Cowgirls Invasion

Eagles fans are everywhere! I mean everywhere, even at the Dallas Cowboys training camp, giving the players hell.

Unwanted Pests: Cowboys fans attending practice at the Alamodome have had plenty of opportunities to cheer, but Sunday they got their chance to boo, as a flock of Eagles fans infiltrated the workout.
The brazen fans, bedecked in Brian Westbrook and Donovan McNabb jerseys, loudly spelled Philadelphia's trademark E-A-G-L-E-S chant, causing many of the Cowboys fans to respond with chants of their own.
"That's suicide, I think," Bradie James said. "It just shows how wild it's been out here. We've got 8,000-10,000 fans out here and some Eagles fans show up - this has been great. Very electric." [DallasCowboys.com]

Way to represent! Eagles fans are taking over the world. "America's Team" is not even safe anymore.

Bills send Walker to Chicago

The contract situation between the Buffalo Bills and Darwin Walker is no longer an issue. ESPN’s John Clayton reports that the team sent Walker to Chicago for a fifth-round draft pick.

If Walker had not reached a new contract with Buffalo by August 5, he would have returned to Philadelphia for a sixth-round pick, so the return is lightly better.

So overall from the Takeo Spikes and Kelly Holcomb trade, Buffalo has a fifth-round and seventh-round draft pick.

Walker wanted a new contract and Marv Levy wasn’t going to give him one without playing a down in Buffalo.

Perhaps the emerging play of John McCargo in camp made Walker tradable.
[Circling the Wagons]

I was hoping that the Eagles would get a chance to make this trade, but at least they did not have to take a cap hit, and loose a 6th round pick.The Bears are a good fit for Darwin, and I bet he does well there.

Around the NFL

• Darwin Walker update: Bills make final offer.


• As if his knee injuries, and the widespread staph infection outbreaks were not enough for LeCharles Bentley to deal with in Cleveland, now he has a waterfall of crap in the locker room. Poor LeCharles.


• Michael Strahan is AWOL at Giants camp. Is he planning to hang it up?


• Mike Vick gets sacked again. Reebok pulls his jersey off the shelves.


• Simeon Rice is pretty pissed about being cut. He might be near the end, but I know Tra Thomas is sick of trying to block him.


• The bizarre tale of Corey Simon continues. Now he is cleared to play, and reporting to Colts camp. What a strange situation.


• The Rams gave Marc Bulger a $65 million contract extension. He is a very underrated player, and now a very rich man.


• The Carolina Panthers have suspended ex-Eagle offensive tackle Jeremy Bridges, after being arrested for assault.


• Curtis Martin retired. He had a great, most likely Hall of Fame career.


• Pacman told to stay home. Odell Thurman denied reinstatement. I love that commissioner Roger Goodell is cleaning up the league. With penalties this severe, players better be on their best behavior at all times.

McNabb 'At 75%'

Donovan McNabb emerged from the locker room with an air of ease Saturday morning before the inaugural practice of the 2007 training camp. The quarterback played to the infantry line of cameras assembled to film his entrance, joked with any and all around him and, most of all, McNabb smiled.

But recovering quarterback was slightly more serious after practice, speaking to the media about the health of his knee and his future in Philadelphia.

McNabb revealed that while he would have no way of knowing exactly what percentage of health his knee is at until his first game action, he speculated that he was "probably still at 75 percent."

But with that diagnosis, the franchise quarterback also included a disclaimer.

"At 75 percent, I personally feel I can be one of best quarterbacks in this league," McNabb said.

Yet McNabb sounded both parts confident and cautious during his address. McNabb's overriding theme with regards to his recovery was patience.
..Read more at PhiladelphiaEagles.com>>

A View From the Hall: Training Camp 2007

When the faithful make their summer pilgrimage to Eagles training camp in Bethlehem, most will focus on the quarterbacks. They will be watching to see how much the coaches allow Donovan McNabb to do and how comfortably No. 5 moves around on his surgically repaired leg. They will be watching rookie Kevin Kolb to see how quickly he picks up the West Coast offense.

That’s how it works at a football training camp. The guys in the red jerseys get all the attention. Their teammates aren’t allowed to touch them, but the fans can’t take their eyes off them. Even in July, the quarterbacks are the stars of the show.

But a word of advice for Eagles fans: You might want to watch the other side of the ball, too. That’s where the competition is.

Let’s face it, the offense is pretty much set. If McNabb is on schedule with his rehab – and it appears that he is – there is no suspense at quarterback. The line, which performed very well last season, is intact. Kevin Curtis has replaced Donté Stallworth at wide receiver. Brian Westbrook is, well, Brian Westbrook.

L.J. Smith’s recovery from sports hernia surgery makes the tight end position a bit of a wild card, but otherwise the offense is a pat hand. Coach Andy Reid will spend the summer fine-tuning the pieces, but the point is, he knows the pieces.

The defense is another story.
..Read more at ComcastSportsNet.com>>

Donovan has a blog

Eagles QB Donovan McNabb just started his own blog on Yardbarker. I think that's awesome, since he is one of my favorite athletes, and I would love to hear some of the things he has to say. Here is a video he posted of his annual Arizona trip. He looks great in it too. I think it's safe to say that he is fully recovered from the knee injury.

Training Camp is here!

The wait is over! Today is the official start of the 2007 season. For me it is anyways. Today the pads go on, fans head to Lehigh, and people get to check out how the team looks.

There are jobs to fight for, players with things to prove, and rookies trying to survive. I can feel the excitement in the air. If you can't make the trip, you can always catch Training Camp Live!

Kolb Inked

• All of the Eagles draft picks are in, now that Kevin Kolb has signed. Check out Kolb's interview. Great to have all the picks in before the start of Training camp.


• Sheldon Brown made the cover of Sports Illustrated.


• Sean Considine has been hitting the weight room hard.


• Micheal Gasperson hopes to make an impact in camp.


• There may be a roster spot open at WR.


• Brad Childress is content with his QBs. So much for that Kelly Holcumb trade.


• A new Holcumb destination rumor has surfaced. Pat Kirwan says Atlanta might be interested.


• Mike McMahon can't even cut it in the CFL. Why did the Eagles ever sign this bum?


• Will James is ready to start at CB. HUH?!?


• Reuben Frank has a lot of questions about the D. Ten of them to be exact.


• Takeo Spikes is ready to be a leader for the Birds.
  
  

Frozen Tears

Another great video. This one always gets me hype for some football. I laugh when it shows the the four receivers we had that game. Enjoy.

One line solid, but the other is dotted

In 2006, the Eagles' two lines of trench warriors could not have contrasted more.

Where the offensive line was a model of consistency and cohesion by both design and circumstance, the defensive line trafficked in chaos and got more than it bargained for.

The training camp that begins when rookies and selected veterans report to Lehigh University on Friday will be a direct reflection of that dichotomy.

Barring injuries, the next few weeks should be straightforward for the offensive line, where the starting five played every single game last year.

Right tackle Jon Runyan and left tackle William Thomas have lined up together more than 100 times now, both have made Pro Bowls and neither showed a significant dropoff in ability in 2006.
..Read more at CourierPostOnline>>

Eagles will soar again

This is Donovan McNabb's training camp. How much is he ready to do? Then it will be Donovan McNabb's season. Can he still win?

The Eagles remain McNabb's team until further notice. They got to the playoffs without him last year, resurrecting Jeff Garcia's career. Coach Andy Reid said the experience was good for them because others had to step up in McNabb's absence.

But if the Eagles are to challenge again in the NFC, it will be up to McNabb and his rehabilitation from a torn ACL in his right knee. If his ego also is bruised after two injury-plagued years, the Eagles really don't have much of a chance. A.J. Feeley is a popular backup and Reid made Kevin Kolb a surprise second-round draft pick.

The Eagles are otherwise Super Bowl-ready. They didn't need to make many roster adjustments after winning the NFC East for the fifth time in six years. They finished the season as the second-ranked offense in yardage, behind only New Orleans, the team that ended their playoff run. With Garcia gone to Tampa Bay, McNabb is set to reclaim what was once unquestionably his.
..Read more at MSNBC>>

Life of a Philadelphia Sports Fan

Some great moments in this video, but some great ones too. Overall It's pretty depressing actually.

Two more draft picks ink

And then there was one.

Defensive end Victor Abiamiri and running back Nate Ilaoa each agreed to terms on four-year deals Sunday. With Ilaoa and Abiamiri in the fold, the only Eagles draft pick who remains unsigned is the team's first - quarterback Kevin Kolb - with the rookies and selected veterans scheduled to report to Lehigh University on Friday for the start of training camp.

..Read more at PhiladelphiaEagles.com>>

TOwned

October 8th, 2006 Eagles vs Cowboys

the return of TO...

D-Mac Arizona Update

A nice short Video from PE.com of McNabb working with his receivers in Arizona. Donovan takes this trip every off season, and extends an offer to the entire team to join him. Hank Baskett, Kevin Curtis, Jeremy Bloom, Jason Avant, and others took the trip. Somebody please tell Chris McPherson to do something about that fro.

Dawk Ready to Rock

FOR THE first time in his 12-year NFL career, Brian Dawkins missed minicamp.
He didn't feel the least bit guilty.

While the Eagles convened this spring, Dawkins was home in Orlando, Fla., caring for the one thing in the world that always will mean more to him than football.

His family.

On April 26, Dawkins and his wife, Connie, welcomed twin daughters.

The girls were due in June.

Born 2 months early, each weighed only 3 pounds at birth.

"Under the circumstances, I didn't even hesitate [to ask to be excused]," said Dawkins, who only returned to the area on Tuesday. "Family comes first. Anything that is as detrimental as that situation could have been, I don't even think twice. I'm always going to be with my family."
..Read more at Philly.com>>

Vick 'Loves Dogs'

A real Dog lover

Really!?!

Dogs in the Kennel

Birds on the Spot

Offense:
There are quite a few members of the Eagles offense, who won't be on the squad in 2008, if they don't have good seasons in 2007. Generally this is true for all backups, but not neccesarily if the backups are high draft picks, and they're still early in their careers. Let's start with the quarterbacks.

Eagles starting quarterback Donovan McNabb is under the gun to have a good season but an even more important goal, is staying healtlhy through an entire season. If McNabb were to go down the Eagles may start planning on a future without him. If this were to happen A.J.Feeley would be on the line to play well or not be around here next year. Veteran backup Kelly Holcomb won't get the chance to play well here in Philly. If he is still here for some reason, this year will be his one and only chance. Rookie Kevin Kolb has time to screw up, but I doubt he gets the chance this year.
..Read more at GCobb.com>>

Defense:
There are quite a few Eagles defensive players who will be in a step up or shut up situation. The Eagles front seven is especially on the line to produce or see quite a few changes in 2008. Let's start with the defensive ends.

Talented and highly paid defensive end Jevon Kearse may be playing his last year in Philly even if he has a good year. Only a monster year will definitely bring him back. Darren Howard will have to make an impact or the Birds will realize that they made a big mistake. Trent Cole is young enough to be invited back if he slumps. Juqua Thomas may be invited back if he has an off year, but he would be relegated to the special teams. Jerome McDougle might as well pack his bags if he doesn't live in the offensive backfield during training camp. Regretfully for him, he won't get the chance to do poorly this season. Rookie Victor Abiamiri can stink up the joint this year and still return.
..Read more at GCobb.com>>

Merry X-mas Dallas

A look back at the Eagles win over the Cowboys on Christmas day. This game featured a great goal line stand, TO getting shut down again, Tony Romo falling apart, and the Birds locking up another NFC East title using a powerful ground attack. This was not as dramatic as the Oct. 8th match up, but it was still a great game. I wonder what the Christmas dinner mood was like after the game in little D?

Calendar Unveiling

Nothing like seeing some hot cheerleaders when Eagles news is this slow. Check out the 07-08 calendar unveiling video, in case you missed it Tuesday.

Can you feel this?

Brian Dawkins is featured for the Madden 08 intro. He is the heart, and soul of the Eagles defense. A true leader. The game looks pretty cool too.

Thanks to the700level for finding this

NFL=Not For Long

It was just a few short years ago that the top dogs as far as the QB position in the NFC were Donovan McNabb, Mike Vick, & Daunte Culpepper. As late as 2004 it looked like those 3 would be battling it out for the every NFC title for the next 5 years.

Since then, McNabb has had two season ending injuries and hasn't gotten back to the postseason himself. That said, he's well off compared to the other 2.
..Read more at Bleeding Green Nation>>

Play Makers

• Looking for cool highlights from last season? Check out the Playmakers Video.
  
• ESPN's Scouts Inc. the NFL's O-lines. The Birds were ranked well.


• GCobb thinks Jim Johnson needs a philosophy change.


• Another 32 team QB ranking. The Eagles were ranked very high.


• The Iggles RBs were not ranked so high.(sick of off season rankings yet?)


• Mike McMahon is ready to start. Don't worry, it is not for the Eagles.(thank god)
  

Jackson's Big Break

Standing in an automobile accessories shop, just a few months removed from tearing his triceps muscle for the second time in two years, Jamaal Jackson approached the counter with gleaming rims in one hand, a receipt in the other.

Worried about his future with the Eagles, and in professional football, Jackson decided to curtail spending on nonessentials.

Things like flashy, 24-inch rims for his Yukon SUV were suddenly earmarked for return.

"I was like, 'I gotta save some money,' " Jackson said.

That's the precise moment when the call that changed Jackson's life made his cell phone buzz inside his pocket. At the other end was the voice of offensive line coach Juan Castillo.

A major shoulder injury had just shelved center Hank Fraley for the rest of the season, Castillo told him. Jackson should be prepared to jump from practice squad to starting lineup, against Dallas, on "Monday Night Football."
..Read more at Delaware Online>>

Camp Preview

Leading up to the start of Training Camps in July, we are taking a team-by-team tour with fantasy previews for each NFL squad. We'll detail the key offseason moves, position battles to watch, and other things to keep an eye on as the clubs prepare for the season ahead.

Notable Offseason Moves: The Eagles allowed their two biggest free agent names – quarterback Jeff Garcia and wide receiver Donte Stallworth – to leave via free agency, but both players were replaced. Former Ram Kevin Curtis eschewed offers from the Vikings and Lions to take over Stallworth's starting gig. The club used a committee approach to cover Garcia's spot, as they locked up A.J. Feeley with a contract extension, traded for Kelly Holcomb, and used the 36th overall pick on Kevin Kolb. The Holcomb deal with the Bills also saw two-time Pro Bowl linebacker Takeo Spikes land in Philadelphia. The Bills netted defensive tackle Darwin Walker, who has yet to report and may return to his former club. The Eagles already covered Walker's spot by signing defensive tackles Ian Scott and Monte Reagor.

Position Battles: Heading into camp, Holcomb looks like the odd-man out in the quarterback mix.
..Read more at RotoTimes.com>>

Eagles Sit Out Supplemental Draft

The annual Supplemental Draft took place Thursday with just two players selected. The Philadelphia Eagles decided not to spend a future pick to take a player, but Baltimore and San Diego decided otherwise.

..Read more at Scout.com>>

McNabb Feeling Better

Rob Alberino and his Eagles Television Network crew are in Arizona filming quarterback Donovan McNabb's workouts. McNabb took a breather to give an update on his rehab and discuss the importance of building the team chemistry while in Arizona ...

Click here to check out photos from McNabb's training in Arizona.

1. The big question is, how are you feeling?

"I'm getting better. I think at this point it's hard to say because I'm pushing it to a point where it will prepare me for what we do in training camp. Obviously, you're trying to be smart with it still. At this point, again, you want to continue to strengthen. You want to take it slow, but in doing that you're working to prepare yourself for a good season."

..Read more at PhiladelphiaEagles.com>>

Eagles best run franchise in pro sports?

Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie claims that the Eagles are the "gold standard" of the NFL. Yesterday in an interview with Comcast Sportsnet Joe Buck declared that the Eagles were 'The best run franchise in the NFL'.

I was never a big fan of Buck's Football broadcast, but it is nice to see that he thinks so much of the Birds. I only wish that what he said could be true.

Until the Eagles win three Super bowls in four years, the New England Patriots are the best run team in the NFL.The Eagles have been run very well, but unless they actually break through, and win the Super Bowl, they can not even be considered for 'the best franchise in pro sports'.

Interior Trio Key To The Running Game

You read and heard me raving about the play of Jackson, Andrews and Herremans last year and there was good reason for it.

They were the big reasons the Eagles running game dominated down the stretch. Jamaal Jackson, Shawn Andrews and Todd Herremans won the battle with every group of defensive tackles and nose tackles which they battled with and paved the way for the Eagles to go to the playoffs. If you see a offensive team running the ball consistently and the backs always have the ability to cutback for yardage, the center and two guards are doing a great job.
..Read more at GCobb.com>>

Heavy Hitters

A cool video of the best hits from the 06-07 season from PE.com. The Sheldon Brown hit on Reggie Bush is classic.

Former Eagles all pro lineman 'Bucko' Kilroy died yesterday. I am too young to remember him play, but I have heard he was a mean dude on the football field.

The 07-08 Eagles Cheerleaders calender unveiling date has been announced. I am looking forward to watching the fashion show.

Westbrook is again getting his respect, as Tom Curran lists Brian as the 3rd most complete RB in the NFL. Here is the excerpt from his article:

3. Brian Westbrook, Philadelphia Eagles
Want him to run it? Westbrook will do that to the tune of 4.7 yards per attempt in his career and 1,217 last season. Want him to catch it? He did that 77 times for the Eagles last year. When deployed as a punt returner, he’s one of the league’s most dangerous (20 returns with a 15.3 average in 2003). Planning for Westbrook is a nightmare. It’s hard to find a scout team back to give your defense a good look at his style. He may not last long but he’s making an impact now.

Well in honor of this news, I am giving everybody a cool Brian Westbrook highlight video!

Darius signs with Oakland

Anybody who wanted the Eagles to pursue Donovin Darius, will be dissapointed to know that he has signed with the Oakland Raiders.

The Raiders bolstered their secondary by signing former Jacksonville Jaguars
safety Donovin Darius on Tuesday. Darius, 31, has played both free and
strong safety positions during his nine-year NFL career. He began as a free
safety in 1998 but switched to strong safety his second season. Darius,
6-foot-1 and 225 pounds, is a hard-hitting player who has averaged more than
100 tackles during his pro career.
..Read more at Contra Costa Times>>

It turns out Bethel Johnson was cut after all. KFFL is reporting that he signed with the Houston Texans.

Texans B. Johnson contract update - from www.KFFL.comTue, 10 Jul 2007
07:54:07 -0700
Updating previous items, Megan Manfull, of the Houston Chronicle, reports the Houston Texans signed free-agent WR Bethel Johnson (Eagles) to a
one-year deal worth $650,000.

This clears up any previous confusion people(me) may have had. So much for bringing him back later in training camp.

Training Camp kicks off July 27th. Here is the practice schedule.

Zach Tuiasosopo was released today. He was my favorite Tuiasosopo.

QB Rankings: Scouts Inc. gets it right

After reading the last NFL QB rankings from Sports Illustrated, I had to rip Peter King a new one, for having McNabb ranked so low. Scouts Inc. knows football, and they are on the ball with their ranking of McNabb being number five. I actually made my own rankings, and I have the same top six as Scouts Inc. Props to them for not forgetting how good Donovan really is. Here is their top five:

1. Indianapolis Colts
Peyton Manning continues to play at a level that most QBs can only dream about. He is a master at reading defenses, getting in and out of plays and is so well prepared, he can even adjust the blocking assignments up front before the snap. He makes better presnap decisions than any QB in the history of this league and his career completion rate is 64 percent. He has even improved his one weakness, mobility, over the past two years, and now does a good job of moving around and avoiding sacks. Backup Jim Sorgi has limited arm strength and lacks Manning's presnap creativity, but he's played pretty well in some mop-up situations and has an excellent feel for the Colts' offense. Veteran John Navarre is big and strong and will occupy the No. 3 spot, but with Manning being the most durable QB in the NFL, the Indianapolis backups don't get a lot of work.

2. New England Patriots
There is no better QB at accomplishing more with less than Tom Brady. In 2006, with a mediocre receiving corps, he threw 24 TD passes to 11 different receivers. He is the consummate leader and combines outstanding toughness with great physical skills. He has a better feel for pressure than any other QB in the league and has an uncanny ability to move around the pocket, beat the blitz and find the matchup he wants. With a better group of receivers in 2007, Brady should put up huge numbers. Backup Matt Cassel is a young guy with a lot of Brady-like qualities and the coaches have a lot of faith in him. Still, he hasn't started a game since high school, which is not a major concern as long as Brady continues to be Mr. Durable.

3. New Orleans Saints
In a short amount of time, Drew Brees has become the face of this organization and a favorite son to a city that needs a diversion. He may have the best touch and accuracy of any QB in the league and does a great job of spreading the ball around to all of his receivers. He does not have great arm strength, but he doesn't need it because the Saints' offense puts the emphasis on underneath routes. He is the unquestioned leader and has a calming presence that seems to filter through the entire team. Backup Jamie Martin has the confidence of his coaches, but he's probably not a long-term answer if he had to replace Brees. Still, he does know the system and could step in for a short run. Rookie Tyler Palko has the inside track for the No. 3 job, but this is clearly Brees' team.

4. Cincinnati Bengals
Carson Palmer rebounded from a devastating knee injury in 2005 to play all 16 games last season, throwing for 4,035 yards with a 62.3 completion percentage. He is big, strong, has a great arm and can be lethal running the no-huddle offense. He has worked hard this offseason to improve his mobility -- he was sacked 36 times last season -- and passing on rollouts. He did not play great at the end of the 2006 season and seemed to force the ball at times, but his weaknesses are fixable and he is poised to have a great year. Following Anthony Wright's signing with the Giants, the backup role goes to veteran Doug Johnson, who has a good feel for the offense and good overall skills. Rookie Jeff Rowe will fill the No. 3 spot and will be brought along slowly.

5. Philadelphia Eagles
Donovan McNabb is the heart and soul of this team, but now 31, he has lost significant playing time due to injuries over the past several seasons and durability is a big question. Still, he's big-play guy capable of putting up huge numbers in the Eagles' pass-oriented offense and his arm strength, accuracy, mobility and leadership remain top-notch. The No. 2 spot starts with A.J. Feeley, who has shown glimpses of promise in stops at Miami and San Diego and knows this system, but he may have to battle Kelly Holcomb, who was obtained in an offseason trade from Buffalo. Holcomb has average skills, but he's tough and competitive. Rookie Kevin Kolb, Philadelphia's top draft pick, will be brought along slowly as the QB of the future.
..Read the rest of the list at ESPN>>

Eagles Sign DT Lopez

After playing overseas in NFL Europa for three years, defensive tackle Mauricio Lopez will get his chance to prove that he can play in the NFL.

The Eagles signed the 27-year-old native of Mexico City on Monday. The 6-foot-1, 329-pound Lopez played for the Cologne Centurions this past season and recorded nine tackles (six solo) and one sack. He played for the Centurions in 2006 and appeared in one game for the Amsterdam Admirals in 2005.

Lopez was also a member of the Mexican National Team for three years. He played his college ball at Monterrey Tech in Mexico, where he helped lead his school to the 2000 and 2003 Borregos Championships.

Lopez is the easily the biggest defensive tackle on the roster, in terms of weight. Jeremy Clark, also a rookie free agent, is listed at 309 pounds, the second-biggest total on the team. Lopez will battle a mixture of veterans and young players for a spot on the 53-man roster.

The addition of the former NFL Europa player continues the overhaul at the defensive tackle spot. Since the end of last season, the Eagles traded away veteran Darwin Walker, released Sam Rayburn, signed Montae Reagor from Indianapolis and Ian Scott from Chicago and have added Clark and Lopez, both rookie free agents.
>>PhiladelphiaEagles.com

Run Defense is Key to Success

I think more than any other area, the Eagles run defense will decide how successful they are this year.

Here's an interesting article by Dave Spadaro of PhiladelphiaEagles.com about Jim Johnson and the Eagles run defense .

The Eagles will run the football well if they choose to do so. If they run it well they will destroy teams on the ground and in the air. McNabb has an outstanding group of young recievers, who I think will turn heads this year. I've got a lot of confidence in the Eagles offense. But the defense I'm not as sure about. They will destroy teams on 3rd down with their coverage and pass rush but they'll struggle if they can't stop the run, so I consider the run defense, the key to their season.

Jim doesn't plan on making any major changes when it comes to stopping the run. He's going to rely on bigger, better players doing a better job of executing their defensive assignments in order to stop opposing running games. Jim plans on rotating his defensive linemen and he'd better follow through with it. The run defense went into the tank when Johnson stopped rotating his smallish defensive line. If the Eagles defensive line unit gets tired, they'll get destroyed because they're undersized. Andy needs to look over Jim's shoulder and make sure he rotates that line each and every game.
..Read More at GCobb.com>>

Banjo Boy throws D-line under the bus

In a recent appearance on NFL Network's Total Access, former Eagles Dhani Jones blames the Eagles front four for the linebackers(his) poor play in 2006. Sounds like he is taking a page out of Trotter's book. The difference is Trotter is a three time pro-bowler, and has the right to speak.

I agree that the front four is clearly important, but could somebody tell this clown Dhani he almost never made a play in three seasons as an Eagle. This would include the 2004 Super Bowl team, that had Derrick Burgess, Corey Simon, Hollis Thomas, Jevon Kearse, Darwin Walker, and Sam Rayburn all playing at a high level.

When the clown actually made his one tackle a game, he would bust out the stupidest celebration ever, the air banjo. I know it is a flashy NFL these days, but players should try to act like they've been there before. All Dhani has ever done, is conduct orchestra's wear stupid bowties, play his "field guitar", and act like an NFL linebacker.

To view Banjo Boy video on Total Access, you must have Real Player.
>>Bow Tie Guy

Dawk: 'we'll be in the Super Bowl again'

No devastating injuries. No holdouts or contract gripes. No hesitations. No excuses.

That's a Super Bowl team. That's the Philadelphia Eagles. That's how Brian Dawkins sees it.

"Every year you go into it, some teams in the NFL have a realistic shot at going to the Super Bowl," the Eagles' all-world free safety said via cell phone earlier this week. "I believe we're one of those teams, as long as we stay healthy."

Just in case he didn't make himself clear, Dawkins repeated his stance.
"If everybody plays at a high level, we'll be in the Super Bowl again," he continued. "Our minds are to get back into the Super Bowl."
..read more at The News Journal>>

Bow Tie Guy off to Big Easy

Free agent linebacker Dhani Jones announced on NFL Network today that he has signed a free-agent contract with the New Orleans Saints.

Jones, working as a guest analyst on NFL Network's Total Access show, said he made the decision to sign with New Orleans in part because he developed a good relationship with Saints head coach Sean Payton when both were with the Giants from 2000 to 2002.

Jones, who played the last three seasons with the Eagles and the four before that with the Giants, was one of the few veteran free agents who hadn't yet found a home. Last year he played 16 games for the Eagles, starting 13.[Fanhouse]

Meet the Draft Picks

• Kevin Kolb- QB Houston (36) [Draft Spotlight][Highlights]


• Victor Abiamiri- DE Notre Dame (57) [Draft Spotlight][Highlights]


• Stewart Bradley- OLB Nebraska (87) [Draft Spotlight][Highlights]


• Tony Hunt- RB Penn State (90) [Draft Spotlight][Highlights]


• C.J. Gaddis- CB Celmson (159) [Draft Spotlight][Highlights]


• Brent Celek- TE Cincinatti (162) [Draft Spotlight][Highlights]


• Rashad Barksdale- CB Albany (201) [Draft Spotlight]


• Nate Ilaoa- RB Hawaii (236) [Draft Spotlight][Highlights]

Bills give up on Walker

According to ESPN.com's Len Pasquarelli, the Bills are ready to "throw in the towel" on negotiations with Walker, who is scheduled to head back to Philadelphia on August 5.

Buffalo officials are about ready to throw in the towel on negotiations with Darwin Walker, the veteran defensive tackle acquired in the trade that sent linebacker Takeo Spikes to the Philadelphia Eagles in March. According to the trade agreement, the Bills can return Walker to the Eagles, provided he doesn't report to camp by Aug. 5, and take a sixth-round draft pick in lieu of the tackle. Walker has no intention of reporting until he receives a long-term extension, and the two sides aren't close on the numbers. Walker has two years left on his Philadelphia contract, at base salaries of $1.3 million for 2007 and $1.4 million for 2008. The Bills have offered to nullify the 2008 portion of the contract, but that hasn't swayed Walker, a penetrating-type tackle the Bills could really use.

Looks like Walker is coming back. I doubt he will be any happier here, but I think they should try to keep him, and release Ian Scott. That would be in a perfect world of course, and we all know that this world is far from that.

Chicago could use a defensive tackle, since they have cut ties with the problematic Tank Johnson. The Bears know the Eagles would most likely release Darwin, but then he would have to clear waivers before the Bears could claim him. That is a risk, that a trade could avoid, and maybe the Eagles get another 5th round pick for Walker.

The worst case scenario, is if the Bills send him back to Philadelphia, and the Eagles end up releasing him. They would then lose a 6th round pick to Buffalo as compensation, and have to absorb a cap hit.

This is an intriguing story that has many possible outcomes. I will be sure to follow up with any more updates as soon as I hear them.

'Invincible' up for ESPY

A year ago, Vince Papale was able to go to the restroom at a sporting event unnoticed. Now, he can't reach the facilities without signing 10 autographs along the way.

"Here in Philadelphia, it's almost like a rock star," Papale said.

Or a movie star.

Papale, an Eagles receiver and special-teams player from 1976-1978, had a movie made about his life - Invincible - that was released last August.

Since then, Papale's story as a 30-year-old off-the-street rookie has gone from a Philadelphia success story to a national tale. And, after spending the last year traveling around the country delivering motivational speeches, he has become even busier now that Invincible was nominated for an ESPY award.
..more at philly.com>>