Mike Vick Goes for Two, Maclin Loses to Mono

The voting for the Madden '12 cover has come down to a final four battle. On one side, the number three seed, Eagles quarterback Mike Vick, is taking on the number nine seed, Vikings running back Adrian Peterson. On the other side, the number one seed, Packers QB Aaron Rodgers, is taking on the number ten seed, Browns RB Peyton Hillis. If Vick wins the overall voting, he will be the first player to be on the cover of Madden twice, and in two different uniforms. Vick appeared on the cover of Madden 2004, and fell victim to the Madden Curse, breaking his leg in a preseason game. While some Philly fans have been wary about voting for Vick due to concern for the curse's reach, Vick pointed out on his Twitter account that there is no curse for being on the cover twice. Others argue that an injury would be negated by the lockout, should it extend into the regular season. Whatever your position on the curse, it would be good to have an Eagle on the cover of the newest Madden game. The last Eagle to grace the title's cover was Donovan McNabb on the Madden 2006 game. McNabb was later injured in a game against the Dallas Cowboys, and was replaced by backup QB (and Rutgers alum) Mike McMahon. The Eagles ended with a 6-10 record that year, so vote as your superstition dictates.

Meanwhile, wide receiver Jeremy Maclin is currently recuperating from an illness similar to mononucleosis. Though he lost 15 pounds, the receiver says he's gained about half of it back, and plans on joining Michael Vick and other key Eagles players in southern New Jersey for Vick's informal practices, meant to keep the team sharp. Let's hope it doesn't aggravate anything, or cause any injuries, especially while locked out of the team health plan.

Vick Steps Up as a Leader, Castillo Talks in Texas

Michael Vick stepped up in his role as Eagles quarterback this week. Vick announced that he would be leading workouts and drills for the offense in southern New Jersey. This is a big step for the Eagles, and says a lot about Vick and his commitment to the team. By running these practices, Vick will (hopefully) avoid the problems that plagued Ron Jaworski's Eagles during the stoppage in the '80s, and will cement him as the team's leader. Vick's decision to do this makes his place on the team a more permanent and responsible one, showing he cares about the success of the team beyond his one-year contract extension. This is good news for Eagles fans and the organization, as Vick stepping up will serve to invigorate and unify the team. It also shows at least some good can come from this lockout.

Incentive from Vick could prove key to keeping the Eagles in playoff-hungry form, as the lockout is beginning to threaten their bonuses. Several Eagles players are set to receive substantial workout bonuses to induce them into participating in voluntary workouts. Without these bonus incentives, some fear players will take the path Ron Jaworski related from the '80s, and will end up out of shape when the stoppage is over. Hopefully the QB taking the reigns will bring many into line with him, and will spur someone (hello Asante?) into doing the same on defense.

Colorado cornerback Jimmy Smith visited the Eagles this week. While the draft may not be the best place to get a cornerback to start, Smith could do well backing up for Asante Samuel and whoever ends up on the otherside of the backfield (Nnamdi Asmougha, anyone?). Smith put up good numbers at the Combine, and had a couple of interceptions at Colorado, but generally wasn't on the QBs' preferred side. While this looks impressive, there is a big difference between how QBs operate in college, and how they work on the pro level. My pick, though I sound like a broken record, would be Muhammad Wilkerson to help bring new life into the Eagles defensive line.

New defensive coordinator Juan Castillo was in South Texas to discuss his roots as a Chicano and the work ethic he brings as Sean McDermott's successor. There was a lot of surprise when Andy Reid announced that the new DC would be an offensive coach, but Castillo said that it was not the first time his abilities were doubted. The new DC discussed his struggles in his early football career and the feeling of having a police motorcade escort the bus he rides on through Texas to play the Cowboys.

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Condolences for Avant, Jaws Speaks His Mind

Before anything else, please send your thoughts and prayers to Jason Avant and his family. His father died Saturday of injuries sustained in a car crash in New Jersey. Jerry Avant lost control of his Chevy Blazer in Burlington County during the wet conditions and crashed on the opposite side of the road. The Mount Holly native was 51 years old.

If the labor dispute in the NFL is bothering the fan base in Philly, it sure isn't showing. With the annual draft party coming up at the end of the month, the 6,500 free tickets the team gives away have all been spoken for once again. While it's obvious fans don't want to get into the middle of a fight that isn't theirs, it will be interesting to see the draft this year and how the incoming players respond to the mess they will walk into after the draft is over.

With the draft in mind, Muhammad Wilkerson has been my favorite for a while now, and it's reported that the Eagles have been looking at his teammate, Temple safety Jaiquawn Jarrett. Despite the fact that Nate Allen should be back next year and he has a lot of talent at the position, after seeing his injury last season, it couldn't hurt to bring Jarrett onto the team. If nothing else, Jarrett could backup for Allen and possibly replace him one day.

In Kevin Kolb news, the Bengals are the newest team in the sweepstakes. With Carson Palmer about as excited to play in Cincinnati as Kolb is in Philly, this deal might be one of the most promising ones yet. If Palmer was to shake things up, it could make the Bengals more desperate to make a three-team deal. Not that I'm excited about benefiting from another team's desperation, but at this point that's what's driving Kolb's potential stock through the roof, and that's never bad for the Eagles.

Meanwhile, in Eagles alum news, legend Chuck Bednarik was released from the hospital Thursday morning. Bednarik was hospitalized for shortness of breath, but was cleared with minor health comments. Ron Jaworski has caused a stir with his comments to Philadelphia Inquirer writer Jeff McLane regarding the lockout. Jaworski voiced his concerns with the sense of a work stoppage, given the game's popularity, and the sad state of disabled players' medical benefits. He also spoke on the timing of the return of the Arena Football League team, the Philadelphia Soul, to play after a three-year hiatus following their 2008 championship. The Soul make a return sans Bon Jovi, with Jaws as part owner.

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McCoy Flakes on Party, DJac Gets a Summer Job

Chuck Bednarik was admitted to a Bethlehem hospital on Wednesday. He's feeling better, but remains in serious condition as doctors check to find the cause of his dizziness and shortness of breath. Doctors say Bednarik's heart is as healthy as his playing days, but it's still worrying that he's still in the hospital. Eagles Nation can only wait and hope he recovers.

As the lockout continues and the players vie for support from the fans, LeSean McCoy made a bad choice and flaked on an appearance in Wilkes-Barre, in upstate Pennsylvania. The appearance was arranged by an entertainment company owned by LeSean's brother, LeRon. McCoy was supposedly paid an a $2,500 advance from the Wilkes-Barre nightclub Bentley's, but failed to show for the March 11 event. He tweeted that he had suffered a flat tire, and Bentley's offered to send a car, which McCoy turned down. After numerous attempts by Paul Domowitch to contact LeRon, or anyone with knowledge of the circumstances, the article was published. This finally elicited a response from LeRon, who said, among other things, that the two-seat car Bentley's offered to send was not enough for McCoy and his personal security. Whatever happened, it can't be good to blow off fans like that, especially now.

The talk about Kevin Kolb won't go away any time soon, especially with Andy Reid doing some shameless promotion by calling him a quarterback that can win a championship. Now Charley Casserly, former NFL general manager, has thrown his hat into the ring by saying he would take Kolb "100 times" over Auburn QB and highly ranked draft prospect Cam Newton. While Kolb's few starts aren't enough to count him out, and he has shown himself to be an able QB, he and Newton have essential the same playing time in NFL playoff games, and Kolb, a fourth-year vet, has yet to play a full season. While the same can be said about the Eagles' current starting QB, Kolb hasn't had enough playing time to prove himself one way or another. At this point, speculation about how either will do is a little premature.

In draft news, the Eagles have received two compensatory picks for Jason Babin and Sean Jones, who both departed for free agency last season. While these picks are not very high, two seventh round picks, the Eagles seem to be hoarding draft picks, and may do well because of it. The Eagles recently worked out University of California's Chris Conte, a safety. Keep the eye on defense, Andy.

To get through the lockout, some players have gotten creative. Desean Jackson was recently hired as a production assistant on Jimmy Kimmel's talk show. I suggest tuning in to see how that one goes. Please, Commish, let's bring football back and stop the madness.

Chuck Bednarick Hospitalized, Lockout Shenannigans

Chuck Bednarik has been admitted to a Bethlehem-area hospital after feeling short of breath. While this doesn't sound like that much of a problem, there has to be more to it, as Bednarik was still listed as being in "serious condition" as of this afternoon. This news comes has many in Eagles Nation worried, as many grew up (like I did), hearing stories about "Concrete Charley" (or "Cement Charley" after a few beers) and his tenure as an Eagle. Bednarik is a true Philly guy, playing football for Liberty High School in Bethlehem, then UPenn in Philly before being drafted by the reigning 1948 NFL champions. As a member of one of the most dominant periods of Eagles history, Bednarik helped propel the Eagles to the first back-to-back shutout championship in NFL history, a record that is still held by the Eagles. Bednarik is a celebrity in Eagles nation, being the last of the 60-minute men, from a time when players played both offense and defense. The former Eagle became a legend after laying a near career-ending hit on the Giants' Frank Gifford. While Bednarik has had his ups and downs with the Eagles, famously for supporting the New England Patriots during Super Bowl XXXIX due to a feud with owner Jeffery Lurie. Still, it's hard to hate Bednarik, responsible for some of the best football in Philadelphia and who had a hand in two NFL championships for the Birds. His recovery will hopefully be swift.

The NFL lockout has affected people in different ways. Fans have taken sides, generally with the players or against the NFL and the players' association. Now the players, with varying degrees of frustration, have begun to speak out, and not always in the best way. Recently, Minnesota Vikings tailback Adrian Peterson said that the NFL was like modern-day slavery. The comments, as any comment regarding slavery, was received very negatively by many, including Green Bay Packers' running back Ryan Grant. While many voiced their disagreement with Peterson's comments, but Peterson has also had his supporters. Rashard Mendenhall was chief among those supporting Peterson, tweeting that there are parallels between the slavery of colonial America and the NFL's practices. Also echoing Peterson's words was Eagles fullback Leonard Weaver. Immediately following the comments, Weaver received criticism from all corners of Eagle Nation, with fans and beat writers weighing in on the controversy. Yesterday, Weaver tweeted that he would be doing an interview explaining his words, and apologized if he offended anyone. Later, he tweeted a retraction for using the term slavery. The term is a strong one, and shouldn't be used to describe the working conditions of anyone making...well, any money. The players need to refrain from making these kinds of faux pas, otherwise it will erode the fan support players now enjoy.

Moving on to happy misfortune, the Dallas Cowboys were fined for illegal offseason activities. Echoing the fears of many that new coaches need to get in sync with their players soon, the Cowboys' new defensive coordinator, Rob Ryan, tried to do just that. Before the lockout began, the league was in a "dead period" where the actions of players and coaches are limited. Four other teams violated the rule and have been fined by the NFL, the fact that the Eagles were not one of these teams could be a good sign. Despite having a new defensive coordinator, Juan Castillo has been with the team and knows the players. Hopefully, this lack of breaking the rules is a vote of confidence in Castillo and his ability to pick up when the season begins. We'll find out when these fellas figure out how to split $9.3 billion. I have a few suggestions.

The Kolb Market Heats Up

Since Eagles head coach Andy Reid's comments that the Eagles will be listening to offers for backup quarterback Kevin Kolb, the buzz about teams in the Kolb sweepstakes has exploded. The team has gotten at least one offer for Kolb that comes with a first-round draft pick, likely from a high-pick team. The Eagles seem to have gone from "interested" to "how can we get the most money" about Kolb, with Reid marketing the QB like no one's business. Since trying (and failing) to re-sign QB Matt Hasselbeck, the Seattle Seahawks have made no bones about their desire to go after Kolb when the market opens up again. Seattle head coach Pete Carroll said that the Seahawks tried to go after Hasselbeck, but that the money wasn't there, which sounds like an issue on Hasselbeck's end. Given the lockout, the market after the stoppage is over, and Seattle's stated interest in either Kevin Kolb or Cam Newton, holding out (or whatever derailed a re-sign) probably wasn't in Hasselbeck's best interest, though it may have boosted Kolb's stock considerably.

Another team in the mix for Number 4 (oh, the puns), is the Minnesota Vikings. Head coach Leslie Frazier has been very vocal about getting a quarterback, though his idea is a fresh-start draft pick. The obvious target for the Vikes would be Cam Newton, as they have shown interest in him already, though he may not be available by the time the Vikings pick. Unless they trade up several spots, they likely won't be willing to lay it all down for Kolb until after the draft is done. One thing is for sure, if Frazier and the Vikings management hesitates, they could lose both their leading QB candidates. At this point, I think Frazier might even entertain Favre's obligatory offseason musings of a comeback. But not for long.

As the lockout continues, it seems you can catch your beloved Philadelphia Eagles at various area gyms, since the lockout denies the players use of team facilities. While this can get taxing after a while on the players' bank accounts, one hopeful thought is that if all of the players are staying in top condition, maybe Ron Jaworski's predictions of doom won't be as inevitable.

There has been more talk of the Eagles' (and Reid's) interest in Temple's Muhammad Wilkerson, and several defensive pick ups would definitely be a good thing, especially with news that defensive end Brandon Graham will not be ready, should the season begin as scheduled, thanks to a torn ligament. Safety Nate Allen is expected to be ready to play, and the Eagles will need him to step up from his breakout rookie performance and not fall into a sophomore slump.

Lumping together Vick and NFL news, Philly's starting QB recently visited a Florida prison with mentor and advocate Tony Dungy. While there, Vick spoke to inmates and vowed to continue community outreach, lending to the (sorely needed) rehabilitation of his image. While the visit brought the obligatory "Mike Vick Goes to Prison!...As a Visitor" zingers, it also helped Vick's stock in public opinion, continuing to make the QB more acceptable as a marketable brand, despite the lingering hatred for him. Meanwhile, the NFL revised the kickoff rules (because nothing important is going on right now), setting the ball at the 35-yard line, with touchbacks being placed on the 20-yard line. Challenges have been revised, but there is a clause that teams will keep the third challenge, originally done away with, and all scoring plays are now subject to booth review. If only they could work out this whole labor dispute as quickly.

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Kolb Talk, Draft Views, GQ Bandwagons, and Dawkins Talks Lockout

Teams from around the league being interested in acquiring Eagles backup quarterback Kevin Kolb is nothing new. Andy Reid acknowledging it, however, is news. Reid said that there has been "a little interest" in Kolb, and that the Eagles would evaluate offers. Some think an offer could come from Minnesota, barring a big pick up in the draft. The 12th pick, however, does not guarantee that the Vikings would be able to pick up a quarterback, especially the ever-popular Cam Newton. Some believe that the Eagles should root for the NFL Players Association's bid to return to usual league business, as Kolb's value has the potential to go down post-draft. While this could happen, his price would likely go up for teams who do not make out as well as they hoped in the draft. Drafting a quarterback, especially in a later round, doesn't always work out as planned, and head coaches around the league know this, which could work to the Eagles' favor come trade time. I may sound like a broken record, but it's my firm belief that the Eagles should use Vick and Kolb to develop third-string QB Mike Kafka before trading Kolb. No matter what happens, one thing no one has talked about is that the first- and second-string QBs in Philly are only signed to one-year contracts. Especially with the prospect of a potentially shortened 2011 season, one (or both) would need to be resigned to a multi-year contract, or Philly could see the beginning of the Mike Kafka era come 2012. Food for thought.

In early draft looks, the Eagles have been looking at Oklahoma State's running back Kendall Hunter. Considered a solid second-rounder, Hunter may be a good pick up to backup for LeSean McCoy. McCoy is the solid RB to start, so Hunter would likely be used as a fullback, rotating in for the injured Leonard Weaver, or in reserve for the Eagles to use in the inevitable injury situation. Another potential draft pick the Eagles have looked at is one of my personal favorites, Muhammad Wilkerson. A potential late first-rounder, the Temple lineman could really help to reinvigorate the Eagles struggling defensive line, especially under the tutelage of Jim Washburn.

In no-one-asked news, GQ posted a (I'm sure VERY scientific) ranking of the meanest fans in sports. Breaking it down by team, rather than city, the ranking is still blatantly transparent, especially having a tie between the Eagles and the Phillies. This is not New York: for the most part, if you're a fan of one Philly team, you're a fan of all of them. Regardless, Philly once again takes the brunt of the "awful fan" hatred, a tired old shtick that anyone wishing to get in good with the sporting world uses. I'm not going to rattle off the times I've been hassled at opposing venues or even walking down the street with a Shane Victorino jersey on, but I suggest those ranking fans wear Philly sports gear in those situations, or through rival cities (especially New York or the ever-leaching New Jersey). But enough about that, it's nothing but faux-analysis bandwagoning.

In former Eagle news, Brian Dawkins appeared on SportsCenter with Mike Vrabel, Drew Brees, and other players representatives. When asked what could be done, the former Eagles star said that fans should "paint [their] faces and stand outside the courthouse." While the players said they were not willing to negotiate on player health, the benefits and pay they are negotiating for has a strong impact on that long-term health care. Regardless of how the lockout is viewed, or who the villains and heroes are, former Eagle Kevin Turner's recent interview will give fire to the players' argument of veteran care. Turner has been diagnosed with ALS, Lou Gehrig's Disease. In the interview Turner claims that it is his belief that his time in football, which he played since a child, is the culprit. While the link between ALS and football is still uncertain, Turner's constant blocking for Ricky Watters could not have helped matters.

Leagues That Could Have Been

The recent NFL work stoppage has brought up a lot of comparisons to past labor strife. Former Eagles quarterback Ron Jaworski discussed the implications of the 1982 strike, which lasted 57 days, on the Eagles' season that year. Jaworski said that the strike hindered the Eagles, and speculated that the current lockout may have similar effects in 2011. That year's season was cut almost in half, resulting in a half-season long "Super Bowl tournament." In 1987, another strike occurred, however it had much less solidarity from the players, with many crossing the picket lines to play, and ended in decertification of the union and antitrust suits being filed by players, most notably then-Eagle Reggie White. Many of the basics of the NFL's CBAs came out of these experiences, such as the salary cap, a salary floor, and new free agency rules. The texts of later CBAs have been modified over the years, but this was the last major interruption in pro football. While the last two labor disputes differ from each other, and in major ways from the current one, they have nonetheless been mentioned continuously as prior examples, and the basis for current predictions.

One former NFL thorn that has been slightly neglected in discussion is the competition of alternate leagues. Throughout the NFL's history, there have been some major challengers to the NFL's nearly eight-decade supremacy. The most successful of these were the American Football League, the All-American Football Conference, and the United States Football League. Out of these, the AFL made the most gains, as its demise was the form of a merger with the NFL, many of its teams being absorbed into the older organization, creating much of today's American Football Conference. The USFL and the AAFC, however, also left their marks on the NFL.

The AAFC is barely remembered today, challenging the NFL in the mid- to late-1940s, however interleague warfare proved too much for the new league, and it folded after the 1949 season, merging the San Francisco 49ers, the Cleveland Browns, and the now-defunct Baltimore Colts (not related to the current Indianapolis Colts) into the NFL. The league also caused the NFL to develop changes, mostly thanks to head coach Paul Brown, who lent his name to the current Cleveland team. Full-time coaching staffs, studying game film, and the addition of face masks are a few of the innovations credited to Brown. The AAFC was also the first league to reintegrate, after African-American players were banned from the NFL from 1934-1945. The USFL had a slightly longer run, from 1983-1987, ending just before the 1987 players' strike. The USFL took the interesting route of playing games during the NFL's offseason, but was struck by franchise instability throughout its existence. The league did contribute the two-point conversion, instant replay challenges, and a salary cap, among other innovations. Many USFL alum, like AAFC alum, entered the NFL and became some of its greatest players. While they were not the Eagles, the USFL's Philadelphia Stars were a dominating force throughout the league's existence.

The thing to learn from this little history lesson is that the NFL is vulnerable to challengers. While the most recent challengers, such as Vince McMahon's XFL, have not been seen as threats, if the lockout cancels or even severely hinders the season, it could prove to be an opportunity to a rival league. The United Football League, after several years of obscurity, has speculated that it could become home to NFL players, should the lockout continue. While the UFL would likely not oust the NFL as the primary pro football establishment, it could prove itself to be a force for the future, enticing investors with ideas of Major League Baseball-esque league alignments. All of this is speculation, but something for the owners to consider while continuing the league lockout.

Could the Lockout Hurt the Eagles?

As we wait and watch the NFL and NFLPA drama play out in court, there are a few perspectives on the labor dispute, old and new. Former Eagles quarterback Ron Jaworski discussed the current lockout in terms of the 1982 players' strike. According to Jaworski, the strike, which stopped the season for 57 days, crippled the Eagles. Hot on the heels of the franchise's first Super Bowl appearance in the 1980-1981 season following a dramatic few playoff years, Jaworski assessed the team as "explosive." Jaws attributes the failure of this explosive offense's production to the dwindling numbers at workouts and practice as the strike prolonged. Jaws' biggest concern is for current Eagles QB Mike Vick, still relatively new to the Eagles' offense, and hopefully will have an improved, though new, offensive line to work with. Without the summer training program and preseason activities, as Jeff Offord points out will likely be missed, a new O-line could be disastrous. Even if the work stoppage were to end just before the season begins, and assuming all the players stick with their exercise routine, they will not have worked as a full team, or with the coaching staff, in months. While this problem of time will be the same for all teams, it will not affect all teams equally. Teams whose quarterbacks have been established for years, like the Steelers, Packers, or even Jets, and who have low-prospect of player movement will clearly come out above teams missing quality players at key positions, like the 49ers' lack of QB or the Bengals' struggles both at the QB position and on the offense in general. Teams like the Raiders, who have recently parted with their head coach, will face other difficulties all together. Not that next year's playoffs (if they happen) will look exactly like this year's by virtue of strength of previous year. Not at all, point number one being the NFC West. Last year it was literally anyone's game, and if each of the teams in the division struggle, it could be this year as well, though it is likely one will learn from last year and be stronger this (possible) season.

On the other side of the glass, Eagles president Joe Banner has strong feelings about the lockout, and is not shy about showing his frustration at the stop in negotiations. Unlike many who have discussed anger regarding the talks, however, he is mainly frustrated with the players union. Banner thinks the players walked away from a good deal and said that the owners' final offer proved how much they were willing to give up to keep the game going. The players union executive director DeMaurice Smith contests Banner's assessment, saying that the financial data sought by the union was not given, and breaks down the cap changes significantly differently from Banner. While Banner was making his comments regarding the negotiations, the Eagles emailed an open letter to fans on the Eagles' mailing list from Banner and Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie, as well as publishing it on the team website. The letter discussed the management's faith in the federal mediation process and talked about the "long-term health of the league." It also reaffirmed the Eagles' commitment to winning a Super Bowl and that planned offseason events would still go on as scheduled. The letter met criticism from the fans, though it would be interesting to see an event at which coaches and players were both committed to attend. In this case, the players would likely not attend, but it would be fun to watch them act like a divorced couple, forced to be at the same event, though not allowed to interact. To be a fly on that wall.

In former Eagle news, Donovan McNabb is serving as an analyst for Comcast's NCAA Tournament. McNabb, who played two years of basketball at Syracuse, is expected to be traded from the Washington Redskins once the labor dispute is over. The former Eagles QB will have options, depending on when the dispute is over. Let's hope none of them include Kyle Shanahan or Rex Grossman.

Eagles Prepare and React as Lockout Becomes Real

Before anything, readers please send thoughts and prayers to Japan and the islands affected by the tsunami and continuing earthquake aftershocks. Also, we hope they are able to control and repair the damaged nuclear reactor. If you have the means, please consider donating to the Red Cross or other credible relief organization.

Well, the moment has arrived. The NFL's collective bargaining agreement has expired and we are now in the midst of the dreaded lockout. Planes aren't falling from the sky, and the Y2K bug hasn't decided to strike a decade late, in fact, most people don't even notice it. This blissful ignorance can potentially continue until August, sports blogs and news stories non-withstanding. Meanwhile, the teams, coaches, and players are more than aware of it. The lockout is affecting Eagles players differently, but none more than those with uncertain futures with the organization. Backup quarterback Kevin Kolb leads the list of players unsure about the future and are certainly frustrated by the labor dispute. While Kolb remains stymied by the lockout, the six Eagles recently tendered are sure to wonder about their futures. While the tender allows them to shop themselves around before committing to the Eagles, a lockout means they can no longer shop their services. The anxiety surrounding this quandary will likely increase as the lockout continues, since there will be few well-thought moves made if the lockout suddenly ends in late-July.

The uncertainty works both ways, however, with the Eagles now unable to pursue free agents like the ever-popular Nnamdi Asmougha and other players to improve the game on both sides of the ball. We can only hope that, while the players and coaches are in a blackout, team management continues to work on plans to get these key players, and are ready to implement such plans as soon as the lockout ends.

Despite this, the Eagles have done what they can to prepare the team for a lockout, with new offensive line coach Howard Mudd giving players DVDs to practice with, and offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg getting some final sessions in with QB Mike Vick, who Mornhinweg describes as being "in the right frame of mind." Always good to hear about the QB the club has pinned its hopes on.

With all of this in consideration, the lockout may not end in the doom and gloom with which it was anticipated. And even if it does take a toll, the Eagles stand to be one of the few teams in a position to come out of the gate strong, and make smart trade and free agency transactions, putting them ahead of the pack come September.

Three Teams Want Kolb, Westbrook Wants to Return

As expected, the NFL and the NFL Players Association has agreed to a one-week extension to the collective bargaining agreement. The extension adds to the already murky future of the NFL's labor relations. Progress must be made by March 11 for another extension to be put into place, according to the mediator assigned to the case. This promises to be a very long process, and I don't really see the sides coming to any further of an understanding.

The Kevin Kolb sweepstakes are alive and well, according to Adam Schefter. It's unlikely that there will be a deal before the CBA is finalized, but it depends on the Eagles management. While there are definite upsides to keeping Kolb, it may be better to send him elsewhere (just not in the division this time, ok fellas?) once the new CBA takes effect. I've championed the idea of having Kolb and Vick develop Mike Kafka as Kolb's replacement, and I still believe this will be the best way to approach the situation. The lockout could also work in the Eagles' favor, because the longer the labor dispute goes into season prep, the more desperate teams like the Cardinals will be for a quarterback. If this happens, the Eagles could get some really good compensation.

And in former Eagle news, Brian Westbrook has said that he wants to return to Philly. For the eight seasons Westbrook played for the Eagles, he was one of the most consistent players and dangerous weapons. It wasn't until his final season, in which he suffered two concussions, that he began to falter. He was traded to the San Francisco 49ers to sit on the bench for most of the season, until Frank Gore was injured in a game against the Arizona Cardinals. While Westbrook can obviously still move the ball, the biggest worry for Philly (or any other team that considers taking him) is the fact that he had those two, close-together concussions. It would be sad to see his career end in a third, debilitating concussion, a scenario Westbrook must take into account. Westbrook did a lot for the Eagles, but if he returned, he must know he would be backing-up LeSean McCoy, just as he did for Gore in San Fran. Probably not the best situation for him.

Eagles Begin Setting Up Team For New CBA

The NFL's collective bargaining agreement negotiations are almost as watched as Charlie Sheen, and carry the same baggage as asking your girlfriend (or booty call) to confirm "It's Complicated" on Facebook. We're a few hours from when the CBA expiration, and so far, the players and owners have little to show for it. So here comes the obligatory CBA update: The players and owners were in negotiations today, with Jeff Saturday emerging a little after 5pm. Saturday confirmed rumors that the sides had agreed to a 24-hour extension to bargain with. Many at the negotiations say that this will likely only buy time to agree on a longer extension, of perhaps weeks. At this pace, negotiations on both sides seem to be slowing, and it appears we may be in for a long and ponderous spring. The good thing is that none of this really affects fans until August training camp, though the longer it takes, the less work coaching staffs will be able to get done with their players.

Now, on to things that are making progress.

Michael Vick has signed the franchise tag that the Eagles took their time offering him. This, perhaps, could mean that the team is banking on the franchise tag existing in the new CBA, or it could just mean they don't want anyone poaching their Pro Bowl quarterback. Vick may have been happy to sign his agreement, but David Akers is being much less obliging about his tender offer. Taking into account the kicker's age, the Eagles' hesitancy towards a long-term deal is understandable; however, given Akers' record with the team and ability on the field, his refusal at such a nebulous situation is equally understandable. The Pro Bowl kicker has been with the Eagles for more than a decade, and is the only remaining player from the NFC Championship game loss to the Rams, and even the Super Bowl run that ended against the Patriots. Akers feels he deserves a better deal from the team, and he may be right. It would be unwise for the Eagles to allow Akers to test his worth on the open market, especially with many calling him the best kicker in the league. The Eagles can ill afford to lose talent and experience of Akers' caliber.

Meanwhile, six other players were tendered over the last two days. Yesterday, linebacker Stewart Bradley, guard Max Jean-Gilles, cornerback Dimitri Patterson, and running back Eldra Buckley were given tenders. Patterson's tender could allow another team to pick him up, which would make pursuing Nnamdi Asmougha even more feasible. While Patterson's tender was a no compensation, Bradley's second-round tender and Jean-Gilles' fourth-round tender could be used to improve the offensive or defensive lines. Though the Eagles are set with LeSean McCoy at running back, with Leonard Weaver currently rehabbing the torn ACL he suffered in the playoff loss to Green Bay, it may make sense to help lock Buckley up from other teams at the cost of a 10% raise, a likely reason why he got the exclusive rights tender.

Today, running back Jerome Harrison was given a second-round tender and punter Sav Rocca was given a no compensation tender. Harrison, like Bradley, has a high-pick tender likely to improve the team through the draft, while the no compensation for Rocca is likely to entice him to stay for the 10% increase.

It will be hard to judge the value of these moves until after CBA negotiations are over, until then I'll have fun making my own predictions.

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Philly- Cincy Swap, More of the Same on Kolb

On Saturday the Eagles signed Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Rashad Jeanty to a one-year deal. Though Jeanty sat out the 2010 season, this rehab could be what he needed to get back to full strength. Jeanty reportedly chose the Eagles because he felt Philly offers him the best chance of winning. That's not too shabby of an endorsement, coming from someone offered a spot on the red-hot Jets (I'll ignore that the Dolphins were even mentioned).


In a bit of a swap, Eagles quarterbacks coach Jim Urban was recruited by Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis on Monday. Some have seen this as a sign that Cincinnati is a possible destination for Kevin Kolb, but it could also just be Marvin Lewis ensuring that he has a competent replacement if Jay Gruden doesn't work out.

Meanwhile, Eagles offensive tackle Winston Justice had minor knee surgery after it was determined that the more major surgery he was expecting was not needed.

In Kevin Kolb news, there has been a lot of talk that the Eagles will want several first round picks or a first round pick plus heavy extras for the quarterback. This is to be expected until the Eagles announce the status of the backup QB, but that is likely a long way off. Kolb has made it explicitly clear that he wants to be traded if he will not start in 2011 (something the franchise-tagging of Mike Vick all but precluded), but some think that Reid may be holding Kolb in reserve in case Vick gets injured during the season. I feel that this is an unnecessary move, if true. I agree with holding out for the best price for Kolb, however he is not necessary for the Eagles' success in 2011. With good trades, free agent signings and draft picks (some of the more likely ones I will showcase in the coming weeks), the Eagles could solidify their offensive line, and offer Vick the protection he got in the beginning of last season throughout 2011. Considering his first injury of 2010, while running for a touchdown, the idea that a good O-line would prevent a QB like Vick from getting hurt is foolish.

That being said, I think that the Eagles should spend the offseason developing Mike Kafka as a solid backup. After seeing his limited playing time in the 2010 preseason, I like him and his potential. I think the best thing to do is have Kolb work with Kafka, get him up to the level where he would be ready to step in, should Vick get injured, then get top-dollar for Kolb. This would have been far easier under the guidance of Jim Urban, a key to Vick's comeback and Philly's solid QB position as of late, but Urban's departure does not make the task impossible, just less convenient. Reid needs to begin developing Kafka now, before the imminent lockout occurs to give him direction to continue training independent of the team during the duration of the lockout. Until March 4th, everything from Mike Kafka to Nnamdi Asmougha to even the already-done franchising of Vick is very fluid and cannot be put into stone. Let's hope the mediation goes well, and try to keep Jerry Richardson as far away as possible.

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More Offseason Eagles Defense Analysis

It's been a slow couple of days for the Eagles, and it will likely continue to be until the new CBA is created. Until then, there promises to be a lot of speculation regarding potential moves teams might make when an agreement is finally reached.
One such speculation that continues to thrive is the Eagles' interest in Oakland comeback Nnamdi Asmougha (I'm getting pretty good at spelling his name). Joe Banner's comments on 610 WIP give room for speculation that should the Eagles want to pick up Asmougha, there would be no conflict between his salary and CB Asante Samuel's, a definite good sign for the Eagles'secondary. Giving more room for Asmogha speculation is the announcement that CB Ellis Hobbs will be retiring. Hobbs suffered two neck injuries, with the second being described as "career-ending." Hobbs' departure highlights the ever-present need for an elite CB in the Eagles' secondary to complement Samuel. This would push Dimitri Patterson down in depth, but it would be a good idea to keep him behind Asmougha, since he did have some good games, though these were often overlooked when opposing offenses found ways to get the pass game around him.
One defensive acquisition that won't likely happen is the pick up of the recently released Bob Sanders. After being released by the Colts, there was some talk of the Eagles being interested in the safety, but now team officials are saying they will not try to acquire him, citing his high incident of injuries over the years. This is a smart move, seeing how the Eagles have been affected by injuries over the past eight to nine years. Bringing in a defensive player who's missed about half of the games in his career is not a move this team should be thinking about.
In other offseason news, Eagles safety Nate Allen was honored by his hometown of Fort Meyers, Florida by being named the co-grand marshal of Fort Meyers' Edison Festival of Lights parade. Allen, currently rehabing and training at the NovaCare Complex in Philly after injuries sustained in his 2010 rookie season, was flattered by the invitation and is excited about it. Allen is slated to return to the Eagles in 2011. He was named starting free safety just before the start of the regular season, and performed extremely well until an injury in the second Eagles-Giants game benched him for the remainder of the season, giving Kurt Coleman the starting spot. Allen should be fun to watch next year, and will hopefully be part of a rebuilt and stronger Eagles defensive unit.

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The Lockout Gets Justice, Vick Decides Against Oprah

This week Eagles offensive tackle Winston Justice has become a hub for NFLPA news, telling teammates on Twitter to follow him for updates and giving information about players meetings, like this tweet:

This kind of leadership from individual teams is what the players need to avoid a lockout. I don't like taking sides on things, especially when I could potentially cover them, but this blog is also for opinions, and I for one hope that the owners can somehow be reasoned with to avoid a lockout. I'll save my points for why I support the players for comments, so feel free to post your views on the quickly looming lockout.



Mike Vick was slated to tape an interview with the almighty Oprah on Wednesday, but canceled for "personal reasons." T.J. Walker of Forbes gives some good insight on why it would have been in Vick's PR interests to do the interview, but others believe the Eagles were behind the cancellation, largely due to the fact that Oprah is a dog-lover. Some reports were that PETA was prepping Oprah to give Vick tough questions, the kind that would be not be comfortable to answer, while others say it was the talk of current owners of dogs Vick used to fight being in attendance. Vick may not have pleased Oprah, seeing as the interview won her a bet with Piers Morgan (who hardly seems rich enough to gamble in Oprah's league, but a win's a win, right?) that she would get to talk with Vick before Morgan did. Tom Weir of USA Today seems to think that Vick has angered Oprah by canceling, but I really think she has better things to do than smite someone who is trying to rehabilitate his image. If the interview is rescheduled, I hope to be able to attend; so that I can report back to you the feeling in the room, and to support my team's newly franchised quarterback.

In other news, Mark Buehrle has backed off of comments he made regarding Vick getting injured, to a degree. I think the best thing that could happen would be Vick sitting on the third baseline as the Phillies beat the White Sox in the World Series. But pitchers and catchers just reported the other day, so it'll be a long season. Hopefully Rangers' second baseman Ian Kinsler's comments about Vick's and Desean Jackson's lack of attending practice is not a sign of things to come. His comments make even less sense due to the fact that there was no news of either Eagle missing practice through the 2010 season. I think he's just mad we got Cliff Lee. Had to work that in somehow. Anyway, no Phillie has said anything about anyone in any other sport. They make the news with wins. Sorry, forgot this was an NFL blog for a moment there.

Finally, to mesh former Eagle news with Andy Reid news, Joe Banner went on WIP and criticized (I feel rightly), the Redskins' benching of QB Donovan McNabb. I was and am a McNabb fan, despite all the negativity, and benching him for Rex Grossman (especially making him a third-string QB) was wrong. Banner also made an open-ended remark that if the Eagles organization ever felt Reid couldn't get them to the Big Game, they'd be open to changing team leadership. Interesting remarks coming so soon before Reid's contract is up. Kinda makes you wonder.

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Vick & Akers Get Tagged, Former Eagle News

In the background of the Eagles' defensive coordinator saga was the Michael Vick franchise tag saga. The new year rolled around and there was speculation. A week and a half ago there was talk of it. Then today there was a "this week" timetable, and that's when Reid, Banner, and Lurie decided to pull the trigger, franchising Vick and giving a transition tag to kicker David Akers. While there is still uncertainty about whether or not the franchise tag will have an analogue in the (eventual) new CBA, for the time being Vick is locked in to Philly, and will quadruple last year's salary. Not bad for the Comeback Player of the Year, but Aker's agent is not happy with the move. It gives the Eagles the right to block another team from interviewing Akers, and is a tactic the Eagles haven't used since 1998, according to ESPN's Matt Mosley. This could mean the Eagles will prolong contract negotiations with the five-time Pro Bowl kicker.

On the topics of the Eagles in the '90s, Ray Rhodes was just picked up by the Cleveland Browns as the senior assistant on defense. Rhodes coached the Eagles from the 1995 playoff run that ended against the Cowboys to the disastrous 3-13 1998 season, after which he left to coach the Green Bay Packers. Rhodes joins Eagles coaching alum Dick Jauron, the Browns newly-hired defensive coordinator.



In other former-Eagles news, Cris Carter (no 'h' there, kids) was passed over (again) for the Hall of Fame. the former wide receiver was drafted by the Eagles in 1987, and led the team in TD catches in 1989. Unfortunately, substance abuse led then-coach Buddy Ryan cut Carter from the team. Carter shone in the mid-90s with the Minnesota Vikings, ending his career in 2002 with the Miami Dolphins. And Cris, like the Eagles, will have to wait and see if a new year will bring better chances.

While Akers' agent wasn't happy with the transition tag, one person who won't be happy about Vick's franchise tag is Chicago White Sox pitcher Mark Buehrle. Last week, Buehrle said in an MLB.com interview that he hoped Vick would get hurt in his 2010 comeback season. I'll give that a moment to sink in for everyone. An athlete hoping another athlete gets hurt while playing is a VERY rare thing for one reason: it's douchey. This is just another case in the pattern of people who decide they can prove they're an animal lover or otherwise morally above the rest of us by ripping on Vick. Meanwhile, the puppy-loving Chase Utley, one of if not the most popular athlete in Philly, and his wife Jen have said nothing about Vick, outside Jen's comments that Philly's SPCA should have been informed of the signing. See that folks? It's called class. Meanwhile, NBC Sports' Rick Chandler interviewed the bear Buehrle shot. With an arrow. Apparently Jim Thome was in attendance.

In player news, defensive end Trent Cole underwent elbow surgery yesterday. Players should cash in those benefits before March 4th, just in case the owners play hardball.

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Eagles Sign DE, Kolb (Still) Wants Out

Now that the Eagles' coaching staff is in place, the discussion can begin about the change in play style coming next year. Mike Zordich, recently hired as the Eagles' new secondary/safeties coach told reporters in his introductory press conference that Jim Washburn, the new defensive line coach, will be instituting a more aggressive philosophy to the defensive line, as part of a larger defensive strategy in Philadelphia. This could mean big positive changes, depending on draft decisions by the Eagles and the turnout of the new CBA.

One part of this new defensive strategy could be the addition of Phillip Hunt, a defensive end who has spent the last two years playing in the Canadian Football League. It turns out the Eagles' commitment to a 4-3 defense has worked out, landing them both Hunt and Washburn. Hunt credits Philly's defensive arrangement as part of his decision to suit up in the green and white. As the Eagles address their defensive issues piece by piece, we can only hope that Nnamdi Asomugha's name will eventually show up on the roster, since many agree that the cornerback issue is not something that can be addressed properly in the draft.

Meanwhile, on the offensive side of the ball, Kevin Kolb went on WIP and tacitly reinforced Larry Fitzgerald's comments regarding the Eagles' quarterback, though not everyone agrees that the Eagles should jump at any deals offered for No. 4. And stories continue to plague Philly's starting QB, Michael Vick, as the lead investigator into Vick's dog fighting charges was interviewed regarding his assessment of Vick's rehabilitation. In the article, retired special agent Jim Knorr, of the Department of Agriculture, was very even-handed and guardedly positive about Vick's rehabilitation, though he pointed out that the only one who knows if Vick has changed is the man himself. Regardless, Knorr states that Vick's community outreach is invaluable. I for one hope that the controversy/bad PR train unhooks itself from locomotive No. 7, if not for his sake, for the sports world's.

Follow on Twitter: @asprice18

Eagles Draft Prep

Now that the coaching staff is finally in place, and with the 2011 NFL Draft is looming, there are a lot of things for the Eagles to consider. What takes priority? Clearly, the squads needing the most work are the defensive and offensive lines. I've gone over how the Eagles can address defensive line issues in the free agency, but what about young talent?

Philadelphia owns the 23 pick in the first round of the 2011 draft. Assuming they don't collect more first-round picks in a Kolb-unknown team trade, they will be at the lower-end of the first round. Scout Inc.'s draftee-ranking list has plenty of offensive and defensive line players around it's lower-midsection, so the Eagles could really get something out of it.

Temple's Muhammad Wilkerson is ranked 23rd by Scout Inc., but NFL Draft Scout has him pegged as a second-round pick. If picked up by the Eagles, Wilkerson and his Temple MVP trophy could easily move down Broad Street and spend half the season behind or even displace Trent Cole or Antonio Dixon on the right side, and could potentially add power if the Eagle's don't pick up a cornerback in the free agency to complement Asante Samuel on the left.

Missouri's Aldon Smith is could be an interesting choice for the Eagles. He's ranked 16th by Scout Inc., and he's projected to go in the first round, though there's a hitch. He received a leg injury that slowed the beginning of his season, and some teams may decide that entering the draft now is a mistake, like ESPN's Gil Brandt. This could benefit the Eagles if they pass on him early by allowing them to pick him up later. He could fulfill a role similar to Wilkerson as a defensive end, possibly backing up or outright replacing Juqua Parker on the right side. He could also be used to add depth to or help prop up the Eagles linebacker corps, saving the team money in the free agency.

On the offensive side, Wisconsin's Gabe Carimi, ranked 17th by Scout Inc. and projected to go in the first two rounds could help stop up the cracks defenses found in the Eagles' offensive line as the season dragged on. Having him learn behind Winston Justice or even start next to him, displacing Nick Cole could help protect Vick better from late-season and playoff defensive lines. Strength and depth is not something the Eagles can afford to overlook in this defense-needing offseason.

I'll post more draft preferences, predictions, and analysis as the April 28th event draws nearer, and as things develop in this very fluid offseason for both the Eagles and the NFL as a whole.

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Vick Gets Keys to Dallas, Rumors Plague Philly

This weekend, everyone thought there would be some controversy or big story surrounding one of the two parties that Vick was allegedly hosting for the big game. Both turned out to be untrue, as the Commish said Vick couldn't be involved in the revelry, and yet there still managed to be controversy surrounding Philly's (do it already!) soon-to-be-franchised quarterback. Like a magician, the fickle finger of bad PR had you looking at the parties for a fight or a gun, only to strike where you least expected: Dallas' city council. City councilman and mayor pro temp Dwaine Caraway decided to give Vick the keys to the city. I'll say that again: the mayor pro temp of Dallas gave the quarterback of the Philadelphia Eagles the keys to the city. You'll note the key words. That's a lot like Vice President Spiro Agnew giving Soviet Premier Khrushchev the Presidential Freedom Medal. Just to head off any outrage, I'm not equating Vick with a Soviet dictator or Councilman Caraway with an embezzler, I'm just trying to show the authority he had to give out the keys to the city and the effect it will have on morale in both Dallas and Philly. This is pretty much the sentiment of Dallas' actual mayor, who says the ceremony isn't official. Personally, I'm pretty happy about it. I think Vick should bring that brass ring home to Philly and hang it from the goalpost every time we play the Cowboys. On the other hand, at this point all this bad press is officially no longer Vick's fault, and even he has to get a good chuckle out of this one.

In other news, there was a big Facebook/Twitter rumor uproar that Jon Gruden was in town and set to replace Big Red as the Eagles' head coach. Predictably, this turned out to be an overblown rumor, but when social networking is involved, everything's a federal case. As this rumor dies, so, it seems, do the chances of a Kolb/Fitzgerald trade with Arizona.

Now that the dust has begun to settle on the Juan Castillo decision, Reid put the finishing touches on the coaching staff, hiring Johnnie Lynn to be the new secondary/cornerbacks coach, Mike Zordich to secondary/safeties coach, and Mike Caldwell to be linebackers coach. The hirings came along with other title/position shifts of existing staff and the addition of two former Eagles. Pre-McNabb and post-Hoying QB Doug Pederson is the new quarterbacks coach, and needs-no-introduction Duce Staley is the special teams quality control coach. I guess internships do turn into full-time jobs after all. Duuuuuuuuce!

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Vick Wins Award, Players Combat Bullies

Today, the Associated Press named Eagles quarterback Michael Vick its Comeback Player of the Year, and it's clearly well deserved. After spending nearly two years in prison and being released by the Atlanta Falcons, Vick was picked up by the Eagles as a third-string backup. He spent a year behind McNabb and Kolb in Philly before the dramatic shakeup that was the 2010 season. Vick went his first six starts with no interceptions, and had only six to finish out the season. Unfortunately, his final interception ended the game against the Super Bowl-bound Packers and the Eagles' hopes for the Lombardi Trophy in 2010.Vick's amazing performance on the field brought him the well deserved Comeback award, and he was surpassed only by New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady for the Offensive Player of the Year award. With the Eagles expected to franchise Vick for the 2011 season, he hopes to maintain and surpass the feats accomplished this year as he helps the Eagles rebuild from a tumultuous season.

In other Eagles news, Desean Jackson, Todd Herremans, and Jamaal Jackson surprised Nadin Khoury, a 13 year-old boy from Upper Darby, with a visit and gifts. In early January, Khoury was assaulted and brutally beaten by a group of seven boys, ages 16 - 17. The incident has been referenced as a part of the bullying problem with teens that has gotten national news coverage recently. The players met Khoury on the TV show The View, where he was being interviewed about the videos of him being bullied and beaten that had appeared on YouTube. Jackson encouraged Khoury to stay strong, saying "...anything ever happen again, you let us know, we got you," refering to himself and the two linemen. Khoury told Jackson that he idolized the Eagles receiver in an emotional moment.

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