"Money over championships"

Big words from small man! It would seem that Wes Welker has supreme confidence in his team, but does that give him the right to make a statement like this? Is he taking a shot across the the Eagles' bow?

No, he is not qualified to make that type of statement. Tom Brady, Tedy Bruschi, Mike Vrabel, Troy Brown to name a few have earned that right. Why would they have the right you ask? They all have the hardware to back it up. Wes Welker has not won a Super Bowl yet.

I don't think that he was taking a shot at the Eagles either. I do believe that people will interpret his statement that way, but what do you think?

1. Do you think that he was making a statement about the Bird's chances?

2. Do you think that he was making a statement as to the character of Samuels?

3. Is Wes Welker's lack of Super Bowl rings enough to discredit anything that he says in relation to championships?

Points of Interest

Due to some technical difficulties this post is s a day late, and buck short, but here it is anyways!!!

Yeah, I know that I have been a bad blogger, but don't hold that against me. Anywho, I am going to hit a couple of quick points today from my perch high above Center City. Enjoy!

1. Sen. Barack Obama has seen Eagles Fans, and brings guns to knife fights: At a Friday night fundraiser in Philadelphia Sen. Obama had the following things to say:
1. “If they bring a knife to the fight, we bring a gun,” . This is how he plans to counter attacks from the Republican party. Apparently this wasn't well received by all. Gun references don't go over well here. It's kind of an epidemic, but personally I like the analogy. Strong words. From a strong man!!

2. “Because from what I understand folks in Philly like a good brawl. I've seen Eagles fans.” Yes, we do like a good brawl now, and again. Who doesn't? However, what does an Eagles fan look like? Where is your research that backs up your accusations? Just kidding Obama. We have been known to get a little dirty up in this piece, but we are still good people.


2. No longer in the nest: 9 Eagles were cut this week. Most notably to me was LaJuan Ramsey. However, Jerome McDougle was not one who was on that list..... I have to ask the question why?? The guy has produced next to nothing, that is when he is physically able to play. I have been waiting for the Birds to cut ties with this guy for sometime, but he just keeps sticking around.

3. Putting all our marquee players in one baskett (The Injury Baskett): Not that I am worried about it, but I am. Donovan McNabb's shoulder, and Asante Samuel's hamgstring. Now there is still plenty of time for each of them to get healthy in time for training camp, but it worries me that they are injured.

4. The implosion that is the Football Giants: As an Eagles fan you have to love everything that is going on in East Rutherford, NJ. First, Michael Strahan retires. Then Jeremy Shockey reports to mini camps, only to duke it out (verbally) with the front office. Best of all, Plex isn't going to report unless Giants show him the money. I am not sure if there is any better example of a Championship team litterally crubmling brick by brick.

So, that's what I got for the time being. I hope that you enjoyed at least something about this post. I promise there's more to come.

Does anyone notice the resemblance between myself and Barack?

No player interviews, No Trades, No Problem

I'm back!!!!! Sorry for leaving all of my peeps hanging recently. Big ups to the impresario of OFTOT, Cotter. Really there isn't a great deal of Eagles specific news going on right now. So, with that in mind I am going to harness the overwhelming powerful disability known as ADHD and cover this empty canvas that is the I Love It When A Plan Comes Together.

1. John Smallwood of the Philadelphia Daily News put his two cents on Andy Reid's Q&A session on 610 WIP Sports Radio's morning show. Smallwood thinks that the relationship between Reid and the media would be vastly improved if he was as open and candid with beat writers as he was the other day. I think that Reid takes a similar approach to the media that New England's Bill Belichick does. He keeps team affairs as privately as possible. I am of the opinion that if you are a beat writer in a city where the coach isn't a, "Chatty Kathy" rely on your investigative journalism skills to get the scoop. He said it himself that it's not the coaches job to make his job easier.

2. Spygate R.I.P??? Yesterday former Patriots Video Assistant Matt Walsh spoke with the commish, and relinquished his videos. Afterwards, Commissioner Goodell held a press conference where he reported that the tapes did not provide any new information on the scandal. From there Walsh took a trip to our nations capital for a chat with Sen. Arlen Specter.Specter is scheduled to have a news conference today with his findings. NFL Posterboy feels that ESPN won't let Spygate go away, according to a radio interview with WEEI. At this point Spygate is over. Unless that mystery Super Bowl Walk through appears. The damage has already been done, and punishment has already been levied. I beg to differ with Brady on that fact that ESPN won't let this go. There are a number of posts on ESPN to the contrary. John Clayton, ESPN's football guru thinks that it's over, and said so yesterday on Sports Center.
Brady should be more concerned with Arlen Specter's findings. Congressional hearings are the real conspirators.

3. Former Dallas and Cardinals running back Troy Hambrick was sentenced to five years in prison for selling crack cocaine. My suggestion to Troy is this: Take some of your commissary and purchase Jay-Z's In My Lifetime: Volume One, and place track 12 on repeat. It's sad really. This is one of a billion legitimate arguments why athletes should complete there educations. You aren't going to play in the NFL forever!

4. The Bills released tight end Kevin Everett this week, and now he is able to collect disability pay from the NFL. This is really a great move on behalf of the first NFL team to flee to Canada. Seriously, Kevin Everett's story has got it all from a career ending spinal injury to being able to walk without any assistance. Best wishes to him, and his entire family. A side note: I am not sure that the Bills could ever have fans that are more loyal that those at Orchard Park. They love that team, and will be at every home game no matter what! It was minus 100 degree Fahrenheit when this photo was taken.

6. James Hardy alleged likes beat up his father according a woman in Indiana. Imagine what he is going to the defensive back that attempts to jam him at the line of scrimmage. Way to operate outside the paradigm. Beating up your, "Old Lady" or girlfriend is old news. This man is an innovator, a pioneer if you will!

7. In Florida (Yes, I have confirmed this), Another arrest has been made in connection with the murder of Redskins safety Sean Taylor. According to the Miami-Dade County State Attorney's office a 16-year-old boy has arrested, and charged with First-Degree Murder. Note to self: Don't mess with the teens of Miami-Dade county!


8. The Juice takes bong rips with Cypress Hill, and confesses to murder? OK, Cypress Hill wasn't involved, nor do I know the means in which O.J got stoned, but allegedly he confessed. I turn to my pro bono legal adviser (Cotter) on this one. Doesn't Double Jeopardy apply? Thus making the allegation a publicity stunt to promote dude's tell-all book. I'm not going to buy it either way.

9. Mo' Money, Mo' Shots. Seattle linebacker Lofa Tatupu was arrested on Saturday for investigation of drunken driving. Reports indicate that Tatupu blew a .155 and .158 on the field Breathalyzer. Hail a goddamn cab, hire a driver, make one of your entourage drive. These aren't suggestions for the safety of the public. They are mandates for athletes that suffer from poor judgment!

I'm glad that I got that I out of the way. Hey Buzz, was this post mind-numbingly dumb, and cruel? Just Kidding buddy. It probably is. I'm outta here. Comments, Suggestions, Tips(monetary or otherwise)???

Foot Note: Although I find the, "Idea" of someone committing paternal abuse comical, I do not condone abuse of any kind at all. The exception being when committed against anyone whom is associated with the Cowboys. Who's looking forward to the train wreck that will the Dallas Cowboys training camp edition of the documentary, "Hard Knocks"?

It's always sunny in Philadelphia

Greetings, and Salutations. It's been a minute or two, but I'm, "Back in the saddle again." Nothing block buster going on at the current moment, but here's some chicken soup for the Eagles Fan's soul...

Lito Sheppard is one smooth cat! Sheppard hosted a chat with the media after this weekends mini-camp. He handled it like a pro. It's good to hear a story like this once in a while. There's no publicity in being a professional, but it really is the best way to go.

Andy Reid was pleased with what he saw at the post draft mini-camp. He saw good team chemistry being developed, and the practice sessions were crisp.

After the first mini-camp the birds showed much improvement. The Eagles improved their team speed with the addition of DeSean Jackson and Lorenzo Booker. Our defensive is like the ocean. It's got depth. McNabb looks like the McNabb we want to see. The rookies handled their first camp exceptionally well.

Eagles look to improve their Red Zone offense. With the return of a healthy L.J. Smith the birds are looking to return to form by increasing their Red Zone efficiency.

Some additional notes:
1. Quite possibly the best rivalry in the history of rivalries. The Flyers are taking on the Pittsburgh Penguins for Pennsylvania supremacy, and the chance to play for Lord Stanley's Cup! Even if you are not a follower of the sport you can definitely get interested in a cross-state playoff series. I was fortunate enough to catch a Flyers vs. Penguins playoff game when I was a kid. It's awesome. This series should make the Eagles vs. Steelers meetings this season even more volatile.

2. The fighting Philadelphia Phillies are NL East Leaders!

3. PETA needs to keep their opinions on discipling jockies to themselves (or just blog it)....

4. Boating while intoxicated (BWI) sounds like a ton of fun.

5. This goes out to the random overweight guy who amidst celebrating Cinco De Mayo decided to stare me down, and repeat, "Green shirts are for faggots." You are a Douchebag of the highest order! I don't know you, nor do I care to know you. They call it a celebration, because people are there with the intentions of enjoying themselves. If starting fights is your idea of celebrating, there's a place affectionately referred to by the armed forces as the, "Sandbox" that you can visit.

That about does it for today.

Post Draft Review

Reporting to you live from my desk at work, it's the Eagles post draft coverage. It was surprising to me anyway, that Lito Sheppard was still an Eagle Sunday night. I was pleased with the Eagles draft picks, and moves. So, let's get down and dirty shall we?

Round 1. 19th over all pick was traded to the Panthers in return for their fist round pick next year. Barring any NFL infractions the Birds should have two first round picks in the 2009 NFL Draft. Sounds good to me. Depending on the outcome of the upcoming season this could provide a plethora of options.

Round 2. Traded the 43rd pick to Minnesota, then took Trevor Laws (47th) and Desean Jackson (49th). Adding another defensive tackle to our rotation is a good idea. Even if Laws doesn't make an immediate impact, at least it will keep fresh legs on the field. Picking DeSean Jackson wasn't a bad move. He should make an immediate impact on special teams as a return man. Which is an area that we have needed some help in for some time now, and as far as being a receiver he can be a play maker. According to most analysts Jackson could see some time as a slot receiver. We could still use an outside threat though.

Round 3. We picked up defensive end Bryan Smith out of McNeese State. I don't really know much about him, but his player bio seems promising. He could assume that Joker Position in Jim Johnson's defense that belonged to Kearse previously.

Round 4. We picked up a couple of guys in the fourth round. Offensive tackle Mike McGlynn from Pitt. A possible replacement for Winston Justice? Then we traded the 115th overall pick to Miami for 2nde year running back Lorenzo Booker. Booker is a Westbrook type back out of Florida State. This create some competition in camp for Ryan Moats. The Eagles addressed a the eventual replacement of "Weapon X" by drafting Quentin Demps out of UTEP. I liked Kenny Phillips out of Miami, but Demps appears to be a great competitor. In 2007 he led the NCAA in interceptions with 17. We bolstered our second staff with corner back Jack Ikegwuonufrom Wisconsin. Reading this guys bio, makes wonder what was going through their heads when drafting him.

Round 5. We traded away the 152 pick to Minnesota.

Round 6. Eagles picked up guard Mike Gibson out of Cal. Beefing up the offensive line is always a good decision. You can never have too many hog mollies. Am I wrong? Then we traded the 191st pick, and added linebackers Joe Mays and Andy Studebaker. Mays is consider to be a heavy hitter, and Studebaker a sack machine. Adding guys like always seems to be a good idea.

Round 7. Birds traded 224th pick to Buffalo, and added offensive tackle King Dunlap with the 230th pick.

So, with the draft finally wrapped up, I feel that that Eagles did a solid job, and didn't waste anything. They addressed the secondary, and bolstered the offensive and front seven on defense. Lito Sheppard is still an Eagle for now, but who knows what will happen between now, and camp. I give this draft a B. What are your thoughts?