I know he is gone but Steve Smith is now practicing....

Maybe we are talking about different things based on your last post. I agree with that, I am talking about who people blame Reese for contracts and shit like that. Point being, they seem to give him every responsiblity under the sun. All I am saying in a nut shell, is just blame the guy in charge. If that's Reese or Mara or God, blame them or him individually. If you sit and read, you will see a lot of fans tend to up anything and everything wrong on the highest power, which is Reese. I am sure if the doctors were wrong, you'd see blame Reese for listening to the doctor. lol.

But I will be back. I have to check if the flashlights have batteries.

the whole situation didnt make much sense.. Unfortunately Steve Smith is an Eagle now and we just have to except it. But if SS fully recovers and becomes his old self again, well then we just gave the Eagles a pro bowler and someone will have to own up to that giant mistake..

if Steve Smith comes back and plays better than expected then for some of y'all that mean Reese should be fired.

On the other hand, if Steve Smith doesn't outplay the Giant's expectations and it turns out that Philly gets burned by the risk does that mean Andy Reid should be fired?

unfortunately, once you get a label, you're stuck with it..I've called out this admin. and coaches more than you think..I couldn't stand the prior regime and said so quite often. Far from a Homer..I call it as I see it. I generally go through life supporting the proven until otherwise indicated. This regime has a proven record in the main and so I support them in the main. But again, once a rep always a rep..Finally when it comes to injuries and post surgical production, I tend to go with the world renowned surgeon(s) and his proven track record. He is not always right. Neither is Reese..Neither is Coughlin..And certainly not I

It's a win-win situation for the Eagles..If he pans out, then they got a good weapon and keeps their division rival from utilizing that weapon..If it, doesn't, oh well..it's just a fe million.

The reward greatly outweighs the risk, IMO..

you rule out that the Giants were playing games, which, at the very least, the Smith people indicated they were. According to Smith, he alleged that the Giants were trying to get him on the cheap and deliberately saying negative stuff about his health to lower the market. I, for one, do not believe that allegation, but I just don't think anyone knows how much he will be able to contribute once he is able to play. In other words, it is far from certain that the Giants were basic their entire strategy with Smith on the medical opinions. That remains to be seen.

was injured repeatedly last season. He got hurt, came back, got hurt came back, then got hurt and was done for the year. Not saying he damaged goods, but he is anything but durable.

I don't think that is necessarily true. The Eagles have exhausted their cap room, and it is a zero sum game. They already have three receivers and have glaring weaknesses at LB, Safety, and of course, OL. They put money into a position that they adequately had covered. I think the Smith signing for them was a panic reaction to Maclin, who the week Smith signed, was being tested for Lymphoma.

because JR wouldnt give him a 1 year deal.....just my feeling

I bet he offered him a two year deal just like Kiwi.

Smith didn't want to wait two years for his big pay day so he moved on

And you can't blame either one

Can't imagine Smith's going to get a big time deal from the Eagles, with Jackson, Vick, etc. being higher priorities.

My guess is he'll be somewhere else next year.

the Gianst organization don't spend money on the LB's either..They use the draft so that comparison is for naught..

They have no idea what Maclin is going to be so i think it was a very shrewd move. Plus they get the option toresigning Smith if he plays well down the stretch..It's not like they give him a contract worth 7M..They gave him a better contract then what the Giants offered

of whether other receivers will step up, I am confident that will happen. It's more a question of whether Manningham can be more of a consistent player taking over for Smith. We all know he's dynamic, and he could be a big play guy, but to me, that's where the gap is, the mistakes.

and they spent 2.3 million on a guy who they may or may not get any contribution from. I am not willing to say the Eagles did anything great, in that regard, at this point. Sorry. And, your linebacker comparison is off the mark. Last season, the Giants started Bullock and Boley (both FA's by the way). This year its Kiwi and Boley. By contrast,the Eagles are starting a ROOKIE fourth rounder, a second year 7th rounder, and I think a third year 6th rounder. Our linebackers, as weak as they are, is nowhere near the lack of quality that the Eagles have at that position. The Eagles could have signed Morrison or Lofa Tatupa for that same cash, if not less. And had a major upgrade, at least against the run, than Matthews.

Lotupa is stil sitting at home so what does that tell you..Bulluck, as much as i wanted to sign him when he first came available, was a stop gap..Just like Mithcell and the others..Boly was probably the last FA LB we signed to some money since barret Green.

And if you were to look back, the Giants FA LB long term signings haven't really panned out..See Barret green and carlos Emmons..Boley, is still a work in progress..I won't count Lavar because he got injured..

The Eagles wide receivers both practiced Saturday for the first time since the start of training camp, according to the team. The walkthrough is closed to the media.

Read more: http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/inq-eagles/Maclin-and-Smith-practice.html#ixzz1WGZhdVY1
Watch sports videos you won't find anywhere else

CRUZ!!!!

I agree.
And if there is a stink there is usually something rotten nearby.
We could have Smith and his agent lying to all concerned.

It's not just MM, it's everyone in this system that needs to play consistently well with no mistakes. People tend to focus on MM, but the guy is a playmaker. With more reps and balls coming his way I think he can be a big time play maker for us. Same with Nicks. I think Thomas, Hixon, and Cruz all have to step up and mitigate the loss of Smith. Boss's balls may go to them, our TE and who knows our RBs. I am not worried about that. The OL is where the magic happens. Without them, we can't do shit, so that's the area where I'd be more worried and thus focus my attention to when the season starts.

The Giants doctors didn't/don't feel he will be 100% for at least the first quarter of the season. Even if they are wrong, I would take that opinion into heavy consideration when signing a guy.

Just because he is practicing doesn't mean he is really ready. Who's to say he and the Eagles aren't rushing this?

He and Michael Vick may not be the match that he and Eli were. And with Desean Jackson looking for Larry Fitzgerald money and Maclin perhaps making a full recovery from his illness, the Eagles may not be willing to give Smith big money. So he could find himself back on the market next year.

it ain't happening. Manningham is going to be the priority next year..

if he doesn't get hurt.

Smith was supposed to be that guy this year, but an injury got in the way.

which is why I don't have high hopes for this season. Law of averages say some don't. As for MM he needs to focus more and catch the ball more cleanly and run better routes. I think sometimes MM leaves too many potential big plays on the field because he doesn't catch the ball cleanly. On the positive side these are all things he can correct.

story. Right now, though, the biggest worry for me regarding the offensive line is depth. We can live and improve with what we have now, but we really can't afford to lose much.

But getting back to the topic at hand, we all know MM is a playmaker, no doubt about it, but unlike some of the other afforementoned WR's, MM is going to be on the field on almost every play. It's much more imperative that he cut down on the mistakes, or becomes more consistent, whatever phrase one can use, because that is what's going to be the difference between keeping our offense on the field, and our defense off.

We all know what SS brought to our offense, and obviously, we have no idea what he can do going forward, but when he was healthy, he was as good of a security blanket a QB could have.

on the sidelines like some have said on this thread

Quote:

Saturday's practice was Smith's first as an Eagle. "It was great just to be back out there with my teammates and hearing the calls from (quarterback Michael) Vick," he said. "It was really fun." Smith said he's still not 100 percent, but is getting close. "It'll take me a few weeks, but I feel really good right now," he said. "I don't feel like I'm laboring or I can't cut. I'm doing good so far."

smith practicing - ( New Window )

if you friended Smith on Facebook while here, then you know whatever he says you can divide by 10

.

self is yet another. Again, tell me JUST ONE offensive player who had microfracture surgery who returned to his normal pre-injury self? I'll keep asking until I get one name. Don't bother with Colston as he has reinjured that knee

He's still a very young man. He doesn't have to be a great player to contribute based on what they are paying him. Don't hate.

just because he reinjured a knee doesn't mean someone else would.

if you actually read between the lines of the statements it does not seem like he was doing much. He said it does not feel like he can't cut, that does not mean he said HE CUT. or did anything remotely close. Even by his estimation (which people have pointed out he completely bs's on fbook and twitter), he is not 100%. The season starts in two weeks.

In January 2007, Kellen Winslow had microfracture surgery on his knee at the age of 23. Winslow recovered quickly and had his best season as a pro in 2007 with 82 receptions, 1,160 yards, and five TDs.

In January 2007, Kellen Winslow had microfracture surgery on his knee at the age of 23. Winslow recovered quickly and had his best season as a pro in 2007 with 82 receptions, 1,160 yards, and five TDs.

surgery is compensatory problems developing elsewhere. Oft times patients unwittingly compensate for an injured area, more or less in an unconscious(or conscious) protect mode, causing problems in the same or other areas. Yes, it can be a simple development of an independent problem, but most times it's as a result of the performed procedure. How many surgeries has KW had since? How has his production been as compared to his all-pro years?

Sorry, I don't see SS approaching his pre-injury form. Trust me, if proven incorrect on this one, I will be more than happy to admit I was off on this

wont have a very productive year is not due to the surgery, but due to the fact he doesn't have Eli passing to him.

we lt go this off season (Buress,Smith), but the common denominator is Eli. those guys got to be as good as they are due to ELi.

We did not let go of Burress. He was a FA.

especially the national media, don't realize how good Eli makes players. Mike Vick, like Roethlisberger, are excellent when the play breaks down (Vick is also good passing deep). Steve Smith will not thrive with a qb like that.

fact is, we don't have anyone on this team to replace him....

Since Smith is practicing, he is off the PUP......I do think the Eagles, or Smith himself, has rushed this....a big mistake...

Maybe it was the Giant's plan to bring him along slowly, so he would be ready for the second half of the season.....and since they felt he wouldn't be ready until then, they probably low balled him on his contract...as for that 35 mil offer, there is no way Smith did not know about it, if it was offered...he and his agent were looking for more, and the injury screwed their plans....

i really think hixon steps up really big this year. this guy had so much potential if anyone remembers some were claiming he would step up and be the number 1 when plax went and shot himself in the leg. he dropped that bomb from eli vs the eagles and never really lived up to the billing. granted he is coming off a knee injury but if he can be the excellent number 3 receiver that he was in this offense in 08 then i really feel the loss of smith, while still felt, will certainly be lessened with a big year from hixon.

make Steve Smith look good? I'm a Vick hater, but please, that's just ridiculous.

I can't say for certain whether or not Steve Smith will be successful or not. But, if you think Vick's skill set is to hit a guy on a precise cut, I don't hesitate to say you have never watched the guy play before.

and years before, and it's quite obvious there's been a big improvement in his game. He's playing in a west coast offense that isn't limited to either the short passing game or the long. I've seen him hit Maclin and Avant enough on shorter routes to see that isn't a problem for him.

I love Eli, but he's not the reason for Steve Smith's success.

and again vick is not Eli put that in your head.
Eli has 2 4000+ yds passing and 4 3000+ passing yds seasons and last 6 yrs his td numbers are 31,27,21,23,24,24.

Vick only last yr threw for the first time over 3000 yds. with 21TD career yr. So get that out of your heads that Eli and Vick are comparable.

That alone eliminates any means of comparison

be Eli), but to say Vick can't hit a receiver in stride or on a precise cut, then I'd say you were watching Mike Vick from 5 years ago.

Sly Eli

when it calls for bullet throws. It's when the throw requires some touch that he has problems.

saying the whole long haul thing... but on the otherside, he plays the slot and how many hits can that knee take? I hope he stays healthy and am not wishing him harm..but in the grand scheme of things, it remains to be seen if he is going to hold up.

Also- when a player says "Im 100%" I usually value that around 90 %...

When a player says "Not 100% yet" I value that at around maxiumum 75%...