the "why Brodrick Bunkley STILL hasn't signed yet" thread

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

bunkley...who is going to be the best DT in the nfl for the next ten years

Link?

[The BIGSTUD]

Patterson isn't a pro bowler, but I think he's the level right below that. Very good but not quite that pro bowl greatness level.

Patterson has done all that was asked of him and more. He's been a very solid addition to this team, and hasn't disappointed one bit.

[ice grillin you]

He's been a very solid addition to this team

say word

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

Mike Patterson is a solid player but embraces his decidedly unsolid body.

This message has been brought to you by Team Patterson.

[MadMarchHare]

If only he'd been on 'roids since birth, he could have a body like Bunkey too.

[PhillyPhreak54]

Truncated camp has not cramped Bunkley's progress

The rookie Bird might be ready for flight soon.

By Marc Narducci
Inquirer Staff Writer

Defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley is moving up the depth chart faster than he is getting to the quarterback, but both have been done in rapid fashion.

The Eagles' first-round pick reached another milestone by practicing with the first unit for the first time yesterday afternoon at the NovaCare Complex.

Bunkley was drafted to be a starter, but after he missed 29 training-camp practices and a preseason game because of a contract holdout, the coaches noted how far behind he was in learning the complex defensive system.

Though the Eagles aren't anointing Bunkley a starter just yet, his practicing with the first-string defenders was another significant achievement as he makes up for lost time.

"It's a lot of pressure," Bunkley said about working with the first unit. "You can't let your teammates down, and that is one thing that will hang over my head."

After pausing, he added: "But you get out here and practice hard and see what comes."

What could come is a starting spot when the Eagles open the regular season Sept. 10 in Houston.

It's not surprising that Bunkley is considered a starting candidate. The Eagles didn't give him a six-year, $12.7 million contract with $9.77 million guaranteed to sit on the bench.

Yet he missed so much time that they were worried about his learning curve and his stamina. His stamina remains a concern.

"I think the biggest thing with him is to make sure he gets into playing shape," defensive coordinator Jim Johnson said. "He's willing, he's working at it, and he's doing a pretty good job."

Bunkley, who had nine sacks last season for Florida State, made an impression during his first practice Aug. 8 with his ability to get to the quarterback.

After just one practice in pads, he played two series and had a quarterback hurry in the Eagles' 20-7 win over Cleveland on Aug. 10.

Bunkley played the third quarter in Thursday's 20-10 loss at Baltimore and recorded 11/2 sacks and three tackles.

The Eagles will give him an expanded role in Friday's 8 p.m. game at Lincoln Financial Field against Pittsburgh.

"He played 20 plays last week," Johnson said. "We're going to play him a lot more this week."

Last year's first-round pick, Mike Patterson, will be a starter at defensive tackle. The other is listed as Darwin Walker, who remains out with a fractured rib.

Last week against Baltimore, veteran Sam Rayburn started at tackle with Patterson.

Bunkley said the short-range goal is to improve his endurance.

"I still have a ways to go," he said about his conditioning. "I'm still not where I want to be, and this is the heaviest I've been in a while."

The 6-foot-2 Bunkley, who did extra running over the weekend while the team was off, says he has dropped to 310 pounds.

"That's about five pounds over what they want me to play, but I am feeling better and better," he said.

Bunkley has impressed his teammates, especially middle linebacker Jeremiah Trotter. If the rookie clogs up the middle, that would free Trotter to roam and not have to take so many hits from centers.

"Bunkley is a beast," Trotter said affectionately. "He is so strong."

He also possesses tremendous athletic ability, which he showed yesterday by intercepting a Timmy Chang pass. Bunkley downplayed the pick.

"I intended to bat it down, but once I saw how low it was, I snagged it in the air," he said.

Bunkley insists that he didn't set a timetable on working with the starters.

"I kind of told myself to be patient," he said. "When on the field, play with all your heart and might and let time take its course."

[Sgt PSN]

Obviously we'll never know.

If Bunkley reported on time, he might be starting now. Then again, if he reported on time, he might have blown a knee out the first day of practice.

Make fun of Spadaro (or me) all you want. Guys who report on time play better and produce more during their rookie seasons. Empirically speaking, that's been documented.

Corey Simon was didn't get to camp on time and he recorded a sack on his first regular season snap. 


I'm just saying.........

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

Corey Simon was didn't get to camp on time

This is why you shouldn't drink before 9 on a weekday.

[Sgt PSN]

That's what I get for posting and talking on the phone at the same time. 

[ice grillin you]

confirmed: bunka bunk starting tommorow

ya heard?!?!

[Beermonkey]

confirmed: bunka bunk starting tommorow

ya heard?!?!

Nope, great news. Now change that farging avatar. 

[The BIGSTUD]

If he is starting that is very good news. I want to see that defensive line with him starting. If he does well then he may secure his spot on opening day.

[ice grillin you]

andy also said the ones were going 2.5 quarters

[SunMo]

Buckhalter is the starting RB and i think Tapeh will be starting FB

[rjs246]

andy also said the ones were going 2.5 quarters

Oh. farg.