Staff Announcements
Welcome to the new site!
** Play the new Bleed Green Fan Challenge! (See Sidebar)
** Be sure to check out and sign up for our forum!
** Sign up for our daily e-mail newsletter! (See Sidebar)
** Have an unforgettable Eagles Experience? Let us know! Click here.
** Send us your Fan Photos! Click here.
2009 has been a troubling season for the Eagles’ Linebacker corps. Injuries in nearly every game, some of them serious, have forced the Birds to resort to several starters at each position, and althou
gh they will have most of the group ready for Week 12, OLB Akeem Jordan has been ruled out because of continuing symptoms of a knee hyper-extension.
Jordan (pictured, #56) began the season as one of Philadelphia’s quiet defensive stars, racking up a sack and 2 interceptions in 9 games and leading the team in tackles with 53. He was a key part of the Eagles’ pass coverage when forced to man opposing receivers and Tight Ends, and rarely allowed significant gains, something that the other Linebackers had had some trouble with. In Week 9, however, Jordan sustained an injury to his knee–officially listed as a hyper-extension–and has missed the Eagles’ past two contests. Head coach Andy Reid announced earlier today in a press conference that the 3rd-year player will once again sit out so that he can completely heal for other games.
News has surfaced regarding one of the lesser talked-about Eagles of late (and arguably one of the least-favorite E
agles of late). OT Shawn Andrews, who has been troubled by injuries and off-field issues over the last few years, is due to undergo a second surgery on his back. Nagging pain and constantly missed practices prompted the organization to place him on the season-ending Injured Reserve list earlier in the year. Eight weeks in a rehabilitation program and a slight surgical procedure later, Andrews is still quite a distance away from being able to play football.
Tomorrow, November 26th of 2009, we will come upon another annual holiday celebrated around the country (
and of course in some other select regions). In case you’ve been out of it, the day of Thanksgiving occurs tomorrow, in which we participators in the yearly festival honor the previous servitude of pilgrims, families, and–for those involved in religious organizations–God’s leadership and providence. Most consume overwhelming and ridiculous amounts of food (usually turkey) during the entire ordeal, but I am asking you to–for once in your celebratory holiday career–ditch that winged bird for another…our beloved Eagles. Well, not really, but with the time to relax and reflect, I just wanted to send out a cheerful “Happy Thanksgiving” to all.
The secondary of the Philadelphia Eagles has been depleted so much this year that it is quite possible to argue that this season has been the worst in terms of injuries and other incidents that have decimated the defensive backfield. Many of 
the team’s reserve Cornerbacks have been removed from action on several occasions, part of the Safety group has been hurt here and there, and now both starting CBs are nursing separate injuries. Asante Samuel was held out of this afternoon’s practice session because of a strained neck muscle, and Sheldon Brown was a limited participant because of lingering hamstring pain.
Neither player is expected to miss this Sunday’s rivalry game with the Redskins, but the Eagles are playing it safe and allowing both Samuel (pictured) and Brown to relax and recover so that they can perform in a healthy state over the course of the season. In addition to the starters’ injuries, backup FS Macho Harris is tending to a nagging but minor vision issue in his eye, while FS Quintin Demps and CB Dimitri Patterson are feeling fine from previous injuries to their legs.
As practice goes on throughout the week, updates on Samuel and the other injured Birds will be posted as soon as possible, for the defense has become an important, yet injury-plagued part of the Eagles this season.
Welcome everyone to another edition of Weekly Eagle Chirps here on Bleed Green! The Chirps is always a much better read on weeks when the Eagles pick up a victory, so let’s not waste any time and get right to it!
A Must-Win
I said before the Bears game that is was a must-win for both teams. But, we all knew that both teams couldn’t win. Luckily, the Eagles came out on top and found a way to leave Chicago with a victory. It was one of those games where even though the score was close, and the Bears did have leads, you felt pretty confident that the Eagles could make the big plays when they needed to. And that’s exactly what they did, which is why they were on the good side of the 24-20 win. read more…
Although not every Eagle player’s birthday will be individually announced and celebrated (sorry, fellas), it seemed appropriate to let it be known that Donovan McNabb–the team’s starting Quarterback–turns 33 years old today. The veteran player (pictured) has led the Birds quite effectively this season, and because of his success, as well as the fact that he has ta
ken in criticism almost every year but still leads the franchise in many historical categories, it seemed an appreciative thing to do in wishing the exciting passer a happy birthday.
In eight games this year (he missed two because of an injury to his ribs), the 11th-year, 5-time Pro-Bowler has compiled 1,929 passing yards, 14 touchdowns and only 5 interceptions. In addition to this, he holds a 61.6 completion percentage, the second highest in his career, and has also ran for 78 yards and a score. If it weren’t for his two missed games, McNabb might have been able to eclipse the 4,000-yard passing mark by the conclusion of the season (which would surpass his career-high), but then again, he has the talent to still do so despite a pair of absences.
Once again, every player’s individual birthday will not be posted and congratulated–at least often–but with Donovan’s various hardships and criticism faced over the years (to go along with his outstanding play), it is necessary to wish the veteran professional a “Happy 33rd Birthday!”.
The Eagles had one of t
heir practice squad members claimed and signed by the rival Washington Redskins earlier today, and have filled his position with the addition of former Cowboy’s OG Greg Isdaner. 7th-round Draft pick Paul Fanaika (pictured)–also an Offensive Guard–was the one snatched by the ‘Skins, but his potential can certainly be filled in the form of Isdaner.
The former Dallas lineman was signed by the Cowboys shortly after the 2009 Draft as a rookie free agent after experiencing what is considered an under-rated collegiate career at West Virginia University. Isdaner, who was last weighed in at 325 pounds and stands 6 feet, 3 inches, started a trio of seasons as a Mountaineer, and blocked for three 1,000-yard rushers. During his high school playing career, Isdaner also took repetitions at the Defensive Tackle spot, and earned several awards for performing among the best in his school’s football conference.
This minor transaction will obviously not have a huge impact on the Eagles, at least in the near future, but the addition of a potentially impressive offensive lineman is a solid acquisition in what has been a hectic last few days, in terms of transactions being executed by the organization.
For the second time this year, Jack Ikegwuonu has found himself removed from the Eagles. Back on the final day of roster cuts, the young Cornerback was released and shortly after signed to the p
ractice squad. He remained on the Birds’ scout team until Week 10, when the team signed him to the active roster because of a sudden lack of depth in the secondary. And after only two game appearances, Jack is suddenly on the free agent market. The team cut Ikegwuonu today, and claimed CB Geoffrey Pope from the Cincinnati Bengals’ practice squad to replace him.
It is unclear how much of an advantage Pope gives Philadelphia over Ikegwunou, but the former Bengal has at least made some contributions in the NFL thus far in his career. Originally brought into the league by the Miami Dolphins as a rookie free agent in 2007, the 6′0″, 186 lb. defender failed to make a final roster his first year, and instead managed a position on the New York Giants’ practice squad. During his freshman campaign, Pope saw no regular season action, but was signed to the active roster for the ‘07 postseason, and recorded a pair of tackles and a pass deflection while earning a Super Bowl ring. Prior to, during, and after 2008, Pope was involved in a series of somewhat confusing transactions: he was released by New York on the day of final cuts, added to their practice squad again, released the next day, signed to the Bengals’ practice squad, signed to Cincinnati’s active roster in the beginning of the ‘08 season, cut by the Bengals only a week later, and signed again to their scout team. To make things harder to understand, the Bengals also released him and signed them to their practice squad during the course of this season as well, and ultimately the young defensive back was claimed and signed to a short-term deal by the Eagles earlier today.
In 12 regular season contests, Pope (pictured) has recorded 2 tackles and a pass deflection. That may not seem impressive at all, and the former Howard University player might appear to have less potential than Ikegwuonu–who was a 4th-round Draft pick–but he did play under the system of defensive coach Steve Spagnuolo while with the Giants. Why is that beneficial, you ask? Most should know that Spagnuolo was once a coordinator with the Eagles, and tends to operate under a similar defensive strategy, hence giving Pope at least a bit of experience with the Eagles’ scheme.
This season, there have been various injuries and struggles experienced along the Eagles’ offensive line. However, young OT Winston Justice has been an unexpected producer of constant success in terms 
of protecting both the Quarterback and blocking on running plays. Today, the organization rewarded the 4th-year player with a brand new contract, extending his original rookie contract (which expired at the conclusion of this season) 4 years, which will keep him in a midnight green uniform until the end of the 2013 campaign.
The details of the money included in the extension have not been disclosed by the team, but the heart of the matter is that a solid young player has been locked up and is now expected to be a part of the team’s immediate and long-term future. Justice (pictured) was very inconsistent and made only one start in his first three seasons in the league (after being selected in the 2nd round of the 2006 Draft), and was even dubbed the horrific player responsible for allowing Giants’ DE Osi Umenyiora to record a record 6 sacks in a single game. However, the 25-year-old Tackle has started every game this year with little struggle, especially against some of the league’s top-notch pass rushers.
Although this move places the future of Shawn Andrews in serious question (Andrews was replaced by Justice after he was placed on Injured Reserve with a back injury), the concentration should be on Justice and his achievements this year, as well as his new contract.
*UPDATE (11/24/09): The contract extension is worth $18.15 million with an approximate $6 million signing bonus, according to several sports sources including ESPN’s NFL reporter Adam Schefter.
Before we made the transition to this new site, our “Fan Challenges” cam
e only once and awhile, but now, as you should already know, they come as a weekly treat! And we are proud to present the results of the latest Challenge, entitled “Bear Hunting”. In order to be a part of this past week’s Challenge, you were required to follow these instructions:
The Eagles are coming off their second straight loss, and despite staying in second place in the NFC East, they will need to pick up the pace if they intend on competing for the division lead.
The Birds are likely to be without star RB Brian Westbrook in Week 11, and will need to find an offensive balance so that the team can rely on both the rushing and passing game. Against a struggling Chicago team, the Eagles might be able to unleash their talents again, and propel themselves to a victory. It’s definitely not a guarantee, however, as Philly has been awfully inconsistent.
Tell us how the Eagles will perform against the Bears in Week 11!
The winner of the “Bear Hunting” Challenge is…
