Posts Tagged ‘Nick Foles’

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A sensory experience: Speed, music and energy the new norms at Philadelphia Eagles practice

Tuesday, May 14th, 2013

by Brandyn Campbell

 

 

 

 

The first Chip Kelly-led practice with the Philadelphia Eagles held under the watchful eye of the media is in the books, and

(Image via NFL.com)

the sentiment was unanimous: it didn’t disappointment.

It was a sensory experience.  The loud music and the playlists (featuring the likes of Duran Duran, Tupac, Flo Rida, Ozzy Osbourne, and the Dropkick Murphys, to name a few).  The speed at which plays were conducted, with only 10 seconds “down” time.  Where to look?  What to watch for?

The Daily News’ Les Bowen, like many in attendance,  went to where much ink already has been and will continue to focus in the next several months: the quarterbacks.

As far as the QBs went, there were no real surprises.  The read-option was brought out from the beginning and Mike Vick got the  most snaps with the first team, but only just – Nick Foles got almost the same amount.  Oh Chip, always keeping us guessing.  Then there is Dennis Dixon, brought to the team from the Ravens’ practice squad, who has the distinction of being the only quarterback in the league with experience under Chip Kelly from their days together at Oregon.  Not surprisingly, Dixon performed smoothly at practice, according to reports, familiar with the sign language being used on the sidelines.  Matt Barkley seems to be a quick learner, connecting with receivers when given the opportunity.  G.J. Kinney, the oft-forgotten fifth quarterback on the Eagles’ roster, was largely forgotten at this practice as well.

On defense, Trent Cole and Connor Barwin lined up as the first-team outside linebackers, while DeMeco Ryans and Mychal Kendricks were on the inside.  The other big area of curiosity, the secondary, didn’t provide much insight into how things may actually play out as offseason signing Cary Williams was absent from practice, having married over the weekend.  Curtis Marsh got a number of reps, presumably in Williams’ sted, along with Bradley Fletcher.  The starting safeties were Patrick Chung and Nate Allen.

Kelly was asked specifically about Dennis Kelly at right tackle, but he gave words of caution that can and should be used with anything read into practice this early on:

“It’s May 13th, so I would make that of it.  I don’t think we play the Washington Redskins until sometime in September.”

Sheil Kapadia put together an excellent timeline of what it was like inside practice on Birds 24/7.  You should definitely take a look.  One of many interesting tidbits from Kapadia:

“We begin to see the new play-call structure.  Offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur stands on the sideline with a walkie-talkie and calls the play into the quarterback’s helmet.  But before each snap, every offensive player looks over to the sideline.  An offensive assistant plays the role of third-base coach and runs through a variety of hand signals that relay personnel grouping and formation.”

Exciting times in Eagles-land.  It’s only May 13 but ever so slowly, the pieces to the puzzle of what the Birds will look like in the 2013 season have begun to be assembled.

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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Get ready for a look inside Chip Kelly’s Philadelphia Eagles practice

Monday, May 13th, 2013

by Brandyn Campbell

 

 

 

 

(Image via GCobb.com)

Today is big day for the Philadelphia Eagles.  It will be the first time that Chip Kelly will lead a full-team practice via OTAs, and it’s the first opportunity media will have to observe first-hand what they’ve heard about.

The super-fast pace of practices.  The communications that will change the league, at least according to Brent Celek.

This comes right on the heels of this weekend’s three-day rookie minicamp.  Philadelphia’s youngest members will be tired after their crash course but will also be enlivened at the opportunity to now practice alongside their more seasoned teammates.

Two of the Birds’ drafted rookies will be absent, however — TE Zach Ertz and DB Jordan Poyer.  No, they don’t need a rest after the intense weekend.  They will be out of action until they graduate from college, adhering to an NFL rule that permits participation in only one minicamp until the completion of finals.  Ertz will graduate from Stanford on June 16, and Poyner from Oregon State on June 10.  Each will miss a total of seven practices between then and now.

Aside from Ertz and Poyer, the rest of the Eagles had better be well-rested  to compete in Kelly’s “track meet.”  In addition to the excitement of seeing the new normal for Eagles practice, much attention will be payed to how players are used in these practices, first and foremost in the quarterback competition.  How will reps be split between the five QBs currently on the Eagles roster, and how will former USC quarterback Matt Barkley perform in initial competition against Nick Foles and Mike Vick?  1st-round selection Lane Johnson lined up at right tackle over the weekend — will that remain the case, and what will that mean for the rest of the offensive line?  And who will line up in the first team defensive backfield for the Eagles, an area that remains a concern?

While the final answers to these questions won’t be revealed for some time, we’re getting closer.

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 Load Up on Quarterbacks

Wednesday, March 6th, 2013

by Brandyn Campbell

 

 

 

 

The Philadelphia Eagles added yet another quarterback to their roster on Tuesday, bringing the grand total to five.  That list includes Mike Vick, Nick Foles, Trent Edwards, Dennis Dixon, and now G.J. Kinne.

Erm…who?

Kinne (6-2, 234), was signed to a two-year deal with the Birds.  Obviously, he’s not a big name.  But he has ties to some presently with the Eagles organization.  He played at Tulsa with wide receiver Damaris Johnson and was coached by the Birds’ offensive quality control coach Press Taylor.  So, there’s that.  During his three-year career at Tulsa (he transferred there after attending the University of Texas his freshman year), Kinne ranked second in the school’s history in passing yards (9,472), total offense (10,831 yards), and passing touchdowns (81).

In 2012 Kinne was an unsigned free agent of the New York Jets before being waived by the team in June.  After the NFL didn’t pan out for Kinne, he held a brief stint in the UFL with the Omaha Nighthawks and in the AFL with the San Antonio Talons.

Confused as to what Chip Kelly’s overall vision is for the Eagles’ quarterback position at this stage?  Join the club.  Options can be good, but this latest signing seems to cast the proverbial net as wide as possible.  And, of course, the signing of Kinne gets us no closer to having an idea of what Kelly has in mind for his first NFL offense.

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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The Ron Jaworski Interview: Why Chip Kelly Will be a Success in the NFL and Why the Philadelphia Eagles Need Mike Vick

Monday, February 25th, 2013

by Brandyn Campbell

 

 

 

 

 

 

Former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback and ESPN NFL analyst Ron Jaworski is a man who needs no introduction in the City of Philadelphia. But alas, I’ll give it a try.

Jaws, as he is otherwise known, remains one of the most popular sports figures in Philly sports history.  His place in Eagles lore was solidified when he took the 1980 team to Super Bowl XV and was named NFL MVP that year.  He remains active in the area’s sports scene as president and part-owner of the Philadelphia Soul.

Jaworski is a popular fixture on ESPN due to his analysis and insights revealed through hours of film study as well as his affable personality, all of which contributed to Jaws’ role as a commentator on Monday Night Football for five seasons.

Jaws joined me as well as Roy Burton and Kris Domingo of the Broad Street Line podcast to talk Eagles quarterbacks, Chip Kelly, his famous nickname and its connection with the Philadelphia Sixers and an exciting announcement about the Philadelphia Soul.  You’ll also find out the new project that has Jaws feeling like a 31-year old again.

QUESTION:  The Philadelphia Eagles are in the midst of a lot of transition, with Chip Kelly being the first new head coach in 14 seasons. We’ve had a chance to hear from Kelly briefly, but obviously there are so many questions about what he’s planning to do. What qualities make you believe that he can succeed as a head coach in the NFL, and specifically with the Eagles?

Jaws:  First and foremost, Chip Kelly has tremendous football IQ. He understands the game, and he comes from an offensive persuasion. I think in today’s NFL it’s so important that you have your offense in place. It’s a quarterback’s game. The quarterback is the most important player on the team. He is the heartbeat of a football team. So that’s one situation that Chip Kelly is going to have to clear up for the short-term and the long-term as well.

But what I really like about Chip, and I’ve watched his offense at Oregon for a number of years broken down on tape, tried to figure out what he’s trying to do and it’s very difficult to do that. Even a guy like me who’s a football wonk that studies all the tape–this guy is brilliant. He understands how to beat defenses. And he brings tremendous energy.

I know he is of the offensive persuasion, he cares about quarterback, but what I love is the energy he brings into the room that he will bring to the football team. That’s something you just can’t fabricate. I mean, he loves football and I think quickly the people of Philadelphia will understand that.

QUESTION:  Speaking of quarterbacks, right now there are three in the mix for the Eagles—Mike Vick, of course, Nick Foles and recently Dennis Dixon. Who do you anticipate succeeding the most in Kelly’s spread offense?

Jaws: I don’t think there’s any doubt it’s going to be Michael Vick. In fact, as Chip Kelly was hired I quickly announced that Michael Vick would be the quarterback, much to the chagrin of many people in Philadelphia who felt it was time to move on from Michael Vick and move to Nick Foles, or now we have a Dennis Dixon in the mix or whoever they deem in the draft or via free agency to acquire. But I think when you look at Michael Vick, he has a skill set that fits what Chip Kelly wants to run.  Mobility. The one thing, if you look at the Oregon offense, it’s not about throwing the football. It’s about a quarterback with movement who can run. Michael Vick can do both.

In the NFL it starts with throwing the football first. Mike Vick is still an outstanding passer of the football. We know he can run the football. Yes, he may have lost a couple tenths of a second in his 40 time, he may have gotten beat up a little bit over the past couple years, but even with those things going against Michael Vick he’s still a guy who can give you the burst, give you the big play.  I think he’s the absolute perfect fit for a Chip Kelly offense.

Then you go to Dennis Dixon, a guy that played with Chip Kelly out of Oregon, understands his system, has been with the Pittsburgh Steelers, has been with the Baltimore Ravens. He understands what it takes to run this system.

Nick Foles is your prototypical NFL pocket passer. I don’t see his style fitting in to what Chip Kelly wants to do. That’s not to take anything away from Nick Foles because I think eventually he is going to be an outstanding NFL quarterback. But he’s not a guy who fits in the type of offense that Chip Kelly wants to run.

QUESTION:  What do you think went wrong with the team last year, specifically? Can we chalk it up to talent or a lack of effort or was there something else going on?

Jaws: When we talk about professional football I never use the term “lack of effort.” I think these are highly skilled professional athletes that are paid to do their very best no matter what the situation is. Now, maybe there were some situations where they lacked the intensity and enthusiasm that we like to see from teams that are contending for a Super Bowl, but I certainly don’t think the Eagles would fall into the category of a team that lacked effort. Andy Reid got the best out of his football team.

When you look at last season’s 4-12 record, you have to go back to two years ago when the team struggled at 4-8. I believe going 8-8 masked their deficiencies. They were not a good football team at 4-8, they got their season to 8-8, Andy Reid got another shot but it was clear to me that there were problems within the football team that they needed to make changes. Those changes were not made, consequently the team comes back, suffers some very serious injuries–there’s no question of that–the offensive line was decimated and yes you did lose Michael Vick, your starting quarterback, for a number of games. But I look at this Eagles team now, this downfall where they won only four games this year, eight the year before, 12-20 over the last two years. This started a couple years ago. So clearly, I think all of the changes were mandated by a 12-20 record so time to move in another direction, and they are.

QUESTION: Is it true that Sixers’ current head coach Doug Collins gave you the nickname Jaws?

Jaws: That is correct! Doug Collins was my next door neighbor when he was playing for the Sixers and I was playing for the Eagles and he came up with the nickname Jaws. Now, most people think it was because the movie “Jaws” was very popular in the early 80s, but Doug said every time he saw me my jaws were always flapping so he gave me the nickname Jaws and it has stuck ever since.

QUESTION:  We all know and admire your analysis on ESPN but you’re working on a new project that’s pretty close to home, as it’s about your health.  You found relief from arthritis pain with a product called Stopain. Did your time playing football exacerbate your pain? Tell us a little about how you found your way to the product.

Jaws: I’m a 61-year old guy who played professional football for 17 years and 25 years total playing the game so when you get to be 61 there are some bumps and bruises that act up every now and then. Like most guys my age we’re looking for something that will provide us with some immediate relief and I found that in Stopain.

Before I got involved in the company I actually tried the product for months. I wanted to be sure that it worked, that it did help stop pain, that it allowed me to play golf, it allowed me to move freely, that it deeply penetrated my joints. It allowed me to swing the golf club, walk the golf course for 18 holes. Stopain had a remarkable turnaround in my life as far as being athletic and wanting to move and doing all of the things that I have to do at this age.

QUESTION: You’re part-owner of the Philadelphia Soul. We heard that you had some news that you wanted to share about the Soul. Is there anything you’d like to tell us?

Jaws:  There are so many great things happening with the Philadelphia Soul right now. Our training camp opens on March 2. We open our season in Arizona, which will be a replay of the Arena Bowl championship of a year ago in New Orleans. Philadelphia unfortunately lost that game to Arizona but we have a tremendous football team. We are very, very excited about bringing a championship back to Philadelphia. In 2008 we won the Arena Bowl championship and we kind of felt that we remained the team that everybody looked up to. Of course, a few months later the Philadelphia Phillies won the World Series and we feel that we removed the jinx of William Penn in the City of Philadelphia.

We feel very strongly about what we’ve been able to bring in terms of competitive football and championship football to Philadelphia. I think one of the really cool things that our ownership group of the Philadelphia Soul—Marty Judge, myself, Craig Spencer, Cosmo DeNicola, Pete Ciarrochi–we’re taking arena football to China. You heard me correct. We are taking not National Football League to China, the Arena Football League under the direction of our ownership group of the Philadelphia Soul is going to China. We are the only organization in football that is going to be playing football in China this fall. It’s very, very exciting.

****

I know you’re sorry it’s over but I have good news for you—it actually isn’t. Be sure to catch the full interview tomorrow, Tuesday, February 26 at 6 pm via The Broad Street Line podcast for more from Jaws, including his thoughts on other quarterbacks around the league.

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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Newsflash: Mike Vick’s Not Changing

Monday, February 18th, 2013

by Brandyn Campbell

 

 

 

 

 

Mike Vick. Not changin’.
(Image via NJ.com)

The news that broke one week ago today – that Mike Vick had restructured his deal to extend his stay with the Philadelphia Eagles – was met by strong reaction by the team’s fans.  As usual when Vick is concerned, emotions fell on opposite sides of the spectrum.

Toss out Vick along with Andy Reid and the dishwater.  If we are truly in rebuilding mode, let’s start with something new.  Let’s see what we have in Nick Foles.

Conversely, there are those who blame Reid and Marty Morhinweg and their horrific play calling as well as a cobbled-together offensive line in Vick’s recent struggles with the Birds.  Philadelphia signed him because of what makes him dynamic, then wanted him to turn into something that he’s not.  Let Vick be Vick!  With a healthy o-line and more balance with the run game, Vick can help this team to succeed.

The debate will continue to rage this offseason among fans, but one thing we know about Vick – sooner or later he lets you know exactly where he stands.  In an interview on Saturday with 97.5 The Fanatic, Vick made clear that he likes who he is as a person and a player and has no intention of changing who he is.

“Well if you think about what I endured [last season] and how many hits I took, I stayed upright for seven games and took about 180 hits.  I am going to train the way I train, I’m not going to change anything.  I’m going to be who I am and I’m not going to change.  I think everybody just has to accept it.  I am going to put in all the hard work to be the best player I can be, but it’s not just about me.  It’s about team, it’s about unity, it’s about everybody playing together.  That’s the only way we’re  going to win.”

C’mon.  Regardless of which side of the issue you reside those comments can’t really surprise you, can they?

Part of the challenge facing Chip Kelly this offseason is making an honest assessment of what he has at quarterback inVick, Nick Foles, and Dennis Dixon.  What are truly their strengths and how can they be played up in Kelly’s offense?

We saw with Andy Reid’s time in Philadelphia with Vick that trying to turn the quarterback into a pure pocket passer simply will not work.  And what do you do about the risky decision making that so often leads Vick to injury?  If Kelly is to keep Vick and make him a starter (which remains to be seen), he has to accept him as he is – the good, the bad and the ugly.  Another great offseason of film study is not going to transform the polarizing player into something that he is not.

And therein lies the reason for concern among so many Eagles fans.

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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Mike Vick to Stay with the Philadelphia Eagles After Reaching One-Year Deal

Tuesday, February 12th, 2013

by Brandyn Campbell

 

 

 

 

Like it or not, Mike Vick will have another chance with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Monday was supposed to be a day to put the spotlight on Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly and his coaching staff.  Instead, Mike Vick stole the show.

Not literally.  The quarterback was not present at the press conference.  But word of his restructured contract to come to a one-year deal worth $10 million with the team dominated the day’s headlines and news cycle.

The question of Vick versus Nick Foles still remain and indeed, we will have to see if other factors at QB enter the equation.  But for now, despite what many anticipated, as we head into mid-February both Vick and Foles remain on Philadelphia’s roster.

And Kelly said to get used to having both names on the roster.  He expects both men to be with the Eagles come the start of the season and that it is an open competition for who starts under center.

“There is an open competition.  Michael knows that.  Nick knows that.  Nick knew every step of the way what we were doing.  I wanted to make sure Nick was included in the plans, and I think both of them have outstanding qualities in terms of being quarterbacks in this league.  Both of them have started in this league.

So I also know in this league, you better have two, so I’m excited about the two of them.  They’re both going to compete.  And who the starting quarterback is to start the season off is going to be won on the practice field.”

Yes, the offensive line was decimated in 2012.  But Vick’s play was decidedly lackluster.  Or downright awful, depending who you ask.  So what convinced Kelly that the quarterback could be a good option for the team in 2013?

“I think in terms of Michael, we look at everything.  What I look at is skillset first and foremost.  What he can do, how he can throw the football, how he can beat people with his feet.  There are a lot of different factors he has.  And you have to look at the landscape for other quarterbacks.

I guess the best way I can put this is I agree there is a change of scenery going on here.  For Michael Vick, there is a change of scenery, but not a change of address.”

In reality, none of the options for the Eagles are ideal.  Many assumed that Vick would go the way of Andy Reid come the close of the season.  But where would that have left the team?  With a quarterback in Foles who shows promise but whose ability to lead a team is still largely unknown.  Dennis Dixon makes sense to give a try, as he is the only NFL quarterback with experience in Kelly’s offense.  Alex Smith has got to be an intriguing option for Philadelphia and a host of other teams around the league but are the Eagles willing to pay the steep price he will surely command on the open market?  And with no slam dunk options at QB in this year’s draft, what’s a head coach to do?

Despite being fed up with the team at the end of the season (and let’s be honest, who wasn’t at that point?), Vick is thrilled to have a chance to remain in midnight green.

“I am grateful and proud to be a Philadelphia Eagle.  My heart is in Philly and this community is important to me.  I look forward to playing for Coach Kelly, Jeffrey Lurie and the entire Eagles organization, the city of Philadelphia and the fans.  I am training hard this offseason and will be ready for Coach Kelly’s team vision and leadership.  Our goal is to win.”

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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Mike Vick to Remain on Philadelphia Eagles Roster Past February 6 Deadline

Wednesday, February 6th, 2013

by Brandyn Campbell

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the entire 2012 season, we’ve thought that February 6, 2013 — three days after the Super Bowl — was the do-or-die deadline for the Philadelphia Eagles to make a decision on whether Mike Vick would stay or go.  It now appears as if that is not the case.  The team has a bit more wiggle room.

 

It was previously thought that if Vick remained on the roster on February 6 the Birds were on the hook for paying the quarterback $3 million.  However, according to Tim McManus of Birds 24/7,

 

“There is a provision in the contract that puts the Eagles on the hook for the $3 million only if he does not make that amount next season with another team.  Vick will almost certainly find work next season and for at least $3 million, making the ‘deadline’ pretty irrelevant.”

 

This means that the Eagles and head coach Chip Kelly are in no rush to make a decision on Vick.  Which means that there is even more time to wonder just what Kelly seeks in his starting quarterback for the 2013 season.

 

After meeting with Kelly, Vick is high on the opportunity to work with Philadelphia’s new coach and remain in Philadelphia.  But does Kelly feel the same way about Vick?  That remains to be seen.

 

Meanwhile, as previously speculated, now that the Baltimore Ravens are Super Bowl champs, the Eagles are in hot pursuit of the team’s practice squad quarterback, Dennis Dixon according to CSNPhilly’s Geoff Mosher.  The strong appeal of Dixon for the Eagles organization is that he is the only NFL quarterback who has experience running Kelly’s option offense during his college days at Oregon.  Will it be the ultimate answer that the team is seeking?  Maybe.  Maybe not.  But it will likely provide some insight into what Kelly needs to change when adapting to the ranks of professional football.

 

For now, the quarterback situation is like virtually everything else about what the Chip Kelly era in Philadelphia Eagles football — a mystery.  Will training camp feature Vick, Dixon and Nick Foles competing for the team’s starting QB position, or will another variable enter the equation by that point?  I’m going with Option “B”.  With a whole lotta months between now and then, it’s probably best to sit back and expect the unexpected.

 

It will be a long offseason but if it’s any consolation for Eagles fans, it should be a fascinating and eventful one.

 

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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Mike Vick, Nick Foles or…Dennis Dixon?

Saturday, February 2nd, 2013

by Brandyn Campbell

 

 

 

 

Dennis Dixon

In the unending speculation about who will be under center for the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2013 season, several names have been tossed around.  Is Mike Vick more likely to stay with the team in Chip Kelly’s spread offense?  Will Coach Kelly like what he sees in Nick Foles’ progress?

Who knows, but it sounds like one thing Kelly will want to do is reunite with a familiar QB  from Oregon in Philadelphia.  CSNPhilly’s Geoff Mosher reports there are “strong indications” that Kelly will sign current Baltimore Ravens practice squad quarterback Dennis Dixon to the Eagles after Sunday’s Super Bowl.  Says Mosher,

“If Kelly plans to build an offense that not only fits his vision but also can compete from the get-go, he needs a quarterback that understands his scheme and has the skill set to flourish in it.

Nobody on the current roster fits that description, but all signs point to Kelly having his man by next week.  There are strong indications that Kelly won’t waste too much time after the Super Bowl before reaching out to Ravens practice squad quarterback Dennis Dixon and bringing him to Philadelphia.

Dixon, who engineered Kelly’s offense to near perfection at Oregon and had his Heisman candidacy in 2007 derailed by a knee injury, is the only NFL quarterback that knows the coach’s system inside-out and wouldn’t be starting from Square 1.”

NFL rules prevent Kelly and the Eagles from reaching out to Dixon until after the Ravens’ playoff run is completed.

Dixon was drafted in 2007 by the Pittsburgh Steelers and made just four starts with the team over as many seasons standing in for Ben Roethlisberger.  So, even with his familiarity with Kelly’s offense, why does the team seem so convinced that the 6’3, 209 lb, 28-year-old quarterback is a good fit with his lack of playing time in the NFL?  Per Mosher, an AFC scout, “believes Dixon has tremendous NFL potential that can be maximized in Kelly’s offense.”  Prior to experiencing a knee injury his senior year, Dixon led the Ducks to an 8-1 record and a number 2 spot in the BCS rankings, so clearly Kelly has seen just what the quarterback is capable of doing (Dixon also completed almost 68 percent of his passes, rushed for 583 yards and totaled 2,719 yards in 10 games).

One thing is clear: the Eagles have to do something about their quarterback situation following the Super Bowl.  The team has a 72-hour window in which they must decide if they will release Vick at no cost to them, though they will take a $4.2 million cap hit.  If a decision isn’t made during that time, then Vick will be owed $3 million (though the exact amount depends on if he signs with another team).

So who will the Eagles’ quarterback in 2013?  It will be a while until we know for sure.  But every move and comment made by Kelly will be examined closely as a decoder into his intentions regarding Vick, Foles and very possibly Dixon.  Or whatever additional names come into the mix between now and then.

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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Mike Vick to Have One Last Stand as a Philadelphia Eagle

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

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Total Turnover Meltdown by the Philadelphia Eagles

Friday, December 14th, 2012

by Brandyn Campbell

 

 

 

 

 

Oh, Philadelphia Eagles fans.  We didn’t even get a week to enjoy a win.  We endure more than two winless months,  and then the victory that finally breaks the skid lasts for a mere four days.

Sigh.

The final Thursday night game of the NFL season saw a strong performance from the Eagles defense that was wasted by carelessness in the other phases of the game.  Specifically, the Birds made five turnovers that the Bengals turned into 31 points on the scoreboard, with Philadelphia wasting away a 13-10 lead it took into halftime to lose the game 34-13.

Sadly, Jeremy Maclin’s fumble on the second play of the game should have told us how the story would ultimately end.  Kansas City led the league in turnovers at the start of the game but no more.  The title now solely belongs to the Eagles, who have committed 34 this season.

In a horrific series of events in the second half, the Birds managed to give the ball back to the Bengals four times in five consecutive plays.  Foles threw an interception, Bryce Brown fumbled once again on a handoff that was never in his control, then Clay Harbor fumbled, causing Cincinnati to score 17 unanswered points in 5 minutes and 37 seconds.

Leave it to CSN’s Reuben Frank to break it down to an even more shocking perspective:  That meltdown equated to almost three points scored per minute by the Bengals.

A repeat of Sunday’s rousing performance by Foles was not in the cards this game.  The rookie struggled,  completing 16 of 33 passes for 182 yards with 1 touchdown and 1 interception for a passer rating of 62.9.

The shame of it all is that the sloppiness and epic screw-ups of the offense and special teams covered up a stout performance by the defense.  The d-line was all over Andy Dalton.  In the first half alone, the D had 4 sacks and 2 forced fumbles.  Brandon Graham and Fletcher Cox put in inspired performances, with Graham getting 2.5 sacks and Cox earning 1.5.  Cullen Jenkins brought Andy Dalton down once, and get this — even Trent Cole had a sack.

This was the defensive line we were promised in the preseason.  We were finally seeing what all of the immense talent we knew could accomplish.  Unfortunately, it’s come far too late.

The good news for all of us — team and fans alike — is that we get a break.  The Eagles won’t play again until the eve of Christmas Eve, when they’ll face the Washington Redskins.  Our expectations will go back to being nothing.  Perhaps we’ll see some great play by the defense again.  Maybe the offense can put together another game like we saw in Tampa.  Something to lessen the torture of seeing a team in total meltdown.

But, then again, it’s what we’ve witnessed all 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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