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.