Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Radnor High's Tunnell first African American inducted into Hall of Fame

@ProFootballHOF: Class of '67 enshrinee Emlen Tunnell was born on this day in 1925.

See his HOF bio: http://bit.ly/goqplp
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Monday, March 28, 2011

Peters busted; disturbing peace

Eagles offensive tackle Jason Peters was arrested in Shreveport, La. for disturbing the peace (http://tinyurl.com/4spwgqp).

Right offensive tackle King Dunlap was arrested a few weeks ago for disobeying a police request to move his vehicle in Tennessee (he was picking up his disabled father).

Both have plenty of time to get their stories right and/or show remorse. They're forbidden from speaking to the coaching staff until the lockout is over.
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Friday, March 25, 2011

With two compensatory draft picks, Eagles have 10 to reload

The Eagles were awarded two seventh round compensatory picks for the 2011 NFL draft, giving them 10 total selections.

The breakdown:
First round – 23 overall
Second round – 54 overall
Third round – 85 overall
Fourth round –104 overall
Fourth tound – 120 overall
Fifth round – 149 overall (from San Diego)
Fifth round –153 overall
Seventh round – 228 overall (from Seattle)
Seventh round –236 overall (compensatory selection)
Seventh round –239 overall (compensatory selection)
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Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Eagles win battle to retain third replay challenge in games

The NFL has decided the replay official can review all scoring plays at any time during games.

That could result in an increase in reviewable plays from "5 to 15 percent" according to NFL Competition Committee co-chairman Rich McKay.

As if that's not enough interference, McKay also said the Eagles successfully pressed the committee to retain a third replay challenge for teams that prevailed on their first two challenges.

Curiously Andy Reid has never used a third challenge in his long and futile battle challenging reviewable plays. Reid batted 3-for-7 in challenges (42.66 percent), the 12th-worst conversion rate in the league but pretty good for a guy who entered the season batting in the low .300's.

According to NFL records only the Lions challenged fewer plays last year than the Eagles. The only winning teams with a worse success rate worse than the Eagles in 2010 were the Ravens, Bears, Jaguars, Jets and Steelers.

Additionally the replay official overturned just 32 130 plays last year (24.62 pecent). Only the Browns (16.67 percent), the Ravens (18.8 percent) and and the Panthers (21.43) had worse success rates in 2010.

The league also has moved kickoffs from the 30 to the 35-yard line and reduced the start of the covering team to five yards. It's an effort to improve player safety on one of the more violent phases of the game.

Moving touchbacks to the 25-yard line instead of the 20 and eliminating the blocking wedge also were discussed but not passed.

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Vick is Madden cover finalist

Eagles quarterback Michael Vick is among 32 finalists for the popular EA Sports Madden game cover.

You can vote for Vick or any of the other candidates at www.espn.com/madden/vote.

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Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Sikahema: Snake died with smile on face

10 NBC's Vai Sikahema, the former Philadelphia Eagle, couldn't help but weigh in on the busty model who was bit in the booby by a boa constrictor during a photo shoot.

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEkaGT-ON4M&feature=youtube_gdata_playerp)

The snake died because it ingested silicone during the event caught on camera.

"I heard it was a male," Sikahema said, "and it died with a smile on his face."

Vick gets endorsement deal

Michael Vick has agreed to endorse wristbands.

Specifically the the Core Synergy titanium- infused silicone wristband (http://www.coresynergy.net/).

A personalized line of Vick bands is scheduled to debut in the spring. A portion of the profits goes to football related charities.

"I am excited to work with entrepreneur Michael DiSabato in developing the Core Synergy product," Vick said in a release. "I love the design and feel of the band and as an athlete, I believe in everything it stands for. Through a partnership with USA Football, this product will also help in my effort to give back to the community and the sport I love."

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Lockout is no vacation for Eagles

The Eagles responded to the NFL decision they support that locks out the players, who are suing them for antitrust violations after their collective decision to decertify the union.

And again, it was on their terms in a letter to season ticket holders. The rest of Eagles Nation had to find it themselves.

Here it is http://tinyurl.com/4tt7pb3.

Basically the statement co-signed by owner Jeffrey Lurie and team president Joe Banner said what Banner had stated previously. The Eagles plan to be ready for the draft and to participate in the free agent player grab that will follow the legal wrangling and ultimately what will be the new Collective Bargaining Agreement. The Eagles figure there will be free agent bargains galore as a staggering group of more than 500 players and their agents trip over each other to sign on the dotted line before the money runs out.

Until then Lincoln Financial Field is available at The Lockout Discount for reunions, birthday parties, flea markets, rodeos, tractor pulls and if the lockout is as lengthy as some have predicted - 2 to 6 regular season games lost - the Eagles might even rent it out to the NHL for that outdoor hockey game they've already thumbed their noses at. The NHL

Friday, March 4, 2011

Eagles: Vick's not stiffing media

The jokes began almost immediately after ESPN's First Take felt Michael Vick nixed their interview request before the Maxwell Club's media luncheon.

First Take had been "Oprahed," a play on Vick's decision to cancel an appearance for Oprah Winfrey.

Eagles spokesman Derek Boyko said neither he nor Vick had received a request from First Take.

"Michael did not cancel the interview," said Boyko, who accompanied Vick to the Maxwell Club festivities at Harrah's Resort in Atlantic City. "It wasn't requested from Michael and it wasn't requested from me. Whatever Michael was asked to do, he did. He spoke to all of the media, and there was an autograph session."

Maxwell Club president Ron Jaworski apologized for the mess explaining in a statement that one of his people failed to arrange the interview.

And Vick, who told the media Friday he pulled out of the Winfrey interview because there were some issues he "didn't want to touch on," was left hanging.

Again.

Last week Vick drew the wrath of some media for not attending a charitable function the Eagles insist had been cancelled one week before it commenced.

"People are taking liberties with Michael Vick," Boyko said. "They're not getting confirmation from him or his P.R. staff."

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Eagles tender 2 more

The Eagles continued protecting their player rights Thursday, tendering contracts to two restricted free agents - restricted under the terms of the last year of the CBA, that is.

The Eagles announced tendered running back Jerome Harrison at second round compensation and punter Sav Rocca to a right of first refusal pacts.

Unless the players cave completely both guys will be unrestricted free agents when a new CBA is struck as they have more than four years of NFL service.

All of the players the Eagles dropped restricted free agent tenders on likely will be unrestricted free agents.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Akers won't sign transition tender; Vick will ink franchise tender

The Eagles announced quarterback Michael Vick signed his one-year franchise tender today.

The deal is worth $16.4 million, the average of the top five quarterback salaries.

But kicker David Akers won't ink the $2.8 million transition tender according to his agent, Jerrold Colton. There isn't a benefit for Akers to sign the deal. The veteran is hopeful of doing a longer deal or testing free agency if the NFL Players Association is correct arguing the tags are invalid if there is a work stoppage Thursday.

The exclusive rights franchise tender prohibits teams from making offers for Vick. The transition tag provides the Eagles with the right of first refusal refusal if teams offer Akers a contract.

Vick enjoyed a career year in quarterback rating (100.2), completion percentage (62.6) and passing yards (3,018). He became just the second player in league history to throw for 3,000 yards, rush for 500 yards and accrue a 100 passer rating in one season, joining Steve Young (1992).

Vick earned a starting spot on the NFC Pro Bowl squad while garnering NFL Comeback player of the year honors.