Busy Week(s) Ahead

Man, here I was, getting comfy, arising in the morning to watch a little prime-time TV from the East Coast, and taking care of the myriad small things that cropped up in the week I've had since the end of my last project. Life just seems to pile up in a hurry between vet visit, PT test, finding a spare dry day to do the lawn, laundry, etc, etc, etc....

Well, I'm going on order for a little while, so I am going to be even busier, working a fairly routine schedule instead of the flex time I had been doing. (Heck most folks probably didn't even know I was working, just figured I was another unemployed blogger)...

SO, while I will be keeping up with the Birds and watching as some local TV when the opportunity arises, I do not know if I will be blogging daily.

So why not take this time to get a little Eagles talk in...(many, hold on, I had to tune in some ESPN...god I love this Slingbox)...there was some talk today on Philly.com about whether or not so folks are getting a little ahead of themselves in their exuberance about the Birds. Specifically, the Eagles still have a lot of question marks (some defense (at DT, LB) and special teams (who's going to be the return man))...some of the same questions we had last year! and should we getting overly excited about Bunkley, Ramsey, Bradley and Gocong potentially being called on to be prime-time producers....

I will say this: No team can be 100% sure that the players it has on the roster are going to perform to their peak ability, but relying on younger players to seize their opportunity, step-up and take charge is a way of life in the NFL. I mean, take a look at the defending Champs....they lost a slew of defensive players, yet some pundits are still fawning over the Colts off-season because they added some more offensive weapons...Heck, ESPN's Len Pasquarelli just did a piece on the Colts relying on "in-house" replacements this year - yet that hasn't squelched talk of the Colts pulling a Superbowl two-fer.

For the Eagles, there is cause for optimism. Why? Because they have clearly improved their team. Part of the problem last year was a lack of play-making on D, an inability to keep their D-Line rotation going, etc. So lets take a look at what they've done.

A) They've gotten BIGGER. JJ admitted that the Birds were too small last year - something he's never really done before. Did they get massively larger on the D-Line, not really, but the replace some up-n-down players (Walker and Rayburn) with vets who've performed steadier (Reagor and Scott) with their former teams. Factor in the return of Jevon Kearse and the D-Line has a chance to be very good. Remember in the Summer of 2006. A lot of us thought the Eagles D-line would be the strength of the team, perhaps the best they'd assembled since the heyday of Buddy Ryan's Gang Green D. Oops, were we wrong.

B) Then there are the Linebackers...gone is scrub Dhani Jones, and last year's opening day WILL Matt McCoy is definitely on the roster bubble at this point. In comes Takeo Spikes, who simply LOOKS like a LB, and a plan to reduce the pressure on Trotter but getting play-making LB Omar Gaither to sub for him regularly. As far as the SAM LB goes, new guys Stewart Bradley and Chris Gocong may or may not be stars-in-waiting. But you know what? It doesn't matter. Jones did nothing last year. Not a single memorable play (but that didn't stop the annoying air banjo'ing). Gocong and Bradley simply cannot do any worse. They're bigger, and while I expect that they'll struggle if called on to play too much coverage, both have the size to help in run support.

More on a reason to be optimistic about the Special Teams later (but I will preface it this way: the improvement has something to do like the lack of player named Mahe...:) jK Reno, we love ya!

75 Years of Eagles Football

One note before I get in the Eagles 75th anniversary. This line by Peter King, which I know I've thought many times in the past week, but never got around to posting (ed. which is why he's the syndicated Sportswriter dumbass): "I think we need to remember two things as draft-mania ratchets up in the next 48 hours: Half of these first-day picks will be total washouts after three years. That's not me throwing a wet blanket on your fun; it's historical fact."

Well anyway, the draft is not today's focus. Nope. Even though I am definitely getting psyched about it (though I may experience some interruption cause the guys will be out to install our new fiber-optic cable on Sunday morning (which is right in the middle of Day 1 for me). Today's focus is just what the Title says: the Eagles doing a fine job of celebrating 75 years as a franchise.

Go here to visit the Eagles Virtual Museum.
There is a slick, awesome intro video, downloadable .pdfs for all-time rosters, etc. Its really top-notch.

The only thing I don't really dig. The throwback uniforms. The Eagles decided to go with the very first uniforms:O.K. so (as dug up by Rodman) the Eagles are debuting the uniforms against the Lions this year, and in their very first HOME game they ever played, they played the franchise that would eventually become the Detroit Lions. So they chose their very first uniforms.

Sjoebarry elaborates: "Midway through the 1931 season, Philadelphia's representative in the NFL, the Frankford Yellow Jackets, went bankrupt and ceased operations. After more than a year of searching for a suitable replacement, the NFL awarded the dormant franchise to a syndicate headed by former Yellow Jackets owners Bert Bell and Lud Wray, in exchange for an entry fee of $2,500. Drawing inspiration from the insignia of the centerpiece of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal, the National Recovery Act, Bell and Wray named the new franchise the Philadelphia Eagles. (Neither the Eagles nor the NFL officially regard the two franchises as the same, citing the aforementioned period of dormancy; furthermore, almost no Yellow Jackets players were on the Eagles' first roster. Some observers, however, believe the two teams should be treated as one.) The Eagles, along with the Pittsburgh Steelers and the defunct Cincinnati Reds, joined the NFL as expansion teams."

But that doesn't mean I have to like them.
When I think of the Eagles, I don't think baby blue and gold
I don't bleed blue and gold
I BLEED GREEN

Trotter's Guarantee

I like the sentiments espoused by the Eagles middle linebacker, Jeremiah Trotter...he says “We’re the best 4-3 team in the National Football League. Once we get it together, everybody in the NFL is going to be in trouble.” My sentiments exactly. Now what we need to see...BEFORE the bye week (i.e. our next game against Jacksonville) is for the Eagles to stop talking about putting it all together, and PUT IT ALL TOGETHER....good article by Andy Schwartz at Comcast...

The Eagles need, in the words of the immortal Buddy Ryan, to win in Nov and Dec to be playing in January...They've burned up their losses and now have a tough road to hoe...so lets get to work fellas....

Around the NFL: a few nasty injuries occured this weekend...LaVar Arrington went down with a torn achilles (OUCH) and Browns safety Gary Baxter (who has labored in anonymity since leaving the Ravens) torn the patella tendon in each knee...BOTH KNEES (double OUCH)...dude he'll be lucky if he ever plays again....a couple other plays, Broncos tackle Lepsis and Colts safety Doss...jeez...rough weekend for players in the NFL...

In other news, why does the ESPN keep that jackass Michael Irvin around...is there some sort of stipulation in their contract with the NFL that they employ a certain number of the mentally challenged? All this guy does is make excuses for MEO and defend his old team...and its painfully obvious that he routinely stomps on the last nerve of Tom Jackson, a class act who shouldn't be punished by having to sit next to that dope-smoking idjit...

well, we have a tour to go tomorrow...maybe we'll see some more of Misawa.

Gettin' Ready for 'Nawlins

Well, its taken a while for Iggles fans to stop talking about the big win over the Cowboys...but it is refreshing to see the team appears to have focused on their next opponent, the 4-1 New Orleans Saints, much quicker than us non-players...with that out of the way, its time to focus on what it will take to defeat said opponent...

Reasons for concern: first and foremost, the coach - Sean Payton. I hate this guy...well hate is not the right term...I despise this guy...he always has our number and concocts a gameplan than works well against JJ's defense...he's one the few in the league that have done so consistently.

two: He's got a competent QB who is playing well. Matter of fact, Coach P has the entire team playing well above themselves...they haven't been blowing people away, but 4-1 speaks for itself...

three: they've got a standout rookie, and he's not named Reggie Bush...WR Colston is playing his ass off...this isn't to say Reggie Bush hasn't been very good. He has. Colston those is big, rangy and fast...and he's producing. I think our secondary has been getting better each week. Joe Horn, Colston, Bush & Co. will provide another test for us.

four: defensively, they've got two ex-Eagles, Hollis Thomas and Mark Simoneau to help Payton devise more offensive schemes.

That said, I think so long as there is no emotional letdown the Eagles outmatch the Saints across the board. We're better along the lines, perhaps equal in the RB/WR skills positions, and superior at QB and TE. Defensively, our line is a match for anyone, our LBs are better and so is our secondary - no leaps and bounds better, but better. Special teams is at least a wash...Bush gives them an edge in the return game, but Harbaugh is an excellent coach.

As for shutting down an opponent's primary weapon. The Eagles have shown a propensity for not letting other teams' top playmakers from beating us this year. Andre Johnson did jack in Week 1, it wasn't Tiki that killed us in Week 2, Frank Gore did very little in Week 3 but cough up the ball on Patterson's 98 yd fumble return for a TD, Favre did zippo in Week 4, and we all know MEO's craptacular performance last week. This week its Reggie Bush, and I know, if the Eagles don't want him to, he ain't gonna do jack either.

More later, but that familiar excitement is building...its almost the weekend...too bad I gotta wait until Monday morning - AUGH!

Damn its EARLY - Monday Morning Football

My internal alarm clock tick-tocked me until about 0150 this morning (had the alarm set for 2), so I managed to get up without disturbing my wife (whew)....The dogs, now they're another story. The good news from this morning, the rain finally cleared out so the satellite signal has been pretty good. AFN is showing the 'Skins-GYNts game, and the Philly game starts in about 45 minutes and the excitement is building....

Actually got a second game today (they had baseball on the schedule but I guess all the games are over)...the Korea channel is showing NASCAR (yawn). So I got a chance to see the Bears demolish the Bills. I gotta say it again, the Bears are IMPRESSIVE...I don't want to see the Iggles have to play in Soldier Field, so they better take care of business against the Cowboys today. After they got up 30-0 the coverage switched to Miami and New England...and lo and behold: whom did I see playing QB for the Fins? Joey frickin' Harrington...OMG...and Dan Dierdorf is talking about great he's been playing...umm...guess that must've been before I tuned in, because the Patriots don't look the least bit perturbed...they haven't sacked him yet, but he looked about as good as I saw in Detroit...speaking of...I lost my best fantasy WR when Fox showed Roy Williams being carted off with a shoulder injury...DAMN...

Fantasy note to self: IGNORE the so-called Experts...oh yeah, time to start Joe Addai, the Tennessee defense sucks...Indy will run up the score...its 13-7 Titans in the 4th quarter and Addai has amassed all of 50 yards...FRACK...
HA HA, Fox just showed the fans giving MEO hell during warm-ups...where are the empty pill bottles?
Wow, that heated toilet-seat is a godsend...very necessary in Japan, however, because the toilet get its own little room in Japanese houses, and its NOT heated...
Jeez, the Bears are up 40-0 now...I mean how many drives can you have starting on the opponents side of the field...I think the Bears O has cashed in at least 4 times...well Christina will be happy...ofcourse, I failed to started WR Berrian...jeez....WTF...I thought I had...damn...

Chiming in from the Opposite Side of the World

Wow, folks, its been a couple of weeks, and I was in no mood to blog after the Eagles blew that game versus the GYNts...I mean I would've had to write a horror script for that game to turn out like that....I don't want to think about it.

I hope this cements in their minds that they can never take their proverbial foot off the gas...Hear that Andy? No more letting up, crush your opponents and hear the lamentation of de women...alright?? No more Mr. Nice guy....you better hand the 49ers their lunch, dinner and a midnight snack...got it??? GOOD

So anyways, my blog took a hit because I am now in JAPAN!!!!
Believe that sh*t? Sometimes its hard for me too. BLogging about the Eagles from Hawaii was goofy enough, but from cold Misawa Airbase? Unreal.

I will be posting some photos of our Japanese style house (we gotta live off base) and detailing some of the oddities about living at the beginning of each day....Like how games that start at 1PM EST come on TV at 2AM Monday morning here in the Land of the Rising Sun. Last games are a bit better...for instance, tomorrow's game versus the Niners starts at 0500. I just hope we don't have to do anything before 8AM cause it will be hard for me to leave before the game is over.

And just how will I be watching it? Hmmm, I think it will have to be by Webcam. Armed Forces Network does a decent job of broadcasting games, (the one cool thing, they show the top match-ups from each conference both early AND late) So it like having each network show a doubleheader every weekend, instead of every other....The bad part: no way to guarantee that I will see the Iggles...AUGH...that it what the webcam is for. I will have my dad point it at the TV so I at least get to see something. Plus I should get to listen to Merril do the local play-by-play.

More later, don't have a steady ISP yet, so cannot guarantee consistent posts...yet....

Stallworth or Branch? MY Take

Interesting question on the forums today, should the Eagles have pursued ex-Pat WR Deion Branch, for whom the Seahawks traded a 1st round pick in 2007 and then promptly signed to a mega-bucks contract...($39 million bucks)?

Lets take a look at the facts as I understand them...Just two weeks earlier the Eagles made an excellent trade, LB Simoneau and a conditional 4th round pick (looks like it'll be a 3rd pick the way Donte' started) for the speedy Donte' Stallworth, who is in a contract year (i.e. the last year of his rookie contract)...
The difference between Stallworth and Branch: bitching...Deion was holding out and making a big stink over his lack of an extension and was basically driving himself out of Bah-ston...Anyone hear a peep from Stallworth, who was coming off a career year last year...Nope...was he probably unhappy with his situation with the 'aints...yup, but he was at least in camp (albeit limited by a few nagging nicks ((real or not))). I didn't read any stories about fines piling up...and trust me the Eagles have/had ABSOLUTELY NO interest in troublemaking WRs (see the distinct lack of interest in some players I happen to think are pretty good: Ashley Lelie, Jerry Porter, the aforementioned Branch).

Why else wouldn't the Eagles do it: Branch wanted his contract re-done and he wants plenty of green...why would the Eagles do that with a WR and cough up a significant chunk of change for a player who spent no time in camp, is not in game shape, and probably won't be able to contribute all that much for at least several weeks....Donte', on the other hand, seems content to play for his pay, and knows the Eagles have the space, and probably will pony up with an extension if he works hard and proves himself...(I think we have the very professional Joe Horn to thank for that [cell phone incident excepted])

Would having both of them be cool, you bet, but this the real world, not Madden 2007 (which I won't get to play until Nov. AUGH) and there is no chance the Eagles would part with a #1 pick in '07 and a huge contract (especially if faced with the potential to suddenly have to try and satisfy Stallworth's expectations later on). So the Eagles made their choice....I like Donte'; I think he realizes if he plays well, that the Eagles have the cap space and a history of locking players they like...Branch wanted to be paid for past performance (which he had in spades); Stallworth seems to undestand that once he displays his professionalism, attitude and ability that the Eagles will be there with an offer (and if Week 1 becomes a trend, there will be offers made by Nov -you heard it here)

Misadventures with Spray Paint and What the Eagles need to do to Beat the GYNts

Ok, ok, I admit it. I am NOT very handy around the house...I can do basic things OK, and a couple of thing decent, but I usually run into trouble, like today...simple spray painting....My error is NOT an inability to point the can in the right direction, my faux pas today was in purchasing some cheapo-brand....I was at Wal-Mart (yes, I managed to escape from their event horizon of consumer evil) and I THOUGHT I was buying Rust-oleum...oopsie...I guess I better get a rebate on my Lasik cause I wound up buying something called ColorTime (I think its the generic Walmart brand)....I didn't realize it until I got home...I was like...sh*t...but I didn't want to go back...so I figured I would try it out....BAD IDEA....that crap-ass nozzle put more paint on my hands than the outdoor furniture I was trying to recoat....dammit...so here I am practically washing my hands in acetone (which isn't supposed to come into contact with your skin BTW) to get this cheap gunk off....I wised up and switched to rubber gloves afterwards....

Lesson for you all: you get what you PAY FOR....buy cheap, get cheap....

Now for the real reason I logged on today: to answer the question on every inquiring mind: who do I think this weekend. I will keep tonight's comment to two games: Philly vs NYG and Dallas vs Washington....that right folks, there are two HUGE games this weekend...My hope is that the Eagles will have a 2 game lead on two other teams in the NFC East.

1. First up, Eagles - GYNts....this is going to be a tough game for the Iggles, the GYNts put up a good game, and if not for a cheesy offensive pass interference call, NYG could be rolling into town on a huge win...Can the Eagles win this game...yes, no doubt, but they have to do a couple things: a) contain Tiki....notice I didn't say stop...the Eagles have rarely been able to STOP Tiki, but they have been able to prevent Tiki alone from beating them, and I think that is the gameplan to victory once again...Tiki gets that team rolling, and if our D can keep from letting Tiki steamroll them, we got a definite shot... b) keep up the balanced attack...ok, I can hear you now, "Thanks Captain Obvious, you just told me that the key to the Eagles winning is to run the ball and to stop the run"...yeah, that basically what I am getting at, but in the Eagles' case its a little more nuanced. The Iggles need balance....they cannot let Osi and Strahan just tee off and play "lets meet at McNabb" all afternoon...The Colts' RB Addai had a couple of decent runs last week (though they garnered a paltry 55 yards in the game, I think that's an equal reflection of Peyton's propensity to pass this year {in effect calling his own number since he makes a lot of calls at the line} without the uber-reliable Edge in the backfield. Get Westbrook out on the flanks, get the ball to Buck a few extra times and let our massive interior line blast some GYNt ass off the field a few times.... no score here, but I think the Eagles continue their rebound from 2005 and manage to close out the GYNts at home.

2) Dallas vs Washington...I think the Cowgurls have the here, simply from the fact that they're at home, and NO ONE wants to drop to 0-2 with a home loss to a division rival. Moreover, I am not sold on the Foreskins vaunted offense...they did OK against the Vikings, but really only put together one decent drive (the ones capped off by a Portis run)...when the game was on the line, the Skins came up small. I think that IF the Dallas O-line can keep Bledsoe upright, he will be able take advantage of the absence of Shawn Springs and the out-for-the-year safety, Pierson Prileau. For all his team erosion downside, MEO has a huge upside ON THE FIELD...so expect Drew to find him a few times against a depleted secondary... Dallas wins at home...(dammit)

More Eagles commentary coming soon!

The Move has begun

Hey everyone,

My primary computer is now boxed up and on a slow-boat to Japan, so my ability to rant about the Eagles will be constrained over the next few weeks as we transition to the Far East. Once I get settled, I will continue, but I don't expect to be able to post more than a few blogs a week until then...oh well, I know you are all vastly disappointed.

Now for some Eagles news: as predicted Bruce Perry was NFL'd this week, our starting CB Lito Sheppard has a sprained ankle, so the Eagles needed to sign another CB....the RB to CB move obviously wasn't going to work, so the Eagles brought back Dexter Wynn, a 2004 - 6th rounder, who has some return skills....good cause I don't want to see Westbrooks shagging punts anymore...sorry... electrifying player and all, but I would rather see him taking swing passes than having some special team suicide warrior barreling down the field taking a free shot on our most dangerous offensive weapon.

I was happily surprised that LB Matt McCoy had a real good game against the Texans....Now he gets a real test...the GYNts are a good team, and kill us with screens to Tiki, I would love to see McCoy submarine a few of those plays....that would go a long way towards making me feel better about our LB situation.

Catch y'all later, should have some more time to think tomorrow, as I am done with work, yeah that's right, on my last couple weeks of paid leave (get paid through the end of the month, which is sweet....after that its unpaid leave until I find a new job, which isn't so sweet).

Run EAGLES Run; Why I Just Cannot Root for the Phillies, and a passing thought on Ryan Howard

I like the article today about how the Eagles are going to run the ball more... of course, it would difficult for the Eagles to run the ball LESS than they did last year (only the Raiders and Cardinals accomplished that feat). What they need in some atty-tude runs early in games, and let than new beef ball some punks off the line a few times...The Eagles have had some decent O-Line recent, but they get so accustomed to rocking back in their stances to pass protect that it seems like they never quite get their rhythm when they try and run....then they get discouraged and stop trying...I hope that Marty Mohrningwheg changes that, I think a 2003 45/55% run/pass ratio would be great for this team for a few reasons:
- The Eagles do have some dangerous runners...much as folks like to dismiss our backs, Westbrook is explosive and Moats flashed some decent skills running behind a sub-par O-line last line
- Running will help keep McNabb healthy, whenever we go pass-whacky, it jeopardizes "5" cause he generally take more hits...
- But you know what, most Eagles fans already knows this, since we are the most knowledgeable, best fans in the sport (shameless plug) so I am going to shift gears to a different sport: one I tend to dislike - Baseball.

I know there is some debate about whether or not Phans are getting excited about the Phillies "wildcard" run...I, for one, am NOT...
My first reason: I vowed last year never to root for this team again while under its current ownership. I believe the current owners do not care about winning, and that all they want to be competitive and sucker phans into the stands...
My second reason: I just don't see the Phillies being a team that going to reach out and take this wildcard take...its there for the taking, and what do I see the Phils doing? splitting double-headers, losing leads in the 9th inning, etc...these are not the signs that one wants to see from a team that COULD, if they got it together, simply snatch this postseason opening as their own...
My third reason: I am not going to be fair-weather phan, I haven't rooted for them all season, I haven't changed my mind about their pitching (not good enough), have fun on the bandwagon...

Don't get me wrong, I am not rooting against them, I simply cannot commit any emotion to a team that let me down time and again in the past...I wish them well...

The only thing I will endeavor to comment on: Ryan Howard, I really hope he ties or breaks Roger Maris' record of 61 home runs....what? whats that you say? Barry Bonds owns the record with 74...sorry doesn't count...he juiced it up...I agree with John Smallwood, NO TEAM should offer Bonds a contract next year...let him stew at whatever 7xx figure he's at the end of this season....

Bring on the Texans!

- Another nice catch by Avant and the grit to take it back up inside and into Jets territory
- Awesome run by Perry...HOLDING...WHAT the hell....man, that sucks...frickin' WR holding away from the play...that blows for him....cause I don't think Bruce P is going to make this team.
- hmm another batted ball from Timmy Chang...augh...well at least Dirk is ok....downed at the 2, nice job special teams!
- Timmy Chang is horrible...I mean these are the Jets scrubs....
- you know for as entertaining as the first half was, this second half has been blah
- Jeez was it just me or did Matt Ware really regress this preseason??

Anyone notice a resemblence to that icon of poor Eagles secondary play....Toast!

I like Merrill Reese's pre-season notes...and I agree...McNabb has looked relaxed and rejuvenated, the 1st teamers have looked really good, especially the O & D lines...Addition of Donte Stallworth is huge...in each pre-season game the 1st teamers have dominated, the only reason the Eagles are headed for 2-3 (and might just get there by the time I am done with this) is the inept Timmy Chang, who has done almost nothing on O the entire pre-season, so whenever the Detmers and Changs have taken over with the lead, they cough the ball up and eventually the lead disappears....though as I type this TC is proving me wrong by actually engineering a drive into Jets territory...
PLEASE NO O.T. Andy...don't be Tuna-stoopid and try and force O.T. and go all out to win a meaningless game...in 2:00 minutes this game better be over, with almost everyone healthy (a huge difference from other years)
--- 30 yard pass to Jenkins at the NYJ 6-yard line!!...wow...prove me wrong Timmy, go right ahead...I dare ya....--oops, booth review of the catch...figures...its a catch, give it to him...
First and goal...yikes...Perry went NO-where...second and goal Perry down to the 2...third and goal, Perry inside the 1....oh...they didn't get it at fourth and goal....who cares...take your healthy team home....

Bring on the Texans!

Which Came first - the Chicken or the O-Line?

Hmm, my discussion today seem to focus a bit on what is more important skills positions (defined as RB, WR, LB, DB) or foundation positions (the O and D line)... The QB is, in my aestimation, a special case, definitely a skill position, but unique in that the QB is central to the entire team... In the case of the Eagles - does the fact that they have health questions at RB and talent questions at OLB negate their chances for a good season? I say no, other feels its a significant impediment.

So the argument boiled down to the classic chicken and egg argument (the best way I can think to describe it)...some argue that lineplay merely has to be adequate enough to allow the talented guy to make plays...I.E. Linebackers are crucial, they need to be the playmakers, flowing through the holes created by the line and sealing the corners etc... Same thing on Offense, good backs are crucial as they are the ones who make the difference between the a 3-4 yd gain and 6-7 yd gain, since (I am elaborating here) holes are small in the pros and even the best O-lines don't routinely blast the D out of the way.

For me, it all begins in the trenches, and that is why I am so stoked about the Eagles season this year. Andy Reid and Co. really bolstered both lines this year (IMHO). 1st rd pick Broderick Bunkley is a BEAST, and Darren Howard looks rejuvenated.

My focus on line play complements the fact that football is a TEAM game...once you get past QB you can find all kinds of examples of winning, but it is the TEAM that ultimately will win the games - re: the Patriots, I think they have had a lot of good players, but certainly not as talented as say the Colts roster (top to bottom in say 04-05)...but who won the SB those years...(grr, why did I remind myself of that)?

Take the Steelers last year, plenty of backs were better than the on-his-last-wheels Bus, but his character, and a quality TEAM (which started with Alan Faneca and Co.) playing hard-nose football and getting hot at the perfect time led them to the championship...On D, it wasn't just Joey Porter who made them great, it was Kimo V.O. and Aaron Smith being so disruptive in the trenches that allowed Porter and Foote and Co do THEIR jobs...

I may factor-in the O and D lines a little more than most, but I don't think its a matter of right and wrong...For the Eagles though, I think AR clearly is a line guy...so if you place high value on positions like WR, RB and OLB , you're in for pretty much chronic disappointment as an Eagles fan.

The Eagles Big Back Quandry

Lots of speculation about the Eagles need for a big running back. I cannot say I totally disagree, but I am probably a little less pessimistic than most because I think that IF Buckhalter returns to form (admittedly that is a pretty GD big IF) that they do have the 220lb back, is Buck a 250+ load-carrying pile-driver...uh no...but they again WHO IS that might be available...

I know the 'Skins picked up TJ Duckett who was probably the best big guy out there (and that ain't saying much), but for all his size TJ should be pounding folks, but he gets brought down too easily...somehow Warrick Dunn is tougher to bring down that TJ...how can a guess that big be a "finesse" back? Same thing goes for Ron Dayne - who is rumored to be in Mike Shanahan's doghouse and possible on his way out in Denver...Let me say that name again RON DAYNE...does that ring a bell Eagles fans ? It should, Dayne is the player I wanted Jim Fassel to put into the backfield when the GYNts were in short yardage situations against the Eagles. Maybe he was tough at some point in his career (though I kinda doubt, he has great blocking at W) but Dayne couldn't bust through the pep-rally banner at a Wisconsin homecoming let alone take on LaVar Arrington, Antonio Pierce, or Bobby Carpenter in the hole on fourth and 1 if playing for the Eagles. Come on, by now we should know that Dayne is a total bust...He had two respectable years for the GYNts...end of story.

Who else is there? Someone mentioned Lee Suggs, and about 6 weeks ago I might have taken a flier on the guy...history of being banged up, but he is pretty big....here's the problem with that - he just failed a physical with the RB-desperate NY Jets, so scratch him off the list...

BTW - Suggs is listed at 213 lbs...Buckhalter is listed at 217 lbs, so why would be in a hurry to replace one injury-prone big back with another who has no experience is our style offense?

Last night Glen Macnow on local sportsradio mentioned the best possibility: Eric Shelton, an early 2005 pick is rumored to have fallen out of favor in Carolina. He's a 6'1" 250 bruiser that hasn't been able to crack the Panthers rather deep RB corps...could be good news for us, because for years teams would pluck up the players we just couldn't find a way to squeeze onto our 53-man roster, so if they got a glut of talent, there are a whole lot worse teams than Carolina from which to try and snag a hidden gem...do we really someone who the frickin' Browns don't want?

So there it is, I am not saying Shelton is the guy, or even that he's going to available, (though he does NOT even appear on Carolina's on-line depth chart). I like Buckhalter...I would LOVE to see him return to form....but we'll see what Andy Reid and Tom Heckert do...they've shown a willingness to go out and get guys they think can help the team...

Favorite Anti-NFC Taunts

I just had to repost from the Eagles forum on Philly.com...

These are my current curses to use against opposing NFC East teams...
Jujoboys brought up a great name for New York (commonly called the Gints or Gnats) - but how about the GYNts. One week of the month there are going to be p.o.'d and pummel the team they play. The other 3 weeks they just lay down and get screwed.

Currently I am partial to calling Washington the Foreskins...not many folks out here in Hawaii have heard that before, but I gather from various other message boards that its pretty common, anyone got anything better?

As for Dallas and ME-O...there are plenty of things I love to slam them with...brokeback (yeah I know its not PC to use that, but its funny to see macho fans react to that)...cowgurls, cowpokes

I just got up and its 530 AM gimme a chance to think about something good to write...