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Dallas Cowboys sign WR Dez Bryant to five-year deal

2010-07-23T14:46:00.002-04:00

The Dallas Cowboys signed first-round draft pick wide receiver Dez Bryant to a five-year deal worth $11.8 million, with $8.3 million guaranteed. The former Oklahoma State standout was selected as the 24^thoverall pick in this year’s draft and is one of the most talented wideouts from the 2010 class.

Despite playing in just three games last year due to a suspension, Bryant emerged as one of the top wide receivers in college football during his sophomore season, finishing with 87 catches for 1,480 yards and 19 touchdowns. He’s expected to start out as the No. 3 wideout for Dallas this season behind Miles Austin and Roy Williams.

Expect Wide Receiver Trio To Make Life Easier for Eagles QB Kevin Kolb

2010-07-23T14:41:00.002-04:00

With training camp just around the corner, the Philadelphia Eagles are one of those teams to keep an eye on in 2010. The team has enough talent—both on offense and defense—to make their third straight trip to the postseason this year. But the recent departure of Donovan McNabb to the Washington Redskins have many believing the Eagles won’t be able to compete with the rest of the NFC East.

The potential is there with Kevin Kolb, but many are hesitant towards saying the former Houston standout is ready to take on the full-time job at starting quarterback due to lack of experience.

The Eagles have high expectations for their new franchise quarterback, but he’s started just two career games—both at the beginning of last season against the New Orleans Saints and Kansas City Chiefs.

He became the first quarterback in NFL history to throw for over 300 yards in his first two career starts, thanks to a strong supporting cast including DeSean Jackson and Brent Celek.

There’s no question how difficult it will be to fill McNabb’s shoes after the type of numbers he displayed during his 11-year career in Philly. Not only is "No. 5" the franchise’s all-time leader in wins, but he holds the record for most passing yards (32,873) and touchdowns (216).

Difficult to live up to?

Obviously. But with the type of work ethic Kolb possesses, the Eagles and their fans should have all the faith in the world for him to succeed in 2010—especially with the type of weapons he has on offense.

Since joining the team in 2008, Jackson’s clearly emerged as the top go-to guy for the Eagles’ offense. He’s coming off a a phenomenal sophomore season, where he became the first player in NFL history to make the Pro Bowl for two positions—a wide receiver and punt returner.

The coaching staff realizes the importance of Jackson in the offense, which is why they’ve been pushing hard for him and Kolb to establish a strong chemistry during the offseason.

Along with Jackson, Kolb will have a number of other options on offense to make his first full season as the starter easier. Kolb and Celek are already close friends off the field, and with the chemistry shown in the two games against the Saints and Chiefs last year, these two should make a dynamic duo in 2010.

In fact, many analysts are predicting Celek to emerge as one of the top pass-catching tight ends in the NFL after he caught 76 passes for 971 yards and eight touchdowns in 2009.

As long as Jackson and Celek manage to stay healthy, the Eagles and their fans have every reason to believe Kolb will succeed next season. While both players will most likely be the top receivers for the Birds next season, don’t be surprised if second-year wideout Jeremy Maclin plays a key role in the offense as well.

Maclin is coming off a rookie season in which he caught 55 passes for 762 yards and four touchdowns. He also recorded a 76-yard touchdown reception in the Eagles 34-14 loss to the Dallas Cowboys during the Wild Card round of last year’s playoffs.

After a stellar career at Missouri, Philadelphia traded up to select Maclin in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft. With his blazing speed and quickness, he resembled a wide receiver the Eagles selected the previous year in Jackson.

The two stars realize the importance of maintaining that positive relationship not just on the field, but off as well as they look forward to providing the Eagles with a deadly duo at wideout.

Kolb will definitely feel the pressure now that he’s officially the full-time starter in Philadelphia. On the bright side, at least the transition process will be easier with the help of players like Jackson, Celek, and Maclin by his side.

New York Giants WR Domenik Hixon out for Season with Torn ACL

2010-06-16T18:26:00.001-04:00

New York Giants WR Domenik Hixon will miss the entire 2010 season after tearing his ACL during the team's first practice at New Meadowlands Stadium on Tuesday.

The incident occurred during a punt return when his foot got caught in the turf, and he's expected to undergo surgery within the next two or three weeks.

With Hixon sidelined, not only do the Giants lose depth at the wide receiver position, but on special teams as well. Last season, he finished second in yards per return average—with only Eagles WR DeSean Jackson ahead of him.

Dixon played in 14 games for the Giants last season. He averaged 15.1 yards per return on punts and 22.6 yards per return on kickoffs.

Brandon Graham Interview: Eagles Rookie Excited To Connect With Fans Through Facebook and Twitter

2010-06-13T15:11:00.002-04:00

Brandon Graham was excited when he found out the Philadelphia Eagles made a trade with the Denver Broncos to move up 11 spots and select him with the 13th pick in the 2010 NFL Draft. Now, the two-time defensive MVP from Michigan is not only excited about contributing to Sean McDermott’s defense, but interacting with his newest fans in the City of Brotherly Love.

Social networking has become a major part of sports when it comes to professional athletes interacting with their fans. Graham wants to take his status as a professional athlete to the next level by taking advantage of these sites. Recently, he launched a fan page on Facebook and created a Twitter account to provide the fans not only in Philadelphia, but across the country with a chance to learn more about the player not just on the field, but off as well.

“I want to keep it updated for the fans,” says Graham. “I want to keep it updated for the fans so when they log on Twitter or Facebook, they can see what’s going on with me and where I may be in the Philadelphia area.”

When comparing him to other professional athletes, Graham’s appreciation towards his fan base appears to be on a much higher level. He may be young and new to the NFL, but the 22-year-old rookie is already showing no signs of being shy when it comes to his passion for interacting with fans.

Graham wants to give his fans a different experience through these sites–whether it involves letting them know where he’s hanging out on a random Tuesday afternoon or allowing the opportunity to win his autograph through raffles. He even has staff members that will keep fans updated on his statistics during games throughout the season. No matter what it may be, the Eagles first-round pick realizes the importance of his new fan base is and wants to do anything he can to maintain that positive relationship throughout the season.

“I feel it’s very important because that’s who you’re playing for; you’re playing for the fans,” Graham said about the importance of interacting with his fans. “You got fans who love the game and you want them to feel like they’re part of the game too. Without people watching, it wouldn’t be a game.”

Ever since he started playing football, Graham’s main goal was to attend the University of Michigan. He realized the importance of an education–which is why Graham made a commitment to himself long ago to finish school so he could not only be remembered by his fans as a successful football player, but a student as well. Even with his busy schedule since the draft, he realized his top priority was to end his college career on a high note–which is why he still took time out of his busy schedule to finish up his final year as a Wolverine and attend graduation.

“School is very important to me and that’s why coach didn’t let me leave early,” Graham explained. “I was the first one in my family to go and I just wanted to be part of graduation ceremony because I felt like I owed that to my parents. It was letting people know that not only did I make it as a football player, but I made it through school too.”

It’s been a busy last few months for Graham between finishing up school and participating in OTA’s to prepare for the upcoming 2010 season. Not only has he received guidance from former Eagles linebacker Hugh Douglas, but new teammates who are fellow Michigan alumni have made sure Graham does everything he can to start his experience as a rookie in Philadelphia the right way.

“I got to talk with Marlin Jackson and Jason Avant,” Graham said. “They’re making sure I’m alright and making sure I get through and learning as much as possible. I’ve been getting the edge on everything because they’ve been keeping me updated.”

“That first game against Green Bay–that’s a big game and it’s going to define what’s going to happen the rest of the season,” he explained. “The preseason games are always the best, but that first game when it’s time to set the record. That’s going to be important that I’m going to be as prepared as I can be for that first game.”

With Graham still on the board through the first 12 picks of the 2010 NFL Draft, it should come as no surprise as far as the reasoning behind the selection. He was arguably one of the top defensive ends from this year’s class and has the potential to have an immediate impact as an effective pass rusher. Not to mention he led the nation with 26 tackles for a loss during his senior year to go along with his 10.5 sacks.

Not only will fans fall in love with Graham for what he does on the field, but because of who he is an individual. He contains one of the best personalities and his newest fans will see that when they interacting with him through Facebook and Twitter.

Coming from Michigan, Graham is used to playing in front of large crowds as The Big House contains one of the best fan bases in college football. Now, he looks forward to playing in front of one of the most intimidating crowds in the NFL with Philadelphia, a city well-known for their fans.

“I heard how passionate they are,” Graham explained. “From what I hear, they define the word die-hard.”

Click here to join Brandon Graham’s Facebook Fan Page

Click here to follow Brandon Graham on Twitter

Dan Parzych is the Eagles Fan Voice for NFLTouchdown.com .

Is Dez Bryant the Missing Piece to Tony Romo's First MVP Season in 2010?

2010-05-05T01:38:00.001-04:00

The 2009 season was arguably the best of Tony Romo's career.

Not only did he help the Dallas Cowboys win their second NFC East title in three seasons, but Romo also set a number of career marks as well.

He broke his previous single-season record by throwing for 4,483 yards—including a franchise-record eight 300-yard games—to go along with his 26 touchdowns and career-low nine interceptions.

By ranking second and allowing just 15.6 points per game, the defense made life easier for Romo and the rest of the Cowboys' offense.

Along with a well-balanced running trio, Dallas received an unexpected Pro Bowl season from Miles Austin—who led all wide receivers with 81 catches for 1,320 yards and 11 touchdowns.

There's every reason to believe the Cowboys' high-powered offense will make them playoff contenders for the 2010 season.

Still, every team seems to have a few areas in need of improvement during the offseason—which is why many expected Dallas to focus on the offensive line or safety with their first round pick.

At least, that was the case until Oklahoma State wide receiver Dez Bryant fell into the late first round.

When Cowboys' owner Jerry Jones saw team after team pass on Bryant, he apparently was seeing flashbacks of the 1998 NFL Draft, when he passed on Randy Moss because of his troubled past (no need to explain what happened next).

While Greg Ellis—whom Dallas spent the eighth pick on that year—was an excellent defensive end for 11 seasons, many owners were left kicking themselves for not selecting a future Hall of Fame wideout in Moss.

Despite his troubled past, Jones knew trading up to add Bryant's talent to the Cowboys' already high-powered offense would be worth giving up the draft picks. His speed, size, and strength as a wideout should have an immediate impact in the passing game, along with making life easier for Romo.

Bryant played in just three games last season, his junior campaign, before his suspension, but he finished his sophomore season at Oklahoma State with 87 catches for 1,480 yards and 19 touchdowns.

With this in mind, there's every reason to believe he has the potential to develop into one of the most dangerous wideouts in the NFL—assuming he stays out of trouble.

Bryant will most likely compete with Roy Williams and Patrick Crayton for playing time during his rookie season. With these wideouts, along with the presence of Austin and Jason Witten, opposing defenses will have their work cut out for them when it comes to stopping the Cowboys' passing game.

The addition of Bryant provides Dallas with arguably one of the top passing units entering the 2010 season. Romo's name has been mentioned in MVP talks during previous seasons, but this may be the closest he'll come if the Cowboys' offense lives up to its high potential next season.

2010 NFL Draft: A Look At The Newest Members of the Philadelphia Eagles

2010-05-05T01:34:00.002-04:00

After selecting three players in the first three rounds of the 2010 NFL Draft, a handful of trades have now left the Philadelphia Eagles with 10 picks over the final four rounds Saturday.

The Eagles have a history of focusing on defense early on–and that was clearly the case during the first two days of the draft. Here are the three newest members of the Philadelphia Eagles.

Michigan OLB Brandon Graham–13th overall

After many expected the Eagles to select Texas safety Earl Thomas, they decided to focus on pass-rushing by trading up at the last minute to acquire Michigan OLB Brandon Graham. The former Wolverine looks to have an immediate impact in Sean McDermott’s defense that tied for third in the league last seasons with 44 sacks.

Graham is arguably one of the top defenders in this year’s draft class–which is why the Eagles found it necessary to trade up for him. During his senior year, he led the nation with 26 tackles for a loss and was ranked 14th with 10.5 sacks.

South Florida S Nate Allen–37th overall

This part of the draft may have been the most critical for the Eagles not because of team needs, but because of what they sacrificed to get the pick.

Philadelphia received the 37th pick as part of the deal with the Washington Redskins in the Donovan McNabb trade. With the pick, they selected South Florida safety Nate Allen–who will look to fill in the hole left by the great Brian Dawkins on defense.

The weakness in the safety position was highly exposes last year on the Eagles’ defense–especially during the final two games against the Dallas Cowboys. He may have finished with 85 total tackles and four interceptions during his senior year, but Philadelphia realizes Allen has big shoes to fill on defense.

There may be a few areas in need of improvement, but Allen is certainly an upgrade over who the Eagles had at safety last season.

Washington DE Daniel Te’o-Nesheim–86th overall

Considering the first-round selection of Graham, this move by the Eagles to select another defensive end this early on came as a bit of a surprise.

Many analysts were hesitant towards Daniel Te’o-Nesheim, claiming he lacked the athleticism to become a successful NFL player. However, his stock has risen since impressive workouts at the NFL Combine–where he impressed scouts with his speed and agility. He even managed to bench 225 pounds 35 times.

It may take some time to develop, but the Eagles have a history of success developing defensive players selected in the draft. After setting the school record for most career sacks with 30.5, maybe Te’o-Nesheim will be worth the high-risk for Philadelphia after all.

2010 NFL Draft: Giants Take Linval Joseph with 46th Pick

2010-04-23T19:43:00.001-04:00

With the 46th pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, the New York Giants selected East Carolina defensive tackle Linval Joseph.

The Giants entered this year's draft knowing one of their top priorities was to improve the defensive line. After spending their first-round pick on defensive end Jason-Pierre Paul, New York adds another player who has great speed for his size and knows how to pressure opposing quarterbacks.

Last season, the Giants lost their reputation as one of the top defenses in the NFL and allowed their opponents to average 26.7 points per game—ranking them 30th among teams. The 6'4", 328-pound Joseph should help turn all of that around during his rookie campaign with New York.

2010 NFL Draft: Philadelphia Eagles Take South Florida Safety Nate Allen At No. 37

2010-04-23T18:56:00.001-04:00

With the 37th pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, the Philadelphia Eagles selected South Florida safety Nate Allen. The pick was acquired from the Washington Redskins as part of the deal for quarterback Donovan McNabb.

After trading up to the 13th pick in the first round, many expected the Eagles to take Earl Thomas to fill in the hole left by Brian Dawkins at safety. When they spent the pick on Brandon Graham, it was clear Philadelphia needed to use one of their second round picks on a safety for Sean McDermott’s defense.

After the way last season ended, it was obvious the Eagles were in desperate need of help at the safety position. Allen will have high expectations during his rookie season–especially in a very competitive NFC East division.

The 6′2″ senior started all 13 games during his final year with the Bulls. Allen finished the season with 85 total tackles and four interceptions.

2010 NFL Draft: Eagles Fans, Don’t Fall Out of Love With Brandon Graham

2010-04-23T18:53:00.002-04:00

When the Philadelphia Eagles officially traded up for the 13th pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, there was one thought running through the minds of fans watching; Texas safety Earl Thomas was going to be wearing midnight green for the Birds next season.

At the time, it seemed to be the most logical idea. The Eagles had been rumored to try and trade up one of their 10 draft picks for Tennessee safety Eric Berry. When he was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs with the fifth pick, the dream of Philadelphia moving up to snag a top safety appeared to be nothing but a simple thought of what could have been.

That was until the 13th pick rolled around.

After swapping a first and third round picks with the Denver Broncos, the Eagles found themselves in a position to select Thomas and finally find their first true candidate to fill in the gap left by Brian Dawkins at safety.

Then, the Eagles pulled an act that sent a shock wave through the Philadelphia fan base and analysts across the country—which seems to be a common trend this offseason—by passing on Thomas and selecting Michigan OLB Brandon Graham instead.

Shocking, yes.

Bad move by the Eagles?

Absolutely not.

Graham is arguably one of the top defensive ends in this year’s draft class and has the potential to make an immediate impact on Philadelphia’s defense as an effective pass-rusher. Not only did he lead the nation his senior year with 26 tackles for a loss, but was also ranked 14th with 10.5 sacks.

If anything, fans should consider themselves lucky for the Eagles gaining an opportunity to move up 11 picks to acquire Graham. While Thomas may have been a great fit in Sean McDermott’s defense, Philadelphia still has a solid shot at drafting a safety early in the second round with the 37th pick acquired from Washington in the McNabb trade.

Taylor Mays anyone?

2010 NFL Draft: Washington Redskins Take Trent Williams at No. 4

2010-04-22T20:02:00.003-04:00

With the fourth pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, the Washington Redskins selected Oklahoma OT Trent Williams.

After acquiring quarterback Donovan McNabb from the Philadelphia Eagles, the Redskins knew their top priority in this year's draft was to focus on protecting him. Washington struggled with their offensive line in 2009 and will need improvement if they want to compete in the NFC East next season.

The Redskins' running game averaged just 94.4 yards per game last season and allowed 46 sacks--ranking them 29th among NFL teams.

For months, the main question in D.C. was whether the team would select Sam Bradford or Jimmy Clausen. After selecting Williams, Washington hopes the former Oklahoma standout can have an immediate impact on the Redskins' offensive line.

Why A Donovan McNabb-Terrell Owens Redskins Reunion Is Not As Crazy As It Seems

2010-04-09T14:38:00.000-04:00

After the Washington Redskins acquired quarterback Donovan McNabb from the Philadelphia Eagles, rumors began to swirl about the possibility of wide receiver Terrell Owens ending up in D.C.

The 37-year old Owens is still on the free-agent market and will most likely not sign with a team until after the draft. One of the main reasons he has yet to sign with a team is because of his age and high asking price.

The thought of McNabb and Owens ever playing together again on the same team seemed as likely as Conan O'Brien returning to NBC. With a number of factors in mind, the once-crazy idea seems more likely than before.

McNabb and Owens Have Rekindled Their Friendship

In 2004, McNabb and Owens seemed to have the potential to become one of the greatest quarterback-wide receiver duos in NFL history. In their first season together, they connected for 14 touchdowns and led the Eagles to their second Super Bowl in franchise history.

What happened after that? Well, there's no need to go into detail, since just about everyone reading this article knows the story. All that matters is the former teammates have patched things up from the past and made the decision to be friends again.

Earlier last month, the announcement was made that McNabb and Owens would pair up together on the basketball court during an episode of Spike TV's "Pros vs. Joes."

If they can manage to play together on the court, there's every reason to believe they could do the same on the football field.

A Chance In Washington Means A Chance To Take NFC East Title From Eagles

Before any Dallas or New York fan jumps to conclusion about the above statement, let the record show the Cowboys and Giants have a strong chance of winning the division title in 2010.

But for the sake of the article, let's imagine the acquisition of McNabb plays a key factor in the Redskins winning their first NFC East title since 1999.

As soon as the trade for McNabb was finalized, some analysts picked Washington as the favorites to win the division assuming they fill areas of improvement—such as the offensive line—in the upcoming draft.

For so long, the Redskins have been in need of an elite quarterback and may have found their answer with No. 5.

If Washington does manage to come through next season and win the NFC East with McNabb as their quarterback, expect some hostility from the Philadelphia fan base.

If the Skins manage to win with not only McNabb, but Owens as their top wideout, there's no telling how the fans would react.

Daniel Snyder Has A History of Overpaying Older Free Agents

The main reason why Owens has yet to sign with a team is because of his high demand of a contract. Numerous reports have indicated he's seeking to be paid at least $5 million in 2010 after making $6.5 million last season with the Buffalo Bills.

If any owner is willing to pay the type of money Owens and his agent Drew Rosenhaus are asking for, Daniel Snyder seems to be the type of owner willing to do so. He has a history of overpaying players—with the most recent being Albert Haynesworth's $100 million contract.

With this in mind, there still seems to be the slightest chance Owens could end up playing for his third NFC East team if he signs with the Redskins.

Both Owens and McNabb Are Looking For Their First Super Bowl

The last—and only—time both players reached the Super Bowl was in 2005 with the Eagles when they lost to the New England Patriots 24-21.

With both players already in their 30's, the time clock to finally win football's ultimate prize is close to running low.

Both Owens and McNabb realize how a Super Bowl win would not only add to their outstanding individual careers, but most likely would make them a lock for Canton. The opportunity is there; it's just a matter of whether these two players will reunite to accomplish the goal they never reached when they were teammates with the Eagles.

2010 NFL Draft: Should the Washington Redskins Focus on OL to Help Portis?

2010-03-04T21:06:00.002-05:00

Last week, Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan announced that the Washington Redskins will keep running back Clinton Portis around for the 2010 season, despite the numerous rumors about his possible release.

He will enter his seventh season with the team after playing just eight games in 2009 due to injuries.

Portis missed four games following a concussion in Week Nine, before being placed on injured reserve for the remainder of the season for safety reasons. His concussion suffered against the Atlanta Falcons was so bad, that doctors feared that Portis' condition could become worse if he took another severe hit.

Many wondered whether Portis would return to the Redskins after the 2009 season. Not only was his season cut short by the concussion, but there were also a number of issues off the field that could have influenced team owner, Daniel Snyder, to part ways with him.

Instead, Portis looks to bounce back and help a Washington team that averaged just 94.4 yards per game on the ground, ranking them 27th amongst other teams. It's no secret how much the running game needs improvement, considering Portis led all rushers last season with 494 yards despite playing in just eight games.

Of course, no running game is as successful without the help of a strong offensive line, which is another area the Redskins should focus on in the upcoming draft. As tempting as it may be to take a shot on a quarterback in the first round, like Sam Bradford or Jimmy Clausen, it may be in the team's best interest to select an offensive lineman.

Rutgers offensive tackle Anthony Davis and Oklahoma State's Russell Okung are two names who could land with the Redskins at the No. 4 pick. Both players could see significant time during their rookie season and either player could help pave the way for Portis if drafted by Washington.

From 2007—08, Portis rushed for a combined 2,749 yards and 20 touchdowns, so it's no secret he's an effective threat at running back when healthy. If he's going to be the go-to-guy next season at running back, the Redskins will need a better offensive line than last year—and what better way start than the 2010 NFL Draft?

Eagles Fans Will Always Show Brotherly Love For Brian Westbrook

2010-02-26T01:50:00.000-05:00

For the second time this week, a star running back was released when the Philadelphia Eagles parted ways with Brian Westbrook after eight seasons. He is now a free agent and open to sign with another team.

Once again, the Eagles’ front office shows they aren’t afraid to put business first when it comes to their beloved players. Last March, there was little effort to resign safety Brian Dawkins simply because they felt there was little gas left in his tank. In his first season with the Denver Broncos, he reached his eighth career Pro Bowl after finishing the regular season with 116 tackles, two interceptions, and one forced fumble.

Like Westbrook, Dawkins was a fan favorite among the Philadelphia crowd during his 13-year run with the Eagles. His leadership and ferocious tackles sent chills through anyone watching–which was even more of the reason why they loved him.

Westbrook had the same effect, with the only difference being he would play offense rather than defense. At one point in his career, he was arguably the most explosive and dangerous running backs in all of football. His explosiveness was astonishing to watch, leaving fans with anticipation and excitement as they waited to see what would happen when he touched the ball.

As painful as it sounds, Tuesday’s release should come as no surprise for Eagles fans considering the situation the front office was faced. By bringing back Westbrook, they would have owed him $7.25 million as he would enter the final year on his contract. In reality, it would have made no sense for the Eagles to bring him back considering his history of injuries.

Other than the ankle injuries and two concussions suffered last season, Westbrook has never managed to play an entire season during his eight-year career with the Eagles. As much as fans would love to see him back in green next season, the money spent would have been too much considering how much of an injury risk he is.

He may no longer be on the roster, but head coach Andy Reid said it best during his press conference when he said Westbrook would always be an Eagle at heart–and he’s right. He’s provided so many astonishing plays throughout his career that will be in the minds of fans for the rest of their lives.

The “Miracle at the Meadowlands” in 2003 where Westbrook returned an 84-yard punt for the game-winning touchdown against the New York Giants when all hope seemed lost. His 2007 season in which he finished with 2,104 yards from the line of scrimmage and 11 combined touchdowns. Not to mention the four-touchdown performance against the Arizona Cardinals on Thanksgiving in 2008.

And who could forget his unselfish play against the Cowboys in 2007 where Westbrook made the decision to fall on the one-yard line instead of entering the end zone so the Eagles could run the clock out with a 10-6 lead in Dallas–a play that not only sealed the win, but drove fantasy football owners across the country crazy.

When the Eagles take the field for the first time next September at Lincoln Financial Field, there will be a weird feeling among spectators when No. 36 isn’t announced during introductions. It’s hard to imagine what the last eight years would have been like had Reid never read stories in local newspapers about a local running back from Villanova who set 41 school, 13 Atlantic-10, and five NCAA records.

After he was selected in the third round of the 2002 NFL Draft, Westbrook saw little action as a running back during his rookie season playing alongside Deuce Staler and Correll Buckhalter. 2003 was when word started to spread about the dangerous type of player he was as he became part of Philadelphia’s “three-headed monster” at running back and return specialst for special teams.

Since that sophomore season, Westbrook has always been considered one of the most dangerous players in the league when healthy. It’s a shame his career with Philadelphia had to come to an end the way it did, but we currently live in an era where the careers of running backs don’t last as long as they used to.

For those who have been lucky enough to follow the Eagles over the last eight years, they should be thankful to have witnessed one of the greatest running backs this team has ever seen in franchise history.

Whether he decides to sign with another team or simply call it a career by retiring, it’s safe to say Brian Westbrook will always be an Eagle at heart, and this fan voice isn’t the only one who believes that. Here are a few reactions from other fellow Eagles fans:

“When I heard that the Eagles had released Brian Westbrook, I was initially shocked…but then realized it was the most logical decision to make. For as much as he had done for the Eagles during his eight-year tenure in Philadelphia, it was too much of a risk to keep Westbrook on the roster, given his injury-laden 2009 season.”

“For me, Westbrook’s standout season was definitely in 2006 by not only scoring 11 touchdowns for the Eagles, but also setting his then career-high 1,217 rushing yards and then continuing his outstanding performance during the postseason against the Giants and Saints. It was then, I believe, that he truly won over the hearts of Philadelphia fans. We are truly fortunate as Eagles fans to have witnessed his phenomenal performances and how they helped the Eagles become the fierce NFC contender they are today; the city of Philadelphia will never forget what an influential player No. 36 was for this team!” -Becky Kocon

“I’ll never forget Westbrook’s knee at the 1 against the cowboys right at the two minute warning to ice a close game. It showed everything that Westbrook had to offer: incredible vision at the line, great speed to get through a hole, elusive moves once in the open field, poise and intelligence (especially in the clutch), and a total unselfish, “team-first” attitude. Despite the fact that it cost me a fantasy championship, that run was the epitome of Brian Westbrook. He will be missed.” - Eddie Grant

“The greatest Giant Killer is no more. It was said that Donovan McNabb would never amount to anything until he could get past the Giants. He struggled against them every year until a frigid night in 2003. Well, he struggled that night too, but for the first of many times against the Giants, Brian Westbrook bailed out the team with a scintillating game/season/division clinching punt return in the last minute. Goodbye, 36. Thanks for the memories.” - Geoff Crawley

Why Donovan McNabb Will Be With The Philadelphia Eagles in 2010: Part Two

2010-02-26T01:45:00.000-05:00

About one month into the 2010 offseason, the rumors surrounding Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb’s status with the team next season seems to have become a more popular topic than whether or not Brett Favre will return to the Minnesota Vikings next season. There are even talks about backup quarterback Kevin Kolb being traded to a team like the Cleveland Browns now that Tom Heckert has joined Mike Holmgren’s staff.

Trying to figure out who will be on the Eagles’ roster next season at quarterback seems almost as complicated as cracking the Da Vinci Code. While it’s safe to say Michael Vick’s time in the City of Brotherly Love is most likely over after he’s already expressed interest in starting for another team in 2010, it will be months before the status of McNabb and Kolb is officially decided.

Despite all of the rumors, the fact that they are just rumors, which means both players could still end up wearing green and white once Week One rolls around come September. Here are five reasons why McNabb and Kolb will both be on the Eagles’ roster in 2010.

Yesterday, the first part of why Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb would be with the team in 2010–which can be found by clicking here. Here is the second part to the article on why No. 5 will be wearing green next season.

2009 Should Be Blamed On a Weak Ground Game and Struggling Defense, Not McNabb

Cause you’re hot then you’re cold
You’re yes then you’re no
You’re in then you’re out
You’re up then you’re down

For those unfamiliar with Katy Perry’s classic hit song, listening to “Hot N Cold” may be seen by some as the perfect way to describe McNabb.

One week, McNabb puts on a performance that seems to make him a top-10 quarterback–such as his performance in Week Eight against the New York Giants where he finished 17-of-23 for 240 yards and three touchdowns.

Other weeks, he seems to struggle more than Shaquille O’neal at the foul line (sorry Shaq), constantly under and over throwing his receivers–especially in both losses to the Cowboys.

Despite his poor performances against the Cowboys at the end of the season, it’s unfair to put all of the heat on McNabb for the way 2009 played out for the Eagles when they struggled with both the running game and defense.

With Brian Westbrook dealing with ankle injuries and concussions a majority of the season, the Eagles were forced to rely on rookie running back LeSean McCoy–who showed signs of potential throughout the 2009 season, but still has plenty of work before he becomes a consistent threat as a starter. Philadelphia struggled most of the season to stay consistent on the ground game, averaging just 102.3 yards per game overall and placing more pressure on McNabb in the passing game.

On the other side of the ball, Sean McDermott adjusted well in his first year as defensive coordinator for the Eagles after replacing Jim Johnson–who passed away last summer of cancer.

However, there were plenty of holes on the Eagles’ defense that opposing offenses took advantage of and they weren’t nearly as dangerous as they were when Johnson was calling the shots. A team well-known for their strong blitzing all of a sudden seemed to become predictable against the teams they faced. Not to mention the absence of Stewart Bradley at linebacker and Brian Dawkins at safety.

Fans and analysts can say what they want about how the Eagles collapsed at the end of the season because of McNabb. Yes, he did struggle against a very tough Cowboys’ defense that finished the regular season with two consecutive shutouts.

However, it was unfair for everyone to immediately call for McNabb’s time in Philadelphia to come to an end after both losses to the Cowboys when the team clearly needed help in not only the running game, but on defense as well. If the team can find a way to improve both areas for next season, there’s every reason to believe McNabb could reach his seventh Pro Bowl with the Eagles.

The Relationship Between McNabb and Reid

Andy Reid took over as head coach in 1999 following a disappointing previous season in which the Eagles finished 3-13 to earn the second overall pick in the NFL Draft. Philadelphia used that pick to select McNabb after a stellar career at Syracuse and the two have worked together ever since.

McNabb and Reid have been through quite a lot during their 11 years together in Philadelphia–both good and bad. They may have seen success with eight playoff appearances–including five NFC East titles.

Unfortunately, they’ve also managed to lose four of five trips to the NFC Championship–including three in a row from 2002-04. While McNabb has received plenty of criticism for his inability to win the big games for the Eagles, Reid has been criticized almost as much–especially for his lack of running the ball.

The argument can be made that no current coach and quarterback have been through more ups and downs than these two guys. McNabb has always been Reid’s No. 1 guy and the comments he made following the Eagles’ loss to the Dallas Cowboys in this year’s playoffs made it seem clear he still would be in 2010.

“I was asked if Donovan would be my quarterback next year, and I said yes,” Reid said. “That’s what I’m saying now.”

Whatever happens with McNabb next season will come down to what Reid wants to do since his role with the organization allows the final decision to go through him. Since this is the case, it seems safe to say that Donovan will still be his guy in 2010 considering the type of relationship they’ve established over their 11 years together.

Why Donovan McNabb Will Be With The Eagles in 2010: Part One

2010-02-26T01:42:00.001-05:00

Despite all of the rumors, the fact that they are just rumors, which means both players could still end up wearing green and white once Week One rolls around come September. Here are reasons why McNabb will be on the Eagles’ roster in 2010.

The Eagles Don’t Want McNabb On Other NFC Contenders

Jon Gruden said it best during the 2010 Pro Bowl when he stated it would make no sense for Philadelphia to trade McNabb to a team like the Arizona Cardinals or Minnesota Vikings when they will most likely be two of the top contenders in the NFC next season.

In Arizona, Kurt Warner may be retired, but Matt Leinart will still arguably the best receiving duo in Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald. With a strong running back in Adrian Peterson and Sidney Rice emerging as one of the most dangerous receiver in the NFL, the Vikings should contain one of the top offenses again in 2010.

With the right weapons on offense, McNabb has proven to be effective as one of the top quarterbacks in the league. Remember how good his numbers were in 2004 when he had Terrell Owens by his side? The Eagles organization is smart enough to know No. 5 could be just as dangerous as he was in 2004 with a team like the Cardinals or Vikings.

The Eagles Will Want a First-Round Pick for McNabb

It’s no question whether McNabb returns with Philadelphia next season, he will go down as one of the greatest quarterbacks to wear an Eagles uniform. He holds four team records (touchdowns, yards, completions, and attempts) and is one of four quarterbacks in NFL history to throw for 30,000 passing yards, 200 touchdowns, 3,000 rushing yards, and 20 rushing touchdowns.

For that type of talent, the Eagles will want at least a first-round pick from any team interested in acquiring McNabb next season.

It made sense for a team like the Chicago Bears to surrender first round picks when they acquired Jay Cutler from the Denver Broncos considering he just finished his fourth season. With a player like McNabb who has a history of injuries and 11 years already under his belt, he most likely has just another season or two left in the tank.

If a franchise were willing to surrender a first-round pick to acquire McNabb, they would have to be sure he was the missing piece to a Super Bowl. Considering McNabb has lost four of the five NFC Championship games he’s appeared in, that most likely won’t be the case for most organizations showing interest.

Philadelphia Eagles Decide to Release Running Back Brian Westbrook

2010-02-23T15:01:00.001-05:00

The Philadelphia Eagles announced Tuesday the release of running back Brian Westbrook, who would have been owed $7.25 million in 2010 if he returned with the team. He’s spent his entire eight-year career with the team after being selected in the third round of the 2002 NFL Draft.

Once again, the Eagles make a move on one of their beloved fan favorites and show they’re not afraid to put business before loyalty after Westbrook’s release. He leaves Philadelphia as the all-time leading rusher (9,785) and one of the most explosive backs in team history.

As much as this move hurts for the fans to see Westbrook goes, the move makes sense considering his history of injuries. Not only did he miss eight games last season after dealing with ankle injuries and two concussions, but he’s never manged to play a full season in his eight-year career. Obviously, Joe Banner & company felt that it wasn’t worth risking $7.25 million in 2010.

This is the second fan favorite to be released by the Eagles in less than a year. Last March, they parted ways with Brian Dawkins–who signed with the Denver Broncos last March.

For Brian Westbrook, Will Business Come Before Loyalty With Philadelphia Eagles?

2010-02-17T23:37:00.001-05:00

While Donovan McNabb’s future with the Philadelphia Eagles remains to be the hot topic of the 2010 offseason, the organization may have to make another tough decision on the future of another one of their loyal players: Brian Westbrook.

In a recent interview, Westbrook expressed to Dan Rather how he was unsure about his future status with the Eagles–a team he’s spent his entire eight-year career with.

“I’m not sure. That’s one of those things that really is up to them. I’m under contract another year, and I would love to be in Philadelphia. There’s no other team that I would love to play for more than the Philadelphia Eagles. But it’s a situation where in the NFL, younger, cheaper is better for teams. It’s one of those things. It’s part of the business. I experienced it when I was younger, and I experience a different aspect now. You have to try and find out, for the team, what’s better for them.”

If Eagles fans should be concerned about any part of that interview, it should be, “It’s part of the business.”

Philadelphia has established a reputation as a business-first organization when it comes to members of their organization–especially the players.

Last season, the Eagles performed the unthinkable when they parted ways with long-time fan favorite Brian Dawkins. A player who many thought would wear green until the day he called it quits was denied the long-term offer he wished for simply because management took his age into factor. They believed he wasn’t the same dominant player from a few years ago and was on the down-fall of his career.

So how did Dawkins respond in 2009 during his first season with the Denver Broncos?

116 combined tackles, a forced fumbled, and two interceptions on the way to his eighth Pro Bowl. So much for a player on the “down-fall” of his career, huh?

Whether or not the Eagles decide to take the same approach with Westbrook should be answered over the next couple of weeks. He’s due $7.25 million next season and with his history of injuries, management has to decide if it’s even worth bringing back a player with a history of injuries.

The two concussions suffered last season are just a small chapter in the book of injuries Westbrook’s suffered over his career. In his eight seasons with the Eagles, he’s never managed to play a full 16-game season.

He’s provided fans with plenty of memorable games over the years. His magical game-winning punt return for a touchdown against the New York Giants in 2003. The 37 combined touchdowns from 2006-08.

However, none of that will matter when Joe and Banner company decide on Westbrook’s fate with the team over the next couple of weeks. The past is enough evidence that the Eagles aren’t afraid to put business first when it comes to deciding the future of their players.

So will business come into play when deciding Westbrook’s future with the Eagles next season? Only time will tell over the next few weeks.

For now, Philadelphia fans will just have to continue enjoying the numerous McNabb rumors on where he’ll end up next season.

Could New York Giants QB Eli Manning Be a MVP Candidate Next Season?

2010-02-11T10:10:00.000-05:00

When the 2009 regular season came to an end, no team may have felt more frustration than the New York Giants.

A team that seemed to be on its way to their second-straight NFC East title after a 5-0 start that would only win three of their next 11 games to finish the season 8-8.

With a banged-up defense filled with injuries, the Giants finished towards the bottom of the league, finishing 30th by allowing their opponents to average 26.7 points per game. Over the final two weeks of the regular season, the defense struggled so bad, they were outscored by a combined 85-16 to the Carolina Panthers and Minnesota Vikings.

There are a number of words that could describe how the Giants and their fans felt about how their season took a turn for the worst—mainly frustration and disappointment. However, all New York can do at this point is look at the positive and use it to its advantage in 2010.

Prior to last season, the Giants were criticized for their weak wide-receiving core after the release of Plaxico Burress—who is currently in the middle of a two-year jail sentence. Many assumed Manning and company would struggle throughout the season without a big-name wide receiver.

Apparently, they were wrong.

In a season where Manning was supposed to struggle without his top target in Burress, he went on and finished with career highs in just about every category. He was one of 10 quarterbacks to finish with over 4,000 yards to go along with his 62.3 completion percentage and 27 touchdowns.

As much credit as he deserves for his impressive 2009 season, Manning would never have had the type of success without the emergence of his fellow wide receivers.

Steve Smith finished second behind Wes Welker with 107 receptions in just his third season. He also finished with 1,220 receiving yards and seven touchdowns on the way to his first Pro Bowl.

Along with Smith, second-year wideout Mario Manningham finished with 57 catches for 822 yards and five touchdowns. Even Hakeem Nicks played a major role in his first NFL season, finishing with 47 catches for 790 yards and six touchdowns.

Now that the Giants officially have a solid group of young receivers, the expectations will be high for them next season. With Smith, Manningham, and Nicks—New York should be contenders once again for not just the NFC East, but the Super Bowl.

With another year of experience under their belts, Manning's receiving core could become one of the top trios in the NFL next season.

If this happens, there's every reason to believe Manning could be in the running for MVP in 2010 for the first time in his career. It may sound crazy, but he only finished with 479 yards and six touchdowns less than his brother Peyton in 2009—who became the first player in NFL history to win the award four times.

The Giants contain enough talent on their roster to be one of the most dangerous teams in football next season. If Manning and company can bounce back after last season's collapse with the type of talent they have, New York will be strong contenders to represent the NFC in Super Bowl XLV.

And if the Giants do make a strong run in the playoffs on their way to the promised land for the second time in four years, don't be surprised if Manning's name is thrown around in the MVP talks.

For Philadelphia Eagles, It's Not Worth Picking Up Michael Vick's Option

2010-02-11T10:08:00.003-05:00

There have been numerous reports expressing how Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick is showing interest with playing in a different city next season. He believes there are a number of teams he could start for in 2010 and have an impact on their offense now that he has a full season under his belt.

If Vick remains an Eagle, he will most likely remain as the No. 3 quarterback behind Donovan McNabb and Kevin Kolb to go along with his random appearances in the wild-cat formation.

The main question that Joe Banner & company should be asking themselves is would keeping him around really be worth all the money?

The Eagles have until March 5 to decide on whether or not to pick up Vick’s 2010 option worth $5.25 million. If they decide not to pick up the option, there’s a good chance Philadelphia will put him on the trade block. Otherwise, they may have to end up just releasing him.

From a standpoint of an Eagles fan, the Michael Vick experiment was fun while it lasted. It was fun each time he ran into the huddle as there was hope for that break-through play we were so used to seeing from him before his dog-fighting incident–and we were lucky enough a few times this season.

His 34-yard scramble at the beginning of the game against the Chicago Bears. His two touchdowns–one passing and one rushing–in his homecoming to Atlanta against the Falcons. Even his 76-yard touchdown pass to Jeremy Maclin in the opening round of this year’s playoffs.

Still, at the end of the day, business is business when it comes to the NFL, especially for the Philadelphia Eagles.

To pay $5.25 million for a player who will never start next season–unless McNabb and Kolb both suffer injuries–would be a poor investment for a team that already has too many talented quarterbacks as it is.

It was fun while it lasted, but it’s time to let Vick take a chance as a starter with a different team. When he signed with the team during the 2009 preseason as a third-string quarterback, it seemed highly unlikely that Vick would be satisfied as a backup for more than one season, which is part of the reason why he’s beginning to express interest in playing elsewhere next season.

Now, the only mystery that remains is which teams will pursue Vick once the Eagles make a decision on what to do with his option for 2010.

From a business perspective, let’s just hope Eagles’ management is smart enough not to pay him the $5.25 million next season.

2010 Pro Bowl Philadelphia Eagles: Evaluating Donovan McNabb and DeSean Jackson

2010-02-03T00:09:00.001-05:00

In a game where neither team’s defense seemed to show up, Chris Johnson scored the game-winning touchdown with just under six minutes remaining to give the AFC a 41-34 win over the NFC in the 2010 Pro Bowl. For the Philadelphia Eagles, they sent nine representatives after finishing the season 11-5 before losing to the Dallas Cowboys in the Wild Card round of the playoffs.

No players may have had more attention focused on them in the 2010 Pro Bowl from the Eagles than quarterback Donovan McNabb and wide receiver DeSean Jackson. While McNabb trade rumors have been swirling since the team’s loss to the Cowboys, Jackson has been making headlines about wanting a new contract before next season.

DeSean Jackson Shines In Pro Bowl Debut

Jackson already made NFL history by becoming the first player to reach the Pro Bowl as both a wide receiver and returner. In his first career Pro Bowl, Jackson showed everyone why he was worthy of starting for the NFC.

Jackson was one of two wide receivers (along with Vincent Jackson of the San Diego Chargers) to cross the 100-yard mark in the Pro Bowl. He finished with six receptions for 101 yards and two touchdowns, including a screen pass from his teammate Donovan McNabb that resulted in a 58-yard touchdown reception.

The argument can be made that Jackson would have been named MVP of the game had the NFC won the game. However, there’s a chance he’ll get another shot at winning the award considering this most likely won’t be the last time we’ll be talking about DeSean in the Pro Bowl.

Donovan McNabb Struggles Through the Air, But Looks Like Old-Self on Feet

All of the rumors surrounding the future of Donovan McNabb as an Eagle seemed to make him a favorite among the media this week—but that’s a different article.

He was named to his fifth Pro Bowl when New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees made it to Super Bowl XLIV and couldn't participate. McNabb’s numbers may not seem all that bad on paper. He completed 3-of-10 passes for 78 yards and one touchdown. Not bad, right?

Wrong.

There were numerous times where McNabb over/underthrew his receivers, which is one of the most frustrating flaws about him. Sure, he threw for 78 yards, but 58 of those came off of the screen pass of Jackson’s touchdown, which is unfair to credit Donovan for.

He also threw an interception to Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker LaMarr Woodley that would have resulted in a 64-yard touchdown, had the AFC not been called for a penalty for having 12 men on the field. To make things even worse, he threw an interception in the third quarter to his former teammate and Philadelphia fan favorite, Brian Dawkins.

On a positive note, McNabb managed to scramble around in the pocket like he did in his younger years, slipping through defenders left and right. Who would have thought he would have led all rushers on the NFC roster with 26 yards?

Philadelphia Eagles Need To Sign Jason Avant to a Long-Term Deal

2010-02-03T00:07:00.004-05:00

The Philadelphia Eagles have a handful of tasks on their agenda for the 2010 offseason. However, no task may be more important than trying to negotiate a deal to keep free agent wide receiver Jason Avant around for not only next season, but for the long run.

Throughout the first three years of his career with the Eagles, Avant was the type of player whose impact seemed under the radar. He was one of the most reliable third down players in the NFL, yet never seemed to be recognized for the credit deserved.

After 2009, Avant showed how important his role is within in the Eagles’ offense and made his case to receive a long-term deal this offseason. He set career marks in just about every category, including receptions (41), receiving yards (587), and touchdowns (three).

In Week 10 against the San Diego Chargers, Avant finished with a career high eight receptions for 156 yards. Two weeks later, he was the savior for an offense that failed to record a first down in the second half until the 11-minute mark of the fourth quarter against the Washington Redskins. He was able to haul in two consecutive passes of 46 and 20 yards from Donovan McNabb, as they began another fourth quarter comeback.

Without Avant, it’s safe to say Philadelphia would never have made the playoffs this past season. Throughout his four-year career, he has been one of the best third down players and is arguably the best slot receiver in the NFL.

If anything, the Eagles should consider Avant simply for his ability to convert on third down. In four years, 32 of his 37 catches on third down resulted in a first down, which is phenomenal.

As the Eagles begin their preparations for the 2010 season, there is plenty of hype surrounding the members of their young offense. DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, and Brent Celek are all future stars for a Philadelphia offense that is expected to be loaded with talent for years to come.

If Jeffrey Lurie and company can find a way to secure Avant for the long run, the Eagles’ offense could be even more dangerous than they already are—which is exciting for the City of Brotherly Love to think about.

Washington Redskins 2010 NFL Draft: Should They Consider Bradford or Clausen?

2010-01-29T14:15:00.004-05:00

With the fourth overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, the Washington Redskins look to bounce back from a disappointing 2009 season that consisted of a 4-12 record.

It took the Redskins until Week 10 before they scored more than 17 points in a single game. However, this team was much better than their record showed considering that eight of their 12 losses were by single digits—including a three-game losing streak lost by a combined seven points.

So what position should Washington focus on in the first round of the upcoming draft? According to a number of NFL analysts, the Redskins should focus their attention on a quarterback in the first round—despite Jason Campbell throwing for 3,618 yards and 20 touchdowns this season.

If this is the case, the Redskins will most likely select Oklahoma's Sam Bradford or Notre Dame's Jimmy Clausen.

The only question is, which quarterback would be the better fit for the Redskins?

Bradford would arguably have been the No. 1 overall pick in last year's draft had he not decided to stay with Oklahoma one more year to try and win a National Championship. After becoming the second sophomore in history to ever win the Heisman Trophy after throwing for 4,720 yards and 50 touchdowns, he wanted one more chance to bring Oklahoma their first National Title since 2003.

Unfortunately, that was far from the case during his junior season.

In the first game of the 2009 season, Bradford suffered a shoulder injury on his throwing arm that kept him sidelined for three weeks. A few weeks later, he re-injured the same shoulder and would eventually undergo season-ending surgery.

So much for waiting one more season before entering the NFL to make millions of dollars, huh?

Clausen, on the other hand, finds himself in a different situation considering the transition process at Notre Dame from Charlie Weis to Brian Kelly. He will forgo his senior season with the Fighting Irish in hopes of becoming a top 10 pick in this year's draft.

After entering the 2009 season as a potential Heisman candidate, Clausen seemed to be living up to the expectations after leading the Irish to a 6-2 start. Even though they finished the season on a four-game losing skid, it was obvious he had developed into a mature quarterback and established himself as a strong leader for Notre Dame's offense.

It wasn't his 3,722 passing yards and 28 touchdowns that were impressive, but the low number of interceptions thrown all season that showed how far along he had come as a quarterback. After throwing for 17 interceptions his sophomore season, Clausen threw just four in 2009 and completed 68 percent of his passes.

There's no question Bradford and Clausen both have the potential to be the type of franchise quarterback the Redskins are looking for. Both players had successful careers in college and should be selected in the first round once April 22 rolls around.

The only question now is with the fourth pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, will the Washington Redskins select Bradford or Clausen as their quarterback? That is, if they intend on selecting a new franchise quarterback in this year's draft.

Tony Romo and Donovan McNabb: NFC East Sending Quarterbacks To Pro Bowl

2010-01-26T02:15:00.003-05:00

A Super Bowl berth by Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints along with a beat-up quarterback in Brett Favre have opened up the path for Donovan McNabb and Tony Romo, who were added to the 2010 Pro Bowl roster as replacements for the two quarterbacks.

McNabb will be making his sixth appearance after helping the Philadelphia Eagles reach the playoffs for the eighth time since 2000 with an 11-5 record—including a six-game winning streak before losing to the Dallas Cowboys in Week 17. He threw for 3,553 yards, 22 touchdowns, and just 10 interceptions in just 14 games after missing two games at the beginning of the season with a rib injury.

After years of criticism for his inability to perform late in the season, Romo helped the Cowboys get rid of their December demons by ending the month on a three-game winning streak—including a win in New Orleans over the previously undefeated Saints in Week 15.

This will be Romo's third Pro Bowl appearance in his five seasons with the Cowboys. 2009 was his best season after throwing for a franchise record 4,483 yards to go along with his 26 touchdowns. He also threw for a career low nine interceptions.

2010 NFL Mock Draft: Mel Kiper Suggests Philadelphia Eagles Select Navorro Bowman

2010-01-26T01:11:00.002-05:00

Exactly three months from today, the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft will take place with the Philadelphia Eagles holding the 24th overall pick after reaching the postseason for the eighth time in 11 seasons under head coach Andy Reid. After a 34-14 loss to the Dallas Cowboys in the Wild-Card round, the Eagles know there are plenty of areas that need improvement this offseason, beginning with the defense.

Philadelphia knew entering the 2009 season the type of adjustment they would have to make on defense.

Not only did they part ways with safety Brian Dawkins–a rare leader who was the heart and soul of the defense–but they suffered a major setback when defensive coordinator Jim Johnson lost his battle with cancer back in July. All of a sudden Sean McDerott was expected to take over a defense that had built a reputation as one of the top defenses of the past decade who loved to blitz opposing offenses.

The last couple weeks of the regular season–especially the last two games against the Cowboys–showed how much improvement the Eagles’ defense needs in the offseason. The safeties are nowhere nearly as effective as they used to be when Dawkins was around. The linebacking core was inconsistent week after week. Even the blitzes McDermott was throwing at opposing teams was easily being picked up by offenses.

It’s no question the main area Philadelphia should focus on in the upcoming draft is defenses, which is why ESPN Analyst Mel Kiper’s suggestion of the Eagles selecting Penn State linebacker Navorro Bowman seems tempting.

In the past, the Eagles have been known for using the draft to select players on defense and strongly develop them a few years before they become an impact. A perfect example is middle linebacker Stewart Bradley, who went from barely playing in his rookie season to flourishing the following year as one of the top leaders on the Eagles’ defense.

The 6′1″ 232 lbs Bowman has a lot of potential after an outstanding three-year career as a Nittany Lion. In his final two seasons with the team, he recorded 199 total tackles with seven sacks, three interceptions, and one touchdown.

While it may take some time to develop into a solid linebacker in the pros, there seems to be a lot of potential for Bowman at the NFL level. What better place to start off a career than with the Philadelphia Eagles, who have a history of developing their players on defense to make them one of the best in the league.

Miles Austin Should Be Given the Marques Colston Approach by Cowboys

2010-01-22T11:40:00.003-05:00

After extending Wade Phillips' contract to keep him on the sidelines until 2011, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones now has to make a decision on the type of deal for Pro Bowl wide receiver Miles Austin.

One of the most unknown players the first four weeks of the 2009 season, Austin broke out in Week Five when he caught 10 receptions for 250 yards and two touchdowns—including the game-winning 60 yard pass from Tony Romo in overtime to defeat the Kansas City Chiefs.

The following week against the Atlanta Falcons, he finished with six receptions for 171 yards and two touchdowns. His 421 yards and four touchdowns in a two-week span was more than some wideouts accomplish in an entire season.

All of a sudden, the former unknown Monmouth superstar was becoming one of the most feared wide receivers in the NFL and a No. 1 option for Romo. In a season where Roy Williams was expected to be the go-to guy for the 'Boys in blue, Austin came out of nowhere to lead all Dallas receivers with 1,320 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also was voted to start the Pro Bowl for the first time in his four-year career.

Wait, Austin has been in the league for four years?

As crazy as it is to realize, Austin has been on the Cowboys' roster since 2006. During his first three seasons with Dallas, he caught just 18 receptions for 354 yards and three touchdowns—most of which came in 2008.

With this in mind, should Jones wait another year before signing him to a long-term deal with a massive payout?

For the record, this article is in no way intended to bash on Austin and question his ability as a wide receiver. The point trying to be made is a player's contract shouldn't be based off the performance of one breakout season.

Over the years, there have been numerous NFL owners who have made the mistake of rewarding their players with a massive contract based off the performance of one season.

Just look at what the Cleveland Browns did with Derek Anderson.

Anderson received a three-year deal worth a maximum $26 million after throwing for 29 touchdowns and earning a spot on the Pro Bowl after a breakout 2007 season. Since then, he's started just 16 games and thrown just 12 touchdowns.

If anything, Jones should take the approach the New Orleans Saints did with wide receiver Marques Colston.

Colston was selected by the Saints in the seventh round of the 2006 NFL Draft. In his first season, the former Hofstra standout was one of the most unexpected breakout stars during his rookie campaign, as he finished with 1,038 yards receiving and eight touchdowns.

As impressive as his rookie season was, the Saints knew it would be a risky move to reward a seventh-round pick with a hefty payout after just one breakout season. Instead, they waited until after his sophomore year in which he finished with even better numbers (1,202 yards and 11 touchdowns) before rewarding him with a raise as part of his three-year extension.

Austin's story is similar to Colston's considering both players emerged to NFL stardom when least expected. However, there's always the risk of a one-hit wonder when it comes to breakout seasons in the NFL.

Every NFL fan—especially the Cowboys—would love to see Austin continue to be a reliable No. 1 option for Romo over the next couple of seasons. After emerging as one of the top wide receivers in '09, there is every reason to believe he can return next season as one of the top wideouts.

However, Jones needs to be smart about his money and what he invests in. Do the right thing, Jerry; wait at least one more year so Austin can prove that his performance this season was no fluke. Make him show he would be worth every penny if rewarded with a hefty long-term deal.