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Former Eagle Tra Thomas retires
Former Eagles’ offensive lineman Tra Thomas has retired according to an Associated Press report. Thomas was a stud tackle for the Eagles from 1998-2008, helping protect Donovan McNabb. Thomas made three Pro Bowls during that time.
Bellow is the complete AP report:
SAN DIEGO (AP) — The San Diego Chargers say 35-year-old left offensive tackle Tra Thomas has retired, leaving the team woefully thin at a crucial position.
Thomas was signed as insurance when it became apparent that Marcus McNeill might stage a prolonged holdout. Thomas, a 12-year veteran, had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee.
General manager A.J. Smith didn’t return a call seeking comment Saturday.
Even if McNeill ended his holdout, Smith placed him on the roster exempt list on Friday, meaning he’ll be suspended for three games once he signs his contract tender.
McNeill is unhappy that he hasn’t been given a long-term deal. Instead, the Chargers tendered the restricted free agent a one-year deal for $3,168,000.
Does Michael Vick deserve more time on the field?
It certainly looked that way when on the field in the pre-season game against Jacksonville. Vick went 11/17 on completions, had 119 yards, and 1 interception.
Now, I know this was just a pre-season game and there are plenty more tough games ahead, but I can’t seem to shake the idea that Vick still has the talent he had in Atlanta. Sure he hasn’t shown us a ton of great plays, but he also hasn’t been on the field nearly as much either.
I always liked Vick. Now, don’t get me wrong, the whole dog fighting thing is most certainly NOT cool in my book, but give the guy some credit. He has paid his dues and was punished for his crimes. He has even done community service in Philadelphia. To all the Vick haters out there, give the guy a chance. He made a huge mistake, bigger then most people make, but he did his time and now he is just trying to get back to his career. It’s in the past.
Anyway, as far as the pre-season game against the Jaguars goes, I do believe Vick showed he’s still got it. I think it would be wise for Andy Reid to play Vick a bit more this season. Not just because of the whole transition into the Kolb era, but because he will ease some of that pressure off of Kolb. Vick has great speed, and makes great plays. Losing McNabb was a bit of a blow, but between Kolb and Vick, I think the Eagles will be just fine this season.
What are your thoughts? Does Vick deserve more playing time? Do you believe he’s still got that talent everybody says he left in Atlanta? Let us hear it.
49ers are the perfect fit for Westbrook
The NFL can be a cruel place for running backs who are at, near or past the age of 30. At an age where most guys are still living out what’s left of their college juices, running backs are told they are too old, too slow and no longer relevant.
This was the reality for Brian Westbrook. Despite nearly a decade of hard work, production and at times excellence with the Philadelphia Eagles, Westbrook, 31, was sent packing after last season. His body worn down by injuries, Westbrook no longer had a place in the Eagles plans — and for a few months there was no place for him anywhere in the league.
Rumors were persistent for the better part of two months that the helpless St. Louis Rams were interested in bringing in the aging back. This was sad news to say the least. The Rams aren’t going anywhere anytime soon and Westbrook only has so much mileage left on his legs and shoulders. If he joined the Rams he would get a job and paycheck, but I doubt any real sense of enjoyment or accomplishment.
Then came news yesterday that Westbrook had signed – not with the Rams, but rather the San Francisco 49ers. He will compete for the backup job which was vacated when 23-year old running back Glen Coffee shockingly announced his retirement last week after just one NFL season. With a hole in their lineup the 49ers reached out and gave the veteran a chance – and it is a chance I believe he will thrive in.
Unlike the Rams, the 49ers figure very much to be in contention this season. They have one of the best coaches in the business and a tough S.O.B in Mike Singletary. Singletary demands that his team run the football and with Frank Gore leading the way that is the obvious direction to go. With the 49ers Westbrook should be more than serviceable. Gore will take the bulk of the carries, attention and glory. Westbrook will be fine with that.
Westbrook didn’t go to San Fran for glory or money – he making just $1.25 million this season – he went for a chance to prove that he can still produce, and do so for a winner.
In his eight seasons with the Eagles Westbrook rushed for 5,995 yards and 37 touchdowns and caught 426 passes for 3,790 yards and 29 TDs. Up until last season every time he touched the ball Eagles fans knew something big could happen. Many times it did. San Fran fans get to experience the same feeling every time Gore touches the ball. Now they can also experience that when he takes a break.
Westbrook won’t be playing in the Pro Bowl and almost certainly won’t sniff 1,000 yards rushing this season, but he doesn’t have to. Instead heshould be able to keep his body fresh, while helping the 49ers ground game get even better.
The Eagles made the right decision by moving on and almost nothing Westbrook will do can change that. The team is featuring youth and Westbrook no longer fit in their plans.
But with the 49ers, Westbrook has the perfect opportunity to show that even at 31, he can help a team win, and maybe even win big.
Vick Officially Cleared ?
Today it was reported that Eagles owner Jeff Lurie cleared Michael Vick, stating that he made an error in judgement being there in an effort to appease certain members of his family and people from his old neighborhood-meaning, his dogfighting ring cronys-but that he was not DIRECTLY involved with any wrongdoing personally in regards to the shooting.
Huh ?
I responded to this interview much in the same way I responded to the Eagles acquisition of the historically troubled quarterback in the first place.
Any time I post in opposition to Vick, I get comments about the man having served his time and giving him another chance. I responded then as I do now; If any of us were to repeatedly be involved in legal troubles of any nature, the world would not respond so kindly to our re-introduction as is any athlete or celebrity accustomed.
The Eagles have a strong young quarterback with limited experience in Kerry Kolb. He can carry the franchise the next 5-10 years and possibly do great things, especially if the recieving corps is reinforced. They need a proven veteran who is an asset to the team, in both action and attitude. They need someone who can step in if things get out of control, or Kolb were to get injured (always a possibility for starting quarterbacks in the NFL)
They don’t need Vick. They don’t need the drama.
They can do without his 68 yards passing, his 95 yards rushing, his 3 touchdowns, all at a bargain NFL ticket of 1.6 million. This year he is making 5.2 million. That we know of. That’s more than $1,700,000 per touchdown. Or $31,901 per yard. Or $4 more a ticket you and me and everyone has to pay to see him play. And he is hardly ever a factor, even when on the field.
I don’t see him as ever being a factor and, based on his first year’s performance in Philly, I don’t see why Lurie relaxed his zero tolerance policy, which would of course NOT include looking the other way at any player being present at the scene of a shooting, to make an exception for Vick of all people.
It is sad. The NFL allowed him to return to play after his incarceration. Tony Dungy stood up for him. McNabb and Reid lobbied to get him on the roster. Now Lurie is standing up for him. What more does our young superstar desire ? Why is it he can’t stay away from people who break laws and cause trouble ? He knows he is a celebrity so I would think he would be ultra careful.
I will be rooting for Kolb to be strong out of training camp and eliminate any need to have further Vick discussion. Let’s have him “star” in 50 snaps that gain a total of 200 yards for the season and pay him 3 times as much this year.
Allegations regarding Michael Vick since he was drafted in 2001:
Full Training Camp now underway
The veterans are all in. Eagles Training Camp has officially begun.
As the Birds usher in a new era with the likes of Donovan McNabb, Brian Westbrook and Sheldon Brown no longer on the roster, this camp has a feel unlike any other in the last decade. For the first time there is a bit of uncertainty as to what to expect from this team. Will the youth movement result in the Eagles taking a step forward or back? Is Kevin Kolb the real deal at QB? What can we expect from the Eagle’s defense in Sean McDermott’s second season?
Over the next few weeks phillysportsblogs.com will examine those questions and many more.
But for today, here is a look at some highlights from last season as football fans get pumped up for their favorite time of year.
No punishment coming for Vick
For a change there is some good news regarding Michael Vick. According to an NFL spokesman, there will be no suspension forthcoming for Vick after his latest off-field issue.
Eagles coach Andy Reid is scheduled to have a press conference at 5 p.m. to provide further information.
Bellow is the Associated Press report:
An NFL spokesman says there has been no change in Michael Vick’s playing status, so the Eagles quarterback reported to training camp on Monday as expected.
When asked whether a league investigation of Vick has been completed, Greg Aiello tells The Associated Press in an e-mail the NFL would have no further comment on Vick at this time.
Vick reiterated on Monday that he has done nothing wrong.
The NFL and the Eagles have been looking into a shooting incident at a Virginia Beach, Va., nightclub, where Vick held his 30th birthday party on June 25th. Police say no charges will be filed in the incident because of a lack of cooperation by witnesses and the victim, who Vick’s attorney Larry Woodward identified as Quanis Phillips — a co-defendant in Vick’s federal dogfighting case.
Bradley vs. Celek Twitter Battle
This is not really the kind thing I thought I’d be writing about today. Given the Eagles 2010 season starts in just a few hours. But none the less.
I guess we can call this a battle of the twitiron. Recently Stewart Bradley and Brent Celek have began a twitter “battle” to see who can get the most followers and the winner will make a donation to their respective charity.
Follow Stewart Bradkley here http://twitter.com/stewbradley
or Follow Brent Celek here http://twitter.com/brentcelek
All I can say is someone had a bad year last year before it really began. Lets help to get him off to a good start this year.
What I learned on my 2-week vacation Part 2: You have got to be kidding me!
PSB writer Eric Schwartz spent’ the last two weeks on vacation traveling up and down the East Coast for two weddings, moving into a new house and doing a lot of sweating. Here is a five-part what he learned during that period and how it relates to the Philadelphia sports scene.
Orlando, Florida is the setting of my next lesson and once again it is a wedding reception that serves as the background. This wedding had it all: a Disney backdrop, great food and even an appearance by Donald Duck. Yet a “You have to be kidding me!” moment was about to sneak up on the guests.
During the cocktail hour an odd choice of music came on. I’m not sure of the title of the song but it was no doubt a selection from Nickelback.
About 20 minutes later with the dinner now underway Nickelback was again the song of choice. Knowing the bride and groom I know this was not their choosing.
Then inexplicably, 10 minutes later another Nickelback song was played. By this time the groom had had enough and ordered the DJ not to play any more Nickelback for the night. The crowd was thankful. Very thankful.
Three Nickelback songs in one hour at a wedding? You have got to be kidding me!
Which brings us back to Philly where Eagles quarterback Michael Vick once again found himself in the news for the wrong reasons.
By now it’s old news that Vick left his birthday party just minutes after a co-defendant from his dog-fighting case was shot. For most media members the questions surround when Vick left the party and why the shooting happened in the first place.
For me, I want to know why Vick is still hanging out with this crew?
Vick got a second chance in the NFL after his dog-fighting past and said he would be smarter about the situations he put himself in and the people he hung out with.
So far, Vick is 0-for-2.
For now it looks like the Eagles will stick with Vick as their backup QB although there is a chance the team’s relationship with the player could still end. I can’t fault the team for sticking with him considering there is currently no direct evidence to link Vick to the shooting, I can only ask “What was Vick thinking?”
On the bright side, I’m sure Nickelback wasn’t played at his party.
Read Part 1: Avoiding disaster
Mixed Messages
The Philadelphia Eagles released a statement Saturday saying that they are not considering releasing quarterback Michael Vick at this time. The questions surrounded the star because he is in the midst of an investigation of a shooting. After signing with the Eagles following his two years in prison, Vick had seemingly stayed out of trouble, until June 25th.
On the eve of his 30th birthday, a former defendant on Vick’s dog fighting case was shot outside Vick’s restaurant, where he was out celebrating. Vick insists that he was long gone from the restaurant by the time of the shooing, but questions still remain.
This latest incident just adds to the controversy that surrounds Vick. The former Virginia Tech star, who was previously imprisoned for his famous involvement in a dog fighting ring, was given a second chance by the Eagles, but he does not seem to be making the best of his situation. While it is understandable that he can not have control over everything that goes on around him, it would be in his best interest to try to stay under the radar as much as possible.
It seems that Vick has put the Eagles in a difficult position. With the release of Donovan McNabb this off-season, the team showed they are committed to quarterback Kevin Kolb, with Vick backing him up. Now the team will have to decide whether Vick is worth the risk.
Jaws says Eagles look energized; Vick voted most hated athlete
If Ron Jaworski is to be believed the Eagles are a team with a ton of energy right now. With so many young players on their roster and the likes of Donovan McNabb, Brian Westbrook and Sheldon Brown no longer in the fold, there is a sense that things are fresher than they have been in years.
Bellow is an excerpt from profootballtalk.com
“I’ve spoken to a number of players, a number of the coaches, and the one thing I sense that was probably missing over the last couple years is energy,” Jaworski said this week to Mike Missanelli on 97.5, via Sheil Kapedia of Philly.com. “There’s almost that little-kid enthusiasm right now within the organization because of the changes they’ve made.”
Time will tell if that energy translates into more wins.
In other News Michael Vick has been named the Most Disliked Person in Sports by a poll provided by Forbes. Nothing too surprising there as people who read Forbes are still a little upset about the whole dog fighting thing. Rounding out the top five were Al Davis, Ben Roethlisberger, Tiger Woods and Jerry Jones.
Marlin Jackson injured again
Fears felt by Eagles fans the day the team signed Marlin Jackson unfortunately seem justified as Jackson reportedly suffered a serious leg injury today at practice. Bellow is a blog by ESPN’s Sal Paolantonio:
Eagles starting free safety Marlin Jackson appeared to suffer a serious injury to his right leg at practice Tuesday.
Jackson, who has a history of knee injuries, had to be taken off the field in a cart. The Eagles are officially calling Jackson’s injury a right ankle injury.
Jackson, who left the Indianapolis Colts to sign with the Eagles in March, suffered season-ending knee injuries the past two seasons and had surgery on both knees.
He missed the second half of 2008 with a torn ACL in his right knee and tore the ACL in his left knee in 2009.
Not that we expected big things out of Jackson, but he would have provided quality depth in the secondary. This is why teams stay away from players who have a history of serious injuries. I looks like the Eagles may not get anything for the investment made in Jackson.
Writer labels Dawkins as overrated
Pete Prisco picked the wrong guy to pick on. In his article on cbssports.com, Prisco chooses the players he feels is the most overrated and underrated on each NFL team. What he wrote wasn’t so bad about any current Eagle, but rather an Eagle that is still No.1 in the hearts of Philadelphia fans.
Yes, Prisco choose Brian Dawkins as the most overrated player on the Denver Broncos. Of Dawkins he said: “He’s a good player, but he’s not nearly as good as his reputation. No way should he have been in the Pro Bowl.”
As if that wasn’t naïve enough cbssports has gone as far as to put up a poll on its main page about the most overrated players in the NFL and sure enough they chose Dawkins as one of its five choices, joining Brandon Jacobs, Matt Light, Anquan Boldin and John Abraham.
When I read that list I see a lot of winners. Overrated never even comes to mind.
As for what Prisco thought of the Eagles, he had Asante Samuels as the overrated player and Jason Avant as the underrated guy. You get no complaints from me there but by the time I got down to the Eagles picks it was far too late to salvage Prisco’s work of garbage.
So does anyone here think Dawkins has suddenly become an overrated player? He sure didn’t seem overrated when the Cowboys lit up the Dawkins-less Eagles secondary the last two games of the season.
And how about the Eagles picks? Did he get it right?
Joe Gibbs doesn’t understand
Remember when Joe Gibbs was retired from football and just stuck with his racing team?
Yea, those were the good days.
Gibbs threw in his two sense about the Eagles trading Donovan McNabb. Naturally the former Redskins coach can’t understand the move and think the Eagles are fools. Bellow is an except of his conversation with ESPN’s First Take courtesy of our friends at Profootballtalk.com:
“I didn’t quite understand that one,” Gibbs said when asked about the trade in an interview on ESPN First Take. “Because what you’re doing is you’re taking someone in the division and giving them a quarterback.”
Gibbs said that he has first-hand knowledge of McNabb’s abilities from coaching against him, and that the Eagles just gave the Redskins exactly the kind of quarterback they need.
“My problem with Donovan was when we played against them, he hurt us,” Gibbs said. “He’s a big man, he scrambles out of the pocket, he’s hard to get down, and when he gets out of the pocket, he makes big plays down the field.”
Added Gibbs of McNabb in a Redskins uniform, “I think Philly’s going to be holding their breath on this one.”
Well Gibbs, we here at PhillySportsBlogs think you’re old and should have been out of the game years ago. … Speaking of that, take it away Jim Carry.
McNabb Apologizes
Donovan McNabb apologized Friday, to the fans in Philadelphia for not bringing home a Super Bowl trohpy to the city. The former Eagles quarterback spent 11 seasons in the city of brotherly love, taking the team to the 2004 Super Bowl and 7 playoff appearances, but was unable to bring home the ultimate prize.
The quarterback, who was traded to NFC East rival Washington Redskins during the off-season, feels that he let the city down by not achieving his goal. While many fans had hoped the face of the franchise would bring a much needed championship to the city, the overall feel seems to be sad to see him depart, especially to a rival.
So the question is, do you think Donovan needed to apologize? Whether he needed to or not, I think his intentions are good. He feels he let down a great amount of people who supported him, through the good and the bad, down and by acknowledging his own disappointment, shows how much he cares and looks fondly on his time in Philly.
McNabb has certainly cemented a place in Eagles history, only time will tell if his successor will be able to deliver a Championship.
What do you think of McNabbs apology?
McNabb-Westbrook together again?
Donovan McNabb and Brian Westbrook might still be teammates after all.
Westbrook was in Washington for a visit with the Redskins/ If the Skins decide to take a chance on Westbrook, he will be paired with McNabb, who the team acquired earlier in the offseason.
Bellow is an excerpt from an Associated Press report:
The longtime Philadelphia Eagles standout visited the Redskins on Wednesday. General manager Bruce Allen called it “a good meeting” and that he will “probably have some meetings down the road” with the 30-year-old back.
The Redskins already have plenty of experienced star power at the position. In addition to 28-year-old incumbent Clinton Portis, they’ve added 30-year-old Larry Johnson and 29-year-old Willie Parker this offseason.
While I still think Westbrook can be a great third down back I don’t see Washington would bring him on considering their depth at the position. If they do sign him, expect Portis, Johnson or Parker to be cut in training camp — maybe even two of the three.
For the Eagles sake I hope this doesn’t happen. Having McNabb come to town in a different uniform will seem strange enough without Westbrook being beside him.
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