The voting for the Madden '12 cover has come down to a final four battle. On one side, the number three seed, Eagles quarterback Mike Vick, is taking on the number nine seed, Vikings running back Adrian Peterson. On the other side, the number one seed, Packers QB Aaron Rodgers, is taking on the number ten seed, Browns RB Peyton Hillis. If Vick wins the overall voting, he will be the first player to be on the cover of Madden twice, and in two different uniforms. Vick appeared on the cover of Madden 2004, and fell victim to the Madden Curse, breaking his leg in a preseason game. While some Philly fans have been wary about voting for Vick due to concern for the curse's reach, Vick pointed out on his Twitter account that there is no curse for being on the cover twice. Others argue that an injury would be negated by the lockout, should it extend into the regular season. Whatever your position on the curse, it would be good to have an Eagle on the cover of the newest Madden game. The last Eagle to grace the title's cover was Donovan McNabb on the Madden 2006 game. McNabb was later injured in a game against the Dallas Cowboys, and was replaced by backup QB (and Rutgers alum) Mike McMahon. The Eagles ended with a 6-10 record that year, so vote as your superstition dictates.
Meanwhile, wide receiver Jeremy Maclin is currently recuperating from an illness similar to mononucleosis. Though he lost 15 pounds, the receiver says he's gained about half of it back, and plans on joining Michael Vick and other key Eagles players in southern New Jersey for Vick's informal practices, meant to keep the team sharp. Let's hope it doesn't aggravate anything, or cause any injuries, especially while locked out of the team health plan.
Showing posts with label Dallas Cowboys. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dallas Cowboys. Show all posts
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Chuck Bednarick Hospitalized, Lockout Shenannigans
Chuck Bednarik has been admitted to a Bethlehem-area hospital after feeling short of breath. While this doesn't sound like that much of a problem, there has to be more to it, as Bednarik was still listed as being in "serious condition" as of this afternoon. This news comes has many in Eagles Nation worried, as many grew up (like I did), hearing stories about "Concrete Charley" (or "Cement Charley" after a few beers) and his tenure as an Eagle. Bednarik is a true Philly guy, playing football for Liberty High School in Bethlehem, then UPenn in Philly before being drafted by the reigning 1948 NFL champions. As a member of one of the most dominant periods of Eagles history, Bednarik helped propel the Eagles to the first back-to-back shutout championship in NFL history, a record that is still held by the Eagles. Bednarik is a celebrity in Eagles nation, being the last of the 60-minute men, from a time when players played both offense and defense. The former Eagle became a legend after laying a near career-ending hit on the Giants' Frank Gifford. While Bednarik has had his ups and downs with the Eagles, famously for supporting the New England Patriots during Super Bowl XXXIX due to a feud with owner Jeffery Lurie. Still, it's hard to hate Bednarik, responsible for some of the best football in Philadelphia and who had a hand in two NFL championships for the Birds. His recovery will hopefully be swift.
The NFL lockout has affected people in different ways. Fans have taken sides, generally with the players or against the NFL and the players' association. Now the players, with varying degrees of frustration, have begun to speak out, and not always in the best way. Recently, Minnesota Vikings tailback Adrian Peterson said that the NFL was like modern-day slavery. The comments, as any comment regarding slavery, was received very negatively by many, including Green Bay Packers' running back Ryan Grant. While many voiced their disagreement with Peterson's comments, but Peterson has also had his supporters. Rashard Mendenhall was chief among those supporting Peterson, tweeting that there are parallels between the slavery of colonial America and the NFL's practices. Also echoing Peterson's words was Eagles fullback Leonard Weaver. Immediately following the comments, Weaver received criticism from all corners of Eagle Nation, with fans and beat writers weighing in on the controversy. Yesterday, Weaver tweeted that he would be doing an interview explaining his words, and apologized if he offended anyone. Later, he tweeted a retraction for using the term slavery. The term is a strong one, and shouldn't be used to describe the working conditions of anyone making...well, any money. The players need to refrain from making these kinds of faux pas, otherwise it will erode the fan support players now enjoy.
Moving on to happy misfortune, the Dallas Cowboys were fined for illegal offseason activities. Echoing the fears of many that new coaches need to get in sync with their players soon, the Cowboys' new defensive coordinator, Rob Ryan, tried to do just that. Before the lockout began, the league was in a "dead period" where the actions of players and coaches are limited. Four other teams violated the rule and have been fined by the NFL, the fact that the Eagles were not one of these teams could be a good sign. Despite having a new defensive coordinator, Juan Castillo has been with the team and knows the players. Hopefully, this lack of breaking the rules is a vote of confidence in Castillo and his ability to pick up when the season begins. We'll find out when these fellas figure out how to split $9.3 billion. I have a few suggestions.
The NFL lockout has affected people in different ways. Fans have taken sides, generally with the players or against the NFL and the players' association. Now the players, with varying degrees of frustration, have begun to speak out, and not always in the best way. Recently, Minnesota Vikings tailback Adrian Peterson said that the NFL was like modern-day slavery. The comments, as any comment regarding slavery, was received very negatively by many, including Green Bay Packers' running back Ryan Grant. While many voiced their disagreement with Peterson's comments, but Peterson has also had his supporters. Rashard Mendenhall was chief among those supporting Peterson, tweeting that there are parallels between the slavery of colonial America and the NFL's practices. Also echoing Peterson's words was Eagles fullback Leonard Weaver. Immediately following the comments, Weaver received criticism from all corners of Eagle Nation, with fans and beat writers weighing in on the controversy. Yesterday, Weaver tweeted that he would be doing an interview explaining his words, and apologized if he offended anyone. Later, he tweeted a retraction for using the term slavery. The term is a strong one, and shouldn't be used to describe the working conditions of anyone making...well, any money. The players need to refrain from making these kinds of faux pas, otherwise it will erode the fan support players now enjoy.
Moving on to happy misfortune, the Dallas Cowboys were fined for illegal offseason activities. Echoing the fears of many that new coaches need to get in sync with their players soon, the Cowboys' new defensive coordinator, Rob Ryan, tried to do just that. Before the lockout began, the league was in a "dead period" where the actions of players and coaches are limited. Four other teams violated the rule and have been fined by the NFL, the fact that the Eagles were not one of these teams could be a good sign. Despite having a new defensive coordinator, Juan Castillo has been with the team and knows the players. Hopefully, this lack of breaking the rules is a vote of confidence in Castillo and his ability to pick up when the season begins. We'll find out when these fellas figure out how to split $9.3 billion. I have a few suggestions.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Cowboys fans not too happy about Steelers playing here for the SB
There’s a lot of pissed off Cowboys fans here trying to cope with the fact that out long time rivals, the Pittsburgh Steelers are in the Super Bowl playing here in Dallas at Cowboys Stadium. Which will pretty much make the Packers the favorites to win SB XLV on Sunday Feb 6th? As a true blue Cowboys fan, I’m not too happy about it but it’s just something I just have to accept and watch it.
This will make the Steelers 8th Super Bowl appearance (NFL Record) and already have the record for most SB wins with 6. The Cowboys faced the Steelers 3 times and have a 1-2 record vs. them in SB play. No matter how many years ago we faced them. The Cowboys feel that we should have a winning record and have the most Super Bowls. Plus the fact that hearing talk that the Steelers are now “America’s Team is adding more fuel to the fire.
It’s going to be a long week here in Dallas. As the Steelers are already here and starting to wave the terrible towels. I know as a Cowboys fan, there are a lot of mad, shocked fans here that which this was just a dream and not reality. Only to wish that WE were playing in SB XLV vs. the Steelers. But as usual right now, we have to wait till next year.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Asomugha, Pro Bowlers, and Jeff Fisher
In a shift of discussion from coaching to players, there has been no talk from the Eagles about roster movement, but we can be sure they will (hopefully) move quickly during the slim window between the Super Bowl (Feb. 7) and the date the current collective bargaining agreement expires (Mar.
4). In that time, the Eagles would be wise to browse this top free agents list to pick up talent ahead of the 2011 NFL Draft. One name on it keeps coming up is the Oakland Raiders cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha. If the Eagles can pick him up, he could complement Asante Samuel in the Eagles' secondary, solidifying the backfield and beefing up the defense for any potential DC candidate. With this consideration, hopefully people will back off of the speculation that the Eagles will move to a 3-4 defense, since the Raiders also run a 4-3 defense, and keeping this system intact would provide a better potential transition. Asomugha has already been passed on by the Colts as a poor fit for a Cover 2 defense.
In offensive news, Michael Vick told reporters in Honolulu that he hopes to be
back in Philly next year, a rehash of his statement that being the Eagles' quarterback gives him the best chance to win a Super Bowl. All of this is really just pep talk at the moment, since there is no way the Eagles will get rid of Vick. The organization has been contemplating giving him a franchise tag, though it is good to know that the cornerstone to the Eagles' rebuilding is happy in his position.
DeSean Jackson is also in Hawaii, and was prepping for the Pro Bowl until he tweaked his knee at a practice, later ruled to be a sprain. He refused to talk about his contract today, but has stated he believ
es that the Eagles will offer him an extension over the offseason. With his production this past year, especially in divisional games against the Redskins and Giants, it would be foolish not to extend his contract past the one year he has left. Jackson's spot in the Pro Bowl will be filled by the Dallas Cowboys' Miles Austin. That's kind of like sacrilege.
Finally, because the DC drama won't die, news recently broke that Jeff Fisher has been let go by the Titans. Because nature won't allow a vacuum or silence on speculations, many hav
e immediately jumped into the conversation with the idea that Fisher will return to Philly to reprise his role as defensive coordinator. Much of the speculation comes from the recent hiring of the Titans' Jim Washburn and the fact that Fisher spent four of his first five coaching years on the Eagles' defensive staff, serving as DC from 1988-1990. However, at the moment it's doubtful that Fisher will be a candidate, having been a head coach since 1994, way back when the Titans were still the Houston Oilers. Smart money (barring an evaporated candidate pool) is on Fisher looking for a head coaching job for 2011, or short of that, I see him taking the Jim Mora route, perhaps taking a commentating job and job hunting for the 2012-2013 season.
Sure to ad
d to the fuel of the rumor fire is the news that former Eagles linebacker Seth Joyner is interested in the spot left vacant by the firing of Bill Shuey. Joyner played for the Eagles from 1986-1993 under Buddy Ryan and DC Jeff Fisher.
Long story short, the Eagles have a lot of spots to fill and decisions to make. Unfortunately, the clock is quickly ticking on these decisions.
4). In that time, the Eagles would be wise to browse this top free agents list to pick up talent ahead of the 2011 NFL Draft. One name on it keeps coming up is the Oakland Raiders cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha. If the Eagles can pick him up, he could complement Asante Samuel in the Eagles' secondary, solidifying the backfield and beefing up the defense for any potential DC candidate. With this consideration, hopefully people will back off of the speculation that the Eagles will move to a 3-4 defense, since the Raiders also run a 4-3 defense, and keeping this system intact would provide a better potential transition. Asomugha has already been passed on by the Colts as a poor fit for a Cover 2 defense.In offensive news, Michael Vick told reporters in Honolulu that he hopes to be
back in Philly next year, a rehash of his statement that being the Eagles' quarterback gives him the best chance to win a Super Bowl. All of this is really just pep talk at the moment, since there is no way the Eagles will get rid of Vick. The organization has been contemplating giving him a franchise tag, though it is good to know that the cornerstone to the Eagles' rebuilding is happy in his position.DeSean Jackson is also in Hawaii, and was prepping for the Pro Bowl until he tweaked his knee at a practice, later ruled to be a sprain. He refused to talk about his contract today, but has stated he believ
es that the Eagles will offer him an extension over the offseason. With his production this past year, especially in divisional games against the Redskins and Giants, it would be foolish not to extend his contract past the one year he has left. Jackson's spot in the Pro Bowl will be filled by the Dallas Cowboys' Miles Austin. That's kind of like sacrilege.Finally, because the DC drama won't die, news recently broke that Jeff Fisher has been let go by the Titans. Because nature won't allow a vacuum or silence on speculations, many hav
e immediately jumped into the conversation with the idea that Fisher will return to Philly to reprise his role as defensive coordinator. Much of the speculation comes from the recent hiring of the Titans' Jim Washburn and the fact that Fisher spent four of his first five coaching years on the Eagles' defensive staff, serving as DC from 1988-1990. However, at the moment it's doubtful that Fisher will be a candidate, having been a head coach since 1994, way back when the Titans were still the Houston Oilers. Smart money (barring an evaporated candidate pool) is on Fisher looking for a head coaching job for 2011, or short of that, I see him taking the Jim Mora route, perhaps taking a commentating job and job hunting for the 2012-2013 season.Sure to ad
d to the fuel of the rumor fire is the news that former Eagles linebacker Seth Joyner is interested in the spot left vacant by the firing of Bill Shuey. Joyner played for the Eagles from 1986-1993 under Buddy Ryan and DC Jeff Fisher.Long story short, the Eagles have a lot of spots to fill and decisions to make. Unfortunately, the clock is quickly ticking on these decisions.
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