The LA Rams play the 49'ers today. The Rams, who have already clinched the NFC West title, plan to rest their starters, including quarterback Jared Goff and star running back Todd Gurkey. If the Rams lose, they may drop form the No. 3 seed in the upcoming playoffs to the No. 4 seed. If they are No. 4. the Rams would play a wild card team next weekend in Los Angeles. If they win that game, they would then travel to Philadelphia to play the Eagles.
Are the Rams targeting the Eagles? Or are they simply just resting their starters, for fear of injury?
The Rams have a high-scoring offense. They are a warm-weather team, playing in a possibly frigid Philly. They lost a shoot-out to Carson Wentz and the Birds in early December. it was a classic game. LA has since cruised, while the Birds, still winning, lost Wentz for the season.
Do the Rams feel they have a better shot crossing the country and playing Nick Foles and the Eagles, despite the potential icy cold weather? Would the Rams rather go to Minnesota and face their fierce defense or play the Foles-led Birds?
LA has the firepower to win anywhere. Their high-powered offense against the Vikings' defense would be an interesting match-up. The NFC is so even and so wide open, any of the six tournament teams can move on to the Super Bowl.
The Eagle defense must step up, no matter who they play in the first round,. The Defense plays well at the Linc, with 60,000 crazy fans urging them on. Turnovers are always key. Goff and the Rams are explosive but inexperienced. Would the spotlight of the playoffs be too much for the young Rams?
Purposely playing their way to face the Birds would be a mistake. Finishing third and possibly going to Minnesota isn't a bad move for LA. If they are good enough they will win anywhere.
For the Eagles, they rest after today's game with Dallas. We will know by tonight who is in and out of the playoffs and the potential first round match-ups. The opponents invading the Linc all offer different strengths and weaknesses. There is no dominant team. That's good, considering the loss of Wentz. The Eagles' advantage is the two home games.
The road to the Super bowl goes through Philadelphia. After today, it's win or go home.In the Eagles' case, it's win and stay home. I'll share my playoffs predictions later in the week.
Sunday, December 31, 2017
EAGLES FACTS AND TRIVIA
Today's topic: Eagles in the 2010s
1. Who first called the 2011 Eagles a "Dream Team?"
2. Donovan McNabb went from the Pro Bowl in 2009 to where in 2010?
3. Who were Chip Kelly's three number-one draft picks?
Check back tomorrow for the answers!
Answers to yesterday's quiz. Topic: Eagles Running Backs
1. Thomas "Swede" Hanson
2. Brian Westbrook caught 426 passes in eight seasons.
3. Earnest Jackson gained 1,028 yards in 1985. New coach Buddy Ryan cut him the following season.
1. Who first called the 2011 Eagles a "Dream Team?"
2. Donovan McNabb went from the Pro Bowl in 2009 to where in 2010?
3. Who were Chip Kelly's three number-one draft picks?
Check back tomorrow for the answers!
Answers to yesterday's quiz. Topic: Eagles Running Backs
1. Thomas "Swede" Hanson
2. Brian Westbrook caught 426 passes in eight seasons.
3. Earnest Jackson gained 1,028 yards in 1985. New coach Buddy Ryan cut him the following season.
Saturday, December 30, 2017
EAGLES-COWBOYS- THE PICK PART 2
Earlier in the week I picked the Eagles to beat the Cowboys on Sunday, 20-17. I thought the Birds would hold serve at home, finish 14-2 for the year, remain perfect at home and in the NFC East, and go into the playoffs in two weeks with momentum.
After careful consideration, I'm amending my pick, with a record of 15-0 on the line picking Eagle games this season.
I had this gnawing feeling in my gut to take Dallas when I made the original pick. Dallas has nothing to play for. But they do have revenge and can spoil the Eagles' perfect record at the Linc. The Cowboys could finish 9-7 and will cry all off-season "If we didn't lose Elliot for six games." Winning an extra game may change their draft slot next spring by a notch or two.
The key point is that the Birds will play their starters, including QB Nick Foles, for maybe a quarter or a half. The Cowboys will play their main guys the entire game. So even if Philly gets the lead before Coach Pederson takes the starters out, it would be up to the defense to hold the lead, and back-up to back-up Nate Sudfeld would need to hold the lead.
It's not gonna happen.
I hate to pick Dallas over the Eagles, even in a meaningless game such as this, and I hate to think of the obnoxious Cowboy fans having any reason to smile after New Year's Eve, but realistically, Dallas will probably win
For the Birds to pull this one out, even with second or third-teamers, would be icing on the cake of a magical season. Even if the Eagles lose, 13-3 is outstanding. A first-round bye and home field advantage through-out the playoffs is amazing. As long as the starters play well in the limited time they play, they will build some confidence and momentum going into the postseason.
With the temperature expected to be in the teens, and the wind chill around zero, I wonder how many hearty fans will be in the stands. Maybe more in the parking lot tail-gating and drinking. Certainly a lot of fans at Xfinity Live and every other sports bar in the Delaware Valley.
There was a time you would never give away Cowboy tickets, but considering the meaningless of the game, on New Year's Eve, and the bitterly cold weather, I would suppose many fans who have never been to an Eagles game before will be there tomorrow.Season ticket holders, if not in the suites, will be warm at home.
Finally, the team activated CB Sidney Jones for the game. Good news. it means Jones, their second-round pick last spring, is healthy to finally play. He may give the defense a spark. As important, Jones can continue to practice with the squad. I'm looking forward to check out the highly-touted Jones.
Also, LaGarrette Blount needs 21 yards to have a $300,000 bonus kick in. Guard Stafan Wisnieski is supposed to play, but hopefully not much. Let him continue to rest his injured ankle.
With that said, here is , my adjusted pick : Dallas 27 Eagles 17
After careful consideration, I'm amending my pick, with a record of 15-0 on the line picking Eagle games this season.
I had this gnawing feeling in my gut to take Dallas when I made the original pick. Dallas has nothing to play for. But they do have revenge and can spoil the Eagles' perfect record at the Linc. The Cowboys could finish 9-7 and will cry all off-season "If we didn't lose Elliot for six games." Winning an extra game may change their draft slot next spring by a notch or two.
The key point is that the Birds will play their starters, including QB Nick Foles, for maybe a quarter or a half. The Cowboys will play their main guys the entire game. So even if Philly gets the lead before Coach Pederson takes the starters out, it would be up to the defense to hold the lead, and back-up to back-up Nate Sudfeld would need to hold the lead.
It's not gonna happen.
I hate to pick Dallas over the Eagles, even in a meaningless game such as this, and I hate to think of the obnoxious Cowboy fans having any reason to smile after New Year's Eve, but realistically, Dallas will probably win
For the Birds to pull this one out, even with second or third-teamers, would be icing on the cake of a magical season. Even if the Eagles lose, 13-3 is outstanding. A first-round bye and home field advantage through-out the playoffs is amazing. As long as the starters play well in the limited time they play, they will build some confidence and momentum going into the postseason.
With the temperature expected to be in the teens, and the wind chill around zero, I wonder how many hearty fans will be in the stands. Maybe more in the parking lot tail-gating and drinking. Certainly a lot of fans at Xfinity Live and every other sports bar in the Delaware Valley.
There was a time you would never give away Cowboy tickets, but considering the meaningless of the game, on New Year's Eve, and the bitterly cold weather, I would suppose many fans who have never been to an Eagles game before will be there tomorrow.Season ticket holders, if not in the suites, will be warm at home.
Finally, the team activated CB Sidney Jones for the game. Good news. it means Jones, their second-round pick last spring, is healthy to finally play. He may give the defense a spark. As important, Jones can continue to practice with the squad. I'm looking forward to check out the highly-touted Jones.
Also, LaGarrette Blount needs 21 yards to have a $300,000 bonus kick in. Guard Stafan Wisnieski is supposed to play, but hopefully not much. Let him continue to rest his injured ankle.
With that said, here is , my adjusted pick : Dallas 27 Eagles 17
PHILLY SPORTS CORNER- FLYERS, SIXERS, EAGLES
* To their credit, the Flyers stepped up last night and beat the Tampa Bay Lightening, 5-3. Tampa has the best record in the NHL. The Orange and Black continue to be consistently inconsistent. They snapped a three-game losing streak. Now the team comes home for four games, starting on Tuesday with Pittsburgh. I'll see the St. Louis Blues next Saturday afternoon.
* The Sixers play in Denver tonight against the Nuggets. Joel Embiid won't play, since the 76'ers play in Phoenix tomorrow night. It's a shame that Embiid, who is an incredible player, still can't play back-to-back games. Will he be limited his entire career?
* Happy Birthday Carson Wentz!! He turns 25 today. I'm sure his birthday wish would be better health, but he has many more birthdays to play for the Eagles down the road.
I have always said, a Philly team will win a championship when least expected. If that's true, the Eagles will go to the Super Bowl with Nick Foles and win it all. Being 13-2 so far is a major surprise. Even the owner thought the team needed more time to rebuild.What a Rocky-like, underdog scenario it would be if the Birds won their first Super Bowl with a back-up quarterback?
* The Sixers play in Denver tonight against the Nuggets. Joel Embiid won't play, since the 76'ers play in Phoenix tomorrow night. It's a shame that Embiid, who is an incredible player, still can't play back-to-back games. Will he be limited his entire career?
* Happy Birthday Carson Wentz!! He turns 25 today. I'm sure his birthday wish would be better health, but he has many more birthdays to play for the Eagles down the road.
I have always said, a Philly team will win a championship when least expected. If that's true, the Eagles will go to the Super Bowl with Nick Foles and win it all. Being 13-2 so far is a major surprise. Even the owner thought the team needed more time to rebuild.What a Rocky-like, underdog scenario it would be if the Birds won their first Super Bowl with a back-up quarterback?
EAGLES FACTS AND TRIVIA
Today's topic is: Eagle Running Backs
1. Who was the first Eagle to lead the team in rushing and how many times did he do it?
2. What running back caught the most passes as an Eagle?
3. What 1,000-yard rusher was cut the next season?
Check back tomorrow for the answers!
Answers to yesterday's quiz- Topic Eagle Quarterbacks-
1. Greg Barton threw one incomplete pass for the Detroit Lions in 1969, and that encouraged the Eagles to give up three high draft picks for him in 1971. To top off the embarrassment, Barton spurned the Eagles and signed with a Canadian team instead.
2. Tommy Thompson in 1948.
3. Johnnie Walton in 1976.
.
1. Who was the first Eagle to lead the team in rushing and how many times did he do it?
2. What running back caught the most passes as an Eagle?
3. What 1,000-yard rusher was cut the next season?
Check back tomorrow for the answers!
Answers to yesterday's quiz- Topic Eagle Quarterbacks-
1. Greg Barton threw one incomplete pass for the Detroit Lions in 1969, and that encouraged the Eagles to give up three high draft picks for him in 1971. To top off the embarrassment, Barton spurned the Eagles and signed with a Canadian team instead.
2. Tommy Thompson in 1948.
3. Johnnie Walton in 1976.
.
Friday, December 29, 2017
MY 2017 PHILLY SPORTS GUY OF THE YEAR
It's been a helluva year in Philly sports. We finally have some hope, after years of losing. We didn't win a championship, but we finally have a playoff team. We have superstars in town now, young guys to cheer for. Jerseys are being sold as Christmas gifts again. You can't take your eyes off players like Wentz, Embiid and Hoskins. There are reasons to go out to the games and watch on the tube again.
Here are my candidates for Philly Sports Guy of the Year. Doesn't have to be a player; could be a front office guy or coach.
* Doug Pederson-
Pederson has gone from questionable choice as a coach to maybe Coach of the Year in the NFL. He has kept the team together, despite numerous injuries, and has guided the Eagles to a league-best 13-2 record and home field advantage through-out the NFC playoffs.
* Howie Rossman-
The GM of the Eagles has built a winner from the trash that Chip Kelly left a few years ago. Along with Joe Douglas, Rossman has made more good moves than bad. Even during the season Rossman acquired running back Jay Ajayi form Miami. Ajayi has proven to be a valuable asset, and should be a key weapon for the offense even beyond this season.
* Carson Wentz-
Before he tore up his knee, Wentz was having a MVP season and leading the Birds to the NFC East title, with the best record in football. We miss Wentz even more so now, as the team has clinched home field advantage through-out the postseason. We can only dream about Wentz in the Super Bowl, going toe-to-toe with Tom Brady. But we will have plenty more seasons to look forward to on the "Wentz Wagon." Most of all, Wentz turned the team- and the city- into winners.
* Rhys Hoskins-
Not only did he give Phillies fans something to cheer about last summer during a season of despair, he is the promise of things to come. I can only imagine what Hoskins will do in 2018, a full year of Phillies baseball awaiting. Along with other young players such as Nick Williams, Hoskins is the foundation for the future. You have to stop and watch when Rhys is batting, like the old days with Schmidt or Howard.
* Joel Embiid-
The center has brought talent and a fun personality to the 76'ers. He is a must-see in person or on TV. And he will only get better, as long a she stays healthy.He is the core of the Sixers, along with Ben Simmons.
What is your pick for Philly Sports Guy of the Year? My choice is Carson Wentz. True, Rossman brought Wentz to Philadelphia. Pederson has coached him up and put him in a position to thrive. But it was Wentz to do it, often at times where it was his natural, God-given talent alone.
The Eagles are the most popular franchise in town. They are winners too, and the most important position in all of sports is quarterback. In Wentz, the Birds have one of the best at his position for a long time to come. He's a good kid, only 25, and has the city in his hands. He is a true franchise QB and a promise of hope for many autumns to come.
As far as the opposite, the Worst Guy in Philly Sports for 2017, sadly there are many more candidates to choose from...such as:
Brian Colangelo, The entire lying Sixers' management, Matt Klentak, Ron Hextall, Odubel Herrera, Mychel Franco and Markelle Fultz
Here are my candidates for Philly Sports Guy of the Year. Doesn't have to be a player; could be a front office guy or coach.
* Doug Pederson-
Pederson has gone from questionable choice as a coach to maybe Coach of the Year in the NFL. He has kept the team together, despite numerous injuries, and has guided the Eagles to a league-best 13-2 record and home field advantage through-out the NFC playoffs.
* Howie Rossman-
The GM of the Eagles has built a winner from the trash that Chip Kelly left a few years ago. Along with Joe Douglas, Rossman has made more good moves than bad. Even during the season Rossman acquired running back Jay Ajayi form Miami. Ajayi has proven to be a valuable asset, and should be a key weapon for the offense even beyond this season.
* Carson Wentz-
Before he tore up his knee, Wentz was having a MVP season and leading the Birds to the NFC East title, with the best record in football. We miss Wentz even more so now, as the team has clinched home field advantage through-out the postseason. We can only dream about Wentz in the Super Bowl, going toe-to-toe with Tom Brady. But we will have plenty more seasons to look forward to on the "Wentz Wagon." Most of all, Wentz turned the team- and the city- into winners.
* Rhys Hoskins-
Not only did he give Phillies fans something to cheer about last summer during a season of despair, he is the promise of things to come. I can only imagine what Hoskins will do in 2018, a full year of Phillies baseball awaiting. Along with other young players such as Nick Williams, Hoskins is the foundation for the future. You have to stop and watch when Rhys is batting, like the old days with Schmidt or Howard.
* Joel Embiid-
The center has brought talent and a fun personality to the 76'ers. He is a must-see in person or on TV. And he will only get better, as long a she stays healthy.He is the core of the Sixers, along with Ben Simmons.
What is your pick for Philly Sports Guy of the Year? My choice is Carson Wentz. True, Rossman brought Wentz to Philadelphia. Pederson has coached him up and put him in a position to thrive. But it was Wentz to do it, often at times where it was his natural, God-given talent alone.
The Eagles are the most popular franchise in town. They are winners too, and the most important position in all of sports is quarterback. In Wentz, the Birds have one of the best at his position for a long time to come. He's a good kid, only 25, and has the city in his hands. He is a true franchise QB and a promise of hope for many autumns to come.
As far as the opposite, the Worst Guy in Philly Sports for 2017, sadly there are many more candidates to choose from...such as:
Brian Colangelo, The entire lying Sixers' management, Matt Klentak, Ron Hextall, Odubel Herrera, Mychel Franco and Markelle Fultz
PHILLY SPORTS CORNER- EAGLES, SIXERS, FLYERS, WIP SPORTS RADIO
* For the Eagles to win Sunday vs Dallas, and more importantly in the playoffs in two weeks, QB Nick Foles needs to be more aggressive. He needs to allow his receivers to make plays. Not throw the ball up for grabs and make stupid plays, but push the ball down the field. Yes, the Birds should run the ball,e specially in the cold Philadelphia weather. But I wouldn't change the offense too much. Defenses will put eight men in the box if it appears Foles can't go over the top with the ball.
Foles talked about needing to play better yesterday in a press conference. He also remarked that he needs to "check down" and not take sacks and make better and quicker decisions.
Check down even more? He exclusively threw to his tight end and running backs in the Oakland game. His wide outs also need to trust Foles more. He ain't no Carson Wentz, and the team needs to get over that. The offense seemed snail-slow agains tthe Raiders. Was it Foles' fault that there seemed to be no spark or energy?
The Eagles may never get this opportunity again, having home field advantage through-out the NFC playoffs. it's the perfect scenario tor each the Super Bowl. Foles or not, they need to take care of business and win the two home games ahead of them.
For Sunday, the Eagles are underdogs, mainly because of Foles and the fact that Philly has already clinched their first-round bye and home field. Chances are the starters will only play a half or so. Even if the Eagles have the lead going into the second half, the Cowboy starters will play the entire game and overtake the lead in the end.
I have it as Eagles 20 Cowboys 17, just because the Birds would love to set a franchise-record of 14 wins in a season; sweep the NFC East ( 6-0);and remain perfect at home ( 8-0).
Giving the starters rest, avoiding injury will be keys in Sunday's game. Hopefully the team shows more than they did against Oakland, especially moving the ball with Foles. Defense wins in the playoffs, but the birds will need to score points if they hope to keep up with the Rams or Saints.
Don't play scared, Eagles. Teams have to come into the Linc and win to reach the Super Bowl. You hold your destiny in your hands. Be aggressive! Hopefully Coach Pederson doesn't turtle-up either, as he has done in other spotlight games during the last two years.
* The Sixers blew another big lead, this time coughing -up an 18-point bulge in Portland last night, eventually losing by four to the Trail Blazers. This team needs to learn how to win and how to close out games. They still lack a killer instinct. They are young.They will learn how to win, after playing to lose all these years .Psychologically, it's tough to go from tanking games to suddenly being expected to win those same games, but not sure how to do it.
The calls for Coach Brett Brown to be fired will grow. It's true- the team is entering a new phase and may need a fresh, more positive voice to guide them through this part of The Process. The team plays in Denver against the Nuggets tomorrow night.
* The Flyers remain inconsistent, losing their third game in a row, 3-2 last nigh tin Florida. Tonight is an even tougher task at league-leading Tampa Bay. The chants for Coach Dave Hakstol to get the ax will also grow louder, rightfully so. Is the team getting any better? Are the young players improving?
* I love WIP Sports Radio, but around the holidays is the worse time to listen to that station. Interns and part-time hosts are filling in for the regulars, especially overnight. Thank goodness Howard Eskin and the team of Glen Macnow and Ray Didinger are still on every Saturday morning . I don't miss Big Daddy overnight ( I'm not a fan), but I do miss Angelo in the morning.
The hosts replacing him this week have been awful. Joe Gigilo, John Barchard and Jon Johnson earlier in the week; Marc Farzetta and Hollis Thomas today. Farzetta is the worst. I don't know what WIP sees in him. Maybe because he is a Temple grad like morning sidekick Rhea Hughes? Whatever the reason, he thinks he is too cool, doesn't have his facts straight, doesn't work hard enough to get his facts straight, and basically, doesn't know his Philly sports.
Thomas is a mumbling, stuttering unlistenable guy, who couldn't cut it in the prime-time afternoon slot with the departed Josh Innes. Other than football, he can't relate to any other sport.
Why isn't a guy like Seth Joyner on the air, someone who does know football, will offer a strong opinion and someone you can actually understand speak?
I know it's all-Eagles all the time now, especially with the playoffs looming, but I do hope, as spring training nears, we hear from guys like Ben Davis again. Sonny Hill is a refreshing change of pace Sunday mornings and whenever Keith Jones is on, it's a funny and different perspective.
Anyway, I can't wait for Angelo to return next week. The station recently picked up his option, which is good. If/when he ever retires, WIP will definitely be for the worst, especially if the part-timers who are filling in now get regular gigs.
Program Director Spike Eskin can save the station a lot of time and money by not making Farzetta the morning guy down the road. He is doomed to fail.
The only guy on the horizon who would fill Angelo's shoes would be Howard Eskin, if he took the morning slot until a younger replacement is found.
Foles talked about needing to play better yesterday in a press conference. He also remarked that he needs to "check down" and not take sacks and make better and quicker decisions.
Check down even more? He exclusively threw to his tight end and running backs in the Oakland game. His wide outs also need to trust Foles more. He ain't no Carson Wentz, and the team needs to get over that. The offense seemed snail-slow agains tthe Raiders. Was it Foles' fault that there seemed to be no spark or energy?
The Eagles may never get this opportunity again, having home field advantage through-out the NFC playoffs. it's the perfect scenario tor each the Super Bowl. Foles or not, they need to take care of business and win the two home games ahead of them.
For Sunday, the Eagles are underdogs, mainly because of Foles and the fact that Philly has already clinched their first-round bye and home field. Chances are the starters will only play a half or so. Even if the Eagles have the lead going into the second half, the Cowboy starters will play the entire game and overtake the lead in the end.
I have it as Eagles 20 Cowboys 17, just because the Birds would love to set a franchise-record of 14 wins in a season; sweep the NFC East ( 6-0);and remain perfect at home ( 8-0).
Giving the starters rest, avoiding injury will be keys in Sunday's game. Hopefully the team shows more than they did against Oakland, especially moving the ball with Foles. Defense wins in the playoffs, but the birds will need to score points if they hope to keep up with the Rams or Saints.
Don't play scared, Eagles. Teams have to come into the Linc and win to reach the Super Bowl. You hold your destiny in your hands. Be aggressive! Hopefully Coach Pederson doesn't turtle-up either, as he has done in other spotlight games during the last two years.
* The Sixers blew another big lead, this time coughing -up an 18-point bulge in Portland last night, eventually losing by four to the Trail Blazers. This team needs to learn how to win and how to close out games. They still lack a killer instinct. They are young.They will learn how to win, after playing to lose all these years .Psychologically, it's tough to go from tanking games to suddenly being expected to win those same games, but not sure how to do it.
The calls for Coach Brett Brown to be fired will grow. It's true- the team is entering a new phase and may need a fresh, more positive voice to guide them through this part of The Process. The team plays in Denver against the Nuggets tomorrow night.
* The Flyers remain inconsistent, losing their third game in a row, 3-2 last nigh tin Florida. Tonight is an even tougher task at league-leading Tampa Bay. The chants for Coach Dave Hakstol to get the ax will also grow louder, rightfully so. Is the team getting any better? Are the young players improving?
* I love WIP Sports Radio, but around the holidays is the worse time to listen to that station. Interns and part-time hosts are filling in for the regulars, especially overnight. Thank goodness Howard Eskin and the team of Glen Macnow and Ray Didinger are still on every Saturday morning . I don't miss Big Daddy overnight ( I'm not a fan), but I do miss Angelo in the morning.
The hosts replacing him this week have been awful. Joe Gigilo, John Barchard and Jon Johnson earlier in the week; Marc Farzetta and Hollis Thomas today. Farzetta is the worst. I don't know what WIP sees in him. Maybe because he is a Temple grad like morning sidekick Rhea Hughes? Whatever the reason, he thinks he is too cool, doesn't have his facts straight, doesn't work hard enough to get his facts straight, and basically, doesn't know his Philly sports.
Thomas is a mumbling, stuttering unlistenable guy, who couldn't cut it in the prime-time afternoon slot with the departed Josh Innes. Other than football, he can't relate to any other sport.
Why isn't a guy like Seth Joyner on the air, someone who does know football, will offer a strong opinion and someone you can actually understand speak?
I know it's all-Eagles all the time now, especially with the playoffs looming, but I do hope, as spring training nears, we hear from guys like Ben Davis again. Sonny Hill is a refreshing change of pace Sunday mornings and whenever Keith Jones is on, it's a funny and different perspective.
Anyway, I can't wait for Angelo to return next week. The station recently picked up his option, which is good. If/when he ever retires, WIP will definitely be for the worst, especially if the part-timers who are filling in now get regular gigs.
Program Director Spike Eskin can save the station a lot of time and money by not making Farzetta the morning guy down the road. He is doomed to fail.
The only guy on the horizon who would fill Angelo's shoes would be Howard Eskin, if he took the morning slot until a younger replacement is found.
EAGLES FACTS AND TRIVIA
Today's topic is: Eagle Quarterbacks
1. For what backup quarterback who had thrown one pass in an NFL game did the Eagles give up two second-round picks and a third-rounder in 1971?
2. Who was the first Eagle to throw 25 touchdown passes?
3. Who was the first black quarterback to take a snap for the Eagles?
Check back tomorrow for the answers!
Answers to yesterday's quiz. Topic" Eagle Uniform Numbers:
1. Hall of Fame center Jim Ringo wore number 54 for the Eagles from 1964 to 1967.
2. Ben Hawkins caught 261 for 32 touchdowns wearing number 18, while Jeremy Macklin caught 343 for 36 touchdowns in the same jersey.
3. Wearing number 21, corner back Bobby Taylor nabbed 21 interceptions, safety Joe Scarpati grabbed 24, and corner back Eric Allen topped them with 34.
1. For what backup quarterback who had thrown one pass in an NFL game did the Eagles give up two second-round picks and a third-rounder in 1971?
2. Who was the first Eagle to throw 25 touchdown passes?
3. Who was the first black quarterback to take a snap for the Eagles?
Check back tomorrow for the answers!
Answers to yesterday's quiz. Topic" Eagle Uniform Numbers:
1. Hall of Fame center Jim Ringo wore number 54 for the Eagles from 1964 to 1967.
2. Ben Hawkins caught 261 for 32 touchdowns wearing number 18, while Jeremy Macklin caught 343 for 36 touchdowns in the same jersey.
3. Wearing number 21, corner back Bobby Taylor nabbed 21 interceptions, safety Joe Scarpati grabbed 24, and corner back Eric Allen topped them with 34.
THIS DAY IN SPORTS HISTORY- DECEMBER 29
1978 Gator Bowl...
"I don't apologize for anything. When I make a mistake, I take the blame and go on from there. I just despise to lose, and that has taken a man of mediocre ability and made him a pretty good coach out of him." - Woody Hayes
On the night of December 29, 1978, Woody Hayes' coaching career at Ohio State ended sadly against Clemson. Tigers 17 Buckeyes 15. (Gator Bowl , Jacksonville, Florida).
"I don't apologize for anything. When I make a mistake, I take the blame and go on from there. I just despise to lose, and that has taken a man of mediocre ability and made him a pretty good coach out of him." - Woody Hayes
On the night of December 29, 1978, Woody Hayes' coaching career at Ohio State ended sadly against Clemson. Tigers 17 Buckeyes 15. (Gator Bowl , Jacksonville, Florida).
Thursday, December 28, 2017
IN THE NEWS- EXERCISE MAY IMPROVE THINKING ABILITY AND MEMORY
This interesting item is from Disability World..
Exercising twice a week may improve thinking ability and memory in people with mild cognitive impairment ( MCI), according to a guideline released by the American Academy of Neurology. The recommendation is an update to the AAN'd previous guideline on mild cognitive impairment and is published in the December 27, 2017 online issue of Neurology., the medical journal of the AAN. The guideline is endorsed by the Alzheimer's Association.
Mild cognitive impairment is a medical condition that is common with aging. While it is linked to problems with thinking ability and memory, it is not the same as dementia. People with MCI have milder symptoms. They may struggle to complete complex tasks or have difficulty understanding information they have read, whereas people with dementia have trouble with daily tasks, such as dressing, bathing and eating. However, there is strong evidence that MCI can lead to dementia.
"It's exciting that exercise may help improve memory at this stage, as it's something most people can do and of course it has overall health benefits," said lead author Ronald C. Petersen, MD, PhD, of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., and a Fellow of the AAN. "Because MCI may progress to dementia, it is particularity important that MCI is diagnosed early."
According to the guideline, doctors should recommend that people with MCI exercise regularly as part of an overall approach to managing their symptoms. Although long-term studies have not been conducted, six-month studies suggest twice-weekly workouts may improve memory.
The guideline states that there are no FDA-approved medications for the treatment of MCI. Moreover, there are no high-quality, long-term studies that suggest drugs or dietary changes can improve thinking ability or delay memory problems in people with MCI.
The guideline states that doctors may recommend cognitive training for people with MCI. There is weak evidence that cognitive training may be beneficial in improving measures of cognitive function.
The American Academy of Neurology's guideline authors developed the recommendations after reviewing all available studies on mCI. Worldwide, more than 6 percent of people in their 60s have MCI, and the condition becomes more common with age. More than 37 percent of people age 85 and older have it.
"If you or others have noticed that you are forgetful and are having trouble with complex tasks, you should see your doctor to be evaluated and not assume that it is just part of normal aging," said Petersen. "Sometimes memory problems are a side effect of medications, sleep disturbances, depression. or other causes that can be treated. It is important to meet with your doctor to determine the root cause. Early action may keep memory problems from getting worse."
Exercising twice a week may improve thinking ability and memory in people with mild cognitive impairment ( MCI), according to a guideline released by the American Academy of Neurology. The recommendation is an update to the AAN'd previous guideline on mild cognitive impairment and is published in the December 27, 2017 online issue of Neurology., the medical journal of the AAN. The guideline is endorsed by the Alzheimer's Association.
Mild cognitive impairment is a medical condition that is common with aging. While it is linked to problems with thinking ability and memory, it is not the same as dementia. People with MCI have milder symptoms. They may struggle to complete complex tasks or have difficulty understanding information they have read, whereas people with dementia have trouble with daily tasks, such as dressing, bathing and eating. However, there is strong evidence that MCI can lead to dementia.
"It's exciting that exercise may help improve memory at this stage, as it's something most people can do and of course it has overall health benefits," said lead author Ronald C. Petersen, MD, PhD, of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., and a Fellow of the AAN. "Because MCI may progress to dementia, it is particularity important that MCI is diagnosed early."
According to the guideline, doctors should recommend that people with MCI exercise regularly as part of an overall approach to managing their symptoms. Although long-term studies have not been conducted, six-month studies suggest twice-weekly workouts may improve memory.
The guideline states that there are no FDA-approved medications for the treatment of MCI. Moreover, there are no high-quality, long-term studies that suggest drugs or dietary changes can improve thinking ability or delay memory problems in people with MCI.
The guideline states that doctors may recommend cognitive training for people with MCI. There is weak evidence that cognitive training may be beneficial in improving measures of cognitive function.
The American Academy of Neurology's guideline authors developed the recommendations after reviewing all available studies on mCI. Worldwide, more than 6 percent of people in their 60s have MCI, and the condition becomes more common with age. More than 37 percent of people age 85 and older have it.
"If you or others have noticed that you are forgetful and are having trouble with complex tasks, you should see your doctor to be evaluated and not assume that it is just part of normal aging," said Petersen. "Sometimes memory problems are a side effect of medications, sleep disturbances, depression. or other causes that can be treated. It is important to meet with your doctor to determine the root cause. Early action may keep memory problems from getting worse."
EAGLES-COWBOYS- THE PICK
I'm now 15-0 picking Eagle games in the 2017 season. Sunday's New Year's Eve contest at blustery Lincoln Financial Field is a meaningless game in the standings. The eagles have clinched a bye and home field advantage in the NFC playoffs. Dallas has nothing to play for, eliminated from the postseason last week with their home loss to Seattle.
Despite this, in many ways, this is a tough game to predict. And it does have meaning, in several ways.
For the Eagles, beating Dallas is always a good thing. It would sweep the NFC East ( 6-0) and complete a perfect home season at 8-0. Winning on Sunday would establish a new franchise record for a season with 14 wins. Despite the recent concern after Carson Wentz' injury, if you told me the Birds would finish with 14 wins, I would've taken that in a heartbeat.
Winning on Sunday, better yet, defeating Dallas with authority, would instill new confidence in the players and fans going into the postseason. QB Nick Foles needs to play well, not only for his own sake, but to give the players around him the confidence to succeed.
Wentz is a great player, but, like most great players, he makes others around him better too. Maybe that's why we saw so many different guys on offense have outstanding years. So, if Foles is struggling- missing wide open receivers, or failing to push the ball down the field due to lack of arm strength or confidence in his teammates, then his teammates will be playing with doubt and hesitance as well.
For the Cowboys, winning would ensure a disappointing, yet winning season at 9-7. A big letdown from 13-3 a year ago, for sure. Losing would mean an average 8-8 year, which would be appropriate for how their season unfolded.
QB Dak Prescott came up small in big games. RB Zeke Elliot was suspended for six games. Dallas will use that as an excuse for their less-than-expected season, but Elliot also failed last week when they needed him in his return against Seattle, a key win-or-go home battle. Linebacker Sean Lee, their best defensive player, got hurt again for much of the year. And their coach proved again that he is not a championship-caliber guy.
Add to that mess the fact that owner Jerry Jones is the worst. The Cowboys had as many off the field problems as they did on. As long as Jones plays general manager, the Eagles, and the rest of the NFC, should feel safe of Dallas getting to the Super Bowl anytime soon.
As always, turnovers will be a key on Sunday. Will the Eagles play their starters a quarter, half or not at all? Dallas will run the ball a lot behind Elliot, especially with the weather predicted to be brutally cold. The Eagles should depend on their running game as well, a combo of Ajayi, blount and clement carrying the load.
A few weeks ago I said the Birds would finish out 14-2, so I can't go against myself now. The fans will be loud on Sunday afternoon. They should will the Eagles onto victory. But it will depend how much the starters do play.
The score should be low, considering the weather and the fact the both running games should dominate. It may be tough to kick field goals as well, with the swirling wind at the Linc, and the fact that Dallas kicker Dan Bailey isn't healthy.
I'm tempted to pick Dallas, especially since the Eagle starters probably won't play the entire game. But I just can't do it. I think the Birds have enough incentive to play well. Hopefully they have a lead before the reserves come in the game.
It would be reassuring if Philly beat the Cowboys badly. I expecting a thrashing on Christmas night against Oakland. it didn't happen and I don't think it will happen on Sunday.
So let's make it Eagles 20 Cowboys 17
Despite this, in many ways, this is a tough game to predict. And it does have meaning, in several ways.
For the Eagles, beating Dallas is always a good thing. It would sweep the NFC East ( 6-0) and complete a perfect home season at 8-0. Winning on Sunday would establish a new franchise record for a season with 14 wins. Despite the recent concern after Carson Wentz' injury, if you told me the Birds would finish with 14 wins, I would've taken that in a heartbeat.
Winning on Sunday, better yet, defeating Dallas with authority, would instill new confidence in the players and fans going into the postseason. QB Nick Foles needs to play well, not only for his own sake, but to give the players around him the confidence to succeed.
Wentz is a great player, but, like most great players, he makes others around him better too. Maybe that's why we saw so many different guys on offense have outstanding years. So, if Foles is struggling- missing wide open receivers, or failing to push the ball down the field due to lack of arm strength or confidence in his teammates, then his teammates will be playing with doubt and hesitance as well.
For the Cowboys, winning would ensure a disappointing, yet winning season at 9-7. A big letdown from 13-3 a year ago, for sure. Losing would mean an average 8-8 year, which would be appropriate for how their season unfolded.
QB Dak Prescott came up small in big games. RB Zeke Elliot was suspended for six games. Dallas will use that as an excuse for their less-than-expected season, but Elliot also failed last week when they needed him in his return against Seattle, a key win-or-go home battle. Linebacker Sean Lee, their best defensive player, got hurt again for much of the year. And their coach proved again that he is not a championship-caliber guy.
Add to that mess the fact that owner Jerry Jones is the worst. The Cowboys had as many off the field problems as they did on. As long as Jones plays general manager, the Eagles, and the rest of the NFC, should feel safe of Dallas getting to the Super Bowl anytime soon.
As always, turnovers will be a key on Sunday. Will the Eagles play their starters a quarter, half or not at all? Dallas will run the ball a lot behind Elliot, especially with the weather predicted to be brutally cold. The Eagles should depend on their running game as well, a combo of Ajayi, blount and clement carrying the load.
A few weeks ago I said the Birds would finish out 14-2, so I can't go against myself now. The fans will be loud on Sunday afternoon. They should will the Eagles onto victory. But it will depend how much the starters do play.
The score should be low, considering the weather and the fact the both running games should dominate. It may be tough to kick field goals as well, with the swirling wind at the Linc, and the fact that Dallas kicker Dan Bailey isn't healthy.
I'm tempted to pick Dallas, especially since the Eagle starters probably won't play the entire game. But I just can't do it. I think the Birds have enough incentive to play well. Hopefully they have a lead before the reserves come in the game.
It would be reassuring if Philly beat the Cowboys badly. I expecting a thrashing on Christmas night against Oakland. it didn't happen and I don't think it will happen on Sunday.
So let's make it Eagles 20 Cowboys 17
PHILLY SPORTS CORNER- EAGLES, SIXERS, FLYERS
* What's up with tackle Lane Johnson suddenly not speaking to the media after yesterday's practice? He sulked and stalked out of the Nova Care Center, curtly telling the waiting reporters that he may not speak to them 'for the rest of my career." And he refused to give an explanation why he has suddenly turned into an ass.
This team, on the doorstep of the playoffs, doesn't need a locker room distraction. Johnson was the same guy who stupidly got suspended for 10 games last season for drug use. So he's not exactly the brightest bulb in the pack. Hopefully he's got a legitimate reason for acting like an immature child. Maybe the Eagles' PR department will speak to him before his pouting turns into a real issue.
* A decision needs to be made soon on the status of corner back Sidney Jones. If he is healthy and ready to play, why not activate him? It would mean cutting another player, but is this secondary so good that the team can hold pat?
Jones is a second round pick who very well could've been the best corner in the draft if he wasn't hurt. If he can play, maybe that's the unexpected shot-in-the-arm this defense needs.
Expect another icy cold day Sunday afternoon at the Linc. The forecast is for a bitterly cold, blustery day. It's the Cowboys, so I expect a jam-packed Linc. Lots of alcohol will be consumed both before, during and after the game ( it is New Year's Eve).
******************************************************************
The Sixers play in Portland tonight vs. the Trail Blazers. Will be interesting to see if Joel Embiid plays, after his performance on Christmas Day in New York.
*******************************************************************
It seems like forever since the Flyers have played a game. They do a back-to-back trip to Florida, starting tonight, playing the Panthers and Lightening. Great time to hit Florida with the arctic blast hitting home. The Orange and Black then come home for a four-game stand, starting on Tuesday January 2 against the Penguins.
This team, on the doorstep of the playoffs, doesn't need a locker room distraction. Johnson was the same guy who stupidly got suspended for 10 games last season for drug use. So he's not exactly the brightest bulb in the pack. Hopefully he's got a legitimate reason for acting like an immature child. Maybe the Eagles' PR department will speak to him before his pouting turns into a real issue.
* A decision needs to be made soon on the status of corner back Sidney Jones. If he is healthy and ready to play, why not activate him? It would mean cutting another player, but is this secondary so good that the team can hold pat?
Jones is a second round pick who very well could've been the best corner in the draft if he wasn't hurt. If he can play, maybe that's the unexpected shot-in-the-arm this defense needs.
Expect another icy cold day Sunday afternoon at the Linc. The forecast is for a bitterly cold, blustery day. It's the Cowboys, so I expect a jam-packed Linc. Lots of alcohol will be consumed both before, during and after the game ( it is New Year's Eve).
******************************************************************
The Sixers play in Portland tonight vs. the Trail Blazers. Will be interesting to see if Joel Embiid plays, after his performance on Christmas Day in New York.
*******************************************************************
It seems like forever since the Flyers have played a game. They do a back-to-back trip to Florida, starting tonight, playing the Panthers and Lightening. Great time to hit Florida with the arctic blast hitting home. The Orange and Black then come home for a four-game stand, starting on Tuesday January 2 against the Penguins.
EAGLES FACTS AND TRIVIA
Today's topic is: Eagle Uniform Numbers.......
1. What New Jersey native who wore number 51 as an All-Pro in Green Bay wore 54 in Philadelphia?
2. Two Eagle receivers who caught more than 250 passes wore number 18. Who was this duo?
3. What three Eagle defensive backs picked off at least 19 passes while wearing number 21?
Check back tomorrow for the answers!
Answers to yesterday's quiz. Topic: The Eagles in the Playoffs:
1. Jason Sehorn, Aeneas Williams and Ronde Barber.
2. Penalties.
3. Mike Michel
1. What New Jersey native who wore number 51 as an All-Pro in Green Bay wore 54 in Philadelphia?
2. Two Eagle receivers who caught more than 250 passes wore number 18. Who was this duo?
3. What three Eagle defensive backs picked off at least 19 passes while wearing number 21?
Check back tomorrow for the answers!
Answers to yesterday's quiz. Topic: The Eagles in the Playoffs:
1. Jason Sehorn, Aeneas Williams and Ronde Barber.
2. Penalties.
3. Mike Michel
THIS DAY IN SPORTS HISTORY- DEC. 28
Yankee Stadium Tribute
The New York Giants called Yankee Stadium home from 1956 through 1973 and, on December 28, 1958, played in what is widely recognized as "the greatest game ever played." With the NFL championship at stake, a crowd of 64,185 watched the Baltimore Colts tie the game 17-17 with seven seconds left. Eight minutes into professional footballs first-ever "sudden death" overtime, the Colts' Alan Ameche went in off right tackle from the one-yard line, ending a classic game that would help establish the NFL.
The New York Giants called Yankee Stadium home from 1956 through 1973 and, on December 28, 1958, played in what is widely recognized as "the greatest game ever played." With the NFL championship at stake, a crowd of 64,185 watched the Baltimore Colts tie the game 17-17 with seven seconds left. Eight minutes into professional footballs first-ever "sudden death" overtime, the Colts' Alan Ameche went in off right tackle from the one-yard line, ending a classic game that would help establish the NFL.
Wednesday, December 27, 2017
IN MY LIFE- MY BEST MOVIE OF 2017
I'm going to see the new Star Wars movie on New Year's Eve. In January I hope to see The Post, a new movie that is getting Best Picture talk. I'm a Tom Hanks fan, so I would see it for that reason anyway.
I didn't get to see Dunkirk over the summer, or some of the other big name flicks. I just saw the comedy Father Figures. Not a classic but a fun two hours. I saw two other films that almost made my Best Movie of 2017. One was a summer sleeper called Meghan Leavey. It was about a female soldier in the Iraq war and the bond she had with her bomb-sniffing dog. It was a surprise hit, but couldn't compete with the popcorn summer action movies and animated films.
Another good movie was the recent Wonder starring Julia Roberts and Owen Wilson, about a boy with a disfigured face. Very honest and well-made, Wonder did get more attention and may be in the Oscar conversation soon.
But the best movie I saw all year was one that came out around Labor Day, a film called Stronger. it starred Jake Gyllenhaal in a true story about one young guy and the Boston Marathon bombing. It was made for $30 million but only earned $6 million at the box office.I hope it doesn't get lost come Oscar time. At least, Gullenhaal deserves a nomination for his true performance as a guy struggling with life after losing both of his legs in the bombing.
The movie was never maudlin or overly sentimental.. It was honest and real. Hard to find a movie that revolves around a disability that is so real.
Rent it or buy it. You won't be sorry. Root for Stronger to get it's due when Academy Award season comes upon us soon.
I didn't get to see Dunkirk over the summer, or some of the other big name flicks. I just saw the comedy Father Figures. Not a classic but a fun two hours. I saw two other films that almost made my Best Movie of 2017. One was a summer sleeper called Meghan Leavey. It was about a female soldier in the Iraq war and the bond she had with her bomb-sniffing dog. It was a surprise hit, but couldn't compete with the popcorn summer action movies and animated films.
Another good movie was the recent Wonder starring Julia Roberts and Owen Wilson, about a boy with a disfigured face. Very honest and well-made, Wonder did get more attention and may be in the Oscar conversation soon.
But the best movie I saw all year was one that came out around Labor Day, a film called Stronger. it starred Jake Gyllenhaal in a true story about one young guy and the Boston Marathon bombing. It was made for $30 million but only earned $6 million at the box office.I hope it doesn't get lost come Oscar time. At least, Gullenhaal deserves a nomination for his true performance as a guy struggling with life after losing both of his legs in the bombing.
The movie was never maudlin or overly sentimental.. It was honest and real. Hard to find a movie that revolves around a disability that is so real.
Rent it or buy it. You won't be sorry. Root for Stronger to get it's due when Academy Award season comes upon us soon.
PHILLY SPORTS CORNER- EAGLES, SIXERS
* More fallout form the Eagles' 13-10 win over Oakland on Christmas night...
- Guard Stefan Wisnieski should be ready for the first playoff game. He had an ankle injury, should rest the next two weeks, but be OK for the post-season.
- I think the Birds should play their starters vs Dallas on New Year's Eve, at least for a half. QB Nick Foles needs the reps, especially to build some rapport with his wide receivers. The team as a whole needs to regain confidence and build some momentum going into the playoffs. Beating the hated Cowboys- decisively- would help boost moral.
If guys are meant to get hurt, they will. And if you play scared, not wanted to get injured, that's when you get injured. So, attack Dallas The eagles are fortunate to have this meaningless game to iron-out kinks,e specially in their offense, before the post-season begins.
- Losing Carson Wentz for the season obviously hurts in the quarterback position, but I think the team has been hurt psychologically as well. The players may be doubting Foles and themselves after losing their leader. They are not the same team without Wentz, so they need to reinvent themselves in the upcoming weeks to fit Foles' strengths.
The team needs to rally, with their home fans behind them, and take an underdog approach to the playoffs. Shit happens. it happens, but that's football. The Eagles may never be in the position they are in now, having the No. 1 seed in the NFC and home field advantage thru-out the playoffs. Wentz or no Wentz they can't get down on themselves. It's up to the fans- both those lucky to be at the Linc and those rooting from afar, to support the players and will them onto the Super Bowl.
- Foles needs to play better. Wentz not only has the stronger arm and is more mobile and athletic, he had a way of converting third down situations, which keeps drives going. Not converting third downs and moving the chains stalls drives and makes the defense be on the field too long. In the cold weather it's important to run the ball and control the clock. Using Foles in play-action more, rather than in the pocket, makes sense. Foles can make the short, quick throws. Remember,he did lead the team down-field for the game-winning field goal against the Raiders.
Use the combination of Ajayi, Blount and Clement. Take shots down the field, but stick to the slants, the throws Foles can make. Don't throw the ball 38 times and put him in situations where he can fail or turn the ball over. Foles can win two more home games if you put him in the right situations.
- The other teams likely to be in the NFC playoffs are all different but none are unbeatable. The Rams are explosive but inexperienced. Plus they would need to fly across the country and play in cold weather.The Falcons have Matt Ryan and experience, but there's a reason why they will just be a wild card team, and they play in a dome. The Vikings have a great defense, but can they score enough with Case Keenum as quarterback?
The Saints have experience with future Hall of Fame QB Drew Brees, who has won in chilly Pihlly in January before. But they also play in a dome The Panthers are unpredictable, with a good defense and Cam Newton leading the way. So,are they likely to be a wild card team that needs to play an extra game on the road?
Also, I would rather be an Eagle fan, not only now, with a 13-2 team, but in the future. If the Birds don't make it to the Super Bowl after all, we got Wentz and a solid foundation.You gotta think that sometime in his career, Wentz will lead Philadelphia all the way. remember that he is this good and only in his second full year.
Look at the rest of the NFC East:the Giants are fighting among themselves. They need to hire a new coach. Beckham Jr. is a time-bomb waiting to go off. Their QB situation is shaky at best. They are destined to finish 2-14.
Dallas is crumbling, an average team at 8-8 if they lose to the Eagles on Sunday. Their coach is an idiot, their owner even worse of a goofball. Dak Prescott isn't as good as advertised. Zeke Elliot is another violation away form being out of football. Dez Bryant is a shell of himself and will probably be regulated to being a slot receiver in 2018. The defense is porous. The Cowboys, as an organization, have problems both on and off the field.
The Redskins are treading water, unsure if QB Kirk Cousins is their future or not. The owner has no clue and their coach is average. They may have a better future than Dallas or New York, but Washington doesn't scare me as a team who will challenge the Eagles anytime soon.
So, Eagle fans have gone from the Chip Kelly days of despair, when he ruined the entire franchise with stupid moves, to being a 13-2 squad.This resurrection surprised even owner Jeffery Lurie who expected a slower rebuild.
Whatever the reason, enjoy the ride this year and for seasons to come. Eagles fans- and Philadelphia sports fans in general- deserve it.
* I watched the Christmas Day action between the Sixers and Knicks from Madison Square Garden. I figured Joel Embiid, bad back or not, would play in the spotlight of the Garden on a big nationally-televised holiday game. If nothing else, Embiid does understand what it's like to be a showman, even at his young age. It should be one of many battles with the rival Knicks over the coming years.
Good to see New York fans such as Spike Lee and Woody Allen get disappointed on Christmas Day. Nice to see the 76'ers, after so many embarrassing season, finally play on Christmas in a meaningful game. It shows that Philly is back in the limelight in the NBA.
The Sixers head west for four more games thru-out the holidays. How many game swill Embiid play on the trip? Will we finally see No.1 overall pick Markelle Fultz anytime soon?
- Guard Stefan Wisnieski should be ready for the first playoff game. He had an ankle injury, should rest the next two weeks, but be OK for the post-season.
- I think the Birds should play their starters vs Dallas on New Year's Eve, at least for a half. QB Nick Foles needs the reps, especially to build some rapport with his wide receivers. The team as a whole needs to regain confidence and build some momentum going into the playoffs. Beating the hated Cowboys- decisively- would help boost moral.
If guys are meant to get hurt, they will. And if you play scared, not wanted to get injured, that's when you get injured. So, attack Dallas The eagles are fortunate to have this meaningless game to iron-out kinks,e specially in their offense, before the post-season begins.
- Losing Carson Wentz for the season obviously hurts in the quarterback position, but I think the team has been hurt psychologically as well. The players may be doubting Foles and themselves after losing their leader. They are not the same team without Wentz, so they need to reinvent themselves in the upcoming weeks to fit Foles' strengths.
The team needs to rally, with their home fans behind them, and take an underdog approach to the playoffs. Shit happens. it happens, but that's football. The Eagles may never be in the position they are in now, having the No. 1 seed in the NFC and home field advantage thru-out the playoffs. Wentz or no Wentz they can't get down on themselves. It's up to the fans- both those lucky to be at the Linc and those rooting from afar, to support the players and will them onto the Super Bowl.
- Foles needs to play better. Wentz not only has the stronger arm and is more mobile and athletic, he had a way of converting third down situations, which keeps drives going. Not converting third downs and moving the chains stalls drives and makes the defense be on the field too long. In the cold weather it's important to run the ball and control the clock. Using Foles in play-action more, rather than in the pocket, makes sense. Foles can make the short, quick throws. Remember,he did lead the team down-field for the game-winning field goal against the Raiders.
Use the combination of Ajayi, Blount and Clement. Take shots down the field, but stick to the slants, the throws Foles can make. Don't throw the ball 38 times and put him in situations where he can fail or turn the ball over. Foles can win two more home games if you put him in the right situations.
- The other teams likely to be in the NFC playoffs are all different but none are unbeatable. The Rams are explosive but inexperienced. Plus they would need to fly across the country and play in cold weather.The Falcons have Matt Ryan and experience, but there's a reason why they will just be a wild card team, and they play in a dome. The Vikings have a great defense, but can they score enough with Case Keenum as quarterback?
The Saints have experience with future Hall of Fame QB Drew Brees, who has won in chilly Pihlly in January before. But they also play in a dome The Panthers are unpredictable, with a good defense and Cam Newton leading the way. So,are they likely to be a wild card team that needs to play an extra game on the road?
Also, I would rather be an Eagle fan, not only now, with a 13-2 team, but in the future. If the Birds don't make it to the Super Bowl after all, we got Wentz and a solid foundation.You gotta think that sometime in his career, Wentz will lead Philadelphia all the way. remember that he is this good and only in his second full year.
Look at the rest of the NFC East:the Giants are fighting among themselves. They need to hire a new coach. Beckham Jr. is a time-bomb waiting to go off. Their QB situation is shaky at best. They are destined to finish 2-14.
Dallas is crumbling, an average team at 8-8 if they lose to the Eagles on Sunday. Their coach is an idiot, their owner even worse of a goofball. Dak Prescott isn't as good as advertised. Zeke Elliot is another violation away form being out of football. Dez Bryant is a shell of himself and will probably be regulated to being a slot receiver in 2018. The defense is porous. The Cowboys, as an organization, have problems both on and off the field.
The Redskins are treading water, unsure if QB Kirk Cousins is their future or not. The owner has no clue and their coach is average. They may have a better future than Dallas or New York, but Washington doesn't scare me as a team who will challenge the Eagles anytime soon.
So, Eagle fans have gone from the Chip Kelly days of despair, when he ruined the entire franchise with stupid moves, to being a 13-2 squad.This resurrection surprised even owner Jeffery Lurie who expected a slower rebuild.
Whatever the reason, enjoy the ride this year and for seasons to come. Eagles fans- and Philadelphia sports fans in general- deserve it.
* I watched the Christmas Day action between the Sixers and Knicks from Madison Square Garden. I figured Joel Embiid, bad back or not, would play in the spotlight of the Garden on a big nationally-televised holiday game. If nothing else, Embiid does understand what it's like to be a showman, even at his young age. It should be one of many battles with the rival Knicks over the coming years.
Good to see New York fans such as Spike Lee and Woody Allen get disappointed on Christmas Day. Nice to see the 76'ers, after so many embarrassing season, finally play on Christmas in a meaningful game. It shows that Philly is back in the limelight in the NBA.
The Sixers head west for four more games thru-out the holidays. How many game swill Embiid play on the trip? Will we finally see No.1 overall pick Markelle Fultz anytime soon?
EAGLES FACTS AND TRIVIA
Today's Topic: The Eagles in the Playoffs
1. The 2000, 2001 and 2002 playoffs each featured a key interception clinching the opponent's victory over the Eagles. What three corner backs nabbed those three picks?
2. In the Fog Bowl in 1988, Randall Cunningham threw first-quarter touchdown passes to Cris Carter and Mike Quick, but neither counted. Why?
3. The first time the Eagles made the postseason since the 1960 championship was in 1978 when what punter missed and extra point and a last-minute chip-shot field goal on a rainy muddy day to cause the Birds to lose 14-13.Who was the punter- turned kicker?
Check back tomorrow for answers!
Answers to yesterday's trivia. Topic: Rivals: The Cowboys
1. Safety Tim Hauck nearly paralyzed Irvin in the incident recalled for the boorishness of fans cheering the obnoxious Irvin being left motionless on the field.
2. Clyde Simmons led the charge with a team record 4.5 sacks that day. The previous year, Simmons has dislocated Aikman's shoulder on a sack.
3. At the end of a close game against the Cowboys with Dallas poised to score a winning touchdown, middle linebacker James Willis clinched the Eagle win by intercepting a Troy Aikman pass four yards deep in the end zone. At the Eagles' 10, Willis lateraled the ball to Troy Vincent, who took it the remaining 90 yards for the score in the birds' 31-21 win.
1. The 2000, 2001 and 2002 playoffs each featured a key interception clinching the opponent's victory over the Eagles. What three corner backs nabbed those three picks?
2. In the Fog Bowl in 1988, Randall Cunningham threw first-quarter touchdown passes to Cris Carter and Mike Quick, but neither counted. Why?
3. The first time the Eagles made the postseason since the 1960 championship was in 1978 when what punter missed and extra point and a last-minute chip-shot field goal on a rainy muddy day to cause the Birds to lose 14-13.Who was the punter- turned kicker?
Check back tomorrow for answers!
Answers to yesterday's trivia. Topic: Rivals: The Cowboys
1. Safety Tim Hauck nearly paralyzed Irvin in the incident recalled for the boorishness of fans cheering the obnoxious Irvin being left motionless on the field.
2. Clyde Simmons led the charge with a team record 4.5 sacks that day. The previous year, Simmons has dislocated Aikman's shoulder on a sack.
3. At the end of a close game against the Cowboys with Dallas poised to score a winning touchdown, middle linebacker James Willis clinched the Eagle win by intercepting a Troy Aikman pass four yards deep in the end zone. At the Eagles' 10, Willis lateraled the ball to Troy Vincent, who took it the remaining 90 yards for the score in the birds' 31-21 win.
THIS DAY IN SPORTS HISTORY- DECEMBER 27
* On this day in 1998, Denver Broncos and Hall of Fame member Terrell Davis reached the 2,000 yards rushing mark in a NFL regular season.
2,000 Club
Eric Dickerson 2,105 1984 Rams
Adrian Peterson 2,097 2012 Vikings
Jamal Lewis 2,066 2003 Ravens
Barry Sanders 2,053 1997 Lions
Terrell Davis 2,008 1998 Broncos
Chris Johnson 2,006 2009 Titans
O.J. Simpson 2.003 1973 Bills
2,000 Club
Eric Dickerson 2,105 1984 Rams
Adrian Peterson 2,097 2012 Vikings
Jamal Lewis 2,066 2003 Ravens
Barry Sanders 2,053 1997 Lions
Terrell Davis 2,008 1998 Broncos
Chris Johnson 2,006 2009 Titans
O.J. Simpson 2.003 1973 Bills
Tuesday, December 26, 2017
CHIRPING BIRDS- EAGLES VS. RAIDERS
My take on the ugly 13-10 Eagles victory over Oakland....
* Was it appropriate that the Eagles wore all black last night for their lackluster performance against the Raiders? They won, and clinch home field advantage thru-out the NFC playoffs, yet the night felt like a funeral. Oakland had nothing to play for. They were eliminated from the playoffs on Sunday. They flew across country, a California team playing in the cold and windy Philadelphia night, on Christmas no less. But that's what happens when you let teams hang around.
The Raiders did win 12 games last season. 2017 wasn't their year, and they do have a bad team, as witnessed last night. I guess the Raiders were even worse- they lost the game. But they are a pro team, with pride, on national TV.
When the Birds went ahead early, 7-0, I thought the Raiders may head for their warm, running buses and pack it in. But then CB Jalen Mills got burned on a double-move for a long Raider TD reception and it was a game from then on.
* Good to see Defensive Coordinator Jim Schwartz blitz more. Making Oakland QB Derek Carr move and throw on the run paid off. The Raiders committed five turnovers in the second half, helping the Birds' cause. Schwartz needs to continue putting the pressure on opposing QBs, not just rely on the front four to get to the quarterback.
Against more experienced QBs in the playoffs- Matt Ryan, Drew Brees, even Cam Newton, they will carve up the Philly secondary unless the defensive consistently pressures the pocket.
* Speaking of Mills, he continues to be overrated. He gets burned a lot, and drop an interception in the second half. I can easily see CB Sidney Jones taking his place in the secondary next season.
* Penalties weren't as costly this week but continue to be a problem. Lane Johnson had a few violations. Overall the offensive line did OK protecting Nick Foles. The left side of the line held up, but it seems the Raiders make a mistake not moving linebacker Kahlik Mack more often over the left side, instead matching him up with Johnson,
* Sloppy was the key word of the night. But it wasn't just last night. Even before Carson Wentz went down with an injury the Birds were not sharp like earlier in the season. Wentz' injury seems to have had a domino effect on the entire team. There were also reports the team was slacking off in practice, or maybe playing down to the competition. Whatever the reason, the Birds don't look like the same team, despite being 13-2 and having the best record in football.
* RB Jay Ajayi continued to run hard, when given the ball. He did fumble in the second half, and almost fumbled early, but the play was blown dead. I agreed that the offense should not change much after Wentz went down, as teams would put eight guys in the box if the Birds overloaded on the run. But defense and a strong running game wins in the playoffs, especially in cold weather, so it wouldn't be a bad idea to stress the run more.
Last night, the Eagles threw the ball 38 times- far too much for Foles- and ran the ball 21 times- not enough to control the clock and keep Foles protected. Ajayi was gaining huge chunks of yardage, so why not run he and Blount and Clement more? Foles is OK on the short throws in the slot, as we saw last night with Ertz and the backs. But Foles cannot push the ball down the field like Wentz. The receivers weren't getting open either. There's a reason why Foles is a back-up QB. So, the Eagles need to rely more heavily on their running game going into the post-season.
* Lots of Santa Claus outfits in the chilly crowd at the Linc. Santas' wearing green instead of red; Santas with rooftops on their heads; Traditional Santas wearing all red and millennial Santas wearing spaced-out gear.
Sadly, ESPN felt the need to bring up the old, tired Eagles fans throw snowballs at Santa story. I noticed that Ed Rendell, Ray Didinger and Glen Macnow contributed to their piece- did Philly fans really boo Santa Claus?
Playing on Christmas night in Philadelphia, I suppose it was inevitable. The way the Eagles played last nigh,tn the stadium.
* The defense saved the game. They limited the Raiders to 10 points and forced five crucial turnovers. But they did surrender a season-high total of yards rushing, which was a concern. Overall, I feel better about the defense then I did last week vs the Giants. Defense wins in the cold weather and playoffs, so I'm happy to see the defense wake up.
* Back to Foles. We weren't expecting him to be Wentz. But what we wanted was what we got against New York- a well-managed game, limiting turnovers, still pushing the ball down the field and hitting open receivers .Foles needs to get rid of the ball, as when the pocket collapses, he cannot scramble like Wentz.
What we want is something in-between the excellent performance vs the Giants and the horrible game against Oakland.That shouldn't be too much to ask from Foles.
Before the season began, and the Birds signed Foles as their back-up, the feeling was "Well, if Wentz goes down, it really doesn't matter- we are screwed anyway." Last night reminded me of that thinking. Are we kidding ourselves with Foles? Realistically, did our Super Bowl dreams end in Los Angeles the night Wentz hurt his knee? Wentz was not only the starting QB, he was having an MVP-caliber season. You can't replace a guy like that. Home field advantage or not, was it only a fantasy to htink the Eagles could still make it to the Super bowl without Wentz leading the way?
Now, whatever team invades the Linc in the divisional game, they will need to battle the weather and the frenzied fans. But home field or not, if the team, specifically Foles, isn't playing well, will it matter?
*DE Chris Long, Howie's son, has been a pleasant surprise this year. He continues to be a force whenever he's in the rotation, getting after the QB and making things happen. If the Birds do go deep into the post=season, give Long a lot of credit. He may not be an every play guy anymore, but he's a great situational player and gets into the pocket.
* Like always, turnovers proved to be key. Foles threw his first interception in a long time, and very nearly gave the Raiders a pick-six with another throw. When it looked as though Oakland would march down the field in the last few minutes and kick a game-winning field goal, Ronald Darby intercepted a Carr pass to set up our winning field goal.
* For the second time this year, the Eagles' defense scored a touchdown on the last play of the game, returning a fumbled or bad lateral during the opposition's desperate last-second scrum.Both times coach Doug Pederson elected not to kick the extra point,not wanting to rub in the score of an already won game. At least Pederson is consistent with his decision. With the Eagles favored by nine points last night, the extra point may have swayed bets on the game.
* Momentum. I always like team, no matter what the sport, who is peaking when the post-season begins. The eagles, despite having a 13-2 record, seemed to be going backwards . The players looked worried last night after the loss, wondering if they are doomed with Foles leading the ship. Funny to see Wentz in the stands, taking notes and probably feeling sick that something he helped to build may not be so rock-solid as before.
Wild card teams in football and baseball have made the playoffs and have gone on to win championships. The Eagles are division winners, yet, even at home, will they be favored against a Saints team, or thought of as paper tigers in the media and by the opposition? Next Sunday's meaningless game against arch-rival Dallas may not be so meaningless.
First, it's the Cowboys,and it's always good to whip the Cowboys,e specially at home. Winning would give the Eagles 14 victories in 2017, a new franchise record. Winning decisively would bring much-needed confidence back to the team and the fans. Beating Dallas would send the "Boys to an average 8-8 record for the year and continue their anguish into the off-season.
It will be interesting to see if Foles plays on New Year's Eve or not. I think he should, at least the first half. It's obvious that he still needs a rapport with his receivers.Back-up QB Nate Sudfed should get some time, just in case he is needed down the road. Otherwise, the Birds won't play a meaningful game for three weeks.
The rest will be great, especially for the wounded. But somehow the Eagles need to gain a little momentum heading into their division playoff game. Beating up on Dallas, who may pack it in anyway on Sunday, with the weather again predicted to be frigid, but it would feel good to win big and gain some much-needed confidence.
* So, what does it all mean? The Eagles are 13-2. no matter what, and Minnesota, New Orleans, or whomever need to beat the Birds at the Linc to reach the Super Bowl. Interesting dynamics: The Vikings with their great defense, the Rams with their explosive offense, the Saints and Rams with experienced quarterbacks and the Panthers with an unpredictable versatility. Regardless of who the Eagles play in three weeks, they need to play better- that's the bottom line.
I did expect more from the Raider game. I expected the team to come out on fire, fueled by a holiday crowd that missed their pro football team for several weeks while they were on the road. I expected domination of Oakland, seeing home field and the Super bowl in their grasp, not limping into the post-season, but crushing these lesser squads with authority, the Birds being the powerful, fearful team, not being intimidated.
Until they kick-off on January 13 or 14 and we finally have the first playoff game underway in Philadelphia, only then we will know for sure if this Eagles team are true contenders or merely pretenders without Carson Wentz.
* Was it appropriate that the Eagles wore all black last night for their lackluster performance against the Raiders? They won, and clinch home field advantage thru-out the NFC playoffs, yet the night felt like a funeral. Oakland had nothing to play for. They were eliminated from the playoffs on Sunday. They flew across country, a California team playing in the cold and windy Philadelphia night, on Christmas no less. But that's what happens when you let teams hang around.
The Raiders did win 12 games last season. 2017 wasn't their year, and they do have a bad team, as witnessed last night. I guess the Raiders were even worse- they lost the game. But they are a pro team, with pride, on national TV.
When the Birds went ahead early, 7-0, I thought the Raiders may head for their warm, running buses and pack it in. But then CB Jalen Mills got burned on a double-move for a long Raider TD reception and it was a game from then on.
* Good to see Defensive Coordinator Jim Schwartz blitz more. Making Oakland QB Derek Carr move and throw on the run paid off. The Raiders committed five turnovers in the second half, helping the Birds' cause. Schwartz needs to continue putting the pressure on opposing QBs, not just rely on the front four to get to the quarterback.
Against more experienced QBs in the playoffs- Matt Ryan, Drew Brees, even Cam Newton, they will carve up the Philly secondary unless the defensive consistently pressures the pocket.
* Speaking of Mills, he continues to be overrated. He gets burned a lot, and drop an interception in the second half. I can easily see CB Sidney Jones taking his place in the secondary next season.
* Penalties weren't as costly this week but continue to be a problem. Lane Johnson had a few violations. Overall the offensive line did OK protecting Nick Foles. The left side of the line held up, but it seems the Raiders make a mistake not moving linebacker Kahlik Mack more often over the left side, instead matching him up with Johnson,
* Sloppy was the key word of the night. But it wasn't just last night. Even before Carson Wentz went down with an injury the Birds were not sharp like earlier in the season. Wentz' injury seems to have had a domino effect on the entire team. There were also reports the team was slacking off in practice, or maybe playing down to the competition. Whatever the reason, the Birds don't look like the same team, despite being 13-2 and having the best record in football.
* RB Jay Ajayi continued to run hard, when given the ball. He did fumble in the second half, and almost fumbled early, but the play was blown dead. I agreed that the offense should not change much after Wentz went down, as teams would put eight guys in the box if the Birds overloaded on the run. But defense and a strong running game wins in the playoffs, especially in cold weather, so it wouldn't be a bad idea to stress the run more.
Last night, the Eagles threw the ball 38 times- far too much for Foles- and ran the ball 21 times- not enough to control the clock and keep Foles protected. Ajayi was gaining huge chunks of yardage, so why not run he and Blount and Clement more? Foles is OK on the short throws in the slot, as we saw last night with Ertz and the backs. But Foles cannot push the ball down the field like Wentz. The receivers weren't getting open either. There's a reason why Foles is a back-up QB. So, the Eagles need to rely more heavily on their running game going into the post-season.
* Lots of Santa Claus outfits in the chilly crowd at the Linc. Santas' wearing green instead of red; Santas with rooftops on their heads; Traditional Santas wearing all red and millennial Santas wearing spaced-out gear.
Sadly, ESPN felt the need to bring up the old, tired Eagles fans throw snowballs at Santa story. I noticed that Ed Rendell, Ray Didinger and Glen Macnow contributed to their piece- did Philly fans really boo Santa Claus?
Playing on Christmas night in Philadelphia, I suppose it was inevitable. The way the Eagles played last nigh,tn the stadium.
* The defense saved the game. They limited the Raiders to 10 points and forced five crucial turnovers. But they did surrender a season-high total of yards rushing, which was a concern. Overall, I feel better about the defense then I did last week vs the Giants. Defense wins in the cold weather and playoffs, so I'm happy to see the defense wake up.
* Back to Foles. We weren't expecting him to be Wentz. But what we wanted was what we got against New York- a well-managed game, limiting turnovers, still pushing the ball down the field and hitting open receivers .Foles needs to get rid of the ball, as when the pocket collapses, he cannot scramble like Wentz.
What we want is something in-between the excellent performance vs the Giants and the horrible game against Oakland.That shouldn't be too much to ask from Foles.
Before the season began, and the Birds signed Foles as their back-up, the feeling was "Well, if Wentz goes down, it really doesn't matter- we are screwed anyway." Last night reminded me of that thinking. Are we kidding ourselves with Foles? Realistically, did our Super Bowl dreams end in Los Angeles the night Wentz hurt his knee? Wentz was not only the starting QB, he was having an MVP-caliber season. You can't replace a guy like that. Home field advantage or not, was it only a fantasy to htink the Eagles could still make it to the Super bowl without Wentz leading the way?
Now, whatever team invades the Linc in the divisional game, they will need to battle the weather and the frenzied fans. But home field or not, if the team, specifically Foles, isn't playing well, will it matter?
*DE Chris Long, Howie's son, has been a pleasant surprise this year. He continues to be a force whenever he's in the rotation, getting after the QB and making things happen. If the Birds do go deep into the post=season, give Long a lot of credit. He may not be an every play guy anymore, but he's a great situational player and gets into the pocket.
* Like always, turnovers proved to be key. Foles threw his first interception in a long time, and very nearly gave the Raiders a pick-six with another throw. When it looked as though Oakland would march down the field in the last few minutes and kick a game-winning field goal, Ronald Darby intercepted a Carr pass to set up our winning field goal.
* For the second time this year, the Eagles' defense scored a touchdown on the last play of the game, returning a fumbled or bad lateral during the opposition's desperate last-second scrum.Both times coach Doug Pederson elected not to kick the extra point,not wanting to rub in the score of an already won game. At least Pederson is consistent with his decision. With the Eagles favored by nine points last night, the extra point may have swayed bets on the game.
* Momentum. I always like team, no matter what the sport, who is peaking when the post-season begins. The eagles, despite having a 13-2 record, seemed to be going backwards . The players looked worried last night after the loss, wondering if they are doomed with Foles leading the ship. Funny to see Wentz in the stands, taking notes and probably feeling sick that something he helped to build may not be so rock-solid as before.
Wild card teams in football and baseball have made the playoffs and have gone on to win championships. The Eagles are division winners, yet, even at home, will they be favored against a Saints team, or thought of as paper tigers in the media and by the opposition? Next Sunday's meaningless game against arch-rival Dallas may not be so meaningless.
First, it's the Cowboys,and it's always good to whip the Cowboys,e specially at home. Winning would give the Eagles 14 victories in 2017, a new franchise record. Winning decisively would bring much-needed confidence back to the team and the fans. Beating Dallas would send the "Boys to an average 8-8 record for the year and continue their anguish into the off-season.
It will be interesting to see if Foles plays on New Year's Eve or not. I think he should, at least the first half. It's obvious that he still needs a rapport with his receivers.Back-up QB Nate Sudfed should get some time, just in case he is needed down the road. Otherwise, the Birds won't play a meaningful game for three weeks.
The rest will be great, especially for the wounded. But somehow the Eagles need to gain a little momentum heading into their division playoff game. Beating up on Dallas, who may pack it in anyway on Sunday, with the weather again predicted to be frigid, but it would feel good to win big and gain some much-needed confidence.
* So, what does it all mean? The Eagles are 13-2. no matter what, and Minnesota, New Orleans, or whomever need to beat the Birds at the Linc to reach the Super Bowl. Interesting dynamics: The Vikings with their great defense, the Rams with their explosive offense, the Saints and Rams with experienced quarterbacks and the Panthers with an unpredictable versatility. Regardless of who the Eagles play in three weeks, they need to play better- that's the bottom line.
I did expect more from the Raider game. I expected the team to come out on fire, fueled by a holiday crowd that missed their pro football team for several weeks while they were on the road. I expected domination of Oakland, seeing home field and the Super bowl in their grasp, not limping into the post-season, but crushing these lesser squads with authority, the Birds being the powerful, fearful team, not being intimidated.
Until they kick-off on January 13 or 14 and we finally have the first playoff game underway in Philadelphia, only then we will know for sure if this Eagles team are true contenders or merely pretenders without Carson Wentz.
EAGLES FACTS AND TRIVIA
Today's topic is: Rivals" The Cowboys
1. Who put a lick on Michael Irvin that ended his career?
2. The Eagles sacked Troy Aikman 11 rimes in one game in 1991. Who led the Eagles in sacks that day?
3. The longest interception return in team history clinched a win over the Cowboys in 1996. Who intercepted the ball and who scored?
Check back tomorrow for the answers!
Answers to yesterday's questions. Topic: Dick Vermeil.
1. Seven winning seasons, seven losing seasons, and one even. Vermeil had the most of each, four winning and three losing, in Philadelphia.
2. Carl Hairston played seven years under Vermeil Hairston was added to Vermeil's staff in boith St. Louis and Kansas City after he retired.
3. All three that Vermeil coached: 1978 and 1979 in Philadelphia; 1999 i n St. Louis and 2003 in Kansas City.
4. Vermeil was the first special teams coach in the nFL with the Rams under George Allen.
5. 1979- UCLA linebacker Jerry Robinson
1. Who put a lick on Michael Irvin that ended his career?
2. The Eagles sacked Troy Aikman 11 rimes in one game in 1991. Who led the Eagles in sacks that day?
3. The longest interception return in team history clinched a win over the Cowboys in 1996. Who intercepted the ball and who scored?
Check back tomorrow for the answers!
Answers to yesterday's questions. Topic: Dick Vermeil.
1. Seven winning seasons, seven losing seasons, and one even. Vermeil had the most of each, four winning and three losing, in Philadelphia.
2. Carl Hairston played seven years under Vermeil Hairston was added to Vermeil's staff in boith St. Louis and Kansas City after he retired.
3. All three that Vermeil coached: 1978 and 1979 in Philadelphia; 1999 i n St. Louis and 2003 in Kansas City.
4. Vermeil was the first special teams coach in the nFL with the Rams under George Allen.
5. 1979- UCLA linebacker Jerry Robinson
Monday, December 25, 2017
EAGLES FACTS AND TRIVIA
Another new feature, each day we will have an interesting fact or trivia about our Philadelphia Eagles. Today's topic- Dick Vermeil...
1. In Vermeil's 15-year NFL coaching career, how many winning seasons did his teams record?
2. What former Eagle player was with Vermeil for every game in Philadelphia, St. Louis and Kansas City?
3. Vermeil won Coach of the Year with how many franchises?
4. Dick Vermeil was the first of what type of assistant coach in the NFL?
5. Whom did Vermeil pick with his initial first-round draft pick and in what year?
Check back tomorrow for the answers!
1. In Vermeil's 15-year NFL coaching career, how many winning seasons did his teams record?
2. What former Eagle player was with Vermeil for every game in Philadelphia, St. Louis and Kansas City?
3. Vermeil won Coach of the Year with how many franchises?
4. Dick Vermeil was the first of what type of assistant coach in the NFL?
5. Whom did Vermeil pick with his initial first-round draft pick and in what year?
Check back tomorrow for the answers!
THIS DAY IN SPORTS HISTORY- DEC. 25
A new feature, each day we will offer a fact or trivia related to sports and the particular day....
* Name the world's largest manufacturer of vehicles that was also a sponsor on the NASCAR circuit and sometimes found in Christmas stockings.
Answer: Hot Wheels by Mattel
* Name the world's largest manufacturer of vehicles that was also a sponsor on the NASCAR circuit and sometimes found in Christmas stockings.
Answer: Hot Wheels by Mattel
WEEK 16 NFL WRAP-UP
Eagles- Raiders will be tonight. Tomorrow in the Chirping Birds segment we will break-down tonight's game. Here is the rest of Week 16 in the NFL...
* Ravens over Colts-
Baltimore dispatched of the hapless Colts to keep their wild card hopes alive. If the season ended today, the Ravens would travel to Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City to play the Chiefs in the first round of the AFC playoffs.I would like Baltimore's chances, but we will predict the playoff games when the times comes. Baltimore closes it's regular season next week at home against the Bengals. For Indianapolis, it's the top ten of the draft, with one of the worst teams in football. The future is cloudy for the Colts and quarterback Andrew Luck. Indy wraps up its' season vs. Houston in Indianapolis.
* Vikings over Packers-
Minnesota cliched a top two spot and a bye in the upcoming playoffs. They need to win next week against Chicago at home, and hope the Eagles lose their last two games ( unlikely to secure home field thru-out the NFC post-season.Meanwhile, the Pack will think of what could've been if Aaron Rodgers didn't get hurt. But I said in my pre-season predictions that I didn't think Green Bay would go far this year. A rare season without Green Bay in the playoffs.
* Panthers over Buccaneers-
Surprisingly, Carolina scored a last-minute touchdown to be Tampa Bay. A Carolina loss would've destroyed their division hopes. Now they are in, likely to face the Saints in New Orleans in the opening round. The Bucs play out the string against the Saints next week.
* Bears over Browns-
Are terrible of a team and an organization are the Cleveland Browns? Looks like they will finish 0-16 ( they aren't beating the Steelers in Pittsburgh next week, no matter how many players the Steelers rest). They have a coach who will end up 1-31 in two seasons. What a bunch of pathetic losers! Plus they still don't have a franchise QB. They will have the No. 1 overall in the draft next spring- and possibly another top 5 selection- but chances are they wills crew that up too. The Bears finish in Minnesota next week.
* Bengals over Lions-
Detroit was eliminated from post-season consideration when Cincinnati upset them yesterday. A roller coaster season for the Lions. Cincy is merely mediocre. With coach Marvin Lewis on the way out, better times may be ahead for the unpredictable Bengals.
* Redskins over Broncos-
Washington beat Denver at home. Washington ends up out of the playoffs again. They finish at New York against the God-awful Giants. Denver needs an overhaul. They couldn't even contend in the average AFC West. The Broncos host the Chiefs next week in a meaningless game.
* Cardinals over Giants-
Poor Giants. They are going to finish 2-14. Uncertainty about quarterback ( will Eli return?); uncertainty about their next coach. Arizona had an up and down year, as they finish in Seattle with a game that means a lot to the Seahawks.
* Seahawks over Cowboys-
Dallas is officially dead. A team that won 13 games last season, they are out of the playoffs after losing a must-win game at home yesterday vs Seattle. They don't deserve the playoffs. They suck. The Cowboys will be delusional and blame their lost season on the fact they didn't have RB Zeke Elliot for six games, but clearly, even before the suspension, the Cowboys had problems, on and off the field. Hopefully owner Jerry Jones does not fire the lame-brain coach. Dallas has problems, big ones, even going into 2018. Seattle still has slim playoff hopes, but they need to beat Arizona next week and have Atlanta lose.
* Chiefs over Dolphins-
KC locked up AFC West but will need to play in the first round. As it stands now, they will host Baltimore. Miami had a strange year, but any season that begins with QB Jay Cutler at the helm is a lost season. The Dolphins close out with Buffalo.
* Patriots over Bills-
New England crushed the Bills, as expected, as the Pats stream-roll toward the No. 1 seed in the AFC. The Bills turned out to be pretenders. They had their own fate in their hands and came up small all year. Still, it was a surprising year, especially considering they traded WR Sammy Watkins and CB Ronald Darby even before the first game was played.
* Saints over Falcons-
After Atlanta beat New Orleans two weeks ago, it's no surprise that the Saints returned the favor at home.at Tampa Bay next week. The Saints would most likely play Carolina in the first round playoffs. Atlanta needs to win next week at home against the Panthers to get in. From there they would most likely play the Rams in a shoot-out in Los Angeles.
* Chargers over Jets-
The Chargers are 8-7 and still have wild card hopes, but they need to win next week against the Raiders and need help.The Jets finish at bitterly cold New England. The Jets may as well keep the buses running.
* Rams over Titans-
The young, and dangerous Rams cliched the NFC West title with a win over the slumping Titans. LA can't move higher in the seeding, so most likely they will play Atlanta in the playoffs at home. Tennessee needs to beat Jacksonville next Sunday at home to get into the wild card playoffs, where they would most likely take on the Jags again.
* 49'ers over Jaguars-
The Niners have come to life, winning 4 in a row and have found their future franchise QB. They finish at the Rams. The Jags are in the playoffs, the AFC South Champs, and will most likely play Tennessee ( who they play this week) in Jacksonville.
* Steelers over Texans-
Pittsburgh is the No. 2 seed in the AFC. They crush the Browns next week at home. Houston closes with the Colts in a "who-cares" game.
* Ravens over Colts-
Baltimore dispatched of the hapless Colts to keep their wild card hopes alive. If the season ended today, the Ravens would travel to Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City to play the Chiefs in the first round of the AFC playoffs.I would like Baltimore's chances, but we will predict the playoff games when the times comes. Baltimore closes it's regular season next week at home against the Bengals. For Indianapolis, it's the top ten of the draft, with one of the worst teams in football. The future is cloudy for the Colts and quarterback Andrew Luck. Indy wraps up its' season vs. Houston in Indianapolis.
* Vikings over Packers-
Minnesota cliched a top two spot and a bye in the upcoming playoffs. They need to win next week against Chicago at home, and hope the Eagles lose their last two games ( unlikely to secure home field thru-out the NFC post-season.Meanwhile, the Pack will think of what could've been if Aaron Rodgers didn't get hurt. But I said in my pre-season predictions that I didn't think Green Bay would go far this year. A rare season without Green Bay in the playoffs.
* Panthers over Buccaneers-
Surprisingly, Carolina scored a last-minute touchdown to be Tampa Bay. A Carolina loss would've destroyed their division hopes. Now they are in, likely to face the Saints in New Orleans in the opening round. The Bucs play out the string against the Saints next week.
* Bears over Browns-
Are terrible of a team and an organization are the Cleveland Browns? Looks like they will finish 0-16 ( they aren't beating the Steelers in Pittsburgh next week, no matter how many players the Steelers rest). They have a coach who will end up 1-31 in two seasons. What a bunch of pathetic losers! Plus they still don't have a franchise QB. They will have the No. 1 overall in the draft next spring- and possibly another top 5 selection- but chances are they wills crew that up too. The Bears finish in Minnesota next week.
* Bengals over Lions-
Detroit was eliminated from post-season consideration when Cincinnati upset them yesterday. A roller coaster season for the Lions. Cincy is merely mediocre. With coach Marvin Lewis on the way out, better times may be ahead for the unpredictable Bengals.
* Redskins over Broncos-
Washington beat Denver at home. Washington ends up out of the playoffs again. They finish at New York against the God-awful Giants. Denver needs an overhaul. They couldn't even contend in the average AFC West. The Broncos host the Chiefs next week in a meaningless game.
* Cardinals over Giants-
Poor Giants. They are going to finish 2-14. Uncertainty about quarterback ( will Eli return?); uncertainty about their next coach. Arizona had an up and down year, as they finish in Seattle with a game that means a lot to the Seahawks.
* Seahawks over Cowboys-
Dallas is officially dead. A team that won 13 games last season, they are out of the playoffs after losing a must-win game at home yesterday vs Seattle. They don't deserve the playoffs. They suck. The Cowboys will be delusional and blame their lost season on the fact they didn't have RB Zeke Elliot for six games, but clearly, even before the suspension, the Cowboys had problems, on and off the field. Hopefully owner Jerry Jones does not fire the lame-brain coach. Dallas has problems, big ones, even going into 2018. Seattle still has slim playoff hopes, but they need to beat Arizona next week and have Atlanta lose.
* Chiefs over Dolphins-
KC locked up AFC West but will need to play in the first round. As it stands now, they will host Baltimore. Miami had a strange year, but any season that begins with QB Jay Cutler at the helm is a lost season. The Dolphins close out with Buffalo.
* Patriots over Bills-
New England crushed the Bills, as expected, as the Pats stream-roll toward the No. 1 seed in the AFC. The Bills turned out to be pretenders. They had their own fate in their hands and came up small all year. Still, it was a surprising year, especially considering they traded WR Sammy Watkins and CB Ronald Darby even before the first game was played.
* Saints over Falcons-
After Atlanta beat New Orleans two weeks ago, it's no surprise that the Saints returned the favor at home.at Tampa Bay next week. The Saints would most likely play Carolina in the first round playoffs. Atlanta needs to win next week at home against the Panthers to get in. From there they would most likely play the Rams in a shoot-out in Los Angeles.
* Chargers over Jets-
The Chargers are 8-7 and still have wild card hopes, but they need to win next week against the Raiders and need help.The Jets finish at bitterly cold New England. The Jets may as well keep the buses running.
* Rams over Titans-
The young, and dangerous Rams cliched the NFC West title with a win over the slumping Titans. LA can't move higher in the seeding, so most likely they will play Atlanta in the playoffs at home. Tennessee needs to beat Jacksonville next Sunday at home to get into the wild card playoffs, where they would most likely take on the Jags again.
* 49'ers over Jaguars-
The Niners have come to life, winning 4 in a row and have found their future franchise QB. They finish at the Rams. The Jags are in the playoffs, the AFC South Champs, and will most likely play Tennessee ( who they play this week) in Jacksonville.
* Steelers over Texans-
Pittsburgh is the No. 2 seed in the AFC. They crush the Browns next week at home. Houston closes with the Colts in a "who-cares" game.
Sunday, December 24, 2017
IN MY LIFE- CHRISTMAS EVE
One of my favorite nights of the entire year. Christmas Eve remains magically and special. Here are some memories and thoughts...
* We used to attend Midnight Mass every Christmas Eve. Now, good luck finding a mass that actually is at midnight. Most Christmas Eve services start around 9:00 p.m. The church was always packed. We would get there to sing carols for 30 minutes prior to mass beginning. Sacred Heart Church always looked so nice, decorated for Christmas, with flowers, lights and garland.
We wouldn't get home until around 1:30 in the morning, but we didn't care. Wishing fellow parishioners a Merry Christmas was so special. Returning home, maybe having a cup of hot chocolate before heading to bed. And, as a kid, searching the cold, clear sky for Santa on the way home from church.
* Wrapping and putting out presents on Christmas Eve. My family always opened presents on Christmas morning, so Christmas Eve was merely displaying the pretty packages, the colorful paper and bows. It was both fun and frustrating, wondering what was inside each box, shaking and feeling every package for clues. Judging by the size and weight and sound, you could make a pretty good guess at each gift.
When we were kids, Mom and Dad would drag out all the presents after we had gone to bed.There was nothing more exciting then sneaking downstairs to see the freshly-wrapped gifts under the tree, glimmering among the Christmas tree lights, each light twinkling brightly in the darkness. Then, we couldn't wait until daylight came so we could wake everyone up and head downstairs.
* Christmas Eve...I remember the aromas too. The warm, smell of roasted turkey in the oven;;.Christmas cookies freshly baked;.The sweet scent of pine from the real tree. Christmas Eves seemed colder back then too. Open the door for visitors and feel the rush of frosty cold air blowing in and causing an icy chill.
* Music..Christmas music! Now, radio stations start playing Christmas songs around November 1st. Back then, it was against the rules to play Christmas music before Thanksgiving. On Christmas Eve, be it form a radio, or stereo, or live singing, there was always Christmas melodies in our house. Religious songs like "Joy To The World" and "Silent Night" to commercial favorites such as "Snoopy's Christmas" or Alvin and The Chipmunks' "Christmas Don't Be Late."Every year there was a new Christmas tune that became the song for that Christmas.
* Movies and TV. Christmas Eve was all about watching Christmas specials on TV, or Christmas movies. "A Christmas Carol" was always a favorite on Christmas Eve, the black and white, Alister Sim version. Since it takes place on Christmas Eve,it seemed extra special to watch it late at night in the quiet darkness.
* If we didn't go to Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, it was always tradition to watch Christmas Eve Mass with he Pope from the Vatican.Pope Paul VI and John Paul II were really the only two Pontiffs I remember while growing up. Watching the Pope celebrate Christmas Eve Midnight Mass with Cardinals and Bishops all around him in the magnificent St. peter's Basilica, was an awesome treat every year. Must-see TV every year.
* Those are some of my memories of Christmas Eve.Family members are passed on, but are never forgotten, especially on this night. New memories are made. And Christmas Eve is always a little more special if you have children around. They make Christmas Eve magical. Even if you are old, having kids or animals around you- loved ones- makes you feel young again and reminds you of the magic.
Christmas Eve is to be savored and appreciated, as they soon become fleeting. Christmas Eve isn't about gifts and presents- it's about love and sharing the true meaning of Christmas with those you love.
Merry Christmas everyone!
* We used to attend Midnight Mass every Christmas Eve. Now, good luck finding a mass that actually is at midnight. Most Christmas Eve services start around 9:00 p.m. The church was always packed. We would get there to sing carols for 30 minutes prior to mass beginning. Sacred Heart Church always looked so nice, decorated for Christmas, with flowers, lights and garland.
We wouldn't get home until around 1:30 in the morning, but we didn't care. Wishing fellow parishioners a Merry Christmas was so special. Returning home, maybe having a cup of hot chocolate before heading to bed. And, as a kid, searching the cold, clear sky for Santa on the way home from church.
* Wrapping and putting out presents on Christmas Eve. My family always opened presents on Christmas morning, so Christmas Eve was merely displaying the pretty packages, the colorful paper and bows. It was both fun and frustrating, wondering what was inside each box, shaking and feeling every package for clues. Judging by the size and weight and sound, you could make a pretty good guess at each gift.
When we were kids, Mom and Dad would drag out all the presents after we had gone to bed.There was nothing more exciting then sneaking downstairs to see the freshly-wrapped gifts under the tree, glimmering among the Christmas tree lights, each light twinkling brightly in the darkness. Then, we couldn't wait until daylight came so we could wake everyone up and head downstairs.
* Christmas Eve...I remember the aromas too. The warm, smell of roasted turkey in the oven;;.Christmas cookies freshly baked;.The sweet scent of pine from the real tree. Christmas Eves seemed colder back then too. Open the door for visitors and feel the rush of frosty cold air blowing in and causing an icy chill.
* Music..Christmas music! Now, radio stations start playing Christmas songs around November 1st. Back then, it was against the rules to play Christmas music before Thanksgiving. On Christmas Eve, be it form a radio, or stereo, or live singing, there was always Christmas melodies in our house. Religious songs like "Joy To The World" and "Silent Night" to commercial favorites such as "Snoopy's Christmas" or Alvin and The Chipmunks' "Christmas Don't Be Late."Every year there was a new Christmas tune that became the song for that Christmas.
* Movies and TV. Christmas Eve was all about watching Christmas specials on TV, or Christmas movies. "A Christmas Carol" was always a favorite on Christmas Eve, the black and white, Alister Sim version. Since it takes place on Christmas Eve,it seemed extra special to watch it late at night in the quiet darkness.
* If we didn't go to Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, it was always tradition to watch Christmas Eve Mass with he Pope from the Vatican.Pope Paul VI and John Paul II were really the only two Pontiffs I remember while growing up. Watching the Pope celebrate Christmas Eve Midnight Mass with Cardinals and Bishops all around him in the magnificent St. peter's Basilica, was an awesome treat every year. Must-see TV every year.
* Those are some of my memories of Christmas Eve.Family members are passed on, but are never forgotten, especially on this night. New memories are made. And Christmas Eve is always a little more special if you have children around. They make Christmas Eve magical. Even if you are old, having kids or animals around you- loved ones- makes you feel young again and reminds you of the magic.
Christmas Eve is to be savored and appreciated, as they soon become fleeting. Christmas Eve isn't about gifts and presents- it's about love and sharing the true meaning of Christmas with those you love.
Merry Christmas everyone!
PHILLY SPORTS CORNER- SIXERS, FLYERS, NFL FOOTBALL
* The Sixers lost again last nigh tin Toronto. Joel Embiid played , but not well, perhaps still bothered by a bad back. I'm sure he will try and play on Christmas Day in a nationally televised game at Madison Square Garden vs the Knicks.
Is it time to start the "fire Coach Brett Brown" talk again? Sure, the 76'ers are young, and often injured. But shouldn't they be better? Now, they aren't playing the good teams even, and they are losing to bad teams recently ( The Lakers, Kings and Suns).
I expected more from this team. They have tremendous talent, when healthy. Markelle Fultz hasn't played a minute. Ben Simmons can't shoot. Embiid is hurt too much for a 24-year-old guy. Those were the big three going into the season that were supposed to lead the Sixers to the playoffs this season.
If Philly fails tor each the post-season (s till a long way to go), it's fair to call for Brown's head. Someone needs to take the fall, don't they?
* The Flyers may want to begin the "fire Coach Dave Hakstol" chants as well. The Flyers picked up a point in Columbus on Saturday night, but lost in a shoot-out, 2-1. I see the Orange and Black as a bubble team, merely average, nothing special. I think it's only fair that Hakstol lose his job too if the team fails to reach the post-season. The team is also young. But I expected so much more. Instead of getting better, it seems the young kids are not progressing . Moral victories are for losers.
* Minnesota beat green Bay last night to stay right behind the Eagles for best record in the NFC. So, the Birds need to win on Christmas night against Oakland to lock up home field advantage thru-out the [playoffs.
The Ravens beat the Colts as well. Looks like Baltimore will reach the playoffs as a wild card team. They have experience, and may cause problems once in. Other than New England and Pittsburgh, no one is unbeatable in the AFC.
The Eagles get an extra day of rest today, watching the league play as they prepare for their big Monday night game against the Raiders. It will be windy and bitterly cold at the Linc. Allow QB Nick Foles to use his running game, control the ball, limiting the turnovers. The defense needs to step up and force turnovers. Stop with the stupid penalties. Feed off the frenzy of the fans, who haven't seen a home game in weeks. It'll be Christmas night, and the 60,000 screaming Eagle fans will be jacked-up.
I still say Eagles 38 Raiders 17
Is it time to start the "fire Coach Brett Brown" talk again? Sure, the 76'ers are young, and often injured. But shouldn't they be better? Now, they aren't playing the good teams even, and they are losing to bad teams recently ( The Lakers, Kings and Suns).
I expected more from this team. They have tremendous talent, when healthy. Markelle Fultz hasn't played a minute. Ben Simmons can't shoot. Embiid is hurt too much for a 24-year-old guy. Those were the big three going into the season that were supposed to lead the Sixers to the playoffs this season.
If Philly fails tor each the post-season (s till a long way to go), it's fair to call for Brown's head. Someone needs to take the fall, don't they?
* The Flyers may want to begin the "fire Coach Dave Hakstol" chants as well. The Flyers picked up a point in Columbus on Saturday night, but lost in a shoot-out, 2-1. I see the Orange and Black as a bubble team, merely average, nothing special. I think it's only fair that Hakstol lose his job too if the team fails to reach the post-season. The team is also young. But I expected so much more. Instead of getting better, it seems the young kids are not progressing . Moral victories are for losers.
* Minnesota beat green Bay last night to stay right behind the Eagles for best record in the NFC. So, the Birds need to win on Christmas night against Oakland to lock up home field advantage thru-out the [playoffs.
The Ravens beat the Colts as well. Looks like Baltimore will reach the playoffs as a wild card team. They have experience, and may cause problems once in. Other than New England and Pittsburgh, no one is unbeatable in the AFC.
The Eagles get an extra day of rest today, watching the league play as they prepare for their big Monday night game against the Raiders. It will be windy and bitterly cold at the Linc. Allow QB Nick Foles to use his running game, control the ball, limiting the turnovers. The defense needs to step up and force turnovers. Stop with the stupid penalties. Feed off the frenzy of the fans, who haven't seen a home game in weeks. It'll be Christmas night, and the 60,000 screaming Eagle fans will be jacked-up.
I still say Eagles 38 Raiders 17
Saturday, December 23, 2017
PHILLY SPORTS CORNER- FLYERS, EAGLES
* The Flyers are consistently inconsistent. After losing 10 games in a row, they reeled off six straight victories.They recently won 4 of 5 games at home, then traveled to Buffalo last night and lost to the hapless Sabres, 4-2, all six goals scored in the third period. They play tonight on the road against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
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* The Sixers travel north of the border to face the Toronto Raptors, whom they lost to in Philadelphia on Thursday night by five points. It will be interesting to see if Joel Embiid plays.
Is it fair to say that The Process has failed? Embiid can't stay healthy. He's great when he plays; Okafor was a flop and was traded; Simmons is great but can't shoot; Noel was dealt to Dallas; Fultz is hurt and who knows when he will be back.
The 76'ers had so many high No. 1 draft picks, yet they still have a losing record. Granted, they are a very young team, and if/once their injured players get healthy, they could be good. But that's a big if.
In 2019, the Sixers own the Sacramento Kings' first round draft choice. It should be a decent one. Philly will need it to help the rebuild process.
I'm disappointed in the Sixers so far. They have had spurts of brilliance, gaining big leads over good teams such as the Warriors and Raptor, only to blow those leads and lose the game. They can't finish. After years of losing- mostly wanting to lose- the team doesn't seem to know how to win.
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* Two NFL games today: Ravens and Colts early, then Packers and Vikings in prime time. A Green Bay victory gives she Eagles home field advantage thru-out the playoffs. If Minnesota wins, the Birds will need to beat Oakland on Christmas night to get home field.
The weather is supposed to get bitterly cold starting on Christmas Day, with an arctic blast invading the east coast, possible til after the new year. It will be frigid at the Linc on Monday night. If I'm lucky enough to get playoffs tickets, as much as I don't want to sit in the freezing cold, it would be advantage Eagles if the weather stayed bitterly cold Their potential first round opponents will either be dome teams ( New Orleans, Minnesota or Atlanta) or warm weather teams ( the Rams). No matter what, it will be a challenge for any team to come into the atmosphere, with 60,000 screaming, freezing and frenzied fans, and beat the Eagles.
Hopefully the defense gets it's act together and QB Nick Foles continues to shine. Everything has fallen right for the Birds this year- now, including the weather- which makes the Carson Wentz injury even more frustrating, know the Super Bowl was within reach, yet so far away.
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* The Sixers travel north of the border to face the Toronto Raptors, whom they lost to in Philadelphia on Thursday night by five points. It will be interesting to see if Joel Embiid plays.
Is it fair to say that The Process has failed? Embiid can't stay healthy. He's great when he plays; Okafor was a flop and was traded; Simmons is great but can't shoot; Noel was dealt to Dallas; Fultz is hurt and who knows when he will be back.
The 76'ers had so many high No. 1 draft picks, yet they still have a losing record. Granted, they are a very young team, and if/once their injured players get healthy, they could be good. But that's a big if.
In 2019, the Sixers own the Sacramento Kings' first round draft choice. It should be a decent one. Philly will need it to help the rebuild process.
I'm disappointed in the Sixers so far. They have had spurts of brilliance, gaining big leads over good teams such as the Warriors and Raptor, only to blow those leads and lose the game. They can't finish. After years of losing- mostly wanting to lose- the team doesn't seem to know how to win.
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* Two NFL games today: Ravens and Colts early, then Packers and Vikings in prime time. A Green Bay victory gives she Eagles home field advantage thru-out the playoffs. If Minnesota wins, the Birds will need to beat Oakland on Christmas night to get home field.
The weather is supposed to get bitterly cold starting on Christmas Day, with an arctic blast invading the east coast, possible til after the new year. It will be frigid at the Linc on Monday night. If I'm lucky enough to get playoffs tickets, as much as I don't want to sit in the freezing cold, it would be advantage Eagles if the weather stayed bitterly cold Their potential first round opponents will either be dome teams ( New Orleans, Minnesota or Atlanta) or warm weather teams ( the Rams). No matter what, it will be a challenge for any team to come into the atmosphere, with 60,000 screaming, freezing and frenzied fans, and beat the Eagles.
Hopefully the defense gets it's act together and QB Nick Foles continues to shine. Everything has fallen right for the Birds this year- now, including the weather- which makes the Carson Wentz injury even more frustrating, know the Super Bowl was within reach, yet so far away.
IN MY LIFE- MOVIE REVIEW: FATHER FIGURES, CHRISTMAS SHOPPING
* I saw the new movie "Father Figures" last night. It's a comedy that sometimes tries to be a drama. It didn't get very good reviews at most of the major review sites, including Rotten Tomatoes. But we were in the mood to laugh, hoping to see alight-hearted, wacky comedy, so we took a chance and saw "Father Figures."
The theater had maybe ten people in it at the start. For a busy Friday night, on a holiday weekend, that's not good. I guess most people were catching the new Star Wars flick. It ran slightly over two hours but seemed longer, also not a good sign.
The movie stars Owen Wilson and Ed Helms as brothers looking for their long-lost father. The beautiful Glenn Close plays their mother. Even at her age ( 70 year-old)e, her blue eyes still shine brightly. The ensemble cast are familiar faces, such as Christopher Walken as a veterinarian who is one of the daddy candidates.
The story follows the brothers searching for their real father, visiting Terry Bradshaw ( who is good, playing himself), to a Repo-man/ con man, and a dead guy. The Bradshaw segment is the funniest.
The overall movie is funny in spots, but uneven.It has some wacky moments, such as when the brothers pick up a hitchhiker, tying him up in the backseat just in case he is a serial killer.The movie takes a more serious tone near the end, where there is a surprising twist to the story.
I like Owen Wilson, who recently played the dad in the movie "Wonder." I don't know Ed Helms, but he played a role that Ben Stiller could've played 10 years ago. It kind of reminded me of "There's Something About Mary" in that the characters search for someone missing in their life, but ":Mary" was much funnier and zany.
"Father Figures" is what it is- a mindless comedy you'll probably enjoy but will soon forget. I give it two stars ** out of four.
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* This week is the best time to Christmas shop. I was at the King of Prussia mall earlier this week. I went in the morning, and it actually wasn't crowded a tall. Same holiday decorations, lights and music. Hardly any lines.
I do most of my Christmas shopping online every year now. No traffic worries, or weather, or parking. You can shop at 3:00 a.m. Everything is delivered to your doorstep. It's so much easier, but not as much fun.
As the days wind down to December 25, especially since it's a weekend, time is fleeting. Too late to shop online and expect delivery by Christmas.So, if you're a last-minute shopper or just need to fill a stocking, now you have to hit a mall- and that's not a bad thing.
Sure, there will be long lines at the mall today. Good luck getting a parking place. And shoppers may be bitchy and tense with all the running around and stress. But the great deals are out there, as stores don't want to get stuck with merchandise.It's getting colder, so it's starting to feel more like Christmas.
Hopefully a lot of stores are closed on Christmas Eve, maybe open until 3:00 p.m. so to give employees the holiday off. The grocery stores and markets are packed. So, if you like the excitement and hustle-bustle of the last-minute gift-giving scene, now is the time to hit the malls.
The theater had maybe ten people in it at the start. For a busy Friday night, on a holiday weekend, that's not good. I guess most people were catching the new Star Wars flick. It ran slightly over two hours but seemed longer, also not a good sign.
The movie stars Owen Wilson and Ed Helms as brothers looking for their long-lost father. The beautiful Glenn Close plays their mother. Even at her age ( 70 year-old)e, her blue eyes still shine brightly. The ensemble cast are familiar faces, such as Christopher Walken as a veterinarian who is one of the daddy candidates.
The story follows the brothers searching for their real father, visiting Terry Bradshaw ( who is good, playing himself), to a Repo-man/ con man, and a dead guy. The Bradshaw segment is the funniest.
The overall movie is funny in spots, but uneven.It has some wacky moments, such as when the brothers pick up a hitchhiker, tying him up in the backseat just in case he is a serial killer.The movie takes a more serious tone near the end, where there is a surprising twist to the story.
I like Owen Wilson, who recently played the dad in the movie "Wonder." I don't know Ed Helms, but he played a role that Ben Stiller could've played 10 years ago. It kind of reminded me of "There's Something About Mary" in that the characters search for someone missing in their life, but ":Mary" was much funnier and zany.
"Father Figures" is what it is- a mindless comedy you'll probably enjoy but will soon forget. I give it two stars ** out of four.
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* This week is the best time to Christmas shop. I was at the King of Prussia mall earlier this week. I went in the morning, and it actually wasn't crowded a tall. Same holiday decorations, lights and music. Hardly any lines.
I do most of my Christmas shopping online every year now. No traffic worries, or weather, or parking. You can shop at 3:00 a.m. Everything is delivered to your doorstep. It's so much easier, but not as much fun.
As the days wind down to December 25, especially since it's a weekend, time is fleeting. Too late to shop online and expect delivery by Christmas.So, if you're a last-minute shopper or just need to fill a stocking, now you have to hit a mall- and that's not a bad thing.
Sure, there will be long lines at the mall today. Good luck getting a parking place. And shoppers may be bitchy and tense with all the running around and stress. But the great deals are out there, as stores don't want to get stuck with merchandise.It's getting colder, so it's starting to feel more like Christmas.
Hopefully a lot of stores are closed on Christmas Eve, maybe open until 3:00 p.m. so to give employees the holiday off. The grocery stores and markets are packed. So, if you like the excitement and hustle-bustle of the last-minute gift-giving scene, now is the time to hit the malls.
Friday, December 22, 2017
PHILLY SPORTS CORNER- SIXERS, ANNOUNCERS
* The Sixers organization continue to play the bait-and-switch game with its own fans. Last night, 30 minutes before its game with Toronto, Joel Embiid was declared "probable' to play, then, at the last minute, Embiid sat out the game. Just enough time to get a few more fans to buy tickets and attend the game, thinking Embiid would play.
The team itself blew another big lead, this time a 22-point bulge over the Raptors . They have coughed up huge leads several times this season, including a 24-point lead over Golden State.
They are a young team, unable to close, lacking the killer instinct. They are good enough to get up on good teams, but look like deer in headlights when they are challenged by an experienced club.
Now I'm wondering if the 76'ers will even make the playoffs.
* Sports announcer Dick Enberg died suddenly last night. He was 82. He was a California guy, announcing for the Angels and Padres, working over 25 years for NBC Sports, doing NCAA basketball and Wimbleton tennis tournaments, among other events.
I liked Enberg. He had a great voice, an easy-going style, and never was vicious to players. Yet he was honest and told it like it was. Enberg did UCLA basketball during their fantastic John Wooden-led championship run in the 60s. In fact, the Bruins won the NCAA Championship every year that Enberg was their announcer, but one.
he is yet another voice gone from my youth. Madden, Summerall, Musberger, Michaels...I grew up with those announcers. Joe Garigiola did the Baseball Game of the Week. Howard Cosell did Monday Night Football. Jim McKay did Wide World of Sports.
Nowadays you've Joe Buck doing football and baseball. Al Michaels is still around on Sunday Night Football. Jim Nance is the voice of CBS Sports. They are good, but not legends like the guys mentioned above. Maybe down the road we will look back at the current crop of announcers and feel the same way about them as we do about the legends.
The team itself blew another big lead, this time a 22-point bulge over the Raptors . They have coughed up huge leads several times this season, including a 24-point lead over Golden State.
They are a young team, unable to close, lacking the killer instinct. They are good enough to get up on good teams, but look like deer in headlights when they are challenged by an experienced club.
Now I'm wondering if the 76'ers will even make the playoffs.
* Sports announcer Dick Enberg died suddenly last night. He was 82. He was a California guy, announcing for the Angels and Padres, working over 25 years for NBC Sports, doing NCAA basketball and Wimbleton tennis tournaments, among other events.
I liked Enberg. He had a great voice, an easy-going style, and never was vicious to players. Yet he was honest and told it like it was. Enberg did UCLA basketball during their fantastic John Wooden-led championship run in the 60s. In fact, the Bruins won the NCAA Championship every year that Enberg was their announcer, but one.
he is yet another voice gone from my youth. Madden, Summerall, Musberger, Michaels...I grew up with those announcers. Joe Garigiola did the Baseball Game of the Week. Howard Cosell did Monday Night Football. Jim McKay did Wide World of Sports.
Nowadays you've Joe Buck doing football and baseball. Al Michaels is still around on Sunday Night Football. Jim Nance is the voice of CBS Sports. They are good, but not legends like the guys mentioned above. Maybe down the road we will look back at the current crop of announcers and feel the same way about them as we do about the legends.
IN THE NEWS- JOHNS HOPKINS ENGINEERING STUDENTS BUILD CUSTOM WALKER FOR SPECIAL NEEDS TODDLER
This heartwarming article is from Disability World..
Two-year-old Rose Lynn Lidy was born with Cornelia de Lange Syndrome- a very rare genetic disorder that causes a range of physical, cognitive, and medical challenges. She is 24 inches tall and weighs just over 11 pounds- far too small and slight to sit properly supported in commercially available walkers. So, when Rosie's physical therapist recommended that the child spend time in a walker to practice bearing weight on her legs to prepare for eventually learning to walk, parents Annetta and Don Lidy reached out to v-LINC. This Baltimore nonprofit matches people who have special challenges caused by disease or disability with volunteers who can design and build custom solutions for them. Santa's helpers made a visit to the Port Deposit, Maryland, family this week, delivering a gift that promises to make their holiday season especially happy and bright; a walker that was custom-designed and constructed for the family's smallest member by a group of Johns Hopkins engineering students.
"I don't think you all know how much this means to us, and to our daughter," said Annetta lidy, eyes brimming with happy tears, as the student team ( wearing red Santa hats) unfolded and set up the walker near a glowing Christmas tree in the family's living room. 'Since Rosie was born, we've been hearing what kids with his syndrome can't do. But we've chosen to concentrate on what our daughter can do. With this walker, we believe Rosie can learn to walk."
Angela Tyler, V-Linc volunteer services manger, was thrilled with the outcome. "It was clear to me right away that this was something our wonderful volunteer engineers could help the lidys with,' Tyler said.
After V-LINC's volunteers reviewed the request, completed a home visit to evaluate and assess rose's needs, and determined that there were no commercial solutions available, Tyler reached out to Niel Leon, a Johns Hopkins senior staff engineer and v-LINC volunteer. Leon set up the project for the senior chapter of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers 9 ASME) at the university's Whiting School of Engineering.
"I knew that our students could design and create something that would fit Rosie, and that they could do it in time for Christmas," Leon said. Working through V-LINC's "Designing Our Future" program, the students had access to $500 for the parts and supplies they needed to create the custom walker. V-LINC donors covered those costs.
Led by Caterina Esposito, a sophomore mechanical engineering major, the five- member team welcomed the challenge. They traveled to meet Rosie and her family (including Rosie's twin, Georgia, and twin 9-year-old sisters Emma and Lilly), and take measurements. Then they returned to Hopkins and got to work.
First, they purchased an off-the-shelf baby bouncy chair and culled its brightly colored canvas seat for Rosie's new walker, the leg openings were far too wide- Rosie would have slipped right through them- so a V-LINC volunteer who is a professional seamstress came to the rescue with alterations. With Leon's help, the students spent a morning using a water-jet cutter in the university's machine shop to cut the walker's component pieces out of quarter-inch sheets of ABS, a light but strong plastic. Wheels, brackets, braces, and a mechanism that allows the device to fold up for easy storage and transport in a car were ad off to teammate Charlotte Quinn for painting in bright green, yellow, and red. The final product has Rosie's name in curly white script on the base.
Esposito said that having the chance to meet Rosie and her family before tackling the project inspired the ASME team members to get the walker "just right'.
"Meeting Rosie and her family was an exceptional experience, because it really brought home how important the work we were doing was. Honestly, at times, it was a little frightening knowing the weight of effect this project would have on this child and family. in the end, it inspired us to do the best job possible so that Rosie can live her best life," she said.
In fact, it was the chance to make an impact on lives such as Rosie's that drew Esposito to mechanical engineering.
Two-year-old Rose Lynn Lidy was born with Cornelia de Lange Syndrome- a very rare genetic disorder that causes a range of physical, cognitive, and medical challenges. She is 24 inches tall and weighs just over 11 pounds- far too small and slight to sit properly supported in commercially available walkers. So, when Rosie's physical therapist recommended that the child spend time in a walker to practice bearing weight on her legs to prepare for eventually learning to walk, parents Annetta and Don Lidy reached out to v-LINC. This Baltimore nonprofit matches people who have special challenges caused by disease or disability with volunteers who can design and build custom solutions for them. Santa's helpers made a visit to the Port Deposit, Maryland, family this week, delivering a gift that promises to make their holiday season especially happy and bright; a walker that was custom-designed and constructed for the family's smallest member by a group of Johns Hopkins engineering students.
"I don't think you all know how much this means to us, and to our daughter," said Annetta lidy, eyes brimming with happy tears, as the student team ( wearing red Santa hats) unfolded and set up the walker near a glowing Christmas tree in the family's living room. 'Since Rosie was born, we've been hearing what kids with his syndrome can't do. But we've chosen to concentrate on what our daughter can do. With this walker, we believe Rosie can learn to walk."
Angela Tyler, V-Linc volunteer services manger, was thrilled with the outcome. "It was clear to me right away that this was something our wonderful volunteer engineers could help the lidys with,' Tyler said.
After V-LINC's volunteers reviewed the request, completed a home visit to evaluate and assess rose's needs, and determined that there were no commercial solutions available, Tyler reached out to Niel Leon, a Johns Hopkins senior staff engineer and v-LINC volunteer. Leon set up the project for the senior chapter of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers 9 ASME) at the university's Whiting School of Engineering.
"I knew that our students could design and create something that would fit Rosie, and that they could do it in time for Christmas," Leon said. Working through V-LINC's "Designing Our Future" program, the students had access to $500 for the parts and supplies they needed to create the custom walker. V-LINC donors covered those costs.
Led by Caterina Esposito, a sophomore mechanical engineering major, the five- member team welcomed the challenge. They traveled to meet Rosie and her family (including Rosie's twin, Georgia, and twin 9-year-old sisters Emma and Lilly), and take measurements. Then they returned to Hopkins and got to work.
First, they purchased an off-the-shelf baby bouncy chair and culled its brightly colored canvas seat for Rosie's new walker, the leg openings were far too wide- Rosie would have slipped right through them- so a V-LINC volunteer who is a professional seamstress came to the rescue with alterations. With Leon's help, the students spent a morning using a water-jet cutter in the university's machine shop to cut the walker's component pieces out of quarter-inch sheets of ABS, a light but strong plastic. Wheels, brackets, braces, and a mechanism that allows the device to fold up for easy storage and transport in a car were ad off to teammate Charlotte Quinn for painting in bright green, yellow, and red. The final product has Rosie's name in curly white script on the base.
Esposito said that having the chance to meet Rosie and her family before tackling the project inspired the ASME team members to get the walker "just right'.
"Meeting Rosie and her family was an exceptional experience, because it really brought home how important the work we were doing was. Honestly, at times, it was a little frightening knowing the weight of effect this project would have on this child and family. in the end, it inspired us to do the best job possible so that Rosie can live her best life," she said.
In fact, it was the chance to make an impact on lives such as Rosie's that drew Esposito to mechanical engineering.
Thursday, December 21, 2017
PHILLY SPORTS CORNER- FLYERS, SIXERS, EAGLES, PHILLIES
* The Flyers continued their winning ways last night, defeating the Detroit Red Wings, 4-3. That's 7 out of 8 victories, and a 4-1 home stand. The Orange and Black now take to the road for the holidays, playing in Buffalo, Columbus, Tampa Bay and Florida before returning home after the new year.
* The Sixers face the Toronto Raptors tonight at the Wells Fargo Center. Reports are that center Joel Embiid will sit out the next two games because of his bad back. He may return on Christmas Day for a nationally-televised game in New York against the Knicks.
* The Eagles are preparing to meet the Oakland Raiders this Monday night. Guard Stefan Wiesnewski, who has played well this season, may be back for the Christmas night game. Having him back will make a big difference in the offensive line.
I predict a big Birds' win, with the home crowd roaring behind them. It seems like forever since the team has played at the Linc. A win against the Raiders would mean all home games until the Super Bowl. All the injuries- especially the Wentz injury- may eventually catch up with the Eagles- but it will be a challenge for any team to come into Philly and win.
* The Phillies introduced new free agent signing slugger Carlos Santana yesterday in a press conference. A rumor is floating that, because of analytics- which both new manager Gabe Kapler and GM Matt Klentak are really into- Santana will bat lead-off in the line-up and Rhys Hoskins will bat second. Giancarlo Stanton hit second for Miami last summer when he smashed 59 home runs.
If the line-up remains the same, I guess it would something like this:
1. Santana 1B
2. Hoskins LF
3. Herrera CF
4. Franco 3B
5. Altherr/Williams RF
6. Alfaro C
7. Hernandez/ Kingery 2B
8. Crawford SS
Santana has averaged 98 walks in his eight seasons with the Indians. I'd rather see him hit third or clean-up, and either Hernandez or Kingery hit first. Herrera? He doesn't walk enough, plus he's too streaky of a hitter. Crawford gets on base, a factor why the team decided to give him the shortstop job and trade Freddie Galvis, but will he hit for average?
Regardless, the other shoe has got to fall, and I expect a follow-up deal soon. There is no place for Tommy Joseph to play. And unless the Phils go with a four-man rotation in the outfield, Herrera, Altherr or Williams has to go. They can't keep three ctahcer son the roster either ( Rupp, Knapp and Alfaro). Starting pitching should be the target in return.
* The Sixers face the Toronto Raptors tonight at the Wells Fargo Center. Reports are that center Joel Embiid will sit out the next two games because of his bad back. He may return on Christmas Day for a nationally-televised game in New York against the Knicks.
* The Eagles are preparing to meet the Oakland Raiders this Monday night. Guard Stefan Wiesnewski, who has played well this season, may be back for the Christmas night game. Having him back will make a big difference in the offensive line.
I predict a big Birds' win, with the home crowd roaring behind them. It seems like forever since the team has played at the Linc. A win against the Raiders would mean all home games until the Super Bowl. All the injuries- especially the Wentz injury- may eventually catch up with the Eagles- but it will be a challenge for any team to come into Philly and win.
* The Phillies introduced new free agent signing slugger Carlos Santana yesterday in a press conference. A rumor is floating that, because of analytics- which both new manager Gabe Kapler and GM Matt Klentak are really into- Santana will bat lead-off in the line-up and Rhys Hoskins will bat second. Giancarlo Stanton hit second for Miami last summer when he smashed 59 home runs.
If the line-up remains the same, I guess it would something like this:
1. Santana 1B
2. Hoskins LF
3. Herrera CF
4. Franco 3B
5. Altherr/Williams RF
6. Alfaro C
7. Hernandez/ Kingery 2B
8. Crawford SS
Santana has averaged 98 walks in his eight seasons with the Indians. I'd rather see him hit third or clean-up, and either Hernandez or Kingery hit first. Herrera? He doesn't walk enough, plus he's too streaky of a hitter. Crawford gets on base, a factor why the team decided to give him the shortstop job and trade Freddie Galvis, but will he hit for average?
Regardless, the other shoe has got to fall, and I expect a follow-up deal soon. There is no place for Tommy Joseph to play. And unless the Phils go with a four-man rotation in the outfield, Herrera, Altherr or Williams has to go. They can't keep three ctahcer son the roster either ( Rupp, Knapp and Alfaro). Starting pitching should be the target in return.
IN THE NEWS- THERAPY CATS
This article is from Disability World..
A therapy cat is defined as a cat trained to help ailing humans in a medically beneficial way to take advantage of the human-animal interaction for purposes of relaxation and healing. A therapy cat provides affection and comfort to people in retirement homes, nursing homes, schools, hospices, and other human service care facilities.
Emotional Support Animals or Comfort Animals are often used as part of a medical treatment plan as therapy animals. These animals provide companionship, relieve loneliness, and sometimes help with depression, but do not perform tasks that assist people with disabilities.
Although dogs have more traditionally been recruited as therapy animals, and horses are the second most favored, cats are being used more and more. Animals help people heal. They reduce loneliness, depression, and anxiety. They can improve our heart health and get us to exercise more. That's why many hospitals and nursing homes have programs that bring in dogs and cats and other animals for patients to interact with.
The most important characteristic of a therapy cat is its temperament. A good therapy cat must be friendly, patient, confident, gentle, and at ease in all situations. Therapy cats must enjoy human contact to be petted and handled, sometimes clumsily.
Therapy cats must be very calm and tolerant around other people and dogs, as well as being handled and held frequently by others. They must also adapt easily to medical equipment, wheelchairs and unfamiliar noises.
Cats have been known to perform miracles in healing. The vibration of their purring actually has healing properties. Cats have helped people recover from infections, depression anxiety disorders, surgeries nd more! Ask any number of cat owners about the benefits of petting or snuggling with a cat and the responses will likely be the same.
Cats provide their own brand of unconditional love and comfort. They help us relax and cope with the stresses of life in a special way. When our feline friends run to greet us after a long day away, it affects us physically.
Many studies have shown that having a cat can calm nerves, lower blood pressure, help prevent and treat cardiovascular disease, cancer and chronic pain, strengthen the immune system and even help you live longer.
There have been arguments made that therapy animals can work as well as or better than conventional pharmaceutical medicine for helping people relax, lowering stress levels and blood pressure decreases, causing the heart rate to slow down.
Therapy cats are assets in many situations. One group that benefits greatly from a little cat-love therapy is children. Therapy cats have been used to help kids with developmental disorders like autism be more comfortable with the world around them. Therapy cats are also especially valuable to the elderly or when interacting with Alzheimer's or dementia patients, by stimulating both memory and forgotten emotions.
The first step in preparing a cat to be a therapy animal is to make sure the feline meets basic requirements.
These can vary by organization, but typically include being comfortable in a harness and end up to date with shots. A variety of organizations train and certify pet therapy teams. Pet Partners is one of the most well-known national organizations that facilitates and promotes animal-assisted therapy and offers training and registration for therapy animal teams.
People who suffer from depression often find solace in the companionship that their pets provide.
The emotional problems that depression brings about can be tumultuous and trying. A furry friend can be just what the doctor ordered, providing a special kind of support that can be considered a type of medication for the human soul, with positive results and no side effects.
The role of cats in therapeutic processes continues to amaze researchers and medical professionals, as we learn more and more about their impact on human lives and healing.
Wednesday, December 20, 2017
IN THE NEWS- RE; PARKINSON'S DISEASE-GOOD NEWS
This item is from the site Disability World..
Some 50,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with Parkinson's disease (PD) every year. The American Institute of Neurology estimates there are one million people affected with this neurodegenerative disorder, with 60 years as average age of onset. Falls and fall-related injuries are a major issue for people with Parkinson's up to 70 percent of advanced PD patients fall at least once a year and two-thirds suffer recurring falls. These fall rates are twice as high as those of adults of comparable age, so improving balance in patients with Parkinson's would provide a major health advantage.
Sunil Agrawal, professor of mechanical engineering and of rehabilitation and regenerative medicine at Columbia Engineering, along with Dario Martelli, a post-doctoral researcher in his group, have been working on this issue with movement Disorders faculty from the department of neurology ayt Columbia University Medical Center, Stanley Fahn, a leading expert in Pakinson's, and Un Jung Kang, division director, and Movement Disorder Fellow Lan Luo. In their latest study, published recently in Scientific Reports, the team looked at whether or not Parkinson's disease affects patients' balance and diminishes their ability to react and adapt to walking with perturbations. The researchers found that the ability to adapt to multiple perturbations or to modify responses to changing amplitudes or directions was not affected by PD; both the Parkinson's and the healthy subjects controlled their reactive strategies in the same way. In fact, both groups improved their unperturbed walking after a single training session with repeated waist pull perturbations.
Agrawal's team, experts in rehabilitation robotics, used a robotic system- Tethered Pelvic Assist Device ( TPAD)- invented in his Robotics and Rehabilitation (ROAR) Laboratory to perform the study. The TPAD is a wearable, lightweight cable-driven robot that can be programmed to provide forces on the pelvis in a desired direction as a subject walks on a treadmill. In an earlier study, Agrawal successfully used the TPAD to improve posture and walking in children with cerebral palsy.
"Most falls in PD are reported during walking, and gait disorders are one of the hallmarks of PD, but previous studies on PD subjects have focused on responses to balance perturbations only while standing," says Agrawal, also a member of the Data Science Institute. "Our TPAD has enabled us for the first time to study how subjects respond to repeated pelvic perturbations during walking, and to characterize reactive and adaptive responses to these perturbations among the young, old, and PD patients."
Nine PD patients and nine age-matched control subjects participated in the study. The researchers evaluated the margin of stability and base of support while the study participants walked without cables on a treadmill. Then the participants were hooked up to the TPAD's cables and given waist-pull diagonal perturbations for brief periods to assess their reactions. Each group was then trained with 72 randomly applied pelvic force perturbations that varied in direction ( forward/ backward/ sideways), intensity ( low/ medium/ high), and the specific foot ( right/left) in contact with the ground. After this training period, they walked freely without the cables and underwent the same diagonal perturbations they had been given before training. These [post-sessions were conducted to assess the effects of training on their balance and stability.
The team found that the Parkinson's patients had a reduced stability in the forward direction before and after training compared to the healthy subjects and an inability to produce proactive anticipatory adjustments. Once all the subjects completed the training session, both groups were able not only to improve their response to the perturbations, but also to produce short-term aftereffects of increased gait stability.
'Our data showed that one single session of perturbation-based balance training produced acute effects that ameliorated gait instability in PD patients," says Martelli, the paper's first author. "This result is encouraging for designing new therapeutic interventions that remediate falls risk."
Falls often happen unexpectedly when someone fails to recover from a loss of balance.
While current training methods, such as conventional exercises at the gym, target volitional movements of the body, they do not address the specific neuromuscular skills required for fall prevention.
This novel TPAD provides an insight into the specific mechanisms underlying the propensity of pD patients to fall and the ability to address these specific deficits to train them to avoid falls. The potential impact of such training to prevent accompanying morbidity from the falls and to improve their quality of life is great," Kang says.
Fahn notes, "We believe that new training programs, in coordination with new robotic devices such as Columbia Engineering's TPAD, should be developed where unexpected force perturbations are given to the human subjects in a controlled way that allows the human brain to develop control strategies to respond to these perturbations, maintain balance, and avoid falls.'
The researchers are now planning future studies to examine if a multi-session training program will demonstrate more lasting effects on walking balance, improve function, and reduce the number of falls in long-term assessments.
Some 50,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with Parkinson's disease (PD) every year. The American Institute of Neurology estimates there are one million people affected with this neurodegenerative disorder, with 60 years as average age of onset. Falls and fall-related injuries are a major issue for people with Parkinson's up to 70 percent of advanced PD patients fall at least once a year and two-thirds suffer recurring falls. These fall rates are twice as high as those of adults of comparable age, so improving balance in patients with Parkinson's would provide a major health advantage.
Sunil Agrawal, professor of mechanical engineering and of rehabilitation and regenerative medicine at Columbia Engineering, along with Dario Martelli, a post-doctoral researcher in his group, have been working on this issue with movement Disorders faculty from the department of neurology ayt Columbia University Medical Center, Stanley Fahn, a leading expert in Pakinson's, and Un Jung Kang, division director, and Movement Disorder Fellow Lan Luo. In their latest study, published recently in Scientific Reports, the team looked at whether or not Parkinson's disease affects patients' balance and diminishes their ability to react and adapt to walking with perturbations. The researchers found that the ability to adapt to multiple perturbations or to modify responses to changing amplitudes or directions was not affected by PD; both the Parkinson's and the healthy subjects controlled their reactive strategies in the same way. In fact, both groups improved their unperturbed walking after a single training session with repeated waist pull perturbations.
Agrawal's team, experts in rehabilitation robotics, used a robotic system- Tethered Pelvic Assist Device ( TPAD)- invented in his Robotics and Rehabilitation (ROAR) Laboratory to perform the study. The TPAD is a wearable, lightweight cable-driven robot that can be programmed to provide forces on the pelvis in a desired direction as a subject walks on a treadmill. In an earlier study, Agrawal successfully used the TPAD to improve posture and walking in children with cerebral palsy.
"Most falls in PD are reported during walking, and gait disorders are one of the hallmarks of PD, but previous studies on PD subjects have focused on responses to balance perturbations only while standing," says Agrawal, also a member of the Data Science Institute. "Our TPAD has enabled us for the first time to study how subjects respond to repeated pelvic perturbations during walking, and to characterize reactive and adaptive responses to these perturbations among the young, old, and PD patients."
Nine PD patients and nine age-matched control subjects participated in the study. The researchers evaluated the margin of stability and base of support while the study participants walked without cables on a treadmill. Then the participants were hooked up to the TPAD's cables and given waist-pull diagonal perturbations for brief periods to assess their reactions. Each group was then trained with 72 randomly applied pelvic force perturbations that varied in direction ( forward/ backward/ sideways), intensity ( low/ medium/ high), and the specific foot ( right/left) in contact with the ground. After this training period, they walked freely without the cables and underwent the same diagonal perturbations they had been given before training. These [post-sessions were conducted to assess the effects of training on their balance and stability.
The team found that the Parkinson's patients had a reduced stability in the forward direction before and after training compared to the healthy subjects and an inability to produce proactive anticipatory adjustments. Once all the subjects completed the training session, both groups were able not only to improve their response to the perturbations, but also to produce short-term aftereffects of increased gait stability.
'Our data showed that one single session of perturbation-based balance training produced acute effects that ameliorated gait instability in PD patients," says Martelli, the paper's first author. "This result is encouraging for designing new therapeutic interventions that remediate falls risk."
Falls often happen unexpectedly when someone fails to recover from a loss of balance.
While current training methods, such as conventional exercises at the gym, target volitional movements of the body, they do not address the specific neuromuscular skills required for fall prevention.
This novel TPAD provides an insight into the specific mechanisms underlying the propensity of pD patients to fall and the ability to address these specific deficits to train them to avoid falls. The potential impact of such training to prevent accompanying morbidity from the falls and to improve their quality of life is great," Kang says.
Fahn notes, "We believe that new training programs, in coordination with new robotic devices such as Columbia Engineering's TPAD, should be developed where unexpected force perturbations are given to the human subjects in a controlled way that allows the human brain to develop control strategies to respond to these perturbations, maintain balance, and avoid falls.'
The researchers are now planning future studies to examine if a multi-session training program will demonstrate more lasting effects on walking balance, improve function, and reduce the number of falls in long-term assessments.
CHIRPING BIRDS- EAGLES VS RAIDERS
Here is my pick for the Eagles-Raiders on Monday Night Football, which happens to be Christmas night...
The Raiders have a very slight chance to make the playoffs. But the devastating last-second loss at home to Dallas last Sunday night has got to be crushing for Oakland, who now have to fly across country and play in the Philadelphia cold night.
Oakland's secondary has only intercepted two passes all year. QB Nick Foles can have a field day against their weak secondary.
As always, turnovers will be key. Can't give the Raiders a short field.The Eagles need this game to lock up home field advantage thru-out the playoffs. They can't rely on Green Bay beating Minnesota on Saturday without Aaron Rodgers. Beat Oakland and the birds can rest some of their players against Dallas in the season finale. Then a bye week off before the divisional playoffs begin at the Linc.
Returning home after three weeks, the Eagles should come out flying high. They will feed off the frenzied crowd, a special Christmas present to the fans, a lopsided win on Christmas night.
The Eagles have much to play for, the Raiders have little to achieve on Monday night. Make it Eagles 38 Raiders 17
The Raiders have a very slight chance to make the playoffs. But the devastating last-second loss at home to Dallas last Sunday night has got to be crushing for Oakland, who now have to fly across country and play in the Philadelphia cold night.
Oakland's secondary has only intercepted two passes all year. QB Nick Foles can have a field day against their weak secondary.
As always, turnovers will be key. Can't give the Raiders a short field.The Eagles need this game to lock up home field advantage thru-out the playoffs. They can't rely on Green Bay beating Minnesota on Saturday without Aaron Rodgers. Beat Oakland and the birds can rest some of their players against Dallas in the season finale. Then a bye week off before the divisional playoffs begin at the Linc.
Returning home after three weeks, the Eagles should come out flying high. They will feed off the frenzied crowd, a special Christmas present to the fans, a lopsided win on Christmas night.
The Eagles have much to play for, the Raiders have little to achieve on Monday night. Make it Eagles 38 Raiders 17
PHILLY SPORTS CORNER- SIXERS, EAGLES
* The Sixers lost at home last night to the awful Sacramento Kings, as the 76'ers blew a 16-point lead. They were swept by the Kings this season. And they lose yet another home game to a poor Western Conference team ( They had previously lost in Philadelphia to the Lakers and Suns).
Joel Embiid didn't play again. Back tightness and "work overload management". In other words, he is hurt and he played too much last Friday night in the triple-overtime ;loss to Oklahoma City.There has got to be concern for Embiid's fragile health ( he experienced back problems in college while at Kansas). Two winnable games- against below-average teams like the Bulls and Kings- were lost because Emniid is hurt and he played too many minutes a few days earlier?
The Sixers have a long, long way to go before they become a respectable club, let alone a playoff-caliber squad. I once again question the judgement of the Sixers' doctors. I'm also wondering if Coach Brett Brown is the right guy to lead this Sixer team in the future.
The 76'ers play another home game on Thursday night against Toronto.
* There are many theories out there about why the Eagles' defense has looked so bad the last few weeks. Travel, slacking off in practice, taking the opposition too light, injuries coming back to haunt the defense. Another thought floated around now is that the Eagles' defense is now finally starting to face good, experienced quarterbacks. Russell Wilson, Jared Goff and Eli Manning have carved up the secondary the last three weeks.
It's only going to get worse. The last two regular season games offer Derek Carr and Dak Prescott as opposition QBs. In the playoffs, the Birds potentially will see the likes of Drew Brees, Matt Ryan and/or Cam Newton. If the Eagles make it to the Super Bowl they would probably face Tom Brady or Ben Rothesberger.
The pass rush needs to put more pressure on QBs. The Defensive Coordinator needs to have better game plans and call more blitzes. The secondary needs to cover better and commit less penalties. In front of a home crowd at the Linc hopefully the defense picks it up, starts to shine, forces turnovers and takes control going into the playoffs.
The corner backs need to cover the slant pass better. The linebackers are being exposed with Jordan Hicks in the middle. If the pass rush can't put pressure on opposing QBs, the secondary is left hung-out to dry.
Is CB Sidney Jones ready to play?
The Pro Bowl selections came out yesterday, and six Eagles made the Pro Bowl: Malcolm Jenkins, Todd Ertz, Brandon Brooks, Carson Wentz, Fletcher Cox and Lane Johnson. One can make the case that Brandon Graham and Jason Kelcey could've made the Pro Bowl as well.
The great thing about the 2017 Eagles is that they are a complete team. The quarterbacks have spread the ball around; the three-headed monster of running backs, the rotation of the defensive line have all come into play. Opposing teams can't just key on one or two players.
Depending on what happens in the playoffs, one can argue that Doug Pederson should win Coach of the Year and Howie Rossman should win Executive of the Year.
Joel Embiid didn't play again. Back tightness and "work overload management". In other words, he is hurt and he played too much last Friday night in the triple-overtime ;loss to Oklahoma City.There has got to be concern for Embiid's fragile health ( he experienced back problems in college while at Kansas). Two winnable games- against below-average teams like the Bulls and Kings- were lost because Emniid is hurt and he played too many minutes a few days earlier?
The Sixers have a long, long way to go before they become a respectable club, let alone a playoff-caliber squad. I once again question the judgement of the Sixers' doctors. I'm also wondering if Coach Brett Brown is the right guy to lead this Sixer team in the future.
The 76'ers play another home game on Thursday night against Toronto.
* There are many theories out there about why the Eagles' defense has looked so bad the last few weeks. Travel, slacking off in practice, taking the opposition too light, injuries coming back to haunt the defense. Another thought floated around now is that the Eagles' defense is now finally starting to face good, experienced quarterbacks. Russell Wilson, Jared Goff and Eli Manning have carved up the secondary the last three weeks.
It's only going to get worse. The last two regular season games offer Derek Carr and Dak Prescott as opposition QBs. In the playoffs, the Birds potentially will see the likes of Drew Brees, Matt Ryan and/or Cam Newton. If the Eagles make it to the Super Bowl they would probably face Tom Brady or Ben Rothesberger.
The pass rush needs to put more pressure on QBs. The Defensive Coordinator needs to have better game plans and call more blitzes. The secondary needs to cover better and commit less penalties. In front of a home crowd at the Linc hopefully the defense picks it up, starts to shine, forces turnovers and takes control going into the playoffs.
The corner backs need to cover the slant pass better. The linebackers are being exposed with Jordan Hicks in the middle. If the pass rush can't put pressure on opposing QBs, the secondary is left hung-out to dry.
Is CB Sidney Jones ready to play?
The Pro Bowl selections came out yesterday, and six Eagles made the Pro Bowl: Malcolm Jenkins, Todd Ertz, Brandon Brooks, Carson Wentz, Fletcher Cox and Lane Johnson. One can make the case that Brandon Graham and Jason Kelcey could've made the Pro Bowl as well.
The great thing about the 2017 Eagles is that they are a complete team. The quarterbacks have spread the ball around; the three-headed monster of running backs, the rotation of the defensive line have all come into play. Opposing teams can't just key on one or two players.
Depending on what happens in the playoffs, one can argue that Doug Pederson should win Coach of the Year and Howie Rossman should win Executive of the Year.
Tuesday, December 19, 2017
OLD-SCHOOL WHEELING- FINAL COLUMN FOR NOW
This was my final column for The Phoenix, published 1n 2008..
Final column for now; thanks to my Readers
Dear Readers, This will be my final “Wheeling around Phoenixville” column, at least for now. It's been so much fun writing this column for two years — close to 70 columns!!! At first, I wondered, "What will I write about?" The topics were so narrow. But the stories came easy. Other than digging for stories and doing research, many times, just when I thought, "OK, what can I write about this week that is disability-related?" something would happen in the news, and a story would evolve.
We talked about celebrities and not-so-famous people, who have overcome their challenges in life. We have offered insight, help and advice. My favorite columns to write were showcasing others who have overcome or made the best of their situations - and have tried hard to live life to its fullest. Their special stories inspired me a great deal too
. Stories were brought to light that might otherwise have slipped through the cracks, stories that needed to be shared. I'm proud I was able to bring these stories to you.
My thanks to The Phoenix for running my column for two years. There are magazines devoted to disability issues around, but very few newspapers that have a regular column devoted especially to disability issues. So my appreciation to the editor and the paper.
Most of all, thank you to the loyal readers, who looked forward to the articles every other week. I got many letters and emails, most favorable, from not only local Phoenixville neighbors, but from people across the country, who read the columns on line. I always appreciated your support and comments. I was a bit surprised, but happy, that the articles were so well received.
Your encouragement meant a lot to me. It made me feel good to know that the Wheeling columns were not only inspiring, but educational, interesting and fun too. I hope many of my stories just made you feel GOOD after reading them.
I have shared personal thoughts and feelings (not always easy to do), respected differences of opinion, and hopefully helped you to feel what it is like to go through life as a physically challenged individual. I never intended to speak for ALL disabled people, only from my particular point of view.
They weren't literary masterpieces, that’s for sure - I'm a social worker, not a writer - but they came from the heart. And the writing process gave me a new-found respect for those who write for a living.
Most of all, I wanted to stress ABIILITY over disability. I wanted people to think. I wanted others to see life as I do and know that things can always be worse. I wanted people who were undergoing different challenges in their lives not to give up hope.
I think we succeeded in the two years of columns. We got people thinking and feeling, and hopefully, becoming more sensitive to others.
I wrote my articles for free, as a community-service, giving back to the great people of Phoenixville. I only hope my writing has touched you in some way. If only one story made you think, made you cry, made you smile, and especially, gave you HOPE, then these columns were worth writing.
I never like to say goodbye, so I will just say "so long" for now. Who knows? If something interesting happens in the disability world, maybe The Phoenix will allow me to come back as a "guest columnist?"
I've really enjoyed writing these articles for you. I think the column has helped me just as much as it has hopefully helped you. I've learned about myself a great deal in these two years.
If you see me around town, please say hi. Til then, I hope I have helped, in some small way, the way we all look at others. We really aren't so different after all. We all have a heart and soul. So please, continue to look beyond physical differences and see the good in your neighbor. Treat each other with kindness, respect and love.
Thank you again for the chance to write for you. I hope to see you again sometime.
As always, ‘til we meet again, KEEP ROLLIN’!!!!!!!!!!!
Final column for now; thanks to my Readers
Dear Readers, This will be my final “Wheeling around Phoenixville” column, at least for now. It's been so much fun writing this column for two years — close to 70 columns!!! At first, I wondered, "What will I write about?" The topics were so narrow. But the stories came easy. Other than digging for stories and doing research, many times, just when I thought, "OK, what can I write about this week that is disability-related?" something would happen in the news, and a story would evolve.
We talked about celebrities and not-so-famous people, who have overcome their challenges in life. We have offered insight, help and advice. My favorite columns to write were showcasing others who have overcome or made the best of their situations - and have tried hard to live life to its fullest. Their special stories inspired me a great deal too
. Stories were brought to light that might otherwise have slipped through the cracks, stories that needed to be shared. I'm proud I was able to bring these stories to you.
My thanks to The Phoenix for running my column for two years. There are magazines devoted to disability issues around, but very few newspapers that have a regular column devoted especially to disability issues. So my appreciation to the editor and the paper.
Most of all, thank you to the loyal readers, who looked forward to the articles every other week. I got many letters and emails, most favorable, from not only local Phoenixville neighbors, but from people across the country, who read the columns on line. I always appreciated your support and comments. I was a bit surprised, but happy, that the articles were so well received.
Your encouragement meant a lot to me. It made me feel good to know that the Wheeling columns were not only inspiring, but educational, interesting and fun too. I hope many of my stories just made you feel GOOD after reading them.
I have shared personal thoughts and feelings (not always easy to do), respected differences of opinion, and hopefully helped you to feel what it is like to go through life as a physically challenged individual. I never intended to speak for ALL disabled people, only from my particular point of view.
They weren't literary masterpieces, that’s for sure - I'm a social worker, not a writer - but they came from the heart. And the writing process gave me a new-found respect for those who write for a living.
Most of all, I wanted to stress ABIILITY over disability. I wanted people to think. I wanted others to see life as I do and know that things can always be worse. I wanted people who were undergoing different challenges in their lives not to give up hope.
I think we succeeded in the two years of columns. We got people thinking and feeling, and hopefully, becoming more sensitive to others.
I wrote my articles for free, as a community-service, giving back to the great people of Phoenixville. I only hope my writing has touched you in some way. If only one story made you think, made you cry, made you smile, and especially, gave you HOPE, then these columns were worth writing.
I never like to say goodbye, so I will just say "so long" for now. Who knows? If something interesting happens in the disability world, maybe The Phoenix will allow me to come back as a "guest columnist?"
I've really enjoyed writing these articles for you. I think the column has helped me just as much as it has hopefully helped you. I've learned about myself a great deal in these two years.
If you see me around town, please say hi. Til then, I hope I have helped, in some small way, the way we all look at others. We really aren't so different after all. We all have a heart and soul. So please, continue to look beyond physical differences and see the good in your neighbor. Treat each other with kindness, respect and love.
Thank you again for the chance to write for you. I hope to see you again sometime.
As always, ‘til we meet again, KEEP ROLLIN’!!!!!!!!!!!
PHILLY SPORTS CORNER- FLYERS, SIXERS, EAGLES, NFL FOOTBALL
* The Los Angeles kings snapped the Flyers' six-game winning streak, beating the Orange and Black 4-1 last night. Once again, LA goalie Jonathan Quick was brilliant. He's one of the best net minders in the NHL, and he seems to always play well agains Philadelphia.
The Flyers play one more home game tomorrow night vs the Red Wings, before hitting the road for the holidays for four games. They won't be home until 2018, January 2 against the Penguins.
* The Sixers lost by a slim two points in Chicago. It was the Bulls sixth straight win. Without Joel Embiid, who sat out due to a bad back plus "management overload' ( he played 48 minutes in the triple-overtime loss to Oklahoma City on Friday night).
Again, you can't take this 76'ers team seriously until they stop limiting Embiid. Or is it that Embiid is fragile, and his injury problems will continue thru-out his career?
* The Eagles will start preparing for Christmas night at home against Oakland. Rightfully so, the defense is getting tortured for it's dreadful performance Sunday afternoon. They took the Giants for granted, plus it sounds like the players may have slacked-off in practice as well. Did the third road game catch up to the team/ The travel and west coast journey tire the squad out?
The players need to play and take responsibility for their play. But Defensive Coordinator Jim Schwartz needs to share in the blame. The defense looked ill-prepared and the game-plan sucked. Schwartz turtled-up and refused to blitz Eli Manning, who picked apart the secondary.You gotta put pressure on a quarterback like Manning. One would think Schwartz would know better.
Was Sunday's close game vs the 2-11 Giants another wake-up call? The wake-up call loss in Seattle produced a great effort against the Rams. With the home crowd behind them I look for the Birds' defense to step up during the national game on Monday night and stick it to the Raiders.
My pick will come later in the week. I'm 14-0 picking Eagles games so far this year.
* The Falcons beat Tampa Bay last night, 24-21. Atlanta has it's destiny in it's own hands now. They go to New Orleans this week, then go home to face Carolina. Atlanta, Super Bowl losers last season, would be a dangerous team in the playoffs. Still I would rather face them in the post-season then Seattle. The Falcons getting in would also mean that Dallas sits home.
The way the Falcons can score, I would give them a shot in a wild card game even on the road vs the Rams or Saints.
Finally, the NFL needs to simplify the "catch or no-catch" rule that doomed the Steelers against new England. It has become ridiculous. A catch should be ruled so, whether a receiver doesn't complete the catch once he hits the ground. Why not go back to the way it was years ago, even before replay.Use common sense and trust your eyes. It's no fun for the fans anymore. In fact, it's a turn-off, when the rules become too complicated.
It's no wonder why TV ratings suffer. Between all the stops and commercials, the referees and penalties, and the stupid rules, football isn't fun when stupidity takes over.
The Flyers play one more home game tomorrow night vs the Red Wings, before hitting the road for the holidays for four games. They won't be home until 2018, January 2 against the Penguins.
* The Sixers lost by a slim two points in Chicago. It was the Bulls sixth straight win. Without Joel Embiid, who sat out due to a bad back plus "management overload' ( he played 48 minutes in the triple-overtime loss to Oklahoma City on Friday night).
Again, you can't take this 76'ers team seriously until they stop limiting Embiid. Or is it that Embiid is fragile, and his injury problems will continue thru-out his career?
* The Eagles will start preparing for Christmas night at home against Oakland. Rightfully so, the defense is getting tortured for it's dreadful performance Sunday afternoon. They took the Giants for granted, plus it sounds like the players may have slacked-off in practice as well. Did the third road game catch up to the team/ The travel and west coast journey tire the squad out?
The players need to play and take responsibility for their play. But Defensive Coordinator Jim Schwartz needs to share in the blame. The defense looked ill-prepared and the game-plan sucked. Schwartz turtled-up and refused to blitz Eli Manning, who picked apart the secondary.You gotta put pressure on a quarterback like Manning. One would think Schwartz would know better.
Was Sunday's close game vs the 2-11 Giants another wake-up call? The wake-up call loss in Seattle produced a great effort against the Rams. With the home crowd behind them I look for the Birds' defense to step up during the national game on Monday night and stick it to the Raiders.
My pick will come later in the week. I'm 14-0 picking Eagles games so far this year.
* The Falcons beat Tampa Bay last night, 24-21. Atlanta has it's destiny in it's own hands now. They go to New Orleans this week, then go home to face Carolina. Atlanta, Super Bowl losers last season, would be a dangerous team in the playoffs. Still I would rather face them in the post-season then Seattle. The Falcons getting in would also mean that Dallas sits home.
The way the Falcons can score, I would give them a shot in a wild card game even on the road vs the Rams or Saints.
Finally, the NFL needs to simplify the "catch or no-catch" rule that doomed the Steelers against new England. It has become ridiculous. A catch should be ruled so, whether a receiver doesn't complete the catch once he hits the ground. Why not go back to the way it was years ago, even before replay.Use common sense and trust your eyes. It's no fun for the fans anymore. In fact, it's a turn-off, when the rules become too complicated.
It's no wonder why TV ratings suffer. Between all the stops and commercials, the referees and penalties, and the stupid rules, football isn't fun when stupidity takes over.
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