Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Eagles Wednesday injury report

Safety Earl Wolff was held out of the Wednesday practice.

Practicing fully were safety Colt Anderson (ankle), cornerback Bradley Fletcher (knee), linebacker Mychal Kendricks (knee) and linebacker Jake Knott (hamstring).

Follow @bobgrotz on Twitter

Arians calls Foles "bright young star"

NFC offensive P.O.M. Nick "Napoleon Dynamite" Foles.
Eagles quarterback Nick Foles was named NFC offensive player of the month after setting the NFL record for passer rating in a month.

Foles' rating was a staggering 152.8 on a scale that tops out at 158.3, prompting Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians, who has coached a small handful of elite quarterbacks to give the second-year passer his props.

"A bright young star," Arians said. "He protects the football. He’s extremely accurate. He’s athletic. Coming out, you thought there was a lot of raw ability there. And he has the size and stature you’re looking for in a quarterback. So i'm not surprised at all. Chip’s done a great job of putting him in successful situations."



Chip is Chip Kelly, the head coach of the Eagles.

Follow @bobgrotz on Twitter 

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Vick: I have 'two good' years left

Nick Foles and Michael Vick.
Michael Vick saluted Nick Foles for winning the starting quarterback job with the Eagles.

Foles is having a monster season and deserves the job. Vick finally feels completely healed from the hamstring he injured twice this season.

But Vick insists he still has a lot of football left, first as a starter and beyond that as a backup.

By Vick's calculations he could start for another couple of years before deciding whether to enter the next phase of what has been an 11-year tour of the NFL.

"I said two good ones," said Vick, slated to become a free agent after this season. "After that it will be my 13th, 14th year."

Vick will be 34 next spring. He sounded believable about doing the backup quarterback thing.

"I’d be a good backup," he said. "I’m coming off the bench to win some games."

More on this in the Wednesday edition of the Delco Times.

Follow @bobgrotz on Twitter

Roseman nominated for appreciation award


Howie Roseman was nominated by the Eagles for the Third Annual Salute to Service Award, presented by the NFL and USAA, the NFL’s official Military Appreciation sponsor.

Roseman works with local military from bases in New Jersey and Delaware, hosting military at each game.

The winner will be named the day before the Super Bowl. Bears cornerback Charles Tillman got the award last year.

Follow @bobgrotz on Twitter


Monday, November 25, 2013

Interesting Eagles-Cardinals line

The Eagles are favored by 3 1-2 points over the Arizona Cardinals, who they entertain Sunday at Lincoln financial Field.

Did we mention the Eagles are 6-5 overall and have just one victory at the Linc in 12 months while the Cardinals are 7-4 with a four-game winning streak?

Bill Davis coached the Cardinals' defense.

Then again, the Eagles are coming out of their bye week and own a three-game win streak.

The Eagles are a head-to-head tiebreaker  behind the NFC East-leading Dallas  Cowboys (6-5), who beat the New York Giants (4-7) Sunday.

The Cowboys are 10 1-2 point favorites versus the visiting Oakland Raiders this weekend.

There's no line yet on the Giants-Washington Redskins game next week as the Skins oppose the San Francisco 49ers tonight.

Follow @bobgrotz on Twitter

Labels:

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Kelly's scientific training on point

From the way the warm-ups are choreographed to the food in the cafeteria and the sleep guidelines, Chip Kelly established a new training standard with the Eagles.
 
In the red Nick Foles, Matt Barkley, Michael Vick perform scientific stretch.



Around the NovaCare Complex they call it 'scientific training.' (As opposed to the unscientific training of past regimes, of course.)

It's early but the belief of players and coaches is the players have a little more pep in their step.

"I've never been around something as detailed as what Chip brings to the table in the sports science and the recovery part of everything," defensive coordinator Bill Davis said. "I'm amazed at the energy and the lack of soft tissue injuries and all of the things that we've had. And just the way the guys have bought in. I think the healthier you are and the fresher you are, the more energy you bring to the field on Sunday. And the more chance you have of winning."

The Eagles can confirm what Davis spoke of down the homestretch. They're 6-5 with a three-game winning streak entering the bye week.

Follow @bobgrotz on Twitter

Monday, November 18, 2013

Foles on record-setting passer rating pace

Having hit the threshold of 140 pass attempts, Eagles
Wants to give Foles a hug.
quarterback Nick Foles vaulted to the top of NFL quarterbacks in passer rating.


Foles has a rating of 128.0.
Napoleon 'Nick' Dynamite.

The next closest competitor is Peyton Manning, who has a rating of 118.3. Aaron Rodgers (108.0), Drew Brees (106.7) and Russell Wilson (106.1) round out the top five.

Rodgers set the NFL single-season record with a 122.5 rating in 2011, his Super Bowl season.

Foles has thrown 16 touchdown passes without an interception. Manning established the record with 20 TD throws without a pick to start this season.

Foles has completed 63.6 percent of his attempts for 1,544 yards. Manning has connected on 69.9 percent of his throws for 3,572 yards, 34 touchdowns and six interceptions.

Follow @bobgrotz on Twitter

Sunday, November 17, 2013

Goode, Roc in starting lineup

The Eagles activated newly signed wide receiver/kick returner Brad Smith.

Wide receiver/kick returner Damaris Johnson, who has been banged up, was scratched.

They also penciled Najee Goode and Roc Carmichael into the starting lineup at inside linebacker and cornerback, respectively. With the bye week ahead the Eagles scratched the injured Mychael Kendricks (knee) and Bradley Fletcher (pectoral) were scratched.

Rookie safety Earl Wolff (knee) was deactivated, opening the door for Patrick Chung to start.
Jake Knott ... knott playing today.

Though Jason Peters (quad, pec) started the Eagles activated offensive tackles Allen Barbre and rookie Matt Tobin, the latter over veteran Dennis Kelly. It's the first time Tobin dressed out.


Also, quarterback Michael Vick (hamstring) and rookie linebacker Jake Knott (hamstring) were scratched.

Follow @bobgrotz on Twitter  

Vick doesn't need football to validate himself

Eagles quarterback Michael Vick seems to realize the best part of his career has been completed.

And he has no regrets except for not getting "the hardware," also known as the Lombardi Trophy.
Vick won't have trouble finding something to do after football.

Vick talks about it in this piece.

Earlier in the week Vick asserted that teammate Nick Foles, who has taken firm control of the Eagles' starting job, "will be a franchise quarterback in the NFL." That piece is here.

I don't think Vick needs football anymore. Not as a player. But he hasn't mentioned retirement.

Follow @bobgrotz on Twitter

Friday, November 15, 2013

Eagles' Goode, Packers' Neal fined

Who's that guy behind LeSean McCoy?
The NFL fined Eagles linebacker Najee Goode $10,000 for his hit on Packers quarterback Scott Tolzien, resulting in roughing passer in the fourth quarter of their game Sunday.

Additionally the NFL billed Mike Neal of the Packers $7,875 for grabbing the facemask of LeSean McCoy. Neal wasn't flagged 0n the play despite almost violently twisting the head of the Eagles' running back while making the tackle.

Eagles defensive end Vinny Curry escaped a penalty and a fine for his sack ripping the helmet off Tolzien.

Follow @bobgrotz on Twitter

Labels: ,

Vick questionable for Redskins

The Eagles ruled out safety Earl Wolff (knee) and linebacker Jake Knott (hamstring) for their game Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field against the Redskins.

West Coast fast food appeals to helicopter pilots.
Questionable are cornerback Bradley Fletcher (pectoral), linebacker Mychal Kendricks (knee), offensive tackle Jason Peters (quadriceps, pectoral) and  quarterback Michael Vick (hamstring).

Chip Kelly let it slip that Nick Foles would start at quarterback.

The Eagles are 4 1/2 point favorites after beginning the week as 3 point favorites.

Follow @bobgrotz on Twitter

Labels:

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Vick: Foles will be a franchise QB

When Nick Foles threw his record-trying seventh touchdown pass against Oakland, Michael Vick urged the Eagles coaches to give him a shot to set the standard.
Franchise quarterback in waiting.

"We all knew it was history," Vick said. "I wanted him to go for eight."

Vick, sidelined the past two weeks with a reoccurring hamstring issue, said he'd be naive not to think about his future.

But Vick feels he's a candidate to help some team at quarterback as long as there's a need at that position.

Looking at the quarterback play league-wide that shouldn't be an issue.

Vick is certain of one thing right now ... Foles is the real deal.

"Nick will be a franchise quarterback in the NFL," Vick said.

Vick had plenty more to say about his future in a piece appearing in the Delaware County Daily Times.

Follow @bobgrotz on Twitter

What Foles, Jaws and Napoleon Dynamite have in common

Napoleon Dynamite.
Nick Foles gets the comparisons to Napoleon Dynamite, the main character in a movie about an internet geek training to be a cage fighter.
Nick Foles.


"I think there’s a resemblance," Foles said. "I can’t lie. I’ve seen it once. It’s been a long time ago. It made me laugh."

Foles also understands that he looks like the Los Angeles Rams rookie card of Ron Jaworski.

Foles is such a ringer for Jaws former Eagles head coach Dick Vermeil, who traded for the quarterback, did a double-take. The likeness is stunning.

Follow @bobgrotz on Twitter

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

UPDATED: Eagles sign WR Brad Smith

The Eagles signed wide receiver Brad Smith and released receiver B.J. Cunningham.
 
Needed a veteran receiver versed in special teams.

Smith dressed for two games with the Bills. He's a special teams player with experience returning kickoffs.

With backups Najee Goode and Roc Carmichael thrust into starting roles due to injuries, the Eagles need Smith to show up big on teams.

Smith also has experience, if you will, as the emergency quarterback.
 
Smith (6-2, 213) passed his physical in time to attend practice.


Follow @bobgrotz on Twitter

Sunday, November 10, 2013

Sights from Lambeau Field

Except for Bradley Fletcher's strained pectoral muscle, which resulted in his being scratched, the Eagles enjoyed their warmups at hallowed Lambeau Field.

The neighborhood has changed. There's a Kmart right next to Lombardi's old parking space.

But it's still Titletown. And as colleague pointed out, seven of the Packers' 13 world championships came after they were beaten by the Eagles in the 1960 NFL championship game at Franklin Field.

That was the last Eagles title team.

Follow @bobgrotz on Twitter