Archive for November, 2009

As we inch closer to another who-knows-what-team-will-show-up game on Sunday, I feel like I’ve finally figured out who the 2009 Philadelphia Eagles are. As much as we’d like to believe that the current incarnation in midnight green are masquerading in some sort of foreign garb unknown to us, they aren’t. In truth, they are the same exact team we have come to expect from Andy Reid since he started winning back in 2000. In case you forgot, I’ll provide a quick refresher:

After a very blah performance by the Eagles on Sunday night, the list of candidates deserving of a savory cheesesteak was small. In fact, I could only muster three players and one of those was David Akers. Not good. Nevertheless, I nabbed a guy who came to play and held up his end of the deal. He was by no means dominant, but in my mind he was the diamond in a box of rocks. And the winner is… LeSean McCoy Shady totaled 115 yards on 18 touches and ran hard all game long. It looks like he’s turning a [...]

What to make of our beloved Eagles at the midway point of the 2009 campaign? If any team is an enigma, it would be this bunch. A 5-3 record isn’t terrible, but it seems very misleading. If you call the Giants a quality opponent, and that’s debatable at this point, then they are the only team of note in the win column. The Birds remind me of my ex-girlfriend, Sheila. One week she was as cool as a summer breeze. We’d hang together, share a few laughs and get along great. The next week she’d turn schizoid and become an [...]

It’s a game of inches. If the Eagles didn’t know that already, they do after tonight’s disappointing loss to the resurgent Cowboys. For all intents and purposes, the outcome was decided on a 4th and inches spot. Referee Walt Coleman originally marked a McNabb sneak short of the first down. Reid challenged. It looked to me as if McNabb got enough to gain a new set of downs. Walt Coleman didn’t agree. The ball was turned over to the ‘Boys at the Birds 45-yard line. Four plays later, Miles Austin – who had been held without a catch – beat [...]

I guess that precautionary rest for Brian Westbrook on Friday was a little more serious than Andy Reid let on. According to multiple sources, Westy will not be available for tonight’s crucial showdown with the Cowboys. Since the Eagles are learning how to play without their once great playmaker, this is kind of ho-hum news. I’d rather have #36 out there, but concussions are a big deal and should never be taken lightly. If he’s not ready to go, then they are doing the right thing by sitting him. So, another Sunday and no Westbrook. Unfortunately, par for the course [...]

Nothing beats Cowboys week. The pageantry. The anticipation. The deep-seeded hatred. Ah, yes, it really is a special, special time of year. No matter the outcome, there’s always something to talk about. A James Willis interception. Tom Hutton botching a hold. Pickle juice. Brian Westbrook kneeling at the one-yard line. DeSean‘s goal line blunder on Monday night. Memories to last a life time. The latest chapter features two evenly matched teams. Tony Romo has been money in November, winning twelve in a row. The Eagles appear to have buried the shame of the Raiders loss and got their act together. [...]

Time to recap the week that was in the sports blogosphere. Kevin Ferguson, our Lions blogger, invited me on his podcast to talk sports. (SideLion Report) Need some gambling advice this weekend? I know I do. (FanSided Sports Blog, Suicide Drills) Tim Lincecum got busted for driving while smoking the ganja. (Babes Love Baseball) Hideki Matsui’s post-World Series interview was lost in translation. (Detroit 4 Lyfe) Your one-stop destination for NBA mustaches. (Stacheketball) Fun with Bill Simmons. (Kissing Suzy Kolber) Some things overheard around NBA circles recently. (Sir Charles in Charge) The biggest problem with NASCAR. (Stock Car Spin) The [...]

Since nobody seems to be stressing the notion that Chris Gocong likely won’t play on Sunday against the Cowboys, allow me to be the worrywart. Gocong will never get the pub that Trent Cole or Asante Samuel does, but that doesn’t make him any less important to the defense. Before Will Witherspoon arrived, Gocong was the only Birds backer playing all three downs. Akeem was losing snaps to Tracy White and the MIKE position was a revolving door. The thing that makes Gocong valuable is his brain. He doesn’t make mental mistakes and is rarely out of position. Sure he [...]

There’s a new stat over at NFL.com. Well, it’s new to me. I don’t recall seeing it before, but I drink a lot, so it might have been there before this season and I just missed it. Anyway, it focuses on the offensive line, which is nice because I don’t think we talk about the giant gents up front as much as we should. Thus far this season, the Eagles O-line has been scrutinized for poor run blocking and sketchy pass protection. I think the line is a work in progress, but the best way to judge their performance is [...]

Sometimes I have to pinch myself while watching DeSean Jackson. I’m not used to having an explosive wide receiver who can catch and run and dominate a game wearing midnight green. Well, not since 2004, when he who shall not be named was snatching everything in sight. As an added bonus, Jackson has yet to morph into a me-first prima donna douchebag who mugs the nearest camera at the drop of a hat. I’m really hoping he keeps his ego in check. It would be nice to have one of the “good” superstar wide receivers, rather than a problem child. [...]

Wasn’t it fun to watch the Eagles annihilate the big bad Giants? I haven’t enjoyed a win this much since the last time the Birds bounced Big Blue back in January. The list of worthy candidates for this week’s cheesesteak is long and distinguished. I could easily peg four or five guys who are more than deserving. However, I narrowed it down to two, who I feel set the tone for the impressive blowout victory. And the winners are…

While watching the Eagles-Giants game, I finally figured out why Brian Westbrook has had such a snakebit season so far. Blame fat John Madden and his evil video game: With such a lengthy injury resume, Westy should avoid mirrors, ladders, black cats and anything associated with the latest version of Madden football. Whoever suggested he and his likeness join the KFC/Madden campaign needs to be fired immediately. Subscribe to ITI