Archive for December, 2011

Editor’s note: Staff writer Steve Fini takes a look at five players worth watching during tomorrow’s season finale. Michael Vick (QB/Eagles) – I’m going in a different direction this week with the “5 players to watch” column. Since this season is over, the focus will be on next season. That starts with Michael Vick. He’s played well since his return from injury a few weeks ago. He’s cut down on turnovers and has made better decisions with the football. But what has impressed me most about Vick is his vocal leadership. He’s done a great job keeping this team motivated [...]

What seemed like a pipe dream only four short weeks ago could very well become a reality this Sunday if the Eagles can knock off the Washington Redskins in what is sure to be an epic NFC East tilt. No, folks, I don’t mean the NFC Playoffs. Those hopes died when Mark Sanchez gargled balls for 60 minutes at MetLife Stadium last Saturday. I’m talking about the illustrious .500 season. And if the ESPN brain trust is correct, the Eagles will fulfill their destiny of being the most O.K. football team in all the land. Yes, that’s right, every single [...]

We’ve spent quite a bit of time talking about the possible firing of St. Louis head coach Steve Spagnuolo, and subsequently, just where he might end up. Reports earlier in the week indicated a master plan that would bring Spags back to Philadelphia, the town where he got his first big break in the NFL. Sports Illustrated’s Don Banks weighs in on the possibility of Spagnuolo joining the Eagles, or, gulp, the Giants. Keep in mind a couple things: Spagnuolo still owns a home in Philly, and it’s where his wife is from. And he and Andy Reid parted on [...]

You know, beat reporters are supposed to deliver news about the teams they cover in an unbiased fashion. Hell, I’m pretty sure guys like Les Bowen and Jonathan Tamari, both Eagles beat reporters, actually dislike the team they cover. The same can’t be said for Mike Garafolo of the The Star-Ledger. Garafolo, a well-respected journalist, has always seemed a little too chippy about the Giants for my tastes, whether it be shown in his articles or his appearances on WIP. Even his Twitter account dawns the Giants’ logo, as if he were some 12-year-old who just bought his first Jason [...]

*Many wanted the Eagles to tank December in hopes of improving their position in April’s NFL Draft. But with their three game losing streak, the Eagles have steadily moved down the draft order. The Eagles cannot pick higher than No. 9, but have the potential to move into the teens with a win against the Redskins. *Andy Reid plans to play his starters against Washington. *Vegas watch: The Eagles are currently a nine-point favorites at home against Washington. They may be a disappointing bunch, but Vegas still certainly views the Eagles as a dangerous team. A 7-9 team giving nine [...]

Well, this is a ballsy report. Per Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune, an NFL earthquake is about to rock the Chargers organization and its force will be felt all the way across the country in Philadelphia. Acee speculates that Norv Turner and general manager A.J. Smith will be out after the season. Makes sense. But here’s where things get interesting. Acee says Smith will be hired by St. Louis where he will bring Jon Gruden with him to coach the Rams. This leaves Spagnuolo jobless and prime candidate to join Andy Reid’s staff. My reaction? Please God, let [...]

We offer our picks and predictions for what we hope is a pivotal showdown come game time today in Dallas. Bob Wankel: I think this game comes down to motivation. Will the game matter to the Eagles by 4:15. I think the loss of Mario Manningham is going to be crucial for the Giants. The Jets are the more complete team and I expect them to force Eli Manning into some mistakes. So I’m going to make this prediction based on a Jets win over the Giants–because I believe. And at this point, why not? If Felix Jones doesn’t play [...]

Staff writer Steve Fini takes a look at five players likely to decide today’s NFC East showdown in Dallas. Laurent Robinson (WR/Cowboys) – Dez Bryant, Miles Austin, Jason Witten, etc. All big names that haven’t done as much for the Dallas offense in the second half of the season as Robinson has. He’s a no name guy who has come out of nowhere and developed great chemistry with quarterback Tony Romo. He was even one of the few Cowboys who had a good game against the Eagles in Philly earlier this season. He’s also the type of slot receiver who [...]

Here’s the current front page of SI.com. It leads to NFL scribe Peter King’s Week 16 predictions, and guess what? He has the Jets knocking off the Giants, 29-27. He also picks the Eagles to outlast Dallas, 30-27. I can dig that. Yeah, I can definitely dig that.

From the “I bet you’ve never heard this story before” file, we bring you ESPN.com’s current feature story–the tale of Eagles fans booing and pelting Santa with snowballs some 43 years ago. I was getting ready to huff and puff and blow the story apart, but it’s a fair and thorough account, one that should shed some insight to the ill-informed who lazily reference it when Eagle bashing. The story, written by Elizabeth Merrill, chronicles the story of Frank Olivo, who was thrust into last second Santa duty during halftime of a Dec. 15, 1968 game. To Merrill’s credit, it’s [...]

Just wanted to drop in with a few quick thoughts here on an unseasonably mild December afternoon. It feels like we should gearing up for the Phillies Home Opener, but there’s actually quite a bit going on leading up to a big weekend for the Eagles, so let’s run down some must-know items. *Looks like the Eagles won’t be taking on “America’s Team” on Saturday afternoon. The Cowboys, according to a survey conducted by Public Policy Polling, are America’s most disliked team. The Packers have taken their place as America’s favorite. *The same poll reveals that Michael Vick is still [...]

Rex Ryan is talking. Giants are responding. And the hype for Saturday’s game is hitting a fevered pitch in the New York tabloids. Here’s a quick run down of how the New York Post and New York Daily News are getting ready for the big game with just a little more than 48 hours left until kickoff.