SB Nation - Charleston Hughes

Vick to play with starters Thursday night

JasonB — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 17:47:13 -0000

3 months ago: Philadelphia Eagles quarterbacks Michael Vick, right, and Donovan McNabb practices at NFL football training camp in Philadelphia, Monday, Aug. 24, 2009. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

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Andy Reid just concluded his post practice press conference and filled us in on who's and who's out of this Thursday's 3rd preseason game against the Jaguars. The third preseason game is typically the most important as it's the one the starters play the most.

Donovan McNabb will play the first three quarters and Kevin Kolb will play the 4th. Where does that leave Mike Vick you ask? Good question. Reid was cagey as to what Vick's role would be, but he did say that Vick would play the first 3 quarters with the starters. It seemed the implication was that he could see time both with McNabb and maybe even take a series with the starters at QB himself. He also said he had no reservations about showing Vick in the Wildcat formation. I gotta say, Big Red looked downright giddy as he announced this. Should be interesting...

He also ran down the list of guys who won't be playing this Thursday.

Coach Reid also updated the injury status of a number of players. Sheldon Brown (rib strain), Omar Gaither (knee sprain), Leonard Weaver (sprained MCL), Shawn Andrews (back), Todd Herremans (stress reaction in foot), Darren Howard (groin), Charleston Hughes (foot contusion), Tracy White (rib strain), and newly acquired Tony Curtis (high ankle sprain) all will not play against the Jaguars.

You may notice that one big name is not on that list, Brian Westbrook. Westbrook will play, but won't go the three quarters with the starters. My guess is that he goes a couple series or a quarter at most. Stacy Andrews and Jason Peters will also play.

Philadelphia Eagles Training Camp Preview - Linebackers

JasonB — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 16:00:30 -0000

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This is the next installment in our series of 12 positions in 12 days previewing the upcoming Eagles training camp. Rookie and selected vets report to Lehigh July 26th and each day leading up to that date we will bring you a preview of a different position battle.

Another day, another legit battle. As I said yesterday, most of the starting jobs on this team are pretty much set. Linebacker is not one of them. Well, at WILL linebacker at least...

The Bodies

Stewart Bradley, Tank Daniels, Moise Fokou, Omar Gaither, Chris Gocong, Charleston Hughes, Akeem Jordan, Joe Mays, Tracy White.

Presumed Starters

Stewart Bradley opened some eyes last year both locally and nationally and will start at the MIKE LB position again this year. Sports Illustrated named Bradley as an all pro last year and I'm sure all Eagles fans are excited to see how he develops in year 3.

Chris Gocong, who transitioned from college DE to NFL LB, has gotten consistently better over his time here. A fact that our pals at Iggles Blog have chronicled over the past year... While Gocong is still a work in progress overall(especially in coverage), he's made himself into a very good run stopper. His ability to take on a fullback and stop him in his tracks is something we haven't seen from an Eagles' LB in some time. I don't really see anyone on this roster capable of mounting a serious threat for his job this year.

The WILL LB spot is another story. Akeem Jordan took the job from Omar Gaither last year and played well down the stretch, but it should be pretty much an open competition heading into Lehigh this year.

New Additions

Moise Fokou was drafted in the 7th round

Charleston Hughes was signed as a free agent from the CFL's Calgary Stampeders.

What to Watch For

The big battle should be at the WILL spot. Omar Gaither has bounced around the LB corps since he was drafted, but it was usually as a starter. He took over the starting WILL job inhis rookie year where he did a solid job, then he won the middle LB job the year Trotter was cut, and this past year he was moved back to WILL to make room for Stewart Bradley in the middle... Halfway through last year, after the Bengals disaster specifically, Gaither lost his job to Akeem Jordan. Jordan did a solid job and held onto the job, to his credit Gaither worked hard on special teams and stood out a few times on that unit. Frankly, I never really saw specifically what Gaither was or wasn't doing that caused him to get demoted... but I trust that Jim Johnson did.

It's a new year and Omar has a chance to get his job back, but he's got to contend with a guy in Akeem Jordan whose confidence and ability has grown after a half year stating himself. Also in the mix could be Joe Mays, who despite being drafted as middle linebacker, did see some snaps at WILL in the spring.

Mostly, the storyline to watch will simply be the development of this young LB corps. Bradley, Gaither, & Gocong are all 25 and Akeem Jordan is just 23. This is a very young crew that now has spent a good amount of time together starting in the NFL... The ceiling is high for these guys and I'm excited to see them continue to develop together.

Previous position previews

Interior Offensive Line

Offensive Tackles

Defensive Tackles

Defensive End

The Linc - Hank & Kendra get married

JasonB — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 13:06:59 -0000

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It's Official! Kendra Wilkinson Marries Hank Baskett - E! Online
Hank Baskett got married to playmate Kendra Wilkinson at the Playboy mansion yesterday.

Saginaw High's Charleston Hughes earns Grey Cup ring, joins Philadelphia Eagles for shot at Super Bowl ring - Saginaw, Michigan Sports News - The Saginaw News � MLive.com
Some background about one of the newest Eagles, Charleston Hughes.

Eagles' O-line has 'very good' potential - NJ.com
You know you're doing well when you can let your two starting tackles -- both of whom have gone to a Pro Bowl -- leave and get better at the position.

One Eagle in the top 50? | Philadelphia Philly.com | 06/27/2009
one national writer doesn't seem to think too much of the Eagles' individual talent. CBSSports.com's Pete Prisco put together a list of the top 50 players in the league, and no Birds player is listed among the top 48.

Some US manufacturers see benefit to going green| Sport | guardian.co.uk
The Philadelphia Eagles have conducted green business practices since 2003, saving millions of dollars in energy bills while reducing landfill waste generated by fans on game days, said Leonard Bonacci, the club's director of event operations.

Small-town Tank rolls into Holland: NFL linebacker wants to spread message to young campers - TDTNews.com - Temple Daily Telegram
The Philadelphia Eagles’ Tank Daniels is teaming with several other NFL players to conduct a two-day summer football camp at Holland High School today and Friday.