- Coach Doug Pederson acted very defensively at his Monday press conference, after the Eagles' stunning choke to Carolina Sunday afternoon at the Linc. Rightfully so, the media questioned his play-calling and the woeful 4th quarter defense. Pederson took on an attitude of, "You're not the coach..we know better..you don't know what it's like unless you are in our shoes..We won a Super Bowl, so we know better..Just shut-up."
I like my coaches/managers to be honest, not smart-ass. Stop with the excuses of "We're only talking about a couple of plays and we would be 5-2 instead.."
You are what your record says you are. Should've, could've, would've...The fact is that the Birds are 3-4 and deserve to be 3-4. The fact is that the defense did suck in the 4th quarter for whatever reason. The fact is that Pederson's play-calling was awful at the end of the game. The fact is that Carson Wentz choked in the final minutes. The fact is that the team seems not as motivated and hungry after winning the world championship.
- Now that Dallas got WR Cooper from Oakland for a 1st round draft pick to bolster their offense, the birds need tos seriously think about obtaining corner back Patrick Peterson from Arizona. Peterson wants out of Arizona and I anticipate the brutal Cardinals starting a fire-sale soon, ala the Raiders, and trading assets for draft picks. Peterson is an A-Pro and would be the shut-down corner Philly needs so bad, especially now that an explosive weapon like Cooper is in the NFC East.
It is reported that the Eagles offered a 2nd-rounder for Cooper last week. Cooper is still young ( only 24) and in his first two seasons has earned 1,000-yard seasons each year. He will make the cowboys better, and the Birds certainly could've used him.
They still need a speedy wide receiver. GM Howie Rossman needs to make a move to improve the club, and may be even more motivated to do so after watching his team implode against the Panthers.
- The Eagles are off to London on Friday morning. It won't be as pleasant of a trip, with the defending Super bowl champs having a losing record. Luckily they have a bye next week to rest. A loss against Jacksonville in England would be a tough pill to swallow before they return home on Sunday night, November 11th vs. Dallas.
- The inconsistent Flyers lost at home again last night, falling to Colorado. Again, this squad isn't going anywhere without a No. 1 true goalie and a different coach. Can't GM Hexstall and Flyers' management see that?
- The Dodgers and Red Sox play Game 1 of the World Series tonight in chilly Boston. Both teams are filled with stars. LA has the experience while the Sox won 108 games and recently defeated the defending world champion Astros to reach the Fall Classic. The only time these two franchises have ever met in a World Series was back in 1916 when the Brooklyn franchise wasn't even known as the Dodgers yet.
I like Boston in six games. I expect a split at Fenway park, with the Red Sox winning two of three at Dodger Stadium this weekend.
Having the Dodgers back in the World Series is magical and reminds me of being a baseball fan as a kid. Back then it seemed like LA was always National League champs, with Koufax and Drysdale pitching. Despite the fact that the St. Louis Cardinals have actually won more titles than the Dodgers, the Dodgers still have a certain mystique about them, going form their Brooklyn days with Newcombe and Jackie Robinson, to Koufax, Garvey, Hershiser and now Kershaw. Dodger Dogs, Dodger blue, Tommy LaSorta and Vin Scully. All the celebrities in the stands at Dodger Stadium every night. The pitcher's mound in Dodger Stadium being so high, too high but rarely questioned.
Having the Red Sox in the World Series reminds me of the 60s with Carl Yaztremski, Tony Coligiaro and Jim Rice. It reminds me of the ball going between Bill Buckner's legs against the Mets in the 80s, of Pedro Martinez and their very first world championship after so many years, even before my time, of Carlton Fisk and his famous home run vs the Big Red Machine, Pete Rose and Cincinnati in the 70s, to the great Ted Williams.
I haven't watched much of the playoffs but I think I will check out the series between two great teams and historic organizations.
Lastly, it will be interesting to see if Chase Utley is available and active to play. It wouldn't be a bad thing to see Utley get another ring before he retires.
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