Mike Mayock always has believed Eagles head coach Andy Reid has been underappreciated.
 The NFL Network Thursday Night Football analyst doesn't like the way the Eagles are playing offense, though.
“It is critical that the Eagles find a way for LeSean McCoy to get more touches," Mayock said I'm a statement. "Last week against New England, he only had 14 touches in the entire game. They need to get McCoy the ball 20-25 times and make a concerted effort in the run game to get him as many touches as possible and stay more balanced."
Defensively Mayock likes the Philly pass rush versus quarterback Tarvaris Jackson, sacked 28 times this season. Jackson also has thrown 12 interceptions.
It could get interesting when Mayock does the Eagles-Seahawks game Thursday night in Seattle.
The Eagles have taken a lot of criticism league-wide and Mayock isn't shy about expressing himself.
Don't expect the Newtown Square resident to go easy on Big Red, who lives in Radnor Township.

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Third in NFL with 9 drops.

Andy Reid's relationship with diva wide receiver DeSean Jackson could be getting icier.

Reid finessed his way around questions about Jackson's Sunday post-game remarks of "always, always" keeping his head “on a swivel."

Jackson was benched Sunday for playing safe, uninspired football. He gave up on two balls over the middle by flopping to the ground to protect himself. One throw was in the end zone.

Reid claims he's unconcerned that attitude will rub off on players.

“He needs to just continue to move forward after the last game, he mentioned it to you, and have a good game this week,” Reid said. “That’s what he’s going to work on doing.”

Only Roddy White (11) and Brandon Marshall (10) have dropped more passes this season than Jackson, who has nine such transgressions according to Stats LLC.

Eagles tight end Brent Celek has five drops, running back LeSean McCoy four.

Jackson was scratched one game for missing a special teams meeting remains the starter, per Reid.

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Eagles quarterback Michael Vick has been cleared to throw on the side during practice Tuesday.

Vick (ribs) and wide receiver Jeremy Maclin (hamstring) will be held out of practice according to Andy Reid. Also sidelined is offensive lineman King Dunlap, still not all the way back from a concussion.

Vince Young is slated to take the first-team snaps at quarterback Tuesday and is likely to start his third straight game. Reid says Vick has improved but still is in pain when he "torques" his body throwing the ball. 



Cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha (knee) and running back LeSean McCoy (sprained toe) likely will be limited at practice as the Eagles gear up for the Seattle Seahawks Thursday night at CenturyLink Field. 

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ET could have been an Eagle.

The Eagles finally got a break.

When they take on the Seahawks Thursday night their hosts will be without their second-best player, wide receiver Sidney Rice.

In the last game Rice sustained his second concussion in three weeks.

You've got to be wondering who the Seahawks top player is. That would be safety Earl Thomas, the guy the Eagles should have selected in the draft where they moved up to choose defensive end Brandon Graham.



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CBS analyst Dan Dierdorf made it clear during an appearance on the WIP morning show Monday he would not speculate on the future of Eagles head coach  Andy Reid.

But Dierdorf worked the Eagles-Patriots game Sunday, and had a lot on his mind.

Dierdorf, who called the play of the Eagle  secondary "soft" in the 38-20 loss Sunday to the Patriots, hinted the  talent didn't match the team's 4-7 record.

"Sometimes it's just time," Dierdorf said in general of a coaching change.

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(below, LeSean McCoy, Asante Samuel talk about the season)

Nnamdi Asomugha is going to give his hyperextended knee a game test against the Patriots tonight.

Asomugha looked OK in the early part of warmups but was dragging the leg a little as the pregame wore on.

Vince Young starts his second straight game at quarterback for the Eagles in place of Mike Vick, who was scratched.

Riley Cooper starts at wide receiver in place of Jeremy  Maclin, deactivated along with Domonique Rodgers-Cromartie, Brandon Graham, King Dunlap, Julian Vandervelde and Phillip Hunt..

(Below, Asomugha tests his knee in pregame)

High-fived referee Jerome Boger.

Quarterback Vince Young has a pretty good history with Jerome Boger, the referee when the Eagles take on the Patriots Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field.

Believe it or not, Young high-fived Boger while running off the field after leading the Titans to a 2009 Monday night victory over Houston.

With a Titans victory safely in the pocket, Young performed the final kneeldown. On the way past Boger, whose signal the play was over made him look like he was requesting the high-five, Young slapped the hand of the referee.

Here’s the video and, uh, commentary.

BTW the NFL investigated the episode. It determined what happened wasn't a high-five but rather the appearance of a high-five.

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&
Big Eagles practice day.

Nnamdi Asomugha (knee), Michael Vick (ribs) and Jeremy Maclin (shoulder)  didn't practice Friday.

The injury report comes out after practice.

Don't expect any of them to play Sunday against the Patriots.

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (ankle) practiced but King Dunlap (concussion) did not. Don't count on them thomas weekend, either.

Hurt at practice Thursday.

Eagles cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha was carted off the field Thursday afternoon with a left knee injury.

 

Asomugha was in considerable pain as he was helped out of the cart and into the NovaCare Complex by Eagles trainer Rick Burkholder.

The Eagles were counting on Asomugha to help out in coverage on tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez, who have 15 touchdown receptions between them.

Asomugha already had a key role in the game plan versus New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady.

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Back to work.

Pro Bowl wide receiver DeSean Jackson returned to practice Thursday.

But for the second straight day Michael Vick watched quarterback Vince Young run the offense.


Jackson showed no sign of the foot sprain that cost him the Wednesday practice.

But Jeremy Maclin (shoulder, hamstring) sat out practice, a setback in that he worked Wednesday.

Privately it's looking like Vick will rest at least another week as he mends from two cracked ribs on his left side. He's been able to throw, just not real comfortable twisting and doing stuff quarterbacks do in games.


Offensive lineman King Dunlap (concussion) didn't practice.

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NFL  medical and training staffs already challenged by concussion protocol now can look forward to getting in-game telephone calls from league officials ordering them to evaluate players.

The league observer at games can give the order any time they suspect a concussion or other injury has occured. NFL monitors in New York also can give  the order through the observer.

The change is primarily for improving concussion safety. Teams were notified in  a memo Tuesday.

"The purpose ....is to allow the NFL Observer to alert the Athletic Training staff to a possible injury that may have been missed at field-level," per the report.

The trainers and doctors then must evaluate the player or players brought to their attention.

NFL Players Association medical director Dr. Thom Mayer signed off on the new process effective Thanksgiving Day.

To beat the Patriots this weekend the Eagles need to blow up tight end Rob Gronkowski, who has 10 touchdown spikes this season and counting.

Gronkowski has the whole package - hands, speed, size and a booming spike,

No tight end has gotten 20 TDs faster than the Gronk, who has done it in just 25 games. He caught four passes for 96 yards and two spikes to spark the Patriots to a 34-3 Monday night victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Eagles lately done a decent job against tight ends, limiting Jake Ballard to one reception for 13 yards in their 17-10 win over the Giants Sunday night.

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Defensive end Daniel Te'o-Nesheim was signed off the Eagles practice squad Tuesday by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

TO is a 2010 third round pick the Eagles couldn't wait to get bigger and play faster. TO wasn't close to his program specs of  6-3, 263 pounds.

Interestingly the Eagles signed a larger defensive end to take the open spot on their practice squad.

The guy is Maurice Fountain (6-4, 270), who grew one inch and gained seven pounds between Miami and Seattle.

Fountain played for the United Football League champion Virginia Destroyers.

Fountain was in the 50-plus games played club at Clemson, where he was a linebacker.

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Eagles 4-1 when he rushes for 100 yards in 2011.

LeSean McCoy rushed for 113 yards to spark the Eagles to a 17-10 victory over the Giants.

The only thing that went wrong for McCoy Sunday was his record streak for consecutive games with a touchdown coming to an end at 9.

Ironically the streak died on the second-longest run of McCoy's career, a 60-yard jaunt late in the game. McCoy was pushed out of bounds at the 2-yard line.

It was the fifth 100-plus yard rushing effort of the season for McCoy, the Eagles sporting a 4-1 mark in those games.

McCoy’s 1,019 rushing yards lead the NFL and are the most ever by an Eagle through the team’s first 10 games.

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The rest of DeSean Jackson's interview with Michael Irvin aired on the NFL Network.

Let's just say there was a lot of empty talk.

No problem with Jackson believing he has elite skills although he hasn't shown it lately.

“I think right in that range; maybe top five in the NFL," Jackson said. "As far as my playmaking skills and ability, punt returns, dynamic duo of being able to get the ball and score at any point on the field. (Larry) Fitzgerald, he’s a great receiver don’t get me wrong but he doesn’t play special teams so I think that’s the extra edge to it.”

The Eagles obviously believe Jackson is on a differrnt pay tier our they would have struck a deal. DJax lamented he's hurt the Eagles left him out of their spending spree. The Birds invested $225 million and counting on free agents and extending Mike Vick.

Despite feeling underpaid, undervalued and unappreciated Jackson, scratched last week for blowing off a special teams meeting, says Philly is where he wants to be. Moving on?

“Not right now. I can’t see it," Jackson said. "I’m just keeping hope that the man above has a spot for me here in Philadelphia. If I could paint the picture and have everything the way I want it to be, I would say I would stay here.”


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VY after blurting 'Dream Team'

Everyone knows Vince Young likes to go to his right.

Stopping him is another matter.

The Eagles need the old college try from Young Sunday night. The fourth-and-five Young late in that national championship game.

SC could saw VY running right. Saw him run right into the end zone for the title.


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Eagles diva who feels unwanted.

You can never have enough great players.

Unless you're a grinder like Andy Reid.

For whatever reason - fear of confrontation, personal makeup, inability to express himself verbally - Big Red just cannot seem to manage superstar egos.

That doesn't make him a bad coach.

If the front office is intent on stocking the roster with the special needs of DeSean Jackson, Asante Samuel, Mike Vick and Nnamdi Asomugha, it would be a good idea to have someone else dealing with those guys.

The strange saga of Jackson looks very much like it could come to an unhappy resolution. He doesn't feel wanted.

Another looming issue is running back LeSean McCoy, who is at least as deserving of a contract extension as Jackson.

Another Eagles diva who feels unwanted.

It's tough to rely on Reid soothing those egos and doing his job when his authority is questioned. Samuel and Jackson have done just that.

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Michael Vick (ribs) wasn't at attend practice Friday, as he rehabbed indoors.

Andy Reid will update Vick's status at his post-practice news conference.

Reid's agent, Bob Lamonte, attended practice. Lamonte said it was a routine personal visit that will continue through the weekend.

Wide receiver Jeremy Maclin (shoulder, hamstring), offensive lineman King Dunlap and cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (ankle) didn't practice.

(below, get ready for a big announcement)

Always played hurt.

Friday morning protocol for the Eagles is trainer Rick Burkholder and Andy Reid speaking about the health of players who must be listed on the injury report.

What they decide to do with quarterback Mike Vick will tell you how badly they want to beat the Giants this Sunday night.

Vick was kept out of practice this week due to two cracked ribs on his lower left side.

Unless he's failed to make any real progress in his rehab the Eagles won't rule him "out" of their critical game at the Meadowlands.

If Vick can play at all, it would be an inspiration for coaches and teammates still so new to each other  they've found it impossible to rally around anything for a full 60 minutes.

Listing Vick out would be kind of like waving the white flag on the season.

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Dissension?

 

Not in this Eagles locker room.

Predictably none of the players on the 3-6 Eagles have seen evidence of it.

Now, frustration ... 

“There’s no dissension,” veteran Jason Avant said, echoing teammates. “But when you lose games everyone is frustrated. Especially when you’re dealing with guys who don’t know how to lose well, with athletes that have been winning their whole lives. I don’t think there’s dissension. I just think we have to get our heads together and come up with a formula to win games.”

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Quarterback Michael Vick, who cracked two ribs on his left lower side last week, watched but didn't participate in practice Wednesday.

Backup Vince Young, who dressed for the last game, and Mike Kafka were given the first-team snaps at quarterback.

Andy Reid blew off a counterpoint to Pro Bowl wide receiver DeSean Jackson, upset he was benched after missing a team meeting.

"I'm not even going there," Reid said Wednesday. "I'm thinking about the Giants."

Jackson declined comment in the morning locker room.
 
Jackson apologized to teammates and spoke with Reid after being scratched Sunday. It was the coach's decision after DJax missed a special teams meeting Saturday.


Just when it appeared the issue would die, Jackson's interview with Michael Irving that aired Tuesday on the NFL Network gave the matter another life.


“Honestly, I’ve never seen Coach Reid do anything like that. I’ve never seen him bench anybody for missing a meeting.”



Privately Eagles players Brodrick Bunkley, Hugh Douglas, Correll Buckhalter and Todd Herremans were disciplined by Reid for missing meetings.

Bunkley, Douglas and Buckhalter sat out games. Herremans said he was kept out of the starting lineup several times for meeting issues.

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The Linc last Sunday without DJax

Sounds like DeSean Jackson, Eagles head coach Andy Reid and the front office aren't on the same page.

Sounds like there really is  some sort of  power struggle going on based on Michael Irvin's NFL Network interview of 

Jackson, part of which ran Wednesday.

Jackson was scratched Sunday after missing an 8:30 a.m. Saturday meeting.

Reid said no one, himself included, was above the team.
Jackson apologized to teammates. Four days after being disciplined, he suggested he was made an example of. And not necessarily by Reid.

Irvin: “You missed the special teams meeting, but you got there for a team meeting. You were 20 minutes late, 25 minutes late. Is this protocol to not let the guy play at all?”

Jackson: “Honestly, I’ve never seen Coach Reid do anything like that. I’ve never seen him bench anybody for missing a meeting.”

Jackson later said his lateness was unacceptable.

"But I’ve never been a problem, never been a distraction," he said. "I just come to work and do my thing.”

Two weeks ago Asante Samuel said  there was a power struggle among Reid, team president Joe Banner and general manager Howie Roseman.

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Index finger was tipoff.

Rookie safety Jaiquawn Jarrett was supposed to get help from veteran Asante Samuel on the 37-yard Larry Fitzgerald reception that set up the triumphant touchdown for the Cardinals Sunday, a source said.

Samuel wasn't in the same area code when Fitzgerald made the grab after getting slightly behind Jarrett. It could have been a different story had Samuel run with Fitzgerald, who turned what was supposed to  be a double-team into a one-on-one, veteran versus rookie play. Fitzgerald made a fingertips catch.

After the game Samuel expressed frustration with the loss. But did he really need to lobby a writer for a future Pro Football Hall of Fame vote while exiting with the game ball from his ninth career pick-six?

Fitzgerald had five catches for 94 yards and a TD in the fourth quarter and seven catches  for 146 and two TDs in the win.

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Ribs are third injury in 2011

Michael Vick cracked the two lower ribs on his throwing side on the second play of what would be a 21-17  loss to the Cardinals Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field.

It looks a lot like Vince Young or Mike Kafka will start Sunday against the Giants at Met-Life Stadium.


"I'm just going to take it one day at a time and see what happens," Vick said. "I just kept going. The adrenaline kicked in. I tried to block it out, keep playing. What are you going to do?  I just thought I could be a difference-maker."

Vick wasn't wearing his new Kevlar jacket, having switched to another more comfortable protection. He regrets it.

Vick also has second thoughts about keeping himself in his worst game with the Eagles. He completed just 16 of 34 attempts for 128 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions.

"Maybe it was selfish to stay out there but it wasn't affecting me," Vick said. "It was the collection of hits that started to take a toll on me. I've just got to start to realize that I can't do it all."

Vick said he didn't notify the Eagles about the injury until after the game.

"I just gutted it out," he said. "I've been through worse. I just feel like I had to keep going."

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Running back Le Sean McCoy is back with agent Drew Rosenhaus, a source said.

But McCoy's back-and-forth relationship with Rosenhaus, who he has fired twice, obviously is subject to change.

McCoy also considered signing with agents Joel Segal, J.R. Rickert and Eugene Parker.

Rosenhaus represents DeSean Jackson, scratched Sunday for missing a special teams meeting Saturday. Jackson has  been trying to get a contract extension for two years.

McCoy has another year left on his contract. In recent weeks he has privately spoken about a new contract in broad terms.

JoePa could have made a difference.

Former Penn State assistant coach Jerry Sandusky creeped people out with his alleged criminal behavior with boys.


The mere thought of being on the same practice field with Sandusky, a guest of the unwitting Eagles, makes me cringe.

I'll bet the fans sitting in the stands with him during Eagles games feel much the same way.

I'll never know what it was like for the victims, just that there is no way their lives could hope to be the same.

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Eagles owner expected more.

Jeremy Maclin leads the Eagles with 44 receptions and four touchdown catches.

The veteran wide receiver also tops the team in plays he hasn't made late in close ball games.

Maclin's personal struggles are the story of this Eagles season.

The Eagles have their fingers crossed they will be part of the 5 percent of NFL teams to reach the postseason after starting 3-5, not the 95 percent who put in all of their hard work for nothing.

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Biug toe hurts.

Safety Nate Allen (concussion) and left guard Evan Mathis (big toe) have been ruled out for the Eagles' game Sunday with the Arizona Cardinals.

Defensive end Juqua Parker (ankle) practiced fully Friday and is listed as questionable.

Rookie Jaiquawn Jarrett (Temple) and veteran King Dunlap start in place of the injured players.

The host Eagles (3-5) are 15-point favorites over the Cardinals (2-6), who likely will be without quarterback Kevin Kolb (injured toe, foot), the former Eagle.


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  Just can't picture a 'Marty' statue

Eagles offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg is being mentioned as a candidate for the Penn State football head coaching job, when it becomes available.

Don't count on that. Mornhinweg's son Sykler, who orally committed to Penn State, might find another place to play according to a team source.

The source doesn't think Mornhinweg will comment about the PSU job or the future of his son at the Eagles coordinators news conferences Thursday

Skyler Mornhinweg (6-3, 215) also was heavily recruited by Stanford, Tennessee and Alabama.

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