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Eagles Pulse
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Eagles Draft review |
1.28 CB Jamar Wall 22 5'11" 204 81
Again the Eagles went for a CB as their first round pick and it was a surprise to see Wall fall so low. Wall is initially penciled in as a nickle back but he's surprised all with his play in the passing camp and could very well push for a starting spot against last years 1st round pick Ghee.
2.28 WR Naaman Roosevelt 24 6'0" 190 81
Roosevelt will likely have to fill the massive shoes left by Curtis in the 3rd WR role. He should be well suited for this role and will learn quickly from Jackson and Maclin. Roosevelt has nice rounded abilities with no major drawbacks and the Eagles are quietly pleased with his performance after the early passing camp.
3.8 C Austin Steichen 22 6'3" 304 77
Starting talent in the 3rd round is always hard to find but Steichen was the second best Centre in the draft, (Sean Allen having gone at 2.1). Steichen is still a raw project and but might well be forced into a starting role, as he fights it out in training camp against Ted Larsen.
3.20 ROLB Simoni Lawrence 22 6'0" 224 73
This was a reach pick by the Eagles, but they just couldn't get over the speed of Lawrence. His tackling lacks a lot but his straightline speed and first step really make up for it. Will it be enough to fight out the all round talent of Jordan who has been a backup for the last 2 years.
3.28 K Ben Hartman 23 5'11" 208 80
Akers has gone, Hartman is here to replace him. Hartman has very good accurary but lacks the leg power to hit the 50+ yard FG. However with conditioning and work he'll move up.
4.11 HB Stafon Johnson 22 5'11" 214 80
Johnson was drafted in to replace situation back Morris. He has great strength and will break a few tackles before he goes down. He also has very good run block ability which caught the scouts eyes. Obviously he's not a replacement for Westbrook or Weaver but as a backup he has a role to play.
5.20 RT Justin Jeffries 21 6'6" 320 75
In the later rounds, the Eagles were really looking for depth and they found a good project backup at the Tackle position. Having no obvious glaring problems Jeffries could play at a stretch as a young backup.
5.28 DT Ricardo Mathews 22 6'2" 297 71
Never comfortable with just 3 DT on the roster, the Eagles drafted Mathews to see if a couple of seasons of bench warming could help him into a useful role player.
6.17 FB Anthony Harding 22 6'0" 226 73
Again the Eagles prefer to carry 2 FB on the roster, mostly to help with kickoff return blocking. Harding has good strength and technique, but lacks the speed or vision to be a starter.
6.28 RE Barry Turner 22 6'3" 265 73
Turner will backup and learn from starter Cole, he will have a shot at the wide open Left End spot but it's unlikely he'll see much playing time this season. In fact he faces a tough job staying with the team with a deep Free agent market of ends. |
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Forum Discussion
(by M_Tucker on 06/07/2010)
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Replies - 4 :: Views - 45 |
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Eagles continue youth movement |
Eagles continue youth movement
1st June
Nova Care Complex, Philadelphia
This offseason has seen a lot of movement out of the Eagles, mostly with players leaving the team. A lot of 31+ year old veterans have been traded away to leave room in the cap for the draft class.
These players include starters Cornerback Sheldon Brown, Center Jamal Jackson, Right outside linebacker Will Witherspoon and Left-end Jaqui Parker. Also backup running back Morris Maurice was let go and 3rd WR Kevin Curtis was traded in division to the Redskins.
With the raft of players leaving the Eagles have been surprisingly quite in the FA pool and with trades in bringing players in. They have ended up with the maximum of 10 draft picks, most based in the 3rd round and none in the 7th round. This means that the Eagles will be looking at a real youth movement here. However some fans are concerned as they have few high round picks to bring in instant starters.
GM Mark Tucker had this to say:
"In this day and age with such a tight cap you have to face this every year, we were very lucky last year to keep most of our starters but the team has to move on. We will definitely feel the loose of most of our players, and we wish them the best in the future."
"I have confidence in the remaining players and I'm sure will have a real battle in the training camp for starting roles. We have a few backup holes at the moment but I believe we can field a winning team tomorrow with no problems."
The only 2 additions so far have been FA TE Kevin Boss who was cut from the Giants at the end of last season and 2nd year player LOLB Brandon Gibson. Gibson is projected to be moved to Left End and compete with Kevin Basped for the starting role. Boss will compete with Cornelius Ingrams for the starting TE role. |
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Forum Discussion
(by M_Tucker on 06/01/2010)
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Replies - 4 :: Views - 38 |
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Eagles take division, get first round bye. |
Eagles take division, get first round bye.
Lincoln Financial field, Philadelphia
With the win over the Redskins, the Eagles erased any doubt that they had sealed up the division. Official they took the division when the 'skins lost to the Saints as this pushed them to 6 loses with 2 games left. However the Eagles weren't going to be happy until they had proved they could beat the Redskins.
Now with 1 game to go and a very good chance of home field advantage though out the playoffs the Eagles have decided to try out a few rookies in starting roles to see how they fair.
At Halfback Dexter McCluster will be starting to see if he has the motor to break the big gains as well as convert the tough 3rd downs. With Westbrook getting on in ages this and McCluster plays well their might be a new starter next year.
At Corner back Brandon Ghee is taking over the starting left Corner back role. Sheldon Brown will play Nickel. This one has been in the works for a while but the question still remains, will Ghee take over next year or the year after? Cap issues might come into play here.
At Left end Kevin Basped will take over from Parker. Parker is getting on in age but has played exceptionally well this season. Can Basped show something here to re-ignite his hopes of playing in the nfl?
Finally at ROLB Jordan will play before Witherspoon.
Each veteran knows that his place is always in danger from the young "upstarts" and due to the heavy cap restrictions expensive ageing veterans fear more for their jobs then normal. However have the coaches upset moral with this move? It's good to get the rookies practice and rest some of the older players but will it end up costing the team in the Playoffs. Only time will tell. |
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Forum Discussion
(by M_Tucker on 05/12/2010)
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Replies - 4 :: Views - 23 |
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Eagles squeeze out a win against strong Steelers |
Eagles squeeze out a win against strong Steelers
Lincoln Financial field, Philadelphia
It was a team effort that won the game for the Eagles, and that nearly lost it as well. Despite a massive heave down the field on the 1 play drive for a TD, the Steelers responded with a 1 play drive of their own. From then on the tone was set. The Steelers went up by 10 with a field goal and TD but the Eagles came back to tie it up at 17 at the half. This was despite 2 McNabb interceptions.
Then the Eagles showed they're good side, stopping the Steelers and forcing a long FG attempt while driving down the field. However then the bad side showed up. McNabb, who's been very consistent during the season turned it over again. Westbrook as well fumbled within the Eagles 30. Luckily the defense held the Steelers to only 1 TD but 2 FGs which was to the difference. With McNabb injured late in the game Kolb came on and showed he was worth the 7 year extension by finishing the drive with a lovely ball to Maclin in the Endzone to put the Eagles up by 1.
The Steelers couldn't convert on their final 4th down and with 20 odd seconds to go Kolb kneed for the victory. Overall it was a messy game but a victory is a victory. Despite having to injuries to starting Safety Jones and QB McNabb, both players are expect to play next week.
In other news both QB Kolb and start DT Bunkley have received contract extensions up to 7 years. WR Jackson has been in contract talks but he's not expected to be extended until next season for cap reasons. |
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Forum Discussion
(by M_Tucker on 04/27/2010)
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Replies - 5 :: Views - 33 |
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Rookie progress |
3.27 P Zoltan Mesko 23 6'4" 235 85
Had a good steady first half of the season. Got into the role early on, after a normal rookie start has become the main stay punter who will probably last the team for years to come.
3.32 HB Dexter McCluster 23 5'8" 169 81
Brought in mainly as a Kick and punt returner. Has only had spot duty at Half back. As a Kick return has gained good ground and but never broken one for a TD return. Has defiant potential and could be seeing more time at RB as time goes on.
5.32 WR Mardy Gilyard 22 6'0" 178 77
Has only see spot duty at WR but has good size and good hands. Will never really break the starting line-up but will be a reliable 4th WR maybe even showing flashes as a third down possession receiver if he develops well.
1.32 CB Brandon Ghee 21 6'0" 187 77
A lot of hope has been placed that Ghee can advance and break the starting line-up next season. He's shown flash at nickleback but never really shined. Hopefully with 1 season under his belt he can push for the 2nd CB spot.
6.32 C Ted Larsen 23 6'3" 302 77
Is slightly undersized, but he's strong and has okay pass block technique. He however lacks the run block style and game know how to make it as a starter. He'll will remain for the moment as a backup lineman but needs to develop a lot to make it in the NFL.
RUFA TE Andrew Quarless 21 6'4" 248 76
Quarless was pickup as a Rookie free agent after going unsigned. He has good blocking technique and high straight line speed. However lacks any strength which will hinder him in the running game, also his initial bust is lacking. He's okay in the goaline sets and as a backup but will really need to work out to make a run for starter.
5.16 RT Sam Young 22 6'8" 309 73
Young has good potential, slightly lacking in strength and game awareness he has good technique and done well in training. Although unlikely to beat out Andrews for the RT spot he has shown good progress and will continue to make a decent backup.
4.32 CB Javier Arenas 21 5'9" 195 72
Arenas was a slight reach in the 4th round but with his blinding speed he has shown during limited play time that he can play at this level. Never likely to be more then a Dime back, Arenas can still hold his own against larger players. He needs to improve his game awareness however before he can seriously push for more playing time.
5.27 DT Earl Mitchell 23 6'1" 294 71
Mitchell has great first step but lacks strength to bull rush his way thought the line. He is more a 3rd down pass rushing tackle then a every down run stopped. However he has filled in nicely as a backup in the season so far.
2.32 LE Kevin Basped 22 6'6" 242 70
Basped has been a huge disappointment so far. It seemed like a reach in the second round and he certainly hasn't exceeded expectations. He has drafted with an eye to taking over the starting defensive end role in his 2nd season but it seems he lacks the tackle skills and strength to make him a NFL standard end. We wait to see if the team try to push the starting role on him or if he gets cut. |
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Forum Discussion
(by M_Tucker on 04/21/2010)
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Replies - 2 :: Views - 36 |
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At A Glance
| NFC East |
| RNK |
TEAM |
W-L-T |
PCT |
DIV |
| #4 |
Redskins |
6-2-0 |
0.750 |
3-0 |
| #9 |
Eagles |
6-2-0 |
0.750 |
2-2 |
| #13 |
Cowboys |
4-4-0 |
0.500 |
1-1 |
| #22 |
Giants |
4-4-0 |
0.500 |
0-3 |
| EAGLES SCHEDULE |
| WK |
DATE |
OPPONENT |
TIME/RESULT |
| 1 |
Sun |
at Raiders #10 |
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| 2 |
Sun |
vs Falcons #24 |
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| 3 |
Sun |
at Redskins #4 |
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| 4 |
Sun |
at Chiefs #26 |
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| 6 |
Sun |
vs Redskins #4 |
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| 7 |
Sun |
at Giants #22 |
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| 8 |
Mon |
vs Saints #11 |
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| 9 |
Sun |
vs Cowboys #13 |
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| 10 |
Sun |
vs Broncos #16 |
1:00pm |
| 11 |
Sun |
at Buccaneers #20 |
1:00pm |
| 12 |
Sun |
vs Rams #6 |
8:30pm |
| 13 |
Sun |
vs Chargers #3 |
1:00pm |
| 14 |
Sun |
at Cowboys #13 |
4:15pm |
| 15 |
Mon |
at Panthers #18 |
9:00pm |
| 16 |
Sat |
vs Giants #22 |
1:00pm |
| 17 |
Sun |
at Bears #1 |
1:00pm |
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