It’s Tough Being An Eagles Fan

September 30, 2008 By Leave a Comment

Don’t get me wrong. I think Andy Reid is a good coach. I also feel Donovan McNabb is a fine quarterback. But when will the Philadelphia Eagles be a big play team in critical moments? When will they graduate from being a competitive team to an outright force in the NFC?

The game against the Chicago Bears was a game they coulda and shoulda won. 1st and goal and you can’t hammer that sucker in? If you go for it on 4th at least try something different. I know missing Brian Westbrook removes many offensive options but lordy, lord, lord that was hard to digest.

Its Tough Being An Eagles FanIf only David Ackers nails a couple of field goals, eh? Is it me or does the defense seem “off” (particularly the pass defense) this year?

As for Reid, he makes odd decisions. Last week against the Cowpokes, with the score 41-36 after an Eagles TD, why not go for the two-point conversion?

This week, he should have challenged the Bears first TD.

To name but a couple from this year.

I know. Micro-complaining this is. But sometimes it’s the collection of little things that add up to a season.

Let me close on a positive note. McNabb looks great this year and Deshean Jackson is turning out to be a revelation.

So far, the Eagles are letting some opportunities blow right by them and in a tight NFC East (arguably the best division in football) that can come right back and bite them in their bloody behinds.


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RIP Reggie Dunlop

September 30, 2008 By Leave a Comment

nhl g newman 300 RIP Reggie Dunlop By Alex

Bring back old time hockey!


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A Couple Of Wild Pitchers

September 29, 2008 By Leave a Comment

By Alex

Seriously.

C.C. Sabathia.

Three times on three days rest and three wins? No wonder. Look at his arm. A Couple Of Wild Pitchers

To me, that’s one of the best things I’ve seen in sports. His performance essentially propelled the Brewers into the post season.

He wasn’t the only one.

Johan Santana won three games in nine days for the crumbling Mets. One of those was on three days rest.

These guys were amazing down the stretch.

But it’s Sabathia and the Brewers who beat out the Mets for the wild card.


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Stats Corner: Historical Second Best Team In AL

September 29, 2008 By Leave a Comment

With the Boston Red Sox in the playoffs one could be excused if the perception was the Sox were historically the second best team behind the New York Yankees in the American league.

You’re excused.

The Sox aren’t the second best team in terms of World Series appearances. The Philadelphia/Oakland Athletics are.

According to my math, there have been 103 editions of the World Series. The Yankees have participated in 39 (winning 26 times) of those. This means they’ve represented the AL 38% of the time. Next in line are the A’s with 14 (nine titles) or 14%. The Red Sox are third with 11 appearances with seven titles.

Of the three only the Sox have a shot at improving their numbers this postseason. We’ll see.

Food for historical thought. That’s all.


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Bowden Doesn’t Bow Out

September 29, 2008 By Leave a Comment

By Beaker

Let’s see.

The Washington Nationals go 59-102. Naturally, heads were to roll. Usually, the GM and manager are the ones to go. In this case, the Nats fired five coaches and a strength and conditioning coach.

Manager Manny Acta gets to keep his job.

So does GM Jim Bowden. The man behind the mess.

Maybe I don’t know a whole lot but how does Bowden get to keep his job?


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Paul Newman Loved Racing

September 29, 2008 By Leave a Comment

By Bob Ellispaul+newman+1 Paul Newman Loved Racing
paul+newman+2 Paul Newman Loved Racing
pau+newman+3 Paul Newman Loved Racing
paul+newman+3 Paul Newman Loved Racing
paul+newman+5 Paul Newman Loved Racing
Photo Credits:
Paul in fire suit and racing #80 Corvette – Michael Brochstein
Paul with Indy Team – don’t know, do you?


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Baseball Playoffs Around The Corner

September 28, 2008 By Leave a Comment

Let’s kick things off with who else? Bugs Bunny.

Notice the alliteration around 6:22. Hilarious.


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Dinosaurs Rule Soccer

September 28, 2008 By 2 Comments

By Alex

As I’ve written in the past, soccer needs to modernize.

Modernization is often seen as an attack on tradition. We see this often in sports.  Baseball, for example, is guarded by so-called purists. If it were up to them, we’d still be using 19th century rules.

I exaggerate but you get the point.

The last major debate in baseball revolved around the introduction of the wild-card. The idea was met with resistance and skepticism in some circles. Since its arrival, it has reinvigorated MLB playoff races. I don’t think anyone would dispute the excitement it has brought the league. This year, MLB introduced video replay for home runs. Many people were concerned with how it was going to be used and whether it was going to waste time.

These concerns are valid up to a point. If implemented properly there is no doubt video replay can help referees and umpires in any sport. Video replay for home runs has been used and so far it has worked like a charm.

Technology doesn’t have to be evil. It’s a tool; an aid. It makes little sense to ignore technology in sports. In the past, no one asked for replay because the technology wasn’t available. We have to be careful when looking back at the classic age. It’s easy to recall a much simpler and more “noble” time. History does play tricks on the mind you know.

This is why Michel Platini is way off base when he says there’s no room for video replay in soccer. How much of this is directed at Arsene Wenger I can’t say but clearly Platini exhibits the mind of a dinosaur like many of his colleagues including FIFA President Sepp Blatter. Blatter, for his part, treats soccer like his own private fiefdom.

Soccer is the most subjective of sports. In this manner, it shares similar traits with baseball. Ushering in a healthy dose of objectivity could help enormously. It will certainly make a referees job easier. All too often, fans, players (who encircle a ref like vultures when calls don’t go their way) coaches and even Presidents of teams, leagues and organizations throw refs under the bus for missed calls.

Why not help them out a little? Start slowly. Introduce video replay for dubious penalties within the penalty area and disputed goals. However, so far FIFA and UEFA have resisted the use of a soccer smart ball equipped with a chip to determine if a ball crosses the goal line.

The smart ball seems like a brilliant and efficient way to begin the process of modernizing soccer.

Delaying it further has little to do with tradition and everything to to with shortsightedness.

Who will be the visionary and assume leadership on this matter?


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Wenger And Platini Won’t Be Sharing Wine And Cheese

September 28, 2008 By Leave a Comment

By John ST

On one side of this sparring match, we have Frenchman Michael Platini, the president of Uefa and the other, good old Arsene Wenger, manager of Arsenal FC. Both were friends for many years but ever since Platini ascends the lofty position of Uefa president, relationships have been strained.

wenger platini 997125c Wenger And Platini Wont Be Sharing Wine And Cheese

Wenger and Platini were embroiled in a bitter feud again this week, thanks to an interview Platini gave to Dauphine Libere. Let’s look at the comments which Platini raged about.

1. “I like to talk about football, him (Wenger) about business. We must stop with Wenger and all that.”

2. “It would make me happy that Arsene Wenger never sees it (video assistance) .”

3. When asked about his thoughts on Romanian side CFR Cluj’s unexpected victory over Roma in the Champions League last week, Platini said: “That is what makes football so great. It is what people like Wenger do not want, little clubs beating the big clubs, because they want their business.”

Arsene Wenger responded promptly and indicates his shock at being swiped by the president of football’s governing body in Europe.

“I am stunned by the aggressive content of Platini’s words. I am effectively a supporter of video assistance for referees, like all coaches, and I believe UEFA have an important role to play in this. I am for sporting justice and UEFA must be the guarantor of it. I am a supporter of good management of clubs, for financial equilibrium.

“And UEFA must equally support this idea. I am fighting for the future of the game and of football. I don’t see why UEFA should take umbrage at ideas that are different from their own.”

During his reign, Michael Platini was not shy to engage in controversial issues but he was often way off the mark. This latest attack on Arsene Wenger came as a surprise to me, not for its hollowness, but for its ferocity on a fellow countryman.

While I beg to differ with Wenger’s football philosophy at times, especially his selective blindness and reluctance to develop England players en-route to achieving honors for Arsenal; in this instance, I feel Wenger is hard done by.

One minute Platini is lamenting that football clubs neglect their financial affairs, the next, he attacks Wenger for caring only “about business.” Double standards in his concern on football’s developments, indeed.

Why berate about the disparity between the rich and poor in football? The salary scale of super stars and the water carriers is not something new. It was prevalent in Spain and Italy since the 80s, but of late, has taken on mammoth proportions in the Premier League due to the influx of money from foreign owners.

Wenger is not solely responsible for such trends in football. If anything, he regularly loses his best players to poachers from bigger clubs.

I have a healthy respect for Michael Platini’s achievements as a world-class footballer but in his current role as Uefa President, I feel he should help himself preserve a shred of dignity by talking less.

It is unbecoming of a football supremo to single out a particular manager and interfere so ostensibly in his job. Making such aggressive remarks only serve to illustrate Platini as a complacent man who is out of touch with reality.

To be sure, there is a touch of jealousy in the way Arsene Wenger has developed from a mediocre player into a high-flying manager. Conversely, Michael Platini’s best days are now behind him.

As a player, Platini wins hands-down but as Uefa President (the title may seem prestigious), he had accomplished nothing noteworthy and feels more impotent than he will have liked.

Actually, if Platini is intent on gaining respect from his peers, there are several topics which he can champion. The excesses of clubs like Real Madrid, Barcelona, Chelsea, Manchester United and now Manchester City have pumped up transfer prices to a ludicrous level.

If the clubs are self-sufficient and have the resources to splurge, I say by all means, but if heavy leverage and foreign owners are the passport to their bulging transfer budget, what happen to the clubs when the targets of increased gate receipts, merchandise sales, Champions League fall short? Just think Leeds United. Or when the sugar daddys lose interest in the club?

Racism against Emile Heskey by Croatian fans, vicious insults of Sol Campbell which affected his mental stability and the regular outbreaks of violence in the Serie A.

And not to forget, serious reforms in the sport which include minimizing the plethora of ugly fouls, dubious goals and offsides by introducing video technology and replay. Arsenal are not the cleanest players on the pitch, so when they are in support of video technology, the world should Wenger a thumbs up.

As Mark Twain says, it is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt. What do you guys think of the Michael Platini’s feud against Arsene Wenger?

Soccer Net Live


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NFL Picks Week 4

September 28, 2008 By Leave a Comment

By RJ Elliott

Here are my picks for the NFL’s Week 4:

*Sunday September 28, 2008*

RJ’s Lame-Game Of The Week: Cleveland 0-3 at Cincinnati 0-3 – 1:00 PM (Line: Cincinnati by 3)

Last Week: Cleveland was beaten by Baltimore, 28-10. The Browns managed just 169 total net yards and turned the ball over three times (all Derek Anderson INTs). Cincinnati lost to the Giants in overtime, 26-23. T. J. Houshmandzadeh caught 12 passes for 146 yards and a TD in the loss.

What To Expect: The Bengals have essentially no pass rush (just one sack for the entire team through three games). This is good news for Derek Anderson, who’s been sacked 7 times already this season. Anderson isn’t used to facing much pressure; he was sacked just 14 times all of last year (and he started in 15 games). The pass rush has clearly rattled him so far this season: He’s thrown five interceptions and has a dismal quarterback rating of 43.5. So the fact that he’ll presumably have plenty of time in the pocket this week leads me to believe that the Browns will be able to put some points on the board for a change (they’ve scored just 26 points total this year, last in the NFL). Therefore, I think they’ll pull off the upset on the road.

RJ’s Pick: Cleveland by 2

Minnesota 1-2 at Tennessee 3-0 – 1:00 PM (Line: Tennessee by 3)

Last Week: Minnesota beat the Panthers, 20-10. The offense dominated the time-of-possession, and the defense sacked Jake Delhomme five times and forced two fumbles. Tennessee defeated Houston, 31-12. LenDale White ran for two scores and the defense intercepted Matt Schaub three times.

What To Expect: The Vikings have an excellent run defense and are clearly a better offensive team with Gus Frerotte under center. The Titans have a great all-around defense (they’ve given up just 29 points total this season, best among NFL teams that have played three games), and are clearly a better offensive team with Kerry Collins starting at quarterback. I don’t expect a blowout, but I do believe the home team will get it done.

RJ’s Pick: Tennessee by 7

Denver 3-0 at Kansas City 0-3 – 1:00 PM (Line: Denver by 9.5)

Last Week: Denver won against New Orleans, 34-32. Brandon Marshall caught six passes for 155 yards and a touchdown. Kansas City lost to Atlanta, 38-14. Tyler Thigpen was really quite bad, completing just 14-of-36 passes for 128 yards, one TD, and three INTs.

What To Expect: The Broncos have scored 114 points through three games, best in the NFL. The Chiefs have scored 32, fourth-fewest in the league. Denver’s big weakness is their pass defense, but will the Damon Huard-led Chiefs be able to take advantage of that? I doubt it.

RJ’s Pick: Denver by 14

San Francisco 2-1 at New Orleans 1-2 – 1:00 PM (Line: New Orleans by 6)

Last Week: San Francisco stomped Detroit, 31-13. Frank Gore rushed for 130 yards and a touchdown, and also caught four passes for 32 yards. New Orleans lost at Denver, 34-32. Drew Brees threw for 421 yards and a touchdown in the loss.

What To Expect: The Saints have a potent passing game, but a sub-par running game. And their defense leaves much to be desired. TE Jeremy Shockey is out with an injury, and OL Jamar Nesbit is suspended for, apparently, using steroids. The 49ers have an above-average offense (especially running the ball), and a solid pass defense. I’m going with the upset.

RJ’s Pick: San Francisco by 1

By the way, did you hear the news? Matt Millen was fired! I was so happy when I found out, I fell to my knees and wept. Then laughed hysterically. Then wept some more. I’m pretty sure I had some sort of a breakdown. But it was worth it. ^_^

Arizona 2-1 at New York Jets 1-2 – 1:00 PM (Line: New York Jets by 1.5)

Last Week: Arizona lost to Washington, 24-17. Larry Fitzgerald had 7 catches for 109 yards and a TD in a losing effort. The New York Jets were abused by San Diego on MNF, 48-29. They could manage just 41 yards on the ground, and Brett Favre and Kellen Clemens combined to throw three picks.

What To Expect: Favre is gimpy but expected to start after injuring his ankle last week. Kurt Warner should have a lot of success against the Jets secondary, but don’t expect much from Edgerrin James. I’m going to have to pick another road ‘dog here.

RJ’s Pick: Arizona by 4

Green Bay 2-1 at Tampa Bay 2-1 – 1:00 PM (Line: Tampa Bay by 1.5)

Last Week: Green Bay lost to Dallas, 27-16. The Packers defense gave up 217 yards on the ground. Tampa Bay beat Chicago in overtime, 27-24. Brian Griese completed 38-of-67 passes for 407 yards and two TDs, and incredibly wasn’t sacked once.

What To Expect: The Packers defense was already pretty porous, and now it looks like cornerback Al Harris might be out for the season with a spleen injury (ouch!). Look for Earnest Graham to have a 100-yard game rushing. This should be a close game.

RJ’s Pick: Tampa Bay by 4

Atlanta 2-1 at Carolina 2-1 – 1:00 PM (Line: Carolina by 7.5)

Last Week: Atlanta defeated the Chiefs, 38-14. Michael Turner gained 104 yards on the ground and got into the end zone three times. Carolina lost to Minnesota, 20-10. The Panthers had just 47 yards rushing on 20 attempts.

What To Expect: The Falcons lead the NFL in rushing with an average of 203 yards per game. The Panthers run defense is just mediocre, so Jerious Norwood and Michael Turner should combine for at least 150 yards on the ground (unless the Falcons fall behind early and have to go one-dimensional). So, yup: I’m going with yet another road ‘dog.

RJ’s Pick: Atlanta by 1

Houston 0-2 at Jacksonville 1-2 – 1:00 PM (Line: Jacksonville by 7.5)

Last Week: Houston lost to the Titans, 31-12. Matt Schaub was awful, completing just 17 of 37 passing attempts, and throwing 3 INTs and no touchdowns. Jacksonville beat the Colts in Indianapolis, 23-21. Both Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew rushed for over 100 yards.

What To Expect: Texans fans are calling for future Hall of Famer Sage Rosenfels to replace Matt Schaub, but head coach Gary Kubiak is ignoring them, for now. The Jaguars should rack up some serious yardage on the ground in this one.

RJ’s Pick: Jacksonville by 11

San Diego 1-2 at Oakland 1-2 – 4:05 PM (Line: San Diego by 7)

Last Week: San Diego crushed the Jets, 48-29. Philip Rivers threw for 3 TDs, and LaDainian Tomlinson ran for two more. Oakland lost at Buffalo, 24-23. The Raiders were dominated in time-of-possession, and JaMarcus Russell completed just 9 of 19 passes.

What To Expect: Philip Rivers should throw for at least 300 yards against the weak Raiders pass defense. San Diego’s pass defense is pretty bad, too, but Oakland is last in the league in passing yards per game. JaMarcus Russell isn’t scaring too many cornerbacks or safeties. And remember, San Diego is one defensive play and one bad call away from being 3-0 right now. This should be a blowout.

RJ’s Pick: San Diego by 17

Buffalo 3-0 at Saint Louis 0-3 – 4:05 PM (Line: Buffalo by 8.5)

Last Week: Buffalo beat the Raiders, 24-23. Marshawn Lynch ran for two scores in the come-from-behind victory. Saint Louis lost to Seattle, 37-13. The Rams defense allowed 245 yards on the ground, while their offense managed just 65 rushing yards on 24 carries.

What To Expect: Saint Louis is last in the league in rushing yards per game. Their passing game hasn’t been much better, so Marc Bulger has been benched in favor of the ageless Trent Green. Defensively, they are also horrendous. The Rams have given up 116 points (most in the NFL) and have scored just 29 (worst in the NFC). The Bills have a solid defense and an above-average passing attack. This should be an absolute slaughter. A shutout is not out of the question, either.

RJ’s Pick: Buffalo by 21

RJ’s Game Of The Week: Washington 2-1 at Dallas 3-0 – 4:15 PM (Line: Dallas by 11)

Last Week: Washington beat Arizona, 24-17. Jason Campbell was very efficient, completing 22 of 30 passes for 193 yards, two TDs, and no interceptions. Dallas defeated the Packers at Green Bay, 27-16. Marion Barber rushed for 142 yards and a touchdown on 28 carries.

What To Expect: Redskins DE Jason Taylor is out for at least a week after having emergency surgery on his injured calf. The Cowboys lead the league in total yards per game. On paper, this looks like a relatively easy win for Dallas. But Washington usually plays Dallas close, even when the Cowboys are playing at home and clearly have the better team (as is the case here). Also, Jason Campbell has been excellent so far this year. He hasn’t thrown a single interception, and his quarterback rating is in the triple digits. I predict a victory for the home team, but no blowout.

RJ’s Pick: Dallas by 3

Philadelphia 2-1 at Chicago 1-2 – 8:15 PM (Line: Philadelphia by 3)

Last Week: Philadelphia beat Pittsburgh, 15-6. The Eagles defense racked up a total of nine sacks. Chicago lost at home to the Buccaneers in overtime, 27-24. Brandon Lloyd caught six passes for 124 yards and a score (his first TD since 2005) in the loss.

What To Expect: Donovan McNabb should have great success against the Bears secondary. Matt Forte will struggle to get more than a yard or two per carry against the Eagles run defense. Kyle Orton will likely spend a significant portion of the game laying on his back, with a very large man on top of him. (He might like that more than you’d think.) What I’m saying is, don’t expect a close game.

RJ’s Pick: Philadelphia by 10

*Monday September 29, 2008*

Baltimore 2-0 at Pittsburgh 2-1 – 8:30 PM (Line: Pittsburgh by 5.5)

Last Week: Baltimore beat Cleveland, 28-10. Le’Ron McClain rushed for two touchdowns, the first (and second) of his career. Pittsburgh lost to the Eagles, 15-6. The Steelers were held to just 33 yards rushing on 19 attempts.

What To Expect: Ravens QB Joe Flacco has a flaccid (lol) quarterback rating of 55.7 through two games. But Baltimore has a solid defense, one of the best in the league, and we saw just how bad the Steelers looked against a good defensive team last week. Also, Willie Parker is injured and will not be able to play. However, Pittsburgh has one of the top defensive units in the league themselves. I expect a very low-scoring game (bet the under!).

RJ’s Pick: Pittsburgh by 3

[Bye Week Teams: Detroit Lions 0-3, Indianapolis Colts 1-2, Miami Dolphins 1-2, New England Patriots 2-1, New York Giants 3-0, Seattle Seahawks 1-2]


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