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McNabb Doesn't Exactly Sound Thrilled With His Weapons

Much like the Eagles offensive personal moves this off-season, Donovan McNabb's Yardbarker blog has been rather quiet. But his tour with Novartis to raise awareness for hypertension and high blood pressure brought him to the Keystone State's capital.

While McNabb was in Harrisburg, not surprisingly, he met with former Philadelphia Mayor and the current Governor of PA, Ed Rendell. For those unfamiliar with the affable former mayor, Fast Eddie is quite the sports fan and even appears on Comcast Sportsnet's Eagles Post Game Show to help analyze the games.

As usual when you get the Eagles QB in the house, things turned to football and the typical, "Did the Eagles do enough to compete?" questions.

McNabb answers honestly, but still doesn't seem thrilled with the tools at his disposal.
Q: Did the team do enough this offseason to compete for a Super Bowl?

A: We have enough to compete right now. If there is a chance to continue improving our roster after June 1 than we should look at that too.

Garrett Reid Pleads Guilty to Smuggling Drugs Into His Jail Cell

Back in November we told you about Garrett Reid, son of Eagles coach Andy Reid, allegedly smuggling pills into his jail cell in his rectum. It was later reported that Garrett was going to plead not guilty to these charges. But today, as part of a plea agreement, Reid owned up to the charges.
Garrett Reid pleaded guilty today to smuggling drugs into the Montgomery County Jail. Sentencing was deferred.

Reid was ordered to undergo evaluation to determine if he is eligible for a two-year program that combines incarceration and drug treatment. He currently remains in the Montgomery County Jail.
Andy and his wife Tammy were present in the court room on Wednesday but neither commented. I'm sure the Reid's can't wait to put this drama behind them and out of the media spotlight.

In unrelated news, Andy Reid wasn't too happy with the media after this week's mini camp and blamed them for always looking for the negative. The Trenton Times always grumpy Mark Eckel chirped back with a "positive" take on the Eagles mini camp.

It all stemmed from the ongoing Lito Sheppard drama which has yet to work itself out. As of now, Lito is an Eagles corner back.

Eagles Report to Mini Camp, Lito Included

After last weekend's draft buzz football fans everywhere turn their pigskin addiction to news like who did and did not report to mini camp. The Philadelphia Eagles start their first mini camp tomorrow at their NovaCare Complex in South Philly and somewhat surprisingly all of the Eagles were present or had a legit excuse.

The biggest question coming in to the mini camp was whether or not the much talked about Lito Sheppard would show up. Despite the rumors swirling around potential trades involving the corner and Lito's unhappiness with his current contract, Lito reported on time.

Also reporting just before the official report time was stud running back Brian Westbrook who is also fairly unhappy with his current deal -- perhaps rightly so.

One noticeable name who did not report on Friday was star quarterback Donovan McNabb. Is McNabb unhappy with his 12 year, 100+ million dollar contract? Nope. Donovan was excused for a good reason. He is in Chicago being honored by his high school and is scheduled to be back at camp on Saturday.

In other camp related goodness, the new additions to the roster received jersey numbers.

YouTube Helped New Philadelphia Eagles Defensive End Andy Studebaker Get Drafted

This video of Wheaton College defensive end Andy Studebaker is one of several you can find of him on YouTube.

Of course, you can find videos of just about every football player on YouTube. But in Studebaker's case, he may owe his NFL career to online videos.

After drafting Studebaker in the sixth round on Sunday, Eagles general manager Tom Heckert said this:
"Nobody ever heard of this kid, but then his workout started popping up on YouTube and next thing you know, he got super hot and everybody (in the NFL) is looking at him. If it wasn't for YouTube, he probably wouldn't have been drafted."
I'm not completely sure I buy that -- NFL teams do have rather sophisticated video departments, but YouTube sure seems to have helped.

Philadelphia Eagles Sue Terrell Owens Over Unpaid Bonus Money

The Philadelphia Eagles filed a lawsuit to recoup money owed to them by former receiver Terrell Owens. Earlier this year, FanHouser Enrico Campitelli Jr told us that an arbitrator ruled Owens still owed nearly $800,000 to the team and that the Eagles were looking for it.
The suit for nearly $770,000 was filed in U.S. District Court on Monday. Owens lost in arbitration earlier this year, a ruling calling him to repay $1.7 million in bonuses the team paid him when he played in Philadelphia in 2004 and '05.


Those two crazy kids just can't get enough of each other, can they? I'm sure that both would love nothing more than to distance themselves as much as possible, but an arbitator ruled that some cheese still needs to change hands for that to happen.

The Cowboys (Owens currently team) and Eagles will next meet in Week 2 in Dallas ... a nationally televised game on Monday Night.

Eagles Fail to Add Impact Player in 1st Round

So the 2008 draft is now in the past and it once again left the Eagles without a first round selection. Andy Reid's decision to trade out of the first round may in fact prove to be a wiser move than taking the best player who was available on the board at 19. Regardless, it still doesn't leave most fans happy now.

That said, I'd rather be happy in early February than the end of April.

Reid hinted at the fact that they were trying to move up in the first because they had someone targeted but were unable to do so. Once they couldn't get their guy they resorted to trading backwards. I realize the numerous midlevel picks are key to a franchise's success but they still do not excite or add an immediate impact player.

I like the DT from Notre Dame and am excited about Jackson's return ability but is that all an 8-8 team really needed? Has the market really dried up for Lito?

Things don't seem incredibly optimistic with the Birds lately.

Eagles Add Trevor Laws and DeSean Jackson in Day of Maneuvering


It was another long day of waiting for Eagles fans to hear the name of a player that will eventually wear Eagles green. The Eagles decided to trade out of the first round for the second consecutive year and later traded back yet again swapping second rounders with the Vikings.

When it was all said and done, as of 8:15 Saturday evening, the Eagles came away with Trevor Laws out of Notre Dame and DeSean Jackson out of Cal.

Laws is best known as being an energizing player who is exactly the kind of guy who could win favor with Andy Reid. Jackson is known as a confident guy who is at times a bit arrogant. The biggest part of either players game that could be instantly felt on this Eagles team is Jackson's return ability. No longer will we have to settle for Reno Mahe or Greg Lewis. Thankfully.

The Birds still have a plethora of picks on day two, so look for even more maneuvering on Sunday.

Read more thoughts on Laws and Jackson at The 700 Level.

Previously At FanHouse
DeSean Jackson, WR, Cal Turns Pro

Eagles Trade 19th Overall Pick to Carolina for 3 Picks Including a 2009 First Rounder

The Eagles traded out of the first round last year and appear to have done it again today. They gave the 19th overall selection to the Carolina Panthers in exchage for the Panthers second rounder (43rd overall), fourth rounder (109th overall), and a first round choice in the 2009 draft.

With a number of attractive players on the board such as OT Jeff Otah or WR Devin Thomas, the Eagles decided the package Carolina gave them to be a better option.

The Eagles now have twelve picks in this year's draft and I wouldn't be surprised if they do some maneuvering to get back into the first round.

It remains to be seen how the Birds 2008 draft will unfold but this early trade seems to be a tremendous value win for the Eagles.

Lito Sheppard Will Probably Be Traded for This Guy, Unless He Isn't

Eagles fans all across the Delaware Valley are atwitter today wondering where former fan favorite Lito Sheppard will end up. We have it on very good authority that Lito will likely be dealt for the Detroit Lions wideout Roy Williams OR the Cleveland Browns lineman Jamaal Brown OR Tampa Bay Bucs receiver Michael Clayton OR New Orleans Saints receiver Devery Henderson OR Bengals receiver Chad Johnson OR Miami Dolphins aging stud Jason Taylor OR a second round draft pick OR my second cousin's roomate's girlfriend who works at Thirty One Flavors.

Basically, nobody has any idea where Lito Sheppard will end up. Personally, I wouldn't be at all shocked if Lito were to end the weekend as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles.

The one thing Eagles fans have learned is that the market for Sheppard isn't what Andy Reid and the Eagles front office was hoping it would be. Originally they were hoping for a first round pick for Sheppard but that clearly isn't happening any longer. Then it was reported they'd like a second and a fifth. At this point, we have no idea what they're hoping to get for Lito.

As one brilliant caller to 610 WIP said this morning, "I'm sick of the Eagles pouring horse crap on pancakes and telling us it's syrup!"

So there you have it. Our in depth analysis of who the Eagles will get for Lito Sheppard: maybe someone or maybe nobody at all.

Previously At FanHouse

Lito Sheppard Likely to End Up in Tampa?
Eagles Want First Rounder for Lito Sheppard

Lito Sheppard Likely to End Up in Tampa?

There is certainly a lot of uncertainty revolving around the possible destinations for Eagles former All Pro corner Lito Sheppard. That's partially what makes draft day so fun. You never know what to expect. But the latest rumor with legitimate legs has Lito being sent to Tampa Bay for a draft choice or two and maybe even WR Michael Clayton.

FOX's Jay Glazer reported that Lito was in Tampa this week taking in the sun and the Philadelphia Daily News' Les Bowen later confirmed these reports. The Eagles could land a second round pick from Jon Gruden who has a penchant for bringing in veterans. Also rumored to be potential trade bait is fourth year wide receiver Michael Clayton who had a phenomenal rookie year but has come right back down to earth since.

It's not exactly Anquan Boldin or Larry Fitzgerald as some fans may have wished. In my opinion it seems as though the market for Lito is not quite what the Eagles front office expected it to be which is not surprising really as the Birds tend to overvalue their players quite a bit.

Would a late 2nd round pick and an average receiver with nice size be enough to part with the at times spectacular Sheppard? If it were up to me, I'd think about holding on to Sheppard and seeing how having three top notch corners could shake out.
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Division Standings

NFC East W-L-T PF PA
Cowboys 13-3-0 455 325
Giants 11-6-0 397 365
Redskins 9-7-0 334 310
Eagles 8-8-0 336 300

Team Leaders

Passing COMP ATT YDS TD
Donovan McNabb 291 473 3324 19
A.J. Feeley 59 103 681 5
Greg Lewis 0 1 0 0
Receiving Rec Yds Avg TD
Kevin Curtis 77 1110 14.4 6
Reggie Brown 61 780 12.8 4
Brian Westbrook 90 771 8.6 5
Rushing Att Yds Avg TD
Brian Westbrook 278 1333 4.8 7
Correll Buckhalter 62 313 5 4
Donovan McNabb 50 236 4.7 0

Injuries

Pos Player Injury Status
S Brian Dawkins right foot Day-to-Day
LB Omar Gaither quadricep Day-to-Day
LB Takeo Spikes torn rotator cuff IR
G Shawn Andrews sprained right knee Day-to-Day
LB Takeo Spikes torn rotator cuff Day-to-Day

Transactions

Pos Player Transaction
S J.R. Reed re-signed
T Pat McCoy cut
T Jonathan Palmer practice squad addition
TE Lee Vickers practice squad deletion
LB Kyle Shotwell practice squad addition

Philadelphia Eagles News