DeSean Jackson has only two catches for eight yards in the Eagles’ first three preseason games. He likely won’t play much, if at all, in the exhibition finale on Thursday. How panicked should you be about Jackson’s lack of production?

Ray Didinger: I’d say a 1. Jackson is a proven weapon who will turn it on when the season starts.

Reuben Frank: Most Eagles fans are probably looking at this as a 1 or 2, but I’m going to say a 4. Jackson and the entire offense has looked out of sync for much of the preseason and for a team with Super Bowl aspirations, I expected a lot more this month.

John Gonzalez: Can I say zero? What about a negative number? D-Jax will be fine. Don’t we have bigger problems to worry about?

If there’s one person in the NFL who understands second chances, it’s Michael Vick. He discusses the topic with CSNPhilly’s Derrick Gunn:

Todd Herremans’ move to offensive tackle could be a lucrative one for him. It’s just going some time for his pay raise to kick in.

According to a league source who was able to examine the fine print in Herremans’ contract, the escalator in his contract triggers if he plays 80 percent of the Eagles’ offensive snaps in two consecutive seasons.

If that happens, he earns a pay raise in the following season. So if Herremans – who was moved from left guard to right tackle on Saturday, a move the Eagles say is permanent – stays at right tackle the next two years, his 2013 salary will increase by $2.25 million, from $2.6 million to $4.85 million. Continue reading →

Michael Vick on Tuesday discussed his six-year, $100 million contract, which as Reuben Frank points out, is better described as a five-year, $80 million deal.

If you’re interested in going deeper than that – much deeper, in fact – then check out Andrew Brandt’s breakdown in the National Football Post. Brandt, you may recall, served as a consultant for the Eagles in 2009.

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I received a number of e-mails today from people asking my “personal” feelings about the Eagles’ signing Mike Vick to a six-year, $100 million contract. They asked if it was difficult to separate my feelings for Vick’s crimes from my analysis of him as a football player.

The answer is no.

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A quick peak around the NFC East offers the following issues for the Eagles’ division rivals:

Giants: They are coming off an ugly 17-3 loss to the Jets on Monday night. In that game, Eli Manning and David Carr were under constant pressure. They combined to go 20-of-42 for 222 yards with two INTs. Also, the New York special teams units – particularly their punt and kick coverage units – could be in for a long season.

Cowboys: The team cut five-time Pro Bowl center Andre Gurode after the two sides were unable to reach an agreement on a long-term contract. In Gurode’s place, the Cowboys will go with second-year center Phil Costa.

Redskins: The team has lost rookie DT Jarvis Jenkins for the second with a torn ACL. “Obviously, you cannot replace a player like that. You just can’t replace him,” coach Mike Shanahan said. “Guys have to step up and play extremely well.”

Taking a dip into the mailbag with a question about the Eagles’ wide receiver depth chart:

Question (Chris Burnett): With the relief about (Jeremy) Maclin’s health and the signing of Steve Smith, it would appear that either (Jason) Avant or Riley Cooper could be in some trouble to make the team. Weird that I have not heard buzz from anyone about this. Your thoughts?

Answer (Ray Didinger): Avant is a lock to make the team. He is the most sure-handed receiver on the roster and he has been productive working in the slot. I would be shocked if the coaches gave up on Cooper. He got a ton of reps at camp with Jackson and Maclin out and he looked good. He has a chance to develop into a good receiver and he already contributes on the kick coverage teams, so I think he has a roster spot secured.

Have a question for Ray Didinger? Email him at viewfromthehall@comcast.net and it might be used in a future blog post.

The Eagles on Monday agreed to a six-year, $100 million deal with Michael Vick that includes $40 million guaranteed. Here’s the reaction, via Twitter, of some of his teammates, an ex-teammate and other pro athletes.

Lebron James, Miami Heat (@KingJames)
S/O and Congratulations to @MikeVick on your new deal! Happy for you. Yes sir!!

Congrats to @MikeVick for the well deserved contract. Love seein people take advantage of 2nd chance.

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Starting with Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and ending, for now, with Michael Vick (DeSean Jackson should be next), the Eagles have opened up the vault. Before Michael Vick’s six-year, $100 million deal, the Eagles had $2,123,094 available under their adjusted 2011 salary cap of $125,570,335, so they move forward with about $3.7 million now available.

July 28: Dominque Rodgers-Cromartie (1 Pro Bowl) – 2 years, $2.27875 million*, $950,000 guaranteed
July 29: Jason Babin (1) – 5 years, $28.325 million, $6.5 million
July 30: Nnamdi Asomugha (3) – 5 years, $60 million, $25 million
July 30: Vince Young (2) – 1 year, $4 million, $4 million
July 31: Cullen Jenkins (0) – 5 years, $30.375 million, $4 million
Aug. 3: Ronnie Brown (1) – 1 year, $1.25 million, $1.25 million
Aug. 11: Steve Smith (1) – 1 year, $2.28125 million, $2.28125 million
Aug. 29: Michael Vick (4) – 6 years, $100 million, $40 million

* – two years remaining on contract signed in 2008 with Cards