Archive for July, 2009

Me and my pal Sean got to talking again last night. No beers this time out. Just some sober chitchat about the upcoming Eagles season. The main topic of conversation centered around our beloved Birds being pegged by many to be the leading Super Bowl contender in the NFC. Not surprisingly, Sean is worried they won’t be able to handle the pressure. He didn’t go so far as to compare them to last year’s talented but dysfunctional Cowboys team. He knows better than to make that correlation in my presence. However, he did express dismay about relying on the rookies [...]

Time to spread some link love. Here is the best of the best on the Interwebs today. Tired of dealing with stains and streaks on your undies? “Manventions” has a solution. (FanSided) One of many takes on ESPN’s decision to ignore the Big Ben/sexual assault story. (Detroit 4 Lyfe) Did you hear? T.O. has his very own reality show. Our Bills blogger gives a brief review. (Buffalo Low Down) The NBA has a summer league. Apparently, it’s just like drinking. Count me in. (That NBA Lottery Pick) I always thought bicycles had weight limitations. Not this one. (Homework 4 Dummies) [...]

This will be my last post using the PFW statistical breakdowns from 2008. I promise. Maybe. Today, I have my eye on the defense. Specifically how they performed at home versus on the road last season. Not surprisingly, the Eagles #3 ranked unit didn’t suffer too much of a drop-off when they left the friendly confines of Lincoln Financial Field. Take a look: Home: 377 tackles, 23 sacks, 25 stuffs, 11 forced fumbles, 52 passes defended, 10 INT and 1 TD Away: 459 tackles, 25 sacks, 31 stuffs, 9 forced fumbles, 45 passes defended, 5 INT and 1 TD About [...]

If you’ve read these pages at all over the last few months, you know I’m expecting big things from DeSean Jackson in 2009. I’ve been throwing around 1100-1200 yards and 6-8 touchdowns. I’m not sure those stats are good enough for a trip to the Pro Bowl, but one person in the know seems to believe DJax will be representing the NFC next February in Miami (no Hawaii in ’10). Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks on Twitter) tweeted this little blurb today: Bold prediction- DeSean Jackson will end up in the Pro Bowl this season. I expect Wes Welker type production. So, [...]

I’m back from the beach and ready for the last week until Training Camp ’09 kicks off. That’s right Eagles Nation, this Sunday night the rookies and select vets will report to NovaCare. On July 29, the remaining veterans will report and full squad practices are set to begin on the 31st. It’s close. Can you feel it? I sure as hell can. Here are a few nuggets I missed late last week. Terrific article from Delware Online about the grueling nature of Andy Reid‘s camps. Here’s a great quote from Omar Gaither: “If nobody tells you, you don’t realize [...]

Due to a much needed mini vacation, Fan Poll Friday will be Fan Poll Thursday this week. I’ll return next week with all new clever analysis and unrivaled repartee. Just a reminder, you can still get your hands on a sweet McNabb bobblehead (pictured above). All you gotta do is subscribe to the ITI feed by clicking here. Then shoot me an email to stunstall72@gmail.com and I shall enter you in the drawing, which runs through the end of the month. Speaking of Mr. McNabb, today’s poll question has to do with him.

I’m still not bored with PFW’s statistical breakdowns. For those of you who find these sort of posts pedantic, fear not. I’ll move on after this week concludes. Until then, you’ll have to humor me. The math nerd in me is having too much fun combing through the numbers. Today’s topic is fourth quarter rushing. Winning teams normally lean on the run game when holding a lead in the fourth quarter. This tried and true strategy has been utilized for decades and is considered the most sensible method to milk the clock and secure victories. Now, you have to have [...]

After covering some of Donovan‘s off the field shenanigans last night, I thought it appropriate to steer the conversation back to the field this morning. I am loving the PFW statistical breakdowns. Diving into the numbers always seems to produce intriguing results. In case you’ve been sleeping the sleep of Rip Van Winkle for the last ten months, McNabb had a wild and woolly 2008 season. As always, he was asked to chuck the rock quite a bit, due in large to health issues at running back, no true fullback and Reid‘s belief that balance is for chumps. Quarterbacks are [...]

While reading Deadspin one must exercise extreme caution. You hope that none of the gladiators you root for ends up on their front page engaged in a compromising position. Luckily, the Eagles have been relatively squeaky clean in their off the field antics. Well… Donovan was hanging with porn stars while in Vegas last weekend, but that’s no biggie. Right? Gulp. This is NOT SAFE FOR WORK. Enter at own risk. Needless to say, this is the kind of PR McNabb and the Birds don’t need, no matter how “innocent” the behavior. Subscribe to ITI here. Follow me on Twitter.

Big Monday for NFL news. Most of it was of the fluff variety, but bloggers like me love fluff pieces. Research and analysis can get tedious. No such worries today. Chris Cooley, who I actually like, tried to fill Peter King’s ego-maniacal shoes on MMQB. He did a decent job and managed to take shots at all his NFC East rivals, including our own Donovan McNabb. “I think athletes are usually terrible writers. ‘Cough! Donovan McNabb!’” What a card that Chris Cooley is. Next thing you know he’ll be attacking Stew Bradley‘s wardrobe. The HORROR!!! ———————————- Tony Romo dumped Jessica [...]

Amidst all the Jason Peters trade buzz and post draft praise, one of the most important offseason moves seems to have been lost in the shuffle. The signing of Leonard Weaver. I realize fullback isn’t the sexiest of positions, but after all the clamoring fans, myself included, did last season about the lack of a true lead blocker, I figured Weaver would be talked about a little more. The national media, in particular, has all but ignored the acquisition, preferring to focus on the additions along the offensive line and at safety, as well as the promising, yet unproven, rookie [...]

I have movies on the brain, so I thought I’d share this observation. Have you seen the previews for the upcoming The Ugly Truth? First off, it looks like a steaming pile of fresh horse feces, but that’s not what caught my eye. Check out the flick’s poster: I took the liberty of circling the hearts, just in case you missed the subtlety. You see, women love with their head, while men love with their crotch. Have I seen this angle before in a romantic comedy? Hmmm… I don’t think so. Yes, I do believe the creative minds responsible for [...]