Skinnypost.com Pro Bowl Picks
Gayle Saunders & Steve O’Reilly bring you their selections for the 2011 NFL Pro-Bowl.
LeSean McCoy Beast Mode
LeSean McCoy vaporizes the defense on 4th down vs Giants
By Gayle Saunders
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LeSean McCoy ran 50 yards for a go-ahead score on a fourth-and-1 late in the fourth quarter, and the Eagles rallied to beat the New York Giants 27-17 after blowing a 13-point lead
Twitter Beef: Lesean McCoy vs. Steve Smith
By Gayle Saunders
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Sometimes you never know where life will take you. A couple months ago, Steve Smith had no idea that he would wind up on the same team with the same guy he had twitter beef with. That guy we speak of is Eagles RB LeSean McCoy.
Last Wednesday when the Eagles brought Steve Smith to the nest, he was asked by a news reporter, how it was going to play out having McCoy as a teammate now, Smith downplayed the beef by saying he planned
“I’ll go up to LeSean the first day I see him and shake his hand and hug him and tell them that was all just Twitter beef”
The beef started when the former New York Giants receiver got involved between the war of words between now-former teammate Osi Umenyiora and new teammate LeSean McCoy.
As McCoy & Umenyiora were exchanging beef – McCoy called Umenyiora “overrated” and “soft” on Twitter, Umenyiora responded back to McCoy “Lady Gaga” via a reporter, than Smith jumped in with a Tweet about “youngins running their mouth” with a link to a picture of an empty Eagles trophy case.
Smith has been at Lehigh since Friday, but McCoy said he had yet to come up to him.
“I don’t even know what he looks like,” McCoy said on Sunday.
It kind of makes you wonder what huddle life will be like, when the two finally meet before squashing matters. Right now its not the kind of bad chemistry you want from two of your offensive playmakers, but I’m pretty sure both will man up to the situation and settle the twitter beef!
Top 5 “Breakout Running Backs” in 2010
By Gayle Saunders
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Last year, Running Backs like Ravens Ray Rice and Titans Chris Johnson had break out years. In 2010 look for these Running Backs below to do the same. Here are five Running Backs who I think are in great position to have bigger seasons than many fans are expecting. Read more
Fantasy Focus – Running Backs!!
As every Fantasy Football owner knows, Running Backs are the best way to rack up points for your team. Year in and year out Running Backs go rather quickly off the Draft Board. In 2010, it will be no different. In all likelihood Chris Johnson will be first then followed by Adrian Peterson. There is a new crop of Running Backs heading into their 2nd and 3rd seasons that we are bringing special attention to in this article aptly called – Fantasy Focus!
Each Running Back in this segment has a reason why they will be of better Fantasy value. For some it’s a change at the QB position while for others it’s a change in the system of which they now play. Read more
Philadelphia brings Mike Bell to the nest.
By Gayle Saunders
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Mike Bell is headed to Philadelphia after the Saints decided to not to match an offer sheet. The restricted free agent has now signed with the Eagles
The move comes to no surprise as the Saints never appeared that interested in keeping him on the roster.
Bell came to New Orleans where he surprisingly with his career on life support, but wound up leading the Super Bowl champions in carries during the regular season with 172. His role rapidly diminished in the playoffs, getting only two carries in the Saints’ final two wins.
The Eagles will pay Bell $1.7 million, assuming he makes the team. $500,000 is guaranteed, which was enough to scare the Saints off. With the signing of Bell accompanied by fullback Leonard Weaver, the Eagles have a nice pair of options for short-yardage situations.
Lesean McCoy is expected to start at running back.
Mike Bell Highlights
New Kids On the Block
By Gayle Saunders
follow him on twitter: GayleESaunders
When you think of the Eagles teams in the last ten years and the players who have helped build the winning dynasty, you have to think of the key players who played a significant role in the basic team structure. There are no more “emotional leaders” in Brian Dawkins, “mean & nasty guys” in Jon Runyan, “blind side saviors” in Tra Thomas, “Old school leaders” in Troy Vincent, “Blue collar” favorites as in Duce Staley to lean on. The savvy veterans are all gone. Donovan McNabb is now one of the last men standing of the core group followed by David Akers, Sheldon Brown, Quintin Mikell, and the surprisingly re-signed Jeremiah Trotter.
The most promising thing you have to notice is what Andy Reid has done with the New group of talent. The fact is…he is winning with new blood. When they decided to get rid of their cornerstone Left and Right Tackles in Tra Thomas and Jon Runyan, Eagles Nation held their breath. The offense also lost All Pro Guard Shawn Andrews to season ending surgery, who was on his way to replace Jon Runyan. The hole at right tackle made way for Winston Justice to start. The biggest question was how would Jason Peters and Winston Justice hold up throughout the 2009 season?
Jason Peters (27 yrs old) was brought over via trade with the Buffalo Bills at the beginning of the season. The late blooming Winston Justice (25 yrs old) and starting right guard Nick Cole (25 yrs old) were back ups last year and now find themselves in starting roles. Winston Justice has had an amazing turn around as of late, which has even awarded him with a new 4 year contract extension.
The Next Generation
If you look at the Eagles draft this year, 3 of the first 4 draft picks have assumed the role of starting positions. 1st round pick Jeremy Maclin, who is just 21 yrs young has filled in nicely as starter Kevin Curtis has been injured since week 2. With the multiple injuries to Brian Westbrook, 2nd round pick LeSean McCoy also 21 yrs old, has played a significant role in the Eagles success in the running game as well as Andy Reids beloved screen game. With great hands out of the backfield and a north and south running style, McCoy has filled in just fine.
Tight End Brent Celek, who is 24 yrs old took the place of injury prone LJ Smith, who the Eagles were waiting to blossom into a legit play making tight end. Now that LJ Smith is gone, the Eagles now believe they have found that in Brent, who in his first year as a starter is ranked in the top eight at TE’s with 65 rec 754 yds and 7 tds. He’s also earned himself a 6 yr contract extension and is making a push for a Pro bowl selection.
Having free safety Brian Dawkins for several years was a luxury for Andy Reid and the Eagles. The reality is that Dawkins is gone and rookie Macho Harris (23 yrs old) a 5th round selection out of Virgina tech has taken the reigns. Sometimes you might not hear enough about his stellar play, but sometimes when they arent calling your name out in the secondary it’s a good thing. Macho is definitely playing sound ball in the secondary, as well as on the special teams.
Big time players make big time plays.
Last but not least, Desean Jackson (22 years old) has been nothing but electrifying in his career. He showed flashes of greatness last season and came on strong during the Eagles run in the playoffs. This year its only gotten better for Eagles fans as Jackson has found plenty of ways to get in the end zone. He now shares the record for touchdowns of more than 50 yards in a season at 8 and is on pace to break that NFL record this year. Desean has a great shot at making the pro-bowl this year as a receiver or at returner, his 18.9 yards per catch leads all NFL players with 20-or-more receptions. He also leads the NFL with a 17.8 punt return average, which is also the highest average for a single-season in team history.
In the last decade the Philadelphia Eagles have made the playoffs seven times in the last nine years. If the Eagles continue to develop the younger players in the nest, Its safe to say that they can expect continued success in the city of brotherly love. Hats off to the Eagles front office for making the smooth transition into the next generation.
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