My Crazy Fun Sunday Night...

So... as many people (ok, anybody that counts) know, the NFL started up this weekend. I am a huge Philadelphia sports fan and an even bigger Eagles fan. So, opening weekend is one of my favorite weekends of the year. Couple that with the fact that I had Phils/Mets tickets for Saturday night and I really was having trouble containing myself.

And... that's where the logistical nightmare begins. On Saturday night, it rained cats and dogs and it was pretty much a given that the game would be called off. So, the makeup game would most likely be earlier in the day on Sunday (right when the Eagles play). Since I'm a bigger Eagles fan than I am Phillies, I had to see the Eagles opener. So... I decided to switch my tickets out for the Phils closing game at Shea in NYC at 8:00 pm.

So... I live in Lancaster/Reading area in PA. For those out of the area, that is a rough/long train ride at that time of night (Amtrak doesn't run that late and you are left to regional lines). Anyhow, long story short. I watched the Eagles game in Trenton near the train station and got really, really, really loaded. Then, I took a train to Penn Station and a train to Shea. 3 hours and a Phillies loss later, I was on my way home (at midnight). Ugh.

I ended up sleeping in Manayunk at 3:30 in the morning (my Aunt's house) and taking a half day of work. Then, on Monday, I went to sleep at 9:00 and didn't get up until 7:00. What a weekend. I'm DEFINITELY not as young as I used to be. But, boy was it fun.

Cris Clemons Signs With Eagles

The Eagles got another signing yesterday to compliment their opening signing of Asante Samuel. They signed Cris Clemons to a five year deal from the Oakland Raiders. Clemons is a fast defensive end who had 8 sacks in part time duty last year. Adam Schefter said that this makes up for when the Raiders took Derrick Burgess from us. If that's true, I'm stoked about the move. More realistically, I hope that he adds some pressure and another fast, live body to our defensive end rotation. Good news to see the Eagles aggressively going after help in free agency. I don't want to see another last place in the division.

Still waiting on what is going to happen with Lito Sheppard. But, I'm sure that will happen in due time. Or, maybe not? Maybe they'll find a way to make him happy. Who knows at this point? My money is on a trade for draft picks. He is receiving a lot of attention from teams in need of cornerback help. So... the Eagles may get some good value for him.

Asante Samuel Signs With Eagles

The first reaction to this signing is... Awesome!! The Eagles get a top cornerback to add to their already great tandem of Sheldon Brown and Lito Sheppard. Unfortunately, there's a possibility that this may mean the end of Sheppard's run in Philly. He's been great for the Eagles over the years. He was their best playmaker on the defensive side for many years. But, he just couldn't seem to kick the injury bug the last few years. That is his only downside.

There have also been rumors that Sheppard could be traded for Larry Fitzgerald. That would be a tough one to pull off based on Fitzgerald's salary figures the next two years ($14 and $17 million). The Eagles would have to offer him at least that in guaranteed bonus money up front to even get that part of the deal done. Then, they would have to figure out who and what to trade to the Cardinals. It would probably be a 2nd round pick and Sheppard to get it done. So.... We'll see. But, the signing of Asante Samuel does make you feel like there is another shoe to fall.

Although... There may not be. If they can move Sheldon Brown to safety and keep Sheppard, that would be great too. That would give them all kinds of flexibility in their secondary. All in all, a great move for the Eagles. I can't wait to see what else they do

Eagles Rumors

I waited my entire 30 minute elliptical workout to see what the rumors are for where McNabb "might" go next year. Now, I don't believe for a second that McNabb won't be an Eagle. But, it's still fun to listen to the offseason rumors. So, 30 minutes of waiting... and I realize it's an hour long SportsCenter. So, I never got to hear the rumor (I found out later it was the Bears, Vikings and Lions). The mill is swirling around the Eagles this year. They are rumored to be interested in Larry Fitzgerald, Roy Williams and Chad Johnson. Another year... another load of receivers that the Eagles are "interested" in.

I do hope the Eagles are aggressive in the offseason. But, I would rather see defensive additions than all these offensive additions. They can score points. They need a playmaker on defense... be it a cornerback, safety, or defensive end.

I also got just over 30 minutes of elliptical in and did a pretty good pace. I don't really keep stats on the elliptical. But, it felt tough for about 2/3 of the workout.

Super Bowl Sunday

As a huge football fan, I thought that I would be remiss to not have an entry about today's game. That said, I can't remember a game that I cared less about then today's game. Well, not true, the Steelers/Seahawks SB a couple years back competes. But, that's it.

Honestly, I've been telling everyone that asks that I hope they play the game over a fault line and both teams fall in. I've had enough of the "perfect season" talk and the "best team ever" talk. So, my instinct is to root for the Giants. That said, I'm a huge Eagles fan and I'm not sure if I could stand another Super Bowl ring in the division that isn't ours (we're still ringless for those counting). We're still holding to three league championships that happened pre Super Bowl era. Pathetic.

So... instead of telling you who I'm rooting for, I'll tell you what I expect to happen. I expect that the Giants will play them tough. They will get somewhere into the 4th quarter and Eli Manning will turn back into Eli Manning and throw a pick and fumble the ball. In the end, this will be the first Patriots Super Bowl in this recent era that will not be won by a field goal. I think it will be at least 10 points. I say, 30-20.