Give Aikman Some Tissues and Tell Him to Shut Up!

Come on Troy. "Many people still believe the Cowboys are the most talented team in the league." For real? Please, enlighten us as to who, besides you, thinks that. First of all, it's not true. Second of all, talent means jack. This is the NFL we're talking about. Winning playoff games is what matters. It is what you're judged on. And at least until next December, both Tony Romo and Wade Phillips' 0-for-the-Playoffs streaks will continue. That means that to this point in both their careers, they've been failures. Oh, and guess when the last time was that TO won a Playoff game? When he was on the Eagles.

Unfortunately, depending on how the Eagles play, I may have to suffer through one or more games with you and Joe Buck this year. That blows, but I'll deal. So please, take some tissue, wipe away your tears, and go home. At least until you get your assignment for next week.

P.S. With 14:44 remaining in the 4th quarter, the Eagles are up 44-3.

Through the First Half, Dr. Jekyll Dominates

Thankfully, the NFL Gods blew some pixie dust the Eagles way during the early games (Raiders and Bears lost), and Dr. Jekyll decided to keep Mr. Hyde under wraps through the first half of the Eagles/Cowboys game. Through the first two quarters, the Eagles are dominating the Cowboys 27-3. The Birds are making plays on all sides of the ball, and it feels like the Cowboys are on the brink of complete emotional self-destruction. It's utter joy from a game I completely expected to mean nothing for the Eagles.

I also have to mention how much I hate when Troy Aikman commentates Eagles/Cowboys games. I don't blame him for being a homer--the Cowboys were the only team he played for in the NFL, and they won 3 Super Bowls. But he doesn't have to commentate every meaningful Eagles/Cowboys game. It makes me sick and he says the dumbest things. Today, so far, he said he expected DeMarcus Ware to have a shot at 4 sacks in their loss last week against the Ravens, he blamed Roy Williams and not Tony Romo for that terrible chuck that was intercepted by Sheldon Brown, and he said that Pacman Jones stinks because no one in his life has ever wanted to "coach him up." You're brilliant Troy--keep it up.

Here's hoping Mr. Hyde stays away and the Eagles close this one out.

Eagles v. Cowboys for the Final NFC Playoff Spot: As Good As It Gets!

I said after the Eagles-Cowboys met on Monday night during Week 2 that it was likely that the Week 17 rematch in Philadelphia very well could be for a playoff spot. Believe me, I didn't predict that the season would play out like it did. But with Tampa and Chicago both losing today, this game is a Playoff game for all intents and purposes. Whoever wins is in. It doesn't get any better than this. I expect the Eagles to lose, but I'll be rooting for them like there's no tomorrow.

Here we go!

Eagles to Fans: Suckers!

I have no one to blame for this situation other than myself. A few weeks ago, after the Eagles tied the Bengals, I wrote this year, and potentially the entire Reid/McNabb era, off. I was done with the disappointment and was ready to move on...at least for this year. And then, I let my guard down and they sucked me back in with consecutive wins against the Cardinals (terrible team), the Giants (pretty darn good team), and the Browns (terrible team). So even though I had no expectations for their game against the Redskins yesterday, I was a believer again. I started fantasizing about them making the Playoffs, and heck, maybe even making the Super Bowl with a late season run comparable to what the Giants did last year.

Even though 2 of the 3 wins they had were against bad teams at home, the Eagles did some things offensively during their little winning streak that they weren't doing previously. People on all sides of the ball were making plays. Far fewer passes were dropped, when a few extra yards were needed for a first down, someone picked them up, when they needed to run the ball, they could. The protected the ball, created turnovers, and kept penalties to a minimum. You don't need to be an expert to know that those are the ingredients for success in the NFL. It's obvious.

So, WTF happened yesterday? First of all, we should all give credit to the Redskins. They had nothing to play for, and they came out prepared and executed well throughout the entire game. It honestly seemed like they were the ones playing for the playoffs, not the Eagles.

The Eagles, in losing 10-3, had one of their worst offensive games of the last 10 years. They did not score a touchdown. There were 7 dropped passes (2 by LJ Smith, 4 by DeSean Jackson), many of which would've been for first downs, or big gains. They had no commitment to the running game, and it showed with only 16 attempts. The Defense played a great game and held the 'Skins to fewer than 250 total yards, but Asante Samuel didn't make a play he needed to when he dropped an interception late in the game.

The day's only touchdown came on a 16 yard drive by the Redskins after McNabb lost a fumble. And when the Redskins went into a Prevent Defense, the Eagles moved the ball late in the game, only to fall inches short after a 17 yard completion from McNabb to Reggie Brown fell just shy of the goal line as time expired. As the clock expired yesterday, so did the Eagles season, most likely. If you don't make plays, you don't win in the NFL. Period.

Sure, the Eagles still have a mathematical chance to make the post season. With the Falcons playing like a Playoff team and beating Minnesota on the road yesterday, there's only one Wild Card spot left. For the Eagles to win that spot, they of course have to beat Dallas next week at home. Coincidentally, even though I hate the Cowboys, their fans might be the only other fans in the NFL right now who can relate to us. Talk about disappointment. But that's a story for another day. In addition to beating Dallas, Tampa has to lose to the Raiders, and Chicago has to lose one of their final two games (tonight against Green Bay, next week at Houston). It's not improbable, but I'm not holding my breath, and I certainly won't be disappointed if it doesn't happen. I'm at the depths of my disappointment with this team right now.

I have a lot to say, particularly about what this team should look like next year, but I'll save that for sometime after next week, when the season is officially over.

This, my friends, is the essence of being an Eagles fan. I said this at the beginning of the year, and it continues to be true. They rip your heart out, they suck you back in, and then they rip it out again just for fun. It honestly does feel like the team treats its fans like a bunch of suckers. Or maybe it has nothing to do with them, and we're just suckers for having hope.

Some Advice to Donovan: Don't Say Sh*t to the Media

Over the course of his 10 year career in Philadelphia, there's always something with Donovan. It could be the fans booing his selection by the Eagles in the draft (good job Eagles fans), the controversy with Rush Limbaugh, the TO situation, feeling under-appreciated, this year's benching, etc. I love that Donovan is the face of the franchise, and I want both him and Ried back next year. But in analyzing his situation as the franchise QB in the City of Brotherly Love, Donovan would do well to take some advice from the Michael Jordan School of Media Training. Don't say anything. Be bland, give stock answers to questions, end press conferences as frequently as possible, and never, ever, talk about your feelings.

Donovan's a good natured guy, and I think he probably would prefer to not make the media's job any harder then it is, so he talks. But everytime he opens his mouth, something comes out that the media then spins and turns into a story. The same thing happened after last Monday's game against the Browns, in which the Eagles took care of business by beating the hapless Browns 30-10. For much of the second half of the game, the commentators had nothing to talk about. The game was over, the Browns QB and coaching situations only take a few minutes to dissect, so they talked about a "fissure" between Andy Reid and Donovan. And they talked and speculated, and kept on doing so, endlessly, through the post-game interviews. Most notably, the one with Donovan.

Donovan really didn't say anything controversial, but the fact that he said anything at all gave the media something to spin. There's a fissure, there's going to be an off-season chat, are Eagles fans really ready for the Kevin Kolb era, why is Donovan so underappreciated, etc. All of this could have been avoided, and the media would've had to gone back to the drawing board for the next day's stories if McNabb said this: "Andy is my coach, I respect him, I believe we can win a Super Bowl together, and I want to finish my career in Philadelphia." Period, end of story. But instead, he let the post game commentators egg him on, and he ended up saying some things that were better left for intimate, soul-bearing conversations with his family, not with the rabid media.

So Don, I know your focus is on Football. But do yourself a favor. Go watch a few press conferences from Michael Jordan's career. He never said sh*t, and the media still loved him.

Eagles Get No Help During Week 15

The Birds have yet to play this week--they host Cleveland tonight--but they got no help from yesterday's games, mathematically making it a little harder for them to make the playoffs. Without going into all the possibilities, here's the jist of it:

SUMMARY: The current Wild Card participants are the Buccaneers (9-5) and the Cowboys (9-5). The Bucs lost in OT to Atlanta (also 9-5) in a game they should've won. The Cowboys overcame their dysfunction to beat the suddenly vulnerable Giants pretty handily in Dallas. Both these teams have an opportunity to win 11 games, unlike the Eagles, so if they both win-out, the Eagles will not make the playoffs.

THE BUCS: Their final two games are at home. Next week against the inconsistent and underachieving Chargers, and then the Raiders in the final week of the season. On an unrelated note, isn't it curious that the Eagles last two games are against division rivals, and the Bucs get to finish up against two AFC teams? Anyway, the Chargers are still playing for something, but who knows what team will show up. And then in Week 17, the Bucs should destroy the Raiders, who forced Gruden out of town earlier this decade. I would not be at all surprised if the Bucs win their next two games and hold their Wild Card spot.

THE COWBOYS: Next week, they face a tough Ravens D in Dallas, and then finish against the Eagles in Philly. Romo is beat up, so that should work in our favor, but don't expect Dallas to fall easily next weekend. They played very well last night against the Giants, despite the alleged distractions from last week. No matter what happens, Week 17 in Philly will be a battle. So, if they win-out, they too hold their Wild Card spot. In terms of the Eagles chances, however, which rely on them winning out, I'm counting Week 17 as a loss for the Cowboys.

THE FALCONS: The Falcons are definitely the real-deal, holding on to beat a tough Tampa team in OT yesterday. Next weekend, they travel to Minnesota to play the division leading Vikings, who need to win to hold off the Bears. I don't expect the Falcons to win this game on the road, but you never know. They've played like winners all year. And then they're lucky enough to finish the season against the Rams at home. They won't lose this game. Because the Falcons still sit a half game ahead of the Eagles, we need them to lose one of their final two games or we don't have a chance, even if we win-out.

OTHER SCENARIOS: Chicago is quietly only a game behind the Vikings, and they finish against Green Bay at home, and then Houston on the road. Chances are, if the Bears end up winning the division, it will not affect the Wild Card, but who knows. If Atlanta wins-out, and Tampa doesn't win again, the Eagles still have a shot, but I don't expect that to happen. Who knows though. It's great for fans and the league that there are so many different outcomes this late in the season. That's why the NFL is king.

Tonight's game against the Browns should be fun. Here's hoping that the good Eagles show up.

Woohoo! TO Showing True Colors in Dallas

I love it! TO the sociopath is back. ESPN's Ed Werder wrote a long article about the dischord that's brewing in Dallas. You can read the full piece here.

As someone who's been through it before, I have no sympathy for the Cowboys. They knew what they were getting. Yes, one of the most talented players in NFL history, but also one of the biggest head cases this side of Jack Nicholson in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.

Keep going TO. Spread that cancer in Dallas as far and wide as you can. Don't stop until they release or suspend you. You're right! You do deserve the ball more, so do whatever you need to get what you want. Don't hold back. Attack everyone. Wine, pout, scream and shout. Dog it in practice. Bitch during the games. Call a meeting with the coach and GM. You are righteous and worthy.

Yes you can and Yes you should!

Analysis of Eagles Playoff Chances

Yes, I know I said a few weeks back that the Birds were not going to make the Playoffs. In the spirit of a season of highs and lows (i.e. inconsistency), I'm proud to say I was wrong. Or rather, that the door is not closed. They have a shot. Here's my take on what may happen, done without the aid of any of playoff scenario calculators or any of that nonsense.

First things first, the Eagles must win their final 3 games. Monday night against Cleveland, the following week in Washington, and closing out the season against the Cowboys at home. While it might not be a mathematical certainty, I cannot see them making the playoffs if they lose even one of those games, as that would put them at 9 wins and open up the field to teams like the Bears, Saints and Redskins. As it is, if they win out, they're still only going to be 10-5-1. The tie very well could either get them in, or keep them out.

For purposes of this analysis, I'm only considering the teams that are currently ahead of the Eagles in the Wild Card race because, like I said above, they need to win out to really have a shot. As of today, there are 3 teams ahead of them: Tampa at 9-4, Dallas at 8-5, and Atlanta at 8-5. If the season ended today, Tampa and Dallas would be the NFC's Wild Card teams.

Of the 3 teams being considered, I think Tampa has the easiest schedule. @ Atlanta, and then the Chargers and Raiders at home. While I'd love to see them implode after losing to Carolina on Monday night, the team is coached by Jon Gruden, so that's unlikely. I think there's a reasonable chance they win all 3 of their remaining games, especially with no games in cold weather over the last 3 weeks of the season. At worst, they probably win 2 of the 3 games, putting them at 11-5.

Dallas has the toughest schedule. They host the Giants and Baltimore, and then travel to Philly for a Week 17 showdown that very well might determine the second Wild Card spot. If both the Birds and the 'Boys win their next two, that would put the Eagles at 9-5-1, and the Cowboys at 10-5 headed into their matchup in Philly. In that scenario, if the Eagles win-out, the tie gets them in the Playoffs. More likely, however, is that Dallas will at least lose one of their next 2 games, putting them at 9-6 before the Eagles game. The tie has no impact on this scenario if the Eagles beat the Cowboys. Dallas is on shaky ground right now, so there's a chance they lose their next 2 games, which would effectively take them out of the hunt, and continue the winless playoff record for Romo and Wade Phillips. That would make me happy.

Last but not least is the Falcons, who have had an incredible year led by rookie QB Matt Ryan. Their final 3 games are Tampa, @ Minnesota, and then St. Louis. Again, no cold weather games for this team. I think there's a good chance they only beat St. Louis, putting their record at 9-7. A great year for a team that no one expected anything from, but not enough to get them into the playoffs in the tight NFC.

It's all clear now, right? Seriously, in a way, I think the Eagles control their destiny--if and only if they win out. Atlanta isn't going to win all of their remaining games, and we have the extra half game to help us with the Cowboys even if they pull out a miracle and win their next 2 before closing the season with a loss in Philly.

One thing that's interesting is that all of the Eagles remaining games are in cold weather. Because cold weather games are often lower scoring, closer affairs, it probably means that the margin of error for the Eagles is very, very small. They have to play superb football and not make mistakes to win the next 3. Here's to hoping that they don't lay an egg against Cleveland on Monday night and throw all of this to shit. I don't expect it to happen, but I tell you this. I won't be the slightest bit surprised if it does.

Whaddya Know, the Eagles Beat the Giants!

I don't think there's a team in the NFL that epitomizes Dr. Jeckyl and Mr. Hyde more so than the Philadelphia Eagles. The latest example comes after they dominated arguably the best team in the NFL on their home turf. The game was not nearly as close as the final score of 20-14 indicated. One of the TDs came on a blocked FG, and the other came late in the 4th Quarter when the Eagles were in a Prevent D. Preventing what, I'm not sure. Maybe preventing them from stopping the Giants. But whatever--every NFL does that.

D Mac completed almost 2/3 of his passes, Westbrook carried the ball 33 times (not a typo), and the D held the Giants dominant running game to 88 yards. The offense had long, sustained drives, and the D was shut-down. Aside from the running game, one big difference in Sunday's version of the Eagles is that people made plays--particularly Donovan's receivers. They didn't drop balls and they fought for the extra yards, picking up first downs and keeping drives alive. The Eagles were clearly the better team on Sunday.

So, why the Jeckyl and Hyde? The biggest reason is the health of Brian Westbrook, arguably the most well-rounded RB in the league when he's healthy. Andy Reid never let on how hurt Westbrook must've been earlier in the year, hence the heavy reliance on the passing game. The lesson here is that if Reid doesn't trust the RB backups he currently has, he better upgrade them next year. RBs get hurt, and you need a viable alternative if you don't want one injury to tank your whole season.

With every other team in the division losing Sunday, the Eagles are still in the thick of the NFC playoff race. It is very likely that the tie on their record will make a difference at the end of the season. Let's just hope that the extra half win gets us in the Playoffs, as opposed to the other way around.

Next up is a Monday night game against the hapless Browns. My expectations are still low, but I'm hopeful that the Birds are finally finding their stride and will win this game in convincing fashion.

What About USC?

Amid all the current and impending controversy surrounding the BCS standings, there's one team no one is talking about that I think deserves to be in the conversation. And that's the USC Trojans.

The Trojans are getting dinged because they play in the Pac-10 and because their single loss came to a sub-par team--the Oregon State Beavers. But that's not their fault. They can't relocate to the SEC or Big 12, nor can they adjust their schedule to play those teams more frequently. But they are a one loss team just like the rest of the teams in contention for the national title. They have the best D in the nation, and their offense is explosive. In no way would a game against Florida, Alabama, Oklahoma, Texas, or Texas Tech be a foregone conclusion. USC would give all those teams a run for their money, and anyone who argues otherwise is full of it.

I know I'm beating a dead horse here, but again, this shows a major flaw in the current system. USC (and Penn State too!) should have an opportunity to compete for the title, as their record is the same as everyone else's in the mix, other than 'Bama.

If money is the issue, I'm sure all the smart folks running the NCAA can figure out a way to have some sort of playoff system generate more revenue than the current system does. It's not that hard--more big games will equal more money. Please, fix the system. It stinks.

Eagles 2008 Season Log: Week 13, Turkey Day Treat

Twelve weeks into the Eagles 2008 NFL campaign (which many argue is already over), the results of their Turkey Day outing in Philadelphia should not surprise anyone. Not because they're a good team, but because if there's one word that describes this years version of the Eagles, it's inconsistent.

The Eagles destroyed the visiting Arizona Cardinals on Thursday night 48-20 and improved their record to 6-5-1. McNabb rebounded and threw 4 TD passes, the team ran the ball 40 times (including QB rushes), Westbrook had 2 rushing and 2 receiving TDs, and the D kept the pass-happy Cardinals pretty much in check. The Cardinals have yet to win on the East Coast, but they have one of the best offenses in the league and will win their division, so they're not the same Cardinals we're used to. Regardless, given some of my recent posts about the importance of running the ball, they should not be surprised at the outcome of this game considering that they only ran the ball only 10 times. That's not a typo.

I have no false hopes for the Eagles, despite what was probably their best all around game all season. They've lost too many close games already, and 3 of their last 4 games are against NFC East opponents--all of whom are strong. But I am glad to see that they were able to put a complete game together. What is baffling though is why it took Andy Reid until the 12th game of the season to mix it up a little. It appears that he finally handed over the play calling responsibilities to Marty Morningwhig, and the results were obvious. This is Andy Reid's 10th season as the Head Coach of the Eagles. It shouldn't take this long for someone with his experience to adapt--especially when the results were not as expected (losses instead of wins). I guess he knows more than we do? Maybe?

The Eagles next 4 games are tough: at the Giants, Cleveland, at the Redskins, and then Dallas at home. Again, I have no false hopes that they're going to win out and make the playoffs. Looking at the conference standings should make that obvious to anyone who thinks they still have a shot. But the next 4 games should determine what next year will bring for us. Is the McNabb era really over? Are coaching changes (Reid, or his coordinators) in order? It's too early to say, and Jeff Lurie hasn't showed his hand yet. But it will be interesting. I'm not sure yet what my opinion is, but I'm excited to see how it all plays out. One thing's for sure--it can't be worse than the recent 3 game stretch that flushed the season down the toilet.

Some Psychotherapy for McNabb (+ a diagnosis of our WRs)

As you can probably ascertain from my posts, I'm a huge fan of Donovan. He single-handedly brought me back into the fold as an Eagles fan, after the long dark years of Rich Kotite and Ray Rhodes. Despite this, my loyalty is obviously with the Eagles. And on Sunday, when Andy Reid benched him in a 3 pt game, I really was ready to say goodbye to the McNabb era. I'd had enough of the torture--especially this year.

But like any self-deprecating Eagles fan, there's still a glimmer of hope in my heart that maybe it's not over. Maybe they will, in fact, go on an incredible run and make the playoffs this year. Or at least be in contention until the end of the season. Don't hate on me--I know it's a long shot. But before the last two games, the team wasn't that far off from winning a couple of the games they lost.

So, you ask, what's the problem? Me and everyone else who cares has already identified a few main things: playcalling has been questionable, there's no running game, the WRs stink, the D has been inconsistent--especially when it comes to stopping big-time RBs (see Clinton Portis, the Giants trio of Earth/Wind/Fire, and others), we're getting no production from our Tight Ends, and of late, the QB has just been plain awful.

Anyone who has watched McNabb over the years knows that he's not an awful QB. He might not be the second coming of Joe Montana, but for about a 5 year stretch--before the TO debacle--he was pretty darn good. Accurate, not turnover prone, could do damage with both his arms and his legs, and is (still) probably one of the hardest QBs to bring down in NFL history. He was a winner, and the first year he had a Pro Bowler to throw to, he put up amazing numbers and the team went to the Super Bowl. His run of success wasn't a fluke.

The problem this year is not his physical health. It's everything above, and the fact that something has gotten into Donovan's head. Maybe it's the pressure of having to win games all by himself. Maybe it's a lack of confidence in his WRs. Maybe he's just sick of being abused by the Philly media. Honestly, it's probably a bit of everything. Donovan can take some steps clear his head, but the coaching staff can probably have a much bigger impact, but upping the pressure on the rest of the team, committing to the run, and calling better plays.

Specifically, our WRs need to re-earn McNabb's trust by showing up for work, and delivering. The teamwide case of stone-hands has to be cured, DeSean needs to play beyond his years of experience and stop making mistakes, and these guys need to get open. I don't care how, but get open. Pass protection hasn't been the problem. The problem is that if you have a bunch of WRs who are never open, it doesn't matter how much time you have in the pocket. It's very clear to me that McNabb has sincere doubts about throwing the ball to any of these guys, and it's in their control to get their sh*t together and start playing like they belong in the league. The team has consistently dressed 6 guys every week. Their playing time should be threatened if they drop balls. And two of them--any two--need to step up and act like they want to be the starters. All of them need to play with the sense of urgency that if they fail, their careers are on the line. And unfortunately, I haven't seen that from any of our WRs this year. They're all crappy.

Nevertheless, regardless of how dim it is, the glimmer of hope still shines in my heart. It won't be a hard fall for me emotionally if the team doesn't go on a little run, but I'd love to see it happen.

The McNabb Era is Over! Wait, No It Isn't!

Big Red announced today that Donovan McNabb hasn't lost his position as starting QB and will return to the field on Turkey Day to face the Cardinals at home. All the commentators are saying that McNabb still gives the team a better chance to win, and Reid thinks that "...by stepping back a few inches, you can go forward a mile..." I don't disagree with either philosophy, but the last 6 games are shaping up to be fun and soap-operatic. We can't get worse as a team, but the drama could certainly increase a bit!

The two things that are most clear to me today are:

1) Kevin Kolb ain't ready for prime time. I have a hard time believing he'll ever be until he shaves that mustache. He pretty much looks like a kicker when he has his helmet on; and
2) The Eagles have to run the ball. Like I said in my last post, the worst that can happen is the status quo, which is a regular dose of 3 and outs. Actually, we're much less apt to turn the ball over so much by investing in the run.

Andy will be tempted to keep the same game plan against the Cardinals, but I guarantee that if we do, the results will be the same. Give Don a chance to get his head back on straight.

Run Andy, Run!

Allright, I have a few hours distance from the Eagles devastating loss to the Ravens, and here's where my head is at. Basically, the same place it's been for much of the Andy Reid era. In the NFL, if the defense knows you're going to pass every time, they will beat you. And when you do try to run every now and again in a pass-happy offense, it's impossible to develop any sort of rhythm, control the clock, and get the first downs you need. Not only will the defense tee off on you if they know you're going to pass every down, but when you're QB is struggling, the only way to get him out of his funk is to start running the ball.

Yes, we know Brian Westbrook is hurt, but the Eagles have at least one, and probably two, capable backups. One of them, Lorenzo Booker, didn't even dress today b/c Andy Reid dressed 6 WRs. The other, Correll Buckhalter, had 2 carries and left the game hurt, meaning Westbrook had to come in on his bad ankle and knee. Not good.

I know I'm not an NFL coach, but this stuff seems so obvious. A few years back when Jeff Garcia led the Eagles to the division and a playoff victory, they turned their season around by running the ball. I guess Andy Reid's memory is a short one though, because we've seen no willingness to run from him. On 2nd and inches, and 3rd and short, he repeatedly passes the ball. And the team repeatedly fails to convert. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results, so I guess this means that Andy Reid is insane? Don't take that literally, but come on Andy. Get your friggin head on straight!

Take a look at the below rushing attempt stats from today's games. Yes, I know this is an imperfect analysis, because when teams get ahead, they can afford to run the ball. But even in this imperfect analysis, there's a common theme: winners control the clock by running the ball, and losers don't. Period.

Houston (beat CLE): 36 carries to 20
Dallas (beat SFO): 29 carries to 15
Tampa (beat DET): 32 carries to 22
Jets (beat TEN): 39 carries to 11
Buffalo (beat KC): 38 carries to 13
Bears (beat STL): 32 carries to 19
New England (beat MIA): 25 carries to 19
Minnesota (beat JAX): 35 carries to 14
Oakland (beat DEN): 41 carries to 28
Atlanta (beat CAR): 33 carries to 26
NY Giants (beat ARI): 27 carries to 15
Washington (beat SEA): 41 carries to 20

Baltimore destroyed the pass happy Eagles with 40 carries, while the Eagles mustered only 21. Sure, it's better than last week, but nowhere near enough to establish the run as an important part of your offense. And honestly, even if you don't have confidence in your running game, the worst that can happen is that you go 3 and out, just like you do with the passing game every single week!

So yes, I still believe this season is over for the Eagles, as well as the Donovan McNabb era. But if things are going to change, Andy Reid must reinvent himself, and train is offense to excel at the things necessary to help a QB succeed.

Tomorrow, some thoughts on our miserable crew of Wide Receivers.

Eagles 2008 Season Log: Week 12, The Window of Opportunity is Closed

As I write this, there're still three minutes left in 4th quarter of the Eagles-Ravens game, and the Eagles are losing 36-7. After throwing 2 INTs and losing a fumble, Andy Reid did the unthinkable and benched Donovan McNabb at halftime. He really had no choice, as McNabb has been playing the worst football of his career over the last few weeks. He was replaced by 2007 2nd Round Draft Pick Kevin Kolb, who unfortunately didn't fare much better, throwing an INT that led to the longest INT return for a TD in NFL History. Sure, it's a rough environment for Kolb to learn the ropes in, but there ain't nothing like game time experience. The game was within reach when Kolb took over, but now it's not. And neither are the playoffs. So, as we bid a likely goodbye to the Donovan McNabb era in Philadelphia, we're also bidding goodbye to the 2008 season. It's time to start thinking about 2009 and beyond.

I'll be back for more as the week continues, but for now, thanks for your service Donovan. I will always be a fan and wish you nothing but the best. You were a great QB for Philly, and you brought us to a level of competitiveness that we hadn't seen in decades. You're a good man, a good football player, and a good teammate, but it's time for the Eagles to move on. The window of opportunity is officially closed.

Enough of the Overtime Rules Story Already. Let's Move On.

I've you've been reading my blog, you know that I'm generally a critic of the Philly sports media. They love to pounce on the city's teams, especially the Eagles, and ESPECIALLY Donovan McNabb. So, while it's natural for the media to be beating this year's underachieving team up, they've taken the story about Donovan McNabb not knowing the NFL's overtime rules a little too far--especially John Smallwood, who also wrote a piece this week about how it's time for Reid to go. Here's the McNabb story, and here's the Andy Reid story.

First of all, the rule is stupid. Play the game until someone wins, period. Second of all, who gives a crap whether McNabb knows the rule or not. It didn't affect his play last Sunday (which was miserable, as I've stated), and that's what's most important. The team needs to focus on football and find a way to put a series of complete games together--with the coaching staff, offense, and defense all performing at a high level. None of this other crap matters, so let's get over it and focus on what we need to do to beat the Ravens and try to stay in the hunt for a Wild Card spot.

Eagles 2008 Season Log: Week 11, Exasperation Personified

Here's a conversation I had with my friend Jared Sunday afternoon at the Eagles game. Normally, we watch together--he on the East Coast, and me on the West Coast. He moved yesterday though, so I had to fill him in.

Jared: Did the Eagles win?
Alex: No.
Jared: The Eagles lost?
Alex: No.
Jared: So they won then, right?
Alex: No.
Jared: Come on Alex. Tell me what happened.
Alex: If you don't win, and you don't lose, what do you think happened?
Jared: They tied?
Alex: Yes, they tied.

Against one of the worst teams in the NFL, a tie doesn't feel particularly good. Sure, it's not a loss. But it's also not a win. You could see on the players faces after the game they didn't quite know how to feel.

Exasperation is the best way to sum up my feelings. This team has potential, but they're just so inconsistent. Last week against the Giants, the offense put up 31 points, but the Defense got steamrolled. On Sunday against the Bengals, McNabb threw 3 INTs, lost a fumble, and the offense only put up 13 points. McNabb attempted 58 passes, which was a career high, and the team only ran the ball 18 times for 68 yards. The Defense, on the other hand, played great, holding the Bengals to under 300 yards, and less than 60 yards rushing. Special teams joined the offense in ineptitude, with Sav Rocca punting 10 times for a 36 yard average, and no damage being done in the return game.

Is the coaching staff? Is is the players lack of a will to win? Has McNabb quit? Is Westbrook hurt? I honestly don't know the answer. But what I do know is that the team is better than this, and Andy Reid needs to figure it out. Fortunately, they're only 1/2 game out of a wild card spot (yes, they would be tied if not for the tie), but this team just doesn't act like it's hungry to win. Maybe this is what the NFL is about these days--parity--where it's very difficult for most every team to be consistent week in and week out. If that's the case, the NFL needs to address that, b/c that sucks for the fans. I don't know, but being an Eagles fan is just plain exasperating. But like a lover-scorned, I keep coming back for more, as I will next weekend when the team travels to Baltimore to play the Ravens (whose D also got steamrolled by the Giants).

Time for Change in the Eagles Front Office?

There's no doubt that the Andy Reid era has been the best ever in the history of the Philadelphia Eagles. He runs a great organization, has generally drafted well, makes good financial decisions, and wins football games--lots of them. He has not, however, won the one that matters most, and many fans, including myself, wonder if he can.

I would personally support Andy Reid returning as head coach next year, whether they make the playoffs this year or not. (And I think his soulmate Donovan should return as well). What I would like to see, however, is some change on the coordinator front. Yes, Jim Johnson has been one of the great defensive minds in the NFL over the last 10 years, but I think he's past his prime. The Eagles haven't been able to stop the run in a long time. The Giants embarrassed us last week and so did Clinton Portis. If you can't stop the run when you have to, you can't win in the NFC East, let alone the NFL. A few years ago, when TO was on the team, Pittsburgh destroyed us by running the ball down our throats. And that was generally a common theme that year. I said then that it was time for Jim Johnson to go, and I still believe that now. He has the personnel and everyone is healthy, so there's no reason other than the fact that people have figured out the weakness in his scheme and are exploiting it.

On the offensive front, it's unclear who's been calling the plays this year, but I also think it's time to bring in some new blood. Marty Morningwhig is not a winner, and our pass-happy scheme has also been figured out to a certain extent. Again, the personnel exists here too, but we can't get yards when we need them, we can't sustain drives to chew up clock, clock management is terrible, and our WRs drop too many balls. Reid is no doubt a great offensive mind, but I think the team needs a yin to his yang. We need to try something different if we want to regain our seat at the top of the NFC.

So, bye bye JJ, and bye bye Marty. Thanks for your service, and best of luck to you in the future. We voted for change on November 4, and now it's time for some change in Philly.

Eagles 2008 Season Log: Week 10, Another Big Fat WTF!

I'm officially nominating "Heartache Tonight" by the Eagles (as in Don Henley Eagles) as the theme song of the 2008 Eagles. Every game, without fail, the team causes themselves and all the fans out there far too much heartache than is healthy. Last night was no different.

The game started great, for a change, and within the first minute, the Eagles had an INT, which led to a quick rushing TD by DeSean Jackson. We typically spot the other team points, but last night, the Giants spotted us a TD. In typical fashion, however, the lead didn't stand long as Eli Manning marched his team down the field with a series of completions and 7-10 yard runs by Brandon Jacobs. That would be the theme of the night.

Because the Eagles either go 3 and out, or score quickly, the D was on the field for much of the 1st quarter--in fact, for much of the game, as the Giants held the ball for almost 40 minutes. Every time they got the ball, it seems like they scored. I only remember 2 punts. We couldn't stop the run, we didn't get to Manning, and their wideouts were open far too frequently. On the other side of the ball, despite a paltry 15 carries by the RBs all night, the Birds did put up 4 TDs and a field goal. A very very respectable performance that would win most weeks in the NFL. But not on this night. The D was terrible for the entire game, and when it mattered most, we couldn't get a couple yards to keep a drive alive.

Some people would say that we hung tough with the defending Super Bowl champs (just like we hung tough with the hot Cowboys in Week 2) and we should be happy. You know what I say? FUCK that. There's no consolation prize in the NFL, and last night's loss basically removes any chance we had to win the division--especially with our 0-3 record against NFC East opponents. There's nothing to feel good about.

What I don't understand is why the Eagles continue to be so reluctant to run the ball. If you haven't run the ball all game, do you honestly think the O-line is going to have the rhythm and confidence to get those crucial yards in the 4th quarter? OF COURSE NOT. Sure, the defense couldn't stop the Giants all night, but the real reason they were on the field for 40 minutes is that the Eagles either score quickly or go 3 and out. Why? Because we don't run the ball. We have one of the most talented RBs in the league, yet he only had 13 carries last night. It's insane! We did, however, run a reverse to Desean 3 times.

On top of this heartache, on a key Giants drive we gave them 30 yards as a result of two penalties. In a close game, shit like that matters. And it's not supposed to happen at home.

The curse of being an Eagles fan is this exact heartache. 4 TDs by the offense on a week the D gives up 36 points; not being able to run the ball when we need to; short offensive drives; stupid mistakes on special teams; bad playcalling. On that last point, actually, whoever has been calling the Eagles plays needs to stop, and turn the responsibility over to someone more capable. We had some success with Marty Morningwhig doing it, so if it's been Andy Reid this year, give it back to Marty. Enough already.

Next week, we play the lowly Bengals, who are without their star QB. Yes, it should be a win, but I'm not holding my breath. There will definitely be some heartache.

PS--When I was in college, we used to say that if PSU lost, so would the Eagles. And vice versa. Obviously there's no real correlation between the two, but we believed it anyway. It certainly was the truth last weekend. The Eagles likely lost their shot at winning the division, and PSU certainly lost their shot for a national title by being upset in Iowa.

Eagles 2008 Season Log: Week 9, Win @ Seattle

Week 9 in Seattle was another game that was marked with a "W" as the Eagles and their fans reviewed the schedule before the season. As the season progressed, this became even more true with Seattle struggling mightily without their starting QB Matt Hassleback.

But, we're talking about the 2008 Philadelphia Eagles here, and the game started off accordingly. Eagles elect to receive, go 3 and out, and Seattle scores on their first play with the longest play from scrimmage in team history.

Fortunately, despite the slow start, the Eagles D got it together and dominated the rest of the game. And McNabb, who needs to figure out how to start faster, played a masterful 2nd, 3rd, and 4th quarter and finished with 349 yards passing and 2 TDs. And for a change, we got some great play from the TE position, with Brent Celek have a career day . A win is a win in the NFL, so that's what important. But this season's Eagles just cause me too much heartache.

Next week, we have the Giants at home in a game that matters. If we win, we'll be 6-3 and in the hunt for the division. If we lose, we'll be 0-3 in the division and barely in the hunt for a wildcard spot. I'll be rooting for my boys to win, but I don't have a lot of confidence that they won't lay an egg in this important game.

We shall see...

Eagles 2008 Season Log: Week 8, Westbrook Leads Birds to Victory

Every year after the Bye Week, it's always said how strong Andy Reid and the Eagles coming out of the break. Prior to this year, Reid was 9-0 after the Bye, which is very impressive. I get nervous when people bring stats like that up though, partially because I'm superstitious, and partially because no streak goes on forever. On that first point, when they said how unhittable Dennis Eckersly was in the 1988 World Series as Kirk Gibson limped to the plate, I called home run. But that's neither here nor there.

Playing the Falcons in Philly is one of the games that Eagles fans marked with a "W" before the season started. Since we lost to the Bears in Chicago and the Redskins at home, the margin of error in the games that we're supposed to win is almost nothing. We have to win them all, and we have to win some of the games we probably shouldn't.

The Birds didn't start strong on Sunday. McNabb looked Rusty, particularly his timing with WR Kevin Curtis, who got his first playing time this season after recovering from a sports hernia. Brian Westbrook, also returning from injury, was another story. Westbrook lit up the Falcons for 167 yards rushing (2 TDs) and another 40+ receiving. It's amazing how different the Eagles offense his with him on the field. McNabb warmed up as the game went on (and even got his first rushing TD of the season), the D had a couple takeaways, and the Eagles won 27-14. Unfortunately though, the Giants, Cowboys and Redskins all won as well, leaving the Eagles in sole possession of last place in the NFC East.

The next 3 weeks are crucial for the Eagles chances at making the playoffs. First we play Seattle on the road, then the Giants at home, and then the Bengals on the road. If we can win all 3 of these games, we will make up ground in the division b/c of who everyone else is playing. The Skins host the Steelers, have their bye, and then host the Cowboys. The Giants host the Cowboys, play us in Philly, and then play the Ravens at home. The Cowboys play the Giants, have their bye, and then play the Redskins. There is no longer any margin of error left for the Eagles--they are 0-2 in the division, and 3-3 in the conference--and I think they have to win all 3 of these next games to gain some ground and stay in the hunt. Unfortunately, the losses to the Bears and the Redskins put them at a disadvantage, because those are both games they should've won.

Seattle is 2-5 and is one of the worst teams in the league right now, so I expect the Eagles to win. But with this team, especially this year, you never know.

Back soon....

Eagles 2008 Season Log: Week 6/Bye, Phew!

Since the Eagles got a week off, I decided to take one too. I needed it after the gut wrenching first 5 games of the season.

In week 6, the Birds snatched victory from the jaws of defeat by beating the Niners 40-26. While our total points, and the margin of victory, are both impressive, for 3 quarters of the game, it was much closer. The Birds at a 1-point lead after the first half, but the margin should've been 17 points were it not for a blocked FG and subsequent TD that happened as time expired. The second half didn't start well either, with the Birds giving up a quick 10 points to a Niners offense that was playing very well. After 3 quarters, the score was 26-17 in a game the Eagles absolutely had to win.

Something clicked in the 4th quarter though. McNabb was steady most of the game, completing nearly 2/3 of his passes, and throwing for 2TDs with one INT. It was the defense, though, that let the game get to 26-17. They couldn't stop the Niners in any facet: no pressure, Frank Gore had huge holes, and their passing game was solid. Either Mike Martz decided to stop running in the ball in the 4th quarter (doubtful), or the Eagles just finally figured out how to stop the Niners game plan. Doesn't really matter, but the D really turned up the heat in the 4th. The wreaked havoc on QB JT O'Sullivan and picked up a couple sacks. The run game was stopped in its tracks, and our CBs played well. The 55yd INT return for a touchdown by Juqua Parker didn't hurt either.

The weekend of the Niners game was a good one for all my sports teams, actually. The Phils were in the process of defeating the Dodgers, PSU won, USC won, and I won my pool at work ($140). Of all those things, however, I'm most happy about the Eagles win.

Andy Reid is historically strong coming out of the bye week, so I feel good about tomorrow's game against the Falcons. Especially with Westbrook back, and Kevin Curtis likely to see his first game action of the year. Again, though, it is a must win. Even though the Cowboys are in a slump, we must keep pace and win all the games we're supposed to.

Eagles 2008 Season Log: Week 5, WTF?

Another must-win game, another loss by the Eagles. WTF can I say? I'm tired of the disappointment, the inconsistency, being outcoached, the emotional highs and lows, and most importantly, of the losing.

After a miserable road game loss to the Bears the previous week, one would think that the Eagles would've come out with a better effort than they did in their 23-17 loss to the Redskins yesterday. One would think, but apparently none of the Eagles coaches or veteran leaders thought.

In their two wins against the Rams and the Steelers, and in their loss to the Cowboys, the Eagles looked like they were the real deal. In their last two losses, however, the Eagles looked unmotivated, hurt, and poorly coached. I shouldn't be saying those things about a team that's been to 4 NFC title games, and a Super Bowl, this decade. They should know how to win a tough game on the road, protect a 2 TD lead at home against a division foe, and stop what by all accounts is a middle-of-the-road offense.

Typically, Philly fans unload their frustrations after a loss on McNabb, but he doesn't deserve the blame in this game. The D couldn't stop the Skins at all, our WRs dropped some key passes, and we had no running attack. That's why we lost--nothing else. I'd of course love to see Donovan lead the team to a victory in the 4th quarter, but those days might be long gone for Donovan. I don't know.

Like I said, I don't pin this loss on McNabb at all. But I'm beginning to lose faith. He needs to put this team on his shoulders like he used to do, and figure out a way to win. Instead, he looks so goddamn nonchalant all the time, and it rubs off on the rest of his teammates. Maybe it comes from Andy Reid? Again, I don't know.

We're 5 weeks into what I thought was a very promising season, and the Eagles are a long shot to make the playoffs. I don't give a shit that the Phillies made the NLCS. Philly is an Eagles town, and I bleed green. Next week, we have the Niners on the road. The last time the team travelled to SF, my wife's water broke and I didn't get to use the tickets I had. They kicked some ass that day though. I'm not sure if I'd even take free tickets to this game, cause they'll probably lose and I'll be out the $40 parking fee and whatever I drop on food and beer.

Bunk. That's all I have to say.

Eagles 2008 Season Log: Week 4, Choke in Chi-town

Another game the Eagles should have and could have won, and another loss. This, my friends, is the life of an Eagles fan. Ups and downs. One week, manhandling the class of the AFC. The next, a sloppy miserable loss to a team with a QB that should probably be teaching gym at some middle school.

The Eagles loss to the Bears (like any Eagles loss, actually), was tough to swallow. The team made Kyle Orton look like Tom Brady in the first half, and squandered too many offensive opportunities throughout the game. You can't spot the other team points in the NFL, and that's what the Eagles did with their sloppy play last weekend. I think last week's loss came down to coaching. Lovie Smith had a better game plan than Andy Reid, and his (healthy) team executed on it. There wasn't much else to it.

With Westbrook and LJ Smith healthy, the Eagles offense would have no doubt looked better, and they probably would've been able to turn Akers missed field goals into points. But the team needs to find a way to win, even when certain players are out. The NFC East is just too competitive to lose any games that you're supposed to win. We're lucky though, as the Cowboys did the same thing last weekend by losing to the Redskins. Thankfully, we're only 1 game back of each of those teams as we get set to face the Redskins in Philly.

The only other thing worth mentioning is that DeSean Jackson had a rough night. He muffed a punt, ran a bad route that led to a McNabb interception, and generally looked like the rookie that he is. Don't get me wrong--this kid is talented, and he deserves the playing time he's been getting. But Andy Reid will not tolerate gaffes like this much longer. Jackson can't make mental errors like the ones he made last week. We need him to act and play like the #1 receiver that he is. Yes, he's a rookie, and I'll give him certain latitudes because of that. But he needs to stay focused, limit his mistakes, and work hard in practice.

This Sunday, we got the 'Skins coming to town. This game very well might be a must-win. If we lose, we'll remain in last place, fall to 0-2 in the division, and 1-3 in the conference. Those are not the numbers of a playoff team.

Eagles 2008 Season Log: Week 3, Defense Stifles Steelers

With Dallas and the Giants at 3-0, and the Redskins at 2-1, the Steelers game turned out to be a must-win for the Birds. Fortunately, the Defense came through and the offense did just enough to win the game, leaving both the Eagles and the Redskins at 2-1 looking up at the undefeated Cowboys and Giants.

Jimmy Johnson's Defense put on quite a show against the Steelers. Our cross-State rivals were stifled in every aspect of their offensive game. We sacked Big Ben 9 times, and hurried or hit him dozens more. Fast Willie got nothing all game, and our CB trio of Asante Samuel, Lito Sheppard and Sheldon Brown shut down the passing game.

People have been wondering where this Defense was against the Cowboys. But the Cowboys are a different team with a monstrous offensive line, Marion Barber and Felix Jones in the backfield, and TO catching passes. Oh, and one of the best Tight Ends in the league beating people up over the middle. I don't know--maybe the game plan could've been more aggressive against the 'Boys. I tend to think that both teams game planned for a shoot-out, and that's what we got. The Cowboys got the better of us mostly b/c of the late fumble by McNabb.

Anyway, I digress away from the Steelers game. This game was like a classic, late-season, battle of NFC East teams. The Eagles D beat up the Steelers, but we got beat up too. Westbrook sprained his ankle, McNabb missed a few plays, LJ Smith's back acted up, and Tony Hunt left the game with a concussion. Fortunately, the Defense and Special teams did enough to keep the Eagles offense in the game (the same was not true for the Steelers) and we escaped with a 15-6 victory, and no serious injuries.

Many of the experts put the Steelers in the top tier of the AFC, but the Eagles exposed them--at least on the offensive side of the ball. They will have a hard time beating a team like the Broncos or Chargers if they can't find any playmakers on offense. But I don't care about the Steelers. The Birds played a solid game and escaped with a victory. That makes me happy.

This week, we travel to Chicago for a Sunday night game against the Bears. The Bears aren't good, but they're still the Bears and the game is still on the road. Even though Westbrook will probably sit this one out, the Bears offense is so terrible that the Eagles should have enough to get it done. After this weekend in which the Giants are resting, the Redskins will either be 3-1 and tied with the Cowboys, or 2-2, leaving the Cowboys atop the division at 4-0. Another must win?

Eagles 2008 Season Log: Philly Media on McNabb, Steelers Game a Must Win?

On Tuesday morning after the loss to the Cowboys, both the national and local media were tipping their hats to the Eagles for their effort the previous night. Both the Philly media and Eagles fans have always had mixed views on McNabb, so I was particularly surprised at the positive messages coming from both about the loss to the Cowboys. Later during the week, however, things quickly devolved into "McNabb can't win the big one" and "McNabb choked" when he fumbled the handoff to Brian Westbrook.

I can't tell you how pleasurable it is to not have to be surrounded by that vitriol all the time. McNabb is a Pro Bowl QB, he's healthy and back to form, and he can win the big one. The Defense let us down against the Cowboys, not McNabb. And don't forget we were down two starting WRs in that game. If everyone stays healthy, I guarantee you that when Dallas visits Philly in Week 17, a)the game will mean something, and b)we'll walk away the victors. That's how close in talent I think these two teams are.

Anyway, back to matters at hand. On Sunday, the Steelers (2-0) visit Philadelphia. While it's probably a little early in the season to call a game a Must Win, this one is pretty close. Both the Cowboys (at Green Bay) and the Giants (hosting Cincy) have very winnable games. If they both win and the Eagles don't, we'll be 2 games back after Week 3, and that's not good. With how evenly matched the NFC East is and how much everyone beats up on each other when they meet, being 1 game back is nothing to worry about at this point in the season. Two is a different story altogether.

The last time the Eagles and Steelers met in the regular season was 2004, and the Steelers kicked our asses up and down the field that day, winning 27-3. It's a different Steelers team with a different coach, but the style of football is the same. The Eagles have to shake off the loss to the 'Boys and show up ready to play. If we do, and can stop the run, we should be allright. My man McNizz will come through.

Eagles 2008 Season Log: Week 2, MNF in Dallas

Wow. S**t. Wow. S**t.

Wow--it was a great game filled with big plays, turnovers, a healthy McNabb using his legs to keep plays alive, and tons of scoring.

S**t--the Eagles lost to the Cowboys 41-37 in a game they had control of and could've won. Yes, they made a great showing on the road against a very very good football team. But I don't give a s**t about that. The NFL is about wins and losses, and we didn't win last night.

The media--even the contemptuous Philly media--are all giving the Eagles props for keeping the game close and having a legitimate chance to win. The reason this is the case is that the Cowboys are everyone's favorite to win the Super Bowl this year. It's pretty clear I'm in the minority, as my opinion is not only influenced by my hatred of the team, but more importantly their 0 for the playoffs coach, their 0 for the playoffs quarterback, and their lack of a single playoff win since the Troy Aikman/Emmit Smith/Michael Irvin era. I also still believe, in my heart of hearts, that the Eagles aren't yet ready to give up the crown as the dominant NFC East team of this decade. Not with McNabb returning to form, not with Mr. Westbrook on the field, and not with the moves they made this offseason.

The Cowboys are a good team, no doubt, and I give them credit where credit is due. They have a high powered offense, a fast and strong defense, and get game breaking abilities from Felix Jones on Special Teams. But the Eagles should've won that game last night. At least they could have, and we blew it.

Here's where the Eagles fell short:

1. At least in the first half, TO ran all over our allegedly high-powered secondary and scored two TDs.
2. We gave up too many yards--particularly the TD--to Felix Jones in the return game.
3. Our weakness at WR was exposed, particularly in the second half, and we didn't get LJ Smith involved like he was against the Rams.
4. Protection of McNabb was great in the first half, but fell apart in the second half with him being constantly flushed out of the pocket and forced to use his legs in ways that make me (and probably every other Eagles fan) gasp until he would get up from the ground after being hit.
5. We had zero sacks. That's right, ZERO. You cannot beat Tony Romo without pressuring him.
6. For one night, Westbrook took on the hands of Dikembe Mutumbo.

On the bright side, all of these things are basically correctable, and were the game in Philly, the Cowboys might be saying the same things about why they lost. McNabb is back, and almost every other team in the league would've been blown out by the Cowboys last night. We hung tough and should've won. Nevertheless, it hurts, even more than the Patriots loss last year. We had this game in our grasp, but literally and figuratively fumbled it away.

It's only week 2, so it's important to keep things in perspective. Assuming everyone stays healthy, when Dallas visits Philly on the last weekend of the season, the two teams are likely to be playing in a game with a lot more significance, and they very well may meet in the Playoffs. For the Cowboys to earn their Super Bowl berth, they'll need to go through Philly in December, and probably New York too, as we can't forget who the reigning Super Bowl champs are.

We have the Steelers at home next week. It'll be good to return to the cozy confines of the Linc, but our cross-State rivals play a tough brand of Football, and the Eagles will have to be on their game (as they were in Dallas) to get the W.

Eagles 2008 Season Log: Cowboys Talking

There's an age-old adage in life to act like you've been there before. In a business meeting, when you're approaching that hot chick at the bar, in sports, and in many other situations. This week, while the Cowboys haven't said anything too inflammatory, they aren't acting like they've been here before. And guess what? This Cowboys team hasn't been there before. They are 4-12 against the Eagles this decade, and they haven't won a playoff game since Troy Aikman was QB. In contrast, the Eagles went to 4 straight NFC Championship games and one Super Bowl. Yes, yes, yes...Dallas has one 4 (I think) SB wins, but those bragging rights belong to the fans, not the players who have no relation to eras past.

In contrast, the Eagles are laying low and saying all the right things--particularly Andy Reid's comment that TO will go down as one of the best WRs ever to play the position. With the core group of veterans that has more than a few playoff victories under their belt, they know that, in this rivalry especially, all that matters is what happens on the field.

So, keep talking Cowboys. All it does is provide fodder for the Eagles to get even more motivated than they already are for this early season matchup.

Eagles 2008 Season Log: Week 1, Lowly Rams Visit Philly

Even though it was a Sunday, I woke up at 6am, charged with anticipation about the kickoff of the Eagles 2008 campaign. When the rest of the family got up, we ventured out to get some coffee and let Hannah play in the fountains at our local Whole Foods. When I saw someone in the distance walk by wearing an Eagles jersey, I thought about embarrassing myself with a call of affirmation...until I realized that this idiot was wearing a Kevin Kolb jersey. What kind of idiot (a racist, perhaps?) wears a Kevin Kolb jersey. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt. Maybe he went to Houston, or is Kolb's brother.

Anyway, as 10am kickoff approached, my adrenaline started flowing and I started getting excited, and my excitement rubbed off on Hannah. Last season, she was introduced to Football, and began to recognize it when it was on TV. This year, she gets to know and love the Eagles. During the preseason, I had her chanting "Go Eagles," and on Sunday, I had her singing the first lines of the Eagles fight song. My enthusiasm was rubbing off.

Like many NFL teams, the Eagles typically script their first X plays of every game. On Sunday, they executed those plays flawlessly. 1. Get DeSean Jackson involved and into the flow early. Check. 2. Show LJ Smith that he's going to be relied on again now that he is healthy. Check. 3. Give the TD to Brian Westbrook, last year's NFL All Purpose Yards leader. Check. Eagles 7, Rams 0.

While many would argue that the Rams were an unworthy opponent, the Eagles played near flawless football throughout the afternon. McNabb looked sharp, confident, accurate, and completely satisfied with the weapons at his disposal. Andy Reid never plays rookie wide receivers, but DeSean Jackson appears to have the work ethic and the talent to make even Andy Reid--one of the more stubborn NFL coaches--change his routine. LJ Smith is healthy and back to being a receiving force in the middle of the field. It looks like we got faster on defense, and even though one member of the secondary is unhappy, the CB combination of Asante Samuel, Lito Sheppard, and Sheldon Brown is a formidable group. And perhaps most importantly of all, special teams (which more or less provided negative value last year) played great, generating more than 100 yards in the return game, and downing the ball deep in Rams territory multiple times.

The Eagles racked up the points and the yards throughout the day, as the Rams barely looked like a mid-tier NCAA team. Playoff teams are supposed to beat up on teams like the Rams the way the Eagles did, so I have no complaints. And the way the Eagles played makes me think that my exuberance about this season is justified. One game does not a Super Bowl winner make, but we're on the right track. Even Donovan feels good about the fast start (http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/Checklist_Start_fast_Yes/330002).

Final score: Eagles 38, Rams 3.

Next up: Monday Night Football, Eagles @ Dallas. It's way too early to put high stakes on this game, but I think the winner has an inside track on the NFC East.

I'll be back for an update before kickoff on Monday night.

Eagles 2008 Season Log: Intro

My life as a sports fan is back now that the 2008 NFL Season has arrived. Through this blog, I'm going track the highs and lows of the 2008 season, told through the eyes (mine) of a long-suffering, but ever hopeful, diehard fan of the Philadelphia Eagles.

The past couple years have been tough--particularly as a big fan of Eagles QB Donovan McNabb. Since their loss in Super Bowl 39 to the Patriots, the team has only made the playoffs once, and McNabb has not won a Playoff game. First, a sports hernia and the antics of Terrell Owens wrecked the team's chances in 2005, then he tore his ACL on a freak play (he wasn't hit) in 2006. Last year, he wasn't healthy until late in the season, and the team missed the Playoffs despite a strong finish. These 2 years came after 4 consecutive NFC Championship game appearances (1-3 record).

Like all NFL fans, I am optimistic every year, when everyone is "undefeated." This has been especially true for me given that I started paying close attention again (the team was pretty bad for about 5 years before Reid came in) with the arrival of the Reid/McNabb era in 1999. So it should be without surprise that my optimism is back this year.

This year feels different. It feels more like rational exuberance. McNabb is healthy, and the team has reloaded. They drafted Cal standout WR DeSean Jackson, signed Asante Samuel from the Pats, traded a 4th rounder for Lorenzo Booker, got faster at LB, and have a balanced and deep DL.

I'd probably be less exuberant if there were an NFC equivalent to the Patriots or Colts--teams that go deep into the Playoffs every year. After the two top teams (Cowboys and Packers), the NFC was wide open last year, and the 8-8 Eagles had a legitimate shot at the Playoffs until late in the Season. With the Farve-less Packers and Playoff winless-Romo, it's even more wide open this year, and I look for the Birds to return to form.

Despite my excitement, there's a reason they play the games, and I've got 16 ahead of me. I look forward to sharing my season with you. Please stay tuned.

E-A-G-L-E-S Eagles!

Heat

Summer typically sucks in the sports world, but things are heating up. Manny plays for Torre, Favre was reinstated, Chad Johnson showed up at Camp, Shawn Andrews had a gun pulled on him and is depressed, Peyton had surgery, the Pats still cheat, Romo still hasn't won a Playoff game, and the Yanks are getting hot.

The rest of August should be fun, and then September comes, when Football season kicks off. I can't wait. Where will Favre be then? Minnesota? Green Bay? Tampa Bay? The Arena Football League? Now that would be a story.

Kevin Garnett Might Be Certified, But He's Also Certifiable

If you haven't seen this video, it's a must watch. You will never think of Kevin Garnett the same way again. It makes you think that without his basketball talent, he'd be in an insane asylum somewhere, rocking back and forth, sucking his thumb, dreaming of long-ago battles in a far away land.

Boston Wins Again; Fans Still Feel Like Underdogs

The Celtic's demolition of the Lakers on Tuesday night was impressive. Their defense was just impenetrable. Period. Sure, it would've been a different game if it was 3-2 (had the Lakers not choked in Game 4), or if Gasol and Odom thought to show up at all throughout the Series. But it was 3-1, and the Celtics were returning home with a chance to win the franchise's 22nd championship. They showed up and played great basketball. The Lakers did not.

The Celtics deserved to win because they played hard and played well. But that's as far as it goes in my mind. I could care less that KG, Ray Allen, and Paul Pierce finally got their titles. Who gives a shit. These guys make $20MM a year playing a game. And I care even less that the storied franchise finally returned to glory after 22 years in the crapper. They already had 16 friggin titles. And I care even less about the fans, because they've had enough to cheer about this decade.

Sure, I'm bitter, because I'm from Philadelphia, and we haven't seen a title in any major sport in 25 years. But I'm mostly bitter because of the sense of entitlement that Boston fans feel. If you don't root for them, you're part of the evil empire. Is this sense of self loathing and insecurity ever going to stop? The Sox have won twice this decade, the Celtics now have 17 titles, and the Patriots have 3 Super Bowl titles under their belt with a great chance for more. Enough is enough. Face the facts Boston--you aren't the underdog any more. Your teams are among the elite (at least in all the sports that I care about), and your buying titles puts you in the same category as the Yankees. So please, get over yourselves.

Tiger Woods, Tiger Woods, Tiger Woods

I've been waiting for the right moment to finally start this blog. After what I witnessed the past few days, I figure now is as good a time as ever.

To be clear, I'm not a fan of golf. I don't think I could name more than 10 or 15 players who've been on tour throughout my entire life. Tiger, Jack, Lee Trevino, Chi Chi Rodriguez, Arnold Palmer, Phil Mickleson, Vijay Singhg, Rocco Mediate, and... Maybe I can't even name 10. I also haven't picked up a golf club since I was in High School, and may never again in my entire life. As a sports fan, I've of course followed, at least from afar, Tigers career, and I have vague memories of Jack and Arnold battling it out on TV when I was a kid. But I've never been engaged in the sport. At least not until now.

Something clicked in me this weekend and today watching Tiger win his 14th Major. Save for a few clutch strokes, and one lucky one, he didn't play particularly well. But for some reason, I was totally riveted and rooting for him like I was his biggest fan. Perhaps it's the fact that he did it on one leg. Perhaps it's the fact that the tournament was in San Diego, where I lived for a few months before moving to Northern California. Or maybe because Rocco Mediate seemed to be a genuinely likable foe. I'm not exactly sure what it was, but it was great to watch.

When all is said and done, Tiger will probably go down as the greatest golfer in history. You could probably make the argument that he's already reached that level, but it's unfair to those who came before him to grant him that title before his career is finished. He may also go down as the most dominant professional athlete ever. The gap between him and the rest of the field, even when he's not anywhere close to 100%, is just huge. As a sports fan and admirer of those who excel in their professions, I feel lucky to be able to watch Tiger in the prime of his career. And I'm pretty sure that the best is yet to come. Here's to Tiger getting healthy and continuing his march towards history.