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The Linc - Lane Johnson still chasing Dennis Kelly

2013-05-22T10:00:04Z

Dennis Kelly ahead of Lane Johnson, for now | Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia
Dennis Kelly freely admits it. When the first Eagles depth chart came out, and his name ranked above Lane Johnson at right tackle, it caught him by surprise. He hadn’t expected to be summoned to run with the starters. “No, to be honest,” the second-year tackle said Monday after practice. “Lane is a good player. They’re bringing him along and I’m just trying to take advantage of the opportunity I have.”

NFL helping Eagles improve the Linc | Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia
Eagles fans will notice some changes this coming season at Lincoln Financial Field designed to upgrade the stadium and enhance fan experience.   The NFL on Tuesday approved a plan to give the franchise some financial support as the venue undergoes cosmetic enhancements. The league announced the decision at the Owners Meetings in Boston.  

Trent Cole Rejuvenated By Transition
"It's a new challenge. I'm a very competitive person. I'm really a stubborn-type person. I don't want to fail at anything. I'm going to go all-out so I can be successful at it. I think that's helped me through my whole career. I'm just going to keep moving from here," said Cole, who will still play defensive end in certain packages. "I've been in the league for nine years now. I've got to get my mind mentally ready to start back over again. I've got to wipe my slate clean."

Browns claim Stony Brook star Maysonet - ESPN New York Blog - ESPN New York
It didn’t take long for Miguel Maysonet to find a new team. The former Stony Brook star, released Monday by the Philadelphia Eagles, was claimed on waivers Tuesday by the Cleveland Browns, according to a source.

Bigger Eagles receivers could mean tiniest one stands out - mcall.com
DeSean Jackson figures to thrive in Chip Kelly's offense, or be the main reason why others do.

Forecasting the Philadelphia Eagles' offense - ESPN
Michael Vick should love this offense, and the read-option likely also will be a part of this offensive package, but not the primary scheme. Vick won't have a lot of seven-step drops and unnecessary hits -- the ball should be out quickly with fairly easy reads and not a lot of audibles. There is nothing that Kelly will require that Vick is not capable of doing -- but he must be more consistent.

Philadelphia Eagles get league backing for stadium revitalization project

2013-05-21T20:42:18Z

The NFL owners met today to discuss a range of issues including moving the date of the draft, awarding Super Bowls L & LI as well as several stadium issues for a number of teams.

The Super Bowls were awarded to San Francisco (L) & Houston (LI)... but it's the stadium issues that directly relate to the Eagles, who have a project in the works to "revitalize" Lincoln Financial Field.

"We are excited to have received league support today for our stadium revitalization project at Lincoln Financial Field," said Eagles President Don Smolenski. "We will share the details of this project with our fans in the coming weeks."

The details of the Eagles' plans for 10 year old Linc are not known. Although just taking a guess, it could be related to video screen upgrades or even the addition of some new seating.

The Eagles were not the only team to discuss their stadium today. The Atlanta Falcons received a $200 million loan from the NFL to build a new stadium. Taxpayers will pick up another $200 million with Falcons owner Arthur Blank footing the rest of the bill.

Miami was denied Super Bowl LI almost certainly because the local & state government is refusing to pay for any part of a stadium upgrade for the Dolphins. It's no coincidence that the 49ers will now host a Super Bowl in Santa Clara after they received public money to build a new stadium.

2013 Eagles win totals: Take the under?

2013-05-21T16:21:56Z

Casinos and other various betting houses have been releasing their 2013 NFL win totals for over/under bets on the upcoming season.

Earlier this month Covers.com had the Eagles at 6.5 and so far the latest odds generally agree. Atlantis also has the total set at 6.5 while LVH is a little more optimistic at 7 wins. These totals put the Eagles in the same area as teams like the Lions, Dolphins, Titans & Bills.

ESPN's Dave Tulley says while there's reason for optimism, it may be too early to bet on the Eagles beating 7 wins.

We're just two years removed from the Eagles being referred to as the "Dream Team." But after two disappointing seasons, head coach Andy Reid is gone and replaced by Oregon's Chip Kelly and his wide-open spread offense. There's reason for optimism, but I'm not sure the team will fully adapt to the new system in his first season. Tuley's Take: Under 7

As for the rest of the NFC East, the Giants are mostly at 9 wins across the board, which Tulley says to pass on. The Cowboys are 8.5, which he'd bet the over on. The Redskins are at 8 wins, a number Tulley says he'd pass on.

So of the 4 NFC East teams, which is the most likely to be UNDER their projected win total for 2013?

Poll

Of the 4 NFC East teams, which is the most likely to be UNDER their projected win total for 2013?

Kurt Coleman on the Eagles new defense: "The offense doesn't know where we are coming from"

2013-05-21T13:00:07Z

In the first few weeks of the Eagles offseason program, the team's offense has been the main topic of discussion. With players hitting the field without pads, the offensive playmakers are able to shine without the threat of a hit, but Eagles safety Kurt Coleman believes the the team's new defense could be the unit that turns heads on gameday.

Coleman spoke to reporters on Monday after practice, and said the defense will be a force to be reckoned with."I like this defense. The offense doesn't know where we are coming from," said Coleman with a certainty. "We're giving the same look and bringing different people every single time."

The fourth-year defensive back knows that he and the rest of the Andy Reid holdovers have a lot to prove to the new coaching staff. He says the unit needs to finish games and play to their talent level. "The whole defense, we did not play up to our potential (last year)," said the Ohio State alum. "We'd make plays then give up plays (later). We weren't always on the same page, so I am not going to make excuses."

A 2010 seventh-round pick, Coleman has started 29 of the 44 games he has played in since entering the league. While he has been able to put up a decent stat line over the last three seasons (207 tackles, 11 pass deflections, seven interceptions and two forced fumbles), his performance in games has drawn criticism from Eagles fans due to his inconsistencies. Coleman admits he needs to improve. "You gotta be able to run, you gotta tackle, you gotta make plays when (the ball) comes your way," said Coleman. "I believe that no matter what you're doing, you have to play football."

Still, Coleman knows 2013 will be a big indicator of his future in the league. He thinks Billy Davis's scheme will help him improve both his performance and his paycheck. "I gotta be able to work on every single part of my game and this (new defense) is going to get me paid, and get me some interceptions," said Coleman with a smile.

In order for Coleman's premonitions to come true, he will have make the team, which has a crowded safety unit. Either way, it sounds like he is coming into the competition with the right mindset.

The Linc - Nick Foles edging Michael Vick in first team snaps

2013-05-21T10:00:07Z

Foles takes more reps than Vick and other Eagles practice observations
Nick Foles had the slight edge in quarterback repetitions with the first team. According to my math, Foles took 21 snaps and Michael Vick had 15. Vick had the edge last Monday. Vick took 21 snaps to Foles’ 16 with the second team. Matt Barkley’s snaps with the third team increase dramatically over last Monday.

NFL's Dumbest Teams: Chip Kelly Must Re-Educate Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles fielded plenty of talent last year, especially on offense. It was certainly enough talent to win more than four games. But Andy Reid’s final team went 4-12 because it executed poorly in situational football and repeatedly suffered mental mistakes. It was, in other words, the dumbest team in football. The Eagles did plenty of big things right. They ranked 15th in both total offense and total defense last year – production that should have been good enough to make Philadelphia a wild-card contender. But the Eagles did all the little things wrong.

Foles vs. Vick: Eagles have a true QB battle | Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia
So far, all signs point to a real quarterback battle between Nick Foles and Michael Vick this offseason.

Twists and slants: How to generate pressure with only 4 rushers - SBNation.com
Want to win games in the NFL? Have a defensive front that can generate pressure all by itself. Here's how.

Super Bowl L, LI hosts to be picked Tuesday - ESPN
Where the Super Bowl will celebrate a half-century of existence will be decided this week by NFL owners. They have two choices for the 50th anniversary game in 2016: the San Francisco Bay Area and South Florida. The 49ers' new stadium is being built and is scheduled to open for the 2014 season. With the NFL showing a penchant for bringing its championship game to new venues -- Dallas and Indianapolis very recently, New Jersey next February -- Santa Clara would appear to have a strong chance. Only once has the Bay Area staged a Super Bowl, in 1985 at Stanford Stadium.

NFL close to shifting draft to May -- sources - ESPN
The NFL and NFL Players Association are on the verge of pushing back the draft to May and moving up the start of the league year to before the Indianapolis scouting combine, according to league and union sources. The change of the draft to May would be effective in 2014, according to a source.

Another week, another glimpse into new Eagles world
The Eagles opened OTAs to the media again Monday, providing us another blurry snapshot of the new landscape.

Taiwan Jones flips over to cornerback exclusively - Silver And Black Pride
Former running back Taiwan Jones has officially made the switch to cornerback for the Raiders

LeSean McCoy leaves practice after tweaking knee

2013-05-20T19:16:19Z

Really the only negative thing that could possibly come out of an OTA would be an injury... and it seems the Eagles may have avoided what would have been a very costly one.

LeSean McCoy left practice today after experiencing some discomfort in his knee. Reports from the NovaCare complex indicate that he didn't appear seriously injured. Jeff McLane caught up with Shady during lunch and said everything looked fine as well.

Just saw LeSean McCoy. Was eating. Looked fine. Said he did something to his knee.
— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) May 20, 2013

It's worth noting that this is just the second time the media has been allowed to watch OTAs and will be the last time until next week. So this likely wasn't the first time a player tweaked, bruised, or knicked something... It's just the first we've heard about.

Either way, it does seem like it's nothing to be concerned about.

A look at the athletic Eagles offensive line

2013-05-20T18:01:01Z

Since Chip Kelly was hired and even moreso since he's started OTAs, NFL pundits have been scrambling to figure him out. Those who weren't avid followers of Oregon are now going back to watch film to look for certain themes from Chip's offense there that he'll likely transfer to the NFL.

While we've already seen a hint at some of his plans with the influx of TEs this offseason, the one thing every seems to have agreed on from the start is that Chip is going to need an athletic offensive line. As Gary Horton of ESPN.com points out, he was fortunate to inherit one here in Philadelphia.

All of this potential success in running the football is dependent on something that people do not talk about. You must have an athletic offensive line that can block in space and get to the second level, something Kelly had at Oregon and now has in Philadelphia. Four of the five projected starters up front (including No. 4 overall pick Lane Johnson) run under 5.00 seconds in the 40-yard dash, and they get out and block on the move. Not only must they be athletic, though, but they also have to be in great physical shape to run the volume of plays that they will be asked.

The Eagles offensive line does have guys that can move. I decided to check out Horton's assertion about their 40 times and he's right. Here are the 40 times of the projected starters.

LT - Jason Peters - 4.95

LG - Evan Mathis - 4.92

C - Jason Kelce - 4.93

RG - Todd Herremans - 5.22

RT - Lane Johnson - 4.72

Danny Watkins, who also has a shot at the RG job, ran a 5.36.

Obviously the 40 yard dash is not the only measure of an offensive lineman's athleticism, it does appear to be a pretty decent reflection of the reality we've seen. We know that what made Jason Kelce so valuable in the 2nd half of his rookie season was his ability to pull out and run in Howard Mudd's zone scheme. We know that Jason Peters is able to get out in front of backs in space better than Todd Herremans.

So assuming these guys all get healthy and stay that way... Kelly certainly seems to have the horses he needs up front.

Preview: Philadelphia Eagles OTA's Continue Today!

2013-05-20T13:00:09Z

Another week, another set of OTA's. The Eagles will hit the practice field with music blasting, sideline signaling and smoothies being made. The team has been installing its new offensive and defensive schemes under Chip Kelly and Billy Davis, will continue to expand the knowledge of its veterans and rookies during this latest three-day stretch.

As always, the Eagles website and BGN will have complete coverage of OTAs, so while you are watching live coverage at PE.com or just looking for stories on BGN, keep in mind a few changes from last week's start the full-team offseason practices. Over the last week, the team has stayed busy on the business side of crafting the roster. Gone are roster bottom-dwellers like Ronnie Cameron, DeMarco Sampson, Marvin McNutt (2012 6th Round pick; claimed by Dolphins) and Matt Reynolds (Dallas's brother and fellow BYUer). The team has added Oregon undrafted WR Will Murphy, Hampton undrafted DE Daryell Walker, Golden West undrafted OT Nic Purcell and former Dallas Cowboys RB Felix Jones. Also, the team has waived Miguel Maysonet, for undrafted free agent tight end, Will Shaw of Youngstown (OH).

Midday Update: Nick Foles took the first team reps today, with Michael Vick running with the second team and Matt Barkley with the third. Dennis Dixon and G.J. Kinne received no 7-on-7 reps. Jason Peters, Cary Williams, and Pat Chung all missed OTAs today because of weather in the cities they are in did not allow for travel. They should be back tomorrow.

Here is the current roster (with numbers) so you can follow along during live coverage with the team's website: