SB Nation - Paul Fanaika

Isdaner Replaces Fanaika on the Practice Squad

Bob_Q — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 15:11:36 -0000

A mini player rotation has swirled through the NFC East during the days leading up to Thanksgiving. Yesterday, it was announced that the Redskins had signed offensive guard Paul Fanaika off of the Eagles practice squad. Today, the Eagles have replaced the 2009 7th round selection with former Cowboys LG Greg Isdaner. The rookie free agent spent the 2009 preseason with Dallas, only to be released during the final roster cuts. Here are some quick stats about the newest player to put on an Eagles uniform:

Number: 68

Height: 6'3"

Weight: 325 lbs

College: West Virginia

Accolades: 3-year starter, ESPN first-team All-America Honors '08

Philadelphia Eagles Training Camp Preview - Interior offensive line

JasonB — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 10:00:13 -0000

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.

The big uglies. The trenches... That's where we look to today as we take on the interior of the Eagles offensive line. Center and Guard.

The Bodies

Stacy Andrews, Nick Cole, Mike Gibson, Paul Fanaika, Todd Herremans, Jamaal Jackson, Max Jean-Gilles, Mike McGlynn, Fenuki Tupou, Chris Patrick. (Tupou & Patrick are listed as OTs, but they'll probably compete at several spots on the line)

Presumed starters

Stacy Andrews(RG), Jamaal Jackson(C), Todd Herremans(LG). Assuming all are healthy, it's pretty unlikely that any of these three won't be starting this year. The only real question is the knee of Stacy Andrews. He tore his ACL last year and had surgery in early January. Whether he'll be 100% ready to go by the time the season starts is not sure.

New additions

Stacy Andrews signed as a free agent from the Cincinnati Bengals.

Paul Fanaika was drafted in the 7th round & Fenuki Tupou was drafted in the 5th this year.

What to watch for

There's a lot of capable players and new draft picks fighting for a precious few spots on the interior of the Eagles offensive line. Nick Cole, being able to play C or G is probably a shoe in to make it... Max Jean-Gilles is the most senior member of the group fighting for backup jobs. However, Gilles broke his fibula last year in the Thanksgiving game against Arizona and it will be interesting to see how he's recovered and whether the injury will bother him in camp.

A guy I'll have my eye on is second year man Mike McGlynn. McGlynn was a 4th round pick last year and his nasty demeanor on the field drew comparisons to Jon Runyan. Having spent a year in the system with offensive line coach Juan Castillo, I'm excited to see how how McGlynn's development is progressing.

Another second year man to keep an eye on is Mike Gibson, who was spending time learning both guard and center last year. Jamaal Jackson and Nick Cole have generally been the only centers in camp in recent years and it will nice to see some more competition in there.

All that said, the #1 storyline is going to be the health of Stacy Andrews. If he's not going ot be ready to start the season, the likes of Jean-Gilles & McGlynn will be fighting for starting jobs... not backup positions.

Previous position previews

2009 Schedule Preview: Week 2 @ the Philadelphia Eagles

Saintsational — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 11:00:20 -0000

The Eagles enter the 2009 season after falling to the Cardinals in the NFC Championship game. Over the last few years Philadelphia has slowly become an NFC rival of sort to the New Orleans Saints, having played once in 2007 and twice - including the playoffs - in 2006; All of which were here in New Orleans. Last seasons Saints schedule was Eagle-free but the birds are back for more in 2009 and to keep the new found tradition alive and well. This time, it's on their turf and it could prove to be the first real challenge for the black and gold. So what have the Eagles been doing in the meantime and what can Saints fans expect from the next meeting of these two teams? That's exactly what we'll take a look at.

Eagles Offense

Donovan McNabb demanded more weapons on offense and threatened the Eagles front office to be more aggressive this off-season and it seems they've listened. At least a little. Not only did the team use their first three draft picks on the offensive side of the ball - WR Jeremy Maclin, RB LeSean McCoy and TE Cornelius Ingram - but they also acquired offensive tackle Jason Peters from Buffalo to help protect McNabb in what was one of the more talked about trades of the off-season. Already the sixth best passing offense in the league last year, thanks to the performance of rookie receiver DeSean Jackson (that's how it's done, Meachem!), the Eagles look to maintain their high-powered aerial attack, despite the loss of tight end L.J. Smith.

Though the Eagles lost backup running back Correll Buckhalter in free agency this year, McCoy was a great pickup and a good value in the second round of the draft. The acquisition of fullback Leonard Weaver also has fans in Philadelphia excited about the depth at running back this season behind Brian Westbrook.

An upgraded Eagles offense could definitely get the better of the Saints defense, particularly the secondary. This might be worrisome.

Eagles Defense

The Eagles pass defense took a bit of a hit this off-season when it lost veteran free safety Brian Dawkins along with strong safety Sean Considine. Alas, the team addressed those needs in the off-season by signing two free agent safeties: Sean Jones and Rashad Baker. Then, of course, there was the inevitable departure of Lito Sheppard (not to the Saints) whom the Eagles replaced by bringing in cornerback Ellis Hobbs. Philadelphia's linebacking corp and defensive line remain strong and pretty much in tact.

The Saints offense was number one in the league last year so I'm allowed to believe they can achieve success against any other teams defense but the Eagles are certainly nothing to laugh at in that department, having been ranked third in the league themselves. Exploiting the new secondary may be the key.

Eagles 2009 Season

9-6-1

Last Meeting

December 23, 2007

Week 16	1	2	3	4	OT	Final
Eagles	21	3	7	7	--	38
Saints	14	3	0	6	--	23

Why the Saints Can Win

It won't be freezing yet in Philly.

Why the Saints Can Lose

The defense might not be improved enough to stop McNabb and company.

Prediction

Saints 21 - Eagles 20

Newly Acquired

CB Ellis Hobbs

OT Jason Peters

FB Leonard Weaver

S Sean Jones

OT Stacy Andrews

S Rashad Baker

2009 Draft Picks

WR Jeremy Maclin

RB LeSean McCoy

TE Cornelius Ingram

CB/S Victor Harris

OT Fenuki Tupou

WR Brandon Gibson

G Paul Fanaika

OLB Moise Fokou

Key Losses

OL Tra Thomas

FS Brian Dawkins

RB Correll Buckhalter

TE L.J. Smith

SS Sean Considine

Linkage

Bleeding Green Nation

SB Nation Eagles Coverage

Saints @ Eagles Coverage

Philadelphia Eagles Roster

Philadelphia Eagles Depth Chart

Philadelphia Eagles Transactions

Poll

Will the Eagles hand the Saints their first loss of the season?

No, the Saints have got this in the bag.

213 votes

Sadly...yes.

257 votes

No. The Lions will take care of that.

27 votes

497 votes | Poll has closed