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!!!

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

Fat, Drunk, and Stupid is no way to go through life

And the Commissioner thinks that it's no way to attend a NFL game either!

What??????

The NFL has approved a fan code of conduct, that will hand out some Goodell fashion punishment for its violators. Perps will be removed from the stadium, and banned from further attendance. Some of the violations are as followed:

-- Behavior that is unruly, disruptive, or illegal.
-- Drunkenness and signs of alcohol impairment that result in irresponsible behavior.
-- Foul or abusive language or obscene gestures.
-- Interference with the progress of the game, including throwing objects onto the field.
-- Failing to follow instructions of stadium personnel.
-- Verbal or physical harassment of fans from the opposing team.

The Fan code of conduct is intended to improve the "game day experience." Teams have the ability to add additional violations as needed.

C'mon Roger. Isn't most of this part of the "game day experience?" People drinking and tailgating in the parking lot before the game. Heckling the opposing team's fans. Give it a rest. These are all very much a part of the game day experience.

It's a marketing strategy to draw more sponsors. Get rid of the fat guy with no shirt, painted face, and foam doam helmet, and replace with the beautiful people, and watch the sponsorship dollars fly. This isn't about a better experience for fans, it's about money for the league. I feel that policies like this and playing regular season games overseas will start to alienate the fans who truly love their teams, but aren't not be from the upper echelons of socio-economic society.

L.A is a perfect example of what an NFL team shouldn't be. They never cared about their team. They go to games to be seen, and not because they love the game.

Am I crazy?

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.

News, News, and more News

T-Minus two weeks until Lehigh. Ever football fan that I know is foaming at the mouth waiting for pre-season to start. I'm going to cover a some Eagles stuff, and some other stuff too. So let's get er' done.

A Channel 5 Exclusive: DMac posted to his blog this week that he while at home in Arizona he has been keeping up with the local Philadelphia sports scene. Donovan covered the signing of Elton Brand to the Sixers, the Phillies being in first place, Vai Sikahema, and the "War at the shore," and the Philadelphia Soul are headed to Arena Bowl XXII and it's impact on Philly sports. I like the idea of McNabb taking a moment to shoot the breeze about what's going on in Philly sports. It's nice to think that he is apart of this town, and is engaged with it's sports. That can't be said for all athletes. I want this to be the real McNabb, and not some PR tactic.

He and Brian Dawkins have been working out in Arizona too. He continued on to say that more guys will be out next week (no one in specific). I am certain that this year Weapon-X will return to his true form, and be a threat to the opposition. It was speculated that his sub-standard performance last year was attributed to the decline in his pres-season conditioning, but that was last year, and this is this year. Donovan's shoulder is, "Fine." I am not sure if that should be taken literally or figuratively. A part of me says that he's saying that his shoulder is a concern, and he's just to attempting circumvent all the negative publicity he would take for being injured. Another part of thinks that he is good to go, and will be firing bombs all over the field. I am standing by him either way. It must be incredibly hard to being constantly scrutinized for everything, and for all the flack that he takes Donovan has done a hell of job dealing with.

Rookie Watch: Trevor Laws and DeSean Jackson still have not signed with the team. Will they be in LeHigh on time? I hope so. We are in dire need of a kick returner, and I that would imagine is going to Jackson primary role this coming season. Trevor Laws will add depth and talent to the defensive tackle position, but we are solid there with Patterson and Bunkley. Both these guys need head over to the Nova Car complex, and seal their deals. The sooner they do the sooner they get paid, and the sooner the fans can take solace. Two weeks boys, stop screwing around, and sign some deals!

Matt Jones can say goodbye to Jacksonville. So word on the street is that after getting busted for cocaine posession Jaguars WR Matt Jones won't be making the team this year. I remember them talking about this kid at the NFL combine. He's 6'5" and ran a sub 4.5 40 time, and showed the athleticism to make the transistion from quarteback to wide reciever. I thought that he was going to be a great receiver, but I was wrong. What a waste of talent. Why were you chopping coke up in your car anyways? Maybe Jerry Jones will sign him once the Jaguars, and the NFL are done with him?

Brett Favre? I am of the opinion that Brett Farve should never be anything but a Greenbay Packer. We will just exclude that little stint in Atlanta. I believe that the guy can still play, and that he shouldn't be relegated to 2nd string either. Aaron Rodgers deserves a shot at leading the Packers too. The Packers picked up two undrafted free agent quarterbacks after this years draft. This has disaster written all over it for the Greenbay Packers. If Favre is allowed to return the fans are going to calling for him to reclaim the starting job from Rodgers. Rodgers has to feel like that odd man out in all of this. He's got pressure coming from everywhere. I think that if Favre returns to the Packers Rodgers will be getting the hell out of dodge (Greenbay) ASAP.

WKRP: In Cincinnati with an all points bulletin. Be on the look out for yet another troubled Bungle. Former Cincinnati LB Odell Thurman is wanted on assault charges. The former Georgia standout allegedly punched a man over a line dispute at a Waterpark. The guy must have cheated Thurman in Front Seats, Back Seats. Fellow fistacuffer and former teammate Chris Henry has had all charges dropped in his case for assaulting a University of Cincinnati student. His suspension is currently being reviewed by the NFL. I would be suprised if he sees the grid iron this season.

This concludes our broadcast,

Stay classy! Planet Earth.