The Birds and the Boys Play One for All the Marbles

The title sums it up as this Sunday in Dallas, the Eagles will play one their most important regular season games in recent memory. With everything to gain and so much to lose they need to find a way, anyway to win this game.

The following is a bit more insight into this crucial match-up as posted on Dont Boo the Birds.

The Birds and the Boys Play One for All the Marbles

Week 17 NFC Match-Ups

There are three games in the NFC this week that will have a bearing on the seeding for the playoffs. Of course none is bigger than the Eagles-Cowboys game which will not only determine which team wins the NFC East, but which team has the easier path to winning a Championship.

Just to recap if the Eagles win, they would win the NFC East and get a first round bye in the playoffs. The Cowboys would then most likely play the Vikings in Minnesota in the wildcard round.

If the unspeakable happens and the Eagles lose, then the Cowboys win the East and could still get the number two seed if both Minnesota and Arizona lose. Since that would be unlikely, what would most likely happen is that the Eagles and Cowboys would play again in Dallas next week in a wildcard game.

The following is my preview of all three impact games as posted on SportsBook Lists

NFC Week 17 Match-Ups

Week 17 Preview- Dallas Cowboys

After 16 weeks of action it all comes down to one final game against the team we all love to hate; the Dallas Cowboys.

Thanks to Brad Childress screwing with Brett Favre's head the Eagles have a golden opportunity to not only beat the Cowboys in Jerry Jone's billion dollar baby- Cowboys Stadium, they have a chance to grab the #2 seed and a first round bye in the playoffs with a win.

I'm not trying to get ahead of myself but the trip to Miami is back on. Anyway the following is a preview of Dallas as posted on Bleeding Green Nation.

The Dallas Cowboys

Eagles Hold On to Beat the Broncos 30-27

They made us sweat a bit in this one, but in the end the Eagles pulled out a big 30-27 win over Denver on a 28 yard David Acker field goal with four seconds left to play to spoil Brian Dawkins' homecoming.

The win, their sixth in a row moves their record to 11-4, but it still doesn't clinch the NFC East. If the Cowboys were to lose tonight to the Redskins then the Birds would be division champs, otherwise it still comes down to next week's season finale in Dallas.

The following is my review of today's game as posted on Dont Boo the Birds:

Eagles Hold On to Beat the Broncos 30-27.

Week16 Preview- Denver Broncos

Brian Dawkins heads into town this Sunday in what will be one of the most emotional returns in the city since Allen Iverson returned to the 76ers. The only problem is that Dawk is playing for the other team.

Denver comes into this game with a 8-6 record and still in control of their playoff destiny in the AFC, however after starting 6-0 they have lost six out of their last eight games. A loss the Eagles would severly hurt their chances of even making the post season after such a great start.

The Birds on the other hand have already clinched a spot in the playoffs and can still end up as high as the #2 seed with two more wins and a Minnesota loss. If that isn't enough motivation to win this game, then I do not know what is.

Below is a complete preveiw of the Broncos as posted on Bleeding Green Nation;

The Denver Broncos

Make it Five in a Row for the Birds

The Eagles officially clinched a spot in the post season with their 27-13 win over the 49ers this afternoon at the Linc. The following is my review of the game as posted on Dont Boo the Birds:

Make it Five in a Row for the Birds

Eagles Return to the Linc to Play the 49ers

The 9-4 Philadelphia Eagles square off against the 6-7 San Francisco this Sunday in a 1:00 P.M start at the Linc in a pivotal NFC match-up with major playoff implications.

The following is a brief preview as posted on Dont Boo the Birds

Eagles Return to the Linc to Play the 49ers

Week 15 Preview- San Francisico 49ers

This week the Eagles can take one step closer to another NFC East Title with a win over the San Francisco 49ers this Sunday afternoon at Lincoln Financial Field.

The Eagles are currently 9-4 and have a one game lead over Dallas in the NFC East. A win this week combined with a Cowboys or Giants loss would clinch at the very least a wildcard spot.

The 49ers are 6-7 and can still make the playoffs but would need to win their last three games and still get some help.

In their last meeting Donovan McNabb passed for 280 yards and two touchdowns in a 40-26 win in week 6 of last season.

The following is my preview of the 49ers as posted on Bleeding Green Nation.

San Francisco 49ers

NFC Match Ups of the Week

Some of the biggest games of the week involve teams from the NFC East. Here is a link to my preview of the Cowboys@ Saints, Eagles@ 49ers, and the Giants@ Redskins games as posted on SportsBook Lists

NFC Week 15 Match-Ups

Eagles Win a Wild One Over the Giants

In one of the most entertaining games all season, the Eagles survived several comeback attempts by the Giants to win a wild one on Sunday night 45-38.

The win moved their record to 9-4 on the year and combined with the Cowboy's loss earlier in the day to San Diego, Philadelphia is now in sole possession of 1st place in the NFC East. More importantly, this win gives the Eagles control of their own destiny in regards to winning the division. With three games to play including a season finale in Dallas, if they can win out or at the very least beat the Cowboys in week 17, they will be the 2009 NFC East division champions and host at least one playoff game at the Linc.

The following is a recap of last nights game as posted on Dont Boo the Birds

Eagles Win a Wild One Over the Giants

Week 14 Preview- New York Giants

The Eagles head into the Meadowlands on Sunday night to take on the Giants in what will be another exciting NFC East battle. First place is on the line as the winner of this game will put themself in a great position to not only make the playoffs but win the division.

The following is my preview of the Giants as posted on Bleeding Green Nation

The New York Giants

Eagles Clash with Falcons

The Eagles are in Atlanta this week to take on the Falcons in the Georgia Dome on Sunday afternoon. The main story in this game will be how each team performs with some key personnel out of the lineup.

The Eagles will once again be without RB Brian Westbrook who is still out indefinitely as he is still experiencing post concussion symptoms. They will also be without WR DeSean Jackson who is also out with a concussion he sustained in last weeks game with the Redskins.

The Falcons will be without their starting QB Matt Ryan, who is suffering from turf toe and RB Michael Turner, who reinjured his ankle in last week's game against Tampa Bay.

The following is a link to a preview of the game as posted on Dont Boo the Birds:

Eagles Clash with Falcons

Week 13 NFC Top Three Match-Ups

Each week I write an article for SportsBook Lists briely reviewing my top three match-ups in the NFC for that week. This week I included the Eagles@ Atlanta game as well as the Cowboys@ N.Y. Giants game.

The following is the link to the piece:

NFC Week 13 Top Three Match-Ups

Week 13- Atlanta Falcons

The Eagles will try and make it three in a row this Sunday when they travel to Atlanta to take on the 6-5 Falcons in a 1:00 P.M. start. As we head into December all these games are must win, but this one has the added incentive of not only moving the Eagles to 8-4 and in great shape for at least a wildcard spot, but knocking one of their closest competitors for the playoffs out of the picture.

The following is my preview of the Falcons as posted on Bleeding Green Nation

The Atlanta Falcons

Eagles Survive to go to 7-4

In a game that was a little to close for comfort, the Eagles pull off a much needed come from behind victory over division rival, Washington Redskins 27-24.

The following is my recap of the game as posted on Dont Boo the Birds

Eagles Survive to go to 7-4

Week 12- Washington Redskins

The following is a preview of the Eagles' week 12 opponent, the Washington Redskins as posted on Bleeding Green Nation.

The Washington Redskins

Eagles Host the Redskins this Sunday

The following is a preview of this Sunday's game against the Redskins at Lincoln Financial Field. In a 1:00 P.M. start the 6-4 Eagles will try and keep pace with Dallas in the NFC East as well as sweep the 3-7 Redskins in the season series.

Washington Redskins

Eagles Beat the Bears 24-20

The Eagles got a crucial win last night in Chicago, beating the Bears 24-20 and taking their record to 6-4.

Here is my review of last night's game as posted on Dont Boo the Birds

Eagles Beat Chicago

Eagles@ Bears- Tale of the Tape

The following is a statistical preview of Sunday night game between the Eagles and the Bears as posted on Dont Boo the Birds:

Eagles@ Bears- Tale of the Tape

Week 11 Preview- Chicago Bears

The 5-4 Eagles face the 4-5 Bears in a pivotal NFC conference match-up in front a primetime audience this Sunday night in Chicago.

A win by the Eagles will help them keep pace in the NFC East divisional race and help to further secure a spot in the postseason, while a loss could seriously hurt their chances of even making the playoffs. This is the time of year when each game starts taking on a meaning of its own.

Here is a link to my preview of the Bears as posted on Bleeding Green Nation;

The Chicago Bears

NFC East Week 11 Games Previews

This is a big week in the NFC East as first place would be up for grabs again should Dallas lose to Washington.

The Eagles are at Chicago to play the Bears on Sunday night and the Giants are at home playing the Atlanta Falcons.

Here is a link to my preview of all three games as posted on SportsBook Lists:

NFC East Week 11 Preview

Chargers Hold On to Beat the Birds 31-23

Another tough loss for the Birds as they dug themselves an early hole against San Diego and were never able to climb out.

Give the team credit for never quitting has they did have the ball in their hands at the end with a chance to tie the game.

Here is a link to my review of the game as posted on Dont Boo the Birds:

Chargers Hold On to Beat the Birds 31-23

NFL Week 10 Preview

The 5-3 Eagles will try and rebound from a tough loss at home last Sunday night to the Cowboys, but it will not be easy. The last time they traveled to the West Coast they lost a game to the Oakland Raiders that almost everyone already had chalked up in the win column.

This week they are out there again but facing a much better team, the San Diego Chargers. The Chargers are also 5-3 after winning three games in a row including a big win last week against the Giants. With Denver losing two games in a row they are only one game out of first so their motivation is high for this game.

The Eagles' biggest problem will be containing the San Diego passing attack led by QB Phillip Rivers who is currently ranked 8th in total passing yards. Philadelphia will be thin in the secondary having lost CB Ellis Hobbs for the year after being placed on Injured Reserved when he sustained a neck injury in last week's game as well as losing CB Joselio Hansen who has been suspended for four games for violating the league's substance abuse policy.

To make matters worse San Diego has one of the premier tight ends in the league, Antonio Gates who is currently ranked second in total receptions. We all know the trouble the Eagles' defense has had covering tight ends this season.

This should be a game filled with big plays as both these teams like to move the ball down the field in big chunks, always looking for a deep pass for a quick score.
The Eagles have a few more playmakers than the Chargers and if the offensive line can give Donovan McNabb some decent protection he should have a good chance to put enough points on the board to get a much needed win.

Here is a link to my preview of all the games this week as posted on Cappers Picks:

NFL Week 10 Preview

Eagles First Half Review

The following is a link to a new post on Dont Boo The Birds with my first half review of the Eagles 2009 season.

Eagles First Half Reveiw

Eagles Fall out of First Place with a 20-16 Loss to the Cowboys

New post on Don't Boo the Birds covering last night's 20-16 loss to the Cowboys.

Eagles Fall out of First Place with a 20-16 Loss to the Cowboys

Next up for the Birds is another trip out to the west coast, to face the 5-3 San Diego Chargers. Look for this week's review of the Chargers as posted on Bleeding Green Nation as well as link to the article right here on EaglesLincs.

2009 Breeders' Cup Predictions

You may be wondering why a Breeders' Cup article is posted on an Eagles' Blog, but my father after being a die hard Eagles' season ticket holder for over 40 years was also huge horse racing fan and the Breeder Cup was one of his favorite events. So to kick off this huge sports weekend I thought I would post my Breeders' Cup Predictions for all you Eagles' Fans that are also a fan of the ponies:

Breeders’ Cup Winning Picks

The 2009 Breeders’ Cup will be run on November 6th and 7th from Santa Anita Racetrack in Arcadia, Ca. This year’s Cup features 14 races over the two day period with 6 races scheduled for Friday and 8 races slated to run on Saturday. The following is each race and my favorite to win.

The Marathon- Friday November 6th Post Time: 3:35 P.M. (EST)

Nite Light: A wire to wire win in the Group 3 Turfway Park Fall Championship in September earned him an automatic spot in this race. In early October he finished second in the Hawthorne Gold Cup.

The Juvenile Fillies Turf - Friday November 6th Post Time: 4:08 P.M. (EST)

Lisa’s Kitten: In September, she won her first race, a Maiden Special Weight race at Belmont. With a poor start, she rallied from last place with incredible closing speed to pull off the win.

The Juvenile Fillies - Friday November 6th Post Time: 4:45 P.M. (EST)

Blind Luck earned her automatic bid with a win in the Grade 1 Oak Leaf Stakes at Santa Anita in early October. She has two other first place wins this season in the Starter Allowance at Del Mar and in the Maiden Claiming at Calder.

The Filly and Mare Turf- Friday November 6th Post Time: 5:23 P.M. (EST)

Magical Fantasy earned her bid with a win in the Grade 1 Yellow Ribbon Stakes at Santa Anita. She has won her last four starts including another win at Santa Anita in the Santa Barbara Handicap back in April.

The Filly and Mare Sprint- Friday November 6th Post Time: 6:02 P.M. (EST)

Informed Decision: She earned the last automatic bid with a victory in the Grade 2 Thoroughbred of America Stakes at Keeneland a few weeks ago. She has won five of her six starts this season.

The Ladies Classic- Friday November 6th Post Time: 6:45 P.M. (EST)

Careless Jewel: She heads into this race with five victories in her last five starts including a win in the Alabama Stakes at Saratoga. Many experts believe she will be the horse to beat in the Ladies Classic.

The Juvenile Turf – Saturday November 7th Post Time: 1:45 P.M. (EST)

Interactif: In a dominating fashion, he won the Grade 3 Bourbon Stakes at Keeneland to gain his bid and making him an early favorite for this race. In his previous race he won the With Anticipation Stakes at Saratoga going off at 15-1.

The Turf Sprint – Saturday November 7th Post Time: 2:23 P.M. (EST)

California Flag: He earned a spot in the Turf Sprint with a win in the Grade 3 Morvich Handicap at Santa Anita. This horse is extremely fast out of the gate and if he gets an early lead he might run away from the field.

The Sprint – Saturday November 7th Post Time: 3:10 P.M. (EST)

Zensational: Back in early September he earned is automatic bid with a win in the Grade 1 Pat O’Brien at Del Mar. He has not raced since, but is considered to be the odds on favorite to win this race.

The Juvenile – Saturday November 7th Post Time: 3:49 P.M. (EST)

Lookin At Lucky: With a win in the Grade 1 Norfolk Stakes at Santa Anita he secured an automatic spot in this race. He has three other victories this season including a win in the Del Mar Futurity at Del Mar in September.

The Mile – Saturday November 7th Post Time: 4:28 P.M. (EST)

Cowboy Cal: He earned an automatic bid for the Mile with a win in the Grade 2 Oak Tree Mile at Santa Anita in mid October. He has now won three stakes races in a row at Santa Anita which should make him one of the favorites for this race.

The Dirt Mile – Saturday November 7th Post Time: 5:12 P.M. (EST)

Chocolate Candy: His big wins came early in the season at Golden Gate Fields in the California Derby and the El Camino Real Derby. Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer believes this horse will be better suited for the Dirt Mile, rather the Classic.

The Turf – Saturday November 7th Post Time: 5:57 P.M. (EST)

Precious Passion: He earned an automatic bid for the Turf by winning the United Nations Stakes at Monmouth Park. He most likely sprint into the lead from the gate and try to win by going wire to wire.

The Classic – Saturday November 7th Post Time: 6:45 P.M. (EST)

Zenyatta: This filly won the Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic last year, but opted to run against the boys in this year’s Classic instead of defending her title. The 5 year old is currently undefeated in 13 previous starts, all against fillies and mares.

The Importance of Beating the Cowboys

There is a new post on Dont Boo the Birds covering the importance of the Eagles beating the Cowboys this Sunday night.

The Importance of Beating the Cowboys

While I thoroughly enjoyed the Eagles completely dominating the Giants in last week's 40-17 rout, there is still nothing better in all of sports than watching the Eagles' issue a sound beating to the Cowboys. The images of Tony Romo looking completely bewildered and Jerry Jones pouting on the sidelines are priceless. I have a feeling that late Sunday night we will get another chance to sit back and enjoy the view.

Week 9- Dallas Cowboys

This Sunday night the Eagles host the Dallas Cowboys with first place in the NFC East on the line. The winner of this game will join the Saints and the Vikings as one of the elite teams in the NFC, while the loser will find themselves stuck in the middle of the pack.

The following is a link to my preview of the Cowboys as posted on Bleeding Green Nation:

The Dallas Cowboys

Eagles Dismantle the Giants 40-17

Here is a link to my review of this thrilling victory as posted on Don't Boo The Birds

Eagles Dismantle the Giants 40-17.

Sunday Showdown as the Giants Come to Town

Here is a link to a post previewing this Sunday's Giants game as posted on Don't Boo the Birds:

Sunday Showdown as the Giants Come to Town

NFC Match Ups of the Week

Here is my preview of the top 3 match ups this week in the NFC as posted on Sportsbook Lists.

Of course, the Giants coming to town to play the Eagles is one of the games reviewed as the winner will have the early edge to win the division.

I know that Dallas is still in the mix, but they are getting it done with smoke and mirrors and I just do not see them being a factor six or seven weeks from now when the games matter the most.

This Sunday's game is a perfect chance for the Birds to put it all together and make a statement that they are still one of the elite teams in the NFL. The offensive line is starting to get healthy, they seemed to have found a legitimate replacement at middle linebacker in Witherspoon, and Jeremy Maclin is poised to start making some big plays to go along DeSean Jackson's amazing big play ability.

Here is the link:

NFC Match Ups of the Week

Week 8 Preview- New York Giants

The first big divisional game in slated for this Sunday, November 1st when the 5-2 New York Giants come to town to face the 4-2 Eagles. While this isn't a must win for either team, the winner will have the early advantage in the NFC East race and should the Cowboys lose to Seattle, the outright lead at the halfway point of the season.

The following is a preview of the Giants as posted on Bleeding Green Nation

The New York Giants

Big Plays Pace the Eagles past the Redskins

Here is a brief look back at Monday night's game against the Redskins as posted on Don't Boo the Birds:

Big Plays Pace the Eagles past the Redskins

NFC EAST Week 7 Preview

The following is a brief preview of the other games this week in the NFC East as posted on Don't Boo the Birds


NFC East Week 7 Preview

NFL Week 7 Match Ups

The following is a link to a preview of all the games for week 7 in the NFL as posted on Cappers Picks

NFL Week 7 Match Ups

Eagles @ Redskins- Tale of the Tape

A quick look at all the vital statistics for the Eagles and the Redskins as posted on Dont Boo the Birds.

Eagles-Redskins Tale of the Tape

Week 7 Preview-Washington Redskins

Here is my preview of the Eagles opponent in week 7 as posted on Bleeding Green Nation:

Washington Redskins

EaglesLincs teams up with Don't Boo the Birds

Through a deal with Blogs by Fans I have officially taken over all the writing and editing duties for another Eagles blog; Don't Boo the Birds.

While I know after last week's loss that may be hard not to do, as long time suffering Eagles fans you have to look at the big picture. Every year we have a game like this, so I'm glad they got it out of their system early. Lets hope this was their one and done flop for this season and they quickly get back to their winning ways.

Anyway, back to my deal with Don't Boo The Birds. All my primary posts from now on will be on that website, but I will continue to publish links to the posts on this site. This blog will truly turn into EaglesLincs as it will link you to all my other articles.

Here is a link to my first post on Don't Boo The Birds

What went wrong against the Raiders?

Raiders Stun the Eagles 13-9

Whatever cliche you prefer "any given Sunday" or "that is why they play the game", it is still hard to believe how bad the Eagles looked today in a 13-9 loss to the 1-4 Oakland Raiders in a game they were favored to win by over two touchdowns. From the opening kick off the Birds never looked in sync as the Raiders out played them in every phase of the game.

The offensive line offered little protection for Donovan McNabb as he was sacked 6 times and under constant pressure all day long. Philadelphia was never able to establish any kind of running game as Oakland's defense held them to only 67 total yards on the ground. Despite the fact that the Eagles did not turn the ball over and intercepted Raider QB JaMarcus Russell twice, they could not find the end zone all day long. By no means did the Oakland offense overwhelm Philly's defense, but they were able to connect on one big pass play for a 86 yard touchdown in the first quarter as well as convert some key third downs that kept the D from getting off the field.

I'm still not sure what to make of this loss. It could be a matter of jet lag from traveling across country, looking past this game because of how bad the Raiders looked on film, or something a bit deeper such as this team is not as good as we all thought. One thing is for sure, right now they look very average and cannot be considered one of the top teams in the NFC.

With the Giants losing big to the Saints, they had a golden opportunity to close the gap in the division and grab a share of the lead. Instead, they lost a game they should have easily won making you wonder if they will even compete for a playoff spot in the very competitive NFC. With three straight division games coming up, they will have a chance to right the ship, but right now you cannot help but feel there are more questions than answers with this team.

NFL Week 6 Match Ups

Heading into week six there are some great games on tap that should not only be highly entertaining, but also begin the shape the landscape of several divisional races.

The five star game of the week has the N.Y. Football Giants marching into New Orleans to take on the high flying Saints. Both these teams have 5-0 records and are looking to create some separation from themselves and the rest of the NFC. In the AFC the big match up has Denver traveling to San Diego in a game that has huge divisional implications. If the 5-0 Broncos, led by our very own Brian Dawkins and a dominating defense can shut down the high powered Chargers offense and get the win, they will open up a 3 1/2 game lead in the AFC West.

Here is a preview of all this week's game as posted on Cappers Pick

NFL Week Six Match Ups

Week 6 Preview- Oakland Raiders

The Eagles have one more "Tomato Can" on their schedule before things start heating up. For those of you not familiar with this phrase, it refers to a boxer or fighter whose diminished skills make him an easy opponent to defeat.

This week Philadelphia heads out to the West Coast to face their biggest "Tomato Can" of the season, the Oakland Raiders. You may think that Kansas City or Tampa Bay are worse, but trust me on this one, the Raiders truly stink. Things are so bad that Giants LB Antonio Piece referred to last week's game against Oakland as a scrimmage.

For what it is worth, here is a link to this week's preview as posted on Bleeding Green Nation

The Oakland Raiders

NFC Match Ups of the Week

Heading into week 6 of the 2009 NFL season, the biggest game of the week is with out a doubt the New York Giants @ New Orleans Saints. In a battle of 5-0 teams, the winner of this game will be the early favorite to win the NFC.

While I still think the Eagles will have something to say about this down the road, it is hard to argue that whichever team comes out on top in this game is now considered "the team to beat" in the NFC.

The following is a link to my Top 3 NFC match ups for the week as posted on SportsBook Lists.

NFL Week Six NFC Match Ups

Eagles Beat Tampa Bay

The Eagles moved to 3-1 on the season with a 33-14 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Lincoln Financial Field. While the Birds struggled to get their running game going, it was a break out game for rookie WR Jeremy Maclin.

Maclin had 6 receptions for a 142 yards and two touchdowns. His first score was on a 51 yard pass and catch from Donovan McNabb in the first quarter to open up a 7-0 lead. His second touchdown came late in the 2nd quarter on a 40 yard pass from McNabb giving the Eagles a 21-7 lead heading into halftime.

As Maclin continues to work his way into the offensive scheme, he will become a dangerous compliment to WR DeSean Jackson and TE Brent Celek who had 4 catches for
58 yards in this game as well. Donovan McNabb, back after missing the last two games with a fractured rib, looked sharp completing 16 passes on 21 attempts for 264 yards and 3 TD's with no interceptions.

The Eagles' defense was solid limiting the Buccaneers to 303 yards of total offense, giving up 85 yards on the ground and 218 yards in the air. Tampa closed to within 7 points in the second quarter when Kelin Winslow scored on a nine yard pass from Josh Johnson, but that is close as they got as the Eagles outscored them 19-7 from that point on.

Overall, it was a total team effort against a team they were expected to beat. Tampa was never seriously in this game as the Birds controlled both lines of scrimmage from the start. There may be some concern with the running game as they only ran for 76 total yards with McNabb accounting for 30 and Michael Vick adding in 10 of his own late in the 4th quarter. Brian Westbrook, who was back after missing the last game with a leg injury, only carried the ball 6 times for 18 yards. They will definitely need more production than that from Westbrook as the season goes on.

With the Raiders and Redskins the next two games on the Eagles schedule, Philly has a great opportunity to move to 5-1 before hosting the 5-0 N.Y Giants in a crucial NFC East showdown on November 1st.

NFC Match Ups of the Week

The Eagles are back in action this week as the Kansas City game just seems like a distant memory. I think Kevin Kolb and DeSean McCoy did a great job in their absence, but it will be nice to have Donovan McNabb and Brian Westbrook back in the lineup.

Here is a link to my preview of the top match ups in the NFC as posted on SportsBook List. Unlike last week's excitement, there really aren't any huge games in the NFC this week. The biggest would probably be Atlanta @ San Francisco, but that is even a stretch. Anyway here is the link


NFC Week Five Previews & Match Ups

Week 5 Preview- Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The following is my preview on the Eagles' opponent this week, Tampa Bay as recently posted on Bleeding Green Nation.

Given the fact that Tampa is 0-4 and has one of the worse offenses and defenses in the league, this Eagles should be able to chalk this one up in the win column.

If that is not enough, how about the fact that under Andy Reid, the Eagles are a perfect 10-0 after the bye week.

Still not convinced, well back from the walking wounded are Donovan McNabb and Brian Westbrook which in itself should add a spark to this team. Throw in the fact that Jeremiah Trotter is back in town and should be ready to go on Sunday, I see no possible way that Philly can lose this game.

Enjoy the Preview

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

NFL Week 4-Match Ups

The following is a brief look at all the NFL week four match ups as posted on Cappers Picks.

With Eagles off this week it provides a good chance to take a look at some of the better teams in the NFC as well as the Bird's main competition in the NFC East.

Right now the Giants are the team to beat, but it is hard to believe they will even break a sweat against the Chiefs this week.

Dallas travels to Denver to play the 3-0 Broncos. As much as I would like to think that Brian Dawkins will lead their top ranked defense over the Cowboys, I just do not see that happening.

A Washington loss this week to a very bad Tampa Bay team would put Redskin head coach firmly on the hot seat with owner Dan Snyder. His job is probably already in jeopardy after last weeks embarrassing loss to Detroit


NFL Week 4 Match Ups

NFC Match Ups of the Week

Week 4 is a bye week for the Eagles and it comes at a perfect time. Even though Kevin Kolb and LeSean McCoy filled in admirably, I would still rather see Donovan McNabb and Brian Westbrook in the starting line up. This gives them a chance to get healthy as they head into the meat of the season.

As far as this week here is a link to my preview of the top match ups in the NFC as posted on SportsBook List. The big game of the week will be on Monday night when the Green Bay Packers travel to Minnesota to play division rival Minnesota, with their ex quarterback Brett Favre behind center for the Vikings.

NFC Week Four Previews & Match Ups

Eagles beat Kansas City

The Eagles got back on track today with an impressive 34-14 win over the Kansas City Chiefs in the friendly confines of Lincoln Financial Stadium. They dominated this game from the start grabbing an early lead, never allowing the Chiefs a chance to keep it close.

While the defense played well, it was the play of QB Kevin Kolb that should get the credit for this win. True to the Bird's offensive scheme he was able to spread the ball around to seven different receivers with WR DeSean Jackson and TE Brent Celek, who both had over 100 receiving yards leading the way. On the ground, rookie RB LeSean McCoy filled in admirably for the injured Brian Westbrook, rushing for 84 yards on 20 carries with 1 TD. Another rookie, WR Jeremy Maclin, who started in place of Kevin Curtis who was sidelined with a knee injury had 4 receptions for 33 yards.

While much of the focus in this game was on the return of Michael Vick who has been officially reinstated and eligible to play this week, this win was all about the depth of this team's offense with McNabb, Westbrook, and Curtis out of the lineup. It didn't hurt that they were playing the Chiefs at home, but I was still impressed by the performance of these player's replacements as this was a great example of the importance of having capable backups at the skill positions.

Eagles' defensive coordinator, Sean McDermott went back to an attack style defense that smothered Kansas City QB Matt Cassel preventing him from ever getting settled in the pocket. Consider this a lesson learned after last week's loss where New Orlean's QB Drew Brees was given all day and picked the Bird's secondary apart. Granted, the Chiefs are not the Saints, but it was a step in the right direction as this team is still tying to recover from the death of Jim Johnson and the loss of Brian Dawkins.

Philadelphia has a bye next week which will give everyone that is banged up a chance to heal. Two weeks from now they will host Tampa Bay in their third straight game at the Linc. With McNabb back under center, Westbrook in the backfield, and Curtis in the slot this offense will be back to full strength. The good news is that if anyone of these players is not ready to go, there are some studs on the sideline licking their chops to take their place.

NFL Week 3- Match Ups

The following is a link to my week 3 preview of all the match ups and the keys to each game as posted on Cappers Picks

Week 3 Match Ups

5 Things to Watch for In Week Three

Here is a link to this weeks 5 things to watch for as posted on ATS Sportsline:

5 Things to Watch For in Week Three

Week 3 Preview- Kansas City Chiefs

The Eagles have dropped of the radar screen in the Power Rankings after last week's loss to the Saints. Not to worry the Chiefs are coming to town and are one of the most woeful teams in the NFL.

Donovan McNabb will still be a gametime decision, but in all likelyhood he will remain on the bench as the Birds should be able to win this game no matter who is behind center. With the bye coming next week it is a perfect time to let him completely heal.

The following is my preview of the Chiefs as posted on Bleeding Green Nation.

The Kansas City Chiefs

NFC Match Ups of the Week

The following is a link to a post I published on a new site I just started writing for this week, SportsBook Lists.

Here is a preview of my top three match ups in the NFC for week three. (Since the Eagles are playing an AFC team this week they didn't make the list)

NFC Week 3 Preview & Match Ups

Eagles Lose to New Orleans

The Eagles drop their home opener to the New Orleans Saints by a score of 48-22. While not having Donovan McNabb in the game certainly didn't help, you cannot pin this loss completely on the shoulders of his replacement Kevin Kolb. The Birds' defense hung tough in the first half against arguably the best offense in the NFL and they only trailed by four points 17-13 at halftime. Giving up 14 points in the first few minutes of the second half by handing the Saints a short field on two turnovers led to their undoing.

It has been proven time and time again in this league that you cannot give up cheap points from turnovers to good teams. Just ask the Panthers about that. Blaming Kolb, who still did commit his fair share of mistakes will be a convenient excuse for this loss, but unfortunately it will not be an accurate assessment. Both special teams and the defense had crucial breakdowns at the worse possible time in this game. Give credit to New Orleans as they capitalized on every Eagles' mistake to open up an insurmountable lead early in the second half. They never allowed them back into the game and proved at this early point in the season they are a better team.

Before you cancel your reservations to Miami remember a few things. First, this is Donovan McNabb's team and if anything this game confirms it. The good news is that he will be back either next week or after the bye week in week five. Second, the offense did shake things up a bit with the multiple wildcat formations and the addition of Michael Vick will only make this twist better. Third, it is only the second game of the season and titles and championships are not won in September. Finally, thank the Saints for exposing some weaknesses that can be addressed at this stage of the season, as there are very few coaching staffs in the NFL that are better at making the proper adjustments to eliminate them.

NFL Week 2 Match Ups

NFL Week 2 Match Ups

Sunday, September 20th

While it is only week two of the season but there are already some do or die games for teams that lost their opener. A 0-2 start by no means implies that your season is in the tank, but for teams that have playoff aspirations it is not a hole you want to be in. Also there are a couple of big divisional match ups that could have major implications down the road. The following preview to the key factors of each game.

Carolina Panther at Atlanta Falcons

The Carolina Panthers and especially Jake Delhomme have to find a way to put their last two games behind them if they are going to have any chance of beating Atlanta on the road.

Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions

Brett Favre handing off to Adrian Peterson along with an occasional pass down field should be enough to get past the Lions.

Cincinnati Bengals at Green Bay Packers

The Bengals need a short memory if they are going to have any chance against a very strong Packer team. Green Bay is starting to establish themselves as the team to beat in the NFC North.

Arizona Cardinals at Jacksonville Jaguars

Anquan Boldin’s health could be the key to this game, as Larry Fitzgerald cannot carry the load on his own. Whichever teams’ offense can get it going should be able to win.

Oakland Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs

Both these teams hung tough against much better opponents last week, but still managed to find a way to lose. The team with the fewest turnovers wins this one.

New England Patriots at N.Y. Jets

Jets head coach, Rex Ryan is following in the footsteps of his father Buddy, rattling the cages of his division rivals. It could be scary once Tom Brady is capable of playing a full game like he played in the 4th quarter of Monday’s game.

New Orleans Saints at Philadelphia Eagles

The Saints have a good chance in this one with McNabb on the shelf. The pressure will be on the Eagles defense to try and stop an almost unstoppable New Orleans’ offense.

Houston Texans at Tennessee Titans

The Texans looked bad in all phases of the game, while the Titans stayed toe to toe with one of the best teams in the league. Both teams are desperately try to avoid a 0-2 start.

St. Louis Rams at Washington Redskins

Washington should be able to get back on track against a Ram’s team that struggled on both sides of the ball. St Louis’ only chance is for Steven Jackson to have a monster game.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Buffalo Bills

Buffalo’s no huddle offense had the Patriots’ reeling for most of game. If they can get over Monday’s loss and find a way to get T.O. into the game, they have a good chance to win.

Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers

Whichever team comes out of this game with a win becomes the front runner in the NFC West. If Seattle’s offense continues play like they did in week one the 49ers could be in trouble.

Pittsburgh Steelers at Chicago Bears

After throwing 4 interceptions in week one, the last thing that Chicago QB Jay Cutler needs right now is the Steelers coming to town. On top of that, the Bear’s defense will have to try and find a way to replace the loss of LB Brian Urlacher.

Cleveland Browns at Denver Broncos

Denver will look to carry the momentum from last week’s last second win into this game against the Browns. Cleveland needs to find a way to get WR Braylon Edwards into the game plan.

Baltimore Ravens at San Diego Chargers

This is a battle of two of the best in the AFC. The Ravens have always been known for their defense, but they now have a pretty potent offense as well. This should be a wild one.

N.Y. Giants at Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys are expecting a crowd of 105,000+ to open their new Stadium on Sunday Night. Look for the New York to apply the pressure on Romo to force some turnovers and spoil the debut.


Monday, Sept. 21

Indianapolis Colts at Miami Dolphins

Miami will have to find a way to stop Peyton Manning to Reggie Wayne as well as get their own offense going in order to have a chance to win.

5 Things to Watch for In Week Two

Here is a link to my 5 things to watch for in week two as posted on ATS Sportsline.


NFL Week Two: 5 Things to Watch For

Week 2 Preview- New Orleans Saints

Below is a link to my preview of the Eagles' opponent in week 2, the New Orleans Saints as part of my ongoing series on Bleeding Green Nation.

The biggest advantage the Birds have in this game is the fact they are playing in the friendly confines of Lincoln Financial Field.With Donovan McNabb out of this one with a fractured rib, Philly will need every advantage they can get.

This is just a hunch but do not be surprised if Jeff Garcia comes into this game in relief of Kevin Kolb and leads the Eagles to a come from behind victory!

The New Orleans Saints

Week 2 Picks

The following is a link to my preview and picks for week two as posted on Cappers Picks.

This week features a big showdown in Big D as the N.Y. Giants are hoping to ruin the grand opening of Jerry Jones tribute to excess, Cowboys Stadium.

It looks like the Eagles will have to face the New Orleans Saints without Donovan McNabb. As of now Kevin Kolb is slated to get the start, but do not be surprised if newly signed veteran QB Jeff Garcia gets a chance to play. He has a knack of pulling off some clutch come from behind wins which may be the case if Kolb continues to play like he has in the past.

Here is a preview of all the games:

NFL Week Two Preview

Eagles go to 1-0

The Eagles' 2009 season opener is in the books as the Birds completely crushed the Carolina Panthers 38-10. The big story in this game were the 4 interceptions thrown by Panther's QB Jake Delhomme. He apparently is picking up where he left off last season when he threw 5 interceptions in a playoff loss to Arizona. But the credit shouldn't go to Jake for his bad performance, rather it goes to the ongoing legacy of Jim Johnson.

My biggest take away from this game is the dominating performance turned in by the Eagles' defense. If there was any question that new defensive coordinator Sean McDermott was paying attention to Jim Johnson over the past ten years or so, we can put that to rest. The Bird's defense looked as good as ever putting constant pressure on Delhomme and his replacements Josh McCown and Matt Moore.

I was never really worried about the offense as they will take care of themselves, rather it was how the defense would perform with a new coach and no Brian Dawkins.
I think we all now know the answer to that. Stopping the Panthers from scoring at the end of the game just put an exclamation point on their performance.

There are still 15 games to go and we are still a long way from basking in the sun in Miami this coming February, but I cannot help but smile at today's game as things are moving along, right on schedule.

Week 1 Over/Under - Next 8 Games

Just for fun I have provided my expert insight into the over/under aspect of the Week 1 Games.

Here are my picks for the next 8 games:


Lions @ Saints Over/Under

The current over/under is set at 49

The Saints lit it up during the preseason as Brees and Company look ready to go. Stafford starts for the Lion and could throw a couple of Pic 6.

You get the feeling this is a trap setting the over so high, but I'm not worried. Stick with the over as the Saints could score 49 on their own.

Cowboys@Buccaneers Over/Under

The over/under is currently set at 39.

Tampa fired their offensive coordinator so who knows what to expect from the Bucs offense. Romo could have a pretty big day depending on how he clicks with his receivers.

I see this game staying under as the Cowboys defense will shut down Tampa.

49ers@ Cardinals Over/Under

The over/under is currently set at 46.5

Despite the fact that the Cardinals looked pretty weak during the preseason I think the offense will be ready to go come Sunday. I'm not sure how many points the 49ers will score as they are still shakey at QB.

This one looks like a 27-24 type game, just sneaking over.

Redskins@NY Giants Over/Under

The over/under is currently set at 37.

Eli Manning will get a chance to throw to some new faces, but it remains to be seen how that will work out. The Redskins will try and keep the ball on the ground as much as possible to take the pressure off of Jason Campbell.

Classic NFC East slugfest will stay under with something like 21-10 G-men.

Rams@ Seahawks Over/Under

The over/under is currently set at 41.5

With Matt Hassellbeck back Seattle's offense should be able to put up some points against the Ram's defense. The Seahawk's defense should also be able to shut down a very questionable St.Louis offense.

This one will be close but I see Seattle's defense holding the total under 41.

Bears@Packers Over/Under

The over/under is currently set at 46

The odds makers are expecting fireworks from QB's Aaron Rodgers and Jay Cutler in this one setting a fairly high over.

These teams will start trading touchdowns late in the game to push this game over.

Bills@ Patriots Over/Under

The over/under is currently set at 47.5

The Bills are one of three teams to fire their offensive coordinator just days before the regular season and T.O. is already complaining about their no huddle offense. The only question here are how many points can Brady & Co. put up against a very bad Buffalo team.

The Patriot's will win with ease, but they will not score enough points to push this one over.

Chargers@ Raiders Over/Under

The over/under is currently set at 43

San Diego will be out to make an opening statement against a division rival. The Raiders, despite all of their turmoil should be able to put up some points as well against this Charger's D.

This one looks like a late night 31-21 Charger win.

Week 1 Over/Unders- First Eight Games

Just for fun I have provided my expert insight into the over/under aspect of the Week 1 Games.

Here are my picks for the first 8 games:

Titans @ Steelers Over/Under

The current over/under is currently set at 35.

The last three times these two teams played each other, the winning team scored over 30 points on their own.

While neither team's offense really lit it up in the preseason, I still look for this one to go over.

Broncos@ Bengals Over/Under

The over/under for this game is currently set at 43.

It is hard to know what to expect from these two teams. I believe that Denver will be as bad as everyone thinks, but Cincinnati might a bit better than everyone thinks.

I like the Bengals to win this one big, but I do not think Denver will be able to push the total over 43.

Chiefs @ Ravens Over/Under

The over/under for this game is currently set at 37.

Baltimore has looked strong in the preseason working primarily on their passing game. The Chiefs have looked like,...well the Chiefs.

The Ravens might score 30, but the Chiefs won't score more than 6 so stick with the under.

Eagles @ Panthers Over/Under

The over/under for this game is currently set at 43.5.

The Eagles averaged 25 points a game in the preseason and it seems the offense is just starting to warm up. Carolina's offense has struggled so far, but they may be able to exploit Philly's secondary.

I like this one going over as the Eagles should be able to score at least 30 points on their own.

Vikings@Browns Over/Under

The over/under for this game is currently set at 40.

I not convinced that Brett Favre is ready to be effective for an entire game, so I see a lot of handoffs to Adrian Peterson.

Eric Mangini thinks he is holding onto some kind of National Security information when it comes to who will be the starting QB for the Browns. In reality, it doesn't matter who gets the start because the offense will still sputter.

Go with the under all the way in this one.

Jets@ Texans Over/Under

The over/under for this game is currently set at 43.5

This is a very intriguing matchup. With the Jets you have a rookie QB making his first NFL start and a Texan team that has the ability to put a lot of points on the board, but has not looked overly impressive this preseason.

Given that the over is set fairly high, the safer bet would be to stick with the under.

Dolphins @ Falcons Over/Under

The over/under for this game is currently set at 43.5.

The odds makers are expecting some fireworks in this one even though the Falcons only averaged 19 points and the Dolphins only averaged 15 points this preseason.

I gotta a feeling that both teams will play rather conservative in this one so I'm sticking with the under.

Jaguars@Colts Over/Under

The over/under for this game is currently set at 44.5

Neither one of these team's defense will strike fear into too many offensive coordinators, so this one could be an all out point fest.

Even though 44.5 is a pretty high number for opening day, this game's total should easily eclipse it.

NFL Week 1 Perspective

The following is a link to an article I just posted on ATS Sportsline. I took a look back at the recent preseason in an effort to find some clues for the upcoming regular season, especially week one.

NFL Week 1- A Look Back and a Glimpse Ahead

Week 1 Preview- Carolina Panthers

The dress rehearsals are over and on Sunday the Eagles start playing for keeps. The 2009 season kicks off in Charlotte, North Carolina as the Birds fly south to take on the Carolina Panthers.

Below is a link to my Panthers preview as posted on Bleeding Green Nation:

Carolina Panthers

2009 NFL Fearless Prognostications

With the regular season kickoff just a few days away it is time for me to make my official prognostications for the 2009 NFL season.

After carefully analyzing all the pertinent available information and relying on some insight and intuition I am ready to pass them onto the EaglesLincs Nation.

Please feel free to comment or complain at will. If you have your own set of predictions please feel free to forward them on and I will post them on the site.

National Football Conference

NFC East

Philadelphia Eagles 12-4
New York Giants 10-6
Dallas Cowboys 8-8
Washington Redskins 6-10

NFC South

Atlanta Falcons 11-5
New Orleans Saints 10-6
Carolina Panthers 8-8
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 5-11

NFC North

Green Bay Packers 10-6
Chicago Bears 9-7
Minnesota Vikings 6-10
Detroit Lions 4-12

NFC West

Seattle Seahawks 10-6
San Francisco 8-8
Arizona Cardinals 7-9
St. Louis Rams 4-12

Wild Cards: New York,New Orleans

NFC Championship: Atlanta @ Philadelphia
NFC Champions: Philadelphia Eagles

American Football Conference

AFC East

New England Patriots 12-4
Miami Dolphins 10-6
New York Jets 7-9
Buffalo Bills 5-11

AFC South

Indianapolis Colts 11-5
Houston Texans 10-6
Tennessee Titans 7-9
Jacksonville Jaguars 5-11

AFC North

Baltimore Ravens 12-4
Pittsburgh Steelers 10-6
Cincinnati Bengals 8-8
Cleveland Browns 3-13

AFC West

San Diego Chargers 13-3
Oakland Raiders 6-10
Denver Broncos 5-11
Kansas City Chiefs 4-12

Wild Cards:Pittsburgh, Houston
AFC Championship Baltimore @ San Diego
AFC Champions: San Diego Chargers


2010 Super Bowl Champion- Philadelphia Eagles

AND THERE YOU HAVE IT!

Top Three Games for Preseason- Week 4

The following is a preview of the top threegames to watch in week 4 of the 2009 NFL preseason as recently posted on Cappers Picks:

Top Three Games for Week NFL Preseason-Week 4

Preseason Week 4 Preview-New York Jets

Here is a link to my preview of the Eagles' fourth preseason game this Thursday night against the N.Y. Jets at the Meadowlands as posted on Bleeding Green Nation.

This game will be all about the quarterbacks as for the Jets, Mark Sanchez will try and get a little more preparation for his opening day game against the Texans. As for the Eagles this game will be all about Michael Vick. He is expected to start the second half and play the third quarter, We should be able to get a good picture of how far along he is to getting back to his old form.

Here is the kink to the preview:

New York Jets

Eagles-Jaguars Preview

Here is a link to a preview I wrote for Cappers Picks for tonight's Eagles-Jaguars game. I also previewed the Jets-Giants and the Bears-Broncos game.

Enjoy the Game

Eagles-Jaguars Preview

Preseason Week 3 Preview-Jacksonville Jaguars

Here is a link to my preview of the Eagles' third preseason game this Thursday night against the Jacksonville Jaguars right here in Philly as posted on Bleeding Green Nation.

Michael Vick will make his debut in this one and it makes you wonder what kind of reception he will receive from our beloved hometown fans.I would imagine he will get his fair share of boos, but the minute he makes a spectacular play the crowd will love him. After all, it is still all about winning isn't it?

Anyway, enjoy the preview:

Jacksonville Jaguars

Will the Eagles Win more Than 10 Games?

The following is a link to an article I just published on ATS Sportsline that provides the answer this very question.

Check it out:

Three Best Bets for the NFL Over/Under Win Totals

The Vick Factor

Below is a link to an article on the potential impact of the Eagles' signing Michael Vick as originally posted on ATS Sportsline.

If you think I was on the "we are heading to Miami" bandwagon before, I'm now sitting up front in the driver seat just thinking about what Vick can bring to this offense.

Anyway, here is the link:

Michael Vick’s Impact on the Eagles’ Future Odds

Preseason Week Two- Indianapolis Colts

Here is a link to my preview of the Eagles' second preseason game this Thursday night against the Indianapolis Colts as posted on Bleeding Green Nation.

With all the Michael Vick talk, people forget there are still games to be played and positions on the team to be won.

Indianapolis Colts

Breaking News-Eagles sign Michael Vick

While the details are still sketchy, it has just been reported that the Eagles have signed former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick to a two year deal. The terms have not been released.

While Andy Reid had earlier stated that the Eagles had no interest in Vick who had recently been reinstated back into the NFL after spending almost two years in jail on dog fighting charges, things must have changed over the past few days.

Former Indianapolis head coach, Tony Dungy had been championing Vick's cause in an effect to help him get back into the NFL. It remains to be seen whether his influence had anything to do with the Eagles' decision to take a chance on the talented, but controversial player.

Under the conditions of his conditional reinstatement, Vick will be able to practice with the Eagles and play in the last two pre-season games. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will make a decision on a full reinstatement before week six of the regular season.

Up this Week- The New England Patriots

The pre-season is upon us and the first game is on tap for this Thursday night at the Linc. Read my preview of the Eagles' opponent, the New England Patriots as posted on Bleeding Green Nation

New England Patriots Preview

Training Camp Update

The Eagles enter their second week of training camp at Lehigh and as the weather starts to heat up, so does the action. This is the last week before the preseason games start next week when the New England Patriots visit the Linc on Thursday, August 13th. Here is a review of the biggest stories this week at camp.

Jeremy Maclin signs a 5 year deal

1st round pick WR Jeremy Maclin finally agreed to terms with the Eagles after holding out the first week of training camp. As one by one the other 1st round picks began to sign, it was only a matter of time before the Birds were able to ink Maclin.He is expected to be in camp staring on Thursday.

Stewart Bradley is lost for the year

MLB Stewart Bradley is lost for the year after tearing the ACL in his knee during a routine play during Saturday Night's "Flight Night" practice in front of 30,000+ fans at the Linc. The injury did not appear serious at the time, but it was later discovered that it was a complete tear that will require season ending surgery. Stewart was an up and coming player for the Birds as a second year starter in the middle. He will most likely be replaced by veteran linebacker, Omar Gaither.

DeSean Jackson lights it up

There has been rumors that 2nd year WR DeSean Jackson is not all that thrilled that the Eagles drafted another wide receiver, Jeremy Maclin in the first round. Well if this is the case, he is certainly making an early statement in traing camp that he is clearly the #1 receiver on this team. He is catching everything thrown his way and showing his speed by repeatedly beating the defensive secondary deep down field.

Training Camp Update

The 2009 Eagles training camp is officially underway. Rookies and select veterans including Donovan McNabb reported to Lehigh on Sunday and the rest of the veterans reported on Wednesday. Regular two a day workouts begin on Friday and will continue until camp breaks on August 12th,

Here is a look at some of the early story lines from Bethlehem

Long time defensive coordinator Jim Johnson lost his battle with cancer and passed away at the age of 68. This year's camp has definitely opened on a somber note after the loss of one of the greatest coordinators in Eagles history. Since being diagnosed with a tumor on his spine back in January and officially taking a leave of absence in May, everyone knew it would be an uphill battle for him to return to the team on a full time basis. The finality of his passing makes you fully appreciate everything he contributed to this team over the past ten years. He will surely be missed.

First round pick Jeremy Maclin remains unsigned and a no show at camp. The situation with Maclin is completely expected given the current pay structure in the NFL for first round picks. Until the top first round picks sign a contract, the dollar value for the middle first rounders has yet to be set. This will be a wait and see game that could drag on for a couple of weeks. Unfortunately for both parties, it is doubtful that Maclin will be able to contribute to much to the offense in the early part of the regular season.

The battle for who will replace Brian Dawkins as the starting free safety is under way. The top two contenders are second year man Quentin Demps and six year vet Sean Jones who was signed this past off season as an unrestricted free agent. Right now Demps appears to have the edge as he is more familiar with the Eagles system. This situation will still be one to watch over the next few weeks to see who actually gets the start in week one against Carolina.

2009 NFL MVP Hopefulls

Catch my article on Cappers Picks on this year's top candidates for the NFL's Most Valuable Player award. Just click on the MVP link below:

2009 NFL MVP Preview

Jim Johnson loses his battle with cancer

Eagles Defensive Coordinator Jim Johnson lost his battle with spine cancer passing away today at the age of 68. Johnson was first diagnosed with melanoma back in 2001, but it was in January of this year when he began to complain of back pain. It was then that a tumor on his spine was discovered. He had been on a leave of absence since May.

Johnson had built a reputation as a defensive genius, known for creating elaborate blitz schemes as part of a relentless, attack style of play. In his ten year tenure, the Eagles' defense was consistently ranked near the top of the league. In that time they made the playoffs seven times, appeared in five NFC Championship games and one Super Bowl. All in all, Jonhson spent 22 years as an assistant coach in the NFL.

This past Saturday the Eagles announced that Sean McDermott would replace Johnson as defensive coordinator. Previously McDermott spent eight years as a defensive assistant under Johnson and most recently was the secondary/safeties coach. The Eagles defense appears to be in good hands as he has already indicated that his intention is to maintain a "Johnson Style" defense only adding a few wrinkles along the way.

NFC East- Win Total Odds

Here is a preview of the current 2009 regular season win total odds for the NFC East as posted on ATS Sportsline:

NFC East- 2009 Win Total Odds

New Post on Bleeding Green Nation

The following is a preview of the Eagles opponent in week three of the regular season, the Kansas City Chiefs as posted on Bleeding Green Nation

Kansas City Chiefs

NFL Opening Day Preview

The following is a preview of week one in the NFL as posted on Cappers Picks


NFL Opening Day Preview

Opening Day- Philadelphia @ Carolina

The following is my preview of the Eagles @ Panthers opening day game as posted on ATS Sports Blog

Philadelphia @ Carolina

Opening Day-Dallas @ Tampa Bay

The following is my preview of the Cowboys @ Buccaneers opening day game as posted on ATS Sports Blog

Dallas @ Tampa Bay

Opening Day- Washington @ N.Y. Giants

The following is my preview of the Redskins @ Giants opening day game as posted on ATS Sports Blog

Washington @ N.Y. Giants

NFC East Update

Here is this week's update on news from the NFC East:

Cowboys Corral

In a recent article by ESPN's NFL analyst John Clayton, Dallas head coach Wade Phillips is one of five coaches that will start this season on the hot seat to possibly get fired if their team does perform to their owner's expectations. This should come as no surprise given the nature of Cowboy's owner Jerry Jones. After having one of the highest payrolls in the league with nothing to show for it and forking out millions of dollars for a new stadium, his patience level has to be wearing thin.

Giant Stompings

Running Back Brandon Jacobs have officially opened the trash talking season, even though the regular season is almost two months away. The other day, when asked about the Dallas Cowboys, he took the opportunity to tee off on QB Tony Romo. He was quoted as saying "His luck will be gone sooner or later. If you were to keep Tony Romo in the pocket he's not that effective." This should provide some good bulletin board material when these two teams meet in week two of the regular season.

Eagles Nest

As if his reworked contract didn't provide enough money, Eagles' QB Donovan McNabb has signed on to do a number of IHOP (International House of Pancakes)commercials for this year's football season. The former Campbell's Chunky Soup pitchman has officially traded his soup spoon for a knife, fork, and a bottle of Maple syrup.

Redskins Roundup

The Redskins drafted DE Jeremy Jarmon from Kentucky in the third round of Thursday's NFL Supplemental Draft.Listed at 6'3" 278 lbs they hope he can help bolster an aging and depleted defensive line. They will have to give up a third and sixth round pick in next year's regular draft, but they believe Jarmon was worth it. He became available when the NCAA revoked his senior year of eligibility after he tested positive for a banned dietary supplement.

New Post on Bleeding Green Nation

Here is my latest post on Bleeding Green Nation. This week I preview the Eagles opponent in week six;

The Oakland Raiders.

NFC East Preview

The following is a preview of the NFC East that has been recently published on Suite 101. Just click on the link below:

NFC East Preview

Training Camp Update

The Eagles will open up this year's training camp in a couple of weeks. Here is all the information you need to know if you plan to visit

Place: Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA

Reporting Dates: Rookies- July 26th Veterans- July 29th

Player Autograph Schedule

Friday 7/31- Running Backs and Linebackers
Saturday 8/1- Offensive Lineman and Defensive Backs
Sunday 8/2- Wide Receivers
Tuesday 8/4- Quarterbacks, Running Backs, Tight Ends, Special Teams
Wednesday 8/5- Defensive Line
Friday 8/7- Linebackers and Defensive Backs
Saturday 8/8- Wide Receivers and Offensive Line
Sunday 8/9- Defensive Line
Monday 8/10- Quarterbacks, Tight Ends, Special Teams

Please note that all autograph sessions are immediately after the morning practice.

A complete practice schedule will be posted closer to the actual opening of camp.

New Post on Bleeding Green Nation

All season long I will be guest blogging on the largest Eagles blog in the country, Bleeding Green Nation. Each week I will preview the Eagles' upcoming opponent pointing out their strengths and weaknesses as well as what this may mean for the Birds.

I will be posting a link to the site so you can follow along, all season long.

Click on the link below for this week's installment:

The Denver Bronco's

NFC East Update

Here is this week's update on news from the NFC East:

Cowboys Corral

Cowboys QB Tony Romo put down his football the other day and picked up his golf clubs to play a round of golf with the games greatest player, Tiger Woods. The two paired up this past week to play in a Pro Am Tournament at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda,MD. Romo, who is a scratch golfer wasn't sure what would be harder, trying to match Woods shot for shot, or handling the Washington crowd. Both went better than expected,as Romo held his own against Tiger on the golf course and got along just fine with all the Redskin fans in the gallery.

Giants Stompings

Eli Manning is now the face of the N.Y. Giants as their starting quarterback and the team's biggest star. He is now ready to cash in on this role as he is expected to sign a new contract that will make him the highest paid player in NFL history. Given the contract that free agent DE Albert Haynesworth just received from the Washington Redskins; 41 million in guaranteed money, Manning's deal could be in excess of 50 million. The fact that this much money would be guaranteed, would make it the richest deal ever given a player.

Eagles Nest

This past Monday the Eagles signed second round draft pick RB LeSean McCoy to a four year deal. McCoy is the first second round pick to sign a contract as the rest of the teams are scrambling to get their picks signed before the start of training camp. The Eagles have now signed seven of their eight draft picks with WR Jeremy Maclin the only unsigned player from the 2009 draft class. Maclin was the Eagles' first round choice in the NFL draft this past April.

Redskins Roundup

As the Redskins get ready to open training camp later this month, one of the main concerns will be the health of their offensive line. This aging unit struggled toward the end of last season and was partly responsible for the 'Skins collapse down the stretch. Given the fact that the average age of the current starting five is well over thirty, you have to question their durability over a sixteen game grind.

2009 Opponents- San Diego Chargers

The Eagles will face the teams from the AFC West this regular season and on Sunday, November 15th they head to the West Coast to play the San Diego Chargers. This should be a good challenge for the Birds as San Diego is one of the most solid teams in the AFC, especially at home where they are 20-4 over the past three seasons.

The Chargers are definitely the cream of the crop in the AFC West winning the division the past three seasons. In 2006 they compiled the best regular season record in the league going 14-2. In 2007 they slipped to 11-5, and last year actually won the division with an 8-8 record. While last year’s regular season record was considered a disappointment, they did manage to knock Indianapolis out of the playoffs and gave the Pittsburgh Steelers, eventual Super Bowl Champions, all they could handle before losing in the second round 35-24.

On offense the star power is still there with QB Phillip Rivers, WR Chris Chambers, TE Antonio Gates, and the most dangerous player of all RB Ladainian Tomlinson. They can put points on the board in a hurry as well as grind it out down the stretch. They Eagles will have to come up with a scheme that can shut down the running game as well as defend against the long ball to keep all these stars in check.
The Charger coaching staff is no stranger to the Eagles, as head coach Norv Turner and defensive coordinators Ron Rivera both have strong ties to the NFC East. Turner spent seven season as head coach of the Washington Redskins and seven seasons with Dallas as their offensive coordinator. Rivera was the Eagles’ linebacker coach for five seasons, learning all the tricks of the trade from defensive coordinator, Jim Johnson.

I expect the Chargers to be back on top in the AFC when the Eagles come to town in week 10. You never know, this could be lining up as a potential Super Bowl preview. With two- a- days not even started at Lehigh, it may be a bit early for that kind of speculation, but it doesn’t hurt to dream.

NFC East Update

Here is this week's update on news from the NFC East:


Cowboys Corral

T.O.'s long goodbye in Dallas continued this week as the ex-Cowboy was in town conducting his "Farewell Tour'. He ran his 4th annual 2-day football camp for 150 children as well as threw a big going away party for himself at a ballroom in downtown Dallas. As we all remember, T.O. once again burned the bridge with his team by calling out his quarterback. This time it was Tony Romo who bore the blame for his mediocre performance this past season. He was released this off season after even his biggest fan, Cowboy's owner Jerry Jones had enough of his antics. He then promptly shuffled off to Buffalo signing a free agent contract with the Bills.

Giants Stompings

With Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer gone from the Giants roster, all eyes will be on the receivers they currently have once training camp starts in a few weeks. They have two over sized receivers in Domenik Hixon and Hakeen Nicks who can provide a big target, Steve Smith and Mario Manningham known for their quickness, and Sinorice Moss who has the speed to catch the long ball. While these are hardly house hold names, QB Eli Manning is confident they can fill the void left by Burriss and Toomer. The key to this receiving corp will be developing the consistency week to week that is needed to win games.

Eagles Nest

As defensive coordinator Jim Johnson continues to wage his own personal battle against cancer, the chances of him returning in the near future do not look good. The responsibility to maintain the Eagles high powered, attacking defense now falls on the shoulders of Sean McDermott. Formally the secondary coach, McDermott has been elevated to interim defensive coordinator. A ten year coaching veteran with the Eagles, McDermott is well versed in Johnson's system and philosophy. While we all hope and pray that Jim is back with the team soon, right now he can rest assured that his defense is still in good hands.

Redskins Roundup

As training camp gets set to open in a few weeks one of the most interesting roster battles will be a QB. While it is a given that Jason Campbell will be the starter come opening day, the #2 spot could be up in the air. Veteran Todd Collins was brought in a few seasons ago as an insurance policy for Campbell, but second year man, Colt Brennan has been raising some eyebrows in recent OTA's. Brennan has a strong arm and an aggressive demeanor that some feel is lacking in Campbell. Brennan will have to win the #2 spot first, but he may actually have his eyes set on being number one in the not too distant future.

NFC East Update

Here is this week's update on news from the NFC East:

Cowboys Corral

The natives may be getting restless in Big D as Tony Romo has looked less than spectacular in the Cowboys recent OTA's. With T.O. gone all the attention has been focused on Romo as this is now his team and the success or failure this season now falls square on his shoulders. Romo has no reason to be concerned as his biggest fan and cheerleader, Jerry Jones as openly stated that he has all the faith in the world in his quarterback.

Giants Stompings

The Giants just finished up their last mini-camp before training camp opens in early August. The mood was upbeat as optimism is high for the upcoming season. Head coach Tom Coughlin addressed the team after the final workout, leaving the team a very specific message; do not forget how last season ended. Just to recap, the Giants had secured home field advantage through out the playoffs, only to lose the Eagles in their first post season game.

Eagles Nest

A familiar face may be retuning to the Birds, as DT Hollis Thomas was reportedly in town last week to take a physical. If all goes well, Thomas would be signed as a back up to DT Mike Patterson and Brodrick Bunkley to add some depth to the D-Line. Hollis who spent the last three seasons in New Orleans, was released by the Saints in late April. Hollis spent the first ten years of his career in Philadelphia before being traded to the Saints in 2006. Along with his aggressive style of play on the field, Thomas is best known for his colorful commentary off the field.

Redskins Roundup

Former Eagles WR James Thrash was released the other day by the Redskins after failing his physical. Thrash has been bothered by a nagging neck injury that may force him into retirement. Thrash played twelve seasons in the NFL as he was an undrafted free agent of the Redskins back in 1997. He played three seasons with the Eagles after being signed as a free agent in 2001. His first season with the Birds was the best of his career with 63 receptions for 833 yards.

McNabb Gets a New Deal

It has been reported that the Eagles and Donovan McNabb have come to terms on restructuring the final two years of his contract. There were no talks of an extension, rather it appears that McNabb's final two years will be guaranteed along with a modest increase. He was set to make around ten million each of the next two seasons but none of that money was guaranteed.

What does this deal mean for the Eagles? First, it takes the issue off the table and allows everyone to focus on the upcoming season. Second, it keeps their star quarterback happy for now, knowing that he is their guy for the next two years, and finally it gives them time to evaluate their long term options in either extending McNabb's contract or finding his successor.

What does this deal mean for Donovan McNabb? First, it establishes him as the starting QB for the next two seasons. He is not getting paid that much money to sit on the bench. Second, it allows McNabb to focus on the present and let the future take care of itself. Winning a Super Bowl becomes a now or never mission commanding his total attention. Finally, it allows McNabb to prove all the critics wrong and set the stage for him to finish his career as an Eagle.

Given the nature of the Philadelphia media and the fans, this deal will be seen as the final dance between McNabb and the Birds with the fore gone conclusion that he is out in 2012. My view is those things will take care of themselves. For now I see this as a great move in that McNabb is happy, the Eagles are happy and all the focus now shifts to the task at hand; a Super Bowl victory.

NFC East Update

Here is this week's update on news from the NFC East:

Cowboys Corral

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones unveiled the their new stadium this past Saturday. Simply known as Cowboy's Stadium there is nothing simple about this $1.15 billion dollar masterpiece. In typical Cowboy's fashion, no cost was sparred in creating this state of the art facility. One of its main focal points is a center hung overhead video board that reportedly has the world's largest high definition TV screen. Some other amazing facts include a seating capacity of 100,000, 300+ luxury suites, and an overall square footage of three million feet.

Eagles Nest

Running back Brian Westbrook had minor surgery this past Friday to remove bone spurs and scar tissue from his right ankle. This stemmed from a previous injury he sustained in last season's week three game against the Steelers. He is expected to make a full recovery with no lingering side effects. While it is doubtful he will be ready for the opening of training camp at the end of July, it appears he will be in the starting line up for the Eagles regular season opener against Carolina.

Giants Stompings

Former New York Giant wide receiver Plaxico Burress is doing everything he can to get back on the playing field for the 2009 season. He is reportedly trying to negotiate a settlement that would allow him to not only avoid jail time for his felony weapons possession charge, but to sign with a new team in time for this upcoming season. The New York City DA is reluctant to accept a plea that includes no jail time, but may be open to delaying the trial until after this season giving Burress a chance to play. It remains to be seen what NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell position will be and if he will impose any sanctions or suspensions on Burriss.

Redskins Roundup

Safety Laron Landry was the only no show for the Redskin's OTA workouts last week. This is the 7th OTA he has skipped this off season. It is unclear why Landry has decided to not participate in the voluntary workouts, but it is obvious that Washington's safeties coach, Steve Jackson is not happy with the situation. In an interview with the Washington Examiner, he was recently quoted as saying,

“I’m very disappointed because everyone else is here. I’ll be candid with you: He has to be here in the off season not so much just because it’s OTAs, but his teammates are here and there are a lot of things we’re discussing that he’s a part of that he has no idea are even going on — calls, coverages, techniques.
“He’s our free safety and he’s the one who has to get the ball rolling."

NFC East Update

Here is this week's update on news from the NFC East

Cowboys Corral:

The Cowboys released Greg Ellis a former Pro Bowl linebacker who had asked for a trade in the off season. Unable to find a suitable deal, Dallas decided to cut ties with Ellis in order to avoid any more off season distractions. The 12 year veteran had reportedly been unhappy about his role in the defensive scheme as well as his contract. Ellis was a first round pick in 1998 and started 156 games in his eleven year career with Dallas. His best season was in 2007 being named to the Pro Bowl and earning the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award.

Eagles Nest:

Disgruntled CB Sheldon Brown was a no-show at the first day of the Eagles' OTA workouts. Brown is not happy with his current contract and has asked for a trade. The Eagles have made it clear that they have no intention of trading Brown and they fully expect him to be part of the team in 2009. As an insurance policy they did trade for CB Ellis Hobbs during the draft. Brown's absence can do nothing but hurt his chances to hold onto the starting spot as Hobbs will most likely assume that role heading into training camp.

Giants Stompings:

The Giants are going green with their new stadium that will be built in the New Jersey Meadowlands. Along with the Jets they are planning to have they most environmentally friendly stadium in the NFL. Through the use of recycled materials to reducing water consumption they have teamed with the EPA(Environmental Protection Agency) to reduce water usage by 25% and energy consumption by 30%. The new facility is slated to be ready for the 2010 season.

Redskins Roundup:

All charges have been dropped against offensive lineman Jeremy Bridges stemming from an incident in a restaurant in North Carolina back in early December. Bridges had been charged with two counts of simple assault and one count of communicating treats after allegedly spraying champagne on other patrons and arguing with a restaurant employee. Bridges was with the Carolina Panthers at the time of the incident and was released by the team this off season. The Redskins signed him to a free agent contract last month.

Key Position Battles

The Eagles held the first of two planned OTA's(organized team activities)this week. This first one was for rookies and select veterans with the main purpose of giving all the new faces some working knowledge of the Eagles' system.

While there isn't too much you can take away from these activities, it does allow you to gain some feedback on what role these players will have in the upcoming season. There will be some interesting position battles heading into training camp and there could very well be quite a few new faces in the starting line-up on both sides of the ball.

One of the most anticipated and exciting battles will be at wide receiver. DeSean Jackson is penciled in at #1 and Kevin Curtis is currently at #2. After that it becomes wide open for the number three slot with Hank Baskett, Jason Avant, Reggie Brown, and rookie Jeremy Maclin all in the mix. Baskett would probably be the most solid choice heading into camp. Maclin is definitely the class of this group but may not be ready to step into the role from the start but could be a solid #3 by mid season. Everyone will be left to battle for a roster spot.

Another good battle will be to see who takes over Brian Dawkin's vacated spot at free safety. Quintin Mikell will be the starting strong safety and is actually being touted as a possible Pro Bowl candidate. Right now Quintin Demps has the inside track for the free safety spot because of his familiarity with the defensive scheme. Sean Jones has experience and will push Demps depending on how quickly he can adapt. Another veteran, Rashad Baker will try and make his presence felt but will most likely be used in nickel situations and on special teams. Whomever gets the nod, they will have to realize that all eyes will be on them to see how well they can fill Dawkin's size 20+ shoes.

Some other staring positions that will feature some interesting battles include defensive end and center as both these positions are up for grabs. With the next OTA scheduled for June and training camp opening up the end of July, we will get a better idea of what the depth chart will look like. You have to figure that as camp heats up much of this initial chart will certainly be subject to change.

Eagles Upcoming Event Schedule

For the real die hard Eagles fans the following is the upcoming practice schedule for this summer

EAGLES SUMMER SCHEDULE

OTA's for selected vets and rookies
Tue, May 26, 2009 - Fri, May 29, 2009

OTA's for all players
Tue, June 2, 2009 - Fri, June 5, 2009

Training Camp- Lehigh University, Bethelehem,Pa.
Sun July 26, 2009- selected vets and rokkies report
Wed July 29, 2009- all vets report
(Actual practice schedule TDA)

First Pre-Season Game
Thurs August 13, 2009 7:30 P.M.
New England Patriots( Lincoln Financial Field)

Can the Eagles win it all?

As the 2009 season approaches the expectations for the Eagles are as high as ever. With a strong draft and some key veteran player acquisitions, all the pieces appear to be in place for a strong run that could take them all the way to Miami in February.

The question is can they turn all this potential into reality and finally win it all? They have been to five NFC Championships and one Super Bowl over the past nine seasons, but have yet to claim a world title. Is this the year they finally get over the hump and get a chance to hoist the Vince Lombardi trophy in front of thousands of screaming fans lined up on Broad Street for the parade? At this point we can only dream of this scenario, but in my personal opinion the window for bringing a championship to Philly is open as wide as it has been for the last few years. I also know it will not remain that way for too long so they need to seize the moment while they can.

Donovan McNabb is not getting any younger and his legacy and potential trip to Canton, Ohio hang in the balance. Andy Reid has one of the longest tenures of any active coach which makes you wonder how much longer can he go before burning out. Defensive wizard Jim Johnson's health is a constant concern. Brian Westbrook's injuries continue to pile up as he is yet to have played a complete season. You want to avoid a "now or never" attitude but you have to wonder how many more shots they will get with their current cast of characters.

Since Jeff Lurie purchased the team in 1994, the Eagles have been one of the most successful franchises in the league. Andy Reid who took over the head coaching position in 1999 is closing in on 100 regular season wins. Donovan McNabb owns or will own just about every record for an Eagle's quarterback and is easily the best in franchise history. There is just one big gaping hole in all three of these gentleman's resumes. If I where to use a golfing analogy for this trio, they would be "the best player never to win a major."

So in essence it really is "now or never" and everybody knows this. The tools are all in place, they just have to go out and execute. Anything less than a Super Bowl win this year will have to be considered a disappointment. This brings me back to my original thought, can the Eagles win it all? The answer is a resounding yes. Will they win it all? Stay tuned.......

Betting on the Birds

Delaware is looking to become the second state after Nevada to legalize sports wagering. They are one of four states including Oregon and Montana that can still approve betting on sports teams, since the Federal Government passed a law in 1992 that banned states from establishing sports gambling. Delaware's House voted 30-4 in favor of the bill that now awaits a vote in the State Senate, where it is very likely to pass. Governor Jack Markell, a strong proponent of the measure estimated that sports wagering would bring an additional 55 million dollars in tax revenue from the state's three casinos.

So what does this mean for Eagles' fans? Well next time you feel the Birds are a "can't miss bet", you can legally drive next door and place a bet. All the particulars of what you can and cannot bet on will still need to be worked out, but in the meantime here are some future odds that you may want to consider:

Eagles total number of regular season wins: 9.5

Eagles win the NFC Championship: 6/1

Eagles win the Super Bowl: 12/1

Freddie Mitchell Update

For all you Fast Taking Freddie Mitchell fans out there, I came across this video clip on his blog updating everyone on his potential return to the NFL.

Freddie Mitchell blog:

He will still go down in Eagles' history has making the most incredible 4th and 26 catch for a first down. We wish you well Freddie.

Gains and Losses: An Off Season Accessment

With the bulk of free agency behind us and the 2009 draft in the books, it is time to access the Eagles' gains and losses this off season in terms of player personal. The main question we are trying to answer is; is the current roster going to yield a better team than the one that lost to the Arizona Cardinals in last seasons NFC Championship?

Defense

Key Losses: S-Brian Dawkins CB-Lito Sheppard

Key Additions: S-Sean Jones S- Rashad Baker CB- Ellis Hobbs

Any discussion on the changes with the defense begin and end with Brian Dawkins. He was the physical, emotional, and spiritual leader of this team and no amount of free agent or draft moves were going to fill that gap. The players they brought in can help fill his role at free safety, but the defensive unit as a whole is going to have to step up to fill the void in leadership. There is a good mix of young and old players who already know what it takes to win the big games and deal with the pressure of the playoffs. I believe the overall defense will be better this season, but Dawkins will still be missed.

Offense

Key Losses: TE- L.J. Smith LT- Tra Thomas RT-John Runyan
WR- Greg Lewis RB- Corel Buckhalter

Key Additions:TE- Eugene Bright TE- Cornelius Ingram
LT- Jason Peters RT/G- Stacy Andrews
WR- Jeremy Maclin FB- Leonard Weaver
RB- Eldra Buckley RB- LeSean McCoy

The biggest loss on offense this off season was on the O line as both starting tackles are gone. The Eagles waisted no time filling those gaps signing (Stacy)Andrews and Peters to actually upgrade the Bird's line with younger, stronger players. Adding FB Leornard Weaver and drafting RB LeSean McCoy will add versatility to the backfield that can help compliment Brian Westbrook's skills. In drafting WR Jeremy Maclin and TE Cornelius Ingram the Eagles have added a couple of additional weapons for Donovan McNabb to throw the ball to. Overall, this will be a much better offense than last season with upgrades at several key positions.

To sum things up, the Eagles went out and did what they had to do to plug some holes as well as become more competitive. They have put themselves in a position to compete with the Giants for the NFC East Title as well as establish themselves as a legitimate Super Bowl contender.

Eagles 2009 Draft Review

I wanted to take some time to soak in the events of last weekend before commenting on the Eagles' draft. The overall consensus from the draft experts has been positive with the average grade probably coming in at a solid B. In my whole academic career I never scoffed at a B, and in some cases actually ended up shocked at the Professor's generosity. In this case I believe a B is under grading the Birds' performance. This draft was a definite change in direction for this organization, as most of the moves were directed at winning a championship, not just filling some holes in the roster. Starting with the trade for OT Jason Peters, the Eagles took a huge step over the past two weeks into becoming the odds on favorite to win the NFC. Here is my rational for such a bold statement.

First of all, even before the draft they were not that far away from being the favorite. Other than maybe the Giants, who else in the NFC would you say is a better team? Arizona is due to implode this season as most teams who lose the Superbowl do. Some have jumped on Chicago's bandwagon with the addition of Jay Cutler, but he still doesn't have anyone to throw to. I think both Atlanta and New Orleans will be better, but not enough to rise to the top. Dallas is still overrated, and has done absolutely nothing this off season to improve. There may be a surprise team or two out there like San Francisco or Washington, but that remains to be seen.

The main thing the Eagles accomplished in this draft was to go out and get playmakers. After last season's success of DeSean Jackson, the Birds looked for players who could make an immediate impact, not develop into a starter down the road. Jeremy Maclin will come in as the number two or three receiver with the ability to become number one by the end of the season. LeSean McCoy will get some touches the first offensive series in the first game, as the Eagles will find a way to utilize his talent right from the start. If TE Cornelius Ingram's knee is 100%, he to could be a starter by mid season. These three studs along with arguably the best offensive line in the league, will give Donovan McNabb all the weapons he needs to put a ton of points on the board. When he has the proper protection, no one is better than #5 spreading the ball around and moving up and down the field.

The Birds' defense still has a few question marks, especially in the backfield, but is still a solid unit overall. They came together at the end of last season, and with the exception of that last Cardinal drive in the NFC championship, were playing as good as anyone. The draft didn't yield any immediate impact players, but other than losing Brian Dawkins, they are basically the same group of players as last year.

Overall, this off season has made the Eagles a better team than the one that made it all the way to the NFC Championship game last year. There is no reason they should not be right back in that position this year. The only difference would be they are hosting the game at the Linc with another trip to the Superbowl on the line.