Eagles Rumors

For folks who have become familiar with EaglesRumors, you know that the off-season is our busy period.  We specialize in free agency, the draft, and training camp and look forward to another stretch of providing the latest news, gossip, and analysis.This year all off-season activity has the giant CBA cloud hanging over it, of course.  But we tend to believe there’s no way, even as arrogant as they are, the NFL owners will force a lockout.So with that in mind, let’s get this off-season started with a little talk about what we’ll be covering.

• Potential new contracts for DeSean Jackson, Michael Vick, Stewart Bradley, and Quintin Mikell.
• The free agent pool, including newly available Nnamdi Asomugha.
• Injury updates to guys like Jamaal Jackson, Brandon Graham, Stewart Bradley, and Leonard Weaver.
• Draft coverage and player analysis.
• Trade rumors.

One note on Asomugha and the free agent period.  There will be no signing of free agents until a new CBA is completed.  The signing of veteran free agents during typical off-seasons starts in the beginning of March.  Let’s hope a CBA is reached sooner than later.And one final note that should be included here.  Several folks have emailed to ask what happened to the Rotoworld news widget that appeared on the sidebar.  It appears Rotoworld has disabled these, and we’re working on getting it back in some form or another.

Ellis Hobbs wanted to walk off the field on his own last night, but medical personnel wisely would not let him try.  Hobbs had X-Rays in the locker room which were negative.  Full movement and feeling in his extremities.Hobbs has a history of neck injuries.  It’s impossible to know for sure, but at this point you have to wonder if that could be the last hit he’ll take in his career.

Announced today is the signing of TE Cornelius Ingram to the practice squad.  The Eagles had a spot there after the Colts claimed recently demoted Joique Bell.

Ingram will remain a long shot to ever contribute significantly.

It appears that Nate Allen is going to be fine for next week’s important game against the Redskins.  His injury looked scary yesterday, but after the game Andy Reid reported it as a neck strain.  Allen said after the game he’d be ready to go next week.  When the MRI results are made available (likely tomorrow) we’ll know for sure.

Max Jean-Gilles had concussion symptoms.  We’ll learn more today, but if that is confirmed he’ll need to go through the procedures that we’ve all become very familiar with before he’s allowed back on the field.

DeSean Jackson had a huge game yesterday, and is clearly recovered from his concussion problems.

Jerome Harrison was active for the game yesterday and was handed the ball twice for six yards.  It was his first action as an Eagle.

Dmitri Patterson has been made the starting RCB.  Ellis Hobbs has been demoted after a terrible start to the season and one final disaster in Tennessee.

Andy Reid has reported that DeSean Jackson passed the initial concussion recovery test, one performed by Eagles medical staff.  He still needs to be tested by an independent physician before being able to resume football activities.

Jackson did not say for sure he’ll be playing in Week 9 when asked.  You have to believe he’s still feeling the effects of the brutal hit.  Remember, this is Jackson’s second concussion in as many years.  He missed a game last season as well.

In other Eagles injury news, Brodrick Bunkley appears on the verge of returning to action for the Birds.  However, he may have lost his starting job.  Antonio Dixon has played well in his absence and Eagles coaches appear to be impressed.  We’ll know more when things get back to normal at the NovaCare Complex early next week.

Several important Eagles remain on the injury report.  First, LeSean McCoy was held out of practice yesterday to rest his injured ribs.  He is fully expected to play on Sunday and should rejoin the team for practice (in some capacity) this week.

Broderick Bunkley did not practice again.  He has not been involved in any action since injuring his elbow, but he continues to hold off on surgery in hopes that he can return.  He is not expected to play this week, but may be able to return after the bye week.

Jason Peters will not practice this week or play on Sunday as he recovers from knee surgery.  King Dunlap will continue to fill in for him.  Dunlap was a pleasant surprise on Sunday.  The Eagles gave up only a single sack, their lowest total of the season.

Finally, Michael Vick will practice in a limited capacity this week.  He will not play on Sunday.  A decision looms on the horizon for Andy Reid.

Andy Reid said that Jackson was in for treatment this morning and in good spirits.  Concussions are difficult to predict.  If Jackson is already feeling better that is a great sign.

Reid essentially said he’s out this week.  Then the team has a bye.  We’d still be surprised if he’s back for Week 9, but we’re a bit more optimistic than we were after last night’s reports.

Andy Reid is saying (without saying) that Kevin Kolb is his Week 7 starter.  Vick will be given another week to rest his injuries, as we predicted.  Depending on Kolb’s performance this week, he may not get his job back.

And it’s the second of his career.  The hit was brutal, illegal, and possibly dirty from Dunta Robinson.

Jackson is obviously out this week.   If we had to guess right now, we’d guess four weeks.  Luckily after the Titans the team hits the bye week.

Today the Eagles traded the disappointing Mike Bell to the Browns for Jerome Harrison.  Harrison is in the classic Reid-era Eagles running back mold, a guy who’s an excellent pass catcher, smaller, and quick.  This is someone who can be used interchangeably with LeSean McCoy, though surely not as effectively.

Jason Peters is out for several weeks after surgery today.  He had a torn meniscus repaired and some scar tissue cleaned out.  His recovery timetable is up in the air, but it seems a return around Thanksgiving would be the earliest.