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.
Showing posts with label Desean Jackson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Desean Jackson. Show all posts
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Thursday, February 17, 2011
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.
Follow on Twitter: @asprice18
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.Follow on Twitter: @asprice18
Saturday, February 5, 2011
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.Follow on Twitter: @asprice18
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Asomugha, Pro Bowlers, and Jeff Fisher
In a shift of discussion from coaching to players, there has been no talk from the Eagles about roster movement, but we can be sure they will (hopefully) move quickly during the slim window between the Super Bowl (Feb. 7) and the date the current collective bargaining agreement expires (Mar.
4). In that time, the Eagles would be wise to browse this top free agents list to pick up talent ahead of the 2011 NFL Draft. One name on it keeps coming up is the Oakland Raiders cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha. If the Eagles can pick him up, he could complement Asante Samuel in the Eagles' secondary, solidifying the backfield and beefing up the defense for any potential DC candidate. With this consideration, hopefully people will back off of the speculation that the Eagles will move to a 3-4 defense, since the Raiders also run a 4-3 defense, and keeping this system intact would provide a better potential transition. Asomugha has already been passed on by the Colts as a poor fit for a Cover 2 defense.
In offensive news, Michael Vick told reporters in Honolulu that he hopes to be
back in Philly next year, a rehash of his statement that being the Eagles' quarterback gives him the best chance to win a Super Bowl. All of this is really just pep talk at the moment, since there is no way the Eagles will get rid of Vick. The organization has been contemplating giving him a franchise tag, though it is good to know that the cornerstone to the Eagles' rebuilding is happy in his position.
DeSean Jackson is also in Hawaii, and was prepping for the Pro Bowl until he tweaked his knee at a practice, later ruled to be a sprain. He refused to talk about his contract today, but has stated he believ
es that the Eagles will offer him an extension over the offseason. With his production this past year, especially in divisional games against the Redskins and Giants, it would be foolish not to extend his contract past the one year he has left. Jackson's spot in the Pro Bowl will be filled by the Dallas Cowboys' Miles Austin. That's kind of like sacrilege.
Finally, because the DC drama won't die, news recently broke that Jeff Fisher has been let go by the Titans. Because nature won't allow a vacuum or silence on speculations, many hav
e immediately jumped into the conversation with the idea that Fisher will return to Philly to reprise his role as defensive coordinator. Much of the speculation comes from the recent hiring of the Titans' Jim Washburn and the fact that Fisher spent four of his first five coaching years on the Eagles' defensive staff, serving as DC from 1988-1990. However, at the moment it's doubtful that Fisher will be a candidate, having been a head coach since 1994, way back when the Titans were still the Houston Oilers. Smart money (barring an evaporated candidate pool) is on Fisher looking for a head coaching job for 2011, or short of that, I see him taking the Jim Mora route, perhaps taking a commentating job and job hunting for the 2012-2013 season.
Sure to ad
d to the fuel of the rumor fire is the news that former Eagles linebacker Seth Joyner is interested in the spot left vacant by the firing of Bill Shuey. Joyner played for the Eagles from 1986-1993 under Buddy Ryan and DC Jeff Fisher.
Long story short, the Eagles have a lot of spots to fill and decisions to make. Unfortunately, the clock is quickly ticking on these decisions.
4). In that time, the Eagles would be wise to browse this top free agents list to pick up talent ahead of the 2011 NFL Draft. One name on it keeps coming up is the Oakland Raiders cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha. If the Eagles can pick him up, he could complement Asante Samuel in the Eagles' secondary, solidifying the backfield and beefing up the defense for any potential DC candidate. With this consideration, hopefully people will back off of the speculation that the Eagles will move to a 3-4 defense, since the Raiders also run a 4-3 defense, and keeping this system intact would provide a better potential transition. Asomugha has already been passed on by the Colts as a poor fit for a Cover 2 defense.In offensive news, Michael Vick told reporters in Honolulu that he hopes to be
back in Philly next year, a rehash of his statement that being the Eagles' quarterback gives him the best chance to win a Super Bowl. All of this is really just pep talk at the moment, since there is no way the Eagles will get rid of Vick. The organization has been contemplating giving him a franchise tag, though it is good to know that the cornerstone to the Eagles' rebuilding is happy in his position.DeSean Jackson is also in Hawaii, and was prepping for the Pro Bowl until he tweaked his knee at a practice, later ruled to be a sprain. He refused to talk about his contract today, but has stated he believ
es that the Eagles will offer him an extension over the offseason. With his production this past year, especially in divisional games against the Redskins and Giants, it would be foolish not to extend his contract past the one year he has left. Jackson's spot in the Pro Bowl will be filled by the Dallas Cowboys' Miles Austin. That's kind of like sacrilege.Finally, because the DC drama won't die, news recently broke that Jeff Fisher has been let go by the Titans. Because nature won't allow a vacuum or silence on speculations, many hav
e immediately jumped into the conversation with the idea that Fisher will return to Philly to reprise his role as defensive coordinator. Much of the speculation comes from the recent hiring of the Titans' Jim Washburn and the fact that Fisher spent four of his first five coaching years on the Eagles' defensive staff, serving as DC from 1988-1990. However, at the moment it's doubtful that Fisher will be a candidate, having been a head coach since 1994, way back when the Titans were still the Houston Oilers. Smart money (barring an evaporated candidate pool) is on Fisher looking for a head coaching job for 2011, or short of that, I see him taking the Jim Mora route, perhaps taking a commentating job and job hunting for the 2012-2013 season.Sure to ad
d to the fuel of the rumor fire is the news that former Eagles linebacker Seth Joyner is interested in the spot left vacant by the firing of Bill Shuey. Joyner played for the Eagles from 1986-1993 under Buddy Ryan and DC Jeff Fisher.Long story short, the Eagles have a lot of spots to fill and decisions to make. Unfortunately, the clock is quickly ticking on these decisions.
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