Monday Morning Mehta
Edition # 192
January 9, 2007
www.mondaymorningmehta.com
www.nba-jam.blogspot.com
Eagles Playoffs
Eagles win a gut wrenching NFC Wild Card Weekend game against divisional foe New York Giants 23-20 to advance to the divisional playoffs and a matchup versus the New Orleans Saints. A playoff win is always a great win, let's savor this one for a moment:
Game Positives:
- Shaun Andrews & Jon Runyan. The right side of the Eagles line completely dominated Mattias Kiwanuka and the Giants defensive line. Runyan's had a pro bowl type season and his "dirty" play only makes me happier. Every good team needs a hated player, he just happens to be ours. As for Andrews? Just keep running the ball to his side please.
- No turnovers by the Eagles. There aren't many bigger stats in the postseason than turnovers. The Giants lone turnover led to 3 Eagles points, which happened to be the margin of victory.
- Brian Westbrook. What more can you say about em? Get back in the hyperbaric chamber.
- Turning point of the game: Giants leading 7-0, Eagles offense struggling. 3 Giants possessions started at: Phi 49 yard line, NYG 48, Phi 46. The Giants could have really seized control of the game and forced the Eagles out of their game plan. But they scored ZERO points with that field possession.
Game Negatives (Note - this game wasn't exactly one that gets sent to Canton for the achieves)
- From the opening kickoff to 13 minutes in the game. The Fox crew didn't really talk about it more than a passing note, but did you know that the Eagles had a false start on the kickoff?? What the heck is that? Then the Giants march down the field and the offense is nowhere to be found.
- Anything to do with Plaxico Burress. The guy KILLS us. Why can't he retire?
- Here's the deal. It's 17-10 Eagles. 3rd quarter. 3 and a half minutes left. It's 3rd and 7 from the Giants 33. The Giants are reeling as the Eagles have put together a solid drive, mainly through the air (and a Reggie Brown endaround). Suddenly, "Marty ball" rears it's ugly head. Schottenheimer? No, Marty Morningwhig. A run on 3rd and 7? 3 yard gain, which leads to a FG. There was no reason to suddenly stop throwing the ball on that drive. Eagles showed alot of bad play calling in certain spots yesterday. The play calling has been improved, but I still question that, and the drive following this one also. The Eagles had just established a running game with a 3rd and 2 conversion on the ground, then decided to throw 3 incompletions after that. The game should've been put away right there.
OK, enough complaining.
Solid games: Reggie Brown & Donte Stallworth. I finally felt like I was watching an Eagles playoff game and the WR's actually didn't cause me to vomit. Brown & Donte had solid, professional games with good catches, good downfield blocking, etc. Somebody make sure Donte's good and pissed the Saints let him go next week.
New found respect: I never thought I'd see the day in MMM, but Jeremy Shockey is a tough dude. I really like the way he played this year. Don't worry, I'll never have any new found anything but hatred for Warren Sapp.
Probably the best thing about this win is pounding out yardage on the ground in the final 4:57. The Giants used a pretty idiotic timeout after bringing in the hefty lefty once again in the 4th quarter.
Eli Manning? The guy is the most inconsistent QB I can remember. He goes from looking good to looking awful in just about every single game. I guess just throwing it up for Burress doesn't make you good, but he's had a knack for 4th quarter TD's in his career.
I guess I have to mention David Akers and Koy Detmer. There has never been this much commotion surrounding a field goal since the Bengals botched extra point in Denver a few weeks ago and Tony Romo's Tommy Hutton imitation Saturday night. But I guess after seeing Mike Vanderjadt blow clutch kicks left and right, we should take note of this.
Eagles @ Saints (-3.5, 48) Saturday 8pm
Rich Kotite and Randall Cunningham look to defeat Jim Mora, Bobby Hebert, Ironhead Heyward and the Saints in this playoff matchup. The Eagles will look to run Herschel Walker and mix it up with deep passes to Arkansas Fred Barnett as Reggie Brown looks to win his first playoff game. Wait. Sorry, I just had a 1992 Wild Card flashback.
NFC MVP Drew Brees (IMO) and his 64% completion ratio host their first playoff game since 2000. The Saints offense is stacked. Deuce McCalister presents problems by himself, but when you add in Reggie Bush, Joe Horn and rookie Marques Colston, you've got matchup problems galore. Now add in to the fact that the Eagles will be missing Lito Sheppard with a dislocated elbow, and you'll be happy holding the Saints to 24 points. Unless the offense scores 30+ points, the Eagles defense will need to play their best game of the year on Saturday.
On offense, the Eagles should have plenty of success. They should be able to move the ball at will against a suspect defense which gives up 4.9 yards per attempt, 31st in the league. RUN THE BALL! Keep the ball away from the Saints. Don't over think and try to out think outsmart or out coach. Beat the crap out of em. No predictions on the score, time to just watch and enjoy!
Weekend Recap
Seattle 21, Cowboys 20. Most of Philly went to sleep smiling Saturday night as Tony Romo bobbles a chipshot FG to blow a potential Cowboys victory. The only way it could've been better is if somehow Terrell Owens dropped the ball. Romo's fall from grace would make Gervase from Survivor proud.
Colts 23, Chiefs 8. Not sure who was more inept, Peyton Manning or Trent Green. Colts better get their sh$t together, or else they're in trouble next week. Their defense has historically played better at home, I don't take too much from holding a weak Chiefs team down.
Pats 37, Jets 16. Much closer than the score. I don't like the way the Pats are playing. I see trouble in their future.
Divisional Playoff Previews
Indy @ Ravens (-4, 42.5)
The toughest call for me of the weekend. I hate Peyton Manning and want to see him fail miserably. I also can't stand anything to do with the Ravens, with the possible exception of Steve McNair who I have a great deal of respect for. I hate Brian Billick. I can't stand Ray Lewis. Did I mention I hate Peyton Manning. I'll say somehow the Colts ride the momentum of this week's victory. Colts 28, Ravens 20.
Seattle @ Bears (-7, 38.5)
Trouble for Seattle. Bears are rested and ready to go. They've been hearing about how many problems they've got and how bad they are. I could see a blowout here, but Seattle is a professional, playoff tested, solidly coached team. Still, it's hard to pick Seattle. Bears 24, Seahawks 9.
Pats @ Chargers (-6.5, 46.5)
Marty ball gets tested in the weekend's marquis matchup. LT2 gets another shot at the playoffs and word is he's healthy and ready to go. There's just something missing for the Pats, I can't pinpoint it (A good downfield WR and something missing in the secondary is my initial guess). This one has the makings of a blowout, and could be my Divisional GOY. Chargers 38, Pats 17.
Dragon's Den
I will get more in depth on Drexel when the Eagles season comes to a close in mid February!!!, but Bruiser ball is on a tear. The Dragons have won 9 straight games and are looking to crack the top 25 (I'm serious). Conference play continues this week with a matchup against @JMU, Hofsta (on CN8) and @ODU (on CSN). A 2-1 week would be great.
National Title
BTW, there's a National Title game tonight. Closer than you think, but I think Ohio St wins, 28-24. (not a sanctioned play)
NHL Week in Review By : Ed Wasser
- OK, I'm back from Tampa and the "You Had Me At Jello" convention for those of us that love jello shots and I'm back with these observations.....I went to the Buccaneers vs. Seahawks game on Dec. 31. It was the single most meaningless sporting event I've ever attended. More meaningless then a pre-season game and even more meaningless then a WNBA game. So that was a little strange. And Raymond James Stadium, even in December, is hot. Actually with all the people sitting so close together it's really hot. OK, Raymond James Stadium is really, really, REALLY %$@#* HOT!!! It's like watching a football game in the deepest, darkest, depths of hell.....The major attraction in Raymond James Stadium is obviously the pirate ship in the end zone. Well I got news for you, it would be easier to get into Studio 54 in 1977 wearing a pink leisure suit then get on that damn ship, even during a meaningless game. The only way to get on the ship is to be "invited" by a sponsor. So I'm guessing getting on that ship would cost a company about $150,000 for a season.....Speaking of the pirate ship, that thing has a cannon. The cannon is louder then any actual cannon could ever be. And the cannon is fired during random times during the game. So you'll be sitting there minding your P's and Q's and BAM!!!!! It sounds like someone just shot a bazooka right by your ear when you least expect it. That damn cannon goes off during the game for no reason and it scares the bejesus out of you. It's really annoying.....I also went to the Lightning vs. Canadiens game. That was cool but I gotta admit, I've been to a lot of stadiums from coast to coast and guess what, they're all looking alike. Same music during breaks, they all play the Gary Glitter classic "Rock and Roll Part II" after goals, they all serve ice cream in little hockey helmets, and they all have the same annoying announcer types that say things like "Lightning GOAL!!!! scored by number yada, yada, yada". One thing that is different in Tampa (actually it's not that different because they do a version of it in Miami) is they announce the game time temperature in Tampa and in the opposing team's city. So of course in Tampa it's like 75 degrees while in Montral it's like 30. And that's followed by Nelson from "The Simpson's" patented "HA-HA!!" laugh playing through the loud speakers.....I was impressed by how many Hab fans that were there. That's a traveling group of fans. Not like Eagle fans, but not bad.
- If anyone reading this picks up a half gallon of milk in a week or two you'll see 3 things on the side of the cardboard. 1.) is calcium content, 2.) is vitamin D content, and 3.) is Eric Lindros' picture (33 GP, 5 G).
- Did you guys know that in Edmonton there are no satellite dishes or cable TV and that no one in the city has seen a hockey game since about 1999? Seems strange for such a hockey crazed city. I mean that's the only logical explanation I have for why the Oilers picked up ex-Flyers mutt Petr Nedved off waivers. No person that has ever seen that guy play over the last 4 seasons or so would ever think to pick him up unless, I dunno, if you were on mind altering drugs or something. The guy wasn't even the best player when he was on the Phantoms. Maybe the Oilers think Nedved's super model wife sitting in the stands will distract the opponents players.
- Next week I'm going to blatantly steal the idea from the guy who writes the "Uni Watch" column on the ESPN website and I'm going to rank the 30 NHL uniforms from 1 through 30. I'm just going to give my opinion on which uniforms I like the best. Why? Because I can't stomach writing about the Flyers, I need a break. A few more games and I may gouge my eyes out.
- After much consideration I have determined with my expert opinion that the Flyers suck. But unlike the Sixers, who experts assure me suck also, the Flyers have no real plan for the future. That's the one thing that the NHL salary cap has killed, the last second trade deadline salary dump deal to a playoff contender. As incredibly shocking as it may seem there could have possibly been a few teams interested in Derian Hatcher for the playoffs but since he makes so much money he probably won't be able to be dealt because of cap considerations. So the Flyers are stuck with him. Anyway, the Flyers road trip continues as the Wachovia Center is hosting "Disney On Ice", the most entertaining thing seen on Wachovia Center ice in months. Last week started with a win against the Islanders. Then the Flyers remembered they were the Flyers and lost back to back one goal games to the Rangers and Bruins before they were destroyed 6 - 1 by the Senators. The Senators game was on at the same time as the Eagles playoff game and even though the Flyers were getting killed I still watched the game instead of the Eagles. HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! That was a joke, I wouldn't have watched that slop in lieu of the Eagles even if Gene Hart rose from the dead and used his boney hands to try and force me to watch it.
January 9, 2007
www.mondaymorningmehta.com
www.nba-jam.blogspot.com
Eagles Playoffs
Eagles win a gut wrenching NFC Wild Card Weekend game against divisional foe New York Giants 23-20 to advance to the divisional playoffs and a matchup versus the New Orleans Saints. A playoff win is always a great win, let's savor this one for a moment:
Game Positives:
- Shaun Andrews & Jon Runyan. The right side of the Eagles line completely dominated Mattias Kiwanuka and the Giants defensive line. Runyan's had a pro bowl type season and his "dirty" play only makes me happier. Every good team needs a hated player, he just happens to be ours. As for Andrews? Just keep running the ball to his side please.
- No turnovers by the Eagles. There aren't many bigger stats in the postseason than turnovers. The Giants lone turnover led to 3 Eagles points, which happened to be the margin of victory.
- Brian Westbrook. What more can you say about em? Get back in the hyperbaric chamber.
- Turning point of the game: Giants leading 7-0, Eagles offense struggling. 3 Giants possessions started at: Phi 49 yard line, NYG 48, Phi 46. The Giants could have really seized control of the game and forced the Eagles out of their game plan. But they scored ZERO points with that field possession.
Game Negatives (Note - this game wasn't exactly one that gets sent to Canton for the achieves)
- From the opening kickoff to 13 minutes in the game. The Fox crew didn't really talk about it more than a passing note, but did you know that the Eagles had a false start on the kickoff?? What the heck is that? Then the Giants march down the field and the offense is nowhere to be found.
- Anything to do with Plaxico Burress. The guy KILLS us. Why can't he retire?
- Here's the deal. It's 17-10 Eagles. 3rd quarter. 3 and a half minutes left. It's 3rd and 7 from the Giants 33. The Giants are reeling as the Eagles have put together a solid drive, mainly through the air (and a Reggie Brown endaround). Suddenly, "Marty ball" rears it's ugly head. Schottenheimer? No, Marty Morningwhig. A run on 3rd and 7? 3 yard gain, which leads to a FG. There was no reason to suddenly stop throwing the ball on that drive. Eagles showed alot of bad play calling in certain spots yesterday. The play calling has been improved, but I still question that, and the drive following this one also. The Eagles had just established a running game with a 3rd and 2 conversion on the ground, then decided to throw 3 incompletions after that. The game should've been put away right there.
OK, enough complaining.
Solid games: Reggie Brown & Donte Stallworth. I finally felt like I was watching an Eagles playoff game and the WR's actually didn't cause me to vomit. Brown & Donte had solid, professional games with good catches, good downfield blocking, etc. Somebody make sure Donte's good and pissed the Saints let him go next week.
New found respect: I never thought I'd see the day in MMM, but Jeremy Shockey is a tough dude. I really like the way he played this year. Don't worry, I'll never have any new found anything but hatred for Warren Sapp.
Probably the best thing about this win is pounding out yardage on the ground in the final 4:57. The Giants used a pretty idiotic timeout after bringing in the hefty lefty once again in the 4th quarter.
Eli Manning? The guy is the most inconsistent QB I can remember. He goes from looking good to looking awful in just about every single game. I guess just throwing it up for Burress doesn't make you good, but he's had a knack for 4th quarter TD's in his career.
I guess I have to mention David Akers and Koy Detmer. There has never been this much commotion surrounding a field goal since the Bengals botched extra point in Denver a few weeks ago and Tony Romo's Tommy Hutton imitation Saturday night. But I guess after seeing Mike Vanderjadt blow clutch kicks left and right, we should take note of this.
Eagles @ Saints (-3.5, 48) Saturday 8pm
Rich Kotite and Randall Cunningham look to defeat Jim Mora, Bobby Hebert, Ironhead Heyward and the Saints in this playoff matchup. The Eagles will look to run Herschel Walker and mix it up with deep passes to Arkansas Fred Barnett as Reggie Brown looks to win his first playoff game. Wait. Sorry, I just had a 1992 Wild Card flashback.
NFC MVP Drew Brees (IMO) and his 64% completion ratio host their first playoff game since 2000. The Saints offense is stacked. Deuce McCalister presents problems by himself, but when you add in Reggie Bush, Joe Horn and rookie Marques Colston, you've got matchup problems galore. Now add in to the fact that the Eagles will be missing Lito Sheppard with a dislocated elbow, and you'll be happy holding the Saints to 24 points. Unless the offense scores 30+ points, the Eagles defense will need to play their best game of the year on Saturday.
On offense, the Eagles should have plenty of success. They should be able to move the ball at will against a suspect defense which gives up 4.9 yards per attempt, 31st in the league. RUN THE BALL! Keep the ball away from the Saints. Don't over think and try to out think outsmart or out coach. Beat the crap out of em. No predictions on the score, time to just watch and enjoy!
Weekend Recap
Seattle 21, Cowboys 20. Most of Philly went to sleep smiling Saturday night as Tony Romo bobbles a chipshot FG to blow a potential Cowboys victory. The only way it could've been better is if somehow Terrell Owens dropped the ball. Romo's fall from grace would make Gervase from Survivor proud.
Colts 23, Chiefs 8. Not sure who was more inept, Peyton Manning or Trent Green. Colts better get their sh$t together, or else they're in trouble next week. Their defense has historically played better at home, I don't take too much from holding a weak Chiefs team down.
Pats 37, Jets 16. Much closer than the score. I don't like the way the Pats are playing. I see trouble in their future.
Divisional Playoff Previews
Indy @ Ravens (-4, 42.5)
The toughest call for me of the weekend. I hate Peyton Manning and want to see him fail miserably. I also can't stand anything to do with the Ravens, with the possible exception of Steve McNair who I have a great deal of respect for. I hate Brian Billick. I can't stand Ray Lewis. Did I mention I hate Peyton Manning. I'll say somehow the Colts ride the momentum of this week's victory. Colts 28, Ravens 20.
Seattle @ Bears (-7, 38.5)
Trouble for Seattle. Bears are rested and ready to go. They've been hearing about how many problems they've got and how bad they are. I could see a blowout here, but Seattle is a professional, playoff tested, solidly coached team. Still, it's hard to pick Seattle. Bears 24, Seahawks 9.
Pats @ Chargers (-6.5, 46.5)
Marty ball gets tested in the weekend's marquis matchup. LT2 gets another shot at the playoffs and word is he's healthy and ready to go. There's just something missing for the Pats, I can't pinpoint it (A good downfield WR and something missing in the secondary is my initial guess). This one has the makings of a blowout, and could be my Divisional GOY. Chargers 38, Pats 17.
Dragon's Den
I will get more in depth on Drexel when the Eagles season comes to a close in mid February!!!, but Bruiser ball is on a tear. The Dragons have won 9 straight games and are looking to crack the top 25 (I'm serious). Conference play continues this week with a matchup against @JMU, Hofsta (on CN8) and @ODU (on CSN). A 2-1 week would be great.
National Title
BTW, there's a National Title game tonight. Closer than you think, but I think Ohio St wins, 28-24. (not a sanctioned play)
NHL Week in Review By : Ed Wasser
- OK, I'm back from Tampa and the "You Had Me At Jello" convention for those of us that love jello shots and I'm back with these observations.....I went to the Buccaneers vs. Seahawks game on Dec. 31. It was the single most meaningless sporting event I've ever attended. More meaningless then a pre-season game and even more meaningless then a WNBA game. So that was a little strange. And Raymond James Stadium, even in December, is hot. Actually with all the people sitting so close together it's really hot. OK, Raymond James Stadium is really, really, REALLY %$@#* HOT!!! It's like watching a football game in the deepest, darkest, depths of hell.....The major attraction in Raymond James Stadium is obviously the pirate ship in the end zone. Well I got news for you, it would be easier to get into Studio 54 in 1977 wearing a pink leisure suit then get on that damn ship, even during a meaningless game. The only way to get on the ship is to be "invited" by a sponsor. So I'm guessing getting on that ship would cost a company about $150,000 for a season.....Speaking of the pirate ship, that thing has a cannon. The cannon is louder then any actual cannon could ever be. And the cannon is fired during random times during the game. So you'll be sitting there minding your P's and Q's and BAM!!!!! It sounds like someone just shot a bazooka right by your ear when you least expect it. That damn cannon goes off during the game for no reason and it scares the bejesus out of you. It's really annoying.....I also went to the Lightning vs. Canadiens game. That was cool but I gotta admit, I've been to a lot of stadiums from coast to coast and guess what, they're all looking alike. Same music during breaks, they all play the Gary Glitter classic "Rock and Roll Part II" after goals, they all serve ice cream in little hockey helmets, and they all have the same annoying announcer types that say things like "Lightning GOAL!!!! scored by number yada, yada, yada". One thing that is different in Tampa (actually it's not that different because they do a version of it in Miami) is they announce the game time temperature in Tampa and in the opposing team's city. So of course in Tampa it's like 75 degrees while in Montral it's like 30. And that's followed by Nelson from "The Simpson's" patented "HA-HA!!" laugh playing through the loud speakers.....I was impressed by how many Hab fans that were there. That's a traveling group of fans. Not like Eagle fans, but not bad.
- If anyone reading this picks up a half gallon of milk in a week or two you'll see 3 things on the side of the cardboard. 1.) is calcium content, 2.) is vitamin D content, and 3.) is Eric Lindros' picture (33 GP, 5 G).
- Did you guys know that in Edmonton there are no satellite dishes or cable TV and that no one in the city has seen a hockey game since about 1999? Seems strange for such a hockey crazed city. I mean that's the only logical explanation I have for why the Oilers picked up ex-Flyers mutt Petr Nedved off waivers. No person that has ever seen that guy play over the last 4 seasons or so would ever think to pick him up unless, I dunno, if you were on mind altering drugs or something. The guy wasn't even the best player when he was on the Phantoms. Maybe the Oilers think Nedved's super model wife sitting in the stands will distract the opponents players.
- Next week I'm going to blatantly steal the idea from the guy who writes the "Uni Watch" column on the ESPN website and I'm going to rank the 30 NHL uniforms from 1 through 30. I'm just going to give my opinion on which uniforms I like the best. Why? Because I can't stomach writing about the Flyers, I need a break. A few more games and I may gouge my eyes out.
- After much consideration I have determined with my expert opinion that the Flyers suck. But unlike the Sixers, who experts assure me suck also, the Flyers have no real plan for the future. That's the one thing that the NHL salary cap has killed, the last second trade deadline salary dump deal to a playoff contender. As incredibly shocking as it may seem there could have possibly been a few teams interested in Derian Hatcher for the playoffs but since he makes so much money he probably won't be able to be dealt because of cap considerations. So the Flyers are stuck with him. Anyway, the Flyers road trip continues as the Wachovia Center is hosting "Disney On Ice", the most entertaining thing seen on Wachovia Center ice in months. Last week started with a win against the Islanders. Then the Flyers remembered they were the Flyers and lost back to back one goal games to the Rangers and Bruins before they were destroyed 6 - 1 by the Senators. The Senators game was on at the same time as the Eagles playoff game and even though the Flyers were getting killed I still watched the game instead of the Eagles. HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! That was a joke, I wouldn't have watched that slop in lieu of the Eagles even if Gene Hart rose from the dead and used his boney hands to try and force me to watch it.
posted by Monday Morning Mehta at 10:51 AM
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