Archive for December, 2010

by Ryan Messick Lead Writer The Eagles announced today that they signed defensive end Derrick Burgess and placed rookie defensive end Brandon Graham on the injured reserve due to his torn anterior cruciate ligament.  Burgess, 32, was a third-round pick of the Eagles in 2001 and spent four years in Philadelphia. Burgess most recently played for New England, where he recorded five sacks last season and re-signed in May.  Burgess was two weeks late to training camp though, and after an unsuccessful move to outside linebacker, the Patriots released the veteran in their final round of cuts. Burgess had six [...]

1. New England Patriots (11-2) – What’s higher than number one? If anyone can figure that out, it’s got to be Bill Belichick. 2. Atlanta Falcons (11-2) – I’m leaving them number two in principle, because they’re the hottest team in the league with seven straight wins. I like the Saints’ chances to knock them off on the Monday after Christmas. 3. New Orleans Saints (10-3)  (+2) – Six straight wins have given the defending champions a real shot at knocking off the Falcons for the NFC South and homefield advantage throughout the playoffs.. 4. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-3) (+2) – [...]

In what was perhaps the wackiest weekend of the NFL season, the Vikings and Giants were postponed due to the collapsed roof of the Metrodome, several playoff contenders came out flat, and a strength and conditioning coach got involved in the on-field action with an indefensible act.  Without further ado, here are my Monday Musings. 1. The Eagles are now 7-1 in games that Michael Vick starts and finishes.  They picked up yet another come from behind win.  The Eagles have trailed in four of their last five victories, with the blowout in Washington being the only exception.  They’ve trailed [...]

by Ryan Messick Lead Writer “And then DeSean took care of the rest,” said Andy Reid when describing the throw to Jackson on his 91-yard touchdown, most of which came after the catch. The head coach was describing one play, but he may as well have been describing the whole game.  DeSean Jackson caught four passes for a career-high 210 yards, racking up the third most in a single game in Eagles history and carrying the Birds past the Cowboys in a 30-27 victory. With the career day, Jackson cast aside last season’s lackluster performances against the Cowboys.  Three games, [...]

by Ryan Messick Lead Writer The Eagles had a productive day, grabbing a 30-27 win over the Cowboys and benefitting from losses by the Bears and Packers.  Philadelphia stands alone atop the NFC East at 9-4, pending the outcome between the 8-4 Giants and the Vikings tomorrow night. Philadelphia’s LeSean McCoy ran for a career high 149 yards while DeSean Jackson racked up a personal best 210 yards through the air. The Eagles dialed up a similar play to open tonight’s game against the Cowboys to the one they used in Washington, D.C. a few weeks ago.  Michael Vick rolled [...]

After three quarters, the Eagles trail the Cowboys 20-17, but are driving heading into Cowboys territory in the final quarter.  Michael Vick has been under heavy pressure all game long, throwing his first two-interception game since December 24, 2006. The Eagles dialed up a similar play to open tonight’s game against the Cowboys to the one they used in Washington, D.C. a few weeks ago.  Michael Vick rolled out of the pocket to his left, had plenty of time to step into a bomb to DeSean Jackson and connected for 60 yards on the first play of the game, moving [...]

by Ryan Messick Lead Writer Philadelphia has a 14-10 halftime lead over Dallas, with Michael Vick accounting for both touchdowns – one on the ground and one through the air to Todd Herremans.  The Cowboys score came on a strike from Jon Kitna to Jason Witten. The Eagles dialed up a similar play to open tonight’s game against the Cowboys to the one they used in Washington, D.C. a few weeks ago.  Michael Vick rolled out of the pocket to his left, had plenty of time to step into a bomb to DeSean Jackson and connected for 60 yards on [...]

The Eagles dialed up a similar play to open tonight’s game against the Cowboys to the one they used in Washington, D.C. a few weeks ago.  Michael Vick rolled out of the pocket to his left, had plenty of time to step into a bomb to DeSean Jackson and connected for 60 yards on the first play of the game, moving the ball into the Dallas red zone. LeSean McCoy then converted a key fourth-and-one play before Michael Vick punched it in from one yard out on a quarterback draw, putting the Eagles on top 7-0. The Cowboys came right [...]

by Ryan Messick Lead Writer More Headlines: Eagles Need to Protect Vick, Eagles Rooting Guide, Vick Enjoying the Run, Eagles-Cowboys Preview 5. Special Teams Ball Security – Dez Bryant was the top returner for the Cowboys prior to his injury, and it appears that Terrence Newman will get those reps now.  On the Eagles side, Jorrick Calvin is seeing an increased role due to the injury to Ellis Hobbs.  Calvin has had fumbling issues and the Eagles can’t afford any extra turnovers in this one.  Neither can the Cowboys, so ball security on special teams (and in general) will be a [...]

by Ryan Messick Lead Writer More Headlines: Eagles Rooting Guide, Vick Enjoying the Run, Eagles-Cowboys Preview If the Eagles want to grab a win tonight over the Cowboys, they’ll need to protect Michael Vick from the Dallas pass rush led by Jay Ratliff and DeMarcus Ware. While the Cowboys are only 20th in the league with 22 sacks, the Eagles have given up 33 sacks, tied for the sixth-most in the league.  They’ve also given up 63 quarterback hits, which leaves them 10th. Ware leads the Cowboys and is tied for third in the league with 10 sacks, while Ratliff [...]

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-5) at Washington Redskins (5-7) (1:00, FOX): The Redskins are no threat to the Eagles as far as playoff hopes are concerned, so root for Washington to deal Tampa Bay its sixth loss of the season. Also, if Washington wins out, the fourth round pick the Eagles have from the Donovan McNabb trade becomes a third round pick.  Philadelphia also owns a sixth-round pick from Tampa Bay, which will be a higher pick with each game the Buccaneers lose. Cleveland Browns (5-7) at Buffalo Bills (2-10) (1:00, CBS): This game has no impact on the Eagles’ playoff [...]

by Ryan Messick Lead Writer The Eagles head into Dallas to take on the Cowboys without a pair of key players.  Cornerback Asante Samuel and right tackle Winston Justice both stayed behind in Philadelphia when the team left yesterday, due to MCL sprains for each.  It’s a bad time of year for the Birds to be missing key players, as they’re tied with the Giants for the division lead with just four games remaining, and the runner up is on the outside looking in at the wild card picture.