Eagles turning into Team Turmoil

[DBoys]

http://www.nj.com/columns/times/ecke...6161895200.xml

Eagles turning into Team Turmoil


Sunday, May 15, 2005 MARK ECKEL

Has a team coming off a Super Bowl appearance and a heavy favorite to get back there next year ever had as bad of an offseason as the Eagles have had?

Consider what has transpired since the New England Patriots held off the Eagles, 24-21, on that cool Sunday night in Jacksonville just over three months ago.

And forget free agency losses, that happens to good teams. It's just the nature of the business - you can't keep everyone. So a valuable veteran like Jermane Mayberry lands in New Orleans, a key special teams player Ike Reese goes to Atlanta, and a promising young player Derrick Burgess goes to Oakland.

That's not what this is about. It's about the problems the team faces, as what was once portrayed as a happy family all of a sudden looks dysfunctional.
Pro Bowl quarterback Donovan McNabb and Pro Bowl wide receiver Terrell Owens have taken verbal swipes at each other while refusing to even mention the other's name.

Owens, who skipped the team's minicamp, fired the first shot when in explaining why he wants a new contract: "I wasn't the one who got tired in the Super Bowl."

McNabb, during the team's minicamp, told Owens and others, "To keep my name out of your mouth."

Last week, after filming his latest Campbell's soup commercial, McNabb talked about honoring a contract and added, "We can get to the Super Bowl and win it, with or without T.O."

Freddie Mitchell, the team's 2001 first-round pick and a more than serviceable slot receiver, was released not because he didn't live up to his first-round billing or because of salary-cap concerns.

Mitchell was released because head coach Andy Reid, among others, couldn't stand having him around anymore.

Mitchell also took swipes at McNabb, questioning his leadership ability, saying, "The problem with this team isn't me, or T.O. or (Brian) Westbrook. It's the quarterback. They baby him. And he's not as good as everybody thinks he is."

What's troubling here is that McNabb is not just the face of the Eagles' franchise, he's the reason they went to the Super Bowl last year and why they are favored to go back next year.

When you look at the NFC East, what makes the Eagles stand out above the other teams is McNabb vs. the other teams' quarterbacks the past four years. Whether it was Quincy Carter, Vinny Testaverde or whoever else in Dallas; Mark Brunell or Patrick Ramsey in Washington; or Kurt Warner or Eli Manning with the Giants, the Eagles have had the big edge.

When Reid talks about his days in Green Bay, he often mentions how, that as long as the Packers had No. 4 (Brett Favre) at quarterback, they had a chance to contend. The same goes for No. 5 with the Eagles.

The difference is absolutely no one in Green Bay ever takes a shot at Favre.

In Philadelphia, McNabb seems to be a moving target among certain fans, members of the media and now some of his teammates.

There is more.

Defensive tackle Corey Simon, perhaps the team's most unappreciated player, is not happy with a one-year franchise tender, and, like Owens, skipped minicamp and likely will skip training camp. The difference is, since he is still unsigned, Simon does not have to be at camp.

Running back Westbrook, saddled with a one-year restricted free agent tender, also is among Les Miserable in Eagleland, and add left tackle Tra Thomas, backup defensive tackle Hollis Thomas and kicker David Akers to the list, as well.

There are others, too.

Some player - and from what we're told it wasn't one of the ones mentioned above - ratted the team out for conducting workouts in violation of the league's policy, forcing the team to forfeit a week of workouts beginning tomorrow.

This last one speaks volumes louder than even the contract problems.

According to people who know, the Eagles' practices this offseason were not much different than they had been in the past. This means they were in violation of the policy, just nobody complained. This year, someone did.

What happens from here is up to Reid, who has handled problems well in the past, but never has had this many. From a talent standpoint, the Eagles are still far and away the best team in the NFC East and the best in the NFC.

Playing like it and winning will depend on how long these problems exist and how they are handled. NOTE: Contact Times staff writer Mark Eckel at meckel@njtimes.com.

[Wolverine]

Mitchell also took swipes at McNabb, questioning his leadership ability, saying, "The problem with this team isn't me, or T.O. or (Brian) Westbrook. It's the quarterback. They baby him. And he's not as good as everybody thinks he is."

I totally agree with Mitchell on how McNabb is not as good as everyone thinks he is. McNabb is overrated.

[Yeagermeister]

It just warms my heart

[TheSport78]

Originally Posted by DBoys

http://www.nj.com/columns/times/ecke...6161895200.xml

Eagles turning into Team Turmoil


Sunday, May 15, 2005 MARK ECKEL

Has a team coming off a Super Bowl appearance and a heavy favorite to get back there next year ever had as bad of an offseason as the Eagles have had?

Consider what has transpired since the New England Patriots held off the Eagles, 24-21, on that cool Sunday night in Jacksonville just over three months ago.

And forget free agency losses, that happens to good teams. It's just the nature of the business - you can't keep everyone. So a valuable veteran like Jermane Mayberry lands in New Orleans, a key special teams player Ike Reese goes to Atlanta, and a promising young player Derrick Burgess goes to Oakland.

[View Full Quote]That's not what this is about. It's about the problems the team faces, as what was once portrayed as a happy family all of a sudden looks dysfunctional.
Pro Bowl quarterback Donovan McNabb and Pro Bowl wide receiver Terrell Owens have taken verbal swipes at each other while refusing to even mention the other's name.

Owens, who skipped the team's minicamp, fired the first shot when in explaining why he wants a new contract: "I wasn't the one who got tired in the Super Bowl."

McNabb, during the team's minicamp, told Owens and others, "To keep my name out of your mouth."

Last week, after filming his latest Campbell's soup commercial, McNabb talked about honoring a contract and added, "We can get to the Super Bowl and win it, with or without T.O."

Freddie Mitchell, the team's 2001 first-round pick and a more than serviceable slot receiver, was released not because he didn't live up to his first-round billing or because of salary-cap concerns.

Mitchell was released because head coach Andy Reid, among others, couldn't stand having him around anymore.

Mitchell also took swipes at McNabb, questioning his leadership ability, saying, "The problem with this team isn't me, or T.O. or (Brian) Westbrook. It's the quarterback. They baby him. And he's not as good as everybody thinks he is."

What's troubling here is that McNabb is not just the face of the Eagles' franchise, he's the reason they went to the Super Bowl last year and why they are favored to go back next year.

When you look at the NFC East, what makes the Eagles stand out above the other teams is McNabb vs. the other teams' quarterbacks the past four years. Whether it was Quincy Carter, Vinny Testaverde or whoever else in Dallas; Mark Brunell or Patrick Ramsey in Washington; or Kurt Warner or Eli Manning with the Giants, the Eagles have had the big edge.

When Reid talks about his days in Green Bay, he often mentions how, that as long as the Packers had No. 4 (Brett Favre) at quarterback, they had a chance to contend. The same goes for No. 5 with the Eagles.

The difference is absolutely no one in Green Bay ever takes a shot at Favre.

In Philadelphia, McNabb seems to be a moving target among certain fans, members of the media and now some of his teammates.

There is more.

Defensive tackle Corey Simon, perhaps the team's most unappreciated player, is not happy with a one-year franchise tender, and, like Owens, skipped minicamp and likely will skip training camp. The difference is, since he is still unsigned, Simon does not have to be at camp.

Running back Westbrook, saddled with a one-year restricted free agent tender, also is among Les Miserable in Eagleland, and add left tackle Tra Thomas, backup defensive tackle Hollis Thomas and kicker David Akers to the list, as well.

There are others, too.

Some player - and from what we're told it wasn't one of the ones mentioned above - ratted the team out for conducting workouts in violation of the league's policy, forcing the team to forfeit a week of workouts beginning tomorrow.

This last one speaks volumes louder than even the contract problems.

According to people who know, the Eagles' practices this offseason were not much different than they had been in the past. This means they were in violation of the policy, just nobody complained. This year, someone did.

What happens from here is up to Reid, who has handled problems well in the past, but never has had this many. From a talent standpoint, the Eagles are still far and away the best team in the NFC East and the best in the NFC.

Playing like it and winning will depend on how long these problems exist and how they are handled. NOTE: Contact Times staff writer Mark Eckel at meckel@njtimes.com.

From a talent standpoint, the Eagles are still far and away the best team in the NFC East and the best in the NFC.

How can this writer say they are the best "team" in the NFC when it seems like they are a sinking ship? If you don't have team chemistry with your most important players than what do you have??

[DBoys]

No kidding seems like a contradiction to me. Oh the Eagles are a team in turmoil but are still the best in the NFC

[LeonDixson]

:iggles:

[big dog cowboy]

Originally Posted by TheSport78

How can this writer say they are the best "team" in the NFC when it seems like they are a sinking ship? If you don't have team chemistry with your most important players than what do you have??

There is a difference between owning the NFC for 4 years like they have and the perception that it "seems" like they are a sinking ship. Until proven otherwise, they are still the team to beat. Dammit.

[lspain1]

Originally Posted by DBoys

When you look at the NFC East, what makes the Eagles stand out above the other teams is McNabb vs. the other teams' quarterbacks the past four years. Whether it was Quincy Carter, Vinny Testaverde or whoever else in Dallas; Mark Brunell or Patrick Ramsey in Washington; or Kurt Warner or Eli Manning with the Giants, the Eagles have had the big edge.

When Reid talks about his days in Green Bay, he often mentions how, that as long as the Packers had No. 4 (Brett Favre) at quarterback, they had a chance to contend. The same goes for No. 5 with the Eagles.

I'm not saying McNabb is a great QB. However, the above point is correct. McNabb has made the Eagles a better team. He needs a supporting cast just like any other QB but McNabb seems like a class act to me. A competitor out there trying to win, and trying to make his statements on the field rather than with his mouth.

I think the three-in-a-row SB losses are wearing on the organization as a whole. We'll see if they suffer some perfomance loss this season. This is the first year in quite a while where they did not make discernable off-season improvements.

It's still quite a while before training camp. Maybe this will all blow over, but I'm guessing the pressure is really going to be on the Eagles this year. I think they are going to have trouble matching last year's dominance. The NFC East WILL be more competitive this year.

[Cbz40]

Couldn't happen to a greater group of guys.

[dargonking999]

Man do i love watching iggles just fall into pieces.

[UppityCracker2]

Originally Posted by Wolverine

I totally agree with Mitchell on how McNabb is not as good as everyone thinks he is. McNabb is overrated.

I think so too. If Brett Favre were on the Egirls I would not contest the fact that he is great. McNabb has been inconsistent and some of it does have to do with his supporting cast. I think that he will end up going down the tubes in the near future.

[dmq]

I will say it again. I don't think Philly is far and away the best team in the NFC. In fact, I believe we can overtake them if our rookies can step up this season.

[UppityCracker2]

Originally Posted by dmq

I will say it again. I don't think Philly is far and away the best team in the NFC. In fact, I believe we can overtake them if our rookies can step up this season.

Ditto

[Wolverine]

Originally Posted by dmq

I will say it again. I don't think Philly is far and away the best team in the NFC. In fact, I believe we can overtake them if our rookies can step up this season.

McNabb will also have to face a Dallas D that is much younger and faster at LB and DL. Burnett and Ware are gonna cause him some probs.

Just imagine if Cory Chavous is cut and we can get him.

[AJM1613]

Originally Posted by Cbz40

Couldn't happen to a greater group of guys.

What's wrong with the group of guys?