Jim Johnson visits Sesame Street

It's time for the Eagles recap. Let's took a look at the good, the bad, and the ugly (injuries) for the "Battle of PA." Yesterday's 15-6 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers was a must win. Not because of standings, both the Giants and Cowboys are 3-0. It was a must win, because we needed to bounce back from last week's loss, to play another very good team. Losing this game could have put us in an aweful place (last in the NFC East).



The Eagles defense physically dominated the Steelers offense in every way possible. We held the Steelers to just 33 yards rushing on 19 attempts. We didn't just stop the run, we forced a team to abandon their running all together. "Fast" Willie Parker, who ran for 243 yards in the first 2 games of the season, was held to 20 yards on 13 carries. It's quite an accomplishment to take away the Steelers running game.

The Eagles controlled the passing game too. Jim Johnson sent blitz after blitz at Roethlisberger (13/25 for 131 yards, 1 INT, 2 fumbles), sacking him 9 times. The pressure came from everywhere. Johnson sent linebackers (Gaither 1.5 sacks), safeties (Dawkins 1 sack, 1 forced fumble), and let us not forget the defensive line. They were all over Ben for the entire game, forcing him to move all around.

Amidst all the sacks, the Eagles defense recovered 2 forced fumbles, made1 interception, and got a safety. The Eagles defense appears to be much improved in the takeaway column from a year ago.

On the other side of the ball the Eagles looked good in some areas, and not so good in others. Donovan McNabb completed 24 passes to 7 different receivers, but no one went over 100 yards receiving (Baskett 85, Buchalter 44, Jackson 40, Avant 24, Hunt 12, Booker 5, Lewis 4). To the credit of the Steelers they were able to get pressure on Donovan/Kolb, and forced 2 interceptions. After Brian Westbrook left the game with an ankle injury, Correll Buckhalter filled in nicely with 87 all purpose yards and the games only touchdown.

The Eagles won the game on both sides of the ball, but it wasn't a glamorous win by any stretch of the imagination. The Eagles sustained some injuries in yesterday's win. Donovan McNabb missed most of the opening drive of the second half, but did return. Westbrook is scheduled to have an MRI today, and we are all waiting to hear the outcome. McNabb and Westbrook were joined by: L.J. Smith (back), Tony Hunt (concussion), and Shawn Andrews did not play. A win is a win, and that is a good thing. Next week we face Kyle Orton (kneckbeard) and his Chicago Bears.

GO BIRDS!!!!!

These are some views from the other side of the Steel Curtain:

• OFTOT has just added some names to his list.



• She's only got one thing to say. [Hockey, Football, and Stiletto Shoes]

An exhibition in pugilism

Here's the good, bad, and the ugly for our birds:

The Good: The Eagles won the turnover battle. Tony Romo threw an interception at the end of the first quarter ,that the Eagles were able to turn into a touchdown. Then we receovered Romo's fumble in the end zone for another touchdown. Winning the turnover battle will more times than not get you a win. We didn't get many turnovers last year, but the fact we got 2 against a very good team is praise worthy.

We only had 5 penalties for 44 yards, and the Cowboys racked up 10 penalties for 108 yards. Committing fewer penalties than your opponent is yet another key to winning games. Dallas was loud all night long, and the fact that we committed so few penalties indicates to me, that the were focused, and disciplined.

We won the time of possesion battle too, but not by much.

The Eagles defense held the Cowboys running game to less than 80 yards. Marian Barber was held to 63 yards rushing, and Felix Jones added another 10. The Eagles were all over the ball. Seldom were the Cowboys able to open holes to run through. We didn't allow Barber to get the extra yards after contact that he's known for. If the first guy their didn't bring him down, he didn't let go either, and we swarmed to the ball. The front seven looked fierce against the run.

Donovan completed passes to 9 different receivers for 281 yards. DeSean Jackson caught 6 of them for 110 yards. A great deal of credit should go to our offensive line. They gave McNabb a ton of time to make his reads.

Brian Dawkins can still lay the lumber! made a great play to knock the ball out of Martellus Bennett's hands, while leveling the boom on him as well. He had 4 tackles, and a forced fumble recovery.

The Bad: Blown Covverages. Terrell Owens' 1st quarter 72-yard TD reception opened the offensive flood gates. He made a tiny hesitation move between Lito Sheppard and Sean Considine, that allowed him to get behind the defense. The Eagles were in a zone when T.O. made that move. Did that freeze Considine enough for him to blow by him, or did Sean blow his assignment? There's truth to both sides, but the overall body of work for the night would lean towards blown coverage. Jason Witten got in on the action too. He got behind Brian Dawkins for a 42-yard reception on his way to over 100 yards receiving.

In the 2nd quarter DeSean Jackson put on the afterburners, and ran right by a flat footed Ken Hamlin and Adam Jones for a 61-yard reception which would have been a touchdown, except for the fact that he dropped the ball at the 1-yard line. We were lucky that we still got a TD out of it (B-West). I would have chalked this up to being a Rookie, but he has done that before. It's a lack of concetration, and unacceptable. He needs to understand that one play can be the difference between winning and losing.

Pressure on the quarterback. The Eagles didn't record a single sack, and the Cowboys had 4. With the acquistions of Samuel and Clemons this off season Jim Johnson was supposed to conjure up some serious havoc to rain down on opposing quarterbacks. We were able to get pressure, and force Romo into some bad throws. However, we needed to apply more.

Effective use of the tight end. L.J Smith let the first pass of the game bounce off his hands. That set the tone for his night. He caught one pass for 10 yards. Brent Celek only caught one pass too. The Eagles need their tight ends to be effective in the passing game. Jason Witten, Martellus Bennett, and Tony Curtis all caught passes when their number was called.

The Ugly: Turnovers. They cost the Eagles the game, and by "They" I mean the only one we had! Donovan McNabb did some double pump before handing off to Westbrook. Westbrook never got a hold of the football, and the Cowboys pounced on it. They got the ball back at their own 33-yard line. On the ensuing drive Asante Samuel was called for pass interference in the end zone, which gave the Cowboys the ball at the one. Marian Barber scored, and they were able to take the lead for good. There's nothing uglier than losing a game in the fourth quarter.
We need to regroup, and come back strong. It's a short week, and we have got another tough opponent in the Steelers on Sunday.

It was a tough loss for me last night. I watched the game with a Cowboys fan. We went back-and-fourth with some jawing, just as the game did. In the end we agreed that it was a good game. I knew to expect some Dallas propaganda, but there were a few that got my ire up.

Why did I have to see this on SBnation?

Then Alex Marvez, of Fox Sports, is ready to anoint Tony Romo as benevolent ruler of the universe.

I'm tapped out right now. Tomorrow will be much improved.

GO BIRDS!!!!

Eagles vs. Cowboys (A Rivalry Renewed): Pt. 4

Like all good things, this post has come to the end. Offense wins games, but defense wins championships, and that’s today’s topic. We are going to look at the defenses of both teams. Who they have, what’s their depth, performance, injuries, and before it’s all over, I give you the winner! So get your popcorn ready, because this is going to be a show.

Just a few quick notes: 1) All the numbers referenced in this article come from the 2007 season, and were reported at NFL.com 2) Depth charts were provided by Dallascowboys.com and the Philadelphiaeagles.com.

Philadelphia is now on the clock.

The Philadelphia Eagles’ base defense is a 4-3 system. This means that there are 4 down lineman, and 3 linebackers that make up the front 7 of the defense. The most important part of the Eagles defensive scheme is blitzing and creating pressure. Jim Johnson, the Eagles Defensive Coordinator, will send blitzes from anywhere to create pressure, and hopefully create turnovers. The Eagles starting lineup and backups are as followed:
· Left Defensive End – Juqua Parker Backups are Victor Abiamiri, Chris Clemons
· Left Defensive Tackle – Mike Patterson Backups are Trevor Laws
· Right Defensive Tackle – Broderick Bunkley Backups are Dan Klecko
· Right Defensive End – Trent Cole Backups are Darren Howard, Bryan Smith
· Strong Side Linebacker – Chris Gocong Backups are Tank Daniels
· Middle Linebacker – Stewart Bradley Backups are Joe Mays
· Weak Side Linebacker – Omar Gaither Backups are Akeem Jordan
· Left Cornerback – Asante Samuel Backups are Joselio Hanson
· Right Cornerback – Sheldon Brown Backups are Lito Sheppard
· Strong Safety – Quintin Mikell Backups are Sean Considine
· Free Safety – Brian Dawkins Backups are J.R. Reed, Quintin Demps

The Eagles were ranked 10th in the NFL in total defense, averaging 18.8 points and 311.4 yards per game. Against the run, the Eagles ranked 7th in the NFL, giving up 10 TDs, and 1,553 yards on the ground. The Eagles were ranked 18th in the NFL against the pass, giving up 16 TDs and 3,449 yards through the air. The Eagles’ biggest weakness last year, was there inability to generate turnovers. The Eagles didn’t generate a consistent pass rush, and our secondary was depleted by injuries, but that is no longer the case. The Eagles signed cornerback Asante Samuel, and defensive end Chris Clemons, in order to improve upon our weaknesses. The signing of Asante Samuel bolsters the Eagles strength in the secondary. Our defensive line has great depth, and will keep fresh legs on the field for 4 quarters. Our linebackers are young, talented, and aggressive. Look for the Eagles to improve their team defense from a year ago.

The Cowboys use a 3-4 defense, which uses 3 down lineman and 4 linebackers. The 3-4 allows the linebackers to keep everything in front of them (pass and run). In order to be successful, you need linebackers that can do it all, rush the passer, stop the run, and drop into pass coverage. Here’s the Cowboys lineup:
· Right Defensive End – Chris Canty Backups are Stephen Bowen
· Nose Tackle – Jay Ratliff Backups are Tank Johnson
· Left Defensive End – Marcus Spears Backups are Jason Hatcher
· Strong Side Linebacker – Greg Ellis Backups are Anthony Spencer
· Middle Inside Linebacker – Bradie James Backups are Bobby Carpenter, Justin Rogers
· Middle Outside Linebacker – Zach Thomas Backups are Kevin Burnett, Bobby Carpenter
· Weak Side Linebacker – DeMarcus Ware Backups are Justin Rogers
· Left Cornerback – Terence Newman Backups are Mike Jenkins, Alan Ball, Orlando Scandrick
· Right Cornerback – Anthony Henry Backups are Adam Jones
· Free Safety – Ken Hamlin Backups are Courtney Brown
· Strong Safety – Roy Williams Backups are Pat Watkins, Keith Davis

The Cowboys were a strong team on defense in 2007. They were 9th overall, giving up 20.3 points and 307.6 yards per game. They ranked 6th against the run allowing, 12 TDs and 1,513 yards, and 13th against the pass, giving up 19 TDs and 3,409 yards through the air. The Cowboys were a formidable defense in 2007. They improved their depth by adding Tank Johnson (Nose Tackles), and Adam Jones (Cornerback). The Cowboys linebackers have tremendous talent. They can play the pass, or the run at a high level. As a group the Cowboys tallied 398 tackles, and of that, had 32.5 sacks. All around, the Cowboys have a great defense.

The Eagles and Cowboys were neck and neck last year in defensive categories, with the Cowboys having the better overall numbers. Both teams have made moves to improve themselves. So, here’s the final breakdown of both teams, starting up front and moving back. The Eagles defensive line has improved from a year ago. They have great depth that consists of, veterans, and young talent. They will make it difficult for any team to run the ball, and they should be in the passers face all day. The Cowboys are going to be the same. They have got a strong front 3, that know their system well. At the linebacker position the Eagles are young, but highly regarded. The only difference for them is who’s starting, and where. The Cowboys linebackers are older, but aren’t close to being past their prime. In the secondary the Eagles are healthy, and talented. Lito Sheppard and Asante Samuel can cover any receiver on the field. Brian Dawkins is getting older, but is not to be dismissed. The Cowboys sent 3 players in their secondary to the Pro Bowl last year (Newman, Hamlin, Williams). Terence Newman is questionable for the game with a groin injury. Roy Williams can be a liability in pass coverage. Adam Jones is a talent, but has to get all of the rust off from his suspension. The defense is a Push.

Who’s going to win the game? The winner is going to come down to turnovers. That has been the deciding factor in our recent history. The team with the fewer turnovers is going to win this game. Agree with it or not, this game could be a shootout, but I’m thinking that it’s going to be a low scoring affair. This game will be decided on the very last drive.

Eagles 17, Dallas 10

GO BIRDS!!!!!

Eagles vs. Cowboys (A Rivalry Renewed): Pt. 3

Sorry to about missing the Day 3 deadline, but here it is. Enjoy!

It is day three of my investigation of Monday night’s division showdown between the Eagles and Cowboys. To this point, I’ve weighed in on both team’s running backs and quarterbacks. Today, I will finish out the offensive side of the ball, and scrutinize the wide receivers, and tight ends, and who’s the got the advantage. Here are the depth charts for Philadelphia and Dallas [NFL.com].

Dallas Cowboys:

Tight End: Jason Witten, Martellus Bennett, Tony Curtis
Jason Witten is a big target (6-5, 262lbs), and one of the NFL’s elite tight ends. Witten has come in to his own, over the past few years, with last year being his best to date (96 Rec, 1,145 yards, 7 TDs). He’s tough, and a good blocker. Jason Witten is a great red zone target, but he will receive looks anywhere on the field. Jason Witten, in his 6th season, is at the top of his game, will remain there for a few more years.
Martellus Bennett is a rookie out of Texas A&M. Like Witten, Bennett is a big target (6-6, 265lbs). I followed the HBO series “Hard Knocks”, and he appears to be a work in progress. Bennett has raw talent, but it needs to refined and polished. He’ll be out there on special teams, but I don’t know how much time he will see in the offense.
Tony Curtis is in his 3rd year with the Dallas Cowboys. As third man on the depth chart, I expect that most of his contributions will be on special teams, but he does get some offensive looks. In 2007, Tony caught 3 passes, all for touchdowns.

Wide Receiver: Terrell Owens, Patrick Crayton, Isaiah Stanback, Sam Hurd, Miles Austin
Terrell Owens is one of the best receivers in the game. He’s the best option that Dallas has at wide receiver, and rightfully so. He’s physical receiver, with good size (6-3, 218lbs), and great speed. At 34, Owens doesn’t show any signs of losing a step. He’s gone over 1,100 yards the past 2 seasons that he has been with the Cowboys. Owens will draw the focus of every coordinator in the league, and more times than not, “The Player” wins.
Sam Hurd is listed on this week’s injury report for Dallas with a high ankle sprain. Hurd was expected to do some running at Wednesday’s practice, but according the injury report on the Eagles website, he didn’t participate. He’s not expected to play in Monday night’s game in Dallas either. I will exclude him from further reference.
Miles Austin is another 3rd year play on this Dallas team. He will be the number 2 receiver behind Terrell Owens (replacing Sam Hurd). Austin is on Dallas’ injury report with a sprained left knee, but he may be available for the game on Monday night. There is little to no body of work to judge him at the position. Austin is a big receiver (6-3, 216lbs), which is always a positive.
Patrick Crayton is a solid wide receiver, but is a big drop-off in talent from T.O. Crayton has dropped some key balls in the past, but is looking to change all of that. He’s got decent size (6-0, 203lbs), but no real advantage.
Isaiah Stanback is a converted quarterback, and is Patrick Crayton’s backup. At 6-2, and 208lbs, he’s another good sized receiver, and the Cowboys have high expectations for him. He’s coming off a preseason shoulder injury, and had 2 catches for 24 yards against Cleveland.

Note: Dallascowboys.com’s injury report was last updated Monday, September 8th.

Philadelphia Eagles:

Tight End: L.J. Smith, Brent Celek, Matt Schobel
L.J. Smith is looking to have a come back season. In 2007 he was hampered (to say the least) by a sports hernia injury. At 6-3, and 258lbs, Smith provides a good target in the middle of the field, and in the red zone. Smith has good hands, but needs to be more consistent.
Brent Celek is in his 2nd season out of Cincinnati. He’s got good size (6-4, 255lbs). Brent Celek is a solid player that will contribute, but his contributions need to increase.
Matt Schobel is in 7th season, will take Celek’s place from time-to-time, when the Eagles are in a 2 tight end set. Like Celek he’s able to contribute, but there’s definitely room for improvement.

Wide Receiver: Reggie Brown, DeSean Jackson, Greg Lewis, Kevin Curtis, Jason Avant, Hank Baskett
Reggie Brown is entering his 4th season with the Eagles, and is currently hampered by a hamstring injury. Reggie Brown has been a slow starter for the Eagles, and tends to come on strong as the season progresses. Brown is a good receiver, with decent size (6-1, 197lbs). He’s not going to blow by defensive backs with any consistency, but is a good possession receiver. He needs to have a breakout performance this year. Hamstring injuries are nagging, and you can expect that it will hinder any chances of him starting off this season any different from his past three.
DeSean Jackson is a rookie out of Cal, who has exceeded all expectation to this point. Jackson was expected to come in, and contribute in the return game, and see some time as the slot receiver. With the injuries sustained to Reggie Brown and Kevin Curtis, DeSean was thrust into a more primary role. Jackson is an undersized (5-10, 175lbs) speedster, that has drawn comparisons to Steve Smith. DeSean has shown a knack for creating space between himself, and his defender. He was impressive against the Rams with 6 catches for 106 yards.
Greg Lewis is a 6th year veteran of the Eagles. He’s a good enough receiver. Lewis isn’t going to dominate any defenses, but he does seem to come through with some timely catches. Greg Lewis will contribute, but he’s not going to get many hundred yard games.
Kevin Curtis statistically, is the Eagles best receiver. He had career numbers last year for the Eagles, but is out indefinitely after suffering a sports hernia injury. He hasn’t been placed on IR, but he’s not going to be a factor no earlier than week 8.
Jason Avant is a 3rd year Eagle. He’s one the biggest Eagles receivers at 6-0, 212lbs. He’s a good possession receiver for us. Avant will get those short yardage pass plays, and enable to the Eagles to keep moving the chains.
Hank Baskett is the Eagles’ biggest receiver (6-4, 220lbs), and is entering his 3rd season. Baskett is a deep threat receiver. His size gives him a distinct advantage over most defensive backs. He is a work in progress, but he will make big plays throughout the season.

When looking at the Eagles’ and Cowboys’ wide receivers/tight ends, the initial reaction is that the Cowboys have a decisive advantage. They’ve got T.O and Witten. Owens and Witten are the two best players in this discussion. The will both be relied upon heavily in the passing game. However, once you move past those two players, the Cowboys have several guys that are playing with injuries, learning the system, and just don’t get as many looks. On the other hand, the Eagles don’t have any superstars (yet), but have guys that know the system, and will contribute on game-to-game basis. So the receiver tight end matchup is a push.

Am I wrong?

GO BIRDS!!!!

Eagles vs. Cowboys (A Rivalry Renewed): Pt. 2

Today, I am going to look at the quarterbacks for the Eagles, and Cowboys. The majority of this analysis will look at Donovan McNabb, and Tony Romo. I'm going to briefly include Kevin Kolb, A.J. Feeley, Brooks Bollinger, and Brad Johnson in this post, because they could see time, if someone were to get injured, and thus could have a potential impact on the outcome of Monday night's showdown in Dallas. I will incorporate statistics in this discussion, but I will use them sparingly. They are more to display each quarterbacks body of work, than to argue who’s got the advantage.

Donovan McNabb, Tony Romo, both men are the respective faces of their franchise. They are also considered to be among the elite active quarterbacks in the NFL. Tony Romo and Donovan McNabb share a lot of similarities on the playing field. However, their biggest difference is where they are in their careers. Tony Romo, in his 6th season, is the young, up and coming quarterback. Romo is looking to keep the Dallas Cowboys at the top of the NFC East. Donovan McNabb, in his 10th season, is an established member of the quarterback aristocracy. McNabb will be fighting to bring the Eagles back to their dominant ways of the early 2,000's. Both quarterbacks are looking to lead their team to a Super Bowl championship. To do that, they are going to have to face one another at least two times a year. Yesterday, Dallas won the coin toss, and went first. So it's the Eagles' ball today.

Donovan McNabb has become a prolific passer in the NFL. He has the ability to make any throw that is asked of him. Which wasn’t always the case, early on in his career, he was notorious for short hopping passes, and not consistently putting the ball on the money. He used to his athleticism, as a counter measure. If he saw daylight, he was gone. That’s not his game anymore. Today, Donovan’s game has evolved. He’s more of a pocket passer that, if the play breaks down, can make one with his legs. As Donovan learned the art of being a better pocket passer, he became a better quarterback. He led the Eagles to the playoffs 5 years running, 4 consecutive Divisional championships, and one Super Bowl. Since 2005, McNabb has suffered a number of season ending injuries, but in those years he was putting up MVP like statistics. McNabb is once again healthy, confident, and assume his role as team leader. Here are the numbers on Donovan McNabb (career):
1. 58.7 completion percentage
2. 25,765 yards passing
3. 174 TDs
4. 79 Ints
5. 2,965 yards rushing
6. 24 rushing TDs
When Donovan McNabb is healthy, he’s one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. His strength and size give him the ability to elude tacklers, see the field, and put the ball anywhere he needs to. He’s become a more patient passer, makes better reads as well, and he spreads the ball around effectively. Donovan McNabb has tackled every adversity that he’s faced in the NFL, and that has made him a better player.

Dallas fans should thank Bill Parcells for two things: 1) Signing Tony Romo as an undrafted free agent and 2) Keeping him on the bench for three years. Tony Romo came out of relative obscurity, and onto the stage that is being the Cowboys starting quarterback. In 2006 he replaced Drew Bledsoe as the starting quarterback in Dallas, and led the Cowboys to the playoffs. In 2007, Romo and the Cowboys went 13-3, back to the playoffs, and he got rewarded with a big contract. He’s got a strong arm, and can make all the throws. He has good patience in the pocket, and makes good reads as well. Romo will stand in there, and take a hit, in order to deliver a throw, but if nothing is there, he will scramble. When Romo has time to make all of his reads he can pick a team apart. Here are the numbers on Romo:
1. 65.1 completion percentage
2. 7,434 yards passing
3. 56 TDs
4. 33 Ints
5. 228 yards rushing
6. 2 rushing TDs
Tony Romo was an unpolished gem, and by giving him time to learn, and develop he has ascended. He has the ability, and intelligence to be a great quarterback in the NFL. Tony Romo has been compared on numerous occasions to Brett Favre, which is high praise (depending how you look at it). Both Tony Romo and Brett Favre shoot from the hip at times. They may force an issue, and that can lead to turnovers. I don’t think that Tony Romo has peaked just yet, he’s close though. As he gets more and more game experience he should continue to improve.

Backing up Tony Romo is 17 year veteran Brad Johnson. Johnson is a journeyman of the NFL. He’s also a Super Bowl champion. Here are his career numbers:
1. 61.8 completion percentage
2. 28,627 yards passing
3. 164 TDs
4. 117 Ints
5. 658 yards rushing
6. 8 rushing TDs
Brad Johnson has got a lot of experience. His best attribute as a quarterback is his ability to manage a game. He might not going win you the game, but he’s not going to necessarily lose you the game either. Quarterbacks with his years of experience are useful. If Romo were to get hurt, Johnson could come in, and win a few games, but he’s not a sustainable solution.

The Eagles have placed the backup duties on the shoulders of 2nd year quarterback Kevin Kolb. Kolb has played only an insignificant amount of time, but for conformities sake, here are his numbers:
1. 83.3 completion percentage
2. 53 yards passing
3. 0 TDs
4. 0 Ints
5. -5 yards rushing
6. 0 rushing TDs
Kevin was a 2nd round draft choice last year, and would appear to be Donovan’s eventual replacement. He needs to continue to improve, before he’ll be ready to take over. He looked good in the preseason, but has yet to play a full 4 quarters of NFL football. Kevin has got a strong arm, which he showcased during the ’08 preseason. He’s got a steep learning curve in front of him, but fortunately for him, he’s got the fans support, for now.

Coming in at third on the Cowboys’ depth chart is Brooks Bollinger. Brooks is entering his 6th season in the NFL. Here’s what he brings to the table:
1. 58.6 completion percentage
2. 2,156 yards passing
3. 8 TDs
4. 8 Ints
5. 155 yards rushing
6. 0 rushing TDs
I know little about Brooks Bollinger beyond the fact that he exists. He has some playing experience, most of which came while playing for the Jets. I imagine that Brooks was brought in to add depth at the position, but I think Jerry Jones might strap on a helmet, before Bollinger gets under center.

Our 3rd string quarterback is A.J. Feeley. Feeley is in his 8th season, and has played for the Eagles, Dolphins, and Chargers. Here are Feeley’s career numbers:
1. 55.9 completion percentage
2. 4,070 yards passing
3. 27 TDs
4. 29 Ints
5. 45 yards rushing
6. 1 rushing TD
Feeley has shown flashes of Brilliance, and is a good leader. A.J. stepped up in 2002, and won like 6 games after McNabb and Detmer went down to injury. During the 2007 season, Feeley looked liked he was going to do the unthinkable, and knock off the undefeated Patriots. He committed a fatal error during the final drive. He threw the ball right into coverage, and the Patriots intercepted the ball. Feeley has the ability to steal games. He’s also got a penchant for committing costly errors in clutch situations.

In summation, if Brad Johnson and Kevin Kolb were to play the game, Johnson would have the advantage. This is always a high pressure game. Kolb hasn’t been field tested, and Johnson has plenty of experience. If A.J. Feeley and Brooks Bollinger were the starters, I give Feeley the advantage. Feeley has more of a history with the Cowboys, than Bollinger does with the Eagles. A.J. is Wiley, and can pull a win out of nowhere. Finally, we have the matchup that is going to almost certainly take place, McNabb vs. Romo. Donovan McNabb wins this matchup. He’s got a huge advantage in experience over Tony. Monday night’s game is going to have a playoff atmosphere, and I think that will affect Romo more than McNabb. So, the advantage goes to the Eagles.

What are your thoughts?
Statistics provided by NFL.com

GO BIRDS!!!!

Eagles vs. Cowboys (A Rivalry Renewed): Pt. 1

Although, I'm still revelling in the glory that was our week 1 dismantling of the Rams, my attention has turned elsewhere. My focus has zeroed in on our week 2 division battle with Dallas. Both Dallas, and Eagles' fans alike, can agree that this matchup is of great importance. The winner, will take an early lead atop the division, which is one more step towards the playoffs. The loser, will have experienced a setback, and need to muster their resolve to keep moving forward. It's early in the season, but the game will be a pivotal one for both teams. Over the next week, I'm going to post a head-to-head comparison, and what I see as keys to coming out on top. Todays look, will be at the running backs.

Cowboys: Marian Barber III, Felix Jones, Tashard Choice

The Cowboys running game was nasty, in their handling of Cleveland. MB3 ran for 80 yards on 16 carries, and had 2 touchdowns. Felix Jones ran for 62 yards on 9 carries, and 1 touchdown. Then to wrap up the game Tashard Choice ran for 26 yards on carries. You can't knock that kind of hussle.

Marian Barber is Dallas' featured back. Barber is a physical back, who's not afraid of contact. I'm going to take a step further and say, that he enjoys it. Barber is difficult (to say the least) to bring down with initial contact, and usually will earn a few more yards after contact. Barber is an excellent blocker, and accomplished pianist (funny word), as was displayed in this years HBO documentary Hard Knocks. He seldom fumbles the ball, and is an adequate receiver as well. Barber has yet to rush for over a 1,000 yards, but that can be explained by the fact that he was Dallas' short yardage back behind Julius Jones, until now. As the featured back, I read somewhere that his workload will increase from 204 carries last year, to around 250. Which will be a huge increase in his workload. The increase could become a factor later in the season, but shouldn't have much relevance to Monday's game. What will have an impact is his bruised ribs. I would be flat out shocked, if Barber were scratched from the lineup. I expect that he'll be there, and so does his team [Profootballtalk]. Most likely, Barber will receive a cortizone shot, and wear some additional padding, but that's only going to enable him to play. I know from personal experience that bruised ribs are painful, and long lasting. Day-to-day activities, such as getting out of bed, become chores. It's quite possible that Barber could be pensive, and avoid those collision that usually allow him to get those few extra yards. Barber's sure-handedness could be jeapordized by the additional padding as well. Marian Barber may not be at 100% come game day. If the injury does have an impact, the Cowboys shouldn't worry too much, they've got this rookie out or Arkansas. What's his name??

Felix Jones, the rookie from Arkansas, is the change of pace back for Dallas. He's good. Really good. He can run between the tackles, or take it to the outside. He can catch, and he's a threat to score every time he touches the ball. Jones lurked in the shadows of Darren McFadden, but he wasn't any slouch, check out the numbers [Felix Jones]. In my opinion, Felix Jones is a young Brian Westbrook.

Tashard Choice, is another rookie, but I don't know much about. I do know that he bulldozed the Browns last Sunday to close out the Cowboys victory. Take a look at his bio [Tashard Choice].

Eagles: Brian Westbrook, Correll Buckhalter, Lorenzon Booker

Brian Westbrook had a good game against the Rams. He rushed for 91 yards on 19 carries, and 2 touchdowns (1 receiving). Buckhalter, and Booker combined for 14 yards rushing on 7 carries, but the Eagles don't rely on the running game nearly as much as other teams.

Brian Westbrook, is an offense unto himself. Countless times, He has taken the Eagles offense on his shoulders, and brought us to victory. He can do so many things, and opposing defenses have to scheme around him. Last year, he ran for over 1,300 yards, caught 90 passes for 771 yards, and recorded 12 touchdowns. Westbrook, also receives praise for his blocking ability. He's a difficult guy to defend against. Brian Westbrook is in a good place right now, he's healthy, and happy (just got a new deal). Look for Westbrook to expose the mismatch of being covered by a linebacker. If/When he gets to the second level he could take it to the house.

Correll Buckhalter, is a strong runner, who is best suited running north/south. His career average is 4.5 yards a carry. Buckhalter is a good secondary back. He's going to give you positive yardage, strong play. If Buckhalter can stay healthy, he'll keep the chains moving, by gaining positive yardage, and give Westbrook a rest throughout the game.

Lorenzo Booker, was acquired by the Eagles in a draft-day trade with the Miami Dolphins in 2008. As a rookie, he tallied 125 yards rushing on 28 carries, 237 yards on 28 catches, in just 7 games. Booker, in his sophomore season out of Florida State will provide another threat out of the backfield for the birds, when lined up with Westbrook. Although, we didn't see any of this during the St. Louis game, we'll probably see it against Dallas. Lining Booker and Westbrook in the backfield will make opposing defenses take notice, and provide any number of mismatches for the Eagles to capitalize on.

Brian Westbrook is one of the best backs in the NFL, and he takes the advantage over Marian Barber. That being said, The Cowboys are the better team at the runningback position. They have an excellent back in Marian Barber, who's going to wear down defenses with his running style. Then you have Felix Jones, who's a homerun hitter, every time he touches the ball. Then if the first two fail, there's one more Choice (Bad joke). The Cowboys depth and skill at the position is too much, and Brian Westbrook is irreplaceable to us.

Tomorrow, I'm going to look at the Quarterback position. Until then, what's your take on this?

Go Birds!!!!

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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Let's get this party started right

Labor Day has come and gone, and the 2008 NFL season is within our sights, kicking off Thursday night. Then the Eagles will host the Rams on Sunday. Like most of you, I'm so stoked for the season to get under way.

Here are today's points of interest:

It's appropriate, and ironical that Jerome McDougle is a Giant, but we got a tank that hates Dallas. Which is nice! So, I used to call for Jerome McDougle's release. Especially after he wracked up a 30-yard penalty in game against the Bucs. I was livid when that happened, and adding to the fire, the Eagles lost that game. However, he turned over a new leaf this preseason, but it wasn't enough to keep him around. Now, Jerome is a member of the Giants. I'm not sure if there any numbers to back it up this claim, but the NFC East seems to pass the same guys around from team to team. Case in point: Tank Daniels. A former Eagle who won a Super Bowl ring in NY is once again, an Eagle.

Random thought: Why does the value of a player increase if they have won a Super Bowl? I'm not talking about a Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, or Jerry Rice. I'm talking about the Rocky Boiman's, the Dan Glecko's, and the Tank Daniels' of the NFL. The guys that aren't super stars, but are contributors. If a guy is an OK linebacker, a great special teamer, and good locker room guy, isn't that enough to be interested in signing them. I guess that it's the NFL's equivalent to resume filler.

Lito Sheppard, with the help of Rosenhaus are taking it to the media. The cornerback saga has been a giant cluster F*$#% from the very beginning. Personally, I'm not that concerned about his "me" comments. He needs to be playing for himself, in order to get out of Philly, or get a new deal. Until then, stay tuned for more on the circus.

Eagle fan's suffer from 5 day hangovers. Matt Mosley, of ESPN considers us to be the fourth best fanbase in all the land. I think that it was a fare assessment, and that we are in good company. I love the Eagles, and I can't wait to be in the parking lot this coming Sunday to bask in the best of times.

I must apologize to Tony Hunt. Sorry, Tony. There, Now lets move on.

GO BIRDS!!!

I Love...... Me Some Me

"Do you hear that, Mr. Anderson? That is the sound of inevitability. " - Agent Smith

I knew it!!! It was only a matter of time before T.O. publicly criticized someone or something within the Cowboys organization. Over the past two years I have watched, and waited patiently for Owens to lash out after back-to-back 1st round playoffs losses. All I received were emotional press conferences in which he defended the honor of his quarterback, and team. This enfuriated me to no end. Where was the T.O. who called his quaterback gay? Where was the T.O. that called out his quarterback for throwing up in the huddle, tearing a locker room apart, and acting like an ego maniac? With a great deal of skepticism I conceded to the fact that somehow, T.O. had become a model teammate. A fact that made me hate hi even more than before. Then this morning, a gem of redemption gleamed from my monitor. He feels that he was misused in last years playoff loss to the Giants!!!!

Now, I acknowledge that this is a far cry from his previous antics, but public criticism of your team is a slippery slope to walk on. Could another 1st round knockout, send T.O. realing, allowing him to revert into his previous ways? I don't expect that this is going to jeapordize the Cowboy's season, but it could very easily end up just like it has before.

Today's Source:

PFT.com

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.

Peyton Manning? Who's Peyton Manning?

Eli, you are "The Man!"

Who in the picture above looks more mature, and poised to win another Super Bowl?
My money is on the guy on the right!


"Fly Eagles Fly" EAGLES Fight Song
Fly Eagles Fly, On The Road To Victory. Fight Eagles Fight, Score A Touchdown 1-2-3. Hit 'Em Low. Hit 'Em High. And We'll Watch Our Eagles Fly. Fly Eagles Fly, On The Road To Victory. E-A-G-L-E-S, EAGLES!!!

Thank you to the good people at KSK for brightening my day.

Negative effects of hangin' with TO

"Get your ring finger ready, that's right." - Dallas Cowboys Head Coach Wade Phillips

Picture TO standing over the shoulder of Wade Phillips telling him to look into the mirror and repeat the following: "You'd better get your popcorn ready, 'cause it's gonna be a show." That's exactly what I envisioned when I read this little gem. Well, I guess it's time to start disparaging the Cowboys.
Lets analyze your statement, shall we? Judging from the context that it was taken, Wade is confident that the Cowboys are going to be hoisting the Vince Lombardi trophy at the end of the 08 season. There are a few reasons why this statement is flawed.
In order to win the Super Bowl a team must accumulate 3 or 4 (If you play in the Wild Card game) Post season wins. You need to work on just winning ONE! That's right Wade you are currently are suffering from Schottenheimer syndrome. (No disrepect is meant towards Marty Schottenheimer. )
Your quarterback suffers from a similar disease known as, "Can't win the big one syndrome!" To add to Romo's tragic career it has been determined that he's not immune to a strong pass rush, and he is going to see a great deal of that in his own division.
There's only one possible explanation for Wade Phillips' statement, and that is that he has been hanging with TO all offseason. Thus creating a gelatenous buffer in his brain that only allows the most ridiculous and absurd thoughts to formulate. All ability to critically think are supressed by an over abundance of ego, and stupidity.

Jason Garrett, step on up! You are the next seasons head coach on WIN OR ELSE!!

Hi-Larious!!!! (KSK)

Welcome to Lehigh University(A recap)

Footballs Back, and I couldn't be more stoked! The Eagles opened up training camp at Lehigh University yesterday . Rookies, and select veterans were scheduled to attend. The rest of the team will arrive on Thursday. The report's from the organization after day one were positive, as is to be expected. Here are some concerns, and some reasons to breathe a sigh of relief.

Will Westbrook report on Thursday? It has been reported that Brian Westbrook wants LT money. He feels that he should receive $30 million in guaranteed money. Most would agree that he deserves that kind of money, but turning 30 this year is the big issue. Running backs at that age are considered to be depreciated in value. Shaun Alexander signed a contract with $15 million in guaranteed money after receiving the MVP award, and taking the Sea Hawks to the Super Bowl. He was 29. If were up to me, I would pay the man. If anyone thinks that Lorenzo Booker and Ryan Moats can replace Westbrook they need get in check with reality. I think that this is going to get complicated, and I don't expect that Westbrook will report on Thursday.

DeSean Jackson get his deal done on Sunday. It's crucial that as a rookie who is expected to make an immediate impact be in camp on time. Now he's got to strap on his pads, and put in some work. We really need to improve our return game from last year, and Jackson certainly has the potential to do just that. I'm not so concerned with seeing him at the receiver position right now. His time will come eventually, but for now he's more important to special teams.

Trevor Laws is in camp, and has a deal. Like his fellow 2nd round choice Laws signed a 4 year deal with Philadelphia completing the signing of this years draft class. Laws will bolster what I think is a solid group at defenisive tackle. Missing the first day of practice isn't going to impede his ability to learn the system.

Here are some other stories from around the NFC:

Redskins are dropping like flies: Alex Buzbee, Phillip Daniels, Fred Smoot (This was just on Sunday). Jim Zorn loves leg injuries!

Jason Taylor traded to the Redskins. Is he another Jevon Kearse? The NFC East is a physical place to play. Runyan should give him a good eye gouge to provie it.

Chris Cooley thinks training camp is as much fun as a, "Bag of dicks." Like, many players isn't a fan of training camp. I take him on the Eagles any day.

Shockey's a Saint? It's what he wanted. Now that he's a Saint, I predict that he may actually live up to the expectations that were set for him when he joined the NFL.

What will day 2 of camp have in store?



This picture serves no purpose beyond shear enjoyment. Keep crying Romo.

Points of Interest

Due to some technical difficulties this post is s a day late, and buck short, but here it is anyways!!!

Yeah, I know that I have been a bad blogger, but don't hold that against me. Anywho, I am going to hit a couple of quick points today from my perch high above Center City. Enjoy!

1. Sen. Barack Obama has seen Eagles Fans, and brings guns to knife fights: At a Friday night fundraiser in Philadelphia Sen. Obama had the following things to say:
1. “If they bring a knife to the fight, we bring a gun,” . This is how he plans to counter attacks from the Republican party. Apparently this wasn't well received by all. Gun references don't go over well here. It's kind of an epidemic, but personally I like the analogy. Strong words. From a strong man!!

2. “Because from what I understand folks in Philly like a good brawl. I've seen Eagles fans.” Yes, we do like a good brawl now, and again. Who doesn't? However, what does an Eagles fan look like? Where is your research that backs up your accusations? Just kidding Obama. We have been known to get a little dirty up in this piece, but we are still good people.


2. No longer in the nest: 9 Eagles were cut this week. Most notably to me was LaJuan Ramsey. However, Jerome McDougle was not one who was on that list..... I have to ask the question why?? The guy has produced next to nothing, that is when he is physically able to play. I have been waiting for the Birds to cut ties with this guy for sometime, but he just keeps sticking around.

3. Putting all our marquee players in one baskett (The Injury Baskett): Not that I am worried about it, but I am. Donovan McNabb's shoulder, and Asante Samuel's hamgstring. Now there is still plenty of time for each of them to get healthy in time for training camp, but it worries me that they are injured.

4. The implosion that is the Football Giants: As an Eagles fan you have to love everything that is going on in East Rutherford, NJ. First, Michael Strahan retires. Then Jeremy Shockey reports to mini camps, only to duke it out (verbally) with the front office. Best of all, Plex isn't going to report unless Giants show him the money. I am not sure if there is any better example of a Championship team litterally crubmling brick by brick.

So, that's what I got for the time being. I hope that you enjoyed at least something about this post. I promise there's more to come.

Does anyone notice the resemblance between myself and Barack?