I think the Eagles had an excellent offseason. They made some moves via trades and free agency, as well as in the draft. This should be one of the best teams that Andy Reid has coached here in Philadelphia. That’s one of the reasons, I was disappointed to read about Eagles quarterback coach Doug Pederson bringing up the lockout when talking about Michael Vick’s 2012 turnovers on Philly.com today.
It’s bad timing for Pederson to continue talking about how the lockout negatively affected Vick and his turnover problem. In a way the 2012 season starts later this morning. The entire Philadelphia Eagles football team will start a workout at exactly 11:20 am.
This is a big year for Vick, Reid, and this football team. It doesn’t need to start with talk about a bunch of excuses for what happened a year ago. Nobody wants to hear them.
I know there’s been a lot of talk about Reid and the Eagles new public relations approach, but I hope Reid continues his habit of no excuses. It doesn’t matter what happens during a game, it’s very rare for Reid to ever offer excuses.
Pederson needs to know that he shouldn’t be talking this way, because it’s nothing but another excuse. Yes, it would have been better if Vick had spent the entire off season with the coaching staff, but all of the other quarterbacks in the league had to perform under the same circumstances.
Vick isn’t a rookie. He’s a veteran and he knows how badly turnovers can hurt a team.
Why wasn’t San Francisco quarterback Alex Smith adversely affected by the lockout? He had a new coach and a new system in 2011 without any offseason work, yet his play improved and he led the Niners to the playoffs.
Was Smith more focused than Vick? Did Jim Harbaugh do a much better job with Smith than Reid, Marty Mornhinweg, or Pederson did with Vick? Bottom line, I don’t want to hear about Vick’s turnovers associated with lockout. Enough of it already.
An excuse-making attitude will never get the job done. Pederson should just focus on the fact that Vick needs to play better. Nobody wants to hear any more of that lockout nonsense, because it’s not a legitimate excuse for a veteran quarterback to be turning the ball over as much as Vick did.
I don’t know what’s going to happen in the upcoming season, but I am sure about one thing: Philadelphia Eagles fans are not interested in excuses from this organization and this football team.
Mike Vick was not 100% focused (After receiving that big COntract)
WR D-JAx was not focused and missed 2 weeks of camp due to contract situation, WR J Maclin was coming off his Illness and hardly practiced as he got back into shape Vick and his WR’s had very little time together last camp and very few reps up until the Season Started.. The OL had 2-3 New players under a new Blocking Scheme by new OL COach H Mudd..
I am not making any excuses, but this Team was a mess on offense as it was on defense the first 4-6 weeks of last Season even most fans and the media only focused on their Defense and it’s Coordiantor (Castillo).
This year is all about VIck and he has more weapons who are healthy, motivated and highly paid to perform at a high level, Vick does not need to be SUperman for this Team to Win, but he needs to be smart with his reads,the amount of hits he takes and needs to get rid of the damn ball when the play is not there.. If he does these things, the EAgles should win 10-11 and be PLayoff Team and Vick can again rise into the Top Tier of QB’s in the NFL…
If Vick plays like he did last year which was average, then his time as a Starting QB and Player for the Eagles will most likely be over after the 2012
season.. Mike Vick wants the pressure and likes the pressure… I am supporting him but he needs to step it up for his Eagle Career is probably more on the line that Coach AR Career is..
YES!! listen, i support Vick on the field. I have his back… just like i did McNabb and just like i did for 7 mins when baby arm was out starter. Its hard to play in Philly and i support OUR guys even if they are “BUMS”( shout out to my boy Songs). BUT….. and this is a huge BUT…. We have to be real. Thats what philly is all about. NO bs please….
Vick didnt get alot of help from his WR’s last year. thats real! Guys like vinnie wont admit to that because it goers against their spin of hate. But its real.
The D didnt help the O last year….. and the O didnt really help the D…. especially the play calling on O. They did run a bit more… ill give them that… but overall… it was bombsaway and 3 and outs. And the D was as soft as a pillow. Thats real!!
There are MANY reasons 2011 was a flaming ball of crap… but the lockout WAS NOT ONE OF THEM. Vick knew he was the starter at QB lat year. He had an ENTIRE offseason to look at the tape. If anything….. the lockout helped them….. they added a guy like steve smith (who?) and had plenty of time to rest up. Be real Doug….. Vick didnt play well last year because as a TEAM…. everyone sucked!! Everyone.
stevo – nicely put – last year falls on all 53 players and the entire staff – nothing to do know but pick themselves up and get after it this year
anyone else liking this new format where the assistant coaches now have to interact with the press – got the RB coach, the assist OL coach and the QB coach all giving thoughts. makes for more interesting reading..
Everthing is now in place. We’ve had a good off-season. NO MORE LAME @$$ EXCUSES! If they don’t at least make it to the SB, Reid & his merry men need to go. END OF STORY!
Bravo Stevo………….well said!!
NFL News
TB Bucs trade TE Kellen WInslow Jr to the Seahawks for a Conditonal 7th Round Draft pick in 2013 which can turn out to be a 6th Round Pick if Winslow meets certain Stats #’s during the 2012 Season
Tampa Bay went out and signed Free-Agent TE Dallas Clark once he passed his Physical
You have to be impressed how HC G Schiano & GM M DOmenick have turned this TB Bucs Franchise around by getting rid of players with attitude issues and who were coddled by the previouss HC Raheem Morris..
They have added Quality Players like WR Vince Jackson, TE D Clark,
OG Carl NIcks to their offense as well as Drafted Multi-purpose RB in Doug Martin and then on the Defensive side of the ball they added CB Eric Wright and Drafted 2 potenital All-Pro players in safety Mark Barron and OLB Lavonte David to go with a DL which has 4 #1 Draft picks on it from the 2 previouls Draft .. adam Clayborne, DeQuan Bowers, Gerald McCoy anf Brian Price plus they signed former Eagle Teo’ Neisham..
Anyone watch any of the OTA film on PFE.com – I watched the LBs – of note – Rolle and Kendricks were the OLB and it appeared they did in fact line up as a traditional Will and Sam (rolle being the will).. anyone else check that out and confirm..
Maybe the lockout isn’t an adequate excuse, but lack of offensive protection is a completely valid reason.
Ultimately, you still have to credit Donovan McNabb’s influence for the larger part of Vick’s low INT percentage rate in the beginning. As I’ve mentioned more than once in looking at Vick’s performances from where he started playing in Philly until his last game the gradual slippage into old habits and un-Mcnabb like habits was plainly obvious.
The further Vick got from the influence of McNabb and possibly a desire to supplant him the higher the passes got in general and the more interceptions he threw. Vick knew he was following one of the least intercepted starting QBs of all time, I’m sure it was brought up once or twice so he altered his ( for the better) perhaps internal criticism of the interceptions will get him back on track, poor O-line play notwithstanding. Personally I’d prefer McNabb be in camp just to provide extra little push.
Vick needs to get a better feel for when the play is dead. Get rid of the ball and give it a shot the next down or posession. He has all the tools but is he smart enough?
I think the next person who needs to step up is J Maclin. We know what were going toget from D Jackson and L McCoy. It is hard, but you can take Jackson out of the game with proper game planning. If Maclin can play to his potential it would make it impossible for teams to defend all 4 playmakers on the O. That is a huge key to this offense. IMO.
Igglesblitz has a good article on how the Colts offense with Tom Moore and Peyton Manning was very simple. They prefered quality over quanity. It’s obvious that the eagles are not in that mind set. I think it is something that would help Vick, who dosent seem to be the sharpest tool in the shed. He is one helluva atlete tho.
agree steve 0
The Seahawaks are a better team than the Eagles right now.
yes Frank- simple simple simple. Thats what we need. Im all for taking our shots down field but if its not there, its not there. Read and respond should be the motto this year. and i 100% agree about Jmak and THATS why we wont hear his name about a new contract until he shows something. Another huge deal here is this Oline has to be strong from the go. If BC has to stay home to block, we lose a weapon.
and im a better fan then you are right now songs.
I agree Frank,
This is the also the Philosophy of Eagles OL Coach H Mudd
Let’s have 5-6 Formations/Blocking Schemes and perfect the hell out of them, Let’s keep things simple… I do believe that Coach MM & AR are slowly coming around with this philosophy instead of always trying to be a smartest play caller in the NFL..and both MM & Ar have had a tendancy to over-complicate things, It a play or seroes of palys is working, wear it out until your opponent stops it.. Remember last Year, when the Eagles were running out the clock versus the Cowboys and they ran the same running play like 6-7 times in a row with both TE’s Harbor and Celek split out on either side and would pull the OT and have Celek pull down on the end, creating a nice running lane for the RB’s.. The Cowboys knew it was coming but could stop it.. Eagles would not have down this 2-3 years ago…
Songs- i dont get how u say such a thing. Right now the eagles and the hawks are 0-0. I like this eagle team. I really do. I see a much stronger D this year… and i actually mean “stronger”. The qb’s we play are going to get killed. And thats not wishful thinking… they just are. And our LB’s SHOULD be better. They SHOULD be able to man those gaps. This was clearly not the case last year and we ALL were yelling that from the start. Im pumped to see what guys like Graham and Allen can show. Its now or never for them. I know how you feel about them, they didnt make the probowl so they are “bums”. I want to see what Mathews can add to this mix. I really do/. This team was thrown around last year…. as they should have been….. but now…. we need to get behind them. Im worried about the safeties but i will be rooting for them. And i suggest you do the same. We had a good FA period…. we had a good draft… and now.. we need to be fans. root for our teams. If not…. i encourage you to check out the seahawks…. i hear they have a good team this year. Here’s a link if you wish to join the fanclub or something…..http://www.seahawks.com/
Songs- i dont get how u say such a thing. Right now the eagles and the hawks are 0-0. I like this eagle team. I really do. I see a much stronger D this year… and i actually mean “stronger”. The qb’s we play are going to get killed. And thats not wishful thinking… they just are. And our LB’s SHOULD be better. They SHOULD be able to man those gaps. This was clearly not the case last year and we ALL were yelling that from the start. Im pumped to see what guys like Graham and Allen can show. Its now or never for them. I know how you feel about them, they didnt make the probowl so they are “bums”. I want to see what Mathews can add to this mix. I really do/. This team was thrown around last year…. as they should have been….. but now…. we need to get behind them. Im worried about the safeties but i will be rooting for them. And i suggest you do the same. We had a good FA period…. we had a good draft… and now.. we need to be fans. root for our teams. If not…. i encourage you to check out the seahawks…. i hear they have a good team this year. let me know if you need a link.
Stevo – maybe if we just concede that our 0-0 football team is the worst 0-0 football team in the NFL – and every one of our soon to be 53 players are bums and the worst in the NFL and every coach we have is the worst in the NFL and every Front office person is the worst in the NFL (hell worst including the NFL, CFL, USFL, WFL, NFL Europe, NCAA, NAIA, our stadium is the worst, everything abou the eagles just sucks –
Songs will finally get that precious win he is looking for and he can go crawl in his happy place hole while the rest of us actually enjoy following the eagles and seeing how they do this year?
Would SONGS be happy if the eagles went 18-0 and won the superbowl?
I think the position coaches are really going to help the AR an MM. They seem to feel some pressure.
Paul – I remember that game as clear as day and it was almost as they said “holy shit, this works, lets do it again”.
Nate Allen had an excellent rookie yr before the injury.
Brandon Ghram is still an unknown. To early to call a bust.
Casey Matthews – lets see what hes got. really difficult circumstances he was in last year. To early to call a bust
don’t see the point of these articles just stating the obvious, talking about the past, this subject has been hashed, re-hashed, you are not going to change anyone’s opinion on who, what was responsible for last year’s debacle, and it doesn’t matter a lick
I’m actually suprised by this article myself. Never read/heard anyone making excuses for Vick before. Weird.
@ Frank – Just a question worth pondering……..Wasn’t Brian Rolle subjected to the same circumstances last year; no OTA, or Training Camp? How did he excel, as a starter, and Casey Matthews not? Even Danny Watkins?, had his struggles after coming in late to camp, but eventually excelled, and Jason Kelce?
Guys please stop with the excuses for Matthews, you keep contradicting yourselves. He showed nothing, he’s a bum.
gm – he showed improvement at the end of the season. He did. There’s analysis and statistica facts to back that up. I’m not saying the kid will work out well. But you sir, despite your self given nickname, would never ever be hired as a pro gm. Because pro gm’s know not to write off a player after 1 rookie year. Plain and simple (to use your words).
I think my issue is I do not understand how people on this site use the phrase ‘excuse’ –
see I learned an ‘excuse’ was a wild crazy thing – like – hey kid – why is that candy bar in your back pocket if you didn;t pay for it – and the kid would say ‘ uh… someone else stuck it there – or the dictionary definition: to try to remove blame from
no one is making an excuse for Matthews – no one I know of is saying he is the 2nd coming of Urlacher…
there are – I think – a few reasons – and to me – that same kid that steals a candy bar – instead of trying to explain it away says – I forgot my lunch money I didn;t eat breakfeast – i am starving (ie the truth) – or the dictionary definition :a statement offered in explanation – as to why Matthews di not play well at the beginning of last season..
No one is trying to get Matthews ‘off the hook’ or ‘excused’ GMC – i think the point most folks are trying to make is last year is last year – why keep breaking the kids balls – he is going to be invited to camp – let him compete..
is letting him compete in any way offensive to you or must he be banished now?
Schill..Matthews must be banished!!!!!
Songs- I know you are a piece of shit that would never, ever live up to your end of the bet – but I will bet you that 1) Matthews makes the Eagles team and provides depth at all 3 LB postions – is a mainstay on special teams – and steps up as a nickel/prevent LB this season –
if he does – you banish yourself…. if not – I go away – fair enough – cause I am so tired of your lame ass commentary..
I told you guys Kolb was ass and you all was saying the same thing…What’s this hoping for the best if the guy is on your team…if he’s ass…the most you can hep for is he’ll be ass..period.
Allen was not having a big year as a rookie….the first few games were good until QB’s fired him out and faked his ass constantly after that ….and he was getting ran over perpetually.
He is garbage…..matthews is garbage……cooper is ass….and andy hall shouldn’t be in the league.
Now, while you can’t feel the roster with all pro bowlers, you can definitely have those spots improve by a long shot..
We don’t need pro bowlers…but damn sure don’t need liabilities
Andy Hall isn;t in the league – Chad Hall is still hanging around – but he has a lot of competition –
But I see your douche baggidness is stepping up, must have ate your mucelex and metamucil this morning – now you are talking about the league –
what is it with you? Why this absolute hatered for guys that play there hearts out and bust ass and give it everything they have got – and yet you love a fat, worthless CANT PLAY A LICK piece of shit like Burflict who you REPEATEDLY lie and make excuses for – you bitch about ‘soft’ and yet you love stay-puff the marshmellow LB –
as for your last comment – really? How the hell would anyone ever be able to tell the differenc ewith you – YOU BITCH ABOUT THE PRO BOWLERS WE HAVE – YOU BITCH ABOUT THE ALL ROOKIE PLAYERS WE HAVE – oh, wait – you just bitch…
but I notice you didn;t take the bet…..
Andy hall…chad hall…who gives a damn
Burfict is better than anything we trotted out there..and I don’t think we’re in position to say a linebacker is garbage, after seeing the linebackers Andy said would be fine last year.
i’ll take Burfict’s Grandmom over Matthews
No he is not – he sucks – why not one team in the NFL drafted him – he lik eyou is a piece of shit – soft, lazy, stupid -but thinks he is a bad ass –
wait – I am starting to see why you like him so much…. he probably reminds you of you when you were young……
and really songs – if we ever held you to half of your stupid comments – but that’s just another sign of your character –
@ gm cliff.. Very valid point and I do not have answer for that. I think expectations for Matthews were really high and he succumbed to the pressure. Saying that, I don’t have the expectations that Matthews will be a star. I expect him to be a serviceable linebacker on this team.
Frank…I think Matthews can be serviceable..here’s a service…..
“jock laundry cleaner”
BY HAND!!!
That’s a service I think he’ll do just fine..but linebacker..
Hell Naw!
then where will Burflcit end up – cause isn;t that the job the Bengals gave him – after exactly ZERO times drafted him?
But again – you didn;t take the bet –
Ha that was actually funny… Df a first and probably a last, but I did enjoy that.
There is only one Songs,……….LOL!!!!!!!!
Your right Schill, he did improve…..he was only 15 yards behind his man , instead of the usual 30 in coverage. OK, I chill on Matthews, until the pre season starts, then the gloves come off when he goes sback to being what Songs calls him. Then I say I told you so. I just don’t see anything from that guy that would warrent me having him on this team…trade him to Gren Bay
gm – f the preseason. Watch what he does this SEASON. I doubt he’ll start barring injury (knock on wood). But we should see what he does on the field during games that count. Be it on special teams, backup roles at LB, nickel LB work…etc…
Because if you’re wrong, and Mathews ends up playing pretty well for the Eagles this year, then it will be a good thing. And for you to say he won’t right now is an assumption, a guess. Your valid prediction – it’s that too. But it’s nothing more than that.
We’ll see.
Schill, you have stated before, I wouldn’t make a good GM, but there have been good GM’s that went to the SuperBowls because they made the tough decisions to cut players even after their rookie year, and before they touched the field of their rookie year because they were cut. You obviously didn’t read my response to your uneducated nonsense so I am cutting, and pasting so you can see it plain, and simple……………..
Shiller it isn’t unusual for a draft pick to be cut. I think what your trying to say is that it IS UNUSUAL for a 1-4th round pick to be cut the year he is drafted.
There have been many cut in NFL History even 1st round picks between 1996-2010 that have been cut : Here a few, you GM WANT TO BE:
1. Demetrius Underwood DL (1st) Minnesota – 1999
2. Maurice Clarett RB (2nd) Denver – 2005
3. Andre T Johnson OT (1st) Washington – 1996
4. Marcus Nash WR (1st) Denver – 1998
5. Buster Davis LB (3rd) Arizona – 2007
6. Cody Brown LB(1st) Arizona – 2010 – ( and there are more; google worst picks in NFLHistory)
Here are some of the Eagles cuts of 2nd year, and rookies drafted in the Andy Reid Era:
2010 – Trevard Lindley (4th) cut the next year
2009 – Macho Harris (5th) cut the next year
2008 – Bryan Smith (3rd) cut the next year
2007 – C.J Gaddis (5th)- Same year he was drafted
2003 – Jamal Green (4th) – Same year he was drafted
2002 – Freddie Milons (5th)- cut the next year
2001 – Quentin Caver (2nd)- cut the next year
I’ve told you before kiss my ass Shiller, now I want chap stick first. Stop questioning my ability as a talent evaluator please. I may not be right all the time no one can– even you – but respect my opinions.