Bleacher Report - Articles by Michoel Botwinick

Jeremy Maclin Signs Five-Year Deal with the Philadelphia Eagles

Michoel Botwinick — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 10:33:30 -0400

According to multiple sources, Jeremy Maclin reached an agreement with the Philadelphia Eagles late last night.

The two parties reportedly agreed on a five-year deal worth $15.5 million, $9.5 million of which are guaranteed. It is unclear whether this was Maclin's original asking price.

The 19th overall selection in the 2009 NFL Draft, Maclin scored 33 total touchdowns and piled up 5,609 all-purpose yards over his two-year collegiate career at Missouri. He posted single-season school records with 102 catches and 1,260 receiving yards along with 13 TD grabs last season.

Now that his holdout is over, Maclin must catch up on nine days worth of missed practices.

According to PhiladelphiaEagles.com, he (Maclin) is taking a flight from St. Louis, Mo (to Philadelphia). He has to take a physical when he gets to Lehigh and is expected to hold a press conference after the afternoon special teams practice. That means he will most likely not be participating in the special teams practice.

According to an official poll, 36.3 percent of fans view Maclin as "too talented to keep off field", but only 12.3 percent think he will be a "big-time player by mid-season". I however, voted that it was "way too early to predict" what Maclin will do on the gridiron.

Injury Update: Jason Peters Practicing, Shawn Andrews Isn't

Michoel Botwinick — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 11:52:08 -0400

Yesterday, for the second day in a row, Jason Peters took part in non-contact drills; it looks like his quad spasms aren't too serious. He will probably figure into the full-contact drills sometime later this week.

Meanwhile, Shawn Andrews watched his teammates from the sideline, but did not practice or did not offer a time line as to when he will practice. According to a poll taken on PhiladelphiaEagles.com, 50.6% of those polled consider Andrews' health problems a major concern and question whether he can stay healthy.

"I'm just fighting to get back on the field," Andrews said after the annual Eagles "Flight Night!" at the Linc yesterday. To questions concerning his return, he replied simply, "Lord willing."

In other news, Stewart Bradley and Ellis Hobbs both sustained injuries during Eagles "Flight Night!". Via the official Eagles website:

The two players await word on their official status. Bradley left with a knee injury and will have an MRI tomorrow. Ellis Hobbs left with a stinger, and will also get more information tomorrow.

So far, the training camp injury bug has affected only starters—and that is never a good sign. One blogger even predicts that injuries may derail the Eagles' season.

One thing the Eagles can control, however, is the signing of Jeremy Maclin. As of now, he and Michael Crabtree are the only rookie wide receivers still unsigned (Percy Harvin, Hakeem Nicks, and Kenny Britt all signed within a 36-hour period). There are still rumors that a deal is imminent, but Maclin is nevertheless far behind in learning the Eagles offense.

Shawn Andrews Injured, Several Eagles Sidelined

Michoel Botwinick — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 11:59:54 -0400

Shawn Andrews, Jason Peters, Brian Westbrook, Trevor Laws, Asante Samuel, and Victor Abiamiri were all placed on the PUP (Physically Unable to Perform) list at some point last afternoon.

Westbrook (ankle) and Abiamiri (pectoral muscle) are not expected to return until the middle of August, according to Philly.com.

Andrews, who experienced tightness in his back, and Peters, who suffered a quad spasm, were injured during the Eagles' first training camp practice of 2009, a no-contact, informal affair. Peters' injury is considered less serious.

"I don't think either one are too seriously injured, which is a good thing," coach Andy Reid said.

Unfortunately, Andrews' back, which sidelined him from all but two games last year, may become a recurring issue. He had surgery on a herniated disc later last season, and hoped to be coming back 100 percent healthy. Now this may not be the case.

"I've been busting my (butt) all year, doing everything I was supposed to do, mentally, physically," said Andrews, who was considerably frustrated. "Other than my rookie year, this is actually the year I've [most] looked forward to coming to training camp. I've honestly put out so much work getting myself together all around. It's really tough. But that's just life, man."

Eagles fans know he must get back soon; Winston Justice is taking reps in his place.

"From a coaching standpoint, you want the [starters] out there every snap," Reid said. "You want them out there and practicing. But at the same time you want to make sure you're smart with this thing and you don't want to make whatever they have worse."

Simply stated, the likelihood is that Andrews' injury is not a serious one. He may be sidelined for about a week, and soon his injury—the problem—will be forgotten.

But we all know that a problem forgotten is not a problem solved.

We Will Miss You, Jim Johnson

Michoel Botwinick — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 00:28:55 -0400

Today is a sad day for the NFL.

Jim Johnson, defensive genius and veteran NFL assistant of 22 years, finally succumbed to cancer Tuesday afternoon. He was 68.

"I'm not sure there's a person that I've met that isn't a Jim Johnson fan," said Andy Reid, during the team's official press conference. "He really represented everything this city is all about with his toughness and grit. That's the way he fought this cancer."

Reid's words characterized general sentiment and the sadness felt on this day. He was echoed by Jeffrey Lurie, Roger Goodell, and an assortment of players and colleagues, both past and present.

"I loved Jim Johnson," said Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh, an Eagles assistant for nine seasons with Johnson. "He had a special ability to bring out the best in people while getting you to see the best in yourself. He saw potential and developed it. He made me believe I could coach at this level.

"In football, he was a pioneering and brilliant strategist, changing the way defense is played in the NFL. For me, he was a father-type mentor, and above all, a cherished friend. He belongs in the Hall of Fame. I will miss him so much."

Sometimes one doesn't appreciate what is there until it is gone.

Eagles fans, both old and young alike, took Johnson for granted. The 26 Pro Bowls his players were selected to, the 390 sacks in 10 years—second in the league over this span—spoke volumes, but his ability to communicate with players was his greatest asset.

"He was a tough coach who wasn't afraid to let you know how he was feeling, but at the same time, he cared about us deeply," said former Eagles safety and seven-time Pro Bowler Brian Dawkins.

It is evident that Johnson overshadows his football prowess by the man he really was.

"He was great to work with and for, and he had his priorities in order," said New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin. "His players loved to play for him and his coaches loved to coach with him."

As a coach and as a person, Johnson was admired from afar. To quote a few (from ESPN):

"Even though I'm a Cowboys fan, I have plenty of respect for Jim Johnson. His blitzing schemes caused havoc in the NFC east for many years...I give my condolences to his family." -tedchennault

"As a Redskins fan, I am sorry to hear of Jim Johnson's passing. He was a great coach and always made the Eagles' D an extremely tough one to play. My thoughts are with his family and all who played for and worked with him in Philadelphia and everywhere else he coached." -Rudybux45

Particularly in Philadelphia, where Jim Johnson adds to a list of beloved sports names who have recently passed away (Harry Kalas, Gary Papa), fans are aroused in a spirit of shared empathy. Jim Johnson, an excellent man, a beloved figure in Philadelphia sports, has passed away.

Jim Johnson, thanks for the memories. We will miss you.

Are the Philadelphia Eagles the Most Underachieving Team in NFL History?

Michoel Botwinick — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 14:36:17 -0500

I never thought I would see the day when the Eagles became a national joke.

The McNabb/Reid era was a long and fruitful one, but one that I knew would have to soon come to an end. The Philadelphia Eagles, a solid franchise with an excellent fan base, would just fizzle out after a good many years as one of the league's forefront teams, albeit with no championship to show for it.

They would go into the rebuilding process like many other teams before them—the Rams, the Seahawks, and the Chiefs, among others.

But instead, the Eagles went down a different route.

Refusing to rebuild, the Eagles started to cut established veterans like Jeremiah Trotter, Hollis Thomas, and Jevon Kearse, all the while bringing in young playmakers to take their spots.

The Eagles' ruse of transitioning new players into important skill positions while cutting veterans was one that had been used before, primarily by the Patriots...with admirable success.

As players like Trent Cole, Stewart Bradley, and DeSean Jackson settled in, the Eagles' Front Office subsequently received praise for keeping together a competitive team all the while maintaining their steady corps of tallent—Brian Dawkins, Donovan McNabb, and Brian Westbrook.

However, their distinctly average 29-28-1 record over the last three-and-a-half seasons did not show any evidence of any front-office success. Frustrated Eagles fans even started to demand a thorough rebuilding process, not the half-baked version that the Eagles were apparently unsuccessfully offering.

But the path that that the Eagles chose to go down was a smart one, and probably turned out much better than the organization could have ever expected. The fans, for the most part, had no inkling of this success.

In fact, according to FootballOutsiders.com's statistical formulas, the Eagles are ranked as the third-best team in the NFL! The two teams in front of them, the Tennesse Titans and the New York Giants, are respectively 10-0 and 9-1.

"We have them ranked as the third-best team in the league," said editor in chief Aaron Schatz. "They were second until this week."

Schatz also remarked that the Eagles had underperformed relative to their statistics for the third straight season.

"We've gone back to figure out out what's going on," he said. "We've had complaints from our readers. It's an example, some people say, that our stats don't work. But anything we try to do to fix the model has to apply to all 32 teams," and the Eagles have proved a stubborn exception.

"Some of the Eagles weaknesses are clear," Schatz added: "David Akers no longer has the leg for long field goals, and the offense struggles in the fourth quarter of close games, particularly in converting third-and-short runs."

But those factors still do not explain a 5-4-1 record this season. Instead, even more damning, is the fact that the Eagles have the third-best point differential in the NFL at 7.1, again behind the Giants and the Titans!

And yet, nothing to show for it.

"I've given up on them," Schatz said, when asked about the Eagles possibly making a run for the playoffs. "I just don't understand the Eagles at all."

Neither do Eagles fans, which is so unfortunate.

As an Eagles fan, I once in a while feel obligated to criticize the organization. But, if the statistical formulas that Glatzer researched are correct, they dictate that the Eagles have one of the best teams in the league!

Little do Eagles fans know how successfully the front office navigated the rebuilding process. In fact, they skipped it...the Eagles are a great team now!

The Eagles are the most confounding team in the league.

Roy Williams to Philly? Don't Rule It Out

Michoel Botwinick — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 04:56:20 -0400

It seems like it may be an old obsession for Eagles fans, but once again I found a new reason the Eagles may bring in a dynamic play-making wide receiver. During the offseason, it was McNabb, Reid, and one last dance for the Eagles. Now, with young DeSean Jackson, most people have forgotten all about it.

It may be just nostalgia, but thinking about it recently brought up several logical points for the rest of the Eagles' 2008 season.

The Eagles' recent loss to the Washington Redskins on Sunday signaled another wasted season for many Eagles fans. The disappointing 2007 campaign was brought up fresh in fans' minds as the vicious NFC East fell out of sights for the Eagles, at least for a few weeks. The Eagles, at 2-3, were by no means close to the likes of the Redskins and Cowboys, both at 4-1, or the Giants, at 4-0.

It almost seemed unfair.

We had waited so long for this season, only to be disappointed. Could it really turn out as bad as last year, or worse? We were told it would be a new season, a fresh start for the Eagles. Instead, starters like Brian Westbrook and Shawn Andrews are injured and out of action while Donovan McNabb struggles to silence the critics in what was supposed to be his one last year as a Philadelphia Eagle.

The truth is, it is not the defense or offense that has struggled outright, but instead it is McNabb's—and the offense's—consistency that is hurting the team. One brilliant game could be soured in the next. Of course, there are ways to help the cause—like firing Andy Reid, or bringing in somebody new.

Somebody new? Like who?

Now, to my point: Although Roy Williams was one of the wide receivers the Eagles reportedly pursued this past offseason, the GM who dealt with them is now fired. With Matt Millen out the door, and the recent blowout to Chicago, the new GM knows that he needs to shore up the defense as well as get draft picks so that the franchise can rebuild.

Now remember, the Eagles have both of those commodities. They have Lito Sheppard, a Pro Bowl corner who hasn't been seeing the field much anyway, and they have not one, but two first round draft picks that the Lions would potentially be interested in.

Lito Sheppard, especially, could help them now—the Lions currently have the worst overall defense in the league, allowing 147 points over five games, which is over two times more than that of seven other teams in the league.

Additionally, Reggie Brown could potentially be packaged in the deal, because the new second rounder, DeSean Jackson, has already pretty much taken his place.

Now, as I have just explained how sweet this deal would be for the Lions, what would the Eagles get in return? First of all, it looks like Westbrook may have an injury-plagued 2008. Without Westbrook in the backfield, which potent receiver on the Eagles will be charged with carrying out Andy Reid's pass-happy offense? DeSean Jackson? Kevin Curtis?

Besides, Roy Williams would bring experience to a young Eagles receiving corps, as well as make everyone around him better. Also, there is the fact that Williams would not only help Reid's and McNabb's credibility, but bring consistency to an offense and a quarterback which direly need it.

With Roy Williams aboard, I am fully confident that his swagger would affect a newly rejuvenated Eagles team and lead them to contention in the tough NFC East.

So, will the Eagles make this trade before the Oct. 14 deadline? I wouldn't rule it out!

The Eagles Could Learn a Thing Or Two from the Phightin' Phils

Michoel Botwinick — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 10:51:35 -0400

When was the last time you saw the Eagles drive down the field with two minutes remaining and score the TD to come within one point, then go for the two point conversion and complete a comeback for the ages?

OK—that might be pushing it—but when exactly was the last time you saw the Eagles actually get into the touchdown when it really counted, at the end of a long and frustrating game, and given four downs to do so?

Lastly, can you even remember the last time they won a game decided by three or less points?

I can't.

Yes, that's how frustrating Philly's favorite team can be; but on closer look, Philadelphia's other beloved team, the Phillies, tends to be quite the opposite.

While I, like many Philadelphians, am as die-hard an Eagles fan as there are in any major league sport, I do enjoy turning on a Phillies game whenever I get a chance. And what do I see?

I see comeback after comeback—clutch hitting, ninth-inning homers, crucial hits, outstanding defense—so, yeah...the team just doesn't quit. In fact, had Phillies games ended after the seventh inning all season long, we wouldn't be seeing a division-leading playoff team, but instead a third-place Phillies, seven games back of the hated Mets.

Year after year, the Phillies are near the top of the league in come-from-behind victories. They play well when they need to, they can go on a hot streak when all seems lost—they play all twenty-seven outs of a game, and make opponents' bullpens pay for it. They always seem like they can be in it—not because of sheer talent, but instead a willingness to play and keep fighting with a heart unmatched by any other baseball team of the modern era.

However, from a statistician's point of view, the Eagles may be one of the best teams on paper in the NFL. Still, they could go from a sure playoff contender to the "best" 2-2 team (like they are now), to the "best" last-place team, to the "best" team to not make the playoffs—and go absolutely nowhere, all while still being the best at doing nothing of any importance.

More specifically, however many wins Andy Reid and Donovan McNabb may have together (175 to be exact), in the last quarter of the game, with everything on the line, the Eagles came up short on four downs. This, in my opinion, epitomized the Eagles of the last decade. So close, but no cigar.

Yesterday, it was a glorious Sunday for the City of Brotherly Love. For the second straight year, and just the second time in fifteen years, the Phillies had clinched the N.L. East and were on their way to the playoffs. But that night, the Eagles went nowhere and took another tough loss, reminding beleaguered Eagles fans of the disastrous 2007 season.

No matter what may happen to the Phillies in the upcoming weeks, they have earned Philadelphia's respect for the second straight year. Meanwhile, the Eagles—who had played with no passion whatsoever—were, like the Mets, coming home again to lie low until the next game, whenever that would be.

Were they deserving of the loss? Absolutely.

In retrospect, everything was the way it should be.

Watch Out Cowboy Nation: The Cowgirls Are Two Injuries Away from a Losing Season

Michoel Botwinick — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 16:16:51 -0400

Yup, I said it. The Cowboys really aren't as good as everyone thinks. Sure, they got all those staple names—Tony Romo, Terrell Owens, and Jason Witten, among others—but there is one very real reason why the Cowboys may just end up sucking this season. And no, it's not because of Jessica Simpson.

I'll be very straightforward with it—if the Injury Bug hits the Cowboys, they will not survive. True, they went 13-3 last season, but then again, last season they got really lucky with injuries.

If you don't believe me, just take a look at the Cowboys' good friends, the Philadelphia Eagles. In 2004, they went 13-3—like the 2007 Cowboys—and made the Super Bowl. The very next year they went 6-10. How did that work?

Well, simply put, the Eagles weren't prepared for injury. Like the Cowboys of '08, they had very little depth at key positions. McNabb went down. Westbrook didn't play. The list goes on and on. And then, of course, there was that whole messy thing with Terrel Owens...But, in retrospect, it was really injuries that did the Eagles in.

Now, what about the Cowboys? Before they set their eyes on the Super Bowl, they should probably remember the '05 Eagles. Most people don't think that having depth is so important—but once a starter goes down, it is not called depth anymore. It's called reality.

OK, let's take a quick look at the Cowboys' offensive depth chart:

QBs: Tony Romo, Brad Johnson

Even if you're not Jessica Simpson you'll have to admit that Tony Romo is pretty good. An undrafted free agent signing turned Top Five QB is a pretty impressive transition. Sure, he throws a lot of interceptions, but give him some time in the pocket and anything can happen.

But enough of Romo, his backup Brad Johnson wouldn't exactly make a Cowboys fan too confident: Drafted 227th overall in 1992 and since then cut twice without ever having been a starter for any long periods of time.

WRs: Terrell Owens, Patrick Crayton, Sam Hurd, Miles Austin, Isaiah Stanback

Quite frankly, other than Terrell Owens and Patrick Crayton, the Cowboys have some of the worst depth at wide receiver in the league. Sam Hurd, Miles Austin, and Isaiah Stanback are all injured, so should either Owens or Crayton (more likely the latter of the two) go down, the Cowboys will be really screwed over at that position.

RBs: Marion Barber, Felix Jones, Tashard Choice

This group is, well, interesting. Nobody can deny that Marion Barber is a powerhouse at RB, but his carefree running style makes me wonder how long he can last. He already injured his ribs in his first game vs. the Browns, but he should be back in time for this week's Eagles-Cowboys prime time match up. However, if he is injured for any extended periods of time, two rookies will be backing him up.

TEs: Jason Witten, Martellus Bennett, Tony Curtis

Again, another prominent starter in Jason Witten, but backing him up is a rookie and a free agent signing who was already released once during his three year tenure. Like the other three positions I just elaborated on, little or no depth here should be a reason for concern.

The Cowboys may get lucky with injuries like they did last season, but I'm starting to think that before long we may be seeing the Injury Bug rear it's ugly head. On paper, the Cowboys' starters could win them the Super Bowl, but on the other hand, Cowboy Nation may be in for a rude awakening when it's the backups taking the field. Take the warning from one fan; the nightmare is just beginning for the Patriots...

Top 10 Most Pathetic NFL Fan Bases

Michoel Botwinick — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 06:09:30 -0400

Bring up the topic of NFL fan bases and you'll always get an argument as to why a certain team’s fans are the best. But bring up an accusation against a team's fan base and you might just get beer poured on your head (although if you're stupid enough to do that, you probably deserve it). In any event, since everyone has an opinion on these things, I'll present you with mine. I'm up for a debate, so bring it on!

Note: The following rankings are extremely unscientific and unabashedly biased.

10. San Diego Chargers

In truth, the only reason the Chargers are up here is because of the simple fact that they are one of the most dominant teams in the NFL, as they have been for a long time.

Unfortunately for them, their mostly laid-back fans have never fully embraced the franchise, and their 30 consecutive sellouts aren't all that impressive.

9. Carolina Panthers

While Panthers fans are, for the most part, a motley bunch, they do have a few die-hard fans, and I will give them credit for that. Their stadium is pretty quiet year-round, though.

8. Cincinnati Bengals

Most people will put Bengals fans way further down this list, but I'll cut them some slack because they remind me of Eagles fans. Unsurprisingly, Cincinnati fans have been disenchanted with the franchise for a long time, considering that the team has had only one winning season in the last 17 years.

7. Houston Texans

It's not that Texans fans won't sell out their stadium or apply for season tickets, it's just that the vigor and energy is not there. Definitely one of the quieter stadiums in the NFL.

6. Miami Dolphins

Again, another fan base that most people will consider to be one of the worst, but I'll give them some credit for actually showing up once in a while; even if it's just to show off their tanned bodies.

5. Arizona Cardinals

Arizona had always supported a healthy Cowboys fan base before the Cardinals moved there in the 1980s. The Cardinals were never quite able to claim most of those fans, mostly due to their losing habits. However, their new stadium will probably help.

4. St. Louis Rams

The Rams have fans who, for the most part, support their team when it's doing well, but have absolutely no interest in it when the franchise is floundering. A meager two consecutive sellouts tell the tale.

3. Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta has always been a baseball town, but of late fans have been paying even more attention to their college teams than their NFL team, which I think is pathetic.

2. Detroit Lions

The Lions do not have the worst fan base in the NFL for several reasons. One, you have to give respect the die-hards who do show up every week—despite the team's long history of losing—and two, even though games tend to be completely silent, they do sell out quite often.

1. Jacksonville Jaguars

This may come as a surprise to most, but the reason I have the Jaguars fan base as the worst in the NFL is quite simple. Unlike most other teams up here, this franchise is actually quite successful lately, so their fans have no excuse for not showing up. The numbers prove it: zero consecutive sellouts.

I know many of you will disagree with my rankings, but I think it is worthy to note: In no way am I disrespecting any of the true fans who show up for every game through thick and thin. I am merely judging a given team's fan base as a whole. Plus, as I stated earlier, some of my rankings are slightly biased. Hey, it's a free country!

Could Kevin Curtis's Injury Ultimately Benefit the Philadelphia Eagles?

Michoel Botwinick — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 05:46:23 -0400

I know, I know. You looked at the title and said to yourself: "Michoel Botwinick, you heartless S.O.B., Kevin Curtis is unquestionably the Eagles' best wide receiver and is extremely vital to the team."

But is he?

True—he's been the Eagles' best wideout since T.O., but what exactly has he done in terms of creating matchup problems or stretching the field for D-Mac? While Donte Stallworth didn't exactly put up the numbers that Curtis did, he did make the other receivers next to him better.

Why?

Because he spread out the field, created matchup problems, and generally took some of the pressure off his fellow wide receivers. Remember, that was the year in which Reggie Brown had a breakout season.

In other words, he made the whole corps better, something that Curtis did not do.

Furthermore, Curtis would be a second or third wide receiver with most teams, where he would be largely ineffective. Remember St. Louis, when he played behind Torry Holt? And those years were supposed to be the prime of his career.

But still, what does Curtis's injury do in terms of helping the Eagles' already shoddy wide-receiver corps?

Here are the top three possibilities:

1. First of all, DeSean Jackson will have to be utilized more. I know Andy Reid has an unpleasant habit of not playing rookies, but how can you ignore this guy?! Already a standout wide receiver at Cal—in addition to his electrifying punt returns—he is clearly the playmaker that McNabb has been asking for. And the more touches that D-Jax gets, well, we'll see...But I see great things coming.

2. Reggie Brown came to the Eagles with high hopes three years ago, but he hasn't quite been what he was cracked up to be when the Eagles' drafted him in the second round in 2005. He did, however, have a great year in 2006, playing behind Stallworth, but he received diminished attention with the arrival of Curtis in the next year.

Now, we will see what he can do in a starring role, and if his college tapes prove correct, he may be in for an excellent year. The talent is definitely there, that's for sure.

3. Unless you hadn't been listening to Philly sports radio around the time of training camp, you may have heard rave reviews about Hank Baskett's red-zone capability. I mean, you look at a guy who is 6'4" and can jump seven-feet high, and you see the potential.

While he may not be a major factor in the offense, other than the red zone, he can definitely be a huge asset in terms of getting six points on the board.

The basic premise of these three points is that, by the time Kevin Curtis does come back, in about a month or so, Donovan McNabb will have greater confidence in his current set of wide receivers. And then McNabb will depend on Curtis less, spread the field more, and correctly implement the West Coast offense.

And if not?

Well, one of these two things will have to happen.

1. The Eagles will have to finally get a true No. 1 wide receiver. And that's always a good thing!

2. The Eagles will have to give the ball to Westbrook more. Which, of course, is fine with me, as that would mean a more balanced attack. Just makes you wonder how much longer Westbrook can accommodate being the centerpiece of the Eagles' offense.

Or...

The injury plain sucks, and we have another wasted season. Oh well.

Dialogue With A Dallas Cowboys Fan

Michoel Botwinick — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 06:37:31 -0400

Recently, I got to conversing with a Cowboys fan on Bleacher Report named David Trollope, and right from the outset we decided to exchange five questions about each other's team, fan base, etc. These were my questions to him, along with his answers:

1. The radio talk show hosts here in Philly call Cowboys fans “weasels.” What do they call us over there?

I know some Cowboys fans call them the Philadelphia Iggles (I am sure there are fans who have different names). I am not in the Dallas area, so I don’t know what the radio hosts there call them.

2. Are you worried or happy about the Cowboys’ pick up of Adam “Pacman” Jones? Will he behave himself or will he be a distraction?

I didn’t like it and [I'm] still not a big fan of the Cowboys picking him up. He better behave himself if he ever wants to play again in the NFL. So far, I have heard him doing a lot of charity work around the Dallas area and doing what he needs to do to get ready for the season.

3. Last season TE Jason Witten posted career highs with 1,145 reception yards and 7 touchdowns. However, with Terry Glenn coming back healthy and ready to start, will Witten be eased of some of his workload?

I believe Terry Glenn can play, but until he signs that split salary contract with a waiver for the Cowboys, he won’t play.

I really don’t think Witten’s workload would ease. Witten is Romo’s lifeline, if you want to call it that. I actually think Witten would cut into the other receivers work load.

4. How do Cowboys fans deal with not having won a playoff game in 11 years, despite at times having an excellent team?

As you can imagine, it hasn’t been fun. We were definitely aching and hurting for better at the end of the 90’s. I was always still supportive, but yet so disappointed.

It has been extra difficult this past season, but the December “Bah Humbug” blues hit and it showed in the playoff game.

Again, the Cowboys have the talent this season, they just have to learn how to execute and FINISH!

5. Do Cowboys fans tend to hate the Eagles more than any other team in the NFC East division, and if so, why?

One reason that I can think of, is the fact that the Eagles became a dominant team in the NFC East when it seemed so long being the Cowboys. For so many years, it has always been the Redskins that the Cowboys fans hated more. There are still a few fans who still feel that way!

I also think a lot of the fans look at the Michael Irvin injury at Veterans Stadium that cut his career short. Some fans weren’t too pleased how the crowd reacted to his injury.

The NFC East is such a competitive division we all tend to beat each other up during the season!! I think this is the best division in the NFL.

For his Philadelphia Eagles questions and my answers, check out his fan website here.

Is DeSean Jackson the Next [Insert Name Here]?

Michoel Botwinick — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 09:16:57 -0400

Much can be said about DeSean Jackson's electric rookie preseason so far. In just three exhibition matchups, Jackson has already amassed a league-high 16 catches for 189 yards—an 11.81 YPA average—and has established himself as Donovan McNabb's go-to guy.

In the absence of fellow wideouts Kevin Curtis and Reggie Brown, Jackson led the team to two consecutive wins, as he proved able to stretch the field and create matchup problems for any opposing defenses.

In addition, Jackson's return game has been nothing short of outstanding, returning punts of 76 and 45 yards in his last game, including one breathtaking TD run.

Like Steve Smith and Brian Mitchell before him, Jackson started out returning punts after making considerable impact at that position in college. But after Smith's rookie Pro Bowl appearance, he quickly developed into a reliable receiver. Mitchell, on the other hand, was outstanding as a running back, even as he continued to break records as a return man.

Jackson, in comparison, though primarily a return man, has drawn even more attention for his receiving game.

More so, Steve Smith was a third-round selection, while Brian Mitchell was picked in the fifth round. Neither was thought to become some of the most elite players to ever play at that position.

Neither was DeSean Jackson.

Selected midway through the second round, he was though to be too small to ever be any good and was therefore not selected until Pick No. 49 rolled around and the Eagles decided to give him a chance.

What Jackson did not know at that time was that, at 5'10", he was actually taller than Smith. And only one inch shorter than Mitchell. His build is actually similar to the two of them—stocky but powerful.

So, is it safe to start comparing Jackson to some of the league's best? Perhaps the next Steve Smith or the multi-dimensional Brian Mitchell?

Not so fast, says QB Donovan McNabb.

“I don't think it's fair for people to look at it and say all of a sudden that he is going to be the next Steve Smith and compare him to some of the greats,” McNabb said. “You kind of have to give people an opportunity to get adjusted to this league.”

Yet in just a few short weeks, Jackson has already shown he has adjusted as a player. McNabb has shown confidence in him by threading difficult passes through coverage when he is under pressure—most of which are taken by Jackson for extra yardage.

He is also possibly the only player since T.O. that could get open through any pass coverage, despite his size. Jerry Rice, his longtime mentor and friend, was already convinced that the rookie was the best route-runner he had ever seen.

McNabb, however, is still convinced that Jackson will have some work to do getting used to regular-season press coverages and may even have trouble getting off the line.

"Most teams we've played play coverages sometimes where they are not pressed and up on (receivers), and are pretty much vanilla.”

McNabb is wary of the hype surrounding Jackson, despite admitting that Jackson had stepped up and had been playing phenomenally up to this point.

“I think he has done a great job. (But) I have been here a while, so I've seen when rookies come in and catch a couple balls and everyone gets excited,” McNabb said. “All of a sudden the question goes out—'What happened and why isn't he still playing or making a lot of plays?'"

Based on McNabb's comment's, it seems that even if Jackson will encounter early career troubles at wide receiver, it wouldn't be out of his reach to soon become one of the NFL's premier punt returners.

Besides, as far as wide receivers go, doesn't it typically take up to three years for the new guys to find their niche in the league?

In any event, with three standout preseason games already in the books, the start of the regular season is right around the corner.

And with the season comes DeSean Jackson's chance to prove that he deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as some of the best position players in NFL history.

From Undrafted Free Agent to No. 1 Receiver: Hank Baskett's Unlikely Story

Michoel Botwinick — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 04:13:02 -0400

If you had told Hank Baskett three years ago that he was to be a future NFL starting wide receiver, he probably would have been surprised. But if you had told him that he was going to be a No. 1, he might just have told you that you were out of your mind.

It's players like Baskett, who every year go undrafted—wide receivers like Shaheer McBride and Brandon "Bam" Childress, among others—that spend their short careers on the training squad or as backups.

But Hank Baskett was different.

Originally signed as a rookie free agent by the Minnesota Vikings in 2006, the Eagles showed interest in him by trading their 2003 third-round draft pick Bill McMullen to Minnesota for a chance to take a look at the extraordinary young talent.

Although Baskett did not make the draft because of his perceived lack of speed, his 6'4" frame and New Mexico high school record 7'0" high jump intrigued the Eagles. Since then, he has been arguably the Eagles' most physically imposing wide receiver.

His unimpressive college career, however, would not tell the story of his future NFL success.

Baskett's four years at the University of New Mexico resulted in just one standout season, coming in 2005. As a senior, Baskett posted 67 receptions for 1,071 yards and nine touchdowns, earning All-Mountain West Conference honors.

Baskett took that momentum with him to the NFL, it seemed.

Baskett's real chance at training camp came with the departure of former Eagles' wide receiver Todd Pinkston. Baskett showcased his talent, catching nearly everything that was thrown to him and soon becoming one of McNabb's favorite targets. He went on to post giant numbers during the preseason, building the hype already surrounding him.

Come regular season, however, and it was back to the bench for Baskett. Despite Head Coach Andy Reid's unsavory history of not playing rookies, Baskett did manage to contribute as a third wide receiver.

Although most Eagles fans were disappointed, Baskett did show that he was meant to be playing at the pro level and cemented in his role as an Eagle for years to come.

He finished the season strong, compiling 22 receptions for 464 yards (21.1 yards per catch) and two touchdowns—a record for Eagles' rookies. He also had two 100-yard games against the Cowboys and the Falcons, and was awarded Rookie of the Week honors in both instances. Both his touchdown receptions in those games were of 85 yards or more, becoming just the second rookie in NFL history to have two or more such receptions in the same season.

His second NFL campaign was a disappointment, however. His offensive playing time largely diminished due to new wideout Kevin Curtis's presence, he also saw his YPA average drop down to a dismal 8.9 yards. Curtis went on to have a record season, posting 77 receptions for 1,110 yards.

Additionally, barely midway through the season Hank Baskett's role as third receiver was unofficially taken over by fourth-round draft pick Jason Avant. What looked like the feel good story of 2006 was becoming a disaster of a year for Baskett in 2007.

However, with the arrival of 2008 training camp, Hank Baskett was back at it, catching balls consistently and showing great ability to get downfield. But come preseason, he got barely no touches, as was expected with new arrival DeSean Jackson.

Things were going from bad to worse. Hank Baskett no longer seemed to have a place on the team, and all the new arrivals seemed to spell his inevitable exit. Everything pointed to the Eagles no longer needing him.

But Baskett wasn't done yet.

By the third preseason game, injuries had forced the Eagles' top two receivers out of commission. Reggie Brown had a strained hamstring, and Kevin Curtis had a sports hernia that looked to keep him out until the second half of the 2008 season.

The news, delivered on a nondescript Wednesday morning, came as a shock to everyone.

"We're going to mix it up with Hank (Baskett) and Greg (Lewis) over there," Andy Reid stated at his daily press conference. "You know, in place of Kevin."

It was official. Baskett, listed on the Eagles' depth chart as their new No. 1, had made the long climb from undrafted to backup to starter. And now he was the Eagles' starting wide receiver, the first guy, the offense's go-to receiver.

It has been an unlikely climb for the unlikeliest of players.

Eagles' Curtis Out With Sports Hernia, Jackson's Workload Soon to Be Increased

Michoel Botwinick — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 12:04:51 -0400

As if the Eagles' shoddy wide receiver corps wasn't bad enough already, it just received (no pun intended) it's biggest blow so far this off season with an injury to it's No. 1, Kevin Curtis. Curtis, who sustained the sports hernia in last week's game against the Panthers, tried to play through the rest of that game and may not have felt the effects of his injury until earlier this week.

Curtis is scheduled to have surgery later this week, and Andy Reid said there was no timetable for a return.

"We're trying not to wait and do that whole thing," Reid said. "We're trying to get on it. We've identified (the hernia) and it's problem, and we're trying to get it taken care of."

It is estimated by personnel close to the situation that he could miss up to half a season, depending on the severity of the injury.

While the Eagles' Duce Staley and Sheldon Brown both played through it, L.J. Smith and Donovan McNabb were both seriously affected.

"They're all different and we've found out over the years here that they all tear a little bit more than others and some are less than others. They've got to go in (for surgery)," Reid said.

The news came in the midst of yet another wide receiver buzz in Philly, this time involving Arizona's disgruntled star receiver Anquan Boldin. Whatever the Eagles' actual interest in Boldin is, the case for acquiring him was certainly lent some credibility by Curtis's injury.

But earlier this morning, in response to a question about the Eagles' current wide receiver corps, Reid told reporters that the Eagles are still not actively looking into upgrading the position, either by means of free agency or by trade. However, the Eagles have been known to look into these things nonetheless, as shown earlier in this off season with Randy Moss.

The news and Reggie Brown's hamstring strain leaves the Eagles' wideouts looking like this for Friday's game against the Patriots:

No.1: Greg Lewis, Hank Baskett (Previously fourth and fifth WRs)

No. 2: DeSean Jackson (Drafted, most likely a second WR)

No. 3: Jason Avant (Still a third WR)

However, Donovan McNabb is likelier to throw to his latest favorite receiver if this is how things shape up, his No. 2 guy, DeSean Jackson.

The point is, if Andy Reid's stance on the Eagles' wide receiver don't change soon, this is probably going to be the group of wide receivers entering the regular season (with the exception of Brown, who should be back sometime next week). The mere though of it is depressing.

So either get ready for another mediocre season, or you better be hoping that #10 DeSean Jackson can step up and live up to everything he's hyped up to be.

Anquan Boldin May Be Available, but Will the Eagles Pursue Him? Part Two

Michoel Botwinick — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 04:59:12 -0400

Contrary to popular belief, the Eagles' organization did pursue several prominent wide receivers this off season, including Randy Moss (reports had him going back to New England for less money), Larry Fitzgerald (the Eagles were interested enough to offer a first rounder and Lito Sheppard), and Roy Williams (again involving disgruntled CB Lito Sheppard).

The media also had them connected to the likes of Chad Johnson (although the Redskins, who reportedly offered an '08 and '09 draft choice, were certainly more serious about him), and Anquan Boldin.

A lot has happened since then.

Randy Moss, as already indicated, re-signed with the Patriots. Larry Fitzgerald had his deal restructured. It seems that Detroit never really had any interest in moving Williams.

A run at Chad Johnson never really seemed legit, even if the Bengals did reconsider moving him. And, well...then there's Anquan Boldin.

The fact that Boldin is available may have an effect on the organization, or it may not. They might not even pick up the phone to give the Cardinals a call. That's just how the Eagles are.

Remember, earlier in the offseason head coach Andy Reid said that he was happy with the team's current wide receivers, much to the ridicule of Eagles fans.

But that statement does not seem to have been echoed by the rest of the organization, not only in light of their highly publicized interest in the wide receivers mentioned above, but also in the fact that this may be both Reid's and McNabb's last year in Philly.

It is worthwhile to note that if the Eagles did use one of their valuable trading chips—two first round draft picks or an unhappy star corner back—they would not only have a formidable down field threat and a match up problem for any opposing defense in Anquan Boldin, but their entire wide receiver corps would be better—for several reasons.

First of all, in 2004 when T.O. was an Eagle, current third receiver Greg Lewis had a breakout year. This was because, with a true No. 1 receiver on the roster, other Eagles wide receivers (like Lewis) could be used where they performed best.

Take Kevin Curtis, for example. He may very well be one of the most underrated wide receivers in the league as a No. 1, but imagine his explosiveness off the edge if he were used in the slot as a third wide receiver—similarly to the Patriots' Wes Welker. No doubt he would excel in that role.

Finally, Boldin would essentially complete the Eagles' wide receiver corps. Imagine Anquan Boldin at No. 1, Reggie Brown at No. 2, and Kevin Curtis at No. 3.

That's an excellent wide receiver corps right there.

But there is one more factor in the equation—Donovan McNabb. Go back to 2004, when McNabb set those passing records with T.O. as the Eagles went to the Super Bowl. Now imagine Donovan McNabb with that Boldin et al at his disposal. Get my drift?

For now, all we Eagles fans can do is hope.

Any Eagles fan will tell you how frustrating the Eagles' organization can be, so will the Eagles even bother to look into Anquan Boldin's situation? The Eagles' past actions tell us the answer. Part Three: What Will the Eagles Do About Anquan Boldin?

You can also read Part One here.

Anquan Boldin May Be Available, but Will the Eagles Pursue Him? Part One

Michoel Botwinick — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 05:09:06 -0400

In an unsurprising Chad Johnson-like turn of events, Arizona Cardinals' star wide receiver Anquan Boldin is reportedly seeking a trade from the team after contract negotiations stalled midway through training camp.

According to several sources, Boldin's agent Drew Rosenhaus (yes, Drew Rosenhaus) had already asked for a new contract shortly after fellow wideout Larry Fitzgerald signed a four-year, $40 million contract last spring. By the time training camp opened, however, Boldin still had no deal and blamed the Cardinals' officials for not making good on promises of restructuring a contract extension he signed three years ago.

Under his current contract, Boldin is making $4 million a year, while Fitzgerald is making $10 million. Boldin was reportedly seeking a contract equal to or more than that of Fitzgerald's.

Now, Boldin and Rosenhaus have made it clear that he no longer wants a new contract. He wants to leave the team.

Acording to sources, Boldin wants out because he believes that the team is not serious about renewing his contract and his unhappiness makes it hard for him to go to work every day. Rosenhaus has already asked the team to to trade Boldin.

However, the Cardinals, like the Bengals before them, are not only refusing to deal him, but are also still hopeful that a new contract will get done. According to several reports, their last offer was worth half the money of Fitzgerald's, but that is way out of Boldin's range.

Boldin's displeasure with the team, however, is twofold. He is not only unhappy with his current contract situation and how the team has handled it, but he is also at odds with his coach, Ken Whisenhunt, who he says became too involved in contract negotiations.

"At this point we have no relationship, and I don't see that changing," Boldin told NFL Network on Monday. "It's just gotten to a point where I think lines were crossed. If you ask me, coaches should be coaches, management should be management, and I don't think those lines should be crossed. But when you cross those lines, you put yourself in position for things like this to happen."

It is still entirely possible that Boldin will walk out of Cardinals' training camp, although that would subject him to fines of $15,000 a day. The team, it seems, may not be prepared to go that route, and his doing so could eventually lead to a trade before the regular season starts.

Right now it all makes for good speculation as anything can still happen in the two and a half weeks before Opening Day. Part Two: How Does this Affect the Eagles?

Game Recap: Eagles 24, Panthers 13

Michoel Botwinick — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 10:18:37 -0400

It was a strange night to play football, much less to open the Eagles' first preseason home game as the Eagles pulled off a convincing win over the Carolina Panthers Thursday. On a night involving a rare 58-minute rain delay, the backups won it for the Eagles as several key players put together a huge fourth quarter comeback victory.

Donovan McNabb came out to much anticipation and fanfare after completing 11-13 passes the week before in a 16-10 loss to Pittsburgh, but failed to put points on the board on either of the team's first two drives, finishing 11-24. The lone Carolina touchdown came early, off a first quarter botched fake field goal shovel pass to Brent Celek that was intercepted by Richard Marshall for a 78-yard touchdown.

The second and third quarters had the Eagles' offense silent, and only as the crowd started dwindling at Lincoln Financial field early in the fourth quarter did the Eagles start to answer back in face of a 13-0 deficit.

After a screen pass to Tony Hunt yielded a 9-yard run on third down and 1, Kevin Kolb connected with Greg Lewis for a 33-yard touchdown pass with less than seven minutes left in the game. Two possessions and one field goal later, Tony Hunt took a hand off an unexpected 51 yards for a touchdown.

The Panthers, hoping to answer back, were given the ball with a little under two minutes left but failed to come up with a touchdown, despite driving to their own 16 yard line. A tip by second-string safety Quintin Demps resulted in an interception by linebacker Justin Roland, who promptly raced 84 yards down the sidelines for a touchdown that cemented in the Eagles win.

Final: Eagles 24, Panthers 13

Philadelphia Eagles: Training Camp Update (July 23)

Michoel Botwinick — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 16:23:25 -0400

Day Two of Eagles' training camp has come and gone without much fanfare. The real question will be whether Brian Westbrook and Lito Sheppard report Thursday night. For now, here are a few notes from today's practice.

It's good to see not only a healthy McNabb, but a happy one. Cracking a few jokes throughout the morning's practice, he kept things light and played in his usual top form. This guy really is the natural leader of this team.

Trevor Laws and Bryan Smith trained in the practice fields with medicine balls today, getting conditioned to join the other guys sometime next week.

The Eagles moved Jackson around a lot behind the line of scrimmage, the purpose being that the press coverage would be slightly lighter on the other side of the line, therefore allowing Jackson to run his route more effectively.

Brent Celek is now the only tight end in camp, so the attention was focused on him as he caught a good many passes in tight spaces.

Therrian Fontenot was clearly trying to get himself noticed. Signed as a rookie CB, Fontenot has been playing aggressively throughout the whole camp. Today, he tangled with Michael Gasperson, and made some good plays at the line of scrimmage.

Donovan McNabb didn't play in the afternoon, and won't be playing tomorrow morning either. It isn't because of the new "30-And-Over Club," but rather because he traditionally gets this time off.

CB Kyle Arrington was physical and had a good day, mostly focusing on pressure at the line of scrimmage. DeSean Jackson and Frantz Hardy were two of his victims.

Quintin Demps had another nice day today, picking off two passes from Kevin Kolb. Those were his second and third of this training camp, after picking off 17 during his college career. Two of his college interceptions, by the way, were off Kevin Kolb.

Kolb consistently passed to Brent Celek for completions during red zone drills.

Ryan Moats is looking good on the short screens, getting upfield quickly and effortlessly. He will have to consistently perform this well to make the 53-man roster.

Overall, all three QBs passed to DeSean Jackson often, giving him an opportunity for him to try out all different sorts of routes—fly routes, curls, slants, flats, you name it.

Check out www.eaglesfever.info for the latest news and photos from training camp!

Eagles' Training Camp Battles: Defensive Line

Michoel Botwinick — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 10:23:31 -0400

In the last article of this series, we will take a look at arguably the most important part of the roster for our 2008 Eagles. These are the young group of starters who can step up and get the game going and anchor the mood of the offense and the rest of the defensive unit for the rest of the game.

These are the underrated players who make all the pivotal plays and bring pressure on the opposing team's offense from all sides.

No, not the linebackers.

It's those defensive linemen. When the Eagles are sacking the other team's QB, their offense steps up (Eagles vs. Patriots, Week 12) and has a good shot to win the game. This factor has been consistent throughout those years of the Eagles' defensive dominance.

So, who stays and who goes on this young and talented group? Says Dave Spadaro of PhiladelphiaEagles.com:

I've got Trent Cole, Chris Clemons, Mike Patterson, Brodrick Bunkley, Trevor Laws, Juqua Parker, Victor Abiamiri and Bryan Smith in as locks. That makes eight players along the line, without a fourth tackle and minus a swing veteran (namely Howard) to play in situations.

Do the Eagles carry nine or 10 linemen? Certainly, if they can find a fourth tackle—veterans Kimo von Oelhoffen and Montae Reagor appear to be the leading candidates—the line would be pretty solid all the way through.

With Patterson and Bunkley in as the starters, the Eagles can afford to give Laws a reasonable number of snaps each game and then work in a fourth tackle in situations.

Howard's value is that he can play both tackle and end. But can he be effective as a pass rusher, something he has not done consistently here? Or is a player like Abiamiri ready to expand his role?

In a perfect world, the Eagles get lights-out performances up and down the line and then have a hard time choosing. If that's the case, look for them to keep 10 linemen. Right now, it seems like the team has eight players lined up pretty nicely, with another one or two roster spots up for grabs.

Yeah, that's about it. It's good to note, though, that Chris Clemons should fit in nicely opposite Trent Cole. I mean, this guy posted eight sacks in limited action last year! Additionally, if either of them are sidelined for any reason, Juqua Parker should fit in as an excellent backup. All in all, I'm really excited about these defensive ends.

As for the defensive tackles, if Mike Patterson steps up this year, the Eagles should be pretty well off.

And I can't say I'm not impressed with Brodrick Bunkley after showing flashes of brilliance last year! He might just have a breakout year this season! However, when it comes to the backups at defensive tackle, well, I'm not really a fan of any of them.

The impact of a good defensive line on a team's overall defense has long been an intricate relationship. A defense starts, and often ends, with the defensive line. Likewise, the Eagles can only have a top-five defense if their line steps up, something that looks like it can be soon made into a reality.

www.eaglesfever.info

Eagles' Training Camp Battles: Safety

Michoel Botwinick — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 04:59:44 -0400

In past years, the Eagles have always gone into the season with four safeties. Two of this year's class will be locks: Brian Dawkins at free safety, and, as Jim Johnson has reiterated, Quintin Mikell at strong safety.

Additionally, the Eagles will probably also take Quintin Demps, a rookie free safety who has shown some special teams ability, into the season. Demps is considered a likely candidate to be Dawkins's replacement in the future.

As for that fourth spot, well, nothing is certain.

Sean Considine, who lost his starting position at strong safety to Quintin Mikell over the course of last season, is still a strong bet to make the team. However, J.R. Reed and Marcus Paschal won't be making things easy.

J.R. Reed finally got good starting time last season, recording a solid 31 tackles, 27 of them solo. He also helped out on special teams as a kickoff returner.

Marcus Paschal, a rookie free agent signing in 2007, was a big surprise to most when he was promoted from the practice squad on November 7th. He ended up playing in three games, none started, and recorded one tackle.

While the Eagles must have seen enough potential from him for them to be confident enough to bring him up, the addition of Quintin Demps should pretty much close the door on the prospect of seeing him don midnight green any time in the near future.

Come training camp, I see one battle at safety to stand out. It will be between Sean Considine and J.R. Reed. If the Eagles choose to go with four safeties like they had done in the past, only one of those players will make that team. Right now, Considine is the favorite. But until the pads come, you can never really know.

In the past, safety has always been a given for the Eagles, a position that was taken for granted. However, with Brian Dawkins dealing with family issues and therefore under performing all of last year, the Eagles were forced to draft a safety for the second year in a row.

This year, with Dawkins back in full health and a promising batch of youngsters waiting to prove that they can contribute, the Eagles are looking to prove that their safeties can be dominating once again.

www.eaglesfever.info

Newsflash: Brian Westbrook Fires Agent, Wants Eagles to Pay Up

Michoel Botwinick — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 09:45:33 -0400

What is going on?

In a bizarre sequence of events, Eagles superstar running back Brian Westbrook has fired agent Fletcher Smith today, just one day after teammate Lito Sheppard fired agent Lamont Smith in favor of T.O.'s high-profile agent, Drew Rosenhaus.

Westbrook, who is also unhappy with his contract situation, may be seeking a pay raise for his current deal, which gives him about $5 million per year.

"When I signed my contract with the Eagles two-and-a-half years ago, they paid me for the level of play I was playing at the time," Westbrook said. "I'm not at that level no more. I'm at a higher level of play.

"There's no question about that. The numbers don't lie. My numbers have steadily increased from that point until now. Now, I'm at the point where I'm one of the elite backs in the NFL, and I should be compensated that way."

It's hard to argue with that. Over the past two seasons, Brian Westbrook accumulated the second most yards from scrimmage of any RB in the NFL, only behind the Chargers' LaDainian Tomlinson. Last year, Westbrook trumped Tomlinson in that category, posting an outstanding 2,104 yards, the most in the league.

Tomlinson received an eight-year extension worth $60 million, including $21 million guaranteed, before the 2004 season. While Westbrook may not be shooting that high with the pay-raise wary Eagles, near that range is something that the organization might consider.

The question is: If Westbrook does not receive that pay raise, will he hold out from training camp like he did in 2005?

"To be honest with you, I don't know. I don't foresee me holding out of this training camp, but..." Westbrook said last week.

Westbrook, who can officially hire a new agent this Saturday, may be looking into All Pro Sports & Entertainment Inc., the group that previously represented Sheppard.

Whoever the agent may be, one thing is for sure.

Westbrook will be looking for someone who can pressure the Eagles into giving him a pay raise. T.O. also tried to do that, but played it out through the media. Lito Sheppard tried it too, but he hasn't gotten his money yet.

T.O. is gone, and Lito Sheppard is on his way out.

Please, Eagles, just give Westbrook the money he deserves, so that we can all watch him in midnight green for years to come.

www.eaglesfever.info

Newsflash: Lito Sheppard Hires Drew Rosenhaus in Dealings with the Eagles

Michoel Botwinick — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 16:25:39 -0400

When the news broke early yesterday morning, it brought back bad memories of the 2005 season.

Yet another successful Eagles player unhappy with his contract situation had hired infamous high-profile agent Drew Rosehaus—yes, the same one who helped crybaby T.O. leave the team in 2005—except this time it was Lito Sheppard complaining and creating the buzz around Philadelphia.

The newly hired Rosenhaus only added to the deja-vu like conversation.

The upshot of it all? If sources are correct, it's nothing to worry about.

Rosenhaus met with vice president of player personnel Howie Roseman and team president Joe Banner earlier today. According to a team source, it was a "relatively positive conversation". Additionally, the word is that Sheppard will be attending training camp this upcoming week, a huge relief for Eagles fans.

Overall, Rosenhaus tried to keep things low key and optimistic.

"I'm trying to keep somewhat of a low profile. We're going to keep everything real positive. I've had a lot of positive dealings with the team recently. I'm confident that we're going to find a mutually beneficial solution to this situation and we expect things to move in a positive direction."

While there is still a chance that Sheppard could be traded before the start of the season, things may be starting to look up.

If he manages to start at least 15 games at CB this season, his trade value would go up dramatically from last season, when teams refused exchanges proposed by the Eagles involving Lito Sheppard for a high first round or low second round draft pick.

However, no team would accept it because Lito Sheppard is considered to be too injury-prone.

If Sheppard plays his hardest this season, he will not only contribute to his prospective trade value, but he would also play a huge part in the Eagles' dynamic defense.

Let's just hope that Rosenhaus sticks to his word and doesn't mess things up again!

www.eaglesfever.info

Favre to the Redskins? Scary

Michoel Botwinick — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 08:55:06 -0400

We all know about the messy affair with Brett Favre's recent decision to come back to the NFL, much to the Packers' and Aaron Rodger's dismay.

Yes, after retiring on April 11, 2008, following the season in which he took the final step in an illustrious Hall of Fame career, breaking numerous records and mesmerizing admirers all over the nation, the legendary Brett Favre was coming back.

Which was fine with me. I really couldn't care less.

Not long afterwards, things started getting ugly. The Packers were only willing to reinstate him on their team as a backup. Then came the letter, asking the Packers to formally release him (he is still under contract through 2011).

I was beginning to get worried.

News was coming in that both the Bears and the Redskins, both dangerous teams lacking a solid quarterback, were interested in him.

The Redskins?? They haven't had a solid QB in over a decade! True, they were set in most other areas, and could be a great team if they had a good quarterback, but...

Over the last few seasons, the NFC East had slowly been rising in the ranks as the Eagles were caught in the midst of the T.O. scandal. Next season, Dallas will be signing all the free agents, getting that dream team together.

The Giants had a good quarterback and a formidable defense. They were Super Bowl caliber, but nobody knew it then.

The Eagles and the Redskins both went no where and finished as the bottom two teams in the East in 2007. But the Redskins were bound by inspiration from the Sean Taylor killing, got their act together, and made the wild card.

It was a surprise, especially considering that they went 5-11 in 2006.

However, after finishing as a legitimate threat in 2007, they could capitalize on a 9-7 year and become the third team in the East which has steadily bypassed the Eagles over the years.

And they could do that with one simple move: Acquiring Brett Favre.

As an Eagles fan, that scares the stuffing out of me.

www.eaglesfever.info

Eagles' Training Camp Battles: Halfback

Michoel Botwinick — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 06:05:00 -0400

It takes one look at the halfback position and a singular name stands out. Yes, Brian Westbrook's resume tells it all, from the 2,104 total yards—the most in the league—to the 12 TDs and the 4.8 rushing average from the line of scrimmage.

It is hard to describe exactly how much Westbrook did for the Eagles last year, at one point accounting for more than a third of total offense. He was also the Eagles' leading receiver and is widely considered the primary threat on this team. Undeniably, he's a lock.

After that, things get kitschy.

The Eagles had been trying to give Westbrook a solid No. 2 back for a long time, from the drafting of Ryan Moats and Tony Hunt to the re-signing of veteran RB Correll Buckhalter last season.

A solid No. 2 back would not only provide a talented and unpredictable one-two punch on offense, but it would also take some of the pressure off Westbrook.

While Buckhalter did reasonably well in limited action last year (313 yard for four TDs), the Eagles went out and acquired yet another RB this year, this one in a draft day trade. His name was Lorenzo Booker, and as soon as he came to Philadelphia, people went out and started comparing his running style to Brian Westbrook.

...Which is fine, until you consider that Booker had a hard time getting on the field for the 1-15 Dolphins in his rookie year, a season in which he managed only 125 yards and no TDs. Regardless, his status on the team is relatively safe.

If the Eagles carry four RBs—which I think is likely—Correll Buckhalter will come back as either the No. 1 or No. 2 back, depending on how well Lorenzo Booker plays. Buckhalter is a solid veteran who can be very valuable in short yardage situations and averages over five yards per carry.

After that, it's a two man race between Tony Hunt and Ryan Moats. As of now, it looks like Tony Hunt will make that final cut, Ryan Moat's injuries making him the odd man out.

In terms of the fullback position—a position that the Eagles emphasize in blocking—the departure of Thomas Tapeh means that it is most likely Jason Davis's turn to step up. Davis will have to battle out for that starting responsibility with the newly acquired Luke Lawton and youngster Jed Collins. The Eagles will most likely take one fullback into the season.

One thing is for sure. Halfback—it will be a battle to watch.

www.eaglesfever.info

Eagles' Training Camp Battles: Wide Receiver

Michoel Botwinick — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 10:12:47 -0400

Training camp is approaching steadily, those dog days of summer when roster spots and starting positions are battled out under the unforgiving mid-summer sun. There will be several focuses at the 2008 training camp, recurring themes that pop up every year around this time.

Aside from the usual starting position battles, which inevitably take place, training camp will also give us an in-depth look at the rookies. This includes the much-heralded DeSean Jackson, a look at the Eagles' 2008 wide receiver unit, and overall a general outlook on the team we will be rooting for this upcoming 2008 season.

Later next week, as camps begin, I will provide continual updates (which you can check out in the "Latest News" section), but for now I will provide elaborate analysis on the upcoming roster units. These articles will come in installments, all the way until training camp begins.

Today I will start with the most anticipated position of all: Wide receiver.

Unlike most of the other positions on this roster, it seems to me right now that the Eagles have two locks. These locks won't have to worry about their starting positions any time soon.

First, there's Kevin Curtis, the Eagles' featured receiver who is coming into his fifth year as a starter. Proving his effectiveness in his first year using the West Coast Offense last year, an offense that is sometimes hard to adapt to. Curtis put up solid numbers (1,110 yards with 6 TDs), and looks to build on that this upcoming season.

What many people do not put into perspective is that Curtis gained more receiving yards last season than Giants' celebrated wide receiver Plaxico Burress (1,025 to Curtis's 1,110). The discrepancy in TDs (Burress' 12 to Curtis's 6) is due largely in part to the fact that Curtis was not used as often in the red zone.

This gives Curtis the second most yards of any wide receiver in the NFC East—only behind the infamous Terrel Owens.

Next up is Reggie Brown, a wide receiver who showed flashes of brilliance in 2006, when he recorded 816 yards for 8 TDs. However, after a disappointing 2007 campaign in which he scored only 4 TDs, hopes of his becoming an established wide receiver with the Eagles fell dramatically.

There's no concrete reason why he shouldn't make huge gains again this year—this said from an optimist's perspective—and hopes are high on him once again.

After Reggie Brown, the third wide receiver position is still up for grabs. Last season, Jason Avant took it (267 yards and 2 TDs) while showing considerable toughness and will to succeed. Nevertheless it really is still any man's position for the taking.

DeSean Jackson and Hank Baskett are other likely prospects of taking it. Greg Lewis and Brandon Childress (previously on New England's training squad), as well as Jamal Jones (previously with the Saints) are going to have trouble making the team, let alone see much starting time.

Lastly, will the Eagles keep all six receivers (Greg Lewis, Brandon Childress, and Jamal Jones fight it out for that sixth spot), or just go with five (Greg Lewis and other backups likely don't make the team)?

These answers and more coming up next week as Eagles fans finally get to see everyone in action. Everything will come down to raw talent, stamina, and willingness to play as hard as they possibly can to make the 53-man roster.

If one thing in the past tells us anything about next week's training camp, it is that until the pads come on, every roster spot is still up for grabs.

Should be exciting!

www.eaglesfever.info

Eagles: After Long Search for Coveted Wide Receiver, Eagles Fall Short

Michoel Botwinick — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 13:03:56 -0400

There had been much talk about the Eagles finally getting that coveted No. 1 wide receiver earlier in this off-season, and after making two huge off-season splashes in the signing of All-Pro CB Asante Samuel and a much needed emerging DE in Chris Clemons, the Eagles nearly did just that.

Many people are not aware, for example, that the Eagles pursued Randy Moss, or how close they actually were to a deal. At one point during that behind-the-scenes operation a source was quoted as saying, "It seems that the Eagles organization and Randy Moss are close to a deal."

While Moss eventually went back to New England, it was evident that the Eagles had at least gone out there and tried to address one of the Eagles greatest needs, despite what Andy Reid would later say about his confidence in the current squad.

Once again, days after failing to procure Moss, the Eagles made noticeable efforts in trying to bring a No. 1 wide receiver to Philadelphia. All the rumors flying around involved the trading of disgruntled corner back Lito Sheppard for Arizona's Larry Fitzgerald, a move that would help to bolster Arizona's weak defense.

Once again, however, all fell to naught when Larry Fitzgerald signed a contract extension with the Cardinals.

But, if sources are correct, Eagles management didn't stop there. They went out and contacted Detroit for a possible trade, once again involving Lito Sheppard, this time for Roy Williams.

There was, however, no legitimate reason that the Lions would make this move, and five weeks into free agency the Eagles were still left empty handed.

Since then, there had been talk about Arizona's Anquan Boldin or Cincinnati's Chad Johnson. Nothing has come out of either.

It is possible that the Eagles' vigorous search for a wide receiver was due in part to the possibility of this being the end of the McNabb-Reid era. The Eagles, a team which pass often under Reid's offense desperately wanted to make this last year a successful one. That can still happen.

At draft time, the Eagles drafted WR/KR DeSean Jackson in the second round. He had a reasonably good career for Cal as a wide receiver, but his main value was returning punts and kickoffs. He may help in some offensive packages for the Eagles as a wide receiver, but won't make much of an impact in his rookie year.

And that leaves the Eagles where they are right now: No wide receiver and no prospects of getting one. They still have Lito Sheppard, though, an important piece in this emerging young defense.

Maybe, just maybe, Andy Reid was right about the Eagles' current wide receivers being sufficient. Maybe not.

Either way, these will be the ones who will have to step up and play this 2008 season.

I just hope it won't be another wasted effort.

Traing Camp Approaching; Eagles News Quiets Down

Michoel Botwinick — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 08:21:24 -0400

It's that time of year again. These four to five weeks of little or no activity from the Eagles, while sports talk and chatter fly around on possible trade moves or predictions for the upcoming season.

Meanwhile, the countdown to training camp continues to tick down steadily like the heartbeat of the Eagles' fan base.

For once, the Phillies are in first place going into the All-Star break, and the 76ers just signed free agent Elton Brand, thereby creating that low-post presence that the team so desperately needed. Even the Flyers are being talked about, coming off an unexpected playoff run just one year after previously holding the undesirable position as the worst team in hockey.

As for the Eagles...well—they haven't yet signed their two second-round draft picks, including the elusive and much talked about PR/WR DeSean Jackson, but that should all fall in place before training camp.

Other then that, they are basically set for the upcoming 2008 season.

And with the futile search for a true wide receiver at last coming to a sluggish end, how good can the Eagles be this season? Says Dave Spadaro of PhiladelphiaEagles.com:

"Are the Eagles good enough to win it all? Yeah, I think so. They have a defense that certainly seems to have every piece in place. The line is deep and talented. The linebackers are young and talented. The secondary has superb front-line players and quality depth."

...Which sounds great, until you consider: Doesn't this dude say that every year?

Then again, you never know with the Eagles. They always seem to be surprising us (mostly in bad ways, unfortunately), but with the current pieces in place, anything can happen. Hey, they might just be the next 2007 Giants!

Or not.

Oh well! I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

How The 2007 Draft Affected The '07-'08 Season

Michoel Botwinick — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 08:05:43 -0400

It's Sunday night and the long awaited 2008 NFL draft has finally come and gone. As a Philadelphia Eagles fan, it's tempting to go on and on about about how thrilled I am about the Eagles getting DeSean Jackson or Trevor Laws--who I thought were both great picks--except that the start of the 2008 NFL season is over four months away, and for all I know both might be busts.

So instead of going out and grading teams on this year's picks, I'll look at last year's top ten first round draft picks who've already been scrutinized and have a season under their belts. Here goes:

No.1 Oakland Raiders: JaMarcus Russell, QB, Louisiana State

Analysis: For a No.1 pick, JaMarcus Russell was a big disappointment. Coming off a great year at Louisiana State, he played in just 4 games for the Raiders, 1 of them started, throwing just 4 touchdowns for 373 yards and 2 interceptions. He fumbled 4 times, 2 of them lost. His QB rating is 55.9.

No.2 Detroit Lions: Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech

Analysis: After injuring his lower-back in week three, Calvin Johnson still managed to pull off a mediocre season in which he played in 15 games, 10 of them started, recording 48 receptions for 756 yards with 15.6 average, all the while scoring 4 touchdowns. He fumbled just once but never lost the ball. An all around tough guy who will probably break out in the '08/'09 season.

No.3 Cleveland Browns: Joe Thomas, OT, Wisconsin

Analysis: Started all 16 games for the Browns. A very consistent player.

No. 4 Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson

Analysis: In 16 games, 8 started, Gaines Adams recorded 38 tackles, 28 of them solo, 6.0 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles. Slightly better than average.

No.5 Arizona Cardinals: Levi Brown, OT, Penn State

Analysis: Levi Brown played in 13 games, 11 of them started. For an offensive tackle, he is certainly above the curve.

No.6 Washington Redskins: LaRon Landry, SS, Louisiana State

Analysis: With 95 tackles, 63 of them solo, and 1.5 sacks, LaRon Landry clearly established himself as a talented player who could only get better from here on out.

No.7 Minnesota Vikings: Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma

Analysis: Clearly the most talented player from the 2007 NFL draft, Adrian Peterson rushed for 1,341 yards on 238 carries, resulting in 12 touchdowns. With an outstanding average of 5.6 yards per carry, he went on to become the leading rusher in the NFC, and the MVP of the Pro Bowl. He also recorded 19 receptions for 268 yards and a 14.1 average. Overall, he fumbled only 4 times, 3 of them lost.

No.8 Atlanta Falcons: Jamaal Anderson, DE, Arkansas

Analysis: A disappointment considering his high draft status, Jamaal Anderson recorded only 30 tackles, 26 of them solo, and 1 forced fumble in his first season.

No.9 Miami Dolphins: Ted Ginn Jr., WR, Ohio State

Analysis: Although he played in all 16 games, 9 of them started, Ted Ginn Jr. recorded only 34 receptions for 420 yards and a 12.4 average, all the while scoring 2 touchdowns. He did well, however, on special teams, when he returned a punt for a touchdown and recorded 22.7 yard average on kickoff returns. He fumbled 3 times, 1 of them lost.

No.10 Houston Texans: Amobi Okoye, DT, Louisville

Analysis: While playing in all 16 games, 14 of them started, Amobi Okoye recorded 32 tackles, 23 solo, 5.5 sacks and 4 forced fumbles. Slightly above the average, he has good potential in upcoming seasons.

These ten players were all considered outstanding players at some point. They all have considerable talent, and many of them will probably break out in the upcoming seasons, and become established players.

Eagles Fans Still Clamoring for a #1 Receiver

Michoel Botwinick — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 06:20:04 -0400

It's been exactly 48 days since the NFL free agency signing period began on February 29th, but the Philadelphia Eagles still haven't acquired a No. 1 wide receiver—the foremost need for an embattled Eagles team hoping for a successful '08 season.

Which isn't to say they haven't tried. At the beginning, when they went all out in acquiring the former Patriots star corner back Asante Samuel, what Eagles fans didn't know was that the Eagles had also come terribly close to signing teammate Randy Moss, perhaps the best receiver in the whole league.

After a noticeable delay, however, Randy Moss resigned with the New England Patriots. As free agency advanced, and the Eagles signed the better-than-average blitzer Chris Clemons—once more addressing the defense—and later Dan Klecko, there were rumors that the Eagles were trying to land Larry Fitzgerald from the Arizona Cardinals, another No. 1 receiver.

Despite the fact that Larry Fitzgerald's deal needed to be reconstructed, and that it was supposedly his second-to-last year as a Cardinal, the Cardinals and Larry Fitzgerald repeatedly said that he wasn't going anywhere. The Eagles offered disgruntled corner back Lito Sheppard and mediocre receiver Reggie Brown, plus possibly a draft pick or two, but in the end the prospective deal came to no avail.

And that's basically where the Eagles stand now. They signed a few more free agents—mostly addressing the defense—but as for a wide receiver it's still nothing but talk.

There have been rumors about dissatisfied receiver Chad Johnson from the Cincinnati Bengals, but for know it's just talk and rumor. Besides, do the Eagles need another T.O.? Do they want to risk it?

There was also talk about Roy Williams from the Detroit Lions, but there's no reason the Lions organization would ever want to do a deal.

For now, the Eagles are looking to the draft, particularly several elite wide receivers in Malcolm Kelly, Limas Sweed, and DeSean Jackson. While the Eagles have 19th round draft pick, the Eagles could very well trade Lito Sheppard for an earlier pick.

Meanwhile, Eagles fans are just hoping for a wide receiver—any wide receiver.