For all the Philiadelphia fans out there, remember this score:
Super Bowl Wins:
Eli Manning- 1
D McNabb- 0
That score still hasn't changed.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Playoff Picks; An All Bird Superbowl, But Which Birds Get There?
Philadelphia at Arizona
They call Philadelphia 'this year's version of last season's Giants', meaning that the team is peaking during the playoffs. Those such as the 'Mad Dog' Chris Russo call the Eagles' run 'magical' since they were launched into the playoffs after the stars aligned and Oakland beat Tampa Bay on the last day of the regular season.
It sounds good, but that's all it is...talk.
The Eagles played a great game against the Giants, but it is a game that they could just as easily have lost had Eli Manning played just a little bit better. It was the Giants that gave the Eagles the momentum that they needed to win last Sunday, not anyone wearing a green helmet, because the Eagles could not get anything going on either side of the ball until the Giants handed it to them- literally.
If Eli connects with Steve Smith on the opening drive- different game. If Eli does not throw that first interception- different ballgame.
The point is not to defend the Giants loss, but to emphasize the fact that it was a Giants loss more than an Eagles win.
The Arizona Cardinals are the team that is peaking at the right time. They slumped mid-season and were accused of being weak on defense, but this team has shown that they are for real. Mad Dog Russo can say all day long that no one in their right mind could have picked Arizona last week, but when Arizon beat Atlanta they became the team that most resembled last year's Giants- a team that finally realized that they could play with anyone.
Not to mention that Arizona has two great receivers and Quarterback who is playing like he's 25.
Arizona will advance to the Superbowl after dismissing Philadelphia from their playoff run with a 30-24 win.
Baltimore at Pittsburgh
I'd be more inclined to outright pick the Steelers here if not for the fact that Pittsburgh has beaten Baltimore twice this season. That tells me that Baltimore is due.
Baltimore is beat up and going to Steeltown and pulling off a win is never an easy task, but it is a task that I think the Ravens are up for.
I think this team is so banged up right now that they are going to come out hungry. They needed a few breaks to win last week, but that could be an indication of the karma flying with the Ravens right now.
I'm going with the ratings-killer Superbowl.
Arizona vs. Baltimore in Tampa.
Baltimore over Pittsburgh 21-20
They call Philadelphia 'this year's version of last season's Giants', meaning that the team is peaking during the playoffs. Those such as the 'Mad Dog' Chris Russo call the Eagles' run 'magical' since they were launched into the playoffs after the stars aligned and Oakland beat Tampa Bay on the last day of the regular season.
It sounds good, but that's all it is...talk.
The Eagles played a great game against the Giants, but it is a game that they could just as easily have lost had Eli Manning played just a little bit better. It was the Giants that gave the Eagles the momentum that they needed to win last Sunday, not anyone wearing a green helmet, because the Eagles could not get anything going on either side of the ball until the Giants handed it to them- literally.
If Eli connects with Steve Smith on the opening drive- different game. If Eli does not throw that first interception- different ballgame.
The point is not to defend the Giants loss, but to emphasize the fact that it was a Giants loss more than an Eagles win.
The Arizona Cardinals are the team that is peaking at the right time. They slumped mid-season and were accused of being weak on defense, but this team has shown that they are for real. Mad Dog Russo can say all day long that no one in their right mind could have picked Arizona last week, but when Arizon beat Atlanta they became the team that most resembled last year's Giants- a team that finally realized that they could play with anyone.
Not to mention that Arizona has two great receivers and Quarterback who is playing like he's 25.
Arizona will advance to the Superbowl after dismissing Philadelphia from their playoff run with a 30-24 win.
Baltimore at Pittsburgh
I'd be more inclined to outright pick the Steelers here if not for the fact that Pittsburgh has beaten Baltimore twice this season. That tells me that Baltimore is due.
Baltimore is beat up and going to Steeltown and pulling off a win is never an easy task, but it is a task that I think the Ravens are up for.
I think this team is so banged up right now that they are going to come out hungry. They needed a few breaks to win last week, but that could be an indication of the karma flying with the Ravens right now.
I'm going with the ratings-killer Superbowl.
Arizona vs. Baltimore in Tampa.
Baltimore over Pittsburgh 21-20
The New York Mets New Citi Field Inaugural Patch
Over the past few days, I've heard the (not so good) hype over the Citi Field inaugural patch, but today is the first day that I actually got a look at it. My first reaction would have been one of major disappointment, had I actually been able to fathom what the heck the people who made the decision to produce patch were thinking.
The colors are right, you've got to credit the decision makers for that one, but there is nothing else on the patch that symbolizes anything. If, as a Mets fan, I hang that patch on the wall for all to see, or stitch it to one of my own shirts, no one that is not more than just a casual Mets fan is going to have a clue as to what the patch means.
The patch is plain, ordinary and (I'm sorry to say) a pathetic attempt at representing a significant season in the history of the NY Mets franchise.
If there is any pride left in Flushing then team management will recall the patch (I'm sure their not flying off the shelves anyway) and get it right. Put a logo of the new Citi Field on there, or, if nothing else, at least put the TEAM's logo on there.
Of course, after two historic collapses in a row, maybe the Mets are no longer proud enough to boast their own insignia.
Two things come to mind when looking at this patch:
1. Mets ownership may not be convinced that Citi Corp will be able to fulfill their financial obligations for naming rights to the stadium, due to the finincial crisis in which the bank is engulfed. If that is the case, then you can understand why the team is hesitant to stamp the patch 'Citi Field' just in case Citi were to back out and the stadium opens the season under another name. If that is the case, there is not reason not to at least put the Mets logo or name on the patch.
2. This patch is the first indication that Mets owner Fred Wilpon is cutting corners after losing half a billion dollars to the Bernie Madoff Ponzi scheme.
My bet is that number one is the answer. It's not too late for the team to correct this mistake. The Yankees patch looks great, meaning the Yanks have won the battle for the back pages and the patches this offseason.
Let's hope they don't also win the battle for New York next October.
Fix the patch!
The colors are right, you've got to credit the decision makers for that one, but there is nothing else on the patch that symbolizes anything. If, as a Mets fan, I hang that patch on the wall for all to see, or stitch it to one of my own shirts, no one that is not more than just a casual Mets fan is going to have a clue as to what the patch means.
The patch is plain, ordinary and (I'm sorry to say) a pathetic attempt at representing a significant season in the history of the NY Mets franchise.
If there is any pride left in Flushing then team management will recall the patch (I'm sure their not flying off the shelves anyway) and get it right. Put a logo of the new Citi Field on there, or, if nothing else, at least put the TEAM's logo on there.
Of course, after two historic collapses in a row, maybe the Mets are no longer proud enough to boast their own insignia.
Two things come to mind when looking at this patch:
1. Mets ownership may not be convinced that Citi Corp will be able to fulfill their financial obligations for naming rights to the stadium, due to the finincial crisis in which the bank is engulfed. If that is the case, then you can understand why the team is hesitant to stamp the patch 'Citi Field' just in case Citi were to back out and the stadium opens the season under another name. If that is the case, there is not reason not to at least put the Mets logo or name on the patch.
2. This patch is the first indication that Mets owner Fred Wilpon is cutting corners after losing half a billion dollars to the Bernie Madoff Ponzi scheme.
My bet is that number one is the answer. It's not too late for the team to correct this mistake. The Yankees patch looks great, meaning the Yanks have won the battle for the back pages and the patches this offseason.
Let's hope they don't also win the battle for New York next October.
Fix the patch!
Monday, January 12, 2009
The Plaxico Question
Let's get one thing straight. The Giants did not lose yesterday's game because Plaxico Burress was not there. They lost the game because they played like crap, starting with Eli Manning.
If Eli Manning gets the football to his open receivers early, then the entire complexion of the game, and possibly the outcome, turns out differently.
All we heard today from the sports media and talk show hosts was how the Giants needed Plaxico Burress to win that game and how he killed their season. That's making excuses and its simply not true.
If Eli Manning had a decent game, or if the receivers made the catches that they should have, or if John Carney makes his field goals or if Brandon Jacobs is allowed to run the football instead of splitting his time (pretty much 50-50) with Derek Ward, then the Giants win hands down. Additionally, if the Giants defense put more pressure on McNabb and maybe sacked him a time or two, then some of those third downs don't get converted.
They didn't even need to do all of those things, they just needed to do one or two of them to win, and they didn't.
The biggest factor to the Giants losing yesterday was that Eli Manning stunk. Plain and simple, he just stunk. Just days after Mike Lupica proclaimed that Eli was "near immortality" (the guy continues to show us that he's out of touch), Eli showed us that he's far from it. Eli is better than he played yesterday and he gave us a Superbowl championship last year, so its hard to rip into him too hard. He's a very good Quarterback that had a very bad game at the absolute worst time.
It has nothing to do with Plaxico Burress not playing.
If they want to say that the legal troubles that engulfed Plax and Antonio Pierce effected the team's level of play, I'll buy that. That's a different story because that situation was an obvious mental burden on Pierce, if not the whole team.
Plaxico is a great player and he makes the Giants a better team, undoubtedly. But they could have easily won that game without him. Bottom line.
He's not the reason that they lost.
And Eagles fans should remember this score:
Superbowl Victories:
Eli Manning- 1
Donovan McNabb- 0
That score still stands.
If Eli Manning gets the football to his open receivers early, then the entire complexion of the game, and possibly the outcome, turns out differently.
All we heard today from the sports media and talk show hosts was how the Giants needed Plaxico Burress to win that game and how he killed their season. That's making excuses and its simply not true.
If Eli Manning had a decent game, or if the receivers made the catches that they should have, or if John Carney makes his field goals or if Brandon Jacobs is allowed to run the football instead of splitting his time (pretty much 50-50) with Derek Ward, then the Giants win hands down. Additionally, if the Giants defense put more pressure on McNabb and maybe sacked him a time or two, then some of those third downs don't get converted.
They didn't even need to do all of those things, they just needed to do one or two of them to win, and they didn't.
The biggest factor to the Giants losing yesterday was that Eli Manning stunk. Plain and simple, he just stunk. Just days after Mike Lupica proclaimed that Eli was "near immortality" (the guy continues to show us that he's out of touch), Eli showed us that he's far from it. Eli is better than he played yesterday and he gave us a Superbowl championship last year, so its hard to rip into him too hard. He's a very good Quarterback that had a very bad game at the absolute worst time.
It has nothing to do with Plaxico Burress not playing.
If they want to say that the legal troubles that engulfed Plax and Antonio Pierce effected the team's level of play, I'll buy that. That's a different story because that situation was an obvious mental burden on Pierce, if not the whole team.
Plaxico is a great player and he makes the Giants a better team, undoubtedly. But they could have easily won that game without him. Bottom line.
He's not the reason that they lost.
And Eagles fans should remember this score:
Superbowl Victories:
Eli Manning- 1
Donovan McNabb- 0
That score still stands.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Big Blew It
Eli Manning picked the worst game to have his worst showing of the season and maybe the Philadelphia Eagles really are this year's version of last year's Giants.
Eli did not resemble a Pro Bowl Quarterback on a team trying to defend a Superbowl title and the Giants looked lifeless at times while Philadelphia played with the same determination that carried the Giants from Wild Card contenders to Superbowl Champs last year.
Today's game demonstrates how difficult it is for a team to repeat, but this is still a game that the Giants should have won. In my opinion, the team did not play with the same early season determination when the Pro Bowl selections were released and those selections revealed that the Giants were finally getting the respect that they felt they deserved.
The chip on the shoulder that this team carried throughout last year's Playoffs and the first half of this season was missing.
That being said, the players gave it their all, and as a Giants fan I appreciate every ounce of effort put out by this team that carried them this far. It truly was a great season that ended prematurely.
But, let's do a little bit of armchair Quarterbacking:
We saw too little of Brandon Jacobs, especially in the first half. This is the guy that the offense revolves around, the guy that was rested in the meaningless week 17 game so that he would be fully healthy for Playoffs, and yet Derek Ward came in to replace him every time it looked like Jacobs was starting to roll. At least that's what it looked like from my living room. Jacobs should have been able to run that football until he couldn't run any more. His was the intensity that flared all week leading up to this game, and his was the intensity that should have been on the field during every offensive drive of the game.
However, Big Blue lost this game because Eli Manning never could put it together. It was rare when he accurately connected with an intended receiver, and the football often lacked the solid spiral motion that we're used to seeing flying from Eli's hand. Cold weather or not, had Eli performed today, then this game would have belonged to the Giants.
Another Eli blunder came when he failed to go low and dive beneath the action when he needed only inches from his Quarterback Sneak to get that crucial first down in the fourth quarter. If Eli dives for the feet, he picks up those inches and the momentum lay with the Giants, at least for the time being.
The truth is, Philadelphia deserves their credit, too. Their defense played spectacularly and the offense did what they needed to do while Westbrook was shut down. I, for one, thought that if the Giants shut down Westbrook, they'd sail to victory. Shows what I know.
On the other hand, had the Big Blue D been able to pressure Number 5 some more, then McNabb's solid performance most likely would have turned into an Eli-esque showing and the Eagles may have ended up going home for the season instead of looking towards the desert.
And John Carney, who'd been there all season long, came up short today. Missing one field goal in those winds is understandable, but not two. Not in a Playoff game with everything on the line.
These teams both deserve to be where they are tonight. The Eagles played better, and VFC hates to admit that.
For the Giants, thanks for a great season. There was a lot of distraction to deal with, and ultimately, that distraction may have caught up with the team over that last few weeks. Teamate turmoil is one thing, but when the legal authorities have to get involved, especially with a Team Captain, that changes everything.
For now, all us Giants fans can say is...there's always next year.
Maybe next year will be a little more Super.
Eli did not resemble a Pro Bowl Quarterback on a team trying to defend a Superbowl title and the Giants looked lifeless at times while Philadelphia played with the same determination that carried the Giants from Wild Card contenders to Superbowl Champs last year.
Today's game demonstrates how difficult it is for a team to repeat, but this is still a game that the Giants should have won. In my opinion, the team did not play with the same early season determination when the Pro Bowl selections were released and those selections revealed that the Giants were finally getting the respect that they felt they deserved.
The chip on the shoulder that this team carried throughout last year's Playoffs and the first half of this season was missing.
That being said, the players gave it their all, and as a Giants fan I appreciate every ounce of effort put out by this team that carried them this far. It truly was a great season that ended prematurely.
But, let's do a little bit of armchair Quarterbacking:
We saw too little of Brandon Jacobs, especially in the first half. This is the guy that the offense revolves around, the guy that was rested in the meaningless week 17 game so that he would be fully healthy for Playoffs, and yet Derek Ward came in to replace him every time it looked like Jacobs was starting to roll. At least that's what it looked like from my living room. Jacobs should have been able to run that football until he couldn't run any more. His was the intensity that flared all week leading up to this game, and his was the intensity that should have been on the field during every offensive drive of the game.
However, Big Blue lost this game because Eli Manning never could put it together. It was rare when he accurately connected with an intended receiver, and the football often lacked the solid spiral motion that we're used to seeing flying from Eli's hand. Cold weather or not, had Eli performed today, then this game would have belonged to the Giants.
Another Eli blunder came when he failed to go low and dive beneath the action when he needed only inches from his Quarterback Sneak to get that crucial first down in the fourth quarter. If Eli dives for the feet, he picks up those inches and the momentum lay with the Giants, at least for the time being.
The truth is, Philadelphia deserves their credit, too. Their defense played spectacularly and the offense did what they needed to do while Westbrook was shut down. I, for one, thought that if the Giants shut down Westbrook, they'd sail to victory. Shows what I know.
On the other hand, had the Big Blue D been able to pressure Number 5 some more, then McNabb's solid performance most likely would have turned into an Eli-esque showing and the Eagles may have ended up going home for the season instead of looking towards the desert.
And John Carney, who'd been there all season long, came up short today. Missing one field goal in those winds is understandable, but not two. Not in a Playoff game with everything on the line.
These teams both deserve to be where they are tonight. The Eagles played better, and VFC hates to admit that.
For the Giants, thanks for a great season. There was a lot of distraction to deal with, and ultimately, that distraction may have caught up with the team over that last few weeks. Teamate turmoil is one thing, but when the legal authorities have to get involved, especially with a Team Captain, that changes everything.
For now, all us Giants fans can say is...there's always next year.
Maybe next year will be a little more Super.
RUMOR MILL
Justin Tuck and Mathias Kiwanuka were spotted in a local Safeway gathering armfulls of grocery bags.
When approached, the two would only say, "Paper or plastic, McNabb, paper or plastic? That's the only decision you'll have to make today."
As a result, one could only surmise that the Big Blue defense will be handing out a few Sacks today.
Meanwhile, Tom Brady and Gisele cozy up on the couch to watch an episode of the Thornbirds and Brett Favre's wife has him carrying out the recycling bin to the dump, and he's bringing the whole Jets team with him.
When approached, the two would only say, "Paper or plastic, McNabb, paper or plastic? That's the only decision you'll have to make today."
As a result, one could only surmise that the Big Blue defense will be handing out a few Sacks today.
Meanwhile, Tom Brady and Gisele cozy up on the couch to watch an episode of the Thornbirds and Brett Favre's wife has him carrying out the recycling bin to the dump, and he's bringing the whole Jets team with him.
Sports Notes of the Day; PLayoff Football and the Mets
No one, absolutely no one (except VFC's Sports House) gave Arizona a chance to upset the Carolina Panthers, but that's just what they did last night.
Fitzgerald made some huge plays early on and Jake Delhomme couldn't keep his passes from ending up in the hands of Cardinal defenders.
The biggest game starts in a few hours, when the Giants will make short of the Eagles in freezing temperatures at the Meadowlands.
Tim Redding coming to the Mets is an understandable move that adds pitching depth, although not solid depth. What got me about this signing was that Redding got $2.25 million dollars. The pitching depth that Redding will provide is not worth $2.25 million dollars, especially in the middle of a recession where many people (that are really good at their jobs) are getting laid off. Redding has a crappy season (ERA just under five) and gets a $1.25 million pay raise.
I like the signing because it gives the team a warm body at the back end of the rotation, but the cost was too high.
Fitzgerald made some huge plays early on and Jake Delhomme couldn't keep his passes from ending up in the hands of Cardinal defenders.
The biggest game starts in a few hours, when the Giants will make short of the Eagles in freezing temperatures at the Meadowlands.
Tim Redding coming to the Mets is an understandable move that adds pitching depth, although not solid depth. What got me about this signing was that Redding got $2.25 million dollars. The pitching depth that Redding will provide is not worth $2.25 million dollars, especially in the middle of a recession where many people (that are really good at their jobs) are getting laid off. Redding has a crappy season (ERA just under five) and gets a $1.25 million pay raise.
I like the signing because it gives the team a warm body at the back end of the rotation, but the cost was too high.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Playoff Picks
Back from vacation in Sevilla, its time to bear down for the NFL playoffs.
EAGLES AT GIANTS
The best of this weekends four games will be played in the Meadowlands when the Giants and Eagles will face each other for the third time this season. The 'experts' are calling the Eagles this year's version of last season's Gaints, a team that is peaking going into the playoffs, and many are picking the Eagles to win this one. On his Sirius XM radio show, The Mad Dog Chris Russo has picked the Eagles to win this one (at least I think he did, sometimes he just says "they'll be right in the game" after indicating his favorite), and some reporters on Sportsnet New York have even picked the Eagles.
I'm not buying it.
I'm a fan of the New York Giants and obviously biased, but I don't think this game will even be close.
When the Eagles beat the Giants a few weeks ago, they were still just getting over the Plaxico Burress incident in which Antonio Pierce was involved. It was obvious that ordeal effected the team, and especially Pierce, whether they admit it or not. In addition, Brandon Jacobs was not at full form.
The Giants will be going into Sunday's game with Jacobs at full strength and the Plaxico issue in the rear view mirror. Not to mention the chip on the shoulder that this team gets when they are feeling disrespected will be back with all the pundits picking Phillie.
On the offensive side of the ball Jacobs will set the tone early and Eli will come up with enough big plays to keep the Phillie D honest.
The defense will pressure McNabb, add a few sacks in the process, but the key is that they will stop Westbrook. Take him out of the game and the Giants win. Period.
VFC's Pick: Giants 31-20
Game MVP: Brandon Jacobs
ARIZONA at CAROLINA
The upset this week will be in Carolina, not New York. Carolina will drop this one behind a strong performance by Kurt Warner.
Other games:
Baltimore over Tennessee
Pittsburgh over San Diego
EAGLES AT GIANTS
The best of this weekends four games will be played in the Meadowlands when the Giants and Eagles will face each other for the third time this season. The 'experts' are calling the Eagles this year's version of last season's Gaints, a team that is peaking going into the playoffs, and many are picking the Eagles to win this one. On his Sirius XM radio show, The Mad Dog Chris Russo has picked the Eagles to win this one (at least I think he did, sometimes he just says "they'll be right in the game" after indicating his favorite), and some reporters on Sportsnet New York have even picked the Eagles.
I'm not buying it.
I'm a fan of the New York Giants and obviously biased, but I don't think this game will even be close.
When the Eagles beat the Giants a few weeks ago, they were still just getting over the Plaxico Burress incident in which Antonio Pierce was involved. It was obvious that ordeal effected the team, and especially Pierce, whether they admit it or not. In addition, Brandon Jacobs was not at full form.
The Giants will be going into Sunday's game with Jacobs at full strength and the Plaxico issue in the rear view mirror. Not to mention the chip on the shoulder that this team gets when they are feeling disrespected will be back with all the pundits picking Phillie.
On the offensive side of the ball Jacobs will set the tone early and Eli will come up with enough big plays to keep the Phillie D honest.
The defense will pressure McNabb, add a few sacks in the process, but the key is that they will stop Westbrook. Take him out of the game and the Giants win. Period.
VFC's Pick: Giants 31-20
Game MVP: Brandon Jacobs
ARIZONA at CAROLINA
The upset this week will be in Carolina, not New York. Carolina will drop this one behind a strong performance by Kurt Warner.
Other games:
Baltimore over Tennessee
Pittsburgh over San Diego
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