Posts Tagged ‘Andy Reid’
Wednesday, January 23rd, 2013
by Brandyn Campbell
A new head coach means that change is afoot everywhere with the Philadelphia Eagles organization. There are huge questions surrounding the supporting cast that will surround Chip Kelly. It appears that the offensive coordinator piece is in place, with former Cleveland Browns head coach Pat Shurmur reportedly joining on with the Eagles.
The move marks Shurmur’s return to Philadelphia, who worked as an assistant under Andy Reid for 10 seasons, as first the tight ends coach from 1999 to 2001 and as quarterbacks coach through 2008. The NFL experience and familiarity with the Eagles organization makes the appeal of the move somewhat understandable, but Shurmur’s reported role is just one small step in a series that Kelly needs to install. And quickly.
Among other questions, all eyes are focused on Kelly’s plan for the defense and who will be named as the defensive coordinator. One change that may be afoot with that move is a change from a 4-3 to a 3-4 defense. Reid quickly changed defensive schemes in his new position in Kansas City, and it sounds like the move is something that the team is seriously considering.
According to GM Howie Roseman,
“What we do when we have have our meetings is make sure we are talking about guys in different schemes. As you can see, Andy [Reid] went to a 3-4 in Kansas City and he’s always talking about versatility. In the last year or two we’ve been talking about getting versatile players. When we have our first meetings in December we’re making sure that we’re talking about them in both schemes on defense and what they can do in different schemes so that if we were to make a transition, we could do that more readily.”
Roseman’s words, of course, by no means indicate that a move is imminent. But as the Eagles are examining everything from draft strategy to coaching staff, it’s another option that’s on the table. Particularly as the team’s once legendary defense has faltered considerably in recent seasons, the Birds are considering every possibility that may help it’s new leader succeed.
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Brandyn Campbell of Philly Sports Muse, for War Room Sports
Tags:All's Fair in Sports and War, Andy Reid, Brandyn Campbell, Chip Kelly, Football, Howie Roseman, NFL, Pat Shurmur, Philadelphia Eagles, Philly Sports Muse, Sports Talk Radio, The War Room, War Room Sports
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Tuesday, January 15th, 2013
by Brandyn Campbell
Is this the face of the Philadelphia Eagles’ future?
(Image via GCobb.com)
The Philadelphia Eagles head coaching search has continued with plenty of twists and turns, including a revelation that the team interviewed broadcaster Brian Billick last week.
On Monday, the team interviewed Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Jay Gruden and former Arizona Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt.
Just how much wider would the net be cast on this coaching search? With Monday’s interviews, the known total of candidates to whom the team had met reached a total of 11.
Then came news that perhaps the Eagles were closing in on their man. Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Gus Bradley will be in Philadelphia via private jet send by the Birds for his second interview with Jeffrey Lurie and co. on Tuesday. Fox 29′s Howard Eskin reports that Bradley is in town to finalize a deal. We’ll have to see about that, but as Bradley is the only candidate to meet with the team a second time, it certainly is a sign of strong interest, after first meeting with him on Saturday in Atlanta.
Could the search be almost over with the Eagles securing one of the strongest candidates of the bunch?
The 46-year old Bradley now has nothing but time as the Seahawks lost to the Falcons on Sunday. Under Bradley, Seattle’s defense finished fourth in overall defense, sixth in passing defense, and 10th against the run in the 2012 season. And if his work doesn’t speak for itself, the endorsements of the Seahawks coordinator are universally strong. He is clearly a great defensive mind, a great communicator with great energy who has immense presence. It’s said that he commands a room.
DE Darryl Tapp played with Bradley for a season in Seattle and told CSNPhilly that he brings “energy and accountability” to a team. He continued that Bradley will call out players regardless of paygrade.
On a roster full of talent that quit time and time again on the defensive side of the ball, that certainly seems like needed motivation for the Eagles.
Could this be our man?
Want more Philly Sports Muse? You can find me on Twitter at @sports_muse and on Facebook.
Brandyn Campbell of Philly Sports Muse, for War Room Sports
Tags:All's Fair in Sports and War, Andy Reid, Brandyn Campbell, Football, Gus Bradley, NFL, Philadelphia Eagles, Philly Sports Muse, Seattle Seahawks, Sports Talk Radio, The War Room, War Room Sports
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Monday, January 14th, 2013
by Brandyn Campbell
Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly
(Image via unhd.com)
The Philadelphia Eagles have ended their second week of the search for a new head coach, and the landscape seems more muddled now than ever before.
This past week’s surprising revelation is the news that the Birds interviewed Notre Coach Brian Kelly. Is anyone else surprised at how much interest Philadelphia has demonstrated in college coaches with no previous NFL experience? Particularly those having the last name Kelly?
Could the Notre Dame coach have been yet another Kelly using interest from the NFL as leverage to get something more from his current institution? The coach is currenty out of the country but is scheduled to speak to the Eagles once again after he returns. In the meantime, we will all wonder about the nature of that next meeting.
In other news, the Eagles interviewed former Chicago Bears head coach Lovie Smith on Thursday at the NovaCare. Surprisingly little is known about that meeting, even its duration, with the team only finally confirming that yes, they did indeed speak with Smith.
Smith is at the other end of the spectrum of possibilities for the Eagles. A candidate like Kelly represents someone untested and unscathed by the NFL. Fresh energy and perspective. Smith is on the other end of the scale – a proven NFL coach with a winning record. Not an easy accomplishment, but with his experience is he the breath of fresh air that Lurie seems to be seeking?
Other coaches currently on the Eagles’ radar are Indianapolis Colts offensive coordinator Bruce Arians, and Bengals OC Jay Gruden will interview with the Birds next week. As Gruden has already said he has no interest in leaving Cincinnati and is speaking with teams simply to get them off his back, don’t have any high expectations to come out of that meeting.
What twists and turns will this week hold in the continuing search for the next Philadelphia Eagles head coach? Could there maybe, possibly be another coach named within that period of time?
Yeah, I don’t think so either. We’ll just look on and continue to wonder as, by comparison, Andy Reid and the Kansas City Chiefs start to build their coaching staff.
Want more Philly Sports Muse? You can find me on Twitter at @sports_muse and on Facebook.
Brandyn Campbell of Philly Sports Muse, for War Room Sports
Tags:All's Fair in Sports and War, Andy Reid, Brandyn Campbell, Brian Kelly, Bruce Arians, Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, Football, Head Coach, Indianapolis Colts, Jay Gruden, Kansas City Chiefs, Lovie Smith, NFL, Notre Dame, Philadelphia Eagles, Philly Sports Muse, Sports Talk Radio, The War Room, War Room Sports
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Wednesday, January 9th, 2013
by Brandyn Campbell
Lovie Smith, the next head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles?
(Image via Lehigh Valley Live)
It’s only been a little over a week since the Philadelphia Eagles parted ways with Andy Reid, but somehow it feels much longer. Perhaps the fact that Reid was signed, sealed and delivered to Kansas City within the same week he found himself out on the street in Philly provided a somewhat unrealistic measure of comparison. After all, of seven head coaching vacancies in the NFL, only two have been filled.
The Birds’ coaching search took a surprising turn on Tuesday when it was announced that they will interview former Chicago Bears head coach Lovie Smith on Thursday.
Has this been part of the plan overall, or are the Eagles in panic mode?
Smith was fired from the Chicago Bears after finishing 10-6 this sesaon and failing to make the playoffs. Like Reid, Smith is viewed as a good coach in the NFL with a good overall winning percentage (.563), but failed to deliver the ultimate prize to his city after taking them to the Super Bowl.
Unlike Reid, Smith is known as a defensive guy. The Eagles have seen a steady decline in the production of their D since the death of Jim Johnson in 2009. Though it’s widely speculated that Lurie seeks more of an offensive mind, it’s hard to imagine that a proven defensive mind wouldn’t be of some level of interest to Philadelphia.
Another name that has appeared on the Eagles list, Jay Gruden in Cincinnati, doesn’t seem to be a feasible option, as he has reportedly stated that he plans to stay with the Bengals but is interviewing simply so that teams will stop calling him. Um, eww.
If Philadelphia is serious about their interest in people like Atlanta’s Mike Nolan and Seattle’s Gus Bradley, in addition to Denver OC Mike McCoy, they may have to wait a while for their man as these teams progress through the playoffs. And if their top choice makes it to the Super Bowl, then the Eagles could be head coach-less until February. An unsettling thought but one that could easily become the team’s reality.
Colts coach Bruce Arians is also in the mix, but at 60, his possible tenure with the Birds would be limited, which doesn’t seem to appeal to the Eagles.
So again we sit and we wait. Will other top prospects for Philadelphia be snapped up by other teams or decide to stay put where they are? Probably. As reminded by CSNPhilly’s Reuben Frank on Sports Rise, Andy Reid was the Eagles’ fifth choice when they last embarked on a head coaching search.
So there’s always that.
Want more Philly Sports Muse? You can find me on Twitter at @sports_muse and on Facebook.
Brandyn Campbell of Philly Sports Muse, for War Room Sports
Tags:All's Fair in Sports and War, Andy Reid, Brandyn Campbell, Bruce Arians, Chicago Bears, Football, Gus Bradley, Jay Gruden, Jim Johnson, Lovie Smith, Mike McCoy, NFL, Philadelphia Eagles, Philly Sports Muse, Sports Talk Radio, The War Room, War Room Sports
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Monday, January 7th, 2013
by Brandyn Campbell
It was an eventful weekend in the NFL’s coaching carousel that ultimately left the Philadelphia Eagles exactly where they started – still in need of a head coach.
On Friday, Oregon head coach Chip Kelly was said to be close to a deal with the Cleveland Browns, but everything changed when he met with the Eagles brain trust for a lengthy nine-hour meeting on Saturday.
(Image via SportsGrid.com)
Was Jeffrey Lurie about to steal the #1 choice of his once close friend and former business partner Joe Banner and the Browns? It seemed like it could happen. But Kelly never hid his lack of enthusiasm for joining the NFL, and ultimately the trio of Lurie, Howie Roseman and Don Smolenski knew that any decision would have to outweigh Kelly’s love of coaching at Oregon.
For the second year in a row, that did not happen. On Sunday, Kelly decided that he would stay in the college ranks.
So what now? The Birds were all-in on Kelly. Who do they turn to now?
The Eagles had requested an interview with Syracuse coach Doug Marrone, but that won’t be happening as he was signed on to coach the Buffalo Bills.
After the lengthy meeting with Kelly on Saturday, the Birds held a three-hour interview with Mike McCoy, the Broncos’ offensive coordinator on Sunday. Philadelphia will also speak with Bruce Arians, offensive coordinator of the Colts as well as Gus Bradley, the Seahawks defensive coordinator this week. The Eagles have also requested permission to speak with Jay Gruden, the offensive coordinator of the Cincinnati Bengals.
While rumors about interest in Kelly by the Eagles swirled for months preceding Andy Reid’s firing, I was surprised that the team truly had so much interest in a candidate with no experience in the NFL. Mike McCoy and his demonstrated ability to effectively adjust his offense to the abilities (or lack thereof) of a given quarterback would be quite an asset to a team like the Eagles with more questions than answers surrounding the QB position. Will he now move to the top of Philadelphia’s list?
As we move into the second week of the search process, one thing is for sure – there is never a dull moment.
Want more Philly Sports Muse? You can find me on Twitter at @sports_muse and on Facebook.
Brandyn Campbell of Philly Sports Muse, for War Room Sports
Tags:All's Fair in Sports and War, Andy Reid, Brandyn Campbell, Bruce Arians, Chip Kelly, Cleveland Browns, Doug Marrone, Football, Gus Bradley, Jay Gruden, Jeffrey Lurie, Joe Banner, Mike McCoy, NFL, Philadelphia Eagles, Philly Sports Muse, Sports Talk Radio, The War Room, War Room Sports
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Monday, January 7th, 2013
by Brandyn Campbell
Jeremiah Trotter in his heyday with the Philadelphia Eagles
(Image via BirdsFanBlog.com)
Andy Reid is beloved by his players, but that doesn’t mean some of them didn’t observe some of the coach’s shortcomings. On 97.5 The Fanatic on Thursday, former Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Jeremiah Trotter didn’t hold back on his opinions on Reid.
“If it came down to both teams were even, talent-wise, I think the opponent’s team would win if it came down to coaching.
Andy Reid got out-coached in a lot of games, man, a lot of big games. Time outs, running the football, you know.”
Yes, we know all too well.
Trot indicated that fans weren’t the only ones who got heartburn from Reid’s play-calling – it affected the team’s defense as well.
“As a defense, we understood we passed the ball too much. You know, there’s times we’re sitting over there like, ‘Man, listen. Just get us a couple of first downs so we can get a break.’ And I’m sure it frustrated Jim Johnson also.”
Trotter’s comments make you wonder how many others who played under Reid – past and present – feel the same way.
Lest you think that Trotter was simply out to trash the former Eagles head coach, he revealed later in the segment that that was not the case. When asked how he would rate Reid overall, Trotter was more than fair.
“On a scale of one to 10, 10 being great, I give [Reid] a seven and a half or eight as a coach.”
As a point of comparison, Trotter said that Bill Belichick is the only coach presently in the NFL to whom he would give a perfect 10.
How would you rate Reid’s tenure in Philadelphia?
Want more Philly Sports Muse? You can find me on Twitter at @sports_muse and on Facebook.
Brandyn Campbell of Philly Sports Muse, for War Room Sports
Tags:All's Fair in Sports and War, Andy Reid, Brandyn Campbell, Football, Jeremiah Trotter, NFL, Philadelphia Eagles, Philly Sports Muse, Sports Talk Radio, The War Room
Posted in General, NFL | 1 Comment »
Monday, December 31st, 2012
by Brandyn Campbell
Who will replace “Big Red”?
(Image via voxxi.com)
With Andy Reid out as Philadelphia Eagles head coach, the major question facing the franchise now is who will replace him. The speculation has swirled for months, as Reid’s fate was sealed further by each successive loss. Here’s a look at some of the possibilities.
Chip Kelly
The name that has been tossed around most in relation to the Eagles head coaching gig is University of Oregon head coach Chip Kelly. His innovation and reputation as an offensive mastermind certainly has to peak the interest of the Birds — and many other teams. However, he is untested in the NFL. Philadelphia has worked hard to establish itself as an elite franchise in the NFL and taking the plunge with someone with no league experience following Reid’s success is quite a gamble. Add to that a desire for control that team owner Jeffrey Lurie will likely not surrender. According to SI’s Don Banks,
“League sources say Kelly is looking for near complete control when it comes to personnel decision-making power, and that doesn’t appear to be available in the Eagles’ organization, where general manager Howie Roseman is expected to be in charge of the roster in the post-Reid era.”
Jon Gruden
The ESPN analyst has avoided questions about any interest to return to coaching. He spent a brief period as an Eagles assistant coach before head coaching stints with the Raiders and the Tampa Bay Bucs, where he led the team to a Super Bowl victory. Someone who has reached the promised land and gotten a ring previously has to intrigue the Birds, even though no head coach has been able to win a SB with two different teams.
Mike McCoy
Currently the offensive coordinator of the Denver Broncos, McCoy will garner a lot of interest this offseason. He has shown great versatility as coordinator, adapting wildly different systems in successive seasons to accommodate Kyle Orton, Tim Tebow and now Peyton Manning. Yes, having essentially another coach in Manning doesn’t hurt, but neither do Denver’s 11 straight wins. What’s one of the biggest complaints of Eagles fans about Andy Reid over the years? His stubbornness and a seeming inability — or unwillingness — to adapt to the realities of his players and what was happening on the field. With an uncertain quarterback situation facing Philadelphia and a coach who has proven an ability to adjust to multiple ability levels, McCoy has got to be of major interest to the Eagles.
Bruce Arians
Arians took over as Colts head coach while Chuck Pagano underwent treatment for leukemia and lead the team to a 10-2 record. He spent five years as offensive coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers and, bonus, Arians has roots in Philly — he was Temple’s head coach for five years in the 80’s. Certainly an intriguing possibility.
Jay Gruden
Jon’s younger brother, this Gruden has served as OC for the Cincinnati Bengals for the past two years. What may work against him is the lack of notable credentials on his resume. Prior to Cinci, Gruden was head coach and GM for the UFL’s Florida Tuskers and prior to that served as HC of the Orlando Predators. Will he prove to be too much of an unproven commodity for the Eagles?
Bill O’Brien
The current Penn State head football coach took on the position in the midst of a nightmare and came out as Big Ten Coach of the Year. His NFL chops include four seasons with the Patriots, in roles ranging from wide receiver to quarterbacks coach and then offensive coordinator. Any team owner has to admire the Patriots organization and O’Brien’s experience and ability to successfully lead PSU under the most difficult of circumstances has got to intrigue the Eagles. However, O’Brien reportedly has a hefty buyout that may limit his interest in leaving the team after only one year.
Want more Philly Sports Muse? You can find me on Twitter at @sports_muse and on Facebook.
Brandyn Campbell of Philly Sports Muse, for War Room Sports
Tags:All's Fair in Sports and War, Andy Reid, Bill O'Brien, Brandyn Campbell, Bruce Arians, Chip Kelly, Football, Howie Roseman, Jay Gruden, Jeffrey Lurie, Jon Gruden, Mike McCoy, NFL, Philadelphia Eagles, Philly Sports Muse, Sports Talk Radio, The War Room, War Room Sports
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Monday, December 31st, 2012
by Brandyn Campbell
The Philadelphia Eagles announced on Monday morning what we already knew – Andy Reid is no longer head coach of the team.
In a statement, team owner Jeffrey Lurie said,
“Andy Reid won the most games of any head coach in Eagles history and he is someone I respect greatly and will remain friends with for many years to come,” said Lurie. “But, it is time for the Eagles to move in a new direction. Coach Reid leaves us with a winning tradition that we can build upon. And we are very excited about the future.”
Lurie added,
“The search for the new coach of the Philadelphia Eagles will begin immediately.”
The Eagles will hold a press conference at 1 pm today.
Want more Philly Sports Muse? You can find me on Twitter at @sports_muse and on Facebook.
Brandyn Campbell of Philly Sports Muse, for War Room Sports
Tags:All's Fair in Sports and War, Andy Reid, Brandyn Campbell, Fired, Football, Jeffrey Lurie, NFL, Philadelphia Eagles, Philly Sports Muse, Sports Talk Radio, The War Room, War Room Sports
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Sunday, December 30th, 2012
by Brandyn Campbell
Will today be Andy’s swan song?
(Image via Black Sports Online)
This is it. The final game of the 2012 season for the Philadelphia Eagles will unfold this afternoon at the Meadowlands. Sitting at 4-11, there are no playoff aspirations for this team. There are only questions of what’s to come.
What’s in store in the year ahead for Mike Vick, who will today lead the Birds for perhaps the last time. His tenure with the team was at first electric, then fizzled precipitously over the past two seasons. It is that electricity that many of us hope to see from Vick today, one last time. Can he drive the Eagles to victory over the Giants once again and end their playoff hopes for good?
If Vick does put in a strong performance, the question of whether he will see a return to Philadelphia in 2013 will grow even more uncertain. Recent reports say that Vick is unwilling to renegotiate his existing contract with the Eagles, which would pay him a base salary of $15.5 million next year. It’s hard to imagine Philadelphia paying that figure for a quarterback with a losing record with the team. But, of course, that decision and so many others depends on who will be named head coach of the Eagles next year.
With the Andy Reid era almost assuredly coming to a close following this game, the questions about the coaching situation will come in rapid succession. When will Reid be let go (it’s widely expected to happen before the new year)? Who will be named to succeed Big Red?
The endless rumors about Oregon head coach Chip Kelly coming to Philadelphia are so plentiful that you have to wonder if it seems packaged a bit too nicely. After all, when have the Eagles ever done what was predicted, particularly when it comes to personnel?
Today, there is a game to focus on. Tomorrow, all talk about the Eagles will swirl around the many “what ifs” that surround the team following an abysmal season and a head coach whose record in the last four seasons has been 33-30, interestingly falling short of Rich Kotite‘s mark in his four seasons with the team (36-28).
Can Mike Vick and the Philadelphia Eagles go 2-0 against the Giants this season and end all hope of a return to the playoffs by last year’s Super Bowl champs? With a little help by New York’s troubled defense it certainly can happen. It won’t exactly end this long, disappointing season on a high note, but a win against the G-men is always a good thing. It won’t change Philadelphia’s losing record but the end of what has been the most successful era of Eagles football deserves to end with a “W”.
Want more Philly Sports Muse? You can find me on Twitter at @sports_muse and on Facebook.
Brandyn Campbell of Philly Sports Muse, for War Room Sports
Tags:All's Fair in Sports and War, Andy Reid, Brandyn Campbell, Chip Kelly, Football, Michael Vick, Mike Vick, New York Giants, NFL, Philadelphia Eagles, Sports Talk Radio, The War Room, War Room Sports
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Friday, December 28th, 2012
by Brandyn Campbell
Andy Reid & Mike Vick
(Image via Black Sports Online)
What would the 2012 Philadelphia Eagles season be without yet another twist to end the season?
With Nick Foles sent to injured reserve on Wednesday, Mike Vick will make what is very likely his final appearance in an Eagles uniform on Sunday against the New York Giants. This after being relegated to the third-string quarterback last week, when he wasn’t even active for the game.
But Vick isn’t hanging on to bitterness. He’s excited to have the opportunity to play, to get back under center and hopefully to lead them to a win.
“It’s great to know that you’re going to have a chance to go out and play. The one thing I never do is waver or back down from opportunities to go out there and get on the field regardless of what has transpired throughout the season. I’m fully confident in myself and the guys around me. We’ll have to go out there and put it all together for the last game and get a win for Andy.”
Like the head coach who brought him to Philadelphia, though, Vick is trying to avoid thinking about the “what ifs.” What if this is his last game as an Eagle? What if this is his final game as an NFL starting quarterback?
“I don’t think about it. The only thing I think about is going out there and trying to be productive for this football team, enjoy the last game [of the season] with my teammates, and make the most of it.”
Sunday’s game will hold little meaning for the Eagles, with the team long out of the playoffs and nothing truly able to put a positive spin on the horrific season. But it could prove to provide quite an important opportunity for Vick, who will likely be on the hunt for a new job in 2013. But like the other “what ifs”, Vick says he’s not entertaining these thoughts either.
“I’m not putting pressure on myself to go out and try to put on a great performance in the sense of an audition. I think it’s about just going out and playing and doing what you love to do. [There’s] already enough pressure on you in this league but the thing I’m truly confident about is my ability to play the game of football, what I know, what I’ve learned, the success I’ve had over the past years, and what I can accomplish [in the future]. I think I just have to go out and continue to play my game. The focus is to try to be the best player I can be year in and year out and being in tip-top shape, and ensure that I’m doing all the right things.”
In his remarks to the media on Wednesday, Vick reflected on his career in Philadelphia.
“My time has been great. I’ve enjoyed being here, I’ve enjoyed the coaches, [and] I’ve enjoyed the teammates that I’ve had. Some have come and gone but given the opportunity I was able to go out and be productive in 2010, finished strong in 2011, and this year was just a roller coaster ride. We had a lot of ups and downs. We had a lot of guys who got hurt. We just had to deal with it the way we did and the joy we get, and the fulfillment, of still being able to go out and play the game.”
The roller coaster that has been 2012 will continue into 2013, as the Eagles seek to find a new coach, team and identity. But it is so fitting that what is likely to be the last game of the Reid-Vick era in Philadelphia football will see the two together in game action one final time.
Want more Philly Sports Muse? You can find me on Twitter at @sports_muse and on Facebook.
Brandyn Campbell of Philly Sports Muse, for War Room Sports
Tags:All's Fair in Sports and War, Andy Reid, Brandyn Campbell, Football, Michael Vick, Mike Vick, NFL, Nick Foles, Philadelphia Eagles, Philly Sports Muse, Sports Talk Radio, The War Room, War Room Sports
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