Eagles football blog

Kolb's big opportunity

Kevin Kolb wants it to be kickoff time. Right now. Can somebody please call the Saints and see whether they'd object to playing today instead of tomorrow? Maybe tonight, as a compromise? Tomorrow morning, even?

"Once I get into the mode, once we get into the pregame stuff, I'll be focused just like always. It's the sitting in a hotel room, waiting for it to come, that's the hardest part - from now [the end of yesterday's practice] until we're back on the field. Thank God, it's not a late game," Kolb said after completing a full week of preparation as the Eagles' starting quarterback for the first time since he was drafted in 2007. Continue

Eagles sign Jeff Garcia

The Eagles have three quarterbacks who have combined for 12 Pro Bowl appearances, but their starting quarterback for Sunday's home opener has never thrown an NFL touchdown.

With franchise quarterback Donovan McNabb a "long shot" to play against the Saints, according to head coach Andy Reid, Kolb will make the first start of his career against New Orleans.

And if you think the presence of five-time Pro Bowler Drew Brees on the opposite sideline is intimidating for the third-year pro, check out who's looking over Kolb's shoulder. Continue

Eagles rout Panthers, McNabb status up in air

The Eagles were dealing with many of the concerns that had arisen during their seven-week journey from the start of training camp at Lehigh University to the start of the season yesterday at Bank of America Stadium.

And then, in an instant, a new and greater fear developed before their eyes. Quarterback Donovan McNabb, after bulling his way past Carolina cornerback Richard Marshall, fell into the end zone for a touchdown, then immediately winced in acute pain when Damione Lewis, a 301-pound defensive tackle, came crashing down on his back.

McNabb's touchdown with 6 minutes, 59 seconds left in the third quarter was the final score in the Eagles' 38-10 rout of the Panthers. It was also the quarterback's final play of the afternoon and perhaps for quite some time. Continue

McNabb keeps one eye looking over his shoulder

You wonder whether there is still time for Donovan McNabb to overcome his accomplishments in Philadelphia. That is what the real stars here are asked to do.

They have to take their weighty careers and stack even more upon them, like a house of cards built higher and higher in the strong winds of local opinion. Dick Allen couldn't do it. Mike Schmidt couldn't. Not Ron Jaworski, not Allen Iverson.

They either won championships or became symbols of a divided populace. Schmidt won one and even that never quieted the unrest. His title was chalked up to the addition of Pete Rose's competitive fire, and every strikeout was still booed louder than every home run was cheered.

McNabb is near the end now, at least in the actuarial reality of the NFL, and it appears he has only a two-week window before the current season becomes another public referendum on his status as the Eagles' starting quarterback. Continue

Expect more roster moves from Eagles

For all the anticipation that came with yesterday's announcement of the Eagles' 53-man roster, there was also the large asterisk that hung over the cutdown list like a harvest moon.

It's a long way to Jan. 3 and the end of the regular season, and, from a player's standpoint, that's really the roster upon which they want to place their names high on the depth chart.

For the Eagles, apparently, it's also a long way to next Sunday and the season opener at Carolina. The roster announced yesterday was like an off-the-rack suit, loose in some spots, tight in others, and destined to undergo alterations sooner rather than later.

"We'll have to see what happens in . . . whatever, the next few weeks," general manager Tom Heckert said. Continue

Vick eligible in week 3

Eagles quarterback Michael Vick will be eligible to play in Week Three against the Kansas City Chiefs at home on Sept. 27, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said today in New York.

Goodell met with Eagles coach Andy Reid and Vick this morning for 50 minutes at the hotel where the eagles were staying in Newark. Goodell then talked to Vick advisor Tony Dungy for 45 minutes.

"He's demonstrating he's committed," Goodell said. "We're looking for a success story. At the end of the day it's a gut check."

Vick has done two appearances for the Humane Society. Goodell said, and expects Vick to do public service appearances in Philadelphia in the next 30 days. Continue

Will Reid regret signing of Vick

It all became clear Thursday night, during and especially after the Eagles' synapse-searing preseason game against Jacksonville.

Andy Reid's signing of Michael Vick really is all about second chances. It just isn't about Vick. It's about Reid's giving himself a second chance.

Four Augusts ago, Reid felt sure he could manage a Terrell Owens situation that was spiraling into chaos. Even as his team was melting down into pools of toxic sludge, Reid was sure he could handle Owens, Donovan McNabb, the rest of the team, the rabid media, and the sharply divided fans. Continue

Vick quiet in Eagles' preseason win

Michael Vick, amid much hoopla and some minor protests, returned to the NFL last night during the Eagles' wild, 33-32 come-from-behind exhibition victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars.

David Akers' 34-yard field goal with 15 seconds left provided the winning margin.

The most controversial addition in Eagles history, Vick was on the field for a total of five offensive plays that counted and one that was negated by a holding penalty.

"It was a surreal feeling coming out of the locker room and all these big guys with Philadelphia Eagles symbols on their helmets and green and white, and I had to kind of pinch myself to remind myself that it was real," Vick said. "This is something I've been waiting for for a long time, suiting up and playing a game, regardless of whether it's preseason or regular season. It's been a long journey for me, and I just want to do it right this time." Continue

Vick starts out slowly with Eagles

With a few protesters outside the gates of the NovaCare Complex yesterday, all eyes and cameras inside remained focused on Michael Vick even though he did little more than watch a good portion of his first practice with the Eagles.

Vick participated in individual drills and made a brief appearance in a seven-on-seven drill, but when the Eagles ran their noncontact team scrimmages, Vick remained a spectator until coach Andy Reid finally allowed the three-time Pro Bowl quarterback to run the third-team offense for the final four plays of the two-hour practice. Continue

Eagles sign Mike Vick to a 2 year deal

Despite head coach Andy Reid’s denials last month and owner Jeffrey Lurie’s recent comments about the importance of character, the Eagles are bringing Michael Vick to Philadelphia.

Vick, the former Falcons quarterback and No. 1 overall pick who served a 23-month prison sentence for his role in a dog-fighting circuit, reportedly signed a two-year deal. The Eagles officially announced the signing just after 9 tonight.

Vick hasn’t played in the NFL since 2006 and had been suspended indefinitely until recently being reinstated by the NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. It’s unclear whether the Eagles are bringing in Vick to back up quarterback Donovan McNabb or play a different role on the offense. Continue