The Rest of Week 13

Here are the rest of my Week 13 picks.

BUFFALO over San Fran

Baltimore over CINCI

Indy over CLEVELAND

GREEN BAY over Carolina

MIAMI over St. Louis

Naaahhlins over TAMPA BAY

New York Giants over WASHINGTON

SAN DIEGO over Hotlanta

Pittsburgh over NEW ENGLAND

NEW YORK BRETTS

OAKLAND over Kansas City

Chicago over MINNESOTA

HOUSTON over Jacksonville

Season 22-10

End of an Era and Week 13 Picks Part 1

Happy Thanksgiving to all. What a great holiday - everyone in America can celebrate. No worries about religion. No attending church or synagogue. No waking up extra early or not eating all day (although I, along with many, hold out on eating until dinner is served).

It is time for me to address the most talked about subject in Philadelphia right now, maybe the most widely discussed over a ten year period in sports history - Donovan McNabb. Most of you know how I feel on Five. He is an inconsistent passer, throws the ball too hard, doesn't show up for big games, and tends to get sick on the field in crucial situations. That being said, he has done more for this franchise at the quarterback position than anyone that this franchise has seen. 4 Conference championship games and a Superbowl appearance is no joke. The man has a history.

I wanted Donovan benched probably more than anyone else in Philadelphia yet to quote Jerry MaGuire, "I helped build, I'm sorry but it's a fact, but there is such a thing as manners. A way of treating people. These fish have manners. These fish have MANNERS." Our giant walrus who runs this team shows that he is the sort of fish who lacks manners. He relegated the dirty work to the quarterbacks coach. After drafting McNabb and sticking with him through thick and thin after all of the vomit, balls thrown at the feet, racial problems, and injuries, he should have the cajones to bench the man himself. Just as MaGuire helped "build (this company)," McNabb turned this franchise from a joke of a team who could not get the correct number of players on the field (coughrayrhodescough) to a Superbowl contender. To yank McNabb when he starts a game 8/18 with 59 yards and two interceptions is ballsy, yet merited when a horrendous performance such as this occurs. McNabb has shown the poise before to start horribly and turn his play around by firing off a 12/12 for 150 with a couple of touchdowns. He is a streaky player. We have known that for his entire tenure in Philadelphia. Down a field goal going into halftime, a change was warranted, yet looking back it was probably a dopey move to insert a quarterback who was making his first real appearance at the position. Sure Kolb has seen time, but that has been at the tail ends of 38-3 blowout victories over the Rams. To throw him to the Ravens, consistently the NFL's best defense over the past decade is just poor taste. On top of that, to continue to throw on running situations (second and goal on the goal line) with a rookie quarterback and Ed Reed looming in the back of the endzone is just idiotic. What kind of a way is that to introduce a young'n to the league? To put him in positions that 29 out of 30 coaches will never put a quarterback in? Shame on you Andy Reid...

YOU SUCK. Sorry had to get that out of my system.

What we are witnessing with Andy Reid right now is not the downfall of a once-great coach (again I concede credit where it is due), but the ego of an arrogant, unwavering man. Everyone knows Andy's policies - no big name wide receivers, yet a desire to throw to the mediocre bunch more than any team in the league (or NFL history for that matter), no use of a running game despite a pro-bowl back and a better than average back-up, horrible clock management, misuse of timeouts, and an overall ineptness when it comes to running a football team at crunch-time. It was never more apparent with the insertion of Kevin Kolb into the offense. You do not draw up 26 passing plays to 8 running plays with a first-time quarterback running the offense. Read that sentence again. Don't want to? Fine. I'll repeat the key words there: 26 passing plays and 8 running plays. Reid has refused to admit when he is wrong. He has been using McNabb as a Manning/Brady QB for almost the past decade while it is clear that McNabb may be a great quarterback, but he is not a great. Again, he was great, but he is not a great. It is obvious that our best year came with the arrival of Terrell Owens, the greatest receiver of all time save Jerry Rice. It is not McNabb's fault. He has been forced to throw more than any other QB, but not to a Harrison, Driver, Moss, Fitzgerald, or Burress. He has thrown to Thrash, Pinkston, Brown, and Freddie Mitchell. Now listen Andy, when I play Madden I loooove to throw the ball. I throw it as much as you do, yet i do it with capable receivers. I sign wideouts in the offseason. I draft top notch flanker or split end. You cannot continue to play with the Todd Pinkston's of this game or you will waste your Future Hall of Famer Quarterback's best years. Oops, too late.

However, there comes a time when all good things must end. McNabb is starting again tonight. If that is because there is still a mathematical chance that the Eagles can get ousted in the first round of the playoffs then I am all for starting the man who got us here. If that is the reason. Mathematical uncertainties aside, Kolb should be starting this game. I would rather see what the future has to offer now than later. The sooner Kolb is in the quicker the transition will be. Tonight I will cheer for McNabb, because who knows how many more chances we will have to do so?

With that said, here are my Thanksgiving day football picks.

Tennessee over DETROIT

DALLAS over Seattle

EAGLES over Arizona and two receivers that should be sporting green and white.

Season: 19-10

NFL Week 12

Another must-win game for the Eagles to stay alive for the 16th draft pick. 18th draft pick. Even if the Iggs make the playoffs, a first round exit is looming. I pick the eagles over the Ravens, 24-17

My quick picks for Week 12

TENNESSEE over The New York Bretts

Tampa Bay over DETROIT

Chicago over ST LOUIS

NEW ENGLAND over Miami

DALLAS over San Fran

KC over Buffalo

HOUSTON over Cleveland

MINNESOTA over Jacksonville

EAGLES over Baltimore

DENVER over Oakland

ATLANTA over Carolina

SEATTLE over Washington

GIANTS over Arizona

INDY over San Diego

GREEN BAY over Naaaaahlins

Season: 10-4

Champagne Hangover

It's not very often when someone can hang a hangover after drinking too much champagne.

Let me rephrase that - it's not very often when a Philadelphia sports fan can have a hangover from drinking too much champagne.

While me and five of my friends emptied 2 bottles of the finest André California Champagne in a matter of minutes, the euphoria felt from that particular alcoholic beverage lasts longer than the time it takes Pat Burrell to get to first base on a single off the wall (an eternity for those who don't know).

Champagne's bubbly essence is one that gives off a different notion than any other drink. It is bubbly - used for a lively, exciting occasion. What better drink to be downed than this particular one on October 29th, the night that Philadelphia won its first championship in 25 years. Although the morning after seems to be lasting a lot longer than we initially expected...

The Eagles capped off their inspiring play in the PDE (Post Draught Era) with a miraculous, thrilling, five quarter overtime tie - yes you heard me right - tie, with the Bengals of Cincinnati, the proud owners of the second worst record in the National Football League at 1-8. Well, Philadelphia Inquirer, prepare to expand the cells in your standings column to include something that hasn't been seen since 2002 (take note that by this time Donavon McNabb had been in the league for four years). Move over "points scored" column and "points allowed" column and make way for the third decision in the NFL, the tie. It may not come around but once every 6 years, and former Pro-Bowl Quarterbacks may not know that this rule even exists, but go ahead and print it. The Eagles have been inspired to the point of scoring 31 against the Giants and flipping those digits around for the lowly Bengals.

If this doesn't spell out the end of the Reid/McNabb era in Philly, then I sure as hell don't know what will. Barring winning out and salvaging a first round playoff victory, the soft spoken, press-conference-grunting walrus who has paced the sideline of the Green and White for 10 years will be told to pack his bags at the end of the year. Zipping his suitcase shut as well will be the Eagles all-time leader in touchdowns and wins, as well as the NFL leader in least interceptions per pass attempt.

Time will tell how Donovan's time is remembered in Philly. Which image of him flashing those pearly whites will we remember? The one after throwing a touchdown? The one after throwing an interception? Or perhaps the one of his oh-too-familiar grimace after suffering an injury? There are two things for certain. 1. There has never been a better quarterback in Eagles History. 2. That is unfortunately not saying much.

Those who know me know that I've been a McNabb hater ever since he came back too quickly for the 2002 playoffs. I have been on his case for every mistake and I have been reluctant to praise him. The truth is - I hold a soft spot for the Syracuse product. I've had a few #5 jerseys in my closet and continue to wear one today. The man has done more for this franchise at the quarterback position than anyone else. I recognize what he is, but unlike Reid, I recognize what he is not. He is not Tom Brady or a Manning (yes that is referring to both of them). He has big play capability but not big game capability. McNabb will be remembered not for his triumphs, but rather for smiling and laughing after each one of those interceptions, throwing up at crucial times on the field, and never getting the win that has eluded all of Philadelphia - the win in the Superbowl.

True to where he came from, Reid is following the Green Bay quarterback model. It appears he has tried to get whatever he can out of McNabb, while grooming Kevin Kolb for the future, just as Aaron Rodgers did behind Brett the Jet. While Brett is putting up better than healthy numbers for the Jets, Rodgers is having one hell of a "rookie" year for the Pack. By keeping him on the bench for 3 years, the Packers may have shaken off the inevitable rookie mistakes that your Vince Young's, Jay Cutler's, and Eli Manning's have all experienced.  Rodgers has shown the poise that many veterans (and Matt Ryan) have through their careers. Maybe Philly is done with their Campbell's Chunky Soup and is finally ready for a buttered up corn on the Kolb.

In other Philadelphia team hangover news...

The Flyers look like they are finally ready to play up to their team capability. With points in 3 straight games on the road including a key win in the noisy Bell Centre Arena, and a character building comeback but eventual shootout loss to the Penguins in the 'burgh, the Fly Guys are back on track. The team is showing that it can win not just against the Thrashers, which we have all known since 1999, but against teams that actually have actually been blessed with the talent to compete.

One thing that John Stevens has shown is that the team's successes and failures are not to be thrown on him. In a game that demands more in-game and in-play reactions than any other sport, the Flyers show up some days and decide not to on others. They may want to consider trading some of those offensive goals for the discipline necessary to play tight, unyielding defense. It is up to the hockey players more so than in other sports than coach to determine the outcome of a hockey game.

In the conference formerly known as the Leastern, the Sixers seem to be shaking off their early, young, team rust. While I have said time and again that this team needs about 25 games under their belt before any serious judgments can be made, actually wining some games can erase that time period. The main problems still facing this team are those as expected - an inconsistent 82 million dollar swingman who can't shoot (iggy), no starter who can steadily drain the three, and the most overpaid bench player/gunner on this side of the Delaware (Willie Green). Again, the success of this team remains to be seen, although it can be deemed an early accomplishment if they play .500 ball for the first quarter of the season or so.

The sweetness of the 2008 World Series Champs has not gone bitter in the least bit. Whenever I feel upset at another team I just remember that the thing I have hoped for my whole life has finally happened. I raise my empty André California Champagne bottle to the Phillies, in hopes that these other disappointments known as The Eagles, Flyers, and Sixers can lead to a full bottle again.

NFL Week 11

I feel like Eagles nation has said this for almost every game this season but... tomorrow's game will show what the Eagles are made of (Throw in a "must-win-game" statement too). If this is the team that at least showed they can play with the Giants and Redskins and beat the Steelers, they will dominate the Bengals tomorrow. This game should look just like the 38-3 ass-whooping of the Rams did. The Eagles are better in every phase of the game and if they do not win by more than 2 touchdowns, they need to look at themselves in the mirror (another overused term applied to the Eagles this year) and do something along the lines of check themselves before they wreck themselves... if they haven't already self-inflicted enough wrecking.

My pick is that the Eagles that we have rarely seen this year will show up. A 31-10 Iggles domination is in place for week 11's gimme game of the week.

As for the rest, I'll take...

-Rookie Sensation that will inevitably be scrutinized for years to come when he "can't win the big one" Matt Ryan and the FALCONS over "the next big QB Jay Cutler and the Broncos

-GREEN BAY over Chicago

-INDY over Houston

-KANSAS CITY over Naaaahlins

-MIAMI over the team that plays like its owners age, the Raiders

-NY GIANTS over Baltimore

-TAMPA BAY over Minnesota

-CAROLINA over Detroit

-SAN FRAN over St. Louis

-ARIZONA over Seattle

-SAN DIEGO over Pittsburgh

-TENNESSEE over Andrew Jacksonville

-DALLAS over Washington

-BUFFALO over CLEVELAND

and I'm also predicting another fantasy loss for me.

... in more leagues than one.

Definitely see Quantum of Solace in theaters. Daniel Craig brings more intensity to the Bond role than almost any role in cinema. Although the movie is definitely just as confusing as the title.

one love.

The Beginning

The title of this entry, "The Beginning," is significant in more ways than one.

I have been a die hard Philadelphia sports fan for as long as I've been breathing. I've waited my entire life to see a championship team. Every team had fallen short multiple times, some more than others. But after 20 years, and 16 days, the Philadelphia Phillies delivered. The World Series Champions represented Philadelphia, a team more championship-starved than the city itself. 1 championship in 124 years suddenly became 2 championships in 125 years.

The beginning may have began 125 years ago, when Baseball's oldest franchise brought America's first professional sport to America's first capital, part of the original 13 colonies.

The beginning may have began when the Philadelphia Flyers won the city's first championship, Lord Stanley's Cup in 1974 (no real Philadelphia sports fan counts the Eagle's 1948 NFL Championship - The Vince Lombardy trophy is the only one worth counting) and broad street got it's first taste of 2 million plus crowding it's asphalt.

The beginning may have began as soon as Moses Malone and the 1983 Seventy-Sixers fo' fo' fo'ed their way to an NBA Champsionship, the only one in team history. This marked a different kind of beginning - the beginning of the end. Broad Street remained crowded, albeit without parade buses and stands to display sports heros. Cars and businessmen patrolled Broad Street with many of them gladly trading their soul to see one more day of millions packing Broad Street for miles and miles. There were to be no more championships in Philadelphia for 25 years. Counting the Eagles championship in 1960 (which really doesn't count) it had been a combined 134 years since Philly's last excuse for a parade. Let me rephrase that - legitimate parade. No AFL team counts. My dad and I go by this old rule. Would you rather have a professional sports team of your town win a championship or find a 5 dollar bill on the sidewalk? Exhibit A: The Soul. 5 dollars at least buys me a sausage and pepper at a Phillies game. Other teams and leagues to consider; The Kixx - our beloved indoor soccer team that won a championship in 2002. The Wings - a high flying lacrosse team that brought a trophy to town in oh-one. And thank god we don't have a WNBA team, but assuming they would be called the Bells (short for Libery Bells), I would rather have a crumpled up green piece of paper with Honest Abe's face on it than a bi-colored-smaller-than-regulation-ball-trophy gracing the halls of the Wachovia Center. Any of these 5 dollar trophies is mocking to me and anyone who calls themselves a Philadelphia sports fan - strike that, a sports fan PERIOD.

Getting back from my tangent...This is my beginning. I want to put these feelings in writing before they disappear. These feelings are of the 2008 World Series Champion Philadelphia Phillies. I love them all... yes even So Taguchi (he hit that bases clearing triple against the Mets remember? If it cost us a million dollars to suck the life out of the Mets with a 38-year-old Japanese outfielder who can't hit, run, field, or speak English to save his life, then it's a million dollars well spent in my book).

What exactly happened when the Phillies won the World Series? Well I pretty much lost it. Watching in my apartment with my other displaced Philadelphia fans in Pittsburgh, we each did our own "thing." After spilling 3 cups of chewed up sunflower seeds and spilling cups of water and gatorade all over my rug, each did what hit him at the moment. Some talked on the phone, some jumped repetitively, some smiled. Me? I cried like a baby. I compare my reaction to that of a tennis player winning a Grand Slam. After that last shot he sort of just crumples. He doesn't jump up or raise his arms while standing. He just... falls over. Like he lost all feelings in his legs. I jumped just like Brad Lidge and came down in a heap. I immediately started bawling. Tears came out of my eyes faster than Shane Victorino trying to talk to the media. I soaked a cushion of my couch as 12 dollar bottles of champagne were uncorked and poured into red plastic cups.

The Phillies had finally done it. Ahem, phinally done it. Had to make sure the classic Ph as an F made it in my first post somewhere. We are champions of the baseball world in 2008. It may be an American league, but the best of the best play here. We are the best in the world at baseball.

World, hear Philly roar. It won't get old anytime soon. I can promise you that.

World Champions. World FUCKING Champions. - Courtesy of Chase Utley

-Zach Leon