Are you ready for some football?

Today is a glorious day. The sun is shining. Birds are singing. The NFL kicks off the regular season tonight!

Eagles vs. Rams, things to consider:
Steve Jackson's carries. It's no secret that Steven Jackson is what drives the St. Louis Rams these days. The greatest show on turf has packed up, and moved to greener pastures. Now, he will be required to shoulder the load of this teams offense. Early reports are that his carried against the Eagles will be limited. If that is the case, the Eagles should easily steamroll the Rams. I never thought that I would say these words but, thank you holdout!
Injury Report. The Rams injury report looks pretty clean, and we all know what our injury report looks like. Reggie Brown participated on a limited basis which ties into my next point of interest.
DeSean Jackson is getting the start. Reggie Brown had said previously that he would be ready for the home opener. Well, he sure as hell doesn't seem ready to me, and I'm not the only one. Andy Reid seems ready to put rookie DeSean "I'm gonna take your job" Jackson in the starting lineup. Brown will play in Sundays game, but will be used sparringly. Hamstring injuries are nagging, and can really inhibit your ability to perform. This is going to be a great test for Jackson. Let's see if he is able to create space, and make catches like he did in the preseason.

Other News:
Randall Cunningham loves us! That's right Philly, Randall "I can punt the ball too" Cunningham love you! I remember watching him play, and being amazed. Gets me almost nostalgic. Bring it home for Jerome!

Tony Romo, you are a marked man! They say that good quarterbacks have a certain moxy about them, a confidence, a swagger if you will. However, that moxy should be kept to the way that one carries themself, and not let it spew from ones tongue. Romo put his team on blast in the final episode of Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Dallas Cowboys. He might as well wear a big bulls eye on his jersey. He hasn't won a playoff game, he cried on the field, and now he's looking past the entire 2008 season to the Super Bowl.. He did a little back tracking later on, but that's not the point. The point is that a quarterback should exude a quiet confidence, and lead his team by example, not by the mouth. How can anyone that plays on the NFC East just look past your rivals. It's foolish to do so. Perhaps, Tony was taking a page out this guys book.

Tatum Bell, pervert, thief, or just misunderstood? Seriously, we get it, Rudi Johnson and the Lions smote you. Are you 10, or something? You stole his luggage, and then attempted to explain it away as misunderstanding. Just tell him the truth Tatum, you want to know what Rudi's man scent is like.


GO BIRDS!!!!

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Labor Daybor (A Blatant Theft)

Who caught our final preseason game against the Jets? I, was unable to, as I was knee deep in a fantasy draft. Not to mention Heineken cans as well. I was able to catch some of the pre-game show on 94.1 WSYP, and now I am doing a little catch up reading. But here are some things that I have heard that pertain to last nights game, and just some random news from around that league.

Lets go Eagles first. Because we all know that they are really what matters!

The first cut is the deepest. While driving to draft my championship caliber fantasy team, there were 2 commentators were discussing being cut for the first time, and how nerve racking it was. I myself have been cut (Junior High Basketball), and I took it pretty hard. They continued on about how players savor the last moments on the team, and they put into a perspective that I had never really put too much thought into. Pro athletes, for the most part have been immersed in their sport since childhood. Guys grew up playing football in Pop Warner, High School, College, and the pinnacle (NFL). I can't even imagine how nervous the guys that played last night are right now. They are hoping that they don't get that call. So, to all the Eagles players that are praying to avoid those final 22 cuts, this ones for you!

In last nights 27-20 loss to the Jets Kevin Kolb received top marks for his starting performance. The Eagles blogosphere was pleaseed with his performance too, and suggested that we will be in good hands when he takes the reigns. Jerome McDougle is on the bubble, be remains confident. Two years ago I was lobbying the Eagles to cut ties with under-performing defensive end, but he has shown during training camp that he can be an effective pass rusher. I've changed my tune about him, and think he has earned his spot. Besides, I wouldn't want to see him lining up as an NFC East rival. Tony Hunt was under the microscope last night as well. Some see the glass as half empty. I have been harping on this topic a lot lately. He's not a fullback, and it saddens me to think that he will be picked up off of waivers by another team. He should be the heir apparent to Correll. DeSean Jackson got the night off. I read an article yesterday about how the Eagles are making a concerted effort to prevent him from getting a big head. Good job coach, sitting him last night with all the starters really put him in his place!

This just in, Eagles trim roster to 67.

In news around the league:

L.A. will be the home of an NFL franchise in 2009. The possibility of franchise moving to the City of Angels bothers to no end. Yeah, of course it's a huge market, but it's a FAIR WEATHER FAN city. People go to sporting events to be seen, and make some headlines. There aren't really a loyal fan base. Unless you are winning. Who's going to be their official A-lister? The Lakers have Nicholson. The Dodgers have Milano (insert prrring sound effect). Here's my suggestion. The Rams relocated to St. Louis, and the Raiders went back to Oakland in 1995, due in part to the lack of attendance. This left the second largest TV market void of an NFL team. That's not my problem. A team moving to Los Angeles is going to be a fab, because it's a new and getting a lot of publicity. Then, when all the hype begins to dispearse, so will the fan base. History has a tendency to repeat itself.

LenWhale is throwing his hat in the ring for Hater of the Year. These not really anything to say about this. I just saw that headline, and found it amusing.

That Carson Palmer had better keeps his hands off my 85! I don't know if this is true, or not. I do know that I love Chad's (dare I say it) SHENANIGANS!!!! Dude may be facing a season ending shoulder injury, and he's having his name legally changed. He's keeping it Dade fo' sho'.

Adam "Don't Call Me Pacman" Jones loooooooves Hooters, but he better not love it too much.

That's all we have time for today. You stay classy, and enjoy your labor dabor weekend.

GO BIRDS!!!

What's the scenario?

Steve Smith was suspended for 2 games by the Carolina Panthers, for punching cornerback Ken Lucas in the face. Lucas suffered a broken nose, and is listed as day-to-day. Smith has since apologized for the incident. As an Eagles fan why should here are 2 reasons why we should care.

1. 2009 First Round Draft Pick
Bleeding Green Nation brought up an excellent point that the Panthers termoil is to the Eagles benefit. We have the rights to the Panthers first round pick next year. The worse they do the better the pick we receive. The higher the pick the more options become available to Reid, and Banner come draft day.

2. Division Rival
If the Carolina Panthers (organization, team, and fans) are tired of his outbursts, he could feasibly be on the move. ESPN has rumored that Steve Smith's name has been brought up in discussions at Cowboys training camp. Jerry Jones made attempts at signing Chad Johnson, Larry Fitzgerald, and Roy Willams this off season. He would seem to be looking for another receiver to compliment Owens.

Like the Cowboys we shopped for a wide receiver too. If Carolina decides move Smith, it would to our benefit to at least try and get him. If we did land him it would improve the chances of Carolina doing poorer, Prevent a division rival from adding another weapon to their arsenal, and a certain rookie could learn some things from the guy he's been compared to.