Eagles Wake-Up Call: Cold-Tub Saga Heats Up


How about the curious case of Prince Amukamara?

There’s a good chance you’ve seen the video by now of Jason Pierre-Paul carrying Amukamara over his shoulder and depositing him in a cold tub as teammates urge the cornerback to stick up for himself. If not (or if you simply want to watch again) here it is.

Amukamara is now is in his second year and can’t quite figure out why he is still getting hazed. (He estimated that he was thrown into a cold tub eight times last season.) Mike Garafolo of the Star Ledger writes that his teammates are trying to help the laid-back Amukamara develop an edge. Tom Coughlin plans on talking to the parties involved, but the league looks like it will be hands off in this case.

Andy Reid is known to have a low tolerance for player hazing.

“These guys are men. This is their profession. In today’s football, those rookies need to play. I don’t need them looking over their shoulder at things,” said Reid at training camp. “They need to get in and learn football, not learn their song of their alma mater. I don’t need that.”

Then again, the Giants have been in the habit of winning Super Bowls lately. Maybe it’s time for Trent Cole to go hunting in his own locker room.

WHAT YOU MISSED

With the regular season inching closer, the referee lockout will become a dominant storyline. The replacement refs have been sub par to say the least, and some Eagles players are concerned that the integrity of the game and player safety are in jeopardy.

Sheil takes a look at Danny Watkins. Judging by what his peers and coaches are saying, he has emerged from the valley of darkness.

The Eagles seem like the idea of using Cullen Jenkins as a run-stuffing defensive end. What does that mean for Darryl Tapp?

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING

ESPN’s NFC East blogger Dan Graziano is ranking the top 20 players in the division as we tick closer to the regular season. Coming in at No. 19 is the Eagles’ own Evan Mathis.

Mathis is one of only two offensive linemen on our list and the only one who plays inside. Yes, it’s rare for a guard to make a list such as this one, but I consider myself an especially enlightened football mind and Mathis an exceptional candidate. His case has been made quite famously by the folks at Pro Football Focus, who ranked him the No. 1 guard in the league last year by a pretty fair margin. His overall grade of 34.6 is more than six points better than his closest competitor, Carl Nicks.

The Boston Globe profiled UMASS product Emil Igwenagu.

An MRI reportedly revealed that Redskins linebacker Brian Orakpo‘s shoulder injury is not serious and he is expected to play in the season opener.

COMING UP

Game Day. Because of the odd schedule, the Eagles will treat this game against the Patriots as if it were the third preseason contest, and plan on playing their starters for at least a half. Kickoff is slated for 8 p.m. Sheil and I will have you covered throughout the day.

Follow Tim on Twitter or email him at tmcmanus@phillymag.com.