Spreading Their Wings - The Philadelphia Eagles

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Spreading Their Wings - The Philadelphia Eagles



The 2008 Philadelphia Eagles season was the team's 76th season as a franchise in the National Football League. The Eagles improved upon their 8-8 record and fourth-place finish in the NFC East in the 2007 season by going 9-6-1 and earning the 6th seed in the NFC Playoffs. The team lost in the Conference Championship game. For head coach Andy Reid, this was his tenth season as the coach of the Eagles.

Head Coach: Andy Reid
Home Stadium: Lincoln Financial Field
2008-09 Record: 9-6-1
Place: 2nd in NFC East
Playoff Finish: Won Wild Card Playoffs (Vikings) 26-14
Won Divisional Playoffs (Giants) 23-11
Lost Conference Championship (Cardinals) 32-25
Pro Bowlers: 2 (Brian Dawkins, Asante Samuel)

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Eagles Draft Recap

Eagles Draft Recap


The Philadelphia Eagles made wide receiver Jeremy Maclin their first round selection.

The Philadelphia Eagles completed their 2009 draft weekend by adding eight rookies and one veteran player in CB Ellis Hobbs from New England. In all, the Eagles made six trades this weekend involving a total of 18 draft picks and Hobbs.

Six of the draft picks were used on the offensive side of the ball. The Eagles first round draft choice, WR Jeremy Maclin (19th overall), was their highest drafted receiver since 1984 when they used the 4th overall draft pick to select Kenny Jackson. Their 2nd round draft pick, RB LeSean McCoy (53rd overall), was their highest drafted running back since 1994 when they chose Charlie Garner with the 43rd overall pick. Philadelphia did not select a defensive lineman in the draft for just the 2nd time in the Andy Reid era and the first since 2004.

2009 Eagles Draft Class:
WR Jeremy Maclin (6-0, 198, Missouri)- D1 (19th overall)
RB LeSean McCoy (5-10, 198, Pittsburgh) - D2 (53rd overall)
TE Cornelius Ingram (6-4, 245, Florida) - D5a (153rd overall)
CB Victor Harris (5-11, 198, Virginia Tech) - D5b (157th overall)
T Fenuki Tupou (6-5, 314, Oregon) - D5c (159th overall) (fen-UU-kee TUU-puu)
WR Brandon Gibson (6-0, 210, Washington State) - D6 (194th overall)
G Paul Fanaika (6-5, 327, Arizona State) - D7a (213th overall) (fun-EYE-kuh)
LB Moise Fokou (6-1, 233, Maryland) - D7b (230th overall) (Moses FOE-koo)
2009 Eagles draft weekend trades:

2009 Eagles Draft Weekend Trades:
To the Eagles: 1st round (19th overall) ... To the Browns: 1st round (21st overall), 6th round (195th overall)
To the Eagles: 3rd round (91st), 5th round (164th) ... To the N.Y. Giants: 3rd round (85th)
To the Eagles: 5th round (137th), 7th round (213th), 3rd round in 2010 ... To the Seahawks: 3rd round (91st)
To the Eagles: CB Ellis Hobbs ... To the Patriots: 5th round (137th), 5th round (141st)
To the Eagles: 7th round (222nd), 5th round in 2010 ... To the Saints: 5th round (164th)
To the Eagles: 6th round in 2010 ... To the Colts: 7th round (222nd)

[LC AAU]

Following again.

Your NFL Chises =

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Nice setup. Looking forward to following.

thank you, you are the man.

Following again.

Your NFL Chises =

just my nfl chises? PA-LEASE.

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McNabb and Eagles Agree to Reconstruct Contract

McNabb and Eagles Agree to Reconstruct Contract


Donovan McNabb will be fully focused on football with his new contract.

Donovan McNabb and the Philadelphia Eagles have agreed to restructure the final two years of his contract.

The five-time Pro Bowler was due to make $9.2 million this season and $10 million next season. ESPN's Michael Smith reported the two-year deal is worth $24.5 million, with another $1 million in incentives.

McNabb, who is entering his 11th season with the Eagles, had been seeking a contract extension. Instead, he'll get a raise.

"The Philadelphia Eagles organization and the entire city of Philadelphia are fortunate to have a quarterback the caliber of Donovan McNabb," Reid said in a statement. "He has proven himself to be a talented player on the field, a caring member of the Philadelphia community, and a winner."

McNabb's future in Philadelphia seemed bleak after a terrible slump midway through last season resulted in his first career benching. He was yanked at halftime of a 10-7 game at Baltimore on Nov. 23, and the Eagles eventually lost to the Ravens 36-7.

But McNabb returned for the next game and was outstanding down the stretch, leading the Eagles to the NFC championship game against Arizona after two road victories in the playoffs. It was Philadelphia's fifth appearance in the conference title game under McNabb. The Eagles are 1-4 in those games and lost to New England in their only trip to the Super Bowl in 2005.

In 2002, McNabb signed a $115 million, 12-year contract extension through the 2013 season. But the last three years of that contract were voided when he reached incentive clauses.

McNabb, who turns 33 in November, made it clear last season that he wanted a new deal so he can play his entire career in Philadelphia, where's he's been intensely scrutinized and both celebrated and often criticized for his play. His agent and the Eagles discussed an extension, but the two sides settled on restructuring his current contract for now.

"We are thrilled that this all worked out," team president Joe Banner said. "He is a great football player, a great person, and someone who gives back to the community. We are lucky to have him in Philadelphia."

McNabb is the franchise's all-time leader in several categories, including passing yards (29,320) and touchdown passes (194). He also has led the team to the playoffs seven times, best in team history.

"Donovan has played a large part of this team's success over the last 10 years," Eagles chairman Jeffrey Lurie said. "He has been a professional in every sense of the word."

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CB Ellis Hobbs Speaks

CB Ellis Hobbs Speaks


Ellis Hobbs will be making an impact for the Eagles this season.

On what his thoughts were about the trade: "Personally, I think it's shocking because you've been playing so many years for an organization. Had some success and doing your thing, but on the other side it's a business. I had been telling my family members for a while; I just had a feeling. Then you kind of feel things out, you see how the organization is making moves throughout the offseason. You figure that something is going to shake, you just never know when, but when I got the call no bad blood, no hard feelings. It is what it is and I'm excited to be playing for the Eagles now."

On whether the team gave any indication on how he will fit in here: "They didn't give me any indication, but obviously you bring me in for a reason. One of my former teammates is there. I'm pretty sure he spoke well of me. I know that situation over there dealing with (CB) Sheldon (Brown) and how that stuff is going. Like I said, you bring somebody in for a reason but everything has to be earned out there. Nothing is going to be given. I just look forward to getting out there and showing Philadelphia and the organization what I have. Hopefully we can bring success that's already established there."

On whether the team conveyed to him about their concerns with Sheldon Brown: "Obviously so, to do that, to make a move like this. Like I said, I heard rumors anyway of they were interested in things like that. I didn't have any expectations as far as something would shake this early. From the business side, you have to understand when somebody shows their hand like this, the other player has to show their hand and make moves also. Just taking care of business."

On whether he has talked to CB Asante Samuel yet: "No I haven't talked to Asante (Samuel) yet. My phone has been blowing up like crazy for the last 20 minutes. It's pretty nuts right now. To be settled somewhere else and now all of a sudden that happens and you have to start somewhere else, everybody is that much more excited about it and that much crazier about it especially with the draft going on right now, too. So, no, I haven't gotten around to talking to him."

On whether he is happy to be going to the Eagles: "Most definitely. I talked to the defensive coordinator Jim Johnson. If you want to go somewhere, you want to go to a team who had past success. As many times as these guys have been right there at the pinnacle, they haven't got, but they're right there. So, they're missing that one key piece or two key pieces or that one play. You're definitely excited to get to a team like that where you feel like you're not going into a losing situation. You're going into a place where these guys know how to win. All you have to do is jump in line and continue to do your thing and they'll be successful."

On what happened in New England and why the change: "I started all four years since I've been there. From the business side, they feel like they can make moves other places. Who's to say? Maybe they weren't as successful as I was there coming in initially to now. Maybe they wanted more success or maybe they wanted something different to shake something up, I don't know. You can never figure it out all the way because I'm not that person; I'm not that organization. Obviously they wanted to do something. They saw value in me to get rid of me and to get something else in there. It is what it is. It's kind of a typical move of them where they move players in and out. You really don't understand it and it kind of hits you very abruptly with certain players definitely from the past. Your Deion Branch's, Willie McGinest's, David Givens', those guys to name a few. Now recently Mike Vrabel, who was the face of the organization, they got him out of there. It's just how it goes. You understand that, you understand that this is a business and you have to keep on, keep on."

On whether he is happy about his contract: "Not at all. It is definitely frustrating when you see guys getting certain amounts of money that you know you can get just as much that you deserve. Especially, some of the situations that I've been in as far as playing through injuries, a torn shoulder, a torn groin all of the way throughout the season, and this and that. To take some of the blows that I did from the area and the community and to put it on the line day in and day out when I know some other guys were not doing that and to get the money you get, you are definitely not happy with it. That is what it is and I am getting paid more than a lot of people in this world are and that will come."

On whether Philadelphia is a place he wants to stay for a long time or just one year: "No, if we could make this my home then I would definitely love to be here. I know that it is not going to come easy. Like I said, you have to go out there and prove it. Nobody wants a paper champ. These guys have seen me and the coaches say that every time on film there I am. I'm showing up on the film and making plays. I feel I have proved myself enough in this league that I can sustain a position and do my thing in the NFL, but I definitely haven't done enough to be out there as a player where I am that guy and that's where I want to get to. Understanding that, I definitely want to try to make this my home."

On whether he has talked to anybody about his contract and if that is why he was traded: "I think with that situation (in New England) there are a lot of guys that are coming up that are going to need to be paid. I think it has kind of moved from that echelon where there is a lot of guys out there who are not going to take the (bottom) dollar for the win. Guys really want to get what they deserve and each one of those guys that are coming up in the next year or so deserve every dollar they are going to get. I think that with the roster like we had, there were so many guys that needed to be paid, somebody has to move out of the way. Unfortunately and fortunately it was me and like I said I am looking forward to the future."

On how many years are left on his contract: "This is my last year."

On whether he expects to be returning kicks in Philadelphia: "I expect to do anything that can help us win. I don't care what I have to do, I win. That's what I expect to do, whatever it is. It is what it is and I continue to move on."

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Secondary Looking Good With Macho Man

Secondary Looking Good With Macho Man


Macho Harris will bolster Philadelphia's secondary.

The Eagles got a bit manlier with their fifth-round selection in the NFL Draft.

That's where the Eagles selected Virginia Tech cornerback Victor "Macho" Harris, a multi-faceted, physical corner that can also play safety at the NFL level.

"When I was two years old, my dad said I was very challenging," said Harris, the 157th overall selection. "I was running around the house with my bike and stuff, being a little challenging boy, and he wanted to name (me) a challenging name, a tough name, a masculine name like Macho. It's stuck with me ever since."

Harris has lived up to his testosterone-laden moniker. He played three different defensive positions at Virginia Tech while also returning punts and occasionally lining up as an offensive weapon.

That versatility could come in handy in 2009.

"Doing it in college I had to make my mind up and do it all to help the team," Harris said. "We wanted to go out as a team and win the BCS or what not and it's exciting. Just to come back and be drafted by the Eagles, it's exciting."

Harris, from Highland Springs, Va., was happy to stay on the East Coast.

"I feel great," Harris said. "I thank God for this opportunity. I've been waiting, it's been a long ride and to be drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles, I'm close to home. The Philadelphia Eagles are going to have great player. I'm going to be coachable and a game-changer, so they don't have to worry about that. I'm so excited man."

He also feels his skills will suit defensive coordinator Jim Johnson's style of play.

"I know he likes to attack," Harris said. "The front seven is going to attack and the secondary has to hold up. Like I said, they have great players in the secondary that hold up throughout the years. All I can do is come in and continue the tradition of a great secondary and continue the (tradition) of great defensive players that the Eagles have had. I'm excited to go ahead and make it happen."

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CB Brown Arrives Focused On Football

CB Brown Arrives Focused On Football


Sheldon Brown is putting the contract disputes behind him.

Days before the Eagles opened their post-draft mini-camp, cornerback Sheldon Brown said he would report and focus on football and that his earlier expressions of dissatisfaction with his contract would not be an issue. Brown lived up to his word.

He arrived at the NovaCare Complex on Thursday evening just after 5:40 PM for a team meeting to kick off the post-draft mini-camp.

Brown declared that he simply wanted to let everyone know his feelings about his contract, but he never seriously considered missing the team's only mandatory off-season practices before training camp.

"I'm here to play football," Brown said. "That's what I do. I'm going to play at the end of the day. I'm going to do my job regardless."

Brown was in a good mood as he joked with reporters and apologized to the fans for causing a stir. A second-round pick in 2002, Brown was signed to a lucrative contract extension in 2004 - his first season as a full-time starter. Brown has never missed a game in his seven years in the league. Known for his clock-cleaning hits, Brown has registered seven sacks in his career which is most by a cornerback in franchise history. He's also posted 14 career interceptions and has scored three touchdowns.

During his meeting with the media, Brown added that he is focused on the job at hand and is not going to allow a desire for a new deal to impact his game.

"It's not going to weigh on my mind," Brown said. "My job is to play football and that's what I do."

With Brown good to go, the cornerback position is arguably the deepest on the roster entering the mini-camp. The Eagles added to that depth during draft weekend when they traded a pair of fifth-round picks for New England's Ellis Hobbs. Head coach Andy Reid said at the time that the move had nothing to do with Brown's situation, rather that the Eagles jumped at an opportunity to add an experienced player.

Brown is not concerned about the competition from Hobbs.

"I like him. I like him a lot," Brown said. "He seems like he's cut from the same cloth I am. Plays through injuries. Committed. I know he's a battler. He played for Bill (Belichick) ... This is not about Sheldon or Ellis. If Ellis makes this football team a better team, then he needs to be on the football field. I'd be the first to say that ... This has nothing to do with me and Ellis Hobbs."

The Eagles have two practices on Friday. PhiladelphiaEagles.com will have complete coverage on Eagles Live! at 12:15 PM.

[Yawkey Way]

ellis :[..he lives/lived 10 minutes away from me.

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I hate the eagles, but this looks awesome so im followin

cmon man you cant hate the birds!

ellis :[..he lives/lived 10 minutes away from me.

thats pretty sweet yawk, maybe you can help him move :p

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Jackson Looking for More in Year Two

Jackson Looking for More in Year Two


DeSean Jackson is expecting a stellar sophomore year.

Then a wide-eyed rookie from Cal, Jackson was making the adjustment from college to the NFL. After a stellar rookie season, one in which he caught 62 passes for 912 yards and a pair of touchdowns, Jackson can look down a few lockers from his stall at the NovaCare Complex and understand exactly what first-round draft pick Jeremy Maclin is going through.

"I'm telling him all of the things (wide receivers coach David) Culley is going to be telling him," Jackson said on Friday following the team's first mini-camp practice. "He's just going to have to go through it and it's going to have to take some time. It's something that he's going to have to go through."

Jackson raised the standard for rookie wide receivers in Andy Reid's offense a year ago. The 5-10, 175-pound receiver set the franchise record for the most receptions by a rookie wideout and was the first rookie to lead the team in catches since Keith Jackson in 1988. Jackson's numbers were the exception, rather than the rule in Reid's 10-plus years in Philadelphia. The opportunity for Jackson to succeed came after a stellar training camp and preseason combined with injuries to starting wide receivers Kevin Curtis and Reggie Brown. Once Jackson got in the lineup and posted 100-yard outings in each of his first two games, Reid had no choice but to find a spot for him in the lineup. The pressure of having to contribute immediately helped shape Jackson into the player he is now.

"Without pressure, you can't push yourself," Jackson said. "The pressure last year prepared me for my career."

The question now is what will Jackson do for an encore? Jackson doesn't care about his individual numbers as long as the team wins.

"Last year, I had to come in show everybody what I had to do," Jackson said. "I'll say this year I'm going out to progress and keep doing my thing. Whatever it is we need to do we need to do it as a team, it's not really about any individual because at the end of the day we have to come together as a team."

One thing Jackson wants to continue from last season is his job as a punt returner. Including the playoffs, Jackson had three punt returns of 60 yards-or-more and took one all the way back for a touchdown. Maclin also comes in with extensive return experience. At Missouri, Maclin averaged 11.7 yards per punt return last season and also took one back to the house for a touchdown.

Jackson said that he didn't watch the draft, but caught wind from friends that the Eagles had traded up to select a receiver in the first round.

"When I heard of it, I said, 'That's cool.' I hope he can come in and help out," Jackson said. "We have a good, solid group of receivers here, but if he comes in and contributes it will be a good thing."

Maclin is lining up as a split end. Jackson is a flanker, so he can't pass along every bit of advice. The biggest key to success, Jackson says, is putting in the work.

"If he's good like everybody is saying and he comes in and puts (the work) in, I mean definitely (he can succeed early)," Jackson said. "He definitely has some great skills. It's not about comparing (me to Maclin). He's a great talent."

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if a mod could change the title to "The Road to Victory - The Philadelphia Eagles" it would be appreciated.

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Johnson Battles On Despite Cancer

Johnson Battles On Despite Cancer


Defensive coordinater Jim Johnson continues his fight with cancer.

Defensive back Sheldon Brown joked last season that with defensive coordinator Jim Johnson doing his coaching from a box high above the field, it was distinctly quieter on the Eagles' sideline.

Over the last few weeks of the 2008 season, Johnson was relegated upstairs on game days and required the use of a cane to get around the NovaCare Complex during the week. Johnson has been undergoing treatment for melanoma in his spine since February.

When the post-draft mini-camp commenced on Friday, Johnson was out on the practice field seated in a motorized cart doing what he does best.

"I feel good," Johnson said. "I appreciate all the concern about my injury; I really do, from the fans to (the media). I feel good. I'm still going through treatment. The biggest thing I'm trying to get now is the pain out of my back. I have some broken bones in the lower part, so that allows me not to be on my feet quite as much. But with everything else, I feel fine."

For Johnson, being back on the field was an escape from his health concerns.

"It's great," Johnson said. "It's part of my life, keeps me going. I don't feel any different coaching; I'm coaching the same way."

For some of the players, seeing Johnson in the cart and watching him persevere through adversity has given them a different perspective on football and life.

"It just shows everybody that you have to cherish what you do," safety Quintin Demps said. "You have to live, man."

And live Johnson has; for example, in between treatments he visited Spain in the off-season. Coming to work everyday, and not cutting back on the hours, provides a similar distraction and while he's in constant pain, he's confident that the treatment he's taking will help him beat this thing and help get back to his old self.

"It's something you have to deal with everyday," Johnson said. "I can say I'm still going through treatment hoping to get it done. Sure it affects your life. You think about it everyday, no question as far as pain here and there. But the thing about when I come here to work, it feels good. It's not going to be like this all the time. Hopefully we can get that injured back (fixed) so I'm back walking back on the field. But right now I'm on that cart and it helps out quite a bit."

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Rookie Report: Jeremy Maclin, WR

Rookie Report: Jeremy Maclin, WR


Jeremy Maclin has impressed so far in training camp.

First Impressions: Extremely bright young man who is not easily rattled. Maclin did everything the coaching staff wanted during the weekend and he showed excellent hands and the burst you want after making a catch. Of course, that is much easier to do when there is no tackling, but Maclin looked good in the mini-camp. He has an air of confidence and an understanding that he has a lot of work to do in the months ahead to play a lot this season.

Where He Needs Work: At this stage, the easy answer for every rookie is that he needs to work on everything. At the top of Maclin's list is refining his routes after playing in the spread offense at Missouri. The Eagles' system is exact and timing is essential. Visiting Donovan McNabb in Arizona would be a very beneficial move in the months to come. Maclin is going to face physical cornerbacks on every snap in every game, so he must adjust to that, too. The speed of the game seems to come naturally to him.

How He Could Fit In: The Eagles don't need Maclin to walk right into the starting lineup, but it would be quite a boost to the offense if he is able to get on the field in a rotation and use his speed to create favorable matchups. The sky is the limit here, of course. Maclin is a highly-talented player who instantly provides the kind of upside that gives the Eagles a very, very dangerous wide receiver corps.

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Rookie Report: LeSean McCoy, HB

Rookie Report: LeSean McCoy, HB


LeSean McCoy is expected to receive a large amount of snaps this season.

First Impressions: Great hands, maturity and natural instincts as a back used in the passing game. McCoy really did look great over the weekend, weighing in at a higher-than-expected 211 pounds (a good thing, I think) and still having a good burst and quickness. McCoy ran with the second-team offense and seemed to be in the right place at the right time. He enjoyed a good weekend of football.

Where He Needs Work: McCoy has to detail his work in pass protection and blitz recognition. He needs to become a better route runner and he is going to have to show he can bring it between the tackles at this level. McCoy's 308 carries last season at Pittsburgh prepared him for some of the physical grind of the NFL, but training camp will be a real test running up against this blitz-heavy defense.

How He Could Fit In: McCoy is expected to back up Brian Westbrook and provide quality snaps as a rookie. There is definitely going to be competition with Lorenzo Booker, but the fact that McCoy ran with the No. 2 offense right away says something, doesn't it? He has to have his head screwed on right and absorb all of the volume of this offense quickly. Playing in a pro-style environment at Pittsburgh helped McCoy, no doubt about it.