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Shifts Along the O-line for the Philadelphia Eagles with King Dunlap Back at Starting LT

Wednesday, October 24th, 2012

by Brandyn Campbell

 

 

 

Since the firing of former Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Juan Castillo last week, we’ve been waiting for the corresponding shoe to drop on offense.

After head coach Andy Reid’s pronouncement that Mike Vick would remain his starting quarterback and that Marty Mornhinweg would continue to call plays on offense, we knew that no sizable changes were coming on that side of the ball for the Birds.

No, there will be no major, seismic-shift-type changes.  But lo and behold, the week after Philadelphia’s bye has produced some shifts, specifically on the offensive line.

The never-ending rotation at left tackle continues with King Dunlap now back to being the starter.  Yes, that means that Demetress Bell has been demoted from the position yet again, rightly so after an awful outing against Detroit.  CSNPhilly’s Reuben Frank initially reported the change.  Many other factors are obviously involved, but the Birds are 2-0 with Dunlap starting at LT and 1-3 with Bell in that role.

The offensive line has been a constant area of struggle for the Eagles this season, starting with the injury to Jason Peters’ Achilles in the offseason.  Dunlap’s promotion, which comes after Bell replaced him on the line due to a hip injury, shows that the team is still struggling to get it right.

Philadelphia also made a move on Tuesday to better address depth on the line, which has also been a problem this season.  The team announced that backup center Steve Vallos had been released and Matt Tennant was signed.

Tennant (6-4, 300) played with the New Orleans Saints for 28 games in the 2010 and 2011 seasons before heading to New England for 2012.  He was released by the Patriots on October 20.  Tennant was a 5th-round draft selection of the Saints in 2010 out of Boston College.

To summarize, Tennant will now be the backup to backup Dallas Reynolds, who was the backup for Jason Kelce but became the starter after Kelce suffered an ACL injury.  Kelce, by the way, had surgery to repair the tear earlier this week.  Hope he gets well soon — he has been sorely missed on the field.

Want more Philly Sports Muse? You can find me on Twitter at @sports_muse and onFacebook.

 

Brandyn Campbell of Philly Sports Muse, for War Room Sports

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Smiles All Around as Mike Patterson Returns to Philadelphia Eagles Practice

Tuesday, October 23rd, 2012

by Brandyn Campbell

 

 

 

 

 

The question of how excited Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Mike Patterson was to return to practice on Monday didn’t even have to be asked.  The smile radiating from his face told you the answer.

Though he’s not sure when he’ll return to football shape or if he’ll ultimately be cleared to play this season, Patterson was thrilled to be back at practice with his teammates, saying, “Everything felt good though.  I feel real good out there, running around.”

Patterson has not yet been cleared for contact.  His progress will be monitored closely by Andy Reid and head athletic trainer Rick Burkholder, but he knows that things will be taken slowly.

“I’m not in the rotation right now, so like I said, they’re just going to take it slow.  We’re going to see how things work out. The big man [head coach Andy Reid], he’s just not in a rush to get me out there and risk anything.  So, [they’re] just kind of looking at me.”

The return to practice sounded like the first day of school for Patterson – a combination of nervousness mixed with plenty of excitement.

“It felt real good, man.  I feel very excited.  I was kind of jittery, I would say, this morning but after getting into the swing of this and meetings and stuff, stuff goes away and [you] kind of take it in and everything’s happy.  I’m just happy to be out here.”

Patterson wasn’t the only one excited to be back at practice.  His Eagles teammates were thrilled to have him back and to see how far he had come since his surgery.  Kurt Coleman’s remarks were particularly heartfelt.

“It’s a blessing.  For him to come back from what he did and be able to come back and just be a part of this team, it’s a blessing.  He’s an impact player.  He’s great for the run stop.  He knows how to position himself and cover a lot of gaps down there.  It’s a great thing to have him back.  We’re excited.  It’s going to bring another person added to that D-line.”

Patterson has been featured on the new non-football injury (NFI) list this season.  This new feature gives teams an option other than injured reserve.  It allows them to evaluate injured players beginning in Week 6 by including them in team practices.  Teams around the league then have until Week 9 to decide if the player will be placed on the active roster or to sent  to IR.

We’ll see how Patterson progresses but the fact that the man who collapsed on the field in seizures at Lehigh University at Eagles training camp in 2011 and had brain surgery this offseason that required his skull to be cut open, it’s a remarkable feat that Patterson is where he is now.  We’ll soon find out whether he is able to ultimately play but either way, Patterson is a winner in this situation.

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

 

 

 

 

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Atlanta Falcons CB Asante Samuel Refuses to Speak to Philadelphia Media

Tuesday, October 23rd, 2012

by Brandyn Campbell

 

 

 

 

 

Asante Samuel looks forward to dodging calls from you, and you, and you…

 

 

There is classy, and then there is Asante Samuel.  I’m pretty sure that no one has ever confused the former Philadelphia Eagles cornerback with possessing the characteristic.

As we all know, Samuel was traded to the Atlanta Falcons this offeason for mere peanuts.  It’s the NFL.  It’s a business.  It happens.  Well, “smart” is also not a word that can apparently be applied to Samuel because, based on his actions on Monday, he must believe that Philadelphia’s media is responsible for the trade.

It’s customary for players from opposing teams to speak with the media of the city of the squad they’ll be playing in the upcoming week.  Standard procedure.  Many players who have been traded have, at some point, been reunited with the beat writers they used to interact with on a near-daily basis.

But leave it to Samuel to behave like a horse’s behind about it all.

The story was revealed via Delaware County Times beat writer Bob Grotz on Twitter.

Good job with the misplaced anger or whatever this was, Asante.  Newsflash: Philadelphia sports journalists didn’t fire you.  The Eagles did.  If you refused to speak to them on a call I’d kind of get it.  But guess what?  After today’s stunt, Philly’s media has been reminded of how glad they are to not to have to deal with you anymore.

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

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A Modest Proposal: Checking in on a Philadelphia Eagles Preseason Prediction

Monday, October 22nd, 2012

by Brandyn Campbell

 

 

 

 

 

It’s not yet midseason but the bye week provides an opportunity to take a look at the Eagles season thus far and consider what the next ten games may feature.

While the Eagles are at exactly .500 at 3-3, there is ominous feeling surrounding the team and the rest of the season.  Why?  Because no one is convinced that the many issues on offense that have plagued the Birds — that o-line, the fumbles, the play calling — have been corrected.  While head coach Andy Reid chose to take a stand by firing defensive coordinator Juan Castillo, he has taken no action on the offensive side of the ball.

We desperately want to believe that the problems on Philadelphia’s offense will magically work themselves out.  Magic may well be the only solution, as we’ve seen no evidence of any ability on the coaching staff to adequately address the errors that have afflicted the team thus far.  Which is precisely why Reid seemingly has decided to stay the course.

What’s that, that they say about the definition of insanity?  Doing the same thing repeatedly yet expecting different results.  It’s a quote that is often applied to the Philadelphia Eagles and especially Andy Reid for reasons precisely like this.

In early September I made a prediction for the Eagles 2012 season.  Nothing outrageous, but an achievable goal: A 10-6 record for the season.

At 3-3, that means the Eagles need to go 7-3 for the remainder of the season in order to reach a record of 10-6.  Can they do it?

The next test is the undefeated Atlanta Falcons at home.  If the Birds don’t come out swinging this game they never will.  The jobs of their coach and starting quarterback are on the line, and Reid’s perfect record out of the bye won’t hurt.

Philadelphia then takes to the national stage and heads to New Orleans to face the Saints on Monday Night Football.  The Super Dome is a notoriously difficult place to play and after a very poor start, the Saints have some momentum and are heartened by the moral victory of having Jonathan Vilma back with the team.

Then we get into the thick of the NFC East battles.  If the present is any indication of the remainder of the season, this may not be a year where a poor record can win the division, with the Giants currently standing strong with a 5-2 record.  Dallas will come to town in Week 10, then the Eagles will head down the road in Week 11 to face an RGIII-led Redskins team for the first time.

Monday Night calls again in Week 12 as the Birds play Cam Newton in what so far has been a disappointing and frustrating season for the Panthers.  In Week 13 Philadelphia gets even more prime time action as the Eagles faceoff with the Cowboys in the den of evil—Dallas– on Sunday Night Football.

With the end of the season in sight, the Eagles will face the Bucs in Tampa Bay in Week 14; back-to-back home games against the Bengals and Redskins, and in Week 17 finish it all off against the Giants.

To finish at 10-6, the Eagles can lose only three of their remaining games.  If they can lose even fewer, fabulous.  The good news is that, aside from the Falcons, none of the remaining Eagles opponents seem formidable.  And the fact that Atlanta will play at the Linc lessens the worry.

The season will come down to the division games.  I’m hoping that the Giants will do the opposite of what they did last year — start off strong and then trail off come the end of the season.  But the Redskins are a surging team and are going to be more and more of a challenge for Philadelphia as RG3III gains more experience in the league.  Dallas is an organization with a lot on the line if they have another disappointing year so expect a lot of fight from the Cowboys.

Whatever the record, we know that this year it’s about the postseason.  Making it there and going deep.  But first thing’s first: the Birds need the record and the standing to put them in a position to make a run.

As is said far too frequently when the Philadelphia Eagles are involved, there is an incredible level of talent on this roster.  It’s all about how it’s put together.  Time to see that “FIGHT-FIGHT-FIGHT” we know this team has to battle through and show what they’re truly made of.

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

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Report: Philadelphia Eagles DT Mike Patterson May Be Activated on Monday

Sunday, October 21st, 2012

by Brandyn Campbell

 

 

 

 

 

Philadelphia Eagles DT Mike Patterson, always smiling, even through injury.

Possibly some good news about the health and recovery of Philadelphia Eagles player Mike Patterson: According to a report from CSNPhilly’s Derrick Gunn, the defensive tackle may be activated by the team on Monday.

Gunn indicates that Patterson could begin practicing with the team but is “a ways off from being game ready.”

The tackle has been featured on the Reserve/Non-Football Injury (NFI) list since Aug. 27, as he continues to recover from offseason brain surgery to relieve a rare tangling of the nerves around his brain called AVM.

The Eagles and other teams in the NFL now have three weeks, from Week 6 to Week 9, to allow players on NFI to practice.  If they are not activated to the roster by Week 9, then they must be placed on Injured Reserve for the remainder of the season.

Patterson is an 8-year veteran on the team, and prior to this season, had started 110 out of a possible 112 regular season games.  The defensive line is one area where the Eagles has enormous depth.  There is no need to rush Patterson back, so if he is not fully healed from his brain surgery, expect him to be placed on IR for the remainder of the season.

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

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Garrett Reid’s Death Ruled a Heroin Overdose

Friday, October 19th, 2012

by Brandyn Campbell

 

 

On Thursday came a reminder of the personal crisis facing Philadelphia Eagles head coach Andy Reid alongside his professional battle.

Northampton County Coroner Zachary Lysek released his report on the death of Garrett Reid, 29, the coach’s eldest son.  It was what the family expected and alluded to in their initial statement about the tragedy: an accidental heroin overdose. The family responded as follows:

“These results sadly confirmed what we had expected all along.  We understood that Garrett’s long-standing battle with addiction was going to be difficult.  He will, however, always have our family’s love and respect for the courage he showed in trying to overcome it.  In the end, we take comfort in our faith and know that he’s in a better place.  We miss Garrett.  We miss his smile, his laugh, and his energy and we will forever love him.”

“There are many other individuals and families engaged in this struggle in their own lives, and they will always have our support, encouragement, and understanding.  Never give up!”

It’s wonderful the Reid family is keeping other families struggling with drug addiction close to their hearts as they continue to grieve  their loss.

Want more Philly Sports Muse? You can find me on Twitter at @sports_muse and onFacebook.

 

Brandyn Campbell of Philly Sports Muse, for War Room Sports

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Report: Mike Vick’s Job Safe, Marty Mornhinweg to Still Call Plays for Philadelphia Eagles

Friday, October 19th, 2012

by Brandyn Campbell

 

 

 

 

 

Mike Vick is safe as Eagles’ starting quarterback…for now.

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Andy Reid has not yet completed his thorough examination of his team, but after the naming of Todd Bowles as the team’s defensive coordinator on Tuesday, no comparable moves are coming on offense.  A report from Jeff McLane of the Inquirer cites sources as saying that Mike Vick will keep his job as Philadelphia’s starting quarterback and offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg will continue to call plays.

Well, then.

According to the report,

“Reid has yet to conclude all of his evaluations during the bye week.  But the additional moves that he said he would make won’t be as significant as was replacing Castillo with defensive backs coach Todd Bowles on Tuesday.”

What hasn’t been ruled out as an area where there still may be change is the offensive line.
The o-line is in shambles and the Eagles brought in veteran lineman Chris Williams (6’6,  315) for a workout on Wednesday after his release from the Bears.  Williams was a first-round draft pick in 2008 out of Vanderbilt.  He was drafted as a left tackle but has played 20 starts out of 38 as a left guard.  But two days later, Williams has not been signed by the Birds.
Keeping Vick as the starting quarterback is the right move.  Regardless of the potential backup Nick Foles showed in the preseason (and he showed a helluva lot of it), that was the preseason and he is a rookie.  Though there has been plenty of ugliness and sloppy play, Vick gives the Eagles and an embattled Andy Reid the best chance to win.  Like it or not.  And that, more than ever, is the bottom line for this coach and this team.
If there is no meaningful change on offense for the Eagles, could changes with Bobby April and special teams be coming down the pike?  Something to address the woeful coverage by the unit warranted, as issues with coverage continue to be problematic despite changes to personnel.
Never a dull moment with the Eagles, eh?

Want more Philly Sports Muse? You can find me on Twitter at @sports_muse and onFacebook.

 

Brandyn Campbell of Philly Sports Muse, for War Room Sports

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Philadelphia Eagles: All Fixed After Castillo Firing?

Thursday, October 18th, 2012

by Brandyn Campbell

 

 

 

 

 

Two days following the firing of Juan Castillo as defensive coordinator of the Philadelphia Eagles, there is so much yet so little to say about the move.

When all is said and done, will the action  “fix” what ails this team?  No.  But is Todd Bowles, the new DC for the Birds, a better fit for the role?  Absolutely.

So why does it still seem so bizarre?

On Tuesday, when news broke that Castillo had been fired, the initial feeling of many was shock.  And then dismay.  Yes, the defense faltered in the past two games.  But would anyone have named the D as the biggest issue facing the Eagles this season?  Probably not.  In fact, it was the defense that often kept the team in games to cover up the multitude of mistakes of the offense.

Todd Bowles, Eagles new Defensive Coordinator. Image via Philly.com

That doesn’t mean the defense couldn’t be better.  Much, much better.  Castillo presided over the unfortunate reality that the Eagles lost 7 games since 2011 where they held the lead going into the fourth quarter.  And the phenomenal defensive line has failed to record a single sack in three games.  At some point, it was inevitable that a change would be made there.  But after letting Castillo survive the offieason, was finally correcting the mistake of a perplexing hire last season in the middle of this one really the answer?

Andy Reid promised on Monday that he would fix things with his team.  Since then, it seems that things have gone in the opposite direction.

Do you feel better about this team and its chances now than you did on Monday?

Maybe the fact that Reid chose to part with his long-time friend in an effort to “fix” his team will serve as an effective wake-up call to Eagles players and coaches.  But is playing scared truly the way to get the best out of players?

This team needs hunger.  Instead, they now have fear.

And the fear starts at the top.  We’ve known it for months that Andy Reid was fighting for his job this season.  But it seems that the realization has only just set in for Reid.  And he is flailing around to make a desperate effort to stay afloat in the turbulent waters of the NFL.

After Sunday’s loss to the Lions, it seemed that the Philadelphia Eagles were beginning to slowly unravel with comments made about coaches and other players.  And it now seems that the spool is spinning faster.

Have the Eagles been made a better team with the firing of Juan Castillo leading the defense?  Very probable.  But is it enough to turn the Eagles season in the right direction?  Hope springs eternal, but it feels like this is just the beginning of the drama for this team.

Where are the meaningful changes on offense?

Are we witnessing the beginning of the end of his 14 seasons with the team?  There are still ten games left to save this team – and Reid’s job.  With the squad facing the undefeated Falcons after the bye, things may well get worse for the Eagles.  Strap in for a rough ride.

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

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Philadelphia Eagles: Was Juan Castillo Used As a Scapegoat?

Wednesday, October 17th, 2012

by Brandon Pemberton

 

 

Yesterday the Philadelphia Eagles head coach Andy Reid, fired defensive coordinator Juan Castillo, making him a scapegoat for the teams mediocre 3-3 start.  In the Eagles last two games, the defense gave up leads in the fourth quarter and Sunday’s collapse forced Reid to make changes.  But this is more of a indictment towards Reid and the reason why, if they don’t somehow turn it around and make a trip to the Super Bowl, he and this whole regime must go.

There is plenty of blame to go around when you break down why this team with all this “so called” talent is 11-11 in their last 22 games.  We can start on defense if you like.  It all started when Andy Reid hired Juan Castillo as the defensive coordinator when he has never coached defense in the NFL, let alone college.  He had been the franchise’s offensive line coach since Ray Rhodes was here, and was one of the league’s best.  He made a constant habit of taking late-round picks and undrafted free agents like Jamaal Jackson, Artis Hicks, and Hank Fraley, and turning them into serviceable starters in the league.

Moving a lifetime offensive coach to the defensive side, let alone in charge of the defense was unprecedented and downright foolish.  It showed me that Reid thought and knew he was teflon and wasn’t going anywhere.  The defense in 2011 was horrible, probably the worst I’ve seen in 27 years of watching Eagles football.  After the play of last year’s defense, which was for the most part a direct result of Reid giving Castillo the job, they all should have been fired.

The players on defense also need to be held accountable for their play.  Juan Castillo can call the right defense for a certain situation, but if the players don’t execute out there on the field, there is nothing he can do.  The defensive line has been a flat-out disgrace, 7 sacks in 6 games (on pace for 18 for the season), after leading the league with 50 last year.  They weren’t able to pressure the QB with the down four, so Castillo was left no choice but to blitz.  Trent Cole, Jason Babin, and Cullen Jenkins have been complete no-shows vs the pass this season.

Okay an obvious target is Mike Vick and the offense as a whole.  He’s turned the ball over 13 times in just six games, often costing the team points and constantly putting the defense on the field and in tough spots.  The Eagles rank 31st in the league in scoring at 17.2 ppg, but is ranked 11th in total yards, which tells me that obviously Vick’s carelessness with the ball is a huge problem, and two, the red zone offense stinks and hasn’t gotten any better since last season. 

The offensive line is a glaring problem, losing the best left tackle in football and your starting center is going to leave you short handed.  I’ve watched the coach’s film and they aren’t as bad as most say they are, but the line definitely isn’t playing to the level that they were in 2011.  Guards Evan Mathis and Danny Watkins, honestly have been mediocre at best this season and I don’t expect much from backup center Dallas Reynolds. 

Finally, Andy Reid, the one who has put this team together.  He picks the players, he picks the coaches, and he has final say scheme-wise as well.  The bad play calling, his inability to adjust on game day, not using Shady McCoy (who is one of the top 3 running backs in all of football), and the fact that he had the gall to appoint an offensive line coach as the defensive coordinator, should have been grounds for dismissal at the end of last season.  Instead, owner Jeffrey Lurie brings him back and we have more of the same mediocre play from last season.

It’s no coincidence that the Eagles are 11-11 over their last 22 games, but a win in two weeks over Atlanta could give the Eagles confidence, momentum, and start a winning streak, but the downside of it is that it could also give Reid another year.  We will see how it plays out.  Football is a funny game. 

 

Brandon Pemberton of Sports Trap Radio, for War Room Sports

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BREAKING: Juan Castillo Out, Todd Bowles in as Philadelphia Eagles Defensive Coordinator

Tuesday, October 16th, 2012

by Brandyn Campbell

 

 

 

 

Andy Reid said on Monday that he was willing to tear things up in order to fix this team and he wasn’t playing.  The Eagles announced on Tuesday morning that Juan Castillo was fired as the team’s defensive coordinator and replaced by Todd Bowles, previously the team’s secondary coach.

In a statement issued by the team, Reid said of the move:

“I want to make it clear that I have nothing but the ultimate respect for Juan Castillo as a coach and as a person.  He’s one of the finest football coaches that I have ever worked with.  He has served this organization extremely well for 18 years and letting him go was a difficult decision.  I know he will continue to be a successful coach in this league and wish he and his family nothing but the best.”

“We’re six games into the season and average isn’t good enough.  I know the potential of our team and insist on maximizing it.”

Reid seems willing to admit that he was wrong in his decision to appoint Castillo in order to save his own job with the team.

How will Reid address the issues plaguing the team’s offense?  Are more drastic moves in the mix?  Much more to come.

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

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