Heels in the Huddle » E-A-G-L-E-S

Donovan McNabb — A Homecoming

Nat — Sun, 03 Oct 2010 19:22:43 +0000

It was 10 years ago that I fell in love with this game. The Philadelphia Eagles were the object of my affection and at the helm was a young QB Donovan McNabb, wowing me with his ability to make something out of nothing.

1999 – Draft day. Notoriously known for their love/hate relationship with star athletes, Eagles fans were none too happy with the team selecting the QB from Syracuse. The ribbing he took from on draft day was just the beginning. Even after leading the team to four consecutive NFC East division championships, five NFC Championship Games and one Super Bowl, McNabb was still trying to win over the city.

Today McNabb returns to Philadelphia wearing a Washington Redskins jersey. He never asked to leave and gave everything that he had to the city. There are campaigns going around on how to react to his return. There is the standing “O” group and the boo bird group. The indifferent group is looking for members. That’s the thing with sports, you only show emotions for those who mattered most. If McNabb hears silence — then maybe he should be offended.

Will he be booed once again? Probably. Philadelphia fans have a reputation to protect after all.

McNabb: Highlight Package

Week 5 Preview – Underdog Victories or Blowout Central?

Nat — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 13:20:13 +0000

I can’t believe its week 5 already. Things have gone as planned for some teams while others are still struggling to find an identity. Week 5 is generally when the great teams start separating themselves from the pack and the games on tap for Sunday should cover the spectrum from blowouts to nail-biters.

Blowout Central

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Philadelphia Eagles: Donovan McNabb and Brian Westbrook will be back for the Eagles after some added rest from the bye week. Their services may not be required for the duration of the game as they go up against a win-less Tampa Bay team. Philadelphia has gotten solid performances from their reserve players and should be able to handle anything the Josh Johnson led team brings at them. (Eagles win 31 – 13)

Dallas Cowboys @ Kansas City Chiefs: Dallas couldn’t have wished for a better opponent after last weeks debacle. Tony Romo has his chance at redemption and the Dallas ground game should be in full force. The Romo-Witten connection on its own should be good enough to keep the Chiefs playing catch up all game. (Cowboys win 28-10)

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Detroit Lions: Rashard Mendenhall had his coming out party last week and should continue to cause havoc against the Lions rush defense. Ben Roethlisberger should have plenty of time in the pocket as well against a Lions team that has given up the most points in the NFL to date this season. The Lions may still be celebrating that victory from a week 3 but this game will prove to be a reminder as to where they belong. (Steelers win 24-9)

Underdog Victories?

New England Patriots @ Denver Broncos: The Broncos are 4-0. Kinda crazy and this week they have a chance to upset the Patriots who have shown weaknesses in past weeks. Brian Dawkins has emerged big time on the defensive end for the Broncos and his unit may just be able to rattle Tom Brady enough to slip a few times. Kyle Orton is far from the cream of the crop when it comes to QB’s but he is getting the job done and has won over the fans in the mile high city for now. (Broncos win 28-24)

Indianapolis Colts @ Tennessee Titans:The Titans are 0-4. The surprise team from last season has fallen back to earth but things have to turn around soon right? How about this week in a shootout of sorts? I expect this one to be close Titans are going to need to clean up the kinks and come together under the lights. (Titans win 34-31)

New York Jets @ Miami Dolphins:Intriguing game this Monday night. The Dolphins showed some sign of life last week and maybe they build on that enough to hand the Jets a second loss in a row. Rookie QB Sanchez was exposed last week against the Saints who are hardly known for their defense and may not be fully recovered from that. (Dolphins win 21-17)

The Others…

Minnesota Vikings @ St Louis Rams: Vikings win 34-14
Washington Redskins @ Carolina Panthers: Panthers win 21-9
Oakland Raiders @ New york Giants: Giants win 20-10
Cleveland Browns @ Buffalo Bills: Bills win 17-14
Cincinnati Bengals @ Baltimore Ravens: Ravens win 24-21
Atlanta Falcons @ San Fransisco 49′ers: 49′ers win 28-21
Houston Texans @ Arizona Cardinals: Cardinals win 24-17
Jacksonville Jaguars @ Seattle Seahawks: Jaguars win 24-20

Week 3: Kansas City Chiefs @ Philadelphia Eagles

Nat — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 14:57:55 +0000

Join me as I live blog this game on The Score – Link

*This live blog is accessible through the web, your iPhone/iPod Touch (Details) or Blackberry (Details)*

PREVIEW

This game would never even cause a blip on the radar screen if it were not for the return of Michael Vick. The Eagles are the clear cut favorites but with no McNabb (cracked rib) and a banged up duo of Westbrook and Jackson, the Chiefs have a fighting chance. The added distraction with the Michael Vick story just puts more pressure on the birds. The team is going into the game carrying 3 active QB’s but all media attention will be focused on Vick. Every mistake amplified, every play dissected.

The Eagles will stay with Kevin Kolb at QB, but I’m sure we’ll see lots of Vick in the Wildcat Formation. Yes, more WILDCAT! They ran it a dozen times last game and with Vick available for this one, it’s sure to be the go to play for Andy Reid. This is where most of the yards on the ground will come but with the Chiefs known for a weak secondary, the Eagles can keep throwing down field and possibly see Kolb match his last weeks output minus the interceptions (wishful thinking?).

The Chiefs don’t have much going for them even though they managed to stay in both their games this season. Matt Cassell was sacked more times than any other QB last season. He struggles to make quick decisions in the pocket which should give the Eagles defense enough time to get to him a few times over the course of the game. With only a single WR to focus on, the Eagles can use double coverage on Bowe and put the rest of the pressure on the QB. Should be good enough to get the job done.

Kansas City may be outmatched on paper but fortunately, the game is played on the field not on paper. If the latter was the determining factor this would be over before it began. I’m expecting this one to be close and the Eagles will make enough mistakes to keep the Chiefs in the game. The problem on the other end is the Chiefs just don’t have the play makers to take advantage of said mistakes. So all factors considered… it may not be pretty but this should get the Eagles back in the WIN column.

Week 3: Come Backs, Bounce Backs & Running Backs

Nat — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 02:15:44 +0000

He paid his dues but is bound to continue receiving backlash for his actions. Week 3 marks the return of Michael Vick. The Eagles gave him a chance but being away from the game so long has left him rusty. I was pretty indifferent towards this move assuming he wouldn’t really play much during the regular season. An injury to McNabb has changed up the scenario and Vick may be thrown into the fire prematurely. Kolb had a decent game and Garcia is still available but Andy Reid is known to take risks. Vick will get his chance to impact the game this Sunday against the Chiefs and it will be in a defined role rather than a decoy. Since the Philly D got killed by the Saints last week, the will surely want to redeem themselves. All the factors combined should get the Eagles back in the win column.

Last Weekend was a reality check for the Patriots as Brady struggled to get anything going. He may be healthy but 2 weeks into the season we can see he has a ways to go before returning to pre-injury form. The Jets found ways to take advantage and pulled off what most considered an upset. This week the Falcons will come in with a similar mindset but Brady should be able to get back on track. I expect New England to get their running game back in order and take care of business against the Falcons – But it won’t be easy!

The Cowboys came into the season with arguably one of the best group of running backs. Marion Barber, Felix Jones and Tashard Choice could all start for an NFL team. There are just not enough possessions to get the most out of every guy over the course of a game. This week should be a coming out party of sorts for the 2nd and 3rd guys on the depth chart if Marion is ruled out for Monday night. There are still decisions to made before now and game time, but I expect Barber to sit out letting his very capable counterparts carry the load in what should be a win for the Cowboys.

Picking the rest…
Baltimore Ravens over Cleveland Browns
Washington Redskins over Detroit Lions
Houston Texans over Jacksonville Jaguars
Minnesota Vikings over San Francisco 49′ers
Tennessee Titans over New York Jets
Green Bay Packers over St. Louis Rams
New York Giants over Tampa Bay Buccaneers
New Orleans Saints over Buffalo Bills
Chicago Bears over Seattle Seahawks
Pittsburgh Steelers over Cincinnati Bengals
Oakland Raiders over Denver Broncos
San Diego Chargers over Miami Dolphins
Indianapolis Colts over Arizona Cardinals

Week 2: New Orleans Saints @ Philadelphia Eagles

Nat — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 15:59:13 +0000

Join me as I live blog this game on The Score – Link

*This live blog is accessible through the web, your iPhone/iPod Touch (Details) or Blackberry (Details)*

PREVIEW

The last thing the New Orleans Saints have had to worry about since Drew Brees came aboard is their QB spot. The Philadelphia Eagles could only wish that was the case for them. Heading into their home opener at Lincoln Financial Field, the availability of Donovan McNabb is still up in the air. After McNabb suffered a cracked rib in week 1, it is looking more and more that Kevin Kolb will get the start for this game. And if Kolb chokes in his first ever start, the Eagles can put in Jeff Garcia who was brought in as added insurance.

Turning the attention over to the game, the Saints’ put up over 500 yards in its 45-27 victory over the Lions last week . The key there is they were playing the Lions. This week should be a more of a challenge as they go up against one of the better defenses in the league. The same defensive unit that forced 7 turnovers and 5 sacks versus the Panthers. The late Jim Johnson’s successor did his thing but against a better offense, the pressure will be on. Detroit Lions or any other team, Drew Brees and his 6 TD passes matched a record for most scoring passes in a game for a Saints QB. And the damage wasn’t only done by air as Mike Bell ran for a career-high 143 yards. For this game, the Saints should also have Pierre Thomas back in the lineup giving them another weapon on offense.

On the offensive end, the Eagles are going to have a tough time duplicating their output from last game. Even though they have lots of weapons on offense and Westbrook is still good for the big plays, the Saints will be bringing the pressure all game long on the inexperienced Kolb. The Eagles need to focus on managing the clock to give themselves a chance to run with the Saints. If the Eagles defense can step up for this game, they could rattle Brees. He is no Delhomme though so the key will be to limit how much time he has in the pocket to get rid of the ball. In turn giving the team a chance to grab a win while playing shorthanded.

One team wants to start a streak and the other is trying to break one. Philadelphia, is trying to start 2-0 for the first time since 2004. The Saints, meanwhile, have both their last two road openers and haven’t started 2-0 since 2006.

I’m ready for kickoff to see who comes out on the winning side of this coin flip…

Pre-Season Wk 3: Philadelphia Eagles @ NY Jets

Nat — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 22:50:34 +0000

Live Blogging the game – you can also visit the Live Blog here.

7:54 PM Nat77 - Hey, thanks for joining me for my first ever live blog. With the new NFL media policy I am not sure how this is going to work out long term but we going to give it a try
7:56 PM Nat77 - Most of the starters will be sitting out this game for precautionary reasons but that just means we are that much closer to the regular season
7:59 PM Nat77 - In Eagles news, commissioner Goodell revealed to the media today that Michael Vick will be re-instated for week 3 and will be free to play when the Eagles meet the Kansas City Chiefs on September 27
8:04 PM Nat77 - We are a few minutes away from kick off, and have a QB match up of Kevin Kolb for the Eagles going up against Kellen Clemens of the Jets
8:07 PM Nat77 - New coach of the NY Jets, Rex Ryan seems eager to get the regular season started as the Jets are set to kick off
8:08 PM Nat77 - 14:54 Kevin Kolb will start the drive from their own 21 yd line (PHI)
8:09 PM Nat77 - 14:42 A 3 yd pickup for McCoy as the Eagles have a 3rd & 1
8:09 PM Nat77 - 13:37 Vick is in for the snap
8:10 PM Nat77 - 13:32 Vick goes in and gets 3 yds on his own which is good for the 1st down
8:11 PM Nat77 - 12:50 Pass interference call on Lito Sheppard so the Eagles have a 1st down at the Jets 25 yd line
8:12 PM Nat77 - 12:43 Vick came in but managed to lose a yard on the play 2nd & 11
8:12 PM Nat77 - 12:14 Kevin Kolb went long on that 2nd down pass which sailed high but there is a flag on the play
8:13 PM Nat77 - 12:11 Pass interference again and the Eagles have a 1st down at the 3 yd line
8:14 PM Nat77 - 11:57 stoppage in play as the players got into a bit of a scuffle. The Jets are penalized with a personal foul
8:14 PM Nat77 - 11:42 Eagles have a 1st down at the 1 yd line
8:15 PM Nat77 - 11:14 LaShawn McCoy powers in – TOUCHDOWN EAGLES
8:18 PM Nat77 - That drive was made possible by the 65+ penalty yards the Jets gave
8:18 PM Nat77 - The Jets receive the kick off but get no yards on the return
8:21 PM Nat77 - 11:08 Mark Sanchez will take the snap 1st & 10 from their own 17 yd line
8:21 PM Nat77 - 10:39 Gain of 2 yds, 2nd & 8
8:22 PM Nat77 - 10:23 Sanchez goes long looking down the field he completes a 15 yard pass
8:22 PM Nat77 - 9: 46 Thomas Jones gets 14 yards on the ground for another first down
8:23 PM Nat77 - 9:00 A short pass from Sanchez gets the Jets 3 yds – 2nd & 7 at the 50
8:24 PM Nat77 - 8:25 Another shot down the field, Sanchez had enough time to find the receiver with a 27 yd pass for a 1st down
8:24 PM Nat77 - 7:48 – Thomas Jones rushes for 2 yards – 2nd and 8 at the Eagles 20 yd line
8:25 PM Nat77 - 7:11 TOUCHDOWN JETS! Sanchez to Cotchery (21 YD PASS)
8:25 PM Nat77 - 7:09 Jay Feely converts for the extra point
8:27 PM Nat77 - Majority of that drive was made up of the 60+ yards in the air, with 3 passes of over 20 yds for Sanchez
8:30 PM Nat77 - 6:57 Pass incomplete as the Eagles start their drive from their own 27 yd line
8:31 PM Nat77 - 6:49 6 yd run by Buckley – 3rd & 4 (PHI)
8:32 PM Nat77 - 6:32 Kolb under pressure throws the ball away and its a 4th down for the Eagles
8:34 PM Nat77 - 5:58 A 42 yd punt from Sav Rocca and the Jets will take over from their own 33
8:35 PM Nat77 - 5:53 Kellen Clemons is in for the Jets and his 1st pass is incomplete – 2nd & 10
8:36 PM Nat77 - 5:50 A loss of 4 yards as the Eagles brought some of the JJ pressure – 3rd & 10
8:36 PM Nat77 - 5:01 7 yd run for Clemons but its a 4th down and the Jets will punt
8:37 PM Nat77 - 4:31 A 36 yd punt and the Eagles will start their drive from their own 29
8:38 PM Nat77 - 4:27 Kolb hands it off for a 3 yd run – 2nd & 7
8:38 PM Nat77 - 3:46 Kolb with the pass and that should give them enough for a 1st down
8:39 PM Nat77 - 3:05 1st down, the Eagles run the ball for a gain of 8 – 2nd & 2 at their own 47
8:40 PM Nat77 - 2:01 The Eagles get the 2 yds for another 1st down
8:41 PM Nat77 - 1:53 5 yd pass completed – 2nd & 5 and Vick is back on the field
8:41 PM Nat77 - 1:22 Vick couldn’t get the ball out of his hand but runs it for 6 yards and another 1st down
8:42 PM Nat77 - 0:52 Kolb’s back in and his pass is incomplete – 2nd & 10 for the Eagles at the Jets 35
8:43 PM Nat77 - 0:46 The Jets bring the pressure and Kolb is sacked for the 1st time in the game
8:43 PM Nat77 - 3rd & 17 as the time is ticking down
8:43 PM Nat77 - 0:05 Another sack as Kolb’s protection broke down and that will end the Quarter
8:45 PM Nat77 - End of the 1st Quarter – 7-7
We should see more of Michael Vick in the 2nd quarter
8:46 PM Nat77 - 14:52 Rocca’s punt (51yds) goes into the end zone and the Jets will take over from their own 20 – 1st & 10
8:47 PM Nat77 - 14:43 INTERCEPTION – Eagles pick off Clemons and run it back to the Jets 2 yd line
8:47 PM Nat77 - Vick is brought in for some red-zone offense
8:48 PM Nat77 - 14:40 Michael Vick goes with the QB sneak – TOUCHDOWN EAGLES!
8:49 PM Nat77 - The Eagles are using all kinds of formations with QB’s lining up as WR’s – not sure how this will play out in the regular season
8:53 PM Nat77 - 14:26 A huge return for Harrison, 42 yards and the Jets will try this again this time from their own 41
8:53 PM Nat77 - 14:20 A 4 yard gain – 2nd & 6 at the 45 (NY)
8:54 PM JuniorGeneral - Vick is the #eagles new short yardage and goal line guy? Ok by me.
8:54 PM Nat77 - 13:39 – Danny Woodhead breaks through – 55 yd run. TOUCHDOWN JETS!
8:55 PM Nat77 - As pre-season games go this game has been fast moving and lots of offense
8:55 PM msitkoff - Watch that run again by green and #Eagles fans will see why Sean Jones will not be starting safety
8:57 PM Nat77 - That drive was 2 plays and took just 1:01 off the clock
8:58 PM Nat77 - 13:28 A 16 yd return and the Eagles will start at their own 18 yard line – 1st down
8:59 PM Nat77 - 13:23 Kolb finds a seam in the middle and passes it off for 8 yrds – 2nd & 2 (Vick is back in)
8:59 PM Nat77 - 12:44 Vick dumps the ball off and they get enough yards for a 1st down
9:00 PM Nat77 - 12:14 A 3 yd gain for Buckley on the ground – 2nd & 7 at their own 33 (PHI)
9:00 PM Nat77 - 11:32 A 12 yd pass from olb and the Eagles have another 1st down
9:01 PM ITIScott - My man Gibson!
9:01 PM Nat77 - 10:56 18 yard pass and the chains keep moving down field – 1st down at the Jets 36
9:02 PM Nat77 - 10:20 3 yd run – 2nd down
9:02 PM Nat77 - 9:42 4 more yards on the ground and its 3rd & 3 (PHI)
9:03 PM Nat77 - 9:00 Incomplete pass thrown by Kolb as he was looking down field. 4th down should bring in Akers for a 48 yard field goal attempt
9:04 PM Nat77 - 9:00 – FIELD GOAL IS GOOD!
9:04 PM ACPressWeinberg - #Eagles T Shawn Andrews is practicing his pass blocking on the sideline. I’m a mile up in the press box and I can see his orange “Fro-hawk.”
9:06 PM Nat77 - That drive was 9 plays and 50 yards
9:06 PM Nat77 - Eagles kick and its a touchback so the Jets will start at their own 20
9:07 PM Nat77 - 8:49 35 yard pass from Clemons and the chains are moving again
9:09 PM Nat77 - sorry for the slow updates suddenly – the tv ppl want to focus on players on the sideline rather than the game
9:09 PM Nat77 - 6:48 Jets have a 1st & 10 at the Eagles’s 23
9:09 PM Nat77 - 6:08 Woodhead gets 3 yards on the ground – 2nd down
9:10 PM Nat77 - 5: 26 A fumble by the QB and the Eagles have recovered
9:11 PM Nat77 - 2nd turnover of the game for the Jets
9:11 PM Nat77 - 4:50 Eagles get 2 yards as they have a 2nd & 8
9:12 PM Nat77 - 4:43 Incomplete pass – 3rd & 8 at their own 34
9:13 PM Nat77 - 4:31 Eagles finally go with a passing play and get enough for a 1st down
9:13 PM Nat77 - Ball is still on the Eagles side of the field
9:13 PM ITIScott - Uh oh. Gibson turned an ankle. Could stash him on IR.
9:14 PM Nat77 - 3:51 A nice run on the outside gains 8 yards 0 2nd & 2
9:14 PM Nat77 - Vick is back and he makes a pitch again for 8 yards
9:14 PM Nat77 - 1st down Eagles at the Jets 37
9:15 PM Nat77 - 2:48 Vick goes deep and is INTERCEPTED in the end zone. There is a flag on the play – Pass interference on the Eagles resulting in a touch back by the Jets
9:16 PM Nat77 - 2:44 Jets start at their own 20 and take a loss of 2 on the 1st play – 2nd & 12
9:16 PM Nat77 - 2:07 Incomplete pass that was almost intercepted – 3rd down
9:17 PM Nat77 - 2:00 A 17 yard pass with a flag on the play
9:18 PM Nat77 - 2 fouls on the play – Holding for the offense and player misconduct on the Eagles -
9:18 PM Nat77 - The down will be re-played and the clock reset.
9:19 PM lindsaylou13 - RT @geoffmosher: Welcome back, Mike Vick. Sincerely, the end zone. #eagles. (<–LOL!)
9:20 PM Nat77 - replay 3rd and 12 – 2 minute warning
9:21 PM ITIScott - Babin is a beast.
9:21 PM Nat77 - 1:55 The Jets dont get anything on that play and they will punt the ball
9:22 PM Nat77 - 1:41 A short punt but with the return yards the Eagles will start the drive from the Jets 43
9:23 PM Nat77 - 1:37 Kolb tries to go across the field but the ball is tipped – incomplete. 2nd & 10
9:24 PM Nat77 - 1:32 another incomplete pass and the Eagles haven’t moved this drive
9:24 PM ACPressWeinberg - Vick has to remember to aim for the #Eagles receivers. His first deep pass was picked off by Jets CB Dwight Lowery.
9:24 PM Nat77 - 1:20 A 31 yd run and the Eagles are back in the red-zone
9:25 PM Nat77 - Vick will probably be brought in again to convert in this situation
9:25 PM Nat77 - Ball is at the Jets’s 12 yd line
9:26 PM Nat77 - 1:11 Vick tried to pass moving out of the pocket but the pass had too much heat – Incomplete
9:26 PM Nat77 - 1:11 Andy Reid continues to juggle as Kolb came in for that snap and his pass is incomplete
9:26 PM ITIScott - That’s why Amendola won’t make the team.
9:27 PM Nat77 - TOUCHDOWN! Kevin Kolb to Kevin Curtis
9:27 PM ITIScott - Effing Curtis again! Nice.
9:28 PM Nat77 - 1:03 left in this half and the Jets will have a chance to put together a 1 minute drive
9:29 PM Nat77 - Akers kicks and its a wobbler – Andre Allison has a 30 yd return. Jets will start on their own 40
9:30 PM Nat77 - There is an injured player on the field
9:32 PM Nat77 - 0:44 The jets keep it on the ground and get 8 yrds
9:32 PM Nat77 - 0:28 2 yard pass and the Jets have a 1st down
9:33 PM Nat77 - 0:23 pass from Ainge is incomplete
9:34 PM Nat77 - 0:18 Short pass and the the Jets have a 3rd & 7
9:35 PM Nat77 - Penalty – False Start by the Jets
9:35 PM Nat77 - 0:13 A nice pass by Ainge is enough for the 1st down and the Jets are at the 33 yd line
9:36 PM Nat77 - 0:03 Jets keep the ball on the ground and go no where – Timeout
9:36 PM Nat77 - They are going to bring in their kicker and let him rip it
9:37 PM Nat77 - Feely attempting a 47 yd FG – IT’S GOOD!
9:38 PM Nat77 - For the Jets, this has been a game of bad penalties and 2 turnovers. The Eagles on the other hand are still trying tricks bringing Vick in and out of the game but they lead at the half
9:49 PM Nat77 - Since this was a test run – I am ending this live blog now
8:17 PM Nat77 - Halftime Eagles 24 – Jets 17

Brotherly Link Love – Artistic Irony Edition

Nat — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 19:48:52 +0000

Michael Vick remains the story in Philadelphia as the Eagles went into week 3 of pre-season. Once the regular season starts things will get back to normal – Fans will be complaining about McNabb, worrying about Westbrook’s health and questioning the decisions made by new defensive coordinator Sean McDermott. Until then, it’s all Vick all the time.

Last night Vick saw his first game action in over 2.5 years and though it was nothing to write home about (4-4 for 19 yards), the team did try to throw some curve balls. On two separate occasions, Michael Vick and Donovan McNabb were on the field at the same time but both times were used as decoys. When Vick was brought in, there was speculation that he would line up at multiple positions but when it comes to game time (one that matters) its highly unlikely that the team will waste plays with the gimmicks.

Philadelphia 76′ers player Louis Williams, jumped in yesterday to show his support for the much maligned fallen star – @TeamLou23: Tonight. i will be wearing my ” Get Off His Vick ” shirt at the game….How yall love that?

Mural of Michael Vick Depicts Him Choking a Puppy Wearing a Cowboys Jersey – The 700 Level
Awkward but Happy Debut for Michael Vick in Philly – NFL Fanhouse
Your take on Vick’s return – Goal-Line Stand
Shawn Andrews Needs A Reality Show – Inside the Iggles
Here’s Our First Eagles’ Vick Jersey… – With Leather
Why Your Team Sucks: Philadelphia Eagles – Deadspin
Buzz over Vick Is Troubling – NFL Fanhouse

Video of Vick’s post game presser (via ESPN)

Brotherly Link Love – Michael Vick Edition

Nat — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 20:34:45 +0000

He wont be playing in a game for while, but the signing of Michael Vick has been sending tremors through the interwebs a week after the event. If it wasn’t for Brett Favre’s “un-retirement“, Vick would probably dominate the NFL news wire through the rest of pre-season.

Brotherly Link Love will be a feature on this blog every Friday – a collection of the best Eagle’s posts for the week. Miss KJ did her thing writing about the man behind the mask, but there were others who had something to say

The Eagles Will Employ the “Wyld Stallyns” Offense in ‘09 – Inside the Iggles

So Just How Good A Red Zone QB IS Mike Vick? – Iggles Blog

The Vick Jersey Dilemma – The 700 Level

How and Why it Happened – Donovan McNabb Blog (Yardbarker)

Eagles fans: Channel Vick anger by helping animals – Sam Donnellon (Philly.com)

That’s the smell of capitalism – Bleeding Green Nation

Brett Favre and Michael Vick get their Madden ratings – Shutdown Corner

No Longer a Birds Fan? I call bullshit – Phinally Philly

What I Thought Of Vick 60 Minutes Interview – GCobb.com

Video of Vick’s first practice – (H/T NESW Sports)

Man Behind the Mask: Michael Vick

Nat — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 13:30:40 +0000

He’s been vilified, scrutinized and even ostracized by some. Animal activists continue to decry his reinstatement to the NFL. He’s spent nearly two years in prison for participating in an unlawful dog fighting ring and pleaded guilty to felony charges. He had to file for bankruptcy after losing product endorsement deals and his salary.

Through it all, he’s kept a low profile, gained a mentor in one of the greatest NFL coaches of all time and is now a Philadelphia Eagle. Of course I’m speaking about Michael Vick.

Man Behind the Mask highlights the good players do off the field. Michael Vick is no exception. Hear me out. I’m a huge fan of dogs. As a former dog owner I know what it’s like to take care of the four-legged creature. They’re loyal, playful, intelligent beasts who are good for a laugh and a smile when you’ve had a rough day at work.

What Michael Vick did with his canine friends was wrong. Dog fighting is illegal – this we know. Vick was punished and he did his time – also another fact.

However, many are acting as if Vick committed a crime far worse against humanity. They act as if he was the cause for the Holocaust, slavery and Hiroshima all rolled into one. There are child molesters who have been released on ‘good behaviour’ (thanks to the revolving door mechanism that occurs in judiciary circles in both Canada and the U.S.) in less than two years. Yet Vick is seen as the Big Scary Black Man…coming to take your children! Lock ‘em away!

Michael Vick is still a man. A beleaguered man, no doubt – but one who continues to hold his head up in times of adversity. Flanked by Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid and former Indianapolis Colts head coach Tony Dungy at a news conference on August 14, 2009, Vick was soft-spoken and appeared remorseful. He acknowledged his wrongdoings and appeared grateful to Mr. Goodell and the league for reinstating him. Both Mr. Reid and Mr. Dungy were confident in Vick’s ability to perform on the field – and remain a good citizen off the gridiron.

We know he’s a beast on the field. Come on…a quarterback who rushes? You can’t beat that. But Mr. Vick is a regular man who has made some unwise decisions (just like the rest of us). Mr. Vick has a family. He has mouths to feed and children to put through college. Did you think of that? He and his mother and brother established “The Vick Foundation” in 2006 for inner city youth in Atlanta. He’s also donated money to families of the victims of the Virginia Tech massacre in April 2007. Bet you didn’t know that, huh? I didn’t. But maybe you refuse to see the good this man has done and continue to focus on the bad – without all the facts. He’s just a monster to some of y’all.

We see PETA continue to bemoan his return to the National Football League. We see rabid animal lovers frothing at the mouth over a man who committed a crime – did the time – and just wants to live his life in peace. Will the ever let up? Furthermore – don’t they have jobs to go to? How many times will we see them camping outside stadiums and practice locations just to goad a former shining star?

I have full confidence that Michael Vick will come back as a dominant force this season – whatever Mr. Reid decides he will do for the Eagles. Let’s hope he’ll be Vick-torious (sorry, couldn’t help it) this season. Prove the naysayers and PETA wrong. Let him rip on the field…just not against the Colts, please and thanks.

Author Profile – Nat

Nat — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 22:04:52 +0000

Confession – I am a sports junkie

From September through January – Sunday is my HOLY DAY
I am glued to the couch, screening my phone calls and am forever apologetic to people who choose to host weddings/baby showers/birthdays on that day since I never attend.

When it comes to football, my allegiance lies with the Philadelphia Eagles. I lived 15 minutes from Gillette Stadium 10 years ago but never took a liking to the Patriots. The man in my life at the time turned my attention to the Eagles and it was pretty much love at first sight. Even though said man is no longer in the picture I remain loyal to the team that made me fall in love with the game.

Here at Heels in the Huddle, I will be ….

- Ranting and raving about my Eagles
- Doing fantasy football posts (which will reveal my love hate relationship with Jay Cutler)
- Telling you about my adventures in sports betting
- Recapping Games

You can follow me on Twitter @Nat77