The Curious Case Of Hank Baskett

Three years ago he joined the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted rookie free agent. So when the Philadelphia Eagles finally cut ties with perennial under achiever Billy McMullen by trading him to Brad Childress for this ‘walk-on’ if you will, we were left scratching our heads asking Hank who?

Hank Baskett, listed at 6’4″ and 220 lbs, was a two-year starter at New Mexico where he also participated in track and field in the high jump. He put up respectable numbers in his two years starting—121 receptions, 1977 yards, 12 touchdowns.

Obviously scouts hoped his height, combined with his leaping ability, would make him a viable red-zone target—this despite that he never lived up to that expectation even in college for someone with his size.

The knock against him was that he lacked NFL caliber speed, that he wouldn’t make many plays after the catch, but could possibly be a large physical presence in the short to intermediate range. This was ironic since in 2006 Baskett became the first rookie in NFL history to notch two touchdown receptions of 85 yards or more (87 yds vs Dallas, 89 yds vs Atlanta) since Billy Howton did it in 1952 with the Packers.

Baskett started only five games, but racked up nearly 500 yards in receptions—seemingly ready to follow the footsteps of the previous year’s rookie WR Reggie Brown whose first year, unknowing at the time, turned out to be his best of his career to date.

With the addition of Kevin Curtis in 2007, the Eagles’ oft maligned receiving corps seemed to now have a solid core of young talent with which to move forward. It is this point in time where Baskett’s promising pro career took an unexpected turn.

Despite such a pleasantly surprising rookie year, Hank Baskett never earned the opportunity to start any games, including preseason, in 2007 for whatever reason. He finished the season with just 142 yards—fewer yards than he had in his final game (177) alone in 2006.

What happened?

He suited up every game, but the output was almost non-existent. His best outing was three catches for 28 yards and a touchdown in week nine—a mere shell of his rookie season.

Again I ask, what happend to this undrafted rookie free agent who played his way into the starting lineup a year ago? Was it a fluke?

In 2008, it appeared that whatever had kept Hank Baskett down the year before was now behind him. He started in three of the four preseason games and seemed to have the confidence of the coaching staff again.

When it counted most, he kicked off the regular season in style with a 100 yard game in week one including a 90 yard touchdown to trump both of his rookie year bombs. Two weeks later, he led the Eagles with eight catches against a very tough Steeler defense. This was the Hank Baskett we had hoped to see a year ago.

He went on to start in five of the Eagles first six games before the Eagles hit their bye. Coming off the bye, Baskett was inexplicably back on the bench where he stayed, for the remaining 10 games—which brings us up to date.

Who knows what’s in store for this year? How many receivers will the Eagles keep? We know for sure that Curtis, DeSean Jackson, Jason Avant and Jeremy Maclin will be there. Reggie Brown, while playing mostly with Kolb and Feely this preseason, has shown some fight in him, and frankly doesn’t look too shabby. Even rookie Brandon Gibson has been somewhat impressive this training camp.

We’ve already mentioned six receivers not including Baskett, and there’s no way Reid is keeping seven. He’ll actually only keep five, maybe a sixth, but not necessarily.

Has the Hank Baskett era run its course already? I’d like to say no, but if we hear otherwise in the coming week, I won’t be surprised—disappointed, but not surprised.

Michael Vick Debuts, Offense Sputters, Asante Shines

It took only two plays, but Michael Vick’s much ballyhooed return to the NFL finally happened in Philadelphia tonight—a four yard shuffle pass to running back LeSean McCoy.

Disappointed? Hey, not everyone’s preseason debut can be an 81-yard touchdown the first time they touch the ball like the last controversial signing the Eagles had in 2004.

Coincidentally, it also only took two McNabb overthrows to Jason Avant on the Eagles first drive (resulting in a 3-and-out) to take the collective air out of the stadium atmosphere.

Did someone say third down? Through three quarters, McNabb and company failed to convert on six of their nine opportunities:

• 3rd and 6: McNabb incomplete, intended for Avant
• 3rd and 9: McNabb incomplete, intended for Avant
• 3rd and 10: McNabb incomplete, intended for Curtis
• 3rd and 13: McNabb to Avant for seven
• 3rd and 3: McNabb to Eckel for no gain
• 3rd and 3: McNabb incomplete, intended for Baskett

Of the nine third down attempts the Eagles had under McNabb’s leadership, Reid called for a pass eight times, with the lone exception being a third and two that required a measurement to confirm LeSean McCoy had gained enough to move the chains. McNabb converted the other two by hitting rookie receiver, Jeremy Maclin and using his legs to convert another.

Add in a first and goal at the Jacksonville one, which resulted in a 92-yard fumble return for the Jags, and we see the more things change, the more they stay the same—third down and red-zone issues still abound.

Three of the Eagles’ first four drives resulted in three plays and a punt—the fifth and sixth drives both ended in fumbles. This preseason, Andy Reid’s offenses in the first half of three games have been outscored by 36-points in six quarters.

Defensively, the starting defensive line looked ready to go right now. Trent Cole wreaked havoc on whoever set up behind center. After temporarily knocking David Garrard out the game, he equally terrorized Todd Bouman until Garrard returned.

Asante Samuel was easily the standout of the game though. Not only did he have an interception (nearly two), he also forced a fumble on Torry Holt. A goal line hit on Jaguars receiver, Nate Hughes, not only caused another fumble but a concussion for Hughes as well. At times we saw Asante channeling memories of Brian Dawkins while decleating a much larger running back.

The one glaring opportunity for improvement going forward for the defense is to not allow themselves to be invited in on the blitz only to be burned by the screen. I place this burden of responsibility on the linebackers to be there, because if Asante Samuel is making the tackle, it’s probably always going to be 45 yards later like we saw tonight.

All in all, basically a slow first half by the starting offense and an off-and-on defensive showing with plenty of “teaching points” to go around with just 10-days until it counts.

But back to Michael Vick for a moment. What did we see here? To be honest, not much aside from a pass to Baskett for 14 yards—a couple of shuffle passes, a pass to D-Jack for no gain, and a half hearted designed run for a yard. But he got his feet wet, which was the point of tonight for him.

We primarily saw him on second down, once with McNabb split out wide, usually though as the lone quarterback on the field. We also saw Vick as a decoy split out wide with McNabb under center. Just enough to keep defensive coordinators up a little longer throughout the week, but little in way of exciting the casual fan.

So what’s the key take-away if you’re a “the glass is half empty” person like me? The main thing is that it’s the preseason, and let’s not forget Westbrook didn’t even step onto the field, nor did newly acquired fullback Leonard Weaver nor Sheldon Brown (although Ellis Hobbs played well tonight).

However, I’m concerned with the fact that with the first unit in there, we’re still refusing to run the ball on third down, and McNabb is as streaky as he’s ever been. The fact that he finished 21-36 for 244 yards is very surprising if you actually watched the game.

When the pocket breaks down, he’s as good as anyone in the game throwing on the run, but that’s not always the case sitting comfortably in the pocket.

In the end, Kevin Kolb led the Eagles reserves from a fourth quarter 12-point deficit, allowing Dave Akers to make a 35-yard game winning kick, his fourth field goal of the game.

Eagles 33, Jags 32

Should the Philadelphia Eagles Sign Vick?

At the gym this morning on the treadmill while watching the local news, I couldn’t help but notice Todd Pinkston introduced as a wide receivers coach for my Eagles.

Stinkston (and Trash), as to he was reverently referred to during his stint in Philadelphia, is going to be passing his trade secrets on to the wide receivers on the Eagles’ offense.

I figured if the organization was willing to bring him back to teach our young receivers how to short arm a pass in traffic, that perhaps hell did in fact freeze over and Andy Reid may have actually finally lost his mind. If this is the case, why not take a serious look at Michael Vick since everything is fair game?

First, Vick won’t cost a lot of money, and he’ll be happy just to be in the league again. Translation: if we ask him to ride the pine and only step on the field five times a game, he’ll probably take it and keep quiet. This could work for at least the first year, and at a bargain price.

Second, we could use the depth at running back. Behind Westbrook, who else is there?

There is a rookie who, by default, has been granted the backup position by the fans without having played a single down yet (further illustrating how poor the depth at running back is here). He is followed by Lorenzo Booker, who half of us are probably surprised is even on the roster after last year’s underwhelming showing.

Don’t forget, 2008 was McNabb’s only season in the past four years where he actually stayed injury free. Unfortunately, he is not streak-free as he tended to be either incredible or down-right pathetic. Sometimes, this would happen within the same game.

Should Donovan go down, even for just a game, who would be more likely to get us through four quarters, Michael Vick or what’s-his-name again?

Imagine if two or three times a game, Vick lined up behind McNabb with D-Jack in motion. Talk about a wildcat.

For a team with as many red zone and short-yardage problems that we saw last year, this could be a recipe for success, even if only used as a decoy half the time.

Are you telling me that an offense featuring McNabb, Jackson, Westbrook, and Vick wouldn’t keep a defensive coordinator up at night?

Philadelphia Eagles Hype: Is It Warranted?

You won’t admit it, but you’re guilty of it too. Every year around this time, everyone is crowning that one “chick” pick when it’s still sexy.

You know what I’m talking about.

That one team nobody else is talking about yet (and for good reason) that will make you look like a genius when they hoist the Lombardi Trophy in Dolphin Stadium next February 7th.

Why? Because you called it before anyone else could even name five starters on the roster.

It’s a safe bet, because even when said franchise fails to win six games and plays musical head coaches before the playoffs are even over, you tell your friends “What you thought I was serious?”

But on the other hand, if some way, some how…

It’s like taking those 50-1 odds on a horse named Mind That Bird, except you only dropped $2 to reel in the $103.20 payout.

Lately I’ve been hearing all the experts talking about Philadelphia in ways I haven’t heard since T.O. spurned the Ravens to don the midnight green.

The last time I was this shocked at the overwhelming support for my Eagles was in 1990 when the “Ultimate Weapon” at QB was supposed to lead us over Warren Moon and the Oilers for that first elusive ring.

And we all know how that turned out when Bryce Paup ended our season on opening day.

I’ve heard the prognosticators referring to them as the best team in the NFC only behind Pittsburgh and New England from that other conference.

I’ve listened to national radio hosts debating whether the Giants or the Eagles were the favorite to represent the NFC.

My interest was also peaked upon hearing various NFC Championship game predictions involving either the Vikings, Saints, or Giants facing the Philadelphia Eagles.

To put it in perspective, we’re talking about a team who needed wins from the Houston Texans and the Oakland Raiders in Week 17 last December, combined with a victory of their own later that afternoon to even make the playoffs.

A team who couldn’t even beat the Bengals and completely forgot that running the ball was even an option all of last year.

A team whose defensive mastermind is sidelined battling life threatening cancer (God bless him), with a franchise running back who may or may not be ready to start the regular season.

Not to mention, a team whose starting QB has only played one injury-free season in the past four years.

A team who lost its heart and soul of the defense for that one last big payday in Denver.

A team whose best receiver is about to hit the sophomore slump and second best receiver is merely a rookie still trying to learn the intricacies of the west coast offense, and will still be doing so 12 months from now.

So remind me, why are my Philadelphia Eagles the sexy pick all the sudden?

One thing that doesn’t sit well with Negadelphians like myself is being the favorite. Count us out and we’ll be sure to prove you wrong.

Jump on our bandwagon, and we’ll implode with a 1-3 start, again just to prove you wrong.

So to all of you out there trying to be smart, go with the G-men, the Cowboys, the Cardinals, the Saints, the Vikings, the Falcons, or even the Bears.

Leave the optimism to us who really bleed green, because we fly best under the radar.

Congratulations, James Harrison…President Obama Can Congratulate You Later

It makes sense. President Obama is merely a civil servant working for us, while you, James Harrison, were the Most Valuable Player in the Superbowl. I’ve often thought if the President of the United States wants to shake my hand, he better be willing to come to my front door.

Why should you be inconvenienced by traveling to the White House to be congratulated by the front running leader of the free world? And if I recall correctly, even though the President was pulling for you and your teammates, he did have the gull to still wish the Cardinals the best.

“I don’t feel the need to actually go,” you said of the visit with President Obama. “I don’t feel like it’s that big a deal to me.”

You go boy. Tell it how it is!

How many touchdowns has Obama ever had in a Superbowl?

And now, after inking your new contract, you make 21 times his salary. Finally, as Kanye West professed: “Wait ’til I get my money, right…Then you can’t tell me nothing, right?”

“If you want to see the Pittsburgh Steelers, invite us when we don’t win the Super Bowl,” you told Pittsburgh’s WTAE-TV. “So as far as I’m concerned he would have invited Arizona if they had won.”

No kidding? I think you’re on to something with that one James.

As a matter of fact, now that I think about it, I bet the Rooney’s wouldn’t haven’t given you that supersized ring either if you hadn’t won the Superbowl.

And the parade thrown by the mayor from Grant St. down to Stanwix St., was this too all just because you won the Superbowl? I assume not, since you did attend that event, otherwise your principles would have led to your boycott of such a fickle event as that too.

Although, there is the possibility that the Prez just really did want to meet you anyways, and it just so happened to be a coincidence that you won the Super Bowl this year. I don’t know…I’m just trying to give the President the benefit of the doubt here. Surely, he’s not inviting you just because you won it all…wouldn’t that be like all those Seattle fans who finally started showing up to Qwest Field waving the 12th man flag only after Seattle got good?

Bandwagoners I tell ya.

Well Mr. President, the James Harrison bandwagon is full, thank you very much!

The nerve of some people. You know, the more I think about what you said James, the more I’m starting to believe you’re right…The president probably wouldn’t have invited you to one of the most hallowed properties in the world had you lost that game to the Cardinals.

You’re like a man-genius or something, always sniffing out people’s ulterior motives. When others call you just another moronic, out-of-touch athlete, don’t listen to them.

If somebody says you’re an example of an over-inflated sense of self importance among athletes, don’t let it get to you, it’s not true.

And don’t worry about me next time I’m trying to defend the NFL to my sports loathing mother-in-law and prove that it is not full of meat heads.

I got your back.

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