Archive for September, 2011

NFL Week 4 Preview and Predictions

September 29th, 2011 by Scott Dargis | 1 Comment | Filed in Eagles, Football, General

Even though last week was only the third week of a 5 and 1/2 month long season, we learned a good amount about some teams and more question marks were raised about others. The Lions showed that they have some poise beyond the team’s young age. They knew that they could come back from the 20 point deficit and they went out there and took care of business. Why Adrian Peterson only ran the ball 5 times in the second half is beyond me, but know this, Matt Stafford to Calvin Johnson is a combination that looks like it is going to be impossible to stop this season.

We also found out that indeed, no one circles the wagon like the Buffalo f’n Bills. Admit it you thought that after Ryan Fitzpatrick was intercepted and Tom Brady threw his second touchdown of the first quarter that it was going to be a rout. Then after the Patriots made it 21-0 in the first half you called your friend and complained about why the Bills were getting any respect going into this game and then it happened. The Bills began to expose the one dimensional Patriots and made the comeback that no one saw coming. Great comeback and what an atmosphere in Ralph Wilson stadium, here’s to hoping that both of these teams are in the race come late December.

Let’s take a look to this week, where I will try to improve with my selections, 7-8 last week is just flat out embarrassing, even though over a handful of those games finished with a one score differential.

Detroit Lions at Dallas Cowboys 1:00pm

The Lions had a very tough comeback on the road last week in a place that they had not had success in years. The offensive line really looked shaky in that first half, but was able to settle down and give Stafford time to actually look down the field. When he gets time to look around things can be dangerous. Now finding Brandon Pettigrew will be tougher this week because the Cowboys have done a great job of shutting the tight end position down, but stopping Calvin Johnson will be something else. I expect Jahvid Best to have a much better game this week.

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NL Division Series Preview

September 29th, 2011 by Christian | Comments Off on NL Division Series Preview | Filed in General

Congratulations Phillies!

September 27th, 2011 by Christian | 1 Comment | Filed in General

101 Wins!  Way to Go!  Next up, World Championship!!

Vick Blames Refs

September 25th, 2011 by Christian | 3 Comments | Filed in General

Throw the Ball!

After getting thumped by the Giants 29-16 and suffering a broken hand on what was a late hit, Mike Vick let loose on the refs and said he thinks doesn’t get the calls that other QBs get.  Hey Mike, get real dude,  You are as much to blame for the poor performance as anyone.  News Flash: Get rid of the ball!  You can’t hold the ball in the pocket for seven seconds because there are eleven guys out there getting paid to separate you from the ball.  Stop whining, read the defense and THROW the ball!

I Should Be Charlie’s Sub For a Day

September 25th, 2011 by AmyMac | 2 Comments | Filed in Baseball, General, Phillies

By Amy McCormick

Eight. Eight games. Right down the toilet. It hurts to think about, and it’s painful to see it in black and white on my laptop screen. I suppose the insult to injury is that 75% of those losses have been to the Nationals and the Mets.

People keep asking me, “Is it ok to start worrying now?” Listen, I’m not worried. Coming from someone with an anxiety disorder, that speaks volumes. The reason that I’m not worried is that I know that this team has the talent, ability and skill to pull this off. They’ve plowed through this season owning MLB. We should rename the month of June to “Cliff” and August to “Lee.” We should all be wearing our socks above the knees. We should have “Good game, let’s go eat” in the dictionary with the definition, “You just got your asses handed to you by the Phils.” I fully believe and have total faith that this is the best team in baseball. I would marry this team if I could.

So, what’s my problem? I’m pissed off. I’m frustrated. I’m dumbfounded. Sure, these games are “meaningless,” as we all know. That doesn’t mean we should roll into the postseason with zero momentum. They’re better than this. This is not a team that mails in eight consecutive games. We’ve seen offensive slumps this season, but this is out of hand. I love Charlie Manuel, but I don’t know that his style of management is what we need this week. We need someone with zero tolerance for sloppy, lazy performances. We need someone who won’t hold back and get in these players faces. We need someone like me.

I’d let them know that these past eight games have been depressing to watch, and they’re breaking my heart right now. Why end a stellar season on such a sour note? The jam-packed September schedule? Not an excuse, fellas. Everybody’s tired, and Mother Nature happens. What it comes down to is you either play to your potential or you don’t. Right now, I see a lot of talent being crapped on.

Phillies, you’re better than this. Please pull it together. Doc takes the mound at 2:10 today, and while I trust that he can stop the bleeding, I want to see aggressive offense, too. We fans need a win to lift our spirits just as much as you do.

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Is Vick the Next McNabb?

September 24th, 2011 by Christian | Comments Off on Is Vick the Next McNabb? | Filed in General

Is There A Difference?

The similarities cannot be ignored.  Both are muscular, athletic quarterbacks who like to run and can throw the ball a country mile.  In his prime McNabb was considered the most exciting QB in the league. Vick is the NFL’s new Mr. Excitement.  Both also have zero Super Bowl rings. But the most alarming similarity is this – because of their athleticism, both McNabb and Vick did not have to develop the quick release and pinpoint accuracy that other quarterbacks with less mobility need to survive.  Quarterbacks like Brady, Brees, Manning and Rodgers have had to rely on their eyes and arms more than their legs.

McNabb and Vick both were able to bail themselves out by running, and now, when it gets too hot in the kitchen (the pocket), Vick’s first instinct is to hold the ball too long, and then run.

In Vick’s defense, he does not get that glassy-eyed, vomitous look in his eyes that became McNabb’s trademark.  But Vick did throw one of the stupidest interceptions I’ve ever seen last year to end the Eagles season.  And he was not the same quarterback in the second half of the year that he was in the first half.

So, the question in Philly is – as always – does Vick have what it takes to bring the Eagles their first ever Super Bowl win? Or is he another McNabb, or worse yet, Jaworski?  Time will tell.

Eagles-Giants Week 3 Preview

September 24th, 2011 by Scott Dargis | Comments Off on Eagles-Giants Week 3 Preview | Filed in Eagles, Football, General

There was 14 seconds left on the clock, the Eagles had already furiously came back just to tie the Giants at 31. Desean Jackson was back at the opposing 30 yard line signaling that he wanted the ball. Then it happened, Sam Dodge became the answer to an Eagles trivia question in 20 years. We will never forget what happened that day in the new Meadowlands, but this is a new year, and more importantly both are completely different teams.

After two weeks we know these things about the Eagles. Michael Vick just seems to always find some type of contact, even if it is accidental. LeSean McCoy is on his way to becoming one of the elite running backs in the NFL. The wealth of talent in the receiving core is paying dividends and oh yeah good luck trying to come back on this team through the air because it just isn’t going to happen. The pass defense swarms like bees around a nest, but with all of the good comes the bad.

The red zone defense is still putrid. That was the biggest problem with the defense last year and clearly there are still some serious kinks that need to be worked out. The Falcons went a perfect 5-5 with 5 TDs in the red zone last week. Vick is still careless with the football. The fumble at the end of the first half was not his fault, Falcons DT Piera Jerry knew the play that was going to be ran and jumped the snap, but Vick couldn’t use that excuse later on in the game. To top it off the run defense has just been down right pitiful at times, while Matt Ryan got the praise for the 4 TDs, it was Michael Turner that won the game. Between Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs it doesn’t get any easier for the Eagles this week.

The Giants come into this game with a boatload of injuries and players that are banged up, Mario Manningham is out with a concussion, Domenik Hixon is out for the rest of the year after tearing his ACL and Osi Umenyiora is out after having knee surgery a couple weeks ago. Hixon was playing well against the Rams last week before the injury, but he was just one of the few good parts of the offense on Monday night.

Even with all of the injuries to the passing game, the Giants could still give the Eagles all they can handle with the run. Brandon Jacbos always seems to give the defense problems, even if he has only averaged 45 yards a game. Ahmad Bradshaw hasn’t had success against the birds, but with the combination of injuries and the Eagles pass D, Bradshaw could see more opportunities in the passing game, which is a role that has fit him well so far this year.

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