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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Showing posts with label Chuck Bednarik. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chuck Bednarik. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Saturday, March 26, 2011
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.
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.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
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 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.
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