Monday Morning Mehta 9/13/05
Edition # 131
September 13, 2005
Eagles/NFL
Eagles lose a tough defensive battle 14-10 to open the season to the team they beat in the NFC Championship last year. Let's breakdown the game:
Negatives:
- Jeremiah Trotter. I know football is an emotional game. But the Eagles should be above this kind of stuff. They beat the Falcons 27-10 last year in the NFC Championship game. They should take the "we don't talk smack until after the game" approach ala the Patriots. I really hated this tussel early in the game which got Jeremiah Trotter and Kevin Mathis tossed, but admittedly I thought the Eagles would still win. Anyway, Andy Reid should address this. I hate to say this because I'm not sure if it's true, but I don't think Bill Belichick would stand for that.
- David Akers. Let's face it, if Akers makes those FG's that he missed, the Eagles probably win the game.
- Donovan McNabb. His stats on paper won't look bad but McNabb didn't look too good. Admittedly, he had a man in his face most of the night, the Falcons front four was awesome. But there were too many times where McNabb waited too long, didn't run (lick Vick) and too many turnovers (three). I hate that we'll never know if Donovan was really injured, like early in 2003 where the Eagles just hid the injury while McNabb played like arse.
- I promise you I won't harp on this too much, because we've covered this over and over again in this column. But 45 throws versus 14 runs won't win too many games, especially a 14-10 defensive battle. Gotta run the ball more. The Eagles need a change of pace back, why was Ryan Moats deactivated for Lamar Gordon?
- Artis Hicks & Jon Runyan. Patrick Kearney was all over McNabb for most of the night, while Rod Coleman beat Artis Hicks consistently. Hicks also had too many penalties.
Positives:
- Brian Dawkins. 2 sacks, 1 interception, a pass defensed in the endzone, and pretty much all over the field. Looks like a monster season is in the making here.
Overall, the Eagles seem to really be bothered on offense by Atlanta's front four, which caused them not to run the ball. They still had plenty of chances to win the game.
Andy Reid now drops to 2-5 in season openers.
I liked Mike Patterson's play a lot. Looks like he's going to be a weapon up the middle, which will be a strong suit once Trotter plays a game.
Around the League
The game of the week was likely San Diego vs. Dallas. The Cowboys go into San Diego and beat the Chargers 28-24. The Eagles fans should be slightly concerned about the Cowboys. This team is for real. Don't let the weak Drew Bledsoe at QB fool you, this team is for real and has a real chance to win the division. San Diego has an incredibly tough schedule this year, they're going to regret this loss later in the year as they had 1st and goal from the 7 yard line with under a minute left.
I was very impressed with the Chiefs defense on Sunday. Chad Pennington looked terrible but the Chiefs looked for real. Before you could blink the score was 14-0 and the game was pretty much over. The Jets will rebound I'm still confident of that.
Team # 3 to impress me was the Jacksonville Jaguars. The defense completely stiffled the Seahawks in the 2nd half of this game. They're going to the playoffs.
I know New Orleans won in Carolina in an emotional game, but it's going to be tough for them to keep it up. Also, the Saints played like the same inconsistent team they've been the past few years.
Mike Tice is squarely on the hot seat. I wouldn't be surprised if a midseason coaching change isn't in the works, but one also has to wonder if the loss of Randy Moss doesn't effect this team. The offense looked completely inept.
The Steelers look like the 2004 version with a trouncing of the Titans. The legend of Willie Parker continues to grow. Tennessee is in for a looooong season. Their defense is a travesty.
The NFC shouldn't be allowed to give a playoff team.
I was thinking about how David Carr (#1 pick in 2002) and Joey Harrington (#3 pick 2002) careers have gone so far and didn't like what I was thinking. David Carr, who I like, is spiraling downward fast. While Joey Harrington, who'd been about as low as you can get, seems to be heading upward, especially with his bevy of talent on offense.
PHILLIES/MLB
As easily predictable, the Phillies just won't go away. It's almost as if Phillies fans are asking the Phils to go away early instead of waiting until the last weekend of the season and teasing us, but they won't. When Eude Brito beats Tim Hudson, you gotta know something's up.
While the two teams in front of the Phillies, the Astros and Marlins, beat up on each other in a 4 games series (hopefully the teams go 2-2), the Phils desperately need to win 3 out of 4.
You'd think this week would tell alot about the Phillies, but with the way the other teams in the NL are playing, they'll probably hang around a lot more.
NHL Week in Review By : Ed Wasser
- Not to be like Ashley, the wet blanket triplet from My Sweet 16, but I was going to do the preseason review this week but upon further review I thinks it's a little early. First of all retirements are rolling in around the clock. Scott Stevens just retired from the Devils last week, Al MacInnis quit the Blues, defenseman James Patrick tried to play one last season (his 22nd) but said he would only play for the Sabres, the Sabres told Patrick "have a nice life". The always underrated Vincent Damphousse actually had a deal with the 'Lanche but he just didn't have it anymore so he quit. And everyone's still waiting for the inevitable press conference from Mark Messier. It's also too early because there haven't been any preseason games yet. Plus the players are still moving; let them get on teams and then we'll take it from there. And of course the most important thing...the Hockey News needs to put out their preseason preview so I can steal some of their ideas.
- It wouldn't be Philadelphia if it all went smoothly....Derian Hatcher and Peter Forsberg are both injured and will both miss at least half of training camp. This is scary considering both players have a reputation for being fragile. Hatcher was working out at the US Olympic training center when he sprained his left knee. Remember that in the 2003 - 2004 season Hatcher only played 15 games because of knee issues and played only 27 games in his entire Red Wings career. Forsgerg has an infected bursa (a what?!?!). An infected bursa which was the result of (just writing this makes me want to puke) an ingrown hair on his right ankle that became infected. They should both be ready for opening day, well Hatcher should be ready but he must serve 3 games of a two year old suspension to start the season.
- I don't know, maybe it's me. Last Tuesday was 'Dollar Dog Night' at the Phillies game in which Hatfield Meats sells hot dogs for $1. The strange part was seeing Hatfield's mascot, Smiley the pink dancing pig, going around the stands of Citizen's Bank Park entertaining all the kids. I mean, pigs are slaughtered to make hot dogs, do people know that? And then to name him Smiley? That's like having a horse with a broken leg named Limpy as a mascot for Alpo dog food.
- Go to www.petecarroll.com but do it with the sound on your computer off. Without the sound the website just looks like a ridiculous exercise in delusional self importance. I mean Carroll charges $49.95 a year to join his fan club for crying out loud!! I wrote an entire paragraph on it. After I was done writing I revisited the website, this time with the sound on. Turns out all the proceeds from the website go to charity. Oooops!!
September 13, 2005
Eagles/NFL
Eagles lose a tough defensive battle 14-10 to open the season to the team they beat in the NFC Championship last year. Let's breakdown the game:
Negatives:
- Jeremiah Trotter. I know football is an emotional game. But the Eagles should be above this kind of stuff. They beat the Falcons 27-10 last year in the NFC Championship game. They should take the "we don't talk smack until after the game" approach ala the Patriots. I really hated this tussel early in the game which got Jeremiah Trotter and Kevin Mathis tossed, but admittedly I thought the Eagles would still win. Anyway, Andy Reid should address this. I hate to say this because I'm not sure if it's true, but I don't think Bill Belichick would stand for that.
- David Akers. Let's face it, if Akers makes those FG's that he missed, the Eagles probably win the game.
- Donovan McNabb. His stats on paper won't look bad but McNabb didn't look too good. Admittedly, he had a man in his face most of the night, the Falcons front four was awesome. But there were too many times where McNabb waited too long, didn't run (lick Vick) and too many turnovers (three). I hate that we'll never know if Donovan was really injured, like early in 2003 where the Eagles just hid the injury while McNabb played like arse.
- I promise you I won't harp on this too much, because we've covered this over and over again in this column. But 45 throws versus 14 runs won't win too many games, especially a 14-10 defensive battle. Gotta run the ball more. The Eagles need a change of pace back, why was Ryan Moats deactivated for Lamar Gordon?
- Artis Hicks & Jon Runyan. Patrick Kearney was all over McNabb for most of the night, while Rod Coleman beat Artis Hicks consistently. Hicks also had too many penalties.
Positives:
- Brian Dawkins. 2 sacks, 1 interception, a pass defensed in the endzone, and pretty much all over the field. Looks like a monster season is in the making here.
Overall, the Eagles seem to really be bothered on offense by Atlanta's front four, which caused them not to run the ball. They still had plenty of chances to win the game.
Andy Reid now drops to 2-5 in season openers.
I liked Mike Patterson's play a lot. Looks like he's going to be a weapon up the middle, which will be a strong suit once Trotter plays a game.
Around the League
The game of the week was likely San Diego vs. Dallas. The Cowboys go into San Diego and beat the Chargers 28-24. The Eagles fans should be slightly concerned about the Cowboys. This team is for real. Don't let the weak Drew Bledsoe at QB fool you, this team is for real and has a real chance to win the division. San Diego has an incredibly tough schedule this year, they're going to regret this loss later in the year as they had 1st and goal from the 7 yard line with under a minute left.
I was very impressed with the Chiefs defense on Sunday. Chad Pennington looked terrible but the Chiefs looked for real. Before you could blink the score was 14-0 and the game was pretty much over. The Jets will rebound I'm still confident of that.
Team # 3 to impress me was the Jacksonville Jaguars. The defense completely stiffled the Seahawks in the 2nd half of this game. They're going to the playoffs.
I know New Orleans won in Carolina in an emotional game, but it's going to be tough for them to keep it up. Also, the Saints played like the same inconsistent team they've been the past few years.
Mike Tice is squarely on the hot seat. I wouldn't be surprised if a midseason coaching change isn't in the works, but one also has to wonder if the loss of Randy Moss doesn't effect this team. The offense looked completely inept.
The Steelers look like the 2004 version with a trouncing of the Titans. The legend of Willie Parker continues to grow. Tennessee is in for a looooong season. Their defense is a travesty.
The NFC shouldn't be allowed to give a playoff team.
I was thinking about how David Carr (#1 pick in 2002) and Joey Harrington (#3 pick 2002) careers have gone so far and didn't like what I was thinking. David Carr, who I like, is spiraling downward fast. While Joey Harrington, who'd been about as low as you can get, seems to be heading upward, especially with his bevy of talent on offense.
PHILLIES/MLB
As easily predictable, the Phillies just won't go away. It's almost as if Phillies fans are asking the Phils to go away early instead of waiting until the last weekend of the season and teasing us, but they won't. When Eude Brito beats Tim Hudson, you gotta know something's up.
While the two teams in front of the Phillies, the Astros and Marlins, beat up on each other in a 4 games series (hopefully the teams go 2-2), the Phils desperately need to win 3 out of 4.
You'd think this week would tell alot about the Phillies, but with the way the other teams in the NL are playing, they'll probably hang around a lot more.
NHL Week in Review By : Ed Wasser
- Not to be like Ashley, the wet blanket triplet from My Sweet 16, but I was going to do the preseason review this week but upon further review I thinks it's a little early. First of all retirements are rolling in around the clock. Scott Stevens just retired from the Devils last week, Al MacInnis quit the Blues, defenseman James Patrick tried to play one last season (his 22nd) but said he would only play for the Sabres, the Sabres told Patrick "have a nice life". The always underrated Vincent Damphousse actually had a deal with the 'Lanche but he just didn't have it anymore so he quit. And everyone's still waiting for the inevitable press conference from Mark Messier. It's also too early because there haven't been any preseason games yet. Plus the players are still moving; let them get on teams and then we'll take it from there. And of course the most important thing...the Hockey News needs to put out their preseason preview so I can steal some of their ideas.
- It wouldn't be Philadelphia if it all went smoothly....Derian Hatcher and Peter Forsberg are both injured and will both miss at least half of training camp. This is scary considering both players have a reputation for being fragile. Hatcher was working out at the US Olympic training center when he sprained his left knee. Remember that in the 2003 - 2004 season Hatcher only played 15 games because of knee issues and played only 27 games in his entire Red Wings career. Forsgerg has an infected bursa (a what?!?!). An infected bursa which was the result of (just writing this makes me want to puke) an ingrown hair on his right ankle that became infected. They should both be ready for opening day, well Hatcher should be ready but he must serve 3 games of a two year old suspension to start the season.
- I don't know, maybe it's me. Last Tuesday was 'Dollar Dog Night' at the Phillies game in which Hatfield Meats sells hot dogs for $1. The strange part was seeing Hatfield's mascot, Smiley the pink dancing pig, going around the stands of Citizen's Bank Park entertaining all the kids. I mean, pigs are slaughtered to make hot dogs, do people know that? And then to name him Smiley? That's like having a horse with a broken leg named Limpy as a mascot for Alpo dog food.
- Go to www.petecarroll.com but do it with the sound on your computer off. Without the sound the website just looks like a ridiculous exercise in delusional self importance. I mean Carroll charges $49.95 a year to join his fan club for crying out loud!! I wrote an entire paragraph on it. After I was done writing I revisited the website, this time with the sound on. Turns out all the proceeds from the website go to charity. Oooops!!
posted by Monday Morning Mehta at 7:47 AM
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