We are a couple of days away from the start of the NFL season on Thursday night and the full day of game on Sunday September 11th.
After a shortened offseason and a frenzied free agency period that saw the Eagles come out as the most improved team, we are less than a week away from the start of what many in the city of brotherly love feel can be a Superbowl winning campaign.
For all the signings that Philadelphia has made however, the spotlight will undoubtedly be on one man again, and that is of course Michael Vick.
Vick may have a new $100 million dollar contract, but his play is surrounded by the same old question; can he stay healthy for a full season?
It may seem to be a belabored inquiry at this point, but the fact of the matter is that last season, as the year progressed and as the numbers of hits increased, Vick’s level of play was noticeably shaky at times.
Michael Vick is a superb talent, the guy can make plays as well with his feet as he can with that sweet left arm. We know that. But if there’s one thing that could hurt the Eagles on their way to winning the Lombardi trophy it’s their quarterback’s durability, which, with this current Eagles offensive line, is a very much a concern.
It would not be farfetched to think that rookies could be the ones who suffered the most after this lockout shortened offseason.
After all, many do believe that the lack of OTA’s and time with which to adapt to their new environments could affect the learning 
curve of first year players this season, and it’s a reasonable assertion too.
So when you think of the fact that the Eagles will be starting rookies at center and right guard, you must then think of how much Vick will have to suffer in turn himself.
Add to this the fact that Todd Herremans will be moving from left guard to protecting Vick’s blind side at right tackle and you could see why the offensive line has questions marks all over it this year.
How many hits will Vick have to take while the majority of his line learns their positions on the fly? How much pressure will the $100 million dollar investment be under each time he snaps the ball? These are two big questions that could determine whether Philly’s signal caller, has as great of a season as last, which the Eagles will need to live up to their hype.
Later in the season, the Eagles will have some crucial games, most notably against the Giants and Pats in week 11 and 12, and against the Jets and Cowboys in week 15 and 16.
With these games at hand, you just have to wonder how fast will a guy like Demarcus Ware be to get in and around the Eagles O-line, or how well can the line hold up against Rex Ryan’s barrage of blitzes.
And say what you want about this defensive tackle’s work ethic, but the thought of even a partially motivated Albert Haynesworth lining up against Jason Kelce is something to worry about for Philly. The last thing that Eagles will need in games in which home field advantage could very well be up for grabs is a banged up Michael Vick.
Vick himself may have improved at picking up blitzes and getting rid of the ball quicker, but make no mistake a year of being rushed and hurried and (rushed some more) with a shaky offensive line could take its toll on a quarterback, never mind one that has had just a single 16-start season.
Philly may have indeed made vast improvements this year, and in truth, they are now equipped to win some games even when Vick is far from his best, such is the overall quality of the team.
But if Philadelphia is going to make a much anticipated Superbowl run, during which they will surely have to overcome the likes of Green Bay and Atlanta, they’ll need a 100% healthy Michael Vick, and not a battered and beaten one.
With the current offensive line, the quarterback’s full health may not be a certainty, and that is a concern to be taken seriously.
Not a good look is all I can say. We face some monster defensive lines this year. I realize it will take time, but at what cost… Luckily for us we don’t face Albert Haynesworth, but some of these other DTs and more specifically 3/4 lines will push Kelce right back into Vick. Kelce may be athletic, but he’s little and a lightweight for a lineman. Watkins??? the guy we just signed is the same age as him. What does that say. He’s 26. How do you judge upside at that age.
Vick iwill get hurt.
He’s not getting any support by the Eagles Coach Reid..The running game he’ll abandon.
Reid have placed a makeshift line in front of him that he know himself will struggle.
This is a losing proposition for any quarterback. Yes he will get hurt behind two rookies who have not impressed. The middle of that line will be collapsing on Vick regularly.
Blind Spot Andy.
Chuck, good point. At the age of 27 what the eagles scouted could have been Watkin’s peak?
There’s not much upside for a 27 year old football player, and with his big contract is making more than he could have ever dreamed of making as a fireman.
Truth be told.
Watkins have already exceeded his expectations financially.
He’s a 27 year old fireman. The oldest draft pick in football history..and I think there’s reasons teams don’t pick a first round pick at that age.
First to maximize the length of production one gets from a younger player, second to mold a younger guy who might be more open to change.
This Watkins guy is an example of Reid out thinking the rest of the league.
We have many examples of Reid drafting guys out of position only for them to fail learning a new position.
Watkins at the age of 27 if drafted should been placed in the same position he played in college to shorten his learning curve. If they believed he could not make the transition in the position he was used to in college….the he should not have been drafted at such a high position with those limitations.
Boy
DUDE DIDN”T START PLAYING UNTIL 22 Y/O…5 years of playing football and he’s topped off ???? LMAO
I agree that vick will probably get hurt. I mean the guy hasnt played a full season in all his career. The offensive line we have is horrid at pass blocking. I mean from what ive seen thus far run blocking looks good. Young maulers. But reids stubborness to not run the ball will hurt us and vick
songs, they’re going to play football for real on Sunday, and you’re worring about draft picks and ages?
You sir, are a moron
Fellas, you do realize that most QB’s get hurt? right? you do realize that only a small amount of QB’s have the success of staying injury free like a Brett Favre, Peyton Manning…
missed 1 game in 04 (plaed two playoff games)
missed 1 game in 05
Played full season in 06
03 was the season where he missed almost the entire season…
Our QB is not as injury prone as many of you believe
real, you are wrong. The only football team that ever faces any problems are the Philadelphia Eagles. And all of those problems are self inflicted.
What are you talking about, Peyton Manning is invincible because his front office protects him. Manning will NEVER miss a game.
The eagles do everything wrong, until they end up winning games. Granted, there has not been a superbowl… but there has been a boatload of good seasons. It’s a lot harder to win a superbowl than people think… but its also just as hard to be competitive every single year. Everyone complained when they thought the eagles werent going to spend any of the money they said they would… they did, they have one of (if not the) best OL coaches in the entire league, and an OL filled with talent, yet everyone is ready to say the season is over before taking a snap.
Sit back, watch, enjoy, and realize that your complaining does nothing to improve the team…. ever. It just makes you, and everyone you complain to miserable.
so stop complaining… the Eagles are tied for the best record in the league.
If the Eagles don’t meet expectations its because they failed to execute as a TEAM. I don’t blame one man or one position for not winning a Superbowl, I won’t start doing it this year either.
They have the coaching. They have the talent to make it work. Now they have to execute the game plan week in and week out.
now guys- lets be real though….
is this F.O. as bad as Songs makes them oout to be? NO
is the coaching as bad as some say? No
Do they do everything right? no wrong? No.
But lets be honest…… they brought in alot of talent. SWEET. They paid a man alot of cash to be our qb. SWEEET. But they are starting 2 rookies and have 1 man out of position to protect him. In all we have 3 roookies starting this season and MANY 2nd year guys starting too, I think its fair to be concerned. Can we all just agree on that?
we need to bring in some dallas fans to beat up on this site or something. Im pretty sure what have in this room can be concidered incest. we are seriously eating eachother alive.
Jesus Christ you guys are negative. You sound like a bunch of wussies as well. You think we got Young because of the way he looks in a uniform?. He’s a number one overall talent here specifically for Vick’s inability to play 16 weeks. Duh. We’ve got things covered. Stop sounding so scared all the time. Its un-Philadelphian.
good to have you back jmac, clearly your services were sorely missed
Zoltek…why do you think we have not won a Superbowl in Reid’s Era?
Jimmy Mac..We’d rather have Vince in place in case Vick’s play result in injury, not because there’s human turnstiles who are not ready in front of him.
Understand?
Songs, got you, so for the possibility that the O line gives up some sacks (whoa, I know I’m talking crazy talk for a football team here)… you don’t want a good backup? You only want a good backup for the QB who runs a lot/takes risks?
Songs, how did last year’s o line work out, nearly got two qbs killed, vick lost confidence in the line’s protection later on the eagles upgraded with two rooks and a fa, it will take some time, but by the time it counts the eagles will have a superior line to protect the qb, Vick knows this, he aint crying like you, give it up, let them play, you are starting to sound very foolish my friend
Jmac- im with ya. I think we will be fine this year. They will jell. 5 rookies starting this year will not be a prob- at all. ok… lets bring on the rams.
and to bsm, the rooks were not andy’s choices but mudd’s, give this o line some time, you may be surprised
Schiller, We would like 1st round talent when picked in the 1st round.
Got it?
Pouncy?
The guy we all were screaming for last off season?
You know the guy who was on most Mock drafts for the Eagles?
He actually plays like a first rounder.
But….. We get Graham… an undersized end who cashed in on the Dumervil comparison.
The difference is that the DE for the Broncos would actually beat out an AARP member opposite Cole.
Graham stinks!
We passed up on a probowl Center because Andy projected Jamaal Jackson to be ready for the opener.
Rushed him back then he goes down.
The same Jackson who is actually ready now, but is benched for a rookie who is nowhere near the center you could have drafted one year earlier.
Reid create these problems for himself yet, you and others expect us to just support incompetence.
Yes, we’ll have an exciting season…but what good is it when we all know how it will end?
Usually it ends with teams exploiting the areas we ignore during the offseason.
See, you can beat below average teams with patchwork players, but when the playoffs begin you actually need to beat the guy in front of you to continue.
The areas we have not addressed will be the reason our team is not hoisting the trophy.
Paste it!!!!
Juan Castillo as defensive coordinator along with our problematic offensive line will end our season.
Juan matched against Sean Peyton in the Playoffs?
Paste it!!!!!
This is Andy’s doing
And it’s not that we are not talented.
No coach out there would have put an offensive line coach over a retooled defense after the defensive woes of past season that ended with an inexperienced coordinator getting fired.
Replace one inexperienced coordinator with another.
These areas of concern will be our demise.
And I’m tired of it.
Am tired of the switching of the middle linebacker after years of inconsistent play there…we have Chaney showing promise, and he’s moved.
I’m tired of our lackluster attitude concerning the linebackers position.
I’m tired of our team releasing players without comparable talent to replace them.
I’m tired getting 1st rounders that are nom where near pro bowl material…and usually turn out to play worse than most third rounders.
Im tired of Andy moving his friends around to positions just to keep them working like he did with Segrest..that bit us.
Now he’s doing the same with Juan..So after his failure
Guys on here will be saying give him a break… this was only his first season.
Same garbage we heard with Mcdermott.
It’s like a hamster on a wheel.
We’re doing the same things and expecting a different outcome.
We need new blood who can take this talented team over the top.
I want a coach who understand balance.
I want a middle linebacker to actually play middle linebacker.
I would like a center that actually excelled at center in college.
I would like a safety that intimidates in the middle.
I would like a defensive coordinator with experience as a defensive coordinator.
what the hell?
Ok Songs. I hear you. You want the guy who is mocked by calling him ‘chrystal ball’ to actaully have a chrystal ball, and use it.
You also want an NFL coach to make his decisions off of mock drafts.
I got it.
You get to your double digits in math class yet?
Other NFL News
Report that Jaguars are going to release QB D Garrard and named back-up QB L McCown as the Starter with top Draft Pick QB Blaine Gabbert as the #2 QB ( I can see the 49ers, the Seahwaks and maybe the Dolphins as possibly interested)
Center A Gurode (released earlier by the Cowboys) signs deal with Ravens
OLB T Gooden (released by th Ravens) was picked-up by the 49ers to help in pass-coverage/Special teamer .. He’s 6-1 245lbs, 4 Year Vet and was a LB I was hoping the Eagles could maybe check out to improve Depth..
TE T Moeaki from the KC Chiefs placed on season ending IR list and is lost for the Season, look for them to check out Donald Lee or even C Ingram.
good post stevo… some sanity in the midst of all the bickering is appreciated
Schill do me a favor…go back and look at the mock drafts for the Eagles spot for the last 3 years and tell me if you would rather have those players in the 1st round instead of the guys we picked in those spots.
When it comes to the 1st round…I would rather have the mock draft pick than what we pick with Andy at the helm..So instead of passing it off…look at the mocks and you come back and tell me if those players are better than who we chose.
I think a light will come on…..I did it.
Yes, I can say the experts on mock drafts evaluate 1st rounders better than Andy Reid.
Songs, you dope. The point of mock drafts are to predict what will happen in the draft. Since you agree that the mock drafts got it wrong on who the Eagles will choose/chose, then aren’t those ‘experts’ you refer to HORRIBLE AT WHAT THEY DO AND THEREFOR NOT EXPERTS!?
I am AMAZED that you are willing to admit that you evaluate draft picks versus mock drafts. If you can’t tell that mock drafts are worth nothing but entertainment to hold us fans over until the draft actually happens, then I am truly conserned for your ability to survive in this world as an adult
and Songs, (i forget who it was) but someone just recently posted the concept of you or others being a drone to the media – this is a perect example. Your anger over the Eagles draft picks is based off of MOCK DRAFTS. They’re just media playthings, but you let them control your emotions and fandom. That’s sad man. It really is. A mock draft is nothing more than something some guy puts out as a guess about what might happen on draft day. THAT’S IT. It’s not an evaluation of talent, not a projection of how an NFL player will perform. Not a guide on what teams should do (if you said that to an NFL coach they’d crack up or call for a psych hospital admission ASAP!).
Ha Songs, and a quick look – 09 McShay and Kiper predicted Donald Brown and Noshwan Moreno – I’m happy with Maclin and Shady.
2010 McShay had Greg Hardy – a DE who was actually drafted by Carolina and he had 3 sacks and 2 forced fumbles in 15 games, same as Graham, but Graham had much less games….hmmmm
I’m not doing 2011 because you are a FOOL for evaluating a draft before the players played a single snap in the NFL. You can have an opinion, but it’s foolish to form you opinion so early.
Schill I actually looked at Sports illustrated..Mel Kiper is a loser ..ok?
Here’s the mock for sports illustrated
this year the said we would pick Watkins but should pick Jimmy Smith CB
We can conclude the Eagles knew they wou;d get DRC that’s the reason for going with Watkins…I’ll go on record and say Jimmy Smith will have a better career than Watkins.
2010 – Joe Hayden – who had 6 interceptions last season for the Browns at right corner.
Would you rather of had Hayden or Hobbs? How about Patterson?
Graham was garbage – Hayden would have helped us at corner.
2009 – Darrius Heyward-Bey
The Eagles got it right picking Maclin.
That’s 2 out of 3
You can’t be successful hitting on 1/3 rd of 1st rounders..
If we go back a few more years the percentages are worse.
Ha Songs, we are in agreement for once – Kiper IS a loser. (wow- feel weird to you too?)
And for your ‘2 out of 3’ your prediction of the future counts as 1? I call foul
Going back on some notes on Drafts
Here’s Paulman’s 1st Round Mock Picks back to 2006
2006 – DE Tamba Hali at #14 (instead of Bunkley–Hali went #20 to the Chiefs)2007 – OT J Staley at #26 (instead of trading down to Cowboys, Staley went #28 to the 49ers)
2008 – RB C Johnson at #19 Pick (instead of trading pick to the Panthers, Johnson ended up going #24 to the Titans)
2009 – WR H Nicks .. The Eagles moved up to #19 and Selected J Maclin which has worked out fine, Nicks went #28 to the NY Giants
2010 – I would have stayed at #24 instead of moving up for Graham and
selected CB D McCourtey (who went # 27 to the Pats or OT R Saffold who went #33 To the SL Rams)
2011 – DT M Wilkerson instead of OG D Watkins, WIlkerson went to the Jets towards the end of the 1st Round and will be a beast for year to come
Is Vick being set-up for failure?
Keith – Plain and simple – NOPE
Frankly, I don’t see how he can stay healthy. He wasn’t able to last year behind an O line that was better than this one will be, at absolute best, the first half of this season. We’ve seen time and again that Vick takes unnecessary risks running in the open field and I think it’s no stretch to think he’ll be in the open field much more due to protection breaking down. Don’t get me wrong, I think VIck is very exciting and in the right setting is devastatingly productive but this isn’t that setting.
I’m hoping that just this once, just this one time, that Reid did outsmart everyone else with this O Line but it’s pretty unlikely. This O line and a 65%+ passing offense with a risk taking QB looks pretty scary to me and I’m, despite all he’s said publicly, it scares the hell out og Vick too.
I’m keeping my fingers crossed big time on this one!
MTC – “behind an Oline that was better than this one will be….
dude, whatever, assume all you want. It’s silly to think we know what it will be now.
Schil – Don’t forget the rest of the statement “better than this one will be, at absolute best, the first half of this season”. My concern is far less where this O line will be after game 8. Reid’s teams always play better in the second half of the season and I firmly belive Mudd will be huge in making them better. I just can’t see them being better than last years O line in the first half and hope Vick will be able to play at the top of his game in the second half.
All that said, you make a good point, who knows….
This line is going to get him killed! Hopefully they prove me wrong. Are you guys seriously comfortable with VY, as backup!? I’m not. He is immature & mentally unstable. That’s a well known, documented fact, not me being negative or making $#!T up. I love the Birds & hope i’m proven wrong.
DDCar, any fan that is ‘comfortable’ with his team, entering the season is in complete denial. So my advice to you (if you choose to take it and why would you do such a thing? ha) is don’t look for positions and say ‘am I comfortable with that’? Tell me this, how the colts looking now? How does Pittsburgh look if Rothl…goes down? It doesn’t matter. Stop worrying and wait for Sunday. How you liking the corners? Running backs?
schill – not to butt in on your response ot DDCarr but I love the Eagles RB and think they could be the O line’s salvation while they get enough time to gel and improve their pass protection. Unfortunately, I seriously doubt AR & MM see it the same way.
Schill, point taken. What other choice do I have!? This team is what it is right now. What am going to do, right off the season!? I’m not going to go that far. I’m just trying to make a point. Yes, it’s beating a dead horse, but it doesn’t mean it is wrong. I’m going to route them on regardless. But it gets nauseating, that WM & yourself, rip someone with an opinion, that differs from your own. Yes, I get over the top negative sometimes, but it is frustrating that this organization ignores the same / some flaws, year after year, only to bite them in the @$$ at the end, every time! I’m not stupid, & do not ignore the facts. I love the Eagles, but can not stand Reid, because he is an stubborn, arrogant, ego maniac, that acts like he knows it all, when he doesn’t. He did nothing to upgrade the O-line or Lb’s. You can not put this O-line & Lb core on the field, if you seriously want to win a SB. I’m tired of always, JUST being in the hunt. Anyone that settles for less, has a loser mentality. I want a friggen SB, damn it! IMHO, we won’t win one, until Reid gone! That’s all i’m saying!
Dd,I hear you, its that old ‘frustration’ argument. Yeah yeah. But it makes you say stupid things. Like ‘ego maniac’!? Wtf do you wan from the guy? He’s a friggin head coach. He’s the boss. And for christs sake, you keep saying that they did nothing at LB or OL! BUT THAT IS 100% THE OPPOSITE OF THE TRUTH! The have all different coaching at those position, different mlb, different lb backups ans who knows who will end up playing more if mathews doesn’t shine early. OL they added veterans and rookies, several of both. Now tell me how is changing position coaches, coordinators and players doing nothing? Its a complete f-ing overhaul! You are just saying they did nothing because you don’t like the changes right now, BEFORE THEY FREAKING PLAY REAL FOOTBALL! Now tell me, who really is being a ‘subborn, arrogant, egomaniac’?
I love you fellow eagles fan, but the answer right now is YOU
Schill, the only change at LB they made was move their only positive there from last year & move him outside for a unproven rookie, who is not ready for the job. What moves have they made to better that squad. Nothing. The LB’s coach & DF coordinator are rookies also. WTF are you talking about. How is that making our team better? Also, for the O-line. This years line quite possibly, could be the worst O-line of the Andy Reid era. As of now, they are worse than last years O-line, & that’s saying alot, because they were horrid. As for me being arrogant & a egomaniac, are you nuts! How am I an arrogant, egomaniac!? I don’t act like I know everything & think i’m the best & better than everyone at everything. I don’t talk down to everyone & tell them what to do like a know it all! Dude, you are as delusional & nonsensical as it gets, & have lost touch with reality, my man! You & your boy WM, do a good job at being arrogant, egomaniacs, that talk down upon us mere know nothings. Give me a friggen break already, with this $#!T!
da birds are still 0-0 right ? Just Checkin
DD – why is moving Cheny such an issue? He’s STILL ON THE FIELD. It’s like saying – OH NO, WE’RE THE CHICAGO BULLS, WE USED TO BE GREAT CAUSE WE HAD JORDAN, BUT NOW THE MOVED JORDAN 10 FEET TO THE LEFT!?!?!? WE’RE SCREWED!???
You see how ridiculous that sounds!?They brought in Rolle who might make a difference, and the system is different.
DD – you ARE acting like you know everything. You’re saying the Ol is worse than last year based off of PRESEASON!? Take Allen Iverson’s wisdom into account here, ‘not even a PRACTICE, NOT A GAME. You’re talking about PRESEASON!? PRESEASON?”
DD you’ve been had by the NFL preseason. It’s messing with your head. It’s worthless. If the Eagles stink it up v. the rams and lose, then we’ll talk.
Yeah, you might be right. I am getting too pissed off. Let’s hope they play good, because I want a winning season & a for real SB run. There is just too many holes, for my liking. We have to wait & see.
GO BIRDS!!
ataboy DD