Donovan has a sad. Image via ESPN Dallas/Fort Worth

The sad saga that is the ending of Donovan McNabb’s career in the NFL still hasn’t ended.

I’ve said it before many times on this site, and I’ll say it again: I adore D. McNabb. So seeing what has happened to him following his time in Philadelphia has been tough. I thought his benching in Washington, behind Rex Grossman and John Beck, was the low point. I had high hopes for his time in Minnesota. Okay, well–just hopes. I thought he could do a solid job as quarterback, nothing too fancy, and that the team could have a decent chance to compete with a healthy Adrian Peterson.

As it turns out, things didn’t happen that way. At all. And it turned out that there was another low for McFive’s time in the league–being benched for rookie Christian Ponder. I gotta tell ya, that one hurt. Really hurt. The the Vikings knew that Ponder would be their future, and they wanted to give him the opportunity to gain experience. » Continue reading “The Sad Saga That Is The End of Donovan McNabb’s Career”

Those Shanahans in Washington are something else. They can’t coach a winning team to save their lives and yet they still somehow: a) have jobs, and b) think they can talk trash from the bottom of the division.

The trash talk happened today when the coach’s son, offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, thought it appropriate to pump up his awful team by make disparaging remarks about Juan Castillo.

Per ProFootballTalk and Bleeding Green Nation, Kyle tried to pump up the troops by saying the following:

“Hey, about an hour ago, all right, their [defensive] coordinator [Juan Castillo] told us, told [offensive line coach Chris] Foerster, that [if] the Giants would have lost last week, they were in the playoffs,” Kyle Shanahan said. “He didn’t mention that they had to beat us today. F–k him, f–k these guys. In 2012 the Redskins are gonna be the NFC East champions, and that starts right f–king today.”

F*ck Juan, Kyle? I’d like to hear your remarks to your team postgame, because clearly you and your crap team were the ones who got f**ked.

Oh, and the whole “we’re going to win next year” remark is old. It was said by your exalted quarterback Rex Grossman at the start of this season and hmm, just wanted to check in–how did that work out for you?

You can see video of this massive case of delusion by going here.

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Let’s be honest. Of the two NFC East matchups that will take place on Sunday, the Redskins (5-10) v. Eagles (7-8) games is not the one that will garner the most attention. The Sunday Night game between the Cowboys and the Giants will determine who wins the NFC East. The Washington v. Philadelphia game represents the teams that didn’t play well enough throughout the season to have a hope at the title.

That said, there are still plenty of reasons to tune in to the Eagles’ final game of the 2011 season. First, the result of the game will determine whether the Eagles will end the year with a losing season or if they will wind up as a .500 team.

Second, two Eagles are chasing records in the final game of the season. Unfortunately, RB LeSean McCoy probably won’t gain on Maurice Jones-Drew to get the rushing title for the season–he would have to get 128 yards, and that would be before MJD even took to the field. Shady has said that he will play against the Redskins, but keep in mind the fact that he is listed as questionable for the game due to an ankle injury. [UPDATE: It was announced at around 11:30 on Sunday that McCoy will be inactive for today's game. Cue sadness.]

DE Jason Babin has 18 sacks on the season, currently tired with DeMarcus Ware. Both Ware and Babin are a 1/2 sack behind league leader Jared Allen of the Vikings. Should Babin get 3 sacks on Sunday, he will tie the Eagles record held by the late, great Reggie White.

Also of note? Sunday may mark the last time that WR DeSean Jackson plays the game as an Eagle.

Philadelphia’s final game of the season will be an understated matter against a team that they should easily beat. But if they don’t, will it really matter?

If you can tear your eyes open from your New Year’s fun, tune in to the end of the season action at 1 pm on Fox.

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Ah, you can feel it in the air. The cold temperatures that indicate that we are in the throes of winter, no longer in the fall. Fall is football weather. The winter means that the season is coming to a close.

That reality is happening all too soon for the Eagles. No run at the playoffs means that we will all sit back and watch some other team ride off into the sunset with the Lombardi trophy once again.

Actual news about the team is decreasing and speculation increasing at proportionate. But as there is a game on Sunday, there is still football news to report. So here goes.

Injuries

RB LeSean McCoy did not practice today due to that ankle sprain he suffered in Dallas. Thankfully his injury is not a high ankle sprain, but it is not yet known if he will be able to play in Sunday’s season ending game. CB Asante Samuel also didn’t practice because of his continuing hamstring issue. Andy Reid said on Wednesday that “it would be a stretch” for Samuel to play on Sunday.

Unfortunately, strong safety Kurt Coleman was added to injured reserve on Wednesday after an MRI showed that he had suffered a partial tear to his biceps. It has yet to be determined if Coleman will require surgery.

Changing places

Coleman’s injury means that rookie Jaiquawn Jarrett will start on Sunday against the Redskins. Jarrett is, of course, excited at the opportunity, and feels that the season has adequately prepared him for this opportunity. Said Jarrett,

“In the beginning of the season, there was a lot going on, it was a learning process. I’m still learning as of today. You never stop learning. So I’m more comfortable today than I was four months ago.”

Pointless game?

If you’re wondering whether there is any point trying to recover from your New Year’s hangover in time to watch the Eagles play on Sunday, Cullen Jenkins presents a compelling argument as to why the Birds’ final game  of the 2011 season actually does mean something. That whole notion of momentum.

“Even if you look at Green Bay, what we did at the end of the season last year and that carried over with them into this year, and that’s happened to us a couple times out there when I was there. So I think it’s something that, especially for the young guys or the people coming in is that you kind of get a taste of that winning like, ‘Man, we won four games straight, we can do this.’ So then for all of the young guys their approach for next year will be wanting to go through that again, they don’t want to go through the losing part, and then they know that we have the ability to do that.”

There are so many factors that change from one season to another, and such a long stretch from one season’s end to another’s beginning that I’m not sure I buy the notion of momentum carrying from one season to another. Especially when momentum has only propelled you to a record of 8-8. But, Cullen makes it sound good so I will keep that in mind as I desperately look for aspirin on New Year’s Day and watch Sunday’s the game in bed.

Cullen Jenkins quote provided via the Philadelphia Eagles.

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Playoffs?!

The biggest talk of the NFC East is the Cowboys’ loss to the Giants in Sunday Night Football. Dallas had been alone in holding the top spot in the division, and their loss represented a measure of hope for the Eagles for getting into the playoffs. Let’s be very clear about this: It is incredibly unlikely that this will happen. But there’s a chance. There is also a chance that I will be discovered for my true inner pop star diva tomorrow, but that too is highly doubtful.

You should know this: For anything to be possible, the Birds need to win out. And winning against the Jets on Sunday will be a challenging proposition . Also keep in mind that their longest winning “streak” this season has been two games. Four would be a stretch.

The Eagles would need both the Giants and the Cowboys to lose this weekend in order to still be in the hunt. ESPN’s NFC East blog does a terrific job of outlining all of the possibilities for what may happen in the next few weeks, noting the following:

If the Eagles win their next two games, the Cowboys lose to the Bucs next week and the Giants lose to Washington and the Jets, the Eagles would clinch the division with a Week 17 victory over the Redskins regardless of the Giants-Cowboys result. » Continue reading “Eagles Briefs: Keeping Hope Alive; Steve Smith to IR”

This Sunday, the Eagles face their biggest NFC East rival, the Dallas Cowboys. Sure, Philadelphia fans cannot stand Washington. They deplore the Giants. But nothing compares to the venom we feel towards the Cowboys.

Which is why having the Eagles must beat that wretched team.

The Birds are coming off a win and some rest, but we can’t ignore their overall record of 2-4. It’s not good, and it’s dead last in the NFC East standings. There are still significant problems that the team must overcome in order to turn things around for the remainder of the season. How are they stacking up so far?

The offense is the undoubted bright spot for the team–when they don’t make silly mistakes like fumble the ball or throw it to a player on the opposing team. In fact, the Eagles are ranked 3rd in the league in total offense, with an average of 441.7 yards per game. But yet…look at that record. Philadelphia has consistently defeated itself on offense this season.The Cowboys are 6th in the league in total offense, averaging 397 yards/game.

Another bright spot for the offense: The Eagles are currently 1st in the NFL in rushing yards, with 17o yards per game. So let’s think about it: We have LeSean McCoy to run the ball. The likes of Jason Avant, Jeremy Maclin, and LeSean McCoy to catch the ball. If the boys can really address the basics, like ball =security, these total offense and rushing numbers can translate to wins. » Continue reading “Philadelphia Eagles: How Are They Looking Now?”

*Cue Dion Sanders singing* Cam. WHOA, CAM.

It’s Bye Week for the Birds, so no Eagles football today. Sniffle. Spending a Sunday in the fall not watching football is downright criminal, and is therefore not an option. Here are some suggestions for a few games you should check out.

Washington at Carolina – 1 pm, FOX

Rex Grossman is benched (liking how that feels, Rexy?), so John Beck will try to lead the Redskins to defeat over rookie Cam Newton. Cam has been exceptional so far this year, but his team has few wins to show for it. I’m liking the Panthers to win this one. And, a Redskins loss will obviously help Philadelphia.

St. Louis at Dallas – 4:15 pm, FOX

I don’t even have to tell you who I’m rooting for in this one.  Can someone please explain to me how Dallas continues to be called “America’s Team” when 90% of the country seems to despise them?

The Rams are looking for their first win this season. This time with backup QB and former Eagle A.J. Feeley, who is taking over for an injured Sam Bradford. I would really like for them to pull the upset, but I don’t see that happening. Poor St. Louis.

Indianapolis at New Orleans – SNF on NBC, 8:20 pm

If I’m being honest, I am terrified of watching this game. The Colts seeking their first win on the road in NOLA? Ay, Dios mio.

But I love the Colts. And without Peyton Manning (*sobs*) the team needs more support than ever. The allure of this 2010 Super Bowl rematch is markedly lessened by the fact that the starting quarterback for the Colts is none other than Curtis Painter. In fact, it nullifies the “rematch” component of it.

Even without Peyton, this team is so much better than the way they have performed thus far this season. I’m hoping they can pull the unlikely upset. Avenge the loss of the 2010 Super Bowl, and start showing that the talent on that team–Dallas Clark, Reggie Wayne, Austin Collie, Robert Mathis, Dwight Freeney–can come together and get it done.

I’m still scared, but I will be watching.

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McFive

I love Donovan McNabb. Always have, always will.

McNabb was never treated fairly by Eagles fans or Philadelphia media during his time in Philadelphia. Like it or not, he was an integral part of the Eagles’ relative success for 10 years, from 1999-2009.  I was heartbroken when McNabb was traded to the Redskins in 2010.

I don’t have to tell you that the Redskins did not do well last year. But Donovan should not bear the brunt of that team’s failures. Head coach Mike Shanahan showed a perplexing penchant for drama and devotion to his son Kyle, Redskins’ offensive coordinator who heavily favored Rex Grossman over McNabb, which led to Donovan’s benching at the end of the season.

The fact that anyone would favor Rex Grossman over anyone else should tell you all you need to know.

Nonetheless, my heart wept for Donovan McNabb. A good player and a good person deserved more respect than he received in the nation’s capital.

The news that McNabb would go to the Viking for the 2011 season gave me hope that McNabb could redeem himself, his reputation, and end his career on a high(er) note.  He had some weapons with which to work, it seemed, unlike the reality in Washington. He could make a decent showing.

Or not. » Continue reading “Time to Call It A Career”

Photo via the Philadelphia Eagles

It wasn’t perfect, but the Eagles pulled out a win in Washington on Sunday and gosh darn it–winning feels good.

The 20-13 win was a 20-3 lead at halftime, but Philadelphia was able to hang on to defeat their division rival.

Some highs from the game:
-A great day for the secondary: S Kurt Coleman, benched earlier in the season, had 3 interceptions in the game. S Nate Allen had one INT for the defense.
-The offense used more of its weapons. Brent Celek got his first TD of the season and showed how valuable he can be
-LeSean McCoy. The only constant bright spot for the Eagles this season had another great game. In the 1st half of the game he racked up 77 rushing yards. Shady finished the game with 126 yards. McCoy has scored a touchdown in each of the Eagles 6 games this season.
-Nnamdi made some noise! One of the biggest surprises of the season thus far has been the lack of production from Nnamdi Asomugha. Today, he reminded us all that he’s still here and he is absolutely fierce. He made a fierce stop to TE Chris Cooley, sending Cooley to the Redskins’ locker room for the remainder of the game.
-Way to go receivers: Jeremy Maclin had huge game, with 5 receptions for 101 yards. DeSean Jackson only had 46 yards for 3 receptions, but averaged 15.3 yards per catch.
-That cobbled together offensive line. It was pieced together at the last minute, but somehow it worked.Philadelphia’s offensive line worked together and did a decent job of protecting Vick. Go figure.

And the lows:
-Not VY: On one of the hits Vick did take on the field, he had to come out of the game while he was attended to by Eagles staff. It turned out that he just had dirt in his face and had the wind knocked out of him and needed to get himself together. » Continue reading “Back in Business: Eagles Defeat Redskins 20-13″

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EAGLES @ REDSKINS

1:00 PM

FOX

RADIO: 94 WIP

There isn’t much to say about the Eagles matchup with the Washington Redskins other than to point out that now the Birds truly are in a must-win situation. They need to win in order to have a chance to stay in the NFC East. They need to win to give their fans hope that they can turn things around. And they need to do it for themselves. The Eagles have an amazing collection of talent. They all need to start showing it.

Philadelphia finds itself at 1-4, trying to avoid a 5th straight loss. And they are 0-1 in the NFC East. The Redskins sit atop the division at 1-1. Right now, Rex Grossman’s preseason prediction that the Redskins would win the division no longer seems like sheer madness. And that fact is upsetting. Time to put a wrench into that plan, Eagles. » Continue reading “Eagles at Redskins Preview: Time to Turn Things Around”