SB Nation Philly - Ricky Sapp Undergoes Successful Surgery On Kneehttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48987/philly-fave.png2010-09-09T00:11:11-04:00http://philly.sbnation.com/rss/stream/13542662010-09-09T00:11:11-04:002010-09-09T00:11:11-04:00LeSean McCoy Ready To Shoulder The Workload In Philadelphia's Backfield
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/_mNcr1WCCgdMH6eSLlGQamKHFUM=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828129/large_philly.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>Now that legendary running back Brian Westbrook is no longer with the team, the door is ajar for 2009 second-round pick LeSean McCoy to emerge onto the scene in his second year with the Philadelphia Eagles. The former Pitt Panther showed more than enough last year to convince Andy Reid and the Eagles coaching staff that he could be entrusted with the primary rushing duties in 2010.</p>
<p>McCoy joined the programming on <span class="caps">WIP</span> in Philadelphia on Tuesday to talk about being named the starter heading into the regular season, why he thinks he’s ready to excel in the new role, what Kevin Kolb has brought to the Eagles offense so far this offseason and preseason, and why he thinks teams and fans shouldn’t sleep on the Eagles. Below are a <a href="http://sportsradiointerviews.com/2010/09/08/the-eagles-are-still-legit-contenders-in-the-nfc-east/" target="new">few choice excerpts from the interview</a>.</p>
<blockquote>
<p><strong>How he feels heading into this year as the featured running back:</strong></p>
<p><em>“I feel pretty confident knowing the supporting cast I have around me, a lot of great guys. We have a high-powered offense so I feel real confident. I think if we also get these younger men in we are going to be unstoppable.”</em></p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p><strong>Whether he is going to be able to pick up blitzes similar to how Brian Westbrook would:</strong></p>
<p><em>“Definitely. I think the biggest thing with Brian is he is so smart. He knew the game and that stuff helped him out so much. He knew the game so well and when those guys blitzed he knew where they were coming from it never really fooled him. When he was here that was one of the biggest things that he was teaching me so it was kind of great having a guy like that around to be able to kind of see things through his eyes, pick his brain a little bit and learn from him. So now when I watch tape and kind of prepare for games, it is Brian did it.”</em></p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p><strong>What he can say to assure the fans that this team hasn’t taken a step back:</strong></p>
<p><em>“I mean the whole Eagles franchise and history we have always been a good team. I think you have got to have confidence in the coaching staff to make these changes, I think for the better. You will see. You will find out. Just have confidence is us, man. We are them same birds.”</em></p>
</blockquote>
https://philly.sbnation.com/2010/9/9/1677903/philadelphia-eagles-position-battles-lesean-mccoy-starting-running-backMichael Bean2010-09-07T16:24:58-04:002010-09-07T16:24:58-04:00Ricky Sapp Undergoes Successful Surgery On Knee
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/_mNcr1WCCgdMH6eSLlGQamKHFUM=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828129/large_philly.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>The Philadelphia Eagles announced today that rookie DE Ricky Sapp underwent successful arthroscopic surgery on his right knee today. The surgery cleaned out tissue that was likely left after he partially tore his <span class="caps">ACL</span> in that knee while in college.</p>
<p>Sapp was placed on injured reserve about a week ago and will miss the 2010 season.</p>
https://philly.sbnation.com/2010/9/7/1675036/ricky-sapp-undergoes-successfulJason Brewer2010-08-31T23:54:36-04:002010-08-31T23:54:36-04:00Philadelphia Eagles Place Rookie DE Ricky Sapp On IR
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/_mNcr1WCCgdMH6eSLlGQamKHFUM=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828129/large_philly.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>The Eagles <a href="http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/blogs/Sapp_to_IR_Eagles_add_defensive_end.html" target="new">announced today</a> that they’ve placed rookie DE Ricky Sapp on injured reserve. Sapp will undergo knee surgery and miss the entire season.</p>
<p>In all likelihood, the injury probably saved Sapp a spot on the team for next year. He’s failed to impress this summer and looked like a longshot to make the roster.</p>
<p>In his place, the Eagles signed free agent DE Pannel Egboh. The 6-8, 227 pound DE was an undrafted free agent in 2009 and has bounced around in the 49ers and Texans practice squads. The Eagles released this info about Ebgoh.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>A four-year letterman at Stanford University, Egboh appeared in 40 career games (36 starts), tallying 98 tackles, 15.5 sacks and three forced fumbles. He was selected to play in Texas vs. The Nation All-Star Game and the East-West Shrine All-Star following his senior season in 2008.</p>
</blockquote>
https://philly.sbnation.com/2010/8/31/1662221/philadelphia-eagles-place-rookie-Ricky-Sapp-On-IRJason Brewer2010-08-30T19:25:06-04:002010-08-30T19:25:06-04:00DeSean Jackson And Ellis Hobbs Will Be Returning Kicks For The Philadelphia Eagles This Year
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/_mNcr1WCCgdMH6eSLlGQamKHFUM=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828129/large_philly.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>On Monday, wide receiver DeSean Jackson and cornerback Ellis Hobbs were named the team’s starting return men for the 2010 season. It was more or less assumed that the sure-handed and elusive Jackson would be responsible for the punt returning duties, but it was less clear who head coach Andy Reid would name as the primary kickoff returner to start the year. And Reid explained the thought process:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>“Well, [Jackson] loves that part of it. Both he and [CB Ellis] Hobbs enjoy doing the return stuff. I’ve kind of held Hobbs out and given [S Quintin Demps] an opportunity back there to do something, and [WR] Chad [Hall] an opportunity. But, both of them enjoy that part of the game, so I’ll probably end up letting both of them do that.</p>
</blockquote>
<p><a href="http://www.bleedinggreennation.com/2010/8/30/1659491/eagles-name-desean-jackson-and" target="new">Bleeding Green Nation weighs in on the decision to place the immensely talented Jackson on special teams where he might risk suffering an injury</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Some fans have expressed concern that putting your starters, especially one as valuable as Jackson might not be wort the the risk. Personally, I don’t understand that logic. There’s only 16 games in an <span class="caps">NFL</span> season(for now), you can’t afford to not go all out to win every single one. If you aren’t letting your best punt returner return punts then you aren’t going all out to win. DeSean Jackson has game changing ability as a return man, if the Eagles lose a close game he might have been able to influence with a big return, then the fact that he may stayed healthy isn’t going to mean much.</p>
</blockquote>
https://philly.sbnation.com/2010/8/30/1659532/desean-jackson-and-ellis-hobbsMichael Bean2010-08-30T18:26:45-04:002010-08-30T18:26:45-04:00Philadelphia Eagles Trade RB Charles Scott To Arizona Cardinals for CB Jorrick Calvin
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/_mNcr1WCCgdMH6eSLlGQamKHFUM=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828129/large_philly.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>The Eagles pulled off a minor trade today sending rookie RB turned FB Charles Scott to the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for rookie CB Jorrick Calvin. Scott, who the Eagles took 200th overall out of <span class="caps">LSU</span> failed to make an impact at Lehigh or in preseason and was most likely set to be cut by the end of the week. However, when Arizona lost Nehemiah Broughton <a href="http://www.revengeofthebirds.com/2010/8/30/1658882/8-30-10-arizona-cardinals-bird#comments" target="new">to an <span class="caps">ACL</span> injury</a>, they decided to swing a trade for Scott. Ironically, the player Arizona sent in return was taken just one pick later in the 2010 <span class="caps">NFL</span> Draft.</p>
<p>Calvin's best shot to make the Eagles 53 man roster will be as a return man, <a target="_blank" href="http://espn.go.com/blog/nfceast/post/_/id/17546/eagles-trade-for-cb-jorrick-calvin">where he's shown some ability.</a></p>
<blockquote>
<p>"This guy has return ability ... and you’re always looking for corners," said Eagles general manager Howie Roseman. "It’s a hard-to-find position. We felt like it was an opportunity to bring a guy in and see what he has."</p>
</blockquote>
<p>None of the Eagles return men have really distinguished themselves so far this preseason and if he turned in a solid performance against the Jets, he very well might find himself a roster spot. If not, there's always the chance he lands on practice squad.</p>
https://philly.sbnation.com/2010/8/30/1659435/philadelphia-eagles-trade-rb-charles-scott-arizona-cardinals-jorrick-calvinJason Brewer2010-08-18T11:43:41-04:002010-08-18T11:43:41-04:00Eagles Training Camp: Birds Leaving Lehigh
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/_mNcr1WCCgdMH6eSLlGQamKHFUM=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828129/large_philly.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>Today, the Eagles held their final practice of the year at Lehigh University and closed their 2010 training camp. Head coach Andy Reid said he thinks the team built a good foundation in their time at Lehigh.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>“I think that built a foundation. In particular, a young group, and I think they need to be introduced to what the National Football League is all about. It’s faster, there’s more pressure put on you mentally and physically than what you had at the college level, and there’s no better place to figure all that out than right here. I’d rather have them figure it out here then when they get in the games they’re not worried about their conditioning or the plays that they’ve already studied, that they can go in and play football. It works into our favor when [GM] Howie [Roseman] and I have to sit down and have to make an evaluation on the players. We have a good base from practice and from the games. We can make smart decisions here.”</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Reid said he was impressed with the performance of the thirteen rookies at camp this year.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>“I told the team. I’ve been impressed with the energy and the work level and the effort that’s been put in. How they’ve handled themselves up here. And then the young guys have been very impressive, the draft picks, and how they’ve picked things up. Now, I give credit to the coaches and I give credit to the players that have been here that open up themselves to the young guys, even though it’s competition there, they’re not afraid to help them out. It’s a smart group that picked things up quickly.”</p>
</blockquote>
<p>The team spent longer than usual at camp this year, an extra 200 plays by Reid’s estimation. So far, they seem to have escaped relatively unscathed and avoided any major injuries. Any camp that closes with everyone intact is a good one…</p>
<p>The Eagles play their second preseason game Friday night against the Bengals in Cincinnati.</p>
https://philly.sbnation.com/2010/8/18/1629563/eagles-training-camp-birds-leaving-lehighJason Brewer2010-08-17T19:33:51-04:002010-08-17T19:33:51-04:00Scirrotto May Be Long Shot To Make Squad, But Still Thrilled To Be In Camp
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/_mNcr1WCCgdMH6eSLlGQamKHFUM=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828129/large_philly.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>A quick feel good story because, hey, he may not be with the team much longer. But for now, Anthony Scirrotto is living out his dream trying to make an <span class="caps">NFL</span> team. The former Penn State and western Pennsylvania product may be an extreme long shot to make the squad at wide receiver, but <a href="http://www.csnphilly.com/08/17/10/Eagles-Scirrotto-Turns-Down-MLB-for-NFL-/landing_eagles.html?blockID=292122&feedID=704" target="new">he’s not worried about anything but taking advantage of every day he has in camp.</a></p>
<p>What makes his story compelling is that Scirrotto bypasses a chance to play professional baseball a year ago in order to continue working towards his dream of playing in the <span class="caps">NFL</span>.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>“It comes down to this is my first priority – football,” Scirrotto said. “It’s the sport I loved the most since I was in high school and in youth programs. Baseball is a great opportunity for me, but it’s pretty much the backup plan of backup plans.”</p>
<p></p>
</blockquote>.
<p>Whether or not this is his only chance at catching on with a team in the league is to be determined, but he insists that for now he’s just enjoying the moment.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>“As long as I’m out here, I’m playing and I’m participating, it doesn’t matter if I’m practicing or active,” he said. “I just love being around the guys. I love being in this atmosphere. I just love this game. As long as I’m participating, as long as I’m around, I’m not even thinking about baseball.”</p>
</blockquote>
https://philly.sbnation.com/2010/8/17/1628542/philadelphia-eagles-training-camp-scirrotto-may-be-long-shot-to-makeMichael Bean2010-08-16T17:08:33-04:002010-08-16T17:08:33-04:00Eagles Defensive Coordinator Sean McDermott On Asante Samuel And Ellis Hobbs
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/_mNcr1WCCgdMH6eSLlGQamKHFUM=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828129/large_philly.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>While they were only on the field for six plays in the first preseason game, many people took note of how active and physical the Eagles’ corners were. We even saw the “tackling challenged” Asante Samuel wrap up and bring down a big TE… Eagles defensive coordinator Sean McDermott was asked about what seems to be Samuel’s new dedication to hitting & tackling.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>“Asante is a pro and he’s driven, in my mind, by being the best and the best that he can be. I think he realized that he needed to get in the weight room, which he has, and add muscle to his body, which he has. To me, he looks like he’s added five to six pounds of muscle. I can’t confirm that right now because I don’t know where he is, but I believe his weight was up about five or six pounds. When he came back in the spring, when I saw him for the first time since February or January there, [I knew] that he had been working hard. That’s to his credit.”</p>
</blockquote>
<p>He was also asked whether he thought Ellis Hobbs seemed to playing with a chip on his shoulder.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>“I really do. I would imagine when you’re in a situation like Ellis went through last year, not being able to be on the field, going through a significant injury that he went through, you see both sides of the game and how quickly things can be taken away in this league, both as a player and as a coach, for all of us. Whether it was that, or just how he is, and I think it’s a little bit of how he is, as well, an extremely driven individual, extremely aggressive, and then you look at the physical attribute. He’s quick, can burst, and loves to play the game. Those are all great qualities to have, especially in a corner.”</p>
</blockquote>
<p>If the Eagles corners play like they did Friday night they’ll consider that position a strength this year… but six plays against a team who can’t really throw the ball is hardly enough to judge.</p>
https://philly.sbnation.com/2010/8/16/1626238/eagles-defensive-coordinator-sean-mcdermott-asante-samuel-ellis-hobbsJason Brewer