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A lot of love for Nick Foles, plus a look at an early mock draft. Here’s a roundup of what the national media are saying about the Eagles this week.
The focus may be on the wrong Gruden.
While plenty of fans are clamoring for the more famous brother, Jon, to climb down from the broadcast booth to take over the Eagles in 2013, the chances of that becoming a reality are slim. But hiring his younger brother, Jay, just might make some sense.
Michael Vick and LeSean McCoy both took steps forward this week but have officially been ruled out of Thursday’s game against the Bengals.
Vick and McCoy returned to the practice field Tuesday in a limited capacity and were scheduled to visit an independent neurologist Wednesday as part of the league’s concussion protocol in hopes of being cleared to play. The Eagles allowed for the possibility that they could be available for Cincinnati, but have since closed the door.
Chris Polk (toe) is questionable for Thursday night. Nate Allen (shoulder), Nnamdi Asomugha (neck/quad), Stanley Havili (ankle), Mychal Kendricks (shoulder), Jeremy Maclin (groin), Evan Mathis (ankle) and Dallas Reynolds (ankle) are all probable.
From Mychal Kendricks to Fletcher Cox to Colt Anderson, here’s an All-22 look at what the Eagles’ defense looked like Sunday against the Bucs.
The debate around Nick Foles this week: How much of his success on Sunday can be attributed to the fact that he was going up against the worst pass defense in the NFL?
The answer: We’ll find out Thursday.
The Bengals are ranked 10th against the pass and are sixth overall as a defense. They lead the league in sacks (42) and are considered one of the most disruptive units in the game. This is a big step up in class for the rookie.
Here’s a breakdown of what we saw from Nick Foles in the Eagles’ 23-21 win over the Bucs on Sunday, using the All-22 tape.
LeSean McCoy and Michael Vick are in Phase 5 of the rehab process from concussions suffered last month and returned to practice in a limited capacity today.
“We’re not listing them as out,” said head athletic trainer Rick Burkholder. “They’re still very much alive for things. We’ll see how they do today and take it day by day. Of course, they have to get through this fifth phase, they have to get to the independent [neurologist], which could be tomorrow, and they have to see [team doctor] Dr. [Gary] Dorshimer and get his clearance as well.”
Sunday’s game against the Bucs was the Eagles’ first in two years without defensive line coach Jim Washburn and the wide-nine.
Tommy Brasher was hired on Monday and had three days of practice to switch up the Birds’ scheme up front. The Eagles struggled to get to Josh Freeman for much of the day, although the defense as a whole played better. Below is the player-by-player breakdown of sacks, hurries (tracked by the team’s coaches), opportunities (Pro Football Focus) and pressure percentage (frequency with with which each player notched a sack or hurry).
In the next couple of days, we’ll try to take a look at how the linemen were aligned up front with the All-22.
Tim and Sheil debate how the Eagles should move forward if Nick Foles continues to show improvement. And would Chip Kelly prefer Foles or Michael Vick? Plus, plenty of thoughts on the dramatic win over the Bucs Sunday.
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From Jon Gruden to Nick Saban to Josh McDaniels, here’s the latest coaching buzz around the NFL.
Michael Vick and LeSean McCoy returned to baseline on their imPACT tests, the team announced, and could be back at practice as early as Tuesday.
An Eagles spokesman indicated that both players have yet to see an independent neurologist, a necessary step before being cleared to play after a concussion.
Vick went home sick on Monday (unrelated to his head injury) and was unavailable for comment. McCoy made a brief appearance in the locker room and joked how he was feeling better until he saw the media.
Andy Reid has already named Nick Foles the starter for the remainder of the year, meaning Vick would only return in a reserve role. It is possible, though, that McCoy could get back to action. Given that the Eagles play on Thursday, it’s difficult to envision either playing this week.
For the past eight weeks, the routine was pretty much the same.
The Eagles players would file into the locker room one-by-one, shoulders slumped, faces pale. Silence, except for the occasional expletive-filled roar followed by the sound of a piece of equipment crashing off the floor and echoing down the hall.