As usual, my much-younger brother Mike (known on Tumblr as Hammerito) puts it much better than I could have.
Here's his original post:
Ray Lewis, arrested on suspicion of murder in 2000. Charges dropped.
Adam ‘Pacman’ Jones, arrested on charges of assault and felony vandalism in 2005. Arrested on charges of marijuana possession and obstruction of justice in 2006. Arrested on charges of disorderly conduct and public intoxication. 2 months later (also 2006), arrested on charges of misdemeanor assault. Arrested on charges of felony coercion, misdemeanor battery and misdemeanor threat-to-life. Charged with 2 felonies in 2007, he accepted a plea deal of misdemeanor conspiracy to commit disorderly conduct. Accused of hitting a stripper in 2008. Charges dropped. Got into a fight with the bodyguard whose job it was to keep him out of trouble in 2008. Jones currently plays for the Cincinnati Bengals.
Ben Roethilisberger, arrested on suspicion of rape in 2010. Charges dropped.
Michael Vick, arrested on suspicion of dogfighting in 2007. Pled guilty, spent 18 months in prison, lost $130 million dollars, $1 million of which was set up in a fund to care for Vick’s dogs for the rest of their lives. Filed for bankruptcy in 2008. Signed with the Eagles in 2009. The contract included $0 of guaranteed money. Vick struggles through 2009 season. Vick is mentored by Donovan McNabb. He turns his life around, develops a work ethic he never had, gives his time and money to local charities, speaks out against the lifestyle that he used to lead, and has now, 40 months after accepting responsibility and being sent to federal prison, turned everything around through hard work for the first time in his life.
He did his time. He lost everything. He took responsibility. He apologized, over and over again. He made amends. He earned his way back. What else would you like him to do?
A commenter than added in: You forgot Donte Stallworth and Leonard Little, who both killed people and got off scott fucking free.
Mike adds: And Leonard Little, who not only killed someone while driving drunk, but then was arrested for driving drunk AGAIN a year later.
Another commenter chimes in with: I just don’t get how that’s an insult. The fact that people continue to root for murderers and rapists says a lot about what they value over people, too.
To which Mike replies: Then what is the purpose of having a justice system? Why not just throw everyone who has ever been convicted of anything into an active volcano?
One of the very, very, very rare times someone manages to turn their life around, the rest of the world is standing there to remind them that they’re a terrible, awful, no good, very bad person.
NEW RULE: everyone should always be remembered for the worst thing they did. No exceptions.
----
Bravo, sir. I abhor what Mike Vick did, but nothing can change it. The Earth only spins in one direction, forward. I hope that this change is sincere, real and lifetime. As a human being, I'm rooting for him. I work with kids, many of whom find themselves on the wrong side of the law. I believe in punishment, but for the good of society I have to believe in rehabilitation and redemption as well. If Vick can be a force for good, well, it will never erase the evil he did. But it might keep some future evil from happening. Isn't that a good thing?
Showing posts with label Philadelphia Eagles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Philadelphia Eagles. Show all posts
11.16.2010
9.21.2010
Andy Reid elevates Michael Vick and screws the entire organization
Talk about short-term gain at the expense of the guy you had christened the new franchise QB. Who'd have thought that the Kevin Kolb era would last 30 minutes?
For three years, we've been told that Kolb was being groomed to replace Donovan McNabb. Then we showed the best QB we've ever had the door in favor of The Ascension Of Kevin Kolb. And then Andy yanks Kolb out of his job after THIRTY MINUTES!
So here are the scenarios as I see them:
1) Andy has never had that much faith in Kevin, hence the quick pull. But if so, why deal Donovan in favor of the at-the-time unproven Vick? If you were going to be so quick on the trigger with Kolb, why deal The Franchise in favor of The New Franchise That I Don't Trust? If your faith in Kolb is so easily shaken, why deal Donovan in the first place?
If this lack of faith in Kolb is the case, then Andy has been lying for three years about Kolb being The New Franchise, and has lied consistently up until - and including - yesterday.
This calls Andy's long term decision-making into great question.
2) Andy just has a quick trigger finger and is going with the hot hand. For the record, Reid acknowledges the hot hand but denies the quick trigger finger. One can also deny that there's shit on one's shoes, but the smell doesn't lie.
If scenario two is the case, then you've abandoned your four year plan in favor of a quick-hit, win-now strategy. In the process, you've pretty much ruined Kevin Kolb. Although Andy denies it, he's telling the world that Kevin Kolb, after 3 years of grooming, is not an NFL starter. How can Kolb, or anyone else, see it any differently? After preaching patience, Andy has shown none.
I don't see how Kevin Kolb can ever be the starter for the Philadelphia Eagles. Andy's lack of faith after professing said faith for the last eight months ruins Kevin Kolb in Philadelphia.
This also calls Andy's long term decision-making into great question.
I don't see any other scenarios. None. Even if the Eagles win the Super Bowl with Vick (shudder....), where do we go from here? Vick is only 2 years younger than McNabb. How much longer are those legs going to hold out? How much longer can he take those big hits he exposes himself to?
Watch and see what happens. 2011 is an uncapped year, so now is a great time to sign Vick for the long term, if that's the Eagles design. If that happens, it means that despite Andy's statements to the contrary, they're jettisoning Kolb, and mightily screwing him in the process.
If they don't resign Vick and he walks in March, does Andy then aim to convince the world that Kolb is now ready to start in 2011? Based on what? He's had no game action, and after four years, how much can he learn holding a clipboard?
There's also the following complication: in 2011 it's no longer a young team ready to grow with a young quarterback. It's now a ready-to-contend team and you're throwing your young quarterback into a difficult situation where he's not allowed to make mistakes, because the rest of the team is ready to contend now. Talk about your short leashes.
Andy has totally screwed all of the following: Kevin Kolb, his own credibility, the franchise, and the fans... including me, who bought the girlfriend a $75 Kolb jersey.
This has nothing to do with the dog issue (though a convicted felon dog killer is now the face of your franchise), it has to do with Vick as a player, and I'm not sold on Vick The Player. He's a career 50% passer, he's notoriously streaky, and I'll remind you that he looked good against Detroit. Detriot.
Maybe Jeff Fisher is looking to leave Tennessee...
So here are the scenarios as I see them:
1) Andy has never had that much faith in Kevin, hence the quick pull. But if so, why deal Donovan in favor of the at-the-time unproven Vick? If you were going to be so quick on the trigger with Kolb, why deal The Franchise in favor of The New Franchise That I Don't Trust? If your faith in Kolb is so easily shaken, why deal Donovan in the first place?
If this lack of faith in Kolb is the case, then Andy has been lying for three years about Kolb being The New Franchise, and has lied consistently up until - and including - yesterday.
This calls Andy's long term decision-making into great question.
2) Andy just has a quick trigger finger and is going with the hot hand. For the record, Reid acknowledges the hot hand but denies the quick trigger finger. One can also deny that there's shit on one's shoes, but the smell doesn't lie.
If scenario two is the case, then you've abandoned your four year plan in favor of a quick-hit, win-now strategy. In the process, you've pretty much ruined Kevin Kolb. Although Andy denies it, he's telling the world that Kevin Kolb, after 3 years of grooming, is not an NFL starter. How can Kolb, or anyone else, see it any differently? After preaching patience, Andy has shown none.
I don't see how Kevin Kolb can ever be the starter for the Philadelphia Eagles. Andy's lack of faith after professing said faith for the last eight months ruins Kevin Kolb in Philadelphia.
This also calls Andy's long term decision-making into great question.
I don't see any other scenarios. None. Even if the Eagles win the Super Bowl with Vick (shudder....), where do we go from here? Vick is only 2 years younger than McNabb. How much longer are those legs going to hold out? How much longer can he take those big hits he exposes himself to?
Watch and see what happens. 2011 is an uncapped year, so now is a great time to sign Vick for the long term, if that's the Eagles design. If that happens, it means that despite Andy's statements to the contrary, they're jettisoning Kolb, and mightily screwing him in the process.
If they don't resign Vick and he walks in March, does Andy then aim to convince the world that Kolb is now ready to start in 2011? Based on what? He's had no game action, and after four years, how much can he learn holding a clipboard?
There's also the following complication: in 2011 it's no longer a young team ready to grow with a young quarterback. It's now a ready-to-contend team and you're throwing your young quarterback into a difficult situation where he's not allowed to make mistakes, because the rest of the team is ready to contend now. Talk about your short leashes.
Andy has totally screwed all of the following: Kevin Kolb, his own credibility, the franchise, and the fans... including me, who bought the girlfriend a $75 Kolb jersey.
This has nothing to do with the dog issue (though a convicted felon dog killer is now the face of your franchise), it has to do with Vick as a player, and I'm not sold on Vick The Player. He's a career 50% passer, he's notoriously streaky, and I'll remind you that he looked good against Detroit. Detriot.
Maybe Jeff Fisher is looking to leave Tennessee...
2.16.2010
Limbaugh revists McNabb controversy. Unsuccessfully.
(Pro Football Talk)What Limbaugh either doesn't or won't recognize is that it's not the "overrated" part that caused the problem. It's what followed that... the idea that the media were engaging in the sports equivalent of social engineering by raising up an unqualified black man.
It's been more than six years since Rush Limbaugh, in his capacity as a commentator for ESPN, referred to Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb as "overrated" because "the media has been very desirous that a black quarterback do well."
But those comments still crop up from time to time in the NFL.
During the 2009 season, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell was grilled about Limbaugh while testifying before Congress. And on his show Friday, Limbaugh himself brought up his comments from the 2003 season in pointing out that ESPN's Erik Kuselias had also referred to McNabb as "overrated."
Kuselias was guest hosting ESPN Radio's Mike and Mike in the Morning on Friday when he said of McNabb, "He's had a public fight with Rush Limbaugh, I don't mean the two of them, it was a polarizing issue. He's a had a public fight with T.O. He's been sort of underrated in his own city and maybe overrated nationally at the same time, it's been crazy!"
Limbaugh broadcast those comments on his own show and then added, "What was that? Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa hold it a minute. Is he still working there? Erik Kuselias has just said Donovan McNabb has been overrated nationally. Erik Kuselias just said that McNabb's been overrated nationally. Erik, if they zap you outta there, call me. I got some ideas."
Jon Bois of SBNation.com flagged the comments from Friday's show and pointed out that what Kuselias said isn't the same thing as what Limbaugh said in 2003. But it's clear that more than six years after Limbaugh resigned from ESPN, those comments about McNabb won't soon be forgotten.
An overrated black man with 6 Pro-Bowls, 8 playoff berths in 10 years, 5 division titles, 5 NFC Championship Games and 1 Super Bowl appearance.
He was wrong then and he's wrong now. Six years later, Limbaugh cannot let it go.
1.10.2010
Philadelphia Eagles 2009 post-mortem
1) Who'd have thought the Eagles would have a bad D? The Eagles O-line is undersized, the linebacking corps doesn't have enough players and the secondary was patchwork all season. The return of Stewart Bradley should help resolve some linebacking issues, but the fact remains that losing one linebacker shouldn't cripple the squad.
2) Is the answer one or the other, or both?: A) Donovan McNabb is not a big game quarterback. B) Andy Reid is not a big game coach. I don't know for sure, but simple logic dictates that it leans towards A. Donovan has rarely shown up in big games, which doesn't give much insight into Andy's coaching. It's hard to coach well in a big game when your most important player isn't producing.
3) Was this 5's last game in green? This question has been asked for at least the last 3 seasons. I don't know. I do know that the answer is getting closer to 'yes'. Is Donovan in the twilight of his career? Probably? His legs aren't what they once were which compromises his mobility, but he still makes decisions as if he can escape like the SuperFive of a decade ago. He still has great touch on the deep ball and he still hits his receivers in the shoe laces from 7 feet away. But the question is more than 'Is Donovan done?', it's....
4) Is Kevin Kolb the quarterback of the future? Or is he Bobby Hoying, showing flashes of brilliance only to die in a fetal ball once the job was his? I think we'll know Andy's true feelings about Kolb come April. Does he draft a QB in the first or second round to compete wioth Kolb? We'll know his true feelings about Donovan much earlier, specifically if he deals him to Oakland or St. Louis before the draft. For what it's worth, I think we take one more year with Donovan and the young guys and give the new chemistry time to gel. Either way, I think next year is it and Kevin Kolb is under center in 2011.
5) The Youth Movement at the offensive skill positions, it's here to stay. LeSean McCoy is the new starting running back and the once-spectacular Brian Westbrook is gone. The starting wide receivers are deSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin at the ends and Jason Avant in the slot. A more dangerous corps, the NFL does not have. Brent Celek is the rock at tight end. This is a young group with massive upside.
6) O-line: The tackles are set with Jason Peters - Mr. Streaky - and Winston Justice both under long-term contract. Assuming Jamaal Jackson's knee is OK, he's your center. Todd Herremans and Max Jean-Gilles are both more-than-servicable at guard, though an upgrade via free agency wouldn't surprise me.
7) Defensive line: at end, no one other than trent cole scares anyone. Abiamiri and Parker are spotty. Clemons and Howard were nowhere to be seen. Patterson and Bunkley ar eundersized and get mauled in the run game. Dallas, the new class of the NFC East, is loaded with beef and the Eagles MUST deal with it in the offseason.
8) At linebacker, it's Stewart Bradley. Period. And he didn't even play this year. What happened to Chris Gocong? He fell off the earth. Was he sleeping with Andy's wife?
9) Secondary: Assante Samuel and Sheldon Brown are fine corners who were stretched thin by a lack of help (and consistency) at the safety spot. Quentin Mikell will be fine, but Sean Jones, Macho Harris and Quentin Demps need to be upgraded.
10) Do we stay with Donovan and Andy out of love, trust or fear? I remember how bad it was being an Eagles fan in the 80's and through much of the 90's. Excepting the Randall/Buddy years, we were awful. Say what you will about Andy Reid and Donovan McNabb, we've been in the playoffs 8 out of their 11 years here. That's remarkable. We've risen to a level of success - granted, not postseason - that had been elusive for 40 years prior to their arrival. BUT, at what point do you say 'this just isn't going where it should be' and retool? Or do you say 'but there are no guarantees, and you've got to be in the playoffs to win the Super Bowl, and so let's ride this streak'? I don't know the answer, but I'm realizing that I've become loyal out of fear - I just don't want to suffer thorugh more 4-12 seasons.
The injury bug killed the Eagles this year. We were an 8-8 team and I think I got sucked in by the 6-game streak in November and December. I began to believe that we were more than the sum of our parts. I thought offensive firepower alone could have saved us. I acted as if Jim Johnson were still here and with some duct tape and chewed-up gum and sheer force of his amazing will, he could make the defense hold. But he wasn't, and we weren't. And now we aren't.
There IS hope for 2010. We're young and don't need a major overhaul. But there are deep questions to be answered.
2) Is the answer one or the other, or both?: A) Donovan McNabb is not a big game quarterback. B) Andy Reid is not a big game coach. I don't know for sure, but simple logic dictates that it leans towards A. Donovan has rarely shown up in big games, which doesn't give much insight into Andy's coaching. It's hard to coach well in a big game when your most important player isn't producing.
3) Was this 5's last game in green? This question has been asked for at least the last 3 seasons. I don't know. I do know that the answer is getting closer to 'yes'. Is Donovan in the twilight of his career? Probably? His legs aren't what they once were which compromises his mobility, but he still makes decisions as if he can escape like the SuperFive of a decade ago. He still has great touch on the deep ball and he still hits his receivers in the shoe laces from 7 feet away. But the question is more than 'Is Donovan done?', it's....
4) Is Kevin Kolb the quarterback of the future? Or is he Bobby Hoying, showing flashes of brilliance only to die in a fetal ball once the job was his? I think we'll know Andy's true feelings about Kolb come April. Does he draft a QB in the first or second round to compete wioth Kolb? We'll know his true feelings about Donovan much earlier, specifically if he deals him to Oakland or St. Louis before the draft. For what it's worth, I think we take one more year with Donovan and the young guys and give the new chemistry time to gel. Either way, I think next year is it and Kevin Kolb is under center in 2011.
5) The Youth Movement at the offensive skill positions, it's here to stay. LeSean McCoy is the new starting running back and the once-spectacular Brian Westbrook is gone. The starting wide receivers are deSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin at the ends and Jason Avant in the slot. A more dangerous corps, the NFL does not have. Brent Celek is the rock at tight end. This is a young group with massive upside.
6) O-line: The tackles are set with Jason Peters - Mr. Streaky - and Winston Justice both under long-term contract. Assuming Jamaal Jackson's knee is OK, he's your center. Todd Herremans and Max Jean-Gilles are both more-than-servicable at guard, though an upgrade via free agency wouldn't surprise me.
7) Defensive line: at end, no one other than trent cole scares anyone. Abiamiri and Parker are spotty. Clemons and Howard were nowhere to be seen. Patterson and Bunkley ar eundersized and get mauled in the run game. Dallas, the new class of the NFC East, is loaded with beef and the Eagles MUST deal with it in the offseason.
8) At linebacker, it's Stewart Bradley. Period. And he didn't even play this year. What happened to Chris Gocong? He fell off the earth. Was he sleeping with Andy's wife?
9) Secondary: Assante Samuel and Sheldon Brown are fine corners who were stretched thin by a lack of help (and consistency) at the safety spot. Quentin Mikell will be fine, but Sean Jones, Macho Harris and Quentin Demps need to be upgraded.
10) Do we stay with Donovan and Andy out of love, trust or fear? I remember how bad it was being an Eagles fan in the 80's and through much of the 90's. Excepting the Randall/Buddy years, we were awful. Say what you will about Andy Reid and Donovan McNabb, we've been in the playoffs 8 out of their 11 years here. That's remarkable. We've risen to a level of success - granted, not postseason - that had been elusive for 40 years prior to their arrival. BUT, at what point do you say 'this just isn't going where it should be' and retool? Or do you say 'but there are no guarantees, and you've got to be in the playoffs to win the Super Bowl, and so let's ride this streak'? I don't know the answer, but I'm realizing that I've become loyal out of fear - I just don't want to suffer thorugh more 4-12 seasons.
The injury bug killed the Eagles this year. We were an 8-8 team and I think I got sucked in by the 6-game streak in November and December. I began to believe that we were more than the sum of our parts. I thought offensive firepower alone could have saved us. I acted as if Jim Johnson were still here and with some duct tape and chewed-up gum and sheer force of his amazing will, he could make the defense hold. But he wasn't, and we weren't. And now we aren't.
There IS hope for 2010. We're young and don't need a major overhaul. But there are deep questions to be answered.
9.27.2009
Eagles / Chiefs liveblog Second half
THIRD QUARTER
13:20 - KC ball, 3rd and 20 and they go with an off tackle run. Todd Haley has no confidence in this offense right now.
12:20 - D-Jax for 17. Kolb hangs in a collapsing pocket.
11:45 - Offense running well so they bring in Vick to slow things down. Around the end for 5. Yawn.
11:25 - Kolb to Maclin tickling the sideline for 9 yards and a first down. Lots of zip on the ball.
11:00 - Kolb to Maclin for 10. Surgical.
9:55 - Vick handoff to McCoy for 2. Biggest result is a hard hit to Shady's head.
9:15 - Akers from 38. 27-7 Eagles.
The line on Kevin Kolb: 18 for 26, 250 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT. Solid.
Larry Johnson, 12 carries for 20 yards
6:00 - 3rd and 1, Cassel stopped for -1 on a QB draw. Nice play by Bunkley. KC punt. FAKE! Snap to the upback. 1st down, KC.
4:56 - Larry Johnson FUNBLE, recovered by Quentin Mikell.
New terminology alert: Funble, a fumble recovered by your team. Self-explanatory.
KC challenge. Did Gocong strip before Johnson hit ground?
Call stands. Eagles ball, 1st and 10 on own 47.
2:30 - KC gashing with the run. LJ for 10. Bradley end around for 26. KC in Eagle territory.
Penalties - KC:8/70 Phi:3/20
KC 0/7 on 3rd down.
0:14 - 3rd and 14, KC run. 4th and 9 Eagles 46.
End of quarter: 27-7 Eagles
FOURTH QUARTER
9:36 - Mush. Back and forth. Most significant moment of the last 6 minutes was Omar Gaither walking by the open mic on the ref calling an illegal block in the back on KC and saying "good call ref".
Eagles ball at their own 28.
8:45 - Kolb laser to Celek for 15.
Celek 7-69 0TD
Jackson 6-149 1TD
6:43 - Kolb to Celek, over the middle, 35 yards TOUCHDOWN!
Celek 8-104 1TD
Jackson 6-149 1TD
4:40 - Eagles ball. Garcia in. Final stats on Kolb: 24/34 327 2TD 0INT Nice, nice game.
KC has no confidence in their offense. Down 27 with 6 minutes left, and they were still running.
4:35 - Fumble by Garcia on the QB exchange. KC recovery.
4:30 - Cassel fumbles in the shotgun, but falls on it.
3:59 - KC RB #25 Jamaal Charles 25 yard TD run called back on a holding call on #83 Bradley.
2:00 warning - 4th and 7, Matt Cassel pass to Terrance Copper for 8 yards. KC 1st and goal at the 9.
1:54 - Booby Wade WR screen, 9 yard run for the TD. 34-14.
BTW - I'm running 7-2 on my early game picks. Det, GB, SF, NE, Phi, NYG, Bal. Losing on Ten and Hou.
1:01 - Garcia takes a knee. One more to go into the bye 2-1.
FINAL SCORE: Eagles 34 Chiefs 14
Upcoming schedule: BYE, TB, @Oak, @Was. We can easily be 5-1 going into the heart of the schedule, back-to-back home games vs the Giants and Cowboys.
Final thoughts:
Kevin Kolb was very solid and, more impressively, poised under pressure.
Brent Celek is the real deal.
Defensive tackling was better, but there's much room for improvement. KC isn't the test.
The wildcat has to go. It contributed nothing. Kolb didn't need the help.
Ditch Vick. Not because of his old problems, but because using him slows down the offense and not using him will eventually be a distraction.
13:20 - KC ball, 3rd and 20 and they go with an off tackle run. Todd Haley has no confidence in this offense right now.
12:20 - D-Jax for 17. Kolb hangs in a collapsing pocket.
11:45 - Offense running well so they bring in Vick to slow things down. Around the end for 5. Yawn.
11:25 - Kolb to Maclin tickling the sideline for 9 yards and a first down. Lots of zip on the ball.
11:00 - Kolb to Maclin for 10. Surgical.
9:55 - Vick handoff to McCoy for 2. Biggest result is a hard hit to Shady's head.
9:15 - Akers from 38. 27-7 Eagles.
The line on Kevin Kolb: 18 for 26, 250 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT. Solid.
Larry Johnson, 12 carries for 20 yards
6:00 - 3rd and 1, Cassel stopped for -1 on a QB draw. Nice play by Bunkley. KC punt. FAKE! Snap to the upback. 1st down, KC.
4:56 - Larry Johnson FUNBLE, recovered by Quentin Mikell.
New terminology alert: Funble, a fumble recovered by your team. Self-explanatory.
KC challenge. Did Gocong strip before Johnson hit ground?
Call stands. Eagles ball, 1st and 10 on own 47.
2:30 - KC gashing with the run. LJ for 10. Bradley end around for 26. KC in Eagle territory.
Penalties - KC:8/70 Phi:3/20
KC 0/7 on 3rd down.
0:14 - 3rd and 14, KC run. 4th and 9 Eagles 46.
End of quarter: 27-7 Eagles
FOURTH QUARTER
9:36 - Mush. Back and forth. Most significant moment of the last 6 minutes was Omar Gaither walking by the open mic on the ref calling an illegal block in the back on KC and saying "good call ref".
Eagles ball at their own 28.
8:45 - Kolb laser to Celek for 15.
Celek 7-69 0TD
Jackson 6-149 1TD
6:43 - Kolb to Celek, over the middle, 35 yards TOUCHDOWN!
Celek 8-104 1TD
Jackson 6-149 1TD
4:40 - Eagles ball. Garcia in. Final stats on Kolb: 24/34 327 2TD 0INT Nice, nice game.
KC has no confidence in their offense. Down 27 with 6 minutes left, and they were still running.
4:35 - Fumble by Garcia on the QB exchange. KC recovery.
4:30 - Cassel fumbles in the shotgun, but falls on it.
3:59 - KC RB #25 Jamaal Charles 25 yard TD run called back on a holding call on #83 Bradley.
2:00 warning - 4th and 7, Matt Cassel pass to Terrance Copper for 8 yards. KC 1st and goal at the 9.
1:54 - Booby Wade WR screen, 9 yard run for the TD. 34-14.
BTW - I'm running 7-2 on my early game picks. Det, GB, SF, NE, Phi, NYG, Bal. Losing on Ten and Hou.
1:01 - Garcia takes a knee. One more to go into the bye 2-1.
FINAL SCORE: Eagles 34 Chiefs 14
Upcoming schedule: BYE, TB, @Oak, @Was. We can easily be 5-1 going into the heart of the schedule, back-to-back home games vs the Giants and Cowboys.
Final thoughts:
Kevin Kolb was very solid and, more impressively, poised under pressure.
Brent Celek is the real deal.
Defensive tackling was better, but there's much room for improvement. KC isn't the test.
The wildcat has to go. It contributed nothing. Kolb didn't need the help.
Ditch Vick. Not because of his old problems, but because using him slows down the offense and not using him will eventually be a distraction.
Eagles / Chiefs liveblog
FIRST QUARTER
1:07 pm 1st Eagles possession- Kolb throws for 8, then Vick in. Momentum killer. Punt.
1:15 pm 1st Chiefs possession - Birds D looks great, McDermott must' have ass whipped some people
1:21 pm Eagles 2nd possession - McCoy running wild, then wildcat too cute for own good.
1:22 pm - Vick at QB burns timeout... Great
1:23 pm - McCoy powers for a score. 7-0 Eagles.
1:27pm - Chiefs 3 and out.
4:45 left in Q1 Eagles at own 29. 2nd play to DeSean for 49. Kolb looks poised.
3:15 - Shady for 19, to 9. 1st and goal.
2:40 - Celek to 2.
1:24 - Kolb sneak for TD. 14-0 Birds.
End of 1st: 14-0 Eagles. Chiefs going backwards. Larry Johnson ineffective. 4th down Chiefs.
SECOND QUARTER
Chiefs punt, Eagles penalty. Ball on 30.
12:44 - bad Kolb throw almost picked off.
11:54 - 4th and 1, Chiefs 44. Incomplete. Turnover on downs.
Eagles getting lucky with Chiefs bad penalties and missed opportunities.
10:00 - Nevermind. Eagles burned on lateral to wideout who throws a 26 yard pass to a wide receiver whose closest defender was the hotdog vendor in Section 104. KC ball on Eagles 26.
8:34 - Ellis Hobbs beaten in great coverage at back pylon. 14-7 Eagles. It's a game. Kolb needs to respond. Defense backing off, acting like they're up 30 in the 4th Q.
No Vick since 2nd possession. That's a good thing.
8:26 - Ellis Hobbs with nice return from endzone to 25. Penalty, but not on us. Eagles ball on their own 36.
8:16 - 1st pass KEVIN KOLB to D-JAX for 64 yards TOUCHDOWN. 55 of them YAC. D-Jax is a speed demon. 1 missed tackle kills KC. 21-7 Birds.
D-Jax with 117 yards already. Kolb looks VERY poised.
8:11 - KC 1st and 10 at 27. 3rd down Eagles jailbreak, KC penalty. 4th down. Chiefs pocket disintegrating.
6:24 - KC punt, Eagles special teams penalty. BRILLIANT! Eldra Buckley offsides.
5:31 - Vick at QB, throws pass at receivers feet. Just like having #5 back.
5:15 - Kolb 14 yards to Haystacks Celek. Big hit. 1st down.
3:25 - Kolb sacked by Vrabel, but facemask on KC gets Birds another 1st down. Even under pressure, Kolb is hanging in.
3:00 - Vick wildcat to Maclin. Momentun killer.
2:37 - Kolb to Celek who pulls defender for 4 HARD yards. Why keep putting Vick in? Kolb is solid.
2:00 warning. ARRRRGH! Direct snap to McCoy. Nothing! WHY is Andy trying to kill the momentum?
1:05 - Avant for 4 to the 11.
0:34 - Kolb hits Avant in the hands, Avant drops. Akers in for FG from 29. 24-7 Ealges
0:09 - Cole, Howard, Clemons sack. Chiefs punt.
HALFTIME NOTES: 24-7 Eagles
Washington is losing to Detroit. hehhehheh
Kolb looks incredibly poised.
Defense looks good,but KC is hardly a good barometer.
1:07 pm 1st Eagles possession- Kolb throws for 8, then Vick in. Momentum killer. Punt.
1:15 pm 1st Chiefs possession - Birds D looks great, McDermott must' have ass whipped some people
1:21 pm Eagles 2nd possession - McCoy running wild, then wildcat too cute for own good.
1:22 pm - Vick at QB burns timeout... Great
1:23 pm - McCoy powers for a score. 7-0 Eagles.
1:27pm - Chiefs 3 and out.
4:45 left in Q1 Eagles at own 29. 2nd play to DeSean for 49. Kolb looks poised.
3:15 - Shady for 19, to 9. 1st and goal.
2:40 - Celek to 2.
1:24 - Kolb sneak for TD. 14-0 Birds.
End of 1st: 14-0 Eagles. Chiefs going backwards. Larry Johnson ineffective. 4th down Chiefs.
SECOND QUARTER
Chiefs punt, Eagles penalty. Ball on 30.
12:44 - bad Kolb throw almost picked off.
11:54 - 4th and 1, Chiefs 44. Incomplete. Turnover on downs.
Eagles getting lucky with Chiefs bad penalties and missed opportunities.
10:00 - Nevermind. Eagles burned on lateral to wideout who throws a 26 yard pass to a wide receiver whose closest defender was the hotdog vendor in Section 104. KC ball on Eagles 26.
8:34 - Ellis Hobbs beaten in great coverage at back pylon. 14-7 Eagles. It's a game. Kolb needs to respond. Defense backing off, acting like they're up 30 in the 4th Q.
No Vick since 2nd possession. That's a good thing.
8:26 - Ellis Hobbs with nice return from endzone to 25. Penalty, but not on us. Eagles ball on their own 36.
8:16 - 1st pass KEVIN KOLB to D-JAX for 64 yards TOUCHDOWN. 55 of them YAC. D-Jax is a speed demon. 1 missed tackle kills KC. 21-7 Birds.
D-Jax with 117 yards already. Kolb looks VERY poised.
8:11 - KC 1st and 10 at 27. 3rd down Eagles jailbreak, KC penalty. 4th down. Chiefs pocket disintegrating.
6:24 - KC punt, Eagles special teams penalty. BRILLIANT! Eldra Buckley offsides.
5:31 - Vick at QB, throws pass at receivers feet. Just like having #5 back.
5:15 - Kolb 14 yards to Haystacks Celek. Big hit. 1st down.
3:25 - Kolb sacked by Vrabel, but facemask on KC gets Birds another 1st down. Even under pressure, Kolb is hanging in.
3:00 - Vick wildcat to Maclin. Momentun killer.
2:37 - Kolb to Celek who pulls defender for 4 HARD yards. Why keep putting Vick in? Kolb is solid.
2:00 warning. ARRRRGH! Direct snap to McCoy. Nothing! WHY is Andy trying to kill the momentum?
1:05 - Avant for 4 to the 11.
0:34 - Kolb hits Avant in the hands, Avant drops. Akers in for FG from 29. 24-7 Ealges
0:09 - Cole, Howard, Clemons sack. Chiefs punt.
HALFTIME NOTES: 24-7 Eagles
Washington is losing to Detroit. hehhehheh
Kolb looks incredibly poised.
Defense looks good,but KC is hardly a good barometer.
8.14.2009
Eagles flush reputation, sign Vick
For the first time ever, I seriously question my team. I've been a season ticket holder for over a decade and I am humiliated to be an Eagles fan.
On initial inspection, there are three main issues:
Number one - he did pay his debt to society, but I don't want my team having guys with no, or worse bad character on it. Let him rehabilitate his image working in an inner-city youth football program.
Number two - can anyone say distraction? Didn't the Eagles learn from the T.O. mess how hard it can be to deal with distraction?
How is it going to go over when Vick gets as much attention for sitting on the bench eating a Powerbar (which is all he can do for the first 6 games) as McNabb does for actually playing?
And what happens when #5 lays one of his bound-to-happen eggs and the whole stadium starts chanting to bring in ol' Ron Mexico?
Number three - Great, now we're a gadget team? Fan-****ing-tastic.
This sucks. This is worse than when we almost signed Deion Sanders 15 years ago. It's worse because we got the player this time.
Vick doesn't deserve to wear this number.
If this blows up in our faces, Reid and Banner's deserve to be fired.
I've been thinking about two other players, Donte Stallworth and Leonard Little, two NFL players involved in drunk driving accidents that killed someone. My point on Vick is a little finer.
As I said, Vick did do his time and deserves a second chance.... in society. No scarlet letters, no hairshirts. I believe that. But I believe he is a fundamentally flawed human for reasons I'll list in a second.
Although he deserves a shot at society doesn't mean he necessarily deserves a second chance at the NFL and it's millions of dollars. But he is getting it and I'm annoyed that my team is in any way participating.
Here, to me, is the difference between Vick and Stallworth and Little.
Stallworth made a bad judgment. He drank and drove and someone died. He screwed up big time, no doubt.
Little did the same thing - twice, so he goes up a notch from Stallworth and that he's never been properly punished is an outrage. that he's still in the NFL is wrong.
But Vick made a running set of not bad, but evil decisions. While Stallworth and Little made bad judgments in the moment, Vick's bad decisions and evil actions continued for years.
I'm not a PETA-hugging "dogs are worth the same as humans" guy. They're not, IMO. But anyone who makes a whole series of on-going choices to torture and bankroll the torture of another creature - choices that run for years - is evil.
Or better yet, he is a defective human being. Defective, broken, bad, murderous, evil.
And I don't want my beloved Eagles associated with that type of person.
Vick deserves a chance in society but my Eagles owed him no such opportunity. They sold out character for athletic ability - no John Doe on the street would get this chance. They flushed their reputation and disrespected their fans.
I am pissed. I am embarrassed and I'm finding it hard to root for my team - for the first time in my life I'm finding it hard to bleed green.
Screw Vick.
Screw Reid.
Screw Lurie and
Screw my Eagles.
On initial inspection, there are three main issues:
Number one - he did pay his debt to society, but I don't want my team having guys with no, or worse bad character on it. Let him rehabilitate his image working in an inner-city youth football program.
Number two - can anyone say distraction? Didn't the Eagles learn from the T.O. mess how hard it can be to deal with distraction?
How is it going to go over when Vick gets as much attention for sitting on the bench eating a Powerbar (which is all he can do for the first 6 games) as McNabb does for actually playing?
And what happens when #5 lays one of his bound-to-happen eggs and the whole stadium starts chanting to bring in ol' Ron Mexico?
Number three - Great, now we're a gadget team? Fan-****ing-tastic.
This sucks. This is worse than when we almost signed Deion Sanders 15 years ago. It's worse because we got the player this time.
Vick doesn't deserve to wear this number.If this blows up in our faces, Reid and Banner's deserve to be fired.
I've been thinking about two other players, Donte Stallworth and Leonard Little, two NFL players involved in drunk driving accidents that killed someone. My point on Vick is a little finer.
As I said, Vick did do his time and deserves a second chance.... in society. No scarlet letters, no hairshirts. I believe that. But I believe he is a fundamentally flawed human for reasons I'll list in a second.
Although he deserves a shot at society doesn't mean he necessarily deserves a second chance at the NFL and it's millions of dollars. But he is getting it and I'm annoyed that my team is in any way participating.
Here, to me, is the difference between Vick and Stallworth and Little.
Stallworth made a bad judgment. He drank and drove and someone died. He screwed up big time, no doubt.
Little did the same thing - twice, so he goes up a notch from Stallworth and that he's never been properly punished is an outrage. that he's still in the NFL is wrong.
But Vick made a running set of not bad, but evil decisions. While Stallworth and Little made bad judgments in the moment, Vick's bad decisions and evil actions continued for years.
I'm not a PETA-hugging "dogs are worth the same as humans" guy. They're not, IMO. But anyone who makes a whole series of on-going choices to torture and bankroll the torture of another creature - choices that run for years - is evil.
Or better yet, he is a defective human being. Defective, broken, bad, murderous, evil.
And I don't want my beloved Eagles associated with that type of person.
Vick deserves a chance in society but my Eagles owed him no such opportunity. They sold out character for athletic ability - no John Doe on the street would get this chance. They flushed their reputation and disrespected their fans.
I am pissed. I am embarrassed and I'm finding it hard to root for my team - for the first time in my life I'm finding it hard to bleed green.
Screw Vick.
Screw Reid.
Screw Lurie and
Screw my Eagles.
5.21.2009
Superman's Anguish
Excepted below is part of a New York Times profile of Philadelphia Eagles lineman Shawn Andrews who missed the 2008 season because of depression and later, injury. It's an insight into what's under the helmet and a reminder that these are men, not gods.(New York Times)
As reporters gathered earlier this month, Shawn Andrews, a two-time Eagles Pro Bowl offensive lineman who has battled depression, was told that he seemed again to be his familiar cheery self. He did seem playful. He wore a rust-colored cockscomb haircut. And he stood in front of a locker that contained a football-shaped likeness of SpongeBob SquarePants, along with a photograph of his young son, JaShawn.
“There’s some good and bad in there,” Andrews, 26, said of himself. “If you know the song ‘Tears of a Clown,’ that would kind of describe my past a little bit up to now.”
Andrews weighed 230 pounds by age 12 and said he had wrestled with his self-image for years, having been picked on because of his size and because he grew up poor in Camden, Ark.
“A lot of people say football should help you channel your anger and aggression,” Andrews said. “But it’s not as easy as people think it is.”
“It’s hard for a student to learn when you worry about who’s making fun of your clothes and who’s picking on you every single day,” Andrews said.
One day at practice(during college), Andrews said, he burst out crying during stretching exercises and could not move. He left college early, saying he could not bear to see his mother struggle to keep the lights on.
After signing with the Eagles in 2004, he bought his mother a Mercedes-Benz and said he began to spend lavishly on himself, buying a Hummer, expensive jewelry and, later, a Rolls-Royce.
“I bought a whole bunch of things that I thought were going to boost who I really was, make people like me more, try to impress people versus being smart,” Andrews said. “I wasted $300,000 on a car. I was fortunate to get a grasp on myself before it became too late.”
Others began treating him differently, he said. Before his rookie season, he said that one longtime Arkansas friend asked him, “How much are you worth?” Then the friend asked for help in paying child support, rent and a car loan. After he declined, Andrews said, the friend invited him to a deer-hunting camp. Another friend later warned that he was being set up to be shot in what would look like a hunting accident, Andrews said.
As the 2008 season approached, Andrews said he found himself caught in a personal vortex. The birth of his son had brought excitement and some concern.
“I had a new obligation, and I’m going to fulfill it because of my past experience,” Andrews said, a reference to his growing up in a single-parent home.
At the same time, Andrews said his interest in football began to flag.
“I was partying, drinking to try to hide what was really going on,” he said. “Temporarily, it helped me. In the grand scheme, it really didn’t.”
He held out from training camp. The Eagles said they would fine him $15,000 a day. When Moran told him how much money he stood to lose, Andrews said his reaction was, “So what?”
Early last August, as rumors grew about his absence, Andrews told reporters that he was suffering from depression, had sought professional help and was taking medication. He eventually reported to the team, but played in only two games before sustaining a herniated disk in his back, which required surgery.
So far this off-season, (Eagles head coach Andy) Reid said, Andrews is “doing a great job.” Andrews said the move to tackle could rejuvenate his career.
Still, his renewed enthusiasm has been tempered by the fact that he has missed nearly two full seasons to injury.
“All the physical anguish I’ve been through, the thought of not being able to get up and play with my son, that really keeps my mind going every day,” Andrews said.
He sees some of his teammates dropping items and struggling to bend and pick them up.
“I don’t want to live like that,” Andrews said.
Click here for the entire article (registration required)
2.28.2009
Black day in Eagles Nation
Free agency has changed the face of the Philadelphia Eagles.
Brian Dawkins - the face of the franchise for 13 years - gone to Denver
Jon Runyan - gone, replaced by Stacy Andrews
Losing these two hurts. A lot. They're the spark plugs of the defense and offense, respectively. Dawkins since 1996, Runyan since 2000, and having never missed a game. Football is a business, but letting character guys go - guys who inspired, guys who led - is a stupid, stupid move.
Brian Dawkins - the face of the franchise for 13 years - gone to Denver
Jon Runyan - gone, replaced by Stacy Andrews
Losing these two hurts. A lot. They're the spark plugs of the defense and offense, respectively. Dawkins since 1996, Runyan since 2000, and having never missed a game. Football is a business, but letting character guys go - guys who inspired, guys who led - is a stupid, stupid move.
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