A Look at the Eagles

Normally I'd post this in "The News Wire", but I'd like to discuss some of the statements made here.

http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/sports/football/12385913.htm

To wit:
"Meanwhile, has anybody even thought about Corey Simon, who apparently plans to sit out training camp before signing the 1-year, $5.13 million franchise tender? As one national football reporter, sent to Lehigh to cover the circus, said early in camp: "I've never been to a training camp where the guy designated the 'franchise player' held out and nobody even mentioned it.''

Oh, and let's not forget the whole matter of 2003 first-round draft choice and projected starting right defensive end Jerome McDougle, who was shot by armed robbers in Miami on July 28, the night before rookies reported to camp. McDougle apparently continues to recover, looking toward returning to practice around the time of the season opener, not that reporters have had time to check on him lately.

There was the drama over T.O. reporting and Westbrook not reporting. Then there was the drama over whether Westbrook would report by Aug. 8, to retain his shot at unrestricted free agency next spring. (He did, after incurring $42,000 in fines.) Somewhere in there, Todd Pinkston came dawn awkwardly, tangled with corner Matt Ware, and got up to find he was out for the season with a torn Achilles' tendon.

Correll Buckhalter, returning from right knee surgery, banged that knee into a helmet, sat out a few days, then sat out some more, then finally went to see his knee surgeon, Dr. James Andrews. The Eagles haven't said much since then; from them, no news is always bad news."

This is not a good sign from a team looking to repeat. The Panthers of last year had really three missing players (Stephen Davis, DeShaun Foster, and Steve Smith) from their Super Bowl run and it killed them. Now, the 2003 Panthers and the 2004 Eagles are different teams, but I don't see how parallels aren't being drawn.

The Eagles definitely have their share of adversity going on right now.

If any team can hold the ship together and move forward my money would be on them and the Patriots... but it should be interesting to see if they can do it.

TO is such a distraction right now whether the Eagles want to admit it or not. If I was Andy Reid I'd be looking for a way to trade him and cut that cancer clean out. Sure they're going to take a cap hit, but with the way the manage their cap I'm sure they can absorb it, and in the long run it will be worth it. Only thing that's probably holding them back is they are already paper thin at WR, if you trade Owens that really leaves them with a bare cupboard.

I really hope the situation is a sign that the iggles are gonna slip this year, but my feeling is that with their coaching staff (which is the most stable in the league), they'll get it together.

Mainly, I think the keys are McNabb and the D--and the D can really play with different folk in there. It's the coordinator that makes it run.

But all this can't HELP, so that's nice.

I agree that the D is a huge part of the Eagles dynasty, which is why I find it hard to believe that the Simon and McDougle problems haven't been more scrutinized.

Obviously, McDougle's injury couldn't be helped, but there hasn't been any attempt to shore up the position since he got shot in the stomach. And even though the team expects him to be able to practice in a month or so, HE GOT SHOT IN THE STOMACH!!! You can't tell me he's going to be 100% to play on a defensive line in the NFL so soon after that.

Simon's holdout clearly affects the depth on their line as well. The Eagles obviously consider him their best DT (hence the willingness to franchise him), and his absence affects not only the line play, but the effectiveness of Trotter in the middle.

maybe they should trade for peter warrick now... i think he's just about the only starting WR left on the trading block.

ima lookin and ima liking

Westbrook's back. Their defense may not be quite as dominant as last year, but they did have like 47 probowlers. (most overrated defense ever imo) But even if they dont have TO, the got to the NFC champ game 3 times and James Thrash was the best reciever on their team. Now I love James Thrash, but if he's your best guy, your corps will not bode well.

They have a little money to go get some recievers and there are a couple that could be decent. I'm glad to see the disarray, but their main weapons (westbrook and McNabb) are in tact. They may not win 12 games next year with all the drama, but they won't be any kind of pushover either.