Here’s the breakdown of how Eagles QB Nick Foles performed Monday night against the Panthers, after having reviewed the tape.

The Jon Gruden rumors continue to swirl in several different directions.

The latest report out of WREG-TV in Memphis has the University of Tennessee willing to offer Gruden an ownership stake in the Cleveland Browns.

The arrow is pointing in the direction of Nick Foles to start this week against the Cowboys. But Michael Vick is beginning preparations for his return.

According to a report from Ed Werder, Vick has been sized for a protective skull cap to wear under his helmet to help safeguard against sustaining another concussion.

Vick has advanced to Phase 4 of the Eagles’ concussion program but has yet to get back to baseline on the imPACT test. He will try again on Wednesday.

Though it sounds like Vick is inching towards a return, expecting him under center Sunday might be a bit much.

Jason Babin hit the national media circuit after being cut by the Eagles on Tuesday.

Some of his most interesting comments came on ESPN radio, where he described his reaction when Andy Reid delivered the news by phone.

“One, anytime you see Andy Reid come across your caller ID, you know it’s probably not a good thing,” said Babin. “Two, all I could do was — I laughed. I was like, ‘Alright, Coach, if that’s what you’ve got to do.’ I don’t know, caught me off guard.”

Tim and Sheil discuss why the Eagles released Jason Babin, what’s next for Andy Reid and the future at quarterback.

Click here for the iTunes link, and here to listen online.

You can listen to Birds 24/7 Radio on 97.5 The Fanatic from 6 to 7 every Monday. Or stop by Smith’s at 19th and Chestnut, where the guys broadcast live.

In what can certainly be perceived as a shot across the bow, the Eagles released defensive end Jason Babin Tuesday.

“We appreciate everything that Jason has given this team over the last couple of years,” said Andy Reid in a statement. “We wish him all the best as he continues his career. By releasing him today, this gives us an opportunity to give more playing time to some younger guys in the defensive line rotation.”

Though there’s obviously much more to it than that.

(More coming.)

Here’s a look at snap counts for the Eagles during their Week 12 loss to the Panthers. We’ll go position-by-position.

DeSean Jackson has likely played his final game for Andy Reid.

Jackson suffered fractured ribs in the first quarter of Monday night’s game against the Panthers and will be placed on injured reserve, ending his season, Reid announced today. The injury occurred on an end around that picked up 2 yards.

At this stage of the season, you are just looking for that flicker. Signs of anger and pain and resistance to the losing culture that has seeped through the walls.

The front office will be evaluating more than talent as they sift through the wreckage of this season. They will be evaluating effort, and resolve, and want-to. And that’s just sad.

“At the end of the day it’s about locker room accountability,” said a fired-up Troy Vincent after his Eagles Hall-of-Fame induction ceremony. “The talent is here. When you hear someone talking about play-calling, just play the call that has been made. I was asked a question about someone hustling; why are we talking about a professional hustling to the football?

“And people know, the third eye in the sky doesn’t lie.”

History will not look favorably on this 2012 team. They will be labeled underachievers and their character will come into question. It already has.

Considering the way this season’s gone, there’s no harm in looking ahead.

So every week from here on out, we’ll track the Eagles’ draft position to give you an idea of where they might be picking in the first round.

When answering a barrage of questions about what exactly is going on with the Eagles’ defense right now, Todd Bowles made it clear that his players are failing to properly execute the simplest of assignments.

“The first one was high school cover-3,” Bowles said after the team’s 30-22 loss to the Panthers. “The ball was thrown down the middle of the field. We gave up a touchdown. Inexcusable. The second one was inexcusable too.”

Still in his No. 75 game-worn jersey and pads, Vinny Curry stood in the middle of the Eagles’ locker room with a crowd of reporters surrounding him.

In previous weeks, the questions were always the same. Why haven’t you played yet? When will you get a chance? Are you getting antsy?

But on Monday night, they were different. Curry, a second-round pick, dressed on gameday for the first time all season, seeing snaps at right defensive end behind Trent Cole. He finished the game with five tackles – the most of any of the team’s linemen.

Jeffrey Lurie emerged from the shadows briefly Monday night to help celebrate Troy Vincent and Leo Carlin‘s induction into the Eagles Hall of Fame.

After recognizing the two honorees Lurie handed the floor over to Vincent, who was promptly steered into talking about the ails of the 2012 club.

“I just see a lack of leadership,” Vincent began, the owner just a few paces to his left. Not even in a celebration of the past could the woes of the present be avoided. Lurie stood there and absorbed it all before heading back underground.

That was how the night started. It ended with a 30-22 loss to the Panthers, pushing the losing streak to seven games and the Eagles into basement of the NFC. Most significantly, it put the Eagles’ loss total on the year at eight games. Lurie stated that 8-8 would not be good enough for Andy Reid to earn a 15th season. Reid can now do no better.

Here are my instant observations from the Eagles’ 30-22 loss to the Panthers.

The injuries continue to pile up for the Eagles.

DeSean Jackson went to the locker room late in the first quarter to have X-rays on his chest and collarbone area. The X-rays were negative but he has a sternum injury and he did not return.

Jackson ran an end around in the closing minutes of the first quarter and was tackled by Luke Kuechly after a gain of two yards. He was checked by a team doctor on the sidelines before heading inside.

Rookie defensive tackle Fletcher Cox also left in the first half with a back/tailbone injury.  Those X-rays were negative as well but he  also sat out for the remainder of the game.

The loss of Jackson is just another blow to an already depleted Eagles’ offense. Michael Vick (concussion), LeSean McCoy (concussion) and Jason Avant (hamstring) were all forced to sit out Monday night. Meanwhile, Evan Mathis is the only member of the original starters along the offensive line remaining.

With Jackson out, the Eagles were down to Jeremy Maclin, Riley Cooper and Damaris Johnson at receiver Monday night.