Say buh-bye to a first round BYE :(

UPSET VICK-TIMS    

 (The headline above is courtesy of the Courier-Post, front page sports section)

   The Eagles had a chance to move up in the playoff seedings Tuesday night and snatch a number 2 seed.  The Minnesota Vikings, however, had a different plan in mind.

  

   It looked to me that the cancellation of Sunday night's game, because of the blizzard, did not bother the Vikings performance one bit.  The Vikings came to play, even though they had nothing to play for.  Analyzing each quarterback's performance, it seemed that both decided to swap places for the night.  Joe Webb did not look like a scared rookie in his first start.  He looked like a veteran QB, handling the Eagles blitz considerably well.   Michael Vick, the Eagles star pro bowl QB, looked like the rookie.  Although you can't blame him for the protection he got from his offensive line, Vick still made mistakes that cost his team points.  Mistakes included his 2 fumbles, where one turned into a TD return; as well as the interception, which should have been 3 interceptions in total, but the Vikings cornerbacks developed a slight case of the "butterfingers."  The overall team performance by the Eagles was poor.  From special teams to defense and offense to coaching, they took this game for granted and were still in the "Giant" miracle mind set.

   My advice for the next game against Dallas: SIT VICK!  Chris Collingsworth, the NBC Sunday night football announcer, made a valid point last night.  He said that the good thing about this loss was that the Eagles could rest their starters since the game versus the Cowboys will be meaningless.  This will give them at least 2 weeks of rest, before their "O so important" wild-card game(We know what happened last year and don't want to repeat that).  We need Vick to rest up from the toll of hits he has been taking.  This is our superstar and we can't win without him.           

   Now, we are a guaranteed a number 3 spot, which ultimately, scares me.  Give me New Orleans, Tampa Bay or Green Bay in the wild-card game, but please, not the G-men again.  My little heart can only take so much.  

Top Ten Plays of the Year!

First off, I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and to all, a joyous holiday season.

This Christmas, Santa has brought us a special gift that puts every sports fanatic in a delightful mood.  Wrapped inside, is a memoir of spectacular moments that 2010 has brought to us in the world of sports.  Spectacular moments from such events like the 2010 World Cup, Winter Olympics, NBA season, College football season, NFL season, and much more.  2010 is slowly winding down, so I thought to pay my respects, I would list my top 10 plays of the year.  Here is my list...


10.  Sidney Crosby's game-winning goal against the USA in OT-  Sid the Kid, once again, never fails to disappoint.  Crosby took a back handed pass from his teammate, Jarome Iginla, and one timed a shot that slid pass the USA goaltender in the Winter Olympics.  Even though it was against my own country,  I have to give Crosby props on this one.  With his play improving every time he steps on the rink and the accomplishments he has achieved at his age, there is a very good chance he could become the next Wayne Gretzky or even better.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0tnKCHp6C0

9.  Maicon's tough angled shot against North Korea-  Brazil defender, Maicon, took a swerving shot with the outside part of his right foot, fooling the North Korean goalkeeper in the 2010 World Cup.  The Brazilians are known for their trickery and this amazing shot benefited Brazil later in the match.  No one really knows, except Maicon, whether he meant to take the shot or cross it.  It surely doesn't matter because what a wonderful goal it was to witness.   

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWcwOyQr1Eg

8.  Cam Newton's masterful run against LSU-  Auburn quarterback, Cam Newton, performs an amazing 49 yard run for a TD.  With his physique, Newton broke a number of tackles and made about six people miss, before rumbling into the endzone.  His jumping and jiving all season has made him into one of the premier quarterbacks of college football.  This run, basically, symbolizes why he won the Heisman trophy.         

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOi2hj_sjyY

7.  Roger Federer's between the legs shot at the US Open-  Roger Federer: hands down, the best tennis player in the world.  His jaw-dropping, between the legs shot in the US open showed that any impossible task with a tennis racket, is possible.  He had the guts to pull a trick out of his sleeve and successfully got the point during a major tournament.  That says a lot about a man's bravery.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyYxVuUIO0I

6.  Lebron James' powerful dunk on Chicago's James Johnson-  In a playoff game against the Chicago Bulls, Lebron James puts down a dunk with authority on the Bulls, James Johnson.  You can see Lebron challenge Johnson to guard him one on one.  Once Lebron saw that, he went straight to the bucket, creating a dunk to remember.  I want to know the G-forces on this dunk because it was ridiculous.  All I have to say is that Lebron James = a human highlight film. 

   

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAyKv5UznxU

5.  Tony Moeaki's one-handed catch against the 49ers-  Tony Moeaki, tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs, is definitely a nominee for the catch of the year in the NFL this season.  His unbelievable, one-handed grab in the back of the endzone, still opens eyes.  No disrespect to Moeaki, but this was probably his 15 minutes of fame.  One hit wonder, I would say.  

         

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ah0YmPCVYw

4.  Blake Griffin flies over the Knicks Timofey Mozgovv-  Blake Griffin is the future of NBA dunkers.  This man reminds of the great Dominique Wilkins.  Blake's high flying ability propelled him over the Knicks' Timofey Mozgov, in a Clipper arena that only attends games to witness his abilities.  Griffin does not touch the rim on this play, yet still threw it down viciously.  NBA players love to throw it down big on these international players, just ask Vince Carter.   

   

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEc8g8o6GTE&feature=fvsr

3.  Giovanni Van Bronckhorst's wonder goal against Uruguay-  In the semi-final game of the 2010 World Cup, Giovanni Van Bronckhorst's laser from 40 yards out was the goal of the tournament.  His shot contained tremendous power, providing no spin on the ball like a knuckler in baseball.  Once shot, the ball traveled straight into the upper 90 of the net.  This wonder goal helped Holland advance into the World Cup final, where they eventually lost to the Spaniards.    

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwEZdDGWZKQ&feature=related

2.  Desean Jackson's miracle punt return against the New York Giants-

Down 31 to 10 in the final 8 minutes of play, the Eagles roared back into the game, tying it at 31 a piece with 14 seconds left in regulation.  This was the final play and it was a punt.  Don't punt it to Desean, right? Wrong!  Giants punter, Matt Dodge, punts it to him and Jackson returns it for a TD, giving the Eagles a 38-31 victory.  Miracle at the New Meadowlands. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slk3UKHGL5A&feature=related

1.  Landon Donovan's crucial goal vs Algeria-  This game turned many non soccer fans in America to soccer fans.  Donovan's goal in the 91st minute gave the USA a spot in the round of 16 of the FIFA World Cup.  This goal changed the way Americans perceived soccer.  What was once a soccer program that wasn't accepted, the USA national team gained much more respect and appreciation from their fellow Americans.  Excitement was finally brought to US soccer.    

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y58uEHWLXxg

                                                    

Miracle at the Meadowlands: Part Dos (Two)

   One word, "WOW!"  The week of December 13th-19th will be remembered for ages by the city of Philadelphia.  This week will be known as "Let's crush New York's hopes and dreams week!"  Your asking why? Why New York?  Well duh, because Philly knows how to rise up in big time moments.  First, it was Cliff Lee being stolen from the New York Yankees fingertips in a bizarre, but sneaky signing by the Phillies.  Then, on to hockey, where the Flyers defeated rivals New York Rangers in a whooping 4-1 win Saturday night.  Lastly, Sunday arrived and the Eagles overcame a 21 point deficit TWICE to defeat the New York Giants in a thriller, as I stated in my previous post.  All of these events that had occurred were great for the city, but one has to stand out in this moment of time.  I selected the Eagles vs. Giants because of the magnitude of this game.  Playoff hopes were at stake producing a dramatic comeback win for the birds, putting this game above all of the other games that happened this week.
    I can still hear the echoes of Joe Buck's voice yelling "unbelievable" in my mind (even though I wish I had the Philadelphia Eagles radio announcers Merrill Reese and Mike Quick on) in the final 14 seconds of an epic game.  Before the punt was even played, I saw the confidence/swagger of Desean Jackson.  He looked so calm, while flaring his arms up in the air, signaling to the crowd that he was going to make something happen.  Desean Jackson rose to the challenge of being the star who would propel his team to victory.  In a blink of an eye, he returns it for a touchdown and the game is over.
    I can't leave this post without saying the leadership of Michael Vick.  This guy, I swear, is not human.  He brought his team back from a large deficit and never gave up once.  He is the ultimate player, definitely earning a spot as the MVP of the NFL this season.  A great example was the 3rd and 10 from the eagles 10 in the final 5 minutes of the game.  This man, single handedly, took over the game with his "madden" playmaking abilities (he will be rated 110 overall next year in Madden lol).  He got the key first down the Eagles needed when time was their enemy.  This, to me, was nothing new.            
    I can't say enough about the Philadelphia Eagles organization and their resiliency.  They have shown that they can win in any type of situation, no matter what factors have been thrown at them.  The Eagles showed their determination from plays like the Brent Celek TD and onside kick, to the Vick, Maclin, and Desean punt return TD.  This "never give up" attitude can and will be in their presence on their championship run.  This game, by far, is the best football game and comeback I have ever witnessed in my 20 years of living on this earth.  Never lose faith in these Eagles.  Enough said.      

Look at these Eagles fly!!

    It is a cold, frigid, wintry Friday afternoon in the little town of Pennsauken, NJ.  It is a town located five minutes from the Ben Franklin Bridge which leads you right into the city of Brotherly Love.  I am in my house, freezing my behind off, but what keeps me warm is the success at which the Eagles are flying through the NFL East as well as the conference.  Two more days I tell you, two more days till we play them godforsaken New York "football" Giants.
     I hear enough trash talking as it is at the college I attend called William Paterson University.  It is located about 15 minutes from New York City, of course without traffic.  I have never seen so many Jets and Giants fans in my life.  I get a sour taste in my mouth every time I take a glimpse and see a Jets or Giants jersey.  The taste is indescribable.  It is like grinding up liverwurst and brusselsprouts in a blender and dipping it in a glass of milk.  The combination is a horrible mix, making the average Eagle fan quiver at any moment in time.  All my life I have been used to seeing green; not Jets green, but Eagles green.  Okay, let me stop with all the Jets and Giants talk before I really do vomit and start talking about this upcoming game on Sunday at 1pm.
     This game between the Giants and Eagles will determine who from the NFL east will gain the best advantage in making the playoffs.  "Playoffs?!(in my Jim Mora voice)"  Yes playoffs, Jim.  I am incredibly confident that the Eagles will pull out a tough victory at the new Meadowlands stadium in East Rutherford, NJ.
    There are 3 main factors in this game that the Eagles have to accomplish in order to come out with a "W."  First factor is getting after Eli Manning and putting fear in his innocent, little eyes.  The Eagles D has to get pressure from their front four first, before sending the flock of birds, in the blitz team.  The addition of Derrick Burgess will help the front four cope with the loss of Brandon Graham, who is out for the remainder of the season.  Juqua Parker has been playing at his potential these past few games, grasping his job back in week 5.  Expect Trent Cole to be double teamed, opening up a one on one match up with Juqua and whoever starts at right guard for the Giants.  The second factor will be the Eagles offensive line maintaining the blitz of the Giants defenders.  Todd Heremans, Jason Peters, King Dunlap or if Winston Justice is healthy, all have to show up Sunday afternoon.  Good blocking by these men will open up the run lanes for "Shady" McCoy and enable him to do his juking and jiving in the open field.  Running the ball on an even basis will surely make the play-action more effective as the game goes on.  This will also give time for the "big" play that has caught many teams off guard this season.  Desean Jackson will be that man.  Jeremy Maclin will be more of a possesion type reciever that will get you the key first downs in 3rd down situations.  Let's see Todd Heremans catch another TD!  The third and final factor that will be significant is the Eagles D's ability to stop the running game of Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw.  These two have always caused trouble in the past, when they're hot.  Right now, they are on a roll!  Last week, we stopped the combo of Tashard Choice and Felix Jones.  This week's one-two punch will be even more of a challenge.   The Eagles linebacking core will have to bring their fury in putting a nose into the offensive line and getting to the running back, to block running lanes from opening up.  Ernie Sims as well as Moise Fokou have to balance their timing on when to commit and when to stay put in coverage.  With the injury of Stewart Bradley till the playoffs, Jamar Chaney has to step in as a rookie and dismiss all the stereotypes that come with it.  I think he will do a fine job and veterans, like Trent Cole or Quinten Mikell, will help boost his confidence during the latter stages of the game.      
   In the last time these two teams matched up, the Giants brought the blitz and were somewhat successful in guarding the Madden video game playing ability of Michael Vick.  Still, we came out with a victory and that's all that matters.  "We play to win the game (in my Herm Edwards voice)."  The stadium will be loud and a tough environment to play in, but I still think my Eagles will show that they are the team to beat in the NFC.  My prediction, 27-24 Eagles in a thriller.