Today's Eagle Fact: Brian Dawkins
Brian Dawkins is one of the most beloved Eagles in team history. Not only did he play safety with distinction in Philadelphia for 14 seasons, delivering crunching hits ad making big plays, but he was also a team leader who instinctively captured the spirit of the city.
Fast enough to cover receivers and also fierce against the run, he was the complete package- a four-time first-team All-Pro and a nine-time Pro Bowler. He was selected for the NFL's All-Decade team for the 2000s and deserves to be elected to the Hall of Fame.
Note: This year's honorees into the Pro Football Hall of Fame will be announced on Saturday night. hopefully B-Dawk is in!
Answer to yesterday's quiz- Dick Vermeil-
1. During his first training camp, Vermeil complained that a local fireworks extravaganza celebrating the nation's Bicentennial was a disruption and wanted it stopped.
2. Three. Mike Boryla, Roman Gabriel and Ron Jaworski
3. QB John Sciarra and wide receiver Wally Henry. Both eventually played for Vermeil with the Eagles in 1978.
4. Only Andy Reid with five from 2000 to 2005.
5. Seven winning seasons, seven losing seasons and one even. Vermeil had four winning season out of seven in Philadelphia.
Friday, February 2, 2018
THIS DAY IN SPORTS HISTORY- FEBRUARY 2
Super Bowl Weekend
Biggest upsets at the Super Bowl-
Super Bowl Losing Favorite Pts. Winning Favorite Score
III Colts 18 Jets 16-7
XXXVI Rams 14 Patriots 20-17
XLII Patriots 12 Giants 17-14
IV Vikings 12 Chiefs 23-7
XXXII Packers 11.5 Broncos 31-24
XXV Bills 7 Giants 20-19
Biggest upsets at the Super Bowl-
Super Bowl Losing Favorite Pts. Winning Favorite Score
III Colts 18 Jets 16-7
XXXVI Rams 14 Patriots 20-17
XLII Patriots 12 Giants 17-14
IV Vikings 12 Chiefs 23-7
XXXII Packers 11.5 Broncos 31-24
XXV Bills 7 Giants 20-19
Thursday, February 1, 2018
IN MY LIFE-THE SNAKE KING BY RICK SPRINGFIELD-ALBUM REVIEW
* star (out of four )
I like Rick Springfield's music, since the innocent "Jesse's Girl" days. I always thought he was an underrated guitarist and songwriter. It's been unfair that Springfield has been judged by Springsteen's greatness.
I saw Springfield for the first time in concert twice last year, first in Atlantic City solo, then in December with Richard Marx in Bethlehem. Both shows were fun.
When he mentioned a new album soon called "The Snake King" I looked forward to new Springfield music, as I enjoyed the country-ish-sounding rock-a-billy sound of his previous album, "Rocket Science."
After listening to "The Snake King" I was impressed how different it sounds, more blues, with a touch of hard rock, pop and country sprinkled in. Mostly gritty, hard-driven blues.
Springfield is better than ever on guitar on the new record. His now gravelly voice is perfect for such a hard-edge, bluesy album. The music is great. It's the lyrics that suck.
Most of the time, Springfield's words are clever and amusing and thoughtful. Of course, he has always sang about love and sex, and has commented on social issues, not afraid to express his opinion. For that, I give him credit.
But "The Snake King" is so over the top on religion and how much Springfield feels God and Jesus aren't real, that it wears on you and begins to turn you off to the point where you feel, OK, enough already- lighten up!
I know Springfield went through a really depressing time last year after his mother died. maybe he went off the deep-end, as he claims he was close to suicide. That's when he wrote most of this album, and it's darkness shows big time.
There are some really catchy songs on the album, including the opener, "In The Land of the Blind" and the follow-up song, " The Devil That You Know." There are a lot of references to the devil, Lucifer, and demons. I know Springfield played Satan in the TV series "Supernatural."But it seems like every song mentions the devil, or not believing in God. In fact, another song is called "Santa is an Anagram" ( for Satan).
It's almost disturbing how hard Springfield is screaming to say something, that he practically forces whatever message he is trying to convey down your throat with every song.
The music is good, and Springfield's guitar-work is top-notch, but the overall message is a total turn-off. I admire his energy and the fact he does put out new music often ( Billy Joel, take note). Hopefully his next effort is more light-hearted and Springfield doesn't take himself so seriously.
PHILLY SPORTS CORNER- EAGLES, SIXERS, FLYERS
* More Eagle notes..
- Coach Doug Pederson called practice yesterday "sloppy" and "not sharp." Hopefully this is due to rust and not over-confidence at the Super bowl. Pederson had the team practice with pads on leading up to the playoff games against Atlanta and Minnesota. no pads this week.
I get it, giving the players a rest after a long season, but why change what was working?
- It's great that the Eagle players are loose and having fun in Minneapolis, as long as it translates to the field on Sunday. Both Fletcher Cox and Brandon Graham wore kelly green Wrestling-type masks in a bizarre news conference yesterday. The masks were given to them by a Mexican reporter, assuring them "superpowers" if they wore the masks.
- Former Packer quarterback Brett Favre will address the team Saturday morning. Favre and Pederson were friends and played together at Green Bay. Favre can give some advice about what it's like to play in big games, that's for sure. Hopefully Nick Foles doesn't take Favres' advice too stringly, as Brett has a tendency to be a gunslinger and throw untimely interceptions.
- Maybe it's a good thing the NFL didn't allow the Eagles to open up the Linc for the Super Bowl after all. It would've been interesting to see just how many fans would've shown up to bond and celebrate with each other, but the NFL didn't want 60,000 fans in the stands and not in front of their TV sets at home.
The forecast is for a nasty weather day on Sunday with snow changing to heavy rain at night.Instead I'm sure there will be thousands of Super bowl home parties. The bars and restaurants will be jam-packed. And even fans who aren't die-hards will have the game on.
- More Super Bowl predictions: Ray Didinger, Phil Martelli, Dick Vermeil are among assorted Philadelphians picking the Eagles to win. It's pretty much going as expected. Those with Boston ties are taking the Patriots on Sunday. Ross Tucker, former NFL lineman, is taking New England. Most national pundits are favoring the Pats.
Most feel it will be a close contest, as were all previous New England Super Bowl games. I like the Birds by six, 23-17.
New England was the second-best in football this season in not turning the ball over. Only 12 lost fumbles or interceptions in 2017. But they also don't force turnovers, as it's a wash. Turnovers, playing with a short field, ball control, and limiting penalties will all be key.
* The Sixers lost their third game in a row last night in Brooklyn, losing to the lowly nets. After a nice run which got the team over .500 and into playoff contention, the 76ers are slipping again. I've said it before- the team will only barely make the postseason, if a tall, and coach Brett Brown will be fired at the year of the season.
The Sixers play Miami at home on Friday night, Indiana on the road on Saturday, before playing a five-game home stand before the NBA all-star game.
* The Flyers returned from their all-star break with a 5-3 loss at Washington last night. After getting off to a 2-0 1st period lead, the Orange and Black saw the Capitols reel off five straight goals before Philly tallied the final goal to make it 5-3.
The squad next plays in New Jersey tonight against the Devils.
- Coach Doug Pederson called practice yesterday "sloppy" and "not sharp." Hopefully this is due to rust and not over-confidence at the Super bowl. Pederson had the team practice with pads on leading up to the playoff games against Atlanta and Minnesota. no pads this week.
I get it, giving the players a rest after a long season, but why change what was working?
- It's great that the Eagle players are loose and having fun in Minneapolis, as long as it translates to the field on Sunday. Both Fletcher Cox and Brandon Graham wore kelly green Wrestling-type masks in a bizarre news conference yesterday. The masks were given to them by a Mexican reporter, assuring them "superpowers" if they wore the masks.
- Former Packer quarterback Brett Favre will address the team Saturday morning. Favre and Pederson were friends and played together at Green Bay. Favre can give some advice about what it's like to play in big games, that's for sure. Hopefully Nick Foles doesn't take Favres' advice too stringly, as Brett has a tendency to be a gunslinger and throw untimely interceptions.
- Maybe it's a good thing the NFL didn't allow the Eagles to open up the Linc for the Super Bowl after all. It would've been interesting to see just how many fans would've shown up to bond and celebrate with each other, but the NFL didn't want 60,000 fans in the stands and not in front of their TV sets at home.
The forecast is for a nasty weather day on Sunday with snow changing to heavy rain at night.Instead I'm sure there will be thousands of Super bowl home parties. The bars and restaurants will be jam-packed. And even fans who aren't die-hards will have the game on.
- More Super Bowl predictions: Ray Didinger, Phil Martelli, Dick Vermeil are among assorted Philadelphians picking the Eagles to win. It's pretty much going as expected. Those with Boston ties are taking the Patriots on Sunday. Ross Tucker, former NFL lineman, is taking New England. Most national pundits are favoring the Pats.
Most feel it will be a close contest, as were all previous New England Super Bowl games. I like the Birds by six, 23-17.
New England was the second-best in football this season in not turning the ball over. Only 12 lost fumbles or interceptions in 2017. But they also don't force turnovers, as it's a wash. Turnovers, playing with a short field, ball control, and limiting penalties will all be key.
* The Sixers lost their third game in a row last night in Brooklyn, losing to the lowly nets. After a nice run which got the team over .500 and into playoff contention, the 76ers are slipping again. I've said it before- the team will only barely make the postseason, if a tall, and coach Brett Brown will be fired at the year of the season.
The Sixers play Miami at home on Friday night, Indiana on the road on Saturday, before playing a five-game home stand before the NBA all-star game.
* The Flyers returned from their all-star break with a 5-3 loss at Washington last night. After getting off to a 2-0 1st period lead, the Orange and Black saw the Capitols reel off five straight goals before Philly tallied the final goal to make it 5-3.
The squad next plays in New Jersey tonight against the Devils.
EAGLES FACTS AND TRIVIA
Eagles Fact: Dick Vermail
Number five on the list of Eagles winning coaches is Dick Vermeil, but he is likely tops in the hearts of most Eagle fans. Vermeil wore his heart on his sleeve and demonstrated every day how desperately he needed to win.
He was a screamer, but he also clearly loved his players- to a sentimental degree at times. He took over a terrible team and rebuilt it into a Super Bowl squad. Moreover, he took a special interest in defeating the Cowboys.
Dick Vermeil quiz-
1. What ticked off Vermeil on July 4, 1976?
2. How many quarterbacks started for Vermeil in his seven seasons in Philadelphia?
3. What passing combination led Vermeil's UCLA team to a 1976 Rose Bowl victory?
4. How many Eagle coaches since Vermeil have taken the team to four straight postseason appearances?
5. In his 15-year NFL coaching career, how many winning seasons did his teams record?
Check back tomorrow for the answers!
Answers to yesterday's quiz- Brian Westbrook
1. Tom Woodeshick appeared in 111 games for Philadelphia, four more than Westbrook.
2. Westbrook's 426 receptions are followed by 300 by LeSean McCoy and 275 by Duce Staley.
3. One, for 25 yards to Todd Pinkston in his third game on September 22, 2003 against the Cowboys. He only threw one other pass in his career, an incompletion in 2009.
4. Byron played defensive back for the Redskins from 2009 to 2011.
5. Westbrook was released by the Eagles, due to his record of injuries and concussions, in march 2010. in August, he caught on with the 49ers for one last season.
Number five on the list of Eagles winning coaches is Dick Vermeil, but he is likely tops in the hearts of most Eagle fans. Vermeil wore his heart on his sleeve and demonstrated every day how desperately he needed to win.
He was a screamer, but he also clearly loved his players- to a sentimental degree at times. He took over a terrible team and rebuilt it into a Super Bowl squad. Moreover, he took a special interest in defeating the Cowboys.
Dick Vermeil quiz-
1. What ticked off Vermeil on July 4, 1976?
2. How many quarterbacks started for Vermeil in his seven seasons in Philadelphia?
3. What passing combination led Vermeil's UCLA team to a 1976 Rose Bowl victory?
4. How many Eagle coaches since Vermeil have taken the team to four straight postseason appearances?
5. In his 15-year NFL coaching career, how many winning seasons did his teams record?
Check back tomorrow for the answers!
Answers to yesterday's quiz- Brian Westbrook
1. Tom Woodeshick appeared in 111 games for Philadelphia, four more than Westbrook.
2. Westbrook's 426 receptions are followed by 300 by LeSean McCoy and 275 by Duce Staley.
3. One, for 25 yards to Todd Pinkston in his third game on September 22, 2003 against the Cowboys. He only threw one other pass in his career, an incompletion in 2009.
4. Byron played defensive back for the Redskins from 2009 to 2011.
5. Westbrook was released by the Eagles, due to his record of injuries and concussions, in march 2010. in August, he caught on with the 49ers for one last season.
POST 1,000 !!!!!!!!
This is post 1,000. I started this blog in October 2016, and here we are, a thousand posts in. It's been fun doing all the trivia, reporting the news in the disability world, sharing thoughts to ponder, reviews of movies and concerts I've attended, and all of the sports topics which I love.
The blog is especially fun now that the Eagles are in the Super Bowl. Predicting the games each week this fall has been great, and i went 18-0 picking Eagle games ( let's hope for one more Eagles victory this Sunday).
I'm still not sure if anyone is actually reading the posts daily, but I'm still having a blast posting every day. Hopefully someone is reading, and if so, I thank you for taking the time to read the blog every day.
There is always news on the disability front. I have more memories to share and exciting events planned to share this year. And our Philly sports scene is hot right now, with the Birds on the verge of winning their first Super Bowl and the Phillies soon to start spring training in Florida.
I know the site isn't flashy and full of videos like some other blogs. But it's free and I try to keep it simple yet fun. Hopefully the reader finds the topics interesting and worthy of discussion with others,which is the whole point of the blog.
So, onward to post 2.000 !!!!!!!!
THIS DAY IN SPORTS HISTORY- FEBRUARY 1
Canton and Bust
"Old # 64 chose...a gentle jog, fast enough to prove I was alive, slow enough to savor the cheers. They washed over me. They warmed me. I knew I could live without them but I loved them."
- Jerry Kramer
"Old # 64 chose...a gentle jog, fast enough to prove I was alive, slow enough to savor the cheers. They washed over me. They warmed me. I knew I could live without them but I loved them."
- Jerry Kramer
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