Gaffney, Not Bunkley Busted On Weapons Charge

[Rome]

So all the guys who missed camp and turned out to be busts as a result were flukes yet the one or two players who didn't turn out to be busts were the real deal?

Oh, I see.

[Rome]

i didnt see him contributing much this year even had he been at camp from the jump off

And then...

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/5819844

6. Philadelphia

Tackle Mike Patterson had a surprisingly effective rookie year, and veteran Darwin Walker is very quick on inside penetration, which makes him a perfect fit for coordinator Jim Johnson's blitz-happy defense. But when Patterson and Walker need a breather, Eagles fans will be in for a treat: Rookie tackle Brodrick Bunkley is a freak of nature who combines incredible upper-body strength with great speed. He'll look good next to "The Freak," end Jevon Kearse. End Darren Howard was a great free-agent signing. End Trent Cole is a converted linebacker and a good pass rusher.

Which is it, IGY?  Is he going to be great or a bust?

[BigEd76]

McNabb held out for 1-2 weeks and missed learning the WCO from Doug Pederson.  How'd that turn out?

[T_Section224]

McNabb held out for 1-2 weeks and missed learning the WCO from Doug Pederson. How'd that turn out?

still no SB rings, maybe those two weeks costs us a championship!!

[Susquehanna Birder]

What a stupid article.  Brookover gets an F for that pile of crap. 

Anyone can isolate a couple hold outs who failed and extrapolate ridiculous conclusions.  And of course Johnson is gonna spew crap like "you just don't catch up."  If that were REALLY the case, they'd release him.  "You don't catch up."  What a crock of shtein.  We all know damn well that he's missed nothing vital.  It's bullshtein company rhetoric, parroted by a punch-the-clock sports page clip.  Big whoop.

I'm not concerned.

What he said.

Same here. That article smacks of front-office propaganda. If there is any position in the roster that can sustain a holdout, it's DT. Especially for a guy who may or may not crack into the starting DL rotation. I have no doubt that given his apparent abilities, Bunkley should have plenty of time to get up to speed.

[Rome]

McNabb held out for 1-2 weeks and missed learning the WCO from Doug Pederson.  How'd that turn out?

Apples and oranges.

Did he contribute in a meaningful way in his rookie season?

Not so much, Ed.

[PhillyPhreak54]

Not including P or K, I'd say that DT and DE are the easiest positions for a rookie to jump right in and play.

QB obviously is the hardest.

I'm not trippin yet. Both the Eagles and Wichard need to pull their heads outta their asses.

[General_Failure]

McNabb was not going to contribute in a meaningful way in his rookie season unless Dougie Fresh got shot in the face. Even then, Koy might have played a little.

[Rome]

Both the Eagles and Wichard need to pull their heads outta their asses.

On that we agree.

Both camps are acting stupid here and should be taken to task for doing so.

[BigEd76]

Did he contribute in a meaningful way in his rookie season?

Not so much, Ed.

Played in 12 games and started 6 before getting hurt, mostly relying on athleticism alone (like Vick still does)

[ice grillin you]

Which is it, IGY?  Is he going to be great or a bust?

#1 i said i dont see him contributing that much THIS YEAR...how would that make him a bust

#2 i didnt write that about the defensive line...thats was an article...note the link i included

[Rome]

You asserted that Bunkley holding out won't affect him.  Then you said you didn't expect him to do much this year even if he was there the first day of camp.

You're playing both sides of the argument like you always do, IGY.

Which is it?  Will Bunkley be a force this year or won't he?

I think he'll be much less effective and productive because of this extended holdout.  That's my position.  Which is yours?

[Rome]

I wanted to add one other thing... I sincerely hope I'm wrong about this situation.  I hope Bunkley beats the odds and comes in and dominates.  Based on past history, though, I just don't see that happening.

[PhillyPhreak54]

Eagles Blog: Bunkley's Agent Has Old Beef With Eagles

By Scott Bomboy, Managing Editor, NBC10.com
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The agent for holdout Eagles rookie Brodrick Bunkley may have a big, historic axe to grind with the Eagles.

Just put agent Gary Wichard's name into Google along with the word "Holdout" and you will find an old article from the New York Times.


Link: query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CE0DB123FF933A1575AC0A966958260

Yes, in 1990 the same Gary Wichard convinced his client, Eagles pro bowl tight end Keith Jackson, to holdout for 50 days.

Eventually, Jackson and Wichard signed the same contract offered to them by the Eagles at the start of the holdout.

The Eagles lost their first two games that year without Jackson and Jackson had to pay more than $100,000 in fines. Since he was making $500,000 a year, it was a bitter pill for an agent to swallow.

The move also helped cost the Eagles an NFC division title and coach Buddy Ryan his job.

Flash forward to 2006. Wichard represents three new Eagles players: Darren Howard, Jeremy Bloom and Bunkley.

Howard has been a find for the Eagles but Bloom may not play at all this season (if ever).

Wichard aggressively sold Bloom's skills to NFL teams, but there's talk Bloom may not even be good enough to be put on the Injured Reserve list.

Wichard also represented, back in the day, a huge NFL bust - Brian Bosworth.

The Bunkley situation could be a bigger disaster. The team keeps saying it expects to sign Bunkley soon, since 26 other first-round picks have signed deals.

But Wichard wasn't even speaking with the Eagles as of Monday, and the team may not even have contract terms from Wichard.

And the chances of Bunkley playing well aren't very good, according to an excellent column from the Inquirer's Bob Brookover:

Link: .philly.com/mld/philly/15167526.htm.

Basically, rookies who miss their first training camp just don't play well - ever. Andy Reid and Jim Johnson said the same thing at a press conference last week.

And rookie LaJuan Ramsey has already taken Bunkley's spot on the defensive line.

The bottom line: If Bunkley doesn't sign this week, the team will just move on.

Eventually, like with the 1990 Jackson holdout, Bunkley would take the Eagles first contract offer, but he will not be a force on the field for 2006.

Also, the Allentown Morning Call reported that Bunkley wasn't returning phone calls from Eagles teammates, as well as coaches.

[reese125]

you know Bunkley is itching to pick up the phone by his teammates and new coaches and get this season started, but you have a scumbag agent whispering in his ear not to pick up, promising him the "best possible deal for you and your family" bull$htein and the war begins. Not realizing that probably in year 4 or 5 a bigger deal could come if you really are THAT good.

i smell bust