Curse of Billy Penn

Favre runs up score against Cowboys. Gotta love it!

Brett Favre: You either love him or hate him!  When he's playing the Cowboys, however, it's safe to say Eagles fans love him!

With two minutes remaining, the Vikings led 27-3.  I didn't think it could get any better!  Then, Favre threw an unnecessary touchdown pass to give the Vikings a 34-3 lead. 

Was it inappropriate?  Was it tasteless?  Is it something you just don't do?  The answer to those questions would usually be yes, however, those rules don't apply to the Cowboys!  It was frigging awesome!

You may be tired of Favre and his "gonna retire/not gonna retire" shenanigans, but he earned some points on this one!  

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Vote: Is it time for McNabb to go?

Can you consider McNabb's career in Philadelphia a success?  Reaching the playoffs in eight of the past ten seasons, playing in Five NFC Championship games and a Super Bowl, I guess you can.  Important that it may be, however, it is somewhat irrelevant regarding their future. 

Michael Vick will almost certainly be leaving.  Do you stick with McNabb?  I think it may be time to move on!

Donovan McNabb:  Though McNabb's history is impressive, there are a lot of Eagles fans that feel he has failed us.  He has taken us to many Championship games, but still hasn't won a Super Bowl.  Every time they are eliminated, he takes the brunt of the blame.  Deserved or not, Eagles fans are losing their patience!  

Vaughn Hebron said it best during the Eagles post-game show, saying the relationship between McNabb and the fans has gone as far as it can go.  Whether he has been successful in Philadelphia or if he is one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, is no longer a factor.  Year in and year out we get the same result.  Though successful, it is stale.  It's just time for a change!

Time for Kolb?  It is time to give Kolb his shot!  Some say he doesn't have what it takes to be an NFL starter, but there has to be a plan for him somewhere.  If they feel he is not capable of being an NFL starter, then they should move on.  Otherwise, he is their No.1 pick.  They have money and time tied up in him.  If he is your future, you can't let him sit on the bench for years!  Give him his shot and let him grow with this core of young receivers. 

Is it that tough of a decision?  What's the worst that can really happen?  McNabb has gone down before, and it hasn't been a setback for the team.  In 2002 they won five of their last six games when McNabb broke his foot.  It was Koy Detmer and A.J. Feeley that helped the Eagles finish 12-4.  In 2006, McNabb left Jeff Garcia a 5-5 team when he went down for the season.  They ended up 10-6!

With the right team, and a solid quarterback, you can easily make the playoffs!  Do we really think Kolb can't take this team to the playoffs?  If you think about it, that's all McNabb has ever done.  You can argue that Kolb will never win you a Super Bowl, but guess what, McNabb has never won you one either!     

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Another Eagles' season ends in disappointment!

There's so much to say about the Eagles early exit from the playoffs.  Where do we being?

Coach: It was another disappointing big game coaching performance from Andy Reid.  He always changes his strategy in big games, steering away from what got him there in the first place!  They won six straight before their Cowboys' match-ups.  In those games they averaged 28 running attempts.  Against the Cowboys, they attempted 10 last week and 13 this week.  

How can you expect to win big games running the ball 10-13 times?  Reid believes throwing the ball 80-percent of the time is the way to win - though he has proven it is not - but he is unwilling to accept reality.  It is his way, and he will make it work...so he thinks.  This arrogance have prevented the Eagles from winning a Super Bowl!  That, along with his inability to make decisions during games.  He can prepare well for a game, but can't adapt during the game when things don't go as planned.

Defense:  You can argue that Andy Reid and Donovan McNabb are proven, having played in 5 NFC Championship games and a Super Bowl over the past ten years.  Don't forget defense played the biggest role in that then they did!  We have been spoiled, having one of the best defenses in football over the past decade.  We have lost some key players over the past couple of years, along with the best defensive coordinator in football.  The impact has been dramatic!

The Eagles defense has allowed an average of nearly 20-points per game throughout the season.  That number is over 30-points per game against teams that reached the playoffs.  You're not going to go far when you let teams run all over you like that!

I'm still trying to figure this out...Brian Dawkins?  It's a shame he will not be wearing an Eagles helmet when he takes the field at the Pro Bowl, as a starter no less.  But the Eagles know best, he's too old!  

Quarterback:  McNabb is the first name thrown out there when the Eagles are eliminated from the post-season every year.  McNabb takes the brunt of the blame!  You cannot blame McNabb for their loss Saturday night, as the team was beat in just about every aspect of the game.  Regardless of that, however, he has to show up!  Blame aside, McNabb has a history of crumbling when it counts.  It counted Saturday, and McNabb was nowhere to be found!  His biggest play was an interception that was fumbled for a relatively large gain in yards for the Eagles.

I'm not going to say he's a bad player.  He's not!  But at this point in time, I would have to argue that he can't get it done...because he hasn't!  Say what you will, he's had enough opportunities to prove that wrong!

Don't expect change:  Was it disappointing losing back-to-back games to the Cowboys that led to a first round elimination?  Sure!  It was also disappointing when they lost NFC Championship games to the Rams, Buccaneers, Panthers, and Cardinals!  It was disappointing when they lost the Super Bowl to the Patriots!  

The common factor binding those losses...Reid and McNabb!  Generally, when something is not working, you make changes.  Reid just got a three year extension, and said McNabb is his quarterback.  They don't appear to be making any changes, so don't expect any changes in results!

Could Saturday be McNabb's last game as an Eagle?

The big question going around: if the Eagles lose to the Cowboys on Saturday, could that be McNabb's last game as an Eagle?

This is the same question that comes up every season!  Just a week ago, there were huge hopes for the Eagles.  We had a chance to finish off the season with a victory over the Cowboys to win the division, earning a bye week in the playoffs.  Now it looks like they are going to get knocked out of the playoffs in the first round, by none other than the Cowboys!

Have the fans reached a breaking point with McNabb?  Are they ready to move on?  You can argue that McNabb has had ten years now, and just might not be the guy to get it done!  You can also argue that the Eagles have enjoyed much success under McNabb, reaching five NFC Championship games and a Super Bowl, and that their success would have been absent without McNabb.

Which of these statements are true?  Maybe both, maybe neither!  Maybe he was the guy to get it done, but never had the right weapons.  I have often been critical of McNabb, and I don't personally feel he is a big game quarterback, but I would pin most of their failures on Reid.  

Over the past ten years, the Eagles have reached the playoffs seven times, but I'm not convinced that success would not have been there without McNabb.  In 2002, the Eagles ended up 12-4.  McNabb missed 6-games, in which the Eagles went 5-1 without him.  In 2006, when McNabb was lost for the season, Jeff Garcia took over a 5-5 team, leading them to the playoffs with a 10-6 record.  The eventual Super Bowl Champion Indianapolis Colts were the only team to beat the Eagles in a game that McNabb did not play in.

The real question is, how valuable is McNabb?  You can argue they would never have had the success they did without him, but it looks like they very well may have.  Nobody really knows the answer to that question.  One thing we do know, however, is that McNabb has never won the big one.  How many chances do you need before it's time to move on?

So if they lose...

Is it time for McNabb to go?  Here is something to consider: Kevin Kolb has been here for three years now, and is suppose to be the teams future.  Michael Vick is scheduled to make $5.2-million next year.  McNabb is set to make $11.2-million, possibly $11.7 if he plays all 16-games.  There is a decision to be made!

I'm not sure what to do with Vick, or exactly what their intention was in the first place.  If Kobl is your future, when do you take that next step?  The Packers eventually decided it was time.  Rodgers was their future, and they parted ways with Favre, who not only won them a Super Bowl, but had them in the NFC Championship game just months before.  

Whether you are a McNabb supporter or not, we all understand that this decision will one day come.  Getting knocked out of the playoffs in the first round by the Cowboys, when there was great hope they could go deep...this might just be the right time!

Should Saturday's game warrant that type of decision?  Considering all the circumstances, I would have to say yes.  After ten years of "almost," your "supposed" future quarterback ready to go (as ready as he will ever be), blowing their chance to win the division on the final day, getting knocked out of the playoffs in the first round by their arch nemesis, and considering the amount of money McNabb is scheduled to make next season...I think this is the type of game that warrants that type of decision!  

But this is the Eagles we are talking about.  They don't think the same way!  Team President Joe Banner once commented about doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results.  Donovan McNabb will be back next year!

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Donovan McNabb has a lot to say; Blames team for loss

"We showed our youth.  In situations where everyone began to look around to see who was going to make the play instead of stepping up and making the play, and that's something that comes with the territory when you have a young group."

-Donovan McNabb, on losing to the Cowboys

That's an interesting take on McNabb's part!  I'm a little confused, if his receivers had more experience, would they have caught passes that were nowhere within their reach?  DeSean Jackson may be young, but the potential six points that sailed over his head had nothing to do with youth!

McNabb addressed the comment, saying he was not blaming anybody for the loss, took responsibility for his own level of play, and that he would never throw anybody under the bus.  I don't care how much responsibility he took for himself, he completely threw the team under the bus!  In fact, this isn't the first time he has done that. 

Following their 2008 NFC Championship game loss to the Cardinals, McNabb had this to say: "We were up, 25-24. (The Cardinals) drove down 72 yards by running the ball, probably, what, eight times?  And it reminded me so much of (the 2001 NFC Championship game) St. Louis where, coming back in the second half, they ran the ball nine times with Marshall Faulk to keep our offense off the field.  Because they were terrified of us going back out and scoring more points." 

His comments naturally didn't sit well with teammates.  Jeremiah Trotter had this to say about it: "(McNabb) hasn't done anything in big games.  When you look at championship games, the super bowl, he hasn't produced in big games.  He had plenty of time to go down the field and score and tie that thing up but he didn't get it done."   Hugh Douglas, who played on the 2001 team, also took exception.  "Some people will say it's not a big deal, but it is.  I know Donovan, I respect Donovan, in his mind, he didn't say wrong."  Douglas went on to say, "a leader thinks before he speaks.  That would never come out of a leader's mouth.  Every year, Donovan says something that's inflammatory, then he doesn't explain himself.  Explain yourself.  When you alienate people who have your back, I need to understand why.  I need to understand how he thinks.  right now, I don't." 

Could the young guys have played better?  Sure, but so could the veteran!  For a guy that is so critical about youth, McNabb's experience did very little to help him!  The only player to criticize his teammate that was correct was Terrell Owens, saying he was not the one that got tired at the Super Bowl, referring to McNabb.  You can hate T.O. all you want, but he was right.  T.O. wasn't suppose to even play in the Super Bowl, but he did, and played well!  It was McNabb that didn't show up!  

Eagles/Cowboys rematch - What's up Reid's Sleeve?

Last week, we thought the Eagles would finish 12-4, ending the season with a victory over the Cowboys, earning a bye-week for the first round of the playoffs.  It could have been so nice!  Now, it looks like it's going to be flat out awful!  The Eagles are in danger of losing back-to-back games against Dallas - in Dallas - to end the season.  Could you imagine?  Not only going home after one round of the playoffs, but losing to Dallas three times!

Maybe Andy Reid has a plan up his sleeve.  Is it possible that...

1. He didn't want to show his cards against the Cowboys, saving it for next week?
2. They are going to do something unexpected, like having Michael Vick play quarterback instead of McNabb?

No, I don't think that's very possible!  Rocky Balboa may have switched from being a lefty to a righty in an attempt to fool Apollo during their re-match, but I don't suspect the Eagles have anything like that up their sleeve!

Unfortunately, this is what I do expect...

With Dallas coming off back-to-back shut-outs, including a three-game winning streak that includes a victory over the previously undefeated Saints, the Eagles are in trouble!  If the Eagles had shown any signs that they could do something last Sunday, I would maybe have a little hope.  They showed nothing, however, and that is what I expect from them on Sunday...nothing!

On the flip side, somewhere you have to think there is no way the Cowboys can beat us three times in a season.  Also, how often do you see a team dominate another team, then lose in their next match-up?  We looked pretty solid against the Cardinals last season, beating them 48-20 on Thanksgiving day.  Their NFC Championship re-match told a different story!

We'll see, but don't cross your fingers!  

Eagles Lose Division in Sloppy Game to Cowboys

What time did you turn the game off?  After the Cowboys took a 17-0 lead?  After McNabb overthrew a wide open DeSean Jackson by about 10-yards?  After they decided they weren't even going to try to get any points at the end of the first half?  After they attempted a 53-yard field goal on a 4th and 2 in the third quarter and missed?  Should I go on?  

The Eagles can be in the playoffs every year and spend half the decade in NFC Championship games.  Unfortunately they showed why that's just about as far as they can go!  When this team gets in big games, they look like they're playing for the first time; both the team and coaching staff.  Nobody knows what's going on!

McNabb looks great throughout the season, but all of a sudden, he's either over-throwing/under-throwing his receivers by miles or throwing behind them.  Tons of false starts and wasted time-outs are just a glimpse of how unprepared this team looked.  You can squeeze through the season with this type of preparation, but will never win a Super Bowl. 

They had their chance and they blew it!  They were on a six-game winning streak, first in their division, with a chance to take second seed and get a bye week.  They looked like they couldn't have wanted it any less, posting zero points, losing 24-0!  They didn't get the bye week and they don't deserve it!

They will get a chance to redeem themselves next week, playing in Dallas once again.  I should be excited about that, but quite frankly, I'm not so confident!

Giants flop in last game at Giants Stadium, miss out on playoffs

It was a wonderful day!  In their last game at Giants Stadium, the Giants' suffered one of their worst losses there when they fell to the Carolina Panthers 41-9.

Their lopsided defeat completed a season long demise!  They looked like they would run away with the division after a 5-0 start, but slowly fell into third place with an 8-7 record.  They were 3-7 over their last ten games and were officially eliminated from playoff contention Sunday night when the Cowboys defeated the Redskins.

34-seasons at Giants Stadium...way to close it out!

Eagles have to play better - Almost let win slip away...again!

The Eagles are 11-4.  They have won their last 6-games and are on their way to the playoffs.  I should feel good about this, but their sloppy play as of late is concerning!

There is a difference between pulling out wins and winning games.  The Eagles have been pulling out wins.  Two weeks ago, they headed into halftime with a 30-17 lead over the Giants.  They won the game, but why were the Giants allowed to go up 31-30?

The Eagles were up 27-10 against the Broncos on Sunday with just a little over a quarter left to play in the game.  They had to pull out a game-winning field goal with 4-seconds left because the Eagles allowed the Broncos to tie it up.

With the Saints looking beatable all of a sudden, it should be exciting that the Eagles have been on a roll with the playoffs around the corner.  They come out strong, totally dominating their opponent, then they look terrible!  How do they look so good for a half, then look like they have no idea what they're doing in the next?  They have to be more consistent if they want to be successful in the playoffs. 

Eagles in playoffs - Snowballs fly in celebration

Back in October - when the Eagles lost to the Raiders 13-9 - you had to wonder what kind of season we were in for.  They were only 3-2 at the time, but were two games behind the Giants and tied with the Cowboys.  Within a few weeks, they would be 5-4.  It didn't look promising!

Since then, they have won five straight, Andy Reid got an extension, and the Eagles are sitting on the top of the division with a 10-4 record.  Big turnaround!  

They clinched a playoff spot with their victory over the 49ers on Sunday.  The real test will be whether or not they can win the division.  They are currently a game ahead of the Cowboys.  The Cowboys next opponent is less of an obstacle than that of the Eagles.  They take on the Redskins, we get the Broncos.  It is not a game we can afford to lose, but it's no simple task either.  If the Birds lose, and the Cowboys win, they will face each other for the division on January 3.  That is sure to be exciting, but we all hope it doesn't come down to that!

Celebration:  The Eagles fans celebrated the Eagles playoff clinch in Philly style!  With just a little over 11-minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Eagles' running back LeSean McCoy scored a touchdown, giving the Eagles a 27-13 lead.  The fans celebrated by throwing snow straight up in the air.  Eventually, that turned into snowballs being thrown for much of the remainder of the game.  

49ers fans - dressed in 49ers gear - were singled out at one point.  I can't agree with the snowball throwing, but anybody going to the Linc in the opposing teams gear - especially when there is snow - have only themselves to blame.  Right or wrong, you're asking for it! 

Cowboys and Giants Implosion put Eagles in First Place

The Giants sat at the top of the NFC East by the end of week five.  They were 5-0 and looked strong!  Since then, they have lost six of their last eight, and now sit in third place at 7-6.

The Cowboys found themselves in first place for five weeks, but have since dropped to second place at 8-5.  Led by Mr. December Tony Romo, the Cowboys have failed to win a game in December, and have lost three of their last five.

The Eagles have spent most of the season trying to catch up with either the Giants or Cowboys.  Their victory over the Giants Sunday night - along with the self-implosion of both the Giants and Cowboys - have landed the Eagles at the top of the Division.  

To the Giants and Cowboys: Thank you!

It's Nice to Beat The Giants! Eagles Win 45-38

They started out 5-0, but the Eagles took on a 7-4 Giants' team that was sitting in third place...collapsing!  The Eagles had won their last four meetings, and would play their last regular season game at Giants Stadium.  It went well!

The game couldn't have started out any better!  The Eagles marched right down the field and took a 7-0 lead.  As soon as the Giants got the ball, they were turning it over for another Eagles touchdown.  Nice!

After leading 30-17 at halftime, the Birds looked like they might collapse.  The Giants came back to take a 31-30 lead.  It was looking bad!  The Eagles were now trailing, and considering fourteen of their points were the result of their defense and a kick-off return, it looked like they were going in the wrong direction.  The Giants were out-playing the Eagles.  The Eagles were unable to stop the Giants offense, missing big tackles that led to points.  Their offense was very inconsistent.  It felt like it was a matter of time before the Giants started to pull away.

The Eagles responded very well!  The Giants may have taken the lead, but McNabb tossed DeSean Jackson a 60-yard touchdown pass on the very next play.  The offense awoke and ran away with the game.

The Eagles failed to put the Giants away early.  They caught all the breaks - fumble recovery touchdown and kick return for touchdown - but still found themselves down 31-30.  That can't happen!  It was fortunate they got themselves back on track, but they let the Giants back in the game.

It was a pleasantly eventful victory over the Giants.  

• Sheldon Brown returned a fumble for a touchdown - 60-yards.
• DeSean Jackson returned a punt 72-yards for a touchdown.
• Michael Vick was involved, throwing a 32-yard pass, and rushing for 11-yards including a touchdown.
• Beat the Giants for a fifth consecutive time, dropping the once 5-0 team to 7-5!  

Vick Has Big Day in Atlanta

Michael Vick spent six years in Atlanta.  There he was a three time pro-bowler, led the Falcons to an NFC Championship game, and found himself ranked third for most rushing yards for quarterbacks in NFL history.  Sunday marked his return to the Georgia Dome.

It still remains a question to many as to what the Eagles intentions were when the signed Vick, but needless to say, his impact has been minimal.  With each passing game, we wonder why is he here?  Not only has he failed to be productive, he has also become a distraction.

Somehow we all knew he would eventually make his mark.  As fate would have it, surely it would be in Atlanta.  

Vick's welcomed was mixed.  Some cheered, some booed.  That was the case when he took his first snap.  The cheers became more positive as the game went on, however, especially when he started to put points on the board.  That's right, the guy that has failed to generate any points for the Eagles so far this year ran for a touchdown, and threw for a touchdown.  

Amazing!  I don't care who the player might be.  Could you ever imagine Eagles fans cheering an opposing player that just scored points against us?  Never!  

Eagles Win Game 1 - Phillies Win 2 Games

It was a pretty exciting day in Philadelphia.  The Eagles came out strong with a dominating victory over the Panthers.  The Phillies took both ends of a day-night double header against the Mets.  It was a good day!

Eagles

How would the Eagles look this year?  A 38-10 blowout against the Panthers surely sets the tone!

• The Defense was stellar!  Responsible for 7-turnovers (5-interceptions & 2-fumbles) and a touchdown.  No better honor to the late Jimmy Johnson!
• The Return of Brian Westbrook:  13 carries for 64-yards.  He played a good game - hopefully he is back!
• The Offense, Defense, and Special Teams each scored a touchdown.  The last time the Eagles accomplished this was 16-years ago.

Donovan McNabb suffered a broken rib.  They are saying that McNabb may play next week.  I have never suffered a broken rib, and make no attempt to understand the pain associated with that, but playing with a broken rib next week sounds a bit ridiculous to me!

Naturally, Michael Vick will be ineligible for next weeks game, so the start should go to Kolb.  He would get a chance to establish himself as the lone second-string quarterback, though he didn't make much of a case against Carolina.  If McNabb cannot return for game-3 against the Chiefs, it will be interesting to see who will be taking snaps!

Phillies

Following a devastating 9th-inning loss to the Mets Saturday night, the Phils would get a chance to pick up two wins in a day/night double-header.  Winning both games is nice, but doing it against the Mets is just flat out awesome!

• Lidge: In game-1 of the double-header, Lidge was given the opportunity to close out a 3-run lead.  He was successful, but only after allowing 2-runs on 3-hits.  Really...what are we going to do about his?
• Martinez: Absolutely brilliant!  The guy who can't go deep into a game provided us with 8-innings of scoreless pitching, throwing 130-pitches.  I guess he felt good, and I'm not a big fan of pitch counts, but I hope they aren't killing him!

Almost every Phillies game is sold out - something I now take for granted.  The reality of it all, however, still amazes me!  There was a time when nobody went.  Watch some replays of a few years back...empty seats!  Now they are selling out 2-games in the same day - roughly 90,000 people.  Considering this is a "football town," and nobody misses Eagles games around here, that statistic is actually quite impressive on Eagles opening day!    

Donovan McNabb Gets a Raise

Donovan McNabb is under contract for two more years, scheduled to make $9.2-million in 2009, and $10-million in 2010.  Initially, McNabb wanted a contract extension, but talks changed to re-working his remaining two years.

Details of the restructuring have not been released.  Based on reports, it is believed that his new contract is for $24.5-million - $5.3-million more than he was scheduled to make. 

"Donovan has played a large part of this team's success over the last 10 years," Eagles chairman Jeffrey Lurie said. "He has been a professional in every sense of the word."

Assuming there is no provision guaranteeing one or two of his remaining years, the Eagles would still have the option of parting with McNabb without penalty.

Does McNabb deserve a raise?  Thoughts from last week's article regarding McNabb's contract restructuring