Who is playing? The Philadelphia Eagles (2-3) v. the Chicago Bears (2-4).
When will this game take place? Sunday, October 21st, 2007 at 4:15 (FOX).
Where will this game be played? Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, PA
Why are they playing this game? Because two of the countries greatest sports cities needed another excuse to get rip roaring drunk and curse (not to mention, just like last week, this is a make or break game for each team. Before the season started the Bears and the Eagles were pegged to be the teams to beat in the NFC, now each team is fighting for its playoff life.).
Any notable injuries I should know about before I bet my kids college tuition? Although Eagles free safety Brian Dawkins practiced yesterday (and I use that term loosely, it was more of a slow saunter around the field), he’s still a week(s) away from returning. Other Eagles that may be joining Dawkins on the sideline could be tight end LJ Smith (groin) and tackle …
Both the Eagles and ESPN are reporting that cornerback Lito Sheppard will play this Sunday against the Chicago Bears and Brian Griese. Although it will be nice to see Sheppard (who has missed the last four games) back in action, the Bears passing game isn’t exactly a threat (the Bears rank 20th with 205.5 passing yards per game). In a related story, William James is sad.
“Nothing is certain except death, taxes and Devin Hester scoring special teams touchdowns!.” – The Miami Hurricanes and Chicago Bears coaching staff
This is what the above adage will say if Chicago Bears special teams juggernaut (and apparently wide out), Devin Hester, keeps it up.
Hester’s only six weeks into his second NFL season and has already racked up stats that would take an above average player years to accumulate.
In 2006, his rookie year, he had 6 special teams touchdown (1 field goal return/2 kick returns/3 punt returns)… he also was the first Bear since Brian Urlacher to make the Pro Bowl his rookie season… AND, he became the first player in history to return a Super Bowl opening kick off for a touchdown (just to list a few).
Unlike some players (attention Dante Hall!), he’s showing no signs of slowing down. Just this past week he returned an 89 yard punt for a touchdown against the Vikings. And if that wasn’t enough, he later lined up at wide out …
On a day that the Eagles desperately needed a win, they got it, the hard ugly way.
The Philadelphia Eagles (2-3) defeated the lowly New York Jets (1-5) 16-9 on Sunday, making them a perfect 9-0 in games under Reid following bye weeks; add to the win the news of a Dallas and Washington loss, and this victory tastes even sweeter (the Giants play Monday night against the Atlanta Falcons).
*note – Considering I’m out on the left coast, and I usually go to a bar in Santa Monica to see the Birds play, I must come clean and say that I never actually got to see today’s game. I overslept and ended up “watching” the game on Yahoo’s stat tracker while watching the Titans – Bucs game on TV (this is a bar where if you don’t show up two hours before kick off, you don’t get in). But in my defense, from everything that I’ve read and everyone that I’ve talked to, besides the 75 yard McNabb to …
Who is playing? The Philadelphia Eagles (1-3) v. the New York Jets (1-4).
When will this game take place? Sunday, October 14th, 2007 at 1:00 (FOX).
Where will this game be played? Giants Stadium, New Jersey (how embarrassing is it to be an NFL team in a major market and share a stadium?).
Why are they playing this game? Because both teams seasons hang in balance. And both teams think the other team is so bad right now, that both think this is the game that will start them on the road towards success.
Any notable injuries I should know about before I bet my kids college tuition? Hell yes! I made a HUGE mistake by not taking the William Thomas injury more serious two weeks ago against the Giants and look how that turned out. Thomas could be out yet again, he’s listed as questionable (knee), and if he doesn’t play look for “The King of the Air Block” to get the nod again (deep breath). Other …
Reports have been surfacing today in regards to the likelihood that Philadelphia Eagles head coach Andy Reid could step down as head coach before seasons end due to certain domestic issues. Current Tampa Bay head coach and former Eagles assistant coach John Gruden could very well be his replacement.
Of course these are just rumors, and the odds of Reid leaving mid season are very small; but like my mother always told me, “behind every rumor is some truth, no matter how microscopic.” If for some reason these rumors are true, and Reid does step down mid-season, look for offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg to take over as head coach (unless Banner decides that the season is lost, and brings in Vermeil for publicity purposes)… and look for Donovan McNabb to start packing his bags.
After a humiliating defeat at the hands of the ’76 Steelers… ‘00 Ravens… ‘85 Bears… the ’07 Giants on Sunday, the Birds now enter their bye week. And how might they be spending that week off you ask? Well considering they’re 1-3 and winless in their division, one might guess they’d spend it in the weight room, or on the practice field, or going over film. Well Andy Reid has a different plan, a plan that will ensure success two weeks from now when the Eagles take on the Jets – let them do whatever the hell they wanna do. And with that said, here’s a tentative schedule for some of the Eagles during their bye week.
Wide outs Reggie Brown, Kevin Curtis, Jason Avant and Hank Baskett will be attending the Susquehanna Valley Sports Receivers Camp Thursday through Saturday to try and improve on their combined 3 touchdown catch season (FYI – Curtis owns the rights …
You see what happened? You see? This game is exactly why I don’t give predictions (but the same reason as to why I should be on ESPN).
No one, no one outside the armpit known as “the New Jersey/New York area” that is, could have predicted the dry heave that was the Eagles tonight. I mean what a difference a week makes. The Eagles went from a potential offensive powerhouse (530+ yards against the Lions), to an anemic, bottom of the barrel offense (260-) in the span of seven days. Sure it might have had something to do with with the fact that they were missing three offensive starters, but it had more to do with the fact that McNabb is an inconsistent non-leader, and his receivers are a joke (What’s that you say? The Pats got Randy Moss for a 4th round draft pick this off-season? No way. Liar!).
I’m still trying to wrap my head around tonight’s humiliating …
As reported by John Madden and Al Michaels on NBC’s Football Night in America just moments ago, Brian Westbrook will not play tonight against the Giants. Look for McNabb to throw somewhere between 70 and 100 passes, and look for Correll Buckhalter to get the start.
And now for some good news (and by “good news” I mean “more bad news”)… Brian Dawkins is also inactive tonight… not to mention starting tackle William Thomas… oh, and don’t forget about LJ Smith… and… um… Lito Sheppard. I think that’s it for now, but stay tuned, cause there might be more.
So if you’re scoring at home, that’s FIVE invaluable starting players OUT for tonight’s DIVISIONAL game against the hated GIANTS. God help us!
The Eagles are reporting that starting LT William Thomas (knee) is doubtful for Sunday’s game against the Giants… which would give Winston Justice the start. Corner William James suffered a lacerated finger in practice yesterday, and he is listed as questionable (although I don’t know what the big deal is. When I worked for Trio Cold Cuts back in the 80′s I cut my hand plenty of times. Did that stop me from making the best Trio Special ever? Nope! Quit crying Willie!).
This news shouldn’t make a bit of difference in regards to the outcome of the game (they’re both fat lineman who can block, and James isn’t really anything to write home about). The only thing that changes now is Winston Justice’s family will have a few more people to call than normal to let everyone know their baby is starting!
Who is playing? The Philadelphia Eagles (1-2) v. the New York Giants (1-2).
When will this game take place? Sunday, September 30th, 2007 at 8:15 (NBC).
Where will this game be played? Giants Stadium, New Jersey.
Why are they playing this game? Because this is America.
Any notable injuries I should know about before I bet my kids college tuition? As of right now it looks as though the Eagles will definitely be without TE LJ Smith (groin). As for the rest of the players in question, we won’t know till gameday, but it looks as though FS Brian Dawkins (neck) and T William Thomas (knee) are a go, and CB Lito Sheppard (knee) is a no. As for the Giants, their star receiver Plaxico Burress (ankle sprain) will be in uniform and will play “no question”. On the other hand, starting running back (for how long?) Brandon Jacobs (knee) will still be out of uniform and forced to watch new comer …
Brian Westbrook didn’t practice today but intends to play this Sunday, even though he’s been out all week with an abdominal strain. This would be a great game for B. West in terms of stats considering the New York Giants are letting up almost 103 yards per game on the ground, and almost 33 points per game. Last year Westbrook rushed for 68 and 97 yards respectively, and scored 3 times against the Giants. If Westbrook can’t go, look for Correll Buckhalter and Tony Hunt to get some burn (although the odds of Westbrook not playing against the G-Men are the same odds that you’re going to go see the new Resident Evil movie this weekend – exactly!).
