A Special Philadelphia Edition of Jeopardy

Silky Johnson: Welcome everyone to this very special Philadelphia edition of Jeopardy. I'm your host "The Immortal Silky Johson," filling in for Alex Trebek this evening. Let's meet our contestants?

First up we have Lexington Kentucky native David Akers. It's said that David is no longer able to make a field goal over 40 yards. So Tells us a little something about yourself Dave?

Akers: Actually I prefer to be called David, and I uhh.... I'm a 3-time Pro Bowl kicker for the Eagles. This will be my 10th season in the NFL. That's completely unfounded. I'm currently 1/2 from beyond 40 yards, and if you say anything about it again, I'll give you nuts a first hand glimpse of making a 53 yard field goal!

 

Silky Johnson:  Ouch Green Akers, I'm sure you are money from 40 yards. Let's introduce our next contestant. He's in his 6th season out of Rutgers University. Please welcome L.J. Smith. L.J. I hear that you received the franchise tag last year. Are you planning on making more plays in the passing game?

 

L.J: Yeah son, I'm getting ready to revolutionize the the Tight End game. I'm a blow up this year. Joe Banner better start making room under the cap for my contract! Jason Witten can't even hold my jock strap, but he can rub lower back. It's been really sore. 

 

Silky Johnson: That's great L.J. Keep living the dream. Until then, we'd like some touchdowns. Now, I would like to introduce our third contestant. He hails from Maryland, and is in his 7th season with the Philadelphia Eagles. Please welcome Brian Westbrook.  Brian, how's your ankle doing?

 

B-West: Yeah, I have been rehabbing my butt off, but I can't put weight on my ankle right now. You'll have to ask Coach if I'll be ready for the Redskins.

 

Silky Johnson: Oh, I will ask Coach Reid. I'm sure that he'll give me the 411 on your status. Well, Dave, L.J, Brian, are you ready?

 

David, L.J, Brian: Hell yeah!!!

 

Silky Johnson: Then let's begin. Remember to place all of your answers in question format. Here are your categories.

 

(synthesizer sound as the board populates)

• Goal Line Offense
• DeSean Jackson
• Field Goals
• Receiving
• Tight End
• Redskins

Silky Johnson: Let's begin. Green Akers, will you do the honors?

 

Akers: It's David, you asshat! I'll take Field Goals for 200.

 

Silky Johnson: Field Goals for 200, In 2003 what Eagles kicker had a field goal percentage of 82.8?

 

(Complete silence)

 

Silky Johnson: Brian, you need to press the button on your clicker to answer. Not raise your hand.

 

(Westbrook presses the button)

 

Silky Johnson: Yes Brian.

 

B-West: Who is David Akers?

 

Silky Johnson: That's correct. Brian, you may choose the topic.

 

B-West: Yeah, I'll take receiving for 500, Alex.

 

Silky Johnson: Receiving for 500. In 2007, who led the Eagles with 90 catches?

 

(silence)

 

Silky Johnson: Brian, I told you need to press the button.

 

(B-West presses the buzzer)

 

B-West: Who is me?

 

Silky Johnson: Eww, sorry Brian that's incorrect.

 

(L.J buzzes in)

 

Silky Johnson: L.J. Smith

 

L.J: Yeah, Who is Brian Westbrook?

 

Silky Johnson: That's correct. Please proceed L.J.

 

L.J: I'll take DeSean Jackson for for 100 Silky.

 

Silky Johnson: In the 2008 NFL draft, this wide receiver from Cal was one of the Eagles' 2 secon.d round draft picks.

 

(Akers buzzes in)

 

Silky Johnson: Greenie.

 

Akers:  Who is DeSean Jackson? 

 

Silky Johnson: That’s correct. You have control of the board.

 

Akers: It’s David you dick! I’ll take Field Goals for 500.

 

Silky Johnson: Field Goals for 500 is today’s Picture Daily Double. Green Eggs & Spam, what is your wager?

 

Akers: Jesus Christ! Sorry Lord. (mumbled prayer). I’ll wager it all.

 

Silky Johnson: OK, This Steeler was celebrating with the sluts of Dundalk, MD, after hitting a 49 yard field goal for an overtime win against the Ravens.

 

(Akers buzzes in)

 

Silky Johnson: Akers

 

Akers: You are an asshole!

 

Silky Johnson: That’s incorrect

 

(Time expires)

 

Silky Johnson: The correct answer is; who is Jeff Reed? (echoes; Who is Jeff Reed?) Mr. Akers is still in control of the Board.

 

Akers: I’ll take Field Goals for 400 douchebag.

 

Silky Johnson: There’s no need for name calling “Hampered Legs.” Field Goals for 400; This Eagles kicker missed two field goals against the Bears in 2008.

 

(Akers buzzes in)

 

Akers:  (mumbles; I hate you) Who is David Akers?

 

Silky Johnson: That’s correct. Please, go again.

 

Akers: Goal Line Offense for 100.

 

Silky Johnson:  He’s the coach that is responsible for running the same play 4 consecutive times at the Bears goal line on Sunday.

 

(L.J Buzzes in)

 

L.J:  Who is Brad Childress?

 

Silky Johnson: Maybe, In some alternate universe. The Same universe where you are a threat in the red zone L.J. However, in this universe that is incorrect.

 

 

(B-West raises his hand)

 

(No response)

 

(Akers buzzes in)

 

Akers: Who is Coach Andy Reid?

 

Silky Johnson: That’s correct. Davie boy, it’s your roll.

 

Akers: That’s it asshole. I’m shoving my foot up your ass, and when I am done the answers; is who is Chris Cooley?

 

Silky Johnson: That’s all the time we have for today. Thanks for playing!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eagles Bears Pt. 2

We’re heading into week 4 of the season, and the Eagles will travel to the “Windy City” to face the Chicago Bears. We looked at how the Bears Offense will match up against the Eagles defense. Now let’s observe the other side of the coin, Eagles offense, Bears defense.
The Eagles got banged up a little in week 3 against the Steelers, and that could have an impact on how the Eagles attack the Bears’ defense. Here are the keys for the Eagles offense. First the Eagles have to protect Donovan McNabb. The backups are going to have to bring there “A” game. Lastly, the tight ends need to establish their presence in the passing game.
Everyone knows that the Eagles are going to throw the football more times than not. So naturally, the offensive line needs to protect the quarterback. This is especially import this week because of McNabb’s chest injury. When he returned to last weeks game you could see that his chest was hurting him, and affected his throw. The offensive must maintain the pocket, and keep the Bears from taking shots. Jon Runyan, Max Jean-Gilles, Jamaal Jackson, Todd Herremans, and William Thomas need to keep the pocket in tact for the entire play. If the pocket breaks down, Donovan will take some unnecessary hits as he steps up towards the line of scrimmage, or out of the pocket.
As mentioned before the Eagles will be going into this week’s game banged up. Donovan McNabb has not practiced all week because of a chest contusion. Shawn Andrews missed the Steelers game with a lower back injury, and probably won’t play against the Bears. Brian Westbrook suffered an ankle sprain, and is listed as day-to-day. L.J. Smith has practiced this week either, because of a lower back injury. And to wrap it up, Tony Hunt suffered a concussion last week. Of the 5 players named, McNabb and Hunt are the only two that are definite for the game on Sunday. This means that some guys are going to have to step up. Correll Buckhalter took over for Westbrook after he left the Steelers game, and he filled in perfectly. Buckhalter racked up 87 all purpose yards (43 rushing, 44 receiving) on his way to scoring the games only touchdown. He will need to do more of the same against the Bears. Lorenzo Booker will need to step up as well. 16 all purpose yards are not enough. Even if Westbrook is able to play (highly unlikely), he will be limited, so Buckhalter and Booker will be vital to moving the ball. Max Jean-Gilles had to fill in for Shawn Andrews last week, and Max did a good job. He will be tested this week, as he will be facing Tommie Harris. Nick Cole could see some action at center, because of a quadriceps injury that is bothering Jamaal Jackson. Brent Celek could be seeing more time this week if L.J. Smith is limited, or out. Although he has not seen many passes come his way this season, Celek needs to make the most of the ones he does see.
Against cover two defenses there are always going to up openings in the seam, and that is a perfect place for our tight ends to sit down in. Brent Celek and L.J. Smith could receive more looks this week against the Bears Tampa 2 defense, and they have to capitalize on them. If Celek and Smith can makes plays, they will keep drives going, and be a huge threat in the red zone. L.J. has taken a lot of heat from the fans for his performance so far, and Celek hasn’t gotten that many looks. If Donovan’s chest is still sore on game day, he may not be able to make all the deeper throws. That could mean that the ball will be thrown their way.
The Bears use a Tampa 2 defensive scheme, which means that the Eagles will not see a lot of blitzing. In 2008 the Bears are giving up 174.7 yards a game through the air, and 152 on the ground, but that doesn’t mean that they are to be underestimated. They are strong defense, and have the ability to control the speed, and flow of the game. The keys for the bears will be to get to the quarterback, Disrupt the timing and route running of the receivers, and create turnovers.
As mentioned before the Eagles won’t see constant blitzing, so the Bears defensive line will be primarily responsible for creating most of the pressure on McNabb. Not to oversimplify things, but the Bears will probably test the abilities of Max Jean-Gilles, Jamaal Jackson, and Nick Cole based on injury and experience. The Bears’ front four will be attacking the Eagles’ offensive line on every play. If they can get to McNabb they will force either to step up and take excessive hits, or make errant throws that the Bears linebackers and secondary will capitalize on.
The second for the Bears will be to disrupt the route running, and timing of the Eagles Receivers. Probably the best way for them to do is to be physical. The Bears secondary are made up of solid tacklers that have good size. By bumping the receivers off their routes the Bears will disrupt the timing between McNabb and his receivers. If the Eagles receivers are able to get into their routes they can expect some big hits as they try to make the catch.
The final key for the Bears is to create turnovers. If the Bears’ front four put pressure on McNabb, and he doesn’t get enough on the ball, Hunter Hillenmeyer and Lance Briggs will be stepping right into the passing lane to pick it off. While Hillenmeyer and Briggs are covering the hash marks to the sidelines, Brian Urlacher will be covering everything in between. They are big, and fast. They will step into passing lanes to make the pick, or level big hits, and force fumbles. All the while they still have help at the next level. Like the linebackers the Bears’ secondary are waiting to make the tackle, force a fumble, or make the interception. They will always have help over the top, which gives them the ability to take chances and make plays. The Bears offense relies heavily on the defense to give them the best possible field position.
The Bears defense has fallen on tough times over the past two years, but they are defense that are still strong and reliable. They cannot be underestimated, because they can, and will capitalize on mistakes. The Eagles have some injuries, and need to have some players make a big statement on Sunday. I think that the Eagles will be able to capitalize on the Bears’ zone coverage, but they aren’t going to put up offensive numbers like they did in the first 2 games. I feel confident we’ll come out on top though.

Thoughts?

GO BIRDS!!!!!

Tis' the Season

Can you smell it in the air? That's the aroma of the NFL 2008 season getting ready to start. Here are your topics of choice for today. Devour them!

Drew Rosenhaus seems to be looking for reason to never do business with the Eagles ever again. Thankfully, he doesn't have Lito pulling stunts. This time around, it's all him. Rosenhaus posted a video in which he takes some shots at Sheldon Brown. He questions his ability to start at the right cornerback position over Lito Sheppard. Sheldon Brown has no intention of being trampled by Rosenhaus' smear campaign. I'm sick of this guy, and the crap that he pulls in the name of getting his clients their payday. I don't see him pulling this crap anywhere else. Plaxico Burress is one of his clientelle who's looking for a new deal, and I haven't heard any stories about that. I don't know if he's got some sort of vendetta out against Eagles, but he does everything within his power to make a difficult situation volatile.

The self proclaimed "Shark", also known as Drew Rosenhaus believes that a Lito Sheppard trade is imminent. The only question then would be for what? No one seems to interested in meeting the Eagles demands for Sheppard. Does this explain Rosenhaus' intention for the video post? Is he stirring the pot in hopes that another soap opera will take place in the Nova Care complex, and to avoid another saga the Eagles will just unload him? To avoid another saga like that of 2005, would the Eagles just take the best offer on the table, and enable Rosenhaus to negotiate a huge extension for Lito? Maybe.

The Eagles say "Thanks, but No thanks." Several sources have reported that the Eagles turned down a trade offer for Sheppard. No details of what the offer was, or who made it have been released. Everybody knew that when we signed Asante, that Lito became expendable, but I would love it if the Eagles could keep all three. That's just a pipe dream, that I'm sure that many people share. Although several sources have reported it, could this be a stunt to drum up tentions in Philadelphia? Damn you Drew Rosenhaus!

L.J. Smith could be DeSean Jackson's new BFF? That's right Eagle fans. It's no secret that having a wide receiver that the opposition has to plan for opens things up in the middle of the field. Wes Welker reaped the benefits of having Donte Stallworth, and Randy Moss stretching the field, allowing him to record over 100 receptions last season. L.J. Smith knows something about it too. At the time Smith was splitting time with Chad Lewis, but put up good numbers with T.O. as his teammate (I use that term loosely). He's the loan starter now, and could see quite a few balls thrown his way when Jackson is on the field. If Jackson can perform at a high level this season, Smith is going to be menacing target on the field (especially in the red zone).

Check out this great post [Igglesblog]. I totally fall into that category.

I don't need any fancy math to tell me that I'm a devoted fan, but maybe you do. Forbes Magazine did a little research, and determined that we are the most loyal fans in the universe! The universe part may be a bit of an exaggeration, but they did rank us the most loyal. It's about time someone recognized how great we are. We throw snowballs, taunt opposing fans, and boo our own because we care! Here's the top 10: 1) Eagles, 2), Packers, 3) Redskins, 4) Giants, 5) Broncos, 6), Vikings, 7) Bears, 8 ) Steelers, 9) Titans and 10) Colts.

GO BIRDS!!!

Today's Sources:

Pro Football Talk

Eaglesville