Eagles Notebook

Posted: August 14th, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 42 Comments »

Lots of oddball things to cover.  Yesterday Nnamdi Asomugha and Nate Allen had a collision at practice.  Allen was slow to get up, but did arise and shake off the hit.  Nnamdi laid on the ground for several minutes.  He did eventually get up.  He then spit out blood and struggled to try and shake off the hit.  He was carted off, holding his head and looking out of it.

There were initial reports that he lost consciousness, but they proved to be untrue.  I cannot confirm or deny if Nnamdi momentarily saw Al Davis saying “Come to the light, Nnamdi.”  Feel free to speculate on your own.

The fear was that Nnamdi might have a concussion, but Andy Reid today said that he had a lacerated lip and whiplash (aka very sore neck).  He should be fine.  There always has to be that one scary practice moment at Lehigh.  This was sure it.  Glad things turned out okay.

* * * * *

I haven’t commented on the Andy Reid / Bob LaMonte situation due to simple confusion.  I don’t know what’s going on.  Mike Florio rushed up a hatchet job a couple of days ago reminding us that agents work for their clients and that because of what was said/not said there was a good chance LaMonte’s words were pre-approved by Reid.

I dismissed that as Florio being Florio.  The man could find a hidden conspiracy in a porn movie.  “I bet Roger Goodell made that woman seduce the pizza boy.”

Then Jeff McLane put out a story that very much echoed Florio’s.  This really confused me.

McLane was the guy who the team seemed to feed information and give special access to.  Why on Earth would he write this story?  What was going on?  That got me to thinking about the Asante Samuel comment “Reid thought he was in steep decline”.  That comment has bugged me for a while.  Did Reid really tell that to McLane?  How else would McLane find that out?

One crazy theory.  Remember Bob Ford’s column on Joe Banner’s departure?  This section really stuck with me:

Joe couldn’t help himself. He used to show up at The Inquirer’s office with his ruler and spreadsheets and complain that the Phillies were getting too much coverage compared to the Eagles – during the Phils’ World Series run! He’d drag along the public relations lackey of the moment, whoever had the unenviable job of calling up reporters to mouthpiece Banner’s complaint of the day. And Banner would complain to media outlets about the tone of the coverage and tried to manipulate which journalists were assigned to write about the team. Oh, it was a merry time.

If Banner was using the Inquirer to give out info over the years, could he still be feeding McLane his opinions?  Banner or McLane could have been the source for Florio.  The stories are just too similar not to be connected in some way.

This is all just speculation on my part.  As the police chief says in Miller’s Crossing, “I know I don’t know nothin’.  I’m just speculatin’ about a hypothesis is all.”

If there is any truth to it, the sooner Banner gets going with the Browns, the better.  Why would he feed this stuff to media contacts?  To get at Andy.  Whether there truly was a power play situation between Banner and Reid, all it takes for Joe to be angry is for him to believe there was one.  I’ve still not heard anything on this angle.  So again…pure speculation.

The reason I’m doing this is that I cannot believe that Andy Reid would want LaMonte to make the comments he did in the week that he did them.  Andy buries his son on Tuesday and then a few days later Reid is trying a power play on Jeff Lurie?  You can think a lot of bad things about Andy, but I can’t get that to make sense.

Les Bowen wrote his two cents on the subject and had no conspiracy angles.

I’m not trying to protect Reid here.  If we find out down the road that he did in fact want LaMonte to put the screws to Lurie publicly, that’s pretty sick and twisted due to the timing.  I just cannot believe that’s what truly happened.  I think McLane and Florio are getting questionable info from someone who wants to make Andy look bad.  Who else could be a “Reid enemy”?

Anyone heard from George Hegamin recently?

* * * * *

I’m getting lots of questions about who makes the team and who doesn’t.  Camp is basically over, but the Eagles have played just one PS game.  I think we need to see one more to really know who’s close to in and close to out.  I’ll put up a post on this later and cover some specific players.

* * * * *

Lots of good links…

Here is a good article on DeMeco Ryans and the Wide-9 from ESPN.

Gimpy has his new MAQB column up.  He makes some really good points.  One that stood out was how players can look good in camp as they face the same competition and see the same plays over and over.  PS games change that and can throw players off.  That’s one reason I never get too excited by just one PS game.  Need to see a couple to know for sure that a player can repeat what he did.

Anyone ready for some draft talk?  I wrote about some Safety prospects for 2013.  This is partially due to the quickly evaporating career of Jaiquawn Jarrett, but also the fact that I love Safeties.  My favorite position.

* * * *

Has everyone bought a copy of The Eagles Almanac?

If not, might I suggest you do.  It is full of glorious tales of danger, romance, and adventure on the high seas.  Uh, wait.  That’s actually my romance novel.  Eagles Almanac is a look back at 2011 and a look ahead to 2012, featuring the greatest group of writers ever assembled in one publication.

Plus, if you don’t buy the EA, I can’t promise the Secret Eagles Police won’t hunt you down and take you away for re-education.

“Admit Juan Castillo is a good defensive coordinator.”

“Never!!!”

“Okay, we’ll do it your way.  Bring me the bore worms.”

“No!!!!!!!!!!!  Not the bore worms!!!!!!!!!!!”

Nobody wants that to happen.

* * * * *

Jimmy Bama and I have done a few podcasts in recent days.

Here we are discussing the Steelers game.

Here we are talking about chicken McNuggets, Derek Landri’s fight, and Nick Foles.

_


42 Comments on “Eagles Notebook”

  1. 1 Jack Bauer said at 12:23 PM on August 14th, 2012:

    You asked for miracles, Theo, I give you the B.R.’s Matt Miller
    http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1291654-eagles-rookies-struggling-in-training-camp

  2. 2 A_T_G said at 1:06 PM on August 14th, 2012:

    Wow, I was initially questioning whether my own observations were biased or wishful thinking. When he pronounced Babin’s name wrong, I started to question Mr. Miller. The comments to the article answered my questions.

  3. 3 TommyLawlor said at 2:03 PM on August 14th, 2012:

    Shockingly bad. He says Mychal Kendricks will start at WLB. Then says he’s struggling in coverage. Ugh. Says Curry is struggling since he’s on the 3rd team. Says Boykin is struggling. Either Matt does no research and guesses or simply doesn’t know what he’s talking about.

  4. 4 Anders said at 3:20 PM on August 14th, 2012:

    Ask Jimmy about him 🙂 Matt Miller is talking out of ass all the time (He is the Skip bayless of BR and that says something)

  5. 5 A_T_G said at 12:24 AM on August 15th, 2012:

    Jimmy responded.

    http://bloggingthebeast.com/2012/08/14/bleacher-reports-matt-miller-crams-astonishing-levels-of-complete-and-utter-bullshit-into-a-115-video/#more-5680

  6. 6 Scott J said at 12:28 PM on August 14th, 2012:

    If McLane wrote his article based on something Banner said, then McLane is the worst kind of reporter. McLane knows Banner has a beef with Reid, so if he gets a phone call from Banner insinuating this stuff, he NEVER should have wrote a story about it.

  7. 7 Scott J said at 12:33 PM on August 14th, 2012:

    Lets take a look at Andy’s track record. He threw Akers under the bus and blamed him for the playoff loss, when he knew David just found out his daughter has cancer. That sounds like Reid cares more about football than David and his daughter. Reid wanted practice held hours after his son was found dead. And he comes back to work without taking time to grieve. Sounds like football is all Reid cares about. Football and a new contract?

  8. 8 Daniel said at 12:55 PM on August 14th, 2012:

    Where did Reid blame Akers for that? My recollection is that he was asked in the press conference about the missed field goals and basically said “We all can count” and that was the end of it.

  9. 9 ACViking said at 1:11 PM on August 14th, 2012:

    Re: Akers under the Bus

    Reid could just as easily — as he has at other times — have given a “coach-speak” response about how the team lost and he didn’t do a good enough job getting the team ready and Akers has won lots of games for the Eagles.

  10. 10 A_T_G said at 1:19 PM on August 14th, 2012:

    I think looking at his track record is a good idea (although the image of Reid on the track is amusing).

    Players love Reid. They return to the team when given the chance. They defend him in interviews when baited for negative comments. They tear down posters. They return after retirement to study coaching under him.

    That doesn’t happen if Reid throws people under the bus. That happens when Reid takes responsibility publicly and handles the situation behind closed doors. That doesn’t happen is Reid cares only about players while they are on the field. That happens when Reid shows players respect on and off the field.

    As for grieving, everyone grieves in their own way. I think Reid is entitled to deal with the death of his son in the way of his choosing. Sticking to routine can be therapeutic. Suggesting that Reid cares about football and money, and not the death of his child is as incredibly insensitive as the rest of your comment is inaccurate in its portrayal of Reid.

  11. 11 Brett Smith said at 1:00 PM on August 14th, 2012:

    So not that I care but is Banner going to raid the eagles front office for lackeys in Cleveland?

    Also why would the new owner of the Browns not give Holmgren a little longer? (Other than Holmgren has proven he was a better coach than personnel guy now in 2 cities)

    I feel bad for Browns fans because I seriously doubt Banner does anything other than piss off fans and personnel alike. Never liked him will be very glad when he is finally gone gone.

    I am trying not to get excited about Foles (Hoying effect) because if and when Andy leaves the new regime will probably gut everything and start over.

    I am not feeling the Castillo thing. I wish we had a real DC.

  12. 12 Brett Smith said at 1:03 PM on August 14th, 2012:

    Forgot to add.

    I am pretty sure Florio is an Eagle Hater along the likes of Joe “id10t” Buck and Troy “Mushmouth” Aikman.

    If McLane is a Banner Stooge maybe he flies to Cleveland with Moe Banner.

  13. 13 iskar36 said at 4:44 PM on August 14th, 2012:

    Florio does not seem to have a great connection with the Eagles and when he reports on the Eagles, he usually takes the conspiracy theory approach just to drum up interest. I like PFT, but his Eagles coverage is usually suspect at best. I definitely agree he seems to prefer finding a negative story for the Eagles rather than a positive one.

    I’m also not a huge fan of Joe Buck, but despite being a former Cowboy, I think Aikman does a reasonably good job as an announcer. He may have some biases obviously, but I think he does a better job than most at being a fair and balanced announcer.

  14. 14 TommyLawlor said at 1:41 PM on August 14th, 2012:

    Holmgren hasn’t shown in CLE that he deserves more time. That franchise has been a mess.

    Whoever is in charge there needs to get the whole organization on the same page and proceed from there. Banner/Reid worked really well together for a long time. They shared a vision for the team and built it accordingly. Banner understands long term thinking. He is a shrewd planner and has the discipline to keep a franchise on track.

  15. 15 Brett Smith said at 2:06 PM on August 14th, 2012:

    So what we should expect in Cleveland is Banner and a Coach/GM/Personnel guy or guys to collaborate on a ten year plan.

    Interesting to speculate on who the guy/guys will be as the Old guard has mostly moved on to good teams… or are already in Cleveland.

    I guess the Browns can look forward to being run by “The man from accounting”

    Sorry you made a great point just can’t get my head around Banner the football guy.

  16. 16 TommyLawlor said at 2:14 PM on August 14th, 2012:

    Banner isn’t going to come up with the schemes. He’ll get with the GM and coach and come up with general philosophies. Do we want fast players? Big players? WCO? Power run game? 3-4 vs 4-3? Joe will likely push what he knows from Philly, but will be open to what a good coach wants to do. Shurmur could be the coach that Banner wants.

    Then the task becomes building for sustained success. Focus on youth and long term answers.

    Joe isn’t a football guy, but he understands how to build and run a good organization.

  17. 17 CTAZPA said at 10:37 PM on August 14th, 2012:

    Pretty funny that the guy works in a major capacity in one of the most successful organizations in the NFL, but we still can’t give him credit for being a football guy.

    The standards around here are pretty high.

  18. 18 Alex Karklins said at 1:09 PM on August 14th, 2012:

    A “Miller’s Crossing” reference AND a “Flash Gordon” reference in one post? You are spoiling us, Mr. Lawlor.

  19. 19 TommyLawlor said at 1:58 PM on August 14th, 2012:

    I’m just glad my readers have the good taste to appreciate them.

  20. 20 47_Ronin said at 8:18 PM on August 14th, 2012:

    Please keep dropping the movie references Tommy they are definitely appreciated. Although extremely camp, Flash Gordon is one of my fav films made all the better by a rocking Queen score and Brian Blessing screaming “Dive!” to his hawkmen.

    The Safety situation is troubling b/c there is very little depth at the position. Jarrett’s performance was dreadful, and first preseason game or not he looked like he is not NFL material. I have wondered since the past draft why didn’t the Eagles take another Safety. Going into the draft I thought Antonio Allen out of So Car was a good prospect (although he lasted until the 6th rd).

    Looking forward to the 2013 draft, I like Rambo as well, but I’d love your thoughts on his backfield mate S. Williams. I think Williams is an intriguing prospect, he can hit and cover, and he lead GA in tackles.

  21. 21 ACViking said at 1:23 PM on August 14th, 2012:

    RE: LaMonte’s Timing

    T-Law:

    I read somewhere that LaMonte — Reid’s agent — goes from camp to camp to see all the head coaches he represents during training camp.

    I don’t know if LaMonte schedule his this past weekend’s visit to Lehigh last February or last week.

    But I do believe he goes to each client-coach’s camp with an agenda. He’d be a lousy agent if he didn’t. (And he’s not a lousy agent.)

    His agenda for Reid was framed last year after the Eagles Week-12 blow-out loss to Seattle: Press Lurie for an extension, talk up Reid’s historic success in Philadelphia, and describe the abyss that awaits us if Reid leaves.

    That all seems like pretty predictable and basic stuff.

    Then Banner leaves the Eagles. Roseman — another LaMonte client — has accrued power. And Lurie announces he’s getting divorce, which will put him in complete control of the Eagles . . . no longer letter Banner or anyone else make the tough calls.

    Then, on eve of LaMonte’s visit, Andy Reid losses his oldest son.

    I’m pretty sure LaMonte could have changed the date of his visit if he — and more importantly Reid — wanted it changed.

    But no change was made. LaMonte said what he said. And Reid did not disavow it, only use some political double-talk about not getting involved in that stuff.

    What conclusion seems fair to draw from these facts?

  22. 22 TommyLawlor said at 1:30 PM on August 14th, 2012:

    I don’t doubt that Reid wanted LaMonte to talk to Lurie. As you say, he’s an agent and that’s what he’s supposed to do.

    Putting the screws to Lurie in the press is different. That comes across as taking advantage of the recent tragedy and Andy’s sudden good standing with the fans/media. You’d have to be very cold blooded to do such a thing. I can see LaMonte doing it, but cannot see Reid approving it. Why wouldn’t Andy have a harsher rebuke? Fuel to the fire. I’m sure Andy just wanted the situation to go away.

    If Andy issues a strong denial, Mike Florio is going to write “me thinks he doth protest too much”. If you just offer some mild comments, maybe the situation flames out, which is somewhat did. The story didn’t have the kind of legs that some similar things have in the past.

  23. 23 ACViking said at 1:40 PM on August 14th, 2012:

    T-Law:

    I’m not taking a position. Just wondering.

    I think you’re clearly right about LaMonte being “cold blooded.”

    The question is really about Reid — not just his response, which was in essence “I’m not giving the media any ammo,” but also why he had LaMonte come to the camp last weekend.

    I’d like to know that answer.

  24. 24 TommyLawlor said at 1:58 PM on August 14th, 2012:

    That was the final weekend of TC. Camp is breaking today. If LaMonte has a schedule set up to go to many teams, might not have been able to break it. Could he just go to a practice at NovaCare? I guess, but not sure that there is the casual atmosphere there where he can chat with Howie and the Asst’s that he represents.

  25. 25 ACViking said at 2:09 PM on August 14th, 2012:

    That may explain a good deal.

  26. 26 iskar36 said at 4:56 PM on August 14th, 2012:

    For the most part, I agree with Tommy about LaMonte and AR. I have a hard time believing AR explicitly told LaMonte to pressure Lurie publicly. That just doesn’t seem to be the way AR has ever operated, and the timing is obviously very poor. That being said, with the uncertainty of AR’s future here with the Eagles, I can see AR wanting LaMonte to do his job and push for an extension and giving LaMonte the go ahead to do what it takes to get a new contract. I would guess AR would not have expected LaMonte to make the statement he made, but at the same time, is not going to disavow it, because he understands LaMonte is simply trying to do his job and AR trusts him and does not want to undermine him.

  27. 27 Jay Ernst said at 1:23 PM on August 14th, 2012:

    Hahaha…the George Heggamin line had me rolling

  28. 28 T_S_O_P said at 1:33 PM on August 14th, 2012:

    I’ll put up a post on this later and cover some specific players.
    Otogwe please. Here is a player that is more important than before with the rise and faaaaalllllllllllllllllllllllll of Jarrett.

    Has everyone bought a copy of The Eagles Almanac?
    Yes and diligently selling it to.

  29. 29 ACViking said at 2:07 PM on August 14th, 2012:

    Re: Philip Thomas – Safety

    Put on the first team. Give him a run.

    Jarrett’s breaking my heart.

    Hell . . . Thomas could be the next Dwight Hicks — a free agent washout with the Eagles at safety in 1979 (after a year in the CFL), who then became the anchor of the 49ers Super Bowl defenses in the 1980s and a 4x Pro Bowler.

  30. 30 Jeppe Elmelund van Ee said at 5:05 PM on August 14th, 2012:

    Yes! Finally some draft-talk… I know, I know, I am crazy about the draft, but I can’t help myself. I’ve already started scouting players at positions of need (according to me) OT, CB, S, WLB, QB

  31. 31 TommyLawlor said at 5:39 PM on August 14th, 2012:

    Looks about right. CB could change if the young guys emerge.

  32. 32 Alex Grimaldi said at 5:16 PM on August 14th, 2012:

    I like what Graziano has done for NFC East coverage since coming onto that blog. Seems pretty level-headed, not super reactionary. Not an in-depth scheme guy but by virtue of actually being reasonable, a huge upgrade over most ESPN football writers.

  33. 33 TommyLawlor said at 5:38 PM on August 14th, 2012:

    Does seem like a good guy. Active on Twitter and has a good sense of humor.

  34. 34 Anders said at 3:06 AM on August 15th, 2012:

    My only problem is that it is clear that he is writing for a major site like ESPN. He seems to write abit to much in hyperbole’s for my taste.

  35. 35 ACViking said at 6:15 PM on August 14th, 2012:

    Re: Foles as the No. 2 QB?

    History says there’s no chance . . . no chance . . . that Nick Foles will be the Eagles No. 2 QB this year — even if both Kafka and Trent Edwards break both arms and legs. Reid will bring in someone else. Were the team’s expectations different, maybe Foles would have a shot.

    In the past 55 years, the Eagles have entered the regular season only SIX (6) times with a rookie as the No. 2 QB on the depth chart. 3 of those 6 seasons occurred within 5 years in the early ’70s when the Eagles were genuinely awful and in disarray — i.e., think 1998 for context.

    1. In 1957, Sonny Jurgensen — a 4th rd pick (43rd player in the draft) — backed up the aging Tommy Thompson.

    2. In 1970, rookie free agent Rick Arrington from Tulsa (by way of U-GA) backed up the soon-to-be-departed Norm Snead.

    3. In 1972, 1st-round pick — No. 14 overall — John Reaves started the year as the back up to Pete Liske (whom the Eagles drafted in 1964 out of Penn State but who chose the AFL Jets and then Canada before coming to Philadelphia in 1971). Reaves eventually was handed the starting job out of desperation by Coach Ed Khayat — coming off a 6-5-1 record as the Eagles 1971 interim HC — and went 0-7.

    4. In 1974, rookie 4th-round pick Mike Boryla — whom Eagles coach Mike McCormack acquired after the draft from Cincinnati for the Birds’ 1976 1st and 1975 6th round picks — backed up Roman Gabriel. Boryla went 3-0 that year, starting the last 3 games of the season.

    5, In 1985, rookie 2nd rounder Randall Cunningham out of UNLV backed up Ron Jaworski, heading into the twilight of his career as an Eagle. HC Marion Campbell — like Ed Khayat in 1972 — panicked and put Randall in as a starter. Cunningham went 1-4, with 1 TD passing and 8 INTs.

    6. In 1999, Doug Pedersen began the season as the Eagles starter with rookie 1st rounder Donovan McNabb on the bench. But — unlike 1972 when 1st rounder Reaves replaced a slumping Liske on a disappointing team — I always understood that Pedersen was just keeping the seat warm for McNabb in ’99.

  36. 36 lcwboyboy said at 7:25 PM on August 14th, 2012:

    Did anyone confirm whether or not they actually broke up the pass? My best guess is NO.

  37. 37 ian_no_2 said at 8:38 PM on August 14th, 2012:

    You know (I’m still on yesterday’s topic) Akeem Jordan is only 14 months older than Jamar Chaney. He’s in his sixth year (three years more experience than Chaney) so he seems old, but he broke in young. He celebrates a birthday in three days.

  38. 38 A_T_G said at 9:20 PM on August 14th, 2012:

    That’s interesting. I know in my mind, youth was an advantage for Chaney. In a way, it still is. There is certainly less growth and improvement projected for the guy with 5 years in, but it’s not like we are admitting defeat and plugging in a guy with little tread left on the tires if Jordan wins the job.

  39. 39 ian_no_2 said at 10:03 PM on August 14th, 2012:

    Rolle is still much younger than the two. Again, I don’t see why a player can’t improve in this sixth year.

  40. 40 TommyLawlor said at 11:27 PM on August 14th, 2012:

    Rarely happens. By this point, you usually are what you are. QBs can be different, but that’s about it.

  41. 41 ian_no_2 said at 9:25 AM on August 15th, 2012:

    hmm.. in Mikell’s case for instance, he made good with his first shot to start, which Jordan has had. Someone could do/reference a study on the topic, whether experienced, younger players can take steps forward. If Jordan is what he is than Chaney is almost in the same boat.

  42. 42 Jyolteon said at 5:56 AM on August 15th, 2012:

    Hey Tommy, a random question popped into my head while watching the Eagles 2004 NFCCG video on youtube for the millionth time: How does Herremans at RT compare to Runyan?

    Seems to me we know what we have in Kurt Coleman, whereas Nate Allen still has room to grow. I’ve all but given up on JaiJar. What kind of season do you think Coleman and Allen need to have in order for the Eagles to pass on a safety early in next year’s draft?