What They’re Saying About the Eagles

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Here’s a roundup of what they national media saying about Eagles-Giants, Andy Reid, Nick Foles, the draft and Black Monday.

Peter King of SI.com predicts a 23-20 Giants victory:

A few big names in their swan songs here. Andy Reid and Mike Vick for the Eagles. Osi Umenyiora for the Giants. New York has a little bit more to play for, but don’t discount what Vick has to play for: his future.

Ashley Fox of ESPN.com offers her take on Reid:

It is time for a change. But that shouldn’t diminish how successful Reid’s tenure has been. He made the Eagles relevant year after year. The question never was “Will the Eagles make the playoffs?” but “How far will they go?” Expectations were high because Reid’s teams succeeded. He was even-keeled, a player’s coach, consistent and fair and real. Players wanted to come to Philadelphia because of him.

Fox predicts an Eagles win over the Giants:

Michael Vick gets to start and will be highly motivated to prove he deserves a starting job somewhere in 2013. Eagles 27, Giants 17.

Chris Burke of SI.com predicts that Alex Smith will be in an Eagles uniform next season:

What the Eagles do at QB next season will depend plenty on who is the head coach. A Chip Kelly-type might need a more mobile guy than Smith. But in a pro-style system, with Philadelphia’s talented corps of offensive weapons, Smith could be solid for a season or two while Nick Foles gets more time to develop.

ESPN.com’s John Clayton writes that the Giants won’t be happy to see Michael Vick:

Vick is obviously auditioning for possible jobs in Buffalo, Arizona, Jacksonville and other places looking for a quarterback. His return couldn’t be good news for the New York Giants. For the past couple of weeks, the Giants have looked like a team content with its two Super Bowl rings. The secondary has struggled. The defensive line has underachieved. Vick will want to put on a show. The Giants need a win to stay in the playoff race, but it appears their defense of the Super Bowl title will officially end Sunday whether they win or lose.

Pete Prisco of CBSSports.com predicts a 37-30 Giants win:

The Giants are barely alive, but they have to win here to have any chance. The Eagles will start Mike Vick here in what is likely his last game with the team. Can he show off for a new employer? The Giants haven’t been good on defense, so I think he can. This will be high scoring and fun to watch.

Rob Rang of CBSSports.com has the Eagles taking Texas A&M offensive tackle Luke Joeckel with the fourth pick:

Should head coach Andy Reid be on his way out in Philadelphia as many anticipate, don’t put it past the Eagles’ new head coach to elect to protect the team’s investments made in quarterbacks Michael Vick and Nick Foles by adding to the team’s offensive line. The Eagles boast plenty of talent on the roster but injuries have robbed them off the continuity necessary to win consistently. Joeckel, the junior left tackle who quietly has played a critical role in Aggie quarterback Johnny Manziel’s Heisman season, is NFLDraftScout.com’s top-rated prospect for the 2013 draft.

Dane Brugler of CBSSports.com also has the Eagles taking Joeckel:

Just like other positions on the Eagles depth chart, offensive tackle looked to be a strength, but injuries have really taken a toll on this team. Although Jason Peters injury situation will be a factor in Philadelphia choosing a tackle, Joeckel has the chance to grow into one of the NFL’s best.

Peter Schrager of FoxSports.com predicts a 27-20 Giants win:

As for Andy Reid, this script has been written for months. It has been a tumultuous year in Philly — both professionally and personally. It’ll be tough to beat the Giants in New York, given the dire quarterback situation in Philly, but a strong effort from the young Eagles for their longtime coach would be a better way for him to exit than a 30-point blowout.

Elliot Harrison of NFL.com predicts a 24-17 Giants win:

Whew doggy. Good luck here, folks. Well, not Foles. Nick isn’t playing, due to a broken hand. Yet that doesn’t make it any easier to pick a winner in this divisional bout, featuring a seriously rusty Michael Vick and a seriously slumping Eli Manning. So, what gives? The Philadelphia Eagles undoubtedly would like to win the final contest of the Andy Reid era, while the Tom Coughlin regime still has an outside chance at adding its sixth playoff berth in nine seasons. Give the nod to the New York Giants, who are 5-2 at home, with losses to only the Cowboys and Steelers. Wouldn’t it be ironic, though, if LeSean McCoy got 30 carries and produced 212 yards rushing? Even if Reid barely employs the stud tailback, it is worth noting that he gained 123 yards rushing against Big Blue earlier this season — in an Eagles win.

Adam Schein of NFL.com offers his take on Reid:

Reid had a remarkable run with the Philadelphia Eagles and should be celebrated for turning around the team and bringing true credibility to the franchise. Every year, Philly was a threat to win the Super Bowl. That’s how Reid should be remembered — not for his inability to deliver the Lombardi Trophy. But the expiration date has been reached. Owner Jeffrey Lurie said in the preseason that 8-8 would not be tolerated. It’s been worse than that, with the Eagles at 4-11. It’s been a tough and emotional year for Reid with the passing of his son. A change is needed for the Eagles and for Reid. I hope there’s true perspective when Andy Reid becomes the Eagles’ ex-coach on Monday. Chip Kelly makes sense in Philly.

Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com looks at what each non-playoff team needs in 2013:

The biggest challenge for the next coach: There are a lot of disparate parts that were signed to play in since-discarded schemes. The offensive line will need a new direction with Howard Mudd likely out of the picture. (Michael Vick approves. Not that he’ll be on the team).

Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk predicts a 14-10 Giants victory:

The Eagles quit on Andy Reid months ago. The Giants have looked in the last couple weeks like they quit on Tom Coughlin. Both of these teams are slouching toward the end of the season, but the Giants have more to play for.

Follow Sheil Kapadia on Twitter and e-mail him at skapadia@phillymag.com.

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