The Eagles roster has been set.  A.J. Feeley was released this morning.  Fenuki Tupou has been placed on IR.

The loss of Stewart Bradley now becomes glaring on the depth chart with a few new names at the LB position.   Here’s a good read on rookie LB Moise Fokuo, Fokou who? Word is also going around that Macho Harris may have the starting FS role over Quintin Demps.

It’s also good to know that Danny Amendola and Jack Ikegwuonu have been added to the practice squad.  The practice squad also includes guards Paul Fanaika and Mike Gibson.

Quarterbacks (3) – Donovan McNabb, Kevin Kolb, Michael Vick

Running Backs (3) – Brian Westbrook, LeSean McCoy, Eldra Buckley

Fullback (1) – Leonard Weaver

Wide Receivers (7) – DeSean Jackson, Kevin Curtis, Jason Avant, Jeremy Maclin, Reggie Brown, Hank Baskett, Brandon Gibson

Tight Ends (2) - Brent Celek, Tony Curtis

Offensive Lineman (10) - Jason Peters, Todd Herremans, Jamaal Jackson, Stacy Andrews, Shawn Andrews, Nick Cole, Max Jean-Gilles, Winston Justice, Mike McGlynn, King Dunlap

Defensive Lineman (9) – Trent Cole, Brodrick Bunkley, Mike Patterson, Victor Abiamiri, Chris Clemons, Juqau Parker, Jason Babin, Darren Howard, Trevor Laws

Linebackers (6) – Chris Gocong, Omar Gaither, Akeem Jordan, Joe Mays, Moise Fokou, Tracy White

Safeties (4) – Quintin Mikell, Quintin Demps, Sean Jones, Macho Harris

Cornerbacks (5) – Asante Samuel, Sheldon Brown, Joselio Hanson, Ellis Hobbs, Dimitri Patterson

Specialists (3) – David Akers, Sav Rocca, Jon Dorenbos

Sheldon Brown Demands Trade [The 700 Level] — I’m so sick of pro athletes complaining over contracts.  You’re being paid 8 figures to do something you love.  When you sign a contract early in your career, you have to realize that your accepting financial security over giving up some money in the event that your talent hasn’t been fully reached.  It’s natural for the guy who signs a contract after you to get paid more money, especially if there is a high demand for that position.  Get over it.  Shut the fuck up, cash your $5 million check for one season, and play.  If you want to blame someone, blame your agent.

Now, I love Sheldon Brown.  I love his play on the field and I particularly love his blunt and candid interviews.  Good thing the Eagles said they will not entertain a trade whatsoever.  Asante and Sheldon could be the best CB tandem in the league.  Let’s hope this doesn’t blow up into a distraction this season.

Eagles Issue Statement On Sheldon Brown [The 700 Level] — Well said Eagles.

Eagles may trade up to draft Moreno [Bleeding Green Nation] — YES! Potential trading partners would be New Orleans at 14 or Houston at 15.  We need to make sure that we draft before the Chargers, Broncos, and Jets at 16, 17, and 18.  I’m wondering what the cost would be.  I don’t see the Eagles giving up the 21st and their 3rd-rounder to move up 6-7 spots to grab him.  Or maybe they would.  I would be extremely satisfied with Knowshon Moreno and Chase Coffman on Day 1 of the draft, but we’ll be without any 3rd and 4th round picks.  However, we will have 4 5th-rounders.  Would a deal of the 21st pick, a 2009 5th-round pick, and a 2010 4th-round pick be enough to move up to 14?  I don’t know.  Somebody go grab an NFL value chart and let me know what it would take to get a deal done with New Orleans at 14.

Possible Trade Bait [Inside the Iggles] — Could Juqua Parker, Omar Gaither, Reggie Brown be used in a deal?

Do we have to worry about Shawn Andrews? [Iggles Blog] — You know contracts are a bitch when you’re arguably better than your brother and your college roommate, but they’re both making more money than you.  Shawn Andrews signed a 10 year, $35 million deal back in 2006.  Do you think he’ll start speaking up about his contract?  When your undrafted college roommate (Jason Peters) is almost making twice than you and you’re a first-round pick, that could be pretty annoying.  Let’s hope Shawn is cool with it.

Nothing but praises for Peters from former NFL line coach and Peter’s mentor [Bleeding Green Nation] — The media also weighs in.

Walter Football DOES NOT like the Peters Trade [Walter Football] — The guy did give up 11.5 sacks in 13 games last year.  Let’s hope that’s because he missed some camp and was unhappy about his contract and that he returns to his 2006-2007 form.

I just wanted to throw out some draft scenarios that the Eagles could go.  The main focus of Eagles fans has been on offensive tackle, but most of the best tackles will be taken by the time the Eagles are on the clock at 21, so why not take the best offensive guard in the draft: Duke Robinson?  We all know Andy Reid loves his big linemen and at 6’5″, 335 pounds, Duke must make Andy’s mouth water.

Even better is the fact that he should be available to the Eagles at 28.  Most mock drafts have Robinson going in the late first-round or early second-round, so he would be a great target for the Eagles at 28.  If the Eagles like him enough, they could throw in a 5th rounder to move up a few spots if they think he’s about to be snagged.   This could help Shawn Andrews move over to tackle if that’s necessary.  A starting line of The Duke, The Andrews Brothers, Jamaal Jackson, and Jean-Gilles?  That’s a lot of beef.  And the Eagles still have that 21st pick to grab an elite offensive weapon like a Brandon Pettigrew, Knowshon Moreno, Darrius-Heyward Bey, or LeSean McCoy.

The fact that The Duke could be available at 28 makes the draft more exciting for me because instead of having to trade both first-round picks to move up to grab an elite tackle, the Eagles can fill 3 positions of need (OL, RB, and TE) with their first three picks without having to trade up in the first round of the draft.

So I ask you, what draft scenario do you like best and why?  Leave some comments.

Scenario 1:
21 – Brandon Pettigrew (TE)
28 – Duke Robinson (OG)
53 – Shonn Greene (RB)

Scenario 2:
21 – Knowshon Moreno (RB) or LeSean McCoy (RB)
28 – Duke Robinson (OG)
53 – Cornelius Ingram (TE) or Jared Cook (TE)

Scenario 3:
21 – Knowshon Moreno (RB) or LeSean McCoy (RB)
28 – Duke Robinson (OG)
53 – Hope for Hakeen Nicks (WR) or Kenny Britt (WR) to fall to the 53 or try to trade up.
85 – Hope for Cornelius Ingram (TE) or Jared Cook (TE) to fall to 85 or try to trade up again.

Scenario 4:
21 – Michael Oher (OT)
28 – LeSean McCoy (RB) or Donald Brown (RB)
53 – Cornelius Ingram (TE) or Jared Cook (TE)

Scenario 5:
21 – Darrius Heyward-Bey (WR)
28 – Duke Robinson (OG)
53 – Cornelius Ingram (TE) or Jared Cook (TE)
85 – Mike Goodson (RB)

Scenario 6:
21 – Vontae Davis (CB) – Vernon Davis’s brother who is a beast of a CB out of Illinois.  Think Sheldon Brown’s replacement in 2-3 years or help assist Brown move to safety.  Highlights.  Profile.  Thanks to Iggles Blog for the idea.
28 – Duke Robinson (OG)
53 – Cornelius Ingram (TE) or Jared Cook (TE)
85 – Mike Goodson (RB)

Please vote on this at our poll (the link takes you right to it).

Let’s take a look at The Duke — The highlights aren’t as sexy as a Knowshon Moreno, LeSean McCoy, or Darrius Heyward-Bey, but he sure knows how to plow over some DTs and hit people.

The Eagles next free agency move could be signing veteran CB Shawn Springs.  Springs was just released by the Redskins. Springs has been a solid corner over the years for the Redskins.  Springs is visiting the Eagles.  The Eagles should be able to add the experienced (12 years) 33-year-old CB for a low-to-moderate price.  Presumably, Springs would be the 4th corner on the depth chart.

The move could also help the Eagles move Sheldon Brown to safety.  A secondary of Asante Samuel, Joselio Hanson, Sheldon Brown, and Quitin Mikell would work extremely well and Springs would be a nickel corner.  Another option would be keeping Sheldon Brown at corner instead of moving him to safety and have Shawn Springs at the FS spot if Quintin Demps isn’t ready for the starting role.

Instead of signing Springs, the ideal move would be to go for the youngster with a lot of upside, Jabari Greer.  However, Greer is drawing a lot of interest from the Bucs and Ravens.  With Joselio Hanson getting a big 5-year, $21 contract, Greer should be getting something in that ball park.  If the Eagles do end up with Springs, instead of shelling out more money for Greer, it may make more sense.

Also keep in mind, the dime corner would be filled with rookie/thug Jack Ikeqwuonu, who the Eagles draft/stole in the 4th round in last year’s draft, although he was considered first-round talent.

Most Eagles fans are extremely frustrated with how the Eagles have handled free agency this offseason.  Notably, letting Brian Dawkins go, who to my surprise is going to be the highest paid safety in the NFL as far as cap numbers are concerned.  I guess you can’t blame the Eagles for having to let him go to greener pastures.

I’m still waiting for the Eagles to do something besides sign Stacy Andrews.  We could have boosted the receiving corp with T.J. Houshmandzadeh, but the Eagles clearly had no interest in him and they would be paying a lot of money for guy that is just a bit of an upgrade over Jason Avant. Houshmandzadeh signed a 5-year, $40 million ($15 guaranteed) contract with Seattle.

I still think the Eagles have to go after Seattle FB Leonard Weaver.  Weaver was set to visit New Orleans, but that trip was canceled after Weaver was informed that he would be a backup to Karney.

This rumor has Reggie Brown being traded to the Rams for Tory Holt.

Here is a great video on what the Eagles approach may be in the upcoming days.  Here are the highlights:

– Eagles were interested in Patriots CB James Sanders, but he resigned with the Patriots.

– Eagles may sign a veteran safety for one or two years until Quintim Demps is ready.

– Bills CB Jabari Greer may be targetted by the Eagles.

– If the Eagles pick up Greer, that may lead to Sheldon Brown moving to safety.

– Tra Thomas visited the Jacksonville Jaguars, but the Eagles said that he can go out there and see what his value is, but they’re prepared to match any offer than he receives since they need a starting LT next year.  As you can imagine, most teams aren’t willing to may much for a 34-year-old tackle.

– Eagles may try to trade for Anquan Boldin, but the Cardinals would demand a CB.

– There’s a lot of solid WR talent in the draft.  The Eagles could get a guy outside the first round.

– Eagles need a TE.  Bo Schaife was their guy — he was franchised by the Titans.  Don’t look for the Eagles to go after a TE in free agency.  They like 3-4 guys in the draft.  Brandon Pettigrew is the guy they want, but 3-4 teams are interested, so they would have to trade up to get him.

You know the story. The Eagles dominated the Rams for over 500 yards of offense and won 38-3. DeSean Jackson was incredible (107 receiving yards, 96 punt return yards). That could go down as one of the best rookie debut performances… ever. The highlight of the game for me (other than all 522 yards of offense and the 90 yard TD reception by Hank Baskett, which supports my position that he’s the best #4 receiver in the league) was this hit by Sheldon Brown on Steven Jackson. Steven Jackson: YOU GOT JACKED UP!

The Eagles released their 2008 depth chart, which you can view here.

Some interesting notes from the chart:

– Lito Sheppard and Sheldon Brown are “co-starters” — that may be a first.

– DeSean Jackson is the #7 receiver on the depth chart, but I wouldn’t read too much into that: I expect that he’ll be on the field for about 30% of the team’s packages.  Gasperson is ahead of him and I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do.

– Lorenzo Booker is going to return kicks and DeSean Jackson is going to return punts.  Quitin Demps is the backup to both guys and then J.R. Reed is behind them.  It looks like we’ll finally have an explosive special teams.  I’m setting the over/under for special teams touchdowns to 3.5.  Any takers?

– Quitin Mikell is ahead of Sean Considine at the start of the season for the first time… it’s about time the Eagles got that one right.

– Juqua Parker is still holding on the starting spot opposite of Trent Cole.  I was expecting Abiamiri to step up and take over the starting spot, but Abiamiri is set to have surgery on his wrist.

– Schoebel is still ahead of newly signed Kris Wilson.  Many expect Schoebel to get the boot when the Eagles brought in Wilson from the Chiefs in the offseason.

From the Desk of Jay Vaidya

Even as the price of a gallon of gasoline nears $5 and heat indexes soar above 100 degrees in the Lehigh Valley, Eagle fans are once again expected to converge at Eagles Training Camp 2008 on the campus of Lehigh University in record numbers.  Bethlehem, Pennsylvania in the summer amongst the fans and the media is nothing new to Coach Andy Reid, who will be preparing for his 10th year as head coach of the Eagles.  Yet controversy and concerns still loom amidst an anxious and eager 2008 Philadelphia Eagle squad before the pads even go on.  As all of Eagle nation knows, six of Coach Reid’s past Eagle teams have found their way into the post season with limited success (aka one Super Bowl appearance) and four of them have forever been deleted from our memories (not to mention the lingering  void from not reaching the playoffs in two of the last three seasons).  This all of course is in addition to the salty taste and anger that has been brewing in Southeastern Pennsylvania ever since David Tyree’s “immaculate reception” in last year’s Super Bowl.

Topping the list of the afore mentioned concerns include the contract dispute of disgruntled Pro-Bowlers RB Brian Westbrook and CB Lito Sheppard, the health of Donovan McNabb, and rookies WR DeSean Jackson and DT Trevor Laws.

(1)          To begin, both Westbrook and Sheppard have fired their current agents and have re-signed with different agents in order to gain leverage against Eagle management, since their previous representation could get nothing done during talks in their favor before training camp.  At the “Welcome to Training Camp” press conference, Coach Reid made it clear that he has been in contact with Westbrook in the past few days, but has not spoken with Sheppard since the discontent cornerback skipped Organized Team Activities (OTA) last month.  To me, although the Eagles can survive and thrive in a season without Lito Sheppard (a la Sheldon Brown), a season without Brian Westbrook would mean disaster.  Let us all cross our fingers and hope that a Westbrook holdout is not in the near future.

(2)          Moving to less turbulent news, Coach Reid also noted (as reported here at www.allphiladelphiasports.com by Zach Zawarski) that Donovan McNabb’s shoulder problems are now in the past.  #5 has spent the last few weeks rehabbing his injury and training in Arizona (as he does every year) along with teammate Brian Dawkins and has been quoted as saying his shoulder ailment is a “non-issue”.  It is good to see the captain of our offense and the captain of our defense spending some of the offseason together butting heads in attempts to get the Eagles Team focused on another Super Bowl run.  Once again, we should all pray that both these cornerstones of our team remain healthy for the duration of not only training camp, but the entire season.

(3)         Finally, we move to the contract situations with rookies WR DeSean Jackson and DT Trevor Laws.  It is my pleasure to report to you that as of July 21st both these explosive players, one on each side of the ball, have inked 4-year deals with the Eagles.  (NOTE:  DT Trevor Laws will likely miss a portion of training camp due to what’s described as a “foot injury”, however this injury does not seem to be a major concern to either Laws or the Eagles’ staff)Near the end of his press conference, Coach Reid announced his new “30 Plus Club” policy.  This policy is specifically targeted at older veterans (i.e. Brian Dawkins, Tra Thomas, and Jon Runyan) to keep them fresh and ready for the start of the regular season.  Basically this means that after these players workout back-to-back days, they will receive the following next day “half-off” in order to relax, recuperate, and keep from getting fatigued in the intense summer sun.  Players over 30 not included in the “30 Plus Club” include Donovan McNabb and AJ Feeley, since they wear the protective red jerseys, and don’t get as physically into the practices as the rest of the players do.

TRAINING CAMP SCHEDULE NOTE: Over the next three days, the Eagles will work out their rookies and some select veterans (27 in total), including throwing sessions with Donovan McNabb, AJ Feeley, and Kevin Kolb so that these select players are ready for when the pads go on this Saturday July 26th.