Good morning, Eagles fans! Here's a taste of what we have in store for you on this Thursday, November 12. Head coach Chip Kelly addresses the media for the final time ahead of Sunday's matchup with the Miami Dolphins at 11:45 AM. This evening, I'll join Dave Spadaro for Eagles 360 to bring you a recap of all the news of the day. We've also got some great features coming your way including a one-on-one with wide receiver Jordan Matthews in The Last Word as well as the cover story for this week's Gameday Magazine which spotlights defensive end Fletcher Cox. Until then, here are the 5 Things to Know Today ...
1. Peters Returns To Practice In Limited Capacity
For the first time since the Carolina game before the bye week, tackle Jason Peters was on the field for training, albeit in a limited capacity. He is on the injury report with a back ailment. It remains to be seen whether or not Peters will return to the lineup against Miami. There will be one change along the offensive line, however. Backup center Josh Andrews suffered a concussion during Wednesday's training session. He cannot play Sunday, so the team is planning on re-signing veteran Julian Vandervelde. Linebacker Brad Jones was released on Wednesday to make room on the roster.
Safeties Jerome Couplin (shoulder) and Malcolm Jenkins (concussion) were the only players who did not participate in practice at all. Kelly said that Jenkins should be back Thursday.
2. Brown, Vermeil Join Philly Sports Hall Of Fame
Tonight, former running back Timmy Brown and former head coach Dick Vermeil will be inducted into the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame. The two are already members of the Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Fame.
Brown held the club record for the longest kickoff return with a 105-yard score until Josh Huff broke it last season. He also shares the NFL record for kickoff returns for touchdowns in a game with two vs. Dallas in 1966. Brown finished his Eagles career in 1967 as the third-leading rusher in club history in yards (3,703) and touchdowns (29).
The Eagles' head coach from 1976-82, Vermeil will long be remembered as a workaholic, a perfectionist and as a winner. A success at every level of coaching, from his first high school head coaching job in 1960 to a stint at UCLA in 1974-75 and with the Eagles, Vermeil attacked his profession with a degree of passion rarely seen. Vermeil coached the Eagles into the playoffs four consecutive times from 1978-81, including a trip to Super Bowl XV as NFC champions in January of 1981. Vermeil was recently profiled on the NFL Network series, *A Football Life*.
3. Add Brian Dawkins To Your Madden Ultimate Team Today
Boost your Madden Ultimate Team today with Eagles Hall of Fame safety Brian Dawkins. To acquire him, just login to MUT from the main Madden NFL 16 menu. Bonus players have boosted overall ratings that wear off after a few days, but they're a great way to get started in MUT. You might even receive a special rookie edition of an NFL legend. Be sure to check out your objectives for new tasks designed just for Dawkins. Try him out and earn some rewards!
4. An Inside Look At The Dolphins
In his Film Study column each and every Wednesday, Greg Cosell analyzes the tape of the upcoming opponent's previous game. This week, he looked at the Dolphins' loss to the Buffalo Bills and here is a sample of what he came away with.
Regarding Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill, Cosell wrote that "the Dolphins feature quarterback Ryan Tannehill under center, pistol and shotgun. It's an offense with formation versatility. Tannehill is a short-to-intermediate passer. He’s not a willing downfield thrower and he's not comfortable driving the ball down the field."
After allowing a pair of 100-yard rushers in LeSean McCoy and Karlos Williams, Cosell wrote that the Dolphins will face the same challenges with the Eagles.
"The Bills attacked the edge of the Dolphins' defense with the run game," Cosell stated. "Miami struggled to defend those outside runs which it will have to do against the Eagles. Defensive ends Olivier Vernon and Derrick Shelby did not play well in the outside run game. They either allowed the back to get outside of them or they widened too much and did not constrict the inside gap."
Following the Eagles' win over the Cowboys, the players' expressions are the center of this week's Caption This. View the full gallery here...
5. Get Out And Vote!
Election Day might have been over a week ago, but there's still time to help get your favorite Eagles in the Pro Bowl. The NFL released the current results and only four players are in the Top 10 at their respective positions: defensive end Fletcher Cox, safety Malcolm Jenkins, tackle Jason Peters and return specialist Darren Sproles.