another tough loss

Though Mike McMahon acquitted himself well. so too did rookie reggie brown.

Terrible pass interference call on Michael Lewis. It doesn't seem fair that the offense should benefit in a case like that where the ball is underthrown and the WR fights through the dback to get the ball cause the d has position, but somehow it is interference.

the mcmahon scramble was McNabb-esque.

with all the games that broke the right way yesterday that Cowboys game is just more and more of a killer. not to get too polyannish, but the Eagles would still be in the hunt at 5-5 if they had won last week.

which raises an interesting question. did Reid stick with a near-disabled Donovan too long? what would the offense have been like and the record be if #4 had been in there a couple of games earlier. Not a QB controversy in the slightest, just asking at what point a healthy backup is better than a hobbled star.

this team has problems at LB, d-line, o-line that need to be addressed in the offseason.

My former roommate Giant fans were none too impressed with their team's win. So unimpressive was the game that they declined to gloat.

Another week, another reminder of how close NFL games are. A blocked punt, a 4th and goal 1 yard pass, and a crappy 3rd and long hitch and go on a blitz were the difference makers.

Taking a Little Out of You

The great Inquirer columnist Bill Lyon is retiring after Sunday's column. In tribute, the paper is posting some of his old, classic columns online.

In reading the one the day after the Sixers 1983 championship, I came across a very interesting quote from Pat Riley about losing in the finals. Something the Eagles and Eagles fans should contemplate as far as the team's psyche and off-season moves.

But what Malone brought to the Sixers was a new attitude, best explained by Pat Riley, who watched his defending champions brutalized in four straight.

"When you keep losing in the finals," Riley said of the Sixers, "it takes a tremendous toll. You lose a little bit of your basketball life. They had a lot of guys who had tasted nothing but the pain, and that's bad.

"Getting Moses was the best move they could have made. It rejuvenated them. You could look at them and see they were more committed."

Uh-oh

Maybe the Eagles better reevaluate their options with TO after the 4-game suspension.

With McNabb likely out for the season, is it possible that there might be a groundswell of support in the locker room to bring #81 back to help the offense? That's the inkling I get from this article in today's paper by Bob Brookover, Time for Decisions and Revisions.

This would be an absolute disaster from a team chemistry perspective. this team in the long run will rise or fall with McNabb. Not TO. so why even take the chance or let this fester.

Cut TO. NOW.

Turn Out the Lights

Not to state the obvious, but the season is over.

Hard to believe that over the course of a 16 game season, or 60 minutes of a game, that three plays can define and impact an entire season the way the Terry Glenn TD, Roy Williams' INT TD, and Reggie Brown's drop at the end of the Dallas game did.

A spectacular crash

Has an athlete, not just a Philly player, been so high and crashed so spectacularly as Owens in the 18 months he's been here?

He was the long-awaited stud WR that turbo-charged last year's offense.

He was the faith healing ankle mender who made it back onto the field in six weeks and played against doctors orders.

He was a freakin' warrior in the Super Bowl, definitely coming to play, even if it was on one good leg/ankle.

If the Eagles had won the Super Bowl, Owens would have owned Philadelphia for longer than Dick Vermeil.

Alas, they didn't, and he won't.

soon after came the contract complaints and the incredible reserve of regional goodwill evaporated very, very quickly.

He's been digging himself a bigger hole every month, or every time he opened his mouth.

The wonder is why he didn't shut up and just play. If he had been a loyal teammate and produced even half of what he is capable of he would have put the Eagles into a corner by facing the public wrath of waiving him or paying him the $5 million signing bonus due in March. Owens, but more inexplicably the savvy and shrewd Drew Rosenhaus, should have realized that once the $5 million was paid the Eagles were committed to him for the long term lest they take the salary cap hit. and that would have meant some balloon-payment type base salaries in the out years. Shut up and play and he would have gotten his money. But they decided that was too long term and wanted an immediate renegotiation. Bad move. And it's now going to have longer term financial consequences for TO. He's now a bad teammate on two different teams. Who's going to risk a big investment in him now?

Such a shame, such a pity.

TOo Late

If only only Owens' contrite and somewhat sincere sounding apology had been issued Friday or Saturday, instead of Tuesday.

Too little, too late.

What a shame. TO is an awesome, AWESOME, wide receiver. But, alas, he is a world class jerk as a teammate. I actually feel bad for TO. Of course, I feel worse for the Eagles who have lost a gamebreaking playmaker whom they desperately could use as they try to stagger into the playoffs.

So many questions, and still so much speculation.

Where the hell has Rosenhaus been? It took him till today to get up to Philly and try to put out the conflagration that was TO's flameout with the Eagles? Where was he three days ago when this might have been salvageable. And by salvageable, i mean salvageable from TO's perspective. Had he apologized on Friday like he did today he would likely still be on the team. Maybe the team wouldn't have been happy, but he would be getting paid.

I guess the turmoil TO caused in the locker room was much, much greater than anyone realized. Not even the obvious stuff, like the Hugh Douglas altercation, but the slow, steady, and subtle undermining of the franchise QB and team leader, #5, and the divisiveness and egg shells players must have been walking on to avoid provoking the petulant Owens.

What the hell was Stephen Smith thinking when he wrote the ridiculous and nonsensical column on Sunday, "This Time, Owens' Isn't the Bad Guy," in which he absolved Owens, McNabb and everybody else but the Eagles management (aka whitey) for the latest Owens debacle.

How in the world did Team TO decide that giving anymore interviews on ESPN was going to be in any way helpful to TO's cause? Again, where was Rosenhaus? Did TO reject or ignore advice in this matter?

TO cost himself a lot of money. not just the fine and perhaps the recouping of the signing bonus, but what team in their right mind is going to commit big bucks to a ticking time bomb. He's going to be paid year to year. No big signing bonuses that can be amortized over several years. It means that in addition to a team willing to take the risk on him, it must also be a team that has enough cap room to sign him to a $5 million 2006 salary.

TO is not going to the Falcons. After torching Jeff Garcia and Donovan McNabb, what team in their right mind would allow him anywhere near a) a young, developing QB or b) a franchise QB in which you've invested your future? Mike Vick is both of those things. Plus, remember, the head coach is Jim Mora, Jr - San Fran's D coordinator when TO ripped that team apart.

What did Andy Reid see in the Redskins game that made him feel comfortable enough to sever ties with TO in mid-season. As Peter King reported on his site Monday,

"At 12:11 a.m. on Monday, Reid ducked out of his office and into the Eagles' somber locker room after their 17-10 loss to the Redskins. He went over to McNabb and said, "Come on and see me.'' He led McNabb, who played quite well on Sunday night (except for the blown spike play at the end of the first half and the interception on fourth down in the final minute of the game) to his office and closed the door. They stayed in the inner-sanctum for four minutes and McNabb came out smiling."

What did Reid see that gave him the impetus to jettison Owens? Reggie Brown's play? G. Lew? Just a more smoothly functioning offense? What

So many questions.

More Bronco Kicks

A friend writes:

I would have to say Manning would have to be up there and may break through this year with a Super Bowl win if their D is legit. Colts schedule has been soft so far.

Major concerns

1) McNabb can't move. If and when they pass they must max protect b/c everybody is sending the house on him. Let's isolate Owens and Lewis if they go man up on both of them. I'm confident in those 2 with some space to run.

2) Have to run the ball more. I fault Reid bigtime on the playcalling this year. Their first halves in time of possession and getting first downs in KC, Dallas and Denver have been a joke!! That tires the D which has been taken a beating here too. I understand you have to throw when you get behind but the first half is not a time to panic.

It's a November-December season in the NFC East at this point. Let's see if anything changes. If not, no playoffs.

Debacle in Denver

What a disaster yesterday.

This thing goes far, far beyond McNabb. Reid has a lot to answer for this year. His coaching and decision making have been disastrous.

What happened to the unstoppable offense from last year? Its not just McNabb isn’t mobile. Running plays have been nonexistent. The team has come out disorganized and discombobulated. How can you allow teams to score 20+ points on you in the first 1 and half quarters – twice! How can you be leading the Chargers by ten points through 3 quarters and wind up throwing the ball 50 times including 25 straight?!

McNabb has never been great in picking up blitzes and getting to his hot read. And now that he’s not mobile enough to scramble its become doubly bad. But really, how hard is it to throw it up and let TO or G. Lewis run after it? If he can’t throw across his body or downfield then he needs to sit, get the surgery, let Detmer and/or McMahon play – and get ready for the playoffs.

The saving grace – the only saving grace is that, realistically, the Eagles record is right about where everyone expected it to be. (maybe not how they got to that record, but the end result is in line). Rich Hoffman’s 11-5 prediction included losses at Atlanta, at Dallas, and at Denver. Some even had the Eagles down for a loss at KC. Hoffman also had them losing at NY and at Arizona.

Thankfully, the NFC as a whole isn’t a strong conference this year, but the East is becoming much harder than projected. The Giants defense is still suspect, but Manning looks like the real deal. I still don’t know what to make of the ass kicking Bledsoe…Bledsoe! gave us down in Dallas.

Huge game vs. the Skins this Sunday night.

Reid's Judgement

What a brutal game to watch. The only thing that kept it interesting was the knowledge that the Eagles were able to come back from a similarly deep deficit last week. It was not to be.

Hopefully, this was like the Pittsburgh game last year. A game on the road that was an anomaly in being vastly outplayed on both sides of the ball. Still, there are several questions that must be asked of Andy Reid:

Why not challenge the Cowboys' second TD, the one that went to Terry Glenn beating Lito Sheppard? Replays looked like Glenn's right foot landed out of bounds before his shoulder landed in the end zone. A huge play, that might have been overturned. It was the first half, so why not burn a time out in the hopes of keeping the Cowboys from a TD?

This is protecting Donovan McNabb?!@!??!??! Sending an obviously hobbled #5 back out on to the field with 5 minutes to go down by 23 points? Are you kidding me?! THe decision is even more nonsensical when you consider that McNabb finally was pulled with 2 minutes to go.

Speaking of which, why were Westbrook and/or TO in the game at the end either? It's garbage time. Maybe I can understand TO to pad his numbers and to keep him happy, but Westbrook? C'mon! Which reminds me - why did LJ Smith get put back in with less than 5 minutes to go!?!?! Guy has an ankle injury and is supposedly the #3 option in the offense. Why put him at risk when there is so little reward in a game that is totally out of reach.

More broadly, what is it about Reid and playing guys who are injured and exacerbating their injuries. First was the totally incomprehensible Akers debacle. And how about McNabb on a broken ankle and now McNabb with the sports hernia today.

The Eagles ultimate goal is the Super Bowl. Reid better think long and hard about having McNabb get the surgery this week so he's fully recovered for the stretch and playoff drive. What's the point of getting to the playoffs if you don't have a healthy McNabb? There is no breakout team in the NFC so even Detmer should be able to hold the fort and win some games till McNabb gets back.

Abreu's B

A friend writes:

I’m not upset that Abreu gets a “B”.

I think that’s all he’s worth, all he’s ever worth. He’s just not an “A” player, and I just grew so sick and tired of hearing the likes of Jon Miller/Joe Morgan/Harold Reynolds crowd calling Abreu the most under-rated, under-appreciated player in baseball. There’s a reason he’s under-appreciated, and it’s because he never put together the “A” sesason that all that talent suggests he should put together.

Yet lots of people now continue to OVER-RATE Abreu, which I think is something we should really try to take advantage of in the offseason. Let’s face it, who’s going to get more in return? Abreu, who people think is good and is around 30; or Thome, with his even bigger contract and recent injury problems and about five more years in age?

Making the Grade

re-signing Wagner is the immediate No. 1 offseason priority. Remember, he’s the guy who in some ways became a clubhouse leader, called out the team at some point in June or July, said something like, “If anyone thinks we’re a playoff team at this point, they’re fooling themselves.”
How many closers are clubhouse leaders? How many have the standing and are willing to use that standing to call out other guys on the team?

Surprisingly, Lieber turned out to be an all-right guy, 17-13 with a Milton-esque 4.20 era. Lidle is very OK, and Myers started to emerge. Christ, if you could throw a real No. 1 in that crew — any chance Schill wants to finish his career pitching for us? -- that would be a solid pitching staff.

But yes, the nucleus with Utley and Howard and Rollins (if the late-season transformation is real) is really solid. Bobby Abreu has 3 career post-season at bats, I just looked it up. They came in ‘97 for the Astros.

Yes, I think he’s a loser, and I think his attitude is just not a positive one.
Burrell, I’m not completely sold on, one way or the other. Plus, we absolutely have to have right-handed power, so we can’t get rid of him. And Lieberthal, well, he just sucks.

More on the Phillies Grade

I’m sure he (M. Hayes) is someone that said the 86 we got last year was a complete disaster and that we underperformed all year. My point – if 86 was a huge disappointment and underperformace it tells me we were a 95 win team last year. Without Milton and maybe 1 other player we were supposed to be 14 games were this year. No, No, No.

This team performed as it should with the possible exception of doing better because of the Thome injury. But, without the injury we probably have the same # of wins.

We have a nice nucleus of guys who know how to play (Utley, Howard, Michaels, Rollins – somewhat). The Phils need to go out and get more winners. I’m really coming around to that concept. Abreu, Burrell and Lieberthal are losers. Like A-Rod is a loser. Some guys just win. Lofton is a great example of that.

We really need to re-sign Wagner.

Do we have any minor league position players coming up (3rd base especially?)

It should be an interesting offseason, let’s hope we don’t have to focus on it until mid-february.

Philllies final grade

Philllies 2005 grades by position by the Inqy. REport by M. Hayes.

someone explain these two sentences to me:

“But consider this: He [Manuel] took a team that figured to barely contend for .500 to the brink of the playoffs and the most wins since 1993 - two more than Larry Bowa's 86-win seasons. Yes, a looser clubhouse mattered to the likes of Pat Burrell, Brett Myers, Ryan Howard, Jon Lieber and Aaron Fultz.”

Wow, Burrell hits for 33 more RBI than in ‘04, Utley turns in the greatest offensive season in the history of Phillies 2nd basemen (Samuel had one season that rivals it, with 28 hr and 100 rbi), the CF/No. 2 slot in the lineup becomes the most reliably consistent position in the line-up card, Ryan Howard turns in a vintage, Thome-esque half season of 22 HR and 63 rbi in 88 games, a couple of our starters completely outperform their expectations, Billy Wagner turns in the greatest closer performance in team history (38/41 in save opportunities, granted, 2 of those really, REALLY HURT).

And what do we have to show for it?

Two more wins. And how does Marcus Hayes justify saying that this was a team that “figured to barely contend for .500”? This was a team built to dominate the division, at least contend for the division title all season long.

Flags Flying

3 flags before the first offensive snap in yesterday's Raiders game!?!?! Are you kidding. And that doesn't even count the defensive offsides on the very first offensive play. Unbelievable.

I must say, there were more Raider fans at yesterday's game than any other opponent I've seen in the four plus years I've been going to home games. Of course, they were loud and boisterous during the game, but disappeared with about 9 seconds to go.

Weis as in Rockne

If nothing else, Charlie Weis is restoring the mystique and aura of Notre Dame football. Warning: tear jerker story attached.

Eagles Winner of Skins-Cowboys Game?

Is it just me, or is the celebration in this city about the Skins win way overblown? I think the team that has to be most encouraged by last night’s game is the Eagles.

Sure, they’re 2-0, but I saw a team that was incapable of mounting a sustained offensive drive; that has only scored 2 TDs in 8 quarters; whose 2 TDs came on bombs. Brunell is done. The win actually buys him several more starts. Thank gosh. Did Arrington even play? I didn’t see him near a play all night.

For the Cowboys, Bledsoe is similarly done. Questionable play calling; strange clock management.

The only thing both teams have going for them are some ferocious hitters in the defensive secondary.

Seriously, am I missing something?

Bird Fans Unfazed by Falcons Defeat

A friend was non-plussed by last night's performance.

He writes:

0-1. Yawn. Whatever.

I'm comfortable with the fact that.....

1) The Turner Gill offensive scheme will not work in the NFL in December and January never mind the entire season.

2) Gill, I mean Vick will get killed if he runs as much and will simply wear down over the 16 game NFL schedule. And their schedule is tough.

3) Dunn of the rushing trio DVD (original name by the way) is still 5'2" and 130 and can't have 2 successive healthy seasons back to back at age 30 and his running load

4) Trotter will play like Jefferson from Fast Times at Ridgemont High if we see these guys again in the playoffs. "First he's gonna s--t. Then he's gonna kill us."

5) Their WR's blow and Vick will not be an accurate QB without a T.O.

5) Will Jim Johnson have a difficult time stopping this intricate offense if they see them again??? Seriously was Vick drawing plays up in the turf.

Does this offense remind anyone of the Birds in the late 80's, early 90's minus a decent receiver and Pro Bowler Arkansas Fred? We had the Ultimate Weapon too! We know where that got us.

Half Full, or Half Empty

McNabb was scattershot with his passes, locked in on TO all night, gave up three turnovers and worse, was injured with a nagging? chest hit. The defense gave up 200 yards rushing, allowed Vick to roam free but only gave up 14 points. Our all-pro kicker missed two FGs. and the running game was practically non-existent.

Still, the Eagles only lost to the second best team in the conference, on the road, by 4 points. Is that an encouraging or discouraging sign? The game was there for the Eagles taking. Akers makes the 2 FGs and they win. But they won't go far unless McNabb can banish the return of the overthrows and the doinks into the ground we were accustomed to pre-TO.

McNabb's health is the primary concern, but just behind taht is the running game, or lack thereof. Most of the Eagles yardage came on a nifty inside handoff to Westbrook. Other than that, the Eagles couldn't gain three yards on the ground when they really, truly need it.

I understand Reid's offense is pass first, run second, but this is getting ridiculous. I fear the Eagles o-line will become "Colt-ized" where they get so used to pass blocking that they lack the attitude, will and physical force to push the d-line off the line of scrimmage. And I can't believe I even had to write that last sentence with Jon Runyan and Shawn Andrews on the right side of the line. Indeed, that fact is probably indicative of the overall problem and attitude adjustment (to say nothing of the play calling) that needs to be made.

Finally, let me point out, again, that Jim Johnson's defense performed to expectations and necessity. They kept the Falcons at 14 points. It's all on Reid as to why his offense can't score more than that with the weapons they have.

A win vs. Falcons is bigger than just one W

Jeez, when you go through the schedule like Hofman and some of my friends and I have, it dawned on me that this MNF game could have pretty huge implications for the Eagles season. if they win, they get a tie break on a conf. rival. perhaps more importantly, according to the record projections, it gives the Eags a margin for error to lose a game later on (rather than to the Falcs) that others might have as a win (San Diego? KC? GB? Denver?)

a win should also set them up as 2-0 (vs. SF) going into Raiders game. win that and you are 3-0 headed into Arrowhead.

I might switch out the losses Hofman had put them down for (Atlanta, Cowboys, Giants, Denver, Arizona) and shift one from the Gints to the Skins. Probably split with Cowboys, but I think Bledsoe is a guy the eagles can handle twice.

we also play the Rams in St. Louis. that looks like a tough game. and of course, we've always had our problems with the Cards in the Valley of the Sun.

I also don't like all the monday night games cause it shortens the following week against the Giants twice (that's right, we play the Giants after two of our MNF games.) and we have to fly out to Ariz. early for a Saturday game. Including the SF game following Atl, a quarter of our games are being played on short weeks. Not good.

I also wish one of our two games on the road vs. KC and Den. were at home. oh well.

It'll probably come down to injuries and which teams suffer them and which have depth to replace starters. Thankfully, knock on wood, the Eagles have been very good on that score. i don't think Hoffman or anybody else for that matter should write the skins off, especially since they usually play us tough (the spurrier years notwithstanding - even Norv's dead teams played us tough)

Best case 4-1 at the bye?

Eagles 2005 record, another prediction

This time my friend Paul offered his two cents on the Eagles chances in 2005.

Dudes, seriously, take a big step back and out of our negative, gun-shy Phillly fishbowl.

this is a 14-2 team, period.

they're not losing to anyone in the division, we're going 6-0 in the division. Worst-case scenario, we slip up and lose one game to a division rival late in the year (kind of the way we almost lost to the Cowboys and the Skins last year).

So we go 5-1 in the division. After that, we are a prohibitive favorite in every single game, and probably even money in KC.

Remember, KC is great offensively, and Priest Holmes scares the crap out of me, sorf of the way Ahman Green did two years ago. (And Vermiel's no dope like that idiot in G.B, he'll just keep giving it to Priest if he's running wild.) But their defense completely blows, and Donovan might throw for five TDs against them.

BUT, let's face it, we've gone 12-4, 12-4 and 13-3 the past three years, and you know what? We've have HORRIFICALLY BAD injuries in those years. Donovan missing the final six or seven games one season, TO missing three games and two playoff games, W'brook ending his season in a meaningless game at FedEx Field.

again, don't get caught up in the fact that we were 13-3 and the Falcons were 11-5 and what other teams RECORDS were.

We were two touchdowns or more better than every single team in the NFC last season. Go look at last year's box scores.

there are only two things preventing us from 14 wins this year: andy pulling the plug late in the year like he did last season, or a slew of injuries to Donovan, TO and every D-lineman.

More Eagles' Season Predictions

My brother chimed in in response to the Hofman crystal ball article.

I’m not sure they aren’t better on paper. T.O. is the x-factor, but on “paper” he should be counted as good as last year. Lewis/Sheppard/Brown should be better. Andrews makes them better, Patterson and Brown vs. Simon and Fredex?? Downgrade w/out Simon. Trotter starting all year. More maturity w/ LJ, Westbrook.

We may not be better, but I would say we are NOT worse.

The schedule is tougher this year (AFC West vs. NFC Central).

5 road losses is a lot for a team that has the best road record over the past few years (assuming the Giants and Cowboys losses are on the road). I see AT KC being difficult as well as the Broncos. The Cards would be devastating assuming he’s right and we are 10-4 going to Arizona for Xmas. 12-4 probably gets HF. BTW – the falcons got the bye last year at 11-5. Who is going 11-5 this year. Tice alone is worth 3 defeats. The Falcons are probably an 11-5 team which makes the tiebreaker important (next week is pretty huge). Seattle, St. Louis, Cards, Packers are all about 9-7 at best, possibly 10-6. That leaves the dreaded Panthers. Great coach, great defense, ball control offense.

Panthers concern me, but only one of the falcons or panthers can win division.

I always think the Vikes scare me (big D upgrades w/ Sharper and Smoot among others), but they were frickin’ 8-8 last year and Culpeper had a Manning like season. They will lose some games they shouldn’t. It happens to poorly coached teams each year (see Redskins losing to Cards every year at least once around ‘99/’00 – when they has atrocious special teams and would lose to the Cards and then beat the greatest show on turf). The Vikings will do no better than 11-5.

Every team that might be good in NFC is from a dome (sans Panthers) also. Don’t discount that come ’06.

5 straight this year!!!

Hofman says 11-5

Rich Hofman (see attached link) has the Eagles at 11-5 worst case scenario. Good enough for the playoffs, but not for homefield advantage. The only thing i disagree with in his analysis of the division is the Redskins, although his take that the Eagles aren't better than last year is debatable. With that defense, the Skins O has to only be marginally better and they could get to 10 wins. seriously, if Gibbs can't cant the offense on track then he will be gone after this season. That would also likely add a loss to Hoffman's projected Eagles record which gets them to 10-6. as my brother has long noted, the key is really not home field advantage throughout, but the first round bye. At some point, maybe it would be a good thing not to have the champ game at home if only to lessen the pressure on the team.

Hofman's predicted losses are as follows: "Give the Eagles a loss each to the Cowboys and Giants. Give them losses at Atlanta, Denver and Arizona on Christmas Eve. That would be 11-5, and it would give the Eagles a likely two-game cushion in the division. But it wouldn't give them homefield throughout the playoffs."

http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/sports/columnists/rich_hofmann/12578034.htm

One PO'd RB

Boy, the Eagles have one seriously disgruntled all-pro RB in Brian Westbrook. Aside from his bitterness and inferiority complex (3rd round pick, 5'8", small school Villanova grad) which have conspired to prevent him from cashing in on his NFL production so far, and which I can understand, the thing that I don't get is why contract talks were suspended and how a deal can't be done.

First let me say that the Eagles sometimes get grief for playing "hardball" in salary negotiations. But going all the way back to the first Trotter talks, the Eagles usually offer fair deals. Certainly not extravagant and over the top, but not low ball offers either. It's when the player doesn't come to terms that the hard hearted Eagles basically cut a player loose, which you really can't blame them for if the team and player can't come to a financial agreement. What is there left to say or do at that point?

It seems, if the source reports are true, the $12 million over 3 years deal ($9 mill signing bonus) that Domanick Davis got and which the Eagles are offering to Westbrook is a fair deal. I think Westbrook is slightly over inflating his worth by seeking LaMont Jordan money at $16 million/ 3 years.

On the other hand, aside from the frachise player in #5, Westbrook is the most valuable offensive player - TO included. The simple fact is that he's a game changer and that when he's played in the NFC championship, the Eagles have gone to the Super Bowl. When he has not been in the lineup for the most biggest most important game of the year the past couple of seasons, the Eagles have lost.

Sure, Westbrook isn't your prototypical feature back. But he is nearly perfect for the Andy Reid offense. If the Eagles can admit that, then maybe Westbrook can bring himself to appreciate how anomlous the Jordan deal is.

With the Eagles $15 million under the '05 cap, how can they not get a deal done with Westbrook right now? Go to $13 million over 3 years and give him $10 million up front as a roster bonus applicable to this year's cap. Hell, split the difference between Davis and Jordan and make it $14 million, 3 years, and a $10.5 million roster bonus.

Westbrook doesn't get $16 million, but he does get extra guaranteed cash which can be banked immediately and start earning interest rather than waiting on slightly more deferred money in 2006 or 07. Didn't Villanova's Commerce and Finance classes teach the young lad anything about opportunity costs? Plus, he's financially set for life. In addition, he starts working on fulfilling the new contract so he's that much closer to another payoff in 3-4 years if he is still producing at even a reduced level.

From the Eagles standpoint, they get a happy RB and fairly reward him for past and future performance. It still leaves them $5 million under this year's cap to extend other players (can you say Michael Lewis?), and gives them super insurance from a salary cap standpoint if Westbrook were to suffer a career ending injury. With the roster bonus, they won't take a hit on future salary caps if they have to release him in the out years. They can also start grooming Ryan Moats to take over in 2-3 years when Moats will be where Westbrook is now in terms of familiarity with the offense and league.

This compromise makes so much sense from everybody's vantage point I can't believe it doesn't get done.

Fitzpatrick's rant

What was with Frank Fitzpatrick's unprovoked rant in the Morning Byte's column earlier this week savaging the knowledge of the Philadelphia fans because the fans wrote off the Phillies in April and now the team is proving them wrong by playing meaningful games in September?

It was the worst kind of Philly journalism and beneath publication in the Inquirer. Worst of all, it just perpetuates the stereotype of the ignorant, knuckleheaded Philly fan that the national press loves to play up. That such a screed appeared in the Inqy was doubly hurtful.

Besides, Fitzpatrick didn't even have a valid point. First, his attack on the fans was published the same day as a front sports page story on Billy Wagner and how the closer supposedly lit a fire under the team by claiming they had no shot at the playoffs back in June. Did Fitzpatrick take exception to Wagner's erroneous statement, especially since as a member of the actual Phillies he would be presumed to be a knowledgeable baseball comentator?

Second, is this really what Philly sports journalists now define as success for the Phillies-- meaningful games in September competing for a wild card spot? Not making the playoffs, not winning the pennant, but competing in regular season games that have post-season implications?! Perhaps nothing says more about the sustained mediocrity of the Phillies organization since 1993 than Fitzpatrick's argument in that regard.

Finally, Fitzpatrick had the misfortune of running his piece just as the Phils were in the middle of dropping 2 of 3 from the staggering Nationals and then getting swept by the Astros to drop to 3rd place in the wild card standing.

Sure, Frank, the fans don't know, do they? But they do know as much, if not more than some Inquirer "journalists."

More Manuel Managing

From my friend Paul, some random thoughts on the sinking Phillies season, and a good question about the red/blue hats in the WS:


* the Phillies wear those red-and-blue caps during inter-league games. If by some random stroke of blind luck they were to go on an amazing run and win the NL pennant, would they wear those caps in the world series? Or would those not be considered "inter-league" games?

* Having the MLB package gives you great access to other teams' broadcast booths. Wow, the SF Giants have one of the worst combos in teh world. They have some guy who, whenever it's a likely fast-ball pitch, says to the audience, "He's sitting dead red on this one." I had never heard the phrase before, but other friends assure me it's acceptable -- but again, I stress that this guy says it roughly three times per half inning. This same guy referred to David Bell as "a guy who just keeps finding ways for your team to win games, he's a winnder." I believe Bell promptly grounded into a double play.

On the flip side, I caught some Mets games last week. Ross, you hear him more than I do, but the game I heard, wow, Keith Hernandez seemed great. I told other friends that he reminded of McCarver in his early, non-ego-driven days as a Phillies No. 2 or No. 3 color guy. Really sharp, insightful, and most importantly, retired long enough ago that he has no attachment to these players of today and is willing to call them out for being stupid.

Also, the Astros color guy was pretty decent last night. Not sure who he was, but he struck me as somone who migth have been a catcher because of his awareness of pitch selection.

Man-not so well Managing

A friend comments on Charlie Manuel's managing of two games from last weekend:


* I don't think Charlie Manuel is a good game manager, surely not for the NL anyway. I've now seen two games in little more than a week in which he let his pitcher come to the plate in a critical situation. One time, Lidle batted with the game tied in about the 6th or 7th with runners on base, I think. He hit a grounder that he furiously tried to beat out for a single -- and injured himself in the process of trying to get the single. Last night, down 4-0 in the 6th, he lets Brett Myers bat for himself and he's in the LEAD-OFF SLOT for that inning. Myers makes an out and is subsequently lifted after finishing the 7th.

Does he realize pitchers can be pinch-hit for before the 8th inning?

Also, in the 7th last night (Monday the 5th), down 4-1, with one out Tomas Perez, playing first for a resting Howard, comes up in the 8 hole and appears to be a sure shot to be pinch-hit for, probably by Howard. No, instead, Manuel has Howard pinch-hit for the pitcher in the 9-hole, coming to the plate with the bases loaded and the chance to put the Phils right back in the game.

However, it falls right into Phil Garner's wheelhouse, becasue he immediately counters by bringing in a lefty -- not just to face Howard, who is way below the Mendoza line against lefties, but also to Rollins, who when turned around and batting right-handed is hitting 30 points lower and lacks any power.

The lefty struck out Howard. Thankfully, J-Roll worked a walk to get one run in for the inning.
Leading to another complaint of mine: How can we still have Rollins hitting lead off? That walk that drove in the run, it was just his 36th walk of the season. Terrible lead-off hitter.

All this aside, the Phils still had a chance to tie it in the 9th, when Rollins, batting lefty against Lidge, pounded a two-out double down the right-field line against the wall.

In the most anti-Dale Sveum move I've ever seen, our 3rd base coach holds up our runner (THE GAME-TYING RUN) at 3rd. yeah, it would have been a close play, and we were hitting Lidge, but there were two outs and a good baserunner (a speedy minor leage call-up) was circling 3rd.

Oh, and our next batter up was Endy Chavez, who promptly struck out and ended the game with runners on 2nd and 3rd.

Even if our starting pitching holds up down the stretch, and even if David Bell decides to play like a Major Leaguer, I don't think we have the smarts in management to pull this off.

Huuuugghhhh! Boooooo!

Wow. Didn't see the Hugh Douglas cut coming. Jon Ritchie just didn't seem as surprising, which is strange given how many D-ends the Eagles had and how Josh Parry is the only other FB on the team.

It is doubly surprising given the leadership Douglas played in the locker room, a not insignificant consideration given the potential for TO to wreak havoc in there at any time. Still, I can't help but wonder if Douglas would still be on the team if Trotter hadn't ascended to the starting LB spot and returned to be the defensive leader. Certainly, no one the defense other than Douglas (or Dawkins) has that stature and status to command the respect of the defense and the team. Cole must have really outplayed Douglas for them to let him go. If the TO situation blows up during the season as expected, not having his gregarious and garrulous personality around to lighten the mood may be something Reid comes to regret.

WR help?

In advance of the final cut downs, three names caught my eye on the list of WR released this week. Troy Edwards, Darnerian McCants, and Peter Warrick. All have pro experience, and the Eagles should be familiar with McCants' abilities having played against him twice a year for four years now. Warrick isn't available yet, but is expected to be released shortly.

All of which is to say, there are some WR available to the Eagles right now, and probably a coupe of more recognizable names next week when teams cut down to 53 players. If they want to try to add some depth to the receiving corps. Now adding a power RB to the backfield, that is a whole different story.

Westbrook the Winner in Simon Slash?

By removing the franchise tag on Corey Simon, the Eagles have opened up $5.1 million worth of space on this season's cap. I would say its even money that this savings is applied to a contract extension for Brian Westbrook. With that kind of room, the Eagles can give him a signing bonus and, more importantly, load up this year's salary for cap purposes - a win/win for Westbrook and the Eagles. Westbrook gets up front money, the Eagles efficiently use their cap space, and the Eagles protect themselves down the road by reducing the future potential cap hit by loading up this year's contract rather than putting all the cash in the form of a signing bonus.

The other incentive for the Eagles is to send a locker room message. Westbrook wasn't happy, but he played ball. He signed the tender (he had no choice) and came to camp and played. He's been a model teammate. Just like the contract extension the Eagles gave Pinkston several years ago while dealing with the unhappy Duce Staley, I certainly expect a similar reward to B. Westbrook in the wake of the Simon parting.

Sayonnara Simon

Wow. The Eagles just don't mess around with disgruntled restricted free agent players, particularly disgruntled players. The whacking of Corey Simon is eerily similar to the cutting of Jeremiah Trotter several years ago. Even the timing of the action seems planned to put the player at max disadvantage. With Trotter it was after most of that year's free agents had been signed by teams and few had the cap space to make an offer. With Simon it comes as teams have made their second to last round of cuts and hard choices on rosters will be made on Monday as teams struggle to get down to the 53 man squad. Anyone interested in pro bowl caliber d tackle?

Vegas still likes the Eagles with the TO turmoil

Last week, I referenced an ESPN online poll about
what the general fan thought the Eagles should do about TO.
I dismissed it as rather meaningless, but giving the sense
of where public opinion and support lie.

There is another "opinion" poll that matters a little more,
if for no other reason than the opinion makers
are putting their money where their mouths are - The Vegas lines.

A friend suggested after TO was suspended that perhaps
a profitable wager opportunity may have presented itself
with the turmoil and uncertainty TO's camp suspension
had dealt to the predictions of the Eagles returning to
the Super Bowl. Indeed, three years ago the Eagles' odds
sank like a stone after McNabb broke his ankle
three years ago. But alas, I checked the online sites and
the Eagles' odds - amazingly - do not seem to have
budged.

These odds are from last Tuesday night, before TO successfully
(it appears) returned to camp Wednesday  morning. And by the way,
honestly, ESPN really is treating this entire situation like th OJ trial.

I mean ESPN is becoming just like Fox, CNN and MSNBC when
they get a story and just beat it to death with 24/7 coverage. Mike and Mike
ESPN radio morning show broke into their programming at 8:49 am to
get a live report from Sal Pal about the TO/Andy Reid meeting and the
fact that Reid walked onto the practice field at 8:46 and Owens
followed two minutes later. I kid you not.

Anyway, according to the "site" the Eagles and the Colts are the
favorites among ALL NFL teams to win the Supe. That's to win, not just
get there. They are both at 5 1/4 -1. The Pats are 5 1/2 to 1. The next
closest is the steelers at 13-1. (the skins are 40-1).

The Eagles, obviously then, are also the prohibitive favorites to win
the NFC Championship. They're a little more than 2-1 favorites. Next
closest are the Falcons and Panthers at 6-1, followed by the Vikings at
7-1 and then the rest of the teams are more than 10-1.

This year, something new, you can pick the division champs. Here the
Eagles are prohibitive, prohibitive favorites. They are 1-5 favorites.
That's right. Risk 5 to win 1. Cowboys are next favored at 5 1/2 to 1,
then the skinnies at 7-1 and the Gints at 8-1.

The People Have Spoken...the Bastards

The viewer poll run by ESPN last night could not have been comforting to TO or Drew Rosenhaus. More than 150,000 participated and 50% preferred TO and the Eagles part ways by selecting either one of the two poll options: traded or cut. 42% preferred status quo and only 8% thought the Eagles should renegotiate TO's contract. This poll, like all polls, doesn't mean a thing to the principals involved, but it does give a sense of where the public's sentiment is with regard to the TO vs. Eagles' management battle. Decisively on the Eagles' side.

Giving TO the Sports Guy Treatment

My brother and I were talking this weekend about the whole TO ordeal. We were trying to figure out the end game scenario-- how does this end? Trade? Being waived? Suspended?

I brought up the Sports Guy's (Page 2 of ESPN.com) suggestion on how to deal with the sulking Vince Carter when he was in operation shutdown in Toronto. TO craves the spotlight. How great would it be if the Eagles said after the next TO outburst - "you're too much of a distraction. We're going to put you on our practice squad. We'll pay you the money owed on your contract this year, but you're not welcome at team meetings, functions, etc." Wouldn't it kill him to not be the center of attention? After three weeks eveyrone would have moved on.

Eagles management just seems ballsy enough to do it. What could TO do? What could the players' union say? From the reports I've seen, a lot of the players are tired of his antics. And he is not helping his cause by ripping McNabb. #5 is the undisputed leader of the team. 4 TDs on a broken ankle. 3 championship games without TO and with the likes of pinkston, thrash and na brown.

We'll see how this goes when he returns on Wed. How many teams would trade for him at this point when he appears to be on the verge of a complete mental and emotional meltdown? Peerless Price for TO? Jerry Porter for TO? TO for Ricky Williams?

Players don't have to like each other to play well. And TO is basically going to have to perform since he's essentially in a contract year when the eags cut him after the season. But the Eagles hold the ultimate penalty card in dealing with TO.

Steelers' game initial thoughts

So the first 3 minutes of last night's game was TO's wet dream. But the rest of the quarter was OK. McNabb looked good. Reggie Brown looked really good. Heck, even Billy McMullen looked ok.

Ryan Moats looked like he might be even quicker than Westbrook. Still concerned about this offense's ability to smash mouth their way to 3 yards when they really, really need it, but I guess at this point that's what you are getting with Reid's offense. 3rd and short is a passing down.

Special teams was a disaster. That steelers return guy just ensured himself a spot on the team, right? As my brother said to me last night (and which the Inqy makes several references to today), who'd a thunk that Ike Reese would have been the biggest loss of the off season.

TO is on the brink, but if he were to pull a Hines Ward then maybe his season with the Eagles can be salvaged.

TO trouble

Here's a possibility in the whole disgruntled TO storyline that I haven't seen raised in any of the articles. Believe me, this possibility makes me queasy to think about, but realistically has to be considered.

Is the reason TO wants to be paid more in 2005 because his ankle is not as well healed as everyone has been led to believe? Under this scenario, TO knows he can make it to opening day, but perhaps by mid-season it will be clear to everyone that his injured ankle is totally hindering his play. He cashes his multi-million paycheck this year and retires at the end of the season (or the Eagles put him on IR and he retires). It would help explain why he is so hellbent on getting a big payout for this season.

Just a (sickening) thought.

To Jax or not to Jax

I have been agonizing over the decision of whether to travel to J'ville for teh Super Bowl this entire week. Understand that in no circumstances will I be going to the game. The price of tix are prohibitively high. But is it worth it to go down to the city just to be exposed to the atmosphere? Or would it be better (and cheaper) to watch the game from some venue in Philly?

What to do, what to do?

In defense of Pinkston

WR Todd Pinkston has been skwered over the past year + since he was abused by CB Ricky Manning in the 2003 Championship game. That led to a wholesale review of the entire Eagles WR corps and the subsequent acquisition of Terrell Owens. But here's the funny thing. Up to that game vs. Carolina (and McNabb's later plea for more "offensive weapons"), Andy Reid was quite content with Thrash, Pinkston, and Mitchell.

Here's the funny thing. The highly praised Pats' WR bunch is so highly praised for their "team" approach, yet their stats as an entity and individually are remarkably similar to the Eagles, sans Owens. Among Patten, Givens, Branch and Brown, only Brown has cracked 1,000 yards receiving in a season. All the rest haven't caught a sniff of that milestone. And all but Brown haven't come close to 100 receptions in a season either. Funny how Pinkston and Thrash and Mitchell were, well, thrashed for such pedantic receving numbers while the Pats group puts up similar numbers but are "celebrated" for their efficiency and lack of egos.

I'm not suggesting that the Eagles shouldn't have upgraded at WR last year. Clearly, Pinkston's performance, or lack of performance, and Thrash's nonexistence in that Carolina game (exacerbated by the absence of B. Westbrook) necessitated some sort of move. But it is interesting how perceptions are shaped. The contrast between two different receiving groups and their abilities' has never been clearer than in this contest. ESPN's John Clayton was moved to write about those "differences" in a recent story
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs04/columns/story?columnist=clayton_john&id=1982272

Interestingly enough, the ESPN stats page for players in teh super bowl lists Troy Brown's position as "cornerback." Which brings up a fascinating football philosophical question. Is it better to be known as the best receiver of a nondescript group of pass catchers, or the best WR cum nickle back in the NFL. Apparently, the answer is b.

More on TO

Here's the full article referenced in an earlier post about TO's "frustration" with his late season drop in production. You know an interview doesn't go well when Stephen A. Smith has to write an article in today's paper about how misunderstood TO is. Amazing the team has avoided a TO tempest all year and now they get one during the playoffs and while TO is hurt.

January 6, 2005, Philadelphia Inquirer

Stephen A. Smith | Owens says frustration clouded stellar season

By Stephen A. Smith
Inquirer Columnist

He had 14 touchdowns this season before a Cowboy came along and nearly squelched his championship aspirations. He was mentioned in the same MVP talk as Colts quarterback Peyton Manning before limping off Lincoln Financial Field while Eagles fans cringed, wondering whether their luck would ever change.

That's why Terrell Owens has the hyperbaric chamber just a few inches from the crutches that remind him of his debilitated state, while he reminisces about his stellar season and prays that the Eagles will remember those moments, too.

Still toned, chiseled and "ready to play in the Super Bowl," Owens sat in his house Monday night, television blaring, appearing as focused and determined as he is on the field.

He lifts towels with his toes now, part of his rehabilitation after ankle surgery that includes daily workouts in the NovaCare Complex pool.

Owens says that the Eagles' trainers are excited about his progress, that X-rays last week showed bone healing just eight days after surgery, and that he feels no pain when putting his foot on the floor.

Hope about returning during Super Bowl week has been replaced by confidence.

"It's looking better and better," Owens said, beaming.

Then he lowered his voice. His smile disappeared. He began reflecting.

"I reached a point where I didn't want to think about why this happened and just accepted it as God's way of telling me something," Owens said. "Maybe it was His way of making me appreciate the game more, because I've always said I really didn't like the game... that I just played it because God had given me the talent to play it.

"Maybe it's a situation where I was just frustrated; toward the end of the season, I was really frustrated as to how my production had gone down. And it wasn't due to a lot of double coverage.

"A lot of people may want to say it was double coverage, but if you break down the film and see where the balls are going and where I am, I tended to get frustrated."

Not getting the ball got to him, Owens said, "so maybe me being out right now is another way for [the Eagles] to see my value to this team."

He wasn't finished.

"I don't know what the reason was for my lack of production; I don't have a definitive answer for that," he continued. "And I definitely don't want to seem like the person who's never satisfied. But, dude, I know what I bring to the table. I know what I do when I get out on that field.

"You can't tell me I'm not open more than half the time when I'm out on that field. I don't care if it is double coverage.

"I think if a lot of people were to break down our game film and watch the actual game film instead of highlights from television, they'll see what I'm talking about."

Will they see Donovan McNabb looking in other directions? Will they see coach Andy Reid making the quarterback do so, to avoid a spandex moment?

Owens wouldn't say. In fact, he went out of his way to give both McNabb and Reid credit, intimating that his lack of production was "probably part of Coach Reid's game plan to prepare others for playoff competition."

But Owens' frustration was too obvious to ignore.

Despite adding a fifth consecutive 1,000-yard season to his resume while breaking the Eagles' season record for touchdowns by a receiver, he isn't satisfied.

"I could've done more and I could've said more, too," said Owens, who entered this season with 8,572 yards after eight years with the 49ers. "But this isn't San Francisco. We're winning here.

"And, believe it or not, we're a team in everything we do, in every sense of the word."

Yet that has little to do with the feeling of resignation he's experiencing.

Owens is resigned to missing the divisional playoffs, along with another potential NFC championship game for the Eagles. He believes that if the Eagles miss out on a trip to Jacksonville, Fla., everyone will blame his injury.

But he never was resigned to missing out on numerous touchdown opportunities, to other receivers' complaining about the number of balls that weren't thrown in their direction, and Reid, McNabb or somebody else's penchant for hearing the violins and failing to exploit the opportunities opponents handed the Eagles on many Sundays.

And now that the playoffs are beginning without him, Owens feels the need to remind everyone to "be careful what you ask for."

"A number of those guys have wanted an opportunity to get more playing time and more balls thrown in their direction," said Owens, who is concerned about some of those dropped passes. "It's no secret that [Freddie Mitchell] has wanted the ball more, that [Todd] Pinkston wants to be more involved in the offense, etc. So now these guys will get a chance to show what they can do - without me.

"Hopefully, it won't be a repeat situation of pre-T.O. But, God, I hope not," he said, aching at the thought of another missed opportunity.

Then he began his exercises, repeating "Super Bowl... Super Bowl" under his breath, relishing the thought of walking out on the field in Jacksonville on Feb. 6 and hoping that his teammates share his hunger.

Vacant?

How in the world is the second team All-Pro QB position "vacant." And why isn't this explained in news accounts that elaborate ad infinitum about Peyton Manning's unanimous selection to the first team? Was there a tie?Is there no 2nd place when the first teamer is unanimous? the Media is out to lunch on this, too bad too cause McNabb is a serious candidate for 2nd team.

Uh-oh, TO

TO's frustrated. What to make of this rather strange article/interview in yesterday's Inqy? TO's mad about his production dropping in 2nd half of season, but it seems unclear who he blames. It does seem somewhat strange (or silly depending on your viewpoint) that TO cracking 1,000 receiving yards and getting 14 TDs in 14 games would still be lamenting his stats and drop in "production."

Who'd a thought TO would be more of a problem/distraction while hurt than he would have been on the sidelines of an ugly Eagles' game? Or is this some sort of ingenious strategy to take the attention and pressure off the rest of the Eagles and place it on the one guy it won't affect? Or is this a petulant star's attempt to keep the spotlight on himself during the brightest part of the season?

http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/10575665.htm

Bye, Bye , Boo

Sheesh, with all this hand wringing over playing the second team and the second guessers who are maintaining how important it is to sustain momentum and routine -- you would begin to think how unlucky the Eagles are to have secured a first round bye. Too bad we're not the Seahawks or Rams who played playoff-relevant games in week 17 and now get to play in the first round. Please.

The importance of rest and the bye cannot be overstated. The Eagles will be fresh while their opponent will have been slogging through a grueling playoff push.

Alas, knowing the state of the region's mental state, I'm sure the anxiety will be palpable on Sunday the 16th. Let's not panic. And let's remember that McNabb usually starts games so hopped up he doinks his first couple of passes into the ground or sails them over the head of his receivers. This is not an indication of too long a layoff, but a typical McNabb start.

Reid really was damned if he does, damned if didn't, as far as resting his starters. But given the Eagles' injury history, how could he not err on the side of caution? Especially after TO went down? I mean, who else got nervous when Simoneau had to have his ankle x-rayed? Or when Michael Lewis was laying on the field vs. the Bengals? Or when Ike Reese grabbed his knee? Would you have liked to see #5 or #36 in that position? I don't think so.

The Eagles will be fine. Everyone take a deep breath and relax. And remember that Andy Reid is practically unbeatable after a bye and McNabb is a perennial slow starter (and has nothing to do with a lengthy layoff.)

Round 2

NFL playoff schedule is out. A bit of a change-up for those of us who presumed (and were led to believe the Eagles were a big ratings draw and would be playing on Saturday night (Jan. 15)). Eagles play 1pm on Sunday. Guess the Favre - Vick matchup was too good to pass up for Sat night prime time. GB will be playing a short week. They can't be happy about that.

2005 Schedule

Looks like at least four 4:00 pm home games next year at the Linc. What do you want to bet that Falcons game in Atlanta is a Monday Nighter.

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McNabb's Blue Christmas

Check out this link to see McNabb crooning about the loss of TO in the holiday spirit.

Tis the season!

http://www.bangcartoon.com/bluexmas.htm

TO - fun guy

Catch TO's appearance on MNF from Philly? (Was that really his home, with the wood paneled walls and roaring fire place?)

Just reminded me again that he seems like a really cool guy and someone fun to hang out with. Not at all the arrogant blowhard you might expect to see given his on the field celebrations, etc.

Why we will win the NFC Championship

Did you see this quote by McNabb in yesterday's paper?

Apparently, McNabb is fed up with hearing about TO's injury ruining the Eagles chances for a championship, and has to remind everyone that he is the franchise player...that he is the undisputed leader of the offense...that he is the man who singlehandledly took over the Cowboys game late in the 4th quarter to get them the winning TD...that he is the man who ran for 100 yards against the Packers and completed a 4th and 26 pass with the game on the line...that he is the man who threw for 4 TDs and 300 yards on a broken leg...that as long as #5 is healthy and on the field, anything is possible.

"It's unfortunate that people are pretty much turning their backs on us because we lost T.O.," McNabb said Wednesday. "I'm still the captain of this ship and this ship is going to move. I'll take this team as far as we need to go with the guys that we have."

Wow!

McNabb is one pissed off QB right now. A kind of "hey, let's not everyone forget that I"m gonna be the MVP runner up to Manning, and TO will be runner up to me." He might as well have just said, I"ve won with Wuss and Bust before and I'll do it again."

McNabb is going to put this team and this city on his back like Lenny Dykstra did in 1993.

You see.

Kearse defensive MVP?

Thought it was interesting that Kearse didn't play Monday, with Madden saying Jim Johnson called him the defensive player the team could least afford to lose. Kearse is a beast.

But my brother and I got into a debate over who the next mvp on the defense is? He said Brian Dawkins, while I offered Jeremiah Trotter. Jeff argued that it had to be Dawkins cause there was really no replacement for him. He said that the 2nd string is such a downgrade from Dawkins, and while Trotter would also be missed, there is less a downgrade in talent with Simoneau filling in for Trotter. Very valid points.

My thinking was that Trotter has so improved the run defense that to return to the old lineup would be particularly disappointing.

My brother won me over and, besides, I love Dawkins. Got his number 20 jersey. But we both agreed we would prefer not to lose either one in the long run.

Didn't get the memo on that game

It would have been a nice courtesy had Andy Reid informed the season ticket holders that he had no intention of trying to win the Rams game before we all put good money on the Eagles getting 4! Hell even some of us who thought he might liberally substitute figured the starters would play the first half. Even that was a no go and the halftime spread was a loser too cause Reid only played McNabb one series and then ran the ball the rest of the half to shorten the game. (At least it did appear that Reid was tyring to score in the 2nd half with Detmer and Blake, but the second teamers were incompetent).

My favorite play was the bumbled snap that left Artis Hicks standing motionless at the line as the d-end blew right past him to drill Blake. Apparently, no one clued in John Madden either, who was inanely going on about how in the "National Football League" you are always trying to win every game. Did he not see which players were on the field? Darilek? Labinjo? C'mon.

I don't blame Andy Reid. Injuries have pretty much cost the Eagles their shot at winning each of the past three NFC Championship games. Remember when Troy Vincent couldn't go vs. the Rams and their "greatest show on turf?" Or Buckhalter who was running well in the first half going out with an ankle sprain? And let's not forget the long-term devastation of Damon Moore blowing out his knee and being lost forever.

Then there was McNabb just back from his broken leg vs. the Bucs. And last year losing Westbrook and the team's defensive MVP in Emmons was bad enough, but when McNabb separated his ribs in the first half the carnage was complete.

The silver lining in TO's injury (and yes I'm desperately grasping at straws) is that if it had to happen at least the Eagles could afford to lose him. They still have McNabb and Westbrook and the rest of the conference is pitifully weak. We can still win. Losing either one of the other two would be the end.

Sheridan's shiv

Inqy columnist Phil Sheridan is on top of his game. Loved his "TO for TO" appreciation piece today. But it was his scathing and, unfortunately, dead on criticism of Pinkston that was perfectly captured the other day.

"Another time, McNabb had Greg Lewis streaking toward the end zone and waited too long to throw. Williams, in spite of the extra weight of Pinkston's dignity in his pocket, was able to catch up and knock away the seemingly sure touchdown pass."

Ouch, that might have hurt Pinkston as much as a Roy Williams hit. That is, if Pinky had any self-respect left.

Pro Bowl Vindication

The Pro Bowl announcement is a terrific vindication for Lito Sheppard and for Andy Reid, Tom Heckert and the rest of the Eagles' personnel department. Remember the carping from the so-called "experts" (ie, Mel "Helmet Head" Kiper and the rest of the punditocracy) who questioned the Eagles selection of 3 defensive backs in the first two rounds of the 2002 draft (Lito Sheppard, Michael Lewis, and Sheldon Brown) when they already had Pro Bowlers Bobby Taylor and Troy Vincent on the roster?

While most everyone else was focused on the near-term, Reid and the front office had their eye on the big picture and knew they needed to start grooming replacements while Taylor and Vincent were still in their prime and well before their contracts expired (Taylor hit an incentive clause that terminated his contract a year early).

And remember how going into this season one of the Eagles' biggest question marks was whether Sheppard and Brown could fill the huge shoes of Taylor and Vincent? Lewis had already become a starter replacing the aging Blaine Bishop and filled a leadership void last year when Taylor, Vincent and Dawkins all went down with injuries at some point.

Well, you don't hear many questions about those shoes being filled now. Sheppard in particular has dealt with a rep that until this year he hadn't justified his first round selection status. But shutting down Randy Moss will do wonders for your rep and confidence.

Congratulations to all. The Pro Bowl picks are sweet vindication indeed.

Miami - Pats and Vegas

Anyone associated with the NFL is supposed to keep their distance from any reference to gambling. That's why you get Al Michaels making oblique references to "some people still interested" in a meaningless touchdown in another Monday Night Football blowout. It's impacting the over/under or the spread.

So it is even more surprising when a player, particularly a player of the stature and caliber of Miami D-end Jason Taylor, talks about gambling. "Nobody gave us a chance," Taylor said. "I hope they lost a lot of money with their 10-point spread."

Nice. Glad to know Taylor knew exactly how many points the Pats were favored by and really had his head in the game. The only surprising thing is that Taylor didn't add, "I'm glad we screwed up a nation's 3 team tease."

Another medical malpractice by the training staff?

Eagles' trainer Rick Burkholder was very forthcoming in yesterday's medical debriefings on the extent of TO's injuries. Still, it is fair to ask how they could have missed the broken leg that was diagnosed Monday afternoon. After the debacle that was McNabb's untreated broken leg dduring the Arizona game two years, you would think the Eagles' medical staff would be careful and comprehensive in diagnosing another star player's injuries. So how could they take an x-ray of TO's ankle on Sunday but not of the knee? Did they not see the play? Why not take pictures of both just to be on the safe side?

TO a No Go

Let’s be smart and realistic. TO ain’t playing again this season, regardless of whether the Eagles make the Super Bowl. My gosh, did you read the prognoses of all the doctors in the Philly papers? This type of injury takes months to heal right and coming back to soon would jeopardize TO’s career. It ain’t happening. Encouragingly, TO said he would be smart about coming back. Let’s hope he doesn’t get caught up in the hype and try to come back to early. This year we got a glimpse of what McNabb to TO connection can do. And I want to see several more years of it.

The Eagles can still win without him. And Miami’s come from behind upset last night (12 points in the final 2 minutes!) just shows that in one game for all the marbles the Eagles could beat the top AFC team without TO.

Down goes TO

I suspect a lot Eagles’ fans were like me and got physically ill when TO went down yesterday and hobbled off the field and into the locker room. It wasn’t necessarily the sight of the injury itself, although that was gruesome enough, but it was the sickening, nauseating feeling in the pit of my stomach that the Eagles’ Super Bowl hopes were limping off the field in the form of #81. Honestly, I got physically nauseous or, as the Sport’s Guy likes to say, I (literally) threw up in my mouth.

Andy Reid’s press conference did nothing to allay the fears. Inconclusive MRI? More tests needed? Not exactly a reassuring message that it’s just a severe ankle sprain. (BTW, how comical was it that Reid kept saying that “chances weren’t high” that TO would play this weekend vs. the Rams?! That’s hysterical. I mean, the entire region is praying TO will be physically able to play in the divisional playoff. Who cares about the Rams game?).

Still, while most everyone is focused on TO and the divisional playoffs, let me throw out this thought. We can win the NFC championship without TO. The conference this year is that week. But we have no shot of beating the Patriots or Steelers without TO. So maybe the worst case scenario isn’t that TO won’t be healed in four weeks for the playoffs, but he won’t be back in 7 weeks time for the Super Bowl. At least TO will have an extra couple of weeks recuperation (two weeks between conference championships and Super Bowl) to get back on the field for the game that means the most.

Here’s hoping. And praying.

Condi Rice, Secretary of Doormats

Is it just me, or does anyone else wonder how if Condi Rice wasn't able to stand up to Donald Rumsfeld and Dick Cheney, or to referee the testosterone laden disputes b/w those two and Powell which is, after all, her job --- how the heck she is going to stand up to or go toe to toe with a real warrior like Ariel Sharon? Not that I'm complaining, as a pro-Israel anti-Palestinian terrorist hawk, but c'mon.

Replay Challenged

Why don't more NFL teams go no huddle when their is a questionable play that might be challenged so as to prevent the opposition from getting a good replay look at it before making their decision? Once the next play is run, you can't go back.

Along those same lines, if you are the defense and you haven't been able to see a replay of a disputed TD, let the offense line up for the extra point and then go offsides. It will only be 5 yards on the kickoff, but should give your team enough time to finally see a replay to determine if you should challenge.

Just think of how that would have benefitted Minnesota in their game with the Eagles on TO's touchdown "catch."

Gibbs and challenges

How is it that Redskins coach Joe Gibbs has a special coach, a former NFL ref, devoted exclusively to telling Gibbs whether to replay challenge a call, and they are now 0 for their last 5 challenges? (Along those same lines, how can Herm Edwards have a special "clock management" coach who so botched the last minute of the Jets-Ravens game?)

Arrest Artest

The season ending penalty NBA commissioner David Stern handed down on Ron Artest is not only a strong rebuke of the player’s actions, but also to the chucklehead ESPN announcers (John Saunders, Tim Legler, Greg Anthony, and Stephen A. Smith) who all but excused the Pacers’ players for going into the stands to pummel Piston fans.

How many other viewers were aghast as I was that the ESPN quartet blamed the fans for provoking Artest et. .al and thus getting the beatdown they they deserved while downplaying the possibility that innocent fans were being wrongly attacked. Anthony and Legler in particular took pains to explain that NBA players are so intense during regular season games that Artest’s reaction was only the natural response. Perhaps more than the actions of the Pacers themselves, the comments of these former jocks --- the “jockocracy” as Howard Cosell decried it --- perfectly illustrates the distance and divide that now separates professional athletes and the media that covers them from the regular sports fan.

Even the usually level headed John Saunders came down firmly on the side of the players with numerous comments about alcohol being the catalyst for the melee of players and fans in the stands. A comment to which my brother retorted, “is he suggesting that Ron Artest is drunk?”

What was lacking from the ESPN broadcast – aside from good judgment, which goes almost without saying – was a sense of proportion. Someone gets doused with beer and, while not excusing it, let’s be realistic it was a half empty cup of beer and not a “bottle” as most of the press called it, its ok to physically attack him. Under that type of thinking, would Saunders and Co. have excused the fan who Charles Barkley once spit on to rush the court to duke it out?

Saunders and Co. blamed the fans, they blamed arena security, everybody, it seems but the Pacers themselves who escalated the incident from a boorish fan throwing a drink on someone to a full blown national sports controversy. Thankfully, the person whose opinion counts most, Commissioner David Stern, had the perspective and judgment that was so sorely lacking on ESPN.

Now if someone can only answer the question of how the heck Jim Gray found himself in the middle of this entire ordeal. Whether it be the Holyfield-Tyson fight to Pete Rose, Gray always seems to find himself in the thick of things, even if it appears to be only on the surface an early regular season basketball game cum riot.

Shooting up the Cowboys

It appeared to me that the Cowboys tried to emulate the Steelers defensive scheme to disrupt McNabb and Co by pressuring him. The Cowboys consistenly rushed five players but unlike the Steelers were not able to collapse the pocket or get to McNabb. The Eagles line did an excellent job, McNabb bought himself time in other instances (the 60 yard pass to FredEx being exhibit A), and quick drops turned into big gains (TO's 12 yard catch and 50 yard run for the score). Funny, you would have thought with Roy Williams and Terence Newman that the Cowboys would have been secure in the defensive secondary to free up others to rush McNabb but the results were disastrous.

Desperate NFL

Sure, the TO-Nicolette Sheridan opening bit on MNF was crude, risque, and inappropriate, but...c'mon. It was only a bit promo before a regular season game. and it was after 9pm. I can't believe the firestorm of controversy this has caused. To equate it with Janet Jackson's boob flopping out during the most watched TV event of the year is absurd.

I can't help but think there is more than a sense of racial undertones to the umbrage. A studly black male (and not just any player, but the most flamboyant player in the league right now) and a comely white sex kitten. That kind of matchup doesn't play well down south or even in middle America.

Big Ben and Predictions

Funny how preseason predictions turn out. I had the game vs. the Steelers as a win since they had Tommy Maddox at QB and appeared to be in rebuilding mode. Even still, had you told me rookie Ben Roethlisberger were to start vs. the Eagles I would have bet money Philly would win. In fact, I did lose a considerable amount on this game. That Roethlisberger kid was as cool as a cucumber. Jim Johnson has completely discombobulated other rookie QBs (notably Ryan Leaf), but not the 22 year old phenom out of Miami of Ohio. He looks like the real deal. Heck, he was converting about a 10x as many 3d downs as potential league MVP D. McNabb. Of course, being up by 3 TDs makes the job a little easier, but he got them those 3 touches to begin with.

7-1 at the midway mark is not too shabby, regardless of how disappointing the 8th game loss was.

In Defense of the Defense

Can we all stop the gnashing of teeth over the Eagles run defense. It is what it is. Besides, should it really be that much of a surprise that they surrender chunks of yardage on the ground (like last year) when they've still got undersized LBs (the QB outweighs the starters!) and a quick but not particularly big d-line.

The fact is that this defense is a front-running defense. It's specialty is rushing the passer. This year more than ever the defense needs the offense to score points so opponents have to throw. And it appears we finally have an offense that can score in bunches.

If anything, the most disturbing aspect of the loss to Pittsburgh was the ineptitude of the offense. The nearly unstoppable attack early in the season has practically ground to a halt. TDs in the red zone are down and 3rd down conversions are way down. Sure, Westbrook is hurt and Baltimore is a top defense, but c'mon. Also, the play calling has gotten much more conservative. Remember the 3rd and 5 sweep to Westbrook Reid called? And they were down by 3 TDs at the time!? Heck, in Cleveland Reid was passing on 3rd and 1. What happened?

Bill Parcells is no dummy. On Monday night we'll probably see a similar game plan like the one last December at the Linc. Ball control running game. Hopefully, like last December, the Eagles can score early and often to make him put it in the air. At which point, Kearse and company can get after that statue to QB immobility, Vinny Testaverde.

The Pitts

Man, that was a butt kicking at Heinz Field on Sunday (can I say "ass" kicking on this site?). It was just one of those games. Eagles fans are familiar with the type... the kind where McNabb basically throws up a mulligan. #5 never looked comfortable on the field (and he looked particularly pissed off (can I say pissed off on this site) with TO in his ear trying to pump him up.).

It happens. Remember the game when the Colts came to town? How about against the Jaguars...at the Vet? Although, I must say that even at half time I was reminiscing about the comeback McNabb orchestrated against the Steelers a couple of years ago at Three Rivers (Akers made a last second FG and won it in OT) and thinking that it could happen again. Uh, no.

Look, let's just move on. The Steelers are one of the best teams in the league and we played them on the road after two draining games by the Eagles. On the bright side, McNabb and TO's relationship came out of the baptism by fire ok.

Did you get a sense like I did that McNabb just decided to shut TO by throwing him the ball 18 consecutive times in the second half? Wonder how TO would have felt about Garcia had he done that back in their days with the Niners. Also, I think the yapping TO did was overblown. The reality is McNabb finally has an equal peer on the offense (Westbrook is still too young) to speak directly to McNabb. Who else was going to do it? Todd Pinkston? Please.

TO - The Last Word

Let's give the always voluble TO the last word on the subject of justice obstructing in a double murder perp Ray Lewis.

"I'm obviously not one of those who are a face of the NFL that they're going to have on commercials...It's discouraging at times that I get labeled and put in that same mold and that I'm the worst guy that ever put on a uniform in the NFL," he said. "It's funny, it really is. I listen to all the comments and at times, it baffles me.

"I've never had any off-field problems. I've wanted to say it for a long time, but since Joey put it out there, you have a guy like Ray Lewis, who I thought was pretty much my friend. This is a guy, double-murder case, and he could have been in jail, but it seems like the league embraces a guy like that. I'm going out scoring touchdowns and having fun, but I'm the bad guy. So I don't understand it, I really don't.

"I listen to ESPN and all the guys that report on there, it's really funny...I just take it with a grain of salt and I keep ticking. I know they're looking for me to do something [off the field] or something to come up, but it's not going to happen."

Thanks, Joey

A hearty amen, to Joey Porter's comments about Ray Lewis. Finally, someone in the league speaking out about Ray Lewis. Here's the critical part from Les Bowen's article today.

Porter, who also has feuded with Lewis, sounded a favorite T.O theme in Tuesday's Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: other players celebrate flamboyantly, and some of them have even had off-the-field issues, which Owens hasn't, yet few are as widely reviled as T.O. In Lewis' case, those off-the-field issues include that agreement to plead guilty to misdemeanor obstruction of justice and testify against two of his friends after a double-murder at an Atlanta-area nightclub in January 2000. (The friends were acquitted.)

"It's fine for this guy to celebrate, but it's not fine for this guy," Porter was quoted as saying. "It's good for this guy to be creative, but it's not good for this guy. Why isn't it funny when Terrell does the pom-poms? You guys can make who the good guys are. The media has total control over that.

"...But this guy [Lewis] just comes off a murder case and he comes back dancing and goes to the Super Bowl and you love every minute about it. He gets a 4-minute introduction when he comes out. They absolutely go crazy for it. He makes a tackle, he dances every play and you guys love it. Terrell scores a touchdown and he does his celebration and, for some reason, you guys just choose, 'We don't like you. You aren't one of the guys we pick.' I never thought it was fair."

This land is your land, this land ain't my land

What to make of the election results, particularly the exit polls that showed a large portion of the country cited "moral values" as their top priority when selecting a president. Apparently, much of the country is less concerned with the war on terror, the situation in Iraq, jobs, healthcare and the economy than they are about whether two men (or two women) can get married.

Admittedly, I live in one of the coastal "blue" states, but if that doesn't encapsulate the ideological divide in this country - I don't know what does.

Oh Manuel!

First, let me say that I think the hiring of Philllies manager Charlie Manuel is a positive step. But my anger and frustration stems from wondering why this move wasn't made 4 months ago!? If you were going to hire Manuel, why didn't you fire Bowa when the Phillies were playing listless ball in July and August in the hopes of lighting a fire under them (and yes, I am aware of the irony of firing the flame-throwing Bowa and promoting Manuel to "light a fire" under the 2004 team.)

Was Ed Wade afraid that Manuel might get the Phils to make a run at the wildcard, in which case he might be forced to bring him back next year, without the benefit of the casting call of interviews for again skippers?

Why would Wade feel the need to keep Manuel regardless (if he had made the move)? As my friend Ross noted, this is the big time. Why would you feel constrained in making another change after the year at the expense of your interim manager?

Why, indeed? Wade traded away prospects at the deadline to make a run at the playoffs. Why wouldn't he deal his manager for the same goal? Why wouldn't he just let Manuel know he would have to reinterview for the job?

Why, why why?

Oh, that's right. Cause they're the Phillies

Turnout

How is it that in this country and in the 21^st century that voters have to wait in line for 2 hours, and in some cases longer, to vote in presidential elections? Everyone decries the lack of civic participation in elections, but it seems the current system is specifically designed to only accommodate that dwindling minority that actually votes. If we are truly serious about increasing participation then a new commitment and new investments are needed to make sure that voting goes more smoothly and more quickly than it did yesterday. If not, then let’s just admit the fact that in 21^st century America, we prefer limited turnout.

Ravens view of TO's dance

Said Anthony Weaver, Ravens Defensive End, about TO's TD celebration, "His dance made me sick... I do have one thing to say about the dance and that is that I would not want to mess with Ray."

Yup, just ask the families of two dead men in Atlanta. You don't mess with Ray Lewis. Certainly when he pleads guilty of obstruction of justice in a double homicide.

But hey, the Eagles won't play the Ravens again for a couple of years at least.

My friend PK sent me an email after the Ravens game which I've posted. He also sent a copy to my brother who then responded in kind:

We will not have a letdown. Too much experience on this team (again, whythe Trotter and Douglas signings were so big). Also, Reid won't let ithappen. Reid is the best coach in the NFL not named Belichek. He keeps theteam even keel. He gets wrecked for his lack of comments or apparentemotion, but that's why this team overcomes the adversity that happens intoday's NFL. His press conferences are the same after wins as they afterlosses. I imagine you couldn't tell the difference between yesterday'spress conference and the one after the Pats last year in September. I trustReid will not allow us to be too flat. How can you not trust him after thepast 3-4 years (regular season). Belichek is much the same way. Thatcalming force is part of the reasons we could actually run the table.

WhenI looked at schedule at beginning of season I saw 14-2. The reason was allthe hard games were at home (beginning of season Steelers weren't good).Panthers/ Vikings/Packers/Ravens - all home. I can't see worse than that atthis point. Remember it's now November. Andy doesn't lose often inNovember (it must be his excitement for turkey/potatoes and stuffing!).The Vikings were all the rage the past few weeks. Look what happened tothem - at home!!

Goal #1 - win division DONE
Goal #2 - get bye DONE
Goal #3 - HF throughout DONE
Goal #4 - SB trip TBD

Think about it. If we play bad the next 9 weeks we still go 12-4. At worstwe tie the Vikings. We own tie breaker. No chance the giants go 12-4.At this point the only thing to play for is history. Why not us??