When word broke on Thursday night that the Eagles had traded up in the first round to the 13th pick, everyone assumed that they would select playmaking safety Earl Thomas. The Eagles have been missing a playmaker at the safety position since Brian Dawkins was released before the start of last season and this seemed like it was too good to be true for the boys in the City of Brotherly Love. When Commissioner Roger Goodell announced that the Eagles had taken Michigan defensive end Brandon Graham and not Thomas, everyone was stunned. While I was among the surprised, I thought it about it some more and I actually like the pick. I thought that going into the draft, Brandon Graham was the best pure pass rusher. The Eagles defense hinges on getting to the quarterback and Graham, teamed up with Pro Bowler Trent Cole on the other side, will provide nightmares to NFC East offenses.

It is also possible that the Eagles were just as high on their second round pick, saftey Nate Allen from South Florida as many were on the safety they passed over in the first round, Earl Thomas. Allen and Thomas are actually very similar players. Both are considered a little bit undersized, but accel in pass coverage and even have the ability to line up at cornerback. Allen is projected to be a big time playmaker in the Eagles defense, as he will be given the opportunity to play center field and use his excellent speed to make plays on the ball and help the Eagles get takeaways. The addition of Graham will cause quarterbacks to release the ball quicker and make poor decisions and the Eagles hope that their second round pick, Nate Allen will be the recipient of those poor decisions.

by Josh Weiner at the Sports Fan Blog Network

Shawn Andrews’ star-crossed career in Philadelphia is over.

The Eagles released the former All-Pro right guard on Wednesday in a move that was expected. Andrews, who missed the 2008 training camp because of depression, has played in just two games the past two years because of back injuries.

“We appreciate the efforts and contributions of Shawn while he was in Philadelphia,” coach Andy Reid said in a statement. “We have, however, decided to move in another direction.”

Andrews wrote “Bye, Bye Birds” on his Twitter page. He also said he plans to continue playing.

Click here to read the full article – By Associated Press of ESPN.com

Dick Jauron is back in the NFL.

The former Bills head coach was hired Wednesday by the Philadelphia Eagles as a senior assistant/defensive backs coach.

“Long before he became a defensive coordinator and head coach in this league, Dick Jauron was considered to be one of, if not the best defensive backs coaches in the game,” Eagles head coach Andy Reid said. “We welcome his experience and knowledge of the game and look forward to adding him to our defensive coaching staff.”

Jauron replaces Brian Stewart, who left after one season to become defensive coordinator at the University of Houston. Jauron was fired by the Bills in November after a 3-6 start. He was 24-33 in Buffalo in three-plus seasons.

Jauron was 35-46 as Chicago’s coach from 1999 to 2003, and 1-4 as Detroit’s interim coach in 2005. Jauron previously worked with Reid in Green Bay on Mike Holmgren’s staff in the early 1990s.

Click here to read the full article – By Associated Press of ESPN.com

The following playoff games are taking place this upcoming weekend, who do you guys like? (my predictions below)

AFC
Jets @ Chargers 1/17 4:40pm
Ravens @ Colts 1/16 8:15pm

NFC
Cowboys @ Vikings 1/17 1pm
Cardinals @ Saints 1/16 4:30pm

My Predictions:
AFC
Jets 21 Chargers 17
Colts 28 Ravens 20

NFC
Cowboys 28 Vikings 17
Saints 27 Cardinals 10

While players around him were constantly shuffled in and out, Jamaal Jackson held the Philadelphia Eagles’ offensive line together.

Jackson will miss the rest of the season after tearing a knee ligament in Sunday’s win over Denver.


“It’s obviously a big loss. He’s a good football player,” coach Andy Reid said Monday.

Jackson made his 71st consecutive start against the Broncos and had been Philadelphia’s only offensive player to play every snap until he got hurt in the first half.

He had an MRI exam on Monday that revealed a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. It’s an injury that sometimes takes a full year for recovery, so Jackson may not be ready for the start of next season.

“I don’t want to take anything away from losing Jamaal,” Reid said. “But at the same time, we’re fortunate enough to have guys that have played in games, and big games, that we can fill in those spots.”

Click here to read the full article – By Associated Press of ESPN.com

It wouldn’t be wise to make any sweeping judgments on the Dallas Cowboys until their cruelest month arrives in December, but it’s fair to say they took an important step at the Linc on Sunday night. They returned to the site of one of the most regrettable performances in franchise history and seized control of first place in the NFC East with a 20-16 win over the Philadelphia Eagles.


Winners of four consecutive games, the 6-2 Cowboys will head to Green Bay next Sunday as one of the hottest teams in the league. And last season’s 44-6 loss at the Linc could become a distant memory.

“We came out here and laid an egg,” said inside linebacker Bradie James of last December’s loss. “I won’t ever forget that, but we were able to put that behind us and move forward today. Ever since that Kansas City game [a 26-20 Dallas OT victory Oct. 11], it’s skyrocketed for us.”


Click here to read the full article – By Matt Mosley of ESPN.com

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