The NFL owners and teams are conducting business as usual during a period that looks to be anything but normal. Teams can place the franchise tags on potential free agents for the next 14 days. Players such as Michale Vick and Payton Manning look to be prime candidates for being tagged.

While the one-year payout can often be nice since players receive the average of the top five guys at their respective position, the fact remains that this year, the tag could be meaningless. Or, it could be clutch.

Expect the eagles to slap Michael Vick with the franchise tag soon. But, what does it mean right now?

It all depends on how the CBA negotiations pan out. As of today, the owners had canceled the next two meetings. That doesn’t bode well for figuring out a solution to the impasse between owners and the NFLPA

Suppose the new CBA isn’t hammered out until June or July. Can you imagine the feeding frenzy on 400-plus possible free agents? Having your guy already locked up via the franchise tag and worrying about securing a long term deal later helps maintain continuity and helps teams with cost certainty for one year, to an extent.

However, suppose the new CBA doesn’t include the franchise tag — and the players would pay dearly for that one. Then, the franchise tag means nothing and the eagles are at square one — Kevin Kolb.

The bottom line is that the franchise tag looks good and sounds good, but you can’t bank on it 100 percent at this point.

Wait, Vaughn and James? No, not Vaughn Hebron and Edgerrin James. Try Vince Vaughn and Kevin James.

The two A-list comedians were in town for a comedy show and to promote their upcoming movie. They took in the Eagles game, Ryan Howard style.

Vince Vaughn and Kevin James took in the Eagles and Colts game Sunday. No word on whether James was heckled about his New York Mets.

When the Eagles fell to the Titans two weeks ago, it was clear that they missed their playmaker — DeSean Jackson.

DJacc returned after suffering a nasty concussion three weeks ago and he helped spark a 26-24 win over Peyton Manning and the Colts. He hauled in seven passes for 109 yards, including a nine-yard touchdown from Michael Vick on the team’s opening drive.

DeSean Jackson is the cog that makes the Eagles offense go.

Jackson has been up-and-down this year, based on the defenses ability to focus on him. He’s clearly played better with Vick in the lineup than he does with Kolb. That’s partly due to Vick’s elusiveness which keeps defenses honest, and partly due to Vick’s arm.

In any event, while Jeremy Maclin is a nice receiver, the Eagles just aren’t the same without Jackson. He’s the new Brian Westbrook in Andy Reid’s offense.

For the season, Jackson has 26 catches for 504 yards and four touchdowns.

Peyton Manning had never lost in Philly. The Eagles had never lost after a bye week under Andy Reid. One streak is now over. Sorry, Peyton, you played like Eli against the Eagles on Sunday as the Birds escaped with a 26-24 victory. Instead, it was Michael Vick who played like a guy willing to do whatever it took to win the game.

They overcame 13 flags for 105 yards, many questionable calls, in the win.

The Eagles looked like they’d roll past the Colts early after taking a 10-0 lead early in the first quarter. LeSean McCoy busted a 65-yard run to start the game. Two plays later, Michael Vick hit DeSean Jackson for a touchdown.

On the ensuing possession, Asante Samuel picked off Manning. The Eagles settled for a field goal to go up, 10-0.The Eagles added another field goal following a 95-yard drive to end the first quarter.

Michael Vick returned to the Eagles lineup and enginerred a 26-24 win over Peyton Manning and the Colts.

Then, Manning came out firing and led the Colts to two touchdowns and a 17-16 lead. The turning point came on a hit on Austin Collie that left him with a concussion. The Eagles were called for unnecessary roughness even though it was a clean NFL hit.

The Eagles then scored a field goal and Vick had a rushing TD in the fourth to take a lead they’d never relinquish, 27-16. Manning engineered a drive to pull to within 26-24, but that was as close at they’d get.

Vick ended the day 17-of-29 for 218 yards and a TD to go with his 75 yards and a TD on the ground. McCoy had 95 yards on 16 carries, while Jackson hauled in seven balls for 109 yards and a score.

The Eagles next play Mr. Endurance, Donovan McNabb and the Redskins next Monday.

This was bound to happen once the NFL went above and beyond in response to “hard, smash mouth” hits on the football field. A guy gets injured badly, and a penalty is called. The only problem is, the hit was clean.

Austin Collie was hit after making a catch against the eagles on Sunday. A 15-yard penalty was immediately assessed. But, was it a penalty? Judge for yourself.

From our standpoint, Collie was hit in the process of making a football move. He was far from defenseless. He got spun into the second Eagles defender, Kurt Coleman. It sucks that he was injured as badly as he was. It sucks he is added to the NFL’s rising concussion statistics.

Still, this was a hit that is part of the game. If hits like this are penalties, players will start to play more tentatively and then the injuries will really rise.

And, before someone starts to say we have this opinion because we are Eagles fans, please note we also had no issue with Dunta Robinson’s hit on DeSean Jackson.

Nobody knows Eagles football like CSN Philly’s Derrick Gunn. Gunner just reported that Michael Vick has learned from watching tape and will play a bit differently upon his return from a rib injury today against the Colts.

“I’m going to play differently and not take the unnecessary hits,” Vick said during the piece. “I’m going to try to stay in the pocket. I’ll run when I need to, but just not take unncessary hits.”

Vick has shown an ability to be a decent pocket passer this year when given the chance behind a porous offensive line. A guy who’s never completed more than 56 percent of passes in his career, Vick has a 61.5 completion percentage this year. He also has six TDs and no picks, good enough for a 108.8 quarterback rating.

The Eagles need Vick healthy because his elusiveness gives the Eagles a better look behind a below average offensive line.

On paper, the Eagles appear to be in a position to finally beat Peyton Manning. The future Hall of Fame quarterback comes to town without stud tight end Dallas Clarke, running back Joseph Addai, wideout Anthony Gonzalez and backup tailback Mike Hart.

To say Manning lacks some of his key weapons is an understatement. But, we all know Manning makes stars out of even the least talented guys, with the exception of Hank Baskett.

Will Peyton Manning be benched during the two-minute drill on Sunday?

With Addai out, Donald Brown gets the start at running back. The UConn product had just 16 yards on the ground last week. The Colts have not run the ball well this year and are 23rd in the NFL on the ground. Still, Manning’s arm has the team ranked second in total offense. That could spell problems the Eagles.

One look at what Kenny Britt did the the Eagles secondary in just a tad more than a half of football two weeks ago should have kept Sean McDermott up last night. Just envision what Reggie Wayne might do.

Sure, the Eagles effectively dropped Ellis Hobbs from the first unit, but is Dimtri Patterson that much better? Where have you gone Sheldon Brown?

The key for the Eagles will be to get pressure on Manning. As we all know, however, that’s not easy as Manning gets the ball out quickly. And, he, unlike Andy Reid, constantly puts his guys in a position to make plays. Laugh all you want at his air traffic controller type hand gestures at the line of scrimmage, but he knows how to pick apart a defense.

The Eagles, luckily, add firepower back to their offense today with the return of DeSean Jackson. DJacc hasn’t played since Dunta Robinson jacked him up three Sundays ago. The Birds need him to get open and stretch the field.

Michael Vick also rejoins the lineup after missing three games due to injured ribs suffered in the loss to the Deadskins. The hottest QB in the league at that point, Vick will need his elusiveness to avoid Dwight Freeney, who could have a field day against the Eagles line. Where have you gone Jon Runyan?

Michael Vick and his elusive legs return just in time as the Eagles battle the Colts on Sunday.

In fact, it’s his athleticism that keeps Vick as the No. 1 signal caller over Kevin Kolb who played well in two of his three starts. Vick, DJacc, Jeremy Maclin and Shady McCoy need to play like the skill position studs they are capable of being for the Eagles to have a shot.

THE PICK: Colts 24, Eagles 20 — For once, this shouldn’t be a Manning led blowout of the Eagles. Sure, the Colts lack half of their Pro Bowl caliber offense, but they still have Manning. Sure, the Eagles were favorites in Vegas all week. The line should tell us something. But, the Colts still have Manning. In the end, we just see Manning finding a way to get it done against the Eagles secondary.

Peyton Manning will have to beat the Eagles through the air. He and the Colts visit the Linc on Sunday without top running back Joseph Addai and back-up Mike Hart. Addai is suffering from a neck injury and did not make the trip.

The Colts will be without running back Joseph Addai, who didn't travel with the team due to a neck injury. Still, the Eagles will have plenty to worry about on Sunday.

This is a fairly big blow to the Colts who rely on Addai as a runner, receiver and a blocker. Donald Brown will get the call for Indy. This is his first career start. The UConn product has shown big play ability, but he is not a feature back. The Eagles will need to watch him out of the backfield, but now the defense can focus on other weapons.

The Colts offense is not what it’s been as tight end Dallas Clarke and wideout Anthony Gonzalez are both in the IR.

Still, Manning is Manning and has the Colts ranked as the league’s second ranked offense, despite being 23rd in run defense, according to Philly.com. That should let you know exactly what the Eagles defense should be losing sleep over tonight.

Rumor has it that Colts QB Peyton Manning is going to moonlight the night before his Colts battle the Eagles. The Phillies did something similar last spring.

Citing a shortage for the weekend ahead, Philadelphia International Airport has contracted with the Colts to use Manning as an air traffic controller. He has plenty of experience. All you need to do is watch him flail his hands about at the line of scrimmage on any gameday.

Of course, Ben Stiller also gives us a taste of Manning’s unique style.

In the process of getting their a$$es handed to them on Sunday night, the Giants watched as one of their running backs went buck wild with his helmet.

Brandon Jacobs, who has been unhappy with his role as Ahmad Bradshaw’s backup, let his emotions boil over Sunday and “accidently” tossed his helmet into the stands.

The Colts fan who ended up with the helmet attempted to keep it until a muscular dude ripped it out of his hands. Now, does the fan deserve to be included in our Moronic Fan Watch?

We need you to make the call. Watch for yourself.

Now, the fan could have been hurt by the helmet and we don’t blame him for trying to keep it or get something for it. However, making a scene when you know you have to give it back? In the words of Ochocinco, “Child, Please!”

The question to ask yourself is this: Would an Eagles fan get torched by the national media for trying to keep the helmet during a game?

Let us know what you think in the comments section. We’ll make a decision tomorrow to see if Indianapolis enter a third-place tie with Baltimore, Chicago and Cleveland. Currently, New York is in first place, followed closely by Los Angeles.

The Moronic Fan Watch keeps tabs on fans throughout the United States and their moronic behavior. The goal is to show that Philly fans are not, indeed, the low class morons the national media have made us out to be throughout the years.

To be clear, we’ve had a few jackasses in the City of Brotherly Love. But, we’re far from the only city to house the village idiots.