Monday Morning Mehta 11/29/04

Edition # 95
November 29, 2004

The Eagles clinch the NFC East with an eerily similar game to last weeks victory, after beating the Giants 27-6. The Eagles now face a statement game next week against the Green Bay Packers before pretty much taking a month off to get ready for their first playoff game, likely to be the weekend of January 15th.

Game Positives (Live from Giants Stadium):

a. Special Teams play. I think the Eagles were primed for a loss, but David Akers was money on multiple long field goals, a special teams blocked punt by Jevon Kearse, and overall good play by this unit made sure the Eagles didn't lose.

b. Quintin Mikell. Probably the play that saved the game with his interception in the 2nd Quarter in front of Jeremy "I am overrated and I dance and celebrate after my first 26 yard catch, then I only catch one more ball for 5 yards the whole game" Shockey. A terrible decision by Tom Coughlin not to run the ball on 1st and goal from the 3 yard line. Coupled by a poor pass from Eli Manning. Sorry for the run on rant on Shockey.

c. Defensive unit. The defense hasn't let up a TD the last two games after being much maligned a few weeks ago. Corey Simon had his best game of the year and hopefully all the fat comments he's been receiving has motivated him. Simon won't get a + until he strings a few of these games together.

d. Brian Westbrook. Once again the Eagles were an effective 6 for 13 on third down conversions. Not that Westbrook gets all of the 3rd down conversions, but having him on the field is a weapon. Perfect use of Westbrook yesterday. 18 rushes, 5 catches. 23 touches on offense is perfect. Also, I don't mind putting him back there on punt returns the next few weeks. He'll be the man running key punts back in the playoffs, get him used to doing that again.

Game Negatives:

a. Eli Manning. I generally put Eagles players here but Manning was just flat awful. He had about 3 decent passes the whole game, but besides that looked like a deer in headlights.

b. JUMP ON THE BALL!!! It kills me when players don't pounce on the ball, but instead choose to try to pick it up and run. Jevon Kearse who had an otherwise good game was guilty of this yesterday

Other game notes:

I thought Donovan McNabb struggled once again early. He rebounded to have another decent game. No interceptions but he did lose a fumble.

The Eagles will get tested next week against a very good running team in the Packers. Eagles fans should want Ahman Green to be healthy so the team can get an idea as to where it is at. The defense has played well, but the Giants & Redskins aren't exactly offensive juggernauts.

Remember when winning the division actually meant something? All Eagles fans care about now is a first round bye & home field advantage.

Very disappointed in Giants fans. There was very little life in the stadium, granted, the weather was absolutely awful an hour before kickoff. It was hurricane-like, but still, your team may make the playoffs, show a little life!

Also, I'm surprised that weak punch by Barrett Green was all Jeremiah Trotter got in retaliation for the shot on Jeff Feagles earlier in the year which was replayed over and over again.

Around the NFL

Some wild games this weekend, probably the craziest being the Bengals vs. Browns. 58-48! I'll say this, Browns fans were absolutely right. Kelly Holcombe should've been the starter on this team from Game 1, they should've never signed Jeff Garcia. Ultimately, that is going to cost Butch Davis his job as he will be fired at the end of the year.

Speaking of bad off season moves, the Redskins (Mark Brunnel is done, and Clinton Portis has been very ineffective) lose another low scoring game, this time to the Steelers who just keep on rolling. The Steelers run the ball and they stop the run better than any team in the NFL. Two sure fire ways to get to January. Bill Cowher has a lot to prove in January though.

In a 'statement' game, the Patriots beat up on the Ravens 24-3. Admittedly, the Ravens were without Jamal Lewis.

I've been trying the last few weeks to keep track of AFC vs. NFC matchups to see just how big the discrepancy between leagues is. Last week the AFC was 4-1. This week, the AFC was 5-1 including a few trouncings that should tell you alot. Buffalo absolutely manhandled Seattle in Seattle. Buffalo is going to be team to be reckoned with for years to come once they get a legit QB (J.P. Losman?). Also, in the battle for the # 1 pick of the draft, the Dolphins beat the 49ers in SF. Conclusion: The discrepancy isn't big, it is enormous.

Michael Vick to Alge Crumpler is becoming a phenomenal tandem. Vick once again played well yesterday and beat the Saints. Speaking of which the Saints really need to fire Jim Haslett.

The Chargers continue to roll as they beat the lowly Chiefs 34-31. The Drew Brees/Phillip Rivers situation is absolutely comical.

In the I'll eat crow department, what has happened to Matt Hasselbeck? If he doesn't turn it around I was completely misguided about this guy. I really thought he looked great last year, played very well in the playoffs versus the Packers, and I thought he was ready to step up and be a top 10 QB in this league. Granted, the Seahawks drop a ton of passes, but whether it be injuries or just a step backwards, Hasselbeck has been pretty bad this year.

One last note, watching Peyton Manning is becoming comical. Again, all these records he's breaking won't mean too much unless he, just like McNabb, takes the next step.

NBA - Derreck Sura

-The Sixers played well this week (2-1), and moved up to 2nd place in the Atlantic Division at 6-7. Coach Jim O'Brien pulled the shock of the week by replacing Kenny Thomas in the starting lineup with free agent signee Josh Davis. The move makes sense when you consider that KT was #252 (out of 269) in the initial +/- (see definition below) rankings on 82games.com (great site for numbers junkies) at -16.5. KT only played 17 total minuets this week, including a DNPCD Friday afternoon against Washington. While Davis averaged 20.3 minutes, 7.3 points, and 4 rebounds per game this week. Josh's numbers for the week are strikingly similar to the 22.9 mpg, 6.7 ppg, and 5.8 rpg KT averages for the season. 82games.com also details the performance of the top 20 most used 5-man units on every team (fantastic stuff!). Philly's best 5-man unit is Allen Iverson, Andre Iguodala, Kyle Korver (6th overall in the league at +29.2), Davis, & Marc Jackson at +25, followed by AI, John Salmons, KK, Corliss Williamson, & M Jax at +23. Ironically, the Sixers' worst 5-man unit is AI, Willie Green, AI2, KT, & M Jax at -36, which was the starting lineup to open the season. I agree with Obie, a change was in order. Saturday night's game in Orlando (11/27) marked the beginning of a 22 of 31 stretch on the road for the Sixers that ends on 1/29. The stint includes 5 straight roadies (11/27-12/6), 8 straight (12/22-1/7), and finishes with 5 of 6 on the road (1/19-1/29). However, the run includes a home stand of 5 out of 7 (12/8-12/20) that offers a slight breather. In case you are a casual Philly fan, that planned on getting around to watching the Sixers at some point this season, my suggestion is, don't wait too long. It's possible that by the time Philly gets back from this trip they could have dug themselves too big a hole to escape from, even in the East. The Sixers' make or break section continues this week @San Antonio, @Memphis & @Houston (back to back). Even though some of those teams are struggling right now, 1 win would be a satisfactory week.

+/- Explanation: The on court +/- number represents the team's net points with the player on the floor per 48 minutes, while the off court number is the team's net with the player off the floor per 48 minutes. The Roland Rating is the difference between the two, with a positive number indicating the team has played better with the player than without.

-I feel that the "Malice at the Palace" debacle has overshadowed a very positive trend happening early in the NBA. Play has been more free-flowing, and scoring has been up league wide. Last year only Dallas (105.2) and Sacramento (102.8) averaged over 100 points. This season Phoenix (106.4), Washington (101.9), and Sacto (100.3) cross the century mark nightly. No big deal you say? Well only 4 teams scored 98 ppg or more last year, that has doubled to 8 this season. Even more impressive is the whopping 19 teams that average 95 ppg this season, as opposed to merely 8 last year. Need more proof? Last year only 4 clubs shot above 45% from the field. The season it's up to 8. Commissioner David Stern deserves some credit for making it "a point of emphasis" to have officials call fouls on the perimeter that impede a player's progress. Translation? Refs should call fouls by the book when it comes to half court defense. That's why the officials get the most credit, because, so far, they have done just that. Moving picks are now called regularly. A defender having his hands on a ball handler or cutter is no longer allowed. The players have adjusted, and suddenly offense has become easier to play. As much as I love how this new "emphasis" has been working, I am still very skeptical that the refs will keep it up all year long and into the post season. The norm is for the zebras to allow a little more contact starting in the last month of the season and continuing on into the playoffs. Here's to hoping that doesn't happen. For the good of the game.

-Speaking of scoring, it's time to recognize the Seattle Supersonics for their league best 13-2 record. I'm a little hesitant to do so because last season Seattle started 6-2, then went 31-43 the rest of the way. Two years ago the Sonics jumped out 8-2, then went 32-40 the rest of the season. I'm actually expecting more of the same this year, but I must give credit where it's due. Seattle is 4th in the league in scoring (98.5 ppg), and 1st in 3 point shooting (39.5%). They have 4 players in the top 35 in 3 point percentage, and 3 players in the top 11 in 3 pointers made. None of that is a shock. The surprises are the Sonics being 6-2 on the road (16-25 last year), leading the league in rebounds allowed (35.9 opp rpg), and being #3 in rebound differential (+3.7). Those are some impressive numbers for a team that relies on the jump shot, specifically the 3-pointer, as much as they do. The combo of Reggie Evans (9.2 rpg) and Danny Fortson (6.8 rpg) has provided just enough toughness on the interior, and Seattle's top 3 scorers are all shooting above 45% from the field. The NBA season is a marathon, not a sprint, and that's why it's easier to make jumpers early on, with fresh legs, before the daily grind of the NBA takes it toll. I expect Seattle to eventually fade in the very tough Northwest division, but that won't change the fact that I love to watch them play. GO RID!

-On Thursday Hubie Brown (the reigning coach of the year) resigned as head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies (5-9) sighting unnamed medical issues, and a lack of "the spirit that gives you the passion on a daily basis". I can't say that I blame him. The team was not playing as hard for him as it did last year, and the opposition was well prepared for the problems his 10 man rotation (2 teams of 5) presented. GM Jerry West didn't help matters by not improving the team over the summer, and the loss of team leader James Posey (sore left foot) just 3 games into the season was probably the last straw. I have no problem with Hubie stepping down if his health is really the problem, but I've seen the Griz play a few times this year, and I think it's more an old man (71) that no longer sees his players listening or caring. Meaning to Hubie, that maybe his guys have tuned him out. In which case, it WAS time to go, but don't play the health card on your way out Hubie, you're better then that. Interim coach Lionel Hollins received no "new coach bounce", as Memphis lost it's first 2 post Hubie contests. Mike Fratello (better known as "The Czar of the Telestrator", as coined by broadcasting legend Marv Albert) is rumored to be The Logo's next choice as head man. The Czar is a former Brown assistant, but he's not near as player friendly as Hubie was. Fratello has always been a coach that believed in defense first too. In looking at the Grizzlies' roster, I don't see many defense first guys, other then the injured Posey. What I do see is a lot of potential problems for the Czar. Players like Jason Williams, Stromile Swift, Bonzi Wells, Earl Watson, and even Mike Miller may not embrace Fratello's defensive style on the court, or his control freak nature away from it. It will be up to Jerry West to show the players that Fratello is the one in charge by making the necessary changes to the roster that will give the Czar his best chance to win. I see a messy transition coming in Memphis, which will leave them too far behind to make a serious push for the playoffs in the West. Some quick hits from around the league:

-After having some more time to think about the suspensions from the brawl in Detroit, Ben Wallace should've received 10 games, and Jermaine O'Neal 15. Ron Artest and Stephen Jackson got what they deserved, although I'd like to see Artest back for the playoffs if possible.

-The Sacramento Kings (8-5) may only go 8 deep on most nights, but their starters can still play at a high level when needed. -Utah (8-6) lost consecutive home games this week to New Orleans and Chicago, giving both teams their first victory of the season. Against the Hornets (1-11), Andrei Kirilenko (my boy) missed 2 free throws with :04 seconds left, and the Jazz down 1. AK-47 then missed a tip in at the buzzer of Gordan Giricek's last second jumper as Utah lost 75-76. Then, versus the Bulls (1-10), AK-47 fouls out with 4:47 to go in the 4th quarter, and the Jazz lose 99-101. Could there be a MMM jinx?

-The Nets (2-11) announced this week that they will use some 30 minute post game concerts in a bid to boost attendance. GM Rod Thorn said, "The combination of NBA basketball and top flight musical entertainment has been a proven commodity throughout the league." How about not blowing up a perennial Eastern Conference contender as way to improve attendance? Just an idea.

-This quote comes to you a week late, but Houston (6-9) coach Jeff Van Gundy seems to agree with me on the cause of the Rockets' problems. "You as another coach, would be saying, 'That coach has no clues what he's doing', so that's what I'm saying when I look at myself. C'mon. Losing two games - like that. I'm as much of the problem when I want to be part of the solution. To me, that is an absolutely poor job of coaching. If I can just let that go, then I should not be coaching. I'm not sure after watching the last two losses I should be, anyway."

-Did you notice that a 7-6 record puts you in last place in the Northwest, while a 6-6 record is good enough for first place in the Atlantic? *Disclaimer: All statistics, with the exception of team records, do not include Sunday's games.

NHL Week in Review By: Ed Wasser

- This will be a short one this week. Xzibit and the boys from MTV's 'Pimp My Ride' showed up to pimp out my '94 Honda Accord. They added a fish tank, a large screen TV, a wet bar, a urinal, a pool table, and an obstacle course. I wanna thank all the boys at West Coast Customs for pimping my ride!!! On we go......

- Quick update on the NHL labor negotiations...........................................................any questions?

- From the 'Timing is Everything' department. On July 22 of this year some football players from North Penn High School got into a huge fight with some football players from Central Bucks West. (For those from other parts of the world these two high schools are bitter rivals located in Bucks County, Penna.) Anyhow, the roots of the fight stem from some bad blood the kids acquired for each other during a summer time passing camp. The brawl occurred in the parking lot of Central Bucks West High School and the North Penn kids completely beat the crud out of the badly out numbered CB West kids. Jaws were broken, kids got concussions and one kid had his head kicked like a football while unconscious. Ouch!! The cops came and arrested the kids. So the trial happens and of course every kid claims that they were just innocent bystanders and someone else is to blame yada, yada, yada. Last Monday the judge was scheduled to render his verdict. What happens over the weekend? Ron Artest goes bananas and Clemson and South Carolina do battle. During the reading of the verdict the judge references these two incidents right before he says "GUILTY!!!!!!" and implies that these kids better duck because he's going to throw the book at them in order to set an example.

- It took a loooooooooooooong time but David Stern has finally had enough. It started with the league coming down on Vince Carter and not allowing him to wear his head phones during warm ups. Then Stern banned all hats and do-rags from being worn by players during post game press conferences. There is talk about a league wide dress code for players coming to and leaving games. Currently I believe hockey is the only sport that requires all players to wear a suit and tie on game day. This Artest mess may have some good come out of it. If it's the last thing Stern does he wants to make sure he restores some class to the NBA.

- One thing I'm good on.....OK so the video shows that Ron Artest attacked the wrong guy when he went into the stands. The guy he attacked was just some innocent bystander and not the guy that actually threw the beer. Side note....I gotta admit it, the expression on that guy's face as Artest was running after him was priceless. He looked like he was on safari and a rhino started charging him. At any rate, now I gotta hear friends and various other Ed Wasser hanger oners telling me 'I would have kicked Artest's ass!!!' Ummmm, no you wouldn't have. Artest is 6'7", 246 lbs. and he's coming at you with fire in his eyes and people think they could've taken him? No chance. Any person would've cowered like a frightened turtle and repeated 'think of a happy place!!' over and over until Artest moved on. Any person would've had that 'I hope that's Sheppard's pie in my knickers' look in there eyes. Except me of course.