WE HAVE MOVED!

WE HAVE MOVED TO www.bleedgreenforever.wordpress.com. SEE THE PREVIOUS POST FOR MORE DETAILS ABOUT OUR TRANSITION.

The Future is Now

Bleed Green has made the transition to WordPress blog hosting, spiced up the layout, and added a ton of new features as part of a major makeover to the site. Because we have experienced a great increase in our fan base and a growing community of Eagles followers, the decision was made to move the site to a more professional and illustrious webpage. This post was meant to inform you—Bleed Green’s fans—of all of the changes that have been made to insure you continue to enjoy our service of Philadelphia football news and a unique interactive experience:

The URL

First and foremost, we will no longer be located on the internet under the URL www.bleedgreenforever.blogspot.com, and have made the transition to www.bleedgreenforever.wordpress.com. The original web address will continue to support the old version of the site, but there is no need to check back on this, for all of the new information and articles will be posted on the new URL. Be sure to inform all of your fellow Eagles fans that our URL has changed, so that if they miss the bulletin, they will still be able to visit the proper Bleed Green.

The Layout

Perhaps the biggest appearance change of Bleed Green comes in the form of the new layout, which replaces the old Eagles-green background and Bleed Green logo with a much more organized and clearer-viewed black, white, and green layout including a newly designed logo (featuring Donovan McNabb and DeSean Jackson). The text style and format types have all been altered as well for a more appealing and colorful look. A “tab system” has also been installed at the top of the screen, which can be found on most all official websites. Rather than having to scroll through archives and old posts to find certain things, you can now browse through the tabs “Home”, “About Us”, “Contact”, “Segments” (Season Vault, 1 on 1 Interviews, Stories from the Nest, etc.), “Fantasy Football”, “NFL Draft”, “Media”, “Fan Photos” (send yours in!), “Forum”.

The Sidebar

The sidebar (which was used in the old version of the site to store additional facts, information and interactive widgets) has also received a complete makeover. It has been shifted over from the left side of the screen to the right (where it began when Bleed Green was first released to the world wide web), and has been amped up with a wide range of new features. These features include a Search toolbar (search for anything on our site!), a great new “Subscribe to E-Mail” block (receive instant updates from our site via e-mail!), a “Fan of the Week” block, a “Picture of the Week” block, a Visitor Counter (we are eager to see how many times our fans stop by the site, and so are some of the followers!), and a section devoted to “Our Goals” (we plan to update this often with several goals we have for the site). A “Fan Challenge” block has been added, which keeps readers reminded of the latest Challenge. A chat box will be available at specified times, and the Polls, Poll Archives, and “Bleeding Green Around the Web” block remain on the sidebar (however, the Bleeding Green Around the Web block has been stripped down to displaying only our site’s Twitter, Facebook, and Digg accounts, rather than also including Bleeding Green Nation and YardBarker profiles.) Our list of “partner” blogs also remains, and a link to the AthletePromotions company has been added, for we have constructed an agreement which allows us access to famous Eagle players. In addition to these changes, a commemorative memorial block in honor of Jim Johnson has been added, and the several boxes that included other networks' news (NFL.com, Sports Illustrated, etc.) have been removed to "un-clutter" the page.

The Staff

While I retain my position as Manager, Adam Lechak continues to man the Feature Writer role, and Kyle Phillippi continues handling the Fantasy/Feature Writer title, Bleed Green welcomes the addition of one more staff member, in Noah Drauschak. Drauschak, who has written several praised articles on Bleeding Green Nation, will become our site’s NFL Draft writer, and will provide fans with in-depth looks at the college prospects, top collegiate players, and their impact on the NFL and the Eagles, as well as (of course) the Draft.

Closing

All in all, we hope that you enjoy our new version of bringing you non-stop Eagles news and excitement! E-A-G-L-E-S! EAGLES!

Nagy Disapproved; DiMichele Signed

QB Matt Nagy, who was just signed to temporarily replace Kevin Kolb (injured knee), is already back to his old job. No, the Eagles didn't realize that Kolb has the strength to play on Thursday and released Nagy. No, the team didn't trade the former Arena Football League star to another franchise. Instead, Nagy (pictured) has been shoved from Philly's roster because the NFL has disapproved his contract. This is rarely seen in the league, but obviously Nagy (who was spending time at Eagles camp as an apparent coaching intern before he was signed) and his deal were not what the NFL was expecting.

Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Daily News network wrote this in a recent article regarding the subject:

Neither the league nor the team (including Nagy) wanted to explain what
happened. One possible interference is that the NFL does not want teams stashing
extra players, above the roster limit, in "internships", just in case someone
gets hurt. There is no evidence the Eagles did that--this is Nagy's second
summer at Birds camp, so if they were planning a slick move, they sure planned
it well in advance. But you can see how a team might look at the Eagles' signing
of Nagy and think having a few guys like that around wouldn't be a bad move.

Since Nagy made the transition back to his coaching role via the contract failure, the Eagles needed to find another QB to temporarily fill Kolb's backup shoes for at least one preseason game. And they found one in Adam DiMichele, who was with the team in minicamps competing for a reserve roster spot as a QB. If you don't remember much about DiMichele from when he was with the Birds in the spring, here's a quick low-down:

• Played at Temple University from 2006-2008
• Started all three seasons at QB
• Threw for 5,024 yards, 40 TDs
• Was an accomplished high school athelete, earning the "Player of the Year" award while attending Sto-Rox High School
• Signed with the Eagles as a rookie free agent shortly after the Draft
• Released by the Eagles on June 11

It is not known how long DiMichele will spend with the team, but it's almost guaranteed that he'll be playing for the Eagles in tomorrow night's preseason opener.

Picture source: Online image. pennlive.com

Training Camp Report: Baskett Returns; Booker Shines

In another Training Camp Report, we provide you with all of the latest headlines and reports coming out of Lehigh University, home of 2009 Eagles Training Camp:

• WR Hank Baskett returned to the field after hyperextending his knee in the morning practice, and was able to participate in pass drills and warm-up routines. He should be ready to go for the preseason, as his injury appears to have very minor effects.
• QB Matt Nagy, recently signed to temporarily fill Kevin Kolb's role, saw a few reps in practice, completing a 15-yard pass to WR Shaheer McBride and several other "small-gainers" to various targets.
• RB Lorenzo Booker looked fantastic in today's drills and routines, as he was able to speed past covering LBs (including Joe Mays) to record a couple of great deep passes. He also took a few handoffs for small, yet needed yardage.
• RB Eldra Buckley also made some nice deep catches after beating covering LBs. Buckley's performance level dropped over the past few days, but he seems to be trying his hardest to stick with the team.
• LBs Matt Wilhelm and Akeem Jordan both experienced good practices, for both were able to deflect key passes and stop attempted running plays almost immediately.
• Former Eagles head coach Dick Vermeil was in attendance, and occassionally added his opinion of a play to the many voices being heard at Camp.
• Offensive and defensive plays were run many times in hopes of getting them in the players' minds for the upcoming preseason.
• The offensive linemen continue to merge together as Camp comes to a close. OTs Jason Peters and Stacy Andrews (pictured) both worked well together while manning Tackle roles in drills, and they look forward to doing the same work as partners in the season.

As Training Camp comes to an end (tomorrow is the last practice), we will continue to provide you with the final reports and news from Camp.

Picture source: Online image. www.philadelphiaeagles.com

Baskett Injured at Camp; No Worries

WR Hank Baskett (pictured right, with Kevin Kolb) suffered a hyperextension his knee while participating in this morning's Training Camp session. Although the injury, the same that fellow receiver DeSean Jackson suffered a few days ago, is not a good sign, it is definitely not going to keep Baskett out of significant action. In fact, it is expected that the WR will resume practicing by tomorrow...

...which is why I am starting to question the injury reports coming out of Lehigh University. Yes, it's not good that we are having a ridiculous amount of players hurt this Camp, but almost all but the Bradley and Ingram injuries (Jackson, Cole, Kolb, Baskett) have been exaggerated to the point of making Eagles fans cast doubt on the season.

So, look on the bright side. We still have one of the NFL's best "depth" rosters, and despite these recent injuries and setbacks, we have no reason to enter the 2009 season without confidence.

Updates on Baskett's situation will be posted as soon as new information surfaces.

Picture source: online image. d.yimg.com

Former AFL QB Signed

After it was revealed that QB Kevin Kolb suffered a strain in his shoulder today at practice, it became apparent that the Eagles would be left with only two Quarterbacks for Thursday's preseason opener. And while Donovan McNabb and A.J. Feeley are perfectly capable of managing 4 quarters of preseason football, the organization likes to keep the main players out of harm's way in these games for the sake of the regular season. And because Kolb cannot be expected to return to the field until the weekend, at least, the Eagles added a QB to the roster, likely only for the preseason.

Matt Nagy, a former Arena Football League star, agreed to a short-term contract, and will man the 3rd QB duties temporarily. The 6-year AFL veteran (pictured) compiled 18, 866 yards, 374 TDs, and only 55 INTs while playing indoor ball, and brings leadership that he acquired back in college (Delaware) when he earned All-American honors.

Because Camp rosters must be limited to 80 players, the Eagles decided to release WR Brandon Robinson. Robinson, a rookie free agent signing, was inconsistent during practice, and although he was involved in some astounding plays, he was no where near as talented and consistent as the other wideouts.

Picture source: Online image. blogs.lancasteronline.com

Training Camp Journal

In place of the usual Training Camp Report today will be my Camp journal updates from this morning and a recap of the afternoon practice. Below are the live posts I submitted while attending today's practice, with an updated comment, and below those is a recap of the headlines of the afternoon practice and drills:

9:23 a.m. ET: Live Camp Journal: WRs B. Gibson, H. Baskett looking good in pass drills. CB S. Brown hurt on 11 on 11 practice. Updated Comment: Gibson ran some great routes and was able to seperate himself from the defensive backs when going for the reception. Baskett similarly ran quality pass routes, and made a spectacular diving catch on one of McNabb's tosses. Sheldon Brown landed hard on his back after leaping to defend a pass, and didn't look to be in serious pain.

9:33 a.m. ET: Live Camp Journal: CB S. Brown returns to field after injuring himself on a previous drill. Updated Comment: Brown returned shortly after walking off the field, and doesn't seem to have any trouble with his injury any more.

10:13 a.m. ET: Live Camp Journal: RB E. Buckley and QB A.J. Feeley among those struggling in practice. Updated Comment: Buckley looked surprisingly bad after beginning Camp with an explosion of talent. He was denied many rushing attempts, and was disciplined several times by the coaching staff. As for Feeley, the QB was off target on many of his throws, and never looked comfortable while passing.

10:15 a.m. ET: Live Camp Journal: QB D. McNabb is looking sharp, completing many throws and breaking off a few good runs. An interception was his only big mistake. Updated Comment: McNabb was clearly the star on offense, and even made the fans excited when he turned around from the sidelines by request of a fanatic who desperately wanted a good picture of him.

10:51 a.m. ET: Live Camp Journal: DE Trent Cole and QB Kevin Kolb are tending to minor injuries that don't appear to be serious. Updated Comment: Both Kolb and Cole were quietly escorted off the field, and after being examined, it was revealed that Kolb sustained a strain in his knee, and Cole suffered a minor shoulder strain. Cole is expected to be ready for the regular season, and Kolb's status is unknown.

10:55 a.m. ET: Live Camp Journal: LB Joe Mays played with the 1st-team defense, and looked solid while making tackles and covering receivers. Updated Comment: Mays remains ahead of Omar Gaither for the MLB job in my opinion, and he continued to hold his spot today, especially after producing some big hits and consistent play.

Afternoon practice:

• CB Asante Samuel continued his "entertainment" today by loudly and humorously provoking the offensive players. He also continued to instruct younger players, and seems to be solidifying himself as one of the team's largest leaders.
• All of the players (except the "rehab group") participated in basic drills, for there was not much planned for the afternoon session. The heat and humidity may have also been a factor in why the Eagles performed all of the important drills and routines in the morning.

Take a look at some exclusive photos captured this morning while evaluating Camp and submitting live updates: