Attack of the Readers
Posted: March 30th, 2013 | Author: Tommy Lawlor | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 28 Comments »How’s that for a title?
I get lots of people sending me links to posts, articles, and things of that nature. I try to link to as many as possible, but sometimes can’t get to them all. I’m behind schedule with that stuff so I’m just putting as many links as possible here.
Let’s start with a very cool project. Fans of The Wire may remember season 2 when the Teamsters shipped a police van around the world and took pictures with it in various locations. An Eagles fan has come up with a similar concept. Instead of taunting a police official, he’s trying to show just how worldwide fan support is for our beloved Eagles.
Eagles fan Aran is shipping an Eagles troll all over the world. As he said to me in an email:
“Basically, I had a vintage Eagles Troll laying around, and I started a blog for when we mail him around the world (“Trolling It Forward) taking pictures with him and captioning them. We have people in the UK, India, soldiers in Afghanistan, Sweden, Australia, Spain, and across the U.S.. It’s a way to show that the Bleeding Green nation knows no borders.”
I think this is one of the coolest things I’ve heard of. Give Aran a follow on Twitter to find out what’s happening. I’m looking forward to following this project.
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I have a draft prospect that is definitely flying under the radar. And he is an Eagles fan. No, this isn’t Vinny Curry’s little brother. A guy on the Eagles Message Board that posts as Ferrisbueller84 decided to participate in a regional combine. He is 28 years old and an active duty member of the Air Force.
FB84 ran 5.52 in the 40-yard dash. His vertical jump was 22 inches. His 3-cone time was 5.03. As you can see, his lack of speed is matched by his lack of agility or explosion. This would be fine if he were huge and trying for the DL or OL, but he’s a DB. Yikes!
A couple of quotes from him:
” I can lay the boom… ”
“Like colt Anderson but better and better hair (my comb over is epic)”
Should the Eagles be interested? Yes. Hell yes. As his buddy HazletonEagle said on the EMB, “I believe that for a hybrid defense you need hybrid players. This guy is a NT in a CBs body. Thats a rare combination. Im not sure Ive ever seen it. I think hes a perfect fit.”
I don’t think FB84 is worth a 1st rounder, but after that…all bets are off.
Here is the thread if you want to check it out. Eagles fans are insane, but mostly in a good way. Kudos, FB84.
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Eagles fan Jacob Shubert has started a sports blog and would love you to check it out. Mostly basketball talk for now. Jacob is a college student and is just getting into writing. He’s off to a good start, but why the heck is he writing about basketball in the middle of football’s offseason? Very weird. Give us 1,000 words on the Darryl Tapp era. I know that’s a post I’d read with excitement.
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An Eagles fan across the pond wrote a piece on TE prospects. Some of his conclusions are a bit off, but he’s got some good info and ideas. Give it a look and see what you think.
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Some degenerate hack wrote a piece about Derek Landri and Kevin Kolb signing FA deals.
There are a few other items to check out there as well.
_
My Darryl Tapp report would go as follows: Darryl Tapp is on the field. Darryl Tapp gets blocked. Cullen Jenkins makes the tackle after a 5 yard gain. Darryl Tapp falls on the ball carrier and gets flagged for a late hit. Darryl Tapp says, “Man. That’s BS!” Darryl Tapp and Jim Washburn look at Brandon Graham on the sidelines and say, “That’s how it’s done, boy.”
That’s not 1,000 words, but it is pretty darn funny. And accurate.
thats spot on, good shit lol
The problem with Landri was simple, he hit his expiration date.
Someone did a study that most one gap DTs start going down hill after age 28, one rule in all sports is the less athletic talent you have, the smaller the margin for error as you age – Gene Atkins may be able to lose a step and still get penetration, Landri loses half a step and it’s time for a new career.
This is why some guys have solid years, hit free agency and wonder why people are throwing money at other players with lesser accomplishments – well, GMs are looking at age, body type and role, and projecting the player over the effective period of the contract (i.e., when dead money makes it costly to cut the player). If you’re near your expiration date, best bet is to sign an incentive laden deal and try to earn the big money on the field.
Would like to see a full study on positions…typically what ages do each position start declining?
Afan, you could be on the money. We’ll see how Derek does in TB this year.
My one bit of hesitation is that so many DL had down years in 2012. Almost seemed as if something systematic was wrong.
I can understand the support for one of our own, but we just went through a season with a corner who runs a 5.5 40. Unless this guy can bring something more to the table I the way of dolling out blame, he might not be much of an upgrade.
Another quote from ferris proves you wont need to worry about that. – ” I would also like to debunk this ‘me first’ thing. My profession doesn’t allow that type. When bullets are flying there is no time for that crap!!! Forget the college play time…give me a few months and I’ll be able to destroy these young bucks. “
Nice. I guess when someone is actually shooting at you, you learn not to waste time assigning blame.
Whether or not he serves a tour in midnight green, I am grateful for his service to our country.
I doubt I’ll get picked up anyway, it was worth trying and considering I had a month to prepare as opposed to 4 years like most of the kids, I’d say it wasn’t all that bad.
I’m putting on an experimental performance art piece in the back of a fabric store with a few friends. It’s 6 hours long, but really good if you’re not easily offended.
Should I just email you the information?
I didn’t even realize that you can vote things down, wow, great.
Yes. jimmy@bloggingthebeast.com
I wouldn’t say a “degenerate Hack”, I would say a no talent degenerate hack who looks up to Paris Hilton as an intellectual role model warbled a piece about Landri and Kolb.
100 percent true.
Hey Tommy,
Do you remember what you thought of the QB class of 1999? Did you have McNabb as the #2 guy? I was just curious with all this talk about ranking college QB’s?
I did have Donovan #2. Loved Tim Couch at #1.
I was also very high on Daunte Culpepper and Cade McNown.
Tommy i was wondering if you think the team might have any interest in bringing Noel Devine in for a look… I know he was here last year for camp and walked out but i saw somewhere the reason for him leaving was that his best friend passed away..I understand that its a major red flag for a guy to just walk out like that. i’m not sure if that totally true but maybe the new coaching staff can work with him better then Andy could. I think he would be the ideal weapon for Chip.. hes does a lot of the things De’Anthony Thomas does at Oregon now..Also he could be a great addition to the competition for KR/PR… He seems to fit with the theme of the off season in that he would be another low risk- medium to high reward move.
He’s the kind of player who should fit in the offense, but whether he has the mental or emotional toughness to play in the NFL is a whole other story. If the Eagles thought the risk was worth it, I’d be okay with that. I’m guessing that won’t happen.
Loved it Tommy. That was fun and funny to read. Thanks You! Go get em ferris!
My pleasure. Tell FB84 he’s got my full support right up until he misses the first tackle of Dez Bryant.
He doesnt miss. He has nukes!
I’m not afraid to get my nose dirty!!
Hey this is Jacob Shubert, I just wanted to say that this shout out on my favorite football website meant a lot. I did write an eagles article back in February about the Eagles re-signing Michael Vick. Check it out at http://redcupsports.blogspot.com/2013/02/its-mike-vick-in-box.html
I really wanted to write a 10 page manifesto titled, “The Chronicles of Pacifism: A Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie Story” instead of all this March Madness stuff. Unfotunately my fellow writers shot that down saying it “lacked a target audience” and “they have never read an angrier piece”. Pfff, whatever.
I will be doing a first round mock draft soon after I finish a little bit more scouting and I plan on writing a lot about the NFL. I will definitely keep you guys posted if you are interested.
Thanks again Tommy and everyone at igglesblitz.
Haha, thanks Tommy!! The whole thing started as a joke with some of my co-workers on training one of my troops to be a WR (he was 6’1 and 115lbs) on a deployment. Most uncoordinated person I think the world has ever seen too. We had him out running routes, doing footwork drills and had this huge sandlot football game when as a unit we were all outprocessed and waiting for our rotator to take us home.
My buddy and I did a “draft” since we organized the game. Of course I took the kid with the #1 pick. He ended up with 1 catch for a few yards and a touchdown and like 12 drops (I kept throwing to him). It was fun.
About 2 months ago, I was sitting in the office at work and my buddy asked me for my email address. Next thing I know I have an email from the NFL saying I’ve been accepted for the regional combine.
I went into full blown get huge mode, stopped drinking PBR for over a month, quit smoking (doing really well thanks to Nova from the boards). I say my biggest folly in it all was my approach to training. I was so focused on gaining weight and putting on strength and didn’t do enough to practice for the underwear olympics.
I must say it was an awesome experience to go to, met a few people. Made some connections. The guy who coordinated it and ran the thing reminded me when I walked in that “good things come in small packages”.
I was a little disappointed at first when I saw my numbers, but as most of the people in the blog and the thread reminded me, these kids have been preparing their whole lives. I had zero professional or even experienced trainers to help me with all the drills. I went out there, competed…had fun and I did something that I love doing. I swear I’m a little more athletic than my work out numbers show.
Much thanks to you and all the people around the boards that supported me. HE, Nova, GreenD, JR, BigE, aptso (I should have taken his suggestion to light myself on fire at the even to get more attention), AFan (I didn’t quit my day job), footballman, Mod5 (for being a dream crusher), etc.
My goal in it all was me hitting my 10 year mark in the military and what I want to do in 10 years when I retire and “grow up” so to speak. If the Eagles wanna bring me in for camp, I’d be ecstatic. I’d love to use the experience and my face even in it’s limited capacity being out there, to segway into a job relating to the game of football. Start as an assistant coaching maybe, scout, anything. It’s a young mans game that I probably don’t belong in at that level, but I gave my max effort in the little time I had to prepare. Here’s to me shutting down Peanut in TC in a few months!!
Thanks again to everyone.
Haha, thanks Tommy!! The whole thing started as a joke with some of my co-workers on training one of my troops to be a WR (he was 6’1 and 115lbs)for the combine on a deployment about 4 years ago. Most uncoordinated person I think the world has ever seen too. We had him out running routes, doing footwork drills and had this huge sandlot football game when as a unit we were all outprocessed and waiting for our rotator to take us home.
My buddy and I did a “draft” since we organized the game. Of course I took the kid with the #1 pick. He ended up with 1 catch for a few yards and a touchdown and like 12 drops (I kept throwing to him). It was fun though.
About 2 months ago, I was sitting in the office at work and my buddy asked me for my email address. Next thing I know I have an email from the NFL saying I’ve been accepted for the regional combine.
I went into full blown get huge mode, stopped drinking PBR for over a month, quit smoking (doing really well thanks to Nova from the boards). I say my biggest folly in it all was my approach to training. I was so focused on gaining weight and putting on strength and didn’t do enough to practice for the underwear olympics.
I must say it was an awesome experience to go to, met a few people. Made some connections. The guy who coordinated it and ran the thing reminded me when I walked in that “good things come in small packages”.
I was a little disappointed at first when I saw my numbers, but as most of the people in the blog and the thread reminded me, these kids have been preparing their whole lives. I had zero professional or even experienced trainers to help me with all the drills. I went out there, competed…had fun and I did something that I love doing. I swear I’m a little more athletic than my work out numbers show.
Much thanks to you and all the people around the boards that supported me. HE, Nova, GreenD, JR, BigE, aptso (I should have taken his suggestion to light myself on fire at the even to get more attention), AFan (I didn’t quit my day job), footballman, Mod5 (for being a dream crusher), etc.
My goal in it all was me hitting my 10 year mark in the military and what I want to do in 10 years when I retire and “grow up” so to speak. If the Eagles wanna bring me in for camp, I’d be ecstatic. I’d love to use the experience and my face even in it’s limited capacity being out there, to segway into a job relating to the game of football. Start as an assistant coaching maybe, scout, anything. It’s a young mans game that I probably don’t belong in at that level, but I gave my max effort in the little time I had to prepare. Here’s to me shutting down Peanut in TC in a few months!!
Thanks again to everyone.
Thanks! We’ve expanded to a handful more countries thanks to your reference
Thanks Tommy!! I wrote a super long response…somehow it disappeared or needs approval or something!!