http://www.yardbarker.com/content/player/3207 Recent articles about Ike Reese en-us This past Saturday many players from the Eagles took part in a fashion show to help raise money for the United Way of Camden County. They joined up with Chio and the Morning Show from Wired 96.5, and put on the show at G Lounge. Donovan McNabb, Correll Buckhalter, Todd Herremans, Hank Baskett, Chris Gocong, [...] Tue, 17 Jun 2008 19:50:31 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/279138 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/279138 On Tuesday, the Philadelphia Eagles apparently used the release of the 2008 regular-season schedule as a way to drum up trade interest in veteran cornerback Lito Sheppard. Speaking to the media on Tuesday afternoon, Eagles president Joe Banner addressed Sheppard's status, suggesting that the Eagles might end up keeping Sheppard, after all. Banner says that there is "significant interest" in Sheppard, but that, as of right now, "the best thing to do is keep him." "You don't see many 26-year-old Pro Bowl players who there is even a possibility of acquiring," Banner said. "If you look at the history of player trades, you'll see a very short list of players that age, that caliber of player, that kind of character. There is significant interest, but the reason there is interest is because he's a good player, which is a compelling reason, also, to keep him. We'll just have to weigh the options of keeping him or whatever else is available, and in the end [head coach] Andy [Reid] will make a decision as to which he thinks is better." It was a foregone conclusion (or so we all thought) when the Eagles pounced on Pats cornerback Asante Samuel that Sheppard would be traded. In the weeks before the launch of free agency, the Eagles vehemently denied rumors of a possible trade of Sheppard (who actually is a bit younger than Samuel), presumably in an effort to ensure that their interest in acquiring Samuel would remain concealed, sort of. We've heard rumblings about some teams offering a second-round pick and the Eagles holding out for a first-rounder. It could be that some team that doesn't get a corner in round one throws a 2009 first-round pick to Philly after the first day of the draft, like the Drew Bledsoe trade from 2002. Despite the puffing from Banner, there's no way that Sheppard can play for the Eagles in 2008. The cat is out of the bag, and spraying all over the furniture. Sheppard wisely has kept quiet during these efforts to get him traded (which, presumably, will entail a new contract). If it doesn't happen, Sheppard eventually will sound off. Wed, 16 Apr 2008 06:46:25 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/238872 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/238872 Jeff Garcia doesnt have a new contract and he's sounds off..... TAMPA — For the first time in five years, Jeff Garcia was thrilled he did not have a change of uniform or address in the offseason. The grass has never grown under the cleats of the vagabond quarterback. And it's starting to look as if the Bucs do not want Garcia to put down too many roots in Tampa Bay. Garcia said Tuesday that he's disappointed the team hasn't been willing to tear up his contract and reward him with a new deal that would enable him to finish his career with the Bucs. Garcia, 38, has one year remaining on his contract that will pay him a base salary of $2-million in 2008. He went 8-6 as a starter for the Bucs last season, leading them to an NFC South title and being named to the Pro Bowl. Nonrookie starting quarterbacks average between $7-million and $15-million a year in the NFL, making Garcia among the league's lowest-paid quarterbacks. After Tuesday's workout — the first of the offseason — Garcia was asked if he was disappointed by the lack of progress toward a new deal. "You could say that," Garcia said. "Talks haven't necessarily gone all that good. "So in a way, it's disappointing. At this point in my career, I'm no longer 24 or 25 saying, 'I'm going to prove to you I deserve this.' I feel like I've proved throughout my career. And I feel like at this time, it's time to just work with me, and you know what I bring to the team. You know what I've done for the team, and you know how much more I can do. And now I have a year under my system." The Bucs declined to comment. There's another reason why Garcia might be unhappy with his contract. Because of the Bucs' decision to rest him for the final two weeks of the regular season, he fell just short of participating in 70 percent of their offensive snaps, preventing him from earning a seven-figure bonus. Coach Jon Gruden did not allow Garcia to play the second half of the Bucs' 21-19 loss at San Francisco on Dec. 23. Garcia also was benched for the regular-season finale at home against the Panthers on Dec. 30. As a result, Garcia did not get at least $1-million in bonus money. Garcia is not required to attend the offseason workout program, which is voluntary. But he participated in Tuesday's as an act of good faith. Whether he attends the rest of this week's workouts or future offseason workout programs remains to be seen, but he indicated his options are limited. "I'm committed to a second year the way my contract is drawn up," Garcia said. "Yes, I would like to rip it up and create a new one that allows me to finish off my career here. But we're not necessarily on the same page as far as that's concerned." Garcia, Luke McCown and Bruce Gradkowski were the only quarterbacks that attended practice Tuesday. Chris Simms is not participating in offseason workouts presumably because he wants to be traded. Brian Griese, acquired in a trade with the Bears in March, had a commitment to a charity event. Tuesday's practice with the Bucs marked the first time since 2003 with the 49ers that Garcia has begun an offseason with the team he played for in the previous season. After bouncing to the Browns, Lions and Eagles in consecutive seasons, he finally found a home under Gruden in Tampa Bay. In 2007, Garcia completed 209 of 307 passes for 2,440 yards with 13 touchdowns and four interceptions for a passer rating of 94.6. Garcia said he has a chance to build upon the success he enjoyed in the team's offense a year ago. "My head was swimming," Garcia said. "When I heard the terminology (last year), I was still trying to figure it all out. And I'm not at that point. "So now I can take off from where I am now and build upon that. And going into the season, I just feel I'll be so much more confident and secure as to how to run this system as opposed to where I was last year. And last year, things didn't go all that bad." Wed, 09 Apr 2008 11:50:44 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/233336 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/233336 Ladies and Gents since the offseason started I've been on Donovan's bandwagon to get our Birds some playmakers aka a real number 1 WR. However time went by and yet even as I write this March 23, 2008 there is no new offensive weapon for Super 5. I mean there's always a chance before the draft we make a trade or something. The thing is I realized we really shouldnt let Lito go, he's been a constant Cowboy Killa. He's been our Number 1 CB for a few years and has done a great job.. With the addition of Asante and Chis Clemmons I think our Defense can really excel. Jim Johnson can blitz out of his ass now. We can have more LB blitzes because we know Gocong and Bradley can rush the passer as well. Now my fellow birds fans for anyone whoever reads my articles or comments you know i'm right in the front of the bus when it comes to getting a top WR but I think keeping lito might be better. Now lets just imagine my scenairo. I say draft S Kenny Phillips from Miami in the first round, for the second round pick the best WR out there and then address our usual picks which concists of OT and DTs. So lets say the seasons here.... we slide Sheldon to nickel have Kenny Phillips start at safety dawk at his spot asante and lito at the corners. We can then unleash our d-linemen for havoc. Damnit I MISS the GANG GREEN D our city loves great defense thats one thing our team would always get right through the years. The last few we went away from it time to get back on it. The only way my scenario works though is if Andy doesnt red shirt our draft picks because it seems the Eagles are the only pro team to redshirt rookies lol. Seriously though if we get rookie results from the rookies we are going to Tampa. Sun, 23 Mar 2008 11:30:24 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/215535 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/215535 The title says it all it a list of Sports Ilustrated's 10 ten free agent pickups for 08 thus far. Fri, 07 Mar 2008 15:25:58 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/185045 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/185045 Finally some news that wasnt started by someone who was just sitting around. As reported by Geoff Mosher, The Eagles came up short in their pursuit of Randy Moss and watched as Javon Walker signed Wednesday with Oakland. Now, the search for a wide receiver will likely turn to the name most frequently mentioned as their primary target -- Arizona Cardinals wideout Larry Fitzgerald, who remains in contract negotiations with the club that drafted him. Lions wideout Roy Williams, mercurial Bengals receiver Chad Johnson and Rams veteran Torry Holt are logical choices for the Eagles to pursue if they can't land Fitzgerald. And based on reports coming out of Arizona, a new deal between the Cardinals and Fitzgerald is imminent. Earlier this week, Fitzgerald told the East Valley (Ariz.) Tribune that progress has been made toward an extension and restructuring of his contract, which pays him $14.6 million in 2008 and $17.4 million in 2009, the final year of his contract. Fitzgerald is even speaking like a Cardinal for the long term. "In January, next year, when we're deep in the playoffs, this thing won't be an issue," he told the newspaper. The sooner the deal is completed, the quicker the Eagles can move on to other pursuits. One agent who does not represent Williams told The News Journal that Williams "is definitely on the [trading] block." Williams, entering his fifth season, made the Pro Bowl in 2006 and had 838 yards and five touchdowns in a 14-game 2007 season. In 2006, he finished with 1,310 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. But Lions coach Rod Marinelli told reporters at the NFL scouting combine last month that he didn't see Williams going anywhere. "I'm very confident he's here," Marinelli said, according to MLive.com. "Very confident." The Bengals have echoed similar sentiments about Johnson, who went public this off-season with his gripes about the franchise. Despite Johnson's eccentric behavior and harsh comments about the team, the Bengals have said that Johnson isn't being shopped around. "No one within the Bengals organization has ever spoken of or ever uttered anything about trading Chad Johnson. Nor will he be traded," coach Marvin Lewis told the Cincinnati Enquirer in February. As for Holt, the seven-time Pro Bowler has flown under the trade radar, but the Rams might find their rebuilding effort easier if they trade the 31-year-old star receiver. Holt, signed for two more years, is slated to make $5.65 in base salary in 2008 and $6.65 next season, excluding bonuses. His agent, Greg Williams, said he called the Rams at the end of the season to discuss their plans for Holt but hadn't heard back. "I didn't know if they would be rebuilding or looking to trade [Holt] or if he'd be there to play out his contract," Williams said. "I think if they were going to do something, they would let us know. From my understanding, they have every intention of bringing him back." Thu, 06 Mar 2008 15:02:21 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/183080 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/183080 In an offseason where the Cincinnati Bengals keep trying to add defensive players one must wonder what will become of the Bengals All-Pro WR Chad Johnson. Though Coach Marvin Lewis has repeatdily said that Chad will not be traded, that looks more and more untrue. Chad is creating trouble in the locker room and becoming a distraction to the team. The Bengals are looking for defense and now that the Eagles have signed CB Asante Samuel a deal could be in the works. Cincinnati has been entertaining offers. The teams who have been asking most about Chad are Tampa Bay, Washington and the Eagles. I personally think the Eagles can land either Fitz or Chad before the draft. Sorry no sources the link went bad. Sat, 01 Mar 2008 07:47:40 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/175260 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/175260 Glen Dorsey says he'd love to be a bird. No sorry my fellow Eagles fans I'm talking about the other birds down south. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Indianapolis – A twinkle flickers in Falcons coach Mike Smith's eyes when he talks about the middle of a defense. As Jacksonville defensive coordinator he had Marcus Stroud and John Henderson anchoring his defense. When those behemoths needed a break, Smith sent in former Falcons tackle Grady Jackson for part of last season and in the playoffs. With the No. 3 pick in the NFL's 2008 draft, the Falcons may have a chance to fortify the middle of their defense. Louisiana State University's Glenn Dorsey could be available. The Falcons must examine extensive medical reports on the tackle. Indianapolis president Bill Polian has a long history of picking top talent. Polian scouted Dorsey when the Tigers played Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl following the 2006 season. "He was a force," Polian said. "He can do it all. He can stop the run. He can rush the passer. He can beat you one-on-one." While part of the defensive tackles' job is to take up blockers, Dorsey has shown that he's more than just a space-eater. His unit helped LSU to its BCS national championship title last season. "I'm not sure that many people can win a battle one-on-one against him in pass protection," Polian said. "To have a player that's inside like that, that is a force, that's good, a real positive." Miami has the first pick in the draft, followed by St. Louis. Both could snap up Dorsey before the Falcons get a chance on April 26th in New York. "He's an impact guy, he's an every-down guy, first, second and third," said Billy Devaney, St. Louis' vice president of player personnel after leaving his assistant general manager's position with the Falcons this year. "He elevates people around him, makes them better. ... The guy's going to be a great pro." A possible draft scenario would be Miami drafting quarterback Matt Ryan and St. Louis taking defensive lineman Chris Long. That would set up the Dorsey to Atlanta move at No. 3. "I'd love to go to the Falcons," Dorsey said. "I'd love to be a Bird." Dorsey did not to workout at the NFL scouting combine. He measured 6-feet-1 1/4 and weighed 297 pounds. However, his assortment of injuries at LSU, including a stress fracture in the right tibia, sent off a medical alert. Dorsey was at the hospital from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, getting tests. "MRI's, CAT scans, everything," Dorsey said. "(There were) things from high school that they wanted to check out. It was quite interesting." Dorsey, who plans to workout for the scouts on LSU's pro day on March 26, noted that he played in all games last season with the injury. "I know I had a hairline fracture my junior year on my right tibia," Dorsey said. "I'm not sure how the test came out." He remembers how the injury happened. "I bumped it up against something in the weight room," Dorsey said. On the field, a lot of teams have tried to block into Dorsey's knees with chop blocks. "I've seen quite a few," Dorsey said. "Most of the time you are able to slide your foot with it. But a couple of times, I just got caught in it at the wrong time." He's seen an assortment of block attempts designed to slow him down. One, against Auburn last season, resulted in an injured right knee. "It just happened in a play where a guy accidentally went high on me and a guy hit me low," Dorsey said. "It kind of twisted my knee up a little bit." The Auburn block drew the ire of LSU head coach Les Miles. But Dorsey has moved on. "I'm not concerned about it," Dorsey said. "I let it go." Dorsey seemed to take the extra medical scrutiny in stride. "I'm not surprised by it at all, there's a lot of money they put in," Dorsey said. "Even if you were not hurt you are going to be sore after all these examinations Wed, 27 Feb 2008 11:02:45 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/170099 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/170099