A Look at the Eagles

[BrudLee]

Normally I'd post this in "The News Wire", but I'd like to discuss some of the statements made here.

http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/spo...l/12385913.htm

To wit:
"Meanwhile, has anybody even thought about Corey Simon, who apparently plans to sit out training camp before signing the 1-year, $5.13 million franchise tender? As one national football reporter, sent to Lehigh to cover the circus, said early in camp: "I've never been to a training camp where the guy designated the 'franchise player' held out and nobody even mentioned it.''

Oh, and let's not forget the whole matter of 2003 first-round draft choice and projected starting right defensive end Jerome McDougle, who was shot by armed robbers in Miami on July 28, the night before rookies reported to camp. McDougle apparently continues to recover, looking toward returning to practice around the time of the season opener, not that reporters have had time to check on him lately.

There was the drama over T.O. reporting and Westbrook not reporting. Then there was the drama over whether Westbrook would report by Aug. 8, to retain his shot at unrestricted free agency next spring. (He did, after incurring $42,000 in fines.) Somewhere in there, Todd Pinkston came dawn awkwardly, tangled with corner Matt Ware, and got up to find he was out for the season with a torn Achilles' tendon.

Correll Buckhalter, returning from right knee surgery, banged that knee into a helmet, sat out a few days, then sat out some more, then finally went to see his knee surgeon, Dr. James Andrews. The Eagles haven't said much since then; from them, no news is always bad news."

This is not a good sign from a team looking to repeat. The Panthers of last year had really three missing players (Stephen Davis, DeShaun Foster, and Steve Smith) from their Super Bowl run and it killed them. Now, the 2003 Panthers and the 2004 Eagles are different teams, but I don't see how parallels aren't being drawn.