Out Of the Brew...

12:58:32 PM EDT
Feeling Ecstatic
Hearing Texas: The Future is Promises Your only future is promises
For so many years
Your only future is promises
I know you can make it if you try
Take the chance and make the move
But don't think that I will approve...

Greetings from your humble Brewmaster! To say it’s been exciting times in the Eagles nest this off season is a vast understatement. What your Bierman has found incredible is the number of Eagles fans expressing critical comments about the team’s moves the last few weeks.

Yes, Jeff Garcia moving on to Tampa is saddening. On surface, the move seems to illustrate the team appears ungrateful for a player’s performance during the previous year. I, for one, don’t believe there is a single individual in the Eagles organization who fails to appreciate the significance of Garcia’s stretch run in 2006. Alas, 2006 is now in the past, and the team is doing what it needs to improve.

The departures of Donte’ Stallworth, Michael Lewis and Shawn Barber are also commented on frequently, especially that of Stallworth. All fans seem to agree Stallworth was a great fit in Philly, both on the field and in the locker room. The facts of the situation are that Donte’ did only have 38 receptions for the season and missed four games due to injury. A more thorough inspection of the 2006 stats reveal that in the four games Stallworth missed, the offense had better numbers in all aspect except yards per catch without him in the lineup.

Without a doubt, I would have been overjoyed to keep Donte’ in the nest… at the right price. Personal avarice has me questioning if Drew Rosenhaus actually gave the Eagles management a price to work with. Given the numbers on Stallworth’s new contract with New England, the deal seems to be in line with what the organization would have paid. Be that as it may, bon voyage Donte’ and best of luck to you with the Patriots.

That said, it’s time to look at the additions the Eagles have made, and their potential effect on the 2007 season. Thus far, the Eagles have re-signed Quintin Mikell, Juqua Thomas, William James and Correll Buckhalter. A.J. Feeley’s contract was extended for four years. Bethel Johnson, Kevin Curtis and Montea Reagor have been signed as free agents. Takeo Spikes and Kelly Holcomb have been acquired via trade for Darwin Walker and a draft pick in 2008.

Each of these moves addressed a need in the Eagles lineup.

The four familiar faces add depth and bring a solid foundation of the Eagles system back to the field.

Feeley is not a world-beater, but he does perform well in the Eagles offense.

Johnson has speed to spare, and provides a level of insurance should Jeremy Bloom not pan out as is hoped for.

Curtis was a No. 3 guy in St. Louis, but who wouldn’t be on the same roster with Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt?

Reagor brings a high-energy motor and a wealth of NFL experience to help mentor the young Eagles defensive tackles.

Holcomb has 11 years in the league, gives the Eagles a very solid third option at QB, and also sets the team up for a potential draft-day move.

Spikes, while coming off an Achilles injury, is a sideline to sideline player when healthy, provides an insurance policy for Chris Gocong’s development, and quite possibly fills the team’s largest need.

Each of the moves does solidify the roster on paper, and shows that the Eagles management is aware of the team’s needs and weaknesses, and is willing to make the adjustments to correct them.

Also, the Eagles will be heading into the draft next month with the ability to focus on one need on this team; the defensive secondary. By all reports, the deepest area in this year’s college talent pool is in defensive backs, and the Eagles can solidify their defense for the long term in April.

But, in this writer’s eye, there is an aspect of all the players involved which is almost more valuable then the needs they fill. To a man, each of the re-signed players, and each acquisition believes what Takeo Spikes so aptly expressed in his press conference. When they heard Philadelphia was interested in them, “It was like a dream come true.”

They all understand the concept of “team” and desire to be on one team. Our team: The Power of One!
 


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1:58:02 PM EDT
Feeling Frustrated
Hearing Korn - Falling

Beating me down.
Beating me, beating me.
Down, down.
Into the ground.
Screaming some sound.
Beating me, beating me.
Down, down.
Into the ground.

 

 

Ravens 20, Eagles 10. There you have it, the end result of the Birds’ first true test against a playoff-caliber team. The game produced a good number of individual performances, but on a whole, this team’s performance earned it a barely-passing grade.

Sure, the half-time score was 10-3 Eagles. Yes, the Eagles did score on their opening drive once again. But both facts are deceiving in looking at the statistics from the game. What on paper appears to be the Eagles starters’ dominating the game is in reality a case of the Ravens shooting themselves in the feet.

The opening scoring drive was assisted by a 33-yard penalty by Samari Rolle on a fade pass from McNabb to McCants. Reno Mahe gained 14 yards on two carries, and McNabb scrambled for six more, but an incomplete pass and a sack by Terrell Suggs relegated Philadelphia to the 44-yard Akers field goal.

On the ensuing drive by the Ravens, we were treated to the opening act of vintage Ravens football with Steve McNair hooking up with Derrick Mason on quick-slant routes and Jamaal Lewis running with power for solid gains against the new-look defense. Only a deflection by Brian Dawkins on a pass to Todd Heap ended this first possession, but the tone was set for the Ravens offense the rest of the game.

Granted, McNair, when healthy, is one of the finest quick-read quarterbacks in the game, and a very mobile target for a pass rush. Nine years of teaming with Mason in Tennessee reaped the benefits of familiarity between the two men. This tandem gave Eagles fans flashbacks to the 2005 season with the all-too familiar sight of the rush being inches short of the QB while a quick pass to the flat goes complete for a first down.

This vulnerability has been a common theme in Jimmy Johnson’s defensive scheme, and given the influx on talent from this past off season, should not be as glaring as it continues to be. A question begs to be answered at this point: are the Eagles outside linebackers that bad, or has Johnson’s scheme been exposed and left unchanged due to the past success of the alignments?

Another glaring statistic from the first half was the time of possession battle. At halftime, the Ravens held a 2:1 edge in this department, with Baltimore holding the ball for just over 20 minutes. The fatigue from this disparity was evident in the play of the Eagles D on the final drive of the half, where only a questionable play-call with time running down kept the Ravens from adding to their score. The offensive penalties by Baltimore were more effective in stopping their drives than the defense was on this night.

And the last name on my bash list following this game is one Mr. Koy Detmer. Is it just me, or since filling in vs. San Francisco following McNabb’s broken leg in the 2003 season, has Koy’s play flat out stunk? I remember his play in the 1998 season, keeping that dreadful team competitive against all comers, but at this point, those memories have faded to a very pale grey and white. The man has had a long career working as a back-up and field goal holder, but I feel it’s high time that Koy be put out to pasture, and a new player brought in who can actually complete passes to fill this role.

This is not to say the game was devoid of high points for the Eagles. Of note was the nifty shovel pass from McNabb to Correll Buckhalter leading to the lone Philadelphia touchdown. For a man who walks with a permanent limp, Buckhalter showed excellent speed and great field awareness turning this short pass into a 48-yard gain. He even withstood a shot to his lower thigh on the tackle without injury. (I’m not saying this was a cheap shot, but shoulder pads to the lateral knee area generally do cause damage.)

The Eagles D garnered eight sacks Thursday night, with former Titan Juqua Thomas accounting for three (giving him a total of five this preseason) and rookie Broderick Bunkley netting two. This aspect was far and away the brightest spot for the Eagles D.

Jabbar Gaffney played a solid game in his bid to become the Eagles No. 3 receiver, pulling in four passes for 37 yards. Gaffeny should make this Eagles roster, as there is one glaring need in the WR corps: veteran leadership.

Donovan McNabb appears to be playing with a renewed willingness to run the ball when flushed out of the pocket. Should this trend continue, the threat of him flushing the pocket should give opposing defenses another point of concern to open up the passing lanes.

Overall, last night’s performance was a disappointment for Eagles fans. The defense needs to step up its intensity when playing against power football teams. The previously mentioned weakness against quick slant passing needs to be addressed. And lastly, the huge offensive line shows a need for greater cohesion and attitude both in terms of running the ball with attitude, and in protecting the quarterback.

The next lesson in power football lies ahead vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers.

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12:51:17 PM EDT
Feeling Hopeful
Hearing Dave Matthews - Raven Come on Raven give it up
Won't you give the light up
I'm to waiting
Here like a dead log
When I say this I mean, aww
Won't you go with your head
Live life till you don't need in it
But don't give up on it

Thursday’s match-up with the Ravens promises to be a stout test for the young Eagles offense. For the first time this preseason, the Eagles are facing an experienced and battle-tested defensive unit. Led by Ray Lewis, this unit has been one of the hardest hitting groups in the always-tough AFC North.

While Lewis is reported to have lost a step, the Ravens had taken steps to protect the heart of their defense by drafting Oregon’s Haloti Ngata, a 6-3, 330 LB mass of a man who anchored the Ducks defense for four years. For the first time since the days of Tony Siragusa, the Ravens have a stud in the middle of their defensive line to allow the multi-talented Lewis to roam the center of the field.

New to the Ravens aviary is savvy veteran QB Steve McNair. Injuries have plagued McNair in recent seasons, and as the Titans had slipped from their former high level of play, his statistics had slipped as well. The Ravens acquired McNair for a fourth-round pick in the 2007 draft and hope that he will become the final piece of their offensive puzzle. Say what you want about McNair; the man is a warrior.

TE Todd Heap and former Titan Derrick Mason provide McNair two sure-handed targets to energize the offense. RB Jamal Lewis was re-signed for three years this off-season, and former Bronco Mike Anderson was added to the fold to give the Ravens depth in the backfield. This offense is experienced and should also give the Eagles a solid read on the progress of their revamped defense.

On the Eagles side of the line, Reno Mahe will once again be shouldering most of the running load with the first-team offense. Bruce Perry will rejoin the ranks and tonight also marks the return of Correll Buckhalter to game action.

Buckhalter has trimmed down from his former playing weight, and has been the subject of many positive reports out of the Eagles training camp. Many fans, myself included, welcome his return to action and admire his dedication to rehabilitating his injuries, but are holding our breaths waiting for the next devastating injury to derail his return once again.

In his blog on PhiladelphiaEagles.com, Sheldon Brown touts the progress of the young wide receiver group, saying they are ready to play. Quoting Brown, "What I like most about our receivers is the way they compete. They're physical and they get after a cornerback. They don't back down. They're hard to jam at the line of scrimmage because they are so strong.” The Ravens defense will test the strength of this young group.

On the wide receiver topic, have we seen the last of Todd Pinkston in an Eagles uniform? Throughout much of the last week, we had seen reports of Pinkston being ready to return to action Thursday night, yet in Andy Reid’s press conference, the head coach described Pinkston as not ready. Reports out of Lehigh noted that he looked to be in great shape, yet lacked the former explosiveness he had been noted for in his career. It’s common knowledge that he is not the most physical of players, and his courage has faced intense scrutiny over the last three seasons. The bottom line, without his break-away speed, Pinkston has fallen behind the rest of the wide receivers, and may very well be at the end of the line of his Eagles career.

The keys for Thursday’s game will be two-fold. First, how well will the Eagles defense look against an offense geared to pound the ball on the ground to move the chains? Lewis and Anderson provide an outstanding one-two punch out of the backfield, and still-mobile McNair has the skills to exploit Heap and Mason against an overly-aggressive defense.

Second, we will see the intestinal fortitude of the young wide receiver group against a hard-hitting defense. Will their size allow Brown, Avant and Baskett to chuck defenders at the line, and get open for McNabb’s passes? With Westbrook and Moats on the sideline, there is little to be gleaned from the running game tonight, other than the progress of the offensive line going against a highly-physical unit.

Here’s to a great game with no injuries to mark the half-way point of this year’s preseason. 


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4:03:47 PM EDT
Feeling Hopeful
Hearing Beatles - Getting Better All the Time

It's getting better all the time
I used to get mad at my school (No I can't complain)
The teachers who taught me weren't cool (No I can't complain)
You're holding me down (Oh), turning me round (Oh)
Filling me up with your rules (Foolish rules)
I've got to admit it's getting better (Better)
A little better all the time (It can't get more worse)
I have to admit it's getting better (Better)
It's getting better since you've been mine

 

Sorry for the delay between Thursday’s game, and this entry, but hey! It is summer time, and I decided to enjoy the weekend indulging myself in all the fineries the New Jersey Shore has to offer on a late-summer weekend.

Thursday’s game vs. the Cleveland Browns was interesting on many levels, both in terms of how the Eagles are progressing, and for one of my fantasy football teams as well. Getting a feel for how the running game is progressing was impossible with Westbrook, Moats and Perry all not playing, and Reno Mahe was left among the regulars to carry the load.

Overall, I like Reno. His attitude to do anything to help the team is refreshing to see in this day and age of draft-pick hold outs and media contract negotiations. The man fills a multitude of roles on the field, from running back, spot receiver and especially special teams. Truly, he is a “jack of all trades” on a football field.

On the flip of that coin, he’s also the master of none. Reno is a kick returner, and that point was evident watching his running the ball behind the Porterhouse Five. He looks to make a man miss him first, rather than finding a gap and trying to run through it. His two attempts to score following Hank Baskett’s fingertip catch setting up a first and goal from the 2 illustrate this best. Both plays, Jackson and Andrews had pushed their opponents back far enough to create a lane into the end zone. Both time, Reno took the ball laterally, and was tackled for no gain.

This is just my opinion; if a man is going to play running back in the NFL, especially in the NFC East, he must be willing to slash into a small gap with alacrity, getting the sure four yards rather than trying to dance and break off a big gain. Reno is not capable of filling this role, pure and simple.

What can you say about Hank Baskett? His is beginning to remind me of a young Chris Carter on the field, using his body to shield defenders from the ball, and sacrificing everything to make the catch in traffic. When McNabb lofted the ball on his first-quarter reception, I felt he was going to have no chance at a reception, but came down with that nifty catch at the one. I am not sure what Brad Childress saw in McMullen, but Eagles fans are going to be overjoyed with the trade’s end results.

How good is Darren Howard? His acquisition has the makings of being far and above the best move the Eagles made this past off season. His presence has clearly energized the defensive line, and the Birds are now able to generate pressure on the opposing QB without resorting to blitz packages. And now with Broderick Bunkley signed and practicing, things are only going to get better in this department. Reports coming out of Lehigh are saying that Bunkley’s skills remind many of one Jerome Brown in terms of penetration and use of his hands. If he can come anywhere close to Brown’s former play level, this defensive unit is going to be a force to recon with this year.

The second teams displayed a quantum leap forward over the opening week’s efforts against Oakland. Jeff Garcia showed greater poise and a far higher comfort level than the previous week. He showed outstanding patience and confidence in his receivers, particularly with Darnerien McCants. One thing I like about McCants is his speed. While the WR corps as a whole looks solid to me, the one thing lacking among the group as a whole is the lack of a guy with break-away speed to stretch an opposing D.

Speaking of speed, has Greg Lewis crawled under a rock to hide? I thought with him being back in a more comfortable role as a No 3 receiver, we’d be seeing more of the good things we witnessed in the 2004 season from him.

One thing missing from the Eagles offensive package was unveiled Thursday night with the return of the basic draw play. Thomas Tapeh’s touchdown revealed perfect execution of the time-tested tactic, and we can only hope to see more of this in the coming season. On the fullback topic, who will it be: Josh Parry or Thomas Tapeh? Parry has solid hands out of the backfield, and makes few, if any mental mistakes. Tapeh is by far the better athlete and is more likely to turn a small gain into a big one. It’s a risk-reward situation for the Eagles coaching staff; one that I hope is resolved with emphasis on the risk side of the equation.

On a less optimistic note, the ugly monster that is the hole in the right defensive flat once again revealed its ugly head Thursday night. On at least two occasions, Browns QB Charlie Frye was able to convert third and long situations into first downs with completions in this area. Admittedly, this was against the second-string and the safety was out of position on the plays, but this has been a constant theme in Jimmy Johnson’s defensive scheme. It must be corrected before the season begins.

Overall, I was encouraged by the performance the Eagles brought to the Linc Thursday night. Training camp breaks tomorrow, and it’s back to the Novacare Mothership for the rest of the preseason. Moats and Perry should return to practice for the next game. I hope Coach Mornhinweg has them both watching Tiki Barber video to learn how to hold onto the ball!

Next up: The Baltimore Ravens

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7:37:03 AM EDT
Feeling Chillin'
Hearing Ian Anderson - Step Into the Light Shake off that nervous twitch
and feel your strength.
Stand astride the width
and walk the length.
Those super-troopers fired
and burning bright.
Step into joy. Walk into light.
Stand tall and be yourself.


It’s great to see real football again! And what is normally a blasé first weekend of August in the preseason; this year’s Hall of Fame weekend had my interest for two reasons: The enshrinement of Reggie White, and the Eagles facing off against the Raiders.

I can’t imagine many Eagles fans, (or football fans in general) who were not moved to tears watching Saturday’s ceremonies. The moment that Sarah and Jeremy White unveiled the bust of Reggie was truly a goose-bump moment. Many memories of White’s play over the years in Eagles green returned at that second.

The show of support by so many members of the current Eagles roster, attending the induction in throw-back No. 92 jerseys illustrates just how much owner Jeffry Lurie respects both the history of the game, and that of the Eagles franchise.

Then there is that game played Sunday night. Like many fellow Philly fans, I have been eagerly awaiting any positive signs from this Eagles team to erase the memories of last season’s injury-riddled debacle. I am happy to say that at least for both starting units, there were many positive signs to be enjoyed.

Upon first impression, it appears the move to bring Darren Howard into the fold was a smart one. Howard’s presence was advertised to bring strong pressure opposite Javon Kearse on the defensive line, and in the two series the starters played, the Raiders offense was held in check. This unit is clearly ready for the regular season to begin. The added wrinkle of moving Howard to the inside on passing situations will be a force to be reckoned with in the coming season.

The only drive for the first-team offense was extremely encouraging to see. I found myself rubbing my eyes wondering what happened to the pass-happy Eagles of last season as the team utilized “The Porterhouse 5” line to open running lanes for Brian Westbrook. Westbrook was terribly impressive in the opening drive, totaling 46 total yards in nine plays. If this is a portent of things to come in Eagledom, there will be no worries about his durability as the lanes opened for him were wider than you typically find on I-95 at rush hour.

McNabb looked very comfortable in the pocket to my eyes, and delivered the three passes he threw crisply and more importantly, on target. He looks to be meshing well with Reggie Brown and the out-of-nowhere emerging star Hank Baskett in this new-look offense. Baskett’s reception was impressive to me with the ease he turned the young Raiders DB around with that silky-smooth outside move, then cutting to daylight for the first down. If this is what we can come to expect from this kid, the steal of the off-season may very well be the deal with Minnesota to bring him in for Billy McMullen.

Tempering the elation the starting units brought to our living rooms last night was the performance of the supporting casts. While Reno Mahe played hard during his time on the field, fellow RB back-up Bruce Perry exposed a recessive “Metcalf gene” putting the ball on the ground three times. Back up QB Jeff Garcia appeared to be more auditioning for “Dancing With the Stars” than playing NFL football last night, at times being skitterish when the Raiders pressure did not warrant the need to flush the pocket. Too many shades of Mike McMahon were shown by his performance last night.

The Raiders first-team offense made scoring on the Eagles second-team defense look entirely too easy in the second quarter. Was our second unit that bad, or is Lamont Jordan really that good? In any event, Jordan put on an impressive power-running display last evening, and to me, showed excellent cut-back moves in the backfield that I had not seen last season, nor in his Jets years. Kudos also go out to Raiders TE Courtney Anderson on his TD reception. He was completely draped by the Eagles secondary, yet made the reception easily for the score.

Overall, the play of the back-up units was a disappointment for much of the evening. While this is a pre-season game, it is still a loss, and not a trend that any fan wishes to see building momentum. The only bright side from this display is the realization that during the regular season, the entire back-up unit should not see playing time as a whole.

There are four more games for Coach Reid and company to show if this display was an issue of the second team not playing as a unit, or revealing that this Eagles team is really that shallow at the back-up positions.

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11:13:14 PM EDT
Feeling Sad
Hearing EJ: Funeral for a Friend

 

 

The roses in the window box
Have tilted to one side
Everything about this house
Was born to grow and die

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rest in peace, my friend.

Simply put, days like today SUCK! Running through a slamming day at work, in humidity you could take a bath in, shipping a laptop to an auction winner that I lost my shirt on, to walking to my porch to take dinner off the BBQ, being stopped by my phone ringing and hearing the words, “David, I have some terrible news to tell you…”

The news was that my former boss on AOL, and a person with whom I had developed a solid friendship with, Bob Wooldridge, had passed away this past weekend teaching his 8-year old son how to skateboard. What is ironic about his death is that the vision of a mid-forties man on a skateboard sums up Bob’s personality in a nutshell.

The first in-person meeting with Bob that most of the former ACI employees had was at the February 2003 conference in Reston, Va. He had made a presentation on what his vision for the future was for AOL Communities, his view was a combination of optimism, member enjoyment and humor laced in emphasizing every point he made. His vision was very encouraging, and bright. And what made his presentation over and above the ordinary “blah-blah-blah” was he rolled up his sleeves, and worked his ass off to make his vision a reality. 

Bob and I formed a very solid bond very quickly over the time we worked together, mostly because there wasn’t a box large enough that either of us could be forced to think in when it came to programming ideas for the AOL Community. During my time at AOL, three people harnessed and fed my creativity, and gave me full credit for what I was capable of doing, accepting my “New Jersey” attitude, and saying “Politically correct, be damned.” Robert Wood, my direct supervisor was one. Bradley Kirkland, the man under whom the AOL Sports Community had its golden years, was the second. Bob Wooldridge was the third.

As his employee, I was fortunate to have experienced his combination to making things better than they are, and the environment of fun he exuded that made those of us who worked for him run through walls for him. His influence on me will be felt for the rest of my days.

Godspeed, Robert! I will miss you greatly.

-- Mo

 

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10:38:45 PM EDT
Feeling Happy
Hearing Pat Benatar - Invincible (of course!)

This shattered dream you cannot justify
We're gonna scream until we're satisified
What are we running for?
We've got the right to be angry
What are we running for?
When there's no where we can run to anymore!
We can't afford to be innocent
Stand up and face the enemy
It's a do or die situation
We will be invincible!

 

With MANY thanks to my good friend JD, the Travlin BUCS Fan.

Following a week with no news coming out of the NovaCare Mothership, and looking forward to a frenetic signing frenzy with the five remaining unsigned draft picks, I was chatting with JD about this past weekend’s activities. JD and his lovely Ms Scarlet went out to see “Pirates of the Caribbean:  Dead Man's Chest.” It just so happened that one of the previews on the movie was for the movie “Invincible.”For those of you who may not know, this movie is about bartender Vince Papale’s improbable rise from the 700 level to the field in uniform for the Philadelphia Eagles.

You can view the trailer for “Invincible” at the following URL:

http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/index.html

I think Wahlburg is an excellent choice to play Papale’s role. Let us know what you think!

-- Mo

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6:01:24 AM EDT
Feeling Chillin'
Hearing Dire Straits - Where Do You Think You're Going?

Where do you think you're going
I think you don't know
You got no way of knowing
You got no place to go
I understand your changes
How long before you reach the door
I know where you think you're going
I know what you came here for
And now I'm sick of joking
You know I like you to be free

Your Humble Brewmeister has been presented with a fine opportunity this holiday weekend: four glorious summer days at the Jersey Shore to savor the 2006 vintage Mobetta Pale Ale, hours at the beach with SPF minus-15 cocoa oil, savoring enough eye candy to cause a non-diabetic to require insulin, and hours to catch up on what little NFL news is there for the curious mind to consume.

One of the items brought into this foamy existence was the “NFL's Most Improved Teams with Jeff Chadiha” feature. The Atlanta Falcons are the most improved team? All-righty then! NFC South the toughest division in the NFL? As if the Saints have a chance to sniff the playoffs this season! AFC West the second-toughest division? Have the vision blinders excluded the fact the Raiders with their inexperienced defense and Chargers with the less than awe-inspiring Phillip Rivers at QB are in that division? Add in an aging Chiefs team… Hmmmmmm.

Listening further into Chadiha feature, (and reading his 5/31 feature on over-hyped teams to discover his anti-Eagles bias) we hear Blog Boy and his habitually-myopic “Redskins, baby!” point of view referring to the Eagles offense as “garbage.” Mixed into this morass of journalistic excellence (typed with all tongue-in-cheek sarcasm) is the stupefyingly repetitive drone of, “Without T.O., the Eagles have reverted to what they were.”

At face value, this comment is ludicrous! What the Eagles before T.O. were only the three-time NFC Champions, and the second-winningest team in the NFL for the previous four seasons. Excuse me for saying, but were the people uttering this phrase seated at my micro-bar, until the question, “What’s so bad about that?” is answered by something other than a mumbled “Where’s your ring?” they’d be reduced to enjoying my other specialty brew: iced tea. (Hint for the "Ringless Bashers": the NFL Titles in 48, 49 and 1960 COUNT! There was an NFL prior to the Super Bowl!)

Repeat after me, haters: The Eagles 2005 season was an aberration! Say it! An aberration! Beginning with “Leon” Owens attempting to renegotiate his then one-season old contract in the media rather than with the Eagles management, and the resulting rifts that ensued from this action, through the numerous injuries the Eagles sustained, the 2005 season was a fluke! And while on the T.O. man-crush bearer topic, may I be the first to point out, in the playoffs; the Eagles with Owens on the field have won exactly ZERO times.

Excluding “Leon”, the Eagles had half of their starter players miss significant time due to injury last season. That’s 11 starters! In several situations, the backups to the injured starters were also injured, particularly on the defense. Included on this list are Pro-Bowlers Donovan McNabb, Lito Shepard, William Thomas and David Akers, as well as center Hank Fraley, Jerome McDougle, Todd Pinkston and Paul Grasmanis. Grasmanis has retired, but the rest of that injured list will be returning for the 2006 season.

During the off-season, the Eagles have made significant free-agent acquisitions to address the weaknesses uncovered last season. Darren Howard was picked up from the Saints, and his presence, combined with McDougle’s return will provide the backfield pressure lacking in 2005 opposite Jevon Kearse. Shawn Barber adds quality depth to the line-backer position.

Like it or not, free agent Jabar Gaffney had 50+ receptions in the Houston Texans offense last season. Considering David Carr’s propensity to wind up in a supine position on passing plays, that fact alone indicates under-rated skills in the slot receiver position. Tight End Matt Schoebel adds a starting-caliber player to the offense. Jeff Garcia adds real veteran leadership to the depth chart behind McNabb.

Two players to be factored into the offensive mix are second-year players Reggie Brown and Ryan Moats. Brown showed flashes of brilliance being thrust into a starting role not anticipated for him in the preseason last year. Brown spent must of the past winter in Philadelphia increasing his body mass, strength and speed, as well as fine-tuning his knowledge of the Eagles offense. Moats dedicated his offseason to fine-tuning his pass route technique and increasing his knowledge of the complex Eagles playbook. Moats possesses Westbrook’s elusiveness at the point of attack, plus has greater straight-line speed and toughness finishing off his runs. Both players will showcase much-improved skills over their respective rookie campaigns.

As mentioned in my previous entry, the Eagles offensive line will be a physically intimidating presence for opposing defenses to deal with. The starters average nearly 340 pounds per man, and depth has been added in the form of draft picks Winston Justice and Max Jean-Gilles. Look out for “The Porterhouse Five” NFL!

Say what you will about the Eagles Offense, “going back to what they were” is hardly the truth here in Philly. The players in the fold are a vast improvement over the group that won the NFC East four-consecutive years.

Back to what we were? Contending for the Lombardi ain't a bad place to be. I’ll take it! 

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2:39:08 PM EDT
Feeling Happy
Hearing Nazareth - Hair of the Dog

Heart breaker, soul shaker
I've been told about you
Steamroller, midnight stroller
What they've been saying must be true
Red hot mama, velvet charmer
Times come to pay your dues
Now you're messin’ with a son of a bitch!

 

 

...first you get a “fat guy” spike, then a “fat guy” dance!

There is one thing about the upcoming season that is already a certainty. No one will be asking the question, “Where’s the beef?” when looking at the Eagles offensive line this season. For years, we Eagles fans have been bemoaning the lack of a dominant offensive line, and for the first time in recent, and distant past memory, that problem has been addressed. For a change, we’ve got an offensive line so large that they could put an average steakhouse out of business! Come to think of it, what a name for this group: “The Steakhouse!” Has a ring to it, don’t you think?

Being part of the “Body by Buddha” cast myself, I find this to be particularly tantalizing addition to the Eagles offensive menu. We’re going to be running the ball!

Let’s take a look at the series of events that has led to this weighty proposition for the Birds. Step one: John Runyan was signed to a new deal to keep the right tackle position manned and mean. Steps two and three: Winston Justice and Max Jean-Gilles were added via the 2006 draft. Step four, and one that put a huge smile on all our faces, the behemoth, Shawn Andrews was signed through the 2015 season courtesy of one of the Eagles trademark contract extension deals.

Add to those additions the return of a healthy William “Don’t Call Me Tra” Thomas, a more seasoned Todd Herremans, and the spirited competition between Hank Fraley and Jamaal Jackson at the center position, and you’re looking at a unit that’s poised to be jamming opposing defenses back on their heels.

Here’s a look at the squad on a man-by-man breakdown:

Right Tackle: John Runyan. 6-7, 330 Lbs. Runyan was the first big-name free agent to join the Eagles under Jeffery Lurie’s ownership. Prior to Runyan’s signing, players were loathe to consider the Eagles as a team they wished to play for. At the time, Veterans’ Stadium had the worst playing surface in the NFL, and the facilities at the Eagles disposal were sub-par, at best.

Runyan was sold on the commitment shown by Lurie and then new Head Coach Andy Reid displayed to make the Eagles team and facilities the best in the NFL. He was clearly the player that marked the change in the perception of the Eagles.
Runyan has been called a dirty player over his career, as he plays the game with the rage comparable to a scorned woman. One aspect of his game has been consistent during his career: he’s always done what was necessary to improve his game. For years he had the knock of being Michael Strahan’s whipping boy, but in the last two seasons, he’s overcome that tag, and has emerged as a rock on the Eagles line.

Right Guard: Shawn Andrews 6-3, 340 Lbs. The Eagles traded up in the 2004 draft to land Andrews, who at the time was dropping on the draft board due to weight-control issues and a sinus infection that affected his entire body. During his first game, he suffered a freak ankle injury, and was unavailable for the rest of the season. Last year, he returned to the lineup, and was selected as a Pro Bowl alternate by his peers.

Weight issues continued to plague Andrews during the 2005 season, frequently approaching the 400 Lb. mark during the season. He’s dedicated himself to a rigorous training regimen, and has slimmed down to a comparatively svelte 340 lbs. While his strength has not suffered, the reduced tonnage has had a dramatic effect on his speed and footwork. Many camp observers have noted that his first step off the snap has improved dramatically as a result.

The Eagles have rewarded Andrews with a big-money contract extension through the 2015 season, making Andrews a cornerstone for the franchise for the next decade.

Center: Hank Fraley 6-2, 300 Lbs. Jamaal Jackson 6-3, 330 Lbs. At this time, the battle for the starting center position is hot and heavy. (purely intentional pun) Fraley has frequently been an example of one of Madden’s favorite fat guys, earning the nickname “honey-buns” in the Eagles locker room. Fraley is a solid blocker in pass situations, but could use a bit more explosiveness off the ball on running plays. He and McNabb have had few problems misplaying snaps, and Fraley rarely draws flags during a game.

While Jackson is a more physically-imposing presence on the line, last year his play was marred by poor center exchanges, and frequent penalties. His off-season was spent amassing a more-thorough knowledge of the offensive schemes. On a positive side, Jackson is an explosive blocker in both the passing and rushing aspects of the game, and is more athletic then Fraley as well.

This training camp will be a fierce battle between these two players, and that competition will only improve both players’ performance.

Left Guard: Todd Herremans 6-6, 320 Lbs. Herremans was a fourth-round pick in the 2005 draft, selected with an eye on developing him to back up and eventually replace veteran William Thomas at left tackle. Thomas’ medical issues pressed Herremans into a starting role by November of last year; starting four games before succumbing to injury in mid-December.

The departure of Artis Hicks has virtually guaranteed Herremans’ starting position at left guard. During the off-season, he has worked with Line Coach Castillo to learn to lower his center of gravity on drive blocking, and that will only add to his size and reach to become an even more effective component of this year’s offensive line. The Eagles staff is impressed with the mobility and learning ability of the second-year Herremans, and his future appears solid in Philadelphia.

Left Tackle: William Thomas 6-7, 335 Lbs. This off-season has borne witness to a changed attitude with Thomas, reaching as deeply as his desire to be called “William” as opposed to his nick-name “Tra” that has been used throughout his career. Injuries have affected his play in the last two seasons, and Thomas has reacted by dedicating himself to reporting to camp in the best condition of his career.

Thomas has been an imposing presence on McNabb’s blind side throughout his career, and his pass-blocking ability has earned him several Pro Bowl selections, most recently in the 2004 season. This season will hopefully answer any questions regarding his health once and for all, and with the current emphasis on the running game in the NovaCare Mothership, a new spark will be added to Thomas’ game as well.

So where is the beef? Five men: An average of 328 Lbs of man-meat per player. The Steakhouse? Come to think of it, allow me to wax in a Vonnegut-esque fashion, and let’s call this offensive unit...

The Porterhouse Five!

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8:19:53 PM EDT
Feeling Happy
Hearing Texas - Cleveland Baseball

As any blog reader knows, you always see the last entry in the blog first. Your humble Brewmaster has created this entry to make things easier for you view the Eagles 2006 Draft picks in the order of their selections. Enjoy, and thanks for reading!

First Round, Selection 14 Overall: Brodrick Bunkley – 6-3, 285 DT, Florida St.

Brew Review Grade: B-

Second Round, Selection 39 Overall: Winston Justice 6-6, 300 OT, USC.

Brew Review Grade: A

Third Round, Selection 71 Overall: Chris Gocong 6-3 263 DE, Cal Poly

Brew Review Grade: B+

Fourth Round, Selection 99 Overall: Max Jean-Gilles 6-4, 340 OG, Georgia

Brew Review Grade: A+

Fourth Round, Selection 109 Overall: Jason Avant 6-0 205 WR, Michigan

Brew Review Grade: B+

Fifth Round: Selection 147 Overall: Jeremy Bloom 5-9 173 WR Colorado

Brew Review Grade: B-

Fifth Round, Selection 168 Overall : Omar Gaither  6-1, 234 OLB – Tennessee

Sixth Round, Selection 204 Overall: LaJuan Ramsey, 6-2, 294 DT – USC

Brew Review Grades: C, B+

Overall, your humble Master Brewer is tickled with most of the Eagles picks, particularly, the attitudes, work ethics, and overall fierce play displayed by all of the draft picks. Each brings something to the table, and most directly address a weakness in the 2005 Eagles team. Overall, this may prove to be Andy Reid's best draft so far.

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