DeSean and a New Deal?
Posted: January 6th, 2014 | Author: Tommy Lawlor | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 142 Comments »The Eagles cleaned out their lockers today. DeSean Jackson made the big news when he spoke of wanting a new deal. Before you all go nuts we have to talk about this in the proper context.
Sheil and Tim wrote an excellent piece on the situation.
Jackson earned $6.75 million this season, which is the fifth-highest base salary among receivers in ’13, per spotrac.com. That number jumps to $10.25 million in 2014, and hovers around there for the remainder of the deal. That’s right up there with Larry Fitzgerald‘s salary ($12.75). Roddy White‘s take-home for next season is less than half that number.
But none of the remaining money is guaranteed.
“I just need some security somehow, someway,” said Jackson. “I felt I’ve proven to be a top receiver in this league. Year after year doing what I’m able to do, just help my team be successful and spark energy, that’s what I’m here for.”
Jackson was asked to clarify: Is this simply something that he hopes will happen, or is it a necessity in his eyes?
“I just feel I’m deserving, bro. I’m never going to try and make it a problem,” said Jackson. “If it happens it happens. That’s what I have an agent for.”
If I’m reading this right, it sounds like the key here is that DeSean is looking for some guaranteed money. The Eagles might be willing to do that in return for DeSean lowering his cap figure in 2014.
If DeSean is pushing for a flat out raise, then I’ve got a problem. Les Bowen covered it well on Twitter.
Though Eagles might want to lower DeSean's cap # w/redo, their assumption when they paid him was he would play well. U don't get more 4 that
— Les Bowen (@LesBowen) January 6, 2014
DeSean was given a big deal a couple of years ago with the expectation that he would play well and earn it. You don’t get to ask for more when you play well. That was the point of the deal. I have no problem with giving him some guaranteed money. That just turns salary into a bonus or you can guarantee some of his salary.
We’ll see what comes of this.
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Howie Roseman talked about Jeremy Maclin and Riley Cooper tonight on his radio show.
Howie: Door is open to having both Cooper and Maclin back. One doesn't preclude the other
— Les Bowen (@LesBowen) January 6, 2014
Roseman on Maclin: "Jeremy's worked extremely hard, and he's extremely determined to come back, and a guy we drafted. The future's bright."
— Zach Berman (@ZBerm) January 6, 2014
I definitely think both Coop and Mac could re-sign here. Mac would likely sign a 1-year “prove it” deal. He would then go for a bigger deal in 2015, assuming he posted big numbers. Coop had a breakout year, but I think he understands that part of that was playing in Kelly’s system. Coop isn’t going to be a starter for all 32 teams.
So if you have Mac, Coop and DJax…who plays the slot? That would have been the obvious question in the past. The difference is that Kelly’s system doesn’t use the slot receiver in exactly the same way as the WCO. Remember the past when Jason Avant would catch so many short passes in heavy traffic? That wasn’t happening this year. The spread creates room. The slot receiver can use speed more in this system. DJax and Coop both had some slot reps this year.
I hope the Eagles try to sign both guys. I think that would make the passing game all the more explosive.
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We had a good discussion on Nick Foles and the franchise QB label in the earlier post. The key to all of this, as several of you pointed out, is that the Eagles won’t have to make a substantial financial commitment to Foles until after the 2014 season. That’s when they’ll have to decide if he is in fact a franchise QB or not.
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Tim McManus wrote a good piece on Mike Vick and his future. Vick really wants to be a starter. I’m curious to see if any team will give him a shot. I want him to go to the Raiders. It would be cool to see Vick in that uniform running around and making big plays.
Juliet Macur wrote about Vick for the NY Times. I found the piece to be completely bizarre. The title will give you a big hint.
Before Signing A Strong Arm, Teams Should Heed Vick’s Dark Past
Oh boy.
I looked at her bio. Macur previously wrote a feature for the NYT on Vick’s pit bulls that were deemed unadoptable. Go to her Twitter page and you see this line.
“My writing partner is a Labrador retriever.”
I completely understand that Macur is a dog lover. I get that she knows the horrors of Vick’s actions from doing extensive research for her feature on his dogs. She may permanently view Vick as a monster because of this. That’s her right.
But her current column makes little to no sense. She basically is mad that he’s in the NFL and making lots of money. I don’t blame her for hating Vick, but turning that hatred into a NYT column is just weird.
Animal lovers everywhere can cheer Vick’s departure from this city. Especially those who have had to watch him play here since 2009, less than three months after he served time in a federal prison for his role in a dogfighting ring.
If the Eagles cut him loose this off-season, teams considering giving him a third chance in the N.F.L. should be required to look past his strong left arm, his nimble feet and his potentially cost-effective upside.
They should remember this: Vick was the mastermind behind his dogfighting operation. He bankrolled it, gave it a home base, encouraged it.
Any team that has interest in Vick will do their due-diligence in checking him out, but the fact that Vick has not had any incident since getting out of jail speaks volumes. He truly is a changed man. Pre-Philly Vick struggled with staying out of trouble for 4 months. Vick now has 5 years of doing and saying the right thing. That’s not to be taken lightly.
Macur goes into some of the details of what Vick did and then follows that up with this.
Teams evaluating Vick should think about those horrors before offering him a chance to wear their jersey. They should say, “Can’t we give our fans someone better to cheer for?” Fans should demand someone better.
The Eagles didn’t. Instead of passing on Vick when he was released from prison and perhaps forcing him to play in the Canadian league or having him work his way back up, the Eagles immediately chose to reward him with a two-year contract, paying him $1.6 million the first year, then $5.2 million. By 2011, he had a six-year, $100 million contract.
The cast of characters in Saturday’s game was a reminder of just how generous the league is with its ridiculous offers of second chances, like Vick’s.
Eagles wide receiver Riley Cooper made racist remarks about African-Americans — on a team filled with African-Americans — and still ended up starting in the playoffs, the recipient of roaring cheers.
Saints Coach Sean Payton was suspended last year for a bounty program in which players were paid to inflict serious injuries on their opponents, and still he was hailed for ushering the Saints to their first ever road playoff win.
What can children who watch the game and idolize its players learn from that?
If you can throw a football, if you can catch a football, if you can call plays that win big games, then nothing else matters.
So now we’re morphing the column from just anti-Vick to anti-all bad guys. Huh? I think she would have done a much better job if she titled it “Where are the Good Guys?” and then written about Vick, Coop and Payton from the get-go. Instead it comes across like her just going after Vick and then throwing in the other stuff to try and balance it out.
And the game did feature some good guys anyway. Go read up on Jimmy Graham’s up-bringing. Check out Connor Barwin. Look into the work DeSean Jackson does against bullying. You telling me that Drew Brees isn’t someone to look up to?
Michael Vick did some unbelievably awful things earlier in his life. He was violent and cruel in a way that’s hard to comprehend. I could not imagine systematically torturing and killing dogs.
Vick went to prison for that. Federal prison. He wasn’t in some country club setting with accountants. He was in the real deal. That experience changed Vick. He is a different man. I don’t expect anyone to forget what Vick did. I know some will never forgive what he did. But I think you have to acknowledge that he’s a changed man.
The American legal system punishes people for their crimes. It then allows some of them to get out of prison and re-start their lives. Vick has done everything required of him by the courts. He’s gone above and beyond that with his charity work.
I wasn’t in favor of the Eagles signing Vick in 2009. I didn’t think the team needed him as a QB and I didn’t want any part of his baggage. Over time, I came to appreciate that Vick actually is a sign that the penal system can work. The arrogant scumbag who went into that prison is gone.
Would the world be better off if Vick went to prison for 10 years? It seems to me that him going away for 2 years and then actively working to teach people about the evils of dogfighting is more likely to make the world a better place. I get that some people think that Vick can’t be punished enough, but wouldn’t we all prefer that dogfighting go away even more than that?
Vick can’t bring back any of the dogs he killed. He has used his fame and status to shed light on dogfighting and to teach others about the evils of it. I don’t expect anyone to praise him. This is the least he can do to help atone for all the suffering that animals did while under his control.
As I see it, the 2014 story shouldn’t be about Michael Vick the dog killer, but rather Michael Vick the reformed dog killer. Don’t let him escape his past, but also don’t ignore the present.
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Some quick QB prospect info from me.
_
Way off topic:
Hulk Hogan is doing Youtube videos for the Patriots and Ric Flair is giving pre-game talks to the 49ers. Wierd, but my inner child is somehow interested.
My fantasy would be for Nature Boy doing Eagles stuff.
I’d rather see the Hitman, but that would be cool too.
I’m an indy wrestling promoter and we just had Bret Hart in Lancaster back in November. He’s the nicest guy. Very soft spoken.
Kelly Madness is coming at ya! Oh ya!
I heard part of the Ric Flair talk on Boston sports radio this morning as I drove to work. Not impressive. The hosts were making fun of it.
personally, i wish we could get some hacksaw jim duggan on our side. lol
Hacksaw is a nice f’n dude too.
A few more things that I think are important to remember about the Desean contract situation. 1)He did not go out of his way to say that he wanted a raise. A reporter directly asked him about his contract. He responded by saying he hoped for a raise and thought he deserved one. 2) He said he ‘hoped’ for a raise. He wasn’t demanding a raise or saying he needed one, just that he hoped for one. 3) of course he would think he would deserve one. Find me a person in the world that would say they didn’t think they didn’t deserve a raise after having their best year at work.
My stance: if he wants guaranteed money, I have no problem with that. He deserves that. If he wants a raise, well… he is already getting a raise from last season’s salary. So hell no to that.
I can’t figure out why a reporter would ask this question…. What was the point?
controversy?
So how much would everyone be willing to give Maclin in his 1 year prove it deal? I’m thinking like 4-5 million, that seems reasonable given his past production and potential for this season.
How much do good WR2’s make on other teams? I liked coop more than Maclin. Tall guy, made some great plays and through some great blocks. Outside of the dropped pass in the playoffs coop seemed pretty good at his role.
Maclin for $2mil yr deal, he’s comming off a major injury, not to mention the weird illness that kept him out of his 2nd season training camp.
I think the trio of DJax, Mac, and Cooper would be a really nice set. Really good diversity. I’m just glad we finally have a bigger WR that plays like one (looking at you Hank…), hope we can keep Coop.
I give Maclin a 2 year 6 mill deal.
2 mill the first year, 4 the second, can cut him after the first with no dead money if is not back at all
I think you are dreaming if you think he couldn’t find a better deal than that elsewhere.
who knows.
One way I think he has proven him self enough to get minimum around 7 mill per year, but two ACL tears on the same knee puts a dampener on that
I brought this up at the end of the last post, but if you are the Redskins or another team without a coach, why not Gus from Auburn?
Would not surprise me if Chip’s success opens up the “college coach” path for some people. I find it much more interesting than a lot of NFL assistants. I also liked the Trestman hire.
Are the Skins really going to interview Shurmur? That must be just to pick his brain on the Eagles.
Malzahn’s offense feels a bit more gimmicky than Kelly’s did so I can see where some GMs and owners might wonder if he’s an NFL guy or a college guy. In this age, they may want him no matter what.
I don’t think Shurmur has earned another job opportunity yet, but football is weird. Never say never.
While it might be more gimmick, Malzahn is maybe one of the brighest young offensive minds in the whole of college and proven that he can change his offense around his players.
Also he did coach Cam Newton to a BSC win and Auburn with in 3 points of what some people call one of the most loaded BSC teams since the Miami days.
Lol rg3 is bragging now about his influence over Snyder…
…
I don’t see how anyone can take a job when they have to worry about the QB circumventing the coach and going right to the owner…add in the disconnect between the QB and his teammates, lack of draft picks, silly clueless owner, bad cap numbers…..unless you are RG3 Baylor coach or have some type of pre exsisting bond with RG3, I don’t even know how you accept that job..
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I’m still predicting RGme’s dad will be named offensive coordinator
She seriously can’t find a single more worthy or compelling topic to write about? What a twit.
In a perfect world my Eagles pep talk choice would be Matt Foley. The “I live in a van down by the river!” guy.
That would be great.
Nick Foles posted the best TD-to-interception ratio in history?
Welllll, LA-DEE FRICKIN’ DA!
Obviously, what Michael VIck did to dogs was reprehensible. But anyone who denounces him should look to the end of his or her fork. The animal dangling there was treated far worse than what Vick did to his dogs. What then is the difference between the unspeakably barbaric cruelty to animals in factory farms and Vick’s cruelty to dogs? And are we not complicit in that mistreatment when we buy and eat those animals? Just saying.
Well if you heard what the Togan people do in my country or back in the islands you would think what Vick did was i dont know the words for it but killing pet dogs then eating it which is worse.. Its the norm in the P.I nations
If I may ask, “…my country…” is New Zealand? I’m collecting locations.
Yeah mate NZ.. Thought was only in the Islands it happened as they eat horse n dog.. But then one of the Tongan boys said they wait til midnight or when no one is around kill the dog with a shovel or something to the head boil it whatever then eat! WTF! lol Yeah crazy man
I’ve gone fishing and stuck a rusty hook through the front lip of a living animal and hung it off the side of my boat so that another animal could eat it alive, whilst getting said rusty hook lodged through the flesh of its mouth and be viciously reeled into a boat, gasping for oxygen, drowning in a sea of air and stabbed this beast in the head with a knife while it was still alive flopping around the boat. We called it fishing and every father/son duo I know considers it a wonderful past time.
I’ve worked in labs where cats’ skulls were removed from their heads exposing their brains while they were still alive. The cats had their brains probed in the name of neuroscience and then were terminated and dissected. We called these people neuroscientists and researchers. Everyone considered them upstanding citizens.
I’ve worked in labs where pigs are wrestled to the ground and injected with ketamine, the stress of which alone triggers a massive physiologic response. These animals are then put under anesthesia and their bodies tested as they undergo physiologic stress until they die.
I’ve seen a horse break it’s leg while being forced to carry a small man in a loop, for peoples enjoyment. That horse was unceremoniously shot in the head while it writhed in pain on the ground. I don’t remember seeing years of NYT articles denouncing this sick ritual.
I’ve seen chicken and pig pens where there exist so many animals being factory farmed that there is no room to move or even defecate. And, we routinely eat these animals as you stated above and praise the good godly work of the farmers that bring them to us.
I’ve watched as many people I know have set out devices that lure small mammals in with the promise of food, only to snap their necks in two or worse, just trap the animal with broken bones and no way to escape while it’s still alive. Most people know these as the common mouse trap and see no need to imprison or denounce their users.
I’m not in any way saying that what Michael Vick did was good or OK or without blame…but we all are very selective in what treatment of animals we find acceptable and deplorable.
There is a difference, but your point is not without merit. I hope the people who downvoted you have looked into the matter and are not just sticking their heads in the sand.
The argument that I hear most about Vick is that he is now doing charity work because he legally had to, and so it doesn’t count.
In the reality of that argument, Vick would not be reformed at all. Given even that, if he were doing the right thing for the wrong reason, isn’t he still doing the right thing? Is his charity money worth any less to the animal shelters and children’s charities that he’s given to? Is his bankruptcy not fully paid?
Even felons deserve a chance to earn a living.
It should be noted then that Vick has done tons of charity work in the Hampton Roads area pre-dating the dogfighting. He also contributed to the Virginia Tech community after the April 16 massacre.
To clarify something, I don’t think Vick was required to do any charity work. He was sentenced to jail time which he served and was granted supervised parole, i.e. reporting to a PO, drug testing and limited travel. I don’t know the terms of his Eagles contract but if there was a charity work clause that would have been something he agreed to.
I was not a Vick fan, but watching how he has adjusted to life after prison, I think he has made a good effort to rehabilitate himself.
He was required to do some work with an organisation there is doing work against dog fighting.
Yes, he was, but continued to do so long after that service requirement had been fulfilled.
this was my view as well. i was very against the guy in ATL. when he went to jail, i thought ‘good, that guys a jerk anyway’. didn’t like when he signed here, but at the time was what? a third stringer?
like tommy said, he’s done and said all of the right things. kept himself out of trouble longer than he has in any other part of his life. i’m certainly impressed with the guy.
i’m not sure i would ever be able to befriend the guy, but i do respect him for having the will to change his life so dramatically.
I love animals and dont think I could bring it upon myself to harm one except out of necessity. But people like that lady have similar mentalities with Eco terrorists.
Mike Vick redeemed himself. He suffered for his crimes and paid his dues. We saw his humble and respectful demeanor for the past 3 years.
Where does animal cruelty rank with raping a person, or murdering another person? If there is a football fan who understands where that lady is coming from and why she is justified to continue to vilify Mike Vike please educate me. Note, I have lived with 5 dogs over my life, have slept by them and played with them, and felt sad when they died or had to be put to sleep. They were wonderful pets.
Thx for putting the DJax quote into context, some media gossip was setting DJax up to look like a spoiled rich athlete. We’ve got a great team with talented players, smart coaches, savvy FO, and a decent owner. It feels great to be an Eagle fan!
What Vick did was reprehensible. But if you believe in forgiveness, it’s hard to say he hasn’t earned it. He’s repeatedly expressed remorse for his actions and has been a model citizen and complete professional since joining the Eagles. I found it hard to root for him at first because it took me time to get over my feelings about the dogfighting thing, but I did eventually. So should Ms. Macur in my opinion.
I don’t see how he needs any more guaranteed money, considering the enormous success of Jaccpot Records…
It’s all about the bling yo
Might be hard to imagine, but with digital recording being what it is… he could have built a pretty amazing studio space and put together good equipment for $10,000. Then again, I doubt that was the plan because the plan probably wasn’t to make music.
Why give this Juliet Macur woman any more exposure? She obviously has an agenda, and readers of the NYTs are the perfect audience. She could have written that piece 5 years ago, seeing as how she has given no credence whatsoever to what Vick may or may not have done since then.
Vick’s past aside, he appears to me to have been a warrior and an amazing team player over the time he has spent in Phila. I was very skeptical when he was signed (and still not a big believer in his QB abilities), but I am a big fan of Mike Vick the person / teammate.
Yeah I hate giving fools exposure
I think Michael Vick has saved far more animals than he’s killed at his point. It wasn’t his intention, but I’m positive that there are far fewer dog fighting rings now than there were, and a lot of that has to do with the Mike,starting with his indictment and ending with his rehabilitation. It has more to do with the notoriety that he earned than any one decision that he made, but the fact that he was contrite, served his time, and emerged a better man goes a long way in breaking the cycle. In a lot of ways, Mike Vick was the right guy to get caught, get arrested, get destroyed in the public eye, and go to jail.
Mike has done everything right since he got out of prison. When we first signed him, I know many of us thought that this was an “act”, but if it is, he’s kept it going for a long time now.
If it’s an act he deserves an Academy Award.
Isn’t this what people who are against capital punishment are always trumpeting? Reform over mindless incarceration? Here we have a case where exactly that has taken place yet people like this woman still want to string him up no matter what. Can’t have it both ways.
Vick would be crazy to go to Oakland or Minn, because those FOs are just…totally shady, and be as likely to do him in as Shanahan did his guys in. Much safer to see if he’s in good graces with Lovie…
He woulda gotten a job in Minne if Leslie Frazier didn’t get fired..
…
I think his only options now are probably joining Marty in New York or Oakland???Bill Obrien damn sure ain’t putting up with Vicks brand of QB play
I think the Jets or the Raiders make a lot of sense for Vick. The only thing is that he might find himself in the same situation halfway through the year where he goes to the bench in favor of the young guy.
If Cincy sees its window closing and think QB is the only missing piece, that might be possible.
There’s no way I would have envisioned myself saying this in July/August, but I really hope he comes back on a 2 year deal.
I totally agree…if he gets another starting job, it won’t last more then 6 games til either A) injury or B) a young kid is ready to step in….so I don’t get what the point in picking up and moving your family to start a handful of games on a team with less chance to win a Super Bowl then philly…
…
Vick actually is well spoken at time, and built up a lot of equity in this town…had he just extended his career 4 years as a backup and stayed here, I could see a local radio or TV job waiting for him…his Intentions seem short sited, who knows what his agent is telling him
Off the top of my head….
Arizona would be interesting
Bengals are a good fit, but they’re probably riding your boy Dalton for another year
I’ve actually thought Minny has made sense for a while, but who knows now.
Arizona is a good idea. Ditch Palmer, draft a QBOTF, bring in Vick to throw lasers to Fitz and lean on the running game and the D. Ask Vick to make a few plays and less turnovers than CP, and you’ve just improved your team.
I think Carr would be a perfect fit for Arizona’s downfield passing attack. However Carr’s major flaw is he shits himself when the protection breaks down. Palmer would be a much better teacher at how to survive behind that OL than Vick would.
Lovie eould provide some class and stability, but he doesn’t have a good history of taking care of his offense. Vick could find himself lacking weapons or a line.
The great thing with Maclin is he will have had 1 year and 3 months of recovery from his ACL tear, which is what you should have. I don’t buy into this bull, of being ready in 9 months. Its just not possible. Think of all that strength you lose. It doesn’t come, just like that. Adrian Peterson is literally the only exception to the rule and I can almost bet he worked harder than RGIII on rehab. Like literally everyday. By mid point next season I can confidently say Maclin will be at 100%
was looking at the poll of who stays and who goes on Philly.com, it’s amazing how much the public opinion of Maclin has changed with this year off. Last year he was hated by many, soft, always battling a nagging injury, etc etc. I’ve always been a fan myself, want him back to see what he can do in this system.
Wow. That piece of “journalism” was really something.
I honestly don’t care if people forgive Michael Vick or not. However, that piece from the New York Times no less had no integrity. The article might have meant something if this was…say 2009, but this is 2014. A man was found guilty, sentenced, he served time and has now been back in the league for four years. That’s old news, not the news that fit to print.
That “article” was a hatchet job. A dishonest attempt at character assassination on someone who at least outwardly is trying to move on with their life. And purposely timed so it coincided with the Eagles elimination from the post season. There were tons of story angles during this wild card weekend, and yet this is what she writes about?
Ms. Macur should be utterly ashamed of such a blatant example of journalistic malpractice.
Sadly that article is par for the course for what constitutes a lot of “journalism” these days. And not to turn this into a political discussion, but she is only espousing the rather transparent ideological slant her employer has chosen in recent years.
Please, can we stop the “NYT is bias” (sic) talk? The woman was an idiot but let’s not stoop to that kind of “it doesn’t say America is awesome so it sucks” name calling.
Has nothing to do with that. The NYT, like just about all mainstream media these days, have decided to set up shop on one particular side of the political spectrum & shill for it. Doesn’t matter if we’re talking about Fox News or MSNBC, journalism is supposed to be unbiased. This isn’t.
In general, the traditional news outlets (NYT, CNN, and most of the major papers around before Murdoch killed journalism) at least TRY to be unbiased. Unlike news outlets that say other outlets are biased because they don’t constantly reaffirm what people want to hear, and that respond to “bias” by being completely, shamelessly biased in the other direction.
This article was not an example of that kind of journalism, though. This article was a ridiculous plug by someone with an agenda. Since it’s part of a columnist’s work, that’s somewhat to be expected (columnist pieces are not unbiased journalism, they’re the very biased viewpoints of the columnist writing them). But it doesn’t excuse the fact that the writer’s viewpoint is terribly limited, with a view on the penal system, forgiveness, and right and wrong that would simply not work when taken to its logical end in the real world. I sincerely doubt it would fit with her boilerplate world view if you were to tell her that prisons were simply dumping grounds for immoral criminals, with no possibility for forgiveness or rehabilitation. Yet that’s how she views the prison system when it comes to Michael Vick, because she is so bravely against puppy abuse. I wonder what she ate after writing that column, and whether the animals she most likely consumed were treated much better than the dogs she is championing.
And remember the words of Stephen Colbert, that brave American hero: “Reality has a liberal bias.” 🙂
Doesn’t she have an editor? People like Macur apparently have never made a mistake, never said something hurtful to others they later regretted. never acted in a less than honorable way… She apparently has never had to forgive anyone, forget a slight or discard a grudge. What a miserable human being. So I suppose the NYT will print any manner of smut now?
SEND TOMMY TO THE SENIOR BOWL!
Fellow Igglesblitzarians –
Our very own Tommy Lawlor will be heading down to Mobile in two weeks for the Senior Bowl to scout draft prospects, engage in awkward exchanges with Howie Roseman, and haul 400 cases of PBR back to Carolina in a big rig as Jimmy Bama blocks smokey in his Trans Am.
If memory serves (and it often doesn’t), this will be his third trip to the nation’s premiere all-star event, which kicks off the draft season for non-draftniks like most of us. Last year I sponsored a pledge drive to help defray Tommy’s lodging and travel costs to the Azalea City and want to do it again this year.
CHALLENGE:
If we can generate 22 donations of any value I will cover the cost of Tommy’s airfare to and fro the Senior Bowl (economy, non-direct, and you may have to push-start the propellers… sorry).
Any donation, large or small, will go a long way to helping Tommy out. Think of it as buying him a beer or a case of pudding in exchange for his on-the-ground, Eagles-centric reporting. Without him, we’d have to rely on Michael Lombardi, Michael Irvin and “Primetime” for our information. That’s the media equivalent of counting on an Alex Henery kick.
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Fly Iggles Fly!
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As a first time poster but long time reader and fan of Tommy’s I also happily donated.
I have also donated. Love the content and discussions.
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I just donated. It’s for a good cause. Lots of must-read material almost everyday.
I read Tommy everyday, I also read a lot of eagles blog but I’ve got to say that Tommy is miles better, it’s such a pleasure to read him. I’m in, and I also have to ask how is it possible that tommy is not working for an NFL or college team? or at least a media?
Count me in – been reading Tommy’s stuff for years and is pretty much my go to source for football!
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Regarding Jackson
My hope is we give him some guaranteed money, extend his contract by 2 year and maybe lower the avg a bit. This way we have him well paid trough his prime at 32 years old,
I hope I’m wrong but if I’m reading this right, DJax has blown through all his money and now wants more money up front so he can blow through that too. And when he does, he’ll be looking for more yet.
Exhibit A: http://www.phillymag.com/news/2012/06/14/deep-desean-jackson-rap-game/
Exhibit B: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/11/14/financial-woes-may-be-driving-deseans-actions/ (Yes, that was on his entry-level contract, but it shows a pattern)
In exhibit A, you do know that with 99% that the car and jewels are loaned right?
Sure, as far as props for the video are concerned, but he is spending a lot of money on parties, he did buy a Bentley and had some shop customize it for him, and he allegedly owes his previous agent about 400K which he refuses to pay.
every player loans money of their agent.
On if he still owes his agent money, I do not know.
By what Andrew Brandt said on Twitter yesterday it sound like he does, and Rosenhaus is currently suing him
It was a long time ago that he sued him (back when Jackson fired him as his agent)
Still an open case
Also, what does a custom Bentley costs? 1 million max?
The most concerning part about the whole thing: He’s the worst rapper I’ve ever heard. I mean really really bad. Even with his celebrity he will never make a dime off Jacpot Records.
a perfectly logical deduction. On the bright side, if it’s true that DJax is stupid with his money, he’s basically going to be extra invested in keeping a job. I say let him chase his incentives. He’s not financially able to have a protest year. Doesn’t have much of a platform to stand on.
Carrying over from the last topic, I’ll try to keep this going for a few days to see how many countries we can gather comments from.
1. Armenia
2. USA
3. Belgium
4. Denmark
5. Canada
6. France
7. Scotland
8. Brazil
9. England
10. Hungary
Where else? I will limit it to first person responses to ensure accuracy (no, “I remember seeing a guy on here from…).
Brisbane, Australia. I’m Samoan, born and raised in auckland. New Zealand. Moved to aus about 6months ago. Count that for whatever its worth.haha
Any interest in playing for the Eagles? Every top defense needs two things:
1) a big Monster Samoan
…
2) a nasty freak athlete with dread locks flowing out his helmet
…
We need both players to transcend our defense to the next level..
..
Any interest in filling are Samoan quota? Got any big cousins?
If we could just find an athletic, dreadlocked, monster Samoan to play safety we could kill two Byrds with one stone.
You sir are a visionary!!!
Thanks!
I know for a fact we have at least 1 german guy (not me, but GermanEagle) 😛
Yeah, I haven’t seen him lately on here. And didn’t he move to NY? Maybe he is a Jets fan now?
Yeah, he was never a Foles guy, so he might have jumped ship.
I coulda swore I had a German Eagle sighting here recently. Maybe I’m just having a flashback though.
Posted here in German
http://igglesblitz.com/2013/12/coaching-stuff/#comment-1183259196
Don’t forget Poland… our buddy Morton probably hails from Wieliczka.
I’m from Israel, and I follow Tommy’s articles long before he created this blog (ge99 days). Great work, super professional. Never miss an article.
Actually, I’ve immigrated from Russia, does this count as two countries? 🙂
Israel, great!
I’m Dutch and a loyal reader of Tommy. So you can add The Netherlands to your list.
Thanks, done.
I’m currently working in Germany, but I typically live back state side
Between you a (ex?)GermanEagle, I think that counts.
yeh, where did he go? I know he moved but he hasn’t posted.
I’m guessing he probably is just really busy. Happens alot on here. If we don’t have a GE sighting by the combine then it’s time to see if the Stasi got him. Hopefully not.
This dog lover crap, still crapping on Vick pisses me off!! Let me start off by saying my 3 Cane Corso’s are my friggin heart. There is no human I love more then my 3 baby Beasts Fletcher, Cedric’s and Vinny lol..my fiancé knows I would leave her if I had to chose between her and my dogs…..and I have little respect for Vick the QB….but Vick the man, deserves a TON of respect..Has heinous as his fall was, his rehabilitation as a man and member of society has been special…Class act who has earned the right now to have his past rubbed in his face by fools throwing stones from their glass house…i wish I could let my Corso’s devour her lab for acting like a snotty “C word”
People want to forgive Mike and that’s fine. But to
actually feel anger towards those that don’t? I don’t get it.
We all consider some acts unforgivable. No second chance
when you cross a certain line. Should those that draw their line differently
than others be subject to harsh judgment, scorn, anger?
Is having a different opinion about how forgivable an atrocity
is worse than, say, committing that atrocity?
When Desean got his deal, wasn’t it structured in a way that we knew we would have to revisit his deal this year?
yup
If I remember correctly, the big concern was that he would no longer be worth the massive ($12.5mil cap hit) by the time this year of the contract came around. Everyone thought he’d have to renegotiate down, so it is ironic that he’s (possibly/vaguely) asking for a raise. Best move would be to restructure so the total value is the same but the cap hit is decreased as needed with the use of bonuses for guaranteeing some of his salary. Win/Win all around. Or hell, if we don’t or are unable to spend all our cap this year, take some of his future potential salary earnings and convert them to a roster bonus this year, putting all the cap hit this year and freeing money up down the road.
Rihanna announces her Mykal Kendricks crush to the twitter world…if she gets her hands on Mykal, it’s all downhill lol
I think the latest hang up with Foles for most people is the sacks and the intentional groundings. Me, personally? I’d rather a young QB eat a 7 yard sack than turnover the ball. The key thing is that Nick is still young. I think in these last two games, which were win or go home situations, he saw some unfamiliar looks and was unsure of himself. You can’t blame a young QB for that. If anything, his ability to not panic and chuck it up for grabs shows maturity. Unfortunately, it will be impossible for Nick to keep up this TD-INT ratio going forward but if he can keep the INTs to less than 12 next year, we should be just fine.
I think the biggest hangup with Foles for me is that his stats seem misleading. He’ll have a fairly mediocre game to my eyes and his passer rating will still be 100+.
That’s a direct result of passer rating overweighting the lack of interceptions. Basically the strongest aspect of Foles’ game plays directly into having a high QBR.
Seeing as how both conventional wisdom and even Chip Kelly who doesn’t buy in to conventional wisdom unless it is truly wise assert that not turning the ball over is the most important thing, I don’t think I can buy in to the interceptions being overweighted line of thinking. If anything’s overweighted, I’d go with touchdowns.
Foles did well in all 4 parts of pass rating (not to be confused with ESPN’s QBR, where Foles also did well)
I had insane low int%, high TD%, good comp% and elite ypa.
The good thing is, those sacks to become fewer when he gets more experience as some of them are clearly sacks happening when his first read isnt open.
That’s exactly how want to watch Vick — on a nother teacm. I can watch his 1-4 highlights a game and then skip all the turnovers, poor red zone plays and dumb decisions as it won’t effect me.
There is little reason for the Eagles to pay DeSean. He got a nice chunk of guaranteed money up front after a contract year in which he admittedly “dogged” it, and he has a nice salary which is practically guaranteed for 2014 (all salaries are guaranteed the first day of the season) – so buy him an insurance policy for training camp.
Howie doesn’t need more cap room in 2014, other than guaranteeing salary, which is close to meaningless in 2014, there is no way to give DeSean more security without adding dead money to out years – and Howie learned from Joe to avoid that like the plague (see Washington, Dallas, et al).
DeSean is on thin ice, I think Chip feels he can make his offense work with any set of skill players, and fast undersized WRs aren’t exactly impossible to find in the draft, put Stills in there for DeSean for example, and would the offense drastically change?
actually Jackson’s guaranteed money was very low for a WR getting his annual salary.
this is what i was thinking. he is due a LOT of money the next few years (10+ Mil). however, less than 1 year’s worth of money is still guaranteed (prorated bonuses look to be about 7 mil?)
i think it would be a win for both sides to get a new deal done. we can give him some peace of mind by moving some of his salary to guaranteed money, maybe tack another year or so on to the end of the deal that are easily voidable, while at the same time reducing his cost against the salary cap for each of those years.
Ultimately it’s not our place to judge a man. Judge him and punish him for his actions. The entire reason there are punishments besides life in prison and the death penalty is because as a society we believe in second chances and new beginnings, redemption. Most of our ancestors came to this country seeking just that. Yes, judge the man’s actions, but judge all of them. You can’t ignore the man Vick has become.
Thought it might be interesting to see what Tommy thought of Chung when he was signed back in March and compare it to now:
“He was brought here to add a physical presence to the secondary. Will Chung get burned from time to time? Yes. So have other Eagles Safeties. The difference is that Chung will make some receivers pay the price for catching balls in front of him. I have said since the season ended that the firs thing the Eagles needed was a physical Safety. No matter what you do, receivers are going to get open. Having at least one physical presence in the back end is a way to keep offensive players nervous, and that can affect their concentration on running routes and catching passes.”
He was physical all right…
I think Tommy got a little ahead of himself with of the utter lack fear our safeties put in opposing teams, that Chung gave him the false impression that the intimidation factor would overcompinsate for in inept cover skills…to quote Tommy `oops`
Scared more Eagles fans than opposing receivers
That`s funny
I agree with you on the anti-Vick article. But remember columnists do not write headlines, editors do. Article still sucked.
Hey guys, just wanted to know your opinion, I’m generally sceptical toward big free agent (I was already like that before Asomugha). But I really think that signing Byrd is a no-brainer. What do you think?
If we can pay him good starter money rather than great player money, it makes sense. I think he wants the latter though. It’s better to save the big, big contracts for your own players who’ve earned them. It builds a sense of bondedness to the franchise (even in the younger guys who aren’t ripe for a contract yet) and requires less projection about how the highly paid player will do in your system.
According to people who know, I’m not in the know, Vick has done everything and more, meaning that he met his requirements and did more than he had to. He could’ve just did what he had to do and said ok, screw it I’m done, but he did more. Like I said, from things I hear from the inside. Also, he was nothing but character with this team, he got his second chance and did wonders with it, did a lot for the anti dog fighting community. Maybe some asshole who looks at things like this would want to see the good things he’s done and maybe work with him if she is such an animal lover instead of just focusing on the bad. It’s her choice and she chooses to go that route so oh well.
Having said all that, for the people that still consider him a scumbag, he should play for the Raiders.
As Lisa Simpson once said, “They always cheat.”
Brent Gunsilman: And on an extreeeeeemely suspicious play, the Raiders win!
Ok team, just visited Jimmy’s site and was looking at his draft prospects for the Eagles. One guy that stood out was Telvin Smith so I went and watched some footage on youtube. Liked what I saw.
He played ILB at Florida state but is listed at 6’3″ and 220 lbs. I think he would be a versatile player that Chip likes because of his tweener size.
Solid tackler and doesn’t over pursue plays. Also showed the ability to blitz and rush the qb. Had 2 sacks and 3 ints this year. Also showed up in the BCS championship with 15 tackles!!!
Idk just some food for thought. Tell me what you think. I have no idea where he would go in the draft. He doesn’t really have any analysis on him yet.
It really depends on what he does at the combine for me. If he adds weight then I want to see if he retains that explosiveness and speed. IMO, the FSU linebackers coming out this year is more suited for the 43 instead of what we’re running.
I wasn’t viewing him as an OLB rather a safety prospect. I think there is more value for him as a safety but could also go LB in some sets.
My feeling is that DeSean is a jerk for discussing his contract with the press right after a season ending loss. A selfish, self-centered, stupid act.
Vick did time in a Federal prison. He lived in a cage 18 months. He paid his debt to society, he’s apologized, and seems to now live by a different, mor positive ethical code. Let the man be.
Ahtletes aren’t always role models for kids? Big deal. Why should they be? I agree with Sir Charles Barkely, who pointed out the superficial, prejudicial, and destructive results of making someone a role model because they can perform an athletic task.
I’m a fan of who Desean could be. I’m not a fan of who Mesean thinks he is. “I’m never going to try and make it a problem” — um he did in the past and will do it again. I’m all for players getting their money. There’s a time and place for it to be resolved. No, I wouldn’t want Cooper/Mac and DJ as the starters. I want consistency in a player who could bring the ball to the house at any given time. That should be DJ but it’s not. Eagles offense did fine without him in the playoff game. No need to pay him what he thinks he deserves. Let some other team strap themselves to big money and the Eagles can put that saved money towards defensive players.
Think its more about the guaranteed money more then anything else. If they restructure n give him guaranteed money while lowering his annual pay its a win/win i say. DJax impact with the decoys/motions etc set up the options n every Safety has to shade over to him.. No DJax then they can just take Shady out of the game
What a moronic post. It just goes to show that no matter what DeSean does, there’s going to be a segment of Eagles fans who will never like him.
He’ll pass Mike Quick’s yardage total next year. If he plays for the Eagles for another 3-4 years he will pass Retzlaf and Carmichael for the number one spot. I look forward to those days not only because I enjoy watching one of the best wide receivers to ever wear an Eagles uniform, but I also get a little joy from watching you DeSean haters proven wrong, year after year after year.
You want consistency? There nobody on the Eagle’s list of top 20 receivers that comes close to DeSean Jackson’s 70 yards/game average. How’s that for consistency?
Desean’s comments are being taken WAY out of context. He’s trying to talk about THE New Deal. But these stupid biased Philly reporters won’t engage in a discussion of Rooseveltian politics.
TL, you don’t have to give stupid people that much time just because the stupid thing they write has to do with the Eagles. Just compounding the stupidity of that piece is how the author narrowly attacks athletes. Lawyers, politicians, doctors–basically any occupation under the sun–can have “bad” people making millions of dollars.