Practice Talk

Posted: May 29th, 2014 | Author: | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 108 Comments »

Finally, some football to talk about. The media was able to watch part of practice and that means we’ve got some good nuggets.

We’ll start with Jimmy Bama. This was encouraging to read.

• Of the Eagles returning from ACL tears, Jason Phillips looks like he is the furthest away from a full recovery. On the other hand, Arrelious Benn had a really good day. On one play he leaped up high for a pass, snagged it, and then looked quick darting up the field. Later he made a tough sliding catch. His play today was encouraging. I didn’t see Jeremy Maclin tested all that hard today, but will continue to keep an eye on him.

It would be great if Benn could play well and add depth to the receiving corps. He’s got the size and skills to play well in the Chip Kelly offense.

Oh, and make sure to check out Jimmy’s drawings.

* * * * *

The other heavyweight writer for practice notes is Sheil Kapadia. He talked about ILB.

Mychal Kendricks is not practicing fully. Per T-Mac, he has some kind of knee issue. Taking his place alongside DeMeco Ryans is Najee Goode. We’ve mentioned this before, but the Eagles are thin at inside linebacker. Having said that, Goode turned in some quality snaps last year. Jason Phillips and Emmanuel Acho run with the second team. It’s Jake Knott and Acho with the third team.

I don’t fully agree that the Eagles are thin at ILB. I’d say they have a mystery situation. Goode showed real promise last year. The team needs one of Phillips, Acho or Knott to step up and show they could play if needed.

I certainly agree that it would be nice to have more of a sure thing, but the coaches seem to like Knott and Goode impressed everyone when he essentially started for 2 games in 2013. It would help if Phillips were to make a full recovery and show he could be a reliable backup. Jimmy’s note above makes it sound like Phillips still has a way to go.

* * * * *

The mothership posted some good practice notes.

  • There were no real surprises among the first-team offense or defense on Day 1. You already know the starting offensive line that protected Nick Foles, while the running backs, wide receivers and tight ends cycled through during practice. Some players who notably worked in with the first team on occasion included undrafted rookie tight end Trey Burton and undrafted rookie running back David Fluellen.
  • The second-team offense was led by Mark Sanchez, who looked in rhythm as he continues to learn the offense. The offensive line charged with protecting him was, from left to right, Matt TobinAllen Barbre,Julian VanderveldeMichael Bamiro and Dennis Kelly. Tobin and Bamiro, both rookies last year, continue to cross-train between tackle and guard. Newcomer Andrew Gardner, formerly of the Houston Texans, also worked at right tackle in place of Kelly on occasion.

Burton is a player that I could see Kelly liking quite a bit. Burton is a good athlete with excellent versatility. He’s just got to show that he can handle one role consistently well.

Very interesting to hear about the backup O-line. Matt Tobin at backup LT, with Barbre at LG? Barbre is the team’s primary backup at LT and Tobin’s most likely position in the NFL is OG so having them switched up is interesting. The Eagles could just be getting them as many reps as possible at different spots to keep them cross-trained.

Bamiro practiced some at OG last year so him playing inside is no surprise. He needs a lot of work as a pass protector so the Eagles could be just trying to find a spot for him

* * * * *

Brandon Lee Gowton of BGN offered his take.

• Some of the most active receivers: Damaris Johnson (2013 training camp darling), Brad Smith, and rookie UDFA Trey Burton. Smith was used on screens quite often and also took reps as the team’s slot WR with Matthews not in attendance. Arrelious Benn, who’s full healthy, didn’t look too bad either. He made a number of catches.

• Darren Sproles looked pretty darn good. No signs of age or decline by my eye.

I read elsewhere that Smith was impressive today. I think he could be a role player that surprises some people. Smith has terrific RAC skills and he is tough as nails.

Sproles seemed to impress the heck out of everyone who watched him today. That’s awesome, but keep in mind that OTAs are perfect for guys like Sproles. The news story isn’t that he looks good. The news story would be if he didn’t.

* * * * *

A couple of the writers mentioned Riley Cooper having some drops. It will be interesting to see how he handles the pressure of expectations. He’s never had to deal with them in the NFL. With his emergence and the departure of DesSean Jackson, Cooper will be under the spotlight.

_


108 Comments on “Practice Talk”

  1. 1 Ramsay said at 12:11 AM on May 30th, 2014:

    Another day closer till gamedays and yelling my favorite cheer when Ertz makes a play “Ertz up your skirtz!”

  2. 2 GEAGLE said at 9:23 AM on May 30th, 2014:

    Ertz hurts!!!

    Coop there it is!!!

  3. 3 Nicodemus_09 said at 4:01 PM on May 30th, 2014:

    I have an (albeit late) BIG TIME THANK YOU for you. I had been beggin’ folk for eons to advise me how I/N/T HELL I could get copies of games from last yr. You advised downloading ‘torrents’ & brother, it has worked & it is GLLLORIOS.. I had my buddy make me commercial free Hi Def DVDs of the last Crygirls, the Snow bowl, Raiders game & Bears gam he even made gorgeous labels with Fat Head team logos. Got the 2nd Wash. Racial Slurs gm & GB comin still. Just watched the Bears massacre. I’m in HEAVEN. THANK YOU SO MUCH MAN!!!!

  4. 4 GEAGLE said at 4:11 PM on May 30th, 2014:

    Hahahahahahahaha Enjoy man!!! Glad I could help… I’m sure you will have a great eagles collection in no time.
    ,,
    I was born in 82, so it drives me crazy that I don’t have the entire Reggie, Buddy, Randall era on video..but with torrents, at least we can know that we can easily make sure that 25 years from now we have the entire Chip era on video…
    ..
    Just make sure you have decent spy water..and your computer will run best if you just put them on DVD and erase them from your Comp..
    .,
    I burn everything to DVD immediately. Football games, UFC event an hour after the ppv ends. Entire TV series. Movies….I don’t have kids, but I’m sure you save a bunch, burning whatever your kids want to see..and like you said you can find them in high quality video and sound…

  5. 5 Nicodemus_09 said at 5:45 PM on May 30th, 2014:

    Oh ya buddy. My collect will grow quickly & it’s wondrous. So right now I’m waiting for my bro to delivery the GB GM., the CHI. Bear Cubs gm., & the with our “cute lil’, college offense” whoopin’ Bruce ARIAGANCE & the despised by me since the 80’s with an unusually white hot hatred amount for a team thats no longer in the div. with us.Also he is now downloading our “ten best” Iggles gms collection & the history of the eagles DVD. SO ya, my best bud’s doing it who was studied Computer programming & websites & the University of Vermont. The man has over $6 grand in equipment & REALLY KNOWS his shit. His brother owns a company that upgrades all 12 office computers every 2 yrs. So he gives my bf ALL the 2 yr old equipment to him EVERY yr. His basement is FULL of nothing but tech. He’s built me 2 COMPLETELY rebuilt & thoroughly upgraded 2 BEAUTIFUL PC’s for me free of charge!! How awesome of a friend is THAT?! Also a photo printer & reg printer 🙂 I’m very lucky to have such an amazing life long BF!!!! One last note: he LOVES because I’ve made him a rabid Eagles fan singe the Cunningham era, he takes GREAT pride sticking it to his brother he gets all the equipment from is a Crygirls fan lmofao. So I really APOLOGIZE takin’ up so much of your time GEAGLES brother : | . Just had to tell you, you have VASTLY improved my Iggles fan quality of life. Now, if my fiancee can FINALLY find a way to get tickets to my FIRST game! Grew up in Lancaster Pa. &never got to one 🙁 GUNNA get to Foxboro for the scrimmage practices though. So again my brother, THANK YOU SO SO much for VASTLY IMPROVING my sports quality! 🙂

  6. 6 GEAGLE said at 6:30 PM on May 30th, 2014:

    Wow!!! That’s friggin awesome.. Hahah no worries man…trust me, I remember how friggin nuts I went when I realized I could get any torrent I wanted so easily… I totally understand and glad a can help a fellow brother in green! Enjoy mate

  7. 7 Nicodemus_09 said at 6:14 PM on May 30th, 2014:

    Off topic completely, however, watching these gym’s, now I’m sure there have been many, but I have NEVER myself seen a “pulling” center anything like my beloved Kelce. I’ve personally have never seen a center CONSISTENTLY be 10 yd’s down field making kick ass blocks. Also I’m personally serum Hertz making look like that man is going to have a MONTER season this year. He’s just SO DAMNED IMPRESSIVE to me at least! LOVE THAT GUY!

  8. 8 bsuperfi said at 9:30 AM on May 30th, 2014:

    Daddy maclin make you jump jump!

  9. 9 Mitchell said at 12:42 AM on May 30th, 2014:

    I hear Damaris had some nice catches today, similar to last year. It’s good to hear Benn doing well. Hopefully they can keep it up. If those two were to live up to what we expect of them, I don’t think we would have to worry about WR depth this year. I realize we drafted two rookies who look to be good players but if Benn and Johnson can play up to potential it takes even more pressure of the young guys.

  10. 10 D3FB said at 12:48 AM on May 30th, 2014:

    Even if both have great summers it’s likely only one of them would make the team(likely Benn). We will probably only keep 5 or 6 WR. Maclin, Cooper, Matthews and Huff are all locks. Smith probably gets the fifth spot, because of his special teams contributions his veteran presence and experience as a role player. There is no way we keep 7. So If they both have great summers maybe one of them makes it, maybe neither do.

  11. 11 A_T_G said at 7:36 AM on May 30th, 2014:

    Plus, just like Tommy said about Sproles, the current situation is the best that Johnson is going to look. Every year we fall for the false positives from the quick, little guys in non-contact practices.

  12. 12 Anders said at 10:32 AM on May 30th, 2014:

    Johnson just looked actually good in his rookie year and while not fast, really seems like a DAT type player

  13. 13 Mitchell said at 8:02 AM on May 30th, 2014:

    I guess it’s better to have to many than too few!

  14. 14 GEAGLE said at 9:48 AM on May 30th, 2014:

    Yeah..doubt Damaris can make this roster,,, hopefully the jets or Cheifs give us a Vinny bagofdonuts for him. I would trade him straight up for a pregnant Dallas cowboy cheerleader

  15. 15 A_T_G said at 12:47 AM on May 30th, 2014:

    Enjoy:

    http://deadspin.com/harry-reids-office-is-laughing-at-the-sad-redskinsprid-1583394139?utm_campaign=socialflow_deadspin_twitter&utm_source=deadspin_twitter&utm_medium=socialflow

  16. 16 Media Mike said at 5:07 AM on May 30th, 2014:

    That name is an embarrassment and needs to go. I cannot wait until the public outcry forces Mr. Goodell and the other owners to strip the name from that franchise. Their fans will all be screaming “John Mara conspiracy” once again just like they did after the were busted cheating on salaries in 2010.

  17. 17 Cafone said at 5:26 AM on May 30th, 2014:

    And then Notre Dame’s team name must be changed too. The portrayal of Irish people as quarrelsome is insulting.

  18. 18 Media Mike said at 5:27 AM on May 30th, 2014:

    Not exactly the same connotation in ND’s name.

  19. 19 eagleyankfan said at 10:42 AM on May 30th, 2014:

    Isn’t that what people are doing? Taking a name and finding something offensive about it? If he’s offended by the name than he has a right as much as anybody else to say it’s offensive…

  20. 20 Nicodemus_09 said at 9:39 AM on June 1st, 2014:

    I could see him having a legit argument against Notre Dame. If the team had been called “The Fighting Micks’. I’d understand, but that’s argument is just silly. So, if a team invokes ANY reference as to where there from it’s offensive??

  21. 21 GEAGLE said at 9:44 AM on May 30th, 2014:

    Italians are all in the mob…

    This crap happens with every race

  22. 22 gherbox said at 10:17 AM on May 30th, 2014:

    And then Vancouver will have to change the name of their hockey team….
    Some day we can have a happy magical place where no one gets offended ever.

  23. 23 A Roy said at 12:18 PM on May 30th, 2014:

    So tell me, which Canadians are offended by being called Canucks? D’ya suppose there would’ve been fireworks when the Mets were named if someone had called them the New York Hymies? Oh, one’s a term of endearment and another’s a slur? Surely you can tell the difference but choose to ignore it to fit your understanding of how everyone should just go along to get along.

  24. 24 gherbox said at 12:26 PM on May 30th, 2014:

    From what I understand, more white people are offended by the term Redskin than Native Americans.

  25. 25 A Roy said at 12:27 PM on May 30th, 2014:

    Probably because they outnumber them. What percent of Native Americans? I don’t know and neither do you.

  26. 26 gherbox said at 12:28 PM on May 30th, 2014:

    Are you Native American? Does it offend you?

  27. 27 A Roy said at 12:30 PM on May 30th, 2014:

    Why would that matter?

  28. 28 gherbox said at 12:48 PM on May 30th, 2014:

    There are high school football teams on Indian Reservations also named the Redskins. Shouldnt they be told to change their name as well?

  29. 29 A Roy said at 12:51 PM on May 30th, 2014:

    Example?

  30. 30 eagleyankfan said at 1:56 PM on May 30th, 2014:

    and those white people have too much time on their hands for sticking their nose where it doesn’t belong….

  31. 31 GEAGLE said at 12:49 PM on May 30th, 2014:

    Lol this politically correct bullshit, made the friggin Washington Bullets change their name… Like come on? Bullets are too violent? But the golden state warriors are ok?,is Chicago,Blackhawks less insulting than redskin? Like come on…. What a bunch of sensitive girls

  32. 32 A Roy said at 12:51 PM on May 30th, 2014:

    You can stick that sensitive girl where the sun does not shine.

  33. 33 GEAGLE said at 12:52 PM on May 30th, 2014:

    Ok…. Lol.. I just don’t get how anyone can ever let a word offend them

  34. 34 Nicodemus_09 said at 10:10 AM on June 1st, 2014:

    Or any Boston team, or……eh I give up. Some people just DO NOT get it. Notre Dame aren’t called “The fighting Micks” the last time I checked anyway. SAD. Just sad. :/

  35. 35 A Roy said at 12:19 PM on May 30th, 2014:

    And if there was the Washington Guineas, do you think no one would care? Maybe the Miami Spics?

  36. 36 GEAGLE said at 12:47 PM on May 30th, 2014:

    Sure people would care, but I’m as Italian as it gets, and I literally wouldn’t care at all

  37. 37 A Roy said at 12:50 PM on May 30th, 2014:

    I know my Italian relatives would care. The point is, if you want to use ethnic slurs in conversation, that’s your free speech. Something in the public eye, like an NFL team name, shouldn’t be a slur.

  38. 38 GEAGLE said at 12:51 PM on May 30th, 2014:

    Yes but do you think the Washington bullets had to change their name? Is redskin more offensive than Blackhawks?

    I HIGHLY doubt any person living today EVER used the term redskins as a racial slur… Who the hell says that?

  39. 39 Nicodemus_09 said at 10:03 AM on June 1st, 2014:

    Damned straight, I grew up in PA SURROUNDED by Italians, Polish families, Germans to name a FEW.We’ve ALL heard them all But don”t you think the above arguments,are well, just stupid? I mean for the love of the gods! N.D. aren’t called the “Fighting Micks”.

  40. 40 barneygoogle said at 9:03 AM on May 30th, 2014:

    Do you eat “redskin” potatoes?

  41. 41 mksp said at 10:27 AM on May 30th, 2014:

    You’re the last person that should be commenting on sensitive matters involving race, gender or the general goodwill of society.

  42. 42 eagleyankfan said at 10:39 AM on May 30th, 2014:

    ha! The general goodwill of society? That’s funny.

  43. 43 barneygoogle said at 1:21 PM on May 30th, 2014:

    I do know absurdity when I see it.
    BTW, “Eagles” are savage predators. Philadelphia Parakeets? The Cleveland “Earthtones?” And we don’t want any “Patriots” at your party.

  44. 44 gherbox said at 12:26 PM on May 30th, 2014:

    They are delicious.

  45. 45 eagleyankfan said at 10:34 AM on May 30th, 2014:

    To you I guess. To me the name is something different. Anybody can take a name and call it offensive because they supply their own, and most often wrong, definition to it…

  46. 46 A Roy said at 12:15 PM on May 30th, 2014:

    What you or I think about it is not relevant. My understanding is that Native Americans are offended by it. That should be enough. It is a derogatory racial slur. Just because it has been used for 75 years doesn’t mean it’s permanent.

  47. 47 eagleyankfan said at 12:58 PM on May 30th, 2014:

    And that is 100% perfectly fine. THAT is an issue between Native Americans and the Redskins. Unless you are in one of those groups — you(not you personally) should stfu because it has nothing to do with you. That’s what my issue is — people who have nothing to do with it are offended by it for no reason.
    With that said — it’s funny growing up that nobody was offended with team names….suddenly it’s an issue…

  48. 48 GEAGLE said at 1:02 PM on May 30th, 2014:

    Totally agree!

  49. 49 eagleyankfan said at 1:18 PM on May 30th, 2014:

    Exactly. I think we should get the pitch forks and torches and to Whitey Herzog’s house. I mean — how dare he…

  50. 50 D3FB said at 2:22 PM on May 30th, 2014:

    Slippery slope is a logical fallacy.

  51. 51 Ben said at 1:36 PM on May 30th, 2014:

    Now if they were called the Washington Blackskins then maybe some people could see why so many are offended.
    Personally I do not care what you call them, as long as it’s not NFC Champs.

  52. 52 eagleyankfan said at 1:51 PM on May 30th, 2014:

    true — but you can’t go making up names though…I don’t think name “Redskins” was EVER used as a way to offend people.

  53. 53 theycallmerob said at 10:33 AM on May 30th, 2014:

    Thanks, that was killing me all yesterday, love you chainsaw Dan!

  54. 54 Sconces said at 2:34 AM on May 30th, 2014:

    I wonder what Kempski meant by Jason Phillips not being fully recovered. Was he limping, not able to sprint, or just look bad?

  55. 55 D3FB said at 2:46 AM on May 30th, 2014:

    I would imagine he means that Phillips probably just looked slow, not explosive, and lacked fluidity. It could be physical and the knee just isn’t completely healed yet, but it could also very well be mental. Alot of athletes that tear their ACL’s are very slow to trust it, and he may just being overly cautious. If it was an inability to sprint, or limping he wouldn’t have been cleared by the training staff or would’ve been pulled for limping.

  56. 56 barneygoogle said at 9:04 AM on May 30th, 2014:

    I wonder if he is wearing a knee brace?

  57. 57 SleepingDuck said at 4:23 AM on May 30th, 2014:

    He can’t possibly look worse than Marlin Jackson.

  58. 58 Sb2bowl said at 10:15 AM on May 30th, 2014:

    Talk about injuries ruining a career– that dude had knees worse than Trotter……. with how many surgeries he had, his knees probably look like a jigsaw puzzle

  59. 59 Charlie Kelly said at 8:28 PM on May 30th, 2014:

    is he still on the team trying to get healthy? lol

  60. 60 Charlie Kelly said at 8:27 PM on May 30th, 2014:

    yeah he never did explain that

  61. 61 sonofdman said at 4:37 AM on May 30th, 2014:

    Kempski’s Darren Sproles drawing is great. He is so little and adorable.

  62. 62 eagleyankfan said at 10:04 AM on May 30th, 2014:

    I’m dumfounded as to why Kempski isn’t working for Pixar with that untapped talent.

  63. 63 Media Mike said at 4:56 AM on May 30th, 2014:

    I’d love to know how much the coaches weigh mini-camp vs. training camp vs. pre-season live game action in determining who they keep on the back end of the roster. I’m curious what Kelly and company’s mix is vs. Reid’s vs. etc.

  64. 64 GEAGLE said at 9:22 AM on May 30th, 2014:

    Think OTAs aren’t part of the competition… Obviously every day is a chance to make some sort of impression… But I think OTAs are just time to get everyone ready and up to speed, for the roster battles which are decided in training camp

  65. 65 A_T_G said at 7:46 AM on May 30th, 2014:

    It is amusing that Chip stressed in the press conference not to take away conclusions from the groupings on the field, that Shady ends up with the 3’s simply from rotating to maximize reps, and at the same time the official PE site draws attention to the fact that Burton and Fluellen got reps with the 1’s.

  66. 66 GEAGLE said at 9:20 AM on May 30th, 2014:

    Yeah I think reporters are going to drive him insane, OTAs just started and they are already badgering him about the depth chart.. It has to be annoying considering he is just trying to get everyone as many reps as possible on film… This isn’t even really time yet for players to be competing for Jobs.. It’s the learning phase to get guys up to speed so that they can then battle over jobs in camp… And already our reporters are obsessed with the depth chart questions…
    ..l
    Les Bowan continues to act like a “C word”… Eagles just need to pull his frggin credentials and not allow him at Novacare any more..l what a joke he is… “So Chip, is Brandon Graham the ideal size for you at OLB”? What a silly “c word” of a Man…What’s Chip supposed to do, throw BG under the bus and demoralize the kid while he is Out there practicing every day?
    ..
    Excuse my language, but worthLES “l-bow” Bowan deserves it!!!

  67. 67 Iskar36 said at 11:25 AM on May 30th, 2014:

    Wow, no offense, but that is a pretty intense rant over nothing. Not every reporter is going to report on exactly what you want to hear/read about. And frankly, Graham’s fit on the team is a legitimate question that Les Bowen has every reason to ask about. He may not get a great answer for all of his questions, but jeez, no need to get so pissed off. IMO, Les does a good job at writing about the Eagles and if he doesn’t necessarily agree with your views, that doesn’t make him a bad writer.

  68. 68 GEAGLE said at 12:38 PM on May 30th, 2014:

    I don’t give a shit what they report on… I care about not getting to hear Chip talk for months, and idiots with credentials, wasting one of the few questions, on a questions that has NO SHOT at being answered…

    Check my twitter feed, and my convo with Les this morning..

  69. 69 GEAGLE said at 12:45 PM on May 30th, 2014:

    While BG is out there working hard, you expect Chip to just announce that he isn’t a fit, and we can’t wait to get rid of him? Seriously, WTF is the point of asking that question? WTF can anyone possibly accomplish asking that question? What will you deliver to your readers by asking that? Every reporter that I despise, I go out of my way to give props to on a job well done.. I don’t play favorites, and it don’t hold grudges..l continue to ask TMZ questions only designed to create drama, and if will continue to call you out on your bullshit

  70. 70 A_T_G said at 7:55 AM on May 30th, 2014:

    My personal favorite part from Jimmy’s article was his scouting report on Chip throwing passes to the receivers:

    “…but here’s my Chip Kelly scouting report:
    Throws a nice spiral, accuracy is OK, no zip on his throws at all, looks
    like he’d be concussed instantly if he took a hard hit, only threw
    checkdowns. NFL comparison — Kevin Kolb. (h/t to @zoowithroy for the Kolb comp).”

  71. 71 barneygoogle said at 9:08 AM on May 30th, 2014:

    Gained a few pounds on them smoothies.

  72. 72 eagleyankfan said at 8:06 AM on May 30th, 2014:

    One day, I hope a team will take a stand and not cave into the “you must change your name” groups. People are overly sensitive.

  73. 73 GEAGLE said at 9:46 AM on May 30th, 2014:

    “Nation of wusses”- Easy Ed RENDELL

  74. 74 theycallmerob said at 10:34 AM on May 30th, 2014:

    Sure, as long as its not overtly racist or offensive to the vast majority

  75. 75 eagleyankfan said at 10:37 AM on May 30th, 2014:

    who’s the mast majority? Most of this garbage is started by 1 group or 1 leader. So who IS the vast majority?

  76. 76 Dizzle said at 12:01 PM on May 30th, 2014:

    Native Americans used to be the vast majority….

  77. 77 eagleyankfan said at 12:54 PM on May 30th, 2014:

    use to the be only majority…lol..

  78. 78 Alex Karklins said at 8:28 AM on May 30th, 2014:

    By far, my favorite part of Sheil’s article is his description of Trent Cole’s antics: “After taking down the tackling dummy, he proceeds to punch it in the face multiple times.” Trent is ready for some football.

  79. 79 Alex Karklins said at 8:35 AM on May 30th, 2014:

    Second favorite: “12:35 – On the side field, Spear lifts the field goal post and moves it 10 yards. Yes, it’s on wheels, but still. The legend continues. #murderleg.”

  80. 80 A Roy said at 10:25 AM on May 30th, 2014:

    I belly laughed at that one.

  81. 81 Ray888 said at 8:53 AM on May 30th, 2014:

    “Fighting Irish” at ND has nothing to do with Ireland, The Troubles, or actual fighting. It refers to a small school that went against much bigger opponents, held there own, and frequently pulled major upsets. It rests on never giving up and “fighting” against tougher opponents. That many were Irish from around the country and from the tough Irish neighbors of Chicago lead to the other part of the name. To be clear, the name was more accurate in both senses in the last century; not so much in this one. None of this will prevent the PC lobby from moving on to being outraged at the name without having any knowledge about the origin. Few of these will actually be Irish and almost none will be graduates of Notre Dame.

  82. 82 anon said at 9:15 AM on May 30th, 2014:

    it’s fighting irish not fighting micks. not sure your analogy makes any sense.

  83. 83 A Roy said at 10:24 AM on May 30th, 2014:

    Disgruntled Washington fan…

  84. 84 mtn_green said at 10:42 AM on May 30th, 2014:

    “Fighting Cheyenne”

  85. 85 GEAGLE said at 9:45 AM on May 30th, 2014:

    Wonder why Chip was so adamant about correcting reporters that Sproles is a RB and NOT a WR?

  86. 86 eagleyankfan said at 10:01 AM on May 30th, 2014:

    Since he made that comment, I was hoping someone would report on where Sproles spent most of his time. Maybe he’ll be more of a receiver and Chip doesn’t want to tip his hand yet on where he’ll play?

  87. 87 GEAGLE said at 1:26 PM on May 30th, 2014:

    It’s SOOO crazy to be asking depth chart questions at this point

  88. 88 Anders said at 10:30 AM on May 30th, 2014:

    Semantics? Sproles is a “RB” catching a lot of passes. I be surprised if Sproles even get 30 carries between the tackles next year (I could see some double RB where we fake to McCoy and then Shuffle pass to Sproles)

  89. 89 GEAGLE said at 1:11 PM on May 30th, 2014:

    I know, and don’t disagree… But why did Chip care so much to correct reporters multiple time and get the message across that he is a RB? Just found it odd…

  90. 90 A_T_G said at 10:36 AM on May 30th, 2014:

    I wondered the same thing. Maybe Sproles was offended by the story line that he is too old to be a running back and Chip was trying to change the message?

  91. 91 GEAGLE said at 1:10 PM on May 30th, 2014:

    Good theory… A guy like Chip, prefers our reporters running around creating smoke screens of misinformation…so I found it odd that Chip was so adamant about making that correction… Your theory is the most plausible reasoning I can imagine at this point….

  92. 92 mtn_green said at 10:40 AM on May 30th, 2014:

    Reporters noticed that Sproles was with RB in practice. Jimmy even drew him running through the red door thingies.

    Sproles might be second RB, and might do well in the spread zone blocking eagles run.

  93. 93 GEAGLE said at 4:06 PM on May 30th, 2014:

    Yeah he is Def going to get touches as a back… But I’m also sure he will spend time lining up all over the place like we used to see with Westbrook

  94. 94 Iskar36 said at 10:58 AM on May 30th, 2014:

    While I think Tommy and others are right that Sproles will catch a lot of passes out of the backfield, I think the idea of him being a pseudo-slot WR as some have suggested overstates things a bit. From the day we signed Sproles, Chip has been consistent with his message that Sproles is a RB. This has not been the first time he has said that.

    My guess is that, Sproles will be more of a receiving threat than a running threat, but he will continue to do that from the running back spot rather than be a slot WR primarily.

  95. 95 GEAGLE said at 4:04 PM on May 30th, 2014:

    Have to admit that anytime we debated his role, I would always write “see Wes Welker”… But some of that had to do with us still having Polk and Bryce. With Bryce gone, and Polks injury history, Sproles carries look like they will be higher than they did before the draft that’s for sure. But at the end of the season, i think it will be interesting to see the breakdown(stats) for how he was used..,Chip can call him whatever he wants, but I doubt it changes the fact that like Westbrook, we will see Sproles lined up everywhere: backfield, slot, outside…even for those like myself who expected him to be a glorified Slot, our run game isn’t some I formation, “phone booth run game”..Chip manages to create some pretty darn big lanes for his backs, even with Foles at QB so I’m sure it will be fun to see him run

    Tho, you are probably right in that even as a pass catcher, Sproles will often be lined up in the backfield. A high percentage of the screens he used to catch for the saints came out of two back sets….but of course we will see him lined up out wide in one of those wacky plays were we split Lane Jphnson out wide and stack a pass catcher behind him.. Just
    Like we will see him lining up in the slot..should be really fun addition to this offense… And I couldn’t even try to guess what the breakdown numbers of where we lined him up looks like at the beginning of the year…. I would think the percentages will be close, instead of a case where he was lined up in one spot like 60% of the time.. Think it will be closer to 33% 33% 33% split between lining up in backfield, slot, WR,,,. But who knows

  96. 96 anon said at 3:27 PM on May 30th, 2014:

    B/c he’s a running back. He’s not practicing w the WRs, he’s doing RB drills. Yes he’s got great pass catching skills but all of our RBs have to pass catch as well. I wouldn’t be surprised if we see sproles jumping through holes in the line more than once this season.

  97. 97 Charlie Kelly said at 8:23 PM on May 30th, 2014:

    Because if you look at sproles like he is a WR, he doesnt look good. lol

    i mean how excited would u be about adding a WR that averages like 9 yards a catch? esp when people arer saying he will pick up deseans slack, desean averaged almost double the YPC..

    So nip that in the bud, he is a RB.

    Infact id like to see sproles get some more carries then he did at NO last season. He was always a great RB. I mean he learned from LT. Came up under both LT and michael turner. That chargers backfield was special!!

  98. 98 mheil said at 11:31 AM on May 30th, 2014:

    On the bright side, Bamiro 2nd team right OG could mean that they see Herrmans as the first current starter on the OL who will need to be replaced, possibly next yr, and that they would like to groom Bamiro as his replacement. Or, it could mean something else entirely.

  99. 99 Ben said at 1:09 PM on May 30th, 2014:

    Tommy, I just clicked on “Eagles Jake – videos” on the side menu and was a tad disappointed. Who’s Jake and why does it look like a desolate wasteland?

  100. 100 CrackSammich said at 1:17 PM on May 30th, 2014:

    He used to do pretty awesome film cutups of game film, but yeah, I noticed that a while back…

  101. 101 iceberg584 said at 1:57 PM on May 30th, 2014:

    He used to upload huge chunks of gametape onto Youtube and spotlight individual players. It was very cool, but also seemed somewhat problematic from a copyright perspective. I suspect that’s what killed the site.

  102. 102 GEAGLE said at 1:40 PM on May 30th, 2014:

    Looking around the NFL.. Boy am I starting to be thankful at the type of character we brought into our locker room….It’s not even June yet, and half our our opponents this year are losing key players. It’s bad enough that teams lose key players due to injuries, you can’t be also losing key players to being jackasses….keep our boys healthy, off the suspended list, and out of jail!!!
    ..,
    1) We face the Colts minus one of the best pass rushers in the NFL, Mathis..
    ..
    2) We probably will face the Niners without Aldon and Navarro..

    3) Sean Lee is done for the season

    4) Cardinals key LB Daryl Washington is getting suspended for the year! We were able to use our backs and TEs to exploit the cardinals LBs and Safeties..and now their best LB is getting suspended for the season?

    Still time for the Kraken to get suspended or do something retarded that causes him to miss the eagles game…

    Byrds back surgery, Wards arrest…. Yet Players(Wolff) and coaches(Chip/Billy) all raving over Malcolm Jenkins…

  103. 103 eagleyankfan said at 1:47 PM on May 30th, 2014:

    Eagles have to stay healthy….that’s key…

  104. 104 GEAGLE said at 2:28 PM on May 30th, 2014:

    Yup… It’s such a crucial aspect that effects how seasons unfold.

    I’ll gladly take some dumb luck and enjoy lucky health any year. But NOTHING would be more exciting and valuable than our sports science proving to keep us healthier than everyone else. To really find out that we do in fact have a health advantage against our opponents because our sports science works to the point that we stay healthier than most teams, wow would that be exciting and valuable…

    Right now, we know guys “felt better” last year…but one year of extremely rare health isn’t enough of a sample size to really know if our sports science is THAT good to where we can expect to be one of The healthier rosters year in and out.. Seeing our injury situation this year for me, is one of the most interesting parts of this year and something I’m dying to get more intel about.
    ,,,
    During last season, we were amazingly healthy. But we had a not so amazing amount of injuries in training camp last year…why? Is that just normal? OR did the fact that players had only had a few months of Chip training when guys started getting hurt in camp have anything to do with camp injuries?

    Now, by the time camp starts players will have had a year and a half of training with our secret sports science and with chips different practice methods…I’m “curious George” about if we are going to see most of the camp injuries come from players who are new to this roster, while the returning players stay healthy…

    It is not often that a team goes thru the regular season as healthy as we did. If, we enjoy THAT type of extreme health again this year, then I don’t know how we can just feel lucky. If we stay that healthy again, there has to really be something to the cutting edge training methods we use….and that would be sooooooooo exciting for our future!

  105. 105 anon said at 3:25 PM on May 30th, 2014:

    Byrd and Ward aren’t going to miss game time. And i’m sure their respective teams will be rejoicing as they make plays in the secondary. I hear your point, but i don’t think Byrd is a great example considering that we only take people with injury histories.

  106. 106 GEAGLE said at 3:44 PM on May 30th, 2014:

    No, right now Byrd won’t miss time, but injuries do accumulate and take tolls on your body…he may not miss time now, but maybe he is easier to re injure? been raving about wanting Byrd as long as anyone…..whether it’s BS or Not, the eagles have managed to convince me that Malcolm Jenkins was the number 1 safety on our wish list…even if I know that in terms of safety ranking! Byrd is clearly higher than Malcolm…
    ..
    Learning more about our defense, I can easily see why we would value Jenk ahead of Ward…..I also understand why for this defense, we wouldn’t want to pay 40mil on a playmaking centerfielder….
    ..
    Another aspect to consider: running a complex, no huddle defense, based of rules and keys to read that dictate what front Meco has to get us lineup up in, and how our safety needs to get the secondary lined up and which coverage to run requires high level intelligence, and top notch film review and study habits…Chip knowing Byrd and Ward, is it possible that he thought they didn’t have the FBI(fooseball,intelligence) to QB a complex no huddle defense?
    .
    I can definitely see why the eagles would value Jenkins in this scheme, and they have made me a believer about him being #1 safety on their wish list….. Now he has to pan out tho…

    If he ends up being a Barwin type of perfect fit for our defense, than they deserve some high praise.. If he struggles and we see Byrd and Ward make al
    Types of plays for their defense, regardless of a schematic fit, eagles will take a beating for signing Jenkins

  107. 107 anon said at 3:29 PM on May 30th, 2014:

    NFL lawyer just said the official NFL position is that “Redskins” isn’t a slur. Someone better polish up that resume. Better not to say anything #ipleadthefifth

  108. 108 Charlie Kelly said at 8:19 PM on May 30th, 2014:

    This trey Burton is def an interesting player to keep tabs on. Former QB, can play some RB, as well as TE.

    Brad Smith has def had an impact in the NFL, with the whole wildcard thing, he was best at it. Never really thought much of him as a WR, but with chip kelly you can imagine some clever designs being drawn up for him. Get him in space chip!!

    Id like to hear about the Mizz RB Henry Josey, he seems like a perfect fit for the chip kelly run game, with the inside/outside zone reads n what not. And the kid is explosive.

    And i like damraris johnson. hope he gets a fair shot at making some plays in preseason.