What to think? vs. What to think.

From Spad's recent post:

"It's a rare happenstance in any sport. Reid has always said he'll look anywhere for talent and he's proven it in his time as the Eagles head coach. At a time when the Eagles shed talent in Simon, they are looking ahead to more additions and subtractions to improve the roster.

And guess what? It's OK with you. You trust Reid and Heckert and Jeffrey Lurie and Joe Banner and you should. "

Okay, this is just weird. First of all, it seems to me that a number of fans are continually frustrated with the Birds' nickel and dime approach to their players and the salary cap. I suppose that running the team like a business is fine in theory, but it almost seems as if they are focused on longetivity (which is good) at the direct expense of a championship (which is bad). In my cynical view, I wonder if they are more interested in keeping the team just good enough to maximize revenue, rather than make some serious moves to win it all and face the chance of some less-profitable rebuilding years afterwards.

Another thing about this "article" that strike me as weird is the fact that this is one of the few times that Spado has written in the second person. It's as if he's aware of the fans' concern over the front office, but wants not simply to reassure us, but to tell us what to think. Maybe the Lurie/Banner/Reid administration is getting its game plan from the Rove/Bush/Rumsfield administration? And Spads is Scott McClellan?

more RB rumors...

From the Denver Post:

"According to an NFL source, the Philadlephia Eagles called the Broncos to inquire about running back Ron Dayne. The Broncos showed no interest in dealing Dayne, who is expected to be a backup tailback. Eagles offensive coordinator Brad Childress was an assistant at Wisconsin when Dayne starred there.

Dayne has excelled since signing with Denver in April. The 1999 Heisman Trophy winner has played well in training camp and in the preseason.

"Ron is very happy in Denver," said his agent, Vann McElroy. "He loves it there."

Cuts!

"Signed wide receiver Michael Gasperson; waived wide receivers Jared Jones, Chris Samp and Isaac West, linebacker David Bergeron, kicker Jimmy Kibble, defensive end Darrell Lee, safety Corey Peoples and offensive tackle Drew Strojny."

Hey Simon, so Long, and Thanks for all the Holdouts

"Eagles announced Sunday night that they have withdrawn the franchise tag on defensive tackle Corey Simon, meaning that he is now an unrestricted free agent."

Birds #2 in Fox Sports Preseason Power Rankings

...behind the Pats at #1 and ahead of the Colts at #3. Of more significance, only 2 other NFC teams are ranked in the top 10, with Panthers at 7 and Falcons at #9...

"Many predict doom for Team Turmoil, as some say they missed their window to win a Super Bowl. But rock solid leadership with the tone set by Andy Reid and Donovan McNabb have calmed the troubled waters, even after the Terrell Owens circus and Brian Westbrook holdout. Together again, Philly's Big Three on offense complements Jim Johnson's loaded defense with seven Pro Bowl-caliber starters and a stable of backups who could start on most teams. "

and he even scowls while reading...

Why Am I Soooooo Prettay?!

Buckhalter's done for the season

Man, this guy has had some tough breaks. He was apparently practicing very well this year too.

Time to get the rolodex out and look for Dorsey's number... But hopefully we can do a little better. (As Rich Hoffman suggests: http://www.philly.com/mld/dailynews/sports/12459768.htm)

I guess this means Reno's spot on the roster is that much more secure. How unfortunate.

Reno Mahe Sucks

That's pretty much all I got.

(But I do feel like this is the second coming of James Thrash... Reid continuously sticks with a guy who is obviously horrendous and has no business being in the NFL, but "people like him" so he remains a starter.)

Heeee's back...

From PhiladelphiaEagles.com:

"The Eagles announced Tuesday that they have inked veteran punter Sean Landeta to a one-year contract and waived punter Mark Mariscal. This will be Landeta's second go around with the Eagles after being their punter from 1999-2002."

The guy was born when JFK was president. Most of our current roster was born during the Reagan administration. Just an observation.

bad news

Horrible news:

1. WR Jenkins is apparently done for the season with an ACL tear;
2. Carlos Perez is now the No. 5;
3. Wynn is also out temporarily with a high ankle sprain; and worst of all,
4. Mahe will be taking over for Wynn at returning punts.

WR rumors...?

Anyone hear any rumors on the Birds picking up a WR? Apparently the Browns just granted Andre Davis' agent permission to seek a trade.

http://www.ryanmoats.com/

Could - dare I ask - he be comin' on?

Height: 5.9
Weight: 210
40 Times: 1st - 4.49 2nd - 4.46
225 Bench press: 19 times
Long Jump: 9.9 feet
High Jump: 36 inches

Tied J.J. Arrington and Darren Sproles for the fastest official 40 time out of all of the Running Backs with his 4.46 performance.

He's Comin' On!

I told you he looked good Monday night, he was all over the field. According to Spads:

"Overlooked a bit in Monday's game was the stellar defensive performance from linebacker Jason Short. He has improved so much as a linebacker. Combined with his play as a special teams guy, Short deserves a spot on this roster. He's improved by leaps and bounds from last year. " - http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/newsDetail.jsp?id=33173

commie

According to phillyburbs.com, William Devlin, an evangelical Christian activist from Montgomery County, has started a campaign to encourage Andy Reid to get the Eagles Cheerleaders lingerie calendar recalled. Devlin even made a website containing text in the form of a letter addressed to Reid, encouraging Reid (with improper grammar) to "be a man" and help recall the calendar, because "[o]ur kids don’t need these types of pictures and messages that your team is sending out." (http://www.andygetridofit.com)

Is it just me...

... or does Hugh look like one of the guys on your high school football team that just had to flex their arms for the team picture?

T.O. update...

7:27 a.m. - Pulled into NovaCare Complex .

8:44 a.m. - Sprinted onto the practice field. According to Spads, "Owens, who was told to leave training camp one week ago, was visibly more responsive to teammates in the morning practice."

11:00 a.m. Reid said in a press conference that his meeting with T.O. lasted a few minutes and was "good". At least T.O. was not suspended or dismissed again.

Later - at his own press conference, McNabb even stated: "This issue has made us stronger," he said. "I will be able to sit right next to him. He's still a part of the team."

Does this mean everything is back to normal? That T.O. is going to stop acting childish, and we're all supposed to forget about everything that happened? I'm so confused...

On his show on WIP, Gary Cobb said T.O.didn't simply talk to his teammates, but did so in front of the cameras, and even gesticulated to make it clear that he was talking to them, as if it was all a performance. I think virtually everyone thinks that this uneasy truce will not last. Glenn Macnow said he thinks the over/under of the next erruption is 10 days...

Skip Bayless is a Jackass

Not sure if you caught Skip's piece on Page 2, completely ripping the Birds front office and showing his lack of objectivity...here's an excerpt: "You won't get a drop of sympathy from these tear ducts for "tough, no-nonsense" Eagles coach Andy Reid.
Or for team president Joe "Hold That Bottom Line" Banner.
Or for owner Jeffrey Lurie, who has a reputation for showing the door to stars who demand that the Eagles show them the money.
Feels like T.O.'s been holding the ball, and pulling the strings, doesn't it?Or even for quarterback Donovan McNabb, a good company man and great leader who has always been able to laugh off locker-room controversies the way he shrugs off pass rushers.
The last few days, I have laughed until I've nearly cried at how these NFL pillars have been upended by the media-manipulated attacks of one of the most brilliant and unscrupulous PR minds in sports -- that of Terrell Eldorado Owens."

He reiterated some of this on Cold Pizza this morning. I really don't like that guy - he never makes any sense. I had to shoot him an email in response:

"Fine, you're not a fan of the Eagles or TO - you've made that clear over the past several years. But have some journalistic integrity and try to contain your "joy" in ripping apart the best front office in football. The Eagles did not screw up - they have taken the high road and ignored almost everything TO has done in the media, and journalists like you have created a circus around TO's comments, trying to get the Birds to react; and when the Birds haven't reacted by clowning around like TO, "journalists" like you get frustrated and then proclaim TO the winner by default. how does that work? Under your "analysis" any player that creates a stink is automatically the winner if the team doesn't run around making crazy remarks in relaliation...look, the Birds org and McNabb have acted professionally throughout this whole thing and will continue to do so - they won't sink to TO's level to play his stupid game. What they've shown is that the Team goes on and is bigger than any player. I watch you and Woody argue back and forth and neither of you make any sense - You're both reactionists and have no sense of the big picture."

Although personally I wish the Birds did try to negotiate his contract just so we could push through this season and get to the SB, in the long run, it might be better that Banner & Co. just stepped back and let it go. TO has showed that he's just crazy and not worth the effort.

back to work...

So what does everyone think about last night's preseason opener?

J Dubs' take - Just finished watchin the whole game on TiVo - here's my quick thoughts: (1) espn HD, can we go widescreen on that fellas? I really don't like looking at 2 6-inch bands on either side of the screen that spell "HD" - I know it's in HD, that's why I pay the extra 12 bucks a month, to view actual shows and games in HD, not to be told by a cheap graphic that I'm watching in HD, a-holes... (2) McNabb looked sharp after a shaky start and a couple of floaters. He looks comfortable w/the young receivers, which is muy importante. (3) Receivers looked good! Everyone made plays, and that's what you like to see, this early in ther preseason it's really about seeing how well they grasp the playbook and offense, and all our boys seemed pretty comfortable out there w/ a couple of exceptions. Reggie looks like the real deal, and even McMullen looked pretty dang good. As for Reggie, is it possible that the Eagles could have actually drafted a good receiver? It's a Christmas miracle! (4) Ryan Moats - wow. With 6 carries and a catch, he showed some real promise. We may have solved our RB problem for good, folks. I believe he and Perry if healthy can make up for any slack caused by Buckhalter's past injuries. We'll see, but I really like what I saw. The comparison, and don't laugh, being made to Moats is that he looks like Emmitt when he 1st came in the league - small, good moves, fast and powerful. That woudln't hurt, would it?! This guy was a finalist for the Doak Walker award (best RB in college FB), lost ground b/c he played in the offense-happy WAC (player of the year). I won't go so far as to say "He's comin on!" (the Emmitt comparison is enough for now, doncha think?), but I really liked what I saw. (5) D wasn't spectacular, w/exception of Hood's nice INT, and Jason Short making plays all over the field - I really like that kid. Hope there's room for him other than on ST. One thing they mentioned a couple of times is that JJ has a lot of tricks in store for this season, namely, that the D is gonna be real aggressive w/ a year of this scheme under their belts and focus more on turnovers than they did last year. Music to my ears...

ps: Anyone see Moats next to Andrews on the bench after his 2nd TD? Looked like the old bugs bunny cartoon with spike and chester. good times!

This is great. Please buy a shirt to help T.O. feed his family

http://www.foryouto.com/pages/1/index.htm

Talk about surreal...

Spadaro actually just wrote that Reno Mahe "has proven to be an invaluable Eagle for two seasons -- spot duty at halfback, lining up in the slot and catching passes, returning punts and kickoffs, covering on special teams. "

Does Spads have no shame? What about journalistic integrity?

What to do with TO

OK, it's very obvious now (like it should have been 6 mos ago when he started ripping on McNabb) that the TO experiment is over. As good as he is, he's not going to be an asset for us with his antics. So, what do you guys think we should do with him? My first suggestion would be a trade, but most people are saying that no team can afford him at this point. But is there a way around that? We're poised to make a SB run NOW, so wouldn't waiting til the season is over be counter-productive? Even if we got a #1 or #2 guy who isn't nearly as good as TO, seems that we'd still be in good shape, and we'd unload this rotting banana now before it ruins the whole bunch. Making a SB run with G-Lew and Reggie as our main receivers ain't gonna fly. Let me know what you think.

John Clayton's suggestion (on ESPN.com): "Something has to be done to patch this relationship. A suggestion would be telling Owens what is probably ahead for him after the season. While the Eagles can't let Owens win by having his way in getting a new contract or his release, the two sides need to part ways after the season. He has a $7.5 million roster bonus that was purposely negotiated as a way to either firm up the relationship or simply say two years was enough.
Telling Owens this will be his final year in Philadelphia could be the settlement of the differences. First, Owens would get what he wants free agency and a chance at a bigger contract. Second, this wouldn't be a contract renegotiation. It's just making a decision. For the Eagles, Owens creates too many distractions for the relationship to go beyond two years."

TO asked to leave camp by Reid

Guess TO and Reid got into it at a meeting. TO is gone.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2130735&CMP=OTC-DT9705204233

Reed it and weep...

According to www.profootballcentral.com, the birds are thinking of going after Josh Reed from the Bills. They're apparently thinking of dealing Simon in return for Reed and another Bills player. Not bad, but is this really the best we can do? (I'm very cool with dealing Simon, but would rather get a No. 1 WR or even an underrated No. 2 WR in exchange, rather than a good No. 3 WR and another useless throw-away ST player).

Question about Brook's Return

Guys, need an explanation - Commentators have been saying all weekend that it's a mistake for Brook to be back in camp (i.e. he may get injured and risk his long term contracts hopes, etc.). ?? Didn't he HAVE to report or risk losing his year of tenure to become an unrestricted free agent next year? he's under contract for this season so I don't understand what the controversy is in him returning. What other choice did he have? We're still in negotiations with him for a long term contract, but in the meantime, he has to show up or risk fines and eligibility problems. No team matched his tender in the market so I don't get it...does anyone know the issue here?

Color me pink

Great, I go away for a few days, and come back to find that Pinky's out for the season? Hell, I know he's weak, but this will just make T.O. think he has more leverage. (Multiples of zero are still zero, though).

So has anyone heard of Chris Samp, the free agent rookie they brought in after Pinky's injury? According to Les Bowen from the Daily News, he has 4,471 receiving yards on 222 catches at Winona State (in Minnesota), which ranks him second in Division II history.

But what's the consensus here? Is Pinky's injury a good thing? On one hand, he's weak, can't (or won't) go over the middle, and gets cramps almost monthly. On the other hand, except for T.O. who can't be depended upon right now (even just to sign autographs), we really only have Greg Lewis -- because Reggie Brown still needs time to learn, McMullen is big but has hands as soft as The Thing, and Jenkins is untested. Are there any real No. 1 recievers we could snatch at this point?

Scary...I guess the football Gods heard me last year

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ap-eagles-injuries&prov=ap&type=lgns

So, is TO gonna play or what?!?!

Sounds like he is...

From philadelphiaeagles.com today:

"Eagles president Joe Banner met with wide receiver Terrell Owens and his agent Drew Rosenhaus Tuesday afternoon on the campus of Lehigh University to discuss Owens' unhappiness with his contract.

Banner, along with head coach Andy Reid, delivered to them the same message that the Eagles have delivered the entire offseason - that while the Eagles understand Owens' position, they will not re-negotiate.

'We're glad he's here. We're glad he's committed to focusing on football and trying to have a good year," Banner said. "Our position always has been that he has a contract and he needs to honor it. That continues to be our position.'"

http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/homeNewsDetail.jsp?id=31723

EAGLES NOTEBOOK

http://www.courierpostonline.com/news/sports/s080305c.htm

TO vs. Moss........(more than a stat discussion)

Just got off the phone with my friend, who works for the Raiders. When asked about Randy Moss(who is comparable with TO in a few ways IMO) he said that he has been
great. Professional, nice to deal with, keeps to himself, etc..
Now, I know that could change at anytime and probably will, but I thought it
was interesting when dealing with these a-hole receivers.

I will update this as I hear more about him and his dealings with the Raiders. Could be a cool comparison with how TO deals with "things" and ultimately each other when they play September 25th.

(Side note: When I come back for the visit "Eagles vs. Raiders", my friend will be in Philly that Saturday and would like to get together with everyone that night. )

Westbrook on the hook...

The Eagles just released this statement regarding Westbrook:

"We've been very aggressive in trying to secure a long-term contract for Brian. We had thought we were making good progress in that regard.

"Unfortunately, Brian made a counter-productive and almost unprecedented decision to not report to training camp. We will focus our attention on the players that are present as we begin full-squad practices on Tuesday."

I really don't like the tone of this statement. It even seems a little unlike the Eagles organization to issue a statement like that. I can understand that they're a little steamed over him not reporting, but it scares me to think that this could become a mean-spirited battle, with the Eagles now digging their heels in and refusing to give him much of anything (which maybe depends upon how Moats plays?). But personally, I think Westy is much more valuable to the team than T.O. and they need to lock him up, and soon.

we will be rolling...

“When that thing is kicked off when we play Atlanta, all that stuff will be ironed out,” said Dawkins, one of the true teams leaders. “However way it will be ironed out, it will be ironed out and we will be rolling.”

Remember to boo T.O. at Lehigh

"Remember to boo T.O. at Lehigh "


"Where is the booing? Why aren't you booing?
Yes, you, the guy with the green and white face paint and the green visor and the same Herschel Walker jersey you've been wearing since 1993. I know you. I get e-mails from you. I hear you call in to talk-radio shows. I knew you were going to be here, at Lehigh University, for Eagles training camp. And here it is, Tuesday, Aug. 2, and I just knew you wouldn't miss Terrell Owens' first day back with the Eagles.
But you're cheering him. T.O. just caught a long one from Donovan McNabb, pushed away Lito Sheppard's press coverage, blew past Brian Dawkins, pulled McNabb's pass from his fingertips to his chest, and you're clapping for him. You're screaming for him. You're cheering for him. Why are you cheering for him?
Look, you don't know me from Adam, but indulge me for a moment while T.O. stands there and flexes some more. Because this isn't about Terrell Owens. This is about you. This is about your anger over T.O. and his contract dispute and his selfishness and the way - in your words - he turned his back on his team, on his coach, on his quarterback and on Philadelphia. You said all that, and yet you're standing here at the practice fields near Goodman Stadium, and you and a few thousand people like you can't get enough of the guy.
Why aren't you booing?
Whoa, don't get outraged at me. I'm just asking a simple question. For four months now, the T.O. story has been stuck in the media spin cycle, and there's no denying that the vast majority of Eagles fans came down against Owens. And you're one of them. You're the one who called T.O. every name in the book. You're the one who backed Andy Reid and Jeffrey Lurie and Joe Banner from the beginning, from the moment Owens and his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said they wanted to re-negotiate Owens' contract. You're the one who said, "Seven years, $49 million, and he wants a new contract? That %^&* can go straight to ..."
Well, you know what you said.
Now me, I wanted to the Eagles to re-work T.O.'s contract once the whole fiasco became public. Would have saved them a whole lot of trouble, and really, his performance in the Super Bowl, putting his career on the line like that, was something to behold. But I'll grant you, Owens and Rosenhaus didn't make the most eloquent arguments in defense of their position. Anyone in line to make $3.25 million in one year and says he needs more money "to take care of his family" is setting himself up for ridicule, and man, I saw Rosenhaus on HBO's "Real Sports," and I don't think even he believes his own rationalizations.

You took the opposite position, and I respect that. But given how adamant you were, I'm puzzled why you still haven't answered my question.
Why aren't you booing?
I just don't get it, is all. Philadelphia sports fans, Eagles fans in particular, have this well-earned reputation for being tough. They booed Ron Jaworski, even when he had a lousy offensive line. They've booed McNabb, even when he had below-average wide receivers. They boo their own mothers when the mashed potatoes are lumpy. So here's a player who, most Philadelphia fans seem to agree, put his own interests above the team's interests - a cardinal sin in these parts.
So why aren't you booing him? If you can't boo him today, seems to me you don't have the courage of your convictions. Seems to me you're a little hypocritical.
Hey, hold on. I'm talking about today, T.O.'s first day. That's all. I mean, come the start of the Eagles' regular season, I'll understand if you don't boo him. By then, it'll be time to let the grudge go. And I'd even understand your cheering today if Owens had apologized for being greedy and causing such a commotion.
But he hasn't apologized. And I've got news for you: He isn't going to. Oh, he'll go out there and catch his touchdowns and flap his arms and dance his dances, but if you think he's ever going to stand up and say, "You know, it was really silly of me to make such a fuss. It was a dumb thing to do, and I'm sorry to the Eagles organization and their fans," you're loonier than Gary Busey after four 7&7s.
All right, relax. It was just a joke. All I'm saying is, you've spent all this time ripping T.O., calling him disloyal and money-hungry and self-centered, saying that the Eagles don't need him to win the Super Bowl, and I'm just holding you to your words.
So, why aren't you booing him?
Because if you felt that way, you really should."