Minicamp Link Roundup: Asante, DeSean, Donovan, Westbrook
Asante picked off a pass from A.J. Feeley. Asante said to A.J., "Didn't you learn last year that you couldn't get a pass in on me?" That got the whole team laughing, including Andy Reid. -- [Bleeding Green Nation]I love DeSean Jackson's confidence. He is so assured that he is going to make it at the next level. His attitude is quite similar to a Maurice Jones-Drew. They're both small guys, with a lot of heart, who have a chip on their shoulder for not getting picked in the first round. Maurice Jones-Drew has one hell of a career already; hopefully, Jackson will have the same success, and I don't doubt it for a second.
You have to love quotes from Jackson like this, "I’m very confident that I can produce and do great things for this team on offense. I know what I’m capable of doing. I just want to do anything and everything possible to help out this team. I don’t want to come in expecting to do too much or not expecting to do too much. Any way I can fit in, that’s what I’m willing to do." With what Jerry Rice said about him, I'm confident that he's going to be outstanding and will have a hell of a season.
Spadaro's Camp Review Summaries:
Eagles Take Positive From Post-Draft Camp [Dave Spadaro]
Backfield Has Depth, Talent, Promise [Dave Spadaro]
News, Note And Why I Think the Eagles Are Ready [Dave Spadaro]
Here's a recap of how the Eagles camp went. Obviously, nothing but positivity from Spadaro.
Defense: The defense looks insane. Dawkins is healthy. We already know about their young linebackers, who are oustanding, and Akeem Jordan keeps improving. Bradley is ready to become the man in the middle. The Laws pick was huge: he should be able to contribute right away and will get a lot of playing time. Jim Johnson has a lot of pieces to work with: they got another outside speed rusher Byron Smith in the 3rd round, not to mention the addition of Chris Clemons. Abiamiri should push Juqua for the starting job on the left. Their rookie safety Demps had a good camp. Factor in Asante Samuel to an already outstanding cast and you get a Super Bowl defense.
Jim Johnson Quoteable:
I think it's been a good offseason. If you get Asante (Samuel, cornerback) and Chris Clemons (defensive end), those are two playmakers. I told our defense that we are on a three-game winning streak. We beat Dallas and New Orleans on the road and Buffalo here (to end the 2007 season), and we didn't really lose any players. We picked up some more players and had a good draft with what we wanted draft-wise, so you feel good and you feel positive
Offense: First, Donovan McNabb is 100%. I love the Eagles two big additions: DeSean Jackson and Lorenzo Booker, they should both have tremendous seasons. Considering the Eagles added those two players and haven't lost anyone on offense (other than Tapeh), their offense should be outstanding once again. Those two players add a ton of speed and they will both take a lot of pressure off Westbrook. Their running back corp is as deep as ever: Westbrook, Booker, Buckhalter, Hunt, and Moats. Moats is said to be looking good and after his recovery. Moats and Hunt will be be battling hard for a roster spot. Hunt is going to have to prove to be more than just a short-yardage back. Booker has a lot of plays designed for him: he should have a large role in the offense this season. If you haven't heard already: Jackson has been outstanding. He was given a lot of reps in at camp and responded well. Jackson is going to drive defensive coordinators nuts. They'll have him in the slot, lined up out wide, put him in motion, and running fakes and end-arounds. He'll definitely keep the defense on their heels and guessing. You can do a lot of things with Jackson in the slot and Westbrook and Booker in the backfield: you can flank them out to the side, and somebody will be open. McNabb should have an outstanding completion percentage and passer rating as long as the line does its job, which I'm confident it will. The linemen pick ups in the draft were wise choices: McGlynn adds a solid reserve who can take over any spot on the line and King Dunlap is a beast. Dunlap is a project, but his size and quick feet make him a promising prospect at tackle.
I'm pumped about the season, the Eagles have improved immensely.
