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I’ll leave you this weekend with a video. It speaks for itself. How does 44-6 sound?

“Basically, the Eagles will take the remainder of their rookie pool allocation, pay all but the rookie minimum salary of $310,000 to him in the form of a roster bonus, and then apply 25 percent of that amount to each future year of the deal.”

In other words, what’s the hold up? There’s more:

“Of course, it’s not quite that simple.  Some of the future money will get paid out in 2010 as an option bonus, reducing the guaranteed salaries in some of the out years.  And the one-time playing-time incentive (known in some circles as the “log” bonus because earning the amount is supposedly as easy as falling off a log, though Kellen Winslow would disagree) falls beyond the limitations of the rookie pool and the 25-percent rule.”

In other words, the details still have to be hammered out. The length of the contract is always an issue. First-round picks normally get 5 or 6 year deals. At any rate, expect JMac to be in camp on time.

************************************************

Earlier this week I posted this in response to CBSSports.com’s Pete Prisco’s list of Top 50 NFL players. I questioned why B-West was omitted. Well, now I have my answer.

Prisco put up is overrated/underrated list for every NFL team. Guess who he pegged as overrated for the Birds? That’s right - Brian Westbrook. Here’s what he had to say about our gimpy galloper:

“He’s a good player but some think he’s great. He doesn’t stay on the field, and for a guy who didn’t rush for 1,000 yards last season, you’d think he was Adrian Peterson the way some talk about him.”

Ouch. Just a wee bit harsh, don’t you think? Well Pete, some may think he’s great because he’s scored 37 touchdowns in the last three seasons despite having missed all or parts of at least six games. I’m not about to argue his inability to stay unscathed, but when Westy is 100% he is as deadly as any offensive player in football. Period.

Prisco’s choice for the most underrated Eagle was Quintin Mikell. Not anymore after last season. I would have gone with Mike Patterson. Nobody ever talks him up. Patterson has registered 109 tackles the last two campaigns. To put that in perspective, Shaun Rogers, a three-time Pro Bowler, has netted 115 tackles. Just sayin’.

Prisco wasn’t very kind to some other familiar faces: Brian Dawkins, Antonio Pierce, Anquan Boldin and TJ Houshmandzadeh all received an overrated grade.

Time for Eagles Nation to chime in with their thoughts:

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

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Well, at least the Panthers, Vikings and Titans can walk around with their junk chests puffed out today. While, the Seahawks, Cardinals and Browns must be feeling a little small. Wocka Wocka Wocka. By the way, the Eagles are a little above average with the 13th ranked “package.” B-West and Shady can breathe a sigh of relief.

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Yet another “Best Of” list has been released by the World Wide Leader. ESPN the Mag calls this one “Ultimate Standings.” I guess that means everyone else’s standings are rendered meaningless because ESPN’s is the Ultimate, brother. My only real question regarding the list is how much influence the Ultimate Warrior had in ranking the franchises? I mean if you’re gonna do an ultimate of anything, the Warrior must be consulted. One Warrior Nation will not be ignored.

Whatever the case, the Eagles rank #44 among all 122 professional sports organizations. To no one’s surprise, the LA Clippers bring up the rear. Poor, poor Clippers. America’s Team chimes in at #76. Leatherface Jones cannot be pleased. Wonderboy Dan Snyder’s ‘Skins sit at #92. Seems a little high to me. Speaking of high: they slotted the Cardinals at #33. The Bidwells still own the team, right? Never underestimate the power of a Cinderella Super Bowl run.

What to make of this ultimate hoo-ha? Not much. Where an individual franchise ranks has no bearing on whether or not they will compete to win a championship in 2009. The Phillies were #62 in 2008. Now they are #24. The aforementioned Cardinals were #84 in 2008. They jumped over 50 spots in one year. Basically, if you’re a winning team you’ll receive a favorable ranking. If you stink, you won’t. Yawn.

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One thing is certain. Ellis has a way with words. He’s only been an Eagle for two months and he’s compiled a collection of memorable quotes. Well, he had another doozy on the Colin Cowherd radio show the other day.

Cowherd queried Hobbs regarding the biggest misconception about the Patriots. Ellis responded with this:

“That we’re all a bunch of jerks, starting with the head man, Bill,” said Hobbs. “Bill will be the first to tell you he comes off as a jerk, intentionally. Because, I think, what he tries to manifest throughout the players is that we’re here for football.”

I’ve always liked the word “manifest.” Ellis continued:

“There’s so much going on – the circus in the media and all that stuff, and the hoopla in the NFL these days – it’s hard to keep the focus on the game. I think that’s why they have everything so distinguished, set apart from everything, as far as the organization away from the players. Where there’s only access for the players on the lower level — the players and the coaches. And I think by him doing that, it kind of sets the tone, and let’s you know that we’re here to play football and win games.”

Reid has created a similar atmosphere, but Belichick’s rings distinguish him from every other coach in the league.

At any rate, Hobbs nailed how difficult it is for an NFL franchise to successfully compartmentalize the business side and the football side. I like Ellis. He’s honest. I have a feeling he’ll be a popular get for the Birds beat writers this summer and fall.

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Now to Mr. McCoy. It’s July, in case you hadn’t noticed. That means two things are at the forefront of my over-tasked mind. Training Camp and Fantasy Football. For me, these two things are closely related. While my real team is sweating two-a-days away, I’ll be prepping my made up teams.

I’ve been Fantasy balling since 1992. That year I led with my heart and drafted Randall Cunningham with my first pick. Coming off his torn ACL ‘91 campaign, Randall had a pedestrian season by his standards with 19 touchdown passes and 5 runs for scores. Not terrible, but not enough to bring home a Fantasy trophy. I finished 8-6 and narrowly missed the playoffs.

Since that time, I’ve been cautious when drafting Eagles. I’ve only owned McNabb and Westbrook once each over the years. Generally, I tend to avoid midnight green on draft day. I won’t rule them out altogether, but I’d rather place my fantasy fortunes in the hands of guys in different uniforms. That’s just the way I roll.

That being said, LeSean McCoy intrigues me this season. I think Westy will be ready to go week one, but coming off a pair of surgeries will likely hamper his effectiveness and longevity in ‘09. I won’t be drafting Brian, but I might consider swiping McCoy before the Westbrook owner can handcuff him. I envision Shady putting together a two or three game stretch around mid-season where he provides a glimpse of what he will eventually become. A Fantasy stud.

For that reason, I think Shady is worth consideration in late rounds. By no means do I believe he will be this season’s Chris “Coach’s Dream” Johnson, but I’m willing to hazard at guess at his possible production. Again, no fancy charts or graphs, just a gut feeling.

145 carries, 623 yards, 3 TDs

25 catches, 286, 1 TD

That averages out to about nine carries and less than two catches per game. That seems like a lot for a Reid rookie back; however, I think those stats will be skewed by those two or three games where Shady is the featured guy, be it due to injury or mop up duty.

Are my predictions out of whack? Let me know in the comments what you think McCoy’s numbers will look like.

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I’m bored, so I’m going to mix things up here at ITI. It’s time to compare the recent spate of celebs who have kicked the bucket to some of our favorite NFL personalities. Which players or coaches or owners size up to the career paths of these deceased icons? Let’s take a look.

Join me after the jump (continue) for an episode of match game.

The Fallen Idol - Michael Jackson and Michael Vick

Geesh. Have two guys who had the world as their oyster fallen faster or harder? Jackson went from the most famous pop star since Elvis to a freakish recluse enveloped in rumors about pedophilia. Vick was the future of quarterbacking, an athlete of unparalleled skill. Now, he’s a pariah and the face of illegal dog fighting throughout the world.

The Fading Starlet - Farrah Fawcett and Brett Favre

I had a poster of Farrah on my wall when I was a teen. She was considered one of the world’s most beautiful women in the ’70s and ’80s. Unfortunately, age and disease made her a shadow of her former self at the end. Favre was the quarterback every kid idolized during the ’90s. A gunslinger with a winning smile and quaint southern drawl. Today, he’s become a punchline as he desperately clings to the remnants of his once golden arm.

The Ultimate Salesman - Billy Mays and Jerry Jones

Mays lived and worked with unbridled enthusiasm and positivity. He was a salesman’s salesman. Give him a box of turds and he’d move a million units. Jones too can sell just about anything, including the acquisition of locker room destroyers like TO and malcontents with a record like Pacman. He’s also been able to convince fans and the media that the Cowboys are still relevant despite having not won a playoff game since 1996.

The Sidekick - Ed McMahon and Darren Sproles

McMahon was best known as being Johnny Carson’s straight man for thirty years. He was reliable, loyal and always came through when called upon. Ed didn’t complain; he just did his job. Sproles has had to sit behind the likes of Michael Turner and LT during his four years in San Diego. He runs, catches and returns kicks without a peep. Will he ever be allowed to be the man? If not, he’ll keep his crown as King of the Sidekicks.

The Wise Loner - David Carradine and Bill Belichick

Carradine played a Shaolin monk in Kung Fu and and a cold-blooded assassin in the Kill Bill flicks. Talk about opposite ends of the spectrum. The dude always seemed to be clouded in mystery, even in death. Belichick is part zen master, part mad scientist. Monosyllabic and irritable, Belichick could have easily been a monk or a killer instead of a head coach.

The Laughing Fatman - Dom DeLuise and Rex Ryan

I don’t think I ever saw Dom without a smile on his face. Whether yucking it up in Blazing Saddles or trading barbs with Burt Reynolds, DeLuise played the roly-poly funny man perfectly. I’m not sure why Rex Ryan seems so jocular. He’s coaching the Jets, right? I’ll give Rex credit for having his old man’s sense of humor. He’ll need it in the Big Apple spotlight.

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]]> http://insidetheiggles.com/2009/06/30/dead-celebrities-and-their-nfl-counterparts/feed/ http://insidetheiggles.com/2009/06/30/eagles-sign-lesean-mccoy/ http://insidetheiggles.com/2009/06/30/eagles-sign-lesean-mccoy/#comments Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:30:57 +0000 Scott Tunstall http://insidetheiggles.com/?p=4645 According to NFL.com’s Steve Wyche, the Eagles have inked Shady McCoy to a four-year contract. No official word from the Birds, but McCoy’s agent Drew Rosenhaus tweeted the deal, so it must be true. In case you weren’t aware, Twitter is how everyone is getting their news these days.

With McCoy presumably in the fold, only first-rounder Jeremy Maclin remains unsigned. Both Shady and JMac are currently attending the NFL Rookie Symposium learning how not to end up like Michael Vick, Plaxico Burress and Donte Stallworth. Let’s hope they are paying close attention.

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Donovan McNabb is the lone Eagles representative. No Westbrook. No Samuel. No Baskett. I can’t believe Hank didn’t make the cut. Anyway, I could care less about who didn’t earn a spot. I want to talk about Donny Mac’s #49 ranking.

If you assume I’m going to bash Prisco for not ranking him higher, you’d be incorrect. I think Don is fine right where he is. In fact, I’m surprised Pete included him at all. The easy pick would have been to peg Westy. Despite his injury woes, when healthy, Brian is one of the very best in the game. However, the uncertainty surrounding him at this stage is reason enough to leave him off what is essentially an arbitrary list. (To be completely honest, I find it inexcusable that he was omitted, but to unleash a tirade would divert me from my main point.)

Of the 50 players named, only five are 32 or older. Peyton Manning, Randy Moss, Kurt Warner, Tony Gonzalez and Donovan. We all know football belongs to the young, so these five are defying the odds by still being at the top of their games. McNabb’s inclusion on the list is all the more remarkable when you consider that he was dangerously close to being run out of Philly and the league last November.

Amidst all the drama and controversy and injuries and bad receivers and contract issues, he just keeps plugging along. He’s far from perfect. He’s made his share of mistakes, and he’ll make a lot more before he’s done. I just think we take for granted how consistently good he’s been since 2000. Five NFC title game appearances is nothing to spit at.

For Don to make a Top 50 list at age 32, after all he’s been through, shows you how much respect people who cover the NFL for a living still have for him. For all his faults, McNabb still provides the Eagles the best shot to win a Super Bowl. He knows it. The fans know it. The Birds’ brain trust knows it. And so do guys like Pete Prisco.

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The radio company, Red Zebra Radio (weird name), claims Mitchell’s removal was economic based. What else would they say? He was making $150 K, which ain’t chump change, so maybe it was for budgetary reasons. However, Red Pony Zebra is owned by one Daniel Snyder. Ahem.

What’s the world coming to when you can’t slam your favorite team? Thankfully, the Eagles would never resort… oh, wait… I forgot. There was this little nugget from March about the lowly Birds’ stadium worker who trashed the front office for letting Dawkins leave for greener pastures. He was promptly dismissed.

I have no idea if Mitchell’s accusations are correct. We’ll probably never know the truth, unless Snyder gets drunk one night and starts bragging about how he shut that loudmouth Mitchell up by firing his sorry ass.

The moral here: We’re free to say whatever we want, but it might come at a cost.

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