Monday Morning Mehta 11/22/04

Edition # 94
November 22, 2004

Eagles - NFL

The Eagles just keeps on rolling as they dispose of the putrid Washington Redskins 28-6. The Eagles now stand 9-1 and with a victory next week against the NY Giants clinch the NFC East.

Positives:

a. Offensive Distribution/Running the ball. 31 rushes, 28 passes. Perfect distribution. Let's keep it this way. I refuse to give Todd Pinkston a much coveted positive, but seeing other guys pick up the slack while Owens was being blanketed by double teams was a nice thing.

b. Stopping the run. While the Redskins are certainly putrid, stopping Clinton Portis is no small feat. The Redskins were held to 51 yards rushing and overall never really got anything going on the ground. Jeremiah Trotter, Ike Reese, Michael Lewis, Sam Rayburn, etc. all had nice games. Nothing spectacular, but that wasn't required against this team.

c. Brian Westbrook. The Eagles are just flat better at converting third downs with Westbrook on the field. The Eagles were 9 of 13 yesterday which is incredible. Keeping Westbrook fresh, healthy all while keeping him sharp should be a goal for the rest of the regular season. Also, anyone else notice Westbrook runs the best between the tackles? Traditional thinking says run him wide but he seems to get lost in between the tackles and shoots out like a dart.

Negatives:

a. Anything that happened the first 35-40 minutes of play. The 2 minute drill at the end of the first half was a joke. The team came out with intensity in wanting to stop the run, but a silly penalty by Lito Sheppard & Ike Reese's facemask gave the Redskins an early lead. Todd Pinkston also nullified a nice run by Westbrook with a stupid hold.

b. McNabb running around like a madman. I guess we saw yesterday what can happen on the other end of Donovan buying time. On Monday Night he made a play for the ages. Yesterday, he got clocked by a defensive lineman from behind. I don't think I want him doing that too much more.

c. Injuries. Can we play one game where someone doesn't get hurt. Artis Hicks will have an MRI today, keep your fingers crossed. Steve Sciullo sounds like an actor on the Sopranos.

Game Notes

Exactly what happened on the punt early in the 2nd Q? Dexter Wynn and Westbrook were thoroughly confused. Lito Sheppard looks good running back punts but he looks to me like he's ready to drop every punt.

Somebody please calm Freddie Mitchell down. This guy is out of control.

I didn't give McNabb a positive because the offense was a little too helter skelter in the first half and the 2 minute drill was just a debacle, but he did have his 4th 4 TD passing game this year. His 22 TD / 5 Int. ratio is by far the best of his career. Not turning the ball over (only 8, 5 int's & 3 fumbles) is making McNabb once again a top notch QB.

Again, I'm loving Levens as the short yardage back. Keeps Westbrook from having to get hit on those 1 yard plays right into the line.

It is looking like Corey Simon and Darwin Walker have officially been replaced by Sam Rayburn and Hollis Thomas. Simon has been awful this year, as Brian Baldinger put it on the broadcast, "He's fat and out of shape". BTW, speaking of awful how bad are Sam Rosen and Brian Baldinger.

Around the NFL

Some very boring games around the NFL this weekend but there were a few interesting points:

The Steelers keep rolling as they beat the Bengals 19-14. There are two stats I always look at in NFL games, turnovers and 3rd down conversions. Ben Roethlisberger has had a knack of converting 3rd downs, and once again the Steelers were 8 for 18 which is excellent.

Eli Manning's debut was against an excellent defense in the Falcons. The Falcons are amongst the leaders in the NFL in sacks and many thought it was a bad time to put in Manning. Manning clearly was making an attempt to get rid of the ball early, sometimes a little too early, but he was only sacked once. He made some nice throws and almost brought the team back and the Giants probably would've won if it weren't for Jeremy Shockey (and Amani Toomer) dropping so many passes early on. Expect some nice development here in the second half of the year. Also, it was funny to see Carlos Emmons get called for a roughing the passer penalty late in the game which essentially ended any chance of victory.

It looking more and more like the Eagles and Falcons are heading towards a collision course, but you know my mantra, the real season doesn't start until Thanksgiving...note the Packers are starting to emerge as a third team.

You may want to rethink eating Turkey on Thursday in between football games. The 2nd game is Chicago at Dallas, it's going to be hard keeping food down watching that slop.

Peyton Manning and the Colts offense going bonkers. Manning is well on his way to break Dan Marino's TD in a season record of 48 (Manning has 35 thru 10 games). Being the next Dan Marino probably isn't what Manning necessarily wants though. Super Bowl rings is the goal here.

Last week I mentioned how different the AFC and NFC is and this week only made it worse. Aside from the Packers beating the Texans, Denver beating up on New Orleans, Indy killing Chicago, Ravens beating up on Dallas, and Buffalo absolutely trouncing the Rams should tell you all you need to know. The AFC is just better than the NFC this year. That means nothing as far as the Super Bowl winner is concerned, but 9-7 is looking like a lock to make the playoffs in the NFC and don't be shocked if 8-8 gets in.

As noted above, the Packers continue to roll as they take of the Houston Texans last night 16-13 on a game winning FG by Ryan Longwell. Favre was a passing maniac last night as he threw for well over 300 yards. Ahman Green was injured which should be of huge concern to Pack fans. I wish the Eagles had Grady Jackson.

Game of the Week next week: Baltimore at the Patriots. Lets see what these Ravens got.

One note on the NBA brawl. I loved the swift, severe, and quick decision made by David Stern. If this were Bud Selig we'd have a decision one month from now.

Speaking of baseball there's tons of rumors but not too much action as of yet in free agency. The Phils re-signed Corey Lidle which is scary considering they have four starters now not counting Brett Myers (Wolf, Padilla, Floyd, Lidle). I really hope they don't re-sign Eric Milton but if Matt Clement agrees to file for arbitration with the Cubs, Pavano starts a bidding war with the Yanks/Sox, the Phils may have no choice.


NBA - Derreck Sura

-I'd rather not write about the brawl that was "Motown Madness", but I since I cover the NBA, I can't let my loyal MMM readers down. First off, I felt like Ben Wallace's initial reaction to Ron Artest's foul was a little over the top. I know it was a 15 point game, with only :45 seconds to go, and while Artest's foul may have been unnecessary, I don't feel it was a dangerous play in the least. Big Ben was just pissed because the Pistons got their ass handed to them by their most hated rival. The Detroit fans were definitely feeling the same thing, and sensing their leader's frustration, were primed and ready to release their aggravation on the Indiana players. With that out of the way, there is absolutely no excuse for charging into the stands like a ravenous pack of wild dogs. That's why Artest being suspended for the rest of the year (73 games) is warranted. No matter if Ben Wallace (suspended 6 games) was out of line or not, the situation does not explode if Artest stays put on the scorer's table.

Commissioner David Stern surely wanted to make an example of Artest, but don't think for a second that Ron's past transgressions with the league didn't play a role in ending his season. It was also good to see that Stephen Jackson (30 games) and Jermaine O'Neal's (25 games) suspension's were equally stiff. I think the players now get the message that the league won't stand for altercations with fans in the stands. As for on the court, this devastates the Pacers' title hopes. Artest was Indiana's best perimeter defender, and second option on offense. There is no replacing the intensity he brings to the floor each night. J.O. will return on 1/15 (plenty of rest for his left foot) against Orlando, and Jackson on 1/26 for Washington. Since Indiana will have both of them back for more then half of the season, they should still be able to make the playoffs in the East, but the next 2 months are going to be a real test of Rick Carlisle's coaching ability. The Pistons have struggled recently without Big Ben, but he will be back starting in December, and Detroit should coast to the #1 seed in the East.

One last comment on this whole sordid situation, imagine if it would've happened in Philadelphia? The chatter from the national media would've been never ending.

-The Sixers going 0-3 for the week was to be expected. Philly sits at 4-6, which drops them to 4th place in the Atlantic Division. In the 5 games since 11/12 starting PF Kenny Thomas has been scoring 5.2 points in 20.2 minutes per game. Over that same stretch reserve PF Corliss Williamson has been averaging 13.2 points in 24.4 minutes of play. Good thing KT is locked up through the '09-10 season, when he will be 32 years old. What was GM Billy King thinking two summers ago when he decided that he wanted the Sixers to start a 6-7 PF for the next 7 seasons? Anyway, this will be a very interesting week for Philly with Boston, Washington, @Orlando on the slate. All those games are against teams that the Sixers will be competing against in the Eastern Conference playoff race. Whether Allen Iverson's bruised right elbow allows him to play or not, this week will be a good early season barometer as to where Philly stands. If the lose 3, win 3, lose 3 trend continues, the Sixers should go undefeated this week. 2-1 would be good enough for me.

-The Dallas Mavericks (8-3) have been one team that has impressed me in the early going. The loss of PG Steve Nash has not hurt near as much as anyone thought it would, mainly because Jason Terry and rookie Devin Harris are an improvement on the defensive end over Nash. Likewise, the departure of offense first guys like Antawn Jamison and Antoine Walker has greatly improved the Mavs team defense by giving the all around games of Josh Howard and Marquis Daniels a chance to shine. Although C Erick Dampier's numbers (8.5 ppg, 7 rpg, 1 bpg in 24.7 mpg) aren't impressive, his mere presence in the middle has allowed Dirk Nowitzki to play strictly at his natural PF position. Even notorious gunner Jerry Stackhouse has accepted a secondary role to Dirk while long time starter Michael Finley recovers from a sprained right ankle. Dallas was 28th in points allowed last year (100.8 ppg) and 27th in opponents FG percentage (45.9%). This year the Mavs are giving up 97.4 points per game (18th overall) and holding opponents to 41.9% shooting (5th). If Dallas continues to play defense at that level, combined with their depth and scoring ability (5th in point differential at +8.2), they could be the dark horse in the West.

-Keeping with the Texas theme, the Houston Rockets haven't looked very good to me. I know they are 6-6, and it's still early, but they play an Eastern style of ball in the Western Conference. The Rockets only score 88.7 points per game (27th overall) and shoot 43.4% from the field (19th). Their defense has been great (#2 in points allowed and tied for first in opponents FG%), but I worry about their star players' injuries. Yao Ming's left elbow obviously causes him pain on certain plays. He is unable to be strong with the ball, whether it be grabbing a rebound in traffic, or finishing a move on offense after contact. Tracy McGrady's right hip/groin strain is not a good sign for someone with chronic back issues either.

For my money, it's on coach Jeff Van Gundy to get this team to mesh as the season progresses. JVG has never been big on adjusting his coaching style to fit his players strength's. You need look no further then Steve Francis' re-emergence in Orlando this season from career low numbers he suffered through under JVG last year. I see T-Mac struggling at times trying run JVG's slow down offense without freelancing too much, which is the same thing Francis had problems with last season. JVG has got to find a way to blend T-Mac's skills in the open floor, with Yao's post presence, or Houston is going to have difficulty making the playoffs in the ultra competitive West.

-It's looking like another long year in Chicago, where the Bulls are off to an 0-8 start. It all started to go wrong on draft day 2001 when former GM Jerry Krause traded Elton Brand to the Clippers for Tyson Chandler and Brian Skinner. It continued on 2/19/02 when Krause dealt Ron Artest, Brad Miller, Kevin Ollie, and Ron Mercer to Indiana for Jalen Rose, Travis Best, Norm Richardson, and a 2nd round pick. In my eyes, those two deals, along with the selection of Jay Williams (#2 in 2002), are what led to Krause's resignation on 4/7/03, and set the franchise back years. Artest, Brand, & Miller would've been a very formidable front line, and now it's time for their replacements, Chandler and Eddy Curry, to be traded. The sooner the better too. I know other teams employ scouts, but Curry and Chandler need to be dealt before their value sinks any lower. If I'm current GM John Paxson I don't stop with trading Jalen Rose, Donyell Marshall, Lonny Baxter, Roger Mason, Jamal Crawford and Jerome Williams, to go along with the buyout's of Jay Williams and Eddie Robinson. I finish the house cleaning by unloading Curry and Chandler to get rid of the last remnants of that losing/Krause mojo. The reason I say that is because the Bulls have some nice young players in Kirk Hinrich, Luol Deng, and Andres Nocioni, that don't need to be tainted by the "losing mentality" that has permeated the locker room in Chicago. Parlaying Curry and Chandler into something good, combined with Antonio Davis' 13.9 million coming off the books after next season, and Bulls fan's could finally have something to look forward to when the '06-07 campaign begins.

NHL Week in Review By: Ed Wasser

- Just so we're all on the same page the reason I haven't been writing anything about the NHL labor talks is because there isn't one thing to report. There are no talks, no plans, no meetings, no talks to plan any meetings, no negotiations, no proposals exchanged, no nothing. The only thing that has happened recently was the player's association had a meeting with the NHL agents and told them what's going on which is.....(see sentence 2). Boils down to salary cap vs. luxury tax. One takes money from the players and one takes money from the owners, it's as simple as that. But at least I can write about the other sports and pop culture, the people I feel sorry for are the writers at 'The Hockey News'. Every week my copy of 'The Hockey News' arrives with a report about the how the labor negotiations are going (see sentence 2) followed by fascinating articles about how NHL referee Bill McCreary installs kitchen cabinets in his spare time and how the Rockford Ice Hogs of the United Hockey League broke their previous attendance record of 3,500. Wow, I get articles like that and for only $80 a year!?! A bargain at twice the price!!

- Ever since the Terrell Owens/Nicolette Sheridan controversy people have been begging me for my opinion on the subject. Well.......not really. I just have three things to say about it. First, when this season is over and the Eagles highlight video comes out.......get the director's cut. Second, if you listen quietly you can hear the sound of the ABC executive that thought of the idea giggling at the huge raise he just got. And third, a caller to WIP was asked if he was offended by the whole Owens/Sheridan thing and without skipping a beat he says "the thing I was most shocked about was seeing Billy McMullen's jersey on TV".

-The NHL announced that they are canceling the All-Star Game. Who would have figured that would happen? Another thing...HEY EVERYBODY!!! MAN LANDED ON THE MOON!!! - Allright, one more thing about the TO controversy. The NFL and the Eagles both are running away from this thing trying to act like they had no idea what was going down and now they're outraged. I raise the obvious question....if that's the case and nobody knew what was going on then how did TO know when and where to show up for the shoot? Oh I see, the 'Desperate Housewives' fairy emerged from a jellybean field and whispered the call time and location to TO and Nicolette Sheridan. Come on guys, give us a little credit.

- The new 'most exciting two minutes in sports' is the Bill Parcells post game press conference after a huge embarrassing loss. It's like watching a 7 year old playing with a quarter stick of dynamite while drinking Jack Daniels....you have to watch the press conference with one eye closed, through your hands clutched to your face because you know that an explosion is imminent. The most beautiful thing is that the Dallas media is in on it. They ask him questions meant totally to enrage Bill knowing that a great sound bite is just a "what in the world were you thinking with that play call" away. - "I don't enjoy waking up in the morning (after drinking all night) and being like, ahhhh man I think I have to apologize".

- Landon (Real World : Philadelphia). On that note we are fastly approaching the one year anniversary of one the greatest moments in the history of sports.....the Joe Namath/Suzy Kolber drunken sideline interview. In case you've forgotten the majesty the interview can be easily found on the internet and, as they say when animated Disney movies are re-released, see it again for the first time. Watching the drunk Namath straaa...GAH...ling to talk then telling Kolber "I want to kiss you" as he leans in to make his move works on so many levels. The most obvious level is the pure comedy of it. I heard it again on 'The Howard Stern Show' last Thursday and I just about had tears running down my face. But the best level is the 'there before the grace of God go I" level. How many of us were thinking 'I could totally see myself doing that'. That's something were you wake up the next morning and think 'please tell me I dreamed that'. Ahhhh...Broadway Joe, we've been there buddy. We feel your pain!!!

- One last thing about the TO/Nicolette Sheridan thing then I'll drop it I swear. You gotta love all the people in the media and on the news bitching about the piece being aired early on the West Coast claiming, I don't know, that if a child sees it his eyes will melt or whatever. Then said media type will say 'in case you missed it..HERE IT IS' followed by a re-running of the piece. I'll bet 80% of the people that saw the thing didn't see it live, they saw a re-run.

- Here we go...the Pacers/Pistons battle royale. A few thoughts. First of all I'm so depressed that I missed what may have been my one and only chance to take a free punch at Larry Brown. DAMMIT!!! Second, I don't care what anyone else says, any fan that runs on the court, ice, field, whatever, is fair game and deserves whatever he gets. Chris Russo on WFAN was saying 'that's like saying I'm fair game if I go to a bad neighborhood at 4 AM'. No it's not. You go on the court and it can only be considered a threat. I don't know what this says about me but I was secretly hoping the punk that ran on the court would get his ass kicked. Third, I guess Saurin is right, never leave a game early. You never know when Ron Artest is going start throwing punches and if you happen to be on the recieving end of one of those babies...CHA-CHING!!! Back up the Brinks truck baby!! We're talking NBA money!!