Sure, Mike Vick played on Sunday in Miami but let’s not forget: He is still nursing two broken ribs. And the Eagles’ offensive line did him no favors by allowing him to be sacked 4 times in that game. So it was no surprise when Mike Vick said at his post game presser that, despite his extra padding,  he was in pain.

Along those lines, it shouldn’t be too shocking to hear that Vick did not practice on Wednesday.

Head coach Andy Reid stated that Vick “was a little tender from the game [but] not as bad as before.”

He needs a little extra time to heal. Fair enough.

Center Jason Kelce realizes that some of the problems with the o line on Sunday contributed to Vick’s soreness.

“He is still sore. I was talking to him about it [on Tuesday]. He’s taken a lot of shots; he extends plays, that’s always been his M.O., extending the play, making something happen . . . Sometimes you’re going to take some beatings. Early on in the year, we got him hit way too much . . . There’s only so many hits a guy can take in a year.”

Indeed. So let’s try to keep it together this week, mmkay o line? » Continue reading “Mike Vick Sidelined,Trent Cole Fined”

Playoffs?!

The biggest talk of the NFC East is the Cowboys’ loss to the Giants in Sunday Night Football. Dallas had been alone in holding the top spot in the division, and their loss represented a measure of hope for the Eagles for getting into the playoffs. Let’s be very clear about this: It is incredibly unlikely that this will happen. But there’s a chance. There is also a chance that I will be discovered for my true inner pop star diva tomorrow, but that too is highly doubtful.

You should know this: For anything to be possible, the Birds need to win out. And winning against the Jets on Sunday will be a challenging proposition . Also keep in mind that their longest winning “streak” this season has been two games. Four would be a stretch.

The Eagles would need both the Giants and the Cowboys to lose this weekend in order to still be in the hunt. ESPN’s NFC East blog does a terrific job of outlining all of the possibilities for what may happen in the next few weeks, noting the following:

If the Eagles win their next two games, the Cowboys lose to the Bucs next week and the Giants lose to Washington and the Jets, the Eagles would clinch the division with a Week 17 victory over the Redskins regardless of the Giants-Cowboys result. » Continue reading “Eagles Briefs: Keeping Hope Alive; Steve Smith to IR”

It was the 4th quarter. The Eagles were leading the Giants 10-3. But then, Victor Cruz catches a 24-yard pass off from Eli Manning to tie the game 10-10, complete with salsa dance in the endzone.

Gulp. We’ve all seen this before. We knew what was coming.

But this time, despite all odds, the Eagles hung on to win, defeating the Giants 17-10.

Another NFC East that was heavily favored to win doesn’t deliver. But this time it was the Giants. The word “elite” has been thrown around to describe Eli Manning’s play this season. But he was more like the Manning Eagles fans have come to know and love to hate on Sunday night: prone to making poor throws and decisions. Manning was 18/35 passes for 264 yards and had 1 touchdown and 1 INT.

Ladies and gentlemen, we survived Vince Young’s first start as an Eagle. He’s numbers were not pretty at all, but we won. Whenever you have more interceptions than touchdowns, it’s unlikely that this will be the case but luck was somehow on Philadelphia’s side on Sunday Night. VY was 23/36 for 258 yards for 2 TDs and 3 interceptions. Young’s quarterback rating was 69. » Continue reading “Underdog Eagles Win Big in New York”

Caffeine will ease the pain of reading about the state of the Eagles.

Newsflash: Bad teams brew a lot of news. There isn’t much to say if you’re lucky enough to root for a good team. They’re good. They’re winning. Yay team.

When your team is bad, you have stories about player meltdowns, tensions in the locker room, questions about the team’s leadership and tenure of the coaching staff…all wonderful to read when it’s not about your team. But when it is? It’s not so great.

But alas, that’s where we are with the Philadelphia Eagles. A crappy team that now provides us with an unending supply of news stories. So let’s get to it.

Take that: Offensive Coordinator Marty Mornhinweg says that ole’ Kevin Kolb exaggerated the help he provided to his current team by calling out the plays from his lazy former team. Does that make you feel better? Yeah–me either. – CSNPhilly

Former Eagles LB Jeremiah Trotter weighs on the inner workings of the Eagles’ front office and locker room. – Eagles Addict

Sayeth Vince Young: “”It’s not about me. It’s about the team. I want to go out there and lead the guys to a victory. I’m definitely happy, definitely happy to be playing. But at the same time, it’s not about me. It’s all about the team.” That sounds like someone who’s going to be starting in a game, doesn’t it? Prepare yourselves… – Philadelphia Eagles

Yes, he’s likely to be  the starter for your team on Sunday and yes, there is concern that Vince Young still doesn’t know the Eagles’ play book. What the heck has he been doing sitting on the sideline all of that time? – Pro Football Zone

Sheil Kapadia breaks down 15 things you should know about the coming Sunday Night Football Eagles – Giants Game – Moving the Chains

The Eagles spate of 4th quarter meltdowns aren’t just infuriating. They aren’t just humiliating. They are historic. Historically bad. – CSNPhilly

Steve Smith, every Eagles fan’s least favorite wide receiver right now, returns to his former stomping ground for the first time since becoming an Eagles. He’s expecting Giants fans to be a lil’ sore about that. “Brutal,” in fact.  – ProFootballTalk

Want more Philly Sports Muse? You can find me on Twitter at @sports_muse and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/phillysportmuse.

On the eve of the start of the 2011 season for the Philadelphia Eagles, what better time to look at the season ahead for the Birds?

Though I know you will be watching each and every game on the team’s schedule, here are a few that you should circle on your calendars.

Week 3 v Giants (Sunday, 9/25 – 1 pm on FOX)

So many reasons to look forward to this game. First, it is the home opener for the Birds. It’s the 1st game against a division rival. We get to see Steve Smith go out  against his former team. New York with a slew of injuries already in the season. And last but not least, any games played against the Giants represent the opportunity to make fun of Eli Manning.

Bring it. » Continue reading “The Season Ahead: Circle These Games on Your Calendars”

Danny Watkins. This fresh face needs just a wee bit more practice

Hello, football fans! Do you know what today is? Of course you do. Other than the fact that it is another rainy day that torturously isn’t Friday, it is the first day of the 2011 season. Oh glorious day!

Sure, it’s not the Eagles playing, but especially after this long and painful offseason, knowing that football is really, truly, finally here is a sublime feeling.

As we get closer to the Eagles’ season opener on Sunday there is lots of good old fashion football news to report. Signings! Injury reports! Changing lineups! How I love this time of year. » Continue reading “Eagles Briefs: Watkins Benched, Hanson Returns”

The level of expectation for the Eagles’ receiving corps shot up measurably this weekend with the appearance of that wideouts Jeremy Maclin and Steve Smith at the Novacare on Saturday. It was the first time that either have been able to practice in the 2011 season.

Maclin is recovering from an extended viral infection that he feared was lymphoma. Smith is recovering from knee surgery and initial estimates had him not returning to the playing field until mid-October.

Do both players think they will be ready for the season opener against the Rams in St. Louis on September 11? Absolutely.

St. Louis is Maclin’s hometown, and members of his community have purchased 1,000 tickets to support their native son.  Maclin said that there is “no doubt about” the fact that he will be ready to play in St. Louis. » Continue reading “Eagles Briefs: Jeremy Maclin and Steve Smith Practice”

In the glee that has been witnessing the Giants stew with anger at the Eagles’ signing of Steve Smith, I’ve avoided mentioning something.

A certain Smith, now an Eagle, pissed off Eagles fans this summer when he entered the fray of Twiter wars between then-teammate Osi Umeyiora and now-teammate LeSean McCoy.

The good news is that Smith can explore graphic design career opportunities when no longer in the NFL.

The bad news is that he created this:

Yes, he went there.

They are now teammates–but LeSean is making it known that he is willing to neither forgive nor forget in his situation.
Philly Sports Daily reported that Smith planned to seek out McCoy to try to move past the situation and explain that it was simply a “Twitter beef.” But Shady is having none of it.

After practice on Monday, Smith stated of his attempts to smooth things over with McCoy

“That’s going to take a little time. He wasn’t the happiest. He said he meant what he said, so it’s all good.”

Time to shake it off and grow up, boys.

Want more Philly Sports Muse? You can find me on Twitter at @sports_muse and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/phillysportmuse.

Tom Coughlin is all kinds of upset that his team lost Steve Smith to their division rival Philadelphia Eagles.

Oh boo hoo, Tommy. You snooze you lose. After comments that seemed to dismiss Smith as a lost cause due to recovery from his injury, how can you be surprised and indignant?

Coughlin feels that Smith’s agent wasn’t open and honest with the team and that, accordingly, the rug was pulled out from under the Giants.

If that’s the case, I say well done.

ESPN reports that Coughlin said

“It’s like lining up for the race and you’re in the locker room and nobody tells you that the race is going to be run. That’s the disappointing thing here. I don’t believe that we were given the opportunity to do what we could do.”

Another player stolen out from under a New York team. How delightfully delicious. This trend may literally be one of the best things to happen since sliced bread.

In fairness to Coughlin (trust me, that is the only time those words I will ever write those words), he spoke out of extreme frustration. I don’t believe that the comments were truly due to the actions of Smith’s agent. His anger is due to a situation that he feels could have been avoided if his team didn’t have such a crap front office.

Giants’ General Manager Jerry Reese does the team’s contracts, and his refusal to speak to the media since the start of training camp hasn’t helped the perception that the Giants’ FO has no idea what it’s doing.

The Giants may be the first true hot mess of the 2011 season and I am loving every minute of it.

Just because they’re mad about the loss of a star receiver? No. Because members of the organizations are having public meltdowns on Twitter. I haven’t seen such craziness since the Greg Aiello’s Steak ‘n Shake rant during the height of the lockout.

Giants VP of Communications Pat Hanlon took to Twitter to defend the moves–or, more accurately, lack thereof–of his organization. By doing so, he proved that poor displays of judgment on social media are not the sole domain of athletes and politicians.

I have hand-picked my favorites for you after the jump. » Continue reading “Ah, The Smell of A Bitter Giants Organization”

Another busy week in Eagles news. Here’s a look at some of the best Eagles headlines from around the web for your weekend:

Because he is the man…Ray Diddy’s thoughts on Thursday’s preseason opener – CSNPhilly

Well, we certainly missed football…a lot  – Bleeding Green Nation

We don’t know what ails WR Jeremy Maclin, but Andy Reid thinks he’ll be ready for the start of the season – ProFootballTalk

A look at the Birds’ 1st depth chart – BirdPhood

Seriously. Cut the “Dream Team” crap already – Philly.com

Steve Smith placed on the PUP list and other roster updates – Philadelphia Eagles

Mike Patterson update: Agent says he could be back on the field this season – Philly.com

D. McNabb weighs in on the Eagles’ preseason. Maybe this time his comments won’t piss people off. Possibly? – CSNPhilly

Want more Philly Sports Muse? You can find me on Twitter at @sports_muse and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/phillysportmuse.