Five Questions With Bleeding Green Nation

by Ed Valentine on Jul 8, 2010 7:00 AM EDT in New York Giants News

As the summer rolls on and New York Giants training camp still seems like a distant wish I figured it was time to begin checking in on some of Big Blue's NFC East rivals.

Below, I have five questions with JasonB from SB Nation's terrific Philadelphia Eagles blog, Bleeding Green Nation. Enjoy!

BBV: Your feelings about Donovan McNabb no longer being an Eagle? Was it time for Philadelphia and McNabb to part ways, or do you believe this will end up being a move Philly regrets?

BGN: I think we all realized it was time for a change after the two Dallas games. The team had made a lot of changes in the last few years, but the McNabb/Reid combo was always constant over the past decade so that's where the change really needed to come. I think a lot of fans would have been ok if they chose to change the coach, but getting rid of the franchise QB is almost an equally significant change. It's not that anyone thinks McNabb isn't a good QB, but it's been 10 years of the same thing here. He wasn't the only reason the Eagles got whacked by Dallas twice, but he certainly did nothing to turn their fortunes in those games. When you combine his age with the fact that the offense arguably played better under Kolb when McNabb was hurt... We were ready for a change.

Someone reminded me the other day that except for Mike McMahon, every QB who took over for McNabb when he got injured was successful. Koy Detmer had a big game. AJ Feeley got the team to the postseason. Jeff Garcia won a playoff game. Kevin Kolb had two 300+ yard days... So there's not a ton of fear that someone else can step in at QB and be successful.

BBV: The second part of that question is how do you feel about Kevin Kolb? Is he ready to lead Philly deep into the playoffs? Do you think they will take a step back offensively as he develops?

BGN: Well the easy answer is that it's hard to say given how little film we have on him... but I think after his two starts last year everyone feels a lot better. We actually got to see him start and play well. In those games you saw some of the flaws of a young QB, but we also saw the things that he can bring to the offense that McNabb didn't. He's very accurate and has a quick release, both of which will serve him well in this offense.

Obviously the coaches love him, scouts really like the guy, the young WRs seemed giddy when the Eagles made him the starter... So for now there's a real positive feeling around Kolb. He's been sitting on the bench learning for 3 years, so while there will certainly be growing pains he shouldn't have a huge learning curve as he adjusts to being a starter. He's got so many weapons and talent on offense I don't think we should expect steps back.

BBV: What are your thoughts on Michael Vick? Is he more trouble to the Eagles than he is worth as a backup quarterback at this point?

BGN: First, he's not any trouble to the team. The team loves the guy. In fact, your team loves the guy. I remember Osi Umenyoria talking about how proud he was of the Eagles for giving Vick another chance. Players, for whatever reason, love Michael Vick.

Now as far as his actual impact on the field... that's another story. Obviously last year his impact was minimal, but he had virtually no offseason and never really looked in great shape. This season he'll be much more fit, he'll know the offense better, and be in a much better position to be successful. That said, I still question the value of pulling your starting QB out to put in someone else. People called it the "wildcat" last year, but that's not really what it was. They really just replaced the QB with another QB. If Kevin Kolb develops like we all hope and turns into this accurate rhythm passer, I really would not rather he be pulled out of the game from time to time to put in Michael Vick.

BBV: As training camp approaches, what Eagles player or players not named Kevin Kolb are you most curious about watching?

BGN: For me it's middle linebacker Stewart Bradley. There's other guys that are question marks and there's young players that will need to contribute, but I think Bradley is really the key to the defense. When he was in the lineup and playing well in 2008 the Eagles defense was one of the best in the NFL. They were especially effective against the run. But last year, when he was lost in training camp the dropoff was obvious. The whole Eagles defense was badly hit by injury, but Bradleys' probably had the most impact. So I'll definitely have an eye on him to see how he looks in camp this year.

BBV: From an Eagles' perspective, can you assess the New York Giants heading into the 2010 season?

BGN: I think the Giants will be a good team. I don't really see any major questions on offense, the only questions you might have are on defense but if everyone stays healthy that unit should be fine as well. The weakness of the team for me is at linebacker, but if the rest of the defense plays up to its capability the linebackers should be good enough.

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Comments

Great idea !

Very interesting stuff Ed, it’s good to look at the competition and keep up with what’s going on there.
Thanks to JasonB.

Can we expect more of those ?
July is awful and this would make it much easier to go through.

by plektor on Jul 8, 2010 7:28 AM EDT reply actions

Well ...

I will reach out to the Cowboys folks. Not sure about the Redskins, since I did an interview w/a Redskins writer a couple of weeks ago. We’ll see.

by Ed Valentine on Jul 8, 2010 8:13 AM EDT up reply actions

One thing I disagree with...

JasonB said that the Giants do not have any questions on offense….um, RB is a big question in my book. Can Jacobs pound the rock as he used to? Can he stay healthy for an entire season? Can Bradshaw stay healthy? Will Brown come back from his injury?

by CCE718 on Jul 8, 2010 8:34 AM EDT reply actions

True

That is our view. Tell you, though, that at least one rival does not see it that way.

by Ed Valentine on Jul 8, 2010 8:41 AM EDT up reply actions

He did say major question on offense

I think that between Jacobs, Bradshaw and Brown the team will find enough carries

by trueblue63 on Jul 8, 2010 8:47 AM EDT up reply actions

That is what I think. I’ve never thought much of Jacobs and I doubt he’ll stay healthy… but it seems like anyone the Giants put back there is is fairly successful. So of all the backs they have on their roster I’m sure someone will be fine.

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by JasonB on Jul 8, 2010 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions

I agree with you with regard to Jacobs.

He just hasn’t proven himself and therefore remains behind the 8-Ball IMO. The Giants running game is a potential disaster though. don’t know what to expect but what I expect isn’t good. Donovan is an enigma. He has talent but it seemed to me that ever since he had that first injury a couple of years back he was never the same. Lost a lot of mobility. His going to Washington was probably for the best though.

Fan's Creed: (Play well+Win=Praise) (Play Well+Lose=Praise) (Play Lousy+Win=Criticism) (Play lousy+Lose & Bandwagon Jumpers=Off with thier heads!)

by LoNJDTechnology on Jul 8, 2010 4:09 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

how has he not proven himself?

he’s had back to back 1000 yard seasons, 15 TDs in a season(40 for his career) and avg. a lovely 4.4 a clip(which would be alot higher had he not been primarily used as a short yardage/goal line back his first season behind Tiki). now if you want to say he’s never proven himself to stay healthy for a season, well then you’re right, that’s an obvious one. but when the man is on the field, he’s a force, plain and simple.

by wilddre22 on Jul 9, 2010 12:54 AM EDT up reply actions

You're right.

Statistically, Jacobs is quality. I think that a lot of his success in the areas you were doing listed has to be given to his line and other teammates for giving him the routes to run. On his own, Jacobs does not have to power to create his own holes and routes. Thats what I am talking about. Someone should create a fan post to examine whether statistics truly reflect the skill of a player; do they hurt or help a player by creating the illusion of one thing when facts point to another.

Fan's Creed: (Play well+Win=Praise) (Play Well+Lose=Praise) (Play Lousy+Win=Criticism) (Play lousy+Lose & Bandwagon Jumpers=Off with thier heads!)

by LoNJDTechnology on Jul 9, 2010 9:18 AM EDT up reply actions

you know its tough

jacobs has always shared the load, so i dont think the general mileage has cause the dropoff. But i kno that his running style and his body type can cause problems. I think this upcoming season will determine the direction. I see it going one of two ways hopefully. Either Jacobs plays back to form, makes adjustments, ends the year with about 10 tds and about 900 yards. Or Jacobs slowly plays his way out of the rotation to make bradshaw the starter. Bradshaw dominates on two good feet and we rejoice. Of course they are both very positive, so of course we hope.

by Phillip P on Jul 9, 2010 5:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Interesting that he looked at Bradley and not the departure of Brian Dawkins

Is that rose colored glasses (ie Bradley is coming back??)

Last season the Eagles didn’t intimidate on D and that was a big change. If they get that back with Bradley kudos to them.

by trueblue63 on Jul 8, 2010 8:45 AM EDT reply actions

There’s no doubt that Bradley was the much greater loss, not Dawkins… Now, that doesn’t mean the Eagles didn’t also miss Dawkins, but the Bradley injury was crippling.

Formerly Bye, Dawk :(

by JimmyK on Jul 8, 2010 9:04 AM EDT up reply actions

I think Goodell will take the Vick situation out of the Eagles hands ...

much to their relief.

Forget all of the details on the “incident” and focus on this one issue:

1. The cops say they know who the shooter was.
2. The shooter likely thought he was doing the “right thing” because his friend, Vick was “disrespected” by Phillips (and I’ll assume here that Vick showed restraint and wanted no further escalation).
3. By now Vick also knows who the shooter was, and everyone involved ain’t talking (obstructing justice) about it.

Will Goodell decide that he can allow NFL players to participate in such non-cooperation with authorities relative to something as serious as a shooting ? Especially when a player is on the kind of zero-tolerance second chance that Vick is on ? I’m thinking he will be gone on that basis alone. Even if you think the that Vick conducted himself appropriately that night. That would have Goodell saying it is O.K. for thug/gang culture to be the norm for the employees of the product that he is selling.

by Shofner85 on Jul 8, 2010 10:17 AM EDT reply actions

Good points.

by Cranky50 on Jul 8, 2010 10:25 AM EDT up reply actions

Leave Vick alone.

He can’t control the actions other people. what is he supposed to do stay in the house all day and night. You sound like a hater for no reason. If Goodell expells Vick from the Game for that incident Vick should sue his ass for everything hes got.

Fan's Creed: (Play well+Win=Praise) (Play Well+Lose=Praise) (Play Lousy+Win=Criticism) (Play lousy+Lose & Bandwagon Jumpers=Off with thier heads!)

by LoNJDTechnology on Jul 8, 2010 4:02 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Not looking to be a hater or an apologist ...

although it seems that a lot of folks seems to want to categorize everyone with an opinion into one of those camps (this board and others).

I was just saying that if you agree that he reacted reasonably that night, and I will say that is sounds like he did have a fair amount of restraint for the initial incident, that Goodell may base things solely on what happened afterward (just like most scandals become more about the cover-up than the initial incident).

I don’t know that Vick could sue, as it would appear that the commish has some pretty wide lattitude in applying the personal conduct policy. It’s not innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

by Shofner85 on Jul 8, 2010 6:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Your first two points ae sound.

Your third point regarding Vick suing; there is no evidence at all that shows that Vick has definitive knowledge about the identity of the shooter. So an investigation into that aspect if the matter may prove to fruitless. He left the scene and that was a sound decision. Anything that happened afterwards has nothing to do with him at that point. There are people out there who know his situation and that all it takes is one negative occurance so they will try to trap him just to get him shafted. Goodell should know that and respond accordingly. Expulsion is too harse.

Fan's Creed: (Play well+Win=Praise) (Play Well+Lose=Praise) (Play Lousy+Win=Criticism) (Play lousy+Lose & Bandwagon Jumpers=Off with thier heads!)

by LoNJDTechnology on Jul 8, 2010 8:21 PM EDT up reply actions

I think the Giants and Eagles stack up fairly equally ...

but the Eagles’s season hinges on Kolb both staying healthy and being the real deal (Eli only has to stay healthy, and is much bigger to take the pounding than Kolb). They both have no real back-up (see Vick post above).

I do see us having much better depth at OL, WR, DL and CB though. Both are ? at LB.

by Shofner85 on Jul 8, 2010 10:40 AM EDT reply actions

Just FYI, Kolb is listed at 6’3, 218, which is 1 inch and 7 pounds less than what Eli is listed at.

Also, not so sure I agree that the Giants have better depth at the positions you listed.

Formerly Bye, Dawk :(

by JimmyK on Jul 8, 2010 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions

I woudl say

WR is a wash atbest (maybe favours the Eagles for now), OL is the Giants (tentatively, depends on both teams starters bouncing back a bit or maintaining form), DL is Eagles right now (Giants have a ton of ? marks), CB to the Giants (not sold on the wobbly arm tackling the Eagles have displayed back there). LB is also to the Eagles, easily.

by brisulph on Jul 8, 2010 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions

we've already had our battles about the wideout position

so i won’t go there again. although my argument got a little weaker with the loss of Hixon. There are too many new faces over in the green section for me to formulate an argument for or against your guys depth. altho i will say i think we still have more depth at CB position, with 3 guys that would realistically start on most teams.

by wilddre22 on Jul 9, 2010 1:00 AM EDT up reply actions

I think Klob is going to be fine

Eagle fans may have initial, early discomfort, but they are going to be better for trading McNabb long term. I personally like (ie hate since I am a Giants fan) what he has to offer that team.

by brisulph on Jul 8, 2010 11:16 AM EDT reply actions

Klob? hah!

They better hope he doesn’t pass like that TERRIBLE automatic in the Goldeneye game for the N64… that thing was inaccurate as all get out.

by brisulph on Jul 8, 2010 11:17 AM EDT up reply actions

You don't need to be accurate with that gun

It was a spray and pray, and deadly effective if you set the game controls to Golden Gun.

Homer: Aw, twenty dollars! I wanted a peanut!
Homer's Brain: Twenty dollars can buy many peanuts!
Homer: Explain how!
Homer's Brain: Money can be exchanged for goods and services!
Homer: Woo-hoo!

by bigbluethruandthru on Jul 8, 2010 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions

Although in a normal game

it was more embarassing to be killed by a Klobb than to be slapped to death.

Homer: Aw, twenty dollars! I wanted a peanut!
Homer's Brain: Twenty dollars can buy many peanuts!
Homer: Explain how!
Homer's Brain: Money can be exchanged for goods and services!
Homer: Woo-hoo!

by bigbluethruandthru on Jul 8, 2010 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions

That was the ONLY way that gun was useful

and even then a pistol worked just as well (since it had an accurate first shot, only needed one bullet).

by brisulph on Jul 8, 2010 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions

Goldeneye

Just choose Oddjob, kneel down, and Karate chop. In Golden Gun setting, this strategy is unstoppable.

by pataroons on Jul 9, 2010 5:19 AM EDT up reply actions

I don't get it

So they say McNabb is a good change and Kolb had 2 300+ yard games, yet during those Kolb games how much was Vick in? I don’t think he rarely if ever came in.
Yet in the games McNabb was in, they were inserting him whenever they felt like. This really throws off an offense because A. it’s a gimmick play, and B. if not succesful it wastes a down.
I don’t see how they can say Vick coming in for Kolb is bad, yet for McNabb it was fine? I don’t get Eagles fans. Also it seems like they tend to change the playbook when a different QB comes in. Otherwise most of their stuff when they had McNabb was very predictable.

by themage78 on Jul 8, 2010 1:34 PM EDT reply actions

“I don’t see how they can say Vick coming in for Kolb is bad, yet for McNabb it was fine?”

You probably can’t see why we’d say that because we never did…

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by JasonB on Jul 8, 2010 1:53 PM EDT up reply actions

lol

…As side note: Eagles couldn’t break Kolb’s rhythm w/ Vick in one of those games, Vick was still under Goodell’s 2 years prison + 2 games suspension.

by Sparki on Jul 9, 2010 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions

I think I can add the most to this discussion.

I hate the Eagles.

You play to win the game!

by Simms-McConkey on Jul 8, 2010 1:51 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

ahhh

very wise words, i’ll have to cotemplate that statment for a while

by #56 4life on Jul 8, 2010 4:26 PM EDT up reply actions

i've always liked you S-Mac!

and now i know why!

by wilddre22 on Jul 9, 2010 1:01 AM EDT up reply actions

You should have asked BleedingGreen if he has heard about the new Eagles iPhone that Apple is releasing.

It only vibrates because it doesn’t have a ring.

by BigBlueDeadHead on Jul 8, 2010 1:55 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

They actually have three rings… but don’t let that get in the way your witty joke.

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by JasonB on Jul 8, 2010 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Oh yeah… well… um… It only rings 3 times and then goes to voicemail! Oooooh snap!

Formerly Bye, Dawk :(

by JimmyK on Jul 8, 2010 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions

were they the rings in the happy meals Andy Reid bought for Desean Jackson and Kolb (and himself..of course)

KEEP LEE!!!

by FreeBradshaw on Jul 8, 2010 4:09 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

You’ll have to explain this one to me…

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by JasonB on Jul 9, 2010 1:40 AM EDT up reply actions

I'm talking about Super Bowl rings - in the Super Bowl Era here, eagirls.

LOL! Going back to 1960 is not a very good boast! Too funny…

by BigBlueDeadHead on Jul 9, 2010 10:11 AM EDT up reply actions

get with the program deadhead

the eagles won championships in 1432, 1681, and 1860 (season shortened by Civil War.)

btw are you going to gathering of the vibes in Bridgeport?

govibes.com

You play to win the game!

by Simms-McConkey on Jul 9, 2010 11:45 AM EDT up reply actions

Nice

Jason does an interview with Ed to give us an inside look at Eagles and we need to bash him

by trueblue63 on Jul 9, 2010 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Cmon man, lighten up it's just a little ribbin' -

If that isn’t expected and obliged to an eagirls fan on a G-MEN site then well, WHAT’S THE WORLD COMIN’ TO?!?!?

by BigBlueDeadHead on Jul 9, 2010 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions

I haven't made it to any of the GOTV's to date -

but have been intrigued about it. Who knows, maybe this year. I don’t have as much freedom to roam as I did before being married – and this is a little beyond just a normal concert. We’ll see…. Have you been?

Check this out:
http://www.dead.net/features/news/san-francisco-giants-announce-plans-jerry-garcia-tribute-night-august-9th

by BigBlueDeadHead on Jul 9, 2010 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions

goodness.....

"Throw the damn ball to Kevin Boss" - Andiamo708

by andiamo708 on Jul 9, 2010 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Ahh so, championships before 1967 don’t count? Hope none of you are Yankee fans! lol

I’m assuming you also think the 4 championships the NY Giants won before that time don’t count? Get with it kid, the NFL has been around for longer than you apparently realize.

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by JasonB on Jul 10, 2010 11:17 AM EDT up reply actions

i actually heard the same joke today

with Lebron’s name in place of the Eagles.

by wilddre22 on Jul 9, 2010 1:02 AM EDT up reply actions

kolb won't shake off defenders like mcnabb

Donovan made many plays because he could not be brought down and many busted plays impacted for big plays during his tenure with the eagles. That factor will be gone now.

by SJBBfan on Jul 8, 2010 9:22 PM EDT via mobile reply actions