Eagles Notebook

Andy spoke to the media today, covering the team and his personal situation.  That is one tough dude.  I got emotional watching it.  I don’t know how he kept his composure.  I guess that’s why I’m just blogger boy and he’s the head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles.

The toughest moment for me came when he was referring to players and said some of them are “the same age as Garrett is…was”.  I would have come undone right then and right there.

I was happy to see the media do the right thing.  The questions had to be asked, but they were done with respect and a sense of civility.  The closest thing to getting out of line is when someone asked how Andy knew the death was drug related.  Topical, yes, but felt like it either crossed the line or came close.  That’s info you can get from another source.  Why ask him?

So…Andy did talk about the upcoming game.

Several guys will miss the game:  Herremans, Cole, Celek, Babin, Nate Allen, Cliff Harris, and Brandon Washington.  I’m pretty sure the vets would play if this was real.

Each QB will get a quarter to play (Trent Edwards is gonna rock your world!!!).  My guess is that the starting OL will play the 1st quarter.  The backups will play the 2nd.  The 3rd string will play most if not all of the 2nd half.  That’s pretty typical.  The DL will go through a normal rotation in the 1st half.  Don’t worry if you see Derek Landri and Cullen Jenkins out there at the 2-minute warning.  Backups will play the 2nd half.

Seeing the team play is just around the corner.  That kinda freaks me out, to be honest.  This summer has flown by.

* * * * *

The team announced today that Jeremy Stewart had been cut and DT John Gill was added to the roster.  The move actually happened on Monday.  That should mean that Gill is eligible to play in the PIT game.

Stewart was needed for camp.  He’s not needed in the PS games.  The Eagles won’t be running the ball 40 times out of the I-formation.  Having 2 FBs should be plenty for getting through the game.

The DL is a different story.  If any backups get hurt, the coaches don’t want to put starters back in.  They need extra bodies.  Gill is a nice insurance policy.

He came out of Northwestern in 2009.  I had him rated as a UDFA.  Here’s my write-up:

Gill had 8.5 TFLs in 2007 and 9.5 last year. 1-gap DT with some quickness. He can be disruptive. Finished his career with 10 sacks and 23 TFLs. Gill gets stuck on blocks too much. He really needs to win with his initial move or he isn’t very effective. Gill was suspended for the season opener for a violation of team rules.

Gill has spent some time in the league.  He had an infamous incident a few years back.  He’s no Randy Travis, but he’s not too far off.  Keep him away from the Herremans party van and things should be fine.

Gill does fit the Washburn system so if he does play, he won’t look completely lost.

* * * * *

I hate that Stewart Bradley didn’t pan out for us.  His knee injury made him a marginal player in both 2010 and 2011.  I have my fingers crossed that he’s able to get back to being a good starter.

Why?

Here’s Disco Stu at his finest.  I don’t care what uniform he’s in.  I’m cheering for that guy.  Kudos to a reader for sharing that in the previous comments section.

* * * * *

Paul Domowitch made his way to Carolina to check in on former DC Sean McDermott.  The last update on him was when Sean and Juan Castillo had lunch at the same Mobile restaurant as me and Jimmy Bama during Senior Bowl week.  Domo’s update is slightly more informative since he wasn’t trying to spy on a private conversation from 30 to 50 feet away.  Where was the Bionic Woman when we needed her?  I miss Lindsay Wagner.

Domo also got some good quotes from Panthers coach Ron Rivera on Andy Reid.  You can really see why he’s so loved and respected by those who work for him.

* * * * *

Cleveland CB Joe Haden has reportedly tested positive for a banned substance.  If so, he could be facing a suspension.  It is possible he could be out of the opener, which is against the Eagles.  These things rarely move quickly so this could easily be an issue that is more likely to affect the Browns later in the year.

If Haden somehow is out, the Browns would likely start Sheldon Brown and Dimitri Patterson. Crazy.

Former Eagles Chris Gocong is already done for the year with an injury.  Too bad.  He was doing well for himself in Cleveland.

* * * * *

Wanna get freaked out?  Check out this picture of Buddy Ryan and Joe Namath from SI…pre-Super Bowl III.

Doesn’t look a thing like the Buddy we knew.  I dug up another pic of him from his Jets days.  Buddy aged quite a bit from the early 70s to 1980 and his time with the Bears.  Must have been those annoying sons of his.

* * * * *

Speaking of annoying…time for another podcast from me and Jimmy Bama.  I assume most of you gather your families around the computer and listen together.  The young ones have the most to gain from these shows.  Knowledge is literally flying out of the speakers.

_