Eagles Drafts Have Been for the Birds

18 11 2008

By Mike Gill

Reid has taken a ton of heat for his recent coaching, but how do his drafts rank?

Reid has taken a ton of heat for his recent coaching, but how do his drafts rank?

We all know the NFL draft is a crap shoot.

For every Peyton Manning, there is a Ryan Leaf.  For every Donovaan McNabb, there is a Tim Couch, or Akili Smith.  But the problem is when you take the wrong player at the wrong position, which is what has hurt the Eagles under Andy Reid more then taking just the wrong player. 

I am going to take a look at the last five Andy Reid drafts and show you who they drafted and who they could have drafted going back to 2003.  Most of the drafts I will only look at rounds 1-thru-4, unless there was a notable mistake made in the later rounds. Read the rest of this entry »


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Off-Season of 2006-2007 A Critical Mistake for Birds

18 11 2008

Eagles Flop Football

by John Ryan

Let’s be frank here before we start. The 2006-2007 season in which the Eagles made the playoffs was an aberration. They have not been a good team since 2004 when they made the playoffs and several events since then have been significant enough to know that Donovan McNabb or Andy Reid should be gone and each man should have had a chance to stand on their own as a man without the other. But the off season of 2007 was really significant. That off-season the Eagles, despite intense media pressure and fan pressure chose to let Jeff Garcia go to the Tampa Bay Bucs and went with an injured and awkward Donovan McNabb at QB despite some telling signs that his tenure here should Read the rest of this entry »


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The More Things Stay The Same: JR’s Weekend Ramblings

17 11 2008

by John Ryaneva

I’ve decided to bang out a Monday ramblings again after saying I wouldn’t for two reasons:

1.) Tonight’s game moves me in no way, nor does it have significant playoff implications (fantasy is another story) and

2.) I have almost no confidence I’d get one done later in the week. Between now and Christmas expect very little from me other than the obligatory weekend thoughts. Also, I need to thank my editor for continually bringing the thunder with great pictures for my weekend ramblings. I mostly send him my stories to post rather than post them myself due to work internet restrictions. Anyways, off we go…….

1.) No changes in college football this week. Geez, why even play the games? But…..If Barack Obama’s first order as president is to gain a MUCH NEEDED playoff system for NCAA football, then he’s earned a re-election at worst from me and a new stalker at best. Let’s go for the less extreme. (Side Note: I promise I don’t vote, nor do I care, so PLEASE DO NOT leave me a political comment leaning either way because I frankly don’t care how YOU vote, either.) Bottom line: every major sport has a playoff system, even Golf and tennis. Why is this so hard for people to comprehend. And don’t tell me college football would make less money with a playoff system. There could be multiple corporate sponsors, and extra games. I also don’t want to hear the usual jargon of, “It’s all about the kids education and not adding more games.” Please. You added a 12th game two years ago. Don’t be dumb or hypocritical. Add a playoff and please us all! Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : 76ers, Baseball, Basketball, Eagles, Football, Phillies

No Ties says McNabb…

17 11 2008

Donovan McNabb admitting that he didnt know there were ties in the NFL.  I think it’s time for Donovan to find a new city to play in…(more on this later).

 


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A Letter From Jim Fassel to Al Davis

16 11 2008

Rumor has it that former Giants coach Jim Fassel sent a letter to Al Davis expressing his interest in coaching the Raiders. I bet the letter went something like this: 

Dear Mr. Davis:

     My name is Jim Fassel and I am very interested in being the next coach of the Oakland Raiders. The following are reasons why I feel I would make a good coach for you.

     First, I am a tool. I will have press conferences in which I’ll put all my chips on the table and give the Oakland Raiders the soundbytes and attention they truly deserve. When you speak, not only will I listen, I will obey. I am so desperate to coach agains that I’ll personally change your Depends and clean your bedpan whenever necessary. That even includes halftime or during the 2-minute drill. Read the rest of this entry »


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Reid Punts Away Eagles Playoff Hopes

16 11 2008

They probably weren’t going to make the playoffs anyway, but today Andy Reid insured that the Philadelphia Eagles would once again miss the postseason.  With 1:30 remaining in overtime, Reid opted to punt the ball on fourth and one.  Apparently Reid doesn’t “play to win the game.”  From a single game standpoint, the call may have been the right one.  But already trailing in a wide open wild card race, this tie has sealed the Eagle’s fate for the 2008 season.  It’s time for the fat man to be fired.


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Week 11 NFL Picks

15 11 2008

By Tom Peters

  Well, I finally finished my midseason reports for all the divisions. If you missed them, you can get them here….. AFC EAST, AFC NORTH, AFC SOUTH, AFC WEST, NFC EAST, NFC NORTH, NFC SOUTH, NFC WEST.

Last week I went 10 – 4 again, bringing my season record to 92 – 52 for the season. I already begin this week 0 – 1 after another Thursday night last minute debacle. The Jets are still overrated and will eventually get complacent and lose to a bad team, but we’ll cross that bridge at a later time. Without further ado, here are my picks for Week 11 in the NFL.

Denver Broncos (5-4) v. Atlanta Falcons (6-3)

This is a game that is hard to pick because you don’t know what Denver is going to do. We know Atlanta is a good team. Matt Ryan has been hot the last few weeks throwing 2 TD per game. The problem for Denver is that there are too many weapons to stop. Denver’s pass defense is poor, their run defense is even worse. Atlanta’s defense will not give it away like Cleveland did last Thursday night.

MY PICK: Falcons

Philadelphia Eagles (5-4) v. Cincinnati Bengals (1-8)

Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson must be licking his chops. The Bengals have an inefficient running game and Ryan Fitzpatrick under center. Granted Fitzpatrick is improving, but he hasn’t seen pressure like this. The Eagles are reeling after their tough loss to the Giants Sunday night and I suspect Fitzpatrick is going to spend a lot of time on his back.

MY PICK: Eagles

Chicago Bears (5-4) at Green Bay Packers (4-5)

This is another on of those tough games to pick. We’re not sure on the status of Kyle Orton. Regardless, the Bears will have issue at quarterback. Grossman is unreliable and has the tendency to make the stupid turnover. Orton will not be at 100%. Matt Forte needs to have a big game in order for the Bears to be successful. The problem…..he’s only rushed for over 100 yards twice this season. The good thing……The Packer defense has not been great in stopping the run. The Bear defense isn’t what it used to be, but the Packers can’t run the ball so expect Rodgers to have a few interceptions and the Bears should spend a lot of time in the nickel and dime packages. Read the rest of this entry »


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NFC West Midseason Reports

15 11 2008
Thanks to Sportable

Thanks to Sportable

Finally, the last of my divisional midseason reports. You know that saying “Last But Not Least”?. That doesn’t apply here. Everyone knows the Cardinals will win the division, the only questions are when will they clinch & how far will they go in the playoffs. Nonetheless, we have to give this division our due diligence like any other. Afterall, the NFL is all about parity.

Arizona Cardinals ( 6 – 3 )

While we know this team will win the division this is not the quintessential playoff team. There losses have come against teams having a shot at the playoffs and against teams with decent passing games. The secondary is young and while they do a good job of turning the ball over, they also have a tendency to get burned by good wide receivers. The running game is inconsistent. Edgerrin James and Tim Hightower need to do a better job so that Warner can continue to put up the MVP like numbers this season.

Rest of the Season: They’ll go 5 – 2 the rest of the way. I see them beating Seattle (twice), Philadelphia, Minnesota & St. Louis while losing to the Giants & Patriots. This will put them at 11 – 5 for the season.

Playoffs: They will win the division. I’m not sure if they’d be beat out the NFC South winner for the bye. If all my predictions hold true then they should have to travel to a cold weather stadium until the NFC Championship game. I don’t see them making it that far. A lack of competition tends to overrate teams and this would be a classic case. I expect a one and done scenario.

Seattle Seahawks ( 2 – 7 )

I feel bad for Mike Holmgren. A team decimated by injuries, especially with Hasselbeck, Branch and Burleson. The Seahawks have been playing with second stringers the entire way. This team really misses Steve Hutchinson who left for Minnesota last season. The running game can’t get off the ground because defense don’t respect the passing game. Do you blame them? The Seahawks haven’t passed for 300 yards this season and have only broken 200 yards once. The rushing game has surpassed the 100 yard mark since Week 4. I bet Holmgren wished he retired last year. A Jim Mora Jr. meltdown would have made this team more interesting to watch. Give them credit, they are the best 2 – 7 in the NFC West.

Rest of the Season:The Seahawks will win one more game this year. That will be against the Rams, they will get killed by everyone else. Of all the teams in the division, they have the toughest remaining schedule. Holmgren will end his career with a bad 3 – 13 season.

Playoffs:  Unfortunately, no.

San Francisco 49ers (2 – 7 )

The 49ers are a team on the rise, but only a few steps. Mike Singletary has this team playing harder and more physical. That’s probably due to Singletary being tougher and strong than the current Niner linebackers with the exception of Patrick Willis. Singletary has finally taken control of this hapless team, making an example of the overrated Vernon Davis.  They have serious issues all around. They don’t have an NFL caliber QB (Alex Smith included). The wide receivers are mediocre at best and the line is porous. Frank Gore is the lone bright spot on this team. Defensively, the line can’t get to anyone, the linebackers can’t read protections and the secondary has been one expensive waste of money. I am willing to bet that this once proud franchise (losing season every year since 2002) misses the shrewdness of Eddie DeBartolo.

Rest of the Season:With a lot of 1pm East Coast games this year, the split against St. Louis will give them their only win in the last 7 games. They too will go 3 – 13. Don’t go hiring Singletary, I’m not sure he is the solution to the problem.

St. Louis Rams ( 2 – 7 )

This is a franchise in dismay. How does the Greatest Show on Turf downgrade to Getting Beat By The Smurfs? Injuries are killing this team, especially to Steven Jackson. Other injuries on the O-line and defense don’t help either. But it’s not all about the injuries. The offensive line still can’t give Marc Bulger enough time to pass the ball and Torry Holt has become older quicker than you can say Anbesol. They do have some promising young receivers, especially in Donnie Avery. If the Rams want to rise to prominence, they’re going to have to learn how to play defense.

Rest of the Season: I also having them winning only one of their last seven games, that would be the home game against San Francisco. They will finish 3 – 13 as well.

Playoffs: Nope. I’d also say no to Jim Haslett’s return. The feeling has worn off.


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NFC South Midseason Report

15 11 2008
Thanks to Sportable

Thanks to Sportable

I’m feeling quite industrious today as I look to wrap up division midseason reports and starting writing my weekly picks column. Let’s take a look at the NFC South. 7 down 1 to go after this one. This division has always had a weird history and with 3 teams over .500, this division could be the one that ruins the coronation of the NFC East and their goal of getting three teams into the playoffs. Spoilers live in the NFC South.

Carolina Panthers ( 7 – 2 )

Just when you think they won’t make the playoffs and start the season without Steve Smith, John Fox has this team poised to make a playoff run. what an interesting year for the division leaders. The offense finally has the balance they desire. The running games of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart have been effective while giving run defenses headaches. The return of Mushin Muhammad has been key to Steve Smith returning to his old form. The balance has allowed Jake Delhomme to look like the quarterback that took them to the Super Bowl. The defense has been the one consistent thing on this team. Who else would allow their quarterback to get away with throwing 4 interceptions and holding a team to 6 points. If I have one concern about this it, it is their offensive consistency. There have been games (Minnesota, Oakland and Tampa Bay) where the offense has sputtered. If this trend continues, it could cost them the division, maybe even a playoff spot.

Rest of the Season:They should win 4 more games (Detroit, New Orleans, Green Bay & Denver) while losing 3 (Giants, Bucs, Falcons). This will put them at a respectable 11 – 5.

Playoffs: They’re better than 9 – 7, so they’re in. In this year’s NFC 9 wins might get you into the playoffs, 10 guarantees it. They’ll have 11. The only questions are if they’ll win the division and will they get a bye. A trip to the NFC championship game for the division winner is not out of the question.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers ( 6 – 3 )

This is not your typical 6-3 team. The defense has been solid for the Bucs this season. The offense however is a different story. The running game has been decent, but the receiving core is weak. Joey Galloway has lost a few steps and the old gray mare ain’t what she used to be. Jeff Garcia is a decent quarterback but he’s not the cream of crop. This team puts 30 one week and fails to score a touchdown the next. They also have a tendency to play down to their competition, losing to Dallas and need a comeback for the ages against Kansas City. One thing about the Bucs, they never lose big.

Rest of the Season: I like them to go 5 – 2 for the season. Their schedule is not terribly difficult. They will beat Carolina and Atlanta as well as Oakland, Detroit and New Orleans. They should lose in San Diego and at home against Minnesota. This will put them at 11 – 5 and will ensure that only 1 NFC East team will make the playoffs.

Playoffs: Their stellar record against the division will give them the title and a home game in the playoffs. The bye will determine on how much Arizona dominates the NFC West. I also expect to see them in the NFC Championship game. The only question is can they beat a divisional rival three times in the same season

Atlanta Falcons ( 6 – 3 )

I am on the Mike Smith, Matt Ryan and Atlanta Falcons bandwagon. Matt Ryan is not your typical rookie quarterback, but this goes back to the adage that rookie quarterbacks with good running games succeed in the NFL. Michael Turner is an excellent pickup, taking the pressure of Ryan. Roddy White and Michael Jenkins have been reliable receivers for the rookie. The defense has held its own for the first nine games and I look for them to same much of the same. WIth the Falcons, what you see is what you get, a well balanced offense with a well balanced defense.

Rest of the Season:I like this team. I like them to go 5 – 2 the rest of the way finishing with a record of 11 – 5. I like them to beat Denver, Carolina, San Diego, Minnesota and St. Louis while losing to Tampa Bay and New Orleans.

Playoffs: 11 wins gets them in and earns Mike Smith coach of the year honors. They will have to play a wild card game on the road because they will likely lose the division on tiebreakers.

New Orleans Saints ( 4 – 5 )

Could the league’s MVP come from a team with a losing record? Drew Brees is having a great season despite the fact that he is getting no help from his teammates. Some can’t catch the ball, some can’t stay healthy. Acquiring Jeremy Shockey looks to be a bust. He’s injured, then Brees has to put him in his place. This isn’t New York, Shockey can’t intimidate a quarterback who’s been there longer than him. You have to love those Miami loudmouth tight ends with minimal production. The injuries to Bush & Colston have greatly affected this team as they did have playoff potential going into this season.

Rest of the Season: The Saints will go 3-4 (beating Atlanta, Kansas City, Detroit while losing to Tampa Bay, Carolina, Green Bay & Chicago) the rest of the season to end the season at 7 – 9. Even if Bush comes back, I’m not sure it’ll be enough to put them in playoff contention. .

Playoffs: Not likely.


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JR’s Week 11 Picky-Poo’s

15 11 2008

good luck everyone Read the rest of this entry »


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