Sam Now?

With the new word that Trent Cole has suffered a broken hand and is doubtful at best for the Skins game on Saturday, it would seem to make even more sense for the Eagles to at the very least take a look at last year's SEC co-defensive player of the year, Michael Sam, as a backup DE/LB to help bolster the Eagles increasingly depleted front seven.

Sam I Am

Speaking of Matthews, I thought it was telling that even when he went out Marcus Smith our 1st rounder still didn't get into the game. 

Whether Matthews can play the rest of the season or not why haven't/why shouldn't the Eagles taken a look at Michael Sam for LB? He played DE in college but i thought the understanding was he would probably have to play LB in a 3-4 in the pros. 

Matthews is 6',1" 245 lbs. Sam is 6',2" and 260 lbs. Maybe Sam was pegged as an OLB but couldn't he help as ILB with the Eagles given his size? Again, at the very least wouldn't you want to take a look especially since your #1 pick looks like a bust. 

Coincidentally, Smith is very similar to Sam: listed as a college DE and 6',3" 251 lbs.

Breaking Right Till Wrong

Things were breaking the Eagles way most of the afternoon - Packers loss and the Seahawks losing to the Niners at the half. Then it all came undone. Seattle winning and the opening kickoff and then blowing the lead late.

They basically would have won the division with a win and now are likely to miss the playoffs. And to add insult to injury, they could easily be 11-5 at the end of the season and miss out.

Ugh.

Matthews Bell Ringer

Since the new emphasis on concussions, I don't think I've ever seen a case like Casey Matthews where the player gets taken into the locker room to be evaluated and actually comes back out and plays! That was shocking.

Fare thee Well

Adieu to the best shortstop in Phillies' history. Jimmy Rollins was a leader and a winner and the straw that stirred the drink of a team that won two pennants and a World Series title. From the moment he uttered the now famous observation "we're the team to beat," the Phillies actually were the team to beat for five glorious seasons.

Finding their religion

Playoff committee excludes both christian schools - TCU and Baylor - from football playoff. Bias? College football worships money over all else.

Why the Wait?

The Washington Post h has a funny piece about the scene at FedEx Field yesterday as the skins went  on to defeat.

What really got my attention was both his report and several of the pictures about the crush of fans trying to clear "security" and get into the game. The Post reporter didn't get in till 1:20 pm.

This seems to be a recurring theme in Philly and Dc (other cities?) about the choke points that needlessly delay fans from entering a stadium.

Good Deal

Les Bowen and the Daily News offer great insight and clarification about the lack of a fine and even whether Baker should have been penalized for his hit on Nick Foles.

http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/sports/eagles/Chip-will-ask-NFL-to-clarify-why-Baker-hit-was-legal.html

It seems as if the arrogant Troy Vincent, who said that people who "know" the rule, understood his ruling (or lack thereof), doesn't actually know the rule and, for some inexplicable reason, chose a microscopic interpretation.

All of this highlights the fact that the NFL rulebook is not publicly available and begs the question why it isn't.

Huh? Baker hit "legal"

The Post reporters need to do a better job of clarifying the issue. Baker is not being fined for his hit on Nick Foles after the INT (subsequently overturned on a challenge), but as I read the Post article it appears as if Baker shouldn't have even been penalized.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/football-insider/wp/2014/09/23/baker-wont-be-suspended-nfl-rules-his-hit-on-foles-was-legal/

It's a whole other issue of how stupid the rule loophole is about hitting QBs after INTs. The genesis of the rule/penalty was the Hugh Douglas playoff hit that knocked Jim Miller out of the game in the divisional game vs. the Bears. But that was a hit on his shoulder not his head or neck. I can't believe the NFL still allows defenders to cream QBs after INTs so long as they don't hit them in the head or neck.

You could make the case that the penalty should have been unnecessary roughness since the ball carrier was in the process of being tackled and Foles was away from the play.

Crazy, stupid.