunday he may make some questionable calls, but Monday-Saturday, their is no better coach in the NFL. Reid knows how to put together a team and handle egos.

Knowing that on the field keeping Samuel will make his defense better, all Reid needs to do is trust himself to make it work off the field- which he will.

Which is why if the Eagles are serious about being all in this season, the Eagles must keep Asante Samuel.

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Posted in Andy Reid, asante samuel, Eagles

DeSean Jackson in camp on Friday?

Posted on August 4, 2011 | Leave a comment

UPDATED: Multiple reports now say that Jackson could have indeed been fined since camp began, as he is still under contract. However, incase if those reports are wrong, here is the post from earlier.

This past Sunday, it was reported that DeSean Jackson’s holdout will end this week.

But as practices continue to come and go at Lehigh, Jackson is still a no show. But one wrinkle in the new CBA may point to DeSean reporting soon- as in tomorrow.

With the league expected to finally finish the CBA today, the league year will start at 4 p.m. Since the CBA has not been in effect, teams have not been able to fine players, according to a tweet from Reuben Frank of Comcast Sports Net- who you should all go follow right now, by the way. That means that Jackson has been sitting at home, sending a message to the Eagles for free.

DeSean Jackson

It also means that with fines expected to start tomorrow, chances are Jackson could be arriving to camp. If Jackson is fined the maximum $30,000 dollar fine allowed for missing a day of camp- and theirs no reason to think the Eagles won’t- he will be giving up 5% of his already low $565,000 salary every day he misses. While that might not sound like a lot, it will add up quickly if Jackson really is in this for the long haul.

A Friday arrival would also match up with the report that Jackson would be in camp sometime this week. If Jackson does not arrive tomorrow, it will signal that he may not be coming anytime soon.

The Game- yes, the west coast rapper- stated two nights ago that he spoke to DeSean Jackson, and that not only is Jackson in this hold out for “the long haul”, he is also being fined “like $40,000 dollars a day.”

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Posted in DeSean Jackson, Eagles, training camp