A Collection of Thursday Thoughts

Not to kick a man while he's down, but the fact that no team in the NFL has tried to sign Dhani Jones is a pretty good indication that our eyes weren't deceiving us when we watched him. 
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The Eagles are being investigated for violating the prohibition against physical contact during mini-camps.  Because everyone does it, it's a bit like being pulled over for speeding, but the penalty could include loss of a draft pick.
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Think the Eagles were displeased with the play of their defensive tackles the last few years?  Compare this depth chart from last April and this one from today and look at the DT position.  Only one guy remains from that group.

As a Penn State fan, I really don't know what final outcome to root for in this whole off-campus brawl mess.  I will say -- and I know this is heresy -- but there were times last year when Anthony Scirrotto was the best player on our defense.  I feel like a Miami fan hoping he won't be suspended for the Notre Dame game in week two.
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Not to spend too much more time on this, but SI's Peter King revisited his quarterback rankings this week and defended his slotting of McNabb at #12:

"McNabb doesn't get the benefit of the doubt any more, at least from me. He's got to prove his durability. And it's not just me he's got to prove it to. Why do you think Reid took a quarterback in the second round of the draft? Pretty obvious, isn't it? Deep down, he doesn't know if he has a quarterback he can trust to stay on the field."

...and so he drafted a guy who can't possibly be ready to contribute for at least the next two seasons?  Try harder.  This also guarantees the Eagles aren't going to be SI's pick to win the division this year, even though our back-up quarterbacks closed out the season better than the other teams' starters did.
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I'm getting irrationally excited about the development of Chris Gocong.  I just need to put that on the table so you can take anything I say about him between now and opening day with a grain of salt.  I'd feel the same way about Takeo Spikes, but the guy only has one year left on his contract.  If he plays well, there's no way we're keeping him after this season.  You heard it here first, next year's starters at linebacker will be Gocong (SAM), Bradley (MIKE) and Gaither (WIL). 
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Last season, the Rice Owls baseball team cruised through their first two games in the College World Series, only to lose two straight to eventual champ Oregon State to miss out on the finals.  This season, Rice bashed out easy opening wins over Louisville and North Carolina before getting shut down yesterday in a rematch against UNC.  Next game is tonight at 7ET on ESPN.  Even if you don't care about the teams, college baseball is fun to watch this time of year.  And if the Owls win, you'll get a chance to see Phillies' #1 draft pick Joe Savery pitch in the championship series.
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Comments

[McTumms]

I know you're thinking a few steps ahead here, but JJ seems pretty committed to the idea of Gaither at MIKE. (I know, longterm, I'd move him a few steps to the right, too.) JJ also talks about Bradley only at SAM. Could they move Gocong middle or, really pushing it, weakside? Not this year's question (let's hope). If Trotter's really at the end, there's a decent chance they resign Spikes, I think. BUT I also think Spikes must have had some role in the NFLPA investigation of the OTAs--if the story's legit. I'm speculating wildly here, and I find it hard to believe that he blew the whistle (plus, I love this man for what he adds to the team); nevertheless, in light of his seat on that advisory council, wouldn't someone in the NFLPA have checked with him before pursuing this matter? As for the whistle-blower...well, I have theories, but my comments tend to be too long anyway--rather like this one--so I'll spare everyone.

[McTumms]

Crap, I do have to add one thing: I just watch the Bunk interview on PE.com. The team's own web content may have done them in on this one, which wouldn't have anything to do with Spikes, naturally.

[BleedingGreenNation]

That rambling mess should have read...

Gocong's physical skills really impress me. His meaureables are pretty similar to that of Shawne Merriman. Now, I'm not saying he'll be the next Merriman, but those physical tools are a nice thing to have. Every time he rushes the QB, he's going to be a mismatch for someone. He's faster than any tackle and he's bigger than any RB.

[McTumms]

No penalt, just a letter from the league office? All's good in Eagleland.