Cutler

It's just shocking how many current NFL players are coming out of the woodwork to criticize Jay Cutler and question his toughness, even after being diagnosed with a partially torn MCL. But then again, I suppose it is real easy to say that you "wouldn't come out of a game unless it was on a stretcher" when you are sitting on your couch watching the NFC championship from home, rather than facing a relentless Packers' pass rush on one leg.

My gosh, the Cutler situation has even touched on the looming labor unrest with the Bears GM questioning the unity of the players' union if so many of them are criticizing a fellow player.

Unbelievable.

Damning with Faint Praise

If Ruben Amaro's quote about Joe Blanton isn't that very definition, I don't know what is.

"I'd stack him up against the rest of the fifth starters in the league."

There you have it. Joe Blanton is a great pitcher...as a fifth starter. 

What's Wrong with the Eagles' Defense?

It's the linebackers, stupid.

Not So Bad After All

For some reason, it makes me feel better about the Eagles playoff loss when the Patriots lose in the divisional round as the #1 seed.

Can You Hear Me Now?

This article about cell phones interfering with the very powerful signals of commercial avionics has to be a warning to anyone about the potentially harmful effects on the human brain when you put a cell phone next to your skull.

Who Moved the Ball?

Did anyone notice in the Ravens-Steelers game on the key 4th and 1 play where Roethlisberger eventually got the 1st down on a QB sneak, that the refs moved the ball more than half a yard before the play and no one said anything about it?

As the Steelers lined up for the 4th down, the ball is clearly on the hashmark and a full yard from the superimposed yellow line. Then John Harbaugh throws his red challenge flag and the refs sort out and then explain that he's actually not challenging the play because it wasn't a first down.

When the Steelers line up again for the 4th down play, the ball has obviously been moved forward at least a half yard if not more. It's no longer on the hashmark and the nose is practically touching the superimposed yellow line. The Steelers went from having a 4th and 1 to a 4th and inches and no one seemed to notice or care.

What drives me crazy is that 1) this was a big play. 2) The announcers don't say anything. Did they not see someone move the ball or did they just not notice the ball had been moved. Who moved the ball? Why did they move the ball? You would think in a playoff game and on such an important play, someone would catch and say something!

Winning for Losing

I think i would just like to see the Seahawks host the conference championship. we'd have a whole week of well, a sub .500 team shouldn't be allowed to have a home game vs. those who'd say, well, they earned it.

Playoff thought

Why does Atlanta have/need a domed stadium?

McDermott

I'm somewhat agnostic on McDermott's firing. I can (and have) argued why he wasn't as bad a coach as some thought. on the other hand, his defenses weren't top tier and certainly no Jim Johnson's (though in truth, no one's are and what should be the real lesson of the McDermott era is how great a defensive mastermind Johnson was, not how lousy McDermott was).

In any case, it is kind of ironic that Reid fired him hours before the Packers torched the NFC's 13-3 #1 seed for 48 points. The 21 the eagles gave up last week are looking better and better, especially in light of the 45 Rodgers posted last post-season and, of course, the 7th round rookies that started last week.

Being the head coach/offensive coordinator means never having to be accountable for your offense's shortcomings. This dates back years to when the Eagles defense carried this team (see 2001-2008, AJ Feeley, Jeff Garcia, etc.), to the present, where McNabb took the blame for only scoring 14 vs. Dallas in the wildcard game last year and McDermott apparently took the fall for Vick/Jackson/Maclin/McCoy only scoring 16 last week.

Easy Winters

What is it about the state of Pennsylvania that forges such heroes?

Eagles Free Agents

Some very interesting names on the list of Eagles free agents next year, including it seems the entire kicking squad and linebacking corps.

 

Numerous reports suggest that David Akers doesn't expect to be back next year, but who would the Eagles replace him with? Mikell, too, also acted as if his last game with the Eagles was yesterday.

 

 

David Akers, K

Ellis Hobbs, CB

Bobby McCray, DE

Quintin Mikell, S

Michael Vick, QB

Reggie Wells, OL

Stewart Bradley

Nick Cole, G/C

Omar Gaither, LB

Antoine Harris, S

Jerome Harrison, RB

Max Jean-Gilles, G

Akeem Jordan, LB

Dimitri Patterson, CB

Sav Rocca, P

Ernie Sims, LB

The Heart of the Matter

The NY Times cuts right to the chase in its opening lede about the Eagles' playoff loss to the Packers yesterday:

Despite the exhilarating play of Michael Vick in a redemptive season, the Eagles were left Sunday with a 21-16 playoff defeat to Green Bay and one extremely inconvenient fact: even though quarterback Donovan McNabb was traded to Washington, his designated replacement Kevin Kolb was benched after a concussion and Vick was put into the lineup with often stunning results, Philadelphia won one fewer game this season than last.

Buckeye Bulls*%t

I can't believe this discipline issue with the Ohio State players hasn't gotten more press. Terrelle Pryor and other starters are going to be suspended for 5 games next season, but are allowed to play in the Sugar Bowl tonight!? 5 games is a serious suspension.

And on top of that, Tressel said he required all the players to "commit" to coming back next year so they couldn't evade punishment after playing in the bowl. What kind of crap is that?

Vick Pulls an "Eli"?

i was watching a tivo'd broadcast of the Eagles-Giants game on the nfl network game replay last night. Like the infamous Colorado-Michigan Michael Westbrook game, you know what happens but you really can't believe it given the circumstances, the score and the clock.

Anyway, one thing that really jumped out at me was the final play before the two minute warning. It's where Vick scrambles for 33 yards up the middle. As he dives forward, the ball kind of comes loose and eventually squirts out next to his hip a la Eli Manning. About the same time, a Giant defender dives onto his back and ultimately winds up with the ball.

I rewound it and slo-mo'd it several times and i still can't tell if the Giant defender touched him before the ball came loose. I really can't believe the announcers didn't make more of a deal of it, nor the Giants. After the play, the network cut to commercial for the two minute warning. Was Coughlin not allowed to challenge it because it was under 2 minutes (the play ended with 1:58 on the clock)? Or is he allowed to challenge anything that occurs prior to the 2 minute warning?

It's kind of interesting. I would think it would have been worth a challenge, especially given the game situation and the fact that the Giants were about to lose the opportunity to challenge any calls as they were all going to be booth reviewed for the rest of the game.

if you get a chance, take a look at the play.

NFL.com sucks

Last week my brother pointed out the lameness of the NFL.com playoff scenario calculator. Particularly as compared to the espn site that allowed you to search all of the playoff permutations.

Now my friend PK has surfed the site today and finds this:

Something's gone wrong with this web site. Here's the lead description, today, of tomorrow's Eags-Cowboys game:

The storyline 
The Eagles are trying to lock down the No. 2 seed in the NFC. Jason Garrett is trying to lock down the Cowboys' head coaching job beyond an interim role.

What the hell is that? Something they posted 7 days ago and haven't updated.