Friday, December 24, 2010

Vikings vs. Eagles Game Preview

By now, everyone has had a chance to catch their breath after last week's game. There is no real reason to get too much into this game as the highlight reel speaks for itself.

Hopefully, there are some lessons learned from last week as well. The Eagles have been a first half team all season long which has been one of the primary reasons for their success. Slow starts that have plagued the Birds in the past have been almost non-existent with the exception of last week.

The next two weeks provide the coaching staff an opportunity to fine-tune a game plan that creates that first-strike capability against any defense they may face. Jumping on teams early and often to build a first quarter or first half lead has served them well in the past and should be the number one focus moving forward.

Even if they decide to throw the ball deep down field on every down of the first two or three series of the game it would still make sense because with the weapons on this team, your chances of converting a big play for an early score remain high (que the tape from the Monday night game against Washington).

I am all for establishing a running game, but this is not your father's Eagles. They have morphed, almost overnight, into the most exciting and dangerous offense in the league. So far, Andy Reid has done a great job at exploiting this fact, but with a legitimate shot at making it all the way to the Super Bowl, he needs to take it up a notch (if this is even humanly possible)

If they come out and do this against Minnesota and Dallas, it will serve the purpose of keeping any defensive coordinator that might have to face this team down the road up all night trying to figure out a way to stop them.

On to Sunday's game. The only drama that remains is whether or not Brett Favre tries to drag his bruised and battered body into one more game. If not, then the Vikings will throw rookie quarterback Joe Webb's feet into the fire against a team looking to clinch their division. Enough said!

Below is a link to my complete preview of Sunday night's game as originally posted on Cappers Picks.


Minnesota vs. Philadelphia Preview & Free Week 16 Pick

Thursday, December 23, 2010

N.Y. vs. Green Bay Preview & Free Week 16 Pick

The Giants will have to quickly put last week's monumental meltdown against the Eagles behind them and direct their focus to finding a way to get a win in Green Bay this Sunday.

A win clinches a spot in the playoffs. A loss would not eliminate New York from the postseason, but it would need a win next week against Washington and some help to get in.

Green Bay's chances in this game greatly improved when its quarterback Aaron Rodgers was cleared to play after he sustained a concussion in the Packers Week 14 loss to Detroit.

Below is a link to my complete preview of Sunday's game as originally posted on Cappers Picks


N.Y. vs. Green Bay Preview & Free Week 16 Pick

Friday, December 17, 2010

Philadelphia vs. N.Y. Preview & Free Week 15 Pick

The rubber meets the road this week as the Eagles and the Giants square off this Sunday afternoon at the New Meadowlands Stadium in a game that should ultimately decide which team wins the NFC East.

A victory by either team does not clinch anything, but for all intent and purposes the winner has the inside track to not only the division title but a possible first round bye in the playoffs, while the loser could very well find themselves out of the playoffs all together.

This game will be all about which team's defense does the better job of slowing the other team's offense down.

In the case of the Giants, they have to find a way to constantly keep pressure on Michael Vick to keep him from getting comfortable throwing the ball downfield.

In the case of the Eagles, they are going to have to find a way to keep Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs from running up and down the field.

This will be a tall task for both teams, but possibly even a bit harder for Philadelphia with the loss of MLB Stewart Bradley and DE Brandon Graham, who were both lost for the year with injuries.

While this may sound like a homer call, my gut feeling is that Vick is primed to have his best game of the year under the biggest pressure he has faced so far. This one, like most of the Eagles-Giants games, will go right down to the wire, but in the end the Birds get the win.

Below is a link to my complete preview of Sunday's game as originally posted on Cappers Picks


Eagles @ Giants Game Preview

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Sunday Night Football Preview- Eagles vs. Cowboys

The Eagles travel to Dallas for the first of two meetings with the Cowboys this Sunday night in what can only be described as a must-win game for the Birds on a number of levels.

The playoff picture in the NFC is taking shape and right now you have seven teams (eight if you count Tampa Bay at 7-5) fighting for six spots so somebody is destined to be the odd man out even if they finish with a winning record.

Atlanta is at the top of the heap at 10-2 and appears to be a lock to get in. Chicago and New Orleans are next at 9-3 and also in solid position to each grab a spot. The NFC West is a complete mess as St. Louis or Seattle will get an automatic playoff berth by winning the division even if it has a losing record, so that is the fourth spot.

That leaves Green Bay, New York, and Philadelphia at 8-4 to battle it out for two of the last three spots. The Eagles have already beaten the Giants once, but have also lost to the Packers. They play the G-Men again next week in a game that will most likely decide which team wins the NFC East.

A win this week is important because it would ensure that the Eagles maintain their current edge over New York heading into next week's game, going on the assumption that the Giants beat the Vikings on Sunday as well. It would also leave the Eagles still in the hunt for a wildcard spot should they lose to New York.

A win is also vital in order to knock the huge monkey off their back that was put there in back-to-back humiliating losses to the 'Boys at the end of last season.

The first loss, a shocking 24-0 shutout, knocked the Birds from the second seed in the postseason all the way to sixth. The following week at the scene of the first crime, they were thumped by Dallas again to the tune of 34-14 in one of their most ugly postseason performances in team history.

Finally, a win this week would cement the fact that this year's team is for real and has a legitimate shot at making it all the way to the Super Bowl.

Forget the fact that the Cowboys come into this game with a record of 4-8. They are out to prove they are far better than their 1-7 start as well as playing for their collective jobs in the eyes of team owner Jerry Jones. Beating them in their own backyard suddenly becomes a tall task to say the least.

Below is a link to my complete preview of Sunday night's game as originally posted on Cappers Picks



NFL Week 14: Eagles vs. Cowboys

Friday, December 3, 2010

It's Dallas Week- Part I

I know I am way early on this given the fact its only Friday, but after last night's win over Houston it is time to switch focus to that other team in Texas.

This year's series with the Cowboys has already lost much of its luster with the dismal performance of Dallas year to date, but none the less it still remains the biggest rivalry of the season.

All one has to do is think back to last year's season-ending loss to the Cowboys in the playoffs, not to mention the loss the last week of the regular season that cost the Birds the No.2 seed in the playoffs, to start salivating at the opportunity to beat the 'Boys twice this season and pile onto their misery.

To me, there is nothing better in the world, other than an Eagles' win, then a Dallas loss; no matter how poor its record is. I can still remember back in 1989 when Buddy Ryan ran up the score in a 27-0 whitewash of Jimmy Johnson's 'Boys in Big D. That team finished the season 1-15 making it one of my fondest memories of "America's Team".

Hopefully Tony Romo will be back for the last game of the regular season at the Linc so Philly's defense gets a chance at payback for his role in last season's defeats. If you think the fans have a long memory, it pales in comparison to a player's. Not to mention it would complete the perfect trifecta; two wins over Dallas and a thorough pummeling of one of the most overrated quarterbacks in the league today.

Bring on the Boys and be sure to check back this time next week for my full preview of the game.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Thursday Night Football- Texans @ Eagles

The Eagles are fortunate to have a chance to put last week's 31-26 loss to Chicago quickly behind them by playing Houston in the Thursday night game this week.

Not that this game will be a breeze, given the way the Bears were able to move the ball up and down the field against Philly's defense, but it offers a chance to get a quick win as well as some extra rest heading into the final four games of the season.

The key to beating the Texans will be jumping on them quickly much like the Monday night game against the Redskins. If Michael Vick can lead the offense to a couple of quick touchdowns instead of field goals it will help take Houston's running game out of the picture which is actually the Texans' biggest strength. The opportunity to put up some points should be there, given that Houston's defense is ranked 28th in the league overall and 31st against the pass.

Last week I expected the Birds' defense to step up and win the game but I have given up on that notion. If Chicago's 28th ranked offense can score 31 points you would have to believe that the Texan's seventh ranked offense will have some success despite the fact they are playing on the road.

This is a game that Eagles should win with relative ease, but as everyone knows from past seasons, you can never take anything for granted with this team. Hopefully, last week's game got some of the typical late season ugliness out of their system and left them poised to reel off enough wins to not only win the division, but lock up one of the top two spots in the conference.

Below is a link to my complete preview of Thursday night's game as originally posted on Cappers Picks


Thursday Night Football- Texans @ Eagles

Philadelphia Eagles- 2010 Schedule & Predictions UPDATE

Here is an update of my original game by game predictions along with the actual results

Green Bay Sun 09/12 4:15 PM EDT-LOSS..........27-20 LOSS
Detroit Sun 09/19 1:00 PM EDT -WIN...............35-32 WIN
@ Jacksonville Sun 09/26 4:05 PM EDT -WIN.....28-3 WIN
Washington Sun 10/03 4:15 PM EDT -WIN.........17-12 LOSS
@ San Francisco Sun 10/10 8:20 PM EDT -LOSS...27-24 WIN
Atlanta Sun 10/17 1:00 PM EDT -WIN................31-17 WIN
@ Tennessee Sun 10/24 1:00 PM EDT -WIN........37-19 LOSS
BYE WEEK
Indianapolis Sun 11/07 4:15 PM EST -LOSS..........26-24 WIN
@ Washington Mon 11/15 8:30 PM EST -LOSS*..........59-28 WIN
New York Giants Sun 11/21 8:20 PM EST -WIN........27-17 WIN
@ Chicago Sun 11/28 1:00 PM EST -WIN..............31-26 LOSS
Houston Thu 12/02 8:20 PM EST -WIN................34-24 WIN

YTD Prediction 8-4......YTD Actual 8-4

* I changed this game to a win after my original picks.

I am still on track for a 10-6 record, but given the fact that the Eagles still have two games against the Cowboys and one against the Vikings, 11-5 or even 12-4 is still a strong possibility.

Friday, November 26, 2010

Eagles vs. Bears Game Preview

The Eagles have a chance to take one step closer to winning the NFC East with a win this Sunday over Chicago. The Bears are currently 7-3 and tied with Green Bay atop the NFC North. To say that this is a surprise is a bit of an understatement after Chicago stumbled to a third place finish in the division with a 7-9 record.

This season, the Bears are getting it done with defense as they are ranked third overall and first in points allowed; giving up an average of just 14.6 points per game.

Chicago QB Jay Cutler has played much better overall, but is still susceptible to an occasional meltdown which plays right into the Eagles' ball-hawking defense. The Bears' offense is ranked 30th and 25th in scoring; averaging 19.1 points per game.

This should be a good test for Michael Vick and the rest of Philly's high-flying offense as this will be the toughest defense they have faced so far this season.

I cannot see them lighting up the Bears like they have most other teams this season, but I do see the Birds' defense having a field day pummeling Cutler. Eleven games into the season it might be time for Sean McDermott's unit to enjoy the spotlight by coming up big in Chicago.

Below is a link to my complete preview of Sunday's game as originally posted on Cappers Picks


Philadelphia vs. Chicago Preview & Free Week 12 Pick

Friday, November 19, 2010

Sunday Night Football- New York Giants @ Philadelphia Eagles

It's Showtime in the NFC East with first place on the line when the 6-3 New York Giants come to town on Sunday Night in a primetime matchup with the 6-3 Eagles.

First things first, let's put last week behind us. Everyone knows that the Giants got pasted by the Cowboys 33-20 while the Birds and Michael Vick put an offensive show for the ages in their 59-28 romp over Donovan's Redskins.

Wipe the slate clean because when these two teams get together anything can happen. The Eagles have won the last four games but the G-Men won three straight before that. The Eagles came out on top 45-38 last December as a one-point favorite, but the underdog in this series had won the previous six games before that.

Both of these teams appear to be the class of the NFC and the winner will undoubtedly be crowned the odds-on-favorite to go all the way to the Super Bowl, but championships are won on what happens after Thanksgiving, not the week before. Do not get me wrong, this is a huge game with major implications for winning the East, but the loser is by no means out of the race.

I like the Eagles' chances in this one, but there will be no going to bed early like last Monday night as this game could very well come down to which team has the ball last.

Below is a link to my full preview of Sunday night's game as originally posted on Cappers Picks.


NFL Week 11: Giants vs. Eagles

NFC East Game Previews- Week 11

While the Giants vs. Eagles game will take center stage on Sunday night, as a warm-up here are links to a preview of both the Cowboys and Redskins games for this week as originally posted on Cappers Picks


Detroit vs. Dallas Preview & Free Week 11 Pick



Washington vs. Tennessee Preview & Free Week 11 Pick

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Eagles @ Redskins Game Preview

I never thought I would see the day that the Eagles would beat a Colts' team with Peyton Manning behind center after watching him pick Philly's secondary apart for the past decade in four straight lopsided losses.

This victory was key for the Eagles but even more important to get me back on track for my prediction that they would go 10-6 this season. Here is a recap of my picks so far:

Green Bay Sun 09/12 4:15 PM EDT-LOSS..........27-20 LOSS
Detroit Sun 09/19 1:00 PM EDT -WIN...............35-32 WIN
@ Jacksonville Sun 09/26 4:05 PM EDT -WIN.....28-3 WIN
Washington Sun 10/03 4:15 PM EDT -WIN.........17-12 LOSS
@ San Francisco Sun 10/10 8:20 PM EDT -LOSS...27-24 WIN
Atlanta Sun 10/17 1:00 PM EDT -WIN................31-17 WIN
@ Tennessee Sun 10/24 1:00 PM EDT -WIN........37-19 LOSS
BYE WEEK
Indianapolis Sun 11/07 4:15 PM EST -LOSS..........26-24 WIN

Just flip-flop the Redskins/49ers games and the Titans/Colts games and I would be a perfect 8-0 for the first half. That is why I get paid to do this stuff!

I will be 0-1 starting off the second half of the season as I had the Birds losing to Washington on the road this week, but that is not going to happen. In fact, I will be surprised if the Eagles do not win this game by at least two touchdowns.

Ever since nut-job Shanahan decided to bench McNabb for reasons that still have yet to be properly explained, he put the kiss of death on his team. If they win more than six games this season I will be shocked (they are currently 4-4). A move like that does nothing more than divide a team as some players may agree with the coach, while others will side with the player. How is McNabb supposed to go out and do his job with one eye leaning toward the sideline looking for the head coach to pull him again?

Say what you want about Andy Reid, but in the 11 years these two were together he would never think about pulling a stunt like that with the game on the line.

Enough said....below is a the link to my complete preview of Monday night's game as originally posted on Cappers Picks


NFL Week 10: Eagles vs. Redskins

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Colts vs. Eagles Preview

The Eagles are back in action this Sunday after their bye week and they take on Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts.

Philly needs a win in this one to keep pace with the NFC East division-leading New York Giants. The East is shaping up as a two-team race the rest of the way with Jerry Jones' Cowboys sitting at 1-6 and the Redskins on the verge of imploding after Head Coach Mike Shanahan decided to bench Donovan McNabb when his team needed him the most.

The good news for the Eagles is the return of both Michael Vick and DeSean Jackson. If the Birds secondary struggles to keep the Colts offense out of the end zone at least they now have the necessary firepower to try and keep pace.

I still have a bad feeling about this one as Indy has won the last four meetings between the two and Manning is once again playing at a very high level. I had this game penciled in as a loss before the season started, but with the Eagles ugly meltdown against Tennessee, this almost becomes a must-win game.

Below is a link to my complete preview of Sunday's game as originally posted on Cappers Picks


Indianapolis vs. Philadelphia Preview & Free Week 9 Pick

Friday, October 22, 2010

Eagles @ Titans Preview

Before the season started I predicted the outcome of each Eagles game and through the first six weeks I am right on track as far as wins and losses. I had Philly knocking off the Redskins at home and losing to the 49ers on the road, but the end result remains the same; 4-2.

This week I have the Eagles winning in Tennessee to go into their bye week at 5-2. While the Titans are playing better than I expected, this is a game that Philadelphia should be able to win given the way that Kevin Kolb has been running the offense and the pressure that the Bird's defense has been able to create against opposing quarterbacks.

The main concern in this game will be Philadelphia's ability to contain Tennessee RB Chris Johnson, who is currently the second leading rusher in the NFL with 596 yards. The Eagles did a great job last week shutting down Atlanta's Michael Turner, but doing the same to Johnson will be a bit more difficult.

One thing in the Eagles favor is that it appears that Kerry Collins will get the start at quarterback for the injured Vince Young. Collins is more than capable of moving this offense down the field , maybe even more so than Young, but his lack of mobility plays right into the hands of Philly's pass rush and blitz schemes.

This game will be won or loss on Kolb's ability to keep the offense on the field and put points on the board like he has done the past two weeks. The easiest way to get a win against the Titans is to grab an early lead and force Collins to beat you with the pass; which takes Johnson out of the mix.

The second half of the Eagles season is far more challenging, so getting to 5-2 before the bye (as predicted)becomes extremely important to the long-term success of this team as right now it looks like it will take at least 10 or 11 victories to win the division.

Below is a link to my complete preview of this game as originally posted on Cappers Picks.


NFL Week 7: Eagles vs. Titans Wagering Pick / Handicapping

Friday, October 15, 2010

Atlanta vs. Philadelphia Preview & Free Week 6 Pick

Week 6 in the NFL brings us the first real big game of the 2010 Eagles season in my mind. The game with the Redskins was important because it was a divisional opponent as well as having the drama of Donovan McNabb's return, but Sunday's game with Atlanta will provide a great test to measure how good Philadelphia really is (or is not).

The Falcons are currently the most solid team in the NFC in all phases of the game. Their offense is ranked seventh overall and second in rushing offense. Their ball-hawking defense is ranked 10th overall, second in points allowed, and +7 in turnovers.

Atlanta also matches up very favorably against the Eagles as its core strength;running the ball with Michael Turner and Jason Snelling will go against a defense that has had major problems stopping the run this year. Philly is giving up an average of 125.8 rushing yards per game, ranking them 24th in the league.

The X factor in this game could be the availability of Michael Vick. Andy Reid has not ruled him out which tells me if Kevin Kolb gets off to a bad start and the Eagles fall behind, Reid may push the envelope and try and work him into the game.

Call it a hunch, but do not be surprised if Vick pulls off a couple of big plays to get Philly a win against his old team.

Below is a link to my entire preview of this game as originally posted on Cappers Picks


Atlanta vs. Philadelphia Preview & Free Week 6 Pick

Friday, October 8, 2010

Eagles @ 49ers preview

Washington got the best of the Eagles on the scoreboard in last week's 17-12 loss, but I would hardly call this game a testament that trading Donovan McNabb in the offseason was a huge mistake.

If you look at his overall performance it was very typical of why Philadelphia decided to go in a different direction with Kevin Kolb and recently Michael Vick in the first place. He ended the game completing just 8-of-19 attempts for 125 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. These are hardly numbers that justify trying to sign McNabb to a huge contract extension. His biggest asset in this game was his feet, scrambling for 39 yards including 18 yards for a key first down at the end of the game.

Even with this play, McNabb did not win this game for the Redskins, the Eagles lost it with turnovers, stupid penalties, and all-around sloppy play. After what I saw last Sunday, Washington still looks very much like the team that only managed to win four games last season.

Do not get me wrong, I was and still am a big Donovan McNabb fan, but it is highly doubtful the Eagles would be any better than their current 2-2 record if he was still with the team.

There are problems with a run defense that is giving up an average of 138.8 yards per game and special teams that are continually giving opposing teams excellent field position on both kick and punt coverage. These obviously have nothing to do with the quarterback position.

If you breakdown the Eagles offensive numbers, they are ranked 12th in passing, 11th in rushing, and eighth in total yards and points per game. There is a much better balance between the pass and the run and once Michael Vick and LeSean McCoy are healthy, they will be back to full strength.

In the meantime, Kevin Kolb will get his job back for at least Sunday night's game against the 49ers as the Eagles try to get by without two of their biggest offensive stars against a team that is 0-4, but still very dangerous at home. At this point, a win in this game would be a bonus and do not be surprised if Philly is still tied for the lead in the division even if they lose this one.

Here is a link to a brief preview of my top 3 matchups in the NFC this week including this game. It was originally posted on SportsBook Lists.



Top 3 NFC Matchups-Week 5

Thursday, September 30, 2010

Washington vs. Philadelphia Preview & Free Week 4 Pick

All week long the main conversation concerning this Sunday's Washington and Philadelphia game has revolved around the return of Donovan McNabb to Lincoln Financial Stadium as the Redskins starting quarterback and rightly so.

The trade of McNabb was the biggest offseason story not only for the Eagles but for the rest of the NFL as well. In his 11 seasons with the team, McNabb led the Birds to five NFC Championship games and one Super Bowl while rewriting the team's record book for the quarterback position along the way.

To make this whole story even more dramatic is the emergence of Michael Vick as a more than capable replacement for McNabb's services. If Vick continues to play the way he has in the past 2 1/2 games, he is going to make Andy Reid look like a genius for pulling the trigger on this controversial trade.

In reality this game will much more than a McNabb-Vick showdown. Each of these teams needs a victory in this game to help their position in the division, and while I would expect a couple of key plays by both these players, the end result will be determined by much more than that.

As a rule, games between these two have a tendency to go right down to the wire with the outcome hanging in the balance until the bitter end. It might hinge on the Eagles defense having to rise to the occasion to prevent McNabb from proving that Philly made a mistake in trading him away. The outcome could possibly be trust upon the right leg of David Akers, who might be called on to make a game-winning field goal. There are a number of factors that will have an impact on the final score as this game should be a great barometer of just how good this Eagles team really is.

Whatever the case, this game is about much more than just McNabb and Vick, but they will most likely remain the focal point not just this Sunday, but for the rest of the season as well.

Below is a link to my complete preview of this game as originally posted on Cappers Picks


Washington vs. Philadelphia Preview & Free Week 4 Pick

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Philadelphia vs. Jacksonville Preview & Free Week 3 Pick

The Kevin Kolb era in Philadelphia has been put on hold for now as Head Coach Andy Reid has decided to turn the keys over to Michael Vick for the foreseeable future.

You cannot deny that Vick has looked spectacular in his six quarters of action while Kolb looked like a deer in the headlights in his first half of action against Green Bay. So for now Kolb's future has been put on hold while Vick has a shot at redemption for a promising career that got derailed by his self-destructive off-field behavior.

Not to mention, given the current state of the Eagles offensive line along with the fact they lost FB Leonard Weaver for the season, the need for a mobile quarterback has never been greater and Vick certainly fits that mold.

As with most of the moves that concern this team, this change will either work out incredibly well or turn into a complete disaster. I am currently leaning toward the first scenario as the past history of the NFL has a number of examples of veteran backup QB's coming off the bench to lead their team to greatness. Vick certainly has shown he has the ability to be that guy, it is just a matter of having the O-Line and defense elevate their game as well.

Below is a link to my complete preview to Sunday's game against Jacksonville as originally posted on Cappers Picks


Philadelphia vs. Jacksonville Preview & Free Week 3 Pick

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Week 2: Philadelphia vs. Detroit Preview & Free Pick

In a battle of the backups, Michael Vick for the Eagles and Shawn Hill for the Lions will both be trying to lead their team to their first win of the season.

I had this game penciled in the win column when the schedules were first released and regardless of who is behind center if the Eagles lose this one we are all in for a long year.

Here is a link to my complete preview of Sunday's game as previously posted on Cappers Picks




Week 2: Philadelphia vs. Detroit Preview & Free Pick

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Philadelphia Eagles- 2010 Schedule & Predictions

The Eagles 2010 regular season gets underway today with a 4:15 p.m. clash against the Green Bay Packers at Lincoln Financial Field.

Here is their complete schedule along with my prediction for each game


Green Bay Sun 09/12 4:15 PM EDT -LOSS
@ Detroit Sun 09/19 1:00 PM EDT -WIN
@ Jacksonville Sun 09/26 4:05 PM EDT -WIN
Washington Sun 10/03 4:15 PM EDT -WIN
@ San Francisco Sun 10/10 8:20 PM EDT -LOSS
Atlanta Sun 10/17 1:00 PM EDT -WIN
@ Tennessee Sun 10/24 1:00 PM EDT -WIN
BYE WEEK
Indianapolis Sun 11/07 4:15 PM EST -LOSS
@ Washington Mon 11/15 8:30 PM EST -LOSS
New York Giants Sun 11/21 8:20 PM EST -WIN
@ Chicago Sun 11/28 1:00 PM EST -WIN
Houston Thu 12/02 8:20 PM EST -WIN
@ Dallas Sun 12/12 8:20 PM EST -LOSS
@ New York Giants Sun 12/19 1:00 PM EST -LOSS
Minnesota Sun 12/26 1:00 PM EST -WIN
Dallas Sun 01/02 1:00 PM EST -WIN


I have upgraded my original prediction of 9-7 to 10-6 based on an end of the season win over the Vikings in Week 16. I still think the Cowboys will once again win the division with an 11-5 record but it will be a tighter race than first expected. Washington and New York will keep things interesting until the end with the Redskins finishing 7-9 and the Giants ending up 9-7.

It should be another great year of action in the NFC East so be sure to check back for my weekly previews of all the Eagles games.

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Week 1: Green Bay vs. Philadelphia Preview & Pick

After carefully reviewing the tape of the preseason for both the Packers and the Eagles, I put together my preview and pick for Sunday's home opener at the Linc.

While I will go on record as still being a die-hard Eagles fan, I just do not have a real positive feeling that the Eagles can pull off an upset over the Packers.

Here is a link to my full preview of Sunday's game as originally posted on Cappers Picks.

Week 1: Green Bay vs. Philadelphia Preview & Free Pick

Friday, September 3, 2010

NFC East Team Previews

The Eagles finished up their four game preseason season with a 21-17 loss to the N.Y. Jets in a game that featured more players that will not be with the team on opening day than then the ones that will.

The final game is traditionally used to help the coaching staff decide which players on the cut-line will make the final 53 man roster. It should be a busy day has they have until Saturday to decide who stays and who goes.

One thing we know for sure is the team that takes the field next Sunday against the Green Bay Packers in the home opener at the Linc will look extremely different than the one that walked off the field in last season's embarrassing loss the Cowboys in the playoffs. Whether or not all the changes to personnel produces a different result still remains to be seen.

Below are links to a preview of each team in the NFC East along with my predictions for how they will finish. These were originally posted on Cappers Picks


Dallas Cowboys

Philadelphia Eagles

Washington Redskins

New York Giants

Saturday, August 28, 2010

Preseason Report- August 28

The final score tells me the Eagles won last night, but the offensive stat sheet tells me that they will be no match for Green Bay on opening day if they continue to play the way they did against the lowly Chiefs.

The bright spot in this mess was the play of the first team defense. This ball hawking bunch was able to create some key turnovers that led directly to points. First round draft pick Brandon Graham and second rounder Nate Allen are already making an impact which is good to see. The main concern on this side of the ball was an ankle injury to Trent Cole. Fortunately at this time it does not appear to be serious.

There is not much to say about Kevin Kolb's performance other than he was mostly ineffective under relentless pressure, but what other NFL quarterback would not be under the same circumstances? Everyone's concern about the Eagles offensive line was and is still very valid. If this group does not tighten up their protection, Kolb and the Bird's offense are in for a long season.

Given the fact that the final preseason game against the Jets on Thursday night will be used to make some final evaluations of talent to see which players make the team and which ones do not, there will be little chance to work these problems out on the field before the regular season opener.I do believe in miracles, but the reality is at this point Philadelphia's offensive line will be no match for the Packer's front seven unless something radically changes between now and September 12.

The Eagles success this year does not depend of Kolb's ability to replace McNabb, DeSean Jackson's circus like catches, or the running of LeSean McCoy rather it depends on the five guys up front's ability to come together as a unit to provide the necessary run blocking and pass protection to make this high powered offense perform like it can.

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Training Camp Report- August 21

Philadelphia's preparation for the regular season took a step backwards last night in an ugly 22-9 preseason loss to Cincinnati. Most of the positive takeaways from last week's win over Jacksonville were replaced with a number of negatives such as turnovers, costly penalties, blown coverages, and an inability to score touchdowns in the red zone.

Kevin Kolb looked very ordinary and Michael Vick looked down right bad. RB LaSean McCoy only managed 20 yards on six carries including one run for 16 yards.The Eagles secondary was torched by none other than Terrell Owens as he ended his limited playing time with three receptions for 67 yards.

The only positive of the night was the leg of K David Akers, who has accounted for the majority of the scoring in the Eagles first two games.

Maybe a good dose of reality is exactly what the Birds needed at this point of the preseason as they are certainly not ready to face Green Bay on opening day. Cincinnati was able to expose several problem areas on both sides of the ball that need to be addressed if they are to have any hope of competing in the division this year.

Next Friday night the Eagles head to Kansas City with a good chance of working out the kinks against a team that only managed to win four games last season. If they cannot straighten out some of these issues against the Chiefs we could be in for a long year.

Thursday, August 19, 2010

NFL Preseason Week 2 Matchup – Philadelphia vs. Cincinnati

The Eagles second game of this year's preseason is this Friday night at Cincinnati. With the starters expected to play the majority of the first half so we should get our first good look at both the Birds first team offense and defense against a fairly decent team.

Here is a link to a full preview of the game as originally posted on ATS Sportsline

NFL Preseason Week 2 Matchup – Philadelphia vs. Cincinnati

Saturday, August 14, 2010

2010 Training Camp Report-August 14th

While it is a little too early to annoint Kevin Kolb as the next Peyton Manning, you have to be encouraged with his performance in the Eagles 28-27 win over Jacksonville in their first preseason game last night.

Kolb played the whole first quarter completing six of 11 attempts for 95 yards. He was able to move the team down the field in all three series he played resulting in two David Akers' field goals.

While the Bird's did struggle in the red zone settling for three points instead of getting six, all told they looked pretty sharp for their first game with Kolb as their starting quarterback.

Another encouraging aspect of this game was the play of Kolb's backup; Michael Vick. Playing the second quarter and part of the third, Vick passed for 119 yards, completing 11 of 17 attempts. He did throw an interception and lose a fumble, but also showed some flashes of his former self by running for 50 yards including a nifty 10 yard touchdown run to give Philadelphia a 16-7 lead midway in the second quarter.

Batting cleanup for the Eagles was fourth round draft pick Mike Kafka. He went 3 for 7 for 76 yards including a 57 yard pass to Chad Hall in the fourth quarter that set up a 36 yard game winning field goal by Akers.

As an interesting sidelight,a few hours down the road Donovan McNabb was making his debut with his new team, the Washington Redskins. McNabb played the first few series and looked sharp, going 5 for 8 for 58 yards and a TD.

In a very limited window of activity it appears that this blockbluster trade has the potential to pay huge dividends for both teams, but only time will tell which team actually get the better of it.

Friday, August 6, 2010

2010 Training Camp Report-August 6th

The Eagles just completed their annual Flight Night practice which is held every year at Lincoln Financial Field. It is a series of practice drills along with an intra-squad scrimmage. The main idea behind the whole event is to raise money for local charities while giving the fans an early glimpse at the team.

The good news is that there is no bad news to report from last night. If you remember, last year the Eagles lost their starting middle linebacker Stewart Bradley to a fluky knee injury that ended his season. He is back and ready to go which is a welcomed relief, given the problems the Birds had at that position last year.

Two key players that did not participate in last night's practice were WR's DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin. Both have missed time this training camp due to some minor but nagging injuries. At this point in the season it is better to err on the side of caution than to take any unnecessary chances so expect them to sit out for as long as it takes them to get back to 100%.

The Birds first preseason game will be against Jacksonville next Friday night August 13th at the Linc starting at 7:30 P.M. It is hard to know what to expect in this first game as the starters are only likely to play a few series. As expected all eyes will be on QB Kevin Kolb, but I am actually more interested in getting a look at first round pick DE Brandon Graham and second round pick S Nate Allen. If the Eagles are to have any chance of competing with Dallas for the NFC East title, they need both these guys to make an immediate impact on this defense.

Friday, July 30, 2010

2010 NFC East Win Totals

With training camp in full swing and the regular season opener a little more than a month away, the odds makers have set the 'over/under' for total wins for all 32 NFL teams.

While I have been towing the conservative line for the Birds, thinking that 9-7 gets them into the playoffs, secretly my expectations are much higher as I believe that Kevin Kolb is set up to have huge year.

While there are plenty of questions marks, especially with the offensive line and defensive secondary, the talent level on this team is as high as it has been in recent memory. If the Eagles can avoid any devastating injuries and the young studs continue to develop, there really is no limit to how far this team can go.

That being said, I'm still flying under the radar with this year's team by keeping my predictions in line with the general consensus coming out of the NFL brain trust of experts and analysts.

Here is a link to my preview and predictions for each team in the NFC East as originally posted on SportsBook Lists


2010 NFC East Win Totals

Friday, July 23, 2010

2010 Training Camp Preview- July 23rd

Next week the Eagles will return to Lehigh University (my Alma Mater) in Bethlehem, PA. for the start of their 2010 training camp. Rookies and select veterans are set to report on Monday, July 26th and the rest of the squad will join them on Thursday, July 29th. This will be Andy Reid’s 12th training camp as Philadelphia’s head coach and perhaps the most interesting one of his tenure.

The big story out of Lehigh this year will be the development and progress of their new starting quarterback; Kevin Kolb. All eyes will be focused on his every throw as the immediate future of this franchise is firmly in his hands after the Eagles decided to part ways with longtime starter, Donovan McNabb this past offseason.

There is no doubt in my mind that Kolb has all the physical tools to be a top notch QB in the NFL. The big question is does he have the right mentality and temperament to deal with the Philadelphia media and fans as they scrutinize his every move. As long as he plays well everybody will love him, but the minute the wheels come off the wagon they will turn on him like a pack of hungry wolves.

There is also no doubt he can throw the ball. In two starts last season he threw for 718 yards and four TD’s. He became the first quarterback in the history of the NFL to throw for two 300 plus yard games in this first two starts. Also keep in mind he threw three interceptions in the game against New Orleans, exhibiting a lack of patience in the pocket. A lot of time has passed between then and now as he has had the chance to settle into the role of being the No. 1 guy. Starting next week he will get the opportunity he deserves to be there.

Monday, July 19, 2010

2010 AFC Conference Odds- Team Analysis

Here is a link to a preview of the NFL's American Football Conference as originally posted on Cappers Picks


2010 AFC Conference Odds- Team Analysis

2010 NFC Conference Odds- Team Analysis

The following is a link to a preview of the NFL's National Football Conference as originally posted of Cappers Picks

2010 NFC Conference Odds- Team Analysis

Thursday, July 1, 2010

NFC Team Training Camp Report Dates

Here is a link to a preview of the NFC training camp start dates as originally posyed on Cappers Picks

NFC Team Training Camp Report Dates

AFC Team Training Camp Report Dates

Here is a link to a preview of the AFC training camp start dates as originally posted on Cappers Picks

AFC Team Training Camp Report Dates

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

NFL 2010 Team Previews- NFC West

Here are links to a 2010 preview of each NFL team in the NFC West as originally posted on SportsBook Lists

Arizona Cardinals

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

St. Louis Rams

Thursday, June 24, 2010

NFL 2010 Conference Odds- The AFC

Last week we took a look at the conference odds for the National Football League as well as a brief preview of each division.

While I regrettably picked Dallas to win the East, I have to call them as I see them. Given the fact that it is still just the end of June and the start of training camp is over a month away, I do reserve the right to change my picks up until the opening kickoff of the first regular season game.

Believe you me it pains me more than you can imagine to even consider Jerry, Tony, and the Boys besting the Birds for the division title, so I am looking for any plausible excuse in the world to recant my prognostications.

Anyway, here is this week's review of the AFC as originally posted on Cappers Picks



NFL 2010 Conference Odds- The AFC

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

NFL 2010 Team Preview- NFC North

Here are links to a preview of each team in the NFC North for the upcoming 2010 NFL season as originally posted on SportsBook Lists

Minnesota Vikings

Green Bay Packers

Chicago Bears

Detroit Lions

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

2010 NFL Odds- NFC North

Here is a link to a brief preview of the current 2010 NFL odds for the NFC North as originally posted on ATS Sportsline


2010 NFL Odds- NFC North

Monday, June 21, 2010

NFL 2010 Draft Impact Players-Safeties

Here is a link to my preview of the top impact safeties from this year's NFL draft.

After scouring the list of picks at this position, I honestly believe that Nate Allen has a great chance of having a big impact on the Eagles defense next season. While does not have the vicious hitting ability of a Brian Dawkins he does have the ability to roam the secondary and make some big game changing plays much the way Dawkins was able to do in the past.

NFL 2010 Draft Impact Players- Safeties

Thursday, June 17, 2010

NFL News & Notes- June 17th

The big news out of Eagles' camp is that they have already signed 10 of this year's 13 draft picks to a contract. That is excellent work considering that there are still 14 teams that have yet to sign a single one. Of course No.1 pick Brandon Graham and No. 2 Nate Allen are still unsigned but those kind of deals still take some time. I fully expect Banner & Co. to have these two inked by the start of training camp.

Here is a look at some news & notes from the rest of the NFL as originally posted on InasecTV


NFL News & Notes- June 17th

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

2010 NFL Odds, Preview, & Predictions- NFC South

Here are links to a brief look at the odds and outlook for each team in the NFC South as we get ready for another season in the NFL. These were all originally posted on SportsBook Lists

Atlanta Falcons

Carolina Panthers

New Orleans Saints

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

NFL 2010 Draft Grades- AFC West

In the final installment of a complete review of each team's performance in this year's NFL draft, we take a look at each team in the AFC West as originally posted on InasecTV

NFL 2010 Draft Grades- AFC West

Monday, June 14, 2010

NFL 2010 Draft Impact Players- Cornerbacks

Here is a link to my look at the top few impact cornerbacks from this year's NFL draft as originally posted on InasecTV

NFL 2010 Draft Impact Players-Cornerbacks

Friday, June 11, 2010

NFL News & Notes-June 11th

Here is a link to my news and notes from the NFL as originally posted on InasecTV

NFL News & Notes- June 11

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

NFL 2010 Odds, Preview, & Predictions-NFC East

With my fearless prognostications for the AFC already documented it was time to turn my attention to the NFC.I decided to start will all the teams so near and dear to our hearts; the NFC East.

Speaking of hearts that is what I used last year to make my picks. After booking a room in Miami for the Super Bowl only to have to cancel it after yet another brutal loss in the playoffs, I decided to use my head this year instead.

The Eagles certainly have the talent to make a deep run next year but a lot of things will have to fall in place quickly in order for that to happen. Anytime a team switches quarterbacks there are bound to be some growing pains involved, especially when he is replacing your starter for the past 10 years. Defensively, another year under Sean McDermott should do wonders, but unless a few guys in the defensive secondary step up big that area is shaping up as a huge liability for the team.

All in all Andy Reid will have this team ready come September and they will still win their fair share of games. It is the month of January that am worried about as it could very well be another one and done for the Birds.

Anyway for what it is worth here are links to a preview of each team in the NFC East for the upcoming 2010 NFL season as posted on SportsBook Lists

Dallas Cowboys

New York Giants

Philadelphia Eagles

Washington Redskins

NFL 2010 Draft Grades- AFC North

This week we take a look how each team in the AFC North performed in this year's NFL draft.Here is the link to the article as originally posted on InasecTV


NFL 2010 Draft Grades-AFC North

Monday, June 7, 2010

NFL 2010 Draft Impact Players-Linebackers

As we continue to work our way through every position, here is a link to my impact players from this year's NFL draft at the linebacker position as originally posted on InasecTV

NFL 2010 Draft Impact Players-Linebackers

Friday, June 4, 2010

NFL News & Notes- June 4th

Here is a link to this week's news & notes from the NFL as originally posted on InasecTV

NFL News & Notes- June 4th

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

2010 NFL Previews- The AFC West

Here are links to a preview of each NFL team in the AFC West for the upcoming 2010 season

Denver Broncos

Kansas City Chiefs

Oakland Raiders

San Diego Chargers

NFL 2010 Draft Grades- AFC South

In this week's installment of NFL draft grades we take a look at how each team in the AFC South fared this past April. This was originally posted on InasecTV.


NFL 2010 Draft Grades- AFC South

Monday, May 31, 2010

NFL 2010 Draft Impact Players- Defensive Line

While we all hope that the Eagles first round pick DE Brandon Graham has the biggest impact of any rookie next season, in reality there are quite a few others that are in a position to immediately make their team's defense a whole lot better.

Here is a link to a brief look at my top three impact players on the defensive line as originally posted on InsecTV

NFL 2010 Draft Impact Players- Defensive Line

Friday, May 28, 2010

NFL News & Notes- May 28th

It was an extremely quiet week for the Eagles as the only player news was the signing of a local product, CB Ryan Hamilton, who played his high school football at Council Rock in Newtown, PA. and his college ball at Vanderbilt.

He would have to be considered a long shot at best to make the team, but Andy Reid must see something in this kid to give him a chance.

Here is a link to some other news and notes from the NFL over the past week as originally posted on InasecTV


NFL News & Notes- May 28th

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

NFL 2010 Preview- AFC North

Here are links to a preview of each team in the AFC North for the upcoming 2010 NFL season as originally posted on SportsBook Lists

Baltimore Ravens

Cincinnati Bengals

Cleveland Browns

Pittsburgh Steelers

NFL 2010 Draft Grades-AFC East

The grades for the NFC for this year's draft are complete so it is time to turn our attention to the AFC. This week we will take a look at how each team in East fared in reference to their picks.

NFL 2010 Draft Grades- AFC East

Monday, May 24, 2010

NFL 2010 Draft Impact Players- Offensive Line

Here is a link to my preview of a couple of rookie offensive linemen who are primed to make a huge impact their first year in the league. This article was originally posted on InasecTV.com

One of the players reviewed is OT Trent Williams, who was taken by Washington with the fourth overall pick in the draft. I guarantee you that QB Donovan McNabb was applauding that pick as the Redskins seem committed to rebuilding an offensive line that was one of the weak points of this team last season.


NFL 2010 Draft Impact Players- Offensive Line

Friday, May 21, 2010

2010 NFL Preview- AFC South

Here are links to a brief preview of every team in the AFC South for the 2010 NFL season as originally posted on SportsBook Lists


Indianapolis Colts

Houston Texans

Jacksonville Jaguars

Tennessee Titans

NFL News & Notes-May 21st

Things have been pretty quiet out of the Eagles camp this week as the rookies and a few select veterans were in town for the Bird's first OTA (organized team activities), but there is nothing really monumental to write about. I like to refer to this time of year- post draft, pre Summer Camp- as the calm before the storm.

Thers are still some things going on in the NFL so here is a link to this week's news & notes as originally posted on InasecTV


NFL News & Notes- May 21st

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

NFL 2010 Draft Grades-NFC West

It is time to finish up grading the NFC's draft with the final division-the West as originally posted on InasecTV.com


NFL 2010 Draft Grades-NFC West

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

2010 NFL Odds- AFC South

Here is a link to a brief preview of the current odds for every team in the AFC South as originally posted on ATS Sportsline


2010 NFL Odds-AFC South

Monday, May 17, 2010

NFL 2010 Draft Impact Players-Tight Ends

This week in my ongoing series of potential impact players from this year's draft, I take a look at some of the tight ends that have the best opportunity to come in right away and make an impact on their new team.

The Eagles drafted TE Clay Harbor from Missouri State in the fourth round with the 125th overall selection. Brent Celek, the Birds current starting tight end has established himself as a potential Pro Bowl type player if he continues to put up numbers like he did in 2009. Harbor could come in as a solid special teams player and another option in the red zone, but I would not describe him as an impact player for the 2010 season given Celek's current hold on the starting spot.

Here is a link to my preview of my impact tight ends as posted on InasecTV.com


NFL 2010 Draft Impact Players-Tight Ends

Friday, May 14, 2010

2010 Team Previews- AFC East

The following are links to a brief preview of each team in the AFC East as originally posted on SportsBook Lists

Buffalo Bills

Miami Dolphins

New England Patriots

New York Jets

NFL News & Notes- May 14th

Former Eagle running back and one of my favorite players ever, Brian Westbrook was back on the job search trail this week as he visited both Washington and Denver in search for a new home.

A reunion with McNabb would be great, but the fit with the Redskins might be a stretch as they have already added two more veteran running backs this offseason; Larry Johnson and Willie Parker.

The Broncos could be a possible fit as he would reunite with Correll Buckhalter to help backup Knownshon Moreno.

As long as #36 is healthy enough to play, I would love to see him land on a team that has a chance to give him a Super Bowl ring to complete an incredibly productive career.

Here is a link to this week's News & Notes from the NFL as originally posted on InasecTV.com


NFL News & Notes-May 14th

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

NFL 2010 Futures Odds- AFC East

Here is a link to a brief look at the 2010 Futures Odds for the teams in the AFC South as originally posted on ATS Sportsline


2010 Futures- AFC East

NFL 2010 Draft Grades- NFC South

Here is a link to my third installment of a look back at how each team faired in this year's draft. Today we hand out the final grades for the teams in the NFC South.

NFL 2010 Draft Grades- NFC South

Monday, May 10, 2010

NFL 2010 Draft Impact Players- Wide Receivers

Here is a link to my next installment of this year's impact rookies from last month's draft. This week we take a look at a few wide receivers that have the best chance to step in right away and help their new team.

It was originally posted on InasecTV.com

NFL 2010 Draft Impact Players- Wide Receivers

Friday, May 7, 2010

NFL News & Notes- May 7th

You know it has been a slow week for Eagles news when the biggest story coming out of Eaglesville is that Michael Vick is unhappy with his role as a backup.

Can you tell me what backup quarterback in the league IS happy with his role?

Thankfully there have been some other things going on in the league that is newsworthy. Here is a link to my NFL news and notes for the week as originally posted on InasecTV.com

NFL News & Notes- May 7th

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

NFL Final Draft Grades- NFC North

Last week we took a look at the final draft grades for the NFC East and a few people thought I was a bit to generous with the Eagles' B+.

Any immediate judgement of a draft is pure speculation as it usually takes a couple of years before you can get a true assessment of the quality of players at team actually selected.

This week we move onto the next division; the NFC North as originally posted on InasecTV.com


NFC North Final Draft Grades

Monday, May 3, 2010

NFL 2010 Draft Impact Players- Running Backs

With 255 players getting drafted into the NFL it is virtually impossible for every one of them to make some kind of impact on their new team next season.

That being said, there will be a few players at each postion that have the potential to have a major impact in their first season in the league. This week we take a look at a few running backs that have the best chance to do just that.

NFL 2010 Draft Impact Players-Running Backs

Friday, April 30, 2010

NFL News & Notes- April 30th

With the NFL draft in the books it is time to turn our attention back to the weekly going ons in the league.

Nothing too Earth shattering on docket for this week but here is a look at the news & notes from the NFL as originally posted on InasecTV.com

NFL News & Notes- April 30th

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

NFL Final Draft Grades- NFC East

Here is a brief review of my final grades for each team in the NFC East as originally posted on InasecTV.com


NFL Final Draft Grades- NFC East

Monday, April 26, 2010

NFL Draft Impact Rookies- Quarterbacks

While do not expect anything from Eagles fourth round pick QB Mike Kafka next season other than carrying a clip board, here is a link to my top impact rookie QB's for next season as originally posted on InasecTV.com

NFL Draft Impact Rookies-Quarterbacks

Sunday, April 25, 2010

2010 Philadelphia Eagles Draft Recap

#13 First Round-Brandon Graham DE Michigan

At 6'1" 263 lbs this guy was definitely not the biggest DE available, but he is probably the best pure pass rusher that was on the board.

#37 Second Round-Nate Allen S USF

After passing on Earl Thomas in the first round, the Eagles did get the third best safety in the draft in taking Allen.

#86 Third Round-Daniel Te'o-Nesheim DE Washington

This was a bit of a stretch with such a high pick, but Reid is obviously committed to improving the pass rush next season.

#105 Fourth Round-Trevard Lindley CB Kentucky

This guy was a playmaker at Kentucky as he set the record for the most interceptions in school history.

#121 Fourth Round-Keenan Clayton LB Oklahoma

He is not projected as a starter, but could end up being a situational player and a great special teamer.

#122 Fourth Round-Mike Kafka QB Northwestern

This guy will be the new #3 QB and will hopefully have Kevin Kolb looking over his shoulder in four or five years.

#125 Fourth Round-Clay Harbor TE Missouri State

This could be one of the Eagles best late round picks as Harbor is a tremendous athlete who can contribute in a number of ways.

#135 Fifth Round-Ricky Sapp DE Clemson

At 6'4" 252 lbs, look for Sapp to move to OLB as he is much better suited for that position.

#159 Fifth Round-Riley Cooper WR Florida

This guy has got the size to be a solid third down possession receiver.

#200 Sixth Round-Charles Scott RB LSU

Taken as a solid special teams player and a possible short yardage runner as he never fumbled the ball in his entire college career.

#220 Seventh Round-Jamar Chaney LB Mississippi State

He has excellent speed and coverage skills, but is undersized against the run. Another situational player who should excel on special teams.

#243 Seventh Round-Jeff Owens DT Georgia

At 6'1" 305 lbs, he can fill some holes on the line if one of the starters goes down.

#244 Seventh Round-Kurt Coleman S Ohio State

As the Eagles "Mr Irrelevant" Coleman is a special teams guy all the way.

Friday, April 23, 2010

Eagles Second Round Pick- Nate Allen

Here is a brief review of Allen that was originally posted on InasecTV in my review of the top safeties in this year's draft:

Nate Allen

Coming out of South Florida, Allen has not received the fanfare that some of these other players have, but at 6’0” 207 lbs he has proven to be a playmaker over the course of his college career. In his final season with the Bulls he recorded 85 tackles, four interceptions, and four broken pass plays. He does not have the straight line speed that teams sometimes get fixated on, but he has the ability to come in and help a defense right away. He should go sometime by the middle of the second round.

Bottom line, this is a great pick for the Birds

Check out the the full article at:

2010 NFL Draft Preview-Safety

NFL News & Notes- April 23rd

Here is a link to my thoughts on last night's first round of the 2010 NFL Draft as originally posted on InasecTV.com

As mentioned in a previous post, I do like the Eagles pick; Michigan DE Brandon Graham, as they filled one of their most immediate needs. Make sure to check back in after tonight's second and third round for further updates.

NFL News & Notes- April 23rd

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Eagles First Round Pick- Brandon Graham

The Eagles just traded two third round picks to Denver to move up from #24 to #13 to take DE Brandon Graham from Michigan in an effort to bolster their pass rush which was a major weakness last season.

Many of the draft experts expected them to move up to take S Earl Thomas from Texas, but I believe they filled a more pressing need by taking Graham.

I actually had DE Jason Pierre-Paul from South Florida ranked a little bit higher, but Graham is more of a pure pass rusher who should be able to step in right away to help the Bird's defense.

Draft Expert Matt McGuire had the following comments on this guy:

Strengths:
Plays with great strength
Outstanding motor and doesn't take plays off
Elite level of production (29.5 career sacks)
Sets the edge in run support
Strong, active hands
Extends arms - knows how to disengage
Shows rip, swim, spin, club moves
Makes plays in pursuit
Knows how to set up an offensive tackle
Tough and plays through injuries
Plays with very sound technique
Quick to diagnose
Good intangibles
Great Senior Bowl week

Weaknesses:
Lacks a quick first step
Unimpressive speed and explosion
Below average height and poor arm length (30.5")
Limited athletically
Not comfortable in coverage
Stiff hips
Can he play standing up?
Might be 4-3 left defensive end only

Overall this is a solid pick and worth the two #3's to get him.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

2010 NFL Draft Preview- Second Round Steals

With the NFL draft just a day away it is crunch time as 32 teams are busy putting the final touches on their 2010 plans.

With the Eagles having so many picks in the first four or five rounds (I think it is something like 10) I fully expect them to use some of them to trade up from their current spot; 24th to around 10 or 11 to grab a defensive lineman or possibly a pass rushing linebacker.

I'm not quite sure who, but creating a pass rush without always resorting to the blitz is still the biggest area of concern for this team.

As far as my continuing preview of this year's draft here is a link to my "Second Round Steals" as posted on InasecTV.com

Monday, April 19, 2010

2010 NFL Draft- First 10 Picks

Here is a link to my predictions for the first ten picks in Thursday's draft. The Eagles do not pick until 24th and right now I do not have a clue as to what direction they will go.

They just traded their fifth round pick to Denver for LB Ernie Sims so I expect they will take the best available defensive lineman, but with Reid you never know what he is likely to do.

2010 NFL Draft- First 10 Picks

Friday, April 16, 2010

NFL News & Notes- April 16th

With less than a week until the 2010 college draft much of the focus has been on each team's plan of attack to address their current needs with the picks they have.

Last year I tried to forecast what I thought the Eagles would do and I will not make that mistake again. If Andy Reid was not a NFL head coach he could make a living playing poker in Las Vegas, as few are better at holding their cards so close to their vest than he is.

It is obvious that the Bird's will focus on defense in this year's draft, but until they actually announce their picks anything is liable to happen.

Here is a link to this week's News & Notes from the NFL as originally posted on InasecTV


NFL News & Notes- April 16th

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

2010 NFL Draft Preview- Safety

With the 2010 NFL draft a little over a week away, here is my final installment of a position by position preview of the top college players available. This week I take a look at the safety position.

Is the next Brian Dawkins lurking out there somewhere, ready to come in and make a dramatic impact on a team's defense just like he did for the Eagles? Maybe Andy Reid and his staff will be able to sniff one out when they are on the clock next week.

2010 NFL Draft Preview- Safety

Monday, April 12, 2010

NFL 2009 Final Grades- AFC West

In the final installment of my ongoing series taking a look at the final 2009 grades for all 32 NFL teams, I turn my attention to the AFC West.

Here is a link to the review was originally posted on InasecTV.com

NFL 2009 Final Grades- AFC West

Friday, April 9, 2010

News & Notes from the NFL- April 9th

Here is a link to my News & Notes from the NFL this week. It is primarily devoted to this week's block buster trade that sent Donovan McNabb to the Redskins. A full analysis of this trade can be found in a seperate post on the blog.

News & Notes from the NFL- April 9th

My Persepective on the Donovan McNabb Trade

I have had a full five days to digest last Sunday's announcement that the Eagles had traded Donovan McNabb to the Washington Redskins. My initial reaction was not one of shock or dismay rather I would describe it as "puzzled" mainly because he went to a division rival.

The fact that the Eagles traded McNabb really should not have come as a surprise to anyone who has followed how the Eagles operate as a franchise over the past several years. At the end of the 2008 season when the two sides could not agree upon a contract extension and opted to just fatten up the final two years of McNabb's remaining contract, the hand writing was on the wall.

What sealed the deal was Kevin Kolb's performance this past season in the two games he started when McNabb was out with a concussion. All Andy Reid needed to see how well he threw the ball (85 attempts for 718 yards) and he was licking his chops as if he were at an all-you-can-eat rib joint.

I'm still not sure that Reid is the one that pulled the trigger on this deal, which brings up a whole other set of questions, but he now knew in the back of his mind that he had someone to step into his offensive system that could run it the way he wanted it run.

Another factor was McNabb's age. The Eagles are known for jettisoning players once they hit their 30's no matter what they have contributed to the team in the past. For the most part these decisions have been correct as history has shown that particular player’s best days were behind them. That all changed when they released Brian Dawkins. Last season with the Broncos he proved he had a lot left in the tank and the Eagles defense suffered tremendously in his absence. I tend to agree with their decision to release Brian Westbrook as with his health concerns he is better off retiring from the game. The jury is still out on Donovan McNabb.

I think he does have a couple of solid years left in his career and I still expect to see him end up with a Super Bowl ring somewhere along the line, but this may actually be the best move for all parties involved. Donovan gets a chance to be the center of attention with a brand new team that will constantly feed his enormous ego. The Eagles get to test their theory that they can plug a quarterback with a big arm into their system and still continue to perform at a high level.

I’m still not sure why the Eagles struck a deal with the Redskins. One conspiracy theory says it was to keep Washington from drafting one of this year’s top QB’s with their fourth overall pick. There may be some legs to this as while I am not thrilled at the prospect a facing McNabb twice a season for the next three or four years, if the Redskins would have had a shot at drafting Sam Bradford or Jimmy Clausen and they turned out to be the next coming of Peyton Manning, things could have ended up being much worse.

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

2010 NFL Draft Preview- Cornerbacks

In my eight installment of my position by position preview this year's NFL draft, I take a look at the top cornerbacks that are available.

With the Redskins second round draft pick that the Eagles received in the Donovan McNabb trade (I will reserve my comments on that whole situation until a later date as I have yet to fully digest the impact of this move)they could very well use it to add another CB to the roster, given the fact that they traded away Sheldon Brown.

Here is a link to my preview of a few of the best available CB's as posted on InsecTV.com

2010 NFL Draft Preview- Cornerbacks

Monday, April 5, 2010

AFC South- 2009 Final Grades

We are getting near the end of the line for the 2009 Final Grades for all 32 NFL teams. With the draft a little more than three weeks away it is time to start focusing on the new and not the old.

That being said their are still eight teams left that have not received their final grades. Here is a link to a review of the AFC South as posted on InasecTV.com

AFC South 2009 Final Grades

Friday, April 2, 2010

NFL News & Notes- April 2nd

While there are no new developments in the Donovan McNabb situation, I think it is a foregone conclusion that his playing days in Philadelphia are over.

Whether it is the right move or not, it appears that the Eagles are committed to Kevin Kolb as their new starting quarterback and are just trying to maximize McNabb's value to get as much as they can from another team. This is the unfortunate business side of the game as over the years we have seen many great players make an unceremonious exit from the team.

I will go on record right now by saying Donovan McNabb will eventually win a Super Bowl. He may not do it as a starter, but before he calls it quits he will get his ring. I wish I could say the same for Kevin Kolb, but that script has yet to be written.

I guess I can add my #5 jersey to the box that already contains a #12, #92,
#28, and #36.

Here is a link to some other news & notes from the NFL as originally posted on InasecTV.com


News & Notes from the NFL

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

2010 NFL Draft Preview- Linebackers

This week's draft preview takes a look at the top linebackers available for this year's NFL draft.

This is another potential area that the Eagles are likely to address especially in the middle. Rolando McClain from Alabama is one of the top interior linebacker prospects and would be a great addition to the defense. He could actually be available when the Birds are on the clock with the 24th spot in the first round, but do not get your hopes up as he will most likely be a top 20 pick.

Here is a link to the complete review as posted on InasecTV.com

2010 NFL Draft Preview-Linebackers

Monday, March 29, 2010

NFL 2009 Final Grades- The AFC North

This week we take a look at the AFC North's final grades.

The Bengals shocked everyone this past season by not only winning the division, but sweeping both Baltimore and Pittsburgh in the process. Although they reverted to their old selves by dropping four out of their last five games including a 24-14 loss to the Jets in the playoffs, they still received the highest grade in the division.

Here is a link to the entire review as posted on InasecTV.com

NFL 2009 Final Grades- AFC North

Friday, March 26, 2010

NFL News & Notes- March 26th

This week, Andy Reid made it public that the Eagles are officially entertaining offers for all three of their quarterbacks, but reading between the lines, they were clearly referring to Donovan McNabb.

Ever since last year when they only offered him more money over the final two years of his contract and not an actual extension, you got the feeling that McNabb's days in Philly were numbered. At 33 years old this may the only opportunity they will have to maximize McNabb's value by trading him for a number one or high number two draft pick and possibly another player to fill some other need.

The other factor is there are two quarterbacks on the roster, most notably 25 year old Kevin Kolb they believe can step in and lead this team.

I believe, that out of the three, McNabb still gives them the best chance to win a championship in the short term. That being said, if Philadelphia's brain trust does not want to sign him to a two or three year extension, then the next best option is to work out a trade and hand the reigns over to Kolb.

Here is a link to some more news and notes from the NFL as originally posted on InasecTV.com

NFL News & Notes- March 26th

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

2010 NFL Draft Preview- Deffensive Line

Shifting to the other side of the ball, this is my first preview of some of the defensive talent in this year's draft.

While the Eagles will have no shot at the players that are in my preview, the defensive line is definately an area where the Birds might be looking if not with their first round pick, possibly a second or third.

Anyway, here is my preview of the top defensive linemen available as originally posted on InasecTV.

2010 NFL Draft Preview-Defensive Line

Monday, March 22, 2010

NFL 2009 Final Grades- The AFC East

With the NFC grades already recorded, we turn our attention to the AFC. Indianapolis was the toast of the town in the American Conference, but some upstarts like the New York Jets and the Cincinnati Bengals made some noise as well as some traditional playoff teams such as San Diego and New England.

This week we take a look at the AFC East in an article that was originally posted on InasecTV.com

NFL 2009 Final Grades- The AFC East

Friday, March 19, 2010

NFL News & Notes- March 19th

The Eagles made a couple of roster moves this week adding a new face or two as well as saying goodbye to a couple of familiar ones as well.

WR Kevin Curtis, G Shawn Andrews, and DE Darren Howard were all told thanks but no thanks, you are now free to pursue a career with another team.

DE Jason Bain, a restricted free agent was tendered an offer by Tennessee and the Eagles basically said that you can have him, as they have no plans to make a matching offer.

DE Darryl Tapp was acquired in a trade with Seattle and expects to compete for a starting job this summer.

Here are some more news and notes from the NFL this week as posted on InasecTV.com


NFL News & Notes- March 19th

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

2010 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament

I decided to take a break from covering our beloved Eagles and the NFL to write a few preview articles for the upcoming NCAA basketball tournament that gets underway in full force on Thursday.

With two of my beloved schools; Lehigh, my Alma Mater and Old Dominion; my daughter's Alma Mater in the field of 64 it just makes it all that much more exciting, even though both their stays will most likely be short lived.

Here are my picks of the teams to watch in each region in case you want to make some last minute changes to your bracket. These were originally posted on SportsBook Lists.


East Regional

South Regional

Midwest Regional

West Regional

2010 NFL Draft Preview- Offensive Lineman

In the fifth installment of my preview of the 2010 NFL draft, I am moving onto a category that the Eagles may want to pay attention to; offensive line.

While Jason Peters was a stud at left tackle, earning himself a trip to the Pro Powl, the rest of the O-line was a revolving door of injuries and disappointing performances. I just not sure that the current right tackles on the roster are the answer for next year, so the Birds may want to take a closer look at OT Trent Williams out of Oklahoma if he is still on the board when they are on the clock in the first round.

Here is a look at the top offensive linemen in this year's draft as posted on InasecTV.com


2010 NFL Draft Preview- Offensive Lineman

Monday, March 15, 2010

NFL 2009 Final Grades- The NFC West

After taking a week's hiatus, the 2009 NFL Finals Grades Report is back.

This week we take a look at the NFC West as posted on InasecTV. As a general summary statement this division as a whole should be sent to summer school.

NFL 2009 Finals Grades- The NFC West

Friday, March 12, 2010

NFL News & Notes- March 12th

After the first full week of free agency quite a few of the big names available have already found new homes along with a much fatter wallet.

The Eagles made one major move by signing CB Marlin Jackson, who was previously with Indianapolis. Jackson brings some versatility to the Bird's defensive backfield as he could play either corner or safety. While I'm not overly excited about this guy, anything the Eagles do to improve in this area is a step in the right direction as their pass coverage was an obvious liability last season.

Here are the rest of the News& Notes from the NFL this week as posted on InasecTV.com


NFL News & Notes- March 12th

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

2010 NFL Draft Preview- The Tight Ends

The fourth installment of my 2010 NFL Draft preview takes a look at a few of the top tight ends in this year's draft.

With the emergence of Brent Celek last year as a big time player, this position is not a need for the Eagles this offseason but here is a link to my preview on InasecTV.com on the best available in this year's draft.

2010 NFL Draft Preview-Tight Ends

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

2010 NFL Draft Preview- The Wide Receivers

After stealing DeSean Jackson in the second round in 2008 and moving up to grab Jeremy Maclin in the first round in 2009 the Eagles hopefully have solidified the wide receiver position for years to come.

Even though we know the Birds will not be looking for another wide out in this year's draft, here is a preview of a few of the best available.

2010 NFL Draft Preview- the Wide Receivers

Monday, March 1, 2010

NFL 2009 Final Grades- The NFC South

Today we take a look at the 2009 final grades for the NFC South. While everyone knows that the Saints aced the final, take a look at how the rest of the division fared last year.

NFL 2009 Final Grades- The NFC South

Friday, February 26, 2010

NFL News & Notes- February 26th

Here is a link to this week's NFL News and Notes as posted on InasecTV.com


NFL News & Notes

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

2010 NFL Draft Preview- The Running Backs

In the second of my series of previews for the 2010 NFL Draft I take a look at the top prospects at the running back position.

Last year I had second round pick LeSean McCoy pretty high on my board and with the departure of Brian Westbrook he is now the number one guy in Philly. While I do not see the Eagles taking a running back in any of this year's early rounds here is a preview of the top players available at that position.

2010 NFL Draft Preview- The Running Backs

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Eagles Release Brian Westbrook

The Eagles announced today that they are releasing veteran running back Brian Westbrook as opposed to picking up the final year of his contract that would pay him 7.25 million next season. The move will not become official until after the new NFL year starts on March 5th, but the team decided to make their decision public in order to allow him test the waters with any other teams that may be interested in picking him up.

While no one should be really surprised with this move, it is still hard to imagine not having #36 in the Eagles' backfield next year. This move was not about money, rather it was about reality. Westbrook is 30 years old and has not been completely healthy for over two years. His numbers have consistently decreased over the past few seasons and when Philly drafted LeSean McCoy in the second round last year the handwriting was on the wall that 2009 would probably be his last year regardless of how well he played.

Westbrook spent eight seasons in Philadelphia and was already a hometown favorite after playing his college ball at Villanova. He was drafted in 2002 in the second round and made an immediate impact in his first season with the Birds primarily on special teams. His best season was in 2007 when he rushed for 1,333 yards and had another 771 receiving yards to lead the NFL in yards from scrimmage that year.

He certainly made the most of his time in Philly as he is the Eagles all time leader in yards from scrimmage with 9,785. He ranks second in rushing yards (5,995) and third in receptions (426) and TDs (68).

The one intangible you cannot measure was his ability to come up with a big run or reception that would that would result in a key first down or a game changing score. He was one of those few players that opposing teams had to game plan against, and yet there were very few times in his prime that he was ever completely shut down.

After sustaining back to back concussions last season I honestly thought we had seen the last of him not only in Philadelphia, but in the NFL. He will probably latch on somewhere and be able to contribute to a certain extent, but for his overall health and well being I would love to see him call it a career and ride off in the NFL sunset wearing Eagles green.

Monday, February 22, 2010

NFL 2009 Final Grades- The NFC North

In the second of a six part series, I am handing out final grades for all 32 NFL teams, division by division.

This week we will take a look to see how the teams in the NFC North faired this season.

NFC North 2009 Final Grades

Friday, February 19, 2010

NFL News & Notes- February 19th

With the memory of this year's Super Bowl becoming a distant memory to every team in the NFL except the Saints, the 2010 off season is in full swing.

Here are this week's News and Notes from the NFL as posted on InasecTV.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

2010 NFL Draft Preview- The Quarterbacks

Over the next several weeks leading up to the 2010 NFL Draft on April 22-24th I will be previewing the top prospects at each position.

This week we will take a look at the quarterback position

2010 NFL Draft Preview- Quarterback

Monday, February 15, 2010

NFC East- 2009 Final Grades

Over the next several weeks I will be handing out the final 2009 grades for all 32 teams in the NFL, division by division.

This week I started with the one that is near and dear to all our hearts; the NFC East. The following is a link to the article originally posted on InasecTV.

NFL 2009 Final Grades- The NFC East

Friday, February 12, 2010

NFL News & Notes- February 12th

While the Saints victory in Super Bowl XLIV is less than a week old, the post season activity around the league is already starting to heat up. Here is a link to this week's news and notes from the NFL as posted on InasecTV.com

NFL News & Notes

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

The Great American Race

I decided to take a break from football for just a second to preview one of my favorite sporting events in the world; the Daytona 500.

While I would not consider myself a big NASCAR fan, I do enjoy watching the 500. I love a sport that opens their season with their biggest event. If your team wins it really does not matter what happens for the rest of the season. Even if they stink from that point on, you can still brag about winning the big one.

Anyway, here is my preview of the race as posted on InasecTV.com

The Great American Race

Monday, February 8, 2010

Saints Shock the Colts in Super Bowl XLIV

While the Saints were not the biggest underdog to win a Super Bowl, their's might just be the most inspirational win by one.

Once the Eagles were knocked out of the playoffs I did throw my support behind New Orleans, but I honestly did not see them winning this game. It just goes to show that emotion can win games as long as you back it up with a solid performance. Hopefully this will be a lesson learned by Philly as they start planning for next season.

Here is my take on this game as posted on InasecTV.

Saints Shock the Colts

Friday, February 5, 2010

Super Bowl Party Trivia

The big game is only days away so now it is time to get down to the real nuts and bolts of this event; the Super Bowl Party.

It does not matter if you will be watching the game with a large crowd or just a few family and friends, check out this article of Super Bowl trivia and I am sure your will be able to come away with a few facts and figures to impress everyone.

Super Bowl Trivia

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Super Bowl XLIV is shaping up to be an Instant Classic

Here is a link to an article I just posted on InasecTV on the prospects that this year's Super Bowl could have as much drama and excitement as the last two.

Super Bowl XLIV is shaping up to be an Instant Classic

Monday, February 1, 2010

Super Bowl XLIV

Check back all week long as I'll be posting a number of articles previewing Sunday's big game.

This first one is a link to a post on InasecTV covering my "players to watch" for winning the game's MVP Award

Super Bowl XLIV Most Valuable Player Candidates

Friday, January 29, 2010

Is Donovan McNabb Getting Ready to Leave the Nest

With the end of another season and the Eagles not playing in the Super Bowl, the annual speculation about Donovan McNabb's future with the Eagles can officially begin.

What makes this year that much more interesting is the fact that McNabb is entering the final year of his contract and there has been little talk so far about any kind of extension.

The following is an article exploring the situation in further detail as recently posted on InasecTV.com

Is Eagle’s QB McNabb Leaving the Nest?

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

The Ins and Outs of the NFL 2010 Pro Bowl

This year's NFL Pro Bowl is sporting a whole new look, as for the first time since 1980 it will not be played the week after the Super Bowl in Hawaii, rather it will be held this Sunday, January 31st in Miami, the site of Super Bowl XLIV.

The following is a link to some thoughts on the game as posted on InasecTV.com

The Ins and Outs of the NFL 2010 Pro Bowl

Indianapolis and New Orleans Advance to Super Bowl XLIV

The Indianapolis Colts will meet the New Orleans Saints in Super Bowl XLIV on Sunday February 7th. The game is scheduled to kickoff at 6:30 from Dolphins Stadium in Miami. Both teams come in as the top seed in their conference as well as the top two quarterbacks in the league.

The following is a link to a recap of both conference championships as posted on InasecTV.com

Indianapolis and New Orleans Advance to Super Bowl XLIV

Friday, January 22, 2010

An Eagles Lincs Perspective on Championship Sunday

Here is a link to an article I just posted on Inasectv.com offering my perspective on this Sunday's conference championships.

It is not from a statistical standpoint or me getting on my soap box talking about why this or that team will win, rather it is from my love of the game; the things that attracted me to the sport of football in the first place.

This Sunday is Championship Sunday in the NFL

5 Things to Watch in the Conference Championships

The following is a link to five things to watch for in Sunday's AFC and NFC Championship games as posted on ATS Sportsline.

5 Things to Watch for in the Conference Championships

Thursday, January 21, 2010

NFC and AFC Championships- Previews and Predictions

The NFL's version of the Final Four is this Sunday, January 24th with the AFC and the NFC Championship games.

The early game, a 3:00 P.M. start pits the upstart New York Jets against the #1 seed Indianapolis Colts for the AFC Title.

Game two is the NFC's chance to crown a conference champion when the Minnesota Vikings take on the New Orleans Saints in a 6:30 start.

The following are links to my preview and prediction for each contest as posted on Inasectv.com

Why the Colts are going to Ground the Jets

Why the Saints are going to March all over the Vikings

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Minnesota Knocks Dallas Out of the Playoffs

The Minnesota Vikings did to Dallas what the Cowboys did to the Eagles last week; completely kicked their butts in a dominating playoff win. The final score was 34-3 as this game was never close.

From the very start, the Vikings had the Cowboys number. Defensively they shut down the running game and sacked Tony Romo six times as well as forced three costly turnovers. On offense, QB Brett Favre turned in a solid performance throwing for 234 yards for 4 TD's and no interceptions.
He completed 15 of 24 attempts ending the day with a passer rating of 124.5

I thoroughly enjoyed this beatdown of the 'Boys. Everybody and their mother jumped on their bandwagon after two wins over an uninspired Eagles team. All the closet Cowboy fans came out in full force to try and will "America's Team" to another win. Unfortunately, they are not nearly as good as all these bandwagon wanna be's thought they were.

I'll concede the fact that they were better than the Eagles at the end of the year, and that is something we as fans still have to stomach for the entire off season. What I will not concede is that this is one of the elite teams in the NFL. Tony Romo is an average quarterback at best and once again showed he cannot elevate his game when it mattered the most. Wade Phillips is a defensive coordinator disguised as a head coach. They have a ton of talent, but it has amounted to one playoff win in six postseason games.

One lasting image to take with you as Dallas exits the playoffs;team owner Jerry Jones pacing the sidelines with a dumb look of bewilderment wondering what just happened to his beloved 'Boys. As the Master Card commercial say's "priceless".

Friday, January 15, 2010

NFL Divisional Playoff Match-Ups

The winning teams from last week's wildcard round of the playoffs get a chance to play the top four seeds that are coming off a bye week. Here is a brief look at each game in terms of some facts and figures that could have an impact on the final outcome.

Trust me, this is a must read before making your final picks:

NFL Playoff Match-Ups

5 Things to Watch in the Divisional Playoffs

When it comes to the playoffs,there are many factors that come into play that can have a dramatic impact on the outcome of the game. Some of the obvious ones include penalties, turnovers, blown coverages, and dropped balls. Some of the more subtle ones are current momentum, favorable match-ups, and past history.

Here are 5 Things to Watch for this weekends game:

5 Things to Watch in the Divisional Playoffs