Not ready for the golf links.

Michael Vick made  no mention of reports suggesting the Eagles were playing "politics" with his concussion recovery to keep him off the field.

At least not in the statement Vick released through the Eagles Friday afternoon following angry retorts by head coach Andy Reid and trainer Rick Burkholder in addressing the "politics" thing.
 
“I want to thank my fans for the thousands of well wishes," the statement read. "I also appreciate the support of the entire Eagles organization. I feel strong and healthy.  As a professional athlete I want to play in every game but the NFL has a specific protocol to protect players. My focus is to complete this process successfully so I can rejoin my team on the field.”

Vick hasn't practiced or played since he was hurt three weeks ago in a 38-23 loss to the Cowboys at the Linc.

Vick didn't practice Friday and is listed "out" for this Sunday's game with the Cowboys.

Also out are running backs LeSean McCoy (concussion) and Chris Polk.

Center Dallas Clark (ankle) practiced fully Friday for the first time this week and is questionable for the Cowboys along with defensive tackle Fletcher Cox  (tailbone, funeral). Cox will join the Eagles in Dallas.


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Jack Bechta.

Jack Bechta has been a sports agent since his days at Texas A & M Kingsville.

One of his first clients was A & M product Darrell Green, who after an illustrious career at cornerback with the Washington Redskins was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Bechta has been in the business for more than 25 years. Long enough to know the signs when a franchise goes bad.

Read this piece he wrote for enlightenment. And ask yourself if any of the points apply to the Eagles.

Bechta (@JackBechta) was an All-Delco tight end at Darby-Colwyn High. He's one of the most trusted sports advisors in the business.

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Eagles

DJax (L) is on IR, McCoy a DNP.

No Participation: DT Fletcher Cox (tailbone), RB LeSean McCoy (concussion), RB Chris Polk (toe), C Dallas Reynolds (ankle), QB Michael Vick (concussion).

Limited Participation: OT King Dunlap (knee).

Full Participation: WR Jason Avant (hamstring), WR Riley Cooper (knee), RB Stanley Havili (ankle).

Cowboys

No Participation: C Phil Costa (ankle), RB Felix Jones (knee), NT Jay Ratliff (groin), CB Orlando Scandrick (hand).

Limited Participation: RB DeMarco Murray (foot), WR Austin Miles, DE Ben Bass (ankle), C Ryan Cook (knee), DE Sean Lissemore (ankle), OT Tyvon Smith (ankle),

Full participation: WR Kevin Ogletree (concussion), FB Lawrence Vickers (knee), S Danny McCray (hip), DL Jason Hatcher (concussion).

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Eagles starting QB following through.

It doesn't get any stranger than having a colleague lose their job while they're visiting.

Imagine how defensive end Trent Cole felt when Jason Babin got the termination call Tuesday afternoon.

"He was over at my house," Cole said. "When he said he got released I thought he was really just playing around. But then he said it's for real."

Cole felt it best just to be there for Babin.

"I didn't know what to say to him," Babin said. "I didn't have any words. It's a life-changing thing."


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Jenkins might not want to stand so close to Babin.

Cut by the Eagles, Pro Bowl defensive end Jason Babin shared some thoughts with the NFL Network on its Around the League Live segment.

Babin either sidestepped the issue of Andy Reid returning as head coach of the Eagles or has missed the obvious - the organization is going in another direction.

"I don’t know," Babin said. "It’s tough sometimes to listen to the media in Philadelphia because it’s a bit of a bubble in the media market. It can be different. You’ve seen a lot what they say about it. But he’s a good coach. He’s won a lot of games year in and year out.”

A bit of a bubble in the media market? No wonder Babin is so hard to like.

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Just when you thought the Eagles were content playing the season out without making carving up the roster they made a startling move Tuesday cutting defensive end Jason Babin.

Babin led the team with 5 1-2 sacks. He must clear waivers. You have to figure some team is going to pick him up although they would be on the hook for a big contract. Babin still is due $1.471 million prorated over the last five games.

“We appreciate everything that Jason has given this team over the last couple of years," Eagles head coach Andy Reid said in a release. "We wish him all the best as he continues his career. By releasing him today, this gives u s an opportunity to give more playing time to some of younger guys in the defensive line rotation.”

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The Eagles fired Tim McDermott, senior vice president and chief marketing officer.

Last week  the Eagles axed senior vice president of communication Rob Zeiger.

A source said several changes could be in the offing as the Eagles decide who should remain with the franchise going forward.

Head coach Andy Reid, his coaching staff and his players shouldn't feel too comfortable as they're 3-7, have lost six straight games entering their contest tonight against the Panthers and have just a 3 percent probability of reaching the playoffs.

In a statement the Eagles called the discharge of West Chester resident McDermott, the brother of former Eagles and current Panthers defensive coordinator Sean McDermott "amicable.

"The Eagles thank him for his work, value his past contributions and wish him well in his future endeavors," the club statement read. "The Eagles will not have any further comment on this matter."

McDermott couldn't be reached for comment but the Eagles offered this statement:

"The Eagles and I have parted on amicable terms," it read. "I have nothing but good things to say about the Eagles and the people I worked with and wish the team the best as I pursue some exciting opportunities."

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Wants to show Eagles how it's done

The firing of senior vice president of communications Rob Zeiger last week is a hot button issue with the Eagles.

Privately the Eagles say it isn't part of an organizational purge that eventually could include the job of head coach Andy Reid.


Zeiger was  86ed partly because he was hired by former Eagles president Joe Banner, according to sources. Zeiger could not be reached for comment. Banner works for the Cleveland Browns. He's now the enemy.

While the talk now is Reid could make it to the end of the season before owner Jeffrey Lurie formally announces if the veteran coach would be back for the final year of his contract, how the Eagles play could change that.

More on that in Monday's delcotimes.com.

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Out this week.

OUT

WR Jason Avant (hamstring) did not practice

RB LeSean McCoy (concussion) did not practice

RB Chris Polk (toe) did not practice

QB Michael Vick (concussion) did not practice

PROBABLE:

WR Riley Cooper (knee) full practice

DT Cullen Jenkins (foot/ankle) full practice

G Danny Watkins (ankle) full practice

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How apropos is this for Andy Reid?

The drama began Saturday morning when the ESPN bus rolled into One NovaCare Way.

ESPN telecasts the Eagles-Panthers Monday night at Lincoln Financial Field.
 
Jon Gruden is the analyst for ESPN.

A segment of Eagles fans seem to prefer him over Andy Reid, under fire after a 3-7 start with a six-game losing streak.

ESPN play-by-play man Mike Tirico, a friend of Gruden, has an idea how awkward the game could get.

“You don’t know what the atmosphere in the stadium is going to be like,” Tirico said. “Number 1, how many people are going to be there? And then secondly, what’s going to be their reaction if the team plays poorly? The Philadelphia crowd has always made itself part of the story. You kind of just see what happens and react to it.”

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Phase 2 of concussion protocol.

Did Not Practice:

WR Jason Avant (hamstring)

RB LeSean McCoy (concussion)

QB Michael Vick (concussion)

RB Chris Polk (toe); out Sunday

Full Practice:

DT Cullen Jenkins (foot/ankle)

WR Riley Cooper (knee)

WR Mardy Gilyard (hamstring)

G Danny Watkins (ankle)

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Unavailable until 11 a.m.

Talking Eagles, Panthers this morning at 11 on WIP 94.1-FM with @Brian Startare.

To listen click here.

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What Linc will look like Monday.

The Eagles, according to PlayoffStatus.com, have a 2 percent chance of reaching the playoffs.

That's the good news.

With a six-game losing streak and a 3-7 record the Eagles have 350-1 odds to win the Super Bowl. This Super Bowl, not Super Bowls down the line,

The Eagles' opponent Monday night, the Carolina Panthers, have a 1 percent chance of reaching the playoffs.

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Owner throwing footballs to fans in better times.

The Eagles fired senior vice president of communications Rob Zeiger according to this  report.

Zeiger had been on the job barely 18 months.

Speculation is Zeiger's explanation on WIP 94.1 FM about why the Eagles turned up the sound level of their speakers in the last home game didn't help him.

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Jim Johnson Courage Award winner.

Brian Dawkins is the recipient of the inaugural Jim Johnson Courage Award.

Dawkins accepts the honor tonight at the 51st Bert Bell Memorial Award Dinner sponsored by Pocono Raceway and the Mattioli Foundation.

The late Johnson was defensive coordinator of the Eagles from 1999-2009. Vicky Johnson, the widow of Johnson, was to be on hand for the ceremony. 

Dawkins' No. 20 recently was retired by the Eagles.

Archie Manning, the father of Peyton and Eli Manning, gets the Bert Bell Memorial Award. Dick Vermeil presents it.

Vermeil than gets to applaud Ron Jaworski, the Dick Vermeil Award winner.

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