Steve Vallos returns as C/G backup for Eagles…and other matters…

One man’s trashed knee is another man’s treasured chance at another shot in the NFL…or so it seems to go in the league, which is about ever-changing rosters and injury replacements.

Steve Vallos is Next Man Up for the Eagles.

Steve Vallos will back up Dallas Reynolds at center but can also play guard. Vallos is in his 6th season in the NFL, 6-3, 310, a native of Youngstown who was drafted 22nd in the 7th round of the 2007 NFL draft. Vallos played his college ball at Wake Forest. He was drafted by Seattle, where he spent 2007 on the practice squad, then was activated for a total of 32 games in 2008 and 2009. He started a total of 8 games. He was waived in final cuts of 2010 and was picked up by Cleveland. He appeared in 7 games for the Browns in 2010, and 1 game for them in 2011.

Vallos then was signed by the Eagles as a free agent in March of 2012. He was released by the Eagles on August 31…but now gets the call to replace the roster spot held by the injured Jason Kelce, who now goes on Injured Reserve list for the rest of the season as Kelce has wisely chosen surgery to repair his right knee.

A lot of people may not remember, but Vallos was selected to many All-American first team honors in 2006, as well as being named College Football News’ ACC Player of the Year in 2006.

*   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *

BRI SUKS EGG WEEK 2  FANCY FOOTBALL RESULTS…..

Thanks to T-Boned from Boise, Idaho, here are the latest game results and standings:

That puts HOOF (Spiffo), EVANS HEAD BEANO (Beans), and BRI SLAP (JB Sage-Lion) all with a share of 1st place at 2-0… You could also argue SPLUNKER VALLEY (Leo) at 1-0-1 is still undefeated, but he’s a half-game behind the leaders…

Holding down a tie for 3rd place are JETPACK NINJAS (Jerky), GREAT PPW, and PALM FEATHERS, and BONER all at 1-1.

BRI’s BOYS (Brozer) are hanging around at 0-1-1 for sole possession of 4th place.

HAHA (Rodney), DIRTY STINKIN’ BUMS (ATV-Swan-Lion), and HUDROCK HOES (Hud) are currently bringing up the rear at 0-2… but it’s a long season. No need to panic, boys!

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *
More updates to come….

INITIAL EAGLES vs. CARDINALS Game Previews are out…

There’s not much time to savor a victory in the NFL. Already the focus has turned to the next game against the (2-0) Cardinals in Arizona on Sunday…

The Philadelphia Eagles are a solid favorite with a 63% chance to beat the Arizona Cardinals. LeSean McCoy is projected for 78 rushing yards and a 54% chance of having at least 1 rushing TD. In the 37% of simulations where Arizona Cardinals wins, Kevin Kolb averages 1.45 TD passes vs 0.77 interceptions, while in losses he has a ratio of 0.98 TDs to 1.43 interceptions. Beanie Wells averages 74 rushing yards and 0.72 rushing TDs when Arizona Cardinals wins and 48 yards and 0.31 TDs in losses. The Philadelphia Eagles have a 47% chance of forcing more turnovers than they commit. Positive turnover margin helps them win 84% of the time. SPREADS / TOTALS: Current Point Spread is ARI +4 — Over/Under line is 43.5 [ACCORDING TO ACCUSCORE.com]

PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY sees the cornerbacks of Philly vs. the WR’s of the Cardinals as the key matchup— Eagles CBs Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie vs. Cardinals WRs Larry Fitzgerald, Andre Roberts and Early Doucet…

In New England this past Sunday, the Patriots used a fair amount of double coverage on Fitzgerald, with one defender solely assigned to shadow Fitzgerald, often with his back to the action on the field. Later giving Bill Belichick credit for the sound strategy the Patriots’ head coach used to contain him, Fitzgerald said he didn’t mind at all being a decoy and opening things up for the Cardinals’ other pass-catchers, particularly TE Todd Heap (knee, check status), who had a team-leading five catches for 62 yards.

Don’t be surprised if extra coverage by the Eagles on Fitzgerald opens up a fair share of opportunities this Sunday for Roberts and Doucet. Rather quietly, Roberts has become a steadily productive weapon. His two-yard TD catch vs. the Pats was his fourth score in the last six games dating back to last season.

Both Roberts and Doucet were key weapons in Arizona’s Week 10 win over Philly last season. While Roberts had four catches for 55 yards, Doucet snared the game-winning five-yard TD with 1:53 remaining. Doucet has a flair for making tough, clutch catches, as was the case in New England on his 9-yard catch for a first down at the end of the third quarter despite taking a vicious hit.

This is shaping up as a Waterloo-Vidalia special for the Eagles… stay tuned.