<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Eagles position battles July 25, 2008 8:30 AM Posted by ESPN.com's Matt Mosley Herremans Jean-Gilles Left guard: Todd Herremans vs. Max Jean-Gilles Herremans has started the past two seasons at left guard after seeing time at offensive tackle during his rookie season. Jean-Gilles is livin' large at 6-foot-3, 358 pounds, which doesn't sound all that healthy. Jean-Gilles played in four games last season and started once in place of an injured Shawn Andrews. If either Tra Thomas or Jon Runyan get hurt, Herremans might have to move back to tackle. In the end, Herremans will win the competition. Intensity index: Mild Backup receivers: DeSean Jackson vs. Jason Avant vs. Hank Baskett vs. Greg Lewis Jackson will probably emerge as the No. 3 wide receiver. He was one of the fastest receivers in the draft and he should make a big impact in the return game. If he starts strong, he could push incumbent starters Kevin Curtis and Reggie Brown. Curtis has always seemed more comfortable in a third receiver role. Jason Avant turned a lot of heads in last year's training camp, but he only had 23 catches for 267 yards and two touchdowns from his No. 3 spot. He could be the odd man out if Hank Baskett (16 catches) and Greg Lewis (13 catches, three TDs) claim the fourth and fifth spots. Intensity index: Hot DeSean Jackson, Kevin Curtis, Reggie Brown, Hank Baskett, Eagles, position battles Read comments or leave a comment -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cowboys position battles July 25, 2008 9:30 AM Posted by ESPN.com's Matt Mosley Henry Jones Cornerback: Anthony Henry vs. Adam Jones Henry wasn't pleased during last month's minicamp when Jones received some reps with the first team. But a Cowboys source told me Wednesday that he can't envision a scenario where Jones overtakes Henry during training camp unless there's an injury. Even though he was banged up last season, Henry still managed a team-leading six interceptions. He's got the best ball skills on the team and coaches think it will be a while before Jones shakes the rust off. Rookie Mike Jenkins will be the fourth cornerback. When the Cowboys go into their nickel package, Terence Newman will move inside and Henry and Jones will play on the outside. Of course, Jones has to get reinstated before you see him in a regular-season game. That's a certainty unless he breaks containment with authorities. Intensity index: Mild Ratliff Johnson Nose tackle: Jay Ratliff vs. Tank Johnson It's a stretch to call this an open competition, but it beats talking about the battle for third receiver, which will be a grudge match between Miles Austin and Sam Hurd if Terry Glenn doesn't agree to an amended contract. Johnson has fit in well with the team, but Ratliff's the guy who just got paid. He's outperformed his seventh-round selection and become one of the defense's emotional leaders. When Johnson rotates in at nose tackle, Ratliff is able to move to right end. Last year, this was a position of concern -- especially after Jason Ferguson went down with an injury. Ratliff played so well, though, that Ferguson became expendable. Intensity index: Just for show Dallas Cowboys, Mike Jenkins, Adam Jones, Anthony Henry, Terence Newman, Terry Glenn, Sam Hurd, Miles Austin, Jay Ratliff, Tank Johnson Read comments or leave a comment -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The NFC East blog mission statement July 25, 2008 2:06 AM Posted by ESPN.com's Matt Mosley In case you're just joining us, this blog will be dedicated to 'round the clock coverage of the NFC East. After spending seven years with the Dallas Morning News, I began authoring the Hashmarks blog (RIP) on ESPN.com. The blog, which received its name from NFL Live anchor Trey Wingo, gave me an opportunity to create contacts with all 32 teams in the league. It also gave readers a chance to bash me for my perceived Cowboys bias on a regular basis. Well, I won't apologize for providing insight into the most popular team in the league because that's where I cut my teeth as a reporter. But you'd be hard-pressed to find anyone in the Dallas area who thinks I show favoritism to my hometown team. At times, you will accuse me of spending too much time on the Eagles. Other times, it will be the Giants and Redskins. As long as that occurs, I'll be doing my job. My plan is to follow the most compelling stories in the division on a daily basis. I want this to be a place where fans of the four NFC East teams can congregate. If you look on the right-hand side of the blog, you'll see a mailbag. From time to time (perhaps today), I'll go through and empty the mailbag. As long as you keep the expletives to a minimum, I'd be happy to answer your questions. I don't want the comments section to turn into a trash-talking destination -- unless your taunts are really funny. If you're wondering about my background, I graduated from a Big 12 powerhouse in Waco, Texas, took an awful job in the real world and then fled to law school, where I lasted roughly four semesters. I somehow transitioned into sportswriting, and six years later became a blogger/columnist for the Dallas Morning News. I want this blog to be a two-way street where you guys feel like your opinion is valued -- as long as it's halfway decent. Think of this as your one-stop shop for NFC East news and opinions. Michael Irvin, Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, New York Giants Read comments or leave a comment -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NFC East Headlines: Cowboys and Eagles edition July 24, 2008 2:12 PM Posted by ESPN.com's Matt Mosley Cowboys Jacques Taylor says it's Super Bowl or bust for the Cowboys. And congrats to Jacques on his new blog. I know you guys have been waiting for Kevin Burnett's take on the Jason Taylor trade. The Cowboys have put Oxnard, Calif., on the map. Jim Reeves of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram says this season is all about winning a playoff game. Mac Engel has a nice feature story on Cowboys running back Felix Jones. Some solid quotes from the great David Lee in there. Roger Staubach sounds off on this year's Cowboys team. Eagles Don't sleep on the Pocono Record when it comes to Eagles news. Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson doesn't know what all the fuss is about at cornerback. Andy Reid has a plan, and he's sticking to it. Les Bowen has the latest on the Brian Westbrook watch. Bob Ford has a column on sixth-round pick Joe Mays. Eagles, Cowboys, Roger Staubach, Felix Jones, David Lee, Jason Taylor Read comments or leave a comment -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cowboys sign Bennett and Choice July 24, 2008 1:14 PM Posted by ESPN.com's Matt Mosley The Cowboys were able to sign second-round draft choice Martellus Bennett and fourth-round pick Tashard Choice on Thursday. First-round picks Felix Jones and Mike Jenkins are the only players who remain unsigned. It wouldn't surprise me if Jones and Jenkins missed a practice or two, but don't expect a prolonged holdout. Jerry Jones and Wade Phillips will open training camp with a 7 p.m. ET news conference this evening. The Cowboys also made a roster move by releasing former Baylor linebacker Khari Long. He spent part of last season on the practice squad. Tashard Choice, Felix Jones, Mike Jenkins, Jerry Jones, Wade Phillips, Khari Long, Cowboys Read comments or leave a comment -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The pass heard 'round Lehigh Valley July 24, 2008 11:53 AM Posted by ESPN.com's Matt Mosley One of the great things about training camp is that entire columns/blog entries can be based on a single 7-on-7 drill. On Wednesday, we learned that Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb's arm was so live that he bounced a 20-yard throw off DeSean Jackson's shoulder pads. Here's how my friend Sal Paolantonio (even though he insists on calling me Mark) described the play: "And McNabb dropped back five steps and fired a laser -- definitely no sign of any lingering tendinitis in his throwing shoulder -- across the middle to rookie second-round pick DeSean Jackson. Diminutive Jackson was unprepared for McNabb's velocity, and the ball caromed off the rookie's shoulder pads. McNabb looked away, less than pleased." The good news is that McNabb appeared to have his arm strength back. The bad news is that he'll need to lob balls to Jackson in the future. In reality, this is what Eagles fans are accustomed to. Since he joined the franchise a decade ago, McNabb has constantly been under the microscope. He led the team to NFC title games and to a Super Bowl in 2004. But his star has faded since then. There was the breakup with T.O. and two major surgeries. And the drafting of quarterback Kevin Kolb didn't sit well with his ego. But this week, he's acted like all of that never happened. He puffed his chest out and offered a confusing scenario where the Eagles should've swept their NFC East foes last season. He doesn't understand why anyone would be cynical at this point. "A lot of people have picked us to win the NFC, and rightfully so," said McNabb, suggesting all business in a plain white T-shirt and ball cap. "It's not that hard to see the type of team we have. You don't win NFC championships or the NFC on paper. You put it out on the field. Our team hasn't changed that much where we can't win the NFC again." Quick question: Can a man suggest "all business" in a plain white T-shirt and ball cap? Anyway, I would suggest the Eagles have changed quite a bit since that last Super Bowl run. Emotional leader Jeremiah Trotter has left the building and safety Brian Dawkins is sneaking up on 35. You're also missing the star wide receiver from that last NFC championship team. I don't necessarily think it's a bad thing for the quarterback to try and set the tone for the Eagles with a little bravado, but I think fans are ready to see it on the field. Donovan McNabb, Jeremiah Trotter, Brian Dawkins, DeSean Jackson, Terrell Owens, Kevin Kolb, Philadelphia Eagles</div> http://myespn.go.com/blogs/nfceast Yeah, he's a rookie.... yeah, its only training camp..... I agree its not really that big of a deal. But hey, news is news....
