Tag: Andy Reid (Page 8 of 12)

      Don’t bank on Vick replacing Kolb as Eagles’ full-time starter

      September 17, 2010 /
      PHILADELPHIA - SEPTEMBER 12: Michael Vick of the Philadelphia Eagles warms up before a game against the Green Bay Packers during the NFL season opener at Lincoln Financial Field on September 12, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

      I’m getting a big kick out of listening to all the chatter going on this week surrounding the Eagles’ starting quarterback job.

      Michael Vick plays like the 2002 version of himself for three quarters and now all of a sudden some are ready to anoint him mayor of Philadelphia.

      Relax.

      First and foremost, keep in mind that part of the reason Vick looked so good last week against the Packers is because Green Bay had game planned for Kolb. While they may have had a plan to defense Vick for the three or four times they should have seen him, they weren’t prepared to stop a mobile quarterback for three-fourths of the game. There’s no question that Vick looked good, but let’s see how he does when a defense has an entire week to game plan for him…

      …what? The Eagles play the Lions this Sunday? (Damn it…should have looked at the schedule before making that point.)

      Back to Kolb: not only did Andy Reid use a second round pick on the former Houston product in 2007, but he also signed off on the trade that sent his quarterback of the last decade (Donovan McNabb) to Washington in order to make way for Kolb to start. So it’s going to take a little more than one quarter of poor play (with a concussion, no less) for Kolb to lose his starting job.

      Even if Vick dazzles again on Sunday, don’t expect Kolb to ride the pine in Week 3 and beyond. When he’s healthy enough to play again, he’ll start. If he looks shaky again, then maybe the fine folks in Philly can start thinking about getting that mayor chair warmed up for Vick.

      External Sports, NFL

      2010 NFL Preview: NFC East Predictions

      September 2, 2010 /
      MINNEAPOLIS - JANUARY 17: Tony Romo #9 of the Dallas Cowboys yells to call a play during the second quarter of the game against the Minnesota Vikings during the NFC Divisional Playoff Game at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on January 17, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

      2010 NFL Division Previews & Predictions: AFC East | AFC North | AFC South | AFC West | NFC East | NFC North | NFC South | NFC West | 2010 Question Marks Series

      Much like its counterpart in the AFC, the NFC East is extremely difficult to predict this year. Three of the top four teams are legitimate playoff contenders and the Redskins have improved after going 4-12 last season.

      It’s going to be a battle in this division this year, much like it is every season.

      Here’s how I see things shaking out in the NFC East in 2010. Be sure to check out the link entitled “2010 Question Mark” under each team’s preview, which is a breakdown of one or two potential weaknesses that could derail that squad’s hopes this season.

      1. Cowboys

      What to Like: The ‘Boys already had quite the offensive core in Tony Romo, Miles Austin, Marion Barber, Jason Witten and Felix Jones. But then they had Dez Bryant fall to them in the first round last April, which gives the offense yet another playmaker that defenses have to deal with every Sunday. After finishing sixth last year in total offense and 14th in scoring, I don’t see any reason why Dallas shouldn’t light up the scoreboard again this season. Defensively, DeMarcus Ware returns as a pass-rushing terror from his outside linebacker position and the unit is littered with underrated players like Jay Ratliff and Igor Olshansky.
      What Not to Like: The biggest two question marks surround the free safety and left tackle positions. Alan Ball is an intriguing prospect, but he’s only a rookie and no matter how well he plays, he’s going to make some mistakes. At left tackle, the ‘Boys dumped long-time veteran Flozell Adams and replaced him with the inexperienced Doug Free, who played well on the right side last year but he has never been counted on to protect a quarterback’s blindside. The good thing is that if Free struggles, the team added Alex Barron this offseason as insurance. The other concern when it comes to the Cowboys is that they have a habit of fading down the stretch, with last year being the exception. I put that on coaching more than anything and with Wade Phillips (good coach, but he doesn’t come without his criticisms) still roaming the sidelines in Dallas, that means a late-season free fall isn’t out of the question.
      Keep Your Eye On: Dez Bryant, WR
      The Cowboys’ first round pick has already turned heads this offseason (both for his play on the field and his decision not to carry Roy Williams’ shoulder pads after practice) and if he can recover from an ankle injury that has sidelined him for the preseason, he’s going to have opportunities to make plays out of the team’s three receiver set.
      The Final Word: This is the most talented team in the division and they’re pretty deep at most positions. The problem is that the Cowboys usually get in their own way down the stretch and late season collapses are nothing new to this franchise. That said, they got the playoff monkey off their back last year by advancing to the second round and as long as Phillips can keep this squad motivated, the ‘Boys should win the East for the second straight year. Their offense will be tough to stop and their defense will put pressure on the quarterback. The talent is there, now let’s see if the execution follows.

      Dallas Cowboys 2010 Question Mark: Free Safety

      Continue reading »

      External Sports, NFL

      McNabb to the Vikings? Don’t count on it being this year.

      March 26, 2010 /

      Thanks to Andy Reid’s admission that the Eagles are at least entertaining trade discussions with other teams about all three of their quarterbacks, Donovan McNabb has become a hot topic over the last 24 hours. (And more specifically, where McNabb could wind up if he is traded.)

      The latest buzz comes from the Philadelphia Inquirer, which notes that the Vikings are atop McNabb’s trade wish list if things don’t work out in Philadelphia. Minnesota makes sense given that McNabb once played under head coach Brad Childress and is therefore familiar with the Vikings’ West Coast Offense. They’re also a contender, which is what McNabb wants to join if he is dealt.

      But there’s a simple reason why McNabb won’t be a Viking in 2010: Brett Favre.

      All right, so I don’t know for a fact that Brett is coming back. But the lack of buzz surrounding his decision this year is an indication (to me anyway) that he does plan to return. And the fact that Childress has said on multiple occasions that Favre can take his time with the decision is another indication that Brett is indeed coming back, but only on his terms (i.e. he’d rather crawl through a pit of used paper diapers then go to training camp). It seems to me that if Childress didn’t know whether or not Favre would return, he would be more unsettled in his comments to the media. After all, this is the same man that went through hell and high water to insure that the 40-year-old QB would play last season. So I’m not buying his newfound calmness.

      McNabb seems like more of a fit for the Vikings in 2011. Even if he is traded this offseason, there’s no guarantee that he’ll sign a contract extension with whichever team he winds up with. Therefore, if he wants to play for Minnesota next year, he could sign a free agent contract with them in the offseason.

      But as far as 2010 is concerned, I highly doubt we’ll see McNabb suiting up for the purple and white.


      Photo from fOTOGLIF

      NFL

      McNabb likely to stay in Philadelphia through 2010

      February 25, 2010 /

      In news that will certainly cause some Philly fans to want to punch a hole in a wall Andy Bernard-style, all indications point to Donovan McNabb remaining an Eagle this season.

      Despite persistent rumors that the team would be willing to listen to trade offers for the veteran QB, head coach Andy Reid indicated on Tuesday that McNabb would return to the team in 2010. While speaking at Brian Westbrook’s farewell press conference, new GM Howie Roseman echoed Reid’s sentiment by noting that Andy “speaks for all of us.”

      Chances are that 2010 will be McNabb’s last year in Philadelphia barring a Super Bowl victory. Kevin Kolb has been patiently waiting for his opportunity to become a starter and if McNabb once again stumbles in the playoffs, the Eagles will probably move on when Donovan’s contract ends after the 2010 season. This is all just speculation on my part, but at some point the Eagles will have to transition to the youngster and 2011 (assuming there isn’t a lockout) seems like a good year to do so.

      The Eagles certainly have enough talent to reach the playoffs for the third straight year. They have a roster chock-full of talent on both sides of the ball and a veteran coaching staff that understands what it takes to reach the postseason. But whether or not Reid and McNabb can lift this team to the next level has always been the question. We’ll find out in 2010, which is shaping up to be McNabb’s last hooray in The City of Brotherly Love.


      Photo from fOTOGLIF

      NFL

      Did Eagles make Kevin Kolb a contract offer?

      February 13, 2010 /

      Philadelphia radio host Garry Cobb reported Friday that the Eagles have extended a long-term contract offer to quarterback Kevin Kolb, although Scout.com’s Adam Caplan is denying the report.

      From the CourierPostOnline.com:

      The report, which cites an anonymous source, surfaced on the personal Web site of former Eagles linebacker Garry Cobb, a host on Philadelphia sports-talk station WIP (610-AM). Terms of the contract extension weren’t mentioned in the report.

      An Eagles spokesperson said the team doesn’t comment on contract issues, and a league source said Cobb’s report was “ridiculously false.”

      Usually, with sudden reports like these, the truth is somewhere in between.

      It’s more likely that talks between the organization and Kolb have begun, but the sides don’t want to make negotiations public.

      It’s in the Eagles’ best interest to play things close to the vest. They have three quarterbacks on their roster that could start for either them or elsewhere and they can’t divulge their plans until they know what teams are interested in which signal caller.

      Chances are that Michael Vick is a goner. The Eagles don’t want to pay Vick’s 2010 salary ($5.25 million) to watch him ride the bench and not get compensation for him when he becomes a free agent at the end of the year. If a team like the Rams or Bills offer a fourth or fifth round pick for the former starter, it would be surprising if Philly passed.

      Now, the real question is what the Eagles want to do with McNabb and Kolb. Do they want to commit to Kolb and close the door on the McNabb era? Or does Andy Reid want to give McNabb one more shot to win a Super Bowl before committing to Kolb in 2011?

      If I were to take a stab at predicting what will happen, I think the Eagles would trade McNabb if they can land a first round pick in return. If not, they’ll stick with McNabb for one more year and then commit to Kolb in 2011.


      Photo from fOTOGLIF

      NFL

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