Veterans Stadium reviews

My brother forwarded me the epinion.com consumer reviews for The Vet. Some good stuff there including:

Is it altogether necessary to beat up a Dallas Cowboy fan at an exhibition game between the Eagles and the Falcons?

Believe me, I think it's important for all of us to acknowledge that Dallas Cowboy fans deserve to be beaten up. But when it comes to doing the actual violence, I have to admit that I think being a fan of the Cowboys is probably punishment enough.

It's stuff like that that makes you proud to be a Philadelphia sports fan.

Off topic news

I'm taking the comments offline temporarily until they're fixed. From the guy that runs the comments service:

I've found the problem, but won't be able to fix it until later tonight. In the meantime, I've taken BlogSpeak down so no one else gets infected. Someone was dropping scripts in the comments multiple times which were running when the comment window would load. This would then take you to another page, which would in turn install bad stuff on your machine. I urge anyone who has had this infection to run some spyware checker (SpyBot works good) and scan for viruses. Thank you for your patience while I work to get this fixed.

I don't think anyone dropped any scripts in the comments here, just science.

The Jets suck

How do you only score 6 points against Dallass at home?

Anyway, the Eagles offense awoke from their estivation as summer became fall and put together a solid game yesterday. Reid apparently listened to WIP alot during the bye, probably to keep tabs on Freddie Mitchell, and inadvertently picked up some coaching tips. 34 rushes to 29 passes, 177 yards rushing, 158 yards passing. McNabb rushed for 47 yards and one play was even a designed rush! Buckhalter touched the ball more than once, LJ Smith caught an important first down early in the game, and Westbrook was featured and secured the win with the long TD run.

The patchwork defense continues to impress emphasizing the importance of Jim Johnson to this team's success. Akers remains the most consistent performer on the team. Mitchell remains the most consistent jackass.

Questions: Is the era of the QB sneak over since McNabb was finally stopped? Will the refs continue to make bad calls in the Eagles' favor? Why did Thrash roll out of bounds after his great catch at the end of the game? Does Westbrook look like Aaron McKie or is that just me? Was the Reebok logo in McNabb's hairdo intentional? Will they beat Washington?

The Vet closed yesterday

Can't say I really care.

Go Cubs!!! Go Cubs!!!

I'm sure Ron, The Blog-Nazi, is going to get mad about me posting stuff about the Cubs, but I'm going to do it anyway.

Why?

Well it occurred to me that really the only thing more hopeless than Philadelphia sports are the Cubs.

And as the Phillies close out their season with a whimper and whole string of losses (and the Cubs are in the playoffs), it seems that Phillies fans could take heart in the ole' Cub moto:

"THERE'S ALWAYS NEXT YEAR!"

The Freddie Mitchell 2 Minute Drill

1. Catch ball
2. Stay in bounds to keep clock going
3. Dance around and waste time
4. Look surprised
5. Run back to huddle late
6. Be last person in huddle
7. Eat up as much clock as possible

ESPN's "experts" favor Bills over Birds

Joe Theismann	Merril Hoge	Sean Salisbury	Mark Schlereth
Bills	Bills	Bills	Eagles
Mike Golic	Eric Allen	Ron Jaworski	C. Mortensen
Eagles	Bills	Bills	Bills

They've been wrong before, namely week 1 and 2. All of week 4 picks here.

Slow sports day

Not much is happening today to talk about. Phillies doing as expected - losing. But they reached their goal for the year right? Playing meaningful games in September. McNabb is back from Arizona. Hopefully he balanced his dogtoys bounced off astro-turf regime with throwing a football through a swinging tire.

So since I am as befeft of creativity as WIP, I will tell you my one great Veterans' Stadium moment.

It was a grim overcast December afternoon during the last century. Two mighty squads opposed each other on the gridiron: Rutgers and Temple. The Vet was rockin' with about 6,000 people. As the game descended into tedium early in the first quarter my friend and I set out on a quest to find one good seat to watch football. We quickly realized there were none but sat near the field in the endzone as the Scarlet Knights plodded toward us. A security guard soon asked to see our tickets. We said, "You've got to be kidding." She said, "Tickets or I'll kick you out." We said, "You're insane." She then called for backup. Not wanting to miss the most scintillating football game of the year we verbally berated her while moving away before back-up arrived.

It was after this incident I vowed to never go to the Vet again. I did sell out however and attended the Rams game last year but my hate has never died even if my vow did. It will be my pleasure to see that craphole imploded.

Relate your tales in the comments.

Iverson, 76er 4 life

Phillynews.com is reporting that Iverson has been signed to a 4 year contract extension.

According to a league source, the Sixers will announce today that Iverson has agreed to a four-year contract extension worth about $76.7 million, a deal that pretty much ensures that the all-star guard will spend the remainder of his career in Philadelphia.

Iverson has this year left and an option year after that before the extension kicks in.

I agree with deal. Iverson has the talent and probably more important to Philadelphia fans has the heart even if he lacks a penchant for practice. It also makes sense financially for the Sixers. In addition to bringing an eager audience to watch on tv and attend games at home and on the road Iverson is a marketing windfall. His being a Sixer has probably sold more Sixers' crap than Dr. J, Barkley, and Scottie Brooks combined.

Lost in all the Iverson hoopla though is the equally important story of the Todd MacCulloch comeback.

Phillies Sucking

How much do the Phillies suck? Larry Bowa sucks, and except for about 2-3 Phillies, all the players suck too. I truly think that the Phillies have the least chance of winning a Championship in the city. Take a look at this picture of a Florida Marlin. When was the last time you saw a Phillie put that into his job?

Bills only favored by 3

9/28 1 PM ET BetWWTS Bet365 Intertops Skybook WSEX Philadelphia Buffalo 41 -3 41 -3 41 -3 OFF 41 -3

•Matchup

Trenton Likes Violence

VOORHEES - Todd Fedoruk's eyes sparkled when he was informed the Trenton Titans are bringing in extra security for tonight's Flyers-New Jersey Devils preseason game at Sovereign Bank Arena.

The "Fridge" remembers a few years back when, as a member of the Titans, he discovered how passionate hockey fans from Mercer, Bucks and surrounding counties can get about the game.

Fedoruk's been roughing it up for a few years in the NHL but when he and minor-league tough guys like Jesse Boulerice patrolled Trenton, the action was no less intense.

"We fought a lot ... the team [the Flyers] wanted us to go down there and work on the physical aspects of our game," Fedoruk grinned. "And that's what we did."

This year's annual preseason game should have even more energy than usual.

The Devils, Philadelphia's cross-New Jersey rival, are making their first appearance. There are only about 700 tickets left available for the game at the 7,600-seat SBA and there should be plenty of support in the stands for both teams.

That's why some extra guards will be on duty.

Flyers coach Ken Hitchcock confirmed yesterday that Fedoruk will be in the lineup. He probably will have his own cheering section.

"We just scrapped a bunch and Trenton really loved it," Fedoruk said of his 17-game stint in 1999-2000. "They had signs for us all the time and nicknames for us. They love hockey there, fighting probably brought a lot of the crowd in. That's why they remember me."

Route 1 is sort of the Mason-Dixon Line between Flyers and Devils countries. Trenton sits right on the border.

"That's the cutoff line," Fedoruk agreed. "They [Titans fans] are rowdy fans, just like Philly fans."

Titans president and general manager Rich Lisk thinks this game will have even more pizzazz than four previous annual battles involving the Flyers and New York Islanders, who shared a working agreement to supply Trenton with players until the Islanders and Trenton parted ways this season.

"Everyone gets geared up when the Flyers come into town," Lisk said. "The bonus of having the Devils against them is always exciting. You hope that one of the guys who played here before [such as Fedoruk] plays and that adds to the excitement also."

When a Todd Fedoruk or Ruslan Fedotenko makes it to the NHL, it gives the Titans both credibility and a boost at the gate.

"It helps us with our recruiting process for the year with our kids," Lisk said. "We can say we put nine guys in the NHL and [former Trenton coach] Bruce Cassidy is now coaching Washington and that can make players want to come here."

Jones guarantees Flyers win Cup this year

At about 8:50AM on WIP former trashcan on skates Keith Jones stated that the Flyers would win the Stanley Cup this year. Asked about the goaltending - "It doesn't matter."

I don't share Jones' sentiment on the Cup or on the goaltending but he and Al Morganti did say that Joni Pitkanen and Jeff Woywitka were the real deal. They added that Pitkanen at times was the best player on the ice and that he could be the next Mark Howe.

Media Whore, Sports Division

"The only person that I respect over there is Howard Eskin."
"Oh, nobody nobody, Howard Eskin is our guy. Bye."

                                             - Freddie Mitchell

While 99.9% of listeners viewed these desperate "slams" as incredibly pathetic and akin to a little child lashing out with an "I hate you!" in a last desperate attempt to "hurt" someone to win an argument, Howard Eskin apparently saw this as a ringing endorsement. So predictably, and since Mitchell saved Howard Eskin from having to re-up his supply of Levitra for another couple days, Eskin returned the favor and endorsed Freddie Mitchell. He liked that "Freddie stepped up" and took the heat off the team. (He's as delusional as Mitchell). He agreed with the "groupie" comments from earlier in the week and said they were accurate and termed the call to Steve Fredericks as a win for Mitchell. Then, not really being able to show that Eagles fans are groupies, Eskin set up the straw man - the 1% minority that cross the line that no one defends - and knocked him down to his own self-satisfaction and aggrandizement.

He then proceeded to tell the rude and obnoxious Philadelphia fans how to act before returning to being rude and obnoxious for the remainder of his show.

Another "groupie" bandwagoneer

This story appeared in the Daily News and Philadelphia Inquirer last week:

When U.S. Air Force senior airman Andrew Sama started packing for the Middle East back in March, he saw his Donovan McNabb jersey sitting there in the drawer. Sama paused for no more than a second before tossing it into his bag.

"I didn't know how long I was going to be over there,'' Sama said yesterday. "I figured if they make it to the Super Bowl, and I'm still over there, I've got to be able to show some pride.''

So that was how Sama, a Vineland, N.J., native and diehard Eagles fan, found himself in Baghdad, with his McNabb jersey, one day early in May.
(snip)
Sama decided to have a friend, National Guard Staff Sgt. Dan Reilly, take a photo of Sama holding his jersey up in front of a Saddam Hussein mural at Baghdad's airport.
(snip)
Sama, 25, called the photo "a little piece of history...something I can show my kids.

As grateful as he was to meet McNabb and other Eagles yesterday, Sama remained a true fan.

He said he was not among the fans who booed McNabb on Sunday.

"I booed the offense," he admitted, "I booed the playcalling."

Doesn't he know Freddie Mitchell is putting food on the table?

F' Mitch

As you can see for yourself, the 2001 draft produced some pretty good receivers. Most* of which have far outperformed Freddie "Total Bust" Mitchell.

8. Terrell, David WR, Chicago Bears
9. Robinson, Koren WR, Seattle Seahawks
15. Gardner, Rod WR, Washington Redskins
16. Moss, Santana WR, New York Jets
25. Mitchell, Freddie WR, Philadelphia Eagles
30. Wayne, Reggie WR, Indianapolis Colts
36. Johnson, Chad WR, Cincinnati Bengals
37. Morgan, Quincy WR, Cleveland Browns
41. Ferguson, Robert WR, Green Bay Packers
124. McCareins, Justin WR, Tennessee Titans
148. Anderson, Scotty WR, Detroit Lions
236. McCord, Quentin WR, Atlanta Falcons

Of course Fred doesn't compare to well to defensive tackles either.

Freddie Mitchell 2003: 4 recept. 31 yds, 7.8 avg, 15 long, 0 TD
Warren Sapp 2003: 2 recept, 20 yds, 10.0 yard avg, 14 long, 1 TD

To be fair, Warren Sapp has played one more game.

*David Terrell sucks too.

Freddie Mitchell jumps out to huge lead in "Ass of the Year" award

After a week of comments bordering on genius, future brain surgeon/rocket scientist (he's so brilliant he could do either) Freddie Mitchell took to WIP's airwaves Saturday to put the icing on his cake.

Steve Fredricks: Lets talk about your use of the word groupie. Can we do that?

Freddie Mitchell: Definitely.

SF: Uhh, I understand what a groupie is, I've been at this since before you were born, so I, I certainly know what a groupie is. Uhh, I certainly know what Eagles fans are. Uhh, to suggest that a fanbase that fills the building game after game after game after game, not just the new stadium, but the Vet and Franklin Field before it. A fanbase that has not tasted a championship in 43 years but keeps coming back, that buys the number of, of, of jerseys and hats and jackets and, and screams E-A...G-L-E-S to they're hoarse..[hey, you know] they're not groupies Freddie and they're there. Cause this team has stunk for the most part.

FM: I, I understand that. And you don't think that were feeling bad because we're losing? You don't think that? I mean dang, we're putting food on the table you know what I'm sayin? We wannna win. You know what I'm sayin? And, and the thing about the situation is I'm saying is that they, they gotta understand what we're going through as players you know. Whatever they're feeling we're feeling 10 times fold. So I mean it, it just don't make no sense. And to be able to analyze it and everything. Steve how many years you have in the league?

SF: I beg your pardon?

FM: How many years have you played ah, national football.

SF: Listen, ah, here's, here's my experience...

FM: I, I, I don't need that. I just need to know how many years. I don't need to know eyah ey ah...

SF: it is, it is they, it is the first escape hatch for [i just want to know] anybody involved in professional sports that doesn't want to deal with the issues at hand to ask the...

FM: I just asked a simmple question. If youre goin' if you're gonna, if you're going to make an analysis and if you've been there. The only person that I respect over there is Howard Eskin because Howard Eskin is actually in the locker room trying to get the scoop. You, I don't even, we don't even know your face we don't even know who you are, you're just trying to get ratings.

SF: (very quiet incredulous yet mocking laughter) Heh heh heh. yeah well...

FM: And guess what Steve I also know, I also, I also know that you're gonna, you're definitely gonna talk bad about me. But I don't care cause I gotta lotta fans that do love me and a lotta fans that are gonna appreciate...

SF: All you gotta do to have all the fans love you Freddie is to catch the stinkin football. That's all.

FM: And and, and if you see that, and it does happen, I don't drop too many balls homeboy so you need to go check the tapes again.

SF: Ok Fred listen, I appreciate the fact that you picked up the phone.

FM: And, and no problem. Make sure, make sure, I want, I want you to accept my challenge. You know what, don't go talking bad about me when I'm off and I cant defend myself. You know, talk about the Philadelphia Eagles...

SF: Well thats why I give the telephone numbers.

FM: Oh, nobody nobody, Howard Eskin is our guy. Bye.

SF: (more quiet incredulous yet mocking laughter) Heh heh heh. Oh. Ok. In that case that explains everything.

I'm really looking forward to his first dropped pass at home. The loving fan support should be tremendous.

As if Eagles fans weren't already alcoholics

Since the Eagles are not making a game out of their contests its time to do it for them.

Eagles Drinking Game
drink one for every return team error
drink one for every 2 yard pass
drink two if the pass is dropped
drink three if it's dropped cause McNabb made it uncatchable
drink one for every reverse/end-around
drink the rest if it's a double reverse
drink the rest if it's a quick sideways pass to Pinkston (aka 2nd and 11 play)
drink 2 for every failed 3rd down conversion
drink one for every yard a McNabb pass sails over a receiver's head

If you die from alcohol poisoning by the second quarter it's not my fault.

Designated Driver Eagles Drinking Game
drink one for every score
drink one for every sack
drink one for every running play

Are the Flyers Ready to Start the Season?

I was waiting all summer for football season to start, and we've all seen how well that went. Now I'm really nervous about the Flyers. There are a lot of question marks surrounding the team, but most importantly, Why is a team that should be a Stanley Cup contender going with a starting goalie who at 35, has had a few streaky seasons of semi-brilliance but he's never played more than 58 games in a regular season and has played in just 12 playoff games over a 13-year career (ESPN.com)? Also it frightens me to hear reports that after nearly a year John LeClair says his shoulder is between 60-70%.

That being said, the first practice game is tonight vs. the Devils at the Wackovia Center. Being evaluated are the young defensive corps, various Phantoms forwards to see if they are ready for the big league, and the effectiveness of the "All-American" line as a unit. The Inquirer has the rest.

McNabb named most overrated

Damn, a couple bad games against the last couple Superbowl winners and Sports Illustrated hammers you. Ok, they were completely awful games but still...

Everybody hits woo-hoo

Phillies win! Phillies win! Nothing could stop the Fightin's from playing baseball today, not even hurricane Isabel with its mighty 5 mph winds and torrential mists. Losing 3-0 then 4-3 the Phillies tied it again in the 7th and Jim "worth every penny" Thome stepped up to bat in the 8th and pounded a ball into the stands for the lead and eventual victory. All that was left to do was send in Mesa to blow the comeback but Cormier remained on the mound and got the win. Where are you Brewers, Phillies need some revenge on you too!

Ok, its obvious I don't really care about the Phillies but what's an Eagles fan to do?

Stealing Money

Freddie Mitchell was Reid's first round pick 3 years ago. He's been a total bust and is what I believe the main reason Reid refuses to upgrade at wide receiver. Reid fears that if he brings someone else in that would be an admittance of failure. And that is Reid's biggest fear isn't it - admitting failure? I never liked Freddie Mitchell and probably never will. He came in with a smarmy false bravado, heaps of phony "Hollywood" charm that works on chumps like Angelo Cataldi, and apparently phony talent and ability too. And now he has decided to tell Philadelphia fans how to be fans saying something like, "The true fans stick with you and don't boo, the rest are groupies that only like you when you're hot."

Hey jackass, you might have noticed the Eagles have sucked for more years than they've been good and have yet to win a Superbowl. The last championship they did win was in 1960 yet the Eagles are the most popular team in town. Maybe someday when you catch more than 1 pass in a game and outproduce Warren Sapp's offensive stats you can tell the fans how to behave.

Eagle's offensive juggernaut

Offensive should be said this way: of·fen'·sive.

29th in total offense.
29th in total first downs.
29th in passing yards per game.
30th in third down %.
30th in time of possession.
31st in turnover differential.
32nd in points per game.
2nd in sacks allowed.
2nd in fumbles.

Ok, to be fair I selectively chose the most damning stats. They are after all 12th in the NFL in rushing yards per game. But then again that's largely due to the few McNabb scrambles. On the whole Andy Reid's "offensive genius" appears to be a myth.

Phillies next "honeypot"?

So with the Phillies 14-0 win over the usually invincible Marlins they moved to within a half game of the wildcard. Is this just another sad example of a Philadelphia team teasing you, taking you to the edge, and then at the moment that should be ecstacy turning it into the most painful possible disappointment, screwing it all up and sending you plummeting into a bottomless abyss (until next season)?

Philadelphia Championship Clock

You may have noticed the new "feature" of willweeverwin - the Philadelphia Championship Clock. The clock is a rip-off of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists' Doomsday Clock. But instead of reflecting the state of international security, the Championship Clock will attempt to reflect the state of Philadelphia sports franchises and their collective chance of achieving a championship. Currently the clock is 10 minutes to midnight and running in reverse.

Cause for hope or despair

Everyone that has class hates the Cowboys and the Giants. But who to hate more last night? Is the Cowboys' win a cause for hope in that it means the Giants are not that good or is it a cause for despair because the Cowboys might be better than expected and now the Eagles will lose to them for the first time in 5 years?

Eagles favored to not lose

9/21 - 9/22 BetWWTS Bet365 Intertops Skybook WSEX Bye Week Philadelphia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

ha ha.

Proof of Principle.

There is this idea floating about that McNabb either isn't a very accurate short yard passer or he is the wrong person for the West Coast Offense. Detmer came in and threw 2 passes at the end of the game that surpassed McNabb's two most accurate passes in his last 4 games. WTF.

Either McNabb has

1. ADD
2. poor eyesight and needs glasses
3. lost his mind and needs a shrink.

Regardless of all of that, I think they should bench his $115 million 'fro.

"It's really sad." - Correll Buckhalter

Paraphrased Governor Rendell: "I'm an optimistic person. I always try to look on the bright side of things. The Eagles have the best field goal kicker in the NFL."

Rendell' sardonic quip summed it up nicely after watching McNabb inexplicably continue his descent to the lithospheric levels of his fellow QBs from the class of '99 as he and the offense turned in another execrable performance. The "new offensive weapons" of Buckhalter, L.J. Smith, and Jon Ritchie were once again as absent as a clue is to Andy Reid. Asked, "What's wrong with Donovan?" in the post-game press conference Reid replied o'matter o'factly, "Nothing is wrong with Donovan."

Uh huh. 18-46, 186 yards, 2 interceptions, 2 fumbles, 45.1% completion rate and a 33.4 QB rating vs. the Patriots.

The running game was once again ignored. Buffalo didn't do too bad last week against the Patriots rushing for 104 yards and 2 TDs on 33 attempts and teams ran all over New England last year. Westbrook and Staley combined for 11 attempts and 46 yards yesterday.

Pathetic.

MISC:
Only one team in NFL history has lost its first two games at home and made the playoffs. The Colts did it in the 1987 strike season. A few highlights - Akers 57 yard field goal, Buckhalters run after his one catch, the mock cheer for the offense when McNabb went long to Pinkston.

Vent in the comments.

Sept. 14 vs. Patriots

ESPN's so-called experts have spoken. Now let's hear from the real experts.

Make your prediction, score and all in the comments.

Boomer lowers the boom

Yeah, terrible headline but check out Esiason's column on last week's poor passing performances:

But with [McNabb's] inaccuracy, lack of spontaneity and overall body language, nearly 70,000 fans and I were shocked by his performance. Philadelphia is a city that is used to Allen Iverson's all-out play and hustle; it had to be extremely frustrating and disappointing for Eagles fans to watch McNabb's less-than-inspiring performance.

Only Jake Plummer ranked worse than McNabb, but Denver won that game didn't they? Oh yeah, they were playing the Bengals.

ESPN's "experts" favor Eagles vs. Patriots

Joe Theismann	Merril Hoge	Sean Salisbury	Mark Schlereth
Patriots	Eagles	Patriots	Eagles
Mike Golic	Eric Allen	Ron Jaworski	C. Mortensen
Eagles	Eagles	Eagles	Eagles

I wonder if Mortensen ever played for the Eagles. All of week 2 picks here.

More bad news for Eagles

From the Eagle's site: Dawkins out 2-6 weeks with a "mild Lis Franc (sic) sprain". Bobby Taylor (foot strain) and defensive end Brandon Whiting (hamstring) have been listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against New England.

This Lisfranc thing, named for Jacques Lisfranc de St. Martin, is what caused Staley to have surgery and miss 11 games 2 seasons ago. It also sidelined the mighty Rod Smart.

I think the offense has to score this week.

Jaws answers my request

Watching the crapfest that was the Eagles offense on Monday I wanted to know who was suckin' more - McNabb or the receivers. TV is humanity's greatest gift to itself but it does have some limitations, namely the inability to show the audience whats going on downfield past 10 yards. You would hope replays and the fat lumps in the booth would help out and shed some light on the mysterious unseen rest of the field but there seems to be only enough time to talk about how sometimes you gotta dump water from the waterbottle on your head instead of in your mouth. And you would especially think they would focus on this because of McNabb's penchant for throwing 3 yard passes over and over and over and over again.

Well Ron Jaworski took the initiative and watched the tape and wrote an article.

"I'm not buying the notion that these receivers can't get open. Look, I saw Billy McMullen run a 'go' route and he was 8 yards beyond the cornerback. The corner sat on the route and McMullen ran right by him. The ball wasn't delivered to him. Todd Pinkston runs a deep cross from the '3' spot -- from the right side to the left side -- and he was 20 yards in the open. 20 yards! Those are designed plays, big plays in the making and the ball was not delivered.

This reinforces the article written in the Inquirer 2 seasons ago that said pretty much the same thing. McNabb is not getting it done but the receivers shoulder the blame.

Eagles favored by 5.5 vs. Patriots

9/14 4:15 PM ET BetWWTS Bet365 Intertops Skybook WSEX New England Philadelphia 37.5 -5.5 37.5 -5 OFF -5.5 37.5 -5.5 37.5 -5.5

•Matchup

As Mo dee Fo says in some comments, "It's hard to believe that two teams who haven't scored all year will combine for more than 37."

Andy Reid is an instrument of his own destruction

Here's what I am talking about.

He has gotten rid of anyone that has had any balls (Trotter, Huge Douglass, Brian Mitchell, and even Al 'Flagrant Foul' Harris) and has always shied away from signing players that have anything remotely close to either a personality or set of balls.

So what happens? You get a team that has no soul, and when they face adversity they either don't care or wilt up like little pansies ala last night against Tampa Bay.

That's what I'm talking about.

Andy Reid's genius

Last night's Eagle's Postgame Live poll results:

Reason Eagle's Lost:
93% Reid's play calling
4% Passing game ineffective
2% Tampa's defense just too good
1% Running game ineffective

The Daily News also has a poll. (Scroll down)

The worst aspect of the Eagles play last night was the:
Horrible overall game plan 72.7%
Poor passing game 10.9%
Nonexistent running game 5.8%
Lack of a pass rush 4.9%
Inability to sustain any long drives 4.7%
Play of the special teams 0.5%
Bad coverage in the secondary 0.4%
TOTAL VOTES: 550

Has Reid's luck run out or is Tampa really that much better?

Birds lay g00se egg

Man the Eagles sucked.

• Eagles have lost every first game in new facilities in their history.
  
• Eagles were 2 of 11 on third downs.
  
• Buckhalter 1 carry, 0 yards.
  
• Staley 7 carries, 14 yards.
  
• McNabb 19-36 148 yards, 1 interception.
  
• 0 sacks.
  
• Superstar Freddie Mitchell 1 catch, 15 yards.
  
• Fat slob Warren Sapp 1 catch, 16 yards.
  
• Special teams - weak.
  
• Refs took only a few minutes in new stadium to blow their first call.
  
• It took nine months to devise a 1:07, 3 play drive that gained 2 yards.
  
• No team has been shut out in home opener and gone on to Super Bowl.

Post your comments on the debacle.

Redskins?

Redskins looked "decent" last night. Are they still the patsy opponent we've all come to love, like when battling Dallass on Monday Night Football for title of worst team in the NFL, or are they actually a formidable foe again? I say they're better than average now but no real threat unless the Eagles sleep, like they used to do once a season versus the Cardinals.

Phillies post:

Who is better looking:

(A) Larry Bowa
(B) Mike Schmidt
(C) Pete Rose
(D) The Right Field post at the Vet

Eagles favored by 3 early

9/8 9:00 PM ET BetWWTS Bet365 Intertops Skybook WSEX Tampa Bay Philadelphia 35.5 -3 36 -3 OFF -3 35.5 -3 36 -3

•Matchup

Will the phillies suck more than they already do?

I don't really care about baseball but for those that do, will the Phillies make the wildcard? Do the deserve to? How bad is Jose Mesa?

Predict the Eagles season

Below is the eagles 2003 schedule. What has been unanimous is the disagreement on how the eagles will do. I see 9-7, but with luck maybe 10-6. Give your breakdown in the comments.

Sep 8 Tampa Bay
Sep 14 New England
BYE WEEK
Sep 28 at Buffalo
Oct 5 Washington
Oct 12 at Dallas
Oct 19 at NY Giants
Oct 26 NY Jets
Nov 2 at Atlanta
Nov 10 at Green Bay
Nov 16 NY Giants
Nov 23 New Orleans
Nov 30 at Carolina
Dec 7 Dallas
Dec 15 at Miami
Dec 21 San Francisco
Dec 27 at Washington