2 In A Row...

In the L column. This has to be a quick post because I am pretty busy right now with my online sports journalism class, but the Flyers lost at the Tampa Bay Lightning last night 4-1.

Kimmo Timonen had to leave the game with a bad facial injury, but fortunately he will play tonight as the Flyers travel to the Florida Panthers.

Hopefully, they will end the two-game skid.

Is this the early 2000's or 2009?

I am in a state of disbelief. My prediction for the Eagles game, as many other Philadelphians, was that the Eagles would topple the Giants. I felt better about that game than the Vikings game believe it or not. Did I actually believe that the resurgent Eagles could take down the defending Super bowl champions? Yes. I actually did. You may be asking yourself how on earth I could possibly be predicting an Eagles victory with Donovan McNabb at the helm and Andy Reid calling plays, after writing a piece called "End of an Era and Week 13 Picks Part 1." Well every other NFL journalist is asking themselves precisely the same question. If you have watched an ounce of ESPN this week or read anything on football you will have read something like "everyone counted the Eagles out" or "who woulda thunkit after McNabb was benched in week 12?" So I will no reiterate the point. You get it. McNabb was benched, people called for Reid's head, the season was over, yadda yadda yadda.

That is all over and done with. It's in the past. Know what else is in the past? The Eagles 48-20 demolishing of the very same Cardinals they are playing in the NFC Championship game this Sunday at 3 pm. Except one thing. These aren't the very same Cardinals. They beat the coach of the year and the rookie of the year two weeks ago and won their game versus the Panthers in the first quarter. And what is the big revelation that Ken Whisenhunt had about the offense? To run the ball (sound familiar Eagles fans?)

Well I am here to tell you to put your fears aside. The Arizona Cardinals may have started to run the ball, but not terribly effectively. All this talk of Edgerrin James and his "fresh legs" is nothing to fret about. I drafted this loser three years ago in the first round of my fantasy draft and he had a majorly disappointing season. So while I may hold a grudg-errin against Edgerrin it has nothing to do with my feelings on his 2009 playoff performance. The man couldn't win the big one for the Colts during his tenure in Indy and he sure as hell won't do it in Arizona.

Another big point. For those analysts and Cardinals believers who continue to point to the run game as the reason for their success, look no further than the Eagles playoff success versus the run. The best back the league has to offer, Adrian Peterson was nonexistent in the second half. Brandon Jacobs may have gained 92 yards on the ground, but he (and the rest of the Giants) were kept out of the end zone. The Iggs also stuffed him twice on 4th and short situations. Stopping Edge shouldn't be a problem after the running backs we experienced the first two rounds.

For all the talk of the Cardinals newfound running game, it's nothing special. Bear with me for some stats here. During the season the Cardinals ranked last in rushing yards per game and second last in yards-per-carry with 3.5. Their playoff rushing numbers yield an underwhelming 3.2 yards-per-carry which would drop them down to the only spot below them in that category - last.

The truth about the Cardinals is that they are a good team. Good but not great. They beat a rookie Quarterback and rookie Coach with their experienced old man Warner leading the pack. They beat a team coming off a bye week (one of three bye teams to lose this weekend), a Panthers team with the 18th ranked defense. Impressive win? Of course. Match this dynamic offense against the 3rd ranked defense and a different old man wins this matchup - Jim Johnson. Asante Samuel and Sheldon Brown are better than Chris Gamble and Ken Lucas. Brian Dawkins over Chris Harris any day, not that either of those comparisons needed to be made. Fitzgerald and Boldin will get their catches, but not the ones that matter most.

Some things that need a-fixin' from the Giants game...

-Brent Celek needs to make wide open catches

-Kevin Curtis needs to make wide open catches

-McNabb needs more consistent protection

-The offensive line needs to open up some holes for Westbrook

-More Buckhalter!

-8 penalties for 61 yards is too much. Cut it in half.

-David Akers cannot be counted on to make midfield tackles

My crystal ball shows me an Eagles victory. 31-17

Go Eagles!

5 In A Row

The 76ers are on a roll! Last night, they won their fifth in a row, defeating the visiting Blazers 100-79.

Hopefully they can keep this going. I am not going to get too excited though because like I said, they need to keep it consistent and not streaky.

Flyers Home Streak Ends

This happened last night, but a late post is better than none at all. The Flyers were unable to make it nine wins in a row at home with a 4-2 loss to the hated Penguins last night at the Wachovia Center.

You knew the streak was going to end eventually, but it is disappointing that it ended against the stinking Penguins. You would hope the Flyers would not allow that, especially to this particular team and their recent struggles.

Another thing to be upset about is the Flyers fell to second place in the Atlantic Division with the loss and the Rangers as they are now one point behind that freaking team in blue. 

Let's go boys, get it done tomorrow.

Don't These Jackasses Have Anything Better To Do?

Apparently not. What a waste of money, especially with the way the economy is. But then again, can we expect anything less? They're cough cough MIDGETS cough cough Giants fans.

Courtesy of finding this on the700level.com.

Videos That Sum Up The Victory

Courtesy of finding them on the700level.com, here are a slew of videos on YouTube and ESPN.com that re-cap some of the great moments of this past week's game.

They are Donovan McNabb's special phone call, Brian Dawkin's emotion after the game, Brandon Jacobs' post-game prediction and Giants fans being spoiled little brats.

Going To Arizona

Yes they did! The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the New York Giants at the Meadowlands in the Divisional Round 23-11.

And they did everything we said they needed to do.

They kept Brandon Jacobs under wraps.

They flustered Eli Manning.

They had a balanced attack.

And, for the most part (except for that safety), they protected Donovan McNabb from getting pounced by the Giants defense.

It is safe to say this is possibly a team of destiny, yet they still got business to take care of. One game at a time is the mentality they need. Arizona is a different team from that Thanksgiving game and although the Eagles are too, that is not something to take for granted. 

More on this game later on in the week.

Lastly, I do not want to waste a post on this, but the Sixers completed the two for two day by winning their fourth straight, 109-94 in Atlanta.

But now, let's take care of the Cardinals.

E-A-G-L-E-S EAGLES!!!

Poll Results

Out of the 10 votes for our Eagles poll this week, here are the final results:

1. Keeping Brandon Jacobs to minimal yardage-2 votes

2. Flustering Eli Manning-2 votes

3. Having a balanced offensive attack-2 votes

4. Protecting Donovan McNabb from the Giants defense-4 votes

So, No. 4 is our winner. But, I think everyone would agree that in order for the Eagles to play in Arizona next week, all four of these HAVE to happen.

Flyers On A Rolll and Sixers Continue To Leave You Scratching Your Heads

The Flyers won 4-1 over the Maple Leafs.

It was their eighth home win in a row and they are 12-0-2 in their last 14 home games.

Marty Biron was solid between the pipes saving 41 out of 42 shots.

Jeff Carter got his 28th and 29th goals to lead the NHL and Mike Richards and Andrew Alberts scored as well.

Keep it up boys.

Three In A Row?

Believe it. 

Behind another stellar night from Andre Miller, the Sixers defeated Larry Brown's Bobcats at the Wachovia Center last night 93-87.

That's three in a row and it's sweet!

Believe In Hope

With a new year brings an all new reason to hope for the city of Philadelphia. Coming off the city's first championship in 25 years, who is to say that it cannot be done again? Exhibit A: The Philadelphia Eagles.

2008 went down as perhaps the most up and down season in Eagles History. Sure, they have started hot before and gone cold. But never have we seen such such unbalance. The 08 Birds never won more than 3 games in a row. They lost 2 in a row once and had a three game skid which included two losses and a tie. They scored less than 10 points twice, and more than 40 points three times. No one really knows what to expect. Something that those of us who don't quite believe can do however, is to hope. I believe in hope.

We turned the corner when McNabb came back from his benching and won three straight. Then a 3 point offensive showing to a couldn't-be-colder Redskins team? Then, of course, a 44-6 domination over a team so embodied by its singular personalities, the Dallas Cowboys.

After a sloppy first half with classic Andy Reid 3rd and 2 long passes leading to a few punts, the Eagles completely dominated the Vikings in the final 30 minutes, holding their running game to just 17 yards on 8 carries. The defense made the stops when it needed to make them.

On to the next contest. Those New York Football Giants. Defending Super Bowl Champions and current NFC Regular Season Champs. Who is the favorite? By all means the Giants. Who is going to win? The Philadelphia Eagles. What kind of ludicrous statement is that to make, you may be asking. Why would I pick the Eagles over the Giants at the Meadowlands? Besides the green that runs through my veins, there are quite a few reasons. I will lay them out for you here...

1. Playing at the Meadowlands. So far this season the two contests between these bitter rivals has been won by the visiting team. Eagles won in NY, Giants won in Philly. This is one theory that offers up an Eagles double-you, but not one that I would put too much stock into.

2. The Giants have lost 3 of their last 4 games. Albeit one took place in the week 17 resting of their starters in the second half. Make that a win and they are still only 2-2. Anyone watching Eli play the first half in the Giants week 17 loss to the Vikings could see that Manning was not his usual self. In the last four games of the season, Manning threw just 2 touchdowns and two picks, was sacked 12 times, and fumbled twice.

3. Try to think back to last year. This wasn't much of a story line at this moment in 2008 as the Giants snuck into the playoffs without too much noise. There was tremendous support from the Giants' fans to have their franchise quarterback traded and their moody coach fired. Fans wanted the Giants to lose even though they were in the playoffs. Does this sound familiar my fellow Philadelphians? For how long have we been dialing WIP's number and calling for McNabb's head? After how many called passing plays on 3rd and 1 have we wanted Andy Reid out of our beloved city? Hey, I'll admit it. I have never been shy to bash the Eagles - namely McNabb and Reid. Many are still not satisfied with our position now. Again, I am not. I always want a Super Bowl. But at the same time, I am realistic. Big Red and Five will be back next year, and it seems like they both give us the best chance to win.

So while those in New York were throwing Tom Coughlin under the proverbial bus, we have done the same to Reid. The Giants have made the "sneaking into the playoffs quietly and winning the Super Bowl" story quite old to everyone already. How many times have you heard the phrase, "this year's Giants?" And how many times have the Eagles been attributed to that phrase? Almost every time. We are in a great position heading into Sunday's game.

4. And last but not least, just as you thought I wouldn't mention it - Plaxico Burress. This man has been the definition of an Eagles Killer. Look at his career stats versus the Eagles (as a Giant, not a Steeler). 7 games, 32 receptions, 516 yards, 5 touchdowns. In last years playoffs, Eli Manning trusted Burress with 25% of his completions, more then 25% of his yards, and added a touchdown in the biggest game to take down the all-mighty Patriots in Super Bowl 42. Without Plax, the Giants went a mediocre 3-3 in their last 6 games. Before? 9-1. 2 of the three wins were legitimate, beating the number 2 seed Carolina Panthers in overtime and the opponent of the Panthers this Saturday - the Arizona Cardinals.

Without Plaxico, a receiver who has shredded the Eagles Secondary apart for the past 3 and a half seasons, the Giants become much less scary. Their offense now has to rely on Domenik Hixon as their number 1 wideout which puts more pressure on banged up monster running back Brandon Jacobs.

So I will ignore the obvious reasons why we may not win this game (Akers can't kick for squat against the G-Men, we never know when Reid will abandon the run, it IS a home game for the Giants, and the Giants are supposed to win)

Now let us take a look at the weather conditions for the game. It will be a high of 33 and a low of 21 with only a 10% chance of precipitation. The wind impact is one to take notice of, right now being listed as 13 miles per hour North/Northwest. Should make for an interesting day of passing and kicking.

My prediction for the Philadelphia Eagles vs. New York Giants playoff game for a trip to the Conference Finals: Eagles 27 Giants 20

Do I believe? I don't know. But I can sure as hell hope.

Go Eagles

J.C. Is In...

...the other J.C. that is...Jeff Carter. That's right. Carter is in the NHL All-Star this season. Surprisingly and disturbingly, he is the only member of the Orange and Black to be so. 

However, the Flyers don't care about All-Star games. They care about W's and tonight they got one at the Wach (that's right...they're back playing there again after a two week hiatus). They defeated the Wild 3-1 and my boy SCOTTIE UPSHALL scored a goal and had an assist. 

Short post tonight. More on this crazy world of Philly sports tomorrow.

Wing Bowl 17

When you think of Philadelphia Sports you think of the Sixers, Flyers, Eagles and Phillies. Also included in the category, Philadelphia Sports, you have the Soul, Phantoms, Kixx, Wings and all the colleges that surround the city. Yet every year thousands of Philadelphians come out in the early hours of the morning to drink and watch grown men eat hundreds of wings. This great event is Wing Bowl.

This year we have a local participant in Wing Bowl 17. His name is Brian “Cadillac" Corrigan. Cadillac ate 56 wings in 10 mins at Paddy Whacks Pub on South St. on Wednesday night. Corrigan resides in Rockledge, Pa. When January 30th rolls around Corrigan, along with 49 others, will be competing for the city crown of wing eating. We here at South Broad Street wish Brian luck on his way to the top.

For more information click here.

"We're in Milwaukee and it's MILLER TIME!!!!!!!!!!"

Those words spoken by 76ers TV analyst Bob Salmi when Andre Miller knocked down a clutch three pointer in the final minute says it all. Miller–28 points on 8-13 shooting, six assists and nine rebounds in the Sixers 110-105 victory out in Milwaukee.

Along with Miller, the rest of the team as a whole had a solid game. Andre Iguodala filled the stat sheet as usual (now get a damn jump shot) and Royal Ivey came off the bench against his former team and D-ed it up! His name is pronounced "Royale" and his defense was without question ROYALE!

Anyway, this victory makes it two in a row for the Sixers. Let's see if they can keep it going.

One for Two Tonight: 76ers Didn't Find A Way To Lose and Flyers Lost A Shootout (Surprised?)

The half empty Wachovia Center saw a good basketball game tonight. Isn't that rare? The 76ers defeated Yao Ming, Tracy McGrady and the visiting Rockets 104-96.

Andre Iguodala filled up the stat sheet again, while Andre Miller compiled a bunch of assists, Theo Ratliff played stellar defense and Marreese Speights proved why this rookie is something to look at.

Now, they need to keep this going as they travel North to Milwaukee tomorrow night to take on the Bucks. This should be a win, but note the word "should."

As far as the Orange and Black go, the Verizon Center in Washington was not a place of smiles and two points. Instead, it is a place of only one point and it did not come by a loss in overtime. Go figure.

The Flyers lost in a shootout (what else is new) 2-1 to Alexander Ovechkin and the Caps.

It is time to bring the boys home. They have been on the road for about a couple of weeks now and the cozy confines of the Wachovia Center are much needed as Thursday they host the Minnesota Wild.

I expect two points to come from this contest.

Follow Up Opinion On Giles

Didn't Marcus Giles get in a confrontation with Carlos Ruiz in 2007 when Chooch slid hard into second during a game at the Bank?

This should work out well.

Phillies sign Marcus Giles

Jayson Stark of ESPN has reported that former Braves and Padres player, Marcus Giles, and the Phillies have reached an agreement for a minor league contract worth $600,000 if he makes the Opening Day roster.

Comment: This adds depth at 2nd base for the Phils as Chase Utley works his way back from surgery. Giles will likely compete with Eric Bruntlett and Jason Donald for the starting spot at 2nd if Utley is not able to return for Opening Day.

- Fran

Tim McCarver...Bad Now...Worse 28 Years Ago

I know all Phillies fans were having headaches listening to Joe Buck and Tim McCarver during the NLCS and World Series. However, if you thought McCarver was bad now, he was worse before. 

I guess Harry never got that Mazda...shucks.

UPDATE ON J.C. ROMERO

There has been an update on the J.C. Romero suspension. As Dave posted earlier in a report by Peter Gammons, J.C. has been suspended by Major League Baseball for fifty games.


There has been a more recent report by Phil Sheridan of the Philadelphia Inquirer. In his report he explains that Romero had tried a new supplement called 6-OXO Extreme. Romero showed the supplement to the Phillies strength coach. He advised Romero to check again with someone else before using it. Romero checked with his personal nutritionist who checked the label and saw nothing wrong with the product. The Phillies strength coach sent a sample to MLB for testing. The result of the testing showed that there was a substance in the supplement that could result in a positive drug test. However this drug is availed to anyone, youth or adult, in the United States. MLB never told Romero that there was a problem with the supplement that he was taking.


For more information read the report by Phil Sheridan here: http://www.philly.com/philly/hp/news_update/20090105_Phils_Romero_facing_50-game_ban.html


-Fran

J.C. Got Screwed...

...at least from what I can tell. This is a pretty confusing story written by Peter Gammons of Espn.com.

Apparently, J.C. Romero tested positive for substances banned by Major League Baseball and thus, do to not admitting he was guilty, Romero has been suspended the first 50 games of the 2009 season and fined $1.25 million.

The substance that Romero bought over-the-counter at a GNC store in Cherry Hill, N.J. last July is the cause of the positive testing. However, Romero says that he double-checked a bunch of times to make sure the substance was legal. He checked with nutritionists, Phillies staff and the Players Association.

He felt that he did nothing wrong and was supposedly misinformed about the situation he was in.

To me, Romero seems like a good guy and someone who would not take the game's integrity away. 

Like I said, this story is very confusing and Romero is clearly just as baffled as we are. Obviously, more from this will come later and hopefully easier to understand. Here is the story. You interpret it for yourself.

-Romero questions suspension[Espn.com]