Hi Guys!

Looking forward to checking out your city this weekend.  I am traveling down with my fiance, from Baltimore, but as an Eagles Fan.  Looking forward to kicking off the season, and am glad its against another NFC contender.  I come in peace, of course and hope we all share the same excitement this week.....

Anyways, I was hoping to ask you guys for help.   

1.  There is supposed to be a large Eagles following going to Whiskey Creek.  Is that a nice place or a complete hole?   My fiance looked online and "wasnt impressed."

2.  I am staying at the Center City Courtyard Marriot.  Can you reccommend a nice restaurant or 2 near there?

Thanks, and Good Luck!   (Just not too much!)

My Stance: Trade Kolb, Keep Feeley.

We just "locked down" McNabb with a nice off-season contract upgrade.  That pretty much cements him as our #1 for both 2009 and 2010.   But who's to say that he wont stay longer?   Barring 2 superbowl victories in the next 2 years, i dont see McNabb not continuing to play, and i dont see the Eagles giving him the "Brett Favre" Treatment either.  Players (especially quarterbacks) are playing longer these days.  Improved treatments, and conditioning can keep a QB playing into his late 30's.  With McNabbs drive, i can easily see him hanging around.

But let's just say that i am wrong.   Lets say that McNabb does retire/move on after the 2010 season.  At that time, we'll have Vick and Kolb as our options to be the #1.  I know that Vick is a project right now, but lets just say that this gamble does work out for us.  Andy is continuing to pound into our heads that Vick was brought here to be a QB, so lets assume that he regains his previous form, and then improves under McNabbs mentoring.  Would anyone in their right mind be arguing to start Kolb over Vick for the 2011 season?  Pretty doubtful.    Vick has a cannon of an arm, and if he has even 60% of the natural athletic ability that he once showed us then the guy will still be a defensive nightmare.  (But with weapons this time.)   As good as Vick once was, he never displayed any work ethic.  With good coaching, a great mentor and a sense of needing to "redeem" himself, i just cant see this guy not assuming the #2 QB spot within the first month or so of the season.

So where does that leave Kevin Kolb??   Still riding the pine and waiting for his opportunity through 2011?  Through 2012?   When will enough be enough?  How long can the Eagles really think that they are continuing to groom this guy for a starting position?

The fact is, we are stacked at QB. 

The problem is that we have 3 guys who want the starting position within a reasonable timeframe, and 1 guy who knows the system and is prefectly content being the backup. 

Between Kolb and Feeley going onto the trading block, i see Kolb being the one who can get us the most in return.  Sure AJ is still good trade bait, but with Kolb young age and a lot of potential, i think that he'll yield us a better return.

Trade Kolb, keep Feeley, and then draft a QB in 10, or 11 when AJ calls it a day.  Start grooming someone else.   Kolb was drafted at a time when we didnt need a QB on this roster and now we just need to acknowledge the mistake and let him move on...

Dont be confused.....I do like Kevin Kolb.   I just dont think that he fits on this team anymore. 

Are you a daily reader of this post?   Have you caught the trends of certain posters?  

One of the things that I love about having this site is getting to know other peoples opinions.  I can read an article, and know which posters will be on there in full support, or full disagreement.  For every, "trade reggie" post, there is at least 10 JIBTA responses.   For every "Screw Vick" post, there are a handful of "Get off the Ledge" responses from the same people every time.   Same goes for several other topics...

As the 2009 Off-Season winds down, what was your favorite (no matter which side you took) topic to debate?

I think the clear cut favorite is the Vick Signing...but we'll see

A company that my friend works for has a big SuperBowl raffle every year.    In the early parts of the season,  they all get together and put up $100 bucks each.  My  friend works at a pretty big company, so usually get about 75 people to participate.  Thats $7500 bucks collected!!!   Its so early, so obviously, no one has any idea who's going to be in it or not.  But they take the $7500 and buy tickets to the game, airfare and a hotel stay for 2.  It works well for them because they have fans of so many teams, so it creates a lot of rivalry in the office!  

I wouldnt expect to have 75 people from here at BGN, but maybe we could open it up to a couple of local rival teams and see how that goes. 

They usually pull the names during Championship Week....

It could be 2 ways.   Two individuals win and go...or 1 person wins an "expense paid" trip for 2. 

We could all get together to do a drawing at a bar somewhere around Philly.....

Just a thought....something different.

I figure that i would throw it out and there and see if anyone would be interested in something this....

 While reading this post, please play the  "Real Men of Genious" theme song in your head.

Throught the past several months we have all shared our views on hundreds upon hundreds of topics.  Some about the current Eagles, some about prospects that could become Eagles, and others about Team dealings and Camp.  Throughout all of these talks, I would say that there is a Majority view, and a minority view.  Most of us end up on one side of the debate, while a select few defend the other.  We all seem to take our turns rotating into the "Minority" side of the debate depending on the subject...but that is not what this post is all about.   This post is to pay tribute to the one individual who confidently sides with the Minority on every single topic.  (In some cases, he IS the minority but that's beside the point.)   He defends his side endlessly without  a single statistic and will never compromise his own opinions when one of us provides facts to devalue his arguement!  This ones for you JIBTA!

First off, Yes i am poking fun of you, JIBTA, but it is all in good fun.  In fact, all i want to do is bring together some of your most outrageous comments and put them all together on this FanPost.  I'm just reposting your own words, so i dont know how you'll be able to argue!!!  (A first??)

For starters....The overused "BS" reply.   heres a few.....

avant is not that good

by jack is better than asante on Aug 2, 2009 10:16 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

no im not .. jack is a superior talent .. you guys pick on brown and hes still a good nfl wr

by jack is better than asante on Aug 1, 2009 10:05 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

they had a better team with bradley healthy

by jack is better than asante on Aug 3, 2009 9:35 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

leave it to wild eagle to same some bs .. i wanted maclin over crabtree .. if we got nicks .. he would say the same thing .. soo biased

by jack is better than asante on Aug 5, 2009 9:42 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

just bcause all you want to trade reggie whos still has a chance to start .. its a joke .. just like you all want to cut justice .why? because he had one bad game .. thatswhy not of you are nfl coaches ..brown is our 3rd wr at worst

by jack is better than asante on Aug 6, 2009 10:29 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

 Then, we have the "You're Biased" posts.   (One of them is already posted in an above BS post.)

so biased .. herremans is not that great. . hes average .. maclin will barley play .. mccoy is not making it over steven jackson .. portis .. barber .. turner .. deangelo williams .. gore .. JACOBS!! .. westy will be lucky to make it .. mccnabb should make it .. jackson not yet .. too many good wrs in nfc .. so mcnabb peters andrews and cole .. i dont like mikell and asante but they have a good chance .. akeem jordan? hahaha dude like jordan but he may not even start

by jack is better than asante on Aug 5, 2009 10:06 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

you just dont like bertuzzi .. so you dont want him even tho he improves the team.. you want some average 4th line scrub … why not put JVR on third line .. hes better than ziggy rite now .. and ross and cote and powe

by jack is better than asante on Aug 6, 2009 10:46 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Voted for Jack Ikegwuonu on Bleeding Green Nation - 08/06/09 10:24 PM PDT

The last one listed here isnt him saying that everyone else is biased.  It's HIM showing that HE is biased.  He voted for Jack on a day that everyone wrote that DJAX lit up camp!  Playing favorites JIBTA?

Lastly, I am going to touch on his Opinionfacts.  Yup, a new word just for JIBTA.  The definition, which will eventually be found in Websters, will read.  "Opinionfact: (verb); Description of strongheaded persons opinions that are only to be viewed as facts, despite lack of support.  Disagreement with an opinionfact will result in belittling, BS replies, and favoritism."

put happ in the pen now .. get him used to being in there and pitching everyday .. hes not going to pitch in the playoffs anyways .. lee hamels blanton .. pedro or moyer may get one start .. but its going to be a 3 man rotation .. put happ in there now .. plus hes gotta be on a pitch count for the season .. hes going to break down soon .. and his stuff is not that good .. he projects as a 4th starter

by jack is better than asante on Aug 5, 2009 10:21 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

deon was old by then .. vick was the best athlete by far .. he was unstopable .. cunningham couldnt run like vick .. the man had 1000 yards in a season

by jack is better than asante on Aug 8, 2009 9:52 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

only TO and ware and maybe witten were great on that team .. and vick was unstopable .. when u played the falcons u gameplaned all week for vick .. he was the x factor .. he never had a good team .. he had average wrs and warrick dunn .. and he made crumpler good

by jack is better than asante on Aug 8, 2009 10:57 AM PDT up reply actions

vick could drop back .. take off and go 80 yards for a td .. no other qb in history could do that

by jack is better than asante on Aug 7, 2009 11:44 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I really like the last one posted above.   FredEx quickly replied to this comment that Vick had NEVER broken a run over 58 yards.  (A fact.)   Yet JIBTA continued his arguement and stayed on course!  Congrats, on your overwhelming amount of perseverance!

So in the end....I have to say that BGN has become a much more interesting place since March 28, 2009.  A day that i wont soon forget.   A day when one of the most Argumentative Screen Names was created. 

Jack Is Better Than Asante, I salute you for continuing to start fights over every single topic that is spoken of here on BGN.  Your desire to disagree with the Majority is as predictable, as it is entertaining.....and i Thank You!

Good Afternoon Fellas,

Panther Fans......I come in peace!!!

I will be visiting your city and stadium when my beloved Eagles come to town to open the season.  I have been to Raleigh and Atlantic Beach/Emerald Isle several times, but never to Charlotte.  I've not ever had one bad experience in your lovely state, and have contemplated a move to the Wake Forest area many times.  I am excited to see a new city and stadium! 

So....

What should I expect as a visiting fan wearing a jersey and cheering (tactfully) for my own team?

I know absolutely nothing about your stadium.  Is sitting in the 500 level still OK for viewing?  I've visited some stadiums where the upper deck is fine, and others where you watch the jumbo TV the entire time....

I just booked airfare (Huge sale on Expedia for $105 pp RT from Baltimore) and then looked on a map to find that Marriot Courtyard looked to be very convenient.  Is that also a good area for bars and restaraunts?

I appreciate any info!

-JW

Hi All,

The season is quickly approaching and since it is so difficult to get Eagles tickets without being a season ticket holder, I always get stuck paying a ton for a game or 2 on ebay.  This year, I started looking into some away games and found that it is very easy, and cheap to get tickets to Panthers games.  Being that thats our first game this year, I think that i am gonna jump on the opportunity, only go to one game, but make it an opening day celebration.  

I want to share some of my findings if anyone else would be interested.  I would love to have some other Eagles fans around to hang out with!!

On Expedia, they are running a special on Trips from Baltimore to Charlotte.  It's $105.00 roundtrip per person including all of the taxes!  I know it may be a little bit of a farther drive down to BWI, but i think its worth it!   (Its $148.00 from Philly.)

Game tickets are selling for as little as $60.00.  I have searched craigslist and ebay.   They have available tickets through the Panthers Box Office still, but only in 2 game packs.  You'd have to buy the Vikings game for December 20th as well as the Eagles.  I may just do this and then try to sell my Vikings tickets. 

There are hotel specials as well.  I am likely going to Book the Westin in Charlotte thats about 4 blocks from the stadium.  Its $370.00 and covers Saturday night and Sunday night....flying out Monday.  They have cheaper hotels.  We just always stay in Westins to rack up some points.  I found hotels downtown for as little as $72.00 per night.

Anyways...there are the fruits of my labor!   I enjoy traveling and searching for some "Too Good To Be True" deals.   I think this one qualifies, especially if you fly from BWI, and book the cheaper hotel with 4 people in it.

Flight (105.00) + Game ticket ($60.00) + Cheaper Hotel (Split 4-ways $36.00)  = $201.00 for a weekend in Charlotte and an Eagles opening game!!

I hope someone else finds this helpful, and hopefully we can meet up in Charlotte.  First Beer is on me!

-Jay

Well it wasnt too long ago that a lot of people on here were throwing around nasty comments about how the Eagles Front Office was greedy and wouldnt spend any money to improve our team, despite being about 47 million under the cap.  It all pretty much started around the Dawkins situation. 

Analysts began to question the Eagles offseason moves...since they were virtually non-existent.  We were letting guys go left and right, but hadnt picked up any new players yet.  No one could figure out what direction we were going in.....

Most of us,however, were level headed enough to know that the Eagle WOULD be making their moves...they just hadnt happened in the first week or 2 of free agency.  We have now addressed and significantly improved out O-Line, added a FB, filled in some depth in our secondary and slowly improved our offseason "Report Card" from a 'D' to at least a 'B' per many analysts. 

Remaining offseason financial moves will likely include signing several of the new drafted rookies, extending McNabb and possibly extending another 1 or 2 guys on the current roster...

With all of that said...theres one side of this that no one has spoken of yet....and i am far from an expert on this topic...

How much of our original 47 million for 2009 is gone?   How much more is available if there are moves that our Front Office sees as worthwhile?

[Note by JasonB, 04/05/09 12:11 PM EDT ] Promoted from fanposts. Thought this was a great story to share for a slow Eagles weekend.

This past year I was in Jamaica for a week to surprise my girlfriend with an Engagement Ring.  While we were there,  the Eagles played the 49ers and I was nervous that I was going to be left in the dark watching a score ticker in the bottom corner of some European Soccer game. 

Wow was I wrong!  There was a 3,000 square foot sports bar that had several nice TV's and a 100" Projection Screen TV that I got them to play the Eagles Game On!!  We had already watched several Philles Playoff Games on the TV, but watching my beloved Eagles on the mega screen, in Jamaica, with bottom-less drink and food....was amazing!  There turned out to be about 10 other Eagles fans there watching and we all had a blast watching the Birds come flying back in the 4th qtr to win the game!  Everyone at the resort (waitstaff and bartenders especially) made a very big deal about the game since all week long my fiance and I were rocking our 16 ounce Eagles mugs to drink our bottom-less beverages.  All of the Jamaicans were cheering for the Eagles and pouring us some crazy shots when we scored to celebrate!  Certainly a memory that I wont forget.

Continue reading this post »

You Guys tell me.   I've voiced my opinion plenty of Times this week.  I'd love to hear what everyone else thinks!

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