Assistant Offensive Coordinator Leaving the Birds
By Kevin K

According to Tim Jimenez of CBS Radio, recently promoted Eagles Assistant Offensive Coordinator, James Urban has left Philly and was signed by the Cincinnati Bengals as their WR Coach.

Urban was the Eagles QB coach for the last two seasons. The surprise is that Urban took what seemed to be a demotion after accepting the WR coaching role in Cincinnati.

Urban will work with new offensive coordinator Jay Gruden, who replaced Bob Bratkowski following a 4-12 season.

Vick Franchised
By Kevin K

The Eagles announced on Tuesday morning that they placed the Franchise Tag on QB Michael Vick. The Eagles also placed the Transition Tag on K David Akers, allowing them the right of first refusal to match any offer from another team. .

Vick will be paid as a Top 5 QB, due about $20 million in 2011.

“Michael Vick and David Akers were two of our most valuable players last year,” said coach Andy Reid. “They were well deserving of their Pro Bowl berths and we’re happy to take this step to ensure that they’ll be back in Philadelphia next season.”

Eagles Sign DE Phillip Hunt
By Kevin K

Adam Caplan reported earlier that the Eagles were expected to sign DE Phillip Hunt to a 3-year contract today, pending a physical. Well it's official, Hunt passed his physical and has signed with the Eagles.

Hunt could be a guy, like Jason Babin, that new defensive line coach Jim Washburn could use his magic on. The 25 year old Hunt is 6 foot 1 inch at 248 lbs could have a shot at making the Eagles team next season.

Hunt led the CFL in sacks last season with 16.

Hunt was Conference USA's defensive player of the year as a senior at the University of Houston and went undrafted in 2009. He spent a shot time with the Cleveland Browns before signing in the CFL with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. He recorded three sacks as a rookie with the Blue Bombers before breaking out in a big way in 2010.
 
According to Caplan, Hunt also worked out for the Cleveland Browns, New England Patriots, Houston Texans and Minnesota Vikings.

The choices for Hunt came down to the Eagles and the Vikings. Hunt wanted to play in a 4-3 scheme and not a 3-4 scheme which is why he chose the Eagles over the Vikings.

Eagles Fill Out Coaching Staff
By Kevin K

Eagles announced today the signing of Johnny Lynn as a defensive backs coach. Lynn was formerly the Giants Defensive Coordinator before Steve Spagnuolo.

Eagles also announced the promotion of James Urban (last years QB Coach) as assistant offensive coordinator. Replacing Urban will be former Eagle, Doug Pederson as the quarterbacks coach.

Other moves announced today were Duce Staley as special teams quality control coach, David Culley as senior offensive asst/receivers coach, and Bobby April Jr as defensive quality control coach.

Promotions for Defensive Coaches
By Kevin K

According to Jeff McLane of the Inquirer, Eagles promote Mike Caldwell as their LB coach and Mike Zordich as DB coach. Last year Caldwell was the assistant linebackers coach and Zordich was defensive quality control coach.

Both Caldwell and Zordich played for the Eagles in their NFL career. Caldwell played from 1998-2001 with the Eagles and Zordich played from 1994-1998 with the Eagles.

They remain on the Eagles defensive staff now lead by DC Juan Castillo. They join new addition Jim Washburn (Eagles defensive line coach).

Andy Reid is the Head Coach
By Kevin K

Last night via Twitter, Facebook, and basically any other social media website reported that the Eagles were going to fire Andy Reid and hire Jon Gruden in replace of him. The rumor apparently started on former Eagles FB Kyle Eckel's Facebook page and a radio reporter in Missouri. The basis of the rumor was an unconfirmed report that Gruden was in Philadelphia last night.

Now I have to be honest with you, how anyone could believe a rumor like this is beyond me. The rumor may have swirled out of control because there is a hate in some Eagles fans heart for Andy Reid but that is not a basis for judgment.

The Eagles released a statement Monday morning in regards to the rumor, “Early this morning we have received several inquiries regarding the rumors regarding Andy Reid and Jon Gruden. This was simply a rumor and there is no basis to it at all. It is simply not true.”

Fitzgerald Wants Kolb
By Kevin K

Before I start I want to say that no players can sign or be traded before the CBA is figured out and with the CBA it could cause a lockout for the upcoming 2011-2012 NFL season, that being said an interesting report came out today out of ESPN.

According to Adam Schefter, the Arizona Cardinals have asked Pro-Bowl WR Larry Fitzgerald which QB he wants the team to acquire. Fitzgerald's first choice is Eagles QB Kevin Kolb.

Once the CBA is figured out, the Eagles are expected to place the franchise tag on QB Michael Vick, leaving an opening to listen to offers for Kolb.

The Cardinals suffered during the 2009-2010 season with rotating QBs to the point that now they need a long term option at QB.

Ftizgerald also mentioned Ravens QB Marc Bulger, who turns 34 in April. Kolb would be a much better long term option at QB for the Cardinals in the future.

Castillo: Phan Reactions
By Kevin K

Throughout the NFL everyone seems shocked over the Eagles decision to move Juan Castillo from Offensive Line Coach to Defensive  Coordinator. Questions still remain up in the air on why the Eagles didn’t make  this move sooner and waited week after week to finally make an announcement. The bigger shock is that the Eagles decided to stay within the organization and promote Castillo, a Linebacker when he played football, to the defensive side of the football.

This move tells us that the Eagles will stay with the same defensive set as normal (4-3) and not change much play call wise.

That leaves the question open …. Why move Castillo to the Defensive Coordinator Position? Could Andy Reid be on such a short leash that Castillo could be named the Head Coach in the near future? Well that’s a story that only time will tell.

Last night on Facebook I asked what the Phans reaction were on this move; here is what they said:

A football minded person knows his football aka x's and o's. To say a coach only knows his x's or his o's is premature. So give him a chance. To be honest I've always been for hiring from within no matter what the job is.

I'm stunned...this just moves Andy closer to relinquishing his title as the current longest tendered NFL Head Coach.

Juan is a great coach and teacher. He is persistent and smart. I think it will benefit us to have a DC that knows both sides of the ball. I wish him well.

Take a look at the track record of coaches Andy Reid has hired. Many of them have gone on to be head coaches in the NFL (Childress, Harbaugh, Frazier, Spagnoula). If anyone knows what they are doing and is a good evaluator of coaching talent, its Andy Reid. This will go down as one of Andy's most criticized decisions that pans out to be a great move by the Eagles, guaranteed!

This is sad news for Eagles fans. Not online was the Offensive line horrible, but not your letting him be in charge of the whole defense? Ha the eagles are a joke.

This is a disgraceful choice for the dc coordinator role.

Another case of Andy and the eagles thinking they have all the answers. Pitiful choice.

Eagles Add Howard Mudd as Their Offensive Line Coach
By Kevin K

With the announcement of former Offensive Line Coach, Juan Castillo, taking over the Defensive Coordinator Position his replacement was  overshadowed.

The Eagles announced that Howard Mudd was hired as the new  Offensive Line Coach in place of Castillo.

Mudd had been in the NFL as an assistant since 1974 for a multiple of teams and is regarded as the best offensive line coach in NFL history. Most recently Mudd was the Offensive Line Coach from 1998-2009 and retired. Howard Mudd came out of retirement to coach the Eagles Offensive Line.

Howard Mudd’s former players spoke highly of him. "Very smart and has clearly got the experience to probably be the best offensive line coach this league has seen,'' Colts offensive tackle Ryan Diem said.

"He definitely brings some flavor . . . and he's a special guy,'' added Colts Pro Bowl center Jeff Saturday.

Andy Reid said the only way he would move Juan Castillo from Offensive Line coach is if he found a coach that was as good as or even better than Castillo. With the acquisition of Howard Mudd to the Eagles staff they are now clearly stronger on the Offensive Line.

Eagles Stand Up Against Bullying
By Kevin K

There was an incident of Bullying in Upper Darby SchoolDistrict, a School District outside of Philadelphia, in which the victim wasbeaten by seven older students that has now made National News.

According to 6 ABC News inPhiladelphia, “The segment began with the teen, Nadin Khoury, his mother, andstepfather speaking openly about the incident, which we first reported Mondaynight on Action News.

Khoury was attacked by sevenolder teenagers, bullied, beaten, and hung from a fence by his clothing. Ithappened in Upper Darby back in January 11th.

The teen told "TheView" why he thinks this all started.

"They were messing with mebecause I'm one of the smallest ones and, when we first moved to the area, theysaw my mom was African and they made fun of my mom a lot," Khoury said.

The teen said he's hoping thatsomeone will step in next time something like this happens, and call thepolice. In this case, police said witnesses did nothing to help.

The seven suspects, who attendthe Alternative High School for Troubled Students, remain in police custody forpsychiatric and risk evaluation”.

To surprise the student that was victimized a surprise appearance from WRDeSean Jackson, OG Todd Herremans, and C Jamaal Jackson.

DeSean Jackson handed a jersey to the victim and autographedit. All three players said that they “have his back” and offered him and hisfamily tickets to any Eagles game next season.

visit http://ichoose2live.com/ for more information on Anti-Bullying. Eagles Center Jamaal Jackson is an advocate for this website.

Video Courtesy of BleedingGreen Nation and the View