Archive for March, 2010

Omar Gaither became the latest Eagle to sign his one-year tender. I’m still not sure he has a role on the team, what with his multiple benchings and recovery from a Lisfranc jinury. We shall see. In other unexciting news, the NFL finally unveiled its preseason schedule. Hooray! The Eagles will open at home with the Jaguars, then travel to Cincinnati for a primetime FOX tussle, followed by a trip to Kansas City, before finally closing out the summer at home against the Jets. The Bungals and Chiefs? Interesting. I guess. Subscribe to ITI

I wouldn’t classify this as breaking news or even legit, but according to the bastion of sports journalism ESPN FOX TMZ, our in limbo signal caller, ahem, Donovan McNabb, has refused any potential trade with the Raiders, despite not having a no-trade clause in his contract. Uh, can you blame him? This same sentiment was expressed last week, although it was never confirmed by Donny’s agent or anyone else close to him. In fact, no one even knows if the Birds and Raiders are speaking, but that hasn’t stopped the ubiquitous “source close to the situation” from spilling his/her guts [...]

Since April is just around the bend, I’ve been perusing the glut of mock drafts circumventing the Interwebs to see who the pundits believe the Eagles might nab in the first couple rounds. One name that keeps surfacing is Missouri OLB Sean Weatherspoon. At 6-1, 240, Spoon is regarded as one of the top linebacker prospects in the draft. He has excellent range, is a sound tackler and has a reputation as a disruptive playmaker. He’s also known to have trouble shedding blocks and has a tendency to over-pursue. Whether or not he projects to either WIL or SAM remains [...]

This is what happens when I go away for the weekend. I come back and find a brand spankin’ new Inside the Iggles. I hope all you Birds backers dig the updated look as much as I do. Like anything, it’ll take a little time getting used to, but I think you’ll find it easier to navigate with all the extraneous clutter removed. All the thanks goes to Zach and Adam Best, the technical and creative gurus behind the scenes. They are in the process of switching over all the FanSided blogs, so if you follow any of our other [...]

The one aspect of the latest flurry of Donovan McNabb trade conjecture that intrigues me the most is the proverbial “source close to/familiar with the situation.” Who the hell is this masked person? Does he work for the Eagles? Is he a spy planted by the Cowboys/Giants to spread false information? Could it be Andy Reid using one of those voice alternators like the killers used in Scream? Either nobody knows, or nobody is saying. What I do know is that this unnamed person suddenly surfaced after Reid let slip that he was listening to offers for all of his [...]

I could pontificate for 3000 words on the most recent Donovan McNabb trade rumors, but I’ll spare you and my fingers the agony. Until he’s moved, or isn’t, anything anyone writes is conjecture anyway. Then again, if there’s one thing us blogger types revel in it’s conjecture. At least I prefer brief conjecture. The trade to the Rams came from left field, and conveniently surfaced hours after Andy Reid announced to the world that the Eagles were listening to offers for all of their quarterbacks. It seems like everyone with a laptop and a cell phone who works as a [...]

While taking a break from sampling the hearty buffet at the NFL’s Annual Meetings, head coach Andy Reid threw the media a nugget when he revealed the Eagles are “listening to offers” for their three quarterbacks. Yawn. This is hardly news because every team in the NFL always listens to offers for players. I’m sure at one time or another someone has dialed up the Colts and inquired what it would take to acquire Peyton Manning. But after enduring five minutes of non-stop laughter from Colts GM Bill Polian, that guy finally hung up the phone. Listening and trading are [...]

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter via his Twitter, the Saints have decided not to match the offer sheet inked by Mike Bell, thus making him an Eagle. Of course, the front office has yet to confirm the signing. If this news is accurate, and there’s no reason not to believe Schefter, the Birds backfield appears to be set. Bell will join starter Shady McCoy, Pro Bowl fullback Leonard Weaver and third-stringer Eldra Buckley. I like Bell, provided he can stay healthy, which has been a problem during his first four years in the league. He brings a physical presence and [...]

The Eagles were awarded a pair of compensatory draft picks today for their free agent losses last year. Both selections will be seventh-rounders (243 & 244), so don’t get too excited. That brings the grand total of draft weekend selections to eight, if I’m not mistaken. That is until they trade Donovan for a couple more, which should occur any day now. Wink, wink. Subscribe to ITI

As we wait to see if the Saints match the offer sheet signed by running back Mike Bell, I figured I’d touch on the upcoming draft, which is exactly one month from today. Scanning the Eagles roster, I don’t see many glaring holes, but there are areas where talent needs to be added. On offense, depth along the offensive line is a concern. With Jamaal‘s availability in doubt, a center could definitely be targeted. If Nick Cole is the answer, then a quality reserve guard who can play both sides should be considered. Max Jean-Gilles is in the mix, but [...]

Geesh. I can’t keep up with all the action going on over at NovaCare these days. I leave the house for a few hours only to return and learn the Eagles have parted ways with Kevin Curtis and Darren Howard. Both moves make perfect sense. At 33, Howard was on his way out. He started the ’09 season fast but became invisible by the end. There was just too much wear and tear on his body to be a factor. Toss in the trade and extension for Darryl Tapp and the writing was on the wall. As for Curtis, well, [...]

The frustrating and all too short Eagles career of Shawn Andrews is over. The Birds released their Pro Bowl guard today thus ending his time in midnight green. Andrews’ ailing back became a problem two years ago and despite a couple surgeries it never got better. What could’ve been. His talent was unquestioned. However, his dedication to the game and offbeat personality rubbed some within the organization the wrong way. I wish the Big Kid luck. He says he still wants to play, so maybe he can make a comeback. That being said, I’m glad he’s gone. Waiting for him [...]