The Eagles’ offensive line suffered a major setback this week when All-Pro left tackle Jason Peters ruptured his Achilles’ heel while training in Texas. Right now it looks like he will miss the entire 2012 season, but can hopefully return to action in 2013.
The only good news about this devastating loss is that the team has ample time to try and fill this gaping hole in an offensive line that was not all that solid to begin with.
A couple of names that have popped-up as potential replacements are Marcus McNeil and Demetrius Bell. McNeil was a two-time Pro Bowler when he played for San Diego, but he has a history of neck injuries and ended-up on the Injured Reserve list last season after taking a vicious hit to the chin. If he is healthy, this could be an excellent fit as this guy is a regular road grader at 6-foot-7 and 336 lbs.
Bell was the other name that emerged as a possible candidate to take Peters’ place. He started over 30 games for Buffalo over the past three seasons and certainly has the credentials to plug the left side of the line at 6-foot-5 and 307 lbs. Pittsburgh was reportedly close to signing Bell, but given the Eagles’ sudden sense of urgency, they may decide to make a strong play for his services. As an immediate stop-gap, Philly resigned tackle King Dunlap to a one-year deal.
When it comes to the 2012 regular season schedule, we already know which teams the Eagles will play with the AFC Central and the NFC South on the slate along with games against Detroit and Arizona. Each team’s actual schedule will not be released until sometime next month, but the NFL did announce this week that the New York Giants would open the 2012 regular season hosting the Dallas Cowboys on Wednesday, September 5.
The following is a link to my article taking a closer look at this matchup as originally posted on Bang the Book earlier this wwek.
NFL Betting Trends- March 29th
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Thursday, March 22, 2012
NFL Betting Trends- Manning and Tebow Prop Bets
The big news out of the NFL this week revolved around a couple of high profile quarterbacks changing addresses for the 2012 season. The Peyton Manning Sweepstakes was won by Denver as the future 'hall of famer' decided to change horses from a Colt to a Bronco for the stretch run of his career. This move opened the door for Denver to seek a trade for Tim Tebow, who was the team's former starting QB. Many thought that Tebow would return to his home state of Florida as a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars, but the New York Jets stepped-in to add him to Rex Ryan's 'circus of the stars'.
Bovada Sportsbook wasted little time in posting odds for some proposition bets for both players. The following is a look at a few of the prop bets you can wager on for both Manning and Tebow as originally posted on Bang the Book.
NFL Betting Trends- Manning and Tebow Prop Bets
Bovada Sportsbook wasted little time in posting odds for some proposition bets for both players. The following is a look at a few of the prop bets you can wager on for both Manning and Tebow as originally posted on Bang the Book.
NFL Betting Trends- Manning and Tebow Prop Bets
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Philadelphia Eagles Free Agency- Week 1 Update
The Eagles were extremely quite in the opening few days of free agency this year as compared to last season's spending spree that snapped-up some of the biggest available players on the open market. The biggest news to come out of South Philly this week was the decision to re-sign wide receiver DeSean Jackson to a five-year deal worth an estimated $50 million after first deciding to use the team's 'franchise tag' to lock him up for next season.
I did not see this move coming as I figured that Andy Reid would want to test the waters for a year given Jackson's prima donna attitude. I guess he took a hard look at the big money that was getting thrown at some of the other premier receivers in the league this week and came to the conclusion it would be cheaper to sign Jackson to a long-term contract now as opposed to next year at this time.
A few other moves by the Birds this week included a four-year contract extension for defensive end Trent Cole and a new one-year deal for defensive tackle Antonio Dixon. They parted ways with center Jamaal Jackson and traded offensive lineman Winston Justice to Indianapolis. The Eagles also signed free agent offensive lineman Mike Gibson, who was originally drafted by Philadelphia in 2008, but signed off the team's practice squad by Seattle in 2009.
Any further moves over the next few weeks remain to be seen, but it is safe to say that Reid and Co. are taking a much more cautious approach to building this season's 'dream team' through the use of the free agent market.
I did not see this move coming as I figured that Andy Reid would want to test the waters for a year given Jackson's prima donna attitude. I guess he took a hard look at the big money that was getting thrown at some of the other premier receivers in the league this week and came to the conclusion it would be cheaper to sign Jackson to a long-term contract now as opposed to next year at this time.
A few other moves by the Birds this week included a four-year contract extension for defensive end Trent Cole and a new one-year deal for defensive tackle Antonio Dixon. They parted ways with center Jamaal Jackson and traded offensive lineman Winston Justice to Indianapolis. The Eagles also signed free agent offensive lineman Mike Gibson, who was originally drafted by Philadelphia in 2008, but signed off the team's practice squad by Seattle in 2009.
Any further moves over the next few weeks remain to be seen, but it is safe to say that Reid and Co. are taking a much more cautious approach to building this season's 'dream team' through the use of the free agent market.
Friday, March 9, 2012
NFL Betting Trends – Peyton Manning Derby Odds
The big news in the NFL this week's was the Indianapolis Colts' decision to part ways for their quarterback for the last 14 seasons, Peyton Manning. This decision has created one of the biggest free agent Derbies ever as it is reported that a field of 12 teams is set to make a run at landing the future 'Hall of Fame' quarterback.
I was able to find odds for 10 of the teams and the only one that should concern us Eagle fans is Washington at +2000. The latest reports have the Redskins' odds even steeper as there are too many other entries that have the inside track in this race. Another possible team lurking in the shadows could be Dallas just because of Jerry Jones' enormous ego, but the Cowboys are not even listed as an entry in the race.
The following is a link to my take on this race with a brief look at my favorite, lead contender, and longshot to land Manning as originally posted on Bang the Book.
NFL Betting Trends – Peyton Manning Derby Odds
I was able to find odds for 10 of the teams and the only one that should concern us Eagle fans is Washington at +2000. The latest reports have the Redskins' odds even steeper as there are too many other entries that have the inside track in this race. Another possible team lurking in the shadows could be Dallas just because of Jerry Jones' enormous ego, but the Cowboys are not even listed as an entry in the race.
The following is a link to my take on this race with a brief look at my favorite, lead contender, and longshot to land Manning as originally posted on Bang the Book.
NFL Betting Trends – Peyton Manning Derby Odds
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
NFLTrends- Rating the New Head Coaches
At this point in time there will be seven new head coaches prowling the sidelines on opening day of the 2012 NFL season. The following is a link to an article I recently did for Bang the Book which breaks down each coaches' chance at being successful right out of the gate.
Obviously, a veteran coach such as Jeff Fisher is at the top of my list, but the rest of the guys are first-time head coaches in the NFL so it remains to be seen what kind of impact they will have on their new team
NFLTrends- Rating the New Head Coaches
Obviously, a veteran coach such as Jeff Fisher is at the top of my list, but the rest of the guys are first-time head coaches in the NFL so it remains to be seen what kind of impact they will have on their new team
NFLTrends- Rating the New Head Coaches
Saturday, March 3, 2012
DeSean Jackson Gets Tagged
The big news out of Philly this week was the Eagles' decision to slap the 'Franchise Tag' on wide receiver DeSean Jackson to prevent him from becoming a free agent while they work on hammering-out a long-term deal.
This move comes as no real surprise as this was the game plan all along. I am sure that both sides have been working on a new contract, but the reality is that he still needs to prove that he can be a stable and consistent contributor to the team before warranting a multi-year deal.
Jackson may tweet otherwise, but he should be the happiest guy in the world as this move guarantees he will earn over $9 million this season, which is over three times as much as his entire three-year rookie contract. It gives him a chance to prove he is an elite NFL wide receiver by having a monster season this year, which would ensure an even bigger payday down the road. It also gives the Eagles a chance to make an informed decision as to Jackson's long-term status with the team.
There is no doubt that DeSean is a prime-time player when he puts his mind to it, but as one of the many prima donna wide receivers in the league, he is also prone to both erratic and selfish behavior at the worst times. I do not know what it is about this position that produces so many flakes, but Jackson finds himself and his career at a crossroads because of his past actions and attitude. Now that the Eagles have 'showed him the money' hopefully he decides to grow-up and respond accordingly.
This move comes as no real surprise as this was the game plan all along. I am sure that both sides have been working on a new contract, but the reality is that he still needs to prove that he can be a stable and consistent contributor to the team before warranting a multi-year deal.
Jackson may tweet otherwise, but he should be the happiest guy in the world as this move guarantees he will earn over $9 million this season, which is over three times as much as his entire three-year rookie contract. It gives him a chance to prove he is an elite NFL wide receiver by having a monster season this year, which would ensure an even bigger payday down the road. It also gives the Eagles a chance to make an informed decision as to Jackson's long-term status with the team.
There is no doubt that DeSean is a prime-time player when he puts his mind to it, but as one of the many prima donna wide receivers in the league, he is also prone to both erratic and selfish behavior at the worst times. I do not know what it is about this position that produces so many flakes, but Jackson finds himself and his career at a crossroads because of his past actions and attitude. Now that the Eagles have 'showed him the money' hopefully he decides to grow-up and respond accordingly.
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