Eagles get in own way
The Philadelphia Eagles are the best team in the NFL. The question is: Can they overcome their own off-season shenanigans?
After a difficult off-season in New England, and with serious questions remaining about the defense in Indianapolis, the Eagles should be ranked at the top of the league.
If they get past all the summer distractions – Terrell Owens’ threatened MIA; Brian Westbrook and Corey Simon’s real MIAs; Jerome McDougle’s shooting; J.R. Reed’s freak injury; and, perhaps most significant, the verbal spat between Owens and Donovan McNabb – the Eagles should breeze through the mediocre NFC.
But they haven’t made the trip any easier with all the off-season trouble. At least they haven’t had key retirements (Ted Johnson), illnesses (Tedy Bruschi) and defections (Romeo Crennel and Charlie Weis), the way the New England Patriots have.
Still, the Eagles aren’t exactly a happy family these days. Not that they have to be, according to McNabb.
“I don’t think you particularly have to like the individual or hang out with the individual,” he said, not specifically in respect to Owens, who rarely has had a kind word for his quarterback since the Super Bowl loss to the Patriots. “I think all you have to have is a good business relationship.
“When I say that, I say it in a way where it’s not just sports oriented. It’s in business in general. I’m sure a lot of you guys don’t particularly agree with or hang out with all of the people you work with. But you have to work with them, so you have a good relationship, and you have to have a good bond and chemistry that you all know what you need to do together to get the job done. And that’s kind of how it is in sports.
“We had a good business relationship then, and we have a good business relationship now.”
Perhaps. But what happens when Owens isn’t the primary target of McNabb’s passes once the real games begin? Will McNabb become the primary target of Owens’ barbs?
Bet on it.
Perhaps coach Andy Reid already has learned in just more than one year to accept Owens for what he is: a self-absorbed, spotlight-hogging superstar receiver who can help the Eagles win a championship.
Owens left practice after suffering a groin injury and is listed as day-to-day. Reid said the injury was “legitimate.”
For a coach of such a strong team, one which could clinch its division by Thanksgiving, there sure are more worries than necessary. Westbrook, for instance, signed a tender offer for $1.43 million as a restricted free agent, then surprised everyone – including his new agent, Fletcher Smith – by not showing up at camp. He wants a new deal, but has no leverage.
Defensive end Simon is the team’s franchise player and has refused to sign the one-year tender. He also can’t go anywhere else; look for him to be back sometime this month.
McDougle has been released from the hospital after being shot during a robbery.
Reed, who developed into a solid special teams players as a rookie, sustained nerve damage in his foot after he cut the back of his knee while jumping over a fence.
Lewis’ return delayed
Jamal Lewis’ return to the Ravens has hit a snag over technicalities regarding his probation on a federal drug conspiracy charge.
The former All-Pro running back was released Tuesday from an Atlanta halfway house. He was expected to report to the Ravens on Thursday, but his attorney, Jerome Froelich, said Lewis has to meet with his probation officer in Atlanta.
Injury report
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Brandon Stokley dislocated his left shoulder during practice for the American Bowl in Japan and could be sidelined up to four weeks.
“Injury-prone defensive lineman Courtney Brown of Denver dislocated his left elbow and is expected to miss 3 to 6 weeks. Brown was injured toward the end of a play during a practice that was moved indoors because of rain.
“Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Anquan Boldin’s nose was broken in practice. It was the second training-camp injury for Boldin in as many years. This time, though, he should be able to return before the regular season begins. Last year he tore his right knee and missed six games.