Philadelphia Eagles news and links for 4/5/2014.
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DeSean Update – Tommy Lawlor, Iggles Blitz
I do think the report has a lot of truth in it. I’ve heard that teammates weren’t fond of DeSean, and that might be putting it mildly. We know he was a handful for the coaches to deal with. Some people take the angle that people don’t need to be best friends in order to win. That’s completely true, but it misses the mark in this case. Jackson had a variety of factors working against him. He didn’t have great work habits. He was late for meetings. He had a high price tag at a position where Kelly doesn’t seem to think you need to break the bank. I think Jackson’s pursuit of a rap career hurt him as well. Think of it like this. The coaches weren’t happy with DeSean. Nor many teammates. Nor the salary cap people. Nor the PR/marketing people. Who exactly was going to fight for DeSean to stay?
Kempski’s Corner: How DeSean Jackson’s move affects the NFC East – JimmyK, Philly.com
On the latest edition of Kempski’s Corner, Philly.com’s Pat Gallen and Jimmy Kempski discuss how DeSean Jackson’s move from Philadelphia to Washington affects dynamics across the NFC East.
Jackson: ‘I Was Sitting There Waiting For a Reason Why’ – Birds 24/7
Smith attributed the quote to one of Jackson’s former teammates, even though the article did not specify the source. Asked to respond, Jackson said: “It’s an allegation once again. We’re dealing with someone who has an opinion. How much of that truth to the opinion is real? I don’t live my life going out there and really worrying what the other people say. I try to do things the right way. I try to go out there and be a professional when I’m doing it. Have I always been perfect? Have I always done things the right way? No. Have I learned and found out a better way of doing things? Yes. I think that goes throughout a career. Me coming into the NFL at 20-years-old, being very young, not knowing the right/wrong thing to do, I had to learn. I’m not perfect. No one is. But at the end of the day, I’m gonna learn how to do it the right way and I’m gonna do it the right way.”
Did Eagles smear DeSean? NFLPA investigating – Geoff Mosher, CSN Philly
The union representing National Football League players is investigating the Eagles’ release of DeSean Jackson to determine if the team first waged a smear campaign against its former Pro Bowl wideout. DeMaurice Smith, NFLPA executive director, said Friday morning on ESPN radio show “Mike & Mike,” per ProFootballTalk, that the union is looking into the timing of Jackson’s release, which happened Friday about 40 minutes after NJ.com posted a story detailing Jackson’s associations with alleged gang members.
Cosell: Eagles Offense Evolving – PE.com
NFL Films Senior Producer Greg Cosell joined up in the Xfinity Studio to talk about the Eagles’ off-season moves and more. See who Cosell thinks has an opportunity to make a huge impact in 2014 …
NFL executive blasts Eric Ebron, entire TE draft class – NFL.com
“It’s not good at all. I wish it was. But it’s not,” he added. “It’s actually a bad year for tight ends. There’s nobody even close to (Tyler) Eifert (drafted No. 21 by Bengals last year). (Eagles 2013 second-rounder Zach) Ertz is better than these guys.”
NFL running backs’ decreasing value amplified in 2014 free agency | The MMQB with Peter King
The position of Sayers, Smith and Sanders is now one of the least valuable in pro football. What led to the dramatic decline in the worth of running backs? Decreasing big-play potency, ever-evolving offenses and just plain cheaper alternatives
The Notebook: Anthony Barr and the importance of effort – Stephen White, SB Nation NFL
Anthony Barr may not be the best pass rusher in the 2014 NFL Draft, but he’s got the kind of motor that will take him places. Retired NFL defensive end Stephen White has a closer look at the UCLA linebacker.