Eagles Rumors

You may call us skeptical that anything serious is taking place here.  If anyone (literally, anyone) other than Sal Pal was involved than this might be more interesting to us.  But long ago Paolantonio started peddling speculation most of the time and he’s simply not worth listening to anymore.

There have the been typical denials, which may or may not be expected.  But at this point, at least until there is someone else corroborating this, we’re calling bullshit.

Barring injury, Andy Reid says that this change is a permanent one as far as the 2010 season goes.  At this point whether you should believe that is an open question.

Michael Vick’s contract is up after this season.  His play has earned him a lot of money, but he has to continue playing at a high-level for the next fourteen games now.

Vick has plenty of incentive and appears to be a different player than he was in Atlanta.

You have to believe that Reid sees a dedicated guy who is willing to put the work in on more than just Sunday.  If he didn’t, we don’t believe the team would be in this position right now.

Leonard Weaver had successful surgery to repair a torn ACL and MCL yesterday.  It was also revealed that Weaver had nerve damage, which will only make his recovery more difficult than it already was.

Good luck to the veteran, who has become a fan favorite (and deservedly so) in Philly.

Holy. Crap.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/09/21/eagles-give-the-ball-to-vick/

Update @2:28 pm — So apparently Jason Peters is not injured, despite limping off the field more than once yesterday after some serious time laying on his back on the field.  What is the matter with Peters is anyone’s guess.  His lack of consistent play and constant injury issues leave many Birds fans a bit peeved at the big fella.

Kevin Kolb and Stewart Bradley have been completely cleared to play and both will practice fully this week and plan to start.

Kolb was even cleared to play yesterday, but the Eagles held him back for a number of reasons — precautionary and tactical (he hadn’t practiced all week, after all).

Updates to come today.

Update @1:15 pm — Both are officially out for Sunday.  No surprises.  They have each passed a written exam, which was the next step in the process of getting back to practice.  They are both being examined by an independent doctor this afternoon.

As expected, neither player is practicing with the team today.  Reid will have their official status later today.  Expect neither player to suit up.  Bradley seems more likely than Kolb for Week 2 at this point.

Both Kevin Kolb and Stewart Bradley passed the first stage of concussion testing today, after failing it on Wednesday.  But with too much ground left to cover, the Eagles have decided that Mike Vick is the official starter for Week 2.

What this means for Kolb through the next week and half we don’t yet know, but this makes us feel more optimistic about Week 3 for him than we felt yesterday.  You never know with these things.

Apparently Stewart Bradley has continued working out at the facilities in hopes he can play this weekend.  We believe that to be unlikely, but he’s got a better shot at Week 3 than Kolb does at this point.

Both players were sent home today after failing the second set of concussion tests.  Until they pass a test, they are not allowed to participate in team activities (both players can workout individually and did so, lightly).

Andy Reid claims to have not ruled either player out for the weekend, but that seems like nonsense at this point.  Bradley is apparently “doing a little better” than Kolb, however.  So if it’s either of them, it’s like to be the middle linebacker.

Expect Mike Vick and Omar Gaither to be your starters this weekend in Detroit.

All other players are able to practice this week.

The Eagles officially put both Jamaal Jackson and Leonard Weaver on IR.  They have signed FB Owen Schmitt and TE Garrett Mills.  The team has decided so far that adding an offensive lineman is not necessary, though that may change by mid-week when they have more of a chance to scour and consider what’s available to them.

There was a lot to like yesterday, despite the misery of the injuries and the loss.  The defense put consistent pressure on Aaron Rodgers largely with only four guys rushing the passer.  That is something that has been sorely lacking from this team for a long time.  If this is something they are able to do every week this defense could be very, very good.

The kickoff coverage was pretty atrocious.  That has got to get fixed quickly.  Sav Rocca  and the punt team looked great, though.  He kept the Eagles in decent shape with field position most of the game — ending with 5 punts for a 47.6 net.  That’s top-notch.

Teams should just stop trying to run off tackle at Trent Cole.  It’s going to fail a lot more often than it’s going to succeed.

We’ll have thoughts on the game, but first the latest news on injuries.

Jamaal Jackson has a torn biceps muscle.  He’s going to be out a while.

Leonard Weaver has a torn ACL.  His season is over.

Kolb and Bradley both have concussions, but may be able to play next week if they pass a series of tests.