* Hopefully the Eagles had a nice Thanksgiving Day with their families, as they prepare to face the Chicago Bears. They had played the last two Thanksgivings.This year they could sit back, enjoy the holiday, knowing they are the best team in pro football.
It was so great to see the Cowboys continue to crumble. If the Chagrers didn't have an injured kicker and went fort two-point conversions like the Eagles did last Sunday vs Dallas, the score would've been even worse. 28-6 was the final score. Until the Cowboys scored a 4th quarter touchdown, they went a total of ten quarters without a TD,a team record.
Dallas falls to 5-6, in real danger of not making the playoffs, coming off a 13-3 season. Analyst/ex-Cowboy Tony Romo tried to rational things at the end, thinking Dallas still had a shot. They don't, especially when chaos reigns both on the field and off in Big D.
Meanwhile, Los Angeles (Romo got annoying yesterday when he kept referring to the Chargers as "San Diego") is also 5-6 but are going the other way. In the AFC West, with Kansas City sliding, anything is possible. LA has two home games coming up and can make their case for at least a wild card spot in the playoffs.
Minnesota defeated the Lions in the traditional Turkey Day game in Detroit, 30-23. The Vikings have a three-game lead in the NFC North now, with only five games to play. The Lions are about done for the division, but can still make noise for a wild card berth, holding a 6-5 record.
Washington beat the hapless Giants, 20-10, in the night game The Redskins are 5-6, technically still alive for a wild card, but realistically not. New York continues to play out the string, counting the days until their head coach is fired.
So, with Minnesota now 9-2, and New Orleans 8-2 (playing the 7-3 Rams in LA on Sunday), I think it's good for the Eagles to have other teams breathing down their neck going into the playoffs. It will keep the Birds motivated not to take a team like the Bears for granted. Every win counts towards the goal of securing a bye and home field advantage in the playoffs.
I would fear the Saints more, if only because of their great QB, Drew Brees. Playing in Philly against the Saints, in the January cold, would be big for the Eagles, as the Saints are tough in the Superdome. Minnesota has a better defense but no where near the weapons the Birds have. The inexperienced Rams, a warm-weather team, would probably be the easiest team to play in the NFC playoffs.Right now, the Falcons and Panthers would be the wild card clubs, both experienced and dangerous.
I still like the Eagles on Sunday, 24-7.
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* There's a report out that, if Chase Utley retires, he may come back to the Phillies organization as a bench coach to new manager Gabe Kapler. It would be a popular move, both with the players and the fans. I'm not sure if Utley is ready to officially retire. He's a free agent, and after coming off of a sub-par season. he may be ready to call it quits.
Still, his family is from Southern California. Why would he come back to Philly, just to stay in baseball? It's an interesting idea, however, as Utley is well-known for his work ethic and game-preparation, and could easily rub-off on the young Phillies players.
While we are a tit, why not bring back two other former Phillies?
Carlos Ruiz is a popular guy who would do well, not only with the Spanish-speaking players, but with the catchers and pitchers (I"m especially thinking of catcher Jorge Alfaro). Chooch hasn't retired yet either, but if he's leaning that way, the Phils organization should make a deal with him quickly.
Cole Hamels is a free agent after this season, if the Texas Rangers don't pick up his option ( doubtful). He still loves Philadelphia, he will be 35 but could be the left-handed veteran presence on a young staff. The Phillies need to at least consider it.
Hamels was in town recently, and coincidentally, it was the same day pitcher Roy Halliday tragically died in a plane crash. Hamels spoke later that night about Doc If the money is right, and the Phillies express interest, I don't see why Cole couldn't finish his career in Philly?
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The Flyers play their annual and traditional Black Friday game this afternoon, this time taking on the New York Islnaders.
The Orange and Black have lost six in a row, and 11 of 15 games. A coaching change is on the horizon, which I agree with. But the Flyers will never win a Stanley Cup without a true No. 1 goalie.
I know they have a ton of young net minders on the way from juniors. Hopefully one of them will step up and be the guy. Until then, they keep patch working their situation in front of the net. Brian Elliot is another average goalie, like Steve Mason was. And Michael Nirwurth is nothing special.
The GM, Ron Hextall, is an ex-goaltender, so he should know how important it is to have a true No. 1 guy in net every night. Granted, they aren't easy to find, but how many years has it been since the team had a reliable goalie? Mistakes continue to be made (such as bad free agent signings and trades - think Bobroski in Columbus)..
Until the Flyers organization finally gets a No. 1 goalie, they are not going to hold a parade down Broad Street anytime soon.
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