Archive for February, 2009

It’s February, which means the annual “upgrade the receivers” chants are growing louder. We are fifteen days from the opening of free agency and the name TJ Houshmandzadeh is becoming more popular than a cheesesteak from Pat’s. And if you believe the rumors, Anquan Boldin could be on his way to Philly. For the record, I don’t buy it. As enticing as it is to imagine a receiving corps of DeSean Jackson, Kevin Curtis and Housh, we should temper our excitement a tad. These are the Eagles after all. The odds of them opening the checkbook for a 32 year-old [...]

Everyone’s favorite first-round bust, Freddie Mitchell, aka Fred-Ex, received a mysterious shipment via Fed Ex (of all things) the other week. I can’t do this story justice. Just go here and have a laugh. I miss ‘ol Fred. Despite his inability to catch or run, he was always good for a colorful quote or two.

I don’t know much, but I do know the Eagles need a legit fullback. Not a converted defensive tackle. Not a halfback. Not an ex-lumberjack (unless he can block a middle linebacker). Here’s the list of available fullbacks in free agency. Heath Evans, New England Zac Keasey, San Francisco John Kuhn, Green Bay Corey McIntyre, Buffalo Lorenzo Neal, Baltimore Moran Norris, Detroit Tony Richardson, New York Jets Cecil Sapp, Houston Terrelle Smith, Arizona Naufahu Tahi, Minnesota Leonard Weaver, Seattle Neal and Richardson are ancient, but they are still the best in the business. Kuhn is an RFA, but he intrigues [...]

All you parents out there with young footballers, here’s a chance to learn from some of the Eagles‘ finest, including ex-linebacker Jeremiah Trotter. The Sports International Football Camp will take place June 23-26 at Kutztown University and is for kids ages 7-18. For more information, click the logo below:

This is probably the deepest position in free agency. With Jon Runyan‘s knee injury and Tra Thomas‘s status in question, the Eagles will be looking long at this list. Stacy Andrews, Cincinnati Bengals Khalif Barnes, Jacksonville Jaguars Matt Birk, Minnesota Vikings Jordan Black, Houston Texans Jason Brown, Baltimore Ravens Vernon Carey, Miami Dolphins Jahri Evans, New Orleans Saints (RFA) George Foster, Detroit Lions Mike Goff, San Diego Chargers Chris Gray, Seattle Seahawks Jordan Gross, Carolina Panthers Pete Kendall, Washington Redskins Seth McKinney, Cleveland Browns Jeff Saturday, Indianapolis Colts Marvel Smith, Pittsburgh Steelers Mark Tauscher, Green Bay Packers Fred Weary, Houston [...]

HOOORRRRAAAYYYY! What time is the parade?

Les Bowen over at the Daily News is reporting Eagles’ free agent right tackle Jon Runyan will miss 4-6 months after undergoing microfracture surgery on his ailing right knee. At 35, this could be the end of the road for Runyan’s NFL career. Scheduled to hit free agency on the 27th, Runyan may have a tough time finding a team for next season. Would you spend money on an aging right tackle who’s future is in serious doubt? I have no idea if the Birds planned on bringing him back, but it seems their decision may have been made for [...]

Anyone on this list, besides Housh, interest you? Bobby Engram, Seattle Seahawks Jabar Gaffney, New England Patriots Dante’ Hall, St. Louis Rams Devery Henderson, New Orleans Saints T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Cincinnati Bengals Sam Hurd, Dallas Cowboys Brandon Jones, Tennessee Titans Ashley Lelie, San Francisco 49ers Shaun McDonald, Detroit Lions Koren Robinson, Green Bay Packers Amani Toomer, New York Giants Roydell Williams, Tennessee Titans Cedrick Wilson, Pittsburgh Steelers Slim pickings folks. I think Sam Hurd will be a player for someone, but no better than a solid #3 or a low-end #2. If T.J. isn’t franchised, expect at least six teams to [...]

There are several reasons why I respect Brian Dawkins. His loyalty and honesty being two of the biggest. Not only did he stick up for Donovan McNabb in an NFL Network interview, but he also summed up what it’s like to play sports in the City of Brotherly Love. “The thing about it is this. Philadelphia, it is a tough place to play. Everybody can’t succeed in Philadelphia,” Dawkins said. “You have to have tough skin. You have to be able to move through booing. You have to be able to play through that stuff on the other side. It’s [...]

Other than Jacobs and Ward, would you want any of these guys playing for the Eagles? J.J. Arrington, Arizona Cardinals Jesse Chatman, New York Jets Heath Evans, New England Patriots Brandon Jacobs, New York Giants Rudi Johnson, Detroit Lions LaMont Jordan, New England Patriots Maurice Morris, Seattle Seahawks Dominic Rhodes, Indianapolis Colts Darren Sproles, San Diego Chargers Aaron Stecker, New Orleans Saints Derrick Ward, New York Giants Ricky Williams, Miami Dolphins Jacobs will likely remain with the Giants. Ward is heading for free agent riches; probably someplace like Cincinnati, Denver or Kansas City. Same for Sproles. Would the Birds be [...]

I don’t take much stock in February rumors, but Bengals possible free agent wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh is definitely looking hard at the Eagles. Sheil Kapadia talks about Housh’s ESPN interview over on his Moving The Chains blog. I’ll let you read the full article, but I found this quote from T.J. very telling. When speaking about his 12 catch, 149 yard, 1 TD performance in the dreaded 13-13 tie, he said this: “Did you watch the Eagles and the Bengals game during the season? I was just giving Andy Reid, I was giving him an interview in person,” Houshmandzadeh [...]

Bad special teams can doom a team. Luckily for the Eagles, their kicking and punting units have been steady for years. The 2008 squads were no different. Grade time. Special Teams: David Akers – After struggling in ’06 and ’07, Akers rebounded big time by converting a franchise record 33 field goals on 40 attempts. Also made 9 of 10 attempts in the postseason. Did have two blocked and returned for scores in the regular season, but that more to do with the guys in front of him. Was solid on kickoffs with 17 touchbacks. Grade: A Sav Rocca – [...]