Bleeding Green Nation

The Linc - DeMeco Ryans Is The Leader The Eagles Didn't Have

2012-05-17T14:02:11Z

Eagles' DeMeco Ryans 'the leader Philly didn't have' - NFL.com
Upgrading the linebacker corps was a top priority for the Eagles this offseason. First, they acquired two-time Pro Bowl middle linebacker DeMeco Ryans from the Houston Texans in March. Even though Ryans is a road block to his path back to a starting role, Matthews praised the addition in an interview with the team's official website. "He's the leader that we didn't have," Matthews said. "He's been through it all. He's overcome injuries. He's a good leader. He knows how to motivate people."

Ranking The Divisions By QB - NFL.com
#3 NFC East - The QBs in this division are all must-see TV. Manning has two Super Bowl rings and a growing reputation as a clutch performer. Romo had an excellent 2011 season that should quiet some of his critics. Vick started poorly last season, but he became more patient and efficient during the last quarter of the season. RG3 landed with the perfect coach to take advantage of his talents.

Eagles' DeSean Jackson has a new attitude
Having a new deal, he said, felt like "100 pounds of stress relieved off my shoulders." "It was a tough year for myself, had a lot of struggles, had a lot of things that just took me off of my game and my focus," Jackson said. "This year, a lot of that has just been removed, and I'm able to focus and be comfortable and be confident that I'm at a place where I'm wanted. I just really want to be able to bring a championship to the city."

Washburn faces tough decisions
The Birds' pass rush is loaded with talent. It's up to Jim Washburn to decide who stays, who goes and who plays.

VIDEO: Fat Sixers Fan Is An Instant Sensation - Four For Four - SB Nation Philly
I'm not sure what us innocent viewers at home ever did to the folks at TNT, but after catching a glimpse of this incredibly fat guy waving his gut at the Celtics as they tried to take free throws... They couldn't turn their cameras away. They showed him, and his "front butt", time and time again...

Ray's Replies: Hard to compare pre-1978 WRs
It is impossible to compare wide receivers with their pre-1978 counterparts, Ray Didinger explains in an e-mail response to a fan.

Michael Vick On NFLN's Top 100 Players Tonight

2012-05-17T00:25:13Z

Michael Vick On NFLN's Top 100 Players Tonight

Click link for a sneak preview of the segment, complete with Jeremy Maclin's introduction

Casey Matthews now weighs 250 pounds.

2012-05-16T21:04:46Z

Casey Matthews now weighs 250 pounds.

Apparently Casey spent all offseason with his big brother Clay "getting stronger".

If he really weighs 250 pounds now I have to wonder if Clay is giving him some of his special supplements...

BirdWord Of The Day - Mini-Impressive

2012-05-16T18:00:42Z

In this week's "BirdWord of the Day," Jordan Raanan discusses who was most impressive during the Eagles' recent rookie mini-camp.

Follow Jordan on twitter @JordanRaanan.

#Eagles already have basically decided to reduce at least $3.25 mill it cost to sign Demetress Bell...

2012-05-16T16:08:26Z

#Eagles already have basically decided to reduce at least $3.25 mill it cost to sign Demetress Bell this yr. Suggs undetermined

@mortreport

Jason Peters salary reduced this year due to non football injury

Eagles 7th Round Pick Bryce Brown Speaks

2012-05-16T16:00:32Z

As anyone who reads the blog knows, I've been fascinated by the Eagles selection of RB Bryce Brown. Usually you see guys that are good college players become busts in the NFL. The Eagles are trying to make the opposite come true with Brown. So when he spoke to the media after last weekend's minicamp, I was interested.

He was first asked how appreciative he was for the chance to play in the NFL given what happened in college?

"Definitely. It's been a humbling experience. If I had to go back and change one thing, I wouldn't change anything. What I went through is what I had to go through as a person to help me out. I think it has, like you said, [helped me to] appreciate the game more."

I know that "I wouldn't change anything" is a cliche people like to say, but perhaps Brown shouldn't. You did quit on two different teams and violate recruiting rules with another. Maybe you'd like to change at least one or maybe two of those things?

He was also asked how much he knew about the Eagles before the draft?

"I know there's a lot of talent over here, but I haven't watched much NFL football. I'm a players guy, and I always rooted for certain players. I was never big on any organizations, and I always worried about and looked up to certain players. I liked Reggie Bush, Barry Sanders being from my hometown - just anybody who was able to make plays and was a threat to use their versatility to make things happen."

So he hasn't really played football in 2 years and hasn't watched it either. Nice. I'm hoping that his specifying "NFL" football he means that he did at least watch some college ball.

All that said, I really don't dislike the pick. I don't entirely get it, but like many here I'm intrigued by Brown. And to be fair, he does not come off as entitled and is generally quite humble in his manner.

"I just want to help out any way I can, wherever that's at and whatever coaches calls on me to do. If they think I can be a big part of the offense and a part of things, then I'll take on that responsibility. If not, I'll just wait until it's my time and keep working hard."

Of course, actions do speak louder than words and so far his actions scream "TOTAL HEADCASE! WASTE OF TALENT!"

Thanks to Howie Roseman and & Andy Reid though, he's got one more chance to show some better actions.

FO: Eagles Were Remarkably Healthy Last Year

2012-05-16T13:00:31Z

Last week, Football Outsiders released study of what they call "adjusted games lost," which essentially measures weights injuries based on the importance of the players affected, the extent of the injury etc.

Last year, by their measure, the Eagles were decimated by injuries ranking 27th in the league in AGL (the lower, the worse). They lost 70 games worth of injuries. This year, the fortunes were totally reversed. They lost 21.9 games to injury, which was the 2nd least in the NFL. However, contrary to conventional wisdom about how important staying healthy is... they won 2 fewer games than in 2010.

The Patriots and Giants, the two Super Bowl participants, lost the 3rd most and the 7th most games to injury in the league. Although, and I don't know much FO weights this, they didn't lose a game from their starting QBs...

And that's not an insignificant point. Remember, the Giants went 9-7 last year. The Eagles went 8-8. Funny enough, one of those wins for the Eagles and losses for the Giants was when Vince Young was filling in for Vick... But it does underscore the point that of all injuries, there's really one big one that can decide your season. Of all guys that have to stay healthy for the Eagles to improve next year, Michael Vick is far and away the most important.

This is not to say that health of your team isn't important. Baltimore, New Orleans & Detroit were the other 3 of the 4 healthiest teams in the league and they all made the playoffs. But again, none of their quarterbacks missed any games either.

But all that said, this just makes last year all that much more disappointing.

The Linc - Marshall Faulk Is Not An Eagles Fan

2012-05-16T10:00:22Z

2012 Philadelphia Eagles Offseason Review: They're Doing It Again - SB Nation Philly
In honor of the rookie minicamp that took place over the weekend, Dan Klausner decided this would be a good time to review the Eagles' 2012 offseason -- one which will prove pivotal to the future of the Andy Reid era

Faulk: Eagles won't make playoffs in 2012
On NFL.com’s "NFL Total Access", former NFL running back Marshall Faulk and former NFL defensive lineman Warren Sapp discussed the Eagles' 2012 playoff chances.

Here's hoping this prediction is as good as Faulk's prediction that the Rams would score a "40 burger" on the Eagles in week one of last season.

Receiver Demaris Johnson among players with baggage getting break from Eagles
Demaris Johnson looks like he might be able to run away from anything. But there is no running away from security cameras, or from a felony embezzlement charge.

Cosell Talks: 2012 NFL Draft Post-Mortem 2 : NFL Films Blog
There’s only one way to evaluate a team’s draft immediately after it happens, before the draftees have taken a snap on Sunday: Heading into the draft, how did you project each player’s transition to the NFL? Based on my film study, the Eagles’ brain trust (led by Howie Roseman and Andy Reid) did an outstanding job

Law school or the NFL? Ohio State linebacker chooses torts over tackles | Shutdown Corner - Yahoo! Sports
Given today's economy, any recent college grad would consider themselves lucky to have two viable options. Andrew Sweat, former linebacker at Ohio State, does have two options, and he's choosing to be a 1L instead of an LB.

Bleeding Green Nation

The Linc - DeMeco Ryans Is The Leader The Eagles Didn't Have

Michael Vick On NFLN's Top 100 Players Tonight

Michael Vick On NFLN's Top 100 Players Tonight

Casey Matthews now weighs *250 pounds*.

Casey Matthews now weighs *250 pounds*.

BirdWord Of The Day - Mini-Impressive

#Eagles already have basically decided to reduce at least $3.25 mill it cost to sign Demetress Bell...

Eagles 7th Round Pick Bryce Brown Speaks

FO: Eagles Were Remarkably Healthy Last Year

The Linc - Marshall Faulk Is Not An Eagles Fan

Casey Matthews now weighs 250 pounds.

Casey Matthews now weighs 250 pounds.