Link to full article: http://www.bleed-green.com/blog/?p=5106

The Interview

The interview was set up with Stephen Baker from www.andthevalleyshook.com, a blog regarding everything LSU sports. Stephen is a passionate and intelligent blogger of the LSU Tigers, and he shares with you his four-year observation of Charles Scott!

1. Tell us about Charles Scott based on your observations (off and on field).

First, the good news. Charles Scott was a team leader who never once publicly complained about the fact the team was constantly trying to give his job to Keiland Williams despite Williams’ staggering lack of production. He runs like a tank, actively seeking out contact. He also has a nose for the goal line, as he scored 18 touchdowns two seasons ago. Injuries and a shockingly awful offensive line derailed his senior year, but Scott still averaged 4.7 yards per carry. The bad news? Scott is slow. I don’t mean, he’s slow for a running back, I mean he is slow for a human being. You know how some backs have that second gear? Yeah, well Scott doesn’t. He is not a big play back. He’s a slog in the mud, get you four yards every time kind of back. that has it’s virtues, but it doesn’t limit his NFL utility. He’s a short yardage back and probably nothing more at the pro level. I should also use this as my soapbox for talking about production versus tools. NFL scouts drool over "measurables" and it’s easy to understand why. But LSU fans spent the last four years watching two backs, one a five star recruit with talent coming out of his ear hole (Keiland Williams) and the other a grind it out back that got the most out of his talent (Scott). And I would take Scott over Williams ever day of the week and twice on Sunday. Williams is an athlete. Scott is a football player. Williams could never take Scott’s job despite being the more talented guy because Williams could get tackled by a blade of grass. You need an atom bomb to bring down Scott.

2. Why is RB Charles Scott a perfect fit for the Philadelphia Eagles specifically?

Well, the most I know about the Eagles is that Desean Jackson won me my fantasy football league. So, thanks, Eagles! OK, that’s not true. I’m not sure your plans with Westbrook, but Scott would be a perfect compliment to a back like that. McCoy and Westbrook, and feel free to correct me if I’m wrong since I don’t follow the Eagles like you guys, seem to be very similar backs. Scott would fit in nicely as the power back to bring some contact to the defense to open up holes for the quicker backs. Think Alstott to the other backs’ Warrick Dunn. Actually, Alstott is a terrific comp for Scott, particularly for their bruising style in college.

3. Which current NFL veteran would you compare Charles Scott to?

Oops. I jumped to that question a bit early, didn’t I? I see Scott like Mike Alstott. A good clubhouse guy who runs hard but lacks breakaway speed. He’ll run hard, particularly near the goalline. He’s not going to be an every down back and he’s not going to be a star. But he has the potential to be one of those cult heroes that every NFL team has. Look, I love Charles Scott, but I also don’t want to lie to you guys. There’s a reason he fell to the late rounds. You didn’t draft Emmit Smith.

4. You’ve watched Charles play at LSU for several years, tell us something that many experts haven’t mentioned about his play?

He’s actually a far quicker back than anyone thinks. He may lack speed, but Scott actually can make people miss in tight space. Scott is very good at getting the ball, making a hard cut and hitting the hole. Now, he had problems last season when he was getting hit in the backfield, but that had more to do with a lousy offensive line (and I cannot stress enough how terrible our offensive line was) than Scott. He can make one guy miss, not three. For a guy who I’ve consistently described as a tank, he is surprisingly nimble. Scott has good footwork. He’s not Barry Sanders, but he’s not Ron Dayne either. Scott will make the first guy miss, then he will deliver the pain.

5. Give us your realistic expectations for Scott in his rookie season, as well as his NFL future?

Realistically, I see him only getting in for special teams and in short yardage situations. He’ll have a low YPC because he’ll be running against stacked fronts in these situations, but he’ll have a high conversion rate. He get first downs and score about 4-5 touchdowns, but he probably won’t crack 200 yards. Long term? Let’s be honest, physical running backs don’t have a long shelf life. I hate to say it, but I think he’ll be out of the league in about five years after a nice career as a short yardage back. Running backs are the NFL’s fungible good, and he will likely get replaced by a younger version of himself with less wear and tear. I think he’ll be a solid pro, but he likely won’t have a long career. I hope I’m wrong. Because I’ll be cheering for Scott. The guy’s biggest attribute is heart. This means I absolutely love the guy, but the NFL is the sort of league where talent trumps heart. The one thing I can guarantee is that Scott will play hard, which is, sadly, not something you can say about most prospects.

Link to full article: http://www.bleed-green.com/blog/?p=5032

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The Interview

The interview was set up with Jay from www.laketheposts.com, a blog regarding everything Northwestern football.  Jay is a passionate and intelligent blogger of the Northwestern Wildcats, and he shares with you his four-year observation of Mike Kafka!

1.  Tell us about Mike Kafka based on your observations (off and on field).
Kafka is a character kid.  Most Northwestern fans are left pondering "why the heck didn't he start in '07 and '08?" after his incredible 2009 season.  Kafka started as a freshman briefly before suffering an injury early in the season.  He wasn't heard from again until his junior year when starter CJ Bacher went down late in the season.  Kafka promptly set the all-time Big Ten rushing record for a QB with an eye-popping 217 yards vs Minnesota in a thrilling last-second win.  Because of that game Kafka entered the 2009 season with the reputation of a "running QB".  As you likely know we run the spread so the big question was his ability to throw downfield.  Well, he answered that resoundingly.  He's got a great arm, and despite a 5-INT game in the crazy Outback Bowl game (2 of the 5 were receiver miffs) he proved he's got the moxie and grit of a winner. He's not the yeller and screamer rah-rah type in the huddle. He's the calm,cool and collected cerebral type with great athleticism.  I'll send you the link to the Outback Bowl highlights which should answer ny questions you have about him.  My only regret is we didn't go deep more often with him, but that was more a result of our possession receiving corps and lack of many true lightning quick gamebreakers.

Great question.  If I had to say it in one word it would be versatility.  Kafka is a deceivingly big guy who can take NFL hits on the run and keep on ticking.  He's got good pocket sense and that always important "escapability" intangible. Candidly the Eagles have had such big changes in offensive personnel I'm not up to speed on their 2010 gameplan, but any guy who is pop on his pass, great accuracy, is a quick study and offers a dual threat is of value to ANY NFL team.

Man, what a great question.  I'm searching through the mental rolodex and coming up empty.  It is hard to level the playing field based on NU's pass-happy spread that fosters both large passing attempt stats and more opportunities for rushing for a QB.  This may or may not go over well in Philly, but Donovan McNabb comes to mind.

In this day and age of draft saturation that's also a tough one.  It did take a while for Mike to assert himself in his senior year as last year's team being HIS team.  He was almost a tad stoic and you wanted more pump-fisting and rah-rah.  In the NFL, not as much.  I think his maturity is likely the most underrated element of his game which sounds weird when discussing a one-year starter.  He's almost unflappable in many ways and I get the sense he'd be comfortable and respected stepping in to the NFL huddle. Again, he can throw deep and has good arm strength which he doesn't get nearly enough credit for because of the Northwestern dink-and-dunk spread system.

Realistically, he could secure a #2 spot on the Eagles depth chart and within a year or two be fully up to speed and ready to go when he gets the chance.  Most NU guys are smart and the transition to the NFL is relatively smooth.  The 'Cats seemingly are one of the better producers of undrafted, yet productive NFL players that stick.  When you talk about Northwestern guys drafted, they almost all stick.  As for his future it is a tough call.  I think he has the combo of assets to be an NFL starter - I really do.  He's got thick enough skin and a good enough sense of humor to be able to make it in the toughest sports market and I think he likely endeared himself to Eagles fans when he referenced the fact he hopes he doesn't give them anything to boo about.  His development from '08 to '09 was tremendous and you can bet he'll continue to develop on the fast track with pro level coaches mentoring him.  There will be some adjustment to the pro style sets vs the NU spread but Mike's very smart and will transition well.

Link to article

We were fortunate to have the chance to interview Tommy Lawlor a few days ago, regarding the 2010 NFL Draft. If you don't know Tommy, know this: He is twice as a good as Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay....combined.

Or at least I think so. Tommy is well known and well liked by the Eagle fans that dwell the Philadelphia Eagles message board. He is the "go-to-guy" when it comes to draft questions and Eagles’ game reviews. His evaluations of Eagle games and players are very detailed and engrossing.

Because Tommy Lawlor knows his pigskin, I decided to conduct an interview with the "Eagles’ Einstein" to hear his thoughts on the Philadelphia Eagles and the 2010 NFL Draft! Enjoy! --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. Only 9 days away from the draft, what are the top needs for the Philadelphia Eagles?

Tommy: The Eagles allowed 27 TD passes last year. They must improve the secondary. I don't think anyone trusts Ellis Hobbs as the starting right corner. That is priority number one. Free safety is still a major question mark. Macho Harris was okay as a rookie, but hardly played so well that you feel comfortable with him as the solution. Quintin Demps needs to bounce back in a major way. Marlin Jackson is still a mystery. We really need to bring in a good free safety. Defensive end needs at least a mid-round player for depth. Weakside linebacker must be addressed. We need depth at O-line, defensive tackle, running back, and wide receiver.

2. As of now, the Eagles have 11 draft picks to work with. Most likely, the Eagles will not use all of these picks on players. If the Eagles do decide to trade up in the 1st round, which prospect do you think they would target?

Tommy: The key trade-up targets are safeties Eric Berry and Earl Thomas. I feel pretty strong in saying that the Eagles are like a lot of teams that covet Berry. Thomas is more of a mystery. Is he worth pick 10, 15, or 20? Is there a possibility he lasts to 24? There is a real split in the scouting community on him. Older guys who value tackling and run defense see Earl as a 2nd round player. Younger guys that value playmakers in the passing game think he's a top flight prospect. Grades on Earl are all over the place. Idaho guard Mike Iupati could be a player that Andy Reid loves and would move up for. Defensive end Derrick Morgan could be a target if he slides outside the Top 10.

3. In recent drafts, the Eagles traded some of their picks for veteran NFL players (Ellis Hobbs, Lorenzo Booker). If the Eagles decide to go that route again this year, what are some possible names they could and should target?

Tommy: The two positions where I think the Eagles could make a move are cornerback and linebacker. The one cornerback that's on the market that might make some sense is Richard Marshall of Carolina. They have some young players in place. They don't have a 1st round pick this year. Marshall won't get them a 1st, but he could help by adding some more firepower in the draft. The big name at linebacker is Derrick Johnson of the Chiefs. He fell out of favor with the new coaching staff and mainly played in the nickel defense. Johnson is still very talented. He also has played all 3 linebacker spots. You value that kind of versatility. Another name I'll just throw out there is A.J. Hawk. He isn't an ideal fit in the Packers 3-4 defense, but I'm not sure if he's on the trade block or not.

4. Who is your sleeper prospect that doesn't get much media hype but will be an excellent addition to the Birds?

Tommy: One interesting sleeper idea is Arizona State linebacker Travis Goethel. If we miss on taking a weakside 'backer early on, we could go for a guy like Goethel later in the draft. He has some size and is an aggressive, physical player that fights lead blockers. We like those kind of linebackers. He's also a good athlete and could help us on special teams.

5. Who would you rather have the Eagles select?

• CB Kyle Wilson or CB Devin McCourty
  Tommy: Wilson is a complete corner and definite 1st rounder. McCourty is a good prospect, but a notch below. The question is whether Wilson lasts to pick 24.

• DE Everson Griffen or DE Carlos Dunlap
  Tommy: Griffen is a junior with a lot of talent, but who never seemed to put it all together. Dunlap had a very up and down season. He had a DUI prior to the SEC title game. He didn't have the strongest Combine. Griffen is the safer choice.

• OL Mike Iupati or C Maurkice Pouncey
  Tommy: Iupati is a player with dominant potential. He is the best finisher among the blockers in the draft. He wants you on the ground. Or in it. Pouncey is the top center prospect. He is a good player, but I don't seem as high on him as others. I would definitely take Iupati.

• S Eric Berry or S Earl Thomas
  Tommy: Berry is a complete safety. He can play the run and pass. He can cover man or zone. He can blitz. He is a playmaker. He can play in the box. Earl is very good in coverage and a good playmaker, but his hitting and tackling is very inconsistent. He was terrible against the run in the national title game.

6. Is there any chance that former Florida QB Tim Tebow gets drafted by Philadelphia?

Tommy: Never say never when it comes to Andy Reid and quarterbacks. Tebow could be a role player and someone to develop so that we could trade him in a year or two. I don't see this as likely, but it is possible. Any rumors about the Eagles and Tebow could be spread behind the scenes by the Eagles. They would do this so that teams might aggressively trade up to 24 or 37, depending on how far Tebow falls. Someone who covets Tebow might pay a handsome price to get him.

7. With the 24th pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, the Philadelphia Eagles select...

Tommy: CB Kyle Wilson, Boise State. 

8. Open forum: Say anything you would like to say that hasn't been mentioned yet, regarding the 2010 Draft Class and the Philadelphia Eagles.

Tommy: This is a deep draft class. The Eagles have plenty of picks. Expect the team to be active, but not to do too much trading up. Last year was a weak draft. The Eagles didn't take a player in the 3rd or 4th round. That won't happen this year. The team could trade back, starting at 24. You can acquire additional mid round picks and then deal up in those rounds if you want. The Eagles do need to add at least 6 players in the first 4 rounds. We have holes to fill.

Part of life is setting goals. Whether they're short term or long term, you strive to achieve these goals, striving for the ultimate result. We at Bleed Green are proud to share with you one of our "long term goals", that being our first current Eagle player interview. We've interviewed a few well-known people, from the beloved Tommy Lawlor to former Eagles player Carlos Emmons. But no one is as prestigious as a current NFL player, especially those who dawn Eagle green.

A couple weeks ago, we hooked up with Drew Martin, brother of Trevor Laws, who ultimately made this happen.

We want to thank Drew Martin and Trevor Laws for time away from their busy schedule.  We are very grateful.

Without further ado, we give you 1 on 1 with Eagles DT Trevor Laws!

Enjoy!

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When Scott Tunstall is not watching the Eagles, or discussing them with his friend Sean during one of their many "tipsy" conversations, he is writing about them.  Inside The Iggles is a blog that displays the latest Eagles news, as well as thoughts and opinions of the Birds according to Mr. Tunstall.  Scott first began bleeding green at the age of 8, and has worshiped them ever since.  Many find his articles to be engrossing, interesting, worth-while, and even a bit humorous.

Already this short week, Scott has bashed NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and the #1 sports media giant ESPN, so I definitely worded my questions carefully, hoping I didn't make myself his next target.

So sit back, relax, and enjoy as we dive into the mind of Scott Tunstall:

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I caught up with training camp expert Mike Lederer again, who this time, reveals his final review of the 2009 training camp.  Read about the "Top 5 Stars of Camp", "Who to watch during Preseason", and plenty more.

Enjoy!

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Philadelphia Eagles' fans are well-known for their high level of football intellgence.

Bird fanatic Mike Lederer is no exception.

Lederer is an Eagles fan who has attended nearly every training camp practice to date.  You can find all of his daily reviews on the official Philadelphia Eagles messageboard under the name "Sixerboy3". There, he offers fantastic and detailed insight on the highlights, lowlights, and player performances of the daily practices.  It seems nothing gets by this guy. In fact, if you ask him nicely, he may even be able to tell you what Andy Reid had for lunch each and every camp day. ESPN's John Clayton couldn't even do that.

Alright, enough hyping up the man.

Because I loved his insights so much, I requested that he answer some questions of mine, that I feel most fans would like to know.

Enjoy!

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There is less than a week left of this sluggish, mind-numbing part of the NFL off season before the Philadelphia Eagles and their fans can finally focus on football.  Camp Reid will soon launch from Lehigh University, and with it, an optimism that will permeate the Eagle faithful the entire season.

Fans have not seen their Eagles play in nearly six months, but their painful withdrawals from the game that they so passionately love will be quenched by the hot morning sun, and the flurry of a hundred echoing whistles during the waking hours of the long-awaited training camp opening.

Indeed, Eagles football is less than a week away.  This may very well be the longest seven days of your precious life.  To compare this moment to daily life, it is like a 20 year old kid, who is only six days away from his 21st birthday, staring in the fridge at an ice cold Bud Light.  His mouth-watering, and his body fighting the aching urge, he darn well knows that if he can just wait for one more week, he can enjoy a legal gulp.

This whole month, we have read numerous "Training Camp Previews", "Top 10 Training Camp Battles", and even "Position By Position Previews" to stimulate our need for birds 'ball.  I've read so many Training Camp Previews that I see them in my sleep.  It's scary.  However, with less than a week left, we're going to need something new, and something interesting about training camp that will make us want to strap on an Eagles helmet and enter ourselves into Training Camp '09.

Guys, I believe I have something just like that.

We have to look past all of the "Previews", "Battles", and that sports journalism "Drama" that unfolds before the pads are popped.  Not one "expert" will attempt to write about the darker side of the training camp phenomena, but I am ready to take it head-on!

So sit back, relax, and laugh out loud hysterically when you read:

Eagles Training Camp Pranks & Rookie Hazings

Let's do this.

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The Philadelphia Eagles have treated their fans very well this decade.  They've been competitive in nearly each of every season, made five appearances in the NFC Championship Game, and even made a trip to the Superbowl. And although we haven't yet hoisted the Lombardi Trophy, or attended the victory parade on Broad Street, the Philadelphia Eagles have given us every reason to be optimistic about our football each and every autumn.

The birds have fielded some fantastic teams, with unbelievable talent.  Throughout the decade, some of our starters, like Donovan McNabb, Brian Westbrook, , Brian Dawkins, and the entire offensive line, may have been the best in the league at some point.

But for every all-star a team possesses, lurks a dud somewhere on the roster. Such as on a high school football team, for every All-State talent on the squad, lurks a nerdy, pimply-faced band geek who made a bad decision.  And although these "failures" attract finger-pointing and laughter, and sometimes want to make us eat ourselves because of their low level of athletic ability and unexcused mental mistakes, you have to admit, they do provide excellent entertainment.  You just have to laugh out hysterically when you see a superior linebacker clothesline a weaker running back, or an athletic quarterback stiff arm, to the ground, a 300 lbs. couch-potato of a defensive lineman. In this game, it happens. And when it does, it's amusing.

In the NFL, the talent gap is more narrow than the gap in high school. However, on every team, you can find two players of different abilities. Take our Eagles for example. We had an amazing talent in Jeremiah Trotter, but low and behold, Matt McCoy and his pile jumping ability was also present.

But we shall not neglect the lesser talented who are "playing" for our favorite team.  Let us rejoice and praise them!

They're not-so-good, but cheer-able!
They won't set the field on fire, but they're entertaining!
They're never in the news, but lovable!

With that said, I present to you...

The Top 5 Not-So-Good (But Lovable) Eagle Players of Recent.

It is time we honor them.

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It's July 8th.

The only thing going on in the football world at this time every year is Brett Favre deciding whether or not to play the game again.

Because the Eagles don't need a QB, and because the Eagle faithful could care less about the never-ending Brett Favre "drama", we usually have little to talk about.

I was surfing the web, thinking of ideas for a story, when I got the urge to look up some NFL draft history. (Has that statement ever been said before in the history of the English language?)

Out of curiosity, I decided to browse through the past Philadelphia Eagles drafts. And after a lot of grueling research and analysis, I came up with one conclusion: During Andy Reid's tenure, the Eagles have found a vast amount of "under-the-radar" talent within the 5th round of the draft.  In other words, while the rest of the coaches are taking a snooze during this round, Andy Reid raids the fridge for a midnight snack.

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Tommy Lawlor knows football.

When his preschool classmates were learning their ABC's, he was studying his X's and O's.  When they were watching Bambi at home, he was tuning into the Eagles vs. Cowboys.  And when his peers looked up to Scooby Doo as a role model, he looked up to Ron Jaworski. I could go on and on forever, but you get my point.

If you don't already know Tommy Lawlor (or goeagles99 on the official Philadelphia Eagles message board), then allow me to introduce him to you:

Meet Tommy Lawlor

• Writer for Philadelphiaeagles.com
  Click here to view his articles
• Creator of www.scoutsnotebook.com
• Has been trained by an NFL scout in the art of scouting and player evaluation
• Following the Eagles for almost 20 years
• Creator of well known Philadelphia Eagles blog: www.eaglesblitz.blogspot.com
• One heck of a Philadelphia Eagles fan

Tommy is well known and well liked by the Eagle fans that dwell the Philadelphia Eagles message board. He is the "go-to-guy" when it comes to draft questions and Eagles' game reviews.  His evaluations of Eagle games and players are very detailed and engrossing.

Because Tommy Lawlor knows his pigskin, I decided to conduct an interview with the "Eagles' Einstein" to hear his thoughts on various subjects, as well as the up-coming 2009-2010 Philadelphia Eagles season.

Enjoy!

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Defensive end Paul Kruger has had some football experiences that he will never forget. Such fond memories include being named a Freshman All-American at Utah, as well as being selected by the Baltimore Ravens as the 57th overall player in the 2nd round of the 2009 NFL Draft.

However, the 2nd round draft selection does have a few football related remembrances in which he truly never wants to re-live again. Take for example...one particular play when his Utah Utes took on the visiting Weber State Wildcats on September 27, 2008.   Before the play, Kruger did his usual thing, aligning his 6'4, 263 lbs on the flank of the defensive line. During the play, the Weber State Tight End, who was aligned on Kruger's inside shade, performed a down block to try to seal the interior defensive lineman. This would leave the 57th overall pick one on one against the Weber State Wildcat Fullback. Kruger hesitated, but that mistake shouldn't matter, right? I mean, he is a future day one pick, and we're talking about a full back from Weber State here!  Wrong.  The Wildcat Fullback clashes with Kruger, turns him around, and forces him to the ground. (You can watch this play here: Scroll to 2:31)

So who was the brute player that put the 2nd rounder on his back?
That talent was Weber State Fullback, and undrafted rookie free agent Marcus Malei.

Marcus Mailei signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in late April.  Fans of the Eagles will come to love Marcus Mailei, as he is a hard-nosed football player who will lay a shoulder into anyone. What is interesting to note about Mailei is that he wasn't used primarily for running while at Weber State, but for receiving, making 58 catches over the past three collegiate seasons. Andy Reid loves a pass catching back as much as he loves Geno's Steaks.

Marcus Mailei will join Eagles' fullbacks Leonard Weaver and Kyle Eckel upon entering training camp.

Continue reading this post »

www.bleedgreenforever.blogspot.com

Eagle fans are the most passionate supporters in the NFL. They are recognized for their high level of football intelligence, famed for their infinite obsession, and branded as the most merciless, most hard nosed enthusiasts of the entire pig skin planet.

What sets them apart from the other fans? I mean, I am certain that there are fans of the other thirty one squads that "bleed" the colors that dawn their team. How are Eagle fans so special?

Experts in the field of "I have nothing else to report/write about, so I will attempt to create a story out of the blue" have been hard at work attempting to solve this puzzling mystery for years.

Here are their main points of Philadelphia's passion:

1. During halftime of the last game of a 2-12 dreadful 1968 season, Eagle fans hurl snowballs at an unwanted, unentertaining Santa Claus.
   
   
2. When the team isn't playing well, the fans hoot, holler, boo, and make public of their disgust. When they are really ticked off, Eagles' fans will boo after every on-field mistake and incompletion.
   

Although these are valid arguments for the NFL's Most Aggressive Fans, they can hardly be a convincing basis for passion.

You can say Eagle Fans boast amazing tail-gate experiences, that the Philadelphia Eagles have the second-highest stadium capacity filling percentage since 1996, and that they have an impressive amount of traveling fans. You can say that they are the loudest, evilest, meanest, most unbearable, and most obnoxious fans on planet earth, but there is one category that truly embodies everything that passion stands for.

That category is superstition.

The Eagle Faithful are very superstitious.  Each individual superstitious Eagle Fan solely believes that his course of actions and pre-game rituals during the week will assist the team into performing well.  This, my fellow Eagle Fans, is passion. 

Most Eagle fans cannot attend the games, and, obviously, all of them are unable to play in them.  Therefore, the only way they can help the team is spiritually, and through the belief of superstition.  Anything to help the team, right?

Eagle fans have the best pre-game rituals, superstitious activities, and other good luck charms.

After doing some research, here are some that I have complied:

Passionate Eagle Fan #1:
"I wear my white Dawk jersey with a spaghetti stain on it. I got the stain during the Cowboy game [2007, Week 15 matchup], and refuse to treat it until after the season.  I am also eating 20 Asian style hot wings every Sunday, with the first wing being consumed during the opening kickoff."

Now tell me if a Lions fan wouldn't wash a spaghetti-stained jersey.

Passionate Eagle Fan #2:
"I've actually worn my black McNabb jersey, with a green Eagles sweatshirt under it, every game since the Carolina game [2006, Week 13 matchup]. During Christmas, I bought a Dawkins jersey and I want to wear it for a game but I can't mess with the streak now."

Not wearing a Christmas gift because he believes he is helping out his team is just downright heroic.

Passionate Eagle Fan #3:
"Haven't gotten a haircut.  Don't intend to as long as the Eagles are winning. If they win the next 2 games, I'll have a mini fro by the time they get to the Superbowl."

Growing a 'fro for a team that hasn't a clue that you even exist. That is what I call passion.

Passionate Eagle Fan #4:
"The night before [a game] I have to sleep with my Eagles blanket, right side up. During the game, I set my phone ringer to the "FLY EAGLES FLY" song and have a player background. Also, whatever I drink is in my Eagle punder glass. I've wore the same Eric Allen throwback every game I've watched.

Now if the Birds are playing badly, I have to change the channel two up, then back two down back to the game.

My wife thinks I'm nuts.....but I'll never quit."

Wow.

Any human being with a brain knows that superstition doesn't actually exist, or help the team win in any way at all.  However, this is truly a time when "its the thought that counts." (By the way, I would hate when my parents would say that after receiving a useless gift, and you know you did, too.)  These are ordinary fans who have a passion for their team, and want to help them win in anyway they can.

Because we at Bleed Green know for a fact that Eagle Fans are the most passionate fans to walk the earth, we would like to hear more superstition stories from you.  We believe the superstitions that have not been shared can out-do the ones that have been shared.  Inform us of a time during an NFL season in which your "rituals" actually worked.  Big or small, we would love to read them. After all, we all have had superstitious thoughts throughout our entire life.  Take me for example:  I now wear my shorts on backwards when I write, because the last time I did that I received 9 comments. But, I'll save that story for another day.

So, have you grown an unbelievably insane mullet? Have you worn the same underwear everyday until the birds lost? Or have you ate thirty-six chicken wings before a game to ensure that Westbrook has a great day?
Email: alec82@gmail.com or cjben0511@aol.com to share them with us. You may also comment below.

Your stories may get published in a future "Why Eagle fans are the most passionate" type article.

Well, I am done for now. The article is finished. I'm going to go grab a lemonade, and turn my shorts around.

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www.bleedgreenforever.blogspot.com

The average Eagle enthusiast will probably not recognize these five players. It is not because they are recently drafted rookies, newly signed free agents, or one of Jeff Lurie's grandchildren who may have happened to just walk on. It is because these members of the team have played very little---or they haven't played yet at all.

You may assume that these Eagles are the ones that fill up the water bottles for the starters. You may even believe that these Eagles went undrafted and snuck their way on to the team. Nevertheless, four out of the five Eagles I am about to mention have been drafted in Round 4 or higher. In addition, two of the five have been selected in Round 2!

So who are these veterans who haven't quite made a "household" name for themselves?

I will reveal now. Prepare to be enlightened!

1. Player: Joe Mays
   Position: Linebacker
   Number: 51
   Drafted: 6th Round, 200th Overall, 2008 NFL Draft
   
   -Reason For Lack of Play: You could label linebacker Joe Mays as "Currently Developing". He was a 6th round draft pick, and usually players that are selected in this round need some extra assistance. Also, competing with Stewart Bradley doesn't help his chances of starting.
   
   

   -Attention-Grabbing Fact: Joe Mays led the entire Eagles defense in tackles during the 2008 Preseason. Not only that, but he was tied for first place with the most tackles during the Preseason within the entire NFL!
   
   -Where Can We Find Him This Season: Just browse through any Philadelphia Eagles message board, and you will always find a thread or two based on Joe Mays.  The Philly faithful have dubbed him, "The Head Buster", and they love him to death.  I firmly believe Joe Mays will once again have a solid Preseason.  He has had time to "grow" within the system, and it is time for him to shine.  He is currently the #2 Middle Linebacker on the Depth Chart, being blanketed by Stewart Bradley. Hopefully, Joe Mays can develop into a productive special teams member, and that is where I think the average fan will hear of him the most. Unless, of course, there is an injury to Stewart Bradley. In that case, Joe Mays will have every chance to make a name for himself, as well as to "bust some heads". 
2. Player: Bryan Smith
   Position: Defensive End
   Number: 63
   Drafted: 3rd Round, 80th Overall, 2008 NFL Draft
   
   -Reason For Lack of Play: On July 22 of last year, Bryan Smith was placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list regarding an injury to his hamstring.  On July 31, he was activated from the list and united with the 53-man roster. However, he was inactive for most of the regular season games, while he was attending defensive end classes at the University of Jim Johnson (for those of you slow to catch on to the joke: he was mentored by Johnson for the majority of the season rather than actually being out on the field).
   
   -Attention-Grabbing Fact: Bryan Smith was 13th among players in total tackles during the Preseason, and 16th among rookies in total sacks.
   
   -Where Can We Find Him This Season: When Bryan Smith was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2008 NFL Draft, Eagle fans immediately began to experience mixed feelings. In fact, there were about three kinds of feelings.  One was, "That was a great pick!". Another was, "We could have picked him in the later rounds."  And a third was, "Who the he** is that guy?"  Nevertheless, the Eagles selected him over RB Steve Slaton, DE Cliff Avril, and even S DaJuan Morgan, all of which were deemed more "safe" picks than Smith.  Bryan Smith is an under-sized defensive end who makes up for his lack of size with his burst of speed. The Philadelphia Eagles use a rotational system when it comes to their defensive line.  In that case, depth is very valuable.  More than likely, Bryan Smith will be a part of the third line of rotation, as he is absolutely buried on the depth chart behind Trent Cole and Darren Howard.  Nonetheless, Bryan Smith was selected in the third round because the Eagles felt that they had a need for him. I believe this season, unlike last season, the Eagles will use him.
   
   
3. Player: Jack Ikegwuonu
   Position: Cornerback
   Number: 33
   Drafted: 4th Round, 131st Overall, 2008 NFL Draft
   
   -Reason For Lack of Play: The Eagles boasted about acquiring Jack Ikegwuonu in the 4th round of the 2008 NFL Draft, because they believed him to be a 1st round talent. So why did he fall so far? While preparing for the 2008 Scouting Combine, Ikegwuonu happened to suffer a torn ACL.  Because of the lengthy recovery of a surgically repaired ACL, Ikegwuonu was unable to participate in any of the Eagles' '08 contests, and spent his gamedays cheering the team on from the sidelines.
   
   -Attention-Grabbing Fact: Because Ikegwuonu has no recorded statistics as an NFL player, I will instead throw a rather nice quote at you: 
   

   "Last week, Eagles Pro Bowl cornerback Asante Samuel referred to Ikegwuonu as 'my little protege' after the former University of Wisconsin star knocked down a pass in a seven-on-seven drill."

   Take it however you want.
   
   -Where Can We Find Him This Season: Jack Ikegwuonu has a lot to learn. If you were to look at his lack of playing experience, you could consider him a "rookie".  The Eagles' starting corner backs, barring injury, will be Asante Samuel and Sheldon Brown, with Joselio Hanson playing as the nickel back.  According to the Eagles' Depth Chart, Jack Ikegwuonu isn't listed, meaning he is not one of the top six cornerbacks.  In a press conference a few days ago, Andy Reid stated he believed Ikegwuonu to be adjusting well, and was even impressed by his ability to get his hands on the ball. Ikegwuonu has to work hard to see the field, and, I feel that most games he will be hailed as "Inactive". However, it's hoped that he will prove his worth in the preseason.
   

4. Player: Victor Abiamiri
   Position: Defensive End
   Number: 95
   Drafted: 2nd Round, 57th Overall, 2007 NFL Draft
   
   -Reason For Lack of Play:  Just like our other featured players, Abiamiri has been sidelined due to injury.  He was absent from the field for roughly half of last season because of a wrist injury. Nevertheless, Abiamiri did experience some snaps within the second half of the 2008 regular season.  When he did play, which was usually for a few snaps during the rotation, he played incredibly respectful.
   
   -Attention-Grabbing Fact: Abiamiri didn't play all too much during the team's 2008 campaign, but when he was called upon, he fulfilled his mission. The young defensive end recorded 11 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and surprisingly, even 3 pass deflections.  Not overly impressive, but it is something to grow on.
   
   -Where Can We Find Him This Season:  Out of all our featured players, Abiamiri is the one who has the best chance to start.  According to the team's depth chart, he is chalked in as the #2 left defensive end, right behind Juqua Parker.  However, with training camp coming at us quicker than one of McNabb's bullet passes, Abiamiri will soon have an oppurtunity to beat the distinguished veteran out. 
   
   This is what Jim Johnson had to say about Abiamiri's chances at starting:
   

   "He's got to challenge [DE Juqua Parker] and yes I think this is a big year for him, but the other guy is pushing him pretty good. That's going to be a good battle between those too. I can't see right now who the starter is. It might be Victor, it might be JP."
5. Player: Winston Justice
   Position: Offensive Tackle
   Number: 74
   Drafted: 2nd Round, 39th Overall, 2006 NFL Draft
   
   -Reason For Lack of Play: Winston Justice was regarded amongst the NFL world as a "steal" for being selected in the early 2nd round.  In his first two seasons, he spent his time learning the Tackle position behind two Pro-Bowl tackles in Jon Runyan and Tra Thomas.  When he did get his chance to start, though, Justice gave up six sacks. A lot of fans label him a bust, and a lot of experts claim he has no passion for the game. The Eagles staff has been impressed by his conduct so far in mini-camps, and Justice is more determined than ever to get a second chance.
   
   -Attention-Grabbing Fact: Besides his abysmal 2007 performance against the New York Giants in which he surrendured six sacks, Justice really hasn't done much to live up to the 2nd round pick status.  Hopefully, there is good news on the horizon.
   
   Reported from an article on philly.com:
   

   Justice reported for the Rookie Camp as a select veteran and returned to the Right Tackle spot where he played in college at Southern Cal

   -Where Can We Find Him This Season:  It is going to be interesting to see of what is made with the offensive line this season.  As you know, the Eagles acquired Pro Bowl offensive tackle Jason Peters from the Bills, and signed offensive tackle Stacy Andrews during free agency.  However, along with the signing of Andrews also came his injury, in which the Eagles are hoping will be completely gone by the start of the season.  The Eagles have moved Shawn Andrews out to tackle, and if you can recall from last postseason, Winston Justice was getting repetitions at guard.  Most likely, Justice will be a viable back up. However, if he has an impressive training camp, and stellar preseason, he may turn a few heads or so.
   
   
   

It is interesting to see how far players have come since being drafted, and how much they contribute in comparison with other players drafted in the same round.  The Eagles took chances drafting Jack Ikegwuonu and Bryan Smith, and time will tell if they were worth the risk. Winston Justice, who was regarded as a "safe pick", especially for round 2, hasn't lived up to the honor. Whereas, linebacker Joe Mays, for being selected in the late rounds of the draft, has relatively impressed.

If preseason isn't your cup of tea, I hope that this year you will indeed sit down and watch a few games. Pay attention to all the Training Camp news and position battles. Most likely, you will hear names from this article in other reports.

It should be an exciting preseason, and hopefully the position competition is fierce.  These five guys will push the starters, and in return, will help the entire team. And maybe, just maybe, they might even earn a spot for themselves.
---

Alec is a writer for the respected blog, Bleed Green. 
You can find more articles and information on the Philadelphia Eagles at that location.

Click to visit The Bleed Green Blog!

Amidst the ones that identify themselves as "Eagle Fans" was another tragedy that continued to fuel this off season's woes. The Philadelphia faithful had already endured the painful experience of seeing Brian Dawkins walk from the team, as well as their beloved defensive mastermind take a leave of absence to treat his diagnosed cancer.

What else could go wrong?

The only thing that seemed to be thriving well in the off season was the offensive side of the ball. The Eagles drafted wonderful young offensive talents with their first three selections, acquired a productive back in Leonard Weaver, and reinforced an already fortified offensive line.

The "curse" that was plaguing the defense, as far as Eagle Fans were concerned, should not spread itself to the offense.

And then it happened.

On Friday, June 5, Brian Westbrook, the team’s Pro Bowl running back, went under the knife to remove two large bone fragments from his right ankle. As Eagle fans held their breath on the timetable of Westbrook's eventual return, Rick Burkholder, the team's trainer, delivered the news: Brian Westbrook's ankle would need months of time to recover and rehabilitate before he could carry the pigskin again.

Eagle fanatics all over had mixed feelings.

Standing in one corner of the ring were the fans who who took it pessimistically: The man who accounted for 65 percent of the Eagles offense last season was not only turning the dreaded age of 30, but is sidelined until the regular season. Even if he could make it back in time for the regular season showdown with the Panthers, how game ready would he be?

In the other corner of the ring were the fans who took it with confidence: Even though Brian Westbrook is out for the pre-season, he hardly ever saw time on the field during those games. He already knows the game and the plays. Guys like Lorenzo Booker, LeSean McCoy, and Eldra Buckley can only benefit from the absence of Westbrook, and will get better with more individual coaching and touches.

I tend to agree with the opinions of those with an optimistic outlook in this situation. You may ask, "How can you have no worries about an injury to our offensive bread and butter?" Well, it's simple. There are many factors that you should look at when you are evaluating this situation.

I've compiled some thought, quotes, and facts that should make you sleep a little better at night.

Let's take a glance:

1. Brian Westbrook will be recovered in time for the regular season. Westbrook will miss the Eagles Training Camp, as well as all four pre-season games. Sounds horrible, except for the fact that Westbrook doesn't usually play in the pre-season anyway. Over the past three pre-seasons, Westbrook has averaged 10 carries. So, when it comes down to it, the only thing Westbrook will miss is 10 pre-season carries. He knows the plays, obviously, and is a battle-tested veteran. Missing training camp and pre-season should be a non-factor in evaluating the situation.
   
   
2. Rick Burkholder says Westbrook will be fine. Eagles' head athletic trainer, Rick Burkholder, is a realist. He will not try to sugarcoat an injury, or make you believe that a player will recover faster than he will. Also, when he speaks with the media, he tends to play it on the safe side.
   
   Here is what he had to say:

   "If you're asking me if I'm worried about this injury and his two injuries, no I'm not at all," said Burkholder. "I'm not worried in the least about these injuries, and that's the way I've played it with Coach and with management and with the rest of the coaches. I am not concerned about this injury. I think it's something that we had an option to do or not do and we decided to do it and we are going forward and he's going to be in really good shape this coming season."

   Let us hope.
   
   
3. The Philadelphia Eagles signed versatile back Leonard Weaver in the off-season. Super back Leonard Weaver is a unique talent. He is immense enough to be a full back, and quick enough to be a running back. He can catch the ball out of the backfield, and can bull doze an oncoming taker. Oh, and did I mention that he could catch the ball out of the backfield? Andy Reid and Offensive Coordinator Marty Mornhinweg adore the pass catching running back. Also, think of this: Leonard Weaver could play full back and half back, just in case Westbrook doesn't come back in tip-top shape. In two running back sets, he would wind up being the full back. In one running back sets, he would be the lone wolf. Also, undrafted rookie full back Marcus Mailei has impressed the Eagles staff, which may cause the Eagles to maintain him if they want Weaver as the half back in two back sets.
   
   So, what does Weaver have to say about this?
   

   ""That's one of the things I bring to the table," Weaver said. I have the versatility to go from fullback to running back or even play out of the one-back. Whatever Andy and [offensive coordinator] Marty [Mornhinweg] want to do in terms of using me and my versatility, I'm open to it. I'm ready to step in there whenever they call my number."

   Good enough for me.
   
   
4. Lorenzo Booker will be better in his second season as a Philadelphia Eagle. When the Eagles traded their 4th round draft selection to the Miami Dolphins in return for the services of Lorenzo, the fans praised Head Coach Andy Reid. He was a back that reminded them of Brian Westbrook, and was thought to be an explosive weapon that the Eagles could use alongside Brian Westbrook. In 20 carries during the 2008-2009 NFL Season, Lorenzo Booker earned a mere 53 yards. Umm...Paris Hilton may be capable of doing that. In other words, it is not what was expected of Mr. Booker. Despite his lack of carries, Booker rarely saw the field. Andy Reid attributed this to his poor pass blocking skills. Anyway, with the horrific season behind him, Lorenzo Booker will have a chip on his shoulder. Andy Reid has already stated that they have worked with Booker on pass blocking. Also, he should be more comfortable within the Eagles system.

   Interesting stat alert!
   
   According to nfl.com's statistics, in Lorenzo Booker's first year with the Miami Dolphins, he ran for 125 yards on 28 carries. That is a healthy 4.5 yards per carry! More interestingly was his receptions, which was 28 for 237 yards.

   We know that Lorenzo Booker can perform well, it is just a question of whether he will perform well. With a newly bolstered offensive line, and the starter on the sidelines, the light shines on him. He has no excuses not to perform well.
   
   
5. With Westbrook sidelined, Booker, McCoy, and other Eagles' rookies will receive more focus. Vince Lombardi once said, "Practice makes perfect." We'll see how that plays out with Lorenzo Booker, LeSean McCoy, and Eldra Buckley, as they will be more involved and dependent now that Brian Westbrook is the towel boy. As any second grader can point out, with Brian Westbrook in a cast, the young fellows behind him will get more battle experience, and hopefully get better. LeSean McCoy, the Eagles' 2009 second round draft pick could use the extra workload, as it is a tough system, and he will be counted on in the regular season. For more information, see the previous post "RB Group Has Big Opportunity".
   

What has happened has happened. The key to Brian Westbrook's injury right now is patience. I think it would be a wise move to keep Brian Westbrook out until he is fully 100% ready, even if it means extending his absence into the early regular season. I would rather the Eagles play one or two games without superman, than the entire regular season if he were to hurt it again when he shouldn't have been playing. In the end, Brian Westbrook's rehabilitation will be plenty enough of "training camp" to keep him fresh. The Eagles did a fantastic move of signing Leonard Weaver and drafting LeSean McCoy in the off-season. Now their evil plan must be tested. Some people say that we should sign a Free Agent running back. I tend to disagree. The only name that would make sense to sign is Warrick Dunn, as he is a versatile pass catching running back. However, so is LeSean McCoy and Leonard Weaver. Others may want a big back like former Saint Deuce Mcallister. I think it is a waste of money, since we have the big boy in Leonard Weaver.

Whatever course the Eagles take, I'm sure it will serve well. We have an outstanding coaching staff and I fully trust them to make the right decisions.

Let's hope and pray for a fast recovery for Brian Westbrook, as well as an injury-free training camp and pre season for all.

Questions? Comments? Suggestions?
Email me at: alec82@gmail.com

Asante Samuel and Stewart Bradley are capable of leading the
Eagles Defense  (Photo via www.newsday.com)

      Any true Eagles fanatic will tell you: Brian Dawkins was the heart and soul of the Philadelphia Eagles’ defense for over a decade. He was the face of the Eagles resistance that averaged a ranking of 11 in total defense since 2000. His passion for the game and his inspiring words not only boosted the play of his teammates, but even made me want to strap on a helmet and take on a 330-pound run blocking lineman. (Admit, you wanted to as well) Nevertheless, the man known as "Weapon-X" has departed from the Eagle secondary forever, leaving the defensive leader position faceless.

     The Philadelphia Eagles defense overflows with high character and inspirational talents. I believe there are many candidates who can fill in the prestigious role of lighting the fire for the entire unit. Here’s just a few:

• Broderick Bunkley, DT – At first thought, it’s unusual that Broderick Bunkley would be considered. Think harder, though. Bunkley has improved in each of his 3 seasons since being called at the podium for the Philadelphia Eagles at the 2006 NFL Draft. Also, Dave Spadaro, Philadelphia’s inside man, had this to say about Bunkley in his recent article: "I firmly believe that a locker room has many, many voices. And some of those voices are more influential than you think. A player like Brodrick Bunkley, for example, is a tremendous locker room and game-day voice." Time will tell.

• Trent Cole, DE – Some may believe this to be a more exceptional candidate than his colleague on the defensive line, Broderick Bunkley. Trent Cole is arguably the Eagles best defensive end, earning 21.5 sacks in the last two seasons. He is a seasoned veteran that I believe, could take any defense under his wing.

• Stewart Bradley, LB – Bradley played very well in his first full season as Mike linebacker. Throughout the enter season and post-season, he showed flashed of leadership and guidance.  Bradley’s will to win showed during the Eagles post season performances against the Giants and the Cardinals, in which he led the team in tackles both games. Stewart’s future is bright, and if he can command a dominating defense, things will look bright in that regard as well.

• Omar Gaither, LB – Yes. I’m talking about the guy who lost his job to Akeem Jordan last year.  Hey, even the bench needs life. During training camp and team practices, players and fans’ ears were constantly being flooded with the cocky words of Omar Gaither. On the field, and on the sidelines, Gaither is a vocal motivator who can bring life to a nursing home. He is the best choice for the defensive face? Definitely not. However, he can provide inspiration to any situation that calls for it.

• Quintin Mikell, S – Has anyone progressed through the ranks better than his man? Mikell was signed as a rookie free agent by the Eagles in 2003, and in 2008, found himself alongside Brian Dawkins as one of the two starting safeties. An interesting fact to note is that Mikell was second on the team in tackles last season, next to Stewart Bradley.  Sheldon Brown, the Eagles veteran cornerback had this to say about Mikell: "He's a beast. He's an animal. He's just an old-school football player. He'll have a bloody nose, bloody mouth, you're going to look at him and he's going to line up again and bring it." A clone of Dawkins? Dawkins himself thinks so. I don’t think any Eagles fan would have a problem with that.

• Sheldon Brown, CB – Sheldon Brown certainly has the potential to be a complete defensive leader.  He played very well last season as a happy man, but this season, his unhappiness with his contract will most likely take him out of the role. Hopefully when his pads are strapped on, and the stadium lights beam down on him, he’ll step up and provide a flame for the defense.

• Asante Samuel, CB – I didn’t know Asante Samuel could speak, let alone be the heart and soul of a ferocious defense. According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, "The all-pro cornerback has been the most vocal player during this spring's minicamps, and even though he and his coach say it's nothing new, it's certainly more conspicuous now that Dawkins has taken his superhero act to Denver." From telling jokes to talking trash, Asante Samuel is heard all throughout the entire practice. He seems to also be catching the eye of the head coach. Reid stated this about his number one ball hawk: ""Before it was [quarterback] Donovan [McNabb] challenging everybody, and now Asante has jumped in from that side and he is challenging back, and I kind of like that."

     So far this offseason, the Eagles defense has taken some hits. It is going to be interesting to see just how well this unit can mold together with the loss of Brian Dawkins and the absence of Defensive Coordinator Jim Johnson. If anyone can keep things tidy, it’s Head Coach Andy Reid.  Remember the last few instances in which the Eagles departed with one of their defensive leaders?  Let’s go back to the end of the 2003 season, when Reid and Co. decided to part ways with their veteran cornerback tandem in Bobby Taylor and Troy Vincent.  How did the team respond the following season with the removal of these two leaders? Absolutely amazing. They finished 10th in the league in total defense and even made a trip to Superbowl XXXIX.  What about Jeremiah Trotter’s release in pre-season 2007? The Axe Man was undoubtedly one of the vocal and spiritual leaders that anchored the defense. How did the defense perform that "Trotterless" season? Jim Johnson’s crew ranked 10th in total defense, 9th in yards per game, and 5th in total defensive penalties.

     The loss of the beloved Dawkins may be harder on the fans, than on the performance of the defense. Fact is, this defense is loaded with guys who will push each other further. You may never hear the hortatory sound bites this season that you would hear if Dawkins was still here. However, you can bet that the Eagles will continue to be one of the league’s best defenses. With solid veterans and a promising young corps, the Eagles Defense is nothing short of super bowl caliber.

Questions? Comments? Suggestions?
Want to tell me that you want to punch me in the face?
Email me! - Alec82@gmail.com