Sunday, November 28, 2010

Games played streak ends at 96 for Parker

Juqua Parker’s streak of consecutive games played ended Sunday when the Eagles scratched the veteran defensive end.

Parker is nursing a strained hip flexor.

Parker’s streak was the second-longest streak in the league. Only Alex Brown of the New Orleans Saints has played in more consecutive games. Brown played in his 138th straight contest Sunday.

Parker was listed questionable on the Friday injury report.

Rookie Brandon Graham is slated to start at right end.

Pro Bowl cornerback Asante Samuel (sprained knee) didn’t make the trip while defensive tackle Antonio Dixon (strained abdomen), the other Eagle questionable on the injury report, dressed for the game.

The Eagles also scratched wide receiver Chad Hall, newly acquired cornerback Brandon Hughes, offensive linemen Reggie Wells and Austin Howard and tight end Garrett Mills.

Mike Kafka is the third quarterback.

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Blues Brothers Eagles

With Michael Vick in sunglasses driving the beat-up Dodge, the Eagles came up with a Blues Brothers-style video to get pumped for the Bears. Something like that.

http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/grizzly-detail/Eagles-Hype-Video-Makes-Us-Laugh-110850184.html

Scratch Samuel for Bears

Eagles CB Asante Samuel (knee) has been listed as OUT and will not make the trip to Chicago.



Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Samuel to appeal $40,000 fine; no appeal to Deion, though; and Herremans gets fined $5,000 for illegal block

First reported by Delcotimes.com via Twitter, Eagles cornerback Asante Samuel was billed $40,000 by the NFL for his helmet-to-helmet hit on Giants wide receiver Derek Hagan.

Samuel will appeal the fine.

"It's crazy," he said.

Samuel's teammates felt the 15-yard penalty assessed by Ron Winter's crew was unnecessary because the helmet-to-helmet collision was unavoidable.

Additionally Samuel acknowledged he's ticked at Deion Sanders' assessment of him as the best "off corner" in football. The inference was that Samuel wasn't physical enough to bump receivers at the line of scrimmage.

While Samuel issued a "No comment," teammates had something to say.

"If Asante wanted to press, he'd be the best press corner in football," Eagles safety Quintin Mikell said. "He shuts people down. But he understands that if you're playing off, you're going to get more chances to make plays. He has what, seven interceptions? I think he's the best corner in football. I think that qualifier needs to be taken off. I think that's bullbleep."

Also Eagles guard Todd Herremans was fined $5,000 for a high-low block on Giants defensive tackle Chris Canty. Center Mike McGlynn had an arm on the Giant when Herremans cut him. Herremans won't appeal the fine.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

End of the line for Hobbs

The Eagles put cornerback Ellis Hobbs on injured reserve.

While it’s still not been determined if Hobbs will need surgery to repair a disc in his neck, this could be the end of the line with the Eagles. Hobbs’ contract is up after this season.

The Eagles agreed to terms with cornerback Brandon Hughes, a product of the Giants, who will join the practice squad.

Hobbs was hurt returning the opening kickoff of the second half Sunday night. Slowed by a hip flexor, Hobbs lost his starting job to Dimitri Patterson, who has three interceptions.

Hobbs, who has one pick, missed the last nine games of the 2009 season after surgery on an injured disc.

Monday, November 22, 2010

Reid-action to 'Chilly' firing


Andy Reid had a hard time with Brad Childress getting axed by the Vikings.

Reid didn't directly rip Vikings ownership on his weekly radio show Monday but he did imply the decision to can "Chilly," as he's known to his players, was a knee-jerk reaction.

"This guy was in the NFC championship game, a couple of points away from going to the Super Bowl – one play away from going to the Super Bowl - and now he doesn’t have a job," Reid said. "It’s a crazy, crazy business."
Big Red also was shaken by Childress getting replaced by Leslie Frazier, an assistant under Reid.

“It’s a little bit like sweet and sour pork," Reid said. "The sour part is that Brad was fired. He’s one of my closer friends. That’s a sad deal. ... And on the other side of that I’m looking at Leslie Frazier and I’m thinking this guy will be a phenomenal head coach. But I just didn’t expect it to happen that way and I don’t think Brad or Leslie wanted it to happen that way.”

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Ditka's scheme to defend Vick

Pro Football Hall of Fame tight end Mike Ditka and Super Bowl-winning head coach Mike Ditka offered gratuitious advice to the Giants and defensive coordinator Perry Fewell, who has to defend Eagles quarterback Michael Vick tonight.

"You cannot all-out rush this guy," Ditka said on ESPN Countdown. "You’ve got to keep in your zone. … Nobody in football has ever done this, what he can do to a defense. Keep under control, keep your lanes, you might have a chance if you cover somebody downfield.”

Vick highlights to start your afternoon

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Eagles ... Giants ... notes

NEW YORK GIANTS:  In last game vs. Phi., QB ELI MANNING completed 27 of 38 (71.1 pct.) for 391 yards with 3 TDs vs. 0 INTs for 130.5 rating…RB AHMAD BRADSHAW aims for 3rd in row vs. Phi. with rush TD.  Ranks 3rd in NFC in scrimmage yards (1,040).  RB BRANDON JACOBS has 5 rush TDs in past 6.  Had rush TD in last game vs. Phi…WR HAKEEM NICKS ties for NFL lead with career-high 9 rec. TDs.  Has 27 catches for 366 yards (122 per game) &5 TDs in past 3 on road.  Aims for 4th road game in row with 100+ yards &TD.  WR MARIO MANNINGHAM tied career-high with 10 catches for 91 yards & TD last week.  TE KEVIN BOSS aims for 3rd in row vs. Phi. with 70+ yards & TD…DE OSI UMENYIORA aims for 6th in row vs. Phi. with sack (incl. playoffs) & has 10 sacks in past 5, incl. career-best 6 (9/30/07).  Has 8 sacks & 6 FFs in past 6…

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES:  Had team-record 592 total yards last week…QB MICHAEL VICK last week became 1st player in NFL history with 300+ pass yards (333), 50+ rush yards (80), 4 pass TDs & 2 rush TDs in game.  Has not thrown INT in 180 att…RB LESEAN MC COY rushed for 82 yards (7.5 avg.) & TD in last home game vs. NYG.  Leads NFL RBs with 46 receptions.  RB JEROME HARRISON rushed for 109 yards & TD last week…In last meeting, WR-PR DE SEAN JACKSON had 6 rec. for 178 yards (29.7 avg.) & TD (60 yards) & also had 72-yard PR-TD.  Has scored 22 TDs (16 rec., 3 rush, 3 PR) in career & averages 45.7 yards per TD (1,006 yards).  TE BRENT CELEK aims for 4th in row vs. NYG with TD catch (incl. playoffs).  WR JEREMY MACLIN had 23-yard TD catch in last home meeting…Team has sack in 28 games in row, longest current NFL streak.  DE TRENT COLE has 4 sacks is past 4.  CB DIMITRI PATTERSON had 2 INTs last week, incl. 40-yard INT-TD.  CB ASANTE SAMUEL has INT in 2 of past 3 vs. NYG (incl. playoffs). 

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Vick is NFC offensive player of week - again

Michael Vick was named NFC offensive player of the week for the second straight week.
Vick is the first quarterback to win back-to- back honors since Randall Cunningham in weeks 4 and 5 off the 1998 season with the Vikings.

Monday, November 15, 2010

Agent: McNabb wants to retire a Redskin (excuse me while I ...)

Fletcher Smith, the agent for Donovan McNabb, said his client wants to finish his career with the Washington Redskins.

What else was he going to say after sources say McNabb agreed to terms on a five-year $78 million contract with $41 million guaranteed?

"He's always said he wants to retire here," Smith said Monday night. "So he still feels that way."

Smith said he and the Redskins worked on the pact for five months.

But Smith wasn't smiling when asked if there was any doubt McNabb's future would be with the Redskins after what happened when the quarterback was benched two Sundays ago by head coach Mike Shanahan.

Well, was there?

"Not really," Smith said. "Donovan is a professional. and this is not the first bit of adversity that he's had to deal with. And as you all saw he handled it with as much dignity and class as he's done most of his - all of his career, really. So it was a small blip on the radar. We put it behind us. He put it behind him. I  asked him if he wanted to be here and he said that he loved it here, loved his teammates, loved the city and the way the fans have embraced him and the organization as well. So as long as he was happy here it made it easy for us to get this done."

Was it me or did McNabb not mention the coaching staff including Shanahan and his son, offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan? Thank you.

McNabb sets the bar for Vick

Donovan McNabb is worth $41 million guaranteed.


Michael Vick? If he leads the Eagles to the Super Bowl the organization would have to put at least that on the table if they want to keep him around after this season.

McNabb's five-year, $78 million deal, according to sources, averages $15.6 million. The frachise tender at quarterback for 2010 was $16.4 million. That number seems likely to go up after Tom Brady inked a four-year, $72 million extension with $48.5 million guaranteed. Peyton Manning is another elite quarterback who stands to break the bank.

Vick told me if he "wins some more games" he would be in line for elite-level money.

The way he's playing football it's difficult to disagree.

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Reid: "The next (QB) comes in and ... we just keep going"

Still cannot get over what Andy Reid said Saturday after being asked if the offense would reach its true potential only after one quarterback played for an extended stretch.

The answer should have been 'yes.' How hard is that?

Due to injuries and misjudgment, let me add, Reid has gone back and forth with Kevin Kolb and Michael Vick at quarterback.

Vick clearly is the better guy when healthy. Take a voice vote in that locker room and even Brent Celek would go with Vick.

Reid admitted he erred at quarterback when he stuck with Vick rather than return to Kolb after the latter healed from a concussion.

But this was Reid's answer when asked if the offense wouldn’t reach its peak until one quarterback is in the lineup for a long stretch:

“You know, I haven’t felt that way," Reid said. "You’d think that would be the case. That’s kind of what’s unique about this here. That next guy comes in and it’s not like we back up, we just keep going. Give him what we need to give him and they roll.”

Maybe Reid was doing his executive vice president of football operations thing. There is a lot of talk about a new contract for Vick.

If Big Red was trying to say something about the immense talents of wide receiver DeSean Jackson, who has made Vick, Kolb and former Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb all look good,  then maybe he ought to adjust DJax's contract.

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Cole wants to hit McNabb 'hard'

Trent Cole explains what he really meant in those Sirius Radio remarks about Donovan McNabb.
In the video Cole credits the Eagles  improved run defense to fundamentals.

Friday, November 12, 2010

Vic Abiamiri done for year ... and then some?

Despite the best efforts of defensive end Victor Abiamiri to rehab from microfracture knee surgery, the 2007 second-round pick out of Notre Dame will stay on the physically unable to perform list the rest of the season.

The Eagles confirmed it Friday.

Brackett fined for hit on Vick

Colts linebacker Gary Brackett was fined $10,000 for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Mike Vick this past Sunday.

Specifically Brackett was billed for "Roughing the passer. He unncecessarily struck the quarterback with his helmet."

The good news for the Eagles was defender Trent Cole avoided fines for a couple of hits to Colts quarterback Peyton Manning.

Eagles, Redskins notes ...

From NFL.com:

EAGLES:  QB MICHAEL VICK is 3-1 as starter on MNF.  Has 5 rush TDs on MNF.  Leads NFL with 105.3 rating & has 0 INTs…RB LE SEAN MC COY had career-high 12 catches for 110 yards & 174 scrimmage yards in last meeting.  Is 1 of 3 players in NFL with 500+ rush (572) & 300+ rec. (301) yards.  Ties for 1st among NFL RBs with 41 receptions…WR-PR DE SEAN JACKSON has scored 21 TDs (15 rec., 3 rush, 3 PR) in career & averages 43.7 yards per TD (918 yards).  Has 4 TDs (2 rec., 1 rush, 1 PR) in career vs. Was. & averages 56.8 yards per TD.  WR JEREMY MACLIN has 22 catches for 344 yards (86 per game) & 2 TDs in past 4.  TE BRENT CELEK had TD catch in last meeting…DE TRENT COLE had 4 sacks is past 4 meetings.  Is 3rd in NFL with 49 sacks since 2006.  CB ASANTE SAMUEL had 2 INTs in 11/29/09 meeting.  Has 34 INTs since 2006, most in NFL.  Had 2 INTs last week.  Aims for 4th in row with INT.

REDSKINS:  QB DONOVAN MC NABB defeated former team in Week 4.  When he has 100+ rating (min. 10 att.), his teams are 46-2 (.958), incl. playoffs.  Aims for 3rd consecutive win on MNF…In 2 career starts with 20+ att., RB RYAN TORAIN has 225 yards (112.5 per game) & 2 TDs.  Has 3 TDs (2 rush, 1 rec.) in past 3.  RB KEILAND WILLIAMS has 2 TDs (1 rush, 1 rec.) in past 3…TE CHRIS COOLEY had TD in last meeting.  Is 2nd among NFC TEs with 39 receptions.  WR SANTANA MOSSaims for 5th in row with 5+ catches.  Rookie KR-PR-WR BRANDON BANKS had club record 271 total return yards (213 KR, 58 PR), incl. 96-yard KR-TD, in Week 8.  WR ANTHONY ARMSTRONG had 3 catches for career-high 92 yards in Week 8.  Averaging 21.6 yards per catch (17 for 368).  TE FRED DAVIS aims for 3rd in row on MNF with TD…LB BRIAN ORAKPO has 5 sacks in past 4.  CB DE ANGELO HALL has 5 INTs in past 2, incl. TD.

Favre tells NFL Network he won't be back in 2011 ( will No. 5 join 4?)

Brett Favre got old right in front of our eyes, didn't he?
The same thing is happening to Donovan McNabb. His last two coaches have benched him.
http://www.theredzone.org/BlogDescription/tabid/61/EntryId/12339/Favre-tells-NFL-Network-he-is-not-coming-back-for-2011-season/Default.aspx

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Ingram gets another shot

The Eagles signed tight end  Cornelius Ingram to the practice squad Thursday.

Hobbled by a swollen knee, the 6-6 University of Florida product was cut at the end of training camp.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Anderson heads to Eagles

The Eagles think career Vikings practice squad product Colt Anderson (5-10, 194) can help at safety, where Nate Allen is hurt.

http://m.helenair.com/sports/article_43293eee-ec98-11df-abb1-001cc4c002e0.html

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Vick player of week

Michael Vick was named NFC offensive player of the week for his performance against the Colts.

Vick was NFC offensive player of the month in September.

Monday, November 8, 2010

No fines for Coleman or Mikell on Collie collision

The NFL announced Monday that Eagles safety Kurt Coleman will not be fined for a hit in the second quarter of Sunday’s game between the Eagles and Colts.

The Eagles were penalized for unnecessary roughness for a hit on Colts wide receiver Austin Collie.

According the league explanation, the contact on Collie was initiated by Eagles safety Quintin Mikell, who delivered a legal hit with his shoulder to the chest area of Collie. That contact propelled Collie toward Coleman, causing Coleman to make helmet-to-helmet contact with Collie.

"Because the helmet-to-helmet contact was a result of Collie being driven toward Coleman by Mikell’s legal hit, there will be no fine for this action," the statement read. "Though there will be no fine issued in this instance, the play was properly officiated. Officials have been instructed to err on the side of player safety, and when in doubt, will penalize in situations such as this for unnecessary roughness."

Check out Eagles locker room celebration video around 2:55

What was that unidentified flying object impacting head coach Andy Reid in this video?

(http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/multimedia/index.asp?mm_file_id=9680&play_clip=y)

Whatever it was Big Red playfully scolded his players that they would have to assemble an extra day for the transgression (he relented; the players are off until Thursday).

We'll get to the bottom of it.

Until then enjoy the win, man.

Andy Reid punt, pass & kick pic

WIP 8:45 to 9 o'clock hour

Talking Mike Vick, big hits and everyone's favorite, Big Red with Angelo Cataldi and Rhea Hughes.

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Eagles lose starters Max Jean-Gilles, Nate Allen; Collie concussed

Great news for Colts wide receiver Austin Collie, who was stretchered off the field in the second quarter after getting sandwiched by Quintin Mikell and Kurt Coleman.

Premiliminarily Collie has only a concussion and nothing more serious.

Collie wasn't the only casualty in the first half.

When right guard Max Jean-Gilles went off with a concussion in the second quarter, the Eagles' already redzone challenged offense skipped another beat.

Nick Cole looked out of sync trying to replace Jean-Gilles, who in all likelihood will miss at least a couple of weeks.

The news was not good for rookie safety Nate Allen, either. Allen was getting his upper back and neck X-rayed after being scraped off the bottom of the pile in the second quarter. Rookie Kurt Coleman took over.

In the first quarter Eagles cornerback Asante Samuel missed a series with an undisclosed ailment.

McNabb soiled again

Saturday, November 6, 2010

New helmet wouldn't have prevented last DJax concussion

DeSean Jackson has nothing to lose trying out a new helmet that could reduce the possibility of a concussion.


Two concussions in less than three NFL seasons are reason for the ultra-talented Eagles receiver,to reach out for any available help.

But unless we're totally missing something the safer helmet wouldn't have prevented Jackson from passing out on the hit from Dunta Robinson three Sundays ago.

Robinson cracked Jackson in the upper chest and chin, not the helmet. Jackson was out before he hit the ground. It's doubtful there is any helmet that could have prevented that concussion.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Reid, Hobbs question media; DJax says he's game-time decision

A very interesting Wednesday for the Eagles starting with Andy Reid's announcement that Dimitri Patterson would start at cornerback instead of Ellis Hobb, who is battling a strained hip flexor.

Reid conceded the injury occurred during Hobb's disastrous performance two Sundays ago against receiver Kenny Britt and the Titans.

"We'll let that calm down a little bit," Reid said.
There was no calm on this day, though.

First, Reid became testy when it was suggested Hobb's injury had been hidden.

"Is there something here I don't know?" Reid said.

Then Hobbs tried to explain the injury came before the performance, or lack thereof. You know how football players get walking that fine line between whiner and macho when it comes to injuries. Finally Hobbs believes he's giving his job up only temporarily - and for the good of the team.

"Right now, no, I'm not disappointed at all," Hobbs said. "Me and (Reid) talked. I told him how I was feeling, what was going on. And  totally we're both on the same page. Right now I've got to get myself right in order to perform. We're going from practice to practice. As of right now I'm not practicing today and we're going from that."

Hobbs then took umbrage when it was suggested Patterson had won the starting job.

Hobbs says he doesn't follow news reports but his friends do.

"They tell me things and I just don't appreciate people just railroading that to the fans and everything as far as, 'OK, this guy had a bad game and now he's (benched),' " Hobbs said. "That's not the case. It's something totally different than what you guys are looking at. And like I said, it's my personal right not to disclose that right now. But just don't go out there now running on assumptions. That's all I ask. Just don't take something and run for it. Leave it at, we had a bad game. Probably one of my worst games ever. But it's much more beyond that. Unfortunately we're not dealing with everything you can see right now."

Reid indicated Hobbs and offensive tackle King Dunlap (hyperextended knee) would have a tough time getting healthy enough to oppose the Indianapolis Colts Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field.

Meanwhile DeSean Jackson returned to practice having passed his concussion tests. Barring setbacks, he's on track to get back into action.

"DeSean has passed his tests, visited with the doctors and did everything," Reid said. "We'll take it day by day and see how he does."

Eagles Pro Bowl ballot

Michael Vick, not Kevin Kolb, is the Eagles’ candidate at quarterback for the NFC Pro Bowl team.

Owen Schmitt, not the injured Leonard Weaver, is on the ballot at fullback.

DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin and Jason Avant are candidates at wide receiver.